Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[scott holder]

NICT

1-Todd Kaeser, Nike Byzantine, 34.8
2-Matt Kollmer, Khmer, 27.3
3-Dan Woyke, Inca, 25.2
4-Sean Scott, Early Crusader, 20.1
5-Derek Downs, Dahomi, 19
6-Greg Hauser, L Ottoman Turk, 18.7
7-Frank Gilson, L Ottoman Turk, 16.5
8-Rich Kroupa, E Imperial Roman, 15.7
9-Scott McDonald, Kanem-Borno, 12.3
10-Eric Turner, Yuan, 12
11-Scott Holder, Anglo-Danish, 10.4
12-Bill Low, Tepanec, 5.7


Timurid Theme

1-Scott McDonald, Islamic Persian, 17.1
2-Sean Patrick Scott, Islamic Persian, 16.1
3-Frank Gilson, E Ottoman Turk, 15.3
4-Dan Woyke, Georgian, 14.5
5-Matt Kollmer/Todd Kaeser, Islamic Persian, 12.7
6-Eric Turner, Mongol, 12.2
7-Bill Low, Georgian, 10.6
8-Rich Kroupa, Mongol, 10
9-Greg Hauser, Timurid, 5
10-Scott Holder, Post-Mongol Russian, 4.9


Circus Maximus Winner/Survivor: Greg Hauser

Attendance for us was basically last year. As a result, I've made the decision that next year, we're going back to the Hcon event format we used for a long time: Mini on Thu, Theme on Fri, NICT (3 rounds) on Saturday. If 18 people show up for the NICT on Saturday, oh well, the weighted system will spit out the decision if push comes to shove.

Thanks, as always to:

Rich for making, storing and bringing the terrain.

Greg for his painted prize for the NICT winner.

Todd for umping the Theme and he and Matt each playing a game as we had an odd number. For the 3rd round, I bowed out, hence my last place finish. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Todd Kaeser]

“Ewardus’ passing has left a huge chasm in our ability to muster troops and lead them into battle my lord.” Dimitri stated to Nicephorus.

“It is true,” added Michael, “he was a favorite among to troopers, especially the cavalry. When he called out the muster there was usually great response, and he led them personally on the battlefield.”

“It has been a great loss.” Nicephorus chimed in. “When peril threatened our empire, he was the one man we could always count on.” Nicephorus began to pace the floor as he always did when he was thinking heavily. “The processions, dinners, and tributes to Edwardus were befitting his courage and loyalty. We must find another to lead out the troops.”

“Young Benjamin was tremendous just two years ago.” Dimitri recalled with enthusiasm. “He fought the mighty Derekus to a draw and was able to vanquish the invading Danes.”

“Yes he did.” Michael added. “He appears to be everything we have hoped for in a young general.”

“Where has he gone?” inquired Nicephorus. “We could use his vigor and enthusiasm right now.”

“To the Northeast my lord.” Dimitri responded. “He is carving out a future in apothecary and healing using his university training. He was unable to leave his apprenticeship, but has promised that when he is more established he will return to the battlefield again.”

“Who can we get to lead our troops this year?” Michael asked. “We are in campaigning season and there are both threats to the east and to the west.”
Dimitri slid closer to his lord in slight anticipation. “We can call on a veteran. His career has been filled with highs and lows, but last year he proved himself worthy on the battlefield.” Dimitri moved even closer. “Toddington, my lord.”

“He will have to suffice.” Nicephorus. “Without young Benjamin, what else can we do. Edwardus’ son is off taming large gray beasts called elephants in the East."

“Let’s pray,” Michael added, “that Mathius does not get cajoled into leading those massive beasts against the Empire.” Michael’s face dropped towards the floor. “Our cavalry would struggle, and we would have to rely heavily on the Varangians. Let’s hope we can avoid him.”

So, Toddington lead the Nikephorian army into battle in the month of July, in the year of our lord 2025. He was tasked to first travel east and face the Yuan Mongol Dynasty lead by Erkhem Turner, who has battled through personal challenges to make it amongst the generals again. The climate was desert with dunes on the right flank and an impassable oasis dotting the center. A large brush was on the left in the back of the battlefield. Varangians moved forward into the middle where they faced two batteries of artillery and loads of footmen with spears and bows. While one Varangian unit was able to close with a spearblock and rout it, the other two faced too many rocks and were disorderd, shaken, and routed. A good thing the Byzantine cavalry found numerical superiority on their right and was able to push off most of the Mongolian cavalry for a 4-2 victory.

Next up for the Byzantines was a short trip into the Mediterranean Sea to face Lucius Richardus on the Early Imperial Roman Empire.
Richardus found himself out-scouted and hunkered down between a grove on his right and a town in his middle. Legions were to the front backed by smaller legions, trained Spanish and some lights. The Byzantines sought to break the hinge at the town with Varangians and cataphracts, supported by the Kavollari and lights. Richardus has ambushed some lights and more Spanish in the town which was uncovered by careful prodding. In the middle of the fight the cataphracts and EHC were able to rout a legion, while a legion facing a Varangian unit rolled up 3 and shoved them back mightily. As the battle raged on, a Kavollari unit was able to rescue said Varangian unit and a cascading set of waivers put the command on retirement for a 5-2 victory.

After a day of umpiring the Theme the final day of battle commenced.
The Dahomey army lead by the mighty Fossa (meaning leader in Benin and Derek also has the same meaning) came ashore on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea onto the Bosphoran. It seemed it was a difficult crossing as the Dahomey army was backed against the sea. They chose to not force-march as well, making the Byzantine army heavy on cavalry, have the advantage of attack. Early in the fight a unit of Conquistadors and Mina shot at the Byzantine sub, rolling up, causing disorder and a failed waiver check. The Byzantines were able to pull off some of the heavy fire with a Varangian unit and some light infantry to allow the general time to rally himself and begin the assault, tired, wary, but ok. On the Byzantine right the light infantry and cavalry wrecked havoc with the Dahomey lights, shooting and charging and killing off five of the eight units early in the battle. Alas, the Byzantines were able to push the Dahomey back towards the Mediterranean Sea for a 5-0 victory.

In the final conflict, the Byzantines were faced with the terrifying Incan army lead by Diosmi Taripayniy (God is my judge – same meaning as Daniel). The Incan army faces a serious task as they are almost all excellent morale and double armed with slings and an assortment of LTS or 2hct or HTW and even some HTW,Jls,S,Sh. Diosmi Taripayniy (Dan) had a wooded hill on his left and a river leading into a march to set up in between. The Byzantines tried to push the flanks. On the Byzantine right they were thwarted all battle long by a light unit in the wooded hill, but the Byzantine cavalry was able to chase off some lights, routing one and shaking another. As the Byzantines were pushing on their left on came a unit of Incan HTW,S,Sh on a flank march behind them. Deploying another unit of Kavollari the Byzantines were eventually, with much challenge, able to push the unit off the table. The battle hinged on a lucky roll where the Varangians were able to roll up 2, routing an Inca unit and catching another unit flat footed. Two turns later the Varangians were able to rout that unit. Besides a few war dogs that were flanked by cavalry the Byzantines were not able to do any more damage to the Inca army. Diosmi Taripayniy was able to kill of a few units of Byzantines with his massive firepower and excellent movement ability, but the Byzantines were able to carry the day 4-2.

“The Empire has had a good past few days,” Michael stated. “Time to fill the chalices with a plentitude of red wine from our vineyards in Greece.”

“Yes, we should enjoy the moment,” Nikephorus said. “We got lucky in our recent campaign. Scouts reported that there were not one, but two Ottoman armies in the field.”

“Yes, heard,” Responded Dimitri. “Was one commanded by a ‘Frank’?”

“No, no, no,” replied Michael. “His name is Ferenc, but I could see how you would be mislead.” The other was commanded by Murâkıb, meaning watchful (as does Greg). Murâkıb even commanded some of those heinous field artillery."

“Those engines give me the shutters.” Nikephorus reacted.

“None-the-less, we now need to prepare for the Fall campaign season,” Michael declared. There is a short campaign to the Northwest in September and another in the Southwest in November.”

“Let’s not make haste my brothers,” Dimitri responded. “We shall enjoy this moment for a few weeks.”

“Yes,” declared Nikephorus. “Wine and feasts to those who returned. Let us cherish this for a small while.” Nikephorus walked over to his two friends and let them to the banquet hall. “One doesn’t have these moments with friends often enough.” The three friends walked up to the table and Dimitri poured three glasses of wine into the three chalices. “To friends!” Nikephorus declared. “Let us remember those who have passed and those whose time we still share together.”

I miss my friend Ed and his write ups. When he took ill I tried to make the journey out to Great Barrington to have our battles with his Nikephorian Byzantine army that he loved so. I tried my part to capture his essence in this write up and have some fun with the names of our friends. Gaming, while fun to win, is much, much more. Times with friends and shared memories over these past almost 40 years. I thank you all for the good times and cherished memories.

Todd Kaeser

[Matt Kollmer]

👏 👏
Well written - I know someone very happy with this

[Eric Turner]

Enjoyed see everyone after being sick for 4 years. H-con war great. thank you Scott and Todd for running the show