Ager Sanguinis
The Normans in Northern Syria in the 12th Century

The Norman Saga

Oppidum

Sherwood

The Anarchy

Ager Sanguinis

BoardGameGeek Forum

The Game

 

AGER SANGUINIS ("The Field of Blood", the name of the battle lost by Roger of Antioch in 1119) is set in Northern Syria  in the 12th Century and simulates the fierce conflicts of the descendants of the Normans who followed Bohemond of Tarento, son of Robert Guiscard and founder of the principality of Antioch. The game includes the various factions at stake in this civilization showdown: Knights Hospitaller, Antiochian Normans, Armenians and Seljuk Turks.

AGER SANGUINIS leverages the rules of the others games in the Norman Saga series and introduces new counters like camels and naphta throwers.

Box Contents:

> (3) full-color tactical maps, giving a possibility of many different terrains;
> (1) sheet of overlays with tents; 
> (4) sheets of tactical and campaign counters printed in full color;
>
(1) full-color campaign map;
> (1) rule booklet;
> (1) booklet including the historical background, a guide to the
    playing pieces and both strategic and tactical scenarios;
>
(6) play sheets for handy reference;
> (1) 10-sided die.

Ager Sanguinis Box Artwork



The Characters

   
The 3 playable factions are displayed through counters using the Outremer/Croisades format. A 3-letter marking system will enable easy differentiation of the various playing pieces on the maps. Counters are available on four A4 sheets (8.3" x 11.7"):
> A4 countersheet - 1 (Front - Back) - Completed on March 22, 2017
> 
A4 countersheet - 2 (Front - Back) - Completed on March 22, 2017
> 
A4 countersheet - 3 (Front - Back) - Completed on March 22, 2017
> A4 countersheet - 4 (Front
- Back) - Completed on April 8, 2017

Note: Click on the counters below to see the various stances of each character (wounded, on foot, stun or dead).

The Knights Hospitaller

       
  Hospitalier 2   Turcople 1 Turcopoles 2 Chevaliers Hospitaliers à pied

> Hospitallers 1

> Hospitallers 2

> Hospitallers 3
 

> Turcopoles 1

> Turcopoles 2

> Hospitallers 4

The Normans from Antioche

       
Noble Ecuyer Arbalétrier franc

> Noble

> Squire

> Knights  1

> Knights  2

> Knights  3

> Crossbows

Archers Sergents Infanterie moyenne d'Antioche Infanterie Moyenne 2

> Archers

> Sergeants

> Medium     
   Infantry 1

> Medium     
   Infantry 2

> Light
   Infantry

> Peasants

The Crusaders

       

> Medium
   Infantry

> Light
   Infantry 1

> Light
   Infantry 2

> Pilgrim 1

> Pilgrim 2

> Woman

The Seljuk Turks

       
Guhlam Ghulam Lancier Archers à cheval Turkish Cavalry
> Ghilman 1 > Ghilman 2 > Syrian Cavalry 1 > Syrian Cavalry 2 > Horse archers

> Turkish cavalry

Lanceurs de naphte Infanterie moyenne Infanterie lourde Infanterie moyenne seljoukide
> Naphta
   throwers
> Medium
   Infantry 1
> Medium
   Infantry 2
> Medium
   Infantry 3

> Medium
   Infantry 4

> Medium
   Infantry 5

Infanterie moyenne Infanterie légère seljoukide Lanceur de javelot Archer
> Light Infantry 1
> Light Infantry 2
> Light Infantry 3

> Javelin
   Throwers 1

> Javelin
   Throwers 2

> Archers

Assassin Paysan 1 Paysan 2 Paysans 3 Marchand Femme

> Hashishins

> Peasant 1

> Peasant 2

> Peasants 3

> Merchant

> Woman

Chamelier      

> Camel Riders

> Pack Camels

> Litter

     

The Eastern Christians

       
Didebuls Infanterie légère arménienne Archer maronite  

> Armenian
   Didebuls

> Armenian
   Medium
   Infantry

> Armenian
   Light
   Infantry

> Maronite
   Archers

> Armenian
   Peasants

 

The Byzantines

       
       

> Medium
   Infantry

> Light
   Infantry

       

The Markers

       

> Bridge

> Gate

> Ladder

> Rubble

> Siege counter

> Siege

The Maps

The game includes 3 maps: A Crusader castle, a Levantine village and a map of open terrain with scattered stones, typical of Middle Eastern landscapes. 

Château croisé
> The Crusader Castle

> A2
 (60cm x 40cm)

Le Village Arabe
> The Village of Outremer

> A2
 (60cm x 40cm)

Le Pierrier
> The Plateau

> A2
 (60cm x 40cm)
   
The Overlays
The game includes one sheet of overlays representing various tents, including a large bedouin tent for a Seljuk dignitary.

> The Tents
> A4
 (21cm x 30cm)
       
The Campaign Counters
The campaign counters represent the factions at war: Knights Hospitaller, Franks from Antioche and Edessa, Armenians, Crusaders and Seljuk Turks.

> Knight
   Hospitaller

> Hospitaller
   cavalry group

> Hospitaller    
   combat group

> Antiochean
   knight

> Antiochean
   combat group

> Caravan

> Seljuk
   noble

> Seljuk
   cavalry group

> Seljuk
   combat group

> Edessan
   knight

> Edessan
   combat group

> Thibaud

> Crusader
   knight

> Crusader
   cavalry group

> Crusader
   combat group

> Armenian
   Didebul

> Armenian
   combat group

> Spy

       

> Seljuk siege
   group

> Frankish siege
   group

       
The Campaign Map
The campaign map displays a portion of Northern Syria, from Antioche to Aleppo. It is designed to play several campaign scenarios. This map uses hexes which are the same size as those of the tactical maps.
 > A2
 (60cm x 40cm)
     
The Rules
The tactical rules are similar to those of the other games in the Norman Saga series, with only a few enhancements and clarifications. The Campaign game uses similar rules as those used in DIEX AÏE and THE ANARCHY and are intended to generate battles which are resolved on the tactical maps.
Rulebook PDF
> Rulebook v1.0 - 2.9 Mb
Play sheets - Tactical game
PDF
> Terrain Sheet - 7.2 Mb
> Fire and Combat Sheet - 1.7 Mb
> Siege Sheet - 14.0 MB
Play sheets - Campaign game
PDF
> Terrain Sheet & Tables - 6.9 Mb
> Campaign game Worksheet - 0.9 Mb
> Headcount Worksheet - 2.0 Mb
Historical Background & Scenarios PDF
> History & Scenarios - 4.5 Mb
Scenario Balancing Utility:
This Excel tool will help you build balanced scenarios using the Purchase Table included in the Scenario booklet. All the characteristics of the various AGER SANGUINIS characters are also included in various tabs.
ZIP (Excel)
> Scenario Balancing Utility - 38 Kb