Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI Interview: Ralph Shelton

 

Battles raged across Italy from the mid-1100s to the mid-1300s with both sides ending up on top at one time or another. This sixth Men of Iron game covers some of those battles: beginning with Frederick Barbarossa trying to recapture rebelling provinces in Italy in the late 12th century, taking a spin through the 13th century with a few battles that spelled the end of direct Hohenstaufen rule of Italy, and ending with a war that myth says was fought over the theft of a bucket from one city by another!

The rules and images shown here are not final.

You can find it in P500

-Why did you decide to make this game?

After completing the last game in the Men of Iron series, Norman Conquests, I started looking around for a topic for the next game. I played Inferno from Enrico Acerbi and it occurred to me that there were a large number of battles between the Guelphs and Ghibellines over many years. This would mean a single theme for a game, which is always a problem when making a game about Medieval Battles. Most Medieval wars did not last long enough to have five to seven battles during the war that can be translated into fun battles for a game.

-What are the differences compared to other games? What are the differences between the two sides?

As the sixth entry into the series, this game has very little differences in rules from the others. Norman Conquests largely relied on the rules and ideas from just the original Men of Iron (updated to the latest version). In Purgatorio we are using some pieces from so of the other games and combining them to portray these specific battles.

For example, in the Italian wars crossbowmen often had pavesari (men who held a shield to protect them), which was uncommon in England and France. Pavise made their first appearance in Blood & Roses as a novel defense for longbowmen in the battle of Second St. Albans. Pavise will appear in several battles in Purgatorio.

Another example is the current Flight Point mechanism where a side’s Flight Points increase when reinforcements enter, to encourage a player to take the time to enter those reinforcements. This appeared in Arquebus and will be used in several battles in Purgatorio.

As far as how are the two sides different, because the sides are often composed of troops from Italy, in most battles there is little difference between the units of the two sides. In individual battles, or even in the same army in one battle, there are quality differences. These quality differences often represent more professional troops, such as Frederick Barbarossa’s German knights, or troops with better morale or desperation, such as the defenders of the Carroccio at Cortenuova.

The Hohenstaufen did have some Saracen archers they imported into Sicily that make an appearance in several battles, some on foot and some mounted.

-Can you recommend bibliography about the game?

It was difficult to find information in English on some battles. I used to help create the game included three Italian books and one Italian website. I also got some help from two Italian gentlemen, Riccardo Masini and Enrico Acerbi.

Campaldino 1289

Battles of the Medieval World 1000-1500

La Battaglia Di Montaperti Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

Art of Warfare in the Middle Ages

La Battaglia Di Cortenuova

Warfare

"Battaglia di Cortenuova". ARS Bellica. http://www.arsbellica.it/

-What is your favorite battle in this game and why?

My favorite battle in the game is Zappolino. Solely because the war is based upon a myth. This myth is that the Modenese slipped into Bologna and stole a bucket from a well. This supposedly instigated the war between the two city states. The war started as minor raids from Bologna into Modenese territory. It escalated when Modena invaded Bolognese territory and captured the fortress of Monteveglio. This was one of two strategic fortresses defending the approaches to the city of Bologna. The other fortress was Zappolino, and it was just down the slope from that fortress that this battle took place.

-Do you plan to release more games?

Yes, I plan on creating more Men of Iron games. Perhaps some other original games as well.