WFB Campaign - The Gathering Storm: Part 2

Death in the Oberslecht

Prologue

Part 1 - Ghosts at the Walls

The shattered map fragments blaze like signal fires in the minds of the wizards. After the initial clash before the walls of Stromdorf, the Empire force races to claim the remaining artifact with the Elves nipping at their heels.

As time is of the essence, both forces rush blindly into the wild marshes of the Oberslecht. Deep within the mists of the marshes Galharain's mage sight fails him. A corrupting influence is afoot…

The second artifact is discovered lashed to a herdstone in the middle of the swampy region known as the Oberslecht. The braying of wild beasts is heard is the distance, as the two armies become aware of each other through the storm. Scattered due to low visibility, a bloody fight ensues.

The Nuln Steam Tank Deliverance spots the artifact first. Modifications to the wheels allow the machine to churn through the swamp with greater efficiency. The rain and mud splash onto the piping hot engine and the tank emerges from a cloud of steam to slam into the herdstone. The engineer swiftly secures the artifact.

The Magnus Gate Halberdiers cheer on the nearby field guns as they wreck havoc amongst the oncoming Tiranoc Chariots. As they emerge through the sheets of rain they see the Demigrpyh Knights in hard battle with some Silver Helms led by an Elf on a giant eagle. They charge through the foliage and assist in the melee, breaking the elves and running them down.

Luthor Huss and the Knights Gruffon are faced with a more challenging foe - a monstrous Phoenix navigates the lightning strikes overhead. Another unit of Silverhelms, seeking vengeance on the Witch Hunter van Korden, ride him down along with the huntsmen and the great cannon.

The Arch-Lector enters the battle, his war altar being towed through the unforgiving landscape by a contingent of frenzied flagellants, eager for final penance. The light emanating in a halo around the Golden Griffon is like a beacon in the storm.

The Knights Griffon are decimated by bowfire from the trees. The Sisters of Avelorn Pathfinders methodically hunt down straggling Empire troops in their hunt for the artifact.

Deliverance moves in to assist the Celestial Wizard Niklaus Schulmann and the Ironsides, but not before the gunners are forced to flee under the onslaught of the Knights of the Crimson Heart.

The Elven Archmage Galharain is brought to bay in the corner of the swampland. The remaining Empire forces converge to try to end his magical influence. However, the prowess of the Elven bow-fire wreck a heavy toll on the encroaching troops.

Desperate to close the distance to the archers and avoid more casualties, the halberdiers enter the swamp, but many more are drowned during the advance. The steam tank Deliverance powers up the engine for a final devastating collision to wipe out the Elves. Disaster strikes as the floatation device rigged to the underside of the tank fails, and the entire contraption sinks beneath the swamps. Upon witnessing this, the nearby bolt thrower crew gracefully dart forward to secure the second artifact.

Arch-Lector Kaslain and Archmage Galharain face off for the first time. Elven magic is negated by a shield of faith, while righteous fury is held at bay by arcane barriers. The duel ends in a stalemate, as the Elves melt back into the wilderness, their objective achieved.

The two forces now hold one artifact each, and the final battle to control the fulcrum is looming.

[Graeme and I have yet to play the last (few) battles, but I hope you enjoy what we have played so far via Gray's awesome camera work. I will next post up the scenario rules we have been using. Stay tuned!]

WFB Campaign - The Gathering Storm: Part 1

Ghosts at the Walls

(read the Prologue here)

Albericht van Korden strode angrily through the rain and gloom. The Celestial Wizard was hiding something, and he intended to find out what. Documents in the young mage's possession indicated a particular interest in an artifact stored in the Temple of Sigmar. A far cry from 'weather research'. 

The Temple was a solitary building on the banks of the Teufal, just outside the city walls. It seems the Arch-Lector was already here, attempting to talk Lector Gottshcalk into supporting him on his bid for head of the faith.

"Additionally", intoned Kaslain, "all the outlying temples would receive a generous..."

"DOOM!", roared Gottshalk, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as lightning unnervingly cracked overhead. "The Storm rises and the Empire will drown 'neath the waters of the Dark Realm!"

Kaslain moved to calm Gottschalk, but the Lector was crazed, and instead lunged and swung his hammer as he screamed; "Sigmar will come again, and..."

Lead shot sprayed the Lector's brains over the Temple door. Van Korden slid the smoking pistol back into his holster. Before Kaslain could say another word, another deafening peal of thunder shook the ground, and a blinding flash of lightning struck the temple. 

Van Korden regained his senses with enough time to see the peculiar weather-vane attached to the roof of the Temple, loosened by the storm, blow off into the river. In the few seconds he had to observe, he noticed that it looked suspiciously like the wizard's drawings. As the Arch Lector made his way back to the city gates, the Witch Hunter gathered a posse and began to search the banks of the river.

Across the river, another group of searchers emerged from the treeline. The Handmaiden Ysvena and 'The Ghosts of Avelorn' padded towards the river with deadly purpose. Their arrows fell like the very rain that covered the land before the city, and several of the Empire soldiers died before before they even knew they were under attack.

Several of the Halberdiers lost their nerve in that moment and fled for the gates of Stromdorf. The Nuln Ironsides tried in vain to find a target in the rain and dark. The Knights Griffon used the fords in the river to advance on the shadows in the trees, their heavy armour allowing them a certain amount of protection from the barrage of arrows that found their mark.

It was the elves who managed to track down the artifact first - the Reaver covering the Shadow Warrior as he waded into the river.

The Shadow Warrior attempted to escape with the artifact, but Van Korden was well used to evasive quarry, and his time in Sylvania had left him prepared for any eventuality. He closed in on the fleeing elf, preparing his many weapons for the kill.

The elves did not have things all their own way. While clearly superior by stealth, by bow and skill-at-arms, when out numbered those advantages mattered little. A lone Reaver was hooked from the saddle and butchered in the damp soil. 

The banks were littered with dozens of arrow-filled corpses of Empire troops. However, once the knights reached the elven positions, carnage ensued. With the screams of men and elves, and the roars of demigryphon drifting up to him through the storm, Van Korden finally caught a bead on the Shadow Warrior fleeing with the artifact. Hit with pistol shots and vials of Alchemic Fire, the elf was incinerated, and the artifact claimed. The Empire forces withdrew to the city walls, and the elves melted into the night.

The bloody skirmish at the walls of Stromdorf would not be the last time the two forces would meet. After some mild interrogation, the Celestial Wizard Niklaus von Schulmann revealed more information about the artifact - the fact that it was paired with another, said to lie somewhere in the Obserslecht. The Arch-Lector was convinced of some greater importance of these artifacts, and so within the week the army was on the march.

Next... Death in the Oberslecht!

WFB Campaign - The Gathering Storm: Prologue

Stromdorf. The rainiest place in the Empire.

The locals take great pride in this fact, although that won’t stop them complaining about it.

The small southern Reikland hamlet is unremarkable in all other respects, situated alongside the River Teufel, and on the edge of a large area of wetlands known as the Oberslecht. In times past, the human tribes in the area would travel to visit a standing stone that stood just outside what are now the town walls, said to grant visions of the future. On the site now stands a Sigmarite Temple.

Rumours of the secession of Sylvania and of the war in the north are troubling, but ultimately have no real impact on the lives of the people here. Not much happens, not much changes. Except for one thing.

The weather is getting worse.

All is not well in Stromdorf.

It started thousands of years ago, before the War of the Beard forced the Elves to abandon their towers and cities in the Old World.

An arcane fulcrum of pure Azyr magic erupted near a river in what would become known as the Teufel. A promising young mage was able to contain it, sealing it beneath the river depths. A Tower of Hoeth was erected nearby, along with a device capable of locating the fulcrum, and assisting with the sealing ritual.

Time passed, and the tower fell into ruins, now known as Tempest Knap. The latent Azyr magic continued to permeate the region, causing near constant weather anomalies. At some point the tower was struck by a lightning explosion so huge, it sent chunks of the building and parts of the device flying across the landscape. These device parts still crackled with Azyr magic, radiating the powers of foresight and weather manipulation.

One part was discovered by the human tribes, and turned into a standing stone (over which a Temple of Sigmar now sits), while the other sank somewhere in the Oberslecht.

Thousands of years later, a young human wizard attempting to divine the location of the fulcrum set off a chain reaction that would weaken the seal, causing it to leak pure Azyr magic. The effects of this are starting to be felt not just in Stromdorf, but also as far away as Ulthuan. The Elven curator of the fulcrum must now covertly journey into the heart of the Empire and repair the damage before it is too late.

Time is of the essence, as the human wizard is also returning, and hopes to harness the power for himself…

Dramatis Personae (and Order of Battle)

The Sigmarites

Arch-Lector Kaslain of Nuln

The Sigmarite crusade into Sylvania has ended in disaster.  Grand Theogonist Volkmar has been taken captive, presumed dead, and only a handful of the invading force made it out. Arch-Lector Kaslain led the remnants back to Nuln, where he wasted no time in preparing to outmanoeuvre his rival, Arch-Lector Aglim, for the office of Grand Theogonist. Having secured the support of the Knights Griffon, he prepares for the trip to Altdorf to lobby for support.

On the eve of his departure, Kaslain receives a letter from the Temple in Stromdorf. The local priest claims to have been gifted visions and dire portents from Sigmar himself, and requires his aid. While the tale is not likely genuine, Lector Gottschalk does have a vote in the leadership. Given how tight the race will be, Kaslain decides to detour west at Grissenwald, and pay the Lector a visit…

Witch Hunter Alberich van Korden

Alberich van Korden was the last surviving agent in Sylvania before its secession. Having survived Mannfred von Carstein’s trap, Alberich must now travel to Altdorf to report to the Grand Temple. Arch-Lector Kaslain is eager to keep him in his entourage, as he was the only other witness to the dire events around Volkmar’s abduction.

Niklaus Schulmann, Acolyte of the Celestial College

A charismatic young wizard with absolutely no talent at his craft, Schulmann has nonetheless been able to convince those who matter that he is, in fact, a prodigy. Rumour has it that he won the favour of Countess Emmanuelle herself by ‘reading the heavens’ and providing favourable portents (long-lasting beauty, decades of prosperity for Nuln, and an end to the ‘rat problem’ in the sewers). In return, he has been granted state troops to escort him to Stromdorf to study the local weather effects for his thesis. What no-one knows, however, is that Schulmann has already been to Stromdorf quite recently…

Castellan-Engineer Jubal Falk

Not at all happy with the Ironsides being assigned escort duty for some mage, Falk uses the expedition as opportunity to field test wet-weather modifications on some of the new big guns and the Nuln steam tank. They should work well. In theory.

Captain Timothias Lindmann of the Magnus Gate Halberdiers

Forgot to pack an overcoat.

Franz Bieber and the Stromdorf Huntsmen

One of the best hunters in the Reikland, Bieber has been sent to guide the Arch-Lector through the Beastmen-infested Oberslecht.

Luthor Huss

A long-time opponent of Arch-Lector Kaslain, Huss hopes to thwart his superior’s ambitions to become head of the Cult of Sigmar. Lector Gottschalk will hear what he has to say about Kaslain, as well as the matter of the ‘Blacksmith of Lachenbad’…

Magnus Gate Troops - Halberdiers

Franz Bieber's Huntsmen - Archer detachment

Nuln Ironsides - Armoured Handgunners

Knights Griffon - Inner Circle Knights on Warhorses

Knights Griffon - Inner Circle Knights on Demigryphon

Long Tom - Great Cannon

Gravin's Wrath - Helblaster Volley Gun

Ol' Cranky - Mortar

Deliverance - Steam Tank

The Ghosts and the Stormbinder

Archmage - Gallharian Stormbinder

Gallharian Stormbinder looked back. Mortal eyes would have seen little but mist rolling up the valley. Gallharian’s mage sight saw beneath the layers of the low rolling cloud. His war host advanced silently.

His army had become known as ‘The Ghosts’ and rightly so. Their ships had made landfall, not far from Marienburg, in a fierce storm of Gallharian’s creation. In an audacious move they had advanced into the heart of Reikland. They had utterly wiped out two small settlements to remained undetected. The quest could not be compromised.

Gallharian could not contain the smirk that spread across his face. Long had his line fallen out favour in the Everqueen’s Court, after he had sustained massive losses leading his force on a prior campaign. How things had changed though, in the Gaen Vale - a magical focal point of the world the Everqueen had sensed a change in the winds of Azyr. Something was causing the imbalance deep in the heart of The Empire. An ancient fulcrum long buried in the ruined elven colony of Tor Arven had fallen, leaving a network of waystones vulnerable to daemonic attack. The Everqueen had hoped that the sons of Sigmar who now inhabited the land would unwittingly become its guardians by building their town of Stromdorf nearby.

The court was left with little choice than to send small force to ascertain what was causing the disturbance. Much to the disdain of many in the Evercourt, Galharian was chosen to investigate - his talents in controlling the winds of Azyr were second to none.

Now was Galharian’s time for redemption. Nothing would stand in his way.

Noble - Galimar on Night Talon

Galimar has served the will of the Queen for hundreds of years. Courtiers have come and gone and Galimar’s court standing has ebbed and flowed. His unswerving loyalty has not changed though. Many a battle has been saved by one his deft charges. Those who do not know him see him as reckless or lucky. Those who know him well see his genius in reading a battle. Galamar has doubted Galharian’s conviction in slaying humans so wantonly, but is powerless.

Handmaiden - Ysvena the Everqueen’s Hunter

Ysvena is taciturn even for a Handmaiden of the Everqueen. Having reached the revered position of Handmaiden early in her life, she spends little time involved in the politics of court life. Her position is maintained purely by her exceptional skill in enacting the often hidden and violent will of the Court.

Noble - Cerlian the Unbowed

Cerlian is a duelist at heart, his high status as a Queen’s Banner Bearer has been earned by his endless duels and reckless bravery. Some say he cares not who he fights, he only cares for his own glory and image. Certainly he had no qualms about about wiping out human villages on the way to Stromdorf.

Ellyrian Reavers - The Dusk Riders

Ellyrian Reavers - The Dawn riders

Archers - Moonglade Guardians

Silver Helms - Knights of the Crimson Heart (3rd)

Silver Helms - Knights of the Crimson Heart (5th)

Tiranoc Chariot - Malhin Brothers 

Tiranoc Chariot - The Tempest

Shadow Warriors - Eldremar’s Rangers

Lothern Skycutter - Mathlann’s Bride

Lothern Skycutter - Mathlann’s Fury

Sisters of Avelorn - The Path Finders

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower - The Whisperer

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower - The Sycthe

Frostheart Phoenix - Storm Talon

Next... Ghosts at the Walls!

Custom Heraldry Transfer 'Tutorial'

I mentioned a few posts back that I was attempting to create some custom water-slide transfers (or 'decals') for my Nuln-themed Empire army. This is because I have almost no confidence in my freehand painting abilities, and would like a look of consistency across banners and shields.

I used to have a set of transfers for the 5th Edition Undead army, but they are long gone and have been out of production for a decade or so. GW has just started to bring back water-slide transfers, but so far has only released sheets for High Elves and 40k.

So I set about making my own. I have been asked to provide a tutorial, but to be honest the process has been rather fraught with trial and tribulation, so this is more of a cautionary tale.

First up, you will want either some digital source material or some sweet design skills. I own a copy of Uniforms & Heraldry of the Empire, so all I did was scan the Nuln pages onto my computer.

Next, you will want some kind of editing software. I used Photoshop. I needed to clearcut and touch-up the images, as well as collate them into one sheet.

Once I had the file ready, it was time to print!

More after the break...

Nuln Army Background for NerdyCon

NerdyCon 2013 is the first community event to have piqued my interest in almost two years after I got completely burned out of attending tournaments.

In no small part is this due to the event being organised by the League of Extraordinary Nerdymen who are a fine bunch of blokes and extremely good fun.

This besides, the NerdyCon rules pack has a very strong hobby focus and is a great point of difference from many local tournament 'comp' events, providing an opportunity to get together with other like-minded players and play some Warhammer as the Good Lord Jervis intended.

Part of the scoring component is supplying a written backstory for your army, which is really where it is at for me. Below is the backstory I will be taking, though I don't doubt I will be tempted to fiddle with it more before the event. I wanted to base it off the famous Magnus the Pious quote, and theme it with the classic Nuln contrasts - black and white, rich and poor, human and machine. Feedback welcome.

If you are interested in NerdyCon, it is a 1400 point single-day event in Auckland on August 18th. Player's pack can be found here.

Part 1 - The Priest

Part 2 - The Preceptor

Part 3 - The Castellan-Engineer

Empire Army Update

In addition to my Angmar army, I have also been refurbishing my Nuln Army - rebasing, repainting, rethinking. I was fond of my old concept of an Expeditionary Force led by a With Hunter - especially because of the campaign a friend and I played which forged their backstory. But the Warhammer Forge and the new Empire Army book releases have opened up a some exciting possibilities for a Nuln themed army that represents the well-developed backstory of the region.

The biggest issue I had with my existing force was to do with the painting. Not only has my basic skill level developed since I started collecting Empire in 2009, I am also no longer rushing to tournament deadlines like I was back then. I look back on my hastily slap-dashed state troops and feel very little sense of achievement. The overall aesthetic is very dark, which I wanted at the time, but I have since been convinced that they need more contrast to really capture the eye.

The first step was to change the bases to a resin-moulded urban design. In this I was greatly inspired by Dave Taylor's Armies on Parade entry. The light flagstones really add an element of contrast to an army whose uniforms are predominantly black. The old mud-with-grass basing scheme tended to lose definition of the models when viewed from afar (see my old miniature gallery on this blog). New foundation paints from GW have also meant my reds, whites and yellows stand out a lot more.

Painting motivation has been a huge issue for the last six months, though partly because of time restraints. We recently started an escalation league using the old Warband Rules, and this has helped greatly. The five of us participating have really got back into the swing of it. I will post more on this at a later date but you can check out our league website using the link at the top of this blog.

My 200 point warband consists of;

5 x Knights Griffon led by Preceptor
5 x Nuln State Halberdiers
5 x Nuln State Handgunners

The colour scheme for the Knights has been taken from the Uniforms and Heraldry of the Empire as well as the recent GW paint job on the studio Demigryphs.

I will post more pictures when complete, but here is a recent WIP picture;

Arch-Lector Kaslain W.I.P.

I have had a few heavily-anticipated deliveries this week - my Realm of Battle tiles and my new Empire models. All that is left to arrive for my immediate projects are the resin bases from Dragon Forge. With NICON only a few weeks away, it will probably be too late to take this army, so I will have to decide whether or not I am crossing that bridge very soon.