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"Why are we here, my lord?", Lorendil, Guardian of the White Lions detachment asked.
"Primarily because Lord Commander Tetharion wills it", smiled back Korhil, "but also because the men of the Bretonni cannot be allowed to access the gate stones of the Beacon Tor.
"The Tor has been in ruins since we were last here four millennia ago. What possible risk could there be?", the Guardian retorted.
Korhil looked carefully at his champion, and replied, "Men are a fickle race and a race who are both generous and covetous. The gate stones cannot be moved and Teclis himself says that they cannot be activated, but men are nothing if not unpredictable. Who would have thought that the savages living in the shadow of ancient Athel Loren all those millennia ago would be able to write, let alone be able to work metal or build castles. And yet here they are, with their chivalric duty and their small-minded, territorial attitude. If the gate stones were at risk from anyone it would be from the unknowing grasp of Men".

One of Anith's shadow warrior brethren, appeared. "The Bretonnians are here my lord. They are primarily cavalry, with low quality peasant infantry, as you suspected. They appear to be led by their Duke. Their deployment would suggest a central core with light flanks."
"Very well", Korhil acknowledged, "you should return to your unit".

Turning to Lorendil, he shook his head. "With an echelon formation led by your Lions and Carhandil's Swordmasters we could easily defeat them, possibly even before they had arrayed properly for battle. Our orders however are clear. We defend the Tor as I outlined on our arrival. Prepare your men and inform the other captains."
Lorendil simply nodded, and turned towards the deploying elven army.

Notes on Deployment

A very conventional deployment from the Bretonnians. Yeoman on either flank, with peasant infantry inside. Knights Errant, Grail Knights and Knights of the Realm formed a really solid core in the middle. The High Elves deployed in a typical Elven formation. Each core infantry unit was flanked by an elite infantry and a cavalry detachment. The Chariot and Archers were out on the far flanks and the Great Eagles were ready to step in to block march moves. The Bretonnian deployment was sound, and in another system or against a less focussed High Elf deployment would have been more successful. The key problem with the High Elf deployment was that too little attention was paid to exactly who was opposite what and that made for a bit of a risky battle.

Notes on the Battle

The Bretonnians came on in the good old way and the High Elves jostled a bit to try and improve charge conditions (I told you the deployment had been a bit lackadaisical). Neither Magic phase was telling at any point in the game, and even shooting phases were desultory (the Repeater Bolt Throwers did eliminate a rank of Knights but the damned Blessing of the Lady easily saved as many as were killed). The crunch came when the big unit of Knights of the Realm crashed into my Swordmasters rather than my Spearmen (I told you the deployment had been a bit lackadaisical). A quick challenge from my Swordmaster champion to forestall the slaughter of 4 or 5 Swordmasters from some magical lance that kills everything only just saved the day (although I lost the Blessed Book). My Swordmasters held on with a truly fluky dice roll and that gave us the time we needed to charge flanks with Spearmen and Cavalry. The Elves pushed the Knights back and then chased them down.

In the meantime, I lost a chariot to a poorly timed charge (although it did hold out for a couple of turns and tied up two Bretonnian units). I also lost the Shadow Warriors. We had been taking pot shots ate each others skirmishers for a couple of turns (its not easy killing a skirmisher in cover you know), when suddenly the Bretonnian peasants rushed the difficult ground my Shadow Warriors were holed up in. One short round of combat later and all my Shadow Warriors were dead from a failed rout.

We had to finish off though in turn 4 as time was running out.

Debriefing

Another victory for the Elves (I'm only reporting victories you'll notice). The Duke and his Battle Standard Bearer were both seen off and the Errant Knights and Knights of the Realm with them. I think if the Grail Knights had got into the fray (or when they eventually would have if the game had lasted longer), they might have swung the battle back, but I think my articulation was beginning to tell. I would have probably had the opportunity to prepare for the Grail Knights, so might have been able to hold out for a victory in the end. I think I can also justify my victory by saying that a couple of good leadership tests at the right time allowed my centre to hold. Admittedly a couple of bad leadership tests did put my extreme flanks at risk, but I suppose that balances out.

This was the first time I had used a High Elf army in the manner suggested by all the tactica on the Interweb (I usually have a big magic/shooty army) and it was only the second time Steve had played ever, so the game was a bit of an experiment, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves!

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