Return to Morrstadt
Epic Battle
“Just as I predicted . . . “Weiss murmured, before waiving away the enquiry of his aide before it could even be made. Before him lay a wasted land. Once verdant fields lay unattended, their bounty overgrown and prey to rot and ruin. Fences, walls, carefully tended gardens now lay spoiled and neglected. The swirling mists that once had held the promise of a bright day beyond, now lurked in lambent eddies in the bog-laden folds of the rolling ground, while sharp pincers of rock punctured the heaving earth.
It had been 18 months since Leopold Weiss had stood on this exact spot. On that day he had had a Panther by his side, and had promised to defend the people of these lands. How badly he had failed them. Now the Panther lay in his tomb with his son by his side. “And they are the lucky ones” he mused.
The people of Morrstadt had had no such fortune. Without realizing, they had damned themselves forever. They had accepted a false savior who had enslaved their souls: beguiling the living with promises of false hope; and shackling the dead to walk at his twisted will. “I should have slain him that day,” Weiss said aloud, turning for the first time to his swarthy companion, “He has much to answer for.”
The Dwarven Longbeard at his side ran a calloused hand along the blade of his intricately etched war-axe. “A grudge,” he said, his voice a deep basso rumble, “is the most potent of spurs, and the greatest of glories when redressed.” The Dwarf stood tall for his kind, yet did not approach Weiss’ shoulder in height. His black leather tabard was woven about with coiled strands of bronze and copper, which glinted boldly against his oil-black mail and blue-limned plate. A mighty scar slashed an angry path across a face of deep ridges and bristling beard, forming an ‘X’ with the embossed leather band of the patch that concealed the ruin of his left eye.
“Then let us do so.” Weiss said flatly. He turned away from the dour landscape, needing no more sight of it to sicken his already dark humour. The deep satchel trailing from his hip twitched and skuttered, and his hand strayed to the clasp at its lip. “We know he is here, and where he awaits.” He met the Dwarf’s gaze for the first time’ “And what he has done to us both.”
Battlefield
The battlefield once again represents the uplands surrounding the village of Morrstadt. The outskirts of the town and its western gate run along one long edge of the field, whilst the ruined tower of The Rookery stands at its northernmost point.
Armies
Weiss’ avenging army is made up of three components, each of 4000 points. There is Weiss’ own Empire contingent, a Dwarven contingent and a contingent of Tyrant Locky’s Ogre Mercenaries.
Darius’ forces are also made up of three contingents, again each of 4000 points. The first are the Darius’ Risen: a collection of undead Empire warriors and their officers and war machines. The second are the once-proud Empire regiments of Morrstadt itself (the Fallen), now ready to take up blade against the invader, even if it be the men of Sigmar himself. The third are the sinister host: the forces of Chaos who lie behind this battle between brothers.
See here for details of these army lists.
Deployment
The Risen and Fallen deploy all units on the walls of morrstadt and in the rookery (Darius deploys here) first. The chaos forces also deploy all their forces in their deployment zone (excludign flanking forces)
The Empire, Dwarf and Ogres deploy their entire army (excluding flanking forces)
The remaining risen and fallen are deployed inside morrstadt.
It had been 18 months since Leopold Weiss had stood on this exact spot. On that day he had had a Panther by his side, and had promised to defend the people of these lands. How badly he had failed them. Now the Panther lay in his tomb with his son by his side. “And they are the lucky ones” he mused.
The people of Morrstadt had had no such fortune. Without realizing, they had damned themselves forever. They had accepted a false savior who had enslaved their souls: beguiling the living with promises of false hope; and shackling the dead to walk at his twisted will. “I should have slain him that day,” Weiss said aloud, turning for the first time to his swarthy companion, “He has much to answer for.”
The Dwarven Longbeard at his side ran a calloused hand along the blade of his intricately etched war-axe. “A grudge,” he said, his voice a deep basso rumble, “is the most potent of spurs, and the greatest of glories when redressed.” The Dwarf stood tall for his kind, yet did not approach Weiss’ shoulder in height. His black leather tabard was woven about with coiled strands of bronze and copper, which glinted boldly against his oil-black mail and blue-limned plate. A mighty scar slashed an angry path across a face of deep ridges and bristling beard, forming an ‘X’ with the embossed leather band of the patch that concealed the ruin of his left eye.
“Then let us do so.” Weiss said flatly. He turned away from the dour landscape, needing no more sight of it to sicken his already dark humour. The deep satchel trailing from his hip twitched and skuttered, and his hand strayed to the clasp at its lip. “We know he is here, and where he awaits.” He met the Dwarf’s gaze for the first time’ “And what he has done to us both.”
Battlefield
The battlefield once again represents the uplands surrounding the village of Morrstadt. The outskirts of the town and its western gate run along one long edge of the field, whilst the ruined tower of The Rookery stands at its northernmost point.
Armies
Weiss’ avenging army is made up of three components, each of 4000 points. There is Weiss’ own Empire contingent, a Dwarven contingent and a contingent of Tyrant Locky’s Ogre Mercenaries.
Darius’ forces are also made up of three contingents, again each of 4000 points. The first are the Darius’ Risen: a collection of undead Empire warriors and their officers and war machines. The second are the once-proud Empire regiments of Morrstadt itself (the Fallen), now ready to take up blade against the invader, even if it be the men of Sigmar himself. The third are the sinister host: the forces of Chaos who lie behind this battle between brothers.
See here for details of these army lists.
Deployment
The Risen and Fallen deploy all units on the walls of morrstadt and in the rookery (Darius deploys here) first. The chaos forces also deploy all their forces in their deployment zone (excludign flanking forces)
The Empire, Dwarf and Ogres deploy their entire army (excluding flanking forces)
The remaining risen and fallen are deployed inside morrstadt.
First Turn
Weiss’ forces have the first turn.
Victory
Each side is awarded 1VP per 1000pts of the enemy that are slain at the end of the game, rounding down. The following bonus VP’s are also awarded –
Empire and Allies
· 2 VP’s for slaying Darius
· 1 VP for destroying the Shroud
· 1 VP for holding the West Gate
· 1 VP for holding the Secret Gate
Darius’ Forces
· 2VP’s for slaying Leopold Weiss
· 1 VP for holding the Rookery
· 1 VP for holding the West Gate
· 1 VP for holding Morr’s Garden
Special Rules
The Unsterblichen Shroud
Having unlocked the secrets of the Shroud, Darius has now exploited the power of the Dwarven ruins beneath the Rookery to cast its unholy power across all the lands of Morrstadt. It is this act that has drawn the ire of both Weiss and his Dwarven allies.
The power of the Shroud is now bound to The Rookery itself, and cannot be removed. All friendly forces within 48” of The Rookery receive the blessing of the Shroud, gaining Regeneration (4+).
Null Stones
To counter the Shroud’s power, the Dwarves have brought with them these ancient warding stones carved from pure obsidian, and bound with the Rune of Negation. Two of these stones are assigned on to a Dwarven Runelord or Runesmith (1 per character) at the start of the game. The third is given to Weiss himself, and bound into the body of Weiss' Wood Golem.
When brought within 24” of The Rookery, each stone reduces the power of the Shroud by one. For example, if two Null Stones are within 24” of The Rookery, then the benefit of the Shroud would be reduced to Regeneration (6+) within 48”.
Furthermore, should Weiss’ forces take The Rookery, then any character bearing a Null Stone can destroy the Shroud simply by entering The Rookery (ie. be within The Rookery whilst no enemy forces are also within in it). Only a character bearing a Null Stone can destroy the Shroud.
Flank Assault
At the start of the game, each side can assign up to 3000pts (combined) to act as a flank assault (note which is which). Note these forces down at the start of the game.
From Turn 3 onwards, player can roll for the force that is Flanking, consulting the following table.
Flanking forces arrive in the designated zone (marked on the Deployment Map).
Weiss’ forces have the first turn.
Victory
Each side is awarded 1VP per 1000pts of the enemy that are slain at the end of the game, rounding down. The following bonus VP’s are also awarded –
Empire and Allies
· 2 VP’s for slaying Darius
· 1 VP for destroying the Shroud
· 1 VP for holding the West Gate
· 1 VP for holding the Secret Gate
Darius’ Forces
· 2VP’s for slaying Leopold Weiss
· 1 VP for holding the Rookery
· 1 VP for holding the West Gate
· 1 VP for holding Morr’s Garden
Special Rules
The Unsterblichen Shroud
Having unlocked the secrets of the Shroud, Darius has now exploited the power of the Dwarven ruins beneath the Rookery to cast its unholy power across all the lands of Morrstadt. It is this act that has drawn the ire of both Weiss and his Dwarven allies.
The power of the Shroud is now bound to The Rookery itself, and cannot be removed. All friendly forces within 48” of The Rookery receive the blessing of the Shroud, gaining Regeneration (4+).
Null Stones
To counter the Shroud’s power, the Dwarves have brought with them these ancient warding stones carved from pure obsidian, and bound with the Rune of Negation. Two of these stones are assigned on to a Dwarven Runelord or Runesmith (1 per character) at the start of the game. The third is given to Weiss himself, and bound into the body of Weiss' Wood Golem.
When brought within 24” of The Rookery, each stone reduces the power of the Shroud by one. For example, if two Null Stones are within 24” of The Rookery, then the benefit of the Shroud would be reduced to Regeneration (6+) within 48”.
Furthermore, should Weiss’ forces take The Rookery, then any character bearing a Null Stone can destroy the Shroud simply by entering The Rookery (ie. be within The Rookery whilst no enemy forces are also within in it). Only a character bearing a Null Stone can destroy the Shroud.
Flank Assault
At the start of the game, each side can assign up to 3000pts (combined) to act as a flank assault (note which is which). Note these forces down at the start of the game.
From Turn 3 onwards, player can roll for the force that is Flanking, consulting the following table.
Flanking forces arrive in the designated zone (marked on the Deployment Map).
Darius
The Actions Of The Harbinger Of Morr Have Not Gone Unnoticed. Whilst Weiss Has Battled To Fight Darius To Preserve Sigmarite Truth, The College Of The Amethyst Order Has Consulted Amongst Their Secretive Brethren About How Best To Deal With The Unexpected Turn Of Events. After Much Debate, The Decision Has Been Made To Purge The Old Wizard From Their Order. To This End They Have Dispatched Lady Elspeth Von Draken, The ‘Graveyard Rose’ To Bring Darius To Heel.
At The Start If Each Turn After The First, Roll To See If The Graveyard Rose Arrives At The Battle. She Arrives On A D6 Roll Of 6. Add 1 To The Roll For Each Turn After The Second (Eg So She Will Need A 4+ To Arrive In Turn 4). Place Her On The Table Edge Of The Empire Deployment Zone In The Remaining Moves Phase. She Can Move As Normal, But Not March In The Turn She Arrives.
Upon Arriving At Morrstadt, The Graveyard Rose Will Immediately Be Aware Of The Magic Thar Darius Has Wrapped Himself In, And He Will Be Revealed. Open The Envelope Containing These Rules When This Occurs.
The Actions Of The Harbinger Of Morr Have Not Gone Unnoticed. Whilst Weiss Has Battled To Fight Darius To Preserve Sigmarite Truth, The College Of The Amethyst Order Has Consulted Amongst Their Secretive Brethren About How Best To Deal With The Unexpected Turn Of Events. After Much Debate, The Decision Has Been Made To Purge The Old Wizard From Their Order. To This End They Have Dispatched Lady Elspeth Von Draken, The ‘Graveyard Rose’ To Bring Darius To Heel.
At The Start If Each Turn After The First, Roll To See If The Graveyard Rose Arrives At The Battle. She Arrives On A D6 Roll Of 6. Add 1 To The Roll For Each Turn After The Second (Eg So She Will Need A 4+ To Arrive In Turn 4). Place Her On The Table Edge Of The Empire Deployment Zone In The Remaining Moves Phase. She Can Move As Normal, But Not March In The Turn She Arrives.
Upon Arriving At Morrstadt, The Graveyard Rose Will Immediately Be Aware Of The Magic Thar Darius Has Wrapped Himself In, And He Will Be Revealed. Open The Envelope Containing These Rules When This Occurs.