Chevauchee - fireden.net · 2016. 4. 27. · games use figures scaled 15mm and upward, though...
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Chevauchee A Medieval Skirmish Wargame By Tom Mecredy and Ivan Sorensen
Transcript of Chevauchee - fireden.net · 2016. 4. 27. · games use figures scaled 15mm and upward, though...
Chevauchee
A Medieval Skirmish Wargame
By Tom Mecredy and Ivan Sorensen
Chevauchee Beta Rules Chevauchee is a medieval skirmish wargame, only requiring a handful of figures a side. Adapted from the FiveCore system pioneered by Nordic Weasel Games, Chevauchee revolves around fast-paced combat encounters and objective focussed missions. The ultimate intention of this game is to bring medieval warfare to life on the tabletop, creating larger-than-life characters and acts of heroism which could have been lifted from some long-lost chronicle. This beta test contains all the rules you need to play a pick-up game. Rules for playing campaigns and utilizing characters will be in the final release.
W hat you need to play:
- A handful of figures - Some six-sided dice, of at least two different colours - Two ten-sided dice. - A measuring tape or ruler marked in inches. To play
using metric measurements, multiply all distances by 2.5
- Suitable terrain - Scrap paper and pencils
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M iniatures
Any individually based figures are suitable. Most skirmish games use figures scaled 15mm and upward, though smaller figures can be used.
T erminology
- Figure: A single model soldier, representing one real-life counterpart.
- Warband: A group comprising all the figures available to a player.
- Turn: When the rules refer to a turn, they refer to a single player’s turn. Any time limits are counted in the initiating player’s turns only.
- Kill Dice: Dice rolled to see if a figure is injured. - Shock Dice: Dice rolled to see if a figure suffers
negative morale.
R e-rolls
Some game rules permit a dice to be rolled again. In all cases, the original roll is discarded and the new roll stands.
D isclaimer
No intention has been made to glorify or otherwise trivialize the grim reality of armed conflict. No assumptions have been made about the gender or orientation of the players.
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F orming the Warband
The cornerstone of your force is the warband. Comprised of anywhere between 6-12 armed men, a typical game will only have one warband while larger games may feature multiple formations. Within the warband, figures can be categorized in two ways:
- Retainers : These heavily armed men are the professional soldiers of the medieval world. They can issue orders and have access to the best weapons.
- Levy : Normally part-time citizen soldiers, Levy figures represent the irregular infantry and cavalry that made up the bulk of most medieval armies.
H andling your Figures
Measure all movement from the approximate front of a figure’s base. Figures may move through their allies, but cannot end their move with overlapping bases. When placing a figure behind an obstacle, it should be made clear whether the figure is peaking out or hiding. Peaking figures can be targeted by attacks without penalty. Avoid placing hidden figures on the corner of terrain features to avoid confusion.
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The Turn Sequence A ctivations
Not every figure in the warband may act in the same turn. Each player has access to 4 action dice, the outcomes of which can be assigned to one figure per dice. At the start of each turn, each player should roll his action dice and consult the table below.
1 Scurry: Selected figure may move and sprint. No reactions may be taken against this figure.
2-5 Engage: Selected figure may move and fire or move and sprint or charge or move and make a special action.
6 Charge: Selected figure may fire their ranged weapon or charge.
T he Turn
The turn sequence boils down to two simple steps. - Activations: The player rolls his action dice and assigns
them to his figures. - Resolve Actions: The player resolves any moves or
attacks with his activated figures, along with any reactions from enemy figures. A figure may take two actions per activation.
Once both these steps have been completed, the turn passes to the next player.
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Movement B asic Movement
Infantry figures have a basic movement rate of 6” . When activated, a figure may move up to their full movement allowance in any direction. Moving figures can be left facing any direction at the end of their movement. Facing is important for determining counter charges and reaction fire.
S printing
A figure wishing to move further following a normal move may sprint. Indicate a destination and roll 1d6 . Add the result to the figure’s basic movement. Sprinting moves should be made in a relatively straight line, and count as part of the initial move for the purposes of reaction fire.
C harging
Instead of making a normal move, a figure may elect to charge at a visible enemy figure. A charging figure must move 6+1d6” in a straight line towards the enemy figure, ending the move in base contact. If the move is insufficient to reach the enemy figure, move the figure the number of inches rolled. Charging figures will usually strike first.
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R ough Terrain
Rough terrain could be anything from a small patch of woodland to an area of marshy ground and field strewn with rubble and debris. A figure may enter, move inside or exit a rough terrain feature without penalty. Figures may not enter and exit a rough terrain feature in the same movement phase.
O bstacles
Obstacles are vertical terrain features which block movement. Hedges, walls and fences are typical examples of battlefield obstacles. Obstacles are divided into two categories:
- Simple obstacles are waist high or lower. On moving into a simple obstacle, a figure must end their move. They may cross it on a subsequent turn.
- Obstructions up to the height of the figure are considered difficult obstacles . These require a full move to cross. The figure moves into contact on one turn, crosses using their move on the next turn, and moves off with a third move.
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H iding
If a figure makes contact with a suitable terrain feature or obstacle, they may elect to hide behind it. Use a suitable marker or verbal clarification to mark this. Hiding figures may not be targeted by ranged weapons unless the firer has direct line of sight, but they may be attacked in melee. A hiding figure will strike first, even if charged. If armed with a ranged weapon, hiding figures can make ranged attacks by peeking. This opens them up to reaction fire and they are assumed to be visible during the enemy turn.
B uildings
Having interior floor plans for buildings can make movement and combat within structures considerably easier but is not necessary. Doors can be moved through as part of a normal move. If the door is locked, it can be breached with a successful task roll and an appropriate tool. Windows count as a simple obstacle. Figures in doorways or windows may hide.
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Reactions Any figure can react, even if they were not activated on the previous turn. Figures that have already attacked may not react. Once a player has declared a move, so long as that figure is not scurrying or moving involuntarily, the other player may nominate a figure capable of making a reaction. Only one figure may react to each movement. Reaction fire is only permitted from the front 180⁰ of the figure.
S nap Fire
If a moving figure comes within 4” of an enemy figure that began the turn out of sight or more than 4” away, it is subject to snap fire. Resolve snap fire using kill dice only. A figure may only snap fire once per turn, though they may guard fire if able.
G uard Fire
Guard fire is resolved with shock dice only. May not trade for kill dice, even if a weapon allows it. A figure may guard fire more than once in a single turn.
C ounter-Charge
If a moving figure comes within 6” of an enemy figure that began the turn out of sight or more than 6” away, it is subject to a counter charge. The enemy figure moves into base contact with the moving figure, interrupting the move and resolving an attack.
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Special Actions Figures activated by the Engage activation type may take one of these actions instead of charging, firing a ranged weapon or sprinting.
T asks A task is any action outside the bounds of combat or movement. Persuading a truculent peasant or turning the windlass on a portcullis would both require a task roll. When called upon to make a task roll, use the table below.
1 Failure: This figure cannot carry out the action. Another figure can attempt it if applicable.
2-3 Delayed: The action does not succeed, but can be attempted again next turn.
4-6 Success: The action succeeds as expected.
O rders Retainers are battle-hardened warriors who command the respect of the warband’s levies. As such, they may spend one of their actions to issue an order to a levy figure with a command. Retainers may issue an order to any Levy figure within 6” .
- Form Up: The Levy figure moves 1d6” towards the retainer. - Stay Alert: The Levy figure may roll kill dice when using guard
fire. - Charge Them: The Levy figure may roll two dice when charging
and pick the highest result. - Try it Again: The Levy figure may roll two dice on their next task
roll and pick the highest.
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Combat These rules represent the violent exchanges of hand-to-hand combat that characterized medieval warfare. Any figure armed with a melee weapon can engage another, in a frenzied flurry of blows. Combat is decided by rolling kill dice and shock dice . The amount of dice rolled by a figure is determined by their skill and the weapon they wield. To initiate a combat, move the attacking figure into base contact with the defender and resolve the first attack. Once both sides have resolved their attacks, the combat ceases until either participant is activated again.
K ill Dice
1 Injured: A glancing blow grazes the figure. Roll 1d6 at the start of each turn, adding +1 for each subsequent result. On the result of a 6 , the figure goes Out of Action.
6 Killed: The figure goes Out of Action and is removed from the table.
S hock Dice
1 Flinch: The target loses the ability to retaliate.
6 Broken: The target loses their nerve and breaks.
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R anged Attacks
Figures armed with ranged weapons can make attacks at considerable distances. They may fire at any target within their line of sight not obscured by cover. There is no requirement to fire at the closest target. Resolve a ranged attack by rolling the appropriate number of kill dice and shock dice .
K ill Dice
1 Knocked Down: Indicate in a suitable manner or place laying down. The figure may not act normally unless activated or contact is made by a friendly figure.
6 Killed: The figure goes Out of Action and is removed from the battlefield.
S hock Dice
1 Flinch: If the target is in cover, they are pinned down. On the following turn, they may not move or make any kind of attack or reaction. If the target is in the open, they move 1d6” towards the nearest cover. The figure will attempt to hide and may not be activated on the following turn.
6 Fleeing: The target loses their nerve and breaks.
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G rappling
A figure may grapple instead of a normal weapon attack. Grappling figures are locked in a point-blank struggle for survival involving knives, fists and anything else that comes to hand. Both combatants should roll 1d6 and add any relevant modifiers. The highest scoring figure wins the grapple, causing the other figure to go out of action. The following modifiers add bonuses or penalties to the roll:
- Attacking: +1 - Pinned Down: Must re-roll 6’s . - Bailed: -1 and must re-roll 6’s . - Short Reach Weapon: +1 - Long Reach Weapon: -1 - Extra-Long Reach Weapon: -1
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B reaking
Broken figures have lost the will to fight, and are fleeing the battlefield. Shock Dice from both melee and ranged attacks can cause figures to enter this state. Upon breaking, the figure will automatically move 6” towards the nearest cover. A broken figure will immediately move 6+1d6” towards the nearest board edge at the start of their controlling player’s turn. They may not make any other actions or reactions. If a broken figure is engaged in melee combat, their controlling player may only resolve shock dice against the attacker. Once the broken figure comes within 6” of a table edge, roll 1d6. On a 1, they quit the field. Remove the figure from play. If a friendly figure makes base-to-base contact with a broken figure, roll 1d6. On a 6, they immediately rally, and may be activated as normal on the next turn.
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I nitiative
Initiative determines which figure will strike first in a combat. The order is determined by a number of factors, including certain skills, whether the figure charged and so on. Figures with the Lightning Reflexes skill strike first. If both combatants possess this skill, the figure who initiated the combat will strike first. Charging figures strike first, unless their opponent has the Lightning Reflexes skill or a weapon with the Nimble tag. This includes counter-charges. Figures with a Nimble weapon will strike first unless their opponent has the Lightning Reflexes skill.
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Creating a Warband R etainers and Levies
The Warband is composed of two types of figures. Retainers are the cream of the crop, armed with the best weapons and armour and placed in a position of command over the levy. Retainers always start the game with Heavy Armour. Levies are drawn from the low and middle classes of society. In Europe, they are likely part-time soldiers, mandated by law to keep suitable arms and equipment on their property in case of war. To determine a retainer’s armament, choose your time period and roll 1d10 on the table below.
Early Medieval High Medieval Late Medieval
1-2 Simple Weapon Simple Weapon Simple Weapon
3-4 Simple Weapon and Shield
Simple Weapon and Shield.
Simple Weapon and Matchlock Pistol
5-6 Simple Weapon and Shield
Advanced Weapon Advanced Weapon
7-8 Advanced Weapon and Shield or Javelins
Advanced Weapon Complex Weapon
9-10 Complex Weapon Complex Weapon Complex Weapon
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To determine a levy figure’s armament, choose your time period and roll 1d10 on the table below.
Early Medieval High Medieval Late Medieval
1-2 Ranged Weapon Ranged Weapon Ranged Weapon
3-4 Ranged Weapon Ranged Weapon Ranged Weapon
5-6 Simple Weapon Simple Weapon and Shield
Advanced Weapon and Shield
7-8 Simple Weapon and Shield
Advanced Weapon Advanced Weapon
9-10 Advanced Weapon and Shield
Complex Weapon Complex Weapon
Figures with ranged weapons must roll 1d10 on the table below.
Early Medieval High Medieval Late Medieval
1-2 Sling Javelins, Simple Weapon and Shield
Shortbow and Simple Weapon
3-4 Javelins and Shield Shortbow Longbow or Crossbow and Simple Weapon
5-6 Javelins, Simple Weapon and Shield
Longbow and Simple Weapon
Handgonne
7-8 Shortbow Crossbow and Simple Weapon
Matchlock Musket
9-10 Longbow or Crossbow
Handgonne Wheellock Musket and Simple Weapon or Snaplock Musket
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To determine your starting forces, roll 3d6 on the table below.
1 1 Levy figures and 1 Retainer.
2 2 Levy figures with special gear and 1 Retainer.
3 2 Levy figures with light armour and 1 Retainer.
4 3 Levy figures with special gear and 1 Retainer.
5 2 Levy figures with light armour and 1 Mounted Retainer.
6 2 Mounted Levy figures and 1 Mounted Retainer.
For larger games, both players may roll 1d10 on the support table appropriate for their time period.
E arly Medieval
1 Foot Sergeants: +3 Levy armed with simple weapons, light armour and shields.
2 Skirmishers: +4 Levy armed with javelins or slings, simple weapons and shields.
3 Mounted Sergeants : +3 Levy on horseback armed with simple weapons, light armour and shields.
4 Early Knights: +2 Retainers on horseback armed with advanced weapons and shields.
5 Armed Pilgrims: +3 Levy armed with simple weapons, +1 Levy armed with a simple weapon and a trumpet.
6 Peasant Archers: +3 Levy armed with short bows.
7 Foot Knights: +3 Retainers armed with advanced weapons and shields.
8 Crossbow Militia: +2 Levy armed with crossbows.
9 Drovers: +3 Levy armed with slings.
10 Foreign Mercenaries: +1 Retainer armed with an advanced weapon and a shield, +2 Levy armed with simple weapons, javelins and shields.
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H igh Medieval
1 Hedge Knight: +1 Retainer with an advanced melee weapon and shield.
2 Foresters: +3 Levy armed with longbows and hunting horns.
3 Watchmen: +4 Levy armed with simple weapons and light armour.
4 Engineers: +2 Levy armed with simple weapons and bags of pitch or casks of black powder or sacks of caltrops.
5 Brigands: +1 Retainer with an advanced weapon, +3 Levy armed with short bows or simple weapons.
6 Hobilars: +3 Levy on horseback with simple weapons and shields.
7 Indentured Soldiery: +4 Levy with light armour and advanced weapons.
8 Mercenary Crossbowmen: +3 Levy with light armour, crossbows and pavises.
9 Household Retinue: +3 Retainers with advanced weapons or simple weapons and shields.
10 Heavy Cavalry: +3 Retainers on horseback with advanced weapons.
L ate Medieval
1 Mercenary Pikemen: +4 Levy armed with pikes and light armour.
2 Mounted Crossbowmen: +2 Levy on horseback armed with crossbows.
3 Handgunners: +3 Levy armed with handgonnes and simple weapons.
4 Irregular Cavalry: +3 Levy on horseback armed with simple weapons and javelins or short bows.
5 Swordsmen: +3 Levy armed with simple weapons and shields.
6 Heavy Gunners: +1 Levy armed with hand cannon, +1 Levy armed with a simple weapon and pavise.
7 Foot Knights: +3 Retainers armed with complex weapons.
8 Arquebusiers : +3 Levy armed with matchlock muskets.
9 Gendarmes : +2 Retainers on horseback armed with advanced weapons.
10 Reiters: +2 Levy on horseback armed with matchlock pistols and simple weapons.
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Armoury This section covers the tools of warfare used by knights and common men alike. Swords and axes, bows and spears are all covered by these rules. A list of common weapons is presented at the end of the section, while the tables that follow allow you to create your own using a handful of dice.
W eapon Type
In Chevauchee, weapons are broken down into three types by the complexity of their construction and use in battle. Generally, more complex weapons are only available to retainers and very lucky levy figures. The type of weapon is usually determined by the Warband Creation table.
- Simple: Something that even the worst warrior can use to fend off the enemy. Roll 1 Damage, 1 Reach and 1 Tag.
- Advanced: A weapon with a particular fighting style or quirk associated with it. Roll 1 Damage, 1 Reach and 2 Tags.
- Complex: Only a highly trained warrior could utilize this weapon to it’s full potential. Roll 1 Damage, 1 Reach and 3 Tags.
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D amage Type
This governs how the weapon is used against an enemy. Slashing weapons use the edge of a blade to open up wounds, piercing weapons use a sharpened point to penetrate armour and crushing weapons destroy flesh and bone with sheer mass.
1-5 Piercing: Roll 2 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice per attack.
6-8 Slashing: Roll 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice per attack. Re-roll one failed kill dice against unarmoured targets.
9-10 Crushing: Roll 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice per attack. Re-roll one failed kill dice against armoured targets.
R each
A weapon’s reach governs at what range attacks can be made. These categories are deliberately broad to encompass the biggest variety of weapons.
1-3 Short: +1 to all grapple rolls. Must target the horse when engaging mounted targets.
4-6 Medium: The wielder may exchange all kill dice for shock dice when making an attack.
7-9 Long: +1 Kill Dice against mounted targets. -1 to all grapple rolls.
10 Extra-Long: May attack figures when they are within 2” . Cannot Sprint. Must only roll shock dice when the enemy is in base contact. -1 to all grapple rolls.
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T ags
Medieval weapons are unique in both appearance and in the way they are used in battle. A hooked axe-blade can haul down shields, two-handed weapons can cleave a man in two. The tag system represents this uniqueness, allowing a player to represent a whole battlefield of armaments from many different periods.
1-7 Formation: Other figures within 1” using weapons with this tag may re-roll one failed kill dice.
8-14 Heavy: +1 Kill Dice . -1 to Grapple Rolls.
15-21 Two-Handed: +1 Kill Dice , +1 Shock Dice . -1 to Grapple Rolls. Figure may not use a shield.
22-28 Armour-Piercing: Re-roll one failed kill dice against armoured targets.
29-35 Hooked: Re-roll one failed kill dice against targets carrying a shield.
36-42 Cavalry: +1 Shock Dice when wielded from horseback.
43-49 Versatile: Re-roll one failed shock dice.
50-56 Multi-Type (Piercing): +1 Kill Dice . Roll again if the weapon is already piercing.
57-63 Multi-Type (Slashing): Re-roll failed kill dice against unarmoured targets. Roll again if the weapon is already slashing.
64-70 Multi-Type (Crushing): Re-roll failed kill dice against armoured targets. Roll again if the weapon is already crushing.
71-77 Blade Trap: The figure gains the benefits of a shield.
78-84 Complex Guard: When defending, the figure may ignore the result of one kill dice.
85-92 Off-Hand: This may be used in conjunction with another one-handed weapon.
93-100 Nimble: This weapon always strikes first.
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R anged Weapons
The medieval world played host to a wide variety of missile weapons, from slings and short bows to mechanical crossbows. The rules for these weapons are presented below.
Thrown Object Roll 1 Shock Dice . 8” Range. May be picked up from the ground by any figure with a successful task roll.
Sling Roll 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . 12” Range. Re-roll successful Kill Dice against targets with heavy armour.
Javelin Roll 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . 8” Range. May be thrown while charging.
Short Bow Roll 2 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . 18” Range.
Long Bow Roll 2 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . 24” Range. Re-roll failed kill dice against armoured targets.
Crossbow Roll 3 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . 18” Range. May not move and fire. Re-roll failed kill dice against armoured targets.
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F irearms
Guns begin to appear on the medieval battlefield in the late fifteenth century. At this point in history, they are terror weapons, brought to bear against formations of heavily armoured men. As technology advances, primitive matchlocks give way to wheel and snaplock mechanisms.
Handgonne Roll 1 Kill Dice and 3 Shock Dice . 12” Range. If doubles are rolled on any dice, resolve 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice against the firer. May not move and fire.
Hand Cannon Roll 2 Kill Dice and 4 Shock Dice . 18” Range. If doubles are rolled on any dice, resolve 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice against the firer. Requires an additional figure to maneuver the weapon. May not move and fire.
For later period firearms, select a type and a mechanism from the tables below. Type
Pistol Roll 1 Kill Dice and 2 Shock Dice . 8” Range. Add +1 to all Grapple Rolls. May be fired from horseback.
Musket Roll 2 Kill Dice and 2 Shock Dice . 18” Range. May not move and fire. Re-roll failed kill dice against armoured targets.
Mechanism
Matchlock If doubles are rolled on any dice, resolve 1 Kill Dice against the firer.
Wheellock If doubles are rolled on any dice, the weapon cannot be used for the remainder of the game.
Snaplock If doubles are rolled on any dice, resolve shock dice only.
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A rmour
While many different types of armour were available across the medieval world, Chevauchee breaks protective gear down into two basic types: Light and Heavy.
- Light Armour: If the figure goes out of action from a weapons hit, roll 1d6 . On a 1 or a 6 , the figure is wounded instead.
- Heavy Armour: Roll 1d6 for every successful Kill Dice. On a 1 or a 6 , the attack fails. -1 to Sprinting, -1 to all Grapple Rolls.
- Shield: Figures carrying a shield must re-roll all grapple rolls. If the figure carrying the shield is attacked, re-roll one of the attacker’s Kill Dice. If another figure carrying a shield is within 1” , gain an additional re-roll.
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H orses
Mounted figures have a base move of 8” and may sprint as normal. They may not enter buildings or climb stairs. Simple obstacles may be crossed without penalty. If the rider is thrown from the horse, place suitable figures to represent them and the horse at the point where they were thrown. Riderless horses will move 8” in a random direction at the start of each player’s turn. When charging, mounted figures add +2 Shock Dice to their attack. Mounted figures may use one-handed weapons and shields. Figures may mount or dismount horses instead of moving. Figures targeting horses should use the tables below when resolving shock dice and kill dice .
K ill Dice
1 Lame: The mounted figure moves at half speed and may not sprint for the rest of the battle.
6 Killed: The horse is removed from the battlefield. Place the rider in base contact with the enemy figure. Roll 1d6 . On a 1 or 6 , the figure is knocked down.
S hock Dice
1 Bucking: The rider is thrown from the horse. Roll 1d6 . On a 1 or 6 , the figure is knocked down.
6 Bolting: The mounted figure moves 8” away from the combat. Roll 1d6 . On a 1 or 6 , the figure is thrown from the horse and knocked down.
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S pecial Gear
Many soldiers carried extra items to assist them on the battlefield. Roll on the table below to determine the nature of the item.
1-2 Stakes: A pair of wooden stakes cut from a nearby forest. A figure may deploy them as one of their actions. A set of four stakes counts as a difficult obstacle and will inflict 2 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice on charging horsemen.
3-4 Pavise/Hoarding: A huge shield or moveable barricade. A figure may deploy it as one of their actions. A pavise or hoarding acts as cover for any figure directly behind it.
5 Grappling Iron: A heavy iron hook and a length of sturdy rope. A figure may treat difficult obstacles as simple ones, providing they make a successful task roll.
6 Trumpet/Drum/Pipes: A bombastic instrument designed to carry signals across a chaotic battlefield. Retainers adjacent to a figure with this item may issue an order to 1d6 figures within an 18” range.
7 Hunting Horn: A musical instrument carved from animal horn. A figure with a horn may rally figures at a range of 12” . Retainers carrying the horn may add 6” to the range of their orders.
8 Bag of Pitch: A bag filled with highly flammable resin, used as an incendiary weapon. A bow-armed figure may spend an action to set their next shot alight, gaining +1 Shock Dice . One use only.
9 Sack of Caltrops: A sack filled with spiked traps designed to impede the movement of horsemen and light infantry. A figure may spend an action to scatter the traps in a 2” circle from the centre of their base. The traps inflict 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice on any figure passing through the circle. One use only.
10 Keg of Black Powder: A keg of explosive powder. A figure may place the keg as one of their actions, and ignite it with a successful task roll. After one full turn, the keg detonates. Each figure within a 3” radius suffers 1 Kill Dice and 1 Shock Dice . One use only.
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W eapon List
The following tables provide a number of pre-made weapons to speed up the process of putting a warband together. Weapons marked with * are assumed to be carried by every figure, regardless of armament. Simply choose one at the start of each battle.
S imple Weapons
Arming Sword 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Medium Versatile or Armour Piercing
Curved Sword 1 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Slashing Medium Nimble or Cavalry
Fighting Axe 1(2) Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Hooked or Multi-Type (Piercing)
Mace/Hammer 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Heavy
Spear 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Long Formation or Cavalry
Dagger* 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Short Nimble or Off-Hand
Knife/Seax* 1 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Slashing Short Versatile or Hooked
Misericorde* 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Short Armour-Piercing
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A dvanced Weapons
Longsword 3 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Piercing Medium Two-handed and Versatile
Battleaxe 2(3) Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Two-handed and hooked or Multi-Type (Piercing)
Two-handed hammer/mace
4 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Two-handed and Heavy
Long Spear/Pike
3 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Piercing Extra-Long Two-handed and Formation
Billhook 1 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Slashing Long Formation and Hooked
Langseax 1 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Slashing Medium Nimble and Versatile
War Axe 2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Hooked, Multi-Type (Piercing)
War Mace/Hammer/Pick
2(1) Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Armour-Piercing, Heavy or Cavalry
C omplex Weapons
Halberd 3 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Piercing Long Formation, Two-Handed, Multi-Type Crushing
Poleaxe 2 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Crushing Medium Two-Handed, Versatile, Multi-Type Piercing
Bardiche 3 Kill Dice, 2 Shock Dice.
Slashing Medium Two-Handed, Heavy, Blade-Trap
Lance 3 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Long Cavalry, Heavy, Armour Piercing
Nobleman’s Sword
2 Kill Dice, 1 Shock Dice.
Piercing Medium Nimble, Versatile, Complex Guard
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Skills Skills are additional abilities which provide some sort of advantage in combat. Skills come in three basic types: General , Levy and Retainer . For pick-up games not part of an on-going campaign, roll 1d6+1 and assign that number of skills to the figures in your warband.
G eneral Skills
These skills are available to both types of figure and provide bonuses to basic actions like movement and task rolls. Roll 1d10 on the table below.
1 Swift: Increase the figure’s base movement by 2” .
2 Strong: Ignore the effects of the first hit taken in a battle.
3 Lightning Reflexes: This figure always strikes first.
4 Formation Fighter: This figure may re-roll an additional kill dice when fighting in formations.
5 Armoured Fighter: This figure suffers no penalties from wearing heavy armour.
6 Charisma: This figure gains +1 to all task rolls involving persuasion.
7 Quick Draw: Readying a weapon does not cost an action.
8 Sunderer: After resolving an attack, this figure may select another target with 2” and roll his shock dice against them. This action may be repeated against any other targets, dropping one dice each time until all the figure’s shock dice are depleted.
9 Skilled: This figure gains +1 to all task rolls.
10 Grit: This figure automatically recovers when broken.
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R etainer Skills
These skills are exclusive to retainer figures, enhancing their abilities at commanding others, fighting from horseback and engaging other retainers. Roll 1d10 on the table below.
1 Expert Rider: This figure rolls 2d6 for sprinting when on horseback, picking the highest result. The figure may also fire ranged weapons from horseback.
2 Cavalier: This figure gains +1 Shock Dice when using weapons with the cavalry tag.
3 Tactician: This figure may issue two orders as one action.
4 Inspiring: This figure may rally broken figures within 12” .
5 Master Swordsmen: This figure gains +1 Kill Dice with Medium reach weapons.
6 Shield-Breaker: Following a successful melee attack, roll 1d6 : On a 1 or a 6 , destroy the enemy’s shield.
7 Grappling at the Sword: This figure gains +1 to all grapple rolls.
8 Commanding Shout: This figure can issue orders to any Levy figures within 9” .
9 Thunderous Charge: This figure adds +1 Shock Dice to their mounted charge bonus.
10 Footwork: Following an attack, this figure can move 2” in any direction. This move cannot initiate another combat.
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L evy Skills
These skills are only available to Levy figures, enhancing their ability to engage targets at long range, and in nasty close-quarter brawls. Roll 1d10 on the table below.
1 Eagle Eyed: Increase the maximum range of all ranged weapons by 2” .
2 Crack Shot: Add +1 Kill Dice to all ranged attacks.
3 Berserker: Add +1 Shock Dice to all melee attacks.
4 Furious Charge: This figure may roll 2d6 when charging and pick the highest result.
5 Unarmoured Fighter: This figure gains +1” base movement when not wearing armour.
6 Polearm Master: This figure gains +1 Kill Dice when using Long and Extra-Long reach weapons.
7 Aggressive: If a grapple ends in a draw, this figure can force his enemy to re-roll.
8 Rapid Fire: This figure may exchange all his Kill Dice for Shock dice when making ranged attacks.
9 Knife Fighter: This figure gains +1 Kill Dice with Short reach weapons.
10 Slaughterman: This figure may re-roll one failed Kill Dice when attacking horses.
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Creating Characters Characters are the protagonists of your blood-soaked story. These tables are designed to run in conjunction with the campaign systems presented later on in this book, producing the men who populate your corner of the medieval world. Feel free to re-roll any results that don’t quite fit, most of the options presented below are for roleplaying and have no mechanical impact.
A ge
1-3 Young: Perhaps barely out of puberty, this character is flush with youthful vigour.
4-8 Middle-Aged: Just past their prime, this character has a wealth of experience to draw on.
9 Old: This character has managed to survive multiple decades against all odds.
10 Venerable: In an age where most lifespans are measured in a score of years, this character is truly blessed. They’ve seen more than most people alive.
M otivation 1-15 Patriotism: This character is prepared to fight and die in service of their
king.
16-20 Survival: Powered by base instinct, this character just wants to save their own skin.
21-25 Zealotry: God has called this character to battle.
26-40 Glory: This character is seeking recognition on the blood-soaked battlefield.
41-45 Revenge: This character has scores to settle.
46-60 Adventure: Life is simply more interesting on campaign.
61-70 Brotherhood: The bonds of fellowship formed by combat are the strongest of all.
71-75 Ambition: This character is seeking advancement through conflict.
76-80 Fatalist: Death’s cold embrace is all that awaits this character.
81-90 Family: The folks back home drive this character onwards.
91-100 Escape: Some dark past pursues this character.
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B ackground
1-30 Peasant: A humble serf, farming fields and tending cattle. Dragged away from their life of servitude to fight for king, country and survival.
31-40 Valued Professional: A blacksmith, butcher, carpenter or other tradesman highly valued in their tight-knit community. The call of war has drawn them to the battlefield.
41-45 Merchant: Drawn by the lure of gold or far-off lands, merchant caravans criss-cross the continent. Many follow in the rear of armies, bringing supplies to hungry soldiers.
46-60 Outlaw: Cast out by society, thousands of souls scratch a living on the fringes. Many are criminals of the worst order, some were just unlucky.
61-70 Noble Retainer: From domestic servant to household knight. All sorts of folk are bound to serve the noble houses.
71-80 Holy Orders: A servant of one of the many religious organizations vying for control of the medieval world.
81-90 Professional Soldier: The unending conflict needs a steady supply of hardened men. The professional soldier serves his master and himself, whatever his station.
91-100 Bard: A man of songs and laughter, wandering from court to court singing tales of heroism and telling the tales of old.
L ength of Service
1-2 Fresh from the Fields: The character has yet to experience the horrors of the medieval battlefield.
3-6 Bloodied: A few skirmishes has given the character an appreciation of how awful the battlefield can be.
7-9 Seasoned Campaigner: Numerous battles have moulded this character into a veteran soldier, commanding the respect of his peers. +1 General Skill.
10 Hardened Veteran: A cold-blooded killer, both feared and respected across the kingdom. +1 Retainer Skill.
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T raits and Quirks
1-3 Speaks other Tongues: The character can converse in another language.
4-6 Flamboyant: Confidence and exuberance ooze from the character’s colourful facade.
7-9 Airs and Graces: The character has experience in dealing with the nobility.
10-12 Salt of the Earth: The character is at home among commoners and peasants.
13-15 Gambling Problem: Dice and cards have a particular hold over the character.
16-18 Unhappy Spouse: Something has displeased the character’s better half.
19-21 Drunkard: The character spends most of his time in a state of inebriation.
22-24 Prodigious Skill: The character has a remarkable knack for one skill in particular.
25-27 Paranoid: The character is always looking over their shoulder.
28-30 Scarred: An unfortunate injury has marked the character for life.
31-33 Maimed: The character has been grievously wounded, leaving a permanent and inconvenient legacy.
34-36 Literate: The character has learned his letters.
37-39 Scholar: The character is often found with his nose in a book, or hunched over in a dusty library.
40-42 Pious: The character is devoutly religious.
43-45 Pompous: The character has an inflated sense of self-importance.
46-48 Prodigious Strength: The character could wrestle a bear and win.
49-51 Impetuous: The character acts quickly and decisively, without forethought.
52-54 Lunatic: The character is stark raving mad.
55-57 Unusual Moniker: The character has acquired an odd nickname.
58-60 Rotund: The character is grossly fat.
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T raits and Quirks (Cont.)
61-63 Unusual Pet: A strange creature accompanies the character.
64-66 Beautiful: The character is blessed with an alluring visage.
67-69 Quick-Witted: The character has a particularly sharp mind and a cutting sense of humour.
70-72 Dullard: The character lacks intelligence and common sense.
73-75 Bastard: The character was born out of wedlock.
76-78 Chivalrous: The character is a paragon of knightly virtue.
79-81 Kinslayer: The character has murdered a blood relative, and has been ostracised by society.
82-84 Crusader: The character has travelled with a crusading army, to fight against heathen invaders.
85-87 Excommunicated: The character has been cast out by the church.
88-90 Heretic: The character has turned their back on an organized religion.
91-93 Diseased: The character is afflicted by some plague or long-term illness.
94-96 Poet: The character has a knack for producing lyrical verse.
97-100 Duellist: The character is a master of single combat.
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Battle is Joined S etting up the Battle Area In most cases, simply pick a visually appealing table and play on it. Players wanting a more mechanical approach should fill the table with terrain markers, with approximately 6-8” between them. Chevauchee will play well on any size table ranging from 3’x3’ to 4’x6’ . When setting up the table, the guiding principle should be terrain density and whether the board will make for an interesting game. Whatever the mission type or objectives, both sides will deploy on opposite table edges, within 6” of the board edge. Roll 1d6 on the table below for each marker.
1 Linear Obstacle: Wall, hedgerow, barricade, fence, treeline.
2 Vegetation: Woods, bushes, shrubbery.
3 Structure: Building, ruins.
4 Obstruction: Marsh, water, rubble.
5 Individual Feature: Boulder, debris.
6 Natural Feature: Hill, scattered trees, broken ground.
T ype of Battle Battles are broken down into three types. Roll 1d10 to determine the
nature of your engagement.
1-3 Raid: An offensive action revolving around capturing or destroying objects.
4-7 Pitched Battle: A straight-up fight between two forces.
8-10 Defensive Action: One side is attempting to hold a location or protect something important.
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W eather Conditions To use weather effects, select the table appropriate for your location and roll 1d6 . Rain
1 Gloomy Skies: Roll again in 3 turns.
2 Light Drizzle: No effects.
3 Steady Rain: No effects.
4 Low Visibility: Ranged weapon fire beyond 12” is limited to shock dice.
5 Muddy Quagmire: No sprint or charge moves beyond 3”.
6 Miserable Downpour: Each turn, your opponent may roll 1d6 . On a 1, one random figure will break and run.
Snow
1 Steel-Grey Skies: Roll again in 3 turns.
2 Frostbitten Ground: No Effect.
3 Bitter Sleet: No Effect.
4 Thick and Heavy: No sprint moves possible.
5 White Wall: No visibility beyond 12” .
6 Frozen Hell: Remove one random figure from each side.
Cloudy
1 Uncertain Weather: Roll again in 3 turns.
2 Pleasantly Mild: No Effect.
3 Cold Wind: No Effect.
4 Faint Drizzle: No Effect.
5 Sudden Cloudburst: Roll once on the rain table. Apply the result for 3 turns.
6 Foul Weather: After 3 turns, roll once on the Rain table and apply the result for the rest of the game.
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Sunny
1 Cloud-filled Skies: Roll once on the Cloudy table.
2 Morning Mist: Ranged weapon fire beyond 12” is limited to shock dice for the first 3 turns of the game.
3 Fickle Skies: Roll once on the Rain table. Apply the result for 3 turns.
4 Unremarkable: No Effect.
5 Pleasant Sunshine: No Effect.
6 Scorching Day: In 3 turns, roll on the Sweltering Heat table.
Sweltering Heat
1 Surprisingly Mild: Roll once on the Sunny table.
2 Very Hot: Figures in heavy armour reduce their movement by 1” .
3 Extremely Hot: Figures wearing light and heavy armour reduce their movement by 1” .
4 Baking Sun: Roll again in 3 turns.
5 Brutal Heat: Any figure that rolls a 6 when sprinting is knocked down at the end of their move.
6 Crushing Heat: No figure may sprint.
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B attle Events When each player resolves their activation dice, they should roll another, distinctly coloured d6. The outcome of this dice determines whether a random event occurs during that player’s turn. On 1-5, nothing happens. On a 6, roll 1d100 on the table below.
1-7 Confused: Select a random figure. They may not act or react this turn.
8-14 Accident: Select a random figure. They are knocked down.
15-21 Furious Assault: Receive one additional scurry action this turn.
22-28 Reinforcements: Select a spot on your table edge that is not within 8” of an enemy figure. Roll on the appropriate support table and place the unit on that spot. They may not act until the following turn.
29-35 Seize the Moment: Roll an additional activation dice this turn.
36-42 Discovery: Select a random terrain feature within line of sight of a friendly figure. Your men have spotted something valuable or desirable. If the object can be recovered and held until the end of the battle, roll 1d6 . On a 6 , that figure gains a skill.
43-49 Hit the Dirt: One figure in the open may move up to 4” if it brings them into cover.
50-56 Bravery: One broken figure may rally.
57-63 Spooked Horses: Select a random mounted figure and move them 6” in a random direction. If there aren’t any mounted figures, re-roll.
64-70 Fumbled: Select a random figure in melee combat. They may only resolve shock dice this turn.
71-77 Rapid Fire: One figure armed with a ranged weapon may roll an extra Kill Dice this turn.
78-84 Hiding Spot: A random figure in cover or rough terrain may not be targeted by ranged attacks this turn.
85-91 Just a Scratch: A figure taken out of action last turn may return to the battlefield at the spot where they fell.
92-100 Cold Feet: A random figure must retreat 4” or flinch.
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S etting up the Objectives
Each mission type has a number of potential objectives associated with it. Roll once on the table appropriate to the mission type.
R aid
1-3 Livestock Raid: The attacking side is attempting to make off with some livestock. Place 1d6+1 cattle or 1d3+1 horses in an enclosure near the centre of the table. The attacking player must secure at least half the animals before leaving the battlefield.
4-5 Slash and Burn: The attacking side is attempting to destroy a small hamlet and the surrounding fields. Place a cluster of 1d4+1 buildings in the centre of the table. The attacking player may use bags of pitch, gunpowder, fire arrows or burning brands to destroy the buildings. Ignited buildings take 1d4 turns to burn down. All buildings must be destroyed before leaving the battlefield.
6-8 The Grain Stores: The attacking side is attempting to steal a large quantity of stored grain from an isolated barn. Place a single large building in the centre of the table. The barn is filled with 1d6+1 sacks of grain. A sack of grain may be removed from the barn with a successful task roll. Figures carrying grain sacks are reduced to half move unless they are mounted. The attacking player must remove half the sacks of grain before leaving the battlefield.
9-10 Baggage Train: The attacking side is ambushing a convoy of supplies or other valuables as it travels through supposedly friendly country. Deploy a road or dirt track between two table edges. Place a cart laden with 1d4+1 sacks of grain or other supplies. The attacking player must remove half the supplies before leaving the battlefield.
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P itched Battle
1-3 Rout: Both sides are trying to drive the other side from the table.
4-5 Held to Ransom: The attacking side is attempting to capture a number of prisoners to use as bargaining chips in the conflict. The attackers may leave the battlefield once over half the enemy force has been taken prisoner.
6-8 Take and Hold: The attacking side is attempting to gain control of a strategic location. Place an appropriate fortification or other defensible terrain in the centre of the board. The attacking player must gain control of this location and defend it until the defending side has retreated.
9-10 Hostile Reconnaissance: Both sides are attempting to scout locations surrounding a central objective. Roll 1d4 and place markers on four strategic terrain features in the centre of the board. These must be searched with a task roll before either side can quit the field.
D efensive Action
1-3 Ambush: The defender has got the jump on the attacker, aiming to rout them before they get further into friendly territory. Deploy the defending side behind concealment or cover, out of sight of the attackers. Play begins using the infiltration rules. The defenders must kill or capture half the attacking force before leaving the field.
4-5 Rearguard: A village stands in the path of the ravaging invader.The defender must hold them off while the civilians escape. Deploy 2d6 civilians somewhere on the table. The defending side may only leave the table once half these civilians have exited the table.
6-8 Scorched Earth: With an invading army on the warpath, the retreating defenders must leave a barren wasteland in their wake. Nominate 1d4+1 terrain features as places of logistical importance (Fields of grain, mills, wells, orchards etc). Using burning brands, fire arrows, pitch and gunpowder, the defender must destroy over half of these features before leaving the battlefield. The attacker has to prevent this destruction.
9-10 Hidden Treasure: Some local peasants have hidden caches of supplies in the area. Randomly place 1d6+1 markers inside terrain features on the board. Both sides can leave the battlefield once at least half of these markers have been collected.
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O bjective Special Rules
These rules govern a series of specific mechanisms presented in the mission generation rules on the previous pages.
C attle
The rules presented here are designed to represent domesticated livestock, kept by medieval peasants across the world. Docile unless provoked, these animals provide sustenance to invaders and defenders alike. At the start of each turn, roll once on the table for each animal to determine their movement.
1 Myopic: The animal pauses, glassy eyes staring blankly. No movement.
2-5 Docile: The animal moves 6” in a random direction.
6 Spooked: The animal moves 2d6” away from the nearest visible figure.
Cattle can be herded by any figure. This requires a successful task roll within 6” of the animal.The cattle will move as spooked in a direction picked by the herding player.
C arts and Wagons
Carts are two-wheeled vehicles drawn by one or two draft animals. Carts with one animal move at a rate of 6” per turn, with a sprint move of 1d6” . If the cart has two animals yoked, the controlling player may re-roll the sprint dice.
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A cart requires one figure to control it, who may walk alongside the draft animals or steer from the back. A cart may transport one additional passenger when fully loaded, and an additional two if empty. Wagons are heavy four-wheeled vehicles pulled by a team of draft animals. Wagons move at a rate of 6” per turn. If the wagon has less than two animals yoked to it, reduce movement by half. A wagon requires one figure to control it, who may walk alongside the draft animals or steer from the back. A wagon may transport one additional passenger when fully loaded, and an additional four if empty. Figures may use ranged weapons from the back of both types of vehicle. Figures with medium and long reach melee weapons may attack figures within 1” of the cart. Pavises, hoardings and shields may be attached to the cart to provide cover for figures riding in it.
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C ivilians Civilian figures are non-combatants inhabiting the battlefield. At the start of each turn, move each civilian figure 6” in a random direction. Players can choose the direction of movement providing they have a figure within 6” that makes a successful task roll.
P risoners A figure defeated in a grapple or contacted while knocked down or breaking may be taken prisoner. Players may not take prisoners if the target has friendly figures within 6” . Prisoners must be within 3” to remain under control. While in prisoner status, the prisoner cannot be activated. Whenever a figure activates within 3” of a prisoner, they may move the prisoner 6” in any direction. The prisoner can be moved before or after the figure carries out their activation, and may follow the figure or be transferred to another guard. A prisoner can only be moved once per player turn. If a figure can move a prisoner off their starting table edge, they are assumed to be secured somewhere nearby until the battle is over. If there are no enemy figures within 9” of a prisoner and their guard, the prisoner can attempt to escape by grappling with a -1 penalty. If they succeed, control reverts back to the original player, but they may not be activated until the next turn. They can pick up any weapons carried by their guard.
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Dastardly Deeds The element of surprise is key to success during battle. This section covers the infiltration of one side against enemy controlled defensive positions. This is the work of dagger-armed rogues and eagle-eyed archers.
S etting up
The defenders set up first, deploying their sentries. Figures should be designated as patrolling, stationary or reinforcements. Patrolling figures may move during the patrol phase. Stationary figures must remain in place until the main battle begins. Reinforcements arrive at a rate of 1 figure per turn once the main battle begins. Available reinforcements enter the battlefield through two designated entry points, either in an on-table buildings or the friendly table edge.
P atrol Markers
When setting up the defending side, place a number of patrol markers on the tabletop. For a typical game, use 3-4 markers, but the larger the table, the more markers you should use. Patrol markers may be placed anywhere on the table and will not move for the duration of the phase. Once the battle proper begins, remove the markers.
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N oise Markers
These rules will occasionally require a Noise Marker to be placed on the table. Noise markers are temporary and are removed at the end of each Patrol phase.
I nfiltration Phase
The attacking side takes the first turn. Until the battle begins proper, no activation rolls are made. Instead, the Infiltrators take a special Infiltration Phase when it is their turn to play. When the infiltration phase begins, the player may elect to break silence and begin the regular battle. In this case, they begin a standard game turn and no more Stealth turns take place. During the Infiltration phase, each figure may move, and may take certain other options, indicated below. Infiltrators may move cautiously or frantically. A cautious move is 3” . A frantic move is 6” but requires a Noise marker to be placed by the figure at the end of the move. No sprinting
is permitted. P atrol Phase
When the defending player takes their turn, they will take a Patrol phase. During the Patrol phase, each Patrolling sentry may move 3” . They may move directly towards any Patrol point or Noise marker. They may not move in any way, other than directly towards one of the two types of marker. Each sentry may move towards a different marker. One sentry per turn may be selected to remain in place, without moving but may turn in place, to face any Noise or Patrol marker. Stationary sentries do not move during Patrol phases but may turn to face any Noise marker. At the end of the Patrol phase, check for detection and remove all Noise markers.
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D etection
Detection is checked at the beginning of the Patrol Phase. If an infiltrator is:
- Within 3” of a sentry, then sound the alarm. - Within 6” of a sentry and in their line of sight, sound the alarm. - Within 12” of a sentry and in their line of sight, make a detection
check. Detection checks are made by rolling 1d6 on the table below.
1 Alert: The sentry moves 2” directly towards the infiltrator. If the infiltrator is not detected, make another roll on this table.
2-5 Jumping at Shadows: No effect.
6 Hue and Cry!: Sound the Alarm.
T he Alarm
If the alarm is sounded, the following events will take place. - The detected infiltrator may roll one kill dice against the sentry if
they’re armed with a ranged weapon, or make a charge move. - Every sentry may move up to 3” . - Sentries armed with ranged weapons may fire using shock dice
only.
G uard Dogs
Each dog must be assigned to a sentry. Increase the listed spotting distances by 3”. In combat, figures accompanied by a guard dog gain an additional +1 to all Grapple rolls.
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D eception and Distraction
One infiltrator per turn may utilize Deception. The infiltrator selected may not move. Roll 1d6 . On any roll but a 1 , select a sentry within 18” . The sentry is prohibited from moving during the following turn. The sentry must remain facing in a direction indicated by the deceptive player. If the infiltrator rolls a 1 , the deception does not take place and a Noise Marker is placed by the infiltrator. One infiltrator per turn may create a Distraction. The infiltrator selected may not move. The closest sentry immediately moves 2” towards the infiltrator, even if the sentry is Stationary. Place a Noise Marker by the infiltrator.
H ole Up
Infiltrators that do not move during the Infiltration Phase can Hole Up. Until the next Infiltration Phase, the Holed Up figure can only be detected if a sentry comes within 3” and Line of Sight of them.
B lades in the Dark
Sentries can be silenced in a number of ways. A successful grapple roll will neutralize sentries. Unless the grapple is won by more than +2 , place a Noise marker at the location. If a sentry is engaged in conventional melee combat and taken out of action in the first round, place a Noise marker at the location and continue. If the combat lasts more than one round, raise the Alarm. Infiltrators may carry bodies with them at half-speed. Sentries may detect these bodies in the exact same way as they would enemy infiltrators.
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Figures armed with ranged weapons may engage targets using their kill dice only. If the sentry is taken out of action, handle their body as stated above. If the sentry is knocked down, place a noise marker at the downed sentry. The sentry rolls to recover at beginning of each Patrol phase and will sound alarm when that happens. If the missile attack misses, the sentry moves 3” towards the firing figure and makes the appropriate detection rolls. Figures shooting firearms will immediately raise the alarm.
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Design Notes Conceptually this game is drawn from a number of sources. I’ve found inspiration in a couple of books, notably The Perfect Heresy by Stephen O’Shea and For Honour and Fame by Nigel Saul. The former paints a lurid picture of the Albigensian Crusade in the south of France, contrasting a brutal series of sieges and atrocities against the background of day-to-day medieval life. The latter delves into chivalric history, describing the development of the knight from a professional soldier into a high-status landowner. The game’s visual aesthetic is drawn primarily from the new raft of historical media surfacing on the big and small screens. While movies like Kingdom of Heaven and Ironclad or The Black Death have a whole host of problems associated with their attention to historical detail, they bring small groups of colourful characters into the forefront, presenting them against a gritty background of violence. I wanted to put Chevauchee’s emphasis on these small warbands of larger than life characters. In my mind, the most important part of game design is injecting period detail and character through mechanics. The player should be able to tell their own story, and the game should assist this mechanically. As such, I have drawn on historical nonfiction, film and videogames to provide a set of campaign systems which allow players to tell their own stories. These aren’t covered in the beta ruleset, but will be available in the final version. At this moment, the period covered by this game is fixed in the late fourteenth/early fifteenth century. The rules are broad enough to span warfare from the Viking age to the Renaissance, and at some point there will be small supplements to cover these points in history. I settled on the late fourteenth century due to a pretty extensive historical bias towards the Hundred Years War and a vague, unsupported notion that this point in time represented the most archetypal medieval setting; plate armour is pretty ubiquitous among the nobility, the English bowman is king of the European battlefield and firearms are yet to come into their own. Thanks for putting up with my unstructured ramblings, enjoy the beta. Any feedback should be directed to:
- Tom Mecredy, [email protected] , theupsidedownpiranhafish.tumblr.com
- Ivan Sorensen, [email protected]
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