Delta Danubia
Historical Background:
The East Goths, an eastern german tribe, originally domiciled in southern Sweden, had been settled since 350 on the Northern Black Sea and the Danube’s Delta. Since that time gothic territory always was under settlement’s pressure. The biggest enemy and direct neighbour of the Goths were the Marcomanns who lived in Pannonia (today’s Hungary). From there they started for several years frightful invasions leaving behind traces of devastation. The Danube’s delta, noted for its abundance of fish, wild animals and of course drinking water, obviously was an attractive area for the medieval settlers coming from everywhere. And what a strategic importance!
Story:
We write the year 1070. Eastgothic Margrave Ermanarich just had gathered all his loyal men in Willbrod’s Church to celebrate his marriage with the lovely 20 years old marcomannic princess Kunigunda. But the wedding ceremony suddenly was interrupted by hordes of marcomannic soldiers who massacred most of the wedding guests and abducted the bride Mylady Kunigunda. And that isn’t enough: They also overwhelmed Ermanarich’s Lifeguard, put them into prison in the outside situated swampy delta and conquered the gothic fortress “Durania”, built on thousands of wooden stakes, a shelter from periodical flood. Responsable of all this misery was the jealous Lord Bolgar (the Pig), a marcommanic commander, who wanted to marry Kunigunda by himself. Ermanarich obviously in rage shouted: “You damned pig, you! I’ll come back crushing you like a fly!” That’s why he has convoked all his loyal survivors to project the right strategy for reconquering his fortress…
Objectives/Hints:
1. Attention! Lose Condition:
You will lose the game, if too many of your soldiers (totally 110) are killed in struggle.
Depending on your strategy of defense (digging moats), it probably could happen, that some of your arriving archers must fight outside the fortress, if there isn’t any access to the keep.
2. Find out the most secure way through the swampy meadows and beware of the animals (bears, wolves and rabbits) who will cross your advance. Protect your engineers – they might be very useful later on and carefully approach to the castle for reconquering it (cede-scenario), otherwise your premature end would come.
After having killed Lord Bolgar (the Pig), the awful Lord De Puszta (the Rat) will appear to take revenge of his brother’s death. Besides some river pirates will try to destroy your economy, but many outlaws from the near gloomy Karpates’ forests will help you to resist. (Throwing cows will also be helpful to prevent the enemy.)
3. You have to collect 100 pieces of cheese for the bride’s marriage, the princesse’s favourite delicacy and 2500 Gold (wedding expenses). You must be cruel (-3) to your peasants for more efficiency and harder working, but at the same time people will need religious assistance (70%). You’ll soon find out, that there are different ways to get the necessary stones to build chapels or churches. By the way pitch will be a useful tradeware on the market place and very useful for defense.
Defend yourself by using all given measures. And last but not least: Don’t forget to liberate your imprisoned lifeguard by the right moment, consider it well…!
Good luck for a good fight!
Stratego
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