Sunday, October 21, 2007

Early Problems at Offenbach

Things have not gone well for Stagonia during the early stages of the Battle of Offenbach. Brigadier Graf Adolf von Voss seemed to have a great deal of difficulty getting his brigade to lead the attack on the Frankzonian forces.

Then, once he finally started, he quickly screeched to a halt . . . and, despite orders from C-in-C General Baron Gaspar du Vile, seemed unable to get them moving again. Meanwhile the Frankzonian artillery continued to pound the lead battalion, that of Colonel O'Duffy, when this reporter had to leave.

* * *

What this all means, is that we were using my "Tricorne Wars" rules to fight this proxy battle. One of its key features is that all command officers have "personalities". Unfortunately for Stagonia, when Murdock rolled for which officers were on the list, three "Political" and only one "Steady" officers were selected.

"Political" brigadiers have a 1/3rd chance of interpreting their orders as "Hold" (wait for further instructions). This is further complicated by the fact that the C-in-C is one of the Political Generals.

Anyway, another of my "fog of war" mechanisms is that any change of orders must overcome the "Inertia" of the previous order (it takes time to change things). Sadly, it took a number of turns before Brigadier von Voss overcame his inertia . . . which gave the Frankzonians time to get into position and unlimber their artillery.

When von Voss finally started moving, he got close enough to the enemy (12") to need to test for interpretation of his orders. You guessed it, he rolled poorly and interpreted his orders as "Hold". It then took time for General du Vile to realize they'd stopped.

When I had to leave (due to my feeling poorly and the weather getting nasty), von Voss had already failed yet again to overcome his inertia. Hopefully Murdock's son, who was taking over for me, will roll better dice.

* * *

As for the basic outline of the battle when I left, von Voss was supposed to be leading the main attack (against the Frankzonian foot) on the Stagonian left . . . but was stalled.

The small mercenary force under Brigadier Prinz Robert Axe of Burtzenia was attaking the high ground and looked like they would push the remnants of the two armies skirmishers off of the ridge.

Brigadier Emile von Rumpel's brigade was positioned facing the Offenbach forces, but was holding off any hostilities (as were the Offenbachers) pending the response to the flag of truce carried by one of the Stagonian aids-de-camp -- which basically was asking that Offenbach stay out of the fight between Stagonia and Frankzonia in exchange for being left alone. The aide-de-camp would need several turns before he could return to General du Vile.

Brigadier Delmar Dijon was shifting his mounted brigade to the open ground on the Stagonian right as he shadowed the movement of the Frankzonian forces to their left.

SUMMARY

If von Voss could have started off when expected, it would have been very bad for the Frankzonians . . . and they may well have folded quickly. However, when I had to leave, I felt that, while very very much in doubt, that Frankzonia had the benefit of momentum . . . and that might give some reasons for Offenbach to decide to enter the fray (or not -- who knows).

Young Murdock is an extremely aggressive player . . . but subject to his eagerness getting him in trouble. It will be interesting to see how the rest of this proxy battle works out.


-- Jeff






Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Frankzonian Betrayal

"It is absolutely, fiendishly vile." swore Koenig Maurice. "Those Frankzonian swine have come up with a plot worthy of me."

"So it seems, Your Majesty" commented the Baron.

"They arrange with us to attack Offenstadt, then use the threat of us to try to get Offenbach to surrender completely to Frankzonia, who then intends to attack us!"

"That's not all, Your Majesty. Frankzonian agents have been posting vile songs about us . . . and singing them gleefully. Here are some of the verses our agents have sent in."

As the Baron watched his king read these songs, he saw the man grow very very angry . . . and ice-cold. The Baron had only seen Koenig Maurice is this mood a few times and he shivered even though he was not the focus of his king's fury.

"We only attack the Frankzonians . . . but we will accept no quarter. Send messengers to the Offenbachs, tell them that we are there to liberate them from those Frankzonian swine. Warn them not to surrender their sovereignty to Frankzonia. If they can hold off until we arrive, they will see that we'll leave them alone. Urge them to wait and watch the battle . . . Stagonia wants Frankzonian blood!"

"At once, Your Majesty. At once!"

A Letter to Frankzonia

(in the Stagonian capitol)

"Baron, send a letter to Frankzonia."

"Of course, Your Majesty. . . . What do you want me to say?"

"We have marshaled the forces you requested in order to join you in your objective to take the city of Offenstadt. We will assist you as requested . . . but be sure to fulfill your part of the bargain or we will turn our eyes upon your lands just as you do on Offenbach."

"Anything further, my liege?"

"No, no need to sign it. After all it is the Franzonian plot we are carrying out."

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A Foul Calumny!

Be it known to all,

It seems that Frankzonia is falsely alleging that we, the Stagonian people, are somehow planning an attack on the Soweiter League nation of Offenbach.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Indeed, Frankzonia has long coveted the Offenbach Tuba Works and is attempting to use the threat of our attack in order to gain access to the town so that they may capture the Tuba Works for themselves.

We swear that our eyes are turned elsewhere . . . and not at Offenbach. Offenbach's eyes, on the other hand, are aimed soley at the Tuba Works. So who are truly the vile ones?


-- Koenig Maurice of Stagonia

Friday, October 5, 2007

Operation Pinched Threads

"Koenig Maurice, Operation Pinched Threads is a partial success."

"What do you mean 'partial success'?"

We've managed to intercept some of the wagons . . . but not all."

"Well, some is better than none. See that they're sold quickly."

"Yes, Your Majesty".