The sound of a thousand feet marching echoed throughout the mountain pass. The creak of wooden frames straining against the ropes that bound them, kept beat with the marchers. War was in the air, and this was the music of war. The dust stirred up by the tramping of heavy boots, and the transportation of large machineries of war rose high up into the air, settling back down on the soldiers, covering them in a grimy, brown layer of filth.
They had been marching for three weeks now, and there was still no sign of the enemy. They were growing restless, eager for the din of battle and the stench of death. The orc warlord Grug was around here somewhere, Short could almost smell him. Called Short because he was massively built for a dwarf, the mercenary captain looked about him. He had fought countless wars, for countless lords, and he had never lost. Now however, he was starting to doubt himself. Grug was a crafty and cunning enemy, who had avoided Short and his army for more then a month now. And just when he thought that he had him cornered, he disappeared again.
He called a halt to the march, and all went deathly silent suddenly. No more heavy bootsteps echoed across the mountain, no more curse or song. The war machines came to a stop, and there were no more creak and groan of massive timbers. He was certain that the orc warlord was out there somewhere, spies would have been watching them, Short was certain of it. Turning, he strode back into the now assembling mercenary camp.
Under the cover of darkness a lone figure crept out of the dwarvern mercenary camp. Keeping to the shadows, and moving very silently, the shadow passed without alerting any of the guards. Through small paths covered with brambles and rocks, the shadow moved. Finding it's way carefully through the tattered landscape towards it's goal. As it moved, it started muttering, a low, guttural oath passing from between clenched teeth. When it saw the two shapes in the distance it stopped. Failing to move for an eternity. Only when the two shapes materialised into the form of goblins, did it then reveal itself, a massive axe swung high....
The next morning, Short issued the command to go back the way that they had come. There was a fresh spring in his step, and a spark in his eyes. His lieutenants knew that their commander had been thinking deep last night, and so were prepared for anything. As the Dwarvern force turned to go back out of the canyon, the orc Warlord Grug saw his plans falling apart.
His goblin co-hort looked up at him, "Ere boz, aint dat da rong way?". Indeed it was, the dwarves were moving out of the ambush, everything was ruined. He felt like he wanted to cry - nah, he felt like he wanted to kill.
With a shout, he issued the charge. Short smiled and issued the command to turn and take rank.
| Profile | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
| Short | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
Weapons / Armour: Short Carries a Hand Weapon, a Crossbow and wears Heavy Armour.
Magic Items: Short carries the Axe of Agar and bears the Talisman of Gold.
Special Rules:
Hatred : Short has fought many campaigns against many foes. He has become embittered and grim from his long life as a mercenary captain. He has seen many atrocities committed by many races. Because of this, he is subject to Hatred when fighting all enemy.
Mighty Blow : Short may trade in all his attacks for 1 powerful mighty blow. He puts everything into this one attack, and receives a +1 to hit when he makes it. If he hits, he strikes with a Strength of +2, and causes d4 wounds. There is no armour save possible against this attack.
Axe of Agar : The Axe of Agar is a massive 2 handed axe. It confers the normal +2 Strength bonus for a 2 handed weapon, and like all 2 handed weapons must strike last. The weapon is a deadly bane to all who fight single combat with the wielder. All challenges issued by the wielder MUST be accepted, and the wielder can specify which character he wishes to fight. On top of that, when fighting a challenge, the axe wielder will strike first, (the normal rules for 2handed weapons not applying here), and cause double the number of wounds normal.
Talisman of Gold : The Talisman of Gold is an intricate designed amulet that glows with a fiery heat. All enemy in BtB contact must suffer -1 to hit the wearer as they shy away from the magical device. Any enemy who are susceptible to fire damage will also automatically take 1 wound at the end of the movement phase if they are in BtB contact.
By Julian Gatt