Sumer of '69

It was the Sumer summer of 2569 BCE, that is.  Thanks to Ray for the catchy post title!  Last week, four of Postie's Rejects gathered for a remote game on the plains of Sumeria to test their hands at running battle cars (I use "chariot" synonymously).  Attendees were Ray and Steve commanding the Blue Army while Richard and Lee took command of the Red Army.  Army and player dispositions illustrated in the map below:

This Reject foursome has seen action fighting with chariots in an earlier Egypt vs Hittite clash but this would be their first attempt at running the bulkier Sumerian battle cars.

Let's see how they got on in driving battle cars.

As the battle opens, both armies move forward to close the distance with the enemy.  Skirmishing erupts all along the battle line as skirmishers attack and then fall back.  Lee moves up his massed archers to bring the enemy under fire.  After softening them up, Lee crashes into one of the skirmishers who cannot evade.  Ray's skirmisher is dispatched but Lee fails to pursue.  Or did Lee choose not to pursue into the waiting enemy battle line? 

Battle lines close...

as skirmishing begins.

Lee moves the Left Wing forward...

and prepares an attack.

Ray's skirmishers scatter in the face of heavy infantry.

On the other wing, with enemy skirmishers cleared from his front, Steve sends his battle car in against Red Army's Right.  This is a bold move since both archers get a chance at defensive fire before the chariot closes.  Both bodies of massed bowmen let loose their arrows.  Little damage is done but the chariot is disordered on the approach.  In the clash, the missile fire must have made the difference.  Richard's bowmen stand firm and the chariot is driven off in retreat.  

As Steve's chariot veers to the left, Richard brings forward his battle car.  Richard engages Steve in a chariot-on-chariot clash.  Richard comes out the better as Steve's car continues its retreat.     

Steve attacks!

The enemy stands strong.  Steve is forced to retreat.

Richard opts to pursue.  Without having the maneuverability to turn about to follow the retreating chariot, Richard's chariot plunges ahead.  Straight into enemy archers!  Surprised at seeing an enemy battle car bearing down upon them, the archers put up a stiff, nonetheless.  Still, after a protracted battle, the archers are scattered.  Richard pursues again but fails to reach the enemy's second battle line.

Richard pursues...

cutting through the enemy's first line.

Seeing the carnage to his left, Steve, pushes his large spear block forward to engage the enemy and, perhaps, steady the ship.  Steve's spear block crashes into Richard's spear block.  In the initial contact, Steve manages an impressive number of hits to which Richard responds by scoring no hits and then failing his Cohesion Test.  Richard's back rank is destroyed.  What remains retreats.  Steve pursues.  Steve's spear catches the retreating spear and again send them packing.  Even Richard's archers offering some support reel back!  Steve continues his pursuit as he catches Richard's skirmishers in the open.  They are dispatched.  Steve stops there, probably exhausted.  The line joining Richard and Lee's commands is severed.

Steve's spear block attacks...

and attacks...

and attacks!

Perhaps over-extending the pursuit in all of the excitement, Steve's spear block is taken by surprise when Red Lugal's chariot turns about and strikes these spearmen from the rear.  Well, being hit from the rear is no good and Steve's spear rout away.  That score has been settled!

Revenge!

With the center outcome settled for now, focus shifts to the Red Army's Left Flank.  Lee starts off the action by sending his chariot in against Ray's spear block.  Not surprisingly, Lee's attack is repulsed as Ray's spear stand firm.  Lee's chariot veers off to the left heading back to his own line.  As a counterpunch, Ray sends his chariot forward against Lee's spear block.  Ray's result is much different!  Ray overpowers Lee's spear block and sends it back in retreat.  Ray continues on, trampling the spearmen as they run. 

Ray and Lee's battle cars in action.

Seeing the collapse of his spear block, Lee wheels his chariot around to take up the chase on Ray's chariot rampaging in the Red Army's rear.  Making the turn around his own bowmen, Lee catches Ray in the flank.  Nice maneuver!  Ray may never have seen this coming.  In the clash, Ray loses the melee and is forced to retreat.  He routs!  With the enemy chariot dispatched, Richard and Lee's routing spearmen may have a chance to rally.

Ray's chariot caught in flank!

Red Army survivors can breathe a bit easier.

At this point in the battle, both armies have seen significant casualties.  Both armies teeter on the breaking point.  The next army to suffer loss would likely be pushed over the brink to destruction.

In the time-honored tradition of mythic heroes, the two Lugals wheel about to face each other and decide the issue once and for all.  In the crash of chariots, Blue Lugal gains the upper hand and Red Lugal is forced to veer away in retreat.  While Red Lugal avoids destruction, his retreat opens a line of sight to Richard's routing spearmen.  Ray pursues and catches the spearmen in the rear.  It is all over 'cept the crying. 

Clash of Titans!

Red Lugal veers off...

opening a path to destruction!

Victory to the Blue Army with Ray and Steve leading the way!

The battle really came down to the last combat (and nearly the last die roll) in a fitting fashion.  That is, with the two Lugals facing-off in singlehanded combat.  Richard and Lee fought hard throughout with victory up for grabs until the very last.  

Very exciting clash and very fun to watch unfold.  There was much laughter and good-natured ribbing along the way. 

Fantastic session, guys!  Thank you!

After three Sumerian games, time to switch periods.  Next time, expect to see action set during the Spanish Reconquista.