[Tables]   [Results]   [Stats]   [Rules]   [Army Selection]   [Scoring]   [Cups: Doubles / Singles]   [Fixtures]

Lessons from Estalia

Battille el Costa Passa (Battle of the Coastal Pass)

The legendary lands of Lustria and their gold are a magnet for adventurers from all over the Old World. Three years ago, a ragged group of soldiers led by the ne'er do well captain Cortez, stumbled across vast riches during their bloody adventures in the steaming jungles. Those riches (and many exaggerated tales of glory) turned Cortez into a hero in his native Estalia. Now he returns at the head of a crusade to carve out an empire in the name of the holy faith and King Ferdinand. His men are well-armed and ready for war, they are the 'men of iron', the Conquistadors.

The famous Conquistadors are back in Lustria for more gold-grabbing action. But more than simply pillaging, they are on a mission to conquer and build an empire. A look in the history book provided the theme to this army and to Adam's (from the Aztecs). Historical events were also eerily re-enacted during the game as you shall see. You don't have to play Warhammer Historical to meet the ghosts of the past on the battlefield, now read on ...

The chanting of 'Ave Dominum' accompanied solemn prayers on the top deck of the massive galleon. Cortez felt a surge of pride and faith as he beheld over 200 men knelt before him. All armed with unshakable faith in their cause, reckless courage and Estalian steel. After 3 long years of preparation, they were ready to conquer. "How 3 years can turn a man's fortunes around" Cortez reflected. Little more than a robber-band were they when last they set foot in Lustria.

Now a holy crusade of hundreds of men, with he at its head, had returned. The distant throb of native war drums drifted across the bay as Cortez raised his arms in valediction. Pointing to the Crux Solar emblazoned on the mainsail above, his voice boomed out in a challenge to the noise, "Men of Estalia! Have faith! Have courage! In this sign conquer!" As one, the 'men of iron' (as nicknamed by the Lustrians) roared their response.

The conquista had begun.

Turn 1: History is repeated

Pirazzo was so busy watching the birds he didn't see the Skink Chameleons seemingly appear from nowhere behind him and draw breath. I drew my breath too for the first historical flashback.

History flashback #1: The name 'Amazon' was given to the region because the real Francisco Pizarro and his expedition to Eldorado was attacked by blow pipe toting pigmies in the jungle. He just made it out alive and made up a fantastic story about how he had been beaten by the fearsome warrior women of Greek legend (less embarrassing than losing to 4 foot high midgets).

Seven 'brave' conquistadors were cut down instantly in a hail of poison darts and Pirazzo's unit ran screaming about warrior women across the board with a disgruntled Cortez in tow.

In my turn Pirazzo rallied and the Knights Panther wheeled right smartly toward the offending midgets ...

In reply to Adam's shooting the steam tank rumbled forward and knocked 3 wounds of the stegadon with its cannon. Olé!

Turn 2: Charge of the (very) light brigade

To my amazement a squad of 15 brightly patterned skinks broke cover from the central jungle and charged the steam tank! To my even more amazement 2 of them managed to cause wounds and I rolled double one saving throws. Mama mia! Were these things armed with can openers?

7 More pikes went down to Chameleon blowpipes but this time they held, help was at hand ...

Knights Panther charge on Chameleons and steam tank grinding over skinks, nuffink left, nuff said!

Adam tended to have the better of the magic phase as he had no less than 3 skink priests. They all had The Comet of Cassandora spell (which looked scary!) but the 12+ casting value was usually too much for the poor dears. The very stars seemed to be against them. Leave comets to the big toad lads ...

History flashback #2: The Aztecs were adept at star gazing and predicting eclipses which were omens to them. Their religion was their weakness at this time as it was predicted that their god Quetzlcotl would appear and end their empire. Cortez fortunately turned up at this moment and was not resisted by King Montezuma who thought he was the god.

Turn 3: Let's frighten the natives

Not a great deal happened this turn as the scalies decided they didn't like those nasty, noisy warmachines. The large Terradon flight tried to charge the steam tank in the flank but failed a terror check and flew back behind the jungle canopy. The Kroxigors lost one of their number to the great cannon and went to lurk in the central jungle. The tank hit the Stegadon with its cannon again but rolled a one to wound, 'doh!', the frightened beast went behind the hill to hide. On the left the Border Knights failed to charge the Salamanders due to fear but the Jinetas (Estalian Knights) fared better by charging and running down a skink unit. The skinky screen was being brushed away!

History flashback #3: Cortez's claim to be Quetzlcotl (the sky god) seemed true to the natives because of the thunder of his cannons. Many pieces didn't work well in Lustria's damp climate but they did enough to scare the Aztecs witless!

Turn 4: Men of Iron

With the big lizards hiding from the guns it was up to the little guys to stop the invaders. The Border and Estalian knights were smitten with a comet and 18 hits from Salamander fire. Only 3 Jinetas were lost to the conflagration and they held. God bless plate armour!

In return Inquisitor Torquemada got off his doomfire ring at the Sallys who didn't like a taste of their own medicine and they panicked. They ran screeching behind the hill.

Pirazzo got in range of the last skink unit on the right flank and wreaked revenge by charging in with his last 5 men. The skinks stood and fired but only downed 2. Pirazzo killed his Amazon/midgets in 2 rounds and Estalian pride was restored.

History flashback #4: Renaissance plate armour was the finest ever made and could take a hell off a beating. Most native weapons bounced off the armoured knights who could ride with impunity through the ranks of Aztec regiments.

Turns 5-6: The fuzzy wuzzies don't like it up 'em

The skinks made a last-ditch attempt to stop the knights and urged their beasts to strike. The Terradons unexpectedly swooped around the woods and into the flank of the Panther knights, the Stegadon couldn't charge but fired its great bow into the side of the Jinetas and the Sallys rallied at the board edge thanks to the bellowing of the Scar Veteran who was hiding behind the Steggy.

Once again, the hits rained in but Estalia's finest held due to plate armour. The Terradons swooped back behind the trees.

These turns proved decisive as fortune certainly favoured the brave. The Jinetas charged into the Sallys and the Border Knights passed a terror check to charge the Steggy. Most of their dice came up 5's and 6's and their targets were broken and run down. The border knights even overran into the scar veteran who was also overwhelmed and dispatched.

Cortez and the large crossbow unit on the central hill lifted up the crux solar and a hymn of praise at their deliverance from the heathen monsters. The way into Lustria was open ...

Result: Conquistadors: 1461 Lizardmen: 315 - a solid victory

History flashback #5: Despite gunpowder, most battles vs. the Aztecs were decided face to face with cold steel. The 'arm of decision' in the Conquistadors army therefore proved to be the knights who could rapidly sweep through enemy ranks and win the day. Just like our battle this evening! History has truly repeated itself.

A BIG HINT

If you haven't tried it before, look deeper into the historical and legendary roots of your Warhammer fantasy army, they all have one. You will find a tremendous amount of ideas for modelling themes, background info and even military tactics which will enhance your gaming no end. Make an army the warriors of yore would be proud to fight in. Happy Warhammering!

For best results, download and install the Ringbearer TrueType font