Continuing the Picenian Campaign in Luss, during the Year of the Mountain Lion, a further battle has been played out (words and photographs from Mark Cordone). Enter Multiflavus, Praetor Maximus:
Autumn saw Multiflavus finally ready to take the field with his newly raised army. Beligerans had not been idle following his defeat at the Anio however, and had raised a new army to oppose him. The war had put an extreme strain on his manpower resources with the result being a notable decline in the quality of the army. (As a result of the battles I gave the Luss 10 points worth of troops for this battle).
The first day of the ninth month of the year of the Mountain Lion saw Beligerans take up a very strong position about two days march from Dubrovium between the villages of Dertosa in the right sector and the smaller village of Baem in the left hand sector (both provided defensive advantage). His three units of (regular) melee infantry were spread evenly across his front. In reserve he had his (regular) cavalry, and one unit each of unreliable missile foot and horse.
Multiflavus had the (disciplined) veteran 1st and 3rd legions posted to the left and right opposite the villages and the new 7th legion in the center. In reserve he had his (regular) cavalry and the new 8th legion.
Multiflavus opened the battle by ordering the 7th legion to advance in the center, only to see them put to flight by Beligerans men. Not a favorable beginning for the Picenians. Unfazed, Multiflavus ordered the 8th forward to take their place while he rallied them. Seeing an opportunity for a quick victory Beligerans ordering his troops in the center forwards to exploit the enemy confusion. The 8th moved forwards just in time to plug the gap, but the bloody fight that followed left both units spent and falling back from the front. Beligerans tried and failed to rally his men as Multiflavus led the reformed 7th back into the line.
Beligerans tried to to get his (unreliable) reserve missile infantry to plug the gap but they were carried away by his retreating infantry. This left a dangerous gap in the center of his line which Multiflavus attempted to exploit by ordering the 7th to advance and attack Baeum in the flank while the 1st attacked from the front. The attack was not well coordinated however, with the result that the 7th and then the 1st were both repulsed in turn, with the 1st legion being forced to withdraw due to heavy casualties. (I decided that only one attempt per round can be made to move a unit forward from the reserve. Since the unreliable Luss infantry rolled a one, they were eliminated giving the Picenians an opportunity to launch a flank attack.)
Both sides then sent their cavalry forwards to plug the gaps. The Picenian cavalry, under Licinius Stolo, victor of the battle of the Anio river, took their place in front of the village of Baem, while Beligerans personally led his cavalry forward in the center where he charged the 7th Legion but was routed. Beligerans then led his last reserve forward to take their place.
Licinius Stolo then attacked Baeum, but could make no headway. Beligerans then charged again in the center but his untried cavalry let fly an ineffective volley of arrows and then fled. A wounded Beligerans only barely managed to escape and join his infantry in the village of Dertosa. Multiflavus once again attempted to attack Baeum from the front and flank and once again could make no headway.
Seeing the battle slipping away, Beligerans attempted to save the day with an attack on the 3rd Legion. In an epic fight both sides fought until they could fight no more, but Beligerans had his horse killed and was wounded again. Thinking he had been slain, his army broke and fled. The unfortunate Beligerans was captured, and survived his wounds as a result of the excellent care he received from the Picenian surgeons. Multiflavus was elated, as the defeated Beligerans would be the centerpiece of his upcoming triumph.
Meanwhile, Licinius Stolo launched a relentless and savage pursuit of the defeated Luss, completely destroying what was left of their army.
Three days later Multiflavus made a triumphal entry into Dubrovium, the city had quickly and unconditionally surrendered and thus avoided a sack. The next two months saw the Picenians take complete control of southern Luss.
A big thanks to Mark for another excellent battle report. Picenia has gained a territory again; will they hold it this time? A lot will depend on the action in the North of Luss, which is, I believe, being played and reported in the near future...
