WAB FORUM ARMIES THE HUAXTEC ARMY OF THE CONQUEST

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1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A diagram from the Codex Mendoza, showing a Huaxtec Tiachem with the distinctive Hawk-Scratch suit pattern. Neil Burt of Troop of Shewe painted these Outpost Miniatures Huaxtec Warriors During the millennia before the coming of the Conquistadors, tribes of Mayan speaking people migrated southward along the Gulf coast of modern day Mexico. Eventually they settled from the Northern Mexican Gulf coast, throughout the flatlands of the Yucatan peninsula, all the way to the highlands of Guatamala and Honduras. As the era of migrations dawned, various invaders moved in and out of the lands of Veracruz, resulting in the eventual isolation of one group of Mayans, known as the Huaxtecs. Their land was known only by the Aztec Nahuatl name of Cuextlan. Like their southern Mayan brethren, the Huaxtecs were never a unified or consolidated people. Cuextlan was a land, controlled by a myriad of individual towns, governed by ever shifting allegiances and under a near state of permanent, internecine war. They were also always at war with their nearest neighbours, such as Metztitlan and the new upstart Triple Alliance of the Aztecs. By the 1440 s the Aztecs were expanding in all directions. Cuextlan was already being inundated by the aggressive trading practices of Aztec Pochteca. This Guild of long distance traders was employed as spies and agents provocateurs for their government, back in Tenochtitlan. By 1450, an incident occurred whereby some Pochteca were murdered. The Aztecs mobilized their army, and marched northward, into Huaxtec lands, to protect their interests. As we only have Aztec records to go by, it is difficult to establish whether this incident was fabricated as an excuse for military conquest. As the Aztec Tlatoani, Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina, marched into Huaxtec lands, most of the towns along the way, surrendered without a fight, and automatically became part of the Aztec hegemony. Not so with the Huaxtecs, who quickly dropped their infighting, and formed an alliance to deal with the invaders. They faced Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina s army, close to the town of Tochpan in During the battle, a general sound of retreat rang out throughout the ranks of the Aztec army. The Aztec army began to rapidly fall back. The Huaxtecs charged after them, sensing an upcoming rout. However, Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina, had hidden thousands of Cuachiques and Ontontin in the surrounding brush, and at the proper signal, these troops lunged at the Huaxtec flanks. By now, the falsely fleeing Aztecs turned to face their pursuers, and by day s end the Huaxtecs were crushed. To commemorate this great victory, 2-captive level Aztec warriors would from now on wear a Cuextlacatl suit that mimicked those worn by the Huaxtecs. Further campaigns by the Tlatoanis Tizoc ( ) and Ahuitzotl ( ) again resulted in the Huaxtecs suffering a resounding defeat. This caused the entire southern half of Cuextlan to become annexed by the Triple Alliance. To add further hardship, Ahuitzotl brought thousands of Huaxtec captives back to Tenochtitlan. They were needed as sacrifices for the dedication of the newly completed Temple of Huitzilpochtli. At this point, the majority of Cuextlan had become a client state, within the Aztec Empire. The first contact the Huaxtecs made with the Europeans was when Huaxtec warriors chased away the de Grijalvas expedition in 1518, just north of the Totonac lands, around Cape Rojo. Later, after the Aztec collapse in 1521, the Conquistadors turned their attention, once again to the Huaxtecs. Initially things went well, with the Spanish armies under both Cortes and, later, de Sandoval, suffering defeats in 1522 and 1523 respectively. However, a larger more capable army under Cortes ( ) finally defeated them. This laid the groundwork for the brutal campaign of Nuno de Guzman, who in the years , alternated between massacring and enslaving the Huaxtec population. By now, the Huaxtecs were weakened by war and disease. The final blow to Cuextlan came in the form of Chichimec invasions from the north during the Chichimec Wars of 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 Huaxtecs 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. Open/Closed Order With the exception of some rare Pike wielding units, such as the Chontal and Chinantec, the Huaxtecs fought in a somewhat loose formation, similar to other armies in the New World. I believe WAB Forum 1 v 0.1

2 they should be treated as Open Order troops, and to that end, they benefit from a +2 rank bonus for combat resolution. atlatl, massed archery rules for atlatl may not be used. The atlatl was only used by the Noble Chiefs and the Tiachems. Capture In some forms of combat, most notably the Xochiyaoyotl ( Flower Wars ), the main objective in battle was to capture as many enemies as possible, for their use as sacrificial victims. Of course, the Huaxtecs also took part in conflicts (Yaoyotl) where capturing opponents played only a small role. The captured prisoners were, ceremoniously executed by beheading. The heads were then flayed, and placed on the ends of poles, which then adorned the Huaxtec temples and tzontlis (skull-racks). 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. Mercenaries and Allies The Huaxtec Army may take allied Chichimec and Otomi warrior combat units. These units are mercenaries and/or allies and have specific rules. At the first turn, throw a D6 for every non-huaxtec unit. On a roll of 1 the Allied unit leader has not properly coordinated his troops with that of the Huaxtec War Chief. 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. All Allied units may use the Huaxtec Warlord s Ld for any break test and may benefit from the re-roll of the ASB. Terror and Fear All Huaxtec 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 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. The Huaxtec Shaman or Head Flayer also causes Fear. 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. 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 Hatred and Head Flayer The Huaxtec Head Flayer Shaman-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 described in the main rule book. The Head Flayer also causes Fear. Mixed Weaponry Units of Mesoamerican troops sometimes would be equipped with different weapons of different abilities and qualities. In close combat the attacker must declare which of his models in base contact attack specific models, such as a 2-handed weapon figure, or a spearman figure. For casualties remove the targeted figure or one similarly armed. Differently armed figures should be obvious to your opponent. Combined Units The Elite Huaxtec warriors were usually at the forefront of the Huaxtec army. In WAB we can represent this by allowing the formed units of Huaxtecs to be combined units, with the front rank(s) made up of Tiachems, and the remaining rear ranks containing Huaxtec warriors. This means the warriors may have different specifications, different armour, and different weapons. Losses from missile fire are allocated at 50% of the Tiachem and 50% of the Huaxtec warrior type. Losses from hand to hand combat must be removed according to troop type in contact with the enemy. As long as the front rank contains 50 % or greater Tiachems, you may use the Ld rating of the Tiachems. If the front rank falls below 50% then the unit s Ld is that of the rear rank troops. Massed Archery The Huaxtecs 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. The front rank may fire as normal, and ½ of subsequent ranks of archers may fire, (rounded down). No massed shooting may take place if the unit has moved. You may use Massed Archery fire as a charge response. However, the Otomi allies have Superior Massed Archery. This means they may Mass Fire even if the unit has moved (but not Charged or Marched). However, they will still suffer a -1 to hit movement modifier. You may also use Superior Massed Archery fire as a charge response. Marksman Cuextecachichimeca Marksmen were renowned for their rapid rate of fire (according to the original Spanish chroniclers). These came from the Pame and Olive tribes of Chichimecs, living in northern Cuextlan ( Panuco ). During the Huaxtec 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). WAB Forum 2 v 0.1

3 Casualty removal, due to missile fire between normal archers and Marksmen, is up to the Huaxtec player. A Marksman still only gets 1 attack in Melee. Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), and light cotton armour (ichcahuipilli), bow and shield. May have double handed Maquahuitl (3pts) but loses shield. May have atlatl (3pts). ARMY COMPOSITION CHARACTERS Up to 25% of entire points Huaxtec War Chief Huaxtec Chief can be AG and ASB Huaxtec Shamen ( Head-Flayer ) WARRIORS Up to 25% of remaining army is from the Elite warriors. Elite warriors Tiachems elite veterans The remaining points are from Regular and Allied warriors Regular Warriors Huaxtec Warriors Huaxtec skirmishers Allies 0-1 Cuextecachichimeca skirmishers 0-1 Otomi Warband Note: All formed Huaxtec units may have a Command unit of Leader, Musician, and Standard Bearer for +5pts each. Unfortunately, little, if anything is known, about Huaxtec standards. Their standards may have been actual standards (as with the Maya and the Inca) as commonly understood within the WAB game system. They may have also been the back banners of their leaders (as with many other Mesoamerican peoples). I would tend to suspect the latter is true, but feel free to model your forces in the manner of your liking. We just don t know. CHARACTERS CHIEFTAINS The Huaxtec lands were ruled by a myriad of hereditary Chiefs, each reigning over one or more towns. These Chiefs would be almost continually at war with each other. However, when Cuextlan was threatened, the Chiefs would select a War Chief from amongst them. This would, ostensibly be the most warlike, capable and powerful leader in Cuextlan. In WAB terms, the War Chief represents the Army General. He wears armour under his Tlahuiztli war-suit and distinctive feathered pointy hat. The regular Chiefs also wear armoured cotton vests (Ichcahuipilli) and may elect to wear a war-suit. Huaxtec War Chief Local Chief May upgrade to Tlahuiztli war suit (+2pts). This combined with cotton vest counts as heavy armour. May be Stubborn (+4pts). A Local Chief may be Army General (+25pts). This would represent smaller, more localized battles. A Local Chief may be Army Standard Bearer (+). Special Rules: Capture. Army General. Army Standard Bearer. SHAMAN The Shamans were organizing the captives at the end of the battle. The warriors who captured the prisoners were given the privilege of beheading them on the battlefield. The heads were then brought home as spoils. The Shamans would then flay them and set them up on special Tzontli skull racks, or in their temples. The purpose of any of these rites is unknown. Oddly enough, some modern historians deny that the Huaxtecs practiced captive taking and ceremonial sacrifices. That would make them unique among Mesoamericans, and goes against the chronicles of Sahagun and Diaz. I have elected to side with the original sources. M WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv Points Head Flayer Shaman Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword), and light cotton armour (ichcahuipilli), and shield. May have atlatl (3pts). Special Rules: Hatred (Rules #2 and #3 only). Fear ELITE WARRIORS The elite troops of the Huaxtecs fall into two classes. On the one hand you have the hereditary nobility, and, on the other, the veteran soldiers who have shown martial proficiency. For simplicity s sake I have combined them into a single group, known to the Spanish as the Tiachems. This is probably from the Spanish attempts to utilize such Aztec terminology as Tiacauhqueh or Tequihuahqueh (veteran soldiers). The Tiachems are allowed to wear armour. Many wore a suit similar to Aztec Jaguar and Eagle warriors, and this may have represented a distinct warrior class. These suits display the distinctive Hawk-scratch: pattern. It does not count as heavy armour when combined with cotton light armour. You may wish to field your Tiachem in either of two ways: 1. If you decide to field a combat unit made up of Tiachem, then this becomes a Royal Guard unit, and the Army General must be contained within this unit. WAB Forum 3 v 0.1

4 The command figures are assumed to be Tiachem.This unit may also be Stubborn for +3pts per figure. Equipment: Hand weapon (club) and Bow. May have shield (+1pt). 2. You may take a second group of Tiachem and,prior to deployment, the Huaxtec player may split up the figures and place them into the front rank(s) of the Huaxtec Warrior units. The Tiachem must not amount to more that 25% of the figures in the entire unit. The command figures are assumed to be Tiachem. As long as half or more of the figures in the front rank are Tiachem, the unit uses their Leadership value. Casualties from missile fire and hand to hand combat are determined as usual for combined formations. Huaxtec Tiachems Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) and Chimalli (shield), and have ichcahuipilli (light armour) and bows. They may have Tepoztopilli (obsidian tipped spear)(+ 2pts). May have 2-Handed Maquahuitl (+3pts). Use of Chimalli is not allowed if you use the 2-handed Maquahuitl in combat. Units may have atlatl (+3pts). If Royal Guard, may be Stubborn for +3pts per figure. Special Rules: Capture. Combined Formation. Royal Guard. Massed Archery WARRIORS The normal everyday troops were probably not part of the standing army of the Huaxtecs. They were given no body armour and would supply their own weaponry. Some would have had access to obsidian tipped thrusting spears (Tepoztopilli). But all Huaxtecs had bows and knew how to use them. The poorest trained and equipped would be simple skirmishing bowmen. Some of the better trained bowmen would find their place behind the better armed hand to hand warriors in combat units. Huaxtec Warriors units can, therefore contain mixed weaponry. The archers must make up the back ranks and cannot make up more that 50% of all the Warriors. Note: if desired you may supplement the front ranks with Tiachems. Huaxtec Warriors Equipment: Hand weapon (club) and shield. May have Bow(+1pt) or Tepoztopilli(+1pt) Special Rules: Capture. Combined Formation. Mixed Weaponry. Massed Archery Skirmish Bowmen Special Rules: Skirmishers ALLIES 0-1 Otomi unit The Otomi 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, north of the major nations of central Mexico. Like the Huaxtecs, they also never had a strong centralized government. Local villages would ally themselves according to their needs and circumstances. Some Otomi tribes were within the Triple Alliance hegemony, some were within the Tlaxcaltec Alliance and some were neither, fighting on behalf of the Huaxtecs. These allies would, most likely, be the tribes found to the north and west of the boundaries of Cuextlan. While every writer praises the Otomi as ferocious fighters, it is telling that their Tlaxcaltec allies recorded them as being wild and stupid. In WAB terms, I think that the Warband rules can simulate ferociousness, wildness and stupidity quite well. They are described as being predominantly excellent archers, but ones also well versed to fighting in ranked formations. For this, they are given the Superior Massed Archery ability. Otomi Warrior Equipment: Maquahuitl (obsidian sword) or Tepoztopilli (obsidian thrusting spear)(+1pt), and Chimalli (shield) and bow. Unit may have Leader, Musician and Standard Bearer (+5pts each). Special Rules: Warband. Capture. Allies. Superior Massed Archery 0-1 Chichimec unit The Chichimeca were, ultimately, the force that destroyed the Huaxtecs during the latter half of the 16 th century. However, there were various tribes of Chichimecs, most notably the Pame and the Olive, that chose to settle in the Panuco region of Cuextlan. They took on the behavior of the Huaxtecs and were even called the Cuextecachichimecs. They would have fought on behalf of the Huaxtecs to protect their lands. 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. You may deploy 1 unit of Cuextecachichimeca skirmishers. For every 5 Cuextecachichimeca, you may promote 1 to Marksman who may shoot twice per Shooting phase. (For example, if you have 17 skirmishers you may promote 3 to marksmen. WAB Forum 4 v 0.1

5 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 shooting penalties still apply. Cuexteca chichimeca Cuexteca chichimeca Marksman 5 3 4/ / Equipment: Bow, Hand weapon. May upgrade 1 in 5 Archers to Marksman (+3pts) Special Rules: Skirmish. Marksman. Allies. (historical text). SITUATION SCENARIOS TITLE PLAYERS BATTLEFIELD DEPLOYMENT WHO GOES FIRST LENGHT OF GAME VICTORY CONDITIONS WAB Forum 5 v 0.1

6 REFERENCE WORKS Brown, Kathryn and Stanton, Travis, eds., Ancient Mesoamerican Warfare, Altamira Press, 2004, ISBN X Cortes, Hernan, Letters from Mexico, Pagden translation, Yale University Press, 1986, ISBN Diaz Del Castillo, Bernal, The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico, Maudsley translation, Da Capo Press, 2003, ISBN X Hassig, Ross, War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica, University of California Press, 1992, ISBN Hassig, Ross, Mexico and the Spanish Conquest, Longman Press, 1994, ISBN Hassig, Ross, Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988, ISBN Heath, Ian, Armies of the 16th Century Vol 2, Foundry Books, 1999, ISBN X Pohl, John, The Conquistador: , Osprey Publishing, 2001, ISBN Pohl, John, Aztecs and Conquistadors, Osprey Publishing, 2005, ISBN Robinson III, Charles, The Spanish Invasion of Mexico, Osprey Publishing, 2004, ISBN Soustelle, Jacques, Daily Life of the Aztecs, Stanford University Press, 1961, ISBN Thomas, Hugh, The Conquest of Mexico, Pimlico Press, 2004, ISBN INTERNET LINKS WAB Forum 5 Tiachem with Atlatl in front ranks 80pts 7 Huaxtec with Bows in back ranks 49pts 8 Huaxtec with Tepoztopilli 56pts (5X4 grid) 200pts 6 Tiachem with Atlatl in front ranks 96pts 7 Huaxtec with Tepoztopilli 49pts 7 Huaxtec with Bows in back ranks 49pts (5X4 grid) 209 pts Note Total Tiachem are 500pts or 25% Local Chief with Atlatl 83pts 15 Huaxtec 90pts 14 Huaxtec with Bows in back ranks 98pts (6X5 grid) 286pts Shaman with Atlatl 58pts 15 Huaxtec 90pts 14 Huaxtec with Bows in back ranks 98pts (6X5 grid) 261pts 36 Otomi 288pts (6X6 grid) 303pts 10 Huaxtec Skirmishers with Bows and Shields 60pts 14 Cuextecachichimeca with 1 Marksman upgrade 101pts Total 1997pts SPECIAL THANKS Many thanks to WAB Forum members for providing the template and their great support. Huaxtec War Chief with Atlatl, Tlahuiztli war suit and Stubborn 134pts Local Chief with Atlatl, Tlahuiztli war suit and Stubborn, ASB 104pts 18 Tiachem Royal Guard with Tepoztopilli and Stubborn 324pts (5X4 grid) 577pts WAB Forum 6 v 0.1