The Company of the
Lost
Little light
filtered in around the heavy wooden door which blocked the cell; Ludwig
Frei sat quietly on a heap of dirty straw contemplating that fact, as he
had everyday for the past two months. Truly, there was not much else for
a doomed man to do. When he thought of women or the world outside his cell
(the same thing really in his opinion) it would only remind him of merchant’s
daughter, who was the reason he was here. If only she hadn’t screamed so
loudly. But, that was a chance one took in such secret romances and it
had backfired. Ludwig had nothing left now but a date with the headsman.
#
Another month
dragged by before Ludwig heard footsteps after he had already received
his daily feeding. Ludwig was blinded by the first light he’d seen in months.
He knew it was time, but had spent so long alone in the dark, the thought
did not trouble him. When he was finally able to focus, he saw three figures.
Two were huge, sporting black iron breastplates and the famed Katzbalger
of the Wissenland spearmen. The third man was short and broad. He wore
a black robe and at his belt hung a plain long dagger. His long white hair
was held back a simple leather band, yet he projected such an aura of authority
that he might as well have been wearing a crown.
“Ludwig,
your time approaches, but there is yet a chance to escape it."
“Aye, but
I have no desire to escape. I am guilty of no crime save to love an unfaithful
woman, so I’ll not flee and make of myself the dog that all believe me
to be."
“That is
not what I offer. You are new to these lands. I will explain. You are sentenced
to death, but to simply kill you would seem a waste. Soldiers are always
needed to keep the Empire safe, so that is the escape I offer. Join my
Company. If you survive five battles in my service, so shall go free and
innocent. If you do not, you in no worse a position than you were before,
but all will see that your crimes have been washed away in the blood you
shed for the Empire. Will you join?"
The Company
of the Lost- The Empire, despite its name, is hardly safe and protected.
Instead, it is a brutal and harsh place. The inhabitants fight not only
the elements, but the ever present threat of invasion, from Orcs, Skaven
or the terrifying hordes of Chaos. For many, these hardships are too great-
these unfortunates believe that the end is near and are known throughout
the land as flagellants. Some do not go this far, but simply turn to a
life of crime. To prevent this and preserve order, punishments within the
Empire are severe. Anyone suspected of dealing with the forces of Chaos
(and this includes most who have committed serious crimes) are sentenced
to death. Those so sentenced however have one chance to redeem themselves
and their families. They can join The Company of the Lost. Here they are
given a divine trial. If they can survive their time within the company,
they are declared innocent and often become heroes. If they die, their
death itself is their payment and their blood washes the dishonor from
their families. Most do not survive.
On the
battlefield, all members of The Company of the Lost are formed together
in one detachment and armed with two handed swords. They are constantly
used in the most dangerous roles that their commanders can find. It is
The Company of the Lost that will bear the charge of the Beastman’s chariots;
it is The Company of the Lost that issues out to cut the first holes into
the enemies spear and pike blocks: it is The Company of the Lost that absorbs
the sling-stones and arrows of the foes. Yet, they do not falter, for they
know that off the field of battle for them there is only death, ignominious
and unglorified, while on the field is their chance at redemption.
0-1 detachments-The Company
of the Lost-8 points per model (minimum of 5 models)
Name
M WS BS
S T W
I A Ld
The Company
4 3
3 3 3
1 3 1
7
of the Lost
Weapons/armour
Each member of the Company of the Lost bears a two handed sword.
In richer areas (or companies composed of former nobles and merchants)
they may wear light armour for +2 points.
Save- none (6+
if wearing light armour)
Special Rules-
The will of the condemned. The members of the Company know that it is their
‘leadersEwho before sentenced them to death, and find it impossible to
draw inspiration from them. Therefore, each member of the company can only
test on his own Ld score, not that of any character (including the general).
However, each member of the company also has chosen and knows his fate.
The members of the Company have become unconcerned about death and some
even welcome it. Therefore, the company can reroll any failed Ld test (including
break tests) on their own unmodified Ld score.
Miniatures: The
miniatures are very easy to obtain. I used Imperial Greatswords (073847/
1,2or3 in the 1997 annual catalogue) and painted their armour, plus any
ribbons, feathers, etc., red (to represent the blood they shed), the majority
of their clothing black (to represent their fate) and the slashing was
painted white (to represent their reward). Also, I have cut the feathers
from the hats of most my figures. The reason for this, is that in my army,
the feathers denote how many battles each member of the Company has survived.
As most of the company routinely dies, that leaves only the leader with
feathers in his cap.
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