It is 1279 and the The great Byzantine dynasty has been on a steady decline since the fall of Jerusalem, nearly 100 years before to Salah ad-Din or as Western Europe new him, Saladin. The Seljuk Turks had been raiding Outremer for hundred of years and have now unified to take on the great Christian dynasty, still a major player in the area.
At this period, Byzantium relied on a lot of Mercenary allies, which at best would fight and at worst would not turn up when required to muster and defend the empire.
The Turkish spawling army head for Constantinople after over coming the outlying Christian garrisons and patrols. The Turkish army is 596 points in Sword and Spear rules.
Hearing of this substantial force heading his way the Emperor musters his army to meet the foe on a plain just North of Aleppo. With 594 points and many mercenary units in his force.
With the Emperor's many scouts and he was fighting on a battlefield of his choosing, he watched as the Seljuks deployed for battle and the deployed to counter.
Seljuks Deploy
Byzantines deploy
Turn 1-The Seljuks made the opening move and deployed out to the flanks. The Byzantines send out their light horse to counter and deadly shooting (Turks bad dice) from their Light Horse, scatters one unit of LH on the Seljuks left. First blood to the Christian army.
Casualties Turn 1
Turn 2-The Seljuks move up in the center and take out a unit of archers with some accurate shooting and a gap appears the the Christian Center. ALong the line the Seljuks are getting ready to coordinate their next move
As the Christian knights move up their formations, a unit of Seljuk armoured cavalry could not contain their enthusiasm and charged into was was the best unit on the table, and with great combat dice caused 2 casualties ( 1 more and that unit would break). The Byzantine Captain also survived the Commander casualty test.
Casualties Turn 2
Turn 3 - Saw the Seljuks pushed their left and initiate melee the the knights again. The Christian orange dice rolls can be seen just behind where, a moment ago a units of mounted knights stood!
The Seljuks pursued into the unit to the left in the pic and caused a casualty. The day was looking bright for Allah!
On the Turkish right it was ebb and flow with light casualties on both sides
End of turn
Casualties Turn 3
Turn 4- The Turks had a really good round and shot away two more units, leaving a big split in the Christian line. Unable to plug it as the Emperor had committed his reserve units to bolster his far right flank.
The Turks start to push back the light horse on their right.
Both armies centers were still holding firm
Christian Casualties turn 4
Turkish Casualties turn 4
Turn 5 - The Turks had a very good round and before all the dice were drawn the Emperor capitulated and through himself to the mercy of the Turkish commander
A great game that was closer than it looked. Many thanks to Alan for the game
October 09, 2009, 03:19:48 PM