SoBH Campaign Battle 3

Battlefield: Forrest
Weather: Snow
Scenario: Ambush!
Defender: Dwarves

Forces:
(New additions/changes are shown in italics. Full stats are shown for new recruits)

Valgen Maests Warband (256pts)

• Valgen Maest: DWARF COMMANDER (88 Pts) XP: 2
• Falkaya Bloodsworn "Mrs Maest"  (32 Pts)  XP: 1
• Falster Vonlyr: Elite Warrior (46 Pts) XP:2
• Halgar Snowbeard: Warrior (26 Pts) XP: 2
• Squint Ironsights: Crossbowman (24 Pts) XP: 1
• Rorr Burgarmash: Beastslayer (New Recruit)
  40 Pts, XP: 0 Quality 3+, Combat 4, Short Move, Hatred (Beastmen)

Johan's Beast Herd (279pts)

• Johan Tierpfleger: HUMAN LEADER (60 Pts) XP:2
• Torgor: Beastman #1 (32 Pts)  XP:2
• Kragos:  Beastman  #2 (32 Pts)  XP:2
• Arax:  Beastman  #3 (32 Pts)  XP:2
• Sidern: Minotaur Warrior (52 Pts)  XP:2
• Jamwar: Young Minotaur (32 Pts)  XP:2
• Kodar the Cruel: Chaos Warrior (39 Pts)  XP:2

Setup:

As per the scenario rules MacSver set up his dwarven counters round a piece of terrain short from his table edge (he could have had some on the table edge as well but chose not to) The Dwarves had two markers for each figure. The marker would be revealed (to be false or a character of MacSver's choosing) on activation or when the enemy reached within long of the marker.

The battle didn't start well right from the off for the beastmen. First activation roll saw the Chaos Warrior, Kodar the Cruel mutate, leaving him with one worse quality.

Not wanting to take on the mystery force head on the beast herd flanked round the side of a central hill. As the dwarves would reveal themselves if any of the counters moved/activated they could make sure that they didn't get strung out.

The dwarves activated a couple of warriors to draw in the beastmen. The crossbowman took a couple of activations, but managed to climb the slippery slope to provide a bit of cover for Snowbeard the warrior.

Johan's herd cautiously came round the hill, wary of the unrevealed markers. The minotur led the way was they were aware there was a Beastman Slayer lurking somewhere.

Instead of engaging the activated dwarves the beastmen moved round one side of the hill to reveal he markers round there.

Eventually a third dwarve was revealed, the anticipated slayer. This let some of the other furred ones close in on the dwarf warrior.

Both foes held off. The snowy conditions made closing down and attacking a powerful foe a risky business.

With the enemy on their doorstep the dwarves started to reveal themselves. But it was too late for Snowbeard who hit the ground as he was pushed back into the rockface and then finished off by a supporting foe.

Two standoffs had formed as time was running out. The slayer was faced with 3 enemy, but as 2 of them were weaker beastmen they were reluctant to expose themselves moving in. The again the number of activations required by the slowing snow hampering their confidence with such a slender advantage in the battle. On the other side of the hill the dwarves were facing a sizable band.The fallen numbers of the first battle of the campaign were still fresh in their minds.

As time draw to a close both sides withdrew. With more of the campaign to play the dwarves neened to consolidate their warrior numbers having just climbed back. The beastmen were happy to have won a cagey battle without any casualties.

Outcome: Beastman Win