Dark Elves of Cybria Turn 1

Year 123 AR (After the Rage), Furstmonat

(Dark Elves of Cybria, Year 1, Month 1, Turn 1)

In the frozen wastes of the Shattered World an epic battle raged outside the gates of the Hruscan capital of Skarlsbad. A Cybrian army known simply as Blood Sacrifice marched on the northern barbarians, who, thinking themselves to have the greater numbers, met the Dark Elf host on a ruin-studded plain before the city walls. The northerners reckoned without the ferocity of the Elven commander Daidolos the Deadly however, who defeated no less than three heroes, including King Starkadder the Unpleasant himself, ruler of all Hrusca! It was not all completely one-sided though, for the Hruscan hero Beorn the Bear almost single-handedly destroyed the Mahksim Guard halberdiers, while a rogue war mammoth called Garn rampaged across the battlefield following the loss of its crew, trampling many Dark Elves underfoot.

In the end, when the dust settled (and despite small pockets of Hruscan warriors claiming distant corners of the battlefield), the road ahead was open for the remnants of the Dark Elf army to march forwards and capture the city of Skarlsbad. By this deed the Cybrians have set down a marker that will be a tough act to follow for all who style themselves as emperors of the Shattered World. Many Hruscan heroes were captured, including the legendary Grimwulf the Seer, and some units, such the household Hruscarls of the King slaughtered to a man. Interestingly, rumour has it that King Starkadder himself only barely survived his grievous wounds, and was last seen being taken aboard the flagship of his private armada, which was conveniently moored just offshore...

Elsewhere, the Dark Elves quietly added the hamlet of Thangor to their empire, and their neighbours must now surely be doubling the border patrols in a bid to stem the Elven invasion of the north!

The Roster of Battles

The Roster of Mighty Heroes and Battalions

Current State of Play

Steam Tank Commander Patton retires...

Steam Tank Commander Patton
At the Battle of Forlun's Ford
(Tankard of ale not pictured)

Edict from the Great Elector Count and ruler of Voltanheim:

After a lengthy trial, Commander Patton of the 4th Imperial Legion, has been found to be negligent in his duties. He was by his own admission drunk and disorderly during the battle. His own words were "I vas shickered to zee eyeballs my Lord, hee hee hee". This fact contributed to the appalling result of the battle and cannot be excused. He has been derelict in his performance on the field of battle and therefore has been retired permanently. His previous record and exemplarily performance as an Officer and Commander of the Empire is unsurpassed. For this, his retirement will not be held in public.

Great Sherriff of Voltanheim and the Realm
Baron Wyattus Earpees

foote note:
It is rumoured that as one of the Count's favourite Commanders, Patton, wasn't retired permanently but in fact had been given the Tavern called the Vile Inn in Verdorn. That he has no need of coin and is looked after by his maid servant who is charged by the Count to never let him be without a full tankard of ale. It is said he is banished for the rest of his years to drink his profits and watch out at the neighbouring countryside and remember the day that he failed.

A response from the Wood Elves...

From the Wood Elves of Glorenrond Forest:

"Perhaps the 'Empire' of Voltanheim should reconsider it's ambitions south of the Marmeir River as next time they make the mistake of attempting to cross it, they are likely to meet more than just a few villagers... In the taverns in Glorenrond last night, where the heroes of Forlun’s Ford were the toast of the realm, there was speculation that the Voltanheimers would do well to stick to their strengths - farming! Glory, glory to the Wood Elves."

Empire of Voltanheim Turn 1

Year 123 AR (After the Rage), Furstmonat

(Empire of Voltanheim, Year 1, Month 1, Turn 1)

The armies of the Empire of Voltanheim finally creaked into action and achieved mixed results. In the north, the city-state of Aardenburg, capital of the coastal Aardenburg confederation, rapidly acquiesced to the might of the Empire and formally became part of Voltanheim. Whether the outlying districts of the Confederation follow suit, as they are long famed for their fractious and independent natures, remains to be seen. Regardless, cynics have suggested that Grand Mayor Nuvries Gildensmirk only allowed the merger to rid his city of the pirates of the renegade Hruscan barbarian Zod the Hammer. If so, mission accomplished, for the pirates rapidly fled the city and Zod’s armada now lies some distance off-shore. In addition, Aardenburg is a valuable acquisition for Voltanheim and there is no way the Emperor will allow it to secede in the near or distant future.

Further south, despite the peaceful capture of a minor Elodian hamlet called Mundmeir, the real problems happened on the banks of the Marmeir River. Here, the Wood Elf village of Forlun’s Ford resisted joining the realm of Voltanheim, and so the Fourth Imperial Legion swung into action, storming across the river to claim the settlement for its own. Or so it should have happened. In reality, despite sowing panic in the Elven forces, only one unit of Knights made it across the river in the face of withering arrow-fire. Unsupported by their comrades, and surrounded by a wood full of vengeful Elves, they returned to the lands of Empire in defeat. Forlun’s Ford remains staunchly independent, but for how long is anyone’s guess...

The Roster of Battles

The Roster of Mighty Heroes and Battalions

Current State of Play

Wordled...

Just thought I'd add this Shattered World wordle by Allan:

Game On!

The Shattered World

Year 123 AR (After the Rage), Furstmonat

(Year 1, Month 1, Turn 1)

Prologue

Scene: Cluttered Orc cave within the plateau city of Thraskis Doom, deep in the Crimson Wastes

Orcling: Cripes Grandad! You’re so old I bet you saw the great dragon Thorinthangol!

Old Orc: Pipe down, sprogling! Someone approaches...

[Messenger Orc enters cave]

Messenger Orc: Greetings, Old One! Shazdrakk Khan has given the order! Our armies move out at dawn...

Old Orc: Finally! What news from elsewhere?

Messenger Orc: High Elves are massing along their borders. Same for the Dwarfs.

Old Orc: Even with our hordes, two versus one are not odds I like.

Messenger Orc: It may not be that bad. The Dwarfs are surrounded. Dark Elves are getting ready to pour out of Cybria, and the Bellonian Knights are also on the march.

Old Orc: Hmm. What about the others?

Messenger Orc: The legions of Voltanheim have mobilized at the far end of Dragontooth Pass, and even the Glorenrond Forest is fairly bristling with Wood Elf archers.

Old Orc: Excellent! Then the great game can finally begin! What of the neutrals?

Messenger Orc: Slevia still slumbers and should be easy pickings. Of the Hruscan barbarians, there is no word.

Old Orc: Interesting. What does Grunjir Khan the God King say?

Messenger Orc: That we will triumph through strength, might and power, and vanquish all of our long-time oppressors!

Old Orc: Bollocks to that! Listen! The way will be long, hard, and troublesome. There will be setbacks and disasters aplenty. The only true winners will be the eaters of gore and the scavengers of carrion. We enter a dark age, my friend...

Messenger Orc: You doubt the wisdom of the God King?

Old Orc: Never! I am just being realistic. Give my regards to Shazdrakk Khan and remind him that we have an excellent chance. As do all the others...

Messenger Orc: Noted.

[Messenger Orc departs cave]

[Old Orc begins donning armour and weapons]

Old Orc: Blast and drat, Griselda! Where have you put my cursed war-cleaver?!

Griselda (from next cave): Have you tried the trunk behind the entry boulder?

Old Orc: Yes, there it is. Thank you!

Orcling: Grandad, are you going to war too?

Old Orc: Well, sprogling, someone has to show these young ‘uns how to fight properly. After all, you only live once!

Turn Order

The turn order for this month is:

1. The Empire of Voltanheim (Michael)

2. The Dark Elves of Cybria (Brenda)

3. The Wood Elves of Glorenrond (Allan)

4. The Orcs of the Crimson Wastes (Martyn)

5. The Knights of Bellonia (Aidan)

6. The High Elves of Western Elodia (Paul)

7. The Dwarves of Khaz Ung Grim (Kos)

Starting Position and Luggage