WAP Albion Tassie Campaign Bat Reps
Mar 13, 2023 10:44:14 GMT
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Post by imrillion on Mar 13, 2023 10:44:14 GMT
The Albionites faced off against the leader of the Wood Elf expeditionary force. After a harrowing start to the alliance the Wood Elf Spell Singer, Arden Golden Wing, demanded an honour duel to be fought between Herself and her retainers against Cathbad the druid and his retainers. Due to the earlier mistaken attack by the Albionites on the Wood Elf forces. What was unknown to Cathbad at the time however, was just how aggressively the lady and her eagle would pursue their honour...
Turn 1
Seán approached the honoured holy man from behind his right shoulder, a feeling of both excitement and anxiety warring within him. Excitement for the battle to come and anxiety for having to interrupt the holy druid's communion with the goddess.
(Spoken in the thickest Irish accent your brain can muster**)
"Me Lord Cathbad, the fay folk are gatherin' across the way, looks like the battle is on."
Cathbad exhaled, he opened his eyes and looked up at the blue sky. He uncrossed his legs and rose, then turned to face his second.
"An Mháthair a bheith in éineacht leat Seán" Greeted the druid.
"And to you too Lord". Replied the Albionite hero
Cathbad's face was kindly, the man was middle aged and used to living in Albions harsh climate. His greying beard and weathered face leant years to him that he had not yet seen, though his decades of training beneath the Arch Druid, Dural Durak, gave him a wisdom well beyond the extra years his face would try and imply
"Take the Sun Kings banner and join the faithful me boy, I'll be along with the young fellows shortly".
"Beidh mé!" Seán replied energetically, he turned on his heal and dashed off to get the sacred banner.
Cathbad looked back over his shoulder. The fen was moving, slowly the bushes, shrubs, rocks and old deadfall were ambling closer. The druid gave a contented sigh and began walking in the direction of his waiting bodyguard.
"Go raibh maith agat a Mháthair" Cathbad whispered, as the entire bog then lifted as one and began to slowly shamble after the 4 Fen beasts.
Cathbad ascended a small boulder to address his warriors, as the great avatars of nature slowly became visible at his back.
"The agreement with our esteemed visitors called fer a battle 'tween generals and bodyguards", Looking across the marshland Cathbad could see no less than 8 large avians circling or being mounted by elves in the distance... together with a tree not of Albions soil.
"Now I've never seen a bird guardin' no one's body 'afore, unless they be peckin at it, so I hope they don't mind if we bring a little piece o home with us!" Cathbad winked as his warriors laughed and turned to rank up, the Fen beasts and the Fen-hulk moved up to stand either side of the assembled warriors, their earthy smell and waterlogged bodies adding a moistness and otherworldly quality to the air.
*** This battle was 1100 pts for Albion 1125 pts for the Asrai. Albion set up first and got +1 for the roll off. Asrai won the roll off and elected to go first.
Asrai turn 1
The Deepwood scouts infiltrated on the left flank of the Albion line. Arden Golden wing looked down from her Great Eagle Draghor, circling the battlefield. She could see her elite scouts were taking aim at the Fen-Beasts and raining swift death upon the idiot human constructs. While the arrows had no noticeable effect, she could feel a slight weakening of the binding holding them to this realm, inflicting, one wound.
"Druchii glamour" she thought to herself in disgust. Regardless of the truth of it, in the spellsingers eyes, ignorance was no excuse. A blood debt was owed, and she would see it paid before any alliance would move forward.
To her right the wing of warhawk knights danced through the sky, their riders skillfully executing rolls and tumbles with their mounts, almost playfully taking up position on the left flank of the Albion battle lines. They would add their deadly shafts to those of the scouts then charge the humans disorganised lines. To her right the Ancient Ash, Cureron ambled slowly toward for front of the Albion lines. The Treeman could see the shambling monstrosity across the field of battle and was heading straight toward it. The Great Eagle Scisquillix, an ever-present companion to the ancient Treeman, wield overhead and flew straight toward the enemy.
Charging from the undergrowth the riders of the glade were firing their arrows and riding at full speed toward the humans. The arrows found their mark, impacting hard into the Fen-Hulk, only just managing to blow a medium sized stone from the side of its massive girth, inflicting a wound. Howling battle cries and oaths, each of them had kin slaughtered in the previous battle and were eager to avenge their loss. Far to her left, moving swiftly a second unit of glade riders were swinging wide around a rocky outcrop, to flank their enemies. Accompanied by Hsixilan, Scisquillix' mate, the elves and their avian ally would roll up the line of the human infantry and destroy them to a man.
Upon her right, Lord Findol, grim at the most merry of times, didn't even look at her as he sped toward the human lines. Wheeling his mount about, Findol's movements were swift, like quicksilver, running from his quiver to the string of his bow he took aim. With a barbed Asrai shaft he sighted down the length at the druid far below. Letting lose his string his arrow found its mark. Unfortunately, a member of the druid's unit had the keenest of eyes and saw the elf hero take aim, without hesitation he himself atop Cathbad, the arrow pierced his side and the young man collapsed.
End of Woodelf turn 1: Fen-Hulk 1 wound, Fen-Beasts 1 wound, Youngbloods 1 wound.
Albion Turn 1
The shot had taken young Rory in the side, Cathbad grabbed the prone body of the youth and he and his bodyguard of youngblood slingers took refuge behind the shambling Fenbeasts on the Alboin left flank. He called for Danu, the earth mother, to restore the lad but felt the power syphoned away by the Elf Spellsinger. Enraged and with a snarl Cathbad drew on the darker side of nature and sent a host of spectral wraith-like crows toward the unit of fay scouts, some 18 yards away. The flock burst, full force into existence, coalescing inches away from the druids outstretched hand. They winged their way toward their target, screaming and shrieking as they hit the scouts and sapped the life from them to a man, each of them fell, like marionettes with their strings cut. Seeing the unit below them get their life force snuffed out by the enraged druid, the playful Hawk Knights turned and flew back toward their own lines. All 4 of them wanting no part of such destructive spell craft.
(My opponents face when his deep wood scouts were deleted off the board turn 1🤣)
Shambling forward the FenHulk took up position on the Albion Right Flank, next to the Woad Raiders. With Seán, holding the banner of the Sun King, proudly aloft.
Albion Turn 1: 10 wounds, destroying a unit of deep wood scouts and panicking the Warhawks.
Asrai turn 2
With a thought, the SpellSinger bid her knights to rejoin the fight, her soothing thoughts entering their hearts and minds, lending them courage. Arden continued to slowly circle the battlefield. Drawing on power from the winds of magic she lent lord Findol her power, setting his flesh to living stone, protecting him from sword blows and arrows alike.
Scisquillix flew toward the FenBeasts, dodging and weaving, just out of reach in an attempt to distract them.
Lord Findol, unable to strike out again at the cowering Druid behind his stinking mounds of animated earth, instead lazily fired an arrow in distain at the naked warriors below him, taking one effortlessly through the eye and dropping him.
On the Albion right flank the glade riders rounded a rocky outcrop and fired their barbed shafts at the Fen-Hulk. Their arrows blasted a piece of the creature away, as had the shafts of their compatriots had only moments before but the gigantic monstrosity simply regenerated, drawing more earth from the ground. It was as if the assault had never transpired. The noble Eagle Hsixilan flew toward the rear of the monstrous Fen-Hulk
From the front, the mighty tree man strode forward, the Fen-Hulk firmly in its sights. The Glade riders to his left let lose their sleek shafted arrows into the Fen-Beasts, vicious and graceful they arced through the air, impacting hard into their targets but to no avail, the shafts simply burrowed themselves into the constructs to little effect.
Asrai turn 2: 1 Wound on the woad warriors, 1 wound on the Fen-Beasts
Albion Turn 2
Cathbad yelled to his youngblood cohort to race forward in an attempt to get behind the lethal Elf Hero atop his eagle.
(Didn't realise but I was still JUST inside the bastard's charge arc)
Hearing the Cry, Seán called for the unit of woad raiders to follow suit, swiftly reforming the woad raiders moved behind the shambling Fen-Beasts, covering their flank from possible assault from across the battlefield and readdied themselves to assist their druid lord. The Fen-Hulk, stupidly ambled forward toward the oncoming enemy force. Cathbad drew upon the winds of magic and with a prayer to the mother managed to restore life to the young Rory as well as to the murdered woad raider. The life-giving energies don't stop there however as the Fen-Hulks regained all of the wounds, strengthening their binding to the land of Albion. Channeling yet more power from the earth and winds of magic Cathbad attempts to send another flock of Wraith-like crows toward the glade riders, who circled the rocky outcrop, about to charge the flank of the woad raiders. Having seen the destructive potential of the Albion nature magic, the Spell Singer had held onto her power for just this eventuality and dispelled his magics with ease.
The Fen-Hulks Charged into the Great Eagle Scisquillix the mighty bird simply had to hold, as to do less would see the mage Arden threatened as would be the unit of glade riders. The savage constructs fell upon the bird in a frenzy, tearing it to pieces and shambling forward, blood soaked, to face down the riders and mage.
The young bloods attempted to send a hail of rocks toward the wood elf hero, several of the deadly missiles stuck home but only managed 1 solitary wound, thanks to the toughened skin of the mighty warrior.
Albion turn 2, regen 4 wounds, putting the army back to full strength, 1 wound inflicted on the Asrai hero on eagle and one Greagle torn to pieces by the Fen-Beasts.
(By the end of turn 2 I had a Greagle fair up my ass and a unit of glade riders got on its tail feathers, take note of no base on the hero on the left flank, im blaming that for my Druid and his skirmishers getting charged 🤣 )
Asrai turn 3
The ancient ash, Cureron, charged into the Fen-Hulk, driving his shoulder into the mound and raking his hardened fingers down the creatures hide. Pieces of peat, stone and rotten wood blew out from the monster, showering everything around with detritus but just as fast as the wounds were inflicted the construct simply drew yet more raw material up from the earth, replacing the lost pieces of itself. Cureron found his enormous legs being sucked down into the quagmire surrounding the hulk, narrowly avoiding breaking himslef apart, it was all the animated tree could do to extricate himself, too late however does he see the enormous arms of the Fen hulk crash down, sending sap and splinters flying in a thunderous crack as the treeman is badly hurt, great gouges torn from his hardwood hide. Stubborn, with deep roots, the ancient flora stayed toe to toe with his constructed foe.
(Characteristic armour and wars save of the damn tree man ALL GAME!, greagle on the left about to get its neck snapped)
Hsixilan, Seeing her mate torn to pieces by the Fen-Hulks charged blindly into their flank, attempting to destroy those that killed her mate. Unfortunately, the Albion magic that animated the monstrosities is too strong. Her attacks failed to wound and in return she was grabbed by the neck and pummeled into the ground. Her hollow bones snapping underneath the onslaught.
With a scream to Curnunos the glade riders charged the flank of the woad raiders, their horses and spears impacting the side of the big unit of frenzied men. Despite a couple of spears finding their mark and the horses trampling one unlucky warrior, the Woad raiders on the flanks struck back with tremendous fury, slashing, stabbing and biting at their assailants, killing each to a man and chasing off their scared horses.
Findol, with a preternatural speed borne of his kind, executed a high-speed maneuver in the air, smashing into the youngbloods and Cathbad. One youngblood was struck by the eagle, flying like a rag doll through the air, his spine shattered against a tree at high velocity. 2 other youngbloods were impaled on Findol's finely wrought Asrai spear with a lazy flick of the hero’s wrist. The fierce Great Eagle mount tore a head from a young warrior in a fountain of blood, crunching bone and snapping tendon. The young men and druid tried in vain to hurt the juggernaut of destruction before them but to no avail, the stone skin turned aside every blow. With a cry the unit fled in disarray, Cathbad, taking two wounds from the enemy hero as he was chased down but stubbornly refusing to die.
Asrai turn 3: 10 youngbloods killed, 2 wounds on the druid, 3 Woad raiders killed, 5 dead glade riders as they charged into a frenzied woad raider meat grinder, 2 wounds on the Tree man, who passed his stubborn roll, 1 more Dead Greagle (Fen hulks had a 3+ ward save, str 5, hatred and 4 attacks, even flanking the poor Greagle had zero chance)
Albion turn 3
Seeing Cathbad under threat the woad raiders, lead by the hero Seán launched their javelins at the mounted Asrai hero and charged. Findol felt blood trickle down his shoulder as he suffered a deep gouge from a flying projectile. Cursing, he rushed his mount into the air, discretion being the better part of valour he flew to safety.
Cathbad, bloodied and breathing hard spied the onrushing War Hawk knights closing in, with a hiss he harnessed the winds of magic. Through a will borne of pain and desperation he felt ULTIMATE POWER rush through his veins, he cast an unstoppable flock of wraith like crows toward the winged cavalry. Elves and birds scream alike as two of their number fall from the sky, another barely able to shake off the deadly magics. with a Shriek they again turn and flee, the destructive energies too much for them. Cathbad attempted to sever his connection to the winds of magic... but something went terribly wrong. The stench of rot and decay filled his nostrils. Gurgling, puss filled, throaty laughter rang out in his ears as the baleful eye of the greater daemon Glagoth The Corpulent is turned toward the Druid...
"Soon, Soon I shall bestow my father's gifts on your land", the greater daemon intones. His deep gleeful voice betraying a giddy elation at the very thought...
"Until then, let me taste your mind to see what beauty grows there... "
Cathbad screamed and passed out, as the psychic onslaught of the greater daemon proved too much for him (Ultimate power resulted in a miss-cast and Brad H's GUO tried to possess my general :'))
The Fen-Beasts charge toward the unit of Glade riders to their front. Faced with the unnatural fury of the monstrosities the glade riders fled and the Fen-Beasts redirected their charge into the side of the Treeman. Smashing at the thick, gnarled hide of the ancient Ash the beasts are unable to inflict a wound, their best efforts turned aside by both thick bark and inate magic. The battle raged between the Treeman and the Fen-Hulk. Now joined by the Fen-Beasts the Treeman suffers another wound from a crushing blow by the FenHulk (saved like 5 wounds all up between beasts and hulk) and inflicted a wound on the Fen-Beasts in return. Losing the combat again, the tree man stubbornly stayed put.
Asrai turn 4
Findol stroked his Great Eagles neck, soothing the creature, and stoping its flight. With a practiced ease, borne of centuries in the saddle he turned to face the large unit of crazed warriors.
Again, she reached out with her mind, Arden calmed the hearts of her 2 remaining and injured War Hawk riders, turning her mount toward the naked and frenzied raiders she pulled forth her magic, stupefying the woad raiders and taking them out of the fight for the near future. Seeing nowt but small fairies and wonderous creatures, the woad raiders simply shuffled forward, oblivious. She reached forth with her life-giving powers and healed one of the wounds the Treeman previously took.
The fleeing Glade riders turned their mounts about and seeing the dazed woad raiders unleashed a flurry of arrows, double quick, wounding 2 of their number, all hope of a return from death nothing but a a pipe dream now their druid lay comatose on the field.
In the middle of the battle a titanic struggle continued. Using both arms the treeman slammed them down onto a Fen-Beast, finally toppling one, in response the Fen-Beasts 3 compatriots tore branches wholly from the Tree-man, wounding the noble being once again. The Fen-Hulk reached out and grasped the Wild Ash. A dissonant scream of pain issued forth as its arm was torn away. with 3 wounds from the Albion side and 4 wounds from the Asrai side the titanic struggle is finally tied.
Asrai turn 4: 2 wounded woad raiders, 1 dead FenBeast, 3 wounds on the big tree.
Albion Turn 4
With the woad raiders befuddled it was straight onto combat.
The Fen-Beasts attacked the Treeman, again unable to get through the thick bark and magic, the Treeman attacked the Fen-Beasts with everything he had, swiping side to side, desperately trying to fight free of them... insufferably with every hit the constructs repaired themselves. Distracted by his conflict with the Fen-Beasts, Cureron failed to see the Monstrous form of the Fen-Hulk raise his own amputated arm on high, only to bring it crashing down against the ancient Ash’s noble brow. Cureron stumbled, shaking his head and teetered for a moment, before driving his roots DEEP into the ground and steadying himself.
Albion turn 4: 2 wounds to the Tree Man, who stubbornly holds AGAIN!!!!
Asrai turn 5
Again, the stalwart riders of the glade unleashed their arrows at the Albionite Woad raiders, again they lose 2 of their number.
Diving and swooping through the skies, the War Hawk knights got into position to rear charge the Fen-Beasts. Arden, free of the meddling powers of the thrice cursed druid, gifted her Tree-Man ally with stone bark, adding to that she was also able to heal one of his wounds.
Findol, knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to best even befuddled woad raiders, as he had the youngbloods, soured his mount over the top of the frenzied humans and landed safely at their rear. From there ready to charge the hated Hulking construct attacking their Tree-man ally.
Redoubling their efforts, the Fen-Beasts tore into the TreeMan once again, inflicting a single wound despite his stone skin. Try as he might the wounded tree man was unable to wound even a single Fen-Beast. His remaining limbs were heavy, sap oozed from over a dozen rents and tears. He managed to dodge several clumsy swings from the Fen-Hulk but lost the fight, yet AGAIN he stands firm. (This bloody Tree-man, I swear!)
Albion Turn 5
The woad raiders shook off their befuddlement, turning, they saw the Wood Elf hero and with a scream, hurled their javelins at his back. They charged forward... The elf never stood a chance. Findol's magnificent Great Eagle died in a shower of pointy sticks, while the Elf hero himself was knocked unconscious by a savage blow to the skull.
In the center of the field, the Fen-Beasts again attacked the Treeman, unable to land a wound (Seriously the Treeman has saved 90% of his wounds with a 5+ armour save and a 6+ bloody ward save) The treeman replied with attacks of his own, finally wounding another Fen-Beast only to be wounded himself by another attack from the enormous Fen-Hulk.
Again, making his stubborn Leadership roll…
Wood Elves/Albion turn 6
Desperate to save the last of her forces, upon seeing her champion Findol fall, Arden again stupefied the woad raiders, buying precious time for the glade riders to grab his prone body as they retreated. Sending her WarHawks away, as well as her final unit of glade riders, it was all she could do to simply watch the noble tree man get knocked to his knees, in a last desperate attempt to prevail, the TreeMan launched into a single massive attack at the Fen-Hulk WHACKing his last remaining limb into the head of the monster. Hope blossomed within the old tree’s heart, as the head disintegrated but soon the hope turned to despair, as the terrifying visage simply coalesced again, thanks to the magic of the land and the strength of the Ogham stone within it, binding it to reality.
The Woad raiders again, stumbled about and as the sun set on the battle the Fen Monstrosities beat the treaman to within one wound of its life. The day beonged to the Albionites.
Turn 1
Seán approached the honoured holy man from behind his right shoulder, a feeling of both excitement and anxiety warring within him. Excitement for the battle to come and anxiety for having to interrupt the holy druid's communion with the goddess.
(Spoken in the thickest Irish accent your brain can muster**)
"Me Lord Cathbad, the fay folk are gatherin' across the way, looks like the battle is on."
Cathbad exhaled, he opened his eyes and looked up at the blue sky. He uncrossed his legs and rose, then turned to face his second.
"An Mháthair a bheith in éineacht leat Seán" Greeted the druid.
"And to you too Lord". Replied the Albionite hero
Cathbad's face was kindly, the man was middle aged and used to living in Albions harsh climate. His greying beard and weathered face leant years to him that he had not yet seen, though his decades of training beneath the Arch Druid, Dural Durak, gave him a wisdom well beyond the extra years his face would try and imply
"Take the Sun Kings banner and join the faithful me boy, I'll be along with the young fellows shortly".
"Beidh mé!" Seán replied energetically, he turned on his heal and dashed off to get the sacred banner.
Cathbad looked back over his shoulder. The fen was moving, slowly the bushes, shrubs, rocks and old deadfall were ambling closer. The druid gave a contented sigh and began walking in the direction of his waiting bodyguard.
"Go raibh maith agat a Mháthair" Cathbad whispered, as the entire bog then lifted as one and began to slowly shamble after the 4 Fen beasts.
Cathbad ascended a small boulder to address his warriors, as the great avatars of nature slowly became visible at his back.
"The agreement with our esteemed visitors called fer a battle 'tween generals and bodyguards", Looking across the marshland Cathbad could see no less than 8 large avians circling or being mounted by elves in the distance... together with a tree not of Albions soil.
"Now I've never seen a bird guardin' no one's body 'afore, unless they be peckin at it, so I hope they don't mind if we bring a little piece o home with us!" Cathbad winked as his warriors laughed and turned to rank up, the Fen beasts and the Fen-hulk moved up to stand either side of the assembled warriors, their earthy smell and waterlogged bodies adding a moistness and otherworldly quality to the air.
*** This battle was 1100 pts for Albion 1125 pts for the Asrai. Albion set up first and got +1 for the roll off. Asrai won the roll off and elected to go first.
Asrai turn 1
The Deepwood scouts infiltrated on the left flank of the Albion line. Arden Golden wing looked down from her Great Eagle Draghor, circling the battlefield. She could see her elite scouts were taking aim at the Fen-Beasts and raining swift death upon the idiot human constructs. While the arrows had no noticeable effect, she could feel a slight weakening of the binding holding them to this realm, inflicting, one wound.
"Druchii glamour" she thought to herself in disgust. Regardless of the truth of it, in the spellsingers eyes, ignorance was no excuse. A blood debt was owed, and she would see it paid before any alliance would move forward.
To her right the wing of warhawk knights danced through the sky, their riders skillfully executing rolls and tumbles with their mounts, almost playfully taking up position on the left flank of the Albion battle lines. They would add their deadly shafts to those of the scouts then charge the humans disorganised lines. To her right the Ancient Ash, Cureron ambled slowly toward for front of the Albion lines. The Treeman could see the shambling monstrosity across the field of battle and was heading straight toward it. The Great Eagle Scisquillix, an ever-present companion to the ancient Treeman, wield overhead and flew straight toward the enemy.
Charging from the undergrowth the riders of the glade were firing their arrows and riding at full speed toward the humans. The arrows found their mark, impacting hard into the Fen-Hulk, only just managing to blow a medium sized stone from the side of its massive girth, inflicting a wound. Howling battle cries and oaths, each of them had kin slaughtered in the previous battle and were eager to avenge their loss. Far to her left, moving swiftly a second unit of glade riders were swinging wide around a rocky outcrop, to flank their enemies. Accompanied by Hsixilan, Scisquillix' mate, the elves and their avian ally would roll up the line of the human infantry and destroy them to a man.
Upon her right, Lord Findol, grim at the most merry of times, didn't even look at her as he sped toward the human lines. Wheeling his mount about, Findol's movements were swift, like quicksilver, running from his quiver to the string of his bow he took aim. With a barbed Asrai shaft he sighted down the length at the druid far below. Letting lose his string his arrow found its mark. Unfortunately, a member of the druid's unit had the keenest of eyes and saw the elf hero take aim, without hesitation he himself atop Cathbad, the arrow pierced his side and the young man collapsed.
End of Woodelf turn 1: Fen-Hulk 1 wound, Fen-Beasts 1 wound, Youngbloods 1 wound.
Albion Turn 1
The shot had taken young Rory in the side, Cathbad grabbed the prone body of the youth and he and his bodyguard of youngblood slingers took refuge behind the shambling Fenbeasts on the Alboin left flank. He called for Danu, the earth mother, to restore the lad but felt the power syphoned away by the Elf Spellsinger. Enraged and with a snarl Cathbad drew on the darker side of nature and sent a host of spectral wraith-like crows toward the unit of fay scouts, some 18 yards away. The flock burst, full force into existence, coalescing inches away from the druids outstretched hand. They winged their way toward their target, screaming and shrieking as they hit the scouts and sapped the life from them to a man, each of them fell, like marionettes with their strings cut. Seeing the unit below them get their life force snuffed out by the enraged druid, the playful Hawk Knights turned and flew back toward their own lines. All 4 of them wanting no part of such destructive spell craft.
(My opponents face when his deep wood scouts were deleted off the board turn 1🤣)
Shambling forward the FenHulk took up position on the Albion Right Flank, next to the Woad Raiders. With Seán, holding the banner of the Sun King, proudly aloft.
Albion Turn 1: 10 wounds, destroying a unit of deep wood scouts and panicking the Warhawks.
Asrai turn 2
With a thought, the SpellSinger bid her knights to rejoin the fight, her soothing thoughts entering their hearts and minds, lending them courage. Arden continued to slowly circle the battlefield. Drawing on power from the winds of magic she lent lord Findol her power, setting his flesh to living stone, protecting him from sword blows and arrows alike.
Scisquillix flew toward the FenBeasts, dodging and weaving, just out of reach in an attempt to distract them.
Lord Findol, unable to strike out again at the cowering Druid behind his stinking mounds of animated earth, instead lazily fired an arrow in distain at the naked warriors below him, taking one effortlessly through the eye and dropping him.
On the Albion right flank the glade riders rounded a rocky outcrop and fired their barbed shafts at the Fen-Hulk. Their arrows blasted a piece of the creature away, as had the shafts of their compatriots had only moments before but the gigantic monstrosity simply regenerated, drawing more earth from the ground. It was as if the assault had never transpired. The noble Eagle Hsixilan flew toward the rear of the monstrous Fen-Hulk
From the front, the mighty tree man strode forward, the Fen-Hulk firmly in its sights. The Glade riders to his left let lose their sleek shafted arrows into the Fen-Beasts, vicious and graceful they arced through the air, impacting hard into their targets but to no avail, the shafts simply burrowed themselves into the constructs to little effect.
Asrai turn 2: 1 Wound on the woad warriors, 1 wound on the Fen-Beasts
Albion Turn 2
Cathbad yelled to his youngblood cohort to race forward in an attempt to get behind the lethal Elf Hero atop his eagle.
(Didn't realise but I was still JUST inside the bastard's charge arc)
Hearing the Cry, Seán called for the unit of woad raiders to follow suit, swiftly reforming the woad raiders moved behind the shambling Fen-Beasts, covering their flank from possible assault from across the battlefield and readdied themselves to assist their druid lord. The Fen-Hulk, stupidly ambled forward toward the oncoming enemy force. Cathbad drew upon the winds of magic and with a prayer to the mother managed to restore life to the young Rory as well as to the murdered woad raider. The life-giving energies don't stop there however as the Fen-Hulks regained all of the wounds, strengthening their binding to the land of Albion. Channeling yet more power from the earth and winds of magic Cathbad attempts to send another flock of Wraith-like crows toward the glade riders, who circled the rocky outcrop, about to charge the flank of the woad raiders. Having seen the destructive potential of the Albion nature magic, the Spell Singer had held onto her power for just this eventuality and dispelled his magics with ease.
The Fen-Hulks Charged into the Great Eagle Scisquillix the mighty bird simply had to hold, as to do less would see the mage Arden threatened as would be the unit of glade riders. The savage constructs fell upon the bird in a frenzy, tearing it to pieces and shambling forward, blood soaked, to face down the riders and mage.
The young bloods attempted to send a hail of rocks toward the wood elf hero, several of the deadly missiles stuck home but only managed 1 solitary wound, thanks to the toughened skin of the mighty warrior.
Albion turn 2, regen 4 wounds, putting the army back to full strength, 1 wound inflicted on the Asrai hero on eagle and one Greagle torn to pieces by the Fen-Beasts.
(By the end of turn 2 I had a Greagle fair up my ass and a unit of glade riders got on its tail feathers, take note of no base on the hero on the left flank, im blaming that for my Druid and his skirmishers getting charged 🤣 )
Asrai turn 3
The ancient ash, Cureron, charged into the Fen-Hulk, driving his shoulder into the mound and raking his hardened fingers down the creatures hide. Pieces of peat, stone and rotten wood blew out from the monster, showering everything around with detritus but just as fast as the wounds were inflicted the construct simply drew yet more raw material up from the earth, replacing the lost pieces of itself. Cureron found his enormous legs being sucked down into the quagmire surrounding the hulk, narrowly avoiding breaking himslef apart, it was all the animated tree could do to extricate himself, too late however does he see the enormous arms of the Fen hulk crash down, sending sap and splinters flying in a thunderous crack as the treeman is badly hurt, great gouges torn from his hardwood hide. Stubborn, with deep roots, the ancient flora stayed toe to toe with his constructed foe.
(Characteristic armour and wars save of the damn tree man ALL GAME!, greagle on the left about to get its neck snapped)
Hsixilan, Seeing her mate torn to pieces by the Fen-Hulks charged blindly into their flank, attempting to destroy those that killed her mate. Unfortunately, the Albion magic that animated the monstrosities is too strong. Her attacks failed to wound and in return she was grabbed by the neck and pummeled into the ground. Her hollow bones snapping underneath the onslaught.
With a scream to Curnunos the glade riders charged the flank of the woad raiders, their horses and spears impacting the side of the big unit of frenzied men. Despite a couple of spears finding their mark and the horses trampling one unlucky warrior, the Woad raiders on the flanks struck back with tremendous fury, slashing, stabbing and biting at their assailants, killing each to a man and chasing off their scared horses.
Findol, with a preternatural speed borne of his kind, executed a high-speed maneuver in the air, smashing into the youngbloods and Cathbad. One youngblood was struck by the eagle, flying like a rag doll through the air, his spine shattered against a tree at high velocity. 2 other youngbloods were impaled on Findol's finely wrought Asrai spear with a lazy flick of the hero’s wrist. The fierce Great Eagle mount tore a head from a young warrior in a fountain of blood, crunching bone and snapping tendon. The young men and druid tried in vain to hurt the juggernaut of destruction before them but to no avail, the stone skin turned aside every blow. With a cry the unit fled in disarray, Cathbad, taking two wounds from the enemy hero as he was chased down but stubbornly refusing to die.
Asrai turn 3: 10 youngbloods killed, 2 wounds on the druid, 3 Woad raiders killed, 5 dead glade riders as they charged into a frenzied woad raider meat grinder, 2 wounds on the Tree man, who passed his stubborn roll, 1 more Dead Greagle (Fen hulks had a 3+ ward save, str 5, hatred and 4 attacks, even flanking the poor Greagle had zero chance)
Albion turn 3
Seeing Cathbad under threat the woad raiders, lead by the hero Seán launched their javelins at the mounted Asrai hero and charged. Findol felt blood trickle down his shoulder as he suffered a deep gouge from a flying projectile. Cursing, he rushed his mount into the air, discretion being the better part of valour he flew to safety.
Cathbad, bloodied and breathing hard spied the onrushing War Hawk knights closing in, with a hiss he harnessed the winds of magic. Through a will borne of pain and desperation he felt ULTIMATE POWER rush through his veins, he cast an unstoppable flock of wraith like crows toward the winged cavalry. Elves and birds scream alike as two of their number fall from the sky, another barely able to shake off the deadly magics. with a Shriek they again turn and flee, the destructive energies too much for them. Cathbad attempted to sever his connection to the winds of magic... but something went terribly wrong. The stench of rot and decay filled his nostrils. Gurgling, puss filled, throaty laughter rang out in his ears as the baleful eye of the greater daemon Glagoth The Corpulent is turned toward the Druid...
"Soon, Soon I shall bestow my father's gifts on your land", the greater daemon intones. His deep gleeful voice betraying a giddy elation at the very thought...
"Until then, let me taste your mind to see what beauty grows there... "
Cathbad screamed and passed out, as the psychic onslaught of the greater daemon proved too much for him (Ultimate power resulted in a miss-cast and Brad H's GUO tried to possess my general :'))
The Fen-Beasts charge toward the unit of Glade riders to their front. Faced with the unnatural fury of the monstrosities the glade riders fled and the Fen-Beasts redirected their charge into the side of the Treeman. Smashing at the thick, gnarled hide of the ancient Ash the beasts are unable to inflict a wound, their best efforts turned aside by both thick bark and inate magic. The battle raged between the Treeman and the Fen-Hulk. Now joined by the Fen-Beasts the Treeman suffers another wound from a crushing blow by the FenHulk (saved like 5 wounds all up between beasts and hulk) and inflicted a wound on the Fen-Beasts in return. Losing the combat again, the tree man stubbornly stayed put.
Asrai turn 4
Findol stroked his Great Eagles neck, soothing the creature, and stoping its flight. With a practiced ease, borne of centuries in the saddle he turned to face the large unit of crazed warriors.
Again, she reached out with her mind, Arden calmed the hearts of her 2 remaining and injured War Hawk riders, turning her mount toward the naked and frenzied raiders she pulled forth her magic, stupefying the woad raiders and taking them out of the fight for the near future. Seeing nowt but small fairies and wonderous creatures, the woad raiders simply shuffled forward, oblivious. She reached forth with her life-giving powers and healed one of the wounds the Treeman previously took.
The fleeing Glade riders turned their mounts about and seeing the dazed woad raiders unleashed a flurry of arrows, double quick, wounding 2 of their number, all hope of a return from death nothing but a a pipe dream now their druid lay comatose on the field.
In the middle of the battle a titanic struggle continued. Using both arms the treeman slammed them down onto a Fen-Beast, finally toppling one, in response the Fen-Beasts 3 compatriots tore branches wholly from the Tree-man, wounding the noble being once again. The Fen-Hulk reached out and grasped the Wild Ash. A dissonant scream of pain issued forth as its arm was torn away. with 3 wounds from the Albion side and 4 wounds from the Asrai side the titanic struggle is finally tied.
Asrai turn 4: 2 wounded woad raiders, 1 dead FenBeast, 3 wounds on the big tree.
Albion Turn 4
With the woad raiders befuddled it was straight onto combat.
The Fen-Beasts attacked the Treeman, again unable to get through the thick bark and magic, the Treeman attacked the Fen-Beasts with everything he had, swiping side to side, desperately trying to fight free of them... insufferably with every hit the constructs repaired themselves. Distracted by his conflict with the Fen-Beasts, Cureron failed to see the Monstrous form of the Fen-Hulk raise his own amputated arm on high, only to bring it crashing down against the ancient Ash’s noble brow. Cureron stumbled, shaking his head and teetered for a moment, before driving his roots DEEP into the ground and steadying himself.
Albion turn 4: 2 wounds to the Tree Man, who stubbornly holds AGAIN!!!!
Asrai turn 5
Again, the stalwart riders of the glade unleashed their arrows at the Albionite Woad raiders, again they lose 2 of their number.
Diving and swooping through the skies, the War Hawk knights got into position to rear charge the Fen-Beasts. Arden, free of the meddling powers of the thrice cursed druid, gifted her Tree-Man ally with stone bark, adding to that she was also able to heal one of his wounds.
Findol, knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to best even befuddled woad raiders, as he had the youngbloods, soured his mount over the top of the frenzied humans and landed safely at their rear. From there ready to charge the hated Hulking construct attacking their Tree-man ally.
Redoubling their efforts, the Fen-Beasts tore into the TreeMan once again, inflicting a single wound despite his stone skin. Try as he might the wounded tree man was unable to wound even a single Fen-Beast. His remaining limbs were heavy, sap oozed from over a dozen rents and tears. He managed to dodge several clumsy swings from the Fen-Hulk but lost the fight, yet AGAIN he stands firm. (This bloody Tree-man, I swear!)
Albion Turn 5
The woad raiders shook off their befuddlement, turning, they saw the Wood Elf hero and with a scream, hurled their javelins at his back. They charged forward... The elf never stood a chance. Findol's magnificent Great Eagle died in a shower of pointy sticks, while the Elf hero himself was knocked unconscious by a savage blow to the skull.
In the center of the field, the Fen-Beasts again attacked the Treeman, unable to land a wound (Seriously the Treeman has saved 90% of his wounds with a 5+ armour save and a 6+ bloody ward save) The treeman replied with attacks of his own, finally wounding another Fen-Beast only to be wounded himself by another attack from the enormous Fen-Hulk.
Again, making his stubborn Leadership roll…
Wood Elves/Albion turn 6
Desperate to save the last of her forces, upon seeing her champion Findol fall, Arden again stupefied the woad raiders, buying precious time for the glade riders to grab his prone body as they retreated. Sending her WarHawks away, as well as her final unit of glade riders, it was all she could do to simply watch the noble tree man get knocked to his knees, in a last desperate attempt to prevail, the TreeMan launched into a single massive attack at the Fen-Hulk WHACKing his last remaining limb into the head of the monster. Hope blossomed within the old tree’s heart, as the head disintegrated but soon the hope turned to despair, as the terrifying visage simply coalesced again, thanks to the magic of the land and the strength of the Ogham stone within it, binding it to reality.
The Woad raiders again, stumbled about and as the sun set on the battle the Fen Monstrosities beat the treaman to within one wound of its life. The day beonged to the Albionites.