Imagi-Medieval Campaign Part 3: First Moves

After the previous selection of neutral areas (see part 2), some players were rather exercised by who chose what. Most vociferous being King Leopold of Austria (Ray).  He seemed frustrated by Trent being closed to him.  I don't know his strategy - nor would I divulge even if I did - but I think that he'd very much like to extract revenge!

Detail from Arrival of the English Ambassadors by Vittore Carpaccio

Whilst the orders for Turn One were being contemplated, many flowery worded missives were being sent back and forth to fish for information and secure alliances.  The players have certainly entered into character and communicate accordingly, forsooth!  

I must confess that with "emissaries" and "ambassadors" hurrying wither and thither, it was a little tricky to keep up with the various twists and turns.  I think that there may even be an alliance cemented through marriage (is this role-playing now going too far?), but I'm not sure.  

Detail from The Month of April: A Wedding Procession

With at least a couple turns before some of the players clash over areas, I'm guessing that everyone is playing it coy and sounding each other out until actions confirm suspicions.  One thing is certain, Ray has a duplicitous reputation that proceeds him from previous campaigns.  Will he be able to overcome this character handicap?  I suspect that Duke Frederich in Brandenburg (Jon) may apply some of his silver tongued skills to good effect... oh, who am I kidding, they are all as mad, bad and untrustworthy as each other!

With only unoccupied territories to conquer, our six rulers can divide their army strength (in points) to invade and capture some.  This is where I start to see some small differences in strategy.

To conquer an area the players must allocate a certain number of army points to invade.  If the ratio of army to area value is 4 to 1 in favour of the invader, then the area is automatically won.  The smaller the ratio the greater the risk of failure.  Each aspiring empire starts with 750 points to allocate to armies and/or comment to savings or the Pope.

In placing their orders, there are those that seek certainty and those that gamble on the odds.  Some you win some you lose.

Here is the map of Mittleuropa as it stands after Turn One.

The circled areas are the neutral principalities that no one can invade or move through for at least six turns.

The areas with coloured dots show ownership.

In the previous post, Norm placed his money on King Elrond of Franconia (Surjit).  It's early days, but who is making a good early impression with you?

Imagi-Medieval Campaign Part 2: Players and Opening Tasks

As part of setting up the campaign, we needed to know who would take command of which aspiring empire.

The players willing to put their reputations on the line are Rejects Ray (Don't Throw a One), Lee (Big Lee's Miniature Adventures), Dan, Steve and Surjit, along with the Chief of the Rejects USA Chapter, Jonathan (Palouse Wargaming Journal).

Who Chooses First?

I could have picked names out of a hat.  However, I thought that here was the first opportunity for a test of knowledge and speed.

The six players were sent an email giving them seven days notice that at 8pm on 15 September they would receive an email with two questions.  The first to answer the questions correctly would choose first from all six countries; the second would choose from the remaining five, and so on.

The two questions were not difficult:

1. What was the name given to Louis XVI at his trial and execution in Jan 1793?

2.  I am always in front of you but you can never see me.  What am I?

The first correct reply come back at 8:01pm!  Keen or what!

The order of response was as follows:

1 - Ray at 20:01

2 - Lee at 20:02

3 - Steve at 20:09

4 - Dan at 20:11

5 - Jon at 20:28

6 - Surjit at 21:42

A close call between first and second.

Who Chose What?
Now that we had established the order of selection, what did they choose?

Ray - Austria

Lee - Lombardy

Steve - Batavia

Dan - Bohemia

Jon - Brandenburg

Surjit was left with Franconia

Interestingly, a couple of the players expressed surprise that certain countries were not chosen.  Especially  that Franconia was not picked at all, but left to last place Surjit.  Do you agree?

Naming and Neutralising

The next tasks were for the players to access their campaign order sheets and to give names to their ruler and three generals.  For the battles, the generals will all start with the rating of "plodding".  With time and battlefield success they can improve their ratings.  The rulers' will be given a permanent rating at random.  The ratings are buffoon, plodding, efficient and brilliant.  These ratings affect the weighting of the number of actions per turn and command radius.

The names of the various rulers and their three army commanders are:

Austria: Ray will now be known as King Leopold V, the Virtuous (howls of laughter now coming from the rest of the Rejects).  His generals are Prince Frederick the Krieger, Duke Heinrich II Jasomirgott, and Count Lukas von Graben zum Stein.

Batavia:  Steve now becomes Earl Ragnar Lothbrok assisted by his three Constables Sweyn Forkbeard, Ivar The Boneless, and Harald Fairhair.

Bohemia:  Dan has a rather formidable sounding Queen by the name of Eliska Premyslova.  Her loyal army commanders are Lords Oldrich of Vitkov and Zbynek of Lichtenburk, and General Jan of Rozmberk.

Brandenburg:  Jonathan is now Duke Frederich von Freytag.  His trusted commanders are the Counts Ulrich von Lindow, Hermann von Orlamünde, and Dietrich von Stade.

Franconia:  Surjit now becomes King Elrond the Wise.  He has the loyalty of Marshal Gandalf the Great, Prince Aragon the Brave, and Prince Legolas the Swift.

Lombardy:  Lee is now transformed into King Ottaviano di Valperga.  His three army commanders being Duke Giacomo da Varenna, Count Ottone Grimaldi, and Marshal Matteo Farracorta.

Each player must also secretly submit the name of one area/principality in Mitteleuropa that will remain neutral for at least two campaign years (six turns).  That means that no-one, including the person who selected it, during that time may invade and capture those territories.  So, a careful choice could give advantage, protection and possibly hinder a rival.  These were their choices placed in alphabetical order of territory:

Cisalpine

Eins

Mainz

Neu

Sesia

Trent

Would you have made different decisions?  How do you think these choices might impact play?

As I type, emails are already flying back and forth as rival rulers negotiate pacts, alliances and (no doubt) spread rumour and sow discontent.  At the same time contemplating their orders for turn one.

Making a Hole in the Collection

Well... strictly speaking I've made a breach.

Siege of Orléans in 1428 (Vigiles de Charles VII, 15th century) - Public Domain

Following a play test of my siege rules using my 2mm buildings and troops (see Testing Siege Rules), I decided to make some breaches instead of just removing walls.  So, this short post is just that!

A wall section in the raw!

They are very easy to take a hacksaw to, and cut crisply.  A sharp Stanley knife was then applied.

Grit and sand is then applied.  Then undercoated in black.

The rest is all just dry brushing - a darkish raw umber/white mix then sky grey and finally wraithbone (a kind of bone colour - off white).

A breached section in the middle of a curtain wall.

I just have to paint some siege towers that I received through the post yesterday.  They shouldn't take long... they're 2mm scale for heavens sake!

All models are produced by Brigade Models.