Hour 0 - Deployment
So we did indeed roll terrain, and not for lacking of trying, I did my best to accommodate the table. From bottom left, going clock wise, we have: A Wood (technically flat, the box is just the right dimensions), a mound, a small town, a small wood, a rocky shore, and a marsh. The Erainn won the deployment rolls, and went with the Marsh edge as their flank edge, forcing the Anglecynn away from the trees.
The Anglecynn opted for a Left Flank deployment, looking to set up defensively with the buildings to cover themselves from the Fir Bholg. Being new, and not 100% remembering some things, the Waewulf position was not the best.
The Erainn opted for an Advance deployment, deciding to push for the middle of the map and take advantage of the hill that the Hurlers could use, and put the Oak Beast in its natural habitat.
Hour 1
As with the openings of most battles, positioning, positioning, positioning.
The Erainn win the initiative, and immediately march the Oak beast forward into the woods.
The Waelwulfs see a foe, and charge over the Gesith to try and reach the Oak Beast. Unfortunately, they fall just short.
Unfortunately the Waelwolves charge takes them far enough to be seen by the Fir Bholh over the hill in the centre, and the General notices their eagerness at something. He orders a Hold & Volley Shoot, which results in 20 or so damage to the Waelwulfs. First blood! Though no corruption...
The Duguth advance slightly and turn to face the Erainn Commander and her troops. They set up in Shieldwall formation.
The Erainn answer in kind and advance. The Commander figures the troops wouldn't be able to cover enough ground, so instead they advance at a steady pace and the Taoisearch fires off her sling, though to little effect.
The end of the hour comes with the Gesith reforming and advancing slightly, and the werwulves moving to support the Waewolves after witnessing the volley of filth from behind the buildings.
First blood is drawn, but the melee has yet to commence. Stay tuned. (Sorry if the pictures are too big, hopefully they resize)
Hour 2Less pics this time, as we were still learning some of the rules. However, the carnage is no less brutal!
The Anglecynn win the initiative this hour, and as the Waelwolves will not be restrained, they charge the Oak beast with all their might.
While their charge is not Swift, it is no less savage, as they take a hefty 44 hit points out of the Oak Beast.
The Oak Beast immediatly retaliates, knocking two Waelwolves unconscious with its Mighty Strike, dealing enough damage to kill both and a further 20 to a third Waelwolf. Due to the "Strong" token and the amount of damage caused in return, the battle is a stalemate.
The Erainn activates the Fir Bholg/Tuanagh bound unit. Knowing the enemy lies just over the hill and that the Fir Bholg have sight of the enemy, the General orders a Charge over the hill. The Fir Bholg make contact with the walwolves, and cleave through 1 of the warriors, killing one out right. However, the General and Tuanagh fall short of the melee. (It should be noted here that we were unaware of whether or not a Weary Frenzied unit would get to make Attack Reaction in this instance. We did not consider it, being new, and as such the Waelwolves simply took the casualties) The waelwolves flay themselves for minor damage as a result of the lost combat.
The Anglecynn do not slouch however, as the Werwolf unit, led by the Werwolf Thegn, are quick to retaliate. They Charge into battle, slaying one Fir Bholg, The Werwulf Thegn deviates and attacks the Oak Beast for minor damage. One Werwolf is out of range of the Fir Bholg, so instead engages the Tuanagh to little effect.
The Erainn activate the Taoiseach and Tuanagh unit, advancing slightly forward. Sling again to little effect.
The Duguth Hold and Brace.
The Gesith move up slightly, preparing to engage the Oak Beast in the event that the Waelwolf line is broken.
"Be as brutal and as sneaky and as nasty with your list as you wish - Darklands is not pink fluffy communist Warhammer" ~Rob Lane, May 17th, 2017
