SCENARIO III: DEFENCE OF EAGLE PASS

The main Dark Elf force executed a lighting march over the Plains of Twilight, while their Shades made diversionary attacks to draw away the attentions of High Elf patrols. Kaldor marched straight towards the hidden mansion of House Coraith. He knew that his hated brother was mustering his forces by now, ready to march out to meet him. If he could strike swiftly enough he could catch the High Elves unaware, while they were still gathering their forces in the hidden vale.

There was still one more obstacle for Kaldor to overcome. The fortified mansion of House Coraith was hidden high in the Hills of Dusk, and there was only one pass through the jagged hills. The pass was hidden from view by powerful enchantments and protected by magical gates that could not be opened by force.

But Kaldor knew the secret password that was needed to open the gateway. His Shades murdered the guardians of the gate with poisoned barbs shot from their crossbows, and Kaldor uttered the three words that were needed to open the gate. Thus the way to the hidden vale of House Coraith was open to the Dark Elves.

Kaldor knew that the pass would be heavily defended, and capable of warning the forces of House Coraith of impending doom. His carefully planned treachery could still be undone. The High Elves might still be alerted to his presence too soon.

Deciding to organize his main force first, Kaldor sent all of his fastest and most powerful troops to overrun the High Elf defenses as quickly as possible. If he could wipe out the High Elf garrison of Eagle Pass quickly he would completely surprise the assembled host of his hated brother and utterly crush them, finally reclaiming his rightful domain.

When Imrallion the Steadfast, Captain of the Eagle Pass garrison, saw the Dark Elf force rushing in from the hills he knew that he and his men were doomed. If he retreated, the Spawn of Naggaroth would catch his lord unaware and surely crush his unprepared troops. The families of the warriors would perish as well. Imrallion sent the fastest of his soldiers to carry the warning to Lord Calaidan, and then prepared his men for a battle that was surely lost before it had even started.

Soon the Elven shield wall stretched across the entire pass. The Elves had inscribed their names in moonrunes in the cliffside, so even though they would perish, they would be remembered by their kinsmen. Then they turned to face their foes, for the Dark Elves were upon them. The High Elves faced a far more superior force and they had no hope of survival. Even the advance force was twice as strong as the entire Elf contingent at Eagle Pass.

When Imrallion took his position at the head of his valiant troops, the High Elf warriors began to beat their shields with their weapons. "For House Coraith and Lord Calaidan!" cried Imrallion's son Yercion who stood in the first rank of the furthest regiment. The battle cry was picked up by other warriors. Soon the air was full of the challenge of the High Elves. They were doomed, but would hold for as long as they could, buying time for their families to escape the clutches of the vile Dark Elves and for their comrades to prepare for the forthcoming battle.

The Battle for Eagle Pass is the third violent clash between the Dark Elves of Karond Kar and the High Elves of House Coraith. The outcome of this struggle decides whether the High Elf defenders of Eagle Pass can hold out long enough for Calaidan to assemble his troops and prepare his battle line. If the High Elves are victorious they will enjoy considerable tactical advantages in the final battle.

The most important features on the battlefield are the defensive positions prepared by the High Elf defenders of the pass. Otherwise the scenery mainly consists of rocky cliffs and boulders as one would expect from a mountain pass. The east and west table edges are impassable ground, representing the steep mountain faces surrounding the hidden pass.

Set up the battlefield as shown below. Alternatively you can generate your own version of the battlefield using the Terrain Generator Chart, or agree with your opponent on a variation to suit the scenery that you have available.

The High Elf barricades should be placed as they are on the map above. They may be represented by two sections of wall or some model rocks.

Deploying for Battle
Imrallion the Steady had prepared for such an attack all his life, but he had not expected it to come without warning or with such fury. Still his plans were laid out and his troops were ready to react to any threat.

For this battle the Dark Elf forces are set up first and then the High Elf force. This represents Imrallion's preparations and the fact that he may survey the marching Dark Elf columns before the main surge of troops comes within bowshot.

Who has the first Turn?
The first turn of battle goes to the High Elf player. When the Dark Elves began their attack, the High Elves immediately replied with a shower of bolts and arrows, and started to manoeuvre into better positions, ready to sell their lives as dearly as possible.

How long does the battle last?
The battle will last as long as there is a single unbroken High Elf unit on the battlefield. As soon as there are no more unbroken regiments on the battlefield at the end of any High Elf turn, the battle ends. If, by some miracle, the High Elf player manages to destroy all the Dark Elves sent against them, he will gain the maximum benefits as given by the Battle Scroll. However, the main force of Kaldor will then march to the pass, and this will spell doom to any troops defending it. In any case, there will be no High Elf survivors.

The Final Stand
The battle continues until all the valiant High Elves defending the pass are dead or have been forced to retreat. See the High Elf Battle Scroll for the effect that their heroic last stand will have.