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Battle 1: Head Shot...
Dwarven warleader Reorax Thanak (the Witchkiller) surveyed his troops and
the situation. The initial movement into this territory had gone well - only
isolated patrols of humans, easily swept aside. His matchless Dwarven engineers
had constructed a solidly stockaded field camp, and his troops had moved in for
the night.
Now he had received word that a human force had moved out to meet him. His
force formed up in front of their camp in the gloom of dawn, and prepared to
begin the combat that would restore this land to its rightful Dwarven overlords.
Beyond the ranks of solid axedwarves and the bulk of the boltthrower to the
left, the massive 'Khadan' floated, proud achievement of the runecarvers and
mastersmiths of Thordan. The airboat was unique and powerful, and if Reorax's
plan worked, it could prove the key to winning this battle.
Dwarven Order of Battle: 6xBlades (Axedwarves), 1x Hero
General (Reorax Witchkiller), 1x Shooter (Crossbowdwarves), 1x Artillery (Bolt
Shooter), 1x Airboat (the Khadan) = 24pts. Dwarves were defending.
Signal lamps flickered from the Khadan, keeping Reorax informed of the
enemy's movements on the far side of the river. "Human troops in column....Foot
leading...Horse following...Witch and guns spotted..." That last caused Reorax
to grin. Killing human witches - they called them wizards - was something of a
hobby for him. Another staff to mount on his wall, and another silly looking
robe to carpet his floor with...
Terrain: Mostly open. A few small hills between the Dwarven
camp and line and the river, which had a bridge. All human units started on the
far side of the river, which crossed most of the board.
Human Order of Battle: 3x Knights, 1x Knight General, 4x
Blades (Regular Swordsmen), 1x Wizard (the 'witch'), 1x artillery (primitive
bombard)= 23pts.
The Khadan eased forward, sails catching the wind and liftrunes flaring
in the early morning light. As it approached the Human column crossing the
bridge, the swordsmen in the lead moved left, clearing the way for the column of
knights behind them to cross, the banners of the commander floating in the van.
The airboat swung down on the human general's group, weapons swinging to bear.
Far behind, the main Dwarven line of axedwarves and crossbowdwarves started
forward.
The Humans were severely cramped in their initial deployment. The Ketan River
was not fordable, the bridge being the only way across. The Knights and
Swordsmen were in column, the infantry leading the way. The gun and wizard were
on the banks of the river to one side to defend the bridge.
The human general survived the Khadan's initial attack, so the captain of
the vessel swung in line for another run. The human witch let loose a blast of
raw power, but the Khadan's runes of protection dissipated the blast into a
harmless - albeit spectacular - flare of light before the vessel was even
struck.
This attack run proved successful - with the bridge behind him jammed with
his own knights, the human commander fell before the deadly hail of the Khadan's
weaponry. Leaderless, the human army streamed back over the bridge and away,
harried on their way by the Khadan.
In Hordes, armies which have their general killed
automatically rout, costing them the battle. This is what happened to the humans
in this battle.
Reorax and the Dwarven line hadn't even closed to within bowshot of any
enemy units, and the sun was not even properly risen! Reorax's disappointment at
not getting another human witch was balanced by the sheer exultation of such an
easy victory. All honour to the Khadan's crew and builders!
Now they could advance into human-occupied territory, and finish the job of
establishing proper Dwarven leadership over lands that were rightfully
theirs.
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