Rose Ridge Fight Looms

I finally finished my chemotherapy earlier this month and am finally getting recovered enough to tackle another "Alpian Wars" battle.

South, looking North at Roseville, with Rose Ridge on Left

After failing to break through to the Belleview Hills, the Alpian forces under General Giovanni Rossi have fallen back to a position on Rose Ridge.  Now, after some delay which allowed both sides to recover somewhat, General Maxime Murdeau leads his vile Stagonians to force Alpia from this key position.

Conflict will be east-to-west across a 5'x8' table, with two roads leading toward the Rose Ridge as well as a connecting road that leads around both ends of the Ridge.  Rose Ridge is roughly 6'x14".  The fence on Rose Ridge counts as light cover; the rail fences in the valley provide no protection, but do each subtract 1" of movement as linear obstacles.

I am unable to get enough distance to take a "whole table" photo . . . so I am providing three shots across the table from each side.  First, taken from the East, what lies ahead for Stagonia"

South (Left) of Stagonian Line, Looking West at Rose Ridge

Center of Stagonian Line, Looking West at Rose Ridge

North (Right) of Stagonian Line, Looking West at Rose Ridge

And now from Alpia's Left (North) to their Right (South):

North (Left) of Alpian Position on Rose Ridge

Center of Alpian Position on Rose Ridge

South (Right) of Alpian Position on Rose Ridge

Now all that I need to do is to let the Generals know what Brigadiers and Troops they have available and then get their OBs and Troop Positions from them and I can start.

-- Jeff

Stagonia Wins 2nd Battle

After losing the first engagement (The Battle of the Crossroads) in the Alpian Wars mini-campaign, Stagonia has rebounded to win the second conflict (Battle of the Bellevue Hills).

Position Prior to Alpia's Withdrawal

As seen at left, Alpia (on the left) outnumbered Stagonia . . . but they had lost over half of their force and still had to force the tree line . . . which General Rossi felt would not leave enough to then carry on with the invasion.

Stagonia will undoubtedly now try to gather its forces and attempt to push Alpia back out of its territory . . . and Alpia will almost certainly resist this effort.

I am very much enjoying this combination solo/email game with Ross Macfarlane giving orders for the Alpians and David Murdock doing likewise for the Stagonian's.

I would therefor suggest that some others who need or prefer to play solo games to consider recruiting some gamers from the "Net" to command the forces on your home table via emails . . . it certainly gives an interesting slant to things.

-- Jeff

It is "Decision Time" for Alpia

As Stagonia's defense of the treeline has stiffened, General Rossi of Alpia must make a decision.  Although he still has more forces than General Murdeau, is it enough to carry on with this thrust toward the Bellevue Hills?

South Bridge after Deck 18

As can be seen at left, Rossi has concentrated virtually all of his remaining forces near the south bridge.

Unfortunately they either need to thread their way through the wood line in open order or slowly file over the bridge.

Meanwhile General Murdeau will have time to concentrate his troops.

So how has this situation come about?

Stagonia's La Capelle (pike & shot) regiment shot up Alpia's Izzo (pike & shot) regiment, whose day ended later with a strong volley from the Goyette regiment.

The "red" squadron of the Pincemail Cavalry, pushed back the Xelt regiment that they'd hit in the flank, routing it (and Brigaider Olivi) while converting their pursuit into the Picanti Swordsmen.

Sadly, after such heroics, Alpia's Qeel regiment shot the valiant squadron down.  Nevertheless the Xelts continue to rout and, like Stagonia's routing Hamoncourt regiment, do not look to rally for some time.

Goyette's marksmanship improved and they eliminated Asti Spumonti's orange squadron with a series of well-aimed volleys.  And La Capelle first shot up Qeel, then charged and destroyed it to avenge the loss of the Red Squadron.

Meanwhile around the north bridge, while Alpia controls the bridge with Capt. Corelli's Light Gun, there is nothing to exploit the situation.

The lavender squadron of the the Cianti regiment has remained shaken for most of the battle despite Brigadier Lombardi's continuing unsuccessful efforts to rally them.

(note the routing Xelts (red banner) in the distance).

So the situation is this.  Stagonia has three steady pike & shot units and one cavalry squadron on the east side of the treeline.  Alpia has two pike & shot units, one sword unit (all somewhat damaged), two fresh knight squadrons, a light gun and one shaken cavalry squadron remaining.  Each also has a routing (most likely unrecoverable) unit.

Here are the actual OBs:
 

ALPIA

General Geovanni Rossi:

• Lanzia Spezatta -- (Fresh)

Brigadier Paulo Lombardi -- attached to Cianti's shaken Lavender Squadron

• Asti Spumonti Cavalry -- Both Squadrons gone
• Cianti Cavalry -- Lavender shaken, 1 casualty;  Blue Squadron gone 

Brigadier Luigi Franscioni:

• Utti Pike & Shot == 1 casualty
• Izzo Pike & Shot == gone
• Zuff Pike & Shot == gone
• Qeel Pike & Shot == gone
• Picanti Swordsmen -- 1 casualty

Brigadier Sebastiano Olivi -- routing, attached to Xelt

• Xelt Pike & Shot == routing, 1 casualty
• Yarp Pike & Shot == 1 casualty
• Telli Crossbows --gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Capt. Corelli's Battery -- in North, fresh
• Artillery Guards --  in North, fresh
• Capt. Ariete's Battery -- in South, gone

STAGONIA

General Maxime Murdeau

Brigadier Louis Petit:

• La Capelle Pike & Shot --  fresh
• Goyette Pike & Shot -- 1 casualry
• Forquest Pike & Shot -- 1 casualry

Brigadier Marcel Bizot -- dead:

• Jillette Knights -- gone
• Pincemail Cavalry -- Brown -- 1 casualty; Red gone

Brigadier Eugene Delage (dead):

• Hamoncourt Pike & Shot -- routing toward Bellevue Hills, 2 casualties
• Ardant Pike & Shot -- gone
• Lau Crossbows --  gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Blue Artillery  --  gone
• Artillery Guards  --  gone
• Red Artillery  --  gone

Both armies have been battered and are around half of their starting effectives . . . presumably Stagonia will continue to contest the tree line in an attempt to protect the valuable wine country on the other side of the Bellevue Hills.

Will Alpia chose to continue their assault?  Or will they fall back and defend the territory they've already captured?

I await instructions.

-- Jeff

5 Decks, 2 Brigadiers Done

Over the Holidays I managed to play 5 "decks" of the "Bellevue Hills" battle . . . although two of the decks were super-short and none of them very long.  Nevertheless, a great deal happened near the southern bridge . . . including the loss of another brigadier.

Southern Bridge (from ESE) at end of Deck 12

Deck 9 started well for Stagonia with their Jillette Knights charging and destroying Alpia's Zuff Pike & Shot regiment and carrying on into the Utti regiment (which was caught in Open Order).

Subsequently however a superb shot (six hits on 6 dice) by the Xelt regiment  wiped out the Stagonian Artillery Guard.

But the Goyette P&S unit in the north countered by wiping out the Yellow Squadron of the Asti Spumonti Cavalry.  Again Alpia countered with their Izzo Pike & Shot causing a casualty to the Jillete Knights and Xelt routing the Stagonian's blue gun crew.

Bridge from South

By the way, the amber dice on units (as seen at left) signifies "Shaken" status; and the black disks the number of "Casualties".

In Deck 9, Alpia's Blue Battery, commanded by Captain Ariete, was charged and destoyed by the Brown Squadron of Stagonia's Pincemail Cavalry.  Unfortunately the Red Squadron failed to rout Alpia's Xelt regiment when they rolled miserable dice, ending up locked in melee.

From the West -- End of Deck 12

While Deck 9 was short, Decks10 and 11 were super-short with a total of only three cards turning before the "End of Turn" showed up.

Deck 12 was much more eventful.  Alpia's Izzo unleashed a nasty volley that dissolved the Blue Squadron of the Jillette Knights and killed Brigadier Marcel Bizot in the process.  Another volley from them halted the charge of the Jillette's Purple Squadron.

Northern Bridge (looking South)

 Meanwhile the Pincemail Cavalry's Red Squadron pushed Xelt back, shaking it with a casualty as well.

Alpia's Utti countered by causing a casualty to Stagonia's Brown Squadron of the Pincemail Cavalry, shaking it.

Finally the turn ended with the Jillette's Purple Knights charging the Izzo Pike & Shot.  Unfortunately although they had a strong advantage, they rolled poorly, while Xelt rolled very well resulting in the destruction of the knights, opening up the center of the woodline.

Current status of each side's forces:

ALPIA

General Geovanni Rossi:

• Lanzia Spezatta -- orders have finally arrived (Fresh)

Brigadier Paulo Lombardi -- joined Cianti's Lavender Cavalry

• Asti Spumonti Cavalry -- Orange (fresh);  Yellow Squadron gone
• Cianti Cavalry -- Lavender shaken, 1 casualty;  Blue Squadron gone 

Brigadier Luigi Franscioni:

• Utti Pike & Shot == open order, fresh
• Izzo Pike & Shot ==open order, 1 casualty
• Zuff Pike & Shot == gone
• Qeel Pike & Shot == line, fresh
• Picanti Swordsmen -- line, shaken, 1 casualty

Brigadier Sebastiano Olivi:

• Xelt Pike & Shot == shaken, 1 casualty
• Yarp Pike & Shot == rallied into line, 1 casualty
• Telli Crossbows --gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Capt. Corelli's Battery -- in North, fresh
• Capt. Ariete's Battery -- in South, gone

STAGONIA

General Maxime Murdeau

Brigadier Louis Petit:

• La Capelle Pike & Shot -- in West, moving south to center, fresh
• Goyette Pike & Shot -- on road, fresh
• Forquest Pike & Shot --on road, 1 casualry

Brigadier Marcel Bizot -- dead:

• Jillette Knights -- gone
• Pincemail Cavalry -- in far South; Brown shaken, 1 casualty; Red 1 casualty

Brigadier Eugene Delage (dead):

• Hamoncourt Pike & Shot -- routing toward Bellevue Hills, 2 casualties
• Ardant Pike & Shot -- gone
• Lau Crossbows --  gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Blue Artillery  --  gone
• Artillery Guards  --  gone
• Red Artillery  --  gone

So now it looks like the "treeline defense" won't hold . . . so what will Stagonia do?  Look for the answer in the coming year.  And I wish you all a most wonderful and happy New Year.

-- Jeff

 

Coming Through the Woods

Decks 6 & 7 have been played.  The over-riding theme of these two turns was the Alpian army trying to force its way through the woodline.

Alpia breaks through the woods in South

While Stagonia has checked them in the North, Alpia has forced its way through in the South after some violent clashes resulting in units dissolving and/or routing on both sides.

In a series of volleys, Alpia's Yarp and Stagonia's Hamoncourt shot each other up causing casualties and shaken conditions with Hamoncourt eventually routing; then Yarp doing the same thing shortly after when hit by the Lau Crossbows.

Speaking of Crossbows, the Tellies again distinguished themselves before finally being dispersed by Lau.  Alpia's Xelt Pike & Shot shot up Lau in return, dispersing it and killing Brigadier Eugene Delage, who had joined the Crossbows.

Stagonian North Holds the Line

Meanwhile, in the North, the Stagonian units ordered to proceed South (towards top of photo) had to respond to the units coming through the woods rather than giving them their flanks to hit.

The Forquest Pike & Shot (green banner) shattered the Cianti's Blue Squadron, dispersing it, causing the Lavender Squadron to shake with a casualty.

So at the end of Deck 7 both sides had lost their Crossbow units; Alpia looked likely to lose the rest of the Cianti Cavalry; and each side had a Pike & Shot unit routing (Xelt & Hamoncourt -- neither likely to rally).

Alpia's Knight continue to wait for orders

Far behind the lines, Alpia's Knights, the Lanzia Spezatta, continue to wait for orders.

Couriers were dispatched in Decks 5, 6 and 7 . . . but each time they rolled doubles (on 3d8) and so failed to arrive.

Will they get into the fight?  Perhaps, perhaps not . . . time will tell.

So while things look good for Stagonia around the North Bridge, they have little to stop Alpia in the South.  Two Squadrons of Pincemail Cavalry (not visible in photos) guard the far southern flank along with the Light Artillery piece in the center, plus Brigadier Bizot, who has joined the Jillette Chevalier (knights) look to be all that can currently stem the southern tide . . . although there are some more troops (most notably La Capelle -- black banner) moving in a southerly direction.

Here is a summary of the current situation:

ALPIA

General Geovanni Rossi:

• Lanzia Spezatta -- awaiting orders (Fresh)

Brigadier Paulo Lombardi:

• Asti Spumonte Cavalry -- Yellow Squadron 1 casualty; Orange (fresh)
• Cianti Cavalry --  Blue Squadron gone; Lavender shaken, 1 casualty

Brigadier Luigi Franscioni:

• Utti Pike & Shot == open order, fresh
• Izzo Pike & Shot ==open order, 1 casualty
• Zuff Pike & Shot ==line, 2 casualties
• Qeel Pike & Shot ==open order, fresh
• Picanti Swordsmen --open order, fresh

Brigadier Sebastiano Olivi:

• Xelt Pike & Shot == open order, fresh
• Yarp Pike & Shot ==routing, 1 casualty
• Telli Crossbows --gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Capt. Corelli's Battery -- in North, fresh
• Capt. Ariete's Battery -- in South, fresh

STAGONIA

General Maxime Murdeau

Brigadier Louis Petit:

• La Capelle Pike & Shot -- in West, moving south to center, fresh
• Goyette Pike & Shot -- on road, fresh
• Forquest Pike & Shot --on road, 1 casualry

Brigadier Marcel Bizot -- joined to Jillette:

• Jillette Knights -- guarding center, fresh
• Pincemail Cavalry -- in far South; brown fresh; red 1 casualty

Brigadier Eugene Delage (dead):

• Hamoncourt Pike & Shot -- routing toward Bellevue Hills, 2 casualties
• Ardant Pike & Shot -- gone
• Lau Crossbows --  gone

Artillery Batteries:

• Blue Artillery -- in South, fresh
• Artillery Guards -- with Blue Battery, fresh
• Red Artillery --in North, fresh

I'm not sure that my generals will have much to change, but I will see what they say before I turn another deck or two.

-- Jeff

Decks 4 & 5 Photos

(I played out these two decks a couple of days ago . . . but I've been pretty drained from the chemo and don't remember a lot of it . . . so this report will mainly be photos to let the players assess the situaltion.)

Knight Regiment Lanzia Spezatta

As you can see at left, I've added pennants to the lances of the Knights. 

Here you can see the red and green squadrons of Alpia's Lanzia Spezatta Regiment.

I wanted the Knights, who move slower but hit harder to be easier to identify so that they won't be confused with ordinary Cavalry.

Knight Regiment Jillette Chevalier

The blue and purple squadrons of Stagonia's Jillette Chevalier Regiment also received their pennants.

Here you see them (and some artillery) guarding the North Bridge.

South Bridge Situation

Other than a lot of movement into positions by both sides there was little "action" other than just over the South Bridge.

Alpia's Telli Crossbows continued to be the "stars" of the early fight.  First they delivered the final blow to Stagonia's Ardant Regiment, shattering it so that it is no longer a factor in this fight.

Then, with only half of their elements firing, they scored 6,6,5 and thus caused a casualty to Stagonia's Hamoncourt Regiment (red banner with white stag), causing it to shake.  But they were, in turn savaged by Stagonia's Lau Crossbows who had marched across the meadow and turned to deliver a casualty marker and shake the Tellies . . . who soon managed to rally.

South Bridge looking North

Currently the two crossbow units are facing off (with Stagonian cav coming up.  Telli is in Open Order but has a Casualty Marker; and the Lau are fresh.

The two pike & shot regiments, Stagonia's Hamoncourt (red banner, casualty marker and shaken) and Alpia's Yarp (orange banner, fresh) are facing off . . . as Stagonia's Brigadier Delage keeps both of his units "in command" as some artillery is moving up as well as the cavalry.

Following are a pair of photos from slightly different directions showing more of the situation around the North Bridge:

Below is an overview of the treeline from the South South West:

And, finally, a pair of images showing some of the positions of the behind-the-lines maneuvering units for the Alpians and Stagonians:

Alpian Rear

Stagonian Rear (south only)

So now all I need is for my Generals to find some time during this Holiday Season and let me know what they want to do.

And I sincerely hope that all of you are able to enjoy your Holidays as much as I'm enjoying these Alpian Wars battles.

-- Jeff

Decks 1-3 Go Alpian's Way

Now that there's been some "contact" between the marching columns, I've switched over to using the "Victory Without Quarter" card deck . . . and while most of the first three decks (two of which were short ones) were devoted to maneuver, they definitely favored the Alpian forces.

Telli Crossbows Shoot Ardent & Shake Them

The first (and so far only) shots of the battle were fired by Alpia's Telli Crossbows (in open order) against Stagonia's already weakened Ardant Pike & Shot (yellow banner).

They got five hits (one more would have eliminated Ardant) causing a second casualty marker (it still had one from the Battle of the Crossroads).

And unfortunately this has caused Ardant to go shaken (they rolled a 4 on their morale check).

South Bridge Looking North

As you can see at left, the next few decks will be critical since units in March Column cannot charge they need their cards or their Brigadier's card to show up so they can change formations (which will also allow them to shoot). 

By the way, there is no "reload marker -- the powder barrel) next to the Telli Crossbows because the reload card turned up two cards later.

Stagonian Southern Column

The small orange die on the Ardant Regiment indicates it is "shaken" (you shake dice, right?).

Fortunately one of Stagonia's replacement units, theHamoncourt Regiment (red banner) is well positioned to expand if its and/or Brigadier Delage card turns up.

The next unit in line is that of the Lau Crossbows who performed well at the Crossroads until the overly-cautious Brigadier Arnoux pulled them out of the center of the village.

More Stagonian enter from the North

 More Stagonian units including both mounted and artillery continue to enter from the north.

The purple and blue knights (nearer the bridge) are the Jillette Chevalier Regiment, under the command of Brigadier Marcel Bizot, as are the Pincemail Cavalry just west of them (whose Red Squadron still carries a casualty marker from the Crossroads.

Right behind them is General Maxime Murdeau and his artillery train . . . and there is more dust behind them.  On the far side of the treeline can be seen the beginnings of more Alpians.

The Alpian Forces Entering the Action

Examining the photo to the left gives a long-range view of the two Alpian columns.

Are there more troops yet to come?

Stagonia is too far away and the forest is blocking the view in any event.

(And I just noticed that some trees have fallen down . . . I will have to fix that.

So now it is time for Generals Rossi and Murdeau to update any orders they wish to change now that they've seen what has happened.

-- Jeff