The Battle of The Red Gate

Tonight we turn to the lesser known [fictional] writings of Kermit the Hermit, known to the Arabs as The Dirty Fakir, for our scenario.

FROM THE CHRONICLES OF KERMIT THE HERMIT

“On the 22nd day of May in the Year of our Lord 1106, Toghtekin governor, who they style atabeg, of Damascus did lay siege to the castle of Toron; a castle of great import which guarded the road between Antioch and Jerusalem, and eastward to Damascus. The castle was strong and strongly garrisoned, but Toghtekin had brought up giant engines with which to batter the walls, and it was feared the castle would surely fall. A messenger was dispatched with speed to King Baldwin seeking succour.

Baldwin gathered his army together at Jerusalem and started north with all haste on the 29th day of May. Five days later, on the night before his expected arrival at Toron and at the lower part of The Red Gate where his army lay, an Armenian called Rorus arrived at the King’s Camp bearing intelligence of Toghtekin’s army. Recognised as an old and faithful soldier of Antioch, Rorus was presented before the King’s council. Here he told the King and those present that Toghtekin was removing most of his army south to bar the King at the northern end of The Red Gate, and even now the first of his soldiers were arriving though their main strength was still some way distant.

The King and his council resolved that the army should be roused and called to arms before dawn so that it was ready to march through the Red Gate before the main part of Toghtekin’s army could arrive at this advantageous place. Thus, when the King’s army arrived in the valley only the vanguard of Damascenes faced them…………..”

The Red Gate: A valley suitable for the movement of an army with many springs and wells and named after its craggy red limestone hills.

THE SCENARIO

In this scenario it is possible for both sides to gain all of their victory conditions and draw. This is because each has different objectives that are not mutually exclusive. Consequently it is important that each side only reads its own extra briefing notes before play. To prevent accidental reading I have published the briefings as images that must be opened to be read. [Peter: If you read this before my email YOU ARE THE FRANKS TONIGHT.]

[Tim: If you read this before my email YOU ARE THE DAMASCENES TONIGHT.]

All terrain features are type II except for the villages and wooded slopes which are type III.

The Deployment Map

Frankish extra briefing

Damascene extra briefing

Thus the sides are set and victory conditions are established. The Chronicles of Kermit the Hermit will continue shortly.