War of the Shrine Part 2 Recap

The Warriors of Chaos made some nice progress. They are well set up to do some serious damage on both flanks.

Turn two saw some holes open on both ends. On the left, the Shaggoth and Dragon Ogres, bottled up until now, finally have lines at some important charges. If those charges succeed, they will roll up the left flank and left-center of the field.

It would be boosted by a Knightly charge if not for the epic defense of the high Elf archers, who managed to save, between armor and Wards, something like 11 wounds from the Chosen. Not only have the Archers fought the Chosen to a standstill in two rounds of combat, they actually have WON both rounds...one of those, "No, that has no chance of happening" moments that are great about the game.

Meanwhile, the Dwarfs threatened momentarily to completely obliterate the center of the WoC lines. They still might win one of the combats, but their situation is suddenly rendered precarious by the success of inserting 2 Exalted Warriors into one of the fights.

The Dwarfs still figure to win the combat against the other Marauders, but it will be too little, too late as they will not have enough juice left to take on the Chaos Warriors and Sigvald who are behind that Marauder unit.

Meanwhile, on the right flank the Treekin initially held up well but then disappeared more or less in one go, essentially dooming the Dryads and Wardancers on that flank.

With pressure from the Dwarfs in the middle, the WoC on their left, and the O&G army on their right, the Wood Elf hope at this point is simply to take down as many enemy as possible before being slain. They are simply incapable of fighting a three front battle.

The High Elf army is shattered and will have no important role in the remainder of the battle.

The Orcs and Goblins are still hemmed in. They have enough power to cause some problems, but seem highly unlikely to do well unless the WoC and Dwarfs absolutely wear each other out and are therefore easy pickings for the too-small Orcs and Goblins.

The Dwarf army made the right move in trying to swing over and develop a battle line, and their desperate gamble to charge nearly gave them a real chance at winning, but when it failed...it probably doomed them to nothing but a heroic last-stand effort against the WoC.

Overall, it was a very fun turn with some great moments...the Wood Elf shooting phase, the Wardancers and Treeman knocking off mass amounts of Night Goblins, the Fanatics running amok, and the clutch refusal to die of the High Elf archers.

I cannot wait to see what surprises are in store in turn 3.

War of the Shrine Wood Elf Turn 2, part 12

Oakheart Wylde was everywhere at once.

He directed the Glade Guard in a furious hail of arrows at the onrushing Dwarf warriors, pointed the Waywatchers at one Fanatic who might run wild through the Wood Elf lines...and away from another who looked like he might run into the Dwarf lines.

A flick of his wrist sent his Eagle Riders screaming in to help out the Glade Riders in their short-range duel with the marauders.

On he right, the Treeman and Wardancers were steamrolling the hapless Night Goblins.


At first, things went well.

The combined firepower of the Eagle riders and Glade Riders finished off the small unit of Marauder horsemen.


The Dryads demonstrated their ferocity, slaying one of the hideous spawn.



Then things began to fall apart. The Chaos Warrior on the Juggernaut attacked with ferocity and the Knights ably assited him, slaying both treekin and even as they crumbled to the ground in their death throes, the mighty Treeman took another hit and the giant got even stronger.

In the center, the combined bow-fire took out several Dwarf Warriors...but it might be too little, too late. The bearded midgets prepared to charge and the Glade Guard knew they were in trouble.

Casualties:

6 Dwarf Warriors

1 Night Goblin Fanatic

6 Night Goblins

2 Marauder Horsemen

1 Chaos Spawn

1 Chaos Knight

Suffered:

2 Treekin

1 Wound to Treeman (and Giant recovered one)

War of the Shrine, Part 11, Turn 2 Orcs and Goblins

Little Bear came up to Alaquippa.

"Orders, A-Quip?"

Alaquippa's smiled stretched from ear to ear. He pointed to the right. "See the pointy-ears?"

Little Bear nodded.

Alaquippa pointed straight ahead. "See the stunties?"

Little Bear nodded.

Alaquippa pointed to the left. "See the other pointy ears?"

Little bear nodded.

"Go smash them."

Little Bear hesitated, then argued, "The fanatics are getting a bit out of control...they went right through the Wold Riders and the Wolf Riders left their post."

Alaquippa shrugged. "They saw some stunties and went after them. Your point?"


"What should we do about the fanatics?"

"Ignore them. General advance. It is time for the Orcs to do what we do best...squish stuff."


Fanatics rumbled through the Wolf Riders and Hammerers, dealing out modest destruction as many wounds were saved this turn.

Meanwhile, the Night Goblin archers managed to slay 2 Miners and won the combat.



Casualties:
3 Wolf riders
6 Night Goblins

3 hammerers
2 Miners

War of the Shrines Part 10: High Elf turn 2

With lord Aelna dead or fled...and most of the small High Elf force honestly knew not which was true...the goals had changed.

Gone was the driving force, the impetus to rule their inferiors and in its place was, if not panic, then at least quiet desperation.

The goal now was survivor, return to their homelands. But where to look for leadership?

On the bright side, the Dragon Princes stopped their pell-mell flight and turned back towards the field they had fled through.


As they turned, Prince Chrysopolis slew the hapless mage in front of him.

Perhaps it was the terror of the massive Prince behind them. Perhaps it was, the normally lethal High Elf shooting went awry with not one wound caused by bow or Repeater Bolt Thrower.

The White Lions did manage to wound the troll again, but 4 of their own number died in return. The High Elf lines weavered...as soon as the mighty Chosen warriors slew a number of archers, they would doubtless break.

But then something happened...the out-manned Archers did not manage to wound their enemies...but they did not take a wound, either. (they saved 8 of 8 wounds needing 5s)

Bolstered by their unexpected stand the High Elf army gave a cheer. Slowly their lines stiffened. Perhaps they could win their way clear yet....



Casualties:
Caused 1 wound apiece to the Troll and the Orc Chariot

Took:
4 White lions
1 Mage

War of the Shrines, part 9, Warriors of Chaos Turn 2

Varangia watched with patience. Though his men were crowded in, soon they would break through the lines and then his better troops would break through.

Ah...there it was. Without waiting for his signal, his elite troops sprang into action.


Prince Chrysopolis flew forward to attack the High Elf battle standard bearer. His loss should cause their lines to break even quicker which would allow the Knights, Dragon Ogres, and Shaggoth to sweep around that flank and begin wreaking havoc, death and destruction on his enemies.

Close behind, the Knights saw their chance and charged into two Nobles caught out on their own.


Close behind, the Dragon Ogres and Shaggoth readied themselves to charge through the breach the Chosen were about to open by destroying the High Elf archer brigade.

He turned to the other flank in time to see the Knights stationed there charge in to help the beleaguered Giant against the Treeman.



The left flank started as planned. Chrysopolis handily dispatched the hapless noble and his charge carried him on into contact with the archmage who moments before had been safely behind High Elf lines.

Then a strange thing happened. The Archers slew a Chosen and only lost one man in return (1 hit in 11 attacks needing 3s). They stood strong, holding up the Knights who tried to follow through after slaying the two hapless Nobles.

Magic crackled and suddenly the Dwarfs, confused, began turning on themselves, slaying 4 of their own number before regaining their senses.

Angered, fearful, the Warriors fighting the Forsaken devastated them, slaying 4 and forcing the other to flee, charging into the Marauders behind.

More magic crackled and Marauders began disappearing...to be replaced by Exalted heroes. Varangia nodded. He would not get the breakout his army desired, but soon...and when they broke through, there would be no stopping them.

Casualties:

7 Hammerers (including 1 champion)

1 Dwarf Warrior

1 Glade Rider

1 Wound to the Treeman

2 Dryads

2 High Elf Nobles

1 High Elf Battle Standard Bearer

1 High Elf Archer

Lost:

1 Chosen

4 Forsaken

2 Marauders

1 Chaos Knight

1 wound to Spawn

put 2 Exalted Heroes in unit of Marauders

Giant regained 1 wound

War of the Shrines Turn 2: Dwarfs Part 8

Rigal hesitated. Should he command his men to maintain their defensive positions? He knew his dour, courageous men would stand solid, letting the waves of the Warriors of Chaos break against them...

Yet would it not give him the element of surprise if instead he took the fight to the enemies?

Decision made, he gestured to his standard bearer.

Instantly the Dwarf lines swung into action.


The two blocks of Warriors guarding the front of the pyramid suddenly surged forward into the oncoming Marauders, pinning the Chaos Warriors behind them.

With surprising speed and skill, the Slayers and Hammerers swung out from where they defended the eastern wall to begin forming a wall on that flank before the northmen could chew threw the weak Elvish defenses.


Other Warriors charged in to help the pirate crew as the battled a chariot.


In the west, his stern warriors moved towards the shrine guarded by the Glade Guard. They would have to face another devastating volley before they could charge.

And in the south, his front lines surged forward, a handful of hammerers reaching a long line of Night Goblin bowmen.



The expected cannon fire proved useless as three of them mis-fired. The fourth tore through lines of Waywatchers and Glade guards, then the lighter crack of the highly accurate Handguns roared into action with more success.

It was in close combat the Dwarf defenders proved their mettle. On all sides they wreaked havoc, killing Marauders, Night goblins, and charioteers.

Then the impetus of their charge gave out. Grimly Rigal looked on as the opposing lines began their counter-punch.

Casualties:

2 Waywatchers

5 Glade Guard

1 Dryad

2 Repeater Bolt Thrower crew...and 1 wound on a machine.

A White Lion Chariot

6 Orc Bowmen

4 Night Goblins

5 Chaos Marauders

Lost:

1 Dwarf Warrior

1 Pirate

1 Hammerer