Kingmaker Cyprus to the end of Turn One

Game One

In the previous game moves in this turn a skirmish between the House of Roland and the House of Richard saw Sir Piers kill Sir Richard in single combat and the destruction of Sir Richard’s forces.   
Having won the battle Sir Roland's crown deck draw was "Turkish Mercenaries," in the form of Amin Yashed and his Turkopoles.

Sir Gilbert’s Turn

Gilbert draws mercenaries go home, crossbowmen.  Unfortunately for him he has a mercenary crossbow company in his retinue.  He waves from the battlements as they march away unpaid.
Gilbert is out on the peninsula, and blocked away from the action by Sir Gaston, but Gaston has a powerful faction and controls Kantara as well as Famagusta blocking any moves Gilbert could take.  I decided that Gilbert will bide his time, but that he must hate Sir Gaston.
From the crown deck Gilbert draws a sacred Relic, "The Mummified Penis of St Donald," an artifact known as the “Trump” for the strange sounds it is said to make in the presence of non believers in the path to God St Donald demands of us all.  A History of the “Trump” is available in the giftshop of Gilbert’s Castle at Caparso, for only five white bezants.

Sir Gaston’s turn

Gaston has a very powerful faction, rivalling Sir Roland and Sir Conrad in terms of power.  There are however some problems.  He has a hostile Sir Gilbert at his back, and is far from Nicosia and the scene of the action.
He draws “Skirmish:  Bloodbath” as his event. 
My problem is, who will he go after?  He can`t get to Nicosia this turn, and if he leaves his holdings in the East of the Island Gilbert will attack in his absence.  Clearly the presence of a powerful religious relic nearby has to sway him.  It seems clear then that as Sir Gilbert is moving the artefact, under guard, between his castle and the town in the valley below, Sir Gaston decides to attack and grasp the Holy Penis of St Donald.  After all such an important relic would be better protected by the House of Gaston.

Gaston takes his retinue to the town of Carpaso, in the valley, with the castle of Sir Gilbert on the hill behind.
Sir Gilbert brings out his retinue and the “Bloodbath” begins.

Knights Characters
Sir Gilbert is Insipid.  Units within 12cm get no courage bonus
Sir Roger is Sly and may refuse challenges without penalty

Sir Gaston is Rash  a “Wild Charger.”  This could be an issue!
Sir Gunther is Strong.  May reroll one hit dice

Retinues: 
Sir Gilbert
• 2 Mounted Men-at-Arms* @ 12 points  (dismounted for this game)
• 1 Mounted Serjeants @ 4 points
• 2 Foot Serjeants @ 4 Points
• 1 Wagon with praying monks: Brother Belcher and Friar Farte.   
(1 Crossbowmen@4 points have deserted on a "Mercenaries go home card)

Sir Gaston
• 2 Mounted Men-at-Arms* @ 12 points
• 1 Mounted Serjeants @ 4 points
• 1 Foot Serjeants @ 4 Points
• 1 Crossbowmen @ 4 points
• 1 Bidower Skirmishers @ 2 points

The Boasts
Sir Gaston boasts that "half the enemy shall fall to my swords"
Sir Gilbert boasts "Every blade shall be drawn."

The Game


Bloodbath is a straightforward line theup and let them go scenario.   My terrain here is a little too green for Cyprus, but I didn`t realise that until I saw the pictures.  The fields and crops are printed onto T shirt  transfers and then ironed onto the felt.

 Lining them up on the baseline was a bit of a squeeze, but then Gaston took off, his rash character ensuring that his personal unit moved each time.

That group of spearmen under the blue banner never made it off the baseline.

Sir Gunther leads his Serjents on a wide flanking run, but is intercepted by Sir Roger.   Gunther proves better at fighting and kills two of Roger's men, throwing him back.  Roger fails the command test and runs away.

Sir Gaston brings both of his Men at Arms into a wild charge, shattering the spearmen in the centre of Gilbert's line.

Looking at the photo I noticed that I gave Gilbert the de Luisignan banners of blue and white stripes for this game.  Patriotism... the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Gaston breaks the dismounted Men at Arms with his charge, whilst the Serjents under Sir Gunther turn their flank.

A neat victory.  Sir Gaston's boast that half the enemy shall fall to my swords earns him two glory points.  Sir Gilbert's boast "Every blade shall be drawn." actually earns him one point., but Sir Gilbert throws down his sword and is taken prisoner.

I determined that Gilbert would offer the Constable of the Castle of Famagusta. (turned down on a d6 roll of 1) He then added his position as Treasurer of Cyprus.  (Accepted on a roll of 5)  He must aslo surrender the Holy Mummified Penis artifact.
Sir Gilbert is free, but effectively ruined for some time to come.

Sir Gaston draws "Mercenary Foot Serjents" from the crown pack.  He is building his forces nicely.


Sir Conrad’s  turn.  Sly old Conrad does some politicking
He draws “marriage to an heiress” as an event.
Conrad holds the Archbishop of Nicosia card, (it’s his Uncle)  He offers to crown the bastard as king of Cyprus, by his marriage into and alliance with the House of Roland.  He demands as a trade the d`Ibelin card, in effect making Conrad Count of Lefkara, one of the highest cards I have in play.  Sir Roland agrees (2d6 and he rolled a 9, it’s high enough, and this is all part of Roland’s plan)
As Count of Lefkara and of Lemesos Conrad now controls the southern half of the Island.

Conrad takes his retinue to Nicosia to join his new allies.
The Coronation takes place in the Parliament phase, and there are no other Royal counters in play.

God Save King Piers the Bastard, King of Cyprus.

God Save Sir Roland too... if he can get away with this one it will truly be a miracle.