Clash of Kings 2024
The never ending ranks of snow-shrouded Pines finally gave way to more open ground, here and there small stands of the trees huddled together in the lee of large rocks, gripping tenaciously to the thin soil spread over the floor of the rocky mountain pass. Snow blew in flurries across the open areas to gather in drifts against the rocks and trees. Eirik reigned in his Frostfang and peered ahead, eyes semi closed against the wind blown snow. Somewhere out there were the Free Dwarfs of Osrics Raven Clan, hurrying to meet Eirik and his Northern Alliance Army to help stem the flow of an invasion from the South. This Year was the first time the Northern Alliance had allied with the Free Dwarfs since Osric had reconquered the Raven Clans home in the Halpi Mountains but there had already been a meeting of Kindred spirits between the Raven Clan Dwarfs and the Volsungar Aetta or the Volsunger Clan of the Northern Alliance. Eirik peered again and cursed under his breath as the swirling snow blocked his vision, the same poor weather in the mountains that had delayed him by several days and he knew the Free Dwarfs had already been prepared to march before his offer of alliance, had they gone on ahead ? there would be no way to track them in this snowstorm, even for his skilled Pack Hunters, that even now ranged ahead of his army, searching for signs of the Free Dwarf forces.
Eirik sighed as he caught a glimpse of his fellow Thegn, Gamli Konoki, easing his Frostfang out of the trees and padding towards him, a huge grin on his face.” “We lost again Eirik?” he asked, making a show of peering around comically, Eirik just growled under his breath and shook his head at his friends seemingly unending supply of good cheer, there was no-one Eirik would rather be next to in a fight but Gamli’s constant good humour was unnatural for a Clansman.
As the two of them sat and surveyed the ground ahead, a series of shapes detached from one of the small copse of Pines and moved towards them, Both Thegns hefted their weapons and took a good grip on their Frostfang reins until the realised they were watching a small group of their own Pack Hunters approaching. As the wind Blown Clansmen got closer both men could see the torn furs and bloodstains that spoke of a battle. Eirik and Gamli looked at one another and spurred their mounts forwards. The Pack Hunters paused and one stepped forward, She saluted the Thegns with her Bow above her head and then gave her report.
“We met the Ravens less than a league from here, they had already fought one action against Draugr and have detected another force of Goblins approaching, we were sent to warn you but were ambushed by the Greenskins in the storm, by now the Free Dwarfs may be engaged with the enemy, our other Pack Hunters are with them but may be too few to sway the battle.”
“Them we should get going and join them” bellowed Gamli as he swung his axe around his head fiercely.
“But my Chief, the Goblins are many and you alone will not aid the Dwarfs overmuch” The Pack Hunter then gasped as the edge of the forest behind the Thegns was suddenly filled with fur clad clansmen and lithe Naiads, overhead a mighty Chimera swooped, roaring and bleating its challenge.
“Not Alone! “Eirik grinned wolfishly “ Lords Altins Host are here and there is a battle to be won!”
As my Reader is no doubt aware, unless age has addled their brain and robbed them of their memory, the Trolls are part of the Team that produces the Worlds premier Kings of War event – the Clash of Kings. Part of the Duty of the Trolls is to provide the stand in Army for a spare in case of drop outs for an odd number. Last Year the Free Dwarfs of the Brock Clan performed this duty. This Year it is the Turn of Osrics newly arrived Raven Clan to take up the mantle and head South to help to repel the threatening Hordes at Clash.
This Year the Free Dwarfs will be joined for the Trip by the even more newly arrived Northern Alliance army of Trollette. These Hardy Northern Folk have been the subject of a couple of Bloggeries as have the Raven Clan Dwarfs and both armies share a common theme and appearance. For this Clash of Kings they are to be piloted by the King of the Narrative game, Walt, my Reader will, of course recognise Walt from the Mantic Universe Podcast where he introduces all thing Narrative and is the inspiration for the Trolls own Warriors Hall Tales.
The Clash of Kings allows Players to enter individually but there is also a hotly contested Team event, consisting of Teams of four. Walt is part of a Team of fellow Podcasters that decided they would all take the same Faction to the Tournament, Walt was originally going to borrow the Mahou Ogres as he did last Year, but whilst discussing this he mentioned the same faction narrative of the Northern Alliance, when she found out Trollette wanted Walt to borrow her Northern Alliance so that he didn’t be the odd one out.
The army is now prepared and is waiting for its first major Tournament, Trollette has taken it to Farm Wars but not in its current format. Now the Pack hunters and characters are added it makes a much more balanced force as per the list below.
Although Both armies have been covered In the Blog before this Troll feels no compunction not to post more pictures of the Armies for your delectation.
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