Battle of Xanthe

Canal Martian riders, supported by French lacers on gashants

This week saw our first foray into battling with our new Space 1889 forces: the Battle of Xanthe!

After a number of Hill martian raids on trade caravans, the Canal forces of Ideaus Fons (supported by their French sponsors) set forth on a punitive expedition. At dawn on the third day, the Hill Martian tribes mounted an assault upon the French encampment at the Xanthe liftwood grove...

Hill Martian Gashant riders emerge...

Hill Martian skirmishers advance ahead of their larger cousins (who doesn't want Tharks on Mars??)

French Foreign Legion and Martian Tirailleurs form up to receive the assault

We used The Men Who Would Be Kings as our tactial rules. They worked pretty well, though we have drafted a few house rules for to suit the setting and will trial them next game. If they work well, I'll publish them here.

Lancers charge home into the Thark flank

But another mass of the Green devils tore into the Legion!

Mounts spent and surrounded by hill Martian infantry, the gallant Lancers fell.

On the left flank, the bellowing clash of gashants was deafening

As the battle reached a crescendo, the hill Martian infantry crashed home into the French line

Thunderous volleys of Lebel 1886 pattern rifles took down many a brave hill Martian!

Well armed with courage though they were, the Hill Martians were unable to carry the day

And so the French returned to their base at Ideaus Fons having consolidated their grip on the Xanthe Chryse region, and planned their next expedition to expand their sphere of influence.

A great day pushing the new lead around - the table looked great and plans are afoot for a bigger game next time!