Auxilia Scenario Three: Uncle Quintus and the New Fort

Auxilia Scenario Three: Uncle Quintus and the New Fort

First Spear "Uncle Quintus" of the 1st Batavians leaves the Prefect at the Hill, with three of the Centuries and takes the remaining three to the South West, intending to construct a new fort.  The Selgovae attack whilst the Auxiliaries are engaged in cutting turf and building the ramparts.

In a perfect world I was going for detailed terrain.  Sort of stuck with what I have...

Figulus' Century stands watch outside the new fort whilst Uncle Quintus has two centuries on construction

The Selgovae arrive.

The Romans advance to the stream.  Foolish use of light Infantry by the Celts.  I must be rusty.

The Romans take on the Celtic line.

Quintus turns the Celt line

Centurion Figulus routs the Celtic Chariots of Chief Salmonix,  The Romans have won again and need only win one more fight to pacify the area.

Sextus up the Village. 6mm Auxilia

After the Skirmish of the Patrol in Scenario One, Sextus and his men have taken refuge in the Village.  I am presuming that the name is unpronounceable.   The Selgovae Chieftain Salmonix prowls the woods outside the village, but since there is a ditch and palisade he is reluctant to have a go...

Sextus, a bad tempered Centurion of the 1st Batavians has taken refuge with his 3rd century, n one of the Selgovae villages following the ambush on his patrol in Scenario 1.  The Selgovae are massing in the wooded hills behind the village. 

For the Dux Bellorum rules I have added dice holders to each of the century bases, and the LP counter which is the Centurion himself.  A difference in playing Dux Bellorum for my solo games is that the LP counters can only be given where the Centurions physically are.  Sextus counter can only support his own century.  In a group of Centuries this can be altered, and the Prefect also counts as an LP counter.

Sextus and his boys in the village.

The Surrounding Celts.  A ridge really is a ridge in 6mm...

First Spear Uncle Quintus arrives with two Centuries

The Celts scoot forward, cavalry and chariots storming ahead

Quintus manages his lines well

The Chariots go in too early

Sextus sorties from the village into the Warband's flanks

Last chance for the Celts, their Cavalry catch Quintus in the flank, but are defeated!  Battle over as Sextus and his boys get to go home.

Fielding a 6mm Roman Cohort at 1:1

When I moved to Cyprus one of the figure collections I brought with me was a large army of 6mm Romans, with various smaller sized enemy forces, Gauls, Sarmatians, Parthians Numidians and Macedonians. As I was painting the last elements this week I suddenly had an epiphany, when I realised that I could field a Roman Cohort at 1 figure equals 1 man.

Simon Scarrow and Anthony Riches both write novels with this level of unit as the main focus.  Using some of the plots and scenes from these would also give me some interesting scenarios.  I have spent hours following the fortunes of Centurions Cato and Macro, as well as Marcus Valerius Aquila.  Great stuff, which I`d never considered actually gaming before.

One issue is that my figures are Marian Roman, chainmail, helmet, big shields with rounded edges.  For the wars of the Late Republic the legion seems to be the base unit, but as I examined them it occurred to me that they would make passable Auxillia of the Early Empire.  Further examination confirmed that my cavalry is also pretty much just generic, so I can muster a Turmae at 1:1 too.  Setting a game in this period has a lot of appeal, the invasion of Britain, the Batavian Revolt, the year of the Four Emperors...  What's not to like... 

My figures are based in groups of 16 men, and a cohort of 80 has a 10cm frontage. That would give the entire cohort a 60cm frontage in four ranks.  They look impressive.

The Cohort will be the 1st Batavians.  Command structure is:

Prefect         Flatuous Maximus     (Overweight) Praefectus cohortis
First Spear  "Uncle" Quintus         (Fatherly)
Centurion    Figulus Incontius       (Martyr to his bowels)
Centurion    Quilpius Magnificus  (Vain)
Centurion    Sextus Iraticus            (Angry boy)
Centurion    Pubicus Impetuous    (Rash)
Centurion    Inflamius Ictis           (the Weasel)

To run these guys through an opening Mini Campaign game I drew up a map.

 The Mini Campaign Map

There are six scenarios in this mini campaign, deliberately made to be typical of Simon Scarrow or Anthony Riches novels.  These will occur in a random order (although I rolled 1 for the patrol so it will actually be the first game as well as being the first on the list:

1. The Patrol
2. The Hill fort
3. The Village
4. The Oak Grove
5. Attack on the second fort
6. Attack on the Walls

The third century of the 1st Batavii have been sent out from the newly occupied fort at The Hill.  The Centurion Sextus Iraticus, is known for his bad temper and avaricious nature, is a proficient Officer and is supported by his Chosen Man and Watch Officer.  The Century comprises 80 Auxiliaries in 10 tent partys of 8 men.

In wargaming terms Sextus has five double elements, giving him ten groups of eight.  The strength of the Selgovae is unclear, and if only light opposition is faced Sextus will press on.  Rumours are that the Selgove nobility wear golden torcs, and that would give Sextus a nice retirement nest egg.

At the Second waypoint Sextus is ambushed by  warband of the Selgovae.  Its a poor ambush since he has time to get ready for them...

The patrol

The Welcoming party

Sextus forms the Century up

The Warband charges.

I still need to flock the Roman bases!

No contest as Sextus sees off the Celts.

Game 2

At the fourth waypoint on the map Sextus and his men encounter Segovae cavalry.  Game on...

The Romans stand on the edge of a steep hill, and the, somewhat impetuous, Celtic Cavalry charge them.  Not going to end well for the Selgovae!

In 6mm a little contoured terrain goes a long way

The Cavalry get stuck in.  Foolhardy?

Working on "the Look," but its getting there.

The cavalry bounce, and Sextus lives to fight another day...

A word on Rules

I tried a few different rules out for the Auxilia games.  5th Edition WRG was probably the most wacky.  It relies on form not function so didn`t really work for me.  Similarly I took a fleeting glance at DBA, but my "element" is the century, so that didn't work either.
Sword and Spear would have made a good rule set, but ultimately I decided on Dux Bellorum. 

The Centurions make up my LPs for the game, one per century.  The Gauls get chieftain counters.  
I`m still working on any period amendments I need...

Kingmaker Cyprus: Turn Four

Last time in Kingmaker Cyprus:

• Sir Clugney besieged Kolossi castle. 
• Sir Richard betrayed the de Lusignan Prince to Sir Roland.
• Sir Roland got himself and the Bastard King killed... by the Prince
• Sir Conrad, faced off Clugney at Kolossi.
• Sir Gilbert is out of the game for one more turn.
• Sir Gaston took Famagusta but failed against its Royal Castle.

Chance Phase ‑ 

The top card of the Event deck is drawn and the instructions on it are followed.

• Sir Clugney  Free Move
• Sir Roland    Plague in the Turkish Islands (Faction out of the Game for this Turn)
• Sir Richard   New Order of play card
• Sir Conrad    Additional Crown card.  Sir Thomas 
• Sir Gilbert    Skirmish, "a Gentle stroll"
• Sir Gaston    Marriage to an Heiress
• Prince Guillaume    Free Move

Movement Phase
All, some or none of the player's counters are moved.   

(New Order of Play as per Sir Richard's Chance Card)

Sir Richard takes his forces out of the trap he was in at Pergamos and moves to his holding at Larnaca, which is a stronger location, especially since as Count of Larnaca he holds the Royal castle too.  Perhaps he wants to hide from the Prince whom he recently betrayed

Sir Conrad plays the newly drawn "Sir Thomas" in Kolossi Castle facing Clugney's besiegers.  With the new order of play Conrad now moves before Clugney and takes his forces from Lemesos to break the seige.  

The House of Gilbert is still out of the game, but a new Sir Gilbert is declared for next turn to appear at Caparso Castle.  Gilbert now holds the Royal Uncle card, the second of the Royal cards after the Prince himself.   Logically then Gilbert himself is the Royal Uncle.

Sir Gaston marries an Heiress.  The largest heiress in the game is Sir Roland's widow, so it seems that Gaston marries the Countess of Hilarion, giving him the House of Roland's castle there. 

Sir Clugney faces a battle at Kolossi.

Sir Roland.  The heir to the house of Roland will appear next turn, but the Faction have lost the lordship of Hilarion to Gaston and will be a lot weaker.

Prince Guillaume joins the d'Ibelin family in Lefkara.  Since he is not part of a faction he cannot draw Crown cards, but I dealt him a chance card which was "Free Move."   After some deliberation I decided to make the d'Ibelin's a faction, mainly since were a 
historical faction, with the Prince as their head. The Prince uses his free move to take his forces to Kolossi and intervene in the fight between Clugney and Conrad.  
Conrad offers the Prince "Constable of Nicosia Royal Castle" for his support.

A three way battle is in the offing...

Combat Phase ‑ Any battles or sieges are resolved.

The Prince brings his retinue of Mercenary Knights.  Clugney brings the usual Crossbowmen, Spearmen and Mounted Knights.  Conrad has a similar force to Clugney.   This was one of those really odd games where the characters seemed to take over.  Clugney and Conrad boasted that they would each kill the other. (they are in a Blood Feud)  The Prince made no boasts, but then again, he was late to the table! 

The two Knights face off

Conrad advances his bowmen

Bow vs Crossbow

Clugney surges forward and takes on the Mounted Sergeants, breaking them

Conrad charges into the Melee and Clugney is killed...

But Clugney kills three of Conrad's knights too, and one of them turns out to be ... Conrad!

The Prince arrives to take charge.  Both Clugney and Conrad roll a 4, wounded, and are taken prisoner by the Prince...  Things are looking up for the Cypriot Monarchy

Parliament Phase ‑ Parliament may be summoned by the sole king or Chancellor of England, if there is no sole king, as long as the player has the Event card that allows this.

(Card not in Play)

Coronation Phase ‑ A royal heir first in the line of succession in his or her royal house may be crowned king by a Bishop in Nicosia.

Crown Deck Phase ‑ Not yet drawn

A card is drawn from the top of the Crown deck. It may be played immediately or place in the player's hand, it may be played any time after this.


Sir Richard  Turkish Mercenaries

Sir Conrad   Prisoner

Sir Gilbert  Crossbowmen

Sir Gaston  Bishop of Famagusta

Sir Clugney  Prisoner

Sir Roland   A Band of Crusading Knights

Prince Guillaume "Constable of the Royal Castle of Nicosia," and whatever he can extort from his two prisoners...

Kingmaker Cyprus: Turn Three

Last time in Kingmaker Cyprus:

• Sir Clugney blockaded the port of Lemesos. 
• The House of Richard revealed the de Lusignan Prince in Pergamos.
• Sir Roland crossed the mountains to beseige ... Pergamos
• Sir Conrad, as Roland's (loyal?) ally held Nicosia.
• Sir Gilbert challenged Sir Gaston in battle and got himself killed.
• Sir Gaston wiped out the House of Gilbert for two turns.

Chance Phase:

Sir Clugney   Skirmish: Pirate raid

Sir Roland     Revolt: Marshal to Nicosia

Sir Richard    PLAGUE: Pafos

Sir Conrad     Heresy

Sir Gilbert     Skirmish: Sausages with mustard

Sir Gaston     MERCENARIES GO HOME: Crossbowmen

Kingmaker Cyprus: Turn 3

Sir Clugney, as "Admiral of Cyprus," is blockading the port of Lemesos with his four ships.  He has also moved along the coast road from Pafos (which has plague), and now besieges Kolossi castle.  He intends to imitate Richard the Lionheart and drink Comandaria wine in the Castle Hall.  Clugney is one of the few Knights still opposing Sir Roland.  Unfortunately for Clugney a Pirate raid occurs at Kyrenia and his fleet has to be sent in response.

The House of Richard have appointed a new Lord, Richard II  Having suffered a dreadful defeat they now find themselves besieged in Pergamos.  They have also had the misfortune to find that they were harbouring the de Lusignan Prince on the crown card turn.  Sir Richard sends the Prince, Sir Guillaume, with a band of mercenary knights, to the control of the d'Ibelins at Lefkara.  The Plague outbreak in Pafos (probably Ex Pat tourists to blame) means that Richard's forces are weakened for this turn.

Richard then submits to the Bastard King and offers the title of Count of Lemesos to Roland.  Some nice double dealing!

The newly crowned De Lusignan Bastard, King Guy and his ally Sir Roland are besieging Pergamos when Prince Guillaume and the mercenaries sally from the town to cross the lines.  Roland has drawn the "Revolt: Marshal to Nicosia" card.  Since Roland is the marshal I take it that the revolt is something to do with the crown Prince.  Roland has a turn to make the move so will fight here first.

We can assume that Sir Richard has informed his new friend Roland of the Prince's sally, and then sealed the village to prevent the Prince's return.  Its a skirmish in the surrounding olive groves... and the only tabletop game of this turn.  The Prince is outnumbered 5 to 1.

Ambush on the Pergamos Fields
 

The Prince in a "German Wedge" formation. Could this be a clue to his intentions?  One Unit of Knights badly outnumbered...  All he really has to do is escape the trap.

The First target are some Hobilars.  Knife through butter really.

 

The Bastard King and his Royal Knights are the first target for the Crown prince.  He goes through them pretty easily, killing four including the King, losing only one knight.

But the newly crowned King is dead.  Roland will be furious!

Roland fails to charge and is hit by the Prince. 

And Roland is also killed by the Prince.  I`ve never done a Lion Rampant game quite like this one!

The Prince faces off against the remaining units, mercenary foot.  A few rolls on the reaction table and they decide to surrender to him.

The Prince has just made a big impact on the campaign, and with the Kingship now vacant again he is the senior heir.

Sir Conrad had pretty much joined with Roland and is holding Lemesos and Kolossi.  Its unclear how loyal he really is to his allies, as Clugney knocks on his gates...In addition to this Conrad is accused of Heresy, but since he holds the Archbisop of Nicosia card he ignores this.

Sir Gilbert has been appointed to the pretty much meaningless title "Prince of Antioch," but smarting from earlier defeats he challenged Sir Gaston and got himself killed and his House removed from the game for two turns.

Sir Gaston has wiped out the House of Gilbert for two turns, he draws a Mercenary Company, and then moves to Famagusta, where the citizens open the gates to a strategem card.  He besieges the Royal castle with his new mercenary crossbowmen.   His event card is "Mercenaries go home: Crossbowmen."  Ooops!  The castle is far too strong for Gaston this turn.


With the death of Roland and his puppet King the third turn comes to an end...  It seems clear that the Crown Prince deserves his own faction so I am adding it the d`Ibelin family holdings to him as the "Royal" Faction.