Saturday, November 12, 2011

Martian Theological Clash

Yes, after several months of calm the Martian landscape erupts once more with conflict, thankfully!
Everyone had always known that it was only a matter of time before the rival theological views of Martian Society come into conflict.
Jeddak Bob Sun of Hender, defender of the Cult of the Square, which views 4 as the perfect number, 4 lines 4 angles, units organized and based on a square! No longer could this Orthodox ruler tolerate the depredations of the Jeddak of Frangium. For the Frangiums renounced the perfection of the square and instead embraced the gentle flow of the Circle! Their architecture and unit formations reflected this Heresy! How could men know their place in a damn circle!
"The Book of Martian Empires demands squares!" raged Jeddak Bob Sun!
"The Book is simply a guide, all must seek their own path." replied the Princess of Frangium.
"Heresy!"

So after months of scrambling for allies and the right time for battle, the warhosts of Frangium and Hender at last meet. Few free martian states would join the Intolerant Jeddak Bob Sun so in the end he chose buying mercenaries over allying with heathens. The Green Tribes flowed out of the Wastelands while the orderly legion of Col Smythe marched to the Jeddak's gold.
Frangium, meanwhile, had also encountered trouble recruiting other Martian city states to it's divine cause of the Circle. In the end, the Princess had reluctantly turned to the Germans and Italians for aid at the cost of trade concessions.

The BattleField. 6'x12', and relative dispositions:
(Some Gamenotes: for fun I decided to try out some blinds for the brigades. Martian blinds activated on 9 if in 'march' and '8' if in column, Europeans 10 and 9. Max of 2 activations per blind. This also helped speed up movement until everyone got into in engagement range. Also all flyers were considered to have their own command of 9. Victory would be determined by whichever side occupied the most key villages, marked with a banner)

Green Tribes/w what looks like an experimental American Walker?
The Frangium Assault Brigade!
Henderite Cavalry and Guard Infantry prepare to chastise the heretics.

Col Smythe's Askari infantry march to Dontaum and preparesto hold the flank until their relief column arrives.
The Battle develops. Jeddak Bob Sun finds himself trying to hold off Italians, Germans and Frangium forces hoping that his overpaid mercenaries can turn the Frangium flank before he's crushed! His masterful skill at the fighting withdraw is severly taxed.

While the Italians assaulted a small village Henderite flank (sorry no pics of the Italian assault,
guess the Germans wanted all the credit) The Germans formed up and prepared to destroy
everything in their way. Mostly Hendernites!

Meanwhile on the Frangium flank the Green Tribes have finally deployed and begun to attack.
The Tribal Cavalry was destroying everything in it's way. Striking deep into the rear of the Circl Alliance. And Col Smythe arrives with his relief force.


The Henderites have begun to wither under the German fire. Smythe however quickly realizes that his light cav force cannot face the German line and shifts to harass the Frangium martians.
As the day ends all eyes where on the small village at the rear of the Frangium line.
If it fell to the Green tribes the day would result in a draw if it held then it would be victory for the Circle! So crucial was the situation at the Princess of Frangium with the Guard took charge of the village defense and managed to fight off several green assaults The day was won!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Some of my newest units


Finished the Princess up Sunday night, thinking of adding rules for
a few of these special figures. For instance, units within 20cm of the Princess would
have their morale increased by 1. Better death than run and put the Princess in jeopardy!


Somehow I forgot to take any photos of the Guns of Navri!


The Martian Imperial unit commands were completed in time for Saturday's battle. I had
some extra Guard Command so I worked them into the irregular foot.




The Germans were done late last year but never got any photo time. The Clockwork and
Heavy Infantry Soldiers laid down some vicious fire Saturday.

The German Uhlans are Outpost FPW Ulhans mounted on Black Hat martian steeds.
Okay, but I like Bob's Black hat Prussians better.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

A farewell to our friend Terry Wills


On a sad note:
Saturday was our first Martian Empires game without Terry Wills.
Terry passed away last month after fighting cancer for several years.
He will be missed by all, especially for his easy attitude towards gaming.
He was our first Imperialist on Mars with his Glatz-Leuthens and the first
guy to invite me to my first wargame 27 years ago at Origins.
"But I don't have any figs."
"You don't need any figures we have more than enough, so here start playing!"

First Martian Empires game of 2011

Well, yesterday was our first Martian Empires game of the year, played at our favorite local hangout, Treefort Games in Fayetteville. We had a pretty good turnout with some 11 players.
Game was fought on a 12x6 foot table.

Scenario for the day: The Guns of Navri.
Prince Tremel has recently asserted dominance over the local canal traffic through the purchase and use of several American siege guns stationed at one of his forts. As his treasury grew
through imposing his new tax, so did concern from several parties, chief among them Emperor
Danh Din, the local Hob Nob in the area. The Emperor was ready to tackle the upstart Despot Tremel on his own, but word had come down that the Despot had also hired the services of several
Earthling renegades such as Captain Smythe , Captain Dumas and Lt John Steele.
"Hmmm, inferno machines no doubt. Best to let the outsiders deal with their own"
With diplomatic flair, the Emperor soon engaged the aide of the German and British missions.



















Battle Begins















With the left flank gone and the center collapsing, Prince Tremel
unleashed his royal lancers in a desperate attempt to shatter
the Allied left. It was a valiant try but the fierce Green tribesmen held firm and
and shattered the lancers, pursuing them to the very walls of the fort.



The Despot called his renegades together and mounted his sky-galleon.
'Until next time!'

Our armies our getting to big for the table,
looks like the next game will be several linked battles.