Border Princes: Turn 10

 

The conflict at Aldium explodes! 5 banners are involved between the two forces, with the Dark Elves having a 150 point advantage in the conflict. Outside of this battle, the forces occupying the Border Princes reposition and expand their territories.

The Covenant of Blood pushes forward across the East Blood River and crash into the merchant town of Aldium, hoping to retake what the Crimson Host had forced them to abandon. With the Dark Elves' attention focused on the south, an army of Chaos begins to make an incursion into their territory!

The Gnawing Hunger reel from their defeat at the border and shuffle their forces to defend their fortress. Their armies erect makeshift barriers and fortify their positions, attempting to dissuade the undead from attacking. Pursued by the vanguard forces of the Barrow Legion, one of their armies outmaneuvers the undead and travels down the Old Silk Road. What could these ratmen be planning?

The Crimson Host of Maltherion attempted to fortify Aldium, but howling barbarians of the Covenant of Blood were too fast! Thankfully, those defenders have the support of two companies. Their scattered banner has regrouped and rides south from their mountain-top fortress. 

The Barrow Legion's necromancers recognized the resources needed to break through the Gnawing Hunger's border and commanded the endless ranks of the dead to fortify the riverbank; the border between the two territories now firm. Elsewhere, reinforcements sail to the front from the north along the Thunder River.

Here is an account of the Second Battle of Aldium from a merchant who survived the carnage (Brad):

"While the forces of Khorne were busy fending off the rat hordes on their eastern flank, the City of Aldium was captured by the dreadful host of dark elves. Sanguinella Dolce, the Dread Countess called upon the assistance of Lord Skulltaker and his forces to retake the city. The two forces converged upon two magical towers containing relics of unknown power.

As the forces of the Elves massed across the road, the shrieks of harpies, Elven and Khornate, filled the air. Their demonic instincts attuned to the power of the relics and honed in on a magical sword hidden in a swamp. As the harpies tore each other to shreds the impulsive boar men and chariot charged up the field. The remainder of both armies maneuvered for position as they both knew reinforcements waited in the wings. The Elven dragon lord himself burst through the lines to claim the sword in the swamp. 

As the battle churned the reinforcements arrived for both sides. Demons bearing massive great weapons and a horde of unruly beastmen in the thrall of the Elven lord, aimed to guard their leader from the demonic threat. In a surprise maneuver the demons charged in the opposite direction, smashing the Elven Executioners hunkered down by a tower with one of the relics. As the remaining Executioners fled The Countess swoops in to claim the prize. As the remaining forces of Chaos swelled to her aid, the cultists held control of the other tower. With the power of these two relics the Elven forces could no longer control Aldium and were forced out of the city.

Victory for Contessa Dolce and the forces of Khorne"

Against all odds, the Covenant of Blood recovers their lost territory. But with the forces of the Dark Elves nearly surrounding it, can they keep it?