Collaborative Campaign Year 6 and Year 7: Part 1

 Campaign Year 6, the Year of the Dormouse, according to the Martarian Calendar*, was the first game turn in which no moves or random events took place; a rare year of peace that has allowed the expanding empires of Picenia and Zigura a chance to recruit and train forces and consolidate their grip over the territories they have taken. (*Marta is the Earth-Mother Goddess worshipped by the Picenians) 

Here's the Map as it currently stands.

 Year 7, the Year of the Petulant Pony, was to be more active...

Mark has documented events in Luss (text and game photos copyright Mark Cordone)

Events in the North:

The year of the Dormouse saw the Picenians consolidate their hold on the new provinces of Northern and Southern Lussatia by founding a large number of villas and plantations. 

Meanwhile Hadwyn had to fend off a number of challenges following his defeat at the battle of Bibracate. 

During the course of the year Rionach was treated with the utmost kindness and respect.  Once her period of mourning was over Hadwyn began a formal courtship.  He was a handsome and charismatic leader and Rionach gradually found herself yielding to his suit.  On New Years Day of the year of the Petulant Pony the two were wed.

Meanwhile, A high king had arisen among the Thulians, savage barbarians dwelling in the frozen lands north of the mountains.  Their new king, Odalric, sent an embassy south to meet with Hadwyn......

An old French educational poster borrowed
from the Internet (early 20th Century)

The battle of Hasta

The game was played using the Dominion of the Spear rules and my initiative, random activation and rally rules.

The year of the Petulant Pony saw a major raid into Picenian occupied Luss by the Wend chieftain Adalwulf.  His force was composed of some 1000 warriors and 200 cavalry.  Around 600 Luss, half of whom were slingers and javelin men.  (4 foot, 1 cavalry and 1 archers, all regular).  After a successful raid that saw a number of Picenian villas and plantations thoroughly sacked they were on their way home laden with the spoils of their victories when the Tribune Caius Atinius caught up with them at the strategic crossroads near the town of Hasta.  He had managed to cobble together a force of three cohorts (1,2,5) of the 8th legion, some 1000 men in all.  In addition he had about 300 limitari archers, also experienced and reliable. The 2 local limitari cohorts, unreliable troops, totaling about 500 men 100:of whom were cavalry were also present.

On the 4th day of the 8th month of the year of the Petulant Pony the two armies deployed for battle.  In the right sector Caius placed his archers on the fields only significant hill.  In the center the 5th cohort and on the left the 2nd.  In reserve he had the 1st cohort and the 3rd and 6th limitari cohorts.

Adalwulf placed his slingers opposite the archers and Wend warbands in the center and to the left.  In reserve he had his cavalry and a Wend and Luss warband.

The merciless sun beat down on both armies as the Luss slingers were routed by the accurate shooting of the archers on the hill.  On the left, the Wend warband were wiped out by the veterans of the 2nd cohort.  Things had not started well for Adalwulf!

A pattern of attacks on the hill, each beaten off by a hail of arrows then began on the right.  It was to continue for the rest of the day without a significant result.  On the right reinforcements from Adalwulf's reserve renewed the fight with both units being spent in the combat.  Adalwulf rallied some of his warriors but Caius was unable to bring any of his men back into the fight. 

Adalwulf then launched his cavalry at the Picenian center, and both units were virtually wiped out as a result.  Caius then ordered the 3rd limitari cohort to fill the gap in the center, but they refused to advance.  On the left, attacked from the front and flank, the 1st cohort gave way. The 5th limitari cohort took their place, but the 3rd still refused to budge.  As a result the 5th met the same fate as the unfortunate first and the battle was lost.

Adalwulf returned in triumph having added a great deal of Picenian war gear to his booty.

***

Thanks once again to Mark for another wonderfully narrated DotS game. In the next post we head South to see how the Zigurans have fared in their latest attempt at subjugating Pylonia...