Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi there! Me and my friend decided to play a "campaign" in 40k, and what I mean by that is a series of narratively conected battles over a small imperial system. I will eventually post narrated battle reports here from the Tau perspective, as well as give links to the Emperor Lion's perspective (which are my friend's homebrew chapter, using Blood Angels rules). From the fluff standpoint, player-controlled forces are only something like "special ops" teams, fighting for the most important objectives, while all the other fighting is done in a sort of off-screen fashion and carried out by regular Imperial Guard in the Imperium's case. It is belived that the two planets the Tau "captured" actually seceded from the Imperium and gave up with little to no fighting. After that, the Space Marines were called to contain the xenos threat and which could have been an easy conquest turned to a bloody conflict.

The following is the recap of the first campaign, which was brought to an abrupt end. But it was so fun that we're thinking about another one, and I was seeking some place to ask advice and stuff. This seems a good place to start.

===RULES===
*Each player has 2 000 points worth of Battlefleet Gothic fleet and 6 000 points worth of 40k troops. Units destroyed in battles are lost, unless noted otherwise in other rules. Thus, it will be wise to disengage if the battle fares badly for your forces, than to fight to the death.

*Land battles will be fought at 1,500 or 2,000 points max, using standard FOC. So the other points are there only for reinforcing that which you lost.

*There are 4 planets in the Roggan system, two of which are controlled by the Tau, and two by the Imperium. Each planet has 2 major places to capture, as well as a capital. Capital can only be captured if the other two regions are captured first. There is also a contested space station, which conducted research on the upgrade of the Imperium's fleets. Regions give a certain advantage to the player controlling it (and when the other player captures it, he takes this advantage for himself).

In the beginning of the campaign they are divided as follows (we rolled for them to randomise the effects. I think that my opponent has the better ones but well. It gives me more encouragement to conquest):
Space station [CONTESTED] - if captured, this station's research will prove invaluable to the commander, allowing him to upgrade his flagship either with powerful shields, or truly devastating weaponary. [You can upgrade one capital ship in your fleet with +2 shield or +15 to all weapons range.]

TAU planet 1 (closer to the Imperium space) [Fluff is being created]
1. [Capital] Fortifications - this city either has an impressive array of battlements of its own, or has been reinforced while the defenders were preparing for an enemy attack. [You can spend additional 200 points on fortifications in this battle]
2. Listening posts - this place is filled with listening posts and other devices which help your forces do determine your enemies location and thus plan your own strikes and use your reserves better. [You add +1 to your reserve rolls while on this planet]
3. Rocket fuel rafinery - a very effective kind of rocket fuel is produced here. It gives your fleet an advantage in speed, at least in close quarters, yet makes them more difficult to manouver. [You can add an addiotional D6 to you All Ahead Full rolls, but you count as having -1 Leadership for the purpose of passing the order test.]

TAU planet 2
1. [Capital] Mines - on this planet there are deposits of a very rare, yet also extremely durable material, used to reinforce armor. [You can give +1 Armour Save to one of your units].
2. Kauyon Deployment (Tau) - If the Tau player owns the location then they have moved Skyrays into position, and gain D3+1 seeker missiles to use each turn (roll at start of turn). These missiles must be targeted by marker light, and unused missiles are lost at the end of each turn. For this mission only, your warlord gains a special markerlight drone at no cost (show with model). This drone does not affect your warlords IC status but must stay in coherency. If the warlord is killed remove the drone. The drone has the same specifications as a regular marker drone, but is treated as having a target lock, and can only use its markerlight hits to target the off-board seeker missiles.
Additionally, the skyrays are well positioned to intercept incoming air assets. One unit on the board which is equipped with markerlights may treat their markerlights as having the skyfire special rule each turn. Markerlight hits from this unit may only be used to target the off board seeker missiles.
3. Ammunition factories - countless factories work tirelessly to provide a seemingly unlimited amount of ammunition for your forces. [You need not to roll on Reload Ordnance.]


IMPERIUM (my friend has not yet decided how he wants to place his regions)
1. Medical centres - this place is very heavily guarded, as a rather peculiar wonder-drug is produced here. It can put all but the most gravely wounded on their feet again in no-time. [Roll a d6 for each non-vehicle casualty after each battle. On 5+ it comes back to play and can be used again later.]
2. Tank factories - numerous huge factories produce dozens of tanks for the Imperial Guard - and can only be helpful in recovering the destroyed ones to their former glory. [Roll a d6 for each vehicle casualty after each battle. On 5+ it comes back to play and can be used again later.]
3. Jamming post - this place features a large number of jamming devices, which makes it harder for the enemy to maintain communication within their forces. [Your opponent withdraws 1 from his reserve rolls.]
4. Radar array - this innovative (at least by the Imperium standars) array of radars and sonars always keep you informed on your enemies advance, and you can utilise this knowledge to strike him before he even notices. [You always hold the initiative while on this planet.]
5. Anti-air batteries - this place is protected by numerous powerful anti-air batteries - flying into this zone would be suicide, and every competent commander knows it. [Your opponent can not use flyers or deep strike in this battle.]
6. Difficult terrain - this region is riddled with difficult or dangerous terrain, but you, as a defender, can use this to your advantage, as you know every inch on it while your opponent staggers in the dark. [You can infiltrate one unit even if it does not have infiltrate.]

*To win the campaign you need to either bleed out your opponent or capture his two planets.

=== THE STORY ===

Tau Kor'or'vesh

Custiodian Class Carrier - Noble Cause, manned by a Kor'O and an Aun'O (but in fluff it's an Aun'el) [+ 3 re-rolls] - 465 pt
Protector Class Warship - Destiny - 190 pt
Protector Class Warship - Unity - 190 pt
Protector Class Warship - Enlightment - 190 pt
Protector Class Warship - Sacrifice - 190 pt

Warden Class Escort x 3 - 90 pt
Castellan Class Heavy Escort x 2 - 100 pt
Merchant Class Escort x 2 - 100 pt
Nicasair Dhow x 4 - 180 pt

Kroot Warsphere - Ancestral Wrath - 145pt
Kroot Warsphere - Sworn Allegiance - 145pt

Dramatis personae

Shas'O T'au Mont'yr O'res'Ka 'Mighty Strike'
http://dwarf555.deviantart.com/art/Shas ... 74083&qo=5

Although hailing from T'au, O'res'Ka spent a lot of time on Vior'la, attending the famous Fire Caste Academies there. This caused a major change in the young would-be-commander's personality. Unlike other of his T'au brethren who are often aloft and reserved, he became... well... "hot-blooded", just as said by the Vior'la's very name. It is not to say that he is an incompetent commander, or a foolishly bold one. He just likes to lead from the front and can actually hold his ground in close combat. For this purpose he carries a shield generator and an onager gauntlet. His battlesuit is also outfitted with stimulant injectors and a prototype repulsor field, as well as reinforced by iridium armor plates. Unlike the fanatically zealous forces of the Imperium however, O'res'Ka will not fight to the death, as he realises throwing his life away in vain would be an affront to the Greater Good. Becouse of this, his Crisis battlesuit is also outfitted with Vectored Retro-Thrusters and very potent jet engines.

This Tau commander earned his title, 'Mighty Strike' during the fights with the Ultramarines. He proved to be a worthy opponent in their eyes indeed, having on one occasion stopped a counter-assault by Cato Sicarius himself. This victory allowed the Tau to hold a newly annexed planet, Dolumar IV. The name itself comes from O'res'Ka's victory in combat over an Ultramarine Company Captain. It wouldn't be anything worthy of note - many a foe have fallen under the plasma vollies of the Crisis teams - if this victory wasn't achieved in close combat. Felling the enemy with a powerful blow, O'res'Ka earned his title - and the grudging respect of the Space Marines. He then lead the Tau in numerous other fights against the Imperium's finest, and more than often emerged victorious. (This fluff is actually based on "real events", as my friend used to play Ultrasmurfs before switching to his own chapter, and he got a pretty good beating a lot of times.)

Interestingly, he seems to hold a little to much respect for the former hero and now renegade of Vior'la - Commander O'Shovah. Wheatver he just admires his fighting skills or actually - to some extent - shares his beliefs is unknown. It is known however, what O'res'Ka walks a narrow line, and that such scandalous opinions are tolerated only as long as he continues to provide his great skills to the Empire.

He is always accompanied by two loyal bodyguards, his close friends with whom he performed the Tali'serra ritual. Although always ready to put their lives down for their commander, the shas'vres - as for now at least - weren't asked for this sacrifice, as somehow their always managed to survive even the most savage battles.

Warlord trait: A Ghost Who Walks Among Us
Equipment:
Iridium Armor (Special Issue)
Onager Gauntlet (Special Issue)
Repulsor Field (Special Issue)
Networked Markerlight/Target Lock (Forgeworld Option)
Plasma Rifle
Missle Pod
Stimulant Injector
Shield Generator

Three words: boarding with Tau. Do I have your attention now? Good. In short: I lost the battle, but I didn't lose the war, as the victory proved to be very costly to my oppontent. I also broke like 20 regulations of the Code of Fire. Well... Puretide said: "In the end, the final arbiter is victory." We will see if I manage to justify my tactics by achieving one later., even though I suffered a defeat now. Because Pyrrus himself said - "One more victory like this, and I'll be doomed."

But first things first, here is one very important rule, that helps to understand what I did during the battle (it is also kind of important that we actually decided that DURING the battle, if I knew from the beginning, I would probably act a lot more carefully - and concentrate on the enemy flagship, of course):

-If your flagship disengages/is destroyed, the rest of the fleet HAS TO try to disengage immediately, as it is believed they would not be able to properly fight without the communication and leadership provided by the admiral.

Tau Kor'or'vesh
Custiodian Class Carrier - Kor'O + Aun'O (Leadership 9, 3 re-rolls) - The Noble Cause
Protector Class Warship - Destiny - Leadership 8
Protector Class Warship - Unity - Leadership 9
Protector Class Warship - Enlightment - Leadership 9
Protector Class Warship - Sacrifice - Leadership 7

Warden Class Escort x 3 - Squadron Leadership 9
Castellan Class Heavy Escort x 2 - squadron Leadership 8
Merchant Class Escort x 2 - Leadership 8, 8
Nicasair Dhow x 2 - Squadron Leadership 8
Nicasair Dhow x 2 - Squadron Leadership 8

Kroot Warsphere - Ancestral Wrath - Leadership 9
Kroot Warsphere - Sworn Allegiance - Leadership 9

Imperial Navy
HDMS Leo Imperatoris - Mars Class Battlecruiser - Solar Admiral, 3 Rerolls - Leadership 10
HDMS Argethan Fist - Tyrant Class Cruiser - Leadership 9
HDMS Wrath of Terra - Tyrant Class Cruiser - Leadership 9
HDMS Guardian - Imperial Dictator Class Cruiser -Leadership 7
HDMS Accuser - Imperial Lunar Class Cruiser - Leadership 7
HDMS Forvian Lance - Gothic Class Cruiser - Leadership 6
HDMS Vengeful Spirit - Gothic Class Cruiser - Leadership 7
HDMS Arrogant - Dauntless Class Light Cruiser - Leadership 7
HDMS Hunter - Dauntless Class Light Cruiser - Leadership: 7

.
http://s23.postimg.org/97ijie6s9/Mapa_Kampania.jpg

[size=18]Chapter one: First blood

Tau turn 1
Kor'el Tau'n Y'eldi let out a long-drawn sigh on board of the Tau Custodian Carrier, 'The Noble Cause'. This would be his first engagement with the Imperial fleet. He watched instruction vids and practiced on simulators of course, but that was something different altogether. Up to date he mostly fought with Ork pirates, and despite his high rank hasn't really seen a lot of fighting. If he were of the Shas caste, today would be his Trial by Fire. And speaking of the Shas, besides the admiral stood Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka, a grizzled veteran of a hundred battles - with the Imperium as well. Even without his Crisis suit he looked formidable - especially compared to the sleek and thin pilots of the Air caste. Several scars crossing his face gave him somewhat... frightening appearance.

-This is 'The Noble Cause'. All fleet - all ahead full. - by this words the Tau fleet utilized the full power of their powerful engines to propel themselves through space, towards the enemy. 'The Noble Cause' itself hid behind a huge planetoid, to avoid incoming fire.
-'Ancestral Wrath', 'Sworn Allegiance' - full power to accelerators. Proceed to boarding actions as soon as possible. Remember, that killing those who surrender is strictly forbidden. - Kor'el could swear that he heard a grunt of dissatisfaction through the com-link. Even then, the kroot Shapers were more than willing to accept his order. The sooner they get to their prey, the better. At least for the kroot themselves.

-All ships, prepare to fire missiles and launch attack craft. - said Kor'el and heard the soft, calm female voice of the ships AI - "Missiles locking on. Fired in 3... 2... 1..." One by one every ship capable of doing so fired their missiles and launched waves of Manta Missile Destroyers protected by squadrons of Barracudas.

The war for the Roggan system has begun.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All ships move to full distance (I tried to negate the range advantage of the enemy Nova Cannons as soon as possible)
-Kroot went All Ahead Full
-All fired ordnance
-The Noble Cause hides behind a central-placed planetoid, so it cannot fire directly but cannot be fired at directly (without line of sight at least)

Turn 1 Imperium
-Enemy vessels closing in. Detecting minor heat signatures - they are not using their engines full power. - informed the AI onboard 'The Noble Cause'.
-All ahead full. We should still be out of ra... - Kor'el was violently interrupted as the captain of 'Sacrifice' Protector Warship was patched through the com-link.
-This is 'Sacrifice', reporting damage. Shields currently down, moderate structural damage noted. No critical damage at the moment. Firing ship was identified as Accuser, Lunar Class Cruiser. Weapon signature... Nova Cannon.

On the left flank, one of the Nicassair squadrons also reported being hit by the same weapon, but avoided damage due to the shields. It is believed that the enemy was targeting Protector Warship "Enligthment", but missed.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Everything goes half the distance
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova Cannon at Enlightment, but hits Nicassair instead (no damage)
-Accuser fires at 'Sacrifice', overloading its shields and scoring 2 hits
-ordnance is launched to intercept mine

Turn 2 Tau
-'Sacrifice' and 'Enlightment' - conduct evasive maneuvers, come to new heading immediately. The rest - all ahead full.
Some ships were slowed by turbulent air left in the places that the Nova exploded, but nonetheless all of them continued to advance, as well as fire their missles.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Sacrifice' and 'Enlightment' turn to mislead the gue'la gunners manning the Novas
-All goes forward, Kroot All Ahead Full again
-I kind of derped, as I was heading straight into enemy torpedoes and didn't even notice by the time

Turn 2 Imperium
-What are your fighter pilots doing out there, Admiral? Having a break? - snarled the kroot commander of 'Sworn Allegiance' - 'Sworn Allegiance' reporting damage from enemy torpedoes. - and then the second kroot cut in - Luckily it seems that the human gunners are having a break as well. They missed us with the Nova.
'Sacrifice' reported avoiding damage as well.

-This is Barracuda Gold. We've engaged enemy attack craft.
-Understood, Barracuda Gold. Continue and protect the Mantas.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All moves minimum, Dictator Burns Retros
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova at the 'Ancestral Wrath' but misses
-Accuser fires Nova at 'Sacrifice' but misses.
-'Sworn Allegiance' is hit by torpedoes, suffering 2 hits.
-A bunch of attack craft remove each other

Turn 3 Tau
'Ancestrall Wrath' was slowed by the Nova Cannot hitting nearby, but 'Sworn Allegiance' continued to utilize it's engines - and a new fuel - to it's full potential.
-Nicassair Squadron, burn retroes to avoid enemy torpedoes. Wait for the fighters to intercept. - Nicassair, being natural spacefarers, succeeded in reacting quickly, and the threat was soon neutralized by Barracuda squad. On the other flank however...
-'Sacfrifice', burn retroes immediately! Your on the collision course with the enemy ordnance!
-This is 'Sacrifice', reporting engine malfunction, Kor'el, we...
-Messenger One, moving to intercept - the voice in the com-link was rather nervous and it was no surprise, given the obvious weight of it's words. Kor'el stood silent for just a moment. He couldn't deny that it was better to lose an escort ship, than badly damage a cruiser. But even then, he couldn't ask of such sacrifice. And he didn't. They volunteered. Such courage... Such commitment... Y'eldi was proud to be a part of this.
-You shall be remembered for your service, Messenger One. Know this - by your sacrifice, you have furthered the Greater Good, and laid down your life for the betterment of the whole universe. I thank you on behalf of all Aun. - a deep, calm voice spoke through the com-link. It was Aun'el Ko'vash, an Ethereal overseeing this campaign. There was something in his voice that was almost... hypnotyzing.
-Understood. Messenger One out. For the Greater Good. - this time, the captain of an escort was perfectly calm. He knew what has to be done and was ready to do it.
Just a moment later Messenger One was gone in a gulf of fire, but 'Sacrifice' didn't have to live up to it's name as of yet.

-This is 'Sacrifice'... - the ships captain also paused for a moment, perhaps still touched by what he has just witnessed. - reporting multiple missile hits on 'Wrath of Terra' and 'Accuser'. The latter has suffered critical engine damage.
-'Destiny', reporting hits on 'Vengeful Spirit'.
-'Unity' reporting. We've hit 'Vengeful Spirit' and crippled 'Accuser'.
On the Kor'el's own ship there soon were reports of critically damaging maneuver engines on 'Guardian'. It seems that this battle was developing kindly for the Tau.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Sacrifice' failed to burn retroes and would hit enemy torpedoes (str 6), so I sacrificed one messenger to get rid of them.
-Due to the convinient positioning of my opponent ships, I scored multiple hits:
-Missles from 'Sacrifice' hit 'Wrath of Terra' (2 hits) and 'Accuser' (2 hits and critical engine damage)
-'Destiny' hit 'Vengeful Spirit' (2 hits)
-'Unity' hit 'Vengeful Spirit' (1 hit) and crippled 'Accuser'
-'The Noble Cause' hit 'Guardian' (1 hit) and damaged their engine room (no turning)

Turn 3 Imperium
-'Accuser' heat signatures lost. They disengaged, Kor'el. - informed the 'Noble Cause's' AI. Y'eldi nodded.
-'Destiny' reporting crippling damage from enemy Nova Cannon. All systems down to 50% capacity. 'Enlightment' reporting damage as well. - Kor'el gasped. This Nova Cannon was a terrible weapon indeed. - 'Enlightment' reporting destruction of enemy ordnance. No damage suffered.
-This is 'Ancestral Wrath' and 'Sworn Allegiance' - two kroot commanders spoke together, even though they were occupying completely different parts of the battlefield. - We're being locked on. Proceeding to brace for impact... - a series of muffled explosions and screams was heard through the com-link - 'Sworn Allegiance' reporting fires on multiple decks. Shields down. 'Ancestral Wrath' also under fire. Requesting permission to disengage.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Accuser' disengages
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova at 'Destiny' (3 hits) and 'Enlightment' (1 hit)
-Argethan Fist fires at 'Sworn Allegiance' (1 hit)
-Argethan Fist's torpedoes fail to hit 'Enlightment'
-Arrogant fires at 'Sworn Allegiance' (2 hits)
-Leo Imperatoris fires at 'Sworn Allegiance' (2 hits + fire)
-Wrath of Terra fires at 'Ancestral Wrath' (1 hit)
-Hunter fires at 'Ancestral Wrath' (1 hit)

Turn 4 Tau
-Granted. - Kor'el agreed after a moment of thought, watching on the screen as the warshpere-dots disappeared from the radars. He had thought that the kroot would be successful in boarding enemy vessels, but it seems that the sheer power of the imperial fleet in close quarters was to much to bear. Nonetheless, they bought the time for the rest of the fleet.
-'Sacrifice' reporting bridge collapse on 'Vengeful Spirit'. Multiple hits scored.
-Understood, 'Sacrifice'. Prepare all batteries to fire. - 'The Noble Cause' finally decided to leave it's safe spot and when it did, it surely made an impact. With batteries and lances blazing, 'The Noble Cause' reduced 'Vengeful Spirit' to a drifting hulk.
-This is Warden squadron, reporting downing shields on the 'Hunter'. Castellan squadron, reporting multiple hits on the 'Hunter' as well.
-'Enlightment' and 'Destiny' reporting heavy damage to the 'Arrogant'. Enemy starboard armament crippled.
Once again 'The Noble Cause' proved to be deadly, as it's torpedoes smashed into the 'Hunter' and destroyed it. It was the second cruiser that the Imperium has lost, as opposed to only one escort lost by the Tau.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Ancestral Wrath' and 'Sworn Allegiance' disengage
-'Sacrifice' scores 2 hits at 'Vengeful Spirit' and destroys it's bridge
-'The Noble Cause' finishes off 'Vengeful Spirit'
-Wardens down the 'Hunter's' shields
-Castellans score 3 hits on 'Hunter'
-'Enlightment' scores 1 hit on 'Arrogant'
-'Destiny' scores 3 hits on 'Arrogant' and destroys starboard armament
-'The Noble Cause' finishes 'Hunter'

Imperium turn 4
-Multiple heat signature losses. 'Guardian' and 'Arrogant' have disengaged. - the ship's AI, as always, remained calm and soft-spoken.
-'Destiny' bracing for impact... Reporting hit from enemy Nova Cannon, shields down to 50%. Under fire from 'Argethan Fist'. No damage.
-'Sacrifice' reports minor damage from 'Wrath of Terra'.
It seemed as if with the loss of two cruisers, the Imperium's firepower somewhat dwindled. But the worst had yet to come, to the Tau's disappointment.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Guardian and Arrogant disengage
-Destiny is hit but no damage is scored

Tau turn 5
-'Englightment' and Nicassair squadron reporting downing shields on the 'Wrath of Terra'.
-Understood, 'Enlightment.' 'Sacrifice' locking on.
A devastating salvo by Warden and Castellan squadrons, added with the firepower of 'Sacrifice' managed to cripple another cruiser. But it was 'The Noble Cause' - again - which has dealt the killing blow. 'Wrath of Terra' was now nothing more than a blazing hulk.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Enlightment' and Nicassair down the shields of 'Wrath of Terra'
-Castellans and Wardens score 1 hit
-'Sacrifice' scores 2 hits
-'The Noble Cause' finishes off 'Wrath of Terra'

Imperium turn 5
-This is 'Enlightment'. Braced for impact, under heavy fire. Shields down, but we've suffered only minor damage.
-Understood. Carry on, 'Enlightment'. We're coming to a new heading and will relieve you.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Leo Imperatoris, Argethan Fist and Forvian Lance all fire on 'Enlightment' but only manage to down the shields and score 1 hit.

Tau turn 6
-Come to new heading. - ordered the Kor'el, as the Tau's right flank was now free of the enemy. Half of the Tau ships slowly began to turn, ready to concentrate on the remaining foes. 'Enlightment' held it's ground, but didn't manage to score any hits.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-I fold my right flank to relieve 'Enlightment' and 'Destiny'

Imperium turn 6
-Protector Warship 'Enlightment' reporting moderate structural damage. We're under fire from Argethan Fist and Leo Imperatoris.
-Understood, 'Englightment'. Hold on, we're comi... -once again Kor'el was interrupted, as the ship was shaken by a Nova Cannon hit. -Damage report!
-Shields down. Shield generator no longer operational. - reported the AI calmly.
-By Mont'au... All ahead full, we must negate their range advantage!

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Argethan Fist and Leo Imperatoris fire at 'Enlightment' (2 hits)
-The Noble Cause suffers a shield overload critical hit

Tau turn 7
-'Unity' and Castellan squadron reporting downing shields on 'Forvian Lance'. Attack wave Theta, commence bombing run.
-Affirmative. This is attack wave Theta, coming in.
A wave of Mantas protected by Barracuda squadrons flied over the blazing shape of 'Forvian Lance'... and when they were finished, the fires grew, while the guns were silenced. Gothic class cruiser was no more. Better still, heat signatures found out that it's plasma drive will overload and explode in the matter of seconds. And it did - the ships remains were gone in a huge explosion, which also engulfed the gue'la flagship, 'Leo Imperatoris', although causing minimal damage. Even though, new hope flew into the hearts of the Tau. They were on the good way to win this battle.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-'Unity' and Castellans down shields on 'The Forivian Lance'.
-Forvian Lance is destroyed by bombers, explodes and causes 1 hit to Leo Imperatoris.

Imperium turn 7
-'Unity', reporting moderate damage from enemy torpedoes. Castellan squadron, reporting destruction of one escort ship. - those new tidings were a result of the 'Argethan Fist's' rampage of destruction. Even then however, the Tau seem to hold a firm advantage.

The tide of the battle turned in one ill-fated moment. Mighty Custodian, Tau flagship, 'The Noble Cause' was torn asunder by a powerful direct hit from the 'Leo Imperatoris'' Nova Cannon. No longer protected by it's shields, it was an easy target.
- This is 'The Noble Cause's' onboard AI. Reporting multiple hull breaches. Engines damaged and down to 50% efficiency. Attention all personnel. Evacuate the ship immediately. Repeat. All personnel please go to the escape pods immediately. - AI's voice was still calm, as it was unable to feel emotions. But red lights and alarm signals ringing throughout 'The Noble Cause's' decks were a clear signal, that the situation is dire.
-Evacuate His Majesty Aun'el Ko'vash at once! - shouted Kor'el through the com-link. He knew, that no matter what, the Ethereal must live. Those who were not needed operating the remaining systems went to escape pods as well.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Leo Imperatoris hits The Noble Cause with a Nova Cannon, causing engine critital hit and 6 hits.
-Argethan Fist destroys one Castellan.

Tau turn 8
-Attention all ships, this is Kor'El Y'eldi. We've been crippled and suffered critical engine damage. All ships, prepare to disenga...
-No. - Shas'O standing besides him, quiet for almost whole battle, finally spoke, interrupting the young admiral. - Puretide said: "When all stratagem is lost, the battle is lost." - grizzled veteran deliberately "forgot" to mention that in the full quote Puretide also said "When the enemy can come close enough to negate your striking power, then all stratagem is lost." - We can still triumph. And we will. Come to new heading, all ahead full. Full power to accelerators. We will hide behind this planetoid.
-That would shield us from 'Argethan Fist', but what about the Gue'la flagship? This Nova Cannon will shatter us to pieces!
Shas'O stood silent for a moment.

-This is Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka, High Fire Caste Commander of this Coalition. 'Unity' and Castellan Heavy Escort... prepare to initiate... a boarding action against the enemy flagship.
Dead silence fell in the com-link.
-I gave you an order. Execute it, for the Greater Good.
-You have no authority over the Air Ca... - 'Unity's' captain tried to protest.
-Do as he says. - muttered Y'eldi, his pale face even whiter then usually.
On board of 'Unity' and Castellan, Fire teams were gathered, and even Air caste pilots took up their arms to fight, although they were of no match for the gue'la in such close quarters. A quick, but savage fight was fought in the corridors of 'Leo Imperatoris'. Tau boarding party was slaughtered, and the gue'la themselves got onboard of the Castellan and set it ablaze.

'Enlightment' and Warden Squad managed to down shields of 'Argethan Fist' and score a minor hit, but it was of no importance. When the crew of the crippled 'Noble Cause' realized that they were to slow to hide themselves from 'Argethan Fist's' fire, they knew they lost the battle.

Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka sighed heavily.
-I... I have... failed the Empire. - The alarms and the ship's AI urgings were still heard, and there were only a couple of Tau still onboard. -All... go to the escape pods. Fly towards the 'Unity'. This battle is lost. Attention all ships. Disengage immediately.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Castellan and 'Unity' board 'Leo Imperatoris', but are repulsed. Castellan is destroyed.
-The Noble Cause fails to hide from Argethan Fist, rolled too low on All Ahead Full
-Enlightment and Warden squadron fire at 'Argethan Fist', scoring 1 hit

Imperium turn 8
Argethan Fist locked it's weapons on the crippled Custodian. It's guns were silenced a while ago - most of the crew has evacuated and their escape pods were heading towards the 'Unity's' hangars. The ponderous imperial vessel opened fire with all it's guns. 'The Noble Cause', mighty tau flagship, was reduced to no more than a drifting hulk. Worse still, onboard of 'Unity' it was discovered that Kor'el Y'eldi's escape pod was shot down by enemy fighters. One by one, the Tau ships disengaged. They have known the bitter taste of defeat.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Argethan Fist finishes off 'The Noble Cause'
-All my ships disengage in the following turn

Epilogue

A holo-image flickered and slowly became stable. It showed a very old Tau, his face wrinkled in every possible place. He was sitting on a hovering throne. He seemed defenseless, but there was something about him that was very majestic. When he spoke, his voice carried the power that could change hearts at whim. Now it carried a deep sadness and disappointment - so touching, that Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka felt he could no more than fall to his knees.
-I have heard what you have done, Commander. You have disgraced the Fire Caste and caused harm to the Tau Empire. Many lives were lost because of your unnecessary bravado. We do not fight to the last man, Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka. Everyone must do their part for the Greater Good, but to die for it should always be the final option. -Every word spoken by the Aun'va, Master of Undying Spirit, Speaker of the Great Truths, The Shining Light was like a dagger thrust into the Shas'o's heart and filled him with deep shame.
-However... - the old Tau lifted his finger. - The great commander Puretide once said: "The final arbiter is victory." You have served the Empire well in the past, Commander. Do not fail it again. Restrain your hot-blooded nature. I suppose the deaths of your comrades - and the taste of defeat upon your lips - is a punishment enough for you. Remember Commander - we do not fight for glory. We do not even fight for victory. We fight for the Greater Good, and it's path isn't always a clear and easy one.
Kneeled Tau nodded, bowing his head nearly to the ground.
-Of course, Your Majesty. For the Greater Good. By my sept, I will not fail you again.

Afterthoughts

1. Should definitely hide my flagship, it was a lot too fragile to go broad to broad with Imperial ships.
2. Should have concentrated on the Nova Cannon bearing ships/ enemy flagship.
3. And probably most importantly, I should have disengaged while it was still reasonable to do so. But I was blinded by the prospect of wining quickly, and didn't remember that that is not always the Tau way. But well... you can say I have certainly learned something from this defeat. And that is always good.





Well, the tide turned, and I managed to win, thus defending my first planet from enemy planetfall, and allowing myself to gain the upper hand and counter-attack.

IMPORTANT:
-we scrapped the rule that said you have to disengage if your flagship is defeated or disengages itself. Instead your whole fleet suffers -2 to LD if the flagship is destroyed, or -1 if it disengages (thanks for it, Erebus)

-As a reward for winning the first battle and thus controlling the space station, Argethan Fist received a 15cm upgrade to all weapon ranges

-Arrogant received +1 LD bonus for wining the battle (you can choose one ship after each victory)


Tau Kor'or'vesh
Protector Class Warship - Destiny - Leadership 8
Protector Class Warship - Unity - Leadership 9
Protector Class Warship - Enlightment - Leadership 9
Protector Class Warship - Sacrifice - Leadership 7

Warden Class Escort x 3 - Squadron Leadership 9
Merchant Class Escort x 1 - Leadership 8, 8
Nicasair Dhow x 2 - Squadron Leadership 8
Nicasair Dhow x 2 - Squadron Leadership 8

Kroot Warsphere - Ancestral Wrath - Leadership 9
Kroot Warsphere - Sworn Allegiance - Leadership 9

Imperial Navy
HDMS Leo Imperatoris - Mars Class Battlecruiser - Solar Admiral, 3 Rerolls - Leadership 10
HDMS Argethan Fist - Tyrant Class Cruiser - Leadership 9 + 15 to all weapons range
HDMS Guardian - Imperial Dictator Class Cruiser - Leadership 8
HDMS Accuser - Imperial Lunar Class Cruiser - Leadership 8
HDMS Arrogant - Dauntless Class Light Cruiser - Leadership 8 (upgraded after first battle, for winning)


Chapter two: Defense of Ko'rath


Deployment map:
http://s17.postimg.org/mzlsumzel/Mapa_2.png

Turn 1 Imperium

On board of "Unity" Protector Warship, Kor'vre Tau'n Doran'ro, the ships captain, now in command of the Tau fleet following the Kor'el Y'eldi's tragic demise, clenched his fists, as the Imperial ships started to appear on the radars. Once again, Shas'O T'au O'res'ka stood besides the captain, now more quiet and brooding than ever. His last defeat - and more importantly, it's consequences - were probably still haunting him.


-Multiple heat signatures detected. Enemy closing in. - informed, calm as ever, the ships AI. - Enemy torpedoes launched. Preparing to counter.

This time, there could be no defeat. Ko'rath was only recently liberated from the pressing yoke of the Imperium's tyranny, it's people either already embraced the Greater Good or will do so in time. To allow the Imperials to descend upon this world would be to allow the slaughter and suffering of millions - all in the name of some misguided sense of "retribution" for "betrayal", which was in fact just a desire for freedom. The gue'la had to be stopped and - for the Greater Good - they would be.

'Sacrifice' reported being hit by the mighty Nova Cannon, as did the 'Sworn Allegiance', but neither was damaged.

The battle began, and soon all would find out that the exemplars of the Greater Good would not be so easily defeated, and what they claimed as theirs not so easily conquered.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Argethan Fist and Arrogant move full distance
-The rest moves half distance
-All launches torpedoes and attack craft
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova Cannon at Sworn Allegiance, downing 1 shield
-Accuser fires Nova Cannon at Sacrifice, downing 1 shield


Turn 1 Tau

An order echoed through each of the Tau starship's bridges - "ALL AHEAD FULL!". Utilizing the full power of their engines - and the new fuel - Tau fleet was determined to rid their enemy of the range advantage.

Unfortunately, one of the Nicassair squadrons, as well as 'Destiny' experienced some problems and thus were slowed. The former proved their worth nonetheless, destroying incoming torpedo weave with their batteries.

Once again all ships unleashed countless missiles, knowing that they could never math the Imperium in broadside power, and that ordnance was their best bet against the lumbering behemoths of the enemy.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-All ships All Ahead Full ('Destiny' fails, as well as Nicassair)
-Nicassair destroy incoming torpedoes
-All fires torpedo and attack craft

Turn 2 Imperium

-Enemy ships closing in, minimal speed. - informed ever as calmly the 'Unity's AI. - Nicassair squadron in enemy range.

'Arrogant' and 'Argethan Fist' concentrated their fire on the Dhows, but managed only to destroy one, because of the escorts small size and quite powerful shields.

But that was of small concern when compared to what happened in the meantime.

-This is 'Sacrifice', we've suffered crippling damage from the enemy flagship's Nova Cannon! I repeat, we have been crippled! All systems down to 50% capacity, shields overloaded, multiple fires on the main deck! Requesting permission to disengage.

Kor'vre Tau'n Doran'ro nodded to himself. - Granted. - following his predecessor death, and the Shas'O's reprimand by the, as the saying goes, Ethereal Supreme himself, captain was never less eager to sacrifice his own soldiers, no matter how noble the cause. And those who disengaged this day may still live to fight another. Same could not be said about many of the "Noble Cause's" crew, who perished in the last battle.

'Sworn Allegiance' was also hit by the second Nova Cannon, but it's shields held strong and the Warshpere avoided damage.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-All ships move half distance
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova at Sworn Allegiance (1 shield)
-Accuser fires Nova at Sacrifice (crippling it)
-Argethan Fist and Arrogant fire at Nicissair (destroying 1 Dhow)

Turn 2 Tau

'Sarifice' Protector Warship disappeared from the radars as it disengaged, it's crew turned from manning the guns to repairing the damage and quenching the fires. Meanwhile, the other ships still pushed their way through space with the full power of it's engines.

And then it began.

The tau ordnance reached the Imperial ships, and crushed into them with power neither expected by the Gue'la, or able to be countered.

-'Enlightment', reporting multiple hits on 'Argethan Fist'.
-'Destiny', reporting hits on 'Argethan Fist' as well. Enemy engine rooms damaged.

But there was a downside to all that - Imperial ships were getting closer, and ready to unleash their full firepower.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-All ships all ahead full
-Torpedoes from Enlightment hit Argethan Fist (3 hits)
-Torpedoes from Destiny hit Argethan Fist (2 hits + crit - engine room damaged)
-Torpedoes from Sacrifice fail to damage Dauntless Cruiser

Turn 3 Imperium

-Tyrant Class Cruiser, signature 'Argethan Fist' disengaged. - informed the 'Destiny's' AI. Kor'vre smiled to himself. Those gue'la invaders felt the righteous power of those fighting for the Greater Good - and that was only the start.

But a smile was quickly wiped from his face as 'Enlightment' reported being hit with both enemy Nova Cannons at once! Miraculously, the ship managed to survive, albeit being crippled and critically damaged. Once again, it requested permission to disengage, and once again, it was granted.

Other gue'la ships were fortunately less effective - they failed to damage both the Messanger ship and the Nicassair squadron. 'Guardians' gunmen also seemed to have a problem with their torpedo bays, as they were silenced for a while.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-All ships move half distance
-Argethan Fist disengages
-Leo Imperatoris fires Nova at Enlightment (1 hit)
-Accuser fires Nova at Enlightment (cripples)
-Arrogant fires at Messanger and Niccassair (does nothing)
-Guardian fails to reload ordnance

Turn 3 Tau

What the Imperials did not realize was that each minute they spend shooting at the Tau ships, brought the Kroot Warspsheres closer to their position. Finally, 'Sworn Allegiance' reached the Dauntless Cruiser 'Arrogant' and boarded it, preceded by fire from the Nicassair squad batteries. What fallowed was gruesome and bloody, mostly for the gue'la.

-This is Shaper Khorvak, reporting massive damage to the enemy ship and crew - the kroot was hard to hear over the terror-filled screams of pain and the sounds of fighting.
-Shaper, I am entitled to remind you that you are not to harm those who surrender, for it is the will of the Ethereals that... - Kor'vre tried to be calm, despite the sounds that filled his ears.
-Yeah, yeah. I get it, capt'n. But sadly, none of them surre... oh wait a minute... - what followed sounded as... a breaking bone, coupled with a cry of excruciating pain. And it was in turn followed by a gurgling sound, just as the speaker was eating something... - so good... were was I.... Ah. None of them surrendered, so we had to kill most of them. Really sorry. We set the ship ablaze before being forced back... Shaper Khorvak, out. - the conversation ended with another, clearly human scream.

Kor'vre Tau'n Doran'ro sighed. He heard the Tau admiral once said about kroot that "At least in space they cannot eat their enemies". It sadly seemed not true enough. But at least... 'Arrogant' was... neutralized... And it was all for the Greater Good.

-'Destiny ' reporting missile hits on 'Accuser'. Barely no return fire... I think they are preparing to disengage, Kor'vre. By the Ethereals themselves, the victory is ours.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Enlightment disengages
-Nicassair squadron fires at 'Arrogant' (it provides bonuses to boarding if enemy ship is under fire)
-Sworn allegiance boards 'Arrogant', crippling it
-Torpedoes from Destiny hit 'Accuser' (2 hits)

Turn 4 Imperium

One by one the Imperial ships disengaged, rather to face the full power of the Tau ordnance - and, maybe even more so, the fearsome hunger of the kroot. The Tau were victorious, their planet secure. Now, they turned their minds to conquest once again - on the other side of the system there were still planets which peoples were to be shown a way.

Their deliverance was at hand.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All Imperial ships disengage

Afterthoughts:
-Tau ordnance is AWESOME. Seriously, even with the loss of strength over time, the speed of the Tau missiles, and their maneuverability is unparalleled.
-The Kroot Warspheres are awesome too! They seem not so dangerous, but when they come closer... it's too late. It was really fun to try to imagine what happened on the ship... Those kroot are fearsome indeed! It saddens me that they are actually quite weak in hand to hand in the Warhammer 40k tabletop...
-It also is quite interesting for me - as it would probably be for all other Tau players - to actually have a shorter range this time. This asset with the improved fuel really did come in handy, because going all ahead full halves the power of batteries and lances - but not the torpedoes, which were my greatest strenght.

Regarding my enemy:
-I think he actually made a mistake in the composition of the fleet itself, ignoring escort ships and thus ending with relatively few "bodies" which are easy to concentrate fire on
-He also made mistake by not actually shooting my ornance with his batteries and/or lances. For most of the time my ships wereny even in range, so he would have lost nothing, and may have gained a lot.



Mark my words, I will finish this SOMEDAY!

----
Tau Kor'or'vesh
Protector Class Warship - Unity - Leadership 9 (FLAGSHIP)

Protector Class Warship - Destiny - Leadership 8
Protector Class Warship - Enlightment - Leadership 9
Protector Class Warship - Sacrifice - Leadership 8 (+1 LD for winning last battle)

Warden Class Escort x 3 - Squadron Leadership 9
Merchant Class Escort x 1 - Leadership 8
Nicasair Dhow x 3 - Squadron Leadership 8

Kroot Warsphere - Ancestral Wrath - Leadership 9
Kroot Warsphere - Sworn Allegiance - Leadership 9

Imperial Navy
HDMS Leo Imperatoris - Mars Class Battlecruiser - Solar Admiral, 3 Rerolls - Leadership 10 (FLAGSHIP)

HDMS Argethan Fist - Tyrant Class Cruiser - Leadership 9 + 15 to all weapons range
HDMS Guardian - Imperial Dictator Class Cruiser - Leadership 8
HDMS Accuser - Imperial Lunar Class Cruiser - Leadership 8
HDMS Arrogant - Dauntless Class Light Cruiser - Leadership 8

Chapter three: Tables turned

Imperium turn 1

Kor'vre Tau'n Doran'ro gazed upon the Tau's next target in silence. Though it was called an 'industrial planet' by the Gue'la, it seemed to be a dead world by Tau standards. It's cities were black holes of concrete, steel, ashes and smoke. It's forest - cut down long ago to fuel countless furnaces. It's oceans - botomless dark pits of water mixed with oil and waste. This madness had to be stopped. When the Tau liberate this world, they will raise elegant cities, clean and full of light, where those who support their cause can leave in peace and harmony. They will change the desert plains into beautiful forests, where kroot auxilliaries will reside, along with numerous animals...

The captain wandered in his thoughts for a moment, but was interrupted - once again - by his ship's AI.

-Enemy vesells, closing in.

The Gue'la tactics were already familiar to the captain - they advanced slowly, not wanting to forsake the advantage of range that their powerful weapons gave them. So it was this time as well - the Nova projectiles ruptured the space, but managed only to destroy one Nicassair dhow. The enemy flagship, 'Leo Imperatoris', missed the Tau Protector 'Sacrifice' by a far amount.

Doran'ro was not afraid - his tactics proven to be valid before, and he was confident to win this time. He ordered his fleet all ahead full, preparing to meet the enemy head-on.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All moves half distance
-Leo Imperatoris fires NOVA at Sacrifice (misses)
-Accuser fires NOVA at Sacrifice as well, but instead hits and destroys one Nicassair Dhow
-All launches torpedoes and attack craft

Tau turn 1

The Tau ships pushed through the vacuum of space, once again using their formidable engines -and their experimental fuel - to their full extent. While on the move, they released weaves of missles, fighters and bombers.

The enemy was still beyond the range of conventional weapons, so Doran'ro ordered the escort ships to concentrate on enemy ordnance instead. It proved to be a successful tactics - lance and battery barrage, combined with the fighter squadrons, ensured that not one enemy torpedo reached the Tau lines.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All goes ALL AHEAD FULL
-All releases missles and attack craft
-All fires at enemy ordnance in range

Imperium turn 2

The Imperial barrage once again started with the fearsome Nova Cannons, but this time they proved not very effective as well. In fact, they failed to do any damage - one missed and the other barely hit the Warden squadron, but the ships' shields held, and they avoided damage.

But there was something that the Tau did not take into account - Tyrant Class Cruiser, Argethan Fist, was fitted with the cutting-edge technology salvaged from the space station, which the Imperials secured after the first battle.

This gave them the superior range, and 'Destiny' was caught entirely off guard, but - luckily for the Tau - it's shields protected it entirely from harm.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All moves half distance
-Leo Imperatoris hits Warden Squad with NOVA (downing shields)
-Accuser misses Enlightment with NOVA
-Argethan Fist fires at Destiny, which fails Brace for Impact, but suffers no damage

Tau turn 2

Kor'vattra, having entered the enemy range, slowed it's flight and readied itself to fight. Only the Kroot Warspheres continued all ahead full, wanting to initiate boarding action.

-All ships, concentrate fire on 'Argethan Fist'. It's weapon technology must not be preserved to be duplicated by the Gue'la! - captain Doran'ro issued his orders through the inter-com, and he was soon heeded without question.

Argethan Fist was identified as a major threat, and condemned to immediate destruction. The orders were carried out with precision and skill that were matched only by the Air Caste of the Tau.

First, 'Destiny' and 'Unity' downed the cruiser's shields with massive firepower. It was only then that the Warden squadron zoomed in for the kill. Though small and seemingly not dangerous, the ships carried powerful ion weaponry, able to rip through the strongest armor. And it did, turning the 'Argethan Fist's bridge into the huge open gap in the ships construction, and setting it's multiple decks ablaze.

But it was Protector Warship 'Sacrifice', which dealt the killing blow, reducing the once mighty vessel into a blazing hulk.

It was not all, however - the Tau ordnance reached the enemy as well, and missile weaves from 'Enlightment' crippled the Dauntless Class Cruiser - Arrogant.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-All moves normal, except for Kroot (ALL AHEAD FULL)
-'Destiny' and 'Unity' down 'Argethan Fist's shields
-Warden squadron fires at 'Argethan Fist' and cripples it (4 hits, bridge smashed and fire critical hits)
-Sacrifice locks on 'Argethan Fist' and finishes it
-Missiles from 'Enlightment' cripple Arrogant (4 hits)

Imperium turn 3

A temporal heat signature anomaly informed the Kor'vre that Gue'la ship 'Arrogant' tried to disengage. It failed, and Kor'vre knew it meant it's inevitable destruction. It saddened him, but there was no other way.

His sadness turned to anger - and disbelief - quickly, when 'Sacrifice' reported being torn apart not by one, but by BOTH of enemy Nova Cannons. That it survived this was surely a miracle, but it could not save it from what was to come. The gue'la retaliated in the exact same manner as the Tau treated them earlier - by concentrating their fire on the single vessel. Powerful broadside batteries and lances nearly torn the Protector Warship apart. 'Sacrifice' was no more. It finally lived up to it's name. It sacrificed itself for the Greater Good.

Of course, some crew were still alive within the hulk - luckily the reactors didn't explode - and it could be salvaged later. But as for this campaign - it was undeniably lost.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Arrogant fails to disengage
-Leo Imperatoris fires NOVA at Sacrifice (3 hits, cripples)
-Accuser fires NOVA at Sacrifice (1 hit)
-Leo Imperatoris fires at Sacrifice (1 hit)
-Arrogant finishes off Sacrifice

Tau turn 3

Tau turned to destruction of another, already weakened enemy ship - Arrogant. The Gue'la may have had advantage of broadside strength, but they were outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the Tau ordnance. They would disengage - or face their destruction.

Every auxilliary ship, namely Kroot Warspheres - 'Ancestral Wrath' and 'Sworn Allegiance', as well as the two surviving Nicassair Dhows, concentrated fire on the damaged ship, downing it's shields.

'Enlightment' finished off what they started, and soon another Gue'la ship was gone - this time in an enormous explosion, which engulfed the nearby space when it's plasma drive overloaded. But neither the Tau nor the Imperials suffered any damage.

Missiles from 'Destiny' reached the Gue'la flaghsip - 'Leo Imperatoris' and dealt moderate damage, but it was already evident that the Imperium has lost another battle.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Nicassair fire at Arrogant (no hits)
-Kroot fire at Arrogant (downing shields)
-Enlightment finishes of Arrogant
-Destiny's missiles hit Leo Imperatoris (2 hits)

Imperium turn 4

In the heat of battle, one torpedo weave slipped through the Tau defense and managed to destroy the last Messenger escort ship, but that didn't matter. One by one, the last three remaining Gue'la ships disengaged, leaving the imperial industrial world at the mercy of the Tau.

Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka, standing silent on the bridge for the whole battle, smiled reluctantly. The time of watching has passed - now was HIS time to act.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Torpedoes destroy Messenger
-Imperial ships disengage

Afterthoughts:

1.The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that my opponent lost the battle already when he composed his fleet - dropping escort ships at all leaved him with relatively few bodies, that were easy to concentrate fire on. And while escorts are small, they tend to be quite powerful, as evidenced by my Wardens.

2. I really like the style of BFG games and I wonder why it isn't very popular. It has this element of chance that may be frustrating to some, but I find it very amusing - EVERY hit has a chance of becoming a critical hit, and every critical hit has a chance of being very, very destructive. This way, even the smallest ship may change the course of the whole battle!



IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

We are not really proficient with GW rules, but we don't care - the main idea was to have fun. If you are easily offended by misinterpretation/ignoring of offcial rules, tactical stupidity and general derpiness, leave now.

1. It was supposed to be an 'objective game', 6 turns, 7 turn on 4+, who has more objectives in the end, wins. Only troops can claim objectives, and they are claimed only if there are no enemy troops nearby. But we didn't really read well into the official GW rules for that type of games, and we didn't know what to do when we have equal number of objectives, so we figured, that after 7th turn its 'sudden death' time and the first time turn ends with anyone having the upper hand, the other player loses. And the game continued... for 11 turns (because each and every ended in a draw), slowly descending into madness, as both commanders sacrificed everything like total incompetent losers just to not have to admit defeat.

But it was fun - at least for me, as I was never this close to losing in battle with this particular player.

2. This battle happened a really long time ago, but it was only recorded recently - so the exact details or troop movement, positioning and such are lost in time by now.

Places of interest on the planet
1. Radar array - this innovative (at least by the Imperium standars) array of radars and sonars always keep you informed on your enemies advance, and you can utilize this knowledge to strike him before he even notices. [You always hold the initiative while on this planet.] - TARGET OF THIS MISSION

2. Jamming post - this place features a large number of jamming devices, which makes it harder for the enemy to maintain communication within their forces. [Your opponent withdraws 1 from his reserve rolls.]

3. Tank factories - numerous huge factories produce dozens of tanks for the Imperial Guard - and can only be helpful in recovering the destroyed ones to their former glory. [Roll a d6 for each vehicle casualty after each battle. On 5+ it comes back to play and can be used again later.] [CAPITAL]

Gue'ron'sha'Yon (Space Marine Hunters') Forces
HQ
Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Stim Injector/Shield Generator/Iridium Armor/Onager Gauntlet/ Networked Markerlight/Target Lock\Repulsor Field/Neuroweb
Crisis Bodyguard Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Stim Injector - + Shield Drone
Crisis Bodyguard Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Vectored R-T - + Shield Drone

TROOPS
6 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui
6 Fire Warriors
7 Gue'vesa
6 Gue'vesa
Devilfish w/ Disruption Pod\Blacksun
Devilfish w/ Disruption Pod\Blacksun

FAST ATTACK
Barracuda Superiority Fighter /Blacksun
3x "Hazard" Shas'vre w/ Fusion Cascades/1 Shield Drone / Counterfire 2+ SAVE UPGRADE

HEAVY SUPPORT
Hammerhead Gunship w/ Railgun/Disruption Pod/Drones/Blacksun
Skyray Missle Defence Gunship Disruption Pod /SMS

TOTAL: 1498 pt

Blood Lions battle detachment (missing exact data)
HQ
Astaroth the Grim (counts as Chapter Master Leo Fidelis)

TROOPS
10 Assault Marines, sergeant with combat shield, meltabombs
10 Assault Marines, sergeant with combat shield
5 Assault Marines
5 Assault Marines

ELITES
5 Terminators w/ Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields
Furioso Librarian in a Drop Pod

HEAVY SUPPORT
Storm Raven w/ Typhoon Missle Launcher

TOTAL: Somewhere along ~1500

Chapter Four : Descent into hell

Map:
Imperium turn 1

-

A matter-of-fact recap:
-nothing is on the table, the space marines are deep striking

Tau turn 1

The Tau began their advance on an Imperial world, which name O'res'Ka did not care to remember at the moment, because, well...
the hell broke loose.

Everywhere around, dozens of Orcas tried to deploy the special forces of Gue'ron'sha'Yon - the Space Marine Hunters, as they were called - all while being shot at from every angle by the ground defenses - and squadrons of imperial fighters, which in turn were trying to repel the Barracudas and Razorsharks protecting landing parties. All that was eclipsed by the giant Mantas slowly descending on the planet, carrying the bulk of an invasion forces.

Tau ships crashed and burned, and every minute passed was marked with great misery and torment of the exemplars of the Greater Good, but every minute also brought them nearer to battle - and to victory.

O'res'Ka smiled, but no one could see it, as he was already entombed in his crisis suit, waiting impatiently for the drop. Scans showed him that the radar arrays - their target - was nearly non-protected, aside from two turret-towers surrounding the main building. Of course, the Tau Commander was not a fool - he suspected that it was likely a ruse by the Gue'ron'sha, who proved before to be master tacticians indeed. Still, this spot has to be taken and secured, if the liberation of this world was ever to take place.

Protected by the best Barracuda pilots, the Tau special forces managed to reach ground, although battle raged in the skies still, and would rage for a long time, everywhere around them.

Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka surveyed the battlefield. It consisted of one large building, erected in a monumental, but crude imperial manner - that was the main sensor station. On it's sides - two turret-towers, still spitting dozens of shells upon the advancing tau ships. The rest of the buildings have already turned to dust - either just now, from the fighting, or centuries ago, from neglect and incompetence of it's imperial keepers.

-Gue'vesa Auxilliaries and Fire Warrior teams, stay behind as we check the area. - ordered the commander, and began to advance through the field, his bodyguards besides him. There was also a XV-9 veteran team, fitted with heavy armor, a Hammerhead Gunship and a Skyray. It all seemed a really small force, almost unnoticeable in the carnage that was happening all around, but O'res'Ka knew that numbers are not everything.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Everything moves a little forward, vehicles especially, to engage the Disruption Pods

Map:
Imperium turn 2

-

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Still flyyyying froooom spaaaace

Tau turn 2

The Tau continued their advance through the would-be battlefield, when suddenly a lonely Barracuda - maybe a remnant of a destroyed squadron, or just a lone pilot, swooped in and flied over the main station. There was still no sign of the enemy - in this area, that is, because, frankly speaking, this whole planet, and the skies above, were full of the Tau's enemies.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Barracuda shows up, flies forward - has nothing to shoot at

Map:
Imperium turn 3

-

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Still afraid to show up!

Tau turn 3

-All seems clear. Gue'vesa Auxilliary #1, advance on the point Alpha. Disable the turrets ASAP. - ordered the Shas'O, and as he spoke, a Devilfish Armored Personnel Carrier swooped from behind his back onto the battlefield, heading for the west tower. The Commander then tried to contact the Barracuda pilot.
-Unknown Barracuda, this is Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka of the Gue'ron'sha'Yon. Identify yourself..
-Understood, Shas'O. This is... - began the aircraft's pilot.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Devilfish with 7 Gue'vesa heads 12" for the blue point

Map:
Imperium turn 4

And then he was cut off. Maybe because his vessel was violently shot down and crashed in flames just besides the main building. The Gue'ron'sha were here.

It was their armored gunship - a Stormraven - that shot down the Barracuda, and it was advancing towards the Shas'O and his bodyguards. A team of jet-pack equipped warriors clad in power armours also fell from the skies near the second turret. A similar group assaulted the Skyray, and opened fire, throwing an occasional grenade or two. Luckily for the Tau, the vehicle was left unscathed, or at least so it seemed then.

The battle has begun.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Stormraven with Chapter Master and 5 Terminators swoops in, destroys the Barracuda and heads for the Command Team
-10 Assaults drops near the Skyray, sprays it with bolt-pistols and melta-bombs (nothing)
-10 Assaults drop near the yellow point, claiming it

Tau turn 4

The Tau response was quick and decisive, although it proved not as effective as O'res'Ka hoped.

Skyray launched a marker-guided seeker missile at the Stormraven, but to no avail - armored flying behemoth seemed not even scratched.

Hammerhead unleashed a submunition burst at the Space Marines who claimed the turret tower, but this also proved fruitless - no doubt due to the mighty armors they wore.

It was the veterans in XV-9's and O'res'Ka himself, who proved to be the most effective - the former engulfed their enemies in the hot streams of melta, felling four. The command team targeted the other unit, killing three of the mighty warriors with bolts of plasma and missiles.

In the meantime, Gue'vesa Auxilliaries left the safety of their transport and claimed the west towers, now trying to override it's firing protocols and use it to the Tau advantage - or at least stop it from being used against them.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Skyray shoots at Stormraven - nothing
-Hammerhead shoots submunitions at yellow point marines - nothing
-XV-9's kill four Assaults near the blue point
-Command Team kills three Assaults on the yellow point
-Gue'vesa claim the blue objective

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 5

The fighting got more intense, as more Gue'ron'sha forces descended from the skies in a form of a metal shell - a Drop Pod, hitting the ground just behind the Hammerhead Gunship. From within came an armor-clad behemoth, covering which remained of a once mighty warrior. Along with it descended another group of jet-pack equipped warriors, dropping just behind the main observatory, ready to go inside.

O'res'Ka gasped in disbelief, as the Dreadnought summoned a golden bolt of lighting seemingly from nothingness, turning it against the Gunship. It seemed unreal, but the cracking sound, and the blackened armor plates assured the Commander that it was real indeed. Maybe it was, but neither it, nor the bolter shells managed to damage the vehicle.

Stromraven lowered it's flight, continuing towards the command team and preparing to unleash its undeniably dangerous passengers. It continued to fire as it flew across the skies, but the protection of Crisis suits and shield drones proved enough that Shas'O and his bodyguards avoided injuries. The bolt pistols of what was left of a nearby assault team was also not enough to harm them.

Remaining Gue'ron'sha then proceeded to charge the 'Hazard' team, hoping for an easy victory. In their blind zeal, they judged even the most dangerous Tau veterans incapable of receiving even the weakest melee attack. That was to be their last mistake. As they advanced, two fell among the streams of melta. Two more were killed by powerful strikes - they might have been landed by an unskilled opponent, compared to them - but they were powerful enough to crush even Power Armor. Only one Space Marine remained, but before he could even land a successful strike, Hazard team was already back, utilizing their vectored retro-thrusters to their full potential.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Drop pod with Furioso Librarian drops, it casts Smite and fires at Hammerhead - nothing
-Two Combat Squads of Assault come and drop near the central building
-Stormraven heads for Command Squad, fires at them - nothing
-Assaults near the blue point fire at Command (nothing), charge at XV-9 and are wiped out

Tau turn 5

The Tau also brought more troops to the field, knowing they would need infantry to capture both the central building and the side towers. Reinforcements took the form of two teams - six Gue'vesa Auxilliaries and six Fire Warriors. They all headed towards the center of the battlefield. A second Devilfish also arrived, bearing veteran Fire Warrior team led by a Shas'ui - it headed straight for the east turret.

The first rounds of fire proved unsuccessful for the Tau - Devilfish fired at a squad near the central building - to no avail. Both newly arrived teams - Gue'vesa and Shas'la opened fire at the last remaining Assault Marine, knowing that even a single Gue'ron'sha is a formidable opponent. And that he proved, at least in defense - his Power Armor survived it all, and it required Shas'O himself and his trusty plasma rifle to be breached. The assault squad was now completely destroyed, their chainswords silenced without stealing even a single life. O'res'Ka wished that the Ethereals would grant their exemplars so easy victories in the rest of the battle. He was yet to be proven horribly wrong.

Fighting continued - Skyray Gunship tried to blow down the Stormraven from the skies with it's Seeker Missiles, but they proved no match for the Gue'ron'sha vehicle's mighty armor - all that they managed to do was to disorient the crew for a while, buying the Tau time.

Knowing full well that he was no match for whoever hid inside the Stormraven - probably the enemy's leader and his personal guard - Shas'O ordered his team back - a maneuver that may have saved his life.

A matter-of-fact recap:
- 6 Gue'vesa and 6 Fire Warriors come from reserve
- Devilfish fires at a central squad (nothing)
- Fire Warriors and Gue'vesa fire at Assault near blue - nothing
- Shas'O finishes the Assault near blue
- Skyray fires Seeker at Stormraven - crew shaken

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 6

The gue'ron'sha probably realized that they cannot afford losing the support given by the automated turrets, as fierce battle still raged in the skies, everywhere above. Their Stormraven's crew turned their attention the newly-arrived Devilfish. A salvo from it's weapons disabled the transporter's main gun - the burst cannon, but wasn't enough to destroy - or in fact even slow it down. The same could be said for the dreadnought. The tau carrier was only finally destroyed after the Stormraven's passengers dropped from the skies on it's very roof - and not in the figurative way of speaking. The Imperium's gunship showed to be carrying five imposing statues, seemingly walking tanks, wielding powerful hammers and glimmering shields - Terminators. Among them was one who seemed less impressive in stature, but more so in detail and wealth of his armor. The enemy leader, Chapter Master Leo Fidelis of the Blood Lions Chapter. O'res'Ka remembered him well - this was the first time he was him, but he also had the feeling that it was not the last.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Stormraven fires at Devilfish (weapon destroyed)
-Furioso hits Devilfish (crew shaken)
-Terminators coming from within the Stormraven finally destroy it

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 2 Tau 1

Tau turn 6

The Devilfish was destroyed, but it's passengers survived. Surrounded by enemies, they took the desperate effort to reach the west turret-tower and disable it. Leading Shas'ui thought that he really had no chance of accomplishing the task, but to try was his duty - to his comrades, to the Empire, to the Greater Good. They run, firing nearly-blindly as they went, muttering praises to the Ethereals for guidance and protection.

Meanwhile, the Gue'ron'sha took over the central building, even now utilizing it's equipment to the destruction of the advancing Tau forces. They had to be stopped.

-'Hazard' team, move in to the central observatory. Neutralize opposition and prepare ground for infantry takeover - ordered Shas'O, and veterans clad in XV-9 battlesuits followed quickly to fulfill his orders.

They stormed the building, knowing full well that due to their retro-thrusters they could always retreat should the battle unfold unfavorably. It didn't seem so at first - their fusion cascades killed two gue'ron'sha, and their mighty strikes felled another one, while the assault team retaliation proved not enough to penetrate the thick armor plates of a Hazard suit.

Skyray Gunship continued his efforts in trying to destroy the Stormraven - and it continued to fail. Once again, it was the leading commander himself - O'res'Ka who dealt the meaningful blow - this time with his missile pod. It did significant damage, but was not enough to cause the Stormraven to crush to the ground.

Fire Warriors and Gue'vesa Auxilliaries advancing in the center of the battlefield concentrated their fire on the enemy command. It was unlikely that they would penetrate the nearly perfect terminator armors, but whether by luck, or by sheer volume of fire alone, they managed to kill one of the mighty warriors. The rest continued their charge towards the central building, wishing to reinforce the assault team, which was having a hard time dealing with the 'Hazard' veterans, one of the best the Greater Good had to offer.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Hazard team moves in, kills only two - (then charges and kills one)
-When it becomes evident that my enemy would win according to our rules on the end of the turn (he had 2 objectives, I had only 1) - Fire Warriors run towards the yellow one, contesting it and effectively making this round a draw
-Skyray once again fails to do anything
-Command Squad deals a pen and a glacing hit to the Stormraven
-Fire Warriors and Gue'vesa kill one Terminator

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 7

O'res'Ka lost all hope for a quick victory - but he didn't lose hope for victory altogether. If gained, though, it would be gained trough effort and blood. With this thought it mind, he also headed towards the central observatory, where most of his foes - and their leaders - were already going.

The next moment brought a sudden and unexpected end to the Tau Hammerhead Gunship, destroyed by the mighty dreadnought... which flied over the battlefield on wings, crafted from pure energy, glittering with gold! The Tau could not fathom how such a thing was even possible, and they really did not have time to think about it. What mattered were facts, and it was a fact that the Gunship laid destroyed.

Troops advancing in the center were also having a rough time, being constantly under fire from the damaged Stormraven, which fusillade of fire took the lives of four Fire Warriors.

Inside the main observatory, veterans clad in Hazard suits managed to kill another two of their enemies, while still avoiding any damage themselves. One of the gue'ron'sha - a sergeant, to the irony of it - seemed to have lost his nerve and retreated.

The Skyray, earlier believed to be untouched, must have suffered a malfunction of some sorts - were it from the melta bombs thrown at it earlier, or from a maintenance error was unknown. What was known that it was unfit to fight - just in the thick of battle, when it was needed the most.

What happened near the west-most tower though... was worthy of a song or saga, if only Tau wrote sagas about individuals and their deeds the same way the Gue'la did.

Six Fire Warriors, led by a valiant Shas'Ui. Seven deadly assault marines towering over them, wielding bolt pistols capable of shooting their arms off, and chainswords able to sever their head from the body in the matter of seconds. Deafening sounds of flying bolter-shells. Blinding flashes of photon granades.

Shas'Ui Kais did not know how it was possible. How he managed to survive, while his fellow-warriors died all around him. How he managed to climb the turret-tower, even though he could barely move his right arm, left mangled by a bolter shell. But he did. And not only that - he managed to install the program given to him earlier by the Earth Caste scientists - the one that would take the control of the tower, changing it's ancient targeting protocols. Or at least it would prevent it from firing at advancing Tau for a while - and every minute counted.

Shas'Ui Kais managed to do all that. He sighed, relieved. He has done his duty. And the next thing he saw was darkness.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Furioso flies around using the Wings of Sanginius, blows up Hammerhead.
-Stormraven kills 4 central Fire Warriors
-Terminators and Chapter Master go for the central building
-XV-9 kill 2 assaults, last one fails morale and breaks from combat, leaving the point
-7 Assaults fire at 6 Fire Warrriors and then charge them, managing to kill all BUT the Shas'Ui, who survives, thus still contesting the point

-I FORGOT ABOUT MY SKYRAY. That may seem ridiculous, but it is less so when you consider that it was not a model, but actually a flat, blank piece of paper. Such things can be easily missed on the table.

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1


Tau turn 7

The battle raged still inside the main observatory - among streams of melta and giant fists of XV-9 Hazard suits, another four assault marines lied dead. But despite that fact, the battle favor seemed to turn away from the Tau - enemy Chapter Master and his personal guard were advancing towards the central position, ready to repel the alien invaders and secure it for themselves.

Maybe it was the intimidating looks of the enemy commander, maybe it was the thick of battle - but one of the Shas'O's bodyguards ignored his orders, and shot at the Chapter Master, instead of a designated target - the damaged Stormraven. The enemy leader survived both the missiles and the plasma bolts, protected by his mighty, ornate armor.

O'res'Ka did not have time to reprimand his subordinates now - he had to concentrate on fighting. And concentrate he did, once again proving his masterful skills by finally blowing the Gue'ron'sha gunship down from the skies with a well-placed shot.

-Gue'vesa Auxillaries, advance with me towards the main observatory. Shas'La - proceed to the turret-tower on the west, press it's defenders under fire. - ordered Shas'O. This battle was beginning to look more difficult every minute.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Shas'O brings down the Stormraven
-One bodyguard fires at Chapter Master (nothing) - I messed up target priority, hopefully my commander had his Target Lock
-XV-9 kill four assaults

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 8

The enemy dreadnought continued to fly around with grace really not fit to it's size, born still by the golden wings. But it was not time for the Tau to sightsee.

Enemy commander and his personal guard reached the central building- with them returned the one space marine who fled earlier. And it was when the Hazard team luck run out.

They managed to kill one of their assailants, nearly drowning the mighty warrior in melta. And then... they were torn and smashed to pieces by the Chapter Master and his Terminator retinue, not single of them remaining to fight for the Greater Good. Even O'res'Ka - a fighter at heart, veteran of a hundred battles - was not left unfazed by this example of brutal efficiency. He knew he was no match for them all in close combat. But he knew also he could not retreat. Not now, not in this battle. The Tau HAD to gain foothold on this planet, if they were ever to liberate it. Dozens of his brethren lost their lives already - their sacrifice would be in vain, should he now just turn his tail and flee.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Chapter Master and Terminators charge the XV-9 team. One dies to overwatch. XV-9 are wiped out.
-In reality, only now was the last Fire Warrior at the east point killed, claiming it for the Imperium

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 2 Tau 1

Tau turn 8

With that thought in mind, he pressed forward, his bodyguards besides him. Further behind were Gue'vesa Auxilliaries - who seemed much less eager to face those they - as the Shas'O heard - called the Angels of Death. O'res'Ka preferred to lead by example.

He ordered the Devilfish to open fire through the now ruined west wall, and it did - felling one of the remaining assault marines. Then he opened fire on the terminators, but despite all he threw at them, none of them fell. He ordered his warriors to jump back instead, indenting to crush one last remaining assault marines. But he too proved a though enemy, withstanding all the blows of his enemies - who may have had the advantage of height, but were unskilled in close combat. Luckily, the mighty Crisis suit was not so easily breached by a simple chainsword - Shas'O was also left unscathed.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Shas'O and Gue'vesa advance on the centrail point, contesting it
-I @$(* up my target priority again - should I fire on the last assault hiding in the corner and kill him, I would win. The fact that he was also not a model but a flat piece of paper surely didn't help my flawed powers of perception.
-Command Team fires at Terminators, then attempt to kill one assault marine in close combat. And fails miserably.

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 9

The last two Fire Warriors were cut down by bolter fire, as they advanced towards the east tower.

Inside the main observatory, the course of events changed quickly, quicker than most could think, let alone act. Just as the last assault marine was crushed under the Shas'O's Onager Gauntlet, three hammer-wielding, shield-protected terminators reduced the Gue'vesa squad to the heap of broken bones and burnt flesh.

The Chapter Master himself turned his attention to his counterpart - Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka. The mighty Space Marine destroyed both Shield Drones with ease, wounded one of the bodyguards, cutting through his crisis suit... but was surprised to see that his enemy would actually hold his ground. Not in the literal sense, as utilizing his retro-thrusters Shas'O flied back and forth, dodging attacks and drowning his enemies in the unending hails of fire. He did not seem to intent to retreat however.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-2 Fire Warriors are boltered to death
-Command squad kills last Assault Marine
-Terminators kill all Gue'vesa
-Chapter Master engages Command Squad, kills 2 drones, wounds one bodyguard

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Tau turn 9

The Skyray finally overcame it's malfunction problems and returned to the fray. The central observatory's walls were mostly in ruins by now, but even if it wasn't so - the smart missiles were drone guided. They flew towards the terminator squad, but did not manage to stop the armored behemoths. Neither did the Devilfish stationed near the remnants of the west wall.

Shas'O proved his worth once more - it was him who dispatched two more terminators. One was blown apart by missiles, and the other's armor was burnt through by plasma. Only one remained. One terminator... and a Chapter Master.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Skyray fires at Terminators, so does Devilfish - nothing
-Command team kills 2 Terminators

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 10

All fighting was now done in the center - both flanks were secure in the hands of opposite sides.

The enemy dreadnought manifested it's presence - and it's strange powers - once again. Through the shattered wall flew the golden lightning, engulfing one of the O'res'Ka's bodyguards. It left his Crisis suit ablaze and broken, and it's pilot dead. Whatever was the power the dreadnought was commanding - it was certainly deadly.

Meanwhile, the last remaining terminator left his master's side - probably by his order - and headed towards the Devilfish. With few powerful strikes he smashed it down to the ground, but was not able to destroy it. Thinking maybe that disorientating it's crew was enough, he turned his attention to the Skyray Gunship, hovering nearby. The dreadnought did the same, but was not able to penetrate the vehicles armor plates.

In the central building remained only three fighters. Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka, his loyal friend and bodyguard... and their enemy, now alone - Chapter Master of the Blood Lions, Leo Fidelis.

His cloak burnt and in tatters, his ornate armor bent and burned, he stepped forward, brandishing his sword.

-You fight well... for a xeno. Prove your mettle and honor - if you aliens even have such things. I challenge thee.

Shas'O let his chuckle be heard through the speakers of his suit. He knew that, whatever the prowess of his adversary, the technological mastery of the Tau gave him the advantage. One clean strike with the Onager, that was all he needed. And agreeing to this could save the life of the last of his bodyguards... his friend's life.

- I accept, Gue'ron'sha Commander. How is it said among your people? Victory or death? - with this words, he leaped forward, enabling his stimulant injectors. His first blow was blocked, and followed by and impressive array of strikes by his enemy. O'res'Ka parried them all. It all seemed like a beginning of a long fight.


A matter-of-fact recap:
-Furioso Smites one of the bodyguards to death
-Terminator immobilizes the Devilfish
-Chapter Master challenges Shas'O, who accepts
-They trade blows, no one is wounded.

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Tau turn 10

Once again O'res'Ka swung his Onager Gauntlet across the air, and once again his enemy survived, protected by powerful energy shields and artificier-quaility armor. When the Chapter Master stroke back, the Tau commander was not able to block all his blows - it was becoming evident to him that he would lose in a long term. Already he received a first major blow, his crisis suit was moderately damaged, and even his own flesh has felt the effects of the attacks. But all he needed was one clear strike, just one clear strike...

It is not known exactly whether rest of the forces was not aware of their leaders struggle, or was ordered to fight on nonetheless - but fight on they did. Skyray Gunship flew over the dreadnought, marked it with it's markerlights and released the last of his seeker missiles, reducing the enemy walker to the smoking pile of rubble.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Skyray destroys Furioso
¬-Shas'O loses 1 wound

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Map:
Imperium turn 11

And just as it landed, it's crew victorious... it was smote down by the terminator's thunderhammer, which damaged it's engines, causing it to crush violently.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Terminator destroys Skyray

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Tau turn 11

This victor's joy was also short-lived though. He was cut down by the burst cannon of a Devilfish, which destruction he neglected earlier.

Inside the observatory, the duel continued. And O'res'Ka was pushed into defensive - his crisis suit was badly damaged, and his body writhing in pain, even with the help of battle-stimulants and anesthetics. With the last bit of energy he made the last, desperate effort... and landed a perfect blow on his enemy, who flew across the ruined observatory and crushed into the wall with a thundering sound.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Devilfish kills one remaining Terminator
-Shas'O loses 2 wounds (1 remaining)
-Chapter Master is instant-"killed" by Onager

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 1

Imperium turn 12

-The enemy are retreating from the east tower, Shas'O. It seems that the Gue'la navy was also pushed back. We've established a foothold and began full-scale landing. I received the news while you were fighting. - said the last remaining bodyguard to his commander.

Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka gritted his teeth. He felt pain. He also felt a slight shame - he could have handed it all better. But above all he felt... satisfaction.

A matter-of-fact recap:
-Assaults from the yellow point retreat

CURRENT RESULT: Imperium 1 Tau 2

Epilogue

The Tau were victorious. It became evident when you looked to the skies - they were mostly quiet now. Everywhere around the Tau ships were landing. Cost of victory was high - very high to some - but it was a victory nonetheless. With the landing sites secure, liberation of this world became a possibility, and the lives of all those who died fighting on that day was made worth it.

Asides from the loss of lifes, there was still one more news that troubled Shas'O O'res'Ka - after the battle at the observatories, when bodies and equipment of the fallen - both friend and foe - were collected, the enemy commander, the one that was bested by the Tau leader in a personal duel - was not found. It seemed that he somehow survived and managed to retreat. O'res'Ka was troubled by this, as he knew he would prove a worthy foe. But maybe... maybe he would see the Tau superiority, and in time, also their benevolence? Who could know. Not many things are sure in this ever-changing galaxy. But one thing is sure above all others: none can stand before the Greater Good.

Afterthoughts:

1. As you can see, this battle is rife with both strategic (no markerlights, what was I thinking?!) and tactical (charging with Tau, ohoho) mistakes on both parts. That's probably what made it so fun for me.

2. I learned a lot from this battle, and in showed in the next - I managed to evade nearly all of my mistakes - lack of markerlight support, rash decisions concerning melee combat... So I suppose that despite the huge losses it was, after all, for the Greater Good.



Gue'ron'sha'Yon (Space Marine Hunters') Forces
HQ
Shas'O R'alai (counts as Shas'El Xin'Vauk) + 2 Marker Drones

TROOPS
6 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui
6 Fire Warriors
10 Gue'vesa Auxilliaries
10 Gue'vesa Auxilliaries

ELITES
3x Crisis w/ Shas'vre Plasma/Plasma/Vectored Retro-Thrusters/1 Shield Drone/Bond
3x Crisis w/ Shas'vre Plasma/Plasma/Vectored Retro-Thrusters/1 Shield Drone/Bond

FAST ATTACK
Tetra Scout Speeder/Disruption pod
Tetra Scout Speeder/Disruption pod
3x "Hazard" Shas'vre w/ Fusion Cascades/2 Shield Drones / Counterfire

HEAVY SUPPORT
Hammerhead Gunship w/ Railgun/Disruption Pod/Drones/Blacksun
Skyray Missle Defense Gunship/ Disruption Pod SMS

TOTAL: 1497

Blood Lions battle detachment (missing exact data)
HQ
Astaroth the Grim (counts as Chapter Master Leo Fidelis)

TROOPS
10 Death Company / Sanginary Priest
10 Death Company / Sanguinary Priest
10 Assault Marines
???

ELITES
5 Terminators w/ Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields / Sanguinary Priest
???

HEAVY SUPPORT
Storm Raven w/ Typhoon Missle Launcher

TOTAL: Somewhere along ~1500

Note that some units were not brought onto the table at all (that's why I don't remember them) - after a while my opponent started thinking that he was going to lose anyways, so he did not want to risk more units (or maybe was just angry and wanted to end it. He kinda does that)


Places of interest on the planet
1. Radar array - this innovative (at least by the Imperium standars) array of radars and sonars always keep you informed on your enemies advance, and you can utilize this knowledge to strike him before he even notices. [You always hold the initiative while on this planet.]
- OWNED BY THE TAU

2. Jamming post - this place features a large number of jamming devices, which makes it harder for the enemy to maintain communication within their forces. [Your opponent withdraws 1 from his reserve rolls.]
- TARGET OF THIS MISSION

3. Tank factories - numerous huge factories produce dozens of tanks for the Imperial Guard - and can only be helpful in recovering the destroyed ones to their former glory. [Roll a d6 for each vehicle casualty after each battle. On 5+ it comes back to play and can be used again later.] [CAPITAL]

Chapter five: An end unexpected

Prologue

- Dispatch the pathfinders and recon squads. They must believe that our attack is genuine. In fact, it will be. But just as you attack the jamming posts and tie their leader in combat, me and the bulk of our forces will attack their capital, thus conquering their seat of power and thus defeating the Gue'la in one, mighty strike.

-"Mighty Strike" indeed, Shas'O. - the female tau smirked, referring to the commander's - her brother's - name. - It will be done. Shas'El T'au Xin'Vauk, out.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-As I had above 1 HQ in the whole of my forces, and have secured a landing spot, I was capable of launching a simultaneous attack - obviously the same units can not fight on two battlefields - I intended to draw my opponent's best units to the first one and then attack his capital, which would be then defended by an inferior force.

Tau turn 1

Huge, towering jamming devices littered the landscape - a monument to crude, but surprisingly effective technology. There was also a big, ugly building of concrete and steel - probably housing the controls for the devices, or serving some other purpose.
The enemy was nowhere to be seen.

-Gue'vesa and Shas'la - sending you coordinates - claim critical locations. - ordered Shas'El. - Hammerhead Gunship - open fire on the building. It will either crumble down on the Gue'la's heads if they are there, or deny them cover when they arrive. - Though there were some problems with the transmission, the jamming devices didn't really affect communications between forces that close, and were mostly used to disrupt contact with reserves.

Tau infantry rushed forward, carrying their leader's orders out. In their wake followed the battlesuits and the Tetras. Their movement was accompanied by the repeated sounds of the gunship's railcannon, punching holes and chipping off parts of the Gue'la building's walls.

A matter-of-fact-recap:

-Infantry moves towards the two objectives that are not in the building
-Hammerhead shots at the building, punching a hole in the wall

Imperium turn 1

-

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Nothing happens, as the cowardly Spehss Mahreens do not have anything on board and will arrive via Deep Strike

Tau turn 2

Xin'Vauk smiled, as the infantry teams reported claiming the critical points. Gue'ron'sha were foolish indeed, to allow their enemies such an advantage. Or at least... they would be foolish... if they showed up for the battle at all. But in fact - even if they didn't, even if they saw through the O'res'Ka's scheme - it would still be a victory to the Tau. Just as planned.

Hammerhead continued it's barrage - one of the building's walls has already fallen. And then...

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Troops claim 2 objectives
-Hammerhead continues to destroy the building

Imperium turn 2

The Gue'ron'sha came, falling from the skies, jet packs roaring. This time most of them did look... different. Their armor darker, their movement somewhat erratic, filled with rage. They descended upon the Tau infantry - and rather than to hesitate when confronting their own kind, they seemed to attack Gue'vesa with extreme prejudice.

In the middle of the battlefield their bolter shells took the lives of five Human Helpers, whose armor, unfortunately, offered them little to no protection. Tau Fire Warriors on the west position had better luck - thanks to their sturdy combat armor, just one perished.

At the same time, mighty Stormraven swooped over the battlefield, ever-closing to the Shas'El's position. Her brother warned her about it - it was to be believed that the enemy leader and his most elite soldiers were inside, ready do be delivered into the heat of battle.

Perhaps the Gue'ron'sha had also learned something from their last engagement with the Tau, and seeing the Skyray as the most immediate threat, concentrated all fire on it. But thanks to the sophistication of Tau technology - namely the disruption pod, commonly installed on all the cadre's vehicles - the gunship managed to evade any serious damage.

Xin'Vauk smiled to herself.
The trap was sprung.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-10 Dead company drop on one point
-10 Dead company drop on the other point
-Skyray comes out, shoots everything into the Skyray, but only manages to "shake the crew".

Tau turn 3

The Gue'ron'sha drove closer, determined to confront the Tau in close combat - knowing full well that their enemy was no match for them there. But there was one thing they didn't realize.
They were marked. Marked for doom.

The central squad met their demise in the sea of melta - "Hazard" team utilized the markerlight support to it's peak, and when they were done, only one human warrior remained. Out of ten. And before he could do anything, he too was dispatched - by the keen shot of Shas'El Xin'Vauk herself.

Second squad of attackers - the one in the west - managed to hold on a little better, but they - too - suffered heavy loses under the combined, marker-guided volleys of Fire Warriors, Gue'vesa and two crisis teams. Only four of them survived, and their power armors bore heavy scars from this ordeal - as did their very flesh.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-2 markers dropped on each Death company squad
-Hazards kill 9 Death company
-R'alai kills off the last one
-in the west, crisises kill 4 and Fire Warriors 1 - so did Gue'vesa

Imperium turn 3

The Gue'ron'sha surely felt the blows dealt to them by the Tau, and were in dire need of reinforcements. Another five of them dropped by the demolished building and claimed it, probably seeking refuge from the torrent of fire that decimated their comrades outside.

Four surviving enemy warriors in the west managed to get into melee - having killed two of the Fire Warriors earlier it was one on one - a depressingly unfavorable situation for the Tau. Another three Shas'la fell in the matter of seconds, and the one remaining knew, that he would meet his doom as well. But he did not flee - his life was insignificant when compared to the ideal of the Greater Good - and he would gladly lay it down for it.

The Skyray avoided damage again, in spite of the Stormraven's crew every attempt to destroy it - once again the disruption pod proved to be invaluable. But then...

The Gue'la gunship lowered it's flight, and released six imposing figures - each clad in an ornate, heavy armor. Each holding a huge shield - and a hammer, glittering with lightning. Surprisingly, none of them seemed to match the description of the enemy leader, chapter master Leo Fidelis.

But Shas'El Xin'Vauk did not really have the time to think about it, as they were closing in on her position. This was it. The next few minutes would decide everything - her very life now depended on her reflexes - and the coordination of her soldiers.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-5 Assaults claim the building
-5 Terminators+Sanguinary get off the Stormraven and try to charge Ralai, but fail
-Stormraven horribly fails at doing anything to Skyray
-4 Death company kill all Fire Warriors in the west - one by bolter and the other four in close combat

Tau turn 4

When the Stormraven was brought down in flames by the Skyray's barrage, when the Hazard Team stormed the building, killing all but one of the Assault Marines inside, Xin'Vauk thought that she had everything under control.

But as the Terminators drove ever-closer, and constant volleys of plasma and even a railcannon slug didn't even manage to slow them down, let alone kill them - she realised that she was wrong.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Everything marks up Stormraven
-Skyray launches all 6 Seekers and destroys the Stormraven
-Hazards kill 4 Marines inside a building
-2 squads of crisies rapid fire at Terminators and yet manage to do absolutely nothing (!)
-Hammerhead also fails

Imperium turn 4

The descended upon them like true-born predators upon their prey. Soon her drones were destroyed, and her battlesuit was torn and crushed - and it was only her enhanced reflexes and her trusted retro-thrusters that saved her life in this moment. She soared higher - and then backwards.
-Shas'El Xin'Vauk, reporting critical damage. Going to disengage, relaying command to suitable sub-commanders. - this was a formality - the Gue'ron'sha could not hold on for much longer.

There was one still remaining in the building, but his bolter did not pose a threat to the Hazard Team, which hopelessly outnumbered him anyways.

In the west, the last remaining Fire Warrior was cut down by his foes - no surprise, really, as he was never expected to go toe-to-toe with even one of these adamantite-clad behemoths, let alone four of them. Still, the Gue'ron'sha were surrounded by enemies - and would soon drown under waves of plasma.

And the terminators in the middle of the field were now open to fire from every angle.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-One assault in the building fails to wound Hazards
-Death company kills the last fire warrior
-Terminators charge at R'alai, leaving him at 1 wound - then he disengages using the Vectored-Retro-Thrusters

Tau turn 5

As Xin'Vauk said - it was a formality.

The last Assault Marine was quickly dispatched by the Hazard team. In the west, his comrades finally fell - to the surprise of everyone, probably even Gue'ron'sha themselves, the last blow came not from the Fire Warriors or crisis teams, but from the humble, underestimated Gue'vesa, armed with their simple las-guns.

As for the Terminators... Two of them died to the marker-guided volleys of the crisis teams. Another one was felled by the powerful railcannon shot.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Last Assault Marine killed
-4 Death company get killed by Gue'vesa, of all things (!)
-2 Terminators die to crisises
-1 is killed by the Hammerhead

Imperium turn 5

And the remaining three... ran, shielding themselves from the fire. When Shas'El Xin'Vauk recieved the news, she couldn't help but to chuckle. Mighty Gue'ron'sha of the Imperium. Retreating before the might of Exemplars of the Greater Good.

-Shas'O, this is Shas'El Xin'Vauk. Your plan has worked, the victory is ours.

A matter-of-fact recap:

-Terminators run off the board

Epilogue

Shas'O T'au O'res'Ka gazed upon the star-chart of the Roggan System, now part of the Tau Empire and striving towards the Greater Good - and couldn't help but wonder upon this strange turn of events.

The humans left. Their leader summoned him to talks, shortly before the planned assault on the planet's capital. He said that he was needed elsewhere, to counter a threat far bigger than anything the Tau could ever muster, and that to consider his attitude a cowardly one would be foolish. He also swore that he would return.

O'res'Ka didn't know if he believed him. Did that really matter? The terms of the armistice were surprisingly reasonable for the Gue'la - they would leave, carrying with them every citizen of the last planet that did not want to give in to the Greater Good. They would also return the wreckage of "The Noble cause".

The Tau, in return, would exchange with them prisoners of war, and also return to them the bodies of their fallen, while keeping their equipment - and two wreckages of imperial ships as spoils of war.

Another star system turned to the Greater Good - with surprisingly little blood shed on the way - and another millions found their deliverance within the Tau Empire. And it was just a beginning.

Afterthoughts

1. As you can see, I seriously re-thought my tactics and it gave me a huge success. Markerlights really are a force-multiplier for the Tau.

2. As you can also see, this campaign was brought to an rather abrupt end - this is partly due to the fact that me and my friend started studying in different cities and partly due to the fact that he tends to get VERY ANGRY when he loses and think that "Tau are cheating-BROKEN".

3. But this may yet be continued in the future, in the form of another campaign. I really enjoyed it - even the one space battle I lost, or the first land battle where I NEARLY lost.


-----------------------


NEW STUFF


It seems that there will eventually be another campaign after all. I'm very eager to test out some ideas, especially since we will play in the larger format this time. I can only hope that my opponent will stick to the end. Hell, I'd in fact LIKE to lose sometimes, but throwing up a battle just isn't my style (my favourite fantasy race are Dwarves after all)!

It will be played in the same style as the last one, only with bigger points at stake. 3 000 BFG Fleets and a grand 12 000 of total ground forces, with regular battles at 2 000 and battles for the capitals at 4 000, allowing super-heavy stuff. I will also be allowed to use allied detachments of Imperial Guard (representing Gue'vesa), while my opponent is allowed to freely mix Space Marines and Imperial Guard in his FOC to represent the diverse, Imperial fighting force.

But, speaking of the last one, I need your help. I need to come up with 9-12 "bonuses" for controlling specific location (as exampled in the first post of this thread). These need to be powerful enough to actually give an advantage and tempt the attacker to seize them, but not overpowered enough so that they will make things grossly unfair. These may relate both to the abilities of BFG fleets and ground forces.

Thanks for all the input and may the Greater Good prevail!

You can definitely see that you put a lot of effort into writing this, but I'm afraid that you really need some pictures to draw and keep people's attention...

Also, I'd advise you to post each individual battle report separately, this is a lot to read all at once.

Loved it!

Thanks for the reply.

Hi there. I'd like to ask you for opinion and help regarding my future battles with my opponent during our second narrative BFG + WH 40k campaign.
We will be playing 2k battles for regular missions, and 4k for planet capitals.

A couple of things before I post the list, though:

1. We're still using 6th edition rules, as we were never really fluent with them in the first place, so it makes no sense to switch to the new one right now.
2. We're using our own kind of-dumbed down mission system. There is 50% for an extermination mission (just shoot the !@$ out of your enemy; make him either dead of fleeing) and 50% for objectives. In the second case - there is a 1/2 chance for there either being a couple of objectives worth 1 point, or a couple of 1 point worth ones and one special "relic" worth more.
3. My enemy is able to freely mix his FOC with Space Marines and Imperial Guard units.
4. I can potentially take allied detachment of Imperial Guard units as per rulebook, but they count as Battle Brothers - representing Gue'vesa who are numerous in my Cadre.
5. We play on a non-standard, huge table - it's like 100"x50" or something.
6. My opponent will use Death Korps of Krieg Assault Brigade for his Imperial Guard.
7. His Warlord and HQ will probably be a Chapter Master with Armor Indomitus, Primarch's Wrath and this burning relic sword.
8. That likely doesn't matter, but Kroot in my armylist use the old statline, while keeping the new weapons and rules (so they are one point of str higher and have one attack more than in 6th edition Codex).
9. We're playing sort-of-Escalation, so THEORETICALLY he can come up with 1 Super-Heavy though I doubt it at this point-scale.


Now, to the list itself.

HQ - 370pt
Shas'O Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Stim Injector/Shield Generator/Iridium Armor/Onager Gauntlet/ Networked Markerlight/Target Lock\Repulsor Field/Neuroweb + 2 Gun Drones
Crisis Bodyguard Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Flamer - 67 pt
Crisis Bodyguard Plasma Rifle/Missle Pod/Vectored R-T - 67 p

Now, I know this unit probably isn't cost-effective, but it has grown close to my heart as this is the "traditional" way I've always fielded my HQ and it rarely disappointed me. The Commander in particular is something I'd rather not change, as his equipment is also grounded in the fluff of my Cadre. That beign said, I think it's still very powerful unit, capable of engaging different targets even without markerlight support (they have networked one). The flamer on the second bodyguard is to guarentee a couple of shots during overwatch - I'm going to need all of them and more if I am to survive assault.

Troops - 203 pt
12 Fire Warriors w/ Shas'ui
10 Kroot w/ sniper rounds w/Shaper

Now I know what you'll probably say: 2k list and only 2 troops? This is madness. You're probably right, but we're using our own, kind-of-dumbed-down system of missions, in which the chance of choosing an objective-based game is only 50%. Even then, I intend to actually crush my enemy, thus giving truth to the fact that dead bodies cannot claim objectives. This is mostly due to the fact that I consider Tau troops too squishy for proper use. That beign said - I'm going to infiltrate the kroot and harass my enemy from turn 1, probably scoring a few wound before he clears them out. Infiltrate is doubly useful, as we play on non-standard, very big table (something like 100"/50"

Elites - 438 pt
3x Crisis w/ Shas'vre Plasma/Plasma/Vectored Retro-Thrusters/2Shield Drones/Bond
Riptide Battlesuit w/ Ion Accelerator/Skyfire/Stimulant Injector/Twin linked Fusion-Blaster

Now the first unit is kinda self-explainatory: a marine hunter squad, true to the name of my cadre. The Riptide is there mainly to act as a psychological gun-magnet, but I also expect of him to drop a few tanks. Quite a few I suppose, as my opponent will be running a combined Vanilla Marines/Death Corps of Krieg army.

Fast Attack - 634 pt
2x Tetra Scout Speeder/Disruption pod
3x "Hazard" Shas'vre w/ Fusion Cascades/2 Shield Drones / Counterfire
2x Remora Stealth Drone

Tetras are also self-explainatory. I find them a lot better in marker role than pathfinders. About XV-9 I realize that they are probably far overpriced for what they do, but I'm very fond of them nonetheless. And they make my opponent !@#$ bricks. The Remoras... I just want to try them out. They seem to be fun. They also provide another source of Markerlights and additional Seekers.

Heavy Support - 319 pt
Longstrike -> Hammerhead Gunship w/ Railgun/Disruption Pod/Drones/Blacksun/1 Seeker/Spines
Skyray Missle Defense Gunship/SMS

Longstrike should prove useful against Imperial Guard. I gave him Sensor Spines to give him the most cover possible for extra survivability. Skyray is there for marker support, as well as dealing with an enemy flyer or two (I'm expecting Stormraven, my opponent loves it.)

TOTAL: 1964

Or, if the mission will be objectives, I plan on losing one Tetra, splitting the Fire Warriors into to 6 man teams and adding two additional 6 man Gue'Vesa teams.