Conquest of the Black Peninsula - Warmaster - 2nd battle of Throrki's fingers 1535ic

 

The year started with Espionage as always, the Chaos Dwarves purchased no spies however their influence with Clan Eshin was clear as all 5 spies sent out by the Skaven Vanished without a trace, taking their gold with them.

An envoy from the Skaven went to Anol-A-Luk, the Stubborn dwarves were going to have none of it, shaving the envoy and killing his entourage; the Skaven Envoy returned naked and shamed. The Warlord Throt Gutter Whisker had it quietly lead away to grow its fur back in isolation.

The Deep Chaos Dwarf incursion presented a problem to the Skaven as they moved to retake the lands ands put pressure on the Chaos Dwarf Capital. The Skaven Fleets moved to blockade the Groaning River that fed the Chaos Dwarven Capital.

Skaven Strategy during this year was to enforce a sea blockade, whilst moving the two banners to sure up the salient within their empire. The ultimate plan was to cut off the Invading Chaos Dwarven army from their own Empire with the anticipation of a devastating winter retreat at the end of the year. 

The Chaos Dwarf armies deployed along the outer edges of their salient and in their capital, unleashing great magics the chaos dwarves razed the walls of the fortress of Vers-Aisle, the settlement remained however to support local troops. The Skaven deployed east of Anol-a-Luk and in their capital, trying their hands at raising an army of the Undead to hurray the Chaos Dwarves garrisoned north of Throrki's fingers, they failed to chant the correct words.

The Campaign season opened with the Skaven and Chaos Dwarf scouts tussling over territories within the salient, the Chaos Dwarves turn 4 tried to push into the Territory west of Vers-Aisle where a significant Skaven force had gathered but the army failed to find the crossing points along the river suitable enough to bring their baggage across. The 1st Skaven Banner known as the 'Skittering warhost' Scouted the Chaos Dwarf banner revealing their size (in points) and engaged the Chaos host after Successfully navigating a crossing of the Dongrande River.

The Stage was set for a clash of arms between the Vying powers, the battle was to last 7 turns.

The Second Battle of Throrki's Fingers

Simultaneous to the flanking and destruction of the Blunderbusses the Earth shaker cannon was also destroyed. The Skaven then rolled on the pursuit chart of the Mighty Empires book and came up with a '3' D6x50 further losses, however with their general dead a further d6 was rolled and the chaos dwarves lost a further 200points, leaving only a unit of Blunderbusses.

Battle losses

The Skaven were also mauled losing both plague monk units, a unit of clan rats and a unit of Rat Ogres.

The Next chapter of the Saga is to take place at the mouth of the Ithrag-Mun River, the Black Sea Entrance to Zharr-Mag-Rud (CD Capital), the Clan Fleets will now attempt to break and blockade the Chaos Dwarves.

Final thoughts

This battle was BRUTAL, the CD failed a number of important orders and only the tenacity and toughness of the dwarves but also some strong defensive terrain carried them. The Surprise bullcentaur flank charge was a masterpiece in Chaos Dwarf playing and Scott should be proud because scared the shit out of me. He almost made me rethink the whole attack and fall back.

My strategy to draw the CD into a cauldron and annihilate them would have been a great strategic manoeuvre but the tactical victory I made was just as good. I really made me think of the great potential this rule system has for integrating terrain and attrition into players strategies. Skaven are fun but I would probably not choose to play them again.