Bronislav squinted at the sun, which drove fiery spikes into this ale sodden brain. Things had not gone well today. The blasted scouts had misjudged the wild Elves' speed. As a result, the Vor'Ir Aq'Kharneth had been cut off from their choice of battlefield. The feral Elves waited under the eaves of a forest about three hundred yards to the east. Their count had been better. The Vor'Ir were half again as many as their enemy.
Vladimir approached, his hands blackened with soot from his auguries. His face was a grim mask. Bronislav grimaced as another spike of pain lanced through his head.
"Vladimir, you look just as dreadful as I feel. What news?"
"It is not good Aq'Kharneth. The divination forewarned of great peril, for you in particular. The signs are against us, my Lord, perhaps we should wait for better portents before we engage?"
"Are you mad? If we do not fight we will have to withdraw!" Bronislav shouted, wincing in pain at the volume of his own words. "We outnumber these Elves, and I will not yield our lands to them because your cinders did not make favorable patterns! With an advantage like this we do not need any otherworldly aid!"
"Aq'Kharneth, I beg you to reconsider…" At this a hail of arrows launched from the treeline, falling into their ranks.
"No time to argue, Vladimir. We attack now!" Bronislav shouted, spurring his mount forward.
The Battle:
Ardalain Swiftwind, commander of the Army of the Twisted Heath, in a desperate bid to cement his command takes a perilous gamble. He attacks his hated enemy, the fire-wielding Vor'Ir Aq'Kharneth, who greatly outnumbers him. If the Wood Lord can pull out a victory his followers will be re-energized.
The scenario is "pitched battle", the game will last six turns.
The Forces:
CHAOS: (2100 pts.)
The Vor'Ir Aq'Kharneth
Vladimir (using fire magic, naturally) opts to take the "Fireball" spell.
WOOD ELVES: (1400 pts.)
Wood Elf Lord: Ardalain Swiftwind (Acorn of Ages, Vambraces of Lightning, Biting Blade)
Wood Elf Mage on Unicorn: Nuala (Dispel Scroll, The Oxen Stands, The Crow's Feast)
(12) Wood Elf Archers (Alder)
(12) Wood Elf Archers (Pine)
(9) Wood Elf Archers (Maple)
(5) Glade Riders
(10) Dryads
(9) Wardancers
The Battlefield:
The table is 4' X 6'. There is a large hill with impassable terrain on either side to the far east of the field. There is a wood in the northwest, and two more flanking each other in the northeast. (Once again I placed the hill out of my opponent's deployment zone and then passed on my next turn).
View the terrain and deployment
Since they were SEVERELY outnumbered, the Wood Elves finished deploying first and due to their special rules got an additional +1 to their roll for first turn. They won first turn handily.
Turn 1: Wood Elf
The shrill blast of horns signal the Wood Elves to make take cover. The Dryads move through the forward western forest and wait at its sougthern edge. The Wardancers follow them up, also taking refuge in the forest. The Wood Elf Lord canters into the rear western forest and surveys the field. The Wizard urges his Unicorn into the eastern forest. Both he and the third archer unit move up to the southern edge.
The sky darkens with arrows that fly out of the groves. The Forest Lord targets the western Hellfire Raiders but fails to wound. The Alder and Pine units of Archers which are in the open, fire on the Firewalkers and the Infernal Legion respectively, but both are just out of range. The Maple Archers (in the trees) opens up on the eastern Hellfire Raiders dropping one. The Glade Riders, who did not move, take aim at the eastern Raiders and fells two more. The stalwart Raiders shrug off the damage.
Turn 1: Chaos
To the relentless beating of the drums the Chaos line surges forward. The Firewalkers and Infernal Legion march straight forward. The Ogres easily outpace thier human comrades and angle toward the Glade Riders. The eastern Raiders angle in behind the Ogres for some cover. The western Raiders spur their mounts forward and position themselves to the southwest of the Dryads' forest, ready for action. The Magma Guard canters forward, placing themselves between the Dryads and the Infernal Legion. The Cinderspawn take flight and land just behind the rocks on the north end of the hill.
Uttering mighty words of power, Vladimir thrusts his staff at the Maples, hoping to scare them out of the wood. A huge ball of fire erupts from the staff and screams toward the Archers. Although the fireball hit squarely in the middle of the unit only two of the elves were charred (the bad rolls begin early, after rolling a 5 for number of hits I can only manage 2 wounds on a 3 or better).
Turn 2: Wood Elf
With a ululating cry the Forest Lord charges out of his glade toward the western Raiders, who decide to fight. The Dryads move out of the forest behind the Magma Guard. The Wardancers move the the edge of the forest. The Glade Riders slide to the eastern side of the hill and draw a bead on the Cinderspawn.
Nuala waves her hands and chants, ordering a nearby flock of crows to attack the Ogres who ignore the nuisance and keep coming (2 wounds). Then the wizard sings the wood He and the Maples are in back away from the ogre threat.
The Maples fire at the Ogres and manage to fell one (1 wound). The Pines also fire at the Ogres but are unable to penetrate their thick hides. The Alders take aim at the Magma Guard, but thier shafts bounce harmlessly off the impenetrable chaos armor. Nuala fires his bow at the Ogres to no effect. The Glade Riders open fire on the Cinderspawn at close range, but are only able to bring down one of the flyers.
Lord Swiftwind makes short work of the western Raiders, killing three with his whirling blade and crushing the remainder under his steed's hoofs.
Turn 2: Chaos
The Firewalkers continue their relentless march forward. The Magma Guard continues its advance, skirting the wood and paying no heed to the danger inside. The Infernal Legion moves in behind the Guard to cover their rear from the threatening Dryads. The Ogres race inexorably toward the forest where the Maples and Nuala reside. The Marauder Horsemen follow them up. The Cinderspawn, ignoring the Glade Riders' fire, fly past them and into the Wood Elves' rear area, threatening the Pines.
Vladimir prepares to unleash his fires on the Maples huddled in the glade, but Nuala's scroll steals the magical energies before he could get them formed.
Turn 3: Wood Elf
The Wardancers burst from the treeline and charge the Magma Guard's flank, which is anchored by Bronislav himself. The Driads utter an eerily windy cry and throw themselves onto the Infernal Legion. The Glade Riders gallop over the hill and threaten the rear of the remaining two Raiders. Lord Swiftwind wheels his horse around and moves to the Infernal Legion's flank. The Maples, who do not like the Ogres to be so close, fade from their positions in the trees and move to the north side of the forest where they can harry the Cinderspawn. Seeing the wisdom of their move, Nuala follows.
Nuala, who sees the threat the Cinderspawn pose to the Pines attempts to unleash the crows once again but, in a little magical tit-for-tat, Vladimir scrolls her attempt.
WHOOSH! The Wood Elves launch another salvo. The Maples fire on the Cinderspawn taking down another one. Nuala also takes aim at the flying daemons, but cannot hit. The Glade Riders let fly at the Raiders, but thier gallop over the hill has fouled thier aim and they cause no wounds. The Pine Archers assess the greatest threat and, deciding that it is the Firewalkers, launch at them. Two of the Marauders go down. The Alders follow their lead and kill two more, but their advance continues.
The Wardancers crowd around Bronislav and execute their dance of Whirling Death. Bronislav is surprised by this sudden onslaught and is mortally wounded, despite his armor and wards (10 attacks, 6 hits, 3! killing blows, only one saved with the ward). He falls lifeless from his horse. Shocked and disheartened by the Lord's apparent demise, as well as the fury of the Wardancers' attacks, the Magma Guard lose their nerve and head for the hills. The Wardancers give chase, but even the long strides of the Elves cannot match a war horse.
The Dryads flow into thier birch aspect and thier flurry of blows brings down three of the Legion (18! attacks, 6 hits, 5 wounds, 2 saved). Standing firm, Grigor calls to the Legion's champion and together they carve thier way through the storm of wooden limbs, felling five in return. The ferocity of the Legion's attacks beat back the Dryads, who flee into the woods. Grigor tries to hold the Legion, knowing what following the Dryads would mean, but he was unable to quell their bloodlust and they rushed headlong into the forest. Of course they were no match for the tree spirits in thier element and failed to catch them.
Turn 3: Chaos
An unnerving shriek fills the air as the Cinderspawn swoop out of the sky onto the unsuspecting Pine Archers. Thier resolve holds, however, and they take the attack on the flank. The Magma Guard rallies and turns to face the Wardancers and the Glade Riders. The Firewalkers continue toward the line of archers. The Ogres crash through the eastern wood and end up right behind the Maples and Nuala. The Raiders loop around the eastern forest and threaten them as well. Grigor takes control of the Legion and executes an about face in an attempt to get out of the forest, but was not able to clear.
Vladimir levels his staff at the Alders and launches a fireball at them taking down two (once again I roll 5 hits but can only get 2 wounds on a 3 or better).
The Raiders hurl their throwing axes at the Maples, but are unable to penetrate the dense foliage.
The Cinderspawn's flailing claws take down one of the Elves who can do no damage in return. They group around their banner and hold.
Turn 4: Wood Elf
Seeing their advantage the Dryads and Forest Lord both charge the Magma Guard. Wary of the Whirling Death the knights retreat for a better position. Nuala charges the Cinderspawn in a bid to help out the Pines. The Maples turn around to face the seething Ogres.
The Maples fire at point blank range on the Ogres, taking one down. The Glade Riders also fire on the Ogres, but thier arrows find no flesh. The Alders continue to fusillade the Firewalkers who lose three more but keep coming.
Nuala's unicorn steed skewers two of the furies on her magical horn. Nuala fails to wound, and the Maples bring one down as well. The Cinderspawn lose their grip on the material plane and vanish.
Turn 4: Chaos
Seeing an easy target the Raiders charge Nuala in the rear. The Ogres roar and charge the Maples, who thinking better of combat with the brutes, run for the hills (off the table). In a particularly undisciplined moment the knights fail to rally (needed a 9, rolled a 10!). The Infernal Legion finally finds its way out of the forest and move up to threaten the Wardancers. The Firewalkers make one final march toward the Alders before the charge.
Vladimir attempts once again to burn the Alders, but Nuala intercepts the spell and quashes it.
The Raider champion orders his comrade to attack the wizard, while he concentrates on the unicorn. They manage to kill both.
Turn 5: Wood Elf
The Alders, fearful of the threat from the marauders move back. The Dryads finally get back into position and threaten the rear of the Legion. The Wardancers turn to face the Legion. The Forest Lord and Glade Riders get into position to fire on the Firewalkers.
Being the most imminent threat, the Firewalkers are shot from all sides. The Alders fire at nearly point blank range and, with skill only possessed by the Wood Elves, bring down five (10 shots, 8 hits, 5 wounds, no saves). The Forest Lord also fires on the marauders but cannot wound. The Glade riders open up on the Firewalkers and an equally amazing display take down three more (5 shots, 3 hits, 3 wounds, no saves). This is too much for the already depleted Firewalkers who break and run. The Pines, now free of combat, fire upon the Raiders whose armor absorbs the damage.
Turn 5: Chaos
Grigor and the Infernal Legion charge the Wardancers who hold. The Firewalkers are still too shaken up to rally (once again I needed a 9 and I got a 10!) and almost flee off of the field of battle (they were literally 1/4 inch from the edge). The Raiders side-slip to the flank of the Pines. The Ogres wheel to face them as well.
The Raiders hurl thier axes again and two of the Pines go down.
The Infernal Legion crashes into the Wardancers. They deal with them handily, killing one and taking no casualties in return. The press of armored bodies threatens to break the Wardancers who dance the Shadow's Coil and stay.
Turn 6: Wood Elf
The Dryads rush toward the exposed rear of the Infernal Legion but cannot reach. Lord Swiftwind charges the Legion's flank. Grigor screams a challenge and the Forest Lord accepts.
The Alders fire at the Firewalkers taking down one more but having little effect. The Glade riders fire upon the distant Magma Guard to no effect. The Pines fire point blank at the Ogres, felling another.
Lord Swiftwind, after a short but vicious battle dispatches Grigor. The Wardancers take out three more. The Legion does only one casualty in return, but it buoys thier spirits enought to stick it out.
Turn 6: Chaos
The Ogres bellow and charge the hapless Pines, who valiantly stand but cannot get off a shot before the beasts are on them. The Vladimir finally convinces the Firewalkers to rally. The Raiders slip around to get a bead on the Alders who are facing away from them.
Vladimir once agian levels his staff at the Alders, but the winds of magic ebb and he is unable to cast.
The Raiders hurl their axes and take down one Alder, but not enough to make them run.
The Ogres quickly take down four of the Pines, who do no damage in return. They flee the combat and although the Ogres cannot catch them, they are out of the battle. The Infernal Legion again battles to victory against the combined might of the Wardancers and the Forest Lord. The dancers Shadow's Coil again to ensure they stay, and the Lord stays too.
The Aftermath
The battle turned out to be a Minor Victory for the Wood Elves. It was a Major Embarrassment for Chaos. The Wood Elves destroyed a farm before leaving...spoils of war.
Lessons Learned:
The Wardancers are the best weapon the Wood Elves have against Chaos. As I said before I did not know about their new dances. The ability to have two attacks per Wardancer, each a killing blow, and since they are skirmished they can get a lot of attacks on if they want. Plus the Shadow's Coil to hold them until they can Whirling Death again. Definately have to shoot these mofos, or get them with rank and file. Knights and generals stay away! I am amazed at my inability to rally on a nine (twice!). To make matters worse, my opponent's dice were on fire! He was rolling 5's and 6's to wound all over the place!
I must say I was a bit discouraged by this horrible loss, but I chalk it up to experience and move on. The loss had little real meaning in the campaign. He destroyed a farm, which I quickly replaced and built two more besides. Next week I am taking him on again. Chaos 2400 pts, Wood Elves 1600 pts. Now that I know about his special abilities I will be better prepared to deal with them.
After the battle, Vladimir had a detail round up all the slain and wounded. They found Bronislav near death but conscious. His head had been nearly severed and his throat gaped open where the blade had passed, narrowly missing the spine. His breastplate was riven and his heart had been pierced. They loaded him onto a cart next to Grigor, who had taken a near fatal wound to the thigh.
Bronislav remembered every jarring bounce the cart took over the rutted path. He could barely breathe, but oblivion would not take him. He remembered Varna and Evika wailing when they saw his gore soaked body being carted into the compound. He remembered Vladimir ordering two of his priests to keep them away.
Most of all he remembered being placed upon the glowing coals. He remembered the searing heat, charring his flesh. The fire that normally would not touch his skin now scalded it.
For two nights and one day he lay in fiery agony, burned but not consumed by the blaze. All that time Vladimir knelt over him, swaying and chanting. The pain had become unbearable. Then, mercifully, his vision began to narrow. He felt himself slipping away. Thank you, Aq'Chamoneth, for allowing your unworthy servant to die.
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