El Cid Alliance Game Objectives, Forces and Roles

Zaragozan Overview

Your force has just completed a successful raid of the Christian Kingdom of Castile.  The Castilians have raised the militia and have caught up with you as you escort your booty to the south.  You have taken up a defensive position on a low hill.

Your objective is to hold the hill line and prevent the Christians from moving south and recapturing the loot.  Your forces are organized as follows.

1.     Commander Rodrigo Diaz El Cid Set up on the middle 1/3 of the table

a.     One unit of Christian mercenary knights  (HC)

b.     One unit of armoured spearmen (HI)

c.      One small unit of mercenary armoured crossbows (LI)

d.     One small unit of mercenary archers (LI)

e.     One small unit of Naffatun (LI) with nasty sticky flaming goop (unfortunately these were left out of the box and didn't show up)

2.     Ibn ‘Ammar Set up on the left 1/3 of the table

a.     One unit of Andalusian Cavalry (HC)

b.     One unit of Andalusian spearmen (MI levy)

c.      One unit of Berber mercenary spearmen (HI)

d.     One small unit of Andalusian archers (LI)

3.     Yusuf the Moor Set up on the right 1/3 of the table

a.     3 small units of Andalusian light cavalry (Jinettes) (LC)

Rodrigo Diaz (Curt)

Since you went into exile you have done well serving the Taifa King of Zaragoza.  You have earned his trust (and his gold), and now command this raiding force.   Your personal objective is to serve you employer well and return south with your force intact and your booty in hand.  The bulk of the loot lies to your southwest beyond the woods and scrub.

• You have a good working relationship with Ibn ‘Ammar, although you consider him a bit of an old woman as he tends to be cautious.  Ibn ‘Ammar commands the Taifa King’s personal troops and holds the left of your position.  In last night’s council of war he seemed very concerned about the security of the loot.  You are not sure if he is interested in the gold, the goats or certain books containing graphic illustrations of an explicit nature…
• You speak Arabic quite well and can communicate with most of your commanders and units quite easily.
• Yusuf the Moor is relatively unknown and works hard to make sure it stays that way.  He speaks Arabic with a rough Berber accent and does not always seem to understand what you (or the Zaragozans) say to him.  Nonetheless his is a tough fighter who knows his trade.  He wants to stay on the plains where his light cavalry feel safe and is leery about moving into mountain terrain.  He seems less concerned with the security of the loot, presumably his saddlebags are stuffed as full as they can get.
• As a prominent Castilian exile in the service of an Andalusian state, you may find yourself a marked man among the more hot-blooded Hidalgos in the Castilian army.

Ibn ‘Ammar (Sylvain)

You command the Taifa King’s personal troops and hold the left of your position.  The bulk of the loot lies to your southwest beyond the woods and scrub.  Your personal objective is to protect the security of the loot, by holding the road exit to your southwest.

• You have a good working relationship with Diaz, although you consider he a bit of a hot head.  He does speak Arabic well for a Northerner.
• Yusuf the Moor is relatively unknown and works hard to make sure it stays that way.  He speaks Arabic with a rough Berber accent and does not always seem to understand what you (or Diaz) say to him.  Nonetheless his is a tough fighter who knows his trade.  He wants to stay on the plains where his light cavalry feel safe and is leery about moving into mountain terrain.  He seems less concerned with the security of the loot, presumably his saddlebags are stuffed as full as they can get.
• As a prominent Castilian exile in the service of an Andalusian state, Diaz may find himself a marked man among the more hot-blooded Hidalgos in the Castilian army.

Yusuf the Moor (NPC)

You do not understand these Iberians- either the Northern Infidels or the so-called Moslems of the pleasure-loving south.  However, the gold is good and the opportunities for you are many.  Your personal objective is to keep you light cavalry intact and protect their exit to the southeast where the ground suits your forces.  You really do not care about the loot, but it lies to the southwest beyond the woods and scrub.  Your saddlebags are full and Zaragozan goats seem as tasty as Castilian goats.

•        The commander Diaz knows his trade and is an able leader.  He seems to let his blood get hot at times and is too involved with petty politics for your taste.
•      Ibn ‘Ammar is a pleasure loving deviant who has fallen from Islam’s true path.  He is far too concerned about his own wealth and prestige. 

Castilian Overview

A Zaragozan raiding force led by the notorious Castilian exile has caught you by surprise and has captured much booty including sacred relics from a local monastery.  You have raised the militias and caught the raiders red handed as they try to escape.  Your objective is to break through to the south to recapture the relics of Santiago Matamoros (Saint James the Moor-slayer).

Your forces are as follows.

1)   Count Garcia (CinC) Set up on the right 1/3 of the table

a)    One unit of Hidalgos Caballeros (HC Knight)

b)   One unit of Militia Cavalry (MC)

c)    One unit of mercenary spearmen (HI)

d)   One unit of mercenary crossbows (LI small)

2)   Bishop Jeromino Set up on the middle 1/3 of the table

a)    Three units of militia spearmen (MI)

b)   One unit of militia crossbows (LI small)

c)    Two units of slingers (skirmishers)

3)   Count Sancho Set up on the left 1/3 of the table

a)    One unit of Hidalgos Caballeros (HC Knight)

b)   One unit of archers (LI Small)

c)    Two units of Spanish Jinettes (LC small)

d)   One unit of javeliners (skirmishers)

Count Garcia (Sean)

Your personal objective is to deliver justice to the traitor and exile Diaz. 

•        Count Sancho is a young hotshot who needs to be kept in check.  He is likely more interested in glory and in tactics
•        The Bishop is a venerated figure, but bluntly an idiot.  He is however, a well-connected idiot and needs to be treated with respect.  He is very concerned about recovering the relics (and also apparently certain books containing illustrations of a less religious nature).

Count Sancho (NPC)

Your personal objective is to achieve glory so that the troubadours will sing of your exploits for generations to follow (and to get girls). 

• Count Garcia is an old ninny who thinks you were born yesterday.
• The Bishop is a venerated figure, but bluntly an idiot.  He is however, a well-connected idiot and needs to be treated with respect.  He is very concerned about recovering the relics (and also apparently certain books of a less religious nature). 

Bishop Jeromino

Your personal objective is to recovery the relics of Santiago.  It also appears that certain other materials were captured that you were prefer not be made public (the illustrations in these books may not reflect well on your Saintly image. 

•        Count Sancho is a young hotshot who needs to be kept in check.  He is likely more interested in glory and in tactics
•        Count Garcia interests lie in more secular pursuits.  You need to remind him of his duty to serve the church’s interests (or at least your interests) as well as the King’s.