Matrix Games

We’re thrilled to announce that the third macrotopic Maritime Exploration of A Lens On - Snapshot has been completely released.

Head over to the playlist:

now to catch all the pills about Maritime Exploration.

But that's not all—before we dive into the next chapter, our friend DasTactic is took us on a deep dive into Field of Glory: Kingdoms.
 

Maritime Power in Medieval Europe

In our game timeline, Wales has yet to embrace naval power fully. However, the game presents a wide variety of ships, from the ever-present Viking longboats—ravaging the North Sea and supplementing the Norse invasion of Scotland under King Harald Hardrada—to the cumbersome English transport fleets and coastal galleys.

For instance, at the start of play, our ally Deheubarth fields a fleet consisting of Round Ships and War Galleys. Meanwhile, Northumbria maintains a blockade off the Welsh coast with a fleet of weak transport ships. These vessels carry the remnants of the Northumbrian army led by King Siward the Stout, which had been defeated by our main Welsh force and is not expected to regain battle readiness for some time.
 

Using the Detailed Message Log for Strategic Insight

We began this session by exploring the Detailed Message Log and its filtering options, which provide a comprehensive understanding of world events. The log records roughly 10 years of history across all kingdoms, offering valuable insight into geopolitical developments.

By default, the log displays only important messages relevant to your kingdom for the current turn. However, adjusting the filters allows players to:

• View the current turn’s events for foreign kingdoms, displaying additional map icons related to their activities.
• Access average and low-priority messages for detailed information on diplomatic changes and unit losses.
• Shift the focus from the current turn to previous turns, revealing broader historical trends and allowing for strategic foresight.

Understanding these tools provides players with a deeper grasp of the unfolding medieval world, which is invaluable in making informed decisions.
 

The Alternate History of Britain and Normandy

Our campaign has significantly altered historical events, shaping a unique medieval landscape:

• Edward the Confessor was slain early in our conflict with Mercia, disrupting the traditional sequence of events leading to the Norman Conquest.
• Mercia has seen multiple rulers come and go due to internal plotting and betrayals. King Leofric, for example, met his end after being betrayed by his mistress.
• Macbeth, King of Scotland, is fiercely resisting the Norse invasion.
• William of Normandy is struggling to maintain his position, locked in a difficult war against the French.

During our session, William of Normandy meets an untimely end, dying in battle while defending his homeland. Meanwhile, tensions rise as Wessex severs ties with England, igniting war between the two factions. While this presents future diplomatic opportunities for Wales, Wessex remains uninterested in an alliance with us—for now.
 

Strategic Choices: North or South?

With our army in need of recuperation, we face a strategic choice:

• March south into Mercia to complete our conquest.
• Turn north to face Northumbria, which remains the only English kingdom fielding a large army.

Expecting that Northumbria will take time to recover from its defeat, we initially move east and then south to eliminate Mercia. However, as anticipated, the Northumbrians abandon their sea-based invasion plans, disembarking in Lancashire to regroup.

Seeing an opportunity, we shift focus and march north to engage them.
 

The Pursuit and the Battle of Lancashire

Northumbria, sensing our approach, attempts a counterplay. Their weakened forces march southward in a bid to reclaim lost land. Our army intercepts them at the border, forcing them to retreat back to Lancashire, where they seek protection from their garrisons. We give chase, and a battle ensues.

This engagement is played out in Field of Glory II: Medieval, the sister game to Field of Glory: Kingdoms, allowing for tactical battles using the acclaimed tabletop rule set.

• Northumbrian Strengths: Superior infantry and a large contingent of mercenary light horse.
• Welsh Strengths: Heavy cavalry, which dominates in open terrain.
• Battle Plan: Hold the Northumbrian infantry in place while our heavy cavalry flanks their forces.
• Enemy Counterplay: Northumbria places their light cavalry on our right flank, posing a risk to our less mobile units.

Despite taking some losses, our heavy cavalry prevails, securing a decisive victory for Wales.
 

England Sues for Peace

At the conclusion of the battle, England, facing a new war with Wessex, seeks peace. As part of the treaty, all the lands we have conquered are officially ceded to Wales.
By the war’s end, our domain has doubled in size, marking a significant expansion of our power.
 

Looking Ahead: Consolidating Our Holdings

With war concluded, our focus now shifts to governance. In the next session, we will:

• Secure our newly acquired territories and establish stronger administrative control.
• Manage regional development, ensuring sustainable growth for our kingdom.
• Navigate new diplomatic opportunities with Wessex and other emerging powers.

The expansion of Wales marks a turning point in our campaign. With England weakened and Northumbria defeated, a new era of Welsh dominance in the British Isles may be within reach.

Join us in the next session as we secure our holdings and chart the course for the future of our kingdom.