Battle of Cymrych - more Waelstowe solo play

[Athelstane57]

After a debacle in Scandinavia, when Alfred had tried to help Ragnar Lodbrok against his rebellious sons, the King of Wessex decided to focus on expanding his influence in Britain.  Owein, one of Hyffaid of Dyfed’s many sons, had come to Winchester and sought Alfred’s help in ousting his own father.  Alfred readily agreed, though his confessor and aide, Asser, himself a Welshmen, cautioned against such a move.

Alfred, Wulfhere and Edwin marched into Wales.  They met Hyffaid’s army at a ford of the river Crymych.  Alfred was confident, he had beaten the Welsh many times before, although his confidence was reduced when the night before Owen went back to his father.  Asser was full of pessimism as well, as he was sure that God would forsake Alfred this day as punishment for helping  the pagan Ragnar.

On the other side of the ford were arrayed the motley forces of Hyffaid along with his vassals, Gwir and Petroc.


Wulfhere occupies hills opposite Petroc


A ray of early morning sun accompanies Edwin advance. He, Alfred, and Wulfhere had decided they would take the battle to the Welsh and force them back to the river.



Gwir urges his men forward to confront Alfred. In the struggle Alfred’s warriors just about get the better of the Welshmen, but Gwir almost alone, holds up the Saxons at the edge of the wood.



On Alfred’s right Wulfhere and Petroc fight. Wulfhere is seriously injured and lets go his sword.   After a struggle, Wulfhere’s men flee and Petroc cuts down Wulfhere, abandoned by all his men.
 

As the day draws on, Hyffaid’s men get the better of a fierce struggle and Edwin’s men begin to edge back.  The ghostly form of a Welsh spirit, seeking Saxon blood, can be seen appearing from the woods.

[Athelstane57]

The sun finally began to set on that bloody field by the river Crymych.  Thanks to Gwir’s heroics, Alfred had barely got beyond his own camp. He had failed miserably to achieve his goal, which had been ‘Onslaught’ -  getting more Heroes in the opponent’s half. 

Fortunately, the Welsh were no nearer any of the other possible goals either - both sides had lost one Hero, the Welsh had no booty and both sides had seen the loss of 3 Kinsmen.  The last Hero to be the Focus (Activate) was Hyffaid.

He healed his wounds and waded in against Edwin and his exhausted and battered men.  Edwin was injured and one of his Kinsmen had already been felled.  Hyffaid cut down the last of Edwin’s brave Kinsmen. 

Hyffaid cuts down Edwin's last Kinsman

Then I turned over card for the Welsh goal, it was Slaughter’ - fell more Kinsmen than you had lost!!!  The Welsh had met their goal and the field was theirs


The cards had broken badly for me, in fairness.  The Welsh Heroes activated first, before mine could get moving.

I was also once more hampered by focussing too much on getting Glory for King Alfred’ - he has to survive the battle with no Kinsmen felled.  Too often Alfred’s warriors bore the brunt of the Welsh attacks and the English shieldwall was all too quickly broken.  Had I used my Kinsmen to take some hits, rather than letting the Warriors suffer, I might have won. 

Also, in hindsight, Alfred wasted a whole Focus, praying, he should have been marching foward towards.  Even when I asked Asser to help (I could reroll two dice when praying as he is a Priest), not a prayer was answered.    I wonder if this was because of his sympathies for the Welsh or because, despite his advice, I had helped the pagan Ragnar?

[Athelstane57]

For some reason the photos that I linked to went invisible?

[Basementboy]

Happens to the best of us! I’m sure you’ll figure it out, technology is a right chucklehead sometimes sounds like a cracking game all the same!

[trev]

Nice armies and report.  I can see the pictures now.

[Vagabond]

It's always good to see a game report. Looks like a hard fought battle.
Cheers

[macsen wledig]

nice report. I may try these rules as I love grids, dark ages and messing about with figures 

[Dean]

Great stuff and sounds like you had some fun, which is the main thing!