Martin came over bringing his Saxons and we staged another battle against my Picts.
This time the Bloody Ford scenario from the Chronicles of Midgard book.
The battle began with a clash of Champions in the water.
The Pictish hero cut down the Saxon invader but his heroic death was celebrated by his fellows.
The Picts surged forward.
Toward the waiting Saxons
Resplendent behind their many coloured shields.
And with banners fluttering.
The Picts held their ground hoping to weaken the foe with javelin shots.
Bravely the slingers paddled into the stream and unleashed their hail of stones
The Saxons took cover behind their wall of shields.
Still more Pictish warriors surged toward the ford.
With foolhardy warriors entering the water to launch their javelins at the invaders.
The Pictish nobles urged caution.
Horsemen two entered the river to hurl missiles at the Saxons. But still they came on.
The Saxons would not be held back and plunged into the waters to meet the Picts.
The slingers paid for their impudence and imprudence
Soon the Saxons were amongst the Pictish hosts, their better armour protecting them from vengeful attacks.
The lines became a crush and blood stained the banks of the river.
The Warlords and their bodyguard met. The Pict King bellowed a challenge, the wily Saxon preferred to fight alongside his men in the shieldwall.
The light protection of the Picts saw them easily cut down as the Saxons pushed across the river.
The King saw his men cut down all around him. With his reputation crumbling he chose to fight on alone.
As did another of the Pictish noblemen.
Desperately with the battle all but lost the cavalry abandoned their shooting to charge home.
More Picts hurled themselves at the invaders, joining their leader in his desperate fight.
But despite the heroics, the battle was lost, Pictish reputation was shattered and the Saxons held the field.
Great fun game. The Pict shooting failed to slow the Saxon advance and as soon as they were able to charge home the weak armour of the Picts saw them die in droves.
Some bonus phone pictures:
I've decided to use this as the start of a campaign. Martin left me a copy of his army list so I can use that to form the basis of a court. Then whether it's Martin, Scrivs, Matt or James who fancies a game - they can take the Saxons (using my models if necessary) and I play the Picts each time. Less reliant on a single opponent - one enemy with many leaders.
Now I just need to sketch out a rough map with Bamburgh at the bottom and Dun Nechtain at the top.
