“Pre-Game
The clan rat arrives with word that the skeleton ships of the Guardians of the Lurking God have arrived. After their last performance the pair of Nightlords are hesitant to play another match away from the confines on the Infinity Pit in this Winter Season. Nightlord Kratskittar peers down from the tower window as the massive Kroq-Ras disembark, “Throiskikkcin my friend, our blades as sharp as they are will have trouble piercing those old bones.” “Not to worry Kratty,” the ashen furred older Nightlord replies, “have you never gnawed on an old bone to get to the sweet marrow beneath? One knife may not crack the bone but many knives acting as many teeth will give us that sweet reward.” The younger Nightlord nods his head but casts one more worried glance out of the window before heading down to don his kit.

Game-Time
Nightlord Kratskittar gives a toothy smirk as he trots out onto the field to the raspy cheers of the hearty Skaven crowd, easily doubling the few scattered skeletons that litter the stands of their opponent. Unsure of the capabilities of the mighty skelesaurs the Nightlords arrange the squad into a conservative but unbalanced defensive front and await the kickoff.

The front pays off immediately as Vasquee the Greywhisker nimbly dodges the block of the mighty Chakhamen Blood River and uses the momentum of the much larger creature to throw him to the ground. This sudden turn of events momentarily stuns the Guardians and the Lords take full advantage rushing forward with Nightmaster Gnawnagar able to scoop the ball right from under Tutencal the Harvester. The Lords are able to move forward and put into motion a set play they had drilled in the pre-match practices, with Nightlord Kratskittar rushing forward and taking the handoff from Nightmaster Gnawnagar for the score.

Lords of the Silent Death 1 – Guardians of the Lurking God 0

Feeling haughty with their early score Nightlord Throiskikkcin encourages his squad to keep the pressure on and does his part by swiping the Guardians playbook, enabling them to set up a perfect defense as the kick sailed deep into the Guardians territory. The Guardians however, were ready for such treachery and retaliated with swift violence sending two rats to the bench in short order. Nightmaster Gnawnager is able to skirt the scrum and dart into the backfield, away from the mighty limbs of the Kroq-Ra, putting pressure on the hard-handed Saurus Throw-Ra. The Nightmaster’s daring ploy pays-off as the ball slips from the bony fingers of the Throw-Ra and into the heart of the jeering Skaven crowd who promptly toss the ball back into the middle of the pitch, within easy reach of Nightmaster Arrdrak who pitches the ball to NM Gnawnagar for another tally. NM Arrdrak basks in the cheers from the crowd and he misses the lone set of blood-red eyes that stare malevolently at him from the depths of the adoring crowd.
Lords of the Silent Death 2 – Guardians of the Lurking God 0
Up by two the Lords have one more chance to score before the half as the Guardians play fast and lose in an attempt to close the gap before the break. The ball skips free near mid-field bouncing of several Lords who have been rendered unconscious. Nightmaster Arrdrak spies NIghtmaster Nurgrin in scoring position and speeds forward in hopes of completing another scoring pass. His long nimble fingers grip the ball and as he looks up to prepare his advance his eyes lock with those hate filled red-eyes in the crowd making his blood run cold and the ball tumbles from his numb fingers as the gong sounds half-time, drowning out the groans of the disappointed fans eager to see another score.

Lords of the Silent Death 2 – Guardians of the Lurking God 0

Arrogant with a two score lead the Nightmasters relent to the desires of the clan rats and allow the opium slinging crowd hawkers into the locker-room at the half. As the chime rings to call the players back to the pitch the Lords enter from a haze of purplish smoke, glassy-eyed and completely unprepared for the second half. The Lords are just able to form some semblance of a defense before the mighty Guardians, moving with surprising speed to the clouded senses of the rats, swarm forward and surround the ball on the ensuing kickoff. The scrum that ensues is fearsome indeed as fur flies and bones rattle as the two teams struggle to gain control of the ball. Nightmaster Arrdrak spies an opening for the ball and taking a calculated risk charges Chakhamen Blood River one-on-one. The block goes poorly however resulting with the massive creature falling on top of the Nightmaster, breaking his collar bone. The apothecary is summoned forth but not before a hefty bag of warpstone tokens is given to him by the shifty red-eyed rat who hides a sharp-toothed evil grin as the apothecary rushes out. The crowd moans in despair as the apothecary clumsily severs the spine of the fallen Nightmaster, but this is blood bowl and the match must go on. Only one set of eyes in the Infinity Pit are not on the action on the field but these blood-red eyes are on the pool of blood that is slowly soaking into the churned turf, and again a sharp-toothed grin spreads beneath those eerie eyes. With a healthy lead and still-clouded heads the Lords back off when the Guardians finally come up with the ball. Allowing the Guardians to march up the field to the end zone.

Lords of the Silent Death 2 – Guardians of the Lurking God 1

Knowing their lead is safe The Night Lords briefly consider pulling back and winding down the clock but these born killers know only the attack and move forward into scoring position for a possible 3rd score before the end of the match. The Guardians again plow into the lightly armored rats but a narrow opening appears and Nightmaster Gnawnagar hustles forward to hand the ball off to NIghtmaster Nurgrin who speeds for the end zone, his long legs eating the turf knowing he will have to strain to cross the goal-line before time expires. The last thing he remembers before colliding with the hard pitch is seeing the shrewdly hidden tripwire peeking from the trimmed grass and a pair of blood-red eyes over a sharped-tooth grin.

Lords of the Silent Death 2 – Guardians of the Lurking God 1

Post-Game
The Guardians of the Lurking God sail off in their skeleton ships as the Lords of the Silent Death file into the bowls of the Infinity Pit for the ceremony of the Silent Death which will honor their fallen brother, Nightmaster Arrdrak. The ceremony is a short one as deaths are a way of life to those who follow the Art of the Silent Death. Soon the somber mood is replaced with a celebratory one as Nightlords Throiskikkcin and Kratskittar introduce their newest member, Nightmaster Azhiskikk . A dark hooded sly rat recently returned from the West. The rest of the squad welcome the new brother with open arms but Nightmaster Nurgrin, for reasons he can’t quite place, cannot help but feel unnerved by Azhiskikk’s blood-red eyes and sharp-toothed grin.


*Coaches Note: Fun match Beloghan, not looking forward to facing the mighty Guardians again. Good luck this season.
MLS”