Border Princes: Turn 10 Moves

Border Princes: Turn 9 Moves and Resolution

[GM Note: Once again, there will be a delay in Gavius's summation of this turn's events - thought it best to keep the campaign moving.  Also, from now on Gavius Klugge's comments will be in a more manageable, condensed format, much like the new battle reports.  Anyone who wants to create their own war correspondent for one or more events is of course more than welcome!  PS: Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for the current stats on territories, banners, victory points, etc.]

Faction	Normal Territories	Special Territories	Total Territories	Razed Territories	Victory Points	Banners	Allies
Bretonnians	12	1 (Tor Anrok)	13	0	17	5	Empire
Empire	15	1 (Aldium)	16	0	20	6	Bretonnia
Ogre Kingdoms	20	0	20	0	20	7	Orcs and Goblins
Orcs and Goblins	11	1 (Iron Claw Camp)	12	0	16	4*	Ogre Kingdoms
*Note that while Orcs & Goblins are entitled to 5 banners, they cannot form their fifth banner until they recapture their HQ.

Border Princes: Turn 9 Moves

Border Princes: Turn 8 Moves and Resolution

24^th Nachgeheim

Having already secured the southern stretches of Black Fire Pass, the Ogres seem to be pushing south and west rather than upwards into the Empire.  I am assuming, dear colleagues, that Imperial coin (and generous quantities of Averland beef!) has bought the Ogre mercenaries off invading the Southern Empire… would it not have been possible to find a little extra gold and victuals to keep them off our backs down here in the Border Princes?

Herr Gavius Klugge, Shadow Wizard

26^th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

Frustrating tidings from our commanders to the Southwest, dear colleagues.  The Nehekharan force which was beaten back from our Blood River Bastion (at the cost of Grandmaster Reichardt’s life and many other worthies no less!) has evaded the pursuit and vengeance of two Imperial divisions sent to destroy them.  What fell ancient magics must we contend with!  Not only do the dead continue to rise even as we strike them down, their ancient commanders are cunning beyond measure and difficult to corner!

30^th Nachgeheim, 2516 IC

A force of Ogre mercenaries has marched into the Blood River Bogs where they have been welcomed by their allies, the Nehekharans.  This development could bode ill for our own conflict with the ancient dead of Nehekhara.

2^nd Erntzeit 2516 IC

Victory this day for the Empire, Karl Franz and Sigmar, for our Imperial forces have successfully defended the small hamlet of Franzburg from Nehekharan invaders.  The Neherakhans were apparently commanded by Num’keb the Erratic himself, and so furious was their assault that the local Shrine of Sigmar was destroyed.  However, backed by the Franzburg garrison and local militiamen and hunters, an Imperial force under the command of the Lector Albrecht the Righteous saved the remainder of the hamlet and thus secured the vital South Road which links our Blood River Bastion with our Bretonnian allies to the North. 

5^th Ernzeit 2516 IC

Word from the West is that our a host of our Bretonnian allies has set out into the mountains to the North of their castle fastness.

7^th Ernzeit 2516 IC

The poor citizens of Malko were briefly given the false hope of salvation these past days as the howls of wolves and shrieks of death fell silent in the woods to the west, while the orcs and goblins encamped along the Silk Road struck camp and marched – not towards Malko’s gates but North and into the dimness of the woods.  The fool lord of Malko suggested that the Greenskins had deemed Malko’s walls impregnable and taken flight.  Can you believe the people I have to work with?

The relief and joy of Malko’s citizens was soon squelched when a further throng of orcs and goblins emerged from the western woods and set up camp around the fire pits of their fellows, bearing aloft before them the grisly trophies of the woodsfolk they had been hunting.  When word reached the hungry, wretched citizens of Malko who were just celebrating their victory, the riots were almost predictable, and I have had to be many places at once to prevent the worst of the bloodshed in the streets turning into total anarchy.  Fortunately, dear colleagues, being in many places at once is something an old Grey Wizard like myself still knows how to do!

-Gavius Klugge

9^th Ernzeit 2516 IC

It seems conflict has erupted between our enemies!  A horde of Greenskins have reclaimed the East bank of the Thunder River from their erstwhile Ogre allies, slaughtering the skeleton force of ogres left their to defend it in what has been described as a brief but spectacularly bloody massacre.  Whether this is a sign of lasting hostilities between the Orcs and Ogres or merely a symptom of frustration at minimal bloodshed remains to be seen, dear colleagues.  For now at least, however, the Ogre-Greenskin alliance is in tatters. 

Will this turn of events deliver us from our fate here in Malko?  I am not so sure.  It may be that it is just a question of whether these poor folk end up in the goblins’ cookpot or the ogres!

11^th Ernzeit 2516 IC

Who would have thought to hear such good tidings in such a dark age!  With the death… er… again… or at least ‘corporeal demise’ of Num’keb the Erratic, the legions of Nehekharan undead across the Border Princes seem to be disintegrating into naught more than bone, bronze and lapis, before blowing away to the south on a strange dry wind.  It seems, dear colleagues, that the ancient magics binding this force from the depths of time has withered with the will of its commander, and all across the Border Princes those who survived the Tomb Kings’ enslavement are shaking off their chains!

14^th Erntzeit 2516 IC

More bad news for the citizens of Malko, for a crusading force of Bretonnians which attacked the Greenskins encamped along the Silk Road has been dealt a crushing defeat.  Commanded by the warlike Baron Odo, uncle to Young Henri and a seasoned and bloody warrior from numerous campaigns in Araby, the Bretonnians outnumbered their foes and enjoyed some initial successes.  However, arrogance got the better of the Bretonnians, and after a reckless charge their glittering knights were torn asunder by the furious assault of the savage orcs and devoured by the gaping maws of horrific squigs… less than one third of the proud Bretonnians under Odo’s command are said to have escaped the slaughter.  It is said that the Baron himself had to be ordered to withdraw from the field by one of those meddling damsels, and that his shame and fury at this defeat are beyond measure.

This Baron Odo’s besmirched honour is little to the folk of Malko, however.  His defeat may well be the death warrant of all within these walls. 

-GK

27^th Erntzeit 2516 IC

The host of Lord Tybalt du Boix de Balzac, the current liege of the most prominent émigré Bretonnian family in the Border Princes, has attempted to drive a greenskin force from the woods north of Malko but been driven back.  Tybalt was apparently striking at the lost Bretonnian abbey of La Maisonvert, which has long been reclaimed by the woods but is still of strategic significance for those trying to hold these untamed lands.  More cautious than his brother-in-law Odo, Tybalt managed to restrain his vassals from a headlong charge against the orcs, instead attempting to draw them out of their positions for a more timely assault, but the Greenskin gods themselves (some reports say Gork, others Mork) apparently foiled his plans in spectacularly bloody fashion.  Come nightfall, the Greenskin defense had still not broken and Tybalt was forced to leave the field to the orcs.

-Gavius Klugge  

Faction	Normal Territories	Special Territories	Total Territories	Razed Territories	Victory Points	Banners	Allies
Bretonnians	11	1	12	0	16	5	Empire
Empire	13	1	14	0	18	5	Bretonnia
Ogre Kingdoms	16	0	16	0	16	6	Tomb Kings
Orcs and Goblins	12	1	13	0	17	4*	Tomb Kings
Tomb Kings**	12	0	12	0	12	5	Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs and Goblins,
*Note that while Orcs & Goblins are entitled to 5 banners, they cannot form their new banner until they recapture their HQ. **Note that the Tomb Kings player withdrew from the campaign at the end of this turn.

Border Princes: Turn 8 Moves

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

Border Princes: Turn 7 Moves

And we have battle!

Border Princes: Turn 6

Sonnestil (Summer Solstice), 2516 IC

Sonnestil, the Summer Solstice, and those who can stomach it have razed a maypole and are dancing and singing the bawdy ditties of Midsummer.  Few of Malko's youths seem to be sneaking out to cavort in the woods and fields, however.  Many have been swayed by the stern, unflinching zeal of the flagellants, preachers and doomsayers which swarm the streets, and those that remain are probably afeard of goblin scouts prowling the woods, for the Greenskins have crossed the Thunder River to the South East.

Having failed to prevent the orcs and goblins from crossing at the bridge, Young Henri lead his Bretonnian force south to attack the orcs and goblins who were reportedly mutinying after a failed attempt at crossing the river.  Adolphus writes that the Bretonnians once again arrived too late, however.  All that remained of the Greenskin force were the corpses of those who had died in the failed rebellion and the leaders who had been dispatched by the chief Orc warlord: The remainder of the Greenskin force had already put ashore on the west bank with their rickety flotilla of rafts and longboats.

-Gavius Klugge

2nd Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Three divisions of our Imperial forces have marched forth from the lands around the central Blood River and around their fortress in a united battlefront, pressing eastwards into the territories seized by the dead from Nehekhara.  Word is that one division has already secured the woods to the west of their headquarters, while another has liberated the plains south of the Blood River Bogs from their long-dead taskmasters. 

-GK

4th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Poor tidings, dear colleagues for the Imperial division advancing on the Blood River Bogs has been forced to withdraw after a long and arduous slog through the fetid swamps in the heat of midsummer.  The steam contraptions of the engineers (unreliable at the best of times!) malfunctioned disastrously, and our troops were afflicted with heat, thirst (for the fresh water in the bogs is scarce) and swamp-fever.  

Our huntsmen were able to penetrate deeper into the Bogs than the rest of our forces.  Those who returned reported that many of their comrades were pulled to their death in the much by great serpents.  However, a few especially skilled trackers were able to find their way right to the Neherakan encampment, which was being fortified by great throngs of slaves, both living and dead.

6th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Dire news!  Word from my lackwit apprentice Adolphus is that Young Henri and his knightly host have been cut off in Greenskin territory by a band of blasphemous warriors and barbarians marching under the banners of the Dark Powers, who have seized the vital bridge over the central Thunder River.  From my ravens I can tell you that the bridge is now adorned by gibbets and stakes and the cadavers of their victims.  What is clear now is that Young Henri's bluster about being 'Malko's Defender' was just that.  Panic is beginning to set in behind our all-too-flimsy palisade.

9th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Unrest in Malko!  The town was celebrating the the Emperor Sigismund's heroic death with the ceremonial plunging of the lord's sword into a ram skull representing Gorbad Ironclaw's wyvern when news reached the town that a greenskin force has begun marching westwards along the Old Silk Road, looting, burning or enslaving the smaller settlements and inns along the way.  The timing was unfortunate and between Malko's idiot lord and his jumpy mercenaries, the zealots, flagellants and firebrands crying hellfire and brimstone, and a hungry, frightened populace it is perhaps unsurprising that all hell broke loose.  The riots have been (brutally) suppressed, but I fear that agents of the Ruinous Powers continue to operate from the city, and we may be in danger of falling from within long before the Greenskin's reach Malko's palisades.

-Gavius Klugge  

10^th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

I have taken abroad with my ravens once again, esteemed colleagues, to form an accurate estimation of the Greenskin threat and, perhaps, find the slimmest opportunity for Malko’s survival.  I already knew that the orcs and goblins seem to be advancing westward on two fronts: along the Old Silk Road directly east of here and in the forests to the south east, where they have newly managed to cross the Thunder River.

My feathered friends have shown me two more large Greenskin threats.  Orcs and goblins are gathering in huge numbers in the traditional Ironclaw Orc lands around the Idols of Gork and Mork (or is it the other way around?), though I cannot guess at their intention.  The other force is digging in and erecting crude fortifications and defences around their camps along the eastern stretches of the Old Silk Road.  Whether this defensive activity was provoked by Young Henri’s Gallant Companions upon the nearby bridge or by the hordes of Chaos warriors boiling south from the Black Mountains I cannot say.  My hope would be the latter, though my guess would be the former… for there remains no doubt in my mind that the forces of the Dark Powers and the orcs and goblins are working in concert.

Oh, did I not mention the hordes of chaos warriors boiling south from the Black Mountains?  Well there you have it, esteemed colleagues, we have hordes of orcs from the east and every cultist and heretic in the Border Princes from the north ready to join their vanguard at the bridge across the Thunder… and right now there is more or less just ME here to deal with it (probably less, because I have to keep cleaning up the messes my feckless apprentices make of things). 

A little extra support would be much appreciated lest the Electors would rather this lot begins heading towards Black Fire Pass towards their soft feather beds.

-Gavius Klugge, (frustrated) Grey Wizard

13^th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Alarmed at developments in the East, more and more of the petty lords southeast of Malko are throwing in their lot with the Imperial division claiming lands there. 

Northeast of Malko the Bretonnians hold sway, distributing lands amongst their knights where they are available and accepting the fealty of those lordlings who could not otherwise face the coming onslaught alone.  Bretonnian knights are now said to be patrolling the upper reaches of the South Road.

-GK

16^th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Fell tidings!  The bridge over the upper Thunder River has been taken by the forces of Chaos! 

With the fall of the bridge, esteemed colleagues, passage from the Border Princes into the Empire via Black Fire Pass is all but impossible.  For our Imperial forces stationed here it means that any hope of reinforcement from the Empire is gone… the opportunity for that has passed.  Rather we must continue to draw upon those Border Princes of Imperial descent to fill our ranks.

Furthermore, there is now scant hope of retreat for our Imperial forces should the situation become untenable here.  If the worst comes to the worst, they may have to fall back south west towards Barak Varr and the mercy of the Dwarfs, perhaps taking passage to Tilea.

-         Gavius Klugge

19^th Vorgheim, 2516 IC

Ill luck for our Imperial forces, dear colleagues!  A legion of undead Neherakan warriors has struck boldly between a gap in our Imperial divisions as they advanced eastwards.  How the long-dead warriors knew where to advance remains something of a mystery, though I suspect the involvement of those carrion birds or other foul sorcery. 

Regardless, this fell turn of events has not only jeopardised our eastward advance, but has allowed the Neherakans within striking distance of our Imperial fortress!  I shall get little sleep this night until I know that our fortress is secure, for if it falls so do our hopes at keeping these lands and their peoples within the safe orbit of our Empire!

-Gavius Klugge

Faction	Normal Territories	Special Territories	Total Territories	Razed Territories	Victory Points	Banners	Alliances
Bretonnians	9	1	10	0	14	4	Empire
Empire	10	1	11	0	15	4	Bretonnia
Orcs and Goblins	10	1	11	0	15	4	Tomb Kings, Warriors of Chaos
Tomb Kings	9	0	9	0	9	4	Orcs and Goblins, Warriors of Chaos
Warriors of Chaos	11	0	11	0	11	4	Orcs and Goblins, Tomb Kings