THE WAR OF THE GILDED HEARTH
The Cyd-Sîr Federation: A peaceful but stubborn federation of Halfling shires. They are governed by local Sheriffs and led by an elected High Sheriff, Berwyn "The Oak" Bramblewood of Auldshire. The Capital, Caer-Llawen (The Fort of Mirth), is located in the heartland shire of Gwaun-Hearth.
Having fled a brutal civil war, loyalist human survivors from the Kingdom of Nordinglas led by The Princess, Elspeth Hrolfsdottir, have sought refuge with their trading partners in Cyd-Sir. Unwilling to give up her claim to the throne after the mysterious death of her father, Elspeth is pursued by the usurper, Jarl Sigurd Iron-Eye, a ruthless, pragmatic warlord who demands the surrender of the Princess.
When his demands to the Halflings of Cyd-Sir to turn over the Princess get rebuffed, Jarl Sigurd sends his nephew, Eirik "The Wolf-Cub" Sigurdsson, to invade. The Nordinglas invasion force has successfully landed on the coast of Seashire, captured a small fishing village, and fortified it into a base camp. Seeking a deep-water port to land their entire fleet, Jarl Sigurd has dispatched his nephew, Eirik, to capture the strategic port town of Aber-Coch. High Sheriff Berwyn has ordered a scratch force to intercept them at a crucial river crossing on the road to the port where it crosses the Silver run.
To battle!
This is the first battle in my new 28mm fantasy campaign. I am building a large 3D printed Halfling army and Elspeth’s troops are mostly from Bad Squiddo. The Nordinglas invaders are mostly plastic kits that will be supplemented by more 3D prints over time. The first battle uses the Wars of Orcs and Dwarves rules. I may also try my homebrew mod to Hostile Realms, and another dice driven game I have been tinkering with.
View from the Shire side.
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| Elspeth's loyal troops on the left, Shire Halberdiers in reserve behind the hill. |
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| The Nordinglas vanguard arrives. |
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| While a strong flanking force comes under Halfling fire. |
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| Halfling crossbowmen in a strong position protect the center while slingers and pikemen guard the crossing. |
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| A band of Nordinglas warriors is defeated by Elspeth's unarmored shield maidens. |
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| The flanking force is disrupted but making slow progress. |
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| The diversionary attack in the center crosses the stream. |
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| Skirmish battle on the flank. |
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| Armored lancers smash into the Nordsmen! |
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| Routing them with minor casualties. |
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| A second band tries to take the hill but is met with withering crossbow fire. |
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| The flank force is finally across, but will it be too late? |
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| With the center secure, the halflings turn to protect the flank. |
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| Eriik launches a final attack along the road. |
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| Cavalry reposition for a second charge. |
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| Will the short pikemen hold? |
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| They do...sending the Nordsmen packing. |
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| With the vanguard halted for now, Elspeth and the Halfling leaders move south to gather more troops. |
