Spring 989 - The Battle of Three Rivers Crossing

Brother Cedric was fleeing before the Treyine army when he saw the Brethren army approaching. He was saved. But wait, what was that? The thunder of thousands of pony-sized hooves were approaching from the other direction. That looked like Barbax Gutripper's troops. Brother Cedric wondered if he would be able to reach the Brethren army before the Hykari reached him. Their ponies were fast and might well get there first. Suddenly he heard a shout and saw the advancing banner of Sir Alan Fitzhugh.


"Hold, knave," yelled the Treyine knight, " Are you such a coward as would refuse my challenge."
With his retinue around him, Sir Alan couched his lance and charged. As Sir Alan and his retinue tore across the emerald sward, Brother Cedric remembered his duty and:

Brave Brother Cedric ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Brother Cedric turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Brother Cedric!

Or maybe it was the sight of Barbax forming her girls on their ponies into neat columns and rushing them across the bridge in a bid to apprehend him that spurred him on his way.


With Brother Cedric disappearing as fast as he could, the heart seemed to go out of the Brethren force. As the Brother Knights and Sergeants charged towards the Treyine forces, the Treyine archers in a well-disciplined move swiftly hammered stakes into the ground before them, a move designed to disrupt the charging knights. At the same time Dennis Moore, who had pursued Brother Cedric summoned a demon right in the path of the knights.


Their horses were spooked and they retired quickly to regroup. The other lance of Brother Knights had passed the demon and engaged the Treyine archers. They fared little better and were driven off but not before many Treyine archers lay dead. In their retreat, a single arrow found its mark and the Brethren general fell to the ground mortally wounded. The Brethren soldiery stood firm. They knew their duty, but the loss of the general was too much and their efforts were disorganised. Soon they were surrounded by yelling girls on ponies and they had to retreat or suffer a fate worse than death.



Meanwhile, on the Treyine right flank the White Company had advanced together with a small contingent of archers. They faced a holding force of girlish cavalry. The archers were confident that their superior range would ensure victory and the knights of the White Company knew that their mounts and armour were superior to those of the Hykari warmaidens. Their confidence was well-founded. Soon ponies and girls were fleeing the field.


The other ponygirls regrouped and considered the situation. With the Treyine archers forted up behind their stakes, a frontal assault would be suicidal. Barbax decided that her search for Brother Cedric was more important. She had gifts of ponies for him that he must not refuse! She led her remaining troops from the field in good order.

Will Barbax get her man? Can Brother Cedric reach safety in time? Tune in later to find out.

Losses
Brethren
General died
1 Brother Knights
1 Heavy Spears
1 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archers

Hykar
4 Cavalry

Treyine
1 Archers

This battle was an experiment that turned out to be a bit of a curate's egg. We tried making it a three-way game using the solo rules, which worked well enough, but the dice led to decisions that disadvantaged Steve's Brethren force too much. They were justifiable within the campaign context but that did not make it any better and they made it rather easy for the Treyine to win. It also meant that the game went on too long and we had to call it before the ultimate conclusion, which was a shame. Still, it has been a while since we played Warrior Heroes and it was good to get back to it. We are now looking forward to the next game, which will feature the Goblins taking on the Mirish army. That should be fun. As a consequence of this game, Steve has decided to try something called 'tactics'. I'm really not sure what he means by that though.

Spring 989 - Campaign Update

Spring has returned to the land, and with it has come the campaigning season once more. Ekra is enduring an enforced peace and has no valid targets, so it will sit and recover for this year. They must still send aid to Treyine though. Tropilium is in the same position as Ekra and must also help Treyine out.

With events snowballing towards cataclysm, heroes are emerging from the masses to side with their people. The following nations have found heroes to represent them:
Ekra - Sir Gervaise de Fe
Treyine - Sir Alaric Fitzhugh
Zog-Rot - Mughrant

Who has attacked whom?
Hykar has invaded Treyine
The Brethren have attacked Treyine
Mirish has invaded Zog-Rot

It would appear that Barbax Gutripper has heard of Brother Cedric's exploits and is rushing to meet him, and she has taken her army. Clearly she is intent on stopping the pursuing Treyine soldiery from capturing her next husband! In a similar vein, the Brethren have mobilised with a view to meeting Brother Cedric and taking custody of the Spear of St Lindorf. Who knows why the Mirish have invaded Zog-Rot though?

The situation at the start of Spring 989


Armies at the start of Spring 989
Ekra
Sir Gervaise de Fe (Hero, CV7, AC8, Mtd Melee, ET, Terror, Shock, WR3)
3 Knights
2 Infantry
2 Crossbows
The Black Company

Hykar
1 Noble Cavalry
19 Cavalry

Mirish
4 Clibinarii
1 Cataphracts
1 Chionite Cavalry
2 Elephants
1 Levies
3 Skirmishers

Seniira
3 Veterans
3 Infantry
3 Auxiliaries
1 Skirmishers

The Rock (Brethren)
2 Brother Knights
1 Brother Sergeants
3 Heavy Spears
1 Peasant Foot
3 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archers
1 Goblin Wolf Riders

Treyine
Sir Geoffrey Chambers (general until Lord De La Warre returns in Summer 989)
Sir Alaric Fitzhugh
1 Foot Knights
3 Infantry
7 Archers
The White Company
1 Level 1 Mage
1 Level 2 Mage
1 Ekran Knights
1 Tropilium Auxiliary Archers

Tropilium
4 Equites
4 Legionaries
1 Auxiliaries (Mixed)
1 Auxiliary Archers
2 Archers
1 Slingers
1 Artillery

Zog-Rot (Goblins)
Mughrant (CV 7, AC 6, Mtd Melee, ET, Terror, Shock, WR3)
3 Archers
6 Goblins
1 Wolf Riders
1 Black Moon Goblins

Winter 988 - Wandering in the Wilderness

The wind howled across the wasteland that was once the Border Kingdoms. Entire villages lay in ruins, pillaged and burnt by the invading armies. Among them lay Alwinton, Ragnar's adoptive home. The blackened ruins were now dusted in snow, a starkly contrasting testament to the life that once populated the village. The tracks leading from the village had proved that some of the villagers still lived as captives of the goblins. Ragnar thought bleakly on this as the goblin that styled himself King Rech led Ragnar's group onward. It seemed that the goblins were taking the villagers back to a base far into Zog-Rot itself for they had not stopped at any of the goblin villages along the way. Their purpose was clear to Ragnar for he knew that the goblin gods demanded sacrifices and dined on still beating hearts. He only hoped that he would get there in time.

Ragnar had no encounter this season.

Winter 988 - The Further Misadventures of Brother Cedric

The Scene: St Lindorf's Square, an island of serenity in the middle of the bustling city of Little Tutting in the heart of Treyine.

The Time: Early morning, just before dawn.

Brother Cedric approaches the Church of St Lindorf, having fought his way past the guards on one of the bridges over the canal that rings St Lindorf's Square. His objective is to enter the church and recover The Spear of St Lindorf. This sacred relic is valued by all followers of the Red Sun and he has been charged with returning it to the Grand Prior of the Brethren.

For the prelude to this misadventure, read THIS POST. All terrain featured in this report is from Worldworks Games. You can see more photos of this terrain set-up in my Photobucket Album.

The merry band cross onto St Lindorf's Square


Dear Griselda,

It is with some sorrow and yet pride as well, that I have to tell you of the deaths of Brothers Konrad and Siegfried. Both have gone to be at His side and prepare for the coming battle. Brother Konrad will be sadly missed, especially by many of fatherless children, a lot of whom came to look on him as a well almost father figure. His ministrations with the young mothers, would have put many a saint to shame, often carrying on well into the night and the next morning.

Siegfried with his funny way of slurring his words and only drinking from his own canteen, with it’s special mix of herbs. His healing skills were legendary, all he seemed to have to do was breath on you and the pain ebbed away.

I feel honoured to have served Himself with them.

I had best tell you of the events that lead to this sad event. Leaving the injured Brother Klaus to hold the horses, we quickly made our way to the cathedral entrance. Brothers Konrad and Leelove with Herman the Spearman and Henning broke into the side through a window, well several windows to be precise. They made their way towards the altar. The remainder of our band approached the main entrance, causing the guards to flee in terror.

Breaking in


As the other party reached the altar several archers on the balcony open fire injuring Henning and causing the others to take cover. We, meanwhile, rushed up the stairs and slew the vile archers. After chasing away a second group of guards we joined the others in the crypt. It was at this point we realised, none of us had bought a guide book, in the shop, giving the location of the Spear.

Dealing with those pesky archers


We carried on searching the crypt, Brother Konrad narrowly avoiding one trap, but at the second trap he fell onto the spikes below. We knew we had to carry on in his memory.

The Crypt


We entered the crypt itself and found it full of Treyine soldiers, by this point my blood was up and after a few half hearted bowshots, they fled. After searching the crypt, we continued into another room with a large hole in the middle. As the others searched the room I watched the hole, where upon a snake like creature appeared, took one look at us and disappeared, never to be seen again.

The Undercrypt


Eventually we went down the hole and arrived in a room, which while it contained the Spear of St. Lindorf also contained rather a lot of Treyine soldiers and a stout man with a bald head. He radiated the words wizard or wargamer.

Under the Undercrypt


So, we meet at last, Brother Cedric


Thinking a change of tactics were in order we charged straight at them. The other were driven back, but I fought my way towards the wizard. The others came back at them, but soon Brother Siegfried had fallen mortally wounded and Brother Leelove was unconscious. We fought on valiantly particularly young Herman, who slew an undead the wizard had summoned. Just as we were gaining the upper hand and I had gained the dais, the wizard disappeared in a puff of invisible paisley smoke.

We quickly dispatched the remaining guards and carrying the Spear and our fallen headed towards Klaus and the horses. We are now rushing back to the Borders to return the Spear of St. Lindorf to its rightful place.

Hoping all is well at home.
Brother Cedric

PS Has Barbax stopped sending me horses yet?

Yet another great game with tragedy and triumph. The only problem we are finding now with WHAA is that a Rep7 star has it too easy. Groups of enemy troops will almost always rout as soon as he charges at them, unless they are led by a similarly high Rep star too. Still, we are considering a variety of ways around that. In this scenario, the villain was a Rep7 Wizard with the Star ability, so that counteracted Brother Cedric in the final encounter, until the wizard teleported away and left his minions to die. Also, the archers on the balcony were a useful tactic for this. In this case, Cedric could not charge them immediately, because they were out of reach, so they were able to loose a few arrows first.

Coming Soon: Brother Cedric Rides Again

Treyine soldiers stand guard, unaware that Brother Cedric has dispatched their comrades and is heading their way. Can he fight his way past them and into the crypts below where the Spear of St Lindorf rests? And who is the mysterious Drogo de Beauvriere in reality?

Tune in this time next week to find out.

Winter 988 - Chaaaarrrrggggeeee!!!!!

Once more Brother Cedric chases the Spear of Lindorf. He is close to his objective now. We rolled that he had found it but must first fight a pitched battle before conducting a raid to retrieve it. I shall let him tell it in his own inimitable words. Click the pictures for larger versions of the images.

The terrain is from various WWG sets: Streets of Himmelveil, Himmelveil Canals, Castleworks Ultimate, Villageworks, Cathedrae Noctis and Requiem. Some of the buildings are items I picked up elsewhere but cannot remember.

Dear Griselda,

I’m sure this is all a mistranslation. The gift of a dozen horses, left with the Lodge Master by the Hykar delegation, must have been to celebrate Barbax’s soon to be born child. Undoubtably she has sent such gifts out to many people. Fancy thinking I could be the father. Still the hierarchy of the Faith seem very happy with our good relations with the Hykar.

The Church of Saint Lindorf in Jellsway.

I’ve finally arrived in Jellsway. The journey was fairly uneventful, with Sir Ashby along. After spending a couple of days scouting around the cathedral, or ‘the seeing of sites’ as Sir Ashby called it. We decided the weakest point, of the cathedral’s defences, was the rear. To the right of the road was a guard house, which would be our main worry. To the left a recent building called ‘Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe’. The commercialisation of religion is quite sickening in the Treyine Empire and most especially in the capital. I’ve enclosed a snowglobe of the cathedral for you, containing genuine ashes from Saint Vesta, hopefully it survived the journey.

Brother Cedric deploys his troops.

We finally decided on the night, and after Brother Siegfried slipped Sir Ashby a sleeping draught, we headed towards the cathedral and the Spear of St. Lindorf. Our attack would be two pronged. Brothers Konrad, Siegfried, Klaus and I would head straight down the road on horseback. While Brothers Wilfred and Leelove, together with Herman and Henning would approach from the left side, on foot.

Guards stumble bleary-eyed and half-dressed (I did not have time to finish them before the game) from the guardhouse, while Brother Cedric demonstrates all the tactical acuity of a sledgehammer cracking a nut.

Well we could probably have timed it better, as we hit at the same time as the guard changed. They came out into the street en masse, but fled as we thundered towards them, singing ‘See the holy angels burn the sinner’s eyes’. After this Brothers Siegfried and Klaus charged the remaining soldiers at the guardhouse, while Brother Konrad and I charged the ones at the bridge.

The battle near Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe (a waystation for pilgrims to the Church of Saint Lindorf, where they may purify themselves before entering his holy shrine).

Henning, meanwhile, was firing at some archers near Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe. He kept them occupied until Brothers Wilfred and Leelove were in a position to charge them. They soon had one down and the others running for their lives.

Brother Klaus took a wicked blow to the head and tumbled from his horse, while Brother Siegfried made a valiant stand. We soon routed the soldiers on the bridge, including the vicious looking fellow in the middle who soon turned tail and ran. A blow finally knocked Brother Siegfried from his mount. I leapt from my horse to rush to his aid, while Brother Konrad headed towards two archers fleeing the other battle.

Snipers! (In the windows if you look closely)

We soon had the situation in control and the enemy fled. Brother Klaus was still dazed and so we left him in charge of the horses ready for our escape. Brother Siegfried soon roused after we gave him some of his healing potion, although his comments about it tasting like horse urine could only be blamed upon himself.

We now steel ourselves for the final push towards the cathedral and the spear. Hopefully I shall be returning to Harbottle soon.

Brother Cedric and companions steeling themselves:

Regards
Brother Cedric

To be continued ...

So, the first part went well for Brother Cedric, possibly better than the paternity suit that will follow just as soon as I get some suitable 28mm Hykari. Let's see how the second part goes. I had better get the interior of the church finished now. I must admit that I thought Brother Cedric would have a hard time with this game, but his high Rep and star status combined with low rolls for the Treyine troops saw them routing in the face of his charges. Attacking at night helped too, even though there were street lights around the town. The reduced visibility meant that the archers could not shoot before Cedric charged, which was a major advantage.

Winter 988 - Campaign Update

The battles of the Autumn have changed the face of Talomir. The Border Kingdoms, once the buffer between the civilised south and the goblin-filled north, are no longer there. One can only hope that the Brethren are willing to take on that role now that they have subjugated part of that nation. Or will this year see rebellion and uprisings?

The Treyine juggernaut has continued to storm through the lands and only winter has stopped them. What will spring bring? More bloody flowers being planted throughout Talomir?

The situation during Winter 988 (click the picture for a larger version):

Following the debacle in battle against Treyine, the Hykari have had their leader torn apart by wild horses. She is being replaced by one Barbax Gutripper (WR 3). Although this is the usual practice in Hykar for dealing with war-leaders that flee the field, it has not been universally acknowledged as a good thing and Hykari national morale has been reduced as a result. Let us hope that Barbax does better than her predecessor, or dies in the field, which would probably be less painful than the alternative.

The year 989 also sees the addition of Mirish and Seniira to the campaign. Will they fare any better than those already involved?