The
Dark Elf Highborn, Arion Swiftstrike, devised a scheme to win the
court's approval. He would invade Bretonnia, capturing many slaves, and
sacrifice them in the infested and abandoned province of Moussillon. It
was a foul place, where evil reigned supreme, and he hoped that the
bretonnians would not be as hard pressed to protect it than they would
their other provinces. The province was bordered by the sea, so he could bring a
raiding force via the water, and by the Time Gisoreux or Bordeleaux
could respond he could set up a defensive position.
Prologue The
Dark Elf Highborn, Arion Swiftstrike, devised a scheme to win the
court's approval. He would invade Bretonnia, capturing many slaves, and
sacrifice them in the infested and abandoned province of Moussillon. It
was a foul place, where evil reigned supreme, and he hoped that the
bretonnians would not be as hard pressed to protect it than they would
their other provinces.
The province was bordered by the sea, so he could bring a
raiding force via the water, and by the Time Gisoreux or Bordeleaux
could respond he could set up a defensive position.
The 2500 point Bretonnian warhost
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Duke -Lady's Champion Sword, Enchanted Shield, Dragons Claw, Hippogriff, Grail Virtue
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Paladin -Lance of the Quest, Ruby Goblet, Grail Virtue
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9 Grail Knights -full command, War Banner
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Army Standard -Sword of Might, Mithril Great Helm, Knights Virtue
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L2 Damsel -Chalice of Malfleur, Dispel Scroll (Thorn Father & Wood Master)
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8 Knights of the Realm -full command
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L2 Damsel -Dispel Scroll, Power Stone (Wood Master & Stone Master)
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9 Knights Errant -full command, Errantry Banner
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20 Spearmen -full command
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20 Spearmen -full command
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5 Mounted Squires -shields, musician
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5 Mounted Squires -shields, musician
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9 Foot Squires
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9 Foot Squires
The 2500 point Dark Elf raiding party
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Highborne -Blade of Ruin (no armor saves), Enchanted Shield, Mystic
Shield of Light (5+ ward save, if ward save passed vs HtH, attacker
reduced to WS1)
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9 Cold One Knights -full command, Banner of Murder (+D6" on charge)
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L2 Sorceress -Tome of Furion (+1 Spell), Dispel Scroll, (Chill Wind & Doom Bolt & Soul Stealer)
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24 Corsairs -full command, War Banner
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L2 Sorceress -Black Staff (no max power dice to cast), Dispel Scroll, (Doom Bolt & Black Horror)
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24 Corsairs -full command
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6 Dark Riders -spear, repeating x-bow, musician
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6 Dark Riders -spear, repeating x-bow, musician
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6 Dark Riders -spear, repeating x-bow, musician
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Cold One Chariot
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Cold One Chariot
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8 Shades -bloodshade
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2 Reaper Bolt Throwers
The Battlefield
The
battlefield had little scenery. There was a hill in the center of the
Dark Elf deployment zone which held the two bolt throwers. There was a
small wood in the neutral zone off to the right which held the Shades.
Another long wood stood on the left flank. I placed my Grail Knights in
the center of the field, flanked on the right by the Knights of the
Realm and on the left by the Knights Errant. The three units of Knights
were flanked by the Spearmen. Behind each Spearmen regiment stood the
Foot Squires, ready to protect the Knights' rear. The Mounted Squires
took each extreme flank. The Duke stood to the left behind the unit of
trees.
The Cold One Knights stood opposite my Grail Knights, flanked
by the Corsairs. To the left of the Corsairs stood the two Cold One
Chariots. One unit of Dark Riders stood on the far left, while the
other two took the right flank.
Let the games begin!
I took the blessing so the Dark Elves went first.
Dark Elves turn 1
The Cold One units pass their stupidity tests.
Movement
As expected, the Dark Elves move forward cautiously. It looks
like everything but the Corsair units move up to just out of my charge
range. One Dark Rider unit on the right moves up to support the
Corsairs should I charge them, and the Cold One Chariots are supporting
the other units. The Dark Rider units on the flanks move up as well.
The two Sorcerers move out of the units but remain near them.
Magic
Black Horror is cast at the Spearmen on the right, which is
scrolled. Doom Bolt is then cast on the Grail Knights but it is
dispelled.
Shooting
The Dark Riders on the left flank aim at the Mounted Squires in
front of them and kills one. The Dark Riders on the far right flank aim
at the Mounted Squires opposite them, killing two. They fail their
panic test even with the proximity of the General and run right off the
table! The last unit of Dark Riders shoots at the Spearmen on the right
but fails to wound anyone. The bolt throwers both take their spread
shots at the Spearmen unit on the right, killing three. The Shades aim
at the Spearmen on the right as well, killing three more. They pass
their panic test.
Close Combat
None.
Bretonnia turn 1
Well
the loss of the Mounted Squire unit on the right leaves my right flank
unprotected because I want my Duke to take out the bolt throwers.
Movement
The Knights of the Realm and Knights Errant charge the two
Corsair units. The Spearmen on the left move up to take the charge from
the Cold One Chariots. The other Spearment move up to protect the
Knights of the Realm flank. The Foot Squires and Mounted Squires stay
put. The Duke moves up between the two Dark Rider units on the right
forcing three terror tests between them and the Shades.
Magic
The L2 Damsel casts Master of Wood on the Shades but it is
dispelled. Then the other L2 Damsel casts Master of Stone on the left
bolt thrower but it's scrolled. The other L2 Damsel casts Master of
Wood on the Shades again but it also is scrolled.
Shooting
The Mounted Squires take aim at the Dark Riders on the left,
killing one. The Foot Squires on the left also take aim at the Dark
Rider unit killing 3 more! Too bad the Dark Riders pass their panic
test. The other Foot Squires aim at the Shades in the trees as they are
the only target available. The Foot Squires fell two Shades, but they
pass their panic test!
Close Combat
The BSB fells 2 Corsairs including the Reaver, and the rest of
the Knights of the Realm and their horses kill 5 more, for a total of 7
kills. The Corsiars can't fight back, and lose combat by 7, but
incredibly roll a 3 for their break test!
The Knights Errant and their horses kill 5 Corsiars, but forget
to pick out the Reaver, who fails to get past the Knights' armor. The
Corsairs lose combat by 4 and easily pass their break test! This is
getting crazy, so far the Dark Elves have rolled up a 4 and a 3 for
their break tests!
Dark Elves turn 2
The
Dark Riders on the far right fail their terror test and flee off the
board! The Shades and other Dark Rider unit both pass their terror
tests. The Cold One Knights and the Cold One Chariots pass their
stupidity tests.
Movement
The Cold One Chariots both charge the Spearment on the left, who
pass their fear test. The Cold One Knights charge the Grail Knights,
but roll a 1 for their +D6" and fail their charge by 1"! The Dark
Riders on the right charge into the Knights of the Realm, who pass
their panic test. The two Dark Riders on the left charge the Mounted
Squires, who stand and shoot, kill one more Dark Rider, who passes his
panic test and charges in! The L2 Sorceress on the right moves into the
Trees with the Shades.
Magic
The L2 sorceress again casts Black Horror on the Spearmen on the
right and gets irresistible force! 7 Spearmen are sucked into the void!
They only pass their panic test because the general is so
awe-inspiring. The Same sorceress casts Doom Bolt on the Duke, but it
is dispelled.
Shooting
The Shades shoot at the Spearmen, killing one. The bolt throwers
both aim at the Duke, both overcoming the blessing, but only one hits.
Thank the Lady the bolt fails to wound the Hippogriff!
Close Combat
The lone Dark Rider kills one Mounted Squire, and the Mounted Squires fail to do any wounds in return! The combat is a tie!
The
two Cold One Chariots nail the Spearmen with 9 impact hits and 9
wounds! The four Cold Ones miss their marks, and the four crew kill
another for a total of 10 wounds! The Sergeant fights back in vain. The
Spearmen lose combat by 5 and barely fail their break test. They are
run down like dogs, stopping a few inches from the amazed Foot Squires.
The Dark Riders who charged the Knights of the Realm fail to
cause any wounds! The BSS kills one Corsair, and the Corsairs fail to
cause any wounds, and the Knights of the Realm and their horses kill 3
more Corsairs for a total of 4 kills. The Corsairs fail their break
test by 4 and fail their break test. The sight of their comrades
fleeing is too much and the Dark Riders run for the hills as well! The
Knights of the Realm chase the Corsairs down, capturing their banner!
The Dark Riders get away to fight another day.
Bretonnia turn 2
Movement
The Grail Knights charge the Cold One Knights. The Duke charges
the bolt thrower, whose crew flees like cowards! The Duke decides to
stop and attack the infernal machine! The Knights of the Realm reform
to face the rear of the Cold One Knights. The Spearmen turn to face the
Sorceress in the trees. The Foot Squires on the left move up just out
of the Chariots' line of sight.
Magic
The L2 Damsel casts Master of Wood on the L2 Sorceress, which is
dispelled. The other L2 Damsel casts the same spell on the same
Sorceress, and the Dark Elves are out of scrolls and dice! The L2
Sorceress falls to the ground, choked by the trees!
Shooting
The Foot Squires on the right aim at the Shades, but fail to
cause any wounds. The other Foot Squire units aim at the Cold One
Chariot with the banner, but the arrow just sticks in the hard wood.
Close Combat
The Duke and his hippogriff actually manage to destroy the
machine and make an overrun into the other machine! The other crew
passes their test.
The Paladin with the Grail Knights kills 2 Cold One Knights,
and the rest of the Grail Knights and their horses kill 5 more! The
Highborne and Dread Knight strike back killing 3 Grail Knights,
including the Champion. The Cold One Knights lose combat by 7 and pass
their test!
The Corsairs strike first against the Knights Errant. Killing
1. The Knights Errant and their horses kill 3 Corsairs. The combat is
tied!
The lone Dark Rider on the left flank makes his attack, but
fails to wound. The remaining Mounted squires fail to wound as well,
but the Dark Rider fails his break test and gets away!
Dark Elves turn 3
All Cold Ones pass their stupidity tests. The Dark Riders both rally.
Movement
The Cold One Chariots turn to face the rear of the Grail Knights.
Magic
The remaining L2 Sorceress casts Doom Bolt at the Foot Squires
on the left but it is dispelled with 3 6s'! She then casts Chill Wind
on the same unit but is is also dispelled.
Shooting
The Shades shoot at the Spearmen killing 5! They pass their panic test!
Close Combat
The Duke wipes out the bolt thrower crew and does not overrun.
The Corsairs fighting the Knights Errant again fail to penetrate
the Knights' armor. The Knights and horses in return kill 4 Corsairs.
The Corsairs lose combat by 3 and pass their break test again.
The Highborn and the Cold One standard bearer and Dread Knight
are left to fight against the Grail Knights. The Highborn strikes at
the Grail Knights and kills 4 of them! The other two Knights and cold
ones fail to wound anything. The Paladin strikes back and kills the
Dread Knight and standard bearer. The other Grail Knights and horses
fail to do anything. The Highborn is the last one standing and passes
his break test.
Bretonnia turn 3
Movement
The Knights of the Realm charge the Highborn in the rear after
passing their fear test. The Duke moves to protect the Grail Knight's
rear from the impending Cold One Chariot charge. The Mounted Squires
charge the newly rallied Dark Rider, who flees and gets away by 1"! The
Spearment move into the woods where the Shades are, but are more than
2" away from them.
Magic
The Ld Damsel casts Master of Wood on the Shades, but it's
dispelled. The other Damsel casts the same spell on the same unit and
kills them off to the Elf!
Shooting
The Foot Squires on the left aim at the Dark Sorceress in the trees on the left, but fail to get any hits.
Close Combat
The Highborn issues a challenge, which the Knight of the Realm
Champion accepts. The Knight of the Realm fails to get past the armor
of the Highborn, and the Highborn gets 4 wounds on the champion. The
Highborn passes his break test.
The Corsairs fail to cause any wounds on the Knights Errant,
who kill 4 Corsairs in return. The Corsairs finally fail their break
test and are run down with prejudice.
Dark Elves turn 4
Stupidity is passed by all Cold One units.
Movement
The two Cold One Chariots charge the rear of the Grail Knights.
The Dark Rider unit on the right charges what would be the flank of the
Knight of the Realm unit. The last Dark Rider on the left rallies and
moves away from the Mounted Squires.
Magic
The last Sorceress casts Soul Stealer with irresistible force
against the Knights Errants. She takes one Knight Errant and one wound
from the L2 Damsel.
Shooting
None
Close Combat
The Cold One Chariots smash into the Grail Knights with 11
impact hits and finish off the two Grail Knights, leaving just the
Paladin fighting the Highborn from the front.
The Dark Riders wound one Knight of the Realm, and the Highborn
kills the Bretonnian Battle Standard Bearer! The Paladin gets 1 wound
on the Highborn, and that's it! The Dark Elves win combat but the
Bretonnians pass their tests! Whew!
Bretonnia turn 4
Movement
The Duke charges into the melee against the Cold One Chariots,
who pass their fear tests. The Knights Errant move to get a table
quarter, and the Mounted Squire unit moves to pursue the Dark rider who
has been evading them.
Magic
The L2 Damsel casts Master of Wood on the last Sorceress, which
is dispelled. The second attempt is good and the sorceress falls to her
knees.
Shooting
The Foot Squires and Mounted Squires shoot at the last Dark Rider from the unit, removing him from his saddle.
Close Combat
The Duke and his hippogriff obliterate one Cold One Chariot with
the banner. The Highborn kills the Paladin (6+ ward saves are
useless!). The Dark Riders fail to wound the Knights of the Realm, but
the Knights of the Realm kill 2 Dark Riders. The Bretonnians win by at
least 10 so all Dark Elf units auto-break! The Duke runs down the
Highborn and the Knights of the Realm run down the Dark Riders. The
Cold One Chariot gets away.
At this point the Dark Elf player concedes with only 1 Cold One Chariot left.
Epilogue
I was impressed with the Highborn's combat ability. I had nothing that
could wound him with his 0+ armor save and 5+ ward save. He took out 2
Paladins, a unit of Grail Knights, and Knight of the Realm or two by
himself! I must say, if he hadn't charged the Cold One Chariots into
battle to give my Duke something to swing at I think he may have
whittled my units down until he won! Also, charging in his Dark Riders
wasn't a good idea either. It gave me something with no armor to strike
at. He should have moved to my rear for the +2 combat resolution. Bretonnia: 2902
Dark Elves: 990
Result: Massacre for Bretonnia!
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