Heros
Thane Redson Sharpaxe
+ Rune of Gromril
+ Rune of Snorri
+ Rune of Cleaving
Thane Keska Greybeard
+ Battle Standard
+ Rune of Stone
+ Rune of Challenge
Runesmith Krik Smoothstone
Core
19 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ champion
19 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ champion
10 Quarrellers
10 Thunderers
Special
25 Ironbreakers
+ musician
+ Balrak Deepthrone (champion)
+ standard bearer
20 Slayers
+ musician
+ giantslayer
+ standard bearer
Grudge Thrower
+ Rune of Accuracy
Bolt Thrower
+ engineer
Rare
Organ Gun
Flame Cannon
Total = 2000pts
Showing posts with label dwarf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dwarf. Show all posts
Monday, 24 August 2009
Battle 2: The Ancient Forge
Miles to the east, Thane Redson Sharpaxe and Runesmith Krik Smoothstone were standing on a rise, having an argument. Below them sat Greyfort - an overly grand name for a small human outpost, barely more than a couple of granite towers nestled amongst the foothills. It housed a small garrison of Empire troops - evidenced by the small patrols they could see wandering around the paths leading to and from the fort.
"This changes nothing, Thane. We have our duty!" Runesmith Smoothstone stood immobile, arms folded, whilst Thane Sharpaxe paced back and forth. "You do intend to do your duty to your Hold and King?" Sharpaxe shot him a lethal glare, but remained silent. Smoothstone continued. "You know full well that the remains of a Stonebeard settlement sits under those hills."
"I know that. And I know that on top was supposed to be an Orc encampment!" Thane Sharpaxe stopped pacing and rounded on the Runesmith. "The humans are our allies! We don't just attack our allies! This changes things!"
"This changes nothing. The humans have laid claim to what is not theirs. We are here to take our property back - regardless of the thief." Smoothstone turned to regard the twin towers. "Anyway, I don't know what you are worried about. There cannot be more than two dozen men down there."
"The numbers do not bother me as well you know. I remember the oaths we have sworn to battle alongside the humans, not against them." Sharpaxe stepped in front of Smoothstone, blocking his view of the fort. "Or do THOSE oaths mean nothing to you?"
The Runesmith stared at the Thane until, eventually, Sharpaxe was forced to look away. "Do not push me, Thane. I know full well that the humans are our allies. This is a matter of priorities."
Sharpaxe looked back at that. "What do you mean?"
"The Stonebeard settlement contained the forge of Norik Smoothstone - a very knowledgeable Runelord who lived in these parts centuries ago. We believe there is much rare, perhaps lost, knowledge hidden there."
Thane Sharpaxe considered this new information. He knew that a treasure trove of runic knowledge would take precedence over this small human outpost. He also knew that although technically along to advise and oversea, Krik Smoothstone was older and more powerful than he was. A talented and proven Runesmith, he surely was not far from taking the mantle of Runelord himself - finding a cache of ancient knowledge could well be the last step he needed to make. Smoothstone was quite capable of sending Sharpaxe back with a retinue to collect the reinforcements and then ordering the assault himself and Sharpaxe's absence.
Drifting upwards from below, the sounds of shouting and metal hitting metal snapped Sharpaxe back to reality. Looking down, he saw a group of armoured men dragging a pair of dwarven scouts towards the towers. One was moving as if concussed. The other was clearly dead - his head bent at a strange angle and his left arm missing. As he watched, the bushes came alive as the rest of the scout units rose as one and pelted the men with crossbow bolts. As the soldiers fell and the dwarves recovered their comrades, a shout came from the walls of the tower.
"It seems" said the Runesmith, squinting at the scene down below "that your decision has been made for you."
"This changes nothing, Thane. We have our duty!" Runesmith Smoothstone stood immobile, arms folded, whilst Thane Sharpaxe paced back and forth. "You do intend to do your duty to your Hold and King?" Sharpaxe shot him a lethal glare, but remained silent. Smoothstone continued. "You know full well that the remains of a Stonebeard settlement sits under those hills."
"I know that. And I know that on top was supposed to be an Orc encampment!" Thane Sharpaxe stopped pacing and rounded on the Runesmith. "The humans are our allies! We don't just attack our allies! This changes things!"
"This changes nothing. The humans have laid claim to what is not theirs. We are here to take our property back - regardless of the thief." Smoothstone turned to regard the twin towers. "Anyway, I don't know what you are worried about. There cannot be more than two dozen men down there."
"The numbers do not bother me as well you know. I remember the oaths we have sworn to battle alongside the humans, not against them." Sharpaxe stepped in front of Smoothstone, blocking his view of the fort. "Or do THOSE oaths mean nothing to you?"
The Runesmith stared at the Thane until, eventually, Sharpaxe was forced to look away. "Do not push me, Thane. I know full well that the humans are our allies. This is a matter of priorities."
Sharpaxe looked back at that. "What do you mean?"
"The Stonebeard settlement contained the forge of Norik Smoothstone - a very knowledgeable Runelord who lived in these parts centuries ago. We believe there is much rare, perhaps lost, knowledge hidden there."
Thane Sharpaxe considered this new information. He knew that a treasure trove of runic knowledge would take precedence over this small human outpost. He also knew that although technically along to advise and oversea, Krik Smoothstone was older and more powerful than he was. A talented and proven Runesmith, he surely was not far from taking the mantle of Runelord himself - finding a cache of ancient knowledge could well be the last step he needed to make. Smoothstone was quite capable of sending Sharpaxe back with a retinue to collect the reinforcements and then ordering the assault himself and Sharpaxe's absence.
Drifting upwards from below, the sounds of shouting and metal hitting metal snapped Sharpaxe back to reality. Looking down, he saw a group of armoured men dragging a pair of dwarven scouts towards the towers. One was moving as if concussed. The other was clearly dead - his head bent at a strange angle and his left arm missing. As he watched, the bushes came alive as the rest of the scout units rose as one and pelted the men with crossbow bolts. As the soldiers fell and the dwarves recovered their comrades, a shout came from the walls of the tower.
"It seems" said the Runesmith, squinting at the scene down below "that your decision has been made for you."
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Battle 1: Return to the Camp
As the elves melted back into the forest, Hrunhurer pulled the arrows from his body and crawled slowly back towards the dwarven camp. He dragged with him his family standard, unwilling to leave it behind. He moved slowly, trying to avoid giving himself away to the any elves remaining in the area and eventually came across the site where Thane Danro had been cut down. His body remained - definitely dead. Surprisingly, so did his runic axe. Hrunhurer took this with him - if any of Clan Blackrock had survived the slaughter they would want this returned to them. Of Danro's oath stone he saw no sign. Hrunhurer cursed the elves - they must have stolen the precious item to take back as a trophy.
Slowly; painfully; Hrunhurer dragged himself out of the sacred glade. The elves either remained unaware of his presence or were content to let him live - their bloodlust sated for the day. It took most of the night, but eventually he staggered into the sombre dwarven encampment just beyond the forest boundary. By the small fire he found Thane Alric Blackrock staring into his mug of ale, the other survivors scattered around him mostly asleep.
"Hrunhurer reporting sir."
Alric looked up and Hrunhurer was horrified to see how much he had aged in the previous day. Somehow, seeing the look of defeat in his Thane's eyes was a harder blow than all injuries and death of the day. After a moment, Alric spoke. "You are one of the few fortunate ones. Very few of our brothers have returned from that cursed glade. Tell me - what news?"
Hrunhurer hesitated. He knew his report would do nothing to comfort the shell shocked dwarf but could think of no way to tell it differently. But he had been ordered to report and he always did his duty. "My lord, my unit is lost. Cut down by arrows as we attempted to engage the enemy. I am the last survivor." Hrunhurer's voice choked for a moment as he remembered his brother taking an arrow. "We failed to engage the enemy's missile troops. I am sorry."
"A great many failed today Hrunhurer, you are hardly alone. And my scouts tell me you were responsible for one of the few victories. You defeated that Treesinger in single combat."
Hrunhurer bowed. "Yes, my lord. She killed my brother." The words were out before he realised what he had said. The look of pain on Alric's face shot made guilt shoot through Hrunhurer's heart. "I'm sorry my lord..." his voice trailed away.
Alric turned and gazed into the fire. He was silent for a long moment before he seemed to steel himself. Still looking into the fire, and sounding like the words were being dragged from him, he asked "And is there news of Danro, my brother?"
"I am sorry my lord." Hrunhurer brought out Danro's runic weapon and handed it to Alric who turned it over and over in his gnarled hands. Speaking softly, the Thane murmured a dwarven prayer for the departed before squeezing his eyes tight shut. Another long silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Finally, Alric looked back up at Hrunhurer and was about to speak when a shout came from one of the sentries.
"Movement at the forest's edge! We can see movement!"
Alric swore and dragged himself to his feet. "Seems they aren't content with driving us from the forest. They want to finish the job." Taking his brother's axe he headed for the sentries. Hrunhurer followed. They found the sentries training their crossbows on a nearby copse. "Report." Alric ordered.
"Sir, the elves were in those trees. They didn't make any threatening moves sir. And, um... we are surprised we saw them."
"Unless they wanted to be seen." Alric stroked his beard as he watched the elves moving around. "I'm going to look. Cover me."
As Alric marched determinedly towards the copse, Hrunhurer hurried to catch up. "My lord ... is this wise?"
"The elves didn't come here to attack. They would never have allowed themselves to be seen if they had. Which means they have come to talk, or left something for us to find. Which it is, we shall soon see." The pair reached the copse. Moving slowly and carefully, they pushed through the undergrowth. It seemed the copse was circular with a clear middle and, to Hrunhurer's shock, in the middle were a dozen giant baskets woven from some kind of plant life all covered by white sheets. Cautiously the pair approached the nearest one and lifted the covering. After a long moment, Alric spoke. "It appears they are returning our dead."
The following morning was a mournful affair. The elves had indeed returned the dead dwarves - simultaneously cleansing their sacred glade of the intruders and ensuring the dwarves would not return looking to recover the bodies. The few remaining dwarves silently worked together to dig a huge grave before Alric spoke the last rites. Then there was a long silence as every dwarf thought about what had happened and came to terms with their loss. Finally, Alric turned to face the remains of his Throng. He still looked downcast but his voice was strong and clear. "What has happened here was a disaster. Many lives were lost and we accomplished nothing. However, we are still charged by High King Stonebeard to recover the Hammer of Rotek. We will march around this forest, taking the extra time until we are closer to the place where the Hammer fell. The route will be long, but we will pass through some friendly villages where we can gather more troops. However, we will need to replenish our leadership. Come forward please Hrunhurer."
Hrunhurer blinked in surprise. He hadn't been expecting this. Slowly, he limped forwards and stood before Thane Alric.
"Kneel please." Hrunhurer knelt. "Hrunhurer of Clan Heavypick, on our darkest day you brought down a leader of our enemies and survived against all the odds. You brought yourself back to us though wounded and recovered my brother's axe. You have proven your will and ability to stand at the forefront of your people."
Alric drew Danro's rune axe and touched Hrunhurer on each of his shoulders.
"Arise, Thane Hrunhurer of Clan Heavypick."
Slowly; painfully; Hrunhurer dragged himself out of the sacred glade. The elves either remained unaware of his presence or were content to let him live - their bloodlust sated for the day. It took most of the night, but eventually he staggered into the sombre dwarven encampment just beyond the forest boundary. By the small fire he found Thane Alric Blackrock staring into his mug of ale, the other survivors scattered around him mostly asleep.
"Hrunhurer reporting sir."
Alric looked up and Hrunhurer was horrified to see how much he had aged in the previous day. Somehow, seeing the look of defeat in his Thane's eyes was a harder blow than all injuries and death of the day. After a moment, Alric spoke. "You are one of the few fortunate ones. Very few of our brothers have returned from that cursed glade. Tell me - what news?"
Hrunhurer hesitated. He knew his report would do nothing to comfort the shell shocked dwarf but could think of no way to tell it differently. But he had been ordered to report and he always did his duty. "My lord, my unit is lost. Cut down by arrows as we attempted to engage the enemy. I am the last survivor." Hrunhurer's voice choked for a moment as he remembered his brother taking an arrow. "We failed to engage the enemy's missile troops. I am sorry."
"A great many failed today Hrunhurer, you are hardly alone. And my scouts tell me you were responsible for one of the few victories. You defeated that Treesinger in single combat."
Hrunhurer bowed. "Yes, my lord. She killed my brother." The words were out before he realised what he had said. The look of pain on Alric's face shot made guilt shoot through Hrunhurer's heart. "I'm sorry my lord..." his voice trailed away.
Alric turned and gazed into the fire. He was silent for a long moment before he seemed to steel himself. Still looking into the fire, and sounding like the words were being dragged from him, he asked "And is there news of Danro, my brother?"
"I am sorry my lord." Hrunhurer brought out Danro's runic weapon and handed it to Alric who turned it over and over in his gnarled hands. Speaking softly, the Thane murmured a dwarven prayer for the departed before squeezing his eyes tight shut. Another long silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Finally, Alric looked back up at Hrunhurer and was about to speak when a shout came from one of the sentries.
"Movement at the forest's edge! We can see movement!"
Alric swore and dragged himself to his feet. "Seems they aren't content with driving us from the forest. They want to finish the job." Taking his brother's axe he headed for the sentries. Hrunhurer followed. They found the sentries training their crossbows on a nearby copse. "Report." Alric ordered.
"Sir, the elves were in those trees. They didn't make any threatening moves sir. And, um... we are surprised we saw them."
"Unless they wanted to be seen." Alric stroked his beard as he watched the elves moving around. "I'm going to look. Cover me."
As Alric marched determinedly towards the copse, Hrunhurer hurried to catch up. "My lord ... is this wise?"
"The elves didn't come here to attack. They would never have allowed themselves to be seen if they had. Which means they have come to talk, or left something for us to find. Which it is, we shall soon see." The pair reached the copse. Moving slowly and carefully, they pushed through the undergrowth. It seemed the copse was circular with a clear middle and, to Hrunhurer's shock, in the middle were a dozen giant baskets woven from some kind of plant life all covered by white sheets. Cautiously the pair approached the nearest one and lifted the covering. After a long moment, Alric spoke. "It appears they are returning our dead."
The following morning was a mournful affair. The elves had indeed returned the dead dwarves - simultaneously cleansing their sacred glade of the intruders and ensuring the dwarves would not return looking to recover the bodies. The few remaining dwarves silently worked together to dig a huge grave before Alric spoke the last rites. Then there was a long silence as every dwarf thought about what had happened and came to terms with their loss. Finally, Alric turned to face the remains of his Throng. He still looked downcast but his voice was strong and clear. "What has happened here was a disaster. Many lives were lost and we accomplished nothing. However, we are still charged by High King Stonebeard to recover the Hammer of Rotek. We will march around this forest, taking the extra time until we are closer to the place where the Hammer fell. The route will be long, but we will pass through some friendly villages where we can gather more troops. However, we will need to replenish our leadership. Come forward please Hrunhurer."
Hrunhurer blinked in surprise. He hadn't been expecting this. Slowly, he limped forwards and stood before Thane Alric.
"Kneel please." Hrunhurer knelt. "Hrunhurer of Clan Heavypick, on our darkest day you brought down a leader of our enemies and survived against all the odds. You brought yourself back to us though wounded and recovered my brother's axe. You have proven your will and ability to stand at the forefront of your people."
Alric drew Danro's rune axe and touched Hrunhurer on each of his shoulders.
"Arise, Thane Hrunhurer of Clan Heavypick."
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Battle 1: Army Roster vs Wood Elves
Heros
Thane Danro Blackrock
+ oath stone
+ shield
+ Rune of Stone
+ Rune of Preservation
+ Rune of Resistance
+ Rune of Fire
Thane Alric Blackrock
+ Battle Standard
+ Rune of Preservation
+ Rune of Stone
Runesmith Condor Redmane
+ shield
+ Rune of Balance
+ Rune of Spellbreaking
Core
25 Longbeards
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ Rune of Grungni
+ champion
20 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ Garrik (champion)
20 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ champion
10 Thunderers
10 Quarrellers
+ musician
+ Standard bearer
+ Champion
Special
15 Miners
+ musician
+ Hrunhurer Heavypick (Standard bearer)
+ Trenval Heavypick (Champion)
+ blast charges
Bolt Thrower
+ Kalik (engineer)
+ Rune of Fire
Rare
Organ Gun (crew led by Heinrich)
Gyrocopter
Total = 1999pts
Thane Danro Blackrock
+ oath stone
+ shield
+ Rune of Stone
+ Rune of Preservation
+ Rune of Resistance
+ Rune of Fire
Thane Alric Blackrock
+ Battle Standard
+ Rune of Preservation
+ Rune of Stone
Runesmith Condor Redmane
+ shield
+ Rune of Balance
+ Rune of Spellbreaking
Core
25 Longbeards
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ Rune of Grungni
+ champion
20 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ Garrik (champion)
20 Warriors
+ shields
+ musician
+ standard bearer
+ champion
10 Thunderers
10 Quarrellers
+ musician
+ Standard bearer
+ Champion
Special
15 Miners
+ musician
+ Hrunhurer Heavypick (Standard bearer)
+ Trenval Heavypick (Champion)
+ blast charges
Bolt Thrower
+ Kalik (engineer)
+ Rune of Fire
Rare
Organ Gun (crew led by Heinrich)
Gyrocopter
Total = 1999pts
Battle 1: Into the Forest
Thane Danro Blackrock called a halt - his people had been marching all day and even a dwarf needed a break once in a while. The sun had been beating down on their heads, the sky cloudless. It was hot - far too hot. Danro removed his helm and wiped the sweat from his eyes as he squinted round the clearing as his troops set to preparing a camp. It was three months since High King Stonebeard had declared they would head out to meet their enemies. Much of that time had been spent celebrating and toasting the forthcoming destruction of their enemies and the mere memories of his hangover still made his head ache.
The Blackrock family were a relatively young family in the Hold. They had gained their wealth only recently when one of their prospectors had stumbled across a rich seam of adamantine. Their subsequent elevation to the ruling council in Karak Al Kaika, some hundred years ago now, was inevitable after such an incredible find but when comparing themselves to the other ruling families, established a few hundred years a piece, they still felt they had much to prove. When the given the option to lead the first advanced force in King Stonebeard's Grudge War, Lord Harak Blackrock seized the opportunity and sent forth two of his sons, Danro and Alric. Danro, the senior, was given command with Alric his second and standard bearer. They were sent out to scout the land and search for the Hammer of Rotek, lost by Thane Tarric Redmane during a patrol through the edge of the Deep Forest. The patrol had been ambushed by forces unknown and wiped out. The loss of the Hammer was a footnote in the Book of Grudges, but it was a stain on Clan Redmane who had sent along Condor Redmane, one of the senior Runesmith apprentices. If they could find the Hammer he would be able to check its authenticity.
Danro, Alric and Condor sat down for dinner as their troops cut down a few trees to make a fire. Suddenly, a shout was heard from the sentries followed by the unmistakable sound of bowstrings twanging. There were grunts of pain and the crashing of dwarven warriors running through the wood before an ominous silence. Danro and Condor looked at each other and hurried for the sounds of the disturbance. They found the first of the sentries lying in a heap at his post. The other three were a few hundred paces out, clearly shot down as they ran after something. All were stuck through with long, thin arrows. Condor pulled one out. "Hmmm" he looked at the whittled wooden tip. "Elven. And there is only one type of Elf living in these parts."
"Bring in the remaining sentries" instructed Danro. "These Elven bastards will skulk in the trees and pick them off. If they aren't going to let us pass through we will have to lure them out."
Alric was checking the map. "There is an ancient grove nearby. They will certainly come out in force to protect that."
"Good idea. We will make for there in the morning. Have Trenval's miners hit the caves - I want them ready to give out hosts a nice surprise when they come out to play."
The three leaders made their way back to the camp fire, unaware that hidden eyes were watching them. Suddenly the verdant forest was hostile territory. It was an uneasy night's sleep for the dwarven force.
The Blackrock family were a relatively young family in the Hold. They had gained their wealth only recently when one of their prospectors had stumbled across a rich seam of adamantine. Their subsequent elevation to the ruling council in Karak Al Kaika, some hundred years ago now, was inevitable after such an incredible find but when comparing themselves to the other ruling families, established a few hundred years a piece, they still felt they had much to prove. When the given the option to lead the first advanced force in King Stonebeard's Grudge War, Lord Harak Blackrock seized the opportunity and sent forth two of his sons, Danro and Alric. Danro, the senior, was given command with Alric his second and standard bearer. They were sent out to scout the land and search for the Hammer of Rotek, lost by Thane Tarric Redmane during a patrol through the edge of the Deep Forest. The patrol had been ambushed by forces unknown and wiped out. The loss of the Hammer was a footnote in the Book of Grudges, but it was a stain on Clan Redmane who had sent along Condor Redmane, one of the senior Runesmith apprentices. If they could find the Hammer he would be able to check its authenticity.
Danro, Alric and Condor sat down for dinner as their troops cut down a few trees to make a fire. Suddenly, a shout was heard from the sentries followed by the unmistakable sound of bowstrings twanging. There were grunts of pain and the crashing of dwarven warriors running through the wood before an ominous silence. Danro and Condor looked at each other and hurried for the sounds of the disturbance. They found the first of the sentries lying in a heap at his post. The other three were a few hundred paces out, clearly shot down as they ran after something. All were stuck through with long, thin arrows. Condor pulled one out. "Hmmm" he looked at the whittled wooden tip. "Elven. And there is only one type of Elf living in these parts."
"Bring in the remaining sentries" instructed Danro. "These Elven bastards will skulk in the trees and pick them off. If they aren't going to let us pass through we will have to lure them out."
Alric was checking the map. "There is an ancient grove nearby. They will certainly come out in force to protect that."
"Good idea. We will make for there in the morning. Have Trenval's miners hit the caves - I want them ready to give out hosts a nice surprise when they come out to play."
The three leaders made their way back to the camp fire, unaware that hidden eyes were watching them. Suddenly the verdant forest was hostile territory. It was an uneasy night's sleep for the dwarven force.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)