Hordes game 5

Kaya and her warbeast have been on the trail of that loathsome troll Madrak for days. He has led his pack of beasts north into the snow covered forests in an attempt to circle around Orobors territory. I would have worked had the lumbering trollkin not have been spotted by a solitary druid stone keeper.

Kaya forced her beasts onward in hopes of catching up with the trollkin before he could escape to the west.


FORCES
Kaya the Wildborn
Argus
Argus
Feral Warpwolf
Shifting Stones- Stone Keeper attachment

Madrak Ironhide
Dire Troll Mauler
Troll Axer
Pyre Troll
Runebearer

There is a quick setup, with a wintry theme, and a roll for deployment/ first turn. I roll low, but am gifted with 1st deployment and turn. We are playing typical first warlock to die loses.

Druid turn 1

Both  Argus, the Warpwolf and Kaya make a simple advance. “SHIFT” and the stones have moved.

Trollblood turn 1

The trolls follow suit  and they all walk up field. It seems neither force wants to engage quickly. Madrak then activates and dumps Surefoot on the Mauler (which buffs everyone in vicinity).

Druid turn 2

The Argus position themselves for a possible counter charge next turn. The Warpwolf moves to the center of the Shifting Stones.  Crap! I cannot teleport him, yet. I take aim at the approaching wall of trolls with my Stone Keeper, but they look to be out of range for a ranged attack. It is an 8” shot and these trolls are still around 10” away. Kaya advances to keep her forces in her command range. I’m flustered that I didn’t plan my moves better last turn.

Trollblood turn 2

The Axer activates and uses his Rush animus. He then charges my Stone Keeper. Crap! I forgot that gives him 2” of extra movement. With that he makes it into melee range. Double Damn! I forgot he also has reach on his axe. The angry monster swings. One hit and my Stone Keeper will probably be cut in half. The roll stops and it comes up 13! Just one point shy of hitting him. Whew! Upset, the remaining trolls reposition and advance.

Druid turn 3

The Stone Keeper activates and swings at the Axer. A reach weapon he has! He hits and fails to do any damage. The Shifting Stones activate, warm up and teleport the Warpwolf. Where? Right in front of Madrak! (I feel really bad about doing this, I almost don’t do it. It feels wrong, but is it?) The Warpwolf activates, and warps for strength. The bite hits and does damage. The first claw hits, but Madrak stops the damage with his “I just ruined your attack!” scroll. The next claw hits and drops the troll to his knees. Here comes the toughness check…and the troll still lives. I force a fourth attack and hit. The damage is enough to drop the warlock again. This toughness check is failed. Madrak goes down again.

The Runebearer seeing Madrak fall kicks the Mauler in the shin and yells at him to grab Madrak. The dire troll reaches down and  grabs the wounded warlock by the scruff of the neck. The Pyre troll steps up and unleashes a wall of fire to block the Warpwolf’s advance. At the same time the Axer charges the approaching Argus. As four fanged maws clamp down on the Axer, he knows he is selling his life to ensure that Madrak is carried to safety.

Kaya rushes forward and is met by a wall of fire as the remaining trollkin withdraw. Madrak has escaped again, but for how much longer?

What we learned…..
My first assassination run, and it wasn’t even planned.
Watch the Stone Keeper, with him dead the effective teleport triangle of the stones goes from 8” to 4”.
Always remember Rush and Reach the two R’s of the Axer.
Don’t expect for the teleport tactic to work like that ever again. A dirty trick indeed!
Must play more often.