Heroes Or Villains

Suitably inspired by our recent outing with the new Midgard rules I have added to post Roman Britannia collection.

Myrooin, a wizard. Figure from Footsore Miniatures.

Raeowulf the Cursed, a Wiglera. Figure from Gripping Beast 

An unamed hero or champion that can go on either side. A figure from Footsore Miniatures.

Another unamed hero or champion to go with either side. Again the figure is from Footsore Miniatures.

Now onto terrain, a scenario in Midgard features a hill with salient points that if held gain the occupying side extra reputation. Author James in one of the introductory videos played this one and used standing stones to mark them. This reminded me of a "buy it when you see it not when you need it" moment a few years back.

Queqe these items from the set suitably based.

No game next week as I am away for a few days, so until next time...........

TTFN & KBO

Agravain!

My daughter pre-ordered a copy of the latest Hail Caesar supplement, Once and Future King for my birthday. Ordering direct from Warlord you got this metal figure representing Arthur's nephew.

I have got him painted up for our first foray with Midgard on Monday.

Look out for a report of how it went next week, until then.............

Toodle Pip and KBO

Baldinus Victore

After the early engagement with the Goth horde of King Bicca ended in stalemate, Baldinus retired his force under cover of darkness and took up a position nearer to where the Roman reinforcements (newly painted figures) would arrive.

Bicca would have liked to follow up upon discovery but a messenger arrived to say that a fresh warband and cavalry (newly painted units) would arrive soon, so he gave his troops more time to rest and await them before pressing on.

The Goths move out and soon found the Romans deployed and ready for battle, Bicca divided his force into three divisions and ordered a general advance. His warbands in his centre are less keen to re-engage (failed command roll)

Roman light cavalry move forward to engage their Goth counterparts.

Meanwhile over on the other flank the Goth light cavalry advance boldly to skirmish with the Roman legionaries and auxillia.

The Romans stand steady and defiant.

The Goth cavalry charged the Roman lanciarii and they are pushed back disordered.

Over on the other flank the Roman heavy cavalry fail to come up to support the light cavalry who are then broken by the overwhelming numbers of enemy.

The tardy advance of the Romans encourages the Goths to charge the Roman cavalry.

On their right the Goth cavalry charge the Roman auxiliaries.

After putting up a strong resistance the lanciarii are routed.

To balance things up the auxillaries break the Goth cavalry who have assailed them.

Back to the Roman left and another Goth cavalry unit is broken but one of the ala is now shaken.  Bicca leads his bodyguard in a daring charge into the Roman infantry.

Over on the Roman left flank another Goth cavalry unit is routed.

In the centre the Romans are getting the better of the Goth warbands though both sides are becoming fatigued by the intense combat.

But wait! The auxillaries have been routed could this spell victory for the Gothic hordes? Alas no after one and half hours (6 turns) elsewhere on the field of Mars two of Bicca's divisions are broken and leave the field, Bicca has 

no choice but to break off the engagement and salvage what he can for a future attempt.

A great game of intense action and narrative delivered using Hail Caesar rules.

Until next time................

Toodle pip and KBO

Stalemate?

After Dave's break in Cornwall we reconvened here in OHQ to play a follow on game with my Goth and Roman collection. The retreating Romans have joined up with the main field army and have deployed to meet the advancing Goths.

Goth scouts stealthily despatch a less than vigilant Roman lookout and report back on the Roman dispositions.

The Roman generals discuss their defence plans with the Imperator.

Meanwhile 'essential' supplies are brought up.

While the Goth army begins it's approach.

The Roman right, on the hill are deployed the Equite Singularis, auxiliary archers and cataphracts, just out of picture are the Praetorian Guard in camp they will take no part in the action unless the camp is attacked. Left of them are the Legionary units.

To the left of the Legions are the Auxiliaries and heavy and light cavalry.

Goth warbands supported by archers advance to threaten the Roman auxiliary units, while to the left the Goth heavy cavalry threaten the Legionaries. 

On the Goth far right archers and cavalry advance towards the Roman cavalry.

The main Goth attack appears to be launched against the Roman right. A unit of cavalry charge the Equites who put up a stiff resistance meanwhile their compatriots charge the Auxillary archers expecting easy pickings. Both the Equites and Auxiliaries disabused them of this idea, the Auxiliary archers were eventually forced to retreat.

This however allowed the cataphracts to charge their erstwhile opponents and rout in turn the Equites were routed but not before the cataphracts and archers were able to fall back and protect the Roman flank from being turned.

The flank is secured, over in the centre and left both sides exchanged arrows and javelins neither side seeing an opening to break the deadlock. By turn ten of our allotted twelve turns we decided that neither side were in a position to carry day in time so an honourable draw was the decided outcome.

Another fine and challenging game using Hail Caesar rules, we are slowly getting our head around the rules now.

TTFN & KBO

Woe, Woe! and Thrice Woe!

Once again the Romans have taken a severe beating by the Gothic hordes.

Still feeling our way on our return to playing with Hail Caesar rules we both deployed cautiously, we moved even more cautiously, me especially with some dire command rolls.

The problem with such static games as this it is difficult to form a narrative around the photos so I will post the photos and put a note underneath of any relevant event.

The auxiliary archers shower the Goth warbands with arrows with a mediocre effect.

The Goth advance is disjointed but the Romans appear unable to capitalize on it.

The Roman cavalry finally arrive and head towards the Goth left flank.

They are soon countered by Goth light cavalry who charge and beat back the Roman Moorish auxiliaries.

The Roman cataphracts charge into the Goth warbands only to be routed! Nine dice needing three they get and only manage two hits, one despairs.

Meanwhile the Goth heavy cavalry charge in and rout their Roman counterparts.

The Praetorians charge in but are held even the commander in chief joining them fails to help. They are then charged in the flank by Goth cavalry and are routed.

With only the possibility of one turn left and the Roman flank turned I conceeded field.

TTFN & KBO