Loki has assembled a horde of Frost Giants and Trolls and launched an assault to capture the Rainbow Bridge. Standing in his way is force of Vikings and Dwarfs led by Freya, Thor and Heimdal.
James came over with Martin for a playtest of the game he took to Salute and we'll be helping with at Partizan next week. As a simple demo/participation/learning game to show off James' Midgard rules the forces were fairly simple with only a couple of unit types on each side.
The Rainbow Bridge features actual working multi-coloured lights. You can read how James built it here.
Odin and other gods assembled to watch the unfolding battle
The defenders drew up on a hill (as part of demoing the game the defending side will always count as uphill - we positioned the hill slightly too far forward and it was too late to change!)
A mighty force of Frost Giants opposes them.
Fenrir and Loki were among the Frost Giant leaders. Huge, monstrous giants waited in the second rank.
Stout dwarfs had answered the call to defend the bridge.
Archers loosed their bows at the advancing horde.
Although bow fire is generally more of a nuisance in Midgard, typically breaking up attacks rather than killing things, the archery was surprisingly effective, wounding a couple of the giant units.
Pretty soon the giants were almost upon the archers, who wisely withdrew behind the infantry.
Some however were caught.
Freya held the centre of the line.
Hildr the Valkyrie was on the left flank.
At last Thor hefted his hammer and started doing what he does best (murdering giants)
Hildr's dwarfs too found themselves fighting.
Thor called out a Giant to single combat
With fairly predictable results.
On the right Heimdal overplayed his hand and had archers slaughtered around him. But he held firm and called for help.
Freya and Fenrir avoided one another and led their units into the fray.
Heimdal very much hoping assistance is on the way.
Ragnar led men to help Heimdal.
And the right flank was secured.
All across the line the humans held firm and the giants were thrown back.
But with their first line spent it was time for the huge Frost Giants to thunder into the wavering line.
Hildr faced Loki and his giant friend.
Whilst Heimdal also had his hands full.
Was Odin getting nervous..?
The human line held and flanking troops joined Heimdal's fight.
Freya drove back the centre despite Fenrir threatening to break through.
Hildr, her dwarf allies slaughtered around her, held on and Thor rallied to her assistance.
Thor challenged his brother to combat, but the Trickster god ducked out of sight.
So Thor killed the giant instead.
The Frost Giant attack was hurled back.
The field belonged to the gods and their mortal allies.
Cracking good game that we played through in a couple of hours. Midgard makes for a fast paced game with enough nuance to make it interesting - even in this "stripped down" format.
All the models and terrain for this one are James' work. We'll be taking this game (along with a 15mm Dark Age historical version) to Partizan next weekend. We'll be over in the "Lard Zone" with the other TFL rules - look for the big bridge, you can't miss us. Do come over and say hello and maybe give Midgard a try.
