Border Princes Turn 8 Battle Report: Da Bushwhack Bash (aka 'The First Battle of La Maisonvert Abbey)

Da Bushwhack Bash (aka 'The First Battle of La Maisonvert Abbey')

Aided by a loyal merry band of woodsmen, Tybalt du Boix de Balzac sought to claim the forests north of Malko by re-taking the ruined Bretonnian abbey of La Maisonvert, long reclaimed by the forest but still of great strategic significance in the wild.  Tybalt was more wise and prudent than his crusading brother-in-law Baron Odo, and avoided a reckless charge into the dense ranks of savage orcs, trolls and greenskins. 

Rather, Tybalt held his veteren knights of the realm and otherworldly Grail Knights in check even as doomdivers wrecked havoc around them, waiting for just the right moment to charge.  All the while brave squires mounted upon their doughty horses rode in and out of the greenskin lines, taunting them with bowfire, drawing out their fanatics and trying to draw them out of the tight defensive position they had formed in the clearing.  Meanwhile, the merry band of brigands (er… bowmen) who had guided Tybalt to the clearing desperately rained flaming arrows down upon the horrific mangler squig which hurtled ominously across the battlefield.

Seeing that Tybalt was unlikely to be drawn into a charge and that the goblin doom-divers were struggling to find their mark, the wily Orc shaman Plodda da Olda summoned the Greenskin gods themselves to battle: the power of Gork (or was it Mork?) rained repeatedly down on Tybalt and his proud knights, who sought in vain to flee from the otherworldly onslaught.  When a shamed Tybalt finally regained his composure and returned to the field only one of his proud retainers and the damsel Jeannette remained at his side.  The damsel herself, desperately trying to channel the Lady’s power against that of the Greenskin gods, drew too strongly on the winds of magic and faded away into the mist that wreathes the Goddess’s sacred places.

Meanwhile, Sir Jasperre and Sir Renais had lead their retinue thundering through the woods themselves, protected from tangled root, low bough and forest spirit alike by an enchanted banner fashioned by the prophetess Iseult.  Smashing asunder the rickety Snotling pumpwagon sent against them, the knights burst from the woods behind the Greenskin lines, destroying one of their artillery pieces and wheeling to prepare for a final charge from the rear.

With shadows already growing long the savage warboss Handibul used all his will and menace to keep his savage orcs and trolls in a tight, solid battle formation amidst the insults and stinging bow fire of the mounted squires, several of whom slipped through the Greenskin lines to destroy the remainder of their artillery.  After devouring well nigh a dozen of the good-natured brigands who had guided Tybalt through the woods, the Bretonnian bowmen finally brought the horrific mangler squig down with their volleys of flaming arrows.  For his part Tybalt struggled to gather his Bretonnian knights into position, hoping desperately to find a weakness in the Greenskin block which would collapse under a combined charge.

Tybalt sounded charges from his realm knights in the south, the Otherworldly Grail Knights in the centre and prepared to join the fray himself, but only the Grail Knights timed their charge correctly and the others did not find their mark.  For their part, the Grail Knights held their own against the loathesome bile attacks of the trolls, but were unable to break the beasts.  With the light dying rapidly in the west and the Greenskin lines still intact and largely unscathed, a frustrated Tybalt sounded the withdrawal.  La Maisonvert Abbey would remain with the orcs and goblins this day.  

Da Bushwhack Bash (aka ‘The First Battle of La Maisonvert Abbey), part of the Border Princes War of 2516-2518 IC
Date: 27th Erntzeit, 2516 IC
Location: The Ruined Abbey of La Maisonvert, Woods North of Malko
Result: Orc & Goblin Victory
Belligerents
Bretonnians (Duke Tybalt’s Retainers)	Orcs and Goblins
Commanders
Duke Tybalt	Handibul, Savage Orc Warboss
Other Leaders
Iseult, Prophetess of the Lady	Plodda da Elda, Savage Orc Great Shaman
Sir Renais, Battle Standard Bearer	Hasnobul, Savage Orc Big Boss
Sir Jasperre	Brootus, Orc Big Boss
Jeannette, Damsel of the Lady(?†)	Smudge, Night Goblin Shaman
	Gresi,  Goblin Big Boss Hairball, Goblin Big Boss
Strength
2250 pts.	2250 pts.
Casualties
522 pts.	415 pts.
†=killed in battle

Border Princes Turn 8 Battle Report: Da Thump'n Bash Road Smash (The Battle of Tarnished Spurs)

D Thump'n Bash Road Smash (aka 'The Battle of Tarnished Spurs')

Fresh from bloody battles around the Bretonnian holdings in Araby, Baron Odo lead his crusading realm knights in a bid to claim the Silk Road for his brother-in-law Tybalt.  Against him marched the orc warboss Attaka da Gun and his ferocious Smakkadiks!

Odo’s mounted squires took to the field first, the skilled huntsmen bravely baiting out the maniacal fanatics, squig hoppers and mangler squigs.  Indeed, five of the hapless squires were smashed into bloody pulp by one of the crazed fanatics, while another band of squires played a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the squig hoppers!

Meanwhile the Greenskins’ battle began with salvos from their bolt throwers and doom-divers, whittling down the ranks of Bretonnian chivalry.  In response a great granite rock was hurled from the Bretonnians’ trebuchet, flattening dozens of Night Goblins.  Terrified by this bizarre nightmare of flying goblins, manglers and boulders, a unit of Bretonnian bowmen felt it the better part of valour to leave the nobles to their madness and rather stumble around the woods eating hallucinogenic truffles!

Impatient to spill Greenskin blood, Baron Odo lead two proud units of realm knights forward on the right flank, while Sir Etienne and his knightly retinue carried Odo’s battle standard into battle with the savage orcs on the left.  However, Attaka da Gun moved with ensorcelled speed, cutting down six of the hapless realm knights before their lances even struck home!  Meanhile the remaining crazed savage orcs seemed almost impervious to the shock of the Bretonnians’ charge, and the remaining knights were soon bogged down in a brutal melee against a foe which never seemed to tire, desperately trying to hold until the arrival of their reserves.  The brave Sir Etienne himself was quickly dragged from his saddle and hacked to pieces, the Baron’s Banner carried away by the shrieking horde!

Enraged, Baron Odo lead his knights towards the left to aid his retainers, but not before ordering his other knights into a charge on the right, where they smashed a snotling pump-wagon to smithereens and then careening on into the horde of night-goblins, bristling with spears but uncertain before the knightly charge.  Baron Odo lead his personal retinue into a hellish charge upon the greenskin artillery, and his knights were whittled down by goblin bolt throwers, doom divers and the terrible gaping maw of the mangler squig. 

With no help yet coming from the Baron, the savage orcs were able to overwhelm the realm knights they battled, cutting down the remainder as they fled.  Behind Bretonnian lines, meanwhile, the trebuchet crew were slain by squig hoppers and wolf riders, though they in turn were seen off by the remaining squires.

Suddenly, the Bretonnian bowmen in the woods hurled themselves into the battle between the knights and the night goblins, apparently buoyed by the hallucinogens in the mushrooms they had been scoffing!  Whatever the cause, the night goblins broke and the knights gave chase, but their exhausted chargers were unable to keep pace with the fleet-footed greenskins! 

This brief turn for the Bretonnians was not to hold, however, for their reserves arrived too-late beside Baron Odo and what remained of his force.  The Savage orcs hurled themselves into the bewildered Bretonnian reserves, cutting them to pieces even as they looked around desperately for the knights they were supposed to be reinforcing.  Grinning brutally, Rumbilgutz lead his trolls in a charge into the few knights remaining upright in their saddles beside Baron Odo.  Seeing this turn of events, the fleeing Night Goblins found their courage and turned to form up against their knightly pursuers, chuckling nastily.

Intent on dying with as much greenskin blood on his mace as possible, Baron Odo issued a challenge to Rumbilgutz, and in the dying sunlight the two mighty warriors traded blows even as the trolls dismembered Odo’s remaining retainers.  Eventually, however, even Odo’s desire to die in battle was thwarted, for with all his knights slain and the hungry trolls closing in, the Prophetess of the Lady demanded Odo escort her safely from the battlefield… leaving the Silk Road to the wild hooting and cavorting of the greenskins as they danced amid the broken bodies of their beaten foe…

Da Thump’n Bash Road Smash (aka ‘The Battle of Tarnished Spurs’ , part of the Border Princes War of 2516-2518 IC
Date: 14th Ernzeit, 2516 IC
Location: The Central Silk Road, in the vicinity of Malko
Result: Decisive Orc & Goblin Victory (Crushing Victory)
Belligerents
Bretonnians (Baron Odo’s Crusade)	Orcs and Goblins (Da Smakaddiks)
Commanders
Baron Odo	Attaka da Gun
Other Leaders
Sir Etienne (Battle Standard Bearer) †	Baddass Wind, Shaman of Gork (or was it Mork?)
Margot, Prophetess of the Lady	Rumbilgutz, Big Boss (Battle Standard Bearer)
Elise, Damsel of the Lady(†?)	Trippin Fungi, Night Goblin Shaman
	Alcerus “You can call me Al”, Goblin Big Boss
	Ragfacescab, Goblin Big Boss
Strength
2450 pts.	2250 pts.
Casualties
1206 pts.	410 pts.
†=killed in battle

Border Princes: Turn 9 Moves and Resolution

[GM Note: Once again, there will be a delay in Gavius's summation of this turn's events - thought it best to keep the campaign moving.  Also, from now on Gavius Klugge's comments will be in a more manageable, condensed format, much like the new battle reports.  Anyone who wants to create their own war correspondent for one or more events is of course more than welcome!  PS: Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for the current stats on territories, banners, victory points, etc.]

Faction	Normal Territories	Special Territories	Total Territories	Razed Territories	Victory Points	Banners	Allies
Bretonnians	12	1 (Tor Anrok)	13	0	17	5	Empire
Empire	15	1 (Aldium)	16	0	20	6	Bretonnia
Ogre Kingdoms	20	0	20	0	20	7	Orcs and Goblins
Orcs and Goblins	11	1 (Iron Claw Camp)	12	0	16	4*	Ogre Kingdoms
*Note that while Orcs & Goblins are entitled to 5 banners, they cannot form their fifth banner until they recapture their HQ.

Border Princes Battle Report: The Defense of Franzburg

[From a letter dated 2nd Erntzeit, 2516 IC.]

Sire,

I report that our lightening ride to aid your colonial settlement of Franzburg has succeeded in it's objective to safeguard the town against the Nehekarans, though at some cost to the local militia and huntsmen of the hamlet who bravely answered the call to arms raised by Arch Lector Albrecht.

Losses include: 
Hell blaster and crew - crushed by giant scorpion
10 Huntsmen - butchered by Nehekaran Sphynx
15 Franzburg's "finest" - smashed under the wheels of rampaging chariot
Sigmarite shrine destroyed under catapult fire 

The Schwarzspears acquitted themselves with distinction, despite their common status, retaking the Watchtower as the battle drew to a close. Schnelling may need some further training ground practice to steel his nerve to the challenges of battle.  

We march south to join with the southern contingent and maintain our position in the region.

For der Meinshaft!

Hans Rommel, captain of Der Panzergryphs, 4th company

The Battle of Franzburg

Turn 8: In a bold bid to sever the link between the Imperial forces and their Bretonnian allies, the Tomb King Nun’Keb (“the Erratic”) personally lead his Nehekharan Silent Legion in a bid to seize Franzburg, a tiny but strategically vital hamlet on the South Road.  Franzburg’s garrison and the local militia were reinforced with just hours to spare by Imperial forces under the Lector Albrecht the righteous, and together prepared the hamlet’s defense.
 

The Nehekharan screaming skull catapult levelled the local Sigmarite shrine in the centre of the Imperial lines, and those of the local militia who managed to free themselves from the rubble were quickly run down by skeletal chariots under the command of Khu’nil the Tomb Herald.  Another screaming skull narrowly missed the Franzburg Coaching Inn but immolated several of Gotthard’s Greatswords, sending the veterans into uncharacteristic panic!

Enraged by the blasphemous destruction of his church, Albrecht the Righteous lead his Schwartzspears and detachments in a furious charge against the Tomb Kings’ left flank, cutting their way through the Ushabti before being assaulted in turn by the skeletal bodyguard of King Nun’keb himself!  Meanwhile one of the tomb scorpions which had emerged behind Imperial lines scuttled up the watchtower and butchered the hapless hellblaster crew stationed there.

While Winzler’s Imperial huntsmen fell back before the advancing Warsphynx towards the dubious safety (and more dubious food!) at the Franzburg Coaching Inn, the Panzergryph Knights tore into the flank of Khun’il’s chariots.  Khu’nil himself was killed…er…cut to pieces by the captain of the Panzergryphs, and the remaining chariots torn asunder by the demigryphs. 

In the main melee, Nun’keb was deriving considerable satisfaction from cutting down the Imperial worthies: first the Schwartzenspears’ brave captain and then a grim Gotthard Goering fell to his bronze khopesh.  However, bolstered by the magics of the Lector Albrecht and Werner Gausser's Lore of Life, the Imperial State Troops destroyed skeleton after skeleton and brought down both the Nekrotect Quesser and the Hierophant Tjeto, 'Seeker of the Lost Gods'.  With Tjeto destroyed, the ancient magics binding the Tomb King army began to unravel and the Nehekharans began to disintegrate…

As the Nehekharan archers began to crumble to dust and the sepulchral stalkers were rent bone from bone by the Panzergryphs, an enraged Nun’keb issued a final terrible challenge.  The Imperial troops closed ranks protectively around Wilhelm Snelling and the Imperial Banner, but the Lector Albrecht stepped forward.  Nun’keb rained blow after blow upon the Lector, who had to call on all his faith in Sigmar just to remain standing before the wrath of older gods.  Just when it seemed the Lector could hold out no longer, however, his Schwartzpears cut down the last of Nun’keb’s bodyguard.  The magics maintaining Nun’keb himself failed, and the Tomb King crumbled into dust of bone and lapis and gold before blowing away south on a scorching ancient wind.

With Nun’keb defeated the Nehekharans disintegrated with ever greater rapidity.  Albrecht lead his stalwart Schwartzpears to retake Franzburg’s watchtower, and while the dread Warsphynx crushed Winzler and his hapless Imperial hunters it too crumbled away before it could challenge Gotthard’s Greatswords or destroy the coaching inn.  The day belonged to the Empire, and with Nun’keb apparently dead, or at least banished, reports began to circulate of Nehekharan forces disintegrating and blowing away all over the Border Princes…

The Defense of Franzburg, part of the Border Princes War of 2516-2518 IC
Date: 2nd Erntzeit, 2516 IC
Location: The Hamlet of Franzburg along the South Road (Territory 57)
Result: Decisive Empire Victory (Crushing Victory)
Belligerents
The Empire (Albrecht's Road Patrol)	Tomb Kings (Silent Legion)
Commanders
Albrecht the Righteous, Lector	Nun'Keb (the Erratic), The Everwakeful (†?) High Priest Tjeto, Seeker of Lost Gods (†?)
Other Leaders
Werner Gausser (Wizard Lord of the Lore of Life)	Khunil, Herald of the Lost Legion (†?)
Captain Wilhelm Snelling (Battle Standard Bearer)	Quessil, Hieromason (†?)
Gotthard Goering, Witch Hunter (†)
Strength
1835 ots	2250 pts.
Buildings Held by Empire vs. Held or Destroyed by Tomb Kings
3 buildings	1 building
†=killed in battle

Border Princes: Turn 9 Moves