It Begins

The 1666 Campaign with Hans Neimand

As mentioned last time, I am rebooting my Pikeman's Lament campaign, setting it in 1666. Hans Neimand will still be my character, and I am carrying forward honor he earned previously.

Background

After their defeat at the battle of St Gotthard, the Turks have been quiet. Too quiet.

Now, in the year 1666, there are rumors that Turkish forces are stirring once again. The Empire sends out scouts to find out what is happening.

Fahnrich Hans Neimand commands one of these scouting parties.

The Situation

Neimand's force, consisting of cavalry and dragoons, pushes into Turkish territory. Coming to a river, they seek to secure a crossing.

However, they encounter Turkish troops (blue) blocking the road.

The Skirmish

Neimand brings his forces up just as the Turks advance across the river. The dragoons (on the road) fire upon Turkish light cavalry, emptying some saddles.

But the light horse charge, forcing the dragoons to retreat. Neimand pivots some of his cavalry (left) and smashes into the Ottoman horse. The Turks are cut down to a man.

Again, Neimand pivots and charges the Turkish cavalry fording the river. And again, his cavalry smash the enemy.

Suddenly, the remaining infantrymen collapse, just collapse. As if they suffered a sudden heart seizure!

Strange, thinks Neimand, but he pushes it from his mind. At least the bridge is open.

Aftermath

Neimand commands his men to search for an officer among the fallen Turks. Perhaps he carries orders that can give a clue to Turkish intentions.

After mere minutes the men return, shaken. One points to a Turkish corpse and says to Neimand, "Fahnrich, you have to see this."

Niemand looks. Wait, something is amiss. There is no blood, and the corpse's skin is gray and shriveled, as if he had been dead for days.

Then Neimand hears a shout. "Fahrich, over here!"

It's his feldwebel, calling from the river's edge. Neimand goes over to him and looks. There is another corpse, different from the rest. It is clad in robes covered with eldritch symbols. He is not like the others, he is freshly dead.

"What the devil is going on?" asks Neimand.

"Devil. I think that's it." 

Game Notes

I rolled the scenario randomly using a table of my own creation. The scenario calls for the opposing forces to seize some objective. I decided to make it a bridge.

I used my regular army morale rules. The Turks failed after losing 2 units, ending the game. It seemed odd that the Turkish morale could fail (for reasons that will become clearer as the campaign progresses) so I developed an explanation (which will also become clearer).

Although I only recorded one, Neimand actually completed two missions previously. Thus, he begins with 10 honor, and adds another 5 for today's victory.