Campaign I: Saduk - Eleventh TurnAshley Malkus and Konstanz ScriptorMalkus waits patiently for orders
Konstanz looks around him wide-eyedly, wondering what is going on, and waits for new orders.
The Valkyrie lifts off, with a friend in tow. The thing shakes uncomfortably, but her passengers do get used to it after a while. Calhose rolls past below, the streets empty except for a few Guardsmen and members of the local militia. The Guard camp, in contrast, has exploded in activity. The troops seem to be entrenching themselves around the city, building barricades, gun-nests and various emergency depots. Even over the hum and roar of the engines one can hear distant explosions from the exercise fields, and sporadic gunfire from small-scale skirmishes all around the ever-moving Imperial line. The Lord-Commander isn't taking any risks.
[6] 'You did well out there. From what I hear, you may have just decided the fate of this battle in our favor.' Coazan says, uncharac, gesturing towards the formations of Imperial Battle Tanks scouring the exercise fields below off any stragglers. 'Still, your actions led to Saun's death. That seems punishment enough, so I will speak of it no more.'
The Valkyries continue on past the fields, the landscape below turning into a thick blanket of green and brown, broken only by twisting roads and the occasional building. Most of Saduk has been turned over to agriculture and various livestock, but this region is still heavily forested. The governor apparently thought they would be more pleasing to the eye than endless fields for tourists, but no-one rich enough to travel off-world bothers with a backwater like Saduk anyhow. Every now and then, the psykers see - or sense - xenos or human lifesigns in the forest below them, sometimes engaged in combat with eachother.
[4] 'Approaching Regun.' the pilot reports, prompting the Overseer to join him in the cockpit. The name says nothing to the psykers. [3] 'Damn!' the pilot says, loudly enough for his passengers to hear. 'We've picked up two alien craft. Hang on. This is going to get rough.'
Reaching out slightly, the psykers can feel two alien minds approaching fast from the east. To their surprise, Regun, which appears to be a relatively large town - for agriworld standards, atleast - is also crawling with xenos. It practically glows with their corrupting influence. This could be bad.
AlliesValkyrie 'Monster Two' at 500/500 HP with Multilaser [6/6] and Hellstrike Missiles [2/2],
banking right to face the Vypers.
Disciplined.Valkyrie at 500/500 HP with Multilaser [6/6], Hellstrike Missiles [2/2], Heavy Bolter [8/8], Heavy Bolter [8/8],
following Monster Two.
Disciplined.Enemies2 Eldar Vypers with Brightlances [2/2] and 2 Shuriken Catapults [8/8],
approaching from the south. Fast SpeederAboard a Valkyrie on the roof of Calhose ManorKonstanz ScriptorHP: 15/15
Equipment: Force Weapon, Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: Imperial PsykerFaction: Imperial Guard
Aboard a Valkyrie on the roof of Calhose ManorAshley MalkusHP: 15/15
Equipment: Force Weapon, Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: Imperial PsykerFaction: Imperial Guard
Sergeant Grygur Urugur and Sergeant Micelus AbbarGet the Chimera to attack the banshees there. If the banshees try to attack, accelerate and charge at them while still shooting. Three of my men will provide suppressing fire on the banshees while the other half(including melta gun) will follow Urugur's lead.
"Kill 'em all!"
Focus fire with Heavy Bolter and Inferno Cannon on Banshees. With a bellowing roar cry, rally all the Guardsmen in the farmhouse to me, all who can are to Lightning Assaulting the Guardians (I'm presuming there isn't the space for us to fire first and then charge? I'd like to if possible). Urugur if possible to perform the "chainsword hilt to the face, bring the blade up and then decapitate the reeling Xenos on the diagonal down stroke" kata.
The battle for the farmstead reaches its climax. While still fighting the Eldar Guardian, Sergeant Urugur issues an incredibly rapid series of orders, followed shortly by his comrade Abbar. The Imperial troops rush to follow their commands, proving the rigorous training of the Guard has done its work.
[CRs:3/5] Out beside the left side of the farmside, Abbar's Chimera accelerates, [Dodges:6/6] firing wildly with both weapons. The Banshees don't even flinch, standing through the firestorm. None of the shots hit, almost if the bullets were afraid of the Eldar.
[Tactic: Focus Fire][Leadership:1-1=1] The insane speed of Urugur's commands proves too much for the Hellhound crew, who misunderstand him and hold fire. The Banshees are no doubt grateful. Urugur doesn't have time to repeat his orders, [5+1=6][Dodge:4] parrying a quick horizontal slash from his alien opponent. [5+1=6][Dodge:3] He replies with a quick punch against the Guardian's helm to throw him off-balance [Damage:10-12=0] and cuts into him with the teeth of his blade. The Eldar's armor holds, [4+1=5][Dodge:2] but Urugur isn't done yet. He slams the hilt of the still-active chainsword into the Eldar's shoulder, and cuts sharply left. [Damage:35] The xenos' head goes flying with a satisfying trail of blood, rolling out of the door and to the feet of a wounded Eldar, just arriving inside.
[Tactic: Suppressing Fire][Leadership:3-1=2] Abbar's men have given up on even listening to his orders by now, [2+1=3] but it hardly matters. The Banshees outside continue breaking down the walls, but only one manages to get in. He's met by one of Grygur's men and three of Abbar's soldiers. [CRs:4+1=5/6+1=6/6+1=6/2+1=3] The hiss of las-fire fills the air, [Dodges:5/6/4/3] but despite the considerable amount of fire, only a few shots hit. [Damage:15-6=9][CR:1+1=2] She reels back, almost falling back out of the farmstead before gathering her wits [CR:5+1=6] and unleashing a psychic shriek of pure terror that freezes her opponents into place. [Dodge:5-1=4][Dodge:6-1=5] Trooper Cloah, Urugur's man, proves to have much stronger willpower than the Eldar's usual victims. He dodges both blades and leaving the Eldar slightly dumbfounded.
[Tactic: Lightning Assault][Leadership:6-2=4] On the other side of the farmstead, Sergeant Grygur sends his troops charging at the Guardians. The sudden speed and ferocity of the assault would be enough to paralyze even a much greater foe, and the Guardians don't stand a chance. [CRs:5+1=6/4+1=5/4+1=5/3+1=4] The Guardsmen roar as they charge, inspired by their sergeant.
[Dodges:3-1=2/5-1=4/4-1=3/4-1=3] The Eldar are capable melee combatants, and fight back despite the shock of the assault. [Damages:10/3-3=0/10-3=7] Dusinin drops down and plunges his knive into his opponent's knee, bringing him down for another slash across his helm. Beside him, Masiq fights with another style entirely - rather than use dirty down-hiver tactics, the spirenoble's son fights like he was fencing, finishing off a wounded Guardian after a showy duel. The third fighter is less lucky, the Eldar armor deflecting the blade of his Knife.
[CRs:2+1=3/1+1=2/5+1=6/1+1=2/3+1=4] Then Abbar's squad opens fire, [Dodge:4/1/1] and while his own volley goes wide, his men are much more accurate. They finally prove their worth, [Damages:8+6=14/247+90=337] Trooper Lamaan cutting into one of the Eldar with his Lasgun - and the Meltagunner vaporizing another and a chunk of the wall and several tonnes of mud beyond in a single blinding flash of light.
[Eldar CRs:5+1=4/3+1=4/1+1=2] The surviving Eldar ignore the gunners, focusing on the nearer threat of Urugur's men. [Dodges:1/2] The Guardsmen, surprised they're actually still fighting back, fail to evade their blades in time. Dusinin gets a Combat Blade embedded in his helmet, [Damage:9+6=15] while the third fighter [Damage:2] simply gets cut across his arm.
[CRs:3+1=4/4+1=5/6+1=6] The melee battle continues, [Dodges:5/4/4] blows being dealt on both sides with little visible effect.
[6] The Eldar seem determined to fight on to their no-doubt grisly ends.
Enemies1 Eldar Guardian with Shuriken Catapult and Combat Blade,
fighting the lower-building Guardsmen, Close Range.
Disciplined.
1 Eldar Guardian at 6/30 HP with Shuriken Catapult [5/6] and Combat Blade,
fighting the lower-building Guardsmen, Close Range.
Disciplined.
1 Eldar Guardian at 5/30 HP with Shuriken Catapult [4/6] and Combat Blade,
fighting the lower-building Guardsmen, Close Range.
Disciplined.
1 Eldar Howling Banshee at 21/30 HP with Power Sword and Shuriken Pistol,
fighting the left-side Guardsmen, Close Range.
Melee Specialist.
Banshee Mask2 Eldar Howling Banshees with Power Swords and Shuriken Pistols,
hacking away at the left-side wall, Close Range.
Melee Specialist.
Banshee MaskLocked in combat with an Eldar GuardianSergeant Grygur UrugurHP: 11/25
Equipment: Lasgun
[6/6], Laspistol
[3/3], Chainsword
Known Perks: DisciplinedFaction: Imperial Guard
Deathspear Squad1 Guardsman at 23/25 HP with Lasgun [6/6] and Combat Knife,
fighting the Guardians.
Disciplined1 Guardsman with Lasgun [5/6] and Combat Knife
fighting the Banshee at the left side.
Disciplined1 Guardsman at 10/25 HP with Lasgun [4/6] and Combat Knife,
fighting the Guardians.
Disciplined2 Guardsmen with Lasguns [1/6] and Combat Knives,
fighting the Guardians Disciplined1 Hellhound at HP 550/650 with Inferno Cannon
[1/3] and Heavy Bolter
[4/8],
rolling down the left side of the farmstead.
In the lower part of the farmhouse, In CoverSergeant Micelus AbbarHP: 25/25
Equipment: Lasgun
[4/6], Laspistol
[3/3], Chainsword
Known Perks: DisciplinedFaction: Imperial Guard
Talons of Bryndis Squad2 Guardsmen with Lasguns [5/6] and Combat Knives,
in the lower part of the farmhouse, fighting the Guardians.
Disciplined1 Guardsman with Lasgun [4/6] and Combat Knife,
in the lower part of the farmhouse, fighting the Guardians.
Disciplined3 Guardsmen with Lasguns [5/6] and Combat Knives,
fighting the Banshee at the left side.
Disciplined1 Guardsman with Melta Gun [0/1] and Combat Knife,
in the lower part of the farmhouse, fighting the Guardians.
Disciplined1 Chimera at 397/500 with Multi-laser
[3/6] and Heavy Bolter
[5/8],
rolling down the left side of the farmstead.
Laric and Markon JoanosFollow Stalos, reload heavy bolter, prepare to support him if needs be.
Follow Dsarker and Stalos
Captain Stalos leads the Imperial lines forwards. They make their way across the exercise fields and towards the forest edge. As they approach, [6] Eldar appear from their hiding places and flee, only to be cut down before they can take more than a few steps. Stalos amused laughter fills the vox. He trades jokes over the roar of Exterminator-fire. The vegetation in the forest is too thick for them to travel quickly, and the Captain seems to realize this. He announces his intention to 'piss on the corpses of these things', but [6] Colonel Iones' always-grim voice comes online.
'Return to base immediately, Captain. We can't have half of our armoured force running around alone Emperor knows where.' he says, either not realizing he's using the company-wide channel or doing the very thing on purpose.
'But we've got them on the run!' Stalos exclaims. 'We can't stop now!'
They argue for a good five minutes more, but Laric and Joanos tune out of it. It looks like they won't see any more action today.
On the exercise fieldsIron CobraHP: 109/1400
Equipment: Plasma Cannon
[2/3], Plasma Cannon
[3/3]Known Perks: Lumbering Behemoth,
Incompetent DriverFaction: Imperial Guard
On the exercise fieldsDestructum PeccansHP: 490/1300
Equipment: Battle Cannon
[1/1], Heavy Bolter
[8/8], Heavy Bolter
[2/8], Heavy Bolter
[3/8]Known Perks: Lumbering Behemoth, Piece of JunkFaction: Imperial Guard
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I was actually surprised that micelus didn't completely fail his Leadership, just mostly. Man, this battle is great to write and roll for. I'm enjoying it so much.
Dsarker, you don't really have anything to do anymore, sorry. Unless you can think of something you'd like to do, I'm gonna cut you out and let you choose your Battle Honours in advance. Sorry, but that armoured battle was supposed to go on for a little longer than it did... >_>
Because I'm so generous and handsome and everything, I'm gonna let you have
2 Battle Honours instead the originally planned 1. Feel free to go over the list and choose anything you want. Everyone else may want to wait until the Battle is done for everyone. The list is
here.