Sisters of Battle
Combined Arms (2)
HQ
Canoness, Black Death, Cloak
4 Priests
Troops
20 Sisters, flamer, heavy flamer
20 Sisters, flamer, heavy flamer
20 Sisters, flamer, heavy flamer
15 Sisters, flamer, heavy flamer
Fast Attack
2 squads of 5 Dominions
­2 meltas
­Immolator
Heavy Support
4 Exorcists
2 Avenger Strike Fighters
Fortification
2 Vengeance Batteries
Angelic Host Formation
Saint Celestine
5 squads of 10 Seraphim
­2 hand flamers
Purgation Host Formation
6 Retributor Squads
­2 heavy bolter
­1 multi­melta
­1 heavy flamer
­Immolator Transport
Militarum Tempestus
Allied Detachment
HQ
Tempestus Command Squad
Troops
Scions Squad x8
­2 hotshot volleyguns
Fast Attack
Valkyrie, lascannon
Ground Assault Formation
Lord Commissar, carapace armor
Tempestus Command Squad
­4 plasma guns
­Taurox Prime w/ Missiles
3 Scion Squads x10
­2 plasma guns
­Taurox Prime w/ Missiles
Imperial Knights
Baronial Court
Knight Crusader
Knight Paladin
Knight Errant
Inquisition
Ordo Xenos Inquisitor
­Power Armor, Needle Pistol, Rad/Psychotrope Grenades, Psyker
Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor
­Power Armor, Psyocculum, Psyker
Assassins
Culexus Assassin
Vindicare Assassin
Total: 7501

Altansar primary force
7499

HQ__________________________________________________________________________ -1095
Maugan Ra_____________________________________________________________________.195
Asurmen_______________________________________________________________________.220
Karandras______________________________________________________________________.200
Fuegan________________________________________________________________________..220
Autarch, bike, laser lance, banshee mask, fusion gun phoenix gem__________________________..135
Autarch, spider pack, fusion gun, banshee mask, fire sabre________________________________..125

TROOPS_______________________________________________________________________-162
Rangers (7)______________________________________________________________________.84
Jet bikes (4) Shuricannon___________________________________________________________..78

ELITE__________________________________________________________________________..-85
Howling banshees (5) exarch, executioner_______________________________________________.85

FAST ATTACK___________________________________________________________________.-320
Crimson hunter__________________________________________________________________..140
Hornet, pulse lasers, holo fields_______________________________________________________90
Hornet, pulse lasers, holo fields_______________________________________________________90

HEAVY________________________________________________________________________-1050
Vauls wrath artillery(3) shadow weavers________________________________________________.90
Falcons (3) bright lances___________________________________________________________..390
War walkers (3) scatter lasers_______________________________________________________..180
War walkers (2) star cannons________________________________________________________.140
Fire prism_______________________________________________________________________.125
Night spinner, crystal targeting matrix__________________________________________________..125

LORDS OF WAR_________________________________________________________________-1095
revenant titan, sonic lances__________________________________________________________.900
Avatar___________________________________________________________________________195

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS_________________________________________________________.-385
Wave serpent w/bright lances, holo fields________________________________________________130
Wave serpent w/scatter lasers, holo fields_______________________________________________.125
wave serpent w/star cannons , holo fields_______________________________________________130

FORMATIONS___________________________________________________________________.-3307
Seer council______________________________________________________________________.415
Caelise sol_____________________________________________________________195
Farseer, stones__________________________________________________________115
Warlock (3)_____________________________________________________________.105
Aspect host BS____________________________________________________________________366
Dire avengers (6) exarch, power sword/ shimmershield___________________________.108
Dire avengers (6) exarch____________________________________________________.88
Shadow spectres (6) exarch, haywire launcher__________________________________..170
Aspect host BS____________________________________________________________________428
Dark reapers (3) Exarch, tempest launcher, star shot missiles__________________________126
Dark reapers (4) Exarch, starshot missiles, star shot missiles_________________________..159
Warp spiders (7) exarch_______________________________________________________.143
Aspect host BS____________________________________________________________________378
Fire dragons (5) exarch, heavy flamer__________________________________________120
Fire dragons (5) exarch, heavy flamer__________________________________________120
Swooping hawks (8) exarch_________________________________________________.138
Aspect host WS___________________________________________________________________.375
Striking scorpions (6) exarch, lightning claw_____________________________________.125
Striking scorpions (6) exarch, chain sabres_____________________________________..105
Shining spears (5) exarch, star lance__________________________________________..145
Wraith host_____________________________________________________________________.1010
Spirit seer, kurnous' bow_____________________________________________________75
Wraithguard (5)__________________________________________________________...160
Wraithguard (5)___________________________________________________________.160
Wraithblades (5) axes/shields________________________________________________150
Wraithlord, flamers, EML, glaive_______________________________________________155
Wraighknight, Suncannon, scatter laser, bright lance_______________________________310

Heroes path harlequins____________________________________________________________335
Death jester, haywire________________________________________________________65
Shadow seer, mask of sorrows, haywire, neuro gun_______________________________.105
Solitaire, cegorachs rose, haywire_____________________________________________.165

This is going to be an interesting and hard fight, and I certainly am well aware of the advantages the Eldar have over my list. Well apart from the usual worries about codex strength, even the lists alone give me reasons to pause. The primary worry for me comes from the long-range firepower against a very infantry heavy force, Nightspinners are deadly against Sisters with their relatively low I. Also of major concern is the Revenant. I have not faced one before, and while I'm lucky to not get the D-strength guns, the sonic lances are no joke, especially for an army that relies on large amounts of infantry. Plus its speed means that unless I deal with it fast and decisively, it is going to get the ideal position to use those templates every turn. I cannot afford that. The Eldar also out-psyker me. That's pretty common for Sisters, but in a game this big even a small amount of Eldar psychic edge can have big effects.

That said, I'm not helpless in this game, myself. By going infantry-heavy, I am confident in my ability to deal with most of the Eldar infantry head-on. I've got invul saves and more bolters than you can shake a stick at. Also, I'm expecting big things out of all of my formations, especially the Angelic Host, which I feel that (provided the deep strike rolls are decent) ravage anything valuable the Eldar leave sticking out. Also, I have advantage in the air, and while my planes are not particularly geared to be titan hunters, I know I can put a hurting on most of his stuff with relatively low risk of return fire. I also believe that, apart from the Revenant, my Lords of War are going to have the edge in destructiveness and versatility. I'm hoping that their improved shields can work to my advantage and force the Eldar to deal with them while my ground forces get to work. Finally, I seriously hope that my Culexus can get into a good position to make life miserable for all those warlocks, if he can, it is going to seriously disrupt my opponent's ability to buff his units.

I believe for me to win, I need to ensure a few things:

1. That the Revenant either is neutralized early, or put into a position where it cannot get ideal shots.
2. That my Purgation Host get the chance to fire off several of its big shots before drawing too much return fire.
3. That I draw the Eldar apart and force them to fight me in smaller groups.

Of course, all of those are far easier said than done. I'm going to have to be very careful against so many big Eldar guns. If I am not, I am going to get shot off the board. For me, the battle is going to be won through positioning and movement.

I think I counted around 170 infantry models in my opponents list. That's a lot of mostly 3+ armor saves, which will have the added benefit of cover if I'm not mistaken. A ton of fire power, and some really nifty formation rules makes the Imperial forces a tough nut to crack when firmly entrenched as I expect them to be. Air supremacy could be a huge deciding factor in this game. I only have one flier, and the one squad of swooping hawks, so I will have to decide early if the spending firepower on shooting fliers is worth it. Dark reapers, war walkers, and the falcons can make for effective volume of fire power AA, but how much more could be doing to all those ground targets?

The revenant titan focuses a lot of fire power and even more durability into a single focused model. Helfire templates and a massive mobility will let it clean out a lot of models in a single go, but if those knights can somehow pin it in and reach close combat, the revenant and a huge part of the army will go up in smoke. The rest of my forces will be relying on focused over whelming fire power and alpha/beta striking units off the table before they can do damage.

Keys for my army:
-Taking advantage of alpha/beta strikes to remove problem units before they can do much damage.
-Achieve multiple angles of attack on the knights so their shields are of minimal use.
-Divide my opponents forces and overwhelm him with directions of opposition.

Craftworld Altansar
The Dome of Crystal seers, or so it had been once. The statuesque forms of ancient farseers who had slowly crystalized as their ancient bodies and souls became one with the craftworld. Shards of shattered crystal still littered the space, as Caelis Sol-had decreed. At the center of the dome, sitting with his legs crossed, the storied farseer seemed to float, but an inch from the ground. Around him the gathered rune stones of his fallen comrades floated. A set of seer runes multiplied by the twenty that had not survived the purge of the eye. Frosty breath puffed from the vents on his helmet, indicating a long drawn out rhythm that had lasted nearly a full cycle. A pair of runes separated themselves from the swarm and danced before Caelis-Sols reflective visors. The one he had been seeking had come forth. A threat to the craftworld directly, and to the Eldar race as a whole. The Zar rune spun rapidly in place, the target of their aggression would be of the storm. Sedately cruising about the spinning rune, Roison, the elegant flower protected their future quarry. A trio of Zhai runes, sharpened blades on the worn tiles joined those moving before the silent seer. These were followed by a veritable hail of additional runes. Each adding its own tidbit of information to the now rapidly clarifying picture. The seer cleared his mind and closed his eyes, following the shape the runes had taken he flung his spirit into the strands of time. A great woven tapestry seemed to open before him as the runes coalesced into a visual projection in his minds eye. A planet spinning in the vastness of space, marching mon kiegh swarming through the crowded streets of a massive Imperial city. Plumes of smoke issued from the ruins of a bombed out factory. Shapes gathered about a camp fire as dusk fell upon the planet and Caelis-Sol saw a dark halo about the brow of one in particular. A patch on his jacket marked out chevrons, on the other side a thunderhead above a pinnacle. The worlds seemed to rush about Caelis-Sol as he rapidly returned to his present and body. In an instant he was on his feet, with a celerity that belied his centuries of life he made his way to a personal skimmer. The vessel rose rapidly and accelerated with no noticeable effect on its passenger. Tapping into the craftworld directly, Caelis Sol sent impressions of meeting and urgency to the leaders of the Altansar people. Psychic waves of agreement came to the farseer. Within moments the leaders of the craftworld assembled upon the spire of starlight.

The farseer strode through the halls, his heels clicking upon the wraith bone floor. The amphitheater meeting place at the top of the spire of starlight was hardly filled with the seven remaining members of the Altansar council. Caelis-Sol held up a wraithbone device in his hand without preamble. A holographic node in the center of the amphitheater projected a now familiar scene. Imperial ships hounding the massive Yme-Loc craftworld, forcing it to spiral ever closer to a singularity from which it could not escape. A flicker and the towering spires of Lugganath were ablaze as Mon-Keigh stormed through the beautiful craftworld. Finally Altansar itself taking refuge in a massive asteroid field. Space marine battle barges from half a dozen chapters following the orders of one man, releasing toxic tailored strains that poison the very wraithbone they rely upon. It was a now familiar vision as it had been replayed many times since the days of their emergence from the eye of terror, when Caelis-Sol and a handful of other farseers had been nearly struck down by the vision once clear of the immateriums grasp. Hardly a breath had been drawn before a new hologram projected itself, this time the face of the man seen within the dome of crystal seers but a short while ago. The view played out in reverse, zooming out from the men beside the camp fire, past the massive ruins and battered city to the planet. A stone in the sky, quickly triangulated within space and placed comparatively with the craftworld.

This is the one we have been searching for. The time for his removal is nigh. Our window will be short, and costly.

Emotions of frustration at the position he was placing them in, comfort in finally putting a face to the enemy, and certainty that this was the correct path, poured from the farseer. Crashing about those around him in waves of empathy.

Shelwe-Lir, the other farseer present nodded his head. The certainty within the room doubled as he lent his opinion to the decision. Autarchs Fain-Ath, and Kiam-Ran Nodded their agreement as well, a tinge of aggression in their thoughts. Shenes-Tra the spirit seer spoke aloud.

It seems all here support this plan of action, who then shall be the voice of dissent?

A voice from the entry way came forth.

I have walked this vision in my times of slumber. Though the outcome seems clear, could the action spark the result we wish to avoid?

Ducking through the archway to enter, the massive form of wraithseer Bionerath-Oa. No weapons hung from the body of the wraithbone form, but menace was clear in every clear sung strand of its being. A near visible aura of psychic potency surrounded it.

A pebble dropped into a pond has far reaching ripples. Could not our intervention be the pebble that focuses this future leader to turn his gaze upon our race? Were we to trace the thread of his life through another path, would he instead pursue an enemy of ours? What if we were to provide a nemesis through manipulation instead of becoming so through direct confrontation?

A calm Caelis-Sol once more held up the wraithbone device in his hand. Holograms danced before the assembly.

It is not in our future that holds the answer, but in his past.

A young child playing within the halls of a ship appeared. Dancing with a woman, likely his mother. A sudden fracturing appeared in the hull of the vessel. Boring teeth ripped the side of the vessel open and from the gaping hole amidst the wreckage poured lithe shapes, moving almost as fast as the eye could see. Mother was dragged from bloodied child, and soon others followed. The youngster left for dead as the slavers vanished from whence they had come.

The children of commorragh set him upon this path. Be it us or our darker kin, he will discern no difference as he bends his will to fighting those who harmed him long ago.

The wraithseer bowed its form, a maneuver that should seem clumsy in such a large being, but executed with a feline grace.

My dissent is withdrawn, let this be a unified decision.

The stillness of the gathering quickly shifted to rapid action. Amorphous solid furniture issued from the floor of the amphitheater, a large table sprang from the center, holographic impressions of dispositions appearing. . Holographic screens about the room projected star maps, web way routes, and resource tallies. The two autarchs and the great wraithseer began drawing up plans of attack and individual mission objectives. Above it all the frozen face of their target bearing his dark halo. On a lucky chance a small force of rangers and striking scorpions from the shadows blade were detailed to attempt an assassination. A further squad of Shades skein warp spiders and rangers were assigned disruption duty, Fain-Ath went to join them, to co-ordinate the misdirection on the ground. The spiders gate at the aft section of the craftworld began to flash in a dread rhythm as parties of aspect warriors and rangers were sent out on search and destroy missions. The very wraithbone structure of the craftworld began to pulse with an aggressive overtone. Khaines presence was sensed by all those contained within. The avatar was beginning to awaken.

* * * * *

. Caelis-Sol detailed his council quickly in their duties. Spirit seer Shenes-tra, and the three remaining warlocks were sent below to the dome of ancient dreams where they would waken the ghost warriors. A full unit of the serpents breath fire dragons joined them as protection. The massive doors protecting the valuable wraithbone constructs parted, revealing a dome of tiered hallways. The darkness of the void to one side had once been considered a gift to the ancient ones within, a view upon the universe as the craftworld traveled. Within the shattered and restrained bodies of the most visible tiers lay those wraithguards that had been perverted instead by the views of the eye of terror. Delving deeper into the halls the party came upon wraithforms that had not been ravaged by intruders. A pair of proud wraithlords dominated the entryway. Laying his hands upon the first, Shenes-Tra submerged his consciousness into the gestalt consciousness of the craftworld, small wraithbone spiders swarmed up around the wraithlords body, much as an immune response to a potential invading virus. The fire dragons positioned themselves with clear firing lanes upon the powerful form as the spirit seer called forth the potent soul of a long dead warrior to control the wraith form. Over sized fists clenched, and an aura of restrained violence permeated the space. Barely seen shapes and shadows crossed the surface of the constructs "face".

There is no need to concern yourselves my kin. A warrior has arisen, no daemon dwells here, herein lies the soul of autarch Ucat-Tri.

The wraith form was freed from its confining bonds and took up it's own position as the spirit seer turned to the second lord. Once more hands were laid on and a swarm of spiders from the craftworld surrounded the lethal construct. This time something was off. Shenes-Tra sent a fleeting thought of concern and wariness to those about him as a small fracture appeared upon the wraithlords faceplate. A flash of teeth seemed to cross the beings countenance. Wraithbone spiders clotted the space about the fracture, pursuing the impurity that had wormed its way into the whole. The wraith form struggled against its bonds, creaking materials attempted to contain the powerful form. Fusion guns warmed as triggers were half depressed, autarch Ucat-Tri gripped one of its fellow wraithlords shoulders, lending his strength in restraint. The three warlocks laid hands upon Shenes-Tra, lending their energy as the spirit seer sought to banish the invader. A flash of light and wraithlord slumped back into its resting position. A sigh of relief escaped those present as a potential catastrophe was avoided. The party moved along the hallway to their next dangerous summoning, but no further calamity ensued. Fifteen warriors were brought forth to power hulking wraithguard, Warlocks accompanied the returned souls as they all moved towards the halls of Vaul where they would be outfitted for the coming conflict.

* * * * *

At the Imperial headquarters

The rapid loss of servo skull information was troubling. But so was everything about this entire siege. Canoness Elisha Luead rose and strode purposefully through the hollow ruins of a ravaged cathedral which had been hastily reconsecrated as a command post. Even if the place were full of worshipers and servants to the Emperor, the sheer scale would have made any individual seem tiny, but now abandoned as it was, one could very well believe that they roamed through a hab-block size graveyard and that war were not raging just beyond the outer walls. One could even find the seclusion and silence peaceful, but there was no room for that in the Canoness. Each step she took carried the weight of her trials as well as her relic armor. Each breath carried the combination of authority and duty. Her one remaining eye seared with a passion that would not be blunted or diverted. Elisha had come far since her first days at the Schola Progenium and this war, too, would be yet another trial even after the Schola had released her.

Purposefully, she passed under an arch and into what served as meeting point for her assembled high command, such as it was. Dead center was Lord Commissar Dradivoch, permanently assigned to the 112th Paragons, Militarum Tempestus of the finest caliber. He poured over charts and reports with a tension that bespoke of a constant, restless desire to wage war. Elisha had first fought alongside the Paragons on their homeworld, where the Lunar Rose had deployed to scour cultists away. Since then, the two forces had regularly allied, the Paragons lightning ground assaults blending well with the Rose's hammer blow artillery and aerial assaults. Canoness Elisha's entrance was met only by the slight incline of Dradivoch's head, acknowledging her but little else.

Clutched at the far end of the chamber were two robed figures, whom even the Sisters assigned to guard this room gave a wide berth. A pair of Inquisitors were locked in a tense, but quiet argument. Elisha recognized one of them, Inqusitor Kaledia of the Ordo Xenos. What started as a Lunar Rose escort for the Inquisitor to collect archaeotech turned into a grinding, months-long campaign and from that point, the Inquisitor seemed to always been around the Lunar Rose. Elisha never cared for Kaledia's insistence on xenos technology, but the Inquisitor had more than proven her wrath against alien and traitor alike. For the time being, anyway.

Finally, commanding a position overlooking the city through a shattered window was the newest addition to Elisha's so-called supreme command. Freeblade Baron DuFort loomed large as he surveyed the battle's imminent arrival. The bombastic Freeblade had appeared shortly after the Lunar Rose made landing on this world and offered not only his service, but that of his 'court', a court which turned out to be a similarly ragtag collection of Freeblade Knights. The man spoke verbosely of great strides towards liberating this world from the xenos menace, and while his passion was beyond reproach, Elisha could not shake from his dramatics. For one, this battle was a test of faith, a sacred task to purge foul xenos wherever they may be. For another, it was a grand adventure, noble indeed, but one met with bravado and laughter. So long as the fop's arm is a strong as his tongue, thought Elisha.

"What is our situation?" Elisha spoke, needing no grand gestures to collect her various commanders. They all knew what was happening and time spent on formalities was a resource they could not afford.

"It is as you said, Canoness," Dradivoch was the first to speak, voice rasping through his rebreather. "Eldar forces are set on this site. Massed infantry, skimmer support and sightings of titan-class walekrs. Possibly a show against our morale."

The report was grim. The xenos had been probing this world for weeks. It was clear that the small raids had been looking for something, and it was here that they had found it. "Inqusistor Kaleida," Elisha spoke directly, "your thoughts?"

"Lady Elisha, I believe the Lord Commissar is correct," where Dradivoch was solid, Kaleida spoke with smooth, honey-like grace. Were it not for the smoke and ruins, one would think she were bending the ear of a planetary governor over exotic food and drink. "The Eldar do not typically make such rash actions. Even ones as brash as Altansar. Whatever it is they seek here, it is of great value, great enough to risk much in an obvious assault."

"Could it be a diversion?" Elisha pressed.

"It is a possibility, but given their nature, we should assume that of any action. At least this is one we can move against."

The Canoness did not like the response, but could not argue its truth. Her Sisters had chased raiding parties for weeks, doing little damage and earning nothing but frustration. Here, at least, were targets they could hit.

"Let them come!" Baron DuFort's voice boomed. "Allow us to handle those frail constructs, Lady Canoness, while you scour them from the soil." Canoness Elisha had to stifle a small urge to silence him with the pommel of her axe. Patience is a virtue of the holy, after all. But so is retribution...

"Canoness." The Lord Commissar broke Elisha from the thought. "Judging by the rate at which servo-skulls are going off, we have a few hours to prepare."

Elisha drew in a breath. Another trial put before her by the Emperor's divine plan. The xenos wished to wrest this gem from the Imperium's hands for their own ends and in their arrogance, had failed to reckon with the Lunar Rose. Or perhaps simply underestimated the resolve and fire within them. Her hand slipped over her weighty axe at her hip, a relic appropriated from a brazen Wolf Lord who thought the Sisters' will to fight was weak. He underestimated her and to the Wolf Lord's shame, his personal weapon was claimed by the Lunar Rose.

Elisha smirked inwardly. Let the xenos underestimate us. It only serves to sweeten victory.

* * * * *

The unit assigned to assassinate their foe returned through the spider gate. One striking scorpion born by his comrades. Caelis-Sol met them as they moved for the Chamber of Ishas touch. Debriefing on the move the stealthy aspect warriors told of their preys central location in the army of their foe. Servo-skulls seemed to be everywhere, peering about every corner, and probing every shadow. The lightning strikes of the disruption forces had alerted the Imperium of Eldar intent, and by fates choice, the warriors of the storm had been detailed close to the Imperial headquarters, providing security both for the heads of the force, as well as for the target the Altansar sought.

With a heavy heart the farseer returned to the spire of starlight and joined the remaining council there. Their course had been laid before them, a full scale attack would need to be made, a cost of heavy loss that the eldar could bare afford. Kiam-Ran nodded decisively, he had expected such a result. He waved his hand above the battle table, new forces sprang up, troops, battle formations, and skimmers at his disposal. A rune representing the Fin Finnaidann titan clan issued from the web way portal that had been located on the planet. The autarch detailed the plan of attack.

Meokan shall be our plan, striking with a purpose from all directions. We shall embody Faolchu, the falcon, with speed and grace we shall cut our opponent a thousand times, until he can stand no more.

Orders were sent out quickly, the pulsing of anger from the throne room of the avatar raced like quicksilver through the craftworld. Every eldar within the massive home ship turned their attention to the battle that lay before them. Aspect hosts assembled in the Chamber of parting ways, ready to be deployed through the web way, many embarking upon transports and grav tanks to gain the edge in maneuverability. Stealthy units of warp spiders and striking scorpions were led by rangers to the world to infiltrate the future battle zone. Within the halls of vaul, the awakened wraith constructs were outfitted with massive cannons, overseen by the ancient autarch Ucat-Tri they took up positions with a newly awakened wraith knight. The brothers souls within powering the gargantuan construct as its sun cannon spooled up into activity. Towering even above the knight, the sweeping curves of a revenant titan dominated the halls. A trio of brothers ensconced themselves at the controls. Minds linking in a symbiosis unmatched by any mechanical war machine.

The war host gathered and Kiam-Ran presented himself before them. He raised his fist in preparation of speaking to him when the spiders gate behind him flickered into life. A trio of Harlequins, issued forth, a Solitaire leading the way, followed closely by a death jester and shadow seer. All three turned and bowed as the web way portal flashed once more. Maugan-Ra, the phoenix lord of the dark reapers strode from the energy bound portal, trailed by three other phoenix lords. Asurmen, Fuegan, and Karandras. Each stood above the gathered host of Altansar and raised a clenched fist to the air, then crossed above their hearts. No words were needed from the autarch, he mirrored the powerful leaders raising a clenched fist, crossing his heart with it, and then bowing before them. Every eldar present repeated the salute then roared their fury to the void. The avatar, iron embodiment of Khaine came thundering from up from a passageway and led the cheering host through the web way portal, and on to war.

* * * * *

Imperial rolls pre-game:

Warlord Traits:

Canoness Elisha Luead
-Beacon of Faith (Sisters) - All friendly models use her Ld when making Act of Faith or War Hymn tests, unless theirs is higher.

Lord Commissar Kurt Dradivoch
-Night Attacker (Strategic) - I choose night fighting, and my army has night vision.

Inqusitor Kaledia of the Ordo Xenos
-Xeno Hunter (Inquisition) - Inquisitor and her unit has Preferred Enemy against non vehicle alien units.

Baron DuFort
-Conquerer of Cities (Strategic) - Army has Move Through Cover (ruins) and Stealth (ruins).


Psychic Powers:

Inquisitor Kaledia, Ordo Xenos (Divination)
-Force
-Prescience
-Scrier's Gaze

Inquisitor Libra, Ordo Hereticus (Divination)
-Force
-Prescience
-Misfortune

Eldar pre-game rolls:

Warlord traits:
Maugan Ra: split fire
Fuegan: split fire
Karandras: One turn 12" bubble of re-roll 1's to wound.
Asurmen: D3 traits from eldar warlord traits.
-Mark of the incomparable hunter (split fire)
-Fate's Messenger (re-roll saves of a 1)
-Seer of the shifting vector (deep strikers do not scatter within 12" of warlord.)

Psychic powers:
Caelis Sol:
-Guide
-Executioner
-Doom
-Mind War
-Eldritch Storm
Farseer Shelwe-Lir
-Guide
-Executioner
-Fortune
-Eldritch storm
Warlock:
-conceal/reveal
-Destructor/renewer
Warlock:
-conceal/reveal
-protect/jinx
Warlock:
-conceal/reveal
-Empower/enervate
Spirit seer Shenes-Tra
-Conceal/reveal
-Embolden/horrify
-Protect/Jinx
Shadow seer
-Veil of tears
-Shards of light
-Fog of dreams

Some fun pregame thoughts from Eldar:
In the hopes of great fluff coming from this game I have five side goals that I would love to see for the story line.
Battle of titans: I am aiming to get Baron DuFort and my wraithknight into close combat with each other.
Heroes meet: Asurmen and St. Celestine duke it out.
The harvester of souls does what he does: Maugan Ra not only wipes out a handful of units solo, manages to take and kill the special character target.
Assassin from the shadows: Karandras pops up at some point and takes out canoness Elisha.
Psychic massacre: Foot based seer council ended up with some very aggressive psychic powers and I would love to see them just wreak havoc with apocalyptic eldritch storms, and popping heads left and right.

As the Eldar war host exited the near invisible warp gate, they dispersed to their pre designated positions. The seer council quickly wove a powerful bionnearan illusion around the force, preventing the Imperial sensing systems from picking up the Eldar force before it was time. Scouts walkers, snipers, and two shrines of striking scorpions quickly moved off into the city outskirts, Karandras leading them into the shadows of the predawn planet. Autarch Kiam-Ran gave his final words to the leaders of each division. The Fin Finnaidan would support the avatar, and in turn be supported by a task force of heavy tanks and infantry. Three wave serpents filled with wraith constructs would provide close support, and be led by the fallen autarch Ucat-Tri. These would be the Fiallathandirel the Imperials would smash themselves against. The Bal Enad would strike amidst the enemies heart, while the thousand cuts turned their attention from the true danger.

Swooping hawks from the Faoulchus wing shrine leapt into the air. Shades skein spiders along with the autarch Fain-Ath vanished into a shimmering void. Finally, the phoenix lords boarded a full squadron of falcons, Asurmen and Fuegan each leading a shrine of fire dragons. Maugan-Ra and the seer council would be in the third. Illusion fell away from the anvil force as the seers glamour ended. A massive eldar host had seemingly appeared out of nowhere to the Imperials, towering greatest above it all, the titans of Fin Finnaidan.



Canoness Elisha saw the small distortion on the far horizon, and watched with a small start as the Eldar host emerged. While an attack was known and prepared for, the scale and immediacy of it was not. Elisha smiled grimly as the standing defenses took notice and simply accelerated their actions. No Battle Sister, Scion or Knight faltered for a moment even as the tide rose to them. All around her rose the twin melodies of chanted battle prayer, carried loud by the priestesses attached to the Sororitas squads, and the heavy song of weapons loading and arming. The trio of Freeblades rose, striding purposefully to the front lines.Baron DuFort's Crusader's weapons already whirling to life. He was eager. Good.

"They're certainly brazen, today," Inquisitor Kaleida spoke from behind Canoness Elisha. "Unlike them to risk this much."

"Are we prepared?" Elisha's hand played impatiently over the rune-carved hilt of her axe.

"As much as we can. Inquisitor Libra has taken her position and assures me that her preparations are complete to combat their witchcraft."

Elisha scoffed. Lord Commissar Dradivoch had echoed her disdain at the Hereticus Inquisitor's veiled assurances, because an unknown asset is not one to be used properly. But they had little choice in the matter, even less now that the xenos strode before them. Regardless of that matter, Elisha was glad as she turned her attention to her handpicked squad of Battle Sisters.

"Sisters!" Canoness Elisha bellowed, her voice rising in faith and fury. "Today the xenos come to take this world from the Emperor! They use foul witchcraft to strike at us. Let us show them the power of faith! Let their arrogance be scattered across this field until not a single xenos scum defiles the air of this world!"

They want this world. Let them try to take it.

* * * * *




Fallen Autarch Ucat-Tri peered over the first story of a building at what had been a rapidly established line of defense, stretching from planetary east to west. No slow guard regiment was this. The power armored females were well drilled and assigned to pre-planned positions. A veritable parking lot of war machines was drawn up before the mosque, and two secondary buildings. Holding centre stage to the line were three towering Imperial knights.


The eldar force deployed to the north of the Imperials in a series of buildings and around a power generation station



To the east an apartment building had been infiltrated by rangers, and a security checkpoint was filled with striking scorpions. Had he a face to smile with, the wraithbone construct would have. These titans would feel the power of the eldar before long.

Along the line, the Avatar howled its fury to the sky and began a long loping stride across the central square. A trio of skimmers moved with the powerful lord of war, their holo fields defracting their outlines as they sped towards the Imperial titans.


At the eastern edge of the Imperial battle line, massive jump jets screamed to life, and the revenant titan soared across to near point blank range. A vibration could be felt along the battle line as the sonic lances powered up. An invisible blast of sound and vibration shook buildings and warmachines alike. Sisters were pulped within their armor, and vehicle power systems flared as their bodies tried to shake apart. A Taurox prime ripped itself apart, the men inside cast about in the wake of the weapons discharge. From the apartment building just to the north, a hail of missile fire from entrenched dark reapers pummuled the now exposed scions, laying low all but one of them. A single sniper shot felled the last member of what had been a full unit. The wraith knight made a smaller jump behind it’s brethren, suncannon seeming to glow with restrained potency. Within the recently rocked building adjacent to the mosque a small sun erupted. Sisters threw themselves into corners and behind stones as the walls began to melt, and plasma discharge spattered through. Battle hymns from their attached priest gave them great resolve as they primed their bolters.


A nightspinner monofilament tank made a daring dash up across the center of the line. Thrusters burning hot it made a hard turn in front of the western knight titan and zipped along the line of battle. Crystal targeting matrices took over for the G force pinned crew members and a blast of monofilament slipped through a gap in the Imperial line. Shrouds of mono-molecular wire snared around a handful of sisters, constricting and shredding the women within their bulky armor.

On the far west side of the line, the Solitaire was a blur of motion, weaving across the no man’s land and right up against the enemy line. Rockets soared over his head from the Ra’s wrath, dark reaper shrine, forcing the sisters within the building to lower their heads lest they be destroyed.

The blurring speed of the eldar forces had caught the Imperials somewhat by surprise, but not without recourse. A pair of exorcist heavy tanks rumbled around the eastern corner of the mosque and drew a line of sight upon the revenant titan. A new cacophany of sound joined the battle as rockets howled into the air. Most flew wide, distracted by the shimmering radar return of the titan holo fields, one found its mark, smashing a hole into the titans jetpack. Large shards of wraithbone splintered away, raining down upon the fast counter attacking taurox and scions. Auto tracking from the vengeance weapon battery brought it’s battle cannon to bear upon the titan as well. Juddering confusion filled the AI as it’s target seemed to shimmer between three locations, the shell fired wide, destroyed a small hab block long since uninhabited.



Near the center of the line, the titans brazenly strode towards the eldar skimmers. Melta weaponry from freeblade Kayan blasted off a beam of fusion energy that blossomed against the hull of the eastern skimmer. Holo fields crackled and held, the heat wash blasting about the avatar, causing only steam to rise from his molten form. Secondary weapons systems in the titan flashed target opportunity and heavy stubbers lashed out towards the eldars lord of war. Solid impact bullets had a much better effect upon the splinter of a god of war. Throwing its arm up to ward off the metal slugs, it screamed in anger.


Within his Crusader's command throne, Baron DuFort surveyed the arrayed xenos with the same carefree delight as a noble taking in the morsels at a feast. The xenos seemed to worship the molten figure striding from the ruins and for a moment, it seemed like an incarnate god, but that was only before Freeblade Kayin's mere stubbers had torn rents in its molten flesh. With a smirk, the Baron had chosen his first kill.

"If a stubber can do that..." he thought as his mind entered the array guiding his Avenger cannon. There was a moment of spinning up noise before the gun barked to life, stitching obscene holes across the roaring creature. For a moment, it seemed to hold itself together before a final shell blew it apart. The satisfaction of a kill was only enhanced by the horror that he was sure shivered through the xenos.



Cannones Elisha had watched in mute fury as her sisters had been slashed to pieces by what had appeared to be a fast moving fog bank. With her war ax held high she sang out a hymn of retribution. Her squad moved forward quickly, drawing krak grenades they rushed the eldar tank that had sped into their midst. Hurled grenades exploded around the vehicle, one sucked into the air intake and a loud krump signaled the end of the skimmers engine. With a thundering crash the skimmer came to rest upon the ground, a plume of soil sent skyward by its forward momentum.

Both flanks of the Imperial line began to arch inwards towards the middle. Exorcist missiles and fusion beams from multi-meltas hammered the advancing wave serpents. The two leads ones, with their hulls rippling from explosions, settled onto the central square. In neat order, massive wraith forms stepped forth. Void charged weapons began to hum as the fell warriors took aim at the two knight titans who had mistakenly pressed their apparent advantage.

Real space was torn asunder as each squad took a knight. Imperial shield technology had no chance against the massive forces of a controlled exposure to the warp. Freeblade knight Kayin's titan was the first to fall. He deftly wielded his shield against the first beam of darkness, one lanced over his shoulder, but three found their mark. An explosion ripped the left arm of the titan right off, a second detonated the throne rooms chamber, and the third found the titans core. Un-contained fusion and fission collided. The massive titan stumbled backwards, then collapsed, the core detonating as it smashed into an immolator. A second immolator nearby slewed around on its tracks, coming to a halt as its machinery jammed. A secondary explosion in the titan caused the massive reaper chainsword to fly three stories into the air. The wicked blade smashed to the ground, dealing a glancing blow to the exorcist rocket tank attacking the Revenant.

On the other side of the square, more blasts of un-reality engulfed the second titan. Four blasts of absolute darkness consumed the Imperial war machine, the legs left standing as the entire upper body detonated into a shred of pieces. Jagged chunks of adamantium scythed down a squad of howling banshees, and a massive chunk imbedded itself in the face plate of Ucat-Tri. Green energy leaked from the rent around the adamantium shard. The topling lower half of the titan crushed a pair of sisters to slow to move out of the way.

On the eastern side of the battle, the revenant titan took a massive step forward. Sonic lances spooled up once more, vibrations cutting through the ruins as if they were not there. More sisters fell to their knees, blood leaking from their ears as the sound waves liquified their insides. This second onslaught destroyed the tanks amassed on the flank. An exorcist missile detonating in its housing, two immolators came to a juddering halt, no sisters left the now silent hulls. Rockets from the revenants launcher tubes killed scions near its feet. The tittan then strode forward, crushing those remaining in the squad poised to shoot it.

Behind the massive titan two squads of eldar war walkers entered the fray. Scatter lasers and star cannons striking down sisters from afar. Swooping hawks landed atop a tower, grenades and las fire cut down a handful of troops about canonness Elisha.


To the east, a pair of immolators filled with dominions piled out near the power generator. Melta weapons fired incandescent beams of heat into the unprotected rear of the eldar skimmer there. Holo fields flickered and shed the first, but powerful fusion reactions from the dominion squad tore apart the turret and weapon. Crystal shattered as the weapon dropped. to the ground. A final beam of heat triggered an explosion in the skimmers power plan, dropping it to the ground, crew lifeless within their harness'.


Seraphim Superior Amelia savored the the momentary silence and stillness as the Angelic Host reached the peak of its insertion. Below them, the battle was well underway, and gargantuan constructs were already ravaging through the left flank. Momentarily, she thought to redirect her insertion point to provide assistance, but after a murmured prayer of duty, her focus returned to the rear of the xenos forces. They had surged forward and their wraith constructs had already obliterated two of the Freeblades. This is where the Angelic Host was needed. To her right, Amelia heard the divine scream as the Living Saint alongside them streaked down, downy wings engulfed in righteous flame. A moment was allowed for a final prayer, and then Amelia's jump pack ignited and she crashed into battle, and all was a roar.


Landing to the north and behind most of the eldar forces the sisters set their holy bolters and flame pistols to work. Wraith constructs were cracked asunder by the deluge of bolter fire exploding against their reinforced forms. Retribution for the destruction of the imperial titans was swift. A fourth squad of seraphim landed next to the eldar artillery, gouts of flame engulfed the dire avengers set there to protect the artillery crew.

Canoness Elisha commanded over the Vox. "Concentrate fire upon the titan. Avengers, strike it from my sight!"

A howl of wind presaged the attack run of a pair of Imperial strike fighters. Avenger bolt cannons spinning they unleashed a fusillade of solid slugs at the back of the revenant titan. Holo fields flickered and disappeared as most of the rounds blasted holes in holograms. Exorcists all along the line focused their fire upon the massive eldar war machine. Baron DuFort turned his attention to the east as well. The spinning barrels of his avenger cannon continued their mad whirring. Heavy bolts stitched their way across all of the juddering revenant after images. A pair of minor explosions blossoming across the form of one gave away it's position. A pair of exorcist missiles followed the heat bloom to greater success, causing a massive rent along the side of the wraithbone construct.

Seeing an opportunity, Ucat-Tri , still with the chunk of shrapnel buried in his head, charged towards the exposed rear of the titan. A pair of immolators took notice of the quick moving wraithlord and fired their multi meltas. Beams of heat crisscrossed the fallen autarch, buckling his legs. Powerful though they were, the intense heat immediately boiled what moisture was in his limbs, shattering his legs beneath me. The proud warrior felled once more.


A dark shadow fell across the battle field in the form of a valkyrie. A noticeable dread filled the nearby eldar. Here was the psychic presence that had been disrupting them so. Circling high above, still concealed by cloud and psychic powers, the falcon skimmer tanks waited for their time to strike. Caelis-Sol felt a sliver of dread. The unknown aboard the valkyrie had given him great pause.

Warning lights screamed on the avenger strike fighters.
Lock on! I've got lock on! Where did they co...
Static filled the ears of the second strike fighter as the first exploded into fiery ruin. A streak of red skipped through his peripheral vision just before lasers started to flash past him. The pilot threw the fighter plane into a spin, attempting to jink his way out of what had become a sticky situation. One engine flared out as a storm of scatter laser fire danced along the planes wings. The spinning plane hauled back on the controls as he dodged the suddenly airborne revenant titan. Thrusters from the titans jetpack flung the strike fighter sideways, incapacitating the rear gunner.


The airborne titan came to rest close to the recently arrived seraphim. The already charged sonic lances poured forth their energy, twin cacophanies that hammered two full squads of seraphim to their knees.


Spirit seer Shenes-Tra waited until the moment the sonic onslaught ended before charging the living saint with his attendent wraith blades. The saint may have survived a thousand battles, but each of the constructs had battled for thousands of years before they had slipped their mortal coils. At one time, the construct facing her had been an exarch of the shadows blade shrine of striking scorpions. Her blade flashed out, but just before her lightning quick strike could make it's mark, it was deflected by the wraithblades force shield. The living Saint struck again and again, but could not penetrate the exarchs defense. For a moment, her strike took her too far, and the fallen exarch took advantage. The crackling power of the wraith ax discharged, slicing cleanly through her power armor. Cold enveloped her once more as she went to meet the emperor.



The wraithblades turned their attention towards another unit of seraphim nearby. As they moved out of reach however, St. Celestine once more returned to continue her struggle. Jet pack spooled up and she leapt over the wraith constructs, towards the vulnerable shadow weaver artillery battery. Shouting a prayer to the emperor she charged the eldar guardians, cutting them down before they could lift their weapons.


Around the other side of the now hotly contested building, seraphim who had struck at the wraithguard in the central square were ambushed themselves. A tearing of real space heralded the arrival of Autarch Fain-Ath and the shadows skein warp spiders. Monofilament weaponry shrouded about the sisters, snaring their wings, and tearing through weak points in their armor. From behind a stairway, the harlequin death jester cackled a laugh as he fired a shrieker round into the back of a sister. Instantly cyto-toxins immobilised her, while a vicious cocktal of poisons coursed through her body. Her mouth opened in an empty scream as her blood boiled and exploded, turning her into a grenade in the midst of her squad mates. The sisters held fast, their faith strong, though their numbers had been cut more than in half.


"Bring it down! Bring the beast down!"
Canoness Elisha's voice roared through the vox channels. Seemingly seconds before, the great construct had been at the very gates of the cathedral, and now it loomed over Seraphim Amelia, having leapt across the battlefield with feline grace. Exorcist missiles had rent great wounds throughout the strangely organic armor, but as its sonic weaponry attested, it was hardly hampered by the damage. Its focus loomed over another band of Seraphim, and it was in that distraction that Amelia found her opening. Igniting her jump pack, she soared recklessly, filled with faith and fury as her hand slipped to the melta charge hanging at her belt.


Bellowing an oath for Order and Emperor, Amelia lobbed the charge into the rents already wrought and closed her eyes. In a shudder, the charge burst and the cracks instantly expanded and collapsed in a sudden release of stored energy. As the blast washed over her, she could only feel the earth shudder as it collapsed.


The Baron let out a mighty laugh as the larger Titan shuddered and fell. A shame that the glory would not be his, but how fitting that the Emperor's Battle Sisters lay claim to some of the glory. There was plenty enough for him, still, he thought as his eyes fell on the other massive construct as it tore an equally outsized blade from the smoldering wreckage of an Exorcist. For a fleeting instant, Baron DuFort felt he made eye contact with the other pilot, even though neither could. Regardless, the two squared, facing one another in a tense stillness.



The Eldar construct bent backwards, beckoning the Baron in with a challenge, one he was already accepting even as the xenos warrior made his challenge. The Baron grit his teeth when he felt the blade crush into the armor of his Crusader. Emperor's teeth, that thing is fast. But the speed of the construct also proved its ruin, for its eagerness to lash out at the Baron had allowed the burly Knight to simply bowl into the damaged xenos weapon, casting it to the dirt. Without breaking stride, the Baron slammed the Crusader's heavy foot down into the head of the damaged xenos warrior, ending the duel in a single, blunt moment.

The time had come. With a scream the eldar falcon squadron descended from where it had been hiding. Their hesitation perhaps making them too late to shift the battle. The culexus assassin had deterred them with the fear of striking too early. With pinpoint precision the falcons landed, disgorging the lethal soldiers and leaders within. Caelis-Sol spun his hands in intricate forms, power coalescing about him. Blasts of eldritch energy shot from his gathered hands, throwing a tank end over end, the Imperial HQ Lord commissar Dradovich felled by the powerful storm. At the same time he plucked the strings of fate, turning those within the mosque towards a dangerous fate, and those under his command seemingly blessed with a precognition of events to come. Warlocks let forth their own blasts of energy, forcing the sisters in the building across from the mosque back into cover, those who were not quick enough were wiped out.


Bright lances and pulse lasers from the falcons arced skywards, blasting holes into the valkyrie, bringing it spiraling too earth. Beyond all belief, the Culexus strode from the wreckage. Maugan-Ra let loose a hail of shuricannon fire, the maugeter quickly harvesting the souls of Tempestor Primus, and inquisitor Kalaida. Fire dragons and the phoenix lord Fuegan let loose the power of their fusion weapons, exploding three different Imperial tanks.


On the western side of the battlefield Autarch Kiam-Ran and a squad of shining spears came in on the dominions flanks. Shurikens and laser lances spat death, punching holes through power armor. The sisters held firm, denying the eldar the advantage of a charge by ducking behind the ruins walls.


Warp spiders moved in towards the mosque, preparing to unleash a volley of webbing to strike down the target of their assault. The culexus assassin behind them however threw off their psychic bond, and their warp jump did not carry them deep enough within to reach their target.


Baron DuFort came thundering around the corner of the mosque to take aim at the eldar tank squadron. Here was the cream of the eldar fighting power. His weapons bladed, and fire dragons fell to the ground, never to rise again. He prepared to charge the eldar and put an end to the xenos threat once and for all.


A flash of light exploded about the battlefield, all sensing equipment temporarily shut down, and eyes were blinded. When the veil was lifted, the eldar were gone. The smoldering wreck of a couple vehicles were all that remained.

Canoness Elisha had fought alongside Guard and Astartes, and at this point in battles before, cheers would be rampant as the xenos began to turn tail. But those warriors were not with her today. The Battle Sisters, still soaked in xenos blood and blackened by their weapons, knelt in unified prayer. The losses were great, but not insurmountable. Many acts of bravery were seen and many Battle Sisters would find themselves filling the empty jump packs of fallen Seraphim. Seraphim that had a new star in Amelia, whose angelic ascent up the side of the Eldar Titan had brought the battle to a sudden climax.

Likewise, the Scions were silent. To them, it was another operation, another mission accomplished. Even with Lord Commissar Dradivoch's defeat, they did not miss a beat. Losses were expected, and accounted for in every plan. With the Commissar and Tempestor Primus KIA, the Tempestor Secundus had already taken command of the remaining Scions. Canoness Elisha watched him at work for some moments. It was clear that the battle and stoked his zeal and unlocked in him a powerful reserve of hatred for the Eldar. Good, she thought, let it drive you.

Where most of the battle was solemn in victory, within the command throne of the last Knight Crusader, Baron DuFort chuckled with delight. While the loss of his Freeblade allies was unfortunate, they were already being repaired, and would soon be rejoining the battle. What's more, the Baron mused, his skill had put him in prime position to establish his honor as Baron once again. He had many trophies this day, and hoped that his Sacristans would recover adequate memories of his trophy kills. The scar from the construct's blade would also serve nicely.

"As I told Inquisitor Kaleida,"
a voice suddenly spoke, interrupting Elisha's assessment.
"My arrangements were adequate."
The Canoness turned to regard the Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor's slight smirk as she continued.
"These xenos rely so extensively on their psychic witchcraft that the presence of the Culexus had torn apart their communications before they could organize. They assumed to face us with this advantage, only to have it turned on them."

"A shame, Inquisitor,"
Elisha responded,
"that would could not lay low their leaders. Has Inquisitor Kaleida been located?"

"Yes. She will recover, in time. Perhaps with a few new bionics, but I can only imagine that she will be delighted for more technology to get her hands on."
The Inquisitor let out a rueful chuckle, a rare noise amongst the Ecclesiarchy and one that did not sit well with the Canoness.

"Perhaps. Ensure that she is down for only as long as needed,"
Elisha spoke firmly. She had no real authority to make such a request of the Inquisitor, but her faith and command allowed her some leeway.
"We have much more to do before the threat is eliminated, and this is but one of many."

The leaders of craftworld Altansar were once again assembled in the spire of starlight.
Let us look over our achievements for the battle. said Autarch Kiam-Ran.
Turning events away from our race was the primary goal here, farseer Caelis-Sol, what has come in store for us?

1. First and foremost, I was lucky. The tragically haphazard Eldar reserve rolls were an unexpected boon. It kept the psychic phase more or less an even match until it was too late, plus it left 1500 points of Eldar doom tied up and away from me. Had he made those rolls, the game would have been very different.

2. The Revanant was highly damaging, but far less than I had feared. Those templates did all sorts of damage, but I was able to at least mitigate it by making sure it could only nibble at my flanks, and not get into the meat of my army. Also the Seraphim who meltabombed it totally is getting a promotion.

3. All hail the Knight Crusader. I was a bit worried that without powerful melee, the Crusader was not going to be much in this battle. But between the sheer volume of fire, and his central resilience, he could deal with anything the Eldar could toss at him. And heavy stubbers of doom.

4. As far as my formations, the Angelic Host lived up to its name, it was amazing. The Purgation Host was a little less impressive, since it is so easy to lose units and tanks, it was hard to get combined shots out. But those that it did were pretty impressive.

5. Did not really see the Assassin's shine. The Culexus was a bit lacking for targets with the Seer Council off the table, and I regrettably kept forgetting about my Vindicare. The trouble of deploying so hidden was that I lost track of him too. >.<

1. Well, right off the bat the reserve rolls really got me this game. The inability to roll anything besides a 1 was frustrating by the end of the game. On turn 4 when they finally did arrive, they didn't have a great position that I could place them to fit in with my narrative, or put in me in a position to win the game. Turn two or three they had positions to land, give good fluff, and majorly effect the outcome of the battle. That's why we play a dice game.

2.Too many reserves. I believe over half of my points were in reserves, just because they have the ability to deep strike, outflank, or even infiltrate, doesn't mean they should. The war walkers, spiders, shining spears. All of them could have had a major impact on the game from turn one if they had been on the table. The three harlequins, as well as the non-Karandras scorpions got infiltrated into useless places that had them out on their own with little support, or no real target.

3. Remember the target! When I had units coming in I constantly forgot the focus of my story line until they were placed. The swooping hawks should have dropped their grenades on the target. The shining spears could have made an overboost first turn and get into a charge position. The spiders went and killed inconsequential seraphim. When the falcons finally landed, I didn't put them in a position where they could even see the dude.

4. Other warlord targets. I accidentally killed two warlords as I was just blowing things up and shooting stuff at the end. I could have made a serious push to win the game if I had focused my destructive power on taking out those models that were worth victory points.

5. Standard objectives. They didn't really fit into the lore that I was trying to write up, but remembering that I could use them to pull him into positions to fit the fluff would have been nice.

1. Heroic stand by the Canoness and her girls. Especially if she humbles her share of Eldar heroes while doing so.

2. Thunderous firepower. Exorcists, battle cannons and bolters galore. I want that fusillade to hit and hit hard.

3. The Angelic descent. 5 units of Seraphim smashing into the back lines of the Eldar. Long as I can get halfway decent deep strike rolls, it will be a thing of beauty.

4. Getting the Culexus' nasty claws around Eldar psyker necks. Oh yes.

Canoness Elisha saw the small distortion on the far horizon, and watched with a small start as the Eldar host emerged. While an attack was known and prepared for, the scale and immediacy of it was not. Elisha smiled grimly as the standing defenses took notice and simply accelerated their actions. No Battle Sister, Scion or Knight faltered for a moment even as the tide rose to them. All around her rose the twin melodies of chanted battle prayer, carried loud by the priestesses attached to the Sororitas squads, and the heavy song of weapons loading and arming. The trio of Freeblades rose, striding purposefully to the front lines.Baron DuFort's Crusader's weapons already whirling to life. He was eager. Good.

"They're certainly brazen, today," Inquisitor Kaleida spoke from behind Canoness Elisha. "Unlike them to risk this much."

"Are we prepared?" Elisha's hand played impatiently over the rune-carved hilt of her axe.

"As much as we can. Inquisitor Libra has taken her position and assures me that her preparations are complete to combat their witchcraft."

Elisha scoffed. Lord Commissar Dradivoch had echoed her disdain at the Hereticus Inquisitor's veiled assurances, because an unknown asset is not one to be used properly. But they had little choice in the matter, even less now that the xenos strode before them. Regardless of that matter, Elisha was glad as she turned her attention to her handpicked squad of Battle Sisters.

"Sisters!" Canoness Elisha bellowed, her voice rising in faith and fury. "Today the xenos come to take this world from the Emperor! They use foul witchcraft to strike at us. Let us show them the power of faith! Let their arrogance be scattered across this field until not a single xenos scum defiles the air of this world!"

They want this world. Let them try to take it.