[font=Arial][background=white]Welcome everybody![/background][/font]

[font=Arial]This is a battle report from a game me and my cousin played on the 25
of may. We agreed that we would field every available unit. We played
by unmodified rules, except from using Virtual line of sight instead
of True line of sight (which is terrible).[/font]

[font=Arial]My army:

Dwarf Lord: Shieldbearers, GW, M.R.of Steel, R.of Resistance, M.R. of
Kragg The Grimm, R.of Fury = 301
Runelord: Anvil, Shield, R.of Stone, M.R of Ballance, R.of Spellbreaking = 398

Heroes:
BSB: M.R. of Gromril, R.of resistance, R.of Preservation =130
Runesmith: Shield, Mr of Spellbinding, R.of Spellbreaking =147
Engineer: R.of Stone, GW, Handgun =89
Dragonslayer: Mr.of Swiftness, R. of Might, R.of Burning =105
Thane: GW, R.of Brotherhood, R.of Stone =94

Core:
40 Warriors: GW, FCG =425
20 Warriors: Shields, FCG =205
30 Longbeards: Shields, GW, FCG, R.of Grungni =495
10 Crossbow-Rangers: GW =140
10 Crossbowmen: GW =130
10 Thunderers: Shields =150

Special:
25 Hammerers: Shields, FCG =355
25 Ironbreakers: FCG =355
30 Miners: FCG =355
25 Slayers =275
Cannon: R.of Forging, R.of Burning =130
Cannon: R.of Forging =125
Stone Thrower: R.of Accuracy, R.of Penetrating, Burning =150
Bolt Thrower: Engineer, Burning =65

Rare:
Organ Gun =120
Organ Gun =120
Flamecannon =140

TOTAL: 4999
Yeah... I didn`t field the Gyro. It was in repair when this battle took place.

Wood Elfs army:

Grand Army of Lord Przemek - 5000 pts

Highborn - GW, LA, S, Dragon, Crystal Mere, HoDA, Dragonhelm 547
Spelweaver - L4, Beasts, Wand of Wych Elm, Talisman of Protection 320
Treeman Ancient - Netlings, Shrikes 375

Noble - BSB, Steed, Armour of Destiny 152
Noble - GW, LA, S, Talisman of Preservation 128
Noble - Wild Rider, Stag, Stone of Rebirth, Helm of the Hunt 210
Spellsinger - L2, Loren, Unicorn, Glamourweave, Deepwood, Ruby Ring 260
Branchwraith - A Cluster of Radiants 90

20 Glade Guards - FCG, Banner of Eternal Flame 274
20 Glade Guards - FCG 264
6 Scouts - M 102
5 Glade Riders - M 129
20 Eternal Guards - FCG, Razor Standard 315
15 Dryads - C 192

10 Wardancers - CM 201
3 Warhawk Riders 120
3 Warhawk Riders 120
10 Wild Riders of Kurnous - FCG, Banner of Swiftness 311
6 Tree Kin - C 410

6 Waywatchers 144
Treeman 285
Great Eagle 50

Warriors 135 / 4999

L 1242 24,84%
H 840 16,80%
C 1276 25,52%
S 1162 23,24%
R 479 9,58%

4999[/font]

[font=Arial]The woods of Loren and the land sorrounding it was an extraordinary
place. From its trees our carpenters made the finest, most beautiful
furniture, the engineers used it to make great machines of war and the
weapon shafts made from it would never fail. Furthermore numerous
trade routs ran along the borders of Loren... If only a few paths
could be cut across the old forest the life of Karak-Norn Dwarfs would
be much less worrysome. The merchants could get to Bretonnia twice as
fast and avoid the greenskin tribes that often laid ambush on the old
roads.

These glorious visions of splendour and prosperity were however
impossible to achieve as long as the Elves inhabited Loren. Ever since
their defeat in the War of Vengeance, they had twelt there growing
wild and forgetting their old ways, becomming more like the beasts
than their cousins of Ulthuan. They struck down our lumberjacks from
the shadows, leaving only arrows in their backs as proof of their
presence, caravans were often attacked which forced the king to lend
his guard to escort them. But how can one fight an invisible enemy?[/font]

[font=Arial]Despite the dangerous wild Elven tribes, King Nain was not discouraged
from hunting, which was his joy and he did it often. After all, he had
a rightfull claim to the forest and the surrounding lands, for Dwarfs
were there first, and the pointy-ears were treated as intruders.[/font]

[font=Arial]As was his custom, Nain, son of Durin began the hunting season on the
first day of spring. He wanted tohunt down an animal worthy of his
royal guests, who he invited for a great feast on this day. Hours past
and Nain didn`t shoot anything bigger than a hare, so he led his men
deeper into the forest than usual.

-My Lord, said one of the longbeards, shouldnt we be getting back to our hold? Im sur ethe feast is ready and there is more than enough
food and wine for all the guests! He tried as hard as he could not to
show his nervousnes, for the first time in his life he missed the sun,
but its rays have long been obscured by the thick branches.

-Silence! Do you want me to make a mockery of myself by showing up
with one bloody hare?! If it wasnt for your loud mouth I would have hit that great deer back then and wed all be home by now!

Before the King`s angry voice faded there could be heard a cracking
tree from behind a nereby hill. It must have been something large,
perhaps a bore or even a bear! Nain sped up the hill and aimed. But
what he saw through sights of his crossbow far exceeded even his royal
expectations. There was a large glade before them and on its edge lay
a green, enormous dragon. The loud-mouth Longbeard now regretted not
staying in his stone chambers even more. He turned round and tried to
get as far away as his legs could carry him, but he slipped on the
moist grass and tumbled down the hill, his armour rumbling and
ringing. The dragon treated this sound as a dinner bell and jumped on
his four feet, speeding towards the party with surprising speed.

While the royal bodyguard formed a wall before their liege, the other
hunters grabbed the petrified King and ran. The sound of cracking
armoud and splashing flesh could be heard even from a great distance.
The beast did not pursue the survivors, the amount of Dwarfs it had
consumed must have satisfied it... not to mention the indigestible
steel it would have to carry.

With Valaya`s guidance, King nain returned to Karak-Norn.

-Thats it! I will not stand no more! Is there not enough witches and monsters in this blasted forrest?! And now theres that that damn
wyrm! Call for the War Council!

His orders were swiftly carried out. By next week`s sunrise all the
clans of Karak norn were mustered before the great forest. Hundreds of
warriors clad in their finest armour, each wielding an ancestral
weapon. Even the Brotherhood of Grimnir turned up in great numbers,
obviously lured by the news of the dragon.
The forest was not defenceless however. As if from nowhere, a vast
army came forth from among the trees. Among the thick ranks of Elven
warriors walked towering, tree-like creatures of various sizes, their
branches were leafless and sharp. Death glowed in their eyes. The
sight inspired fear and respect.
On the right flank King Nain saw the foul beast that nearly took his[/font]
[font=Arial]life. This time it was saddled, a tall, proud Elf was sitting upon its
back. What sort of magic could ever bend the will of such a creature
to do their bidding?

Not giving the enemy a chance to take more advantegous positions Kina
Nain gave the sign, and his guns spat with fire.[/font]

[font=Arial]Deployment:[/font]

1st Turn: Dwarfs

The infantry held their positions, Nain was confident his superior firepower would make the Elfs come to them.
The first volley began with a tragedy, the Dwarfs crewing the Organ Gun blew up their own warmachine while trying to get rid of the Waywatchers… Fortunately the second Organs crew proved more competent and blew away the etire unit. Both Cannons with the support of the Stone Thrower seriously wounded both Treemen. Crossbowmen and Rangers thinned out the ranks of the Wild Riders. The venerable Runelord planned to use the Rune of Wrath and Ruin to pin the Dragon to the ground, but by some Elven mischief the invaluable relic was torn apart by the power inside it.
To sum up, I had hoped to achieve more in this turn.

[size=large]1[sup]st[/sup] Turn: Elfs[/size]

[size=large][/size]

[size=large]The whole army leapt forward like a swarm of bees defending their hove from a bear. Despite eliminating the Runelord the Elven magic did little, but he did manage to take out the Cannon located on the hill. Its crew lied beside their beloved machine with arrows sticking out of their eyes, bloody tears ran down their cheeks. The hill was covered with scattered remains of the other careless crew. The sight was disheartening.[/size]

2nd turn: Dwarfs

No photos, I was too shaken with my rolls 😛
Despite the sorrow after losing the oldest and wisest Dwarf of the hold and the anvil that would never be replaced the shield wall held fast. The right flank seemed to be the most threatened, it seemed obvious that the Elvesplan was to take advantage of this weak spot and surround the army. Nain may have made such a foolish mistake if he were several hundred years younger. But he had a surprise for the overconfident enemy. Via an ancient tunnel Thane Morgan led his unit of miners just in time to split the oncoming enemy force and spread dismay among them. Another volley began with the explosion of an experimental warmachine called the Flame Cannon. The Crossbowmen must have had the impression that their own brethren were firing upon them! King Nain cast a black look at the Master Engineer, he avoided the gaze hoping he wouldnt have his hair dyed for this.
As expected, the old, tried and tested crossbows did a lot better, wounding the proud Elf riding the great green Dragon. The amulet he wore on his neck, until now shining with a strange light, now went dim. After that it was time for the Organ Gun which pierced the wyrmsthick hide in two places. Dark blood spilled out of the severe wounds. Perhaps Nain wont have these newfangled weapons banned after all.

2[sup]rd[/sup] turn: Elves

Angered by the pain, the Dragon charged a unit of shortbeard Warriors armed only with one-handed axes. They were overwhelmed by the fury of the beast and fled (failed Terror test). The Warhawk Riders also charged, killing the Bolt Thrower`s crew to swiftly for the Rangers to support them. The rider on a Great Stag ant the Dryads try to outflank the unit of Miners. On the left flank the Wardancers make a long charge at the surprised Thunderers, who failed to kill even one. After a short fight they give ground and flee the battle.
The merciless arrows of the Elves finnish off the second Organ Gun crew, nobody was brave enough to re-crew it.

3[sup]rd[/sup] turn: Dwarfs

If this goes on, Nains troops will be left without any fire support! He knew that in the end the battles result would depend on the honest hammers and axes. Time for the real battle to begin. As the King gave the order the battle line advanced towards the horrific creatures. As they marched the remains of the artillery fired relentlessly. A Cannon shot had hit the larger of the two Treemen, the rune-inscribed ammunition set it on fire and in a matter of minutes nothing was left of it save for ash. The Master Engineers spirit lifted. Now personally adjusting the Stone Throwers mechanism he aimed beyond the hill, where cries of massacred Dwarfs could be heard among the Dragon`s victorious roars. After the piece of stone vanished out of sight, no more sounds could be heard.

On the right flank things finally started looking good. The miners charged and ran over the Great eagle as the stupid beast landed right in front of them to tend its feathers. They ran on right into the puzzled Dryads, which could not withstand the mass of so many Dwarfs and finally fled. The sight of such powerful allies running in fear was too much for Elven courage and the nearest archer unit also fell into disorganized retreat.

3[sup]rd[/sup] Turn: Elves

After a while discipline was restored in the Elven ranks as they took new positions, determined to throw the assailants out of their home.The last Treeman hid in a nearby forest, little did the Dwarfs know what a fiendish plan was behind these actions… At this time The Wardancers returned after the chase, glad to see undefended warmachines. On the right flank the Great stag (isnt it the one that got away from Nain during the hunt?) bravely charged into the Miners side. The impetuous charge was so powerful that the Dwarfs ranks shook, but held. The flyers and remains of the cavalry take position to finnish off the last unit on the right flank-Rangers.

The battlefield at the end of turn 3.

4[sup]th[/sup] Turn: Dwarfs

An unexpected Crossbowmens charge at the Warhawk riders sabotaged their plans for a tripple attack on the Rangers. The Rangers themselves let loose their quarrels taking down several Wild Riders, leaving only one unit of warhawks to worry about. The Great Stag and its rider fought like mad, but slowly lost strength and the Miners slowly closed their ranks on them hacking them down with pick-axes.
As Elves and Dwarfs massacred each other in many skirmishes, the main forces remained unengaged. The shieldwall was now close to the enemy, but Nain did not give the order to attack, knowing that fighting forest spirits in the woods would cost him many warriors. The Runesmith left the safety of his heavily armoured comrades to seek out the treacherous mage lurking around the forest and clenching some sort of glowing object… No doubt planning mischief.

Another cannonball flew screaming over Dwarven heads and landed in the forest, setting fire to a few of them. (one Treekin perished)

4[sup]th[/sup] Turn: Elves

They passed…

Finally the unavoidable happened, Wardancers lept towards the Cannon`s crew, killing them without even slowing down and continuing their crazed run at the Stone Thrower. The Master Engineer ended up with a short knife in his throat, his heavy hammer was not able to keep up with the agile dances.
On the far side of the battlefield Warhawks began a long and bloody fight with the Rangers, both determined to take vengeance for their fallen brothers.

The remnants of Elfs and Forest spirits stand against the unstoppable wave of steel. They do what they can do deal as much damage as possible, but the armour and protective runes are to much for them.

5[sup]th[/sup] Turn: Dwarfs

The time has come by brothers! Scatter and crush the fools that dared stand against you! Let them never again interrupt me in my hunting!
Screaming their war cries Nains warriors threw themselves into the fight. The king was surprised with the Elves bravery, they stood firm eager to give their lifes in the name of those damn trees! The Runesmith finally got to the mage, surprising him and slaying with a well-aimed blow to the head. He let the unicorn run off, may the King hunt it down one day. The magical items were then taken for the Runesmith to study and learn their secrets. As it turned out after years of study, the magical amulet had the power to awaken trees, which would tear apart everyone in their way. Unaware of their unbelievable luck the Ironbreakers followed The Slayers among the trees. Their leader hefted a wonderful runic axe which cut through the largest Treeman with ease. After single handedly cutting it down both units ran on, with the Iron Breakers charging right into a unit of Treekin. (the forest was moved for practical reasons 😉 )

Not all was going as well however. The Hammerers and the BSB they were protecting had met their match. They clashed with the most disciplined-looking unit in the army and swung their hammers with anger, but the unit`s leader cut down the Dwarven army standard bearer, cleaving through the toughest armour in the world. This demanded revenge! Piles of bodies rose on both sides.

The large block of Warriors could finally sink their great axes into elven bodies, cutting off limbs and hacking fiercely. Now the Miners cut down last of the Dryads and were moving to aid the main line. The few Crossbowmen left took care of the Warhawks they were fighting, only the Rangers had a tough time fighting off the other unit of Warhawks, which retreated and renewed their attack, exhausting the brave Dwarfs.

5[sup]th[/sup] Turn Elfs

Finally, the Treekin were fighting on their terms. In the thick wood the heavy armoured Dwarfs tripped over roots and could not maintain formation among the trees. Now it would be easy to rip them apart and cave in their breastplates one by one!
But they turned out hard to kill, protected by the best armour Dwarf smiths could provide, and they fought on relentlessly.
The second unit of archers withstood the onslaught long enough for the army standard bearer to retreat to a safe location. A unit of warriors with candles on their helmets approached from the right flank, which meant that there were no more defenders left there. Defeat could only be delayed now.

The Eternal Guard still fought bravely, mincing through the Hammerers, slowly thinning them out, though they took vengeance on their leader.

6[sup]th[/sup] Turn: Dwarfs

Finally, The Slayers charged into the fray, aiding the desperate Iron Breakers. The Dragon Slayers blazing axe again sunk deep into the Treekin, leaving little to do for his comrades. Two out of five fell from his hand, the other Slayers cut down another and the monsters break and get ran down.

King Nain stood on his shield and looked around the battlefield. All around Elfs were being slaughtered and broken by his warriors. It was time for the last charge of this battle. He gave an order and a horn sounded the attack. The Longbeards led by their liege punished the last standing defenders, giving no pardon, showing no remorse. Few escaped the onslaught.

This is how the Battle of the Outskirts of Loren was won. The last enemy remaining on the field were taken prisoner or ran back into the woods. Bravery and discipline proved superior to fierceness and magic. The army returned to their hold without rejoice, they had lost the most valuable treasure they had, along with the wisest Dwarf this side of the Old World.

I hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers!