Play Misty - Midgard IV

 I suggested a game of Midgard using my Arthurian Britons and Saxons at OHQ this week after returning from our respective holidays because it is a light hearted period to game and we needed a refresher on how the rules worked. I chose the scenario Battle in the Mist from the rule book as it sounded a fun and yet challenging game.

It is early morning and the land is covered in a thick mist. Despite this with visibility and the difficulties of command and control Aelle orders his Saxon horde onward to force the Britons into battle again.

Similarly Artor commanding the Britons counter to the reported Saxon incursion does the same.

Aelle sends his hearth guard forward on the left, given the nature of the terrain on his right he assumes that is where the Britons will deploy their much vaunted cavalry which is usually led by the renown warlord Artor. Aelle has mounted a band of his warriors in an attempt to blunt the Britons cavalry advantage.

After a confused start due to the mist Aelle’s centre contingent move forward.

Briton skirmishers make contact with the Saxon centre, to their left both sides cavalry can sense the nearby presence of cavalry but the Saxons are wary of advancing as they are yet to see combat on horseback. The Britons are being simultaneously cautious not being sure of who they face not expecting to hear the sound and smell of horses.

On the other flank both sides have deployed there less experienced troops supported by skirmishers.

The mist suddenly clears, caution is thrown to the wind and battle is soon joined.

Artor urges his centre and right forward.

Aelle does likewise.

Both sides cavalry make contact.

On the other flanks the young Saxon warriors and the Briton tribal levy also do battle. 

In the centre both sides make contact in a bold bid to break the Britons centre Aelle joins the combat to encourage his troops further.

Alas his troops are destroyed and fighting bravely on he is slain, despite this his troops on both flanks fight on.

Until over on the Saxon left his champion, Osric is also brought down, the Saxons lose heart (Reputation) and quit the field.

A most splendid game indeed, lots of to and throw with amusing moments for both sides. Considering this was only our sixth full game and we had not played a game for three months we did rather well remembering the basics, as is usual in the heat of battle I think we both failed to use our special traits to the full, c’est le guerre.

Until next time KBO

Midgard The Third

 Tempus Fugit, I can't believe that it has been three months since our initial run out with Midgard(clicky)

 Yesterday Dave came over for our weekly game and we played a game to remedy the fact that we had only played a further game since then(clicky)

The game would again see conflict between Artos of the Britons and Aelle and his Saxon hordes.

The left flank contingent is lead by Artos himself, two mounted Comitatus supported by skirmisher unit with bows.

The centre is lead by Beowyr, a unit of Comitatus on foot and three units of Peoyts.

The right flank contingent is lead by Artos's half brother Kai, one unit of Peoyts and three units of levy supported by a unit of skirmishers with bows.

Local farm folk look on with apprehension.

Meanwhile Aelle and his hordes prepare to cross the Penk, three units, two Gedricht and three Duguth have crossed earlier. The Penk is a barrier and each unit must pass a command roll (3+) rolling two dice and taking the lower score to cross.

The Saxons have trouble crossing, we have had a lot of rain here recently. A brave unit from Beowyr's contingent surge forward to engage Aelle's warriors before others can cross.

Artos has been more circumspect and has allowed the Saxons time to cross on his flank, something he will later regret.

The British centre and right becomes heavily engaged

Over on the Saxon right Hussa becomes the first hero to fall to the British swords and spears. Command there falls to his accompanying champion Gornaelle.

Who rallies the troops and in the ensuing melee, mort de Artos.

A severe blow to the British morale.

However fighting continues on the centre and left, where.....

Aelle is also slain while valiantly leading his Gedricht. Could this swing the result in the favour of the Britons?

Alas no Beowyr is also slain, together with the loss of another unit this signals the end of the Britons whose morale is shattered and the remaining units quit the field.

For some reason the dice gods decided that this unit of Duguth would remain on the other side of the Penk for the games duration😂

Another grand game, it took us a couple of turns to get reaquinted with the rules and not get mixed up with Hail Caesar😂 nonetheless the game moved along well despite having to check back on a few things. We also remembered to check the unit traits too, although we failed to make use of the heroes mighty deeds as much as we should. Their use could have saved both Artos and Aelle to this effect both will return for future battles.

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

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

Midgard The First

As the title suggests I took my forces of Aelle and Artos over to GHQ for the inaugural game of Midgard:Heroic Battles.

Aelle

Artos

Aelle's force from the sample list in the rule book.

Artos's force from the sample list in the rule book.

A general advance by the forces of Artos commences hostilities.

Not to appear faint hearted to his troops Aelle responds in kind.

Despite being our first game the turns zip along. Aelle being the first to lead one of his Hearthguard charging into Artos's foot Comitatus gaining extra reputation.

Over on the other flank the rival skirmishers trade arrows.

In the centre Aelle's Hearthguard destroy the Comitatus leaving Artos's nephew to fight alone or lose reputation and retire to the relative safety of other unit.

Things we're going better with Kai leading his tribal Levy and routing their enemy only to be destroyed by the supporting Saxon Duguth in turn.

Things were looking bad when the Saxon skirmishers charged and destroyed their counterparts.

Wait! On the other flank the Saxon Osric is killed the unit he was leading destroyed with loss of more reputation.

Worse was to come things had turned bad for Aelle the Hearthguard he was leading are destroyed. He must fight on alone or lose reputation which he cannot afford to do.

Aelle's vessel runs dry.

However another destroyed Saxon unit elsewhere seals their fate anyway.

A victory for the forces of Artos and a splendid first game, five turns and two hours of play including set up and rule checking. A big thumbs up for Midguard from us both, another game in a couple of weeks we enjoyed it so much.

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

Toodle Pip and KBO