Carrion birds squabbled among themselves as the smouldering harbour was
picked-over by a different breed of scavenger. The Rotmoons sang horrible
sea-shanties as they rummaged through the belongings of the former citizens.
Clothing, crockery, jewelry and various ornaments were cast out of doors and
windows, chests and drawers upturned, their contents scattered over the
streets. Anything that might have value was stuffed into bags or pockets.
But there was a growing atmosphere of impatience among the crew. The small
treasures were not what they’d come for. Where was the Emberstone hidden?
A screech of metal-against-metal brought the pirates to frozen silence.
Everyone of them listening intently.
“Steam-engines, to the north-west!” came a cry from above. The lookout had
finally remembered his duty.
While the others were distracted Murko found some Emberstone, hidden in
barrels, and called out happily.
Dragante's watch started prising-open barrels and crates.
Palmaz started another chorus of The Mermaid of Helbridge, and
Bortagno's watch joined in.
The war engines approach was accompanied by gouts of steam, the clanking of
pistons and gears. Then, suddenly, the roar of a dozen guns firing a ragged
overlapping cannonade.
Bullets and balls ripped through the air; it punched through walls, shattered
the remaining glass from window, and brought tiles tumbling from rooves. Most
significantly, it also shredded Roggriguez' Brutes.
The storm of death unleashed another roar; this time one of rage, starting
with Palmaz and soon joined by the other pirates.
Kapitan daLeeva, Palmaz and Ogdrog charged the nearest tanks.
The Kapitan was taken down. Ogdrog hefted his massive choppa above his head
and leapt at the lead engine, bringing it down on the turret with an echoing
clang like a cracked bell.
Bortagno's watch took their precious haul of Emberstone and tried to take
cover behind the remains of a stone-built tower.
While Dragante's watch also took cover, huddled behind a large rocky outcrop.
At the rear of the steam-engine's lines, an Ogor Warhulk, with a fussil-major
perched in a crow's-nest on his back, directed the tank's gunfire; he marked
targets by firing coloured flares, their lights burning brightly in the armour
of his chosen victims.
The entire division of war machines were thus able to focus fire, at one
group of pirates at a time, destroying them utterly, then moving on to the
next target.
They steamed ahead at full speed through the shattered harbour town, chasing
the pirates down.
Dragante's watch stood firm against the relentless advance.
But they were trapped in the enfilade between two war-engines - with very
little choice, they charged the nearest tank.
Murko and his ladz shrieked - as they were caught in a jet of volcanic steam
that burst from the ground nearby. Moments later the unstable Emberstone they
had found exploded - their unarmoured hides were burned and horribly
blistered.
The steam tanks broke formation and fanned-out...
... hunting down any survivors.
Bortagno tried in vain to grab another Emberstone shard, but the
fussil-major's punishing fire forced him to duck back into cover. He fled
empty handed.
Soon there was barely anyone left to resist them - the engine crews were able
to harvest the Emberstone the Rotmoons had accrued.
When there were only scattered remnants of the Rotmoons left the order to
fire-as-they-bear was given, and the engines cleaned-up. They rolled over the
last defenders and captured all the Emberstone they could carry.
+++
Opponent: Sin
Faction: Cities of Sigmar
Battleplan: Ransack the Encampment (3 Objectives)
Twist: Volcanic Incandescence
Emberstone Clusters: 3
Points Values: 1230 vs. 1280 (which meant no Stalled Reinforcements)
Emberstone Vault = 2
Total Emberstone Shards Gained = 9
Battles Fought = 3
