So 3rd game in.

Narrative Summary

Sword used long ago to slay Nurgle Daemon. Only way to slay to Daemon was to bound its soul inside the blade. Blade then destroyed and scattered by the High Elves. Chaos seek to reforge it. Dwarfs seek to prevent it. Dark Elfs want to reforge it to use against the High Elves. Orges want to eat it - apparently it tastes nice with some herbs. Wood Elves are just annoyed s*** is kicking off around them...and they don't want the Chaos to get it.

Each shard imparts bonuses to those that take them (the Ogres have a random table and so far eaten 1 and got brain rot (-2 Ini). Chaos have one.

Runesmith Graggi squinted and shielded his eyes from the noon sun. His Dwarfen eyes were unaccustomed to daylight and it often took them a few days to adjust when he marched on the surface. Gradually his vision improved until he could see the Chaos war host arrayed before him.
He tutted quietly. They were too numerous to count. He was almost certainly outnumbered. Ranks of heavily armoured warriors and giant beasts of war were among their number, accompanied by a towering giant wielding an enormous club. He chuckled. No doubt the Longbeards would advise him that he shouldn't be concerned. They would grumble that giants were bigger 'back in their day' and that they shouldn't have bothered putting their boots on for this 'measly lot'. Although most Dwarfs complained about the incessant moaning of the Longbeards, he wished that he could have commanded them today. They were the pure embodiment of the Dawi and often their withering stares and steely resolve in the face of overwhelming odds had galvanised a faltering battle line.
A deafening clamour of noise emanated from the Chaos line, stolen away only occasionally by the wind, as soldiers bellowed insults and taunts at them. In stark contrast the Dwarfen lines were silent, only the sound of fluttering ancestral pennants and standards audible. Graggi smiled with pride as he gazed over them, their weapons and armour resplendent in the afternoon light. They were almost sure to die today, but not before their enemies would feel the fatal kiss of Dwarf steel.
A Chaos warrior on horseback rode alone into the centre of the battlefield to parley. But there would be no negotiation with these filth. The offer of a choice of death in combat or slavery was no choice at all for the Dawi. After waiting for a period, the warrior turn his horse and rode back to his lines. Pulling a leather bound tome from his pocket, he thumbed through the Hold's 'Book of Grudges' and selected a suitable grudge to settle. Such was the Dwarfen way and only blood could repay blood. He handed his helmet and shield to a nearby warrior and stood before the throng, burying his axe in the ground beside him. All eyes fixed on him, ready.
"My fellow kin. My brothers in arms" he began. "Today a horde of vile, warp birthed filth stands before us. See how they taunt and insult you. They would see you bound in shackles, servants of their blasphemous Gods and our fallen kin. They see only in the strength of numbers. In the strength of ferocity. But clearly they know not of the strength of honour. Of oath. Of tradition." Amongst the Dwarf lines, warriors nodded in agreement. "Tell me, brave warriors of Eight Peaks. Are you cowed?".
The Dwarf lines responded with a deafening war cry.
"They cannot hear you!" Graggi roared, turning and pointing at the Chaos lines. A second war cry boomed, even louder than the first.
"Then let us educate these fools! Let us meet their numbers with the armour of our resolve. Let us meet their ferocity upon the blades of our axes and heads of our hammers. Show them the grave error in judgement they made today. Let us settle a grudge for Eight Peaks!" he finished, now speaking with fiery, contagious passion.
A final war cry bellowed forth as Graggi returned to his rank. He donned his helmet and took up his shield once more, positioning it so it sat comfortably. He panted deeply now, filled with his own rhetoric, filled with hatred. In the distance, the enemy drummer signalled the advance and the war host sprung into life. Graggi nodded to the flag bearers, who raised a green flag. At the signal, two gyrocopters roared over them, heading toward the Chaos lines. A thunderous boom sounded as the war machines opened fire and smoke drift across the field. Inhaling deeply of the black powder discharge and smiling, Graggi knocked his shield with his weapon rhythmically as the horn sounded the Dwarfen advance. Within moments the entire throng rattled weapons and shields as they pressed forward to battle.

Mission Summary

2600pts points of WoC vs 1500pts of Dwarfs deploy. 1500pts of Dark Elf ambushers (all units have the rule for this mission).

Objective is in the centre (forest scenery). Characters may spend a turn looking for the shards. End of turn, D6 per character searching. 6 to find one. +1 for each character. +1 for each turn. Three to find.

Lists

2600pts WoC:

Sorcerer Lord, MoN, Familiar, Talisman of Preservation, Dragonbane Gem
Lord, MoN, Dragon Helm, Scaled Skin, Halberd, Ironcurse Icon, Flaming Breath
Exalted Hero, BSB, MoT, Third Eye of Tzeentch, Talisman of Endurance, Soulfeeder, Sword of Striking
39 Marauders, Flails, Musician, Standard Bearer
22 Warriors, MoN, Shields, Musician, Standard
12 Warriors, Additional Hand Weapons, Standard
12 Warriors, MoT, Shields, Standard, Blasted Standard
5 Dogs, Vanguard
5 Dogs, Vanguard
5 Dogs, Vanguard
Chimera, Regen, Flaming Breath
Giant, MoN

1500pts Dwarfs:

Runesmith, General, Rune of Stone, Rune of Spellbreaking x2, Shield
Thane, Battle Standard, Rune of Slowness, Shield
38 Warriors, Great Weapons, Musician, Standard Bearer, Champion
21 Hammerers , Musician , Standard Bearer
Cannon, Rune of Forging , Rune of Burning
Gyrocopter , ‘Vanguard’
Organ Gun , Rune of Accuracy, Rune of Forging
Gyrobomber

1500pts Dark Elfs:

Sorceress, Level 4, Lore of Dark Magic, Rebound Pendant
Death Hag, Ogre Blade, Battle Standard, Witchbrew, Cauldron of Blood
30 Witches, Full Command
20 Black Guard, Full Command
5 Warlocks, Champion
Repeater Bolt Thrower x2

Deployment (My left to right)

WoC - Giant, Warriors (MoT), 2x Dogs, Warriors with Lord and Sorcerer (MoN), Marauders with BSB, Dogs, Warriors (unmarked), Chimera (behind tower).

Dwarfs - Gyrocopter, Gyrobomber, Organ Gun, Warriors with Runesmith and BSB, Cannon, Hammerers

First Turn - Dwarfs

Ancrestral Grudge roll - 5 for Chaos, 1 for Elves

Gyrocopter and Bomber move forward. Steam and Clatter two dogs that are poised to charge them. The dogs flee. Warriors and Hammerers hold position. Organ Gun opens up at another unit of dogs on the left flank (the only unit in range), killing all five of them. Cannon fires at the giant, but only causes a single wound (damned 1's).

First Turn - Chaos

Dogs rally (somehow). Giant heads towards my air corp. Warriors (MoT) move toward central glade objective, as do the Warriors (MoN). Marauders move straight forward. Dogs move to space between Hammerers and Warriors (teeth set on munching the cannon). Chimera swoops down right flank. Nurgle Sorcerer makes the Marauders toughness 5 and gives regeneration 5+ to the Giant.

Second Turn - Dwarfs

Hammerers declare charge against the dogs in front of the cannon. The dogs choose to flee, but are caught and cut down (leaving me right in front of the horde of Marauders - but leaving them outside of the charge arc of the chimera (cunning right?)). Copter moves behind Giant. Bomber flies over the Warriors (MoT), dropping a bomb which hits (and bounces). Blasted Standard rolls a 1 (hahahahahahahaha) and lose three models. Copter steams another two dogs, who flee again, but off of the board this time. Cannon fires at the Giant again, that loses another 3 wounds. Organ Gun fires at the Giant, but fails to wound.

Second Turn - Chaos

Giant heads toward the Organ Gun. Warriors (MoT) reform to face the Bomber behind them. Warriors (MoN) move into the forest to start searching. Marauders declare a charge against the Hammerers, who elect to flee (back into the path of the Chimera). Warriors (unmarked) move up. Chimera declares a charge against the Hammerers, who flee again behind the Warrior (GW) block. No magic used, to search for shards.

Second Turn - Dark Elfs

Everything arrives on my right flank in the middle of the board. Only one repeater bolt thrower doesn't make it. Warlocks Doombolt the Warriors (unmarked), killing 8. They hold. No more magic.

Third Turn - Dwarfs

Gyrocopter flies across towards the Warriors (MoN). Bomber marches over the top of the Marauder horde. Warriors move towards the Warriors (MoN) and Marauder horde. Hammerers regroup (didn't on the first roll though - thank God BSB) and face the newly arrived Dark Elfs. Steam gun cooks three Warriors (MoN). Bomber hits and kills 8 Marauders, no bounce. Cannon shoots at the Chimera, scoring 2 wounds. Organ Gun shoots and kills the Giant, who falls and squashes one of my advancing Warriors (typical).

Third Turn - Chaos

Warriors (MoT) swift reform and move into the forest. Warriors (MoN) Sorcerer and Lord searches, but finds no shard (it gets easier). Marauders charge Bomber, which flees, and the Marauders test and redirect successfully into the Warriors (GW). Chimera charges the Cannon, but fails to reach it. Chaos decides to stop searching with Sorcerer and cast +T on the Marauders, which is dispelled by the scroll (no eating though 🙁). He attempts to cast Regeneration on the Marauders which is promptly dispelled by me. In combat, the Marauders strike first, killing 8 warriors, the BSB slaying the unit champion in combat. I strike back (with the heroes as well) and kill 15 Marauders. They fail the Break test but roll a double 1 on the reroll (TYPICAL!!!!!) so hold.

Third Turn - Dark Elfs

The last Bolt Thrower fails to turn up again. The Warlocks charge the Warriors (unmarked). The Witch horde gets stuck behind the Warlock combat and swift forms to get around it. The Black Guard march towards the Hammerers. The Cauldron frenzies the Warlocks. The Bolt Thrower shoots the Copter and causes a single wound. In combat the Warlocks butcher the Warriors (unmarked) and due to frenzy overrun towards the flank of the Warriors (MoN).

Fourth Turn - Dwarfs

The Copter heads towards the Warlocks, lining up a raking shot. The Bomber rallies. The Hammerers move toward the Black Guard (with Sorceress). The Copter steams 2 Warlocks, who hold. The Organ Gun fires at the Witches, killing 3 (due to like -100 to hit). The Cannon fires at the Chimera, slaying it and also hitting the Cauldron behind it, scoring 3 wounds, killing the Death hag and killing two witches. In combat, my Warriors (GW) suffer a single wound to the Marauders. The Chaos BSB fails to wound the 2+ save Runesmith. In return, my Warriors (GW) kill another 7 and the Marauders break from combat rubber banding over two of his own units. The Warriors (GW) pursue into the forest, failing to catch them.

Fourth Turn - Chaos

The Warriors (MoT) move deeper into the forest, to protect the Warriors (MoN) and redirect any charge from my Warriors (GW). The Warriors (MoN) Lord searches and finds a shard. The Marauders regroup behind the Warriors (MoN). The Sorcerer makes the Warriors (MoT) T7 but fails to put Regeneration on them (dispelled by me).

Fourth Turn - Dark Elfs

The last Bolt Thrower turns up. The Witch horde is suddenly stuck (its so bloody big) and can't even reform to get away so moves up 2-3". The Sorceress Doombolts the rallied Bomber, but fails to wound. She also attempts to hex the Hammerers, but is dispelled in the attempt. The Warlocks turn to face the Copter and shoot it down with Doombolt. The Bolt Thrower shoots long range at the Bomber but misses.

Fifth Turn - Dwarfs

My Warriors (GW) charge the Warriors (MoT), leaving their flank exposed to the Warriors (MoN) (there is method to the madness, you'll see). The Hammerers charge the Black Guard (with Sorceress). The Bomber marches to alongside the Black Guard and Hammerer combat (toward the Witches). The Organ Gun shoots at the Cauldron, killing another 2 Witches. The Cannon fires at a Bolt Thrower, killing it. In combat, the Dwarfs leave only 6 of the Warriors (MoT) standing, losing 5 of their number and failing to break them. The Hammerers lose 7 to the Black Guard before striking back and killing 7. Its a drawn combat with no tests taken.

Fifth Turn - Chaos

The Marauders move to intercept the Warlocks. The Warriors (MoN) take the bait and charge my Warriors (GW) flank (thus losing their ability to search this turn). In the Magic Phase, Regeneration is placed onto the Warriors (MoN). Attempts to make the Dwarfs -T are dispelled. In combat, the Warrior (GW) loses 9 models and the Runesmith in a challenge, killing only two Warriors (MoT). They break from combat, but the remainder of the unit makes it away from the pursuers.

Firth Turn - Dark Elfs

The Warlocks move behind the Witches to face the Bomber. The Witches are still stuck. The Sorceress casts +1S with IF, blowing three more Hammerers up and three Black Guard in the process. The resulting dice lost end the magic phase. 7 Hammerers die to the Black Guard, causing only 4 wounds in return, but hold (thank you Stubborn).

Sixth Turn - Dwarfs

The Bomber moves over the Witches, bombing them. The bomb scatters onto the Black Guard/Hammerer combat, killing 7 Black Guard and 2 Hammerers. The Warriors (GW) rally and reform to face the Warriors (MoT). The Organ Gun fires at the Warriors (MoN) killing 1 (against to -1048584 to hit, stupid no hills...grumble). The Cannon fires at the Cauldron, which makes it saves, but kills three Witches. The remaining 2 Hammerers are killed in combat and the last Dark Elfs reform to face the Cannon.

Sixth Turn - Chaos

The Marauders march toward the Witches. The Warriors (MoT) charge my remaining Warriors (GW) who are now reformed into smaller ranks. The Warriors (MoN) reform to face the now soon to be free Witch horde. Magic is a bust. The Warriors (MoT) roll poorly, failing to kill any Dawi at all and are they all slain in the resultant combat. I choose to overrun but fail to reach the Warriors (MoN). The Marauders kill the Warlocks and overrun toward the Witch horde.

Sixth Turn - Dark Elfs

The Black Guard move toward the Cannon. The Witch horde reform and move towards the Marauders. The Bolt Thrower misses the Bomber. The Doombolts from the Warlocks don't however and it is slain. No other magic of note.

Seventh Turn - Dwarfs

Random Game Length. My Warriors (GW) charge the Warriors (MoN). The Cannon fails to wound the Cauldron. The Organ Gun evaporates the remaining Black Guard and leaves the Sorceress on a single wound. The Warriors (GW) kill 2 Warriors (MoN) and lose the combat horrifically and are swiftly cut down.

Seventh Turn - Chaos

Thanks to my delaying tactic, the Chaos can no longer search and simply reform. The Marauders charge the Witches, but fail to make contact. Magic is dispelled.

Seventh Turn - Dark Elfs

The Witches charge the Marauders and unsurprisingly butcher them to the man. The Sorceress fails to wound the Organ Gun. The Bolt Thrower fails to wound the cannon.

End of Game

Results:

Chaos - 1
Dwarfs - 0
Dark Elfs - 0