March of the Red Comet (Cites of Sigmar Path to Glory, a narrative report)

Narrative Battle Recap

Fredrik Thunderblown surveyed the battlefield, dozens of men from the March of the Red Comet lay groaning in agony among the far fewer and larger bodies of the hunchbacked orcs they had found as the vanguard had scouted the next section of woodland that the Dawnbringer crusade would have to traverse.

With a light guard of squad from The Redstreaks and two throngs of flagellants, who annoyingly thought Fredrik had been anointed by Sigmar to reclaim this section of Ghur, Fredrik and his small council of Symin Cometborn, Graval the hulking Stormcast Relictor, and Dorlia ven Denst, had scouted ahead to a small hill to try and map a path forward. 

To their dismay, they had crested the rise to see a mob of Kruleboyz arrayed in the clearing. Before the Order forces could make a hasty retreat guttural shouts of surprise had sounded from the orruk lines and wickedly barbed bolts were flying over their heads. 

Shouting hasty orders, Fredrik had arrayed his force into sloppy battlelines. While he directed The Redstreaks to target the giant bolt thrower at the rear of the Orruk lines the flagellants disregarded all efforts of command, even from the towering Stormcast and rushed forward. 

Before Fredrik could take proper stock of the battlefield, he was attacked by goblin ridden wolves. Taking a couple of flesh wounds he was able to dispatch the trio of scouts with his mighty hammer. Meanwhile the combined fire of the Red Streaks and Dorlia, who had found a perch in some ruins, managed to pepper the Orruk bolthrower with enough bolts of their own to knock it out of commission. 

In dismay, Fredrik watched the poorly armed and armored flagellants rush towards the brissling line of Kurleboys with their snarling shields. As lightening flashed across the battlefield, hitting the Orruks infantry and their leader pacing behind them, Symin's magic at work, Fredrick saw a group of Orruks shulking behind a stand of trees, including one with a giant skull on it's back.The flagellants crashed into the snarling shields of the Orruks. Human screams and Orruk snarls rang out. Flagellant after flagellant was cut down by the jagged spears of the Orruks but for ever human that fell another filled their place, swinging crude instruments of war in a faith induced frenzy. And, as the humans fell, so did a few of the Orruks under the overwhelming weight of attacks. 

As the flagellants numbers dwindled, Fredrik issued orders to the Red Streaks to find breaks in the action to fire into the Orruk line. Between them, the few remaining flagellants, and Dorlia's eagle eyed sniping, the Orruk infantry was finally driven off the battlefield, along with their leader. 

As the Kruleboys infantry either died or fled, Fredrik saw the other Orruks, carrying crude crossbows emerge from behind a copse of trees on his left flank. Soon a crossbow duel broke out between Dorlia, the Red Streaks, and the ranged Kruleboys. Many Red Streaks and even Dorlia herself were knocked out of the fight due to the posion applied to the Kruleboyz bolts by their shaman but the targeted precision of the Dawnbringer's attacks nd Fredricks demands to hold the line eventually caused the few remaining Kruleboys to slink into the shades as the sun set on the battle field. 

Short Summary

This was the third battle I have fought with my "Crimson Dawn" Cities of Sigmar Path to Glory but is the first game that was not a team game (making a narrative battle report easier). In this game, I had a Freeguild General (Fredrik Thunderblown), a battlemage (Symin Cometborn), Graval of the Scarlet Bloom (Lord Relictor), 10 crossbowmen (the Red Streaks), 20 flagellants (the Cometborn), 10 flagellants (the Fevered Host). 

I managed to get 44 attacks in due getting the charge off and then the Kruleboyz shields killing 8 before I attacked. Other highlights were the crossbows not moving and utilizing the general's command ability to hit on 3s and wound on 2s while getting double attacks (until the first one died). Dorlia was also great at blinking the final wounds off of the Kruleboyz general and big bolt thrower. 

A little bit of background.

The idea behind this path to glory force is that Fredrik Thunderblown is from a relatively small noble house (the Bloodroot Tower, old keep starting territory) in Hammerhal and has worked to secure his place as leader of a Dawnbringer Crusade (the March of the Red Comet, which is the name of the stronghold). Fredrick has brought along his house's mage, and his personal bodyguard of greatswords (The Thundersorched Guard) and crossbowmen (The Red Streaks) while a large number of zealots from Hammerhal have come along due to Graval (the Lord Relictor) seeming to indicate Fredrik's connection to Sigmar by joining the Crusade. As a bonus, Dorlia ven Denst has accompanied the crusade so far, even though no one seems to know her motives at the moment. 

Xintil War Magi Path to Glory

 I was looking at the Settler Gain Battle Traits today and realized the Aelven Training trait allows Collegiate Arcane units to not take battleshock. Now, all Collegiate Arcane units are just 1 model, so what is going on?

In all likelihood it is a hold over from 2nd edition Age of Sigmar, when the Broken Realm:Teclis book came out.

However, this got me to thinking about what would make Settler's Gain better. After all, we got this wonderful box during the Broken Realms but Arcobalde Lazerne never really got it moment in the sun. 

If you are unfamiliar with the box, it came with 2 Celestial Hurricanum/Luminark of Hysh kits, you can see these in the second image. Perhaps the best part of this kit is that it coming with 3 miniatures, officially 1 wizard and 2 acolytes. 

I feel like these miniatures never really get fully used even though they are full of character. 

So, I decided to try and make an interesting Path to Glory supplement for Settler's Gain that would focus on the Luminark of Hysh, magic, magically enhancements, AND give a new unit that could utilize those acolytes miniatures. Read on below to see what I came up with. 

Xintil War Magi Path to Glory

If your army is a Cities of Sigmar army with the Settler’s Gain cities keyword you can use the following rules for a Path to Glory Campaign. 

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Xintil War Magi Quests

If your army is a Cities of Sigmar army with the Settler’s Gain keyword you can pick one for the following quests for your path to Glory roster. 

Caravan of Knowledge

Pick 1 Luminark of Hysh with White Battlemage hero.

At the end of the battle you complete this quest if this hero claimed an objective during the battle.

When you complete this quest, this hero gains the following command ability on it’s warscroll: Luminark of Hysh units within 18 inches of this hero may reroll the Searing Beam of Light roll. In addition Luminark of Hysh units may be included as Battleline (and reinforced) in this army as long as this hero is the General. Finally, if a Luminark of Hysh unit is reinforced, it gains the following ability.

Aetherquartz Focal Array: When rolling a dice to determine how many mortal wounds a unit hit by the Searing Beam of Light or the Fractured Beam of Light suffers, adding 1 to the result for each additional model in the unit. (I.E. an attack from a model in a unit of 2 would deal D3+1 wounds, if the unit size was 3 it would be D3+2).

Aetherquartz Channeling

Pick 1 Luminark of Hysh with White Battlemage hero.

At the end of the battle you complete this quest if you inflicted more than 6 wounds with the Searing Beam of Light weapon.

When you complete this quest, the hero gains the following command trait. Units wholly within 18 inches of this model gain +1 to casting and dispelling roles

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Veteran Abilities

Each time a Cities of Sigmar unit on your Path to Glory rosters gains a veteran ability, you can pick 1 of the veteran abilities from the list below instead of the table found in the Core Book.

Duradin Forged Strings: This artillery equipment has been improved with Duradin made ballista strings. 

Aelf Artillery units only. Once per battle add 1 to the damage characteristic of this unit's shooting attack. Declare this ability before any dice for the attack are rolled.

Aetherquartz Winds: Time in the schools of magic in Hysh have attuned the acolytes of this war wagon to the Winds of Magic.

Luminark of Hysh, non hero unit only. Once per battle ,after this unit has made a successful charge roll, it may use this ability. Deal D3 mortal wounds to the unit successfully charged.

Hyshian Adepts: From their time among the aelves of Hysh, this unit has gained magical prowess and started to learn a few simple spells resulting in magical bolts shooting into nearby enemies.

Freeguild infantry units only (unmounted) Once per game, this unit can use this ability. During the shooting phase, pick 1 enemy unit within 9 inches of this unit. Deal D3 mortal wounds, if this unit is wholly within 6 inches of a friendly wizard unit, it deals D6 wounds instead.

Sunmetal Weapons: These entrepreneurial freeguilders have used their time among the Lumineth well, adding sunmetal to weapons and ammo. 

Freeguild units only. Once per game, this unit may use this ability before the shooting or combat phase. Add 1 to the rend characteristic of this unit's weapons this turn.

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Xintil War Magi Territories

When Making an exploration roll, if the roll is 61-66 that roll will correspond to a territory on the list below. Alternatively, you can pick 1 result from the territories table in the Core Book that corresponds to a roll of 21-42.

61-62: Arcane Wagon Works:

Your forces have gained access to one of the renowned wagon works of Xintil, enabling more complex construction of arcane war wagons.

In Step 3 of the aftermath sequence, you can pick 1 Luminark of Hysh unit on your order of battle to be sent to this territory for modifications.  Roll a dice, on a 1, the attempted arcane modifications have failed. This unit may not attempt a modification again during the rest of the campaign . On a 2+ the unit is successfully modified. Adding the following attack profile to the Searing Beam of Light Weapon.

Fractured Beam: Range: 15" Attacks 3. Do not use the attack sequence for an attack made with the model's Fractured Beam. Instead pick 1 unit within 15" of the model. Roll a dice for each attack. For each roll that is equal or greater than the Searing Beam of Light value shown on this model's damage table, that unit suffers D3 mortal wounds. A Luminark of Hysh unit must choose between this attack and the Searing Beam of Light attack.

10 GP to Upgrade: Enhanced Aetherquartz: When you modify a Luminark of Hysh unit, you may choose between the Fractured Beam modification and the following ability. A Luminark of Hysh unit may only have 1 modifcation.

Enhanced Aura of Protection: Change the Aura of Protection ability to include rolls of a 5+ and 6+ negate wounds and mortal wounds.

63-64: Aelven Library:

This territory is home to a group of Aelven mages who agree to teach you. 

1 Collegiate Arcane Wizard may attempt to cast and dispel 1 additional spell per turn (to a maximum of 2). 

15 GP to Upgrade: Aelven Tutors: 2 Collegiate Arcane Wizards may attempt to cast and dispel 1 additional spell per turn (to a maximum of 2)

65-66: Xintil Dormitory:

Improved accommodations have enticed local mages to join your cause. 

Reduce the cost of adding a Collegiate Arcane unit to your Order of Battle by 1 GP.

15 GP to Upgrade: Bunk Beds: Reduce the cost of adding a Collegiate Arcane unit to your Order of Battle by 2.

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Heroic Upgrades

Upgraded Warscroll	Required Warscroll	Required Renown Points	Glory Points Cost
Freeguild General on Aelven Steed*	Freeguild General	20	3
Luminark of Hysh with White Battlemage	Battlemage from Hysh	30	5
Xintil Conclave*	Battlemage from Hysh	25	4

* Both the Freeguild General on Aelven Steed and Xintil Conclave are unique units to Settler’s Gain. You can find these warscrolls below.

Now if I could only find someone to test this out against in a Path to Glory campaign. 

Rejected Black Library Submission

I submitted a Black Library submission as an exercise in creative writing. I didn't expect to get selected and I wasn't (got the notification today). But that's OK, it lets me share my submission. These days most of my writing is business case based, which is a way different than creative fiction. Below is the newest draft of my submission I could find. I believe they wanted a summary or short brief and then a sample of actual writing. Feel free to give any feedback you may have. Oh, and if you enjoy it and want to know more about Slivers, you can find my World Anvil site here, where I've built my own little corner of Chamon. 

Summary

In the eyes of a Stormcast, the city of Slivers is relatively young, the result of a successful Dawnbringers Crusade a generation ago. To those who arrived as part of the crusade, the place feels old to them, they have seen a lot of change. Over time, a number of Great Houses have come to control the city, some gain their influence through commerce, others through industry, and many with a sliver of darkness. 

New arrivals see a place of opportunity. But it is also a place of danger, some outside of the walls but also along the city streets. Will Marus, a recently arrived laborer successfully navigate these streets or fall victim to one of the many dangers in and around Slivers?

Marus is a recent arrival to Slivers, a city in Chamon, the result of a successful Dawnbringer Crusade a generation ago. The Great Houses that control Slivers are always looking for new arrivals, like Marus, to staff their forges, mines, and other pieces of industry. But, not all is as it seems, rumors of unnatural darkness and death hidden behind the doors of the Great Houses are often whispered among the common folk.

Can Marus successfully navigate the secrets of Slivers or will he become just another cog in the machines of the Great Houses?"

Sample

The pounding of the cog drills receded as Marus guided the cart out of the depths of the mine and towards the surface of Chamon. The city of Slivers had an expansive network of mineral mines outside its walls, for if there was one thing Chamon had in spades, it was precious metals. 

Reaching the surface, Marus paused to take in a breath of clean air. Down in the mines, every breath resulted in a mouth full of dust leaving a metallic tang on your mouth that somehow made it hard to breath and made you cold at the same time. Moving past the clanking piston powered pulley system that brought the valued metals to the surface, Marus guided his cart full of slag and brittle metal, the things the forges of Slivers had no need for, into line with the others to wait his turn to empty his cart’s contents into the debris sorter, a duradin amalgamation of  gears, screens, cogs, and steam powered conveyor belts that ensured even the smallest speck of valuable material was processed, 

Securing his cart on the dumping platform, Marus noticed three figures clad in green uniforms and dark aprons unloading barrels from a steam powered cog walker and stacking them off to one side. 

“Who are they?” Marus asked the operator of the debris sorter, a wiry white haired man, his face lined and dark from the sun, as he tipped his cart onto the sorter. 

“Whats that?” the other grunted?

“Those men, I’ve never seen them before. Who are they? They aren’t caked in dust like the rest of us working here”

“Oh, them. They are Tallow Men” the operator said as he spit to the side.

“What are they doing here?” Marus asked as the operator pulled a lever and his cart was rotated, spilling its contents onto a shaking metal screen. 

“Boy, don’t you know nothing?!? The House of Turn n’ Tallow supplies the grease that keeps all these cogs and gears turning. Especially here in the mines, you need a lot to keep the machines going, on account of all the dust.”

“Call them proper! 

A shadow fell over Marus as an overseer approached. He was big enough that Marus thought he must have Ogor in him somewhere.

 “House Turn is who they work for, and don't you forget it, without them you wouldn’t be pushing that cart! Now get your cart moving you’re backing up the line!”

“House Turn? Why would the old man call them Turn N’ Tallow?” Marus muttered to himself as he struggled to turn his cart around in the tight space, the other laborers grumbling at him as he bumped into their carts

The machine operator turned back to the controls, fingering an old coin hung from his neck. He felt that he’d see that young laborer again, maybe he could get a pint of cherry spark ale out of him when he did, the operator thought.

Totally Missing the LVO Battle Box

 I'm not sure anybody saw it coming. ANOTHER battle box for Age of Sigmar. Announced 1 month and 3 days after the last battle box was announced. I had seen the teaser video of the new Nighthaunt model and for sure though it would have been a model + a new battletome like the Nurgle release.

In fact, I thought we might get 3 battletomes announced at LVO. BOY, was I wrong. 

Instead, we got a battle box. 

Turns out, there were two rumor engine pictures related to this. Warboss Kurgan has the goods here.

With this new announcement and the Fury of the Deep battle box, we can add some data to our spreadsheet.

The yellow books are estimates due to lacking some details. For example, Fury of the Deep, we do not know the retail price of the heroes so the army price out of box and savings numbers are still estimates. 

A couple of interesting notes about the new announcement. 

1. It is really fast after the last one.  The last time we had battle boxes this close together was Feast of Bones (11/19) and then Aether War (1/20). Almost two years ago. 

2. This is the first time in two years we have gotten a new unit in a battle box. Wrath and Rapture had new chaos demon models while Feast of Bones was the first chance to get your hands on OBR.

3. Model count is going up and price is staying flat or going down. There is also a trend to more infantry and fewer big models. 

Lastly, I think we can put some guidelines out for predicting new un-expected battle boxes. 

1. Are shipping issues still a thing? If yes, they will probably continue to put out battle boxes to try and give us some sort of AOS release. There are lots of rumors of paper related issues as a reason why we aren't getting battle tomes, so instead they fill the gap with battle boxes.

2. Are there rumor engine pictures of factions that have an underworlds warband and aren't a chaos faction? If they have a underworlds warband, the rumor engine probably isn't for that game. If it isn't chaos, it probably isn't a Warcry warband at this point.

3.Has there been a single hero model previewed or teased? It is probably coming in a battle box and not with a battle tome at this point. Nurgle would be the counter argument but Nighthaunt, Fyreslayers, and IDK support this. 

Finally, I'd expect this battle box to go up for preorder within 3 weeks, maybe as early as this Sunday. 

Predicting the Next Age of Sigmar Battlebox

 Over the past week there have been two new rumor engine pictures released by Games Workshop .

From looking at these, I have a very strong feeling that the left picture is for Idoneth Deepkin and the right picture is from Fyreslayers. I mean the left picture is an almost identical match to the sword on the back of the Akhelian King.

While the second picture shares a lot of elements with various Fyreslayer bits and weapons. Now, none of the Fyreslayer weapons or bits I can find look exactly like the design or brazier holder BUT they are really similar in my eyes and more similar than any other flame components we have seen. 

With these assumptions in mind, I think this is pointing towards the next Battlebox for Age of Sigmar. They recently announced one for 40k, the Genestealer vs. Custodes box and AOS hasn't gotten one since 11/14/2020. Before 3rd edition dropped, we were getting 2 battleboxes at year. See belowor a breakdown of the release dates, prices, and contents. 

Additionally, IDK just got an Underworlds warband and there haven't been any other rumor engine pictures that point to either faction (which would indicate more than 1 model). You can check out Warboss Kurgan to make your own opinion, 

On average a Battle Box has 30 models in it and those models retail for about 320 USD, with a bundled saving average of approximately 146 USD.  If we apply this to the two factions in question, along with the current AOS environment of being based in Ghur and focused on monsters, I have come up with 2 potential model combinations for the forecasted box.

First up is a Fyreslayer army consisting of 10 Vulkite Berserkers, a character on Magmadroth, the 2 foot characters from the Magmadroth kit, and the new Fyreslayer character facing off against 10 IDK Thralls, a Leviadon turtle, and the new IDK character. This would end up being about $170 worth of Fyreslayer models and $208 worth of IDK models. This is a much higher model value than the average Battle Box, which has been around $320. It is worth noting that the last Battle Box was a value of right around $370. This does put 34 models in the box, which is slightly higher than the average of 29.8

Beyond the price, I don't think GW will throw 2 monsters in the box, that hasn't happened before. In fact, the largest models we have seen in a Battle Box are the Doomwheel, Warp Lightening Cannon, and Gunhauler.  Additionally, it gives the Fyreslayer force 4 characters, which I think is too much and confusing for a battle box, considering that a number of new players may pick it up to get started with a friend. 

Next is a Battle Box containing 15 Fyreslayer Hearthguard Berserkers or Auric Hearthguard (these are the same kit) and the new Fyreslayer hero squaring off against 10 Thralls, 1 IDK Allopex, 3 Eels, and the new IDK hero. This gives us $170 in Fyreslayer models and $180 in IDK models. It is a model count of 31 and gives some nice base size and height/size profile differences for the IDK side. The Fyreslayer side suffers from a bunch of infantry on 32mm bases, but that's already a problem with the army. 

I think this is a more likely option due to the combined model value of 350, there not being a bunch of heroes, it is a more similar style of box to the ones we have seen recently,

-Shadow and Pain had all infantry on one side vs small infantry, cavalry, and a chariot base on the other side. Aether War had the fewest models, all on larger 32 bases (maybe 40mm for the discs?) and a bigger Gunhauler base-

and it providing a decent monster centric narrative 

-the IDK have some monstrous beasts, even though they aren't keyworded as monsters, while the Fyreslayers have some units that have rules affecting monsters. 

The price point will go up to 200-210 USD (inflation, supply chain issues, model value increase, etc.) which would be right around the average savings of $146. I did think of guessing just 2 sharks and infantry or 2 sets of eels and infantry for the IDK but I don't know if they'll repeat kits like that (I believe Aether War is the only box that repeated newer non-infantry sized models). I would like more variety on the Fyreslayer side that what I am guessing, maybe 10 Hearthguard models, a Doomseeker, a Grymwrath Berserker, and the new hero?

To wrap this up, I might as well throw out a date (lets go with 1/23/22 as the reveal date and then 2/5/22 as the preorder date) and a name (Runed Souls, not sure how that narrative will work but one has Runes on their bodies and the other wants souls so there we go). 

Lastly, I think both heros are infantry sized, as all of the Battle Box new characters have been. Maybe we get something up to 40mm base size. I actually hope for this for the Fyreslayer side, just to give them more size variety in the range. 

Wolf Tide Coven

 With Holy Wars VII on the horizon for a lot of narrative people, I've been kicking around narrative army ideas that fit the army building requirements for the events. In short, the army needs to be built at the 1000 point level (no special characters over 400 points) with an additional 500 points of troops (no behemoths or heroes).

One idea that has stuck in my head is a Soulblight Gravelords army based on Radukar the Wolf when he was still a vampire with a fleet and the supporting cast of vampires and troops that he would have had on his ship. 

At 1000 points, you can take 3 leaders, so Radukar is the first, then why not add a Vengorian Lord and a Coven Throne? Going with a sea theme, it only makes sense to use the Vengorian Lord human torso parts and put them on a IDK deepmare to make a vampire lord of the deep. After all Radukar is on a ship, so there is a good chance some of his vampires take on animalistic aspects of sea creatures. 

For the Coven Throne, add the ship hull bits from the Mega Gargant kit to the back and then cut out the ghost horse riders and add in some Fenrisian Wolves. This keeps the sea theme and adds in the wolf theme that dominates Radukar's figure. This also lets you make lots of Sea Wolf references, which everyone knows already. 

With our Hero slots filled. We need 2 battleline units to make a legal list. This could be 2 units of 10 skeletons if you want to add in an endless spell or something small like fell bats. Otherwise you are probably choosing 20 zombies and 10 wolves or a unit of 20 skeletons and 10 skeletons. You have 260 points to work with. 

The real fun and thematic part of this list comes from adding in 6 Vyrkos Blood-Born. These would be Radukar's lieutenants or retinue aboard his flag ship. For these guys, lets use the Dark Elf Blood Bowl team, add in some undead weapons, either the Skeleton Warrior swords or Bladegheist swords and some Tree Revenant heads where needed. Last add on some greenstuffed fur to help carry over the wolf theme and I think you have some pretty good sea-worthy Blood-Born.

Now that we have a TON of vampires in this list. We can fill out the remaining 250 points of that extra 500 with 2 Kosargi Nightguard (gotta give Radukar his bodyguards) and 3 Vargheists. 

While this list isn't super competitive, it does have a very flavorful feel to it. Additionally, if you get Tactical Insight from the Coven Throne off on the Blood-Born, it gives them +1 to hit and wound and +1 to save, giving them 3 attacks at 2+/2+, -1 Rend, D3 damage and a 5+ save. Add in Radukar's Call to the Hunt command ability and they go up to 3 attacks each. Yes, he has to charge something and be in range of the the Blood-Born but thats a pretty nifty attack profile. 

 

Another Spell Bites the Dust

 Last week, I watched the Queen Sing Along on TV. One of the songs they played was "Another One Bites the Dust". Hearing this song intersected pretty much perfectly with an army idea that had been kicking around my head for a bit, Spell Hunters/Wranglers.

This idea has been percolating for a while, energized by a short story I read in one of the Inferno short story collections from Black Library (Inferno 4, I think) where some Freeguild spell hunters meet up with a dwarf spell hunter as well. I think they caught a burning head, it was quite good! The idea got brought back up when the ven Denst models were revealed with their anti spell abilities. 

Starting this army idea off with the Denst's, we get 2 heroes in the army and some good theme ideas for some infantry troops. 

Starting with Galen's model, we have a sword, pistol, backpack, boots, and long overcoat. Since the idea is spell hunters, this type of clothing and gear makes sense for troops out on a campaign or adventure to find some spells and put them down. The recent veteran guardsmen that come in the Octavius Kill team box have a lot of the same visual clues as the ven Densts.The backpacks and great coats are particular great to carry over this theme. Switching out the weapons and heads with Freeguild guard bits and maybe some Freeguild Pistolier weapons gives these models a great look of being out on campaign for a long time while creating an AOS feel. 

For these guardsmen conversions, there are a couple more difficult poses when it comes to conversions. The ones kneeling don't really translate well to sword and shield troops but could serve as the command models with some pointing arms, flags, or other bits making it looking like they are using a compass to find directions. The Luminark/Hurricanum kit has some of these hand bits that would work well. 

Doralia ven Denst has a crossbow, so lets theme a ranged infantry unit off of her. Looking for some more long coats or greatcoats led me to the Delaque gang from Necromunda. They have some sci-fi bits but most of that could be clipped or cut off.   Using either Freeguild crossbows or Sisters of the Watch weapons and Luminark crew heads should give this unit a look that pulls from Doralia with the long coats and weapons while also looking like they are some sort of minor wizards or scholars. The magical bows could be used if you are looking for a more magical looking unit, maybe using their limited spell power/knowledge to make magic arrows. I do have some concern over the arm bits fitting as I haven't worked with this models. 

That gives us two infantry units to go along with our two heroes. Next we need something for the captured spells to be transported in or held in until they are brought back to a collegiate arcane headquarters or something of that sort. Using the Luminark kit as the base, I switched out the top laser scope thing for a couple of options. First up is a warpstone bit from the Skaven cannon and then some of the bits from Skaven endless spells to make it look like there is magical energy coming out of the stone.  

The second idea just changes out the top piece for one of the Luminark endless spell gems. I like the second idea better, showing a floating crystal radiating some magical energy as well. For this one, I'd add some chains around it, showing that it is attached to the cart and would otherwise float off or escape on it's own.

This army idea needs at least one more unit, maybe some cavalry? The gryph-chargers/hounds pulling the new Stormcast chariot might be good mounts. They are sort of horse sized and already have a saddle. Maybe the dark rider bodies with Freeguild heads could go on top of them. You'd need 3 chariot kits to get enough mounts for 5 cavalry but it maybe it would give the appearance that the expedition is approved or sanctioned by Azyrheim and the mounts were a gift.

At the end of the, the best part of this army idea is probably coming coming up to the game table blasting Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". I mean look at this model, and then just change a few of the words. 

She walks warily down the street 

With her brim pulled way down low

Ain't no sound but the sound of her feet

Crossbows ready to go

Are you ready hey are you ready for this?

Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?

Out of the doorway the spell fires rip

To the sound of the beat yeah

Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust

And another one gone and another one gone

Another one bites the dust

Hey I'm gonna get you too

Another one bites the dust