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.