Bogavanian Relief Force Mauls Beersteiners Besieging Fezians In Hex 70

 FEZIAN Forces

Commander Safan

Commander Epheba (unconscious)
Sorceress Illurine

24 Archers                                                                         No Fezians died in this battle.
2 Ebon Archers
22 Archers

10 Light Infantry

13 Plate Infantry

Supply Wagons

BOGAVANIAN Relief Force

HEROES:
Agnolo                                                                               Unconscious & captured

Roland                                                     

UNITS

24 Pike                                                                                             16                                                          

24 Pike                                                                                               0

24 Heavy Foot                                                                                    0

24 Musketeers                                                                                   20

1 Cannon                                                                                             1

2 Supply wagons                                                                           intact

Total Dead                                                                                          64

BEERSTEIN

Commander Prince Rupert

Hero Hobbes (unconscious)

Sorceress Sylvia the Serpent (Unconscious)

UNITS

24 Muskets                                                                                    14      (fled off field)

24 Muskets                                                                                     20
17 Longbows                                                                                   0

7 Heavy Cavalry with firearms                                                       6
2 Cannons                                                                                        1         6 crew fled

8 Hillmen mercenaries                                                                    0

Supply Wagons                                                                           intact

Total dead                                                                                       42       
Fled                                                                                                 14 

SETUP

Previously, the Beersteiner force had been evenly matched by the Fezian forces but had insufficient strength to take the Fezian castle. The arrival of the Bogavanian relief force changed things greatly.

 Although both Fezian and Beersteiner commanders had high levels of caution the Bogavanian releif force was bolder.
   
Prince Rupert had got word of its approach but had been wrongly informed that it would arrive on the castle side of the river. Yet the relief force arrived on the same side of the river as the Beersteiners. This meant the latter could not delay their approach long enough to pour bullets, cannon balls and arrows into the enemy. Now he had merely to safe his force from annihilation.

  The Beersteiners were forced to set up first and to get second turn. Thei commander's battlefield intelligence was inferior, forcing rerolls of the die.

  The Beersteiners did get two volleys off before the Bogavanian columns, led by their heroes, were reaching them. Illurine, from her position on the castle wall, cast spells to strengthen the Fezian archers shooting, which slightly depleted the Beersteiners. 

  Then the column of Bogavanian infantry rushed the Beersteiner longbow men who withdrew before them, finally turning to shoot. The Beersteiner heavy cavalry dismounted and shot their matchlock carbines at them. The combined shooting only slightly mauled them. The Bogavanians then charged in. The Hillmen mercenaries then joined the melee. However the Beersteiners were still outnumbered, Finally the Beersteiner heavy cavalry mounted up and also charged in.

  The result was that the Hillmen and Longbow men were wiped out but the cavalry had 'killed' Agnolo and reduced the enemy heavt infantry to three men who fled - right into the field of fire of the Beersteiner musketeers, sealing their doom.

  Meanwhile one of the Beersteiner cannons misfired and blew up. The surviving crew of the battery fled off the field, as did a unit of musketeers.

   The Bogavanian cannon failed to score a hit.

  CONCLUSION

The Bogavanian force had forced the Beersteiners back before itself having to withdraw. Bogavanian losses were higher than Beersteiner ones, but the castle was safe. The Fezian forces were only minimally involved. The Beersteiners still have a toehold on the battlefield. The two units that fled will have to arrive in a future battle from reserve.

  That was the end of Move 8. Another map move session will determine if any other forces arrive in Hex 50. Two other sieges still need to be resolved.

                                                          BELOW
                                                          The Bogavanian relief force

                                                        Beersteiner heavy Cavalry

                                                                      Fezian Garrison

                                Bogavanian columns. The pikemen fortify themselves with vodka.

                                                         Fezian wagons safe in the castle

                                                           Beersteiners form a firing line.

                                      Fezians send a unit of bowmen outside the castle to aid the Bogavanians.

                                                               Beersteiner gun battery

Bogavanians withdraw.

         Seriously depleted Bogavanian heavy infantry just before they were wiped out.

             Remnants of the Beersteiner forces (left) pull out of Bogavanian cannon range.