The Black Aegis

Twist of Fate - Draw

Littlespark, The Completely Eaten Village - Pyrrhic Victory

Ashes in the Shadow Valley - Decisive Victory

The Collision of Light - Defeat

Battle of Old Wounds - Righteous Victory!

Blood in the forest - Decisive Victory

A warband of stormcasts from the Dawnforged Host led by Lord Veritant Elaine Soulsurge. The Black Aegis was tasked by their Lord Commander, Faern Stormdawn, with a quest to find a realmgate hidden somewhere in the Ravaged Coast, cleanse it from whatever foul energies now occupy it and help the mortal men set another foothold in the realm of fire for Sigmar's domain. While this task is the priority, the Black Aegis aims to live to its name and protect those in need and bear the burden of their purpose bravely. They live and die by the motto of their Host, "Fear not the anvil", knowing that they are fighting the good fight.

These warriors have seen the horrors of war over and over again, bearing scars and wounds that never truly heal. A rising number of them is slowly losing the sense of self in the eye of the storm, yet their leader does everything in her power to keep them in the light, to be their beacon in the dark. The second in command, Tassar Dreadstrider, may not be very talkative but leads the the squad of reclusians with precise and determined discipline. But even though he refuses to accept it yet, he feels more at peace in amidst the battle as his soul also struggles to endure the toll of the reforging.

Elaine knew it would not be an easy task to estabilish themselves in the ruptured lands of the Ravaged coast, but her determination did not waver. Deploying in near the western coast, the Black Aegis spent several days travelling and fending off scattered bands of cultists and skaven, who infested the land. After long march, an opportunity revealed itself in a form a fortress, perching above the landscape, well protected by the jagged cliffs it stood upon. But even before reaching the modest gate to this abandonded outpost, Elaine felt a great wickedness hiding in the walls. Warning her companions and setting her blade ablaze, the Black Aegis marched forward.

After a short exchange between Tassar and Elaine, a command was heard and Radiant, Porten and Caledan unfurled their wings and rised above the walls to scout ahead. Eerie silence was disturbed only by howling of the ashen winds against the bare walls. The warriors of the Dawnforged host reached the gate. Raegan nodded to his fellow Reclusians, and they together pushed the gate opened, knowing that should foul magics ambush them from within, they could shake it off easier then their less-reforged brothers and sisters. Yet behind the gate stood no demon, nor a maddened sorcerer, only a barren courtyard, leading further.

Prosecutors landed near their Lord Veritant and reported they found no threat on the outside, which only confirmed Elaine's suspicious that the inner keep is where the wicked reside. They pushed forward, on the edge of expecting an ambush. Yet the silent fort offered no resistance, only ominous gale of winds. When they reached the keep, a tremor shook the ground and a swarm of flies erupted from within the keep. Reclusians in the front with Tassar stood unaffected by the rotten spell of Nurgle, but if it was not for Elaine's cleansing flame, the rest would have choked upon the foul swarm. From the darkness of the fort a gurgling voice laughed, welcoming the new guests. Ten bloated figures emerged from the shadows, their rusted weapons ready to brawl. Tassar's axe crackled with lightning as battle began. It was gruesome, but swift as the stormkin had both the numbers and the strength on their side, but if it was not for Elaine's faith and Tassar's might, the battle could have been very different.

After taking care of the Rotbringer and his guard, the warriors of the Black Aegis scoured the rest of the keep, their leader slowly but surely burning out the corruption that had taken seed within. Thankfully her ignited zeal and immense hatred against nurgle's magics sped up the process. After the purification was done, Elaine claimed the fort as their base of operations while they search for the realmgate. 

The search for realmgate was exhausting, even for the stormforged warriors of the Black Aegis. Heartguard were charred with injuries, painfully reflecting their sacrifice in battles passed. Thunder Shields as well, but after Elaine Soulsurge's command, they retreated to guard the Stormspire. The warband was even then quite formidable force, with additional reinforcements coming in between battles. Reckoner's already counted a frightening six and it was only a matter of time that some unfortunate heretic or lunatic would feel the strength of their vengeful stampede. And freed from shackles of their Slaneeshi captors, Storm callers bolstered the magical might of Elaine's warparty. But still, no traces of the envisioned realmgate.

Preparing for another venture to the desolate lands of the Ravaged coast, Elaine hoped for a peace of mind atop of her tower in the fortress that over time became their stronghold. Her clarity was interrupted by a smell of... Sulphur, flame and blood. A vision of murder and carnage. Something was terribly wrong. The disturbed leader picked her weapons and urged to the courtyard to gather her warriors. But Tassar Dreadstrider was there first. He silently gathered the host, as if feeling the same sense of urgency as his commander. And even though it was hard to read the ever shifting mask of the Lord Terminos, it was clear to the Lord Veritant that he felt unnatural rage.

"He's close. I am certain of that," he spoke sharply, barely containing fury that brewed within. Elaine remembered the story of a Khornate demon, bound by chains of lightning to the fortress long forgotten. That must have meant someone broke those chains and the demon roamed free. A flicker of a memory stung her consciousness as cry of terror pierced her mind. She swiftly muted the faint remembrance of an ancient slaughter.
"Tassar... Do not let your hatred blind you," she spoke softly, but there was a firm undertone. He may have been Lord Terminos, but it was her duty to guide the lost and broken souls, his own included. The unnerving mask of battered silver sigmarite stared at her, lightning crackling in his darkened eyes.

"My scars burned. For centuries they've scorched my soul. I must break free Elaine. With your help," as Aegisbound reclusians gathered, Reckoners mounted their gryph-charger steeds and the scarred and injured Hearthguard raised their shields, Tassar hoisted his heavy axe over his shoulder, ready to depart.
"... Or without it."