05 Feb 2015
BEFORE HE WAS FAMOUS KOSHTRA BELORN IN CLEANSE THE NECROPOLIS
BACKGROUND
There is a widespread misconception that Ogre tyrants are hewn out of granite and serve as tyrants until they are killed or deposed. This is, in fact, untrue. Even the greatest living tyrant (at least in his mind), Koshtra Belorn, worked his way up through the ranks.
The report offered here is taken from the time when KB was a lowly Irongut. Having irritated the then-tyrant of the Ouroboreans, KB had decided that a holiday from the tribe was in order and he set off with a few followers to seek adventure as a soldier of fortune.
The battle about to be reported was conducted using our Scavenger Gangs rules with 175 points per side. These take most of the main Warhammer Fantasy rules but make some modifications, the main ones being:
1. COMPOSITION. No characters. Reduced numbers required in units.
2. LEADER. One model is nominated to be the gang leader. This model gains +1 leadership and other models/units in the Gang may use their leadership. If the leader dies, an alternate leader may be nominated but does not gain the +1 leadership.
3. MOVEMENT. Units move in loose order, effectively like skirmishers.
4. SHOOTING. Shooting is at -1 to hit owing to the loose order of enemy units.
5. CHARGING. Units successfully completing a charge strike first in the first round of combat, even before models with always strike first.
6. MOBBING UP. Models in units may combine their attacks to create fewer but higher strength attacks.
There are other generic and army specific rules that do not unduly affect this battle.
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THE DEEP BACK STORY
Eddias Thorn surveyed the wheat fields with his lord, Sir Blackmane. It was sure to be a good harvest this year. Blackmane was wearing his armour and riding his steed, having just returned from drilling his men at arms.
Suddenly, the sound of shouting caused them to turn around. In the valley below, a Chaos warband had crept close to the manor house and already battle had broken out between the household and the foul creatures of Chaos.
Muttering an oath, Blackmane spurred his horse towards the fray. Eddias Thorn shouted for the workers in the fields to join him and grabbing their pitchforks they ran after the lord. They were too late, even as they ran they saw rabid Chaos hounds pull 2 men at arms to the ground and savage them. Elsewhere, Marauders set about the other men at arms and peasants in a one-sided fight. Blackmane charged into the fray, slashing with his sword but even his might was no contest for the mass of attackers and Thorn saw him pulled from his horse and run-through with a vicious-edged sword.
By the time Thorn and the field workers arrived, it was over but the smell and sight of the horror that had unfolded signs were all around. Mad with grief, the field workers swore an oath with Eddias Thorn that they would keep the memory of Blackmane and continue to serve him even in death.
THE IMMEDIATE BACK STORY
In a rare moment of comfort, Koshtra Belorn swigged his ale in the Snugg Bar of the Horned Moon Coaching Inn, Sarums favourite watering hole. Surrounded by his small band of followers he reflected on the bands recent good fortune which allowed them to stay at an inn rather than sleep under a hedgerow. Even the bands gnoblars were accommodated in the inns stable block. KB was one of those rare ogres who appreciated what gnoblars could do after all, as he often said, although not to his own gnoblars, every army needs some cannon-fodder. He had even penned an ode titled The Ten Uses of a Gnoblar, which had been highly acclaimed at the 27th annual Ogre Poetry Appreciation Awards.
This being the Horned Moon, there was a mixed clientele and a cloaked and shrouded character was eying the Ogres. Apparently making a decision, he sidled up to Koshtra Belorn and whispered in his ear. The Ogre looked up interestedly and followed the stranger into a private alcove deeper inside the Inn.
I have a business proposition for you, the stranger began. I would like you to recover some property of mine that has been stolen. I believe that a madman by the name of Eddias Thorn has stolen some pages from a valuable book of mine and I want them back.
Koshtra Belorns interest was raised. Where do we find this Thorn? he asked.
He has established himself in the Garden of Morr with some other mad men. I would go myself but, I have a slight cold at the moment, he coughed theatrically.
Alright, you have a deal, Ill get your book back. Meet me here again tomorrow evening, and make sure you bring the cash, said KB.
Ill be here. Good luck with your venture, said the stranger, adding to himself: You will need it! I wonder if I should have told him that the pages come from the Liber Chaotica and concern the re-animation of corpses? Maybe not, what he does not know cannot hurt him.
*** "If you go down to the Garden of Morr, you're sure of a big surprise!"
GROUND
Sarums garden of Morr.
KOSHTRA BELORNS MERCENARY BAND
Koshtra Belorn: Gang leader, Irongut.
Ogre Bull with Ironfist.
Ogre Bull with additional hand weapon.
2 Sabretusks.
5 Gnoblars.
5 Gnoblars.
GUARDIANS OF THE NECROPLIS
The Living the field workers that witnessed the death of Blackmane:
Eddias Thorn + 2 Flagellants.
3 Flagellants.
The Re-animated Dead:
Lord Blackmane: Black Knight, Lance, Barding.
Men at Arms: 6 Skeletons, hand weapon and shield.
Men at Arms/Werewolves: 2 Dire Wolves.
Peasants: 5 Zombies.
Peasants: 5 Zombies.
REQUIREMENT
The Ogres have to recover the pages from the missing book before first light.
The Guardians of the necropolis have to prevent this.
DEPLOYMENT
The ogres deploy first anywhere in the Necropolis at with at least 6 between units. To simulate them hunting for the pages, each unit is then scattered D6 in a random direction and turned to face a random direction.
The Guardians of the Necropolis deploy next. Each unit deploys from a randomly selected building or tomb within the necropolis and is deployed with one model within 1 of that building or tomb.
The book pages are placed with each page in a separate building or tomb.
The Ogres have the first turn but may not charge in that turn.
DEPLOYMENT
The Ogres deployed ...
... and then scattered.
And then the Guardians of the Necroplis deployed.
Creating a cluttered battlefield, particularly at the north east corner.
These Goblars are blissfully unaware of the Zombies behind them. With some distance to Koshtra Belorn's leadership bubble this could spell trouble.
OGRE TURN ONE
The Ogres go first but may not charge this turn.
The Ogre with 2 hand weapons was surrounded and his prosppects looked bleak. He moved to face the Black Knight but there was little he could do to escape.
In the centre, KB and the Ogre with Ironfist manoeuvered into better positions for subsequent charges.
On the right flank, the Gnoblars moved up behind the Zombies who were facing away from them and have a go with sharp stuff but cause no wounds.
In the north west, the Gnoblars turn to face the Zombies and get ready to pelt them with sharp stuff. Meanwhile, the Sabretusks move up to support them.
Sharp stuff here is more successful and takes out a Zombie.
GUARDIANS TURN 0NE
The Guardians first turn brings out a host of charges.
The Skeletons charge the rear of the Sabretusks while the Zombies charge the Gnoblars.
Who stand and shoot and kill another.
In total:
The Black Knight and 3 Flagellants charge the isolated Ogre with 2 hand weapons. This looks like curtains for him.
The unit of depleted Zombies in the northwest corner charge the Gnoblars.
The Skeletons charge the rear of the Sabretusks.
Three Flagellants charge the Ogre with Ironfist.
The Werwolves move out of KB's charge arc.
The remaining Zombies turn to face the Gnoblars and take cover behind some grave mounds.
Combat was a mixed bag.
The Skeleton Warriors strike first against the Sabretusks and manage a total of no wounds. In reply, the Sabretusks kill 4 Skeletons, win combat and cause another Warrior to crumble. They turn to face the remaining Warrior.
The Zombie versus Gnoblar combat involves a lot of nugatory flailing around and, even though the Gnoblars now outnumber the Zombies, neither side causes any casualties, the Zombies win by virtue of charging, forcing the Gnoblars to flee and running them down.
Three Flagellants get into the Ogre with Ironfist. That's 6 strength 5 hits on the first turn of combat. Or rather, poor dice rolling means that it is one hit and wound. The ogre in turn kills a Flagellant and passes his break test. Looks like the Flagellants are now in trouble.
No such bad luck for the other Flagellants who manage to kill the two hand weapon equipped Ogre with assistance from the Black Knight.
OGRE TURN TWO
With 2 units tied in combat, the other 2 Ogre units charge. KB charges the Flagellants fighting the Ogre with Ironfist while the Gnoblars charge the Zombies.
Combat is brutal and heavily favours the ogres.
The Sabrtetsuks polish off the last Skeleton Warrior in short order.
And the 2 Ogres combine in the middle of the Necropolis to kill the Flagellants.
The Gnoblars win combat {How often can you say that?] against the Zombies, killing one ...
... and causing 2 more to crumble.
GUARDIAN TURN TWO
With Eddias Thorn dead, another of the Flagellants took command and directed a combined charge against Koshtra Bleorn. The Ogre was faced with the Black Knight and 3 Flagellants to the front and 2 Werewolves to the flank - all striking before him. That's one strength 6, 6 strength 5, 2 strength 4 and one strength 3 attacks, all hitting on 4s. Koshtra Belorn prepared to sell his life dearly.
But then, KB's fabled luck (or skill as he would put it) took over and he survived the flurry of attacks with one wound remaining. Striking back, he concentrated on the flanking Werewolves to reduce the combat resolution score against him and killed them both, losing the combat by one but passing his break test.
Elsewhere, the remaining Zombies in the north west, moved towards the rear of the Sabretusks.
And the Gnoblars overcame their Zombie foe, killing both of them and reforming.
OGRE TURN THREE
The Ogre with Ironfist could not declare a charge into the units fighting Koshtra Belorn, but the Sabretsusks could and did, and hit the flank of the Black Knight. Elsewhere the Gnoblars moved to face the remaining Zombies.
The Sabretsusks struck first but could not penetrate the Black Knight's armour. As they were now down to Strength 3, the Flagellants decided to mob up against Koshtra Belorn to generate one strength 5 attack - but it missed. The Black Knight and steed also whiffed their attacks and KB then took out the Flagellants with his great weapon and stomp. The Black Knight crumbled through combat resolution.
And there the game effectively ended. Leaving the Sabretsusks to hunt down the remaining Zombies, the other Ogre units set about collecting the stolen pages.
... they were well clear of the necropolis by day break.
EPITAPH
Koshtra Belorn shaded his eyes against the rising sun and looked down at the recovered pages. Not a bad night's haul really. And with one less Ogre and 5 less Gnoblars to pay, all the more cash for him when he had cashed in the pages for gold.
Just then a shiver passed through his body and he felt faint. He looked at his wound, even with the fabled recuperative power of Ogres, he was losing a lot of blood and he knew he would have to find something to stem the flow.
A Gnoblar strayed into arms length and he grabbed it and stuffed it into his wound. Yes, that would do the trick. Make that 11 uses for a Gnoblar.
Links to my Sales Sites:
Chaos Army: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127209
Empire Army: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127245
Rules, Campaign and Hobby Books: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127233
Terrain: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127252
Miscellaneous Items: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127246
BACKGROUND
There is a widespread misconception that Ogre tyrants are hewn out of granite and serve as tyrants until they are killed or deposed. This is, in fact, untrue. Even the greatest living tyrant (at least in his mind), Koshtra Belorn, worked his way up through the ranks.
The report offered here is taken from the time when KB was a lowly Irongut. Having irritated the then-tyrant of the Ouroboreans, KB had decided that a holiday from the tribe was in order and he set off with a few followers to seek adventure as a soldier of fortune.
The battle about to be reported was conducted using our Scavenger Gangs rules with 175 points per side. These take most of the main Warhammer Fantasy rules but make some modifications, the main ones being:
1. COMPOSITION. No characters. Reduced numbers required in units.
2. LEADER. One model is nominated to be the gang leader. This model gains +1 leadership and other models/units in the Gang may use their leadership. If the leader dies, an alternate leader may be nominated but does not gain the +1 leadership.
3. MOVEMENT. Units move in loose order, effectively like skirmishers.
4. SHOOTING. Shooting is at -1 to hit owing to the loose order of enemy units.
5. CHARGING. Units successfully completing a charge strike first in the first round of combat, even before models with always strike first.
6. MOBBING UP. Models in units may combine their attacks to create fewer but higher strength attacks.
There are other generic and army specific rules that do not unduly affect this battle.
xxxxxxxxxx
THE DEEP BACK STORY
Eddias Thorn surveyed the wheat fields with his lord, Sir Blackmane. It was sure to be a good harvest this year. Blackmane was wearing his armour and riding his steed, having just returned from drilling his men at arms.
Suddenly, the sound of shouting caused them to turn around. In the valley below, a Chaos warband had crept close to the manor house and already battle had broken out between the household and the foul creatures of Chaos.
Muttering an oath, Blackmane spurred his horse towards the fray. Eddias Thorn shouted for the workers in the fields to join him and grabbing their pitchforks they ran after the lord. They were too late, even as they ran they saw rabid Chaos hounds pull 2 men at arms to the ground and savage them. Elsewhere, Marauders set about the other men at arms and peasants in a one-sided fight. Blackmane charged into the fray, slashing with his sword but even his might was no contest for the mass of attackers and Thorn saw him pulled from his horse and run-through with a vicious-edged sword.
By the time Thorn and the field workers arrived, it was over but the smell and sight of the horror that had unfolded signs were all around. Mad with grief, the field workers swore an oath with Eddias Thorn that they would keep the memory of Blackmane and continue to serve him even in death.
THE IMMEDIATE BACK STORY
In a rare moment of comfort, Koshtra Belorn swigged his ale in the Snugg Bar of the Horned Moon Coaching Inn, Sarums favourite watering hole. Surrounded by his small band of followers he reflected on the bands recent good fortune which allowed them to stay at an inn rather than sleep under a hedgerow. Even the bands gnoblars were accommodated in the inns stable block. KB was one of those rare ogres who appreciated what gnoblars could do after all, as he often said, although not to his own gnoblars, every army needs some cannon-fodder. He had even penned an ode titled The Ten Uses of a Gnoblar, which had been highly acclaimed at the 27th annual Ogre Poetry Appreciation Awards.
This being the Horned Moon, there was a mixed clientele and a cloaked and shrouded character was eying the Ogres. Apparently making a decision, he sidled up to Koshtra Belorn and whispered in his ear. The Ogre looked up interestedly and followed the stranger into a private alcove deeper inside the Inn.
I have a business proposition for you, the stranger began. I would like you to recover some property of mine that has been stolen. I believe that a madman by the name of Eddias Thorn has stolen some pages from a valuable book of mine and I want them back.
Koshtra Belorns interest was raised. Where do we find this Thorn? he asked.
He has established himself in the Garden of Morr with some other mad men. I would go myself but, I have a slight cold at the moment, he coughed theatrically.
Alright, you have a deal, Ill get your book back. Meet me here again tomorrow evening, and make sure you bring the cash, said KB.
Ill be here. Good luck with your venture, said the stranger, adding to himself: You will need it! I wonder if I should have told him that the pages come from the Liber Chaotica and concern the re-animation of corpses? Maybe not, what he does not know cannot hurt him.
*** "If you go down to the Garden of Morr, you're sure of a big surprise!"
GROUND
Sarums garden of Morr.
KOSHTRA BELORNS MERCENARY BAND
Koshtra Belorn: Gang leader, Irongut.
Ogre Bull with Ironfist.
Ogre Bull with additional hand weapon.
2 Sabretusks.
5 Gnoblars.
5 Gnoblars.
GUARDIANS OF THE NECROPLIS
The Living the field workers that witnessed the death of Blackmane:
Eddias Thorn + 2 Flagellants.
3 Flagellants.
The Re-animated Dead:
Lord Blackmane: Black Knight, Lance, Barding.
Men at Arms: 6 Skeletons, hand weapon and shield.
Men at Arms/Werewolves: 2 Dire Wolves.
Peasants: 5 Zombies.
Peasants: 5 Zombies.
REQUIREMENT
The Ogres have to recover the pages from the missing book before first light.
The Guardians of the necropolis have to prevent this.
DEPLOYMENT
The ogres deploy first anywhere in the Necropolis at with at least 6 between units. To simulate them hunting for the pages, each unit is then scattered D6 in a random direction and turned to face a random direction.
The Guardians of the Necropolis deploy next. Each unit deploys from a randomly selected building or tomb within the necropolis and is deployed with one model within 1 of that building or tomb.
The book pages are placed with each page in a separate building or tomb.
The Ogres have the first turn but may not charge in that turn.
DEPLOYMENT
The Ogres deployed ...
... and then scattered.
And then the Guardians of the Necroplis deployed.
Creating a cluttered battlefield, particularly at the north east corner.
These Goblars are blissfully unaware of the Zombies behind them. With some distance to Koshtra Belorn's leadership bubble this could spell trouble.
OGRE TURN ONE
The Ogres go first but may not charge this turn.
The Ogre with 2 hand weapons was surrounded and his prosppects looked bleak. He moved to face the Black Knight but there was little he could do to escape.
In the centre, KB and the Ogre with Ironfist manoeuvered into better positions for subsequent charges.
On the right flank, the Gnoblars moved up behind the Zombies who were facing away from them and have a go with sharp stuff but cause no wounds.
In the north west, the Gnoblars turn to face the Zombies and get ready to pelt them with sharp stuff. Meanwhile, the Sabretusks move up to support them.
Sharp stuff here is more successful and takes out a Zombie.
GUARDIANS TURN 0NE
The Guardians first turn brings out a host of charges.
The Skeletons charge the rear of the Sabretusks while the Zombies charge the Gnoblars.
Who stand and shoot and kill another.
In total:
The Black Knight and 3 Flagellants charge the isolated Ogre with 2 hand weapons. This looks like curtains for him.
The unit of depleted Zombies in the northwest corner charge the Gnoblars.
The Skeletons charge the rear of the Sabretusks.
Three Flagellants charge the Ogre with Ironfist.
The Werwolves move out of KB's charge arc.
The remaining Zombies turn to face the Gnoblars and take cover behind some grave mounds.
Combat was a mixed bag.
The Skeleton Warriors strike first against the Sabretusks and manage a total of no wounds. In reply, the Sabretusks kill 4 Skeletons, win combat and cause another Warrior to crumble. They turn to face the remaining Warrior.
The Zombie versus Gnoblar combat involves a lot of nugatory flailing around and, even though the Gnoblars now outnumber the Zombies, neither side causes any casualties, the Zombies win by virtue of charging, forcing the Gnoblars to flee and running them down.
Three Flagellants get into the Ogre with Ironfist. That's 6 strength 5 hits on the first turn of combat. Or rather, poor dice rolling means that it is one hit and wound. The ogre in turn kills a Flagellant and passes his break test. Looks like the Flagellants are now in trouble.
No such bad luck for the other Flagellants who manage to kill the two hand weapon equipped Ogre with assistance from the Black Knight.
OGRE TURN TWO
With 2 units tied in combat, the other 2 Ogre units charge. KB charges the Flagellants fighting the Ogre with Ironfist while the Gnoblars charge the Zombies.
Combat is brutal and heavily favours the ogres.
The Sabrtetsuks polish off the last Skeleton Warrior in short order.
And the 2 Ogres combine in the middle of the Necropolis to kill the Flagellants.
The Gnoblars win combat {How often can you say that?] against the Zombies, killing one ...
... and causing 2 more to crumble.
GUARDIAN TURN TWO
With Eddias Thorn dead, another of the Flagellants took command and directed a combined charge against Koshtra Bleorn. The Ogre was faced with the Black Knight and 3 Flagellants to the front and 2 Werewolves to the flank - all striking before him. That's one strength 6, 6 strength 5, 2 strength 4 and one strength 3 attacks, all hitting on 4s. Koshtra Belorn prepared to sell his life dearly.
But then, KB's fabled luck (or skill as he would put it) took over and he survived the flurry of attacks with one wound remaining. Striking back, he concentrated on the flanking Werewolves to reduce the combat resolution score against him and killed them both, losing the combat by one but passing his break test.
Elsewhere, the remaining Zombies in the north west, moved towards the rear of the Sabretusks.
And the Gnoblars overcame their Zombie foe, killing both of them and reforming.
OGRE TURN THREE
The Ogre with Ironfist could not declare a charge into the units fighting Koshtra Belorn, but the Sabretsusks could and did, and hit the flank of the Black Knight. Elsewhere the Gnoblars moved to face the remaining Zombies.
The Sabretsusks struck first but could not penetrate the Black Knight's armour. As they were now down to Strength 3, the Flagellants decided to mob up against Koshtra Belorn to generate one strength 5 attack - but it missed. The Black Knight and steed also whiffed their attacks and KB then took out the Flagellants with his great weapon and stomp. The Black Knight crumbled through combat resolution.
And there the game effectively ended. Leaving the Sabretsusks to hunt down the remaining Zombies, the other Ogre units set about collecting the stolen pages.
... they were well clear of the necropolis by day break.
EPITAPH
Koshtra Belorn shaded his eyes against the rising sun and looked down at the recovered pages. Not a bad night's haul really. And with one less Ogre and 5 less Gnoblars to pay, all the more cash for him when he had cashed in the pages for gold.
Just then a shiver passed through his body and he felt faint. He looked at his wound, even with the fabled recuperative power of Ogres, he was losing a lot of blood and he knew he would have to find something to stem the flow.
A Gnoblar strayed into arms length and he grabbed it and stuffed it into his wound. Yes, that would do the trick. Make that 11 uses for a Gnoblar.
Links to my Sales Sites:
Chaos Army: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127209
Empire Army: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127245
Rules, Campaign and Hobby Books: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127233
Terrain: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127252
Miscellaneous Items: http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127246