Fast Times at Anvilspring (Prologue)

[chrisgoodone]

We were 13 or 14 or so and used to taunt each other about our ‘armies’. One was Wood Elves, I was Dark elves and the other was a mix of Chaos and Brettons. Entire battles took place in our minds, and our chat, and through battle illustrations in our school exercise books. Models got bought and Wardancers were coo’d over. A couple of these guys were really good painters winning local trophies. We roleplay a bit together and then… life happened.

30 years went by. We got married, did jobs, moved countries, and did life stuff.

As school friends, we’ve stayed in touch. Been at each other’s weddings and annual get-togethers. And then the banter started again. In lofts and drawers and old boxes we re-grouped our old lead - most we thought we'd lost or forgotten. Considered selling the models for thousands and decided against it. Started the old name calling and banter and in a switch we're all-in. Bought too much (never enough) paint. Here’s the story of our first battle.

Our first battle. We travelled to the Netherlands to meet up with our old mate. We had gloo fingers and paint fever. Expectantly and fervently we unpacked our metal. We gloried each others paintjobs. And then we realised we’d never even done it before. We’d never played the game. … and we were amazed about what our old friend had been up to.

Here it goes – Fast Times at Anvilspring.

 

[Brother Meredith]

Oh this should be good! Great to see old friends rekindle old hobbies. That board looks ace!

 

[Fimm McCool]

Agreed. Wonderful premise and the board is fantastic. That river!!!

 

[chrisgoodone]

Team set up and deployment

With only some of the afternoon and evening left to try and play (learn) 3rd Ed, we took the majority of the scenery off the board, opted for a simple, no champions, no magic set-up of roughly equal points of 3 x units each.

We had glorious plans for goals, objectives and ‘how to win’ during our pre-planning and banter. Needless to say we threw these to the wind and decided for a no-holds-barred three-way (when in the Netherlands).

Here’s how my memory serves. I’ve probably forgotten bits, but sure the lads will be along directly to correct me.

Team 1 – Brettonia – Controlled by Jon. A unit of 6 super-heavy Cavalry (la créme of Bretton with a bonkers armour save), 10 or 12 heavily armoured, two-handed weapon-wielding men at arms, and 20 x Heavy Crossbows. Marching in from the bottom far left edge of the table.

Team 2 – WoodElfia – Controlled by Dan. 20 or so of Scarloc's finest, another 20 or so glade guardians, and 15 Wardancers a leaping. Deployed in the woods over the bridge on the other side of the river… basically hiding.

Team 3 – Naggaroth – Controlled by Chris (me). A mixed bunch of around 20 dark Elf infantry loosely led by Mr Mengil Manhide, 2 x units of 10 crossbows and 10 Witch Elves. Marching in from the right hand edge of the table past the wreck of one of their landing boats ‘The Mournfang’.


Da setup


View from Brettonia


View from Dark Elves


Dem Monkey Elves


Next Episode – The first few turns and learning to move and manoeuvre…

 

[Eric]

Brilliant stuff. To echo some of the others - lovely board.

 

[Orjetax]

Wonderful set up and approach


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[MichaelStockin]

This is what dreams are made of no?

 

[Dredded Led]

Hi guys. Without steaming forwards and looking opportunistic, during some scenery buildup for this battle I made some fun modifications to some old GW paper buildings which can be assembled quite straightforwardly with 'craft' if you're looking for something fun to do. See attached example. You can download or have it emailed for free. This is the Green Dragon Tavern...

 

[Dredded Led]

Here were some Breton knights that came across the board and had 'some issues' with Dark elves...

 

[chrisgoodone]

Here were some Breton knights that came across the board and had 'some issues' with Dark elves...

Hang on! I haven't got to that bit yet

 

[Dredded Led]

...some classic Elven led from back in the day. Only 80's allowed in.

 

[Dredded Led]

This is what dreams are made of no?

Hey Michael, I like this Heiligsheld you're making. That's a fun idea.!

 

[Orjetax]

The War Dancers! Look great.


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[MichaelStockin]

Hey Michael, I like this Heiligsheld you're making. That's a fun idea.!

Thank you, very kind!

 

[Brother Meredith]

Love those Celtic style elf wardancers!!

 

[Dredded Led]

Love those Celtic style elf wardancers!!

Punk New Romantics

 

[chrisgoodone]

Forwards! (Turns 1-3 or 4ish?)

Brettonia – Realised they’d deployed a bit weirdly (and we realised and discussed that this is quite an important bit of the game). They then did a few formation changes. The long swordy boys got in the way a bit. The Cavalry shouted orders ‘Attendez! Allez the fook out of le passage!” etc. Took a while to get out of each other’s way. The savvier Crossbows (now dubbed ‘Les Basterdz’ took the opportunity to walk up the edge of the board towards a handy looking hill.

WoodElfia – Watching. Waiting. Until… Hang on are they our ancient, evil cousins?! “Yes, I believe they are” said Scarloc. Just as a unit of Dark elves crossbows sat themselves behind a useful wall we’d repositioned next to the river. “Unleash fury”. As one they slipped forward to the edge of the treeline and loosed their arrows. In fairness, most of the board was in range for these gals n boys – and they didn’t miss those poor crossbowmen.

Naggaroth – “Keep moving forward!?” Suggested Mr. Manhide. And they did. The imperial crossbows to the left leapt over hedges until they were at the bottom of a hill. Those on the right ran towards a repositioned wall. The main infantry just walked forwards observing the fearsome cavalry and men-at-arms. The witches followed to their right next to the… “Oh! Those crossbows seem to be dying horribly behind that wall. Was that a wall of arrows?”. The remaining crossbows rout. The witches consider joining them but hold their nerve.







Until we’re left about here… (but the unit near the river has run - both of them)



Next episode: Brettonia makes the charge!

 

[MichaelStockin]

Even got the old unit rosters!!!

Awesome.

 

[chrisgoodone]

Brettonia make the charge!
Hi anyone who's reading! (Thanks). Here's what happened next. Having trouble adding pics, but will do when I can

Brettonia – “Allez les rouge et noir!” The cream of the Brettonian cavalry leapt into their charge. Grins all round… charge, charge, charge and then, well, got a bit puffed. The steeds slowed and finally reared about a metre from the Naggaroth infantry. And then started blaming each other… “Vous avez une petite saucisson, etc”. They didn’t reach their aim and (after a lot of page flipping) became ‘unformed’.

WoodElfia – “Well done all. Looks like we sent that crossbow unit to their doom. Oi Tarquell! Can you and your fancy boys do something about those strange looking ladies?” The fearsome wardancers step forwards from the tree cover. Flipping and whirling. Darting all hither and thither, and begin to taunt the pale Witch Elves. Poking out tongues. Raising their skirts. Making kissy kissy noises. The whole show. How could they resist? Quite the spectacle.

Naggaroth – Manhide is more sadist than strategist and can’t believe his luck. The proper Naggaroth army they sent along him to keep him in check is withering… Maybe if I just “Erm. Charge!” the infantry race forward and engage the bickering Brettonians.
Elsewhere, Witches agree that the monkey elves are definitely hateful and that they’d like to eat them, but take a Psychology check (more rules riffling) and opt to head for that remaining hill with the remaining crossbows.

<Don't have a pic for this bit>

Brettonia – “Merde! I am surrounded by these annoying smellies! And my horse it does not like it. Advance away!” The Brettonian cavalry rout without taking any losses even though the Naggaroth horde has (thanks 3rd Ed!). Turn and charge though half of their heavies and cause them to be a bit concerned too – “Une grande mal a derriere!”
At the edge of the board, the heavy crossbow unit has reached the base of the hill. “Ok mes amis. Just get up this hill, and we can rain death! We are Les Basterdz!”.

WoodElfia – Scarloc questions his Wardancers “Did you do the tongue out thing? Lift skirts? Make silly ninny noises? Yes? Strange. This has always worked. I need a moment to think”. The wood elves potter about a bit, make flower necklaces and meditate (Ed: this may only be my own recollection). Until! The Glade Guardians strike forwards towards the bridge – not to be outdone the Wardancers beat them to it. “Uhm… advance?” Says Scarloc.

Naggaroth – Manhide couldn’t believe his luck. “Probably best to let them run” he sneered. “Chaaaarge!” cried the mixed expeditionary party of Naggaroth. “Bugger” thought Mengil as they pursued the fleeing cavalry and he was bundled along.
The leader of the Witch Elves shrieks at the remaining Naggaroth crossbow unit “Ittt’s a traaap! Monkey Elves in the woooods! To the hill!”





Brettonia – “Attendez j’avez les vin!” The cavalry gather themselves and turn to regroup as half of their heavily armed men-at-arms run through them and off the board. “Ready yourselves! The smellies they come. Hold!” They form up as the remaining unit of heavy double-handers spots the problem at hand and executes a beautiful wheel to be able to face and assist their noble lords.
Les Basterdz reach the top of the hill “Regardez! Les baddies!” and then they unleash hell.

WoodElfia – “Keep marching!” Yells the leader of the guardians as the Wardancers flash forwards. “And shoot at will!” The Wood Elves fill the bridge and pour over.

Naggaroth – Mercenary Manhides and veteran Druchii leap forward as one, a noble Brettonian is ripped from his warhorse and the steed is cut to ribbons. Other noble dark elves fall under the heap. For two proud races this fight is anything but noble.
Crossbowmen fall to wood elf and Brettonian arrows as the Witch Elves regroup at the base of the hill and ready to charge.


Next Episode: Endgame

 

[MichaelStockin]

Cool, are the images too large to upload?