tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16160935551700693032024-03-25T23:55:44.989+00:00The Tabletop GeneralTabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-5054532451997333012024-03-23T12:05:00.002+00:002024-03-23T21:51:37.835+00:00DUX BRITANNIARUM... ONE SCOTTI AND HIS DOGS. (BEING THE FIRST PART!)<div style="text-align: left;">Octobris 513 AD... Donnchadh, War Lord of Dal Riatta and his merciless warband of raiders are returning home after another devastating foray into the Brythonic lands of Alt Clut...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following is an extract from the Hen Ogledd Chronicles, The Life and Times of King Iorwryth the Furtive, written and beautifully illustrated, with engravings of almost photographic quality, by the 6th century monk, Brother Beddwhettur, a close and confidential adviser to the kings of Alt Clut...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tzcwMpyxKecf6M1AhS4qCJynFeFmuuMe7PDXxWFC34xmgZPDSkrRAYYxIgng-FZzLKfWrsu7gkwumNbKmnc4LHa_Fq_1HiL1fRBF1NJhn7SPcGU9LvYmjsSSwDJjhQf4dazGcfvXwkr6qcvxSEdoskIfELfQK4uZVBb5FxCcGNUb6ozTLmHXMMJOWZ0/s2717/parch1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="2717" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tzcwMpyxKecf6M1AhS4qCJynFeFmuuMe7PDXxWFC34xmgZPDSkrRAYYxIgng-FZzLKfWrsu7gkwumNbKmnc4LHa_Fq_1HiL1fRBF1NJhn7SPcGU9LvYmjsSSwDJjhQf4dazGcfvXwkr6qcvxSEdoskIfELfQK4uZVBb5FxCcGNUb6ozTLmHXMMJOWZ0/w640-h384/parch1.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR_0b4RFDSt29_7T5cAxXlICV0dzMAo3AV6trbWwa5OXzFkkdRfq1GYvtdlI6kvw3WNmi5bHsp2QT8Zff_gxcRUq-J8BhV4EubstiqV1e6XiLVuhrlwgKM2ZyDg9CoJ1ep11TtIa-2yxr2rEI6YK7Nwuedu5RMt4UT4uwBVb_NdT92lwBkKQQWWrQrbs/s2717/parch2.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2717" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR_0b4RFDSt29_7T5cAxXlICV0dzMAo3AV6trbWwa5OXzFkkdRfq1GYvtdlI6kvw3WNmi5bHsp2QT8Zff_gxcRUq-J8BhV4EubstiqV1e6XiLVuhrlwgKM2ZyDg9CoJ1ep11TtIa-2yxr2rEI6YK7Nwuedu5RMt4UT4uwBVb_NdT92lwBkKQQWWrQrbs/w640-h328/parch2.png" width="600" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhtOyd7xVgArCzqCA0Ov4pJgSbn3kLENOcQU224A6gkIqi9xviBshcemKiuN29MPIoy-0W7oOCnT2QLE8heI9I4pxUVEmlh831Je5C8JeG0k1ctpQZQlHMNhiwv7pvDBbeoM64obpXbJW4Nxq_VlxQ7cmyEY6Ad_WFGiLT3zV4yURjYmIzucLdI__Tv4/s2717/parch3.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2717" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhtOyd7xVgArCzqCA0Ov4pJgSbn3kLENOcQU224A6gkIqi9xviBshcemKiuN29MPIoy-0W7oOCnT2QLE8heI9I4pxUVEmlh831Je5C8JeG0k1ctpQZQlHMNhiwv7pvDBbeoM64obpXbJW4Nxq_VlxQ7cmyEY6Ad_WFGiLT3zV4yURjYmIzucLdI__Tv4/w640-h328/parch3.png" width="600" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfRNWgg_GvLkIORbqLjBFhtjzAaXxvNQAYB32RkFyFj81awWOvlQuUaozj5xakpKQUaxckxhIx5RBzgVMqV3U33_wOayp9Yhc8peqRRsRCPqNQ0ZlaWa4EYfcRZdQXhQcvWQnwhvqOmaNW_2yOdZ5EMKwlmiljX4Kjcx79akvskY5ASi1_KfPWWstCjg/s2717/parch4.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2717" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfRNWgg_GvLkIORbqLjBFhtjzAaXxvNQAYB32RkFyFj81awWOvlQuUaozj5xakpKQUaxckxhIx5RBzgVMqV3U33_wOayp9Yhc8peqRRsRCPqNQ0ZlaWa4EYfcRZdQXhQcvWQnwhvqOmaNW_2yOdZ5EMKwlmiljX4Kjcx79akvskY5ASi1_KfPWWstCjg/w640-h276/parch4.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXFwxJCgMzXTFbR6TjE7FtznS9DQMjGi5xipOi4wUe4p5OELX0FG6oBFwSPRkYxRPszBME7Jr9xMpAhNfFL9eRfmiW7xa3Cn2y1xy9ZaSILEqeRqY6PcadXU5ubzW-1iMsftcCdaimI2eCecl_mrpaLS47PGukZdPjUYIGf1Dvm3ZeLiC-BMvmgCca_Q/s2717/parch5.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2717" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXFwxJCgMzXTFbR6TjE7FtznS9DQMjGi5xipOi4wUe4p5OELX0FG6oBFwSPRkYxRPszBME7Jr9xMpAhNfFL9eRfmiW7xa3Cn2y1xy9ZaSILEqeRqY6PcadXU5ubzW-1iMsftcCdaimI2eCecl_mrpaLS47PGukZdPjUYIGf1Dvm3ZeLiC-BMvmgCca_Q/w640-h338/parch5.png" width="600" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNUvWcYt2TglWGECI8vN5oCHNX2EyARkx5HoI63V5UEZez6R08JJH9BV-rDdINO619rC6d41iSf6R9y1RbRjl5rXmHTsQ6uAy_XNu6ajH49Nlai33wKvlWjxLpuF46bMkD6GXO6PXsN7mkOcx0DCRVGEPJ4DK7aQEJqZuTJRv_yRUNSxOvYDDebAEDyc/s2717/parch6.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="2717" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNUvWcYt2TglWGECI8vN5oCHNX2EyARkx5HoI63V5UEZez6R08JJH9BV-rDdINO619rC6d41iSf6R9y1RbRjl5rXmHTsQ6uAy_XNu6ajH49Nlai33wKvlWjxLpuF46bMkD6GXO6PXsN7mkOcx0DCRVGEPJ4DK7aQEJqZuTJRv_yRUNSxOvYDDebAEDyc/w640-h288/parch6.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFx23p34AttG30nxei4SFrmhM03c4Zb2Q7xelE_pAlhRS7_IYVlxikTa0FTL3WHw6wehtotDo0mJOAhI_C9LYGU2dniDsKFmctqhf0OFvZlxgL-KeHROnfDa4q2F8KAuluJrCRRsOC-clYQZz86uF-pt4hc6dNoW-qagZIH6FFaVOoxSdATrBIXPRUvg/s2717/parch7.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="2717" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFx23p34AttG30nxei4SFrmhM03c4Zb2Q7xelE_pAlhRS7_IYVlxikTa0FTL3WHw6wehtotDo0mJOAhI_C9LYGU2dniDsKFmctqhf0OFvZlxgL-KeHROnfDa4q2F8KAuluJrCRRsOC-clYQZz86uF-pt4hc6dNoW-qagZIH6FFaVOoxSdATrBIXPRUvg/w640-h288/parch7.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptbK9jRLHvwL_G3DIzmm0XTTXKr4WdKw1FqIiJDq2kDiwPXdkpTgCeuBGlSKGq7c1GamMFm1wFd5o9TYXnB98Wdv4ZCCH5Yqp9jyGe2oIqHrPSI6Y8qOfeLnpCQ_0ARJsyuNcC5BXWE-trSTk1s89RhHE8tmg0pTzR2YuIQ06tdrhbrrGxGsLq4oHH7k/s2717/parch8.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1709" data-original-width="2717" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptbK9jRLHvwL_G3DIzmm0XTTXKr4WdKw1FqIiJDq2kDiwPXdkpTgCeuBGlSKGq7c1GamMFm1wFd5o9TYXnB98Wdv4ZCCH5Yqp9jyGe2oIqHrPSI6Y8qOfeLnpCQ_0ARJsyuNcC5BXWE-trSTk1s89RhHE8tmg0pTzR2YuIQ06tdrhbrrGxGsLq4oHH7k/w640-h402/parch8.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And so the crucial moments of this savage encounter are about to be unleashed... will Donnchadh and his wild Scotti warriors prevail, or will the stout and doughty men of Alt Clut hold fast and prevent the enemy from escaping with their flock of stolen Knotty Dunfleece?</p><p>See Part 2 for the answers to this question and much much more...</p>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com1Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-91749182330873782102024-03-22T21:29:00.001+00:002024-03-22T21:31:02.012+00:00DUX BRITANNIARUM... THE HENN OGLEDD CHRONICLES...<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">INTRODVCTION</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's been a couple of years since I last looked at Dux Britanniarum, having made the decision to use Clash of Spears to tell my stories of life in early 6th century Dun Rheged instead. However, I recently discovered a series of videos on YouTube, by the Crusty Colonel, portraying battles between Saxons and Scoti, using Dux Britanniarum and, having seen what an excellent set of combat rules they actually are, I've decided to retrace my steps and give these Too Fat Lardies! rules another look...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: large;">BACKGROUND AND DRAMATIS PERSONAE...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Throughout the summer of the year 513AD, Donnchadh Luthmhor of the Scotti tribe has been incessantly leading raids into Alt Clut, from across the border in Dal Riata. Now, in the month of Octobris, his warband are joyfully heading back towards the safety of their homeland with a looted flock of Knotty Dunfleece, a sheep well known for its tasty hogget and luxuriously thick and oily wool.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With Iorwryth, King of Alt Clut, close to death, the Brythonic nobles have remained transfixed, reluctant to commit the King's forces to battle without his personal leadership, as the Scotti rampage and pillage at will across the land, leaving the poor downtrodden peasantry to suffer untold terror and hardship at the hands of a cruel and invidious enemy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Leaders and Nobles of Dal Riata...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRGpiy8JsMEvCiimLJN_wv5lx19QeFZgW6A_mO_VlPXuohzyehF6kvXrXlRiql4j7VtWIFwT2XGiWRb7JFjZ7RkH0w_9ojJfpeqRFLPfS1N_I4MSlzZfjbwQbwnTuUvNcir_GVhAzf1v41_n3k5U_HbfKOMlWEIEVuBIXRRrXMKU_bChRVj0vHGO2XY/s1826/Donnchadh%20Luthmhor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="1207" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRGpiy8JsMEvCiimLJN_wv5lx19QeFZgW6A_mO_VlPXuohzyehF6kvXrXlRiql4j7VtWIFwT2XGiWRb7JFjZ7RkH0w_9ojJfpeqRFLPfS1N_I4MSlzZfjbwQbwnTuUvNcir_GVhAzf1v41_n3k5U_HbfKOMlWEIEVuBIXRRrXMKU_bChRVj0vHGO2XY/w265-h400/Donnchadh%20Luthmhor.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Donnchadh Luthmhor is a warlord of Dal Riata, he is 33 years old, with a mediocre physique, which some, if they have had enough of life, may describe as short and wiry. He is known throughout Henn Ogledd as Donnchadh the Victorious, a soubriquet gained from the numerous battlefield triumphs he has gained over his many years of command. Donnchadh is famous for his thrifty character, which constantly drives him into ever more daring raids to add to his personal wealth. Donnchadh has come a long way since he was born, the son of a Tech, on the tiny island of Innis Mhearnaig, with nothing more than a roof over his head and a small hand cart, used by his father to harvest cow dung, which he dried and sold to their fellow islanders for fuel, making enough profit to purchase their first and only boat. One Spring evening, many years ago, Donnchadh stole the boat and made his way to Dun Add, where he eventually became a warrior in the army of the Great King.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NYBDY_PtENr39UxbuORYvVa44M28i9Z8Y6HTFPwsNgUer7f1TOUrg8URYhlTsho6RikZVlDfZcsSEc5Ei6omLe7R_FuLtzeCy1irzu4NcjDAUcNvFdV_pNu_YJseWwHRHxJXKivTljAbJSjPVDwpQmIcHA5p83AwUBDo7uEhghYAPQxQ9PJw4gOu9Ic/s1753/Donlad.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1753" data-original-width="1176" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NYBDY_PtENr39UxbuORYvVa44M28i9Z8Y6HTFPwsNgUer7f1TOUrg8URYhlTsho6RikZVlDfZcsSEc5Ei6omLe7R_FuLtzeCy1irzu4NcjDAUcNvFdV_pNu_YJseWwHRHxJXKivTljAbJSjPVDwpQmIcHA5p83AwUBDo7uEhghYAPQxQ9PJw4gOu9Ic/s320/Donlad.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Driven by childhood memories of abject poverty, Donnchadh rose through the ranks of the Great King's army, eventually becoming the warlord that he is today. Always by his side, is Donlad, his personal bodyguard and Champion. Like his master, Donlad has risen from lowly origins and his exploits have made him a legend amongst the people of Dal Riatta. Through the long and bitter nights of the northern winter, the small and common folk huddle around their meagre fires and warm their hearts by singing lusty ballads of their mighty hero:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With dangling bits off to war he goes,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">All the lassies say, 'Hello!,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Donlad, where's yer troosers?'"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO90ZO3MzDZz8vsxki6r9mlJZSMyQeW7Vb7yAo8eihKqRdiQUb5H9_bHLOC_WH6sZurhFMICXfvc5J815qzk_qhOXbIp8PCLrqfht84ofvxw8NixUR4n_fXVkYO5blr2Z9_8916vuoTNDNybOdo1IH5ZUugOtgqjELQWaJm7yY9PsN-5x3k6bsKBz0qE/s2086/Amhlaigh.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="1117" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO90ZO3MzDZz8vsxki6r9mlJZSMyQeW7Vb7yAo8eihKqRdiQUb5H9_bHLOC_WH6sZurhFMICXfvc5J815qzk_qhOXbIp8PCLrqfht84ofvxw8NixUR4n_fXVkYO5blr2Z9_8916vuoTNDNybOdo1IH5ZUugOtgqjELQWaJm7yY9PsN-5x3k6bsKBz0qE/w214-h400/Amhlaigh.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The most trusted noble in Donnchadh's warband is Amhlaigh, three years older than his Warlord, he is tall and strong, built for war, trustworthy and dependable. Amhlaigh is the very antithesis of Donnchadh, purple born into the noble house of Dun Add, he has always lived a life of luxury and comfort, wanting for nothing, but, desiring little. Despite his lavish and palatial upbringing, he is renowned for his devotion to God, putting Church and faith before all else. He was brought up and educated by the celebrated monk, Brother Grievous, who devoted his entire life to living simply, drinking only water which had been passed by several others and eating nothing but gravel collected from the farmyards of nearby villages. This austere example has greatly influenced Amhlaigh and equipped him well for the arduous life of a raider.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ItsYaokVOhhUXcj9hPhhYW0nBYE-KNPLm3HjKzyVU8jmwgl22G7qF21p4TIzVLhuliqj56jvP1ybylHoh8c8C6lfsrdUJpEPAhO1oclyVyr8a4h7Ei00HR5r0FYQorQldS-Syygry8Vi9SBfC79c2_gHjeMha0tqZ_JYQVFHeDEqRPXxE-vC086qQZc/s2090/Cailean.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ItsYaokVOhhUXcj9hPhhYW0nBYE-KNPLm3HjKzyVU8jmwgl22G7qF21p4TIzVLhuliqj56jvP1ybylHoh8c8C6lfsrdUJpEPAhO1oclyVyr8a4h7Ei00HR5r0FYQorQldS-Syygry8Vi9SBfC79c2_gHjeMha0tqZ_JYQVFHeDEqRPXxE-vC086qQZc/w220-h400/Cailean.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The final noble in Donnchadh's warband is Cailean, tasked with the command of the javelin armed skirmishes, a job he undertakes with a degree of reluctance, preferring to fight alongside the more mettlesome Raiders. He is 24 years old and a man of average build, well suited to the rigours of life leading the skirmishers. As a younger man, he has not, as yet, created a reputation for himself and doubts that he will do so unless he can gain a command with the Raiders. Like Donnchadh, Cailean is a man who desires wealth and his avaricious nature suits the lifestyle he has chosen as a member of a Scotti raiding warband. As a son of a Cenela, Cailean has royal blood flowing through his veins, but, being from a minor kindred branch, he has a long way to go before he can reach the level of command to which he aspires. He is, however, a man of great loyalty and can always be trusted to carry out whatever task he is set by his warlord.</span><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Leaders and Nobles of Alt Clut...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gD-FJTRjeC7vgyDcL5k9h-tcyGsYA_wb35YMNySGVUu3Ah-8tuDNdZog9qLOc2VpLmRlJelYvr-6buEEj4JOa6Y__YEfX45gzaJIR8qRjqB17Pa_MtzkoPS8KGEYkFR4lSE5Q36zgDrQchx3c7jeUPx8bU0cFsMVn15OKqryHapRFsSoZdkQ7MlTCvQ/s2261/RB1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="1296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gD-FJTRjeC7vgyDcL5k9h-tcyGsYA_wb35YMNySGVUu3Ah-8tuDNdZog9qLOc2VpLmRlJelYvr-6buEEj4JOa6Y__YEfX45gzaJIR8qRjqB17Pa_MtzkoPS8KGEYkFR4lSE5Q36zgDrQchx3c7jeUPx8bU0cFsMVn15OKqryHapRFsSoZdkQ7MlTCvQ/w229-h400/RB1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Cadwallon ap Meirion is one of those nobles of Alt Clut who has watched his country ravaged by the Scotti throughout the long hot summer of 613AD. Unable to act without the presence of King Iorwryth, he has lost much to the raiders, but has now decided to act, regardless of the consequences, gathering his fellow nobles around him and calling out the levy to hunt down the raiding Scotti. Cadwallon is 26 years old, a man of medium build and is known as "The Magnificent", owing to his many acts of beneficent donations to the Church. As with all men of power and significance, Cadwallon is not all that he appears to be; our hero is cursed by the sin of lustful covetousness and the wives of many men, regardless of rank or status, have been the target of his lecherous attentions. Cadwallon comes from an ancient family of Honestiore.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Cadwallon's Champion is Serwan ap Ris, a veteran of many wars against Irish raiders, Scotti and the pagan Picts. He is 34 years of age, but has retained his warrior like qualities in spite of numerous battle injuries suffered over the years. His loyalty to Cadwallon is unswerving and some of those injuries were inflicted when Serwan placed himself between his Lord and an assailant.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWDbEvGc02RXR-7zgIO381MMz69oX-fX2NklXG7ZszmHUdJ0SN5o0UQlUkxXsT6eNQc8EubDWWUmZ8PspYLXlZUD3VrTEUMOLixFtGh4ngFrC20OHShBfSK3YI_R4Tyvj6hR7CoQ6Z1WtHMA1m-exoOGDmWYB9I7K_lhmxXY_oRbIlkPmut_BJqT_c-w/s1860/RB2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="1199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWDbEvGc02RXR-7zgIO381MMz69oX-fX2NklXG7ZszmHUdJ0SN5o0UQlUkxXsT6eNQc8EubDWWUmZ8PspYLXlZUD3VrTEUMOLixFtGh4ngFrC20OHShBfSK3YI_R4Tyvj6hR7CoQ6Z1WtHMA1m-exoOGDmWYB9I7K_lhmxXY_oRbIlkPmut_BJqT_c-w/w258-h400/RB2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlBiTRZQaXjhvUAKCMWaZFxNuHu2HTOnNu2Ielog_jQgyQi6T99Ks4POGmtq8j5xHhrK6NROVdBxLJTq-TfBWeF_WsLIGsN0VIO55HITU_vfzGEAE46-CXJ9S2XtWUKiD0jUwNDh7YHh4lK4yPYQyXftEqAyuoblxWnKDd9beVs_szA0XkSs-h5QK3EI/s1875/RB3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="1157" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlBiTRZQaXjhvUAKCMWaZFxNuHu2HTOnNu2Ielog_jQgyQi6T99Ks4POGmtq8j5xHhrK6NROVdBxLJTq-TfBWeF_WsLIGsN0VIO55HITU_vfzGEAE46-CXJ9S2XtWUKiD0jUwNDh7YHh4lK4yPYQyXftEqAyuoblxWnKDd9beVs_szA0XkSs-h5QK3EI/w246-h400/RB3.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Cadwallon's chief noble is Cynrig ap Enniaurn, 28 summers old, tall and strong and blessed with a purple born heritage, stretching back far into the mists of time, long before the Romans set foot in Britannia. This noble lord possess the most refined manners, being cultured and highly educated, yet he is capable of fraternizing comfortably with the lowliest of warriors, sharing their privations and hardships during the most trying of campaigns. Cynrig is famed throughout the land as a prodigious athlete, capable of the most extraordinary feats of strength and agility. With such a noble patrimony, Cynrig does have claims to the highest rank in the land and there are many who surround the king who neither like nor trust his motives and would not be saddened to see him fall in battle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChrmNSqEBR5Y4rURT2yYM9kETxA8aE6YbQPlZfxD6a_um5G-T4ld3HJKGKbGpj3vavdklc9fii3MOlFrNs0wi-fRleaukoEtV3KfVLZkahOGg2bMadBHWlN6FUBXj0HxRU5bzAN7OYCpLFP4KtRFsFaElgUSp3qnbNs66sSTefNlVwtKa8Zck1TN39DY/s1457/RB4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1042" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChrmNSqEBR5Y4rURT2yYM9kETxA8aE6YbQPlZfxD6a_um5G-T4ld3HJKGKbGpj3vavdklc9fii3MOlFrNs0wi-fRleaukoEtV3KfVLZkahOGg2bMadBHWlN6FUBXj0HxRU5bzAN7OYCpLFP4KtRFsFaElgUSp3qnbNs66sSTefNlVwtKa8Zck1TN39DY/w286-h400/RB4.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> The final noble who has responded to Cadwallon's call to arms is Brochmail ap Dewydd. At 25 years of age he lacks experience of leadership on the field of battle and so Cadwallon has given him command of the Alt Clut levies. Brochmail is of medium build and a devout follower of the Christian faith. The young noble is an outsider in the Kingdom of Alt Clut, being an exile from the lands of Caer Magnis far to the south. With his dashing good looks and convivial personality, the men of of the levy have taken to their new leader and are sworn to follow him to the very gates of Hell.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And so the characters are ready to take to the stage and the drama is about to begin... read on next time and find out how the first clash between the men of Alt Clut and the Scotti raiders transpires. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-16160340163067418072024-03-01T21:48:00.002+00:002024-03-01T21:48:54.719+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS.. GOING ON A DRUID HUNT.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Following his successful and very thorough despoilation of the sacred henge of the Basmatii Tribe, Centurion Perfidius, of Auxiliary Cohors X Flavian Conundrum, was tasked by his superiors with the suppression of the local sacrificial order of the Druids. For some considerable time, his quest proved to be most unproductive, with the guileful priests continually demonstrating an uncanny ability to disappear just moments before the Romans arrived at the scene of their reprehensible activities. Today, however, Perfidious is confident that things are about to change in his favour, having received a very reliable tip-off that Sunax the Despicable Druid, leader and most senior of the Basmatii Druids, has taken refuge in a nearby farmstead, with no-one, other than his Druidic donkey, Asal, for protection. Aware that the nobles of the Basmatii tribe will also be out searching for Sunax, Perfidius has included, not only a group of auxiliary archers in his force, but also, a small group of javelin armed warriors from the Basmatii's sworn enemies, the Amaretii tribe. As the early morning mist lifts, Perfidious, his Optio, Odius and their ad hoc warband warily approach the village, intent on the capture of the reprehensible Sunax and the rich rewards which will be sure to follow. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YgleJst37BinpL_bHRZTDlXpBv2n4PkPFNxLMq2-qGdPq8xULxRO-OJfU9ws3OOZfxnvBmXqnVi_Ay85pWYcTZvn1QbRaUKTJfIpxm4fvrX3_EN38NYNT0UlxUVK21wO7SG6zwAr4vu1cSerugYuhlljrIXAWp_O5sYBy4misR3fUlqbQVLzELSTJnk/s1838/the%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1838" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YgleJst37BinpL_bHRZTDlXpBv2n4PkPFNxLMq2-qGdPq8xULxRO-OJfU9ws3OOZfxnvBmXqnVi_Ay85pWYcTZvn1QbRaUKTJfIpxm4fvrX3_EN38NYNT0UlxUVK21wO7SG6zwAr4vu1cSerugYuhlljrIXAWp_O5sYBy4misR3fUlqbQVLzELSTJnk/w400-h200/the%20field.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The scene of the action centred around the small farmstead, with its two buildings and flimsy wattle fence. To the east, the river flowed serenely over a ford before sweeping on its journey to the sea and it was across the ford that Perfidius and his forces would have to make their attack upon the unsuspecting druid. The Basmatii, lead by the nobles, Orthopedix and Spondulix were hastening from the west, eager to liberate Sunax and deal a bloody blow to their Roman adversaries. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab4eDjHHbNIMe2Qbvyk4pAKEE123FVSUMXS1O4x1W2FGs3pteowY5l5EK71t1lRciRJkD7C3AR4P_NQbdXH8zA118leJ0tH5LuZaccCQ47rcxPammRlTEfxoRXbcMgP6GxTy4_PpqjelzkB9swPEgdBTpqhmizpliJiK-vsN1FMDXiK0gPzS1GlXk6IE/s2213/sunax%20and%20asal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="2213" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab4eDjHHbNIMe2Qbvyk4pAKEE123FVSUMXS1O4x1W2FGs3pteowY5l5EK71t1lRciRJkD7C3AR4P_NQbdXH8zA118leJ0tH5LuZaccCQ47rcxPammRlTEfxoRXbcMgP6GxTy4_PpqjelzkB9swPEgdBTpqhmizpliJiK-vsN1FMDXiK0gPzS1GlXk6IE/w400-h198/sunax%20and%20asal.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Perfidius and Odius both lead contubernia of auxiliary spearmen and the archers and Amaretti javelinmen advanced eagerly in support...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBpj-HgK4wxy_yydlHRZ5FKGGvYznUm9FblUjB_32T-5wC922Yp_6rfK8WSTW3RGeKGaD-Y1GTGu5FV-sj0pKbvTUKi7txdkWgAAI56GN1fp1gvz8n0zRazLOqLPgDvnVrFju3zY2fjGlrM7aYSrkERrLImEpT96g28g4ULaqS5znbs0JgdzOmn-3cbk/s1954/sunax1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1954" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBpj-HgK4wxy_yydlHRZ5FKGGvYznUm9FblUjB_32T-5wC922Yp_6rfK8WSTW3RGeKGaD-Y1GTGu5FV-sj0pKbvTUKi7txdkWgAAI56GN1fp1gvz8n0zRazLOqLPgDvnVrFju3zY2fjGlrM7aYSrkERrLImEpT96g28g4ULaqS5znbs0JgdzOmn-3cbk/w400-h180/sunax1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The noble Spondulix exhorted his men, ten tribal warriors and half a dozen slingers, forward...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtePBRxPsuxwmXpEG7pS1K3KH5f3eBz6O_IuFfV2RCSCIoXPIDtaQYcdeg9UZIaihiusguuw_pgAFXwEsMNRBY9bKPKlLfF1FLfSZ0xeVzpPlK2C6ezXBwWEPgRKlmxt8RZNQwPzXUyVSmT0Z5eNvV0IvAc9XRsnTyReI571YSsauoAaFUqvSEpEBpMA/s1841/sunax2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1841" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtePBRxPsuxwmXpEG7pS1K3KH5f3eBz6O_IuFfV2RCSCIoXPIDtaQYcdeg9UZIaihiusguuw_pgAFXwEsMNRBY9bKPKlLfF1FLfSZ0xeVzpPlK2C6ezXBwWEPgRKlmxt8RZNQwPzXUyVSmT0Z5eNvV0IvAc9XRsnTyReI571YSsauoAaFUqvSEpEBpMA/w400-h198/sunax2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">while Orthopedix did the same, approaching the field of battle to the northern side of the farmstead with his group of noble swordsmen and yet more javelinmen...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsY8AeEiPbeZ9Izsnem8o1LzvtCxBkkSlF64_jnKn3bSHd490uYJyF7gMqXawNZD52lhvnq4ev7NB9jnR9SlLBKJYwWuwkunrf89jth55nKjA8em-E7ozCRStAEte7Zab-hPcD9aWI4BeohxV3oLKPsoUxMJL-Rc_I-zJv6tM926mhyyCUHqGcGCTy58/s1606/sunax3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1606" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsY8AeEiPbeZ9Izsnem8o1LzvtCxBkkSlF64_jnKn3bSHd490uYJyF7gMqXawNZD52lhvnq4ev7NB9jnR9SlLBKJYwWuwkunrf89jth55nKjA8em-E7ozCRStAEte7Zab-hPcD9aWI4BeohxV3oLKPsoUxMJL-Rc_I-zJv6tM926mhyyCUHqGcGCTy58/w400-h246/sunax3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Roman auxiliaries racing to cross the ford, it was vital that the Basmatii prevented them from reaching the farmstead and snatching Sunax from under their noses. The wily Spondulix sent his slingers ahead, with the tribal warriors in hastening behind in support...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEirxQF6lixgNgHmJIAnfoLkAKT7e_GaC5v0e6UvXAAEd8ZI2iUV0YufAsI7koOAkoTc8Eih-yyvM0mYIjOUT6OdCnnAW_HW9InllaZi4aZQkdz9uMBD6hJwwDyKCEIp7P0IWgdKNLs3oC6jxOw0MXu2keiG-mALTwjz9h_gaXluYisXRJXUVE2tswgx0/s2788/sunax4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="2788" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEirxQF6lixgNgHmJIAnfoLkAKT7e_GaC5v0e6UvXAAEd8ZI2iUV0YufAsI7koOAkoTc8Eih-yyvM0mYIjOUT6OdCnnAW_HW9InllaZi4aZQkdz9uMBD6hJwwDyKCEIp7P0IWgdKNLs3oC6jxOw0MXu2keiG-mALTwjz9h_gaXluYisXRJXUVE2tswgx0/w400-h180/sunax4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite flank Orthopedix adopted the same stratagem, with javelinmen racing for the cover of the rocks with his noble warriors rushing to cross the wattle fencing and enter the farmstead in search of the druid.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Co3-mQUSTvm_bEvI9xmTyU877fMbALFSy0UPEhz81M1W-0mgkvUPAqOx2zrLLRd3hLp1FJSwygn53k9ezFlKytQpYBiX5nk_WHLfkkbk8EdSDi6uXPr8qoXBHi0uqdeSleBB0ovc3anTJxnsrfRx-byeIQtO9654JOx4YQu0kR0RlCcwxDDWAxV1Ma4/s2689/sunax5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="2689" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Co3-mQUSTvm_bEvI9xmTyU877fMbALFSy0UPEhz81M1W-0mgkvUPAqOx2zrLLRd3hLp1FJSwygn53k9ezFlKytQpYBiX5nk_WHLfkkbk8EdSDi6uXPr8qoXBHi0uqdeSleBB0ovc3anTJxnsrfRx-byeIQtO9654JOx4YQu0kR0RlCcwxDDWAxV1Ma4/w400-h180/sunax5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnik63j5pLJqYLo4uSfEgmRgSOslqPNsZ2CiV6SPGnlygFwavHDGF6XNW8jLg8r87fukf0hjV-ZFV6WuiwGuYM7jrTqwt4N6xBGvsFoGfU8rESoFx_fxhEjkG6MmSS_ZZFT4F4GfcTNSQ4tuLXvfIlLDHCos0xu2svzXNy9oQWFy7Gj1BN05DHNCKR_I/s2173/sunax7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="1021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnik63j5pLJqYLo4uSfEgmRgSOslqPNsZ2CiV6SPGnlygFwavHDGF6XNW8jLg8r87fukf0hjV-ZFV6WuiwGuYM7jrTqwt4N6xBGvsFoGfU8rESoFx_fxhEjkG6MmSS_ZZFT4F4GfcTNSQ4tuLXvfIlLDHCos0xu2svzXNy9oQWFy7Gj1BN05DHNCKR_I/s320/sunax7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The race for the farmstead was going to be a close run thing, with Odius' auxiliaries crossing the ford and pressing on towards their goal. Meanwhile, the Basmatii slingers had hurried ahead of their warrior support, hoping to slow the auxiliaries down with some accurate missile fire, but, it was they who suffered the first casualty of the encounter when they were hit by a shower of arrows from the auxiliary archers, who had moved up towards the river bank.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In their haste to take up a position behind the swamp flanking the river, the slingers had left themselves dangerously exposed and unable to react to the the fire they now found themselves under and, with the Roman spearmen crossing the ford just to their left, it was possible that they may have found themselves overrun by Odius' contubernium.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFd79swHT8LrIshkLWFKZeTMDtNXRgW-Fi3kFgDN3wFrgSDrCZajrX0cXmCC43VczZZgGSIvsb8zwhSP2DKeeFwO73ROtRNhSxLE6iQOU5aSM3sPm-y2wwO3uDvyJIgJaE1USRLfEM-HCkFgGA1qt-Y1iZoiL9HbBUOBbE6J98AG1Qa_72xQOT9fBRF8/s2414/sunax8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="2414" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFd79swHT8LrIshkLWFKZeTMDtNXRgW-Fi3kFgDN3wFrgSDrCZajrX0cXmCC43VczZZgGSIvsb8zwhSP2DKeeFwO73ROtRNhSxLE6iQOU5aSM3sPm-y2wwO3uDvyJIgJaE1USRLfEM-HCkFgGA1qt-Y1iZoiL9HbBUOBbE6J98AG1Qa_72xQOT9fBRF8/w400-h180/sunax8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Basmatii nobles were soon in the farmstead and it looked as though they might be about to whisk Sunax away before the Romans could force their way into the settlement, but Spondulix and his warriors were still not in a position to oppose the Romans.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIXIfkxfdtEHmViwG9YZ-Al7TqJu1d16t7sN89JNBweNWNmq_GOZZmcUSQP68ffh6TndezjifKmHkScGYmCFKN9xR6JqlZF5QDF5HXis5YtrVTjDPJKvqcNieUFjvJG4csreYRdOaZ2d2bm4mXwSqJ8r3bs2FyeBfzjhUtinyQcZqqchoqmOxT2xibok/s2364/sunax9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="2364" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIXIfkxfdtEHmViwG9YZ-Al7TqJu1d16t7sN89JNBweNWNmq_GOZZmcUSQP68ffh6TndezjifKmHkScGYmCFKN9xR6JqlZF5QDF5HXis5YtrVTjDPJKvqcNieUFjvJG4csreYRdOaZ2d2bm4mXwSqJ8r3bs2FyeBfzjhUtinyQcZqqchoqmOxT2xibok/w400-h189/sunax9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The auxiliary archers continued to move forward and took up a position on the river bank where they could lay down missile fire in support of Odius and his spearmen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEFxG5KiPie-YnQLFeVRY5F7GzaKmWk7xabCgmaLNoHBDUgw_Q6HgiXl9-kkhYEIasbIAiYxCwmJNyofDSMQrL2EbQwL1LfI3hsCmiwPBpKk3lH07Mu_CgYiZkm4T4GkbKYGr_Ho90vce2PHGbipTh-m90DdQ1WCPf_2Zr3tkXGPdEKhwfKSKpAzXshM/s1980/sunax91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1980" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEFxG5KiPie-YnQLFeVRY5F7GzaKmWk7xabCgmaLNoHBDUgw_Q6HgiXl9-kkhYEIasbIAiYxCwmJNyofDSMQrL2EbQwL1LfI3hsCmiwPBpKk3lH07Mu_CgYiZkm4T4GkbKYGr_Ho90vce2PHGbipTh-m90DdQ1WCPf_2Zr3tkXGPdEKhwfKSKpAzXshM/w400-h224/sunax91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite side of the farmstead, Orthopedix's javelinmen quickly got the better of their Amaretii counterparts, bringing four of their number down in a deadly shower of missiles. The remnants of the Amaretii were unable to stand and continue the fight and fled the field, leaving the Roman flank exposed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR3qnnwXQubzjcyglB71mn11prfchU-P9_CPyJ7Ocld9QZ2SDyZ4KXfiMbT7lYnPI2WKeNOmTFzgClKWuqvPLcuosa5HcPr_8BdvBYeCmHPgIQ7ml14OV-JiUAMVURtzt9Q7pB6D-opimMZ9Kq1ycg9iY-J49B6Sabd54fz896wh5bzdraDEzU7HS3DQ/s2098/sunax92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2098" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR3qnnwXQubzjcyglB71mn11prfchU-P9_CPyJ7Ocld9QZ2SDyZ4KXfiMbT7lYnPI2WKeNOmTFzgClKWuqvPLcuosa5HcPr_8BdvBYeCmHPgIQ7ml14OV-JiUAMVURtzt9Q7pB6D-opimMZ9Kq1ycg9iY-J49B6Sabd54fz896wh5bzdraDEzU7HS3DQ/w400-h180/sunax92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing the threat that was ahead of him, Odius halted his men to form up into close order and this delay was sufficient to give the Basmatii warriors time to move into a position blocking the Romans advance on the farmstead. It was beginning to look as though Perfidius was not going to get his hands on Sunax after all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1a6-s4Swh77KxVhkYW312QfkhqfxjGW7itZ5gUzbLrvc4eQxn0nIM-G_9gI4sWVmkvQvVhYDtAGrVVxtllYqQrh5WKMN3U16Dp6k9QSWEmERzVO0a7acNPXTWG7NlP-YUp5Yb-P_cPVGeFi33388l7LMvxfY3BP25it06-HGXy6lKx2PhPXQMtnx7Vs/s2106/sunax93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="2106" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1a6-s4Swh77KxVhkYW312QfkhqfxjGW7itZ5gUzbLrvc4eQxn0nIM-G_9gI4sWVmkvQvVhYDtAGrVVxtllYqQrh5WKMN3U16Dp6k9QSWEmERzVO0a7acNPXTWG7NlP-YUp5Yb-P_cPVGeFi33388l7LMvxfY3BP25it06-HGXy6lKx2PhPXQMtnx7Vs/w400-h193/sunax93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Gods, however, were to look down favourably on the Romans and the tide of the battle was about to change very much in the favour of Odius and his disciplined spearmen...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyAzFMwAbicEXcuISPqLz9ULkmEW6q_-9MjpD7GxPAzGwXTheBlqhLRMaTf2sPogtOL7G1KfG3o127H65ih1wEC_ceu7fkS7VF_Z8RDnruL3CSOCOLtj-JeheC5V45zloOWPro-Ui0Aee4ZIhnnD_-Ami-10836v3dvmn8p6zk6q8ith5EIQPI7sMzR8/s1914/sunax94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1914" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyAzFMwAbicEXcuISPqLz9ULkmEW6q_-9MjpD7GxPAzGwXTheBlqhLRMaTf2sPogtOL7G1KfG3o127H65ih1wEC_ceu7fkS7VF_Z8RDnruL3CSOCOLtj-JeheC5V45zloOWPro-Ui0Aee4ZIhnnD_-Ami-10836v3dvmn8p6zk6q8ith5EIQPI7sMzR8/w400-h209/sunax94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Basmatii tribesmen hurled themselves against the auxiliaries in their close order formation, with Odius himself fighting in the front rank of his formation...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzPeAN8Iq2MZrzMWMYyUwjaXuKIzfJn33U_8FaCI4cwKp1Z7HsQXuPQpEQgmRROWCreLflUfs0jUGLwJTl78qoCD9hHCwvo6FJfvz-mhlZU9GDZZY-MxM-qXDG5HYl-ANOiP7IYzfSFsiWDCVxi8KTTAwpCSD0wpjkaYIKGNDrPWOkmbH4ut4LxtmAsE/s2011/sunax95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="2011" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzPeAN8Iq2MZrzMWMYyUwjaXuKIzfJn33U_8FaCI4cwKp1Z7HsQXuPQpEQgmRROWCreLflUfs0jUGLwJTl78qoCD9hHCwvo6FJfvz-mhlZU9GDZZY-MxM-qXDG5HYl-ANOiP7IYzfSFsiWDCVxi8KTTAwpCSD0wpjkaYIKGNDrPWOkmbH4ut4LxtmAsE/w400-h180/sunax95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In a dramatic turn of events, no fewer than six of the Basmatii fell to spear thrusts from the Romans and the remainder turned and fled.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the warriors gone, the Nobles now had no option but to leave Sunax cowering in the farmstead and hurl themselves into Odius' spearmen...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRxKINI28AVmcKhyMnODynlEUXkM2AHPLn5hP5d5fb2DHHs2LLrbWF8Xp7SgZ_BBegxl8BV_E5qm5KWPL2DTgUfiDSjyQ2yDYGDGYkQ3CGnPA6mxdEhKftALtB_JmranaRUQb6S6c6Pdfoz56EV-q6ra0_-1WG2YaU3tiaBllG1JOtjxeoxQZo7piKzE/s2129/sunax97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="2129" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRxKINI28AVmcKhyMnODynlEUXkM2AHPLn5hP5d5fb2DHHs2LLrbWF8Xp7SgZ_BBegxl8BV_E5qm5KWPL2DTgUfiDSjyQ2yDYGDGYkQ3CGnPA6mxdEhKftALtB_JmranaRUQb6S6c6Pdfoz56EV-q6ra0_-1WG2YaU3tiaBllG1JOtjxeoxQZo7piKzE/w400-h180/sunax97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Casualties fell on both sides, but the outcome of this engagement was brought to a close when the slingers out on the flank brought down another auxiliary which sent them fleeing from the field.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU1ZFEebaJaA68Dd7DSrztf_zGys930SK1zZf_eX5LeNMzzBVDPQTEkTQqEqzu8UKO1KEA0UuwGK-yobyrXvwqYxwvw-q9kTXdBJ3RffiLYMdQVojVr2z69vpH8EmEgsxVy_1gD-Q5un7uDjV2agAUg_fogsCfOWDo0K50K8MjjVoCbEKY2kcxU3NB8k/s1916/sunax99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1916" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU1ZFEebaJaA68Dd7DSrztf_zGys930SK1zZf_eX5LeNMzzBVDPQTEkTQqEqzu8UKO1KEA0UuwGK-yobyrXvwqYxwvw-q9kTXdBJ3RffiLYMdQVojVr2z69vpH8EmEgsxVy_1gD-Q5un7uDjV2agAUg_fogsCfOWDo0K50K8MjjVoCbEKY2kcxU3NB8k/w400-h195/sunax99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The advantage in this encounter swung rapidly from one side to the other and, having driven one unit of auxiliaries from the field, the Basmatii nobles were instantly hit in the flank by the other...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFudro8UBm62M8HOIRkMsom7j9mkCBP1bHwbcUK25OZ48APijWyUwwBSEZsu_i3z-yr0m67qbXik1uRGG0FeXk6MFIWF4unsz3TFTWJWfS7r-oQlvNuubWxj-p-wtfAp1Oi49VASOgUH5VBckFPzVVjlOE_n2rScc5ebpFrdWB-yfywKOi6r1bb1-Rs/s2006/sunax992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="2006" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFudro8UBm62M8HOIRkMsom7j9mkCBP1bHwbcUK25OZ48APijWyUwwBSEZsu_i3z-yr0m67qbXik1uRGG0FeXk6MFIWF4unsz3TFTWJWfS7r-oQlvNuubWxj-p-wtfAp1Oi49VASOgUH5VBckFPzVVjlOE_n2rScc5ebpFrdWB-yfywKOi6r1bb1-Rs/w400-h180/sunax992.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Already fatigued from their first encounter, the nobles were unable to resist the onslaught and broke, leaving Perfidius and Odius in complete control of the battlefield...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkktV4R9Nem6Yoxqxy4S8D4ySGM3Zt6CpS7BfhljAIRknQhH2FEVwX_fs1cnuAK-P6sq1r7G6hvAYXKKwlRny5_tXF2qIIlBbNNW7e3fhvTGs2Qbf1l6N58-m7ht-g2I6jOqqQj7zwD5A7axBdybz6gkkMw-W4Nui9147DfwTD9UI_eTDiFlaCYe4e6E/s1899/sunax994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1899" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkktV4R9Nem6Yoxqxy4S8D4ySGM3Zt6CpS7BfhljAIRknQhH2FEVwX_fs1cnuAK-P6sq1r7G6hvAYXKKwlRny5_tXF2qIIlBbNNW7e3fhvTGs2Qbf1l6N58-m7ht-g2I6jOqqQj7zwD5A7axBdybz6gkkMw-W4Nui9147DfwTD9UI_eTDiFlaCYe4e6E/w400-h229/sunax994.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With their warriors and nobles driven from the field, the Basmatii morale crumbled, bringing the action to a dramatic conclusion. Orthopedix, Spondulix, Sunax and Asal the Donkey were all taken by the Romans and led away to face an unspecified but probably pretty awful fate.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The action lasted just five turns and all hinged on the calamitous attack by the Basmatii tribal warriors, who lost more than half their number in a single round of combat. With the loss of the warriors, the nobles were forced to abandon Sunax and attack Odius' auxiliaries which, in turn, exposed them to an attack by the other auxiliary unit, having already acquired five fatigue points! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The future for our brave Centurion and his faithful Optio now lies in a distant part of the empire, as they are transferred from Britannia to join Germanicus on his campaign against the Germanic tribes in the forests on the east bank of the Rhine!</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-63481420455332725462024-02-27T16:20:00.001+00:002024-02-27T19:20:56.570+00:00MESBG... WHERE THE WILD MEN ARE!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having spent the latter half of 2023 painting Uruk-Hai, along with the many Historical projects that continually occupy the painting bench, I decided that I needed to add something a bit more human to my Middle Earth collection. The obvious choice, to expand an Isengard army, are what Tolkien calls, 'the wild hillmen and herd-folk of Dunland'.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Hillmen are an impoverished, rugged and hairy people, forced to live in the plains to the west of the Misty Mountains, having being ejected from their homeland by the Rohirrim, for whom they, consequently, have an intense and violent hatred. They have little access to metal and so carry weapons plundered during raids on "strawhead" farmsteads, or given to them by Saruman, following their swearing of the oath of allegiance to the turncoat wizard.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Although it's probably not the easiest way to </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">build a warband, I decided to create my own hillmen, largely from spare bits and bobs I have left over from a variety of historical armies that I have created over the years. Vikings and Ancient Germans are the two which spring instantly to mind, but there are parts from other ranges and I also have some figures from Etsy which very much fit the image I have of these hill men and herders of Dunland.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Warband leader is Hern the Hairy... he is one of the wonderful, no longer available, Ancient German range from Black Tree Design. I bought many of these figures some years ago for a project which has, subsequently, evolved into a warband that I use with Clash of Spears, fighting Imperial Romans and Ancient Celts. This figure didn't make the cut for that warband and I found him at the bottom of a box full of spare bits and bobs! Lucky for me! Here he is, regenerated and starting a new career. leading Dunlanders into battle in the name of Saruman! Look out Rohan... Hern the Hairy is coming to raid a farmstead near you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvOivnCkDBndmYyF8FBPb_Qv-usnzBArCeyEIp4Clm6nbQqf9FHeRLkMBLh_y0nXwuRdOYnJMrUEXpOynldNDXT0NX1qSv1YdUWFkyvIZxVzNmaQMhXrZnAaVGdgeZ0w8QB-upEzsofF2ius6vfe8qaucz1Ouh5_RnEmCHCF4J1bl8ytnzD32FJG516g/s1520/hermthehairy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1100" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvOivnCkDBndmYyF8FBPb_Qv-usnzBArCeyEIp4Clm6nbQqf9FHeRLkMBLh_y0nXwuRdOYnJMrUEXpOynldNDXT0NX1qSv1YdUWFkyvIZxVzNmaQMhXrZnAaVGdgeZ0w8QB-upEzsofF2ius6vfe8qaucz1Ouh5_RnEmCHCF4J1bl8ytnzD32FJG516g/w290-h400/hermthehairy.jpg" width="290" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOszvq5jQ7hZAK7_xweTFamkRh0k9VI515WLCgSSqVHR2nZ2g5BIY5tXHVJSQRIELeXcWJBlbKOjKIPfLx0kkpNgKmHhI-NQamG1gDr2gMNIRq7kWjTL60Zsz-gZSXStfHVm5vSN-esXk9f5vy15IiFVpXhZ5ZtEs-dVaf1jMJ7SrXqTWZuq-lARugdxM/s1581/hermthehairy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1581" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOszvq5jQ7hZAK7_xweTFamkRh0k9VI515WLCgSSqVHR2nZ2g5BIY5tXHVJSQRIELeXcWJBlbKOjKIPfLx0kkpNgKmHhI-NQamG1gDr2gMNIRq7kWjTL60Zsz-gZSXStfHVm5vSN-esXk9f5vy15IiFVpXhZ5ZtEs-dVaf1jMJ7SrXqTWZuq-lARugdxM/w400-h269/hermthehairy2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRztQW7iLzG920LH8V6auUwSFdf7IJQ39uhl3qTBkd5BkQuq7R_B6olgcQmzwFrPC9_h1Ouy6Rl1i8kAQr1TWV9sKZoxBYLLnMa4EjQ4dz3cFsH3k9W7RUrOTc_Kb0VHzBkB06eCnSDq6xmeinE1ObZsP39SsJIrNwIrwJhTbHfyzyqBgJXEXBIwMFBM/s2143/hermthehairy3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="2143" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRztQW7iLzG920LH8V6auUwSFdf7IJQ39uhl3qTBkd5BkQuq7R_B6olgcQmzwFrPC9_h1Ouy6Rl1i8kAQr1TWV9sKZoxBYLLnMa4EjQ4dz3cFsH3k9W7RUrOTc_Kb0VHzBkB06eCnSDq6xmeinE1ObZsP39SsJIrNwIrwJhTbHfyzyqBgJXEXBIwMFBM/w400-h153/hermthehairy3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPN0tUwnnlEGPc4w8TBojvwe6DhgiEUVk-B4p_wLFJmSXo-DNXPE5UKnmn1OdEYeTg7xfR4Wo6dXva5-rk8jlfm_OWoaECMxGsdXk6g-E09u7b-RkZ2g5a2IFi2i0BVauv63Is6-vlStb6saAmWeNSFhBv5hQ8nFvvTIPXGbVdzXOUBxTL1jTze-Xruw/s1599/hermthehairy4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1599" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPN0tUwnnlEGPc4w8TBojvwe6DhgiEUVk-B4p_wLFJmSXo-DNXPE5UKnmn1OdEYeTg7xfR4Wo6dXva5-rk8jlfm_OWoaECMxGsdXk6g-E09u7b-RkZ2g5a2IFi2i0BVauv63Is6-vlStb6saAmWeNSFhBv5hQ8nFvvTIPXGbVdzXOUBxTL1jTze-Xruw/w400-h290/hermthehairy4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea0AOzoo7vI5jw964NazNvuWSlOg5UIUWtvm7WY88naC6yTZCKbKIhAZBz4WAiCs6P9vYFu38EzZmuDssmKre4dL7d7BSsXdh0aJKP886BKq12XURXa46kDrKzT7h9-RmCvkGsjeEImDdI7n43d-IsGiMC5gxg3U3BavMEVfgWyR8npSmhewipX6_hHc/s2650/wman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2650" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea0AOzoo7vI5jw964NazNvuWSlOg5UIUWtvm7WY88naC6yTZCKbKIhAZBz4WAiCs6P9vYFu38EzZmuDssmKre4dL7d7BSsXdh0aJKP886BKq12XURXa46kDrKzT7h9-RmCvkGsjeEImDdI7n43d-IsGiMC5gxg3U3BavMEVfgWyR8npSmhewipX6_hHc/w400-h271/wman.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As you can see, Hern is a very happy hillman who really enjoys his work!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It's a lot of work creating these figures, especially when they only cost 5 points a man, which means they're not going to put up a great deal of resistance to your average hero of Rohan. This is what was required to make the hairy torch bearer...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLicmxXWeX304xngaVPa6zf27xz2h2SjL5br3RB-3vgrGHuvirJfQn_spN6aqKpRZrqduEcyctwID1EaVbnLbd2-ymIH8qAOozDzBnUMylzadbB41Mlnv9f7NJEMLRjPIM4DseZ3irguZlQOJ7O98IY4DQszQLWlXCK_FTy-cUzcflxxBuQYJlqRPf41w/s2202/components.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="2202" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLicmxXWeX304xngaVPa6zf27xz2h2SjL5br3RB-3vgrGHuvirJfQn_spN6aqKpRZrqduEcyctwID1EaVbnLbd2-ymIH8qAOozDzBnUMylzadbB41Mlnv9f7NJEMLRjPIM4DseZ3irguZlQOJ7O98IY4DQszQLWlXCK_FTy-cUzcflxxBuQYJlqRPf41w/w400-h180/components.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And this is what he looked like after wielding the craft knife and adding the Green Stuff...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKz8Rgi6VmcOtmCcNoMg6acvwDHn9Hn7ikVUiMu-angGGlqm-M3Y5QZ9TBrlWbhYUokEs2YmsEHQdb8GfBwyl73FucNOw0KyQYWVpY6lm-oFqZEPYAufKTt5aV-9VV2kA05-0dnC8clKu_q7QB0GMAoMXdyTNfx75oZJqxK02b8oUf2v4XdjOX7J24ys/s1175/construct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1115" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKz8Rgi6VmcOtmCcNoMg6acvwDHn9Hn7ikVUiMu-angGGlqm-M3Y5QZ9TBrlWbhYUokEs2YmsEHQdb8GfBwyl73FucNOw0KyQYWVpY6lm-oFqZEPYAufKTt5aV-9VV2kA05-0dnC8clKu_q7QB0GMAoMXdyTNfx75oZJqxK02b8oUf2v4XdjOX7J24ys/w380-h400/construct.jpg" width="380" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It would be much easier to spend £40 and buy the Games Workshop set of 12 figures, which equates to £3.33 per figure, but then you only actually get four different sculpts for your money. This way definitely takes a lot more imagination and laborious crafting, but, when you've completed your model and plastered up your thumbs, you have something which is totally unique and, like Frankenstein's monster, is a creation you can be proud of.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">So, will I be doing any more hairy hillmen? Yes I will, but not for a while! This first collection are all armed with swords, daggers and axes, and I would like to add some two-handed weapons into the mix. To do that, I'll need a second hero to command another 12 figure warband and I want to ensure that he will be as dynamic, heroic, valiant and downright good looking as Hern.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-48310813025379365812024-02-01T14:51:00.001+00:002024-02-01T14:51:42.273+00:00MESBG... SAVING GONDOR'S SON.<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2rO1c32IiWZ-67gw4L9ba8T8mrcoqdKOWdAIV2ucltjYvHIIV_czx96ZrRXlNcwJQmd2k5ZuMsE9vtPqVrQmAgmPQ-NKZuWtxyfThf0whe44Vyc7SXcdzR4mE-sLzupHCfw8AoBipfh466TAHKbiIaKew6qYj9VG_7qyjfYCyTK0463Dizph6cWLbIA/s1778/boromir.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1778" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2rO1c32IiWZ-67gw4L9ba8T8mrcoqdKOWdAIV2ucltjYvHIIV_czx96ZrRXlNcwJQmd2k5ZuMsE9vtPqVrQmAgmPQ-NKZuWtxyfThf0whe44Vyc7SXcdzR4mE-sLzupHCfw8AoBipfh466TAHKbiIaKew6qYj9VG_7qyjfYCyTK0463Dizph6cWLbIA/w400-h225/boromir.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The sonorous tones of the Horn of Gondor, sacred heirloom of Vorondil, still hung menacingly in the air as the first wicked black arrow struck him full in the chest. By the time the third arrow had hit its mark, the Uruk scouts were already sweeping stealthily past the fallen hero, pressing relentlessly on in their frenetic search for the Ring Bearer...</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwDWCykNHp0o2xj7ks8pQHEF2WxuG9SkCOyDbbF6kHNEWleYBb3bevhLELhhAtGOGbiYwRZCXhDl7butYqd8APQj-S2UBvV9jkERF_mkET0suiws80DictMFG-Eaa_fhGs69lHfnrnNGVxV9fHYPlKckhyphenhyphenkvfdjYEqCLKmfWaqtBew8V624gHsO3LABY/s1724/Sweep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1724" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwDWCykNHp0o2xj7ks8pQHEF2WxuG9SkCOyDbbF6kHNEWleYBb3bevhLELhhAtGOGbiYwRZCXhDl7butYqd8APQj-S2UBvV9jkERF_mkET0suiws80DictMFG-Eaa_fhGs69lHfnrnNGVxV9fHYPlKckhyphenhyphenkvfdjYEqCLKmfWaqtBew8V624gHsO3LABY/w400-h238/Sweep.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Desperately responding to the sound of that sorrowful alarm, but yet, already too late, Aragorn, Gimli and the fleetfooted Legolas, raced, heedless of the danger approaching them, to rescue their fallen comrade.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUkyiPT4FmGhu8mGRVvkWqWVFxsew0E6DqIselLv0WXjNmktASco4Z_1GnB6SigKJK90BT3IxWTeC8DiGH_D-sY2-kIuh9a7uWBBDCYrmXSmprxDEIx7lO8o8cDvm14HySE1z2PZn3sXPpfh6qP0tXaM8m7QAnPd6qXrz99p-viafIxlMmISbcJ8gD40/s1152/heroes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1152" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUkyiPT4FmGhu8mGRVvkWqWVFxsew0E6DqIselLv0WXjNmktASco4Z_1GnB6SigKJK90BT3IxWTeC8DiGH_D-sY2-kIuh9a7uWBBDCYrmXSmprxDEIx7lO8o8cDvm14HySE1z2PZn3sXPpfh6qP0tXaM8m7QAnPd6qXrz99p-viafIxlMmISbcJ8gD40/w400-h225/heroes.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the two opposing forces hurtling towards each other, it only a few short moments before the first clash of steel could be heard ringing across the battlefield. Unwisely, but with supreme bravery, one of Lurtz's scouts charged headlong into combat with Aragorn...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7v3eYErChyI2lIrqeK7MGsjtS2rbyi66mfyGOFNSqdVCkzea52paglpkFfzO95fLQ63T0DMFLjz7ntvRCncQSsUL9gRycfo-6l6hR-GWmMb0M4OypV4qFxiW2XgwBrdqQHF7dbpjYj2JTNdYxNCDIalijpHR0oNhH2ohWVg_OcKO9TytIx1Fo35EPmU/s1099/clash1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1099" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7v3eYErChyI2lIrqeK7MGsjtS2rbyi66mfyGOFNSqdVCkzea52paglpkFfzO95fLQ63T0DMFLjz7ntvRCncQSsUL9gRycfo-6l6hR-GWmMb0M4OypV4qFxiW2XgwBrdqQHF7dbpjYj2JTNdYxNCDIalijpHR0oNhH2ohWVg_OcKO9TytIx1Fo35EPmU/w400-h255/clash1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pitilessly sweeping the Uruk aside, Aragorn pushed remorselessly on with Legolas and his deadly bow close by in support.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0haOwo_Nbe44gYkD8rk3BrFModqJVAz8PlR-uIJqQ4di5RNZwdYQgdQTHZr8-qiLp6XMltI8hU_iAW5-K8DMmuI3DaW9HiY0ppLtLVMMtWaR8TN2MzvGtGaQGN3162YxY41JEgpMNRKBvlLzzyLt-vxhLYyfStEDbKwGBH_oOYeiMg6uonDO_4U9qEI/s1314/clash1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1314" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0haOwo_Nbe44gYkD8rk3BrFModqJVAz8PlR-uIJqQ4di5RNZwdYQgdQTHZr8-qiLp6XMltI8hU_iAW5-K8DMmuI3DaW9HiY0ppLtLVMMtWaR8TN2MzvGtGaQGN3162YxY41JEgpMNRKBvlLzzyLt-vxhLYyfStEDbKwGBH_oOYeiMg6uonDO_4U9qEI/w400-h223/clash1a.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Gimli, however, found himself faced by a horde of Uruk scouts, all eager to gain the glory of slaying the legendary dwarf...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCVaVUWcAdUfXT258Gf9RNtWv9OBoMPUHwNLzntO18mgtYyCsfgDUZZx5O0Qq0OpGzNjf6YyN9WWidl2GHHpLCsBBjlVso3XeLvvhsqF8TNiR_E1eBeUArPMlm4Z1Zk5Ix58ia5v72Uo5ANc6JxzCltZc8q0wIHcJy3MStsWT_YLf44Zze2Ogu47601w/s1166/clash1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1166" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCVaVUWcAdUfXT258Gf9RNtWv9OBoMPUHwNLzntO18mgtYyCsfgDUZZx5O0Qq0OpGzNjf6YyN9WWidl2GHHpLCsBBjlVso3XeLvvhsqF8TNiR_E1eBeUArPMlm4Z1Zk5Ix58ia5v72Uo5ANc6JxzCltZc8q0wIHcJy3MStsWT_YLf44Zze2Ogu47601w/w400-h255/clash1b.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Although the dwarf was initially pushed back, in a flurry of whirling blades, the Uruks were ultimately despatched and, step by step, Gimli forced his way forward...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir33cfW-TDjcHJk4dQiYS3nFhguGzfylL7HiTH3GQvNkePGvjsLBr69VEqtLHbT0SHumn1sQFHL5mrwB87b2KJ2AAQw7VGUt4a30kNdbK80UjK7Bgj09y14SnVmggpwpDVArnzYLP6GxE3G2-jph3ej4vxnEKPu0zaEgyIAwrB062WqFB2tuJYinbjZqg/s1769/clash1d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1769" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir33cfW-TDjcHJk4dQiYS3nFhguGzfylL7HiTH3GQvNkePGvjsLBr69VEqtLHbT0SHumn1sQFHL5mrwB87b2KJ2AAQw7VGUt4a30kNdbK80UjK7Bgj09y14SnVmggpwpDVArnzYLP6GxE3G2-jph3ej4vxnEKPu0zaEgyIAwrB062WqFB2tuJYinbjZqg/w400-h235/clash1d.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and the vile minions of Saruman were left scattered across the battlefield, allowing the diminutive hero to press forward and gain some ground on his companions.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5qVBWKGeAPUHUvqekx-jC50E1CS3rXU-y4-TDk5cJu87y1gCP1A1HAt2dL_r6dSOw9BmqGrOSfzMi2xFAOQ1EkE1PSgyRvvlGxRT_Qm9PAnbzmwfKycFRB5qBgOpf_jfvDqWeHue7inxqTHlqNCw9s-Ezw_I5zoOmol0ZlUZXyKiGlXGuqV3FCfHmpQ/s1583/clash1e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1583" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5qVBWKGeAPUHUvqekx-jC50E1CS3rXU-y4-TDk5cJu87y1gCP1A1HAt2dL_r6dSOw9BmqGrOSfzMi2xFAOQ1EkE1PSgyRvvlGxRT_Qm9PAnbzmwfKycFRB5qBgOpf_jfvDqWeHue7inxqTHlqNCw9s-Ezw_I5zoOmol0ZlUZXyKiGlXGuqV3FCfHmpQ/w400-h180/clash1e.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No matter how many enemy warriors they brought down, more and more continued to swarm towards the three valiant heroes and, the closer they got to their goal, the more gruelling the challenge became. Desperate to reach the body of his fallen comrade, Aragorn found himself surrounded by Uruks, assailing him with sword and arrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrPhxX1-yRCXTrRcpAU4TpbnrcSYjJw_TG4PFvXRV6w1d11FFrTnd-Omb9-M1aoPDnxja26aNNJPiJJfsu9m8ZyU-suBSpR_a84OPtp5xiEXsVlc9P4DQJzIxoQkB4UoaRLowjEYNbGcrePgp6u3OeU5GJ0xyBiYX38s4MjeyxxteZYZ67tEDhtJhwbQ/s1479/clash1f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1479" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrPhxX1-yRCXTrRcpAU4TpbnrcSYjJw_TG4PFvXRV6w1d11FFrTnd-Omb9-M1aoPDnxja26aNNJPiJJfsu9m8ZyU-suBSpR_a84OPtp5xiEXsVlc9P4DQJzIxoQkB4UoaRLowjEYNbGcrePgp6u3OeU5GJ0xyBiYX38s4MjeyxxteZYZ67tEDhtJhwbQ/w400-h191/clash1f.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The gallant Legolas found himself engulfed by vicious Uruk warriors and only the rapid and accurate fire of his bow kept them at bay until...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2BlHgNQcT8Hk1XfxT3YYndbvkvs0qLXD9dtp_YGH84mmaQej0oV10ByVqeKvxm9PDlqR2sJUxGmMs4hcHJGBLYXDHwzpf557byMl4raLpP-XJecDPM5ZTcWzmH31IDKLYoV2oWuYT2HzK8CEvaxRkdWYVhg-YyoNhL-Ki1VKiC-gohdjG6275CcxlcQ/s2160/clash1g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="2160" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2BlHgNQcT8Hk1XfxT3YYndbvkvs0qLXD9dtp_YGH84mmaQej0oV10ByVqeKvxm9PDlqR2sJUxGmMs4hcHJGBLYXDHwzpf557byMl4raLpP-XJecDPM5ZTcWzmH31IDKLYoV2oWuYT2HzK8CEvaxRkdWYVhg-YyoNhL-Ki1VKiC-gohdjG6275CcxlcQ/w400-h180/clash1g.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">the indomitable Gimli arrived with flailing axes and began to hack his way through the onslaught of evil which surrounded them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoirqndQbHA3f8LPwVs8V_WULtxtw0hg-tC0JRn-SSDN2u0kY5XnQVTSq7YM3kp0nz_yELjpIc6dl4s0OXHuoiT6fllldcCNzC8xgoeCvawRiV9t8GvwOjT3EqndMWdqlxkmuBuXDMoG05nfVJwoocbZ0qKISj18E1AFRQq0F7KjxJVUMQBEJq8J_2XE4/s2411/clash1h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="2411" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoirqndQbHA3f8LPwVs8V_WULtxtw0hg-tC0JRn-SSDN2u0kY5XnQVTSq7YM3kp0nz_yELjpIc6dl4s0OXHuoiT6fllldcCNzC8xgoeCvawRiV9t8GvwOjT3EqndMWdqlxkmuBuXDMoG05nfVJwoocbZ0qKISj18E1AFRQq0F7KjxJVUMQBEJq8J_2XE4/w400-h180/clash1h.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Finding himself dangerously far ahead of his comrades, Aragorn decided to detour around the conveniently located henge, in an attempt to outflank the advancing Uruks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfDKXahxLzOj4oYPuYIDZcwvPwg4zSv1YkiIAwwx3bmlbp-biPLg4WxTr1OaP2kAAe09ELgL8pBtbTWceMr8fsnJqcjAsJkovxfCrXS6gQoHBksDSjGZBdtUmJY_1ran9iJfHcduRIlERmznNdIjpxO2YKiJB7fi23lOPcE8n_wW9iCNa6toF3flUJVY/s1423/clash1i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1423" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfDKXahxLzOj4oYPuYIDZcwvPwg4zSv1YkiIAwwx3bmlbp-biPLg4WxTr1OaP2kAAe09ELgL8pBtbTWceMr8fsnJqcjAsJkovxfCrXS6gQoHBksDSjGZBdtUmJY_1ran9iJfHcduRIlERmznNdIjpxO2YKiJB7fi23lOPcE8n_wW9iCNa6toF3flUJVY/w400-h248/clash1i.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But now, the tide was turning; the Uruk Hai had suffered huge casualties and their final reserves were committed and being cut down in swathes by Legolas and Gimli...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3k5Vt9bRXEDZkjwJ4VcCwcF_nZaWN7vbcm-yTGv_w42gZyKXCf3CFlNojxJrQBrecEpbRO44FbgjdJFs9sHZC_UH8ScL0FODiT-M9VjgJYEahSHcv3mOLxCrkKHM_Q8hQAc04_-ZdqLvaTVIttHxKKtnzTNAKTbyQC-eoSa-AkvAW4WMD1RKFUyD4NQ/s1987/clash1j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1987" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3k5Vt9bRXEDZkjwJ4VcCwcF_nZaWN7vbcm-yTGv_w42gZyKXCf3CFlNojxJrQBrecEpbRO44FbgjdJFs9sHZC_UH8ScL0FODiT-M9VjgJYEahSHcv3mOLxCrkKHM_Q8hQAc04_-ZdqLvaTVIttHxKKtnzTNAKTbyQC-eoSa-AkvAW4WMD1RKFUyD4NQ/w400-h229/clash1j.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDgQRKgcLJ5Tbq4inOCMCBTs5kXI5eQv0axwBKUYo15l2FTw3SC_g4u0DqNafYVIbQTHBk4bXIOnv7W4yTK19Evl33WzmLTSSh8gtjfMwQ2vsH5fW6s99n_-i0O9Cv1CcVa7wkgg8HcV5ugiCb1ZhRSbN4ZshcKZTGVmZvgeZIMeNbMFGm7v12N8joGc/s2158/clash1k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="2158" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDgQRKgcLJ5Tbq4inOCMCBTs5kXI5eQv0axwBKUYo15l2FTw3SC_g4u0DqNafYVIbQTHBk4bXIOnv7W4yTK19Evl33WzmLTSSh8gtjfMwQ2vsH5fW6s99n_-i0O9Cv1CcVa7wkgg8HcV5ugiCb1ZhRSbN4ZshcKZTGVmZvgeZIMeNbMFGm7v12N8joGc/w400-h205/clash1k.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DNmNY5TZZLad1W0svQ3NBlALQ-GL1ut-p5vUbbF8XO1nwkgbM6tb0x5lemgzHGXFVohX93ihQdeoaXVmpcDgrDX0Bmatigj4uPROHxrydPtVx1r-1ScOToi2nGwtjLBQetFY5Xwynby0RzoyvQHkUeyUVtvJ4_PCHj6fxNx-d1xtW-miQozxkqsqijE/s1918/clash1l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1918" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DNmNY5TZZLad1W0svQ3NBlALQ-GL1ut-p5vUbbF8XO1nwkgbM6tb0x5lemgzHGXFVohX93ihQdeoaXVmpcDgrDX0Bmatigj4uPROHxrydPtVx1r-1ScOToi2nGwtjLBQetFY5Xwynby0RzoyvQHkUeyUVtvJ4_PCHj6fxNx-d1xtW-miQozxkqsqijE/w400-h226/clash1l.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Eventually, the three heroes bore down upon the final remaining Uruks and the climactic confrontation began as Lurtz stepped forward and launched an unyielding assault upon Aragorn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ID2L3TOZG_qhWDKpT8EeVm5Uy7YoRz0Eje7UAJYJbWkEQxY5EjGAbeAvq1L5AbPFbH4hNdesLtuy9EW9tcAmyWqVDcPftwzwL8AUbaWePcNB70alycCFqpNLRntoPEJz0VfobEqWtVT-3cpvgZoBPtbFszweZwVHQJfQofCrVvaTbtN5qV-LkiWSAI/s2004/clash1m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="2004" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ID2L3TOZG_qhWDKpT8EeVm5Uy7YoRz0Eje7UAJYJbWkEQxY5EjGAbeAvq1L5AbPFbH4hNdesLtuy9EW9tcAmyWqVDcPftwzwL8AUbaWePcNB70alycCFqpNLRntoPEJz0VfobEqWtVT-3cpvgZoBPtbFszweZwVHQJfQofCrVvaTbtN5qV-LkiWSAI/w400-h209/clash1m.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In spite of all his might and skill at arms, Lurtz finally succumbed to the unwavering torrent of blows ranged against him and the remaining Uruk warriors either fled or were brought down by Legolas and Gimli.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaKFP5W8s6HrsEdj0RmdF4De5n6rzgSDzkNE6GzoI93thXmLkKUK0vqkzHyNy0c3gITQlpAW08t-4TtQjVAqHaDXCxTxm0hvKDrgPMJPDTsveIAeoDOJws-BHTR2gMGH19Hb4-pRyJS12ZoyCJfQgdk9fGYsoQr7GvVrTO3sqttxCgRSwui-bgWbTO4g/s1886/clash1o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1886" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaKFP5W8s6HrsEdj0RmdF4De5n6rzgSDzkNE6GzoI93thXmLkKUK0vqkzHyNy0c3gITQlpAW08t-4TtQjVAqHaDXCxTxm0hvKDrgPMJPDTsveIAeoDOJws-BHTR2gMGH19Hb4-pRyJS12ZoyCJfQgdk9fGYsoQr7GvVrTO3sqttxCgRSwui-bgWbTO4g/w400-h211/clash1o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Lurtz, the slayer of Boromir, was, in turn, brought low by the Heir of Isildur. The three heroes would have but little time to mourn the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Further adventures await as the dark hordes of evil continue to grow in strength and audacity.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-63601521223798016502024-01-25T17:06:00.003+00:002024-01-25T17:06:44.934+00:00OSPREY OUTREMER... THE WELL!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the Summer of 1063, the Norman army of Roger de Hauteville and the Sicilian Muslim alliance, under the command of Ibn al Hawas, faced each other around the mountain top town of Cerami. For the previous three years, the Norman invaders had been gradually taking an ever tighter grip on the eastern provinces of Sicily and control of Cerami, just a short ride from their stronghold of Troina, was the key to their conquest of the entire island. As the Summer sun scorched the land, both sides desperately scoured the area for sources of water to slake their thirst and their scouts encountered each other on a daily basis. Two such parties, the Normans led by Tancred de Monceaux and the Saracen Zirids by Tahir al Jasur, arrived simultaneously at a deserted farm, eager to secure the well, which stood close by the ruins of an ancient Syracusan settlement... to the victor would go a fresh and limitless water supply, to the vanquished only thirst and vexation awaited!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTlw6Mr7gXh-aYrp-uHGssXb1Wogg1uSbgXCA6gRDKjtI_MMql5cOW37ZNDHZk0Ggk6nVg-Gkw2FkOQj5d5dtfIN-qfCCKS8L33Mih5y0EZP22-VBh4H-X2Chzb7Tf65CG89LsHAmR8adOYSIC3DzxODt2jIMHfBFDnC-BScrGL5CDHWY7H1brSnAww/s2304/battlefield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="2304" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcTlw6Mr7gXh-aYrp-uHGssXb1Wogg1uSbgXCA6gRDKjtI_MMql5cOW37ZNDHZk0Ggk6nVg-Gkw2FkOQj5d5dtfIN-qfCCKS8L33Mih5y0EZP22-VBh4H-X2Chzb7Tf65CG89LsHAmR8adOYSIC3DzxODt2jIMHfBFDnC-BScrGL5CDHWY7H1brSnAww/w400-h180/battlefield.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The abandoned farm, with its south facing enclosed farm house, lemon grove and the all important well, situated just outside the enclosure, was to be scene of a most savage conflict.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhMZVBbVAaXO6xHaXcw74Hz3JdXMPIAapvLoAR25qX34P_-H5YybnktKQo_S8-AImHbSI3NjJnjIp-N3SrWU4uTh6nskde6eLu-KBfvvcZRQdmZRLtLWWVk-rcZyRcdUbYesBvFLx2VxPWwxqkns9fh-Z2K7Ahz49kdgW5CpabdiO-AuT9oy3wR9P7lk/s1993/thenormans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1993" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhMZVBbVAaXO6xHaXcw74Hz3JdXMPIAapvLoAR25qX34P_-H5YybnktKQo_S8-AImHbSI3NjJnjIp-N3SrWU4uTh6nskde6eLu-KBfvvcZRQdmZRLtLWWVk-rcZyRcdUbYesBvFLx2VxPWwxqkns9fh-Z2K7Ahz49kdgW5CpabdiO-AuT9oy3wR9P7lk/w400-h121/thenormans.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">de Monceaux, with his squire, Arnalt Pomeroy, and their force of spearmen and crossbows approached the farmstead from the east...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzHU4vtOFY3e2hZ9dQ3Ji7dmgP4_Vr0J1pCL5JSTiseBVkl4DYZho-zVVeVkT3X_uc59syJd-c7RZSdtmt1G8QM3Coen0p-n1nUChfBKKE-RJWtzJ7aioY59TSqSFG5IoMU8JhxDfkbsl4WyvW2BEPV7H-b2yUatQegHwGwBziezxN_SF12QNJ0NdAMg/s1118/geofrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="950" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzHU4vtOFY3e2hZ9dQ3Ji7dmgP4_Vr0J1pCL5JSTiseBVkl4DYZho-zVVeVkT3X_uc59syJd-c7RZSdtmt1G8QM3Coen0p-n1nUChfBKKE-RJWtzJ7aioY59TSqSFG5IoMU8JhxDfkbsl4WyvW2BEPV7H-b2yUatQegHwGwBziezxN_SF12QNJ0NdAMg/w340-h400/geofrey.jpg" width="340" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Geoffrey the Archer, an outlaw, caught red handed, illegally hunting on Tancred's estates in Normandy and forcibly brought, as part of the Lord's retinue, to Sicily, as punishment for his despicable crimes, was sent to find cover, from which, he could launch an ambush against the Saracens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKUPKw_cFNamjpZiqHWr2pVDq-A-wuq55OdlwyGSz9J28qBuPLL-IXW-qfSQf0WhCxXZLeBPminKRVLgu6Qpi168Hk88lHsvPD2jfIGTauYItktFQQ9BCCiv9wjRB6DmK1ylmoXaANBe_wBv-vaQMPmit3Wmeu6Iyntxp62rp4CzWg8Xpv_ROS5M8XVc/s1195/Sac1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1195" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKUPKw_cFNamjpZiqHWr2pVDq-A-wuq55OdlwyGSz9J28qBuPLL-IXW-qfSQf0WhCxXZLeBPminKRVLgu6Qpi168Hk88lHsvPD2jfIGTauYItktFQQ9BCCiv9wjRB6DmK1ylmoXaANBe_wBv-vaQMPmit3Wmeu6Iyntxp62rp4CzWg8Xpv_ROS5M8XVc/w400-h272/Sac1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To the west of the farmstead, the Saracens made a stealthy approach; Kabeer al Jasur, younger brother of Tahir and Ihaab Amini, with his deadly composite bow, pushed forward to take cover amongst the ancient ruins.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qR8vp7S8SfE9_NUkfJimZ4JkeDX8e7RJwe3DjOAen0YaCfzFl0vYaD6eclTUBzCdlwWSbrRq5_8fOMYaLBhPw-4jur1nnVo21GsLL4XGkX1Inh7hquQLWPRWw0MNm_maXZJ1pTbOSIGpdtHTdHtWUq62zjELYmKTADzw-OfPD7AWs0S1x2rq-sMeZHc/s2797/skir1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2797" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qR8vp7S8SfE9_NUkfJimZ4JkeDX8e7RJwe3DjOAen0YaCfzFl0vYaD6eclTUBzCdlwWSbrRq5_8fOMYaLBhPw-4jur1nnVo21GsLL4XGkX1Inh7hquQLWPRWw0MNm_maXZJ1pTbOSIGpdtHTdHtWUq62zjELYmKTADzw-OfPD7AWs0S1x2rq-sMeZHc/w400-h199/skir1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Norman spearman, Roulaund Renard, renowned for his speed and agility, soon took up cover at the corner of the farmhouse.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD7kr6BBXmSseX2xzVY8Pc5sYRindj5QeyFkdzkvuBYZLYYg3lDxjLiWQQatH0KR0VH2A47SduQ2nFll0a0eJLj1eNqCptg45dsK__sZ-kWUaW9li0w_OY-H1bAq5KaVBLXmwAB4gXPTyLZmOfWwh2IR0O9k2L0cwfLuCaCdZpNiD-aIkzuRBiPJLB2Y/s1715/skir2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1715" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD7kr6BBXmSseX2xzVY8Pc5sYRindj5QeyFkdzkvuBYZLYYg3lDxjLiWQQatH0KR0VH2A47SduQ2nFll0a0eJLj1eNqCptg45dsK__sZ-kWUaW9li0w_OY-H1bAq5KaVBLXmwAB4gXPTyLZmOfWwh2IR0O9k2L0cwfLuCaCdZpNiD-aIkzuRBiPJLB2Y/w400-h311/skir2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately for de Monceaux, Geoffrey the Archer couldn't resist bursting from cover to unleash an arrow at the approaching Kabeer and he found himself being targeted by Ihaab Amini... fortunately, the Saracen archer was not having the best of days and failed to hit his target.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNuKLnCd2xHqYGWIFYKqVfpn8eFnz7TdVU1GljOXMpybB0aDyYbpc0BYF1BZMsvKmwrDX913z5fNfw1PQAHKrxxbgjTSqQQBkcATJg4IR0wLFqWQUsFLG3BpIUYoMuJ7T7QCe-qHpHApfmB4gg-9v_uCEQ1V6u-vregTYX-67pgVHuJRCiR6dWRogc7Y/s2504/skir3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="2504" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNuKLnCd2xHqYGWIFYKqVfpn8eFnz7TdVU1GljOXMpybB0aDyYbpc0BYF1BZMsvKmwrDX913z5fNfw1PQAHKrxxbgjTSqQQBkcATJg4IR0wLFqWQUsFLG3BpIUYoMuJ7T7QCe-qHpHApfmB4gg-9v_uCEQ1V6u-vregTYX-67pgVHuJRCiR6dWRogc7Y/w400-h166/skir3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Tahir and his spearmen made good use of the cover provided by the lemon grove to approach their objective and the well was soon within their reach. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs59CgK-6uznmJAtYIOLGNaPPjIDOxVT4Njdz9w6snzRMgpI4sJUBldHalCXhFvuYouynBL8wBmCm37jk8rPOCb33-FkOM0rxHxHH2GG12rcboh3RCyNV1X5-45PUP5fjGLyrbMknsYkvmsb-vED7DmBJHkIi40wJT0j_yqQsgQEif5oSaJy25gvM8lA/s1872/skir4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1872" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs59CgK-6uznmJAtYIOLGNaPPjIDOxVT4Njdz9w6snzRMgpI4sJUBldHalCXhFvuYouynBL8wBmCm37jk8rPOCb33-FkOM0rxHxHH2GG12rcboh3RCyNV1X5-45PUP5fjGLyrbMknsYkvmsb-vED7DmBJHkIi40wJT0j_yqQsgQEif5oSaJy25gvM8lA/w400-h180/skir4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The hot-headed young Norman crossbowman, Nicolas Chameau, advanced from the cover of the beer barrels and loosed a shot at Saleem al Haq, at the far end of the enclosure. The shot failed to wound the archer but his faith temporarily abandoned him and he fled to the cover of a large wagon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiP6xU8i2hHsAXPo1_KitgpmBfNgES8VyOFiy_Qtz82oI6WA2Fw-SiJ1PkGkx7Yamk3FYS6yJgMNoHj2djHaWL7UfLSZmbbUFVGQxHFG_H_7G-A0RMB2TJeSflYwJLrZBf986MTxm7s6BOXS19Qh0DlBvN99xv3yYgUKHkv5arjckCWWZCmYctvne0hE/s2215/skir5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2215" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiP6xU8i2hHsAXPo1_KitgpmBfNgES8VyOFiy_Qtz82oI6WA2Fw-SiJ1PkGkx7Yamk3FYS6yJgMNoHj2djHaWL7UfLSZmbbUFVGQxHFG_H_7G-A0RMB2TJeSflYwJLrZBf986MTxm7s6BOXS19Qh0DlBvN99xv3yYgUKHkv5arjckCWWZCmYctvne0hE/w400-h256/skir5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Saleem was quickly able to recover his composure and, in no time at all, he was unleashing an arrow from his powerful composite bow, back in the direction of the crossbowman.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vAVh5F-Pk9Q1qhVXrSvBrmAd8LYE26Exapa1dzNPMITaHqtjyF91NXEsSuyQF1cMxA8rCyHXSXDpNOVQI67G3B-2ahQnpjdaW_oETFoJggYlBd63e8HYU6gUDMbFHKZ1-4J6CnEzXky-bwzMYv2dt1Y8k3P4hdWCT6TXCguuIq7qbjEnYTEMRU1ZqR0/s1687/skir6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1687" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vAVh5F-Pk9Q1qhVXrSvBrmAd8LYE26Exapa1dzNPMITaHqtjyF91NXEsSuyQF1cMxA8rCyHXSXDpNOVQI67G3B-2ahQnpjdaW_oETFoJggYlBd63e8HYU6gUDMbFHKZ1-4J6CnEzXky-bwzMYv2dt1Y8k3P4hdWCT6TXCguuIq7qbjEnYTEMRU1ZqR0/w400-h230/skir6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His accurate shooting caused the first casualty of the encounter...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS_gnklWyUn7Zii_-vjorY31t2r0g-hL-WPbE2PBMIHZUuyH-KIYaYpv2IjZWl1ES__8U6we4ThBileVFJ02k6vQN7JtkZuhlKq8O_hr2yw-QMUmxGneyiPLuTmIvs4isPfuFRsdduYyafTDwBd_cIWxZ-t7O2WDfrOSAVB001X2qNR5zkYZ0O8RgI7w/s1556/skir6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1556" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS_gnklWyUn7Zii_-vjorY31t2r0g-hL-WPbE2PBMIHZUuyH-KIYaYpv2IjZWl1ES__8U6we4ThBileVFJ02k6vQN7JtkZuhlKq8O_hr2yw-QMUmxGneyiPLuTmIvs4isPfuFRsdduYyafTDwBd_cIWxZ-t7O2WDfrOSAVB001X2qNR5zkYZ0O8RgI7w/w400-h308/skir6a.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and the young Norman crossbowman found himself taken down by the Saracen's lethal arrow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A5zRO4FjW6Hs9feNN58KY5svquiyyAJPdGuSk57toI6dQigqM0Kbf2Wb-FlkobUwkgnuMbNIhIJbs6QVJjhqNGMqONTYPRMiFAEymL7oO9IdTMpUFCEdkNVG4l2AIY7kGk-p-NTZL6gs9njHecizh1DzYXtbAdkDdKJKpTSaxCSNvNkATbNajiNPmyw/s1749/skir7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1749" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A5zRO4FjW6Hs9feNN58KY5svquiyyAJPdGuSk57toI6dQigqM0Kbf2Wb-FlkobUwkgnuMbNIhIJbs6QVJjhqNGMqONTYPRMiFAEymL7oO9IdTMpUFCEdkNVG4l2AIY7kGk-p-NTZL6gs9njHecizh1DzYXtbAdkDdKJKpTSaxCSNvNkATbNajiNPmyw/w400-h223/skir7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This phase of the encounter proved to be disastrous for the Normans, with one of their crossbowmen already taken down, the expert bowman, Munjid al Nazar, drew a deadly bead on the second, Marin Verrier...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrpVehazC-witK8jaHYEPtEAT0Z53aNGvyOyyq8mRySYXF9R5hRYf5gt121oyCS4QtwdC10gTDNRBY06b8Z9P0yWijz-fp4XpJobBunWyX1glmq-3ypuuCpm7Le4qzT7Coye3W2tVp0C9JBnXPIJISv7zhtFym0fyRl4yKcYMYEp8HxEtsH7VWyBxbmA/s1721/skir7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1721" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrpVehazC-witK8jaHYEPtEAT0Z53aNGvyOyyq8mRySYXF9R5hRYf5gt121oyCS4QtwdC10gTDNRBY06b8Z9P0yWijz-fp4XpJobBunWyX1glmq-3ypuuCpm7Le4qzT7Coye3W2tVp0C9JBnXPIJISv7zhtFym0fyRl4yKcYMYEp8HxEtsH7VWyBxbmA/w400-h230/skir7a.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In spite of the cover of the stone enclosure, the Saracen's arrow took Verrier down, leaving the Normans with no crossbows and only Geoffrey the Archer with the ability to strike from a distance!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBzJzqFtmQHI7f2rPma4FmwxWRNkbwN_n3J7L_LoqJcmKFpTk-Yi-I264PpkEItVbjFdaLjvifgYim7rerLnyr21Ukg3tm1rRJrJMjpQrFOo8GV2C6WIk7soMGVYh457I1o_SiKVVwxVb549NKEPNj4fmQJH3FrsFbC7MnBGPgvWwiBAk5dA3FIbd4LM/s1718/skir8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1718" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBzJzqFtmQHI7f2rPma4FmwxWRNkbwN_n3J7L_LoqJcmKFpTk-Yi-I264PpkEItVbjFdaLjvifgYim7rerLnyr21Ukg3tm1rRJrJMjpQrFOo8GV2C6WIk7soMGVYh457I1o_SiKVVwxVb549NKEPNj4fmQJH3FrsFbC7MnBGPgvWwiBAk5dA3FIbd4LM/w400-h238/skir8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing their chances of securing the well disappearing under the accurate fire power of the composite bows, Turstin Herisson dashed from the cover of the barrels, determined to get to grips with the enemy spearmen. In a blaze of unstoppable violence, he took down Ashraf Hameed...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJXiOhwYiT5cP0Cj9l7of_EYvpUSxd4p_uyHF8K_7hxjbLgtDk9JL6duKk01KoGc7DpGJFMNPDqlXU2RYG2duRm6VfM7IR3Fy5yLRD5SvTUYtqoTn-hRTxirYiaj7fmWUH63ZiTPnOX5w1sP8IaXS42iCLa3XJLX7up9XsD5dUJy_E0jiuRLg2lNt5hE/s1248/skir9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1248" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJXiOhwYiT5cP0Cj9l7of_EYvpUSxd4p_uyHF8K_7hxjbLgtDk9JL6duKk01KoGc7DpGJFMNPDqlXU2RYG2duRm6VfM7IR3Fy5yLRD5SvTUYtqoTn-hRTxirYiaj7fmWUH63ZiTPnOX5w1sP8IaXS42iCLa3XJLX7up9XsD5dUJy_E0jiuRLg2lNt5hE/w400-h308/skir9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">only to be instantly brought down himself by the flashing blade of the Saracen commander!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlmk1dPTO5SAYobUBHbdLm1hL9U6gNyyOVc7es-QSG1Ui3Z7PjSqJmrgAVQk7HDkG4neX_BghlUwBDVwjwXhPxS4T8uujKD0O-pjB6nbnF9N6acv5R47zSmUr2hfcqYJJgMgjk-oDSO-AiG9VHaX9u3vakLmerh9-wRoI_qpObLCn-8J24gxSGs1C_MA/s2233/skir91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="2233" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlmk1dPTO5SAYobUBHbdLm1hL9U6gNyyOVc7es-QSG1Ui3Z7PjSqJmrgAVQk7HDkG4neX_BghlUwBDVwjwXhPxS4T8uujKD0O-pjB6nbnF9N6acv5R47zSmUr2hfcqYJJgMgjk-oDSO-AiG9VHaX9u3vakLmerh9-wRoI_qpObLCn-8J24gxSGs1C_MA/w400-h205/skir91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With three of their number already out of action, the heavily armoured spearman, Henri Leverret, made the fatal error of giving Munjid al Nazar the slightest opportunity of unleashing one of his dangerous arrows...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkZTq7L1KSMYmia-bJ4LjtWL4Pj4MS_F79_X4wqweR6LGy3ukyMdzub1XdpbyXWhsDaA-sLerkx4Clw7ElSMh3QccyAyPFGHHrQN_KAkdiBf17hsHlJyvw8zSK-wCQPevRZTRgrx4L2j9r71uk94gHNxzZ_sKknpRCgpugy3_HWNa_CADRjr2NFLGfX0/s2234/skir91a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="2234" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkZTq7L1KSMYmia-bJ4LjtWL4Pj4MS_F79_X4wqweR6LGy3ukyMdzub1XdpbyXWhsDaA-sLerkx4Clw7ElSMh3QccyAyPFGHHrQN_KAkdiBf17hsHlJyvw8zSK-wCQPevRZTRgrx4L2j9r71uk94gHNxzZ_sKknpRCgpugy3_HWNa_CADRjr2NFLGfX0/w400-h160/skir91a.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and, in the flash of an arrow, another Norman was lying wounded in the Sicilian dust.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPaYcC5z6BjjveDPwRKnAFkqPrRiOKZf57jSdePkJM3Se-7A4uheunXoatgV6ep0uYm2DGvTnMzwqPkQZGrgRVKoJf0ht4ptoCQXzGQUZ0uRHZROk3aa4E8Yq8qOvBQCq9MFNb81okENnV47eCXZRa2N_IYsKHQUws4KuYT9OOhHHp0llGlMetbkZReE/s2008/skir92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="2008" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPaYcC5z6BjjveDPwRKnAFkqPrRiOKZf57jSdePkJM3Se-7A4uheunXoatgV6ep0uYm2DGvTnMzwqPkQZGrgRVKoJf0ht4ptoCQXzGQUZ0uRHZROk3aa4E8Yq8qOvBQCq9MFNb81okENnV47eCXZRa2N_IYsKHQUws4KuYT9OOhHHp0llGlMetbkZReE/w400-h180/skir92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In a final desperate throw of the dice, Roulaund Renard and the squire, Arnalt Pomeroy, hurled themselves against the line of Saracen spears and although Roulaund was able to bring down Shaheen al Akbari...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVs1ud1VVIu6HC8dNDOP8BQMsynN6pvnDp1HRIIbThe-0oYjajPu2PO-OQlkxBl5YOGG6cdrIs_ux0SpyB8VRo3kyEAiWXmkgVAPWPSU5MNzocd3Wnnhleg4k9f68BRDjAmvgaAqcn45T_A-H-BmxDeuvgt-0VNGkRSq2wMIi39YC5U8bNLO1lVtaz2g/s1870/skir93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1870" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVs1ud1VVIu6HC8dNDOP8BQMsynN6pvnDp1HRIIbThe-0oYjajPu2PO-OQlkxBl5YOGG6cdrIs_ux0SpyB8VRo3kyEAiWXmkgVAPWPSU5MNzocd3Wnnhleg4k9f68BRDjAmvgaAqcn45T_A-H-BmxDeuvgt-0VNGkRSq2wMIi39YC5U8bNLO1lVtaz2g/w400-h180/skir93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and the squire manged to hold his own against Kabeer al Jasur, Tancred, belatedly, realised that the day was lost and it was time to declare the better part of valour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The engagement at the farm was nothing short of a disaster for the Normans but they had learned important lessons, not least to be wary of the Saracen composite bow. Tancred would retire and lick his wounds but, with the indomitable spirit of his people, he would soon be back to take revenge upon those responsible for the losses amongst his company.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-39768246608531619342024-01-16T21:20:00.000+00:002024-01-16T21:20:23.992+00:00THE BARONS' WAR - DREAMING OF STEAK AND ALE PIE!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is a Tuesday morning game of Barons' War, fought across the dining room table, between a small force of Henry II's loyal northerners and a party of the Earl of Fife's Scots, foraging for much needed supplies.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYwhBwOafEAoWIV3RMFt9GJCol8JMCpX3PK_E_306NZpQtJ9wQYuovKVFIxPOk1C1XdtF_SKGsz03xkGUw0Qq3l6O2lKYeEhXLmAz7Z9bjPvJIzUjr42nRSpBaRqP4f_S0q30LID7NuCeeokbTeWv9IJus0OxY4eGyW7K4hnbVMgyn0uvN2thgY3-FCc/s1376/SGpic1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1376" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYwhBwOafEAoWIV3RMFt9GJCol8JMCpX3PK_E_306NZpQtJ9wQYuovKVFIxPOk1C1XdtF_SKGsz03xkGUw0Qq3l6O2lKYeEhXLmAz7Z9bjPvJIzUjr42nRSpBaRqP4f_S0q30LID7NuCeeokbTeWv9IJus0OxY4eGyW7K4hnbVMgyn0uvN2thgY3-FCc/w400-h315/SGpic1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The scene of the action, with the small English force emerging from a night's slumber!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Tis the year 1173 and our most gracious and beneficent liege lord, King Henry II, is beset by a sea of troubles. His troublesome brood, Henry the Young King, Richard, Duke of Aquitaine, Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany and John, lead by their treacherous mother, Queen Eleanor, are in open and armed rebellion against their lord and master and, in the far northern vastness of his noble kingdom, that perfidious wretch, King William, the Lion of Scotland, has seized upon King Henry's familial woes to raise up his armed host and embark upon a storm of pillage and destruction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the season of tribulation fast approaching, both Scot and Englishman are gathering about them precious supplies to see them through the austere days and months to come. Sir Hugh de Morville, skulking in the north, following his damnable slaying of that holy and venerated paragon, Thomas Beckett, has been tasked with guarding vital supplies, gathered at the village of Kimblesworth, before being moved to safer storage with his Grace, the Bishop of Durham.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="2133" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tACb4wC5QD0rHbzpoB21ZWV95BSvDHhdHs9kAhhhJZQXhyYR8CLbpFcB67w_FyCZ5Bf_wE2DahDm_0WwhQRMzCtkMDE6Pgmh7QFZ8bNjfvSbTAo4_Bjr9NopVtFRUNUmasNReH-Q2d5HSQtaEjuRXA_L_iYizf24mXAt8FPo-nOK-tFnbZglosF45sM/w320-h240/deMorville1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sir Hugh de Morville, nemesis of Troublesome Priests.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, word of these provisions has reached the noble ears of the Earl of Fife, commander of King William's forces in the area and he has despatched his trusted lieutenant, Sir Philip de Seton to drive off the English and take possession of the much needed bounty. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlDl-7ChmBfXPllPMDRmdLFhyTt4ilwEbHgdMl3upQ5nhUVu8BsCkY6z5dPvvf5Vfih4aUHCdS_EHFApoDqGaF2SwJtWxDQmXgNac37uk0vl07eMlSCbYJiLKWVOFVOi_tk2Jz-otmYK85RR6XkyoQRBNdgWv_xQFkfKHCdbHGU9hm1Tcqw96eVUF74E/s1564/SGpic2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1101" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlDl-7ChmBfXPllPMDRmdLFhyTt4ilwEbHgdMl3upQ5nhUVu8BsCkY6z5dPvvf5Vfih4aUHCdS_EHFApoDqGaF2SwJtWxDQmXgNac37uk0vl07eMlSCbYJiLKWVOFVOi_tk2Jz-otmYK85RR6XkyoQRBNdgWv_xQFkfKHCdbHGU9hm1Tcqw96eVUF74E/w281-h400/SGpic2.jpg" width="281" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The local levy bowmen prepared to face the heathen Scots, while the knights tumbled out of the farmhouse after a night of relative luxury!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjMqqT5fUo1oXBZI7RPuDA622XQT75ZzUJrca2iomXCXvWyria4YCjToQPheMiEWLg2tFEuJeW0baobw7vAIAUIybzRdqF-EZTGCjDbC_eZWCE-8A3k5_ANo_8q-DPs4ZitiL2KNVNDPsFQyp42rOxUHfeeLhDlrx1q5dGK_Tz4laQNgXh_l9gh3UnHE/s2140/SGpic3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2140" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjMqqT5fUo1oXBZI7RPuDA622XQT75ZzUJrca2iomXCXvWyria4YCjToQPheMiEWLg2tFEuJeW0baobw7vAIAUIybzRdqF-EZTGCjDbC_eZWCE-8A3k5_ANo_8q-DPs4ZitiL2KNVNDPsFQyp42rOxUHfeeLhDlrx1q5dGK_Tz4laQNgXh_l9gh3UnHE/w400-h204/SGpic3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The brave men of the Fyrd were tasked with keeping the cattle safe in their enclosure and out of the hungry hands of the Borderers.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW1KiJf1FwfoBV1G2OeDNHkjj9N6KJNtlGEmIzphl51xEcmwSKba5cDQpTX95TuXxzwcTrbdGRTejkSHEYkJtwSGVs8mTdzJPt7Nuk1cCM2Jo3d0zY6u98mF7LsZ7J7g2dKl2iCppzSx6m2xji8qyR989ptyh6kpMdMg_Dg2emHRiNpZijKORiQ7kwcE/s2116/SGpic4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="2116" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW1KiJf1FwfoBV1G2OeDNHkjj9N6KJNtlGEmIzphl51xEcmwSKba5cDQpTX95TuXxzwcTrbdGRTejkSHEYkJtwSGVs8mTdzJPt7Nuk1cCM2Jo3d0zY6u98mF7LsZ7J7g2dKl2iCppzSx6m2xji8qyR989ptyh6kpMdMg_Dg2emHRiNpZijKORiQ7kwcE/w400-h198/SGpic4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The nimble Borderers had no problem dashing through the wood to confront the Fyrd.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc_ZZ0oEExPNxG3ti1lrTTYkD1k5Sa0aiE9weYlS10cxlxXJ8bMyyyBRYXQbg00sLCUqG59BZSlsFtvGGlwcPKt7ypTLpQCFom5Db_7PJmIfdE4YXxo0bJi9LM7OzkzmVWAARmXsCG4iFS0iy86HYenyYoKN2GsYn5jfFFSEvA5qJvmagE8UHjoyCTuA/s2289/SGpic5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="2289" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc_ZZ0oEExPNxG3ti1lrTTYkD1k5Sa0aiE9weYlS10cxlxXJ8bMyyyBRYXQbg00sLCUqG59BZSlsFtvGGlwcPKt7ypTLpQCFom5Db_7PJmIfdE4YXxo0bJi9LM7OzkzmVWAARmXsCG4iFS0iy86HYenyYoKN2GsYn5jfFFSEvA5qJvmagE8UHjoyCTuA/w400-h166/SGpic5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sir Philip and his knights, the Scottish Lowland Spearmen and the lightly armoured Levy Spearmen advanced, determinedly to acquire the plunder awaiting them in the village.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LVWdSpjlqFKIwKrBl4-sTDZ76v_3jL2VzYWk3ucCtIzHGBVmP2D5IWnoMP2gSMpqBxjtAN7PdiOMkhuqj0DyHdgIIdsbEwiZNKRMZAa6r0hxjcp7h0mKXQgB0kcAy67xbQbb_i5znDRL2QeGKq9ZlOmcS4oKgBtphvd1HQcAd6p8QXW7M3seUZ3t9ak/s2320/SGpic6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="2320" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LVWdSpjlqFKIwKrBl4-sTDZ76v_3jL2VzYWk3ucCtIzHGBVmP2D5IWnoMP2gSMpqBxjtAN7PdiOMkhuqj0DyHdgIIdsbEwiZNKRMZAa6r0hxjcp7h0mKXQgB0kcAy67xbQbb_i5znDRL2QeGKq9ZlOmcS4oKgBtphvd1HQcAd6p8QXW7M3seUZ3t9ak/w400-h228/SGpic6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Sir Philip and the flower of Scottish chivalry!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0IuDyUBCtJ8q76mZTlwGdV77ZNV6QmSSy9NBDoLaHGtK8NjEoU8poSBjKFXOtTZahwSjw93q3wZWZ6Sh5dKW0oLL8XwO3bqXgkaNaG8wrGr22vNsX6Gwx_sOZ4XaDXdyTTMlEbC33XV6CNNtSQslyNypJ-69LACr0kNnhWLZlxR55zVnJ7NdmnDIMFE/s2094/SGpic7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="2094" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0IuDyUBCtJ8q76mZTlwGdV77ZNV6QmSSy9NBDoLaHGtK8NjEoU8poSBjKFXOtTZahwSjw93q3wZWZ6Sh5dKW0oLL8XwO3bqXgkaNaG8wrGr22vNsX6Gwx_sOZ4XaDXdyTTMlEbC33XV6CNNtSQslyNypJ-69LACr0kNnhWLZlxR55zVnJ7NdmnDIMFE/w400-h180/SGpic7.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">By the end of Turn 1, the English were in the process of taking up their defensive positions and the Scots were advancing menacingly upon the southern edge of the village.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg3fz8EahR8VeO_fBWgEVEFHmrzmUxbu3fK2tAhp6LN_G4KU7yROgEGNoYN7nhCf-GP3tCeV6ddsGrQXK0JLBmzQJKmy3Ye3sKa6qWxRzSi2msDwL6lT7gcL0rwUp7RqEU3jnWdkfzQ91NLylXoMxqHvKB7LRMTCVZIfkC1nll5ol3GklkN0CBJhaRcg/s2150/SGpic8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="2150" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg3fz8EahR8VeO_fBWgEVEFHmrzmUxbu3fK2tAhp6LN_G4KU7yROgEGNoYN7nhCf-GP3tCeV6ddsGrQXK0JLBmzQJKmy3Ye3sKa6qWxRzSi2msDwL6lT7gcL0rwUp7RqEU3jnWdkfzQ91NLylXoMxqHvKB7LRMTCVZIfkC1nll5ol3GklkN0CBJhaRcg/w400-h180/SGpic8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The English Levy bowmen displayed their inexperience, advancing to unleash a volley into the Lowland Spearmen, who took up a defensive stance just beyond the cover of the fence.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCpLxn7-fpiryGcCQxUXTSc_j_wNishywaeZxbQ4ThWl3bl0fD7KNbJuW2qPIE7WgzPLEketJvQtG7GjleYQcsuTzQGPVvUguNJGTftswBHVjyOdtTl4gOlCiyxU1L94IomMUaZgUqMquQ9UwEfCf8yi07zebcbPA86Evdb0MLawkMFTGqzTIQSuZ74U/s2171/SGpic9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="2171" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCpLxn7-fpiryGcCQxUXTSc_j_wNishywaeZxbQ4ThWl3bl0fD7KNbJuW2qPIE7WgzPLEketJvQtG7GjleYQcsuTzQGPVvUguNJGTftswBHVjyOdtTl4gOlCiyxU1L94IomMUaZgUqMquQ9UwEfCf8yi07zebcbPA86Evdb0MLawkMFTGqzTIQSuZ74U/w400-h201/SGpic9.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When you have pretty abysmal statistics, you really need to roll some pretty exceptional dice; unfortunately, the English bowmen singularly failed to do anything of the sort.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEDaYK-eqXxWnkwrk1U9IrMjd4mSQPSARMlCXEByElSzwHIxksvY2D8oxGFbiG3UjUURD7MVFw_w3VSM2hJ7Dqr6HaENraNQhVBkEEoFdFBccNo4ntx3dmJLoPa9IX57xzcUjJUYxFkYF-eXdPHVhFd0JR4eoY4tCpdtu0LhRP3Bj075onKROux8DHmE/s2246/SGpic91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="2246" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEDaYK-eqXxWnkwrk1U9IrMjd4mSQPSARMlCXEByElSzwHIxksvY2D8oxGFbiG3UjUURD7MVFw_w3VSM2hJ7Dqr6HaENraNQhVBkEEoFdFBccNo4ntx3dmJLoPa9IX57xzcUjJUYxFkYF-eXdPHVhFd0JR4eoY4tCpdtu0LhRP3Bj075onKROux8DHmE/w400-h180/SGpic91.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Scots, on the other hand, with their +2 defensive modifier, did enough to enable them to pour scorn upon the feeble efforts of yonder bowmen!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUm5ukDkGEyDZZ74_QeEv_YcPAIUxDFYrmeQpAIBwpZe9rBtDWXTQgZMVErxNp0AdJ-p9EAnz6gFX5LPckIXY12UDR27e6btqRm5TUsheLJYYiNYxzxuC3ENih2V-YFhMcJ-ysB1BXASS2yXvpiyTL80658Y95s0G6Dk2xjPdFbZN8fAyHYolEzRn_HY/s2344/SGpic92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="2344" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUm5ukDkGEyDZZ74_QeEv_YcPAIUxDFYrmeQpAIBwpZe9rBtDWXTQgZMVErxNp0AdJ-p9EAnz6gFX5LPckIXY12UDR27e6btqRm5TUsheLJYYiNYxzxuC3ENih2V-YFhMcJ-ysB1BXASS2yXvpiyTL80658Y95s0G6Dk2xjPdFbZN8fAyHYolEzRn_HY/w400-h180/SGpic92.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To pour salt into the English wounds, the spearmen were able to take advantage of the bowmen's ill advised advance and charge into a very one sided melee.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10mpygLNoDm4ltbaJPbwcfgFV9I8rGbw5dLzf-MzKPicfBo4n91JHCGN3GrK7n6vt7Mek_rFmjIjJMSuFnyl2rrW3VPCmjxTYIy-9Ezs2qCZEIKMvXQgUJkGkMBEJiEdySIvPWtBBhNs_6gjTUqR2vcHgIrpTmXScSJyiOKgKpXb3RYGArS9C_1iK-SI/s2135/SGpic93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="2135" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10mpygLNoDm4ltbaJPbwcfgFV9I8rGbw5dLzf-MzKPicfBo4n91JHCGN3GrK7n6vt7Mek_rFmjIjJMSuFnyl2rrW3VPCmjxTYIy-9Ezs2qCZEIKMvXQgUJkGkMBEJiEdySIvPWtBBhNs_6gjTUqR2vcHgIrpTmXScSJyiOKgKpXb3RYGArS9C_1iK-SI/w400-h208/SGpic93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fortunately, the Scots proved to be equally atrocious with their dice rolling and were only able to pick off one of the English bowmen.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XVEh5cquSvkF0cM1WPgwziMTDAiOeSR_wLZ0WFPOA-O1h9Jhv9FTWS2q7jQnhxR2GpZ2Du-Bq-cibK0OmtUCQoNaym4WW8DYbcN3RZNROinF-UMIb5ubFy8B6_gdb5J__Xm31Lro4Zi4wd6f25lST583rd82Qt2-uSfkocm3MUiwRAM9DVBhE6t1Ri0/s2028/SGpic94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="2028" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XVEh5cquSvkF0cM1WPgwziMTDAiOeSR_wLZ0WFPOA-O1h9Jhv9FTWS2q7jQnhxR2GpZ2Du-Bq-cibK0OmtUCQoNaym4WW8DYbcN3RZNROinF-UMIb5ubFy8B6_gdb5J__Xm31Lro4Zi4wd6f25lST583rd82Qt2-uSfkocm3MUiwRAM9DVBhE6t1Ri0/w400-h211/SGpic94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, on the right of the English defence, the Scottish Levy Spearmen launched the first of numerous assaults against the Bishop of Durham's spearmen, but were unable to make any headway against their staunch opposition. Indeed, this slogging match continued throughout the entire engagement with neither side able to make any progress against the other. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GG8JlWDJ6w2qOd_7EVnmouqH4004F0DMKIQqcLsIhfZ9TPq7cTpG4UE_AmJ3g6PmcJV1qS6IbterOY2gMo_Kk9MKgUvVBKls0AqAJzE27eM9pX0ie3rWBCYzyV-5czyXE0JII6Qr5eCb0Zn4G_rd_zU5JNcMXk8oNTZbyWMGcmgnTj0l2PVnSI6ffgc/s1876/SGpic95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1876" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GG8JlWDJ6w2qOd_7EVnmouqH4004F0DMKIQqcLsIhfZ9TPq7cTpG4UE_AmJ3g6PmcJV1qS6IbterOY2gMo_Kk9MKgUvVBKls0AqAJzE27eM9pX0ie3rWBCYzyV-5czyXE0JII6Qr5eCb0Zn4G_rd_zU5JNcMXk8oNTZbyWMGcmgnTj0l2PVnSI6ffgc/w400-h235/SGpic95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Thanks to Scottish spearmen's inability to put their opposition to the sword, the English bowmen were able to withdraw to the cover of the farmhouse, giving Sir Hugh and his knights the opportunity to charge into the fray.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgOwv_MJswt4b9bpmJ7LoAGq_fUqNGltltzBfJXE7bugtgdnGmYWyBrbToAZw-fTNIDkKJreZizBKyfyqN7dy7aDTpbw4FAAdrVEg41VZQ8tNwXtNShT6ojSYdRbxizu6lxrkrK4e17dhDFB_4FEam4_0K4BWlk7HkoaKPlLUr_CP5xbaSoFVwjhMcvE/s1982/SGpic96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1982" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgOwv_MJswt4b9bpmJ7LoAGq_fUqNGltltzBfJXE7bugtgdnGmYWyBrbToAZw-fTNIDkKJreZizBKyfyqN7dy7aDTpbw4FAAdrVEg41VZQ8tNwXtNShT6ojSYdRbxizu6lxrkrK4e17dhDFB_4FEam4_0K4BWlk7HkoaKPlLUr_CP5xbaSoFVwjhMcvE/w400-h209/SGpic96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Having dashed through the wood, the Borderers hurled themselves into the paddock, subjecting the English Fyrdmen to a hail of javelins and driving them broken from the field. The Bishop of Durham's prize herd was in the hands of the enemy and someone was destined to suffer the wrath of the irate prelate.</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZIjsXHoltsphs5DPQZbm1kX92hOsWV8GnfJ4shiU7sOet3RqWponfNaG1w7KvzYXE6Um4rjCLxpg98PO-8EXRaB6oPJRbltAHRIuAHmIt9hyphenhyphencCzPSuuTZ7AW9vesVH4vp3IHOq1bDbItU76Fa5aqvZMdU8vDi6Lh1C6IwQVsIRJVaqimGWYgaAvpPm4/s1796/SGpic97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1796" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZIjsXHoltsphs5DPQZbm1kX92hOsWV8GnfJ4shiU7sOet3RqWponfNaG1w7KvzYXE6Um4rjCLxpg98PO-8EXRaB6oPJRbltAHRIuAHmIt9hyphenhyphencCzPSuuTZ7AW9vesVH4vp3IHOq1bDbItU76Fa5aqvZMdU8vDi6Lh1C6IwQVsIRJVaqimGWYgaAvpPm4/w400-h211/SGpic97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Another shower of missiles and the Fyrd were slaughtered to a man... things were not looking good for Sir Hugh!</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyut9VUb7HTx3mJtarWly4XrSFaIsCje0e_3CEF91NDZnYSbcGBkfB9Bvtf5M8cVsUFVDXI3nGmF7ooBcmksT2VZwX_uaZjUilg2_qCiWuiKyhfvHMDnzwD66-CoGuIn3oflAWGfndkb0f29PRZXIPe3J_x8bEK_ldEIoEUkgPrFoDPoHwPVjLER2sjbc/s2155/SGpic98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="2155" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyut9VUb7HTx3mJtarWly4XrSFaIsCje0e_3CEF91NDZnYSbcGBkfB9Bvtf5M8cVsUFVDXI3nGmF7ooBcmksT2VZwX_uaZjUilg2_qCiWuiKyhfvHMDnzwD66-CoGuIn3oflAWGfndkb0f29PRZXIPe3J_x8bEK_ldEIoEUkgPrFoDPoHwPVjLER2sjbc/w400-h204/SGpic98.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having forced the Lowland Spearmen to break, Sir Hugh and his knights suddenly found themselves assailed by Sir Philip and his group of irregular knights. The climactic chapter of the battle had begun. The veteran English knights were superior in quality, but the Scots had the numeric advantage and they soon began to force the English back.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n0QtnVzop1tOVWMSxX3j24y7XJnOIrsl3C504VK4g6syDYguXqtpKLJm-qmhsL2Ng4JKLbbzGGtp5BZg7y9qm8OsDnXsNrub9CIvSUAHCSo7GoMKYulObu7RIQmLOzwRHXbiGYk-Tz9uUeeaWlc2TRar6EbfRdnL8hLOcAfgGgGdAfROBRdGBqax1pg/s1793/SGpic99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1793" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n0QtnVzop1tOVWMSxX3j24y7XJnOIrsl3C504VK4g6syDYguXqtpKLJm-qmhsL2Ng4JKLbbzGGtp5BZg7y9qm8OsDnXsNrub9CIvSUAHCSo7GoMKYulObu7RIQmLOzwRHXbiGYk-Tz9uUeeaWlc2TRar6EbfRdnL8hLOcAfgGgGdAfROBRdGBqax1pg/w400-h234/SGpic99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Scottish assault was remorseless and the English knights began to fall under the barrage of blows. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp4f4m_bsmjCbyVzg9OTKMjEIyiatuxtKALwP6Y8sEwkx-x1WruLKQ0t2Lo2ft6XlDYL3zhNn_vcyNRPGBwlJ924bw3Rxso48K0aXpHGQ0BLLnKcrR5IZ2ZH71yOzW4UPoZAiphWFDC-jt6msKz12B6TAHsTmMDql8Cex5LLtZ8-EQ4R0wSDAKFlNVYY/s2139/SGpic991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="2139" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp4f4m_bsmjCbyVzg9OTKMjEIyiatuxtKALwP6Y8sEwkx-x1WruLKQ0t2Lo2ft6XlDYL3zhNn_vcyNRPGBwlJ924bw3Rxso48K0aXpHGQ0BLLnKcrR5IZ2ZH71yOzW4UPoZAiphWFDC-jt6msKz12B6TAHsTmMDql8Cex5LLtZ8-EQ4R0wSDAKFlNVYY/w400-h180/SGpic991.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Ultimately, Sir Hugh and his one remaining knight broke under the relentless pressure and were forced to retreat from the fray.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhB2TNShV606-nKosjtzD_5SC6fL8UNY_kESHGTgib-B5aCDXoIYeTwHu1f1SOfmkdXZFJ3AZfE3iVUN2dR2ARaYrDi3JG2IMX1uA0apusavcxOx-8N73uN5ELkmnn0z5ncXMCLFTO683zCxTxLfB1deT2uUZ6cNQjT6fBjFKL2VOc8nHgp43aYaLZI/s1675/SGpic993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1675" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhB2TNShV606-nKosjtzD_5SC6fL8UNY_kESHGTgib-B5aCDXoIYeTwHu1f1SOfmkdXZFJ3AZfE3iVUN2dR2ARaYrDi3JG2IMX1uA0apusavcxOx-8N73uN5ELkmnn0z5ncXMCLFTO683zCxTxLfB1deT2uUZ6cNQjT6fBjFKL2VOc8nHgp43aYaLZI/w400-h236/SGpic993.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the English knights in retreat, Sir Philip lead his knights to secure the ultimate prize, before the wild and lawless Borderers could avail themselves of the inebriating liquor.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Victory, then, went to the Scots and it was they who would benefit from the supplies, which had been destined for the Bishop of Durham's storehouses. Sir Hugh de Morville, not for the first time, would have some serious explaining to do. The Bishop, however, was not the type of man to sit back and allow such a slight to go unpunished. The Scots would need to guard their gains adeptly as they could guarantee that the English would soon be back in action to regain their lost provisions. </span></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-30033366628305517072024-01-04T07:21:00.000+00:002024-01-04T07:21:36.102+00:00MESBG... GONDOR AND ISENGARD BRAWL FOR CONTROL OF THE DONE INN.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Done Inn stood dilapidated and derelict, where once
it had hustled and bustled, offering good food, good beer and a warm bed to
weary travellers.
For countless centuries, traders and wandering adventurers had emerged from the
forest of Filandan to behold the welcoming façade of the ancient tavern. Now, the inn lay in ruins, ransacked and despoiled by roaming bands of
Saruman's evil hordes. On this day, one such warband, lead by the
Lord of Isengard’s dependable lieutenant, Lurtz, was about to discover that raiding
the lands of Gondor was an enterprise that may not be undertaken with impunity.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ70A5BnHP1EaHqv7hpa4YyUsA8gpegX_pKVQlQOw-kHgpV1GWqoFukI6ALiqfpIWrZx143DOie0iwDnZ5T1GsneBP__rIRjtNA3t-OMbPvE3ryPfz35kJW1ZkgiNIXbPqf3TQa0CNrqmQKLNrfVivFd3joS7KsVr5dY0d950KCW1GTIVBMuVNDnJJbQ/s1999/pic1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1999" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ70A5BnHP1EaHqv7hpa4YyUsA8gpegX_pKVQlQOw-kHgpV1GWqoFukI6ALiqfpIWrZx143DOie0iwDnZ5T1GsneBP__rIRjtNA3t-OMbPvE3ryPfz35kJW1ZkgiNIXbPqf3TQa0CNrqmQKLNrfVivFd3joS7KsVr5dY0d950KCW1GTIVBMuVNDnJJbQ/w400-h176/pic1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The battlefield; the forest to the left and the Done Inn to the right, with farmland lying between the two.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZjMhOIaT_SgaKNBxAufMqczUn8CmPMV7VhRGouRbSLBs3U0BkzWoK7i42u2dR985O9yxuX2DPWLwM_29WYF30NkdjZSpBpUTfaanER-rv2hdO_4IOn6G67BES5p_v3KZobaO45fpGVF46ad2-6gbdQkAp47LQ0nsAkEdJRSmWJofBk5ZfXvq-Je_gEc/s2210/pic2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="2210" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZjMhOIaT_SgaKNBxAufMqczUn8CmPMV7VhRGouRbSLBs3U0BkzWoK7i42u2dR985O9yxuX2DPWLwM_29WYF30NkdjZSpBpUTfaanER-rv2hdO_4IOn6G67BES5p_v3KZobaO45fpGVF46ad2-6gbdQkAp47LQ0nsAkEdJRSmWJofBk5ZfXvq-Je_gEc/w400-h166/pic2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Boromir and Faramir arrive at the Done Inn, ready to defend the ramshackle hostelry with their lives. Damrod and a party of bow armed Minas Tirith warriors are approaching on the far side of the inn and an Avenger Bolt Thrower awaits its crew on the balcony, overlooking the entire battlefield. The majestic banner of Gondor flies proudly before the inn, inspiring Boromir's warriors to feats of courageous valour in defence of this sacred standard.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA-E4hokSC_jts4x4x-ulUVtTe7R-J7JU9l8FLLSo3Y0Owrg0bq5NRwl-Uv2NKwr48dExOMEEDJe1htsfJc0zfAnvFRpPdrOvDglNf9jXBhglnhsECnLKG6BgSZRammKY8rMISlcDHjsSZ9tQA9toUj4wHBh19QOuUEl4MeK3Y17QB2RMXGfmdvs_b9o/s2090/pic3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="2090" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA-E4hokSC_jts4x4x-ulUVtTe7R-J7JU9l8FLLSo3Y0Owrg0bq5NRwl-Uv2NKwr48dExOMEEDJe1htsfJc0zfAnvFRpPdrOvDglNf9jXBhglnhsECnLKG6BgSZRammKY8rMISlcDHjsSZ9tQA9toUj4wHBh19QOuUEl4MeK3Y17QB2RMXGfmdvs_b9o/w400-h180/pic3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Uruk-Hai march through the forest... Warriors on their left, Lurtz in the centre with his Scouts and the Shaman, Sycko, on the right with Berserkers and an armoured troll. The vicious Warg in the background decided not to participate in the battle, preferring to sleep on the sofa for four hours instead.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfC0sTI5tFG5YY2OW469DjZ9L_W8VQyoDv8qQiWEXks7AGSiWkenZqTuoT5tajlIwSU3XOK8e9tFYfchFsJuba_8Q9R3a5RCUBIs0KM8o2fFt9WK_2_cFiTuDNEbSgYqIsEEvgzI4qIWT-2Ig-jHrf-vVW_xmikkquTrczFDHuadHclRhKmAo-Mb6AV0/s2833/pic4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="2833" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfC0sTI5tFG5YY2OW469DjZ9L_W8VQyoDv8qQiWEXks7AGSiWkenZqTuoT5tajlIwSU3XOK8e9tFYfchFsJuba_8Q9R3a5RCUBIs0KM8o2fFt9WK_2_cFiTuDNEbSgYqIsEEvgzI4qIWT-2Ig-jHrf-vVW_xmikkquTrczFDHuadHclRhKmAo-Mb6AV0/w400-h180/pic4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Lurtz and his Scouts, being Woodland Creatures, burst out of the forest and head rapidly towards the hedged fields between them and the enemy. The Uruk-hai hero was hoping to draw Boromir's forces into the centre of the battlefield, where his archers could cut them down and clear the way for his flanking warbands to envelope the Gondorian line!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NmZah4eg3uD1ISOk2-dK824cbOfZ5noOehYFMY3ErggojVOnan0mtxuvhz8ff0A7clQcZRC71_Trh8kzviPVcINS5ZUcqrD9J5Mw5JuGsyJt4itTp1Uy0G1UjQtmQDFwfHP5y4A5QG6DJKMS12-zjoZ5rMkVdbCJ86nwJ0kUppiZrmkNzlSlV_1OsSw/s2998/pic5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="2998" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NmZah4eg3uD1ISOk2-dK824cbOfZ5noOehYFMY3ErggojVOnan0mtxuvhz8ff0A7clQcZRC71_Trh8kzviPVcINS5ZUcqrD9J5Mw5JuGsyJt4itTp1Uy0G1UjQtmQDFwfHP5y4A5QG6DJKMS12-zjoZ5rMkVdbCJ86nwJ0kUppiZrmkNzlSlV_1OsSw/w400-h180/pic5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Boromir and Faramir lead their warbands forward from the cover of the inn, looking to form a defensive line between the farm buildings.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xd3Kk3CnLV_ImkLPMl2QIXzPtLnusks8Uy3lY2ZtlvJBw_RjPrs1W-VfqRy4K9I8GDEXrHc1e8nhK6qj5bHb3Ok1kvPXtKQ79Rrp3k29vGmyUzjaR_lc_myumeS0fpAHrOl2pXCyu786qI2FrGb5fbKaXS7BUSe6-jPytfR3gdgftUlSRkVLB_wsVLA/s2525/pic6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="2525" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xd3Kk3CnLV_ImkLPMl2QIXzPtLnusks8Uy3lY2ZtlvJBw_RjPrs1W-VfqRy4K9I8GDEXrHc1e8nhK6qj5bHb3Ok1kvPXtKQ79Rrp3k29vGmyUzjaR_lc_myumeS0fpAHrOl2pXCyu786qI2FrGb5fbKaXS7BUSe6-jPytfR3gdgftUlSRkVLB_wsVLA/w400-h204/pic6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Damrod's archers move forward and take up positions to rain down death upon the advancing Uruks. The plucky Pippin Took scurries, hobbit like, to the position of honour, defending the Gondorian banner, a task bestowed upon him personally by Boromir.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMqJL2uVYK_cKyqoo_05gIF-h5UMGq_tM5VxyEo17eO-9rgE9sIhYr6A12HZnxptvvGBWy6hI7_JK3slDCu5jQYHvwC2BKFH8JcthXIp-uxtpFrZlZjHWVu8x9XSLFPTWIDwZTESXP0hG0Nx6kWdFiMxTSmtHJUICGMG5CaHU9TsBuXKUbo01miL1OaA/s1895/pic7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1895" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMqJL2uVYK_cKyqoo_05gIF-h5UMGq_tM5VxyEo17eO-9rgE9sIhYr6A12HZnxptvvGBWy6hI7_JK3slDCu5jQYHvwC2BKFH8JcthXIp-uxtpFrZlZjHWVu8x9XSLFPTWIDwZTESXP0hG0Nx6kWdFiMxTSmtHJUICGMG5CaHU9TsBuXKUbo01miL1OaA/w400-h213/pic7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The tension mounts as the Uruk Scouts hurl themselves into the fields and advance swiftly towards the foe. However, some find themselves the objects of Lurtz's displeasure, as they flounder like bewildered idiots and fail to find a way through the hedge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelgwvekI7M0UWkunaecALXPBM8AtXTryj2ueG05_Q_PDeTgu_W0lxBUPEr52NdqhKWQgLCHHVmlmVX_JeLZrZU50XdxkkFzXfohwBQbnYPTyFoh83OezHjBZUqCFalP-qkttL4k468NSa4-Zl1BIujGQeAEeweqVeS6dY8XlnwmDxflbZ4bhiLlDvdN8/s2301/pic8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2301" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelgwvekI7M0UWkunaecALXPBM8AtXTryj2ueG05_Q_PDeTgu_W0lxBUPEr52NdqhKWQgLCHHVmlmVX_JeLZrZU50XdxkkFzXfohwBQbnYPTyFoh83OezHjBZUqCFalP-qkttL4k468NSa4-Zl1BIujGQeAEeweqVeS6dY8XlnwmDxflbZ4bhiLlDvdN8/w400-h180/pic8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Eventually, having suffered significant casualties from the bolt thrower and the Gondorian bowmen, the Uruks manage to engage with the enemy, having successfully drawn Boromir away from his younger brother to defend the banner and prevent it falling into the evil hands of Saruman's followers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAyKd5Ii0re-MTHlY2H-WKOrn3vYJ2LN1Dp7RHNU_nvsy5bfjcIqKCPqY2t1vpBbT0rlCJsdnaOXyhaXzxjYfiMLClXdt-YQZ0oPV2qXfslF_WX_xyCQ6Tl__Tva36QnABcl2Gb8ZoZ5p6cdJ2hVIIZCqDojZkbsJQTE7zdoDX8_CrkxgXGGJQiQCs3w/s2421/pic9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="2421" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAyKd5Ii0re-MTHlY2H-WKOrn3vYJ2LN1Dp7RHNU_nvsy5bfjcIqKCPqY2t1vpBbT0rlCJsdnaOXyhaXzxjYfiMLClXdt-YQZ0oPV2qXfslF_WX_xyCQ6Tl__Tva36QnABcl2Gb8ZoZ5p6cdJ2hVIIZCqDojZkbsJQTE7zdoDX8_CrkxgXGGJQiQCs3w/w400-h180/pic9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Lurtz's cunning plan begins to unfold as the Uruk Warriors begin their advance steadily towards the Gondorian right flank. However, Faramir, Captain of Gondor and his valiant rangers, even though they are vastly outnumbered, line the opposite hedgerow and begin to unleash a constant hail of arrows in an attempt to halt the remorseless advance of the enemy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CFahMngRiA8tSb-fazAw-S8vmYxt4HpPiLBc3hswf6qpDuT2dAOt0rmbyObgXcIxO_BqrpX9r0588UXygYAX0oSosMAcOEuhqNOmPlL7W2gSyCaWY8xjt-ox6IX_-cPF2YbiU46hphMbsWLiYjFaFWReAN6JjDoKRjquhnnujfGg8-HTZnTSCLSCkeo/s2811/pic91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="2811" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CFahMngRiA8tSb-fazAw-S8vmYxt4HpPiLBc3hswf6qpDuT2dAOt0rmbyObgXcIxO_BqrpX9r0588UXygYAX0oSosMAcOEuhqNOmPlL7W2gSyCaWY8xjt-ox6IX_-cPF2YbiU46hphMbsWLiYjFaFWReAN6JjDoKRjquhnnujfGg8-HTZnTSCLSCkeo/w400-h180/pic91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Uruk hoard is made to pay for every step of their advance by the withering hail of fire laid down by the bolt thrower and its merciless crew of engineers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW9Q6RrWlekNwwE8kLGwcD63njMbzYmVGzW6SAMcLR3p4v4SMIm9w_adRbBZZNb2uER3bRawSzCNB_M14YRbRCZqpv_Tqql0fKHsN9zjpmbBLKFLIWGzPTdwmpZbK3Jb5jTAfPb3krw4ym2W-Rw5HUYKY7OsVeAl4fQhJRscpXNaIviKaOyP2lknTTB0/s2338/pic92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="2338" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW9Q6RrWlekNwwE8kLGwcD63njMbzYmVGzW6SAMcLR3p4v4SMIm9w_adRbBZZNb2uER3bRawSzCNB_M14YRbRCZqpv_Tqql0fKHsN9zjpmbBLKFLIWGzPTdwmpZbK3Jb5jTAfPb3krw4ym2W-Rw5HUYKY7OsVeAl4fQhJRscpXNaIviKaOyP2lknTTB0/w400-h180/pic92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Uruk Scouts arriving piecemeal into the action by the Pigsty, it begins to look as though Gondor will gain the upper hand in this most desperate and bloody of struggles... casualties on the evil side begin to mount to dangerous levels and Lurtz's battle plan seems to be unravelling due to the valour, fortitude and deadly missile fire of Gondor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0sSpPFM9KFUTvRzWZc7RbwzkmVuqrHmk83j6djeD_xgmg1gLmlVkGAk78L5YFQYVrdToWEjT6nBR3VihsvJn1BtEiWvPQoL36V3qPFPla6Pa4XOf7qP3_8JiZcrpejcblDbg3-2lPoquB2gol7OEZom5XDgvhXNsrVhb79QoLYgYYmojQs7HnRlS7xE/s2559/pic93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2559" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0sSpPFM9KFUTvRzWZc7RbwzkmVuqrHmk83j6djeD_xgmg1gLmlVkGAk78L5YFQYVrdToWEjT6nBR3VihsvJn1BtEiWvPQoL36V3qPFPla6Pa4XOf7qP3_8JiZcrpejcblDbg3-2lPoquB2gol7OEZom5XDgvhXNsrVhb79QoLYgYYmojQs7HnRlS7xE/w400-h180/pic93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In warfare, timing is the crucial and deciding factor. It is only now that Lurtz gives the signal for the Shaman, Sycko to begin his attack and the dreaded Berserkers and the lofty troll finally begin their advance on the Gondorian left flank.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nJKdxlJRQj8uavv1pXci7nQgAFAcs_N5rptGWbnhGCqJHsFw-mKPdJTuha4T2-L4sjB_hj2SH9fD93YUVwp00cQuMeq4BpX04JnaMKPyIxG4qzEc90I8zZiPdr8QZj386aQUjpweDow_a8m0bWv3G81nOmy0Hq8IJRt1gWtW0go6IHufOxNfsPl5AQM/s2356/pic94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="2356" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nJKdxlJRQj8uavv1pXci7nQgAFAcs_N5rptGWbnhGCqJHsFw-mKPdJTuha4T2-L4sjB_hj2SH9fD93YUVwp00cQuMeq4BpX04JnaMKPyIxG4qzEc90I8zZiPdr8QZj386aQUjpweDow_a8m0bWv3G81nOmy0Hq8IJRt1gWtW0go6IHufOxNfsPl5AQM/w400-h180/pic94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Just at this crucial part of the battle, the Uruk warriors on the opposite flank begin to bear down upon Faramir's thin green line defending the final hedge, before they would eventually explode into the open ground beyond.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqTyX8dJKOVNp1iqpiRPjMp2zoDUjZFfOSTLVZzNySZNC1qrcAYvDEkINrraT2mdLkJuJxa2TEPEOfT8rLT3_Tx0XtzeBTGbZ1i88gQRSukx8hKZWimd-ml7CHw2JioKVlL1If_Rz9QwJhJgtyoV4c45cPb4Pa_zgbQ0-3b83aoyKznshgbRSv74uD-I/s2092/pic95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="2092" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqTyX8dJKOVNp1iqpiRPjMp2zoDUjZFfOSTLVZzNySZNC1qrcAYvDEkINrraT2mdLkJuJxa2TEPEOfT8rLT3_Tx0XtzeBTGbZ1i88gQRSukx8hKZWimd-ml7CHw2JioKVlL1If_Rz9QwJhJgtyoV4c45cPb4Pa_zgbQ0-3b83aoyKznshgbRSv74uD-I/w400-h180/pic95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">From behind the screen of swordsmen, the Uruk Scout archers are now in position to send their own hail of death dealing arrows into Boromir's desperately thin defensive line and, more importantly, to target the engineers manning the destructive bolt thrower.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniNFPliYSgw3l0b3uXRZFbtyhaUJ94_14Puiso2J5grMAtYyNxLD40HZYcyXx0o04rJBGZYVJn2-a8dDhtXlBavtu7tcUfb9hkWJPjyYTsN-zsnIGuVoxu5I27xXQkOEOjL2GwgPa_1n0jnQMwb3zGW-Nm7L156iokZL2h95ZjvHNdzkARw1SlC6Ux68/s2484/pic99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="2484" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniNFPliYSgw3l0b3uXRZFbtyhaUJ94_14Puiso2J5grMAtYyNxLD40HZYcyXx0o04rJBGZYVJn2-a8dDhtXlBavtu7tcUfb9hkWJPjyYTsN-zsnIGuVoxu5I27xXQkOEOjL2GwgPa_1n0jnQMwb3zGW-Nm7L156iokZL2h95ZjvHNdzkARw1SlC6Ux68/w400-h180/pic99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the Isengard troll pushes further around the Gondorian flank, Boromir and his few remaining warriors are, once more, forced to extend their line to counter the arrival of this gargantuan, fearsome beast...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV7u2-lAuu3WE8VtS8cDifseDx808xfL9AFwhwvuUrmnSgKhkrmbxlEJZsvkz1CjOxcOKBdcoi3_b3IK68M0ya1-KYQ0inQDyqY_EPkn-buSBtlerbtUjqsx0-MVmxONCwvfjQmRPxWhSBOXwSKQnWsrqZLCLG2IW5jpfDYM8a3QLgu0BAClHUAkQ0jc/s2372/pic911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="2372" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV7u2-lAuu3WE8VtS8cDifseDx808xfL9AFwhwvuUrmnSgKhkrmbxlEJZsvkz1CjOxcOKBdcoi3_b3IK68M0ya1-KYQ0inQDyqY_EPkn-buSBtlerbtUjqsx0-MVmxONCwvfjQmRPxWhSBOXwSKQnWsrqZLCLG2IW5jpfDYM8a3QLgu0BAClHUAkQ0jc/w400-h180/pic911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For the handsome and brave Damrod, the arrival of Sycko and his dreadful Berserkers proves too much and his courageous action to halt the tide of Isengard reaching Pippin and the banner comes to an end in a flurry of maniacal slashing blades.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzMb-dg-4va317LFrER5fdQ_njWXZzLEMewuuH-QtssIPDnfWMGak1soylV2z_NCo54KrcSfShWuoV7zPt29ERnAkq5uIoP4wLfDHnZAYgUhEVauVOOXvhbNBrp6pdxslbdd3g_HLTn6bdsselYbak1UiXGXi-DmxU_Kfkvnd7h3Zzi1mUAwJQqV1Qs/s2504/pic916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="2504" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzMb-dg-4va317LFrER5fdQ_njWXZzLEMewuuH-QtssIPDnfWMGak1soylV2z_NCo54KrcSfShWuoV7zPt29ERnAkq5uIoP4wLfDHnZAYgUhEVauVOOXvhbNBrp6pdxslbdd3g_HLTn6bdsselYbak1UiXGXi-DmxU_Kfkvnd7h3Zzi1mUAwJQqV1Qs/w400-h180/pic916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Time and time again, Boromir overcomes his fear and dread to charge into the immense mass of the troll, but neither could gain the upper hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfd4s_c5wLM_97kyMZZa72hB0fOPmdTTxHY8N776tnegjMgrG_nQ_6ohCjS-6gR6XhCuX3uEDUTBCJeZXskT3ukPO36N1O5yLoaqO9EjNEl_OWtRMIb_KoiFFpMOq9GAviLAVU6RewGuC7khLG280pgTCs4moKtL5ETxXr40Jfeoe4fLtcF7ibUnK920/s2361/pic9192.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="2361" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfd4s_c5wLM_97kyMZZa72hB0fOPmdTTxHY8N776tnegjMgrG_nQ_6ohCjS-6gR6XhCuX3uEDUTBCJeZXskT3ukPO36N1O5yLoaqO9EjNEl_OWtRMIb_KoiFFpMOq9GAviLAVU6RewGuC7khLG280pgTCs4moKtL5ETxXr40Jfeoe4fLtcF7ibUnK920/w400-h219/pic9192.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq34mPY0ZK4CxPAnD9NQtukpWcjgndYm0vY8TMEeDPuF_U0Vhf8TnefzkKc-XrIExJv7cdU4beqGJAV56vUV5hV_SKB3mY0xDEWwIioy_atJ4AiZkeIBtVe1ntDOY9YykPlt5KLssWfCen_HI8mSExtVf9EXsHkVn4GiOitizp6daGsX4AioywmdrUzM/s2751/pic919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="2751" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq34mPY0ZK4CxPAnD9NQtukpWcjgndYm0vY8TMEeDPuF_U0Vhf8TnefzkKc-XrIExJv7cdU4beqGJAV56vUV5hV_SKB3mY0xDEWwIioy_atJ4AiZkeIBtVe1ntDOY9YykPlt5KLssWfCen_HI8mSExtVf9EXsHkVn4GiOitizp6daGsX4AioywmdrUzM/w400-h180/pic919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">All across the battlefield, outnumbered Gondor warriors bravely face the relentless advancing hordes of darkness...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZhFULQ61gZh7p7rupR9YxWyBRP4LI55Gj1lGxwq3wE7KW_sAZqxG2TEVtLozuo0oa0uGGURms3jdg7D5UPxuvkWo8hQyA3aQd4-ZzP6r_tcZSZfsDlDY9knzIaaYULzo4ILhsSfeLVwyWgdbsFtEVgF9LSKZnRBtz-Cceq4uQ2mHMZLKgaF1fYSl8Zk/s2791/pic9191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="2791" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZhFULQ61gZh7p7rupR9YxWyBRP4LI55Gj1lGxwq3wE7KW_sAZqxG2TEVtLozuo0oa0uGGURms3jdg7D5UPxuvkWo8hQyA3aQd4-ZzP6r_tcZSZfsDlDY9knzIaaYULzo4ILhsSfeLVwyWgdbsFtEVgF9LSKZnRBtz-Cceq4uQ2mHMZLKgaF1fYSl8Zk/w400-h180/pic9191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCIV_6a2Ayhf25LAi0vYM_VOXYZYYlg4Wde5IzuM2IcytNUIrOjLDVttmjTVvRI3CbIYNpgoL3cDT8qhA_f9-xC1rCR2THS-2SZaWBFXSLiLC_ICMZnM-OdlCTJmfX3lCBnwM-zl7lMWylQJDHWAvvUXh_KunLo9lQbRhvXLdaDXvlfhx3w2FSqBy1_s/s2413/pic9193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="1394" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCIV_6a2Ayhf25LAi0vYM_VOXYZYYlg4Wde5IzuM2IcytNUIrOjLDVttmjTVvRI3CbIYNpgoL3cDT8qhA_f9-xC1rCR2THS-2SZaWBFXSLiLC_ICMZnM-OdlCTJmfX3lCBnwM-zl7lMWylQJDHWAvvUXh_KunLo9lQbRhvXLdaDXvlfhx3w2FSqBy1_s/w231-h400/pic9193.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">until, with the defenders either slain or fleeing the field, the banner of Gondor falls into the hands of Lurtz and his Uruk horde.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The battle raged, swinging first one way and then the other, for over four hours, pausing, only fleetingly, while the commanders took a break from the slaughter, to dine on over-cooked pizza. Ultimately, victory came when the Gondorians reached that point where some of their number began to slip silently away from the battlefield and, even the stout and doughty Pippin felt compelled to abandon his position of honour as the evil minions of Sauron bore relentlessly down upon him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_X-pA690pAHp-SqC9He0zYAHMshSL6tZJe66F1EsR3nbFvzh85uhrUmaQKNoJgtG848VZIx9hizRppDX6-499W8Es3vPMov9uqXmeUFKvPTTTB4e7jl4mhLzRrWgUYD0iiLTXZwNGx1B6ttitNZcAeVxLXW3oBu33FFUvcw4zCBnDiJJE9kQISrxOcQ/s2278/pic918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2278" data-original-width="1330" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_X-pA690pAHp-SqC9He0zYAHMshSL6tZJe66F1EsR3nbFvzh85uhrUmaQKNoJgtG848VZIx9hizRppDX6-499W8Es3vPMov9uqXmeUFKvPTTTB4e7jl4mhLzRrWgUYD0iiLTXZwNGx1B6ttitNZcAeVxLXW3oBu33FFUvcw4zCBnDiJJE9kQISrxOcQ/w234-h400/pic918.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment when Pippin begins to consider the prospect of no more second breakfasts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-2538052245694156942023-10-11T19:16:00.001+00:002024-01-04T15:48:48.071+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS... BLOODBATH AT GROANHENGE!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having recently arrived in the ancient homeland of the haughty and proud Basmatii tribe, Centurion Perfidius of auxiliary Cohors X Flavian Conundrum, had decided to impress upon the natives the overwhelming power of Rome, by leading a raid to the sacred druidic site of Groanhenge, with the intention of enjoying a raucous carnival of roistering and debauchery on the hallowed spot, thus proving once and for all to the barbarian Celts that their religion was naught but empty-headed tomfoolery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd6PqWDe1gdQGoxlRqU13P1uHtXnP1d9jBf2K2mJl0nUQgYvfChvj5NN6OCzyMjri9KM2TO_mQKpP3fYR-_jqxie5zt2OXIwSjjkxyfO_Fm4PQvRa2x7Vm9pDx-ekkLCYH0v_5ay1biwu4hm3Ycw6ijk2zzAIS_Y1TKsC8E7AzNlWIe65fDtVo8g8uI4/s2345/Titus.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="2345" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd6PqWDe1gdQGoxlRqU13P1uHtXnP1d9jBf2K2mJl0nUQgYvfChvj5NN6OCzyMjri9KM2TO_mQKpP3fYR-_jqxie5zt2OXIwSjjkxyfO_Fm4PQvRa2x7Vm9pDx-ekkLCYH0v_5ay1biwu4hm3Ycw6ijk2zzAIS_Y1TKsC8E7AzNlWIe65fDtVo8g8uI4/s320/Titus.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The local trader and wine importer extraordinaire, Titus Rectum was happy to risk a confrontation with the Basmatii, knowing that the Romans would pay handsomely for his goods, which they could enjoy while desecrating the much venerated druidic stone circle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sDrGZS8MGQaAeavn53aQqk1XfIZE3L24LavH96W3jIbTjYJjwQArhXgwY1MvlA87rhQ5mEyoHh0brJTLWWO_lPuQxYEUQoULV6FE1EecMUcjn8Uv9Qddc5W1yMgZ52eQ_XCZN4XHHmNRr67dwZ8_4nuvcQTvRRN6TBMpoJrhHoiG2eZH6QOKdZTQpU8/s1548/groanhenge.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1548" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sDrGZS8MGQaAeavn53aQqk1XfIZE3L24LavH96W3jIbTjYJjwQArhXgwY1MvlA87rhQ5mEyoHh0brJTLWWO_lPuQxYEUQoULV6FE1EecMUcjn8Uv9Qddc5W1yMgZ52eQ_XCZN4XHHmNRr67dwZ8_4nuvcQTvRRN6TBMpoJrhHoiG2eZH6QOKdZTQpU8/s320/groanhenge.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The sacred site of Groanhenge stood magnificently in the middle of the Uaine Plain, with the Moaning Swamp in the foreground and the Overgrown Forest beyond. The Romans approached the battlefield from the far side of the forest, while the Celts would have to navigate the swamp before they could attempt to defend the henge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFDjKJxryleO2ssEeTMu8VsNsFSSnNil1g2c8cpFrkQSOUnlsSSLamp_kEKU_JMYN9M_u-eWQZ4XEWf3jaobzoPbHsLXPxuCy6Wy5WFE-KBPYS5ElGMOPNhnc5lyTFTqfOUY_sk7A5E3fmWm90Oz73GWOglSGHzvRYp78HeU7pqhrOYJFKrFEx56pmCQ/s1626/Rcom.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1626" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFDjKJxryleO2ssEeTMu8VsNsFSSnNil1g2c8cpFrkQSOUnlsSSLamp_kEKU_JMYN9M_u-eWQZ4XEWf3jaobzoPbHsLXPxuCy6Wy5WFE-KBPYS5ElGMOPNhnc5lyTFTqfOUY_sk7A5E3fmWm90Oz73GWOglSGHzvRYp78HeU7pqhrOYJFKrFEx56pmCQ/s320/Rcom.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Centurion Perfidius, on the left, and his trusty and faithful Optio, Odius would lead an ad hoc group of auxiliaries, taken from several cohortes based at the nearby Roman camp. In total, they had three contubernia under their command, all armed with heavy throwing weapons and protected by mail armour and large heavy shields.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOH2tEvrScwaGyujfDcOUEspHiGPo74t-YEcLczCgXD3UeICGhGYaeXmDXk_U6YDc0NpGb8Uxm00oZnDrumeriIYspIyo0XObtl7A82GDrfs0hR9q4Y0ydhF-NAtP79VrefbzZZXCmI3zlXRaiEEykbzfIwMlPisbbqOeMGjRoqEsRGFFk2TS_im2shM/s1595/Ccom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1595" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOH2tEvrScwaGyujfDcOUEspHiGPo74t-YEcLczCgXD3UeICGhGYaeXmDXk_U6YDc0NpGb8Uxm00oZnDrumeriIYspIyo0XObtl7A82GDrfs0hR9q4Y0ydhF-NAtP79VrefbzZZXCmI3zlXRaiEEykbzfIwMlPisbbqOeMGjRoqEsRGFFk2TS_im2shM/s320/Ccom.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Determined to punish the Roman invaders for their contempt and downright rudeness, two local Basmatii chieftains, Orthopedix and Spondulix, set off from their nearby hill fort with a warband consisting of a small group of Nobles, a unit of Warriors, two units of javelin armed skirmishers and a much feared unit of slingers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczRXFHyixeROAy8fectrGX2Jpugg2WhNCAYintlX7yFBKKw7MzWKnrE_isYu6sGCs5-ofaNk46JdkPrkO6reJ3WdoQeua5bb6Q9sHVjGULVyveJwULpbdzwxwAcdVQlylL0y7aplU3IVvfRgAhlJUvfvJyNBv6UQcYIhkWBl9bQ2f2nkiyWLx5O2RMp8/s2099/Action1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="2099" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczRXFHyixeROAy8fectrGX2Jpugg2WhNCAYintlX7yFBKKw7MzWKnrE_isYu6sGCs5-ofaNk46JdkPrkO6reJ3WdoQeua5bb6Q9sHVjGULVyveJwULpbdzwxwAcdVQlylL0y7aplU3IVvfRgAhlJUvfvJyNBv6UQcYIhkWBl9bQ2f2nkiyWLx5O2RMp8/w400-h150/Action1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The forces from both sides arrived piecemeal onto the battlefield, with the Celts bringing on two of their units per turn in the corner by the swamp, while the Romans brought on a single unit per turn on the opposite corner beyond the forest. First to arrive for the Celts, was Orthopedix with units of javelin men and slingers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tqoj2zGFpSVP3sFiifh5KcwLu2iCh1YQb6jePDF045ymlVKj-_cqL4TWa_yULPlTSzaOuhubssGJDE0SZnUvPhC3q0l4zysXDCUzEY0rgWm8GyUoP6jIHW9M8UaAjEf2O13n6ctPON4gDOlywO4y7REVkETOXSoqrIs5ldhSic4iRqb5Go8Hg-8BlJQ/s2361/Action2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="2361" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tqoj2zGFpSVP3sFiifh5KcwLu2iCh1YQb6jePDF045ymlVKj-_cqL4TWa_yULPlTSzaOuhubssGJDE0SZnUvPhC3q0l4zysXDCUzEY0rgWm8GyUoP6jIHW9M8UaAjEf2O13n6ctPON4gDOlywO4y7REVkETOXSoqrIs5ldhSic4iRqb5Go8Hg-8BlJQ/w400-h151/Action2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite side of the plain, Optio Odius marched a contubernium of auxiliaries rapidly past the forest and on towards Groanhenge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCLJP2UH8PXfqTjvoKbWGswsmZg_0yQDSS3aP5FSZeYfuxXf1fy2YK1NeYEKPTpdgjBMivUUyfh-L4pZIqrO6mzxiUwE4D3vLIFZn1Oi31v5RkMsG72p-lJePaq1gytigLKNtOEe2YlBzPNLcxU8HPuG2tSACs-zVmdN5urToLKf8KU06AbvZat_oc2w/s1330/Action3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1330" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCLJP2UH8PXfqTjvoKbWGswsmZg_0yQDSS3aP5FSZeYfuxXf1fy2YK1NeYEKPTpdgjBMivUUyfh-L4pZIqrO6mzxiUwE4D3vLIFZn1Oi31v5RkMsG72p-lJePaq1gytigLKNtOEe2YlBzPNLcxU8HPuG2tSACs-zVmdN5urToLKf8KU06AbvZat_oc2w/s320/Action3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Orthopedix responded to the Roman aggression by pushing his light troops towards the swamp, knowing that the difficult terrain would neither slow them down or cause any fatigue. The wily Orthopedix knew that should his missile armed skirmishers be beaten to the target, they would be able to grind the Romans down with javelins and stones.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiK10tga6zzYc8h-DLrjREL3LWwrP2JJj7Nk3jZpxp7lTEuDm5Fnf9vxZDmE0pHKNtXb4uckxbn8z2fYqpAKfenMOd6b-ooGEu3n4CXpZTfDDWPcLmG10TK5paZyT8-31uSiHwsHMGaZz1bzzcG9wPRM2q5vc13yux9MXq8hLneGpRGA6RlSYHcihKRc/s2032/Action4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="2032" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiK10tga6zzYc8h-DLrjREL3LWwrP2JJj7Nk3jZpxp7lTEuDm5Fnf9vxZDmE0pHKNtXb4uckxbn8z2fYqpAKfenMOd6b-ooGEu3n4CXpZTfDDWPcLmG10TK5paZyT8-31uSiHwsHMGaZz1bzzcG9wPRM2q5vc13yux9MXq8hLneGpRGA6RlSYHcihKRc/w400-h188/Action4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Cheered on by their comrades, the Roman auxiliaries drove forward to occupy the henge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg1tlK6QWr0osmnz3NjY8iLBjhli2n2JYewCm5dlIA2rLloe1mD5b5Q61aoCyZ_CyF6dawM_kl__U4AoqhLAiOSWyAJg-5xTSVBh7m3v6q09fJfCPl0rw_YtNnyOBluYYn1AZ6P-OHOnGr3_VduEd1b4DJS9GaEwhdbWEIBk_4DAXn03q1XdboAJEWYc/s2539/Action5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="2539" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg1tlK6QWr0osmnz3NjY8iLBjhli2n2JYewCm5dlIA2rLloe1mD5b5Q61aoCyZ_CyF6dawM_kl__U4AoqhLAiOSWyAJg-5xTSVBh7m3v6q09fJfCPl0rw_YtNnyOBluYYn1AZ6P-OHOnGr3_VduEd1b4DJS9GaEwhdbWEIBk_4DAXn03q1XdboAJEWYc/w400-h180/Action5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, Spondulix had now arrived and he hastily pushed his warriors forward to support Orthopedix and his light troops.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BsoO6eZFEC7X78YFxJ3n1EAdb-liwLf_SQ_xwcaoWaUaq3p_ug9jsQWE_1v98bRSFVVs8N5W7foxCF-vdvojVzzr-vZa63yqhvhWrXlYhthjeaqKdZaVaV9Ypqh6oghr8rzallPW-AONymfFF171tHQYIDeCDtI8-LEAZ81iCny571fUvY5hUCELu5w/s2380/Action6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="2380" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BsoO6eZFEC7X78YFxJ3n1EAdb-liwLf_SQ_xwcaoWaUaq3p_ug9jsQWE_1v98bRSFVVs8N5W7foxCF-vdvojVzzr-vZa63yqhvhWrXlYhthjeaqKdZaVaV9Ypqh6oghr8rzallPW-AONymfFF171tHQYIDeCDtI8-LEAZ81iCny571fUvY5hUCELu5w/w400-h151/Action6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Eager to begin their debauchery, more auxiliaries arrived with Titus and his supplies.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaq0JeJPoVe0iUXByL7Z6qOm54X-ayACyixN_oUJjk_QW2kJcxr8TFNzHKjZP2YppB29yxgVUglUMBKYq5wAPv1_uFfZGChbCEZ-uW6ku3uaLkv4NPvkH7dJjVZIW-442BtJcgtwCiZ5jWMJ7iTI1s3-FpiUwdWM_VNB-knfC0ZqtmUa1pM6R2hfgmbA/s2194/Action7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="2194" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaq0JeJPoVe0iUXByL7Z6qOm54X-ayACyixN_oUJjk_QW2kJcxr8TFNzHKjZP2YppB29yxgVUglUMBKYq5wAPv1_uFfZGChbCEZ-uW6ku3uaLkv4NPvkH7dJjVZIW-442BtJcgtwCiZ5jWMJ7iTI1s3-FpiUwdWM_VNB-knfC0ZqtmUa1pM6R2hfgmbA/w400-h170/Action7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Celts swarmed forward, determined to destroy the leading auxiliary unit before support could arrive!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRZ4VhhmZRhTqg_yVbPZ_CEme0iWAnozEtWb64mJVdzHIZxHPtrJt05BL0ph-iUQ4NV5vOMx6zRSHZDDIniyBswq1Ey2ogJz6KapIhezFTDPUStUn0ZR_inPtYunD48VtGUQdDFM7sDGKAjIuZadUYRFOW3uARg_LnXSC_uNV1MbXlgCJFlpd-OpI1NY/s1699/Action8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1699" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRZ4VhhmZRhTqg_yVbPZ_CEme0iWAnozEtWb64mJVdzHIZxHPtrJt05BL0ph-iUQ4NV5vOMx6zRSHZDDIniyBswq1Ey2ogJz6KapIhezFTDPUStUn0ZR_inPtYunD48VtGUQdDFM7sDGKAjIuZadUYRFOW3uARg_LnXSC_uNV1MbXlgCJFlpd-OpI1NY/w400-h234/Action8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Gleefully, the auxiliaries streamed onto the henge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw3AzJq_Tuic-1719mRa8u2YU37VEfY4Nr6FfRSnrW1GutF-9mVoDjV0n7ZewBVxnUB_iHNvppVBtKW8dLz8W-rRV14coMMCRYsMUdfk1r9qvS_ERaqE0XH1D_ZoTj3BsYArDqXCuBp7Ir-Y6Fa1RJDY-gNS07dWc91sQ9d7VtFVeLIOSnDaajOAaRj4/s2156/Action9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="2156" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw3AzJq_Tuic-1719mRa8u2YU37VEfY4Nr6FfRSnrW1GutF-9mVoDjV0n7ZewBVxnUB_iHNvppVBtKW8dLz8W-rRV14coMMCRYsMUdfk1r9qvS_ERaqE0XH1D_ZoTj3BsYArDqXCuBp7Ir-Y6Fa1RJDY-gNS07dWc91sQ9d7VtFVeLIOSnDaajOAaRj4/w400-h191/Action9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Only to be greeted by a shower of missiles from the indignant slingers...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHbS3FBhOGJfPOT48WjMWKhlohlth5fyA_fZjy7S9TNNa9xmoeiSe3Hv1cEsVwhIeKsmNqohz3qRpLzlFTPA0aJM-syFxZ_U5tU8FQGCqQ0UO7vd-7Dlpd5RFQAj6hXdCJrEnlJSq16yDHcaIOhzAGpnELSweiMD30ttAPWcn8jpeov0sEqHTVyDoOhA/s2057/Action91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="2057" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHbS3FBhOGJfPOT48WjMWKhlohlth5fyA_fZjy7S9TNNa9xmoeiSe3Hv1cEsVwhIeKsmNqohz3qRpLzlFTPA0aJM-syFxZ_U5tU8FQGCqQ0UO7vd-7Dlpd5RFQAj6hXdCJrEnlJSq16yDHcaIOhzAGpnELSweiMD30ttAPWcn8jpeov0sEqHTVyDoOhA/w400-h186/Action91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and then a hail of javelins!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKTHARDvOd_k-ZtKT7RSd7A8BjVYXuiKIM7OeoVOT4uodmOHqbcgFYf9gv_GE1mgW9Zx8sYcCIidUAcneC3jkwWOdMfrTDqeouBZPV2sns8JgUSEedpuq9csgWNTBb1ptfjIqDr4oZY5idlo0FDK6Ct-97kgeAtMpGEjOCQcKkslQblpiLjiajRv12AE/s2167/Action92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2167" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKTHARDvOd_k-ZtKT7RSd7A8BjVYXuiKIM7OeoVOT4uodmOHqbcgFYf9gv_GE1mgW9Zx8sYcCIidUAcneC3jkwWOdMfrTDqeouBZPV2sns8JgUSEedpuq9csgWNTBb1ptfjIqDr4oZY5idlo0FDK6Ct-97kgeAtMpGEjOCQcKkslQblpiLjiajRv12AE/w400-h211/Action92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But the stoic auxiliaries replied with a barrage of heavy spears which took their toll on the Celtic skirmishers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievpVAGz6cFbu40eMbuh3kius6vNU2aP5ZXPUnCfzcsLiJCa1B0jmZu-huUCsQBSqiXFn34GFiXhmTfJP38P_BcrOi1zHgd3hycsr-kJDWNOnttBkYRkwEju4Dv0oNKZL7IR9aSWHfIFAF3IltBoWwQiaD_uCiixvPUUk5ZLv8FTURJnQDgwyBGrYAk-U/s2485/Action93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="2485" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievpVAGz6cFbu40eMbuh3kius6vNU2aP5ZXPUnCfzcsLiJCa1B0jmZu-huUCsQBSqiXFn34GFiXhmTfJP38P_BcrOi1zHgd3hycsr-kJDWNOnttBkYRkwEju4Dv0oNKZL7IR9aSWHfIFAF3IltBoWwQiaD_uCiixvPUUk5ZLv8FTURJnQDgwyBGrYAk-U/w400-h180/Action93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The auxiliaries sheltered amongst the sacred stones and prepared to sell their lives dearly.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj7F9ArRJyWWp8LLf5P5WkjM4Q7iSEbtWkhWjQgvm74bDDhy2at5qRCuFcQ2Yg1noCcZ3uno7iN0OwW5rjUpkuantFxmWX8Nb7Q3TZ47mM13Y-6Zoc0OO_-4tD3sKC3J0ct8Sh4UZQMC0WSY3wJ1GOIMjvUJksnlA18vyM12jXI_eym0RPJi-FNXt0t8/s2190/Action94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="2190" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj7F9ArRJyWWp8LLf5P5WkjM4Q7iSEbtWkhWjQgvm74bDDhy2at5qRCuFcQ2Yg1noCcZ3uno7iN0OwW5rjUpkuantFxmWX8Nb7Q3TZ47mM13Y-6Zoc0OO_-4tD3sKC3J0ct8Sh4UZQMC0WSY3wJ1GOIMjvUJksnlA18vyM12jXI_eym0RPJi-FNXt0t8/w400-h180/Action94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3w5KUsccErYD8ZTdWyPq6g5m6IeJn0A0co6B_bCvklauXZCcoUratVsTTZepORERjJrb7iNePFgPGL9T5tdPip13NVNazCFTy7fH_GGmTJgDMk96ZVRUUIU29574z66Llqhf2O2_TB0_gQPuHXlaKJXUQFgVAS8SrR8EPUMMHTiUslV7T2SMio0Ak6c/s1802/Action95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1802" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3w5KUsccErYD8ZTdWyPq6g5m6IeJn0A0co6B_bCvklauXZCcoUratVsTTZepORERjJrb7iNePFgPGL9T5tdPip13NVNazCFTy7fH_GGmTJgDMk96ZVRUUIU29574z66Llqhf2O2_TB0_gQPuHXlaKJXUQFgVAS8SrR8EPUMMHTiUslV7T2SMio0Ak6c/w400-h215/Action95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Support began to arrive for both sides and Spondulix's warriors hurled themselves against a second contubernium of auxiliaries , who failed to react in time to form close order.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHO0QpdwtAS9QIjfuV-WvkDejqnrP0Ly2l0JiwWG3zlceV7wgvIH5OgFFP5GyHbmaXbZvGtwYD8P4DBYjg-y_FBs5GxBzOQoOMOlMUmHNLaitzl2I9rVZ0CjdeoiU3DUt-mYFrVxFXf1Dsce8jW0xEbgfrv23REUgQOPzS7lNFW9qZk23Ch4T1NbL2Vo/s2204/Action96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2204" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHO0QpdwtAS9QIjfuV-WvkDejqnrP0Ly2l0JiwWG3zlceV7wgvIH5OgFFP5GyHbmaXbZvGtwYD8P4DBYjg-y_FBs5GxBzOQoOMOlMUmHNLaitzl2I9rVZ0CjdeoiU3DUt-mYFrVxFXf1Dsce8jW0xEbgfrv23REUgQOPzS7lNFW9qZk23Ch4T1NbL2Vo/w400-h205/Action96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Casualties fell on both sides, but it was the Romans who began to get the upper hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfYc5hBINW41VO2nupl1xiWVROaD8_ildw2G1N5HO25Xcn6260H9sWr9pz3B0w_6DNRwTl2dkft1dWTYgze7uMTQSAaIlUuNqUrsRZBn-I0Lk9UkwghtYttronbMOz9byQEvKvnyjc9y6p38cqPhab0wgZF7aCLDqUktBGXSQwh02PNokbDPLJofgChg/s2017/Action97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="2017" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfYc5hBINW41VO2nupl1xiWVROaD8_ildw2G1N5HO25Xcn6260H9sWr9pz3B0w_6DNRwTl2dkft1dWTYgze7uMTQSAaIlUuNqUrsRZBn-I0Lk9UkwghtYttronbMOz9byQEvKvnyjc9y6p38cqPhab0wgZF7aCLDqUktBGXSQwh02PNokbDPLJofgChg/w400-h225/Action97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Celtic warriors were soon battered down to half strength and their fatigue was climbing to dangerously high levels.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwWuDQ-FSEfpBgpjP7er0GW6irrdNCbDiKu-vwK2Fv7BBR7TZPJUixsrs0cu2kYwRc424nX2-vcQK4MYOEbIXgy4b0aU_DS7xBukWIFimijNT1YqWWpDCUCdoydKZwK76EacmsNlZw7BAt5UOGgIghIYO-9tvm1LlutUrS0r8wTQyj8O7nQtHCQg78xg/s2280/Action98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="2280" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwWuDQ-FSEfpBgpjP7er0GW6irrdNCbDiKu-vwK2Fv7BBR7TZPJUixsrs0cu2kYwRc424nX2-vcQK4MYOEbIXgy4b0aU_DS7xBukWIFimijNT1YqWWpDCUCdoydKZwK76EacmsNlZw7BAt5UOGgIghIYO-9tvm1LlutUrS0r8wTQyj8O7nQtHCQg78xg/w400-h178/Action98.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Roman onslaught proved too much for the warriors and they broke and fled the field, causing a Break Test for the Basmatii warband, which, thankfully they passed and the action continued.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzToxMCt3fdQ1PtADtTTxydpNzn-gpYQe2cKLvDfpqhLcX-jjSzt_OiQMQhu1SUMJSQH4_Foql2EsmKL2_9mmOJrjd49hFli2dpt2DE6qkvjwGkRbyma4hi7mR4rU5MAhc0soU7CkB4QUhpAtsKeo2qu36spGOecq4gnz9k8FlOqh7KS2h_NcGHjC1unI/s1870/Action99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1870" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzToxMCt3fdQ1PtADtTTxydpNzn-gpYQe2cKLvDfpqhLcX-jjSzt_OiQMQhu1SUMJSQH4_Foql2EsmKL2_9mmOJrjd49hFli2dpt2DE6qkvjwGkRbyma4hi7mR4rU5MAhc0soU7CkB4QUhpAtsKeo2qu36spGOecq4gnz9k8FlOqh7KS2h_NcGHjC1unI/w400-h198/Action99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, the departure of the warriors exposed the auxiliaries to the deadly fire of the Celtic slingers, whose accurate fire devastated the Romans.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRx7yOuI1-8mlWLiEfEtyNiiryWoH8G7oEammktUzhxShnk9F69XZFDpc4bFSfGS0yCpAdqqNYXQx2F9nA58P6taccfkPfc3WhxfVkiO-aOZJk53UTd0KtOP_N5lLcMwJE0bHWR4EuKoDSrsXIPvPoDgnhMQmtSBXcdrLisfLWvSIXotxNE8AUpTrM5g/s2019/Action991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="2019" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRx7yOuI1-8mlWLiEfEtyNiiryWoH8G7oEammktUzhxShnk9F69XZFDpc4bFSfGS0yCpAdqqNYXQx2F9nA58P6taccfkPfc3WhxfVkiO-aOZJk53UTd0KtOP_N5lLcMwJE0bHWR4EuKoDSrsXIPvPoDgnhMQmtSBXcdrLisfLWvSIXotxNE8AUpTrM5g/w400-h168/Action991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Centurion Perfidius continued to push his reserves forward to support the beleaguered contubernium under fire from the slingers, who now also faced the advancing Noble Celtic Warriors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFJvO353K30cxDQDT4sGGwrqWQ8zaA56iDVW_kJO0TQeJbHWAg93SSbKitapuaUINLxFKpWI_jySfFuMECPWfpczboAXjJGdk3Yar4oy3ei4ijM-nrgAM8c45Am8cZQ-qdtVTOwL0Mk2oT-ZiUb4Xm72_qgB3n0YE06AW9dU5m_eyL4nPHikEEJkWgSY/s2380/Action992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="2380" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFJvO353K30cxDQDT4sGGwrqWQ8zaA56iDVW_kJO0TQeJbHWAg93SSbKitapuaUINLxFKpWI_jySfFuMECPWfpczboAXjJGdk3Yar4oy3ei4ijM-nrgAM8c45Am8cZQ-qdtVTOwL0Mk2oT-ZiUb4Xm72_qgB3n0YE06AW9dU5m_eyL4nPHikEEJkWgSY/w400-h180/Action992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The arrival of the Nobles proved to be the final straw for the remaining auxiliaries who fled, leaving Perfidius with just two contubernia to hold the ground taken around the henge and the climax of the battle was about to be played out as the Nobles prepared to charge into melee with the final Roman reserve.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX4HKoIr5zMGOum0tDL7_fovCzrwG6Ou4T5ZZnZCxhUMyZ80D_aRKy9pp6lwm4HhbuJOyzbpz0OdtyCEur4xKZDX9CCGZNrLpP09xmUwKPVbgSrR2gijiP4Eq7TcOVw12Lw5fNGJmDUcqrqZi0wNb4uOn1S4-fsADGRXbDnNz29DN-bZyJv5rULQH42c/s1387/Action%20993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1387" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX4HKoIr5zMGOum0tDL7_fovCzrwG6Ou4T5ZZnZCxhUMyZ80D_aRKy9pp6lwm4HhbuJOyzbpz0OdtyCEur4xKZDX9CCGZNrLpP09xmUwKPVbgSrR2gijiP4Eq7TcOVw12Lw5fNGJmDUcqrqZi0wNb4uOn1S4-fsADGRXbDnNz29DN-bZyJv5rULQH42c/s320/Action%20993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Roman reserve, with incredible discipline, formed themselves into close order and hurled their heavy spears into the massed ranks of the Celtic Nobles, but they failed to inflict a single casualty. The Nobles let forth a blood curdling cheer and hurled themselves into the closed ranks of the Roman invaders.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_NlC-xCO5ZLG0FsQ_lK-yxm60NjTK8h7DNnG4iQoS07EBCG1YxGUki9xdieOTMRTXQqD5cjxqgXJp4xxY2Fgn1c2WwN7IKLJi1K4G1VXAWFJqTi4b6J78aNM07UcYBqeLr3ob0Xu9TUPS11Qj8WvyU7s-xjVigF0SX_JRFQccS9YAH8bLfgIm7lAs2E/s1479/Action994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1479" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_NlC-xCO5ZLG0FsQ_lK-yxm60NjTK8h7DNnG4iQoS07EBCG1YxGUki9xdieOTMRTXQqD5cjxqgXJp4xxY2Fgn1c2WwN7IKLJi1K4G1VXAWFJqTi4b6J78aNM07UcYBqeLr3ob0Xu9TUPS11Qj8WvyU7s-xjVigF0SX_JRFQccS9YAH8bLfgIm7lAs2E/w400-h241/Action994.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The clash which followed was devastating, with warriors falling on both sides, but the Auxiliaries manged to gain the advantage, loosing just one casualty to the Noble's three.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7G7tItBHonHWaUo3mjwIU3ZeRnH__qCneLec7gBW0z0flq4xLptyKjEO9PV6srcO0i9ejo7edJ5nH2WXYByrQjdDtYERlgeS7SRvjrjYWZQx646iU_W46nn2hMilSVTGL-Awm62S-dN3nNfehBvrKtvzbQJMpSziqTzXaC4LEE-6O-iQHDYVCD65kCM/s1875/Action995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1875" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7G7tItBHonHWaUo3mjwIU3ZeRnH__qCneLec7gBW0z0flq4xLptyKjEO9PV6srcO0i9ejo7edJ5nH2WXYByrQjdDtYERlgeS7SRvjrjYWZQx646iU_W46nn2hMilSVTGL-Awm62S-dN3nNfehBvrKtvzbQJMpSziqTzXaC4LEE-6O-iQHDYVCD65kCM/w400-h210/Action995.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the encounter balanced on a knife edge, Optio Odius decided that this was the time to launch the auxiliaries holding the henge into the fray. His plan was to send them against the slingers, whose shooting had caused so many casualties on the Roman forces. The slingers, however, had other ideas and used their Skirmish Specialist skills to move beyond the reach of the enemy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQVNIJ6uVqhwVHuyZsmiHvTT1EW46TOK7f60DtKalU5usi1uF9LhawUoQb2m_1pRopWe2LPKfe5q1zUYlx-zIKBwxun0ODk-rJCSUboxwEE9I_APHAZS798HxaSLPLikgiVmHTAkkn77zpahSABW8zLRPAK_5aLEjiKFdUb8fe0pAZEKQIYLscx119Ko/s1484/Action997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1484" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQVNIJ6uVqhwVHuyZsmiHvTT1EW46TOK7f60DtKalU5usi1uF9LhawUoQb2m_1pRopWe2LPKfe5q1zUYlx-zIKBwxun0ODk-rJCSUboxwEE9I_APHAZS798HxaSLPLikgiVmHTAkkn77zpahSABW8zLRPAK_5aLEjiKFdUb8fe0pAZEKQIYLscx119Ko/w400-h243/Action997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In this climactic turn of the battle, the Basmatii slingers caused sufficient casualties to drive the Green Shield Auxilia from the field, but disaster then struck for Spondulix, as his Nobles were overcome by the effects of fatigue and they too fled, causing yet another Force Morale Check, which the Celts failed forcing the remnants of their warband to turn and take flight...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQyj0_NsSy4Do-opwC6NnOs-FIn-jKa9Eq7HsGienmf7e3DdzD7uhM_MJgWr-Wnunv3ve44XpG5Kfb1Xs49RmVd87yhYs0sZe_hAoi0YaipAgp-BaSSP1x9yK7uxqEPNnBdpGaa-JKGaWp1Z2xLFkMwPaDbXjNBHyoiyfSQ5hP6iFvNHU785oXTeiieo/s1809/Action998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1809" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQyj0_NsSy4Do-opwC6NnOs-FIn-jKa9Eq7HsGienmf7e3DdzD7uhM_MJgWr-Wnunv3ve44XpG5Kfb1Xs49RmVd87yhYs0sZe_hAoi0YaipAgp-BaSSP1x9yK7uxqEPNnBdpGaa-JKGaWp1Z2xLFkMwPaDbXjNBHyoiyfSQ5hP6iFvNHU785oXTeiieo/w400-h249/Action998.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">After a Herculean effort, the lowly slingers turned and took to their heels, having very nearly won the day for the Basmatii.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj_BrkZxiAQUlwHeMpXLiEM00PmDDOplQxSZcCgsB_YV9EBQcr9MZzxUc938DLJ4CKfy2kmD2lsbecJrx7kIQA3ITT9-1xWE-ZP2LSzl25wBz2DTyoZ2w85HCUekYF5Uow2cWTbDepoPgrMsCVr4Q1Iaov2stIDy47YNCI5FZhahRn5_e4pRFnGjzvvA/s1092/Action999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1092" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj_BrkZxiAQUlwHeMpXLiEM00PmDDOplQxSZcCgsB_YV9EBQcr9MZzxUc938DLJ4CKfy2kmD2lsbecJrx7kIQA3ITT9-1xWE-ZP2LSzl25wBz2DTyoZ2w85HCUekYF5Uow2cWTbDepoPgrMsCVr4Q1Iaov2stIDy47YNCI5FZhahRn5_e4pRFnGjzvvA/s320/Action999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having suffered such horrendous casualties, the remnants of Centurion Perfidius' forces ironically found themselves sharing a much greater ration of Titus' provisions than any of them could have envisaged at the onset of the day's encounter. In spite of his loses, the day belonged to Perfidius and the eight remaining members of his warband were left to share a dozen amphorae of Rhenish wine and a whole pig; which they did, while enthusiastically despoiling the ancient druidic henge.</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-2924320961507227482023-09-24T15:06:00.000+00:002023-09-24T15:06:38.706+00:00LION RAMPANT... "My Lord, Brother Fornicatus is nowhere to be found!"<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the Autumn season of the Year of Our Lord 1173, the Kingdom of Henry II was in a state of monstrous turmoil, the land tormented by the heinous scourge of Civil Strife. Each man looked upon his brother with suspicion, knowing not whether he stood loyal and steadfast for the King, or faithless and perfidious for the treacherous queen and her brood of turncoat offspring. Status nor rank were guarantee of loyalty, whether high and mighty or lowly scapegrace, none could be trusted in this age of disorder and disturbance. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sir Ranulf de Glanville, King Henry's faithful lieutenant in the North, impatiently snarled at his bungling page, Walter, as he fumbled with the fastening of his great leather war belt. "Where is that false-hearted priest," he bellowed, "form up the host, we'll track him down and I'll see his duplicitous neck stretched from the highest branch of Saint Ebba's Oak!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Fornicatus, the man Sir Ranulf had trusted implicitly as an advisor and confessor throughout the long, laborious campaign against the rebels and their loathsome Scottish confrères, had disappeared in a most un-godly manner, with certain consequential scrolls tucked beneath the billowing folds of his cassock and was last seen heading north, towards the camp of that vile barbarian, Lord Donnchad, Earl of Fife.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Exhausted from his precipitous flight from the English camp, Brother Fornicatus stumbled wearily into a deserted farmstead, where the fugitive found himself a place of concealment and began to fervently pray that his Scottish paymasters would find him before a furious and vengeful Sir Ranulf arrived to mete out his own particular brand of justice!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYuL4Lyhlx5EQ3C_6o7xGu-bZ9nizGqtl0caU8T0KBboRCqNBdeIw25-gYiLsmiMFpyZitke2WzFiBwGnAl5NqK2pPTi9IwHd4taRYWAnW6tuqB5sVxLe6F4kuQLbQApuWgh1HhogNU7Q_WT3TyLKvb_pYAQ0mGYOOZad0cHhRbQZIW1f8Ja26wlZ3JA/s2065/reportlast997.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="2065" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYuL4Lyhlx5EQ3C_6o7xGu-bZ9nizGqtl0caU8T0KBboRCqNBdeIw25-gYiLsmiMFpyZitke2WzFiBwGnAl5NqK2pPTi9IwHd4taRYWAnW6tuqB5sVxLe6F4kuQLbQApuWgh1HhogNU7Q_WT3TyLKvb_pYAQ0mGYOOZad0cHhRbQZIW1f8Ja26wlZ3JA/w400-h242/reportlast997.png" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vLaMvBt3NcpxD3LlMsgeuWMV6nhG90yL1O9nQ3nqCQHIRebALH4QvzK3QH7tTZBhDuVFtfmRoL2lGhOzA0Mi4lvXnYXnsaG2Cad0An25lJhD1IENqmDCn1n61P33xofcxj7W3OknIf_GFq-_N9aGr9DxDuYnPLi_L60ZS5-LvE_54-0jGHk6LIrBzR0/s2065/reportlast996.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="2065" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vLaMvBt3NcpxD3LlMsgeuWMV6nhG90yL1O9nQ3nqCQHIRebALH4QvzK3QH7tTZBhDuVFtfmRoL2lGhOzA0Mi4lvXnYXnsaG2Cad0An25lJhD1IENqmDCn1n61P33xofcxj7W3OknIf_GFq-_N9aGr9DxDuYnPLi_L60ZS5-LvE_54-0jGHk6LIrBzR0/w400-h263/reportlast996.png" width="500" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">After an uncomfortable night in his chosen hiding place, Brother Fornicatus was awoken by the sound of a veritable multitude of braying voices, clearly not belonging to Humphrey, and the tramping of numberless feet emanating from every possible direction. A thoroughly alarmed Brother Fornicatus curled himself into the smallest possible space... although he could see nothing from his refuge, it was clear that both forces had arrived and this desolate farmstead was about to become the scene of a dreadful confrontation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzxFjO2RpUss18m9SkzzM-FrFHGd6C-X8lGEZ7d2DSb7sY6bUs1-f-2DjBraQOfpO__c0jgvKiwOIqWw47iPlvqbpLSxYabn7y5-OExyErpphAs3u8KnwMz7SQtenvEWHmcWD_X0DsNWGEaVrKdPJ2FrCL3q2qTClQHyDwYpz41scjYS7VFNhUj_lg0/s2065/reportlast99.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="2065" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzxFjO2RpUss18m9SkzzM-FrFHGd6C-X8lGEZ7d2DSb7sY6bUs1-f-2DjBraQOfpO__c0jgvKiwOIqWw47iPlvqbpLSxYabn7y5-OExyErpphAs3u8KnwMz7SQtenvEWHmcWD_X0DsNWGEaVrKdPJ2FrCL3q2qTClQHyDwYpz41scjYS7VFNhUj_lg0/w400-h239/reportlast99.png" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxIbJgVzoJD6ccYKxuqJWjx30B852LattAZFqorg5zRXB6UAb6FGzIvioobeM5duN7jB5cSYRsBA54YHpQ0aa5I4KVaTHbfRDN5S45xebWTu0J8VYEDVD-m1GuwMiyJV34pyUhIrVYnIs8z7v_uGUQCfCMhqdVHbwsbVj6RU-B6Ueg2AYw3EO8x79-8w/s2065/reportlast1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="2065" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxIbJgVzoJD6ccYKxuqJWjx30B852LattAZFqorg5zRXB6UAb6FGzIvioobeM5duN7jB5cSYRsBA54YHpQ0aa5I4KVaTHbfRDN5S45xebWTu0J8VYEDVD-m1GuwMiyJV34pyUhIrVYnIs8z7v_uGUQCfCMhqdVHbwsbVj6RU-B6Ueg2AYw3EO8x79-8w/w400-h269/reportlast1.png" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r03cZC06Gbp6NtbivO7vydfI32j9FUGekLoml4isTFQrglCUeuudKgY60qabhufMnu36JaaS_Go5SqrtmH4NxJLCTe9CLffOV8HrYmIA0YY71Xy5tIP49_kAgNNfVx7Z0f6MpcfWWOe0XWwVleHVo-JcaNigsOaHFN3qkVjqUHJRaaBwEg6c6ENH_pA/s2065/reportlast.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2065" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r03cZC06Gbp6NtbivO7vydfI32j9FUGekLoml4isTFQrglCUeuudKgY60qabhufMnu36JaaS_Go5SqrtmH4NxJLCTe9CLffOV8HrYmIA0YY71Xy5tIP49_kAgNNfVx7Z0f6MpcfWWOe0XWwVleHVo-JcaNigsOaHFN3qkVjqUHJRaaBwEg6c6ENH_pA/w400-h260/reportlast.png" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This little encounter turned out to be much shorter than I imagined it would be. Brother Fornicatus' hiding place was determined randomly and, had he been anywhere else other than the well, his escape from the field of battle would have been much more problematic for the Scots. As it turned out, the Wild Charge rule caused just enough of a delay for Sir Ranulf and his knights to prevent them reaching Brother Brian's spearmen before they could leave the table. The sacrifice made by the skirmishing bidowers in diverting the attention of the knights, will go down in folklore, although I'm not sure that they would see it that way! For those of you familiar with the traditional Scottish nursery rhyme, "Ding Dong Bell, Brother Fornicatus is in the Well!", this brief skirmish is the origin of that tale. The story of Brother Fornicatus has, I feel, many more chapters to run and I am already perusing the Scenarios section of Lion Rampant for the next exciting, and hopefully little longer, instalment.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-22488233241939084302023-08-10T14:10:00.003+00:002023-08-10T14:10:42.206+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS... FORCE PROJECTION!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB_ZQFT2k5X6E3Mkv9413vs_WuLXDJR5FvsQIOSI1xUFdN7CpClY3Mpbw8XHp2eD-a_2obdgjby7s2E7rAYtRBvSAnKBFb4BFmoIK8aVfafhGV7WV2yPJpePgDVg1bXKn8ynZ8pA8evgFbcCn2KX5tz5wzUENXKKBXSl5na4Wqhc-aj5ymFK-CHCb8ps/s1276/fieldview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1276" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB_ZQFT2k5X6E3Mkv9413vs_WuLXDJR5FvsQIOSI1xUFdN7CpClY3Mpbw8XHp2eD-a_2obdgjby7s2E7rAYtRBvSAnKBFb4BFmoIK8aVfafhGV7WV2yPJpePgDVg1bXKn8ynZ8pA8evgFbcCn2KX5tz5wzUENXKKBXSl5na4Wqhc-aj5ymFK-CHCb8ps/w400-h214/fieldview.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Turmoil continues to reign on the Isle of Sicily, as Romans, Carthaginians, Syracusans and Mamertine mercenary warbands rampage and pillage far and wide. The armies of Rome and Syracuse face each other across the Pelagonian Plain and both generals have identified a low hill out on the flank, which could give the enemy a significant advantage, should it fall under their control. Heiro the Hero has been despatched to seize the hill to protect the Syracusan left flank, however, Titus Arellius, commanding a small but powerful warband of Romans has been sent against him to deny the hill to army of Syracuse! Possession of the hill will make the enemy's position untenable and, most probably, result in them marching away to leave the plain to the mercy of the victor... for the time being at least!</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpTprLvIXnBjdnWiHONFkAmdaszEliPxa56DTRp0f6d0ic8XXg1wJTYhhamEEyBvRfxaS45bJkQgctcFz1_Bqr883k74FBXcDdfmxkwomGWtkzd-zGhJO62FYdjwPCkoRJXJWh1NgYW8iNH3q_83aEQdXxUv05d5a_RBlJQmvFb_8KEzxlxyh5Jvaz8g/s2735/romanline.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="2735" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpTprLvIXnBjdnWiHONFkAmdaszEliPxa56DTRp0f6d0ic8XXg1wJTYhhamEEyBvRfxaS45bJkQgctcFz1_Bqr883k74FBXcDdfmxkwomGWtkzd-zGhJO62FYdjwPCkoRJXJWh1NgYW8iNH3q_83aEQdXxUv05d5a_RBlJQmvFb_8KEzxlxyh5Jvaz8g/w400-h164/romanline.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Arellius' warband consisted of just four units; two of Velites and one each of Hastati and Principes, a total of 26 figures with a break point every 4 figures. Arellius was the sole commander, being a Level 5 Leader.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2nK9FlxnV5ZCDnkNUKMeKuoqnTyU5G30GtITnhQLHwCKVN5YxB3Wno9cUuMDEciZrhV6q3A2Xw-5ijw2do0hn8ERrcPjOJf9B2suqGCvsniEID2EzoakIeddmVbl47ocgf5b9jZ7TM5RojmC3UlIC0psb_aliv6imz0CZZuVbzVFICVId1iLb3tSrzI/s2172/syracuseline.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="2172" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2nK9FlxnV5ZCDnkNUKMeKuoqnTyU5G30GtITnhQLHwCKVN5YxB3Wno9cUuMDEciZrhV6q3A2Xw-5ijw2do0hn8ERrcPjOJf9B2suqGCvsniEID2EzoakIeddmVbl47ocgf5b9jZ7TM5RojmC3UlIC0psb_aliv6imz0CZZuVbzVFICVId1iLb3tSrzI/w400-h121/syracuseline.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Heiro, a Level 4 character had Theodotus, a Level 3 character as his second in command. Their warband consisted of two units of Peltasts, one of Psiloi, one of Archers and one of Raw Citizen Hoplites. The whole force totalled 34 figures with a break point every 5 figures. Although the Syracusans outnumbered the Romans, the Roman warband was 21 points greater than the Greeks.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk4NfAriYRvX6JHwChQR2AFX7xsDTgdlykgZeQR_8iQHLS5hYP-2X0X5Y6mM0uuXDEoXWftthl_cIJijj9DDVB83R3m2LzgPGFWuIOWSQCJcmvf9IBKnZjHnOVLyGAb6DLro8iqa8Y_OR8HsYZ2xvPKNjg9XMHzlrCKDeZgp4FbP3LGYEb7S5NNbmPKM/s2045/act1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="2045" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk4NfAriYRvX6JHwChQR2AFX7xsDTgdlykgZeQR_8iQHLS5hYP-2X0X5Y6mM0uuXDEoXWftthl_cIJijj9DDVB83R3m2LzgPGFWuIOWSQCJcmvf9IBKnZjHnOVLyGAb6DLro8iqa8Y_OR8HsYZ2xvPKNjg9XMHzlrCKDeZgp4FbP3LGYEb7S5NNbmPKM/w400-h180/act1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Although the Syracusans had the initiative in Turn One, it was the Roman Velites who secured the hill, using all three actions to do so, leaving them no options to react should they need to do so.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeGY7-LCy8n_p5vJePcstFW9FLRDIvjZzWH14pZDGzFA1KFBKpL1LdJeBdjzUDXG8AS21gcvRg2ZJg2bvDq-ZdOfdhM0DHg8ul0mRNHNRpiG9IcKuMZZZlecfT2UNkrST1oNDOvFdGCykcqs0USXJB3HBg5A9KsJEoqNSdS1s6-KqTPYLhY76iDeOf9o/s2163/act2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="2163" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeGY7-LCy8n_p5vJePcstFW9FLRDIvjZzWH14pZDGzFA1KFBKpL1LdJeBdjzUDXG8AS21gcvRg2ZJg2bvDq-ZdOfdhM0DHg8ul0mRNHNRpiG9IcKuMZZZlecfT2UNkrST1oNDOvFdGCykcqs0USXJB3HBg5A9KsJEoqNSdS1s6-KqTPYLhY76iDeOf9o/w400-h180/act2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To their left, the Syracusan Psiloi advanced and hurled their javelins at the Roman Velites, causing the first casualty of the encounter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9O-pJORnCoNocsnQiaSkNPCAhBPXoI5FxZxsMllXh2g8LrRRk5YnrHvUT83IfhQ33Z2oTAZG5WnxqLfzojA4bdzknNsAfZ0sEU-ESZ6b79ITX-exONz87gnNQwCKEKq2arujrE0mEYMs9WsZfZMQdSVxO78JU3yFIrf4MV1rTvSp7yjwXSMw50xSSEk/s1940/act3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1940" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9O-pJORnCoNocsnQiaSkNPCAhBPXoI5FxZxsMllXh2g8LrRRk5YnrHvUT83IfhQ33Z2oTAZG5WnxqLfzojA4bdzknNsAfZ0sEU-ESZ6b79ITX-exONz87gnNQwCKEKq2arujrE0mEYMs9WsZfZMQdSVxO78JU3yFIrf4MV1rTvSp7yjwXSMw50xSSEk/w400-h203/act3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Heiro pushed his Archers and Peltasts forward on the other side of the hill.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLDP11Y16IBrGQWZKkijjQJtZyz4-WuRfnoMD5TjhkPqQLva5jmN2ujodsZP67_sYtR3eq_8xu6H8hNMccJdk018boRMvjhhDa4MZxgVoJN2Q6xUE4tpA93Hh7F-TciR8WjY1P4p2zRUnw4s0O7SoOZA4iOMCWBfeHcCI7DMT97t-AvMaKXTyiQhMORQ/s2115/act4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="2115" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLDP11Y16IBrGQWZKkijjQJtZyz4-WuRfnoMD5TjhkPqQLva5jmN2ujodsZP67_sYtR3eq_8xu6H8hNMccJdk018boRMvjhhDa4MZxgVoJN2Q6xUE4tpA93Hh7F-TciR8WjY1P4p2zRUnw4s0O7SoOZA4iOMCWBfeHcCI7DMT97t-AvMaKXTyiQhMORQ/w400-h180/act4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Greek Archers eagerly awaited the order to open fire as the Roman Principes began to advance towards them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFA2EOYRa6eizBsW2sxJ0hsjjkOaxp6MUBZJuI29hiQjqCCKg-C40qU4F2qlMJhdC7qGN4h5kW5-CVF6aGYwt43bkFRrwUJh7dXiw0SNXsjAmyUGYi2flI-TKgSfqbaIYhFxbqJSpWBYdpSmTC4v-bjQLNt55pj1YRWRp9V7zYvU8_WKF2-8UINmPjhg/s2074/act5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="2074" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFA2EOYRa6eizBsW2sxJ0hsjjkOaxp6MUBZJuI29hiQjqCCKg-C40qU4F2qlMJhdC7qGN4h5kW5-CVF6aGYwt43bkFRrwUJh7dXiw0SNXsjAmyUGYi2flI-TKgSfqbaIYhFxbqJSpWBYdpSmTC4v-bjQLNt55pj1YRWRp9V7zYvU8_WKF2-8UINmPjhg/w400-h211/act5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Even though they were firing at long range, the Archers were able to bring down one of the fully armoured Principes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSgMOHmLeFeRXrCjNd12SSlrFoJHcWoeek4HkZ80KUXjA9i2SEhrSCrfoDRt-H1aV9hieh2sAZDceNOKfbPeszY5Ep8XGU2fF5ZuoS1o9Wrm7mNaQIxE9_ODk8Lf30J_X1lDKkSZkAhh5OAjMbXPcnXgXuSvuHdXotKArvs6NbrkZK5-4-xhC5nyV1HM/s1683/act6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1683" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSgMOHmLeFeRXrCjNd12SSlrFoJHcWoeek4HkZ80KUXjA9i2SEhrSCrfoDRt-H1aV9hieh2sAZDceNOKfbPeszY5Ep8XGU2fF5ZuoS1o9Wrm7mNaQIxE9_ODk8Lf30J_X1lDKkSZkAhh5OAjMbXPcnXgXuSvuHdXotKArvs6NbrkZK5-4-xhC5nyV1HM/w400-h199/act6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Encouraged by the success of their comrades, the Syracusan Peltasts began to approach the Principes, with the intention of unleashing their deadly javelins into the ranks of the invading Romans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WSbwMkggBVQx-eB8v5hjgAcBw83-mpo62w-4bcMeHnBSq-vx-NIM-g84ApTZM61hQ7oaJHDHVOekCp0fqYf-7B0Y0-DhM4L57RFeoh5raK47wZ_uVkOZRKeyIFCPZdn690budYu2ehklTYVtYEiiqb_w_A06rb6u1_gjz1HCztnxF6lAv0JWaQ2MJe4/s2551/act7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="2551" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WSbwMkggBVQx-eB8v5hjgAcBw83-mpo62w-4bcMeHnBSq-vx-NIM-g84ApTZM61hQ7oaJHDHVOekCp0fqYf-7B0Y0-DhM4L57RFeoh5raK47wZ_uVkOZRKeyIFCPZdn690budYu2ehklTYVtYEiiqb_w_A06rb6u1_gjz1HCztnxF6lAv0JWaQ2MJe4/w400-h161/act7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Roman Velites on the hill turned their attention to the Syracusan Psiloi and used a 'throw' action to bring down three of their number. Although the two units are both javelin armed skirmishers, the Romans are definitely superior to their Greek counterparts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWPVh3oac3eSF52yHK_PBjDdBub0kM6XUxaDHhspFENb2Lvp5zb83ZpdoKgfBYdCsuw-vUeUC1GWF04KIp_1_Gx6MKKeH9R4LN6zN5yc7z_2RKBZeCzzU5s3h7iKtu23GXvSjTMtqHaYf3NqUiiPHL99Jowqpvv6JOcbGq4WdfJRlBiZfDaETc7fXk3A/s2196/act8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="2196" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWPVh3oac3eSF52yHK_PBjDdBub0kM6XUxaDHhspFENb2Lvp5zb83ZpdoKgfBYdCsuw-vUeUC1GWF04KIp_1_Gx6MKKeH9R4LN6zN5yc7z_2RKBZeCzzU5s3h7iKtu23GXvSjTMtqHaYf3NqUiiPHL99Jowqpvv6JOcbGq4WdfJRlBiZfDaETc7fXk3A/w400-h163/act8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the turn progressed, the Velites on the hill continued to decimate the Psiloi and Arellius pushed forward his Principes intending to engage the Syracusan Peltasts. The Roman Velites on the right flank had taken up a position in the ruins and prepared to hurl their javelins into the enemy before them. In response, Heiro pushed his Archers out behind the Peltasts to shoot at the Velites in the ruins and brought up his Hoplites to face the Principes. With his Psiloi in danger of breaking, Theodotus ordered his unit of Peltasts out from their cover to attempt an assault on the hill.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KAyVX6UVsZekixwZy6IGJ-uBbCIklg4EeP7wR9NnrimmTcsGqPLVyudmTWYaFZQbfgB_HHkuFki7leI43nQQIIb6CL0LdoHBLuEMRDEcCVXTXZ26uXDKkUzIWbtTI60G4MUjBWzA03zaUSgasRVrK_npJP0TE9BHTbw4Ix99tK9Kxe3D1c7gkDI6Zb4/s2049/act9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="2049" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KAyVX6UVsZekixwZy6IGJ-uBbCIklg4EeP7wR9NnrimmTcsGqPLVyudmTWYaFZQbfgB_HHkuFki7leI43nQQIIb6CL0LdoHBLuEMRDEcCVXTXZ26uXDKkUzIWbtTI60G4MUjBWzA03zaUSgasRVrK_npJP0TE9BHTbw4Ix99tK9Kxe3D1c7gkDI6Zb4/w400-h195/act9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Concerned about the Velites sheltering in the ruins, Heiro pushed his Archers ever closer in the hope of delivering a decisive volley into their ranks. The initiative, however, went to the Romans and it was the Syracusans who found themselves suffering under a shower of Roman javelins!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycQ8svZWh3BO8kN0sXEL6YiTCCD6XKKnBv2BsCT5vHaxzwaXT94isBB5Vu91_757mcMrbj_9syvelgkDg0oVhI7EqvETvtp4gHFc7Qckrlb_cXcXU15IghOHIS5M6N-7KcuPXdJFIw_63AStEAA3wD80droKD3_MxI6YK0h05iiq8h7urtSDM4vpHZ88/s1908/act91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1908" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycQ8svZWh3BO8kN0sXEL6YiTCCD6XKKnBv2BsCT5vHaxzwaXT94isBB5Vu91_757mcMrbj_9syvelgkDg0oVhI7EqvETvtp4gHFc7Qckrlb_cXcXU15IghOHIS5M6N-7KcuPXdJFIw_63AStEAA3wD80droKD3_MxI6YK0h05iiq8h7urtSDM4vpHZ88/w400-h195/act91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Roman Velites are a gift that just keeps on giving! The Syracusan light troops, with no shields or armour suffered dreadfully from the javelins of the Velites and Heiro quickly found that he had two break point cards, for the loss of hardly any Romans.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcY7ZUG_E5RzKpULb1zl4QLZnlu9RCl6S64PTnh_XOkhg0FgqhokxdDlvQmU7rrj6orcar-9-pWLeH5omWjZsywq6zU22dcqNkBjtS_SzQZZ7tt0Thv73y7AHeumtI02JHzU70IumxXTNdWtPAfRSguLQd1Gk8RU5x9JT_gARcsY_GciYS7qhfNVr1Bg/s1808/act92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1808" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcY7ZUG_E5RzKpULb1zl4QLZnlu9RCl6S64PTnh_XOkhg0FgqhokxdDlvQmU7rrj6orcar-9-pWLeH5omWjZsywq6zU22dcqNkBjtS_SzQZZ7tt0Thv73y7AHeumtI02JHzU70IumxXTNdWtPAfRSguLQd1Gk8RU5x9JT_gARcsY_GciYS7qhfNVr1Bg/w400-h185/act92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Velites on the hill dispatched the last of the Syracusan Psiloi.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1vTZ2zOcrhkO1byfFWfVFPFyo5dz_KOxpxE7z1Fl1eymjB13OEAy-Xpq5hH2aWrJB-1KQVHJcF1J6NA9bc9k0FiY6LLYsZWf3DRgUSBLGTBcHQO9V4_wSwBZBZxPYf03vLuRFxXkv5ZSvZTSGos7cV7b9dOTN4eDE37StFLLc_DVGacDLZtr8wfQOA/s2184/act93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2184" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1vTZ2zOcrhkO1byfFWfVFPFyo5dz_KOxpxE7z1Fl1eymjB13OEAy-Xpq5hH2aWrJB-1KQVHJcF1J6NA9bc9k0FiY6LLYsZWf3DRgUSBLGTBcHQO9V4_wSwBZBZxPYf03vLuRFxXkv5ZSvZTSGos7cV7b9dOTN4eDE37StFLLc_DVGacDLZtr8wfQOA/w400-h189/act93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And then immediately turned their attention to the Citizen Hoplites advancing on the other side of the hill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9t-kXvg6tjf1AeENvGTdXsyFWi_0yyU1XMJ_S-d63pitqbrl6noxLxUn4GQTtXfZeMct0IacnVsYPl50kLzDWQ6sy0u5wZlcwryR-F4m3LtzwE090b32XCv6y7mWga06vCsLtDwtt9EJ_cf_y-xVZAvFjvAsPyWTIS1l1QtuiQeZiHj3p1P7FgyRIzE/s1948/act94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1948" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9t-kXvg6tjf1AeENvGTdXsyFWi_0yyU1XMJ_S-d63pitqbrl6noxLxUn4GQTtXfZeMct0IacnVsYPl50kLzDWQ6sy0u5wZlcwryR-F4m3LtzwE090b32XCv6y7mWga06vCsLtDwtt9EJ_cf_y-xVZAvFjvAsPyWTIS1l1QtuiQeZiHj3p1P7FgyRIzE/w400-h185/act94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, Theodotus, ordered his Peltasts towards the enemy and their barrage of javelins completely overwhelmed the Velites and, thanks to a combination of casualties and fatigue the battle weary Romans were forced to abandon their position on the hill. Suddenly, the battle looked as though it might swing in favour of the Syracusans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d9t78x6Cfsu0lbhEdczGVomKzsoxF0mjM_ppdwA9jU9n8E0_qj5l39Vi77kt0UXWEkyvFat1WWtEsEdh12-lHyXpnBA_vUPeSQMHZ3T7ydaSoWdU1VNnF5vkDemO_KcPRhjUJRcrZ0y1VkUgSE2zLHZS_5uyJpdhXcP6R1XNZfZh5rU6r8E-J7O9Gj0/s1858/act95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1858" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d9t78x6Cfsu0lbhEdczGVomKzsoxF0mjM_ppdwA9jU9n8E0_qj5l39Vi77kt0UXWEkyvFat1WWtEsEdh12-lHyXpnBA_vUPeSQMHZ3T7ydaSoWdU1VNnF5vkDemO_KcPRhjUJRcrZ0y1VkUgSE2zLHZS_5uyJpdhXcP6R1XNZfZh5rU6r8E-J7O9Gj0/w400-h185/act95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing the Peltasts out in the open, the Roman Hastati broke ranks and dashed forward to launch their pila into the Syracusans. A totally disastrous dice roll from the Romans would have left the Peltasts completely unscathed, but a Fate Token enabled a re-roll and three more Syracusans were added to the casualty roll.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DaoeTATvXuGLLq0BKILh9QSmlRYNdEtZhjL4qgFmTnZmyR0jH86z8yHW4UoR4LS_2kLxvgui1mcfWFOtvWsJpOmZrhH0DT0iVJRclZBE7JHn_FVIn0nqk6mAvLOKMoLZ7kKXfJaIFDiXMFCY1SHAn2qRj6QD0PFoF7plmhbjpxf-R9p48-fLaWIq3Ls/s1861/act96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1861" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DaoeTATvXuGLLq0BKILh9QSmlRYNdEtZhjL4qgFmTnZmyR0jH86z8yHW4UoR4LS_2kLxvgui1mcfWFOtvWsJpOmZrhH0DT0iVJRclZBE7JHn_FVIn0nqk6mAvLOKMoLZ7kKXfJaIFDiXMFCY1SHAn2qRj6QD0PFoF7plmhbjpxf-R9p48-fLaWIq3Ls/w400-h180/act96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">A third Break Point Card brought up the first Army Break Test of the battle, but two of the three dice passed the test and the fight for the hill was destined to continue.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8KqC3k2q5iDkOdVWjvqf8P5-XK8rpLMrT7yaoFv6EmYWThc7oLA2quWOwydZl_O37g4Y5nhEqNUcbRMCpfDp4gPrWgIKK_F7l9rEn3X9bUaBT7wPaU7hafDOBLutLVsVEYwco8FXcJd_NmD6xSC0cWXJV8w34qUApEQsKPL3ydEwxMGK1xZh5wAp8Jc/s1943/act97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1943" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8KqC3k2q5iDkOdVWjvqf8P5-XK8rpLMrT7yaoFv6EmYWThc7oLA2quWOwydZl_O37g4Y5nhEqNUcbRMCpfDp4gPrWgIKK_F7l9rEn3X9bUaBT7wPaU7hafDOBLutLVsVEYwco8FXcJd_NmD6xSC0cWXJV8w34qUApEQsKPL3ydEwxMGK1xZh5wAp8Jc/w400-h188/act97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Romans ploughed on relentlessly, with the Hastati hurling themselves into the depleted ranks of the Peltasts. The Peltasts defended bravely, but their lack of armour cost them dearly and they were pushed back after suffering yet more casualties.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM2L5sg998mQPK4uYlnnbOTBkBj7EKqzSYuovjnQqjsaP15VaA2XDHOdno5tFZYeT73B6V0Ys6P12vGCAMPGttczu0ZNZvj5AqbLvQz5zg-17i1ZoUJ_NlKAM6L5ftTiJCQ_guYSYxGah47zh-iWFIJOq-HHoGnoQwyeofUZWHf0UGfsKRPwbK-HzaBQ/s2041/act98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2041" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM2L5sg998mQPK4uYlnnbOTBkBj7EKqzSYuovjnQqjsaP15VaA2XDHOdno5tFZYeT73B6V0Ys6P12vGCAMPGttczu0ZNZvj5AqbLvQz5zg-17i1ZoUJ_NlKAM6L5ftTiJCQ_guYSYxGah47zh-iWFIJOq-HHoGnoQwyeofUZWHf0UGfsKRPwbK-HzaBQ/w400-h185/act98.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With just three of their number remaining and stalled from the furious onslaught of the Hastati, the Peltasts had no chance of making any impact on the Romans, who were still fighting at full strength.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTvGfptJnkDXnPwVQpeU69QCq2vJ6VgBHQ6M1HS-Tww5bRbAYce-_MkJ6T7heThhB_l-u2p-4u2-ZJ0cA4VwAHk_7bwkJD2zQ5HQEYeonKC5u0g4DSEHvdS07xBdI5JhuaMSw5_sx5a7VMW-9T7I_1xtTfcspYgYaF35RisWyDeOWr5ouNUZM9yOMdZU/s1823/act99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1823" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTvGfptJnkDXnPwVQpeU69QCq2vJ6VgBHQ6M1HS-Tww5bRbAYce-_MkJ6T7heThhB_l-u2p-4u2-ZJ0cA4VwAHk_7bwkJD2zQ5HQEYeonKC5u0g4DSEHvdS07xBdI5JhuaMSw5_sx5a7VMW-9T7I_1xtTfcspYgYaF35RisWyDeOWr5ouNUZM9yOMdZU/w400-h194/act99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite flank, the Syracusan Peltasts were also suffering grievously from the heavier Roman infantry. A deadly cloud of Pila from the Princeps skittling yet more Greek warriors from the battle line.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UZxiQzHD8mO1iv4fKKNlOzqccp1ptA92IZNTNSe7L4-2AFOBzGZ62vMnO1TDJ1ewtR6ZizFzqFcyt9Am-CfsU_CyRX1JreYdrgw_5tX-RKWqMDyWmqKnL7bEPjNbRECZY1JoIQg9SFAAXfc1dr61YowSYp3LUKQOjvhw4Mv_qRZ8Mcb1FrTItmKbyqE/s2090/act991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="2090" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UZxiQzHD8mO1iv4fKKNlOzqccp1ptA92IZNTNSe7L4-2AFOBzGZ62vMnO1TDJ1ewtR6ZizFzqFcyt9Am-CfsU_CyRX1JreYdrgw_5tX-RKWqMDyWmqKnL7bEPjNbRECZY1JoIQg9SFAAXfc1dr61YowSYp3LUKQOjvhw4Mv_qRZ8Mcb1FrTItmKbyqE/w400-h184/act991.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Heiro finally committed his final reserve and the Citizen Hoplites ploughed into the Principes, however, they needed to break formation to do so and, consequently, lost many of the advantages the tighter formation would have given them.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmCkVceOnH6NVJZKl4OKNO_lYvHF6IdZxCXOxvnbYoHsGiyquaDcPDDquQZja9MRwx8GhXym8uPMM1g26_ykA7oNYQgm0iDY0GkupY1NqwuMns3lbNPTk_xKv06ao_2KZIXfgv_Q1zVfkw2Azltr_towje-yQrnGwlL-pBLAngWVLwXPj1BdF2wFd3tc/s1773/act992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1773" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmCkVceOnH6NVJZKl4OKNO_lYvHF6IdZxCXOxvnbYoHsGiyquaDcPDDquQZja9MRwx8GhXym8uPMM1g26_ykA7oNYQgm0iDY0GkupY1NqwuMns3lbNPTk_xKv06ao_2KZIXfgv_Q1zVfkw2Azltr_towje-yQrnGwlL-pBLAngWVLwXPj1BdF2wFd3tc/w400-h184/act992.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the Citizen Hoplites fought for their lives against the Princeps, disaster was unfolding on the far side of the hill... the last of Theodotus' Peltasts were being massacred, falling to the last man beneath the hideous and remorseless blades of the Hastati...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZWlvfi0mCvAF1ar4Ljjs7sQ1Z1fQ4OlPh2rKNv-I0ysMOtWQzk79IWgWqG65yHZO58VNUcj9EFhw3EvfM9DZeGMcEjhwv0T-YTWajjZobX1ML935cC3aBz-5JQwTi7apDfY3ZFA7LsqkW5AEqsZG1DhdBrBRpPGkgn73pqVPOEfwpkU7179LqSygnLs/s2204/act993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="2204" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZWlvfi0mCvAF1ar4Ljjs7sQ1Z1fQ4OlPh2rKNv-I0ysMOtWQzk79IWgWqG65yHZO58VNUcj9EFhw3EvfM9DZeGMcEjhwv0T-YTWajjZobX1ML935cC3aBz-5JQwTi7apDfY3ZFA7LsqkW5AEqsZG1DhdBrBRpPGkgn73pqVPOEfwpkU7179LqSygnLs/w400-h183/act993.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">After close to four hours of toil and terror the massive casualties taken the Syracusans was enough to finally break their spirit and the few remaining stragglers, along with their leaders, fled in a desperate scramble to escape the unyielding blades of the Romans.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fielding a small Roman warband in Clash of Spears is always a little problematic, in that any Hastati and Principes quickly rattle up the points and, even the Velites cost 13 points each, compared to a mere 8 points for the shieldless Greek Psiloi. For this 'Clash', 27 Romans (with one Leader) cost 621 points, while the Syracusan warband mustered 36 figures and only cost 600 points. The Hastati and the Principes with their throwing spears are a nightmare to face, if your warband is made up primarily of troops with a Save value of 6+ and 7+, however, the stars of the Roman Warband, in my humble opinion, are the Velites. They are capable of holding ground against any other light troops and are on a par with the Peltasts, with whom they share an identical stat line.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I currently have another unit of Psiloi on the painting bench for the Syracusans and I purchased enough Greek Heavy Cavalry from the wonderful Sprue Shop to make up a 6 figure unit. The only down side of fielding the cavalry is that they are 'Rare' and will turn your warband into an 'ad hoc' formation, unless you also field some Veteran Hoplites. Not really sure where to go with the Romans; more Velites would always be welcome and a second unit of Hastati would be a good option to give the Principes a day off.</span></div><div><br /></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-15407759152753550742023-07-13T16:27:00.001+00:002023-07-15T08:10:30.138+00:00WHAT A COWBOY... A FIST FULL OF DOLLOPS!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Because 'What a Cowboy' arrived somewhat unexpectedly in my life, I currently have very little in the way of resources to set up a game like some of the amazing ones that you see on the internet. However, I was determined that, when I had painted my first four cowboys, I was going to set up the dining room table for a shootout, come what may. Well, here we are; four cowboys and a mere smattering of scenery made up mostly of a load of boulders and an outdoor privy! What, I hear you cry, can you do with that?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Call it coincidence, call it chance, call it what you will, but no one could have foreseen the strange series of curious events that would lead to the ferocious fracas, at the place known to the God fearing and upstanding citizens of Devil's Butte as... The Privy of Doom!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As implausible as it may seem through the swirling mists of time, the devious Gods of Happenstance had conjured up a lethal confrontation between two of those worthy townsfolk and a pair of that most notorious and outrageous band of villainous rouges, The Hole in the Roof Gang!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Both pairs of gun totin' folk, good and bad, had, that warm September Kansas morning, inexplicably found themselves wandering aimlessly towards that mysterious boulder strewn location, where the latrine with no known purpose had stood since before the days when the founding fathers of Devil's Butte had arrived and settled this land of promise and plenty.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DZ4fJRe74dLLQ5rLuba1QEpSCDkqmH7WC4fl_1M_w72H6HwlRZRUW1gvqzAV5qBNwlIxjRAohGj4DJtfAZjnaHsozdCJYyPsIkg3gM1KI888HFudmq3gGp1Dgn_JcfcTKXXNH7NWk0qHn9HEURgtnYhRnU1oe74CgG8RGYzh4VfL0nw4F0KpA9XL/s1670/Longhorn%20McDuff.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1670" data-original-width="1377" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DZ4fJRe74dLLQ5rLuba1QEpSCDkqmH7WC4fl_1M_w72H6HwlRZRUW1gvqzAV5qBNwlIxjRAohGj4DJtfAZjnaHsozdCJYyPsIkg3gM1KI888HFudmq3gGp1Dgn_JcfcTKXXNH7NWk0qHn9HEURgtnYhRnU1oe74CgG8RGYzh4VfL0nw4F0KpA9XL/w330-h400/Longhorn%20McDuff.jpg" width="330" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Longhorn McDuff - 'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Great swaggerin' hornytoads, Kid, I'm suddenly a might bustin' for a pee!", announced the grizzly old timer, Longhorn MacDuff.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Yup!", replied The Vimto Kid, succinctly summing up their somewhat desperate and completely out of the blue situation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">MacDuff urgently crossed his scrawny legs and said, "If the stories my old Mammy used to tell me, as I sat upon her one remaining arthritic knee, are true, then, about a mile up the road, there's a hidden privy where I'll be able to relieve myself."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Yup!", replied the Vimto Kid, suddenly turning pale. "I think we might need to hurry, Longhorn, my bowels ain't feelin' too good." And, with that, the two outlaws shuffled hurriedly off in the direction of the legendary outhouse.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr6hK4Si0YEjv7oV2cwZojag0LN1V7S9XA1BlK_kHjEzBctIbX6twZ34oiZIpanBlarccIade8Uef-pwL9kPb5WMyfETTatARMF8aatXc10wXkuAvXYqbPFmeR1VNAX9FoVn5gUv8LbyMD77d16nzb_NfxTQDwxiG1Fq_gjLOCLYXUYMOJFTKRKmq/s1648/The%20Vimto%20Kid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1648" data-original-width="1277" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr6hK4Si0YEjv7oV2cwZojag0LN1V7S9XA1BlK_kHjEzBctIbX6twZ34oiZIpanBlarccIade8Uef-pwL9kPb5WMyfETTatARMF8aatXc10wXkuAvXYqbPFmeR1VNAX9FoVn5gUv8LbyMD77d16nzb_NfxTQDwxiG1Fq_gjLOCLYXUYMOJFTKRKmq/w310-h400/The%20Vimto%20Kid.jpg" width="310" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Vimto Kid.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, some distance to the north, Devil's Butte's very own medical practitioner and sawbones, Doc Marten and Tennessee Jacques Daniels, owner and sole proprietor of the town's one and only hostelry, the Jaunty Buckaroo, were also experiencing the frantic need to answer the primordial call of nature. "I'm not sure how long I can hold on," stammered Tennessee Jacques.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Now don't you worry Tennessee," said Doc, calm and medical like, "If we get a move on, we should be able to make it to The Privy of Doom just in time."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"The Privy of Doom!" shrieked Daniels, "We can't go there... it's haunted by the ghost of some fella who got stuck in the lavatory, he was there from Sunday to Saturday and nobody knew he was there!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Poppycock," replied the leech, "Now see here, I'm a man of science and intellectual enlightenment and I know there is no such thing as ghosts. Now you just hang on to your intestines Tennessee and we'll have you sat on that thunderbox before you can say 'clench my buttocks'."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0J8x9q07AulokxHvH03sEy9ssKaHvy2Hz9Topts33rRiJeRpDkE5dwMDPd1jQ3ixzYTYphNCZrswyzT2KTOr0gS_OSWpHYclBRnP7NcFIfkcoZS7xp0XF6EecjuUYI1i_rwyk2uxKRvTyk8fsnc_OkvzQAFRK_sIn7FDPxYdnQa6yVOr2KgejFZB/s1699/Doc%20Marten.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="1379" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0J8x9q07AulokxHvH03sEy9ssKaHvy2Hz9Topts33rRiJeRpDkE5dwMDPd1jQ3ixzYTYphNCZrswyzT2KTOr0gS_OSWpHYclBRnP7NcFIfkcoZS7xp0XF6EecjuUYI1i_rwyk2uxKRvTyk8fsnc_OkvzQAFRK_sIn7FDPxYdnQa6yVOr2KgejFZB/w325-h400/Doc%20Marten.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doc Marten - learned scholar and man of science.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Gff_KaorddYAEmdmVUMGaOsY_TA88QptaibtlPekCgxj6C9QBWwSNUI7YHuiLDAYqsGxLxGhOSAg0FDu9IBuAXmrAylFsNGK2N8ngl8BXKQOBIlJocnnbfGsc6pYEAU3_c9z4oTsna6tlk1zlEl11HbyHLaW6YugRfcdK5AULTME3NrWO0LzYXKX/s1457/Tennessee%20Jaques.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1070" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Gff_KaorddYAEmdmVUMGaOsY_TA88QptaibtlPekCgxj6C9QBWwSNUI7YHuiLDAYqsGxLxGhOSAg0FDu9IBuAXmrAylFsNGK2N8ngl8BXKQOBIlJocnnbfGsc6pYEAU3_c9z4oTsna6tlk1zlEl11HbyHLaW6YugRfcdK5AULTME3NrWO0LzYXKX/w294-h400/Tennessee%20Jaques.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Jacques Daniels - Shotgun wielding hotelier and owner of the Jaunty Buckaroo. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And so, the scene is set, four desperate men heading inexorably towards a meeting with destiny and heavily soiled underwear... anything can happen in the next half an hour...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxMRXksnFs6V3UFY3XqAFArAzcU_vYLXh5I_4sAbq4-rhMo0KGtIvpxqbCr6frrbPsBpsZgvGnKg1iQSNs7wweQQwg3R8CFXirbkzJgBDN_HJszXyrcDMkNcTIbNFLEyrG0AQ8BEuxFC4_BYdItP8p4z1iT6jncj4QNDobLctR97FilCYzbFzbCB9irQ/s1341/field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxMRXksnFs6V3UFY3XqAFArAzcU_vYLXh5I_4sAbq4-rhMo0KGtIvpxqbCr6frrbPsBpsZgvGnKg1iQSNs7wweQQwg3R8CFXirbkzJgBDN_HJszXyrcDMkNcTIbNFLEyrG0AQ8BEuxFC4_BYdItP8p4z1iT6jncj4QNDobLctR97FilCYzbFzbCB9irQ/w283-h400/field.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Privy of Doom stood at the centre of an ominous ring of boulders believed, by the indigenous population, to be the droppings of an ancient giant buffalo god called Teetonka and his beautiful hirsute wife, Wachiweewee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwoRp4wzDnP2uyeMJ5joYcE2KGoftmiM4z3q5OhpOfbNb0dHZjhkTcIE9oO3PvkPZd3w3WtDzZ3-z5QK8fp3_yPSwtfdLdee8IU1FlHRhjxlQU-Mj--0TkBL57fTBUgw_kYhGCfiHEKlwuWg1ku0YB3qY28u140YcDpZ9u62QPOsc9JQfxIKmnsWsgI4/s1481/firstdraw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwoRp4wzDnP2uyeMJ5joYcE2KGoftmiM4z3q5OhpOfbNb0dHZjhkTcIE9oO3PvkPZd3w3WtDzZ3-z5QK8fp3_yPSwtfdLdee8IU1FlHRhjxlQU-Mj--0TkBL57fTBUgw_kYhGCfiHEKlwuWg1ku0YB3qY28u140YcDpZ9u62QPOsc9JQfxIKmnsWsgI4/w238-h400/firstdraw.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first ever card draw and activation roll of a game of 'What a Cowboy' on ye olde dining room table, saw Doc Marten, the least desperate of our four dramatis personae, rolling no less than three movement dice...</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi903mj61F0t5J77rD047uJzrcIEcmumcKCR6awFPxEyh000kDVHFB8FRaY9stSBTb3FTkIHVeRTqT8DmThE5RtF-Xkkic3OazsEgnqfNd7GtG6cWsNBAXgJmM3HJfwYi63zFVHgNTbC9elRDbZB6iDTmCYbyXdD3ou4k_HAN9ah08gouxzuQjus5ZDpVo/s1821/game1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1821" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi903mj61F0t5J77rD047uJzrcIEcmumcKCR6awFPxEyh000kDVHFB8FRaY9stSBTb3FTkIHVeRTqT8DmThE5RtF-Xkkic3OazsEgnqfNd7GtG6cWsNBAXgJmM3HJfwYi63zFVHgNTbC9elRDbZB6iDTmCYbyXdD3ou4k_HAN9ah08gouxzuQjus5ZDpVo/w400-h200/game1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The three movement dice enabled Doc to weave his way through the boulders and end his activation just a hop and a step from the asylum of the Privy of Doom. His inexperience had, however, left him somewhat exposed should one of the Hole in the Roof Gang get in a position to draw a bead on him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmwxruWwDxSXX8RTp0Nb8sitBDkY4Y7m6FcC4CMqhDVfDDv7mZJ80fhrxgb8SAHZpwzwR5Rj7uIMDKL3y3EIdEfa_Rl0eTv-h4-GyONODlVJp_VFfyXFzvna-OQ4C3UU0MFBn6kbZWEDevkj6AwP5zkepkV4s71CVZFPyH2LjSR62H2qbJ7a6BZ78EiA/s1942/game2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="874" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmwxruWwDxSXX8RTp0Nb8sitBDkY4Y7m6FcC4CMqhDVfDDv7mZJ80fhrxgb8SAHZpwzwR5Rj7uIMDKL3y3EIdEfa_Rl0eTv-h4-GyONODlVJp_VFfyXFzvna-OQ4C3UU0MFBn6kbZWEDevkj6AwP5zkepkV4s71CVZFPyH2LjSR62H2qbJ7a6BZ78EiA/w180-h400/game2.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Well, would you credit it? The grizzly old timer, Longhorn McDuff, wandered into a gap between the boulders, giving him a clear line of site on Doc. "Dang my Doodle," said Longhorn, hurriedly drawing his six shooter, "Don't you squat on yer spurs boy!" he called, hastily squeezing the trigger, but his two unaimed shots caused Doc not one jot of bother.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOlHKja7_V0tswdzf6RH0RB-Fglb7X51VrOGxHNIl6zgb16FdECchkh4IK7zkJS98dafVpjoNGNGIG44uHCjVyWi4pFsOtkI2ZWRzpnLkg5Mk_A3-BgdGKheoPAoM3c0PuJXd1UhXmf7i211w6ByhA5C1fol9v2xbe2WNUZ4FRfC-jIgGiCBHNU3W8Oo/s1327/game3.jpg"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1244" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOlHKja7_V0tswdzf6RH0RB-Fglb7X51VrOGxHNIl6zgb16FdECchkh4IK7zkJS98dafVpjoNGNGIG44uHCjVyWi4pFsOtkI2ZWRzpnLkg5Mk_A3-BgdGKheoPAoM3c0PuJXd1UhXmf7i211w6ByhA5C1fol9v2xbe2WNUZ4FRfC-jIgGiCBHNU3W8Oo/w375-h400/game3.jpg" width="375" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, the Vimto Kid moved up to the boulders and, in spite of his greenhorn status, took careful aim and fired a shot at Doc, who was just recovering from the shock of being fired upon by McDuff...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVX4G8yp5BxE_eYleFA-wls--VUOSOV6FJ59EbhSxGwQ7o0AaJ-4HKZCMzHpgNCqLMVbHGZp78Xsnh3V6MEzZ3HKWr9FZgKBxj_vwAkm3wIYrMoWwv5vYx94kwSBDU1ryiCW19vdMGtjoouXGPg4vTNlTN3QfGaNuTedSgY2vtYdMbHJ1vnxuwv88Bbs/s1618/game4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVX4G8yp5BxE_eYleFA-wls--VUOSOV6FJ59EbhSxGwQ7o0AaJ-4HKZCMzHpgNCqLMVbHGZp78Xsnh3V6MEzZ3HKWr9FZgKBxj_vwAkm3wIYrMoWwv5vYx94kwSBDU1ryiCW19vdMGtjoouXGPg4vTNlTN3QfGaNuTedSgY2vtYdMbHJ1vnxuwv88Bbs/w254-h400/game4.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The God of the Boulders must have been smiling down on the Vimto Kid as his first ever shot winged Doc Marten, who was now utterly flabbergasted to find himself being fired at from both sides of the Privy of Doom. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo5FgdghSgNOdtHTtXB1AL2IDXLiMm0ng5jDBslI2b1WJl6jtqy91Xbdw3v6QcjkjFv0mTvvF6LDNmAriCg5jmAg3naO8z5S-klwyl2tSTUQgLO83pre9H8n-4JswSOSjjq5ccu6tUWO7wZthiauLZb4o53mc6zpr-NOcNJheIWyU5M4fKu8N5PO5_Wg/s1917/game5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="862" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo5FgdghSgNOdtHTtXB1AL2IDXLiMm0ng5jDBslI2b1WJl6jtqy91Xbdw3v6QcjkjFv0mTvvF6LDNmAriCg5jmAg3naO8z5S-klwyl2tSTUQgLO83pre9H8n-4JswSOSjjq5ccu6tUWO7wZthiauLZb4o53mc6zpr-NOcNJheIWyU5M4fKu8N5PO5_Wg/w180-h400/game5.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Cowboy Chronicles relate that Doc Marten was made of stern stuff and, brushing off his flesh wound, he hauled himself into the bouldery cover and took careful aim with his six shooter... Longhorn McDuff let out a fearful yawl as the .45 calibre bullet tore through the extensor digitorum longus muscle of his right leg, "You great flannel mouth'd bangtail sidewinder!" howled McDuff, realizing that he was seriously hurt and those minus 1 modifiers were going to make it mighty difficult to reach the Privy before the long expected trouser deluge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNHDwxCIjiM5kYRpkuP5gAquFKkq23AnVrK3AEGXg3ewQxHz3zDgwvVZO3rc4RSe38IfRgZNF9G_daM7IkAc92qlboUAoMJj3T6JPosnFy13-uZQ_2S6NcCqPYzOa0iY7aQoy_vdIaaSD9Sg6m2XFXXL2QB5dlpwhZELEuCGonvKejt40OGFTEM8XeFo/s2323/game7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="1045" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNHDwxCIjiM5kYRpkuP5gAquFKkq23AnVrK3AEGXg3ewQxHz3zDgwvVZO3rc4RSe38IfRgZNF9G_daM7IkAc92qlboUAoMJj3T6JPosnFy13-uZQ_2S6NcCqPYzOa0iY7aQoy_vdIaaSD9Sg6m2XFXXL2QB5dlpwhZELEuCGonvKejt40OGFTEM8XeFo/w180-h400/game7.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Things began to look even more bleak for the Hole in the Roof Gang, as Tennessee let go a mighty two barrelled blast with his shotgun in the direction of the Vimto Kid. Youth is a property that only the young are blessed with and Vimto was able to dodge nimbly into cover and, with remarkable coolness, subsequently aimed two shots in return...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUglUjJ2hLqDFqDdigihGStfICrufsKC_CWTVAh8SdLuMe2LT_Ksz9IYJUj94jFn3rA7nY3zzXxDHnuqTCnwr6s1ub5dmcZ3TbDieevxPakImZGzwrFfQrNImMqXC4sdCZijWBeIet0Mr6xKv1X46ZaJQk45YTPcfT8gUEZy4I8RhEOgjd4iNGMXDUHc/s2001/game8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="2001" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUglUjJ2hLqDFqDdigihGStfICrufsKC_CWTVAh8SdLuMe2LT_Ksz9IYJUj94jFn3rA7nY3zzXxDHnuqTCnwr6s1ub5dmcZ3TbDieevxPakImZGzwrFfQrNImMqXC4sdCZijWBeIet0Mr6xKv1X46ZaJQk45YTPcfT8gUEZy4I8RhEOgjd4iNGMXDUHc/w400-h165/game8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and now it was Tennessee who was diving into cover as the lead whistled by his ears.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTODheaNXNrji9RsJpd02aw0WSFCB5wfQp9B-mfI9fkh0nh6VDfkLEqSNLwXccscHu1b6qzda8agxgYemiqaFo8Vf7bLsE2mwxCmfX1M6Ti9tVd5zsaa_0tTX18Vwn9pU5GpcmzfMX9V2Ljo_oE0wt2n1xNpmuU5o0XwP5THBNR5JPFQxxv_Qw_m3k5ls/s1557/game9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="971" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTODheaNXNrji9RsJpd02aw0WSFCB5wfQp9B-mfI9fkh0nh6VDfkLEqSNLwXccscHu1b6qzda8agxgYemiqaFo8Vf7bLsE2mwxCmfX1M6Ti9tVd5zsaa_0tTX18Vwn9pU5GpcmzfMX9V2Ljo_oE0wt2n1xNpmuU5o0XwP5THBNR5JPFQxxv_Qw_m3k5ls/w250-h400/game9.jpg" width="250" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing his opponent down, the Vimto Kid took a decision that he would regret for the rest of his life and forced himself out of his rocky shelter to make a Herculean dash for the dunny. "Thunderation Kid," called Longhorn, still hopping wildly on his wounded leg, "Hang fire there and get yer bat wings back into cover before them varmints plug yer fulla lead."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Aint nobody stoppin' me from gettin' to that there privy now Longhorn!" replied the breathless youngster.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, the Vimto Kid hadn't bargained on Tennessee Jacques Daniels' card being the first out of the deck in the next turn...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx948AgmBzZ4B3dSRS6aOBIDXk3luSVY3bbQK2LLdo6HlGHGStbZhifMDdp6bvZWRuB3PJiKvF6B9o5-UawkvYnoTGwMjTfLaDA8yHpe0p0f8E-PAZi1Ew_AIiHCTDlzw05GNRcnfy9C8qLMhTsA_zrFI9lNKoUAdmNb_UyDeA5WVBbWkVfzGRP_LIRwk/s2071/game91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="1004" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx948AgmBzZ4B3dSRS6aOBIDXk3luSVY3bbQK2LLdo6HlGHGStbZhifMDdp6bvZWRuB3PJiKvF6B9o5-UawkvYnoTGwMjTfLaDA8yHpe0p0f8E-PAZi1Ew_AIiHCTDlzw05GNRcnfy9C8qLMhTsA_zrFI9lNKoUAdmNb_UyDeA5WVBbWkVfzGRP_LIRwk/w194-h400/game91.jpg" width="194" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">those two ones meant that Tennessee could rid himself of that unwanted pinned marker and stroll like the veritable bringer of death, right in the direction of the Vimto Kid, standing right outside the Privy of Doom with just one slug contaminating his six shooter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xRMEH8D1PzteDiOuxNd7gbU83sfTfaA8ojf_pArRFTM6yjq46uNHYMr6U-DapaQfGGjdad8GRNu0CNFeI11B_HIs2Ls0BPrNL9hFz9UhQlDzP_ck9OR-AOv-KfpbOa6-bJM9L40VmiH54wh3P21wTCgo0i3u0uH8MLDqDg9I7FcpiWQ9qezVXFKjlq8/s1675/game92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="975" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xRMEH8D1PzteDiOuxNd7gbU83sfTfaA8ojf_pArRFTM6yjq46uNHYMr6U-DapaQfGGjdad8GRNu0CNFeI11B_HIs2Ls0BPrNL9hFz9UhQlDzP_ck9OR-AOv-KfpbOa6-bJM9L40VmiH54wh3P21wTCgo0i3u0uH8MLDqDg9I7FcpiWQ9qezVXFKjlq8/w233-h400/game92.jpg" width="233" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">"Hold it right there yer squinny greenhorn," snarled Jacques, "That there Privy 'aint big enough for the both of us, so I'm gonna have to use this here splatterin' iron to take your place in the queue!" And, with that, he levelled the shotgun straight at the Kid and sent a death-dealing cloud of lead hurtling in his direction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhRSABSCjYuLekwHVqdt2jAWQXabjRGpGkzv08IojwnpcR28EsiiyPxizUHDFODFuwFtHWrcVGlfsEhFo5w8JsKIPytaLr-n3bYpGZcw3JlDOqjxk0Bgc8UlTGL8huqA6WoKFRJ2NTrbJC-C67wQmBcbHaw8IapWAZ8uz4MHo6vbOmGrKz8fk4G0i3w4/s2118/game94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="2118" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhRSABSCjYuLekwHVqdt2jAWQXabjRGpGkzv08IojwnpcR28EsiiyPxizUHDFODFuwFtHWrcVGlfsEhFo5w8JsKIPytaLr-n3bYpGZcw3JlDOqjxk0Bgc8UlTGL8huqA6WoKFRJ2NTrbJC-C67wQmBcbHaw8IapWAZ8uz4MHo6vbOmGrKz8fk4G0i3w4/w400-h175/game94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Once again, the Vimto Kid's athletic prowess saved his villainous life and he dived for the cover of the Privy as a cloud of lead whistled past his well honed leaping body.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpPKyJJVoCOjrGRCeQcamL7G4v4WZWgWvjpYHUsfIzXL9v-2QEJ9S1kksyEjbatv8Q6s5sTDRTRqUK36T47zEupesMKF0Fqhe-8t3aWgr4Bb2PL0--f52ppN261V_MDhS1pb-R9ooaRrelqnit4KUqyTPSjbmlN0jWSp02N_XN5KQzr14y-sdUUjk_Og/s2257/game95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2257" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpPKyJJVoCOjrGRCeQcamL7G4v4WZWgWvjpYHUsfIzXL9v-2QEJ9S1kksyEjbatv8Q6s5sTDRTRqUK36T47zEupesMKF0Fqhe-8t3aWgr4Bb2PL0--f52ppN261V_MDhS1pb-R9ooaRrelqnit4KUqyTPSjbmlN0jWSp02N_XN5KQzr14y-sdUUjk_Og/w400-h216/game95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Now it was Tennessee who realised that he was in a precarious situation and he swiftly played his remaining movement die to scurry for the cover of the other side of the privy. The two enemies now found themselves in the ultimate danger, with just a wooden privy between each of them and six feet of pulpy soil and a wooden cross in the eternal embrace of Boot Hill.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It was then that a sharp metallic click from behind him made the Vimto Kid spin through one-hundred and eighty degrees and the horrific realisation that he had placed himself right in the sights of...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3RCHVmXxIUMR1UxGXtELPHVugfAMpkUQEVilNgB2FqmFjkHdi0sT1PsDB7KxFlvfI2CN7DBth30p3FQhfW97qV1-1k0GdrcI3YpdIXoq5bqOWrDkzLhSyqhNuF0Waggu51LganIVJZiu-c0WwfEPS5pTIyigulOauMddKMaoIW4ILxWamv8nnphiGJA/s1833/game96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1833" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3RCHVmXxIUMR1UxGXtELPHVugfAMpkUQEVilNgB2FqmFjkHdi0sT1PsDB7KxFlvfI2CN7DBth30p3FQhfW97qV1-1k0GdrcI3YpdIXoq5bqOWrDkzLhSyqhNuF0Waggu51LganIVJZiu-c0WwfEPS5pTIyigulOauMddKMaoIW4ILxWamv8nnphiGJA/w400-h168/game96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">the wounded but still fighting Doc Marten. Not for the first time that fateful day, the luck of the card draw was with the Vimto Kid and he was able to unleash a shot towards Doc Marten, who, definitely not for the first time, found himself hurling himself into the rocky boulders of the giant buffalo god.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcvtJlsQ590zJYNx2h7D_K-kuv4mjzgg7uWBi5zs-BWidZFTkcgC3OB9-lJkCT9hDrGVyefTcmXmNiXqbnRuCHCtT1UYNCS1_plpEoSareRTd3QEoNLDGOQGh3g5yKeX1wXiEVNKKfVv1uVFyY5-Vh-TUXYo6uJHl9RtUvr2yNBHPzCd9v3KKrTj8rSw/s1681/game97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1681" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcvtJlsQ590zJYNx2h7D_K-kuv4mjzgg7uWBi5zs-BWidZFTkcgC3OB9-lJkCT9hDrGVyefTcmXmNiXqbnRuCHCtT1UYNCS1_plpEoSareRTd3QEoNLDGOQGh3g5yKeX1wXiEVNKKfVv1uVFyY5-Vh-TUXYo6uJHl9RtUvr2yNBHPzCd9v3KKrTj8rSw/w400-h191/game97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Lady Luck, they say, is a fickle mistress and she was about to sever any relationship she may have ever had with the poor gullible dupe, the Vimto Kid!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMcgNqIzISq1Fbmjn0cxiXsQZgsQeuPGnOcW4mjvyYaKcsNlpb5g5uxVr10AX4rByDV_sUN8kPNgUx8qbaNgb0Fr2KZVe06y8Fx87EZ5gma0i__x2IYAlCzhDTmBViNy8gtfRKcSWAi7DpT-TK_wl0Q_W6yQexpEPuUi_fZ-o-Cxh-6p-8nWJTnkeBO4/s1886/game98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1886" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMcgNqIzISq1Fbmjn0cxiXsQZgsQeuPGnOcW4mjvyYaKcsNlpb5g5uxVr10AX4rByDV_sUN8kPNgUx8qbaNgb0Fr2KZVe06y8Fx87EZ5gma0i__x2IYAlCzhDTmBViNy8gtfRKcSWAi7DpT-TK_wl0Q_W6yQexpEPuUi_fZ-o-Cxh-6p-8nWJTnkeBO4/w400-h170/game98.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No sooner had the Kid's last bullet ricocheted off the life saving boulders which had devotedly protected Doc Marten, than the man, who was to prove to be his nemesis, broke from cover and aimed his re-loaded shotgun at point blank range at the adolescent outlaw, hoodwinked, deluded and corrupted by the promise of fame, riches and an endless supply of beans. This time, there were to be no second chances...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQImTsz0oWg5pthPLyP953JrmvO0EOuaaNRegcttizEwu8oMI3H2mPJv1KFI4f8TY8FIxWh-mdUmmnpJ1GbdSDoS79dSmE5NmNsYF1GhYWy_LK1pAXr_ms1j0EM2NR-_9zisrYqcqvVouHtTBr1fJFheLAx2juoBz6Ei-WFuZsdWQGgTz-Q63p3zVuY3s/s1468/game99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1468" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQImTsz0oWg5pthPLyP953JrmvO0EOuaaNRegcttizEwu8oMI3H2mPJv1KFI4f8TY8FIxWh-mdUmmnpJ1GbdSDoS79dSmE5NmNsYF1GhYWy_LK1pAXr_ms1j0EM2NR-_9zisrYqcqvVouHtTBr1fJFheLAx2juoBz6Ei-WFuZsdWQGgTz-Q63p3zVuY3s/w400-h223/game99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Vimto Kid was no more, shuffled off this mortal coil by both barrels of a bar owner's shotgun. Each man's death diminishes me, for whom the bell tolls, Vimto Kid, it tolls for thee!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-kr39E-4ahfzVsWz6H-Bpv7uGg5vCzmPgdYMQ4IP3L-m15S1Ks33z1zcBvjjPBhGT98TKLGz3c-OH6eLZXTClhIUMW56PRW-kopVxA8IMHtgbnR2Kb_nhUZJwTDus42Ex2rzcjT80k51jdsm0WbPCIs7sjv4ODZ-mLqV9NReGjhqxr-OryMl5oD8SuI/s1460/game991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1027" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-kr39E-4ahfzVsWz6H-Bpv7uGg5vCzmPgdYMQ4IP3L-m15S1Ks33z1zcBvjjPBhGT98TKLGz3c-OH6eLZXTClhIUMW56PRW-kopVxA8IMHtgbnR2Kb_nhUZJwTDus42Ex2rzcjT80k51jdsm0WbPCIs7sjv4ODZ-mLqV9NReGjhqxr-OryMl5oD8SuI/w281-h400/game991.jpg" width="281" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Vimto Kid despatched, Tennessee Jacques claimed his murderous prize and headed for the prostate relieving refuge of the Privy of Doom. Fate, however, was to deliver him a blood chilling reward that no man should ever have the misfortune to face...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGfHk8dfNFn3Sp5GkRa280wnQQd0nOJwxgIVj_rNeVou7h-ZVSt2d-bdbSa99WkwMBLBfACbY3OA9Rdbl3t0DGLcPNfGa9uIL94n9dG_sv3jOOlkjby7XRKcsIEyqnSFtzNFNbBLyHQ99ZuTlzopw76v3ldh50G0fqi2ZU2i3y_baKgF42hWjtzpjyoM/s1585/game992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1585" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGfHk8dfNFn3Sp5GkRa280wnQQd0nOJwxgIVj_rNeVou7h-ZVSt2d-bdbSa99WkwMBLBfACbY3OA9Rdbl3t0DGLcPNfGa9uIL94n9dG_sv3jOOlkjby7XRKcsIEyqnSFtzNFNbBLyHQ99ZuTlzopw76v3ldh50G0fqi2ZU2i3y_baKgF42hWjtzpjyoM/w400-h299/game992.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Legend of the Privy of Doom was, it appears, true after all... whomsoever the poor unfortunate, forced to spend a penny for all eternity may have been, we will never know. Indeed, the sheriff of Devil's Butte, Sheriff Dick Steeples, has said, that the mystery of the Privy of Doom may never be solved as they have nothing to go on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-14870541659665443122023-05-30T09:17:00.001+00:002023-05-30T09:20:20.398+00:00SHARP PRACTICE... 1ST AFGHAN WAR UPDATE!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEHT3ab-CRXdsyEP0cr3JuhqTjyYBLlAbUPTxe4-wb7nmkJpr5c-dLKBu6ccxSPCCbMtv1BMwtXTX33K_HvHk2FJhvZNVwAekz9a1wLzdbST--EjCnZ2ztxJS4tGtsv3SFsu2-QChN2ueu2CMlX8gNZtcESXTl3bnbLh3k2LiPYaMTi8q8UU81Lfh/s1902/ghazis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1902" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEHT3ab-CRXdsyEP0cr3JuhqTjyYBLlAbUPTxe4-wb7nmkJpr5c-dLKBu6ccxSPCCbMtv1BMwtXTX33K_HvHk2FJhvZNVwAekz9a1wLzdbST--EjCnZ2ztxJS4tGtsv3SFsu2-QChN2ueu2CMlX8gNZtcESXTl3bnbLh3k2LiPYaMTi8q8UU81Lfh/w400-h201/ghazis1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></span>This week I finally completed my second Afghan group for Sharp Practice; a 12 figure bunch of rogues under the command of the equally roguish local Mullah, Abdullah Shambhani. The Mullah Abdullah is a lowly village cleric who has seized the opportunity to make a name for himself by calling the faithful to arms in response to the British invasion of his country. He is aided in his mission by Amail Domki, who carries the red and black banner, which symbolises the blood of the infidel cascading into the terrible depths of hell!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAHcZA9UAQKUeTPzXFax8jNZoDemioaz573WaiIiJWU60hXGOvXFuOt5_mfch3uKi3fv81-1_Fqea2DtplK4z-N_q-hGDXgFnmZzl0Wzl1vNmvOqqqszrXcC_H-_MUF5F7wre2e91mG7U5QtCs3g7WywCrVpFKs0_ju0dlHa3pmzqmFJ7366hx8B_/s2075/ghazis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="2075" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAHcZA9UAQKUeTPzXFax8jNZoDemioaz573WaiIiJWU60hXGOvXFuOt5_mfch3uKi3fv81-1_Fqea2DtplK4z-N_q-hGDXgFnmZzl0Wzl1vNmvOqqqszrXcC_H-_MUF5F7wre2e91mG7U5QtCs3g7WywCrVpFKs0_ju0dlHa3pmzqmFJ7366hx8B_/w400-h211/ghazis3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Abdullah's Ghazi warriors are the Sword of God, protectors of the believers and sworn to rid Afghanistan of the infidel invaders. They carry no firearms and need no shields because they have a higher form of protection! To die in battle is to become a martyr and Abdullah has promised his warriors eternal life should they fall defending their homeland.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzGkyIdYTdTMJsz7RNs1oA96rYnm5-01ZH7AGQthevb6jM-pqKgoZBkrZZmQAJCAEBxgFZgVTC51MndLO6RnQOj81HL59U9ZbsXK62tWs7VE0sG5hxhJmyj49MZ0v55Axst53HhQJVHR49f0Dqiwr-vvW3S_OAbLpJDZnZ7UE4yyM9iQNh36Ct26K/s1792/GhaziCommand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1792" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzGkyIdYTdTMJsz7RNs1oA96rYnm5-01ZH7AGQthevb6jM-pqKgoZBkrZZmQAJCAEBxgFZgVTC51MndLO6RnQOj81HL59U9ZbsXK62tWs7VE0sG5hxhJmyj49MZ0v55Axst53HhQJVHR49f0Dqiwr-vvW3S_OAbLpJDZnZ7UE4yyM9iQNh36Ct26K/w400-h340/GhaziCommand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Mullah Abdullah and his right hand man, Amail Domki.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Because they are effectively religious adventurers, being driven by loyalty to a cause, rather than loyalty to the tribe, I have classed them as Wallahs, but, having that religious furver to drive them on, they get the "<i>Big Choppers</i>" characteristic, which gives them ten dice if they do survive long enough to get into Fisticuffs with the enemy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRk27hAJSPflzdt1BCeVd9iBt0YoqfDbINMM8mhp1ZBUNp0t58e68SkhKp8_lXPnmLL7nRxzMl2NYm0uU0tJKb1-rUAB6gnJjC5oLDX3u_xPLFVuL2vhv3UDmwzuG5wXflY_H1ymVrjHX6NuPtBLR7CSSXO9LCgn4zmNX6AKe7OOZKR9iZ-ZAIeYH/s1312/ghazis4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1312" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRk27hAJSPflzdt1BCeVd9iBt0YoqfDbINMM8mhp1ZBUNp0t58e68SkhKp8_lXPnmLL7nRxzMl2NYm0uU0tJKb1-rUAB6gnJjC5oLDX3u_xPLFVuL2vhv3UDmwzuG5wXflY_H1ymVrjHX6NuPtBLR7CSSXO9LCgn4zmNX6AKe7OOZKR9iZ-ZAIeYH/w400-h349/ghazis4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE2LmAc8IfK2AuNMQpIKvV-qqGdAPafu6DB0_oFt-ttt16_YMCJaCgtmrgJl_gOIHe7bMV2BkJR4JUVLd1WUan3oBHYoIELKsnSvNrPPzR0RGRHSPBI2cbSxCj_2LfFICykDZYAAPmyKLNb6kBAa7UMyfOL1C9uMdRbwRCMZhZBRv0yZff3wXcxBK/s1162/ghazis6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE2LmAc8IfK2AuNMQpIKvV-qqGdAPafu6DB0_oFt-ttt16_YMCJaCgtmrgJl_gOIHe7bMV2BkJR4JUVLd1WUan3oBHYoIELKsnSvNrPPzR0RGRHSPBI2cbSxCj_2LfFICykDZYAAPmyKLNb6kBAa7UMyfOL1C9uMdRbwRCMZhZBRv0yZff3wXcxBK/w394-h400/ghazis6.jpg" width="394" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoyvQKi7-SvECDpbPUSxNF9GBd3ikWTNz7SgNTrjzGGP6j4zVOQDwEsxv_UYilRUOdeBH3Wuxf9hBx6LVRmMHTFD-SkdWZMbStYSlHr6bgIfEjXMQJPn66dLj3kHkyR43iE8nJKr-UaST438C0WiDb1tc_SyBuJLepdRR3N703_izSpR-jS7wzpEd/s1320/ghazis5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1320" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoyvQKi7-SvECDpbPUSxNF9GBd3ikWTNz7SgNTrjzGGP6j4zVOQDwEsxv_UYilRUOdeBH3Wuxf9hBx6LVRmMHTFD-SkdWZMbStYSlHr6bgIfEjXMQJPn66dLj3kHkyR43iE8nJKr-UaST438C0WiDb1tc_SyBuJLepdRR3N703_izSpR-jS7wzpEd/w400-h346/ghazis5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3R3zv9o3cxJlxVw2T-SNpzjhsGPCaVJq6ZlANpFJsSx8zfXIf-MF5Xp3HAawwx1vqcIuV7bjsziiWhSiJMFJ4PYjqpljaRDWmJwGkP62jlFZ1tz5CEmb9_00wQpkre5FeaqnbqFb_nCuOKujjJGRKPUvwct57oxiI5Pc36Kg5x-saLXTme2oAIrC/s1575/ghazis7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3R3zv9o3cxJlxVw2T-SNpzjhsGPCaVJq6ZlANpFJsSx8zfXIf-MF5Xp3HAawwx1vqcIuV7bjsziiWhSiJMFJ4PYjqpljaRDWmJwGkP62jlFZ1tz5CEmb9_00wQpkre5FeaqnbqFb_nCuOKujjJGRKPUvwct57oxiI5Pc36Kg5x-saLXTme2oAIrC/w381-h400/ghazis7.jpg" width="381" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zk2RxdZoHSyO4VjWG_LkYNG2zqMX7CD0p56WdWqLy7es5xpMhdV7qhQLjveda8g6dw6h1AJnBbqUDXTW_odKvlw9RcOtM3wbSZ2Sjqh8-li-Q77UlS3Cvhw5IOfEXzaoH323kWi2FhH0ndYpTuli7CaFlIHlvWrRZli2rxTuW6xs0yuNlQK20xU5/s2038/ghazis9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="1373" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zk2RxdZoHSyO4VjWG_LkYNG2zqMX7CD0p56WdWqLy7es5xpMhdV7qhQLjveda8g6dw6h1AJnBbqUDXTW_odKvlw9RcOtM3wbSZ2Sjqh8-li-Q77UlS3Cvhw5IOfEXzaoH323kWi2FhH0ndYpTuli7CaFlIHlvWrRZli2rxTuW6xs0yuNlQK20xU5/w270-h400/ghazis9.jpg" width="270" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5p91t6_NVZ1kKW4cpzKtObEx8ZpuSIdEiBGXy57cV7ApTeMeFfDYVVaYUMW5h0fmhrUY7d-fI_NPOqcv9yzo1Y85WwFIn8ZVE2o7PTcQUoPkGISliIpd01GNgL4bd8cWQK4lTuoY1Utr8akoco8V7TyR9eUQ9nx7w1zfezShbu65vEtieiq2bP49/s2398/ghazis8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2398" data-original-width="1464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5p91t6_NVZ1kKW4cpzKtObEx8ZpuSIdEiBGXy57cV7ApTeMeFfDYVVaYUMW5h0fmhrUY7d-fI_NPOqcv9yzo1Y85WwFIn8ZVE2o7PTcQUoPkGISliIpd01GNgL4bd8cWQK4lTuoY1Utr8akoco8V7TyR9eUQ9nx7w1zfezShbu65vEtieiq2bP49/w244-h400/ghazis8.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><span>The Afghans are a mixture of figures from Perry Miniatures and Wargames Atlantic. The Perrys are slightly taller and somewhat bulkier than the Wargames Atlantic figures and I definitely prefer the Perrys. However, having the Wargames Atlantic figures does add some extra variety and they are certainly worth having in the warband.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eventually, my warband will have a second 12 man group intended principally for Fisticuffs, but they will be a Tribal group, so will have some shooting capability, and will be lead by the Force Leader, Kahn Sheik Jabooti. There will also be three skirmishing groups, two jezail armed and one wielding muskets.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The first jezail armed group is lead by Wakmai Butt and I think will be classified as an Irregular Skirmish Group (Rifles). Most sources I've read so far suggest that the jezail had a longer range than the British Muskets and the jezailmen were able to snipe effectively from cover without suffering in return. In Sharp Practice, rifles require two actions to re-load and I think this balances out the longer range of the jezail.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFewh37ZaQBgSBfI90XSerc9VaFTHX93hqLDlXPKrNDZtMcIY6r5KcU4skcJqLsYE4Fcg_QweytA3SKQWEbZKrI3hThV3_6YXOB3qeQCM-HV1WlCtuI9BZ9gK_gWTFNuVDjqK60GgsZEuDR35kdLwpb5pNfuoLAIv8-F4wEqFHBHRCuS6ggMoMVU/s2012/wakmaiButt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="1295" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFewh37ZaQBgSBfI90XSerc9VaFTHX93hqLDlXPKrNDZtMcIY6r5KcU4skcJqLsYE4Fcg_QweytA3SKQWEbZKrI3hThV3_6YXOB3qeQCM-HV1WlCtuI9BZ9gK_gWTFNuVDjqK60GgsZEuDR35kdLwpb5pNfuoLAIv8-F4wEqFHBHRCuS6ggMoMVU/w258-h400/wakmaiButt.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wakmai Butt... Leader of the Durrani Jezailmen.</div><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIlGr79jD5DjAsJenYhMMbEItkX7vZbBjCNGudEL0yzGTdVqnTpzcLRnJmiTvpRX3ZCnhldyCHmg4mARt3EsgypwlvOVF6YhmS6fD2cCW0QgIh5PiII5pHEgHlcPitx9mOnNVKhXcAn5Yu7uk3GkKA3v7JFVkg4DNc-j2vvUhTOfC3aqwXd5qV5S8/s2135/jezgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="2135" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIlGr79jD5DjAsJenYhMMbEItkX7vZbBjCNGudEL0yzGTdVqnTpzcLRnJmiTvpRX3ZCnhldyCHmg4mARt3EsgypwlvOVF6YhmS6fD2cCW0QgIh5PiII5pHEgHlcPitx9mOnNVKhXcAn5Yu7uk3GkKA3v7JFVkg4DNc-j2vvUhTOfC3aqwXd5qV5S8/w400-h196/jezgroup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCAK2OlR2qctXRpUZ6sNkDjQIrK1TDT89Uih1Ds8xwbX2tBia3GQ9rcpzWyagzgL-tFBKkLhwfmjGKX2Y2Yue-PW3FE1aoOqAe5SfAJXgfFXcZloOeKLb0oniMwOs-R7HDG55-pz1_q1tc7_Eugmvi4TIcTpKWsuJAO3pdRFiPxRc8wQk5mSVVRza/s2678/Jez5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="2678" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCAK2OlR2qctXRpUZ6sNkDjQIrK1TDT89Uih1Ds8xwbX2tBia3GQ9rcpzWyagzgL-tFBKkLhwfmjGKX2Y2Yue-PW3FE1aoOqAe5SfAJXgfFXcZloOeKLb0oniMwOs-R7HDG55-pz1_q1tc7_Eugmvi4TIcTpKWsuJAO3pdRFiPxRc8wQk5mSVVRza/w400-h244/Jez5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVBRMleTTWjkdKZg9eLWV4jH5iqvy7513QNGVKMpf9cvnUile6qyXktH20yW_aEG8Ph5VS8stR7ZegtMbZICPVA_Q_2PtWVwy9DgGouKBn9WDbbaG1M9YHsO1tVBUz36v9RnRCyLCXLQtMPkLbGox-fGZEdOrNVJSplr2f0oLfGZzz22YdXmJGGTm/s2045/Jez3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="1288" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVBRMleTTWjkdKZg9eLWV4jH5iqvy7513QNGVKMpf9cvnUile6qyXktH20yW_aEG8Ph5VS8stR7ZegtMbZICPVA_Q_2PtWVwy9DgGouKBn9WDbbaG1M9YHsO1tVBUz36v9RnRCyLCXLQtMPkLbGox-fGZEdOrNVJSplr2f0oLfGZzz22YdXmJGGTm/w253-h400/Jez3.jpg" width="253" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-wUzjd3Qxc7DHDMAFoGkwVTV3bDZGu-dzeeSk1PNFRVhO3I7UrFFK5noOIWrZMc675iaoXelcxQlCca1xq285KgwdEbTnvAHPH0vbCR6LBmaZwk3o6hvfyT7JdLS-At3C0n6v0pSAqXhvZHYxsPdw2IMBSb-gelGUyVCazvnpaB5nT5QlWVn0LrF/s1964/Jez6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1964" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-wUzjd3Qxc7DHDMAFoGkwVTV3bDZGu-dzeeSk1PNFRVhO3I7UrFFK5noOIWrZMc675iaoXelcxQlCca1xq285KgwdEbTnvAHPH0vbCR6LBmaZwk3o6hvfyT7JdLS-At3C0n6v0pSAqXhvZHYxsPdw2IMBSb-gelGUyVCazvnpaB5nT5QlWVn0LrF/w400-h319/Jez6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDn0DWnh3icm7_3AjqLOD-Wx56-Z22Mts-JcdD84ErA48qSzE6Y4DaGKSCnn3Pa5BpSCgR0XGAvPEn0ghzYPaFZCIV5NBoB1Q0sPHCGaQPiTCy-QPNNl0rpMdoNTxNy0ySOBI5lsjZroZVwWx78QmOuz2fOX9PqY7uE2XeNRey8mN7826wjBzQLXA/s978/jezshoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="978" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDn0DWnh3icm7_3AjqLOD-Wx56-Z22Mts-JcdD84ErA48qSzE6Y4DaGKSCnn3Pa5BpSCgR0XGAvPEn0ghzYPaFZCIV5NBoB1Q0sPHCGaQPiTCy-QPNNl0rpMdoNTxNy0ySOBI5lsjZroZVwWx78QmOuz2fOX9PqY7uE2XeNRey8mN7826wjBzQLXA/w400-h323/jezshoot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qJCaruIq5BteW3O5Ba7-D3XRwxZZeCX_Cxp5CXh53SftMs7MCqoPWXGjPkFfef012OMW6C64757h2SLV5I0QwZZUHfRGRyS7BJxahZ2QIFO7cN6Wc5RgGTkE-5zG2jeFfg-VRf-xyOHxdTWX7Gd7bZZXVEV_SrH2B31y0cUwQAgj842H1tZPYPhb/s2468/Jez2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="2468" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qJCaruIq5BteW3O5Ba7-D3XRwxZZeCX_Cxp5CXh53SftMs7MCqoPWXGjPkFfef012OMW6C64757h2SLV5I0QwZZUHfRGRyS7BJxahZ2QIFO7cN6Wc5RgGTkE-5zG2jeFfg-VRf-xyOHxdTWX7Gd7bZZXVEV_SrH2B31y0cUwQAgj842H1tZPYPhb/w400-h155/Jez2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Of course, when you embark on a brand new topic, it's not all about painting the troops...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjv7Xcn86Xp6jBCijE8sACxLmOfE4In_vJakI35G_jJeQjKG4BSFHGVzensQBY_OHyz8tZi0e34s5xoGQ0DLG0YKVMY07dr5Z4R2bf80UsR7b82HfL3LualQvP7DSoHQCu-CijPY81t6j8cv-8luEMokbp46ite09A8vTozsYeGJVlFjl6wkEzywy/s1543/camel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1543" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjv7Xcn86Xp6jBCijE8sACxLmOfE4In_vJakI35G_jJeQjKG4BSFHGVzensQBY_OHyz8tZi0e34s5xoGQ0DLG0YKVMY07dr5Z4R2bf80UsR7b82HfL3LualQvP7DSoHQCu-CijPY81t6j8cv-8luEMokbp46ite09A8vTozsYeGJVlFjl6wkEzywy/w400-h301/camel2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-84188589886366976742023-05-02T19:20:00.001+00:002023-05-03T07:22:21.731+00:00LION RAMPANT - BATTLE FOR THE BEEF AND THE BOOZE!<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: large;"> The Dun Rheged Chronicles!</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3Uld2bYqQTvVFf5AMld14dP4XcP7ja6O480DQossflhVQJSAADdexc-exFAtiGaViYkin7u35dUCAOhShn9B23kbEQMtK37yt1SX-c3iWKLJxYpK_bL68BaX4PgkCcQ8F-w1s5QQjiQurmG-3v7W4X3YUkD-0IIOnyhaR_quKHfK5A59TuB2JncL/s1001/RBEHC.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="853" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3Uld2bYqQTvVFf5AMld14dP4XcP7ja6O480DQossflhVQJSAADdexc-exFAtiGaViYkin7u35dUCAOhShn9B23kbEQMtK37yt1SX-c3iWKLJxYpK_bL68BaX4PgkCcQ8F-w1s5QQjiQurmG-3v7W4X3YUkD-0IIOnyhaR_quKHfK5A59TuB2JncL/w341-h400/RBEHC.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Publius Decimus Barbula, Warlord of Dun Rheged.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><i><div style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Conchobhar, Warlord of Dal Riatta, has been raiding the fertile lands of Dun Rheged again! Having rifled the wine cellars of several noble villas and acquired a handsome herd of long horn cattle, he is leading his warband home to a victory celebration, including generous portions of medium rare steak and lashings of Cotes du Rhone. Being somewhat miffed at Conchobhar's thievery, his arch enemy, Barbula, has rushed his own warband toward the ford across the River Isca, determined to give the Irishmen a jolly good thrashing and return beef and booze to their rightful owners.</div><div style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">Special Rules for the Irishmen's loot...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; line-height: 107%;">Cattle: Move with controlling unit. If abandoned, they
remain in place, enjoying the lush grazing, until someone arrives to claim
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Wine Cart: Moves with controlling unit. If the
controlling unit fails a Move Activation, they must immediately take a Courage
Test. If the Courage Test is failed, they become “Plastered” and begin to
imbibe the vigorous Gallic grape whilst savouring its full bodied aromatic bouquet. They must test to Rally in subsequent
Rally Phases and, should they fail the test they remain “Plastered” and one
figure is removed, too inebriated to continue. They do not fall back, but
remain in place while the more sober members of the Unit attempt to regain
control, which they do if the test is passed. If abandoned, the cart remains in place until someone arrives to claim
it.<o:p style="font-size: 14pt;"></o:p></span></span></p></div></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>The first unit to arrive on the field of battle were a group of Irish warriors, eager to reach the ford across the river...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2tBM-oveYcGXezr8OHFmn-s1-pzX8kg5tFbNijW9Lsy9Ui8XqCZmhOr9XKTjPzrEkoFSJJNWYe1jtUm2ATb3c4r-Q5lbHWZbMMF1c7BtKChQYUizBJ8Vcf-jwMAZjbgD7zD8THGD5iVS-TVa7Q3coGOGYWb52fgWojUmqU2UJbs2wC7Hzt1oGUW9/s1843/cattle1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1843" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2tBM-oveYcGXezr8OHFmn-s1-pzX8kg5tFbNijW9Lsy9Ui8XqCZmhOr9XKTjPzrEkoFSJJNWYe1jtUm2ATb3c4r-Q5lbHWZbMMF1c7BtKChQYUizBJ8Vcf-jwMAZjbgD7zD8THGD5iVS-TVa7Q3coGOGYWb52fgWojUmqU2UJbs2wC7Hzt1oGUW9/w400-h221/cattle1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic;">following quickly behind the warriors, Conchobhar's light cavalry galloped on towards the river...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkC09a_PEtP1MvtjqR9p1ro5rplk5WE1708omh8SM5GkftMwgy1rphvZq6_HQKD0bb-gmkfsLNmMaGb4VTEKcU3JczpyTN5deZZOPsP5MAuPsAMLz1kT8piHFxA2tGefElWKYnXHAfE1htI8gdXDHOOmyhuh7A9elpQ0URxJobulNiMi-HW_-1uYd/s1669/cattle2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1669" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkC09a_PEtP1MvtjqR9p1ro5rplk5WE1708omh8SM5GkftMwgy1rphvZq6_HQKD0bb-gmkfsLNmMaGb4VTEKcU3JczpyTN5deZZOPsP5MAuPsAMLz1kT8piHFxA2tGefElWKYnXHAfE1htI8gdXDHOOmyhuh7A9elpQ0URxJobulNiMi-HW_-1uYd/w400-h220/cattle2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: left;">None of the units were on the table at the outset of the game; the Irish entered on the southern edge in an order based on the roll of a D6, followed by an activation roll. If the activation roll failed, the Romano-British had the opportunity to roll for their units to arrive, with an additional D6 roll to determine whereabouts on the western table edge they would be placed.</div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR4M2Hw1cVn588SoBMff6zJe-A8Tmf7aVOWteHnLYNjy4ISncCb0X-MstJaPsW8hftkQRTh4j8TkALpMsw4sEeR8hwBbN5ssrgesH-L5aPR69RJ9vp7ufNLyzKiuJJaBOCJZ7ZMIMu1vQG5wncLgf3q2m8vAMl13KGMrLN1W5dZf-57fI1A0IN6qq/s1642/cattle3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1642" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR4M2Hw1cVn588SoBMff6zJe-A8Tmf7aVOWteHnLYNjy4ISncCb0X-MstJaPsW8hftkQRTh4j8TkALpMsw4sEeR8hwBbN5ssrgesH-L5aPR69RJ9vp7ufNLyzKiuJJaBOCJZ7ZMIMu1vQG5wncLgf3q2m8vAMl13KGMrLN1W5dZf-57fI1A0IN6qq/w400-h240/cattle3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>A good string of activation rolls saw the Irish flood onto the table with no Romano-British forces to oppose their dash for the safety of the river. Conchobhar's skirmishers arrived with the herd of top quality beef and pushed on northwards.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RVd1mGaHMzP8uCI8l3Uam352VL0QIHRLBKT9q_0BXLOC9KA8J1lqiQN8_nY_a8VnUM_5-4gAU7QTy51L9fGU7161RcYqFgcrCMhaAs0L-bumPrq75DzRML4qK751Nc8BhqlRDYtGcD7xJeQobgNXHFKHHhZH4mx-9lbkhjnLVRmxzFF1YOCQ4GLz/s2045/cattle4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="2045" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RVd1mGaHMzP8uCI8l3Uam352VL0QIHRLBKT9q_0BXLOC9KA8J1lqiQN8_nY_a8VnUM_5-4gAU7QTy51L9fGU7161RcYqFgcrCMhaAs0L-bumPrq75DzRML4qK751Nc8BhqlRDYtGcD7xJeQobgNXHFKHHhZH4mx-9lbkhjnLVRmxzFF1YOCQ4GLz/w400-h199/cattle4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>Finally, Barbula's forces put in an appearance, with his Numeri skirmishers rolling to arrive in the wood, quickly followed by a unit of Light Infantry Pedyts, who came onto the table in the open ground at the southern table edge.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKAXkaGuBDHvu1aiyLgOyPVE0dCyRzmf5-4n0ebqT9xKq7NhgpP99FcM9RXdCjGXkD1Swu5HV431sDyY__3vCi2w3PztCvLBubCET3DBESZZYThg76R2gQNnxIb73UukusOrLMHtC1iF8INK2WmRElJXGMTCUsbgSUw1wFhbG9fwziK8K7bNE6EKD/s2252/cattle5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="2252" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKAXkaGuBDHvu1aiyLgOyPVE0dCyRzmf5-4n0ebqT9xKq7NhgpP99FcM9RXdCjGXkD1Swu5HV431sDyY__3vCi2w3PztCvLBubCET3DBESZZYThg76R2gQNnxIb73UukusOrLMHtC1iF8INK2WmRElJXGMTCUsbgSUw1wFhbG9fwziK8K7bNE6EKD/w400-h163/cattle5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>Just like waiting for a chariot, a third Romano-British unit arrived... more Numeri Skirmishers, entering the action in the swamp adjacent to the river. At this stage, things were not looking too promising for the Irish.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjhRN-aJA8Rcg6fHmSBFFX66l5REyKWuvBDnSH7II4cYBHKEwLcRKBkhQM5T1xvSg4sskgo3x4W-6QnHD9IXLe03yaiCSd-f3HmfTXRdwFgx5GIwV0Rztf_11nTY0S7utADayZwNd-mCe4QjEvQ6PZGIaTpJHcQd4uVPRAFHBeKOq-buKIPh6euux/s1763/cattle6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1763" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjhRN-aJA8Rcg6fHmSBFFX66l5REyKWuvBDnSH7II4cYBHKEwLcRKBkhQM5T1xvSg4sskgo3x4W-6QnHD9IXLe03yaiCSd-f3HmfTXRdwFgx5GIwV0Rztf_11nTY0S7utADayZwNd-mCe4QjEvQ6PZGIaTpJHcQd4uVPRAFHBeKOq-buKIPh6euux/w400-h205/cattle6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRWXysP1lkj1KT_eLJkZRVw8oN83LgsbixEfxUtisv2JD8EiDz96P4bN4KGvRc4hkOd-I983wVIWN0KGU2pqHkuu2kpuxd7XKJAKQZ-8O916a9aIf03055q7M5p7myUwlSVXCRCh2asrcKvWpbyF5WMqb1Tx9Gz4cQdDV7dcUERKcaB9EFjatwzH6/s1620/cattle7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1620" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRWXysP1lkj1KT_eLJkZRVw8oN83LgsbixEfxUtisv2JD8EiDz96P4bN4KGvRc4hkOd-I983wVIWN0KGU2pqHkuu2kpuxd7XKJAKQZ-8O916a9aIf03055q7M5p7myUwlSVXCRCh2asrcKvWpbyF5WMqb1Tx9Gz4cQdDV7dcUERKcaB9EFjatwzH6/w400-h199/cattle7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><i>Fortunately</i></span><i> for the Irish raiders, the next unit to arrive, yet more Romano-British, also rolled to appear in the wood, behind the Numeri Skirmishers. These tough fighting men were Barbula's veteran heavy infantry with Diomhair Darach, the mystical Druid and they were going to have to fight their way through the dense undergrowth, before they could come to grips with the loot laden raiders.</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrN9AwxFUjxB7XYkR6eP-apspVn9sZplDj4Ijcq89mUDO4V06nHIHK7CmDmclEUgwNAU-r8fuCHkO-ub22SF6o3Mae5BdEQxU3kzvndxVyKT1TtOGXm74gLinN-SGpTIEu6rX_FHYi5jBcbXBYevU1hkC4HjOFr9uvhYevhxyvMsz27zF73TZIq4L/s2097/cattle8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2097" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrN9AwxFUjxB7XYkR6eP-apspVn9sZplDj4Ijcq89mUDO4V06nHIHK7CmDmclEUgwNAU-r8fuCHkO-ub22SF6o3Mae5BdEQxU3kzvndxVyKT1TtOGXm74gLinN-SGpTIEu6rX_FHYi5jBcbXBYevU1hkC4HjOFr9uvhYevhxyvMsz27zF73TZIq4L/w400-h180/cattle8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Realising that his passage to safety was now seriously threatened, Conchobhar despatched his light cavalry to skirmish with Barbula's Pedyts and the first casualty of the encounter fell under the hail of Irish javelins.</span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28fvSm9Byxx9IvxJzYJixmzQPj6FDWCy2MaOHLPWMxvHY1OElmBrrHgRBL7rKZnCqVH4J1bT1nby8pR1YaLyxLeMA0OrAWDvTafawvyWUdJqxbCyLF_BUN2zoldzwOwZpCmP9mHdkCInbGelph2M5odEcDD3A1gWps2wjx5nDDrbhj9YmKfXETkKq/s1236/cattle9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1236" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28fvSm9Byxx9IvxJzYJixmzQPj6FDWCy2MaOHLPWMxvHY1OElmBrrHgRBL7rKZnCqVH4J1bT1nby8pR1YaLyxLeMA0OrAWDvTafawvyWUdJqxbCyLF_BUN2zoldzwOwZpCmP9mHdkCInbGelph2M5odEcDD3A1gWps2wjx5nDDrbhj9YmKfXETkKq/w400-h294/cattle9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></i><i><span>The Irish horsemen realised, to their horror, that they had exposed themselves(!) to an attack from the Numeri in the woods! Yet more javelins whistled through the air, this time striking the hapless Irishmen. </span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFFJrtqe5ng8O0hOcb7hMp1fScgV6idTgAK37kFN1EeTnfFX_P6AFIAzIxQ17XW67DHdHbbAGS-rDehSH5w6txu02R2Poye-WY_fee6qt-5Oqq_a1J1IChzLAG0n-VyxKMco0P0BW_rBKdob0TrFk7okOvGt0Q9xuAj_E-vSwIkZJq3_UtkuDJSUc/s2025/cattle91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="2025" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFFJrtqe5ng8O0hOcb7hMp1fScgV6idTgAK37kFN1EeTnfFX_P6AFIAzIxQ17XW67DHdHbbAGS-rDehSH5w6txu02R2Poye-WY_fee6qt-5Oqq_a1J1IChzLAG0n-VyxKMco0P0BW_rBKdob0TrFk7okOvGt0Q9xuAj_E-vSwIkZJq3_UtkuDJSUc/w400-h215/cattle91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></i><i>As if their situation wasn't desperate enough, the Irish horsemen were suddenly confronted with the dreadful sight of Barbula himself, leading his heavy cavalry into the action. The Irish were only saved by a terrible activation roll, which prevented Barbula's charge and brought the Romano-British turn to a premature close.</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RsXY7UJX7dcM8J9e70Fs3NWFTpl1kCZY38ww3grSON_-xZzobA1O-653TDPaT3w_HL2s0Me2mq46EFXuVcsP-SwRrYl8p8yFjEWUrIyuJb7mS_G9Mk9wzZ0fRbm3Vt-ErBUDyS-sdfJ08x4JDFDEiUZhr5_PXYaW3T37N3ZS7xXDhfMUY76plErM/s943/cattle92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="943" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RsXY7UJX7dcM8J9e70Fs3NWFTpl1kCZY38ww3grSON_-xZzobA1O-653TDPaT3w_HL2s0Me2mq46EFXuVcsP-SwRrYl8p8yFjEWUrIyuJb7mS_G9Mk9wzZ0fRbm3Vt-ErBUDyS-sdfJ08x4JDFDEiUZhr5_PXYaW3T37N3ZS7xXDhfMUY76plErM/w400-h346/cattle92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the table, Conchobhar had finally arrived, leading the wagon containing the precious elixir. With the overwhelming numbers of Romano-British arriving to the west, the Irish warlord was desperately needed to shore up a rapidly deteriorating situation... the wine would have to be temporarily abandoned, for Conchobhar had more pressing matters to deal with!</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZgAl1IfhKnw_aM0SbLbcYY1LYSQeikNGSldhw0kV9fvEN64DYR8EsOgDQesIsTBur9CZGHBGSQQ5BrnK6dZKw-a2lhl7yxH5dfCatXQgFwgdMtcvoPa3iS-8bBMNiJFTHTixe5IQoYjxkUxvJi4pmQGalmxfvMmh8APR5hupu1uDi8zSyxNC1tWb/s2284/cattle93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2284" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZgAl1IfhKnw_aM0SbLbcYY1LYSQeikNGSldhw0kV9fvEN64DYR8EsOgDQesIsTBur9CZGHBGSQQ5BrnK6dZKw-a2lhl7yxH5dfCatXQgFwgdMtcvoPa3iS-8bBMNiJFTHTixe5IQoYjxkUxvJi4pmQGalmxfvMmh8APR5hupu1uDi8zSyxNC1tWb/w400-h180/cattle93.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Barbula finally managed to get his horsemen moving and piled into the Irish horse, who had failed to roll enough to take an evade action! Inevitably, the raiders came off second best, loosing two casualties and being forced into an ignominious retreat.</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY7Xg_TQ4uOiWAzPZuJHfY6Hk5_z6roPr1J2f0B7ZHWhKB2qwlxUwrOMAFX5NWYzVv_YGsNK9LeotFQac_yQ2IbxLtJ33Q_2m13OwEnGSJyJuQkbNrD3aoK2B9NWgD4OMwA8sMKFC6q3t3xM3N6sL_y65BWFNuA2H7vfz08CHNr6vKxvDbNMpWvcc/s1371/cattle94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1371" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY7Xg_TQ4uOiWAzPZuJHfY6Hk5_z6roPr1J2f0B7ZHWhKB2qwlxUwrOMAFX5NWYzVv_YGsNK9LeotFQac_yQ2IbxLtJ33Q_2m13OwEnGSJyJuQkbNrD3aoK2B9NWgD4OMwA8sMKFC6q3t3xM3N6sL_y65BWFNuA2H7vfz08CHNr6vKxvDbNMpWvcc/w400-h223/cattle94.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having fought they way through the wood, the veteran heavy infantry, spurred relentlessly on by Diomhair the Druid, found themselves unceremoniously assailed by one of the groups of wild Irish warriors. Wherever the Irish warriors fight, utter chaos is bound to ensue. This particular group had their own attached holy man, Brother Bearach, the Resurrected Martyr. As expected, once the melee began, copious quantities of blood were shed and casualties were spawned on both sides. The ghastly slaughter caused Irish and British to fall back battered, in spite of the presence of the two rival holy men.</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDOK5nRzexzNTnnryNbutqzdMzmoV78zE99EvQZ_24zOexT3jzjyzIcrwf7XC7jpKLuO0hTf8nRTKrus7lcUD1uj4uXZjalF_rZJCl2q4q0xMEtmETnbM_eQdmmiauO_n6N-Tz5Z381gsXR7i18tUeq801Kyro2wVwqKclZ8qaYsB-tbY1mq7kShL/s1650/cattle95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="801" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDOK5nRzexzNTnnryNbutqzdMzmoV78zE99EvQZ_24zOexT3jzjyzIcrwf7XC7jpKLuO0hTf8nRTKrus7lcUD1uj4uXZjalF_rZJCl2q4q0xMEtmETnbM_eQdmmiauO_n6N-Tz5Z381gsXR7i18tUeq801Kyro2wVwqKclZ8qaYsB-tbY1mq7kShL/w194-h400/cattle95.jpg" width="194" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having fallen back from their savage clash with the Romano-British heavy infantry, the Irish warriors found themselves targeted by the skirmishing bowmen sheltering in the sodden swamp. Even though they were now outnumbered, lead on by Brother Bearach, the warriors threw off their battered status and made another wild charge into their adversaries, who, themselves had only just recovered from the previous encounter.</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpuVUNDPZMBnehXaLQLtxv9EmQIONXDjXV8hKiWZW1Hv15VqnXDqvbEO3VQjPcpCYT45izT7J1k7U9m87llq5aBVgwwYG1EtPjrX9mbKDk2DQWeQWunf8NVnCExVHsyByWWS3IuvBMgjqrfB-CD_nKl8rOoeSieSHGljAmiG-6TOwwBAR5o0uWIFi/s1425/cattle96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1425" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpuVUNDPZMBnehXaLQLtxv9EmQIONXDjXV8hKiWZW1Hv15VqnXDqvbEO3VQjPcpCYT45izT7J1k7U9m87llq5aBVgwwYG1EtPjrX9mbKDk2DQWeQWunf8NVnCExVHsyByWWS3IuvBMgjqrfB-CD_nKl8rOoeSieSHGljAmiG-6TOwwBAR5o0uWIFi/w400-h214/cattle96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Once again, this vicious clash of titans resulted in death and both sides recoiling in a desperate state of fatigue, so badly beaten that they each turned and fled from that place of horror and savage butchery.</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3fEonrbgv8GXjEYLQyf3qjg1Xt_z7vGAvOWEouNfHgC-oo5G9glLcrqi0qXIZWE77V-MAYDtMzhDwVSTtiHAed3Wombh58rMLbKQw9lp-zpJbqKn2qNU3WX5JHATaLhMC6ShgVqUmhXTMi06_--0PpZ5cMgs5fEDyZeJoH1pjhXzDN_LulLidwGF/s1426/cattle99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1426" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3fEonrbgv8GXjEYLQyf3qjg1Xt_z7vGAvOWEouNfHgC-oo5G9glLcrqi0qXIZWE77V-MAYDtMzhDwVSTtiHAed3Wombh58rMLbKQw9lp-zpJbqKn2qNU3WX5JHATaLhMC6ShgVqUmhXTMi06_--0PpZ5cMgs5fEDyZeJoH1pjhXzDN_LulLidwGF/w400-h235/cattle99.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing his veteran infantry streaming back through the wood, Barbula called to his oath sworn companions to throw themselves into the ranks of their bitter enemy and so, the lords of Dun Rheged and Dal Riatta came face to face in one final desperate clash of arms. Back and forth the violent struggle swayed, with first one side and then the other gaining the upper hand but, eventually the death toll proved too great for Barbula's brethren and the great Lord of Dun Rheged found himself facing the Irish raiders alone and was forced the flee this field of savage ferocity. </span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFqBU9hi_If7v2tIO70v04MUmAOlPlE-XiiFFB6yGcMxV2vwJRs9xSRZ_SDqFCJgDsf-ITOO3upehIDGTiVxaagD7ZY6B9WPBxRGv-J1HfaBqJDAFlOuvrZ-RAHxWxHlI0Rv24N7bJ9ljZd6Jkcat_TrklYkOEH1Y3SGvk8ElKdWIij_kU6CXYRa9/s1829/cattle991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1829" data-original-width="1046" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFqBU9hi_If7v2tIO70v04MUmAOlPlE-XiiFFB6yGcMxV2vwJRs9xSRZ_SDqFCJgDsf-ITOO3upehIDGTiVxaagD7ZY6B9WPBxRGv-J1HfaBqJDAFlOuvrZ-RAHxWxHlI0Rv24N7bJ9ljZd6Jkcat_TrklYkOEH1Y3SGvk8ElKdWIij_kU6CXYRa9/w229-h400/cattle991.jpg" width="229" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Bruised and battered, Barbula turned and rode to safety, leaving the victory to the raiders from Dal Riatta...</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmOPFEo1BOMufJaQbGclrMQh9kD04JVbmSj2zTYROKJ_uyO91e9bcQD5kawst6jmvjCXH5zc3dx5CukCTAnOTBKLnmBY1N0DYWG723rzlGIXM_StcaJJC_4QX61M6tkhHK7PY0UEC_sqArm5CdljLaGbyaNmGe3gq8zTKicqOH8DfsXOOfQ369u9o/s1620/cattle993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1620" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmOPFEo1BOMufJaQbGclrMQh9kD04JVbmSj2zTYROKJ_uyO91e9bcQD5kawst6jmvjCXH5zc3dx5CukCTAnOTBKLnmBY1N0DYWG723rzlGIXM_StcaJJC_4QX61M6tkhHK7PY0UEC_sqArm5CdljLaGbyaNmGe3gq8zTKicqOH8DfsXOOfQ369u9o/w400-h180/cattle993.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing their liege lord riding from the field was too much for the remaining men of Dun Rheged, they too becoming battered and reluctantly leaving the spoils of war to the enemy.</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzwjJFBGkzlkGXzqkxuJsxrUZ2fQv-f-jdpyAOKiY-_GDLC1wWH4rilAYQQ9wfXXEjnW0lZCTNc40Upd9sCI9LnGOeuuyYv6u7nO4CrsPoGkLyeEJfOYlvwUiAMZbH8-6HCJ-NDlsw8IBM4H1nIf8K7tiVpcYIbl_Sfo1PpiQ_h-Xm-xCGM7NWSlM/s1334/cattle992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="830" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzwjJFBGkzlkGXzqkxuJsxrUZ2fQv-f-jdpyAOKiY-_GDLC1wWH4rilAYQQ9wfXXEjnW0lZCTNc40Upd9sCI9LnGOeuuyYv6u7nO4CrsPoGkLyeEJfOYlvwUiAMZbH8-6HCJ-NDlsw8IBM4H1nIf8K7tiVpcYIbl_Sfo1PpiQ_h-Xm-xCGM7NWSlM/w249-h400/cattle992.jpg" width="249" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The looted cattle were driven over the ford to the delight of the Irishmen, soon to be followed by the cart of Bacchus...</span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkDVskFV3-slNM3w6EBOvhc7dlQQazJ68rU-b6OxxHibRwkYJ13BWNImzLJiJWEL7vYmOXjEABZiPg7RAGbP-4jMXL8L_GKBpuc1I4dyrZnxc4yI9VCLEj312zSdYiBpp-s9taagrh8Sg6linZ7zaet2GMzu2IjR9dBty_0nd3r7WDm57QKQyaRKz/s1659/cattle994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="899" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkDVskFV3-slNM3w6EBOvhc7dlQQazJ68rU-b6OxxHibRwkYJ13BWNImzLJiJWEL7vYmOXjEABZiPg7RAGbP-4jMXL8L_GKBpuc1I4dyrZnxc4yI9VCLEj312zSdYiBpp-s9taagrh8Sg6linZ7zaet2GMzu2IjR9dBty_0nd3r7WDm57QKQyaRKz/w216-h400/cattle994.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Publius Decimus Barbula had sworn to prevent the Irish raiders from escaping Dun Rheged with their pillaged spoils, but the power of the enemy infantry had proved too much for the Romano-British. And so, the day belonged to Conchobhar and his raiding warriors who were able to cross the ford over the River Isca and make their way back into their own lands, to bask in the glory of their victory and enjoy massive steaks washed down with the finest Roman vino!</span></i></div><div><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></i></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-50679563874186292732023-04-23T15:24:00.000+00:002023-04-23T15:24:28.493+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS - WARRIORS... DEFEND THE HONOUR OF THE SICAMBRI WOMEN!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the sun climbs inexorably towards its early Spring time zenith, a raiding band of Treveri warriors, lead by the veteran warlord Acrimonius and his trusted lieutenant, Cumulonimbus, have surprisingly, and somewhat fortuitously, stumbled across a delightful coven of Sicambri women, enjoying some much needed leisure time in a sacred wooded grove, as they prepare to carnally abuse and then bloodily slaughter a well endowed, broad shouldered, yet utterly wretched thrall, as a divine sacrifice to the much beloved and worshipped local deity, Holle, Goddess of Fertility, Hearth and Home.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRYEVIDq1GOhX2yYfxAB4CrfPDUXZYZXf7yVotmyTPLLeGH9bj2lNgpe4YoIZHelqfOrY_srfWfXATvRmhNuqEcedHChlIXzuLi2M6O7KBOIGRH6DB_aHpesN4A5V2DA8GQ_haRU6X2V5a10Tt2paIZlR35sgey8z2wHfJ3VU-IAgErVsfSUHhXL/s1752/ladies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1752" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRYEVIDq1GOhX2yYfxAB4CrfPDUXZYZXf7yVotmyTPLLeGH9bj2lNgpe4YoIZHelqfOrY_srfWfXATvRmhNuqEcedHChlIXzuLi2M6O7KBOIGRH6DB_aHpesN4A5V2DA8GQ_haRU6X2V5a10Tt2paIZlR35sgey8z2wHfJ3VU-IAgErVsfSUHhXL/w400-h189/ladies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fortunately for the sophisticated ladies of the tribe, local warlord, Arsonistus and his band of voyeuristic warriors have decided to sneak up to the sacred grove to observe the ritual levity, an act, incidentally, of the most extreme sacrilegious profanity, punishable by acts of unspeakable torture and much much worse.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Can the Gallic warlord, Acrimonius, liberate Aboutobedoneinabix from the terrible fate which is about to befall him? Will Acrimonius liberate Aboutobedoneinabix too soon? Can Arsonistus drive off the pillaging Treveri and defend the honour of the Sicambri women and their virtuous Goddess? For answers to all these conundrums and so much more... read on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvxx-51wG8g1ghM3GqyJ3zMUKDvMTQO6JLsLbd93Jmh7LFpkSexdxjUegQG1kJrO69nKHRqQcnrqISquM8p1LQiqHYhV3Pq1Kxj3IhDboti7mRCMwhBEUwVyAsjh7q7PpZfuk32QJ4S2UNf9uehB-E1BReLkr667t7qnwe-ce9pTgKKEJzVpms8Ve/s2254/Sac1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="2254" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvxx-51wG8g1ghM3GqyJ3zMUKDvMTQO6JLsLbd93Jmh7LFpkSexdxjUegQG1kJrO69nKHRqQcnrqISquM8p1LQiqHYhV3Pq1Kxj3IhDboti7mRCMwhBEUwVyAsjh7q7PpZfuk32QJ4S2UNf9uehB-E1BReLkr667t7qnwe-ce9pTgKKEJzVpms8Ve/w400-h136/Sac1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arsonistus and his veteran warriors prepare to defend the Priestesses of Holle in the full knowledge that life back in the village is going to be pretty awkward if they fail!</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Gs_lPjSOXNhr-IQGyEEgn0E1MaY8lUsm-Q8grBWFwD509-BFiuW0RL5FOauZaIxqKe10iqZorUH0UhF0fCtExb6m9RvUNT4xz_jePf4E906pGVmhHaLz6xk65WtOFTf0U3b0nLG4_dgg-_Cm9--CyDeCUpHNPAQfnY2OQqNRcamNqbttVWwUf1a/s2288/Sac2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="2288" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Gs_lPjSOXNhr-IQGyEEgn0E1MaY8lUsm-Q8grBWFwD509-BFiuW0RL5FOauZaIxqKe10iqZorUH0UhF0fCtExb6m9RvUNT4xz_jePf4E906pGVmhHaLz6xk65WtOFTf0U3b0nLG4_dgg-_Cm9--CyDeCUpHNPAQfnY2OQqNRcamNqbttVWwUf1a/w400-h121/Sac2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">On the opposite side of the battlefield, Cumulonimbus gives a rousing oration to the Noble horsemen and his band of javelinmen... little do they realise that defeating the Germanic warriors will be as nought to facing the Sicambri womenfolk!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1yOc9KMGJ2fiH0Sc2Cth8YTe2PAutEHlVvV1qAcIh2nf4DeD98rYrhBg2tOnICO_OmcWKIdCXhssHfd98ISNr3e5TvtpW_mH0jq8NmAvmvIAIGGU4GOmuAziOWIM8JNG130fWwZYZoHiYDV51q1--IXwWMYfsYZr5htZMx4Fob6Wk-jZSFnIhS1/s2008/Sac3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="2008" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1yOc9KMGJ2fiH0Sc2Cth8YTe2PAutEHlVvV1qAcIh2nf4DeD98rYrhBg2tOnICO_OmcWKIdCXhssHfd98ISNr3e5TvtpW_mH0jq8NmAvmvIAIGGU4GOmuAziOWIM8JNG130fWwZYZoHiYDV51q1--IXwWMYfsYZr5htZMx4Fob6Wk-jZSFnIhS1/w400-h174/Sac3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Sicambri javelinmen, on Arsonistus' left flank, soon find themselves in trouble, loosing two of their number to the accurate fire of the Treveri.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOpYv1OCdtCEzWpxuVPm0uDfV3Cnl3JfJ-SG-NbM0TBWsskOXxEE94-XocCTyjrWWuyp0FNTRNnRazxWgnYKl8gdaatmZMah_pTQm6LHWa7h3jl5iEKHgXyJECkaFM6fVjY6YgzQCZyKoUPOHOShFdUZ8and9cdFuPhJAluLBU0LAynoIhq40d-_b/s2130/Sac4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="2130" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOpYv1OCdtCEzWpxuVPm0uDfV3Cnl3JfJ-SG-NbM0TBWsskOXxEE94-XocCTyjrWWuyp0FNTRNnRazxWgnYKl8gdaatmZMah_pTQm6LHWa7h3jl5iEKHgXyJECkaFM6fVjY6YgzQCZyKoUPOHOShFdUZ8and9cdFuPhJAluLBU0LAynoIhq40d-_b/w400-h180/Sac4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fortunately, the Sicambri warriors hurl themselves into the Treveri javelinmen, who are unable to react in time and ghastly slaughter is sure to follow!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMXy1atghFleBWWWzl5WiYnLyLp89NDRNafZs2cwZf7N_Ioqg5VUgNKZjbXY3AF5rKluFHWOSq-NWWVo2DXGMEvzhhZHQIa9xzZeypjghKjU8MDETviTzv6WIHaMXl394bi9Y_KoizHiXiRqNfIYzrY6b-cHnHweagk5AVT-zGxR_OjKZrobz0St/s1780/Sac5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1780" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMXy1atghFleBWWWzl5WiYnLyLp89NDRNafZs2cwZf7N_Ioqg5VUgNKZjbXY3AF5rKluFHWOSq-NWWVo2DXGMEvzhhZHQIa9xzZeypjghKjU8MDETviTzv6WIHaMXl394bi9Y_KoizHiXiRqNfIYzrY6b-cHnHweagk5AVT-zGxR_OjKZrobz0St/w400-h224/Sac5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, no sooner have the Germanic warriors massacred the unfortunate Treveri skirmishers, then they themselves are struck by their Gallic counterparts and a bloody melee ensues.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgictE6LH8txO52fmBszmKdL0CTyEBHQGO2tTh9TE42xPNKryZkjYfLQiJi-_jnzjtFC05EoUKI7jnrSUe9DBfXSytnhKcfL8fR3njzvm3ArqBxGUxEvBTZrZLNmAewEtccWAuqZrhxLhOw5_m_XooAs3gxAjLiu15RTjjqLLqrnucPaAPkTUCCMCgW/s1996/Sac6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1996" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgictE6LH8txO52fmBszmKdL0CTyEBHQGO2tTh9TE42xPNKryZkjYfLQiJi-_jnzjtFC05EoUKI7jnrSUe9DBfXSytnhKcfL8fR3njzvm3ArqBxGUxEvBTZrZLNmAewEtccWAuqZrhxLhOw5_m_XooAs3gxAjLiu15RTjjqLLqrnucPaAPkTUCCMCgW/w400-h196/Sac6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Germans get the upper hand, although both sides suffer casualties.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6EolrnNLOrJuiWyAdBLZRgLT1ZosbYz8ExXZdFPFDqOPj4Xejw6FZTBLZm70tKRC_jUBi_9VXFtRR5TGVLRJ57m2PWhuS2O0MJlYL0bcvya7MLjU_6yIThrSyL4nMQNIwNLHG9qTwODXGkQXykq2YLhYiSz0JQq6fZvYecM36jfagfh8JibPfiL9/s1576/Sac7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6EolrnNLOrJuiWyAdBLZRgLT1ZosbYz8ExXZdFPFDqOPj4Xejw6FZTBLZm70tKRC_jUBi_9VXFtRR5TGVLRJ57m2PWhuS2O0MJlYL0bcvya7MLjU_6yIThrSyL4nMQNIwNLHG9qTwODXGkQXykq2YLhYiSz0JQq6fZvYecM36jfagfh8JibPfiL9/w400-h240/Sac7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With fatigue mounting worryingly on both sides, Acrimonius moves to make a timely intervention with a band of fresh warriors and things are suddenly looking bleak for the Germans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM0lWXwdv7BrkT_wLAz2DV9SjSMiuPC4V5i2EkOaDe-hjfSzc1-RpluHoVkrd-sahXjiaUUjs6b5dUYFo1HmyX6X_qpAa9Ho385OddaOxoS1Yr8Dt_BCcKwIb0tUDvfiiJ7gCEfGyiGN958Sl86zapbNDkBtgvRA-1EmG1Kprd-yCLpG5VDAoEhrK/s1153/Arrival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="897" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM0lWXwdv7BrkT_wLAz2DV9SjSMiuPC4V5i2EkOaDe-hjfSzc1-RpluHoVkrd-sahXjiaUUjs6b5dUYFo1HmyX6X_qpAa9Ho385OddaOxoS1Yr8Dt_BCcKwIb0tUDvfiiJ7gCEfGyiGN958Sl86zapbNDkBtgvRA-1EmG1Kprd-yCLpG5VDAoEhrK/w311-h400/Arrival.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, in the Sacred Grove, Aboutobedoneinabix arrives for his appointment with the Sicambri ladies.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It should be pointed out that warriors from neither side were allowed to enter the Sacred Grove. Doing so would incur the wrath of the Gods and, even worse, three Break Point Cards, which would mean an immediate Force Break Test. One result of this, was that the action developed into two separate actions on either side of the Sacred Grove... Acrimonius was about to get the upper hand on his flank, but things didn't evolve quite so favourably for the Celts on the opposite flank!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFStuVcKrnwrRjkH_lIJFR1qEHLnBBG0R-WCjLa2Z76k-fXiMDzvj--4kenSYEQ03MJLge0kfuAu6yyM9ZFmU4n6p4yxKJdo6EPiYZuNZmdNQeEfdSZ46SF-9jzLhVXN1YX5dyCZfOvUFq0mtl6iAnc_5Z2uErtaydLgimimVIAwepkMtq1iSr6Mov/s1639/Sac8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="987" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFStuVcKrnwrRjkH_lIJFR1qEHLnBBG0R-WCjLa2Z76k-fXiMDzvj--4kenSYEQ03MJLge0kfuAu6yyM9ZFmU4n6p4yxKJdo6EPiYZuNZmdNQeEfdSZ46SF-9jzLhVXN1YX5dyCZfOvUFq0mtl6iAnc_5Z2uErtaydLgimimVIAwepkMtq1iSr6Mov/w241-h400/Sac8.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite flank, the Sicambri second in command, Vulgar, organises his warriors into close order formations to face the threat of the Gallic horsemen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tMKM6T9ZNbLl2EpYVDPLuDkzvVTEtMKPioAs4LlQOLlG0GRC32Q9dw9nFtEHLznJw18JCDVg8vMtxddu9-F63VxQmUBsVrHwNb2zxzI_SEMiR8QxdlwBduj5_KoaB7CtkHT1jP444uPwRwUvo1gCdDn71BM6JiUWWJJbN0DAqewYOTFzLongzmm0/s2247/Sac9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="2247" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tMKM6T9ZNbLl2EpYVDPLuDkzvVTEtMKPioAs4LlQOLlG0GRC32Q9dw9nFtEHLznJw18JCDVg8vMtxddu9-F63VxQmUBsVrHwNb2zxzI_SEMiR8QxdlwBduj5_KoaB7CtkHT1jP444uPwRwUvo1gCdDn71BM6JiUWWJJbN0DAqewYOTFzLongzmm0/w400-h169/Sac9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The horsemen continually hurl javelins at the Sicambri veteran warriors before turning and riding away. Casualties mounted slowly amongst the Germans but the Gallic horsemen soon begin to tire and Cumulonimbus knows that Acrimonius has committed all the Treveri foot warriors to the battle on the far side of the Sacred Grove. His only other unit is a group of javelin armed skirmishers, while the Germans have no fewer than three heavy infantry units advancing towards him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wgWIsGR_y-99OSAdAjXAJIXBCf-DjLZysMlfucmf_n2MPgGiDxiFVlzftOJdU7vUCRnLS_GuieVQ_kO-Qh2El6-JVwE6oyaepQTkmfhORH8eOgWugudUhS1ne2rdZh_qUQ6m4Oy0OnpIWcCqzv4Ic5YrSkBxCJtM1hE8LkslAICymNULLs6z9qqv/s1714/Sac91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1714" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wgWIsGR_y-99OSAdAjXAJIXBCf-DjLZysMlfucmf_n2MPgGiDxiFVlzftOJdU7vUCRnLS_GuieVQ_kO-Qh2El6-JVwE6oyaepQTkmfhORH8eOgWugudUhS1ne2rdZh_qUQ6m4Oy0OnpIWcCqzv4Ic5YrSkBxCJtM1hE8LkslAICymNULLs6z9qqv/w400-h211/Sac91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the close order warriors holding firm against the cavalry, a unit of Germanic tribesmen advance, under a hail of missiles from the Gallic skirmishers in the swamp, and manage to engage with the enemy. Just as it was on the opposite flank, the result is a forgone conclusion and the Treveri light troops are slaughtered by the heavier Germanic tribesmen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugPJvEkcO8xKTLwIN0Y6qYnb7WnBtGkEEbGPpc6_THpJ3g-HmCAjKPLmjPK8M9x-wt4sEJgJA4LOrrPuoGiyfKagJv7DOaeBFeHlejE6Cm4VltZGr4GdY82uTv_q6Qtl-liJcJDmYehfCcuM2NfsJ4G2rMx_y6w0GAoprN7MS9H9jyx_0zFHZDuy2/s2190/Sac92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="2190" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugPJvEkcO8xKTLwIN0Y6qYnb7WnBtGkEEbGPpc6_THpJ3g-HmCAjKPLmjPK8M9x-wt4sEJgJA4LOrrPuoGiyfKagJv7DOaeBFeHlejE6Cm4VltZGr4GdY82uTv_q6Qtl-liJcJDmYehfCcuM2NfsJ4G2rMx_y6w0GAoprN7MS9H9jyx_0zFHZDuy2/w400-h180/Sac92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sensing victory, Acrimonius pushes his final warrior unit forward and they hurl their throwing spears into the depleted ranks of the Sicambri spearmen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M4-iQTYzlRZ9wPOJsjsyLaojfrh8e0nzIaB5lqiWT-W-vR-1JJ98Kw8Pja0__fivsHtNTXrxxtj9nmNZ-CKdB0Wv_8fX2kcB-R3Fwde9Jy79E22zMeDXeeYcQKiqWxNFf4pAdS1ZkrF1f5cvvmF31rn7mgQSPezba5aocyWzxECXq-0Q1eGiwWyJ/s2331/Sac93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="2331" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M4-iQTYzlRZ9wPOJsjsyLaojfrh8e0nzIaB5lqiWT-W-vR-1JJ98Kw8Pja0__fivsHtNTXrxxtj9nmNZ-CKdB0Wv_8fX2kcB-R3Fwde9Jy79E22zMeDXeeYcQKiqWxNFf4pAdS1ZkrF1f5cvvmF31rn7mgQSPezba5aocyWzxECXq-0Q1eGiwWyJ/w400-h180/Sac93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the last of the Sicambri driven from his flank, Acrimonius commands a reluctant Aboutobedoneinabix to re-join the Gallic ranks and, with both sides scraping through Force Break Tests, the bloody encounter peters out. Both sides can claim a victory, as the Treveri have rescued their man, while Arsonistus has preserved the honour of the priestesses.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHnH1WkKMS0WjmkyLPZFbfJiYCnPoYpgBjs907ffHPydZWVQ0IkHZsX3u6voVpFJgUwQauywaYW8Iq9ogy42W6902KW7kDV3VUmq1Oz96h8r86SZ9ZsfROzkjBHzcqIGSNnN7OiE_N5X2lI6qRjr8lmdDlpLyx730Kv4Ex_SbsKRZ0onVbxfVKl7j/s2637/Sac94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2637" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHnH1WkKMS0WjmkyLPZFbfJiYCnPoYpgBjs907ffHPydZWVQ0IkHZsX3u6voVpFJgUwQauywaYW8Iq9ogy42W6902KW7kDV3VUmq1Oz96h8r86SZ9ZsfROzkjBHzcqIGSNnN7OiE_N5X2lI6qRjr8lmdDlpLyx730Kv4Ex_SbsKRZ0onVbxfVKl7j/w400-h233/Sac94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It's been a good few months since I've played Clash of Spears and I really enjoyed pitting Celts against Germans. The game used the Rise of Eagles supplement and I'm already planning further adventures for Arsonistus and Acrimonius... not to mention Aboutobedoneinabix! I was surprised how much of the rules I remembered, although it was quite a way into the game before I though about using the throwing spears as missile weapons!</span></div></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-42624329616020505762023-03-17T15:41:00.000+00:002023-03-17T15:41:23.368+00:00LION RAMPANT... BETWEEN A ROCK AND THE VILLAGE PEOPLE!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZWHMONt0VOs0Ba_u5lTiiCBJgFnKicOMEc3pjA8Q708H-taFBhM-vH9cPkrNnscJDmiWvTPZFGBouz9r3vKFg7tjhGjv3CnItbFhuzRKTJRF1Ijs4HTG5htKCDgTEP7p33agToH7WvaNqrLtaRiehdyItYOTSIQ3hHiMfQ4wJCELkUOrxuymMyP/s2366/VPs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="2366" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZWHMONt0VOs0Ba_u5lTiiCBJgFnKicOMEc3pjA8Q708H-taFBhM-vH9cPkrNnscJDmiWvTPZFGBouz9r3vKFg7tjhGjv3CnItbFhuzRKTJRF1Ijs4HTG5htKCDgTEP7p33agToH7WvaNqrLtaRiehdyItYOTSIQ3hHiMfQ4wJCELkUOrxuymMyP/w400-h189/VPs.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Stultus and the Village People Steadfastly Await the Scottish Onslaught!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">After the unfortunate events of Saint Winifred's Day, King William, the Lion of the Scots, lead his army north, intending to rest and await the arrival of reinforcements from over the border, before resuming his raiding activities across the north of England</span><span style="font-family: times;">. At the village of Edmondsley, the retinue of Earl Donnchad of Fife, was charged with the defence of the ancient bridge crossing the Cong Burn, giving the King and his forces time to continue their march unmolested by the pursuing English host.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Early that morning, the Earl, believing that the English had given up their pursuit, began to organise his retinue for a </span><span style="font-family: times;">withdrawal over the river.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zPRzF2oGDCFLLsXLB7Ax5n01-4oWfSln8IkF5r9RP-6Mj0Q6xBGxO6mQgB_qKXE5_DNcMrCoXhLXSffF-WuB0KAdPd6cDO8K6_YOx6uC12RiAOUCKrsZBHvyp_pRUfrxbixhvMWyYvfBBCYatC9pkLM6o3Kg6Vc5pCNNkyg1jBsKEJYHp8f7IgV7/s1942/Scots1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1942" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zPRzF2oGDCFLLsXLB7Ax5n01-4oWfSln8IkF5r9RP-6Mj0Q6xBGxO6mQgB_qKXE5_DNcMrCoXhLXSffF-WuB0KAdPd6cDO8K6_YOx6uC12RiAOUCKrsZBHvyp_pRUfrxbixhvMWyYvfBBCYatC9pkLM6o3Kg6Vc5pCNNkyg1jBsKEJYHp8f7IgV7/w400-h173/Scots1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His plans, however, were interrupted by the arrival of the tempestuous English priest, Brother Stultus, at the head of a group of local Fyrd, who took up position in the church yard of Saint Periwinkle's on the north side of the Burn and prepared to defend God's Acre with their miserable rustic lives.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Just moments later, a breathless shaggy Galwegian warrior rushed breathlessly into the Scottish camp with the news that English banners had been seen approaching the village from the south! With an enemy host to the southward and the tiresome holy man and his village people across the Burn, Earl Donnchad knew that he was going to have a fight on his hands to extricate his retinue from the jaws of the loathsome Sassenachs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQ_IRBDBhsLCHw94kN3CL67Y50EBzs9MZCM4gOSz3FFm26HxOHnl-TzaA1LAFfly43BumcncOIaanWUhb1sZDWZDZ5g2O71rY_xR67OQt2R6EZ-YoiTnx57CGkTK7tvuEBB7j36fSY6j9qapHvutWAQTeGoK85dKJV5u-o8KNg0XzKwAr_ybB6pUy/s1423/eng1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1423" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQ_IRBDBhsLCHw94kN3CL67Y50EBzs9MZCM4gOSz3FFm26HxOHnl-TzaA1LAFfly43BumcncOIaanWUhb1sZDWZDZ5g2O71rY_xR67OQt2R6EZ-YoiTnx57CGkTK7tvuEBB7j36fSY6j9qapHvutWAQTeGoK85dKJV5u-o8KNg0XzKwAr_ybB6pUy/w400-h266/eng1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Before the Scottish Earl could buckle on his warbelt, a group of English knights, lead by William de Stuteville, appeared out of the morning mist to the south.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7H29cxGj2Qr11aCbnmSWJyP1IMaN6JEbF6M9mLrskeveqxg0ilYbhfp-8rMaKslRm80_1xV8ad1GwhmU361yiNAAILKXCPmV5esmdWTnkZi5XLtF5ysX4lSe-inO9XNRJegG0NHXb9vhHs8B5pyCLxih0e_a_x5ZMLHUKoMJUrRcBg3aM3A_eOnk/s2147/Scots2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="2147" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7H29cxGj2Qr11aCbnmSWJyP1IMaN6JEbF6M9mLrskeveqxg0ilYbhfp-8rMaKslRm80_1xV8ad1GwhmU361yiNAAILKXCPmV5esmdWTnkZi5XLtF5ysX4lSe-inO9XNRJegG0NHXb9vhHs8B5pyCLxih0e_a_x5ZMLHUKoMJUrRcBg3aM3A_eOnk/w400-h204/Scots2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Earl gathered his household knights around him and hurriedly gave the order for his heavy cavalry to launch an attack against de Stuteville...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelGxwsq5KsYQYNotQbMlOSdqyerlHsxVgOR1Puqlr0wfNYVq7aNcJUk6GPRYqwVRN_AOWLkIX5LAGXlYl3bvOg_uVwE5SRM_OcM0a4VSoQiiKCWsJL6ctDHBdYEaDvvZe7e0RKsi3t2TRN7i9nUvOPrsR39WYKOOqFmbSesEJlbpsmssm23QBle3/s1931/Scots3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1931" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelGxwsq5KsYQYNotQbMlOSdqyerlHsxVgOR1Puqlr0wfNYVq7aNcJUk6GPRYqwVRN_AOWLkIX5LAGXlYl3bvOg_uVwE5SRM_OcM0a4VSoQiiKCWsJL6ctDHBdYEaDvvZe7e0RKsi3t2TRN7i9nUvOPrsR39WYKOOqFmbSesEJlbpsmssm23QBle3/w400-h215/Scots3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">However, as the Scots bravely advanced, de Glanville and his mounted knights arrived and the Scottish cavalry suddenly found themselves isolated from the rest of their warband and facing a superior unit of mounted knights!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs7AZh_G6GVxEy2RWAK_Q-bPt04AHR3_oImTIHKlUDrT-WdP4pT6UPiCKHTxF46zmGjngFHbyAldFX3oPNLNg-u6NCTA50TLI36x3jc0YEL4MrOKudKhZSnkEeKbCA2Z3X73mMICK9pC6U2etgoiNWHSVPaz9WBOSwUJom8B6RE82Y6wyQztZ6sQM/s1813/bat1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1813" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs7AZh_G6GVxEy2RWAK_Q-bPt04AHR3_oImTIHKlUDrT-WdP4pT6UPiCKHTxF46zmGjngFHbyAldFX3oPNLNg-u6NCTA50TLI36x3jc0YEL4MrOKudKhZSnkEeKbCA2Z3X73mMICK9pC6U2etgoiNWHSVPaz9WBOSwUJom8B6RE82Y6wyQztZ6sQM/w400-h213/bat1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Undaunted and desperate to buy time for their Earl, the Scottish heavy cavalry hurled themselves against the counter-charging English knights, loosing three casualties to a single opponent.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp0WsmxoxW16k1wYJKi1d-rPIRys2hWlV8XPC8HapG-8SH8PmiwcMaqz-z_fgLCuSH6spPSPIvv24xF7YEwCAwuSrCKY_3J2pBBF8sMUF_i1jPyM3Rn-G4nwbx0IMomfSBEgGsVZJPQnsYgu7nWoC3O1U3nzFe3HCmrPFQSpyUOFvKKBgQg8nSzIg/s1897/bat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1897" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp0WsmxoxW16k1wYJKi1d-rPIRys2hWlV8XPC8HapG-8SH8PmiwcMaqz-z_fgLCuSH6spPSPIvv24xF7YEwCAwuSrCKY_3J2pBBF8sMUF_i1jPyM3Rn-G4nwbx0IMomfSBEgGsVZJPQnsYgu7nWoC3O1U3nzFe3HCmrPFQSpyUOFvKKBgQg8nSzIg/w400-h200/bat2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, to the north, the Scottish bidowers dashed across the bridge to engage Brother Stultus and his fyrdmen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGI_icKgszgfXm1v2ckm3cNhjjV9zjjE-wLUSva-ZTU_XMbhTxdVlP1T5L7T48cp7zcXutir69-uMNuynByvx4u7V30PjpprFtyIEViUvSoCZJCkujnyAcXil9RUBAauLVFoZbMjtVJfEXlCQzJUI50NDq78tKepd1hGiNpHJ7LOSi5EPK-8Sz11G/s1340/bat3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1340" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGI_icKgszgfXm1v2ckm3cNhjjV9zjjE-wLUSva-ZTU_XMbhTxdVlP1T5L7T48cp7zcXutir69-uMNuynByvx4u7V30PjpprFtyIEViUvSoCZJCkujnyAcXil9RUBAauLVFoZbMjtVJfEXlCQzJUI50NDq78tKepd1hGiNpHJ7LOSi5EPK-8Sz11G/w400-h288/bat3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Eager to press home his advantage, de Glanville urged his knights forward to re-engage with the Scottish cavalry. With half their number already casualties, the result was a forgone conclusion and the Scots were driven back again, with a further two riders falling victim to the English knights. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_NfG-ttv2LbbmIHbz6sTd76np9G_HCERGK8TZhCBwCcaArNPFllOzjBGf4p5qoZBlhesQATn6XBGgBH-NOOX0C0a069O1cszFd5_W0ST9yvSxaWpj6Ef4tZHySl2BqAmrcwXC_OOhgZEkFJno4RBqKeRaXa6nbTc_sgjy2B3Nhgv-0mCOdxlSxs2/s1903/bat4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1903" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_NfG-ttv2LbbmIHbz6sTd76np9G_HCERGK8TZhCBwCcaArNPFllOzjBGf4p5qoZBlhesQATn6XBGgBH-NOOX0C0a069O1cszFd5_W0ST9yvSxaWpj6Ef4tZHySl2BqAmrcwXC_OOhgZEkFJno4RBqKeRaXa6nbTc_sgjy2B3Nhgv-0mCOdxlSxs2/w400-h189/bat4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Over the bridge, Brother Stultus and his peasant rabble came under a hail of missiles from the Bidowers, but little damage was done!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo95txcxJGEaOGAWr2y-Y7_EOEYSpDXsEzo2CAJ2h92osXv-XwSWGvfbpWouneA4YAUXCjvw76f9NKZBEVbY0PLngpUTbdEiteLkWxDnXVBFbIRwwA62QicbrlO_lE2iojy051bPtULMhgFJXUuMTEBGZnybdP_UBHurdZbsQRpZRV28BWGrkg7fL/s1841/bat5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1841" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo95txcxJGEaOGAWr2y-Y7_EOEYSpDXsEzo2CAJ2h92osXv-XwSWGvfbpWouneA4YAUXCjvw76f9NKZBEVbY0PLngpUTbdEiteLkWxDnXVBFbIRwwA62QicbrlO_lE2iojy051bPtULMhgFJXUuMTEBGZnybdP_UBHurdZbsQRpZRV28BWGrkg7fL/w400-h211/bat5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Bidowers failing to make any impression, Brother Brian led the Scottish Yeomen across the bridge and into battle against the Fyrd... the battle for the churchyard pitted monk against monk and the outcome was going to be bloody!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxeKkfXV8SCa5qBjuW2YeQuH4s-oo_zxWrCuGMDH59G7arVwpP5MTL0uJjqCEmyZ79uMn8bdOztgmMecKLSdKo1NdzQj7CwXvPu8T5JJJVQcSjIF4GgLdfAobuJanHStrv5xjwaPUHOnlEym7BICbIeK_13BOznyTkghiIQpRPjskeJsufchYzCI2/s2103/bat6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="2103" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxeKkfXV8SCa5qBjuW2YeQuH4s-oo_zxWrCuGMDH59G7arVwpP5MTL0uJjqCEmyZ79uMn8bdOztgmMecKLSdKo1NdzQj7CwXvPu8T5JJJVQcSjIF4GgLdfAobuJanHStrv5xjwaPUHOnlEym7BICbIeK_13BOznyTkghiIQpRPjskeJsufchYzCI2/w400-h180/bat6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The cover of the church wall gave the Fyrd some extra protection but they were driven back and found themselves pinned against the church wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFNOdai5IwhJqc-nZ71byHLWL4JdazCm3lzz0epJ-1ZgMybXstwQD_0eA3eAS9wftADTfu8c6LnchR1r_sC7s0MoWrbxwZNdcqxvgdSHuuz_QFwDnR1z8EsL0Cm8RSPDqvWMldAj2EOp-bW_4bmMveH5on1z6Zi3D9MLuhldi5_nMp4UsZm6c2ruC/s2196/bat7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="2196" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFNOdai5IwhJqc-nZ71byHLWL4JdazCm3lzz0epJ-1ZgMybXstwQD_0eA3eAS9wftADTfu8c6LnchR1r_sC7s0MoWrbxwZNdcqxvgdSHuuz_QFwDnR1z8EsL0Cm8RSPDqvWMldAj2EOp-bW_4bmMveH5on1z6Zi3D9MLuhldi5_nMp4UsZm6c2ruC/w400-h180/bat7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho5TzsDOdCv-geaHTZL8SjLDT8ssKwlXuZb6eqIFl4kfN6_40aa7KZ3-80qexyEAqO9wfB_cSa922CQKMu7DPZMMCiLM2mg51MBOv09_IDVxlcHdMcip_V6qCtwdPte7BDoOdFNq8crwz08HTJVP5QgosRHmW9w9W9DNeDTXPWiXcm3ljfABSrFjT/s1659/bat8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1659" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho5TzsDOdCv-geaHTZL8SjLDT8ssKwlXuZb6eqIFl4kfN6_40aa7KZ3-80qexyEAqO9wfB_cSa922CQKMu7DPZMMCiLM2mg51MBOv09_IDVxlcHdMcip_V6qCtwdPte7BDoOdFNq8crwz08HTJVP5QgosRHmW9w9W9DNeDTXPWiXcm3ljfABSrFjT/w400-h230/bat8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Fyrd pinned helplessly against the church wall, the Bidowers finally found their mark and brought down most of their remaining number... and worse...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDphFfAiM5bL77ySSxJZwG9_VUrsVkoqB4KYwEJ22fnweEYJ6Tnn7k90juvZKCtwmJUV7QdVDu-U75De2s6gNRJpSJjjiCz3OAXP-c6Gib9HDIBNbPklp2Q1hh7Yzi2mGRzKfEw-S7KVxkD5ewfvPaEQLQqHKo4lCYJsn3y6ITvc1yj3qtblsBLI9/s2372/bat9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="2372" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDphFfAiM5bL77ySSxJZwG9_VUrsVkoqB4KYwEJ22fnweEYJ6Tnn7k90juvZKCtwmJUV7QdVDu-U75De2s6gNRJpSJjjiCz3OAXP-c6Gib9HDIBNbPklp2Q1hh7Yzi2mGRzKfEw-S7KVxkD5ewfvPaEQLQqHKo4lCYJsn3y6ITvc1yj3qtblsBLI9/w400-h180/bat9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Stultus received a mortal wound and prepared to meet his maker.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3fi7LUFi6C1mRjqQYP4nVtvq2QaUhDBJkODM6aqSRsnT-c-tWc4OomM-X5dfb5pBkgqmf6JxrCQLr7CKy-95-KiEpyy80i_xSuvaTR9ANWHzbK7a-KMStV7YIqSeTsbFbI5rI5kn3uaGIKkuiMhAs_YsRxd-LgjoANsV0n1EeyL2aCvBXnil_8lE/s1944/sbat1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1944" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3fi7LUFi6C1mRjqQYP4nVtvq2QaUhDBJkODM6aqSRsnT-c-tWc4OomM-X5dfb5pBkgqmf6JxrCQLr7CKy-95-KiEpyy80i_xSuvaTR9ANWHzbK7a-KMStV7YIqSeTsbFbI5rI5kn3uaGIKkuiMhAs_YsRxd-LgjoANsV0n1EeyL2aCvBXnil_8lE/w400-h180/sbat1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Back to the south, two units of English heavy spearmen pushed forward to engage the Scots. The Scottish Lowland Spears had formed up in a Wall of Spears formation, to meet them, but the Englishmen's advance had brought them in range of the deadly Galwegian warriors, who instantly hurled themselves forward in a terrifying wild charge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7MgEg4WF6blLATo8W0u0fUgQQmLJCXhIu78mmZq7OQs9sSa6RaRzSoV53S5TFU5op4q0PKwRcyrJFAYXn7HWS70FofaOhxoAx7jJszFt2ZGEWTKVTqOQ7ol1yvpmFuMZVohsoZYBYBJ69a0DKxY1eQ249L2veWNmBDsUk0gbA05XAOUiKB-7kE5a/s1937/sbat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1937" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7MgEg4WF6blLATo8W0u0fUgQQmLJCXhIu78mmZq7OQs9sSa6RaRzSoV53S5TFU5op4q0PKwRcyrJFAYXn7HWS70FofaOhxoAx7jJszFt2ZGEWTKVTqOQ7ol1yvpmFuMZVohsoZYBYBJ69a0DKxY1eQ249L2veWNmBDsUk0gbA05XAOUiKB-7kE5a/w400-h198/sbat2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Not for the first time, in spite of their devastating charge, the Galwegians found themselves pushed back, unable to make a significant impression against the heavy English armour and the Spearmen were able to press on to contact the deadly silent wall of long Scottish spears.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe-Xa0jLcCJuDVxJglcxg8ycW0JhZCNtdglrSHQJZSSO17Nz3PwsqUyvLB81katwrK5gT4xN06Vzb8_ypIGbvZMFCfEXDqT_glcu1LW7DL7kf1KfbHFFAQ3yN8TcJcKd1JSPFqXwx8KuRnDmHdvltqhD9RHR7GCr6hnKWgPJpHJO1CKL2VLLPFj6u/s1889/sbat3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="953" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe-Xa0jLcCJuDVxJglcxg8ycW0JhZCNtdglrSHQJZSSO17Nz3PwsqUyvLB81katwrK5gT4xN06Vzb8_ypIGbvZMFCfEXDqT_glcu1LW7DL7kf1KfbHFFAQ3yN8TcJcKd1JSPFqXwx8KuRnDmHdvltqhD9RHR7GCr6hnKWgPJpHJO1CKL2VLLPFj6u/w201-h400/sbat3.jpg" width="201" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The clash of spears was horrific, causing hideous casualties on both sides, but the tighter formation of the Scots was sufficient to drive the English back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho79_kEwXZ3GqOKa1OlI1snFGh67C8WcJemU8Si5yHtFuhSNTwUHjcveelrxrzy3f-ERIAX-cUxR3VTaZXzpqfeyTd6OwuvOjGlNMXSH1z39jv4pleH_gIhNU2TNXE4ZPwLCnEA7dtBIvJkpWT0cqInbPjvsOOxHedPOaP16JIwR7-S050l_SRF0l8/s1743/sbat4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1743" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho79_kEwXZ3GqOKa1OlI1snFGh67C8WcJemU8Si5yHtFuhSNTwUHjcveelrxrzy3f-ERIAX-cUxR3VTaZXzpqfeyTd6OwuvOjGlNMXSH1z39jv4pleH_gIhNU2TNXE4ZPwLCnEA7dtBIvJkpWT0cqInbPjvsOOxHedPOaP16JIwR7-S050l_SRF0l8/w400-h216/sbat4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The casualties took their toll upon the English and they fell back from the fray... battered!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvXd1eieeo9Z7yznIdRWKemFukJju43ycGyla4bpEOthoEpekeADFhr2Xq4D7qG1OJlGVA61eCLZiM-Bjs3fCqsySoO-EqpZ077qj_e1SzpaFwo1CF8R9umD_VaBROFWNxHu1jE-WIlCxfm-gmjkLv78nsbf2ZaK9yA87lRifzSELhLpmR3o9NmDR/s1997/sbat5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1997" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvXd1eieeo9Z7yznIdRWKemFukJju43ycGyla4bpEOthoEpekeADFhr2Xq4D7qG1OJlGVA61eCLZiM-Bjs3fCqsySoO-EqpZ077qj_e1SzpaFwo1CF8R9umD_VaBROFWNxHu1jE-WIlCxfm-gmjkLv78nsbf2ZaK9yA87lRifzSELhLpmR3o9NmDR/w400-h194/sbat5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The English spearmen would feel the impact of their losses and soon found themselves scattering to the four winds, their courage shattered!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEMNmbaFGjoUOY3P600heuP1TUg07AAtxDf2o3TYvc9GklxBmhnv_hDnXZSG1nVKGpVxPZ5SCyxtF5f_XNlNbaLdHKSnXt7I0pk8SvBD_6qWjh2ovJY6wtPqUzYOJCAwFfKJettV94pPWcS_yGR935WWME-vIBA0BoW18D_25_DjZUb-DAQeP8W-4/s1830/scatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1830" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEMNmbaFGjoUOY3P600heuP1TUg07AAtxDf2o3TYvc9GklxBmhnv_hDnXZSG1nVKGpVxPZ5SCyxtF5f_XNlNbaLdHKSnXt7I0pk8SvBD_6qWjh2ovJY6wtPqUzYOJCAwFfKJettV94pPWcS_yGR935WWME-vIBA0BoW18D_25_DjZUb-DAQeP8W-4/w400-h213/scatter.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm94hLeiTP_xKoFxAKBHVTNTrhYiNwL8Rxpx-WfYchgexp93HES_nk-7KgrpfN8S1S3uKgcnJtswShl6MvMhQdky31gyHFCJNvbpTX294zSJbiYfl3TK2d0J2V2-tjpAZmbGh3qx5QSMEblLmtjXlAkJheZHL7DpSErGCWm4q-nsH8rxNkFq029F-/s1245/final1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1245" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm94hLeiTP_xKoFxAKBHVTNTrhYiNwL8Rxpx-WfYchgexp93HES_nk-7KgrpfN8S1S3uKgcnJtswShl6MvMhQdky31gyHFCJNvbpTX294zSJbiYfl3TK2d0J2V2-tjpAZmbGh3qx5QSMEblLmtjXlAkJheZHL7DpSErGCWm4q-nsH8rxNkFq029F-/w400-h285/final1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Earl and his henchmen making good their escape over the bridge and the remnants of the Galwegians struggling to cross the river, the final act of the Battle of Edmondsley came to its inevitable conclusion. Sir William de Stuteville and his knights crashed into the Wall of Spears, which had been reformed by the Scottish spearmen closer to the road.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli0aMAhB6ke7OIbO3UsI_JlkDpGLhP3LIou6WMqwOn1LL3BV9VgyKQ02wia48v7fjZnKnauzmNDClYrwABMKVSPdLozTqcymvG3NDkAkpKktTaRkyndkETsJu-bRa9XElbHS4MJ6TLbn1tXxeIr5pugdUK9VIlv9LkiD1kTuYFeotUXePJ7CyY77g/s1879/final2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1879" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli0aMAhB6ke7OIbO3UsI_JlkDpGLhP3LIou6WMqwOn1LL3BV9VgyKQ02wia48v7fjZnKnauzmNDClYrwABMKVSPdLozTqcymvG3NDkAkpKktTaRkyndkETsJu-bRa9XElbHS4MJ6TLbn1tXxeIr5pugdUK9VIlv9LkiD1kTuYFeotUXePJ7CyY77g/w400-h195/final2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">After suffering further casualties, the courage of the Scottishmen finally broke and their brave stand was over. They had the honour of being the last Scottish unit to remain fighting on the south side of the river, but the punishment they received from spearmen and knights combined was too much and they turned and fled over the bridge, where they were able to re-unite with the rest of Earl Donnchad's retinue.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWxcxY-obraTlPzfCs_oBpF86uzELReSTL2TOvgiFmf-kwjkzYp6QMvHXKmflDN4accNwdBe1W_HF5wR539cxBweeA3LWTRB0Y6nwrt_oQeIfedf9gCmwYcEHC5tGPh0Sm_oyyVgVZSATugb50pq8FUZ17Eg1ZW72a1Slf4X6uIIussNb6R0GlNx7/s1884/final3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1884" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWxcxY-obraTlPzfCs_oBpF86uzELReSTL2TOvgiFmf-kwjkzYp6QMvHXKmflDN4accNwdBe1W_HF5wR539cxBweeA3LWTRB0Y6nwrt_oQeIfedf9gCmwYcEHC5tGPh0Sm_oyyVgVZSATugb50pq8FUZ17Eg1ZW72a1Slf4X6uIIussNb6R0GlNx7/w400-h243/final3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And so, the field of battle was left to the mockery of the dead. The Scottish objective was to get as much of Earl Donnchad's retinue safely across the river as possible and, it is arguable, that they achieved a victory, as they succeeded in extricating the Earl and his knights, all but one of the Yeomen and the entire unit of Bidowers. Most of the Galwegians escaped by crossing the river and even the majority of the Lowland Spearmen managed to re-join the retinue after their courage failed and they fled across the bridge. Only the heavy cavalry suffered a complete disaster after they were sacrificed to hold up the advance of the English. The English themselves suffered few casualties, although the only one of the two spearmen units available to engage with the enemy did eventually break and fled the field after their encounters with the Galwegians and the Lowland Spears.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Tribute must be paid to Brother Stultus and his lowly band of village people... normally, a monk can not be attached to a unit of Levied Infantry, but in this scenario, it was appropriate for a local holy man to lead the peasantry in a desperate attempt to block the escape of the raiding retinue of the Scottish Earl. In the final analysis, the Fyrd crumbled pretty quickly when they were attacked by the more experienced Scottish Yeomen, lead by their own Holy Man, Brother Brian, combined with the withering missile fire of the Bidowers. So, in years to come, on cold and dark winter evenings, the people of Edmondsley will sit around their meagre fires and warm themselves with the story of the day their forebears, lead by the troublesome priest, Brother Stultus, sacrificed their lives to help drive the heathen raiders back over the border from whence they came...</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-61259539716030984302023-01-31T14:20:00.001+00:002023-01-31T16:02:05.405+00:00DUX BELLORUM... FIND THE LADY!<div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Publius Decimus Barbula Leads a Dawn Raid to Rescue the Lady of the Villa Lurkio!</span></h2><p class="Standard"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For much of the winter, Fulvia Meretrix, Domina of the Villa Lurkio, had been held captive by <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Conchobhar, the Warlord of Dal Riatta and his band of nefarious warriors. On several occasions, Conchobhar had tried to rid himself of the troublesome strumpet but, despite all his most inspired endeavours, the Domina continued to cause mayhem in the Irish camp, instilling her own uncompromising order upon each and every one of the Irish raiders!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74df3n3aj7cjAiOMX8Ss90kXugX4WauDOJGZn1c-iH48Ps8YdzcYHuqeQvk6aOqvOLWYMIuph6q3kXXm5S87s1GRD_YrHMGkIxE0HbUl_Mjy80bxHF97QuUGX1aq89ncGpTeHZDQUILBS7LtrS3bnqweA6v1gAGpa1hZ01Od_I-FCb7vXGqG2V_rg/s2338/FulviatheMinx.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="2338" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74df3n3aj7cjAiOMX8Ss90kXugX4WauDOJGZn1c-iH48Ps8YdzcYHuqeQvk6aOqvOLWYMIuph6q3kXXm5S87s1GRD_YrHMGkIxE0HbUl_Mjy80bxHF97QuUGX1aq89ncGpTeHZDQUILBS7LtrS3bnqweA6v1gAGpa1hZ01Od_I-FCb7vXGqG2V_rg/w400-h191/FulviatheMinx.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This scenario was loosely based upon "Dawn Attack", which appears in the rule book, but was only meant to be a trial run at using the rules with several units on each side. Barbula's rescue party totalled 26 points, while the Irish force guarding Fulvia Meretrix came to 19 points, with both sides taking no optional extras or upgrades!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOwb5GWb808UO4Czp_uD6_RLLrml3Qte6DXuFlBWknZApsAjMnUOiV4byPa1sKttkR_5Z1R2g4i7Hh066HYPRHvi3DOzI_GXQeRAMNkJXbNr1t60rl9yiMc1lHU2hagXOKdOPrnC8Ti4JcUk7h9eCWOUVr7WmS0BU38l-LuP48d9GU3S_dREjvwAH/s1995/FBat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1995" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOwb5GWb808UO4Czp_uD6_RLLrml3Qte6DXuFlBWknZApsAjMnUOiV4byPa1sKttkR_5Z1R2g4i7Hh066HYPRHvi3DOzI_GXQeRAMNkJXbNr1t60rl9yiMc1lHU2hagXOKdOPrnC8Ti4JcUk7h9eCWOUVr7WmS0BU38l-LuP48d9GU3S_dREjvwAH/w400-h158/FBat2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Barbula and his Noble Companions and a unit of Noble Riders were tasked with a dash into the Irish camp to sweep the lady from the evil clutches of her abductors. Two units of javelin armed skirmishers and a unit of archers advanced in support, while a three unit group of Shieldwall brought up the rear as a rallying point once the rescue had been effected!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyKO2iU3nGNDDYF02csjsFGYSSKc-tY6kZ1PCT9fzdzmB8O1oOyhAWHd4AWqAWbnfjrw-Y-jxVcQp8_syz1LLLDuoSC2WNC3AlieR_AyvfQDRPn9GZ8AbO44MLuJfv1n0dbuQ8h9D7tlj0IgCBCVliD8d0MAxcVVoRVQ0Lu5M5Kgpz_Q083JWgWeO/s1894/FBat1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1894" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyKO2iU3nGNDDYF02csjsFGYSSKc-tY6kZ1PCT9fzdzmB8O1oOyhAWHd4AWqAWbnfjrw-Y-jxVcQp8_syz1LLLDuoSC2WNC3AlieR_AyvfQDRPn9GZ8AbO44MLuJfv1n0dbuQ8h9D7tlj0IgCBCVliD8d0MAxcVVoRVQ0Lu5M5Kgpz_Q083JWgWeO/w400-h148/FBat1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Irish units were scattered fairly randomly around the camp and were made up of one unit of Noble Warriors, four units of Ordinary Warriors and a couple of javelin armed Skirmishers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6pmgNttyUS7hfhVJuGjCZwcxjsI3xnNe4bPE2f4jxvzqYgUrzxirdj83e14s_kO7zR3v-8qt85Eu1asQ24IyTXww-mhG-CfATNM0MQ0u471Ks0hzisq4O5NAZg3YlP6PAQnomFEa33pYpF7yEeBAXkBzcQwgEZcFRb27izcUVZ3XGOe2uKeFf01j/s1928/FBat4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1928" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6pmgNttyUS7hfhVJuGjCZwcxjsI3xnNe4bPE2f4jxvzqYgUrzxirdj83e14s_kO7zR3v-8qt85Eu1asQ24IyTXww-mhG-CfATNM0MQ0u471Ks0hzisq4O5NAZg3YlP6PAQnomFEa33pYpF7yEeBAXkBzcQwgEZcFRb27izcUVZ3XGOe2uKeFf01j/w400-h190/FBat4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The only area terrain was this ploughed field and a swamp over on the opposite side of the battlefield. The donkey had been turned out into the field but it would be needed to help whisk the lady away from her captors!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdStBMjHsTVwk7IKsYH7j8JcWxtdt3UfiEbWed7gHC5S-WIE-dPXbLGgt2_wt33dGAjgsODKBmBFf5w0mHqAFQPtFBCBQzsTnSiad-w8lKSy0ndU12qvmDB9-yu4ZyTm6KaxR6OflgAg-0QGGn6xsYVgwFsTo7UocWs1oIv0SJpRu0PedfVHnK1w24/s1494/FBat5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1494" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdStBMjHsTVwk7IKsYH7j8JcWxtdt3UfiEbWed7gHC5S-WIE-dPXbLGgt2_wt33dGAjgsODKBmBFf5w0mHqAFQPtFBCBQzsTnSiad-w8lKSy0ndU12qvmDB9-yu4ZyTm6KaxR6OflgAg-0QGGn6xsYVgwFsTo7UocWs1oIv0SJpRu0PedfVHnK1w24/w400-h231/FBat5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Romano-British skirmishers immediately gave an indication of how the battle was going to pan out, with one of the units failing it's Bravery Test, while the other scurried on through the swamp.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dR6CLiPA57JQGNKffv9DHY5S3ZWCwj3vK-lsNYIhfkJEGMXHNzS61ySEEMvVGm0jFNpaW-rm4mEMsTn9y5XGg2G_2dN16N1m6edQy0feanlEMFzPm7reVZFg8uRYlFdWppciL_tkQ_prFZqgD3AR1Ajv7RLXtQWfc_n8Vh_lj2R1Jy4AfW6Vcx9h/s1924/FBat6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1924" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dR6CLiPA57JQGNKffv9DHY5S3ZWCwj3vK-lsNYIhfkJEGMXHNzS61ySEEMvVGm0jFNpaW-rm4mEMsTn9y5XGg2G_2dN16N1m6edQy0feanlEMFzPm7reVZFg8uRYlFdWppciL_tkQ_prFZqgD3AR1Ajv7RLXtQWfc_n8Vh_lj2R1Jy4AfW6Vcx9h/w400-h228/FBat6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">With plenty of Leadership Points between them, the two cavalry units sped on towards their destiny. The Irish weren't allowed a move in the first turn, to replicate their shock at seeing Babula and his warband looming towards them out of the early morning mist!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWj1CKtOZgagO4gnyUK5HKSaZwmNhRMXsL8NNsGqSf2pQQuyW7IPzTZ_-hMT-CTYdjPaCJSal-K8VkWmCJQnATblmgS9PH1dDRvdI_2oBFPE31U0zmwdUsD6M3_-yncIu_JfupBIs45TzqNBwo-CFUTghCfkCPbesec5btkW2aGmS2lYdk6fgfrW5/s1862/FBat7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1862" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWj1CKtOZgagO4gnyUK5HKSaZwmNhRMXsL8NNsGqSf2pQQuyW7IPzTZ_-hMT-CTYdjPaCJSal-K8VkWmCJQnATblmgS9PH1dDRvdI_2oBFPE31U0zmwdUsD6M3_-yncIu_JfupBIs45TzqNBwo-CFUTghCfkCPbesec5btkW2aGmS2lYdk6fgfrW5/w400-h225/FBat7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">The Romano-British bowmen launched their first volley against the Irish Warriors defending the lowly hut where Fulvia Meretrix was being held. Two hits scored, but both cancelled out by Irish Leadership Points!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0aMAduFkBznxYzLln-Pniu3biGjscrGLuq8lOsGxHav4y3B0XOV7kVJV2QBb43gYYuPpOOpBQn1sJonoXoU7V8V7zqT7nSanXSHLrdOiMIJyLOcnFlEyxZKWSB_YPPbKTS04XPom1Cm5EiPlRglW0m9xfl92ToC9D5l5SVkvSRLkuJB0qBebgn9n/s1622/FBat8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1622" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0aMAduFkBznxYzLln-Pniu3biGjscrGLuq8lOsGxHav4y3B0XOV7kVJV2QBb43gYYuPpOOpBQn1sJonoXoU7V8V7zqT7nSanXSHLrdOiMIJyLOcnFlEyxZKWSB_YPPbKTS04XPom1Cm5EiPlRglW0m9xfl92ToC9D5l5SVkvSRLkuJB0qBebgn9n/w400-h221/FBat8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Barbula intended to make this a lightening strike, hoping to tempt the Irish Warriors into an Uncontrolled Charge, giving the lady chance to sneak away from her dingy abode. The Irishmen, however, contrived to fail their Bravery Test, giving them the opportunity to fall back and join their leader and a third unit of Warriors!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl_g27eiXqh_fXX32nIgpqhx4hesMk86o-ahqY8RZgmGZj6-ReShI4adV5WpKSLvPCfDsU3yGlUVeAPWw2kdrVUzZlighSSQla8paJhoo7Q94JcpYthSBb1q5FztftbAzbPBhjCZLVg4T6w35hlv_Qzcgkr0yNA8jXufj35u2aHoVBLWSmpdT97lC/s1347/FBat9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1347" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl_g27eiXqh_fXX32nIgpqhx4hesMk86o-ahqY8RZgmGZj6-ReShI4adV5WpKSLvPCfDsU3yGlUVeAPWw2kdrVUzZlighSSQla8paJhoo7Q94JcpYthSBb1q5FztftbAzbPBhjCZLVg4T6w35hlv_Qzcgkr0yNA8jXufj35u2aHoVBLWSmpdT97lC/w400-h258/FBat9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, in an act of utter stupidity, the unit of Noble Riders, decided to give up every advantage they had by charging into combat against a unit of Skirmishers sheltering behind a hedge (-2 dice in the combat roll!). As there is no 'official' ploughed field terrain type, I classed this as a 'bog', which is the last place mounted troops should be gallivanting.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsuPV3S84MBf968cMpY-y7mEoDQkK17YDT6wrXvGCVpPAlADplBeuNnn5D5UK04yLSkCdmYsZonwhhtfAYNkbaLj0ryKLldk8EYB3co5mzw9K-hXMgyggItWBAbFsH2DfTtC8M-KkIOcFURQ4EYR2w_rCjQSOmiJT7vMjO_9Mrl2MCH-LMeXEKeK6/s2024/FBat91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="2024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsuPV3S84MBf968cMpY-y7mEoDQkK17YDT6wrXvGCVpPAlADplBeuNnn5D5UK04yLSkCdmYsZonwhhtfAYNkbaLj0ryKLldk8EYB3co5mzw9K-hXMgyggItWBAbFsH2DfTtC8M-KkIOcFURQ4EYR2w_rCjQSOmiJT7vMjO_9Mrl2MCH-LMeXEKeK6/w400-h180/FBat91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">The Romano-British Shieldwall manoeuvred itself to tempt another unit of Irish Warriors into an Uncontrolled Charge and the Noble Riders continued to embarrass themselves by ploughing further into the ploughed field!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjMLpdjnWwgtiJTzSk2WINaC4o9a8OjT2rhHKMNafENipHycZaBE0qInTnBoKVqvRtgRlq5vjEvFtyn-nZq7K1C1lCSJwjT4txuTZKyo9qTKTCQgtQyhsWsdGeqtunemHCvEv_yHn_6xjVdizgjLTqSKIDWtCmXrflzkt0jen_oFWYwNZL7VLU8-6/s1721/FBat92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1721" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjMLpdjnWwgtiJTzSk2WINaC4o9a8OjT2rhHKMNafENipHycZaBE0qInTnBoKVqvRtgRlq5vjEvFtyn-nZq7K1C1lCSJwjT4txuTZKyo9qTKTCQgtQyhsWsdGeqtunemHCvEv_yHn_6xjVdizgjLTqSKIDWtCmXrflzkt0jen_oFWYwNZL7VLU8-6/w400-h206/FBat92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">The inevitable outcome of this dawn raid drew ever closer, as Barbula positioned his Companions to allow the lady to scurry out of her hovel but, she seemed somewhat reluctant to follow the plan!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISFswWvVbDX0T9_jiUrsT4lnruanafzIxzV56Zg0FT1u9q5u5KMbcsdugCcmUqgihNkyQyJOC8dFgGNuMU_dcGCaJLVFVAea87MvCpatgbhMRYKPxrdU9HeCrnypcQueko16ReFSBLjnVQ-FujYL7IVGPVoL_Aqz48ZOpI7WR0r0TYjn8_5EesPx6/s2028/FBat93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="2028" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISFswWvVbDX0T9_jiUrsT4lnruanafzIxzV56Zg0FT1u9q5u5KMbcsdugCcmUqgihNkyQyJOC8dFgGNuMU_dcGCaJLVFVAea87MvCpatgbhMRYKPxrdU9HeCrnypcQueko16ReFSBLjnVQ-FujYL7IVGPVoL_Aqz48ZOpI7WR0r0TYjn8_5EesPx6/w400-h216/FBat93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Possibly the sight of her rescuer's massive horn tempted Fulvia to sneak out into the waiting arms of the lowly skirmishers and the rescue seemed at last to be going to plan.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbaMbN2T5tz_RNzk7rLh802Y1eKMtLmL4Pf87XTsrLAK4-uFtqxmYeFeKDdWCXvN9VkykPq1_FVKnqUqgcCtg3FSOrKmTx5O-S0BbGJXSSNwOPzSBaioyvJV6JtMhngU8aUoyb2XDJCt-Qlkxgr3Ji5kc6wDA1IhZkRoRHXwl9mgjG2_3g8U6Pf8n/s1890/FBat94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1890" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbaMbN2T5tz_RNzk7rLh802Y1eKMtLmL4Pf87XTsrLAK4-uFtqxmYeFeKDdWCXvN9VkykPq1_FVKnqUqgcCtg3FSOrKmTx5O-S0BbGJXSSNwOPzSBaioyvJV6JtMhngU8aUoyb2XDJCt-Qlkxgr3Ji5kc6wDA1IhZkRoRHXwl9mgjG2_3g8U6Pf8n/w400-h193/FBat94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">The Irish, however, hadn't completely given up on the lady and an Uncontrolled Charge by their Foot Companions put a dent in Barbula's Cohesion.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn7NpMlnKoKrB75ltprw60qDbCzxseSumZlrMmuKdzIiWJPg20pUMHA2zXdOwFfSgURiBGwz8Et9U0-GI2H-2CtBfnxL98BNEu7SRfyd-tzR5Qsc2vh5fOLMEv-XlxUWk34ed6RSca9h1h6R9KRJAk1HP2wdR2yJZLnIwEXs-P0AkLiAAt4R6odL0/s1416/FBat95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1416" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn7NpMlnKoKrB75ltprw60qDbCzxseSumZlrMmuKdzIiWJPg20pUMHA2zXdOwFfSgURiBGwz8Et9U0-GI2H-2CtBfnxL98BNEu7SRfyd-tzR5Qsc2vh5fOLMEv-XlxUWk34ed6RSca9h1h6R9KRJAk1HP2wdR2yJZLnIwEXs-P0AkLiAAt4R6odL0/w400-h254/FBat95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Over on the opposite side of the battlefield, the Shieldwall had broken ranks, in an attempt to finish off the unit of Irish Warriors, but failed to make any impression upon their resolute opposition. The Ordinary Shieldwall Unit did, however, manage to attack and wipe out the Irish skirmishers attempting to get around their flank.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotj-BJrJNDVVaTLzYNH9zUoeIivrEUvutmL2IpFKa7dcTpnioiCgZA8eOzpD0lB85vkiAo-5b4ePuqC71EPrl60sS-cKGDym-uSIPP7YxbJVTXMgk4XA4m5kBbA36MBljAuy_b8CywzGQI3BZXu_klMoScUil2SdPojgtoFtQLw3vrLrTCVSboRjR/s1642/FBat96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1642" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotj-BJrJNDVVaTLzYNH9zUoeIivrEUvutmL2IpFKa7dcTpnioiCgZA8eOzpD0lB85vkiAo-5b4ePuqC71EPrl60sS-cKGDym-uSIPP7YxbJVTXMgk4XA4m5kBbA36MBljAuy_b8CywzGQI3BZXu_klMoScUil2SdPojgtoFtQLw3vrLrTCVSboRjR/w400-h220/FBat96.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Barbula's brave Companions managed to force their opponents back and this was enough to convince the Irish that re-taking their prisoner was not worth the sacrifice of more lives.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwStIXPpD0sls4LHi05KmChkJaOe7sB86QhLyk59ihhGO0_bLzHdKAWhQeWSX8A05q4NCeammvTKnLXN_g2MMx0Qv0rWWxuaBXj6erTqyaxEX4JtWEfHaQWpU7M4xx2VpxDpGIBnNWgNnHrQgvGqZ70-_VVm7bTGCACkmCUxdIRUgA8H27FEh82T7/s1019/FBat97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1019" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwStIXPpD0sls4LHi05KmChkJaOe7sB86QhLyk59ihhGO0_bLzHdKAWhQeWSX8A05q4NCeammvTKnLXN_g2MMx0Qv0rWWxuaBXj6erTqyaxEX4JtWEfHaQWpU7M4xx2VpxDpGIBnNWgNnHrQgvGqZ70-_VVm7bTGCACkmCUxdIRUgA8H27FEh82T7/w400-h354/FBat97.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222;">Flavia Meretrix was now safely back in the hands of her own people and would be returned to her loving husband, waiting anxiously for her at the Villa Lurkio. Sadly, the Romano-British warband did not make sufficient progress on their right flank to rescue the donkey and so, it would be a long walk home for the Domina!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">This small game of Dux Bellorum was only ever intended to get a few troops on the table and try out the rules. I only had a couple of hours to spare, so, although the battle could have gone on considerably longer and, probably, with a different outcome, once the Romano-British had reached the hut where Flavia Meretrix was being held, then that would trigger the end of the game. Play was frustrating at times, with units failing their Bravery Test for Movement, but I really like the ebb and flow of combat, with the advantage swinging first one way and then the other. Cavalry are clearly meant to operate in clear open terrain and sending the Noble Riders into a field, chasing after some skirmishers was an act of pure folly. The Irish Warriors are completely intransigent in combat; once they engage, even if they are pushed back, their Uncontrolled Charge trait will see them hurling themselves back into the fray again on the next move, even if they are loosing Cohesion Points. They are like wasps that just wont leave you alone, no matter how many times you swat them away. My Warriors were scattered around the battlefield as part of the scenario, so it will be interesting to see how this Uncontrolled Charge feature plays out when they are fielded in larger groups. Their Protection Score of 5 (or 6 for Nobles) makes then very difficult to hurt, especially when Ordinary Shieldwall only have an Aggression Rating of 3. You really need to stack up as many advantages as possible for your Shieldwall if you are playing the Romano-British. I have just started painting the first of an Early Saxon Warband and I can't wait to field them against the Warrior Irish... </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">I originally painted my Irish and Romano-British to play with Dux Britanniarum and then tried them using Clash of Spears but, for this early Post Roman period, I think Dux Bellorum are definitely the rules I'm going to use. They are deceptively simple, with a combat system that can turn into a real slogging match (in my view, just like the real thing) and a Leadership Point system which allows the lesser un-named mortals in your warband to have a significant impact on the outcome of the battle. Failing Bravery Tests at the vital moment is just a spanner in the works that you have to rise above and hope that it will happen to your opponent, at an even more critical time and throw their carefully crafted plans into a turmoil, from which they will not recover!</span></span></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-75203165883990796562023-01-08T13:01:00.004+00:002023-01-10T17:18:38.790+00:00New Year... New Projects!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here we go again, a new year and new things to get involved in! At times like these, having a hobby, even one as peculiar as wargaming, really pays dividends, as it allows you to disappear into a carefree world far removed from the troubles and turmoil of the real one.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h7bjfR2ljt4vXkJ2GkSSO7oDhxEka2cL2gIIILOKg2puoRXiv35KXeZUf7jRHo0eewKF3Ci6fjz4tt4Ksz-Uqqc4yOdMip2nAkLB-r_LM7N6lPmHMA89tolOoM1eW9zFaWtAN8sB3pgsZDm-09onD0G0ICahPJoPP-Lp0PqzWC11hmYYQsfhA3eI/s1278/royalistofficer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h7bjfR2ljt4vXkJ2GkSSO7oDhxEka2cL2gIIILOKg2puoRXiv35KXeZUf7jRHo0eewKF3Ci6fjz4tt4Ksz-Uqqc4yOdMip2nAkLB-r_LM7N6lPmHMA89tolOoM1eW9zFaWtAN8sB3pgsZDm-09onD0G0ICahPJoPP-Lp0PqzWC11hmYYQsfhA3eI/w295-h400/royalistofficer.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Starting from scratch in 2023 is a project based around the League of Augsburg's skirmish rule set, Donnybrook. It is over 30 years since I played English Civil War games and I was thinking about using The Pikeman's Lament as a way of rekindling an interest in the period, mainly because it is so similar to Lion Rampant and I already know how to play those! I downloaded a copy of Donnybrook when I was thrashing about looking for new things to do during the Covid Lockdowns of 2020, but shelved them because they are really intended for games set from 1660 onwards, when the bayonet was beginning to replace the pike. Just before Christmas 2022, I had another look and decided that they would probably work fine with English Civil War figures as some of the technologies involved are far more ancient than matchlock muskets and pikes. So, I've been reading around events that took place during the Civil War in my home county of Nottinghamshire and have the building blocks for some skirmish games involving local garrison forces, particularly those which may have been located around Welbeck Hall, a residence of the Royalist stalwart, William Cavendish, Marquis of Newcastle, and Parliamentarian forces roaming the county, possibly involved in some way with the various sieges of the Royalist town of Newark! It all needs a lot of tweaking, but Donnybrook is very much about small scale forces lead by desperate heroes and villains and, importantly, they can be fought out on a small kitchen table.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-TBklVzYrJqiqEXafWtocJW0XR6lOtvKklGjpgY5rtwhijcV7SjV7laFNt2TjO23n2fUFrElbiKAKpNx5nMmr23dDcr87XQk7WLvRa399RRas8y0q97F5L4tPev-L6iqrIzZeDA83lk9GjV18Kp4WzvK_j8vWYpX85WUWthv4-90JmcWcLGKKSAz/s2120/irishpriests.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2120" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-TBklVzYrJqiqEXafWtocJW0XR6lOtvKklGjpgY5rtwhijcV7SjV7laFNt2TjO23n2fUFrElbiKAKpNx5nMmr23dDcr87XQk7WLvRa399RRas8y0q97F5L4tPev-L6iqrIzZeDA83lk9GjV18Kp4WzvK_j8vWYpX85WUWthv4-90JmcWcLGKKSAz/w400-h274/irishpriests.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Continuing from where I left off in 2022, I've now got all my forces ready to play Dux Bellorum. Back in December, I tried out the combat system from Dux Bellorum and really enjoyed the results. My Irish warriors struggled to get the upper hand over the Romano-British shieldwall, but I think the Irish need to use some much smarter tactics than just piling in with their really good combat factor but then getting hammered because of their really rubbish armour! Some clever employment of javelin armed skirmishers and cavalry might help to tip the balance in favour of the raiding warband. I've already got ideas cooking to bring back Flavia Meretrix, the Domina of Villa Lurkio, who was kidnapped by the Irish raiders when I was trying out games of Clash of Spears with my post Roman warbands last Summer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Irish Warband are turning out to be the real virtuosos in my collection at the moment. The wonderful people at the Rotherham Wargames Club and Alan Cole in particular, are looking at putting on a Lion Rampant campaign at some point in the coming year. Neither of my two Lion Rampant warbands are suitable for the "Dark Ages" campaign that is being proposed but my Irishmen could certainly participate, with just a few minor adjustments from the way they are set up for Dux Bellorum. I'm currently painting up three more armoured warriors from Footsore, so that I can field a 6 figure unit of Noble Warriors. When they are done, I'll have the Noble Warriors, a unit of javelin armed light cavalry, two units of warriors and a couple of units of skirmishers, all of which I think will add up to around 24 points. Fingers crossed that the campaign gets off the ground, as I really enjoyed spending a Saturday back in November at the club, playing a multi-player game of Lion Rampant. The Rotherham club was where I cut my wargaming teeth back in the mid 1980s before <i>Real Life</i> intervened and cut short my wargaming career by introducing me to the concept of "<i>Working for a Living</i>".</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVZu5V8MJtyYH3qIRy-t5VuVjCXUxDYkUiyE-MPh9dheWJ2bt26VNicDPIVCRYlHiTL4c4yquhkthvzgaI0VKNIsGuPP7FaxxhfyBCOU528Oj-bZcGRMovxwFTN7GAJK-oCnnt7ntMasuSCTypqz5CCnPlvD-9ZZqRFWNtvsde_TmiZE_Q_zg4pfQ/s1580/irishnobles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1580" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVZu5V8MJtyYH3qIRy-t5VuVjCXUxDYkUiyE-MPh9dheWJ2bt26VNicDPIVCRYlHiTL4c4yquhkthvzgaI0VKNIsGuPP7FaxxhfyBCOU528Oj-bZcGRMovxwFTN7GAJK-oCnnt7ntMasuSCTypqz5CCnPlvD-9ZZqRFWNtvsde_TmiZE_Q_zg4pfQ/w400-h295/irishnobles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Finally, I'd just like to wish anyone who happens to wander this way a very happy and prosperous New Year... may the Gods of the Dice smile kindly upon all your gaming endeavours.</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-84990005822836815062022-12-15T14:50:00.002+00:002023-01-10T17:23:48.669+00:00DUX BELLORUM... TRYING OUT THE SYSTEM!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><i><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">What do you do when you need sixes to score a hit but your dice just wont cooperate?</span></b></i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With just a unit of Romano-British Mounted Companions to complete, I thought I'd better get a few troops on the table and have a go at the Dux Bellorum combat system. I have to confess that I hadn't expected what followed to turn out the way it did...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8JR_JI0V5il0g-7_jw68cJEnjIDXL2TdCJ5nYqPjuK_4I-K38l181ZJTyGTGAgEjvejvoz8ZqibKUuopnHNVAnPd6N-9V89ON5AQ_4ZYbsEKtr2Ldkopmq3Gd_tAVUldgdBkY02PBjAJ9GIWzMdOAj75lSeGMuOSGgYzrz_fPkj1B9A_yYGnDFM0/s2918/forces.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="2918" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8JR_JI0V5il0g-7_jw68cJEnjIDXL2TdCJ5nYqPjuK_4I-K38l181ZJTyGTGAgEjvejvoz8ZqibKUuopnHNVAnPd6N-9V89ON5AQ_4ZYbsEKtr2Ldkopmq3Gd_tAVUldgdBkY02PBjAJ9GIWzMdOAj75lSeGMuOSGgYzrz_fPkj1B9A_yYGnDFM0/w400-h124/forces.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the left is a Group of two Units of Romano-British Ordinary Shieldwall and on the right, a Group of three Units of Irish Raider Ordinary Warriors. My expectation was that the Irish would rapidly scythe through the Shieldwall and then I would try a couple of different troop types to see what would happen. What actually occurred was something far more involved and, thanks to the Irish dice rolls consistently failing to land sixes, proved that the shieldwall could stand up to the ferocity of the warrior onslaught!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Irish Raiders advanced into Uncontrolled Charge range and then hurled themselves forward into contact with the shieldwall...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSrh9CLsljgFHjEFdWunB7k17kUYGM39h-cVIzRsMhtqdAm4ATva8yQYic79y52AamL13NP-Dlah-23FYaCuuGm00s2vfP9FhdGAVUUFzhQtCwGjrcr8wiLCyEJBO1c-a9S58wwGDpXr--nV7OKDBeaI11QjAqDmEzcOgG1I0YRRtRB-fNYo47YfV/s1814/20221215_095834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1814" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSrh9CLsljgFHjEFdWunB7k17kUYGM39h-cVIzRsMhtqdAm4ATva8yQYic79y52AamL13NP-Dlah-23FYaCuuGm00s2vfP9FhdGAVUUFzhQtCwGjrcr8wiLCyEJBO1c-a9S58wwGDpXr--nV7OKDBeaI11QjAqDmEzcOgG1I0YRRtRB-fNYo47YfV/w400-h228/20221215_095834.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">at first contact, the Warrior Group split, with two Units contacting one Shieldwall Unit and the third the other.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf03zoNeGhroCpJTH9d1MQvnvtl_qYOj9AK9aPIwlox3ARlYqfqOEwLAFDGq9pI44bXF024aty08cTEST3JqTi_oHJgwjITV1dw5jl2hxCS96ubL5Bs8_URustCFZ0tdjAvb0miCsZJFBD9wtFwlCfQGf__d53CviXbyStFvYQ0IDNyfILA9ou-I6D/s2597/20221215_095849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="2597" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf03zoNeGhroCpJTH9d1MQvnvtl_qYOj9AK9aPIwlox3ARlYqfqOEwLAFDGq9pI44bXF024aty08cTEST3JqTi_oHJgwjITV1dw5jl2hxCS96ubL5Bs8_URustCFZ0tdjAvb0miCsZJFBD9wtFwlCfQGf__d53CviXbyStFvYQ0IDNyfILA9ou-I6D/w400-h180/20221215_095849.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Dark Age warfare, up close and personal!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAksuS_I0VI9cA6Iu2xNSC232_wBoCKPGH6XnRxovyefnBY-GU0wAJxRLm6CFAoEWgQavLNNTrzL8WEZ3eo5ptdkZ4g2xjE9BTTPlQ8d2wYrmI4QKXHLoj0b1-iPI1kqxfZc9L3quYcyiQbuRFVj-CVzlB3aiDex2WCb5nQRAn0P2XPgUxIjtrpSV1/s1413/20221215_100028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1413" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAksuS_I0VI9cA6Iu2xNSC232_wBoCKPGH6XnRxovyefnBY-GU0wAJxRLm6CFAoEWgQavLNNTrzL8WEZ3eo5ptdkZ4g2xjE9BTTPlQ8d2wYrmI4QKXHLoj0b1-iPI1kqxfZc9L3quYcyiQbuRFVj-CVzlB3aiDex2WCb5nQRAn0P2XPgUxIjtrpSV1/w400-h285/20221215_100028.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Shieldwall choose to use their Leadership Points to reduce Cohesion hits, while the Raiders add to their number of Aggression dice.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV67Owl9a5JclpgUmeT-YoQ-ZV3sHiU9r-GMDi_cb2-r2d_YxPyyUGciP2vRINfF9KzHboF32fSDhyj97bX2mH-3n_QSApYO46uGo7FQTiXgyzBf67nNQquOz-2qoQhhlTfhATnb6aiOF-y8AVfoTGfVs2vOtvtZ7blDs4hkCXdgLr8gmdsTx491B5/s1418/20221215_100252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV67Owl9a5JclpgUmeT-YoQ-ZV3sHiU9r-GMDi_cb2-r2d_YxPyyUGciP2vRINfF9KzHboF32fSDhyj97bX2mH-3n_QSApYO46uGo7FQTiXgyzBf67nNQquOz-2qoQhhlTfhATnb6aiOF-y8AVfoTGfVs2vOtvtZ7blDs4hkCXdgLr8gmdsTx491B5/w319-h400/20221215_100252.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">In the top combat in the picture, with an Aggression rating of 5, a +1 for moving into contact and an LP, the Raiders roll 7 dice but still can't score a hit on the Shieldwall.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl-TvtukAtMJbbRLyQvz9S9u2tpMpuYgE0yjd5Ki-ThMRRHkX1l-ne4Y39ikMABbemoe_U6YlDRQkzLVoMafR80XVk34Pv3-cuirPtBeyBS_giJSyr2eSyzPhUsFfeAoKfB_6tKTa6gSBjLuRu2KMKFxtdF2mw2vFmEvr1FqSM_UMFg8VMgrBCYfr/s1250/20221215_100410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl-TvtukAtMJbbRLyQvz9S9u2tpMpuYgE0yjd5Ki-ThMRRHkX1l-ne4Y39ikMABbemoe_U6YlDRQkzLVoMafR80XVk34Pv3-cuirPtBeyBS_giJSyr2eSyzPhUsFfeAoKfB_6tKTa6gSBjLuRu2KMKFxtdF2mw2vFmEvr1FqSM_UMFg8VMgrBCYfr/w369-h400/20221215_100410.jpg" width="369" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Fortunately for the Irish, the Shieldwall's roll is equally rubbish!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_ymnkUoY9s3qqab4JHSRZGvaolxpspiOwKO6_MwlOv5celVupWCtA90rRFI5PDSIeOis4WA8XjVTf07tqJcHPJhj2R5aGc66p5kpLWq-hfvNnfQyVjg545drNnR_FhWYPrnsiuD00rYbQcFlS-HMK4fWlCgI9qgsxBAI3pzdhv2FWyvSJLoV7uIH/s1134/20221215_100503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1134" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_ymnkUoY9s3qqab4JHSRZGvaolxpspiOwKO6_MwlOv5celVupWCtA90rRFI5PDSIeOis4WA8XjVTf07tqJcHPJhj2R5aGc66p5kpLWq-hfvNnfQyVjg545drNnR_FhWYPrnsiuD00rYbQcFlS-HMK4fWlCgI9qgsxBAI3pzdhv2FWyvSJLoV7uIH/w400-h344/20221215_100503.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">In the lower combat, the Irish have 5 Aggression dice, +1 for moving into contact, an LP and a supporting unit, giving them no less than 8 dice to roll. This time, they get two sixes only to have them wiped out by the two LPs the Shieldwall have used to cancel hits!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5bpuPRc1ymrhGVXToBVYZqkUqQ23I7rhM7fR3jInwEY_1J0aG67r43q75dB8nX49crCnNWGoHjCw9neP04rGIV1jeFb759iWdUtDpW5j7h54C_zc84fx5vmRzGm4tBg0d5Np2762feu8i9Q3UfKCVKjgLUSsLDUnpbCfZi3w6lm-QXItdFQaw870/s796/20221215_100544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="796" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5bpuPRc1ymrhGVXToBVYZqkUqQ23I7rhM7fR3jInwEY_1J0aG67r43q75dB8nX49crCnNWGoHjCw9neP04rGIV1jeFb759iWdUtDpW5j7h54C_zc84fx5vmRzGm4tBg0d5Np2762feu8i9Q3UfKCVKjgLUSsLDUnpbCfZi3w6lm-QXItdFQaw870/w400-h364/20221215_100544.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Against the odds, with just three dice to roll, the Shieldwall get a hit on their attackers and push them back, leaving them with a dent in their Cohesion level.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFD0sphlt5xM4kvwPV1VR_KXYoehc-i8vrv2lFIWSQWMQ_qqAj6ejRJyhmEkjtx2woNjb6PzJzrcLkRzFMvXC-qPsD5l6iED9rdOwOEPnoeyEqvL41tjvqtL371Bjxs4n8xYkxetjUVF_k-CohSfuVNWOm-JrlC7v8CoQll68sBvqAnWgv_WBhOyk/s1599/20221215_101149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1599" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFD0sphlt5xM4kvwPV1VR_KXYoehc-i8vrv2lFIWSQWMQ_qqAj6ejRJyhmEkjtx2woNjb6PzJzrcLkRzFMvXC-qPsD5l6iED9rdOwOEPnoeyEqvL41tjvqtL371Bjxs4n8xYkxetjUVF_k-CohSfuVNWOm-JrlC7v8CoQll68sBvqAnWgv_WBhOyk/w400-h251/20221215_101149.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p3Xtaofe1d7UCYnJ2JEkaIih_H6rPN7cHiGDtxOHM1Iut4KtkJidoBAgbgLDI8A99CUN8Bxk1nL_Fv94eB5eAAya_l_8CvCJ4V6GyqvCcblAVq8yI07DCaxhlk6jj0HbPNuBtLbsbQO0VT4co1zJiEVA4X2zC9pIaHbCNBOGFmsWWyIkamJvrLtF/s1685/20221215_101927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1685" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p3Xtaofe1d7UCYnJ2JEkaIih_H6rPN7cHiGDtxOHM1Iut4KtkJidoBAgbgLDI8A99CUN8Bxk1nL_Fv94eB5eAAya_l_8CvCJ4V6GyqvCcblAVq8yI07DCaxhlk6jj0HbPNuBtLbsbQO0VT4co1zJiEVA4X2zC9pIaHbCNBOGFmsWWyIkamJvrLtF/w400-h229/20221215_101927.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">In the Shieldwall's move, they elect to continue the fight and, in spite of one of their Units loosing a Cohesion Point, they inflict hits on both the other Irish Units. Being so close to the Shieldwall, the Irish will have to charge in again unless they can 'fail' a Bravery test.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dkfgRjUk_Pi2Z0JCGR8UGtOCwEr6x1U1wSAWGZaU276dk8322YlMbH6l-5JFQJ-qKbCpStC1fh1bCm15hGM1Q_fNuhYesoy7PssPs4F3ha37wAb4crrlEwKARC-jp8Nq-ixX1LiJTCJD2eHRw3YciFcAARJOlU2GDvoqlDJZme7sEOyj4r4Fc9rf/s1932/20221215_102750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1932" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dkfgRjUk_Pi2Z0JCGR8UGtOCwEr6x1U1wSAWGZaU276dk8322YlMbH6l-5JFQJ-qKbCpStC1fh1bCm15hGM1Q_fNuhYesoy7PssPs4F3ha37wAb4crrlEwKARC-jp8Nq-ixX1LiJTCJD2eHRw3YciFcAARJOlU2GDvoqlDJZme7sEOyj4r4Fc9rf/w400-h206/20221215_102750.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Things go from bad to worse for the right flank Irish Unit as they charge in for a second time, their Cohesion score is reduced to 2, leaving them perilously close to breaking point.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorZk6cxTitit_atxThksRcwRaXWBmdG79yZEDnCRt_wmRus1e2oUhctvvBbl3vShnxYk6KKu1HxX5u_U82FIDBy_pTM3lKGXxCPv810Fr0w1R0bCulhnnlDupLNFB4_6DmDC6T4mgmgR1zXOLM5pW2BdCRREj0GqY70VkIg-Hq_VWnrH0hsJ1fyit/s2120/20221215_103337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="2120" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorZk6cxTitit_atxThksRcwRaXWBmdG79yZEDnCRt_wmRus1e2oUhctvvBbl3vShnxYk6KKu1HxX5u_U82FIDBy_pTM3lKGXxCPv810Fr0w1R0bCulhnnlDupLNFB4_6DmDC6T4mgmgR1zXOLM5pW2BdCRREj0GqY70VkIg-Hq_VWnrH0hsJ1fyit/w400-h180/20221215_103337.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Shieldwall get a temporary advantage, out numbering the centre Irish Unit, but the right flank Shieldwall Unit manages to get itself pushed back.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XvtX84efNdMlczeLyXUPcJNF-IAyEHce-Gy92hfJTuEnNlYw-W6s9kp4v2qI_SAjL8V5G2MaSpRpOq3It1tmN1W-dh8mGhx4G8muKgX3WzCjNM3dNLBlMU1AkkTbLV-g93REJ8Mmu5Omg56eL0LhZNgitm0AarIrVUkQSUVCzIr-CtV3hkAFfAQd/s1918/20221215_103551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1918" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XvtX84efNdMlczeLyXUPcJNF-IAyEHce-Gy92hfJTuEnNlYw-W6s9kp4v2qI_SAjL8V5G2MaSpRpOq3It1tmN1W-dh8mGhx4G8muKgX3WzCjNM3dNLBlMU1AkkTbLV-g93REJ8Mmu5Omg56eL0LhZNgitm0AarIrVUkQSUVCzIr-CtV3hkAFfAQd/w400-h204/20221215_103551.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The combat has now completely broken up...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95pZ-HSZhF6IJTeUttgX6LNnWYGevYEKdkat-LJ_ik6VzSLy-ujQlDWqMWHIu0D82UcfYeTIYDKHANMuWk0wXKWgiMuuWDYas8q78S0cT6-gE_gZ9C-UxYUgdhFLetK9EC_4CWREbj_fdLhAF9uVKl_gZo42wUha93ueGMpbcEvKT8eeuau5mtSNl/s2238/20221215_103958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="2238" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95pZ-HSZhF6IJTeUttgX6LNnWYGevYEKdkat-LJ_ik6VzSLy-ujQlDWqMWHIu0D82UcfYeTIYDKHANMuWk0wXKWgiMuuWDYas8q78S0cT6-gE_gZ9C-UxYUgdhFLetK9EC_4CWREbj_fdLhAF9uVKl_gZo42wUha93ueGMpbcEvKT8eeuau5mtSNl/w400-h180/20221215_103958.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">and the Shieldwall Units continue to chip away at the Irish Cohesion scores, pushing the two flank Units further back.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20PZmRlzDF7P_C_b27avuriz7V8oo34igxSempgGBPSmb8Bff34_VYScMOr2rb9UOho24dKZ1yx1a7T-mimAll0UtHKeRzpQLy49sAChVph_3SLEyc7N59nVi0i4-p-HJBdw98wLF8Wcrbau2R0zqr025o-cOKrHSUnQ-zDZSkTVKG2c9BszJ5DLW/s1811/20221215_104152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1811" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20PZmRlzDF7P_C_b27avuriz7V8oo34igxSempgGBPSmb8Bff34_VYScMOr2rb9UOho24dKZ1yx1a7T-mimAll0UtHKeRzpQLy49sAChVph_3SLEyc7N59nVi0i4-p-HJBdw98wLF8Wcrbau2R0zqr025o-cOKrHSUnQ-zDZSkTVKG2c9BszJ5DLW/w400-h221/20221215_104152.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">At the end of this turn, the two sides are totally broken up into separate Units and they have been forced apart, giving them a chance to take a quick breather before the onslaught is renewed in the next turn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8MthqPBLtNnlY2yegZTXOJfgY7pIv0Eb4ZzRU31sxGg5ZAKEfwH_FWAT3mHE1bEGGjwNbtsyMro5FaTwn0KrBurEycIAxg2R2FLMDPZ58YHodXxEgvnlRptJGuPZ668aan2GrVECHXZ9L3hL84-3JTrujoJ0X64hfdTPX5Bh2qUlQZGtm4mZ8G9T/s1862/20221215_104231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1862" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8MthqPBLtNnlY2yegZTXOJfgY7pIv0Eb4ZzRU31sxGg5ZAKEfwH_FWAT3mHE1bEGGjwNbtsyMro5FaTwn0KrBurEycIAxg2R2FLMDPZ58YHodXxEgvnlRptJGuPZ668aan2GrVECHXZ9L3hL84-3JTrujoJ0X64hfdTPX5Bh2qUlQZGtm4mZ8G9T/w400-h215/20221215_104231.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Leadership Points have been distributed and the Raiders gird their loins for last effort. Their Cohesion levels have dropped to a point where any further hits will see them break and run, leaving this part of the battlefield in the hands of the Romano-British.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbuaW5p4bBr9GAR6c0DDy7q6ahZTjW6MHpVg_9mo2NmZB1RZ20U3wCV8HF1o2G05XeJm4FvN5b5C91W4FhcP9MOyl6clV3IcJLP78MiqDHjbByu-7Crn2vbVKGAHUtfGVFuAaAD8Au8XxjrsGlCoj8pSQ046vPD5tbHQMSWTTYry-m5rN7aFAaAwG/s2285/20221215_104421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2285" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbuaW5p4bBr9GAR6c0DDy7q6ahZTjW6MHpVg_9mo2NmZB1RZ20U3wCV8HF1o2G05XeJm4FvN5b5C91W4FhcP9MOyl6clV3IcJLP78MiqDHjbByu-7Crn2vbVKGAHUtfGVFuAaAD8Au8XxjrsGlCoj8pSQ046vPD5tbHQMSWTTYry-m5rN7aFAaAwG/w400-h180/20221215_104421.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Catastrophe strikes for the Irish, as their left flank Unit receives the two hits that reduce their Cohesion to zero. Their lack of protection has been their undoing, they can stand no more and they turn and flee the field of blood.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkUHOH102ykCi83ZI51kjBJbCWyZuicVFYfIIeJyqad2VQ7t4Pny-LUtDsJ3wZ7K1ZP_1s_4JcUJoStsDeOJAIGBn8Fv3x9V1P7Xl_oJqx-nxO5gtim0v6-909zqMpScYz9wTZ85I0HVxt5zswB7eO9Vi-HFgxXxNMYY7q5cGns9Jdd67sCysJvib/s1669/20221215_104747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1669" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkUHOH102ykCi83ZI51kjBJbCWyZuicVFYfIIeJyqad2VQ7t4Pny-LUtDsJ3wZ7K1ZP_1s_4JcUJoStsDeOJAIGBn8Fv3x9V1P7Xl_oJqx-nxO5gtim0v6-909zqMpScYz9wTZ85I0HVxt5zswB7eO9Vi-HFgxXxNMYY7q5cGns9Jdd67sCysJvib/w400-h229/20221215_104747.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">The struggle reaches its dramatic conclusion as the undamaged left flank Shieldwall Unit finds itself assailed by two desperate Units of Irishmen on the very brink of collapse. This was the last forlorn effort for the Irish and their right flank Unit was forced back, leaving their centre to stand alone against both remaining Units of Shieldwall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyNDofIfTfLdQ9fpgvfeGIa7iKHVgzVPMII37kweDyS4yPeZ3Hoj2jtObCqfh_KMzivtVpK2cNgx2d7VbY5VCRS5XpgRmUH2i7r1hnjHMjhvPXwE38T7uep7fWHmCQoNs-_nBii2n_6-SLd5AXw4DCrmMhCiI6LQTRCTvh_qNkZ93IbtuTwSYXSZ6/s1685/20221215_104833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1685" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyNDofIfTfLdQ9fpgvfeGIa7iKHVgzVPMII37kweDyS4yPeZ3Hoj2jtObCqfh_KMzivtVpK2cNgx2d7VbY5VCRS5XpgRmUH2i7r1hnjHMjhvPXwE38T7uep7fWHmCQoNs-_nBii2n_6-SLd5AXw4DCrmMhCiI6LQTRCTvh_qNkZ93IbtuTwSYXSZ6/w400-h229/20221215_104833.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Once again the Gods of the Dice favoured the Shieldwall and they rolled the two hits they needed to reduce the Warriors' Cohesion to zero...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDZ3tWOQOTSxbOqhTwW806Dermu7xFO-1nBisJ1Gff0GZ8Y40vR7cZNyH-WwHM5Gqjc344Vo2d4lN503d4d93NHz4nDnVRs13QkmrVPNorjAMb2BxHJWZuyrnzHiYbH8nggXDG-pV0NS_90IY6r0TQuQKsNSEdP6idqyoeGkyIjd-pijgOR9w-lxb/s1636/20221215_104941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1636" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDZ3tWOQOTSxbOqhTwW806Dermu7xFO-1nBisJ1Gff0GZ8Y40vR7cZNyH-WwHM5Gqjc344Vo2d4lN503d4d93NHz4nDnVRs13QkmrVPNorjAMb2BxHJWZuyrnzHiYbH8nggXDG-pV0NS_90IY6r0TQuQKsNSEdP6idqyoeGkyIjd-pijgOR9w-lxb/w400-h235/20221215_104941.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">With a second Unit routed and the remaining Warriors having a Cohesion level of "1", this small encounter has come to its conclusion. The fearless Irish Warriors gave their all but were defeated by a dauntless enemy who refused to yield an inch of the sacred ground they call home.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">This little clash was intended just to give me a feel for what Dux Bellorum would play like; it certainly wasn't what I was expecting at all. I've not been able to find any video reports of Dux Bellorum on the internet, so I've had nothing to build my expectation other the reading of the rules. I think bigger battles are going to be a lot more intense than I had imagined they would be, with a lot more ebb and flow of battle and clashes between Shieldwall and Warrior breaking down into some real nitty gritty grinding matches. So, the next step is to choose a scenario and let slip the dogs of war...</span></span></div></div></div></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-20301543213629808522022-12-02T12:32:00.005+00:002023-01-10T17:24:25.015+00:00DUX BELLORUM - A NEW STAGE FOR MY ROMANO-BRITISH AND IRISH RAIDERS TO PERFORM ON!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIolPQnyc0LU-ReNQdZKQ73I4MZ--wsA-ai-kzE6Z8xDiq0uIGEI_vTS91os1TjbDRX4Wj2u4pfhaO_Vw8n4fLEyb7DHiKQej9x3SV1oD-cCt4Bj0MOmWE37d7ORj4-PuAsv_ibq651pjPzUQmgR5QLQTG_dDmYd4d-jJ2t53At9jcr9sFh_TreDnw/s1015/art2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1015" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIolPQnyc0LU-ReNQdZKQ73I4MZ--wsA-ai-kzE6Z8xDiq0uIGEI_vTS91os1TjbDRX4Wj2u4pfhaO_Vw8n4fLEyb7DHiKQej9x3SV1oD-cCt4Bj0MOmWE37d7ORj4-PuAsv_ibq651pjPzUQmgR5QLQTG_dDmYd4d-jJ2t53At9jcr9sFh_TreDnw/w400-h345/art2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">After painting up my Romano-British and Irish Raiders to use with Dux Britanniarum two years ago, they have been through quite an array of projects ever since. Once I had fallen in love with Clash of Spears, with games set in Sicily in the First Punic War, I thought that I could re-purpose my Dark Age figures and use them with "Clash". This was one of the few ideas I've had which worked really well, but I was always a bit uncertain about the way I had classified the troops within the "Clash" system.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXzW2GTy8SAiA6YqOTWCQNrFdi1-QYvEm1_YJEzsDzE1pzu1Tp7kpqAj_HPRrFvESrUAvXGR0_2sADnPj1vW2HKb8e1j8JrXdxeSFUNet-PJqwI3wHq7WCMVMqlZ6UL9CoZyfFHOSZaQeAU01t5RtAkR_OdqJVES9RUdgErU69t6r2Fd0UTVkGS--/s2341/art6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="2341" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXzW2GTy8SAiA6YqOTWCQNrFdi1-QYvEm1_YJEzsDzE1pzu1Tp7kpqAj_HPRrFvESrUAvXGR0_2sADnPj1vW2HKb8e1j8JrXdxeSFUNet-PJqwI3wHq7WCMVMqlZ6UL9CoZyfFHOSZaQeAU01t5RtAkR_OdqJVES9RUdgErU69t6r2Fd0UTVkGS--/w400-h180/art6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Recently, I'd been thinking about using a truly fit for purpose system for what is, after all, one of my favourite historical periods. I initially found "Song of Arthur and Merlin", which has been updated and given a more "historical" feel. I liked some of what was included in the rules but decided that they were just a bit too small scale for what I wanted, being really designed for a dozen figures or so per side. I'd looked at Daniel Mersey's Dux Bellorum a few years ago but put it to one side because I couldn't see how the basing system would work with my individually based figures... cavalry seemed the most difficult to reconcile, being on 25mm pill bases and three of them had to fit on a base with 60mm frontage!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI27L6BP4sKyHtYju5cLr51ZM-xGUNy2OBrmqHxBc06H8F9ZoeAR4cFpbCefTpTVpLASYbqxRsTMWU9spQhoL9JzavQKrSamJfYYObJa53BjkVzNpE3xATWwHAM9LLASSetzwVovhivCs3J8p7wRZURnQV6xxInEDiQIENL8H9WWuAMhRQsSwDr-w/s1203/art3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1203" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI27L6BP4sKyHtYju5cLr51ZM-xGUNy2OBrmqHxBc06H8F9ZoeAR4cFpbCefTpTVpLASYbqxRsTMWU9spQhoL9JzavQKrSamJfYYObJa53BjkVzNpE3xATWwHAM9LLASSetzwVovhivCs3J8p7wRZURnQV6xxInEDiQIENL8H9WWuAMhRQsSwDr-w/w400-h291/art3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When I read the rules again a few weeks ago, I spotted a bit I'd missed first time around about fielding troops in "rough clumps"! My individually based figures could certainly move around in "rough clumps", but it would mean spending a lot of time shifting them around the battlefield. It was at this point that I almost put Dux Bellorum back on the shelf, until I came across some of the laser cut bases for sale on the <a href="https://www.charliefoxtrotmodels.com/" target="_blank">Charlie Foxtrot Models</a> web site. Charlie Foxtrot have movement trays which come in all sorts of odd configurations, but the more I looked at them, the more I thought they would fit perfectly (almost!) with the basing requirements of Dux Bellorum. They have 60mm frontage trays with four slots in two rows... ideal for the four figure Shieldwall types... they have three slot triangular trays with 60mm sides... ideal for three figure Warrior types... they have double slot trays with 60mm frontage... ideal for Skirmisher types and, they have some three slot cavalry trays which are wider than 60mm! O.K., so they don't quite fit with the rest, but we are all consenting adults, and you don't throw the baby out with the bath water, do you?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqTcOSkNghFXZoEtlFQvswWHPDnci-aUu9Xy-eDfjVtsDda6g1G7KaiDvPc8-qWQML0NfejUuCihvA4ubDLNFsbLvd0sZ82-9kmWOlZyzYiGRh7_LzL5oPtUI_KlTDMwBD4GSEVfmK6SboCoh-Lnal5KUMMMbpRXNCEVAx5ldcSobijgzagjEJ52F/s1108/art92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1108" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqTcOSkNghFXZoEtlFQvswWHPDnci-aUu9Xy-eDfjVtsDda6g1G7KaiDvPc8-qWQML0NfejUuCihvA4ubDLNFsbLvd0sZ82-9kmWOlZyzYiGRh7_LzL5oPtUI_KlTDMwBD4GSEVfmK6SboCoh-Lnal5KUMMMbpRXNCEVAx5ldcSobijgzagjEJ52F/w400-h290/art92.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Charlie Foxtrot always get your goodies to you in double quick time and so here I am with a box full of Romano-British and a box full of Irish Raiders all based up and ready for action with Dux Bellorum. There's not a lot of stuff around on the Internet about Dux Bellorum, so I assume there aren't too many players out there but I'm ready to set up the dining room table for some learning games throughout December and really looking forward to it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBIFZQte4mZkDF97WUp7S09Ohh8vrEwQzreB-BRJatcQBjKSWlDGzYEax97C4ptoGlHt6HA0ea4HpxOhOcjPzbrEniVuqT8IPBIjLEheGqB242VeqAsUDN-qRyng9vtK7F1mBdpbMYdRvWgKtA3HOIZUVi71iLJJg8D33xVS0ujXRjyn-6-xr4Obz/s1493/art1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1493" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBIFZQte4mZkDF97WUp7S09Ohh8vrEwQzreB-BRJatcQBjKSWlDGzYEax97C4ptoGlHt6HA0ea4HpxOhOcjPzbrEniVuqT8IPBIjLEheGqB242VeqAsUDN-qRyng9vtK7F1mBdpbMYdRvWgKtA3HOIZUVi71iLJJg8D33xVS0ujXRjyn-6-xr4Obz/w400-h245/art1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">A Group of Two Units of Romano-British Noble Shieldwall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRhI9e6q4aZ_tK3T_eY48xBMVd-2cinlJk1gzGCkJbzEkXJHAfw5X2iXkL6q5ZUm01C_njgXygyoZVPP8bMV_V1KN2axCYzItKQTmbuYdGUQVKsPZ5kPkBrRxsNVyXvN32pHRH0LBNThs3H3HoI1VnPUmh-nTYG_jvOURCOGjJBmnf0xxPQSpsBqs/s1473/art7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1473" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRhI9e6q4aZ_tK3T_eY48xBMVd-2cinlJk1gzGCkJbzEkXJHAfw5X2iXkL6q5ZUm01C_njgXygyoZVPP8bMV_V1KN2axCYzItKQTmbuYdGUQVKsPZ5kPkBrRxsNVyXvN32pHRH0LBNThs3H3HoI1VnPUmh-nTYG_jvOURCOGjJBmnf0xxPQSpsBqs/w400-h278/art7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Irish Raider Mounted Companions with their Leader.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cM1Cqs9JEyBGZUEbd0-K3IQSu2QjUUH17b8X9sUwvVe_Rnei5QnJf7nOOdrkCxEv-qlYzfILfizsPudnDG7bGwe7ozyTiD-sjldSf3_nhBhmdA3b-jtqlbLEzntJ-M-0kYQm7n4pV5_KQKbkd5hofXvjzvcEsv2TFQr8pMWKom00BzPigNpquLTy/s2021/art9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="2021" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cM1Cqs9JEyBGZUEbd0-K3IQSu2QjUUH17b8X9sUwvVe_Rnei5QnJf7nOOdrkCxEv-qlYzfILfizsPudnDG7bGwe7ozyTiD-sjldSf3_nhBhmdA3b-jtqlbLEzntJ-M-0kYQm7n4pV5_KQKbkd5hofXvjzvcEsv2TFQr8pMWKom00BzPigNpquLTy/w400-h161/art9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Irish Raider Ordinary Foot Warriors - the Charlie Foxtrot Movement Trays give these guys that multiple wedge look which suits their irregular charge into contact.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ06WmRsxYeSRbvyJYf87bvlj_Kcx0lv-fAwj0fQaxM22hOe8_CaSbZcBgO4Jhgb__s7vKj0IybKag2iuWGhmOyQMDCw9gw_qUCqf7R2AiKLQybzKA0CIsc1jFAHpII-yyS3fuGSt5kY3dtq3XxViH8NR_o9nAspae428ZnCdLXwjUvQ2v5bk6ALq/s1544/art5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ06WmRsxYeSRbvyJYf87bvlj_Kcx0lv-fAwj0fQaxM22hOe8_CaSbZcBgO4Jhgb__s7vKj0IybKag2iuWGhmOyQMDCw9gw_qUCqf7R2AiKLQybzKA0CIsc1jFAHpII-yyS3fuGSt5kY3dtq3XxViH8NR_o9nAspae428ZnCdLXwjUvQ2v5bk6ALq/w400-h240/art5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Romano-British Ordinary Shieldwall. These Movement Trays have a more regular look, ideal for stolid groups of Shieldwall Spearmen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhnYwUsRwQIs-CiujbxogPm39iRa7BK5Js4MfhbrffyXSQfIegoQeiZkHDQqzOc8XXp5ulY8oj610-N4ZDoOlyuGHfsgKdBXrNi_dQP3WwDHCDDkwzSkaHTrSmSIyubxRSZDZWKLYftG5pWZs-YQ-_4yFCirEiG7nruqT1QmJ8pEDLO9I_WtIT1Ze/s1725/art91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1725" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhnYwUsRwQIs-CiujbxogPm39iRa7BK5Js4MfhbrffyXSQfIegoQeiZkHDQqzOc8XXp5ulY8oj610-N4ZDoOlyuGHfsgKdBXrNi_dQP3WwDHCDDkwzSkaHTrSmSIyubxRSZDZWKLYftG5pWZs-YQ-_4yFCirEiG7nruqT1QmJ8pEDLO9I_WtIT1Ze/w400-h217/art91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Irish Raider Javelin armed Skirmishers. Skirmisher Units can't be Grouped, so must scurry around the battlefield independently, doing what Skirmishers do best... hit and run!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtr_iT72UzTCZqiqX0s0LzGga2n5AVw_KLQmH9sCjQD2bHDYb_PHq227_MMU7tJQkCWdl8M51rt5oET-jVnLtMhXUY0wNaVE-DUqcErsOKqcwV25YUdalFAIsrsj9KBLhEBMKG4GDQ-vSFJWeHFmr007CVZ7FkuUjvRfPyUP26c8RVTgNG70R5v6T/s989/art8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="814" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtr_iT72UzTCZqiqX0s0LzGga2n5AVw_KLQmH9sCjQD2bHDYb_PHq227_MMU7tJQkCWdl8M51rt5oET-jVnLtMhXUY0wNaVE-DUqcErsOKqcwV25YUdalFAIsrsj9KBLhEBMKG4GDQ-vSFJWeHFmr007CVZ7FkuUjvRfPyUP26c8RVTgNG70R5v6T/w329-h400/art8.jpg" width="329" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Irish Raider Noble Warriors - mixed in with the Ordinary Warriors, these guys can have a positive influence on the outcome of Bravery Tests.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2OE3D7UaBFRfKaLAY3G9rbBzfdsMREaQjbBDaWeOA9QJQ6wuwQk0ZzxnWppwCZMu-KS6c2R-Q5EgAlN5I9Fz4DjnS6jj7KmZL7afqOBTUR8yzh0jHe2XJ1GTFs2MMWd2YlpgarBbAf7I6mfDnAvVD5zeUggvtu2XzC5-_cyMNLvgQyCq2BuyxKoT/s813/art4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="813" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2OE3D7UaBFRfKaLAY3G9rbBzfdsMREaQjbBDaWeOA9QJQ6wuwQk0ZzxnWppwCZMu-KS6c2R-Q5EgAlN5I9Fz4DjnS6jj7KmZL7afqOBTUR8yzh0jHe2XJ1GTFs2MMWd2YlpgarBbAf7I6mfDnAvVD5zeUggvtu2XzC5-_cyMNLvgQyCq2BuyxKoT/w400-h370/art4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Romano-British Bows... three figures to a Unit, so I've put them on the same Movement Tray I used for the Warrior infantry.</span></div></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com2Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-2835868077363974052022-11-03T13:04:00.003+00:002023-01-10T17:24:52.052+00:00Lion Rampant... The Battle of Saint Winifred's Day.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It is the third day of November, in the year of Our Lord, 1173, the holy day of Saint Winifred, the patron saint of unwanted advances! With the onset of the Winter season, Donnchad, Earl of Fife, is leading his retinue towards the village of Stokley, intent on destroying all supplies which may be used by his English adversaries during the harsh and desolate season to come. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Earl Donnchad stood upon the back of his lowly page and addressed his troops thusly, with words spoken from his very own mouth, "My true and loyal retinue, wars are not only won by sword and spear. Upon this day of Saint Winifred, we will strike a brutal blow against our foes by denying them the sustenance they require over the coming season of dearth. Let us march boldly to yonder village and burn and plunder all that we find therein and leave the despicable English not one sausage nor the mustard to spread upon it!"*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>* Some historical sources have attributed this reference to a later personage, but this is utter rot and Donnchad is most definitely the originator of the quote.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Unbeknownst to Donnchad, Ranulf de Glanville, commander of King Henry's forces in the North is also advancing on Stokley, having been informed, by miserable peasants fleeing the village, of the approach of the Scottishmen. And low, by the cruel and malign workings of the Gods of War, is the Battle of Saint Winifred's Day about to begin!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91vIfEKJSK9BacVKAloz-zvSE4mO4P0ZG77RsqiOY5NM-gWiEgpEBcpjCjnHtYXcfBou7-xuVxVKIL3a57Vnd10ysfWTO0Wz_VPZES6oZbwgau0GgX-GKotf247BgUZHsWObCloRH6SFfMktt4eUYBqeOVIccERuf4V-w8NG28DV6qlqQ9wIbraRw/s2320/pic1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="2320" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91vIfEKJSK9BacVKAloz-zvSE4mO4P0ZG77RsqiOY5NM-gWiEgpEBcpjCjnHtYXcfBou7-xuVxVKIL3a57Vnd10ysfWTO0Wz_VPZES6oZbwgau0GgX-GKotf247BgUZHsWObCloRH6SFfMktt4eUYBqeOVIccERuf4V-w8NG28DV6qlqQ9wIbraRw/w400-h186/pic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Sacrificial Lambs! A unit of English heavy infantry spearmen deployed to fend off the Scots, hopefully, until the rest of Sir Ranulf's retinue arrives.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqWGZR_hU_Ue4V1W1wfB2ppd61ygC92daNSxu8Im7997s2VJNYW3hw_QVQ9bRC5kx4G_q2B6uNl9rznibBpM63edRgAzVBOzjZ7heRWlLFAPyyTXwggVxpC2SkfErNsGiAyzVZxExeehCxdXhJhKKHqSigIGiWAVuTgU_eNofPKa6TYJ7guianoTr/s2371/pic2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="2371" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqWGZR_hU_Ue4V1W1wfB2ppd61ygC92daNSxu8Im7997s2VJNYW3hw_QVQ9bRC5kx4G_q2B6uNl9rznibBpM63edRgAzVBOzjZ7heRWlLFAPyyTXwggVxpC2SkfErNsGiAyzVZxExeehCxdXhJhKKHqSigIGiWAVuTgU_eNofPKa6TYJ7guianoTr/w400-h180/pic2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Stultus and Eadwig the Parsnip Pickler, left to guard the Bishop of Durham's supply of freshly imported Bordeaux and garlic. If the Scots manage to get their hands on the cart, they will have to test to determine whether they follow orders and destroy the Bishop's goodies or find another use for that fine vintage red wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21j5SRNfIT9zKRHurzR0busi_YJ7xVC9vDrNGfeh4sbWhngjukSnMnCcIJHU21StO_KLOdrbuE560EnizU2YfveAsAWKAblYSUodOHCbJMes3IqxiAJhSP_DihmiENyvgK2F2bMil1B1fUkzO3YuXz9OZIZ8iufSkfgB2hzQs23b-psF7vECtaIjG/s2072/pic3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="2072" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21j5SRNfIT9zKRHurzR0busi_YJ7xVC9vDrNGfeh4sbWhngjukSnMnCcIJHU21StO_KLOdrbuE560EnizU2YfveAsAWKAblYSUodOHCbJMes3IqxiAJhSP_DihmiENyvgK2F2bMil1B1fUkzO3YuXz9OZIZ8iufSkfgB2hzQs23b-psF7vECtaIjG/w400-h180/pic3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No time for the defenders to contemplate their fate... the fearsome Galwegians hurl themselves against the spearmen, fortunately, the Englishmen have had the good sense to organise themselves into a wall of spears formation and the "naked" Scots come off second best!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhlBV7ZJIBGw7tKVO23ezLDPl1UWDJ4FXfPiGRSCQt_BRZ9_oHk6T3Ci5RM_hNZrul_mVcgpfMXa-5ORMfSfKf2X6gGSzVBINMMr1xR00iIbGTIdDc0tTImeGHoYd1EGf3Yvl80Cf5xN547p66Qqq9xW7NnfCt2R1q3at1edgIpvyU4OiF1gDUuPa/s2058/pic4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="2058" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhlBV7ZJIBGw7tKVO23ezLDPl1UWDJ4FXfPiGRSCQt_BRZ9_oHk6T3Ci5RM_hNZrul_mVcgpfMXa-5ORMfSfKf2X6gGSzVBINMMr1xR00iIbGTIdDc0tTImeGHoYd1EGf3Yvl80Cf5xN547p66Qqq9xW7NnfCt2R1q3at1edgIpvyU4OiF1gDUuPa/w400-h180/pic4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Stultus breathes a sigh of relief, as Sir Ranulf and his brave and fearless knights arrive to support the spearmen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5fWOJmy7M38dp-m5-MYbktxWBjIrnVyWOB-ONRHVRIrckRMn7CYXMhsHUTKMEXXmjjAE2rMHovPIEgpNY50SRUspk36_K6aoGRHn4wSqvblxJK_5axJ1TkEERb1UmPIR1HeYJ_jg4UJxi_bo_T7Z3VOeGaeeN9HkSd_aXLhuXBAqEJ-ZKEXCeEE2/s2140/pic5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="2140" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5fWOJmy7M38dp-m5-MYbktxWBjIrnVyWOB-ONRHVRIrckRMn7CYXMhsHUTKMEXXmjjAE2rMHovPIEgpNY50SRUspk36_K6aoGRHn4wSqvblxJK_5axJ1TkEERb1UmPIR1HeYJ_jg4UJxi_bo_T7Z3VOeGaeeN9HkSd_aXLhuXBAqEJ-ZKEXCeEE2/w400-h180/pic5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It takes more than a few hideous spear wounds to deflect the Galwegians from their onslaught and they renew their attack upon the spearmen. However, their lack of armour proves to be their downfall and four more of their number bite the dust.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzaAblzjzCaIjKrUveQdTnuZHm950n6gOBxsAczwUZNbGjx0ixpmVz4ZnoT8H5qwZMV8DwZX4wCAJF77GqfKkSf35lpZklU9xagH71dLceKuAD5d9zAIJoaxPaWnRrtOzWUTVtEA5tLV9goiXFIg_f7Ww67_lKf2DifXfpcjDQgcIY0NUBNFiFqY4/s2014/pic6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="2014" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzaAblzjzCaIjKrUveQdTnuZHm950n6gOBxsAczwUZNbGjx0ixpmVz4ZnoT8H5qwZMV8DwZX4wCAJF77GqfKkSf35lpZklU9xagH71dLceKuAD5d9zAIJoaxPaWnRrtOzWUTVtEA5tLV9goiXFIg_f7Ww67_lKf2DifXfpcjDQgcIY0NUBNFiFqY4/w400-h180/pic6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Even as the Galwegians fall back, battered by the shock of the conflict, their fearsome assault is enough to force the spearmen to fall back, leaving Brother Stultus and his parsnip pickling companion somewhat exposed!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLsiubiPgEkXz3x3LNv43v5d8oZkc6hgg41jIl0hwKdfVYSozDuHHnBYXlNBK3nLO3rblu-wnwwqN4yAQfm8ja4w_dw1H9oMcuvFHADvCBw_l12jIoqUAdJy-6xIk0_N097BnTyRx_GZyHskFlOx9yYIDBOqCfMxnB7vMdlT4yJH4Fq9j1sj3hyXy/s2060/pic7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="2060" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLsiubiPgEkXz3x3LNv43v5d8oZkc6hgg41jIl0hwKdfVYSozDuHHnBYXlNBK3nLO3rblu-wnwwqN4yAQfm8ja4w_dw1H9oMcuvFHADvCBw_l12jIoqUAdJy-6xIk0_N097BnTyRx_GZyHskFlOx9yYIDBOqCfMxnB7vMdlT4yJH4Fq9j1sj3hyXy/w400-h180/pic7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With better targets to aim for, Sir Ranulf and his trusty band just cannot resist the temptation of charging into the Scottish bidowers, who have begun to contaminate the village well in their own unique way. The outcome is a forgone conclusion, and the Scots are trampled under the hooves of the English knights.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2lWg9fyJ1os79siVEUlJThAfQCJMAZ2OTj8zWgBTERtns4GdLksrNMUUw4MWOP3EBDDQ9gnMS6g5qcKJoi4SU0BJl188a4o1JfKkp2WM_R22rQZmbGlgrBBTCxU6CLsoyG8j2jF3yr-WkJlk0q7RxymgTQvMcDIhbBKERZRqP3A_lBPXg6C3kLG4/s2032/pic8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="2032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2lWg9fyJ1os79siVEUlJThAfQCJMAZ2OTj8zWgBTERtns4GdLksrNMUUw4MWOP3EBDDQ9gnMS6g5qcKJoi4SU0BJl188a4o1JfKkp2WM_R22rQZmbGlgrBBTCxU6CLsoyG8j2jF3yr-WkJlk0q7RxymgTQvMcDIhbBKERZRqP3A_lBPXg6C3kLG4/w400-h180/pic8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Scottish knights charge headlong towards Sir Ranulf, but the English somehow manage to organise themselves to make a counter charge and gain the upper hand in this first clash of mounted chivalry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUz0ZCnRx6H_aZfy9H2za2a6choBu23ZGQbnI_dbiifRu9U49swRpFREH22kB9e8Bs4EO78O2BDKS25NFg_7qQO200lrRMyCwQwbrLpHfgXggbaUwg9O9vt75eIp6WnX62Kdax7SwuBJyzeo0AprdMMK8z59c57qiUKOWIXvmBcvzF2nNqfnrV-2s/s1981/pic9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1981" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUz0ZCnRx6H_aZfy9H2za2a6choBu23ZGQbnI_dbiifRu9U49swRpFREH22kB9e8Bs4EO78O2BDKS25NFg_7qQO200lrRMyCwQwbrLpHfgXggbaUwg9O9vt75eIp6WnX62Kdax7SwuBJyzeo0AprdMMK8z59c57qiUKOWIXvmBcvzF2nNqfnrV-2s/w400-h224/pic9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Seeing his mounted brethren pushed back, the Earl and his household men take the opportunity to launch an assault upon the English knights and compel Sir Ranulf to fall back.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1_cIGAaDGTag6XCUnYG7Hr7i2TP5PB3wI-ItTpMEjyDWXlZhg-aOT47zVlypTM55lQ901_WpPnJr9700VFmtJa2QmsvTuo0V_AtmhyMCHdovXFRGsDOKB4hrSDVMHbBg9BkAYN9Kuv5aQ1Cfe4ghe2S5kVNGy3OHVBPwd6A5bRadESkDZAtkv5hq/s2167/pic91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="2167" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1_cIGAaDGTag6XCUnYG7Hr7i2TP5PB3wI-ItTpMEjyDWXlZhg-aOT47zVlypTM55lQ901_WpPnJr9700VFmtJa2QmsvTuo0V_AtmhyMCHdovXFRGsDOKB4hrSDVMHbBg9BkAYN9Kuv5aQ1Cfe4ghe2S5kVNGy3OHVBPwd6A5bRadESkDZAtkv5hq/w400-h180/pic91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The knightly melee continues with the Earl inflicting yet more casualties upon the flower of English chivalry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnPMqzb1BF6qDFYJMZkh5GoklvXZJF8MHpjCqrI69YqhMWA6-_i014VGEfjQGd1BSnjo0F4h0VkWVA9_i6BB8Nn9fSO8j0uPuZ8XqNCmwF2JFWXM3dep-teWijXkg9lNACqL485AveupXJNau-7azCekhdzOdNM3tKWtXV0-rcYcc7AtnYowx_BfA/s2135/pic92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="2135" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnPMqzb1BF6qDFYJMZkh5GoklvXZJF8MHpjCqrI69YqhMWA6-_i014VGEfjQGd1BSnjo0F4h0VkWVA9_i6BB8Nn9fSO8j0uPuZ8XqNCmwF2JFWXM3dep-teWijXkg9lNACqL485AveupXJNau-7azCekhdzOdNM3tKWtXV0-rcYcc7AtnYowx_BfA/w400-h180/pic92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Over by the pigsty, the Scottish Yeomen charge into the English spearmen, hoping to use their superior numbers to force them back, however, the sturdy Englishmen continue to defend the Bishop's wine supply with matchless bravery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNzn6_8rQB4hjq3NMV517H3ZM2FKCpuFfHVvZD1s4d_8L5ouU0QhwIdIbIwfHCCGyrY4dCH-nBu7IwTLCsuCuJt5PgcBOjJ0vqMkDONUWgx2sMHXW7bkWo6F6HcdEIaTDMk-_SOMgQOcOSGh6AU1TKFb7VIVa7l0RLjYyFDgON9gwIwfuf54u6u57/s2301/pic93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2301" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNzn6_8rQB4hjq3NMV517H3ZM2FKCpuFfHVvZD1s4d_8L5ouU0QhwIdIbIwfHCCGyrY4dCH-nBu7IwTLCsuCuJt5PgcBOjJ0vqMkDONUWgx2sMHXW7bkWo6F6HcdEIaTDMk-_SOMgQOcOSGh6AU1TKFb7VIVa7l0RLjYyFDgON9gwIwfuf54u6u57/w400-h180/pic93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Then, against all the odds, having seen off the dreaded Galwegians, the English spearmen's courage falters and they break and flee the field of battle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_-CZ2eDfSefR4M-KQZHQbvLzy3TPaeIDIX_9fzV89VxLxcsAPKPxOy_W4dckRnpxWVTdPcvbu5NICSP_a48TqKEWsFmX5JFrxSlQDNbj7Cf1uErFkgDEkjoALT6VAxaMtvurFs0XtAXkSsrNdX0P3fGinCgn0wWFzR2BG5aIChF60r0AP2mysvuX/s2044/pic94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="2044" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_-CZ2eDfSefR4M-KQZHQbvLzy3TPaeIDIX_9fzV89VxLxcsAPKPxOy_W4dckRnpxWVTdPcvbu5NICSP_a48TqKEWsFmX5JFrxSlQDNbj7Cf1uErFkgDEkjoALT6VAxaMtvurFs0XtAXkSsrNdX0P3fGinCgn0wWFzR2BG5aIChF60r0AP2mysvuX/w400-h180/pic94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On this day of frightful slaughter, the Scots have no time to recover before Sir William de Stuteville and his foot knights launch an attack upon them, causing many more casualties.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GQNhKE0J1md7_OJAeChDBnNRqXBtscRdcBoQsUV5bg1rtXb3MpyHrKgSNBboUwnjBFtfKHJt6_UsbEMbtnXC45mheH3LxKLOszsqk6skw7JAdCg7UkiuwSWyqn3qv47U4Iscfkl094XLHKXSUC8IMAm2bqWL7qtqzRFSrSrTTQoWMrozDSRq6488/s2155/pic95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2155" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GQNhKE0J1md7_OJAeChDBnNRqXBtscRdcBoQsUV5bg1rtXb3MpyHrKgSNBboUwnjBFtfKHJt6_UsbEMbtnXC45mheH3LxKLOszsqk6skw7JAdCg7UkiuwSWyqn3qv47U4Iscfkl094XLHKXSUC8IMAm2bqWL7qtqzRFSrSrTTQoWMrozDSRq6488/w400-h180/pic95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Having pushed the Scottish spearmen back, Sir William and his valiant band find themselves struck by the mounted Scottish knights and yet more noble blood is shed in defence of the Bishop's wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ9SQpMoT6disnkjhEYkGKaYZPPbgGVfzi6yVAcoG935u-5mt8sa1lk6LOfXRpJxUbF58fNQHcreZ_-dyEO81pxCEs2AGq97timquqxQ50FTLB6DUv3TxeZqpXbxWJzFYenfOVYo0C4qyH0hpzjUizUwej8tHr333-qCQEEWY3KsZ2Vp_DHg4iXIL/s2192/pic96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="2192" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ9SQpMoT6disnkjhEYkGKaYZPPbgGVfzi6yVAcoG935u-5mt8sa1lk6LOfXRpJxUbF58fNQHcreZ_-dyEO81pxCEs2AGq97timquqxQ50FTLB6DUv3TxeZqpXbxWJzFYenfOVYo0C4qyH0hpzjUizUwej8tHr333-qCQEEWY3KsZ2Vp_DHg4iXIL/w400-h180/pic96.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sir William and his battered knights fall back alongside Sir Ranulf and things are beginning to look bleak for the English.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeqtinJSEzUjqarUqks1OgjEAecdihg-h5HfGG8HmlRq_6cx76WG51NKpRbLs1arQFEYDahg9TGX2Aa6_7jC3ggZE4FSsLKoDCZ_KN8AU_zcgxRUOllPOD8RrF_tz-KqFUioaGLVuLCGxYgHe8EcL7Xpqng0CrwymyT6WTFxuBTr1LyhVOz3_uSS2/s2207/pic97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="2207" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeqtinJSEzUjqarUqks1OgjEAecdihg-h5HfGG8HmlRq_6cx76WG51NKpRbLs1arQFEYDahg9TGX2Aa6_7jC3ggZE4FSsLKoDCZ_KN8AU_zcgxRUOllPOD8RrF_tz-KqFUioaGLVuLCGxYgHe8EcL7Xpqng0CrwymyT6WTFxuBTr1LyhVOz3_uSS2/w400-h180/pic97.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With fresh English spearmen advancing to protect the grain store, Donnchad and his knights take the decision to risk all and charge into the mass of English spears and both sides suffer casualties.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jM4-XlPSw1iSawNRA7U_fHGy4N3qN6rv-bUBPR5WSFjOFnstlyFFWbl_eneNj3lrwfysZGrj14zTCvSD9aQEEV4iV82cVITVMfR8wgn2k9JebO0DFd_37-Ii6pM-X0QfCo-qLjKFHjQpLUuudm4UkH840k9RrdWkfhJnv8xt2-yUFSuolsMrOu21/s2238/pic98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="2238" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jM4-XlPSw1iSawNRA7U_fHGy4N3qN6rv-bUBPR5WSFjOFnstlyFFWbl_eneNj3lrwfysZGrj14zTCvSD9aQEEV4iV82cVITVMfR8wgn2k9JebO0DFd_37-Ii6pM-X0QfCo-qLjKFHjQpLUuudm4UkH840k9RrdWkfhJnv8xt2-yUFSuolsMrOu21/w400-h180/pic98.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In spite of their heroic attempt to drive off the Scottish knights, the luck of the Gods turns against them; their courage falters and the English spearmen fall back battered and bruised.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CUFCrrPvZnIg1q8Xk-x7vz6urRylndyKtFO7FD_BeHrwv4SNJpb6bSaj6S2XXF8yN_w-Iowu1u82JBUI9m_kL_e0-dimhW0v13EpUjEkUY0g-Sg4XSQaK6da_69pqbM6Bi5VM32OcJqFh0W5Frgxd7urNYus5rRU5wstqSIMavwNo6EBOGbBIDy5/s2156/pic99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2156" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CUFCrrPvZnIg1q8Xk-x7vz6urRylndyKtFO7FD_BeHrwv4SNJpb6bSaj6S2XXF8yN_w-Iowu1u82JBUI9m_kL_e0-dimhW0v13EpUjEkUY0g-Sg4XSQaK6da_69pqbM6Bi5VM32OcJqFh0W5Frgxd7urNYus5rRU5wstqSIMavwNo6EBOGbBIDy5/w400-h180/pic99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Unable to resist, Sir Ranulf and his trusty banner bearer make a wild charge into the remaining Scottish mounted knights. The outcome is inevitable, outnumbered, the courageous English knights are driven from the field and the morale of the retinue is tested but not broken.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlIgqWjhOhgJ0XJBy9LVNKAv_KqPQcvcjZDRSOhl603IXDjcv4PG-74IH8jKvvlW3Ea6YzZUgMBegBnZvaKGksn0rc16RaNorF_FMrNz7An5Y05V3pwbh6AjCLwDuxVkhW7hLWzY6W6Ci9UjjqBrL1DkDvy7FrBIIkDDoliCYiguelx4WGdAIifaO/s1975/pic992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1975" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlIgqWjhOhgJ0XJBy9LVNKAv_KqPQcvcjZDRSOhl603IXDjcv4PG-74IH8jKvvlW3Ea6YzZUgMBegBnZvaKGksn0rc16RaNorF_FMrNz7An5Y05V3pwbh6AjCLwDuxVkhW7hLWzY6W6Ci9UjjqBrL1DkDvy7FrBIIkDDoliCYiguelx4WGdAIifaO/w400-h180/pic992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the final act of this slaughter on Saint Winifred's day, the courage of the mounted Scottish knights is finally broken by the doughty resilience of Sir William and his remaining men-at-arms and, with so little left with which to continue the fight, Earl Donnchad orders the remnants of his retinue to quit the field, leaving the village and its bounty in the hands of the English.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iYtncebdYZszRYZfEm4F82kiNFB3vL4G3gbL3wXNKRGCGcvS6Jkco_ORJ2YpoqIAmcUvo7w5gZO9Yd56wWXIMlibmQVG2gF04hXW9IqM0VnAJ4PI4VGBEBCudA_bxlltLIlPbgznhRObZkQIk7FHsKptL5ZacUe-eUDB5nj2GEiN2aHsoY486nB5/s1067/goodbye.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="807" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iYtncebdYZszRYZfEm4F82kiNFB3vL4G3gbL3wXNKRGCGcvS6Jkco_ORJ2YpoqIAmcUvo7w5gZO9Yd56wWXIMlibmQVG2gF04hXW9IqM0VnAJ4PI4VGBEBCudA_bxlltLIlPbgznhRObZkQIk7FHsKptL5ZacUe-eUDB5nj2GEiN2aHsoY486nB5/w303-h400/goodbye.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Stultus and Eadwig have survived to tell the tale and who knows what rewards will be heaped upon them by a grateful Bishop!</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-84452104528346630402022-10-03T15:07:00.003+00:002023-01-10T17:25:31.053+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS... A MELEE AT THE MAUSOLEUM OF MAXIMOS MIASMA!<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times;"> <span style="background-color: white;">CAN HEIRO THE HERO OF SYRACUSE STOP THE CARTHAGINIAN INVADERS FROM DESPOILING THE SACRED RESTING PLACE OF THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHER, MAXIMOS MIASMA?</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The year is 265BC and the island of Sicily is in a state of turmoil... the hounds of war have been let lose, roaming bands of marauding Mamertine mercenaries bring death and destruction throughout the land and Carthaginian warbands plunder and ransack wherever they roam.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Hamilcar Hathno is leading one such warband across the Pelagonian Plain towards the River Hypotenuse and the site of the Mausoleum of Maximos Miasma, the Corinthian philosopher and founding father of Syracuse, with the intention of defiling and looting the hallowed tomb.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj237i9nM_iF6_jJFCqTqz8ZHbpk42YcjxFjTYgdx_pkIrrc533-aOfd-hZpLacUkccF1fE2frX_yZcJcHhEepKJf9gHbMJ-cHn9z0sbthgKXlTsmAKFBSDUzZklmth0n7GzE0eBh1btBfpgxWKwGVZCv2UZAbxE8UFxU4h213aWNZTHJnYJIxDUaf7/s2544/squareonhypotenuse.png"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="2544" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj237i9nM_iF6_jJFCqTqz8ZHbpk42YcjxFjTYgdx_pkIrrc533-aOfd-hZpLacUkccF1fE2frX_yZcJcHhEepKJf9gHbMJ-cHn9z0sbthgKXlTsmAKFBSDUzZklmth0n7GzE0eBh1btBfpgxWKwGVZCv2UZAbxE8UFxU4h213aWNZTHJnYJIxDUaf7/w640-h374/squareonhypotenuse.png" width="570" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Hurrying to defend Syracuse's most sacred shrine, Heiro the Hero, must, once more, risk all against the Carthaginian invaders and ensure that the resting place of his Corinthian ancestor remains untainted.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The forces probing towards the venerated vault are small detachments from the opposing armies; the Carthaginian force consists of the two leaders, a group of 8 Iberian Scutarii, 6 javelinmen, 6 slingers and 6 marauding Numidian light cavalry, while their opponents have two leaders, 6 veteran hoplites, 6 citizen hoplites, 8 peltatsts, 6 archers and 6 psiloi. The Syracusans have greater numbers, but the Carthaginians are slightly stronger in points value. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSoUOkWaOotT7GqDNDX4gtFugjABdxF0Fo5WMMB_8qAqPFHZWPeMGeeE8oqZQ3uZuG4PrgQbxydmfx4HrJHFyDV_iqnsEw-EQlsUQe-_huXMuLySpsgP1Yl6MYFJKmjkDVOd9eBY8yiKENIp2siHdrcbd-7RXudmRt93yXeXkzoTjmiLaTlPTYoFn/s1490/maus1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1490" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSoUOkWaOotT7GqDNDX4gtFugjABdxF0Fo5WMMB_8qAqPFHZWPeMGeeE8oqZQ3uZuG4PrgQbxydmfx4HrJHFyDV_iqnsEw-EQlsUQe-_huXMuLySpsgP1Yl6MYFJKmjkDVOd9eBY8yiKENIp2siHdrcbd-7RXudmRt93yXeXkzoTjmiLaTlPTYoFn/w400-h285/maus1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The mausoleum, daubed with Roman graffiti... peasants!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RRMaKxIfkTWs8rf6ASUPOXHWNt5HDjeiKpC67NBZPBnj8EOuzhvBX78k1bp_UWUbntViVPaMj1XpQFCIE9F4M9Iqur4IuqHmb6_L6KoduqJes1C_BhU_4qySyeveCrh-rnjI5iem7zE2tueIzzJbEgSYC2Z7tMPhv5haFHLjg21Ynxzt-Jwd_0rM/s1761/pyth1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1761" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RRMaKxIfkTWs8rf6ASUPOXHWNt5HDjeiKpC67NBZPBnj8EOuzhvBX78k1bp_UWUbntViVPaMj1XpQFCIE9F4M9Iqur4IuqHmb6_L6KoduqJes1C_BhU_4qySyeveCrh-rnjI5iem7zE2tueIzzJbEgSYC2Z7tMPhv5haFHLjg21Ynxzt-Jwd_0rM/w400-h181/pyth1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Syracusan forces arrive on the field of glory, numerically superior but their command was not as good as the Carthaginians.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspOoCHklGz0CCAbBE1iUcCEugTW71QzXsiv-8vnE1ilrCgm2xyIePW8uEE72LyJM9-OV8h-PNU_ZZme9WHPyYF71kJFH2J4SgUuIFQ-kuyvcy6NqrYIisIVjh1aoIXvYaI5xNj5RtwMIc545cXkIYuJB96JVoM31EgmKXUrp-yTGDQG5NDMLyrFco/s1987/pyth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1987" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspOoCHklGz0CCAbBE1iUcCEugTW71QzXsiv-8vnE1ilrCgm2xyIePW8uEE72LyJM9-OV8h-PNU_ZZme9WHPyYF71kJFH2J4SgUuIFQ-kuyvcy6NqrYIisIVjh1aoIXvYaI5xNj5RtwMIc545cXkIYuJB96JVoM31EgmKXUrp-yTGDQG5NDMLyrFco/w400-h98/pyth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The battle from the Carthaginian side. The Carthaginian force was composed almost entirely of light troops, with only the Iberian Scutarii, equipped with the soliferrum, having any real melee capability.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1oI60XAJolBbk4Z-VuTGs7TJWPYAHQ7Rnny1Fjt9IsOmWKpV0VYlR06grtvgf9Buv2OrIyn5m3hYUTZ0u6EDdhhmi-9xIVpLfkmbljiMfDv8Tzp6pvTC9pvv0P7EZOLLar7suwb1sR99V1LsWtuPsbgEzKnBDLZOR0dM3h1Tj4euxmD0S6ZI8FRw/s2223/pyth3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2223" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1oI60XAJolBbk4Z-VuTGs7TJWPYAHQ7Rnny1Fjt9IsOmWKpV0VYlR06grtvgf9Buv2OrIyn5m3hYUTZ0u6EDdhhmi-9xIVpLfkmbljiMfDv8Tzp6pvTC9pvv0P7EZOLLar7suwb1sR99V1LsWtuPsbgEzKnBDLZOR0dM3h1Tj4euxmD0S6ZI8FRw/w400-h180/pyth3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Carthaginians won the opening initiative roll, and their light troops began a desperate dash to reach the mausoleum before the more cumbersome Syracusan forces.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXJQ70JYibUAK91EpmHnhKHr_iKSr3Ym1E4kzg5uJsa1ahCXQHTCH2xXY12G7bewEnJ3zQV94GGCWmItqFtKH9U9SYA1JKEF-iAeIOe1BALsenaNwbe9PP4cZcSQ1MbN8P21_E_MRLDufAs7-6XRDpSHfF-mieA4K15CORgaP5uKB43Dxz37jcpgk/s2535/pyth4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2535" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXJQ70JYibUAK91EpmHnhKHr_iKSr3Ym1E4kzg5uJsa1ahCXQHTCH2xXY12G7bewEnJ3zQV94GGCWmItqFtKH9U9SYA1JKEF-iAeIOe1BALsenaNwbe9PP4cZcSQ1MbN8P21_E_MRLDufAs7-6XRDpSHfF-mieA4K15CORgaP5uKB43Dxz37jcpgk/w400-h149/pyth4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Heiro had placed his javelinmen and archers on his right and they hurriedly approached the Carthaginians in an attempt to disrupt their advance, giving the hoplites and peltasts time to defend the mausoleum.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzJEgvoA7Um9s8Zrnb5qepf3SzEEQ4v3rVsXCmE31iUhjKufENtoo2xVlGefKF8xgiQmmH3ZubHNwncKcpkKidmgQf_PfHEYUNt7fKpdO-sOXIX-1khOAEnS4aetfTESxwkrI6jLqv1VKQK_w2jCWQnGIhgBBQh-4hIKf6Ueku5VBa-d67zG_z_n6/s2214/pyth5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2214" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzJEgvoA7Um9s8Zrnb5qepf3SzEEQ4v3rVsXCmE31iUhjKufENtoo2xVlGefKF8xgiQmmH3ZubHNwncKcpkKidmgQf_PfHEYUNt7fKpdO-sOXIX-1khOAEnS4aetfTESxwkrI6jLqv1VKQK_w2jCWQnGIhgBBQh-4hIKf6Ueku5VBa-d67zG_z_n6/w400-h174/pyth5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In this stage of the action, Heiro's superior numbers proved to be a disadvantage, as there was insufficient room to allow them all to manoeuvre. The Syracusan commander placed his faith in his finest troops, sending his veteran hoplites forward to defend the mausoleum. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-KlXZ8kf6DXjjr0gx7tz2mpwosbDIbsmHnW6vnx8tdxcWzUsV6wNp2gYpQmPaqQ7zs6thEoy8amPu5K5ZdjY-IBYjJs3fX4BsMkdgZ6NhWeslfeA1D1TcBp-_b3Av40ow4_51Rp4OLOeZN_kvVz1WmBUlHIDGFwRclIAj4yfG9jKDmBp_De0XiQ-/s2307/pyth6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="2307" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-KlXZ8kf6DXjjr0gx7tz2mpwosbDIbsmHnW6vnx8tdxcWzUsV6wNp2gYpQmPaqQ7zs6thEoy8amPu5K5ZdjY-IBYjJs3fX4BsMkdgZ6NhWeslfeA1D1TcBp-_b3Av40ow4_51Rp4OLOeZN_kvVz1WmBUlHIDGFwRclIAj4yfG9jKDmBp_De0XiQ-/w400-h165/pyth6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It looked for a time as though the Numidian horsemen would be first to reach the mausoleum, but Hamilcar knew he would need to get his Iberians there quickly to support the horsemen against the hoplites.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaRIN8NvVl5yHQ5S5ZTTzTPrljBDGULlR1p8_pg7DGmaT3YsA7OqL-KG4GhXBcrFfoK6_ocpGQpkzWN35TYurTfKP1lYRzm-XOCGtlu54VSMbq59UecmWdYGQIzYYWMW4r1wJA3kJwDHpRIpD1d_D5xnO48IbV6-gy1zgr2tpGftr4j2cpMxkpSut/s2167/pyth7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="2167" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaRIN8NvVl5yHQ5S5ZTTzTPrljBDGULlR1p8_pg7DGmaT3YsA7OqL-KG4GhXBcrFfoK6_ocpGQpkzWN35TYurTfKP1lYRzm-XOCGtlu54VSMbq59UecmWdYGQIzYYWMW4r1wJA3kJwDHpRIpD1d_D5xnO48IbV6-gy1zgr2tpGftr4j2cpMxkpSut/w400-h180/pyth7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Hamilcar's excellent Balearic slingers had reached the ruins south of the mausoleum and took up positions ready to repel the Syracusan javelinmen who were racing towards them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZRBz62qzm_Prw0kcW4jT2fMEX-zjeeJ3Gw0tmxJKcC0RQm3HOQ2FZI6QKn5IU8xkQKjKclSB8662qvJNYERImIsO33NCXk7ECNQdKaEx5ELWt9B07x9nklI6-B7K7gOnv_d2gWGBbg71bw1NH-qga3FBzTUKvsgZ8aZ4b21IDn2_nfiztOdHGMbo/s1905/pyth8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1905" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZRBz62qzm_Prw0kcW4jT2fMEX-zjeeJ3Gw0tmxJKcC0RQm3HOQ2FZI6QKn5IU8xkQKjKclSB8662qvJNYERImIsO33NCXk7ECNQdKaEx5ELWt9B07x9nklI6-B7K7gOnv_d2gWGBbg71bw1NH-qga3FBzTUKvsgZ8aZ4b21IDn2_nfiztOdHGMbo/w400-h180/pyth8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the exchange which followed, the slingers brought down the first casualties of the encounter, pushing themselves to the limit of their endurance to drive the enemy away from their position.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPD3F2hh_Pgy8Sd8Ijg74bUmDu3w-76-e7s1Fxyt6g5PVVgX68g7r6B6cYP_-hBX0ntaXVczMdVwxQlKj4AEcn9SKG-ZM3inmCNHeZWHGntedhDiMBADQJIR1JkPhUV68O-s7rymp99vSHsWrgkGKV-i86km57Vyo2DNVBHeHTg4Fm4Fo4Oer0YIh/s1946/pyth9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1946" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPD3F2hh_Pgy8Sd8Ijg74bUmDu3w-76-e7s1Fxyt6g5PVVgX68g7r6B6cYP_-hBX0ntaXVczMdVwxQlKj4AEcn9SKG-ZM3inmCNHeZWHGntedhDiMBADQJIR1JkPhUV68O-s7rymp99vSHsWrgkGKV-i86km57Vyo2DNVBHeHTg4Fm4Fo4Oer0YIh/w400-h180/pyth9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">By the end of the first turn, the Carthaginians looked as though they had the upper hand, with the Balearic slingers and the Libyan javelinmen out numbering the Syracusan javelinmen. However, Heiro's archers had brought the advance of the Numidian cavalry to an abrupt halt, as they toppled one of the riders from his saddle and forced the Numidians to pull back out of range of the deadly arrows.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBa2ThwDfoVuEev_yJj2gby-2TgvF9XZQi0zPLLDrMOfJqm_ElOQgALYVqpYFqO1hv6uRaNDE-PR0jaVtfB_NZyT9JnYEdDdacwoipqY-Aw4I98--69PHMU0etFQR9tN6I-l0FvdpE-5sTKVRNpo26qWOLc6m6QL7yjHuypNNNRhEPcatBMo4Fm0i/s1917/pyth91.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1917" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBa2ThwDfoVuEev_yJj2gby-2TgvF9XZQi0zPLLDrMOfJqm_ElOQgALYVqpYFqO1hv6uRaNDE-PR0jaVtfB_NZyT9JnYEdDdacwoipqY-Aw4I98--69PHMU0etFQR9tN6I-l0FvdpE-5sTKVRNpo26qWOLc6m6QL7yjHuypNNNRhEPcatBMo4Fm0i/w400-h180/pyth91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As turn two began, Hamilcar's Libyan javelinmen completed the rout of their Syracusan opposite numbers, presenting an opportunity for the Carthaginians to out flank their opponents.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZQ31y3PGWP2ERynj0_XC3EIsNjATA3VQdS40YaIWEBc7tCMDPmuIAKR2YPV29DljtTKjh5NkMl92y2zcru4D4y2NGlDPC2iBl4kOU4UTTgcNLoh46NybSA7wfLYP4hqxHXOVX3O38YOXNugDis1sMpsTPrzWM7XyDfkp2ou6mfjCvKCw2dAFLV9M/s1750/pyth92.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1750" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZQ31y3PGWP2ERynj0_XC3EIsNjATA3VQdS40YaIWEBc7tCMDPmuIAKR2YPV29DljtTKjh5NkMl92y2zcru4D4y2NGlDPC2iBl4kOU4UTTgcNLoh46NybSA7wfLYP4hqxHXOVX3O38YOXNugDis1sMpsTPrzWM7XyDfkp2ou6mfjCvKCw2dAFLV9M/w400-h199/pyth92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Syracusan veteran hoplites used their 'drilled' trait and the breathing space created by the archer's accurate fire, to advance in close order and take up position by the mausoleum. Realising that he may have missed his opportunity for victory, Hamilcar sent his Numidians into action once more, where they repeatedly hurled javelins at the hoplites before turning away to prepare for another assault. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfGD1fGippr-JenbWNp5SW2TdhejjAP2d4B_stg-_5nWAaP-JRJN5g_QHVzBCPc9wEO8GkGsO4JakflJljrH3M_Q1Udq7IqBAN9PYyvAUSRBYUGXDF1mXv5vx9V1o6faZOIepOktmYxfkbDsrUH4z-PY_Mnbv5kRupcfA9Q_hdkhUKCRMQQ71Z9B0/s1746/pyth93.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1746" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfGD1fGippr-JenbWNp5SW2TdhejjAP2d4B_stg-_5nWAaP-JRJN5g_QHVzBCPc9wEO8GkGsO4JakflJljrH3M_Q1Udq7IqBAN9PYyvAUSRBYUGXDF1mXv5vx9V1o6faZOIepOktmYxfkbDsrUH4z-PY_Mnbv5kRupcfA9Q_hdkhUKCRMQQ71Z9B0/w400-h201/pyth93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the hoplites stood and defended themselves from the relentless hail of Numidian missiles, Hamilcar's Iberian Scutarii arrived, increasing the pressure on the hoplites by hurling their soliferums into their massed ranks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuioi0iTPDVt4dwh7K1SYnwDPgbxcE3KMhP9l19BfUHjQXSuUNX1gX92EOH7d3w3hkS_AqZjNzSNUG5Z2trcVYziL-sAVEHM8ye4y3WJ0ZfL8C6xtkC9pXWs2YzCf5PkwQcTn51JuMCniVqpTZtpZZsx_juFDW_QS2GKKsYjEMl8UZsupCJ3BiRo-r/s1851/pyth94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1851" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuioi0iTPDVt4dwh7K1SYnwDPgbxcE3KMhP9l19BfUHjQXSuUNX1gX92EOH7d3w3hkS_AqZjNzSNUG5Z2trcVYziL-sAVEHM8ye4y3WJ0ZfL8C6xtkC9pXWs2YzCf5PkwQcTn51JuMCniVqpTZtpZZsx_juFDW_QS2GKKsYjEMl8UZsupCJ3BiRo-r/w400-h214/pyth94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The brave hoplites held firm, however, and neither the Iberians nor the Numidians were prepared to risk trading blows with them until their formation could be broken.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM4N294kfN7ADmnryNSJatjF2sn-1A2H5-wa0AznB3s4W19MSvqQjNLZIQV9ZebMq-KlkbSGCNwmlLVJtVq-Th-pY_F8aVBxGyiuVVgoqcbUpU4ke4C0RlNkafivAGCp6_BluzgPWKqbsUpbpObZP7JMgBjKY_frODYZS-n19H_l3blUWwsE0S2El/s1738/pyth95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1738" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM4N294kfN7ADmnryNSJatjF2sn-1A2H5-wa0AznB3s4W19MSvqQjNLZIQV9ZebMq-KlkbSGCNwmlLVJtVq-Th-pY_F8aVBxGyiuVVgoqcbUpU4ke4C0RlNkafivAGCp6_BluzgPWKqbsUpbpObZP7JMgBjKY_frODYZS-n19H_l3blUWwsE0S2El/w400-h196/pyth95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sensing the threat to his right flank, Heiro hurriedly sent his peltasts to engage the Balearic slingers and the Libyan javelinmen, who immediately began to suffer from the accurate fire of the Syracusan missiles.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguETNXa8PisbLL2e0o-aUIMygGkIpSoUEAo1gWf8phZv1oftBI_XTNa5UvLcbl8XJmOOtjzreMx3EpXHcVEen69eC9hoBJUZs0KPfVlHUtjt-MpvVxSszwQIVwws9JKdMM8f0DU-WkC3PH1_EeFWSVwEqpPY9q6AW-A6BYrqcZoQOszaELmTc67Yqy/s2019/pyth96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="2019" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguETNXa8PisbLL2e0o-aUIMygGkIpSoUEAo1gWf8phZv1oftBI_XTNa5UvLcbl8XJmOOtjzreMx3EpXHcVEen69eC9hoBJUZs0KPfVlHUtjt-MpvVxSszwQIVwws9JKdMM8f0DU-WkC3PH1_EeFWSVwEqpPY9q6AW-A6BYrqcZoQOszaELmTc67Yqy/w400-h180/pyth96.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Iberian Scutarii took the opportunity afforded by the stand-off at the mausoleum to replenish their soliferums, which they launched at the hoplites, causing two casualties. Realising that support was still some distance away, the hoplites threw caution to the wind and launched an attack against the Iberians. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDNGRdCxeZXYm2j9fv-lV8xAGHtnDYLYH-HMYhX9HDf5G4RgQZSSuGj25CVYNmyKo5jGzHcPzXfZkC-KAMSOjyAv9T2-nPWYsiatWAC-81Oo0MCwddXGPV8f3xSWH4IXgGG_4AMtVyMhp1z_jfV7FBmagJcnpPXWs6x39p5ArxZVIOou8fcXpNMvL/s1858/pyth97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1858" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDNGRdCxeZXYm2j9fv-lV8xAGHtnDYLYH-HMYhX9HDf5G4RgQZSSuGj25CVYNmyKo5jGzHcPzXfZkC-KAMSOjyAv9T2-nPWYsiatWAC-81Oo0MCwddXGPV8f3xSWH4IXgGG_4AMtVyMhp1z_jfV7FBmagJcnpPXWs6x39p5ArxZVIOou8fcXpNMvL/w400-h198/pyth97.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The melee between the hoplites and the Scutarii became a grinding match, with the Iberians being relentlessly pushed back.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqf-5wGAUBv5WZU5-931oXF8drGXCOo2TCPda9XsSQes08JE3fZPXhOeqTIsPpoPWTD08TW1T_zvTFnRBhppPRe2P8s4egB4iG--rSMbte6QiHLoKV3bC5ZQcKgsrwsPCEM6ERyPLh16fGROd5P1JtI5vuXDgSf-kfLAu55xyn64PtqHmCxky5gMe/s1770/pyth98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1770" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqf-5wGAUBv5WZU5-931oXF8drGXCOo2TCPda9XsSQes08JE3fZPXhOeqTIsPpoPWTD08TW1T_zvTFnRBhppPRe2P8s4egB4iG--rSMbte6QiHLoKV3bC5ZQcKgsrwsPCEM6ERyPLh16fGROd5P1JtI5vuXDgSf-kfLAu55xyn64PtqHmCxky5gMe/w400-h217/pyth98.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet again, the Numidian cavalry rode into the fray, hurling more javelins into the hoplite ranks and eventually causing them to break ranks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6C9yl1m6rjDssACoA5DXLucq6S6hmFiiP1vSlzdsLNdDd2KH6J6qsDuvzUMeijjUNuNBAnl6MyT034Gcxr-2-q8phnYsL_QvuekKNTZTiybHS7F8LW20n0gdTMQ-6PtHJ8MzPCknbTSm6kiYjAsYILiQviBJoBkyS5hk5pSTLYq4trH9fLfxvjHj/s1939/pyth99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1939" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6C9yl1m6rjDssACoA5DXLucq6S6hmFiiP1vSlzdsLNdDd2KH6J6qsDuvzUMeijjUNuNBAnl6MyT034Gcxr-2-q8phnYsL_QvuekKNTZTiybHS7F8LW20n0gdTMQ-6PtHJ8MzPCknbTSm6kiYjAsYILiQviBJoBkyS5hk5pSTLYq4trH9fLfxvjHj/w400-h180/pyth99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">At this stage in the action, the Iberians were too exhausted to take advantage of the hoplite's desperate situation and, with the Heiro's Citizen Hoplites finally arriving to defend the mausoleum, Hamilcar knew he had nothing left to commit to the battle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZEIOoEhaupwPRxA_G-Z6Kf80_9LspbCyznJ2f5aEcrothIYda9K4fiSTlTJF0hjsVyT_QRifxbKsH6Fitmy_jm4OCuCt7Qwn851TVeSNNn68FucFxz0VoXwdXLWgX_jtbCtPGzdU50wM95eqAnzkJfGcLkN1CB_UqWLZRLLlU87w4dIbl-xCZmkD/s2087/pyth991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="2087" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZEIOoEhaupwPRxA_G-Z6Kf80_9LspbCyznJ2f5aEcrothIYda9K4fiSTlTJF0hjsVyT_QRifxbKsH6Fitmy_jm4OCuCt7Qwn851TVeSNNn68FucFxz0VoXwdXLWgX_jtbCtPGzdU50wM95eqAnzkJfGcLkN1CB_UqWLZRLLlU87w4dIbl-xCZmkD/w400-h180/pyth991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Reluctantly, the Carthaginian commander signalled for his remaining forces to withdraw, leaving the mausoleum of Maximos Miasma in the hands of the triumphant Syracusans.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There were several thought-provoking aspects which arose during the course of this encounter; firstly, was the situation the Iberian Scutarii found themselves in facing the Veteran Hoplites. The Iberians' soliferums had little impact on the hoplites in their close order formation and they couldn't afford to attack them because of the hoplite's 'Wall of Spears' trait. Secondly, the Numidian cavalry were kept at bay by missile fire from the Syracusan archers, but, once the archers were no longer able to target them, they were able to have an impact on the action between the hoplites and the scutarii. Thirdly, was the difference that having a shield of some kind makes to light infantry, such as the Libyan javelinmen in the Carthaginian warband, compared to those without, such as the javelinmen in the Syracusan warband.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As usual, Clash of Spears continues to be a really exciting and entertaining game which really challenges the little grey cells and keeps you totally involved throughout, regardless of whose activation it is.</span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-16512831800356360302022-09-07T14:58:00.003+00:002023-01-10T17:25:44.954+00:00CLASH OF SPEARS... THE DUN RHEGED CHRONICLES II<h2 style="text-align: center;">Domina Abducted by Irish Raiders!</h2><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the middle of the desolate moorland of Lugovallium, stood the ancient stone circle of Brawanmuir, a place of dark and ungodly ritual sacrifice, inhabited by Duna, the Old Crone, priestess of the secret ancient rites of the druiada.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRqND4gtjSJV5mbMgnTpd9GLH8Zba3yKkjMHBAtrb1H7eMvWntc1U1FhGOqma0gGV0Gxd7nwN5XFqRxv8Q2Hootc8A3EVUTXdaTiA1jXINbMPZZukaWxKMJ6DpXtfYZOSx_zxl6uGH8ADgRhPV5xepJNUeSaXm6EdDRjSDweBXGTwSyAxJRlSw5WS/s1722/Cronehenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1722" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRqND4gtjSJV5mbMgnTpd9GLH8Zba3yKkjMHBAtrb1H7eMvWntc1U1FhGOqma0gGV0Gxd7nwN5XFqRxv8Q2Hootc8A3EVUTXdaTiA1jXINbMPZZukaWxKMJ6DpXtfYZOSx_zxl6uGH8ADgRhPV5xepJNUeSaXm6EdDRjSDweBXGTwSyAxJRlSw5WS/w400-h258/Cronehenge.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Cronehenge...</div></span><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Since the onset of the Season of Plenty, Conchobhar, the Warlord of Dal Riatta, had twice drawn swords with his sworn enemy, the Romano-British Leader of Battles, Barbula. Thus far, honours were even, but the Dal Riattan yearned to defeat this thorn in his side once and for all and so, he hatched a plan to bring the host of Dun Rheged to battle and destroy them in one final cataclysmic encounter.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OMUfSrbjF-__N5YFn37tyRFXUbgpPyuqdszKZHVjU5jZoNLCTl0RUtYZRIv1vvQ9j0YOlTRmRroaXcpLt7_Z4S4MP1tnh7USLkYuFJT8BuFz2_mJREhmuVfmiXYcdsfP3HTr7QzDBs1kz_xeeOfPSitImb8oXEYqYvWrTSHhOD1mLC7PGm4-cOFF/s2770/Cronehenge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="2770" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OMUfSrbjF-__N5YFn37tyRFXUbgpPyuqdszKZHVjU5jZoNLCTl0RUtYZRIv1vvQ9j0YOlTRmRroaXcpLt7_Z4S4MP1tnh7USLkYuFJT8BuFz2_mJREhmuVfmiXYcdsfP3HTr7QzDBs1kz_xeeOfPSitImb8oXEYqYvWrTSHhOD1mLC7PGm4-cOFF/w400-h180/Cronehenge2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Duna the Priestess...</div>Conchobar's plan was a simple one; he dispatched his cavalry, under the command of Oengus the Witless, to ride to Villa Lurkio and seize the Domina, Fulvia Meretrix. Oengus announced that Fulvia was to be taken to Cronehenge, where she would be offered as a sacrifice to the Goddess of the Soil, knowing that the Dominus would immediately send riders to Barbula to plead for help to foil the raiders' fiendish plan.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj6IsghC9Z1zHrejTUP5ABXwq8bTen6auqHfeALaosmFMbdb_9vRvojBFvexeiyONwUqq5IHl9gidagdasYka2n0-yfZnVBNlDowdubd_vVncIfC-7cu8JtgquCJZW_oef2OF29sI0Lrb-ssDG-ktAECha6YIvxgR_R03M77T0O20I6hIm5Fqp2Di/s3058/CH5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="3058" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj6IsghC9Z1zHrejTUP5ABXwq8bTen6auqHfeALaosmFMbdb_9vRvojBFvexeiyONwUqq5IHl9gidagdasYka2n0-yfZnVBNlDowdubd_vVncIfC-7cu8JtgquCJZW_oef2OF29sI0Lrb-ssDG-ktAECha6YIvxgR_R03M77T0O20I6hIm5Fqp2Di/w400-h168/CH5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Conchobhar with the Domina, Fulvia Meretrix... The Irish Warlord looks as though he may be regretting bringing the lady along!</div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>After their failure to deliver essential supplies to the Villa Lurkio, the warlord, Publius Decimus Barbula and his faithful lieutenant, Octavius Calavius Verax, regarded the rescue of the Domina as a matter of honour and they hurriedly gathered their forces together to intercept the heinous Conchobhar and his reckless band.</span> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7KrSAtQQhBiKxoH-ph20wUGOaPTahWE8eJw-sYN9RXk8Po14FHmanKtBKaXT1eQFPs53v3fRpAQkgTSo8dcTsH5aK99XdB7PCN3cJKQKiHSeKBeuUiVuS4Xsr-d1LZh-9vHTg83d03vvZc-bUP52BuSiB2gRW3aNQ9YhuuAnmtFNvfnz1lzMoPy4/s1899/CH1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1899" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7KrSAtQQhBiKxoH-ph20wUGOaPTahWE8eJw-sYN9RXk8Po14FHmanKtBKaXT1eQFPs53v3fRpAQkgTSo8dcTsH5aK99XdB7PCN3cJKQKiHSeKBeuUiVuS4Xsr-d1LZh-9vHTg83d03vvZc-bUP52BuSiB2gRW3aNQ9YhuuAnmtFNvfnz1lzMoPy4/w400-h203/CH1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The two forces lined up, facing each other across the moorland. The Irish Raiders had their horsemen on the right flank, with a unit of javelinmen supporting them. Beyond, were two units of the fearful Warrior Raiders with the Warlord and his concubine and, on the left flank, a unit of slingers. Barbula lined up his warband with slingers on the left, Pedyts next in the line, the Commanipularis, Limitanei and archers on the right.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AZWdgwvFSQkuURqNEEdxVH1C-8k0cv8VHbxYXW-gqPl6_uEb4uBJ3G-Mc6pd9wmfth5XHcbw1QQqlSH1le057nUYVUqIafe18VFwtm8QLbht3HBApcryTFlXbliuC-zEEKtzOIN6NU5Oj0i3ibvG6DiBBMNb0m5eNWki4VbHbxLNU6VOwMyFGuFU/s1864/CH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1864" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AZWdgwvFSQkuURqNEEdxVH1C-8k0cv8VHbxYXW-gqPl6_uEb4uBJ3G-Mc6pd9wmfth5XHcbw1QQqlSH1le057nUYVUqIafe18VFwtm8QLbht3HBApcryTFlXbliuC-zEEKtzOIN6NU5Oj0i3ibvG6DiBBMNb0m5eNWki4VbHbxLNU6VOwMyFGuFU/w400-h184/CH2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Much depended on the Commanipularis with their thrusting spears, ring mail armour and large shields.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1EJqvHR7io5g_0cakpzc2FEzk7ChgXuGpB-u0SA5hhxwDvUuQGcIWsSAgZf_zCdYs1nbqQRzdfD3mR78GmtAEsmJZJKReTAT4Rf3F4Mi-xfwCt3jBrqbAvJeeu0HwJWT7qOA85K82pj7oXIlRgJ-by_xSxEu6RpURFWd5eMdPXL5z6l709Epq-n1/s2037/CH3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="2037" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1EJqvHR7io5g_0cakpzc2FEzk7ChgXuGpB-u0SA5hhxwDvUuQGcIWsSAgZf_zCdYs1nbqQRzdfD3mR78GmtAEsmJZJKReTAT4Rf3F4Mi-xfwCt3jBrqbAvJeeu0HwJWT7qOA85K82pj7oXIlRgJ-by_xSxEu6RpURFWd5eMdPXL5z6l709Epq-n1/w400-h150/CH3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the right of the Dun Rheged line, the Limitanei and the archers came under the command of Octavius Calavius Verax.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1IwqMVwF7iw5jG4AcXPcIJ4ViwTNCHauxtE76oSqyc2_YOb57mbE2Pau6BH-m5dXTKBKcMyMKgCrK8rR1skA2uvrnGNz9VbyeldxI-nPPjcWB4uPn8NCTzeuV_LySeLntd9_ZsNwhvOKQTahfG_Neq1NBY6jp1l5k0jTFZtL_RGY_s6emrHyoIVp/s1906/CH7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1906" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1IwqMVwF7iw5jG4AcXPcIJ4ViwTNCHauxtE76oSqyc2_YOb57mbE2Pau6BH-m5dXTKBKcMyMKgCrK8rR1skA2uvrnGNz9VbyeldxI-nPPjcWB4uPn8NCTzeuV_LySeLntd9_ZsNwhvOKQTahfG_Neq1NBY6jp1l5k0jTFZtL_RGY_s6emrHyoIVp/w400-h198/CH7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The action began with the missilemen of both sides advancing to exchange projectiles. The experienced Irish slingers quickly got the upper hand, causing a casualty and forcing the archers to build up fatigue.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGWLRMQg6x7NdkFGxQFoPqKAaEACvSZEm9wNLW2ahd6msVdQMCRXCJRlFS7N41DrW3GWUTHYdKCtzgAcYpwC_Bmp6VHt07vfdg3TzELkwEdVCXEPhouLW_otAB_zFZlbGN5Tp-HbY0E6joNQ_HuJ1C8ZMmb9X1eNF2T7L4eZEtoJ0yOQ-Y_tsKF-l/s2030/CH8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="2030" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGWLRMQg6x7NdkFGxQFoPqKAaEACvSZEm9wNLW2ahd6msVdQMCRXCJRlFS7N41DrW3GWUTHYdKCtzgAcYpwC_Bmp6VHt07vfdg3TzELkwEdVCXEPhouLW_otAB_zFZlbGN5Tp-HbY0E6joNQ_HuJ1C8ZMmb9X1eNF2T7L4eZEtoJ0yOQ-Y_tsKF-l/w400-h235/CH8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On the opposite flank, Oengus launched his horsemen forward but, amazingly, the British slingers managed to skittle two of them from their saddles and stalled their advance. The Pedyts moved forward to support the slingers and formed up in close order.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKizsAt-O7sYvgZ2UjdMJP7fWcCM6BoxSpuvU9KmQiWqQGUANQsgx6PS3rsJmGRJY8V1hP7iMZ6wBk6GeqFzAuliqfkU5E9cmOOKl6kbDZmRRg3IEv5-XVV98G9nMqFJVg03AYhCacNZ4G4dt3yIb49set3Lp5LHy__-TTrV9q8a8mTo3XJLrCqmN_/s2043/CH9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="2043" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKizsAt-O7sYvgZ2UjdMJP7fWcCM6BoxSpuvU9KmQiWqQGUANQsgx6PS3rsJmGRJY8V1hP7iMZ6wBk6GeqFzAuliqfkU5E9cmOOKl6kbDZmRRg3IEv5-XVV98G9nMqFJVg03AYhCacNZ4G4dt3yIb49set3Lp5LHy__-TTrV9q8a8mTo3XJLrCqmN_/w400-h184/CH9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In an unusual display of thinking, Oengus sent his javelinmen forward to engage the slingers who were unable to respond. If the javelinmen could finish off the slingers, the cavalry would be able to focus on the Pedyts.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTY_oD94-1bYUg5-frWx-4DF0aEwfpiEv0wLONF20wFKJmoDrpuDkiNZnqW_j0MKyHp8JBphiSPBh3JPbYm3EVv7WdhBb5oHwBy1NDjR6YDoXmz2kThDu6yiiyi2rrsjTeRagU6ztZh3Z-ADa9q0wXXllHL-gqLdL7hwmW44irWFtcTXfi7wmJK3o/s2078/CH91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="2078" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTY_oD94-1bYUg5-frWx-4DF0aEwfpiEv0wLONF20wFKJmoDrpuDkiNZnqW_j0MKyHp8JBphiSPBh3JPbYm3EVv7WdhBb5oHwBy1NDjR6YDoXmz2kThDu6yiiyi2rrsjTeRagU6ztZh3Z-ADa9q0wXXllHL-gqLdL7hwmW44irWFtcTXfi7wmJK3o/w400-h180/CH91.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">In the centre, the dangerous Raiders swept forward around the henge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5gwC5D0uxR2wYzZpQcL2alE-ZC6RxrEqshEjKNHFp53lixYmlIN757KuNLQ23ITa-FBF6oVdQJ5ew1_fI6CXD-qDTB95N62ki5kw2AIeUms2okf8x-Be56LGnrL8-ZW5n-0JD2bNCahNO5glts3t8GrG5wTWOjCuHI7xrI45PFakCxb8sBi9j7Iu/s2038/CH92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="2038" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5gwC5D0uxR2wYzZpQcL2alE-ZC6RxrEqshEjKNHFp53lixYmlIN757KuNLQ23ITa-FBF6oVdQJ5ew1_fI6CXD-qDTB95N62ki5kw2AIeUms2okf8x-Be56LGnrL8-ZW5n-0JD2bNCahNO5glts3t8GrG5wTWOjCuHI7xrI45PFakCxb8sBi9j7Iu/w400-h180/CH92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Commanipularis hurled themselves into the nearest Raiders and a vicious melee ensued.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66R7U7PMTW-REPKlcrLaiiUOrsyOHRGytJJPUOo4xej4bAlrLK294KP5qtjkRwsCA6mvHpZGi-NcothNSQmZ-0QA2cxL4D6AJ7SkHp5bNYEmAcHRILiSJCZ9frCRLe_ADYXUG_qtlXCJ6NpVDHCx0N47qL9d1XsCrU-sNuAytGsok02qA5piRR3A_/s1907/CH93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1907" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66R7U7PMTW-REPKlcrLaiiUOrsyOHRGytJJPUOo4xej4bAlrLK294KP5qtjkRwsCA6mvHpZGi-NcothNSQmZ-0QA2cxL4D6AJ7SkHp5bNYEmAcHRILiSJCZ9frCRLe_ADYXUG_qtlXCJ6NpVDHCx0N47qL9d1XsCrU-sNuAytGsok02qA5piRR3A_/w400-h196/CH93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The encounter turned into a bloodbath and the units were left torn asunder. Unfortunately for Barbula, the loss of so many of his Commanipularis meant that his plan to rescue the Domina was going to be very much more difficult.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlFXfTlVCTwlvIqmBxe3RYv4qeope6iCqvnGeq6DRRfKswsOidx5UsrfURbaRVXZVGP3JMiOcoYOTN4pbKRNnriBJh0EUV1sqYt_qgfBDOQLK2AEQYgUp6qcYHCAyFOK-UcTfP7RO-EuGjVe0pGESeYY6u41BXxDFoRUJwh8fpAaCNBGZ_Boxm5fG/s1800/CH94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlFXfTlVCTwlvIqmBxe3RYv4qeope6iCqvnGeq6DRRfKswsOidx5UsrfURbaRVXZVGP3JMiOcoYOTN4pbKRNnriBJh0EUV1sqYt_qgfBDOQLK2AEQYgUp6qcYHCAyFOK-UcTfP7RO-EuGjVe0pGESeYY6u41BXxDFoRUJwh8fpAaCNBGZ_Boxm5fG/w400-h210/CH94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>To make matters worse, Oengus' plan to push his javelinmen forward reaped its intended reward, as a combination of fatigue and casualties, lead to the slingers turning and fleeing from the field. With the troublesome missilemen out of the way, the horsemen were able to renew their attack on the British Pedyts.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKEzygZX4ALBY3BJzJobwUBXYEQRKrd8V9WHPqoCjDCcCeb0QlSQq87fzry7ntyDO0Idt-w4_fbA3dX1NwMST8mJuptd9WWklLIXegwVu13YtQMbZIUKl98XTtgdqxrJCwZMcm90I6c_7gSHNVVzcdjssI1zxnl_Nw_pAJfpq7AZAJr1Ul4npBAz/s1565/CH95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1565" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKEzygZX4ALBY3BJzJobwUBXYEQRKrd8V9WHPqoCjDCcCeb0QlSQq87fzry7ntyDO0Idt-w4_fbA3dX1NwMST8mJuptd9WWklLIXegwVu13YtQMbZIUKl98XTtgdqxrJCwZMcm90I6c_7gSHNVVzcdjssI1zxnl_Nw_pAJfpq7AZAJr1Ul4npBAz/w400-h245/CH95.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Even though the missiles of the horsemen forced the Pedyts to break ranks, the spearmen bravely and defiantly held their ground.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDihIWzNfx0Ld7dHpRZmu9XCoD7fzhyphenhyphenWdHSqLn33xpTEYn9me8TCv5KA68XkSgL8G8RDzfjyBQtw2w5HuHOp_mrJqX3ZLueycJnFpbWfSVjUI6qpsS2vPL5mlD68oTbg3lT7Hfw8oeLcM/s1984/CH96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1984" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDihIWzNfx0Ld7dHpRZmu9XCoD7fzhyphenhyphenWdHSqLn33xpTEYn9me8TCv5KA68XkSgL8G8RDzfjyBQtw2w5HuHOp_mrJqX3ZLueycJnFpbWfSVjUI6qpsS2vPL5mlD68oTbg3lT7Hfw8oeLcM/w400-h180/CH96.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In a desperate attempt to break the Irish centre, the remaining Commanipularis switched their attack to the second unit of Irish Raiders... it was a forlorn manoeuvre, which required perfect timing and the luck of the Gods to succeed.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fRAAKcHwlDSMX8dpS_yvfOn_N9mpjEVGUrzevL90u4YzU363-psqp41ecfr9ostuHKmAvE5UJ7uoa0RN0_z-rHBGLmODR4t5dEZ9VNDsdtkPAajJHdvnVPAR8bHUA2fP6RbmyPnOwWJyb-jut9iIlR1Dm8MlP8eE28LD8FPoz-mUwVBMBf_Zx7Ab/s1709/CH97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1709" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fRAAKcHwlDSMX8dpS_yvfOn_N9mpjEVGUrzevL90u4YzU363-psqp41ecfr9ostuHKmAvE5UJ7uoa0RN0_z-rHBGLmODR4t5dEZ9VNDsdtkPAajJHdvnVPAR8bHUA2fP6RbmyPnOwWJyb-jut9iIlR1Dm8MlP8eE28LD8FPoz-mUwVBMBf_Zx7Ab/w400-h216/CH97.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Barbula's luck had deserted him, and his elite household warriors succumbed to the ferocious onslaught of the Irishmen. With the loss of the Commanipularis, Barbula had little choice but to withdraw what remained of his warband. The fate of the Domina seemed to be sealed as she saw her rescuers streaming away from the battlefield... however, the history of Fulvia Meretrix was full of situations far worse than this and the outcome of this one will be revealed in the next exciting episode of the Dun Rheged Chronicles!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmHEOXGAlq3Gz-yC4yiU3DU41a7Vk5JMRZBalYX10VIeCrZir67AGyfbea3ah6MuvIaWCYQ5Ds3V5zoFW-MXp5nxgXpABjhji6QL3eLrtUMonl7gz-IZqYFERPJGhRVQUH2Nv4M-8TAt1tDnuNDlEPu3dre9EbF21WaTDqVrC4xXEWfaGuEfCHktR/s2051/censored2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="2051" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmHEOXGAlq3Gz-yC4yiU3DU41a7Vk5JMRZBalYX10VIeCrZir67AGyfbea3ah6MuvIaWCYQ5Ds3V5zoFW-MXp5nxgXpABjhji6QL3eLrtUMonl7gz-IZqYFERPJGhRVQUH2Nv4M-8TAt1tDnuNDlEPu3dre9EbF21WaTDqVrC4xXEWfaGuEfCHktR/w400-h235/censored2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-41447189595246453792022-08-27T13:24:00.003+00:002023-01-10T17:26:03.621+00:00LION RAMPANT (v2!) AN ENCOUNTER AT DEVIL'S CROSS<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_z1jFv0Wan1Id0FNDGkLPZSAgrwUFPTzg5utrbj01NbM6GoJ3Dl0n4X9gbLP_7FAMYKGLCcAYyRmu-pRZDEhd-_BlWeVbd3tMgRW7xyjwrq2w3KpFnO1sQW3-RJknNeDjH5dYR2WQEG-RHZyWmFfK_gpR6oUmh8QIGrllaxqxfbRta4Wx-Yf1b9x/s2328/gibb1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="1318" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_z1jFv0Wan1Id0FNDGkLPZSAgrwUFPTzg5utrbj01NbM6GoJ3Dl0n4X9gbLP_7FAMYKGLCcAYyRmu-pRZDEhd-_BlWeVbd3tMgRW7xyjwrq2w3KpFnO1sQW3-RJknNeDjH5dYR2WQEG-RHZyWmFfK_gpR6oUmh8QIGrllaxqxfbRta4Wx-Yf1b9x/w153-h270/gibb1.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><i>The year is 1173 and King Henry II is embroiled in a vicious civil war (the Great Revolt), following a rebellion by his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his sons, Henry, Geoffrey and Richard. With Henry entangled in this familial conflict, King William the Lion of Scotland sees an opportunity to press his claims to the border counties of England and sends his remorseless warriors swarming over the frontier. One of his columns is led by Donnchad, Earl of Fife and, as they push south, pillaging and burning the land as they go, they approach a desolate crossroads to the west of Durham, known as Devil's Cross, where they encounter their first serious English resistance; the retinue of the redoubtable warrior, Sir William de Stuteville! </i></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: large;">For this first game of Version 2 of Lion Rampant, I used Scenario 3; Defend the Indefensible! The "immoveable object" was the crossroads and Fife had to take and hold it with no enemy units within attack distance at the end of an English turn (this is different to the victory conditions in the book) however, if he lost 50% of his starting points value, he would withdraw from the battle. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Extract from the "Historie of the Earle of Fyffe's forraye into Northanhymbre, in the Year of Our Lorde, 1173. By Brother Fortunatus the Pungent...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As the cloying early morning mist slowly began to dissipate, Sir William de Stuteville stood at the side of the road and urged his retinue forward. His faithful bowmen had crossed the River Deerness, just a short distance ahead and, he hoped, joined the men of the local Fyrd, apprehensively guarding the road at Devil's Cross. Somewhere to the east, he knew that Bishop Hugh was gathering what forces he could to repel the Earl of Fife and his fearful horde, but it was unlikely that they would arrive any time soon and so, he and his retinue would have to face the Scots alone!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfQjgjd4CG7nWFcEFQuT6AALgWfhu5IDNQI-8dz82mDTXMQtuRB0k3J3Vqcd_Sby-b4zT9apPD1zjbwMwsc-ODYzetrBsFomejVx498NatfaCWIbihCVOpB1TBW73VGfjPVPijhmMxktSBogh6aw28g6nCtateLBuEzbsMwPfu5wibFGo4NffA3Pn/s1542/bat1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1542" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfQjgjd4CG7nWFcEFQuT6AALgWfhu5IDNQI-8dz82mDTXMQtuRB0k3J3Vqcd_Sby-b4zT9apPD1zjbwMwsc-ODYzetrBsFomejVx498NatfaCWIbihCVOpB1TBW73VGfjPVPijhmMxktSBogh6aw28g6nCtateLBuEzbsMwPfu5wibFGo4NffA3Pn/w400-h223/bat1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With courage in their hearts and weaponry supplied by the local garden centre, the fearless Durham Fyrd prepared to sell their lives dearly against the coming onslaught of breechless and barbarous Scottishmen! Or not!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Both sides fielded 24pt retinues; the English had 1 unit of Elite Infantry with Leader, 3 units of Heavy Infantry, 1 Unit of Archers and the Fyrd were Levied Infantry. This gave them 23pts so Sir William spent the extra point on the Leader Skill "Impulsive". The Scots had 1 unit of Elite Infantry with Leader, 1 unit of Heavy Infantry, 1 unit of Light Infantry with a Holy Man, 1 unit of Warrior Infantry with the 'Fearsome' upgrade and 1 unit of Skirmishers. The 22pt total allowed the Earl to choose the Leader Skill "Commanding".</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVczy7DCfq2oXlumHNQsTR0naEIG8v48vyL-ZIbdl-xLyZ8mxY-LFAKgY6whERswyNQyR4Tiw0upBjTQtbWxY5vt-hWz_Z9oVtABEp4pxFeqNxQ4eIWNCsFen2gL0oGW3-gY5VtDvW90kIq6PBbMVAvULEBY-Uvdd1MOsT4BVzM4Mn5NK8YtZoN_3/s2364/bat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="2364" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVczy7DCfq2oXlumHNQsTR0naEIG8v48vyL-ZIbdl-xLyZ8mxY-LFAKgY6whERswyNQyR4Tiw0upBjTQtbWxY5vt-hWz_Z9oVtABEp4pxFeqNxQ4eIWNCsFen2gL0oGW3-gY5VtDvW90kIq6PBbMVAvULEBY-Uvdd1MOsT4BVzM4Mn5NK8YtZoN_3/w400-h196/bat2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With naught but utter disdain and contempt for their foes, the English bowmen, successors to the victors of the great and famous battle under the banners of Saint Cuthbert, Saint Peter, Saint John and Saint Wilfred, crossed the Deerness Bridge and hurried to give succour and guidance to the unpractised and unskilled men of the Fyrd. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQVfoFpVgP0HxcJNVcn_idWMz0Ga0c5LfbnhPKCzYgCUP2DZvaVx45sclZl8-q_9dK4NlIaDe_66pbq5HjMxdX08OjHjvgHGawCL416jamC2zAmNwbor745lELILRACNzhlECN6ag54UhheMlkbgYtscjn-pIejO8ZK461U8fR_ZPv4i-YeCPTwnF/s2271/bat3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2271" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQVfoFpVgP0HxcJNVcn_idWMz0Ga0c5LfbnhPKCzYgCUP2DZvaVx45sclZl8-q_9dK4NlIaDe_66pbq5HjMxdX08OjHjvgHGawCL416jamC2zAmNwbor745lELILRACNzhlECN6ag54UhheMlkbgYtscjn-pIejO8ZK461U8fR_ZPv4i-YeCPTwnF/w400-h199/bat3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yet it soon came to pass that, out of that mysterious rising mist did appear a ghastly apparition, one so foul that it had, throughout the centuries past, turned the bravest men's blood to ice and caused their knobbly knees to knock... the hairy men of Galloway, in all their ungodly nakedness, had arrived.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjbpbSSUsk8hEny1quxr8TaTY4vrTcMivEm4u2rmDJmbMjrN0ENEHmVzCjgG4PMCVmJBx3DfZhp4FkBN3pYwr9gJKrJvjELsohK3VUpD2AfuugBa7N_Z8DXrLni1dYZlUWiEKpuddvLCVJJPOUbnfQD0lB7WWFdTsvVD-dTo6lWIphxYgepDf_p47/s1942/bat4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1942" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjbpbSSUsk8hEny1quxr8TaTY4vrTcMivEm4u2rmDJmbMjrN0ENEHmVzCjgG4PMCVmJBx3DfZhp4FkBN3pYwr9gJKrJvjELsohK3VUpD2AfuugBa7N_Z8DXrLni1dYZlUWiEKpuddvLCVJJPOUbnfQD0lB7WWFdTsvVD-dTo6lWIphxYgepDf_p47/w400-h206/bat4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And more, yet more woes did befall the waiting Englishmen, as the Earl's spearmen, with spears of immeasurable length, more than twice the height of a man, did emerge, crying, "Behold! Look what feeble creatures the English have placed before us!" And, considering the opposition awaiting them were no more than a trembling rabble, armed with sticks and small furry creatures, they pushed on, sensing a quick and easy victory in the name of their Liege Lord, King William the Lion................. of Scotland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ab_4BJp1OLTHiEJYtpvuR18BfJ7csMYWogz0QXF4gA77jm0bSnhYKTSFwt3nTVNuCRcJ4X6bIzTuZ06cK3vs-hCAXuoQOAh6xsRucwk0tF5Q55NJ8q6kz2-vxa0u7aGODvQYeqgaMWYlMSvRtUB1K1Rv3D_9i56-bZVTABodIMSQe6NQwyducFMd/s1876/bat5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1876" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ab_4BJp1OLTHiEJYtpvuR18BfJ7csMYWogz0QXF4gA77jm0bSnhYKTSFwt3nTVNuCRcJ4X6bIzTuZ06cK3vs-hCAXuoQOAh6xsRucwk0tF5Q55NJ8q6kz2-vxa0u7aGODvQYeqgaMWYlMSvRtUB1K1Rv3D_9i56-bZVTABodIMSQe6NQwyducFMd/w400-h226/bat5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Lord's fearful symmetry cast down upon that field of war, most simultaneously, did the circumstance of the English party unexpectedly ameliorate, as one of Sir William's groups of heavily armed infantry spearmen arrived to the east of the river.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iqb-Nj3KLeyCLEuu-wuJMIVv_BBfy4CkNcZZ6gTTwIadJETySwQax58gB6NdVgZhFa-swYwkZAiFYJbKRU_3hc1VNbSBm4ZDZvd9yXjds2nXkoWaUm9UJA5713XgrSsdpXjdD0E5H1ewuqhN3HllR_qP6F9m7gqeQeca5Q4bHCg5DbAhs4SfcaST/s2144/bat6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="2144" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iqb-Nj3KLeyCLEuu-wuJMIVv_BBfy4CkNcZZ6gTTwIadJETySwQax58gB6NdVgZhFa-swYwkZAiFYJbKRU_3hc1VNbSBm4ZDZvd9yXjds2nXkoWaUm9UJA5713XgrSsdpXjdD0E5H1ewuqhN3HllR_qP6F9m7gqeQeca5Q4bHCg5DbAhs4SfcaST/w400-h203/bat6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As they neared the crossroads, the seemingly unstoppable advance of the resolute and bloodthirsty Galwegians abruptly ground to halt. Long and bitter are the memories of those who have sat around the flaming hearth listening to the harrowing stories of the elders and, as they caught sight of the despised English bowmen advancing to the support of their quarry, images of the horrors caused by the flights of flesh shredding arrows filled the minds of the Gallowaymen.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzximN9uQsbkDrUL4emYKdihpM5qHdhcz_CsUZtxaO2c-sTx1wKHqX7P8mi5Sw9Xvz-VHvmZHlA8xhRMkouQpcYkxd47Gy3M7YcNsyod8OrQR6kzewgdvImCraGKFhTlL9WGBBqdrVzdfD4-kkEfmWeky1lrzW9n8HMLwDV9WalaBQY2BlXcQqNm6/s2209/bat7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="2209" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzximN9uQsbkDrUL4emYKdihpM5qHdhcz_CsUZtxaO2c-sTx1wKHqX7P8mi5Sw9Xvz-VHvmZHlA8xhRMkouQpcYkxd47Gy3M7YcNsyod8OrQR6kzewgdvImCraGKFhTlL9WGBBqdrVzdfD4-kkEfmWeky1lrzW9n8HMLwDV9WalaBQY2BlXcQqNm6/w400-h170/bat7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Dikon the Dung Collector anxiously surveyed the terrible scene unfolding before his eyes. He glanced across at his life long friend, Walter the Wattle Dauber, trusted companion since they were mere babes, suckling on the teats of the great mother sow, in the pig sty they fondly called their hovel. Dikon could feel strange impulses coursing through his head; he did not know it, because he had never had them before, but he was experiencing, what the great scholars at the monastery called, 'thoughts'. In his 'thoughts', he could clearly see how to defeat the fast approaching heathens who regarded his earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely, he drew his plans against them. Suddenly, he could hear a familiar voice softly calling him, "Dikon! Dikon! Wake up you stupid pillock!" Emerging from his reverie, Dikon realised, with abject terror, that his blood had turned to ice and his knobbly knees did knock.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn26JUJCKaxEfkUlTN9uQKiTK90LQsohzoK61A8Vh9ecCpGIvTiaLID5FZ4WbFZmZP3NRaqZeRs3_1i-OdmPhaCj9RW4zNvOeJNo__mwg0V_aNIMLpZ_VobsibdQ4pQkRgDVMx-6gtFG9yRI0w0q9Q6rUr0aodz3V76QjonKegTAmuNUEfDGsxy6iw/s1177/bat8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1177" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn26JUJCKaxEfkUlTN9uQKiTK90LQsohzoK61A8Vh9ecCpGIvTiaLID5FZ4WbFZmZP3NRaqZeRs3_1i-OdmPhaCj9RW4zNvOeJNo__mwg0V_aNIMLpZ_VobsibdQ4pQkRgDVMx-6gtFG9yRI0w0q9Q6rUr0aodz3V76QjonKegTAmuNUEfDGsxy6iw/w400-h293/bat8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With a surge of valour, inspired by the advancing spearmen to their left, the Galwegians put aside all thoughts of the peril they faced from the waiting archers and swept forward once more, determined to unleash vengeance for the suffering of their forebears. They would let loose the gods of slaughter upon the vexatious English rabble and drive them either headlong or headless from their precarious position upon the crossroads.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYqQaGhYp-yhO3UKSz0pNzHC3ARBEIT4FL_I0aBXi_ioCIM8sR4MoHG38MmmPJvDkm5b5CIgGJ4beCGPcMU4Xopq2LaRAB9JGpWF-knR2h732lMxnV4Aq0uTLvw1JVomhEBQEKSMTswC6XxO10Z4kymT4wJMqvYYoUjhkOunDVMk3g1QSobyjU-iy/s1677/bat9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1677" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYqQaGhYp-yhO3UKSz0pNzHC3ARBEIT4FL_I0aBXi_ioCIM8sR4MoHG38MmmPJvDkm5b5CIgGJ4beCGPcMU4Xopq2LaRAB9JGpWF-knR2h732lMxnV4Aq0uTLvw1JVomhEBQEKSMTswC6XxO10Z4kymT4wJMqvYYoUjhkOunDVMk3g1QSobyjU-iy/w400-h210/bat9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Woe betide the man who who neglects the lessons of his ancestors. And indeed, just as calamity befell their forefathers over a score and more years before, the Galwegians were once again stuck about the body, so that they appeared to be covered like the quills of a hedgehog. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYIfgLWsWjGAHyKWolpJqo8RCWBXspqBph2ao7agRdHtVH3tk_SoXQT8lG5ymKcllNEoGNdgiM4qpTajl6zeIAZVUBISMm3Luw-fcriPDHH43dLl1ARrz8ph4tpz5K5QyviGxF9zxBOxc5aazcdkEDyTYYZNdr8riFzY09OX8I1_uisIl7FV9v5ci/s1374/bat10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1374" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYIfgLWsWjGAHyKWolpJqo8RCWBXspqBph2ao7agRdHtVH3tk_SoXQT8lG5ymKcllNEoGNdgiM4qpTajl6zeIAZVUBISMm3Luw-fcriPDHH43dLl1ARrz8ph4tpz5K5QyviGxF9zxBOxc5aazcdkEDyTYYZNdr8riFzY09OX8I1_uisIl7FV9v5ci/w400-h241/bat10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Hesitation was now the greater foe and, though their valour kept them moving forwards, their blows and their courage were temporized by the shafts of the English arrows.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22iTnOX8_zsm7ns1wDPCgyKQDpNKmNNeTmvDK354TFqa3yVgkQXyAcOQTcr0v__lUabNe6YxZXh3ikLH_ti1vV00oliNZZc79M-W63SlpFP1NQc99mghBiyqLZhpArPSfWnG1Q0-_HhjJNBO4HpZfUl1a11stDWN0tLzDqFBuh47MIoNg_KrRQtMn/s1627/bat12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1627" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22iTnOX8_zsm7ns1wDPCgyKQDpNKmNNeTmvDK354TFqa3yVgkQXyAcOQTcr0v__lUabNe6YxZXh3ikLH_ti1vV00oliNZZc79M-W63SlpFP1NQc99mghBiyqLZhpArPSfWnG1Q0-_HhjJNBO4HpZfUl1a11stDWN0tLzDqFBuh47MIoNg_KrRQtMn/w400-h239/bat12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Like the thunder that roars over Loch Doon, the Galwegians burst into the faltering ranks of the Fyrd.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYW4g1Rnfwlq50e7Inu-ZvetHnQT1TyP_LDbpiwscwJY4VioMtepp6qS-RyInOPIRzr61-ibp8Q9ssSY_AyzLdwG0y0yQNEKDEwswFpZz-RFAFFEDwVZFaZZl261RCmLgEd7xnvS98luIhWeSP25AjZmFD7LzhDajTpMGdSOC1jbEkbXQ0-spr01/s691/bat13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="691" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYW4g1Rnfwlq50e7Inu-ZvetHnQT1TyP_LDbpiwscwJY4VioMtepp6qS-RyInOPIRzr61-ibp8Q9ssSY_AyzLdwG0y0yQNEKDEwswFpZz-RFAFFEDwVZFaZZl261RCmLgEd7xnvS98luIhWeSP25AjZmFD7LzhDajTpMGdSOC1jbEkbXQ0-spr01/w400-h350/bat13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The brave men of the Fyrd fell under the blows of the Galwegian warriors, loosing more than half their number in the violent brawl.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmdlPYZ3HX7vrdQf1mrVY6rfzKja3PN6Seg9HVEUghCMOo6s4giV5N0pI2gc-Xlti9sxHifJXiiNE9qaGYmIziQLTRBPZ0x9-U8XDsmhNAimWwWVM7H4bHGc4UFrauUJhEWcii7kzTj7zEZYqy8xbJOl2tcWxw0Wk_SP-z9ea9pUC5u5Ppw5azSr0/s1568/bat14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1568" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmdlPYZ3HX7vrdQf1mrVY6rfzKja3PN6Seg9HVEUghCMOo6s4giV5N0pI2gc-Xlti9sxHifJXiiNE9qaGYmIziQLTRBPZ0x9-U8XDsmhNAimWwWVM7H4bHGc4UFrauUJhEWcii7kzTj7zEZYqy8xbJOl2tcWxw0Wk_SP-z9ea9pUC5u5Ppw5azSr0/w400-h210/bat14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Oh how the story tellers will reap the harvest of the slaughter; the twain staggered and faltered, their courage tested to the limit, but not 'battered' or broken, both Englishman and Scot fell back, buffeted and bruised. The crossroads was suddenly left abandoned by the living and peopled only by the souls of the slain.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTmIoLtCZz6w3XCYAPF3dL0c4N3NmQVBDyl-9Fbo2HnwF0a_pgE2DCCLVgrpnAtJQlFN_LRmU4M3KdIySrpSzJClso8YR0XJTYujmhgvJjpX1kJ7z6qa5vq0_6PBXL0bVafF2WxXe_-TvK6-hwwzsU1UlG5AqzP4ZzkEDbI8OlKfVFxhiBDyrjYyR/s1915/bat15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1915" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTmIoLtCZz6w3XCYAPF3dL0c4N3NmQVBDyl-9Fbo2HnwF0a_pgE2DCCLVgrpnAtJQlFN_LRmU4M3KdIySrpSzJClso8YR0XJTYujmhgvJjpX1kJ7z6qa5vq0_6PBXL0bVafF2WxXe_-TvK6-hwwzsU1UlG5AqzP4ZzkEDbI8OlKfVFxhiBDyrjYyR/w400-h198/bat15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But, upon this day of death, as so often it be the case, when it seemed as though the vital crossroads would fall, the Lord God looked kindly upon the English and yet more of their spearmen began to arrive on the field of slaughter.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraF2eOSXUNWsn0nKfDrjN1lMP-bGD_P1foMvbjA6cdcTW5phiN0u9Mc-DiKwJfbgvgf-cRZca6g6vBVVoDRvzY5PacSHiVqlGeEe0q_nsfAB1Oh8GJwc1cWvOjM-QbDgOkJuIm8rueo30w7j4DFTlACZ9jFX-g653c1hDkZWF_-H9dPKt_3ox2FFG/s2033/bat16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="2033" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraF2eOSXUNWsn0nKfDrjN1lMP-bGD_P1foMvbjA6cdcTW5phiN0u9Mc-DiKwJfbgvgf-cRZca6g6vBVVoDRvzY5PacSHiVqlGeEe0q_nsfAB1Oh8GJwc1cWvOjM-QbDgOkJuIm8rueo30w7j4DFTlACZ9jFX-g653c1hDkZWF_-H9dPKt_3ox2FFG/w400-h155/bat16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">But, after much delay on the road to the north, perchance, advantage may have swung once more to the Scots; the Earl, with his men-at-arms, his bidowers and yet more spearmen did finally arrive and thence began to push forward to support the struggling Galwegians.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9fliLvJ3ZO4VKWEPTS8_mpQPeEbrgIX4CjAgIKVRI9O3Mse2aTncg4PC2LXy0e1T2ZNLi82zsoVhVZILk9L6_wKFXxBN-KNalQvq0jFXsUtsG5Az3Gl6q9_Qm7WorJZ19PtcyRWH30qtGzytTWRtGCrZr_mrZ9hAB2PTi9P0Oo5vajRCscZWyqxR/s2266/bat17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="2266" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9fliLvJ3ZO4VKWEPTS8_mpQPeEbrgIX4CjAgIKVRI9O3Mse2aTncg4PC2LXy0e1T2ZNLi82zsoVhVZILk9L6_wKFXxBN-KNalQvq0jFXsUtsG5Az3Gl6q9_Qm7WorJZ19PtcyRWH30qtGzytTWRtGCrZr_mrZ9hAB2PTi9P0Oo5vajRCscZWyqxR/w400-h198/bat17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Brother Brian, whose deeds and exploits were famed throughout the land, recorded by the illustrious chronicler, Walter of Barnsley, in his famous manuscript, "The Life of Brian", fearlessly lead the yeoman of the lowlands into the battle, forsaking all armour, and relying instead upon the protection of the Lord.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdpE9xCa3T-Xjv_HAJRQI2hwZboRCUaWz5reVZFMUQWE2IvdfW1LN_TcF2mGBY75-2C-VgH8JdYwX8CUGu2_YX5iLw7UG6ZHwnEb07gHyIZoWSX9ewTgAEIwBrp3ee715g9Eyk2N824yOE-zEoYeXFSbJCvsFpuDpHwTYNBF6mQvwODNiPiJ0icUe/s1326/bat18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1326" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdpE9xCa3T-Xjv_HAJRQI2hwZboRCUaWz5reVZFMUQWE2IvdfW1LN_TcF2mGBY75-2C-VgH8JdYwX8CUGu2_YX5iLw7UG6ZHwnEb07gHyIZoWSX9ewTgAEIwBrp3ee715g9Eyk2N824yOE-zEoYeXFSbJCvsFpuDpHwTYNBF6mQvwODNiPiJ0icUe/w400-h364/bat18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Misfortunately, just when it seemed as though the arrival of the great Earl himself, might bring hope and un-batteredness to the few remaining Galwegians, being, as they were, stuck all over with arrows, they lost all faith and, having experienced the loss of so many of their brethren, they did turn tail and fled the field of battle, to the eternal shame of their ancient nation.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVz5LApjx46ai77nMduaaZzusqAG1TRXPq_g4V0vWMCjYZ9tkCq89MyFJmTCY-7uWfkK_nORe-pC6fcrHHrUKS7IdgNdfm-9Dx9f8K0m1Lg3JHcp3rFTkS16aDhm1UYxhMN4ijlwhvpOGvzoU5UsDs4rvBVA6Skp5-GR6-tkVvWZ99L5-ymgmTCJl/s2405/bat19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="2405" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVz5LApjx46ai77nMduaaZzusqAG1TRXPq_g4V0vWMCjYZ9tkCq89MyFJmTCY-7uWfkK_nORe-pC6fcrHHrUKS7IdgNdfm-9Dx9f8K0m1Lg3JHcp3rFTkS16aDhm1UYxhMN4ijlwhvpOGvzoU5UsDs4rvBVA6Skp5-GR6-tkVvWZ99L5-ymgmTCJl/w400-h190/bat19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To the east, the English spearmen, bearing the holy cross of the Lord upon their shields, mustered their courage and did advance upon the Scottish spearmen, armed, as they were, with pikes of a fearful length.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxMXOCVbS5dUZOeWLwWfZtO_sFVgWSVVTGAsSWesgQM3oLfC7bRGUMsi5nE67ZqlhTSwd1M6R82VcT3ssmfnZbJr10mIg7jNFl1i3bV0bdksOmdRMGN_hTq4A4QFDlF3ZdmDHSqaMnbiocZcVagL7wE4Hlv057D22GUmd7MhcxGWyK5Jpr93vjKVA/s2162/bat20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="2162" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxMXOCVbS5dUZOeWLwWfZtO_sFVgWSVVTGAsSWesgQM3oLfC7bRGUMsi5nE67ZqlhTSwd1M6R82VcT3ssmfnZbJr10mIg7jNFl1i3bV0bdksOmdRMGN_hTq4A4QFDlF3ZdmDHSqaMnbiocZcVagL7wE4Hlv057D22GUmd7MhcxGWyK5Jpr93vjKVA/w400-h171/bat20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Scottishmen, upon seeing the English heading their way, employed their well and truly practised drill and did form a mighty wall of spears; in some parts known as a schiltron, with which, they did hope to repel and cast the Englishmen asunder.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hmLgVu0k80WujyYLbVEMENrCTEhbh_901P1kkCrnVNzVoonNmZHPwUvqtuHP6RdNptKaoDm885GbqIeDyS23eo1mcT_KwYNhpnEo4-bOfuF9Kor2R2PdDOwPSLLMAxbDvhFvkX0QU0JdXzgk4q4ey16gkkHxkyz1pQPgs2FPGSBifNqsHPVs5vQ2/s1648/bat27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1648" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hmLgVu0k80WujyYLbVEMENrCTEhbh_901P1kkCrnVNzVoonNmZHPwUvqtuHP6RdNptKaoDm885GbqIeDyS23eo1mcT_KwYNhpnEo4-bOfuF9Kor2R2PdDOwPSLLMAxbDvhFvkX0QU0JdXzgk4q4ey16gkkHxkyz1pQPgs2FPGSBifNqsHPVs5vQ2/w400-h233/bat27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Throughout the whole land of the Northanhymbre, the almighty clash and din did resound as the two armoured hosts did collide. It is said that, as far away as twenty-three leagues, people did put down their dung-rakes and utter, "By-gum, did tha' hear that?"</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2uovYDnY0vQx4NV6AZjuH2xKRDvBAftbkHdObBV2ynDG-YP3WVowtL-oDb8qlTeynMnJE-zPTHDLqCVqr9eISn39iiaG5hWWM3kEdeZ-DaWqUpg7jdGugNGgHFSdq5IlMpKnhN1P5f1eHJO99D8nZut8Kg707TGmqULz-GtpdtwnVaiRWbD0D4DH/s1553/bat28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1553" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2uovYDnY0vQx4NV6AZjuH2xKRDvBAftbkHdObBV2ynDG-YP3WVowtL-oDb8qlTeynMnJE-zPTHDLqCVqr9eISn39iiaG5hWWM3kEdeZ-DaWqUpg7jdGugNGgHFSdq5IlMpKnhN1P5f1eHJO99D8nZut8Kg707TGmqULz-GtpdtwnVaiRWbD0D4DH/w400-h217/bat28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The great and mighty gods of the war dice did favour the Scottishmen and their long pikes did skewer many an unfortunate English soldier, spilling copious pools of Saxon blood upon field and the road to the fair city of Durham.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Vxw2hgA2EqBMhyskDTyAekLSEVeR3LXI0ql9-kYsZRAsJ7EYY25OJom7gShTaZs7hTNBMnH3p9Zu1OeK53I5V0-bGks1uT6aUO0XLUwHcaRYQjJ10MPi19glLf2KpP9jgn49jHhOpMaICD8tK_4vnivdm0zA10Dbvq9AraPkddZCvLKjglHBpgv/s1633/bat29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1633" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Vxw2hgA2EqBMhyskDTyAekLSEVeR3LXI0ql9-kYsZRAsJ7EYY25OJom7gShTaZs7hTNBMnH3p9Zu1OeK53I5V0-bGks1uT6aUO0XLUwHcaRYQjJ10MPi19glLf2KpP9jgn49jHhOpMaICD8tK_4vnivdm0zA10Dbvq9AraPkddZCvLKjglHBpgv/w400-h199/bat29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Englishmen were cast back across the road from whence they had come and they there did stand still, being sore afraid and un-willing to advance once more upon the wall of dreadful spears before them.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KY9toLCRVb5dpL4a507qnaMhomrP-KwjZ24QiLnE1lCTWBwumye6NWx02lYua54QQ6RbfqY2qJEZ4yImbc7uIqlG2SIJE6BxJUx70q5A6L4ckPSzzx5b5NaGiP452IXlw6za7GuMoXlAmSEU4pDldpO2ncQS1sCBTAWKsFnGwCM_sSZ7LBqVnPWh/s2529/bat23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="2529" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KY9toLCRVb5dpL4a507qnaMhomrP-KwjZ24QiLnE1lCTWBwumye6NWx02lYua54QQ6RbfqY2qJEZ4yImbc7uIqlG2SIJE6BxJUx70q5A6L4ckPSzzx5b5NaGiP452IXlw6za7GuMoXlAmSEU4pDldpO2ncQS1sCBTAWKsFnGwCM_sSZ7LBqVnPWh/w400-h141/bat23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Ad interim, beyond the much disputed crossing of the roads, having seen off the poor and naked Galwegians, the English bowmen had taken up a position behind a hedge and were ready to inflict yet more hurt and death upon the Earl and, in particular, the yeomen of the lowlands, who were now roamin' across the gloamin', with Brother Brian urging them forwards towards their enemies.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxqQInOMxgclnD1374FgSl9Jq_Y2Dy_wPIk1zrLbDUG80sciUMAVvgOXPQfO1s4Yd1up0n13LVNWghvYNTQCtun1G86ftUvO8HvF4t_pGNN0VJw4cgzFhbLOBVeNnLPNO_7mBEA3tt2nGi3hnF5Qpq6_mjXAeCiRtycWTJmqd80PGLYY_uGLY2IK3/s1776/bat26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1776" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxqQInOMxgclnD1374FgSl9Jq_Y2Dy_wPIk1zrLbDUG80sciUMAVvgOXPQfO1s4Yd1up0n13LVNWghvYNTQCtun1G86ftUvO8HvF4t_pGNN0VJw4cgzFhbLOBVeNnLPNO_7mBEA3tt2nGi3hnF5Qpq6_mjXAeCiRtycWTJmqd80PGLYY_uGLY2IK3/w400-h199/bat26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The noble Earl did urge his men to a greater effort, to his right, earnestly encouraging Brother Brian to lead the yeomen of the lowlands forwards to drive the bowmen from their enclosure and, to his left, calling to his bidowers, who were also known, in some parts, as skirmishers, to hurl their entire weaponry at the knights of Sir William, who had advanced to occupy the crossroads.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qbFdtcVdPisV9yDRaEuVXmd0cfaQ1J1yk4q0hiH63O5VdktN0fR_7USd-tmLeNgPuF4udezw57xekz3dHdY_FGaGcDkd3OUgXZ2BCxHsNRrLbXI0UqSSiSoD-1B-Kf0cPpqU2WiPZHLP7V1dRDMMnfKtN1LnySgCapZdRh6ea3-0AigF5GCUGT40/s1744/bat30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1744" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qbFdtcVdPisV9yDRaEuVXmd0cfaQ1J1yk4q0hiH63O5VdktN0fR_7USd-tmLeNgPuF4udezw57xekz3dHdY_FGaGcDkd3OUgXZ2BCxHsNRrLbXI0UqSSiSoD-1B-Kf0cPpqU2WiPZHLP7V1dRDMMnfKtN1LnySgCapZdRh6ea3-0AigF5GCUGT40/w400-h220/bat30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And verily, did Brother Brian, hearing the entreaties of his liege lord above the clang and clamour of the battle raging all around him, lead his men forward to the green and verdant hedge, trusting his safety and wellbeing to the judgement of the Lord. However, in spite of their charge and the length of their weapons, the yeomen of the lowlands could not breach the defences of the English and they were pushed back, much to the surprise of all around. Indeed, the meeting between the yeomen and the bowmen was a brief and bloody affair and the Scottishmen did suffer grievously in the confrontation.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUqwxuu7W32BlJHJi9RLzJL6f1FuKC7sezOmODVjSnNrYOs4yBHNSY5FluTHVF7PQhfXU2VksAfxd7m8IWqr9XJFeNvKnP-szw0vjiaOwWxX7DShkXttPCgyQtJNdkotLVh3mUO3J49mx3YylhIaFuN21_RP6VC7jvYHpFbepEZwIuKIO-Df4iEoZ/s1436/bat31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1436" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUqwxuu7W32BlJHJi9RLzJL6f1FuKC7sezOmODVjSnNrYOs4yBHNSY5FluTHVF7PQhfXU2VksAfxd7m8IWqr9XJFeNvKnP-szw0vjiaOwWxX7DShkXttPCgyQtJNdkotLVh3mUO3J49mx3YylhIaFuN21_RP6VC7jvYHpFbepEZwIuKIO-Df4iEoZ/w400-h231/bat31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The bidowers did launch their weapons with great endeavour towards Sir William and his trusty men-at-arms. Indeed, so galling was their shooting, that one of the said men-at-arms was struck such a vicious blow that he was no longer able to continue in the fight.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7MCJFvp4F5dEwGBHRfznD29Q95zmhyopWiWUI-xWqmG_wbx58aCRYgEKImVGfKE_kWHLhxXnBlbRGclSwIMJojfvIja8OUUQUdtloW184Q6ZP_xHacG_s5mhDn2VazXc_IDIfvAtKZy81vTii468MZvDM8jfl1Dvbr2jTq2gsQbgqBjTpj7dgzCj/s1737/bat32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1737" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7MCJFvp4F5dEwGBHRfznD29Q95zmhyopWiWUI-xWqmG_wbx58aCRYgEKImVGfKE_kWHLhxXnBlbRGclSwIMJojfvIja8OUUQUdtloW184Q6ZP_xHacG_s5mhDn2VazXc_IDIfvAtKZy81vTii468MZvDM8jfl1Dvbr2jTq2gsQbgqBjTpj7dgzCj/w400-h210/bat32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As is often times the case, the Lord Our God wills that the decision in martial matters is resolved not by the lowly, but by the high and mighty and this was the circumstance on this day of strife. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdaP0Az86Qpd2klokV62XJ32DAq_ELLgvuArlBiUMscdPsT1huxpuYFLl-n20uukdwwvNndhoVgnfzHLp19MPXs7WntNvMYbr_QCEsthaV-qSP9KVzF8NQEfUoR-IfnH9zNM2b-QPkZctB_HpQrJcDAELc-vSqvO-KaISUHuh37m-O15vcmeW2-lM/s2112/bat33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="2112" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdaP0Az86Qpd2klokV62XJ32DAq_ELLgvuArlBiUMscdPsT1huxpuYFLl-n20uukdwwvNndhoVgnfzHLp19MPXs7WntNvMYbr_QCEsthaV-qSP9KVzF8NQEfUoR-IfnH9zNM2b-QPkZctB_HpQrJcDAELc-vSqvO-KaISUHuh37m-O15vcmeW2-lM/w400-h180/bat33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Back and forth across the gore soaked ground, the men of honour, Englishman and Scottishman, traded blow for blow...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsYctqT0dWLkOFqzPjW8UwQIir-uQXe5DulHz-zCE3zKb52msrColgA-6sFQlWuhaeCzkUa-XfBxfjyvssB2UCBSEqhW1hLt4GretX7GjCPhudgkNR3jg2SyIuxE0pdKH_dfkb2qKN_3JMEXQ9UXbGFy3HOsYISUkMfizm7jXui57FZpVMR_JW8wE/s1788/bat34.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1788" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsYctqT0dWLkOFqzPjW8UwQIir-uQXe5DulHz-zCE3zKb52msrColgA-6sFQlWuhaeCzkUa-XfBxfjyvssB2UCBSEqhW1hLt4GretX7GjCPhudgkNR3jg2SyIuxE0pdKH_dfkb2qKN_3JMEXQ9UXbGFy3HOsYISUkMfizm7jXui57FZpVMR_JW8wE/w400-h180/bat34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Again and again the two sides hurled themselves into the fray, wearing each other down until both had lost a harrowing half their number. The patricians from both sides of the border had paid a dreadful price and neither could claim a triumph over the other.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y7SeloMeELlAzc1fxSHbIeeu-p6vhbcXnurGiIkA3JBxxiVQprKavR4Q7jtyxcooJPa4KghyQ_gtLSf6eeaStCopqcuMKlmkT-P7sDfCVM-_mtmST226-TXb8IQ44cdAJGeV8gHRhrD2qufWQbQxNDZ7SqstD6dzQ4R8ryoUiIldnio_u62XgwbY/s1950/bat35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1950" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y7SeloMeELlAzc1fxSHbIeeu-p6vhbcXnurGiIkA3JBxxiVQprKavR4Q7jtyxcooJPa4KghyQ_gtLSf6eeaStCopqcuMKlmkT-P7sDfCVM-_mtmST226-TXb8IQ44cdAJGeV8gHRhrD2qufWQbQxNDZ7SqstD6dzQ4R8ryoUiIldnio_u62XgwbY/w400-h180/bat35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Earl and the knight faced each other across the crossroads, over which, so much blood had been shed. Spent of energy and intellect, Earl Donnchad surveyed the field of battle and the realisation dawned that he no longer had the strength to gain dominion over this desolate slice of moorland. With a heavy heart, the Earl gave the order for his remaining liegemen to withdraw and leave this lamentable piece of ground to the enemy. "Those who died this day must be avenged." he said, "We shall tend our wounds and gather our strength before we return to harry this land and retrieve our fallen brothers for, my friends in arms, we shall leave no man behind."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: red;">This battle was fought on my very small dining room table and it soon became obvious that two 24 point armies need a somewhat bigger area to deploy. At some point, I forgot about the Galwegians being 'fearsome', but I don't think it had a massive impact on the game. When the Galwegians came under fire from the English archers, it did remind me very much of descriptions of the Battle of the Standard in 1138. I have to say, I really enjoyed playing the game; with Lion Rampant, you can simply focus on fighting the battle rather than the rules and I'm sure the knight and the Earl will soon be back to renew their rivalry.</span></i></span><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div></div></div>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com2Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616093555170069303.post-9443947427389316782022-07-29T14:29:00.004+00:002023-01-10T17:26:31.211+00:00LION RAMPANT... A WEE SCUFFLE ON THE BORDER!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd91qbHBJ_gwRN9rJhkhGTAbsrYiAcfvE4WbVBMf3PFOxSIMAz58WVC6LSgqBRVMuIw_6RjTlxJNwVsoOA-NV9Ks0Tb1G9IexBb45Fn3i-I_ugollhhXy4US91Ou_Uw_IJDtNTe3Br4bpU7y5n83exx0xTt4f4wsyrw6Ck_JgrxeOQk0KMXNiZR85/s1592/engmaa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1592" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd91qbHBJ_gwRN9rJhkhGTAbsrYiAcfvE4WbVBMf3PFOxSIMAz58WVC6LSgqBRVMuIw_6RjTlxJNwVsoOA-NV9Ks0Tb1G9IexBb45Fn3i-I_ugollhhXy4US91Ou_Uw_IJDtNTe3Br4bpU7y5n83exx0xTt4f4wsyrw6Ck_JgrxeOQk0KMXNiZR85/w400-h251/engmaa.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the Second Edition of Lion Rampant due out next week, I thought it was about time I had a game with the First Edition. I'm currently working on a Scottish retinue for the period of Henry II's Civil War of 1174 and have three units completed and ready for battle. With King Henry embroiled in a war against his wife and sons, King William the Lion of Scotland inevitably saw an opportunity to press his claims to sovereignty of Northumberland, Cumberland and any other bits of northern England he could get his hands on. King William managed to get himself captured at Alnwick in 1174, so I decided to completely ignore him and build my retinue around one of his commanders, Donnchad, Earl of Fife instead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4lepJZN989KkLDdU0HACOxryzuDqPbAVvVdjhiijnrzGHsg7tkcxWldJbzEa30pztxZ_GA3DOcw9PuBzJcfpnO6IvTBsdYhWOmdiIYDhfMXCuPhodvWkNIPyA9yYzuoFwSXJPRayIbLWcwSZ5SKzU5GPoxyP4APkKugAdb3VKXUVOm9eNGSVLFUa/s1668/scotmaa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1668" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4lepJZN989KkLDdU0HACOxryzuDqPbAVvVdjhiijnrzGHsg7tkcxWldJbzEa30pztxZ_GA3DOcw9PuBzJcfpnO6IvTBsdYhWOmdiIYDhfMXCuPhodvWkNIPyA9yYzuoFwSXJPRayIbLWcwSZ5SKzU5GPoxyP4APkKugAdb3VKXUVOm9eNGSVLFUa/w400-h238/scotmaa.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With only three Scottish units to choose from, building Fife's retinue didn't take much thinking about.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ULgg6nqdHwP5icU12qQe5WxmjYP3wsiSxCcW7W29-qdTpJBfPvZtAh8G_XaJPLLcux9pwBrCT4qZkWPuTAvrur84WDjhI5mgmdzgagjKkWtyqnQdhVmMt6UiU43p7WeAUdT9P2tG6ndUVntgHr0X9rafzm6GY1cokJWq__nFLQyE9OdyHI-JxlY/s1936/scotsadv.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="871" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ULgg6nqdHwP5icU12qQe5WxmjYP3wsiSxCcW7W29-qdTpJBfPvZtAh8G_XaJPLLcux9pwBrCT4qZkWPuTAvrur84WDjhI5mgmdzgagjKkWtyqnQdhVmMt6UiU43p7WeAUdT9P2tG6ndUVntgHr0X9rafzm6GY1cokJWq__nFLQyE9OdyHI-JxlY/w180-h400/scotsadv.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Earl and his men-at-arms took up position on the right of the Scottish line, with the Bidowers on the opposite flank. In the middle, with a ploughed, stone walled, field for cover, was a unit of Lowland Spearmen (Foot Serjeants), who advanced quickly to take up a defensive position facing their English counterparts. I don't think I would have done anything differently but, had I read the rules a bit more thoroughly, I would have realised that the Serjeants wouldn't be able to form 'Schiltron' in the rough terrain of the ploughed field! However, even without the ability to form 'Schiltron', the Serjeants would have their Armour Value increased by 1 for defending the stone wall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I gave the English three units to face the Scots, although they did have a greater points value than their opponents. On the left of the English line, facing the Earl, was a unit of Mixed Weapon Yeomen; equipping Yeomen in this way, gives them the option of using bows to hit an opponent from a distance, but increases their cost by an extra two points and prevents them from using the 'Schiltron' formation. Along side the Yeomen was Sir William de Stuteville and his loyal Men-at-Arms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTHXrcXynDQu3MmZQFSTfEEZcR0i0fIxEYF-q_Chg3DuzAyuADU4GSAAH1LLVRrDoSmjIR9eNdrZpiq3OOrTwBH5h4yQSG7nmi7FgAimO1l9DrP_XROZAfZJOqfklLZRu7kbP8HAOBvdbGd3qo2YHwwxsgBBbYwacDZ4x4pPjTnm4iT2QttswZvGR/s1568/engyeo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1568" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTHXrcXynDQu3MmZQFSTfEEZcR0i0fIxEYF-q_Chg3DuzAyuADU4GSAAH1LLVRrDoSmjIR9eNdrZpiq3OOrTwBH5h4yQSG7nmi7FgAimO1l9DrP_XROZAfZJOqfklLZRu7kbP8HAOBvdbGd3qo2YHwwxsgBBbYwacDZ4x4pPjTnm4iT2QttswZvGR/w400-h233/engyeo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Yeomen with Mixed Weapons.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Yeomen and their bows proved to be a real nuisance, causing casualties in the ranks of the Scottish Men-at-Arms and then the Lowland Spearmen.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdXKZfg04BCPWThLzawRHXhISdPjwvIRSuXuvZSIENmIg-OVkQshv_scXT8v4c6auKOm6zGn0Tyo7Od9KOPxnTQPACtY0pJCzkoe97oWDGxOwPn8BthyvowsKgbQUcqCN7aZK6dHgTNiWY5oI8EIldfldo6gGlJHwuqFj5KnMTAO1lDzawuqGIkDB/s1147/maaclash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="817" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdXKZfg04BCPWThLzawRHXhISdPjwvIRSuXuvZSIENmIg-OVkQshv_scXT8v4c6auKOm6zGn0Tyo7Od9KOPxnTQPACtY0pJCzkoe97oWDGxOwPn8BthyvowsKgbQUcqCN7aZK6dHgTNiWY5oI8EIldfldo6gGlJHwuqFj5KnMTAO1lDzawuqGIkDB/w285-h400/maaclash.jpg" width="285" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The opposing Men-at-Arms clashed early on in the encounter, with the Earl charging into Sir William's men who, being dismounted, were unable to counter the charge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-ISqSOps_uPMMLK7mDA44K7xazF_-_7nTGosbr9uz7FB-7U7yTuTggaS3i5QzHuJH-hpQGSEgh0TBJxWqMo4MGjEsptsXPbCUsUl-Zx7c-3zcaKslJuRk0FLjmn39A9AL1VqgUVilxW7H_AEPP1NgYOKjkyz5mnEKQQj4OtZXX-re6WnVEct2gTj/s1386/maaresult.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1386" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-ISqSOps_uPMMLK7mDA44K7xazF_-_7nTGosbr9uz7FB-7U7yTuTggaS3i5QzHuJH-hpQGSEgh0TBJxWqMo4MGjEsptsXPbCUsUl-Zx7c-3zcaKslJuRk0FLjmn39A9AL1VqgUVilxW7H_AEPP1NgYOKjkyz5mnEKQQj4OtZXX-re6WnVEct2gTj/w400-h211/maaresult.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Both sides scored enough hits to remove one casualty, although the charging Scots almost had enough hits to take a second English knight out of the action. From this point onwards, the Scottish Men-at-Arms were pushed back and came under fire from the English Yeomen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYL2XZ4w8-d9YY3plREkUdC90rDXg1BoEmTd4mWNMa6v_r3EKIgPx0ooHd6oiB98DZ5H4vWHJxVesSjTKL1JYiSMClO_JQ6bs2yjYfuLAKXKsITE4IvY8fhSc3jyJA589dA4UEFLsuaN58EEljGsvxy0XxvSAOeCQctvAwdkJxADjiUxwb8rd5t7dH/s2344/engserjadv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="2344" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYL2XZ4w8-d9YY3plREkUdC90rDXg1BoEmTd4mWNMa6v_r3EKIgPx0ooHd6oiB98DZ5H4vWHJxVesSjTKL1JYiSMClO_JQ6bs2yjYfuLAKXKsITE4IvY8fhSc3jyJA589dA4UEFLsuaN58EEljGsvxy0XxvSAOeCQctvAwdkJxADjiUxwb8rd5t7dH/w400-h149/engserjadv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It took a while for the English Serjeants to get going, but they began a steady advance on the Scots defending the walled field. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwrL9siozFVeZMaKeZmndzmuhnO8Ucp0R-mPPOdYtE_EnI62KEtsX81ccy-RYvFq_W4NTDSjopb94p-wrLpB84YWZXfXQCaJqoPvesVE-yitZdFZTJjtN-9FN9AH6MWitCFWZK6-nkblRcJ_oubh78RtsgNQpgNESqgCG7XZ39iFmq45nxjz1s044/s2276/serjclash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="2276" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwrL9siozFVeZMaKeZmndzmuhnO8Ucp0R-mPPOdYtE_EnI62KEtsX81ccy-RYvFq_W4NTDSjopb94p-wrLpB84YWZXfXQCaJqoPvesVE-yitZdFZTJjtN-9FN9AH6MWitCFWZK6-nkblRcJ_oubh78RtsgNQpgNESqgCG7XZ39iFmq45nxjz1s044/w400-h180/serjclash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>By the time the Serjeants clashed over the wall, the English had taken casualties from the Scottish Bidowers on their right but, even though they made two attempts to dislodge the Scots, they were pushed back with mounting casualties. Eventually, the English Serjeants were forced to switch their attack towards the Bidowers... a move which was to cost them, and the English Retinue, dearly, as the Bidowers gradually inflicted so many casualties that the spearmen broke and fled!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgGihHcTJqxBGGoztoB5A8OzjjdeBSygcOhqGPjQ3CWeTUShfkVebZyNjtaVoMN0vgsy7Z-M3wVb9wHush1SHIZbPzA50--yWWZfa7xX5gFXZVjCe_3ezNUAQ2z7dmO9jg5gBNPf0sehyQjeISv5sRPQPIjzo9PCWQseEwI-Wv3Kz7MspXVVDOD8P/s1319/engserjflank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1319" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgGihHcTJqxBGGoztoB5A8OzjjdeBSygcOhqGPjQ3CWeTUShfkVebZyNjtaVoMN0vgsy7Z-M3wVb9wHush1SHIZbPzA50--yWWZfa7xX5gFXZVjCe_3ezNUAQ2z7dmO9jg5gBNPf0sehyQjeISv5sRPQPIjzo9PCWQseEwI-Wv3Kz7MspXVVDOD8P/w400-h258/engserjflank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With the loss of his Serjeants, Sir William decided that it was time to concede the field to his opponent and return to the fight another day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This was only a very small encounter, which took about an hour and a half to fight, but it has left me keen and eager to get the rest of my Scots painted and get some more Lion Rampant battles fought. I played the rules to the letter and experienced the horror of failing an Activation and having that turn's plans dashed to pieces! The 3" separation rule will be very difficult to maintain on my small table, so I'm already thinking of a plan to get a bigger playing surface for future battles. All in all, I have to say that Lion Rampant is going to be at the forefront of my gaming for some time to come; it's easy to learn the basic rules (I did need to refer to the book on a couple of occasions) and I really enjoyed the way the Activation system makes you think about the order in which you attempt to do things or, what is going to befall your forces when that Activation roll fails!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It's going to be a little while before the rest of my Scots are ready, but I can't wait to get the Earl of Fife and Sir William back on the table top for more Lion Rampant with the 2nd edition of the rules. <br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Tabletop Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254251441735729162noreply@blogger.com0Retford DN22, UK53.321355999999987 -0.9455030000000000925.011122163821142 -36.101753 81.631589836178833 34.210747