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Whilst there was a battle in the south at Throrki's fingers another battle was being fought near the Chaos Dwarf capital along the Ithrag-Mun river. Named by the Dwarves who previously lived amongst the Aquiline mountains, the name means sour water as the Volcanic tainted fresh water flows out into the polluted black sea.
The River entrance was defended by a chaos dwarf fort called the Black Fortress, whoever controlled the fortress de facto controlled all traffic in and out of the river; whilst the powerful engines, large sails and tough hulls of warships could withstand the cannons and run the gauntlet, the slow, thin hulled and civilian crewed merchant and slaver ships would be shot to pieces and the garrison could then easily overwhelm the crew from row boats.
The Skaven fleet split, the 'Poison Whiskers searats' fleet maintained the blockade whilst the 'Seaclaws' charged the estuary to take the fortress and towers whilst possibly destroying the Chaos Dwarf fleet.
Chaos Admiral Razhoul Taurabrath commanded the single remaining naval force in the empire and was tasked to hold the fort. The sea route was essential to maintain supplies to the Capital Zharr-Mag-Rud in case of a siege.
The battle was a modified scenario of Capture the Shorefort, the Chaos Dwarfs started in control of the Black fortress and had to control it end of turn 6.
The fleets were such:
The Battle Honours won in the Battle of Lyfor Headlands allowed the Skaven to add Rat Ogres to the Doombringer.
The Skaven Pushed forward from turn 1, their Warp raiders with unreliable gearing were left floundering a few times however the tried and true water wheels allowed the Doombringer and Plague Burners to surge forward; some good shooting from the Great leveller turn 1 sank a Warp raider.
Turn 2 the Taurus turned in on the Skaven Formations flanks and proceeded to sweep the decks clear of Skaven slaves aboard the Warp raider squadrons.
Turn 3 the Skaven got the initiative and advanced its Centre into the teeth of Chaos Dwarf artillery.
The Plague burners failed to kill any crews with the Censer, however the 5+ boarding strength from 3 Clanrats and Rat Ogre combo was enough to put down the Thunder Roller crew.
The Chaos Dwarfs then fired their Great leveller Damaging the Plague burners before the Skaven sailed forward with the Doom Bringer and rang that most terrifying bell. Rolling 2 6's and a 3 the Bells tune once again reached all ships like last battle, Sinking 2 Hull destroyers and doing 2 under the waterline damage to the Thunderfire battle barge as well as setting a fire in the boilers of the Great leveller, the bell also collapsed both towers and damaged the fort.
Following such a dramatic turn the Chaos Dwarfs countered by moving the Thunderfire battle barge into position in the hopes of sinking the Doom Bringer, getting 4 good shots in and damaging the hull and the front Treadwheel as well as getting a critical hit; a further roll on the captains chart getting a 5, however rolling 6 dice for the full crew complement not a single crew fell overboard drunk!
The battle concluded with a contest for the Black Fort, the first Plague Burner failed to kill any crew with its censer and the subsequent boarding action was turned away and the full crew killed in the melee. The second Plague burner closed and easily overwhelmed the tired Fortress defenders, the Rat Ogres and some Clanrat crew occupying the fortress.
The final actions of the battle were the Taurus riders diving onto the decks off the Doombringer trying to overwhelm the crews and kill the admiral, they died in vain.
Final thoughts
The Skaven List is so good once they're in close and fighting Hand to Hand, taking the fort also seals the fate of those dwarves under siege in Zharr-Mag-Rud.
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