382YE Autumn Equinox winds of war - Revision history

Twiggy at 22:51, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T22:51:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:51, 12 March 2026
Line 252:		Line 252:
	Inland, the Empire encounters many more settlements, still mostly devoted to farming, interspersed with clumps of woodland. The further north they travel, the colder and more rugged the land gets, and the oak trees give way to dark pines and great stretches of beggarwood. The woods are thick, deep, threatening. Wreathed as often as not in fog in the mornings and the evenings, they are prime hunting grounds for the Druj. There are roads, of course, but they are poorly maintained and obvious traps. Any Imperial troops using them would provide an easy target for the ambushers that clearly wait in the forests. Somewhere in the eastern woods lies Tirran Annun and the season is growing short. In the absence of any vital reconnaissance, the decision is made to push north along the plains and secure the land across the border from Karsk.		Inland, the Empire encounters many more settlements, still mostly devoted to farming, interspersed with clumps of woodland. The further north they travel, the colder and more rugged the land gets, and the oak trees give way to dark pines and great stretches of beggarwood. The woods are thick, deep, threatening. Wreathed as often as not in fog in the mornings and the evenings, they are prime hunting grounds for the Druj. There are roads, of course, but they are poorly maintained and obvious traps. Any Imperial troops using them would provide an easy target for the ambushers that clearly wait in the forests. Somewhere in the eastern woods lies Tirran Annun and the season is growing short. In the absence of any vital reconnaissance, the decision is made to push north along the plains and secure the land across the border from Karsk.

	Having secured Bittershore, and decided to press north, resistance almost immediately increases. As the armies pass out of Bittershore onto the Galath Fields, there are more and more attacks and they are increasingly well organised. These defenders are still no match for five armies but they are dangerous enough that physicks and witches alike have their work cut out tending vicious wounds and treating poisoned injuries. Some of the villages are still abandoned, but there are vicious skirmishes as organised Druj troops lay traps and ambushes. Some of the settlements are themselves trapped - several lives are lost when a small band of Druj fire an entire settlement, casks of oil packed into the thatched roofs and carefully positioned totems that unleash withering curses. The need to check each settlement for signs of ~~guerillas~~ left behind, to ensure that any sack of grain is not poisoned or laced with broken glass, begins to absorb much of the effort of the Golden Sun.		Having secured Bittershore, and decided to press north, resistance almost immediately increases. As the armies pass out of Bittershore onto the Galath Fields, there are more and more attacks and they are increasingly well organised. These defenders are still no match for five armies but they are dangerous enough that physicks and witches alike have their work cut out tending vicious wounds and treating poisoned injuries. Some of the villages are still abandoned, but there are vicious skirmishes as organised Druj troops lay traps and ambushes. Some of the settlements are themselves trapped - several lives are lost when a small band of Druj fire an entire settlement, casks of oil packed into the thatched roofs and carefully positioned totems that unleash withering curses. The need to check each settlement for signs of guerrillas left behind, to ensure that any sack of grain is not poisoned or laced with broken glass, begins to absorb much of the effort of the Golden Sun.

	The leading edge of the Imperial advance crosses the plains and encounters more forest to the north and it is here that the Imperial advance comes to a halt - for now. This forest, the Bonewood, is thick and extremely inhospitable. They do not seem especially populous, but there are few tracks. The Golden Axe are both least and most worried by the woodlands. Least, because they remind many of the Varushkan soldiers of the forests of Karsk. Most because... the same reason. Scouts report pale, lean, thirsty figures among the pines glimpsed at night by soldiers on watch. The Varushkans are certain that they are [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolves]], and not the four-legged kind. What the scouts are also certain of is that this third region is the northernmost part of the territory. Nobody appears to know what lies beyond that, but the guess is that it is probably the southern forests of the [[Thule]] territory of [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]] - a forest said to be dominated by a [[vallorn]].		The leading edge of the Imperial advance crosses the plains and encounters more forest to the north and it is here that the Imperial advance comes to a halt - for now. This forest, the Bonewood, is thick and extremely inhospitable. They do not seem especially populous, but there are few tracks. The Golden Axe are both least and most worried by the woodlands. Least, because they remind many of the Varushkan soldiers of the forests of Karsk. Most because... the same reason. Scouts report pale, lean, thirsty figures among the pines glimpsed at night by soldiers on watch. The Varushkans are certain that they are [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolves]], and not the four-legged kind. What the scouts are also certain of is that this third region is the northernmost part of the territory. Nobody appears to know what lies beyond that, but the guess is that it is probably the southern forests of the [[Thule]] territory of [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]] - a forest said to be dominated by a [[vallorn]].

Twiggy at 18:58, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T18:58:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 1 March 2026
Line 184:		Line 184:
	==In The End (The Mallum)==		==In The End (The Mallum)==
	====Lacre====		====Lacre====
	<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Vincent Vexille, General of the Eastern Sky">The time to strike at the heart of our sworn enemy has arrived. With pride and courage we will go down in history as we charge gloriously across the bridge from the Summer ~~Realm~~. The Druj will know fear at the hands of Dawn.</quote></div>		<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Vincent Vexille, General of the Eastern Sky">The time to strike at the heart of our sworn enemy has arrived. With pride and courage we will go down in history as we charge gloriously across the bridge from the Summer realm. The Druj will know fear at the hands of Dawn.</quote></div>
	The armies of [[Dawn]] gather at the town of [[Semmerholm#Lacuve\|Lacre]], on the southern shores of [[the Semmerlak]]. A great sea of tents and pavilions in all the bright colours of the [[noble house\|houses]] rises around the port. Some nobles come by boat, the majority march overland, gathering at [[Semmerholm#Lacuve\|Lacuve]] to await the signal to march. As always when the Dawnish meet, there is an air of pageantry, almost a fairground atmosphere. Tourneys for love, and challenges sought, and tales of [[glory]] and tragedy shared with equal relish. A great number of [[troubadour\|troubadours]] take this opportunity to inspire the gathering notables. A great many nobles and yeofolk alike, unable to accompany the armies for whatever reason, come to see the scions of Dawn take their first step into darkness.		The armies of [[Dawn]] gather at the town of [[Semmerholm#Lacuve\|Lacre]], on the southern shores of [[the Semmerlak]]. A great sea of tents and pavilions in all the bright colours of the [[noble house\|houses]] rises around the port. Some nobles come by boat, the majority march overland, gathering at [[Semmerholm#Lacuve\|Lacuve]] to await the signal to march. As always when the Dawnish meet, there is an air of pageantry, almost a fairground atmosphere. Tourneys for love, and challenges sought, and tales of [[glory]] and tragedy shared with equal relish. A great number of [[troubadour\|troubadours]] take this opportunity to inspire the gathering notables. A great many nobles and yeofolk alike, unable to accompany the armies for whatever reason, come to see the scions of Dawn take their first step into darkness.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial navy" to "[[navy"

2026-01-16T09:45:04Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial navy" to "[[navy"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:45, 16 January 2026
Line 125:		Line 125:
	Three weeks before the Autumn Equinox, the armada begins to slow, and finally come to a stop in the deep waters off the coast of [[Sarvos]].		Three weeks before the Autumn Equinox, the armada begins to slow, and finally come to a stop in the deep waters off the coast of [[Sarvos]].

	As soon as the first reports of Grendel on the move began to spread east along the shores of the Bay, the garrison at [[Sarvos#Our_Lady_of_Pride\|Our Lady of Pride]] were mobilised. They are already in position along the shore when the first Grendel ships are visible to [[the League\|League]] [[Technology#Spectacles.2C_Spyglasses.2C_and_Lenses\|spyglasses]]. Slightly fewer than three thousand soldiers set to defend Sarvos against a [[~~Imperial~~ navy\|naval force]] that is ''significantly'' larger.		As soon as the first reports of Grendel on the move began to spread east along the shores of the Bay, the garrison at [[Sarvos#Our_Lady_of_Pride\|Our Lady of Pride]] were mobilised. They are already in position along the shore when the first Grendel ships are visible to [[the League\|League]] [[Technology#Spectacles.2C_Spyglasses.2C_and_Lenses\|spyglasses]]. Slightly fewer than three thousand soldiers set to defend Sarvos against a [[navy\|naval force]] that is ''significantly'' larger.

	Yet the [[Navy_orders#Shore_Offensive\|expected attack]] does not come. The Grendel ships remain at anchor, barely visible from the shore, well out to sea. Any Imperial ship that leaves Sarvos, or attempts to return to it, is fair game but even then the orcs seem barely interested in intercepting individual merchant vessels or fishing boats. They seem to be waiting for something, some signal. The waiting becomes almost too much to bear. An oft-voiced sentiment in the city itself suggests it would be better to be invaded than to be kept ''waiting'' like this. It's worse than threatening, it's ''rude''.		Yet the [[Navy_orders#Shore_Offensive\|expected attack]] does not come. The Grendel ships remain at anchor, barely visible from the shore, well out to sea. Any Imperial ship that leaves Sarvos, or attempts to return to it, is fair game but even then the orcs seem barely interested in intercepting individual merchant vessels or fishing boats. They seem to be waiting for something, some signal. The waiting becomes almost too much to bear. An oft-voiced sentiment in the city itself suggests it would be better to be invaded than to be kept ''waiting'' like this. It's worse than threatening, it's ''rude''.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T12:28:03Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 15 January 2026
Line 177:		Line 177:

	===Game Information - Kahraman===		===Game Information - Kahraman===
	The Empire holds all regions of Kahraman, and has reclaimed the Damatian Cliffs. While the Jotun did not capture the white granite quarry during their initial push into the territory, they were able to seize them during the Summer Solstice while the attention of the Imperial Military Council was elsewhere. As a consequence, the white granite quarry will need to be [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Allocation\|reallocated]] by the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] which can be done this season, and will be available for appointment next season.		The Empire holds all regions of Kahraman, and has reclaimed the Damatian Cliffs. While the Jotun did not capture the white granite quarry during their initial push into the territory, they were able to seize them during the Summer Solstice while the attention of the Imperial Military Council was elsewhere. As a consequence, the white granite quarry will need to be [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Allocation\|reallocated]] by the [[Senate]] which can be done this season, and will be available for appointment next season.

	The town of Damata, and its priceless walls, have been badly damaged in the fighting. The civil service are assessing the damage.		The town of Damata, and its priceless walls, have been badly damaged in the fighting. The civil service are assessing the damage.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

2026-01-15T12:22:51Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 15 January 2026
Line 302:		Line 302:
	The third conjunction will permit the heroes of Anvil passage to Bleak Vein, a location half a day east of Lomaa and the Imperial camps in the Galath Fields of Ossium. Here, at the behest of the [[general]] of the Hounds of Glory, the war scouts have located a potent, peculiar Spring [[regio]] located inside an abandoned defensive stockade. This conjunction will allow travel into the Mallum on the Sunday of the summit.		The third conjunction will permit the heroes of Anvil passage to Bleak Vein, a location half a day east of Lomaa and the Imperial camps in the Galath Fields of Ossium. Here, at the behest of the [[general]] of the Hounds of Glory, the war scouts have located a potent, peculiar Spring [[regio]] located inside an abandoned defensive stockade. This conjunction will allow travel into the Mallum on the Sunday of the summit.

	By the time of the Autumn Equinox summit, the Civil Service will have completed reports for each of these conjunctions, which will be presented to the generals during the muster. The final decision about which major conjunctions to exploit, and who will take part in the battles, is the heavy responsibility of the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] alone.		By the time of the Autumn Equinox summit, the Civil Service will have completed reports for each of these conjunctions, which will be presented to the generals during the muster. The final decision about which major conjunctions to exploit, and who will take part in the battles, is the heavy responsibility of the [[Military Council]] alone.

	Imperial prognosticators are preparing additional information relating to a number of smaller conjunctions over the course of the summit that will be of relevance to the Military Council, individuals from the various nations, and other parties. A summary of the identified conjunctions will be provided nearer the time, with additional details passed to national [[egregores]], [[Herald of the Council]], and the Imperial War Scouts.		Imperial prognosticators are preparing additional information relating to a number of smaller conjunctions over the course of the summit that will be of relevance to the Military Council, individuals from the various nations, and other parties. A summary of the identified conjunctions will be provided nearer the time, with additional details passed to national [[egregores]], [[Herald of the Council]], and the Imperial War Scouts.

Twiggy at 01:32, 7 August 2025

2025-08-07T01:32:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:32, 7 August 2025
Line 96:		Line 96:
	At first the Winterfolk wonder if these are dead heroes returned to aid them, but this optimistic fantasy is soon dispelled. The husks are ravenous, without thought, as eager to feast on the [[Suaq]] as on the Jotun. They are a terror in the night, drawn to the gathering places of the living - Jotun camps and Wintermark halls alike face their unliving fury. Many of the fleeing Winterfolk weep openly - the fighters who died as [[heroism\|heroes]] in the [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle of Atalaq\|fall of Atalaq]] are among the first to rise, the first to assail the very people they gave their lives to protect. By all reports the Jotun in Sermersuaq are filled with fury, enraged by the dishonour shown to those who have died, whether human or orc. They fight as keenly to defend their new Winterfolk thralls against the blood-thirsty horrors as they fight to protect their own people.		At first the Winterfolk wonder if these are dead heroes returned to aid them, but this optimistic fantasy is soon dispelled. The husks are ravenous, without thought, as eager to feast on the [[Suaq]] as on the Jotun. They are a terror in the night, drawn to the gathering places of the living - Jotun camps and Wintermark halls alike face their unliving fury. Many of the fleeing Winterfolk weep openly - the fighters who died as [[heroism\|heroes]] in the [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle of Atalaq\|fall of Atalaq]] are among the first to rise, the first to assail the very people they gave their lives to protect. By all reports the Jotun in Sermersuaq are filled with fury, enraged by the dishonour shown to those who have died, whether human or orc. They fight as keenly to defend their new Winterfolk thralls against the blood-thirsty horrors as they fight to protect their own people.

	It is clear who both groups believe is to blame - and the Empire's decision to withdraw its armies just ahead of the dead rising is seen by many to provide conclusive evidence of Imperial culpability. Luckily, the magic of the Thule ~~minimizes~~ the slaughter - but many lives are still lost on all sides to the ravening dead.		It is clear who both groups believe is to blame - and the Empire's decision to withdraw its armies just ahead of the dead rising is seen by many to provide conclusive evidence of Imperial culpability. Luckily, the magic of the Thule minimises the slaughter - but many lives are still lost on all sides to the ravening dead.

	There is some minor good news. As the Autumn Equinox approaches, word comes that the miners at the [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] have escaped the Jotun advance. Continuing to work until the final hour before being forced to withdraw, a huddled caravan crosses the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]] eastward, a bare handful of miles ahead of the orcish advance. The mine itself has fallen into Jotun hands - there was no way to prevent it - but this season's bounty of mithril has not. Reports filtering south are confused, but it seems that the miners are now ''guests'' of the Thule in the Silver Peaks, and they have received significant aid from heralds of the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] in reaching this (slightly dubious) safety. By all accounts, thanks in part to negotiation by the representatives of the City of Gold and Lead, the Thule have agreed to allow the caravan to pass through the peaks to [[Skarsind#Crow's Ridge\|Crow's Ridge]] and thence to [[Skarsind#Solvihill\|Torfast]], without exacting a toll or a tithe for their trouble. The [[Ambassador to Otkodov]] may know more.		There is some minor good news. As the Autumn Equinox approaches, word comes that the miners at the [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] have escaped the Jotun advance. Continuing to work until the final hour before being forced to withdraw, a huddled caravan crosses the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]] eastward, a bare handful of miles ahead of the orcish advance. The mine itself has fallen into Jotun hands - there was no way to prevent it - but this season's bounty of mithril has not. Reports filtering south are confused, but it seems that the miners are now ''guests'' of the Thule in the Silver Peaks, and they have received significant aid from heralds of the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] in reaching this (slightly dubious) safety. By all accounts, thanks in part to negotiation by the representatives of the City of Gold and Lead, the Thule have agreed to allow the caravan to pass through the peaks to [[Skarsind#Crow's Ridge\|Crow's Ridge]] and thence to [[Skarsind#Solvihill\|Torfast]], without exacting a toll or a tithe for their trouble. The [[Ambassador to Otkodov]] may know more.

Twiggy: /* Game Information - Ossium */

2025-07-12T23:44:50Z

Game Information - Ossium

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:44, 12 July 2025
Line 289:		Line 289:
	A fortnight before the Autumn Equinox, the Empire has unquestionably conquered Bittershore and the Galath Fields, and pushed a short distance into the Bonewood. They have broken the Bone Serpent clan, and established an armed camp around the town of Lomaa and the mithril mine beneath it. The Dawnish and Varushkan forces have only taken minimal casualties.		A fortnight before the Autumn Equinox, the Empire has unquestionably conquered Bittershore and the Galath Fields, and pushed a short distance into the Bonewood. They have broken the Bone Serpent clan, and established an armed camp around the town of Lomaa and the mithril mine beneath it. The Dawnish and Varushkan forces have only taken minimal casualties.

	Representatives of ~~the~~ the Malinov, the Sloev and the Pravin families of [[Karsk#Moresvah\|Moresvah]] accompanying the Golden Axe are keen to offer their assistance in working the newly captured mithril mine; there are also several bands of wagon raiders among the Varushkans eager to get to work claiming the Druj's mithril for the Empire. As such, the mine could begin producing mithril immediately, depending on the civil service assessment of the situation.		Representatives of the Malinov, the Sloev and the Pravin families of [[Karsk#Moresvah\|Moresvah]] accompanying the Golden Axe are keen to offer their assistance in working the newly captured mithril mine; there are also several bands of wagon raiders among the Varushkans eager to get to work claiming the Druj's mithril for the Empire. As such, the mine could begin producing mithril immediately, depending on the civil service assessment of the situation.

	More information about Ossium, including a rough sketch of the regions Imperial forces have encountered and more details about the Crawling Depths, will be included in Winds of Fortune.		More information about Ossium, including a rough sketch of the regions Imperial forces have encountered and more details about the Crawling Depths, will be included in Winds of Fortune.

Twiggy at 22:08, 10 July 2025

2025-07-10T22:08:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 10 July 2025
Line 117:		Line 117:
	A little over a month and a half before the Autumn Equinox, fisherfolk and [[corsair\|corsairs]] in [[Madruga]] and [[Feroz]] begin to report sightings of Grendel ships in unprecedented numbers.The corsairs recognise pirates when they see them - the game of minnow-and-shark between Freeborn privateers and Grendel raiders shows no sign of letting up - but these are something else entirely. A great armada - several times larger than the tragic Freeborn Storm at the height of its strength - sweeps along [[the Brass Coast]] heading north.		A little over a month and a half before the Autumn Equinox, fisherfolk and [[corsair\|corsairs]] in [[Madruga]] and [[Feroz]] begin to report sightings of Grendel ships in unprecedented numbers.The corsairs recognise pirates when they see them - the game of minnow-and-shark between Freeborn privateers and Grendel raiders shows no sign of letting up - but these are something else entirely. A great armada - several times larger than the tragic Freeborn Storm at the height of its strength - sweeps along [[the Brass Coast]] heading north.

	Those few who see the armada up close and escape to tell the tale are unable to keep echoes of breathless awe ~~and~~ and blood-freezing fear from their voices when they speak of it. Even the most hard-headed find themselves waxing lyrical about the sheer splendour of so many ships under sail - orc ships though they be. Red and yellow, green and blue the sails, taut in a wind that unaccountably fails to move the ships of Imperial fishing vessels or corsair ships that come near. Some report the presence of a great crowd of seabirds around the armada - not the usual mob of gulls but rather a flight of immense white albatrosses larger than any seen on the Coast in living memory. They glide, vast wings outstretched, over the four largest warships, the ones carving through the waves at the head of the fleet.		Those few who see the armada up close and escape to tell the tale are unable to keep echoes of breathless awe and blood-freezing fear from their voices when they speak of it. Even the most hard-headed find themselves waxing lyrical about the sheer splendour of so many ships under sail - orc ships though they be. Red and yellow, green and blue the sails, taut in a wind that unaccountably fails to move the ships of Imperial fishing vessels or corsair ships that come near. Some report the presence of a great crowd of seabirds around the armada - not the usual mob of gulls but rather a flight of immense white albatrosses larger than any seen on the Coast in living memory. They glide, vast wings outstretched, over the four largest warships, the ones carving through the waves at the head of the fleet.

	Rumours fly wildly. The Grendel are sailing to [[Feroz#Oranseri\|Oran]] to sack the [[Feroz#The_Temple_of_Balo_and_the_Black_Bull\|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]]. Or they are on their way to Madruga to loot [[Madruga#The_Lyceum\|the Lyceum]] and burn the [[Construct_the_Salt_Guard\|Salt Guard]] before it can be completed. Or perhaps this is a fleet come to rescue [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Devil_Take_the_Hindmost_.28Brass_Coast.29\|Innevia, daughter of Moorvain]], the Grendel captain captured by the Drakes during their liberation of Free Landing. Or perhaps their aim is to destroy the [[Madruga#The_Spider.27s_Dream\|Spider's Dream]], as they tried once before, to cut the Brass Coast off from the rest of the Empire. Or perhaps...		Rumours fly wildly. The Grendel are sailing to [[Feroz#Oranseri\|Oran]] to sack the [[Feroz#The_Temple_of_Balo_and_the_Black_Bull\|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]]. Or they are on their way to Madruga to loot [[Madruga#The_Lyceum\|the Lyceum]] and burn the [[Construct_the_Salt_Guard\|Salt Guard]] before it can be completed. Or perhaps this is a fleet come to rescue [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Devil_Take_the_Hindmost_.28Brass_Coast.29\|Innevia, daughter of Moorvain]], the Grendel captain captured by the Drakes during their liberation of Free Landing. Or perhaps their aim is to destroy the [[Madruga#The_Spider.27s_Dream\|Spider's Dream]], as they tried once before, to cut the Brass Coast off from the rest of the Empire. Or perhaps...

Hailmur: /* Game Information - Ossium */

2025-05-07T19:43:45Z

Game Information - Ossium

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 7 May 2025
Line 287:		Line 287:

	===Game Information - Ossium===		===Game Information - Ossium===
	A fortnight before the Autumn Equinox, the Empire has unquestionably conquered Bittershore and the ~~Ghalath~~ Fields, and pushed a short distance into the Bonewood. They have broken the Bone Serpent clan, and established an armed camp around the town of Lomaa and the mithril mine beneath it. The Dawnish and Varushkan forces have only taken minimal casualties.		A fortnight before the Autumn Equinox, the Empire has unquestionably conquered Bittershore and the Galath Fields, and pushed a short distance into the Bonewood. They have broken the Bone Serpent clan, and established an armed camp around the town of Lomaa and the mithril mine beneath it. The Dawnish and Varushkan forces have only taken minimal casualties.

	Representatives of the the Malinov, the Sloev and the Pravin families of [[Karsk#Moresvah\|Moresvah]] accompanying the Golden Axe are keen to offer their assistance in working the newly captured mithril mine; there are also several bands of wagon raiders among the Varushkans eager to get to work claiming the Druj's mithril for the Empire. As such, the mine could begin producing mithril immediately, depending on the civil service assessment of the situation.		Representatives of the the Malinov, the Sloev and the Pravin families of [[Karsk#Moresvah\|Moresvah]] accompanying the Golden Axe are keen to offer their assistance in working the newly captured mithril mine; there are also several bands of wagon raiders among the Varushkans eager to get to work claiming the Druj's mithril for the Empire. As such, the mine could begin producing mithril immediately, depending on the civil service assessment of the situation.

	More information about Ossium, including a rough sketch of the regions Imperial forces have encountered and more details about the Crawling Depths, will be included in Winds of Fortune.		More information about Ossium, including a rough sketch of the regions Imperial forces have encountered and more details about the Crawling Depths, will be included in Winds of Fortune.

	==Battle Symphony (Major Conjunctions)==		==Battle Symphony (Major Conjunctions)==
	Based on reports by the Imperial war scouts from across the Empire, the Civil Service prognosticators have assembled information on three major conjunctions of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the Autumn Equinox. These will allow the heroes of Anvil opportunities to strike against the barbarian [[orc\|orcs]] and influence the wider military campaign.		Based on reports by the Imperial war scouts from across the Empire, the Civil Service prognosticators have assembled information on three major conjunctions of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the Autumn Equinox. These will allow the heroes of Anvil opportunities to strike against the barbarian [[orc\|orcs]] and influence the wider military campaign.

Hailmur: /* The Bonewood */

2025-05-07T19:43:38Z

The Bonewood

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 7 May 2025
Line 252:		Line 252:
	Inland, the Empire encounters many more settlements, still mostly devoted to farming, interspersed with clumps of woodland. The further north they travel, the colder and more rugged the land gets, and the oak trees give way to dark pines and great stretches of beggarwood. The woods are thick, deep, threatening. Wreathed as often as not in fog in the mornings and the evenings, they are prime hunting grounds for the Druj. There are roads, of course, but they are poorly maintained and obvious traps. Any Imperial troops using them would provide an easy target for the ambushers that clearly wait in the forests. Somewhere in the eastern woods lies Tirran Annun and the season is growing short. In the absence of any vital reconnaissance, the decision is made to push north along the plains and secure the land across the border from Karsk.		Inland, the Empire encounters many more settlements, still mostly devoted to farming, interspersed with clumps of woodland. The further north they travel, the colder and more rugged the land gets, and the oak trees give way to dark pines and great stretches of beggarwood. The woods are thick, deep, threatening. Wreathed as often as not in fog in the mornings and the evenings, they are prime hunting grounds for the Druj. There are roads, of course, but they are poorly maintained and obvious traps. Any Imperial troops using them would provide an easy target for the ambushers that clearly wait in the forests. Somewhere in the eastern woods lies Tirran Annun and the season is growing short. In the absence of any vital reconnaissance, the decision is made to push north along the plains and secure the land across the border from Karsk.

	Having secured Bittershore, and decided to press north, resistance almost immediately increases. As the armies pass out of Bittershore onto the ~~Ghalath~~ Fields, there are more and more attacks and they are increasingly well organised. These defenders are still no match for five armies but they are dangerous enough that physicks and witches alike have their work cut out tending vicious wounds and treating poisoned injuries. Some of the villages are still abandoned, but there are vicious skirmishes as organised Druj troops lay traps and ambushes. Some of the settlements are themselves trapped - several lives are lost when a small band of Druj fire an entire settlement, casks of oil packed into the thatched roofs and carefully positioned totems that unleash withering curses. The need to check each settlement for signs of guerillas left behind, to ensure that any sack of grain is not poisoned or laced with broken glass, begins to absorb much of the effort of the Golden Sun.		Having secured Bittershore, and decided to press north, resistance almost immediately increases. As the armies pass out of Bittershore onto the Galath Fields, there are more and more attacks and they are increasingly well organised. These defenders are still no match for five armies but they are dangerous enough that physicks and witches alike have their work cut out tending vicious wounds and treating poisoned injuries. Some of the villages are still abandoned, but there are vicious skirmishes as organised Druj troops lay traps and ambushes. Some of the settlements are themselves trapped - several lives are lost when a small band of Druj fire an entire settlement, casks of oil packed into the thatched roofs and carefully positioned totems that unleash withering curses. The need to check each settlement for signs of guerillas left behind, to ensure that any sack of grain is not poisoned or laced with broken glass, begins to absorb much of the effort of the Golden Sun.

	The leading edge of the Imperial advance crosses the plains and encounters more forest to the north and it is here that the Imperial advance comes to a halt - for now. This forest, the Bonewood, is thick and extremely inhospitable. They do not seem especially populous, but there are few tracks. The Golden Axe are both least and most worried by the woodlands. Least, because they remind many of the Varushkan soldiers of the forests of Karsk. Most because... the same reason. Scouts report pale, lean, thirsty figures among the pines glimpsed at night by soldiers on watch. The Varushkans are certain that they are [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolves]], and not the four-legged kind. What the scouts are also certain of is that this third region is the northernmost part of the territory. Nobody appears to know what lies beyond that, but the guess is that it is probably the southern forests of the [[Thule]] territory of [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]] - a forest said to be dominated by a [[vallorn]].		The leading edge of the Imperial advance crosses the plains and encounters more forest to the north and it is here that the Imperial advance comes to a halt - for now. This forest, the Bonewood, is thick and extremely inhospitable. They do not seem especially populous, but there are few tracks. The Golden Axe are both least and most worried by the woodlands. Least, because they remind many of the Varushkan soldiers of the forests of Karsk. Most because... the same reason. Scouts report pale, lean, thirsty figures among the pines glimpsed at night by soldiers on watch. The Varushkans are certain that they are [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolves]], and not the four-legged kind. What the scouts are also certain of is that this third region is the northernmost part of the territory. Nobody appears to know what lies beyond that, but the guess is that it is probably the southern forests of the [[Thule]] territory of [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]] - a forest said to be dominated by a [[vallorn]].

	====Across the Galath Fields====		====Across the Galath Fields====
	While the vanguard of the Imperial advance are debating whether to press into the Bonewood, the Hounds of Glory and the Golden Sun encounter the first real battle of the campaign. They are advancing across the Galath Fields down a crude road when they encounter a Druj force arrayed against them. All those farmers and fisherfolk who fled from the Imperial advance have gathered here to fight. There are perhaps as many as twenty thousand orcs and humans here - but their rank and file have little armour and what they do have amounts to thin leather and hide rather than anything metal. For the most part they are armed with farming tools pressed into service as weapons - which should not be entirely underestimated, as the Marchers have demonstrated time and again. What the yeomanry of the Marches use, however, are weapons adapted from farming implements and wielded by disciplined soldiers; this rabble is nothing like a Marcher block.		While the vanguard of the Imperial advance are debating whether to press into the Bonewood, the Hounds of Glory and the Golden Sun encounter the first real battle of the campaign. They are advancing across the Galath Fields down a crude road when they encounter a Druj force arrayed against them. All those farmers and fisherfolk who fled from the Imperial advance have gathered here to fight. There are perhaps as many as twenty thousand orcs and humans here - but their rank and file have little armour and what they do have amounts to thin leather and hide rather than anything metal. For the most part they are armed with farming tools pressed into service as weapons - which should not be entirely underestimated, as the Marchers have demonstrated time and again. What the yeomanry of the Marches use, however, are weapons adapted from farming implements and wielded by disciplined soldiers; this rabble is nothing like a Marcher block.