Part 2 – The Welsh Escort

This little bard has now completed singing for his master and is free to finalise the sad, sad tale of Cunedda Wledig.

CuneddaWledig leading his men to battle.

With most of his closest supporters dead Cunedda Wledig was only able to lead an army of warriors into battle, most however were mounted and able to attack quickly.

The battle commenced with the Welsh forces rushing forward to threaten and press the Irish heroes.  They advanced on three fronts dividing the wagons and their escorts across the three open pathways across the battlefield.

Undeterred the Irish attacked. The Welsh right was the least defended and a Curadh and Rudraige mac Delacharged towards the Priodaur escorts.  A short and bloody engagement left the Curadh and the bulk of the Priodaur slain. Rudraige mac Dela attacked, and making short work of the rest of the Priodaur, stood face to face with the wagoners. Bravely the wagoners charged but to no avail – the wagon was left in ruins.

The Irish were well on their way to a second victory.

In the centre, still wary from the tales of mysterious ghosts attacking from the forest; both the Welsh mounted and dismounted Priodaur advanced, “supported” to their rear by another wagon and none other CuneddaWledig himself. Charged by the Irish mounted Fianna the Welsh cavalry fled leaving their foot companions outflanked and out-numbered.

The brave but foolish CuneddaWledig advanced to provide assistance but was showered with a storm of javelins from the Irish Bonnachts. When the skies cleared Cunedda Wledig lay dead, a pincushion for Irish javelins. The use of “Eagle Eye”, “Bansidh Whispers”, and “Fir Bolg” in conjunction with each other certainly sealed his fate.

Whilst this was happening, on the left flank, the “Sons of Dana” again attacked from the shadows causing several of the Priodaur guarding the left most wagon to flee. A subsequent charge by the Irish Wolfhounds caused the remainder to flee, leaving the wagon in front of one of the mighty Irish Curadh. A brief charge by the Irish champion saw a second wagon in tatters.

With two of the wagons destroyed, CuneddaWledig slain,and only a few Welsh Priodaur alive; the battle was all but over. For the second time there was much feasting in the halls of Rudraige mac Dela.

The warlords are rampaging again across the peaceful Isle with the Welsh forces of David K up against the Irish of David S in the Escort scenario.

David K’s Welsh were lead by his Warlord “Cunedda Wledig”

The rest of his contingent consisted of two Teulu (Hearthguard) and two Priodaur (Warriors).

The Irish of David S consisted of his mighty Warlord “Rudraige mac Dela”.

The balance of the Irish was a unit of 6 mounted Fianna (Hearthguard), 2 Curaidh on foot, a unit of 7 Irish (of course) Wolfhounds and their handler (warriors), and a unit of Bonnachts (warriors).

The scenario required the escorting force to move the wagons from one long table edge to the other.

The battle began with Rudraige mac Dela attacking down his left flank with the wagons protected by his mighty warriors.

First the mysterious ghosts – the”Sons of Dana” attacked from the forest causing three warriors to run.One of the Curadh then launched Bersek like into the foreign invaders hearthguard killing two and causing the others to run. The chaos continued as Irish Wolfhounds charged into the forest smashing through another warrior unit.

With Rudraige mac Dela cowering behind a little cottage with the warriors that had been scared off by the “Sons of Dana” there was only one unit fully functional in the Welsh army. These brave Hearth guard attacked the mighty Irish Wolfhounds in the forest and although there was only the pack master left alive not a  single Hearth guard survived the fight.The Welsh canine fighting bravely to the end.

With virtually no troops left to attack the wagons, the Welsh chief, Rudraige mac Dela, fled the battlefield leaving the spoils of war to the Irish, who feasted hard long into the night.

With the battle ending so quickly Rudraige mac Dela decided to return this time with a mounted contingent escorting his own wagon train (code for we had time for another game), but the telling will have to wait another time as this bard needs to get to work.

The two Dave’s had a 4 point game of Saga.

Dave K had a Viking army consisting of Warlord, Hearthguard, Berserkers, Bondi Warriors, and Levy Archers.

David S had a Scottish army with Warlord, 2 Hearthguard, and 2 warriors. The scenario was a clash of Warlords.

The Viking Horde (Levy don’t deserve to be photographed!).

Scottish warriors charging the viking line.

After a quick and bloody encounter the two warlords faced off, with Angus McBurgus lopping the head of his Viking opponent.

Angus McBurgus and his Hearthguard.