Battle of the Cairns
| Date | 2497 IC. [1a] |
| Location | Athel Loren. [1b] |
| Outcome | Victory for Wood Elves |
| | |
| Wood Elves, Bretonnia | Vampire Counts |
| | |
| Drycha, Durthu, Sceolan | Heinrich Kemmler |
| | |
| | |
History
Heinrich Kemmler entered Athel Loren in the autumn seeking an ancient and extensive tomb complex and spent several weeks within it waiting for winter to send much of the forest into dormancy. [1a]
Then, concealed by dark sorcery and guarded by Krell, he began to summon the dead that lay beneath the barrows. As he did so, for leagues around him, trees withered and died as their life energy was captured and reused. [1a]
The great forest reacts slowly as pain spreads across it, Dryads and Tree Kin awakening whilst Ariel herself wept black tears as she sought aid from the elves but the pain of the forest closed many pathways. As the ritual of the Lichemaster reached its height, pain racked Forest Spirits flung themselves at him but he blasted them with his necromantic magic. [1a]
However the Grail Knight Sir Amalric of Gaudaron had been guided to the battle by the Lady and now entered the fray. At the same time, Drycha managed to rouse the slumbering ancient Durthu. [1a]
With both Ariel and Orion dormant and the nature spirits being slaughtered, Sceolan took command and led the Wood Elves, Dryads and Treemen into battle once more. The Elf and his Eternal Guard fought their way into combat with the Lichemaster and his bodyguard and although Krell cut down Scolan, Kemmler was badly wounded and forced to flee. [2a]
Other than his master, of the undead host, only Krell survived the battle, fleeing from the dryads. [2a]
Initial Order of Battle
Undead
- Heinrich Kemmler, the Lichemaster. [1b]
- Krell. [1b]
- The Animated Ones, Skeleton Warriors with Spears. [1b]
- The Reborn, Skeleton Warriors with Spears. [1b]
Wood Elves and Bretonnia
- Drycha. [1b]
- Drycha's Handmaidens, Dryads. [1b]
- Durthu. [1b]
- Durthu's Handmaidens, Dryads. [1b]
- Brocath, Treeman. [1b]
- Brocath's Handmaidens, Dryads. [1b]
- Dyserdd, Treeman. [1b]
- Dyserdd's Handmaidens, Dryads. [1b]
- The Awakened, Tree Kin. [1b]
- Heartwood Tree Kin. [1b]
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 310 (UK)
- 2: White Dwarf#311
- 2a: Return of the Lichmaster, pg. 92
