Introduction and Overview of the Rules

This is a fictional mid-18th Century campaign set on the romance continent of Heldenland. The game starts in AD 1750. There are five players. The battle rules will be Old Dessauer 15mm. This is a land-grab game. Each player starts with a 1600-point tax base. The first player to end a game-year with a tax base of 4800 points is the winner. If several players fulfil this condition the same year, the player with the largest tax base is the winner.

Scales

1. Each hex = 25 miles across
2. One turn = 1 month
3. One game-year = 6 turns (we ignore the winter months – they pass instantly)

Public Treaties

I will publish public treaties at the start of the turn when I receive them, or at the start of the game-year if I get one during a buy. Public treaties may not be secret or delayed.

The Map

• Roads: Brown lines
• Rivers: Blue lines.
• Rough terrain: Brown or green hexes
• Mountain: Dark brown hexes
• Clear terrain: Cream-colored hexes
• Cities: Block patterns with names, tax values, and flag markers to show loyalty.
• Provinces: Sets of hexes outlines in black. Each province has a name and a note as to its total tax value. Provinces are indivisible.
• Sea areas: Water areas outlined in blue. Each has an ID and wind markers denoting the prevailing winds from one area into another.
• Ports: All coastal cities are ports.
• Good holding: Coastal hexes marked with a small dot. These are hexes outside of a port where you may embark or debark troops from transports. Other coastal hexes have shoals, reefs, poor holding ground, high surf, etc. that prevent large-scale amphibious operations.

Capitol Cities

A capitol city’s treasury is immobile during the game-year. At the end of the year, however, you may transfer unspent crowns from a captured capitol to yourself or to another player.

The Nations and Neutral Provinces

• Eisenmark (F,K,L): Eisenmarkers are known for the shattering effect of their volley fire. If a unit loses a fire test when hit by steady Eisenmark musketry, it suffers 1 extra rout hit.
• Morgronskia (N,P): Morgronskians are known for stubborn courage but not initiative or dash. Therefore Morgronskian infantry get a +1 on fire tests if it was stationary on its prior move.
• Unterreich (E,S): Unterreich can draw on certain border areas for wild light infantry. Therefore Unterreich may buy Grade D irregular light infantry (see cost chart).
• Fromande (G,H): Fromandians are known for elan and fierce courage on the attack. Therefore Fromandian infantry gets +1 on fire tests if it advanced full on its prior move.
• Hispardia (J,M,R): Hispardia is famous for the pride and courage of its horsemen. Therefore Hispardian cavalry gets +1 on fire tests if it advanced ˝ speed or more on its prior turn.
• Neutrals (A,V,C,Q,O,U,W,I): These have no starting forces and are up for grabs.

General Intelligence

• Small: 3 or fewer ships, 100 or fewer land troops. Markers about 0.4" square.
• Large: 4-8 ships, 101-300 land troops. Markers about 0.6" square.
• Huge: 9+ ships, 301+ land troops. Markers about 0.8" square.

Generals, gunners, and guns do not count toward these totals.

Full Rules

The Map and Initial setup (October 2009)

AD 1750, Turn 1 (October 2009)

Treaty Announcement Made Turn 1 of 1750:
Written Treaty Between the Countries of Unterreich and Fromande Dated March in the year 1750.
Be it known that between these two great countries a pact exists that includes the following terms and conditions:

1. Both countries agree to a mutual non-aggression pact.
2. If possible, both countries agree to support the other if their respective countries borders are crossed by enemy troops. This support is expressly not guaranteed as the current shortage of trained troops may not allow such support. It is strictly a measure of good intentions.
3. This treaty will last thru the campaign year of 1750 and will have to be renewed each following year.

AD 1750, Turn 2 (November 2009)

AD 1750, Turn 3 (November 2009)

AD 1750, Turn 4 (December 2009)

AD 1750, Turn 5 (December 2009)

AD 1750, Turn 6 (January 2010)

• Unterreich and Morgronskia attacked Eisenmark, conquering all of one province and part of another. Unterreich got by far the majority of the spoils from this campaign. Morgronskia spent the game-year pinning one of Eisenmark's armies in its capitol and had nothing to show for the year but half taxes from one city.
• Hispardia spent a distracted year shuffling forces from one city to another but did manage to land a force on the island of Quennder. Unfortunately the force was not large enough to hold Q2 and also grab Q1 this year.
• Fromande got the message that the game is about provinces. Fromande conquered Arden and kept Hispardia from grabbing all of Iarstain.

• Eisenmark: L, K2, K4 = 900
• Morgronskia: Home provinces plus 100 for K1 = 1700
• Unterreich: Home provinces plus F, K3, O2, W2, W3 = 1600 + 500 = 2100
• Hispardia: Hom provinces plus I1, I2, I4, Q2 = 1600 + 500 = 2100
• Fromande: Home provinces plus A, I3 = 1600 + 750 = 2350

The Map and Initial Setup for AD 1751 (January 2010)

Treaty Announcement for Start of 1751:
Written between the countries of Hispardia and Fromande to take effect on turn one of the campaign year 1751.

1. A mutual non-aggression pact on all cities and territories currently held. These include Hispardia, Quennder, Iarstain, Fromande, and Arden.
2. This contract will be for a period on two years.
3. Terms may be re-negotiated or terminated at any time if both parties agree.

Treaty Announcement for Start of 1751:
Fromande renounces its non-agression treaty with Unterreich.

AD 1751, Turn 1 (January 2010)

AD 1751, Turn 2 (February 2010)

AD 1751, Turn 3 (February 2010)

This turn saw a very string move by Morgronskia: Their fleet in S1 used the wind arrows to swoop across the northenr seas, capturing an entire Hispardian army in S13. But Hispardia would avenge this effrontery...

AD 1751, Turn 4 (February 2010)

AD 1751, Turn 5 (March 2010)

AD 1751, Turn 6 (April 2010)

• The war against Eisenmark ground into a stalemate this year.
• Fromande refused to renew its treaty with Unterreich and invaded that nation from the rear. Unterreich frantically shifted its forces back east, but not in time to save its capitol. They did however conquer Wellingwood and take the city of G3.
• The Morgronskians kept up their desultory siege of K2 while Eisenmark conquered the island of Voldane.
• Hispardia completed the takeover of Quennder. However, on the way back to make port in I4 the Morgronskians swept eastwards with a fleet of warships, intercepting the Hispardian fleet in S9 and capturing an entire army in its transports.
• Hispardia did not take this lightly. The Prince sent a strong army westwards to capture both P1 and N5 (the Morgronskian capitol), also inflicting a sharp defeat on the Morgronskians trying to reinforce N5.

• Eisenmark: 800+200+100+400 = 1500 crowns
• Morgronskia: N: 400 P: 400 K1: 100 = 900 * 3/4 = 675
• Unterreich: K3: 50, F: 200 (enemy home provinces never change loyalty), O2: 100, O3: 50, E: 500, S: 200, W: 400, G3: 50 = 1550 X 3/4 = 1125
• Hispardia: P1: 200, N5: 262 (62 crowns in treasury) M: 800, J: 500, cities in I: 350, Q: 400 = 2512 + 22 in treasury = 2532
• Fromande: I3: 50, H: 400, B: 400, A: 700, G: 700, S1: 200, S3: 200, 2 crowns in enemy treasury, 9 crowns in yours = 2661

The Map of Initial Setup for AD 1752 (April 2010)

Treaty Announcement for Start of 1752:
Written between the countries of Hispardia and Morgronskia to take effect on turn one of the campaign year 1752.

1. Morgronskia and Hispardia announce a perpetual guarantee of peace.
2. Return of the Mongronskian capital and P1 for 50 crowns turn 1 of 1752 and 50 crowns turn 2.
3. The return of the ridiculous Mongronskian generals captured in the defense of N5. However they must be pubicly humiliated in each Mongronskian city in an official "Tour of Shame."
4. The return of the Hispardian army to M3 as soon as possible.
5. Hispardian forces may occupy and use P3 as a supply center for 1752 and 1753 and the next, but must withdraw by no later than the first move of the third year. Mongroskia may negotiate an end to this occupation a year early at a cost of 50 golds with the agreement of Hispardia.
6. Hispardia guarantees the exit of all Hispardian troops from all Mongronskian territory with the exception of P3 by the end of 1752.

(Funny, no mention of the Ruhr coal fields or the Sedetenland ...)

AD 1752, Turn 1 (May 2010)

Turn 1 featured our second battle, the Battle of K2.

Treaty Announcement Turn 1 1752:
The counties of Unterreich and Fromande agree to the following treaty:

1. A non-aggression pact lasting two campaign years.
2. Mutual use of each other's depots.
3. This treaty may be re-negotiated or terminated at any time if both parties agree.
4. Free movement through each other's countries and towns through the end of 1753

Upon learning of this treaty, and worse the capture of I2 by an Unterreich army, the Prince of Hispardia grew mad wroth. His ambassador at the Court of Fromande, looking down his aristocratic nose at the ironic visage of the Duc de Fromande, made this proclamation:

"Your Grace: Our treaty specifies a mutual non-aggression pact on all cities and territories currently held. These include Hispardia, Quennder, Iarstain, Fromande, and Arden.

"Non-aggression does not imply holding on to Hispardian possessions in Iarstain conquered by a third party. It was my territory, I still claim it, I received revenue from it last year, and let's just call this what it is but an unprovoked attack on Hispardian territory in violation of our treaty by Fromande surrogates.

"That Unterreich does his master's bidding is not surprising. He is simply the bought dog of those Fromande who hold his capital, and all the niceties extended to him are merely window dressing for the designs of Fromande, which is to steal Hispardian territory, bought with the lives of Unterreich soldiers. The reckoning will come and Hispardia finds Fromande in violation of our sacred treaty regardless whether those mercantile dogs who give us our loans do or not. It will be Hispardian soldiers shedding Fromande blood rather than some hapless proxy no longer in control of their own destiny."

At this the irony vanished from the face of the Duc. A red tide of rage replaced it and he started to his feet, the silver buckles of his shoes flashing.

"Alor! Am I to sit upon my bottom and hear zees? In mah own court? I zink naaht, monsieur!

Unterreich is a proud and strong nation and has no master but its own. Unterreich has and always will follow only the commands of its own Prince. Unterreich forces are free to move anywhere they are ordered to by THEIR generals. Any blood they shed against any power will give glory only to Unterreich.

Fromande asks no one to fight on its behalf. My army is ready for battle and will never back down to any power. Feel free to test the resolve of my brave soldiers on the battlefield. Fromande has not "stolen" anything from Hispardia, nor do they have to. My armies and generals will honor all treaties and have NOT attacked any Hispardian armies or cities included in our treaty. Perhaps you should refrain from throwing insults at enemy leaders and instead reprimand your own generals and send them on a 'tour of shame' for not preparing for a brave Unterreich attack."

But later, a delegation of cringing merchants and bankers did in fact approach His Grace. My lord Duke received them coldly, half turned away in disdain. Could this be about all those as-yet-unpaid loans? How bothersome!

"My most high and gracious Prince," began the chief banker, one Decaen, a pudgy peasantish fellow sweating under his greasy wig. He was intensely aware of the haughty Royal Guards eyeing him from the sides of the chamber. "The Cities are wary of your policy in Iarstain. While your motives were doubtless noble, colluding with Unterreich to undermine your treaty with Hispardia is having a terrible effect on our ability to raise tax revenues."

The Duke's eyes widened. "How is that my concern? Collect the money!"

"But Your Grace," gulped Decaen, "that is proving impossible. Revenues will be down 200 crowns unless you order those Teutonics out of Iarstain."

Frustration gripped the Duke's noble frame. He turned to his Guards. "Throw these fools down the steps of the palace!"

But after his anger cooled, the Duke did in fact order Unterreich to exit I2, which they did with poor grace. (See turn 2 below).

AD 1752, Turn 2 (June 2010)

AD 1752, Turn 3 (June 2010)

PUBLIC TREATY ANNOUNCEMENT
Effective as of the start of turn 3, 1752:

1. That there now exists a pact of non-aggression between the great states of Eisenmark and Unterreich.
2. This pact will be in place for a period not less than two years concluding at the end of the year 1753.
3. Armies from both countries are free to maneuver and move through each other's territories and cities.
4. The pact may be disbanded only upon mutual agreement by both parties.

AD 1752, Turn 4 (July 2010)

AD 1752, Turn 5 (August 2010)

Turn 5 featured our first battle between two "huge" sized armies, the Battle of W1.

AD 1752, Turn 6 (October 2010)

Turn 6 featured the Battle of N3.

Some cities changed hands at the end of this year:

• Unterrich returned F1, F2, and F3 to Eisenmark.
• Fromande returned S3 to Unterreich.

Taxes Collected (approximate, private exchanges will not be shown):

Morgronskia:

• Novobrosk: 800
• Peleskov: 600 (enemy controls P3)
• -50 to Hispardia per treaty

Eisenmark:

• Voldane: 800
• Krellheim: 800
• Forlassen: 400
• Lisset: 400

Unterreich:

• Urtenne: 300
• O2+O3 X 1/2 = 150
• Schullheiss: 1000
• Edelmark: 500
• Chiswick: 100

Fromande:

• -25 for propaganda effects
• W2+W3 X 1/2 = 150
• I3 X 1/2 = 50
• Homberg = 400
• Guisaine = 800
• Bellarde = 400
• Arden = 700

Hispardia:

• 50 from Morgronskia
• Quennder: 400
• Rustarme: 300
• Muerdia: 800
• Jullasca: 500
• I1+I2+I4 X 1/2 = 350
• W1 X 1/2 = 50
• P3 X 1/2 = 100
• O1 X 1/2 = 50

Summary of the Year:

1752 started with the Unterriechers caught flat-footed by Fromande's refusal to renew their treaty. This left Fromande free to invade Unterreich's unguarded eastern borders and pressure his neighbor into an alliance in an undeclared war against Hispardia.

In classic 18th Century tradition Fromande did not let his non-aggression pact with Hispardia stop him from trying to use Unterreich as a catspaw to invade Iarstain. But Hispardia used effective propaganda to counter this threat and force Fromande to call off his ally in a huff.

Hispardia then began to take position in the center of the map, marching forces south from Morgronskia and west from Jullasca. Fromande and Unterreich met the enemy at W1 on turn 5 and forced the Hispardians back east.

The year ended however with Hispardia re-taking W1 as the Fromande-Unterreich alliance seemed to suffer a reverse.

In the west, Eisenmark lost a battle at its capitol K2, but the Morgronskian invaders had to retreat anyway due to strategic weaknesses. Eisenmark then followed up, retaking K1 and besieging the Morgronskian army in N3. The year ended with another Morgronskian victory, forcing the Eisenmarkers back to their own lands.

At year-end Unterreich handed Forlassen back to Eisenmark, and Fromande returned its ransom city of S3 back to Unterreich. Whether this will result in new treaties in 1753 is a question vexing many diplomats as the winter snows close in.

Setup for AD 1753

• Eisenmark: A small force and small fleet have appeared in V3. A small force has appeared in K4. The large force in K1 has grown to huge.
• Morgronskia: The fleet in N5 has disappeared and a small land force has appeared.
• Hispardia: The fleet at M3 has been disbanded along with two small forces in the center of the map.
• Fromande: The force in S3 has vanished. The land forces in Arden have disappeared, and the fleet in A1 has shrunk to small.
• Unterriech: The force outside F1 is gone.

AD 1753, Turn 1

AD 1753, Turn 2

AD 1753, Turn 3

AD 1753, Turn 4

AD 1753, Turn 5

AD 1753, Turn 6

Setup for AD 1754

AD 1754, Turn 1

AD 1754, Turn 2

AD 1754, Turn 3 - Final Turn of the Campaign