Border Princes: Turn 7 Moves & Resolution

23rd Vorgeheim, 2516 IC

Esteemed colleagues, you and the worthies of the Empire should know that forces under the banner of the Ruinous Powers are now marching on the lower reaches of Black Fire Pass.  It is imperative that the Emperor, our dwarf allies in the Black Mountains and, especially, the Marius Leitdorf, Averland’s Elector, are made aware of this dire turn of events.  It goes without saying that Black Fire Pass must be reinforced and held.  Where this leaves Imperial interests in the Border Princes, cut off as we are from support from the Empire?  Well, I shall see what can be done.

-Herr Gavius Klugge, of the Order of Shadow

26th Vorgeheim, 2516 IC

Bretonnian lords are mustering their vassals, retainers and peasants at the South Road-Silk Road Crossroads and in the forest surrounds, pitching their gaily coloured tents and setting up their ridiculous tourneys and jousts and festivals.  Indeed, whoever finally wins the Border Princes might find themselves starving to death if the Bretonnians find any more excuses for a feast!  Let us hope they are pointing their lances towards Malko!

-GK

27th Vorgeheim, 2516 IC

Inexplicably, the Greenskin force advancing along the Old Silk Road before Malko set off into the forests to the north today, leaving nary a trace.  What diabolical scheme inspired by the Greenskins' Chaotic allies is this?

-GK

30th Vorgeheim, 2516 IC

My lackwit apprentice Adolphus sends word that the Young Henri and his Gallant Companions, increasingly surrounded by both Greenskins and the forces of Chaos, have turned eastwards and are freeing the slaves taken by the Orcs and Goblins along the north bank of the Blood River.  The orcs and goblins themselves continue to gather in great numbers around their traditional Ironclaw mustering grounds.  Meanwhile their allies, the vile servants of the Ruinous Powers, are claiming the lands to the north of the eastern stretches of the Silk Road, and have seized the East bank of the Thunder River in the wake of Young Henri’s departure.  Could it be that this ‘heroic’ young Bretonnian gallant is FLEEING from the forces of Chaos?  

-GK

Geheimnisnacht (Night of Mysteries), 2516 IC


The danse macabre and the japes with skulls and costumes are packed away long before nightfall in the Border Princes, for the dead here are without number and many did not have a peaceful death.  All is quiet in Malko's streets now save the priest of Morr and his procession, there to keep the dead at bay.  'Tis said that the spirits of the Geistenmund Hills will be abroad tonight, and no man, woman or child in the Border Princes will leave their home this night lest they be snatched away to those ancient Barrows 'ere the dawn...

-GK

6th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

The Greenskin force which departed into the woods north of Malko has returned from whence they came in small scattered groups.  By means of my eyeglass I could tell that they were battered, confused (well, more so than normal) and somewhat reduced in number… my guess is that they became lost and were harried by the spirits abroad on Geheimnisnacht!  Whatever the cause, the half-wit Lord of Malko was too spineless to lead a sally out and destroy them in their weakened, divided state, and now I fear the opportunity is lost!

-GK

14th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

Our colleague, Herr Oliver Heinnman of the Order of Light, sends alarming news that the undead forces of long-forgotten Nehekhara have pushed westwards across the northern bank of the central Blood River and through the forests surrounding the Imperial Blood River Bastion.  Our own eastward advance has been thrown into disarray as one of the skeletal legions has marched between our banners and is threatening the Imperial Bastion itself!  Grand Master Reichardt is leading his division in a desperate attempt to meet the Nehekharans before they reach the centre of Imperial power in the Border Princes… Sigmar grant him speed!

In the wake of the Neherakhan threat Imperial forces continue to secure and pacify the villages, holdings and manor houses around Malko.  Most of the petty lords here are apparently only all too willing to accept the Empire’s protection in these dark times.

- Gavius Klugge

17th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

Victory is ours, esteemed colleagues!  Grandmaster Reichardt and his division, marching through the night, were able to intercept the legion of skeletal warriors marching on the Imperial Blood River Bastion.  Joined by the vanguard of another returning Imperial division, the Grandmaster lead our State Troops to victory over the Nehekharans who, surrounded on all sides by Imperial forces, crumbled as if into sand and blew away towards the West.  Tragically, the Grandmaster himself did not live to see his victory to fruition… 

Here follows an excerpt from Tomas the Penitent's psalter  (Tomas was a survivor of the Battle for the Blood River Empire Battalion headquarters or as is commonly referred to "Reichardt's Sacrifice") [Many thanks to our Empire player for this amazing, fluffy report.]

17th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

"And I saw the Grand Master Karl-Heinz Reichardt, resplendent in his polished armour, charge into the skeletal horde that shambled relentlessly towards our battle line. Thinking nothing of his, nor his bodyguard's safety, and only the defense of the Empire battalion outpost he commanded utter respect from his men. Indeed, such was their esteem of the man that they would follow him to whatever end on that very day. Positioned as I was in the unit of greatswords adjacent the braying horses of the knights, I could hear Reichardt's words immediately before the suicide charge. He urged to his men: 'Our is not to question why, brothers, 'tis but to do and die!' as he kicked his spurs into his horse and galloped towards the enemy. This act of daring bought our battle line enough time to steady its flanks and draw the enemy cavalry back to its centre, instead of charging the embattled Demi Gryphons who were amidst battle with the savage Khemrian Sphynx. 

Despite his valiant efforts, Master Reinhardt and his bodyguard were rebuffed and cut down as they retreated. Fueled by this tragic sight, my comrades and I were filled with such a rage - as if summoning Sigmar's own divine wrath - that when we engaged the enemy our blades carved through the dusty bones of infantryman and horseman alike. It was as if the goddess Bironna herself had favoured us, making time appear to stand still, such was the efficacy of our work. Heinmann believes his magic one the day, however, to see the blood and sweat of our men it is clear to me that our faith alone in Sigmar one through. Praise be to Sigmar. 

Indeed, as we hacked at the perfidious foe until none remained and the hissing engine of Conqueror died down, it was clear that the victory - Reichardt's victory - was delivered through the sacrifice and daring of our brave commander alone. And the reprieve, such as it was, would prove to be only short lived...."

Tomas the Penitent

Reichardt’s Sacrifice, part of the Border Princes War of 2516-2518 IC
Date: 17th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC
Location: A small settlement Territory 90
Result: Decisive Empire Victory (Crushing Victory)
Belligerents
The Empire (Reichardt’s Imperial Bastion)	Tomb Kings (Cohort of the Sun)
Commanders
Grand Master Karl-Heinz Reichardt †	Pho’tum, High Priest of Ptra (†?)
Other Leaders
Captain Wilhelm Zeigier	Wosret, Prophet of Woe (†?)
Captain Bruno Schille
Oliver Heinmann (Wizard Lord of the Lore of Light)
(Mad) Werner of the Wildmoor (Battle Wizard of the Lore of Beasts
Tomas the Penitent, Warrior Priest of Sigmar
Strength
2700 pts.	2250 pts.
Casualties
709 pts.	1995 pts.
†=killed in battle

22nd Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

The woods to the south east of Malko now said to be crawling with orcs, goblins and worse.  No word has been heard of those few stubborn woodsmen who lived in isolated villages and had thus far refused to abandon their woodland homes for Malko, but there is little mystery as to their fate, for all through the night the citizens hear the howling of dire wolves and the terrible, terrible shrieks of the hunted.  It cannot be long now before the hammer falls.

-GK

Faction	Normal Territories	Special Territories	Total Territories	Razed Territories	Victory Points	Banners	Alliances
Bretonnians	11	1	12	0	16	5	Empire
Empire	12	1	13	0	17	5	Bretonnia
Orcs and Goblins	10	1	11	0	15	4	Tomb Kings, Warriors of Chaos
Tomb Kings	11	0	11	0	11	4	Orcs and Goblins, Warriors of Chaos
Warriors of Chaos	14	0	14	0	14	4	Orcs and Goblins, Tomb Kings