It’s not easy being green – even if you are riding a big flying thingy!!!
Darkness loomed over the village but not a cloud was to be seen in the sky. Suddenly the air rang with a blood curdling screech as a huge creature swooped on the village.
In the distance could be heard the rhythmic beating of war drums and the clanging of swords on shields.
Warwakka Rozgox was back this time riding the feared dragon Radgath the Red. Towering above the hills Baxnar the giant could be seen, the thump, thump, thump of his footsteps causing the very earth to shake.
And what was that stench? Surely not trolls as well?
The villagers were cowering in their huts when a tottery, war-weary old man produced a handful of bones and rolled the runes. Studying them intently he stood up and took a horn from his cloak.
The most miraculous of sounds rent the air. Immediately the noise of the approaching army ceased. Hoping beyond all hope the villagers were soon plunged into utter dispair as the screech of Radgath the Red rent the air, and the din of the approaching army began once more.
No sooner had this happened and the roar of Warwakka Rozgox’s hoard was matched by one of its own.
The runes were indeed correct the war-horn of Thor had been answered!!
He was not alone.
Joining the villages was not only the God himself but Midr the Valkyrie, Jolbrug the frost giant and a tribe of snow trolls. The day would only end with Thor or Warwakka Rozgox still alive.
Surely, with the God on their side, the humble peasants would yet survive this day……………
With this the Dragon Rampart wargame had begun.
On one side was the Orc army of Andrew W, consisting of Warwakka riding a dragon (flying mounted Men-At-Arms), two trolls and a giant (foot Men-At-Arms), two units of Orcs (Foot Sergeants), and some Orc archers.
Facing the Orcs was the Viking villagers “with a little help from there friends” from the “Norwegian woods”.
David K’s army consisted of Thor (Mounted Men-At-Arms), Midr the Valkyrie and Jolbrugh the Frost Giant (Foot Men-At-Arms), a tribe of Snow Trolls (Foot Sergeants), the village Huscarles (Foot Men-At-Arms) and the villagers (Foot Sergeants).
In the “strawberry fields” (no more I promise) the battle commenced.
Thor demanded the prime position on the armies right and immediately began the battle by charging the two trolls. Despite doing damage to the trolls David K decided that because victory would be determined by the army who killed the opposing general he should withdraw Thor from the frontline.
Jolbrugh made short work of the Orc archers turning them into frozen sculptures.
The meddlesome trolls were soon despatched by the Village huscarles and the battle began to look over for Warwakka Rozgox as his army was under pressure on all flanks.
Having successfully fought off the Village Huscarles, the Orc Sergeants starting bickering amongst themselves (failed their bravery test), and retreated. Gork and Mork were not amused and deserted the sergeants as they failed another bravery test and routed off the board.
With jibes from the game master, David S, about one player being a God and the other riding a dragon both commanders were still allowing their lesser mortals to do all of the fighting.
With first Midr and then the Snow Trolls fleeing the battlefield the game was gradually being clawed back by Warwakka Rozgox.
With only Baxnar and himself left Warwakka Rozgox attacked. Although fighting off successive attacks from the Villagers and Jolbrugh both he and Radgath the Red were almost spent.
Jolbrugh should have heeded JR Tolkein -“Never laugh at live dragons”.
Thor, seizing the moment, charged and finished of both Warwakka Rozgox and Radgath the Red.
A great game was had by all further confirming our “love affair” with Dan Mersey’s rules.
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
Neil Gaiman.
