‘Orrible Little Men - Medieval

[KarwickWingmaker]

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[KarwickWingmaker]

Battle Report 2 – Old Ned's Farm

After the disastrous events at Wooldale, the Evans family thought to react quickly. Henry Evans, Anthony Evans' son, thought it best to immediately gather supporters in the hope of defeating Richard Firth and releasing his father from captivity.

Richard Firth, feeling confident from his victory, contacted his brother Edward to join their forces together in order to march on the village of Beckmoor, one step closer to the Evans family Manor of Oakhurst Hall.

On the way to Beckmoor was a farm owned by the notorious “Old Ned”. The farm was known to support the Evans family, and there were rumours that it was being used to harbour Evans' men who had fled from the previous battle.

Part One – The Opening Engagement


Henry Evans with his attendant.



Edward Firth, brother to Richard Firth, accompanied by his two attendants.



The printed rules manual for 'Orrible Little Men. The armies in this battle report did not use the army archetype rules found in the rules manual as I was already keeping track of the game as well as the unfolding narrative (and taking the photos!). I used scenario 15: Old Ned's Farm for this battle.



The starting army morale of the two forces, 6 for the Firth forces, and 4 for the Evans forces.



The cannon under Evans' command spots the enemy forces arriving on the horizon.



Old Ned wasn't best pleased to see Firth's men marching toward him on his own land. Behind him you can see Henry Evans, poised to defend his supporter.



Some of Evans' men, a group of men at arms, positioned behind the church to defend one of the objectives while being out of sight of the enemy archers and artillery.



Though it isn't long before the enemy are upon them!



Firth's mounted men at arms move around the other side of the church.



Evans' archers loose upon their enemy.



They kill all but two of the Firth men at arms! Significantly reducing their combat potency.



Now that it is safer for the enemy men at arms to hang back, allowing the billmen to advance, Evans rushes out onto the road to confront Firth's lightly-armoured infantry.



At the same time, the archery duel begins in earnest, with both sides slowly suffering losses.

[KarwickWingmaker]

Part Two – The Melee


Evans' attendant is cut down in the initial charge by the enemy billmen. Though he fights valiantly, Evans is forced back, struggling to parry the attacks coming his way.



The situation becomes desperate for Henry Evans almost immediately.



However, on the other flank, the Firth cavalry charged into Evans' men at arms, suffering two casualties out of their four men. In the panic caused by their ineffective charge, they rout from the field, ignoring Firth's shouted commands (and expletives!).



Old Ned is confronted by the Firth men at arms, he resists (as can be seen in this photo!) but they restrain him.



The Firth and Evans billmen fight fiercely over the fences of Old Ned's farm.



Edward Firth seeks revenge for the routed cavalry. He charges into Evans' men at arms.



Making use of his brother's distraction, Richard Firth captures the objective, some of Old Ned's livestock.



With a cacophonous roar, the Evans artillery rips a hole in the Firth archer formation, causing them to flee the field entirely. Firth's left flank is cleared entirely, severely reducing their force's momentum (and their army morale).



Firth and his men at arms gather together with their captured objectives.



Edward Firth, now confident in his chance for victory, routs the Evans men at arms...



… and marches to the flank of the Evans billmen!



At this point, both sides have 2 army morale points. If either side loses a unit then they will be defeated, it all hangs in the balance!



The Firth billmen rout their enemy. Henry Evans looks on helplessly at the gathering enemy forces before him as his men flee the field all around him. Cursing under his breath, he flees the field, heading for Oakhurst Hall, determined to gathering his forces to rescue his father from Firth's men.


Though their victory was absolute, Firth's forces were significantly bloodied and their leaders elected to head back to Foxleigh Tower with Anthony Evans as their captive, rather than risk his escape.