Yet to simulate the period, the siege is far more prevalent.
This is a new video discussing the siege warfare of the period.
Showing posts with label Emperor vs. Elector. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emperor vs. Elector. Show all posts
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Siege Warfare primer
The games tabletop is dominated by the field battle, for the simple reason that it is much more exciting and both sides get to 'take actions' that provide an entertainment.
Yet to simulate the period, the siege is far more prevalent.
This is a new video discussing the siege warfare of the period.
Yet to simulate the period, the siege is far more prevalent.
This is a new video discussing the siege warfare of the period.
Friday, July 05, 2013
Tabletop dressing
One of the regular readers of the MarauderS blog has asked what did I use to create the hill shapes under my tabletop drapery.
In answer to this I have made a series of short videos covering all aspects of the tabletop dressing that I currently use.
In answer to this I have made a series of short videos covering all aspects of the tabletop dressing that I currently use.
Starting off with just getting the tabletop surface.
In this case an old chalkboard that is 4 feet by 6 feet.
Next the 'hills' are placed and taped onto the table surface.
The geo-hex is 30 cm across flats (close to 1 foot).
Then the cloth drapery is place over the surface.
Then the 'greenery' and water features are laid out and brought to life.
Finally the urban environment is completed.
My thanks to Jim and Jeff for the inspiring questions and suggestions to do video of my processes.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Recruiting Party
For Campaign Command in an 1813 Leipzig based campaign - possibly others.
Solo game players with Napoleonic forces are also welcomed as there will exist plenty of potential for proxy battles (there is no way a single player or even a few table tops could game out all the battles that have the potential for play)
Top command structure and historically minded players needed for: Tasr of Russia, Emperor of Austria and King of Prussia.
Senior command positions for Army of Silesia & Wing commander, Army of Bohemia & Wing Commander and Army of the North and wing Commander.
Tabletop commander with a significant Napoleonic collection willing to take on the vitally important task of French Command, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
Experienced Napoleonic game players sought for the positions of the French Wing Commanders (at least 2)
The plan is to have a 'warm-up' session using some Cyberboard tools in November and December of 2012, then get into active campaign and put the troops into action by March of 2013.
Those wishing to partake may either leave an email contact here in the comments, or send email to: viperbbb@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
3rd Montblanc Main Battle AAR
A proxy battle for the Defiant Principality, game played on 2 June 2012 using Warfare in the Age of Reason rules.
General Bellver of Catalonia, had two line regiments and a collection of light infantry companies, from different regiments, that he amalgamated into one actionable force of regimental strength.
The mountain region to the south west was again going to be key in forcing the Spanish into a narrow corridor.
The difference this time was the Spanish column was twice as large as last time and there was a siege train of artillery moving towards them at Montblanc. Worse still the Spanish Guard had a mixed brigade of grenadiers and horse closing in from the north. There was no question of having to fight, the only question was how long they could hold out and how many casualties they could inflict on the main body to the south before having the Guard arrive.
Catalonian forces were ranged in two lines covering the outlet from the mountains and bordered by the river. On both flanks of the foot were the batteries, medium to the east by the river and two light ones to the west.
The Spanish under Brig. Gen. Torremayor, chose to break into two brigades of three regiments each. One was to form an advance guard and press along the flank of the mountain sides and sweep or at least engage the skirmish infantry, then if possible press on to an assault of the Catalan lines so as to wear them down and pin them so that the second brigade and the siege train of artillery could deploy and deliver the knock out blows.
Straight away the Spanish got their plan into action. The skirmish forces could not hold their ground with the advancing formed battalion closing in on them and lost their nerve routing completely off the mountain to the North, only personal reaction from Bellver kept the mountaineers from fleeing the field entirely.
While Bellver was engaged in rallying the skirmishers, the Spanish drove forward to within close musket range, the leading battalion even attempted a charge under the command of their temporary brigadier Colonel (fill in the blank), this failed and the men refused to close in. Undaunted by the confusion facing them the infantry of Catalonia and the two light batteries opened fire!
The Catalan medium battery had chased off the Spanish medium battery while they were maneuvering to position the guns. Those guns had retreated behind one of the second brigade battalions and were now advancing with the siege train guns covered on all sides by infantry columns.
A little later, 30-40 minutes, and the lead battalion had fled, taking the temporary brigadier with them, now shot through with what would prove to be a mortal wound. Not fatal on the field, yet deadly enough that by sunset he would be no more. As the battalion fled to the rear they temporarily disordered the lines behind them, now a fresh battalion would be facing the combined fire of the Catalan lines and light batteries.
The skirmishers had recovered and were now sweeping back south into the highlands on the enemy flank.
The Spanish siege train was now unlimbered and the guns were being positioned. It was to be only a matter of time now before the casualties for the Catalans would come....
The Spanish horse had begun to arrive also, now held in reserve awaiting the moment to run down any fleeing survivors.
With a great roar the siege guns opened fire on Our Lady of the Disempared IR, in the opening salvo destroyed fully 1/4 of the regiment.
While suffering the Our Lady of the Disempared IR did not flee, nor even become disorganized from the pounding, indeed the kept their line formed and continued to deliver fire into the lines facing them.
Another 30-40 minutes later, now Our Lady of the Disempared IR was below 50% strength and continuing to melt from the pounding by artillery and opposing muskets. The siege guns continued to fire, on Saint Narcissus IR, while only taking 17% casualties in one salvo series, it was clear that very soon there would not be any more men to face the still firing Spanish infantry.
Along the highland terrain, Spanish officers had seen the skirmish line reforming, now the second Brigade deployed into lines to face the left flank and cover any possible sniping from the skirmishers.
An hour later and the situation for the Catalans was desperate, continued casualties with Saint Narcissus IR now had sent them fleeing past Bellver to the north of Montblanc, only a scattering of muskets remained around the battle flags of Our Lady of the Disempared IR. They were disordered and suffering from 83% casualties, yet they steadfastly refused to recoil. This helped the light batteries as they kept up a continuous barrage on the Spanish front battalion, likewise keeping them from charging.
The siege battery, having run out of massed infantry targets, now switched to the medium battery of Catalan. They proved to have no courage in the face of the mighty barrage and quickly packed up their guns and began to retreat out from the field via the north east road.
Watching this Bellver, also scanned the north horizon, seeing dust clouds in the distance and much closer now a formation of Guard Horse. The trap was shut, his brigade was melting from the heat of the siege guns. Our Lady of the Disempared IR was still weakly holding its position, the light batteries were firing. He could see that the mountain skirmishers were slowing fire now ... likely they were in retreat to the west.
With the casualty count to the Spanish of one battalion/regiment that led the charge in the advance guard and a 'field' promoted brigadier (former colonel) dead, the Spanish were to easily take the ground of Montblanc.
For the Catalans, the story is more complicated. Any hope of retreat for Our Lady of the Disempared IR is impossible. They were exhausted, with 83% casualties. The others? There were 8 squadrons of fresh horsemen, two of them Guard, that had not taken any action at all that day. Only two light guns to slow any of them down and no horse on the Catalan side to cover any retreat.
Want to find out what the final decisions were?
Go to Defiant Principality to get the tale...
General Bellver of Catalonia, had two line regiments and a collection of light infantry companies, from different regiments, that he amalgamated into one actionable force of regimental strength.
The mountain region to the south west was again going to be key in forcing the Spanish into a narrow corridor.
The difference this time was the Spanish column was twice as large as last time and there was a siege train of artillery moving towards them at Montblanc. Worse still the Spanish Guard had a mixed brigade of grenadiers and horse closing in from the north. There was no question of having to fight, the only question was how long they could hold out and how many casualties they could inflict on the main body to the south before having the Guard arrive.
Catalonian forces were ranged in two lines covering the outlet from the mountains and bordered by the river. On both flanks of the foot were the batteries, medium to the east by the river and two light ones to the west.
 | |
| Catalonian lines before Montblanc |
The Spanish under Brig. Gen. Torremayor, chose to break into two brigades of three regiments each. One was to form an advance guard and press along the flank of the mountain sides and sweep or at least engage the skirmish infantry, then if possible press on to an assault of the Catalan lines so as to wear them down and pin them so that the second brigade and the siege train of artillery could deploy and deliver the knock out blows.
Straight away the Spanish got their plan into action. The skirmish forces could not hold their ground with the advancing formed battalion closing in on them and lost their nerve routing completely off the mountain to the North, only personal reaction from Bellver kept the mountaineers from fleeing the field entirely.
While Bellver was engaged in rallying the skirmishers, the Spanish drove forward to within close musket range, the leading battalion even attempted a charge under the command of their temporary brigadier Colonel (fill in the blank), this failed and the men refused to close in. Undaunted by the confusion facing them the infantry of Catalonia and the two light batteries opened fire!
 |
| by turn 4 the volleys were being fired. |
 | ||
| Bellver rallies the skirmish infantry |
 |
| devastating first fire takes out 1/4 of the lead battalion |
The skirmishers had recovered and were now sweeping back south into the highlands on the enemy flank.
 |
| all Spanish forces had a toe hold on the field, the horse was present and waiting |
The Spanish siege train was now unlimbered and the guns were being positioned. It was to be only a matter of time now before the casualties for the Catalans would come....
 |
| the Catalans on the line were delivering fire at a furious pace |
The Spanish horse had begun to arrive also, now held in reserve awaiting the moment to run down any fleeing survivors.
With a great roar the siege guns opened fire on Our Lady of the Disempared IR, in the opening salvo destroyed fully 1/4 of the regiment.
 |
| siege guns fire, in AoR you count a hit for every '12' pips ... this was big! |
Another 30-40 minutes later, now Our Lady of the Disempared IR was below 50% strength and continuing to melt from the pounding by artillery and opposing muskets. The siege guns continued to fire, on Saint Narcissus IR, while only taking 17% casualties in one salvo series, it was clear that very soon there would not be any more men to face the still firing Spanish infantry.
Along the highland terrain, Spanish officers had seen the skirmish line reforming, now the second Brigade deployed into lines to face the left flank and cover any possible sniping from the skirmishers.
 |
| casualties from artillery were mounting |
 |
| opposing front lines kept up a weak disordered musketry exchange |
 |
| terrible losses now in Catalan lines |
 |
| Our Lady of the Disempared IR holding fast amidst terrible losses |
 |
| the massive siege battery continues to deal out death with each salvo |
 |
| skirmishers on the flank do some damage, not enough to change the battle results |
Watching this Bellver, also scanned the north horizon, seeing dust clouds in the distance and much closer now a formation of Guard Horse. The trap was shut, his brigade was melting from the heat of the siege guns. Our Lady of the Disempared IR was still weakly holding its position, the light batteries were firing. He could see that the mountain skirmishers were slowing fire now ... likely they were in retreat to the west.
 |
| The End had come |
 |
| Bellver must now choose his end |
 |
| Spanish left and center, Catalan skirmishers could not win this alone |
 |
| Carnage in the center |
 |
| view to the north west ... no way out with the Guard here now |
 |
| The final options |
For the Catalans, the story is more complicated. Any hope of retreat for Our Lady of the Disempared IR is impossible. They were exhausted, with 83% casualties. The others? There were 8 squadrons of fresh horsemen, two of them Guard, that had not taken any action at all that day. Only two light guns to slow any of them down and no horse on the Catalan side to cover any retreat.
Want to find out what the final decisions were?
Go to Defiant Principality to get the tale...
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Plans de SIO AAR
A battle by Proxy for Defiant Principality.
I was to set up a battle between two evenly matched cavalry forces across mostly open ground. The time was October 14, 1715 in Spain.
While I did not have use of my tricornes, either having recently been sold or 'gone missing' I still have plenty of 25mm minis to do this job.
We settled on the "Warfare in the Age of Reason" rule set to play out the game.
The map I was given was thus.
Here is what the interpretation on the game table looked like.
The commanders then laid out their respective commands.
The first turn was one of minor maneuver, in order to get the two lines of cavalry facing one another ...
Full of jitters "La Fe" Dragoons and their untried Colonel Dalmau squared off against battle tested Numancia and wounded Torquemada of Spain.
Once the two lines of horsemen were lined up, the Spanish commander had decided the only way to achieve his orders and drive off the Catalans was to charge.
Command of the Catalan forces was Colonel Dalmau, likewise he had decided that the only way he could keep the ground today was to charge, he attached himself to one half of his force that would have an open flank and bellowed the order to charge just as his opposite the Spanish General Bracomonte did the same.
CHARGE!
Both sides barely made contact as only the flank supported half of Dalmau's Dragoons actually managed to advance.
Caught up in the fleeing horsemen Dalmau was very nearly run down by the 1st Squadron of the La Fe Dragoons as they fled the field.
Similarly General Bracomonte was obliged to fall back and rally the 1st of the Numancia Dragoons. While not swept away by the swirling horsemen, the General was unable to halt them from fleeing the area.
Neither of the remaining forces decided to engage as their respective commanders were gone. While only on very tired horses the 2nd La Fe Dragoons did not want to test the mettle of the battle tested mix of Numancia and wounded Torquemada Dragoons who were only in a bit of a disorganized state and ready to fight with fresh horses.
In only two turns, perhaps 20 minutes of time, with the charge taking only two or three minutes the battle was over, the Catalans had fled the field.
Spain did not hold the field, yet they could report back that the way was clear.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This was a good re-engagement for me in the Age of Reason rules and reminded me of why I wanted 12 man cavalry units along with the design of my units with 2-man cavalry stands.
I may have to re-form some more tricornes to give the rules a good run.
A battle by Proxy for Defiant Principality.
I was to set up a battle between two evenly matched cavalry forces across mostly open ground. The time was October 14, 1715 in Spain.
While I did not have use of my tricornes, either having recently been sold or 'gone missing' I still have plenty of 25mm minis to do this job.
We settled on the "Warfare in the Age of Reason" rule set to play out the game.
The map I was given was thus.
Here is what the interpretation on the game table looked like.
The commanders then laid out their respective commands.
The first turn was one of minor maneuver, in order to get the two lines of cavalry facing one another ...
Full of jitters "La Fe" Dragoons and their untried Colonel Dalmau squared off against battle tested Numancia and wounded Torquemada of Spain.
Once the two lines of horsemen were lined up, the Spanish commander had decided the only way to achieve his orders and drive off the Catalans was to charge.
Command of the Catalan forces was Colonel Dalmau, likewise he had decided that the only way he could keep the ground today was to charge, he attached himself to one half of his force that would have an open flank and bellowed the order to charge just as his opposite the Spanish General Bracomonte did the same.
CHARGE!
Both sides barely made contact as only the flank supported half of Dalmau's Dragoons actually managed to advance.
Caught up in the fleeing horsemen Dalmau was very nearly run down by the 1st Squadron of the La Fe Dragoons as they fled the field.
Similarly General Bracomonte was obliged to fall back and rally the 1st of the Numancia Dragoons. While not swept away by the swirling horsemen, the General was unable to halt them from fleeing the area.
Neither of the remaining forces decided to engage as their respective commanders were gone. While only on very tired horses the 2nd La Fe Dragoons did not want to test the mettle of the battle tested mix of Numancia and wounded Torquemada Dragoons who were only in a bit of a disorganized state and ready to fight with fresh horses.
In only two turns, perhaps 20 minutes of time, with the charge taking only two or three minutes the battle was over, the Catalans had fled the field.
Spain did not hold the field, yet they could report back that the way was clear.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This was a good re-engagement for me in the Age of Reason rules and reminded me of why I wanted 12 man cavalry units along with the design of my units with 2-man cavalry stands.
I may have to re-form some more tricornes to give the rules a good run.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Battle by Proxy
A new proxy fight is going to be gamed out on my amended tabletop this Saturday.
Lluis of Defiant Principality has this little scenario for his "Imagi-Nation".
I shall game it out using the Warfare in the Age of Reason rules set, one that I have not used in some time.
Expect the After Action Report here following the battle.
A new proxy fight is going to be gamed out on my amended tabletop this Saturday.
Lluis of Defiant Principality has this little scenario for his "Imagi-Nation".
I shall game it out using the Warfare in the Age of Reason rules set, one that I have not used in some time.
Expect the After Action Report here following the battle.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
STRATEGIC ACTIONS
More moves done in my 7 years Wars Cyberboard system:
General Situation in central Urope
British fleets took out at 4:1 odds Dutch Shipping off the norther coast of Holland.
Big Battle in Pilsner had:
+3 King Fredrich
+2 Seydliz
+2 Henry
and Prussian (called Altmorania in my fictional "Urope") troops 4*3, 4*3, 2*1
vs
Austrian +1 General Daun
troops 3*2
Saxe-Bearstein troops: 3*2 and 1*1
For at total of 1.4 advantage to Prussia. Not enough to get any strategic bonuses.
The Plan die rolls were dismal for the Austrians and fair-good for Prussians, which eliminated the defensive bonus for the Austrian/Saxon positions.
3 Major rounds of Battle ensued (each about one hour in length)
Round one went to the Prussians who gained a position bonus of +2 and took only 10% casualties while inflicting 25% on the Austrians.
Round two was the reverse of round one save that it was slightly less damage to the Prussians (only 20% casualties)
Round three was the clincher, essentially the same as round one, for the math, the problem was that the Austrian side could not take any more of such casualties and now the odds were tipping heavily in the Prussians favor.
The Saxons were abandoned as a rear guard and Daun commenced the withdrawal. A lucky shot into a nearby artillery battery nearly killed Daun, he was lucky also with his saving throw. The Prussian Prince Henry suffered a lot of damage (almost dead) from a fall during a cavalry charge.
Other actions were at:
Miastokrol, Russians kept the fortress after a 2 hour attempt at siege, 20% casualties to the Prussians caused them to break the siege and retreat.
Vienna! I decided that the "vile" Stagonians, would do a mad action to grab territory, in Linz and Saxe-Bearstein while the Prussians were busy with the main Saxon and Austrian armies (even though this would likely piss off their nominal French 'ally'). Well in this round the Austrian capitol Vienna was only covered by one force, and a shot at the nearby troops would keep them from helping the capitol ... taking it would make Stagonia a major player! HA fat chance!
Both the flank column and the force attacking Vienna were defeated. The one into Vienna was killed to 55%, then the rest were caught in a pursuit 100% loss as the rest are now prisoners.
The other force had to retreat into the mountains, near the area of Tipplebruder ...
More moves done in my 7 years Wars Cyberboard system:
British fleets took out at 4:1 odds Dutch Shipping off the norther coast of Holland.
Big Battle in Pilsner had:
+3 King Fredrich
+2 Seydliz
+2 Henry
and Prussian (called Altmorania in my fictional "Urope") troops 4*3, 4*3, 2*1
vs
Austrian +1 General Daun
troops 3*2
Saxe-Bearstein troops: 3*2 and 1*1
For at total of 1.4 advantage to Prussia. Not enough to get any strategic bonuses.
The Plan die rolls were dismal for the Austrians and fair-good for Prussians, which eliminated the defensive bonus for the Austrian/Saxon positions.
3 Major rounds of Battle ensued (each about one hour in length)
Round one went to the Prussians who gained a position bonus of +2 and took only 10% casualties while inflicting 25% on the Austrians.
Round two was the reverse of round one save that it was slightly less damage to the Prussians (only 20% casualties)
Round three was the clincher, essentially the same as round one, for the math, the problem was that the Austrian side could not take any more of such casualties and now the odds were tipping heavily in the Prussians favor.
The Saxons were abandoned as a rear guard and Daun commenced the withdrawal. A lucky shot into a nearby artillery battery nearly killed Daun, he was lucky also with his saving throw. The Prussian Prince Henry suffered a lot of damage (almost dead) from a fall during a cavalry charge.
Other actions were at:
Miastokrol, Russians kept the fortress after a 2 hour attempt at siege, 20% casualties to the Prussians caused them to break the siege and retreat.
Vienna! I decided that the "vile" Stagonians, would do a mad action to grab territory, in Linz and Saxe-Bearstein while the Prussians were busy with the main Saxon and Austrian armies (even though this would likely piss off their nominal French 'ally'). Well in this round the Austrian capitol Vienna was only covered by one force, and a shot at the nearby troops would keep them from helping the capitol ... taking it would make Stagonia a major player! HA fat chance!
Both the flank column and the force attacking Vienna were defeated. The one into Vienna was killed to 55%, then the rest were caught in a pursuit 100% loss as the rest are now prisoners.
The other force had to retreat into the mountains, near the area of Tipplebruder ...
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Carniola, the skirmish battle
a proxy game for Emperor vs. Elector
You can read of the full scenario plans here.
The tabletop layout looked like this:
Herein follows the account of Elmar Wilhelms, a member of the household of Lady Elisenda Folc de Cardona whom was riding on the tailboard and baggage of the Lady's carriage at the moment of the start of these events.
To our left was a great woods, a bare hilltop could be seen in the distance beyond. We were approaching a couple of farm buildings first one to our left, then further along one to the right. I had just agreed to prepare to watch the right when a call 'to arms' was raised by the Dragoon officer. I felt the coach shudder from some commotion inside the cabin and heard the report of a long arm musket. From the building to the left ... one of the draft team pulling the carriage was dead and now the coach drover was having to apply the brake and reign in the horses. My fellow on the top of the carriage now, Harman had taken a shot at the approaching riders and he vanished in a puff of the powder smoke from his pistol, I saw the Dragoon Officer fall from his saddle. Then I saw the wild riders approaching and fired my own pistol at them.
When my smoke had cleared, Miss Fiona was demanding a pistol from the baggage that we had been loading afresh each morning on her orders. She then fired her own shot at the mercenary riders now fully engaged with the dragoons.
From ahead I heard some strange shouting, the Dragoons had realized their officer was dead and they were attempting to setup a plan of action, one of them shouted a warning and I heard volley of shots come out from the building to the left, three of the forward dragoons were wounded and one was dropped from his horse, trapped.
Miss Fiona then grabbed another pistol and ran to the rear of the coach. I readied my second pistol and fired again into the mass of riders, there were fewer Dragoons and less of the strange red cloaked riders, but there were still more of them than Dragoons... Lady Elisenda then came out from the coach and she drew a pistol from our collection on the tailboard. She herself then fired into the red mercenary riders, hitting one square in the chest and felling him. Another loud volley from muskets came from ahead and more Dragoons fell, there were another group of mercenaries that had taken cover next to a tall rock wall and were firing from behind it into the ranks of the Dragoons.
I heard a wild shout and a tall man with a long coat and huge beard came charging out from the door of the house ... he swung the sword with all his might against the harnesses, seeking to separate the lead good horses from the dead and wounded ones near the coach, one coachman had jumped down to break the dead horse free from the harness and was now hiding behind the animals carcass as this wild madman rushed at him.
I jumped from the tailboard with my sword and a final pistol as Harman and our leader of the household staff Markus shouted for me to join him in a line between the Lady Elisenda and the backs of the hard pressed Dragoons. Miss Fiona had run to the deadly side of the coach to catch the Dragoon officers' horse, while the Marquis of Rubi had dashed some paces away to catch another of the Dragoon Horses. He mounted it while we watched the Dragoons now holding their own against these red devils...
The madman from the house now charged at the helpless drover and cut him down, just as the Count of Erill moved to his defense, now the Count was facing this madman! Markus rushed to the old man's aid and shouted for us to continue to cover the Lady.
Miss Fiona then rode into view on the Dragoon officers Horse while the Madman and the Count were fencing. Clearly the big man with the beard was not paying as much attention to the Count as he was the two ladies...
One of the red devils broke free from his attack on the Dragoons and rode into the river crossing it and making for the open ground beyond. The madman shouted something like,
"LUIJI! I will find you in hell!"
The big man then broke free from his attack on the Count and rushed to Miss Fiona, holding out his sword as though to cut her and pointing his pistol.
"Off your horse l'il lady!" he commanded. Miss Fiona glanced at Lady Elisenda, who was moving to mount the same horse, she smirked and nodded to the Marquis of RubÃ, then she winked.
She made her horse gallop away from the great madman who instantly shot at her ... and missed! Now he was full of mad rage and rushed towards Lady Elisenda, who mounted the horse as the Marquis dismounted. I heard another volley from the rock wall musket men and watched the last of the Dragoons in the van of our party fall from his saddle.
Now I rushed to the aid of Markus and the Count of Erill, Harman was lagging behind me as we managed to parry one of the thrusts and swings towards this old Count. The Marquis seemed to be looking further down the road behind our battle, shouting something about more riders!
Now I was fully engaged against this great big bearded madman! His huge sword cut and thrust with a ferocity I have never before seen! Twice it seemed as though the Count was done for and each time either I or Markus managed to deflect the blade enough to keep the Count alive, though he was moving his own sword in some defense, we were certainly not able to make any advances against this skilled madman. Then from behind him a pistol shot rang out. Harman had shot him in the back, Markus thrust home and I joined him in ensuring that the big man would not rise again.
I looked about, in horror seeing another troop of mercenary riders chasing Miss Fiona who was well past any help we could possibly offer. Then I spied Lady Elisenda riding into the wooded orchard near this column of riders, they split and the front group moved to surround Miss Fiona, while Lady Elisenda changed direction and left the four horsemen chasing her on the wrong side of the orchard ... by the time the got around she was five lengths ahead and gaining ground.
The other riders turned out to be Hussars from Syldavia and after a tense few seconds while the red riders flew from the scene our wounded Dragoons stood back to let their troop officer come forward.
The other mercenaries began to flee into the woods now from the back of the building and behind the stone wall.
More shouts were heard from the distant riders, then they all seemed to dissipate.
It was a minute later that we discovered that Miss Fiona had been killed by the riders, her horse was cut down and without any weapon of her own to use she was likewise cut down.
Before we could catch up with Lady Elisenda we searched the houses and the area where the gunmen had come from. Within the hut there was a strange musket, such as I had never seen before, most certainly it was the weapon of that bearded madman. Scratched into the butt of the weapon in crude letters was "MARIO". Other than some scraps of food little else was found.
Lady Elisenda was last seen riding to the border post, she was to learn of the death of Miss Fiona sometime later ....
Your Gaming Crew:
a proxy game for Emperor vs. Elector
You can read of the full scenario plans here.
The tabletop layout looked like this:
Herein follows the account of Elmar Wilhelms, a member of the household of Lady Elisenda Folc de Cardona whom was riding on the tailboard and baggage of the Lady's carriage at the moment of the start of these events.
To our left was a great woods, a bare hilltop could be seen in the distance beyond. We were approaching a couple of farm buildings first one to our left, then further along one to the right. I had just agreed to prepare to watch the right when a call 'to arms' was raised by the Dragoon officer. I felt the coach shudder from some commotion inside the cabin and heard the report of a long arm musket. From the building to the left ... one of the draft team pulling the carriage was dead and now the coach drover was having to apply the brake and reign in the horses. My fellow on the top of the carriage now, Harman had taken a shot at the approaching riders and he vanished in a puff of the powder smoke from his pistol, I saw the Dragoon Officer fall from his saddle. Then I saw the wild riders approaching and fired my own pistol at them.
When my smoke had cleared, Miss Fiona was demanding a pistol from the baggage that we had been loading afresh each morning on her orders. She then fired her own shot at the mercenary riders now fully engaged with the dragoons.
From ahead I heard some strange shouting, the Dragoons had realized their officer was dead and they were attempting to setup a plan of action, one of them shouted a warning and I heard volley of shots come out from the building to the left, three of the forward dragoons were wounded and one was dropped from his horse, trapped.
Miss Fiona then grabbed another pistol and ran to the rear of the coach. I readied my second pistol and fired again into the mass of riders, there were fewer Dragoons and less of the strange red cloaked riders, but there were still more of them than Dragoons... Lady Elisenda then came out from the coach and she drew a pistol from our collection on the tailboard. She herself then fired into the red mercenary riders, hitting one square in the chest and felling him. Another loud volley from muskets came from ahead and more Dragoons fell, there were another group of mercenaries that had taken cover next to a tall rock wall and were firing from behind it into the ranks of the Dragoons.
I heard a wild shout and a tall man with a long coat and huge beard came charging out from the door of the house ... he swung the sword with all his might against the harnesses, seeking to separate the lead good horses from the dead and wounded ones near the coach, one coachman had jumped down to break the dead horse free from the harness and was now hiding behind the animals carcass as this wild madman rushed at him.
I jumped from the tailboard with my sword and a final pistol as Harman and our leader of the household staff Markus shouted for me to join him in a line between the Lady Elisenda and the backs of the hard pressed Dragoons. Miss Fiona had run to the deadly side of the coach to catch the Dragoon officers' horse, while the Marquis of Rubi had dashed some paces away to catch another of the Dragoon Horses. He mounted it while we watched the Dragoons now holding their own against these red devils...
The madman from the house now charged at the helpless drover and cut him down, just as the Count of Erill moved to his defense, now the Count was facing this madman! Markus rushed to the old man's aid and shouted for us to continue to cover the Lady.
Miss Fiona then rode into view on the Dragoon officers Horse while the Madman and the Count were fencing. Clearly the big man with the beard was not paying as much attention to the Count as he was the two ladies...
One of the red devils broke free from his attack on the Dragoons and rode into the river crossing it and making for the open ground beyond. The madman shouted something like,
"LUIJI! I will find you in hell!"
The big man then broke free from his attack on the Count and rushed to Miss Fiona, holding out his sword as though to cut her and pointing his pistol.
"Off your horse l'il lady!" he commanded. Miss Fiona glanced at Lady Elisenda, who was moving to mount the same horse, she smirked and nodded to the Marquis of RubÃ, then she winked.
She made her horse gallop away from the great madman who instantly shot at her ... and missed! Now he was full of mad rage and rushed towards Lady Elisenda, who mounted the horse as the Marquis dismounted. I heard another volley from the rock wall musket men and watched the last of the Dragoons in the van of our party fall from his saddle.
Now I rushed to the aid of Markus and the Count of Erill, Harman was lagging behind me as we managed to parry one of the thrusts and swings towards this old Count. The Marquis seemed to be looking further down the road behind our battle, shouting something about more riders!
Now I was fully engaged against this great big bearded madman! His huge sword cut and thrust with a ferocity I have never before seen! Twice it seemed as though the Count was done for and each time either I or Markus managed to deflect the blade enough to keep the Count alive, though he was moving his own sword in some defense, we were certainly not able to make any advances against this skilled madman. Then from behind him a pistol shot rang out. Harman had shot him in the back, Markus thrust home and I joined him in ensuring that the big man would not rise again.
I looked about, in horror seeing another troop of mercenary riders chasing Miss Fiona who was well past any help we could possibly offer. Then I spied Lady Elisenda riding into the wooded orchard near this column of riders, they split and the front group moved to surround Miss Fiona, while Lady Elisenda changed direction and left the four horsemen chasing her on the wrong side of the orchard ... by the time the got around she was five lengths ahead and gaining ground.
The other riders turned out to be Hussars from Syldavia and after a tense few seconds while the red riders flew from the scene our wounded Dragoons stood back to let their troop officer come forward.
The other mercenaries began to flee into the woods now from the back of the building and behind the stone wall.
More shouts were heard from the distant riders, then they all seemed to dissipate.
It was a minute later that we discovered that Miss Fiona had been killed by the riders, her horse was cut down and without any weapon of her own to use she was likewise cut down.
Before we could catch up with Lady Elisenda we searched the houses and the area where the gunmen had come from. Within the hut there was a strange musket, such as I had never seen before, most certainly it was the weapon of that bearded madman. Scratched into the butt of the weapon in crude letters was "MARIO". Other than some scraps of food little else was found.
Lady Elisenda was last seen riding to the border post, she was to learn of the death of Miss Fiona sometime later ....
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