It's been a while so Arwen and I decided to get another game of Saga in. She took her Irish (easy choice for her only having the one faction) and I decided on my Vikings this time. She set up the table while I was at work and we decided just to play the standard Kill the Warchief scenario.
The Vikings while late to get their battle line set were the first to get rolling across the battlefield, with an even advance toward the Irish lines. The Irishmen then began to head toward the Norse line with warriors on both flanks hurling javelins as the surged forward though only a single warrior fell to their cowardly javelins. Meanwhile the Irish Houndmaster distracted by the baying on his charges mistakenly coursed them forward into a solid block of Viking Hirdmen who quite quickly and efficiently took out most of the dogs.
A certain capricious Norse god showed his presence on the battlefield as the remaining Irish wolfhounds disappeared from the battlefield. While the rest of the line held steady the Viking warriors on the flank charged forward to avenge their fallen comrade and drove the Irish unit back killing a few of the men. Rather than counter charge the Irish chose to hold their line and hurled more javelins across the intervening ground at the Viking's and again their efforts only resulted in a single fallen Norse warrior.
Enraged by the annoyance of the Irish missiles the Viking warriors surged ahead again and again driving the Irish warriors back and then charging in again until finally they stood alone winded but surrounded by bloody corpses. Not learning the lesson just taught on the other flank the Irish warriors once again tried to fell the Vikings from a safe distance and again failing to have any real effect. The overextended Viking warriors were then subjected to multiple charges from the Irish, while they did managed to drive off both of the Curaidh. This forced the Irish warchief to order his hearthguard into combat with the brave men who finally fell to the constant Irish attack, but I'm certain they all found their way to the halls of Valhalla.
Finally running out of patience the Viking warriors on the other flank charge into the Irish, but these men prove to be the equal of the Norsemen and manage to drive off their foes. The Irish take advantage of the relative quiet of the Viking line and take a moment to refresh themselves before throwing themselves back into the fray.
The Norse warriors throw themselves at the Irish defense but are again broken like waves on the rocks by the seemingly giant Irish warriors. Taking heart from their consistent defeat of the Viking warrior unit the Irishmen begin a charge of their own. Only a single Viking man remains on his feet but finally they found their strength and managed to drive back a tattered Irish unit even as they themselves fell.
Loki again worked his magic deciding to honour the remaining man's bravery and prowess and the tattered Irish unit across from him are whisked away. The lone man is called back behind the safety of the Hirdmen line as the Vikings prepare to withdraw from the field. With the light fading the Irish warband decides to attempt to save face for their thus far rather cowardly and poor efforts in the days fighting, though again it falls to the warriors as the warchief and his hearthguard stay as far from the Viking lines as they can and still claim to be on the field. The Irish warriors begin their run across the field hurling javelins dropping a couple of Viking men before smashing into their waiting shieldwall breaking it and driving them back and with a last surge of momentum following it up with a second charge finishing of the Norse unit.
Such a close game with only four victory points between us. Her last ditch gamble in the closing turn definitely rewarded her with the draw and good on her for it. Every time we play her tactics just get better and better. Hopefully we'll get another game in soon.
