An Ancient Campaign - Part 5

This game report is of the second campaign battle from the hypothetical invasion of Luminaria. The game setup is based upon scenario 12 - An unfortunate oversight - from One-Hour Wargames. The rules used are also from the book with modifications for Gaul warbands and elephants. I do use event cards with the games to create opportunities and create friction (disappointment) during the game.

The Game Report…

Witnessing the Carthaginian army cunningly bypassing the city of Cassiopeia and effortlessly crossing the river through an unguarded ford, the Roman commander, Marcus, swiftly recognised the gravity of the situation. With a surge of urgency, he rallied his troops, spurring them onward towards a significant hill to defend against the flanking move.

Roman forces react to the Carthaginian's advance towards the hilltop. 

A view from the Roman position around Cassiopeia.

Seeing the importance of the hill, Mago, the Carthaginian commander, hurriedly ordered his cavalry forward to secure the hilltop. They were closely followed by the imposing presence of the war elephants. Simultaneously, Gaul warbands move through the woods and along the hillside, embarking on a flanking manoeuvre. Following behind, the heavy infantry advanced in formation, marching steadily behind their allies.

The battle is well underway as Carthaginian heavy infantry cross the river.

Gaul warbands can be seen moving through the woods in an attempt to flank Roman units.

Roman units react to the appearance of the Gauls.

Upon discovering the hill to be occupied, the Roman heavy infantry surged forward, ascending its slopes to confront the Carthaginian cavalry. By now battle was occurring in various sectors, but the hill remained the focal point. The Roman infantry made notable progress against the mounted enemy, yet their advances were hindered by the supporting elephants.

Roman heavy infantry having defeated the cavalry now prepare to face the elephants.

The game is still in the balance with only a few turns remaining.

Despite managing to establish a foothold on the hilltop, the Romans were ultimately repelled by the arrival of the Carthaginian heavy infantry. The struggle for control of the hill unfolded with alternating fortunes, but in the end the Carthaginian’s held the hilltop securing them a victory on this day.

Victory to the Carthaginian commander, Mago, and his army which take control and hold the hilltop.

As mentioned in earlier posts regarding this campaign, I have been using ChatGPT, an online AI, to help with the narrative in these posts. Some readers have asked in the comments about the process. Here are the steps I take:

1. I quickly type my notes
2. I copy and input the notes into ChatGPT with the instructions to reword in a set number of words.
3. I finally copy and modify ChatGPT’s response to suit my needs.

Input to ChatGPT and its response.

The screenshot above is a bit small to read, so below is the example of my notes, ChatGPT’s response, and the my final modifications.

My notes…

Finding the hill occupied the Roman heavy infantry charge up its slopes to engage the Carthaginian cavalry. In other areas units engage in battle, but the hill remains the focus and the Roman infantry make good progress against the cavalry only to be thwarted by the elephants. The Roman are able to get a toe hold on the hilltop only to be forced off the the late arriving Carthaginian heavy infantry.

What ChatGPT provided…

Upon discovering the hill occupied, the Roman heavy infantry surged forward, ascending its slopes with fervor to confront the Carthaginian cavalry. Battle erupted in various sectors, but the hill remained the focal point. The Roman infantry made notable advancements against the mounted enemy, yet their progress was hindered by the formidable elephants. Despite managing to establish a foothold on the hilltop, the Romans were ultimately repelled by the belated arrival of the Carthaginian heavy infantry. The struggle for control of the strategic hill unfolded with alternating fortunes, with both sides fiercely contesting its possession.

My final modifications…

Upon discovering the hill occupied, the Roman heavy infantry surged forward, ascending its slopes to confront the Carthaginian cavalry. Battle was occurring in various sectors, but the hill remained the focal point. The Roman infantry made notable progress against the mounted enemy, yet their advances were hindered by the formidable elephants.

Despite managing to establish a foothold on the hilltop, the Romans were ultimately repelled by the arrival of the Carthaginian heavy infantry. The struggle for control of the hill unfolded with alternating fortunes, but the Carthaginian’s held the hilltop securing them a victory on this day.

I hope this helps explain the process to create the narrative in this series of posts on the Ancient campaign. The next post will return to the campaign map.