Trials of a Casual Wargamer Short Stories

Arkhans world was dark and he felt like he was drifting. Where was the emperors light? Is this it.... The afterlife. He realised his eyes were closed. He tried to open them but his body felt so tired. He eventually did a light overwhelmed his vision. Everything was blurry but he could make out shapes moving. His hearing was also distorted but he started to pick voices out. Maybe he wasn't dead. His eyes were to tired he decided to settle on hearing for now. He closed his eyes and willed his ears to hear. As he lay there he started to hear much better. Sounded like he was in a hospital, he could hear medical staff and other patients. What had happened.... Oh yeah the massive orc. His shoulder and arm! His left side felt numb and cold. Well that can't be good. Sleep over took him as he listened to his surroundings. "Arkhan lad wake up" a voice said, "Come on you sleep like a grox I swear and snore like one to" Arkhan peeled open his eyes   his vision was muc...

  Arkhan finished his drink put the mug down next to the heavy bolter. He ran through the working bits he recognised on the weapon. He'd seen one or two in the underhive carried by the heavies. A bit of him looked forward to firing it just maybe not in this ork infested situation. Dax stirred, "Another day then Arkhan" he sat up and stretched his arms. His face showed all his years, Arkhan had no idea how many winters Dax had seen but admired him greatly the way he just kept going no matter what. His faith seemed unshakable it seemed. They would need that the next few days.. If they last that long. Dax scanned the ground in front of the outpost. The sky was clear and air crisp despite the clouds of smoke lingering in the air. Dax moved back to the heavy bolter and checked over a few things, "They'll come in force today Arkhan. They don't seem to have made great strides at the Hive so some will get bored and looking for easier action and that will most likely ...

  Bob finished up his lunch, sat in his little cottages front garden. Hamish and Lena were off exploring the town. Bob had been into town earlier and sold the bits he had found on the goblins and made a nice bit of extra gold. Nothing to retire on but for a first adventure it was a start. Hopefully next time they will find more treasure.  He heard Hamishs laugh coming down the street. Bob stood up and cleared his left overs away as Hamish and Lena walked into the yard. It was good to have friends Bob thought, especially adventuring friends! "Bob lad! Me and Lena have had a good look around. Nice little town you got yourself. People are friendly I can see why you live here. Any hoo we heard  up at the market that there is a paladin asking around for help in some kind of holy mission. Now I've heard that there be treasure around them holy sites and I don't know about you I like treasure. " the Gnome smiled happily his blue tattoos almost beaming. Lena was silent as usu...

  Arkhan answered quickly not wanting to give Dax ideas, "Throne no I didn't mean that. It's just.... Where I'm from there wasn't much time for anything like that. No one told us anything really we were just trying to stay alive." Dax nodded, "Fair enough but know this the emperor protects. Even under hivers like you" Arkhan smiled. They reached the top of walls, Arkhan stopped amazed by the view. He could see for miles! A carpet of trees was laid out before him. What a world he had missed living in that hive, around the Hive was a great scar on the land not trees just brown and clouds of dust interspersed with flashes from explosions or the cities void shields. Dax spotted Arkhan staring, "sure is something isn't it?" "Yes it's amazing shame about the orks Arkhan replied. " Yes we will have to do something about those unwelcome visitors. " Dax looked up and down the battlements. A few other heavy weapons were set...

  Bob found a tree trunk he could rest on that still left him hidden. He waited for an hour or so. He didn't mind waiting,  as a guard he had waited longer and in worse weather. At least this time there would be a reward at the end of it instead of just finishing a shift and heading home. He heard cackling voices raspy and high coming from the cave. "Gribo sorry we ran but he killed the others we thought it best to come tell you" 3 goblins walked out followed by a larger fatter goblin.  "yes... Yes.... I'm sure that was it and not just you are cowardly retches!" the fatter goblin replied. Bob tensed, this was it his heart pumped faster. He moved forward slowly to the edge of his cover. The goblins had no idea he was there. He gripped his sword and shield. Here goes nothing, he leapt from the Bush" Aargh!! " he yelled. The goblins turned in surprise,"What the hell!!!" Gribo yelled. "it's him!!!"  one of the 3 goblins yelled a...

  Arkhan and dax caught up with the tail end of the convoy as it reached the top of Over Look Peak. Silus was waiting clutching an old solid slug  rifle. "Any problems?" Dax stopped and looked back. "No Arkhan here took care of that" Dax patted Arkhan on the shoulder and carried on talking "Just 2 stragglers looking for easy pickings but they ain't looking anymore" Silus grinned he turned and looked at Arkhans face. "you should see a medic Arkhan that looks like a nasty bruise." Arkhan touched the side of his face.  It Stung  when his hand rubbed where the ork had punched him still he'll take the bruise over the alternative. His mind hadn't fully recovered over seeing the ork. A life in the Hive had kept him oblivious to an extent. Sure he had heard stories of horrors even seen some strange sights and knew the corrupting effects of the ruinous powers but being up close to a Xeno so intent on murder. He really hoped the stories of the ...

 The bell tolled. Bob's heart jumped! This was it!! What a slow week that had been. Bob headed down to the barracks. He stripped off his uniform. The other guards wished him luck with pats on the back and small gifts. They all agreed to meet in the tavern for send off drinks. Bob loved the attention he felt like a true hero already. After a beer filled night in the tavern Bob headed home.... well staggered home. Light pierced Bob's eyes, his head pounded and the insect walking along his head board was wearing steel armoured boots. He swatted away the insect mammoth and rolled out of his bed. Urrgh he felt so ill, he walked over to a bucket and splashed water over his face. The cold water hitting his face helped wash away some of the hangover foggyness.  He found some bread, cheese and water for breakfast. After his repast he felt some what better, he turned and saw against his bed his new adventuring equipment. Right let's do this Bob thought!! He donned his armour, the wei...