Combat of Champions

My Gauls see their first action on the tabletop with the intention of giving the Romans a well deserved drubbing. This is another test game for Andy Hawes’ Dux Italica rules — an adaptation of Dux Britanniarum.

Before battle is joined the pre-battle rituals take place. The renown warrior Acrylix steps forth to challenge any of the effete Romans to meet him in personal combat. Gaius Mummius takes up the challenge and the two men meet between the armies to fight it out.

The first clash goes in Mummius’ favour but as the combat continues the valiant Acrylix begins to gain the upper hand.

Mummius is slain and it will not be long before his head joins the Druid Getafix’s collection. Seeing his men beginning to waver, the Roman Tribune Marcus Manlius Lupus consults the gods but they give no sign — neither positive nor negative.

Vitalstatistix — Lord of the Senones, is then raised on his shield holding the head of the slain Gaius Mummius. His intent is to give a rousing speech to further encourage his men. Fanatix, leader of the Gaesati, seems suitable impressed but most of the other Gauls pay little or no heed. They have heard it all before.

As the armies advance to engage, Domina Aetrix leads her chariots around the Gallic left flank supported by slingers in the woods.

The main Roman force deploys on the forward edge of a hill, the elite hoplites on their right and the levy on their left.

Meanwhile the Roman cavalry begin to winkle their way around some woods which have been occupied by the Gaesati. They are hoping to come up around the Gallic rear but they move slowly, now doubt intimidated by the nearby presence of the naked fanatics in the woods.

The Roman right is however left exposed. Domina Aetrix’s chariots charge into them with a terrible ferocity helped in no small measure by the fates (aka the card deck). With the Romans reeling the Senone warriors also charge home led by the Druid Getafix.

If this is not enough for the poor Romans, the terrible sound of Cacophoix’s pipes increases their shock (yet another fate card) and they flee the field.

On the other wing Fanatix leads his Gaesati out of the woods and up the hill to engage the Roman levy. The Romans hold their own in the first clash with many casualties on both sides. As the combat continues more and more Romans flee the ferocious Gaesati.

With the Roman levy begining to give ground, the Roman hoplites face the full wrath of Vitalstatistix’s nobles and Getafix’s warriors. Deciding discretion being the better part of valour, Tribune Lupus withdraws leaving the field to the victorious Gauls.