Thursday, February 13, 2020

Secure the Gracbaush

After several hours of scouring the forest, following trails of spider webbing and orc blood, Gracbaush has been located in a small clearing. Both companies are converging on this location in the hopes of securing (or destroying) the stricken Lieutenant.

Turn 1 - Good
The dwarves are first up for Priority and begin their deployment. Squalin and Bifin both arrive from the north just east of the center. Bofin, Filur and New Kid show up to the west, just north of the center of the board edge. Ziri appears by himself in the south. It is now the turn for The Fist of the Eye to arrive, and they waste no time. Ogzit, Auzath and Barsh step onto the field from the east. Auzbog, Krugac and Shuglogh emerge from the north, in the north-east corner of the board. Murog appears from the west, warily eying Bofin, Filur and New Kid to his north. Uthragh and Guldursh are delayed this turn, still making their way through the forest.

Here is the layout of the board following deployment at the start of the game.

Turn 2 - Evil
The Fists receive Priority this turn, and immediately begin their rush toward the center of the board. Ogzit, Auzath and Barsh run straight west and Auzbog, Krugac and Shuglogh make their way mostly west, along the north edge of a dense patch of trees. Murog takes a half move eastward, keeping his bow ready. Uthragh makes his way onto the board from the west, followed by Guldursh from the north. Here is the board following the Evil movement phase.


The dwarves rush as quickly as their dwarven (or Hobbit, in the case of Squalin & Bifin) legs can carry them.

Turn 3 - Good
Here is the board at the beginning of the turn.

The dwarves have Priority this turn, and continue their dash toward the prostrate Gracbaush.

The orcs largely do the same. Auzbog, Krugac and Shuglogh skirt the patch of trees and begin to close in on Squalin and Bifin.

Murog looses an arrow at Filur, but it goes wide.

Turn 4 - Evil
Evil takes Priority, and Auzbog charges Squalin and is supported by Shuglogh while Krugac joins in.

Uthragh and Murog continue their eastward march, Murog readying another arrow.

Ogzit continues to close in on Gracbaush and Barsj starts to angle south to intercept Ziri.

Bifin runs around Squalin and charges Auzbog, diverting his attention from Squalin as the rest of the dwarves continue their dash to the center.

Auzath draws back his bow string and fires an arrow at Ziri. To the surprise of everyone, the arrow not only hits, but the dwarf drops with the black feathered shaft buried in his chest.

For the first melee combat of the match, Krugac defeats Squalin, but the heavy Dwarf Armor withstands the blow. Bifin is not as lucky, as he is defeated and goes down to Auzbog and Shuglogh after failing two Fate checks.



Turn 5 - Good
The dwarves regain Priority and Bofin, Filur and New Kid continue their charge toward Gracbaush. Squalin turns and hurls an axe at Krugac, but it misses. He continues his charge hoping to delay the orc's advance.

Guldursh rushes up to aid Krugac, as Auzbog and Shuglogh continue past toward the center.

Ogzit and Barsh close in on Gracbaush and Uthragh moves in from the west.

A vicious two-handed strike from Krugac and blow from Guldursh brings down Squalin as his Fate deserts him.

The Good company is now Broken, and at the end of the turn a die is rolled and the match comes to an end. Fortunately for Gracbaush, Ogzit and Barsh are the only two models in range and they quickly drag him to safety (after hurriedly rifling his pockets).


Aftermath
The dwarves are the only ones who need to roll for injuries this match and the results are promising. Both Squalin and Bifin each receive Protected by the Valar results and Ziri makes a Full Recovery.
None of the Fists have enough XP to check for progression this time, but Bifin rolls and gains the Master of Battle special rule.

Hope you've enjoyed the last few battle reports. Hopefully will be able to schedule another game in the near future to continue the campaign. Who will find the Hold first? Will they find the Hold? Will they all be eaten by spiders and wargs? Only time will tell...

No comments:

Post a Comment