Sunday 23 December 2012

Battle Report: The Bridge Over the River Chai - Turn 4

Thantsants and Airbornegrove, driven insane by your urgent cries for more blood, rampage through the fourth turn, causing death and mayhem in every phase. The body count rises, with the most casualties of the game so far.

Turn 4 starts like this:

The turn starts like this

Movement Phase

Finally, finally, finally - the mystic mist evaporates. The war machine battery shake their heads in sorrow as they perceive with their own eyes the cause - and the effect - of the explosion last turn. 

The Wood Elves, having lost their leader to the cold blooded Dark Elf captain, flee in despair as he turns his attention and the attention of his fearsome and odorous cold one to them. Saved from certain death, Seaman Sprayes avenges his fallen comrades, instantly killing four of the elves through free hacks. 

Over on the other flank, Meedy Ochre lurches from the forest, much to the horror of the orc left (yes, yes, the left as seen from Thantsants' point of view - its still on your right, dear reader). The giant bawls in the general direction of Kalpol and his boys before lumbering straight into them!

Also, unable to contain his curiousity, Wineghum, thinking as ever only in the short term, determines that it is safe to violate Rogaine's trust (seeing as how he's running away and all) and discovers the Percolator in chest that was passed to him...

Actions
GM:

Mystic Mist
Ended and disappeared
WLH
Moved forward 4" @ difficult ground
Airbornegrove:

KBP1
Routed
MF
Charged @ K3C, moved 4"
MO
Charged @ KYP, moved 5" @ difficult ground
A2C
Moved forward 1.5" @ difficult ground
F
Moved forward 2", wheeled right 1"
I
Reformed
Thantsants:

K3C
Holds
KYP
Holds
MB
Charged @ KBP1, persued @ KBP1, moved 10", wounded 2
SOC
Persued @ KBP1, moved 8", wounded 2
F1
Moved 4" @ chariot and died
RGH
Routed forward 13"
WoP
Moved forward 2.5" @ difficult ground
S1
Turned around
S2
Moved forward 4"
GF
Wheeled right 3.5"
RLR
Changed formation to 4 files, wheeled left 1.5", moved forward 2.5"
CGC
Changed formation to 4 files, failed 2nd manoeuvre
SBB
Moved forward 1", wheeled right 2", moved forward 0.5"
W
Prepares K'fe



***

Gaversconne watched as Rogaine chased his boar boys across the field. "Come back, ya bastards!" he yelled as he went by.

"See? Ain't worth it," Gaversconne snorted. "Won't catch me runnin' off like that! That's wot you get fer followin' a leader with only one ball!"

Miigrayne squinted as he followed Gaversonne's gaze. "Only one ball?"

Gaversconne's eyes bulged as he realised that wasn't a widely distributed piece of information in Rogaine's army. Assuming Rogaine came back and discovered this little ...lapse... in Gaversconne's judgement, he'd be bloody fuming. And whilst it was all good fun to rag Rogaine in public and generally try to get in a scrap with the other orcs, getting into a one-on-one fight with the pyschopathic chieftan was another matter altogether. Had he just precipitated his own challenge to be chief?

"One ball?" an orc asked.

"Apparently so," another replied.

"Can't be," a third offered.

"How so?" Miigrayne asked.

"Well," said the third wise orc, "A feller's gotta have two balls to ride a boar, see? One on each side." He raised his hands and cradled to imaginary testes to display the point.

"Ah," said a fourth.

"Oh." A fifth.

"Or no balls at all, maybe?" queried a sixth.

"Or that, yeah." Number two again.

Number three nodded. "Or none, yeah. Just as easy to balance. But not one. Can't balance on a boar with one ball, see?"

"So we're sayin' he's got two balls or no balls, right?" Number seven was keen to clarify the point.

"Well - Gaversconne sez he's just got the one." Miigrayne said. The unit had stopped moving by now.

"Not possible. Two or none. You can tell by-"

Gaversconne grabbed number three by his neck before ramming his fist into the unsuspecting orcs face. "Will you lot listen to yourselves? Since when've orcs discussed each others nutsacks! SHUT UP ABOUT ROGAINE'S BALLS AND GET ON WITH IT!"

The orcs looked at each other as they started marching again.

"Orc's got a point, y'know. Orc's got a point..."

***

Shooting Phase


Finally able to see, the dwarf artillery company successfully kill one skeleton. Well - knock it over, or whatever one does to the undead that makes them just regular dead.

The orcs offer similarly dismal shooting, leading to an uninspired and quiet phase.

Actions
Airbornegrove:

A1C
Shot @ SBB, wounded 2
BT
Shot @ S2, wounded 1
E
Shot @ GF deviated @ RLR, wounded 0
Thantsants:

SQC
Shot @ F, wounded 1
RLR
Shot @ F, wounded 0
SC
Shot @ F, wounded 1
MM
Shot @ GF deviated @ RLR, wounded 0



Combat Phase

There's not much to say about the Wood Elves. Having routed from the fear of the Cold One, they are hacked down by the joint efforts of Master B'tor and Seaman Sprayes. This act completes the Dark Elf domination of the north-west quadrant and also removes the last Wood Elf from the table. 

Unsurprisingly, Meedy Ochre pounds the orcs into the floor, crushing Kalpol first and then moving onto his standard bearer. Unable to do anything against him, the unit routs, only to be torn apart as the giant mauls the fleeing orcs. Both the Big 'Uns (Suderfed's Big Boys Brigade) and the little 'uns (Chamallow's Goblin Command) express huge amounts of empathy towards Kalpol and his boys, by turning and running as fast as they can away from blood spattered monster. 

Surprisingly, the now leaderless Kibarkid's 3rd Company of Fine Spear win combat against the dwarves again - pushing them further back and routing Nico and his mercenary archers in the process!

Actions

MB, SOC vs KBP1
Round 1

Free Attacks
A1 I9
MB -> WE1 (1W)
A2 I8
MB -> WE2 (1W)
A1 I7
Seaman Sprayes -> WE3 (1W)
Round 2

Free Attacks
A1 I9
MB -> WE1
A2 I8
MB -> WE1
A3 I7
MB -> WE2
A4 I6
MB -> WE2
A1 I7
Seaman Sprayes -> WE2
A2 I6
Seaman Sprayes -> WE3 (1W)
A1 I1
MB's mount -> WE1 (1W)
A2 I1
MB's mount -> WE2 (1W)
K3C vs S, MF
Round 1

Modifiers
K3C
follow-up, hatred
S
hatred
MF
charged
Attacks
A1 I4
Nico Teehn -> Goblin8
A2 I3
Nico Teehn -> Goblin12
A1 I3
Human1 -> Goblin12
A1 I3
Human3 (std) -> Goblin4 (std)
A1 I2
Human1 <- Golbin12
A1 I2
Human3 (std) <- Golbin8 (1W)
A1 I3
Goblin1 <- Borri Forkbeard
A1 I2
Goblin1 -> Borri Forkbeard
A2 I2
Goblin1 <- Borri Forkbeard
A3 I1
Goblin1 <- Borri Forkbeard
A1 I2
Goblin2 -> Dwarf1
A1 I2
Goblin6 -> Dwarf1
A1 I1
Goblin2 <- Dwarf1 (1W)
Results
K3C
+1 (follow-up) +1 (standard) +1 (wounds) = 3
S, MF
+1 (charged) +1 (wounds) = 2
Free Hack 1
A1 I2
Goblin4 -> Human3
A1 I2
Goblin8 -> Human3
A1 I2
Goblin12 -> Human1 (1W)
Round 2

Modifiers
K3C
follow-up, hatred
S
hatred
Attacks
A1 I3
Goblin1 <- Borri Forkbeard (1W)
A1 I2
Goblin2 -> Dwarf1 (1W)
Results
K3C
+1 (follow-up) +1 (standard) +1 (ranks) +1 (wounds) = 4
S
+1 (wounds) = 1
MO vs KYP
Round 1

Modifiers
MO
charged
KYP
none
Attacks
A1 I3
MO <- Kalpol
A1 I2
MO -> Orc2 (std)
A1 I2
MO <- Orc2 (std)
A1 I2
MO <- Orc3 (mus)
A2 I2
MO <- Kalpol
A2 I1
MO -> Orc2 (std) (1W)
A3 I1
MO <- Kalpol
A3 I1
MO -> Orc3 (mus)
A4 I1
MO -> Orc3 (mus)
A5 I1
MO -> Kalpol
A6 I1
MO -> Kalpol (1W)
A7 I1
MO -> Kalpol (1W)
Results
MO
+1 (charged) +3 (wounds) = 4
KYP
+1 (ranks) = 1
Free Hack 1
A1 I2
MO -> Orc2
A2 I1
MO -> Orc2
A3 I1
MO -> Orc2 (1W)
A4 I1
MO -> Orc3 (1W)
A5 I1
MO -> Orc4 (mus) (1W)
Free Hack 2
A1 I2
MO -> Orc5 (1W)
A2 I1
MO -> Orc6 (1W)
A3 I1
MO -> Orc7 (1W)



Reserves Phase


A textbook reserves phase occurs, as uncommitted units consolidate their positions.

Actions
GM:

WLH
Moved forward 8"
Airbornegrove:

I
Moved forward 1", halts within 4" of S2
F
Moved forward 3"
Thantsants:

SQC
Moved forward 4"
WoP
Moved forward 4.5", wheeled right 0.5"
S1
Wheeled right 2"



Magic Phase

Wineghum, having spent the turn working our how the Percolator works, lazily places another Mystic Mist over the dwarven artillery battery. Content, he returns to the little fire as he watches the thing bubble away cheerfully. 

The Firehammers respond by wrathfully claiming two orcs with their fireball hurling banner. 

Actions
GM:

Mystic Mist
Rolled 1D3 dice in secret
Airbornegrove:

F
Shot fireball @ RLR, wounded 2
Thantsants:

W
Casted Mystic Mist @ Baggage Area, 13 MP remaining



***

Wineghum had struggled to read the magical symbols describing the use of the Percolator. He had correctly guessed how to grind the beans, but now that he had made the fire and positioned the Percolator correctly, he was at a loss as to how to mix the final part of the K'fe potion.

He was fairly certain that the little bags labelled 'Sugar' had to be part of the final mix, but looking at the pictures, he wasn't too sure what the right measurement was. Everything was linked to the spoon, but the formula proposed by the symbols just didn't make sense.

His brow furrowed as he scrutinised the instructions again:

Percolator + Water + Fire + Sugar + Milk + Spoon =  Happy Face.

It just didn't make sense. The milk thing was weird too - the sigils seemed to propose that one could have the milk in some sort of frothy state - quite how one got it that way was beyond him, though.

He'd have to make a decision, though. The Percolator had filled up the little silver cup it came with. Lazy steam drifted over to Wineghum. It smelt good. But he knew from stories of other shaman that a half prepared potion could be the death of one.

He looked up, scanning the horizon for Rogaine. "Ah, shit. He's stopped running away. We'd better get this show on the road, then," he said to himself aloud.

Tearing open a sugar bag, he poured about half of it into the cup. He put the spoon in, just as the sigils suggested, before taking an experimental swig.

"Gah!" he cried, rubbing his eye. The stuff was bitter - not nearly as good as the smell suggested it would be. Also - he felt no different. something must be wrong. Understanding dawned on him - the spoon was part of the magic. it had slipped when it hit his eye, no doubt breaking the spell.

Wineghum turned to look in Rogaine's direction. One more try. What he needed was a way to keep the spoon in place. Clearly it was supposed to touch ones eye - that much was obvious. But how did one keep it in place? He looked at the instructions again.

That's it! The sugar! Perhaps, if one put enough sugar in, one could sort of wedge the spoon into it, thus holding it into place. He consulted the mystical formula again:

Percolator + Water + Fire + Sugar + Milk + Spoon =  Happy Face.

It was hard to imagine a happy face with a spoon poking into one's eyeball, but sometimes magic was painful. No pain, no gain, as he had been lead to understand. He took a fistful of the little sugar bags, tore them all open and kept pouring sugar into the silver cup until he saw it form a pile above the K'fe level in the cup.

Carefully, he inserted the spoon in the sugar pile, just so, before taking another drink. He was careful to make sure the spoon lined up nicely with his eye. Here goes...

"Gah!" he cried, his eyes watering. The sticky mess crawled down his gullet at a snails pace. What a flavour! "Gah! That's the stuff!"

***

Rallying Phase

Finally, having strategically repositioned themselves on the safe side of two units of skeletons, Wineghum and Gaversconne's Fireguts, Rogaine gains control of his Grand Hareline and brings them to order.

Actions
Thantsants:

RGH
Rallied



***

"Hold on," Damasius said to the other Magi. "I'll go and ask them."

Gaspar frowned. "I dunno. They look kinda busy. We should just get going."

"Get going where? We're lost, remember?"

Melchior stepped forward. "Gaspar's right. I mean, I don't know, but my experienced eyes tell me that there is a fight going on down there, and I don't think those are the nice ladies you think they are. It's the swords, really. And the blood around their mouths. Just a hunch. We should just get outta here."

"What is with you guys?" flashed Damasius. "How come we never ask directions? Its easy to follow the star at night, but its not night time now, is it!"

"Hey!" Belthasar barked, moving between Damasius and Melchior. "This is the first time we've ever travelled together! Never seems a little thick, don't you think?"

Melchior folded his arms and glared at Damasius. "Yeah! A little thick, methinks!"

"You know what? I don't have to take this! You lot are fine to go wondering around in circles. I'm gonna go and ask them!"

Gaspar, Melchior and Belthasar watched as Damasius stomped off in the direction of the Witch Elves. He hesitated, before stopping and turning around.

"Cold feet?" Melchior asked.

"No. But could you hold this?" Damasius gave Belthasar the little chest he was carrying. "I'll be right back."

The other two Magi crowded around Belthasar as Damasius walked off. "Go on - open it. Let's see what he's bringing!"

Belthasar shook his head. "He's just over there, for crying in a bucket! I don't even know what you guys are bringing!"

"I've got gold," Gaspar said.

"I've got frankincense," Melchior said.

"Really?" Belthasar frowned at the little chest he was holding. "Gold? I didn't know it was quite so... important. I've was bringing Travel Scrabble."

Just then they heard Damasius scream. Looking up, they watched as the demented witch elves surrounded him.

Gaspar winced as he watched. "I didn't know that could... come off."

Melchior recoiled as he watched. "They're very good at chopping, aren't they?"

Belthasar flinched as he watched. "Elbows shouldn't... bend that way, should they?"

The three men watched until Damasius had stopped screeching and wailing.

"Well. Now there's just three of us. Travel Scrabble? Seriously?" Melchoir clipped Belthasar on the back of his head. "Do us a favour and take whatever Damasius was taking. What'll they think of us?"

Rubbing his head, Belthasar opened the chest. "Oooh. It's Myrrh!"

"That'll do," Gaspar snapped.  "Take that and leave your stupid scrabble here."

"But I like-"

"Do it!"

Belthasar nodded. "Fine, I'll take the Myrrh. But I'm not leaving the scrabble."

The other two watched as Belthasar made his way back to his camel. Melchior leaned over and whispered to Gaspar. "What's Myrrh?"

Gaspar pulled a face and shrugged. "I dunno...but its gotta be better than scrabble, right?"

***
Battle Navigator

Turn 4 (you are here)

Friday 14 December 2012

Battle Report: The Bridge Over the River Chai - Turn 3

Let's talk numbers:

1 failed animosity test
2 routs
3 explosions
5 charges
8 new arrivals
25 wounds

That's right. I said explosions.

Turn 3 starts like this:


The turn starts like this

Movement Phase

Thantsants and Airbornegrove showed no let up in their savage tendency, charging units at each other left, right and centre. 5 times, to be exact. 

The most interesting set of moves, however? Right in the middle of the board. Having just secured the Percolator and destroyed the War Wain, Rogaine sees red as he commands yet another charge. 

BUT...

...not before he cheerfully tosses the Percolator to Wineghum. Wineghum, enthused by all the excitement and the wholesale slaughter that has so far taken place, can't help himself when presented with the opportunity to take swing at the Gyrocopter as it flies overhead. 

Now in later editions of Warhammer, flyers have this unusual 'hopping' behaviour, where they would drift over intervening soldiers before settling conveniently on the ground in front of the enemy. 

In 3rd edition, flyers are... well, flyers. They can fly. So, although the Gyrocopter has been charged, it is able to raise its altitude to evade the charge. This is not a flee reaction. 

Compulsory movement takes the War Wain horses into the River Chai and one of the fanatics into a bridge. That is into, not onto. Bridge: 1, Fanatic: 0.

And the orc line turns around and faces the enemy again. 

Actions
GM:

WLH
Moved forward 8" @ difficult ground
GF
Suffers animosity @ RLR, wheeled left 3.5"
Airbornegrove:

TT
Flies away @ level +10
KBP1
Holds
I
Holds
S
Holds
LTK
Charged @ MB, moved 4.5"
KBP1
Wheeled 4"
I
Moved forward 1", wheeled right 2"
F
Moved forward 1.5", changed formation to 5 files, wheeled right 1.5"
S
Wheeled right 3", failed 2nd manoeuvre
A2C
Moved forward 1.5" @ difficult ground
MO
Moved forward 3" @ difficult ground
TT
Flyed @ attack level, decel. 2", current speed 14"
Thantsants:

MB
Holds
W
Took Percolator, charged @ TT
SOC
Charged @ KBP1, moved forward 5"
RGH
Charged @ I, wheeled 2" right, moved forward 3", wheeled 2" left (2nd manoeuvre), moved forward 4"
K3C
Charged @ S, wheeled within 4" of enemy, lost bonus
F1
Hit bridge and died
F2
Moved 10" @ left bridge
WoP
Moved forward 2.5" @ difficult ground
SBB
Turned right, moved forward 2", turned left (2nd manoeuvre), moved forward 1.5"
CGC
Turned around, wheeled right 1" (2nd manoeuvre), halts within 1" of SBB
KYP
Wheeled left 3.5"
RLR
Turned around
S
Moved forward 4"



***

Rogaine pointed at Wineghum. "You!"

Wineghum looked hopefully over his shoulder before realising there was no one behind him. "M-me?" he stammered.

"Yeah. You! Hold this, okay?" Rogaine tossed the little box to Wineghum. "I got stuff to do."

Wineghum watched as Rogaine grabbed his boar by its fur and climbed onto its back.

"What is it?"

Rogaine fixed the goblin with a malevolent stare. "It's mine, is what it is. You keep that in mind, hear?"

Before he could respond, Rogaine goaded the wild pig in the direction of his unit, barking orders at them as he led the charge towards the dwarves.

Looking left and right to see if anyone heard or saw anything, Wineghum determined it was safe to hold the little box next to his head and rattle it.

"Oooooh," he grinned...

***

Shooting Phase

BOOM!

Er....I mean, there are lots of explosions, as mentioned earlier. Sorry. I was just getting excited, is all. 

Explosion 1: Deep within the mystic mist, the dwarves manning (dwarfing?) the red hot cannon throw caution to the wind and light the fuse. The cannon throws the dwarves to the wind as it explodes in an almighty ball of flame, the resulting mix of smoke, flame and mist appearing to onlookers as a raging upside down thunder cloud, as bits of dwarves and cannon are hurled into the air. 

Explosion 2: Carrying on with the dwarves, it seems our diminutive adventurers like to equip their aeronaughts with bombs. As you can tell, health and safety hasn't been invented yet. This means that Wineghum, having so gamely charged at the Gyrocopter now finds himself directly under the thing and its lunatic pilot...

Both stone throwers fail to find targets. 

Various archers are able to score some wounds on various other targets - including an astonishing shot from the mercenaries that hits the hapless Wineghum again!

Specific archers (that is, Rogaine's Lamentable Regiment of Boworcs) take umbrage at the frankly dishonourable business of lobbing bombs at their wizard from on high and take aim at the Gyrocopter. Despite the downdraft, the wooden frame and Torin's shiny metal helmet, an unknown orc is able to land a hit. 

Which takes us to Explosion 3:

Being ever conscious of comedic tropes, Torin's last act saves us all from horrendous Black Orc Down puns by his skilfully avoiding the Black Orcs and making his final manoeuvre a controlled dive into the recently raised Undead.

Actions
GM:

TT
Crashed @ S, wounded 5
Airbornegrove:

A1C
Shot @ RLR, wounded 1
MF
Shot @ W (wizard), wounded 1
TT
Dropped bomb @ W (spider), wounded 1
C
Blows up, wounded 2
BCT
Lost 100 points, 300 points remaining
BT
Shot @ S deviated @ RGH, wounded 0
E
Shot @ W deviated, missed
Thantsants:

RLR
Shot @ TT (pilot), wounded 1
SC
Shot @ TT, missed
SQC
Shot @ F, wounded 1
MM
Shot @ MF deviated, missed



***

"I dunno, guys. I think it needs to cool down," Ethan Ohl said, frowning at the steam rising from the cannon.

"Don't be daft! We've got soldiers to support out there! Lets get her primed!" barked Benn Zheen.

"What? You can't even see what you're shooting at!" Ethan swirled his hand in the strange mist that had risen so quickly from the river.

"Don't matter - I can hear 'em. And I can smell 'em! Prime the cannon!"

"Yeah yeah! Let's shoot it again!" Dii Zhil shrieked in delight. "Bang bang! Haha!"

Benn and Ethan looked at the ugly dwarf as he popped up on the other side of the cannon.

Dii pointed his fingers like guns in the direction of the orcs. "Pow pow!" He winked at the other two dwarves.

Benn's eyes met Ethan's. "I thought you were watching him?"

"Yeah? And I thought you were watching him!"

"Why the hell would I be watching him? I was doing the range calculations!"

"Um...maybe because the powder's on your side?" Ethan jabbed his finger at the open barrel of black powder.

Benn sighed. "Dii? Dii?" 

Dii finished ramming the ball down the barrel before looking up at Benn. "Yes?"

"Have you been... you know, eating the powder again?"

Dii grinned, his teeth and gums as black as soot. "No?"

"We've spoken about this before Dii. You can't eat the powder, okay? Not anymore. Understand?"

"Haha!" cackled Dii. "Sure, fine. Don't eat the powder. Got it, chief!" The dwarf saluted.

Benn turned to Ethan. "I worry about him, you know. I mean, should his eyes be looking in different directions like that?"

Ethan shook his head. "I don't think so. Maybe we should put that lid back on the barrel, huh?"

"Forget that - the cannon's ready - prepare to fire!"

"Haha! Yeah! Fire! Fire! Bang! Haha!" Dii shrilled as he danced towards the fuse.

"I still don't think that's a good idea."

"Fine!" Benn growled. "Then piss off and stand over there!"

"Fine! I bloody well will!"

Dii watched as Ethan wandered off into the mist. "Can I? Can I?" he asked, twisting his head as he leered at the torch in his hand.

"FIRE!" Benn barked.

***

"Cor! Look at that!"

Rogaine's Lamentable Regiment of Boworcs followed Sawdust's finger as he pointed at the double flash in the mist across the river.

A tiny figure soared into the air, its arms windmilling furiously. The barest echo of a shriek drifted across the valley as the explosion reverberated of the cliff walls.

"Cor!" the unit said in unison, as their gaze followed the figure as it plopped into the river, followed by a wheel and some other bits of wood and metal.

***

Combat Phase

Combat is brutal. 

Master B'tor proves his superiority to his opposite number by stabbing, beating, whipping, biting, kicking and punching him until he dies. 

Seaman Sprayes, so far out of his own depth that we can no longer measure it with any scientific certainty, loses. Fortunately for him, he doesn't die, he's just a little further out of his depth. 

The enraged goblins, facing their hated foes, take a solid pounding. But, their hatred sees them through and they are able to win combat two rounds in a row! Unfortunately, Mill Kibarkid, the goblin champion, is unable to see this desperate battle, being dead as he now is. 

Front and centre, and full of fantasy drama - Rogaine and his Grand Hare Line are unable to capitalise on their thunderous charge, crunching into an immovable wall of dwarves. In the wild combat that ensues, the dwarven hero Snorri Oneye gives his life to defend his unit, family, hold and the honour of Lady Luuhs. The redoubtable dwarves triumph in the end, sending Rogaine and his boar boys haring into the distance. 

Actions

LTK vs MB
Round 1

Modifiers
LTK
charged
MB
hatred
Attacks
A1 I10
LTK <- MB
A2 I9
LTK <- MB
A1 I8
LTK -> MB
A3 I8
LTK <- MB (1W)
A2 I7
LTK -> MB
A4 I7
LTK <- MB
A3 I6
LTK -> MB
A1 I3
LTK's mount -> MB
A1 I1
LTK <- MB's mount
A2 I1
LTK <- MB's mount
Results
LTK
+1 (charged) = 1
MB
+1 (wounds) = 1
Round 2

Modifiers
LTK
none
MB
hatred
Attacks
A1 I9
LTK <- MB
A2 I8
LTK <- MB (1W)
A1 I8
LTK -> MB
A3 I7
LTK <- MB
A2 I7
LTK -> MB
A4 I6
LTK <- MB
A3 I6
LTK -> MB
A1 I3
LTK's mount -> MB
A1 I1
LTK <- MB's mount
A2 I1
LTK <- MB's mount
Results
LTK
0
MB
+1 (wounds) = 1
Free Hack 1
A1 I9
LTK <- MB
A2 I8
LTK <- MB
A3 I7
LTK <- MB (1W)
SOC vs KBP1
Round 1

Modifiers
SOC
charged, hatred
KBP1
none
Attacks
A1 I7
Seaman Sprayes -> WE2
A2 I6
Seaman Sprayes -> WE3
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE2
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE3
Results
SOC
+1 (charged) = 1
KBP1
+1 (ranks) = 1
Round 2

Modifiers
SOC
hatred
KBP1
none
Attacks
A1 I7
Seaman Sprayes -> WE2
A2 I6
Seaman Sprayes -> WE3
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE2
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE3
Results
SOC
0
KBP1
+1 (ranks) = 1
RGH vs I
Round 1

Modifiers
RGH
charged
I
hatred
Attacks
A1 I5
Rogaine -> Snorri Oneye
A2 I4
Rogaine -> Snorri Oneye
A3 I3
Rogaine -> Snorri Oneye (1W)
A4 I2
Rogaine -> Dwarf2
A1 I3
Rogaine's mount -> Dwarf2
A1 I3
Orc1 -> Dwarf3
A1 I3
Orc1's mount -> Dwarf3
A1 I2
Orc1 <- Dwarf2
A1 I2
Orc1 <- Dwarf3
Results
RGH
+1 (charged) +1 (ranks) +1 (wounds) = 3
I
+1 (standard) +1 (war banner) +1 (ranks) = 3
Round 2

Modifiers
RGH
none
I
hatred
Attacks
A1 I5
Rogaine -> Dwarf1
A2 I4
Rogaine -> Dwarf1
A3 I3
Rogaine -> Dwarf2
A4 I2
Rogaine -> Dwarf2 (1W)
A1 I3
Orc1's mount -> Dwarf3
A1 I2
Rogaine <- Dwarf1
A1 I2
Orc1 <- Dwarf3 (1W)
Results
RGH
+1 (wounds) = 1
I
+1 (standard) +1 (war banner) +1 (ranks) +1 (wounds) = 4
Free Hack 1
A1 I2
Rogaine <- Dwarf1
A1 I2
Rogaine <- Dwarf2
A3 I7
Orc1 <- Dwarf3
Free Hack 2
A1 I2
Rogaine <- Dwarf1 (1W)
A1 I2
Rogaine <- Dwarf2
A3 I7
Orc1 <- Dwarf3
K3C vs S
Round 1

Modifiers
K3C
charged, hatred
S
hatred
Attacks
A1 I4
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard
A2 I3
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard
A1 I3
Mill Kibarkid <- Borri Forkbeard
A3 I2
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard (1W)
A2 I2
Mill Kibarkid <- Borri Forkbeard (1W)
A3 I1
Mill Kibarkid <- Borri Forkbeard (1W)
A1 I2
Goblin2 -> Dwarf1
A1 I2
Goblin6 -> Dwarf1
A1 I1
Goblin2 <- Dwarf1 (1W)
Results
K3C
+2 (ranks) +1 (standard) +1 (wounds) = 4
S
+3 (wounds) = 3
Round 2

Modifiers
K3C
follow-up, hatred
S
hatred
Attacks
A1 I4
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard
A2 I3
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard
A1 I3
Mill Kibarkid <- Borri Forkbeard
A3 I2
Mill Kibarkid -> Borri Forkbeard
A2 I2
Mill Kibarkid <- Borri Forkbeard (1W)
A1 I2
Goblin2 -> Dwarf1
A1 I2
Goblin6 -> Dwarf1
A1 I1
Goblin2 <- Dwarf1
Results
K3C
+1 (follow-up) +2 (ranks) +1 (standard) = 4
S
+1 (wounds) = 1



***

Snorri Oneye glared at the charging pig riders. "Hold!" he grunted at the Steelaxes. As one, the dwarves set their shields forward, leaning into them, ready for the impact.

The boars squealed as they crashed into the dwarves. Dwarves and orcs cried out as steel found flesh - the enraged pigs indiscriminately gouging anything they could see.

Much to Rogaine's surprise, the dwarves held. Having nowhere to go, the boars had no choice but to halt, milling around in confusion. The orcs, completely unaware of the risk, continued hacking and slashing, but their wild blows were no match for the patient skill of the dwarves.

Kicking his boar hard, he forced the creature into the fray. In the emerging fracas, there stood a dwarf before him.

Snorri drew a finger across his throat as he lunged at the giant orc.

Rogaine and Snorri traded blows, sparks flying as their blades clashed.

He knows what he's on about, thought Snorri as he ducked just in time. It was his undoing.

The wily old orc had seen this many times with the dwarves. All too often, they would rely on their diminutive stature to defend themselves. If you could force one to duck, and you rode a boar...

...You could jump the boar over them and take their head off from behind. Which is exactly what Rogaine did. Having landed on the other side of the still-toppling headless dwarf, he turned to display his victory to the other orcs.

Except the cowardly shits were running away.

What?

Something thumped against his back. It took a little while for his nerves to tell him it was an axe, but when they did, he bawled out in rage.

"Come back ya bastards!"

He jumped the pig out of the dwarf throng - so quickly that the axe was yanked out of the hands of a very surprised dwarf.

Rogaine galloped after the howling Hare Line.

"I'll kill every one of you sons'a'bitches! You better not come back! Do what yer told!!"

***

Reserves Phase


The orc left mobilises and drives towards the east bridge. The Firehammers cross the bridge, but find a vacuum in the wake of the Ironaxes and their routing of the orcs.

Actions
Airbornegrove:

F
Moved forward 3"
Thantsants:

SBB
Moved forward 3.5"
KYP
Moved forward 2" @ difficult ground
CGC
Moved forward 3, halts within 1" of RLR



Magic Phase

Wineghum, sensing the sudden need for a rearguard for the boar riders, raises more skeletons - creating a second unit of eight.
Actions
Thantsants:

W
Summoned 8 skeletons, 18 MP remaining



***


"Cor! Look at that!" 

Wineghum shook his head as he watched the bloody orcs cheering at the downing of the dwarf flying machine. The thing had slammed into his recently raised undead, exploding spectacularly. It served the arse of a pilot right - of course it did. But couldn't the orcs have shot him somewhere else? Undead don't bloody grow on trees, do they?

He looked at his limping spider. Not only had dwarf machine managed to destroy his undead, but the thing had blown a leg clean off the spider. Seven legged spiders weren't outside his realm of experience, but the fact that the stupid creature had decided to play dead when it happened had really damaged his pride. It was one thing to be assaulted by a flying dwarf with bombs. It was another thing altogether to have one's spider curl up into a ball and roll onto its back with one still on it. 

Still, one wouldn't last long as a wizard in the goblin walk of life if one allowed little set backs like that to get one down. 

Wineghum shrugged and raised some more undead. 


***
Battle Navigator

Turn 3 (you are here)

Thursday 29 November 2012

Battle Report: The Bridge Over the River Chai - Turn 2

In the last episode, we watched as the dark elves were pounded into the floor by the remorseless war engines of the dwarves, whilst the Orcs & Goblins imploded on themselves with animosity.

In turn 2, things are a bit more...straightforward.

Straightforward in that some of soldiers were afforded the opportunity to let the enemy know exactly how they felt about things and to clear the air a bit - discuss their differences, if you will.

With weapons.

The turn starts like this

Movement Phase


Only two units failed animosity checks this turn, giving Thantsants some modicum of control over his army this turn. Not one to waste opportunities like that, Thantsants directed Rogaine to hurl himself at the chariot! Not only that, but Master B'tor and the recently appointed Seaman Sprayes, filled with the hatred of a thousand years, climbed the hill before them at pace to introduce themselves to the wood elves at the top.

Airbornegrove, not to be outdone, responded by sending his brave commander to apply some discipline to the witch elves. The witch elves, always keen on disciplinarians, responded to the charge by holding.

With such an exciting set of opening moves, the remaining moves seemed positively mundane. Everyone else moved closer to everyone else. Of note, perhaps, would be dwarven left electing to step into the icy cold River Chai as they start trying to find their way across.

As with grand slam tennis (always a favourite with the orcs when they have the time), an observer would note the perfect unison with which Rogaine's Lamentable Regiment of Boworcs moved their heads as they watched the gyrocopted clatter overhead. As one, they slowly turned around, beady eyes firmly locked on the amazing flying machine, so dedicated to their new purpose that they hadn't noticed they were not facing the dwarven line anymore...

Actions
GM:

WL
Moved forward 8"
GF
Suffers animosity @ RGH, moved forward 3.5"
KYP
Suffers animosity @ SBB, wheeled right 3.5"
Airbornegrove:

KBP2
Shot @ MB, wounded 0
LTK
Charged @ WoP
I
Moved forward 3"
F
Moved forward 3"
S
Moved forward 3"
MF
Moved forward 3"
A2C
Moved forward 1.5" @ difficult ground
MO
Moved forward 3" @ difficult ground
TT
Flyed @ level +10, accl. 8", current speed 16"
Thantsants:

WoP
Holds
SOC
Charged @ KBP2
MB
Charged @ KBP2
RGH
Charged @ WL
W
Moved forward 5" @ RGH right flank
RLR
Turned around
K3C
Moved forward 3.5"
CGC
Changed formation to 6 files, moved forward 0.5"
SBB
Turned left



***

Meedy Ochre loved his job. He knew that other giants were employed in construction, or milling, or other intensive labour roles. Other giants were almost feral, just wandering around the mountains eating raw food and sleeping in caves.

For his part, he felt he had it pretty good: he'd had beer for breakfast, a small beer top up for tea just before the battle and he was looking forward to some beer for dinner. As a job, he got to mangle little people and eat anything he found. Nico Teehn was good to him.

In fact, the only part he didn't like was the complex business Nico referred to as the rules of engagement. The rules of engagement were dictated to all of Nico's chaps, but Nico always took Meedy through the rules again afterwards, just to make sure.

This battle's rules were complex. Just thinking about them made his head hurt. Scrunching his forehead in concentration, he rested up against a tree as he recalled what Nico had said earlier that morning.

***

"Got that, Meedy? Yeah? Okay - now you tell me what the rules are."

Meedy nodded slowly. He lifted his massive leg to make sure that Nico could see his knee. Pointing at the knobbly appendage, he said: "anyone lower than this gets crumped."

Nico smiled as he shook his head. "No, not quite. Try again."

Meedy, still holding his knee up, scratched his eyebrow and strained to recall the rules. A long silence followed. The giant swayed dangerously as his eyes explored the surrounding scenery, his brain furiously scrounging for any applicable fact that might satisfy Nico. Eventually, his gaze settled on Nico, quiet desperation evident all over his unshaven countenance.

Nico patted the big fellow. "Go on, buddy. Put the leg down. Both feet on the floor, then try again."

Meedy dropped the knee, his boat-like foot slamming into the ground. The impact seemed to jog his memory. Relief washed over his face.

"Ur," he grunted. This time he bent down and pointed to his knee. "Anyone lower than this gets crumped?"

Nico clapped. "Brilliant! That's not quite right, but we're getting there. Anyone lower than this - " Nico tapped Meedy's knee, " - is bad... unless?"

Meedy blinked, the question quite unexpected. "Ur," he speculated. "Unless... they're green?"

Nico winced and shook his head.

"No? Ur. No - wait. Lower than this" - he pointed at his knee again - "and not green, is, ur... dwarves.   This time, dwarves good. Yeah?"

Meedy grinned as Nico clapped. "Yes - that's right. No killing dwarves! Lower than the knee and green - bad, okay?"

"Ur. Yeah! Gottit!"

"Okay, so what else?"

Meedy's face collapsed like a felled tree. "Oh? S'more, is there?"

Nico nodded. "C'mon, big fella - you can do it!"

The giant explored his chin with his hand as he consulted his overstretched brain. He looked hopefully at the beer barrel behind Nico.

Nico raised an eyebrow and wagged a finger at the straining giant. "Not until we got the rules clear. What else?"

"Aww, Nico..." Meedy whined.

"What else?"

"Gimme a clue, man!"

Nico thought for a second. "What about enemy higher than your knee?"

The giant stared at the sky as he chewed a nail. despair clouding his features. He shrugged.

"Okay, okay - what about ears?"

The giant snapped his fingers in delight, the connection made! "Yes - that's it! Okay, so if yer taller higher than this" - he pointed at his knee again - "an you got ears, you gets crumped!"

"I got ears and I'm higher than your knee. You gonna crump me?" Frustration seeped into Nico's tone.

"Gosh no! Not you or any of the others. Course not!" Meedy squinted as his memory dragged a fact to the present from the distant past. "Well, not on purpose, anyway!"

"Meedy! We need to get this right! Pointy ears - tell me about the pointy ears!"

Slowly, realisation dawned on the hulking giant. "Why didn't you say? Pointy ears is on our side!"

Nico breathed out slowly. I suppose I should take what I can get, he thought. "Unless?"

Unless? The giant was crestfallen. "Can't you just point like we did the last time?"

Nico patted the poor giant. "I know it's hard. I'm sorry - but we have to get this right. Remember the last time? They wanted a refund 'cos of that, so we need to get this right, okay? It's the last rule, you're nearly there!"

"Ur. Okay," muttered the sullen giant.

"So, pointy ears that are taller than your knee and..."

"Is it a colour thing?"

Nico nodded excitedly. "Go on..."

"Is it that purpley ones are bad and greeny ones are good?"

"High five!" yelled Nico, before instantly regretting it as he flew through the air...

***

Shooting Phase


Thrilled at the opportunity to see their warriors beat the stuffing out of the enemy, it appears that none of the heavy hitting stone throwers were able to find their mark. Still, in spite of that, the dwarves still caused the deaths of nine greenskins.

This was partly achieved by the dwarves taking a chance and firing through the mystic mist. The dwarves, having both long memories and what could only be described as 'a target rich environment', are able to broadly recall the rough direction of the large horde of orcs on the other side of the river, and place a cannon ball squarely into a unit of goblins.

Elves are renowned in classic fantasy for their shooting skills. This being a classic game of warhammer, you are right to expect the same of the elves fielded here - as, no doubt, did their respective commanders. But in a rare display of bilateralism, it appears that neither wood elf nor dark elf could bring themselves to slay their opposites. Perhaps we really are entering the age of forgiveness?

And last, but not least, the gyrocopter pilot, having already caused more confusion in the orc line, produces a bomb and a light. Unquenchable gravity, the erstwhile friend of the common orc, combined with said bomb and light to produce an explosive outcome for the orc archers!

Actions
Airbornegrove:

KBP1
Shot @ SQC, wounded 0
A1C
Shot @ K3C, wounded 4
MF
Shot @ W (spider), wounded 0
TT
Dropped bomb @ RLR, wounded 3
C
Shot @ RLR deviated @ CGC, wounded 2, +1 heat point
BT
Shot @ RLR deviated @ RLR, wounded 0
E
Shot @ RLR deviated, missed
Thantsants:

SQC
Shot @ KBP1, wounded 0
RLR
Shot @ TT, wounded 0
CGC
Shot @ TT, wounded 0
SC
Shot @ TT, wounded 0
MM
Shot @ E deviated, missed



Combat Phase


Something not often mentioned in warhammer canon from 4th edition onwards is the awful stench of the cold ones. So great is it that the Dark Elves kill their olfactory nerves with drugs in order to put up with the creatures.

I mention this because, of course, the Wood Elves have not had occasion (or desire) to do the same. Presented, as they were, with Master B'tor and his overexcited cold one, they were overwhelmed by the  terrifying odour of the thing. Despite being pushed back by the slightest of margins, the Wood Elves fled in horror, only to be cut down by the brutal sea captain. Even Seaman Sprayes managed to stab a Wood Elf in the back!

Rogaine snatched potential victory from the Dwarves and Wood Elves by snatching the Percolator from the war wain in a daring high speed robbery - the ultimate outcome leading to the demise of the chariot and the separation of the chariot from its horses. Dwarven infantry, experienced in the unfathomable savagery of horses, watched with suspicion and no small level of discomfort as they realised the bloody creatures were on the loose again!

The Wood Elf captain cut a a heroic silhouette atop the hill as he skillfully defended it against the Witch Elves, pushing them tumbling back down the rocks they had climbed!

Actions

LTK vs WoP
Round 1

Modifiers
LTK
charged, higher ground
WoP
hatred
Attacks
A1 I8
LTK -> DE1 (1W)
A2 I7
LTK -> DE2 (1W)
Results
LTK
+1 (charged) +2 (wounds) = 3
WoP
0
MB vs KBP2
Round 1

Modifiers
MB
charged, hatred
KBP2
none
Attacks
A1 I10
MB -> WE2
A2 I9
MB -> WE2
A3 I8
MB -> WE3
A4 I7
MB -> WE3 (1W)
A1 I6
MB's mount <- WE2
Results
MB
+1 (charged) +1 (wounds) = 2
KBP2
+1 (ranks) = 1
SOC vs KBP2
Round 1

Modifiers
MB
charged, hatred
KBP2
none
Attacks
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes -> WE4
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE4
A1 I6
Seaman Sprayes <- WE5
A4 I5
Seaman Sprayes -> WE5
Results
MB
+1 (charged) = 1
KBP2
+1 (ranks) = 1
RGH vs WL
Round 1

Modifiers
RGH
charged
WL
none
Attacks
A1 I3
War Boar1 -> WL (1W)
A1 I3
War Boar2 -> WL (1W)
A1 I3
War Boar4 -> WL (1W)
A1 I2
Orc1 -> WL (1W)
A1 I2
Orc2 -> WL (1W)
A1 I2
Orc4 -> WL
Results
RGH
+1 (charged) +5 (wounds) = 6
WL
0
Round 2

Modifiers
RGH
none
WL
none
Attacks
A1 I3
War Boar1 -> WL (1W)
A1 I3
War Boar2 -> WL
A1 I3
War Boar4 -> WL
A1 I2
Orc1 -> WL
A1 I2
Orc2 -> WL
A1 I2
Orc4 -> WL (1W)
Results
RGH
+2 (wounds) = 2
WL
0



***

Strikneen looked over his shoulder. "No way, boss! No way we should take that!" His gaze settled on the positively vile Fireguts and their antagonistic leader, Gaversconne. "Did you hear what he jes' called us?"

He looked back at Rogaine to see what he planned to do about it. Rogaine seemed to have other things on his mind.

"Rogaine? Rogaine! Did you hear him? He called you a-"

"CHARGE!" Rogaine roared.

"No, he didn't call you a char... oh. Right, okay.  You meant charge, as in charge at the elves, okay." Strikneen issued a savage kick to his boar as Rogaine and his boar riders thundered ahead of him in a cacophony of whoops, squeals and grunts.

***

Sebbast Iyanvettl grimaced as he watched the orcs issue chase. "Ready yourselves!" he yelled to the rest of the crew. Cracking the whip just above the rump of the desperate horses, he screeched the secret elven words he'd learned from his horse whispering master.

"Gerronwivit! Oritztheglufac toreeferya!"

Hooves pounded.

Heels kicked.

Whips cracked.

Riders whooped.

In the end, even the secret words of power were not enough to escape the wrath of the orcs as they descended on the hapless chariot.

***

Rogaine grinned at his elven counterpart as eye contact was made. Rogaine loved the chase. The only thing better was a high speed fight. He waved his sword in challenge and drew up next to the chariot.

***

How inelegant these creatures are, thought Sebbast, as he watched the silly bouncing of the massive orc on the squealing boar. How the gods tolerate these very stains on our existence I will never know...


***

Rogaine feigned a lunge with his sword, causing Sebbast to lean backwards, hanging onto the reigns to keep his balance. The effect was enough to slow the horses, giving Rogaine and his boys enough time to encircle the chariot, raining blow after blow on elf and chariot alike.

Suddenly, there was a gap in the elven defenses. Rogaine's eyes narrowed as he perceived the little chest bouncing cheerfully on the floor of the racing chariot. Pulling his boar right up to the chariot, inches away from its thundering wheel, he elbowed Sebbast out of the way, scooping the little box up into the air with the flat of his blade. Both the elf and the orc watched as the box arced up into the air.

Time slowed as a gnarled, dirty orc hand unfolded beneath the box. As it unfolded, a small flat piece of wood cracked against Rogaine's bare palm.

The pain was excrutiating. Whipping his hand back, Rogaine roared in rage as the box dropped back into the chariot.

But the elf, having slapped Rogaine's palm, was not done. He continued the downward motion, slapping the wood against the rump of Rogaine's boar. The creature started in fright, heaving straight into the chariot before falling beneath the wheel, taking Rogaine with it!

***

Sebbast sneered as he slammed his wooden ruler into the open palm of the brute. Years of being a school teacher had uniquely equipped him with the ability to deliver a critical strike to an unsuspecting hand, stopping mischief both in the school room and now on the battlefield. He grinned as he watched the shock spread across the giant orc's face: nothing that small had the right to hurt so much! They all have the same expression, he thought. Kids and orcs alike.

His undoing was capitalising on the next opportunity: as the orc leaned back, Sebbast carried his precision strike down to the boar, slapping its rump with a resounding crack. The boar pushed into the chariot, causing the orc to bash against the rail, before both rider and boar vanished from sight.

Now a chariot at high speed running into a stone, say, the size of a mouse, would cause a significant jolt to machine and crew. Were the stone a little larger, perhaps something like a load of bread, the wheel and chariot might lurch into the air - assuming the wheel survived the impact.

A chariot rolling over a rabid pig and his twenty-two stone master is a whole different kettle of fish. The entire chariot launched itself into the air, both wheels spinning freely. Casual observers would later remark that the chariot would have cleared four and a half feet at the highest point of its short flight.

***

Time ground to a halt as Rogaine perceived the sudden silence. Above him, a chariot flew. There was motion, but it was slow - so slow. The wheels turned slightly. There was a slow creak. Spraying sand and tufts of grass floated in his vision. From somewhere behind or below him there came an almost indignant squawk - was that Piggles? A semi-circle of slobber hovered in the air. Something glinted above him. Was it Percolator? He watched his bleeding knuckles slowly - ponderously - claw into the air.

His hand came away with a silver metal object.

***

Sebbast knew that the orc had gone under the chariot. That much was evident by the four foot leap the chariot had taken. His concern wasn't for the chariot landing; it was a good elven chariot and had been built from the boughs from one thousand year old silver oaks - it would be fine. His concerns were twofold: one - no part of his body was touching the chariot, and two - no part of the little box Percolator was in was touching the chariot. As his body tipped forwards, he realised that he would be fortunate - the chariot was underneath him and he'd land, painfully, back in it.

But as he tumbled, he perceived the box through his flailing legs. It floated gracefully backwards, its trajectory carrying it neatly to the orc leader, still rolling after being spat out from under the chariot.

***

Gripping the metal tightly, Rogaine rolled once more, this time reaching his hand out to steady his landing, meaning that he should stop on he's knees. He felt the jolt in his shoulder as his hand carried the impact of the hit straight through his massive frame. But he was upright.

His quick eyes caught sight of the elegant little box driving through the air towards him. Instinct kicked in. He'd played fullback on the tribes bugry team for years, and knew better than any other how to keep cool when catching a ball under pressure. Rising up from his knees and into the air in one swift motion, he caught the box squarely in his arms, hugging it to his chest before the thudded back into the ground.

***

Sebbast cursed. As he belly flopped into the chariot's base, he caught sight of the orc catching the Percolator. He registered the confusion on the orcs face as it held up a long silver object. Sebbast's eyes focussed on it - that looked strangely like a-

The air was rent with the sound of a splintering snap.

-like a locking bolt. For the axle. Where'd he get that from?

***

Rogaine, still clutching the box, squinted at the long bolt in his hands. Not the Percolator, then. Looking past the bolt, he made eye contact with Sebbast, lying as he was on his belly in the chariot. Just before the chariot flipped, Rogaine learned an elven expletive:

"Oh Faaaaaaaarrk!"

***

Reserves Phase


The reserves phase was everything you hoped it would be: troops in reserve moved.

Again, curiously, both Wood Elves and Goblins turned their backs on the fighting lines as they faced threats (real and potential) to their rears.

Oh, and two drug-addled, adrenaline fuelled, over-zealous goblin fanatics lurched forth from their containing unit as it moved into range of the Dwarf right flank. Each managed to add one entry to the obituaries in The Daily Chainmail.

Actions
GM:

WL
Skidded forward 3" @ rock
WLH
Moved 8" @ left bridge
Airbornegrove:

KBP1
Wheeled from the center 2" (complex manoeuvre)
I
Moved forward 3", changed formation to 5 files, failed 2nd manoeuvre
F
Moved forward 3"
S
Moved forward 3"
Thantsants:

F1
Moved forward 8" @ S, wounded 1
F2
Moved forward 9" @ S, wounded 1
W
Moved forward 5" @ RGH
K3C
Moved forward 2.5", halted within 4" of enemy
CGC
Turned around



Magic Phase


With the Mystic Mist still in place, Wineghum called on his darkest knowledge and summoned forth the  dead to serve him. Unfickle sorcery cares not for its candidates, as the flesh shrived off the bodies of Wood and Dark Elves alike. The deceased float, crawl and run across the field to stand to attention before their new master...

And the dwarves shoot a fireball.

C'mon - its fantasy. There's gotta be a fireball, right? The dwarven left flank reveals its magic standard, but unfortunately, fails to inflict any casualties on the Orc cavalry.


Actions
Airbornegrove:

F
Shot fireball @ RGH, wounded 0
Thantsants:

W
Summoned 13 skeletons, 26 MP remaining




Well there you have it. Combat! Objectives being met! High speed chariot stunts! The dead raised! And all in turn 2!

Turn 3 promises to be explosive!

Battle Navigator

Prologue
Meet The Contestants
Rules and Deployment
Turn 1
Turn 2 (you are here)
Turn 3
Turn 4
Turn 5
Turn 6
Turn 7
Turn 8
Turn 9
Turn 10
Epilogue