Collaborative Campaign Year 16: Part 4

 After a long delay, today's post is set in Zigura and features a character we met at the beginning of the Campaign; Prince Toshibbaz, brother of Xeroz, King of Kings. Text and photos by, and the property of, Martin Smith.

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It had been a long wait, but when it came the rebel invasion of Zigura, led by King Xeroz’ estranged brother, Prince Toshibbaz, was a major undertaking. Having lived in exile for over a decade as guest of King Skuxa of the nomadic Mazyakaata tribe of eastern Inconnu the prince had built a solid retinue of disaffected Ziguran nobility around him. Now the arrival of General Amukar with a large force of defecting Zigurans provided the trigger to launch another attempt on the King of Kings’ throne. Amukar’s dislike of the tyrant Xeroz had reached tipping point when news arrived of the death of his beloved nephew Hulipakar, sent on yet another of the High King’s fruitless incursions into Pylonia. 

Toshibbaz’ army was, he judged, now strong enough for the task, and with help in the form of heavily armoured cavalry and wild hillmen from the Mazyakaata he stormed into his homeland, striking directly at the capital, Issisha.

In that great Ziguran city Xeroz received the news of invasion with a certain amount of relief. For too many years he had expected his quarrelsome sibling to challenge his position, and now, with his enemy rapidly approaching Issisha across the steppes his chance to put an end to this threat once and for all had come at last. Gathering all his available soldiery he boldly marched forth, to meet his rebellious brother and his barbarian allies near the Bitter Lake, a few leagues northwest of the capital.

The Battle of Bitter Lake

His loyal forces Xeroz split into three commands, himself retaining control of the regular troops and Palace Guard. 

The vanguard he assigned to Commander Pentomuz, an inspirational ladder-climber a man, of mixed Ziguran and Cyraenian parentage. The fifth son in a wealthy merchant family, Pentomuz had carved a glowing career in the Ziguran military. He now found himself holding the right flank, in charge of the Issisha City Militia, the Reservist infantry and a small herd of fighting elephants, a gift from the eastern borders.

The third and rearguard command, forming the left, was assigned to Zatrab Balshezbu of the Army of the Magreeb. A mixed bag, the rearguard was comprised of noble charioteers, massed peasant archers and a few rabble peasant militia.

Deploying to either side of the Bitter Lake the loyalist army commenced an advance to engage the rebels before them. At the heart of the enemy host rode the upstart Prince, he and his noble followers now trained and equipped in the Mazyakaata fashion, clad head to toe in mail or quilted armour, wielding the lance from caparisoned horses. These were preceded by steadfast Ziguran spearmen, protected from blows by large wicker shields. 

To Toshibbaz’s right rode the cavalry of Amukar and other recent defectors, escorting deep masses of shielded archers who provided a link from the horsemen to Toshibbaz’ centre. 

Out to the left rode King Skuxa and the Mazyakaata, wild barbarous hillmen in the lead, their formidable cavalry following closely behind.

After a brief exchange of archery the lines soon engaged, Pentomuz’ Reservists to the loyalist far right striking the first blows, attacking the Mazyakaata before them. Though the nomads’ cataphracts caused a few casualties, the fierce hillmen were stopped in their tracks, many then falling when the elephant corps belatedly joined the battle in support of the City Militia. However, fighting here was inconclusive.

On the Royal left flank Zatrab Balshezbu’s noble charioteers launched a wild charge, while his peasant bowmen commenced a deadly shooting match with the rebel massed archers before them. The chariots were countered by Amukar’s horsemen, and a swirling melee ensued, dust filling the air.

With his wings committed, Xeroz in the centre ordered his heavy chariots to charge, with support on each side from the Royal Guard cavalry (but due to misread orders the Palace Guard infantry proved slow to move up). Although his cavalry supports were batted away by the rebels, the King of Kings’ chariot squadron trampled the spearmen before them before driving onwards into the bodyguard of his rebel brother. 

A fierce struggle ensued, in which the lack of support cavalry left King Xeroz’ flank exposed. This situation was rapidly exploited by rebel spearmen who lapped around the chariots in support of Toshibbaz and his heavy horse. 

Confusion led to carnage, as the Royal Chariots were surrounded and brought to a halt. In the chaotic hacking and slashing Xeroz fell to a spear thrust, his remaining charioteers abandoning his body as they fled the vengeful rebels and their Prince. 

Fall of the King (🤯Your Editor's mind is blown)

Almost at once the dispirited and leaderless loyalist centre began to falter. As news spread that Zatrab Balshezbu on the royalist left had suffered a similar fate to his master the King, the army began to flee. Only Pentomuz remained, and seeing the situation rapidly deteriorating he ordered his wing to break contact and fall back towards the city.

Meeting near the Bitter Lake at the centre of the battlefield, the rebel army’s commanders cheered, celebrated and congratulated each other on a battle well fought in the face of stiff opposition. The tyrant was dead, and Toshibbaz a prince no more, as plans were made for his forthcoming coronation. Thus, in the Year of the Garrulous Ram, much needed change would come to Zigura at last. 

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What a turn up! The King of Kings is dead, long live the new King of Kings! Thanks to Martin for this epic battle and surprise outcome.

How this will affect relations with Pylonia remains to be seen...