[font="Times New Roman"]The Dwarf Lord surveyed the battlefield analytically, cursing the morning mists that obscured his vision. He forced himself to shut out the background noise, whilst trying to build an image in his mind of the current troop locations and their likely positions at later stages of the battle. He checked from his vantage point above his men that he had done all he could before the battle began in earnest. He often found it hard to delegate and trust his troops to do their job. It always seemed like he’d missed something, something glaringly obvious and critically important. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The same questions troubled him as usual. Where was he most vulnerable? What did his opponent see that could cause his plans to evaporate in a flash? He always felt jittery and uncomfortable at the start of a battle. It was to be expected, after all he’d done to prepare for this encounter, but he still disliked the feeling. He felt it a weakness, an inferiority not suffered by the apparently composed general standing not so distant from his position. Known as the Black Dwarf amongst the clans of the Grey Mountains, Marduk Hellhammer was always extremely hard on himself and never forgot the mistakes that he had made in the heat of battle. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Savouring one last swig of ale, he resigned himself to the fact that no more could be done. He turned to Fozzy Inchnail, his kinsman, close companion and the proud bearer of his Battle Standard. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Let’s make this a quick battle,” he said to his friend, his tone measured and calm. “I can smell lunch cooking and there’s a chance we might fit another battle in this afternoon.” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Fozzy merely smiled and turned to scan the field himself. Marduk put down his half full tankard and turned in readiness to issue his next orders.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]LIZARDMEN[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Old Blood on Carnosaur – Light Armour, Sword of Striking, The Maiming Shield, Glyph Necklace [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Skink Priest on Engine of the Gods – Lvl 2, Diadem of Power, 2 x Dispel Scrolls[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Scar Vet riding Cold One – BSB, Light Armour, Burning Blade of Chotec, Enchanted Shield, Talisman of Protection[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]18 Saurus Spearmen – FC[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]18 Saurus Spearmen – FC[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]20 Saurus Warriors – FC[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]5 x Cold One Riders[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]3 Kroxigor[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Salamander Hunting Pack with 4 Skinks[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]DWARFS OF DOK LOREN [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lord on Shieldbearers – Great Weapon, M Ro Kragg the Grimm, Ro Snorri Spanglehelm, Ro Stone, Ro Resistance, M Ro Challenge [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Thane – BSB, Ro Stone, M Ro Spite[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Master Engineer – Brace of Pistols, M Ro Gromril[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Runesmith – Shield, Ro Stone, 2 x Ro Spellbreaking[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]23 Warriors – Shields, Full Command[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]10 Thunderers – Shields[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]10 Longbeards – Shields [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]20 Ironbreakers – Shields, Full Command, Ro Battle, Ro Stoicism[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]15 Hammerers – Great Weapons, Shields, Full Command[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Cannon – Ro Forging, Valiant Rune, Ro Burning[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Grudge Thrower – Engineer, Brace of Pistols, Ro Accuracy[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Organ Gun[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Gyrocopter[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]
[font="Times New Roman"][/font]Battlefield[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]I win the toss and choose the side with a house sitting on the 12” line and a hill buttressed up into the right corner. There is a wood about 12” from my table edge to the left hand side. Brian has woods to his left that run lengthwise on the board and crosses into his deployment area. There is a hill to the far right. I win the turn roll and allow Brian to go first.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen Deployment[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]The lizards deploy from their left to right a unit of Saurus Spearmen on the 12” line close to the table edge with the Saurus Warriors next to them, accompanied by the BSB on Cold One. The salamander and handlers start out behind the woods, along with the Engine of the Gods. To the right of the woods the 3 Kroxigor take pole position, with the Cold One Riders with the Old Blood on Carnosaur behind them. Next to them are the other 18 Saurus Spears. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf Deployment[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]The Dwarf Cannon sits high on a hill in the South West corner of the board. The Warriors deploy on the extreme right in front of the Cannon, their flank protected by the table edge. The Hammerers have the Warriors on their right and the Ironbreakers on their left. All three combat blocks are about 10 inches from the table edge. The Thunderers deploy next to the Ironbreakers, about 8 inches from the board edge. They had considered deploying behind the building and entering on turn 1, but were worried that if the Lizards got the first turn they’d only get one turn of shooting before they would be charged. The Organ Gun went near the house and the Grudgethrower on the extreme left where it had a pretty good view of the battlefield and also the Dwarf rear. The Longbeards locate themselves centrally behind the Thunderers so they can turn to their left and plug the gap between the house and the table edge if the Cold Ones come that way. The BSB and Runesmith went in the Ironbreakers, Lord in Hammerers and ME in Grudgethrower.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 1 [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T1[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]
[font="Times New Roman"][/font]The Saurus Old Blood holds his shield aloft and barks an order, the signal unleashing his troops towards the heavily armed and armoured Dwarfs across the way. He watches with pride as his forces march forward in an orderly fashion. His own unit moves forward cautiously behind the Kroxigor. The Engine tramples through a shrubbery and pulls up just short of the edge of the woods. The Salamander is also goaded through the woods by its attending Skinks. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Skink Priest unleashes his first spell, casting Uranons Thunderbolt at the Gyrocopter as it begins to lift off. The Runesmith fails to pick up the line and length, allowing the machine to suffer 1 wound. The Engine aligns its powers to give a 5+ ward to any lizards within 12 inches. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The skink herders pull hard upon the Salamanders tail and it coughs up a fireball at the Ironbreakers but falls short. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]
[font="Times New Roman"][/font]Dwarf T1[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Gyrocopter builds up some speed to fly high over the Kroxigor and Cold One Riders, turning at the last moment to face back towards the bipedal reptiles steaming figuratively and literally, in the crisp morning air, towards his comrades. The combat blocks manage to contain their battle lust and follow their Lords orders to move forward tentatively (3 or 4” each) and wheel a little to align themselves towards the centre of the field.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Cannon crew elects to shoot at the Engine and the Grudgethrower at the Kroxigor. The Cannons powder man, Achren Helheim, steps back from the machine with great anticipation and signals a readiness to fire. After picking up a familiar odor he sniffs his ramrod suspiciously. He turns in confusion to the gunner, Anata Scorngrain, who is in the process of pulling the firing cord. “Y’know, I swear this gunpowder smells more like Stand-back Bungers than ole Bang Bang. What barrel did you…” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]A flash and almighty roar belched forth from behind the Dwarfs. General Marduks hair blew around his face and his shield beneath him listed to one side momentarily. He didn’t even bother turning round. “This could be a long day,” he sighs, as a smoking Dwarf helmet strikes and bounces upon the plain 50 feet from the Lizardmen line. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Grudgethrower fires rather more promisingly, with the engraved stone heading straight for the Kroxigor, before drifting at the last moment to partially hit the Cold Ones and the slobbering crocodilians in front of them. A single Cold One Rider and mount crumple messily below the stone. The Organ gun also aims at the Kroxigor and scores 10 hits. The large lizzies suffer 4 wounds, resulting in a Cold One Rider gaining the ignominious honour of becoming the first Lizard to think up the idea of a windshield. The Thunderers are quite encouraged by the bloodshed and take aim carefully. The 10 marksmen manage to take off another 2 wounds and a second reptilian falls to the ground. The Cold One Rider starts contemplating the concept of windshield wipers, before the realisation that he is a lizard riding a lizard begins to wrack him with self-doubt. Totally excited by the friendly fire and plugs of reptile meat falling all about him, Nasum Throttlerod, the Gyrocopter pilot, totally forgets to shoot at the remaining Cold One Riders.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]
[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 2[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T2[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The reptiles shuffle ponderously forwards. The Saurus Spearmen towards the Dwarf Warriors, the Saurus Warriors towards the Hammerers, the Engine towards the Ironbreakers and the Cold One Riders and the depleted Kroxigor towards the Thunderers. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Skink Priest casts another Thunderbolt at the Gyrocopter and it goes off at a high score, so Amorphis the Runesmith strikes his first Rune of Spellbreaking with his runestaff. The other spell is easily dispelled with 4 dice. The Engine continues its alignment at a ward save.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Salamander casts its burning expectorate towards the Ironbreakers once again, the fiery globule this time engulfing one of them horribly. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf T2[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Gyrocopter skips forward a fraction behind the Cold Ones in preparation of giving them a peppering. Everyone else stays put.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Grudgethrower aims at the Engine this time, but the shot goes long, off towards the woods. The Organ gun fires unforgivingly into the Cold Ones with another 10 hits. The shots randomise around the Old Blood and the remaining 4 Cold One Riders. 3 of them fail their save and the ward offered by the proximity of the Engine, but the general is unscathed. The Thunderers then take aim at the last Kroxigor and leave him limping along with 1 wound left. The Gyrocopter finally fires, a barrage of bullets cracking about the Cold One Riders, but the shells are unable to pierce their scaly hide and the magical protection provided by the Engine to the East.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 3 [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T3 [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]From right to left, the Saurus Spearmen charge the Warriors, the Saurus Warriors charge the Hammerers, the Kroxigor charges the Organ Gun and the Old Blood and remaining Cold One Rider charge the Thunderers, who elect to stand and shoot. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The two units of Saurus on the right are just short of their charge range and move 4” towards their foe. The Kroxigor slams into the Organ Gun crew and the Old Blood and the Cold One Rider get to the Thunderers without a scratch. The Engine rumbles ominously closer. The second Spearmen unit moves towards the house, whilst the Salamander spits at the Ironbreakers, killing 1.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The skink priest throws all his will power into unleashing a third Thunderbolt towards the Gyrocopter, but it is again dispelled by the crazy, lightening-rod wielding Runesmith. He then manages to cast Portent of Far upon the Old Blood, adding further weight to the Thunderers imminent demise. The alignment of the Engine changes to burning, causing 2 Thunderers and an Ironbreaker to burn down. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The bloodied Kroxigor makes mince meat of two of the organ gun crew. The remaining crewmember loses his mettle, flees and is easily caught by the scaly horror. The creature ambles away from the battlefield, expertly using a claw to dig the contents out of a Dwarf skull. The Old Blood knocks down about 4 of the Thunderers, but they are unable to harm him back, flee and are caught also. The lizard general overruns into the Longbeards, who pass their terror check and prepare to strike at the creature as best as they can. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf T3[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Lord and his Hammerers declare a charge at the Saurus Warriors and BSB, knowing there is only a slim chance of a victorious combat result, whilst the warriors wait to see what the Spearmen opposite them decide to do. The Ironbreakers wait resolutely for the looming Stegadon that is ambling their way. The Gyrocopter flies over behind the Saurus Warriors, hoping to strike them down with his rotor blades if they flee from the Dwarf Lord and his bodyguard. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Gyrocopter is just short of being able to steam the Spearmen. The Grudgethrower attempts to fire at the Engine once again but suffers a minor misfire. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Old Blood destroys 4 of the Longbeards and strikes the rest down as they turn to flee. He then saunters casually off the board to get the last Kroxigor turned around. The Hammerers un-sling their great weapons during the charge, something that they aren’t used to putting into practice that often. The Lord, his shieldbearers and 4 attacks from the Hammerers manage to kill 4 Saurus, who kill 2 Hammerers in return. The Dwarfs lose by 1 and pass their test on a BSB re-roll. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 4[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T4[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Saurus Spearmen charge with a more measured pace at the Dwarf Warriors who are quite thankful they’ll finally get stuck in with a bit of a swing of their axes. The Kroxigor and the Old Blood return to the battlefield, the burly lizard making his way towards the house and the General moving off towards the Dwarf combat blocks. The Engine moves to within about 5” of the Ironbreakers. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Salamander fires hopefully at the Ironbreakers flank, but it goes over their heads and lands harmlessly behind the Warriors. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Skink Priest fires a Thunderbolt at the Ironbreakers, but it is again dispelled. The Portent of Far fails to ignite. The Burning Alignment kills a couple of Ironbreakers and a Hammerer. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Hammerers and Saurus Warriors trade blows with 3 of each side falling. Marduk the Dwarf Lord proves to be well off his best performance. This turn and next he needs 2s to hit and 2s to wound with 4 attacks, but only manages to wound 2 of the Saurus. The Dwarfs lose once again, but pass their Stubborn leadership test. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Next to this combat the Dwarf Warrior defenses prove to be effective. The Saurus Spearmen lunge forward, but the only things to break are the lizardmens’ spears, which are no match for 180 pounds of dwarf with his mass set behind a disciplined sheildwall. The warriors then spring out from behind their shields and lop the heads off of two of the shocked lizards. Totally unused to nimble Dwarfs the Lizardmen turn and flee.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf T4[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Gyrocopter pilot sees that the fleeing Lizard Spearmen are right in front of him and charges them with his rotor blades lowered. They abandon the field in favour of less choppy climes, several of them forced to give up their golf game. Fozzy, the Dwarf BSB, sees the Engine now looming a dozen yards in front of his unit and leads the Ironbreakers in a brave charge against the beast and its crew before it can build up any extra momentum and crush them with its potentially devastating impact. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Dwarf Warriors now realise that they have found themselves alongside the Hammerer vs Warrior combat. They turn to face the melee in preparation of a charge into the Saurus flank to relieve their tiring Lord and his dwindling bodyguard. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Grudgethrower adjusts its facing towards the Old Blood general, who is making his way towards the Dwarf Generals exposed rear. This is a critical moment in the battle, with only one shot at the wily Saurus and his mount before they begin munching upon royal blood and bone. However Master Engineer Octavia is definitely off with his aim today, with the stone falling several feet beyond the target. He has to admit to himself after the battle that he was distracted and ineffective. The house standing in front of him was such a juicy target and he just couldn’t shake images from his mind of seeing it spectacularly demolished by one of his stones. His tally of kills for this battle amounts to one Cold One Rider and his primordial mount. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Saurus Warriors and the stalwart Hammerers continue to trade blows with 3 or 4 falling on each side, the Scar Veteran and his mount adding enough kills to ensure the lizards maintain the upper hand. With their Lord at their side the Dawi elite continue to focus upon their own task and hold their ground. Marduk takes a quick look to assess the situation and it was certainly dire. Only 5 of his royal Bodyguard remain at his side and he suppresses a sob as he strikes out desperately at his enemy once more. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]To the West Amorphis, the slightly crazed Runesmith, stands out in front of the terrifying mega-lizard and challenges it and its riders to one on one battle. He directs his most furious efforts towards the cunning skink priest atop the beast, but is unable to fell his adversary. He had made the mistake of concentrating too hard upon the riders throwing javelins and indecipherable insults his way that he had neglected the more dangerous Stegadon. He ducks too late as it swings its head in his direction and is dealt a devastating blow to his scalp that knocks him to half strength or worse. The ancient Stegadon is intimidated by the large throng of tin cans that are pressing up behind the hairy creature in front of it, but it holds its ground and prepares to strike once again. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 5[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T5[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Lizardmens leader sees the battle going his way and is dragged towards the opposing generals depleted unit upon his blood frenzied Carnosaur. The heavily wounded Kroxigor goes and sits in the sun with its back resting against the warm brickwork of the building, cleaning some dwarf pulp from between his teeth with a splintered bone. The Saurus Spearmen have found themselves unable to get involved and decide to turn around and secure the area once they see their general and his mount have reached the main combat. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Skink Priest attempts to cast a Thunderbolt towards the unscathed Warrior unit, but Amorphis, feeling his strength wavering, touches his runestaff to his final spellbreaking rune and earths the magic energy harmlessly. The frustrated skink then casts Portant on his Lord again and the Dwarf Runesmith hasn’t the energy left to dispel the casting. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Carnosaur and his master slam into the Hammerer rear and slash 3 of the gilded breastplates open like a wheat harvester let loose in a field of watermelons. Then, from the front, the Scar Veteran and the Saurus under his guidance dispatch the last of them. Hearing their comrades’ cries from behind them, the Lords’ Shieldbearers slash out at the one remaining Cold One Rider, but to no avail. Sensing his imminent death, Marduk turns around with an unnerving complacency to see the Carnosaurs dripping fangs inches from his face. “Clever Girl,” he utters before a final desperate attempt to stun his attackers and make a retreat. He swung his great hammer about, spinning on his ancestral shield like a whirling Dervish, directing attacks at the Cold One Rider behind him and the Saurus Warriors in front of him. Unfortunately his death dance is more like a whirling Danish and he is unable to fell those pressing in upon him. He is toppled from his precarious litter, crushed and punctured below a number of his enemies’ weapons and finally rent in two by the frenzied Carnosaur, somewhat like a can of sardines torn in twain by a starving man armed with a pair of industrial sized tin snips. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Oblivious to the fate of his dear friend and leader, Amorphis attempts one last gamble before he passes out due to blood loss. Using his runestaff he vaults up onto the great beasts bony head-shield and lashes out at the Skink Priests thigh, unleashing a torrent of blood. The angry runesmith shouts at the uncomprehending skink, “There is no magic,” before the great beast below him shakes its head, throwing him 30 feet away, where he lays broken and moves no more. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf T5[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Seeing their Lord fall beneath a tide of frenzied Lizardmen, the ashen-faced Dwarf Warriors turn away from the Saurus Warriors, which were surging forwards with their opposition now dissolved. Marduks clansmen make a strategic decision to make their way towards the woods to the North, where they hope to make a more effective last stand. Nearby, Nasum pilots his Gyrocopter back onto the field and flies behind the battlelines to assess where he can help the most. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Grudgethrower crew turn their attention to the Saurus Spearmen marching across their field of fire. The only remaining target for them, they manage to partially hit a few of the large lizards, but fail to kill any. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Skink Priest atop the Engine makes a series of gestures and grunts towards the Ironbreaker unit that translated roughly to “You want some of that?” The Ironbreaker Champion, Saturnus Alestorm, knows exactly what the Skink, who was now leaning on another crew member, is implying. He races forward wildly, berserk with rage, and is promptly stopped by the Stegadon, who does a wonderful impression of aluminium can disposal on recycling night. The Skink Priest chitters with laughter and slaps his companion on the back whilst pointing at their mount, “He thinks he’s people!” This only enrages the Dwarf Ironbreakers more, who push forward with renewed vigour and less caution. The Ancient Stegadon baulks slightly but holds his ground overall. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Turn 6[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen T6[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]With no targets visible to them, the Saurus Warriors turn to face the Ironbreaker unit, whilst the Old Blood urges his mount along the eastern flank to attempt to tarry the Dwarf Warriors and have some more sport. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feeling entirely left out by now, the remaining Spearmen unit head off towards the North West to ensure there are no enemies approaching from their rear.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feeling like a great warrior, the Skink Priest fails to cast his Thunderbolt, but manages to give the Stegadon below him the (spell)[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]His confidence buoyed, the Skink Priest leans over the side of the Engines superstructure and shakes his magic staff at the Dwarf BSB. Fozzy accepts the challenge and walks calmly forward, the banner pole topped with the Hellhammer clan markings gripped tightly in his hand. He makes a show of raising the banner pole to plunge it into the ground, but instead leaps forward and brings his axe down in an overhead motion, lopping the Skink Priests head from his shoulders. As he lands alongside the Stegadons midriff the creature lashes out and manages to wound him with a kick. Fozzy staggers back a step, ready to wade in again in a few breaths time. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarf T6[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Unable to help Fozzy and the remaining Ironbreakers, the Warriors continue towards the North Eastern corner of the battlefield. The Gyrocopter scoots over towards the flank of the Saurus Spearmen and in a last ditch effort to scare them from the field he sprays them with lead. As the smoke clears only 2 of his enemy are left dead and largely unthought of by the unit still trudging towards their camp. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]With time now running out to save his men, Fozzy risks ducking in close behind the Stegadons head to try and wound him in the more vulnerable area around his neck. He is unable to strike anywhere other than the creatures bony armour though and fails to wound it. Sensing the danger, the wise old creature rears up and brings both front feet down with great force upon the area. Rolling as well as he can manage with a ridiculously long pole in his hand, Fozzy escapes the immediate pancake area of damage. He does however cop a massive blow to the rib area that sends him sprawling to the ground in front of the stunned Ironbreakers. Parts of his armour have been shattered to pieces, however he opens his eyes to find that he still lives. He rises to his feet gingerly and raises his banner high. He yells a war cry and the Ironbreakers surge forwards around him. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]At that point the battle was obviously over. The Dwarf forces only consisted of the unscathed Grudgethrower and crew, the fully intact Warriors, the Gyrocopter with 1 wound sustained and the Ironbreakers were slightly above half strength, whilst Fozzy the BSB had 1 wound remaining. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]For the Lizardmen; 2 Kroxigor had died, 1 unit of Spearmen, the Skink Priest and less than half of the Saurus Warrior unit remained. Only 1 Cold One Rider remained by his Generals’ side. The Dwarfs had inexplicably captured two table quarters and 1 standard, whilst the Lizardmen had no quarters and 1 standard as well. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Final Score[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Lizardmen 1438[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Dwarfs 1088.5[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]12 – 8 Victory to the Lizardmen[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Mistakes[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]When the Cannon misfired in the first turn I had the Rune of Forging, which I had paid 35 points for, and could have re-rolled the Artillery Dice. The difference may have been a hit on the Engine of The Gods and a surviving Cannon, which was well protected in its position and could have been very useful later on. I actually forgot to use that rune throughout the tournament. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]I wasted the Longbeards. They would have been better used protecting the rear of the Hammerers and Ironbreakers. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]When the Old Blood on the Carnosaur reappeared behind my combat units I could have used the Gyrocopter to bait and flee it away from my Hammerers. Doing so would have meant that the Saurus Spearmen would have escaped though and likely rallied. If my Warriors charged into the Saurus Warriors and BSBs flank, then the Spearmen could have charged their flank. I’m not sure which was the better of the two options here – Take the guaranteed 250 points or try and save 500 points of my own troops, possibly only for 1 or 2 combat phases. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]When the Old Blood charged the Hammerers in the rear I should have challenged it with my Lord. A 1+ save with a 4+ Ward would have given him a good chance of surviving and a few Stubborn Hammerers would have remained, saving him from auto-breaking to a Terror causer. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]A voice penetrated through a foggy mind pleadingly.[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]“Marduk…Marduk!” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Dwarf Lord opened his eyes to see Fozzy looking at him worriedly. [/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]“Stop saying Marduk,” he replied wearily. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“But you were dreaming again and your beard has fallen into your ale,” retorted his companion. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Marduk glanced at his beard and retrieved it from his stagnating ale. He wrung the end of it out into his golden tankard lazily, causing Fozzy to roll his eyes. Marduk tried hard to think back upon the details of his musings. He quickly realised though that the more vivid details of his imagination were quite unhealthy. He had to stop dwelling on his own demise so regularly and in such painful realism.
[/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]“It’s your turn, M’lord,” Fozzy reminded him, the frustration in his voice obvious now.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Nah, this battle is over. No point wielding a broken axe. I have this unit surrounded and your warriors are trotting off over here towards the woods for some reason. Your Grudgethrower has no line of sight towards most of my forces, not that you managed to hit much with it,” he muttered as an afterthought. He picked up a few of the carved wooden blocks that represented the Lizardmen he had been controlling. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Well, you designed the mechanisms we use to practice these battles,” Fozzy replied defensively. “It’s not my fault your toy operates with as much precision as an Ogre doing dental work.” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Don’t get stroppy lad, you did well,” Marduk affirmed. “A couple of observations though. If it were I controlling our forces I would have put the Ironbreakers, with you and Amorphis included, in front of this Saurus Warriors unit. With the extra ranks and your runic banner you would have had a better chance of beating them and taking out their Battle Standard. The Hammerers, and this little marker here representin me, should have gone in front of this here Stega-ma-callit. You know those boys are damn near fearless when they think they’re protecting me.”[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Yeah that’s true, I probably should have put them the other way round,” he agreed. “Do you think anything learned from this practice could actually be of use if we get into a real battle?” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Certainly. I’m gaining insight with every new skirmish we undertake.” Marduk paused in packing up the markers they used to represent the various troop types and looked up at Fozzy who was doing the same. “You, however, are as slow witted as a Stone Troll! What were you doing with your Longbeards? Asva would tie your beard to a pit pony if he new you thought wizened greatbeards of their experience were only able to stand around behind a bunch of handgunners waiting for lunch to arrive.” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Fozzy smiled. “I didn’t know what to do with them after I’d deployed everything else. What would you have done with them?”[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“You could have put them behind the Hammerers and brought them into the enemies flank once they were engaged. A small unit of Hammerers can usually hold their own against most of our enemies, but they don’t mind some help now and again. Anyway, I’m sure the meat is just falling off those lamb shanks by now. Let’s go eat.”[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Fozzy nodded in agreement and started off towards the dining hall. [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Grab the box of green markers on the way back, I feel like slaughtering some Greenskins.” Marduk shouted after him, rubbing his hands together with glee.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“You mean the BOXES of green markers,” Fozzy quipped. “So it looks like I’m marshalling the Grobi again.” The younger Dwarf stopped and turned to his Lord. “Don’t you have some work to do or something?” [/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]“Work? This is more important than work my ladio, this is war!”[/font]