Battle for Wooded Vale

At the mouth of the Wooded Vale, a lone rock spire, the Alexander Rock, stands sentinel. In ages past, the Wooded Vale was a thriving trade route into the Northwest mountains and beyond. Since the Goblin incursions a few decades earlier, however, the road has grown over, and the fortified Inn that once provided travelers with a safe haven has long since burned down.

Goblinoid raiding parties still occasionally sortie from the mountains through the vale; The mission of Tianiks patrol force is to intercept and destroy such raiders.

On this day, Tianiks small force encountered a large Orcish horde - perhaps too large to stop. But no matter the odds, the Honour of the Dragon Prince demanded that he halt this incursion.

Setup

Through the Wooded Vale itself, a group of Spider Riders (1) and Night Goblins (2) advanced. Down the north spur of the foothills came two Trolls (3), an Orc Boss on a boar (4), a regiment of Goblin Archers (5), a unit of Black Orcs (6) and a large unit of Orc Boyz, carrying a tattered Battle Standard (7). Already down the foothills, further to the east, came the legendary Orc Warboss Grimgor Ironhide, leading his Immortulz Black Orcs (8). On the far left flank, a unit of Goblin Wolfriders (9) and mysterious goblin warmachine (10) deployed. Behind the Immortulz, another unit of Night Goblins advanced, very cautiously.

Against the Greenskin horde, the Elves deployed their two trusty Bolt Throwers and a unit of 10 Archers on the south spur of the pass (11), overlooking the battlefield. 5 Shadow Warriors deployed in the shadow of the Alexander Rock (12). Tianik himself, riding the ancient Moon Dragon Grithgrinnir, deployed underneath the archers, to his right 8 Silver Helms (14) and a regiment of Seaguard (15) with a Battle Standard Bearer deployed. Further to the right another, smaller, regiment of Seaguard protecting the mage Alarielle deployed (16), and behind these the Great Eagle Silvertalon (17) took up position. Far to the right, hiding in the ruins of the old Inn, the Great Eagle Steelclaw lurked (17).

Orcs and Goblins

(left) The centre of the Orcish battle line

(right) Goblins lurking in the Wooded Vale

(left) The Bigboss himself, with his Immortulz, flanked by Goblin Wolfriders

(right) The Orcs on the top of the hill.

Categories	Type	Description	Points
Lord	Grimgor Ironhide
Hero	Orc Big Boss	Light Armour, Battle Standard, Martogs Best Basher, Warboss Umm's Best At	142
Hero	Savage Ork Big Boss	Axe, Boar, Amulet of Protectyness, The Collar of Zorga	125
Hero	Night Goblin Big Boss	Great Axe, Light Armour, Morks Spirit Totem	86
Core	Black Orc Boyz	10x Black Orc Boyz, Shields, Full command	178
Core	Black Orc Boyz	9x Black Orc Boyz, Shields, Full command	164
Core	Orc Boyz	19x Orc Boyz, Shields, Spears, Full command	160
Core	Night Goblins	20x Night Goblins, Spears, Full command	100
Core	Night Goblins	20x Night Goblins, Spears, Full command	100
Core	Night Goblins	20x Night Goblins, Bows	60
	Fanatic	1x	25
Special	Spider Riders	10x Spider Riders, Full command	160
Special	Wulf Riders	10x Wulf Riders, Shields, Full command	160
Rare	Trolls	2x Troll	80
Rare	Doom Diver	-	80
Sum

High Elves

(left) Alarielle Sentinels in line abreast formation, preparing to shower the greenskins with arrows

(center) The centre of the Elven formation, the Silver Helms waiting for the Seaguard to turn right and let them move forward

(right) Seaguard, with full command and a Battle Standard Bearer. To the left, Alarielle the Sorceress preparing for battle

(left) Shadow Warriors preparing to face the Goblins in the woods

(center) Tianik, Dragon Prince, resplendent on the Moon Dragon Grithgrinnir.

(right) Battle Standard Bearer and Dragon Adept

Categories	Type	Name	Description	Points
Lord/Hero	Prince	Tianik, Dragon Prince	Tianik: Lance, Armour of Caledor, Vambraces of Defence Grithgrinnir: Moon Dragon	536
Hero	Noble	Ursien, Dragon Adept	Dragon Armour, Shield, Radiant Gem of Hoeth, Battle Standard	175
Hero	Mage	Larissa of the Jade Tower	Level 2, Staff of Sorcery	175
Core	Archers	Flame Archers	10x Archer	110
Core	Lothern Sea Guard	Larissae Sentinels	11x Seaguard, Full command	157
Core	Lothern Sea Guard	Scale Seaguard	16x Seaguard, Shields, Full command	233
Special	Shadow Warriors	Shadow Warriors	5x Shadow Warriors	80
Special	Silver Helms	Caledor Long Fangs	8x Silver Helms, Shields, Full command, War Banner	224
Rare	Great Eagle	Silvertalon	-	50
Rare	Great Eagle	Steelwing	-	50
Rare	Repeater Bolt Thrower	Thorns Artillery I	-	100
Rare	Repeater Bolt Thrower	Thorns Artillery II	-	100
Sum				1998

Turn 1

The Elves took the Orcs unawares and moved forward first; Tianik flew forward as far as possible, preparing for a flank charge, trusting the forest to keep him out of sight of the goblins lurking there. The Seaguard wheeled right, making room for the Silver Helms to advance to a flanking position. The great eagles flew cautiously closer, aiming for the mysterious goblin warmachine.

The Magic phase was very uneventful - the Greenskins brought a powerful antimagic totem, and Alarielle managed to attract the attention of a foul Warp being, losing her Fireball spell, the single offensive spell she was capable of (the Sword of Rhuin being strictly a last-ditch measure). The shooting phase was just as unimpressive - everybody targeted the leftmost Black Orcs, causing a grand total of two casualties.

The Orcs, fully under control, advanced at an orderly pace, with the sole exception of the Trolls. Unable to hear the bawling of the Warboss, they trundled forward, drooling and gurgling. The goblins in the woods stayed there, since moving forward would release a Fanatic in the middle of the woods - not a good thing. The Boar Boss, however, moved up towards the Dragon, yelling threats and generally acting very self-assured.

There was no Greenskin Magic at all (so much for the Staff of Sorcery Alarielle had brought!), and shooting was limited to a shot from the Goblin warmachine - it launched a maniacally screaming Goblin with glider wings at the Elven Archers! The wind took it, however, and despite the flyers frantic attempts to hit the Sentinels instead, it crashed to the ground harmlessly (except, of course, for the goblin!).

Turn 2

Prince Tianik, despite his misgivings about the strangely confident boar-riding Orc, charged it. One of the Great Eagles still had a clear view of the Goblin-thrower, and charged it; The other Eagle swooped into the rear of the Goblin formation, intending to cause as much disruption as possible. The Shadow Warriors moved out, forming a screen against the Spider Riders coming attack, while the main units (Sea Guard and Silver Helms) mostly kept their position, allowing the Orcs to come closer before counterattacking.

Magic was a non-event, and shooting saw off a couple more Black Orcs - not very impressive.

The eagle Steeltalon dispatched the goblin crew of the Warmachine with ease, killing two and chasing the last one away before it destroyed the contraption they were crewing. The Boar Boss proved to have powerful magics protecting him, but not quite powerful enough - the combined efforts of Tianik and Grithgrinnir dispatched him, barely, before he could strike back.

The Wolf Riders and the Night Goblins suddenly decided that "Enufz enuf wid dem birdz!" and ran directly at each their own eagle. The Spider Riders ran straight through the Shadow Warriors as if they weren't there, suffering only one casualty on the way. The Trolls, still not very clear on the plan, trundled forward, straight into the rear of the Black Orcs. Much squabbling and very little progress ensued. The remaining Orcs (Boyz and Immortulz) advanced according to the Warboss' shouted instructions, and the Goblin archers turned to pepper the Dragon with shots - wounding it, too.

The two eagles were run down, and fled the field, the wolf riders following them off the field.

Turn 3

The Silver Helms charged the entangled Black Orcs, while the Seaguard regiments advanced to face the charge of the main orc groups. The Dragon ignored the goblin archers and flew into the middle of the Orc formation, readying for a rear charge.

Dragon fire killed one (1!) orc boy, and the presence of their much-feared general held them in position. The Spider Riders were thinned considerably by Bolt Thrower and archer fire, but they too stood their ground.

The Silver Helms killed a few more Black Orcs, suffering no losses in turn, but the greenskins stood firm (bolstered both by general and banner, unfortunately).

Just prior to the decisive clash

The Orcish General shouted out a ferocious WAAGH!, and both boyz and Immortulz charged their closest foes - flanking both the Silver Helms, and the Dragon! The Trolls disentangled themselves, and aligned themselves for charging the Dragons other flank. Despite the Waagh, the Goblin Archers lost their nerve and succumbed to Dragonfear - running away from the battle as fast as their short little legs could carry them.

The arrival of the Boyz turned the tide against the Silver Helms - they slew a few more black orcs, leaving only three standing, but lost two of their own number as well, broke, and fled northwest, past the Rock, followed by both Boyz and the remaining Black Orks.

Tianik challenged Grimgor to Single Combat, and Grimgor roared his acceptance. The Prince struck first, but his blows failed to penetrate the magical armour worn by the mighty Ork; Then, the Ork struck back, and were it not for the Vambraces of Defence he wore, the Prince would have fallen this day. Finally, The Dragon struck, and its mighty claws were enough to wound the Ork to within an inch of his life. Both heroes reeled, sorely wounded, and stood their ground, gathering their strength for the inevitable second round.

The Spider Riders charged the nearest Bolt Throwers on the hill, but misjudged the distance and faltered midway

Turn 4

The fleeing Silver Helms continued their panicked flight, straight into Alexander Rock, and scattered to the winds. Once again, the young nobles had failed him, and Tianik swore that he would get some proper Dragon Princes to serve as his cavalry, no matter what courtly favors he needed to call in.

The stalwart Seaguard charged the flank of the Immortulz, while the Sentinels took position to intercept the boyz, should they return.

Bolt thrower and archer fire eliminated the spider riders completely

Again, Prince Tianik challenged the Warboss to Single Combat, but this time, the Champion of the Immortulz stepped forward while his men were patching up their wounded Lord. While a formidable fighter, he was no match for Prince Tianik, who slew him with ease. The Immortulz were shaken, but stood their ground nevertheless.

The Trolls charged the rear of the Dragon, while the Wolf riders (back from their offboard birdhunting expedition) charged into the Seaguard, thinking to assist the beleaguered Immortulz. Meanwhile, the Boyz and the three remaining Black Orcs turned around to get back into the fight.

Again, Tianik issued a challenge, and again, the Warboss judged himself too wounded to risk a fight. Instead, Tianik and Grithgrinnir wreaked havoc in the Immortulz ranks, and the Seaguard slew several Wolf riders. The Trolls failed to do much damage, and in the end, all the greenskins broke and ran. Tianik pursued Grimgor and his remaining immortulz, chased them down and scattered them, while the wolf riders and the Trolls escaped. The Wolf riders, however, fled straight through the Night Goblins, who also broke and ran.

Turn 5

Tianik considered the fleeing goblins beneath his dignity to waste effort on, and turned to face the Trolls and Orks still on the field. The Seaguard and the Sentinels also dressed their formations and lined up to surround the trolls.

Bolt throwers against the trolls was only marginally effective - while a bolt did skewer a Troll, it just grunted and pulled it back out, its wound healing immediately.

The Trolls, in an unusual display of courage, decided to rally and face up to the Dragon looming over them. The fleeing goblins, however, fled the battle altogether.

At this point, the Greenskins conceded the game.

Pride of Caledor, played by Stephan