Martial Music

[derv]

-Fife, drums, horns, and bagpipes

Wikipedia: Martial Music

Remember the Ride of the Valkyries in Apocalypse Now?
Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries

Musician cost: 10 pts. + troop type (usually LF)

Units accompanied by a musician receive an extra die on the Combat Table when they charge into melee.

When within charge distance, such units will force an enemy to check morale as if they suffered excess casualties. If they fail the check they must retreat 1 ½ moves, backs to the enemy, and rally.

Musicians will automatically rally a retreating or routing friendly unit within 12” in the first turn, on a roll of 2-6 on the second turn, and a 5-6 on the third turn.

[Red Baron]

I'd be more inclined to give troops with a musician a movement bonus. Perhaps they can march for an extra turn or two before resting?

Or in battles with multiple commanders per side, you can write out 3 or 4 pre-determined orders, and a general can bugle for his lieutenants to carry out.

[derv]

I agree. Marching and command control bonuses are some good suggestions for this sort of thing.

I generally like the idea of musicians, think they're historically supported, and could make for a nice addition to a game.

[derv]

The forced morale check might be a little strong. I was really looking for a more visceral effect. Maybe it's the Irish in me? The extra die during a charge should suffice though (which would only apply to the first round of melee).

I thought about movement bonuses, but Chainmails movement rates are pretty tight. I could still see giving marching bonuses when doing map moves in a campaign. A possibility is to half the formation and facing costs and add +1 or +2 to all movement limits before fatigue sets in.

Morale is another item that I was tossing around. I considered boosting the morale rating of a unit with a musician up one rank.

Here's two good sources:

HG Farmer on Internet Archive: Rise and Development of Military Music

He also has another work titled Crusading Martial Music that is not freely available online

Gleason Paper pdf: Cavalry and Kettledrum Practice- Celts & Romans to Renaissance

Gleason Paper pdf: Cavalry and Court Trumpeters and Kettledrummers- Renaissance to 19th c.