Battle of Midgford
Location | Midgford, Moot. [1] |
Outcome | Victory for the Dwarfs |
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Dwarfs, Empire | Orcs & Goblins |
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Throndin Stoneheart | |
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800 Dwarfs [1b], 250 Humans. [1c] | several thousand. [1d] |
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Contents
Before the Battle
King Throndin Stoneheart of Zhufbar was approached by the herald (and cousin) to Baron Vessal, Marechal Heinlin Kulft seeking aid against orcs who had invaded their lands. It became clear that the greenskins were also those that had killed his son. Throndin quickly declared he would accept their gift of gold and march on the orcs. [1a]
He discarded the advice of a old peddler twice, once on the march and once in the Halfling village. Throndin deployed his army on a line of low hills, the rear protected by the fast flowing water of the River Aver. His warriors formed a staggered line, supported by Quarrellers in front of the cannons and the Thunderers behind fences and hedges. Barundin held the standard in the centre with the hammerers of the hold. [1d]
A ragged mass of halflings were at one end, between the hearthguard of the king and the baron's bodyguard whilst the human halberdiers and spearmen were held in reserve with the cavalry. The horsemen were assigned to counter any wolf-riders or chariots that might try to flank the dwarf line. [1d]
Battle
It was not until mid-afternoon that the Orcs arrived, a great horde of foul smelling greenskins in far greater numbers than any had anticpated. Throndin planted his grudgestone and delcared that his would be victorious atop it or buried beneath it. As the Orcs advanced the cannon battery opened up, tearing holes in the advance, but the greenskins were unconcerned. [1d]
By the time the Orcs reached the Dwarf line, fully a third had been killed by missile fire but swiftly their numbers and ferocity began to overwhelm the thin line of defenders. As the Dawi fought on, their flank was assaulted by boar-riders, slaughtering the Halflings as they rode towards them. To the anger of the king, the humans had fled! [1d]
Throndin, Barundin, Hengrid and the hammerers blunted the charge, but the king took a spear in the chest, even as he cleaved down the attacker with his rune axe. Barundon took command, fighting on as his father fell but it seemed hopeless until Grombrindal arrived. [1d]
He cut his way through the the horde, giving time for Abrek to summon an earthquake, great numbers of greenskins falling into the crevasses and the tide was fully turned, the remaining orcs fleeing. [1d]
Aftermath
Grombrindal was revealed as the peddler who had warned the king and now as Throndin lay dying, he offered his thanks - knowing that it was not in the nature of the Dawi to forgive. The White Dwaf accepted and then proclaimed Barundin as the new king of Zhufbar. [1d]
Order of Battle
Dwarfs
- Throndin Stoneheart. [1a]
- Aubrek Silverfingers, Runelord.
- Barundin Throndinsson, son and heir of the king. [1a]
- Hengrid Dragonfoe, Gatewarden. [1a]
- 800 Dwarfs. [1c]
- Hammerers. [1d]
- Hearthguard wielding axes. [1d]
- Quarrellers. [1d]
- Thunderers. [1d]
- Four Dwarf Cannon. [1d]
- Steamdozer traction engine towing four supply wagons [1a] and armed with a single steam cannon. [1d]
Averland, The Empire
- Baron Silas Vessal
- Marechal Heinlin Kulft, herald and cousin to Baron Vessal. [1a]
- Kurgereich, Captain of the Baron's personal guard. [1c]
- 50 Cavalry. [1c]
- 200 Infantry. [1c]
Orcs & Goblins
- Orc Warboss armed with two huge cleavers. [1d]
- several thousand Orcs. [1d]
Sources