At Long Last, Some Actual Mines In Moria!

If you are a reader of this blog, you might have noticed posts for the Moria Reclamation Project have been slow lately.  This is not due to disinterest on my part.  Rather, my painting commission business has taken off with spectacular success.   Alas, the negative effect is that Moria posts are at a trickle...

But chin up, my little Dwarves!

Because in between painting hordes of Medievals, battalions of Napoleonics, and armies of Romans, I have managed to sneak in some "me" time and I have completed my Yakkum Mines from Ainsty Castings.  I just realized I didnt take a good overhead pic of how many Mine Tiles I have, but I have enough to cover a 3 foot square area.  Its a good start. 

Now to paint up some Dwarf Miners and start mining those precious metals and gems! 

So in case you have forgotten, Gimli and company have been searching for Balin by following a map...

 Left to Right (Gloin, Pickles, and Gimli)

Gimli:  Are you reading that map right?
Pickles: (turning map upside down) Umm I think so?  Then again, these mine tunnels are a pretty confusing maze.
Gloin:  Where there are mines...  there must be miners!
Gimli: Well, Pickles... keep leading the way.
Gloin: (whispering)  I heard he got lost in his own museum once...

"90% of an archaelogist's time is spent in the library. Myths can only be taken at face value. We do not follow maps to buried treasures and X never ever marks the spot."

 Left to Right (Nindalf, Pickles, and Grumpy)

Grumpy:  Watch your step!  Someone needs to patch up those floorboards there.  (grumbles) When we drive out all the monsters from Moria, theres going to be alot of renovations needed around here...
Nindalf:  I think its molecular acid that melted through the floor!  Look, I can see at least 10 levels down.  Dont lean too far, you'll fall in!
Pickles:  I think theres a junction ahead...

"Looks like someone bagged one of Ripley's bad guys"

 3 hours later...

Grumpy:  We've been walking for hours without a beer break!
Pickles:  Just a little further...

 Even more hours later...

Pickles:  I think its just around the corner.
King Gorrin:  I hope so, my arms are getting tired from holding this heavy sword at a 45 degree angle all the time!
Borax Bloodaxe:  Just be thankful you arent carrying a modern "scale creeped" weapon.

 Pickles:  I dont get it!  the secret junction is supposed to be here.
Grumpy:  Look! its a gold vein!

King Gorrin:  Make a mark on your map, Sir Pickles.  G for Gold!
 

 Grumpy wishes he could trade his hammer for a mining pick.

Nindalf: (points at the floor)  Pickles, look at your feet...  there is your secret passage...
Gimli:  Come, Dwarf Lords, gather up the rest of our forces...  Balin awaits us!


---

So, a little tease of the new terrain.
Gimli and company are still following the tracks of Balin.

Music I had playing as I was taking the photos:  Ennio Morricone - Ecstasy of Gold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7E243EqhvM&feature=youtu.be


Also, Yosemite Sam is a Dwarf, isnt he?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTWoN-gnLA8

Battle Of Waterdoom Part 3 - The Battle Ends!

Here concludes the last part of the Battle of Waterdoom and its aftermath.

 In the Chamber of Hougoumont, the Cloud of Confusion permeates everything in a big swirly haze that predates the Rave culture.  She Elves gyrate with wild abandon, Pickles and his stunties wave imaginary glow-sticks as the bass music booms with earth shattering intensity...  everyone is moving, except poor Hodor, who is now getting motion sickness.  Poor lil fella...

Basically, no one is getting in or out of this Chamber. However, since the Elves are the closest to the VP, they still control this location.

Meanwhile outside, the remnants of Hodor's mercenaries flee the hellish memories of that place.

 Grom moves up the left flank as he watches Alric who has been backing away all this time, suddenly surprise the Dwarves with a charge at Gloin's unit! Grombrindal prepares to smash that Elf-witch ahead!

Porkins: We've caught a witch, may we burn her?
Sir Bedevere: How do you know she is a witch?
Porkins: She looks like one!
Sir Bedevere: Bring her forward...

 Gloin is suddenly at the center of swirling blades!  The Anti-Paladins are highly skilled with their deadly blades.  Suddenly the unthinkable happens!  Gloin falls as Lord Alric and his magic blade cuts him down.  2 other Dwarves also fall and 2 Dark Elves as well.  They fall back as the Dark Elves lap around their flanks!

 Gimli maneuvers up the center and still clings to hope that they can win this!  He hasnt yet seen his father Gloin fall in combat.

Gimli:  At my challenge, by the ancient laws of combat, we are met at this chosen ground, to settle for good and all who holds sway over the five points: us natives, born rightwise to this fine land, or the foreign hordes defiling it.

Nindalf uses a Heal spell to bring Baron Hawk back up to his max wounds.  Feeling invigorated, Baron Hawk and his Dwarves charge a surprised Ember!  He didnt think he could be charged, but there was no difficult terrain to slow them down.  The Baron brings the Dragon down to 2 wounds left!  Ember strikes back and causes 2 wounds in return to the Baron.  Whew!  If Nindalf hadnt healed him earlier, the Baron would have fallen!  Nice job, Nindalf!

 Captain Drogo and the last of his Dwarves advance only to fall to the ground as they succumb to the poison fumes of the Green Dragons!  Vermithrax hopes he did well in this battle and that his mistress is proud of him.  Custard nudges him, reminding him that the battle isnt over yet.  Noob!

 Up on Papelotte, Wallace finally charges the Dark Elves who countercharge back. One dwarf falls, but they kill 2 in return.

As Gloin's unit loses another combat and fall below half strength and subsequently rout, Alric decides not to pursue and instead backs up, knowing what the capabilities of his Countess are.  Alyssa walks right up to the VP and casts a game breaking spell...  have you guessed it?

She casts Skirriks Pentagram!  It creates a 2" bubble forcefield around her that no one can pass, not even missile fire, nor magic.  It remains in play as long as she remains stationary.

 Gimli who learns of his father's fate takes half of the Dwarf Lords and frustratingly looks at the Dark Elf Witch, who has a glum snide look on her face, as she blows raspberries at the scowling Dwarves.  Not only is she out of reach, but the VP is too!

 King Gorrin leads the other Dwarf Lords and charges the Swamp Pit.  Will they fare better than the Reaper Clan?

 Finally, up on the hill, Wallace and his last remaining companion fall beneath a storm of blades.

As they fall, Wallace yells out:  FREEDOM!!!

 Gimli looks towards Nindalf and they both realize the victory conditions may be out of reach.  They need 3 to win.  VP 1 is in a Cloud of Madness, VP 2 is under a forcefield.  Which means to win they must take the 2 in the center, which is still possible, but also take the hill of Papelotte.  As they look up at Papelotte, they hear the final deathcry of Wallace...  things look decidedly grim.

King Gorrin and the Dwarf Lords are holding their own against the Green Dragons.

 But with Wallace gone, the Shadowfire Cultists reform into line to maximize their 36" range of fire that will rain down on the Dwarven center.

 On top of which, horns and drums sound as the Orc roll is made.
Greenskins approach from the Southeast!

 Greenskins approach from the Northeast as well!
Its Muffling!  And as he promised, General Gragg has arrived with his army.

With no hope of victory, Gimli himself orders a general retreat!
The Old Guard has broken~!
The cry resounds throughout the battlefield.
Some valiant Dwarf units form square to help the others get away safely.

Gimli:  Its my fault.
All the Dwarves: No sir!  
Gimli:  Hear me please, friends.  It is entirely all my fault!
All the Dwarves: No sir!
Gimli:  I thought we were invincible. We must rest now and fight another day.
All the Dwarves:  Let us hit them again, sir! Let us reform and hit them again!  This time we can break them!
Gimli:  There will be another day.  Meanwhile, let us show good order.  Never let them see you run!

 As the Dwarf army falls back, Gimli is happy to see Pickles has survived.

Pickles: General Gimli, sir!  While we are now cutoff from going back to Easthold, I was thinking we are close to the secret passage that leads to... wherever it is, that Balin went.

Gimli:  So be it!  We will take our wounded and take the secret ways to Balin.  There we will rest and try to get back to King Kazador and Easthold later.  I hope they will be ok without us.
(he motions to Baron Hawk)

Baron Hawk: Yes sir?

Gimli:  I know you love your bird, but I must ask you to send him with an urgent message to Easthold.  Tell them what has happened here and that we are going to continue our search for Balin.  Hopefully, we can bring him and whatever forces he has to help our cause.  In the meantime, tell King Kazador I wish him the best of luck in defending Easthold.

Baron Hawk:  (looks at his bird companion wistfully)  Of course sir!  The message will be sent!

Meanwhile, two unlikely allies meet in the middle of the battlefield.  But for how long will they be allies?  After all, Gragg the Elf-Slayer isnt particularly fond of pointy eared folk...

Lord Commander Alric:  Ummm,  Hi!
Gragg:  ...
Ambassador Muffling:  The General says we are most happy to have helped crush the Dwarves, and hopes that the future of our two races will be one of cooperation and mutual admiration...
Gragg: ...
Countess Alyssa:  The Lord Commander feels that Starfleet's mission has always been one of peace.  Let us drink a toast. To the undiscovered country! (everyone looks at Alyssa)  Peace.
Everyone:  To peace!
Gragg:  ... 
Ambassador Muffling: I thought Klingon ale was illegal...

------------

OK, lets cut the scene there, before more wires get crossed!

Some final thoughts on Warhammer 1st edition...
The "to hit" chart is different.  Equal WS vs WS is 5+ to hit, instead of the 4+ Im used to.  But charging gives a +1 modifier.  Countercharging negates this modifier.  Also, if your unit is flanked, you get a -2 to hit modifier as well.  Since winning a combat allows you to flank 2 models this helps you win future combats.  But you must have models from a second rank to use as flankers.  As the loser, you may also pull models to face the flankers, thus avoiding the flank penalty.

Also, there are no rank bonuses!  Having that second rank helps in the above situation.  Its fiddly and I dont like it!  The later editions rank bonus do nearly the same job, but are more streamlined.

I do like the pushback 2" rule, I will keep that.  Keeps the battle lines look more battle-like, with units pushing each other all over the place.

Also, if a unit is pushed back "x" amount of times they become routed.  x = 4 for Elves, and 5 for Dwarves.  Interesting, but since I was using such small numbers for units, they didnt stick around that long anyway.

Morale checks only happen at falling under half strength, when the Army Leader is killed, or for an individual model on its own when it is wounded.

I personally like the random spell generation, it feels like D&D without having to play D&D. 

And some final thoughts on what is happening fluffwise...

I guess Balin is coming sooner than later.  Im trying to think what happens next...  either we continue our focus on Gimli and company OR focus on Easthold and whats happening to them pre-siege.  I will roll a die here...  It is done, the dice gods have spoken, the next post is about Easthold and King Kazador!  I think I see a scenario forming already!  Yup, something about "dungeon meats"!

Until next post,
Mar

Battle Of Waterdoom Part 2 - The Battle Begins

So the Dwarves tentatively move forward into Waterdoom Cavern... and then seemingly out of nowhere, the Drow appear!  
At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge. 

Hmm, those Drow are all in black and hooded, coincidence? I think not! 

In the Chamber of Hougoumont, Countess Alyssa and her She-Elves jump down and take VP1.
Slithers the Chaos Hydra is nearby to protect her mistress.

Countess Alyssa, Level 2 wizard:
14 constitution points
Level 1 Spells
- Detect Hidden Doors: useless here
- Curse:  cool, but also useless.  Target gets warts, green nose, baldness, silly walk, and an outrageous accent!
- Flight: 3 energy, fly up to 12".  Nice, could be useful.
- Far Sight: useless here
- Gift of Tongues:  useless in this battle, but extremely fluffy (She does talk Dragonese)
Level 2 Spells  (Now for the good stuff!!)
- Rooted To The Spot: 4 energy, lasts 7 turns, target cannot move or attack
- Thunderhand: 2 energy, x3 attacks @Str6, lasts until caster is wounded
- Skirriks Pentagram: 5 energy, creates a 2" radius around the caster that no one can enter including missiles or magic.  Lasts as long as wizard remains stationary.  Only a Balrog, greater Demon, or Liche may attempt to break it (d6 roll of 6 per turn).  Nice!  but it is pricey, energy-wise.

Immediately, Alyssa casts Thunderhand to increase her combat attacks!

Up above on the Western side Nimbus gets posted.  He is ready to sniper shot some unlucky Dwarf below with a Lightning Blast from his electrified maw.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Oona looks to flank the Dwarves.  Ive decided that Oona is too young a Basilisk to have her "Turn to Stone" ability just yet.  But she is fast, and has plenty of bite attacks!

Lord Commander Alric and his Anti-Paladins move forwards and take VP2.  The mossy ground of La Haye Sainte is difficult ground, but Dark Elves are adept and able to move full speed through it.  That speed advantage could come in handy in the future.

Ember, the Fire Dragon guards VP 3, and with a fire breath attack range of 24", he can still contribute some firepower in the field.

VP 4 is guarded by the two Green Dragons Vermithrax and Custard.  They are looked after by Grigori the Alchemist and Master of Poisons.  Should the Dragons get ouchies, he can toss a healing potion their way!  Ive made him a custom magic user with 4 healing and 1 bloodlust spell abilities.  Bloodlust gives the target Frenzy - double attacks but must move towards closest enemy.

Channard Cenobite: The doctor is in!

And finally, on the rise of Papelotte, Magister Ludi and his Shadowfire Cultists have a good view to rain arrows, magical bolts, ninja stars, and other pointy objects on the Dwarves.  To simplify things, Ive streamlined all their various missile ranged abilities and decided they count as a crossbow armed unit.

Overview.  The Drow look outnumbered.  But lets not count out the power of Dragons.

Hodor charges Alyssa and Slithers before overthinking the situation.  Pickles enters the room and wheels left to face Nimbus.

Hodor slays one elf, but Alyssa slaughters 2, and Slithers filets another tasty Dwarf.  The Dwarves are pushed back 2", The Drow follow up but cannot lap around due to the terrain.  Regardless, things are looking dire for Hodor's mercenaries.

Grombrindal thinks about entering the Chamber to help Hodor and Pickles, but Gimli gives orders to hold and be patient.

Gloin continues forward towards the Anti-paladins.  Nindalf supports Gloin's advance and casts 2 Fireballs, one of which burns one elf into toast. 

Baron Hawk and his main assault seem to be marching too slowly into the mouth of madness and probable death by Dragons's breath.  But duty calls!

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
    Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
    Rode the six hundred.

Its rough going for Wallace up that steep climb and at the top... death awaits them all with big pointy teeth!

Back in Hougoumont, the results are in... Hodor takes a wound, and 1 Elf falls as well. Which means a stalemate.

Oona the Basilisk slithers around the Dwarves and is ready to pounce on their backs!
To make things worse, Alyssa casts Rooted To The Spot on Hodor and the poor Dwarf is frozen solid.  The only thing he can move are his eyes.

Nimbus positions himself for more sniping and fries one of Pickles' tunnel fighters.

Meanwhile in La Haye Sainte, Lord Commander Alric backs up a bit, just out of charge range of Gloin.

Lord Commander Alric:  Let the Dragons do their work.  The army will fall back behind the reverse slope!

And boy do the dragons live up to their hype!

Ember has a 2" x 4" template that is Str6 and -3 to Save.  Which simply means auto death for normal rank and file troopers!  To be fair I judge that the short end of the template must face the Dragon.  Even so, he still manages to charbroil 4 Reaper Clan Dwarves. Red Dragons FTW, if he can keep that up every turn!

Custard and Vermithrax spit their poison clouds and 2 Dwarves in Captain Drogo's succumb to poison, and Drogo himself loses 1 wound out of the 2 that he has.  Poison is less spectacular being a simple Str 2 attack against everyone under its template 

On Papelotte, 2 of Wallace's Dwarves are perforated by Dark Elven missile fire.

Dragon's eye view from the Swamp Pit.  Those Dwarf lines are not as impressive as last turn.

Hodors unit finally falls below half strength and they rout!  All except poor Hodor, frozen in place, he looks about frantically in horror, surrounded by vicious Elves and a hungry Hydra.

Pickles had decided to help Hodor's Mercs, but finds his unit alone and outnumbered.  But still, he manages to kill 1 more Elf!
Now's not the time to be looking at maps, Pickles!

Nindalf has a hard decision to make.  He has just the spell to save Hodor and Pickles, but the main assault in the center is faltering from Dragons fire.  What to do?!  Gimli gives his permission to save the Dwarves in Hougoumont, because if they fall, Dragons and She Elves will be flanking the main assault anyway.

Nindalf agrees and casts Mystic Mist into the Chamber of Hougoumont!

Everyone in the room (except for the routing mercenary Dwarves) suddenly gets enveloped by a magical cloud, as thick as pea soup.  Which means, that units in the cloud are subject to only moving 1" randomly on their turn.

Gloin valiantly plods onwards unable to catch the nimble Elves.

Gloin:  Stand and fight you pointy eared blueberry muffins!

Baron Hawk and Captain Drogo lead the Reaper Clan forwards getting closer to VP4, but will they survive another round of close range Dragonfire? 

Wallace and his warriors are so close to getting those pesky cowardly Elves! 

Murderous Dragonfire once again blasts the ever decreasing Dwarven assault.  Baron Hawk himself is wounded and 3 more of his Dwarves are burnt to a crisp.  Drogo's unit loses 2 more as well.  Both the Reaper Clan units are under half strength and must take morale checks.  Thankfully, they pass their tests.  It helped that they still had heroes leading their units.

Wallace loses 2 more warriors!  He is now down to 3 and must take a morale test.  They pass, barely.  Wallace and his men know they will not survive, but they take comfort that at least they helped the main Dwarven assault in the center, even if only a little bit.

Wallace and his men:  ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH!

Countess Alyssa gets tired of being in the stupid poofy cloud and casts a Flight spell, taking her right out of Hougoumont Chamber and right next to VP 2.   She quickly assesses the situation.

Countess Alyssa:  Ok, that Dwarf unit must be stopped from getting VP 2, and then...
(her eyes scanning the scene and stops on a certain Dwarven wizard)
Alyssa:  Ahhh... there you are!


Next post:  The Battle Ends!