Sagas - Vikings lose to Anglo-Danes over a farm

Played at Guardian with Kyle. He and his Anglo-Danes and me with my Vikings. Six points and Clash of the Warlords scenario.

The farmers of the stead were busy in the fields while Halfdan and his warriors took to their daily duties. THEN THE ANGLO-DANES CAME!!

Those evil Anglo-Danes coming upon a peaceful Viking immigrant farm from the north, OH NOES!! Viking defenders form up in the foreground, l-r farmhands with slings by the pig pen, Halfdan and his bodyguard, the infamous Val'Serkers who were visiting for the weekend, and 2 units of experienced shield-warriors.

Kyle's ADs moved into the farmer's house with his archers. Warriors moved to the right while the AD Warlord and his 2 retinues (one bristling with hard hitting axes) moved to the left from behind the farmhouse.

Halfdan and his bodyguard shifted left towards the pig-pen while the farmhands climbed into it to calm the pigs and take some cover as the Anglo-Danes were coming at them and arrows were coming from the house. The warriors on the right formed up about the cabbage and berry patch.

The ADs decided to focus their attack at the pig-pen. The farmhands held bravely but finally gave it up. Two of the brave farmhands, Ortlieb and Svar-Dan, doughty and strong of back, died but took an Anglo-Dane axeman with them. A few more fell to arrows.

Halfdan and his Vikings moved in to spill AD blood at the pig-pen. The pigs had all escaped already as the Anglo-Danes not only killed farmhands but vandalized the fence and knocked a chunk down (actually, I did that when I picked it up and put to much pressure on it.... but the Danes did it!). The fight at the pig-pen was furious resulting in pushing the ADs back and on the defensive. The AD warlord lost all his Axemen and the warlord himself moved back to the remaining 4 warriors he had, his remaining forces far to the right squaring off with the Viking shield-men by the cabbage/berry patch.

THEN the Val'Serkers showed up! (a bit late as Kyle had used AD Intimidate to hold them back a round).

 

Kyle had a tough decision and did the unexpected... he  full-attacked with everything he had on my Viking warlord. I, mistakenly, thought he would retreat. His desperate attack paid off and got him a win. He loaded up his board with bonus attack dice and used his Warlord's determination, we obey, and side-by-side. It worked out for him as my warlord could only use 2 of his retinue to take hits.

My loss did not sting as I played it well and had Kyle on the ropes by round 2. He said that he was desperate and it worked out in his favor.

In other news we are looking at holding a regular Saga game day at Guardian Games. This might turn into a regular historical day. Who knows? Not going to push it, just going to go play Saga and let things happen. 

A lot of people came by our table to watch us play. Many questions were asked and answered. There is a lot of interest in Saga. 2 of the guys there have rulebooks and minis already just didn't know there were players.