I'm trying to get a small Albion themed campaign going here, and had a practice game at 1500 points between my Orcs and a friend's Albion force. None of our group are very experienced, although I have a few more games under my belt than my Albion opponent.
We played the first scenario from the Dark Shadows article published, I think, in an old Warmaster Annual. The battle is set amongst Albion's marshes, out of which a Fenbeast can be lured in each player's turn. Each player is given a special character for the scenario - wizards called Truthsayers or Dark Emissaries, depending on their outlook. Truthsayers know High Elf spells, and Dark Emissaries know Chaos spells. These wizards are the only characters that can summon and control the Fenbeasts. And for scenario balance purposes, we assumed that although an Albion Druid can summon a Fenbeast via his spells, this would confer no power over the Fenbeast that can be summoned via the scenario special rules.
The lighting was poor when we played, so I'm afraid I have no photos from the game, but I've used it as a chance to try out Battle Chronicler.
Albion turn 1
Both armies deployed in pretty balanced formations across the centre of the table, hemmed in at the flanks by marshes.
My opponent won first turn, and managed a pretty impressive wave of movement forward. His Truthsayer was out of range to summon a Fenbeast this turn(max 20cm from the centre of a marsh), and both Druid and Thruthsayer failed to cast spells.
Orc turn 1
The Orc advance was typically more erratic, with the right flank Boars standing and bickering with the Goblin chariots, and the General failing the shift the Goblins and Black Orcs parked right in front of him on the hill. A Shaman did manage to Geroff a unit of Albion cavalry.
Albion turn 2
On the Albion right flank, their Hero enthusiastically sent a unit of cavalry forward. Then he paused, wondering if it was a bit rash. This was confirmed by his next dice roll which failed to send anyone else to support the lone cavalry unit. Nor was the Druid or Truthsayer able to help either.
On the left flank, the General had more success pushing forward towards the centre of the table. The Truthsayer hung back to try to get the lone unit of Warriors still in the deployment zone to move forward, but they clearly didn’t trust the enigmatic wizard.
Magic did nothing, the Druid trying and failing to summon a Fenbeast of his own.
Orc turn 2
On the left flank, the Board Riders and Chariots leapt at the chance to smash the lone unit of Albion cavalry. Running them down immediately, the Orcs and Goblins momentum carried them into the Albion Hero and unit of cavalry beyond, destroying both for the loss of a single stand of Boars. Both units then re-positioned, although the Boar Boys failed to notice that their flank was now exposed to the Giant Eagles. In addition, a Shaman cast Geroff on the Albion chariots, sending them a long way towards their own table edge.
On the right flank, the Orc Hero failed to motivate the Boar Riders and Chariots, who were clearly enjoying trading insults too much to bother paying any attention.
In the centre, the Dark Emissary was now close enough to the central marsh to summon a Fenbeast, which promptly charged the tempting flank of the Albion cavalry. After several rounds of tremendous carnage, the Fenbeast sank back into the marsh, having destroyed both units of cavalry.
The Dark Emissary also repositioned himself to the corner of the marsh and cast the Chaos spell which imposes -1 to command rolls of nearby units.
Albion turn 3
The Albion General was reeling from the last turn. All 4 cavalry units and his Hero gone in a single turn! However, he was certainly not giving up yet.
The Eagles started by charged the flank of the Boar Riders, destroying them for the loss of a stand. The rest of the Albion right flank advanced, although the Chariots failed to catch up as they were sitting too far away from the Druid.
On the left flank, the chariots and infantry hurled themselves forward into the Orcs and Goblins, destroying one unit of each. The Albion units then pulled back into a defensive line to await the greenskin onslaught.
Once again, magic did nothing.
Orc turn 3
Sensing blood, the Orcs surged forward in a mighty Waagh. Another Fenbeast was summoned to hit the flank of the Albion warriors, and Orcs clashed with men all along the battlefield. After the dust settled, the Albion army had lost 8 units, forcing them to retire from the battle. Victory for the Orc host, thanks in no small part to the Fenbeasts!
Our Albion player says he'll pay more attention to marshes in future...
