Battle Report 2000 pts Pitched Battle Vampire Counts vs. High Elves

[eagletsi1]

It had been almost a month since the Atrocity that had befallen Hans Gregor, Alex Crewell, Jonathon Rutguard, Dante Revell and the Witch Hunter army they lead. They had been chasing a Necromancer named Axcros the Everlasting, for several weeks and had battled his armies many times. Each victory brought them closer to their goal or Axcros’s Castle, Blood Guard. Finally, the Witch Men as their army had been known took castle Blood Guard. Hans Gregor battled Axcros in the necromancers hidden Vault. Axcros stated “You will pay dearly if you slay me”. Hans ignored Axcros’s banter and landed the final blow decapitating Axcos. A large burst of magic erupted from the Necromancers body that enveloped castle Blood Guard and the entire Witch Hunter Army. What Hans didn’t know was that Axcros realized it would only be a matter of time before he was destroyed and prepared a spell that would only be unleashed with his death. Hans and the rest of his army finished plundering the remains of the Castle and went to sleep. That night, as they slept, a strange transformation affected Hans and everyone else in the army. As Hans awoke he realized, he wasn’t hungry yet, so decided to stroll around the castle and check on the others, yet he found no one was awake. While Hans was walking he saw his reflection in a large mirror on the wall inside the castle. Hans could not believe what he saw and began cursing Axcros very loudly. He had transformed into the thing he spent his entire life fighting against, an undead host. Soon the rest of his men awoke from his cursing, they found they had also undergone a transformation some were now losing skin, while others seemed to have a hunger for their fallen comrades from the day before. Alex and Jonathon were also transformed into a Wight and Wraith, respectively. Finally, the Warrior Priest Dante had been transformed with wrinkled skin and all previous knowledge of spell lores had been wiped from his head, except Death and now he seemed to understand Necromancy. Dante swore an Oath to become a Warrior Priest, stating he would never use Necromancy and would continue to uphold that Oath. All of the transformations caused great unrest in the army. Everywhere men were screaming in shock and horror at themselves. Some had attempted to kill themselves, but quickly healed the damage. Hans acted quickly, and yelled “Quiet!”. His men, even though transformed, quieted down to hear what Hans the Wight had to say. Hans exclaimed, “Our enemy has cursed us to be the thing we have spent our whole lives hunting. He assumed this curse would drive us mad and stop our crusade against the Undead hosts. I say we cannot let him stop us. In fact, he had given us even more reason to hate the Undead hosts now, but now we can fight them on their own grounds. We all took an Oath to join this army that stated “I will give my life to find and slay undead hosts wherever they live.” We can still hold true to this Oath, because we have in fact given our lives to this cause. But now we can continue to fight the Undead hosts for an eternity. From this day forward we will continue our crusade against all Undead hosts, and use our abilities to slay them wherever they may be." After a moment of silence, Hans yelled “Who is with me?” For a moment there was no reply, and then Dante spoke out “I am.” Next, Alex and Jonathon spoke out each exclaiming. “I am”. Soon the all men began chanting “Slay all Undead! Slay all Undead! ” over and over. Hans knew his life had changed forever, but one thing was for sure, the Undead Hosts everywhere would pay for the Atrocity that Axcros cursed his army with.

Hans and the rest of his army left the castle, and found that being Undead caused severe reactions by many other people that used to be friendly to his. On their travels they saw a High Elf army on the march and recognized the banner. Hans decided to avoid them as he had found out a few days early their new appearance would not be tolerated well by others …

A High Elf scout hidden in the tree’s nearby saw the Witch Hunter Banner, and then made a double take and could not believe his eyes. He recognized the cloths their leader had on, and it was Hans Gregor or something that looked like Hans Gregor. He had fought together against many foes with this army before and now something has turned them into undead hosts. He hastily returned to tell his lord Feteray of the undead host nearby…

Hans had not seen the scouts and thought he avoided his old friend Feteray’s, army, but now as they left the mountains they saw a High Elf army preparing for battle. Hans decided to try and talk to his old friend, but ordered his units into place just in case. Hans began waving a white flag and heading across the field towards Feteray, but he realized there would be no way around it as Feteray launched a bolt from this Sea Farer Bow, if Hans had not been quick enough it surely would’ve impaled him. He thought to himself sorry old friend, but no one can stop our crusade to destroy all Undead hosts, and if this meant coming to blows then so be it. Hans rejoined his Black Nights and ordered “Prepare for Battle!."

IC:

Feteray was always looking for new leaders and thus decided to let Crestren lead the army in the assault.




Hans Gregor’s Undead Witch Hunters

Hans Gregor – Wight Lord, Heavy Armour, Shield, Nightmare with barding, Gem of Blood – 98 pts

7 Black Knights – Barded Nightmares, Full Command, Screaming Banner – 255 pts.

Dante Revell – Necromancer, Level 2, Dispel Scroll, Black Periapt – 140 pts.

19 Skeletons – Light Armour, Shield, Spears, Full Command – 234 pts.

Alex Crewell- Wight Lord BSB, Heavy Armour, Sword of Kings, Talisman of Protection – 129 pts.

15 Grave Guard, Halberd, Shield, Full Command, Banner of Barrows – 300 pts.

19 Skeletons, Light Armour, Shield, Spear, Full Command – 234 pts.

Jonathon – Wraith, Obsidian Amulet – 135 pts.

1 Black Coach – 200 pts.

10 Ghouls, Ghast – 90 pts.

8 Dire Wolves, Doom Wolf – 90 pts.
8 Dire Wolves, Doom Wolf = 90 pts.


Don’t have the complete list, but here is what I remember.

High Elves:

Feteray - Archmage – dispel scroll, Bow of Sea Farer, Talisman of protection
Aliarion - Mage, Level 2, Jewel of Dusk, Dispel Scroll
Crestren – Commander, Heavy Armour, Shield, Barded Elf Steed, Radient Gem of Hoeth
Elelis - Commander BSB, Armour of Gods, Sword of Might

24 Spearelves lead by Elelis
12 Archers lead by Feteray
1 Bolt Thrower with Aliarion
8 Scouts with Champion
5 Dragon princes, Full Command, Banner of Arcane Protection.
7 Silver Helms, Heavy Armour, Shields, War Banner, Full Command, Lead by Crestren



Battle Field:

Undead Perspective:

A small hill in the South Western corner, with river starting on the West end of table and turning into the North West Corner of the table with a Bridge across it. Finally, a small section of walls with spaces between that look to have been protecting a house that no longer existed.

Deployment:

Undead Witch Hunters

A units of Dire Wolves in front of the hill near the bridge to cross the river, flanked by the Black Nights and Hans, next to him the Grave Guard led by Alex Crewell, next to him a Unit of Skeletons and Dante, then the final unit of Skeletons and the Wraith, named Jonathon. Next to them another unit of Dire Wolves, and behind then the Black Coach. Finally, The Ghouls deployed in a straight line across in front of the Black Nights, Grave Guard and Dante’s skeleton unit for protection.

High Elves:

The Repeater Bolt Thrower,Crew, and Aliarion the mage on the West Side of the river with a perfect diagonal view of the battle field. Then the Scouts in the river on the East bank, next to them on the east side of the river the unit Dragon Princes, flanked by the Unit of Silver Helms and the General Crestren, next to him the large unit of Spearelves led by Elelis and finally, Feteray and the archers, deployed straight across behind the wall, but Feteray decided to leave some archers out of cover, due to lack of shooting and would simply change ranks when the enemy go close.


Battle:

Hans decided to hold back his main units to feel for a weakness in the High Elf line. Both units of Dire Wolves moved forward, one preparing to charge Fereray and his archers the other preparing to cross the bridge, the Black coach moved to the flank of the wolves. The Ghouls ran in front of the Black Nights shielding them and Dante’s unit from Repeater Bolt Thrower Fire, threatening the Scouts in the river, and daring the Dragon Princes to charge. The rest of the Witch Hunter army stumbled forward.

[eagletsi1]

Crestren commanded his scouts to retreat across the river, and the rest of his army to hold. Feteray, still could not believe his friend Hans had been tainted, but put the thought in the back of his mind. He concentrated and the ground around the Dire Wolves threatening him turned to mud slowing their progress, he then pointed at the bridge near the other Dire Wolves and stones flew from it killing 2 Wolves. Aliarion wanting to impress his master then pointed at the hill behind Hans and the Black Nights, stones leap from the ground and hit the unit, but their armour held. The Repeater Bolt Thrower opened fire and sent a single bolt into the black coach, but the bolt barley stopped the coaches progress, Feteray ordered his archers to fire on the Dire Wolves in the mud. The Bow of Sea Farer and the rest of the arrow completely destroyed the Dire Wolf unit. The Scouts unleashed their arrow at the Ghouls, but their arrow failed to pierce the Ghouls tough skin. Hans, knew his army could not take this magic and shooting much more, and ordered everyone to move up. The Dire Wolves began to move across the bridge, the ghouls moved near the river and closer to the scouts. The black coach moved a few feet away from Feteray and the archers. While all of his other units moved slightly forward, with the Jonathon and his skeleton unit leading the rest and protecting the flank of the Black Coach. Dante knew the elves had to much magic and thus he had to concentrate to use magic he focus his energies and summoned great power from his hands and directed it at the Archers and Feteray, who were helpless to do anything about it, and 4 archers perished in a flash of light. Even thought the terrifying Black Coach was nearby and the Archers had taken serious casualties with Feteray leadership the archers held their ground and reformed to face the Black Coach. Elelis moved his Spear elves to the prepare a flank charge on the Black Coach, knowing he would be in range of the Wraith’s unit in front of him, but trusting in his spears elves skill. Crestren moved his Silver Helms and Dragon Princes forward, care to stay out of range from the Black Nights, but in charge range of Dante’s the Necromancers unit, knowing from his previous battle if he could kill the Necromancer, Dante the rest of the army would fall apart. Feteray was an experienced mage, but the threat of the Black Coach had made him rush to summon a spell and he miscast, draining all magic currently in the winds. The Repeater Bolt Thrower and scouts opened fire on Ghouls, and 4 Ghouls were impaled by the volley of bolts, with 3 more killed by the scouts.

[eagletsi1]

The Wraith driving the Black Coach charged into Feteray and the Archers. While the Wraith, Jonathon, and his skeletons charged into the Spearelves and Elelis, The Ghouls remaining charged though the water towards the Repeater Bolt Thrower, The Bolt Thrower fired a volley and killed all but the Ghast, who charged into the machine. The Dir Wolves finally made it across the bridge and reformed to face the scouts on the other side of the river. Hans then moved his Black Nights forward and onto the flank of Crestren and the Silver Helms, while Alex and the Grave Guard moved in front of Dante’s unit to block Crestren and the Silver Helms from charge Dante’s unit of skeletons. The Black Coach slammed into the elven archers, but only one of the archers fell, 1 more were killed by the Wraith’s Scythe. The archers and Feteray failed to wound the machine in return. The pipes of the elven musician played loudly and the elves held their ground while the wooded parts of the Black Coach began to creak loudly. Jonathon and his skeletons charged the elves, Elelis issue a challenge and the skeleton champion was easily dispatched, the elves proved their skills with the spear and parried all attacks then slayed 5 skeletons in return, only Jonathon was able to slay elf as he fought his way towards, Eleis. The elves had won the combats and more of the skeletons crumbled due to magic lapse. The Ghast attacked both crew members and Aliarion, but the skill of the elves was too much and even though one crew member was killed Aliarion finished off the Ghast with a sword though his head.

[eagletsi1]

Crestren saw the defensive move made by the Undead to protect their Necromancer, “no matter” he thought. We will crush them first and then destroy the Necromancer. He ordered his silver helms to charge into the Grave Guard and destroy them, at the same time the Dragon Princes attempted to charge the Black Nights, were just out of range and stopped next to the Silver Helms to protect their flank(Short by an inch). Aliarion, summoned power and directed it at the bridge, stones flew from the bridge and into the Black Knights, and one stone knocked the head off of a Knight toppling him to the ground. Feteray was still too involved in battle with the Black and one again miscast, this time racking himself in pain. With the no ghouls to protect them from fire the Repeater Bolt Thrower fired a volley at the Black Knights, but their armour turned aside the bolts. The Scouts fired at the remaining Dire Wolves, and killed 2 more. Crestren and the Silver Helms charged into the Grave Guard, Alex issued a challenge and Crestren accepted, The two warriors fought to a stand still neither gaining an edge. The Rest of the Silver Helms killed 3 Grave Guard, the Silver Helms had won the battle and their War Banner was glowing brightly, draining the magic of the Grave Guard and 2 more Grave Guard collapsed, but the unit held it’s ground. Elelis challenged and attacked Jonathon, Jonathon was killed outright, his magic amulet failing to protect him. The rest of the elves struck with their spears and wiped out the skeleton unit completely. Lastly, the Wraith on the black coach killed two more elves and the Nightmares one more. The Coach absorbed their souls and rebuilt itself even better then before. This was too much for Feteray and the remaining archers, the fear of the coach caused them to flee, only to be chased and scattered by the Black Coach. The Black Coach now moved behind the was the elven archers had been using for cover. Hans knew now was the time to strike, and he charged his Black Knights into the Dragon Princes, but the banner of the Black Knights began to screech a horrible sound on the charge and the Dragon Princes fled in horror (He rolled 5,2,6) the Knights leaving them on the flank of the Silver Helms. The Dire Wolves charged the scouts who were only able to ready their hand weapons. Dante summoned his magic and directed it on the Grave Guard unit in front of him. Aliarion tried to stop it but failed. The spell however didn’t seem to do anything. Aliarion was very pleased thinking he must have weakened it thus it didn’t work. Crestren and Alex continued to battle this time Crestren wounded Alex, but failed to parry one attack in return and Alex’s Sword of Kings decapitated Crestren sending his head flying. The rest of the silver helms struck back killing the Grave Guard Champion and 4 other Guards, suddenly as fast as they fell to the ground they leaped back up and swung their Halberds, 2 of their axes landed fatal blows on the Knights killing two of them. The shock of having their general killed and 2 warriors would have been too much for most soldiers, but not being outnumbered and having the War Banner they miraculously held their ground (He rolled a 3). The Dire Wolves attacked the Scouts ripping 3 apart, the scouts failed to wound any in return and fled due to fear. The Dire Wolves pursed and ripped them to pieces running straight into the Repeater Bolt Thrower and Aliarion.

The Dragon Princes rallied seconds from leaving the battlefield and turned to face the Black Knights, and Hans once again. Elelis knew the Coach was behind him, but also knew he had to kill the Necromancer to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. He marched his Spear Elf Unit next to the Silver Helms and prepared to charge Dante’s Skeleton unit leaving his rear open to the Black Coach now all would depend on whether the Silver Helms could hold on. The Dire Wolves attacked the remaining crewman and Aliarion and the crewmen was torn in many pieces and Aliarion had his throat ripped out. Alex issued a challenge, and it was accepted by the Silver Helm Champion who failed to wound Alex and was dealt a killing wound by the Sword of Kings. The Rest of the Silver Helms fought valiantly and killed 2 Grave Guard, but the Grave Guard champion killed another silver helm. (He rolled a 1 for armour save). The Silver Helms had lost the combat and were now outnumbered, so they turned to run away. In pursuit, Alex and the Grave Guards slaughtered the remaining Silver Helms and overran into the side of the of Elelis and the Spear Elf unit. Hans knew victory was near and ordered his Black Knights to charge the Dragon Princes in front of them, This time the Dragon Princes were not afraid of the Screaming Banner and held their ground taking the charge. At the same time the Black Coach charged into the rear of Elelis and the spear elf unit that was just charged by Alex and the Grave Guard. The Dire Wolves began to cross the river and flank the Dragon Princes. Dante summoned power and directed it at the grave guard again with no elf mages to stop it the spell went off and the grave guard began to glow. Hans challenged the Dragon Prince Champion and dispatched him instantly, by driving his lance though the Elves chest. The rest of the Black Guard, struck but the elven armour protected the Dragon Princes, In return the Dragon Princes failed to wound any Black Knights, the Dragon Princes lost and were out number and fled the battlefield. Hans kept his unit from pursing, realizing he had killed enough of his formed friend today and he didn’t want to kill any more. Finally, the Black Coach slammed into the rear of Spear Elves, who pulled their swords and shields in the hope of deflecting the blows, but the Coach crushed 5 elves and then as the souls were absorbed by the Coach grew Scythes. Alex and the Grave Guard attacked the Elf Unit and killed 4 more elves, including the champion. Finally, the Wraith killed another. Elelis was on the other side of the unit and could not get through it to fight back. The Spear Elves were outnumber and lost badly, They broken and ran, with Elelis following them the Black Coach pursued and scattered them completely.

With no elves left on the battlefield the Witch Hunter army realized they had claimed victory. Hans was sad, because with his knew appearance his friends would not trust him as an ally anymore, and he knew that after the news of this battle, his army would become the hunted.

Hans left the battlefield with his army feeling the pain of killing his friends. He had tried to reason with them, but they would have none of it and nothing was going to stop him from finding and killing all undead hosts it was his destiny.

Vampire Counts win in Massacre

This is my new army and fluff, What does everyone think?

[eagletsi1]

What? no comments about my fluff.

Darn,

[eagletsi1]

Anybody?

Eagletsi1

[backslide]

very hard to read

ever heard of paragraphs?

[Eldacar]

Try putting it all into the one post, then putting paragraphs in.

Next, I really didn't like the HE army composition there. Not much coherency to it (IMO). And giving the Archmage the Seafarer bow was (again, IMO) a stupid idea.