The Nightstrike at Crossroad Downs

Introduction

My partner and I wanted to introduce the kids (6 and 7) to Warhammer after talking about Warhammer for a while and them peaking into my hobby space and staring at the minis on my shelves. 

Our plan was to keep it simple for them:

• We'd be using Warhammer 4th ed to keep the game simple.
• I'd work with them to make small 500 pt army lists
• I'd set up the table with terrain
• Then my partner and I would move the armies around the table during their turns for them
• The kids would be able to roll the dice and tell us where to move their forces
• Finally, the two of us would personally control the wizards.

The Armies

Crystal's Murder Killers [Dark Elves]

Kin'lath - Dark Elf Hero w/ light armor and shield, repeating crossbow, and potion of strength

Helkate - Champion Sorceress

Painelope - Assassin

1st Night Patrol - Dark Elf Warriors w/ crossbows x5 inc Standard bearer

2nd Night Patrol - Dark Elf Warriors w/ crossbows x5

Bleak Peak Harpies - Harpies x 5

Edward's Gusseldorfers [Empire]

Bertolac - Empire Hero w/ light armor and shield

Olbrecht - Wizard w/ the blade of leaping gold

The Landsknecht of Gusseldorf - Greatswords x10inc Standard Bearer and Musician

Archers - Archers x10

Hunting Party - 2 Dog Handlers and Dogs x6

Gnomenwehr of Grutli - Gnomish Allies w/ pikes x12

Pre-battle/Deployment

Crystal stares determinedly.
[tho the pic was taken after moving her infantry]

Crystal set up her small force. She placed the 1st night patrol in the center of the road and close to the front of her deployment zone. Her 2nd night patrol deployed so that it could advance quickly to position on the hill. The Harpies deployed to her left. Helkate and the Painelope deployed among the 2nd night patrol on the right. Kin'Lath Deployed in the rear. 

Edward contemplates the coming battle.

Edward placed his forces in a line. From left to right: hunting dogs, Bertolac, Olbrecht, Archers in skirmishing formation, Landsknecht behind the archers, and to the far right the gnomish pike. 

Dark Elf Turn 1

Betsy assists Crystal

The Dark elf turn was brief. The crossbows advanced up the road and onto the hill. Kin'Lath marched to the woods (and out of the story) and the harpies flew high.

Empire turn 1

For the empire, the gnomes and Dogs advanced forward. However, the archers and swordsmen quickly became a bottleneck since the archers only moved < 4". UH-OH! 

The archers tried to shoot the elves but were completely ineffectual. 

During the magic phase, Olbrecht cast "Hold Fast" on the 2nd night patrol. This acted to stop the enemy wizard from casting their magic and their stinging crossbows.

Edward Considers what to do

Byron advances the gnomes on the right.

The hunting dogs must advance!

Byron advances the skirmishers one at a time.

Crystal celebrates Edward's archers failing to hurt any one.

Ooof! Every archer failed.

Olbrecht, the wizard, considers his options.

Dark Elf turn 2

This turn the dark elves started their evil work. 

At the top of the turn the Harpies charged into the archers! This combat was a draw this turn. The harpies slew some of the archers, and in reply the archers and Olbrecht (for some reason Edward elected to give the wizard a potent magical weapon and it happened to make the difference in this situation.) inflicted 3 wounds. 

The crossbows killed a dog handler. 

The harpies swoop down to attack

The Harpies claw viciously at 3 of the archers

Olbrecht slays a harpy and his comrades assist with a further wound

Crystal sends Kin'Lath into the woods for some reason

Crystal rolls to hit the dogs

Rolls to wound

A handler is struck down.

Empire Turn 2

This was turn was a completely avoidable disaster for Edward. At the get go, Edward refused to issue any charges to support his archers. Instead his great swords turned to the right and began walking all the way around to follow behind the gnomes!! Bertolac, the hero, [Edward adds "My general, who is very good and handsome"] chose to continue the advance toward the enemy instead of joining the fray. 

When it came to the actual fight with the harpies it was a disaster. Olbrecht and the archers failed to hurt a single harpy. The harpies only killed Olbrecht, but it was enough to cause them to break. The harpies caught the fleeing men and killed each one. Seeing the flight of the men holding the line to their rear the Swordsmen broke and fled right off the table. Edward's line was gutted.

The swordsmen make their right turn and begin marching the long way around.

Edward decides that Bertolac won't join the fight.

Bertolac advancing along the hedges.

Overview of the fight.

Edward rolls his attacks.

Olbrecht is slain - and with him go the hopes of the Gusseldorfers

The harpies catch the fleeing men and tear them to pieces creating chaos in the human lines.

Crystal is pleased with the terror she has wrought.

Edward feels sour.

Dark Elf Turn 3+

The rest of the game was fairly predictable. The gnomes advanced under exacting fire losing casualties with each yard. Of the 12 that started the advance, only 4 made it to the charge. They failed to kill a single elf. Took 2 casualties and fled. 

The elves killed the last dog handler. The pack of dogs stopped in its tracks, rolling a 5 on the monster reaction chart. But, this wasn't enough for Crystal. She doesn't like dogs so they had to die, so she shot at them until only one survived and ran away.

Finally, Bertolac bravely tried to make his leave of the battlefield. He was attacked by the harpies as they swooped down from the sky. Crystal fired into the small combat, wounding a harpy. Bertolac is a skilled fighter, he fended them off and made it safely off the field to live another day.

The gnomes march past the woods. Kin'lath lurks in the trees (but otherwise plays no part in this tale)

Crystal eyes her target

She rains down deadly dice!

Brave gnomes fall.

More brave gnomes fall, yet they still advance.

two more fall. 

The last gnomes charge home

Crystal is elated as the gnomes fail their assault and are further cut down.

The dark elves pursue but aren't fast enough to catch the gnomes.

A dog dies to a nasty elf bolt.

The handler and another dog are struck down.
The dogs roll a 5 on the monster reaction chart
and resolve to stay by their fallen master. 

Crystal throws dice into the dice tower

But, Crystal doesn't like dogs, so they must die. 

Bertolac attempts to make his leave of the battlefield

he is set upon by Harpies

He is unharmed and caused 2 wounds in reply, beating the harpies off.

Wrap Up

Crystal:

Here are some of Crystal's reflection on the battle "I liked the battle" "I didn't like it when my Harpies ran away" "I really thought those gnomes were going to find my leader in the forest, but they didn't" "it was stupid to kill one of my own harpies" "I was obsessed with how I killed Edward's archers"

Edward:

"I wish I had gotten a griffon" "Crystal and I fought a battle later that day and I won that one"[he felt it was important that you knew that] "Don't have your swordsmen go off in a random direction when harpies are attacking your archers"  "If you are fighting dark elves, take the following: 25 clanrats, 2 wizards, a warpfire thrower, gutterrunners, an assassin, and a champion" [this is the Skaven list he used in the second battle]