Crusade Battle #3 - KHAAAAN!!!!

With their mission complete, the Stoic Patrons intercept vox chatter with the other Khar Sorvi, it seems that they were close to what they were looking for. Canoness Praxima knew the dangers of dabbling in technologies that weren't sanctioned by the Adeptus Mechanicus and time was of the essence. Deep beneath the surface of the planet was an old refinery, it had been a site of several battles between the Iybraesil Eldar and the Imperium ages ago. A patrol detachment of Adeptus Mechanicus joined the Sisters, lead by Tech-Priest Advectius Volo with his Rangers, their specialty was to seek out unsanctioned technology to be destroyed, or so they claim.

Sister Alwyn noticed an off white structure within the ruins, she had seen Eldar travel through them before it. A Webway Gate, though this one was in overgrown with local flora, one of the arcs had been smashed into several pieces behind it. The Sisters of Battle would need to move in and claim the Xenos tech before they did, who knows what untold horrors the Eldar warp device might inflict.

Pilon and I decided on a 35 PR crusade battle this time, which meant I needed to do some assembling and painting. As you can see from the Dialogus being invisible till the end of the game when she is substituted for a Battle Sister, it could have went better. 

I mostly focused on the Tech-Priest Manipulus, kitbashing his legs from the Skorpekh Warriors from the new starter set. He is armless so he shouldn't be too hard to fight. I will magnetize the weapon options too. It seems that the Tech-Priest didn't learn from the previous mission about how dangerous unsanctioned technology can be. (But it does look pretty cool!)

With how many of the Battle Sisters Squad that had fled last game, I decided to bolster the Repentia Squad for this game, bumping them from 4 to 9, making them much more useful! (and survivable)

Before both armies, stood the shattered Webway, it's spirit stones still beating within the wraithbone structure, Praxima knew that this gate needed repairs, but did the Khan figure out a way to sing to the wraithbone? She didn't want to find out, the gate must be destroyed!

Turn one deployment, The Relic

The Adepta Sororitas took the first turn, hoping to take out some of the close combat units. With the White Scars ability to fall back and still shoot and charge, it wouldn't tie them up for too long! I drew Spirit of Marty letting me roll a 5+ to let the unit shoot or fight before being taken off the board.

Father Henry takes cover in the dense Barbed Venomgorse

The Sisters Repentia, now bolstered with the faithless that had fled from battle, show their faith in the Emperor by blindly charging into the Vanguard Veteran Squad. Needing to use a Stratagem to allow them to charge after advancing. They succeeded in taking out 2 of their numbers, much better to charge then be charged by them. As they do mortal wounds when they slam into you.

Thessa facing down Khan 

The sound of several jump packs firing in union ruptures the din of combat, the Assault Squad has arrived, unleashing bolter pistol fire into the Sisters Repentia before charging into them. Revving their chainswords, butchering the whole squad.

Father Henry moves in to flame the Khan and the Assault Squad, taking out 4 models, and causing one wound on the Khan. 

After combat.

Assault Squad falls out of combat to shoot at Henry before charging in. Don't think I was able to Overwatch because from the pictures they seemed to have survived getting into combat which doesn't really happen with Heavy Flamer units.

The Librarian takes to the center of the battlefield, claiming the webway for the Khan. Father Henry bathes the Khan in flames.

I believe the rangers tried to get closer to the action only to be shot at by the Khan, and also be very ineffective at shooting back.

Battle Sisters hold the line against the Venguard Veteran Squad

Turgen Swiftspeer's bike engine revs up as he takes off in a wheelie towards Alwyn's Battle Sisters, his armor badly damaged from the previous battle against the sisters. From the look of it, only one of his hearts had been punctured in the previous battled.

Chief Librarian Oktai Thunderlord reaches towards the wraithbone, psychic energy pulsing from his finger tip. The light blue wraithbone twitched on the ground, swaying in it's place on the ground. 

Sister Mylanthra, leader of the Seraphim, witnessed the wraithbone move on the ground. Psychic energy rippled across the battlefield, the wraithbone lifting from the ground. Mylanthra screams, "Sisters, descend on the witch!" They land between the psycher and the webway.

Two of her sisters in battle fall, the voice of Saint Lucia echos in their head, "Pain insists that I stand my ground." they stand up with the last ounce of their strength to shoot at the Heretical Librarian. Leaving Mylanthra to finish him off.

The skitarii side of the force didn't fair very well this battle, only Tech-Priest Advectius Volo taking out the two Assault Marines in combat.

The Martyred Lady Lucia's voice came to Mylanthra as Librariand and her exchanged sword slashes, parrying and dodging on her wings. Both adversaries charged back into the fight at once, killing each other in unison.

Rolled a 5 on of the Spirit of the Martyr, letting Mylanthra fight once more in battle before being slain.

Battle Sisters capture the middle only to be blown off of it by the Eleminators.

Canoness and Dialogus clean up the scout squad, making sure they aren't able to claim the center objective. The Canoness seems to get herself into combat every game, with her staff she actually can do some good damage.

Pilon charged in with the Eliminators as they were his only squad left. Securing the relic but not able to score until the non existent turn 6.

With the Battle Sisters mostly wiped out, the Khan Sorvi take the webway. defending the area till their reinforcements could arrive to repair the webway. Canoness Praxima beats a tactical retreat, what's the point of an act of martyrdom if there isn't a crowd to tell the tale of your brave deeds? 

This was a bloody battle, while playing I asked Pilon if White Scars can retreat, shoot AND charge. He double checked today and it's actually they can fall back and charge back in, not shoot as well. Boy that would have made a difference! Oh well, now we know, and knowing is half the battle!

Next on the Hobby Desk

Somehow Daemons have taken over the hobby desk, jumping in line to get some contrast paint on them. The 90x52 oval bases I ordered finally showed up, so I finished up one of the Bloodcrushers, and well there was only three and the other two were half finished, now the unit (as I only have three from the lot earlier this year.) is done as well as 10 Blood letters. 

This game was closer to the beginning of August, today I had another crusade game with Pilon, so hopefully I can continue to get posts up in a reasonable about of time.

Season of the Wych - WarCry Campaign Battle #2

Weakened from the last battle on the Zarakh Expanse, Daonti and his warband escape the dogged pursuit of the Khorne Daemons, hiding out amongst the overgrowth. Sventa channels his life force into his sword, rejuvenating it's sharp edges. The Bloomwych kindred create a circle, entrenching their roots deep into the earth, connecting to Alarielle and the spirit-song that flows through all Sylvaneth, feeling their doubts float away as new limbs grow in place of old. Spirit-songs spoke to Isalith, guiding her to a near by tree cluster. These trees were on the verge of death, but she could feel the presence of a soulpod near by.  The other two Bloomwych tell Doanti of their find. To promote the growth of a new soulpod, the warband would need to secure the area of any corrupting energies, so as not to taint the weak spirits before they are ready to transcend their current form. In the barren Eightpoints, Doanti could still feel connected to the Everqueen, and he felt compelled to spread her spirit-song to even the most dark places of the land. This was their calling....

A howl in the distance, warned the Sylvaneth that, Khorne's dog, Burning Ash, had picked up their scent. The Dryads got to work channeling energy into the pods, as the rest of the Nature's Byrches readied themselves to defend their future kindred.

Battle Setup

Terrain Card - B4

Deployment Card - B1

Victory Card - Purge - Defender picks a quarter to defend, not telling attacker till end of the game.

Twist Card - Sinister Bargain - Roll off, winner gets 1 Chaotic Beast

Rachel was the defender, and she also got the Chaotic Beast for the Twist. We forgot to roll off for the Chaotic Beast at the beginning so it appears on turn 2 instead.

First turn with okay, rolls. I believe we both had A double, so we both banked our wild dice. Khorne took first turn.

Bonegnasher took the offensive, moving in and using the double ability, hungry for blood, but wood and ticks might have to do to sate his appetite. Daonti screeched out as the hound tore off some of his bark. He stomped on the dog's paws, forcing it back as he stepped back to ready his aim.

Skullcleave observed the intense blood boiling attack, he too advanced, moving closer to the Sylvaneth, hoping to engage in battle for battle's sake. The bloodcrusher was unaware of the scheming of others, only living for the glory of bloody battle.

This move was legel, I should have checked if I could move through friendly units (you can't) and if my mount could climb (it can't). So Skullcleave should be back behind Bonegnasher. Ooop, guess I should give a destiny point or something to Rachel for my cheaty cheaty ways.

Flyt Spritekin was quick to defend his grove mistress, slashing at the flesh hound with unbridled rage.

Furious Blade spread out, spying more reinforcements coming from the north east, they were eager for blood, but Khorne's bounty would be their's if he brought a gift of a larger skull.

Furious Blade used the Ironoak Seed he gained from last battle, I had assumed that it was automatic once used, but reading up after our game, we should have both used an action to use our artefacts. If it was Perishable instead of consumable then it would be automatic, oh well, at least we cheated together.

Childchewer rushes towards the two Spritekin instead of Sventi, some followers of Khorne believe it's not the quality of skulls, but the quantity of skulls taken in his name.

Islalith Bloomwych joins her kindred brother in battle, trying to turn the forces of Khorne away from the soulpod for fear of their corrupt nature would spoil the new growth of Sylvaneth. From behind Islaith, Daonti pulls back her bow, unleashing a storm of arrows into Skullcleave.

At this point, Skullcleave was getting pretty injured as the bow did 12 damage out of his 30 wounds, he also wasn't able to attack anything when he moved in, just get pelted.

Red Butcher waited for the other members of his warband to catch up to his skull total.

From the south came the pitter patter of paws and hooves on the moist dirt, surging into the battle was Burning Ash and Childchewer. And from the north came Thronrir the Hunter with Loralith and Maudelith, as well as an ally, a wandering Salamander.

Childchewer on his mount eyeing up Spyraff for a fight.

Burning Ash catches up with Sventa, chomping down on his leg, Sventa shook the hound off, slicing horizontally onto the beast she she ran across it's flank, spilling out brass blood. Infuriating the leader, as it strains it's body to stand proudly before his foe. 

Childchewer crashes into the Spyraff, his bark splintering off into the air from the force of the charge.

Feeling bold from consuming Ironoak Seed, the bloodletter seeks to claim Thronrir the Hunter's skull, he thrusts his blade between the gaps in his shoulder paldron.

Loralith brings the fight to the Red Butcher.

Gutwrench moves to help Red Butcher

Red Butcher strikes back, this time facing his opponent.

Maudelith wasn't about to let the bloodletter foul their plans, leapt out of the thick brush, Furious Blade was taken off guard as her scythe cleaves through sinew and bone of his arm. The wretched creature cries out, as blood coats the forest floor. Before Furious Blade can react, Thronrir the Hunter, notches an arrow and slays the mighty warrior.

Bonegnash enraged at the prospect of being surrounded, lets out a howl of defiance before clawing into "Schemin' " hands Flyt. Fatally wounding the Spritekin before, bucking his hind legs into the Salamander's jaw.

Childchewer runs down Sventi, but not before sustaining more wounds from the elder tree spirit. Burning Ash charges into the north east corner, spying another skull for the taking. Maudelith would attack first, nearly killing the leader.

Thronrir the Hunter knew that time was critical, if these daemons were present while the soulpod was transforming, then their efforts would be for not. He ran through the ruins, and fired his bow at Skullcleave, the hulking bloodcrusher, was panting heavily from lacerations all across it's body, but still refused to topple.

The beast instead charged, driven to claim the skull of the leader of the Sylvaneth, trampling him in the charge then breaking off chunks of his bark armour.

 

As suddenly as they came, the Khorne daemons had left, their goal of slaying for their dark god had been sated this day. Daonti felt that their corruption would have influenced the soulpod's metamorphosis, she rushed to where Islalith and the dryads had been nurturing it. New growth had started to sprout in the Eightpoints, but presents of the daemons, had tainted the soulpod, it would soon wither away.

Rachel had chosen the north west corner, her deployment zone, as the quarter she needed to clear out of all of my forces. Throughout the game she was messing with me, making me second guess which area she was actually defending. (which is why i had spread out so much, clearly it worked.) Skullcleave was in the quarter, which is why Thronrir was trying to take him out near the end. 

I am glad I picked up the city ruins, but I think I need a few more scatter terrain to make up new locations for a narrative. Rachel is letting me paint up some of the Awakened Woods she has as I have more drive to get stuff painted up for the blog. Should be done by the next game. 

And our next game will be the First Convergence, a predetermined quest for both of us. We will need to both play and win our convergence to advance our campaign. Narrative wise, I will most likely run some Slaves to Darkness or Nurgle warbands, will be nice to switch it up a bit.

Next on the Hobby Desk

I had a 35 PR Warhammer game with my friend Pilon, so that should be coming up soon once I sit down to write it. I also have the Necromunda Goliath and proxy Cawdor gangs finished, just need to create a background for them.

 

A Scarring Experience

A signal broke through the warpstorm on Delvorth. Inquisitor Mila Baff, of the Ordo Xenos, has it on good authority that the Khar Sorvi (White Scars successor chapter, Black Scars translated into mongolian via Google) are dabbling into eldar technology, trying to get into the webways to find their lost Chapter Master Jaghatai Khan who disappeared into an eldar webgate. It was assumed that he was in pursuit of an Archon that had recently attack the White Scar homeworld of Chogoris. Khar Sorvi is led by Turgen Swiftspear, he has last been sighted on Bel'Kavvek with a small scouting party. Inquisitor Mila has requested the aid of the Stoic Patrisan to hunt down Turgen and stop his heretical actions. 

My high school friend Pilon (we use his last name as a nickname) was free for a game on Monday morning and offered to host. He also has the cutest puppy right now, so of course I wanted to go see it! Which I didn't take pictures of but here is a link to his instagram which has plenty!

Pilon's head canon, Khar Sorvi are actually looking for the perfect pizza and from the state of the universe that actually might be pretty hard to come by.

Imperium on Imperium battle, not that it doesn't happen as some Ad-mech like to reverse engineer technology from Xenos factions all the time. But whenever the devout Imperial agentas come around they just wink and shake their head negatively, no of COURSE we don't do that, that's just to understand the enemy's weapons better.

This was Pilon's first game of 9th edition, we went with a 25 PR game, as I still need to paint and assemble some of the ad-mech stuff that I would like to use for the rest of my 25 PR to make it 50 or a bit over. I might start out with two patrol detachments, but I still need to kitbash my Tech Priest Manipulus as I am giving him the Skorpekh legs that Pilon was generous enough to give me.

Anyways..... the mission is Assassinate, we rolled off to see who was the defender, I was the high roll and picked to be the attacker. As I didn't think my Canoness would survive long if she was a target. The defender gains 10 points for destroying any enemy models in that battle round with their Warlord as well as 40 points if he survived. The attacker gains points for wounding the Warlord and if the Warlord is taken out, they get 50 points. As Pilon's Warlord was under 10 wounds, he would also gain one wound back on his turn and get a 6+ feel no pain.

Pilon chose First Strike as his agenda, getting experience equal to each unit's first strike tally , and I chose Breakthrough, get into the enemies territory.

The Stoic Partisans tracked Turgen down to an overgrown ruined city, Bel'Kavvek used to be dominated by the Eldar years ago, some Xenos technology might still be salvageable. The Sisters of Battle arrived on the scene, Turgen and his men were already at work sweeping the area for technology. "Turgen Swiftspear, you are to cease and desist your salvage operation. Any further actions will force us to take action, by the command of Inquisitor Mila Baff." Turgen's oversized bike squealed it's wheels. "For too long has the Imperium of Man used their narrow minded views to trap us in stagnation. We refuse to conform to your outdated ideals!" Turgen raised his spear, signalling their advance. 

Apologizes for the bright pictures, it was such a nice day outside. I tried to get pictures from the opposite side to make it looks more like the grim dark we are used to.

First round setup.

 I took the first turn, moving up some of the smaller units to hopefully slow the advance of the bikes. The battle sisters took some shots into the scout bikes, but didn't damage them.

Scout Bikes, Assault Squad and Primaris Inceptors storm the Battle Sisters with terrifying speed.

Space Marines turn, advanced swiftly into the sisters deployment zone. Several of the Repentia Squad was cut down from the Scout Bike firepower.

One is the loneliest number!

Turgen skids around in the back doing some sweet donuts.

  Hiding in the back of the battlefield, the Eliminators switch to their Mortis Rounds to take out the Penitate Engine. Wound rolls of 6 will cause a mortal wound plus the normal damage.

Drug fueled Acro-Flagellants charge across the battlefield to get into combat with the Assault Squad, almost being wiped out by their pistol fire.

Alwyn's Battle Sisters take up a defensive position as the Inceptors's jetpacks roar across the sky, landing a few feet away from them. "Ready yourselves Sisters! Our foe has lost it's faith in the Emperor, they are no more different then any Xenos we have faced before."

Plasma Exterminators are no joke!

Anime Chibi for Cherub

The Assault Squad advances on the lone Acro-Flagellant, I believe all of the Assault Marines were able to hit it, but one.... most likely because it was a corpse by then.

Repentia Sister Thessa is surrounded by the Khar Sorvi bikes, circling around their potential kill. As they close in Thessa doesn't show them any fear, only showing them why her Repentia Squad fears the lashing of her whip.

Inceptors jetpacks smash into the Battle Squadron defensive position, their hulking frame crushing one of the sisters before the assault even starts.

Father Henry in his Penitent Engine spews flames into the Assault Squad, killing off two before entering close combat, his pair of buzz blades avenging the Arco-Flagellants that were wiped out. 

Only for one of them to flee and shoot back (because ALL White Scars can do that)

Cannoness Praxima, furious, as she watched her sworn battle sisters. She leapt into battle along side Thessa, her power sword bathing her body in a bright red rage, finding purchase in the joint of the Inceptor's armour. 

The staccato sound of melts gun fire was heard over the battlefield as Mylanthra's Seraphim Squad landed on the flank of Turgen Swiftspear. Bolter pistol fore bouncing off his armour, but the infernos score a couple hits. Mylanthra, full of faith in the Emperor, supercharged her plasma pistol with reckless abandoned. The heretic needed to be punished for his crimes against the Throne.

Meanwhile...

With the Battle Sisters at half strength, they would be more prone to flee, as they would need to make a combat attrition roll after their morale test.

Mylanthra wouldn't let her prey go so easily, dogging Turgen clear across the battlefield. "Forward Sisters, we are the Emperor's judgement, his wrath and his mercy!"

First round of combat, one wound left on Turgen, failed both his saving throw, as well as a reroll, but successes on his feel no pain!

Cannoness Praxima abandons her sister's to the slaughter, trying to give the seraphims a boost to hit, maybe she is actually the heretic here. Also trying to get breakthrough for 2xp.

More White Scar shenanigans of  falling back then shooting then charging again.

By the 5th battle round, I was thinking my Seraphim's only hope was in close combat, but then Pilon reminded me that pistols can be shot IN combat. I am so used to armies that only have one pistol in the whole squad, instead of all the squad having them. This definitely won the game for me, so thank you Pilon for the friendly reminder, sorry I killed your Warlord. 

With a great cry, the Seraphim Squad rejoices in slaying the traitorous Warlord of the Khar Sorvi. The Assault Marine was unfazed by the slaying of his Captain just a couple feet away. He charged in to avenge the fallen.

The shield of faith is strong with the Seraphim, no a wound from the assault marine.

Inceptors firing at Seraphim to deny breakthrough experience and gain kills.

Canoness Praxima comes under sniper fire, then is taken out by the Inceptors, or maybe it was the snipers, either way, no breakthrough experience for the Canoness.

Barely survived...

Canoness Praxima, wounded from sniper rounds orders her troops to tactically reposition themselves. "We have done the Emperor's work and purged a great enemy of the Imperium. The Seraphim launch into the sky, covering the Canoness as they move to recover their wounded.

I really am enjoying these smaller scale games, it definitely helps figure out new armies. That being said the more I play, the more I would really enjoy adding more Seraphims, or MORE Penitent Engines! I have the Ad-mech to paint up for the rest of the list, so I don't need to worry about more Sisters for now. 

Assassinate gives the victor a battle trait, which I gave to my Seraphim, they are now headhunters, adding +1 to hit and wound against characters.I figured that was suiting narrative-wise. Father Henry got a participation award for showing up so he ranked up, and I gave him Accelerator, plus 6" to a Heavy Flamer. That's 14" which is quite nice.My Battle Sisters were my Marked for greatness unit, I almost gave it to the Canoness but she just got a relic so I figured I should spread it out.a bit.

Pilon got a bunch of points for First Strike as his bikes and Assault squad took out a unit each. No ranking up yet as it was the first game.

Next on Jon's Hobby Desk

I just played another campaign game of Warcry with Rachel so that will be coming up soon, close to finishing up the Necromunda gangs, just need to paint a few more details. Then the Glottkin or Ad-mech should be on the table once they are done.