WAB FORUM ARMIES THE TARASCAN ARMY OF THE CONQUEST

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 the Mexica, the Tarascans employed uniformly armed combat Valley, the Tarascans, could be considered one of the most units and relied much more heavily on archery. As an aside, the dangerous enemy of the Triple Alliance Mexica. Ironically, they Tarascans were so named due to another error by the “cloth- fought the much larger Mexica armies to a standstill for about 90 eared” Spanish. The Tarascans facetiously called the Spaniards years but then surrendered their entire empire to the Spanish “Tarascue” or “sons-in-law” due to the Spaniards reputation of Crown within 1 year of the Aztec collapse. 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 term stuck. The Aztecs used the Nahuatl term of “Michoaca” to that surrounded them, another migratory group in the 12th and denote their enemy. This meant “land of those who have fish”, 13th century C.E., that followed the collapse of the Toltec probably pertaining to the plentiful bounty found within Lake Empire. The Tarascans, who called themselves the “Purepecha”, Patzcuaro. migrated into the Patzcuaro Basin of the Michoacan Valley around 1200 C.E. They quickly adapted themselves to their new It was during Tzitzicpadacuare’s reign that the inevitable surroundings and developed a “royal lineage” known as the conflicts with the Mexica began. Originally, they battled back “Uacusecha” (the Eagles) which would become the family of all and forth over the Toluca Basin for the rich deposits of gold, the future Tarascan kings. Linguistically and culturally, the copper, silver and obsidian. Then, in 1479, an Aztec army under Tarascans are unique and separate from the other Mesoamerican Axayacatl, was crushed at the Battle of Charo with the Aztec groups. 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 engagements. Then in 1515, Moctezuma Xocoyotl and an Aztec nephews began their expansion from the cities of Ihuitzio, army led by the Tlaxcalan general Tlahuicole penetrated into the Patzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan around the shores of Lake Patzcuaro. north-eastern territories as far as the city of Acambaro. A series By 1450 the Tarascan Empire, under the leadership of King of rapid victories and defeats left both armies bloodied and Tzitzicpadacuare, rivalled the size of the Triple-Alliance and beaten with no land changing hands. The wily local chief of stretched from the Pacific to the western borders of the Central

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Zacatula used this time as an opportunity to break away from developed, more civilized, but still widely dispersed Chichimec both Tarascan and Aztec hegemony. This standstill more or less people that lived to the north of the Central, Pueblan and persisted until the coming of the Conquistadores. 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 named one of their highest grades of warriors the Otontin (“the peoples who played an important part in the Tarascan wars. otomis”). At different times, different groups of Otomis would Some were nomadic tribes that would wander in and out of have fought as mercenaries on both sides of the Tarascan-Mexica Tarascan (and Aztec) held lands, while others were specifically and Mexica-Tlaxcalan wars. settled to form buffer zones between the Tarascan and Aztec lands. From north to south, along the Tarascan eastern border, we The Matlatzinca were also an Otomi people who found have the Chichimecs, the Otomi, the Matlatzinca and the themselves in the unenviable position of living between the ever Chontal. Militarily, non-Tarascan warriors were encouraged to expanding Tarascan and Mexica empires. They found themselves employ their own traditional weapons and tactics and would be fighting for both sides during the 15th century until eastern led by their own generals, all under the supreme command of the Matlatzan was conquered by the Aztecs under Axayacatl. The Cazonci. 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 semi- Aztec aggression. It was a combined Matlatzinca and Tarascan barbaric tribes that wander about the north of modern Mexico, a army that handed the Aztecs one of their most crushing defeats territory known to the Conquistadors as “Gran Chichimeca”. ever at Charo. Sahagun stated that “just as the Chichimecs They are a Nahuatl speaking people, whose ancestors were the always went carrying the bow, these (the Matlatzinca) always antecedents of the Mexica, the Tlaxcalteca and the Huexotzinca. went carrying the sling”. This may be true but the Codices show There were no hereditary chieftains in Chichimec society. that the maquehuitl and shield were also prominent. Warlords were elected from the bravest and most fearsome warriors. Their specific weapon was the bow, which they started This brings us to the Chontal. Technically, they were in the using almost from infancy. Spanish chroniclers indicated that South-Eastern border of Tarascan lands and the Chinantla Valley Chichimec archers could puncture oranges thrown into the air! just over the hills north of the Valley of Oaxaca. Linguistically Chichimecs were found fighting on both sides of the Tarascan and culturally, they are closer to the Zapotecs and Mixtecs than wars. Sahagun mentions a tribe of “Teuchichimeca” who fought the Tarascan and Nahuatl speaking neighbours to the north. The against Aztec incursions for the Cazonci Tzitzicpadacuare 1454- Chontal allied themselves with the Tarascans, as the Aztecs, 1479. Once the Aztec Empire had collapsed and the Tarascan under Ahuitzotl, moved into Guerrero to reach the Pacific and try Empire had handed itself to the Spanish Crown, the to encircle them. The Chontal, like their neighbours the Conquistadors turned their attention to pacifying Gran Chinantec, favoured long slashing pikes of about 3-4 brazas (16- Chichimeca. This became the long and gruelling “Chichimec 21 feet) in length in combat. Please note: there were many tribes Wars” of 1550-1590. known as the “Chontal” as this is the Nahuatl term for “barbarian”. Their true name is lost to us. 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 bonus of +1 as its combat effectiveness is compromised. In Tarascans, Chichimeca, Otomi, Matlatzinca and Chontal. a subsequent movement phase, the Wide Open Order unit may decide to Reform in order to become Open Order and SPECIAL RULES benefit from a +2 Rank bonus. Like other Reforms, this

Fleet of Foot constitutes an entire Movement. In either formation (Open The Spanish chroniclers noted that the Meso-American combat or Wide Open Order), if the unit has moved, then only the units displayed great agility and were quick to manoeuvre on the front rank may fire and has a-1 To Hit roll modifier. field of battle. All Tarascans have a basic movement rate of 5”, and a charge distance of 10”. They have the usual movement It is probably helpful to employ a small marker to indicate penalty if they move through woods or other difficult and Wide Open Order status for your opponents benefit. Once impassable terrain. They were used to fighting in unfavourable the unit Reforms back to Open Order, the marker can be terrain and, therefore, retain their rank bonus when doing so. removed.

Wide/Open/Closed Order Massed Sling Fire With the exception of some rare Pike wielding units, such If the Matlatzinca unit has not moved, or if it has as the Chontal, the Tarascans fought in a somewhat loose Reformed into Wide Open Order, it may do a Massed formation, similar to other armies in the New World. Sling Fire. This is exactly analogous to Massed Archery fire allowed in bow armed troops. Basically the front rank I believe they should be treated as Open Order troops, and may all shoot and ½ of all subsequent ranks may fire. No to that end, they benefit from a +2 rank bonus for combat multiple shots may be done regardless of the distance. resolution. However, the Tarascan army may take a single unit of formed Matlatzincan slingers Matlatzinca combat Make sure your opponent is aware that the unit is units would have been able to fire their slings and still considered Wide Open Order. (An appropriate marker can maintain their formation. be used.) The unit must be in Wide Open Order, so that there is sufficient “personal space” to allow for the To do this, to achieve the “personal space” required to fire swinging of a sling. The unit must remain in Wide Open slings, Matlatzinca warriors must be further separated than Order until it Reforms into Open Order anytime during a what can be done within Open Order. At any time, in their subsequent movement phase. movement phase, an Inca unit may undergo a Reform Move into Wide Open Order. At this point the entire unit A unit in hand to hand combat may not use Massed Sling has the benefit of performing a “Massed Sling Fire”. This Fire. (Thanks to the members of Practical Soldier Yahoo is fully explained in the next section. group for the suggestions of the above rules)

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

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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 basically a Principales type warrior, and if he is in a Tarascan moved. However, the Tarascans normally fought with large warrior unit, then he shares the Tarascan warrior ability. There is formed units of archers. Many contemporary writers noted that no added benefit to the fact that the command soldiers are Priests. 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 “Ciuripecha” or war-priest. This priest prepared the pre-battle archers to fire even with movement (must be a normal oracular rituals. Each Ciuripecha carries a unit standard which movement, not a march or charge). However, they will still suffer contains a blessing which behaves like a single oracle point. a -1 to hit movement modifier. You may use Massed Archery fire Please see the rules in the Greek section of AoA. or the as a charge response. Rulebook.

Marksman This oracular benefit can only be applied to the unit containing Teuchichimeca Marksmen were renowned for their rapid rate of the Ciuripecha Priest. The “point” of the oracle may be used to fire (according to the original Spanish chroniclers). During the add one point to any combat resolution, or re-roll a failed Tarascan shooting phase, a Marksman may elect to fire his bow Leadership test once, and only once. If the Ciuripecha is killed, twice. However, this rapid firing still comes at a cost. A before the oracular benefit of the standard is used, then that marksman, firing twice, has his Ballistic Skill reduced to BS 3 benefit is lost. for that turn. He may single fire next turn at BS 4. All the normal penalties apply, (such as movement and distance penalties). Mesoamerican Phalanx Tarascan armies may contain Chontal contingents that are Casualty removal, due to missile fire between normal archers and Mesoamerican Phalanxes (MP). The MP is subject to the Marksmen, is up to the Tarascan player. A Marksman still only following movement rules: gets 1 attack in Melee. 1. The MP may wheel normally during a March or Charge Tarascan Priest and Ciuripecha move. The priestly class made up, what in WAB, is considered the 2. The MP is allowed the following manoeuvres: About Face unit’s command group. Priests would carry the unit standards and 180 degrees and Adjust Ranks or reform ranks. were the unit musicians. For those interested in the Tarascan 3. The MP may NOT do a right or left face (turn 90 degrees) names, the command is made up of a “Curitiecha”, the wood 4. The MP may never change its facing in subsequent combat gathering priest (as a Leader +5pts), a “Thiuimencha” the rounds when engaged on the flank or rear. standard bearer priest (as a Standard bearer +5pts) and the 5. A MP may not automatically FBIGO at will unless it “Atapacha” and “Pungcucha” the drummers and horn blowers (as outnumbers the enemy unit 2:1 Musicians +5pts). 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 Characters- Up to 25% of entire points of +3. 2. A MP may charge and still fight in two ranks to the front. Warriors At least 75% of remaining army is from the Elite, Pikes are a first strike weapon. Regular and Allied troops. 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 Elite fire modifier does not count for black powder weapons. A 0-1 Principales Phalanx is no protection from a bullet. Regular 4. Mounted Units may charge a MP to the front, but they lose Valiant Men (must have 1 unit of formed Tarascan warriors for their charge weapons benefits. In addition all hand to hand every unit of Valiant Men) attacks when mounted suffer a -2 to hit modifier, as the Tarascan Warriors mounts are kept at a further distance from the Pikemen. Tarascan Skirmishers 5. A Chontal MP has the Mixed Order benefit. Allies- Mixed Order 0-1 Matlatzinzan Unit The Chontal Mesoamerican Phalanx may have missile armed 0-1 Teuchichimec Skirmish unit troops combined with the Pikemen to form a single combat unit, 0-1 Otomitl Unit with the missile units initially making up the front rank of the 0-1 Chontal Pike Unit unit. When entering close combat, the Chontal player may choose from these two options: CHARACTERS

All of the Characters found in the Tarascan army come from the 1. The missile armed troop rank may remain in the front of the “Uacusecha” (the Eagles) royal line. Tarascan society was highly unit allowing them to stand and shoot. In this case Pike stratified and being of noble birth was a requisite for any armed figures, in the second rank, may fight the combat. leadership or priestly responsibilities.

Or The Tarascan army was generally led by its hereditary King, the Cazonci. There was a long line of great warrior Kings starting 2. The missile armed rank may move to the rear of the unit. with Tariacuri who began the expansion of the Tarascan state, to This, of course, prohibits them from shooting, but the Tzitzipandaquare and Zuangua who battled the Aztecs. The royal Pikemen may now fight in two ranks. The missile troops family members that ruled the 9 main cities of the Tarascan that have retired to the rear of the combat unit may return to Empire were known only by the Spanish term of “Senores” as the the front again by spending an entire turn reforming. original Tarascan term is forever lost. A Senor may be taken as the Army General to represent a smaller military force.

ARMY COMPOSITION M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts

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Cazonci 5 5 4 4 3 3 5 3 9 125 Tarascan 0-1 Principales “Senores” 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 2 8 80 The Tarascans had their version of the Military Orders. They Captain were made up of noble family members, were professional General 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 3 8 90 soldiers, and known, by the Spanish, as the Principales (again the High original Tarascan term is forgotten). Thiuimencha The Principales made up the best formed unit in the army. You Ciuripecha 5 5 4 4 3 2 5 2 8 95 may deploy one such unit per 2000pts and it must be the smallest Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), and cotton armour formed unit in the entire army. If they are taken, then they must (light armour), bow and cane shield. act as the Comitatus to the Cazonci who must stay in that unit. May have double handed Maquahuitl (3pts). May have atlatl (3pts). Upgrade to copper shield (+2pts). Stubborn (+4pts). M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points Tarascan 0-1 ARMY GENERAL “Principales” 5 4 4 4 3 1 3 1 7 12 Cazonci or Senor upgraded to Army General (+25pts). The Senor Army General may be further upgraded to the Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), cotton armour (light “Captain-General” for (+10pts). This gives the Captain-General armour), bow and cane shield. May have double handed 3 attacks. Unfortunately, the original Tarascan term is again lost Maquahuitl ( 3pts ). May have atlatl (3pts). May upgrade to to us. copper shield (+1pt). May be Stubborn ( 3pts ). 0-1 ARMY STANDARD BEARER The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician One of the Senores was also the Cities main Priest, the “High from the “Principale” Priest section (+5pts each). Upgrade to Thiuimench” who supervised the sacrifices at the temples. Ciuripecha (+15pts). Upgrade to Ciuripecha (+15pts). Therefore, a Tarascan Senor may be upgraded to High Thiuimencha (+15pts) and acts as Army Standard Bearer. 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 Regular Warriors acts as a single Oracle point in addition to its abilities as Army The “Valiant Men” are veteran Tarascan Warriors from the lower Standard. 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 17 skirmishers you may promote 3 to marksmen. If you have 20 Warriors may wear this armour. 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 M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts Men” 5 4 4 3 3 1 3 1 7 10 Teuchichimec 5 3 4 3 3 1 3 1 5 7 Tarascan Teuchichimec Warrior 5 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 6 Marksman 5 3 4 3 3 1 3 1/2 5 10 Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) or Copper Axe or Club, Equipment: Bow, Hand weapon. May upgrade 1 in 5 Archers to Bow and cane shield. Marksman (+3pts) Valiant Men have cotton armour (light armour). Valiant Men may upgrade to copper shield (+1pt). Special Rules: Skirmish. Marksman. Allies. Every second unit of Tarascan Warriors may have maguey quilted vest (light armour) (+1pt). 0-1 Otomi unit The unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and a Musician The Otomitl were Chichimec tribesmen who fought for most of from the Priest section (+5pts each). Upgrade to Ciuripecha the belligerents in the Central Valley at one time or another. They (+15pts). 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 WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts circumstances. Some Otomi tribes were within the Triple Tarascan Alliance hegemony, some with the Tarascan Empire, some were Skirmisher 5 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 6 4 within the Tlaxcaltec Alliance and it is possible some were none Equipment: Bows. May have cane shields (+1pt) of the above or all of the above. While every writer praises the Otomitl as ferocious fighters, it is ALLIES telling that their Tlaxcaltec allies considered them “wild and stupid”. In WAB terms I think that the Warband rules can

0-1 Teuchichimec unit simulate ferociousness, wildness and stupidity quite well. They The Chichimeca were important allies of the Tarascans. These are also described as being predominantly archers, but ones used units were employed as skirmishers, as they did not have to fighting in ranked formations. 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 M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points may shoot twice per Shooting phase. (For example, if you have Otomitl 5 3 4 3 3 1 3 1 5 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 (light armour) (+1pt). The unit may have a Leader, Standard (obsidian thrusting spear)(+1pt), and Chimalli (shield) and bow. Bearer and a Musician at +5pts each. 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 some indigenous Indian groups developed techniques for fighting The Matlatzinca were an Otomi speaking people who lived as formed pike. At first the historians would suggest that this was between the Aztec and Tarascan Empires. Most Matlatzinca were a learned response to try to combat cavalry attacks. This was subject people within the Triple Alliance. However many fled actually true, especially with the Inca and Mapuche tribes in from their Mexica overlords and were invited to settle within the South America. However, both Bernal Diaz and Cortes mention Tarascan lands. This was not purely altruism on the part of the that the Zapotec, Chontal, and Chinantec used 20-25 foot long Tarascans. pikes in their combats. The Tarascan built border forts on the eastern end of their lands, Chontal pike units were glossed over by “Relaciones opposite the Aztec lands, and this is where they settled the Geographicas” which simply said that they existed. Hence, the Matlatzinca, the Otomi and Chontal. This provided a buffer zone rules will deal with a simple phalanx formation. of hostile non-Tarascans between the Tarascans and their arch The Chontal pike unit is Mesoamerican Pike. See the special enemy, and proved to be mutually beneficial to all those rules for this formation. 1 rank of Chontal Pikemen may switch involved. pikes with bows for free. The Matlatzinca were expert slingers. As Shagun wrote,”…. just They are then Mixed Order. (Remember a Mesoamerican as the Chichimeca always went carrying the bow, these always phalanx must have a minimum of 12 pikemen). Some Pikemen went carrying the sling”. They would wrap the slings around would carry a “pavisina” to use the Spanish term which counts as their head when not in use. As usual, they became the brunt of an a large shield. A Tarascan Army may have 1 Chontal Pike unit Aztec joke, and were called “Quaquata” meaning “heads of per 2000pts. stone”. As slingers need a certain degree of “personal space” to These Pike units were probably mercenaries and are therefore let their weapons loose, they must be in Wide Open Order in considered Allies. Due to the cumbersome nature of the Pike, a order to allow a Massed Sling Fire. See the Special Rules section Chontal unit does not have the Capture ability. for a full explanation. M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts Chontal Matlatzinca Warrior 5 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 7 Pikemen 5 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 7 9

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Equipment: Pikes. A single rank of Chontal Pikemen may switch REFERENCE WORKS pikes with bows for free. Chontal pikemen may have a shield Brown, Kathryn and Stanton, Travis, eds., Ancient (+1pt) or a Pavesina, large shield (+2pts). They are then Mixed Mesoamerican Warfare, Altamira Press, 2004, ISBN 0-7591- Order (remember a Mesoamerican phalanx must have a 0283-X minimum of 12 pikemen and at least 1 rank bonus). Command Cabrero, Leonicio, trans., Relación de Michoacán, Madrid are at +5pts each. Historia, 1989, ISBN 8476791550 978847679155 Cortes, Hernan, Letters from Mexico, Pagden translation, Yale Special Rules: Mesoamerican Phalanx. Pikes. Mixed order. University Press, 1986, ISBN 0-300-09103-6 Allies. Diaz Del Castillo, Bernal, The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico, Maudsley translation, Da Capo Press, 2003, ISBN 0- SCENARIOS 306-81319-X Hassig, Ross, War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica, TITLE University of California Press, 1992, ISBN 0-520-07734-2 Hassig, Ross, Mexico and the Spanish Conquest, Longman (historical text). Press, 1994, ISBN 0-582-06828-2 Hassig, Ross, Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and SITUATION Political Control, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988, ISBN 0- 8061-2773-2 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 9- 78184-176148-0 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, Tariacun’s 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 0- 87480-082-X

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

INTERNET LINKS 25 Tarascan Warriors 150pts Maguay L. Armour 25pts Ciuripecha upgrade 15pts Full command 15pts WAB Forum 205pts http://wabforum.co.uk 20 Valiant Men 200pts Copper shield upgrade 20pts http://faculty.smu.edu/rkemper/anth_3311/anth_3311_adkins_tar Ciuripecha upgrade 15pts ascan_paper.htm Full command 15pts 250pts

12 Teuchichimeca 84pts 3 Marksmen upgrades 30pts SPECIAL THANKS 114pts

30 Otomi 240pts Many thanks to WAB Forum members for providing the Full command 15pts template and their great support. 255pts

20 Matlatzinza with L. Armour 160pts

Full Command 15pts Sample 2000 pt. Tarascan Army 175pts

Cazonci, atlatl, copper shield, stubborn 134pts 20 Chontal Pike with shield and 5 archers in front rank 200pts High Ciuripecha, blessed Army Standard, Copper shield, Full Command 15pts stubborn 116pts 215pts 18 Principales, copper shield, stubborn 288pts 13 Tarascan archers 52 pts Full command 15pts

553pts Total 1999pts

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