The Battle at the Charnel Pit (1vs1 2500pts each)
Sadly with one problem having been dealt with another occured quickly. Raiding forces described by the scouts as Elven but with much more sinister symbols had started attacking and capturing men and women. After a couple of raids the Royal Aerial Corps scouts were able to find the raiders, yet were horrified to report that the raiders had sacrificed their fellow men.
General McDraken immediately called a war council to destroy these foul beings and take revenge for the human losses.
The Terrain
The battleground was very open with the Charnel Pit and some buildings in the north, a watchpost in the middle next to a Mist-wreathed swamp.
There were two Mysterious Forests, the east one was discoverred to be an Abyssal Wood, the other remains unknown.
Lastly in the lower east corner there was an Earthblood Mere.
The Deployment
General McDraken had deployed his forces in a coventional battle line. With the Lancer's (Knights) and the Royal Aerial Corps (Demigryphs) on the flanks and the middle dominated by both the infantry (Greatswords and Halbediers), Brutus, Flamerion (Luminark) and the Hussars, who had been joined by Stewart (Arch Lector). Lastly the new experimental Hellblaster had been deployed on the northern flank.
His opposing forces consisted of two groups of Dark Riders, a group of Doomfire Warlocks and a massive unit of Corsairs with a Cauldron of Blood and multiple leaders in the them, supported by a War Hydra.
Lastly three Reaver Bolt Throwers were deployed by the Elves.
First Round
As was to be expected the elven forces gained the momentum and surged forward.
Quickly the forces of magic built and was shot at McDraken. WIth difficulty Stewart was able to stop the powerfull Doombolt but was unable to stop the Chillwind finding McDraken. Yet these were unable to wound him.
Shots were fired by the Elven scouts and cavalry and a few losses were sustained. The Bolt Throwers were impressively inaccurate.
Next McDraken's force reacted. Captain Henderson urged Brutus (Steam tank) forward to take an intimidating prescence in front of the massive Dark Elven unit. The rest of the middle line deployed to be prepared for an countercharge of Brutus. On the flanks the cavalry moved forward.
Captain Murberry was able to unleash Flammerion on the main Elven unit and he was able to go through three lines, incinerating them.
Next it was time for Brutus to unleash his breath on the corsairs. A lot of them were hit yet some dark magic protected most of them (really lucky with his saves). Yet the Elven female general, Hellebron was so surprised she didn't step away and took a wound.
Kolber (Engineer) signalled his men to unleash the new Hellblaster on the elven corsairs. Yet the machine proved to still be very experimental and with his quick reaction he was able to prevent it from blowing up. Finally only four elves lay dead in it's wake.
Second round
The Dark Elves filled with glee as they announced their charges, Hellebron and her corsairs charged Brutus. The War Hydra charged Flammerion, who was unable to stand the pressure and fled. The War Hydra quickly turned and slammed into Brutus as well.
As the winds of magic churned the Elves were able to cast Power of Darkness on the corsairs and Word of Pain (thankfully only -1) on the Hussars.
As the battle commenced Brutus howled in pain as Hellebron smashed into him. After all the attacks had been done Brutus was limping (only 1 wound left), yet still standing. He had done his part allowing the main battle line to head into battle.
And McDraken ordered the charges, unaware of the sheer horror he was about to order his forces into.
The Highlanders, 20th Foot, Hussars, Royal Aerial Corps and McDraken himself on Obduraris charged in. Captain Henderson decided to leave Brutus alone (no steam points) for fear of him lashing around and hurting his fellow man.
The prayers didn't work and so the combat began. Yet the Hellblaster was able to destroy a group of Dark Riders.
With such quickness and agility the Elven forces mowed through the humans assembled. Stewart watched in horror as the Elven Witch Queen killed eight of his Hussars in a manner of seconds. Losses were heavy and Brutus collapsed of his wounds. Yet the humans had been able to destroy the Hydra and inflict some casualties on the corsairs. As the combat ended both groups looked towards their standards for support and it seemed that the humans lost (20-21 CR) yet such was their bravery that they held ground.
Third Round
The Elven Doomfire Warlocks charged into the Aerial Corps and quickly the Winds of Magic started again. The Power of Darknes was stopped by Father O'Donnel but McDraken and Obduraris were hit by a powerfull Word of Pain (-3).
The corsair champion bellowed a challenge and McDraken felt he had to answer it. As both forces watched they saw in horror that McDraken took a wound from this measly elf but overjoyed as Obduraris, even in his weakened state, was able to tear the champion apart.
Yet the elves took their revenge. Firstly Hellebron attacked Stewart and he quickly fell to the ground. Next the elves set their sights on the Highlanders and slew a rank. The Doomfire Warlocks were unable to penetrate the mighty armour of the Aerial Corps. Yet the humans spurred on by the Royal Aerial Corps were not without succes. The scout dragons tore the warlocks apart and the Highlanders grimfaced were able to take some Elves down. As the battle raged on both sides were unable to force the other away (a draw in CR).
The 20th foot saw the slaughter and spurred on by Father O'Donnel to come to the rescue of their fellows and charged headon into the corsairs who were screaming in glee. Flammerion also hoped to redeem himself and charged next to the 20th Foot.
Father O'Donnel fumbled with his book of prayers and the Hellblaster proved again to be experimental and unreliable, only killing two Shades in the Watch Tower.
As the 20th Foot charged in the Elves spurred on by Hellebron and the Blood bubbling from the cauldron tore them apart. A group of forty men took thirty-three losses in a matter of seconds. Yet more losses followed as McDraken was critically injured by Hellebron and fell down only to be catched by his saddle. This enraged Obduraris who went into a frenzy and was able to kill Hellebron.
The proud Highlanders were all slain leaving Sandham (BSB) standing alone.
Sergeant Major Sandham sounded the retreat, Obduraris was able to fly up with the critically injured Brutus in his claws.
At Fortress New England the forces regrouped, severe losses, yet thankfully McDraken and Stewart were alive, barely.
End note
As my friend said before we started the battle he had made this insane unit and played against both my other mates (Wood Elves & Daemons) and slaughtered them. He wanted to add me to his list and than retire this combination. It was insane, with the re-roll to hit (Strike first + Initiative), re-roll to wound (Cauldron), the double frenzy (Cauldron +Hellebron) and the 5+ ward save (Cauldron), which he is really lucky in rolling.
Edit: While writing this report we discovered that my mate had made a critical mistake. The unit consisted of corsairs so were only allowed to take a 6+ Ward Save from the Cauldron. This probably made a critical difference in the first charge. Ah well..... I think a rematch is in order.
Dark Elf army list:
Hellebron 310 Supreme Sorceress: Book Of Ashur; Level 4 Wizard 290 Tullaris Dreadbringer 155 Death Hag: Battle Standard Bearer; Cauldron of Blood 300 Khainite Assassin: Armour Of Destiny; Additional Hand Weapon; Manbane 162 38 Black Ark Corsairs: Banner Of Swiftness; Additional Hand Weapons; Reaver; Musician; Standard Bearer 463 5 Dark Riders: Repeater Crossbows 95 5 Dark Riders: Repeater Crossbows 95 Reaver Bolt Thrower 70 Reaver Bolt Thrower 70 6 Shades: Great Weapons; Light Armour 114 Reaver Bolt Thrower 70 War Hydra: Spit Fire 180 5 Doomfire Warlocks 125 2.499 points
