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Quick update – should have the Herlanceian Army done in a day or so but no time for the terrain or the battle itself before Christmas. As soon as it’s done, I will post the results.
Have a good Christmas and may Ronnic show you the way.
This is the army list for the Herlanceians. Another narrative-driven army, and a little over the 3500pts I set for the game. I’ve resisted the urge to go all-cavalry as this isn’t an Orc-killing army – this is Iathil mobilising whatever troops are available to intercept the raiding forces.
Hopefully this is a balanced force able to adapt to whatever Surbag comes up with…
Figures to come soon.
“So, gentlemen,” said Colonel Normand, “everyone clear?” He raised his eyes from the map spread out on the trestle table and regarded his officers. In the cold early morning light, he could make out a mixture of excitement, confidence and, yes, apprehension. “It is always so,” he thought to himself. “First time against Orcs for most of these commanders. They damn well should be afraid.”
Aloud, he said: “Remember. We’re blocking their path. They have to go through us; we can sit tight. So we bombard them all the way to our position, then Liburnius?” The cavalry officer stiffened to attention. “You and Brovern pick your moment. I want them hit so hard the Titans will wake. All right: go to your companies and may Ronnic show us the way.”
A quiet voice next to Normand said: “Not ideal.”
Normand did not need to look: Thadalf, his friend of many, many High Moons, confidant, advisor and – when needed – battlefield Thaumaturge, had slipped past his personal guard to stand at his shoulder. The Colonel grunted in agreement. “You know me,” he said. “I’ve not time for the heroics of a fight like this.”
“We’re outnumbered.”
“Yes. Well: maybe not – who can be sure? But we don’t have the edge.”
A different voice said: “We might, Colonel.”
Thormand turned, and his first thought was: “How in Hell had something so big got so close and I hadn’t heard it?”
The red griffen, seeming to sense the drama of its entrance, spread its magnificent wings wide and raised a proud, noble head. The tall, simply-clad man standing in front of the beast bowed.
“Augun ThunderHand,” said Thormand. For the first time in days, he broke into a grin. “The 87th bids you welcome.”Surbag needs long pointies to stop their nasty charges, or they will flatten his children under their hoofs…
Ah, you spotted the weakness! I prefer narrative-driven armies, so in this case went for cheap troops in large numbers backed up by specialists. Light cavalry can be challenged by spiders reducing their mobility and bowmun whittling them down. Heavy cavalry may succeed with their initial charge but, once their lances have been taken out of the equation, Orc numbers should tell. Probably. Possibly. Um…
Pics of Surbag’s Army:
Forgot to take a pic of the Bowmun!
These are scaled at 1:2 so, when playing, just halve distances. For stability, the models are mounted on thick card which is then flocked. Seems to work well.
Next: the Herlanceians – give me a few days…
KC+DS
This is Surbag’s force. He’s proudly in front of his pack of axe=armed grunts, with the Hag and Runt to his left. The retches – thanks, Mam – are on his right. Flanking the lead pack are trolls and wolf spiders, each backed up with bowmun. At the back is a mass of Orcs, all armed with hand weapons and shields and making up the bulk of his gang. 3349 points in total.This is the Orc Army List:
Surbag’s Boys
Unit Type Qty Points
Big Dadda 1 280
Surbag, leader and sire of most of this gang. Upgraded with Great Saw Blade and light armour. The Blade is upgraded with Magic Item 26 (Sword of Forever Striking, 90pts). His skin has been enchanted with Magic Item 128 (War Paint of Oak, 20pts).
Hag 1 35
Natas. Terrified of Surbag. Probably his daughter, but if you mention that in Surbag’s hearing he will… Let’s just say he can be remarkably inventive for a Black Orc.
Runt 1 62
Dudagog. Thick, even by BLO standards, and still alive only because of his entertainment value. This may change. He carries two bottles of Bnag (Magic Item 74 (Kegs of Scolex’s Special Brew, 30pts each)).
Grunts 50 508
Nominally led by Gul-Sec, Surbag’s brother. Otherwise, the company is entirely made up of Surbag’s progeny and upgraded with heavy axes, armour and the command element. In battle, almost always led by Surbag himself and carries his personal banner (Magic Item 245 (The Overlord Banner, 70pts)).
Grunts 50 238
Led by Mazhug. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunts 50 238
Led by Bugdul-Lam. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunts 50 238
Led by Orpigig. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunts 50 238
Led by Karrghed. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunts 50 238
Led by Mug. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunts 50 238
Led by Haguk. Upgraded with the command element.
Grunt Bowmun 14
Led by Bogrum-Nug.
Grunt Bowmun 14
Led by Cagan
Retches 4 112
Led by…. Well, it tends to vary. Basically they do what Surbag tells them to, or else. All sired by Surbag and brought along because their Mam said he had to.
Wolf Spiders 4+4h 500
Led by “Web Foot” Wikuga.
Trolls 10+8h 312
Led by Dul-Rarfu The Fingerless. Don’t ask.
Totals: 3349 points 9 squares, 2 triangles, 2 diamonds, 1 starTomorrow: pictures of the army!
EDIT: the formatting didn’t seems to work very well, hope this makes sense
“Oi, Big Dadda!” came a small but incredibly irritating voice. “Yer crap!”
Without looking, Big Dadda Surbag reached down to his right. His hand came back up around the throat of a small, squirming retch, who was both struggling to breathe, bite Surbag and make rude gestures at the same time. He regarded his son for a moment. There was a polite cough then a voice behind him: “Er, Mam said -”
Surbag tossed his prisoner back into the mob of retches currently trying to wind up the wolf spiders. An occasional web ball came over, only half-heartedly punished by one of the handlers. The Big Dadda sighed and turned to Gul-Sec. “‘Ow we doin’?”
“All da mobs is lined up like yer said, Big Dadda. Fingerless has got da Trolls movin’ and da bowmun is up front.”
“Da Humans?”
“Got da scouts comin’ back nice an’ regular like yer wanted. Dey ‘aven’t moved, but lots of dem ‘orses ‘av turned up.”
Surbag grunted. “No probs. We got spidas! Oi! Natas!”
A small, bedraggled and, above all, blue figure emerged hesitantly from behind a bush. “Yeah, Big Dadda?”
“Yer got da spells?”
“Yeah, Big Dadda.”
Surbag grinned. Natas quailed under those rows of jagged teeth. “Gud. Only one fing left… Oh yeah. Oi! Dudagog!”
“Yeah, Big Dadda?”
Surbag almost jumped out of his skin. The scrawny little runt had been standing right next to him all this time and he hadn’t noticed. “Dun do dat!”
“Yeah, Big Dadda.”
“Look, Dundagog,” said Surbag, regaining his composure and grinning. “Yer wanna be a big Orc, dunt yer?”
Dundagog nodded vigorously.
“Well,” Surbag leaned down, his grin terrifyingly broad, “‘sgot a little job for yer…”Thanks for that – much clearer.
I’m going to take that “can move or shoot but not both” also applies to turning in place.
KC+DS
Love the idea behind Maboro – really, really creepy.
If there is a large selection of “common” core units, then we could build up armies made of these core units and the characters/special elements that are unique to each House.
I particularly like the idea of pitching these armies against each other – the way you have written it, each House’s army would have a distinctive flavour, unlike, say, fighting Black Orcs against each other (which is what I’ve been doing to learn the rules).
Definitely – I enjoy the creative element of fantasy wargaming and was thinking of changing my online name to Fluffer, but She Who Knows Best pointed out that ‘Fluffer’ has, um, unfortunate connotations.
BTW I’m a maths tutor but a large part of my work is correcting English – so if you want someone to proof-read anything, let me know, although I can’t promise to be quick. Also: I’m an Apostrophe Nazi.
