Mordheim

Battle Report
By Zap Riecken

As the sun began to pass the horizon and night flirted with the last of the day, Captain Gualt stood next to the evenings fire. It had rained for two days straight and his injures had not fully healed. The last two ventures made into the city they had passed Sigmar's judgement against the sickly undead. He was determined to lay to rest the foul demon that controlled them, a vampire.

Gualt didn't care that the vampire had a name, he didn't plan on it being around long enough. Despite the cut across his abdomen he was certain his followers would be prepared. He watched them as he habitually rolled Sigmar's idol in his hand. They were becoming veterans in this crazy war. He was also seeing some new faces. Not surprised by the growth, but by the fact that the Flagellants were swarming in. It is unusual to see so many of the crazed brethren, but he was grateful for the untiring faith. They would server Sigmar well.

Next to the fire was the Hobbit they had picked up, tasting the evening meal. He wasn't privy to their cause, but he offered to keep the camp and cook the meals. The stews and breads were a welcome to Gualt's plain life. He did not like spending excess money, but the band need a moral booster and none could do better than a nice meal in this foul place. Despite the cost the little man did help in the occasional hunt.

Tonight would be there first hunt in a week. Many of the followers had been injured in the last skirmish with the undead and one of Gualt's war hounds had not returned. He was determined to pay retribution to these heathens... Sigmar will be at hand.

The rain had stopped, but security of the fire was long off and slowly picking through rubble of abandoned city does not allow one the grace of empty thought. In his new leather armor Gault directed the followers of Sigmar through the ruins. In the distance he spotted a human on the second story of a demolished building. He knew there would be more, that is the way of the heathen.

His objective was to find the undead and destroy their vampiric master, but carrying out Sigmar's judgement would have to take precedence. With quick signals the hobbit and the Vampire Hunter climbed up into an abandoned building to get better line-of-site for the oncoming skirmish. He motioned and the divine Priest and two Witch Hunters began to move toward the lone figure Gault had seen.

The captain himself rallied the zealots and flagellants and began a wide sweeping flank so ask to catch the heathen's unseen companions. As he crossed the muddy streets he heard two men scream, Sigmar had judged the heathens unworthy and his followers where already providing deliverance. Gault's warhound had found something and was running ahead to attack. In tandem with his hounds lunge was an inhumanly loud bellow. Toto had found something big and it also had been judged. The fallen ogre was laying face down with a crossbow bolt through his chest and the hound ripping at its thigh.

Just as quickly we saw the rest of the heathen group. They had lined up and were waiting for us to charge. With a prayer to Sigmar Gault forced the followers to leap onto their opponents. The heathens with their powder weapons tried to repel our judgement, but the prayer had worked and the cowering of the infidels led their shots astray. Mere moments passed before he watched as the last of the motley band ran off, their comrade's blood flowing in the street.

Despite their sins each of the remaining was given final judgement and all were absolved with proper ritual. While still unconscious, Deacon Pell branded each man with the seal of Sigmar to show their repentance.

The victory felt good to Gault and his confidence in his group began to grow. As they began forward he redoubled his quest for the vampire.