Imagi-Nation Warm-up

On the eve of a new Imagi-Nation mini campaign we decided to play a small game of BAR (Batailles de l'Ancien Regimes) to refresh our knowledge of the rules.  For my part, my Prussians have seen lots of table action but very rarely with me.  So I provided one side while the Imagi-Nation forces of Prockistan and Rondovia joined forces.  They had three 60 figure battalions, three 48 figure battalions, a medium and a heavy gun, a cuirassier and dragoon squadron.  My Prussians had four 60 figure battalions and two 48 figure battalions, a heavy and a battalion gun, a cuirassier and a frei korps squadron.  All units were rated veteran.

Slopes were gentle, woods were light (formed cavalry prohibited) and the stream cost a d6 of movement.  Being a card driven game, each side could activate two infantry or the two cavalry elements on the turn of a card.  The CnC would decide who on his side.

Initial deployment.  Prussian battalion gun out of sight on the left.

The "enemy" looking at us from their left.

Both sides stepped off with us in echelon from the left.

BAR is a quick and decisive game with lots of action.

On our right the line was anchored by the woods.

No substitute for hot dice.  Artillery hits need a 5+ to save, no
problem for Todd today.

Things are getting thin on this end.  On the other
I am engaged in a melee that I should win.  But didn't.

Still got the hot dice Todd!  Musketry needs a 4+ to save.  Mind
you, these are atypical results for Todd.

As the enemy starts to withdraw our cavalry moves forward.

The Rondovian commander sent a message to his subordinate telling him to run away.  At the time it made sense.  A third of their infantry had routed, the heavy gun was eliminated, and the melee should end in a Prussian win.  But of course as the message arrived the gods of dice decreed that not only would my Prussians get pushed back, but that they would rout, leaving the Prussian left flank open.  However the moment passed and the Prockistani troops grudgingly withdrew.

So in the end a Prussian win, though at the time we quit casualties were pretty even.  Both sides had one fresh unit and the Prussian cavalry was ready to act, the Rondovian cuirassiers having taken a serious artillery hit earlier.

The foundation of our mini campaign will be C. S. Grant's booklet, "The Wolfenbuttel War."  Looking forward to starting it next month.

"What news from court?"

A small diversion:

SOMEWHERE ON THE BATTLEMENTS OF FORTRESS VILNIUS, MID-MORNING

"Sasha Davidov, this was an excellent idea.  The morning could not be better."

"Da Professor Markovitz, is good.  I myself prefer to be, um, active in the morning."

"So Sasha, what is the latest news from court?  I have been away far too long."
"The biggest news professor is that we are receiving a delegation from Venaria at court!"
"Venaria!? (as a dramatic murmur/gasp runs through those present.)  "We are to take up diplomatic relations with Turks?!"
"Is true" said Vladimir Odoevsky, shifting uncomfortably because of his gout.  "Messengers have indicated they will arrive shortly."

Odoevsky added, "They intend to make it a permanent mission.  Quarters for their special needs are being prepared near to court."
"I suppose it is a necessary evil, given that Latveria and Odessinau seems to be getting very close.  But the Turks have been the peril of Europe for centuries" said the professor with a sigh.

Adopting a soothing tone Davidov said, "All very true, but these are Ottomans and have even gained a sense of understanding with Mother Russia.  It is said true Russians even serve alongside them."
"Oh what is the world coming to" sighed Kara Milovy as she brought a kerchief to her delicate features.  "And can't we do something about the noise and smell those soldiers are creating?"

"I fear not my dear.  They must repair any damages that occurred during the winter.  For your protection."  Leaning in such a way that he almost displaced the servant perched on his leg Davidov leered, "If you prefer we could retire to other, quarters?"
"Shame on you Sasha Davidov, you know I am with General Koskov" she responded, feigning insult by vigorously fanning herself.
"Ah well, they are in addition laying in fresh supplies.  All in anticipation of more mischief from Latveria.  Sales to the military have been good."

"Well, we shall have to be prepared to make sacrifices and persevere in spite of whatever hardship may develop" avowed Odoevsky.

"Oh look, it is Lenkin, Count Lippe's diplomatic aide, and it appears he brings news."

Vignettes are by Eureka with Old Glory and Blue Moon making up the rest of the civilians.  Pioneers are primarily RSM figures.  The fortress was 3D printed and painted by me.  Certain liberties have obviously been taken with the map and history of Europe.  The map is provided to you some sense of what we are up to these days.

Battle of Middle Potsdorf

A Tundra Con tradition has become an invitational BAR game (Batailles de l'Ancien Regimes) on the Sunday after.  This year we played on an 18x5' main table with two back tables in play, each 18x2.5' in length.

Primarily featuring our Imagi-nation forces with a stiffening of French line, guards and heavy cavalry.  Around 1900 28mm infantry and 300 cavalry figures total with appropriate artillery.

All troops deployed on the back table, which was fully in play.
Representing Litharus and Rondovia.

The Franco-Latverian-Prockland-Odessenau side of things.

Thundering first move on one end...

And first move on the other.

The ridge dividing the table was considered impassable terrain except for the gap and road.  It also blocked line of sight to prevent any firing from one zone to another issues.

No one wasted any time coming to grips.  Match-ups are all
important, here we see Cossacks fighting dragoons.

At the other end the infantry tried to be prepared for any reverses.

Back and forth with superior numbers beginning to tell.

Twelve Litharusian squadrons against six, later eight squadrons.

The cavalry recover on the other end and withdraw to catch their
breathe and let the infantry duke it out.

la Gardes Francaise.

Prince Soubise (seated) has reason to look relaxed and confident.

Fresh troops are fed in.  Nothing like the look of a "big battalion."

Gaining a real advantage here, but French cavalry is on the move.

Some units are getting rather small.

Re-ordering behind the ridge, ready to renew the fight.  Things
are looking good here.

The Grassins move up to support the Guards.

Litharus marches to the aid of the Rondovian command.

High water point on the Rondovian side of the table.

Time and again the Rondovian cavalry are tested by the French heavies.

The victorious cavalry rally back to re-order and continue.

 Alas, once again Prince Soubise is victorious as the larger French units are able to roll over the Rondovians and Litharus brigade despite them getting a lot of first firing cards.  I'm beginning to believe I'm cursed by cards.  In my previous game all nine firing cards had gone against me.  In this game ten of eleven were for the other side.

The French Maison du Roi pursue the fleeing Rondovians.

A delegation from Middle Potsdorf awaits the victors with
open... "arms."

BAR is card-driven so one side moves or fires on black cards,
the other on red.  We used two decks, one for each side of the ridge.

The participants.  Left to right seated: Andrew, Khymanta, Bob,
Brent, Todd C., Bill (Marechal Soubise).  Standing: me (General
Ouromov), Todd P., Paul, Chuck, John and Dan.

So for the second year in a row Soubise has bested Ouromov.  But no matter for a good time was had and a close-fought engagement.  We started flipping cards at 10:30AM and had a clear result by 4:30PM with a lunch break added in.  I was on my way home shortly after 5:00.  Next year Soubise!  I'll have something tricky up my sleeve.  

Battle of Cressey

The invasion and attempted annexation of Rondovia by the militant nation Latveria has not gone well so far.  Despite easy (foregone?) wins early and holding the Arsenal, defeat at the Battle of Four Bridges left them needing a win to continue.  At the beginning of the campaign we were asked to allocate forces for the coming battles.  As fate would have it, the Latverians are attacking a superior force in this critical battle.  Three Litharusian regiments of 60 figures each combine with the Rondovian Augsburg regiment of 48 and the Grafenwhor light battalion of 30.  This against three Latverian regiments of 60 each and the glorified brigands known as the Grey Foxes.  Each side has four squadrons of cavalry but the allies have three of cuirassiers, while the invaders only have two armored squadrons.  Finally, a Rondovian medium gun rounds out the order of battle.  Rules are "Batailles de l'Ancien Regime" (BAR) by Bill Protz.  Release the hounds of war!

The allies wait while the lights scout forward.

"For whom the bell (tower) tolls."

The invaders got to see our deployment, then march on table.

On our left the Phull Cuirassiers immediately charge and melee.

In BAR potential casualties are plentiful but saving throws can negate them.  In the above match-up between Rondovian cuirassiers and Latverian hussars, it should be an easy win for the heavies.  Better numbers in the melee coupled with a superior save, 3+ on a d6 vs. 4+ for the hussars, make the cuirassiers the odds-on favorite.  But, that's why we use dice.

The cuirassiers are thrown back, but pass morale.

It was a tough day for morale tests.  I do not believe a single infantry unit passed a morale throw.  Only the cavalry (sometimes) knew how to make a successful test.

As usual, the Latverians got the early first fires and together with
a trumping joker inflicted a lot of potential casualties.

All day my saves were either unreasonably high or unreasonably low.  So I suppose they balanced out in the end, but early on when it mattered most my dice were on fire.

"Run away!  Run away!"

The Rondovian lights, with their only shot of the game scattered some Latverian hussars, only to be charged by cuirassiers.  In open order they had no chance of standing so successfully evaded.  Round two of the melee had the cuirassiers push the hussars back, but their morale held.  Only one more round of melee is possible.

Abysmal saves by the Latverian commander made the first of
several infantry regiments on both sides rout.

Hack 'n slash, hack 'n slash.

Now it the turn of a Litharusian unit to have to test and of course
rout.  A reserve unit filled the gap.

The Rondovian infantry, sensing an opportunity, advance without
orders.

Now we came to the critical point.  Each side has lost an infantry regiment on the right and all are damaged.  Each side has had some cavalry rout.  But, the allies have been given a joker by the deck of cards, so a critical first fire is ensured.

Routing the Lilienberg hussars, the cuirassiers pursue, catch
and destroy them.

The melee continues as the Rondovian infantry advances and the
lights reorder behind them.

We all assumed that the odds would catch up to the hussars, but the third round of melee saw them win again and the Rondovian cuirassiers, below 50% strength, could not stand.  Elsewhere the Latverian cuirassiers showed how it was done by routing Rondovian hussars and catching them in pursuit.

The remaining Rondovian cuirassiers have had enough and rout.

Confident, the Litharusian brigade comes to grips with the enemy.

As the Litharusian infantry advanced, their two cuirassier squadrons maneuvered to charge and put an end to things.  On the other wing the Rondovian infantry and 2nd Battery put the final touch on an enemy regiment, which forced to test morale, routed.

Rondovian front is cleared, cuirassiers are ready to charge.  The
lights have reformed and protect their backs.

General Gogal and his AdC have reason to be pleased.  General
Orlov will be denied his chance to charge with the heavies.

It was now two shot-up Litharusian regiments and the fresh Rondovian infantry against one line and the small light battalion.  The Litharusian regiment that routed, who will remain un-named to protect their honor, rallied in the midst of Cressey amid the whistles and jeers of the populace.  The Latverian cavalry was either routed, retreating, or far removed from the main battleground.  So their commander ordered a retreat.  If there was another battle to follow we would have vigorously pursued and perhaps captured or destroyed them.  But there was no reason to shed more Litharusian blood for Rondovia, so we let them go.

In the days that followed the battered Latverian army limped home, only modestly pursued by the victors, happy instead just to see them go.  The only combat now was diplomatic in nature as Count Lippe of Litharus went to work to secure the future.  In the end, the final treaty ensured that Rondovia would come under the protection of Litharus while retaining its independence.  Litharus will provide garrisons as requested to guarantee the security of Rondovia and the Rondovia military will serve with Litharus in time of need.  The question of war reparations and the store of missing gunpowder from the arsenal were left for another day.