Border Princes: Turn 8

 

The battles in and around the Blood River Bogs ended in victories for the ratmen of the Gnawing Hunger. The warriors of Chaos had no choice but to retreat to the west and regroup. This is the balance of power at the beginning of turn 8 in our Border Princes campaign. 

The Covenant of Blood has suffered a string of setbacks; they have been impeded by terrain, suffered defeat at the hands of the Skaven, and have struggled to pin down the Dark Elves. Their armies are in a fairly safe position with one gaining the benefits of fortification in their HQ while the army on the riverbanks would be supported if attacked. This could be a welcome chance to regroup.

The Gnawing Hunger has expanded their empire and tasted victory! With the raiders from the west repelled, is it time to support a push north into the territories of the Barrow Legion?

The Crimson Host of Maltherion expanded their borders with little resistance. They outmaneuver the Covenent of Blood in the west and march past Malko towards the obsidian towers of the Barrow Legion's necromancers.

The Barrow Legion's kingdom grew as the other powers battle with one another. They occupy the fortress of Malko at the center of the Border Princes with no sign of contest. None of the living have strayed across their borders, though the rising power of the Gnawing Hunger disturbs their ancient necromancers. War is inevitable. The generals give their orders...

The Covenant of Blood pursued the Dark Elves and are once again eluded. The waters of the River of Blood again prevented their forces from crossing to defend their holdings at Aldium. The Warriors of Chaos attempted to re-engage with the Skaven but they were unable to catch them. Brad has failed nearly every difficult terrain roll this campaign!

The Gnawing Hunger reinforced their western border, moving an army back into the bogs while another fortified their position directly to the south, creating a deadly wall of troops further supported by forces on the southern bank of the East Blood River. Enemies battling either of these banners would be facing an army with at least 300 additional points! 

The Crimson Host of Maltherion sent their banners further south, capitalizing on the pressure applied to the Covenant. Aldium looks to be theirs for the taking. Meanwhile, their eastern forces prepared to invade the lands of the Barrow Legion!

The Barrow Legion marched toward their enemies and the Gnawing Hunger are the first to meet them on the field of battle. Reinforcements are en-route from the north should this push fail. The Ghoul King Marrowflayer flew from Malko, expanding the Barrow Legions territory as the other armies avoid the areas surrounding the desecrated fortress.

The battle between the undead and ratmen was vicious, bloody, and hard-fought. Legions of skeletons took to the field only to be shattered under the blades of Doomwheels. A great and terrible zombie dragon devoured regiments of plague monks before being obliterated by the mysticism of a Grey Seer. Only the desperate efforts of Hagan the Horrible and a last minute flank assault by dire wolves prevented utter defeat. The Barrow Legion was victorious, but at a cost. It would take time to find the corpse of another dragon. The bodies of the ratmen, however, would more than replenish the skeletons lost in battle. As they are a Vampire Counts banner that was victorious in battle, this banner will have an extra 150 points if it fights in the next turn!

The Skaven retreated into a powerful defensive position, making further pushes into their empire extremely challenging. The territory captured this turn by the Barrow Legion gave the undead enough resources to support a 5th army on the map. It seems likely turn 9 will be the most violent yet, with many enemy banners adjacent to one another! I have my theories as to what my enemies will do and I am preparing to gamble on their actions...