Tri-State Bolt Action and other wargaming stuff Blog

Additional Rules

Fire and Sword in the Sudan

This is a first attempt by our group in a long time to run a campaign in any period.  This based on Steve Winters campaign rules at the Colonial Angle website.  I have also used as a basis the map form the Wargaming forum that ran this campaign several years ago.   I thought I would try my hand at a narrative, which is complete inspired by the Wargaming Forum and the Campaigns of General Pettigrew site.  I will post the modified campaign rules and the charts for Mahdi’s Fury, a Fire and Fury variant, from the guys at Fire and Fury.  I will be posting the map for each turn and keep an updated OOB for viewing also.

Campaign rules changes

Since we will be using the Fire and Fury Mahdist rules, the unit will represent battalions for European trained infantry, Squadrons for European trained mounted, Sections of 2 guns for all artillery, and Bands for the Dervish. 

Most European trained infantry can range from 12-15 stands per battalion.  Some of the Irregular infantry can range from 6-10 stands, example the Egyptian Gendarme and Bashi Bazooks. Cavalry is based on squadrons and can range from 5 to 8 stands for British/Egyptian units. A battery of artillery is usually broken down into 3 sections of 2 guns each. 

 Dervish infantry bands can be from 6-12 stands per band.  2 bands of sword/spear armed bands and 1 unit of 6-8 armed with rifles equal a Rub.  Cavalry/Camels can be from 8-14 stands per band.  Artillery is also done a section and never by battery.

Gun Boats/Steamers/Dhows

Since there are no Gunboat rules in Fire and Fury, we are using the rules listed below:

River Movement:

Direction of current is determined at the start of the game. To determine the current speed roll 1d6:

1-3 = 1d6 Current Speed

4-6 = 2d6 Current Speed

Moving with the current, add the Current dice to the basic movement dice

Moving against the current, subtract the Current Dice from the basic move dice

River Boats basic movement = 6 dice

Native dhow basic movement = 4 dice

To reverse direction, all boats

On turn one roll Current Dice only. Move boat this distance, reverse direction and stop.

On next turn, move normally.

To stop dead in water, roll Current Dice only. Move this distance, throw out anchor and stop.

Starting from Dead Stop

On 1^st turn, roll move dice and move ½ this distance

On 2^nd turn move ¾ distances rolled.

On 3^rd turn move normally

 

Paddle Steamers

Per barge/dhow towed -3” from Movement dice

Small Arms fire only affects the troops and crew of the steamer. If a Small Arms hit is registered against the hull or explosion, then ignore the hit.

For each hit on the Steamer, roll 1d20 for each hit on the chart below to determine the results:

1-12      Hit on Troops

14-15    Hit on Crew

16-17    Small Hole in Hull

18-19    Large Hole in Hull

20         Explosion

Paddle Steamers have an inherent crew of 2 stands. If the steamer has a Naval party on board other then passengers, then these two will count as crew hits. If all crew stands have been hit, then the steamer will become adrift if not at anchor or grounded.

Each Small Hole will remove1d6 from the movement dice. After 4 Small Holes the ship will start to sink.

Each Large Hole will remove 2d6 from the movement dice. After 2 Large Holes the ship will start to sink.

Explosion will destroy the ship and all contents

Sinking - When a ship starts to sink throw 1d6 and that is the number of moves that the ship takes to sink. If it cannot be beached then the contents are lost.

 

Dhows, barges, light vessels

These may be towed by powered ships, subtract 3” from the towing vessels movement.

Small arms and Artillery fire is the same as at a Paddle Steamer.