Lion Rampant: an imagination medieval setting

As explained the figures of choice for some medieval skirmishes are vintage Britains Deetail knights and Saracens. These are ready to play, large enough for shaky hands to dab some colour on and mainly because it is fun to play with real toy soldiers without investing large amounts of time and money. My better half does not concur with me on this last assessment.

The Sultanate of Arrabbiata, Sultana El Arrabbiata, is the first, or last depending if one is  traveling east- or westwards, kingdom of the Near East that lies on the Hot Spice Route. This route connects the western "Roman" lands with the Far East and is the main overland route for trading goods, resources and vellum post cards.

The sultan -or king if you prefer- of Arrabbiata, Sultan Salah ad-Ot Ras al-Hanout,  better known as Saladot, has had enough. His advisors think the West is demanding to much import taxes and thus stagnating trade and in return, playing by the rules,  the Sultanate is not getting enough revenue from import from of the West. Saladot also thinks the West is demanding to much from his administration, trying to regulate all trade activities to its advantage. From how much weight a four wheeled cart may carry, to the number of guards at border crossing points and even how the karawansaray should be organised...

The sultan has had enough. He called for the Arrabbexit: the great charter of trade along the Hot Spice Route was no longer viable. Western caravans were raided at and across the borders, vital trading goods where confiscated from caravans going West, heavily armoured French and English mercenaries were hired to boost the Saracens forces...things where heating up indeed.

- Recruiting troops. -

The West quickly sent their mediterranean rapid reaction force to protect the caravans. Sir Rodger Moor of Ivanhoe, Commander of the Order of the Shiny Knights of Holy Wood, assembled his loyal forces, also hired mercenaries and set of to confront Saladots marauders. He ordered his troops to carry a red cross, symbol of the crossroad with the East he was ordered to protect, as a field sign. In the end red cloth was difficult to come by because of the trouble at the border and grand master Rodger ordered that at a pinch black or white crosses would do the trick as well.

- Scrubbed and bathed, drying whilst contemplating battle. -

The scene is set, negotiators and ambassadors have been sent home, troops are gathering and skirmishes are getting more deadly as Sir Rodger and Sultan Saladot deploy their forces at the crossroads between East and West.

And so it begins...In the mean time work on cleaning and reassembling the troops is ongoing. But progress is being made and I'm happy playing with the toys and again writing about what's going on

Again, 

Happy gaming!

Pjotr