The Relic of Neararva

 Diary of Culpert Whinne archivist 3rd class, Saath region, Imperial Planet Neararva, Sochis System.

Imperial Date; 0338021.M403 the planet is still suffering the depredations of a Nurgle army, all loyalist forces are scattered or dead and disease is rife in the major cities. Governor Kraven is missing presumed dead. While the accursed heretics are wantonly slaying the populace, they appear to be searching for something out on the Gorgothia Plains. It is not certain if an  Astropathic distress signal has been sent or whether aid will be forthcoming. It would seem that the people of Neararva needs a miracle or our fate is sealed...

Whilst the foul minions of Nurgle were pillaging the planet of Neararva, Adraxxys Molech waited for his chance to strike. Having been dealt a resounding defeat several weeks back, he was eager to exact vengeance. Invasive parasite probes were were placed in dozens of humans on the planet and on their deaths information was gleaned. The Nurglites were searching for some piece of primitive archeotech that had some religious or strategic value to them. As more of the probes returned the Death Guard searches closed in on an old settlement containing only a few hundred humans. Now was the time to strike, take whatever item the followers of Nurgle  sought and fill the slave barges with whatever remained. 

Greetings, the second crusade battle of my drukhari force is here. The combatants remain the same as my Archon desires a second crack at Dylan's Death Guard army. This time the scenario is The Relic and it proved to be bloody affair (insomuch as bloodless toy soldiers can spill it anyway). Other things worth noting is the apparent Benjamin Button paint progression of my models, no, I'm not painting then reapplying undercoat over them, this actually game was back in May. So the scenario is the Relic, pretty much a mad dash to the centre of the table where a rugby type scrum will ensue until someone leaves with the relic and runs off the table. As in the previous crusade game, I will write in more of a narrative style. 

Adraxys' force had been ready for some time waiting for the Nurgle force to attempt to retrieve the artefact. The enemy force had changed somewhat as a large bipedal vehicle had joined the force presumably at the expense of previous casualties. With a subtle signal the entire Drukhari force surged forward, this time though, they flitted behind the ugly mon-keigh structures giving little for the  clumsy chaos tainted weapons to accurately target.

The Nurgle infantry prepare to capture the relic.

The Daemon Prince is flanked by a Hellbrute and Plagueburst Crawler.

The Raider crew, Reavers and Hellions are fully aware of the martial abilities of their enemies and give them little to target before closing in on them.

 The first blows are struck when Serpentia, her entourage of Wyches and Venom engage the Daemon engines and Daemon Prince on the Drukhari's right. A vicious combat ensued with both sides taking significant damage, in the end, all that remained was the Hellbrute but the distraction had achieved Adraxys' aims, namely to blunt the Nurgle advance with some of their most powerful assets.

A brutal combat ensues.

The crew of Karks Venom find a vantage point through the ruins to slay Death Guard troops.

Swiftly the followers of Nurgle find themselves almost overrun!

The Wych cult troops using their incredible swiftness took the slower chaos troops unawares and set up a screen of combat troops to protect the relic. The Reavers and Venom closed with the Plague Marines as the Poxwalkers ambled into Hellions to wrest the relic from them. Wyches and Succubus Karks first slay the Plague Marines then engage the crippled Plagueburst Crawler with the assistance of the Incubi. 

Last Vid image before the slaughter begins.

As the battle came to it's conclusion the Hellions retrieved the relic and retreated away from the Nurgle force that was in disarray. With the relic beyond their grasp and it's commanders incapacitated the Death Guard troops began a fighting retreat. Harried by the victorious Druchari, many more would become entertainments in the Commoragh.

Aftermath.....

Once the game was over it was time to check for battle scars, once again, there were a few! Namely Serpentia lost a leg (-1 M surprisingly), Quentifel received a chest wound (-1 W), and a Venom gained weakened armour. On the plus side, Serpentia gained a battle honour so I thought proficient predator would be cool - a reroll of hit, wound damage or save roll per turn. My other Succubus pulled rank with the Hellions and claimed the Relic, I decided artisan bionics may increase her longevity as she was down a wound. Despite winning the game, no raid spoils either. There were now a number of units very close to upgrades so we could be seeing some horrible enhancements over the next few battles (fingers crossed).

Once back in the Commoragh and the plunder was divided out Adraxys return to his lair. Several of his underlings were suffering from niggling injuries that would not heal as they should, Serpentia's leg was a festering ruin and Quentifel had a severe wound to her chest that weeped blood despite the finest healing salves that would normally leave nothing but a slight blemish. Adraxys pondered the value of allowing wounded allies to remain in his force, such a show of weakness could mean some upstart Dracon  might attempt to gain prestige at his expense. Despite the raid being a resounding success he felt he was not really in a strong enough position to remove either Succubi. No, another raid to gain more souls for his Kabal would allow him to strengthen his position. A barely perceptible flick of his hand brought his senior servant scurrying out of a concealed alcove near his throne. "I believe Haemonculus Qud has taken an interest in these Primaris Marines. Find me a planet with a sizable force of them so we can bring some back to bargain with her and perhaps enough samples for a private exhibition with some of my peers."

"At once my lord!".

Thanks for reading.