Collaborative Campaign Year 3: Part 1

 Having rolled up battles in the first two turns/years of the Campaign, I suspected that the Law of Averages would put its foot down and create a quiet turn or two - I was wrong.

Pylonian Forces - photo by Martin Smith 

Game Year 3 (Year of the Pot-Bellied Pig): Notes from the Campaign Diary

Zigura invaded Southern Pylonia hoping to capture the territory including the provincial capital at Nyos, and expand the glorious empire of Xeroz, King of Kings, look upon his works ye Mighty and despair etc. (apologies to PB Shelley)

There was been an uprising in the recently acquired Picenian Province of Northern Luss; this coincided with a retaliatory attack from the still independent Southern Luss.

A horde of tribesmen from Inconnu swept into territory controlled by Sentis, raiding for booty and slaves – The Cyraenian Pentapolis reacted by sending an army, led by General Antonatos of Sentis, to the area to destroy the raiders.

Campaign Map at the start of the Year of the Pot-Bellied Pig

Here follows a description of the Ziguran attack (a DBA game), in words and pictures by the redoubtable Mr Martin Smith:

Battle of the River Ypokos

 

Despatched by King Xeroz of Zigura to claim territory from the Pylonians, wily General Mahariz circled around to approach the city of Nyos from the south. Encountering little initial resistance, he established his camp on the banks of the mighty Ypokos, and settled down to prepare siege engines. Master of Horse Mahariz was, however, not expecting the mass of small boats which raced ashore from the river as dawn broke, disgorging Pylonian spearmen and archers, intent on ruining his day.

 

Simultaneously the massed infantry of Commander Teparu, trusted nephew of Pylonia’s God-King Hipohap, stormed forward in a cloud of dust from the north. Prodded thus into action, Mahariz gathered his mounted troops and advanced towards the enemy, detailing his infantry to move up in support.  The Pylonians struck first, routing one unit of Ziguran cavalry, trapped against their supports, and forcing Mahariz’s chariots back in disarray. Undeterred, the elite warriors of Zigura rallied and resolutely resumed their advance with Mahariz leading the attack from his red command chariot.

For young Commander Teparu disaster now struck as the resurgent Ziguran chariots overran the Pylonian left flank bowmen and spear-bearers, who suddenly and unexpectedly crumbled, just as any hope of help from the landing party evaporated: rather than join the main battle many of the amphibious Pylonian spearmen had broken ranks to loot the Ziguran baggage train, while others then fled from a hail of Ziguran arrows, back to the Ypokos, their boats and safety. 

Seeing the glimmer of potential victory rapidly fade, despondent Teparu ordered his charioteer to turn north, quitting the field at speed as everywhere the victorious Zigurans mercilessly chased down fleeing Pylonians. Now he must face the ire of his God-King uncle, who would be not best pleased, to say the least…

Many thanks to Martin for another epic battle featuring some lovely figures and scenery. How went the day? Well, Pylonia has lost a territory to Zigura, a pleasing result for Xeroz, and the Sacred Crocodiles of Pylonia could be dining well on a defeated General, unless the God-King is feeling merciful...