After closing down the Normans in North Africa campaign, @chiquichops and I will be playing a new campaign, sticking with the Normans, but this time in southern Italy.
After fighting as mercenaries in Italy for over decade, by 1042 the Norman Hauteville brothers turned on their employers and secured their first Italian possessions taken from the Byzantines, the counties of Apulia and Averso.
This was the base from which they proceeded to conquer most of southern Italy and eventually even Sicily.
Chicquichops will play as the all-conquering Normans and I will command the Byzantine, Lombard, Papal and Muslim forces defending against them ... and possibly even an intervention by an Imperial German army sent by the Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich III.
RULES
Each turn there are TWO Initiative Points (IP) available --
These allow you to launch attacks, one per IP.
The Norman side always goes FIRST, unless both IP's are held by their opponents.
The campaign runs for 8 turns, broken up roughly into one eight-year and two ten-year periods.
Turns 1-2: 1041 - 1049
Turns 3-5: 1050 - 1060
Turns 6-8: 1061 - 1071
Starting Setup
We start with the counties of Averso and Apulia under Norman control.
The Normans have the initiative at the start and start with TWO IP's each guaranteed for Turns 1 & 2.
ARMIES
The armies for the three different periods are:
TURNS 1-2:
Italo-Normans (1041-1049)
Byzantines (Italy) (1040 - 1049)
Lombard (1038 - 1049)
TURNS 3-5:
Italo-Normans (1050-1060)
Byzantines (Italy) (1050 - 1071)
Lombard (1050 - 1057)
Papal (1050 - 1154)
German (Imperial) (1050-1154)
Fatamid Egyptians (978 - 1073)
TURNS 6-8:
Italo-Normans (1061-1071)
Byzantines (Italy) (1050 - 1071)
Papal (1050 - 1154)
German (Imperial) (1050-1154)
Fatamid Egyptians (978 - 1073)
If Lombards are still active in this period they will be played by: Italian (Guelfs) (1050 - 1154)
ALLIES: Papal and Byzantine armies may use each other as allies if they control adjacent provinces.
ATTACKS
Each faction gets ONE attack per IP.
NORMANS always go first in declaring attacks.
A faction can attack an enemy province that is adjacent to a friendly-controlled province.
You may not attack from a province that is already under attack.
You may attack into a province from which an attack into a different province has been launched.
BATTLES
All FOG: Medieval battles are Medium Open Battles on Mediterranean Agricultural maps.
Any winning percentage difference in casualties inflicted wins the battle or captures the province if attacking.
The winner of a battle is awarded the IP.
Draws: In the unlikely event that a battle ends with identical loss percentages, the battle continues in the next turn and the IP is forfeit for that turn.
BATTLE RESTRICTIONS
Naples & Bari
NAPLES and BARI are Byzantines strongholds and can only be attacked by the Italo-Normans if all THREE adjacent provinces are under friendly control.
Papal States
The Papal States cannot be attacked by the Italo-Normans. The Papal armies can however intervene in the Lombard territories of SPOLENTO and CAPUA to reinstate Lombard rule.
German Imperial Intervention
From Turn 3 onwards, a German Imperial Intervention die roll (8-sided die) is made at the start of every turn. If a 7 or 8 is rolled, then a German Imperial army enters from the direction of SPOLENTO and attacks the nearest Italo-Norman-controlled province (attacking player's choice) -- the German Imperial army attacks are made even if the anti-Norman faction has no IP's available.
This army remains active until it is defeated in battle, then it is removed permanently from the map.
Provinces this army captures from Italo-Norman control (if any) are put under Papal States control, and defended by Papal armies if attacked without the German army being present.
Byzantine Attacks & Reinforcements
The Byzantines may only attack if a Reinforcement Army arrives from Constantinople.
At start of every turn, if no Byzantine Army is on the map, a Byzantine Reinforcement die roll (8-sided die) is made. If a 6, 7 or 8 is rolled, a Byzantine army can be placed on any Byzantine-controlled province the player wants to attack from. (providing their faction has an available IP, this army can attack in the same turn it arrives)
If no IP's are available, the Byzantine Army stays stationary and may be attacked. (a normal battle ensues)
If an IP is available, the Byzantine player may freely move the army to any Byzantine-controlled province to use it to attack from, even if its starting province is under attack.
The Byzantine Army is removed from the map if it defeated in battle and can only return with another successful Byzantine Reinforcement die roll.
Palermo
If the Italo-Normans capture NAPLES, they can launch ONE seaborne attack on PALERMO. If it is unsuccessful, no further seaborne attack may be made on SICILY -- only land attacks via REGGIO into CATANIA are allowed.
NORMAN VICTORY CONDITIONS
Marginal Victory: Capture all Lombard provinces: Salerno, Benevento, Capua and Spolento
Minor Victory: Capture all Lombard provinces plus Bari and Naples.
Major Victory: Capture all Lombard provinces plus Bari, Naples & Palermo.
Overwhelming Victory: Capture all Lombard and Byzantine provinces plus all of Sicily.
I think that's everything -- hope it makes sense.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Norman first turn. We attack SALERNO and BENAVENTO. I'll message you when set up.
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
The campaign kicks off ... Normans go after the Lombard principalities of Salerno and Benevento.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
LOL... in the battle for Benevento, one of @chiquichops 's generals sports the fabulous name of Aimeri du Pontautorf. 😆
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
The first Turn's battles ended with the Normans conquering the Prinicpality of Benevento, but the Lombards held on in the Principality of Salerno, winning a nail-biting 63-58 = +5% Victory which only ended in Turn 23. Damn close affair.
The Norman mounted and foot knights definitely give them an edge over their Lombard enemies, who's main strength are their armoured lancers.
TURN 2
The Norman retain the initiative this turn and have two attacks available -- they invade Salerno again and also attack the Principality of Capua.
Meanwhile, the Byzantines are eagerly awaiting reinforcements from Constantinople to face the growing threat of these Norman upstarts -- but the die roll is a 2, so no developments there as yet.
The Pope is also still busy trying to convince the German Emperor Heinrich III to send and army, we will see from Turn 3 if he is successful.
Battle is joined.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
TURN 2 battles are completed and they were a couple of humdingers -- thanks for the intense and fun battles @chiquichops !
Principality of CAPUA -- despite the Lombards putting up a very respectable fight, they were eventually overpowered by the better Norman troop quality and the province is now under Norman control.
Principality of SALERNO -- the Lombards held out and defeated the Normans by the narrowest of margins (60 - 58 = +2%) -- rumors that the Norman standard wagon was actually filled with barrels of wine added an extra bit of motivation to the Lombard troops. 😀
TURN 3
This turn starts the second era with new army lists.
The German Intervention Roll was a 6 - so no Imperial German Army marching down the boot of Italy as of yet.
The Byzantine Reinforcements Roll was a 3 - so Byzantines have to remain on the defensive this Turn.
Normans are restricted to ONE attack this turn.
The Lombards/Papacy get ONE attack this turn.
Over to @chiquichops
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
County of APULIA attack into SALERNO, predictably
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Set up, usual PWD. I used the turn 3 armies.
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Normans make renewed attempt to capture SALERNO.
The Papacy intervenes and send an army to try and retake CAPUA (maybe we can get some divine intervention 😇 )
@chiquichops -- accepted your challenge and have posted the other battle challenge as well.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
The Lombards have upped their game and now bring knights to the fray. @rico Had me on the ropes, it seemed but we finally took SALERNO! Without this key province, our campaign might have stalled. My advice to the Lombards now is to stick to growing red cabbages and accept that the Normans are here to stay.
The Papal army was cleared from the field quite decisively, a very welcome development too. I was worried they might throw a stick in our cart wheel.
Wine all round, mes amis!
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Yes, indeed -- TURN 3 it was Normans all the way -- even though the Salernians (?) put up a stout fight and routed a good chunk of the Norman mounted knights, they were finally overcome in the end -- @chiquichops got to keep the wine cart!
The less said about the Papal armies, the better. 🤣
TURN 4
Looks like the Normans are back on track to building the Italian Kingdom for themselves.
No luck on the die rolls for the German Imperial intervention or the arrival of a field army by sea from Constantinople.
Normans have TWO IP's ... so, @chiquichops ... all yours.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
It's good to hear no help is on its way yet. County of AVERSO attacks into NAPLES
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
and CAPUA into SPOLENTO. I'll message you when I've set up
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
TURN 4 is under way and the Normans turn north to mop up the last Lombard possession in the Duchy of Spolento.
At the same time, the Byzantines find themselves under attack in Naples ... for me a new army list to fight and lose against the Normans with. 😆
Keen to see how this plays out -- and will Duke @chiquichops take a punt at Sicily or the rest of the Byzantine Italian territories next, should Naples fall?
Time for some better reinforcement die rolls for the Papal and Byzantine side. 😎
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Things are not going badly at all for the Normans with the fall of SPOLENTO and, much more importantly, NAPLES. The Lombards made a good show of it, especially by routing most of my knights, but the Norman infantry got it done again. It was a good battle and pretty close.
I'm bracing myself for a German intervention or a Byzantine counter-attack but I'll certainly be launching an attack on PALERMO, whatever happens.
My other choice is APULIA from SALERNO, as I am unable to attack BARI unless I surround it.
Fingers crossed for the enemy die rolls this turn. Great campaign @rico (partly because it's going well for me but still, it seems pretty well-balanced too).
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Yes, indeed, with victories in SPOLENTO and capturing NAPLES from the Byzantines, the Norman Italian Kingdom is well on its way.
Playing their opponents is hard work, but still fun... figuring out how to get the best of the Byzantines is going to be a real challenge. 😆
TURN 5
Normans have TWO Initiative Points.
Die roll for the Imperial German Intervention was a 3 -- so no attack from that direction.
Die roll for Byzantines was an 8 -- so a Byzantine Army lands in BARI -- but still need to get back an IP to use it to counter-attack.
@chiquichops -- over to you -- I guess it's PALERMO and APULIA (no other options, really 😎 )
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Ok. I'll set up the challenges later today and give you a shout. Hmmm, that Byzantine army could be trouble. I'm also not sure how the Fatimids will be to fight, that's a bigger worry.
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Normans take to the seas and attack PALERMO and turn their attentions to APULIA.
Battle is joined and I am hoping I can do better with playing the tricky & unpredictable Byzantines this round.... and let's see how well the Muslim armies in Sicily do. 😎
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Battle is joined ... in APULIA the Byzantines have a pretty good defensive position and have not folded after the first impact of @chiquichops 's Norman knights charging ... so far, so good.
In PALERMO, the Muslim defenders doing pretty ok, giving the Normans a hard time with their light cavalry playing some havoc amongst their archers and crossbowmen ... let's see how the main line holds up against the heaver Norman cavalry -- it's going to be tough going.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia