From: "David S. Bieksza" Subject: SPI Ad: Dark Ages (4/8) DARK AGES (Tactical Warfare: 700-1300 A.D.) * Includes Crusaders, Moslems, Vikings and Mongols * Medieval tactics with infantry, cavalry, and bowmen * Six types of infantry, four of cavalry, in 17 battles _Dark_Ages_ is a tactical scale game of warfare from the collapse of the Roman empire to the waning of the Middle Ages. Although this period saw little advance in civilization, some of the most crucial battles in Western history took place. _Dark_Ages_ covers all the major military systems that fought those battles including Vikings, Crusaders, Moslem cavalry, Byzantine legions, and the devastating Mongol Hordes. Fourteen scenarios cover major battles from the invation of France by the Moslems (Battle of Tours, 732) to the Mongol invation of the Holy Roman Empire (Battle of Liegnitz, 1241). The Historical Commentary explains the significance of the battles and allows players to assess their outcomes. A map of Europe and the Near East shows the location of each battle. Victory is gained by destroying enemy units and a special rule accounts for the "panic threshold" of the Medieval troops who see their army being cut to pieces. There are six types of infantry units from Militia Spearmen to Crossbowmen; four cavalry types; and a provision for Viking fleets to carry and disembark units. These units and the scenarios enable players to recreate the battles that preserved "Christendom" as a cultural unit and shaped European politics to this day. ------- Dave Bieksza bieksza@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu ------- Where monsters rampage, I'm there to take them down ... Where treasure glitters, I'm there to claim it ... Where an enemy rises to face me, victory will be mine! - Lina Inverse, "Slayers"