Blood in the Badlands

Pigmar Warhammer Campaign

The Summoning at Stormhenge

The season changed. Lush green leaves turned golden yellow and scarlet. The land transformed into a spectacular arboreal inferno. Well, at least the worn patches of brown grass, which passed for vegetation in the Badlands, turned a different shade of brown. Haldor was not into horticulture and none of this concerned him. What did get his attention was the change in the wind. The light passive breeze of the summer was replaced by a strong northerly gale. The winds bought violent lightning storms, fuelled by magic. They also bought hordes of powerful monsters into the Badlands, who were drawn by the surge in the winds of magic. If Haldor could call these monsters to his aid, then surely many victories would follow.

On the advise of Ulfur the Oracle, Haldor marched to Stormhenge to harness its natural affinity with the winds of magic. He took Vragi, a sorcerer devoted to the ways of Tzeentch, to perform the summoning. Vragi also bought his assistant and apprentice, Wermund the humble Chaos fire wizard.

The ritual began. Vragi chanted arcane words into the wind. In return, the wind repeated the verse to every rock, as it weaved its way through Stormhenge. The sky darkened with black clouds, cutting out the sun. Sheet lightning played continuously amongst the clouds, turning the scene below into some schizophrenic disco. Vragi’s words increased in volume and the winds gained strength. Then a new sound appeared on the wind. Elfish words calmed the winds and lightened the sky. As pale light reached the earth, Haldors enemies appeared. Elves and Orges had allied to stop the summoning.

Haldor did not hesitate and led a furious charge into the elven centre, scattering their best troops. Meanwhile Vragi revelled in the magic duel with the elven wizard lord, eventually toasting him in the fires of Tzeentch. He then made short work of another elven wizard, who suffered the same fate. Vragi had no time to restart the summoning spell, as a powerful Ogre wizard engaged him in duel of magic and mind. The ogre wizard was too powerful for Vragi and he was thrown from his arcane fulcrum. He recovered from the fall just in time to see the ogre wizard disappear into swirling purple, blue vortex. Apparently the ogre could not handle the power Vragi had called to the fulcrum from the raging winds of magic. When Vragi climbed back to the fulcum’s summit, there were no enemy wizards left to oppose the summoning spell.

Haldor’s troops were having similar success on the ground and had kept the enemy back from Vragi’s fulcrum. Eventually some Swordmasters did break through, but were repelled by the protective power of the fulcrum. Haldor, who was staining his armour with the blood of another elven warrior, was just reflecting that he could win without the help of monsters. Just then mighty roars echoed around Stormhenge, heralding the arrival of huge, deadly and cruel monsters, who would do Haldors bidding. The enemy fought on bravely for a brief period, but the monsters threatened to turn a defeat into utter destruction. Orges and elves fled the field leaving Haldor and Vragi triumphant. Haldor whipped the blood from his sword on the cloak of a fallen elf. A cruel grin emerged beneath his helmet. It was going to a good season.

Haldor forms a ring of steel around the fulcrum

Ogres and elves arrive

Haldor and his "Swords" make the first strike, or Phoenix Guards go home

Suicide chariot ... does the job (with some help from a miscast)

The cordon holds firm

Haldor scatters more elves

The Swordmasters break through, but Vragi holds out

Vragi finally summons the monsters

 

Magnus spend the summer fighting elves

Magnus had once again been tasked with subjugating the elves that bordered Haldor’s realm to the South. He had proved himself an excellent general, winning two decisive victories. However, not much territory was gained and the elves were far from defeated. It seemed that Magnus could win a battle, but not a war.

All this insight and analysis was of no real concern to Magnus. He had made his reputation in the arena of the challenge and prided himself on his skill with sword and shield. The taste of victory was always sweet, but unless he had taken an enemy hero head or two there was always a bitter aftertaste. The heads of elven heros had proved difficult to remove from there bodies and the elven battle standard bearer had proved particularly tough. Magnus had fought the elf on three occasions, the first during the Autumn season, where a Dark emissary spirited Magnus out of the fight before the duel could be resolved. Their second encounter was epic and lasted many bouts. Both warriors were wounded in the clash, but the elven hero was kept going by the powerful magic of the elven general. Magnus was finally felled, but the elven line broke before a final blow could be struck. Magnus recovered quickly, his wounds only superficial. Their latest meeting was brief and brutal, each striking a early blow upon the other, but once again the duel did not reach the ultimate climax. As the elven line broke the fleet footed elven hero escaped. Magnus had wanted the head of his foe, but all he got was the discarded banner.

Summer Turn 3 – Daemons invade the the mines of Barak Varr

Gunnar stood at the head of his veteran Greatswords ‘Wolfgang’s Cleavers’ and surveyed the daemons heading up the pass to the mine. For the enemy to strike this deep in the Empire’s territory was worrying. His army was made of the experienced soldiers that had previously fought against the terrifying undead, giving them a strong backbone to face these new supernatural horrors. Max von Schippel was on-hand with his array of war-machines and Gunnar’s old friend the arch-lector Lucius Macholt accompanied him. The fighting would soon start in earnest, Gunnar hoped they could hold the greater number of daemons at bay and keep the mine safe.

Pink & purple mounted daemons rushed forth from behind the lines of the enemy as Max’s outriders sallied forth to lay down some covering fire with their repeater handguns. The combined firepower of the handgunners and outriders made short work of the mounted daemons as the flaggelants surged forward through the trees. The daemons let lose with some magical firepower of their own, but not even that could match the devestation caused by the mortar in the hands of Maximillian von Schippel. The blood daemons holding the center were decimated by successive shells.

With a shout about the end of the world, the flaggelants launcehd themselves into the blood hounds of Khorne, while the Outriders held against a charge from the plague-ridden daemons. Gunnar muttered a pray for Sigmar as his unit was splatted by the blood, puss and gore from the brave Outriders. It seemed Sigmar had turned his gaze upon the flaggelants as they butchered the hounds though taking severe wounds in return.

The plague daemons rushed forwards and struck the greatswords, Gunnar challenged the herald who stepped back to allow his champion the honour of facing the witchhunter. With flaming torch in hand, he made short work of the daemon. The greatswords however were not so lucky as a plague wracked their bodies and the swords became heavy in their hands. The knights that had been holding the flank, charged in hoping to press the advantage, though hope faded as the remaining bloodletters spooked the horses with their own flank charge. Gunnar let forth when more challenged and took down the plague herald as his men were scattered around him. He fell to the ground as the daemons surged past him, his lungs full of mucus as he lie wretching on the ground.

Little of the Empire force remained as Max tried to defend his warmachines from a monstrous beast with crab claws and a sickly smelling haze. Aiming his pistol, he squeezed the trigger, two volleys later and the beast lay dead at his feet. Unfortunately, the damage was done and his machines lay in ruins.

Light wizard Dietrich Naubhof was left stranded as flickering fire wiped out his bodyguard. Before fleeing the battlefield, he summoned the spirit of the light college and sent a magnificent blast into the Battle Standard of the daemons. With an equal display of brilliant light, the daemon vanishes and a smoking patch of earth remained.

Gunnar lay frozen following the killing of the herald of Nurgle, his army all but routed from the field. They had taken a grave toll on the daemons, though it had proved to be not enough. The daemons ransacked the mine taking a number of freshly unearthed relics with them before disappearing back into the ether. It would Gunnar some time to recover from his wounds.

Gunnar vowed to get his revenge on the daemonhost before this campaign was over.

Gunnar was captured by the Daemons, but Kev let him be freed for the cost of 2 relics as we’ll not get chance to play again before the end of the season.

Jared stomps into a new mine

After avoiding the spiky boy sentries using Adrak’s magical mists, Jared’s army stumbled up the mountain pass towards the lightly defended Chaos mine.

A whizz and a clunk caused one of the Ogres in front of Jared to falter in front of him. At the end of the pass he could just make out the battle line of Dark Elves with 5 Bolt Throwers all lined up ready to protect their allies holdings in the mountains.

More fool them thought Jared.

A few hours later Jared’s force was feasting on Cold One fillet and elven kebabs. The Cold Ones had wandered forwards into the guns of his Leadbelchers, and the fortunate arrival of Gorgers out of the mine itself shocked the Dark Elves into retreat.

Jared himself stumbled into the mine to reap any rewards that lay there. After an hour of searching, Adrak and Jared found a Chaos altar with a mighty looking crown laying on a patterned skull.

Jared removed the skull and pronounced the leader of the Kingdom should wear such a crown. He decreed a duel for the crown would be held between Ed and Og, since Ed has achieved more than Og in a matter of 6 months.

 

Og the Mighty and Ed the Grabber will battle in an Arena of Death match-up for possession of the Crown of Command found by Jared Skullstomper. The winner will be pronounced as the leader of the new Ogre Kingdom.

Summer Turn 2 – The Siege of Barak Varr

“Quick, prepare the defenses! The Vampires are coming” screamed the messenger as he ran through the gates of Barak Varr. Caspar had known the vampires would strike soon and had time to plan his defence – even unearthing some hidden passageways to allow for swift redeployment when the attack came.

The vampires had poisoned the water supply into Barak Varr, causing a number of the troops to suffer from a terrible illness and eventually join the ranks of the undead.

The enemy quickly surrounded the outer fortress, terrible giant bat-like creatures howled their blood-lust to the flanks of the defenders. One being accompanied by dire wolves. To the main gate, the ghoul king and his brethren made ready a siege tower and a battering ram. The time to fight had arrived.

The ghoul king wasted no time in assaulting a key tower to the right of the fortress with the help of his crypt horrors. The flagellants holding the tower were butchered but not before taking the ghoul king down with them, the power of Sigmar strengthened them to deal with the foe and push them back from the tower. Caspar encouraged his swordsmen to hold tight against the varghulf, forcing it back from the wall. The local militia on the other wall bought their varghulf down, buying them time to support the handgunners being assaulted by a ghoul driven siege tower. The mortar was assaulted by the wolves, just holding on and forcing them back from their tower.

Caspar concentrated his magics on his troops, making all their equipment glow with a heavenly light. Knowing this would guide their aim, he waited for the undead’s next move.

Rockets and mortar shells flew over head as a necromancer took hold of the winds of magic, holding the undead horde together to make their second assault. Once again they were repelled, though the men of the Empire were beginning to tire. The handgunners on the left, fled their tower allowing the ghouls to gain a foothold. The greatswords, holding the gate, lived up to their name taking down the battering ram before it had chance to smash the gate. The recently poisoned troops were raised by foul magics and shambled towards the gate.

Sensing the zombies in the courtyard, Dietrich Naubhof unleashed a magnificent ball of light whittling them down to a lone figure. Once again the undead had been repelled, the forces on the left flank had been sent back to the grave. The defenders now had time to concentrate their forces on holding the main gate and towers of Barak Varr.

Once again, the varghulf assaulted Caspar’s trusty swordsmen. In it’s crazed state, it managed to scatter the stalwart men causing them to abadon the wall and make it back to the courtyard. From outside the castle, Caspar heard the sound of pistol fire, perhaps reinforcements had arrived. They were not alone after all.

Rallying his swordsmen to his side, and turning to face the beast on the wall, Caspar attempted to unleash a lightning bolt to send the beast back to whence it came. Unluckily, his bolt was turned aside before it struck its target. Seconds later, a cannonball smashed into the side of the beast spraying blood and decaying flesh across the stone. The remaining ghouls made one last assault against the flaggelants that were now drunk on dwarven ale. Instead of impairing their combat skill, it improved it! Taking all but two ghouls down as the pistoliers entered the gate.

“Greetings Caspar” spoke the Outrider, “We form an advance party from Grand Master Lukas, the siege will soon be broken.”

The undead had been repelled from the army’s capital, many corpses were burnt though that of the ghoul king was not found…

Og’s new hat

“The mine was lit by Torch Gnoblars, each holding a pig-fat soaked rag on a stick.

Og swatted at the more mischievous ones as he was guided down the tunnel by the Ogre Slavemaster.

At the end of the tunnel was a large chest. Upon it’s discovery Og had ordered that he and he alone would open this chest to take whatever reward was inside.

Grabbing his trusty club, he swatted the lock to reveal ….. a hat? Brown and drab in colour it didn’t look like much.

Og confused picked up the hat and put it on. The hat instantly changed into an Ogre-size helm. He laughed as its’ power surged through him.

“Hit me!” He ordered the Slavemaster. The slavemaster drew back his whip and lashed it towards Og. He looked confused as the whip got nothing but thin air. His confusion lasted but a second as Og, now beside him, smashed in his skull with a hearty laugh.”

Og the Mighty now has the Trickster’s Helm in addition to his other equipment.

Summer turn 1 – The 2nd siege of Mount Bloodhorn

When Haldor returned to the fortress at Mount Bloodhorn, all was calm. The noise of the epic struggle had died, along with scores of troops on both sides. Despite the strength and tenacity of the besieging Bretonnians, Haldors standard was still proudly displayed above the gate. The garrison had been well tested, but had held the walls, despite terrible casualties. One unit of warriors had performed particularly heroically, holding a key section of wall and turning back constant assaults from a siege tower led by the Bretonnian lord himself. Haldor proclaimed these the best warriors in his entire army and named them “The shields of Haldor” (20 Warriors, shields, command, mark of Tzeentch, always strike first). Haldor had bought reinforcements to bolster the garrison. Now all that was left to do was burn the dead and sacrifice the captives. The gods seem to be favouring Haldor so far.

The Bretonnians begin the assault

Haldor turns up, kills a champion, then goes home.

The death wizard ... dies (taking a few marauders with him)

The unit of "Paladins" finally capture a wall

The heroic warriors hold the wall against the siege tower

The ogres (with frenzy, hated & +1 attack) hold off the grail knights

The glorious dead, may your souls feed the dark gods

Battle for the West Watchtower of Barak Varr – Summer Turn 1

Gunnar’s army rushed towards the watchtower. The handgunners inside had sent a message not long before saying that the Dark Elves were approaching. Gunnar wouldn’t let their lands be taken by these worshippers of the dark gods. Rumour had it then some of them worshipped the god Slaanesh, perhaps they may have some information about the whereabouts of von Barbe.

Gunnar stood proudly at the head of Wolfgang’s Cleavers, a unit of Greatswords that had recently won renown after slaying a Vampiric Battle Standard. His good friend, Lucius Macholt also accompanied him as he surveyed the field. To his left were a unit of swordsmen accompanied by the battle standard, Waldor Hoch, and the warrior priest, Otto Meyer. To their left stood their detachment of crossbowmen aided by the fire wizard, Stefan Feuersturm. To the far left of the battleline, a small unit of Knights Fidelis waited for a chance to strike against the enemies flanks. To the right of Wolfgang’s Cleavers, a mob of flagellants wailed and screamed waiting to throw themselves into the enemy. Finally, Maximillan von Schippel, master engineer, stood on the right flank with his Helstorm Rocket Battery and trusty Nuln-forged cannon.

Opposite Gunnar, the dread host of the Dark Elves had gathered. A unit of elves with menacing helms and viciously hooked blades held their centre with spear and crossbow armed elves on either side. A unit of mounted dark armoured elves tried to control their fearsome, scaly mounts as they snapped and roared waiting to tear into the flesh of the humans they opposed. Their leader held aloft a purple blade that swirled with malevolent and mystical energies. With a cry to ‘Khaine’ the Dark Elves launched their assault.

The elven army surged forward, taking pot shots at the handgunners hiding in the tower. From the screams, Gunnar guessed six of them had been struck. They really were great shots. Surveying the battlefield, he saw some spectral figures attack the elven warmachine and Stefan mouthing an incantation, no doubt to stop the cursed dark magic. With a whoosh, a rocket flew over the heads of the flaggellants and crashed behind the tower. From the smell of burning flesh and the high pitched wails, Gunnar knew Max had found his mark.

The dying screams of the handgunners echoed from the tower as they were brutally slaughtered by the Elven captain and his company of scouts. Not about to let their deaths go unavenged, Gunnar and Wolfgang’s Cleavers charged headlong into the tower. The flaggelants to his right mirroring his movements and charging towards the spears of the enemy. The flaggelants smashed through their enemy, opening the way to the dreaded bolt thrower. Meanwhile at the tower, Gunnar challenged the Elven captain and severely wounded him.

The Elves continued to storm forward, with those mounted on reptilian beasts charging towards the knights. The Knights failed to hold up the charge, the power of Malus Darkblade proving too much. Gunnar continued to assault the tower, challenging the Elven Captain at every opportunity leaving Wolfgang’s Cleavers to slaughter any other elf garrisoning the tower. The remaining flaggelants were shot down, leaving just the Prophet of Doom to charge the bolt thrower. Slaughtering the remaining crewman, he overrun before being killed by the ghosts.

Gunnar’s troops had slaughtered all bar the Elven general and a couple of his bodyguards when Malus charged the flank of his unit. Challenging Malus, Gunnar took him down as he felt the power of Sigmar surge through his veins. The remaining beasts proved little match against the great swords and were promptly cut down. Gunnar launched one final assault onto the tower, Stefan ignited the units blades providing them with the edge they needed to drive the dark elves from the tower.

Viewing the battlefield from atop the tower, Gunnar’s army had devestated the invasion force leaving just a unit of crossbows to carry word back that the Empire would not give up without a fight.

With faith, steel and gunpowder, the armies of the Empire would defend their lands against all that would try to take them.