A Tangled Web: Part 2
So far, it seemed like the Dark Eldar had the upper hand, but the Sisters of Battle were not out of the fight.... 

Turn 4
Dozens of Dark Eldar Warriors were now just outside the chapel. A Raider blew off the missile launcher on the immobilized Exorcist, effectively nullifying it, but another Raider failed to damage the Dominions’ Immolator (the one with the twin heavy flamers). The splinter cannons of Squad 0 killed a Seraph, and the blaster from Squad 2 fried one of the two remaining Retributors; the sole Retributor fell back 12". 

The Handmaidens and the Warp Beasts charged the Dominions, with the Wyches killing one and the scorpion-like Beasts killing the other five, despite the Dominions invoking Spirit of the Martyr. Seeing enemy reinforcements on the way, the Handmaidens retreated into and onto the nearby wreck of a Rhino, and the Warp Beasts scuttled into the chapel. 

Vulnayvya and the Silver Scorpion Wyches charged Squad Piete, already in battle with Talos 2. The Sisters invoked Spirit of the Martyr and lost three of their own, but remained steadfast. Talos 1 charged the Exorcist Bapteme de Feu, but failed to damage it. 

On Pat’s turn, the lone Retributor used Light of the Emperor to halt her retreat. Marian Tressant and her Celestians continued their advance on foot, while the Rhino belonging to Palatine Phillipa Maracher roared into battle; the younger Canoness and her retinue dismounted near the Handmaiden’s Raider. The Dominions’ Immolator attempted to back up and immobilized itself on the river bank, while the Exorcist Bapteme de Feu withdrew for a better firing position.

Firing six shots into Talos 1, the Exorcist slew the metal monster. Nearby, the Dominions’ Immolator fried four Warp Beasts, and Marian Tressant’s Celestians gunned down Beastmaster Wormwood and the last Warp Beast. The Immolator with the multi-melta failed to harm the Raider belonging to Squad 1, but Phillipa Maracher and her guards shot down the Handmaidens’ Raider. 

The Seraphim fired their bolt pistols into the Handmaidens, killing one, and then charged. The Wyches cut down three Seraphim, who speedily retreated 16", thanks to their Hit and Run ability. Talos 2 polished off Squad Piete.

Turn 5
Dark Eldar Warriors rushed into the chapel, seizing the gleaming red stone—the source of the chapel’s healing powers—that they had come for. Squad 0’s splinter cannons dropped three of the retreating Seraphim. A blaster shot from another Warrior squad blew the heavy flamers off the Dominions’ immobilized Immolator, effectively neutering it, and heavy weapon fire from Raiders destroyed the Exorcist Bapteme de Feu and immobilized (and stunned) the Immolator with the multi-meltas. With defeat all but certain, Canoness Tressant signaled a retreat.

Outcome: Dark Eldar victory (Pat concedes on Turn 5)

Posted November 2007
 

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