A Crown of Thorns

“If you go down to the woods today, be sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today, you’d best be prepared to fight. Through thorns, the birch, the shadows that lurk, the sorcerer’s staff and the revenant’s curse. The bone-jack’s hunt their picnic.”
- Cynarian nursery rhyme

Background:
The campaign is set against the backdrop of the Thornwood campaign, as laid out in the War-Machine: Apotheosis sourcebook.
In a heavily wooded backwater of northern Cygnar, Cryxian machinations have discovered the existence of a long forgotten soul-cairn. No-one quite knows the full extent of it’s potential powers or it’s true purpose, other than the collection of mortal souls.
Despite showing the deception and guile long associated with Cryx it was inevitable that the advances of the heavier battle-groups into the area would eventually be spotted.
All the major factions war-casters are now rushing to the area as each of their prophets has finally identified the potentially dire threat that has risen. Cryx however maintain the upper hand, the area crawling with bone-jacks supported by growing bands of thralls and acolyte war-casters.
The race has only just begun but little is clear, other than bloodshed is inevitable and alliances will twist and turn as the thorn-bush itself.

Format:
1. Starting battle-groups: 500 points.
2. Experience rules as written by Aaron.
3. First two weeks will feature two 500 pt battles using random scenarios.
4. After week two each battle-group will receive 250 points of reinforcements. At this point war-casters can upgrade to “epic” status if they wish.
5. Final two weeks will involve specifically written linked scenarios based on previous results.
6. All of this will co-ordinated through the forums and a weekly battle-report.

Week 1 Results:
After the events of Fort Thorn-Spur Cryx launches a surprise assault and sends every other battle-group reeling. Sporadic combat breaks out throughout the Thornwood as each faction struggles to consolidate their forces and stake a claim.
As the battle-lines solidify after the aftermath of the siege at Fort Thornspur Menoth have established a dominating presence.
Using the remains of the fort as a supply base they have deployed several large battle-groups across the eastern Thornwood.

1. Menoth: 33 points, a major victory on all fronts.
2. Khador: 26 points, a solid result despite their weakened forces.
3. Cygnar: 24 points, a strong fighting retreat in the face of adversity.
4. Cryx: 21 points, a missed opportunity perhaps?

Week 2 Results:
Cryx storm to victory as Menoth crumbles!!
After a failed pre-emptive strike, Cryx released the full fury of their battle groups previously hidden amongst the Thornwood.
Massive gains have been made in all sectors to the cost of all other factions.
Khador have met mixed fortunes with Vlad’s Battle group meeting nothing but success whilst Irusk has met nothing but the destruction of his forces.
Menoth has fought hard to hold it’s previous gains and has mostly held the line. The High Reclaimer, however was heavily beaten and pushed back forcing the collapse of a large section of Menoth’s front-line.
Cygnar’s continued withdrawal threatens to turn into a rout but King Leto’s forces are still fighting hard. The grudge match between Haley and Deneghra first went Cygnar’s way before turning violently against

1. Cryx: 140
2. Khador: 103
3. Menoth: 91
4. Cygnar: 40

As a result, Cryx and Khador will go on to fight for possession of the soul cairn with Cygnar and Menoth acting in support.

Week 3 - Soul Stealer:
With several players away for week four and only one Cryx player available, week three featured the signature games of the campaign.
This was a linked scenario played across two separate tables. One table represented the soul-cairn itself and the battle for its possession. The other was based around the capture of the cairn-keeper whose ancient knowledge of the soul-cairn would greatly benefit whomever “persuaded” him into their service.
Game 1: The Soul Cairn:
Played on a 6” x 4” table with the soul-cairn placed centrally surrounded by hills and forests representing the overgrown surroundings.
Cryx had amassed the greatest number of victory points to date and as such were defending the cairn with a 1500 point force. Three 750 forces, one each of Khador, Cygnar and Menoth were deployed as attackers.
The game was played down the 6” length of the table. Cryx first deployed half of their forces within their long half of the table. Each of the other forces then deployed along one of the remaining short edges each but not within 18” of any of the Cryx forces.
Cryx then deployed their remaining forces within 6” of their short edge.
For each of the non-Cryxian forces their feats were not considered to treat any other faction as friendly.
First turn was decided randomly with possession of the soul-cairn deciding victory.
Hammer-time came into play at the end of turn 6.
Game 2: The Keeper of the Cairn:
Played on a 6” x 4” table as a standard king of the hill but with a stone tower on a multi level hill in the centre of an otherwise heavily wooded table.
The tower was given DEF 10, ARM 20 and 20 Damage, once breached the keeper could moved by any unit as a carried item.
Three players were present each deploying 750 points representing Cryx, Menoth and Khador.

Week 3 Results:
Game 1 - The Soul Cairn:
Across the soul-cairn itself the engagement was both swift and vicious with aggressive moves from Lich Lord Terminus whilst The Coven and Skarre moved to occupy the cairn.
The attacking forces stumbled over themselves somewhat whilst Terminus went after their Warcasters in turn. Menoth were first to falter quickly followed by Cygnar though Cryx lost swathes of infantry from shot and spell.
After a vicious war of attrition Hammer-time, and the onset of dusk, came to Cryx’s aid and the cairn just remained in their possession. Another couple of turns would likely have seen a major reverse.
Game 2 - The Keeper of the Cairn:
Gaining first turn Deneghra threw her forces forward trusting to speed and assuming an alliance of convenience between her enemies. This proved to be the case.
Despite gaining the high ground initial failure to breach the tower forced the cryxian forces forward to but as much time as possible. Khador and Menoth initially came on fairly cautiously, as is their way, and were distracted by the Cryxian faint.
With the tower breached and the keeper of the cairn under the arm of a Slayer, Deneghra ordered a swift retreat as thralls disappeared en-masse under the twin juggernaughts of the Khador / Menoth advance.
Throwing everything at the enemy Cryx finally disengaged with just Denghra, a Defiler and the Slayer, but more importantly with the Cairn-Keeper.
Overall:
Despite heavy losses, a major victory to Cryx. With the “co-operation” of the Cairn-Keeper Asphyxious will soon be exploiting its secrets and powers. The Thornwood may be off limits for some time to come!!

Week 4: Sky’s of Boiling Death:
With the campaign result assured it was mop-up time as the factions disengaged taking with them what spoils they could claim. With the Soul-Cairn emitting clouds of dark spirits and dark fog everywhere alliances were forgotten in the rush to salvage what remained.
This final week featured standard Mangled Metal games at 750 points as a counterpoint to the campaign games and a chance to play with the Epic Warcasters.

Week 4 Results:
Results were mixed with Haley and Deneghra meeting once again. Deneghra’s early advantage lead to complacency and a short sharp shock that almost finished her. But in a game that could have gone either way Haley’s fate was sealed by the dice and she fell. Another bionic limb perhaps?

Overall campaign:
Overall the campaign worked well and let us refine Aaron’s campaign rules whilst trying out the Epic War-casters.
In this we succeeded whilst having a large helping of exciting and competitive games. We have previously not used the campaigns presented in the Warmachine supplements as we’ve found them too restrictive. Maybe next time using the Theatre of War maps, but definitely with the campaign rules.