President Fred clings on! Part 1

This was a game set in the well-known fictional African country of Ph'tang.  The newly elected President Fred was inroduced in a previous post, and this game covered his efforts to cling to power in the face of hostile factions and (most dangerous of all?) his own bodyguard.

Roles, (with those who played them and why) were as folows:

 

President Fred (Steve T - he likes to wear a big hat)

You are the democratically elected and benign ruler of the small African state of Ph’tang, your party P.O.N.G. (the Ph’tangi Organisation for National Glorification) having swept to victory at the last election. Under your direct command is your devoted (and well remunerated) bodyguard, The Purple Helmets. You also have at your service a loyal unit of the Ph’tangi Army, namely F.R.O.L.I.C. under the command of your loyal but sinister subordinate Captain De'ath.

Objectives:

1. Survive and cling to power.
2. Obtain the approval of the international community, especially the UN.
3. Display the exaggerated mannerisms of a comedy dictator.

Captain De'ath (Wg Cdr Luddite - he is rather sinister)

You are the loyal and trusted sidekick to the recently re-elected President Fred of Ph’tang. You command F.R.O.L.I.C. (Fanatic Regiment Of Light Infantry Cowards).

Objectives:

1. Ensure that President Fred stays in power – if he goes so do you!
2. Advance your career…
3. Avoid heavy casualties in your own force.
4. Act the part of a shadowy henchman.

Colonel Incognito (Dave S - he has the beard for it)

You are the Cuban ‘adviser’ to and thus de facto commander of L.A.D.A. (the Leftist Army of Darkest Africa). Having assembled your forces in nearby Zoone, the time is now right to invade Ph’tang in the interests of peace and stability. You have instructed the local revolutionaries to take action, and it is better that they sustain the casualties, rather than losing your expensively trained regulars…

Objectives:

1. Depose the fascist President Fred.
2. Obtain UN approval for your actions.
3. Avoid heavy casualties in your own force.
4. Act the part of the glassy-eyed Communist fanatic.

Dave (or 'Fidel') shows his concern for civillian casualties.

The Limp Wrist (Martin R - he was once seen reading the Guardian)

You are the shadowy and mysterious leader of a popular uprising against the evil and repressive dictatorship of President Fred.  Your organisation, The Peoples Organisation For Socialism is covertly backed by the Cuban sponsored Leftist Army of Darkest Africa (L.A.D.A.) which is massing on the border prior to invading Ph’tang. Now is the time for action!

Objectives:

1. Overthrow the president.
2. Obtain UN assisstance.
3. Acquire legitimacy in the eyes of the world.
4. Act in a rather camp fashion. 

Martin closes his eyes to the excesses of the revolution.

The table (6x4 feet) was set up with a small town, woods, hills, the presidential compound, barracks and a river marking the border with neighbouring Zoone. 

 

 As well as very basic 'rules' governing movement and firing, the main mechanism of the game was the Matrix Argument.  For those of you unfamiliar with such things, have a look at the appropriate page of the WD website.