Aztecia Versus Zoohoo Part 1

June 06, 2022

Aztecia Versus Zoohoo Part 1

This was an interesting matchup - a stone and copper age Aztec civilization against an early iron age one with some 19th century weapons. However this was no 'ordinary' Aztec civilization for it had survived other invasions by Hill People (equivalent of Vikings), Renaissance era Fezians and others. In the process they began to domesticate the horse and had picked up some iron weapons and even armor.

Most fantastic of all was that in the depths of Aztecia's tropical forests, in a forgotten, cut off valley, lived dinosaurs. Some intrepid Aztecs one day found a way through and the uneaten survivors returned to he emperor with dinosaur eggs. One egg survived and hatched; it was a triceratops! An animal trainer raised the creature and eventually became its mahout. A howdah was attached for Aztec archers and spear throwers.

But wait, there is more. Among the Aztecs were rare individuals who had a special relationship with the gods; they were more than just priests; they were sorcerers. The presence of a sorcerer played a crucial part in the battle.

As for the Zoohoos, they were led by religious fanatics. Unlike the also religious Aztecs these men wanted to spread their religion of the Crescent Moon. They also had heard reports of fantastic treasures in Aztecia.

The Zoohoos included the great close combat warriors, the Zulus, camel and horse mounted Arabs and Dervishes, Sword and shield dervishes and also men with nineteenth century firearms. They also brought two cannons partially manned by captured Fezians.

The Zoohoo proficiency with gunpowder weapons was limited, However they did give them an edge with range.

SETUP

The table was played form ends and a die roll determined that the square gap in the table was a lake. The Aztecs were to make good use of the temples to lay traps for the Zoohoos. The dinosaur and the two Zoohoo cannons came on from reserve.

RULES

The rules were modified from our home brew medieval rules that use mostly D12s and combat tables.

Sword and shield men were given better leadership and some were counted as elite. Elites had the highest leadership and a plus one in combat. They were counted as light armored troops. Others were with no armor. One small unit of Aztecs were counted as heavy as they had breast plates and helmets.

To charge all units had to roll for leadership.

For magic we used Warhammer Lore of Heavens. Any spell attempt could be dispelled if the target army could roll a higher dice roll. Mat was unable to dispel any of the spells.

OBJECTIVES

1 point for each enemy unit destroyed or sent off the table edge, Five points for each table quarter owned at the end of the battle. Five points for the Zoohoos if they found hidden treasure from temples. Five points to Aztecs if they sacrificed any captured enemies.

Two item of treasure were hidden in two of the three temples although the Aztec leader (me) could place all in one. As it happened I placed one in the most far forward temple which was completely unguarded and one in a guarded temple towards the rear. Mat ignored the unguarded temple! However, I did have bowmen in range of the steps of the unguarded temple.

Below, temple section of the Aztec city. The eagle monument atop one temple is from a toy car track racing set. The rest of the temple is a combination of laser cut wooden pyramid and large custom cut wooden blocks.