After a six months' hiatus, we finally got back in action at Den Leventhal's place for a high Dark Ages bash using the Medieval Warfare rule system. Perry Boulter took command of a large force of Khazars, and Ted Bogan was CiC of a horde of Alans, both being primarily horse-warrior armies. Using Den's foldout ping-pong table in a screened porch environment along the banks of the upper Chester River, the miniature battlefield replicated a vast plain bounded by mountain ridges on one side and a meandering stream on the other. A Mid-Eastern type village marked the dividing line between desert and pasture terrains. Den served as referee, as well as Ted's sub-commander, while Den's son-in-law, Chuck Hoeffer (visiting from Houston, TX) served as Perry's left wing general.

The battle began with swirls of light horse clashing along the entire length of the battle lines, using the classic "fire & flee" (or "feigned flight") tactic to attempt the disruption of opposing lines. A skirmish infantry battle over the flanking village quickly became an isolated event, which had desultory results.

Then, the masses of heavy cavalry engaged all along the line, with charges and countercharges dominating the action. The Alans used skirmish infantry to good effect to cover their left flank, despite the need to pull them back fast when threatened by some Khazar light horse - just long enough to put their heavy horse into the fray on that flank.

Since our players were unfamiliar with the rule system, it took a bit of time to resolve all the individual archery and melee engagements along the line. The net result of this was an incomplete game within the three hours we allotted for it. Nevertheless, it was clear that the two armies were roughly technological equals, and future engagements would require a bit more strategic planning (e.g., ambushes, flank marches, refused flanks, oblique attack lines, etc., etc.) to create an "edge".

It was clear that another "bound" was needed to get a discernable battle result, and there was some discussion of the most likely result. Given that neither side had an edge in either units destroyed or field position, as referee, I declared a tie.