Count Joe Kürbisgärtner
A /tg/ OC for Warhammer Fantasy designed to work as a battlescroll.
The Legend
Count Joe Kürbisgärtner appears as weathered old farmer dressed in overalls and a hat.
In reality, he is a humble Vampire Count who lives on a plot of land on the outskirts of some damned blighted ground somewhere in the Empire. He cultivates multiple fields of crops, which he trades in the nearby town found just out of sight of his estate. His secret is well known, but ever since his presence was first reported almost three hundred years ago by a terrified tax collector who found a Master Vampire paying him in chickens and a pumpkin, he has sat on the backburner of the local nobles as well as the Witch Hunters. After all, most individuals are bright enough not to poke a sleeping dragon without cause.
No "living" being has knowledge of his origins. Only a few clues exist, like his family name appearing on the wall of a crumbling ruin atop an old mountain in Kislev once known to house a company of Blood Dragons; an old polished suit of armor that gathers dust in the corner of his "thinkin' room" in the old Estalian style; a skeletal horse, whose movements seem more deliberate than that of a mere reanimated beast; and a wagon wheel made of Gromril hung ornamentally from a fence post.
Count Joe has never been seen to exhibit a lust for blood in the living recollection of any man in the village. Some of the older gents who spend their days spinning yarns of incensed charging into portals to war on the domains of the Ruinous Powers, races of Dwarfs swallowed by locusts from the blackest of nights, virtuous knights that draw power from the blood of maidens, and similar such nonsense will claim to know what makes their neighbor differ. Sit enough with them on the right day and you'll hear that he was planted in the Earth a sinner and grew into a saint. That like a dog that loses sight but can hear for miles, the lack of light made Ol' Joe attune himself with the soil. That Joe loved a woman from the village, and she bore his child to another man so Joe turned to watch over his kin in the village for all time.
No matter the story, the ending is the same. Count Joe Kürbisgärtner is here to stay, and is as good a neighbor and a better farmer than any have ever known.
When angered, he summons an army of corpses from the aforementioned blighted locale: the first time because a Warriors of Chaos army pillaged his fields for rations while he was at market on their way to destroy the Empire. The Emperor, only knowing that the intervention of "a crazy old farmer and his farmhands" saved the day, granted him title and a medal for his service. The former was added via simple black paint to the name on his mailbox, the latter hangs proudly on on his favorite scarecrow.
His actual "field hands" are various skeletal and incorporeal undead. The Skeletons who work the fields wash up in the creek every evening, turning their bones a bright polished off-white color and the tools they use to work the fields are sharpened, oiled, and re-fastened while their master slumbers during the daylight hours. Phantasms appearing as the perfect visage of leering Death turn shimmering scythes on wheat, and whisk them into bunches on the ground to be bundled by their more bodied companions. Joe never utilizes Zombies as he finds them disturbing (particularly to his flower beds), and finds the table manners as well as the outlandish slang and music preference of Ghouls to be offensive. He only ever had one Dire Wolf, an old hound dog named "Rip" who can be found terrorizing (literally) Chaos mutated wildlife down by the creek most days. His personal symbol is a sunflower growing out of a skull. It adorns the crates he transports goods to town in, as well as an old battle flag that hangs from his barn when not borne into battle by skeletons wearing gardening gloves. When well and truly riled, there are stories that the plant life acts in unnatural ways; that trees will leave a plot of land and avenge the owners slain by villains in the night. That pathways into the area close before armies of the damned, that fields of wheat blaze like fire when raiders attempt to cross them.
When he and his crew march into battle, the old haywagon is hitched to a team of skeletal steeds. Whatever remains of Count Joe's crop is loaded into the rickety old oak vehicle and thrown at the enemies of the farm. The ill will felt by scores of cheated laborers strengthens the frame of the wagon, and passes into the plump ammunition causing pumpkin innards to wrap around men and strangle them, corn cobs to burn flesh and steel, and rhubarb to strike men with the force of a sharply loosed tipped arrow.
Count Kürbisgärtner has a special rule when it comes to stragglers and weary travelers: all can resupply and rest in the solitude that is the amber acres of his rule, but you have must be courteous, polite, and provide stories to entertain the old man. Those expecting him to feed an army however must prove themselves worthy of his boons. There have been many times that Dwarven and Empire soldiers have stopped by while en route to the middle lands of the Empire, their water skeins dry and cheese as hard as their bread. As travelers approach the fields, their presence has already been reported by the many scarecrows that dot the landscape, each shifting slightly as if buffeted by an unseen breeze in sequence until the sound reaches the Master wherever he may be. If need be these scarecrows are capable of taking care of the more rowdy visitors by shifting on their poles to bring their poisoned talons to bear, tearing into flesh and cutting loose the bone.
It is when visitors arrive to the Count's humble mailbox that he appears, walking through the golden stalks of wheat to appear before them. Small groups of travelers are greeted by an old man in stitched trousers waving them inside the house to refill provisions and rest their weary bones. But when bands of mercenaries or armies come to his lands, they are greeted by a far different sight. Out of the tall hay he strides, into the light from the starry sky above and clad in full armor with a countenance more fiercely noble than any who had seen his former adornments could have thought possible. His ancient Blood Dragon armor is more simple in design than that of his former brothers, being made up of overlapping chestplates bordered by smoothed spaulders. A heavy skirt of leather with studs of brilliant copper covers his legs like a long kilt. While most blood dragons wield mighty swords of daemonic power, Joe bears an extremely heavy pitchfork on his shoulder which appears simple if elegant in design as if made by Elven crafstmen on Ulthuan. There have been times that the pitchfork has pierced through the armor of Chaos-tainted marauders and embedded into the flesh below, the very unfortunate being screeching in horror as their legs hardened into wood. Within moments the assailant transforms into a tree, their soul stored deep within the heartwood.
The sight of the Count alone, emerging from the wheat, has caused travelers to flee in panic. Those who stay are often desperate for resupply, and ask the Count for food, water, and a place to sleep away their exhaustion. That is when the Count challenges the leader of the group to one on one combat, and that is when the travelers can earn their vittles and fresh hay to sleep on. If they fail to impress the Count, they are given directions to the town, and are promptly stalked by the scarecrows to make sure they do not attempt revenge upon the fields. Those who are worthy enough to venture forth into the fields are lead down a dirt path. As they walk they are greeted by the sight of skeletons silently farming and tilling soil, plucking vegetables gingerly, and stacking arms upon each other to grab the ripest fruit. The skeletons are not the usual gritty specimens summoned forth by von Carsteins or Lahmians, but polished to a point their very bones shimmer and shine in the sunlight giving them an almost silver appearance. Soon the Count shows his guests to the grand barn, made not of hay and wood but of of formed stone and marble, three levels high and just as long. Inside is clean and tidy, with skeletal horses stomping and tossing false manes while in stalls. The horses show more fluidity and personality, as if the spirit of the horse still finds joy in undeath. Past the stalls are the guest quarters, immaculate yet spartan racks line the walls with cloth covered hay beds in every bunk. On the opposite wall are kegs of wine, beer, water, and stacks of raw veg and fruit as high as an elf. This is where the worthy sleep and recharge to go about their journeys. Everyone from Bretonnian Knights and Dwarven Dragon Slayers to wary Witch Hunters touting droves of pilgrims have slept and gotten drunk in those halls, and all show their thanks to Joe when they leave. It always throws off the travelers: as they leave they always see Joe, clapping a skeleton on the back and retiring to his room with the rising morning sun barely kissing the horizon
Battlescroll Rules
The Joe Kürbisgärtner Battle Scroll may only be used by Order or Neutral armies. An army may only take the Joe Kürbisgärtner Battle Scroll if they have at least one Lord option in their list. Using the Joe Kürbisgärtner Battle Scroll costs 700 army points. These points do not count against limitations on percentage of army in different troop categories.
Joe Kürbisgärtner
Joe Kürbisgärtner uses the Master Vampire cost and statline and is equipped with Heavy Armor, with the following differences:
Sower Joe Kürbisgärtner is a level 4 wizard, and may only cast spells from the Lore of Life. Each spell he successfully casts resurrects 1d3 Skeletons or Dryads from the unit he is in. He cannot resurrect more models than the starting unit size. Each spell cast restores one wound directly to himself.
Pitchfork For 50 points, Joe may take a pitchfork which allows him to also strike the model in the rank behind his target in the same attack.
Moonshine For 60 points, Joe Kürbisgärtner may take a one-use potion which grants him immunity to all forms of damage and grants 10 Initiative for one turn. Joe Kürbisgärtner may take an additional 25 points worth of magic items from the core rulebook or the rulebook for the army he is currently in. In addition, Joe carries a Scarecrow Banner.
Core
One of the three unit options may be taken. Joe Kürbisgärtner is fielded in the unit chosen.
Farmhands The pale assembly of skeletal warriors who tend the fields carry gleaming farm tools into battle against the foes of Joe. They move and fight with a vigor not seen in the clattering hordes of Sylvania, their movements more deliberate and instead of brittle earth-caked bone they seem to reflect the moonlight like polished pearl. One unit of 30 Skeleton Warriors equipped with Spears, with the following statline: M5, WS3, BS2, S3, T3, W1, I4, A1, LD4.
Scarecrows "The knight charged Uncle Joe, and Uncle cut him down. His men refused to leave, so scarecrows gathered 'round. They fought with all they had, but soon fell to the ground. We warned them of their fate, when they first came to town. Now who knows where they went, no bodies to be found!" -Local children's rhyme One unit of 15 Ghouls as described in the Vampire Counts army book.
Herbst One unit of 10 Dryads as described in the Wood Elves army book.
Rare
The Old Wagon One Black Coach model as described in the Vampire Counts army book, with the following differences: The Old Wagon gains 2 Cairne Wraith crew instead of the Fly special rule at 6 power dice siphoned.
Misc
Jug (Instrument) For +10 points, musicians in the army used by the player may take Jugs. Jugs provide +1M to the unit in addition to normal musician rules.
The Dark Elf Incursion
The bordering town that rubs shoulders with the Many Acres has flourished from the Count's kindness. However... No other race loves healthy Empire citizens more than Dark Elves.
One fell night the Dark Elves moved into the city, dispatching the lightly armed guards with sinister efficiency. Thankfully a quick minded Patrolman threw a torch in a high arc, the flaming bundle landing within the wheat of the field that lay just within reach. The Patrolman was cut down like a child, but his death was not in vain: A scare crow, sensing an attack on his plot, had stalked up to the torch, wary of its burning embers. The scare crow cocked its head when it heard a blade being shoved through flesh, and saw the town under attack. With a startled skip, it took off down the fields to warn the count.
In the town things were looking grim: The Dark Elves had rounded up the villagers, stripping them naked and tying them to poles for transport. Corsairs tossed babies in the air, catching them on swords while foot soldiers broke open kegs, drowning the weaker men in the frothy beer. Cries and sobs echoed in he night, filling the starry air with sorrow and pain. There was however, a noise, a noise that caused the Dark Elves to stop their gleeful slaughter and look up into the quickly cooling air. Fog moved in over the walls, crawling along the ground, the finger tips of the Count's rage that echoed into the sky.
It was abrupt, the first attack. As soon as the echo of the Count's challenge stopped, the scare crows lept the walls under the cover of the fog. Sentries posted on the walls cried out, but were cut abruptly short as taloned hands sliced through necks and bowls, spraying viscera on the clean parapets on the town walls. The veteran soldiers and common ground troops rallied to the center of the town, dropping the enslaved citizenry and leaving them to their doom. With the scare crows bounding over the walls and roof tops, they quickly dispatched the archers in their little roosts. With this completed, the Skeletons began their advance, quietly coming out from the fog in their iron willed silence. The Dark Elves panicked as the Skeletons marched past the tied towns folk, their gilded armor and mail clean and perfect, but silent, not even the softest "chink" to be heard. Then with a terrible screech the Skeletons tore into the Dark Elves, their scythes and swords cutting them down as if it were just another day in the field. Then with a challenging roar Joe came cutting in through the Skeleton's ranks, smashing the fork of his great weapon into the spoiled Dark Elves. The squals of them changing into trees over matched the screech of the Skeletons, their skin gnarling into wood and twisting painfully. It was then the Leader of the Dark Elves grabbed Joe's son, placing the barbed sword to the young boys neck. Joe stared at the Elf holding his boy hostage, his pitch fork glowing a sharp green in the night. Then Joe smiled, flicking the Pitch fork into a spear position and chucking it into the throat of the Elf. His boy slipped away, running back to his mother as the Elf began to silently scream into the night.
As soon as it began, it was over. All that was left of the Dark Elves and the Undead warriors were the blood stains on the streets, and the small grove of trees in the middle of the square.
The Surly Highborn
The High Elf sniffed in disdain at the little creaky mailbox before him, giving the stout wooden post a kick. He had heard of the Count who lived and tilled these lands, as many said he would give provisions to those worthy enough. The Prince looked back at his men, sucking at draw water skins and picking at the rocks with their spears in boredom. The Prince, in his haste to find a magical item across the lands in Bretonnia,he had not bothered with trivial things such as packing adequate supplies , but his men would never know that, nor would he take the blame for their laziness and lack of will. They sat there until dusk, and then the count himself strode forth from the hushing stalks of wheat. His blood red armor shown, almost glowing, in the night, his pitch folk a gleaming barb of silver resting on his shoulder. With little ceremony the High Elf Prince drew his sword and pointed it at the Count, putting on an air and tone of nobility.
Listen here, you abomination,, he began My men and i need provisions and we know you have them, as well as having more than enough coin to pay our way. I will not partake in your barbaric system of dueling and demand that you let us forth, at once!
Joe just laughed at the driveling court snot before him, planting the butt of his pitch fork into the dirt.
Whats the matter, little elf? Afraid that 'ole Joe will show you up in front of your men, and your titles of nobility be called in question? Joe laughed heartily. No one enters my lands without proving themselves worthy, and I have no use for your damned gold coins.
Oh please. Said the prince, waving his sword at the Count nonchalantly. I would have no trouble for some uppity farmer who parades around as a warrior.
Joe's lips curled into a smile, his fangs gleaming pearl in the dying sun. Care to make a wager, my little elf?
HAH! The Prince barked. I would sooner shovel your shit field for eternity than lose to your ilk!
Accepted. said Joe quietly, and began to advance on the Prince. The prince lunged forward with a snarl, whipping his sword about him with only the speed and precision of his race. What he didnt expect, however, was the vicious right hook from the Count, his iron knuckle duster-esq gloves cracking the Prince across his cheek. The prince fell to the ground with a cry, dropping his sword and clutching his face like a wounded child. The count slowly drew a gleaming dagger from his belt, crusted in dried blood, black and dark on the blade. The Princes men were quickly corralled by policing scare crows, forcing them to bunch together and watch as the Count advanced on the sobbing Prince. With little ceremony, Joe plunged the knife deep into the chest of the Prince, the sudden howls and screams of the Prince filling the darkening sky. His men looked on in horror as the flesh melted from his face, still screaming as blood and tissue ran from his face like water. The horrid stench of rotting meat invaded their noses as the Princes exposed eye balls popped and danced on his face, until they too rotted from their orbs and fell to the ground. The cries cut off abruptly, and the skeleton lay there silently. The Scare crows silently slid back to their posts, leaving the stunned and horrified High Elves standing alone. Not quietly, however, as the Count's attention was caught by one of them voiding their stomach. The town is 10 miles down the road, make it there and you can use your coins to buy food. Then go home. The Count told them quietly, smiling his gentle smile at them. The men quickly ran down the road, not even stopping to grab their packs, only grabbing their bows and spears. The Count looked down at the skeleton, then willed him to stand. The Skeleton responded obediently, the trapped Elven soul glowing in its empty sockets. Welcome to the Fields, Prince. Now start shoveling shit.