Wars of the Roses Campaign

[KarwickWingmaker]

Hey all,

This thread will follow my (probably glacial) progress through a campaign using the more detailed campaign system in my rules set I Shall Call You My Lord available for free here:

https://orriblelittlemen.wordpress.com/downloads

The Campaign is set in a fictional county in England called Pavenshire, and will tell a tale of conflict between two families with long-standing rivalries.

We begin the Campaign with a letter nailed to the door of the chapel in a village called Lakley.

The letter is addressed to Sir David Barrett, a sly individual who continually promises loyalty to York and Lancaster, while always finding a way to avoid risking his life in battle. The author of the letter is Sir Richard Lewis, a generally honourable individual, though hot-headed and easily goaded into fights he has only the slimmest chance of winning.

So without further ado, here starts the Campaign!

[KarwickWingmaker]

Part 1: The Letter

For the eyes of Sir David Barrett, cur of Pavenshire

Thee truly art the serpent yond murders sooth with most devious cruelty.

Whispers did spread by thy henchmen has't been hath brought to mine own attention while ye attempt to disappear amongst those whom ye wouldst desire to gainfully turneth against me.

To arms, Barrett! May this year beest thy last, as mine own honourable cohort scatter thy band of thieves and liars.

Thy most fearsome opponent,
Sir Richard Lewis

[Atheling]

Is the campaign live today? As in happening minute to minute?

[KarwickWingmaker]

Is the campaign live today? As in happening minute to minute?

I’m afraid not, it will be an ongoing campaign over many weeks (or possibly months) with a story unfolding from the gameplay on the campaign map and in the battles that take place.

Today might see some campaign gameplay!

[commissarmoody]

Looking forward to seeing more.   

[KarwickWingmaker]

Part 2: The Campaign Map

[commissarmoody]

What do the filled in circles with a cross represent?

[KarwickWingmaker]

What do the filled in circles with a cross represent?

Filled in circle with a cross = town
Un-filled Circle = village

In the detailed campaign rules, whether the settlement is a town or village has effect on income and what you can recruit

[commissarmoody]

Nice. Just downloaded the rules.

[KarwickWingmaker]

Nice. Just downloaded the rules.

Thanks! Let me know what you think

[KarwickWingmaker]

Part 3: Opening Manoeuvres




Sir Richard Lewis (Blue) begins the campaign in the village of Latchel, while Sir David Barrett (Red) started in the village of Lakley, where the letter that started the recent flare up in their conflict had been nailed to the door of the local chapel.





Barrett takes the first aggressive move, marching his forces to Woodfield. Lewis moves his men to the nearby village of Merkby, resting them there while his cavalry gather supplies for the inevitable march north to the town of Colton.





Both Lewis and Barrett seize the nearest towns of Colton and Pedmoor respectively. Towns are very important in the detailed campaign system as they allow the players to spend their gold to recruit any unit, while also gaining D6 gold per turn rather than the D3 they gain from villages. Both sides rest their troops in their towns and spend their money to gather further support.

[KarwickWingmaker]

Part 4: Barrett’s March



Barrett occupies the village of Hillfield as Lewis’ retinue enters Rakesby. As Lewis enters the village, the locals gather to face his men, costing him valuable time and resources as his men suppress them.





Spotting his chance, Barrett marches his men along the road toward Rakesby as Lewis is busy dealing with the locals.





Barrett’s retinue arrive at Rakesby just as Lewis’ men have finished “convincing” the locals to support (or at least to stop obstructing) his cause. Lewis calls for his men to sally out of the village in order to confront Barrett’s retinue.



So begins the battle of Rakesby field…

[commissarmoody]

Nice march phase.

[KarwickWingmaker]

The Battle of Rakesby Field



Prologue


As Sir Richard Lewis focused on quelling the uprising in Rakesby, a lady upon a horse approached him. As she came closer, Sir Richard noticed that her horse was being led by a retainer. Her anxious expression as she came to a halt before him made Sir Richard feel guilty of whatever crime he, or his men, must have committed against her.

After a brief conversation with the lady, Sir Richard learned that she was Lady Elizabeth Warren, a recent widower thanks to none other than Sir David Barrett. She had assumed that Sir Richard was one of Barrett’s senior retainers, and that he had come to Rakesby to capture her. Sir Richard asked to what end Barrett would want her capture, but her complexion paled as she looked away, holding back tears. She uttered no words, but Sir Richard had his answer, he could not let Lady Elizabeth fall into Barrett’s hands.



Sir Richard Lewis asked no more questions of Lady Elizabeth Warren, promising to deliver her to safety as soon as he could do so, even if it cost him his life. As he finished this most solemn promise, a man crying for Sir Richard stormed down the street. Barrett had arrived.




The Battle




Sir David Barrett sat upon his mount, looking out across his forces from upon a hill south of Rakesby. He felt confident in his chances of defeating Sir Richard, while also capturing Lady Elizabeth.





Sir Richard Lewis called out to his men as soon as he received word of Barrett's forces being spotted on the road leading to Rakesby.







Barrett's men, sporting his Blue and White livery, marched towards Rakesby under Sir Richard's opening volleys. Cannons belched smoke into the cold air as the locals of Rakesby cowered in their homes.







Sir Richard's men prepared for battle, rushing to the outskirts of Rakesby. They took heavy casualties from Barrett's cannon and archers, with Sir Richard's command over his men suffering greatly as they buckled under the pressure.







Barrett's men edged closer to the outskirts of the village under a hail of arrows...







… Eventually making it into a vicious melee with Sir Richard's battered forces.







The bloody hand-to-hand fighting on the outskirts of Rakesby sucked both commanders into the fray.







After numerous charges from Barrett's horsemen pushed them back, Sir Richards men broke and ran.

Sir Richard sought out Lady Elizabeth, taking her with him as he rushed along the road to the town of Colton, who's locals received him gracefully. Many rushed to join him in defending the town, though Barrett's men never came, satisfied by their victory in Rakesbury.

[Norm]

Very enjoyable thread - thank you.