Bat Rep Eldar V Tyranids

I totally should be mugging instead.

But, oh well.

The campaign battle happened last Sunday, it was a 1550pts Eldar v 1650 pts Tyranids game. Unfortunately, a lucky shot (and by lucky, I mean like a 1 in 36 chance) destroyed the Falcon Grav and prevented me from doing adequate MC hunting. Hence, without the means to take down the Carnifexes and the Hive Tyrants, I was unable to narrow the victory margin.

Gah.

Here we go, in all fluffy goodness:
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The eldar were tense. Only a few days before, the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Gorgon had disrupted their supply lines, and their Pathfinders, exhausted and just narrowly escaping the Tyranid Skirmishers, had reported that the Hive Fleet was approaching in their direction. Now, Farseer Fenix stood at the fore front of her army, watching the horizon for the approach of the Tyranids.

The runes orbiting here started to dance erratically, as she attempted to divine the formations of the Tyranid assault. She knew that the first wave of Gaunts, led by their Tyranid Warriors, would appearing from the tree line soon enough. She directed the Dark Reapers under her command and bid them station themselves in the woods, her Black Guardians forming up behind them, ready to dash forward to take down the

She knew of the presence of two Lictors skulking about the forests nearby. She turned to Warlock Hakra, who was about to depart to command his Guardians. “Warlock Hakra, I’ve detected the presence of two Lictors, and there is a forest to the north of your position. Do be careful.”

“And the other?”

Farseer Fenix looked about the deployment zone, her flowing red hair and her white cape flowing in the wind. “I am unable to divine its location, but I doubt that it would dare appear so close to our lines. Even the Tyranids know sense.”

Her most loyal Warlock nodded. “And of the rest of our forces?”

Farseer Fenix drew a grim smile. “They would be arriving shortly enough. I trust the rituals went smoothly?”

The Warlock bowed his head and brought a fist to his chest. “The Avatar shall be gracing our battle, Farseer.”

The Farseer felt a glimmer of hope. Against such odds, the presence of the Avatar of Khaine would surely bolster the Eldar. A rune suddenly jumped in between the two, shining brightly.

“The Scourge arrive. To your posts, Warlock.”

“May Khaine guide your blade, Farseer.”

“May Isha smile upon you, Warlock,” Farseer Fenix said as she put on her Ghosthelm.

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The Dark Reapers heaved their heavy weapons, their trigger fingers were itching to begin to fire upon the first Tyranid to appear in their scopes. The Exarch watched as the Farseer stepped forward, and her Seer Council forming up around her. Then, the psy-link was established. The Farseer’s will could be felt in the minds of the Eldar.

Soon, the first Tyranid Gaunts appeared from the trees. The order to fire was given. The Dark Reapers readied their weapons, planted their feet on the ground, and opened fire at the Gaunts.

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Revered Guardian Belphalas heard the mental call. Hive Fleet Gorgon arrive. Readying his Dual Catapults, he ordered his charges to dash forth to cover the Dark Reapers.

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Warlock Hakra received the message loud and clear. With a wave of his hand, the Guardians around him began to move forth. The Scatterlaser platform in the midst of them hummed to life and began to fire scything lasers at the approaching Gaunts, but still they dash onwards, knowing no other purpose but to consume the enemy. Soon, the Spinegaunts charged into the Guardians, Warlock Hakra immediately instilling strength and courage to his charges through his will…

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Farseer Fenix didn’t need to depend on her mind to see the oncoming Gaunts. One swarm had split away from the main group and was fast heading towards Warlock Hakra. The other swarms were speeding down towards her position. Her Black Guardians were already dashing forth to cover the Dark Reapers, but she knew that their fire was necessary and could not be distracted one second. She needed to distract them.

The Seer Council marched forth towards the rock formation. Around it, the Gaunts were already dashing forth. Farseer Fenix opened her arms, feeling the power of the Warp starting to envelop her. Her runes were now orbiting around her so quickly that they seemed to sparkle. Her Staff was also starting to crackle with energy that coursed down Farseer Fenix’s arm. Her visor began to glow an azure blue, as she clenched her fist in front of her, allowing her anger to fuel the storm. Finally, she raised her fist to the air.

In one dazzling flash, a lightning bolt from the skies struck the middle of the Gaunt formation, scattering many of the little critters but leaving them generally unharmed. The Farseer has gotten their attention. Her Warlocks unsheathed their witchblades, attuning their minds with the weapons that were now crackling with energy. As the Spinegaunts fleeted towards them, raising their arms to strike, the Seer Council charged forth, cutting down the Gaunts before they could even strike. Farseer Fenix felt the energy of the Warp leave her and enter her Staff. She dashed forth and struck down the first Gaunt that dared attempt to attack her.

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The Dark Reapers raise their weapons temporily as the Black Guardians sprinted towards the Gaunts that were now rapidly surrounding Farseer Fenix and the Seer Council. The first of the Tyranid Carnifex had finally crashed through the forests and fired its barbed strangler and venom cannon at them. Their heavy armour held, and they began to fire at the monstrous creature, watch as their armaments managed to hit weak spots in the Carnifex’s reinforced carapace. Behind them, the sounds of the Falcon and it’s Fire Dragon charges could be heard speeding behind the Guardian melee, its weapons hunting the synapse creatures. The Wraithlord trudged up behind the position, a hail of fire erupting from its guns at the Tyranid Warriors still co-ordinating the Gaunt melee.

The battle was now escalating as more and more Tyranids appeared from behind the trees.

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The Seer Council met the Gaunt wave from two sides, forming a circle around the Farseer. Farseer Fenix herself threw herself into the assault, while keeping the Psi-link with the rest of the Eldar and watching the Hive Mind’s advance. As the first wave of the Gaunts were brought down, the Seer Council extended their will, as the spines from the Gaunts collided against their rune armour. However, something else loomed nearer…

Farseer Fenix barely had time to shout out a warning, when the Hive Tyrant unleashed the Devourers upon the Seer Council. In an instant, half of her Seer Council was struck down by the hail. Still the fires of battle spurred the rest of the Seer Council to fight on. Farseer Fenix looked up to see a fearsome sight, a huge statue of flame and hatred stood before them now. The runes on its body were strangely pristine, and the Wailing Doom it held in it’s hand glowed and burned with such intensity. The Avatar of Khaine let out a might roar and charged into the midst of the Gaunts, sweeping them away where they stood. In the heart of every eldar now burnt a fire as intense as that of the flames that surrounded the Avatar. Farseer Fenix gripped her staff even more tightly, and looked over the rock formation. The Hive Tyrant had disappeared.

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Positioning themselves amongst the trees, Revered Guardian Belphalas brought his dual shuriken catapults to his sides, as he spied the Hive Tyrant ahead of him. The monstrous creature gave a gigantic roar, letting loose the tiny devourers that lay nestled within it’s armaments at the Seer Council. The Revered Guardian raised his arm, ready to give the order to unleash the Bladestorm upon the Hive Tyrant, just as a snarl caught their attention. Belphalas didn’t even have time to respond before the Tyranid Warriors crashed through the trees and charged the Black Guardians. Totally caught off his guard, the Revered Guardian was cut down where he stood along with other Black Guardians. The Psy-link with the Farseer was lost, but still the Black Guardians knew their role, the prevent the Dark Reapers from being disrupted. They charged forth to meet the Warriors in combat…

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Warlock Hakra slashed downwards and cut the last Gaunt down with his witchblade, just as a movement from the forest ahead caught his attention. He waved for his Guardians to step back, just as the Falcon sped on overhead. To the Warlock’s great surprise, the Falcon was hit by a spray of Venom Cannon shots and crashed into the forests. As the Warlock brought his hand to his eyes to shield them from the blast, he could barely make out a shilouette in the trees…

With a wave of his hand, the Lictor was pushed back by the Warlock’s will, failing to make its charge. As the chameleon attempted to meld back into shadows of the vegetation, the Guardians raised their weapons and opened fire at the interloper. In the hail of shuriken, the Lictor was cut down where it stood.

Whispering a prayer of thanks to Isha, Warlock Hakra turned his head to watch as the Fire Dragons stumbled out of the burning wreckage of the Falcon, attempting to orientate themselves. However the snarls of the surviving Tyranid Warriors caught the Warlock’s attention. The Black Guardians had entered the woods in an attempt to flush out the other Lictor, but they had been assaulted by the Tyranid Warriors. Warlock Hakra frowned and was about to order his Guardians to aid the Black Guardians when all of a sudden, the Hive Tyrant landed in front of their position with a roar, bringing it’s Devourer guns to bear…

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The last wave of Gaunts had finally been struck down. Farseer Fenix was now feeling the weariness of battle catch up upon her, as she leant heavily on her staff. Still, the Hive Mind’s presence was still strong. The Hive Tyrants were still alive. Looking over the rock formation once more, she saw that the second Hive Tyrant has arrived, accompanied by its Tyrant Guard. The Avatar was still fending off a wave of Gaunts, but the remnants of the Seer Council were still with her. Farseer Fenix looked upon them, and said, “Go, my brave warriors. Aid the rest of the battle. There is… something that I need to tend to.”

The Seers nodded, and jumped over the rock formation, brandishing their witchblades upon the last of the Tyranid Warriors. Farseer Fenix stepped over the rock formation, and watched as the second Hive Tyrant let out a roar. The Farseer reached out with her hand, and closed her eyes. She felt her will rush forth, enveloping around the Hive Tyrant. The Tyranid monstrous creature let loose another roar, and broke her concentration. Panting heavily now, Farseer Fenix tried again. Still, the Hive Tyrant was strong, resisting her attempts. Finally, the Farseer was able to circumvent the Hive Tyrant’s psychic barrier, and felt it’s mind. She clenched her fist.

The Hive Tyrant let out a ear-piercing scream, as Farseer Fenix reached into the mind of the Hive Tyrant and crushed it as hard as she could. She finally let go, but to her dismay, the Hive Tyrant was still standing. It blinked furiously, and let out another roar, but lumbered off to another target.

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The Dark Reapers had been maintaining their fire through out the entire battle, but their firepower had unfortunately drawn the attention of the Carnifexes. The squad had been weathering the continuous barrage of barbs and venom cannons shots, and finally, only the Exarch remained. He watched as the Hive Tyrant entered his sights. His sensors were giving him the target locked signal. He weighed the Eldar Missile Launcher, and planted his feet firmly on the ground. He pressed his finger on the trigger…

…but nothing happened. The Exarch stared with disbelief at his weapon. The firing mechanism had been burnt away from the sprays of venom. The Exarch looked up to see the Carnifexes looking in his direction.

The last the Exarch thought before he was struck by venom cannon shots, was that he had failed the Farseer, and the Craftworld.

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Warlock Hakra finally unveiled the fog that he had weaved around him and his squad. The remaining Guardians struggled to get back to their feet. Soon, the message came in from the Farseer. “Warlock?”

“Farseer, how goes the battle?”

“We’ve failed, Warlock. The Hive Tyrant still lives. We cannot win this battle. Retreat to the Webway.”

“Received.”

The Warlock waved for his Guardians to retreat, as he saw the Fire Dragons shot down by the Hive Tyrant. The battle may be lost, but the war isn’t over.