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Carlo Pagano's Viking Bloodbath Game
Carlo Pagano from Western Australia is a "virtual" member of the Kapiti Fusiliers. Here he describes a game that his club played recently.
At the NWS in Perth we are fairly keen on Warhammer Ancient Battles, and particularly Shieldwall. Having been inspired by the London Gamers as well as several other excellent sites, a few of us endeavoured to have a few games of real blood and guts! None of us were disappointed.
In this particular game the forces of Jarl Martinberg the Wise (ably played by Martin Street) were taking on the might of the Jarl Carlo the Terrible, terrible in an open battle. Approximately 2000 points aside with a wide selection of figures from Foundry, Old Glory and Gripping Beast. All of Martin's forces were painted by the man himself whilst mine are mostly painted by Scott Wiseman in the Blue Mountains of Sydney.
Click on the photos to see them full size.
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The forces of Jarl Carlo the Terrible prepare for battle with half-crazed Irish Gall Gaedhil to the fore. |
Viking archers make their way through the farmyard and prepare to acquire some local produce!
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On the left flank Irish skirmishers prepare to put flight to Martin's javelin men - rolling sixes is always very useful! |
Back in the centre the Gall Gaedhil, unprepared to wait for the word to advance, have rushed onto the first of Martin's Hirdmen. Much disaster awaits...
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A view from the opposite side of the field as the Irish skirmishers prepare to engage. |
As the battle continues, two strong units of Hirdmen and Bondir advance slowly, awaiting the outcome of the Irish mercenaries' impetuous charge on the enemy. In these rules, sometimes it is best to allow actions to develop rather than rush headlong into a stoush - however, its not half as much fun!
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Despite inflicting significant casualties upon the enemy, the Irish survivors run for their lives. They fought well but attacking last with double-handed weapons against a good foe can be just too tough a task.
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Meanwhile on the right flank, Martin's Jomsvikings have taken the hill and are about to dispatch the archers that were positioned to defend it.
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With the Irish running past in disarray, but with skirmishers preparing to harass the enemy's flank, Carlo the Terrible prepares to bring the usurper to heal... |
...only for things to go terribly, terribly wrong! Run for your lives! |
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All is not lost however. The Gall Gaedhil rally and give enough time for the Hirdmen to do likewise. The flanking movement commences to come together and the hands of Jarl Martinberg are busy fighting fires! |
As night falls, an Irish kern prepares to take a final shot at the enemy. The battle was fought to a bloody stalemate with neither side having true possession of the field (or the highland sheep!).
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Carlo
has also sent us this photo of a Napoleonic sea battle in progress. We
will try to convince him to write a future article about this battle,
and the exquisite Langton ships seen here.
