[BA] Game report III: Siegfried's last hunt

[Mad Doc Morris]

Third and last instalment of our Nibelungen campaign using Rattrap’s Broadsword Adventures – for the second (and first) part click here.

Autumn of the year 433 AD. The Burgundian court has moved beyond the Rhine for a grand hunting feast. However, Giffo, finally fallen from Siegfried’s favour due to his suspect pursuit for glory, has been left behind – only to get wind of Hagen’s deceitful plans to murder Siegfried on the occasion of the great final hunt. In an attempt to regain Siegfried’s grace he convenes his men and rushes across the Rhine. Unfortunately, soon he gets lost in the dense woods. To add to his confusion, Giffo finds himself confronted by Gaidemar and his henchmen, who have been briefed by Hagen to screen the place from any harassers. Both parties have to find the path markings – Giffo to get to the fairground before the final hunt is called and Gaidemar to avert that. [Player’s note: This scenario is widely based on “The Narrow Pass” from “Among the Warparties”].

What courtly days! No one divines Hagen’s sinsiter plan, neither Siegfried’s wife Kriemhild, beleaguered by courtiers and subjects, …



… nor the peaceful (?) wildlife.



Only Giffo knows what is at risk. He orders his men to advance in deliberate search formation to make it back to the path.



Gaidemar’s party breaks apart in small teams and disperses across the area. Soon a black feathered corbie alights on a tree, where Gundrhaban (helmeted) is searching for a marking – a clear sign of Wodan’s favour for Gaidemar’s intents, which fills their hearts with fierce confidence.



Behold, Merunas and Giffo discover some rubbish heaps – seemingly the court has stopped here for a break. However Hadubrandt fishes for proof in battle…



…and joins Amalrich’s (striped shirt) and Clothar’s brawl with Odalrich (red shield) and Hiuto. Again Hiuto feels the effect of his lack in armour – foot work alone doesn’t win a battle. He falls victim to his – not obviously, but in fact – better armoured twin brother Clothar. Anyhow, Odalrich puts up a good fight in an almost epic clash of arms with Hadubrandt. As such he hinders Giffo’s men to stab Gaidemar in the back.



Meanwhile Gaidemar makes the acquaintance of a pack of boars. Fortunately the beasts can be appeased by Gaidemar’s amicable grunting and he stays safe. Before being invited to join the boars’ wallow, Gaidemar hurries to get away, beckoning his men to avoid the place.



Ranulf faces quite similar problems: A Western Frank (!) by birth, seductive truffle flavour attracts his attention. Too late he recognizes the enraged snorting of a stag, determined to protect his family. Within seconds the bull takes Ranulf for a ride, and only by his acrobatic abilities Ranulf avoids further damage. No markings, only blue marks round here…



The odds are against Odalrich and he takes stick. That’s too boring for a man like Hadubrandt! He remembers his actual orders to find the markings and leaves Odalrich to the subordinates.



Unlucky Ragnfrid once again gets hammered by his foe (Merunas’ charge). Giffo seizes the chance to face the traitor Gaidemar in a duel. Already warming up with the exchange of insults, suddenly Gaidemar  is hit by bird droppings. He looks up and sees Wodan’s corbie flying away – a bad omen! With his confidence shaken Gaidemar withdraws immediately.



Giffo tries to chase his former friend, now hated foe, but a shout of triumph holds him back. Hadubrandt has discovered a hidden ravine, leading directly to the campground of the feasting court. That’s just in time [Player’s note: There was a turn limit of 6, but since Giffo’s player had won the last scenario, he was allowed to add a 7th turn]: Giffo calls for his men and follows Hadubrandt…



Scenario’s outcome:
Giffo is once again victorious!

However, as we couldn’t change “history”, Siegfried simply had to die. Fortunately we had managed to give him reason for mistrusting his liege. Thus Siegfried could plumply ridicule Giffo and rush headlong towards his ruin.
So our little gaming series ended at the height of the actual Nibelungenlied, but the whole story of Giffo & Gaidemar isn’t told yet. Stay tuned for the sequel!

[Operator5]

Excellent stuff. And you changed the outcome (okay, you didn't, but you could have).

I hope to see more of the story told out in miniature. 

[The_Wisecrack]

nice report.
nice terrain and mini's/ where are the deer from?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thanks, gents!

@Operator5: The background of our campaign was indeed dictated by the actual storyline of the saga - almost everyone here knows the story of Hagen murdering Siegfried. It would have been dull to change that.
So we aimed for an open development of our characters in the course, with shifting loyalities and the like: (1) First game determined the faction our heroes would join; (2) second game saw their progress or drawback and (3) determined the reason why Siegfried wouldn't listen even if he was told of the conspiracy. The games itself didn't change history, but they told the story of our characters - merely chessmen bound to other men's destiny. By accident that's the actual artistic proposition of the Nibelungenlied.

@The_Wisecrack: The deer are made by Mega Miniatures. Excellent stuff, but painted in a hurry the night before the game.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Great report, Mad Doc. I really must dig my Vikings and Saxons out and do a couple of Dark Ages skirmishes.

Looking back, I realise I haven't played this period for 6 years   

Thanks for the inspiration!

[edited for stoopid spelling mistakes due to sausage-finger syndrome  ]

[DFlynSqrl]

Good stuff once again Mad Doc.  I really enjoyed reading all three installments!

[Hammers]

Very cool, maddoc. Love how you've turned literature to great wargaming.