Warhammer 40K Report: Black Templars Verses Bloodletters - Part Two

SERGEANT MUNDAY BATTERS A BLOODLETTER AS HIS UNIT MAKE FOR HIS POSITION

"The story so far… Whilst exploring some ruins on the planet Simbad Seven, a small unit of Black Templars have discovered the presence of an ancient relic near to a long abandoned plaza. However Sergeant Munday's unit soon find themselves under attack by a small warband of Bloodletters, who seemingly want the relic for their Blood God, Khorne..."

THE ORIGINAL TABLETOP - THE RUINS OF SIMBAD SEVEN

Warhammer 40K Report: Black Templars Verses Bloodletters - Part One

The Bloodreaper advanced to the Ruined Plinth, and there joined the three Bloodletters moving west through the ruins. The daemons in the north travelled south, with one even reaching the north-eastern corner of the Plaza.

It was already the mid-way stage of the skirmish, so the space marines knew they had to be within striking distance of the Ancient Relic [Objective Four] just as soon as they could. However, the two Black Templars by Terrace Three actually moved further west, away from their objective so that the Bloodletters on the Ruined Plinth were just still within reach of their "Rapid Fire" Boltguns. Sergeant Munday moved into the south-west corner of the Plaza, noting on his visor feed that the space marine farthest north of his position was advancing south to Terrace Two.

THE BLACK TEMPLARS HOLD THE PLAZA, WHILST THE BLOODLETTERS INFEST THE PLINTH

The two space marines by Terrace Three opened fire upon the inhabitants of the Ruined Plinth, and despite the dilapidated structure providing the "Slaughter-Kin" with some protection, one of the daemons fell dead. Sergeant Munday and the Black Templars stood around the Plaza also shot towards the Ruined Plinth, yet found "Khorne's foot soldiers" remained unharmed due to their 5+ Invulnerability Save. Fortunately for the Adeptus Astartes though, a lone Bloodletter attempting to enter the Plaza was successfully gunned down.

In retaliation, two of the surviving Bloodletters on the Ruined Plinth leapt down and swarmed around the space marine stood by the Plaza's southern wall, whilst two more daemons and their leader actually entered the central structure and encircled Sergeant Munday. The Black Templar's commander was engulfed by seven attacks, but his "Tenacious Survivor" ability seemingly spared his life. Sadly however, the Adeptus Astartes by the Plaza's wall was not so fortunate and was cut down by a frenzy of Hellblades despite his 3+ Save.

 THE BLOODLETTERS LAUNCH A FEROCIOUS ATTACK UPON THE DEFENDERS OF THE PLAZA

Ordering his nearest brothers-in-arms into the fray, Sergeant Munday managed to club one of his daemonic attackers to the ground. Two of the three nearby space marines successfully charged into the fray, with one seeking revenge for his fallen comrade, whilst the other went to aid his embattled leader. Inspired by their presence, Munday managed to best the Bloodreaper in close combat before falling dead alongside a colleague under a torrent of Hellblades. Bodies were now starting to pile up in and around the Plaza, yet neither side failed the subsequent Morale phase.

Those Bloodletters not in close combat headed east towards the Ancient Relic [Objective Four], whilst the daemon skulking atop Terrace Four jumped down to the ground to join them. With time now against the Black Templars, the two space marines in the southwest corner of the battlefield advanced as far as the southern tip of the Ruined Plinth. However, the pair were still a considerable distance from contesting the skirmish's sole objective.

THE BATTLE OF THE PLAZA AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS INTENSITY

The Adeptus Astartes outside Terrace Two moved into the Plaza to assist his brother inside. He arrived just in time as the "Slaughter-Kin" launched another wave of formidable charges into the central structure. Fortunately, only one such declaration succeeded and amidst the ferocious close combat fighting the space marines somehow survived courtesy of a string of saving throws. In return, a single daemon fell to a well-placed blow.

Praying to the Emperor, the Black Templar closest to the Ruined Plinth charged right across the ruins into the Bloodletter stood guarding the Ancient Relic [Objective Four]. Disconcertingly the space marine was torn asunder by the "Unstoppable Ferocity" of the daemon, meaning that the Adeptus Astartes were still far from securing their prize, despite withstanding Khorne's assault upon the Plaza.

THE BLOODLETTERS LAUNCH A SECOND ASSAULT UPON THE PLAZA

With the skirmish drawing to a close, two Bloodletters positioned themselves by the Ancient Relic, one of which squatted on the eastern edge of the Ruined Plinth. A space marine managed to advance as far as the ruins itself, but was still too far away to have an impact upon control of the vital objective. However, another Black Templar in the Plaza, headed southeast towards the gruesome statue of a gargoyle, gunning down the daemon on the Ruined Plinth with an incredible demonstration of marksmanship.

A BLACK TEMPLAR ATTEMPTS TO CAPTURE THE ANCIENT RELIC SINGLE-HANDEDLY

The surviving Bloodletter by the Ancient Relic [Objective Four], realised he need only gut the Adeptus Astartes to win the day for Khorne, and so charged full pelt into the space marine, utilising his "Unstoppable Ferocity" to deliver a potentially lethal blow. Incredibly though, the Black Templar made both of his saving throws, and in return dropped the "Slaughter-Kin" with a punch packed full of the Emperor's righteousness. The day somehow belonged to the defenders of humanity...