Fantasy Rising

I think it's fair to say that in the last decade fantasy as a genre has undergone something of a revival. Now before I get bombarded with a tirade of BloggerDoom+2 spells, or death threats written in Elvish, I do realise that it's always enjoyed a dedicated niche popularity. But what I'm talking about is a revival into popular culture, in the way sci-fi surged forth in the late 70s-early 80s.

Now fantasy takes many forms, and if we regard fantasy literature as encompassing the magical, the make-believe, the imaginary world, then we are including works as diverse as Harry Potter, George RR Martin, Tolkien and perhaps even paranormal/urban fantasy such as (ducks spell aimed at head) Twilight. Personally I'm thinking more traditional fantasy sub-genres, whether high fantasy/epic fantasy, or this darker variant made more popular with Game of Thrones series and books by Martin and Abercrombie.

I think there's a few good reasons that we're seeing this surge in popularity, and some overlap into science fiction as a genre.

First is undoubtedly the high quality series and films we're seeing. HBO Game of Thrones is superbly done, both in terms of adaptation and acting. Jackson's admirable work on the LOTR and the Hobbit have turned a new generation onto the genre.

But it's the books as the backbone of this popularity that have kept pace. As much as I love the stalwarts of Leiber, Vance, Tolkien, Moorcock et al, the writers of the last twenty years have matured the genre. And I don't mean just in terms of adult content. The style and the characterisation plays a huge part. I'm thinking of Robin Hobb, who writes intelligent books with excellent depth of character (such as Fitz in the Farseer trilogy). There's so many to choose from, and so little time to read, but authors such as Martin, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie and Steven Erikson really stand out for me (and I'm sure readers of the blog can suggest many more).

Quality of product aside, there is something more about fantasy that has boosted it's popularity in the modern era. It's beyond simple escapism- after all, most fiction offers a degree of escapism. Personally I think, similar to sci-fi, it allows us space to consider weighty ontological issues. Fantasy is a classic environment for good vs evil, and indeed the nature of evil and the blurring between light and dark. In my own work the 'baddy' is not utterly vile: as the series progresses you get insights into his persona, his philosophy, his fear of death, his grief, and his sense of being ostracised that have created his darkness. His interaction with Emelia is almost affectionate and flirtatious at times. We know he's evil, yet we still wonder at his possible redemption.

And other brain-bruising topics play out in fantasy: self-determination vs destiny; the nature of faith; the conflicts between nature and science and loads more. Even in classic fantasy, such as LOTR, we see these themes. To me, the key story in LOTR is that of friendship- the Frodo-Sam dynamic drives the story- and of destiny (Aragorn fulfilling his; Gandalf's purpose on Middle Earth). Yet it also touches on mortality, and how war and conflict alters those who fought (three of the Hobbits never settle in the Shire, Frodo is never the same after carrying the One Ring). And the most   Referenced theme in the books is the conflict between nature and industry. It's highlighted well in the films, as well as the books- Sauron and Saruman represent the destruction of nature, with fire and iron and smoke--the Hobbits and Elves especially represent rural life and being in tune with nature and the land. It's shown very well when Sam looks in Galadriel's mirror, and when Treebeard with Merry and Pippin see the destruction of the forest near Isengard.

I drew on a similar theme in my Prism series. Vildor and the knights represent technology, and abhor nature. Vildor being a ghast, a vampyr lord, is cheating death- the key moment of a natural cycle. In book four his knights torch the Druids and their forest. Vildor's lair is The Waste and the Dead City, areas where magic has devastated the natural world . In opposition to him we have companions from lands in touch with nature, including Marthir- a Druid- and Master Ten, an earth elemental.

In book five, some of the companions journey to Nth Artoria, a land where the New Gods- gods who represent traits rather than elements- are revered. Nth Artoria worship gods of pride and courage, Egos and Tindor- and with that comes arrogance and a reliance on conflict that will create major problems for our characters.

There are other themes that my series explores- friendship and loyalty being a key one, and a search for identity and belonging- which is the major focus for Emelia in this book. She journeys through her past, and not everything she finds is welcome.

So despite the obvious audiovisual reasons for the resurgence in fantasy's popularity, I think the themes it allows us to explore, under a veil of imagination, will ensure it's enduring (and hopefully growing) presence on our bookshelves (virtual or not).

Darkness Rising 5 is released on Kindle today.

For UK kindle it's 

http://bit.ly/DRBrokenUK  

And for those across the Atlantic:

http://bit.ly/DRBrokenUS

Print copy to follow in a couple of months !

Lost, found, and now betrayed

My friend and fellow Myrddin Publishing author, Carlie Cullen, releases the third book in her paranormal romance series very soon--and I've been lucky enough to grab an advance copy. I'll be reviewing it in a months time on the blog, but in the meantime I thought I'd share the awesome cover and blurb with you.

I love the style of the three covers, and this one is my favourite. It depicts the mansion that Remy and Josh now live together in.

Heart Search: Betrayal

 

One bite started it all . . .

Joshua, Remy, and the twins are settled in their new life. However, life doesn’t always run smoothly. An argument between Becky and her twin causes unforeseen circumstances, an admission by Samir almost costs him his life, and the traitor provides critical information to Liam. But who is it?

As Jakki’s visions begin to focus on the turncoat’s activities, a member of the coven disappears, and others find themselves endangered.

And when Liam’s coven attacks, who will endure?

Fate continues to toy with mortals and immortals alike, and as more hearts descend into darkness, can they overcome the dangers they face and survive?

Sounds excellent, and a genre I don't often read. You can find more about Carlie via the links below, and I'll let you know what I think to the book soon.

Carlie M A Cullen

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing.

She has always written in some form or another, but started to write novels in 2011. Her first book was published by Myrddin Publishing in 2012. She writes in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a principal editor for Eagle Eye Editors.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb.They have published four anthologies so far, two for adults and two for children, all of which raise money for a local hospice.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

Carlie 's Website: http://carliemacullen.com

 Or follow her on Twitter: @carlie2011c

And Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarlieMACullen

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B009MWVL5A

About Carlie: http://about.me/CarlieCullen

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/CarlieCullen

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550466.Carlie_M_A_Cullen

BOOKS:

Heart Search, book one: Lost: http://smarturl.it/HeartSearch-Lost

Heart Search, book two: Found:http://smarturl.it/HeartSearch-Found

 

Darkness Rising 5 - Broken

It seems an age since book 4 was released, not least with all the major life changes that squeezed in last year. But with a New Year, and hopefully a period of stability, comes the next Installment in the Darkness Rising series.

Pencilled in for release next weekend, this is the new cover by the awesome Ceri Clark, whose work on all my covers have created a consistent and recognisable style.

The image on the cover is an interesting interpretation of a character. Originally I'd visualised having Vildor on this cover, as prior covers had Emelia, Hunor and Orla on them. The plan is to have Jem on book six. 

But after having written and lived with the series for five years now, I have such strong mental images of the characters that it gets increasingly difficult to represent them as I like. Admittedly I know the images are symbolic of, rather than replicas of, but I'd visualised Vildor as a sort of Tom Hiddleston character.

So this cover I've imagined as picturing one of the other key players- Kervin- whose tragic love of Emelia provides the key story arc in the series, and who grows to form a major part in the finale of the series.

And behind the bearded tracker, now cursed by Vildor's magic? The Wastes- a region of a North Artoria ravaged by the cataclysmic explosion of battling Prisms hundreds of years ago. And in the centre of which lurks Vildor and his demonic assistant, Blood.

So the 'blurb' ?

Beneath the veneer, beneath the beauty, there is always the coldness of stone.’ 

Tragedy has torn apart Emelia and her companions, a terrible betrayal instigated by the Darkmaster, Vildor. A devastated Jem struggles to control the fearful power of the crystals, becoming distant from his closest friends. Hunor and Orla are tested by a secret from the past, a revelation that will change everything between them. In the Dead City, Emelia begins a search for her past, a journey 

that will plunge her deeper into the darkness of Vildor and his twisted schemes. 

Desperate to seek aid in their battle against Vildor, the companions travel north to Belgo, capital of North Artoria. But everything is not what it seems in the palace, and danger lurks in every shadow, whether cast by friend or foe. 

Separated and alone, can Emelia, Jem and Hunor hope to prevail? Or will the evils of the present and the past overcome them at last?

Darkness Rising 5 – Broken is the fifth in the epic fantasy series that reviewers are calling  ‘epic and spellbinding.’ It is a must read for fantasy fans the world over.

Hope you'll check it out next weekend- or of you fancy starting the series it's available for free on Smashwords at   https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/392664 

Or chapter by chapter free on Wattpad at. http://w.tt/1BrRbjx 

There and back again

Given that it's been out for a month now I'm hoping that posting about the Hobbit3 won't spoil it for anyone reading, but just in case...

****SPOILER ALERT***

So Peter Jackson has wrapped up another trilogy, and first of all I must say he's done an incredible job. Taking such iconic work, especially to fantasy geeks such as I, and giving it a reality is an amazing thing. 

Now I can't say the Hobbit films had the same impact on me as the LOTR trilogy, although visually they were superior. I think that's for a few reasons. Firstly, LOTR remains a work of greater scope, and wider variety of characters (Hobbit has really Bilbo, and less so Gandalf and Thorin- although the films have tried to compensate this as I'll mention below). As a kid, The Hobbit was always the support act you're glad you managed to catch before the main act got on stage.

Second, I think the adaptations that went into making the Hobbit a film were significant with regards the original book. This isn't a surprise- they took a children's book and made it mature, and with the motivation to construct a prequel to the LOTR. But the padding seemed skewed through the films.

When I think of the book and the seminal scenes I think of: The Trolls, the Goblins, then Golem, then Spiders, less so the Elves, then Smaug. Maybe because I'd always peter off reading towards the end (think I've read it four times) I can kind of remember Smaug getting shot, but not much about the Five Armies. In fact when my son asked me what they all were, I struggled (got four by reasoning not memory). So to me, the key events are mainly in film 1, less in film 2, and hardly in film 3. Rather in this movie we have The Battle, with the fluff building up to it, and the bits in Mirkwood setting Sauron's transient defeat and the Nine popping back (which was previously an entry in the Appendix timeline in LOTR, I think).

So given that Hobbit 3 is perhaps 25% Tolkien, 75% Jackson, did it work? As a conclusion to the trilogy- yes, just about. The Thorin-Bilbo storyline felt a touch strained in this film- the obsession with the Arkenstone, and the greed for gold, rather forced. The use of Legolas, whilst fun, was pretty throwaway- especially given that he aids and ultimately respects the dwarves, then in Fellowship has a good old rant at Gimli. The romance between Tauriel and Kili, whilst rather unlikely, oddly worked for me. I liked the idea of developing the dwarves personas- Bofur, Bwalin and Dwalin were all nicely done- especially Ken Stott's Balin. And Bard, with his family, resonated with me too.

In retrospect there wasn't enough time spent on seeing through those characterisations in my mind. The action scenes were awesome ( if vertigo inducing) but the writer in me would've liked those aforementioned characters to get more time. I suppose ultimately all of those characters are just bonuses and it was a film about Bilbo and his journey.

And I think that journey was done well- Martin Lawrence is excellent at conveying that bewilderment, the bravery that surprises even himself, the 'Everyman' in incredible circumstance. And his return to the Shire, and the linking with LOTR was nicely done.

I sometimes reflect on the conclusions to LOTR when Frodo returns to the Shire, but as a consequence of all he has seen and experienced he can never settle. Ultimately there is no place for him in the Shire and hence he sails West. The sequence is analogous to those returning from war, from a high-octane theatre of threat and death, to a world that has continued oblivious to their experience. You wonder as Tolkien wrote it, and Jackson filmed it, whether that was in mind? (I know JRRT hated allegory, unlike CS Lewis, so probably not). And Bilbo becomes tired as his unnaturally slowed aging dissipates in LOTR, and the years (and perhaps the memory of his quest) catch up.

For me there'll never be a set of films as iconic as the two trilogies (I like Star Wars, and Trek, but not approaching that league ). I always loved the Backshi version from early 80s, yet these six films have put fantasy onto a new level and I'm not certain that will ever be topped for me. 

Lords of Aberration- a CSM warband

Thought I'd post some 'fluff' on my main WH40k army- the Lords of Aberration. First go at this sort of thing, so bear with me...

Terganus Dire first rose to prominence amongst the chaos forces of Tzeentch as a callous yet efficient Lord and Commander. His battleforce of Scourged Chaos Marines achieved a notorious run of victories against the Necrons in the outer Darbin quadrant.

Ambition can be a double-edged sword, and soon Dire came under the gaze of Ahriman and his Thousand Sons. Ahriman sought an ancient artefact hidden deep on the planet of Croziek IV, in the Dantin quadrant and chose to exploit Dire's local knowledge, and skill against the Necrons. The combined host of Ahriman and Dire fell upon Croziek IV and annihilated the scanty Cron forces of Overlord Tyr. The host delved deep into the caverns of the planet, but disaster was to await them. Croziek held a long dormant Necron tomb, and the curiosity of Ahriman brought it back to its imitation of life.

The Chaos forces were swamped by thousands of Necrons, gauss weapons tearing into the Tzeentchian forces. Ahriman withdrew, blaming Dire's arrogance somewhat unfairly, for the debacle. Dire fought onwards, the remnants of his Scourged falling back to the planet surface. His unit's sorcerer, Sarvin Ebonyheart, used the warp to activate a terrible bomb that ripped across the planet surface tearing apart Necron and Scourged alike.

In the aftermath, Dire lay ravaged. His head was shattered, and only hate kept him from death. Sarvin, similarly wounded, used the last iota of warp within him to save Dire- grafting a golden Necron head to Dire's ruined flesh.

In time, the remnants of Dire's Scourged found him. They took refuge in the caverns, calling upon dark powers to save Dire and Sarvin.

As if in answer, a dark acolyte came to them. Robed in darkest shadow, the Apostle bore the name Vyrik, and preached an unusual creed. Called simply The Paradox, Vyrik spoke of Chaos Unified- the belief that Chaos would only become victorious through order and unity, that ancient enmity had no place in a new universe.

And from these origins, invigorated by the teachings of the Paradox, Dire's warband grew into The Lords of Aberration. Many of his marines still bore the armour of the Scourged, but now the Eye was replaced by the symbol of the gold skull- an eternal reminder of the betrayal of Ahraman, and the finding of new faith.

The warband is led by an eclectic group of leaders, all loyal to Dire, who in turn bends the knee only to Vyrik and the Paradox.

Dire, himself is a terrifying figure. Clad in battle- scarred power armour, his golden head glowing with an unholy aura, Dire wields a cursed power-maul, rumoured to be the Black Mace itself. Dire's favoured units are his fast assault units- The Dark Scream bikers, and The Unseen Death raptors. They are often supported by Brother Xyrin and Brother Olvyx, two mutated Helbrutes.

His lieutenant, Sarvin, favours a combi- melta and staff, both distractions for the terrible warp powers he unleashes. Clad in terminator armour, he usually accompanies a unit of Chaos Terminators into battle.

Lord Baan the Pestilent, is a Nurgle lord commanding a unit of Plague Marines and Obliterators, whose nickname The Fever goes a way to explain the torrents of flaming terror they unleash. 

Similarly feared is Lord Ingrol, a former World Eater whose power sword, Calban, constantly thirsts for blood. Ingrol is often accompanied by his Chosen- The Bloodreapers- armour red with the blood of their enemy. His Beserkers, the Dire- Axes, are notorious for their insane desire for blood letting, and even Ingrol struggles to keep them in check.

The fifth, and perhaps most hideous leader, is Boroth Bileblood- a Demon Prince of Tzeentch. Constantly vying for leadership with Dire, Boroth  is rightly held in check by the triad of Dire, Vyrik and Sarvin- though his Psyker mastery is the equal of Sarvin. It is through Boroth's fell ingenuity that the Lords of Aberration have use of the accursed Forgefiend and Heldrake.  

 

Denise E Kitson 1947-2014: a Eulogy

It was my Mum's funeral today and I had the honour of reading a short eulogy to the mourners. I kind of wanted to put it somewhere permanent and personal, so the blog seemed the right place to do this. Obviously much in it means little to anyone other than me, my Dad, my brother Dan and my wife, Amanda, yet there is a sentiment which I think anyone who has been through loss can empathise with.

We walked in to Procul Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale, and left to Rod Stewart's Sailing. Beautiful songs for a beautiful woman.

Mum’s Eulogy

Mum was born Denise Elizabeth Ainley to Sam and Lynne Ainley on 16^th July 1947. She grew up in the area between Harehills and Chapel Allerton in Leeds, on Roxholme Terrace opposite Potternewton Park. She attended primary school at Chapeltown Primary and then high school at Allerton High on King lane, not too far from here actually. At school she enjoyed athletics, and was an able pupil interested especially in Biology, English Literature and History. One of her favourite stories was winning a book prize and choosing DH Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers as her prize, which even in the early Sixties was considered a risqué choice!

 

Sadly, Mum lost her own mother in her late teens, recalling that she opened her A-level results at the hospital. Whether it was this sad contact with hospitals, her love of biology, or her caring nature, Mum was to work in healthcare in some capacity for her entire working life. She studied Physiotherapy at Leeds, and I remember as a kid her telling me she especially loved watching operations—the gorier the better. She was proud of the fact that she watched brain surgery without flinching, only to then faint when a surgeon tossed an amputated finger for her to catch. Think she still had the scar on her head?

During her teens Mum was in the Girl Guides and went to the youth club in Chapel Allerton, which was where she met Dad. I think she said her first memory of him was that he laughed at her new Pink Witch bike, but evidently this didn’t put her off too much as they started courting later in their teens. By all accounts, and there IS photographic evidence of this, they made quite a good looking couple—with Mum’s resemblance to Dusty Springfield and Dad’s to George Harrison. Makes you wonder what went wrong with me and Dan…

 

They married at the end of the Sixties, honeymooned in Jersey, and then bought their first house off Shadwell Lane. Two years later I was born at hospital—a baby Mum referred to as ‘bald, cross-eyed and spotty’—and two years after that, Dan was born at home. Mum and Dad never seemed to resolve at what time that happened, and I loose count of the number of times they quibbled whether the midwife on her way from Wetherby was stuck in rush hour or not.

 

We moved in the late Seventies to West Park Drive, and spent the rest of our time as a family in Leeds living there. What can we say about that time? It was a great childhood—full of fun and laughter. We spent loads of time down at the Roundhegians club, playing badminton, and socialising and wittling Sunday afternoons away. Mum worked in several places as a physio in that time—LGI, Newton Green, Roundhay Hall, and it struck me as a child what it was for someone to truly love a job. She really enjoyed her time as a physiotherapist, although at work she’d be as happy having a smoke and a laugh with the cleaners as taking a break with the other physios. We’d holiday in Norfolk every year, and latterly in Aviemore—great holidays, great memories—our parents at their best. Obviously the holidays got more extravagant and sunnier once Mum and Dad got shot of me and Dan, but I’d like to think that Mum remembered those times in Knapton Hall, Norfolk as the best of the bunch.

In the mid-Eighties, Dad got a new job in Peterborough, and we all moved down to live there. Mum worked for a few years as a physio, but ultimately the need for a revision of her hip replacement meant she had to retire from physiotherapy, which I know was a tough decision for her. Naturally, Dad cracked the whip and Mum returned to work as a GP receptionist which, whilst not as enjoyable as physiotherapy, nonetheless gave her some enjoyable times.

 

 

Mum loved her time in Peterborough—her and Dad made some really good friends, (many of whom are here today) and again social life revolved around the sports club at Pearl Assurance and whilst she was able to she scooted around on her bike. Dan and I left home in the early 90s to go to Uni., but we’d often be back, usually with washing. Mum loved her holidays and Dad dragged her all over Europe and beyond, and as I mentioned earlier her love of history took them to Russia for a holiday however she loved her sunshine—her idea of sun block was carrot juice on the body, lemon juice  the hair!

One of Mum’s greatest strengths was her warmth and love for others. My Gran, Dad’s mum, remained in Leeds when we left, and Mum would ring her twice a week to chat. Gran was frequently staying with us during those years in Peterborough, and Mum had a lovely close relationship with her.

And our family grew. Mum and Amanda and Maura had a great bond, and some brilliant times with a mother who never had the delight of daughters of her own.  Five grandchildren—Jack and Tommy, Charlie, Evelyn and Henry—all gave her great pleasure, their energy keeping her young and ‘on her toes’ up until the end. She was never short of a hug or a cuddle for one of them.

When Dad retired, they relocated back to Yorkshire, to the lovely village of Addingham, near Ilkley. By then Mum’s mobility was problematic, but her and Dad persevered and up until her stroke last year she managed amazingly well. The problems with the stroke, her appetite and ultimately the cancer took their toll, but Dad and her managed to stay at home until the very end—and she passed peacefully on Saturday 30^th August, with us all there.

So there you have it—Mum’s life. But there’s so much more I could tell you, so much more than facts and events.

 

Mum was warmth and life and laughter. She taught me and Dan what humour was—from her love of Carry On Films, or Les Dawson, or Blackadder, or Kenny Everett- all in the best possible taste! She loved to laugh, to giggle, to smile. She was kind, and generous, and caring. Mum was pictures of Hedgehogs, and brightly coloured boots. She was sunflowers, and big bright chrysanthemums. She was sunshine and wine, Rod Stewart, Freddy Mercury and Sean Connery. She was all about family, and love, and hugs.

And we’ll all miss her like crazy, but remember what she gave us.  Happiness and life.

The Doom of the Eldar- WH 40k Batrep

So, me and Iain played a game of 40k yesterday supported by our respective sons. It was my second game of 7th edition, so still finding my feet with Psyker rules etc.

We played 2.5k points with Taudar vs. Deathwing/Imperial Gaurd (Tempestus). For my part I had:
Eldrad; Spiritseer; Warlock; 5 fire dragons (in Wave Serpent); 2xguardians with weapon platforms; 5 Dire avengers; 5 wraithguard (in serpent); 5 swooping hawks; 3 shining spears; 2 wraithlords (both with 2BLs); a warwalker (EML and SL); Tau commander; 2 crisis bodygaurds; 3 stealth suits; 6 fire warriors; a sunshark bomber.

Iain had 3 units of DW terminators, one with Belial, one with a termie librarian; a contemptor Dread; 4 valkyries, and a bunch of scions with a commisar.

And dice infused with the grace of the Emperor!!!

Thought we'd do this Batrep as a narrative report, written by Iain, with a short comment piece at the end by me!! We only played to end of round 3 because of time constraints (i.e. nursery pick up).

***************

Mission report - alpha 666

After action report of the raid on planet  - Hopes Reach 

Forces  involved -

Grandmaster deathwing belial + escort 

Militarum tempestus airborne assault formation - Taskforce Dagger (QRF)

Mission log

After receiving word that all communications with Hopes Reach was lost the Dark Angels were given a tasking order to investigate with a formation of scions in support . The wisdom of Belial shone through and, after an in-depth recon, an unholy artefact was discovered. Belial decided to make a landing with his personal escort plus a formation of stormtroopers as QRF.

During the final prep the presence of heretical alien scum was detected near the site so, like a 'red rag to a bull,' Belial gave the order and the Deathwing dropped in to purge the alien scum in the Emperor's name .

Round 1- Eldar and Tau spread out towards the objective - the Chaos Artefact 

When Belial teleported he landed next to a Tau commander, and immediately sought to rid the enemy of its leadership. Yet after destroying the heretic scum leader Belial realised the true heresy of the situation - the Tau had allied with Eldar !!

Round 1- the DA teleport in and start battering the Tau commander, and the WS with Fire Dragons.

Instigating command protocol epsilon theta prime Belial called in the QRF. Belial realised that it would take time, as the Scions would have to make the journey from space in their Valkyries, but on arrival they would combat drop via grav chute . Pending the arrivial of the QRF, Belial plus his escort took the fight to the vile enemy destroying a wave serpent full with fire dragons !! It was at this time that the sinister Eldar showed their infamous psyker talents with first a warlock and then Eldrad duelling with librarian brother Tiberious. During the duels that followed librarian Tiberius saw off repeated attacks, and then counter attacked. He utilised his considerable talents to move around the battle zone exacting a terrible toll on the thrice damned enemy !!!

Round 2- Eldar move around to get Wraithguard in position to blast the DA. The shining spears (proxied by windriders) flee from Tiberius librarian and his buddies.

Events rapidly escalated as heretical ghost animated warriors of the Eldar, with armoured ghost mechanical constructs in support, advanced upon the grandmaster and his loyal bodyguard. Angered by the heresy of such witchcraft, Belial plus his escort set about the alien constructs and purged them for good . As the Eldar weapons retaliated, the QRF arrived in all their glory. Four fully loaded Valkyries descended out of the clouds dropping storm troopers off the rear ramps whilst unleashing a powerful display of imperial firepower fury at the enemy across the full width of the battle space !!!! 

Round 3- having killed a Wraithlord, Belial is after Eldrad atop the ruins. And the Valkyries arrive!

The ancient battle brother Markus Antinious enshrined in his contemptor dreadnought armour targeted an enemy Tau flyer to do some target practice and ended up producing damage to the fuselage . 

Round 3- a Valkyrie view of the targets!!

As the end game drew near Belial saw his opposite number in the impossibly old Eldrad on the top of a ruined building. He charged the position, taking an unholy amount of fire in the process, but still walking through it like it was just rain. Belial focused on getting to the vile leader of the Eldar, but it wasn't possible. After trading blows, the thrice damned alien scum opened a portal and Eldrad with the rest of the Eldar- Tau alliance slipped away into the Warp-way, never to be seen. For how long no one knows... 

After completing SSE ( sensitive site exploration) protocols the QRF deemed the site secure and the nature of the artifact was established. The heretical artefact was composed of crystalline rock that poured pure evil forth (Brother Tiberius note:  no wonder the warp-stained Eldar wanted it, and as for the Tau no doubt the Eldar told them it's for - THE GREATER GOOD ) . The full rituals of purification were completed and the site blasted from orbit to remove the artefact and any stain of its presence, once all forces had returned to their spacecraft .

This concludes the action report 

Thought for the day - 

Aliens are filth have no fear no remorse for they will show you none 

Do what must be done !!!

********

With a gesture, Eldrad Ulthwain switched off the display. The intercepted battle report had made for sombre reading. The ancient Eldar Farseer rose from his seat on the ship's observation deck and strode to the giant window. The vastness of space before him weighed heavy on his shoulders.

The Deathwing had proven devastating opponents. Even before the formation of Valkyries had soared in his troops had been taken apart by the thunder hammers and storm bolters. He had lost too many good allies--the Iyanden spiritseer, Ulthas, had died in a blaze of agony with his wraithguard; the warlock, Vyan, had fallen with his Dire Avenger unit; and the Tau Commander, Ir'Oth'Tau, had succumbed to an onslaught of two terminator units at the start of the conflict.

Where had he gone wrong? So many battles, over so many years--he tired of the relentless bloodshed. The Tau had been impetous, eager to secure the artefact, and had jumped away from where the Eldar could assist them. They were easy targets for the deep striking Deathwing. Without leadership the Stealth suited Tau unit, and the Fire Warriors, proved little value. His own units--the Setting Sun (Swooping Hawks) and Swiftest Light (Shining Spears)--had died as they sought to secure the artefact, before the Tau flyer could aid them.

We were ill-prepared for the aerial onslaught and the stolen technology of these Imperial lackeys, Eldrad considered. We should have focused our attacks on single units--methodical, clinical.
Like the Deathwing.
Do I have to become my enemy to defeat them? Is that the true path of the Eldar?

"My liege?"

Eldrad turned to regard the Farseer who approached. The eldar was young, but exuded warp power from every pore.

"I asked not to be distrubed during my contemplations."

"My apologies," he replied. "But we have reports of other ships nearing the system. Chaos Marines, Orks, and some space marine forces--White Scars and Space Wolves as far as we can tell. Shall I alert the Tau ship?"

"No, no--not yet. They are an impulsive race, in their desire for the greater good. Let them lick their wounds a time longer, as we do ours."

"We are preparing the Crimson Hunters in readiness for the next strike."

"Which you shall lead."

The Farseer bowed, and then left the observation deck.

So, the conflict was joined by more of the Imperium, as well as the fell forces of Chaos and Orks. Did they suspect the true nature of the ancient technology on Hopes Reach? The Chaos artefact destroyed by the Dark Angels was only a tiny part of the mystery on the planet below.

A mystery that if possessed by naive hands could spell disaster for the galaxy.

***

So the saga of Hopes Reach will continue next time, as the battle is joined by the White Scars...