The trollkin scout had found Madrak’s force a place to bed down for the evening. Tomorrow they would push further west, but tonight they would rest in the remains of a few human buildings.
As he was out grabbing small game to feed the larger troll beasts, he spotted them. It was a small force of druid warbeasts with only a single human among them. They had not noticed the town was occupied. He knew it would be the perfect time to launch a surprise attack. He quickly turned and sprinted off to inform Madrak the situation.
The lead Argus stopped and both heads sniffed the air. Then his ears went flat as he let out a low growl.
“I know I don’t like the smell of this place either, but we need to search it before night fall.” said Kaya as she patted the beast on the side. A quick whistle and her war wolves ran off into the ruins.
“If there is anything or anyone here we’ll know soon enough.”
GAME ON!
Trollbloods
Madrak Ironhide
Dire troll- Mauler
Axer
Impailer
Champion
Skinner
Rune Bearer
Druids
Kaya Wildborn
Feral Warpwolf
Argus
Argus
Gnarl Horn Satyr
War Wolf
War Wolf
A match at 21 points per side. We go with the easiest scenario, 1st warlock down loses. The trolls get the deployment and first turn.
Troll/Druid turns 1-2
There is a lot of positioning going on the first two turns. The Skinner heads for my flank, as do my Argus and War Wolves. The Trolls slowly advance forward. The Warpwolf heads to my left flank. The only spells in play are a Surefoot on the Axer and an Occultation on my Gnarlhorn. Neither of us want to make a drastic move yet.
Troll turn 3
The Axer and Champion move into position, and look set to charge next round. They are just outside of Rush animus charge range. Of course Surefoot is still in play.
The Impailer advances looking to throw at my goat but, with Occultation going, he is safe.
Druid turn 3- “Here comes the boom!”
The Gnarlhorn activates his Bounding animus. This gives him 2” of extra movement on charges and slams. It also adds all kinds of bonuses to slam, charge and trample attacks. He advances on the Champion and slams into him. The Champion is takes 7 points of damage ( 8 is his max damn!) is thrown back into the Mauler and falls down. The Mauler takes no collateral damage since the Champion is a smaller model. I choose not to use the follow-up ability and chase the Champion. It would put me in the middle of the oncoming trolls.
The Warpwolf around the far corner warps for +2 speed and is just inside of Kaya’s control range. He charges the unsuspecting Impailer. A bite and two heft claw attacks tear apart the spear wielding troll.
The Argus and wolves on the right flank shift! They beat feet back toward main troll force.
Kaya moves up enough to draw line of sight to the Mauler. She fires off a Spirit Fang spell. It hits for minimal damage. She repeats and boosts to hit and damage. The spell connects, but even boosted does little damage. However, the Mauler is now at a minus to speed and defense. That should keep him out of my hair for a turn.
Troll turn 4
The Champion stands, thus forfeiting his move, but he still ha reach and is 1.999999999” away from the Gnarlhorn. Damn reach! He connects and damages the big goat. A bit of fury from Madrak and he swings again, and damages the big goat a second time.
Moses the Rune Bearer activates and uses his special magic rocks to have Madrak’s next spell cost less.
Madrak advances and pops Carnages giving everyone in his control range a +2 to hit in melee.
The Axer looking for some revenge for his fellow troll, charges the Warpwolf. He charges in using his thresher ability, so he will hit the Warpwolf and the Gnarlhorn. Damn reach! He connects with both targets. The Gnarlhorn has hasn’t lost a full aspect yet, but he has taken damage everywhere. He is looking pretty ragged.
Druid turn 4
Warpwolf activation sees him warp for strength. He then grabs the Axer and tosses him back toward his fellow trolls. Why? Why not!
The Axer takes minimal damage and isn’t knocked down, thanks to that damn upkeep spell. The wolf is forced to regenerate a few points.
The goat advances on the Champion. He punches him and he loses his last point of life. He is within Surefoot range so he doesn’t fall down. Why? Well he passes his toughness check. A second punch and a second toughness check is needed, and passed. Damn! A third attack and the Champion finally falls dead.
All my four legged friends run toward the fracas. An Argus and wolf break toward the rear of the field looking for an end around.
Kaya still has line of sight to the mauler, but barley. She unleashes another Sprit Fang ( or to quote’ “ Are you doing that fang shit spell again?!”) The first one misses. A second attempt is made and boosted to hit. It does and causes minimal damage again, but it keeps the dire troll slower and easier to hit. At least he can’t charge, but will still get to me next round.
Troll turn 5
A big turn coming up for the trolls. The Rune Bearer lowers the spell cost for Madrak. Madrak then drops Carnage again. He advances and hucks his mighty axe at the Warpwolf. Of course he boosts the hit and does a fair amount of boosted damage . Curse his POW 15 throwing axe!
Axer goes all thresher crazy again. A boosted attack hits the wolf and with boosted damage the big puppy has his body aspect crippled. The swing at the goat connects and cripples the mind of the beast. A third attack is forced, but misses the Warpwolf.
The Mauler slowly advances on the Gnarlhorn. A big meaty fist connects with the goats’ face. He teeters and falls to the ground. The Mauler has his first kill. He is forced to regen and then makes a snack of the goat to regain a bit more health.
The Skinner slowly moves back toward the sound of battle.
Druid turn 5
Moses slowly turns just as two gaping mouths latch onto his head and neck. The stone totting troll is tossed and pulled apart like a favorite squeaker toy.
The second Argus and his wolf buddy charge the Mauler. After a combo strike he is wounded for a bit. Looks like I’m just going to nickel/dime him to death. The War Wolf misses his attack.
The Warpwolf does his strength bit again and bites the Axer for some damage. His first claw misses, but the second connects and tears the throat out of the lumberjack troll. The big bad wolf is forced to regen again for…2 points! Finally, this was not a lowly one for this roll.
Kaya makes a bold move to get a shot at Madrak. She uncorks another Fang o’ Spirit. Now that Surefoot is gone (due to dead Axer syndrome) he takes it to the face, but only suffers 4 damage. Still he won’t be charging anyone with reduced speed and that was my goal. However, Kaya is open to having an axe chucked at her face in retaliation. She throws stealth on herself for a minor bit of protection.
Troll turn 6- Make or break turn
What does the troll leader have? Well, an invisible warlock in range of a thrown axe, but also a Warpwolf in front and an Argus somewhere behind him. His Mauler tied up with angry dogs and a Skinner that seems to have wandered off somewhere.
Madrak hurls Rathrok at the Warpwolf and connects. However, the damage is minimal and although badly damaged, the wolf still stands. Madrak chooses to take 3 points of damage to gain fury. He casts Stranglehold at the Warpwolf in hopes of neutering him next turn. The spell fails to hit him.
The Mauler unleashes his Rage animus to gain +3 strength. He hits the war wolf and crushes it in his big meaty fist. Taking no chances his strike at the Argus is boosted. After the dice roll it is a 14….one point shy of his DEF 15. Another attack is force and boosted. The dice rolls come up 1,1,1. Unbelievable!
Druid turn 6
The Argus facing the Mauler leashes a combo strike. Both heads connect and the damage roll is boosted. The damage comes out to be 32 points (2 shy from maximum). The Mauler slowly looks down to see that his belly has been torn open. He stumbles forward and falls as his entrails spill from the gaping wound.
The Argus behind Madrak charges and hits for…3 damage. Then the second head attacks and does 2 damage. A third attack is forced and hits. Madrak uses his “Now stop that!” scroll to negate the damage.
Kaya decides to finish the troll herself. She fires off another volley of Spirit Fang and misses. She tries again and hits. The damage drops Madrak to his knees. A toughness test is……unsuccessful! Druids claim the town!
 |
| "Hey!? Where did everyone go?" |
The troll warlock slumps to the ground as the Argus releases its grip. The lone troll skinner looks on. He knows his leader’s life is fading.
Kaya approaches the fallen satyr and examines the wounds. She knows he has not long to live. She begins to comfort the giant beast as it lays dying.
“I know you’re there. Go! Take him. There has been enough death for today.” Says Kaya as she gently wipes blood from the Gnarlhorn’s face.
A leather clad troll steps out from the doorway of a ruined store. The pair of Argus lower their heads and begin to growl. Kaya waves them off.
“He will soon pass if you do not tend to him. His wounds are not mending. Quickly now before I change my mind.”
The troll pulls a small fluid filled skin from one of his many pouches. He rushes over to Madrak and pours it down his gullet. He grabs the warlock by the shoulders and begins to drag him away, all the while keeping an eye on the human and her beasts. They never follow. Just as she promised, there would be no more killing…today.
WHAT WE LEARNED………
I am being to dislike reach.
Regen those trolls!
Throws and slams are fun, but there is a time and place for those shenanigans. Sometime a punch in the gob is just more tactically sound.
Weapon master on POW 13 is nasty.
I dislike knockdown immunity more than reach.
Negative modifier to the speed stat is great. Keep those guys from charging and moving far.
+2” can make a lot of difference (That’s what she said!).
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