Warhammer World Birthday Battle: The Hunt for Cawl

The Hunt for Cawl

Guilliman strode out of the inner sanctum of Macragge’s Honour with purposeful intent.  His suspicions were now beyond reasonable doubt.  The odds that his interactions with the Cawl Inferior device were anything other than direct communion with the Archmagos himself were now next to none.  It did not matter either way.  It was clear that Archmagos Belisarius Cawl was operating to his own agenda.  This simply would not do.  The Lord Commander and Imperial Regent required all resources at his disposal to be aligned to the primary objective.  Any deviation from this would mean failure.  Of course Guilliman had huge respect for Cawl’s abilities, and his dedication to the ten millennia of innovative toil that led to the Primarch’s own resurrection and the strengthening of the Imperium’s war machine.  He was truly grateful.  Indeed it was for these reasons that he had allowed Cawl more than one opportunity to respond to his demands to stand before him and renew his allegiance to the Imperial cause.  Well no more.  No-one was beyond Roboute Guilliman’s rule, and defiance must be punished.  Cawl must be brought to heel.

***

+++Data-link terminated+++

+++Transmission ended+++

+++Primary system function 73%+++

+++Resuming diagnostic+++

“Enough of these worthless distractions.  I have work to do”

***

Katarinya Greyfax stood before the giant doors to Guilliman’s reclusiam with a familiar sense of awe.  She had been summoned in this way several times before.  Each time they had met since his awakening, he had trusted her with a task of crucial importance.  Each time the task got more challenging, but each time she delivered.  Despite her obvious favour with Guilliman, these meetings never became commonplace, never familiar.  With a deep breath she stole the courage to see what lay in store for her next.

She pushed on the giant doors and they swung open.  A broad, warm grin greeted her from across the room.

“Inquisitor, good to see you again.  Come on in.  I have a job for you.”

***

+++System purge complete+++

+++Uploading tertiary controls+++

+++Experimental power network #2231 online+++

+++Initiate diagnostic+++

+++Diagnostic complete+++

+++Primary system function 127%+++

***

The great doors swung shut behind her as Greyfax emerged from Guilliman’s chambers and stepped back into the expanse of the flagship’s main corridor.  She instinctively reached up to touch the back of her neck.  The scar left by Cawl’s removal of the Necron mindshackle scarab persisted, and she was once again reminded of the helpless feeling of being a puppet of that xenos abomination.  The deftness with which Cawl had removed the device, and the fact that she had not witnessed what became of it subsequently, troubled her slightly.  However, freedom had taken on a new meaning since the episode on Cadia.  In years past she would not have described her existence as ‘free’.  Few in the Imperial Ordos would.  But in comparison to the insufferable experience of seeing yourself, from behind your own eyes, carrying out actions over which you have no control, her life of service seemed like the ultimate expression of free will.  She owed a debt of gratitude to Cawl for that.  Of course Guilliman knew this, and his selection of her for this mission was no coincidence.  The Imperial Regent wanted Cawl to know that the Imperium contained no friends for anyone who chose not to follow his rule.  Therefore her next mission was not one that she accepted lightly.  But accept she did, and there was never any doubt of that.  Service came first, and Guilliman’s orders were absolute.  This was not a task she relished.  But she also knew that the mission was a test.  Bringing Cawl in would ostensibly be a test of her strategic abilities, leadership, and tactical agility, but predominantly this was an opportunity to demonstrate to Guilliman her unconditional and unwavering loyalty to the Imperium.  She would not fail.

‘Bring Cawl to me.  Take whatever resources you need’ was the only mandate from the Primarch.  He had offered access to a contingent from the Custodian Guard to ensure that there could be no misunderstanding as to the authority that the mission carried.  Greyfax concurred with the wisdom in that, and her first action would be to secure the support of any available Custodes forces.  Knowing the scale of the entourage of Adeptus Mechanicus military forces that travelled with Cawl, she knew that a lot more firepower would be required if the Archmagos chose not to come quietly.  This aspect would require some thought, but she had the beginnings of an idea…

***

Archmagos Belisarius Cawl cackled with binaric glee.  The soft green glow emanating from his power system symbolised newfound capabilities, and his primary functions were finally stable.

“Phase 1 complete.  We are ready to commence recovery of the Object.  Let us begin.”

***

Vulkan He’stan’s eyes shone with renewed vigour.  The message received via his Astropath Transcendent was quite clear, and the encryption level verified the authority with which it was sent.  The Inquisition had a lead on the possible whereabouts of one of the four remaining artefacts of Vulkan.  They believed it was in, or very near to being in, the possession of a rogue Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus.  The Forgefather of the Salamanders knew Belisarius Cawl by name and reputation only.  The perpetual state of exile demanded of him by his search for the artefacts meant that he had little opportunity to mix with the brothers of his own Chapter, let alone those of the wider Imperium.  He would leave no stone unturned in the search for the artefacts and if one of those stones was Cawl then so be it.  If to overturn him meant to beat him to within an inch of destruction then it was of no consequence.  It would be done.  And if the artefact was recovered in the completion of that mission, then it would have been justly earned.

He did not allow his expectations to rise to his ambitions.  He had been led down a false path before by those seeking to use his unique motivations for their own purposes. However, as this was the only tangible lead he had received in several years, follow it he must.  In any case, the opportunity to sharpen his battle instincts and once again experience the thrill of a fight was a welcome one.  Searching the outer fringes of the galaxy, with only a small entourage for company, presented the risk of complacency and the softening of his skills.  He was born a warrior and a warrior he would always be.  Vulkan He’stan would assemble his forces.  The Forgefather of the Salamanders would once again march to war.

***

+++Astropathic intercept verified+++

+++Processing+++

+++Decryption complete+++

“Too easy.  They think themselves so smart.  A servitor could devise a more secure system.  Let them come.  I won’t be deterred from my work.  They don’t see the big picture and they wouldn’t understand it if they could.  If they come I will be ready.  I still possess the xenos toy which I know the Inquisitor enjoyed so much.  My modifications require testing.  She would make a perfect subject.”

***

WARHAMMER 40,000 MISSION

THE HUNT FOR CAWL

THE ARMIES

As detailed separately, a Battalion detachment of Imperial Allies face off against a Battalion of the Adeptus Mechanicus forces of Belisarius Cawl.

THE BATTLEFIELD

The battle takes place on the Shrine World Borealis IV table at Warhammer World.  Start by placing 6 “Necron Crystal” objective markers on the board.  Players roll off and then, starting with the highest, each side alternates in placing the objective markers anywhere on the board that is at least 12” from any other objective marker and 6” from any table edge.

DEPLOYMENT

The deployment map used is Dawn of War

The player who placed the last objective marker picks one of the deployment zone for their army.  Each side then alternates deployment of their troops beginning with the player who did not pick their deployment zone.  Alternate deployment continues until one side has deployed all their troops and then the other side can deploy the remainder of their troops.  Any units that are to be held in reserve by either side should be deployed last.

FIRST TURN

Players roll off to see who takes the first turn.  The side who finished deploying first adds +1 to their dice roll.  If the winner of the roll off choose to take the first turn, their opponent may choose to roll a dice.  On a roll of a 6 they manage to seize the initiative and take the first turn instead. (Command Points may not be used to re-roll)

BATTLE LENGTH

If Belisarius Cawl has 5 or more wounds remaining at the end of Battle Round 3 then read Story Event 1.

If Belisarius Cawl is still alive at the end of Battle Round 4, and it has not already been revealed, then now read Story Event 1.

The game ends at the end of Battle Round 5 and the winner is determined using the victory conditions below.

VICTORY CONDITIONS

Recover the Artefact

Vulkan He’Stan’s orders from Greyfax are to assist her in bringing in Cawl.  She has promised that should this objective be achieved then the Salamanders may have the artefact if it is in Cawl’s possession, or may interrogate him as to its whereabouts.  However, the Forgefather is not planning to leave anything to chance, let alone the integrity of an untrustworthy archmagos.  The artefact is inside one of those xenos crystals.  He can sense it.

The ‘Object’ is also key to Cawl’s plans.  Everything he has planned for hinges on this moment. It has taken months to narrow its location down to this tainted shrine and to prepare for its extraction.  Guilliman’s dogs cannot be allowed to interfere.  Cawl is resolved to recover the artefact before Vulkan He’Stan does, and escape this hellish world with his prize.

At the end of each movement phase, if any Salamanders or Adeptus Mechanicus units CONTROL an objective, they must roll a D6.  On a roll of a 6, the artefact has been found.  Remove all of the other objective markers from the battlefield and read Story Event 2. 

Note that Katarinya Greyfax or any Adeptus Custodes units do not interact with the objective markers.  The artefact is of no interest to them.  Their mission grants no time for distractions.

Whichever force CONTROLS the artefact at the end of Battle Round 5 secures 5 Victory Points.

The Fate of Cawl

Greyfax’s only goal is to bring Cawl down and drag him back to Guilliman.  Cawl just needs time to complete his work before leaving this world to its xenos-ridden fate.

If Cawl is reduced to zero wounds then the Imperium force gains 5 Victory Points.

If Cawl survives until the end of Battle Round 5 then he disappears with the flash of a teleportation signature, and the Adeptus Mechanicus force scores 5 Victory Points.

Greyfax and Vulkan strode ahead of the hunt party as they approached the remains of an Imperial palace, its statues standing tall amongst the crumbling ruins.

“ This is the place,” declared Greyfax, “instruct your men to take positions around the perimeter, I will lead the Custodes inside”.

***

+++Intruders detected+++
+++Mobilising Skitarii+++
+++Protocol: Protect and Destroy+++
+++Parameters: No mercy, all must perish+++

***

Vulkan He’stan oversaw the deployment operations with practiced efficiency.  As he did so he couldn’t take his eyes away from a number of outcrops of eerie green crystals that were completely out of place in this decaying citadel.  Clearly xenos in origin, they glowed with a strange rhythmic pulse.  Immediately he knew that these crystals were the key to locating the artefact of his lost Primarch, and he felt a troubling conflict within himself.  His orders were to overcome and defeat the rogue Archmagos Cawl, but the lure of the artefact was overwhelmingly strong.  With a deep breath he resolved to follow orders, but if the opportunity arose to inspect those crystals, he would surely take it.  To him, Cawl was merely a means to an end.  The artefact was his personal priority.

Salamander sniper scouts were deployed high within the ruins, their laser-sighted rifles poised to pick out their target from long range.  Another unit of scouts infiltrated the ruins to stake out an area close to where they believed Cawl was hiding.  The Salamanders Tactical Squad embarked in their Rhino transport and readied themselves to roll down the main approach alongside a squad of Custodian Guard and their Contemptor Dreadnaught companion.  He’stan took up position with his Imperial Space Marine bodyguard, known only as ‘SM2016’, in a ruined banquet hall close to one of the xenos crystals.  Greyfax led the remaining unit of Custodian Guard close to Cawl’s suspected hideout, ready to apprehend the Archmagos should he reveal himself.

Belisarius Cawl remained focussed on his machinations, untroubled by the events about to happen.  The Skitarii were deploying and they would soon see off this threat.  A squad of Rangers defended his hideaway from the parapets above, and Tech Priest Dominus Kamron Delta Rho remained by his side as a last line of defence.  Ruststalkers prowled the perimeter along with the rumbling fury of three Kataphron Breachers.  Fulgurite Electro Priests stationed themselves alongside an Onager Dunecrawler close to the main route in, ready to intercept any enemies who approached.  Two Sydonian Dragoons were sent to intercept the attackers and keep them as far away from Cawl’s base as possible, for as long as possible.  A squad of Sicarian Infiltrators disappeared into the shadows…

Cawl’s Rangers spotted the Imperial operations as their formation took shape, and the Adeptus Mechanicus forces struck first…

The Skitarii determined that the sniper scouts were the main primary threat.  Their rifles had the potential to snipe Cawl through the ruined windows if they so much as detected any careless movement on his part.  Their laser sights would be untroubled by the AdMech forces in between.  All available Skitarii firepower was focussed in their direction.  Casualties were inflicted but the hard cover of the Imperial bastion enabled the camo-cloaked Salamanders to cling on.  The Sicarian Infiltrators had seemingly detected the other Salamander Scout squad and emerged from the shadows with their Stub Carbines blazing.  They picked off a couple of scouts with their guns, and then charged in and finished off the unit with their power swords.  Victory was to be short lived however, as from behind the fallen scouts emerged a squad of hulking Custodian Guard.  The Sicarians braced themselves for immediate retribution.  If they could occupy the golden warriors for a while, maybe other troops could come to their aid…

The Dragoon riders new at once that their orders would mean self-sacrifice.  They were to intercept the combined arms of Salamander Space Marines, their Rhino transport and their heavily shielded Custodes companions.  There was zero chance of survival.  However, every enemy casualty would be a gift to the Machine God, and their own eventual destruction would be a willing sacrifice in His name.

The Sicarian Infiltrators did indeed occupy the local Custodian threat for a while, and upon their inevitable destruction the Kataphron Breachers took their place.  The Breachers held out for as long as they could, the Custodes worryingly close to their ultimate target.

As expected the Sydonian Dragoons did little more than stall the Imperial advance for a moment.  The Onager Dunecrawler and Fulgurite Electro Priests then stepping in to halt the advance once more.  The Custodes Contemptor Dreadnaught made short work of this obstacle and the advance continued once more.

Meanwhile, Vulkan He’stan had another look at the crystal close to his lookout post.  His first search revealed nothing, but this time…this time… There seemed to be a faint shape within, blurring in and out of form.  He could delay no longer, and with a whirl of motion he plunged the Spear of Vulkan deep into the heart of the structure.  The crystal shattered on impact…

THE HUNT FOR CAWL

STORY EVENT 2

The artefact is found!  Deep within the inky green glow of the crystal is an object that is unmistakably of Imperium design.  Before shouts of joy can erupt however, the crystal begins throb with an eerie power.  The throbbing stops and is replaced by a blinding green flash. It seems the two armies are not the only ones with an interest in this object….

All units within 3 inches of the crystal must retreat 3 inches as they jump back in surprise.

Place 10 Necron Warriors, in unit coherency, within 3 inches of the crystal.

The Necrons will shoot at the end of each players shooting phase (targeting the closest unit), and will fight at the end of each players fight phase (with any unit they are engaged with).  The Necrons do not move, save for pile-in moves and to retain coherency. They will remain with the artefact and the objective cannot be claimed by either player until they are destroyed.

Necrons! Of all the alien abominations that could be responsible for withholding what was rightfully his!  Vulkan He’stan dove for cover as the gauss flayers blasted around him.  Once the initial volley was weathered, he and his Space Marine bodyguard set about destroying the xenos invaders.  It was critical that they could wipe the Necrons out swiftly, lest their re-animation protocols allow them to continue a sustained attack.  He’stan called in a volley of fire from the nearby Tactical Marines which weakened the Necrons sufficiently that he and SM2016 could wipe them out with a furious volley of fire and close combat attacks.  They destroyed the invaders utterly.  There would be no reforging of living metal for them this time.  Vulkan He’stan turned back to the shattered crystal and dropped to his knees and wept as he lifted a drake-headed staff from the green shards.

The Kataphron Breachers had managed to reduce the local Custodian threat to a single Shield Captain, but they fell nonetheless, leaving Kamron Delta Rho no option but to leap to his Archmagos’ aid and intercept him before he breached Cawl’s sanctum.  Time was ticking and Cawl’s machinations were bearing fruit.  If he could buy just a little more time he could complete his work and beat a hasty retreat.  But things were about to get a lot more uncomfortable for Archmagos Belisarius Cawl.

THE HUNT FOR CAWL

STORY EVENT 1

Unbeknownst to Greyfax, Guilliman had been monitoring progress from afar.  His concern was that despite Cawl’s extreme age and fragile appearance, Greyfax might underestimate the resourcefulness of the rogue archmagos.  Indeed, even he did not know the full extent of Cawl’s abilities and influence, and he would leave nothing to chance.

As feared, things were not progressing at sufficient pace.  Cawl’s plans were advancing and he could not be allowed to escape.

“Are we within range yet, Admiral?” enquired Guilliman of the senior bridge officer.

“Yes, my Lord.  Entering range now”.

“Good.  Prepare for teleportation”.

With a bright blue flash Rouboute Guilliman appears on the battlefield.  Resplendent in the Armour of Fate, and with the Emperor’s sword flaming brightly, the Lord Commander of the Imperium charges into battle.

The Imperium player may place Roboute Guilliman anywhere on the battlefield that is at least 12 inches from an enemy model.  He may move, shoot, charge and fight this turn as normal.  He may not interact with objectives but he may attack any units he chooses.

The lone Custodes Shield Captain scythed through Kamron Delta Rho as though he were made of parchment, and strode up to confront Cawl as three remaining Skitarii Rangers dashed to face the newly appeared Guilliman – a last ditch effort to buy the Archmagos the time he needed.  Katarinya Greyfax, ashamed at her failure, summoned up her remaining energy to cast a psychic smite on Cawl from range.  She managed to inflict a number of wounds before Cawl could react to the Custodes threat, but the Archmagos stood firm.  The Shield Captain unleashed a volley at his target but the defensive systems of Cawl deflected every blow.  Annoyed at the disruption, Cawl brought his enhanced weapon systems online and in the blink of an eye had vaporised the pesky imperial servant.  Simultaneously however, Guilliman brushed the last Skitarii aside and before the Archmagos could return to his work, the Lord Commander of the Imperium charged at Cawl, fury boiling in his eyes.

“Archmagos Belisarius Cawl!  Heed my words!” Guilliman spat out the words with a venom he had not felt for centuries.  “You are not above my rule.  You are not exempt from Imperial law.  You will come willingly, now, or you will be destroyed.  Your choice, Archmagos.”

“You are too late Guilliman.  My work here is done.  I have completed my greatest creation and in just a few seconds every living thing in the vicinity that is not connected to the noosphere will be rendered senseless.  I will then return to Mars and restore the Adeptus Mechanicus to the true power in this…this..Imperium!”

“A few seconds you say?” Guilliman scoffed. “That’s all I need.  Goodbye Belisarius.”

With a speed that even the super enhanced cognitive capability of Cawl could not quite comprehend, Guilliman whirled and plunged the Sword of the Emperor deep into the mass of cables, tubes and ancient technology that represented the unhuman body of the Archmagos.  Instantly the stricken shell powered down and lay still, defeated.  It was over.

Back in his sanctum on Macragge’s Honour, Guilliman shook his head disappointedly.  Is this what his once great Imperium has become?  Cawl, He’stan, Greyfax.  They all failed.  Who could he rely on now?  He was a Primarch, yes, but he was still just one man.  He could not be everywhere at once.  If he allowed it, he would feel weary.  But he would not allow it.  Not when there was still so much to done.

What remained of the living organs of the once-human named Belisarius Cawl would be saved and spared, and made to face severe punishment for his crimes.  Guilliman hoped that perhaps one day, maybe, he could once more call Cawl his ally.  But this day was not that day.

THE END

Wow, what a game!  It came down to the last dice roll of the last turn.  It would have required an incredible dice roll for Cawl to have survived Guilliman’s fury at the end there, and he’d used up a lot of luck doing exactly that against the Shield Captain’s attack.

The scenario was written as a narrative – my take on the events after Dark Imperium.  I was delighted that the game went exactly as I had hoped – the result wasn’t especially important (yes – I lost!!) –  but it came down to the two main protagonists at the end.  The Salamander’s also managed to find and secure the artefact so it was a 10-0 win for the Imperium.

The visit to Warhammer World was also fantastic.  The gaming table was great, I ate too much food, but I did manage not to bankrupt myself in the shop!  Thanks to my brother to coming with me for my birthday battle.  I’ve returned knackered but buzzing with ideas for new projects!