Staked Plains

[Scott White]

Here's the lowdown on Saturday's War Practice between Ansteorra and the
Outlands at War of the Staked Plains:

The armies numbered about 50 on a side at the outset, with the strongest
Ansteorran contingent hailing from the kingdom's western region (and they
looked mighty dapper in matching gold/red tabards, I might add). As at Gulf
Wars VI, Ansteorra presented a much finer display of kingdom colors than
our opponents.

We fought two defile battles (armies faced each other in a ravine --
neat!); two 'weeds' battles (in waist-high weeds and scrub, much like
Estrella's broken field); two open-field battles; one resurrection bridge
battle; and two haystack castle battles.

The advantage bounced back and forth between the two armies, and though I
didn't keep exact count, I believe the Outlands won one or two battles more
than us when all was said and done.

Archery was allowed in all scenarios but the weeds battle, and I even threw
a bolt or two with my ballista during the castle battle.

The Outlanders killed-from-behind with wild abandon, and though Ansteorra
was allowed to participate in this practice by the marshals, we followed
our sultan's example and always engaged our opponents when we had managed
to outmaneuver them.

One bone I'd like to pick with my Ansteorran brothers-in-arms:

WHEN REPRESENTING YOUR KINGDOM ON THE FIELD, STICK AROUND AND FIGHT EVERY
BATTLE YOU CAN!!! 

Seemed like every time we'd win a battle, 1/3 of our army would say, "looks
like we've got this under control" and depart. By the time we reached the
final battle, our numbers had dwindled to roughly 15 (!) to the Outlands' 25+.

All in all: Good fighting. Good practice. Good event.

Gnith
<swhite at cimedia.com>

PS -- I took a roll of film & should have photos on my site sometime next
week. I'll let you know when.