Author Topic: Not-So Merry England: UD 6/2 Hedge Gates (Read 85388 times)

Silent Invader · « **Reply #435 on:** November 01, 2020, 07:30:08 AM »

Quote from: anevilgiraffe on November 01, 2020, 01:26:04 AM

Lovely work as ever...

Just a small point, graves and altars usually face the same direction - not always admittedly, but more often as not. Caused me some planning issues with my graveyard.

Thanks

It’s a good point - at the moment I’m not sure if it bothers me or not.

I’m not yet sure if I’m going to change them to reflect this and also the point OSHIROmodelterrain made earlier.

AKULA · « **Reply #436 on:** November 01, 2020, 08:06:29 AM »

Looking really good Steve

Silent Invader · « **Reply #437 on:** November 17, 2020, 04:09:16 PM »

Thanks Matt.

And in this update ..... the campaign has commenced.

The opposing forces are headed by two men of influence. The King’s loyal subject is Sir William Alting, a veteran of the wars in Europe and a favourite at court. Alting is a a passionate royalist who believes that the King has The Divine Right to rule. That his ancestors have benefited from the largesse of the monarchy is, in his mind, merely a natural extension of that Divine Right. Alting is burdened by the troublesome machinations of a group of MPs, whose unnatural belief that all men are equal is upsetting what had been a very satisfactory status quo. Alting’s chief antagonist is Sir Quentin Gibbs. Though he has also inherited his land and titles, Gibbs does not consider himself to be of any higher standing than ‘the common man, and as as such is disinclined to use his title. By nature, Alting is a raconteur and wit while Gibbs is studious and politic. Alting stays true to his family motto of ‘Valebit Honorem’, which translates from the Latin as ‘Honour Will Prevail’ while Gibbs has abandoned his family motto for the stirring slogan ‘Iustitia Et Libertas‘, which translates as ‘Justice And Liberty’.

Enough of the back story. The first season of the campaign commences, with Parliament making fast progress as they are buoyed by optimism. Alting, the King’s man, makes slower progress but initiates the first Battle, with the opposing Forces bumping into each other as they follow the lane across the ordinarily tranquil Cowebottom Common. This first battle will likely be a bloody affair, as Gibbs and Alting each see it as an early opportunity to expunge the nuisance that is the other.

The Battle calls for 3 units per side and is to be played according to the Ga Pa mission, which is a straightforward fight between opposing armies. Both sides will chance upon each other and attempt to rout their foe. When the number of Units on the table has reduced by two to four, at the beginning of each subsequent 1xD6 will be rolled and if the result is higher than 3 that signifies the end of the game at which point the Battle is assessed for win, lose or draw

The success of the Campaign is measured through its cost in English Pounds, which are much like the Honour Points and Unit Points in The Pikemans Lament. This approach reflects that campaigns cost money, to raise forces, keep them in the field, resupply them and to source reserves and fresh recruits. Ideally a Campaign will end in profit, with funds earned from investors/donators by winning Battles, and from taxes through winning then holding land. Ultimately, the Force ahead will be the one who has earned the greatest Profit or else is carrying the smallest Loss.

The Campaigns opening accounts are as follows, which show that each has spent £140 in raising three units with a TPL value of 14 points:

Both Forces start off of the table. The King’s men initiated the Battle but as there might be advantage in seeing the enemy‘s opening dispositions, Parliament must go first.

In Turn 1 Parliament fails an activation which limits progress. However by the end of Turn 2 Gibbs’ Command Unit (which for this Battle is on foot in the form of Aggressive Forlorn Hope) has proceeded along the lane with Rennell’s Forlorn Hope in the open to his south and Caulfield’s Commanded Shot bumbling through the woody scrub to the north. The mounted Alting has adopted a similar approach; accompanied by his Elite Trotters he follows the lane, with the Trotters of Cornell to his South and of Tennison to his north.

Turn 3 begins with Parliament winning the initiative. Caulfield’s Commanded Shot peer through the scrub and wonder:

“Would thart yondah be King’s orse?”

More to follow.........

DintheDin · « **Reply #438 on:** November 17, 2020, 04:47:03 PM »

Superb pictures, but, above all this so genius and well planned campaign system is extremely interesting!

I'll be following your next posts with great anticipation! Cheers!

Silent Invader · « **Reply #439 on:** November 17, 2020, 05:55:26 PM »

Thanks DTD

Is that the King’s horse?

And yes, it is indeed the King’s horse. Gibbs moves forward hoping to be able to close the gap in the lane while Rennell makes a rush for the hedge. In amongst the scrub and so out of sight of their enemy, Caulfield’s men take up shooting positions.

It’s now the moment for the King’s men and, as the Non Player Force (NPF), a failed activation will not end their turn. In any event, in a randomised order determined by dice roll, each of the mounted units passes its activation test. As the NPF, any action to be taken should generally be in keeping with the unit’s tactical doctrine and with the force’s scenario objective(s) and with the unit’s posture.

With the muskets in the scrub out of sight, Alting therefore swings his entire force to the right to charge down the Gibbs and Rennell.

Mr Francis Cornell and his horse (Trotters) on the southern flank of Alting’s combined force.

And as they are viewed from the Parliamentarian line.

And the dispositions at the end of Turn 3.

More to follow.....

OSHIROmodels · « **Reply #440 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:32:33 PM »

Excellent stuff Steve

Love Gibbs' eyebrows

Silent Invader · « **Reply #441 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:51:32 PM »

Quote from: OSHIROmodels on November 17, 2020, 06:32:33 PM

Love Gibbs' eyebrows

He’s an ancestor of Dennis Healey

Captain Blood · « **Reply #442 on:** November 17, 2020, 08:05:02 PM »

Ingenious as ever

Love the bird’s eye shots too.
We shall play again soon!

syrinx0 · « **Reply #443 on:** November 18, 2020, 01:52:37 AM »

Excellent stuff indeed. Looks like there will be shooting shortly.

Codsticker · « **Reply #444 on:** November 18, 2020, 04:09:55 AM »

Wonderful photos!

levied troop · « **Reply #445 on:** November 18, 2020, 08:10:50 AM »

Brilliant work and a fascinating approach to solo campaigns.
Come on Quentin!

Malamute · « **Reply #446 on:** November 18, 2020, 08:13:48 AM »

God save the King!

Wonderful stuff

Silent Invader · « **Reply #447 on:** November 18, 2020, 08:16:51 AM »

Thanks for the comments chaps.

The next updates will likely condense several turns each - the posts on the first few turns are a bit wordy as they seemed a useful opportunity to explore some elements of the system. There are still quite a few turns to report!

Quote from: Captain Blood on November 17, 2020, 08:05:02 PM

We shall play again soon!

Oh yes

AKULA · « **Reply #448 on:** November 18, 2020, 09:05:54 AM »

Great to see not only the first game, but also the campaign system in operation.

An enjoyable read as always Steve

Silent Invader · « **Reply #449 on:** November 18, 2020, 10:45:47 AM »

Thanks Matt.

Throughout Turns 4 to 7 the King’s men drive forward, taking some casualties as they enter and then move deeper into musket range. Alting is lucky, as Gibbs men roll poorly, causing a missed activation and a turn ending early. Gibbs does get between the hedges to plug the lane but Rennell’s Forlorn Hope fail to make the relative safety of the hedge line, instead having to rely on their musketry skills. Alting’s Elite Trotters attempt repeated Caracoles (move, shoot, move) against Gibbs’ Aggressive Forlorn Hope but fail to soften them up. Cornell’s Trotters have more luck against Rennell, closing to contact. With all the action taking place in the south east corner of the table and Rennell looking like he is about to be overwhelmed, Caulfield’s Commanded Shot leave the safety of the scrub, moving up to provide support.