Crushing the rebellion

South of the Formaggian mountains, on the lands once occupied by the House of Prosciutto, the success of the northern rebellion has motivated the gentry to begin their own campaign of separation/liberation/looting and killing innocents. They are led by Marco di Mattone, a relative of the exiled Prosciutto leaders. 

After a few days of gathering troops, the small army began to move on the royal highway to sack passengers. Unfortunately, a large group of Schiavona regulars just happened to march that way. The rebel scouts had warned the main army of the fact, and di Mattone decided to entrench his force and fight a defensive battle.

From the East Indies to the West

So I've just finished a bunch of pirates, which has got me thinking about the Caribbean. I have a bunch of ships already, and just ordered/bought some terrain (aquarium stuff and 30 palm trees from China). I will perhaps need a smaller fortress than the one quarter I have, and more colonial buildings, but then the game is on.

I have eyed the Revell pirate ship (the re-issue of the Zvezda Black Pearl / Black Swan) for a while, but then remembered that the same can be had for a lot less investment with cardboard, balsa and decor rubber, and I can suit a scratch-built ship for my wargaming needs, unlike a more rigid construction of a plastic model. My plans include a larger, multi-story merchant vessel (with a hollow compartment to hide loot and possibly figures in it), and a few smaller ones for the pirates, much like the Springend, which was an easy and fun build with very spectacular results.

Also, my Christmas present, which I bought and brought home myself, not wishing to rely on mythological figures such as the Postman, contains the Revell re-issue of their SYW figures - two hundred infantry and thirty cavalry, which will give me more time to think about future projects.

I would like to make some GNW/SYW Russians from the Revell Austrians, because I seriously lack them, and a few native troops from the Prussians. 

The figures are not the prettiest, and they have lots of flash, but hey, it was not very expensive (got them on a sale), and they serve my purpose.

Colonial Wars - Major Powers clash

The Qutut Bog was the site of a clash between the Böhnstadter colonial army and the Glambrian expeditionary force. Although a more numerous Glambrian force was the one to start an advance, they were somewhat surprised in their positions - although not on par with the hardy Böhnstadters, the Glambrian soldiers were fleet-footed enough to form battle order and move their heavy battery up the sandhill east of Qutut Town.

Bandits and Villains - character stats

Here's all the generated point values for Flashing Steel, straight from the mini-campaign I ran on this blog.

Colonial Wars: Formaggia moves in for the kill

The first campaign turn begins with the Formaggian colonial army, intent on expanding their influence on the Continent of Rot, marching across the safe borders of Diamantia towards a major south-eastern town in the Alliance of Silver Princes. 

A rag-tag army under Rajah Duran opposes them, and before the Formaggian Generalmaggiore Calzito could have a say in it, they are within marching distance. The Formaggians have no choice but to deploy and fight.

Succession Wars in the Colonies

Another bright idea of mine is to begin a Maurice "Succession Wars" campaign set in Not-India, using the sketched map above. This way events on the main continent would play little part, and I can field all those guys in turbans. Maybe one or two battles a week, and a campaign log similar to the one I did on the Formaggian wars (except this time we don't know the clear result).

FSW Campaign Log, Year 4

Campaign rules

Previous year

The State Army on the move

Garrison units are redirected around the Alpian mountain line and the royal road leading north. The successes of the rebellion had caught Beatrice Schiavona's eye, and it seems the provincial army might not be up to the task.

The force now numbers about a thousand, but it has to concentrate, re-organize, and find enough provincial support to counter the rebel numbers.

Recruitment on the North

The fall of the two loyalist fortresses has caused many recruits to surge under Calvacasa's banner. The Conte di Piedi was among the first to arrive, with more than three hundred volunteers.

The capture of the Forte Vecchia and Prada arsenals also means that the armies can now be better equipped.

The fall of Forte Vecchia

The loyalist patrols in the south-western area of operations have suffered great losses and became ever rarer. Forte Vecchia, the last loyalist stronghold north of the royal road was now isolated, with two hundred provincial infantry bottled up inside.

The fortress itself was built on an old castle, and the recent years of peace had caused it to fall into disrepair. The moat had dried up and the old fort was crumbling.

Count Calvacasa, on the other hand, had a very pressing matter: how to deal with the mountain bandits now that it was his hinterlands they were keen on raiding. He pressed on to abuse the high morale of the bandits after their recent victories, and suggested a storming of Forte Vecchia, reinforced by the foot dragoons moving from the direction of San' Filipo. A straightforward attack would mean high losses on the bandits' side, and a quick taking of the stronghold.

Bandits & Villains: Total War

After their defeat, the bandits were becoming desperate. Reinforced by a fresh squad of Calvacasa Outrider cavalry, they decided to deliver a blow on the loyalist lines of communication.

The stronghold they chose to strike, however, was heavily reinforced by regular cavalry and a galloper gun.

This was a shoot to kill scenario: one victory point if three or more enemies are slain, and two if the enemy is completely routed.

Forte Prada redoubts, day 2

We're back to the Calvacasa rebellion and the siege of Forte Prada. After some hesitation by the rebel side, and appointing Captain d'Arson siege master for the second time after his recovery from illness, the besiegers had elected a straight approach. All the Forte Prada garrison units had, by that time, retreated behind the main trenches. 

FSW Campaign Log, Year 3

Campaign rules

Previous year
Next year

No More Provincials - Provincials No More?

During the Formaggian Succession Wars, "light" troops were rarely used for their intended purposes. Some were detached for patroling the hinterlands and providing lines of communication, but raiding and covering the flanks of an army has been outsourced to mercenary Freikorps from all around the world. As a result, most "homegrown" light units performed poorly and discipline was lax.

This had not been remedied even after the Schiavona clan took control and established themselves as rulers of all Quattro Formaggi. Most provincial commanders kept a small body of Cacciatore for surveying rough terrain and border control, but the pay was little, and besides a fusil (in better cases an old hunting rifle), a measure of dyed wool to cloth themselves and a barracks to sleep in, the men basically received nothing else from their masters.

When the Calvacasa rebellion broke out, the Cacciatori had to return to their former tasks, and due to the circumstances previously explained, they failed at it spectacularly. Some provincial commanders on the North went as far as to keep them safe inside redoubts and fortifications, to prevent mass desertion in the face of the enemy. 

While a large contingent of the central garrison prepared to advance on the rebels, a group of young officers approached the higher military authorities in the capitol, and pleaded them to do something about the deteriorating state of the provincials. In case the well-trained and maintained royal troopers are redirected, they argued, the southern provincials also must be prepared to replace them in doing their tasks.

The first step was to commence the training of the provincials around the capitol, supervised by veteran officers and sergeants of the War of Succession. This had also meant that the same lobbyists had recognized the danger of "reinforcing a distaster" in the north: no manpower or resources were sent there, they were instead all given to the Parmigiano Military Council. 

When the regulars and dragoons were somewhat up to date, the time has come for the light troops as well. Maledetto, Duke of Rospini, one of the many courtiers of questionable honor and intent (his main character trait is mustache twirling) around the person of Beatrice Schiavona has been tasked with reforming the Guild of Hunters, the organization all volunteer and provincial Cacciatore must be a part of. 

His first edict was to organize two battalions of Royal Cacciatore, No. 1 Schiavona and No. 2 Parmigiano, and greatly reduce the number of provincials. He thought, and rightly so, that keeping the men under central supervision means more discipline, and more discipline means better combat effectiveness. While the court has little money to spend, they have given uniforms to the troops, and now training can begin.

The Treasure of Pizzarro

This is episode four of the Flashing Steel mini-campaign. Two 320pt parties search for the hidden treasure of Pizzarro, as both the loyalist and rebel side is in dire need of gold. 

There were six markers placed on the field: four of these are dummies. Whichever side controls two markers wins the game. If both sides acquire one, a die is rolled to break the tie.

The bandits basically used the same composition as in the previous battle they had won. The loyalist commander has counted on this, and organized a group of veteran horsemen. 

Schultze-Böhnstadt in WW1

So I've had this idea of playing World War I-era colonial battles using this imaginary world as a background. 1/72 figures for the armies, and 1st edition Bolt Action rules.

Of course it's just an excuse to paint more warships.

FSW Campaign Log, Year 2

Campaign rules

Previous year
Next year

FSW Campaign Log, Year 1

You can follow events on the map above, and don't forget to check the campaign rules if something is not clear.
The log of Year 2 is here.