Following recent discussions on scenarios and table quarters and stuff, I thought I'd send the list a copy of a scenario I'm working on. My plan is to do a book similar to armies of Antiquity, but which instead has twenty or so scenarios made to this format. The format I've come up with is designed to work with _any_ two army's, but includes notes for fielding 'army varients' based on the two that actually fought. That means that while the Sambre River was fought between Romans and Barbarians, you don't have to have these armies to use it.
Let me know what you think...
Jervis
July, 57 BC: About five miles south-east of modern Maubeuge in northern France.
In 58 BC Gaius Julius Caesar invaded Gaul bent on its conquest. One of the most desperate battles of the war that resulted from this invasion was fought against a coalition of three Gaulish tribes, who, in July 57 BC, had secretly concentrated an army in some heavily wooded terrain just across the Sambre river from where Julius was planning to camp.
Caesar's force was somewhat dispersed, and split into two main contingents. Caesar and the bulk of his army were busy building a camp along a ridgeline by the Sambre river, while the rest of his army and the army's baggage train was still slowly making it's way to the camp-site, and were some miles away when the Gauls attacked. The tribesmen had deployed under cover in a forest on the other side of the Sambre river from Caesar's camp, and were split into four groups of warriors with some flanking light cavalry.
The resulting battle was a desperate affair. It opened with the Gauls swarming out of the forest and across the river (which was only 3 foot deep) to attack Caesar's disorganised troops. The battle was a chaotic one, and according to his commentaries Caesar himself needed to fight in the front ranks in order to stiffen his men's resolve. Eventually his example, supplemented by Roman discipline and the timely arrival of the troops that had been guarding the baggage train, turned the tide in Caesar's favour, and the Gaul's were defeated. None the less it was a very close run thing, and could easily have gone either way.
There are two sides in this battle; Caesar's army versus the Gaulish Alliance. Both armies should be chosen to the same points value, using any WAB army list the players wish to use. Caesar's army is split into two contingents; one must be smaller than the other (in terms of points), and may not include the army general or army standard. Units may not be split between the two contingents.
****** There should be a map here, but I can't email it! Basically the Romans set up on a large hill, that starts about 12-16" away from the Sambre River ******
The game continues until one of the army' breaks, or the end of Caesar's eigth turn, whichever comes first. If one army breaks then the other side wins. If neither side has broken at the end of the eigth turn, use victory points to determine the winner.
The Romans set up first. The larger of the two contingents deploy upon the hill, except for one unit that may set up between the hill and river (see the special rules below). The smaller contingent will enter later. No models in the Roman army may deploy more than 24" away from the Sambre river.
The Gauls set up using special rules, as described below. The Gauls have the first turn.
SPECIAL RULESThe following special rules apply to this scenario. Surprise Attack! The Gauls caught Caesar by surprise as his troops were constructing their camp. To represent this all of the Roman army, with the exception of one unit of skirmishers or light cavalry which can be deployed as a picket line (see below), must deploy on the hill. The units deployed on the hill are constructing the Roman camp, and so are deployed in skirmish formation, even if not normally allowed to do so. Take a Ld test for each unit on the hill at the start of the first Roman turn. If the test is passed then the unit reforms into a normal formation, but may not do anything else that turn. If the test if failed then the unit reforms in the second Roman turn, and again can't do anything else on the turn it reforms. Roman units that have been attacked while in skirmish formation may not reform until they have beaten their attackers off. Units deployed on the hill that can operate in skirmish formation may reform normally without taking a Ld test, or can remain in skirmish formation and move on the first turn. Note that in this scenario, units can reform on the first or second turn even if they lack a musician. The Picket Line One unit of skirmishers or light cavalry can be set up anywhere between the hill and the Sambre river, if the Roman player desires. This unit is set-up normally, and doesn't have to reform in order to do anything. The Gauls Surge Forth! Rather than setting up the Gaulish alliance army in the forest (a thankless task, especially seeing as how they are going to come rushing out anyway on the first turn!), deploy them in the Gaulish players first turn, using the following special rules. Roll 3D6 for each unit. The result is the number of inches away from the Sambre river the unit can deploy (on the Roman side). If there is an enemy unit within this range, then the Gauls can deploy in contact, an count as charging. Gaulish units cannot set up in a position that would leave any Roman models between the Gaulish unit and the Sambre (i.e. you can 'hop over' the Roman picket line!). This special set up counts as the Gauls move for the first turn, and they may not move normally. They can shoot (counting as moving) and fight (counting as charging) on the first turn, however. Roman Reinforcements The smaller Roman contingent arrives on the third or fourth Roman turn. The Roman player rolls a D6 for the contingent at the start of turn 3. On a roll of 4+ it arrives that turn, and on a roll of 1-3 it arrives at the start of the fourth Roman turn. The contingent deploys following the rules for flank marching troops in the Flank Attack scenario in the Warhammer Ancient Battles rulebook. It may deploy anywhere on the table edge on the Roman side of the river, but all units must deploy together within 12" of a single point. |
The following 'army list variants' can be used to pick an army based on the ones that fought in this battle. Armies picked using this variant can be used in any game; they don't just have to be used for this scenario.
Use the Roman army list in the Warhammer Ancient Battles rulebook to represent Caesar's army. Caesar's army consisted almost entirely of legionaries, backed up by allied and mercenary contingents of light infantry and cavalry (the well- trained auxiliaries of the Empire still lying some time in the future). To represent this the army may only include the following types of troops: characters, veteran legionaries, regular legionaries, raw recruits, and bolt throwers. In addition up to 10% of the army's points may be spent on Celt, Greek and Spanish allies, as described in the Republican Roman army list.
Gaius Julius Caesar: Caesar's army must be led by Caesar (doh!). He has the same characteristics as a normal Roman army general, but the following special rules apply to him. He costs 200 points.
**** Insert Special Rules From Pharsulus Campaign (sorry guys, I still need to do this!) ****
Use the Barbarian list from the Warhammer Ancient Battles rulebook to pick the Gaulish Alliance army. The vast bulk of the army was made up of warrior warbands, with a small contingent of cavalry providing support on the flanks. Therefore the army may only include the following troops: characters, warriors, fanatic warriors, barbarian light cavalry, and skirmishers. At least two thirds of the armies points must be spent on warriors; the remaining third may be spent on characters and other troops.
The Nervii: About half of the troops in the Alliance came from the Nervii tribe, who were noted for their ferocity and warlike ability. To represent this half (rounding up) of the units of warriors (including fanatic warriors) in the army may be designated as Nervii. In addition a number of characters equal to the number of Nervii units in the army can be designated as being Nervii as well. Nervii models have +1 WS and +1 Ld.