The autumn rain hammered down on the armoured column as it wound its way northwards through a narrow defile in the Apuccini Mountains. They were nearing their goal now, and the troops were fighting off the weariness of six days forced march. At the head of the column, the unit's lieutenant pushed his helmet up and mopped the water from his face. 'I'll be glad when this job's over,' he commented. 'You're not alone there, Renzo,' replied his chief,' Once we've finished here I think we'll go to Araby. I've heard there's a new prophet sprung up there.'

Renzo nodded. 'Just what we need,' he said, 'Lots of sunshine and nice, simple little holy war. You know where you are with that sort of job - better than all this political messing about. What a business, eh? All because of an apple, a piece of string and three initiate priestesses.' 'And the use which the Duke of Organza's son and heir was putting said items,' his leader reminded him, 'And the fact that one of the initiate priestesses was none other than the youngest daughter of our noble patron. Anyway, its all money.'

They turned a sharp bend in the gully to find their way blocked by a solid wall of pikemen. Suddenly, archers appeared on either side of the sheer gully sides, and a carefully-prepared landslide blocked the way behind them. 'Form up!' bellowed their leader, 'Hollow square- MOVE!' It was obvious that they had walked into a trap, and one from which they had little chance of walking away. Professionals to the last, the mercenaries readied their weapons and prepared to sell their lives dearly.

'Mordini!' came a shout from the opposing ranks. The mercenary captain squinted through the rain. 'Sardo?' he shouted back. 'I thought we were on the same side! Have you sold Lumbrusco out?' 'Not quite,' came the reply. 'Duke Fabriano sold you out. The whole war with Organza is a set-up-your death was one of the alliance conditions. You're too effective for your own good. Mordini-he began to worry about what would happen if you turned against him.'
Renzo spat loudly. 'Politics!' he grunted, 'What did I tell you?' 'Mordini?' Sardo continued, 'I don't need to tell you that this is not of my choosing.' 'Understood!' Mordini answered, 'Just don't expect it to be easy. And if you do kill me, tell Duke Fabriano this- he hasn't heard the last of Mordini, someday, somehow, accounts will be settled for this day!'

Ennio Mordini was one of the most powerful mercenary captains ever to serve among the Tilean City States. For most of his career, he and his men served Duke Fabriano of Lumbrusco, expanding that state's fortunes considerably. Their success began to worry their patron, especially since it was not unknown for Tilean mercenary units to seize control of the states which they were supposed to be serving. When the neighboring state of Organza offered a lucrative allaince on condition that Mordini's troops were disposed of, Fabriano seized the opportunity and sent them into an ambush which none survived.

Mordini swore just before he died that he would be avenged on his treacherous employer. Barely five years later, an army of undead skeletons poured out of the Appucci Mountains, under the tattered banner of Mordini. Fuelled by their hatred, the dead soldiers cut the armies of Lumbrusco to ribbons, and razed the city to the ground. It is said that Duke Fabriano spent seven days and seven nights dying. Now the Doomed Legion has turned against Organza and the other City States, destroying everything in their path as they avenge themselves upon the double-dealing princes who connived at their murder.

Battlecry : Lacking important things like lungs and vocal cords, the legion has no battlecry.

Deeds : While they were alive, Mordini's mercenaries won a number of great victories against the enemies of Duke Fabriano of Lumbrusco. They are most remembered, however for the assault and destruction of Lumbruso. It is rumored that Mordini has now re-fortified the city, and established a dead court there. It appears, though, that no-one living has been close enough to find out.

Uniforms : The legion's colours are green and gold. Although they no longer wear anything that could be recognized as a uniform, the colours are sometimes visible on the tattered rags of clothing that occasionally survive. The shield design is a skull with a red surround on a dark green field. Shield rims are gold.

If you wish to include the Nightmare Legion in your army you must take both Ennio and Renzo

For Hire: The Regiment can be hired as a Special Unit in Dogs of War armies.  Alternatively, they can be hired as a Rare Unit in other Warhammer armies, except Bretonnia, Dwarfs, High Elves, Wood Elves and Lizardmen.

EQUIPMENT : Light Armour, Shield, Wight Blade, Skabskrath

MAGIC ITEMS : Mordini always carries Skabskrath (same rules as the Sword of the Kings).

RENZO AVANTI.......................24 points

EQUIPMENT : Renzo is equipped with a Wight Blade, light armour and shield.

0 - 1 UNIT OF THE NIGHTMARE LEGION......................11 points per model

UNIT SIZE: 20+

EQUIPMENT : The Nightmare legion are armed with a sword and a halberd. They wear light armour and carry shields.

SAVE : 5+

OPTIONS : 

• Upgrade one Skeleton into a Musician for +5 pts.
• Upgrade one Skeleton into a Standard Bearer for +10 pts.
• If the unit has a Standard Bearer, then they may carry a magic banner worth up to 50 points.

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