Nether War: Nether Peak

The Zhentarim is your family. 
You watch out for it, and it watches out for you.

Nether Warriors!

The feeble armies of the Enclave and Harpers have somehow breached our defenses and lay at the very gates of our Fortress!

The Morueme demand we stand our ground here as long as possible while they crush the enemy's remaining forces.  However, a sizable amount of the enemy army has arrived and press the slopes of Nether Peak!

We are prepared!

The Cult toils in the bowels of the mountain, and Zhentarim rattle their swords in anticipation of the battles on the slopes.  Let the snow run red with the blood of those who would defy us!  For the Morueme!

Tier 4 - Nether Peak

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Nether Peak
One of the tallest peaks in the Nether Mountains, this particular summit is the lair of the clan leaders of the Morueme - Krathoxis and Tyloss.  It is well guarded within and without, not only by fanatic Dragon Cultists but hired Zhentarim with a reputation to uphold.

1. Scenario 1 - The Slopes of Nether Peak
• D&D Attack Wing, 150 Legion Points
• Setup: Players setup in opposite corners.  A player's corner is half the board length on each side of the map their corner touches.  Models are deployed up to range 1.
• Objective: Destroy the Enemy Legion.
• Resolution: When either player's last miniature is destroyed the battle is over.  The Good player must have at least one Dragon on the board at the end of the game in order to claim victory.
2. Scenario 2 - The Lair of Krathoxis
• D&D Miniatures, 150 Point Skirmish
• Contested Ground
• The Evil player must spend at least 40 points to include a Blue Dragon of any kind.
3. Scenario 3 - The Upper Slopes
• D&D Attack Wing, 175 Legion Points
• Setup: Players deploy up to Range 1 from their table edge.  Place an Objective Token in the center of the board, then both players may place an Objective Token anywhere in their own deployment zone.  Only ground units may be deployed at the start of the game due to the high winds (no dragons or other flying units on the  ground).  At the end of each of their turns, a player may place a new unit on the board near one of the Objective Markers.  To determine which, that player rolls an Attack Die - if a [HIT] or [CRITICAL HIT] is rolled, the player may deploy a unit within Range 1 of the center Objective Token, otherwise they must deploy within Range 1 of the token in their own deployment zone.
• Objective:  Destroy the Enemy Legion.  
• Resolution: When either player's last miniature is destroyed the battle is over.  The Good player must have at least one Dragon on the board at the end of the game in order to claim victory.
4. Scenario 4 - Tyloss' Den
• D&D Miniatures, 200 Point Skirmish
• Marked for Death
• The Evil player must spend at least 40 points to include a Blue Dragon of any kind.  In addition, this dragon must be one marked for death at the beginning of the game and counts as the Evil player's 'choice'.  In addition, Good player must choose a Commander from his force to be marked at the beginning of the game as normal, but must disclose this choice to his opponent.  The other two models to be marked for death are chosen normally.
5. Scenario 5 - The Summit
• D&D Attack Wing, 200 Legion Points
• Setup: Standard.
• Objective: Destroy the Enemy Legion.  
• Resolution: When either player's last miniature is destroyed the battle is over.   The Good player must have at least one Dragon on the table at the end of the game to claim victory.

When this base is cleared, the campaign is over and the Good player has won!

Total Points	Campaign Narrative
1 to 3	The leadership of the Morueme has been denied to the enemy army. The Cult and the Zhentarim are forced to retreat, but they are still strong.
5 to 11	Word has spread of our victory, and we draw more noble warriors to our side. The Cult has lost their will to fight, and the Zhentarim have withdrawn.
12-18	The borders of the goodly folk of the Realms are strengthened! Victory here has brought forth a new brace of hope over the land.
19 to 26	The banners of the Realms' defenders rise over the settlements of the Sword Coast. The enemies of the goodly factions flee to the east as fast as they can...
27+	The Harper Network and a resurgence of druidic faiths follow the turning of the Morueme armies. Throughout these realms, the Harpers and agents of the Enclave work to maintain the fragile peace. A new call to adventure rises as warriors are called to defend the frontier.

Dark Age Stormhammers

The Dark Age has begun.

A small force of Stormhammers have been ordered onto Vindemiatrix ahead of the Clan attack.  The warriors of this company are green, newly raised by the Tharkan Striker's commander - the freeborn Alexia Wolf.  Aware the Clan are coming to claim this world for their own, the appointed Inner Sphere commander surveys his forces for disposition.

The mustered Stormhammers defending Vindemiatrix's landing zones on the sulfur fields.

Tharkan Strikers
Commanding Officer Kommandant Wilhelm Kloss

Strategic Mission: Protect Vindemiatrix from the new Falcon Offensive.

Targe, Hellstars and Crimson Hawks make up the bulk of the professional forces battlemechs.

Lyran mechs are notoriously heavy.  The Tharkan Strikers have several mechs on the heavier side, but nothing truly huge.  However, they may have struck a fine balance to meet their needs as the Clan forces will be swift and sure.

Even the miners on the sulfur fields had better be ready. 

There are many mining facilities out on the sulfur fields.  Lots of infrastructure to protect, though Stormhammer command is fairly sure the Clan attack will focus on military assets.  Nonetheless, the civilian mechs have been made as ready for battle as possible should the need arise.

The Stormhammers have more and more varied infantry than their clan opponents.

Infantry will play a strong role in the defense of Vindemiatrix.  The Stormhammers can call upon an array of troop types and armors.  The infantry sections of the defense garrison are the most well trained and experienced warriors in the detachment.

Mobile and fixed position artillery strengthens the conventional forces of the Stormhammers.

The garrison has an array of mobile artillery support vehicles and mech killers.  Gun emplacements will serve as point-defenses for every defensive line.  Missile batteries will rain damage on ground forces and aircraft alike.  Any approach to a Stormhammer position will be paid for by the attack in losses that may be too great to sustain.

Stormhammer and allied Inner Sphere support craft.

The Stormhammers will also deploy VTOL assault craft in large numbers.  Not only are the Lyran attack choppers present, but allied units from Inner Sphere powers have been serving as transport craft.  These helicopters will form a vital link in the combined arms tactics the defenders are preparing.

No guts, no glory!

The Stormhammers have the advantages of numbers and the home ground in the coming conflict, but nothing is assured.  To repel the Clan attack, all elements must work together and coordinate to avoid losses and effect damage on the powerful enemies they will soon face.  Yet the company is eager to prove itself, and sees the coming conflict as the chance it's been waiting for.

Infantry train in specialist techniques of not getting crushed or thrown during joint operations with battlemechs.

Frostgrave Elementalist's Warband

The Elementalist Hakon Iceblood unleashes his kinsmen to raid the Frozen City.

The barbarian tribes of the north live in a state of constant strife.  The brutal demands of the land would be taxing to any people, but it is the creatures that wander these lands that make it truly dangerous.  Yet for all their fortitude and courage, the gift of magic is seldom found among these people.

The fierce Elementalist Hakon Iceblood, flanked by his Apprentice and Captain.

Hakon Iceblood the Reaver is a living legend amongst his people.  Great and many are his conquests, and his mastery of the primeval elements is well known.  He is a great champion of his people, for might and magic are both well respected in the north.  The tribes across the north have all heard his name and deeds, and he calls the worthy to his side as he journeys to Frostgrave.

Hakon is joined by Gulbrand, his apprentice in magic.  Not only has the elementalist trained Gulbrand since he was a young man in the secrets of controlling the elements, but also in the ways of war and battle.  Together they have vowed to bring the riches of the City Under Ice back to enrich their tribes and secure their future.

I heard a lot about how Bones models don't really fit with Frostgrave models, so I made a warband about it.  These are Kord the Destroyer, Grundor Hoardtaker and Ingrid, Female Viking - all Bones models on 32mm bases.  Sometimes I still have difficulty with Bones.  Maybe it's just me.

The men of the north often use heavy shields and weapons to break their enemies.

The Northmen have rallied to Iceblood's call.  Warriors from across the tribes have pledged their arms, and are fanatically loyal to the Elementalist.  These are among Iceblood's mainstay soldiers, as many proficient warriors carry stalwart shields into battle.

The rest of the warband other than the Bones models above are Frostgrave Barbarians.  It's a really awesome kit that's probably a must-have no matter what games you are playing.  The paint flew on these models quick and they turned out really good.  I'm still not good at faces, but how easily these models took the paint helped me surprise myself.

Barbarian tribesmen of the North.

Some warriors yet prefer even heavier weapons.  These sorts of double-handed weapons are quite useful against some of the larger creatures and monsters found in the north, especially around the Frozen City.  Many if Iceblood's warriors carry these weapons, and are always looking for a giant monster to prove their valor and gain Iceblood's favor.

Not every Frostgrave Barbarian with a double-handed weapon has a shaved head, but every Frostgrave Barbarian with a double-handed weapon in this warband has a shaved head.

The barbarians may be primitive in culture, but not in technology.

Iceblood's forces are joined by more specialized warriors as well.  Rangers versed in the northern landscape scout the area and advise him of the situation, which the Elementalist exploits to great effect.  Crossbowmen supplement his soldiers' shields and hammers with hateful missiles.  Indeed the soldiers in the Elementalist's warband are eager to follow Iceblood into the City Under Ice and test their valor against the horrors that lurk there, risking all for the riches and glory.

The Frostgrave Barbarians plastic kit was the first one from the line I got, but I quickly got some more.  There are too many cool bits in there, nevermind all the soldiers you can build with it.

Trackers make excellent companions when trekking across the trackless, frozen tundra.

Iceblood also employs trackers for a multitude of tasks.  When foraging, these men are invaluable as their skills greatly increase how long the camp can function out in the wild.  However, sometimes it is other men that they hunt.  In the case of the Elementalist's visit to the City Under Ice, those men are often rival wizards who don't realize they are being hunted.

This model is the only kitbash in the warband.  This model is mostly a Frostgrave Barbarian, but incorporates some pieces from Wargame's Factory's Saxon Thegns.  Notably, those pieces are everything but the body and head.

Fear the coming of Hakon Iceblood the Reaver, Master of the Howling Winds!