I wrote a story on it for some S&G, borrowing a similar batrep from a white dwarf for some inspiration
. There are a couple numbers wrong for casualties, since I can't remember exactly what happened. But it's pretty close.
* * * * *
Dropping down from the clouds, Paladin Ayden surveyed the battlefield below him. Powerful wings beating slowly, his faithful pegasus mount whinnied, echoing across the skies. The paladin’s eyes were drawn to the massed ranks of hand gunners and cannon in the center of the Empire formation. He wondered why Empire had entrusted so much equipment to a mere wizard.
It matters not, he thought. We shall see how they fare against the might of Bretonnia. That ignorant wizard is dwelling in things beyond his power. For that he shall be punished.
His face setting to stone, Paladin Ayden swept down over the battlefield to land amongst his troops.
* * * * *
Gustav Schepke, battle wizard of Middenheim, glared angrily across the battlefield as the great white creature landed. He recognized the heraldry of the knight who rode the pegasus as that of the so called Ayden the Brave.
We shall see just how brave he is this day when he faces our guns, snorted Gustav.
“Ready the cannon!” he bellowed.
* * * * *
In the middle of the Empire line engineer Fritz pointed to the enemy, whose heads were bowed in prayer. The team loaded the gunpowder and cannon ball. He glanced uneasily at the otherworldly mist that seemed to rise around the knights. Looking left he saw the swordsmen phalanx close by, giving him some measure of comfort. Further down the line were the hand gunners and mortar, busy loading up as his crew was, with the wizard Gustav beyond.
Damned wizards, always wanting something they can’t get, so they send us to get it for them, he thought.
To the right was the block of spearmen and yet more hand gunners, with the pistoliers riding far beyond, hoping to sneak around to the Bretonnian flank.
Aiming for the large group of knights, the cannon opened fire with a tremendous roar. Fritz followed the cannon ball as it flew across the field, bouncing in front of the unit before plowing through their ranks. Heads still bowed in some final pre-battle prayers, the cannon ball smashed knights from their saddles, the bloody mess spraying across the Bretonnians’ colorful tabards and shining armor. A cheer went up from the Empire lines, but died when the enemy showed no signs of panic, instead lifting their heads, a faint angry glow in their eyes.
Gustav built up power for his most powerful spell, one that would wreak havoc among the massed knights, but he felt his magic ebb and flow away, fizzling out his attempts. Angered, he looked across the battlefield, spotting a beautiful woman weaving her hands in the air, almost as if to mock him. Cursing, he began to prepare it again…<br>* * * * *
Paladin Ayden was furious. The foul black powder weapons of the Empire had killed two of his loyal knights. The rest of the army raised their heads, finishing their devotions to their divine protector, the Lady of the Lake, and moved forward, drawing nearer the Empire battle line.
At the Paladin’s command, his pegasus rose into the air, landing just on the other side of a wood, awaiting his knights to get into position. Taking in his opponents’ actions, he shook his head. Trust the Empire to fight from distance, refusing honorable combat.
Damsel Nichol walked amongst the peasant bowmen, nearly stunning them with her mere presence.
They’ve probably never been this close to a priestess of the Lady, she thought. I am here to give them hope and guidance for this conflict. She concentrated on the other magically attuned mind on the field, sensing him building up power for his spell. Damsel Nichol vowed to not let whatever it was get through to hurt the Bretonnians.
* * * * *
The pistoliers rounded the edge of a building, coming about to face the bowmen and damsel. Startled by the proximity of the Bretonnians, the horses reared, and it was all the pistoliers could do to keep them in line, wasting the window to mow down the peasants.
“Hurry up with that cannon ball!” yelled Fritz. He watched the Bretonnians getting closer and he did not want them to ever reach him. They clearly had some faint shimmering around their bodies now, and he wanted none of that. Gustav cast his spell again, assured it would work…<br>* * * * *
Damsel Nichol lifted her head quickly, sensing her other building immense power. She dug out and held up high a silver mirror, bequeathed to her from the Lady. This was no ordinary mirror, and Nichol smiled, knowing that the Empire wizard had no idea what was about to happen…<br>* * * * *
Gustav smiled as he watched the cascading fire of his spell ripple through the air towards the knights. Suddenly from the Bretonnian lines came a bright flash, blinding Gustav and knocking him unconscious.
When he came to he was on his back. Sitting up, his head throbbing, he touched his lip. Blood trickled down from his nose. Getting up he saw his magic had been dispelled and cursing the lady once more, he once more began his spell.
The mortar crew lobbed a shell up high, shrieking down into the large unit of knights barreling toward the Empire lines. The knight hit directly by the shell was smashed to a pulp, but his surrounding comrades’ armor didn’t fail, even though peppered with bits of mortar shell and gristle. Blasting its voice, the cannon fired again, bouncing a cannon ball through the knights. Fritz was happy to see one knight obliterated along with his mount, but his jaw dropped when it bounced off the knight behind the first. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The hurtling cannon ball just rebounded off the armor of the knight, landing with a thud in the ground.
That’s just not possible, he thought, helping his crew load another cannonball.
* * * * *
Paladin Ayden watched as the knights broke into a trot and closed the distance to the Empire battle line, readying for a charge. He shifted his own mount over a bit so he could see the wizard, making ready to charge him when the knights hit the main line. At Damsel Nichol’s discretion, the peasant bowmen turned to face the pistoliers bearing down on them and loosed their bows at the young nobles. Three were pin-cushioned by the cloud of arrows and the rest fled from the field, unable to take any further part in the battle today. Damsel Nichol smiled once more.
We are truly blessed by the lady today.
* * * * *
Gustav grimaced through the pain felt earlier from that woman’s counter-magic. His side ached and he felt a rib or two broken. Nevertheless he concentrated his powers at the large unit of knights once more, finally beating aside his opposition’s defenses and striking hard and true. Three knights suddenly burst into flames, falling off their horses as they attempted to beat out the flames. Another knight fell to the fire, screaming as he roasted inside his armor. Their companions were horrified at their grisly deaths but did not slow in their advance towards the Empire.
Fritz lined up the cannon for another shot at the knights and lit the fuse. However, when it was supposed to go off, it didn’t. Puzzled, Fritz kicked the thing, then got his crew to work cleaning out the barrel and finding the cause of the misfire.
The hand gunners, finally in range, punched another knight off his saddle with their combined firepower.
. There are a couple numbers wrong for casualties, since I can't remember exactly what happened. But it's pretty close.
