Recently there has been some mention of the use of MW/AW for solo-gaming. People generally game solo when trying to learn the rules or when scheduling or lack of opponents do not allow for a two-player game. I would like to submit this scenario from the up coming ‘Arthurian Warfare’ booklet. Its basic forces are designed for the fast play version of MW which is available for download from the Saga Publishing web site http:// saga-publishing.com/. The Extras can be added if the player wants a larger battle.

Background

Around the year 429 AD Germanus and Lupus were sent by the Pope to Britannia to turn the Britons away from the Pelagian Heresy that many had come to embrace.

During his visit the Picts and /or Scots (Irish) happened to mount a raid. When the leaders of the territorial army heard that the delegation from the Pope was nearby they requested a visit from them. On arrival, Germanus discovered an army that was unsure of itself. He began to improve their morale by baptizing the soldiers. Constantius, Germanus’ biographer, reports that raiders had learned where the army camp was and how easy it would be to defeat them. At about the same time Briton scouts discovered the raiders' location and the route they were taking. Germanus, an ex-soldier, announced that he would take command and set about re-organizing the army and scouting out a favorable position to meet the raiders for battle. He chose a valley with steep sides and positioned he army at the end of the valley. He passed word that when he gave the signal everyone should shout “Hallelujah” three times.

As the raiders came into view Germanus gave the signal and all the Britons shouted “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!” The raiders surprised that the Britons had moved to meet them were, now dismayed that the whole valley echoed with the Britons battlecry! It was too much for them and they began to run away. Many drowned as they re-crossed the river at the other end of the valley.

Gildus wrote in his Ruin of Britain that: “ Their enemies had been plundering the land for many years; now for the first time they (the Britons) inflicted a massacre on them, trusting not in man, but in God.”

It can easily be argued that this was the battle that never was. As described in the histories and biographies the armies never made contact. This may be because Germanus was an exceptional General or possibly Constantius was exaggerating the danger the Britons were in and the poor quality of the army in order to glorify Germanus’ victory. This does not mean that as wargamers we cannot play ‘what if’ scenarios or change history (this is what half of us try to do anyway). Below are some optional rules for the scenario and ideas that may be useful for solo gamers. If these are not to your taste, change them, as a solo gamer, you are the only person who must enjoy the game. If you have other ideas that will work please send them in to Saga as a letter, article or battle report. Above all enjoy!

St. Germanus’ Alleluia Victory 429 AD Solo Style

Introduction and Background
Order of Battle and Map
Scenario Rules