To the Table:
So, we have a confrontation. Caeog has 2,770 men - more than he had at the Nida. His men are on a rise to the west of the river, with a thin skirmish line in front.
Again, he has organized his force into three "Battles". He commands the centre, with the bulk of the elite warriors and his scatter of pony riders under his direct command. Cyfwlch will command the right. Cairbre, the late Tewdrig's cousin, will command the left
The Romans have built a hurried marching camp on the rising ground THEIR side of the river, then deployed.
Caesitius has his own, 2nd, cohort (at a strength of 304 men), Flaccus's 8th cohort (280 men - two centuries being left to man the camp), Albinius' 3rd cohort (likewise 280 - one century left at the camp) and Caninia's 9th (294 men - one century left at the camp*).
(*Also at the camp are the servants attached to the various units and half the ballistae, so Caesitius is happy that he won't have to worry about it during the battle.)
He also has twelve ballistae to deploy, Burriana's Dalmatians (with 38 horse and 165 foot), and the 1st Morini infantry (300 foot), II Nervii (240 foot), plus turmae from IVth Gauls (90 horse) and 1st Tungrians (130 cavalry)
This totals around a perfectly decent 1,158 legionaries, 705 auxiliary foot and 258 cavalry.
The only thing working against the Romans is the river (more a disruption than an actual obstacle) and the slope set well back from the riverbank, otherwise Caesitius feels confident.
[Technical: I'll work on a 1:10 scale for the bods on the table.
On the Roman side the tactical unit will be the cohort or individual cavalry regiment/unit. However, foot cohorts above a strength of sixteen figures have sub-commanders and are, in effect, mini "formations" and can alter formation and "split" if desired.
The Silures the three "Battles" are likewise "formations" of units. They can alter formation, but cannot "split" voluntarily. They can be "split" by events.
Activation will be according to basic SP principles, with each Army commander having tokens allocated to activate them and each formation having an activation token allocated. Roman artillery have one token to cover all ballistae.
There are also SP "Command Tokens" for both sides (Romans have more), and an "Army Token" for each side - whereby an entire army can be activated that move, but IF so activated MUST move as if a giant "formation" (i.e moves as one and cannot "split" that move). If moved in this manner the unit cannot again be Activated, but unit commanders can be to remove Disruption.
There is also a "Cohort Token" allowing the Roman player (only) to move any group of adjacent cohorts as if they were already a "Formation". Late, individual leader activation acts as above.
The Roman advantages in tokens are there to replicate their superior command and control structure.
There is also a Wild Token and two "Special Tokens" which, it revealed, are diced for on a 1x6D. On a throw of 6 the Token is Activated and its effect further diced for (see tables). The token concerned is then removed from the mix. If not Activated it is returned to the mix.
As usual, Technical Notes are in Italics and squared brackets.]
The Game:
First Move and the Romans get a whole Army Activation Token, and throw their troops across the river. All units suffer Disruption from the crossing [Ave D throw], but nothing disastrous.
Caeog moves his skirmish line forward, and these cause more Disruption problems for the Romans. A few auxiliaries and legionaries become casualties - but so also does a centurion from one of the legion cohorts (THAT'S what comes of leading from the front when the stones start flying).
Caeog also moves his centre to the "military crest" of the slope.
Suddenly, Cyfwlch, on the right, launches his whole wing at the Romans, catching one of their lead cavalry units (IVth Gauls) as they struggle up from the river and, after a brief but bloody fight, scatters them. His high status warriors engage Burriana's blue-shielded Dalmatian foot, who, though bloodied, hold their own.
Cairbre moves HIS wing to the "Military Crest", some distance from Caeog to counter this threat from the Tungrian horse, only to see the Morini, the Roman rightmost (Green Shields) cohort of Auxiliary foot push forwards towards him.
On the right Cyfwlch's warriors continue their struggle with Burriana's command, but his rightmost unit by-passes the fighting to their front and themselves reach the river, following the now withdrawing second (smaller) Roman cavalry unit (Burriana's mounted Dalmatians), while the already-scattered Gauls flee the field.
Behind the fighting the Nervii (Yellow Shields) auxiliaries angle back to protect the Roman flank and rear.
The Roman legionary cohorts' Command and Control advantage allows them to reduce Disruption, but things are by no means certain at this moment, especially when the stones and arrows rain in from Caeog's skirmishers.
Caeog shifts his small cavalry unit towards his right-centre.
Move Three: The rightmost legion cohort pushes ahead, while the cavalry on IT'S right pull back a little to keep themselves out of reach of Cyfwlch's men.
Caestius brings his cohort across the river.
The enemy skirmishers, who are keeping well away from the Roman shields, loose off some more volleys as they pull back; causing disruption and a scatter of casualties, but again, nothing to seriously worry about.
It is on the Silure right that things are developing. The Roman horse are either pulling back or already scattered, and Cyfwlch's far right warriors are across the river. Although his prime warriors are suffering in their fight with Burriena's men Cyfwlch calls for one last effort - and suddenly the Dalmations are running; taking one of the ballista crews with them and abandoning their wounded.
The Yellow Shielded Nervii are shaken, but hold, but the whole Roman left is in chaos and the flank and rear of the legion cohorts exposed. Things are NOT looking good for the Romans - and nobody is more surprised than me....
Caeog mounts up himself, and moves forward to inspire his men in the centre.
Move Four: The Romans shake out their Legionary line, pushing forward to the bottom of the steep slope fronting Caeog's centre and extending their leftmost cohort to guard the flank of the legionaries. They get hit by shooting from the withdrawing Silurian skirmishers, which they can do without.
In the Roman rear left the Nervii withdraw a little, badly upset by the collapse of the cavalry and the Dalmatian foot, but the nearest ballistae loose in a flurry of action* causing chaos and casualties among Cyfwlch's densely-packed command (he himself having a couple of near misses).[*Thanks to extra Command Points. The Romans have been lucky with these.]
Although buoyed-up by their success Cyfwlch's command has by now suffered BADLY from accumulated Disruption, due to fighting over the river, casualties, heavy losses from the ballistae* and general disorganization in the heat of battle. Cyfwlch really needs to get his men in hand and sort this, or they will be in no state to attack successfully, and at a severe disadvantage if attacked..
[*Their biggest "clump/formation is deep - six figures on the table, so around eighteen to twenty men deep "in real", so every bolt has a greater chance of hitting someone - and with no saving throws this HURTS - and causes more Disruption/Shock than normal missile fire.]
Suddenly part of Cairbre's wing goes into a spontaneous charge*, hitting the Morini - and driving them back! Cairbre moves his other unit to cover their flank, but this is another unexpected success. The Silures are feeling buoyant.
[*Special Event token draw. Which unit is affected is decided by dice test.]
Move Five: In a sudden rush two of the legionary cohorts in the centre throw themselves up the steep slope to get at Caeog's elite warriors, hurling their pila as they come and taking advantage of the gaps caused as they gain a foothold on the crest.
However, the clamber up the steep slope has caused some Disorder. There is a hard-fought melee, but although Caeog's men have been badly hit by the Roman missiles they are fresh - and, amazingly, the Romans are pushed back; halting at the base of the slope to regroup. No serious losses, but this is a setback for the Romans - their first one-two rush with pila if one of their advantages. That it failed to break the enemy is bad news.
However, it is not all bad for the men from Tiberside; their artillery continues to rip though Cyfwlch's ranks and the Dalmatian cavalry on their left rallies behind the Nervii, who themselves get into order and adjust to meet any threat from the enemy right.
Suddenly the far left legion cohort turns - and hacks into the rear of Cyfwlch's levies. This SHOULD be enough to break them but no! Once again the dice are against the Romans and despite causing casualties with their pila the actual melee is indecisive. It may just be a question of time before the levies break, but time may not be on the Romans' side.
Over on the Silurian left Cairbre pulls his better quality troops further back to guard against the Tungrian horse on the Roman right - who themselves have pushed to overlap round the enemy flank.
Also on that side of the field the warriors fighting the Nervii are hurled back. The Nervii do not pursue - they have too much Disruption to risk it.Caesetius shifts the angle of HIS cohort, the reserve, to threaten Cyfwlch's left flank, but he has spent to much time getting his ranks in good order to actually attack.
As the move ends there is still all to play for. Both sides have units which have suffered losses and Disruption - and I have the feeling that the first side to have a unit break will suffer a cataclysmic domino effect...
Move Six: The Silure skirmishers shift forward and pelt the Roman legionary line, in the centre, causing some minor Disruption issues and casualties. The legionaries themselves spend their move removing Disruption, as do the Nervii to their right. Caeog spends his move steadying his men too.
Both sides seem to be taking a breather, but then, over on the Celtic left, while Cairbre pulls his levies back to the slope to recover, suddenly, with a thunder of hooves, the Tungrians charge his unit of higher class (middling) troops. Some of his men fall, but they hold. The Roman cavalry's advantage in a charge has not done it's job - and the Tungrians would be advised to pull back next move, if they have the chance..
Meanwhile, on the Silure, right the legion cohort which had charged the back end of Cyfwlch's command are still in melee. Amazingly the rag-tag-and-bobtail levy are still holding! If they continue to hold next move the Romans MUST pull back.
Not the decisive move it might have been, but interesting.
Move Seven: The skirmishers again pelt the Roman line. The Romans again try to remove Disruption. The melees are inconclusive.
An Event causes the rear units of Caeog's centre to spontaneously pull back. He in turn pulls back his elites, and tries to rally some of the Disruption from them.
But suddenly the Dalmatian cavalry charge into the flank of Cyfwlch's elite warriors, breaking them. They in turn run up against the levies behind them - and both units flee. This freaks the small Celtic cavalry unit, who ride up towards Caeog. Cyfwlch manages to keep his other warriors in hand, and shifts them back slightly.
Move Eight: The Dalmatians pull back behind the legionary lines as these cohorts reorganize and try to get rid of the Disorder they have, despite more harassment from the skirmishers. The Morini do the same. In fact both armies are desperately trying to bring more order to their units.The Nervii and Caesitius's cohort advance towards Cyfwlch.
The Tungrians turn to ride off from Cairbre's men, who do not pursue.
The broken Celtic units continue their flight, while the cohort which attacked Cyfwlch's levies straighten line and wheel to face the enemy skirmish line.
Move Nine: The legionary cohorts get themselves organised, then get on the move.
Caesitius's cohort charges Cyfwlch's remaining unpanicked warriors, as do the Nervii; but the melee is indecisive.
The two right-hand legion cohorts, taking advantage of Caeog's men falling back from the crest, charge uphill at at them; but again, this only results in a slogging match. The steep slope to the crest always seems to disorder the Romans slogging up it enough to make them lose momentum.
The same happens when the Morini charge Cairbre's levies.
Again, the skirmishers annoy the Roman line.
The small unit of Celtic horsemen charge the only unengaged legionary cohort - but again this becomes a half-hearted melee. Basically both sides are tired*, and with the legionary advantage of pila and charge expended there is nothing in any face to face encounter that's going to cause a major upset without Fate taking a hand.
[*And the dice uncooperative.]
The Tungrian cavalry reform.
Move Ten: Caeog throws his centre warriors at the Roman cohort facing him - and pushes it back !! The Romans who had forced their way up the slopes have NOT managed to pierce his line and are themselves looking vulnerable.
Caeog's horse are still in melee and, surprisingly, still alive.
On his left Cairbre's men are, also surprisingly, holding their own against the Morini, while the man himself tries to reduce Disruption.
Only on Caeog's far right are things not going well for the Celts, as Cyfwlch's remaining warriors are forced back by the enemy leader's cohort and the Nervii. Almost incredibly the remaining Silures here haven't yet broken - almost entirely due to Lady Luck and Cyfwlch's inspiring presence. However, they are unlikely to survive into another move.
Or, indeed, this one: their moral shatters, and they, with Cyfwlch, flee the field.
Move Eleven: The Dalmatians charge the rightmost elements of the enemy skirmish line, and harry them into withdrawing, but causing minimal loss.
Caesitius organises his left wing, steadying his two leftmost cohorts and bringing the Nervii across the river.
The enemy cavalry pull back, and hover on the hill facing Caesitius.
In the centre, Caeog holds his men in hand, but to his left, while the Morini engage their front, a cohort charges into the flank of Cairbre's levies. They break.
Move Twelve: In the centre Caeog's elites are engaged with a cohort. His men are exhausted and shaken, but they hold; shaking the Romans in their turn. This has been a hard-fought melee in the centre, with both sides unwilling to give up.
But the end is in sight. Cairbre's warriors, having seen their supports flee, are charged by the Morini. They fight them off, but start to pull back. Caeog's centre is being outflanked on the left, and the enemy cavalry are still hovering in the distance beyond the disintegrating left wing. Caesitius, with two cohorts and the Nervii, is advancing in good order on his right.
Move Thirteen: Cairbre pulls his remaining men off the field, as the Roman right creeps forward.
The skirmishers pull off the field too, followed by Caeog's reserve warriors, who have done practically nothing all battle, and who now back away.The Silure cavalry likewise turn and trot off as Caesitius presses forward with his now dressed and steady ranks of legionaries and auxilia.
Caeog, his battered elites still screaming defiance at the exhausted Romans in front of them, slowly backs them off, carrying their wounded.
By pulling back in good order now, before Caesitius can bring his wing up to the ridge, Caeog seems to have avoided a rout - and pursuit off-table.
Move Thirteen: Or not.... The Roman central cohort surges forward in one last one push, then, as Caeog's elites fight back, one of Caesitius's his cohorts slams into their flank. They break, finally shattering army morale.
While the bulk of Caesitius's men are exhausted or too far away to affect matters he still has his cavalry. They thunder off-table after the fleeing enemy.
The battle is over.
Summary: That was tense and fun. I had no way of calculating which way that was going once battle was joined.
From the outset, once their left side cavalry and Burriena's men had cut and run (!), Roman Army Morale was dented. This, and the stalwart (!!) efforts of Caeog's and Cyfwlch's commands, plus Cairbre's steadiness, added to the problem of the steep slope, prevented a Roman walkover.
With their first pilum-assisted rushes proving to be of no avail, the battle in the centre became a slogging match, and with Lady Luck helping to keep Cyfwlch's men on the table longer than they perhaps deserved, the Romans couldn't even rush the flank in the early stages.
The Silure skirmishers were MUCH more effective than they had any right to be (Fate again), constantly niggling away at the legionary Disruption levels, and most of the levies held up better than expected.
As always, comments and queries welcomed. Next; the post-battle accounting and finding out "What Happens next"
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