Talomir Tales

Autumn 990 - Campaign Update

2011-10-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

Autumn is usually a time of harvest festivals and peaceful feasting. This year it seems to be a last opportunity for nations to take what they can from their neighbours. At the end of Summer the only war had finished with a Mirish victory over Hykar. Now there are five wars starting. Mirholme and Tereken are suffering from wars of unification. Treyine is being invaded by Seniira and Zog-Rot, while Lothgolin is attacking Mirish. Interesting times lie ahead. Who will be the victors in the upcoming struggles? Only the gods of war know.

(Click the map for a larger image)

Summer 990 - Battle at Ford's Crossing

2011-10-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

The Hykar army had deployed in two wings. Light cavalry were on the left flank across the river, ready to sweep around the Mirish flank and cause chaos and confusion in the Mirish ranks. Hardecg Legbiter was on the right flank with the other half of the light cavalry. Their job was to crack the Mirish nut. They would cross at the bridge and use their superior mobility to fall on the Mirish flank and rear while they were distracted by the left flank. The Mirish deployed with light infantry on their right flank and light cavalry on their left flank. Their heavy cavalry was right of centre while their elephants and ogres were left of centre.

The initial manoeuvres went well. The Hykari ponygirls were able to draw off the enemy skirmish infantry, surround them and drive them from the field at little cost to themselves. The enemy light cavalry was also drawn quickly to the right flank.
(Hykari movements marked by blue arrows and Mirish by red. For reference, the Mirish also have lighter bases. Click the pics for larger versions)

Although the enemy light cavalry was destroyed they astoundingly managed to rout a larger number of Hykari ponygirls.

With most of the Mirish light infantry destroyed and the rest about to be destroyed, the Hykari ponygirls set about harassing the Mirish Clibanarii, although enemy cataphracts managed to catch and drive from the field a unit of Hykari.
(Mirish Cataphracts are the top two stands in this photo)

With the enemy light cavalry destroyed, Hardecg Legbiter rallied her troops to her and took up position behind a hedge. The enemy sent in Ogres and Elephants at her and she drove off the first unit of elephants, who stampeded over the enemy levy infantry and destroyed them.

As the action on the Hykari right flank became more desperate, the war artist was unable to capture the images of it. In the swirling melee between the Ogres, remaining Elephants and the brave Hykari girls, Hardecg was knocked from her horse and badly wounded. Despite this, her troops fought on, but were overwhelmed without her leadership.

Meanwhile, on the left flank, two units of ponygirls remained. They had given the Mirish Clibanarii a pasting (The dice show hits. Those Clibanarii were not going to be a serious part of the fighting now with so many hits on them). The Cataphracts, who were fresh, were a different matter. Their horse rumbled slowly across the ground towards the heroic ponygirls, who decided that discretion was the better part of valour.

The result was a close-fought Mirish victory with no permanent casualties on either side. As long as the Hykar light cavalry were able to retain formation they were a serious threat to the Mirish and could have fought on. Unfortunately the loss of their leader to a freak OOF result left them scuppered. With her war rating they could have retained formation, regrouped and taken the fight to the enemy. Without her the Mirish were able to focus on smaller groups of Hykari and destroy them piecemeal. Steve's comment about the light cavalry was one of amazement at the brutality of their attacks in the early game. Clearly we are learning to use them properly now.

The National Elf Service

2011-09-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Elves of Lothgolin, or Silver Elves as they are colloquially known, once rules the whole world. Nowadays they are confined to a single province and beset on all sides by humanity, Orcs, Goblins and evil Elves. Yet, they have found a way to survive. Some say that they are in possession of a magical potion that gives each of them the strength of thirty men. Others say that they have great magics that cannot be defeated. Whatever the truth is, the Silver Elves have chosen now to emerge onto the world stage. One can only wonder what threat is so great that they should have to do so.

In Lothgolin it is the case that all adult Elves must serve in the army when they are young and that they are liable to be called back into the army when their land is threatened. This is the National Elf Service.

The bulk of the Elves in the army are archers, the feared Red Arrows, who are so called because of the colour of the fletching on their arrows.

The main melee force in the army are the Spearelves, here shown with their main commander, Kylee Lochalsh:

To support these two arms, a regiment of Elves was formed whose front rank deploys with spears while the rear rank fires arrows from behind the shields of the former. These marines, as they are known for no readily apparent reason, are few in numbers but of fearsome effectiveness.

The Unicorn Guard are the personal bodyguard of the Elven king. It is often unkindly commented by the rank and file that they are the Unicorn Guard because, when it comes to fighting, they are rare as Unicorn shit. Here we see the Guard deployed with their commander-in-chief and king, Elvish III:

Elves are magical people and they can usually call on the services of powerful magi to provide support for their armies. Here we see an Elven Druid, dressed in his ragged finery of animal skin and skull with horns. Elven Druids can have great power and are rumoured to be able to send entire forests on the rampage through the homes of those that have annoyed them.

The Elves will be joining the campaign next season. All figures are Baccus 6mm.

Summer 990 - Dear Barbax ...

2011-09-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Barbax,

I’m sorry to hear of your recent losses. I too find myself basically homeless. It will be difficult to return even to Harbottle, my home of many years.

Life is not too bad as a guest of the Treyine. Brother Superior, the former head of the Brethren has recently taken up residence nearby and we have discussed the future. Following these discussions I have decided to set up an academy for training in the martial skills. This will be at the Brethren preceptory in Harbottle. They have given me command of it. This will mean I can still protect the people of the Border from attack by Orcs and Goblins. It will also mean that the Brethren can live on in this form and train young people in the ways of the Brethren.

As the old saying goes ‘every dark cloud has a silver lining’. I find myself short of riding and archery instructors. I would therefore like to invite yourself and some of your clan to come to Harbottle and help with the school. Not quite sure how this will fit in with the Brethren philosophy, but Brother Superior seems to think it is a wonderful idea. As we are going to have young boarders staying at the school it may be good to have a ‘mother’ figure as well as a father figure.

I must admit I miss your company as well. It would also be good for your daughter to be raised in a good family atmosphere, unless, of course, her father is finally stepping forward and looking after her and doing the decent thing toward you. I find his behaviour totally bemusing and if you would let me have his name I shall go and knock some sense into him.

Yours Faithfully,
Brother Cedric

Summer 990 - Dear Cedric ...

2011-09-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Brother Cedric,

It is with heavy, but also glad, heart that I write you this letter. Many is the time we have talked of our future, but alas it is not to be. I have met my true love in the form of a Treyine nobleman, Sir Terence Bounder of Bounderingham and Caddington.

We could not help this. Our eyes met across my floury baps and we fell deeply in love. He is such a wonderful man and I’m sure you will like him, when you meet him. In fact he has arranged for you to be able to attend the wedding, so I hope you’ll come. Terrypoos says it would be a wonderful symbol of the Brethren acceptance of their friends from Treyine. I just think it would be nice.

Our wedding will be held in the Cathedral of Saint Martha the Submissive in Caddington. It’s what used to be the Cathedral of Saint Wilhelm the Vanquisher before its name was changed and it was re-consecrated.

Hope this letter finds you well,
Griselda

Summer 990 - Campaign Update

2011-08-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

Spring proved a bad time to be a ruler in Talomir. Ekra exists no more. Hykar is much reduced, although the war still goes on. The Rock has fallen under Treyine rule and the Brethren are now little more than puppets of the Treyine empire. Talomir is in upheaval and it seems likely that it can only get worse as Mirholme, The Capalan League and Tereken join the campaign. The viciousness of all this fighting seems to have left everyone a bit stunned and the only war this summer is a reprisal raid by the Hykar on the Mirish aimed at recovering lost territory.

Full army lists may be found on the Campaign Army Lists page. The leaders of each nation are all detailed on the National Leaders page.

Spring 990 - The Plain of Unfounded Hopes

2011-08-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

My Dearest Cedders,

It is with heavy heart and heavier belly that I must tell you the tragic news. I shall seek to join you in Treyine as soon as I can, for I have no Queendom at the moment. Do not worry though. Together we shall take back my inheritance and you shall rule at my side in Hykar. It's that Legbiter ratbag's fault, you know. She took half our army off to the south, leaving the Hykari vulnerable. I'll scratch her eyes out for that when I get my hands on her.

The Mirish army turned up in force with heffalumps and ogres and large numbers of heavy cavalry as well as infantry. We were totally outnumbered but we were dashed well going to do what we could to see them off.

As they advanced on us we took off on our ponies to ride rings round them. I sent a bunch of the girls off on to their flank and that caused some confusion while the rest of us set off to do our own bit.

They did not know what to do and were trying to send their foot troops all over the place. It's uncivilised, you know, all this running around on foot. Not for proper people. Their light cavalry was a bit rubbish too. We saw that off quickly enough.

Then came the crunch as my own bodyguard was charged by some cataphracts. We withstood the charge and gave better than we got, but could make them push off before their general joined the fray. My girls came to the rescue but were not up to the task of seeing off these oiks.

So, it was up to me to get rid of the blackguards. I think the sight of my fat ankles put them off and I soon sent them packing. Some of the girls were down but we had done more damage to them than they did to us. It was all looking so hopefully.

At that point it all went wrong. Their general charged into the flank of my bodyguard. I got a cramp in my belly and my pony bolted with the rest of the girls flying behind me. I swear I am going to eat this pony. It keeps bolting in the wrong direction at the wrong time.

That just left some of the girls on the field. I'm told they did what they could.

Jemima Neckslasher joined me after the battle. She was very full of herself. Turns out that she and some of her friends had drawn the enemy general on into their bows and turned his unit into Tropiliam cheese. He was last seen clinging to the saddle of a bolting horse as the rest of his bodyguard were fleeing as fast as they could for Mirish.

It's a shame it was too little too late. Had he fallen sooner I think we could have won, but that Mirish armour is really good stuff. With their arrows exhausted the girls could do no more than head for home, although they had certainly accounted for more of the enemy than we had lost. I am so proud of them.

So, Cedders, I have no home no and that Legbiter witch rules in the remains of Hykar. Had she not led a rebellion against me I feel sure that we would have prevailed in this battle. I hope you will forgive me that I have no more ponies to give you at the moment. Instead I must throw myself upon your mercy and ask you to take me in, a supplicant at your yurt. Please, Cedders, be kind when you see me. I know that I have not lived up to all that I should and have lost too much of Hykar, but I can still be queen again if you will help me.

Ever and always yours,
Barbax Gutripper

Spring 990 - Battle at the Old Swimming Hole

2011-08-31T05:00:00.001-07:00

My Dearest Cedders,

I cannot understand why you are still staying in Treyine. My girls tell me that it is quite the worst hotel they have ever seen with bars on the windows and the food ... well, words cannot describe the slop they serve there. The girls tell me that you are happy there though. I don't understand it, but I am happy that you are happy. I shall come to join you as soon as I can. However, first I must deal with the girl that claims to be the true ruler of the Hykari. Pah! Hardecg Legbiter is a jumped-up wannabe. No Legbiter has ever ruled the Hykari and none ever will. Right, must go now. The Legbiter ratbag wants to use the same swimming hole as my girls and that will not do. We're off to tear their hair out.

SWALK,
Barbax, True Queen of the Hykari

Dearest Cedders,

Well, the battle went jolly well, all things considered. We were outnumbered but the area around the Old Swimming Hole is not really cavalry country.

Hardecg was really keen to get to grips with us and her girls all charged whooping and hollering as if they thought that would scare us.

Well, what a shock she had. I led my girls in a charge against her line and pretty soon had her and some of her cronies backed up against a cliff, and me in my state too. It was an education, I tell you, to see her turn white and gallop her pony off out of there followed by her bodyguard and some of her other cronies. Ha! That showed her.

Unfortunately, my girls were not all as stout-hearted as I am, and my left wing collapsed pretty quickly, although not before getting some licks in against the remaining Legbiter supporters. My right wing was a bit windy too. More cumis next time, I think.

After that it was a real whirlwing melee. I went off after the Legbiters that had seen off my right wing while the others turned on the Legbiters in the centre.

I charged some of them into the actual Swimming Hole, you know. Well, if they wanted to swim, I was certainly not going to let them change their minds.

The rest of the Legbiters did rather well in the melee, mainly due to large numbers. Still, my girls held their own and there were only a couple of units of Legbiters left when the last of my girls headed for the pavilion.

I soon sorted them out too. No Legbiter is a match for a Gutripper and I surely showed them that as I was left Queen of the Hill at the end of it all. The Legbiters are all hotfooting it for the south now. Unfortunately I have heard reports of a Mirish invasion here in the north and must try to deal with it next.

I remain yours ever,
Barbax Gutripper

P.S. Not long now. I'll send for you before the happy event.

Meanwhile in Mirholme ...

2011-08-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

... the forces of Gunnar Broadaxe and his wicked uncle Olaf Squinteye face off against each other in yet another of their interminable peace talks. It is certain that Olaf will not hold to the terms of the treaty and that Gunnar and he will have peace talks for as long as both can hold an axe.

Mirholme is a tribal society. Each of the provinces is ruled by the most powerful chieftain there (Gunnar and Olaf at the moment) and Mirholme will only ever rise to greatness if a powerful king can unit the nation and lead it to victory.

Spring 990 - The Battle of Crabgrass Meadow

2011-08-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Brother Superior, the Grand-Master of the Brethren, climbed wearily onto the rocky outcrop. The faces of the surviving Brethren looked at him, hope still in many of the weary eyes.

It had been two days since the battle of Crabgrass Meadow. He had chosen their last battlefield well, with a single narrow crossing of River Hogan and set his forces on the high ground of Mount McManus. Sadly he knew his own impetuousness had cost them dearly. Since then they had been retreating further and further.

He took off his helmet and wiped his head with his hand. Then looked into the faces of the men before him.

“Brothers and fellow Brethren, it is with a heavy heart I stand before you. You have all fought hard and well. I have just come from speaking to the Treyine General and have reached an agreement with him. The Rock will now become part of the Treyine Empire.”

He paused while this news sank in. A few murmured disbelief, but most just looked blankly at him. A few even seemed to look relieved, which he could understand.

“The Red Sun still has a purpose for us.” He began again. “ Although we will no longer run the border area, we shall still have a presence. Treyine will allow us to maintain our chapels and preceptories, but in a much reduced state. No chapel may have more than 20 Brother Knights and 100 Brother Sergeants at any one time. We must also pledge our loyalty to King Edward IV.”

Again he paused while the murmuring died down.

“I know this is a bitter pill for many of you to swallow, but we will still be able to do bring the Sun's light to bear and protect this land from the Goblins and Orcs. If any of you cannot do this, you have a choice. The prisons of Treyine or Brother Blitzenhosen is leading a party into Zog-Rot and on to Naz-Goth to set up a new land for the Brethren. I myself have given my word to the Treyine that I shall return to them and act as hostage for remaining Brethrens' behaviour. Thank you for your bravery and loyalty. Continue to do The Sun's work and may It's Light shine on you whichever way you travel.”

With that Brother Superior climbed down, mounted his horse and rode towards the Treyine camp in the distance.

The Battle
The terrain consisted of a large hill on the Treyine left flank that was never a feature of the action. A smaller hill lay in the centre of the Brethren deployment zone. An unfordable river crossed the battlefield. It could only be crossed at the bridge. Other than these features the terrain was largely flat.

The Brethren had chosen to place their infantry on Mount McManus, while the cavalry waited to catch anyone unwary enough to try crossing the bridge. Naturally, the Hykar ponywomen obliged by galloping across the bridge, ribbons streaming in the wind and cavorting lasciviously in front of the Brethren, whose vow of celibacy might have wavered a little that day. Sir Geoffrey Chambers led his own mercenary knights and the Troplian Equites over the bridge somewhat more sedately, but with no less determination.

Battle was joined. The Brother Knights and Sergeants eagerly joined the fray, knowing that they outnumbered the enemy at this time. A small unit of peasant archers also advanced on the Hykari ponygirls, who only noticed them at the last minute.

Sir Geoffrey fought off the Sergeants, who could not withstand the assault of his hardened mercenaries, while simultaneously holding his ground against Brother Superior and the flower of Brethren chivalry. The Tropilian Equites acquitted themselves less nobly and many died trying to cross the river. As this fight was going on Sir Alaric Fitzhugh was following the dashing Sir Geoffrey across the bridge and two units of mercenary handgunners were also manoeuvring to cross the bridge. Meanwhile the arrows of the Hykari slatterns had driven off the peasant archers.

The fighting was hard in front of the bridge. Sir Alaric drove off a unit of Brethren just as the other unit rejoined the fray. Brother Superior's own Brethren Knights charged once more at Sir Geoffrey and crushed his knights, who were now exhausted. They routed and Brother Superior pursued right into the first unit of handgunners who were now on the bridge. Their guns crashed. Knights and horses fell, but it was not enough. The handgunners were ridden down. Flushed with success, Brother Superior lead the charge into the second unit of handgunners, who were also ridden down, but again at the cost of some knights and horses. The charge continued towards a line of stout Treyine yeomanry. The yeoman archers loosed their arrows at the oncoming knights and this final volley was too much for them. Brother Superior's horse spooked and ran from the arrows. His knights followed and the Brother Sergeants joined the rout.

With the Brethren general and knights gone, the Treyine army formed up into column and began to troop across the bridge as the Hykari valkyries raced towards the Brethren infantry on the hill. Screaming and baring their chests they taunted the Brethren. While they did so Sir Alaric was marching his band of stout hearts towards the men on the hill.

Sir Alaric reached the Brethren line in time to realise that a Cleric stood among the ranks of the spearmen. A blast of eldritch sunfire flew from the Cleric towards Sir Alaric but his squire dived between them, taking the full force of the blast. Sir Alaric was enraged and charged the Cleric and his men down. The force of his fury was too great to bear and the Brethren spears fled.

Another unit of Brethren heavy infantry could take no more of the Hykari taunting. The raced down the hill in pursuit of the bare-breasted myrmidons, panting slightly and feeling strange urges in their codpieces. Unfortunately, as they approached the Hykari swiftly rode away from them, drawing them from the cover of the hill. While they did this, Sir Alaric turned to his right and rode down the spearmen that now stood in his way. His wrath was not yet fully assuaged.

The girls danced around the unit that was chasing them, while Treyine longbowmen took up position to bombard the troops on the hill. Sir Alaric took advantage of the distraction caused by the Hykari to charge and rout the spearmen.

With the archers now flooding across the river, it became clear to the remaining Brethren that their position was untenable. They surrendered.

This was our second RRtK game and it went more smoothly than the first.

Magic feels very different and much weaker because of the reduction in range and the changes to the way that it is cast.

Massed missile fire is deadly. The Brethren general basically destroyed three units in one turn but was brought down in the end by the casualties already taken and the power of the Treyine longbows.

Skirmish troops seem more effective now too. They are able to run up to troops, harass them, draw them out of line and then evade more easily than they could previously, or so it appears.

Heroes are massively powerful. One hero can destroy a standard unit of infantry really easily with little fear for his own life. The Blast spell from the Cleric caused the only hit on the hero that any unit took. The main problem is their high armour class. The only way to defeat a hero with AC8 is to mob him with several units, which can prove difficult, especially if the hero dictates the pace of the game. The other option would be to shoot him to bits. Massed missile fire should be able to hurt a hero quite badly if you can bring it to bear.

The Capalan League

2011-08-03T03:49:00.000-07:00

To call someone Capalan is to call them devious and treacherous. The Capalan League is known for its dirty politics that rely on assassination more than merit as a means of promotion. This then is the nation that will be joining the campaign in Spring 991.

Its army consists of the wealthier and better quality Knights (front left) and the City Knights (second row left), who are not as well-seasoned in battle. Woe betide you if you let them get behind you though. They are more than familiar with using a soft word and a knife in the back to achieve their ends.

The guard unit (front row right) is the best quality infantry they have, but they only get one of those. The bulk of the infantry are city spearmen (second row right), who are supported by city crossbowmen (third row left). The contadini infantry (third row right) and contadini archers (fourth row right) provide additional support, while mercenary arquebusiers (back) are sometimes used for shock value. The infantry are uniformly of poor quality and the army relies on its knights to win battles with shock and awe tactics.

With the demise of both the Border Kingdoms and Ekra I had two armies that were no longer involved in the campaign so I allocated suitable elements of each army to the Capalan League. This expands our campaign again and gives me the opportunity to keep all my figures in play. The front row of knights are some that I painted in a more Italianate style recently. I am quite interested in putting together an army for fifteenth-century Italy but the lack of a full range of suitable 6mm figures has put me off so far.

Spring 990 - R-Ekra-iem for the Masses

2011-08-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Altengard had invaded Ekra and the Ekrans had rallied every last man capable of carrying a weapon or even a large lump of wood. They had gathered near the small village of Clair de la Lune. As usual the knights took the position of honour on the right of the Ekran line while the Altengardian knights clearly had no class because they deployed in the centre of their line, thus giving precedence to the light horse on their right flank. No class, these Altengardians.

Unfortunately, the Ekrans had been caught on the hop and the Altengard light horse was able to rampage around their flank and into their rear with only the Ekran peasants and crossbowmen to hold them up a little. There was only one thing to do: Charge! The Ekran knights charged towards the Altengard handgunners but were repulsed with losses. On the left flank the peasants drove off one of the Altengard light horse and the infantry was able to repulse the Altengard knights and the hero.

Trying to salvage something from the wreckage the flower of Ekran nobility charged again. Their general sought out his opposite number among the enemy and sought to reach him and cut him down in a bid to demoralise the enemy and regain the initiative but it was not to be. His valiant charge was repulsed easily and he was driven back. The enemy general pursued and caught him. In the ensuing rout many Ekran knights were cut down and others fled the field. In the end only one blissfully unaware unit of peasants remained on the field (circled in blue). The battle was over and Ekra was no more. The only slight consolation was that the enemy wizard had given himself a massive migraine the first time that he tried to cast a spell and had to leave the field as a result.

This was our first campaign battle using Rally Round The King. It was good fun and the rules were familiar enough to us from having played Warrior Heroes so much but they also felt different. The rules feel tighter than Warrior Heroes and magic is handled quite differently. Based on our initial experience, you really need more than just one level 1 wizard in your army if you want to cast any spells. This makes magic harder to use and probably much less powerful than in Warrior Heroes. Overall though RRTK clearly gives us what we want in a game. We just need to get our heads round the differences between it and WH.

Spring 990 - Planting in Alwinton

2011-06-24T08:12:00.001-07:00

Ragnar spent a peaceful spring helping in the village to replant the ravaged fields and fettle the apple trees. His people also helped to rebuild the houses properly. The village was back to its old self, but with slightly fewer people. Still the future was looking better now and the local militia were back training each week. With the worst of the Goblin depredations dealt with some of the young men took to thinking about revenge and asked Ragnar if there were room in his group for more warriors. Edmund and Alfred were the names of the two archers that joined the group. Perhaps, thought Ragnar, he should head out in search of fame and fortune once more come the summer.

Spring 990 - Campaign Update

2011-06-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

With the close of winter, the campaigning season begins again. The armies of Treyine and the Brethren emerge from their winter quarters and the Treyine army immediately takes the offensive, launching an assault into the heart of The Rock.

To the west Altengard has awoken. Seeing easy pickings their army enters Ekra with the intention of annexing it.

In Hykar civil war has broken out between Barbax Gutripper, former leader of all Hykari, and Hardecg Legbiter the emergent leader of the tribes of the south. The Mirish, possibly taking advantage of the chaos caused by a civil war, but also rumoured to be secretly allied with one or both of the Hykari factions have entered Hykari territory intent upon seizing it.

Numerous mercenaries, heroes and wizards have emerged to seek their fortunes amid the conflict and blood and gore of Talomir and it just remains to see which armies choose to recruit them. Full army lists may be found on the Campaign Army Lists page. The leaders of each nation are all detailed on the National Leaders page.

The situation in Spring 990:

Winter 989 - Oh Brother Cedric!

2011-06-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Griselda,

Thank you for the bread you sent over. You are however going to have to be more careful while baking. There was a large piece of metal in the last loaf you sent. Fortunately one of the guards spotted it and removed it before any harm could be done.

It’s a strange place Treyine, with very bizarre customs. Last week the laundry woman came in and told me to strip her, tie her up and then put on her clothes. I immediately called for the guards and had the young lady thrown out. I know they say when in Tropilium and all that, but there is a limit.

The heads of the Brethren still seem to have a shortfall of money for my ransom. It has been a very expensive few years apparently. Still, they are hoping to hold a jumble sale in aid of my release later this month. It would have been earlier, but apparently Father Dugan’s donkey needs an expensive operation.

I am still being treated well by the Treyine. Although Lord Fondlegrew seems a little forgetful. Every time he sees me, he asks why I’m still here.

I was pleased to hear that the lads all got back safely after the battle. Although it must have chafed walking all that way naked.

Hope to see you again soon,
Brother Cedric

Winter 989 - Putting their feet up

2011-06-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

The winter passed uneventfully for Ragnar. He remained in Alwinton working with the villagers to rebuild their shattered homes. It was a tough winter with no harvest to rely on but Ragnar was able to buy in some food to help tide them over and his negotiations with the local lord enabled further aid for the villagers.

The casualties of the previous adventure had obviously brought home to the locals how dangerous Ragnar's life was and he was able to recruit only one archer to his band this winter. Edgar looked a worthy fellow though, a stout Treyine Yeoman brought up from early childhood to use a longbow and keen to make his mark in the world.

Winter 989 - Campaign Update

2011-06-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

With the start of the Winter 989 turn we move to Rally Round The King as our battle rules, as mentioned previously.

Brother Cedric is currently languishing in a Treyine cell, awaiting either ransom or a daring escape. Ragnar has made his way to the former location of the village of Alwinton on the border of what is now Treyine territory. The villagers are pleased to be home and Ragnar may now mourn his dead.

The winter turn starts with Mirish ceasing to claim Brethren territory now that Treyine has captured the province and blocks all movement through to the Brethren. Treyine and the Brethren are still at war though.

Leaders
The Brethren must promote yet another Brother to the fore as general. Life in the Brethren army is clearly short but glorious. In this case Brother Superior (WR 4) now commands the Brethren army in battle.
Zog Rot is now led by Grargh the Merciless (WR 2).
In Tropilium the emperor has died this winter and is replaced by his son Cesare Salato (WR 3).

Heroes and Wizards
Sir Gervaise de Fe has died of gout while serving in the Ekran army.
The wizard Edrech (L1) has also died in a nasty accident in his lab.

Magical Items, Artefacts and Holy Relics
Treyine has recovered The Spear of St Lindorf, when they captured Brother Cedric in battle.
The Drums of Doom have been found in The Rock and are now in the possession of The Brethren.
The Book of the Hungry Moon has surfaced in Zog-Rot in the hands of their new leader. Coincidence? I think not!

The current state of the world:

With the advent of the year 990, Altengard and the Orcs join our campaign.

Autumn 989 - Go to Jail, Go Directly to Jail

2011-06-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Griselda,

First off apologies for the length of time it has taken me to write to you. I have been having to save paper to write this. Sorry about the size and thinness of the sheets, still at least they are quilted. Sorry also about the reddish ink. Again this is another of the reasons for the delay in writing, rats seem to have very little blood in them.

Well the battle didn’t go quite to plan, in fact not to plan at all. The invading Treyine greatly outnumbered us and the fiends were using magic. I did the only sane course of action and surrendered to them. This at least would save the men.

This means I am now a guest of the Treyine. Although their idea of hospitality does seem a little strange. Still the cell does remind me of my first room when I joined the order. If anything the food is slightly better than the priory.

It was hard also to see the spear of Saint Lindorf go back into enemy hands. Still while there’s life there’s hope. Speaking of which, they are talking about hanging me in a week's time. Something to do with murder, robbery and spoiling the sanctity of holy ground. Still as I said while there’s life etc …

One of Barbax’s messengers came to see me today. They are seconded to the Treyine army at the moment. She offered any help they could to the ‘Father of the Nation’. I didn’t quite understand that, but it seems I’m still a bit of a hero with the Hykar. Not sure what help they can give as apparently they are having quite a bit of trouble at home. Something about not recognising an illegitimate son as a prince, I think.

Any way I’ll have to finish now as the crow is getting restless and is starting to peck my hand. Sorry about the handwriting.

Yours in bondage,
Brother Cedric

The course of the battle
The armies deploy for battle. The Treyine anchor their left flank on the woods and deploy their archers in the usual hedgehog pattern designed to take advantage of Brother Cedric's known propensity for charging headlong into everything:

Brother Cedric charges as expected. The Treyine cavalry attempt to flank the Brethren infantry while their wizards cast a Stench of Weakness on the Brethren left flank:

Sir Alaric Fitzhugh rides out to meet Brother Cedric in single combat as is only proper between heroes, while the Brethren cavalry contacts the Treyine infantry but is driven off. The rest of the Brethren army fragments:

The Treyine sorceror summons a demon that frightens the Brethren cavalry's horses. They are last seen heading north at high speed. The Treyine archers move out to support their cavalry and cut Cedric down if he wins the single combat:

Brethren dart hither and thither and Brother Cedric finally decides to save the lives of his men by surrendering:

Autumn 989 - Campaign Update

2011-06-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

With the Hykar threat eliminated, the Treyine army is now free to deal with the Brethren and has marched northwards. The Brethren must make a decision. Will they hold off pursuing the Mirish army and deal with the Treyine threat, or will they split their army and try to punish the Mirish while holding the frontier against the Treyine incursion?

No other nations have chosen to go to war this season. Clearly they would rather gather harvests and stockpile food.

State of affairs at start of 989:

Autumn 989 - Goblins, sah, fahsands of 'em

2011-06-14T04:01:00.000-07:00

Summer had passed in an endless march through the Goblin lands but now Ragnar had trailed the Goblins that had raided Alwinton to their home, or so he thought. Certainly this is where King Rech had told him they would be. Unfortunately, as he approached the goblin settlement hordes of Goblins poured out of the place to form up in front of him and his company. Worse yet, they were led by not one but two Ogres and half the Goblins were mounted on Terror Birds. Things were going to get messy very quickly!

Ragnar deployed his crew in line among the boulders that dotted the area outside the Goblin village. They would provide good cover. The main Ogre had the majority of the Goblins around him, presumably to provide alternative targets. Ragnar could see over on his right flank that an Ogre and a Goblin Archer had emerged from the village onto the road directly opposite the vile King Rech and his chariot.

The battle began with missile fire. The desultory fire from the Goblins' side seemed designed to show only that they were doing what they were meant to. The shooting from Ragnar's crew told on the Goblins. The first Goblin fell to an arrow in his chest and pretty soon his compatriots were all fleeing. Ragnar laughed grimly as he nocked another arrow. These Goblins were spineless and the Ogre in command now stood on his own in the centre of the battlefield with only a couple of cowardly Goblins peeking out from behind his skirts. Ragnar did not know that a mounted force of Goblins was riding around on his flank at this point.

King Rech, on the flank was busily shooting at the Goblin Archer that was accompanying the Ogre. When he finally hit it, he killed it and the Ogre routed immediately, so he decided to advance up the road. After all, it was safe enough now!

With the Goblins in the centre scattered, Ragnar ordered his troops to concentrate their fire on the main Ogre but to little avail. It advanced amid the hail of arrows, apparently unconcerned by those that had impaled its hide. Then it paused, suddenly appearing unsure right at the moment when it was about to charge. Ragnar's crew fired everything they had at it and Barak finally managed to find a weak point, his arrow taking it in the eye and driving up into the Ogre's brain. It fell dead immediately and all the remaining Goblins fled. The village was Ragnar's. Time to search it.

This was a Pitched Battle scenario that I fought solo, because Steve could not make it through. I rolled that Ragnar had found the object of his quest but that he had to fight through to it, so Pitched Battle followed by a Raid if he won the first battle.

The Ogre was a particularly nasty Big Bad with Rep 6 and Hardiness 7. Yet, when Barak hit it, it managed to roll too many 6s to survive. No one is invulnerable in this game! Rather than allow Ragnar to choose all his reactions, I rolled for him on the Test of Wills and Charge tests. We have found that Free Will starts to break down in these tests once characters become as powerful as Ragnar and Brother Cedric. I still used it for other tests that he is allowed to choose. I treated the Big Bad Ogre as a character in the same way as Ragnar is.

Now that Ragnar has won this scenario, he moves to a Raid scenario to try to find the lost villagers. Let us hope that there are no more Big Bad Ogres in this village!

The Raid
As Ragnar congratulated himself on the bloodless victory; well, bloodless from his side of things, he saw a dust cloud approaching. What looked like a large Goblin war-party was returning to the village. Blast, he would have to fight his way through the village now. He quickly ordered the group to advance. No point in holding position when they could get into the village and start looking for the villagers from Alwinton. King Rech remained on the road in his chariot, shooting at the Goblins on the Terror Birds, while the others used their bows to try to whittle down the Goblins, but to little effect. Nothing for it but to charge.

Ragnar, Barak and Grim Redshirt all charged the Ogre. Suddenly Barak and Grim Redshirt were lying in pools of blood. The Ogre's giant axe had sliced both of them in two and Ragnar was backpedalling towards Armand, who had not made it into the fight. As he came level with Armand, this latter thrust at the Ogre and distracted it. Suddenly it was the Ogre that was backpedalling, before slipping in Barak's blood and getting cut down by Ragnar.

The others had charged the main body of the Goblins and were not faring too well. Although experienced warriors, they were outnumbered and it told. Although they held out as best they could, Hildigunn and Drogo were soon too badly wounded to fight on. Worse yet, Richard had been wounded by a Goblin arrow and was sitting by the altar staring at the hole in his side.

King Rech was firing arrows for all he was worth. He slew one Terror Bird and another routed. Then he charged the remaining one, only to find his chariot cut from under him by the Rider's fierce fire. Undaunted he charged on fought, only to be cut down and slain where he stood. The Rider turned and prepared to charge Ragnar's crew in the back.

Ragnar and Armand now charged the Goblins in the flank. In very short order the Goblins were soon cut down or routing, demoralised thoroughly by the grim efficiency with which Ragnar wielded his axe.

Enraged by the deaths of his comrades, Ragnar barged into the first hut and cut his way through the Goblins that were lurking in it. He repeated this process for the remaining huts and eventually found the target of his raid in a cellar beneath one of the stone huts. The villagers of Alwinton were all but saved. Now all they had to do was get home before the worst of the winter set in.

The raid was tough. Ragnar and his crew rolled poorly to start with and the ease with which the Ogre killed Barak and Grim was frightening. I really thought Ragnar had met his match here. Fortunately he was driven back next to Armand who was able to join the fight and help him to beat the Ogre.

After the battle I rolled for advancement. Ragnar lost one point of Hardiness. Drogo lost a point of Rep and is now Rep 2. I think he will stay with the villagers and not come on adventures any more. Richard also lost 1 Rep and is now Rep4. No one gained anything, except the villagers, who did not get eaten.

Summer 989 - Barbax Rides Out

2010-12-22T13:10:00.001-08:00

My dearest Cedders,

It is with heavy heart and belly that I have to tell you that my attempts to join you have been thwarted by the Treyine army. The blighters have invaded Hykar. I could not believe the cheek of them when I found out. Anyway, I led my army out to meet them and proceeded to surround them just as the Hykari Battle Book tells us to. They advanced to meet us, as is only proper, while my ponygirls were riding around onto their flank.

So, anyway, then they suddenly stopped and planted stakes and other impedimenta in front of their lines. Dashed if I know what they were doing but it certainly upset the ponies. Worse yet, they had a wizard, who summoned a demon that spooked the ponies. I mean, what kind of an idiot comes to a battle and spooks the ponies? How are you going to catch them again afterwards? And what is the point of going to war if you cannot win some ponies to bring home? Idiots.

Worse yet, they summoned two of the things. Well, that set the girls right on edge and next thing we knew a whole bunch of them were bolting from the field of battle.

I decided that I should have to lead the charge home myself, despite my condition. Well, those Ekran knights are no gentlemen. That is all I shall say. The girls were positively mortified by the treatment they received. Worse yet, most of them had decided to head for home.

I decided I needed to make a break for it and charged at some of the Treyine footsloggers but that did not work as I expected. Next thing I knew my pony was bolting for home and me unable to do a thing about it. Ridiculous. These Treyine wallahs really should learn how to fight a battle properly.

So, this letter finds me currently a bit indisposed. I know you will be concerned, but you need not worry. I and my little treasure are fine but you will have to wait a little while longer before we can meet again. I am impatient for that moment and I know you must feel the same.

As a token of my esteem for you, I am sending these six ponies to you with the messenger. She will carry any message you care to send back to me. Please write. You have not responded to any of my previous posts and I fear for you.

SWALK,
Barbax Gutripper

The Treyine juggernaut once more pounded one of its opponents so badly that they had to submit. Hykar is now at peace with Treyine and must provide them with an allied contingent. Treyine lost no troops while Hykar permanently lost six stands of light cavalry. Ouch!

Summer 989 - Cedric Takes Charge

2010-12-22T13:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Griselda,

Hopefully I should be on my way home soon. We met up with the Brethren Army and they seem to be having a few problems. General Miles Kristi has died, so when the Mirish came across us I had to take command. You would have loved it they had elephants and everything.

We met at the boundary of Hergest Ridge and the plain outside Levin-on-the-Jett. I must admit that this whole thing of being in charge of an army, seemed a little daunting. Still, I put the years of tactical training my father had given me into practice, and we charged to meet the enemy.

At first things seemed to be going badly, with, our allies, the Goblin wolf riders turning tail and fleeing the battle, never trust a Goblin, unless he’s dead. The spearmen were having difficulties in the centre against the elephants. Even my fellow brother Knights were forced to leave the field.

Eventually I managed to break through and attack their general, who turned tail and fled the field taking a lot of his men with him. This just left a little mopping up for us to do. Unfortunately the scouts have said the Treyine army is now heading this way.

Hope things are well at home and I’m sure I will quickly be able to sort out the Hykar Lawyer.

This game saw Brother Cedric pounding the heck out of the Mirish army. The rest of his troops were not particularly spectacular in their performance, but Cedric was awesome. I suspect it is because I allowed Steve to use a 28mm figure to represent Cedric rather than the more proper 6mm figure that it should have been.

Summer 989 - Campaign Update

2010-12-07T00:35:00.000-08:00

Following the brutal attack on their provinces in the Spring, Treyine launches a retaliatory attack against the Hykar. Their general, Lord De La Warre, has returned to the army following his grievous injuries of last year and has decided to focus there rather than split his forces as a result of intelligence received from Mirish this season.

The Mirish, flushed by the success of their campaign versus the Goblins, look for other targets and fasten upon the former Border Kingdom territory held by the Brethren. Clearly the Treyine generals are keen to see how this attack fares first before committing their own troops to the area. Fortunately for the Brethren, Brother Cedric has bravely stepped up to the mark and will lead their army in lieu of Father Miles Kristi, who died in the Spring of this year.

There is also a strong 'hawk' contingent among the Seniir. The leading families are almost equal in power but the Flavians outnumber the Claudians slightly, giving them the edge in most disputes. Unfortunately for the Flavian hawks the senate vote is sufficiently divided to keep the Seniir army within their borders this time around. Perhaps the Flavians will be able to make a few offers to the other senate members that they cannot refuse by the Autumn.

The current status of all armies is now listed on the Campaign Army Lists page.

Spring 989 - Elf Risks

2010-11-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

There was a man called Ragnar, the son of Ketil, son of Grim, the son of Ragnar, the son of Einar. Ragnar travelled north through the Border Kingdoms, which lay far to the east of Mirholme, in search of the villagers of Alwinton, whom he had sworn to protect. Ragnar was a great warrior ...

"Black Moon Elves," spat Ulf, as he espied an enemy threat approaching. The northern mountains of the former Border Kingdoms were an unpleasant place to be at the best of times but, with the nation overrun by Goblins it had got worse. Outlaws and followers of the Dark Moon were rife everywhere. The ruined farmhouse ahead of them proved this. Its former owners were nowhere to be seen. Only the Elves occupied the area now.
"There are not many of them," announced Ragnar, "Gunnvora, Hildigunn, Redshirt and Drogo, come with me. Let us try these Elves and see if they can face the arrow storm as well as we can. The rest of you stay with the Goblin and make sure he does not escape. We need him as a guide and cannot risk him in this fight."

Ragnar and his band sneaked up to the edge of the farm buildings. Only a single Elf was on guard and he appeared to be unaware of their approach.

After a quick reorganisation, Hildigunn and Grim stepped out from behind the cottage and loosed arrows at the lone Elf sentry. He fell immediately with two arrows through his heart. As they did so, Ragnar burst through the cottage door and came face to face with a big mean Elf. He immediately charged and a desperate fight ensued. The Elf was nearly as good as Ragnar, and Ragnar's followers, though well meaning, kept getting in the way.

All too soon, Gunnvora lay dying on the floor, her body destroyed by the Elf's glaive. Drogo lay near her, wounded but breathing still. Ragnar bellowed his rage and drove the Elf before him, out of the cottage. Now the Elf was on the defensive, bleeding from wounds that would have killed a lesser Elf. Grim and Hildigunn sought to help, but Ragnar told them to search the other cottages instead. He was afraid that they would go the way of Gunnvora.

Soon the Elf was exhausted. Ragnar had driven it back to the stream and its blows were getting weaker. Reversing his axe he pounded the hammer head against the Elf's skull and it collapsed into the water, still breathing. Quickly Ragnar bound it as a should went up from the stable. A wild Elf had been hiding there but Hildigunn and Grim demonstrated their archery skills once more. As the Elf fled they feathered its back with arrows, an ignominious end to a life poorly led.

While the others were spitting the Elf, Ragnar entered a small hovel across the stream, where the sentry had been. Another of the Elven brethren was within. With a roar of rage Ragnar raced to rend the reiver and redden his blade once more. A furious fight ensued that first saw Ragnar driven back and then the Elf. It was close fought as Ragnar was pushed back out of the door and then forced his way back in.

Soon the Elf was tiring though, while Ragnar's steel thews were still strong. He drove the Elf backwards once more into the wall of the hovel. Dust showered from the beams at the force of the impact. Then, stepping back, he raised his axe over his shoulder and drove it down through the Elf's body, cleaving it from shoulder to hip. The Elf lay dead on the floor as Hildigunn and Grim ran to aid Ragnar.

With the Elves dead or captured, the group were able to revive Drogo using the last of Gunnvora's potions of healing. She would not be making any more of those. With the battle won, they searched the hovels and cottages. In the cellar of one cottage a lone youth hid. He told them the tale of this farmstead, a not uncommon tale as it was. The Goblins had fallen on the area and taken all into slavery or eaten them as was their wont. The youth, Guillaume by name, had survived by snaring game and hunting with his sling, but then the Elves came and he had to hide. They had remained there several days and he had hidden all that time, until Ragnar rescued him. In gratitude he swore to join Ragnar's band and aid him in his quest to free the people of Alwinton. Perhaps in doing so he might also find his own family.

I chose to use only part of Ragnar's band for this encounter because I do not have enough Dark Elf figures to face the whole band. This proved unfortunate for Gunnvora, the group's healer. The fights were tough, especially against the Big Mean Elf (Rep 6 Big Bad, AC4, H4, CV9). His hardiness meant that he shrugged off most blows, while still being able to kill Gunnvora OD and put Drogo OOF. Rather than kill him though, Ragnar has taken him hostage. I hope to develop this side of things as a later scenario. You can find details of Ragnar's band HERE. In WHAA you can recruit once per month instead of doing an encounter, but we are playing turns of three months (one season) to match the WH campaign. Therefore we allow recruiting once per season. Thus, Ragnar was able to recruit a new band member. I rolled for him on the Border Kingdoms table and assumed that he was the last surviving member of this farmstead.

Spring 989 - The Battle of Hamnorthtoun

2010-11-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

After rather too long we finally got around to the next campaign battle. It is Spring 989 and the Mirish army has invaded the Goblin-held territories that were once the Border Kingdom. Near the ruined town of Hamnorthtoun, the two armies meet up. The Goblins have adopted a defensive position on a large hill to the north and the Mirish army must drive them from it. A large but sparse wood occupies the Mirish left flank.

Seeing the enemy ahead of them, and being brave and dashing cavalry types, the Mirish army advanced quickly on its right flank. Meanwhile, on the left flank the skirmishers headed for the cover of the wood.

As the Mirish cavalry approached, the Goblins decided to descend from their hilltop eyrie and try to catch the cavalry on the hop. The Goblin hero in his chariot, with a wolfrider escort seemed to be trying to ride past the Mirish army and caught the eye of a passing elephant or two. Meanwhile the skirmishers danced around each other to no great effect.

With the Goblins in range, the Mirish cataphracts and clibanarii (that's cavalry to you and me) charged and drove off some of the Goblins without even breaking into a sweat. The elephants were now facing the enemy and the great Goblin hero could be heard yelling for ale as he turned his chariot and prepared to deal with the Mirish army. Meanwhile the skirmishers danced around each other to no great effect.

The Mirish cavalry turned around and prepared to charge the Goblin infantry again. Mughrant's wolfrider escort had been driven off by the elephants and he had turned his attention to the Mirish light cavalry. Meanwhile the skirmishers danced around each other to no great effect.

And so the Goblin line disintegrated and was destroyed piecemeal. The Goblin skirmishers finally decided to join the fray in the centre. But it was really too late.

In a last ditch attempt to salvage something from this fracas, the Goblin general girded his loins and prepared to charge. The skirmishers were moving into position to deal with the elephantine nuisance in the centre and Mughrant had seen the writing on the wall. He kept his chariot moving away from the battlefield.

Naturally I got too excited to photograph the final turn. Needless to say, the photograph would only have had a very small number of Goblins on it. The Goblin general charged the Mirish general and drove him back. Following up he attacked again, screaming fearsome cries as he cleaved his way towards the Mirish general. Then fate struck. Whether he tripped over a root, or just stepped in someone, we shall never know now. As he stumbled a Mirish clibanarius drove his spear through the general's body. The Goblin standard fell and soon the whole Goblin army was in rout. For the loss of just a few clibanarii, the Mirish army had utterly routed the Goblin horde. The Border Kingdoms were now back under human control.

This will be one of our last WH battles. We shall be upgrading to Rally Round the King at the end of this campaign year. The battle saw the Goblin army routed and their national morale utterly destroyed. The Goblins have sought peace. As part of that they will now supply a contingent to the Mirish army for the next six years.

Rally Round the King

2010-11-17T01:17:00.000-08:00

Rally Round the King has now been released. This is an updated and refined version of the Warrior Heroes rules that we use for our massed battles and very fine it looks too upon a first read through. I must admit to having had some input into this iteration of the rules, so I may well be a little biased, but I am thrilled to see the rules back in print and brought into line with the newer sets from TwoHourWargames.

So, what does this mean for our campaign? Well, there are subtle differences between the two rules sets, and the army lists in the new version have been altered slightly, mostly by the addition of the Undisciplined ability and allowances that need to be made for that. Since we plan to use these rules largely as written, including the new army lists, we shall finish the current campaign year using Warrior Heroes and then transfer over to the new rules in the Winter refit phase. This should ensure a seamless transition between the two, not that there are huge differences really. I am looking forward to playing using the updated rules.

House Rules 3 - Free Will

2010-10-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Stars no longer get to choose their results on the Charge test. This is to counter the effect we have noticed that high Rep Stars can rout huge numbers of enemy without ever having to fight.

Spring 989 - The Battle of Three Rivers Crossing

2010-08-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

Brother Cedric was fleeing before the Treyine army when he saw the Brethren army approaching. He was saved. But wait, what was that? The thunder of thousands of pony-sized hooves were approaching from the other direction. That looked like Barbax Gutripper's troops. Brother Cedric wondered if he would be able to reach the Brethren army before the Hykari reached him. Their ponies were fast and might well get there first. Suddenly he heard a shout and saw the advancing banner of Sir Alan Fitzhugh.

"Hold, knave," yelled the Treyine knight, " Are you such a coward as would refuse my challenge."
With his retinue around him, Sir Alan couched his lance and charged. As Sir Alan and his retinue tore across the emerald sward, Brother Cedric remembered his duty and:

Brave Brother Cedric ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Brother Cedric turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Brother Cedric!

Or maybe it was the sight of Barbax forming her girls on their ponies into neat columns and rushing them across the bridge in a bid to apprehend him that spurred him on his way.

With Brother Cedric disappearing as fast as he could, the heart seemed to go out of the Brethren force. As the Brother Knights and Sergeants charged towards the Treyine forces, the Treyine archers in a well-disciplined move swiftly hammered stakes into the ground before them, a move designed to disrupt the charging knights. At the same time Dennis Moore, who had pursued Brother Cedric summoned a demon right in the path of the knights.

Their horses were spooked and they retired quickly to regroup. The other lance of Brother Knights had passed the demon and engaged the Treyine archers. They fared little better and were driven off but not before many Treyine archers lay dead. In their retreat, a single arrow found its mark and the Brethren general fell to the ground mortally wounded. The Brethren soldiery stood firm. They knew their duty, but the loss of the general was too much and their efforts were disorganised. Soon they were surrounded by yelling girls on ponies and they had to retreat or suffer a fate worse than death.

Meanwhile, on the Treyine right flank the White Company had advanced together with a small contingent of archers. They faced a holding force of girlish cavalry. The archers were confident that their superior range would ensure victory and the knights of the White Company knew that their mounts and armour were superior to those of the Hykari warmaidens. Their confidence was well-founded. Soon ponies and girls were fleeing the field.

The other ponygirls regrouped and considered the situation. With the Treyine archers forted up behind their stakes, a frontal assault would be suicidal. Barbax decided that her search for Brother Cedric was more important. She had gifts of ponies for him that he must not refuse! She led her remaining troops from the field in good order.

Will Barbax get her man? Can Brother Cedric reach safety in time? Tune in later to find out.

Losses
Brethren
General died
1 Brother Knights
1 Heavy Spears
1 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archers

Hykar
4 Cavalry

Treyine
1 Archers

This battle was an experiment that turned out to be a bit of a curate's egg. We tried making it a three-way game using the solo rules, which worked well enough, but the dice led to decisions that disadvantaged Steve's Brethren force too much. They were justifiable within the campaign context but that did not make it any better and they made it rather easy for the Treyine to win. It also meant that the game went on too long and we had to call it before the ultimate conclusion, which was a shame. Still, it has been a while since we played Warrior Heroes and it was good to get back to it. We are now looking forward to the next game, which will feature the Goblins taking on the Mirish army. That should be fun. As a consequence of this game, Steve has decided to try something called 'tactics'. I'm really not sure what he means by that though.

Spring 989 - Campaign Update

2010-07-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Spring has returned to the land, and with it has come the campaigning season once more. Ekra is enduring an enforced peace and has no valid targets, so it will sit and recover for this year. They must still send aid to Treyine though. Tropilium is in the same position as Ekra and must also help Treyine out.

With events snowballing towards cataclysm, heroes are emerging from the masses to side with their people. The following nations have found heroes to represent them:
Ekra - Sir Gervaise de Fe
Treyine - Sir Alaric Fitzhugh
Zog-Rot - Mughrant

Who has attacked whom?
Hykar has invaded Treyine
The Brethren have attacked Treyine
Mirish has invaded Zog-Rot

It would appear that Barbax Gutripper has heard of Brother Cedric's exploits and is rushing to meet him, and she has taken her army. Clearly she is intent on stopping the pursuing Treyine soldiery from capturing her next husband! In a similar vein, the Brethren have mobilised with a view to meeting Brother Cedric and taking custody of the Spear of St Lindorf. Who knows why the Mirish have invaded Zog-Rot though?

The situation at the start of Spring 989

Armies at the start of Spring 989
Ekra
Sir Gervaise de Fe (Hero, CV7, AC8, Mtd Melee, ET, Terror, Shock, WR3)
3 Knights
2 Infantry
2 Crossbows
The Black Company

Hykar
1 Noble Cavalry
19 Cavalry

Mirish
4 Clibinarii
1 Cataphracts
1 Chionite Cavalry
2 Elephants
1 Levies
3 Skirmishers

Seniira
3 Veterans
3 Infantry
3 Auxiliaries
1 Skirmishers

The Rock (Brethren)
2 Brother Knights
1 Brother Sergeants
3 Heavy Spears
1 Peasant Foot
3 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archers
1 Goblin Wolf Riders

Treyine
Sir Geoffrey Chambers (general until Lord De La Warre returns in Summer 989)
Sir Alaric Fitzhugh
1 Foot Knights
3 Infantry
7 Archers
The White Company
1 Level 1 Mage
1 Level 2 Mage
1 Ekran Knights
1 Tropilium Auxiliary Archers

Tropilium
4 Equites
4 Legionaries
1 Auxiliaries (Mixed)
1 Auxiliary Archers
2 Archers
1 Slingers
1 Artillery

Zog-Rot (Goblins)
Mughrant (CV 7, AC 6, Mtd Melee, ET, Terror, Shock, WR3)
3 Archers
6 Goblins
1 Wolf Riders
1 Black Moon Goblins

Winter 988 - Wandering in the Wilderness

2010-07-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

The wind howled across the wasteland that was once the Border Kingdoms. Entire villages lay in ruins, pillaged and burnt by the invading armies. Among them lay Alwinton, Ragnar's adoptive home. The blackened ruins were now dusted in snow, a starkly contrasting testament to the life that once populated the village. The tracks leading from the village had proved that some of the villagers still lived as captives of the goblins. Ragnar thought bleakly on this as the goblin that styled himself King Rech led Ragnar's group onward. It seemed that the goblins were taking the villagers back to a base far into Zog-Rot itself for they had not stopped at any of the goblin villages along the way. Their purpose was clear to Ragnar for he knew that the goblin gods demanded sacrifices and dined on still beating hearts. He only hoped that he would get there in time.

Ragnar had no encounter this season.

Winter 988 - The Further Misadventures of Brother Cedric

2010-07-21T04:08:00.001-07:00

The Scene: St Lindorf's Square, an island of serenity in the middle of the bustling city of Little Tutting in the heart of Treyine.

The Time: Early morning, just before dawn.

Brother Cedric approaches the Church of St Lindorf, having fought his way past the guards on one of the bridges over the canal that rings St Lindorf's Square. His objective is to enter the church and recover The Spear of St Lindorf. This sacred relic is valued by all followers of the Red Sun and he has been charged with returning it to the Grand Prior of the Brethren.

For the prelude to this misadventure, read THIS POST. All terrain featured in this report is from Worldworks Games. You can see more photos of this terrain set-up in my Photobucket Album.

The merry band cross onto St Lindorf's Square

Dear Griselda,

It is with some sorrow and yet pride as well, that I have to tell you of the deaths of Brothers Konrad and Siegfried. Both have gone to be at His side and prepare for the coming battle. Brother Konrad will be sadly missed, especially by many of fatherless children, a lot of whom came to look on him as a well almost father figure. His ministrations with the young mothers, would have put many a saint to shame, often carrying on well into the night and the next morning.

Siegfried with his funny way of slurring his words and only drinking from his own canteen, with it’s special mix of herbs. His healing skills were legendary, all he seemed to have to do was breath on you and the pain ebbed away.

I feel honoured to have served Himself with them.

I had best tell you of the events that lead to this sad event. Leaving the injured Brother Klaus to hold the horses, we quickly made our way to the cathedral entrance. Brothers Konrad and Leelove with Herman the Spearman and Henning broke into the side through a window, well several windows to be precise. They made their way towards the altar. The remainder of our band approached the main entrance, causing the guards to flee in terror.

Breaking in

As the other party reached the altar several archers on the balcony open fire injuring Henning and causing the others to take cover. We, meanwhile, rushed up the stairs and slew the vile archers. After chasing away a second group of guards we joined the others in the crypt. It was at this point we realised, none of us had bought a guide book, in the shop, giving the location of the Spear.

Dealing with those pesky archers

We carried on searching the crypt, Brother Konrad narrowly avoiding one trap, but at the second trap he fell onto the spikes below. We knew we had to carry on in his memory.

The Crypt

We entered the crypt itself and found it full of Treyine soldiers, by this point my blood was up and after a few half hearted bowshots, they fled. After searching the crypt, we continued into another room with a large hole in the middle. As the others searched the room I watched the hole, where upon a snake like creature appeared, took one look at us and disappeared, never to be seen again.

The Undercrypt

Eventually we went down the hole and arrived in a room, which while it contained the Spear of St. Lindorf also contained rather a lot of Treyine soldiers and a stout man with a bald head. He radiated the words wizard or wargamer.

Under the Undercrypt

So, we meet at last, Brother Cedric

Thinking a change of tactics were in order we charged straight at them. The other were driven back, but I fought my way towards the wizard. The others came back at them, but soon Brother Siegfried had fallen mortally wounded and Brother Leelove was unconscious. We fought on valiantly particularly young Herman, who slew an undead the wizard had summoned. Just as we were gaining the upper hand and I had gained the dais, the wizard disappeared in a puff of invisible paisley smoke.

We quickly dispatched the remaining guards and carrying the Spear and our fallen headed towards Klaus and the horses. We are now rushing back to the Borders to return the Spear of St. Lindorf to its rightful place.

Hoping all is well at home.
Brother Cedric

PS Has Barbax stopped sending me horses yet?

Yet another great game with tragedy and triumph. The only problem we are finding now with WHAA is that a Rep7 star has it too easy. Groups of enemy troops will almost always rout as soon as he charges at them, unless they are led by a similarly high Rep star too. Still, we are considering a variety of ways around that. In this scenario, the villain was a Rep7 Wizard with the Star ability, so that counteracted Brother Cedric in the final encounter, until the wizard teleported away and left his minions to die. Also, the archers on the balcony were a useful tactic for this. In this case, Cedric could not charge them immediately, because they were out of reach, so they were able to loose a few arrows first.

Coming Soon: Brother Cedric Rides Again

2010-07-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

Treyine soldiers stand guard, unaware that Brother Cedric has dispatched their comrades and is heading their way. Can he fight his way past them and into the crypts below where the Spear of St Lindorf rests? And who is the mysterious Drogo de Beauvriere in reality?

Tune in this time next week to find out.

Winter 988 - Chaaaarrrrggggeeee!!!!!

2010-03-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

Once more Brother Cedric chases the Spear of Lindorf. He is close to his objective now. We rolled that he had found it but must first fight a pitched battle before conducting a raid to retrieve it. I shall let him tell it in his own inimitable words. Click the pictures for larger versions of the images.

The terrain is from various WWG sets: Streets of Himmelveil, Himmelveil Canals, Castleworks Ultimate, Villageworks, Cathedrae Noctis and Requiem. Some of the buildings are items I picked up elsewhere but cannot remember.

Dear Griselda,

I’m sure this is all a mistranslation. The gift of a dozen horses, left with the Lodge Master by the Hykar delegation, must have been to celebrate Barbax’s soon to be born child. Undoubtably she has sent such gifts out to many people. Fancy thinking I could be the father. Still the hierarchy of the Faith seem very happy with our good relations with the Hykar.

The Church of Saint Lindorf in Jellsway.

I’ve finally arrived in Jellsway. The journey was fairly uneventful, with Sir Ashby along. After spending a couple of days scouting around the cathedral, or ‘the seeing of sites’ as Sir Ashby called it. We decided the weakest point, of the cathedral’s defences, was the rear. To the right of the road was a guard house, which would be our main worry. To the left a recent building called ‘Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe’. The commercialisation of religion is quite sickening in the Treyine Empire and most especially in the capital. I’ve enclosed a snowglobe of the cathedral for you, containing genuine ashes from Saint Vesta, hopefully it survived the journey.

Brother Cedric deploys his troops.

We finally decided on the night, and after Brother Siegfried slipped Sir Ashby a sleeping draught, we headed towards the cathedral and the Spear of St. Lindorf. Our attack would be two pronged. Brothers Konrad, Siegfried, Klaus and I would head straight down the road on horseback. While Brothers Wilfred and Leelove, together with Herman and Henning would approach from the left side, on foot.

Guards stumble bleary-eyed and half-dressed (I did not have time to finish them before the game) from the guardhouse, while Brother Cedric demonstrates all the tactical acuity of a sledgehammer cracking a nut.

Well we could probably have timed it better, as we hit at the same time as the guard changed. They came out into the street en masse, but fled as we thundered towards them, singing ‘See the holy angels burn the sinner’s eyes’. After this Brothers Siegfried and Klaus charged the remaining soldiers at the guardhouse, while Brother Konrad and I charged the ones at the bridge.

The battle near Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe (a waystation for pilgrims to the Church of Saint Lindorf, where they may purify themselves before entering his holy shrine).

Henning, meanwhile, was firing at some archers near Ye Newe Gifte Shoppe. He kept them occupied until Brothers Wilfred and Leelove were in a position to charge them. They soon had one down and the others running for their lives.

Brother Klaus took a wicked blow to the head and tumbled from his horse, while Brother Siegfried made a valiant stand. We soon routed the soldiers on the bridge, including the vicious looking fellow in the middle who soon turned tail and ran. A blow finally knocked Brother Siegfried from his mount. I leapt from my horse to rush to his aid, while Brother Konrad headed towards two archers fleeing the other battle.

Snipers! (In the windows if you look closely)

We soon had the situation in control and the enemy fled. Brother Klaus was still dazed and so we left him in charge of the horses ready for our escape. Brother Siegfried soon roused after we gave him some of his healing potion, although his comments about it tasting like horse urine could only be blamed upon himself.

We now steel ourselves for the final push towards the cathedral and the spear. Hopefully I shall be returning to Harbottle soon.

Brother Cedric and companions steeling themselves:

Regards
Brother Cedric

To be continued ...

So, the first part went well for Brother Cedric, possibly better than the paternity suit that will follow just as soon as I get some suitable 28mm Hykari. Let's see how the second part goes. I had better get the interior of the church finished now. I must admit that I thought Brother Cedric would have a hard time with this game, but his high Rep and star status combined with low rolls for the Treyine troops saw them routing in the face of his charges. Attacking at night helped too, even though there were street lights around the town. The reduced visibility meant that the archers could not shoot before Cedric charged, which was a major advantage.

Winter 988 - Campaign Update

2010-01-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

The battles of the Autumn have changed the face of Talomir. The Border Kingdoms, once the buffer between the civilised south and the goblin-filled north, are no longer there. One can only hope that the Brethren are willing to take on that role now that they have subjugated part of that nation. Or will this year see rebellion and uprisings?

The Treyine juggernaut has continued to storm through the lands and only winter has stopped them. What will spring bring? More bloody flowers being planted throughout Talomir?

The situation during Winter 988 (click the picture for a larger version):

Following the debacle in battle against Treyine, the Hykari have had their leader torn apart by wild horses. She is being replaced by one Barbax Gutripper (WR 3). Although this is the usual practice in Hykar for dealing with war-leaders that flee the field, it has not been universally acknowledged as a good thing and Hykari national morale has been reduced as a result. Let us hope that Barbax does better than her predecessor, or dies in the field, which would probably be less painful than the alternative.

The year 989 also sees the addition of Mirish and Seniira to the campaign. Will they fare any better than those already involved?

Autumn 988 - Brother Cedric hits town

2010-01-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Griselda,

Hope this card finds you well, your letters to me appear to have gone missing. Hopefully they will catch up with me before too long.

I did however get a strange letter from Barbax, you remember the nice lady I met last year. Well it appears she has misplaced her husband and, if I’m translating correctly, though I might know where he was. All very strange. I mentioned this to Brother Leelove and he slapped me on the back and smiled.

Anyway, we have just passed through the village of Clegthorpe and were minding our own business, preaching to the locals, when a band of armed men arrived. It looked for a while as if there might be trouble, there were an awful lot of archers. Fortunately, Sir Ashby de Clegthorpe, their leader, was a pious man and once I explained we were on a religious quest, he threw his lot in with us. Obviously I was a little vague on the nature of the quest. I can’t see him stopping with us long once he knows we are after the thing we are after. Maybe we will have to leave him somewhere before he cottons on.

We shall continue to search the countryside of Treyine, until the above not mentioned item is found, and can be returned to it’s rightful place.

Regards
Brother Cedric

This was another Talk the Talk encounter. Brother Cedric swept young Ashby off his feet, and so Ashby decided to follow Cedric for the rest of his current adventure. Ashby does not know what he has got himself into though! Mind you, neither does Cedric really.

Autumn 988 - Ragnar's Adventure in a Goblin-Filled Land

2010-01-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

Ragnar stood in the ruins of Alwinton. The Goblin horde had torn through here like a hot knife through butter, if one wished to use a tired cliche. Where once the church had stood, there was now a ruin with a blood-spattered altar raised at its centre. Rotting remnants of the villagers that Ragnar had once thought to protect lay around and on that altar. These were the ones that had failed to get away. Fortunately, Ragnar had been able to lead many to safety in Treyine. There they could rebuild their shattered lives. Meanwhile, Ragnar was looking for revenge but all he could find was this one Goblin, who styled himself King Rech. He was not much of a king to look at for he had only three followers, even if he did have a chariot and driver too.

Ragnar stepped forward and approached the Goblin leader. He would speak to the creature first before killing it. King Rech was obviously calculating his chances here and coming up short, so he too drove forward, eying the Mirholmen archers that stood behind Ragnar warily.

"Speak, monster," yelled Ragnar, "Why should I and my warband not kill you where you stand?"
"Your miserable curs are nothing to me. I do not fear you." The Goblin was determined to put a brave face on a poor situation, but the whites around his eyes gave away the fear he really felt. " You should not kill me for I know where those villagers that live have been taken. I shall guide you there and grant you free passage through my lands."
"Very well. You may live. Show me to my friends and we shall have a truce for the time being."

Muttering from behind Ragnar indicated that some members of his group were unhappy about this, and Ragnar was not particularly happy either. An alliance with a Goblin was not really a good thing, but it might well speed up the process of rescuing those that had been under his protection. Then he could escort them to Treyine where they might make new lives for themselves.

This was a Talk the Talk encounter in a village. With the Border Kingdoms being overrun by the Goblins, we decided to have Ragnar returning to his village to see what had happened. Here he encountered a small Goblin warband and succeeding in sweeping the enemy leader off his feet. As a result, the enemy joined him for the adventure, which will be a quest to rescue some of the captured villagers. Ragnar also received an additional advancement roll. Upon rolling for advancement, his Rep went up 1 to 8, while his Social Status went down one to 4. I used the extra advancement roll to try again and it succeeded at increasing it back up to 5. Clearly recruiting Goblins is a social faux pas. Rolling for the other characters, Gunnvora the Winged, Grim Redshirt and Drogo all decreased in Rep, while Ulf and Richard increased their Rep. Ulf, one of the lowliest of my starting characters now has a stellar Rep of 7! Gunnvora, one of the better starting characters, now has a Rep of 3! Clearly Gunnvora, Grim and Drogo are discouraged by the inclusion of a Goblin in the warband, even temporarily.

Full details of the Ragnar's warband may be found on the Wargods of Valhalla wiki.

Showing Spell Effects In Warrior Heroes

2010-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to paint up some figures for spell effects in Warrior Heroes, and finally got around to it over the Christmas break. I began with the summoning spells, and plan to add other spells that have physically enduring effects later.

Before you can have spells, you need someone to cast them. Here we see a meddle of wizards (figures by Irregular Miniatures):

Warrior Heroes has a number of summoning spells in it. At the lower levels you can summon hordes of small demons or raise legions of undead (figures for both spells from Irregular Miniatures):
Legions of Night

Death Rattle

If you need a more powerful summoning spell then you can cast a Summon spell, which will bring a minor demon to your service (figures are D&D Miniatures Abyssal Maws):

Or, if you need the big guns, then you can cast a Gate spell although the risks are great and you could find yourself a victim of your own spell if it goes wrong (figure is a Dreamblade Murderous Berserker):

The Mirish Army

2010-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Mirish are an ancient empire. Their troops love brightly coloured silks and provide a very colourful spectacle as they ride past or over you. They rely on their horsemen for their army's strength, but supplement that with elephants and a small levy of infantry.

By far the most common troops in the army are the Clibinarii, heavily armoured cavalry with both lance and a deadly composite shortbow.

To provide extra heavy impact, the richer Mirish warriors are fielded as fully armoured cataphracts. Their charge is one that few can withstand, and many a warrior has fled at the first rumble of that charge.

Chionite horsemen from the outer reaches or Mirish are consummate light cavalry, who harass the enemy and distract their troops, seeking to break up their formations and cause confusion in their ranks.

Sometimes the Mirish generals are fortunate enough to field units of elephants as shock troops. These fearsome beasts are feared by most soldiers and carry a howdah replete with archers and spearmen.

Mirish infantry is universally of poor quality. The levy spearmen carry basket-work shields and spears and are never particularly enthusiastic.

Infantry support is provided by skirmishers with slings and bows.

Mirish heroes and generals never walk. Most prefer horses for transport, but some like the extra impact and fear factor of an elephant mount.

The whole Mirish army.

Mirish will join the campaign in Spring 989. Their starting army will consist of:
4 Clibanarii
2 Cataphracts
1 Chionite Cavalry
2 Elephants
1 Levy
2 Skirmishers

The army is based around the Sassanid Persian army, and I have used Baccus Sassanians to model this army. I hope they do well because I have plenty more Sassanians left to paint and it will provide the impetus I need for that.

The Mountain Giants

2010-01-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

In the lands of the non-humans live the Mountain Giants. Mostly they live a solitary existence in their caves in the mountains of north-east Talomir, but occasionally one rises up that is strong enough to unite the giant clans. Such a leader can wreak havoc among the people of the lands where they march. When a leader like this arises, the hill giants and mountain giants band together and seek to form a new nation, wherein they may live in peace.

The Mountains Giants are rightly feared by all. They can throw rocks as if they were artillery and they cause terror in all that approach them. They are also phenomenally thick-skinned so weapons have difficulty even harming them.

The Hill Giants that follow the Mountain Giants are smaller but equally ferocious. They can also throw rocks at their enemies and cause terror in their enemies, as well as having a skin as thick as that of a mountain giant.

The Giant army will appear in the lands of either the Elves, Dwarves, Orcs or Goblins if a 4 is rolled in the Spring turn when rolling to see if a new army enters the campaign.

The picture shows Hildegard the Mighty on the left, leading a band of Hill Giants. This is the Mountain Giants' starting army, should they ever appear. Hildegard is an Essex Miniatures 25mm warrior woman. The Hill Giants are all 15mm Asgard barbarians from 15mm.co.uk.

House Rules 2 - New Encounter Tables

2009-12-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

With the realignment of the borders, Talomir is changing. The Border Kingdoms are no more, while the Brethren now have their own kingdom. Therefore, it seems appropriate to re-work the encounter tables for some areas. The following tables indicate changes to the standard encounter tables and show the appropriate lists to roll on.

Goblins
Humans in the Border Kingdoms have largely left the area and fled to Treyine. Those that remain are fighting a low level guerilla war against the Goblins.

1 - Border Kingdoms (freedom fighters)
2 - Brethren
3 - Treyine
4 - Black Moon Elves
5 - Orcs
6 - Special

Special encounters remain the same

The Abyss (Brethren Kingdom)
The Brethren hate Goblins and all followers of the Black Moon. Therefore, it is assumed that they are resettling Border Kingdoms citizens in the Goblin areas to enhance their control of them, while Goblins that live there have fled to Goblin-controlled areas instead.

Encounters with the authorities = Brethren
Other encounters with locals = Border Kingdoms

1 - Goblins
2 - Goblins
3 - Treyine
4 - Treyine
5 - Hykar
6 - Special

Special Encounters
1 - Mountain Giants
2 - First Ones
3 - Beastmen or Serpentmen
4 - Giant Serpents
5 - Centaurs
6 - Robber Knights (1-3 Border Kingdoms, 4-6 Ekra)

Ekra
Ekra's Borders have retreated significantly so its encounter table needs to be amended.

1 - Altengard
2 - Altengard
3 - Treyine
4 - Treyine
5 - Treyine
6 - Special

Special encounters remain the same

Autumn 988 - Girls Gone Bad

2009-10-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sir Geoffrey Chambers was ecstatic. He had beaten back the Tropilium invasion and now Treyine controlled a part of that once mighty empire, and he had preserved enough of the army to now face the Hykar with some possibility of victory. He felt sure that he was destined for greatness in the nascent Treyine empire. Still, there was the small matter of thousands of young, vicious girls on ponies facing him. He was outnumbered and would have to fight aggressively to counteract their advantage. He formed his troops up with both flanks refused. About half of his archers had set their stakes out to hinder the Hykari advance. The enemy had deployed their heavy troops in the centre with vast numbers of light horse on the flanks. It was clear what their plan was and Sir Geoffrey knew what was needed.

The enemy began their advance. The light horse swept down on his flanks as expected, so Sir Geoffrey raised his arm and yelled, "CHARGE!" His knights leapt forward beside the Ekran contingent. The infantry, even the Brethren spearmen who had finally turned up, followed, while the archers moved to guard their flanks as best possible. Then the fight began in earnest. Sir Geoffrey's knights crashed home against the enemy general's horsewomen, who fired a desultory rain of arrows at him. A few men were wounded but none fell from their saddles. The Ekran knights, however, took many casualties as they hit the enemy spearwomen and were driven back, but not before the spearwomen routed from the field.

The fight in the centre raged on as Sir Geoffrey's knights whittled down the enemy horsewomen, but it was taking too much time. Meanwhile, the light horse tried to encircle the archers, who desperately turned to face them and tried to loose as many arrows as possible. They certainly gave as good as they got and drove off many of the light horse, but archers died too and the Treyine numbers were being reduced too. Unfortunately, even the rout of the Hykari general did not discourage the light horse. Clearly they had little respect for their leaders and they fought on just as hard, but their command was hampered and they were soon facing more arrows as well as the Treyine infantry, who had turned to chase them. Slowly the girls on ponies died and slowly the Treyine army gained ascendancy.

Eventually there were only a small number of horsewomen left and the Treyine archers were all around. The end of the matter was no longer in doubt. It was merely a case of how much damage the Hykari could do before they routed. The answer was: not too long at all. The approach of Sir Geoffrey and his knights was enough to break the Hykari morale and soon they and their ponies were streaming from the field. Sir Geoffrey was most pleased, and he was sure that the King would be too.

I was worried about this battle. There were twice as many Hykari as there were Treyine troops. Also, they had significantly greater manoeuvrability than I did, so I expected to be surrounded and cut down. As it turned out, I was surrounded but driving off the enemy general severely hindered Steve's ability to make use of his advantage in speed. My longbowmen's advantage was range and hitting power, which allowed them to hold their own against twice their number of light horse. Steve still routed and severely hurt a lot of my archers, but not enough to win the battle. That said, it could have gone either way really.

One thing we learned from this battle was that light horse are quite hard to use en masse effectively. Steve suffered because some of his light horse routed when friendly units retired into them, but he will have learned by next time! I have some ideas of my own that I would like to try out, so I plan to use the Hykari army myself at some point. Can't wait!

Autumn 988 - The Eastern Border Kingdoms

2009-10-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

The messenger entered the King's chamber in a hurry, but still performed the usual obeisances.

"Sire," he began, "I bring news from the Border Kingdoms. The Brethren have invaded in the west and subdued the land. The Goblins have invaded in the east. The Border Kingdoms are no more."

The messenger continued his tale hastily as the King looked intently at him. "Sire, I observed all as you had instructed. The Border Kingdoms army was decimated by the Brethren onslaught. They clearly knew that they could not hold the Brethren out and retreated from that battle with the remnants of their force. Perhaps young van der Walk thought he could hold the Goblins off more easily. I saw them deploy on the open plain where the Goblins caught them. The witch summoned a demon to assault the Goblins at the start of the battle. Its first pass caused the enemy skirmishers to flee but the infantry held steady."

"The Goblins were clearly incensed by the demon's presence and lost their minds for they charged heedless at their foes. Their assault was strong but the Border Kingdoms infantry held them off for a while. It was unfortunate that young van der Walk died in the first clash of arms. His presence might have secured a better outcome for his people. There were not many goblins left at the end of the battle, and all of those knew they had fought that day."

"I rode here as fast as I could after the battle to report to you, and I suspect many refugees will approach our borders before long too."

Edward IV of Treyine sat back and looked at the messenger with satisfaction. He indicated that the man should leave and turned to his counsellors.

"So, the Goblins appear to be working with the Brethren. Strange bedfellows indeed. I foresee an advantage in this, once we have dealt with those meddlesome witches from Hykar."

This battle went pretty much as expected, although I feel that I gave a good account of myself against the Goblin hordes. Had I not forgotten that the Goblins had the Frenzy attribute, I might even have done better. I forced enemy threat tests on the Goblins at the wrong moment and did not get to use my wizard again after that. I should have cast first and threatened afterwards. Still, it was not as lopsided a game as the fight between Tropilium and Treyine. The question is, what shall I do with all my nicely painted Border Kingdoms troops now?

Autumn 988 - Brethren in Arms

2009-10-13T04:17:00.000-07:00

Luther van der Walk was pleased that the Brethren had chosen to invade. Now he would prove his worth and crush them. The battlefield was constrained by two woods, so he would be able to concentrate his best forces in the centre while leaving the rank and file to secure the flanks with the aid of these natural obstacles.

Seeing the enemy deployed in similar fashion, he directed his wizard, Endora Henbane, to target the enemy general with a blast of mystic power. She obliged and Brethren General Miles Gloriosus exploded in a fountain of blood and guts that caused his entire unit to bolt forward. Despite the loss of their general, the remainder of the army was unperturbed. With the general dead, Luther was convinced that victory would be easy. While his main body stood still, he orderd the skirmishers forward into the woods to secure them against the enemy skirmishers.

With that the enemy began to advance piecemeal. This would be even easier than he had thought. Brethren knights and sergeants charged his position, leaving their less impetuous comrades behind. Seeing a chance to remove some of the enemy threat, Luther led his cavalry forward in a charge against the advancing knights. They were sore hurt already but the fight went against Luther and his cavalry were driven back. A panicked cavalryman grabbed Luther's bridle.

"My lord, they are too strong for us." So saying the cavalryman turned Luther's horse around despite his protests and fled for the rear. Luther's horse bolted with the rest of the cavalry and suddenly Borderers were streaming to the rear on all sides.

A few lone units fought on, struggling to stem the tide of the advancing Brethren.

It was useless. They were isolated and cut down by the faster Brethren sergeants, leaving only a few spearmen to retreat. Many more were cut down in the pursuit.

This battle saw the Wizard killing the Brethren general in the first turn; yet another example of Steve's fabled ability to throw sixes at the wrong moment. Unfortunately, the Border Kingdoms cavalry, with their general, routed in the first melee they fought. This left the borderers much weakened and unable to coordinate their defence properly. The Brethren mounted troops were able to waltz around the Borderers and pick them apart at will after that.

The Border Kingdoms lost a territory and their morale collapsed so they surrendered to the Brethren. I wonder if there will be a Border Kingdom after the Goblin invasion in their other territory?

Losses:
Border Kingdoms
1 Retinue Cavalry
4 Borderers
2 Skirmishers

The Brethren had no permanent losses.

Autumn 988 - A Farewell to Empire

2009-10-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Sir Geoffrey Chambers was a happy man. He led a small company of mercenaries normally, but today he was at the head of a battle-hardened army, invading the greatest empire that Talomir had ever known. This type of action suited his aggressive nature and his confidence was bolstered by the fact that he knew the enemy army had taken a beating recently. Naturally, he was confident.

With the enemy force arrayed before him, Sir Geoffrey could see that he outnumbered them ten to one or better. This would be a walkover. Even the enemy wizard, a runty little man called Pharos, was by all accounts not particularly a great threat. Well, he would swamp the wizard with bodies if he had to. He ordered the advance. The enemy awaited him on the reverse slope of a hill.

As he closed on them he ordered the archers on his flanks to swing around and encircle the enemy. He and his knights charged but were driven back by the enemy. The mystical aura was stronger than expected and he failed to trample them underfoot immediately. However, the enemy wizard fell in that initial onrush. He regathered his troops and charged again. This time the enemy fell like wheat before a scythe. The Tropilium general was last seen disappearing under Sir Geoffrey's horses hooves and the man's soldiers scattered and were cut down.

Sir Geoffrey had conquered new territory for this current masters. Perhaps he would be rewarded with a more permanent position now ...

This was the most unbalanced game we have ever played. A single Tropilium Legionary unit faced thirteen units of Treyine soldiery. Kudos to Steve for stepping up to the mark and trying to hurt the Treyine army before they could destroy him.

The end result was the total destruction of the Tropilium troops and the wounding of Pharos the Mage and the Tropilium general. Pharos will be out of the campaign for two seasons, while the general will return in three seasons.

After the battle, Tropilium morale collapsed and they surrendered to the Treyine army.

Autumn 988 - Campaign Progress

2009-09-29T01:55:00.000-07:00

And so it all kicks off. Treyine is upset at the wounding of Lord De La Warre, their favourite general, so they invade Tropilium, led by the fearless Sir Geoffrey. Hykar sees the chance of some easy pickings while the Treyine army is away and rides for Treyine as fast as they can. The Brethren decide that their recent regency in the Border Kingdoms entitles them to a bit more of the cake, so they invade. Meanwhile, Zog-Rot, seeing the Brethren distracted also chooses to invade the Border Kingdoms.

The rules do not cover what happens if multiple armies invade the same area. We decided to let the dice decide. 1d6 plus War Rating. Highest roller invades the nation first. After all, each turn is three months, which is more than enough time to march up and down a country. It all fell out as follows:

1. Treyine invades Tropilium
2. Hykar invades Treyine (the Treyine army will be footsore by now)
3 The Brethren invade the Border Kingdoms
4. Zog-Rot invades the Border Kingdoms

The situation at the start of Autumn 988:
Click image for a larger version

The armies for the Autumn turn are as at the start of the year, except for Treyine and Tropilium, whose remaining forces are detailed below:

Treyine Army
1 Foot Knight
9 Archers
The White Company
The Spear of Saint Lindorf
1 Heavy Spearmen (Tribute from the Brethren)
1 Knight (Tribute from Ekra)

Tropilium Army
1 Legionaries
Pherros (L1 Mage)

Summer 988 - The Battle of Poirotium Vale

2009-09-29T00:49:00.000-07:00

The Treyine army was confident when it drew up, even though the Brethren tribute had failed to show. They would have strong words later about those missing spearmen. Facing them was a much reduced Tropilium army. The Wizard Pherros was still alive and General Pheeassko was now leading the army, following the untimely demise of his predecessor. He was not looking forward to the task ahead of him.

We forgot to include the stand of Brethren Spearmen, so the Treyine army was one stand down, although I doubt it would actually have made any difference to the outcome. In story terms, this will have repercussions later in the campaign though.

The battle began with Pherros casting Air of Strength on the Tropilium foot to boost their morale, while the Treyine army advanced. The Tropilium skirmishers quickly occupied the heavy woods on their left flank, so Treyine archers and knights wheeled to advance on them.

Threatened by the advance of the knights and fearing the power of the longbows, the Tropilium skirmishers fled the field. Meanwhile, the Treyine army had advanced within bowshot and begun firing from the top of the hill in front of the Tropilium line, breaking it up into separate units. The Treyine left flank was advancing as fast as possible to turn on the enemy flank at the same time.

With the skirmishers gone, Sir Geoffrey's knights and the Ekran levy knights turned towards the main battle. The Tropilium army had fared badly in the fierce fighting and only General Pheeassko's bodyguard remained. They were giving a good account of themselves and were wearing Lord De La Warre's foot knights down slowly.

A shout went up. Lord De La Warre had fallen. The enemy rejoiced, but, contrary to expectations the Treyine army did not rout from the field. Instead they sought vengeance for their fallen lord. This was too much for General Pheeassko and he fled the field.

The Treyine general was wounded in the melee, but all of the Treyine army passed its Leader Lost test and fought on. Sir Geoffrey Chambers, the mercenary knight, has a war rating, so he became the new general on the field. Lord De La Warre suffered a result of wounded. He is not dead but will not take to the field for three campaign turns. Steve really thought he had me when he downed my general, but the last picture shows his dice's view on the matter. Double sixes on the test meant that his troops routed while my own stood firm.

Permanent Losses:
Treyine
1 Infantry

Tropilium
1 Slinger
1 Auxiliary Archer
1 Auxiliary (Mixed)
1 Legionary

Summer 988 - Cedric Spends An Uncomfortable Night

2009-09-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Griselda,

I hope you are keeping well.

We’ve managed to avoid having any more dealings with Wizards since my last letter. Last week was quite exciting as we got to go on a big boat across the Sea of Stryfe. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but several of the others didn’t. Herman seemed more convinced than ever, that we were going over the edge of the world. Brother Klaus again seemed upset by the food on the boat and turned a strange shade of green before being violently ill at each mealtime. Apparently there was an accident with the boat after we landed, I’ve drawn a picture. Brother Klaus tried to help put out the fire and had his beard singed.

Our quest continues and we are now in Tropilium in the town of Herculepoirotium. It’s a nice town on a bay with a large flat topped mountain behind it. I think Brother Klaus is suffering again, as I keep smelling sulphur.

We met some strange, but nice people yesterday. While out in the market, several people rode in on their ponies, all gaily decked out with ribbons. It was obvious these were important women, albeit from some barbarous tribe. As they circled around one of their horses stood on my foot. I pointed this out to the young lady on the horse and said I would speak to her father, or whoever was in charge of her, when he arrived. She said she was in charge, at which point I laughed and said, "Don’t be silly."

Well, can you believe it? She actually was in charge! In her country things really are run by the women. How strange! Fortunately I have the ability to quickly grasp a situation and calmly talk my way out of things. This is exactly what I did, as we all lay nursing bruises, in the local constabulary cells. The next day we were all released after paying a fine and Barbax Gutripper, the Hykari noblewoman I had spoken to, invited us back to her camp for a meal.

It was strange being served by men, as the women sat and ate, but when in Tropilium …, well, you know. They served a kind of drink made from fermented milk, which was more potent than I had at first thought. When I woke in the morning I found that Barbax had kindly given me her bed for the night. This was a very kind gesture, although it wasn’t very comfortable really. I felt dreadful that morning, as if I had ridden all night.

After thanking them we left to continue our search. All the others must have found comfier beds, because they all looked happier than they had for many months. They all were loath to leave the Hykari and all promised to visit soon. I’m sure you would have liked them too.

Best Regards
Brother Cedric

Cedric travelled to the border country of Treyine near the site of the battle at Snakeye Woods. While at the town of Herculepoirotium he scored a Talk the Talk encounter with a Hykar noble. He beat her by 1 success and chose the extra advancement roll because he had lost one as a result of being rendered out of the fight at the end of last year. When rolling for advancements, he gained nothing but lost 1 point of Hardiness. How did that happen? Oooerrr, is he telling Griselda the whole truth about what happened?

Summer 988 - Once More Into The Dungeon

2009-09-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

Goblins are an ever-present nuisance on the border near Alwinton, so Ragnar decided to lead a punitive raid against them for what they were almost certainly about to do. Leading his small band into the border country of Zog-Rot, he soon located the entrance to one of the goblins’ underground lairs. Ragnar quickly gave orders to his troops, formed them up and they entered the goblin lair. Ragnar was surprised that there were no guards or traps present in the outer chamber of the lair; Goblins are sneaky and often rely on traps to discourage their enemies. These goblins were very slack!

As the group advanced further into the lair, Hildigunn disarmed several traps. So, the lack of traps in the entrance was just a ruse to lull you into a false sense of security, eh. Well, Ragnar was not going to get caught out like that.

Eventually they found their way into a large chamber. It was filled with goblins. There was only one thing to do. Ragnar ordered his group to charge. Several of the goblins fell immediately, and their chief did not last much longer as Ragnar charged him. The remaining goblins fired a few desultory arrows, which unfortunately wounded Drogo and Hildigunn but the sight of the huge, red-bearded Mirholmer soon had them running for the doors. This was just as well since a new group of goblins joined the fray shortly after that. Fortunately Gunnvora and Grim were in place to guard the door. They prevented the goblins from entering the room for long enough that the rest of the group could aid them. After this the goblins had to wade through their own dead to reach Ragnar’s people. This was too much for them and they fled. After a thorough search of the rest of the lair Ragnar’s group found little treasure and no more goblins, but they feasted well on ripper beast and mushrooms from the goblins' farm before returning home to Alwinton.

This was a fairly standard raid scenario and is the last of my solo campaign scenarios. From now on Ragnar will be rolling as normal for new scenarios and I hope to include pictures of the games.

Summer 988 - Campaign Progress

2009-09-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

Despite their horrendous defeat at Snakeye Woods, Tropilium has immediately launched a new offensive into Treyine. Tropilium national morale has been slightly shaken (reduced by 1 point) but they are still willing to fight.

With Treyine distracted the Ekrans are making unhappy noises about Treyine imperialism but no one else has gone to war yet.

The situation in Summer 988 (click for a larger version):

Armies at war in Summer 988:
Treyine
1 Foot Knight
1 Infantry
9 Archers
The White Company
The Spear of Saint Lindorf
1 Heavy Spearmen (Tribute from the Brethren)
1 Knight (Tribute from Ekra)

Tropilium
2 Legionaries
1 Auxiliaries (Mixed)
1 Auxiliary Archers
1 Slingers
1 Pherros (Level 1 Mage)

All other armies remain the same as they did in Spring 988.

Spring 988 - The Battle of Snakeye Woods

2009-09-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lord De La Warre surveyed the Tropilium troops as they advanced. He did not fear these mongrels. Their empire was a shambles and they were but a shadow of their former selves. His battle-hardened troops were ready for another fight and were confident from their previous victories. He was less sure about the Ekran and Brethren levies though. Better be careful with them, or throw them into the first assault and rely on the enemy to deal with any issues. Ah well, Saint Lindorf was on their side and there was little he could do now. His troops were deployed with archers on the left and right flanks and the heavy infantry on the hill in the centre. Sir Geoffrey's knights were deployed as a reserve with the Ekran knights and Sir Geoffrey had orders to deal with the Ekrans should they prove troublesome.

The Tropilium troops had deployed on the other side of Snakeye woods with light troops on each flank. This whole southern border of Treyine was a welter of light woods and small copses that broke up the landscape. It made finding a battleground difficult, but it also suited the preferred Treyine way of war.

(Click the pictures for larger versions)

The Tropilium trumpets sounded and the advance began. Lord De La Warre grinned as he saw the enemy enter the woods. Right, he would go to meet them. He ordered his left flank and centre to advance. The right flank would stay put for now. He was uncertain what the enemy cavalry would do so those archers might be needed to hold them off. Meanwhile, behind him, the knights turned to the right and began a march on that flank. What the heck were they doing?

As the troops advanced, the enemy skirmishers soon emerged from the woods on the Treyine left flank. Treyine longbowmen were waiting for them and drove them back through the woods with heavy casualties. First blood to Treyine.

As the Tropilium centre emerged from the woods, Lord De La Warre suddenly realised that there was deviltry afoot. The ground shook under his feet and the Treyine centre was scattered apart. The enemy then ordered a charge. Fortunately for the Treyine soldiers the troops on their right decided that discretion was the better part of valour and chose to remain in the cover of the woods but bitter fighting ensued elsewhere on the edge of Snakeye woods. Lord De La Warre was in his element now. He loved a good scrap.

The enemy cavalry had emerged on the Treyine right flank by now too but the auxiliary cavalry was quickly driven off by bow fire. Sir Geoffrey and the Ekran knights were still parading uselessly around behind the Treyine lines. Without Badenhorst to focus on, Sir Geoffrey seemed to be having trouble deciding who to attack.

After the initial hard fighting, the Treyine troops seemed to be getting the worst of it and their infantry were being driven back, but Lord De La Warre was undaunted. He drove his men forward and, as the enemy was driven back, his men surrounded and killed one of the mages that had sought to aid the enemy. He redoubled his efforts and urged his men on harder.

With the enemy falling back and casualties mounting the battle seemed already won, but De La Warre knew better than to count his chickens before they were hatched. Dropping his shield and taking his sword in both hands he cleaved a passage into the enemy unit and his loyal knights followed. The enemy general soon stood before him. He recognised the man from various diplomatic missions. General Cloddius was a decidedly average man in all respects, but still he put up as good a fight as he could. It was not good enough though. De La Warre charged at Cloddius, who soon fell before the Treyine lord's fury. With the fall of Cloddius, the Tropilium army routed from the field and Treyine was safe once more from enemy incursions.

This battle was characterised by a general inability on Steve's part to roll high on his hit rolls, resulting in not many hits to the Treyine army. He still routed two units of Treyine infantry, the first casualties they have suffered in this campaign, but his dice rolling was terrible just the same.

Steve's progress was slow too thanks to all the light woods I put out. I rolled high for terrain so I was able to place a lot of it. This hampered his efforts to deploy usefully and reduced the amount of time I would have to face the mages for.

The knights in my Treyine army did pretty much nothing for the whole game. I had intended to use them as a tactical reserve but in the end I dithered too much with them and they just paraded around because I never got them anywhere useful.

Finally, Steve's ability to throw 6s at just the wrong moment was evident too. The mages were deployed in the centre with his general's stand and in two turns his best mage and his general both suffered mortal wounds as a result of rolling 6s. Ah well, perhaps he will roll better next time.

Permanent Losses:
Treyine
2 Infantry

Tropilium
General Cloddius (WR 3)
Pharos (Level 2 Mage)
1 Equites
1 Legionaries
2 Auxiliaries (Mixed)
1 Archers
1 Auxiliary Cavalry

The Tropilium Imperial Army

2009-09-15T04:40:00.001-07:00

Tropilium Empire

After years of decline under successive Emperors, things seem to be changing for Tropilium. Following the death of Ferad the Studious, in an unexpected hunting accident, the Empire has been taken over by his cousin Herak the Sureshot. He has set about increasing the size of and re equipping the army, which has suffered years of cut backs.

There have already been several ‘border incidents’ with surrounding countries, several of which were previously part of the Empire. The navies, both merchant and military, have also been boosted, giving Tropilium a presence once more around the coast. There have also been claims, that members of the merchant navy, have been gathering information, on various countries. This is of course a lie, as Tropilium employs vast numbers of spies to do this work.

The Army is lead by the Eagle Legionnaries (centre), flanked here by the heavy cavalry and the armoured archers.

Here are the Auxiliaries and the light scout cavalry.

And finally the support from the skirmishing slingers and the Tropilium Artillery.

Spring 988 - An Affair at Alwinton

2009-09-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Upon reaching Alwinton in the Border Kingdoms, Ragnar was relieved to be able to rest a while. Their journey into Zog-Rot had been profitable, but the need to set guards every night and the constant cold weather had been wearing. Now he could relax.

As he lounged around in the pub swilling ale, Ragnar suddenly heard shouts from outside. He knew those noises. They were the shouts of people under attack. Ragnar quickly called his group together. Moving to the window, he looked out to see who was attacking. The innkeeper told him that it was Lord DeVries, a neighbouring lord, who coveted Alwinton’s apple orchards and sought to tax the village despite the fact that it belonged to Lord Beauvriere. Ulf was the first to spot the enemy. He fired and killed the sole archer with this contingent of DeVries’ men. Ragnar led his people out into the street and lined them up. They formed a living barrier across the street, blocking it, and used their new bows effectively to shoot down several of the enemy before they had to grab their spears and shields. As they did so another contingent of DeVries’ men appeared. There were now half a dozen mounted knights and two dozen infantry. Fortunately there were very few archers and Ulf was able to pick them off easily before they could do any damage. The knights charged the shieldwall but it held firm for the most part. Barak and Gunnvora were driven back by one knight and Barak was laid low, but Hildigunn soon came to the rescue and the shieldwall was repaired. The knights fought well, but their palsied leader was not up to leading the charge and Ragnar soon cut him down. At this most of the enemy fled. One brave knight tried to rescue his lord but died in the process. Some of the enemy infantry dithered as they tried to work up the courage to charge. Ragnar charged them first and had cut down two of them before they knew what was happening. The third fled. So it went with the remaining troops. Without their leader they did not know what to do and so they died or fled.

Lord Beauvriere was pleased with Ragnar’s work and granted him the position of honorary protector of Alwinton. He also granted him leave to recruit troops from the village and surrounding farms in return for protecting the village. Lord DeVries, who was only wounded in the fight, now languishes in Lord Beauvriere’s dungeon until his relatives can raise the ransom. After seeing the fight, three of the village guard volunteered to join Ragnar’s band. The group now numbers 9 hardy souls and plans to set out on a raid in Zog-Rot soon.

Spring 988 - Campaign Progress

2009-09-14T03:25:00.000-07:00

Spring is largely a quiet time in Talomir this year. Only Tropilium has decided to go to war. Seeing the rapid expansion of Treyine, the Tropilium Empire has decided to invade Treyine and curb the threat that they pose. Of course, it probably helps that the Treyine mage has died over the winter. We can only speculate on the nature of her death and wonder whether the Tropilium Empire had something to do with it!

Only Ekra and Treyine are choosing to use mercenary forces this year. However, a rash of mages has emerged from all over Talomir and many nations have recruited them.

The situation at the start of Spring 988:
(Click picture for a larger version)

Armies at the start of 988:
Border Kingdoms
1 Retinue Cavalry
2 Retinue Infantry
6 Borderers
2 Skirmishers
1 Level 2 Mage

Brethren
1 Brother Knights
2 Brother Sergeants
3 Heavy Spears
1 Peasant Foot
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archers

Ekra
3 Knights
2 Infantry
2 Crossbows
The Black Company
1 Level 1 Mage

Goblins
3 Archers
6 Goblins
1 Wolf Riders
1 Black Moon Goblins

Hykar
1 Noble Cavalry
17 Cavalry
1 Jurgen Infantry
1 Level 1 Mage

Treyine
1 Foot Knight
3 Infantry
9 Archers
The White Company
The Spear of Saint Lindorf
1 Heavy Spearmen (Tribute from the Brethren)
1 Knight (Tribute from Ekra)

Tropilium
1 Equites
5 Legionaries
3 Auxiliaries (Mixed)
1 Auxiliary Archers
1 Archers
1 Slingers
1 Auxiliary Cavalry
1 Level 1 Mage
1 Level 2 Mage

Winter 987 - Brother Cedric Lies Around A Lot

2009-08-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Brother Cedric had been lucky. The arrows had caused serious but not fatal injuries. His followers carried him to the nearest preceptory, where he lay in a fever for weeks. The Brothers at the preceptory were scandalised by his ravings about Griselda's baps and buns but they put it down to the wound-fever. Slowly he responded to their treatment and slowly he recovered. As he did so, he ranted and raved much less and eventually, towards the end of winter, his rational self returned. He began to exercise and recover his strength and, by spring, he was ready to resume his quest.

Winter 987 - Campaign Progress

2009-08-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

Following the battles of the autumn, Treyine and Ekra have concluded a peace treaty. The Treyine empire is expanding rapidly but their progress will be hindered now by all the nations around them, with whom they have made treaties.

The Situation during Winter 987 (click for a larger version)

In other news, The Goblin general, Graash the Unflinching, died this winter. It is unclear whether he was poisoned or not, but Gargash Gutripper, the new Goblin leader, swears blind that there was only a natural succession within the Goblin tribes. A spell going awry also seems to have done for the wizard Callifraxia Glories-in-the-Sun. The Treyine army will certainly miss her.

No new heroes have stood up to be counted this winter. Perhaps they fear the Treyine arrows as much as Brother Cedric does now!

With the disappearance of Callifraxia, a number of other wizards have shown their hands. It looks like the Border Kingdoms, Ekra and Tropilium will all be hiring wizards for their armies. Unfortunately for the Goblins of Zog-Rot, they get no recruitment rolls this year, which is a shame because they could have had three wizards!

No new artefacts or magic items have been discovered within the campaign area this winter.

The campaign map now includes the Border Kingdoms as a separate nation from the Brethren, and adds Hykar and Tropilium. Steve is supplying the Tropilium Legionaries. Will they be able to stop Treyine expansion?

Hykar - Horsewomen of the central steppes

2009-08-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

Every girl wants a pony for her birthday. It's a given. So what happens when all the small girls that were refused ponies band together and take them? The nation of Hykar is born, that is what.

The nation of Hykar is a confederation of steppe tribes ruled by women. Women rule the society and run everything. Men in Hykar society have no rights or say in what happens. Tribal councils strictly forbid men from taking part in any decision-making process. For this reason, the Hykari look down upon their neighbours, who are ruled by men. This makes diplomacy very difficult. The Hykari's primary interests in life are ponies and bling and they believe that it is their right to take either or both of these from the inferior peoples around them, or even from each other.

The Hykari army (click all pictures for larger versions)

The Hykari army comprises huge numbers of light horse supported by a smaller number of wealthy noble Hykari. Women that have not proven their worth yet (Jurgen in the Hykari tongue) are sometimes permitted along on the raids. The wealthier of these Jurgen will ride horses, but most will be on foot. Jurgen are forbidden by Hykari law from wearing pretty clothes or jewellery. Women prove their worth in Hykari society by killing in battle and stealing horses. Once a woman has stolen her first horse and killed her first enemy she may wear the pretty things that she aspires to. This is a badge of her social status and is important to getting along in Hykari society. The women of Hykar mark their status by their clothes and jewellery, and also by twining ribbons in their ponies' manes and tails. The more ribbons a pony has, the more bloodthirsty and vicious its rider is likely to be.

Hykari Heroines and Leaders

Hykari Nobles

Hykari Warriors

Jurgen (left to right: Nobles, Spearwomen, Skirmishers)

Note: Warrior Heroes states that the Hykari army list is based on Huns. I had Amazons, with a preponderance of light horse, in the lead pile and wanted to use them rather than buying new figures, so I have based my Hykari army around the Amazons instead.

Winter 987 - The Raid on Gruumsh

2009-08-28T02:45:00.000-07:00

After months of searching for an opportunity, Ragnar’s band finally found the village of Gruumsh. This sleepy goblin hamlet looked ripe for the assault. Its inhabitants were no doubt ready for their Yuletide dinner and Ragnar intended to take it from them. The group sneaked close to the village. With a ferocious yell, they all charged into the village. The goblins were stunned and did not react until it was too late. Half a dozen goblins had spilt their guts on the floor before the others started to get organised. However, by then it was too late. Most of them were dead or had fled. Those that remained hiding in the buildings were quickly despatched and the serious business of looting could get under way. None of Ragnar’s group were even injured in this attack! With the loot that he had gained Ragnar’s reputation also improved massively. There would be much to sing about when he returned home.

Finally Ragnar finds something to fight! This was a standard raid scenario that went spectacularly well for our heroes.

Autumn 987 - Bloody Meadows

2009-08-28T02:42:00.000-07:00

Brother Cedric had caught up with the object of his quest. He knew exactly where the Spear of Lindorf was and he knew who had it. Unfortunately, it was surrounded by thousands of Treyine soldiers. Sneaking into the Treyine camp was not really Brother Cedric's forte, so he needed another way to get to the Spear. The means was all around him. The battered Ekran army had rallied and was ready to try stopping the Treyine army once more. The soldiers in the army looked half-defeated already, but that did not stop them lining up ready to sell their homeland's soil dearly. Brother Cedric had a place as a captain in their midst. The Ekran general had been grateful to see even Cedric's small band willing to support his own forces. Half of the Treyine archers had set up stakes in front of their positions. The other half had refused the Treyine right flank. The Spear was with the Treyine general in the centre of their line. On the Ekran left flank, the mercenary captain Alfred Badenhorst had deployed his Black Company opposite the White Company of Sir Geoffrey Chambers. Both commanders were ready to settle an old score. Sir Geoffrey was particularly keen after the rout of his knights in the last battle. Trumpets blew and drums rolled as the advance was ordered.

Brother Cedric had rolled a result of find the object of his quest but he had to fight a battle before going to the raid scenario. Rather than do this in WHAA, we chose to combine the two campaigns and fight the battle in WH because there was going to be a WH battle anyway and we knew the object of the quest would be at that battle. Brother Cedric's task was to get to the stand carrying the Spear and rout them. If he did that then the next scenario, regardless of the outcome of the WH battle would be a raid on the routers' camp to recover the Spear.

The Treyine army had rolled low enough to be the defender in this battle, even though they were invading. Terrain was set up with two light woods on each flank. I worked out Brother Cedrics stats under WH and he was then fielded as a hero stand. Steve does not have a suitable 6mm version so we used the actual Brother Cedric figure. I think that gives him his proper heroic status!

Click the pictures for larger versions

As the Ekran army advanced, the witch Callifraxia made her presence known. The ground opened up under the Ekran right flank and all of the troops to Brother Cedric's right were swallowed up by a yawning Abyss, never to be seen again. The flower of Ekran chivalry was lost. More importantly, the Ekran general was lost. Brother Cedric rallied quickly and took charge. Even though the troops were shaken, Brother Cedric managed to stop them fleeing the field. He reformed the lines and marched on.

A level 3 wizard with an Abyss spell is a hugely powerful weapon in this game. In this instance, the spell destroyed three stands of knights and one of crossbows. I had not realised that one of those stands was the general. The conversation then went something like this.
"Right, Steve, do you want to make the remaining knight your general, since you had not told me which was your general? No? Ok, then you had better roll a die to see if your general survives. He will survive on anything but a 6. Ok? What did you get? A 6? Oh dear. Right, the general is lost forever."
We also decided that since Brother Cedric is a Star as well as a hero that he could take charge of the army so it would not be so limited by like of leadership. That's the heroic thing to do after all. WH does not actually have Stars, but it felt right porting over some of their attributes from WHAA.

As the remnant of the Ekran army advanced, Sir Geoffrey Chambers' hot-headedness took over again and he charged Alfred Badenhorst's pikemen, only to be repulsed. Badenhorst hooted insults at Sir Geoffrey as his knights withdrew from the pike block, leaving several of their number lying wounded and dying on the floor. Meanwhile, the Treyine archers on the right flank started firing, initially with little effect. On the left flank, the archers advanced from behind their stakes, wheeling to fire into the flank of the Ekran army.

Sir Geoffrey, smarting from the insults hurled at him charged again, only for his knights to be cut down around him. The remaining knights fled the field ignominiously defeated. Honour was restored, however, when Sir Geoffrey's archers opened up on Badenhorst's pikes, wounding many and causing Badenhorst to flee the field too. Honours were about even now. The archers fired once more, driving off the Ekran peasant infantry, and then the Ekran knights charged. A bloody and drawn out melee ensued as they were engaged by the Treyine infantry and men-at-arms. Meanwhile, the archers on the left flank had moved into range and began shooting. Brother Cedric's small band were soon wounded and it did not take long for Cedric himself to be grievously wounded. Seeing their leader fall, the small band of brothers retreated from the field with his body, leaving only the knights and Badenhorst's arquebusiers standing. They called for parley and were permitted to leave the field as the Treyine army once more drove all before it. Their casualties had been light and they could afford to be magnanimous in victory.

"Steve, the archers have scored a hit on Brother Cedric. He only becomes a casualty if you roll a 6. What's that? A 6?"
"Right, Steve, you need to roll for the severity of the wound. 1 or 2 is good. What did you get? Another 6? Right that means Cedric is dead."
But wait, can Cedric really be dead? Well, no, not really. He is a Star. As I mentioned earlier, we were porting over some rules from WHAA for this game. Because Brother Cedric is a star, he cannot be killed by anyone with a lesser Rep than him. CV in WH is basically the same as Rep, and the archers have a lower CV than Brother Cedric, so, even though the result called for a dead result, it became an out of the fight result instead. Brother Cedric is badly wounded, but not dead yet and he will forfeit his next Social Advancement roll instead.

Summer 987 - A Postcard from the Edge

2009-07-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Brother Cedric had ridden for days across the Border Kingdoms and had now reached the borders Ekra. He had heard that the Treyine army had advanced into Ekran territory and were bent on the conquest of their traditional rivals. He must catch up with the Treyine army if he were to accomplish his mission. The army could not be far ahead.

It seemed that the traditionally rainy Treyine summer weather was following the Treyine army. Brother Cedric and his retinue were all soaked to the skin and miserable. It looked like they would have to spend another rainy night in the open when, as night fell, Cedric espied a tumble-down farm ahead. A light glowed welcomingly from the window. It was just a hovel, but it was a roof and four walls. He decided that a night spent in the warmth would be better than another night in the open, even if they had to share their beds with half a dozen goats and a cow or two. Cedric hammered on the door, which shuddered fit to splinter under his gauntleted fist.

"Open in the name of the Brethren."

The farmer that opened the door was a scrawny specimen, more wrinkle than skin, if truth be told. With the door open Cedric strode in. The farmer durst not deny Cedric entry, and Cedric was able to stretch out his legs before a rather poor but no less welcome fire. The retinue made the most of their opportunity for a dry night and huddled together around the fire, while the farmer and his wife and children huddled in a corner, fearing to say anything in case they upset their noble guests. The night passed and dawn came all too quickly. With the dawn came the thunder of hooves and the clatter of armour.

"Ho farmer," roared a voice, "'Tis time to pay your taxes. I'll have whatever you own and no less."

The farmer moaned in fear, "It's raiders from the Border. Sir Knight, please save us."

Brother Cedric looked up from the postcard he was about to write and leapt into action immediately.

(Click the pictures for larger versions)

Dear Griselda,

Hope you are well and the bakery is running fine. Say hello to the lads for me. I couldn’t have been more honoured when the Grand Master himself picked me for a special mission. I have just crossed over into Ekra, but don’t tell anyone, as this is a secret. So what has happened since I last wrote. Brother Klaus has been complaining, as usual, saying this foreign food doesn’t agree with him. Hermann the spearman has been particularly quiet, he seems to think if we travel much further we will fall off the edge of the world. Brother Siegfried, who’s quite clever at this kind of thing, has told him that he will not fall off the edge of the world, as we will reach the lake of fire which the world floats on long before. This didn’t seem to calm Hermann at all. Some people just don’t undestand learning.

We travelled to see Nettle on the Slyde, the Friendliest Hamlet in the Border Kingdoms, as I had said we might in the last letter. Well it wasn’t overly friendly and the River Slyde was at least 6 miles away, but we decided to stay the night. It was almost as if someone was expecting us at the village as in the middle of the night cries came from outside. We quickly rushed out to see what was happening, luckily we remembered to take our weapons with us this time, we’re not getting caught out that way again. Ralf, one of our new crossbowmen, thought he saw something in the fields, but it turned out to be nothing.

Brother Konrad ran out onto the main road and spotted a veritable army heading towards the village.

He rushed at them swiftly killing one and causing others to retreat before him. Their archers and slingers came into action, killing Ralf and his brother Fritz. Henning, our other crossbowman fought on bravely.

We rushed to the aid of Brother Konrad, as the enemy began to encircle him. Again his axe sang and another foe fell to the ground never to ride, this again caused several of the enemy to flee. I reached the battle as Brother Konrad fell, soon to be followed by Brother Leelove. I met their leader who soon fell before my flashing blade.

This seemed to be it for the attack with Brother Seigfried chasing most of the others off. Henning was knocked to the ground in the end by an arrow, before I despatched the last of their archers. By the time we had gathered ourselves together and bound the wounded, the cowardly enemy leader had slunk away into the night. Sadly we lost Fritz and Ralf in the fight, but everyone else made a full recovery.

Hope you like the card.

Best Regards,
Brother Cedric

This was a raid scenario with Brother Cedric being the defender. The enemy arrived in full force on turn 1 but failed to leave their start line and performed particularly poorly in the fight, with the exception of one Rep3 Archer, who passed all his reaction tests with flying colours and was the last on his side to fall.

Summer 987 - Into the bowels of the earth

2009-07-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Following a quiet few months as they established themselves in the Border Kingdoms town of Alwinton, Ragnar and his team set out for Zog-Rot. They had travelled some distance into the country before they found their first sign of goblin life. They quickly checked their gear before descending into the dungeon in search of glory (and treasure). As they entered the dungeon, they found themselves in a narrow corridor with two doors in it; one at the end and one on the right wall. Hildigunn moved up to the door on the right wall. She checked it out and was satisfied that there was nothing wrong with it. However, upon opening the door she was showered with rotten wood and faced with a blank wall. This door had clearly been trapped at one time but the trap had rotted and now it did not work.

The group advanced to the other door. It was locked too. Hildigunn failed to pick this lock and so Ragnar broke the door down. As he rebounded back through the door, the group realised that they were in a false entrance. There was nothing beyond either door. It looked like this was a trap for those that would raid the dungeon, and not a dungeon itself. Unhappily they returned to the surface. Their search for glory would continue later, but first they were going to get something to eat.

This scenario was an encounter with goblins in a dungeon. I was looking forward to a good dungeon bash. Unfortunately, this one went nowhere. The dice I rolled generated doors with nothing behind them and no goblins were encountered. Ho hum!

House Rules 1 - The Campaign

2009-07-14T06:09:00.001-07:00

Marrying up the Warrior Heroes and Warrior Heroes: Armies and Adventures campaigns has highlighted one issue that is giving me a headache. WHAA uses a system where you specify that you are in one area of a kingdom (Border, Inside or Heart). WH uses a system where you move from province to province. So, what happens when a province changes hands during a season as happened in the Summer 987 campaign turn? Brother Cedric was travelling to Ekra to intercept the Treyine army. He had reached the border of Ekra. This should put him in the province that the Treyine army had invaded. The Treyine army captures the province, so we need to decide where Brother Cedric is on the map. Is he on the border of Treyine suddenly, or does he shift to the border of Ekra still? Common sense says that he should now be in Treyine but we still do not know exactly when the province changes hands, which would affect which encounter charts he uses. We have decided to change the campaign movement system slightly for WHAA so that it matches up exactly with the WH system.

WHAA Character Movement
Each campaign turn is now one season. During one season a character may move up to one province. When moving, the player states where in the province the character will finish moving. The character may move to any location within the province. The character will test for an encounter at this location.

Capturing Provinces
A province counts as owned by the nation that began the turn in control of it until the end of that season. Any captured provinces transfer ownership at the end of the season and will begin the next season controlled by their new owner.

Conclusion
This new system will reduce the number of potential encounters for each character. On the other hand, it should keep the campaign progressing more smoothly. At the moment we have potentially three encounters for each character per season compared to one battle per nation., which means that one part of the campaign is usually lagging far behind the other. I hope that these changes solve that. I also think I prefer the map movement for characters, rather than the more abstract WHAA system.

Autumn 987 - Campaign Progress

2009-07-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

The Treyine invasion of Ekra was successful. They drove the Ekrans from the field and secured more territory for themselves. Treyine expansion is understandably making everyone else rather nervous, but there seems to be little that anyone can do about it yet. Both nations' governments are on shaky ground (both only passed 1 die following the summer battle) but the war continues.

The rules do not actually include anything on continuing wars. Treyine is the aggressor in this war and so would normally choose a province to attack. However, it strikes me that the defender might well counter-attack to retake land they have lost. I devised a test to determine who will attack whom in this case. Roll 2 dice versus the War Rating of each nation. Whichever nation scores the most successes will be the attacker. In the case of a draw, I re-rolled until there was a clear winner. I am half-tempted to include an option for not attacking, to allow for the consolidation of forces and a period of phony war, but where is the fun in that?

The Treyine juggernaut continued to advance, trampling their enemies under foot. The Ekrans chose to try to consolidate their forces and hold out for winter, in the hope that they can regroup and retake their lost lands next year.

The other nations are all busily setting their smiths to work, just in case they are next!

The Situation at the Start of Autumn 987 (click for a larger image)

Armies at war:
Ekra
4 Knights
1 Infantry
1 Crossbows
The Black Company

Treyine
1 Foot Knight
2 Retinue Foot
6 Longbowmen
The White Company
The Spear of Saint Lindorf
Callifraxia Glories-in-the-Sun (Level 3 Wizard)

The Border Kingdoms Reborn

2009-07-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

For the past two years, the Border Kingdoms have been governed by the Brethren (see HERE for details) . That rule has now come to an end because the scions of the noble houses are now of age to take charge. The armies of the Border Kingdom will no longer march in the black and white of the Brethren, but will ride to battle in their young lords' colours instead.

The leading family of the Border Kingdoms is the van der Walk family. Gunther van der Walk was the third son of a minor Altengardian family, with little chance of inheriting his father's estates. He sought adventure in the east and carved out a kingdom for himself by force of arms. Now it is his son's turn to prove that he has what it takes to keep hold of that kingdom. Luther van der Walk is a real fire-eater. He set out to prove himself from an early age and is renowned for his strength and courage. Were it not for the law of the land, he might well have seized the reigns of power before now.

Gilbert de Beauvriere is the son of Drogo de Beauvriere, a young knight of Ekra when he joined the crusade into what became the Border Kingdoms. Gilbert is a more contemplative sort than Luther, but is known to be competent with arms and willing to fight. His father carved out his province like Gunther van der Walk did but his reign was characterised by more of an emphasis on administration than on beating up Goblins.

Childebert de Valons is the youngest of the three rulers. He relies much on the advice of his uncles to rule his province and is clearly perceived to be the weakest of the three. He is a spindly bookish man with little zest for warfare, but his theories on agriculture are likely to ensure that any province he rules will prosper and become wealthy. Unfortunately, in the recent unpleasantness he was forced to cede his territory to Treyine; ploughshares are not particularly useful against swords. He harbours a grudge against the Brethren, who were supposed to maintain the security of this area until he came of age.

The army of the Border Kingdoms consists of a mix of cavalry and infantry troops. The lords' personal retinues march to battle in their colours and are supported by a citizen militia with more taste for battle than many. The Borderers' primary weapon is the spear, but many are also familiar with the use of the crossbow.

The Borders Army Arrayed (click for a larger version)

The Lords of the Border Kingdoms are:
Lord Luther van der Walk (WR 4)
Lord Gilbert de Beauvriere (WR 3)
Lord Childebert de Valons (WR 2) (currently in exile)

It will be interesting to see if the Brethren willingly relinquish their hold on the Border Kingdoms next year.

I had originally intended to use a Norman army for the Border Kingdoms, although it is given an historical equivalent of Fuedal French in the rule book. However, I had a bunch of Wars of the Roses figures that needed painting, so I have used them as an interim force for this army. The liveried figures are painted in the livery of Sir Henry Grey, Lord Grey of Codnor, who fought on the side of the Yorkists at Tewkesbury in 1471. I made the banners and standards on my computer. I am not sure that the leader figure's standard is exactly correct, but it works well enough to suit me and I very much doubt that many people will know any better either! I do plan to replace this force with a Norman army when Baccus finally produce one, but these will suffice until that day.

Summer 987 - The Battle Between Two Woods

2009-07-07T03:27:00.000-07:00

The men of Treyine were confident after their battle with the Brethren. They had a powerful sorceress on their side and their mercenaries had shown conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy. In fact, it seemed that Sir Geoffrey Chambers was a real fire-eater, charging off into the fray heedless of the dangers that he exposed himself to. So, when they were ordered to march on Ekra, they marched like men with nothing to fear.

Once onto Ekran soil they soon found themselves facing the enemy. They deployed between two woods and stood ready to face the famous Ekran charge. The sun rose in the sky and sweat dripped from many a brow as they emplaced stakes along their frontage. The Treyine army placed its faith in its longbowmen above all else. These stout yeomen could loose thousands of arrows in seconds on any enemy foolish enough to try to close with them. Sir Geoffrey's mercenaries were deployed on the left flank this time.

The Ekran army had its knights deployed facing Sir Geoffrey Chambers, on their right flank. Their infantry were deployed across the frontage of the Treyine army, but it was clear that these troops were intended solely to occupy the attentions of the archers while the knights tried to collapse the Treyine left flank. The Ekrans sounded the advance and their troops moved forwards. The knights quickly demonstrated their impetuousness by outpacing all but the Ekran skirmishers. This was too much for Sir Geoffrey, who ordered his own knights forward. The Ekrans, seeing this lone advance immediately sounded the charge and Sir Geoffrey countercharged. The melee was short but furious. Although Sir Geoffrey's knights took more casualties in the first onslaught, they drove a wedge through the leading knights, broke their morale and routed them. Buoyed up by this victory, he and his men trampled a unit of Ekran crossbowmen in their eagerness to break their lances on the next unit of knights. Unfortunately, this was just too much. The new knights drove Sir Geoffrey's men from the field.

However, in that first charge, Sir Geoffrey had laid the Ekran general low and now the Ekrans were leaderless. Their troops were shaken and many fled the field. Barely half the Ekran army still stood and the Treyine main assault had yet to fall on the Ekrans. The Ekran general's replacement called for a parlay and surrendered. His troops were permitted to retreat with colours flying and this province became another part of Treyine.

This battle was lost by the Ekrans thanks to particularly poor reaction tests in the first melee of the battle, which saw their general rout from the field. The sorceress did little but summon a unit of minor demons to aid the Ekran cause. She tried to destroy the Ekran army with an Abyss spell but exhausted herself instead.

The Treyine army had no permanent losses.
The Ekran army lost:
1 unit of Knights
1 unit of Infantry
1 unit of Crossbowmen
1 unit of Peasant Foot

March 987 - Brother Cedric Takes Orders

2009-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

The letter had arrived early in Spring summoning Brother Cedric to Acromerinth, the capital of the Border Kingdoms. It came directly from Grand Master Valdemar von Vinkelhof, a big man in the Brethren hierarchy of the Border Kingdoms. He was not a man to mess around if you wanted your arms and legs to remain attached to your body, so Brother Cedric set out at once. The journey to the capital was long and wet, but uneventful. The spring rains made travelling difficult so Brother Cedric was relieved when he finally reached the city and was able to get properly dry in the Brethren preceptory there. However, he was not permitted long to rest. The Grand Master was made aware of Brother Cedric's presence immediately he arrived and Brother Cedric was summoned to the main hall shortly thereafter. Worse yet, when he arrived all the junior Brethren present were immediately dismissed. Only the most senior members of the hierarchy and Brother Miles Gloriosus, celebrated victor against the Goblins of Zog-Rot. It would be fair to say that Brother Miles looked less than happy to be there. If anything his face betrayed greater unwillingness to be there than was in Brother Cedric's heart. The atmosphere in the hall was tense. Brother Cedric was really worried now. What had he done wrong this time? Whom had he offended? He knelt before the Grand Master as etiquette demanded and kissed the proferred ring of office.

"Stand up, Brother Cedric." The Grand Master's voice was deep and strong, unlike his aging body, which betrayed all the signs of a hard life lived fighting the Black Moon. The Grand Master had lived seventy winters now and most of those had been spent in the front line, which made his longevity and even greater miracle.

"Brother Cedric," he continued, "Do you know why you are here now?"
"No, Grand Master."
"You have been summoned here, Brother Cedric," announced the Grand Master portentously, "to undertake a special mission on behalf of our order. It has come to my attention that you have upset a number of important nobles near your home preceptory. While we recognise that you acted in accord with your oath of fealty to the order, we feel that it would be better for you to take a leave of absence from the preceptory. Recent events have led to an unhappy situation that we hope you can sort out."

Brother Miles flinched at this comment. Clearly the barb was aimed at him.

The Grand Master continued as Brother Miles looked less and less happy, if that were possible. "Recent events have caused us much discomfort in our ward of the Border Kingdoms. You will have heard of the recent battle against Treyine, no doubt. The Western Marches are now in Treyine hands and we must do something about this. Brother Miles led the defending force against the Treyine invaders and failed us. He will do penance. You will succeed and you will be rewarded."

There was no doubt in Cedric's mind that failure would not be good for his career prospects in this regard.

"Brother Cedric, the Treyine army won by using foul magicks, reinforced by their command of the Spear of Saint Lindorf. You will recover the Spear from them and demoralise their troops. This is your task and you will not return here until you have done so. We have been forced to sue for peace following Brother Miles' failure and we dare not break that treaty yet. However, there is nothing to stop us preparing for the day when we have marshalled our forces and are ready to wipe this stain from our records. You will hasten that day. DO NOT FAIL ME!"

Brother Cedric hastily agreed with the Grand Master and hastily left the hall. He would rather face a whole horde of Goblins than just this one aging Grand Master. He had his task and he knew where the Spear was last seen. Time to gather his retinue and leave as quickly as possible for the west.

The first two months of Spring were uneventful as Brother Cedric travelled through the Border Kingdoms. When he reached the heart of the Border Kingdoms he also rolled a Talk the Talk encounter, which he lost by one roll. Normally this would have led to him lending a figure to another group. However, we interpreted the rules liberally and decided that Brother Cedric should go on a quest to steal the Spear of Saint Lindorf from the Treyine army. This will link our WHAA and WH campaigns a little more closely. It might even see Brother Cedric making an appearance as a hero on the WH battlefield.

April 987 - Brave as a Wolf

2009-06-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Ragnar's travels had taken him through Altengard to Ekra without mishap but with little opportunity for gain either. He was travelling through the Ekran border country, heading for the Border Kingdoms when a local knight, Sir Roger de Gris, put pressure on Ragnar to help him in his efforts against his rival, Sir Albert de Beauville. Ragnar could do little to resist this and had to send Ulf to help Roger. Fortunately Ulf was able to escape this duty fairly quickly after Sir Roger ambushed Sir Albert and was killed by him. Like the brave soldier he was, Ulf took to his heels and fled the fight.

Another Talk the Talk encounter with the local authorities. Ragnar lost and had to send Ulf off temporarily to help the knight.

Summer 987 - Campaign Progress

2009-06-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

Treyine and the Brethren have agreed terms for peace following the recent readjustment of the borders. However, the hawks in the Treyine government have seen Ekran isolationist policies as a weakness, so Treyine has turned its attention to its other neighbour, egged on by Sir Geoffrey Chambers, who sees in this move an opportunity to get one over his rival, Alfred Badenhorst. Badenhorst is currently in the employ of the Ekran government so Sir Geoffrey can be fairly sure of meeting his old enemy on the field of battle.

Treyine rolled to go to war. It only has one legal target so it must attack Ekra.

The Brethren are unable to go to war with anyone else due to the various peace treaties that are in force. The Brethren rolled that they should go to war, but we decided that they should honour their peace treaties with the Zog-Rot and Treyine. There is an argument for breaking their treaty with Zog-Rot on the grounds that the Brethren did not pursue this treaty, but we finally decided that both parties should honour the treaty since this is implicit in the rules.

Zog-Rot and Ekra decided not to go to war.

The situation at the start of Summer 987 (Click for a larger version)

The armies for the war between Ekra and Treyine will remain the same as those they had at the start of the year.

With all this peace breaking out, we really need to start adding new nations to the campaign!

Spring 987 - The Battle of the Black Hole

2009-06-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Treyine had invaded the Border Kingdoms, fearing the increasing influence and power of the Brethren. With the Spear of Saint Lindorf carried in front of the army, they knew they had right on their side. Of course, the sturdy Treyine yeomanry with their bows that were as tall as they were helped too. As they advanced, scouts reported that the enemy had deployed in the open ahead of them, ready to engage them in battle. The Treyine army quickly deployed. They knew that the enemy would ride them down in the open so the archers hammered their stakes into the ground to the right of a thick wood. The halberdiers and knights formed up between the two bodies of archers and the mercenary company of Sir Geoffrey Chambers formed up on the right flank. Lacking cavalry, the Treyine army was relying on Sir Geoffrey to defend the open flank.

The view from the Brethren lines (click all pictures for larger versions)

The Treyine army had the tactical initiative but the commanders chose to cede that initiative to the enemy in favour of holding a strong position, well, apart from Sir Geoffrey, who chose impetuousness over prudence, but more of that later. As the enemy approached, Callifraxia Glories-in-the-Sun approached the army commander with a plan. She began to chant and the sky darkened. With a triumphant shout and almost contemptuous ease she watched as an entire unit of Brethren Knights were swallowed up by a yawning abyss that briefly opened up beneath them. She had barely even broken a sweat. The enemy army was thrown into confusion.

Callifraxia, the wizard, targeted the enemy general with an Abyss spell. She rolled a multiplier of 1 for the cost and the unit died, although the Brethren general did manage to escape. The Brethren army lost a unit of crossbowmen and the unit of Brethren sergeants to the Leader Lost check, but the rest of the army survived in one for or another.

The results of the Abyss spell

With the enemy in confusion and trying to reform, Sir Geoffrey Chambers led his personal unit of knights through a gap in the enemy lines. Some peasants with bows managed to injure some of the knights as they charged through, causing the unit to charge further than expected, but Sir Geoffrey was able to turn them around and they promptly rode down the peasants, who scattered before the armoured knights.

The peasants were able to turn and fire at the knights, causing a retire result, which put one hit on them. The knights then charged and the peasants routed.

Sir Geoffrey's mad dash

While Sir Geoffrey was engaging the enemy, the Treyine troops waited patiently for the enemy to approach within range of their bows. Callifraxia was spending her time summoning minor demons to her service and sending them at the enemy. The demons flew over the Brethren force, causing consternation in the ranks and further disrupting them, while Sir Geoffrey reformed and prepared to charge into the flank of the enemy troops. The Brethren sent forward a party to parlay surrender terms as their numbers thinned due to deserting troops. The battle was over.

The Legions of Night have the Terror ability and can fly. Flying troops cause Threat tests for all enemies near to them, so it only took a few of these flying over the Brethren to start making troops rout, especially with Steve's poor dice rolls.

The End

The Treyine army lost no troops and gained a territory. The Brethren lost 1 unit of Knights and 1 of Heavy Spearmen. Their general survived. Both sides tested their national morale. The Brethren failed miserably and sued for peace. They will now provide a supporting element to the Treyine army. Treyine scored one success and is shaken, resulting in a reduction of 1 from their national morale. The peace between the Brethren and Treyine will last for two years.

This puts the Brethren in the position of not actually having anyone they can attack for the time being because all their possible foes lie beyond territories that they cannot attack. Sounds like time to consider adding new nations to the campaign. I had better get on and paint them, I suppose. Destroying the enemy general on turn 1 was probably what decided this battle. It has made me realise that a Level 3 wizard is rather powerful and worth preserving.

Border Kingdoms/Brethren (post-battle formation)
1 Brother Sergeants
4 Heavy Spearmen
3 Peasant Foot
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archer
1 Black Moon Goblins (allied contingent)

Centaurs

2009-06-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Centaurs!" the shout goes up from the look-out. Suddenly the village is in a frenzy of activity as mothers grab their children and men grab their weapons. They struggle to organise themselves in time but the fast moving dust cloud is upon them before they realise it. The village erupts in a cacophony of screams and shouts as desperate villagers try to stop the oncoming horde. Before too long the surviving villagers are rounded up and corralled. The centaurs walk unheeding of their bloodied hooves through the slain and dying as they loot the village and put to the sword those that will not make good slaves. Then they depart with their booty at a slower pace than they arrived. They do not fear pursuit. The speed of their attack was sufficient to prevent anyone from running for help. Besides, who could catch them anyway?

A 6mm centaur herd comprising the core army (click the pic for a larger image)

Front rank - Centaur hero and centaur wizard

Second rank - centaur spears (left and right), veteran centaurs (centre)

Rear ranks - centaur archers

Figures by Irregular Miniatures

Centaur herds may be found in the non-human lands of north-eastern Talomir. They live out on the plains and raid the settlements around them. Their attacks are fierce and brutal but they rarely hang around after they have what they want. However, occasionally a more aggressive and dominant alpha stallion can unite a number of herds, resulting in an attempt at founding a Centaur kingdom.

The Centaurs can show up in a WH campaign as a random event. Each winter dice are rolled t see if they do try to carve out a kingdom. When they appear, it will be in a randomly determined nation in the north-east. They will try to seize a province and use that as a basis for founding a kingdom. If they fail to seize a province before their national morale gives out then they will fade back into the background. If they succeed, then they will use that province as the base for further expansion and will become a force in the campaign.

The list for the Centaurs in the Warrior Heroes rulebook has a number of typos in it. I have reworked it and it is appended below (click the picture for a larger version. I suggest saving the image and looking at it offline. It should be clearer that way):

Beastmen of Talomir

2009-06-06T04:18:00.000-07:00

The Beastmen of Talomir are a tribe that has yet to acquire nation status. They mainly live in the north-east of Talomir, but are also encountered occasionally in the south-west and more rarely in the south-east. It is thought that the Beastmen are descendants of a once-proud race that lived in the Stygustan area and rules a great empire tens of thousands of years ago. These Beastmen were, and still are, worshipped as gods by the humans of Stygustan, although the Stygustani deny the divinity of the modern Beastmen. Modern Beastmen are vicious creatures of limited intelligence and have a fondness for human flesh, which does not endear them to humans.

In game terms the Beastmen can appear as part of the overall campaign. They will show up in a randomly determined area of the world and try to seize control of a province. If they succeed then they will try to expand their kingdom and found a new empire. Rumour has it that a King of the Beastmen will be born, who can lead them to greatness once more.

Beastmen can also be encountered in WHAA. Anyone adventuring in the Border Kingdoms or the lands of the demi-humans could encounter them. Below we see a small warband of Beastmen in Stygustan. Pity the poor villagers that they fall on and devour (click on the picture for a larger image):

Note: I have not found a suitable range of 6mm figures for a Beastman army. I have been looking because I would like to include them in our WH games too. Nothing that Irregular does seems quite right to me, nor do GW Epic chaos types. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to post them here and I shall check the ranges out.

Spring 987 - Campaign Progress

2009-06-04T23:52:00.000-07:00

Both the Brethren and Treyine have rolled to go to war this turn, so they have each declared war on the other. Seeing a threat developing on their northern frontier, the Treyine king decides to invade the Border Kingdoms. The goblins of Zog-Rot sit quietly, trying to recuperate and rebuild their destroyed armies. The Ekrans also sit quietly. Perhaps they will swoop to pick up the pieces after the other nations are finished tearing each other apart.

Campaign map at start of Spring 987 (click for a larger version)

Mercenaries
The following mercenaries are available for recruitment:
The Black Company (cost = 2 Recruiting Rolls)
The White Company (cost = 2 Recruiting Rolls)

Ekra recruits the Black Company and Treyine recruits the White Company.

Armies for 987
The armies for 987 will be as follows:

Border Kingdoms/Brethren
1 Brother Knights
1 Brother Sergeants
5 Heavy Spearmen
3 Peasant Foot
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archer
1 Black Moon Goblins (allied contingent)

Ekra
5 Knights
2 Infantry
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Foot
The Black Company

Treyine
1 Foot Knight
2 Retinue Foot
6 Longbowmen
The White Company
The Spear of Saint Lindorf
Callifraxia Glories-in-the-Sun (Level 3 Wizard)

Zog-Rot
3 Archers
6 Goblins
1 Black Moon Goblins
1 Wolf Riders

Holy Relics
The locations of the following relics are known:
Spear of Lindorf - Treyine

Winter 986 - Chilling Out

2009-05-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

The Winter passed uneventfully for Brother Cedric. No attempts were made on the bakery all winter, and the village was peaceful, leaving him time to concentrate on his duties at the Lodge. With the winter snows cutting the village off for most of the winter, there was little to do but sit by the fire and keep warm. Simple survival was more important for everyone than trying to find and destroy their enemies. Time enough for that when the Spring finally arrives once more.

Ragnar did not rest up and spent the winter travelling through Altengard and Ekra. The journey was slow but without incident. Ragnar had decided that his best opportunities for fame and glory lay in Zog-Rot, the land of the goblins. Few would cry if he raided a goblin settlement or two and he thought that the goblins' habit of raiding their neighbours may have led to them amassing sufficient wealth to make it worth Ragnar's while.

September 986 - Win Some, Lose Some.

2009-05-12T01:48:00.000-07:00

Several weeks later a messenger arrived requesting Brother Cedric’s presence in Elmsbrook, the main town of the area. It was signed by the local Baron and Brother Cedric had little doubt as to what it was about. Several days were spent in preparation, which were mainly spent reviewing again the Royal Edicts and ensuring the village would be adequately defended in his absence. Brothers Cedric, Wilfhelm and Klaus and the guardsman of Guy de Rope set off towards Elmsbrook. It would be at least a four day journey to get there.

Upon arrival at the town, they had first to get past the guards at the gate, who seemed very suspicious of anyone bearing arms. Their attitude didn’t change that much upon viewing the summons. Eventually they were lead towards the citadel. Here they waited for several hours before being lead into the presence of the Baron Leblanc.

“Ah, so this is our Brother Lawyer is it? Well you’ve caused me some slight headache here, but not as much as Sir Guy,” indicating the official nearby. Sir Guy glared at Brother Cedric with burning anger. If looks could kill, Brother Cedric would have been a pile of ash on the floor at that very moment.

“Well we’ve look into the matter and it appears you were quite correct. So, in light of his mistake Sir Guy has generously agreed to reimburse the money he mistakenly took from the Brethren land. If you could just let him have the guardsman back he so carelessly left behind.”

The guardsman walked back towards the official and an attendant walked to Brother Cedric bearing a large purse of money.

“Thank you, your lordship. I shall ensure this is returned to the correct people.” With a small bow, Brother Cedric turned and left the chamber.

“I think you may have to deal with our little friend in the near future Sir Guy. Wouldn’t do for these Brethren scum to get too above themselves would it?” said the Baron.

Another Talk the Talk encounter, but this time a less favourable result for Brother Cedric. He lost the encounter leading to the local official taking one of his men for a while. We agreed that it would be the return of the man that Brother Cedric had previously gained, since that fitted the story nicely. Words by Steve.

August 986 - A Taxing Question

2009-05-12T01:38:00.000-07:00

There was a commotion at the bakery. This would simple not do, so Brother Cedric went to investigate. An official from the Border Kingdom was arguing with Griselda and several of his guards were standing around menacingly.

“I am here to collect your taxes. You have not paid any this year,” the official said.
“Yes, we have, sir,” replied Griselda, "I showed you the receipt earlier."
“As I have already explained that was income tax, this is property tax,” said the official.

Brother Cedric approached the official. “Hello I’m Brother Cedric and in the absence of the Lodge Master, I’m in charge of the Lodge. Can I be of assistance in this matter?”

“Not unless you are going to pay the property tax for this ... this woman!” exclaimed the official angrily.

“I’d love to help you," Brother Cedric replied smoothly, "unfortunately this building happens to be on Lodge property. I’m sure it’s an honest mistake you’ve made, but the village entire lies within the boundary of land gifted to the Brethren. This would be covered by the Royal Edict of 980 on the Brethren land. Also I think you’ll find that according to the Edict of 981, it exempts those lands from paying income tax to the King. That, I think, means you owe this young lady some money, and likewise probably most of the people in the village. You will probably need to check this with your superiors, before returning with the money, so I think I’ll hold on to one of your men until you return. Call it a sort of reminder."

For a moment it looked as if the official might try something. His hand moved a fraction towards his sword. Then it abruptly dropped to his side.

“Very well, I shall consult the Edicts to do with the Brethren.” He almost spat the final word. “You stay here and watch them,” pointing to one of his guards.

“Remember the name Sir Guy de Rope, for it will come back to haunt you.” With that he strode off with his men to their horses and was soon heading out of the village.

"Oh, Brother Cedric," breathed Griselda huskily, "Thank you. You have saved our dough again. How can I ever repay you?"

This was a simple Talk the Talk encounter with the local authorities. Brother Cedric wowed the official with lots more successfully passed die rolls than the official got. As a result he obtained one of the official's men for the rest of the adventure. The bakery was saved for another time and peace reigns for a little while longer. Words by Steve.

September 986 - You ist not from roundt hier, ja?

2009-05-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

Travelling further into Altengard, Ragnar and his group arrived at Beetleburg, a small town near the capital of Altengard. Things were going peacefully until a group of locals decided to have a go at the group. The thugs’ leader accosted Ragnar while he was enjoying a quiet pint of beer, but quickly backed down when Ragnar stood up. The newly healed scar on Ragnar’s face, the travel-worn clothes and the obviously used weapons all made Ragnar seem more imposing despite his years. The thug changed his mind very quickly. Before you could say Peer Gynt, the thugs were Ragnar’s best friends.

This was a Talk the Talk scenario. Ragnar encountered some locals and beat them on the Talk the Talk table. Simple and quick.

Winter 986 - Campaign Progress

2009-04-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

The situation during Winter 986:

Aftermath of the Autumn Turn
The Autumn turn saw the Brethren conquering one of the Goblin provinces. Then they retired to their winter quarters. No battles take place in Winter in Talomir.

As a result of losing a province, the National Morale of the Goblins is affected. It was 1. Normally the leader's War Rating is added to National Morale to see if they have the will to continue the war, but their leader died in the battle so they do not get this. With modifiers for losing the battle and losing a province, the Goblins are reduced to a National Morale of -1. They cannot pass any dice on the National Morale test so the nation's morale collapses and they suffer a further -2 penalty. Their National Morale is now -3 and they sue for peace with the Brethren and the Border Kingdoms. With the Brethren leading them, the Border Kingdoms have a National Morale of 5 (including the leader's War Rating) so the peace will last for eight years. The Brethren will also receive one recruitment roll per year from the Goblins, so expect to see Goblins in the Brethren army over the next few years! The Brethren are also now the Goblins' "Hated Enemy".

The Winter Turn
All non-core stands in each army are lost. New recruitment rolls will be made in the Spring.

No leaders die over the winter and the Goblins have chosen a new leader, Graash the Unflinching (WR 2). No heroes have been found, but Treyine has chosen to recruit a wizard. Callifraxia Glories-in-the-Sun (Level 3) will join their army. Callifraxia is a Valkae Amazon, who has chosen to settle in Treyine and study other schools of magic. (Now all I have to do is paint her!)

No artefacts or magic items have been found within the campaign area this Winter either, but The Spear of Saint Lindorf (a holy relic) is still in Treyine.

Autumn 986 - The Battle of the Two Hills

2009-04-30T05:25:00.001-07:00

The Brethren had advanced steadily into Zog-Rot and had met little resistance along the way. There was certainly no sign of the Goblin Khan that they had expected to find. However, Zog-Rot was a hilly land and riddled with caves. While many Goblins lived above ground and tended the fields, others lived underground in great cave complexes.

"Technically speaking, of course," thought Brother Gloriosus, "it was the Goblins' slaves that tended the fields. Goblins were just not that good at agriculture. Gobbos don't garden."

When he saw the fields ahead of him with the wheat waiting to be harvested, Brother Gloriosus knew that they were approaching a large settlement and that they would probably be in for a fight. The land looked about right for the goblins; a couple of hills and some woods bordering the area. Yes, this would be the site of the battle. This was confirmed when he saw a detachment of Goblin Wolf-Riders wheeling their mounts away from the crest of a hill ahead of him. His own scouts were soon reporting the presence of a large Goblin force ahead of them. Both armies were aware of each other and the Goblins appeared to have deployed in his path. Time to show them why that was not wise.

The Goblins deployed with their centre on a hill are in the foreground. On their left flank is a unit of Wolf Riders (Skirmish mounted) and on their right are the Goblin Archers (Skirmishers). The main body consists of one stand of Black Moon Goblins (Big hard melee troops by goblin standards) and the rest are ordinary Goblins (slightly weedier melee troops). The Brethren Knights are deployed behind the Brother Sergeants at the top of the picture. On the right of the picture is a unit of peasant archers (poor quality missile troops). The crossbows and heavy spearmen are deployed on the left side of the picture just in front of the woods.
(Click the pictures for larger images)

Brother Gloriosus deployed his troops quickly in battle formation. His cavalry were in the centre and his infantry were deployed on the edge of the woods on his right flank. Time to advance on the enemy. His knights took the vanguard with the sergeants following in echelon on his left flank. As they approached the Goblin line on the hill, they noticed Goblin archers deploying in the woods on their left. No time to worry about that though. Brother Gloriosus ordered the charge and his knights smashed home into the Goblin line.

The melee was brief and the Goblins were quickly driven back. Their general's standard fell at the first charge and their general's bleeding body was quickly carried from the field. Although driven back, the Goblin warriors still held their nerve, unlike the Goblin skirmishers, all of whom routed from the field at the first sign of trouble.

Whenever a unit with the general in takes hits, you must roll to see if the general is a casualty. I rolled a 6, he was a potential casualty as a result of this, he made his armour save but I then rolled a 5 on the wound severity table, so the Goblin general was grievously wounded and would die shortly after the battle. Take a Leader Lost test into account and about one third of my army evaporated without even getting into the fight!

The Goblin warriors continued to fight an casualties piled up on both sides. Unfortunately, the Goblins were outgunned and outnumbered now. Brother Gloriosus pressed his advantage and directed his sergeants onto the flank of the Goblin line as his own unit charged another unit of goblins. The knights burst through the goblins and then into and through another rank of goblins behind them. The sergeants rolled up the line from the flank and it was all over bar looting the corpses.

Brother Miles Gloriosus surveyed the battlefield. He was pleased because his troops had all held their nerve. He would be in line for a promotion if he could keep this up.

Notes: The Goblins suffered horribly because their general died in the first melee. This completely reduced their ability to fight back, and the loss of their skirmishers did not help either. With the general and the skirmishers present, the sergeants would have had a harder time getting onto the Goblin flank, and the Wolf Riders might have been able to get onto the flank or rear of the enemy infantry and harass them so that they could not join the main battle until much later. The whole game took about an hour and a half, with time out during that for gossiping and discussion of other projects as we usually do. Wargaming for us is a social activity, so our games tend to progress fairly slowly. I can't wait for the next one, though. Warrior Heroes is a most excellent system, even if the rulebook is not as well organised as it might be. It is not currently available from TwoHourWargames, but Ed has indicated he may get around to reworking it and issuing a free copy in similar fashion to Chain Reaction 3.0, which is also well worth checking out.

August 986- The Guards at Bad Pfefferzneets

2009-04-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

The boat did not last the journey around the coast and Ragnar’s group soon had to travel on foot. Without the boat to ferry them away, the group decided that raiding would be a tricky proposition. Therefore they decided to venture further east and fight the goblins. Stopping on the way, they thought that it might be a good idea to have a wee drinkie at the nearest town. There was a tricky moment when the gate guards decided that this group might match the descriptions of the group that attacked Bad Reinigung. However, Ragnar quickly adopted his most innocent expression and talked his way out of the situation. As a result, his followers found new respect for him.

This was a city encounter 'inside' Altengard with the local authorities. Ragnar had to Talk the Talk, and he did so very successfully, resulting in an increase in his Social Standing. There was no combat.

N.B. In WHAA each nation has three locations: On The Border, Inside, and The Heart. To move through a nation you move to the border, then inside it, then to its heart. Once at its heart, you must move inside it before you can reach the border.

July 986 The Raid on Bad Reinigung

2009-04-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

On the border of Altengard
Ragnar and his comrades disembarked from their leaky ship in a small cove a short distance from the smoke trails that indicated a village nearby. They advanced through the woods to the edge of the village, which was guarded by a small contingent of the local army amounting to about six soldiers and mercenaries. “This should be easy,” thought Ragnar. With a half-strangled yell he ordered the charge and his troops raced for the village, their thoughts filled with the prospect of loot and pillage.

The fight was going well until they entered the chantry. The two Lendsmen had run away when Ragnar charged at them. Ragnar himself had killed one of the infantry, while Gunnvora and Olaf dealth with another. Barak and Grim had checked the hovels out and found nothing. Ulf had checked the tavern. That left the chantry. Ragnar led the charge into the chantry with Hildigunn at his side. Hildigunn’s opponent was quite skilled and fended her off but she pressed her attack just the same. Then Ragnar’s opponent caught him a blow on the chin with the hilt of his sword. Ragnar fell like a poll-axed cow. Olaf bravely took to his heels, while Ulf and Gunnvora made a tactical withdrawal. Hildigunn was not keen on fighting on but she could not break away from the melee. Hearing the shouts and seeing their comrades fleeing, Barak and Grim chose to investigate. They saw Hilidigunn in trouble and charged into the fray. Very soon the enemy soldier lay dead on the floor, pierced by their spears. The three friends then tended to Ragnar who soon came round. They searched the village before firing it, but found little treasure. So much for their expectations of easy wealth. Upon returning to their boat, there was a council of the friends. Olaf had disappeared and they decided that they could not afford to wait for a coward. Jumping into the leaky tub, they put to sea and continued to sail around Altengard. Next time they would strike it rich for sure.

Autumn 986 - WAR!

2009-04-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Following the peaceful summer months, autumn brings leaves turning to orange and brown as they start to fall from the trees. The harvest is being gathered as everyone prepares for the winter. Still, the political machinations never stop.

Magic Items
The locations of the following magic items are known:
Spear of Lindorf - Treyine
Crystal Light of Yaqub - Demeskeen (non-campaign nation)
Book of the Hungry Moon - Naz-Goth (non-campaign nation)

Armies
Each has a fixed core and rolls for additional units based on how many provinces it controls and its technology level. The current status of the armies is as follows.

Border Kingdoms/Brethren
2 Brother Knights
2 Brother Sergeants
3 Heavy Spearmen
2 Peasant Foot
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archer

Ekra
3 Knights
4 Infantry
2 Crossbows
2 Mercenary Arquebusiers
1 Peasant Archers

Treyine
1 Foot Knight
2 Retinue Foot
9 Longbowmen
1 Mercenary Handgunners

Zog-Rot
3 Archers
7 Goblins
1 Black Moon Goblins
1 Wolf Riders

WAR!
The Border Kingdoms have declared war on the Goblins. With the agitation of the Brother Superior, Border Kingdoms Lords have been convinced to invade Zog-Rot in a bid to quash rumours of a Goblin khan. This pre-emptive strike to destroy the putative Goblin khan is a demonstration of the power of the Brethren and their allies in the Border Kingdoms. Can the Goblins hold off the Brethren army until winter or will the Brethren begin their new crusade with the conquest of part of Zog-Rot?

The battle for this turn will be fought once Steve has finished painting his Brethren.

The Brethren

2009-04-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

The Brethren are a military order of knights in the service of the Red Sun. They are vehemently opposed to all proponents of the Black Moon. Currently the Brethren control the Border Kingdoms by virtue of acting as governors to the children of the Border Lords. Many of the Lords died suddenly in a wave of assassinations that have not yet been solved. No one knows who ordered the assassinations or why. Without legitimate heirs of suitable age, the Brethren were asked to take the regency until such time as the Lords' children achieve their majority. The Brethren often undertake this sort of role in north-western Talomir because they are a (in theory) non-political organisation, although it is usually on a smaller scale. They tend to profit well from this and are wealthier in their own right than many small countries. They also have large land-holdings in the Border Kingdoms, a relict from the days when their crusade against the Goblins tore this kingdom from the wilderness and created it. With such large holdings here, it is in their interests to maintain a stable environment.

The Brethren Army is now ready to face the goblins in battle next week.

Use Your Loaf - June 986

2009-04-16T01:53:00.000-07:00

Prologue
Brother Cedric had returned to Harbottle, on the border of the Border Kingdoms. Griselda was recovering from her ordeal with the goblins and meetings at the preceptory had returned to normal with the requisite complement of doughnuts. Then one day a villager came racing into the village with dreadful tidings.

The Lord of the Manor, Lord Beauvriere, was away at the capital, and it would appear that Lord Alain de Sucre was riding in the direction of the village. With most of the village guards away, things looked desperate. Lord de Sucre coveted the apple orchards around Harbottle, which were famed for their cider apples and had long sought to tax the village, despite the fact that he had no legal right to the revenues. However, in this instance it would appear that Lord de Sucre had heard of Griselda's ordeal. He had loudly announced that he would seize her and take her back to his castle, where she could bake sweet confections for him and his cronies.

And so it begins
Brother Cedric had been kicking his heels for a fortnight now, since returning from the Goblin Lands. Now, when there was fighting to be done, the Lodge Master, the Righteous Brother Manfred D’Homme, had decided he could stay and guard the Lodge. They all knew how good he was at fighting goblins, so why had he been left here to play nursemaid?

After the second service of the morning, Brother Cedric left the Lodge to the Saviour’s Glowing Ring and crossed the village towards the bakers. There Griselda would be getting her buns out for the gathering crowd. Since saving her he could always be guaranteed a little something special round the back. Already his mouth was watering at the prospect. Just then little Burt, the cobbler’s youngest, came rushing into the village.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

Griselda's father turned to Brother Cedric. Panic was writ large upon his face and the fear in his eyes should have melted even the blackest of hearts. However, it was well known that Lord de Sucre had no heart, not even a black one.

"Brother Cedric," he shouted, "Brother Cedric, please save my daughter."

With that everyone in the village except the Brethren disappeared from sight. A tumbleweed rolled across the main street and a distant harmonica began to play.

“Spread out men and cover the entrances to the village”, said Brother Cedric. “And, Brother Leelov, stop playing that infernal instrument!”

They didn’t have long to wait as the enemy approached from behind the Bakery. It was their dastardly neighbour's men trying to take them from behind by surprise. The Brethren rushed to meet them, Brother Wilfhelm charged towards the horsemen causing one to panic and flee from the village. In a moment the battle was on. The enemy slingers seemed to have been sold a dud load of pebbles. They might have been better using rock buns. Wilfhelm’s other opponents quickly rounded upon him and he soon slumped to the ground. Brothers Cedric and Leelov rushed to his aid, while Brothers Konrad, Siegfried and Klaus attacked a second group.

Konrad soon fell to a savage blow. The tide then began to turn and just as the Brethren were gaining the upper hand, reinforcements arrived in the shape of the sneaking Lord himself. Brother Leelov soon succumbed to a brutal assault.

As Brother Cedric charged another mounted knight. Brothers Seigfried and Klaus used their loaf. They rushed into the Bakery to protect Griselda. They could defend better from behind the Bakery's doors. Herman the Spearman headed into the Lodge to the Saviour’s Glowing Ring. Alain and his men pressed the bakery door hard only to be beaten back. Herman put up a brave fight , but eventually he was knocked to the ground senseless.

Meanwhile Brother Cedric pushed the knight back and eventually pulled him from his horse and killed him. The Brothers in the bakery killed one of Alain’s knights and he fled from the scene, only to return with more men. By now all three Brethren were in the bakery fighting to protect Griselda’s dough. They soon dispatched Alain’s men and the cowardly cur slunk off to lick his wounds.

Conclusion
“Oh, thank you, boys, " gushed Griselda, "I kneaded a hero and you all rose to the occasion. It's no wonder that our Bakery flour-ishes in this village. I certainly doughnut expect you to ask for a reward but you have saved my life several times now. We are poor people so I cannot make a proper dough-nation to the Lodge, although there is muffin I would like to do more than that. Still, at yeast there is one thing I can do for you. Line up in an orderly fashion because I have something special for you. Ok now, one at a time, please.”

With that she got her special baps out.

Terrain from the WorldWorksGames Villageworks set.

Mirholme

2009-04-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

In the far north, where the black rock stands guard over the raging sea, lies the icy land of Mirholme. This is a land of petty kings that is rarely united. Kings have tried to extend their rule over the whole country, but the topography is against them. Mirholme is a land of high mountains, broad forests and deep fjords. It is a spectacular place and yet deadly. The greatest of the kings of Mirholme at the moment is Gunnar Broadaxe. Gunnar's influence is felt far and wide across the land and it is said that he has sworn to lay the whole country under his heel. Gunnar is tall, fair of hair and has piercing blue eyes. He is said to be even-handed, just and generous. The same cannot be said of his wicked uncle, Olaf Squinteye, who constantly opposes Gunnar in everything. Olaf feels slighted because he did not inherit his brother's crown, so now he seeks to take it from Gunnar.

As well as the kings that rule each valley, Mirholme is home to the dreaded sea-kings. The sea-kings are notorious pirates. They rule no land but claim anything they can on the sea. Their raids on other countries, and even on their own people, are without mercy. They are brutal, hard men. Helgi Snake-eye is one such man. He commands a fleet of twenty ships. Each man is sworn to serve Helgi until death and beyond. The men in Helgi's fleet live by a strict warrior code that recognises their allegiance to Helgi and no other. They are sworn never to marry, never to back down from a fight and always to follow through on any boast or promise they make.

Mirholme breeds strong, powerful people. It's rulers gain their place by right of might, but their wealth is not much more than that of their people. Yet these hardy people scratch a living from the icy fjords and poor fields. They supplement their living by reiving during the summer months. Mirholmen raiders are feared in every land that has a sea coast. Alternatively, they trade far and wide, for Mirholmen sailors are the finest in the world, and their ships are renowned for their sea-worthiness. The sight of a Mirholmen sail is cause for much trepidation until the intent of the Mirholmen sailors is known. Many do not wait to find out either.

I don't have a 6mm Mirholmen army yet but I hope to get one soon, and pictures will follow as soon as I do.

Summer 986 - Campaign Progress

2009-03-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

The summer months began with a wave of assassinations that led to the Brethren being asked to govern the Border Kingdoms. No other news of worth had happened since the previous year. Rumours of a Goblin Khan uniting the Goblins of Zog-Rot were disturbing but nothing had been proven yet.

Campaign Map at start of Summer 986

Magic Items
The locations of the following magic items are known:
Spear of Lindorf - Treyine
Crystal Light of Yaqub - Demeskeen (non-campaign nation)
Book of the Hungry Moon - Naz-Goth (non-campaign nation)

Armies
Each has a fixed core and rolls for additional units based on how many provinces it controls and its technology level. The current status of the armies is as follows.

Border Kingdoms/Brethren
1 Brother Knights
1 Brother Sergeants
2 Heavy Spearmen
1 Peasant Foot
2 Crossbows
1 Peasant Archer
+4 rolls

Ekra
3 Knights
4 Infantry
2 Crossbows
2 Mercenary Arquebusiers
1 Peasant Archers

Treyine
1 Foot Knight
2 Retinue Foot
9 Longbowmen
1 Mercenary Handgunners

Zog-Rot
3 Archers
7 Goblins
1 Black Moon Goblins
1 Wolf Riders

No Wizards, Heroes or Mercenaries are available this campaign year. They may become available in the next campaign year.

On checking to see if anyone has gone to war, we find that all is peaceful for the time being. Well, at least at a national level it is. Brother Cedric is finding things rather hotter than expected!

The Border Kingdom

2009-03-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Border Kingdoms are just that, a group of allied kingdoms on the border between humanity and the humanoid hordes. It was once a part of Zog-Rot, the Goblin lands, but the Brethren led a crusade northwards to drive the goblins back from the borders of humanity. Now it is a wild kingdom on the frontier where any adventurer with nerves of steel and a strong sword arm can carve small kingdom of his own from the land. The Border Kingdoms' nobility is largely composed of adventurers, who have braved the dangers of this lawless frontier to establish a new kingdom. Naturally, the Ekrans with their long family lineages look down on the Borderers as common upstarts. The Treyine have a more pragmatic view and recognise the toughness of the Borderers, occasionally recruiting units of them into their own army. The Borderers are indeed a tough breed. They need to be, because they are constantly being raided by the Goblins of Zog-Rot over the border. Of course, the Borderers also regularly raid the Goblins too. After all, fair's fair!

The Border Kingdoms function like a city state, with all collective decisions being made by a council of the leading nobles in the country. Without the agreement of the majority of the ruling council, no laws can be enacted and the country may not go to war. However, due to national emergency brought about by the assassination of many of the ruling council, the Brethren have been asked to govern on behalf of the Border Lords until the Lords' children achieve their majority.

Most common Borderers favour the spear as their weapon of choice. The nobility are not rich here, so they do not have the same armour as their cousins in Ekra and Treyine. Likewise, they cannot afford to maintain similar numbers of retinue troops. They tend to wear older armour and wield halberds alongside their subjects. What little cavalry the Borderers have is not as heavy or as well barded as the Ekran or Treyine cavalry, but it is more than a match for the Goblin cavalry that they usually fight.

No pictures of the 6mm Borderers at the moment. The main (non-game) reason the Border Kingdoms are being governed by the Brethren is that I have not yet painted the Border Kingdoms army. The rulers of the Border Kingdom will come of age when I finally paint it. I do have some 6mm figures to use for this army, but I wanted to model it on the Norman army of the 11th century rather than a later army. This is why the 28mm figures I have for it are Normans.

Warrior Heroes - Campaign Outline

2009-03-28T12:17:00.001-07:00

The War Ratings and Morale statuses of the four nations involved in the basic campaign are listed in the top right of the blog. War Rating determines how aggressive a nation is. Morale determines how long a nation is likely to stay at war and how long the ensuing peace is likely to be.

The campaign is fought in seasons, unlike the Warrior Heroes: Armies and Adventures campaign which is fought in months. In Talomir, Spring lasts from January to March. Summer is from April to June. Autumn is from July to September and Winter lasts from October to December. That keeps things simple and easy to track.

Each season except for Winter, a check is made to see if a nation goes to war. If it goes to war then it's target must be determined. The War Rating and Alignment of the various nations, among other things, affects how often and with whom nations will make war. Other factors also affect this, but you will have to read the rules for those. If a nation goes to war with another nation, then a target province is nominated, a battle is fought and the winner gets the province. Checks are then made to see if the war ends or if it will continue for another season. Meanwhile the other nations are still testing to see if they will go to war too.

The campaign ends when all participants get bored, one person clearly dominates the nations involved or one person controls the Amulet of Sorbrowane, the Brazier of Durmun and the War Horn of Naz-Goth. If these artefacts are brought together at hte same time on the Peaks of Gorath, the final battle between the Red Sun and the Black Moon will begin and all existence will be destroyed. Or maybe the person that gathered them on the Peaks of Gorath will be granted dominion over all Talomir. Who knows? Well, if it ever actually happens then we shall find out.

Escape!

2009-03-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

April 986
Prelude

Uggrash was annoyed. The woman from the Borders was seducing his fellows with sugary confections. This would not do. It had taken him years to learn how to boil a human into edible submission and now this human was stealing his thunder. He was the cook in this den, and he would remain the cook. Well, he would show them. The question was, how large would the pie have to be if he were to fit the weapons of all of the captured humans into it? How else could he smuggle their weapons into their cell so that they could make a break for it and get killed escaping? Yes, he really needed to fix them once and for all. Then he would regain his former status as clan cook. After all, he was old by goblin standards and toothless now. If he did not remain useful to his clansmen then they would throw him into the pot, and he did not want that.

The ugly old Goblin approached the cells carefully. He had made sure to lace the guards' evening drink with madroot, which would ensure they slept through the night. Perhaps they would be caught in the morning still asleep at their posts. Uggrash licked his lips in anticipation of the potential feast. The weapons in the roll on his back were heavy for one of his years. He had not been able to manage the armour too, but that was alright. He did not want the humans to survive the escape attempt. They were too delicious for that. He had reached the door of the cell and the guards were asleep as expected. Opening the door, he threw the roll with the weapons into the cell. It made a loud thump, which roused the sleeping prisoners. Groggily they sat up to work out what had just happened. Uggrash left the door ajar so that they could see the light through it. Stepping away from the door he was about to leave when he had a sudden thought. Turning back he quickly slit the guards' throats. Yes, he was taking no chances now. These two would definitely be for the pot tomorrow. Uggrash hurried away. Behind him he could hear a low conversation in the cell. He giggled to himself as he considered how everything would be alright now.

Of Cedric and Griselda

Time passed slowly in the Goblin King's dungeon. Brother Cedric, Brother Konrad and Griselda shared the same cramped cell. This had caused problems to begin with, especially in the toiletry department. Both Cedric and Konrad had been kept in all male company since an early age. Most Brethren are sent to the monastery/castles at the age of 6 to begin their martial and religious training. Griselda however was used to male company having been raised with six brothers. They soon relaxed into a monotonous routine.

They had been there about two months when that routine was broken. Instead of the usual shouting and grunting outside the door at meal time, they heard gurgling and thumps against the floor. The door then opened and a package was thrown in which clanked as it hit the floor. The door then remained ajar. Cedric walked to the package and opening it found his sword, Konrad’s Axe and an axe he could only imagine belonged to Griselda. They quickly gathered up their weapons and headed for the door.

Outside the door lay the two goblin guards, both with their throats slit. Quickly Brother Cedric and Griselda stooped to take the shields from the goblin's bodies. They then headed for the door to the next room. This they opened and Brother Cedric and Brother Konrad quickly stepped through.

Meanwhile outside the entrance of the goblin lair Herman the Spearman arrived with Brother Siegfried and Brother Wilfhelm. He had returned to the Brethren castle and recruited the two to help rescue his liege Brother Cedric. They entered the caverns and quickly made their way into the first cave. Here four goblins were waiting for any unwary guests, but the trio were anything but unwary. The goblin’s arrows bounced off their shields and in a few moments the goblins were dead or running. The crept onward into the goblin nest.

Deeper and deeper into the caves. It was quiet, too quiet, but nary a goblin did they see …

Both Brother Cedric and Brother Konrad let out a gasp as they entered the room. There, facing them, was a rather large ogre, as well as another goblin. Brother Konrad made short work of the goblin, but Brother Cedric was hard pressed by the ogre. Griselda rushed in to aid the brethren, but the ogre backhanded her and she crumpled to the ground. Both Brethren now attacked the ogre, but this seemed to have no effect. Twice it looked as if Brother Cedric was about to be killed, but each time he shrugged off the blow. Finally Brother Konrad got the break and the ogre crumpled to the ground.

As Brother Cedric lead the way Brother Konrad carried the injured Griselda. They heard a door open behind them and wheeled to face their opponents. The Goblin leader and two followers. The sight of the fallen ogre must have made them think twice for Brothers Cedric and Konrad made short work of them. Just as Brother Cedric pulled his blade from the black heart of the Goblin Leader, the door behind them burst open …

Through the caverns the trio rushed, would they be too late to get to save their Brothers and Griselda. Even in their haste, Brother Wilfhelm, the engineer, spotted and disarmed a trap. They could hear fighting up ahead and burst through the door only to see Brother Cedric dispatching the Goblin Leader.

Brother Siegfried rushed to Griselda and with his healing abilities soon had her on her feet again. They quickly found the rest of Cedric, Konrad and Griselda’s possessions, but little else in the caverns.

Mounting the horses that had been brought for them the party headed back towards the border ...

Epilogue

Uggrash looked at the carnage around him. Well, that could have gone better but at least he would not starve while waiting for the hunting parties to return. Hmm, and he had full run of the lair. There only remained women and children at the moment. That was a bonus. As the only adult male, he was in charge now too. Maybe it was not all that bad after all.

Ragnar's Saga - Prelude

2009-03-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ragnar and his brave comrades travelled east in their old fishing boat. Ragnar was the third son of an impoverished yeoman, Ketil the son of Grim. Like many third sons before him, he had chosen to pursue glory and wealth abroad rather than remaining on the farm to moulder and grow old. Of course, the sagas were only ever told about those third sons that had become wealthy and returned home. No one spoke of the rest, who died in foreign lands or were enslaved on their travels. Runestones across Mirholme attested the number of bodies that never returned. Ragnar felt sure, with all the cockiness and confidence of youth that he would return home wealthy and covered in glory.

To make sure that he left, his father gifted him with a worn out old fishing boat that he could no longer be bothered repairing, weapons and armour. These were the sum total of Ragnar’s inheritance. Ragnar then announced his intention of going a-viking and recruited to his banner a handful of local youths, who shared Ragnar’s dreams of wealth and glory. Filled with the skalds’ songs, Ragnar and his crew sailed eastwards, ready to pillage and burn their way into the sagas. Only the Norns knew what their fate would be …

I began Ragnar's Saga a while back and I did not take any photos of my solo games for it, but I plan to stage a few recreations and post the original battle reports here. It does mean that it will be a while before Ragnar does anything new, but that gives me time to sort things out and still post regularly. Brother Cedric will also get a chance to catch up in the meantime. Ragnar is the Gripping Beast "Egill Skallagrimsson". I put down some of his attitude to male pattern baldness!

The Army of Treyine

2009-03-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Treyine is a small nation of shopkeepers. It's inhabitants believe in fair play and are reputed to play strange games with bats and balls. No foreigner has ever stayed awake long enough at one of these games to report what actually goes on.

The people of Treyine are strong and bold. The strength of their army lies in the sturdy yeomen that form its backbone, because the country is not rich enough to support the large numbers of knights that its wealthier neighbour, Ekra does. Nevertheless, this reliance on the yeomen of the country to defend it has led to a fairer society and greater willingness to defend the land on the part of the yeomanry. Unlike a typical Ekran army, the Treyine army only has a small contingent of knights, who mostly fight on foot. Most of the army is armed with the dreaded Treyine longbow, a weapon that requires training from birth to use effectively, but when used by experienced archers, it is deadly. The Treyine army lofts thousands of arrows in every volley, which is enough to discourage most enemies.

Despite the emphasis on the archers in the Treyine army, these soldiers are backed up by billmen, whose main function is to protect the archers and close with the enemy. Occasionally, spearmen from the Treyine Marches are recruited to the army, and some lords have been known to recruit mercenary handgunners too. The people of Treyine are forward-thinking and recognise that developments in technology may well supersede the effectiveness of the bow one day.

The country is currently ruled by King Edward IV, a brave and noble warrior king, who is often seen fighting at the head of his army. His brother, Richard, is also a doughty warrior and usually stands loyally beside Edward in battle.

The Treyine army:

Edward IV and his brother, Richard:

Foot knights:

Retinue billmen:

Retinue archers:

Marcher spearmen:

Mercenary handgunners:

These figures are all 6mm Baccus Wars of the Roses figures. Although the Treyine army is based on an English Hundred Years War army, I have chosen to use Wars of the Roses figures to represent it because I like the Baccus figures and am also engaged in a long-term Wars of the Roses project. This army is painted in Yorkist colours from the Wars of the Roses.

The Army of Ekra

2009-03-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Ekran army marches to war.

The Ekran army relies on the strength and ferocity of its nobles in the charge. Ekra is a rich nation and has a long tradition of crushing the peasants under foot for the greater glory of the nobility. Ekran knights are renowned all over Talomir for their ferocity and total disregard for the welfare of their foot soldiers. It is certainly not unknown for Ekran knights to ride down their own crossbowmen because those soldiers failed to get out of the way in time, when the knights decided that the time was ripe to charge the enemy.

Ekran knights are also renowned for their curteisie and chevallerie, terms that are meant to indicate that said knights have a softer side. The concept of courtly love was invented in Ekra and exported to many other countries by means of long chansons de gestes about their legendary forebears. These tales emphasise the chivalry and valour of the nobles described in them and often feature weepy, red-headed women pining away and dying of unrequited love. They also emphasise the superiority of the breeding of the knights, thus reinforcing the social order within Ekra. Surprisingly, these tales are popular with the Ekran peasantry too. Perhaps this is because the tales depict knights of a type that do not seem to exist in reality.

The Duc de Zummzet, current general of the Ekran army. The role of commander-in-chief of the Ekran army is hereditary and has lain with the de Zummzets for many years.

Here we see a skirmish line of Ekran crossbowmen and peasant archers in a rather perilous position:

The function of Ekran foot-soldiers is to enable the knights to get into a position where an overwhelming cavalry charge will win the day, and then to capture enemy knights for ransom after the battle. Needless to say, these foot-soldiers know their place in life and are more than happy to get revenge for this by knifing the enemy nobility when their own nobles are not looking. The only difference between the retinue infantry and the peasant infantry in the Ekran army is the quality of their armour and clothes. Both are equally unenthusiastic about helping their noble masters to win the day.

Ekran retinue infantry

Ekran peasant infantry

While Ekran nobility despises modern handgonnes and cannon, they still find the occasional need for them. Some more forward-thinking nobles have gone as far as recruiting mercenary handgunners into their own forces.

The Ekran army is based on the French armies of the Hundred Years War, but the figures I have used are from the Baccus Wars of the Roses range. These figures are painted as Lancastrians of the Wars of the Roses, because I plan to use them for an ongoing Wars of the Roses project too.

Mercenaries of Talomir

2009-03-20T16:19:00.001-07:00

Warrior Heroes is an element-based game of fantasy warfare. It has recently been superseded by Warrior Heroes: Armies and Adventures, and is no longer available. However, I am still fond of it and have been painting up a number of armies for games using the rules. I would love to be able to field all 44 armies listed in the rules, and especially to use them in the grand campaign game that comes with the rules.

One facet of the campaign is mercenaries that you can recruit. There are two named companies of mercenaries in the rules. Both hate each other with a fury and they will not accept a contract if it means fighting on the same side as the other company.

The Black Company

The Black Company is led by Alfred Badenhorst, a one-time resident of Altengard. Badenhorst is a notoriously poor loser at cards. It is rumoured that his rivalry with Sir Geoffrey Chambers of the White Company stems from a game of Brag that he lost.

The White Company

Sir Geoffrey Chambers is the Captain of the White Company. He was born in Treyine and still holds some affection for that land. Many of his contracts are in service with the Treyine army. He is said to be a poor woodcutter's daughter, as was his father before him. He also appears to enjoy Morris dancing and real ale.

All figures are 6mm and by Baccus Miniatures.

Desperately Seeking Griselda

2009-03-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3 March 986

Brother Cedric led the advance from the rear. Sigismund and Konrad followed him from in front. They had pursued the fleeing goblin to a cave in the nearby hills of Zog-Rot. The three knights were tired, but their mission demanded that they smite the evil followers of the Black Moon. The Red Sun must shine everywhere, even in the underground lairs of the vile goblins. Brother Cedric ordered the advance. The three stalwart men entered a cave, where the light from outside still filtered in and shone from the green crystals that filled the walls. The beauty of the cave was lost on the three. They had a mission and would not be diverted from that mission by idle sight-seeing. Stealthily they moved to the door at the back of the cave. Nothing could be heard through the thick wooden door, so they wrested it open and advanced into the large room beyond. A single door led from the opposite side of the room into a corridor beyond. The brave knights advanced further into the cave complex. It appeared to be deserted. The next room they entered was also deserted but the door out of this room was locked.

"Stand back," said Cedric as he took a run at the door. He staggered into the corridor beyond as the hinges of the door gave way to his great strength and the door thumped to the floor with a resounding thud that echoed through the chambers.

"Our vile foes will be ready for us now," said Sigismund.
"No matter," said Cedric, "We are a match for twice our number in goblins. Nay, thrice our number. I relish the opportunity to blood my blade this day with the foul spawn of evil."

As they advanced, the floor suddenly gave way under Sigismund's feet. A gaping pit filled with spikes yawned below him. He twisted his body in a desperate effort to avoid his fate and managed to grab the edge of the pit. His arms felt like they had been dragged from their sockets but he was safe. The others pulled him up and they leapt across the pit without further incident.

Beyond the pit, there was a door and the corridor also turned to their right. Cedric took a guarding position in the corridor while Konrad and Sigismund opened the door. The room was filled with angry, armed goblins.

"Aha," shouted Sigismund, "We outnumber them three to seven. Chaaaarge!"

The goblins were ready for the knights, having been alerted by the rather loud entrance through the previous door, but the ferocity of the knights' charge still took them aback. Nevertheless, with nowhere to run they were forced to fight. The goblins desperately defended their home and managed to drive the knights back for a bit. Soon the knights rallied and re-entered the fray. Goblins started to die in quick succession until their numbers were halved and gore encrusted all in the room. But then it got nasty. Konrad took a blow to the head and fell senseless to the floor. The vile goblins swarmed Sigismund and he fell under a pile of goblins, never to move again. Cedric looked at the odds and his nerve wavered for a moment, but then he charged in. He had to recover his friends' bodies or die trying. Suddenly it was all over. A swarm of goblins pounded and beat Cedric to his knees. His last sight was of their evil leering faces standing over him as they pounded and beat him until everything went black.

Cedric stirred. His body ached all over. He remembered the fight and was surprised to still be alive. A hand supported his head and fed him some acrid water. Opening his bruised eyes, he saw Griselda, the baker's daughter, tending his wounds. He sat up painfully and his natural ebullience came to the fore as he saw that Konrad was with him too. They were in a small room, clearly still in the cave complex. They had been stripped of all their armour and weapons, but they were still alive.

"See, Konrad, my plan worked. I told you that the best way to find Griselda would be to get captured and let the goblins take us to her!"

This game was rather shorter than expected and I believe that Steve's failure to rescue Griselda rests with his forgetting to bring the proper figures to the game. Instead he had to borrow some of my DDM stuff to make up his group, which clearly affected his dice rolling. The next scenario will be an escape scenario, which we hope to run next week. The terrain is my WorldWorksGames Caveworks build, which I plan to expand a lot more at some point. Unfortunately, Sigismund is OD but the other two survived. I suspect that Cedric will have to recruit some more troops next time he returns home.

Missing!

2009-02-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

The local baker's daughter, Griselda, has been kidnapped by a goblin warband that raided the village of Harbottle on the borders of the Border Kingdoms. Arngrim the Baker is unable to keep up with his workload without his only daughter's help. Brother Cedric is concerned that attendance at the preceptory's afternoon teas will fall off without doughnuts from the bakery to supplement the beverages, but no doughnuts have been baked in days. Therefore, Brother Cedric embarks on a quest to find and rescue Griselda. He is sure that she will not be dead yet, because her doughnut baking skills will make her more valuable alive than dead to the sweet-toothed goblins.

This scenario uses the quest rules from WHAA. Brother Cedric must travel into Goblin territory and search for Griselda. Each campaign turn he dices to see if he has found the object of his quest. If this fails then he must dice to see if he has an ordinary encounter. As it turned out, he did not find her on the first campaign turn, but he did find a goblin village, which he raided. On the second turn, he found her. The dice result called for a pitched battle to fend off the goblins, followed by a raid to recover Griselda. We did not have time to fight out the raid, but we shall do so as soon as possible.

The Search for the Baker’s Daughter
Chapter 1 January 986
Brother Cedric reined in his horse, Brothers Konrad and Sigismund drew up either side of him. Ahead over a small bridge lay the Goblin village. He signalled to Hans and Herman his spearmen and Urk and Ogg the archers, to head towards the woods to the right of the village. In the centre of the village four goblins had come out to watch them.

“Maybe we can find information, about the kidnapped Baker’s daughter here,” thought Cedric. It had been a cold trail before they had been informed of the crime.

With a glance to either side Brother Cedric touched the side of his horse with his spurs and charged towards the village with a hymn in his heart. At the sight of the Brethren in full charge heading their way the goblins screamed and ran off into the distance. Meanwhile Urk and Ogg spotted another goblin amongst a patch of trees, both drew arrows and within a moment the goblin slumped to the ground.

The Brother Knights dismounted and headed into the huts to check for more goblins. Nothing was found, but a small box of silver coins. The other four were now heading towards the village, Herman ran ahead to inform Brother Cedric of the other goblin.

He had just reached Cedric when out of the fields a goblin appeared mounted on a ripper beast. Herman froze to the spot, but Sigismund charged to meet the goblin, only to be struck by an arrow and fall to the ground. The goblin continued on to Herman, who put up a brave fight, but he too fell wounded. Another goblin rider appeared and then another. Ogg shot at one, but took and arrow through the heart for his trouble. Brothers Cedric and Konrad with Hans and Ogg eventually killed the remaining goblin riders, but it had been a costly engagement. Brother Sigismund had merely been knocked unconscious; Herman was injured and would have to return to the border fort; Ogg however was dead. They helped Urk bury him and Brother Cedric read a fine sermon over the grave.

Chapter 2 February 986
For a month the five travelled into the Goblin Kingdom. They found snippets of information to the Baker's daughter’s location along the way. All seemed to point in direction they now travelled, into the heartland of the Goblin Kingdom. Travelling was becoming more dangerous and several times they had been forced to hide from large Goblin warbands. Up until now they had been lucky to have spotted them in time to hide. Unfortunately for them their luck had just run out and they had been spotted by a Goblin raiding party.

Two Goblin riders headed to meet them and they rode to them. Brother Konrad’s horse shied and the goblin knocked him from his steed and he lay motionless on the ground. Another Goblin rider fired an arrow, which caught Hans and spun him around before he fell to the ground. The Goblin chariot charged in to attack Cedric with another Goblin rider. Urk too fell to an arrow from one of the goblins.

The battle was going badly for the Brethren and there seemed nothing that either Cedric or Sigismund could do. They looked at each other and with grim smiles and a battle hymn on their lips turned to take on the numerous foes. This seemed to unnerve the goblins as within a few moments the tide had turned. Brother Sigismund had slain both his opponents and this had caused the archers creeping up the nearby hill to flee the scene. Brother Cedric despatched the rider he fought against and the two turned on the chariot. Soon the chariot lay destroyed and the goblins were running for cover.

As Cedric and Sigismund returned to the others, Konrad rose gingerly to his feet and rubbed his head. After burying Hans and Urk, the three Brother Knights again mounted their horses and rode off deeper into the Goblin Lands in search of Griselda.

The Goblins of Zog-Rot

2009-01-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

The goblins of Zog-Rot are a mixed bunch. The majority are poorly clad, small and malnourished but with a huge appetite for carnage. The toughest of them ride the dreaded Ripper Beasts, large flightless birds with a terrible carnivorous appetite. It is fair to say that most goblins that try to tame one of these beasts wind up as its dinner instead. However, those few that succeed are well on their way to glory and fame among goblin-kind. Just taming a Ripper Beast is cause for a rise in social standing. Most goblins try to tame the less aggressive male ripper beasts, which are readily recognisable by the red stripes on their backs. Obviously, less aggressive in this case refers only to their aggressiveness when compared to the female of the species.

Some rare goblins are tough enough to tame the female Ripper Beasts, and a very few manage to tame two of them. The sight of a goblin standing proudly in his chariot pulled by two Ripper Beasts is a sure sign that you are confronting the chief of the tribe. This will be an unusually large and aggressive goblin.

Zog-Rotten society is warband-based. It relies on a regular income from raiding other groups. It is rare that a single war-leader can rise to the fore and unite the goblin hordes, although this has happened on occasion. That is one reason why Zog-Rot is ringed by Brethren fortresses. The Brethren maintain a constant watch for just such an occurrence and do their level best to prevent it reaching the point where goblin armies storm across the borders once more.