With real life conspiring again our local Press Gang throughout much of 2013 when it came to running release events, our PG's came up with an interesting solution. Run them all on the same day! Combining on three release event rules packs into a single day tournament format, one day would decide the recipients of a lot of really cool swag. As it's a very thematic group of events, this is going to be a very thematic tournament report, so be warned that there is a little "creative writing" from this point on. The field was set, the warriors converged, and soon, the battle will be joined!
Round 1
"Hour of Annihilation" (Colossals Release Event Scenario)
Nathan Starwalt and his Retribution took on Ryan Taylor's Mercenaries. Taylor seemed confidant as the battle commenced, the odd couple of Captain Montador and Durgen Madhammer leading his forces against Adeptis Rahn and Kaelyssa's combined Retribution force. In the end, that confidence was not misplaced. Even though an Earthbreaker was lost in the campaign, the Retribution was forced to flee the field in the face of the might of properly spent coin.
Travis Cooper brought the forces of Skorne, with Makeda and Xerxis leading his troops, against Justin Rudler's Lieutenant Caine and Major Haley led Cygnaran army. Superior ranged force seemed like it might be a factor as Skorne approached. Despite the hail of gunfire, Xerxis managed to engage Major Haley in single combat and force her retreat as Malik Karn, urged on by Makeda, forced Captain Caine to make a hasty exit.
Jonathan Lawler brought the power of the Kriels to bare, with Callandra and Grim Angus in charge of the Trollbloods campaign, against Chris Brown's triumphant (read: "last minute") return to nature with Kaya and Grayle doing the honors for Circle Orboros. It would be a battle for the supremacy of the wild on this field. Despite the heroic efforts of Grayle, which saw him single-handedly dismantle a War Wagon with his blades, once Kaya had to flee the onslaught of a Pyre Troll, the Trollbloods seized the Sanctuary and refused to be dislodged.
The motherland had Evan Woolbright's Vladmir, The Dark Prince, and Forward Kommander Sorcha Kratikoff in command of the Khadoran forces engaged with Cordell Barnhart's sinister Cryx forces under the lead of Goreshade and Scaverous. With both sides bringing Colossals into the field, brutality was ensured. The Conquest focused on the Kraken, but this allowed Scaverous to make his way The Dark Prince and incapacitate him with his spell-casting prowess. Kommander Sorcha looked like she might hold the field until a lone mercenary, one of Croe's Cutthroats, had other plans.
The Covergence of Cyriss had Scott Snyder bringing the calculated might of Aurora and the Forge Master's force against the dark nature of James Lampson's Cryx troops, with evil duo of Deneghra and Asphyxious in command. Malevolence or machine? You would win? The answer would be elementary... despite being short-handed... evil wins. After making Aurora take wing away from battlefield, the forces of Cryx seized the Sanctuary and refused entry to any outsiders.
It was a battle between those favored by the Maiden of Gears and those favored by Menoth, as Rich Morrow brought his Convergence with Axis and Aurora's precision leadership against Kai Hull's Protectorate of Menoth, following the divine influence of Kreoss and Severius. Despite the determination and strength bestowed by Menoth's blessings, the cold and calculating speed of the Convergence proved to much and both Menite warcasters were forced to cede the field to Cyriss.
Round 1 Results
Rich Morrow (Convergence) DEF Kai Hull (Protectorate)
Travis Cooper (Skorne) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Cordell Barnhart (Cryx) DEF Evan Woolbright (Khador)
Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods) DEF Chris Brown (Circle)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries) DEF Nathan Starwalt (Retribution)
Cordell Barnhart (Cryx) DEF Evan Woolbright (Khador)
Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods) DEF Chris Brown (Circle)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries) DEF Nathan Starwalt (Retribution)
Round 2
"No Stone Left Unturned" (Gargantuans Release Event Scenario)
Now the armies engaged in battle find themselves out of the frying pan and in search of the fire. This has seen them stumble upon a number of excavation sites throughout the Kingdoms.
After surviving the possible annihilation of their last battles victorious, Cooper's Skorne and Barnhart's Cryx came upon one upon one such excavation site. Makeda & Xerxis enjoyed hard fought victory in their previous battle, but now it was the cunning Goreshade and Scaverous standing before them. The Skorne forces controlled the field in dominating fashion, taking the fight to the Cryx at every turn. But, the shear determination of the Cryx army, their unwillingness to leave the field of battle, saw them outlast the Skorne.
In another battle of victors, Callandra and Grim Angus, fighting for the Kriel of Lawler, encountered a second Cryx force, led by Lampson's hand-picked commanders Deneghra and Asphyxious... and this time, at full fighting strength. The toughness of the Trollbloods would be sorely tested by the wily Cryx. Tested... and found wanting. The Cryx forces knew they were in a fight, the tenacity of the Trollbloods proved true, however they claimed the field in convincing fashion.
Once again encouraged by Taylor's coinage, Captain Montador's salty crew and Madhammer's Rhulfolk would stand side-by-side to face off with the Maiden of Gears' chosen few helmed by Morrow (the player, not the deity). Could the metal of the coin stand up to the metal of Cyriss? It seemed that Taylor's coin was more than equal to the task as the Convergence force gambled against the man with the money and lost... big.
While Morrow's C.o.C. fought on one side of the Iron Kingdoms, Snyder led a second Converge force, the worse for wear after fighting the Cryx, into battle against a battle-worn Circle Orboros, brought to the field by Brown. Grayle and Kaya had the heroics of their last battle to bolster morale, but the calculations of Aurora and Syntherion certainly looked at that as a non-faction in the equation. While the Circle forces rallied in the face of their mechanized foes, in the end, it was futile as the Cyriss forces drove them from the field after a long, exhausting battle through sheer force of will.
Starwalt's Retribution sought just that as they came across Rudler's Cygnar. Both weary from their past battles, it looked like a mirror match as Rahn and Haley match magical might while Kaelyssa and Caine were locked in an ol' fashioned shootout. As the sun set on the field, Rahn proved the more potent mage, and Kaelyssa proved no slouch herself, as the two Scyrah blessed warcasters forced their foes to flee.
The final excavation site was found by Khador, fighting for Woolbright's Motherland, and the Protectorate forces, lead by Hull. Would the chill of The Dark Prince & Kratikoff be enough to hold off Severius, Kreoss, and the flames of Menoth? It was the combined arms of the Khadoran army that won the day, as a Spriggan softened up the Menite forces before the Widowmakers' gunfire forced off Severius and Sorcha's own melee onslaught made Kreoss retreat.
Bolstered by their victories, Lampson's Cryx forces, Deneghra and Asphyxious at the fore, came upon the first of these nodes. They also came upon Woolbright's Khadorans, Vladimir and Kratikoff bloodied, but unbowed. The toll of battle on the Khadorans, though, was great and a pair of Pistol Wraiths drove off The Dark Prince while Asphyxious' superior spell casting held Kratikoff at bay and secured one power node for the dark forces of Cryx.
Trying to seize two of these structures was high on Cryx's agenda, as Barnhart's force, led by Scaverous and Goreshade raced to another node. Upon arriving, they found Montador and Madhammer discussing how they'd split the profit after selling the node's location to their benefactor Taylor. While the agents of Cryx had other plans, the lure of the coin is powerful indeed. The Mercenary forces seized the node, drove away the Cryx army, and resumed discussion over their financial split.
Cyriss, too, was keen on the nodes, on protecting their creations. On one field, Morrow's force, Aurora and Axis in command, found the Cooper's Skorne, Makeda and Xerxis tired, but spoiling for a fight and a fight is what they got. Over the course of the grueling war, three warcasters were forced to flee the field of battle. In the end, only Axis the Harmonic Enforcer was left standing.
Elsewhere, Snyder's Convergence duo of Aurora and Syntherion awaited the arrival of any who might threaten their node. Opposition came in the form of Lawler's Trollbloods, Callandra and Grim Angus looking for the strange and magical structure. As the smoke cleared, in yet another grueling battle, the Convergence was driven away from their treasured structure in the face of a fiercely determined Trollblood force.
Familiar foes engaged at the site of the fifth node, as Rudler's Cygnaran forces, with Lieutenant Caine and Major Haley advancing warily, happened upon Hull's divine pairing of Kreoss and Severius and their Menite troops. As one would expect, it was a hard fought and drawn out battle, but the gritty determination of the Protectorate bogged down the Cygnaran troops, who were forced to withdraw in the face of potential losses.
Snyder's Convergence, Aurora and Syntherion, found themselves locked in battle with Hull's Protectorate, Kreoss and Severius. With a long and harsh battle fought, it was the determined Protectorate forces that held out in the end, claiming respect from the Convergence as they ceded the field.
The Motherland's chosen son on this day, Woolbright, and his generals Vladimir and Kratikoff, faced off with their age old rivals from Cygnar, with Rudler doing the Crown's bidding, and Haley and Caine following his orders. And appropriately, it was a harsh and bitter fight, but the Khadorans left the field victorious for the Motherland over the Cygnaran rivals
Cryx's dark forces, Scaverous and Goreshade, followed the urgings of Barnhart into battle against Morrow's Convergence army, following the cold logic of Axis and Aurora. With both armies battle weary and looking for a safe haven, it was the Convergence forces that managed to find sweet sanctuary and a respite from the day's long battles.
The Kriel of Lawler, Trollbloods led by Grim Angus and Callandra, took to the field against the Retribution forces of Starwalt, Kaelyssa and Rahn standing at the ready. In another duel of gunfighters and mages, again the Retribution proved triumphant, with Kaelyssa forcing both of the Trollblood warlocks off the field and earning a respite from the day's conflicts.
After surviving the possible annihilation of their last battles victorious, Cooper's Skorne and Barnhart's Cryx came upon one upon one such excavation site. Makeda & Xerxis enjoyed hard fought victory in their previous battle, but now it was the cunning Goreshade and Scaverous standing before them. The Skorne forces controlled the field in dominating fashion, taking the fight to the Cryx at every turn. But, the shear determination of the Cryx army, their unwillingness to leave the field of battle, saw them outlast the Skorne.In another battle of victors, Callandra and Grim Angus, fighting for the Kriel of Lawler, encountered a second Cryx force, led by Lampson's hand-picked commanders Deneghra and Asphyxious... and this time, at full fighting strength. The toughness of the Trollbloods would be sorely tested by the wily Cryx. Tested... and found wanting. The Cryx forces knew they were in a fight, the tenacity of the Trollbloods proved true, however they claimed the field in convincing fashion.Once again encouraged by Taylor's coinage, Captain Montador's salty crew and Madhammer's Rhulfolk would stand side-by-side to face off with the Maiden of Gears' chosen few helmed by Morrow (the player, not the deity). Could the metal of the coin stand up to the metal of Cyriss? It seemed that Taylor's coin was more than equal to the task as the Convergence force gambled against the man with the money and lost... big.While Morrow's C.o.C. fought on one side of the Iron Kingdoms, Snyder led a second Converge force, the worse for wear after fighting the Cryx, into battle against a battle-worn Circle Orboros, brought to the field by Brown. Grayle and Kaya had the heroics of their last battle to bolster morale, but the calculations of Aurora and Syntherion certainly looked at that as a non-faction in the equation. While the Circle forces rallied in the face of their mechanized foes, in the end, it was futile as the Cyriss forces drove them from the field after a long, exhausting battle through sheer force of will.Starwalt's Retribution sought just that as they came across Rudler's Cygnar. Both weary from their past battles, it looked like a mirror match as Rahn and Haley match magical might while Kaelyssa and Caine were locked in an ol' fashioned shootout. As the sun set on the field, Rahn proved the more potent mage, and Kaelyssa proved no slouch herself, as the two Scyrah blessed warcasters forced their foes to flee.The final excavation site was found by Khador, fighting for Woolbright's Motherland, and the Protectorate forces, lead by Hull. Would the chill of The Dark Prince & Kratikoff be enough to hold off Severius, Kreoss, and the flames of Menoth? It was the combined arms of the Khadoran army that won the day, as a Spriggan softened up the Menite forces before the Widowmakers' gunfire forced off Severius and Sorcha's own melee onslaught made Kreoss retreat.
Round 2 Results
Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries) DEF Rich Morrow (Convergence)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Evan Woolbright (Khador) DEF Kai Hull (Protectorate)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods)
Cordell Barnhart (Cryx) DEF Travis Cooper (Skorne)
Scott Snyder (Convergence) DEF Chris Brown (Circle)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Evan Woolbright (Khador) DEF Kai Hull (Protectorate)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods)
Cordell Barnhart (Cryx) DEF Travis Cooper (Skorne)
Scott Snyder (Convergence) DEF Chris Brown (Circle)
Round 3
"Power Surge" (Convergence of Cyriss Release Event Scenario)
The fruits of the excavation attempts came in the form of a series of enigmatic structures... massive Cyriss Power Nodes. Amplifying the power of warcasters and warlocks in their vicinity, controlling such structures would be power boons indeed.
Bolstered by their victories, Lampson's Cryx forces, Deneghra and Asphyxious at the fore, came upon the first of these nodes. They also came upon Woolbright's Khadorans, Vladimir and Kratikoff bloodied, but unbowed. The toll of battle on the Khadorans, though, was great and a pair of Pistol Wraiths drove off The Dark Prince while Asphyxious' superior spell casting held Kratikoff at bay and secured one power node for the dark forces of Cryx.Trying to seize two of these structures was high on Cryx's agenda, as Barnhart's force, led by Scaverous and Goreshade raced to another node. Upon arriving, they found Montador and Madhammer discussing how they'd split the profit after selling the node's location to their benefactor Taylor. While the agents of Cryx had other plans, the lure of the coin is powerful indeed. The Mercenary forces seized the node, drove away the Cryx army, and resumed discussion over their financial split.Cyriss, too, was keen on the nodes, on protecting their creations. On one field, Morrow's force, Aurora and Axis in command, found the Cooper's Skorne, Makeda and Xerxis tired, but spoiling for a fight and a fight is what they got. Over the course of the grueling war, three warcasters were forced to flee the field of battle. In the end, only Axis the Harmonic Enforcer was left standing.Elsewhere, Snyder's Convergence duo of Aurora and Syntherion awaited the arrival of any who might threaten their node. Opposition came in the form of Lawler's Trollbloods, Callandra and Grim Angus looking for the strange and magical structure. As the smoke cleared, in yet another grueling battle, the Convergence was driven away from their treasured structure in the face of a fiercely determined Trollblood force.Familiar foes engaged at the site of the fifth node, as Rudler's Cygnaran forces, with Lieutenant Caine and Major Haley advancing warily, happened upon Hull's divine pairing of Kreoss and Severius and their Menite troops. As one would expect, it was a hard fought and drawn out battle, but the gritty determination of the Protectorate bogged down the Cygnaran troops, who were forced to withdraw in the face of potential losses.
The final node was found by Brown's Circle forces, as Grayle and Kaya looked for this afront to the natural order. It was also found by Starwalt's Retribution forces, Rahn and Kaelyssa looking for what might be a powerful weapon in mankind's cursed mystical arsenal. With time conspiring against Brown, he turned his forces over to Cameron Cavedo, hoping a fresh man could turn the tide. But it was not meant to be, as the Retribution forces drove the Circle Orboros off in brutal fashion.
Round 3 Results
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Evan Woolbright (Khador)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Chris Brown/Cameron Cavedo (Circle)
Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries) DEF Cordell Barnhart (Cryx)
Kai Hull (Protectorate) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Rich Morrow (Convergence) DEF Travis Cooper (Skorne)
Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Chris Brown/Cameron Cavedo (Circle)
Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries) DEF Cordell Barnhart (Cryx)
Kai Hull (Protectorate) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Rich Morrow (Convergence) DEF Travis Cooper (Skorne)
Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Round 4
"Hour of Annihilation" (Colossals Release Event Scenario)
The final hour was finally upon us and the prizes were in sight for our weary warriors. Attrition had taken a toll, as two of the tired soldiers retired from the field, but ten brave souls soldiered on to the final battle.
Snyder's Convergence, Aurora and Syntherion, found themselves locked in battle with Hull's Protectorate, Kreoss and Severius. With a long and harsh battle fought, it was the determined Protectorate forces that held out in the end, claiming respect from the Convergence as they ceded the field.The Motherland's chosen son on this day, Woolbright, and his generals Vladimir and Kratikoff, faced off with their age old rivals from Cygnar, with Rudler doing the Crown's bidding, and Haley and Caine following his orders. And appropriately, it was a harsh and bitter fight, but the Khadorans left the field victorious for the Motherland over the Cygnaran rivalsCryx's dark forces, Scaverous and Goreshade, followed the urgings of Barnhart into battle against Morrow's Convergence army, following the cold logic of Axis and Aurora. With both armies battle weary and looking for a safe haven, it was the Convergence forces that managed to find sweet sanctuary and a respite from the day's long battles.The Kriel of Lawler, Trollbloods led by Grim Angus and Callandra, took to the field against the Retribution forces of Starwalt, Kaelyssa and Rahn standing at the ready. In another duel of gunfighters and mages, again the Retribution proved triumphant, with Kaelyssa forcing both of the Trollblood warlocks off the field and earning a respite from the day's conflicts.
And on the choicest of fields, with the richest of prizes awaiting the victor, Taylor's coin looked to buy into one final victory, as Montador and Madhammer soldiered on against Lampson's malevolent forces of Cryx, Deneghra and Asphyxious doing his bidding. Despite the wiles and cunning of the sellswords, the speed and maneuverability of the Cryxian forces, especially that of the warcasters themselves, saw Cryx seal the deal as it seems that the money finally ran dry.
Round 4 Results
Travis Cooper (Skorne) TIES Chris Brown (Circle)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries)
Rich Morrow (Convergence) DEF Cordell Barnhart (Cryx)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods)
Kai Hull (Protectorate) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Evan Woolbright (Khador) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
James Lampson (Cryx) DEF Ryan Taylor (Mercenaries)
Rich Morrow (Convergence) DEF Cordell Barnhart (Cryx)
Nathan Starwalt (Retribution) DEF Jonathan Lawler (Trollbloods)
Kai Hull (Protectorate) DEF Scott Snyder (Convergence)
Evan Woolbright (Khador) DEF Justin Rudler (Cygnar)
Final Results
Winner / Top Warmachine Player / Top Cryx
James Lampson
2nd Place / Top Mercenaries
Ryan Taylor
3rd Place / Best Painted Army / "Control Freak" (Most CP - Tie)
Richard Morrow
Top Hordes Player / Top Trollbloods / "Control Freak" (Most CP - Tie)
Jonathan Lawler
Top Achievement Earner
Kai Hull
Best Sportsman / Top Khador
Evan Woolbright
"Control Freak" (Most CP - Tie) / Top Convergence of Cyriss
Scott Snyder
Top Cygnar / Achievement "Special Honors"
Justin Rudler
Top Protectorate of Menoth
Kai Hull
"Destructive Nature" (Most AP) / Top Retribution of Scyrah
Nathan Starwalt
Top Circle Orboros / Tournament "Special Honors"
Chris Brown
Top Skorne
Travis Cooper
looks like everyone had a great time. I look forward to seeing future events, and maybe even roadtripping down to join in on them.
ReplyDeleteIt was a Blast. We look forward to seeing you!
ReplyDelete