Grudge Trudge 3000 Reikland vs Clan Destyn
Death by a thousand cuts is still a death. And a damn bloody one at that.
Across the great expanse that is Reikland, for the past several years, the Emperor's supply routes have been the target of brutal raiding parties. Using guerrilla-style hit and run tactics, the bandits' plundering is happening much more frequently while never leaving a trail of evidence. It has reached a crescendo and the missing money and product is starting to gouge deep into his Lordship's treasury. The highest ranked official in the province is his Eminence Roger de Flor, Arch Lector of the Church of Sigmar. This is all happening under his watch and he can no longer tolerate failure. He commissions the aid of a legendary tracker and is able to discern that the reason no evidence is ever left at the crime scene is because the perpetrators are dissolving back into the ground after the raids! They are the denizens of the Under Empire: The Skaven! Although de Flor is wise enough to know that these creatures are not only real, but they are getting very strong if they are brave enough to come out into the sunlight. The tracker penetrates deep within the vast underground network of caves. He reports back what he sees: the massing of an army. He saw the shape of what appeared to be 2 massive war machines being constructed with others under construction as well. Upon hearing this news, de Flor sends a message by pigeon to his superior asking for direction. In the meantime, he has great bonfires started at the entrance to the Under City. The power of Sigmar spreads the smoke into the tunnels for miles and miles. The Skaven, afraid to approach the massive fires, suffer smoke inhalation for 5 days before the Grey Seer returns from his mission. Representing Clan Destyn, the Grey Seer is not happy to be summoned back a week ahead of schedule. Luckily, with his excellent organizational skills, construction of his machines of war will finish early. He doesn't have time to waste as the smoke is getting very thick and is burning his lungs. Grey Seer Ook's seat on the Council of Thirteen will be concrete when he fulfills his destiny and destroys the Reikland garrison.
So it is on this day, March 13th, that Grey Seer Ook leads his coughing and sputtering forces out from newly dug exits. Pleased with the fresh air, he can feel the momentum beginning to swing in his favor. His forces look refreshed and hungry. Perfect. They have a grudge to settle with the humans. The white furred Skaven wishes to engage his enemy on his own terms: by surprise. Unfortunately, Grey Seers don’t always get what they wish for. Unbeknownst to Ook, the message de Flor sent had reached the Emperor himself who dispatched troops to force march, meet up with, and eradicate the Skaven. The Empire’s forces look beleaguered and weary from the march. Yet their eyes’ are steely and do not betray any fear while looking across the field at the rat creatures. The men bang their weapons against their shields in pre-battle tradition. The masses of rats skitter nervously and continue to look to their leaders for assurance. Plague monks travel up and down the lines promising great riches in death, whipping the rats into a frenzy. While the humans set up their machines and gather into block formations, Seer Ook smiles. The mission he just returned from was a success. In his possession was a scroll of immense power, likened only to the Great Horned One himself. With it, his plans of greatness are at hand. The day is his to lose.
The two forces meet on a dry parched expanse of barren land. Between them stands the remains of an Arcane Ruin (which may be the source behind this blighted landscape). The burps of the cannons from across the battlefield signals the inevitable: the
battle has started.
Astorre is playing the role of Empire, while I command the Skaven forces. 3000pts. Pitched Battle. After we rolled, only one piece of special terrain: Arcane Ruin (all mages within 6" get to roll 4 dice for channelling). He placed a unit first. He still had a +1 to go first. He rolled a 2. So did I. Empire goes first.
KABOOM!
Arch Lector General Astorre Vendetti - GW, AoMI, Holy Relic, VHS
Arch Lector Roger de Flor - Armour of Silvered Steel, Dawnstone
Lv4 Life Wizard Malatesta de Verucchio - Power Scroll, Crimson Amulet (rolled spells 2, 3, 5,6)
Captain Giovanni Ordelaffi - BSB, FPA, Ironcurse Icon, Talisman of Preservation
Captain Ferrante Gonzaga - Lance, Pistol, FPA, Charmed Shield, Crown of Command, Pegasus
Warrior Priest Facino - Dragonhelm, Heavy Armour, Shield
Lv1 Shadow Wizard Alberico de Barbiano - Rod of Power (elected to have Miasma spell)
2 Engineers, Beppo & Muzio
Reikland's XIV Expeditionary Force, 50 Halberdiers - FC
Reikland's XI Expeditionary Force, 51 Halberdiers - FC
Tilean mercenaries Guiseppe's Devil Dogs, 30 Swordsmen - FC
3 Great Cannons
4 Mortars
Carroburg Greatswords, 30 GS - FC
Grey Seer Ook SBell, General, Power Scroll, DragonBane Gem, Portents of Verminous Doom (rolled Ruin spells 4,5,6 and 13th) x2 warpstone
Plague Priest Lv2, Furnace, Flail, Dispel Scroll, Ironcurse Icon (rolled Plague spells 3,6)
BSB Chieftain Storm Banner
Warlock Engineer Doomrocket
Warlock Engineer Charmed shield, Rat Hound Bodyguard
35 Stormvermin FC, Shroud of Dripping Death (which I forgot about the entire game
), Warpfire Weapon Team
35 Plague Monks FC, Banner of Eternal Flame
x3 50 Slaves FC with shields
x2 7 Gutter Runners Slings, Poison
HPA
x2 Doomwheels
Warp Lightning Cannon
3 Rat Swarms (put these together the night before...1st time using a "swarm")
(To be continued)