The Slaughtered Lamb, the most famous and only inn located in Saule,
was packed and filled with the sounds of revelry. Only at a single table
in the corner did the festive mood not prevail. Here, Volker, sometimes
known as the Mad Fiddler, the man who provided the reason for the
celebration sat nursing a single ale and relating an incredible tale.
 
        “I know not how to explain the first meeting. The plan was sound, but
fate was not with us. I felt almost as if my body was a foreign land,
and those who stood beside me- they were dressed as knights, and sat
their horses well, but...(more on this later)
        The first battle occurred just outside of Bremen. I, with the knights,
deployed on the west flank, slightly behind the ogres and a unit of
horse archers, our missile screens. The villagers in their War Wagon
were beside us. Bill and Ted, the mages out for an excellent adventure,
were slightly behind us. Tancred was mounted on his Pegasus, Flurry, and
took up position behind a tower in the east. The second group of horse
archers and pistoliers were in the middle, ready to sweep through the
town and into the dwarven flank.  Across from us on the west were a unit
of the Lost Brothers, a large group of crossbows on a hill, and some
ironbreakers. In the town was a second group of Lost Brothers to hold
the flank. I could hear, coming from behind the hill, a clattering and
clanging. Moments later, a gyrocopter came into view.
        Then it started. The Dwarves advanced! . I could hardly believe my
luck. A shower of bolts failed to wound the ogres.  So far, so good. I
ordered the advance, angling the knights toward the front of the
ironbreakers and the ogres toward their flank. The War Wagon headed
towards a group of slayers, hopefully to come around and hit the rear of
the ironbreakers. Tancred and Flurry leapt high into the air. Bill
turned to face the gyrocopter if it decided to try and fly behind the
knights. Ted moved with the knights and tried to throw Protect on them,
using all his skill to do so. However, fate was not with him, and the
Runesmith shattered the spell and Ted’s memory of it (destroy spell
card. I pumped so he needed a 6, he rolled a 6).
        The Dwarves continued to advance toward our lines as a second volley of
crossbows scattered the horse archers near me despite my presence (the
first in my string of dice rolls 10 on the panic test). They never
returned to the battle. The ogres large bellies blocked each other’s
paths, so the ‘knights’ charged the ironbreakers (each unit with a
standard of shielding) as the War Wagon and the pistoliers each charged
separate groups of slayers. Confidant in my prowess, I shouted a
challenge. The tiny form of the enemy general stepped forward. Seeing
his size, I knew that I would ride over him. Then, it was if my body
wasn’t my own. Some force impeded my lance (rune of parrying) and though
my lance twice pierced his armor it stopped at his skin (2 1’s to
wound). He struck back, but I had faith in my armor and skill. How
misguided I was. Now my faith is only in Sigmar and the Earth Mother. He
knew my armor as a mother does a child and found each of its soft spots.
(5 attacks, 3’s to hit, 3’s to wound, 3’s to save, he rolls, 3 hits, 3
wounds, I roll a 2 1’s and a 2 to save). Neither the champions nor the
ranks of either unit are able to draw blood. Many warhorses lashed out,
but dwarven skulls proved harder than iron shod hooves and they emerged
unscathed.
        On the flank, there is some miscommunication as all 4 pistoliers
targeted the same slayer. He was quite dead, but the 3 remaining in the
front rank cut down 3 pistoliers. The other slayers proved very quick as
only 2 fell beneath the wheels of the War Wagon. Then immune to the
attacks of the horses (which I remembered for all my troops this type,
yeah!) and the villagers, cut down one of the warhorses and three of the
crew yet, did not catch the wagon.
        Tancred attempted to descend on the gyrocopter, but it fled.
        At the general’s death, their was a great panic, the ogres fled.
Everyone else was fleeing from combat but the ‘knights’ who stayed and
the horse archers on the far flank.
        Strangely death felt a lot like swimming and I watched the remainder of
the battle from above, beneath and within the blood and sweat of each
warrior.
        Knowing the battle was not over, Tancred attempted to Blast the
slayers.  He was drawn into a cosmic riddling contest with the Runesmith
though and lost, both the contest and the memory of the spell. (mental
duel, pump, he rolls a 6 to dispel, and a 5 for the level comparison, I
rolled a 1).
        The battle then proceed quickly. The ‘knights’ were broken by the
ironbreakers after many more lances bounced off dwarven skin.  (in two
rounds of combat, I rolled a total of 7 1’s TO WOUND [about 4 or 5 of
these were lances that needed 2’s]). They fled the field. Tancred was
shot off of Flurry and joined me in the Waters of Life and petition the
Earth Goddess for her blessings. At this, Flurry went berserk, charged
the slayers and was cut down. The Ogres rallied long enough to charge
the slayers (who were about 2 inches in front of them), managed with 6
attacks, 1 hit and no wounds. Take 4 wounds in return, break and are run
down.
        At this, the battle ended with the Dwarves not able to chase down the
remains of my army.

(Result, Dwarves- lots, Empire-0 [I killed 6 slayers, and 2
ironbreakers])

        Then the strangest thing occurred. I felt no sadness at my own death
nor the deaths of any who fell. This was but a change as a natural as
the waves wearing away the shore, only to leave that material on a
another shore as the mountains thrust up from the sea floor. However,
Tancred and a woman approached me there. Tancred I knew, but the woman I
would not have recognized had not Tancred explained it. She was young,
little more than a girl, shy yet playful, but at the same time she was
ancient beyond belief. She told me of the gold mine found in the
mountains in Bremen’s Run and how the Dwarves had not thanked the Earth
for it. She told me my work was not yet done, and when I completed this
task for her, I would live again in the world.  Not having a choice, I
soon found myself awake on the field. Bathed in the Waters of Life,
Tancred had regained the old magic (Jade) and together on Flurry (also
risen) we flew back to Saule to gather troops.
 
        Here, we discovered the knights. We also discovered how they had
considered the Dwarves little threat and sent their squires in their
place for experience. Upon hearing of the battle, they immediately armed
themselves and set out. (Armies same as before).

        This second battle would be fought for control of the Gold Mine.
 
        The middle of the battlefield was very crowded with 3 buildings, two
sets of fences and a lone tree. The Knights and the War Wagon deployed
on the north flank. A group of horse archers nearby to provide cover,
again a group of lost brothers and a unit of crossbows on a hill were
across from us. The ogres occupied the middle of the field and stared
across at the ironbreakers. The pistoliers and horse archers were to the
south. The crossbows fired and many thudded into the War Wagon,
weakening its joints and dropping three crew men, but no horses. The
‘copter moved up towards the knights. The slayers and ironbreakers
advanced.
        This time, I would take no chances. We would use our speed to
concentrate on one unit at a time while the ogres and pistoliers
distracted the ironbreakers. The plan worked to perfection. Tancred and
Flurry leapt to the clouds where Tancred drew the moisture about him in
a swirling green cloak. Many arrows flew at the ‘copter to no effect. It
maneuvered into position and fired two knights like crabs in their
armor. A second group of bolts was launched at the horse archers, but
thanks to some impressive riding, only one fell. The other dwarves
advanced.
        The horse archers blocked my line to the slayers, but they quickly
abandoned that position and together with their brothers moved to a
position to flank the crossbows. (one to the north, one to the south).
Tancred descended on the gyrocopter making it flee. He then disappeared
in a splash. A light rain fell on the crossbows, and suddenly Tancred
was there. The Runesmith shouted a challenge which Tancred accepted,
managing a wound on the Runesmith and taking none in return. (Note, we
were using the Cloak of Dain differently. Instead of rolling each round
to see how many wounds it negated we rolled once for the spell, and that
was a set amount). Tancred lost combat by one, but stayed. (Here was a
mistake as he had the Dread Banner, so I should have auto broken despite
the challenge, right? Would not have mattered but oh well).
        The ‘copter rallies. The ironbreakers and slayers continue their dance
with the ogres and pistoliers (boy fast cav can be fun when there is
nothing shooting at them).
        Then we had room. The knights and I charged the slayers and quickly
dispatched them (2 rounds). The War Wagon moved up, ready to charge the
crossbows. Both groups of horse archers, undeterred at the sight of the dreadful banner
charge the crossbows (in the flanks). After much swinging and very few wounds, the battle
hung  in the balance. Then the Dwarves look to the horse archers banner (he was very
surprised I put a banner in a unit of 5 skirmishers). At first, their looks were of
disbelief, but when the Dwarves recognized the heads of the flame
cannon crew (see last battle report), these expressions changed to awe,
then fear, then panic. (Yes, I won by one, he rolled a ten). The Dwarves
turned and fled, but could not outrun the horse archers who killed a few
and scattered the rest to hide on their side of the mountain.
        After this, there was quiet. Using his magic unopposed, Tancred brought
down the gyrocopter. Night fell before we could decisively engage the
ironbreakers (the only way I was going to was to charge with the
knights, war wagon and ogres [at least one unit from the flank]). Yet,
even with the darkness the Dwarves could do naught but slink away. The
Gold Mine was ours.
        Even now, it is being fortified and a shrine to the Earth Mother is
being constructed. Volker then dumped his ale onto the dirt floor in
thanks.
        The Gold Mine is a strong point for negotiation, and peace talks will
be started on the morrow. (we don’t get to play that much and so are
deciding whether to continue the campaign, or use some different
armies).

Results- Empire- lots, Dwarves 0 (he killed 2 knights and a horse
archer)

        So, there you are. I have upped my record to 1 (my first win, yeah!)
and 5.
Comments as always are appreciated.