(Completed) Call to Arms! Battle of The Wither Woods (And LDD Ch

[SkaForHire]

Chapter 2: Drunken fireballs of glorious retribution.

In the hand of, Pollock Drover, Sergeant in the Fallen Dragon Mercenary Corps.

Father, I apologize for the amount of blood on that last sheet of paper. Not all of it was mine. I was telling you of the strange look Gleambeam gave us when Heisen told him to stop drinking. Well little did I know, he was teleporting us to the enemy’s front line. We were instantly transported in front of the bog, with an army of berserkers to our right and an angry Lord Horssen to our left.

Link to animated gif of Gleambeam's Teleport

DSC_1344 by skaforhire, on Flickr

We were quickly rushed By Alvis Mandertake and his kinsmen , but Gleambeam right after finishing the teleport muttered something, and a blast of fire enveloped 9 or Alvis’s men.

fireballgleam by skaforhire, on Flickr

Those men were pretty tough though. The last thing I saw on the battlefield outside of the fight we were about to partake in inside the bog was Petera’s next row of solders – Crown Knights, and one of them wearing the armor of the old king! I did not have time to think about that though.

The first casualty of our side came when one of those boys from Carn got their head cut clean off by some overzealous, drooling, insanely frenzied Mitgardian by the name of Gold Horn came charging into our ranks. I found out later that he was their war chief.

DSC_3374 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The second man from Carn was killed within seconds, but my mercs held up to the initial onslaught. Gleam beam continued to try to throw fireballs at the enemy, but his magic was unable to penetrate their now aware mage’s defenses. He did kill two of Horssen’s Mercs though.

[Gleambeam had very good luck, not only did he make a successful drunken teleport (he had the chance to drop all of his passengers into the void and never be heard from again), but he pulled off a fireball before I remember I could counter his attacks with the mages on my side. So, right off the bat Petera’s side was missing one of their hard hitting squads.]

For our group the battle was not long though. Soon Costa Ortega, Working for Lord Horssen made his way to Gleambeam and pounded him with his mighty hammer. The mage fell… but in his last dying moments he through his bottle up into the air and it exploded in one last fireball killing two of Horssen’s axemen, although the lord himself shrugged off the fire blast.

DSC_3383 by skaforhire, on Flickr

One of my men fell after that, along with one of Heisen’s sand elf friends. Unfortunately, Heisen and his two generals also fell quickly. The Warchief Goldhord knocked Heisen unconscious with one blow [it was a massive blow, a critical hit and max damage on the dice], he would be retrieved later and is alive, thank goodness. The same goes for his Werewolf General Kyle, who was unable to transform in time to help turn the tide.

DSC_3426 by skaforhire, on Flickr

However, his General Ramona was not so lucky. She took a few Berserkers with her, but one of Horssen’s Mercs with a giant mace removed her sprit for her flesh.

DSC_3427 by skaforhire, on Flickr

At this point, seeing that our little advance party was quickly becoming a singles engagement, I ran over to the other wizard, killed the man attacking him and screamed for him to teleport us out of there. In shock he stated that he didn’t know the spell. So we had to fight our way back to the lines, that is when the Cavalry started to arrive…

TO BE CONTINUED.

DSC_3428 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Edited July 27, 2014 by SkaForHire

[SkaForHire]

Chapter 3: Screens, Feigns, and Pressing the Attack.

Letter intercepted by PGTC forces after the Battle of the Witherwoods, author unknown.

My Liege, we have done as you have commanded. Both sides were successfully infiltrated, and we did not meet our friends on the field of battle. I must report to you that Agent One and Three are dead, and I am not sure about our brothers on the other side of the field.

We never were able to meet this Lord Petera, but his troops were forthcoming with information once we let our intentions to fight for them become known. Petera did not show up to lead his troops. Instead Eldon Logan led the army. His plan was an interesting one, but his tactics were flawed. We were assigned to the left flank, but we hung back so we could watch most of what was happening before we engaged the enemy.

DSC_1346 by skaforhire, on Flickr

We moved in formation, but it became clear that the enemy had more men on this flank, and that our advance was merely a diversion to suck up attention from the main thrusts of our attack. This was actually confirmed before the battle started, when the night before as I spied on the command camp I overheard Logan say “I won’t have to listen to Baldwin’s complaining much longer” to one of his squires. Since Lord Baldwin and his Avalonians were placed ahead of us in the battle, I suppose Logan meant to kill two birds with one stone.

DSC_1364 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The enemy made good use of the terrain, Baldwin did not. They fortified a large rock formation, called “the Crown,” with archers, and rained death from above. Luckily Beleg of Mitgardia helped nullify the enemy’s ranged attacks with his own elite archers continually putting pressure on The Crown . The mages on both sides jockeyed for advantage, but neither were able to connect with a spell.

I have determined that the Humans of this land desire other creatures to do their battle. In This whole flank, only thee humans ventured beyond the Crown. One of them died very quickly. Dugal’s forces have relied on a group of Zombie Warriors, Orks, mummies, and, my liege you will never believe this, Kharmeers! Yes, they let those filthy cats have weapons! What is worse, nobody that I have talked to here on the mainland seem to realize that a Kharmeer’s natural and most happy existence is as a slave! It seems we may have many slaves to choose from, once we make our presence known. Although, we may have to do some taming, these Leanders, as they are called here, were tough as nails. They did not receive more than a few scratches from the Avalonians they were tasked to fight.

DSC_3419 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Their warg riders are fierce, once such rider, a Karshak tribesmen, if I am not mistaken took out many of Baldwin’s Avalonians before being dismounted. I had to help dispatch this hero.

IT was about this time that I stepped back to watch the action to the right. Logan had sent his heavy cavalry up the middle along the Oil Road. When they got to where Dugal’s men were bracing for a charge, they fanned out into a porous arrowhead and attack. The point was blunted by PGTC Troops.

DSC_1360 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Those spearmen held tight, but the second wave of cavalry dislodged them. This allowed for a counter charge by troops under Paulos’s command. Although they kept the large tusked creature that they had in reserve still. As you can see, these mainlanders do not press the correct advantages, I even heard that one of Dugal’s men teleported a whole squad to their death within the first two minutes of the battle.

At this point, I had little vantage of what happened at the point next, however I did hear rumors that small, terrifying people had taken on the cavalry and had begun to cause panic in our ranks. I am not sure of the validity of this, gnomes with filed and razor sharp teeth sounds implausible to me.

DSC_3417 by skaforhire, on Flickr

This Valkarian Order that Peter Supports seeks to put a king on the throne. One such pretender seems to be on this battle field. Lord Fenghen Wade (or King, as he demands to be called) is supposedly their current pick to take the Cedrican Throne. He has brought his personal army to the field for Petera, and around the point the faulty arrowhead tactic was in motion, his cavalry came thundering up the road. At first I was unsure of his tactics, but I think as the minutes progressed I could understand what he was trying to do.

Back to our work on this flank, I believe… (The paper is ripped off here, and the second half is nowhere to be found.)

DSC_3422 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Edited July 27, 2014 by SkaForHire

[SkaForHire]

Chapter Four: The Boys from Khordeem befriend Mark the Yeti.

In the hand of Darrin Longshot, retainer for Garret Hailfist.

Dear Joylov,

The battle is over now. But let me start with the beginning. We met Garret Hailfist outside of Eastgate, and after a Day’s hard march we were at the battlefield just in time to set up. Garret placed us on a small rock formation by the banks of the Red River. Hailfist was in charge of the left Flank, but we were in good company. Our friend Jakon the Invincible was here! Remember how I told you about him after the battle at Khordeem? I almost got his autograph before he left, but he got on the boat too quickly. Yeah, I know it is unhealthy for me to talk about Jakon this way for two years straight, but he is really here, in the flesh, again!!! This time he brought some mercenaries and one of his hand-picked squads. When I saw him, I felt for sure we would win this battle.

DSC_1317 by skaforhire, on Flickr

With us were a group of Yetis, hired by Lord DaMaximus. At first we did not like them, but one that we grew to know as Mark came up to use before the battle and said something that sounded nice, and shook our hand. Well, we were battle brothers now. We were also close enough to see Lord Dugal riding with the Aleenridders, Sergio Jarret, and the famed Amazons of Gear. We did not have a lot of time because the battle had begun almost as soon as the sun came up.

The original plan for our flank was to slowly push forward and play the defensive. This seemed to be working, we even had an enemy unit teleport into bow range trying to draw us out. We held formation until some rogue mage working for Lord Heisen decided to teleport Heisen’s whole detachment into the middle of the enemy. At that point we had to move quickly forward to help them.

DSC_1350 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Dugal had seen this, and commanded our army’s middle to hard advance to help the trapped Heisen. The Mage Lucent that was on our flank said that the enemy was not letting our mage, Gleambeam teleport back out. So it was a rescue mission from the start for the armies of Dugal and Paulos. Dugal sent the famed Immortals to clear a path up the middle.

DSC_3371 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Unfortunately one fell to the enemy’s heavy cavalry.

DSC_3389 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The Amazons and Aleenridders pressed the middle left, but soon came under fire.

DSC_1357 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The enemy also made it past the mill ruins and into our immediate vicinity. We archers kept a steady fire going, but soon it was up to Jakon and Mark to make the magic happen.

DSC_3414 by skaforhire, on Flickr

At first we kept the fight up, we even killed many of their heavy infantry, especially with Mark swinging his magic ice blade. Jakon the Invincible took hit after hit, after hit again. Although, for a minute I believe I saw blood under his arm. But, I am sure that was the blood of the enemy!

DSC_3396 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Meanwhile, the Amazons were hit by an explosive spell that killed almost half their number. The leaders went into a rage and charged into a couple mercenary companies of the enemy.

DSC_3402 by skaforhire, on Flickr

We were not the only archers on the battlefield, way on the right a couple units had perched themselves upon the crown.

DSC_3381 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Despite Mark and Jakon’s push, the enemy pushed back. Soon Hailfist was teleported to another part of the battlefield and we were left on our own covering Jakon’s men. Many of the Black Dragon Mercs under Jakon’s command, along with his own men, began to fall. We were completely outmanned on the far flank.

DSC_3410 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Luckily, the Amazons and Allenridders started to push the on the center of their thrust, cutting off many of the enemies.

DSC_1375 by skaforhire, on Flickr

However, as I looked out upon the field I could see that our side was taking heavy casualties on this flank. It looks like we were doing well in the middle, although some crown knight where the armor of the King was crashing down the Oil Road towards the Order of the Golden Mask troops. We were definitely in for a bumpy ride still.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

distinct by skaforhire, on Flickr

Edited July 27, 2014 by SkaForHire

[Tomsche]

This is such eye candy, keep it going!

I hope you guys don`t mind I`ll mention this on my little blog to send some more watchers this way?

Edited July 27, 2014 by Tomsche

[Gabe]

Great battle reports as always, things are hotting up! The unknown author sounds like he or she might be Valyrian... (those sneaks!) Oh and a correction - the roman spearmen (which i assume were the one's withstanding the initial cavalry charge?) are not mine but PGTC troops from their Berigora branch. (Robuko sent a lot of troops!)

We usually state that they are "on another flank" However, there are reinforcements for this battle. For example, we have an assassin rule, where assassin models can sit off the table and "appear" in the midst of battle (every turn they sit out, they get another 6" from the deployment zone.) Scarst (who is controlling Dugal's side) will probably drop your assassins in when my troops get closer. Beyond these special troops, I have a lot of NPCs sitting in reinforcements, Scarst has less NPCs, but still has access to Lord Zach and other builder's partial units.

I am a bit torn, if I open another battle of Ahmet, we can field Zaid Parsel, but I have a huge pile of unsorted pieces, and not sure I want to drop another large set into that pile. However, I promised Scarst that if he is desperate for troops by the end that we would break it open and bring your unit (amongst others that were not fielded) in. I still have two large companies of infantry in reserve beyond the ones mentioned, he only has one.

Ah, cool! Thanks for the info. I look forward to seeing the assassin rule in play, that sounds like it could yield interesting results.

I both love and fear the gnomes. As for Gleambeam yes as long as he's in the battle he will get a partial spotlight because it makes for a funny story.

Gabe, since both you and Robuko sent so many troops I kind of ended up making you two the Right flank, nearly all your soldiers should be in the desert with the exception of the assassins, minotaurs, and the heavy infantry. the minotaurs being on the other side of the road using the First infantry as fodder until they get into battle and the heavy infantry preparing to take the force of the impending charge, Sheilds ready and spears out.

The battle will have a few different surprises some coming all the way back from kordeem,(If you followed that story), so bare with us if the updates are a bit slow.

Sounds great Scarst! I don't recall the kordeem story, but i eagerly await the surprises nevertheless.

Ska, did I see the that the old blood of Manetheren is in this fight? Just wondering if you made a WoT reference on purpose.

Aw gosh, that's something else that i don't know about. What is this WoT and the old blood of Manertheren? (Not related to GoT is it?)

[Mike S]

Awesome! These battles need to be stored in a special "library" maybe on the wikia under the title Battles of Historica or something. Totally epic!

[Kayne]

Gabe-WoT is Wheel of Time. It is a 14 book fantasy series, that is very good so far(I'm currently reading book 11).

[robuko]

These battles are always so thrilling!

[Zach101]

Nice battle report, can't wait for the next one :)

(Btw, what range do u use for the bows and crossbows?)

[SkaForHire]

Nice battle report, can't wait for the next one :)

(Btw, what range do u use for the bows and crossbows?)

Ranged weapons have a short range and a long range, its easier to hit in short range. The max range for a bow is 20, a crossbow 16, and a long bow is 24. Gabe's super archers (Ok, I know these are actually Gabes!) would have modifiers on their long bows or to their skills. In this case I believe it was + 2 to hit and + 2 to damage (bringing it up to 2d12+2 per hit).

Great battle reports as always, things are hotting up! The unknown author sounds like he or she might be Valyrian... (those sneaks!) Oh and a correction - the roman spearmen (which i assume were the one's withstanding the initial cavalry charge?) are not mine but PGTC troops from their Berigora branch. (Robuko sent a lot of troops!)

Ah, cool! Thanks for the info. I look forward to seeing the assassin rule in play, that sounds like it could yield interesting results.

Sounds great Scarst! I don't recall the kordeem story, but i eagerly await the surprises nevertheless.

Aw gosh, that's something else that i don't know about. What is this WoT and the old blood of Manertheren? (Not related to GoT is it?)

DOH! Yeah, He did! Sorry, I will have to change it. I am running the Petera side, so I have not looked at the Dugal army list for a while, I think I just thought they were yours.

This is such eye candy, keep it going!

I hope you guys don`t mind I`ll mention this on my little blog to send some more watchers this way?

Go right ahead.

[Jakon]

That was awesome. I do believe I have a fan. Keep it up, this is an amazing battle!

[Zach101]

@ska, ok thnx

[Hammerhand]

The gnomes, send in the gnomes!

So cool! It really looks awesome Ska (and Scarst)!

[Scarst]

It's okay Gabe he keeps calling Dragonfires troops LegoPandas and ticking me off. I need to write three reports myself, I've just been tired. later tonight hopefully, I'll get Garret's, Sergio's, and Paulos' reports up. Also yeah the gnome leader is a wrecking ball even if he does have to kill the horse before he gets the rider haha.

Edited July 27, 2014 by SkaForHire

[Gabe]

Awesome! These battles need to be stored in a special "library" maybe on the wikia under the title Battles of Historica or something. Totally epic!

Hear hear! That's a great idea.

Gabe-WoT is Wheel of Time. It is a 14 book fantasy series, that is very good so far(I'm currently reading book 11).

Ah, interesting! I've not heard of that one before. I've almost reached the bottom of my bedside reading stack, i might have to check the series out.

DOH! Yeah, He did! Sorry, I will have to change it. I am running the Petera side, so I have not looked at the Dugal army list for a while, I think I just thought they were yours.

Haha no worries, easy to get ppl mixed up with such long character lists!

It's okay Gabe he keeps calling Dragonfires troops LegoPandas and pissing me off. I need to write three reports myself, I've just been tired. later tonight hopefully, I'll get Garret's, Sergio's, and Paulos' reports up. Also yeah the gnome leader is a wrecking ball even if he does have to kill the horse before he gets the rider haha.

Cool, looking forward to the next installment of this exciting battle. Please don't keep us in suspense too long!

[Mike S]

Before the battle of the Witherwoods, while Masa was in the area, he showed Dugal the secrets of training armored elephants.

[SkaForHire]

So cool Mike. I wish I had those pieces (the larger plate / technic pieces), what were the prevalent in? GEAR CO. May have to put together a troop for the future... although I would like to get your colors first so next time I need to rep the elephant, it looks nice.

On another note, Scarst is going to be mad that he only has one archer on the elephant, now that we see there are actually two.

Edited July 28, 2014 by SkaForHire

[TheUtilityBelt]

Of course im sad Gleambeam and Ramona died, but the old drunk is in a better place now and Ramona's probably in Hectine's plane of wolves. (Hectine is the Kali god of werewolfs) At least Kyle lived. But now my hatred of Mitgardian mercenaries will burst forth soon!

[SkaForHire]

TUB -- Your troops were the vanguard. I think Scarst underestimated how fast he could get the immortals and the amazons up next to them. They did a lot of damage, but were just overwhelmed. They killed more than half of Horssen's troops though. It also did not help that I used the mages on my side to counter Scarst's attempts to teleport reinforcements in to your men.

[TheUtilityBelt]

It's ok Ska. Gleambeam was just Heinsen mentor and father and the only one who loved him. :'(

[Bregir]

Phew! I had the impression he was someone important.. ;)

On another subject - that elephant is

awesome

[SkaForHire]

It's ok Ska. Gleambeam was just Heinsen mentor and father and the only one who loved him. :'(

If it makes you feel any better, Gleambeam is not dead, he is unconscious (In game terms, he suffered enough damage to be knocked out, but he didn't suffer enough to outright die) and laying on the battlefield currently. He would survive the battle, unless something like an elephant decided to step on him. He could still be healed too. The soldier writing the report doesn't know this.

On another note, we should be able to get back to playing a few turns tonight -- so more to come soon.

[Mike S]

So cool Mike. I wish I had those pieces (the larger plate / technic pieces), what were the prevalent in? GEAR CO. May have to put together a troop for the future... although I would like to get your colors first so next time I need to rep the elephant, it looks nice.

On another note, Scarst is going to be mad that he only has one archer on the elephant, now that we see there are actually two.

I think I got most of mine from Atlantis at least the red ones, but the white ones I think came from Space Police. Looking forward to more updates...

[Kai NRG]

Do I see Gad in this picture?

[SkaForHire]

Yes, yes you do. He is currently engaged with that ork in heavy armor that lost his warg. He has already saved half those Avalonians by deflecting hits.