Across the Black River - A Mini Campaign set in Hyboria

Having an hour to spare, I devised a brief Mini-Campaign set in Robet E Howard's Hyboria, with the battles to be decided using the Dominion of the Spear rules. This is based on the situation in Howard's Conan story, Beyond the Black River.

Settlers from Aquilonia have for some years been transforming the land between the Thunder River and Black River, formerly Pictish tribal territory. The Picts fear that more colonists will soon be pushing West due to the establishment of Fort Tuscalan with its permanent garrison that guards the interests of the Aquilonians.

A brief word on Picts: Long before I read any of Howard's works, my grandfather explained to me that in Britain, the enemy of the Romans was some people who lived North of the Wall and were called Picts. In my mind that meant they must look like Airfix Ancient Britons. This has always stuck and is why in the following the Picts are played by 10mm Gauls.

The Campaign Flow Chart

The Campaign begins with the Picts, under War Chief Garm the Hapless, attacking Fort Tuscalan...

The Attack on the Fort

 The Pictish attackers arrived with 4 Infantry units (2 of which were classed as ferocious) and a unit of archers. The defending Aquilonians had a unit of elite knights, a unit of Bossonian archers in the fort, 2 infantry units and a unit of settlers. 

Despite having the advantage of a defensive position, the Aquilonians were overwhelmed by the ferocity of the Picts (coupled with the ridiculous number of 6s they rolled).

 Battle Two

The Picts, having sacked the Fort, pushed on to the nearest settlement. Here the situation looked even more precarious, with a force being made up of mainly settlers utilizing a defencive hedge.

As it turned out, the Aquilonians, who were fighting for their homes, put up a good fight.

Despite suffering heavy losses, the Colonists prevailed and the Picts were routed.

Battle Three

Hotly pursued by an Aquilonian Army, the Picts fled deeper into their own land. Finally Chief Garm turned and gave battle

The Aquilonian centre had the advantage of a steep sided rocky outcrop on which to perch and worry the Picts with long spears. Although the defenders gave a good account of themselves, the Aquilonian knights were avenged on the foe for the destruction of Fort Tuscalan. Chief Garm fell to a lucky lance thrust (4 + 1 for elite) and was hapless indeed.