The worst defeat of the early Byzantine era. The emperor himself was slain in what was more of a slaughter rather than a battle. The Byzantines had just finished sacking the city of Pliska. While they were in the city, the Bulgarian’s hid amongst the narrow mountain passes to ambush the Byzantines.

Bulgarian Empire
Krum
18,000

Byzantine Empire
Nikephoros I
22,000

Wargame Scenario
In this solo wargame you are to prevent the loss of your forces by scouting the woods and valleys up ahead.

Set up a forested area and divide your table into 16 equal sized squares or rectangles. Your scouts must find the enemy and return to your lines to warn your king. You have ten rounds to find the enemy. Each round you can move one square and investigate. Or move two squares. You must be in the same square as the square you want to investigate. Use the joker card to indicate where your forces are located.

Get a standard playing cards, take out a joker, take out all of the hearts (or whatever suit you want) and three cards of a different color aka spades or clubs. The cards of a different color indicate where the enemy is hiding. To investigate you turn over the playing card and if it is one of the cards that is a group of enemies. The enemy can also move two squares. Once you discover one of the enemy cards, reveal all of the facedown cards and the enemy cards are left on the table. Move the enemy cards to try and block your escape. If the enemy is able to pin you in you lose.