Joe Youst - 06:50am Apr 28, 1997 PST (#70 of 71)

The Jena game will have 3 maps and approximately 760? counters. The scale is
tactical with the units representing battalions and squadrons. The emphasis
is on a not too complex command system in which leaders activate forces for
movement and combat. All in all, a little more detail than usually is found
in a Markham game, but not so much as to overload the players with a vast
rulebook! The units will have a 3Doverhead look with a subtle Nato Icon
backround underneath them (kind of like combining minis with counter symbology).
And if you are interested, preorders definitely will help. We will be demoing
the the final prototype at Origins (the finished components having been printed
out on a 720dpi color printer from here). 

Salvatore Vasta - 05:58am May 28, 1997 PST (#71 of 71)
Clifton, VA (Fairfax County)

Something I recently posted on AOL: 

OK, here's a bare bones description of Markham's Nappy game based on a brief
playtest. 

- Command and Control using the usual Army Commander down to Division Commander,
Chain of Command. Being within a leader's Command range determines if orders are
changed automatically, or if a leadership roll is required in order for it to
take effect. There are 3 kinds of orders, Attack, Regular, and Reserve. Each with
its own limits and bonuses. Also, combat units need to be in command in order to
close with the enemy. 

- Battalion level game without step losses. The combat table results are morale
losses, i.e. waver, distruption, rout, and possibly unit elimination. Battalions
that rout and have a line of communications are removed from the map and placed
in a "Rout" box next to their Division's Command Track. No routing guys running
all over the board. The morale system has a cascade affect in which the top unit
in a hex suffers the worst morale loss, the next unit suffers a morale loss one
better than the top unit, and so on down the stack. 

- Each Division has a numbered Command Track. A marker stating the division's
current orders is placed on the track. The number it's on is the result (or less)
on a D10 that needs to be rolled in order to activate that division. The marker
is lowered each time it activates with an Attack order. Losses will also lower
the marker. Regular orders will keep the marker relatively still, while Reserve
orders bring it back up. 

- After a Command Phase in which orders are changed, there are several phases in
which divisions are activated. The first belongs solely to those that have Attack
orders. Not only do they activate first, but certain leaders are rated for the
ability to immediately reactivate the division after it completes its first set
of actions (similar to GBoH Momentum ). Reactivation, or Response activation
(similar to GBoH trumping), is only allowed in this phase. Well led formations,
e.g. Davout's III Corps, with Attack orders can really pack a wallop in this phase.
Though even the best troops will eventually run out of steam, and have to go into
Reserve if you ever want them back into the fray. 

- Following the Attack phase, a Regular phase in which units with Regular and
Reserve orders get to go. No reactivation is allowed during these phases. The
"penalty" you pay form maintaining or raising your orders marker on the Command
Track. After this, the turn finishes with a Rally phase in which you attempt to
rally 1 routed battalion per division, and get to reorganize your "dead" ones,
i.e. 1 unit comes back to life for each that you permanently remove from play. 

That's it for now. I'll field what questions I can. One thing I will say now is
that I think the blind playtest concept is working well to iron out potential
questions/errata. Assuming that is, it's written into the rules properly. Rob
said he would, and I don't doubt him. 

Voice of Spearhead signing off...