Orkland Campaign- Part 3
Here’s the army list I used last week:
Rethyk- Haemonculous w. scissorhand and destructor (joins Squad Jarazhi)- 45 pts
Squad Jarazhi- 18 Warriors w. 2 blasters, 2 splinter cannons, Sybarite w. agonizer- 200 pts
Squad Rukifellith- 19 Warriors w. 2 blasters, 2 splinter cannons, Sybarite w. agonizer- 208 pts
Squad Dralekh- 10 Warriors w. 2 dark lances- 100 pts
Squad Nethyr- 10 Warriors w. 2 dark lances- 100 pts
Talos- 100 pts
Ravager- 3 disintegrators - 120 pts
Total: 873 pts
This week, we were playing the Take and Hold mission -- a fact that disturbed me, since my army wasn’t really adequately built for Take and Hold.
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF RETHYK, KABAL OF THE DARKENED SOUL
After the bloodshed of the previous week, we received more reinforcements from Commouragh -- the best of which came in the form of four Ravagers. It was a good thing, too, that these reinforcements came -- are scouts informed us of these strange hill-mounds that might contain the ancient technology we were looking for. There were four such hill-mounds in our vicinity. Leaving Qelyr and a handful of warriors to defend our base-camp, I took the majority of our forces to secure these hills.
GAME 1- IMPERIAL GUARD
Platoon Command Squad- 4 Guardsmen w. 2 meltaguns, Lieutenant w. power fist
2 Squads w. 1 plasma gun each
Platoon Command Squad- 4 Guardsmen w. 2 grenade launchers
2 Squads w. 1 plasma gun each
Heavy Weapons Team - 2 missile launchers, 1 lascannon
Heavy Weapons Team - 3 autocannons
30 Conscripts
At the first hill-mound, we encountered a sizeable host of mon-keigh scum. At first glance, their sheer numbers were quite intimidating. However, I was not worried -- no mere mon-keigh could ever best and Eldar, and we had adequate support in the form of a Ravager and a Talos.
The mon-keigh began by advancing with large numbers towards the hill. Their heavy weapons at the rear of their lines opened fire, missing the Ravager and damaging the Talos with a missile. In return, the Ravager made them pay for their poor aim by incinerating the missile team with accurate disintegrator fire. The scum with the heavy weapons behind them, however, quickly opened fire, raking the Ravager with heavy-caliber shells. One lucky shot blew the leg off of the vehicle’s pilot. In pain, the pilot lost control, and the Ravager drifted into a nearby hill and exploded. Needless to say, that was quite embarrassing.
Eventually, the mon-keigh advanced further towards the central hill. As one squad got closer, however, the Talos lunged towards the nearest squad through a gap between the two hills. Unfortunately, its flailing claws failed to hit a single mon-keigh. Just as I thought the embarrassment couldn’t end, more mon-keigh squads piled in as well, with their two leaders attacking with their power fists. One of the officers was quickly sliced apart, but the other managed to rip a good chunk out of the machine-beast’s hide.
At my command, Squad Rukhifellith charged in to the aid of the Talos, their rifle-blades stabbing into soft human flesh, while the Talos quickly cut apart the officer that had wounded it. At first, it seemed like the cowards would break, but the presence of their nearby standard gave them courage, and they fought on. Humans can be quite stupid, sometimes.
Meanwhile, the rest of our squads got into combat as well: seeing that their dark lances were useless since there were no vehicles around, Squad Nethyr charged over the hill into the mass of mon-keigh irregulars on the other side, killing two. In desperation, however, the scum killed two as well. On the far right flank, meanwhile, Squad Dralekh charged across the field into close combat with a human squad, killing four of them for no loss. The damnable humans held their ground, though. Meanwhile, I led Squad Jarazhi around the flank of the hill to aid Squad Nethyr.
It was then that the humans began to bring their superior number to bear as several fresh squads charged into combat with Squad Rukifellith and the Talos. Bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued as the outnumbered warriors of Squad Rukifellith fought desperately against their numerous assailants. Slowly but surely, Rukifellith’s warriors were dragged down by the mon-keigh. One guardsmen managed to attack a pack of grenades to the Talos and, to my horror, the machine was blown apart.
Squad Nethyr, meanwhile, found itself fighting a losing battle as well, as the superior numbers of the mon-keigh began to drag them down. However, they were determined not to lose, and held their ground. Squad Dralekh, meanwhile, showed their prowess by killing more of their opponents. The cowardly mon-keigh broke and fled, but Squad Dralekh mercilessly cut them down as they ran, leaving their bodies to the carrion.
Seeing that the situation had grown desperate, I led Squads Jarazhi and Dralekh in a charge against the mon-keigh conscripts fighting Squad Nethyr. The carnage was magnificent: more than half of the scum were cut down by the rifle-blades of our vengeful warriors. The fools broke and ran, but could not outpace our swift-footed warriors, who slew them all.
We were too late to save Squad Rukifellith, however, as the last of the warriors were cut down. With discipline that belied their stupidity, their spread aout and opened fire. Massed lasfire cut down Squad Dralekh, while a squad of them raced forwards and shot down a few more of Squad Nethyr, reducing them below half-strength. Angrily, I left Squad Jarazhi and doused the mon-keigh fools with my destructor, reducing them all to primordial goo, while Squad Jarazhi ran forwards and opened fire at close range, wiping out another squad with massed splinter fire. Unfortunately, the mon-keigh were still too great in number. Bitterly, I led our remaining forces in a retreat, conceding the day to the humans.
They shall pay bitterly for this insult . . .
RESULT: LOSS
Lesson Learned: Next time, against guard I should concentrate my forces more in one area, so that the Guard will have more difficultly ganging up on me. On a side note, my Talos died when it took an unsaved wound from combat resolution -- is that unlucky or what? Plus, my opponent made an obscene number of 5+ armour saves. Stupid rotten luck . . .
GAME 2- SPACE MARINES (NIGHT GYRS)
6 Space Marines- plasma cannon
6 Space Marines- lascannon
6 Scouts- bolters, 1 heavy bolter
Dreadnought- assault cannon, heavy flamer
2 Land Speeder Tornados- heavy bolters, assault cannons
2 Land Speeder Tornados- heavy bolters, assault cannons
After calling in the second Ravager from the base, healing Rukifellith, and repairing the Talos, I led our forces to the second hill-mound. As our luck would have it, however, we found ourselves faced with yet more mon-keigh -- this time, the superhuman warriors they call “Space Marines.” Rukifellith and Jarazhi recognized the black armoured warriors as the Night Gyrs Chapter, whom they had fought before in this world (indeed, Rukifellith still bore an ugly scar where a Night Gyr’s power sword and impaled him, and was still quite bitter). Both Sybarites were determined to get even with these mon-keigh. It seemed, however, that the Night Gyrs, too, were looking for vengeance (particularly over their slain commander).
The Night Gyrs launched their attack with surprising swiftness: crude skimmers raced forwards around our flanks and opened fire. One pair mowed down Squad Dralekh in a matter of seconds, while the other reduced Squad Nethyr to a fraction of their original strength. They were about to flee, anyway, when that great lumbering walker of theirs (I believe they call it a Dreadnought) finished them off with a burst from its big gun. I angrily sliced open a nearby warrior’s throat in frustration: we were being outmanoeuvred by mere mon-keigh!
The Space Marine heavy weapons, meanwhile, were merciless -- a plasma shot damaged the Talos and killed some members of Squad Rukifellith as they moved with Squad Jarazhi closer to the hill. At my command, the Talos flung itself at the nearby Talos. The thing’s mighty fist damaged the beast-machine further, but, in return, the Talos ripped the walker’s arm from its main body in a shower of sparks.
The Ravager, meanwhile, got into an aerial duel with the land speeders on the right flank. It shot down one land speeder and damaged the second, but, in return, it eventually lost all of its disintegrators due to extreme damage. Finally, a shot from a plasma cannon downed the skimmer. I gritted my teeth in rage -- there is nothing more embarrassing than having your own skimmers beaten by crude mon-keigh imitations.
In desperation, Rukifellith led his squad against the Land Speeders on the left. Though many of his warriors fell to their vicious firepower, their blasters, in return, shot down one speeder and damaged the second. However, this left them open to fire from the Space Marines squads advancing on the hill. Though they held their ground, they lost more than half of their number.
Finally, the Talos and the Dreadnought continued to duel near the left side of the hill. Neither machine seemed able to damage the other -- the Talos’ claws couldn’t penetrate the Dreadnought’s thick armour, and the Dreadnought, in return, could inflict little damage without its power fist. Finally, the Dreadnought got close enough to press its assault cannon againt the Talos’ main body and open fire. The Talos was ripped apart in a storm of shells. I could barely contain my frustration -- why in the multitudinous pits of hell did my Talos keep on DYING like that?
Looking back to assess the situation, I saw that Squad Rukifellith was far too depleted to help Squad Jarazhi contest the hill against the three Space Marine squads and the Dreadnought. Swearing particularly vile oaths, I gave the order to withdraw. The Night Gyrs have won this round, but next time we meet, they will suffer endless agony.
RESULT: LOSS
Lesson Learned: Next time, take more Raiders. On a side note, my Talos did horribly once again -- this time, the enemy Dreadnought killed it even WITHOUT its power fist! This has been a most frustrating day.
GAME 3- BIEL-TAN ELDAR
Farseer- Guide, Runes of Witnessing
6 Striking Scorpions- Exarch w. Scorpion’s Claw
6 Swooping Hawks- Exarch w. Web of Skulls and Sustained Assault
6 Warp Spiders
4 Dark Reapers- Exarch w. Eldar missile launcher & Fast Shot
Vyper- starcannon
Wratihlord- star cannon
After I repaired the Talos even further (an act which is getting quite tiresome) and called in the third Ravager from the base, I ordered our Warriors to advance on the next hill-mound. To my frustration, once again an enemy force arrived to contest this prize. This time, however, it wasn’t mon-keigh who challenged us, but a warhost of the Biel-Tan Craft world (the same warhost that had trounced Rukifellith an Jarazhi before). Apparently, the Swordwind host knew we would be coming here (thanks to the damned Farseer that led them, no doubt), and desired vengeance for their slain kin of the Lauthelas Craftworld.
Once again, the battle started with our enemies gaining the initiative. Moving too quickly for us to follow, their Dark Reapers blasted the Ravager out of the sky, and a Vyper moved forwards and wounded the Talos with star cannon fire. Their Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks, meanwhile, moved forwards near the hill. We would have quite a fight on our hands to take it from them . . .
Squad Dralekh quickly raised their dark lances and blasted apart the Vyper, while I led Squads Rukifellith and Jarazhi towards the objective. The combined fire of Squads Rukifellith, Jarazhi and Nethyr gunned down all but two of the Warp Spiders. Seeing that the initiative was ours, I led Squad Jarazhi forwards in a charge against the Aspect Warriors.
In the brutal melee that followed, four Swooping Hawks and one Warp Spider fell to our merciless blades. The leader of the Swooping Hawks, however, was like a force of nature -- moving too fast for us to follow, he darted to and fro on swift wings, swinging his skull-flail with terrifying expertise. Seven of our warriors fell to his blows in rapid succession. Before I knew it, the skull-flail slammed into my head, and there was darkness.
From what Jarazhi told me, this Exarch single-handedly drove back her squad and cut them down as they tried to flee. Meanwhile, The Dark Reapers, under the guidance of that damned Farseer, destroyed the Talos and killed off most of Squad Rukifellith. Having seen off Squad Jarazhi, the Swooping Hawk Exarch and his remaining kinsman charged into Squad Rukifellith. Altough the last Swooping Hawk fell, the unbelievably fast and furious assault of the Exarch cut down the remnants of Squad Rukifellith. It seemed that nothing could stop this bloody-handed warrior.
The last Warp Spider, meanwhile, flew towards Squad Nethyr, but his shots were ineffectual. In return, Squad Nethyr charged the fool, stabbed him down, and swept onwards towards the hill. They were too late to save Squad Dralekh, however -- the winged Exarch charged into them, slew most of them in a matter of seconds, and cut them down as they tried to flee. As the Striking Scorpions and the Wraithlord seized the objective, Squad Nethyr, seeing that the situation was hopeless, sounded the order to retreat. Those wounded who could still walk retreated. For some reason, they did not leave me behind to die -- a fact I find most curious. I am beginning to suspect that they have something else planned for me.
RESULT: LOSS
Lesson learned: I hate Biel-Tan!
GAME 4- EMPEROR’S CHILDREN
Daemon Prince- Mark of Slaanesh, Daemonic Stature, Daemonic Flight, Dark Blade, Combat Drugs, Daemonic Aura, & some other stuff I can’t remember . . .
6 Noise Marines- assorted Noise Marine weapons, Champion w. lightning claw and power sword
-Rhino
6 Noise Marines- assorted Noise Marine weapons, Champion w. power fist and plasma pistol
-Rhino
6 Possessed- Daemonic Talos
-Rhino
After their second loss to the Swordwind host, our warriors were in worse spirits than ever. This had been their third defeat in a row today, and had succeeded only in losing more and more of their number. Many of them (especially Rukifellith and Jarazhi) began to cast venomous glances towards me. Fearing that they vent out their violent frustration on me, I led our weary forces towards the final hill-mound. If we couldn’t take this last objective, I knew that I would be dead -- the warriors would probably kill me themselves, or I would be sent back to Commoragh to explain my failure before Lord Scyrex.
As our weary warriors neared the hill, we saw another force approaching. To my annoyance, it turned out to be more Space Marines. However, given the fact that their armour was decorated with all manner of strange runes, and that they were led by a mighty winged daemon, I quickly discerned that they were, in fact, the servants of Chaos. Rukifellith and Jarazhi told me that they had fought these Chaos-worshippers before and triumphed. Perhaps we could do so again . . .
The Chaos Space Marines (who apparently called themselves “the Emperor’s Children” in mockery of their former master) moved forwards quickly in their transports. Space Marines came out of the top hatches and opened fire on Squads Rukifellith and Jarazhi with weapons that emitted terrible high-pitched noises. Several of our warriors were ripped apart -- Squad Jarazhi and I were temporarily incapacited as we tried to regain our hearing. The daemon prince, meanwhile, showing much impatience, swooped down near the hill.
This proved to be a mistake on his part: the dark lances of Squad Nethyr quickly drilled deep holes through the beast’s armour. Meanhwile, Squad Dralekh opened fire at one of the Rhino transports opposite them and blew it apart. A gang of six misshapen, mutated Space Marines clambered out of the wreckage. Given their bestial manner, it seemed as though they were possessed by daemons . . .
With a roar, the daemon prince swooped over the hill and landed next to the Talos. The beast stabbed its dark, pulsing sword deep into the beast-machine, emitting a shriek of pain that the daemon seemed to enjoy. To the daemon’s surprise, however, the Talos barrelled forward, lashing out with its claws. In a matter of seconds, the daemon prince was ripped apart. I felt like crying with joy -- finally, the Talos hadn’t died!
A Rhino nearby Squad Jarazhi, meanwhile, came to a stop. Several Space Marines came out and opened with their noisy weapons, killing a few of us and causing our ears to bleed further. Meanwhile, Squads Rukifellith, Jarazhi, and the Ravager poured fire into the possessed Marines, killing four. This didn’t seem to dissuade them much, though . . .
Squad Nethyr’s dark lances targeted the Rhino of the Squad that just disembarked, blowing it apart. The two remaining Possessed, however, charged into Squad Rukifellith. Despite being horrendously outnumbered, the two fought with horrifying ferocity, ripping four of Squad Rukifellith to shreds. In return, Rukifellith fought back, but his agonizer didn’t even slow the beasts down. As Rukifellith was batted aside and knocked unconscious, his squads broke and flew, but the two Possessed pursued them and cut them down. Howling in victory, the two blood-soaked killers swept into Squad Dralekh.
The disembarked squad, meanwhile, charged into Squad Jarazhi and killed four of them. Under my cruel stare, however, they held their ground. As the Ravager destroyed the Rhino of the squad hiding behind the hill, the Talos came charging in to our aid. In the ensuing melee, more of Squad Jarazhi fell, but in return, all of the Chaos-worshippers fell to our rifle blades, Jarazhi’s agonizer, and the Talos’ wicked claws.
Meanwhile, the Possessed Marines flung themselves into Squad Dralekh. In the ensuing melee, however, our Warriors stabbed down the two Possessed marines with their rifles blades (at the expense of four of their number) and ended their rampage.
Seeing their daemon-possessed brethren fall, the Marines behind the hill came forwards and opened fire. In a matter of seconds, Squad Dralekh was torn to shreds but the powerful Chaos weaponry.
Despite this setback, victory was in our hands: the enemy had only one squad left. Seeing this, I led the remnants of Squad Jarazhi around the hill, while Squad Nethyr and the Talos moved forwards to take possession of the hill. The Ravager flew around and killed half of the enemy squad with a well-aimed disintegrator shot. With our foes before us, I led Squad Jarazhi in a charge against the remaining warriors. Though two of our number were hacked down, in exchange all three of the enemy warriors fell under our furious assault.
With that, the battle was won. The few wounded survivors of the enemy force were quickly sent back as prisoners to our base, where I shall attend to them shortly (we shall see the limits of their tolerance to pain soon enough). Currently, our warriors are still excavating the hill -- I am getting reports that they have unearthed a metallic structure of some sort, and are trying to fully unearth it. Whatever this prize is, I’m sure that it has saved my neck for the time being . . .
RESULT: VICTORY
Lesson learned: It’s always great when a plan goes together.
