Warring States: Week 5 (Part 1)

This is the continuation of a Rally Round the King Local Campaign set in a fictional Iron Age China in which four rival states vie for control of the country after the Center State's imperial rule has collapsed. It uses my random set-up rules and Opposing Generals War Profiles.

The Southern State (me) is beating the Northern State by 1 campaign point and, after four "weeks," our entire armies are assembled in Ghost Forest. Here's how the campaign ladder currently looks:

Misty Trees
My group is unopposed. I score 1 point.

Plains of Sorrow
Xiang Gua's group is unopposed. He scores 1 point.

Ghost Forest
We both choose FIGHT. After two previous minor skirmishes, the battle for Ghost Forest truly begins NOW!

Xiang Gua's Army: a throwback, strong in chariots and cavalry

My Army: more levies and harassing skirmishers

TURN 1
I activate first. My front line Horse Archers act as an escort to my main body of Levies. They all move out and reach nearly the center of the battlefield. Meanwhile, I deploy a small body of Skirmishers into one of the heavily wooded areas of Ghost Forest, hoping a sneak attack volley from the edge of the forest can prove a worthwhile tactic.

Xiang Gua's strategy (as determined by the RRtK solo rules) is to penetrate the center of my army. He'll pepper my front lines with arrows, sacrifice his Levies to weaken me, and then mop up the rest of my forces with his monstrous line of Cavalry and Chariots. This begins with the movement of two bodies of Horse Archers, which move in on the flanks of my Levies, and the progression of the main body of Levies which separates the front line Skirmishers and boldly advances them to midfield.

The end of Turn 1 from my side's perspective.

TURN 2
My Horse Archers on the eastern side of the battlefield move into firing position against the nearest enemy Horse Archers. My Levies charge the sad little two-unit body of Skirmishers who stand fast, fire, and score a hit, but are quickly forced to retire for now, taking a hit themselves. My covert Skirmishers in the woods continue their mission and reach the edge of the forest not far from the enemy.

Xiang Gua's forest-side Horse Archers target my Levies (now in range from the previous charge) and arrows are exchanged. Each side scores two hits by the end of the missile fracas. Not surprisingly, the enemy Levies charge my Levies (moving through their own Skirmishers without penalty). We fire at them, but the charge continues, and melee is engaged! Only my unit that had previously been hit by arrow fire is weakened to the point of giving ground, but, since no enemy can follow, the body remained intact and both sides will clash again next turn. Meanwhile, our Horse Archers on the eastern side fire volleys of arrows at one another, and Xiang Gua's Horse Archers rout!

The end of Turn 2 from my side's perspective.

TURN 3
My victorious Horse Archers maneuver into firing position, targeting the enemy Levies, but another round of melee sees Xiang Gua's Levies give ground! My Levies follow up, keeping in contact with the enemy. Then, my covert Skirmishers launch arrows from the edge of the forest and into the flanks of Xiang Gua's other Horse Archers causing one unit to retire, thus splitting up the enemy Horse Archers body! Success!

Xiang Gua's remaining forest-side Horse Archers unit retreats and meets up with its retired mate to eventually reform the body. The melee between the Levies continues, and Xiang Gua's men are really brutalized this turn by mine; they give ground again, and we follow up. (Xiang Gua's Levies don't have long to go.) Behind the enemy Levies, Xiang Gua's Skirmishers maneuver around into firing range of my Horse Archers.

The end of Turn 3 from my side's perspective.

TURN 4
My Horse Archers turn to face the bows of the threatening Skirmishers. The melee between the Levies continues, but this time, Xiang Gua's front line breaks! Two of his units rout, and another gives ground! My front line is seriously weakened, but still stands fast. My Skirmishers in the woods emerge from cover to take aim at the remaining enemy Levies.

Xiang Gua's Horse Archers body of two units reforms near their base. His remaining Levies fire arrows at my injured front line, and two of my levies rout! (NOTE: Never underestimate the power and versatility of dual-armed, AC 4, 4-figure units in RRtK! Ed and David really captured the feel of ancient Chinese mass combat with those pieces.) The enemy Skirmishers fire at my Horse Archers, and my units are routed again! Xiang Gua has turned the tide!

The end of Turn 4 from my side's perspective.

After 4 turns, casualties are even! It's anybody's game!

To be continued...