Maidstone Wargames Society

Andy reports on the first day of a Barons’ War mini campaign (with comments from Stephen)

Stephen and I arranged to play the Barons War “A Most Ignoble Feud” mini campaign. This comprises of three linked battles of 500 points, 750 points and 1000 points.

The campaign gives army lists for both commanders in each battle, it was written for edition 1 of the rules and we have moved on to edition 2 so we decided to create our own lists, to the original points values. In the original campaign one side has a number of militant monks in their force, so we kept that requirement, together with the requirement to have 10% of a retinue made up of Green troops.

Stephen’s force was led by Baron Stephen le Tookere, ably assisted by one of his retainers Willard of Wickham. Andy’s force was led by Sir Andrew Fitzroi, supported by his Sergeant at Arms and half-brother Geoffrey Fitzroi, which had the contingent of monks.

The reason for the enmity between Baron Stephen and Sir Andrew was an incident during a hunting party where the Baron accused Sir Andrew of trespassing on his lands, an accusation Sir Andrew firmly rejected.

Battle 1 The Ambush.

Objectives and Victory Conditions

Sir Andrew must fight off the ambushers and escape the battlefield via the board edge opposite their deployment zone, and scores VP based on the points values of all his Warriors that escape the battlefield, doubling the amount of any commanders.

Baron Stephen must try and kill all the opposition, and scores points values of the enemy Warriors his Retinue slays during the battle, doubling the value of any Commanders.

The scenario specifies that the game lasts 5 turns, with a sixth turn available if any unit has a chance of exiting the table. We considered that somewhat challenging considering the distance the defenders would have to move, 7 turns of normal movement for the slowest foot assuming no combat, so we amended that to 9 to 10 turns.

(Stephen: seems strange this wasn’t picked up in play testing. With just 5 turns to get off table they would have to Run for every activation and couldn’t stop to fight or shoot arrows. That’s extremely unlikely and wouldn’t make for a fun game. Hence we increased turns, which would still make it difficult for that ne’er-do-well poacher, Sir Andrew).

Baron Stephen’s Retinue

• • • Baron Stephen (R) & 4 knights (R)
    • Willard of Wickham (R)(C) & 7 spears (G)
    • 5 Archers (R)
    • 4 Archers (R)

Sir Andrew’s Retinue

• • • Sir Andrew (V) & 2 Knights (R)(Mounted) (C)
    • Geoffry & 3 Spearmen (R)(C)
    • 3 Mounted Sergeants
    • 4 Marksmen Sergeants (R), Crossbows
    • 3 Archers (R)
    • 5 Militant Monks (G)

(V) Veteran, (R) Regular, (G) Green and (C) Commander.

This scenario uses Deployment map D, forces deployed along opposite short edges of the table.

While escorting a group of monks from Yorkshire to Derbyshire Sir Andrew found the road blocked near the hamlet of Brookhill by a couple of abandoned carts, above the carts he could see the tips of spears, to the left of the road were two groups of archers, while on a hill to the far right he could see a group of knights flying Sir Stephen’s pennant.

(Stephen: I still don’t know why I put them there. It was pretty much the only open bit of terrain where I could use the might of a knightly charge).

Sir Andrew sent his mounted sergeants through the village to find a route around the ambush. The spearmen and crossbows advanced either side of the road, coming under fire from both of Baron Stephen’s groups of archers. Sir Andrew following so he could issue orders as needed. Sir Andrew’s monks and archers were deployed to the right, the archers advancing to the crest of a hill and the monks running as if for their lives towards a patch of woodland.

The Marksmen loosed quarrels as fast as they could, to paltry effect, one knight fell from his horse and an archer was brought down.

As the spearmen under Geoffrey advanced past the village they came under relentless archery, Geoffrey and two of his men fell leaving a single man, however his nerve held and he charged into one of the enemy archer groups despatching two of them and forcing them back.

Seeing the monks heading into the woods, Baron Stephen ordered his spearmen to leave the barricade and try to head them off

(Stephen: like anyone, I was determined those damned monks were not going to get off the table, even though I knew they probably weren’t worth many points and there were bigger fish to catch).

Baron Stephen and his bodyguard eventually came down from the hill, advancing towards the barricade.

Sir Andrew’s Mounted Sergeants moved swiftly through the woods, but lost one of their number to archery before they left the battlefield.

The monks ran from the wood and headed up the next hill, with the enemy spearmen chasing them. They almost made it but were caught and lost a brother to the vicious spearmen, fortunately on their next turn they were able to escape the field of battle.

(Stephen: Sir Andrew won initiative meaning he got them within one move of being off table, otherwise I’d have caught up with them sooner)

In the centre Sir Andrew and his bodyguard advanced and charged a group of Baron Stephen’s archers, wiping them out for the loss of one of Sir Andrew’s knights.

Baron Stephen then committed himself and his three remaining knights, charging Sir Andrew and his pennant bearer. Sir Andrew won the first clash, but Baron Stephen charged again and, in the melee, both Baron Stephen and Sir Andrew fell.

As Sir Andrew had no commanders left to try to take over command the battle ended; the loyal retainers carrying their respective lords from the field of battle.

(Stephen: Willard of Wickham had loyally passed his Morale test and took control of the brave Baron’s forces, meaning they would fight on).

Determining the winner

Sir Andrew had managed to get two Mounted Sergeants (50 pts) and 4 Monks (44 pts) off the table for a total of 94 points.

Baron Stephen had injured Sir Andrew (116 pts) and killed Geoffrey (82 pts), a knight (34 pts), a mounted sergeant (25 pts), two spearmen (40 pts) and a Monk (11 pts) for a total of 308 points.

A major victory to Baron Stephen, but still only one campaign point!

The post-game injury rolls resulted in Baron Stephen suffering a Mangled Arm, meaning he can no longer carry a shield. Sir Andrew suffered a mangled leg, as written this would slow him down whether on foot or mounted, but we thought that as the horse would be doing all the hard work we changed that to slowing him down only if dismounted and reducing his points value by 1.

The astute among you will have noticed a distinct lack of photos from the first game. We were so engrossed in the game we forgot to take any!

Game 2 Burying the Hatchet. 750 points

Following the ambush on the remote Derbyshire road, the conflict between Sir Andrew and Baron Stephen escalated. Small clashes bled both sides, in a senseless waste of blood and treasure. Determined to settle things once and for all, the two lords agreed to meet on a stretch of open ground nestled in a meander of the river Don between Sheffield and Doncaster.

There would be no subtlety here, this was to be a straight up fight between the two aggrieved nobles’ retinues, with a duration of 8 turns.

(Stephen: Again, we extended game duration. Although on this occasion it was simply because we had the time and wanted to make full use of it).

Baron Stephen’s Retinue

• • • Baron Stephen (R) & 5 knights (R)
    • Willard of Wickham (R)(C) & 6 spears (G)
    • Fulkes de Boutin (V)(C) & 3 Mounted sergeants
    • 4 Mounted sergeants
    • 5 Archers (R)
    • 5 Archers (R)

Sir Andrew’s Retinue

• • • Sir Andrew (V) & 4 Knights (R)(Mounted) (C)
    • Geoffry & 4 Spearmen (R)(C)
    • 3 Mounted Sergeants
    • 6 Marksmen Sergeants (R), Crossbows
    • 8 Archers (R)

(V) Veteran, (R) Regular, (G) Green and (C) Commander.

This scenario uses Deployment map C, forces deployed along opposite long edges of the table.

Baron Stephen arrayed his retinue with a group of Archers in a cornfield on his right flank, with the Baron himself nearby in a field of cabbages. To the Baron’s left was Fulkes de Boutin and his mounted sergeants.

In a small hamlet Willard of Wickham deployed with his spearmen, the second group of mounted sergeants and second group of Archers, the latter taking cover behind a wall.

Sir Andrew’ Monks were on his left flank in another cornfield, opposite Baron Stephen’s archers, next to them were the mounted sergeants, and then the Marksmen Sergeants with crossbows.

Next came Sir Andrew and his bodyguard, and the archers, with Geoffrey and his 4 Spearmen on the right flank.

All were sheltered by a hedge lining the road that ran through the battlefield.

The battle started with a volley of quarrels from Sir Andrew’s crossbowmen aimed at Fulkes de Boutin’s mounted sergeants, the quarrels flew true and two sergeants were felled.

(Stephen: stern words were had with all the mounted sergeants once we got back to the castle. Suffice to say, they did not earn their keep that day).

This shattered Fulkes’ resolve and he and the remaining sergeant were broken, falling back towards the hamlet behind them.

Sir Andrew’s monks and mounted sergeants advanced towards the Baron’s archers in the cornfield, with one of the monks going to his heavenly reward courtesy of one of the Baron’s archers.

On the other flank the Baron’s second unit of archers loosed arrows at Sir Andrew’s knights, one falling to a lucky shaft.

Andrew’s archers returned the compliment taking out one of the Baron’s Archers. The Baron’s mounted sergeants advanced to protect the archers.

Sir Andrew advanced his bodyguard to counter the Baron’s mounted sergeants.

(Stephen: In fairness to these sergeants, I’m not entirely sure what made me advance them. I could see it was a dicey situation to put them in, but I think I just wanted to stir things up and see what Sir Andrew would do in response).

Fulkes de Boutin tried to rally his mounted sergeants, but failed miserably and they routed from the field of battle.

Sir Andrew and his knights charged the Baron’s other group of Mounted Sergeants.

In the ensuing melee Sir Andrew killed two of the Baron’s sergeants and breaking the remainder  who fell back

Geoffrey and his spearmen crossed the road and entered the woods, coming under ineffectual fire from the Baron’s archers.

The Baron’s Knights advanced, only to be charged by Sir Andrew’s Mounted Sergeants, taking advantage of a split in the group due to the terrain.

Despite their numerical advantage Sir Andrew’s sergeants failed to cause any casualties.

(Stephen: my mind may be a bit fuzzy here, but I seem to recall killing off a couple of Sir Andrew’s sergeants and, what’s more, I have photographic evidence to prove it).

The monks advanced again, being shot at by the archers without loss.

Willard of Wickham’s spearmen advanced to counter Sir Andrew’s Knights

My Marksmen shot at the Baron’s Knights, to no effect, who then charged my Mounted Sergeants, killing two and breaking the sole survivor.

(Stephen: Oh, maybe that was it then…).

Sir Andrew charged Willard of Wickham’s spearmen, killing two and forcing them back.

Geoffrey’s spearmen charged out of the woods, reaching the Baron’s archers hiding behind the wall, killing one and forcing them back.

The monks moved again towards the Baron’s other archers suffering one casualty.

The Baron charged his Knights at Sir Andrew’s crossbowmen, but just failed to make contact.

A nice juicy target for the crossbows, who failed to hit anyone!

The Baron issued a second order, and charged my crossbowmen, inflicting a casualty and forcing them back from the hedge.

(Stephen: I had to charge. My knights were in crossbow range and I knew that I could expect one or two flurries of bolts every turn unless I killed them. It wasn’t an enviable situation – the crossbows were behind a hedge and Sir Andrew and his knights were just a short way down the lane, but I had no choice).

Sir Andrew charged the Baron, with no effect. His archer’s shot at my Spearmen, to no avail.

The monks finally were close enough to charge the Baron’s other archers in the cornfield, killing one of them and forcing them back.

My crossbowmen returned to the wall and shot at the Baron’s group, but inflicted no casualties. The Baron then charged again killing a crossbowman and forcing them back only to receive another flank charge from Sir Andrew’s knights, with two of the Baron’s men falling this time with no losses to Sir Andrew.

On the right flank Sir Andrew’s archers shot at Willard of Wickham’s spearmen, who were then charged by Geoffrey’s Spearmen, but no casualties were inflicted.

(Stephen: Good ol’ Willard. He’ll be receiving a promotion and some land for his sterling service).

The Baron turned his attention from the crossbowmen and charged Sir Andrew, but came off worse, losing a Knight and falling back, only for my Crossbows to shoot at them as they passed, sadly with no effect.

On the right the Baron’s archers shot at Geoffrey’s Spearmen, killing one, the spearmen failed their morale test and broke.

Sir Andrew’s archers shot at Willard of Wickham and his men, killing one but their morale held and they charged Geoffrey’s broken Spearmen, killing one and routing them from the field, Geoffrey running with them.

(Stephen: Again, good ol’ Willard).

We reached the last turn of the game.

The Monks charged the Baron’s archers again, killing another one and forcing them back. Sir Andrew’s archers shot at the Baron’s archers but missed.

Sir Andrew’s last Mounted Sergeant launched a last-minute charge at the Baron and his sole remaining companion, killing the latter and forcing the Baron back. The Baron then charged back in, but failed to cause a casualty, so fell back himself.

In a last desperate gamble, the remaining Marksmen Sergeants moved to their left, into a position where three of them could draw a line of sight to the Baron; Sir Andrew gave them a second order to shoot at the Baron; the shots fell true and the Baron fell from his horse clutching his eye.

(Stephen: you’ll notice how the cowardly Sir Andrew never had the courage to charge himself).

(Andy: I think Sir Andrew proved his mettle in several combats earlier in the game; and the Marksmen Sergeants needed to earn their pay!)

The victory conditions for this game were simple, based on the points value of the figures lost with commanders counted at double their cost.

Sir Andrew lost one Knight (34 pts) 2 Mounted Sergeants (50 pts), 4 Monks (48 pts), 2 Marksmen Sergeants (40 pts) and 4 Spearmen (80 pts), for a total of 252 points

Baron Stephen lost a total of 525 points.

(Stephen: I can’t remember exact loses. My mounted sergeants all fought poorly and I lost all of them – either killed or routed off table. In addition, the kind and friendly Baron le Tookere and his knights were also taken out. Plus dribs and drabs of archers and spearmen. What did for me was losing expensive troop types plus command groups, which is what made up the bulk of my loses).

This was a decisive win for Sir Andrew, gaining him one campaign point to bring the series to a tie at one point each. The campaign would be decided by the final battle “The Bad Neighbour” of 1000 points a side, to be fought another day.

Following the first two battles both nobles have been injured.

Sir Andrew

Mangled Leg: The noble isn’t as fast on their feet as they used to be. Reduce their Move stat on foot by 1, and their total points value by -1 (Modified from original).

Baron Stephen

Mangled Arm: The Baron has lost the use of his left arm until it properly heals. He can no longer equip shields

Missing Eye: Clipped by a crossbow bolt in the dying moments of the battle, bound up behind an eyepatch, the Baron takes on a distinctly piratical air. He will always act second if counterattacked.