Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Bandits and Villains - a Flashing Steel mini-campaign

Flashing Steel is now my preferred skirmish game for the 17th and 18th centuries. With a bit of tinkering very unique attributes can be given to figures. The rulebook also has a mini-campaign system, but in this case not too useful. 
What I'd like to do is a series of clashes between the bandits now taking shelter in Calvacasa's land, and a ruthless loyalist officer sent to destroy them. The loyalist army is not ready for a direct engagement,  especially after their recent defeat, but a larger number of provincials can be sent against the hundred or so outlaws. Word also travels slowly and the Parmigiano court might not at all be aware of the loss of the Civita Maria garrison. 

So here are a few outlines for my own future references, and ideas which may help someone:

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Spoils


The Civita Maria council greeted the victors with grace. Their friendliness seemed most advantageous to Pietro di Calvacasa - not to be perceived an oppressor in a new strip of acquired territory could be more than benevolent to his cause. 

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Pitch


Pietro di Calvacasa arrived near a farmstead close to the walls of Civita Maria. His small army was visible from the towers of the old fort, and the garrison commander was eager to march against it. 
'Sire, I think the rebels have acquired siege guns', a scout reported as the battalions assembled near the gate. 'We have spotted them on a hill, overlooking the western walls.'
'But Christ, those are the weakest of all', the General said, 'we better hurry and chase these traitors back to their hovels!'
Calvacasa's attack force consisted of two 120-men household battalions after the Varangian fashion, and a group of 80 militia. The culverins seen by the scout were actually logs painted black and placed on fake carriages. The count ordered some peasants to act like tending to the cannon. He hoped this increased threat would entice the very large mouse to scurry out of the tunnel and measure its strength against the very small cat.