There's a new KoK in town.

A little while back, old king Bobevodeo of the Kushans fell off his elephant in unfortunate circumstances, and was succeeded by King Bobu Deva who was forced to temporarily bend the knee to the evil King of Kings Whatagasses. However, as recounted in the previous entry, Whatagasses was grief stricken by the death of his favorite eunuch, and send Prince Whatisface to defend against the revolt by Nashur II of Persia. Whatisface was defeated and killed, as was Nashur II, so with the Persians narrowly winning the battle, the infant Nashur III became the King of Kings.

It thus seemed a good time for Bobu Deva to assert Kushan dominance over Iran and seize the title from little Nashur.  The Persian and Kushan armies drew up for battle in a plain somewhere in the East of Iran. The Persians had hills to defend in their centre and right, and an orchard to their left. The Kushans had a hill to their left rear.

Wayne had recently completed a gully terrain piece which we were excited to try, but it ended up in the rear of the Persian deployment area, where it seemed destined to play no part except to protect the Persian baggage. However, it had a surprise cameo right at the end.

The opening moves

For this campaign the Kushan King had the full backing of his nobles, and brought a strong force of elephants and cataphracts, together with some fierce Chionite Hun allies. While the cataphracts and elephants could certainly win a straight up fight, the difficulty looked likely to be pinning the more mobile Persians down.  Therefore the plan was to seize the orchard on the Persian left (Kushan right) and attack between this and the central hill with the elephant corp lead by Bobu Deva in person. A large force of cataphracts was kept back to either support this thrust, or fend off any Persian outflanking move. On the left a force of cataphracts and horse archers were placed in ambush behind the hill, and the allies and more horse archers were assigned to demonstrate against the Persian right and center, and lure them forward into the ambush.

The Persians had once again hired a bunch of Sabir Huns as allies, but this they were lead not by the fearless Bobzilla, but instead by his retarded cousin Plodzilla. They were all deployed on foot as Wb (O) on the central hill. Behind was a strong force of Persian Asavan with a couple of auxillia and psiloi. The Persians held the hill to their right with a large horde of peasant levies, and a few Asavan in support. The largest force of Asavan was on the left behind the orchard.

The battle opened with Kushan auxillia moving swiftly to occupy the orchard on the Persian left, with the elephant corps advancing along side. On the left the Chionites and Kushan horse archers advanced and threatened the gap between the hordes and Sabir warband.

The Persians responded by advancing the cavalry behind the Sabir to in front of them, where they stayed strangely stationary. The large force of Asavan on their left split in two, with one part facing off against the elephants and masking the orchard, while the other part moved across to the gap between the hills and came out to engage the Chionites. The force on the right came out to chase away the Kushan horse archers.

On the Kushan right, the auxillia occupied the orchard, and the elephant corp advanced into the gap between the hill and the orchard. A couple of Daylami Ax(S) slowed down the elephant's advance. Attempting to push on, the elephant corps commander made a dangerous mistake, allowing the elephant next to that of king Bobu Deva to be turned and attacked by psiloi. With the C in C in the death zone, the situation was critical for the Kushans, and with a one on the dice it seemed for a moment, that the king's reign would be as brief and inglorious as his predecessor's had been. Luckily the Persians also rolled a one, and the lucky elephant proceeded to rampage up the hill defying many attempts to kill it, and destroyed the Sabir baggage before finally going down.

Almost a big mistake

 After this the elephants continued to push on killing several of the Cv(S) opposing them, while Kushan Ax and LH infiltrated into the orchard forcing the Persians to dangerously thin their line to mask them. Another elephant came up and began stomping Sabir warband, eventually disheartening them since they'd also lost their baggage.

On the Kushan left, the Chinoites initially fell back before the newly arrived Asavan, but a bad pip roll forced them to engage in a brief bloody fight, in which they killed several Asavan, but were eventually broken. One of them charged impetuously into the strangely immobile cavalry at the base of the hill. The reason for this immobility then became clear, as a line of hidden obstacles were revealed. Had the Kushan plan called for an assault on the hill, these would have been devastating, but more by luck than judgement, they decided to mask it and attack next to it.

Hidden Obstacles

 Despite breaking the Chionites the large command of Persian Asavan that had started behind the orchard had been in action on two fronts, and taken several casualties, causing it to become technically disheartened (since all its elements were 2ME this had no effect).

On the far left of the Kushan line, several horse archers had been lost, but they had eventrually lured the Persian right into the ambush, although this ultimately had little effect on the game.

Meanwhile, on the right Kushan forces had moved into and then out of the orchard, and a small group of light horse came around the outside, and the dangerously fragmented Persian line was force to fall back. One Asavan engaged an Auxillia, lost the die roll, and was forced to repulse into the gully at the rear of the table. One of the outflanking LH then attacked and killed it, breaking that command. The knock on effect then broke the Sabir and thus the army.

The Persians had a cunning plan with their hidden obstacles, and while they didn't suspect them at all, the Kushan thrust was fortunate to avoid them. The static centre then rather pinned the Persians in place causing them to lose the advantage of their mobility,  and they were ground down by the heavier Kushan forces.

So Nashur III was sent back to the nursery, and Bobu Deva is the new, and rightful King of Kings. Long may he reign.

The Fight for Persia - Rules of Engagement

A series of games loosely connected by a narrative and predetermined list of players and armies. 

On occasions the players in our small group of DBMMers in Bangkok like to change our (almost) weekly games arranged by whatever people feel like playing to something more structured.  This also gives the options to get (near) historical match-ups which are sometimes preferred by some of us.

In the past, with just two participants, we have played and narrated both a Kushan civil war and a Parthian civil war.

The rules were very loose and the aim to have interesting games quickly became a breeding ground for unusual and dodgy cunning plans often stretching some of the parameters to there limits.  I enjoyed the numerous surprises that were generated and the inventive narrative that became attached at times.

There also developed via emails a run-up to most games full of 'trash talk', threats, promises and general intimidation along with rule queries, often as 'red herrings'.  Much like pre-battle preparations really.

With a third player now a regular member of the game nights we decided to play a game series again.  With the completion of a Sassanid army all of us had at least one army for 3rd century Persia/Iran that we could play with.  The Sassanids first outing was the first game in the challenge.

We actually played the first three games before we determined to actual Rules of Engagement. Anyway here they are, in case anyone else wants to use them.

But first - Meet the Team

Aren't we a handsome suave bunch ??

Rules of Engagement

• King of Kings starts as holding the table.  The potential rebels determine who will play first any way they agree.

• After a game, which must have a result, the winner stays holding the table.  The loser goes to the end of the rebel/challenger queue.

• The first player on the rebel/challenger list plays the table holder.

• Repeat with the first(only) player(s) on the rebel/challenger list until there are no ‘live’ challengers left.

 *** The table holder who has no challengers is the King of Kings and overall victor.

• The Army Lists must be extant at a set year (our year is AD225) and location (ours is generally Persian [modern Iran]).
• However the Order of battle (OoB) may be picked from the Army List as at any chosen year from its entire time span.  The list restrictions pertaining to the chosen year must be followed as normal. Locales specifically outside the area AND also not in the lists home area aren't permitted.

Wayne is Parthia and the reigning King of Kings (owner of great wealth, power, dashing good looks and harems).  Bob is the Kushan Empire (owner of exquisite sofa coverings and soft furnishings and ample attendants to plump them) and Nash is Sassanid Persia (owner of an uncountable number of fluffy cats, enough floor rugs for them to squat on and slaves to groom them).

• In this story telling series of connected games the players must retain the same army list although the OoB may change between games.

• In the first game The King of Kings (real or temporary) defends.

• Thereafter the King of Kings may choose to be the defender.  
• If he doesn’t choose to do so then the next Rebel/Challenger may choose to invade OR to dice as per the rules.  
• If a dice roll is to take place all army lists are deemed to have the same aggression (nominally 1).

• The determination of invader and defender is made as soon after each game as is practical.  It must be several days before the next game to allow development of cunning plans, threats of horrendous outcomes, name calling, laying of red herrings, deceptions and second guessings.

          Ideally it will occur at the end of the current game night.

• Each player starts with five ‘lives’.

• Each player loses one(1) live if their CinC element is destroyed and they lose the battle.
• Each player loses one(1) live if defeated and they were invading  
• Each player loses two(2) lives if defeated and they were defending.
• A maximum of two(2) lives can be lost per player per game.

• A player that is defeated in any game using an Ally command loses the use of that Ally for the duration of the game series.  If the Ally is shattered yet the game won then it also becomes a lost Ally.

• The King of Kings always plays alone.  The rebel challenger may take as many players as they have commands.  

By the time we got the final Terms of Engagement organised we had all  fallen to three(3) lives in the first three games because the Partian King of Kings was defeated while defending (-2 at maximum so no cost for the destroyed stand-in CinC), Bob lost while invading (-1) and fell off his elephant (-1) and the false King of Kings Nashur III's grandfather lost while invading (-1) and was personally slain by the genuine King of Kings (-1).  No cost for losing Nashur II trampled to death at a canter during a game that ended in victory.

The Parthian Empire

PARTHIA
Generals to the right in front of baggage.  Hatrene ally front left.  Cataphracts and fast light horse make up the rest.

For some details we have the four generals, all cataphract iKnX plus a mass of other cataphacts all irregular. In fact this is a totally irregular army.

Next we have the iLhF with the pointy coloured hats that changed their battlefield performance back in 2012.




Then there are some more iLhF this time without hats but with Parhtian style headbands.  There are four different colours of headband with all four men

on each base having the same colour. This allows commands to be distinguished once they inevitably get mixed together during combat.

The blue and green are too close and are inseparable to my naked eye so I tend to use just three colour groups.

The generally used allies from Hatra. Massed iBwO, a couple of iPsS and iLhF with a cataphract general and his companion element.

These generally hold up a section of table and scare away most fast moving horsemen (although of late they have suffered when charges by rCvS).

Lastly the baggage by itself.  Simple and effective camel trains.

The rear is a mule train only to distinguish the ally's baggage.

This army is actually morphed out of my Kushan army which I generally prefer to the Parthians.  My Arabo-Aramenians supply the Hatrene ally.

On the left is the bulk of the Kushans not required including the elephant corp with the optional elphant mounted general.

And a couple of  Hatrene cataphract camel elements.  These are available to the ally but to date haven't been included in an OoB as yet.

I have modeled the full complement for the Hatrene version of the Arabo-Aramenians but quite frankly their behaviour scares me more than any opponent.


So that's my set of figures.  After the average look of the first 6mm army I did (Khmer with assorted morphs) I am very pleased with the appearance I achieved here, plenty of colour and variety.  On table performance though has been highly variable although always enjoyable.

The Kushan Empire

A selection of Kushan troops

The Kushan Truely Accurate Publicity Department supplied the above photo stock shots.  In the interest of surprise and uncertainty the Kushan Emperor is keeping his troop options very much to himself, especially as he has just acquired the throne of the King of Kings.  

Bob's optional Kushan troops are very different to mine in that he prefers a much heavier foot presence and as such has many of the Indian troops available.  He also usually changes his OoB almost on a game by game basis so you never know what you will face beyond the core compulsory troops.   No doubt, just to make a liar of me, the next battle will see an all mounted Kushan army appear!!

The Sassanid Persians

The Sassanids come in their all regular command form and as such have a very high proportion of compulsory troops.  Add the elephants and the OoB is almost written for you.  Of late, elephants have been scarce and their place taken by more numerous foot and light horse options.

SASSANID PERSIA
An outstanding spread of superior cavalry, elephants, conscript levies, some light horse and a Hun ally.

Asavaran lurking behind the Dailami auxillia.

The elephant corps sheltered by the hordes of conscripted levies

And lastly, some light horse, including a Hun ally for use on the days that the elephants over sleep.

While an army of many parts the high compulsory costs tend to very much restrict a mix and match approach to the OoB, more a this or that option choice.

It'll be a special day to see all the Sassanids on the table at the some time.

The Glorious Sassanids

1. the whole lot
left to right - horse archers, Sabir (back), Elephants (centre), Levy (front), Asavaran (centre and back), Dailami (front)

 2. Horse archers, levy, and elephants

 3. Dailami and Asavaran in the back ground

 4. The Sabir Ally general jumping over a bush

 5. another shot of the Horse Archers

 6. The Levy - ready for anything

 6. The whole bunch again

 7. Asavaran and elephants (with Kushan hills in the background?)

Holy Crap BATrianMAN!! – What a Blood Bath!!

Having killed two rebel leaders, one personally, there was a break (a week without a game) while the new leaders tried to overcome their fear of the Whatagases the Indestructable, so he went for a holiday at the lakeside**. 

So the great Parthain Army will be lead by Whatshisnameces, loyal general and some royal cadet branch offspring.  This was reinforced as a sound idea after the pre-game ‘trash talk’ took place and cunning and devious plans were formed and alluded too but the tone went downhill after the rWf(F) put out some embarrassing information*. 

You may have read the SIN (Sassanian Independent News) Article "Rugs to Riches - A Cats Tale" posted in the previous blog.  SIN is really "Sycophantic Information for Nashur" and was of course a simplistic version for the infant Nashur III.  Having lost two generations of kings (CinC elements destroyed) in three weeks the sorry Sassanids are now ruled by a boy only just off the breast!!

In the interest of factual reporting the PPPPPP (Parthian Peoples' Popular Perfectly Precise Press) will provide a brief but picture enhanced version of the Battle of Wounded Elbow Fort.

Firstly the Statistics

*   Five out of eight generals died on the field including both CinCs. 

*  Of the three remaining one was broken and one’s command disheartened, both on winning side.

*  Of eight commands only three remained fully functional, two of these on the defeated side.

*  The victor suffered 49.01% casualties and the loser 55.21%.

At one point two bounds before the end we thought the "knock on" from two breaking Sassanid commands would take the army to break point - a count up showed it didn't by just 1.5ME - all that was needed was a single (QKable by KnX) CvS element.  The moment passed as the "knock-on" effect was lost but it was noted that a single loss from a disheaten command would break the command and give the Parthians a victory.

And the quicker picture version .....

The opening positions.

The BuAf in the enemy side works well and gives flank protection and attack options.
The size of the CvS command was a shock!

Here come the fights!!

On the left we had numbers & position and were confident.  On the right our conscripts were in fear.
But they lived up to Parthia's expectation and sent the CvS packing - initially!!

While hard pressed on the right by the massive 42ME CvS command the Parthians were comfortable that numbers and surrounding the Sabirs and a small Sassanid command would be achieved before the CvS caused to many KnX casualties.

How NOT to kill enemy general with your troops in the rear.

This unraveled in a single bound where on the left we had three combats that the Sassanids had to roll 3up on the dice just to survive (not be destroyed) and two were generals including one with a Parthian LhF in the rear.  

Against the odds we lost all three combats and the Sassanid and Sabir retaliation was brutal and our advantages were lost.

After that we fought a grinding casualty for casualty battle were we were eventually beaten after, as mentioned above, the Sassanids survived the breaking of two commands in one bound plus the disheartening of a third.

Also rolling the odds badly - one dead CinC.

After reigning for just two weeks Nashur II died in battle, cantered over by my (now deceased) KnX general.  The Parthian commander, Whatshisnameces (of previous civil war fame), having failed to run down the overlapped Sabir general was surrounded and shot down with un-manly arrows (CvS and LhF/S).  Now the infant Nashur III will be located and revenge extracted.

Yes, that the most dashing bunch players you'll find in Bangkok!!

Notes:-

* = Besides Watagases wasn’t going out to be ridiculed and tormented by the redels as “naughty daddy” after the rWf(F) had referred to me as such*** on the dreaded ‘facescroll’ message service.

** = And besides,it had also been noted on said ‘FaceScroll’ that it was time I suffered a total drubbing.  So all in all a perfect time for a lakeside retreat for the King of Kings.

***  =  The rWfF calls me “Daddy” after a character in a Thai TV ad for coconut milk who, like me, always needs/bring home a bar of chocolate after work.  

It gets expanded to “naughty Daddy” when I stay out late, play practical jokes of the family or buy even more wargames “little friends” to expand the army options.  This time I posted photos of her asleep in a hammock when she was supposed to be selling melons and coffee in her roadside stall.

From Rugs to Riches - A Cat's Tale

From Rugs To Riches

The Persian Conquest

Due to an unexpected heat wave (Bob’s air-conditioners breaking down), this was almost the battle that never was – in fact for Whathisgases this was a battle that never was, as he failed to muster the courage to appear on the field!

It was a hot day. The sun beat down and the heat shimmered around the small Parthian hilltop town of Injured-Elbow. The glorious Sassanids, in their hunt for revenge had tracked the craven Parthian leader to this isolated settlement deep in the Parthian territory, only to find that the faint-hearted Whatshisgases had already bolted, abandoning his troops to the fury of Persia. The Parthians had chosen their ground well with flanks secured by marshland and rich lemon orchards – the fruit coincidentally matching the colour of the Parthian tyrant’s back!

With the fortified town in the centre of the battlefield the Parthians deployed with their heavy horse to our right. To our left, the Saka ally and other horse archers. The bulk of the Asavaran were deployed to our right with the fearless Sabir ally, Bobzilla, facing the Parthian cataphracts. Our left flank was guarded by the multitude of levies that had followed to watch the spectacle of Persia’s dominance.

With that the battle commenced. The parade ground precision and elegance of the Asavaran stunned the weak-hearted Saka, who watched in awe and despair as Persia’s finest coolly formed up and sped like the desert wind along the road to form up on the left flank. This was all too much for the Saka. Their initial thought was to emulate their Parthian lord and turn tail!

The Parthian general, in seeing this, showed his metal and quickly rallied them. It was now the Parthians turn to manouvre. Splitting their cataphracts, they began their advance which would eventually lead them to either side of Injured-Elbow.

As the Parthians advanced, the courageous Bobzilla was unperturbed and held his ground (only having 3 pips for the first 2 turns may have influenced this). The Sassanid sub general moved up to support him as the Parthians filled the hole left by their cataphracts with their infamous horse archers (rumour has it that one should not get too close behind them as they flee, as they are famed for giving one last act of defiance (or fear) as they run away, commonly known as the ‘Parthian Shit’).

As the Parthians moved closer on our right, the Asavaran lined up on our left. The Sabir saw an opportunity and a small force rushed out to the right to encircle the horse archers that had moved towards the centre. The shiver of fear that went through the Parthian ranks was clearly audible! In an act of desperation, after revealing the ineffectual elephant ambush, the Parthians rushed in to lure the Persian general into combat and to attack the Sabir. Being a true warrior (unlike the deserter Whatshisgases), our valiant subordinate moved In for the kill and supported by the Asavaran and Sabir horsemen, dispatched the enemy general in one swift stroke. Again the groan of the Parthians was heard rippling across the field of battle. Although the Parthians fought back with some courage, their effect on the Sabir was minimal. The élan of our Persian heroes, brave as it was, left them somewhat exposed, and now the Parthians sought revenge by moving their elephants into contact and attacking the Sabir in the rear – reminding us of the Greeks of old! Now the battle moved ever towards its hard-fought-for and gory crescendo.

Our valiant sub general fought bravely, repelling the elephants, even when simultaneously attacked in the rear – much to the chagrin of the pusillanimous Parthians.

Lo, another Parthian general, fully armoured and mounted on a fine steed (which we are certain he mounted from behind) had moved away from his retinue (the other catphracts were hugging the hill of Injured-Elbow and were more than reluctant to press forward) and found himself alone and exposed. He was not alone for very long!

The cheers and whoops of the Persian light horse rang across the battlefield as they supported the charge of the dauntless Asavaran. The light horse swooped onto the flank, the Asavaran charge was fierce, and another Parthian general was lost – the commander in chief – brave substitute for a lily-livered king!

Alas, but soon it was the Persian’s turn to groan. Our resolute hero, pride of Persia, was flanked again and this time, he fell. But there was no time to mourn the fallen. Meanwhile on the left flank, the main force of the Savaran had charged the hordes on their flank. Bravely the peasants of Parthia fought, putting the ineffectuality of their masters to light, and repelling the first charge of heavy cavalry as the cataphracts of their nobles came forward and were easily repulsed. However, the glory of the hordes was short lived and the fine horsemen of Persia began to ride them down.

Desperation was coming to both sides. The Parthians, massing around the base of Injured-Elbow were surrounded. Two of their commands had crumbled. Two of their generals lay slain.  Likewise, the Sassanids had lost two generals and two commands. It was now or never.

Seeing his chance for glory, Nashur II moved in to support the attack of the Asavaran as they chased down the Indo-Parthian light horse. In doing so, he moved within range of the cataphract general. The Parthian could not resist. He came thundering forward, charged home and slew our illustrious leader! But stay those tears. Mourn not for Nashur II. By giving his life he drew the enemy general out of his ranks and deep into the arms of the noble Asavarn. Seeing the glorious sacrifice of their king and calling the name of the hear apparent, they surrounded the hapless Parthian and ground him into the dust!

And thus, under the shadow of Injured-Elbow, the Parthians were defeated. A bloodier battle there never was. A more righteous victory has never been more deserved. A sacrifice more noble has never been given!

All hail Nashur III, King of Kings, Lord of Decorative Floor Coverings, Groomer of Fluffy Cats, Founder of the Rugpus Dynasty. Long may his reign shine his light upon us.