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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Mexican Basin. However, it was a rocky volcanic land, punctuated by smaller fertile valleys, and home to only 1.3 million people. In this respect it could never rival the power of the Triple Alliance. The Tarascans spread their language and administrative skills into a cohesive uniform polity that encompassed a variety of ethnic groups, all maintained from the administrative offices within the main city of Tzintzuntzan. It was a highly stratified society with a small hereditary nobility ruling on behalf of a large population of commoners. There was also a very large slave population. The minor nobility formed a The Pyramids of Tzintzuntzan, the Place of the Hummingbirds professional military force, with the commoners delivering their military service as a form of tribute to the government. Unlike Together with the Tlaxcalteca, the people of the Michoacan Valley, the Tarascans, could be considered one of the most dangerous enemy of the Triple Alliance Mexica. Ironically, they fought the much larger Mexica armies to a standstill for about 90 years but then surrendered their entire empire to the Spanish Crown within 1 year of the Aztec collapse. the Mexica, the Tarascans employed uniformly armed combat units and relied much more heavily on archery. As an aside, the Tarascans were so named due to another error by the clotheared Spanish. The Tarascans facetiously called the Spaniards Tarascue or sons-in-law due to the Spaniards reputation of stealing native daughters. Somehow, the Conquistadores thought this was the name the Tarascans used for themselves, and so the The Tarascans were, like the Nahuatl speaking Chichimec tribes that surrounded them, another migratory group in the 12 and 13th century C.E., that followed the collapse of the Toltec Empire. The Tarascans, who called themselves the Purepecha, migrated into the Patzcuaro Basin of the Michoacan Valley around 1200 C.E. They quickly adapted themselves to their new surroundings and developed a royal lineage known as the Uacusecha (the Eagles) which would become the family of all the future Tarascan kings. Linguistically and culturally, the Tarascans are unique and separate from the other Mesoamerican groups. It was during Tzitzicpadacuares reign that the inevitable conflicts with the Mexica began. Originally, they battled back and forth over the Toluca Basin for the rich deposits of gold, copper, silver and obsidian. Then, in 1479, an Aztec army under Axayacatl, was crushed at the Battle of Charo with the Aztec rear-guard fighting all the way back to Aztec lands. From then on, the hostilities were mostly marked by smaller border Around 1300 the Tarascan Cazonci (King), Tariacuri and his 2 nephews began their expansion from the cities of Ihuitzio, Patzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan around the shores of Lake Patzcuaro. By 1450 the Tarascan Empire, under the leadership of King Tzitzicpadacuare, rivalled the size of the Triple-Alliance and stretched from the Pacific to the western borders of the Central
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term stuck. The Aztecs used the Nahuatl term of Michoaca to denote their enemy. This meant land of those who have fish, probably pertaining to the plentiful bounty found within Lake Patzcuaro.

engagements. Then in 1515, Moctezuma Xocoyotl and an Aztec army led by the Tlaxcalan general Tlahuicole penetrated into the north-eastern territories as far as the city of Acambaro. A series of rapid victories and defeats left both armies bloodied and beaten with no land changing hands. The wily local chief of

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Zacatula used this time as an opportunity to break away from both Tarascan and Aztec hegemony. This standstill more or less persisted until the coming of the Conquistadores. developed, more civilized, but still widely dispersed Chichimec people that lived to the north of the Central, Pueblan and

Michoacan valleys. They were also renowned for their archery and their exceptional warlike abilities, such that the Mexica

As was stated before, the Tarascan included many non-Tarascan peoples who played an important part in the Tarascan wars. Some were nomadic tribes that would wander in and out of Tarascan (and Aztec) held lands, while others were specifically settled to form buffer zones between the Tarascan and Aztec lands. From north to south, along the Tarascan eastern border, we have the Chichimecs, the Otomi, the Matlatzinca and the Chontal. Militarily, non-Tarascan warriors were encouraged to employ their own traditional weapons and tactics and would be led by their own generals, all under the supreme command of the Cazonci.

named one of their highest grades of warriors the Otontin (the otomis). At different times, different groups of Otomis would have fought as mercenaries on both sides of the Tarascan-Mexica and Mexica-Tlaxcalan wars.

The Matlatzinca were also an Otomi people who found themselves in the unenviable position of living between the ever expanding Tarascan and Mexica empires. They found themselves fighting for both sides during the 15th century until eastern Matlatzan was conquered by the Aztecs under Axayacatl. The remaining free Matlatzinca were settled by the Tarascans into their eastern borderlands to provide a buffer zone against future

The Chichimecs comprise a large number of nomadic semibarbaric tribes that wander about the north of modern Mexico, a territory known to the Conquistadors as Gran Chichimeca. They are a Nahuatl speaking people, whose ancestors were the antecedents of the Mexica, the Tlaxcalteca and the Huexotzinca. There were no hereditary chieftains in Chichimec society. Warlords were elected from the bravest and most fearsome warriors. Their specific weapon was the bow, which they started using almost from infancy. Spanish chroniclers indicated that Chichimec archers could puncture oranges thrown into the air! Chichimecs were found fighting on both sides of the Tarascan wars. Sahagun mentions a tribe of Teuchichimeca who fought against Aztec incursions for the Cazonci Tzitzicpadacuare 14541479. Once the Aztec Empire had collapsed and the Tarascan Empire had handed itself to the Spanish Crown, the Conquistadors turned their attention to pacifying Gran

Aztec aggression. It was a combined Matlatzinca and Tarascan army that handed the Aztecs one of their most crushing defeats ever at Charo. Sahagun stated that just as the Chichimecs always went carrying the bow, these (the Matlatzinca) always went carrying the sling. This may be true but the Codices show that the maquehuitl and shield were also prominent.

This brings us to the Chontal. Technically, they were in the South-Eastern border of Tarascan lands and the Chinantla Valley just over the hills north of the Valley of Oaxaca. Linguistically and culturally, they are closer to the Zapotecs and Mixtecs than the Tarascan and Nahuatl speaking neighbours to the north. The Chontal allied themselves with the Tarascans, as the Aztecs, under Ahuitzotl, moved into Guerrero to reach the Pacific and try to encircle them. The Chontal, like their neighbours the Chinantec, favoured long slashing pikes of about 3-4 brazas (1621 feet) in length in combat. Please note: there were many tribes known as the Chontal as this is the Nahuatl term for barbarian. Their true name is lost to us.

Chichimeca. This became the long and gruelling Chichimec Wars of 1550-1590.

Then we come to the Otomi. This was a somewhat more

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I will use the term Tarascan to describe an army made of the Tarascans, Chichimeca, Otomi, Matlatzinca and Chontal.

bonus of +1 as its combat effectiveness is compromised. In a subsequent movement phase, the Wide Open Order unit may decide to Reform in order to become Open Order and benefit from a +2 Rank bonus. Like other Reforms, this constitutes an entire Movement. In either formation (Open or Wide Open Order), if the unit has moved, then only the front rank may fire and has a-1 To Hit roll modifier. It is probably helpful to employ a small marker to indicate Wide Open Order status for your opponents benefit. Once the unit Reforms back to Open Order, the marker can be removed. Massed Sling Fire If the Matlatzinca unit has not moved, or if it has Reformed into Wide Open Order, it may do a Massed Sling Fire. This is exactly analogous to Massed Archery fire allowed in bow armed troops. Basically the front rank may all shoot and of all subsequent ranks may fire. No multiple shots may be done regardless of the distance. Make sure your opponent is aware that the unit is considered Wide Open Order. (An appropriate marker can be used.) The unit must be in Wide Open Order, so that there is sufficient personal space to allow for the swinging of a sling. The unit must remain in Wide Open Order until it Reforms into Open Order anytime during a subsequent movement phase. A unit in hand to hand combat may not use Massed Sling Fire. (Thanks to the members of Practical Soldier Yahoo group for the suggestions of the above rules)

SPECIAL RULES
Fleet of Foot The Spanish chroniclers noted that the Meso-American combat units displayed great agility and were quick to manoeuvre on the field of battle. All Tarascans have a basic movement rate of 5, and a charge distance of 10. They have the usual movement penalty if they move through woods or other difficult and impassable terrain. They were used to fighting in unfavourable terrain and, therefore, retain their rank bonus when doing so.

Wide/Open/Closed Order With the exception of some rare Pike wielding units, such as the Chontal, the Tarascans fought in a somewhat loose formation, similar to other armies in the New World. I believe they should be treated as Open Order troops, and to that end, they benefit from a +2 rank bonus for combat resolution. However, the Tarascan army may take a single unit of formed Matlatzincan slingers Matlatzinca combat units would have been able to fire their slings and still maintain their formation. To do this, to achieve the personal space required to fire slings, Matlatzinca warriors must be further separated than what can be done within Open Order. At any time, in their movement phase, an Inca unit may undergo a Reform Move into Wide Open Order. At this point the entire unit has the benefit of performing a Massed Sling Fire. This is fully explained in the next section. However, there are some negative effects to this formation. Since the warriors are slightly spread out, a unit that is in Wide Open Order receives a maximum rank

Capture In some forms of combat, most notably the Xochiyaoyotl (Flower Wars), the main objective in battle was to capture as

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many enemies as possible, for their use as sacrificial victims. Of course, the Tarascans also took part in conflicts (Yaoyotl) where capturing opponents played only a small role. The captured prisoners were, like with the Aztecs, ceremoniously executed during the Fire Sermons upon their pyramids. Copper Shields The Tarascans were the only Mesoamericans to use metal in The capture of an enemy warrior occurs with hand to hand combat only. A unit with the capture ability fights its combat as usual. When the enemy player rolls his Save Roll, every roll of a 1 on the D6 is not only a failed Save but is considered a Capture. If the figure did not have a Save Roll, (either because they wore no armour or due to weapons modifiers), the figure is obviously killed outright. Throw a D6 for each of these figures anyways. On a roll of 1, they too are considered captured, and not killed. Each captured victim counts for a 1 point bonus towards combat resolution. This represents the added enthusiasm and esteem brought on by the capture. While ritual execution of captives was common, most of the captives were used by the practical Tarascans as slaves. Mercenaries and Allies The Tarascan Army may take allied Matlatzinca, Chichimec, Otomi, and Chontal warrior combat units. These units are mercenaries and/or allies and have specific rules. At the first turn, throw a D6 for every non-Tarascan unit. On a roll of 1 the Allied unit leader has not properly coordinated his troops with that of the Tarascan Cazonci. Therefore, he may not move, march, charge or fire that turn. If the unit is attacked they may respond normally. On subsequent turns, the affected unit moves normally. Due to the fact that the atlatl dart was armour piercing, then if the Tlocochtli (atlatl dart) is thrown at 6 or less, then it strikes with a -1 Save. Due to the motion required to launch a missile from an atlatl, massed archery rules for atlatl may not be used. Hatred The Tarascan High Thiumencha or High Ciuripecha priest, and the unit he is in, hates every unit that contains an enemy Priest. These are both subject to Hatred Rules #2 and #3 only as All non-Tarascan units may use the Tarascan Cazoncis Ld for any break test and may benefit from the re-roll of the ASB. Terror and Fear All Tarascan units suffer from Terror of War Dogs and Horses. The various codices do mention the war dogs of the Conquistadors however there are no references to them being used in battle. The Conquistadors utilized war dogs extensively described in the main rule book. All other regular Tarascan priests (Ciuripecha or otherwise) are not subject to Hatred. Superior Massed Archery The Tarascans may have combined units which consist of archers forming the rear ranks. You may not start with more archers than non-missile troops. These archers may fire according to the Massed Archery rules in the WAB rulebook. building defensive armour. The copper shields used by elite Tarascan warriors are considered by some to be a prime reason for the Tarascans success at combat with the Aztecs. So when in combat with indigenous (non-steel) weaponry, a copper shield counts as a large shield. Against Spanish steel weapons the copper shield counts as a small shield. This is an in-book rule for Meso-American armies only. Atlatl The atlatl or spear thrower was used ubiquitously throughout Mesoamerica by veteran skilled warriors. Research has shown that an Atlatl provides a greater increase in the distance thrown, a greater power to the throw, and a greater armour piercing potential, when compared with hand thrown weapons. Therefore, the atlatl counts as a javelin, but with a range of 12. in the pacification of the Caribbean islands, and it would seem odd for them not to be used in the Conquest of Mexico. They are included in this list for completeness.

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units they lead. Therefore, a Musician in a Principales unit is Normally, no massed shooting may take place if the unit has moved. However, the Tarascans normally fought with large formed units of archers. Many contemporary writers noted that the Tarascan units moved in a much disciplined manner. For a further +15pts each Thiuimencha may be upgraded to a So I have elected to allow the Tarascan combined units with archers to fire even with movement (must be a normal movement, not a march or charge). However, they will still suffer a -1 to hit movement modifier. You may use Massed Archery fire as a charge response. Ciuripecha or war-priest. This priest prepared the pre-battle oracular rituals. Each Ciuripecha carries a unit standard which contains a blessing which behaves like a single oracle point. Please see the rules in the Greek section of AoA. or the Rulebook. basically a Principales type warrior, and if he is in a Tarascan warrior unit, then he shares the Tarascan warrior ability. There is no added benefit to the fact that the command soldiers are Priests.

Marksman Teuchichimeca Marksmen were renowned for their rapid rate of fire (according to the original Spanish chroniclers). During the Tarascan shooting phase, a Marksman may elect to fire his bow twice. However, this rapid firing still comes at a cost. A marksman, firing twice, has his Ballistic Skill reduced to BS 3 for that turn. He may single fire next turn at BS 4. All the normal penalties apply, (such as movement and distance penalties).

This oracular benefit can only be applied to the unit containing the Ciuripecha Priest. The point of the oracle may be used to add one point to any combat resolution, or re-roll a failed Leadership test once, and only once. If the Ciuripecha is killed, before the oracular benefit of the standard is used, then that benefit is lost.

Mesoamerican Phalanx Tarascan armies may contain Chontal contingents that are

Casualty removal, due to missile fire between normal archers and Marksmen, is up to the Tarascan player. A Marksman still only gets 1 attack in Melee.

Mesoamerican Phalanxes (MP). The MP is subject to the following movement rules:

1. Tarascan Priest and Ciuripecha The priestly class made up, what in WAB, is considered the units command group. Priests would carry the unit standards and were the unit musicians. For those interested in the Tarascan names, the command is made up of a Curitiecha, the wood gathering priest (as a Leader +5pts), a Thiuimencha the standard bearer priest (as a Standard bearer +5pts) and the Atapacha and Pungcucha the drummers and horn blowers (as Musicians +5pts). 5. 3. 4. 2.

The MP may wheel normally during a March or Charge move. The MP is allowed the following manoeuvres: About Face 180 degrees and Adjust Ranks or reform ranks. The MP may NOT do a right or left face (turn 90 degrees) The MP may never change its facing in subsequent combat rounds when engaged on the flank or rear. A MP may not automatically FBIGO at will unless it outnumbers the enemy unit 2:1

The MP is also subject to the following combat rules:

The command trio is considered to match the martial skill of the

1.

To be considered a MP, the unit must contain at least 12

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models and have at least +1 rank bonus. Note: Pikemen are considered Closed Order troops so they enjoy a rank bonus of +3. 2. A MP may charge and still fight in two ranks to the front. Pikes are a first strike weapon. 3. All hand to hand attacks on foot and missile attacks against the front of the MP suffer a -1 to hit modifier. The -1 missile fire modifier does not count for black powder weapons. A Phalanx is no protection from a bullet. 4. Mounted Units may charge a MP to the front, but they lose their charge weapons benefits. In addition all hand to hand attacks when mounted suffer a -2 to hit modifier, as the mounts are kept at a further distance from the Pikemen. 5. A Chontal MP has the Mixed Order benefit. AlliesMixed Order The Chontal Mesoamerican Phalanx may have missile armed troops combined with the Pikemen to form a single combat unit, with the missile units initially making up the front rank of the unit. When entering close combat, the Chontal player may choose from these two options: 0-1 Matlatzinzan Unit 0-1 Teuchichimec Skirmish unit 0-1 Otomitl Unit 0-1 Chontal Pike Unit Elite 0-1 Principales Regular Valiant Men (must have 1 unit of formed Tarascan warriors for every unit of Valiant Men) Tarascan Warriors Tarascan Skirmishers Warriors At least 75% of remaining army is from the Elite, Regular and Allied troops. Characters- Up to 25% of entire points

CHARACTERS
All of the Characters found in the Tarascan army come from the Uacusecha (the Eagles) royal line. Tarascan society was highly stratified and being of noble birth was a requisite for any leadership or priestly responsibilities.

1.

The missile armed troop rank may remain in the front of the unit allowing them to stand and shoot. In this case Pike armed figures, in the second rank, may fight the combat.

Or

The Tarascan army was generally led by its hereditary King, the Cazonci. There was a long line of great warrior Kings starting The missile armed rank may move to the rear of the unit. This, of course, prohibits them from shooting, but the Pikemen may now fight in two ranks. The missile troops that have retired to the rear of the combat unit may return to the front again by spending an entire turn reforming.

2.

with Tariacuri who began the expansion of the Tarascan state, to Tzitzipandaquare and Zuangua who battled the Aztecs. The royal family members that ruled the 9 main cities of the Tarascan Empire were known only by the Spanish term of Senores as the original Tarascan term is forever lost. A Senor may be taken as the Army General to represent a smaller military force.

ARMY COMPOSITION

WS

BS

Ld

Pts

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Cazonci Tarascan Senores Captain General High Thiuimencha Ciuripecha 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 2 8 95 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 3 8 90 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 2 8 80 5 5 4 4 3 3 5 3 9 125 0-1 Principales The Tarascans had their version of the Military Orders. They were made up of noble family members, were professional soldiers, and known, by the Spanish, as the Principales (again the original Tarascan term is forgotten). The Principales made up the best formed unit in the army. You may deploy one such unit per 2000pts and it must be the smallest formed unit in the entire army. If they are taken, then they must act as the Comitatus to the Cazonci who must stay in that unit.

Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), and cotton armour (light armour), bow and cane shield. May have double handed Maquahuitl (3pts). May have atlatl (3pts). Upgrade to copper shield (+2pts). Stubborn (+4pts).

M Tarascan

WS

BS

Ld

Points

0-1 ARMY GENERAL Cazonci or Senor upgraded to Army General (+25pts). The Senor Army General may be further upgraded to the Captain-General for (+10pts). This gives the Captain-General 3 attacks. Unfortunately, the original Tarascan term is again lost to us. 0-1 ARMY STANDARD BEARER One of the Senores was also the Cities main Priest, the High Thiuimench who supervised the sacrifices at the temples. Therefore, a Tarascan Senor may be upgraded to High Thiuimencha (+15pts) and acts as Army Standard Bearer.

Principales

12

Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), cotton armour (light armour), bow and cane shield. May have double handed Maquahuitl ( 3pts ). May have atlatl (3pts). May upgrade to copper shield (+1pt). May be Stubborn ( 3pts ). The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician from the Principale Priest section (+5pts each). Upgrade to Ciuripecha (+15pts). Upgrade to Ciuripecha (+15pts).

Special Rules: Capture. Stubborn. Superior Massed Archery. Ciuripecha.

The High Thiuimencha may be further upgraded to a High Ciuripecha (+15pts) by carrying a blessed Army Standard which acts as a single Oracle point in addition to its abilities as Army Standard. Regular Warriors The Valiant Men are veteran Tarascan Warriors from the lower noble and non-noble class. They represented the standing army of the Tarascan Empire within the Patzcuaro Basin and within the main cities. They were allowed to wear cotton armour as a sign of their social standing. You may deploy 1 Valiant Men unit for every unit of Tarascan

TARASCAN WARRIORS

Warriors. The Tarascan Warriors sometimes also wore armour made of

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maguey fibre vests. However, only every second unit of Tarascan Warriors may wear this armour. 17 skirmishers you may promote 3 to marksmen. If you have 20 skirmishers, you may promote 4 to marksmen). Note, in hand to hand combat the Marksman still only has 1 attack. The normal M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points shooting penalties still apply.

Valiant Men Tarascan Warrior 5 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 6 5 4 4 3 3 1 3 1 7 10 Teuchichimec Teuchichimec Marksman

M 5

WS 3

BS 4

S 3

T 3

W 1

I 3

A 1

Ld 5

Pts 7

1/2

10

Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) or Copper Axe or Club, Bow and cane shield. Valiant Men have cotton armour (light armour). Valiant Men may upgrade to copper shield (+1pt). Every second unit of Tarascan Warriors may have maguey quilted vest (light armour) (+1pt). The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician from the Priest section (+5pts each). Upgrade to Ciuripecha (+15pts).

Equipment: Bow, Hand weapon. May upgrade 1 in 5 Archers to Marksman (+3pts)

Special Rules: Skirmish. Marksman. Allies.

0-1 Otomi unit The Otomitl were Chichimec tribesmen who fought for most of the belligerents in the Central Valley at one time or another. They were a loose conglomeration of tribes spread over a large territory to the north of the Aztecs, Tarascans and the Tlaxcalans.

Special Rules: Capture. Superior Massed Archery. Ciuripecha

As such they never had a strong centralized government. Local villages would ally themselves according to their needs and

M Tarascan Skirmisher 5

WS

BS

Ld

Pts

circumstances. Some Otomi tribes were within the Triple Alliance hegemony, some with the Tarascan Empire, some were

within the Tlaxcaltec Alliance and it is possible some were none of the above or all of the above. While every writer praises the Otomitl as ferocious fighters, it is

Equipment: Bows. May have cane shields (+1pt)

ALLIES
0-1 Teuchichimec unit The Chichimeca were important allies of the Tarascans. These units were employed as skirmishers, as they did not have sufficiently developed fighting techniques. However, as Sahagun stated, they more than made up for this by their exquisite ballistic abilities. For every 5 Teuchichimec you may promote 1 to Marksman who may shoot twice per Shooting phase. (For example, if you have

telling that their Tlaxcaltec allies considered them wild and stupid. In WAB terms I think that the Warband rules can simulate ferociousness, wildness and stupidity quite well. They are also described as being predominantly archers, but ones used to fighting in ranked formations.

M Otomitl 5

WS 3

BS 4

S 3

T 3

W 1

I 3

A 1

Ld 5

Points 8

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Warrior Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) Sling and Chimalli (shield). Matlatzinca Warrior may have maguey quilted vest Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) or Tepoztopilli (obsidian thrusting spear)(+1pt), and Chimalli (shield) and bow. The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician at +5pts each. Special Rules: Capture. Allies. Light troops. Slings. Wide Open Order, Massed Sling Fire Special Rules: Capture. Allies. Superior Massed Archery. Warband. 0-1 Chontal phalanx An anomaly in Mesoamerican warfare was the discovery that 0-1 Matlatzinca unit The Matlatzinca were an Otomi speaking people who lived between the Aztec and Tarascan Empires. Most Matlatzinca were subject people within the Triple Alliance. However many fled from their Mexica overlords and were invited to settle within the Tarascan lands. This was not purely altruism on the part of the Tarascans. The Tarascan built border forts on the eastern end of their lands, opposite the Aztec lands, and this is where they settled the Matlatzinca, the Otomi and Chontal. This provided a buffer zone of hostile non-Tarascans between the Tarascans and their arch enemy, and proved to be mutually beneficial to all those involved. The Matlatzinca were expert slingers. As Shagun wrote,. just as the Chichimeca always went carrying the bow, these always went carrying the sling. They would wrap the slings around their head when not in use. As usual, they became the brunt of an Aztec joke, and were called Quaquata meaning heads of stone. As slingers need a certain degree of personal space to let their weapons loose, they must be in Wide Open Order in order to allow a Massed Sling Fire. See the Special Rules section for a full explanation. M M Matlatzinca Warrior 5 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 7 Pikemen 5 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 9 WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts Chontal WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts some indigenous Indian groups developed techniques for fighting as formed pike. At first the historians would suggest that this was a learned response to try to combat cavalry attacks. This was actually true, especially with the Inca and Mapuche tribes in South America. However, both Bernal Diaz and Cortes mention that the Zapotec, Chontal, and Chinantec used 20-25 foot long pikes in their combats. Chontal pike units were glossed over by Relaciones Geographicas which simply said that they existed. Hence, the rules will deal with a simple phalanx formation. The Chontal pike unit is Mesoamerican Pike. See the special rules for this formation. 1 rank of Chontal Pikemen may switch pikes with bows for free. They are then Mixed Order. (Remember a Mesoamerican phalanx must have a minimum of 12 pikemen). Some Pikemen would carry a pavisina to use the Spanish term which counts as a large shield. A Tarascan Army may have 1 Chontal Pike unit per 2000pts. These Pike units were probably mercenaries and are therefore considered Allies. Due to the cumbersome nature of the Pike, a Chontal unit does not have the Capture ability. (light armour) (+1pt). The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician at +5pts each.

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Equipment: Pikes. A single rank of Chontal Pikemen may switch pikes with bows for free. Chontal pikemen may have a shield (+1pt) or a Pavesina, large shield (+2pts). They are then Mixed Order (remember a Mesoamerican phalanx must have a minimum of 12 pikemen and at least 1 rank bonus). Command are at +5pts each. Brown,

REFERENCE WORKS
Kathryn and Stanton, Travis, eds., Ancient Mesoamerican Warfare, Altamira Press, 2004, ISBN 0-75910283-X Cabrero, Leonicio, trans., Relacio!n de Michoaca!n, Madrid Historia, 1989, ISBN 8476791550 978847679155 Cortes, Hernan, Letters from Mexico, Pagden translation, Yale

Special Rules: Mesoamerican Phalanx. Pikes. Mixed order. Allies.

University Press, 1986, ISBN 0-300-09103-6 Diaz Del Castillo, Bernal, The Discovery and Conquest of

SCENARIOS
TITLE
(historical text).

Mexico, Maudsley translation, Da Capo Press, 2003, ISBN 0306-81319-X Hassig, Ross, War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica, University of California Press, 1992, ISBN 0-520-07734-2 Hassig, Ross, Mexico and the Spanish Conquest, Longman Press, 1994, ISBN 0-582-06828-2 Hassig, Ross, Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and

SITUATION

Political Control, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988, ISBN 08061-2773-2 Heath, Ian, Armies of the 16th Century Vol 2, Foundry Books,

PLAYERS

1999, ISBN 1-901543-03-X Pohl, John, Aztec Warrior, Osprey Publishing, 2001, ISBN 978184-176148-0

BATTLEFIELD

Pohl, John, Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies, Osprey Publishing, 1991, ISBN 1-85532-159-9 Pohl, John, The Conquistador: 1492-1550, Osprey Publishing,

DEPLOYMENT

2001, ISBN 1-84176-175-3 Pohl, John, Aztecs and Conquistadors, Osprey Publishing, 2005, ISBN 1-84176-934-7

WHO GOES FIRST

Pollard, Helen Perlstein, Tariacuns Legacy: The Prehispanic Tarascan State, University of Oklahoma Press, 1993, ISBN 0-

8061-2497-0

LENGHT OF GAME

Robinson III, Charles, The Spanish Invasion of Mexico, Osprey Publishing, 2004, ISBN 1-84176-563-5 Sahagun, Fra Bernardino de, The Florentine Codex: Vol. VIII,

VICTORY CONDITIONS

Monographs of the School of American Research, 1982, ISBN 087480-082-X

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WAB FORUM ARMIES

THE TARASCAN ARMY OF THE CONQUEST
Soustelle, Jacques, Daily Life of the Aztecs, Stanford University Press, 1961, ISBN 0-8047-0721-9 Thomas, Hugh, The Conquest of Mexico, Pimlico Press, 2004, ISBN 1-8441-3743-0 25 Tarascan Warriors Ciuripecha upgrade Full command 150pts 15pts 15pts 180pts

INTERNET LINKS

25 Tarascan Warriors Maguay L. Armour Ciuripecha upgrade Full command

150pts 25pts 15pts 15pts 205pts

WAB Forum
http://wabforum.co.uk
20 Valiant Men Copper shield upgrade http://faculty.smu.edu/rkemper/anth_3311/anth_3311_adkins_tar ascan_paper.htm Ciuripecha upgrade Full command

200pts 20pts 15pts 15pts 250pts

12 Teuchichimeca 3 Marksmen upgrades

84pts 30pts 114pts

SPECIAL THANKS
Many thanks to WAB Forum members for providing the template and their great support.
30 Otomi Full command

240pts 15pts 255pts

20 Matlatzinza with L. Armour Sample 2000 pt. Tarascan Army Full Command

160pts 15pts 175pts

Cazonci, atlatl, copper shield, stubborn

134pts 20 Chontal Pike with shield and 5 archers in front rank Full Command 200pts 15pts 215pts 13 Tarascan archers 52 pts

High Ciuripecha, blessed Army Standard, Copper shield, stubborn 18 Principales, copper shield, stubborn Full command 116pts 288pts 15pts 553pts

Total

1999pts

Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, Warhammer, Warhammer Historical Wargames and the Warhammer Historical Wargameslogo are trademarks of Games Workshop, Ltd

WAB Forum http://wabforum.co.uk/

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