Waking Dead

Undead vs. Beastmen

The vampire cast his gaze across the deserted courtyard. Three battles he had fought and three times he had been forced to retreat, each time his hunger for living blood growing stronger. Now as the Beastmen moved into view ahead of him the need was almost unbearable. Normally the thought of taking Beastman blood would have repulsed him – it was far from sweet – yet now his fangs were fully extended and his followers were ready to fight. Suddenly there was movement from the gaol and a huge beast emerged, surrounded by some pitiful followers. The monster was horribly mutated with something resembling a third leg swinging beneath it as well as an extra arm that ended in a menacing claw. The vampire turned his attention to this new threat, his necromancer gathering the winds of magic at his side. Suddenly a volley of glittering silver arrows shot into the air and slammed home into the chest of the approaching beast. It let out a pitiful whimper and fell to the ground, dead. The vampire gave a wry smile as his necromancer sent more silver allows towards the gaoler’s minions and more fell. The mage had angered his leader by showing little skill in the previous battles, now it looked like he would make amends.

Having disposed of the Gaoler and his henchmen the Undead repositioned to face the approaching Beastmen, now almost in range for a charge. Some ranged fire from the Undead downed a Beastman before the two bands came together in the middle of the courtyard. The battle that followed was a pure bloodbath, momentum waned back and forth, the Undead with an early advantage but the Beastmen fighting back with great courage. Casualties were high on both sides although most were mere henchmen. Both sides were on the verge of routing but in the end the vampire’s need for blood was greatest and the beasts could not stand. They retreated from the field and finally the vampire could feed, the black Beastman blood spreading warmth throughout his emaciated body. Now his band would rest and prepare for the final battle with Vantor.

Witch Hunters vs. Skaven

Skabb deployed his forces away from the gaol; there was an evil presence and a strange concentrated smell of warpstone that he didn’t like – something was lurking in ambush. Now the Witch Hunters came into view, it seemed that they had no perception of the danger they were in – either that or they had no fear of it. As the Witch Hunters moved forward a huge mutated beast moved through the gaol gates, brushing them aside as if they were paper. Surrounding the beast were lesser beings, also driven mad with mutation but less powerful in stature. They turned towards the men just as they charged. These Witch Hunters impressed Skabb, they did not fear this beast and more than that seemed to be enjoying the slaughter of the mutants. Skab realised an opportunity when he saw it, “Forward, now, now, quick, quick!” If he could reach the Witch Hunters before they dispatched the beast then the ratmen would have superior numbers and be able to drive the men off.

As fast as they could scurry, Skabb’s band raced through the streets. The beast’s minions had all fallen but the leader still stood, surrounded on all sides by the frenzied men. Upon seeing the ratmen approach the humans sent some missile troops to guard their flank. Skabb pressed on and finally got his band into a charge position. He sent the giant rats in first whilst the rest of his slower companions caught up and regained their breath.

The Witch Hunters finally slew the beast with a victorious roar and turned towards the Skaven.

“Kill, now!” cried Skabb and his minions advanced to meet the manthings’ flank guard. Against so many they could not hold and several casualties were taken. Some Skaven also fell but Skabb cared not, he had the numbers to sacrifice. Finally the men who slew the beast were ready to assault the ratmen but they were now too few to prevail. Their leader called them into an organised withdrawal. Skabb could see the hatred burning in their eyes as they retreated and he felt fortunate.