Of Gods And Mortals. Amazons besiege Athens. Version 1.

 

Perseus led an interesting life.  One of the most famous in Greek Mythology, with his adventures making him one of the original Heroes, a time long before the Trojan War and the birth (their descendant) Hercules.

Ruling over the city, Perseus and Andromeda would have many children together, with their family's reign lasting for generations to come. 

The earliest Athenian buildings date from the Late Bronze Age, particularly about 1200 bce when the Acropolis was the citadel. Around its top was built a massive wall that probably marks the union of the 12 towns of Attica under the leadership of Athens, traditionally ascribed to Theseus. The palace of the king was in the area of the later Erechtheum, but almost no traces of it have been identified. The town, insofar as it was outside the Acropolis, lay to the south, where wells and slight remains of houses have been found. 

Siege of Athens

Plutarch states that the Amazons had most likely conquered most of the Athenian state, the portion of the city where the Amazons had camped bear many Amazonian hallmarks, names and graves. Once the Amazons set siege on Athens, both sides remained disengaged for a period of time. Theseus then attacked the Amazonian camp, the left wing of the Amazon army stood in a place in Athens that came to be known later as the "Amazoneum", and the right flank reached to the Pnyx hill.  The Athenians attacked the Amazonian right wing, situated on the Pnyx, Plutarch states that the tombs of the fallen from this battle could be seen then along this area. The Athenian attack was repulsed by the Amazonians on this side, and the Amazonians counterattacked and pushed the Athenians as far back as the temple of Eumenides. On the other wing, where the Athenians attacked from the temples of Pallas and Ardettus and the Lyceum drove back the Amazonian left to their camp.

Many versions of the myth exist, one myth states that Antiope was slain fighting by a javelin. In another version of the Myth Antiope led the Amazons in battle against the Athenians and was wounded in the fighting, upon which Molpadia killed the wounded queen to save her from being captured by the Athenians, another version where Antiope is the wife of Theseus relates that she helped secretly transport wounded Amazons.

A peace treaty was concluded on the 4th month. The Athenians agreed to make sacrifices to the Amazons before each festival of Theseus. Plutarch writes that more Amazon graves suggest that the Amazons had to fight more battles with other Greeks on their way back to their home.

Note on kit.  This is the early/middle bronze age, and right out in the sticks.  Armoured is a relative term meaning some protection, even if it's a big shield and the aggressive attitude of a warrior culture.

Did Amazons exist?  Or did did early horse using tribes use younger/lighter people of both sexes as cavalry?  Centaurs could be the best on the biggest, also using a shield to protect the horse.  That will slow them down, but allow them to get close to some enemy.

Irregular Miniatures.  Alas the Small Yorkshire Gods of wargaming are now gone.  There are 4 manufacturers featured in these games.  Bulk of the Amazons are theirs.  (Many moons ago in the before time I had a very bad back that meant I lived in an office chair, leaning on my table.  To help keep my mind off it I found a box from Irregular to hand and based up the Amazon army pack.  They are now finished!)  I still have umpteen 6mm armies and a few other Victorians needing doing up!

Battle Valor (through kickstarter and the good offices of https://www.dragonfroggames.co.uk/amazonians) for the remainder/juvenile Amazons and centaurs, newly bought, 4 hero/leaders conversions coming up.  Bulk of my Trojans, not used here,  plus some cracking big nasties.  This honour is extended to Splintered light for cyclops, centaurs and more.

Museum miniatures.  If you haven't noticed, the bulk of the human forces.  I begged Dave (we rule the world) for nude javelins.  Here is batch 1.  More to come, I need to add shields for even more variety.  I bought loads for my Gods go to war proposed participation game but I gave up when I couldn't get the players.  That left me with a pool of mostly done figures, so I've gone through several batches, concentrating on the lighter troops.

L put a lot of time into converting and finishing this lot, so for once I cannot apologise for unfinished figures!

Of Gods And Mortals.  No big surprises here.  The Amazons worshiped Ares and Athens is the city of Athena.

I'm suggesting the scenarios Temple Under Siege (p44) for the raid on the  Amazon  camp plus the Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides.  So a good days "swapsies" there.

Battle in the Sacred City. (p45) For the initial Amazonian siege and the Athenian attack on the right wing. 

Here's a thought.  If you have 4 players and a 6x4 table you could play both together, with the Gods having to decide where to manifest, possibly swapping when they get stomped? 

Or can they move in mysterious wars betwix tables?  Suggesting that you point as 1 huge force, 1 god, 5 Heroes?  

1_ Temple Under Siege (p44) Raid on the Amazon  camp

Amazon defends.

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hippolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
Amazon Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
13 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Greedy (head takers) @ 12 = 156
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 (rare, max 8) = 64
4 Centaur Q4 C3 Drunkard. Long move @ 31 = 124

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 344

Total  998

1_ Temple Under Siege (p44) Raid on the Amazon  camp

Athenian Attack

Athena  Q2 C4  248

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

2 x Achaean Chariot Heroes Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
24 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 360
7 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 (rare, max 8) = 56
8 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 (rare, max 8) 88

God 248

Legends 368

Mortals 584

1,200

2 Temple Under Siege (p44) Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides.  Amazons Attack 

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hypolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
2 Amazon Chariot Heroes Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 174
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
2 Amazon Cavalry Q4 C2 jav Mounted long move shooter short @   25 = 50
16 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 320
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 rare= 64
4 Centaur Q4 C3 Drunkard. Long move @ 31 124

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 365

Total  558

1201

2 Temple Under Siege (p44) Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides. Athens defends.

Athena  Q2 C4 

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.   248

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

Achaean Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
8 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 120
6 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 rare = 48
8 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 rare.  88
4 Slingers or archers Q4 C1 shoot Medium @ 13 = 52

God 248

Legends 368

Mortals 388

1,004

3 Battle in the Sacred City. (p46) The initial Amazonian siege

Amazons Attacking.

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hypolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
Amazon Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
4 Amazon Cavalry  Q4 C2 Bow Mounted shooter Medium  @ 27  = 108
9 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 180
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 rare = 64

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 352

Total  1,006

3 Battle in the Sacred City. (p46) The initial Amazonian siege

Athens Defend

Athena  Q2 C4  248

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

Achaean Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
16 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 240
8 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 rare = 64
4 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 rare = 44
4 Slingers or archers Q4 C1 shoot Medium @ 13= 52

God 248

Legends 281

Mortals 480

1,009

I managed to get Sacred City played. Proved to be a bloodbath with the legends clashing in mutual destruction, the gods clashing but not going and most of the mortals getting pummeled!

The players enjoyed it. I was playing a game with a new player (nothing like it to concentrate on the rules) so only got a few pictures.

Original set up.

Replacement buildings from Blotz. Assembled but not washed and finished.

Ares had a hard time with this unit of javelins!

IF the others get played, I'll post that separately. I also have the BIG 4 person Dragon Rampant version in the pipe ready to rock n roll.

Of Gods And Mortals Sumer Variant - or later?

"Ow! Mind the bumps!  Go straight!"

I had the good fortune to (Kindle) read Harry Turtledove's Between the Rivers. ISBN 978 0 575 42150 8 1998.

I would also draw your attention to Dan Davis's Gods of Bronze series.  If you don't follow him on Youtube, then you're missing a real treat.  Shame he seems to have done 2, got bored and moved on.

His idea of gods, legends and mortals are quite similar.

If you haven't already, here's your homework.  Go Away.  Then come back.

This a variation of the rules, aimed at friendly games that "spreads the base".

Setting.  The first civilisation(s) of the fertile crescent.  Bronze is the new status toy but the spread of literacy to the merchant class is the game changer.

In this version each city state has its own patron God that gives the character to the city (think recent American presidents--) and its forces.

Gods.  Not the superpowered Loki.  I'd suggest no more than points, one major, one minor power.*

 "Mana".  Power hidden and stored in a normal looking object.  Version of Prophecy p38. This could be hidden in a unit of prophet wielding priests, legends or mortals.  Or you could have the defending god have a camp.  Suggest Q5 C1, 5. Gargantuan, 4. Prophecy, 5.  No retreat, 5.  This is a Mortal unit, not a Legend and would have 8 lives.  19p.  You could add poison, healing  

In the case of the Summoning Invocation the unit (or camp) can swap a failed roll for a successful dice.

If a god attacks the Mana holding unit and rolls a double number then the remaining dice are lost.  If a double 6 happens then its an Awe result p19.  Destroying does the dirty.

One source of the weird and wonderful is Pendrakens fantasy range:   https://www.pendraken.co.uk/fantasy-monsters-plague-elementals-fan-mon16

I'll also site Alternative armies and these have both larger scale figures and many, many interesting possibilities!  https://www.checkpointminiatures.co.uk/product-category/28mm-ranges/

One idea - the family.  Dad (or mum) the God, rest as Legends.  Once the god gets gone, the next in line (that gets prayed for) "pops up".  You could do a whole family squabble campaign based on the Sacred City scenario.

Let's have Grundi God of Upper Bland Ford:  Q2 C2, 25. Amphibious 3.  Water God 5.  Total 33 x4 as god = 132.  He doesn't pay for Mana as that is in a mortal unit.  Could be represented by a large croc.

(Mrs) Grundi Mah, Goddess of healing.  Q2 C2, 25. Culling the weak, 10.  Healing 5.  40= 160.  Or as Legend Q3 C2, 20. Culling the weak, 10.  Healing 5.  35= 70

Dikko, (son of, as Legend)  Q3 C2, 20. Big, 2.  Dashing 4. Traitorous strike 5. 31 = 62. 

Legends.  Can I point out p5.  Probably the least understood rule.  Lettuce say you go for 900 points.  That gives you 300 for Legends. Chariot and straddle car (ouch!) born warriors.  Tight groups of scribes, merchants and most especially priests with big axes.  Hairy barbarian heroes probably named Kohen.  Fortunately you can nick some of the later monsters.  Many gods had their own associated animal, so using a larger version would fit.

Your points divided by 3 gives you Legends.  Add the God.  That leaves a total for mortals.

A group of Merchants:  Q3, C3= 30. Armoured 5.  Group fighter 8.  Total 43x2 = 86. 

Fanatic priests, swap Group fighter for Fanatic and Dashing.

Chariot Mounted Hero or king: Q3 C3, 30. Big 2. Mounted 7. Shooter Short. 3 42 = 84.

Straddle Car Q3 C2, 25 Big 2. Mounted 7. Shooter Short. 3 . 37 = 74.

Straddle Car Q3 C2, 25 Big 2. Mounted 7. Hammering blow 10. 44 = 88.

Mortals.  Masses and masses of light armed troops.  Chaps on asses.  Double archers on camels.

https://unitrecon.blogspot.com/2022/03/song-of-blades-and-heroes-ur-we-go-ur.html

We did this campaign (Oh for a group to do campaigns!)  And I site this as an example.  There's all sorts of hairies just past the frontier! 

  https://unitrecon.blogspot.com/2022/04/song-of-blades-and-heroes-1st-campaign.html

"Blue kilt!  That's sooo of trend!"

Museum Miniatures.  Irregular do a good range of 6mm.

Of Gods And Mortals Egyptian 4 sided

 

Great mummies and troops from Splintered Light.  God from Gods of Aegyptus and 10mm mummy priests from Pendraken, as are the jackals later.

Playing multi-player games.

You need a cup, mug or similar herewithin, thereafter and (insert no. players) 'thwith, referred to as The Pot.  I have a wooden goblet.  A tim mus is a very good way to annoy a whole load of wargamers.  Just saying.

3 different coloured dice or markers per player.  Give one such to the player as ID (trust me on this)  

I suggest you have something to represent the active player.  We use the Sacred Duck Of Initiative.  This is very useful due to pops to the loo, distracting conversations (usually about the Duck)  etc.

For the initial turn place one of each dice in cup.  These are drawn in order NOT face value (which can be used as reference, as can a single dice)

Terrain selection.  As the last player technically is the defender they (usually) get to choose and place terrain.  Depending on pieces and player numbers each selects and places in reverse order except for the attacking player.  If there's more terrain than players, repeat.  All players, I suggest, may have the option to place a blank space that should remain clear. 

If you use Reactions or Random Initiative.  Once you have deployed, or before start, the non-active players return ONE dice to the pot. (thus they have 2 and the active one in the pot)  On need a dice is drawn:

Reaction, if the active (thus reaction giver) gets it the reaction is lost and (I suggest, to speed play) the dice is NOT returned to the pot.

Turn-over or Initiative Swap.  The group should decide if the active player adds their 2nd dice back to the pot, has one dice or is excluded.  The new player is chosen and retains the dice.  The old player returns both dice to pot.  The Duck Is Passed with all due ceremonies.

Osirus Q2 C4 256 

Raise the dead, 1 action 1 mortal.

Healing,  2 actions 1 mortal, legend to stand, remove transfix.

Protection.  Armoured trait on unit within 1 long until end turn.

Legends

Pharaoh Nuff  Q3 C2 Shooter Long, Long Move, Undead 76

General Ass  Q3 C2 Shooter Long, Long Move, Undead 76

2xGiant scorpions Q3 C3 Desert walk, Poison, Big 74 = 148

Priest  Q3 C2  = 72.

Confound move 1S

Illusions P 35

Raise the dead, 1 action 1 mortal.

Mortals

Levy infantry spear Q4 C2  8  x 18 = 144 

Slaves Q5  C1 Shooter short, Undead,  16  x 13 = 208

Mummies Q4 C2 Undead, Armoured, Slow  12 x  18= 216

1,196

Os  God 256

Legends 372

Mortals 568

Anubis 232  Q2 C4 

Animal mastery p30

Raise the dead, 1 action 1 mortal.

Legends

3x Great Mummy Q3 C3 Slow, Undead, Armoured, Hammering blow.  Huge.  92x3= 276

2x Beast of Ammut   Q3 C4 Amphibious.  Animal.  Armoured.  Huge. 98 = 192

Mortals

Jackals Q4 C2 Animal.  Greedy 8x10 = 80

Hippo guard  Q4 C3  Amphibious, Armoured, Big, Dashing.  Hammering blow.  47 x 4 = 188

Mummies Q4 C2 Undead, Armoured, Slow  12 x  18= 216

God 232

Legends 468

Mortals  484

1184

Set 356

Q2 C4  Desert walk, Weather control,  Confound,  Plague,  Poison,  Shooter Long

Transfix.

Legends 

Hounds Q3 C3 Long, Dashing 2x 84 = 168  

Pharaoh Q3 C2 Long.  Shooter L = 70

Champion Q3 C3 Armoured.  Dashing. = 78

Mortals

Hounds Q4 C2 Animal, Long move, Dashing 25 x 4 = 100

Axemen Q4 C2 desert walk 8 x 17 = 136 

Light spear Q4 C1 Desert walk  16 x 10 = 80

Mummies Q4 C2 Undead, Armoured, Slow 8 x 18 = 144

Slaves Q5  C1 Shooter short, Undead,  4  x 13 = 52

Set 356

Legends 238

Mortals 592

1186

Horus Q2 C5 

Burst of light, Transfix, Group fighter, Combat master 404

Dung Beetle Q4 C4 Armoured, Desert walk, Huge, Hammering blow, x2 = 200

Great Beast Q3 C4 Armoured Combat master, Huge, 116

Mortals

Converts.  Q4 C2 Armoured, Dashing x 24 =96

Archers  Q4 C2 Shoot medium 8 x 20 = 160

Levy infantry spear Q4 C2  16 x 12 = 192

Horus 404

Legends 316 

Mortals 448

1,168

Poseidon Q2 C4 Amphibious, Part waters, Release the kraken, 

Water god 280

Legends   

Sarpedon  Q3 C3 Mounted Armoured Shooter short.  Greedy. 84

Glaucus. Q3 C3 Mounted Armoured Shooter short.  Greedy.84

 

Mortals.

8 Heroes  Q4 C3 Dashing. Shooter S.  Greedy. @ 27 = 216

16  Warriors  Q4 C2 Greedy Shooter S @ 15 = 240

8 Archers Q4 C2 Greedy.  Sh M @ 17 = 136

Javelin Q4 C1 Shooter short 12x 11 = 132

God 280

Legends 168  

Mortals 724

1,172

No Horus, but you can play spot the army. Roughly Poseidon top left. Osirus top right.

Set bottom left and Anubis (me) bottom right.

I randomly diced for the position of 6 potential springs. This is a good mechanism for making the forces spread out. The winner was nearly smack in the middle.

Top left hound goes at Seamen. My jackals guard the way as my forces surge in slow motion towards the objective.

Gor bless start up and special offers! Start up for the Splintered Light and xmas-during-lockdown RPE sale for the scorpions. Todays prices I could get a whole 15mm army---

One good hammering blow but no, a 1 and I lose 2! Note the Seapeoples javelin behind.

Poseidon and Osiris face off. I forgot to mention that Him turned the long edge into a river.

Set surges, 3 units praying, white dice. Note the Seapeoples to the rear. Hidden by the shrubbery is one of my beasts, I get it into woods but never into combat.

Dogged determination.

Set decided to make it rain. That slowed everything down and gave free rain on where the Kraken popped up.

Having polished orf me hippos the scorpion has a slightly harder time with my mummies but they don't react to poison--.

Both the Kraken AND Poseidon go down to Osiris! General retreat and rout of his forces.

Anubis gains the spring and starts despoiling it with his godly bodily fluid. Hound hurts my jackals to bits while the great mummy clobbers Set's chaff.

This beast had started at the centre of the left short edge, dashed for the water then ran after the scorpion. Um, not nice for the poor beast!

Objective despoiled. Lesser troops clobbered. Until Set joins in and finishes them!

Not faced with Poseidon, Osiris is free to wander down the way.

We stopped it there because it was BOILING and 100% humidity. Conditions I do not function well in.

I've lost half of my points and most of my prayer-power, so I'm next to go down.

Set has lost relatively less and Osiris the scorpions that he cannot revive.