Marcos took a glimps at his forces. They appeared to be meager comparing to the barbarian hordes. His proud Emperor had dream of reviving the full glory of the Empire. Yet it was invain dream from bygone era. Now it clear that others will shape the world and the best Marcos could do is to play at least some role in it. Anglo-Danish quarrel was intense. One of their, so called kings had rebelled and allied himself with Scotish barbarians. The other, legimiate one, searched for support from the civilised world. And Marcos was leading the force to support the kings claim and, perhpas, spread the influence of Constantinopole beyond its borders...
Another batle of SAGA from the Epic serie. This time Anglo-Danes supported by Last Romans faced Scots and Anglo-Danish traitors. Mainly footman in both armies, so typically for this era. The only horseman were Byzantine HG and Breton light cavalry. Of course all of the armies hired mercenaries, next to mentioned Bretons stood: Flemish, Vagrants, Gael-Ghedils.
In the pictures above both armies in their initial battleline. Each side used as much of the cover as possible, so he terrain achieved was rocky, with some ruins and wood areas. With the huge plain in the very centre.
Scots placed their armies on the right wing with Vagrant warriors starting the line. Anglo-Danish alliance did similar, also on the righ there were Vagrants. That all meant that Romans will need to face Scots while Anglodanes fight each other. Fair enough.
After the first turn not much has happened. Limited Saga dice (2 per each band) make anything beyond maveouvers almost impossible.
Second round has seen some action but to a limited degree. However Vagrants on our side made a very bold move and positions themselves near their opponents. Fatigue markers make them unusually strong - and their opponents soon were going to test that.
Scots did not remain idle. To some surprise of ill-prepared Romans, they charged the very center of Roman line, causing tons of fatigue and making our left cramble. Major mistake on our side - we should have anticipated that...
Luckily at the same time our bold Vagrants repelled Danish HG and Warriors who charged them. Also suffered some shooting, but with a single loss only! This unit gets crazy good once receives Resilient, thanks to Epic Games Rules.
As can be seen below - center largly remained idle, except some pretty efficient shooting.
During he Round 4 some major encounters took place. With some successes on both sides and some exceptional performances by certain units.
Above there is a unit of Scotish HG who chased after bowmen. They survived major assault by Anglo-Danish HG, Warriors and main Army Commander... And they suffered a single casualty only!
Another siginifant melee took place on our right - Vagrants did some great job, but even they can not win against Dice Gods. Not lucky enought to take down opponents chieftain, suffered counter by warriors and suffered badly. Still remained in the game.
Romans got a support of Breton cavalry and countered. Enemy was repelled but far from broken. Both sides suffered significant losses. Vagrants in the service of Scotts were reduced, so as Scottish warriors. But none reduced to zero. Roman slingers got charged by Scottish HG, yet stil survived. So as the last single warrior-bowmen from the unit of twelve.
The next round would probably result in some demoralisation and either side. But after more than 5h we decided to check how many Saga dice each side generates and decide on the result in that way. A close call - by single point Anglo-Danes+Romans defeated Scotts+Anglo-Danes.
Who would actually win if we could fight to the very end? I would bet on Scotts, to be honest.
The game gives a lot of satisfaction - many options, many strategies and minor quarrels between allies when try to agree on best course of actions add an extra flavor to the game. Tiring, yet rewarding and satisfactory.