Steve Dake noted in a recent MWAN that there is now a need for more than just beginning level Matrix Games. He did this by reviewing an MG article and saying it was JUST ANOTHER beginners level article! It would seem that there are now a group of people who can use more than the bare bones basics of the MG, system. It is time to make an Intermediate level game. The first question to ask is, what is an Intermediate level Matrix Game? Since none exist right now this is an open que stion. In seems to me that an obvious answer to this question is an MG that can be added onto a type of miniatures game already being played, that will add to that game a campaign element that was previously lacking. Such a game should be immediately playable, without requiring the players to gather more than a few new materials (like a matrix). It can be assumed that the players already know the basic matrix rules, though they need not be at all expert with them. It Is also assumed that new, players should be able to learn the rules of the game by watching others play without a lot of training time. Obviously I have such a game in mind. Over the last year, I've been running campaign MGs at conventions. These are clearly simple games, geared towards teaching new players how to play, but they share the strength of being ready to play by any matrix gamer who wants to try out a game without a lot of work. Consequently, I am offering the following game as a first attempt at an Intermediate level MG. SAVE GORDON! Colonial wargaming has been popular for many years now. The Sudanese wars of 1884 to 1898 are especially popular. "Save Gordon" is a game about the 1884 campaign to rescue Charles Gordon from the Mahdi. It starts right at the pint that Sir Garnet Wolseley is setting out from England for his ill fated river expedition. Save Gordon was originally written to be played out using my home grown "stupid simple rules" but since they are not widely used, this game using "The Sword and the Flame" rules. TSATF is widely played and found at almost every convention. A lot of people come out just to play such games so there is a ready audience that could really benefit from a mini campaign to set up the battle they are about to play. Save Gordon uses the Campaign Matrix, that is being used in this years PBM (Peninsula Campaign). All the rules are the same as are presented In EGG15. Enough said about that! The referee needs to provide all the terrain and figures required to play a regular TSATF game as well as be ready to run several small game in the space of one game session. He also needs to make a campaign map (see below), and prepare a deck of matrix cards. Beyond that, the game is ready to go. THE SCENARIO HISTORICAL SITUATION: The year is 1884. England is now heavily engaged in settling the affairs of the newly conquered lands of Egypt. The Government's agent in the Sudan is now in trouble. Charles "China" Gordon, is cut off from the outside worldl well actually he has been cut off for six months now, but Mr Gladstone did not think anything needed to be done. Now public opinion is forcing him to act. Sir Garnet Wolseley is being sent to SAVE GORDON! The campaign starts in September 1884 and progresses one month a turn till March 1885. ORDER OF BATTLE Britain: In Khartoum (hiding behind the city walls) General Charles Gordon 1 Unit of Egyptian Infantry 1 River Boat In Egypt (trying to stay cool and avoid cholera) Sir Evelyn Wood 1 Unit of Egyptian Infantry 1 Unit of British Infantry (the Rooyal Irish) In Gibralter (cursing the Spanish and picking lice) 1 Unit of British Infantry (1st Royal Sussex) 1 Battery of Artillery (Royal Field Artillery) In England (attending balls and strutting about London) Sir Garnet Wolseley 1 Unit of British Infantry (1st Black Watch) 1 Troop of British Cavalry (HouseHold Cavalry) In India (playing polo and shooting Tigers) 1 Unit of British Infantry (1st Gordons) Mahdists In Khartoum (praying and beseiging the city) Mohammed Ahmed, The Mahdi 3 Units of Dervishes (Black Flags, White Flags and Green Flags) In Korti (milling about wondering what to do next) Abdullah el-Taalshi, the Khalifa 1 Unit of Dervishes (Dark Green Flags) In Suakin (Conducting the Slave trade as. usual) Osman Digna, a slave trader! 1 Unit of Fuzzys Possible reenforcements 3 additional Units (2 Dervishes and J. Fuzzy) Campaign Rules Back to Experimental Games Group # 16 Table of Contents Back to Experimental Games Group List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1991 by Chris Engle This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com