I also took some time out yesterday to write the story of my Iron Warriors army. Apparently, an introductory story along with your army at a convention gets you extra points. Here's what I came up with:


The air was unusually crisp and cool for a midsummer day. Crowds were gathering under the honeyroot tree near the newly completed city defense complex. The massive blue-black adamantite walls loomed above the citizens of New Kabu. Walls that took the Imperiums finest engineers over 30 years to build, walls that were said to be able to hold back any army that dared to attack the bustling city and it’s vital starport.

Count Thanious strode confidently across the battlements. Making his final inspections before the dedication ceremony. His hand moved gingerly across each and every cannon as he walked. As he approached the podium atop the wall he swelled with pride seeing the masses of people gathered to celebrate. Perhaps now the citizens of New Kabu can live in peace and comfort.

“Good people of New Kabu… See now before you the walls of our fair city. The troubles of the past are behind us and we now enter a new era.”

The roar of the crowd was deafening. But, Count Thanious continued knowing this was his finest hour.

“Let us give praise to the Emperor!! Let us be thankful to him for providing these walls that will endure before our enemies. Walls that can hold back the very tide of Hell!!!”

The whole city seemed to rejoice at once. In fact, it was almost as if all of nature, the planet, even the galaxy was triumphant in this day. Count Thanious knew he had made a name for himself. Perhaps he was even more beloved by his people than the Emperor.

Three months later

The smell of burning flesh permeated the throne room. Count Thanious stood looking out the window at the destruction of his beloved city. A frightened aide suddenly burst into the room.

“Your Excellency the enemy is storming the courthouse. We can’t put up a defense. We have to flee the planet.”

“Idiotic fool!!! Even you should be able to see that we can’t escape! Where are the reinforcements I was promised?” the Count barked back.

“My Lord… Inquisitor Harkin said the Imperial forces should enter orbit in two days.”

“We don’t have two days you imbecile” the Count said slowly “We have no choice. Send a runner. Inform the enemy leader that I wish to discuss terms with him.”

“Yes my Lord” the aide replied reluctantly.

Some time later a group of huge armored warriors entered the throne room. Each one shone like the polished silver tea set on a nearby table. Count Thanious twitched nervously at their sight. Were they aliens? A disturbing silence fell over the room and it was like Thanious could hear his own heart beat.

Then the largest of the warriors strode forward and removed his helmet with a mechanical hand. His ancient human face burned like fire, with eyes that revealed a hundred thousand horrors.

“Count Thanious, I am Master Warsmith Khoss of the Iron Warriors. I understand that you wish to speak to me.” The strange warrior said with a firm smile.

“Uh, well yes… I wanted to perhaps discuss terms for the peaceful surrender of our city.” The count uttered cautiously.

“Terms! How unusual… You are a fool if you think we have come to capture your pitiful hole.” Khoss paused as if to restrain his anger. “Need I remind you that it was you who issued a challenge to us!”

“Challenge?” Thanious replied humbly. “I don’t recall a challenge.”

“Oh indeed! Do you think the Dark Gods don’t listen? You said these walls could hold back the very tide of Hell. Well, Hell is here and it took us only 4 days to breech your pathetic defenses.”

Thanious sat speechless as the horror of reality fell over him.

Khoss quietly surveyed the room and then turned his attentions once again to the ailing nobleman before him.

“Your false God will one day realize that we cannot be stopped. No wall, no shield, no bunker, nothing can prevent us from exacting our revenge.”

With that Khoss motioned to his soldiers.

“Send word to the rest of the army. Destroy every image, statue, sign, every trace of that bloated corpse they call a god. Take the Count and his servants as my prisoners. They will serve as our slaves… Perhaps in a hundred years of back-breaking labor on Medrengard will they realized their mistake”

Khoss then turned and strode out the room like a man with a purpose. The city of New Baku had hell to pay this night. And the debt collector was in a bad mood.