It is not always easy to find fellow Pericles players – especially for live game, so in such circumstances Internet is of great assistance. And here Vassal and its modules are one of best to use. Having this in mind, I joined Play By Email game organized by Brent – we actually used a Dropbox for storing the saves, and ACTS for communication. Worked very well!

As for majority of us this was first Pericles  Vassal game (for some first at all) we have chosen short, two-turn scenario: 14.1.04 A “Periclean Peace”. That is enough complicated to have fun from game but on the other hand not overly long/complex. We started in mid-December end finished by the end of March.

The set-up was as follow:

  • Scott – Aristocrats
  • Brent – Demagogues
  • Brian – Eurypontid
  • Michal – Agaid

So, let us begin the session report!

TURN 1

01_After_initial_assemply_plus_set_up
After first Assembly phase + initial set-up of forces  (click to enlarge)

The initial Aristophanes card was Frogs C – that actually has a pretty big impact on game: we got Ostracism issue for debate, minus 6 strategos for each side and on top of this – Alcibiades went to Persia. That was an opening allowing for a lot of possibilities for the turn! In Assembly phase both me and Brent have won the respective debates, gaining 3 honor each. The amount of won issues was one more on Sparta side.

And now for main military developments of the turn:

02_After_first_theater_phase
After first turn, before re-deployments  (click to enlarge)
  • 1.1 – using the opportunity and Alcibiades in Persia, Sparta build a base there
  • 1.2 – having the Persian gold, a large fleet is being mustered in Sparta…
  • 1.3 – …plus equally large maritime contingent is being built in Corinth
  • 1.4 – on top of this Sparta targets Ionia with Diplomacy
  • 1.5 – you may think so far, Sparta in advance? Nothing more erroneous. The key point of the turn – and our whole game – was Boeotia. As controlling faction of Sparta I was being surprised with a multiple raids there. That was painful – and even the won land battle did not help here…
  • 1.6 – on top of this, Athens expanded to Thessaly
  • War score: Sparta 18 – Athens 30
  • Factions score: Brent 18, Scott 12, Brian 12, Michal 6

Well, it might not be obvious from the map, but raids were devastating. Very – especially once you run out of strategos (which we did, thanks to Frogs C card). Is there any chance for Sparta to turn the tide? Let us see.

TURN 2

03_After_second assemly_plus_situation_after_redeployments
After second assembly phase ( click to enlarge)

So we start with new Aristophanes cart – this time Knights B – not a game changer, as it adds one military issue to each side and deducts 6 strategos from both City States.

The assembly phases are again won by Agaids (me) and Demagogues (Brent) but very important development occurs – due to the negotiations, and – apparent – lack of agreement – Athens will enter the Theater phase with only four “real issues” (I do not count rumors) while Sparta will have eight, including four military. Sounds like interesting turn!

So, let us have a look at the theater phase:

04_After_second_theater_phase
Situation at the end of the game (click to enlarge)
  • 2.1 – very cleverly Brent avoids any danger in Ionia by simply using the Citizenship issue and turning the base into Athenian one. No more diplomacy from Sparta there – that does not make sense.
  • 2.2 – Thessaly base of Athens becomes Spartan one – good diplomacy is a key!
  • 2.3 – but again, Boeotia is a key place. With three raids and one battle Sparta catches up in points with Athens and even takes a lead. However…
  • 2.4 – …due to my mistake (or rather, me forgetting one key rule) only small forces of Sparta are in Boeotia, and with last military issue, Athens are able to win a battle there, take hostages and win the game!
  • War score: Sparta 34 – Athens 40
  • Factions score: Brent 24, Michal 17, Brian 17, Scott 16

SUMMARY

That was a very great and enjoyable experience! First of all, the game itself – so thematic and interesting. Second, fantastic co-payers, from whom I was able to learn a lot. And only one thing did not allow me to have full satisfaction – fact, that when victory so was close, it slipped away to Athens 🙂 But the learning will not be forgotten and I hope I will be able to use it in one of future Pericles games!

PS. You may wonder what was the mistake I made and I am not happy about? When starting a battle in Boeotia, using 1 my strategos and 4 of Brian, I thought I can move units only with strategos I committed. Thus I moved 1 spartan unit, although – as you can see on map – I was able to move 3 additional. That would most probably save us in coming battle. Anyhow, next time I am sure not to forget 🙂