Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: Lardy Rich on February 16, 2012, 10:59:41 AM
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Chaps, We are a month or more into the intensive stage of playtesting our forthcoming Dark Age rules which we've been working on for a couple of years now. Playtesters around the world are helping us get things right now, but I thought you might like to see some of the playtest games we've been enjoying on Lard Island.
I am sorry, I haven't worked out how to put images on LAF yet, if anyone has any clues I would like to do that.
This one is a bit of background information:
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=730
This is a game eport:
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=745
This one provides and introduction to the Fate Deck:
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=755
And this is the latest one from this week:
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=766
Hope they prove of interest.
Rich
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I haven't worked out how to put images on LAF yet
Lookee here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=5779.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=5779.0)
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That really is smashing. I know there's been some excitement about what you're devloping there, and it's easy to see why.
As for pictures, yuo really need a photobucket (or similar picture-hosting) account.
Oh, it seems Steve F beat me to it...
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That really is smashing. I know there's been some excitement about what you're devloping there, and it's easy to see why.
Yep... the last few blog posts on this have got me dragging my books out and having another look at this period. It's good stuff and the rules seem to be developing into something quite different. Looking forwards to seeing more of it!
:)
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Thanks chaps, I shall check out that link and at least be able to put a taster image in here, then people will have some idea if the link interests them or not.
I have been doing the research for this pretty much full time since last June so these games are a culmination of lots of very interesting reading. Researching the Dark Ages is quite unlike any research I've done previously as there is such a limited amount of information around for the early period that interests me. I have found myself getting interested in the archaeology as well. It's been really fascinating stuff. The things I have found out about my home city which I, and 99.9% of the people who live here is quite stunning. It does make me seriously reconsider the stuff we are taught at shcool!
Anyway, the game have been good fun, especially now we have thhe Fate Deck off the leash.
Cheers
Rich
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I can sympathise, I found it was the case that I felt that I knew less about the period than when I started. lol
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I have been following progress with this project with very considerable interest, as the Age of Arthur is my ultimate favourite period (if you have visited my blog archive, you'll already have worked this out!!) Whilst I love playing WAB for this period, nothing yet has quite given me the ultimate Arthurian gaming experience...your ideas sound bang on!!
Well done!!!
:)
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(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dux-1.jpg)
You don't need a photobucket account with the blog, Right click on your picture, click on properties & copy the Address(URL), come back here Click the Img button & paste the Url in between the [img]
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I'm interested! I have plenty of troops ready, but they need something to do! No clue as to release dates yet? Ill have Dux Bellorum to tide me over, but this sounds even better!
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Also pop over to Sir Sid's blog for a more "poetic" take on proceedings :D
http://sidneyroundwood.blogspot.com/
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It's caught our imagination up in Falkirk. Any idea on publication date?
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The publication date depends on the artwork that we're commissioning, I hope to have something from the artist soon so I'll keep you informed. First half of this year anway.
Rich
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/B.jpg)
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Aircav. Thanks for the tip, it worked!
Rich
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Aircav. Thanks for the tip, it worked!
Rich
Happy to Help :D
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Sounds like its all falling into place nicely.....ofcourse it will be a hollow shell of a publication without some of Sid's wonderfull poetry..... lol
Seriously....it really does give an extra dimension to the AAR's that have been posted and have certainly captured my imagination lol......no seriously...really...........I wont buy a copy without it lol
But in all honesty..........his description of the Saxon raiders appearing out of a cold mist on a freezing cold morning has persuaded me to try to build a winter terrain, when I get around to it......and joking aside I havnt seen another set of rules include something that would give as much period flavour as this
All the best with your continued efforts
Barry
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Sid's very into weather and mist and stuff like that. He's a weather man on Look East or one of the regional TV networks. I'm not sure if he gets poetic on the box. I know he has been one of the guest "experts" on Countdown once or twice, so clearly he's good with words.
Rich
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I am interested to know how the campaign rules will work, I have picked up some clues from your blogs .....will there be some use in picking up or copying the OS dark age britain map or will it be more abstract ?
Also, have you finished sending out playtest rule sets.......I would be very keen to take a look.......
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Sid's very into weather and mist and stuff like that. He's a weather man on Look East or one of the regional TV networks. I'm not sure if he gets poetic on the box. I know he has been one of the guest "experts" on Countdown once or twice, so clearly he's good with words.
Rich
So he has fifty or so words to describe rain? Or maybe that's just us here in the North West...
I am interested to know how the campaign rules will work, I have picked up some clues from your blogs .....will there be some use in picking up or copying the OS dark age britain map or will it be more abstract ?
Yes, I'd like some details too please, however vague and unformed they may be.
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Arlequin, et al
I have put some more details of the system and how it will work on Lard Island News. This is explaining the long-term objective and where the journey begins. We'll be filling in more detail as we continue the quest.
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSCN7891.jpg)
A Saxon raid into British controlled land around Verulamium in the summer of 473 AD
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSCN7897.jpg)
Please feel free to ask any questions, I will try to expand where you are interested.
Rich
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Rich, I've already clocked that, but thanks. I think it sounds like a fun and workable concept. I'm looking at around the late 6th/Early 7th Century in what is now Shropshire and I think the concept will work fine, judging by what you've said.
What sort of starting strength are you looking at for an initial warband?
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What sort of starting strength are you looking at for an initial warband?
Says in the report that around 40 minis will make a good starting warband.
I'm sold! Now just release the damn thing! (If you could come in at less than the $40USD they want for SAGA, it would be much appreciated! ;))
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*Facepalm* so it does... ::)
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The basic starter army for the Romano-British will be six Comanipulares or Elites, twelve Milites or Warriors, eighteen Numeri or Levy and four archers or missile troops. They will have a Warlord/King (actually a minor Lord or Tribune at start of the campaign) two sub-commanders and one champion.
A Saxon force will be made up of a dozen Gedriht or Elites, and eighteen Duguth or Geoguth, or Warriors. They will have Warlord/King plus two sub-commanders and one Champion.
As the campaign progresses you'll see that force expand gradually. For example Cyddic's win on Tuesday night means that he can add a couple of volunteer warriors to his force for next week. You can also get mercenaries involved, up to a dozen from early on. Basically it allows you to build up a force at a graceful pace and get some cracking games while you're doing it. I found that to be a fun and motivating way to build up my Sharp Practice collection, start small and then a few more figures for each game. It makes it achievable even for a slow (and rubbish) painter like me.
Ultimately I see Dux Brit running up to the point where your Lord or Tribune has secured his Kingdom and beaten his foe. After that we'll produce a set of battle rules to allow him to go on and become a major figure in larger battles where we introduce figure ratios, so maybe the six figures will be sixty men rather than just six.
Price is always an interesting one. I used to have a very definite policy of producing rules as cheaply as possible to allow as many people as possible access to them. Sharp Practice is a case in point, it's got a good quality 300gsm cover in full colour, but the rules themselves are black and white with some pen and ink line drawings. We sell them for £12, so about $19 US. However we cannot get our rules reviewed in the glossy hobby magazines unless we produce our rules in full colour, so we are having to respond to that.
Personally I think it is slightly crazy; rule are rules whether they are in colour or not, but I must admit that producing rules in colour does allow me to give better illustrated examples of games in play, and that does help players trying to learn a new game. Of course that does mean that the cost of printing shoots up signifcantly, so you are unlikely to get full colour rules these days for less than £20 (which is what I Ain't Been Shot Mum retail for, and they are undoubtedly much cheaper than most comparably produced rule sets), so that's ust over thirty bucks US.
I'd be interested to know what people think is a fair and reasonable price for a set of rules, say sixty-odd pages in full colour. Although I can't promise to live up (or down) to your expectations! ;D
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I wouldn't know where to start in pricing up a set of rules, as the cost is in proportion to their value to me. A good set of rules, well presented and ultimately giving a good game, is easily as valuable as one which is filled with period fluff, 'how to paint' and other stuff that pads out the page count to the 150-200 pages region, but doesn't actually add that much to the game itself.
As we're talking £25-£30 for that style of rule book, in hard cover (and sometimes not), which Amazon usually reduce to around £15-£20, and contrast it to the Osprey 'Men at Arms' series (which are largely b&w still) at around 40 pages for £9.99 (£6-ish from Amazon), we're talking £10 at least. 'Dux Bellorum' is 64 pages and is priced at £11.50 (£8.50 Amazon) and is unlikely to be in full colour... I'd probably say there's your benchmark purely on face value. 'SAGA' is £25 for 76 pages, full colour but soft binding, and 4 'Battleboards' and I've seen it mentioned in reviews that it is over-priced. I don't have it so I can't comment on that, but where there's folk willing to say it out loud, then there's a lot more whinging in the background.
The game sounds my cup of tea though and I'm liking what I'm reading so far. I'm presuming that replacing losses amongst your 'elites' etc will be a lot more difficult than replacing them with standard warriors, hence the high initial count (in my opinion anyway)? This isn't a big deal as I've yet to come across a TFL product which is carved in stone... I'm just curious.
:)
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I guess I'm just a cheapskate when It comes to rules! $40 for a set of minis I wanted wouldn't bother me in the slightest, but I balk at paying that for a book, seven when it looks as good as this.
Time to re-evaluate! I' m in! Itching to get my hands on these rules. Even reading my Warlord Chronicles again to get in the right mood! :)
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Update!
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/
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Looking forward to buying a copy and seeing what's what 8).
Darrell.
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I'm interested ;) And so are my Picts :D
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My Saxons are busy gathering their strength and building on their land ceded by their former Roman paymasters.
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I'm very interested in this and a friend has some Arthurian-Romano-Brit-Whatchamacalits already painted. Who should I be looking at for evil Saxon baddie types in 28mm?
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I'm very interested in this and a friend has some Arthurian-Romano-Brit-Whatchamacalits already painted. Who should I be looking at for evil Saxon baddie types in 28mm?
Gripping Beast and Musketeer should fit the bill nicely!
(http://displacedminiatures.com/images/2.img.1269997682P3300296e.jpg)
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Thanks. I have a load of GB Normans and I like their style. I haven't seen any of the Musketeer stuff, but I'll check them out also.
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I love this period.
Add me too, in being interested in your rules.
I like the look of your battles that you have posted.
Will be bring out my figures to have them march forth to battle.
One question, I see that most of your figures are mounted on single bases.
Will it make a difference if there are more than one figure on a base?
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This is a period I would like to wargame... probably at a skirmish level to begin with, but some larger games look like a lot of fun!
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My PMC games buildings arrived today - now for either the Lardies rules or Dux Bellorum!!
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This is a period I would like to wargame... probably at a skirmish level to begin with, but some larger games look like a lot of fun!
This is the appeal of this to me, your forces increase progressively from the 40 figure starting point. Even I could paint 40 figures up... maybe.
;)
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I have also been eyeing off a box of the Gripping Beast plastic Thengs.
Are these too late for the Saxon advent and other Romano-British scuffles towards the end of the 5th century?
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I have also been eyeing off a box of the Gripping Beast plastic Thengs.
Are these too late for the Saxon advent and other Romano-British scuffles towards the end of the 5th century?
Too late, yes. Good for SAGA though!
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I have also been eyeing off a box of the Gripping Beast plastic Thengs.
Are these too late for the Saxon advent and other Romano-British scuffles towards the end of the 5th century?
Well, as LeadAsbestos says, in theory they are too late, but if you were to stand over a wargame table with those facing off against my Romano-British, I would not worry in the slightest...
Most Saga players also use GB Welsh, which are 6th/7th Century when playing against 11th Century Vikings and Normans and nobody really cares about that... :)
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It depends on how accurate you want to be, or how anal your opponent is. Viking 'spectacle' helms, or Norman style conical helmets and 'Danish axes' might look out of place, but otherwise I wouldn't think they would look that different from their earlier counterparts.
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I've got a few Franks in my Vikings that sub for Saxons in my WAB Age of Arthur armies :D, so I agree heartily about not caring too much, but the man asked if they were the wrong era, so yes is the answer!
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So, wrong era: yes. Will I still buy them? Most probably :D Thanks for the help guys! Maybe some weapon/head swaps are in order?
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Having had a look at them here (http://www.grippingbeast.com/webpage.php?PageID=94), I'd say that you could use most of them. You could of course just set your games outside of that period and the problems disappear.
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I think that some of the bottom end Levy would probably look pretty much the same in 900 as they do in 450. The actual warriors less so, but essentially it's a load of hairy blokes with a stick and a shield.
Rich
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Thanks a lot for the assistance everyone. I've just ordered about 20 Romano-British to get started. Definitely not enough for a game lol but really keen to see how the Dark Age rules pan out. Furt (and others) can't stop raving about Sharpe's Practice, so I'm quite excited about the whole thing really.
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Hi Chaps
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/X8.jpg)
Another update here: http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=843 (http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=843)
It's been really interesting developing rules where non-ranged weapons dominate, this close-up and personal type of combat really needs some careful balancing in order to get the right feel and game balance. I've been dwelling on this for a while now and drew up some amendments a couple of weeks ago but not able to get a game since then, so it was great to wheel them out yetserday and get exactly the result I was looking for.
While we're on the subject of the Dark Ages, Matt Slade of Glenbrook Games have painted up some really nice "raiders" for me. In the campaign set up the main forces are Romano-British and Saxon (albeit your contingent will vary depending where you are located) but the Irish, Scotti and Picts make walk on appearances as raiders out for loot and fun. Anyway, Matt has done a great job which you can see here: http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=831 (http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=831)
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Scotti-1.jpg)
Cheers
Rich
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Ah... Tar son of Adam, or Tar Mac Adam as it would be written in his own tongue. ;)
Nice to see these progressing! :)
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You may care to note that the bloke on the left has some lucky heather at his feet..
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Lucky for who? Certainly not the first chap those lot run into. :)
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A really good battle report, I enjoyed it very much. Going back to your post on starting forces, how will army composition work? Are there points by which pitched battles are held or is there scope for "Force on Force"-style assymteric battles?
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Looks promising 8)
I've got some Arthur figures in a box somewhere, just enough for a large skirmish as well :)
cheers
James
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Christian
The rules won't have a point system as they are based around a campaign system which will generate the scenarios and dictate the forces you have. Your forces will depend on the senario and whether you wish to hire foderati (mercenaries) to supplement your force. That will cost you money and reduce the status of your victories, there by reducing the benefits you get from them.
As you go through the campaign you'll find that victories bring new followers, wealth and influence. Ultimately you are looking to protect your kingdom and beyond that become recognised as the Dux Brittaniarum, the Duke of the Britons (hence the neam of the rules), or the Bretwalda, the main Saxon war leader.
We'll have our starter army packs on sale within the week, which we're excited about.
Arelquin - wise words! They look a tough lot to me. ;)
Rich
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That sounds really interesting! I can't wait to find out more.
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That sounds really interesting! I can't wait to find out more.
Agreed! I'm ready to buy!
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Bleeding hell just sold off my Viking, Saxon, Scots Pict and Romano British armies and first Saga and now these :'(
They sound a good set of rules :D
Could the my Celtos warriors head out this way :D
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Could the my Celtos warriors head out this way :D
Exactly! I thought SAGA would be good for them, but this looks even more like what I was looking for to do some Tain style cattle-raiding.
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Funnily enough I am just working on the cattle raiding rules now.
The campaign starts off with the Saxon leader attempting to gain status and followers by proving his mettle, and much of that is based around successful raiding and "wealth creation" by nicking it from the Britons. Only when he has built up a bit of a reputation can he seek to carve out a Kingdom.
Rich
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Those starter armies look like a great way to dive in!
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I appreciate that in a set-piece campaign it works to have a Saxon 'attacker' versus a British 'Defender', but I presume in the wider context that the same process can be followed for a British (or Irish) leader? They hardly sat around twiddling their thumbs waiting for Saxons to make their way to their land before doing anything exciting... barring the fornication, incest and other 'naughtyness' they are accused of that is..
I'll throw some Gildas at you...
"For it has always been a custom with our nation, as it is at present, to be impotent in repelling foreign foes, but bold and invincible in raising civil war..."
"Why do you raise so great a war as well against men as also against God himself, against men, yes, thy own countrymen..."
Then of course you have the Angles/Saxons who fought Angles/Saxons.
Sure though... Reputation and having wealth to pass out amongst the lads is the way to become a Warlord. To me that is the essence of what it is all about.
I see that there are two types of conceivable player, the wannabe Warlord (whatever his origins - Briton or 'Saxon') and the 'Defender of the People' - the schmuck who either sought, or was landed with, the job of defending a settlement and its hinterland and is probably answerable to a civilian oversight committee of sorts. This seems to be all borne out by the blog reports and notes, so it's all good.
I'm quite looking forwards to all this and so far it all looks spot on, but I do get on my high horsa about solid divides between Briton and Saxon. ::)
;)
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but I do get on my high horsa about solid divides between Briton and Saxon
Nice one Centurion lol
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Arlequin
Oh yes. If I am playing a British King or Warlord have vanquished the Saxons for a half decent period of time, then there is nothing to stop me invading my neighbouring British Kingdom. And indeed the Irish doing the same. There's plenty of room for that sort of thing.
Rich
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Awesome... get on with it then and get them out. :D
Nice one Centurion lol
Thanks, I write all my own material you know... :)
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Although essentially a fictional narrative, Cornwell's Arthur series does go into the conflicts between the Christian and Pagan kingdoms within Britain itself, as well as your typical political skullduggery culminating in raids and border skirmishes. I'm really happy that you've made room for this type of internecine confict in the game.
I would love to play scenario based on the Brythonic diaspora into Gallaecia, with a dramatic defensive retreat from Saxon or Irish forces as civilians are herded into ships to sail into new lands.
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I would love to play scenario based on the Brythonic diaspora into Gallaecia, with a dramatic defensive retreat from Saxon or Irish forces as civilians are herded into ships to sail into new lands.
Lardy Rules are quite malleable, so a Botany Bay setting is possible I'd imagine... ;)
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Singing tu-ra-lai, tu-ra-lai-addity...
Whoops, wrong forum!
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A bit more Dark Age excitement for you to see on Lard Island News.
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=860
(http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/A4.jpg)
The rules are coming on apace now, largely thanks to the army of playtesters we have around the world who have been coming back with their ideas and suggestions. We've also just launched our starter armies using the superb Gripping Beast figures, but more on that another day.
Cheers
Rich
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Good battle report! My Romano-Britsh army is very eagerly awaiting the release of your rules and every new post on your blog further reduces my patience level... ;)
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Likewise... the first of my warband came this morning, just waiting on the rest... and the rules >:(
;)
I'm sure they will be worth the wait. :)
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This is really tempting me to get into Early Darkage Briton.
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I'll be picking up some models for this over the coming months, in anticipation of the rules being published. I've been reading around this period for years and have resisted gaming it until now. I like the idea of small actions with 20-30 model per side and these rules appear ideal for that.
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Another great battlereport.
Had me on the edge of my seat.
Really looking forward to the rules.
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And there's more!
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=878
Wonderful title lol, though it will lost on the younger folk no doubt.
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You'd almost have expected it to be an attack on a convoy carrying pig-iron on the Via Rock Island ... ;)
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You'd almost have expected it to be an attack on a convoy carrying pig-iron on the Via Rock Island ... ;)
The best place for the attack would where it goes through the Cumberland Gap :)
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That was a fantastic battle report! Very excited about the next installment.
How will you handle Druids and other spiritual leaders?
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I just finished reading one great battle report.
Now another neat report. Good job, guys.
The Gods must be smiling on us.
But some would say the sheep had something to do with it. lol
Really waiting for the rules.
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That was a fantastic battle report! Very excited about the next installment.
How will you handle Druids and other spiritual leaders?
I 2nd this question.
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I would have thought Druids were more Celtic period, by the age of the Saxon Shore, Christianity was the stronger leaning. The Norse brought in their own Gods but became Christian as well.
I 2nd this question.
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You are correct Mr Poirer50, but there would have still been small hold outs of the old pagan ways. Just look at how differently christian is practiced all over europe and you will still see pagan roots to allot of old traditions.
And don't forget about Merlin :D
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A good point, Pete! Even so, will Priests and such have any role to play in games of DB? (Aside from an objective, but that would extend to any type of non-combatant)
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The Druid thing is problematic as the whole Merlin thing is a complete load of mumbo-jumbo courtesy of Geoffrey of Monmouth and more recently embelished by writers of fiction such as Bernard Cornwell. In truth the Britons were predominatly Christian by the time that we're talking about here, and had been so for some considerable time. Prior to that the Gods worshiped had largely been Roman or local deities incorporated into a Roman context.
However, having said that, religious characters, Christian or Pagan are included in the campaign system. Early on your Romano-British leader is most likely to come into contact with a local Priest when defending his church against a Saxon raid. If he does so successfully he will find that the Priest becomes a useful character who can assist him when calling for divine intervention prior to a battle. Indeed there is a chance that he could have a vision which provides a selection of what are essentially "ruses" that you can use in a battle.
For the Saxons their chiefs normally fulfilled the function of religious leaders, however as they progress in their career they can attract several NPCs to assist them based largely on their status and how impressive a reputation they develop. One of these characters is a Wicca (pronounced Vizza, which is where we get the word Wizzard) who is a significant Pagan shaman. The Romano-British King would attract a Bishop in the same fashion. These fellows have even more pull with the head honcho in the sky and also attract a degree of income. Above them is the Saint or the Pagan High Priest. In those days you didn't have to be dead to be a Saint. You could be, to use the terminology, "A citizen of Heaven whose body dwells on earth". This is where your Merlin figure would fit in. As well as their presence lifting your team and striking fear into the hearts of the enemy, they also gain a significant financial advantage as lots of pilgrims will be coming to your neck of the woods.
I should point out that the rules do not include magic as I am attempting to take an historical approach. However I have studied a good range of mediaeval Miracles associated with military actions and one cannot help but be impressed by the fact that if a Bishop comes running out saying "Look, I have found the Holy Lance which pierced the side of our Lord", people didn't shout "Shut up you old loon, you are clearly a utter charlatan" they were actually impressed and it encouraged them to fight harder. Likewise, if the Bishop says "I saw an angel in the night and it told me that the way through the forest is down that road there" all that matters is whether that is indeed the way through the forest. The fact that he probably got that information while rodgering the chambermaid before breakfast, a local girl who knows the area, isn't that important. His followers believe they have been blessed by God, and that is what I have tried to model. Think the Allelujah battle and St Germanus. A miracle? I think not, just an "ambush" that caught the Saxons on the hop and gave them a nasty shock, so they went home.
As a norm Priests will not fight in the battle, they'd just be there for the pre-battle warm up to get the team going. Saints and High Priests will, however, scare the enemy a bit by their presence. That said, there will be the odd Friar Tuck type of religious leader who is happy to get stuck in in the front row of the scrum.
Oh, and NO WAR DOGS. Pure fantastical rubbish and I am not going there! :D
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Whoops, I forgot to mention that you'll get "reiics" and their pagan equivalent, which will impress your peasants.
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And for just that reason I have been collecting various priestly or Bishop like figures although some are more Medieval than Dark Ages. I think the Foundry Jolly Monks are a lovely set of figures and I even got a Nun or Abbess in a recent pick up from Dave Thomas (the only way to buy Foundry IMHO).
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That was exactly what I wanted to know! Thank you :)
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Yes, I must admit that a few God-botherers on the side-lines do look good. I like the idea of a Battle of Cair Ligion, or Chester if we're going all Saxon, in 615 where the British clergy lined up praying while the battle went on. Some Saxons noticed them and went over and topped the lot! Daft buggers.
I have a very nice Foundry Monk with a barrel under his arm who dispenses the beverages should a stirrup cup be required to get the lads in the mood before kick off.
Christian - Glad I could help.
Cheers
Rich
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Sounds good to me, I was expecting them to be hurlying fireballs or any thing crazy like that. lol
Just good to know that religion will be taken into account.
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I dont think you can go wrong with adding in a bit of the Bernard Cornwell Derfel type Druid remnants :D
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Sound stuff re. the religious bits Rich.
Looking forward to seeing the cavalry introduced in your next write up.
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That works for me... the belief in magic/religion is sometimes the same as there being some.
As far as British pagans go, the type of Christianity practised by the Britons would be very different to what we are familiar with and in some cases indistinguishable from some of the pagan rites for native deities. Old gods were made saints and their practices continued, while churches were built within pre-existing sacred groves etc. There are a number of churches in Shropshire, Herefordshire and elsewhere, which have original pagan depictions of the goddess Sheela-na-gig (http://www.sheelanagig.org/index.html#http://www.sheelanagig.org/sheelakilpeck.htm) incorporated into their door arches, which post-date this period.
The 'religious war' between the Roman church and the British churches wasn't just about when Easter was celebrated you know. ;)
Nevertheless, whichever you favour, the effects would be the same as people of the time were quite superstitious. If your priest/wicca/wiglera/dryw/derwydd/wise one, told you the omens were good and had some skill at doing so, then it had a positive effect. Likewise the reputation of your 'holy person' would also grow and before long, knowing that Myrddin son of Scrote was with your enemy, would have a negative effect on your army.
I'm really liking the thought that appears to be going into these rules though and of course the chance to join in the discussion. :)