A Collaborative Campaign

 A couple of months ago, during the brief time I was without a home computer, I create an "analog" map featuring a number of Imaginary states, and devised an "Ancients" setting for them; the plan being a wargames campaign featuring two emerging empires. Not having sufficient figures painted to start at once, the idea was pigeon-holed under "Might get round to it one day", along with many more such plans. Even if I did get some armies created, the latter part of the year was not going to be a good time to start something new.

The original Autrearth Map

The Autumn is always a very busy time at work, and the smaller amounts of daylight seem to promote lethargy, leading to a reduction in hobby activity. Any new Campaigns were not going to get off the ground as I would not have the time/energy to set up and fight the battles.

It struck me, however, that one way to keep a Wargames Campaign active was to sub-contract some of the tabletop games to some willing accomplices. This has been done very successfully for the Mediterranean Campaign being run by Prufrock of the Here's No Great Matter blog. I could run a Campaign with randomly determined actions being generated for the parties involved, and ask some kind participants to fight the battles as and when they emerge.

The Map was pulled back out and annotated, and descriptions of the States typed up.

The Collaborative Campaign Begins

The Campaign revolves around two empires on the rise; Picenia and Zigura. They will be actively trying to grow, and perhaps clash at some point. The other states, and the terra incognita that is labelled Inconnu, will feature as possible land to conquer, or as possible threats. Each Turn is a Year, and random events will be rolled each year. I may post about the Random Events later as I feel that the mechanics of the thing, drawn up on the back of an envelope, will probably change with time. 

Game Year 1 (Year of the Brindle Cow) Notes from the Campaign Diary:

A Year of Religious fervour in Picenia after a miracle occurred near the Temple of Ostle (the God of Herds and Domesticated Animals). A Sheep appeared to have transformed into a man, though some detractors have pointed out that the man merely stood up and just happened to be wearing a sheepskin cloak.

During the Summer in Luss, the ground shook and many huts fell down – the Sky God, Belphat had presumably been angered. There was much grovelling and sacrifices at his temple.

In Zigura there has been a coup d’etat. Toshibbaz, the brother of King Xeroz, has persuaded some of the Generals to join him in overthrowing the King of Kings. A huge battle was fought on the plains to the North of Ganuk, near the border with the barbarous lands. Toshibbaz was defeated by the forces loyal to Xeroz and fled into Inconnu; his fate is unknown.

The battle mentioned was gamed by Martin Smith using DBA rules, with larger forces than usual, and his stirring eye-witness account and some of his photographs follow. 

My brief outline for the game was: 

The first battle situation for the "Ancients" collaborative campaign has been generated, and it's a civil war in Zigura - typically not what I expected, but the dice have spoken!

The rule of the current King Xeroz has been threatened by his brother Toshibbaz who has persuaded many Generals to march their forces towards the Capital - Xeroz has sent loyal troops to meet them - the clash occurs in the arid plains north of Ganuk. The battle will decide who sits on the throne of Zigura.

Thank you Martin for what was clearly an epic game.

Battle on the Plains

As dawn broke, King Xeroz’ Royal Army of Zigura, arrayed on the arid plains and under the watchful eye of chariot-borne Mahariz, Master of Horse and Commander of the Field Army, observed a cloud of dust approaching from the west. The rebel host of Prince Toshibbaz soon came into sight, rushing through scrub, descending hills and maneuvering around a small village to approach the patiently waiting loyalist force.

The first fighting was on the northern flank, where rebel horsemen rushed the cavalry stationed there, hoping to envelop the line. However, the King’s mounted and foot held fast and sent their rebel opponents fleeing.

Meanwhile, as the centres closed, swarms of arrows rained down on both sides. Despite being outnumbered, the King’s archers outshot those opposite, and holes began to appear in Toshibbaz’ advancing horde.

 

Soon the main lines crashed together, while the rebel prince prayed to bull-headed Taran that his fierce wildmen from the hills would scatter the poorly regarded Issisha City Militia opposite, then go on to sweep away the galling loyalist archers. But Taran was deaf to his appeals.  The City Militia, determined to prove themselves worthy in the eyes their monarch, and unexpectedly resolute, drove the fanatical hillmen back and back again. Supported now by spearmen of the Palace Guard, fresh from defeating rebel bowmen to their front, they stormed into the now demoralised tribesmen and routed them utterly. In an instant the rebel host wavered, then broke and fled.

Too late to intervene, Prince Toshibbaz, surrounded by his rebellious lords and bodyguard, could only retreat westwards, to seek shelter from the inevitable wrath of his brother, the King.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my doodlings being brought to life and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!