Eshin vs Empire Battle Report

Ok, this was the second game of Warhammer my friend Brock and I have ever played where we actually followed the rules. The first game was between the same forces--Eshin (me) and Empire (Brock)--and I got pwned by turn three. So I fiddled with my list a little and we decided to have a rematch. Now, these rematches happen every 6 months or so, because my only gaming buddy is in the Army and, well, we know where all the Army folk are right now (boo!). But anyway...

Here are the army lists:

ESHIN WARBAND

8 Night Runners with Two Hand Weapons and Nighleader
8 Night Runners with Two Hand Weapons
8 Night Runners with Throwing Stars
5 Night Runners with Slings
5 Night Runners with Slings
6 Poisoned Wind Globadiers
5 Gutter Runners with Poisoned Two Hand Weapons and Poisoned Throwing Stars
4 Warplock Jezzails
_______________________________________________
49 Models
498 Points[/color]

EMPIRE WARBAND

5 Knights Panther of the Inner Circle w/1st knight
Mortar w/3 man crew
5 crossbow militiamen
5 crossbow militiamen
Level 1 wizard
Captain w/full plate and shield
9 swordsmen w/duelist
_______________________________________________

total 494[/color]

And now, for the report!

...

Captain Sigmar Spikes dismissed the scout after hearing his report. It appeared he and his men were being stalked by giant rodents the size of humans; beasts that walked upright and traveled the night with deceptive stealth. He had seen the likes of these accursed beings before, and they had proved themselves unworthy of the imperial steel his men had used to pierce their flesh. It was earlier in this campaign that he had done battle with the lowly, fur-covered ratmen known as the Skaven. He smiled at the memory. “Battle” was perhaps too illustrious of a term; “extermination” would more appropriately describe what had taken place. His crossbowmen had sowed chaos within the loose and primitive ranks of the enemy as his knights had crushed the rodents under their steeds' steel-clod hooves. Of course, the battle wizard Greybeard had a hand in the victory, as well. The chief adviser was a master of the Lore of Fire, and his display of power had left the battlefield smelling of scorched flesh and singed fur well after the fighting had ceased.

Sigmar directed his attention at the wizard. “Herr Greybeard, you recall our last battle with these creatures, do you not?”

Greybeard looked up from the book he was holding, pushing the spectacles on his face higher onto his nose with one finger.

“Hm-wha, what was that? Oh yes, yes. Indeed I do. I recall that particular evening when the ratmen last attacked us. I believe it was the first day of autumn, because the winds from the north were beginning to bring their icy chill into the valley. Oh yes, I had to wear an extra cloak that evening. I did not want to come down with a fever. Oh no, never want one of...”

“If you don't mind, Adviser,” interrupted Sigmar, “Please focus on information that may be useful if we end up finding ourselves in battle with these spawns of Chaos.”

“My apologies, Captain.”

Greybeard put his book away and began outlining successful methods of disposing the vile vermin. Sigmar smiled as the old mage drew the attention of all his warriors. As they sat listening, Sigmar was relieved to know that they would be well prepared for anything the Skaven threw at them.

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 1 (6” Night Fighting):[/b]

Queetik whispered to the Night Runners around him, “Yes-yes! Tonight, the stupid Man-Things will die-die by our hands!”

Quiet hisses and lashing tails were the only response to his boastful prophecy. His warriors had learned quickly that Queetik would accept no unnecessary noise, and those who failed to remember this were dealt with quickly and savagely. After all, stealth was the way of the Eshin, and their greatest ally.

All of his forces were in position. He had led his warband through the Empire realm on many successful and deadly night raids, and by now, their roles were carried out without hesitation. He had stolen high-powered Jezzail long-rifles from Clan Skyre and poisoned wind globes from Clan Pestilens.

He was able to get a steady flow of Night Runners from Skavenblight, and those that survived the battles were promoted to Gutter Runners. That meant that the few Gutter Runners he had in his charge were the most elite warriors Clan Eshin had to offer. Yes, his force was mighty, and their leader was brilliant in the ways of war. He was brilliant.

He signaled to the other units. The attack would commence once they were just a few tails closer...

With the clouds obscuring the light of the moon, the Skaven advanced toward the river crossings, hoping to get in close to the Empire forces before being spotted. The Eshin warriors equipped with the poisoned wind globes were going to attempt a flank attack. The Jezzail teams set up on the hill, waiting for a break in the cloud-cover. A mass of night runners with the gutter runner support crept up toward the center crossing.

Noteworthy Events:

Skaven move closer to the Empire forces

[b]Empire Turn 1:[/b]

The sudden and dramatic decrease in moonlight cast a distressing spell over the forces of Captain Sigmar Spikes. Nerves were already on edge after the Skaven spies had been spotted. Now, fear was sown within his ranks, and it would take no small amount of cajoling to restore moral.

Sigmar rallied his men to his side. Organized ranks of swordsmen stood in line with him while detachments of crossbowmen guarded each flank. His knights halted in front of the foot troops, and he could see that they were eager to clash with the vermin once more. They were all listening intently as Greybeard outlined the most effective forms of counterattack.

Noteworthy Events:

Reposition units

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 2 (12” Night Fighting):[/b]

A sliver of light broke through the clouds and reflected off of the swirling globes being carried by the Eshin warriors. The Empire Knights looked startled when they noticed the ratmen emerge from the darkness. Horses whinnied and men shouted, but that did not prevent the globadiers from rushing headlong toward the battle-hardened warriors. With a running start, they hurled the swirling globes at the knights. The moonlight reflected off the orbs as they soared through the air and crashed into the rank of Empire Knights. Upon impact, a green, poisoned gas was released, choking rider and mount alike. Three heavily armored riders collapsed, blood and froth seeping from the slits in their silver helmets. The remaining knights turned and fled from the deadly mist. The globadiers responsible squeaked in delight at the chaos they had wrought. Considering their mission more than successful, they scurried off the battlefield, first making sure their their commander's attention was focused elsewhere.

The whinnying of the horses and screams of the surviving knights caused the remaining empire forces to turn and seek out the noise, and as they did, a hail of shruiken burst forth from the river bank. Two crossbowmen fell to the sharp projectiles. The Skaven attack was under way.

Noteworthy Events:

Globadiers kill 3 Knights

Night Runners armed with Throwing Stars kill two crossbowmen

Knights panic and flee off the battlefield

[b]Empire Turn 2:[/b]

“Warriors, ready your blades, for the mutants attack!”

Captain Sigmar directed his forces and declared a charge against the hooded Skaven that had emerged from the river. His crossbowmen fired upon them, and three of their number fell under a hail of bolts. Cheers rose from the ranks of Empire warriors as those Skaven turned and ran from the battle.

The remaining Gutter Runners could not understand how they had already lost three of their kind to enemy crossbow fire. They were masters of stealth and espionage, and no human could detect them when they did not want to be detected. No, some other hand must have played a part in this happening. It was those damned globadiers! Look at how they were running away from the battle! They must have informed the enemy of their whereabouts after destroying the knights! No doubt that the fear of using up their greatest weapon had forced the to give away their comrades' positions in order to bargain for their own lives. After all, the Runners had taken all necessary measures to insure that they were hidden. If the globadiers had turned against them, then who was to say that the other Eshin forces wouldn't do the same? No, there was no sense in this; a Gutter Runner achieved his position by not throwing his life away. Using silent hand gestures, the two remaining Runners turned around and stealthily began to exit the battlefield.

Noteworthy Events:

Crossbowmen kill 3 Gutter Runners

Gutter Runners panic and flee, forcing Night Runners and Globadiers to panic

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 3 (30” Night Fighting):[/b]

Seething with rage, Queetik looked around the battlefield. What was happening to his well planned assault? How were these inferior, furless creatures still able to fight against his brilliantly commanded host of death? And why hadn't that thrice damned Sorcerer revealed himself yet? He had spent a small fortune of stolen warpstone on purchasing his services, and yet he was nowhere to be found! It appeared as if Queetik was going to have to remind the mage of the cost of betrayal and the potency of his poisoned hand-rake that it came with.

He heard the crack of the Warplock Jezzail rifles being fired, echoed by screams of agony. The whistling of stones being released from slings filled the air. Despite the minor setback of half his force running in the wrong direction, there was still fighting to be had. The moon had almost emerged fully from behind the clouds, and the clearing in the valley was nearly illuminated. They were losing their advantage.

Noteworthy Events:

Globadiers flee off the table

Sling wielding Night Runners miss both the crossbow detachment and the swordsmen.

Jezzails kill four crossbowmen, but they pass their panic test.

[b]Empire Turn 3:[/b]

Captain Sigmar refused to let the hooded mutants get away from him. He charged his swordsmen at them, challenging and taunting them for their cowardice. Again, his supporting crossbowmen fired into the Skaven ranks. He was determined to catch the despicable ratmen and pierce their flesh with his Imperial blade, but the ratmen were fleet of foot, and his men were unable to gain any ground on them.

Meanwhile, Greybeard fumbled with his spellbook, hurriedly searching for an appropriate spell. He began an incantation, but midway through, decided it wasn't the one he wanted, and stopped to search for another

Noteworthy Events:

Swordsmen charge Gutter Runners, but detached Crossbowmen shoot and kill 4 and Runners flee

Wizard fails to cast spell

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 4 (Full Moon):[/b]

On all sides Queetik's forces were now either fleeing or being met by determined Empire forces. He did not understand how the Humans could muster the courage to fight such a mighty and obviously superior horde. The thought of the Man-Things repelling the assault flashed into Queetik's mind and almost caused him to lose courage and flee from the battlefield, but after looking around and seeing all of the Skaven that were still racing to attack the Empire forces, he found that courage and blood-lust rose from the pit of his stomach, and he knew that he, too, would feast upon the flesh of the Hairless Ones.

As they raced toward the Empire Swordsmen, Queetik made sure that the other Night Runners outpaced him and he resumed his position of command from the rear of the unit. No sense taking any chances.

“Mighty Warriors! Seek blood and kill-kill in the name of Eshin!”

His command went largely ignored.

Noteworthy Events:

Front charge and flank charge on Swordsmen with two Night Runner units, one swordsman killed

Swordsmen kill 2 Night Runners in response

Night Runners with slings charge Crossbow unit in flank, one crossbowman killed

Crossbowmen flee

Three Runners fall to crossbow fire (stand and shoot) between both charges

Night Runners with slings (#2) shoot and kill one crossbowman

Jezzails shoot same crossbow unit and kill 2

Crossbow unit passes panic test

[b]Empire Turn 4:[/b]

“Ah ha! Let's try this one!”

With a wave of his staff, Greybeard unleashed a massive gout of flame on the vermin who were hiding by the hills. His mage-sight allowed him to see the carnage the magical fire was causing the targeted unit. Gunners threw their rifles to the ground and fled, only to fall a few yards away as the flames overtook them. The stench of charred flesh and singed fur drifted across the battlefield. Greybeard reached into his sling-sack and withdrew his journal. He hastily jotted down a few notes, mumbling, “...Proven surprisingly effective...”

Noteworthy Events:

Crossbow unit rallies

Other crossbow unit shoots at solo Gutter Runner and miss

One swordsman killed in combat, but Night Runners with stars are eliminated

Wizard flames 2 Jezzails causing them to panic, causing nearby Night Runners to panic

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 5 (18” Night Fight):[/b]

His insidious ambush was both masterfully conceived and directed—by himself, of course. The only reasonable explanation behind this freak turn of events was treason. Someone under his command must have betrayed him to his Eshin superiors. Yes, that was it. He had taken such great precaution in insuring that he had rid himself of all possible traitors from his earlier battle with the Man-Things of the Empire. After all, that had cost him his Chieftain status and made him the laughing stock of his Clan. Of course, that was nothing that a few unfortunate accidents wouldn't resolve. He would not be held under the paw of the weaklings above him. With the gift of size, strength, and agility that the Great Horned Rat had bestowed upon him, he was destined for a greatness that would outshine that of even the Deathmaster himself. Of course, he would never admit this thought to anyone, for fear of bringing upon himself the wrath of the single most deadly entity to walk under this earth. Just the thought of the great Assassin made his musk glands tighten with fear, but he resisted the urge to squirt. After all, he was destined for greatness, and after thinking about it for a minute, he realized that it didn't matter if he was the only one who knew.

He directed his frustration at the swordsmen unit his Night Runners were engaged with. He was not fond of drawn-out combats, preferring to stab a foe in the back rather than act like a primitive being and stand face-to-face while fighting. But he was proud of his Runners. They were actually acting like true warriors, not just the expendable bodies they were. They were even managing to overwhelm the humans. Even the leader of the furless force was back-stepping as dagger and claw were raining down upon he and his men.

Noteworthy Events:

Jezzails flee off table, Night Runners fail to rally

All Night Runners with Slings miss their targets

Night Runners cause 4 wounds on Swordsmen, leaving Captain Sigmar Spikes with 1 wound

Empire General hits back and kills one Night Runner and passes break test

[b]Empire Turn 5:[/b]

Captain Sigmar Spikes sliced through fur and flesh alike with his sword. Another two foes fell before his fury. He refused to lose his life to such retched foes. But if he was destined to perish on this night, he would take as many mutants down with him.

Nearby crossbow bolts pierced the throat of one of the attacking vermin. The remaining attackers lost heart, turned, and fled.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Greybeard continued to purge the Skaven with the purifying flames of Sigmar. A unit of Skaven armed with slings appeared to just melt where they had once stood.

This is indeed a useful spell, mused Greybeard.

Noteworthy Events:

Crossbow unit fires at solo Gutter Runner and miss again!

Crossbow unit shoot and kill one Night Runner armed with sling, and that unit flees

General kills two Night Runner in combat, but they pass break test

Wizard flames Night Runners with slings and wipes them out

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

[b]Skaven Turn 6 (18” Night Fight):[/b]

No, this continuous battling with the swordsmen was just not working for him. Queetik side-stepped a blow from the leader of the Man-Things, and pulled a nearby Night Runner in front of him as a shield for the sword thrust that directly followed. The Night Runner tried in vain to stuff its innards back into the hole in its stomach as it crumpled to the ground. No, Queetik did not like this one bit.

Noteworthy Events:

Night Runners fail to harm General, and General kills two in return

[b]Empire Turn 6:[/b]

Yes! Finally that pesky human had fallen beneath his warriors' blades! Not that Queetik had ever doubted the outcome of the battle. After all, he was the harbinger of death, and whatever army he commanded was bound for victory and glory.

Suddenly the night became day, and Queetik's grandiose thoughts were interrupted by a gentle warmth that soon became a rather bothersome burning sensation.

Noteworthy Events:

Crossbow unit kill one fleeing Night Runner armed with sling

General fails to wound Night Runners, and is killed in return!

Wizard flames Night Runners who just got out of combat with General and kills them all

[b]_____________________________________________________[/b]

Queetik crawled out from under the remains of his charred brethren. Of all the skills he had learned in the great city of Cathay, he was the ultimate master of faking his own demise. Congratulating himself on his display of utter mastery, he called the few remaining, scattered Night Runners and lone Gutter Runner to his side and set off back to Cathay to make the report of his great victory in which he had overcome such great odds.

...

We didn't tally up Victory Points as we were really just getting out feet wet by actually playing a game of Warhammer. There were many things we did that were wrong, and many rules we failed to remember while playing...but oh well. We were consistent, we had fun, and will try to improve next time.

Empire Forces Remaining:

Wizard, 4 Crossbowmen

Skaven Forces Remaining:

1 Gutter Runner, 1 Night Runner with sling, 8 Night Runners with two hand weapons.

Hope you enjoy the report![/color]