'Brythunian Border Chase' - Princess Zamora and the Hyborian Campaign' Part #1

When you only have medievals and ancients in old 25mm, but not enough for both sides? ...why then it's time for a Robert E Howard 'Conan' based 'Hyboria' mini campaign using 'Battle Command: Ancients & Medieval'. (Echoes of Tony Bath's legendary 1960s games of course).

Conan leads Brythunian Pike...well, for 10 minutes anyway until he gets distracted by Princess Zamora

 Forces based heavily upon the old 1975 FGU publication 'Royal Armies of the Hyborian Age' by Lin Carter.

 

This excellent Campaign is taken ladder from 'Maudlin Jack Tarr's' superb blog; forces are Brythunian mercenaries ('not' Greeks) (who have kidnapped Princess Zamora) vs 'Nemedian Knights and Adventurers' ('not' Normans and Crusaders) in hot pursuit. 

 

MJT's seminal campaign ladder

 

Conan, torn between saving the Princess and despatching the vile Thoth Amon, appeared/disappeared in the battle whenever initiative rolls were equal - and has the unique ability to challenge an opposing leader to single combat. If they refuse the challenge, they downgrade a leadership dice; if they accept, they are probably dead anyway (Conan is D12+2).

 

Conan attempts to rescue the nekkid lady

 

Great fun - An epic struggle and VERY close game (down to last card on both sides)- though the Nemedians were driven off (with Conan's help), with the Brythunian force absolutely devastated -which will affect subsequent battles of course.

 

Nemedian foot knights make moves...though the Brythunian pikes and phalanx are not easy to take on

Brythunian pike

Some nice flanking actions...the rules enable these very well

On the Nemedian right, Knights and Heavy Cavalry, stare angrily at each other, knowing that they will have extra battles in the campaign to fight

Nemedian Adventurers on their left flank, in the fight all day long

The Nemedians have an effective wedge in the centre of the battlefield. The Brythunians bloody themselves on the Nemedian left all day long

Conan leads the Brythunian pikes, until he is distracted

Brythunian medium cavalry is completely devastated - half of the dead units will return for the next battle, but the medium horse did not fair well

Conan buggers off to fight Thoth Amon

'Where did Conan go mate?'

Hard staring on the Brythunian left

Light archers vs steel - does not end well

The Nemedian 'wedgie'

Medium Cav devastated against the Nemedian adventurers

'Steady, steady

By game end, in a VERY close game, down to the last army morale card and a roll to continue... the Nemedians pull away from the battlefield, with what is left of the Brythunians giving chase, and hanging on to Princess Zamora... the next game will be a Nemedian village defence, which could be a major problem for the 'wrecked' Brythunian force... very Pyrrhic victory.

 

Next game in the campaign will see the retreating Nemedians defending a village near the border. This will be a tough ask for the already bloodied Brythunian force...especially since the Nemedian Knights remained untouched during the battle...though Brythunian pikes are a tough nut to crack... 

 

Be careful Conan, when you pray to Crom ...

 

Sometimes he hears you...