Collaborative Campaign Turn 29 (Part 1)

 Today's installment of the Collaborative Campaign (Turn 29, Year of the Cheetah) is hosted once again by Martin Smith (text and pictures are Martin's intellectual property). Following Ziguria's capture of the City State of Heralion, the Army of Cyraeus marched bravely to defend their ally and free the people of Heralion from the tyranny of the Ziguran despot.

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Heroydus, Tyrant of Cyraeus, ambitious type that he was, had plans. Preempting any Ziguran move to snap up further cities of the former Pentapolitan states he gathered his forces, headed south and attacked, hoping to reclaim Heralion from the barbarians. Approaching Zigura-controlled Heralion, intending to reclaim it in the name of the Pentapolis, his massed infantry-heavy force soon arrived before the outlying Heralionic coastal town of Baham, its freshly installed Ziguran garrison slamming the gates shut as he approached, and refusing to negotiate. 

Intent upon assaulting the town in the morning, Heroydus ordered his citizen soldiers to make camp for the night, and sent his skirmishers to the south as a picquet screen. Confident that no enemy threatened, at the first hint of dawn the tyrant, restless as ever, led his mounted bodyguard on a little early morning exercise to the east of Baham, from where he might reconnoitre the walls of his intended target. One bonus of this foray was an encounter with some remnant troops from Sentis and Heralion, hiding out in the local hills. These were easily persuaded to march coastwards to join up with the Cyraean forces there, and aid the liberation of recently captured Heralion.

But no sooner had Helios’ rays cut across the rugged inland hill range than a despatch rider came galloping towards the tyrant’s party from the direction of the Cyraean camp: a large mass of Zigurans, he reported, had been sighted, formed up and heading with all speed to aid their beleaguered garrison. The enemy’s numbers easily matched his own. The Cyraean army, he was informed, was now standing to, and awaited his orders. 

Instructions to advance and block the Ziguran intervention were swiftly dictated, and as the despatch rider retraced his steps to camp, the tyrant’s escort, with the Sentis and Heralion exiles in tow, set off towards the main body. Heroydus, cursing his decision to venture inland, set an unforgiving march pace, but still hadn’t arrived by the time the armies clashed.

General Qobad, commander of the Ziguran invasion forces, had timed his advance well: sighting Baham at sunrise, the Ziguran banner still proudly waving above its citadel, he pressed forward with great haste, spearmen, archers and militia in a solid and continuous line, Mazyakaata cataphracts guarding one flank, Ziguran cavalry the other.

Caught by surprise, and fearing entrapment between their own phalanx and the oncoming Zigurans, the sleepy and far from vigilant Cyraean skirmish line fled towards the coast, only to be intercepted and roughly handled by a body of Ziguran horsemen. Many of the light troops were cut down before the remainder turned their backs to race headlong through their own spear wall.

Another unwelcome surprise inflicted by Qobad upon the Cyraeans was the seaborne arrival on their right of a mass of Ziguran archers. These, riding in recently captured Heralionic ships, now disembarked, formed up on the beach and steadily advanced, shooting as they came. Cyraean cavalry, covering the flank, were the first to be scattered, followed later by a unit of hoplite spearmen, unable to withstand the relentless arrowstorm.

But while the Cyraean spearmen, backbone of the army, held firm there was yet hope.

Well ordered and using the deep formation recently developed by Heroydus, the Pentapolitan phalanx stormed forward into the oncoming Zigurans. Barbarian archers soon fell to the vengeful bronze-clad spear wielders, though Zigura’s own spearmen proved a decent match and there was slaughter on both sides.

Eventually a hole appeared in the Ziguran centre and charging through this came a fresh body of Cyraean hoplites. These, seeing before them the chariot escort of the enemy commander Qobad, immediately attacked. 

Whether it was because of a disordered formation, rough ground or the superior fighting skills of their noble opponents was never recorded, but when the dust cleared it was Qobad’s charioteers who emerged triumphant. Overrun by the enemy, these Cyraeans fell back, and as they did so the army’s resolve failed, a general fighting retreat ensuing. 

Though only mildly harassed by the fortunately minimal Ziguran mounted contingent, the Cyraean army now fell back to the border; Heroydus’ invasion of Heralion was over, Baham relieved and Qobad’s reputation as an astute commander strengthened. 

The Two Generals in a fictious meeting on the battlefield

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Many thanks to Martin for the account of Heroydus's heroic failure, and the photos of his very nice miniatures and scenery.

Collaborative Campaign (update)

 There was much rolling of dice and consulting of entrails (well lists anyway) over the weekend, and the fate of Nations was decided. The red-handed Haruspex brought the results to the High Priest who intoned the following summary:

Game Year 24 (Year of the Stoat):

A Year of uneasy Peace across the lands, a source of relief after the recent turmoils.

Game Year 25 (Year of the Camel)

Further Peace and possibly mellow fruitfulness. A little prescipitation in the North West.

In Zigura, A miscalculation in the treasury (or creative accounting by Amhapup, the High Master Treasurer) has exposed a hole in the budget leading to a reduction of 10% in the standing Army. (Lucky they're not at war).

Game Year 26 (Year of the Water Vole)

Year of continued Peace; a bit of a lull in Picenian bellicosery (made up word)

Game Year 27 (Year of the Sparrow)

Rein de rein on the war front, however, a Pylonian Spy network has been discovered in the Court of Toshibbaz, King of Kings. The Great King is merciful to Pylonia and merely sends the remaining parts of the spies back in a number of baskets.

Game Year 28 (Year of the Pike)

Plague has struck the Picenian Empire beginning in Luss and reducing the fighting capability of the Army by 20% - could THIS be the Curse of Rionach?

In an attempt to expand the Empire, Toshibbaz, King of Kings has attacked the City State of Heralion. Finally we're back to normality...

With the Cyraenian League reduced to just three City States, the vultures were circling. The Ziguran King saw an opportunity to take a rich city on his border and pounced.

On hearing of the approaching Ziguran force, General Damianos led the Army of Heralion out of the city, not wanting a siege that would likely see the destruction of his home city. The two armies met on a plain, South of Heralion.

(Observant readers may notice that there is a similarity between the Zigurans and the Army of Turan featured in the previous post; this is purely coincidental... The rules used were Dominion of the Spear: Big Battles).

Both sides field Elephas! The small dice represent Elite troops.

General Qobad, commanding the Ziguran force, observed that the Heralion's had placed their elite hoplites on their left flank. He countered this with his elite Cataphracts. 

 The battle began badly for Damianos. In no time he had seen an elite unit broken and archers in the centre trampled by elephants.

The men of Heralion fought bravely but their losses began to mount up.

The Zigurans did not have it all their own way and Qobad, driven by fear of his Royal Master's disapproval, urged his men forward.

The awful gods of Zigura smiled on Qobad as his army fought the Heralions to a standstill.

The glorious stand of the Heralion hoplites and their leader saw them fight to the last man.

The City of Heralion threw open its gates to the Ziguran Empire, much to the relief of General Qobad.

Hyboria (again)

 A few days ago, I was toying with ideas for Dominion of the Spear only with more units. I had a little trial game and then yesterday received an email announcing Dominion of the Spear - Big Battles ! Having chucked my redundant notes in the bin, I purchased Steve's new game and printed it this morning. So as to not waste the game I did try, I present it now - the rules used were certainly heretical so ignore them and just focus on the story!

Conan: Free booter once more.

At the end of the Ladder Campaign I tried in the Summer, King Conan had returned to Aqulionia. He had defeated the Nemedians but had failed to reacquire his favourite concubine. Brooding over his loss the King sent out his spies. At last information came back telling of the movement of his missing cortesan across Turan.  Putting the State in the hands of his most trusted advisors, Conan threw off his courtly garb, and dressed once more as a barbarian mercenary, set off on the long trek to Turan. Crossing Ophir, Corinthia, Zamora and Western Turan, he finally reached the Sea of Vilayet where he took passage on a trader. Winning the gratitude of the captain by single-handedly defeating a pirate vessel's crew, Conan was deposited on the Eastern shore in Hyrkania.

 Being a persuasive sort of chap, Conan quickly gathered together a band of Hyrkanians of the type who liked a fight (and post-fight loot especially) and set about raiding the Turanian border region in order to gather intel. The governor of the region, seeing his tax revenues dropping, sent an army to stamp out this threat.

 The Battle of Razz-Beri

The army of Turan, under the command of General Aly Wei, attacked the Hyrkanian camp at dawn. Fortunately for Conan, his scouts had raised the alarm, and it was a fully prepared force that the Turanians met.

Ferocious mounted steppe dwellers, many armed with bows, flew into the Turanian regulars. 

The Turanian centre was strengthened by the presence of two regiments of Cataphracts of the Governor's guard.

Amid the din of battle Conan urged on his barbarous force as men and horses fell on both sides.

The mighty Cimmerian's force of personality goaded on the Hyrkanians, and soon the Turanian cavalry lay fallen or had fled, leaving the foot soldiers to face the enemy. Girding what loins they possessed(!), the spearmen awaited the inevitable charge.

 With the battle heading for its climax, Conan roared into the front line to lop the head from the unfortunate Aly Wei!

The day was done, with much scurrying of Turanian soldiery, heading for the (cardboard) hills.

Now it's time for your humble author to look to his new rulebook, after doing the chores...

Testing a "Dominion of.." variant - The Battle of Santa Lucia

 The following is a test of Mark Cordone's Dominion of Leaders and Generals rules (possibly posted on Facebook) using Dominion of Napoleon Bonaparte as the core rules. The setting is completely fictional, and armies were balanced and all regular units.

Mark's rules add more random behaviour simulating a General's decision making during the battle, and making combat and reinforcement from the reserve each turn no longer a given.

The Battle of Santa Lucia

The setting is the long running border war between the Grand Duchy of Karbunkle and the Exarchate of Osstlebabstein. His excellency, Bishop Adolphus of Osstlebabstein has instructed his military to reinstate the village of Santa Lucia within the borders of the Exarchate. This has, quite naturally, raised the hackles of the Grand Duke Edrich Marie St. Clemence Pankraz-Kunibert (Ed for short). The armies of the two states arrive at Santa Lucia and set to almost immediately.

As the game is about leaders I feel it is incumbent on me to name the commanding officers, at the very least. The Army of the Grand Duchy (black) is commanded by Herzog Ulrich of Dunkerwald; that of the Exarchate is led by General Monseigneur Francis of Frinchum. 

The battle began with an artillery bombardment from both sides which achieved very little. The two sides then advanced...

Early skirmishing saw both sides losing Heavy Cavalry units and the Grand Duchy moving reserves to their left flank.

In an inspired move, General Ulrich took personal command of the 5th Infantry regiment and broke his rival's centre, such was the force of his personality.

Returning to his General Staff, the Herzog observed his enemy bring up reserves. To his dismay the Exarchate's remaining Heavy Cavalry then swept forward and routed the 10th Infantry that were holding his left.

Ulrich then committed his artillery, hoping to blast the enemy Cuirassiers from the field.

 Whist cannon balls bounced ineffectively about the horse, the 5th Infantry once again proved their mettle destroying the Exarchate's centre.

The Herzog's right flank suddenly broke and momentarily distracted he failed to commit reserves.

 Taking advantage of his enemy's temporary confusion, General Monseigneur Francis swept forward to lead his left flank Infantry who delivered a withering flank attack on the 5th, routing them with many casualties.

Regrettably, the final pictorial record did not download properly for some unknown reason.  Suffice to say, the fickle finger of fate was just enough to break the Grand Duchy's Army. The Cuirassiers charged and spiked the guns, pursuing the gunners mercilessly. The Herzog and his remaining Infantry regiment bid a hasty retreat, and Santa Lucia was, once again, in the clammy hands of the Bishop. 

Mark's rules worked very well and created the sort of chaos that this solo wargamer enjoys!

Dark Elf First Battle

 The Dark Elf Army that appeared in yesterday's post got their first taste of combat today with a quick game of Dominion of the Orc. They were pitted against a veteran force of Dwarves.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a newly formed wargaming unit or army will suffer defeat on their debut. Would this fate await the evil Elves?

The attacking Dark Elf Army comprised two heavy infantry units, one heavy cavalry unit, one archer unit, a giant spider and a sorcerer. The defending Dwarf Army consisted of three heavy infantry, one cavalry, one crossbow unit and a wizard.

 During the early phases of the battle the magic users concentrated on supporting their combating units. Both sides began to take hits.

Axe wielding Dwarves destroyed the Giant Spiders, however not before the monster's poison affected their slayers (I have made the spiders hit on 5 or 6 but always poison a unit they are in combat with, -1 on the latter's future throws). 

A good number of poor dice later, the Dwarves had the edge over their foe.

Finally, the Dark Elf force admited defeat and grudgingly withdrew allowing the Dwarves to quaff much ale and sing about gold and the like. The old maxim has proved to be true.

Heading for battle (hopefully soon)

 Very little to report recently due to work demands and a short trip to dear old Blighty (visiting family). I have however painted another very small army for my very small fantasy games. 

My Dark Elf Army is made up of virtually all Irregular Miniatures figures from the 10mm Fantasy and Historical ranges (apart from the Magic User in the last pic that is from Pendraken). The Giant Spider is from Irregular's 6mm Fantasy range - it's still fairly giant though!

I'm hoping to start a Mini-Campaign using Dominion of the Orc this Autumn, time allowing.

Once again the picture quality isn't great - we're in the grips of another Storm and it's very overcast.

Heavy Cavalry

Heavy Infantry and Archers

Wizard & Giant Spider

I hope to have some more news soon.

Bridgehead

 A report for a battle fought back at the beginning of August (when the weather was a great deal nicer than today) is available for viewing HERE.

OHW 5 Bridgehead