Post by tiger1 (Paul) on Sept 10, 2011 11:56:56 GMT
I am working on a campaign based on the above, using WAB2.
so far I have the following, any one interested let me know.
I have a map designed but not ableto load.
Still working on specifics of campaign mechanics -then armies need to be designed for each nation.
The Normans in Italy
A Mini Campaign set amongst the Principalities of Southern Italy from 1050 AD, capturing Norman adventurers carving out fiefdoms in southern Italy at the expense of various Lombard kingdoms.
A new Pope, Leo IX is keen to re-establish Papal hegemony over the hole of Italy, while assorted adventurers are looking to expand their domains. The Byzantine Empire holds on to the heel of the Italian peninsula and is keen not only to hold on but to regain control of the Italian heartland of the old Roman Empire. Unfortunately, weak Leadership since the death of Basil II has left them incapable of dispatching an army of conquest to re claim Italy. Finally the Saracens have turned the island of Sicily into a nest of pirates.
The Norman presence in Southern Italy began in a small way. One by One, Lombard towns were granted in fief to Norman adventurers or conquered by knights keen to carve out their territory. Gradually leadership began to centre on the sons of Tancred De Hauteville, and the scattered fiefdoms began to unite into a Norman domain. This domain absorbed the principalities of Benevento and Salerno by stages, until the latter passed to Robert De Hauteville, ¡¥Guiscard¡¦ (The Weasel). Robert and his brother Roger steadily expanded their duchy at the expense of the Byzantines, the Saracens of Sicily and the Lombard Principalities until all Southern Italy and Sicily was theirs.
The papacy eventually became reconciled to the Norman presence as they proved a valuable counter balance to the Holy Roman Empire in the north. This reconciliation took many years to achieve. In the meantime Robert conquered the Byzantine possessions in the South East, while Roger, with small detachments of the army and aided bt the division of his opponents, gradually took possession of Sicily.
Robert had two sons by two wives, Bohemond of Taranto and Roger nicknamed ¡¥Borsa¡¦ (the purse, or miser). After a period of conflict with Bohemond, Roger Borsa became Duke of Apulia. He was succeeded by his own son William; after which Apulia was merged into the new kingdom of Sicily under Roger II.
Pandulf IV of Capua managed to alienate his neighbours b his constant treachery and Capua too fell to the Normans. Robert and Bohemond made several attempts to conquer the Byzantine Empire and and represented a major threat to the new Komnenan dynasty. Bohemond continued to be a thorn in the Imperial flesh for many years. As crusader, Prince of Antioch and finally (and in the long termprobably the most damaging) anti imperial propagandist in Western Europe. His final attack on on the Empire ended in the Treaty of Devol, in which he acknowledged the Emperor as his suzerain for Antioch (to which he never returned). He retired to Italy and on his death was buried in Canosa.
Base of Campaign.
The campaign mechanics are based on the DBA system which provides for a simple but very effective campaign system, much fun, encourages ¡§activity¡¨ and hopefully should not get bogged down. The game is determined by victory points reflecting their various positions and historical needs, all players have an even chance of winning some a slight advantage and the odd one a slight disadvantage. Can you re write history???
Special Rules
Ferocious charge.
Applies against all but Swabians or Varangians.
Excommunication
The Pope may excommunicate any enemy he chooses. Doing so inflicts a -1 in melee determination in ALL battles until restored to the communal grace. However this does not affect Muslims, Swabians, Varangians, Byzantines or those immoral Normans.
Swabians and Varangians.
These troops gain a number of benefits:-
1) They ignore all panic tests for seeing friends breaking or fleeing.
2) They will continue fighting even when their army is broken
3) They ignore Ferocious Charge.
Pandulf of Capua
The wolf of Abruzzi is a slippery fellow, people will learn not to trust him. He may invade any nation, regardless of declarations of war, any allied contingent sent by him may choose to change sides at ANY time.
Saracen Piracy
In the winter phase the effect of Saracen piracy is determined. If the Saracen did nor fight a battle during the year he may send a pirate raid to coastal cities. Any number of units (minimum 1) can be sent ¡V on a roll of 1 or 2 the element is lost, on a 5 or 6 the target city loses its reinforcement value for the next spring phase and the Saracen gains an equivalent reinforcement from his own list.
A successful raid also gains one victory point.
Bari and Constantinople
These cities are especially tough to capture, regardless of the time expended in siege they will only fall on a roll of a 6.
Sichelgaita of Salerno
Sister to Prince Gisulf of Salerno and keen to be married off to a great warrior. Gisulf may offer her to the leader of any successful power. Any leader married to her gains a Lombard Character leader for the army to lead a unit. However each winter phase in which she remains unwed causes a roll, which on a 6 incites a rebellion.
Rebellion ¡V no reinforcements received by Salerno and one city becomes independent. If another power (apart from the Pope) relieves any siege on the newly independent city, then she will marry the leader of that army. If Salerno is forced to submit then she will marry the new (non papal) overlord.
The Principality of Salerno passes to her husband if Gisulf dies.
Revolting Normans and Saracens.
Each Autumn roll a D6 for the Normans and Saracens. On a 6 one city revolts. It does not supply reinforcements, the army loses a ¡§formed¡¨ unit which becomes a garrison for the independent city and will ally with any friendly force that moves to relieve any siege on the city, in addition the City will send units as allies to any ally on a roll of 4-6.
Multiple Operations.
The Norman commander may split his field army, using an existing character to lead any non main army force.
Anti-Popes
When an Anti Pope is in play, all papal reinforcements are halved and the power of excommunication is lost, the Pope rival will counter any excommunication.
Alexus
Once the Byzantine possessions in Italy have been conquered the invasions may be attempted on the Byzantine Empire it self. Options may only be used once and are automatic until used up ¡V allowing a series of quick successive battles. After this period Byzantine use normal replacement rules.
The Empire will not submit if Constantinople is conquered but will continue to fight from its remaining cities. If Constantinople is besieged by byzantine forces then the special siege rules apply ¡V i.e. the populace remain loyal to Byzantium and do not rise to defend the new over lords. [Therefore the Byzantine besiegers get a plus one to the dice per siege roll.]
Generals in combat
If a general is lost in combat, roll a D6 on a 5 to 6 he is eliminated from the campaign, [ a 6 if by missile fire only] on a 1 he is captured, any other roll he manages to escape 5 to safety.
Naval movement.
Moving by sea, other than across the strait of Messina, there is a risk to losses. Units in ships are lost on a roll of 6 in Spring, a 6 followed by a 4, 5 or 6 in Summer, and a 5 or 6 in Autumn. Sea travel can only be conducted between ports.
To determine how severe the losses are roll below
1 -2 ¡V one unit only ¡V roll randomly to select which unit.
3-4 ¡V half of each unit
5-6 ¡V the whole force
Winter Operations.
Continuing siege operations in winter causes attrition to units in the armies
To determine how severe the losses are roll below
1-2 ¡V one unit only ¡V roll randomly to select which unit.
3 ¡V half of D3 units ¡V roll randomly to determine which units effected.
4 ¡V half of D6 units ¡V roll randomly to determine which units effected.
5 ¡V Every Unit in the Army loses 25% of the number of figures
6 ¡V as above and the besieging force is forced to retreat to a friendly city.
NB: each character is similarly at risk. If selected rolled a D6
1 ¡V 4 no effect
5 ¡V character has to retire to a friendly city to recover
6 ¡V character is dies of illness.
ARMIES
Papal States- Papal (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122, including ideas from Armies of Chivalry)
Principality of Capua ¡V Norman-Lombard (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
Principality of Salerno ¡V Lombard (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
County of Apulia ¡V Norman (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
Empirate of Palermo ¡V Muslim (Aghlabids from Beyond the Golden Gates p122.)
The Exarchate of Italy ¡V representative of the Byzantine Empire - (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates, p122) [Being the Byzantine possessions on the Italian mainland.]
The Byzantine Empire ¡V Komnenan Byzantine [Being the non Italian based Byzantine possessions]. [Late Byzantine - Beyond the Golden Gates. P90]
Each army will be design specifically from the sources mentioned a with a base 1600 point army using WAB2. One the whole mercenary units will be acquired separately through the acquisition of reinforcements and will be determined by rolls on the mercenary table, limited by nationality. Of course in addition allies from nations in play can be arranged or rolled for in certain circumstances.
May the best nation win ¡V or most ruthless, scheming, untrustworthy, scandalous, and bare faced lucky ¡V nation win. ;D ;D ƒº
so far I have the following, any one interested let me know.
I have a map designed but not ableto load.
Still working on specifics of campaign mechanics -then armies need to be designed for each nation.
The Normans in Italy
A Mini Campaign set amongst the Principalities of Southern Italy from 1050 AD, capturing Norman adventurers carving out fiefdoms in southern Italy at the expense of various Lombard kingdoms.
A new Pope, Leo IX is keen to re-establish Papal hegemony over the hole of Italy, while assorted adventurers are looking to expand their domains. The Byzantine Empire holds on to the heel of the Italian peninsula and is keen not only to hold on but to regain control of the Italian heartland of the old Roman Empire. Unfortunately, weak Leadership since the death of Basil II has left them incapable of dispatching an army of conquest to re claim Italy. Finally the Saracens have turned the island of Sicily into a nest of pirates.
The Norman presence in Southern Italy began in a small way. One by One, Lombard towns were granted in fief to Norman adventurers or conquered by knights keen to carve out their territory. Gradually leadership began to centre on the sons of Tancred De Hauteville, and the scattered fiefdoms began to unite into a Norman domain. This domain absorbed the principalities of Benevento and Salerno by stages, until the latter passed to Robert De Hauteville, ¡¥Guiscard¡¦ (The Weasel). Robert and his brother Roger steadily expanded their duchy at the expense of the Byzantines, the Saracens of Sicily and the Lombard Principalities until all Southern Italy and Sicily was theirs.
The papacy eventually became reconciled to the Norman presence as they proved a valuable counter balance to the Holy Roman Empire in the north. This reconciliation took many years to achieve. In the meantime Robert conquered the Byzantine possessions in the South East, while Roger, with small detachments of the army and aided bt the division of his opponents, gradually took possession of Sicily.
Robert had two sons by two wives, Bohemond of Taranto and Roger nicknamed ¡¥Borsa¡¦ (the purse, or miser). After a period of conflict with Bohemond, Roger Borsa became Duke of Apulia. He was succeeded by his own son William; after which Apulia was merged into the new kingdom of Sicily under Roger II.
Pandulf IV of Capua managed to alienate his neighbours b his constant treachery and Capua too fell to the Normans. Robert and Bohemond made several attempts to conquer the Byzantine Empire and and represented a major threat to the new Komnenan dynasty. Bohemond continued to be a thorn in the Imperial flesh for many years. As crusader, Prince of Antioch and finally (and in the long termprobably the most damaging) anti imperial propagandist in Western Europe. His final attack on on the Empire ended in the Treaty of Devol, in which he acknowledged the Emperor as his suzerain for Antioch (to which he never returned). He retired to Italy and on his death was buried in Canosa.
Base of Campaign.
The campaign mechanics are based on the DBA system which provides for a simple but very effective campaign system, much fun, encourages ¡§activity¡¨ and hopefully should not get bogged down. The game is determined by victory points reflecting their various positions and historical needs, all players have an even chance of winning some a slight advantage and the odd one a slight disadvantage. Can you re write history???
Special Rules
Ferocious charge.
Applies against all but Swabians or Varangians.
Excommunication
The Pope may excommunicate any enemy he chooses. Doing so inflicts a -1 in melee determination in ALL battles until restored to the communal grace. However this does not affect Muslims, Swabians, Varangians, Byzantines or those immoral Normans.
Swabians and Varangians.
These troops gain a number of benefits:-
1) They ignore all panic tests for seeing friends breaking or fleeing.
2) They will continue fighting even when their army is broken
3) They ignore Ferocious Charge.
Pandulf of Capua
The wolf of Abruzzi is a slippery fellow, people will learn not to trust him. He may invade any nation, regardless of declarations of war, any allied contingent sent by him may choose to change sides at ANY time.
Saracen Piracy
In the winter phase the effect of Saracen piracy is determined. If the Saracen did nor fight a battle during the year he may send a pirate raid to coastal cities. Any number of units (minimum 1) can be sent ¡V on a roll of 1 or 2 the element is lost, on a 5 or 6 the target city loses its reinforcement value for the next spring phase and the Saracen gains an equivalent reinforcement from his own list.
A successful raid also gains one victory point.
Bari and Constantinople
These cities are especially tough to capture, regardless of the time expended in siege they will only fall on a roll of a 6.
Sichelgaita of Salerno
Sister to Prince Gisulf of Salerno and keen to be married off to a great warrior. Gisulf may offer her to the leader of any successful power. Any leader married to her gains a Lombard Character leader for the army to lead a unit. However each winter phase in which she remains unwed causes a roll, which on a 6 incites a rebellion.
Rebellion ¡V no reinforcements received by Salerno and one city becomes independent. If another power (apart from the Pope) relieves any siege on the newly independent city, then she will marry the leader of that army. If Salerno is forced to submit then she will marry the new (non papal) overlord.
The Principality of Salerno passes to her husband if Gisulf dies.
Revolting Normans and Saracens.
Each Autumn roll a D6 for the Normans and Saracens. On a 6 one city revolts. It does not supply reinforcements, the army loses a ¡§formed¡¨ unit which becomes a garrison for the independent city and will ally with any friendly force that moves to relieve any siege on the city, in addition the City will send units as allies to any ally on a roll of 4-6.
Multiple Operations.
The Norman commander may split his field army, using an existing character to lead any non main army force.
Anti-Popes
When an Anti Pope is in play, all papal reinforcements are halved and the power of excommunication is lost, the Pope rival will counter any excommunication.
Alexus
Once the Byzantine possessions in Italy have been conquered the invasions may be attempted on the Byzantine Empire it self. Options may only be used once and are automatic until used up ¡V allowing a series of quick successive battles. After this period Byzantine use normal replacement rules.
The Empire will not submit if Constantinople is conquered but will continue to fight from its remaining cities. If Constantinople is besieged by byzantine forces then the special siege rules apply ¡V i.e. the populace remain loyal to Byzantium and do not rise to defend the new over lords. [Therefore the Byzantine besiegers get a plus one to the dice per siege roll.]
Generals in combat
If a general is lost in combat, roll a D6 on a 5 to 6 he is eliminated from the campaign, [ a 6 if by missile fire only] on a 1 he is captured, any other roll he manages to escape 5 to safety.
Naval movement.
Moving by sea, other than across the strait of Messina, there is a risk to losses. Units in ships are lost on a roll of 6 in Spring, a 6 followed by a 4, 5 or 6 in Summer, and a 5 or 6 in Autumn. Sea travel can only be conducted between ports.
To determine how severe the losses are roll below
1 -2 ¡V one unit only ¡V roll randomly to select which unit.
3-4 ¡V half of each unit
5-6 ¡V the whole force
Winter Operations.
Continuing siege operations in winter causes attrition to units in the armies
To determine how severe the losses are roll below
1-2 ¡V one unit only ¡V roll randomly to select which unit.
3 ¡V half of D3 units ¡V roll randomly to determine which units effected.
4 ¡V half of D6 units ¡V roll randomly to determine which units effected.
5 ¡V Every Unit in the Army loses 25% of the number of figures
6 ¡V as above and the besieging force is forced to retreat to a friendly city.
NB: each character is similarly at risk. If selected rolled a D6
1 ¡V 4 no effect
5 ¡V character has to retire to a friendly city to recover
6 ¡V character is dies of illness.
ARMIES
Papal States- Papal (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122, including ideas from Armies of Chivalry)
Principality of Capua ¡V Norman-Lombard (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
Principality of Salerno ¡V Lombard (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
County of Apulia ¡V Norman (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates p122)
Empirate of Palermo ¡V Muslim (Aghlabids from Beyond the Golden Gates p122.)
The Exarchate of Italy ¡V representative of the Byzantine Empire - (Shield Wall and Beyond the Golden Gates, p122) [Being the Byzantine possessions on the Italian mainland.]
The Byzantine Empire ¡V Komnenan Byzantine [Being the non Italian based Byzantine possessions]. [Late Byzantine - Beyond the Golden Gates. P90]
Each army will be design specifically from the sources mentioned a with a base 1600 point army using WAB2. One the whole mercenary units will be acquired separately through the acquisition of reinforcements and will be determined by rolls on the mercenary table, limited by nationality. Of course in addition allies from nations in play can be arranged or rolled for in certain circumstances.
May the best nation win ¡V or most ruthless, scheming, untrustworthy, scandalous, and bare faced lucky ¡V nation win. ;D ;D ƒº