Collaborative Campaign Year 19: Part 2 (or "Release The Kraken")

 Today's episode chronicles the next part of Picenia's attempt at further expansion into the Cyraenian Tetrapolis; an invasion by sea. Note: Text and Pictures are the intellectual property of Mark Cordone. The quote in the title appears in the movie Clash of the Titans (1981). Interestingly the Kraken is apparently not an ancient Greek myth but is Scandinavian in origin.

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The Battle of Aricia

The second part of the Picenian offensive was to have the fleet set sail from Therissa escorting transports carrying the army of Gaius Epidus Marullis to land and attack the city of Kartos.  The Picenian fleet was composed of some 120 ships crewed by the victors of the battle of Cape Ecnomus.

The last two years had seen the Tetrapolis rebuild its fleet, and although not as skilled as before the disaster, they were every bit the equal of the Picenians in both quality and quantity.  They were commanded by the Navarch Demios of Cyraeus.  Spies had informed him of the Picenian preparations, but none knew for sure what the destination of the expedition was.  Consulting the Auguries, Demios decided to base his fleet in Kartos and await developments.  They were correct, and as the fifth month of the year of the Hyena drew to a close, fisherman reported the approach of the Picenian armada.  Demios put to sea and met them off of the coast near the sleepy fishing village of Aricia.

Both fleets were composed of six squadrons of approximately 20 ships each, and each deployed three squadrons in the first and second lines.  Mirroring each other, both admirals were with their right hand squadrons, and both planned to turn the others left, the Tetrapolis in shore and the Picenians opposite them.  (I used my Dominion of the Oar and Ram rules, both fleets having six squadrons of regular rams.  Play progressed from the Tetrapolis' left to center to right and back again until the battle was resolved.  This took a total of 17 rounds of combat to complete.)

The combat began with admiral Salinator's squadron making contact first.  Fortuna turned against him on this day however as his flagship was armed and sunk as the battle began and both he and his crew perished. 

As the sharks began to gather the combat spread along the whole battle line.  Despite the loss of their admiral, and perhaps to avenge him, the Picenians got the upper hand early, sending many Tetrapolis triremes to the bottom and attracting the attention of a Kraken that laired nearby.

As the battle progressed the ships of the Tetrapolis evened the score as both fleets became fully engaged.  A general, confused melee developed which saw the allies gain the upper hand.  The Picenian right wing then gave way and then the center followed and the remnants of the Picenian fleet scattered, but managed to reform and hold on long enough for most of the transports to escape. Aided by a favorable wind they bore the army back to Therissa.

Thus did the grand Picenian offensive come to an end in utter defeat.

Meanwhile the rulers of the Tetrapolis met to plan their next move and celebrate their victories in Kartos.

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Thanks to Mark for another Kraking game report. Picenia has been thwarted for a second time; it's becoming a bit of a trend. Please stay tuned for more action...