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The Adventurers Chronicle

Editorial: Greeting reader to herald a new millennium, a new newspaper, one in touch with the adventuring community. If any of you have any comments about this paper then please do not hesitate us at our head offices but please do so in a civilised manner. There is no need for swords and spells when a quite chat over a drink works so much better. If any of you do feel the need to contribute our main contact in the adventuring community is currently Aaron Banath, so please see him for details of submissions.

LOCAL MAN DONE GOOD

It has come to the attention of this reporter the Guild of Scouts has appointed a new Guild Protector Scout, one Seth Armstrong. For those of you who don’t know Seth is brother to Amos Armstrong, a member of our own adventuring community. Both were originally members of the Caistell Militia prior to beginning a career as adventurers. Seth is now a resident of Fernham but does not appear to have become soft in the way of southerners.

In tribute to this fine man we have tracked down his version of the last major battle to come to Grimsburg.

KILLINGHOME DEFEATED

As many of you may be aware the forces of Killing home were recently massing to the west of Grimsburg, intelligence indicated that their numbers where swelled by mercenaries, orcs and goblins being hired in Dull and shipped over. On the 24^th of Deepwinter these forces were to be met in battle by the combined forces from Grimsburg and Linshire. The surprise arrival of a number of members of the Order of Templar Knights allowed our forces to be victorious without sustaining a large amount of losses to Linshire forces. The Knights Templar sustained the majority of losses on the battlefield, and we at the Chronicle feel we should do something in return. Therefore in recognition of these brave souls now residing with their Lord Sidhe we have placed a donation box in our main offices reception. If any of the residents of our fair town wish to show their gratitude to the Templar Order all money placed within will be donated to the Templar Order

Report of the Engagement outside Killinghome

After a mission into the lands towards Killinghome it was discovered that the forces of Killinghome were being bolstered by mercenary forces from Dull, consisting of human mercenaries as well as various orcs, goblins and trolls. Members of the Grimsburg adventuring community managed to destroy one of the forward outposts and gain advance knowledge of the force. Father Yadaz Yull also learned from his lord Kharach that there was a force of undead massing to the south.

Despite this threat an army was mustered to march to Killinghome and deal with the treat. This army consisted of contingents of guards, foresters, archers, militia, and Grey Knights lead by Sir Percy Withergale. Some members of the Grimsburg council also travelled with this force accompanied by some of the towns militia and guards.

The Grimsburg contingent also consisted of some members of the Grimsburg adven-turing community, Father Yadaz Yull, and Brother Kallador Crowley of Kharach, Brother Drake and supplicant Val of Longstor, Sir Tancred of the Black Knight Order and the freeesword Draken Thorn.

Whilst these forces approached the battle field two Traldans High Mother Wanda Vinghans and Father Borran Surehand and myself (Journeyman Mage Aaron Banath) were returning from Kirk Leigh with Templar Squire Justin and 500 Templar Knights. These forces had been loaned to us by Sir Alec Guinness Head of the Templar Order and resident of Kirk Leigh.

The battle took place at a river not far from the town of Killinghome with the enemy forces occupying the western back of the river. Their forces were split into two main sections with the mainly foreign mercenaries behind a barricade at the north end of the field, the majority of the orcs were at the south end massing on the banks of the river along with some goblin archers. Between the two forces were a large horde of goblins. The bridge of the river was defended by one of three groups of ogres and trolls, the other groups being well spread out down the line.

Once all these forces had converged on the battlefield they were arrayed as shown on the left.

The Killinghome forces, predictably, made the first move, with the three groups of ogres/trolls advancing and a group of orcish berserkers heading for the ford near the Templar troops. The line of Linshire and Grimsburg troops advanced towards the river, whilst the Templars began to wheel the troops round to face the enemy. Mercenary troops also began to head for the river north of the bridge.

The first exchange of blows occurred when the ogres that began on the bridge came within range of Lord Percy’s archers, but the behemoths shrugged off the rain of arrows and kept coming. They were fired on repeatedly to little or no effect and eventually engaged with the guards in the centre of the front line. Despite the size of these monsters the guards held firm and gave no ground, at this time Brothers Drake and Kallador along with Val charged into the rear of the ogres. The ogres, surprised by this, were soon chopped down by the adventurers and guards.

Meanwhile on the other side of the battlefield one group of foot knights had just managed to complete their wheel and were engaged by the berserkers, the fury of these berserkers managed to force the knights back briefly. Seeing their brethren in trouble the mounted knights could hold back no longer and charged the orcs trampling many into the ground. One unit of knight broke through the orcish ranks and was set upon by the ogres, unfortunately they were killed to a man.

At this point we could hold back no longer and Father Borran, High Mother Wanda, Squire Justin and myself moved in to bolster the knights line on the right flank. The left flank was help by some guard forces of Lord Caistell who had recently arrived with a contingent. Being flanked on both sides the orcs were steadily driven back or killed.

Seeing that the knights had it all well in hand our group of adventurers attempted to engage the group of ogres, at first be were beaten back, but unwilling to give up we persevered and the creatures we destroyed. The Templars also managed to finish off the last of the orcs.

Meanwhile to the far north of the battlefield the mercenaries had forded the river and were closing on the north flank of archers. Seeing this the archers and the balista crew turned their fire on the mercenaries delaying them long enough for the mounted Grey Knights to complete their charge into the mercenaries. In a quick but bloody fight the mercenaries were all wiped out by a combination of Grey Knights and Brothers Drake and Kallador, and Val.

In the centre of the battlefield another engagement was occurring where the third and final group of ogres advanced on the Grimsburg forces. These were defeated by the combined might of the mounted Templar knights, the Grimsburg guards, and the final group of Grimsburg adventurers Father Yadaz, Sir Tancred and Draken Thorn.

With this initial engagement over the archers continued to advance in a south easterly direction firing upon the goblin hordes that had crossed the river. Unlike the ogres earlier the goblins were decimated by the arrow fire retreating back over the river with only one in three making the opposite shore.

Once the knights had finished their long wheeling manoeuvre and their lines were reformed they retreated back out of range of the goblin archers. During this time the mounted knights on the river bank came under magical attack, but their faith in their Lord Sidhe held strong and they were able to fall back in good order.

With the goblins destroyed the archers returned their fire to the mercenaries, specifically targeting what might have been a leader in the enemy forces. This person quickly ran from the bowfire, passing through his own troops barricade and hiding behind his hired muscle. At this point the balista open fire on the men behind the barricade, and the grey knights began to cross the river to the north of the barricade.

Whilst the knights waited out of bow range to give the enemy a chance to remove themselves from the battlefield, and prevent further bloodshed, some of Lord Caistell’s men advanced on the orcs on the other bank. Realising the slaughter that would occur the knights quickly caught up with the guards and began to cross the river.

The persons identified as the orcish leaders quickly fled from the approaching line leaving their troops without leadership in this crucial moment. Many of the orcs who saw this also turned and ran as did the remaining goblins in the centre of the line.

Despite a lack of leadership the remaining orcs still had the advantage of terrain over the knight who had to fight in the river, once again we came to the rescue opening a hole in the enemy line and allowing the flank to be rolled back destroying a number of the orc troops. Seeing this the remaining orcish troops were soon in full rout, and were allowed to flee.

The mercenaries dug in behind the barricade seeing their flank decimated took the sensible option. They sued for peace, this was granted and safe passage was assured by Lord Percy to one of the southern ports such as Scabness. In return the mercenaries confirmed to us our worst fears, this whole attack was designed by Nathaniel and Weelsby to draw our forces away from Grimsburg. It transpires that Lord Weelsby, for some reason, had a desire to visit one of the areas south of Lake Erie. It is this reporters belief that we will soon have to raise an army again to save us from Lord Weelsby’s undead forces.

After clearing the bodies off the battlefield, and Father Yadaz Yull performing a mass lay to rest to prevent Lord Weelsby increasing his forces even further the indication of losses came through. The enemy lost approx. 190 troops, of which 60 were human mercenaries, whilst our losses were approx. 70, 60 of which were knights of the Templar and Grey orders.

In closing I would like to thank all who aided Grimsburg in this battle, including Lord Percy Withergale and Lord Caistell and of course the unexpected aid of the Templar Knights. Most of those fallen on the battlefield on our side were followers of one of the knightly orders may your souls rest with your Lord.

Once again Grimsburg is safe, but for how long.

Praise be to Seven

Aaron Banath

The Battle of Grimsburg (by Seth)

The sound of battle could once again be heard from the walls of Grimsburg as our ramshackle force engaged the undead horde of Lord Weelsby (deceased, not that that stops him!) on the field before the South Gate.

Our force included Guards, Foresters, Veteran Militia (not that we have many) & a group of Kharachians Devotees known as the Howling Banshees, who were trained by the (late) Lord Mulg himself. These troops numbered around 50 with our force bolstered by about 100 peasant levy. We were further aided by Shard and his orc/outcast troops numbering around 30.

Lord Weelsby commanded a large force of Skeletons & Zombies, with Ghouls weaving there way throughout his force. Skeletal horsemen strengthened his Right wing while Mercenary Lirronese horsemen and Ogres held his Left. His force numbered around 200 all-told.

Myself and local scout, Borran. escorted Canadan of Sidhe in the front line and so had a clear view of the approaching army.

The Lirron horse came thundering across the plain heading straight for the Guards position. Meanwhile behind the undead’s centre a creature as tall as three men and swathed in bandages appeared from nowhere, all around me I heard men uttering prays to their Gods.

On both flanks our forces engaged with their Cavalry and bloody melees ensued.

At the rear, Shards forces charged from there hiding place in the woods to unleash a hail of arrows into the undead rearguard destroying and pushing back a large number of them.

The guards fighting against the Lirron horse ebbed & flowed with both sides losing troops, the Banshees faired better as they used there faith to force the skeletal cavalry back up the field. At the rear Shards force found itself assailed upon by the undead and they lost some of their archers. Meanwhile I found myself staring straight at a large group of Ogres, fortunately a unit of peasant militia charged into their flank, which distracted them for a brief moment.

The forces in the centre finally engaged one another, High Father Elvar, accompanied by Dr. Blaine and Drake the Merc. Backed up the veterans in the centre and managed to recoil some of the undead. After a hard fight the Guards gained the advantage against with the Lirrons killed to a man.

In the centre of our line, Two creatures dressed in black robes with eyes like burning coals appeared from nowhere and streaked up the road towards the South Gate.

The Banshees were once again assaulted with magic and had to hold there advance on Lord Weelsby, Whilst Shard and his force also found themselves assaulted by magic’s from the Mage in the centre and was forced to recoil.

With the black robed creatures heading up the road a unit of peasant militia moved to intercept them, there most have been some followers of the Seven amongst them as they force one of the creatures back and delay the other.

High Father Elvar, Dr Blaine and Drake charged at and smashed their way through Lord Weelsby’s bodyguards to come face-to-face with the Lord himself, It would seem that the lord was in no mood for a fight as he promptly disappeared.

The Banshees made light work of the remaining bodyguards.

With the left and right flanks firmly in Grimsburg’s hands most peoples attentions turned to the bitter melee in the center

were the Veterans and militia engaged what remained of the undead horde. Just behind this fight, Shard was once again attacking the mage as his archers kept his bodyguard pinned down. All the Grimsburg forces that could do so charged into the fray in the centre, H.F. Ellvar running to back up Shard who was still struggling against the mage in the centre.

Meanwhile myself and Borran were running towards the gate with Canadan as he hoped to destroy the black robed creature. I uttered prays to the seven as Canadan invoked the word of Sidhe against the creature which then fled the field.

After the battle was over and the bodies counted it appeared that we had lost 16 troops and had 17 seriously injured.

We had managed to destroy about 160 undead and 20 hired mercs. The battle was therefore deemed to be a victory for Grimsburg.

Yet with Lord Weelsby and his Accomplice still at large, it's only a matter of time before Grimsburg finds itself under threat once more.

Since the battle, High Father Elvar has been married, Blaine was killed defending a ritual at Hadsfield, And I have been given the position of Ranger for my actions at Hadsfield.