I figured at this point in the game the players would be tired and low on ammunition. But before letting them escape, I wanted to have them face the consequences of their actions earlier in the game.
I like this part of the game because it is an end game. Too many wargames lack this phase (primarily due to their being toooooo slow). The end game brings up the long term implications of what you have done. If there is a lesson for life it comes in this stage.
The players could have left enemies behind them. Which could have spelt disaster now. As it was they soundly subdued the Hamas and had made peace with the Fata. With their Hezbullah honor guard, the small expedition suddenly looked large.
I had the Hamas openly approach the expedition with a force of ten camels. The players could have shot them (which would have likely lead to the Hamas either attacking or completely avoiding them – which would mean an enemy left on the trade route.) As it was the talked and made peace through superior fire power.
They journeyed on and met the Fata. The treaty was renewed and the players passed on to the coast.
A VICTORY FOR THE TURKS!
At the coast the players looked back on what they had done. They succeeded! They tribes were subdued, the trade route opened, and out post of empire placed.
That is when I declared it a Turkish victory!
WHAT?!?
Ah yes, my naïve players! Never use only one translator. And never trust a Turk to tell the truth! Daud Pasha concluded each treaty in the name of the Sultan!!! The players should have argued to learn Arabic!
PROPOSAL TO DO A NAPOLEONIC GAME: UP THE NILE!
The game was a great success and the players were full of talk about doing a similar game in the future. This time, Napoleon's pursuit of the Mamlukes up the Nile. The rules would need slight modifications but I already have the terrain and only need to paint up my Arab cavalry figures to have the Mamlukes. My compatriots have the French in droves.
AFTERWARD
This was a very successful hybrid game. It could easily be run at a convention (I may do it at Origins) and provides an outline for an infinite variety of future games. There is no reason why miniatures, role playing and Matrix Gaming can not be combined to form rich varied gaming environments. It takes a good referee to do this but it is easy to do. I ran this game during the first week of Ramadan (so I was hungry, thirsty and not concentrating to well) and it was still very easy to do.
More Sands of the Sahara
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© Copyright 2000 by Chris Engle.
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