Collaborative Campaign Year 16: Part 4

 After a long delay, today's post is set in Zigura and features a character we met at the beginning of the Campaign; Prince Toshibbaz, brother of Xeroz, King of Kings. Text and photos by, and the property of, Martin Smith.

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It had been a long wait, but when it came the rebel invasion of Zigura, led by King Xeroz’ estranged brother, Prince Toshibbaz, was a major undertaking. Having lived in exile for over a decade as guest of King Skuxa of the nomadic Mazyakaata tribe of eastern Inconnu the prince had built a solid retinue of disaffected Ziguran nobility around him. Now the arrival of General Amukar with a large force of defecting Zigurans provided the trigger to launch another attempt on the King of Kings’ throne. Amukar’s dislike of the tyrant Xeroz had reached tipping point when news arrived of the death of his beloved nephew Hulipakar, sent on yet another of the High King’s fruitless incursions into Pylonia. 

Toshibbaz’ army was, he judged, now strong enough for the task, and with help in the form of heavily armoured cavalry and wild hillmen from the Mazyakaata he stormed into his homeland, striking directly at the capital, Issisha.

In that great Ziguran city Xeroz received the news of invasion with a certain amount of relief. For too many years he had expected his quarrelsome sibling to challenge his position, and now, with his enemy rapidly approaching Issisha across the steppes his chance to put an end to this threat once and for all had come at last. Gathering all his available soldiery he boldly marched forth, to meet his rebellious brother and his barbarian allies near the Bitter Lake, a few leagues northwest of the capital.

The Battle of Bitter Lake

His loyal forces Xeroz split into three commands, himself retaining control of the regular troops and Palace Guard. 

The vanguard he assigned to Commander Pentomuz, an inspirational ladder-climber a man, of mixed Ziguran and Cyraenian parentage. The fifth son in a wealthy merchant family, Pentomuz had carved a glowing career in the Ziguran military. He now found himself holding the right flank, in charge of the Issisha City Militia, the Reservist infantry and a small herd of fighting elephants, a gift from the eastern borders.

The third and rearguard command, forming the left, was assigned to Zatrab Balshezbu of the Army of the Magreeb. A mixed bag, the rearguard was comprised of noble charioteers, massed peasant archers and a few rabble peasant militia.

Deploying to either side of the Bitter Lake the loyalist army commenced an advance to engage the rebels before them. At the heart of the enemy host rode the upstart Prince, he and his noble followers now trained and equipped in the Mazyakaata fashion, clad head to toe in mail or quilted armour, wielding the lance from caparisoned horses. These were preceded by steadfast Ziguran spearmen, protected from blows by large wicker shields. 

To Toshibbaz’s right rode the cavalry of Amukar and other recent defectors, escorting deep masses of shielded archers who provided a link from the horsemen to Toshibbaz’ centre. 

Out to the left rode King Skuxa and the Mazyakaata, wild barbarous hillmen in the lead, their formidable cavalry following closely behind.

After a brief exchange of archery the lines soon engaged, Pentomuz’ Reservists to the loyalist far right striking the first blows, attacking the Mazyakaata before them. Though the nomads’ cataphracts caused a few casualties, the fierce hillmen were stopped in their tracks, many then falling when the elephant corps belatedly joined the battle in support of the City Militia. However, fighting here was inconclusive.

On the Royal left flank Zatrab Balshezbu’s noble charioteers launched a wild charge, while his peasant bowmen commenced a deadly shooting match with the rebel massed archers before them. The chariots were countered by Amukar’s horsemen, and a swirling melee ensued, dust filling the air.

With his wings committed, Xeroz in the centre ordered his heavy chariots to charge, with support on each side from the Royal Guard cavalry (but due to misread orders the Palace Guard infantry proved slow to move up). Although his cavalry supports were batted away by the rebels, the King of Kings’ chariot squadron trampled the spearmen before them before driving onwards into the bodyguard of his rebel brother. 

A fierce struggle ensued, in which the lack of support cavalry left King Xeroz’ flank exposed. This situation was rapidly exploited by rebel spearmen who lapped around the chariots in support of Toshibbaz and his heavy horse. 

Confusion led to carnage, as the Royal Chariots were surrounded and brought to a halt. In the chaotic hacking and slashing Xeroz fell to a spear thrust, his remaining charioteers abandoning his body as they fled the vengeful rebels and their Prince. 

Fall of the King (🤯Your Editor's mind is blown)

Almost at once the dispirited and leaderless loyalist centre began to falter. As news spread that Zatrab Balshezbu on the royalist left had suffered a similar fate to his master the King, the army began to flee. Only Pentomuz remained, and seeing the situation rapidly deteriorating he ordered his wing to break contact and fall back towards the city.

Meeting near the Bitter Lake at the centre of the battlefield, the rebel army’s commanders cheered, celebrated and congratulated each other on a battle well fought in the face of stiff opposition. The tyrant was dead, and Toshibbaz a prince no more, as plans were made for his forthcoming coronation. Thus, in the Year of the Garrulous Ram, much needed change would come to Zigura at last. 

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What a turn up! The King of Kings is dead, long live the new King of Kings! Thanks to Martin for this epic battle and surprise outcome.

How this will affect relations with Pylonia remains to be seen...

Collaborative Campaign Year 16: Part 3

 In the first two posts of Year 16 of the Campaign, we witnessed the destruction of Therissa's once dominant fleet at The Battle of Siren's Tower, and, with Picenian sandals now firmly on the ground, the subsequent defeat of the Therissan Army at The Battle of Potedia. The four other City States that make up the Cyraenian Pentapolis are now duty bound to send military aid to their Therissan comrades. (To any World Leaders reading this post, that's how a defensive alliance works - the allies join you when you're attacked, not when you attack someone else, especially without warning your allies first). Moving swiftly on, and with thanks to Mark Cordone for the text and pictures, here follows The Battle of Cape Ecnomus.

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The combined Pentapolis fleet gathered in Cyraeus and along with a fleet of transports carrying some 5,000 hoplites set sail for Therissa under the Heralion Navarch Euryates.  Their intent was to destroy the Picenian fleet and isolate the Picenian army while reinforcing the Therissians.  Admiral Salenator knew they would come and ordered two squadrons from Picenia, now no longer needed for coastal defense, to replace his losses at the battle of the Sirens Tower.

Euryates had five squadrons all together, (one from each city), some 100 triremes, the surviving Therissian squadron being elite (all rams).  The Picenians had four squadrons, 80 ships in all with two more squadrons totaling 40 more on the way.  (All rams, the reinforcements were unreliable).

It was a cool, breezy day as the allied fleet rounded the Cape of Ecnomus to find the Picenians waiting for them.  As the fleets formed line of battle admiral Salenator wondered if his reinforcements would arrive in time.  The Picenians had three squadrons in the front line and one in reserve.  The allies matched them with the Kartos and elite Therissian squadrons in reserve.

The battle opened with a general engagement on the right and center which saw both sides taking losses.  Both sides committed fresh ships from the reserve as in the distance the Picenian reinforcements could be seen approaching the battle.

A chaotic, swirling melee developed which saw both sides able to take advantage of the confusion and launch successful flanking attacks.  Just as it seemed the allied advantage in numbers would give them victory the first of the Picenian reinforcements arrived and stabilized the situation. As more Picenian triremes joined the fray the balance tipped decisively in their favor with only about 20 allied ships managing to escape the carnage.

The Picenians had won another victory but at great cost with half of their fleet destroyed. Most of the surviving crews were exhausted from rowing hard to join the battle rendering a pursuit impossible.  As a result the remains of the allied fleet and the transports escaped, but the fall of Therissa was now assured.

After learning of the defeat at the Cape, and now knowing their would be no relief, the Therissans sought terms.  The terms offered were generous (Considering the alternative was a thorough sack of the entire island and the sale of the entire surviving population into slavery.)

The Therissians were to disband their armed forces, with the men passing into Picenian service (and forming the new 18th legion).  They were to pay an immediate indemnity of 1000 talents of silver and an annual tribute of 10% on all income and goods produced.  They were otherwise allowed to govern themselves, but with a permanent Picenian garrison who's expenses were also to be paid. The Republic needed an immediate influx of cash to off set the cost of their huge military build up but also needed an increased revenue stream to pay the troops and maintain the fleet and army.  This agreement would accomplish both goals.  Having no real choice, they accepted, bringing the Therissan campaign to an end.

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Therissa has fallen, and the Cyraenian League has become a Tetrapolis. Given Picenia's recent success I probably shouldn't be surprised... 

In the next episode we switch locations to Zigura to see how the King of Kings, all grovel before his might, is getting on.

Collaborative Campaign Year 16: Part 2

 Having got myself confused over which Campaign Year we are in (last Post now with a correction), we are back in business with the second of Mark Cordone's games in Year 16 (the Year of the Garrulous Ram. What makes the Ram particularly chatty is unknown).

Picenia, having, against the odds, defeated the Therissan Navy, now prepares to invade the Island state... 

Current Map of the Known World

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Following their victory at Sirens Tower the Picenians landed their army and marched on Potedia, Therissias second city.  The Therissians had placed great faith in their navy and found the idea it could be defeated incomprehensible.  As a result they were unprepared and the cities defences had been severely neglected.  Without a significant garrison no attempt was made to hold the town and the Picenians entered the city without a fight two days after landing.  They immediately began work on repairing and strengthening the defences.

Meanwhile, the Therissians assembled an army and marched north to engage the invaders.  The two armies met on the plain south of the city on the 12th day of the 4th month of the year of the Garrulous Ram. 

Gaius Epidius Marcellus commanded the Picenian army.  With the city in no condition to withstand a siege, and seeking the glory of a victory he decided to offer battle on the open plain to the south of the town.  In the left hand sector he placed the 2nd legion, in the center the 3rd and in reserve the 4th.  All were veteran, disciplined formations.  On the right he deployed the combined cohorts of archers from the legions and in reserve his small ( unreliable) cavalry contingent.  His army totaled 18,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry.

The Therissians had mustered every available man for their army and had three phalanx's totaling about 20,000 armored heavy infantry.  Two were posted opposite the legions and one was held in reserve.  In addition the Therissian strategos Echestratus had some 3000 cavalry in reserve.  He placed his ( unreliable) peltasts, some 2000 in number opposite the Picenian archers.

It was a warm and sunny morning as the battle opened, but dark clouds promising a storm were gathering on the horizon.

The battle began well for the Therissians as their central phalanx quickly routed the 3rd legion.  Marcellus cooly sent the 4th forward to fill the gap then rallied the men of the 3rd legion.  The 4th proceeded to take advantage of the disordered victorious phalanx in the center and routed them in turn.

Echestratus moved his reserve phalanx to the center then tried unsuccessfully to rally his fleeing hoplites. As this was happening the Picenian archers quickly dispersed the peltasts to their front and loosed a series of volleys into the phalanx moving forward to fill the gap in the center.  However, the hoplites shrugged off the hail of arrows and the archers had to turn to face the threat of the advancing Therissian cavalry.

A prolonged back and forth melee then developed in the center but the superior Picenian tactical flexibility eventually previaled and the Therissian phalanx broke. 

On the right several Therissian cavalry charges were turned back by disaplined and effective archery, and when the central phalanx broke the cavalry fled as well.  The left hand phalanx was then surrounded and forced to lay down their arms just as the threatened storm broke.

The Picenians had won a resounding victory!  Marcellus was awarded a Triumph, but the fate of Echestratus was unknown, he just seemed to have disappeared after the battle.

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Thanks to Mark for another cracking report, and leaving us with a bit of a mystery. 

Can anyone stop Picenia? 

Collaborative Campaign Year 16: Part 1

 I'm just back from a short holiday and have a great deal of blog reading to catch up with! But first, the next post in the Collaborative Campaign... Year 15 of the Campaign (the Year of the Ostrich) witnesses a good deal of action, so without further ado, here's a Naval battle from Mark Cordone (all text and photographs are Mark's intellectual property).

Post publication Editors Note: The following events actually took place in Year 16 (Year of the Garrulous Ram) of the Campaign and not Year 15 (Year of the Ostrich) which was a year of peace and quiet. Apologies for the confustion!

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Events in the north:

The early months of the year of the Dog (Campaign Yr 14 - Ed.) saw a two-year truce negotiated between Picenia and the Pentapolis as both sides had good reasons for wanting a pause in hostilities. The Picenians to refit and rebuild, and Anaxander of Sentis so he could consolidate power.  The city states of the Pentapolis were also hopeful the truce would lead to a more permanent peace.

Summer of the year of the Dog saw the deaths of both Senator Galenus and the hero Multiflavus.  A period of bloody political upheaval followed which saw senator Marcus Cassius Longinus emerge as the first man of the Republic.

Political reforms and the splitting of the conquered territory of Luss into two provinces (Lussatia minor in the north and Lussatia major in the south).

Military reforms and expansion were a!so pushed through.  The dishonored 8th legion was disbanded and the survivors used to form the nucleus of the new 13th, or penal legion.  Men with discipline problems were transferred to the legion, and petty criminals and debtors were allowed to pay off their debts to society by enlisting in that formation.  The legion eventually grew to double the strength of A normal legion and was assigned to guard the mountain frontier with the Wend.

The legions were also reformed by transferring most of the Limitari into a new 11th cohort of archers and a 12th cavalry cohort was also added to each legion raising their strength to 6,000 men.  In practice armies still tended to group the archers and cavalry into separate units.  In addition, four new legions were raised, with some of the manpower obtained by offering citizenship to Luss who enlisted.  The addition of the 14, 15, 16, and 17th legions raised the strength of the army to 100,000 men, who spent a solid year in extensive training and drill.  The fleet was expanded to 200 triremes, all trained in ramming tactics and numbering some 50,000 sailors, rowers and marines.

At the end of the two-year truce Picenia felt she was ready to resume the struggle and attempts to extend the treaty by the Pentapolis were rebuffed.

The Picenians planned a three-pronged offensive with an invasion of Therissa and two armies advancing on Sentis, one along the coast to pin the enemy in p!ace and hopefully defeat them in battle and the secret sweep around the northern flank to take the city by surprise and trap the Pentapolis army between two fires.

For their part, the leaders of the Pentapolis city states met in Kartos where it was decided the Picenians didn't pose a serious threat by sea and therefore would attack Sentis by land.  Learning of the Picenian troop concentrations along the border two armies were assembled to oppose them.  However, the war would begin at sea...

The battle of the Sirens Tower

At the end of the two year truce between Picenia and the Pentapolis that followed the battle of Cyllene hostiles resumed with the newly reformed and expanded Picenian fleet under Claudius Livius Salenator spearheading an invasion of the island of Therissa.  Their mission was to destroy the Therissian fleet thus allowing the landing of an army commanded by Gaius Epidius Matullus which would take the port city of Potedia on the northern coast of the island as a base for the conquest of the Therissians.

The Therissians did not take the naval threat posed by the Picenians seriously, especially after their crushing victory over them at the battle of Uliarus several years before.  Also, they were possessed of the finest, most skilled fleet to sail all of the middle sea.  Upon learning of the departure of the Picenian fleet at the end of the 3rd month of the year of the Garrulous Ram the Navarch Aristrates assembled his fleet at Potedia to await the invaders.  The battle was fought using the Dominion of the Ram rules which appeared in the Fourth Portable Wargames Compendium.

The two fleets meet on the 3rd day of the fourth month of the year of the Garrulous Ram off of the northern coast of Therissa by a massive rock formation known, because they were often sighted there, as Sirens Tower. The weather was breezy with a mix of sun and clouds as the fleets formed up for battle.

The Picenians had some 120 triremes grouped into 6 squadrons, half in the front line and half in the second.  All were classed as regular rams.  The Therissians had 80 triremes in four squadrons, three in the front line and one in reserve.  All were classed as elite rams.

he Therissians opened the battle with an attack in the right sector, closest to the shore, but to their shock, were bested by the Picenians opposite them.

Aristrates led his reserve squadron to replace them and destroyed the Picenian squadron.  The Picenians sent a reserve squadron forward on the right but they too were defeated.  Meanwhile battle had been joined on the left as well as the Therissians implemented their plan to crush both wings of the Picenian fleet. 

After a prolonged engagement the Therissians were victorious, but their exhausted crews then fell victim to a Picenian reserve squadron.  These ships then moved to take the Therissian center squadron in the flank and were eventually successful in destroying them.  The survivors, only about 20 ships in all, then managed to escape and made for Sentis, but the Navarch Aristrates was captured along with a dozen or so Therissian galleys.

For the loss of some 40 ships Cladius Livius Salenator had destroyed the vaunted Therissian fleet and earned his Triumph.

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Thanks very much (again!) to Mark for his contributions to this Campaign. A rather surprising result to this battle, given the usual Therissan dominance of the waves. We will see if Picenia is also successful on land... 

Collaborative Campaign Year 14

 In Game Year 14 of our collaborative campaign, the Year of the Dog (an auspicious year, uh, for dogs), the action once again moves South...

Martin Smith provides the text and photos (that are all his intellectual property) for the latest game.

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King of Kings Xeroz, almighty lord of Zigura was furious. The decadent, godless Pylonians had thwarted his moves time and again, the most recent seeing his faithful Master of Horse Mahariz slain and yet another army repulsed. But now he wanted closure on the business of control of the southern shores of the Great Sea, and the Priests of Taran proclaimed the hour to be right for revenge.

Never short of volunteers to seek glory on his behalf, he summoned Hulipakar, nephew of General Amukar (disgraced in the Battle of the Wastelands). A student of all things military, Hulipakar was not a liked young man, but had a reputation for a ruthless streak which Xeroz saw as a blessing. The thought that when Raphan province was taken the harsh and brutal suppression of its populace would follow gave the King of Kings a warm feeling. And so he assigned the cruel young commander his duties and sent him off to Nyos to settle the Pylonian conundrum.

Battle of the Utbaru

Ever conscious of the Ziguran threat, Hepu, Pylonia’s Governor of Raphan, kept his guard well and truly up. Hearing from desert tribe traders of the buildup of Ziguran forces in Nyos he despatched Mercenary Captain-General Imbrios southwards with the bulk of his bronze-clad Cyraenians, the Maraway archer-tribes in his pay and the few Pylonians he could spare to watch for any enemy thrust.

Camped east of the Great Ypokos river, on the banks of its tributary the Utbaru, the Cyraenian veteran waited by the Nyos to Raphan highway, sending out patrols to probe any likely approach routes. Sure enough, early one morning a returning patrol sent word of a large dust cloud spotted to the south. Hurrying back to the main force, the patrol’s militia spearmen soon found a Ziguran army hard on its heels, with Hulipakar at its head.

The young Ziguran leader’s plan was to form up facing the Utbaru and then pelt the defenders with his massed archers, and he skillfully manoeuvred towards that end.

Seeing the oncoming host, and assessing the missile threat Captain-General Imbrios did not hesitate.

Attack, the wily mercenary commander deemed, was always the best form of defence.

Orders flew out and his Cyraenian phalanxes started forward, splashing gamely into the fast flowing Utbaru to reform on its southern bank. Simultaneously the Maraway tribesmen, bows held clear of the water, waded a ford and proceeded to array themselves before the rapidly approaching enemy.

To either side of the highway a shooting battle commenced between the Maraway and their lightly armed Ziguran opponents, but no side could gain the upper hand, though the Ziguran skirmishers were forced to slowly give ground.

Meantime, in the centre, Imbrios’ spear wielding phalanxes pushed forward in two formidable lines. Ziguran archery was intense, but, shields up, the Cyraenians struggled on, despite their formation being greatly disrupted. Soon the two lines met, bodies rapidly piling up as bronze met flesh, both sides suffering terribly. But the stubborn Ziguran foot soldiers held, while their cavalry began to lap around the exposed Cyraenian left flank.

Pylonia’s mercenaries were now facing Ziguran regulars from the Nyos garrison, who were proving to be tough and unyielding. Many Cyraenians fell in the carnage, but their resolve held, and while seemingly equal numbers of Zigurans added to the piles of dead it was a relatively minor scrap nearby which tipped the balance : Aiming to break a small and isolated body of the bronze warriors, Hulipakar led his personal bodyguard in a headlong assault. However, his opponents locked shields and dug their heels in, and were saved when a mass of Pylonian militia ploughed into the flank of the horse-riding nobles, causing instant chaos. In the confusion Hulipakar was pulled from his horse by a lowly peasant spearman and skewered…

Word of the unpopular commander’s death spread rapidly, and in an instant the Zigurans’ will to fight evaporated, with archers and spearmen dropping their weapons to flee. Lacking cavalry to press a pursuit, Imbrios sent light skirmishers to harass and chivvy the Zigurans back to Nyos, but there was no sign of them rallying, for which he thanked the gods.

Later, while overseeing the counting of severed hands in the established Pylonian way, Imbrios reckoned the Ziguran threat well and truly dealt with. One particular hand, brought him by a beaming peasant militia spearman, was seen to display a Ziguran ring of command, confirming the story that the lowest Pylonian had felled the highest Ziguran. The handless remainder of the downed general was lost among the great pile of his slaughtered countrymen.

Once again the Pylonians had defeated a Ziguran invasion force, but at the cost of great loss among their prized mercenaries from the Cyraenian Pentapolis. A weary Mercenary Captain-General Imbrios now began to wonder how he might beg God-King Hipohap for his release from service payment.

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Many thanks to Martin for another splendid battle report - Looks like it's time for the King of Kings to concentrate on defending the land he's managed to grab to date....

Will the Pylonians attempt to recover the land they've lost? Only the dice can answer.