1500 Points v. High Elves: By Galvandor

Introduction.


A strong wind was blowing through the trees, making branches and leaves rustle. Elmyaree the Scout, lay motionless, hidden in the thick undergrowth of the forest. He was watching a group of armed figures who where marching along the woodland path. A few rays of the morning sun shone through the heavy-clouded sky, making weapons and armour giving of glints of reflection. Elmyaree shifted his position slightly, to get a better look. The armed party was a group of High Elves! What were they doing here, unannounced he wondered. His first thought was to play the a practical joke, to appear suddeny unseen beside them. The wind would mask his movements, and he was well versed in the skill of stalking. But his instincts warned him. Years as a scout had taught him patience and caution. Besides, it was not very wise to startle an armed stranger. His keen eyes scanned the armed group one more time. It looked just like an armed party of his distant kin from Ulthuan; well disciplined, well equipped, arrogant and haughty. A small detail caught is eye, and he focused. By Kournos!, one of the elves carried a shield with the mark of Slaneesh, a god of Chaos. Another elf wre jewellery in the form of a Slaneeshi rune. And another one had a visible mutation. These elves were 'Tainted Ones'! Elmyaree's body froze, and his heart hammered, while thoughts flew trough his head. Lord Galvandor must be warned! His retinue were marching along the same path, in the opposite direction. The two parties would soon meet! He turned slowly, ready to dash away as soon as he was out of sight, when he caught movement in the cornerof his eye. He saw a shadow, two shadows, no three shadows, moving stealthily towards him! The enemy had skirmishers fanned out as an vanguard! There was no time to lose! Elmyaree ran like a deer.
And in the wind you could almost hear an amused chuckle. But it could easily have been your own imagination
--

Lord Galvandor sat slumped in the saddle of his stallion; Dash. He felt miserably. Both his body and mind was weary and fatigued by the lack of sleep and rest. The evil dreams was still haunting him, every night. He did not understand. As an experienced warrior and commander he had had his share of nightmares before, but not like this. Even the meditation with Mazaii was giving less than satisfactory results. He sighed. It did not help to feel self-pity. He straightened up and looked around. His retinue was keeping up a good pace, and the spirits were high. He smiled to them, and turned towards Mazaii, when he saw movement. One of his scouts came running towards them. Galvandor raised his hand and signalled stop. He bent down to hear the report from the scout. Elmyaree’s breathing was laboured after the hard sprint, but Galvandor clearly heard his words: "The ‘Tainted Ones’ are coming. They are right behind me!". "Prepare for battle!", Galvandor shouted , and not a moment too early. Around a bend in the path came the enemy.

And the wind blew stronger...
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Special rules

-1500 pts each side
-Max 50 pts Magic Items per character
-No Special Characters
-Senario: Meeting Engagement
-Total Power and Drain Magic are removed from deck

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Lord Galvandors Retinue (Wood Elf War Host)

-Lord Galvandor (General)
Steed, Lt. arm, Shield, Lance, Jade Amulet, Hail of Doom.

-Mazaii (Mage Champion)
Steed, Rod of Power, Dispel Scroll

-Aldamir (Mage)
Warhawk, Black Gem of Gnar

-Gawain (Champion)
Steed, Lt. arm, Lance, Charmed Shield

-Savag (Wardancer Campion)
Add. weapon, Potion of Strength

-5xGlade Riders (led by Gawain)
Steed, Lt. arm, Shield, Lance, Standard: War Banner

-5xWardancers (led by Savag)
Add. weapon

-Chariot
4xSteeds, 2xCrew, Scythed Wheels, Lt. arm, Spear

-5xDryads

-5xScouts
Longbow

-9xArchers
Longbow

-9xArchers
Longbow

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High Elf Army

-General
Armour of Meteoric Iron, Halberd, Longbow

-Champion
H arm, Shield, Spear, Longbow

-Mage Champion
Rod of Power, Dispel Scroll

-Swordmaster Champion
H arm, Double handed weapon, Jade Amulet

-Reaver Champion
Steed, Lt arm, Spear, Bow

-16xSea Guards (led by General & Champion)
H arm, Shield, Spear, Longbow, Standard: Standard of Shielding

-13xSwordmasters (led by Mage Champion & Swordmaster Champion)
H arm, Double handed weapon, Standard: Banner of might

-4xReaversKnights (led by Reaver Champion)
Steed, Lt arm, Spear, Bow

-10xArchers
Longbow, Standard

-5xShadow Warriors
Shield, Bow

-5xShadow Warriors
Shield, Bow

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Battlefield layout:

We played the game on a 4’x4’ table. North was the High Elf table edge, and south was the Wood Elf table adge.

Scenery was as follows:
- In the N-W quadrant there was the remains of a barn
- In the N-E quadrant there was a small, one level hill
- In the S-W quadrant there was a solid stone building
- In the S-E quadrant there was a small wood

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Deployment


Deployment; Wood Elves

-The Scouts deployed on the northern edge of the forest.
-The Dryads deployed in the forest, behind the Scouts
-The Wardancers deployed in the forest, behind the Dryads
-The Glade Riders deployed in the forest, behind the Wardancers
-The two Archer units deployed side by side on the west side of the forest, close to the southern table edge.
-The Chariot deployed behind the forest, hidden from sight.
-Lord Glavandor deployed between the two Archer units
-The Mage Champion Mazzaii deployed in the western edge of the forest
-The Mage Aldamir deployed behind the old building.


Deployment; High Elves

-The two Shadow Warrior units deployed side by side, in front of the barn.
-The Reaver Knights deployed next to the Shadow Warriors
-The Swordsmasters deployed in the middle of the field, as far south as possible
-The Archer unit deployed next to the Swordmasters, but further north
-The Seaguard deployed on the eastern flank, as far south as possible

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The Battle:


HE Turn 1:
 -Movement: Both the Shadow Warrior units broke into skirmish formation and marched forward. The Reaver Knights also adopted skirmish formation and advanced. The Swordmasters marched forward, swinging their greatswords. The Seaguard unit moved forward, and the front rank knelt. The HE Archer unit stood still

-Shooting: The Reaver Knights fired their bows at the closest WE Archer unit, and one WE fell. First blood to the High Elves! The HE Archer unit fired at the other WE Archer unit, but was out of range with about a inch (relieved sigh!). Lastly, the first two ranks of the highly disciplined Seaguard unit targeted the Scouts who had taken cover in the woods. Led by the HE General, who was an excellent archer, they killed all five of the Scouts.

--Hand-to-hand: Nothing. No-one was in close combat yet.

--Magic: The HE Mage champion whirled his hands in the air and tried to summon ‘The Tempest’. Feeling the strength of the High Magic user, Mazaii decided to use his Dispel Scroll to stop it, and the winds was dulled for the moment.


WE Turn 1:
--Movement: Aldamir urged his Warhawk forward, and he flew over the heads of the Shadow Warriors, and landed behind them, his front turned against the HE Archer unit. The Dryads moved to the edge of the forest, closely followed by the Wardancers. The Glade Riders adopted skirmish formation, and moved at full speed to the extreme eastern flank. The chariot followed, but had to take the long route around the forest.

--Shooting: The western WE Archers shot at the Reaver Knights, and avenged their fallen brother, as one of the horsemen toppled from the saddle. The other WE Archer unit and Galvandor, with his Hail of Doom, shot at the HE Archer unit and kills four (Hail of Doom = 10 shots at S4= ONE! dead HE Archer). L

--Hand-to-hand: Nothing. Still no-one in close combat.

--Magic: Mazaii unleashed the fury of the wood, in the form of ‘Destruction’, on the Reaver Knights. The HE Mage champion failed to dispel, and the Reaver Knights was destroyed.

-HE Turn 2:
--Movement: The HE Archer unit wheeled to face Aldamir on his Warhawk. One unit of Shadow Warriors also moved towards him. The other Shadow Warrior unit advanced towards the WE Archers. The Swordsmasters moved towards the Dryads, and the Seaguards wheeled to face the Glade Riders.

--Shooting: The HE Archers and one of the Shadow Warrior units targeted Aldamir with a veritable hail of arrows, but he was unscathed (11 shots, 6 hits, 1 wound which was saved on the roll of 6!). The remaining Shadow Warriors fired at the WE Archers and felled two. With another show of martial discipline the Seaguards shot at the Glade Rides, and one of the noble WE knights fell to the ground, an arrow lodged in his eye.

--Hand-to-hand: Nothing.

--Magic: The HE Mage champion weaved his hands in intricate pattern, and a grey mist rose from the earth around the Dryads, as they were spellbound by the ‘Glamour of Teclis’. His arms then became whirlwinds of power as he summoned the ‘Tempest’. Mazaiis attempt to stop him was easily pushed aside, and suddenly the winds turned to a hurricane. Aldamir and his Warhawk was forced to the ground, and the beautiful WE Chariot was turned into a wrecked heap of splintered wood. The crew survived though, and emerged unscathed from the wreckage.

-WE Turn 2:
--Movement: Because of the ‘Tempest’ every WE unit has to pass a leadership test to move. Lord Galvandor tried to charge the Shadow Warriors, but because of the high winds his steed refused to move. The Shadow Warriors saw their opportunity, and let loose with their bows, actually managing to hit and wound in the high wind. Lord Galvandors Jade Amulet glowed green as it absorbed the damage. Aldamir moved his Warhawk at ground speed towards the HE Archers. The Glade Riders pass their Ld test and continued their flank movement, and ended up behind the HE battleline. The Dryads and Wardancers held fast.

--Shooting: Both the WE Archer units opened fire on the Shadow Warriors, but a combination of high winds and skirmishing enemy drastically reduced the chance to hit. Luckily, two was killed, and the remaining failed their panic test and broke.

--Hand-to-hand: Nothing

--Magic: Mazaii’s steed grew misty wings as he cast ‘Teleport Self’, and he flew into the fleeing Shadow Warriors, and destroyed them. His last act was to dispel the raging ‘Tempest’.


-HE Turn 3
--Movement: The Swordsmasters charged the Dryads. The Seaguards turned and moved towards the Wardancers.

--Shooting: The remaining Shadow Warriors and HE Archers fired their arrows at the grounded Mage Aldamir, but once again he survived without a scratch. The Seaguards fired at the Wardancers in front of them, and one of the agile elves was killed by an arrow in the chest.

--Hand-to-hand: The Dryads used their Willow aspect, and their long, willowy hair prevented the bulk of the Swordsmasters attacks. Only the Swordsmaster champion was fast and strong enough to land a blow, and he carved a chunk out of one of the fey creatures. The Dryads retaliated fiercely, but their opponents were skilled fighters, and only on was slain. The press of superior numbers was to much and the Dryads broke. The Swordsmaster pursued, but ran directly into the Wardancers. No-one panicked.

--Magic: The HE Mage Champion cast ‘Glamour of Teclis’ on Galvandor, and the already confused WE general was enveloped by grey mist. He then tried to summon the strong winds again, but this time Mazaii was up to the task, and managed to dispel it.


-WE Turn 3:
--Movement: The Glade Riders charged into the flank of the Seaguard unit. Both the mages, Mazaii and Aldamir, charged the HE Archers. Galvandor was confused by the mists and all the sounds around him so he moved away from the battle! (I failed the Ld-test for ‘Glamour of Teclis’, and my opponent moved him). The two WE Archer units turned towards the Shadow Warriors.

--Shooting: Both the WE Archer units shot at the Shadow Warriors and felled three, the remaining two passed their panic test.

--Hand-to-hand: The Wardancers use Shadows Coil to force a draw. With the sound of thundering hooves and splintering lances, the Glade Riders charge hit home. Three Seaguards are killed, and the Glade Riders was unwounded. Even though the HE lost the combat badly, they held fast under the steely gaze of their general. The combat between the two WE mages and the HE Archers was not a display of martial prowess. All attacks missed, but the HE standard forced break test on the mages. Both passed, but Aldamir and his Warhawk was driven off.

--Magic: Mazaii dispelled the ‘Glamour of Teclis’. The rest of WoM cards was stored in his Rod of Power.


-HE Turn 4:
--Movement: The HE General and the Seaguard Champion moved through the ranks, and engaged in the close-combat. The rest of the HE army was already in combat or had targets for their bows.

--Shooting: The last two Shadow Warriors shot at the WE Archers, but no-one was hurt.

--Hand-to-hand: Mazaii and his steed actually managed to kill an HE Archer, leaving no-one to strike back, but their standard made it a stand-off. Gawain, the Glade Rider Champion, issued a challenge and swallowed hard when the HE General accepted. He raised his ‘Charmed Shield’ to protect himself from the strikes from the massive halberd, and it was struck squarely, breaking the enchantments but saving his life (the opponents general hit only once, and this was discarded by his magic shield J ). Gawain let out a relieved sigh, but he too was unable to wound his opponent. The other Glade Riders fought with skill and managed to kill both the Seaguard Champion and one regular Seaguard without any casualities. This time it was too much for the Seaguards, and despite the best efforts of their General, they broke and fled. Only to be crushed under the hooves of the Glade Riders. The remaining HE showed their discipline and no-one panicked from the demise of their General. The combat between the Wardancers and the Swordmasters was going badly. Savag, the Wardancer Champion cried out a challenge as he entered the ‘Whirling Death’-dance. The Swordsmaster Champion accepted. Savag had a hard time trying to injure his opponent without help of his ‘Potion of Strength’, wich he had been unable to drink, and the one wound he caused was absorbed by the ‘Jade Amulet. The HE Champion missed the dodging Wardancer. The rest of the Wardancers hacked away at the Swordmasters, but was foiled by abysmal dice rolling and good armour saves. The slower, but highly skilled, Swordmasters struck back, leaving four dead Wardancers, sliced into pieces. Savag brok and fled, but easily outrunned his pursuers. (To bad he could not rally, so I removed him from the table).

--Magic: The HE Mage Champion cast ‘Glamour of Teclis’ on Gavandor again, before he summoned the winds of the ‘Tempest’. Again. Mazai tried too stop both of he spells, but his ‘Rod of Power’ could not work properly, because he failed both the dispel attempts.


-WE Turn 4
--Movement: Aldamir and his Warhawk moved at ground movement back towards the HE Archers. Galvandor, the Glade Riders and the Dryads moved towards the Swordmasters, each from a different side.

--Shooting: All the WE Archers fired upon the last Shadow Warriors, and killed them both, despite the high winds.

--Hand-to-hand: Mazaii and his steed each killed a HE Archer, forcing them to flee. They were subsequently ridden down and destroyed.

--Magic: Mazaii managed to dispel both ‘Glamour of Teclis’ and ‘The Tempest’.


-HE Turn 5:
--Movement: The only HE unit left is the Swordmasters. They turn to face the Glade Riders, and prepared for a last stand.

--Shooting: Nothing

--Hand-to-hand: Nothing

--Magic: Yet again ‘The Tempest’ rages, despite Mazaii’s best efforts to stop it.


-WE Turn 5:
--Movement: Galvandor, the Glade Riders and the Dryads charged the Swordmasters. Luckily, all passed their Ld test. Mazaii moved closer, ready to give magically support, if need be.

--Shooting: Nothing. The WE Archers had no targets.

--Hand-to-hand: Galvandor screamed his challenge, and the Swordaster Champion accepted. This time the magical amulet could not protect him, and he was skewered on Galvandors lance. All around him, the HE Mage Champion saw his bodyguards being slaughtered by the combined assault of Glade Riders and Dryads. No Swordmasters was allowed to strike back, and they lost the combat badly. Being fleet of foot, they managed to outdistance the WE.

--Magic: As a last show of supremacy, Mazai teleported into the fleeing HE and thereby destroyed them.


The battle was over.

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Epilogue.


Galvandor drew the cloak tightly around his body as he walked across the battlefield. The wind was still strong and cold, it chilled him to the bones. He bent down to look upon the corpse of a dead High Elven soldier. He could not see any signs of Chaos. Galvandor rose and moved to the next corpse, and to the next and to the next. After a while he reached the last dead elf. Still no signs of Chaos. They all looked the same; noble, arrogant, High Elvish.

But Galvandor could swear that during the heat of battle, he had seen evil runes, tentacled arms, blood-red eyes and other marks of Chaos. Yet now, none remained.

But why would a band of High Elves attack him, and fight to the death. They had struck the first blow. Unless...they all had been similarly deceived. As the thought formed in his mind, it was like a veil was lifted from his eyes. And he knew what had happened. He had fought his own kin. Horror and grief washed over him, as he gathered his retinue, to lead them away from this cursed place.

And in the wind you could almost hear an amused chuckle. But it could easily have been your imagination....


Well, that was it. I hope you have enjoyed the show. Any comments/hints/tips/critics will be appreciated, so let me know what you think.

May Your Arrows Fly True!