Battle for Blüdhof
Date | 2515 IC |
Location | Blüdhof, Middenland |
Outcome | Victory for Ikit Claw |
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Skaven | The Empire |
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Ikit Claw | Dietr Krieghertz |
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The Battle for Blüdhof was fought between the Skaven and the Empire. [1a]
Before the Battle
During the solstice of 2515 IC, Lord Morskittar put into motion a scheme that might finally get rid of his greatest rival, the Seerlord Kritislik. Morskittar planned to construct a powerful weapon to make even the Grey Seers quake with fear, blending warpstone with a rare meteoric iron. His spies had found a baroque bell cast centuries ago from a fragment of a comet in the town of Blüdhof contained this rare material. Therefore he dispatched Ikit Claw to claim it, but instructed him to act with the utmost discretion and use only a meagre fraction of Clan Skryre’s formidable wealth to fund the expedition. [1a]
Ikit bribed, hired and threatened Slavemasters, Warlords, Master Moulders and Warlock Engineers and managed to muster a formidable, if rag-tag, army. However Skrish Charwhiskers, an ambitious Warlock Engineer recieved orders from Lord Kritislik himself that Skrish should arrange an accident for his iron-clad superior, or else! Agents of Clan Eshin disposed town’s sentries quickly and silently and the vanguard moved to infiltrate Blüdhof undetected but without warning, the crack of pistol resounded loudly in the night air. Ikit Claw was filled with anger as he lost the element of surprise whilst Skrish Charwhiskers cursed under his breath as he had missed Ikit’s head by scant inches. [1a]
The militia of Blüdhof were indeed alerted by the gunshot and rose quickly from their slumbers as the town was often attacked by bandits, Beastmen and other monsters. Ikit pushed his minions on regardless, but the bulk of his forces were far behind and a desperate and bloody skirmish ensued. The defenders were hard pressed but they managed to repell the initial assault. Ikit Claw ordered his forces to withdraw, planning to return next day with the full weight of his forces. [1a]
Less than a score of Blüdhof’s militia survived the night’s but they steeled their resolve with prayer and strong drink. Next morning banners were seen approaching on the horizon but these were not the tatty flags of the ratmen, but those of Talabheim. Dietr Krieghertz, Grand Master of the Order of the Blazing Sun, had been travelling to Middenheim, which was still under siege from Waaagh! Goretoof. When Dietr’s scouts reported that Blüdhof was under attack, his sense of honour forbade him from abandoning the beleaguered towns and he detached a force to rescue it. [1a]
The Talabheimers deployed with smooth military efficiency, garrisoning the outer fortifications and whilst Ikit Claw's scouts had seen the new force of man-things, he now had the full might of his horde in position. He would smash their stone walls apart and seize his prize and so with one iron-gauntleted claw, he signaled the attack. The Battle for Blüdhof had began. [1a]
Notable
- Skaven
- Ikit Claw.[1c]
- Skratch Gutsplice: A particularly vile Master Moulder, his ego is matched only by his ravenous appetite. [1c]
- Skrish Charwhiskers: Ikit’s chief lieutenant and agent of the Council of Thirteen. [1c]
- Kratch Gristleclaw Ruthless mercenary warrior from Clan Mange whose loyalties lie firmly with the highest bidder. [1c]
- Trikk Warpforge: Warlock Engineer of Clan Ektrik who brought the Storm Klaw.[1c]
- Blackclaws: One of Clan Mors’ most successful mercenary regiments. [1c]
- Bloodvermin Exceptionally violent and bloodthirsty Stormvermin whose Fangleader, Skrot Gnawtooth, is a deeply paranoid Skaven prone to uncontrollable fits of violent rage. [1c]
- Skarlungs: Several were hacked apart by an angry Skrot Gnawtooth who claimed they were all plotting against him from behind their gas masks. [1c]
- Spiketail’s Warpsnipers: Thought to be Clan Skryre’s best Jezzail sharpshooters, but they have hugely exaggerated their skills over the years. [1c]
- Throatslicer's Death Squad Ikit hired them to find and dispose of the spy in his ranks. [1c]
- Throttlesbeast: A particularly foul Abomination created in Hell Pit’s flesh laboratories.[1c]
- Warpclaw Abomination: Abomination offered as a special two-forone deal by Clan Moulder. [1c]
- Festerboil's Offering Plagueclaw Catapult. [1c]
- Storm Klaw: Warp-lightning Cannon. [1c]
- The Empire
- Graf Diet Krieghertz, a seasoned veteran who has served the Emperor and the Elector Counts with honour and distinction.[1b]
- Albrecht Mausman of the Amethyst Order, noted as being pompous and aloof, even for a Wizard. [1b]
- Markus von Stahlburg: Only son of the renowned general, Baron Otto von Stahlburg. [1b]
- Kurt Sternback, Warrior Priest of Sigmar [1b]
- Reiksguard Knights: Seconded to Graf Kreighertz’s command by none other than Kurt Helborg and commanded by Preceptor Klaus Valhoff. [1b]
- Doomsayers: Flagellants. [1b]
- Richter's Flintloques Handgunners. [1b]
- Taalbaston Sureshots They have fught beside the Towerguard for years but also have a well-deserved reputation for being practical jokers. [1b]
- Taalbaston Towerguard A well drilled regiment that is one of many that man Talabheim’s fortified city wall. [1b]
- Weisshelms Sharpswords: Empire Swordsmen fought beside Elector Count Feuerbach during the siege of Grünberg Keep. [1b]
Sources