Monday night (May 22) we tried a new set of rules, Ravenfeast and played a Dark Ages skirmish.
We used the first scenario in the rules book called ‘Back to the Boats’. We played the game with two rival Anglo Saxons war bands. The smaller (blue) force had to exit a Lord/Hero from the opposite table edge to the one they started on with at least half their war band to gain a major victory, exiting just a Lord or a Hero would gain them a minor victory anything else was a victory to the other side (the red side), there was no turn limit.
Lord Neugegg commanded the smaller blue force of 301 points;
1
x Lord
1
X Hero Hearthguard
2
x Hearthguard
2
x Veteran Fyrd
3
x Fryd
2
x Bowman
Lord Copley commanded the main red blocking force of 255pts
1
x Lord
2
x Hearthguard
2
x Veteran Fyrd
3
x Fryd
2 x Bowman
And Sheriff Galloway commanded the flanking red forces trying to block Lord Neudegg;
2 groups of totalling 248 points each comprised…
1 X Hero Hearthguard
1 x Hearthguard
2 groups of totalling 248 points each comprised…
1 X Hero Hearthguard
1 x Hearthguard
2
x Fyrd
1 x Bowman
1 x Bowman
The tabletop layout, blue is where Lord Neudegg deployed...
The AAR, or should I say Saga...
It was a miserable wintery day as Lord Neudegg lead his hearty war band on a foraging foray to the north of their hillfort, all did not bode well though and evil portents gathered from the gloom. Sensing the direness of their situation the Lord and his men were struck by an uneasiness, fearing for their lives and hastily turned south to regain the safety of their encampment!
They felt danger with good reason, Lord Copley whose own 'Kingdom' was nearby had heard tales of Lord Neudegg's sortie and had struck out with all his available fighters to bring him to his knees and either gain his allegiance or dispatch him for the scoundrel he was.
The sun broke through the dreary clouds as Lord Neudegg sighted his foes, he roared to his breathren, "Ye foes are to our left, to our right and also before us, charge into yon valley of death my brave men and gain glory in defeating our wretched enemies!" (hmmm Shakespearean Tennyson type Dark Age speak interesting). Lord Neudegg's noble few charged forward while archers covered their flanks!
Lord Copley seeing his enemy told his men to prepare to receive a charge and signalled his lackey the Sheriff Galloway to take Lord Neudegg in the rear (ouch!)!
A fierce struggle ensued where every one of Lord Neudegg's retinue was slain, epic struggles took place here and there on the field of glory as several Heroic figures clashed with their lessers and took many a good man to their grave, after this slaughter Lord Copley and Lord Neudegg faced off man to man, well actually Lord Neudegg faced Lord Copley accompanied by several of his warriors and in a spectacle to end the ages they fought long and hard in the end Lord Copley prevailed!
Some Pictures
Lord Copley's war band in the foreground awaits the charge from their foes!
Sharp eyed may notice since I don't have any painted Anglo Saxon archers so some suspiciously ancient Germanic looking guys are standing in!
On rushed Lord Neudegg's men, uncharacteristically both the Lord and his 'Heroic' offsider Bob are in the last rank...WHAT!?!
Our field of glory! Lord Neudegg's Band can be seen in the central position...
Archers loose! In general the archers performed badly and we quickly realised they are best used to pick off lowly types as armoured warriors save/armour factors are too high!
Lord Neudegg's men avoid the four man 'shield wall' Lord Copley had created and picked off easier targets hoping to break through to the exit area! Not sure you can form a shield wall with four blokes but I suppose the term adds character and perhaps they are just huddling close for support?
The Sheriff's men quickly catch up with Lord Neudegg!
Lord Neudegg and a few of his war band break through the defensive line victory is in sight!
Lord Neudegg's men are cut down...
...he (on the left below) is engaged by Lord Copley (on the right with red and black shield with a white bit…)
Outnumbered...
…Lord Neudegg is felled...or is he?
Afterwards Stuff
Well the game played well, even though this was our first go at these rules everything ran smoothly and quickly, we only referred to the rules themselves a couple of times and the only thing we couldn't find in the rules we easily resolved! Did the rules play out historically we're not that sure but it felt like a brawl with is probably what you'd expect from a group of blokes some in mail with shields, swords, spears and bows! A Lord vs Lord fight could go on for quite a while both hitting on 5 or less on D6s and saving hits on 5 or less on D6s and needing three successful hits! In our game once Lord Neudegg was alone and surrounded by foes his demise was only a matter of time...well did he actually die or was he just left bruised in a pool of blood, I think we may see him again in future Ravenfeast games!
