For several months now, we've kept Thin Red Line Games next project hidden. The only details shared publicly were the operation codename (HADES EMBRACE) and the secrecy level (NATO COSMIC SECRET, an official NATO term no matter how ridiculous it sounds).
I must confess this was part of a plan to deliberately mislead and confound enemy spies, apparently with good results. Now, the Auguries have determined that it is time to reveal the Will of the Gods.
Loosely inspired on SPI's "The Conquerors", The Fate of All is an operational / tactical simulation covering the first four years of the campaign led by Alexander the Great against the Achaemenid Empire ruled by Darius III.
Rules are centred on the problems of army organisation, supply and morale. Armies must be organised in a balanced way or they will move slowly, cavalry must be assigned to foraging, raid, or reconnaissance, morale must be kept under control using glory or donations.
Political aspects are also a key element. Both sides will have to use money or threats to gain support and will face treason, revolts and dubious allies.
All the classical sources and several modern military-focused studies are being used during development. In particular, The Anabasis of Alexander by Arrian has been chosen as the main and most reliable classical source for two reasons: Arrian based most of his writing on the now lost Ptolemy's account of the campaign, and he was himself a military commander, thus having a better understanding of the problems and key facts of a military campaign.
The final goal is to give a realistic representation of ancient warfare, without strange salads of godly interventions, auguries and Homeric duels. In the end, players will find that the problems faced were similar to those encountered during the Napoleonic era or the American Civil War.
The four maps will cover Greece, part of the Balkans, Anatolia, Egypt and the Middle East up to Babylon. The scale is 30 km per hex with monthly turns.
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| Maps Overview (still in development) |
The maps are designed using the latest archaeological studies and findings, but despite centuries of research several things are still only vaguely known: Some examples are the extension and path of the Persian Royal Roads, the location of several important cities and the exact route of Alexander's Army. In these cases, the "most accepted theory" rule has been used.
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| Map detail of Kypros and Syrian coast |
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| Map detail of Lower Macedonia and Thessaly |
Counters will be 5/8" (same as in the C3 series). Each counter represents a formation, from a Macedonian Phalanx Taxis (approx. 1500 soldiers) to a Cavalry Ile (200 - 300 mounted soldiers). Commanders and naval forces are also represented and will be key elements for the final victory.
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| Counters Sample (provisional values & art) |
Battles can be fought using Strategic Combat, still realistic but quicker, or to their full extent using the Tactical Rules and Map - probably the best choice for a decisive battle.
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| Tactical Map with part of the Macedonian army deployed (still in development) |
Last but not least, rules for solo playing of the full campaign as Macedonian player will be included!
Cost? No idea yet. When? Somewhere in 2023 hopefully. More details to come, but as usual you may reserve a copy immediately by writing a Votive Tablet to info@TRLGames.com !
