The Pontics invaded
The key terrain was a follows - from the Pontic position
a Marsh on the left near the Pontic side of the middle line and an
Orchard on the far right again towards the Pontic side of the centre
line
In the Roman deployment area was a scrubby hill right of centre
Again from the Pontic position the Romans deployed back but with 8
Bds in the centre 4 x 2 with the sub and on the far right the Ax(S)
and the LH
to the left of the centre were the other block of the legionaries
with the German Cav in line supported behind by the Ps extending out
on the left.
None of the legionaries looked particularly old or inexperienced.
We shall gloss over what happened with the baggage - mix up whether
off table or on - in the end they were behind the central command
The Pontics worked out that a command was missing but where ?
No 3rd general visible
Fortunately we had a scouting stratagem which detected the presence
of a Bd behind the scrubby hill crest - although one LH and a Ps
didnt get back to report.
The Pontics deployed with Pharnaces and his light command on the left
intending to push through the marsh and swarm the Romans opposite
(the germans) supported by the Scythed Chariot between his command
and - the heavy foot in the centre with skirmish support under the
dutiful command of Bituitus the Galatian
Mithridates himself stood on the right with his mounted command
including the mighty horse lords
His Scythian shamans were leading the menagerie but had not yet
arrived following a hectic night - (that stag does like to party).
The Romans took first move and spurred on by the the magic mules
began to manouevre wonderfully - the germans pushed wide and forward
with the Psiloi coming forward to take on the chariot. Slow move in
the centre but the surprise was the other 3 blades AND an Elephant
behind the hill crest (that expalins what happened to the scouts) -
the elephant unfortunately was aimed straight at the horse lords who
although partial to elephant steak aint too keen to have a live one
near them.
on the Pontic right the Ax an LH began to come forward to threaten
The Pontic first turn saw a poor 1 for Pharnaces so the Ax didnt get
out the Marsh to support the scythed chariot who had to go forward
impetuosly towards the waiting German Ps (no pips to wheel it towards
the legionaries. In the Centre Bituitus screamed at the Galatians to
stay put whilst he tried to rearrange the skirmishers to see off the
elephant and rescue the horse lords.
Mithridates similarly told the horse lords to stay put - eyeing the
advancing Roman blades whilst getting his more steady mounted to slow
up the advance.
The game then played out in essence the Scythed chariot and Elephant
performed similar roles causing both centre/centre rights initial
problems in reacting to the danger - The scythed chariot in the end
carved through a couple of Ps before finally hitting a column of
blades redeploying in the flank - it did this during its pursuit so
the blades had the opportiunity to react (and Germans swarmed the
chariot killing it but breaking up that flank badly which the Ax
capitalsed on - that command lost 3 German Ps and a german Cv and
finshed disheartened -Pontic losses were an Ax(S) 6-1d by a Ps(S) in
the first combat in the Ax turn - standard bearer as well - typical
and another Ax(S) - and obviosuly the chariot.
In the centre and the centre right - the intervention of the Ps and a
LH sacrifice slowed the elephant enough that the horse lords were Ok
and charged the double ranked bd - first charge they had it all going
their own way - overlapped each end of the line but armed with
feather dusters - they all bounced - Toby did not go back to contact
next turn when they are at their most vulnerable (he forgot he wasnt
Qkd that bound) - In the next bound with no overlaps the horse lords
made their presence felt taking out 3 legionaries from the central
command.
On the far right the fight between the mounted resulted in a slow win
to the Pontics which coupled with the legionary loss dishearted that
command - now the Pontic foot engaged as well and coupled with the
horse lords breaking through collapsed the Roman centre -
"Cometh the hour cometh the horse lords"
disheartening both wings - the cry of "Hoi you lot haven't you got
some homes to goto" led to the end of the game - with the Romans on
the verge of complete defeat -Pontic casualties were minimal (one Kn
did die to the Roman sub gen who valiantly charged in to atone for
his defeat.)
The game was probably dictated by the use of the 2 expendables (I
will class the El as an expendable here as that is exactly how Toby
used it) and the reactions they both caused -
As ever a very enjoyable game - which didnt take long to play once we
had finished yakking - we played about 6 bounds I reckon.
Despite the wide difference in the casualty loss (I suspect it would
have concluded 25-0 as the Pontics had lost 8%) it was a tense game -
cracking stiff as ever.