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horse’s barding looked of finer make than that used by most Steelhead cavalry. Julius recognized the pendant around his neck as a commander’s seal.
Next to the Steelhead commander was a man on foot who had to be a warcaster, given the telltale thick piped conduits running from the breastplate of his heavy, battle-dented mechanikal armor to the smoke-belching turbine on his back. He was a big, thick-bodied man, several inches taller than Magnus and at least a hundred pounds heavier. A single-edged mechanikal cleaver with a long handle was strapped to his back. He wore a pair of goggles pushed up onto his forehead, and he was bald, with a thick moustache, and was chomping on a cigar. Asheth Magnus’ pace increased as he neared, and he greeted the men warmly. “Commander Stannis Brocker and Drake MacBain. Glad to see the both of you. I appreciate that you’ve answered my call.”
“With the money you’re offering, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” said MacBain.
Commander Brocker dismounted heavily, looking wearier and more reserved than the warcaster beside him. Still, he smiled at Magnus and inclined his head deeply. “I’ve brought as much of the company from Ternon Crag as was available,” he said. “Thought we’d be marching to Fellig. We’re headed the other way now?” “Plans have accelerated,” Magnus said with a nod. “We’re heading southeast, then south. First through Corvis, then on to Caspia.”
MacBain cleared his throat. “Excuse me for pointing this out, but aren’t you wanted for treason there? Or is that where we come in? I should tell you, Magnus, I am confident in my abilities, but I don’t think we can take both Corvis and Caspia. Or either one of them individually. If you want an expert’s opinion.”
“My plans aren’t quite that grand,” Magnus said with a chuckle. “I’ll be needing you to serve as my front man for this army. It will, to all outside perspectives, be your army and not mine. I will remain a mostly silent and invisible partner.”
“That’s going to cost more,” MacBain said. “We’ll need to revise the exact stipulations of how this arrangement will work into my contract.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” the Warlord said. “I’ve already been working on that. I think you’ll find the terms quite generous. We’re embarking on an admittedly dangerous endeavor, though the rewards will be substantial.”
MacBain’s grin widened, and he said, “Things had been a little dull of late anyhow. I’m due for a high-risk, high- reward scenario, so you’re speaking my language.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now, let me see that contract!”
Magnus tossed him a leather messenger satchel, which MacBain caught in one hand. “The road doesn’t offer the best conditions for writing, so you’ll have to excuse the state of those documents. I assure you my atrocious handwriting is not a negotiation tactic.”
“We’ll see about that,” MacBain said, eagerly pulling out several of the handwritten pages. Julius found it an odd portrait to see the armored, heavyset warrior squinting down at paperwork with such naked enthusiasm.
With that matter preoccupying the other warcaster, Magnus turned to Commander Brocker. To him he said, “I realize we have Steelheads from several different branches. I intend to gather the captains and put them under your charge, for simplicity. Do you foresee any issues?”
“Shouldn’t matter; we’re all professionals,” Brocker said. He looked back along the lines of Magnus’ column. “I know most of them well enough. I will tell you that while MacBain might be looking for excitement, our people are less eager to get killed for one of your causes. Your stock has gone down with the Steelheads at Ternon Crag. That last business against Eastwall didn’t work out so great for them.”
“Are you speaking for them or for yourself?” Magnus asked, staring back at the Steelhead commander. Brocker chuckled and said, “Me? I enjoyed that fight. I’m always up for a good battle. Just something to be aware of. These are mercenaries, not dedicated rebels.”
Magnus nodded. “Very well. In truth, I hope to avoid large battles if we can. This army exists primarily for insurance, as well as a demonstration to the people I need to meet with that I’m serious. If all goes as it should, we might accomplish my goals without fighting at all. Words may be more important than bullets in the weeks ahead.”
“So you say now,” Brocker said with a wink. “All the same, I think I’ll have my men keep their rifles and pistols loaded.” He leaned in closer to say in a quieter voice, “I should mention I did bring a couple of special guests from the Crag. Older gents, very quiet and secretive. One might say paranoid. You know the type.”
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• This army can also include Cygnar Long Gunner and Trencher Infantry units. These units are considered to be friendly Mercenary units instead of Cygnar units and can include attachments. • For every full 20 points of units in this army, you can add one solo to the army free of cost. • Warrior models/units in the army gain Feign Death. (A model with Feign Death cannot be
targeted by ranged or magic attacks while knocked down.)
• Greygore Boomhowler & Co. gain Ambush. (You can choose not to deploy a unit with Ambush at the start of the game. If it is not deployed normally, you can put it into play at the end of any of your Control Phases after your first turn. When you do, choose any table edge except the back of your opponent’s deployment zone. Place the unit with Ambush completely within 3″ of the chosen table edge.)
In 609 AR, Asheth Magnus set about organizing the greatest mercenary army ever gathered in one place. Having taken Vinter Raelthorne IV’s bastard son Julius under his wing, the Warlord embarked on an ambitious plan to secure Cygnar’s throne. This army was bankrolled with gold bullion stolen from the Cygnaran Army as well as other spoils, coin Magnus spent wisely. He purchased the first Galleon colossals produced by Black Anchor Heavy Industries, hired a portion of Captain Bartolo Montador’s pirate fleet, recruited every available Steelhead company he could find, and enlisted the services of other skilled warcasters and formidable specialists, several wanted for high crimes in Cygnar. This army proved that Magnus’ reputation as a mercenary warlord was well deserved and played a pivotal role in the outcome of the Second Cygnaran Civil War.