A Tale of Challenges: Anglo Saxons Vs Vikings

Deployment: The Anglo Saxons have a long shield wall with warriors in the ruins on the left, bowmen and more warriors in the centre, and spear armed levy on the right. Their warlord and a small unit of mounted hearth guard are tucked behind the line. The vikings have two swarms of warriors making up their frontline, with hearth guard, berserkers and the warlord behind. Away out to the right they have a unit of javelin armed levy. 

In this tale of challenges the viking chieftain has claimed he will protect his land by not allowing any enemies to end the game on his half of the board, and sack the homes of his enemies by advancing 3 units to their board edge. The Saxon earl has sworn the invading chieftain will die and that his warriors will draw the first blood.


 Turn 1: The whole saxon line advances cautiously while drifting to the left. Warriors and bowmen move through the ruins whilst the cavalry swing around them. The vikings are similarly cautious but do push their levy forwards on the flank.


Anglo Saxon Turn 2: The Saxon levy are called to arms and dash forwards to drive off their viking counterparts. The thralls prey to Ullr for protection but are thrown back in the crash of shields, and the Saxons claim first blood. The cavalry double back and move up behind the woods on the right.



Viking Turn 2: The berserkers cannot be contained any longer and with the blessings of Frigg and Heimdall they smash into the Saxon lines, intent on entering Valhalla. However these select fyrdmen are proud defenders of the kingdom. They close ranks and endure the frantic storm of sword and axe blows, losing nine of their men, but finally bringing down the savage pagans. 


Anglo Saxon Turn 3: The battered warriors in the centre retire to the rear to lick their wounds, whilst the spear armed levy take advantage of the brief truce to discard a fatigue. Called to arms once again they cut down more of the thralls, leaving the vikings with only four saga dice.


Viking Turn 3: The viking warriors pounce on the exposed fyrdmen, bringing all the fury of men who know either victory or Valhalla awaits them. Closing ranks behind their overlapping shields, the brave levy weather the storm and repel their attackers!


Anglo Saxon Turn 4: With valiant hearts the levy immediately counter attack, whittling down the viking warriors and denying them another saga dice.


Viking Turn 4: Embodying Heimdall's vigilance, the hearth guard charge out to finally slaughter the exposed and exhausted Saxon levy.


Anglo Saxon Turn 5: With horns wildly blowing the Saxon cavalry smash into the viking hearth guard. In tightly closed ranks they charge, and in the bitter melee overcome their foemen. Meanwhile the archers and remaining warriors advance in unison out of the ruins, daring the raiders to face them in the open.


Viking Turn 5: In a desperate final gamble the viking bondi charge. The fyrdmen close ranks and harden their hearts, knowing there can be no surrender. In a hard fought contest the bondi are repulsed. At the end of the game the Saxons have failed to kill the enemy warlord. But they can hold their heads high claiming the first blood. The viking chieftain has failed to endanger the homes of the Saxons, and now his own land and line of retreat are threatened. Saxons win!





Viking turn 3














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