From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 60 (The siege of Brass Keep)

 

18 Pflugzeit, 2500

Brass Keep picket, Eastern Middenland

The last week has been quite eventful.

Various factions have vied for control over Brass Keep and its "treasure" of warpstone. Chaos, Undead, Skaven, Greenskins, and humans. Despite some setbacks regarding a Skaven ploy to destroy our supplies of powder, I am happy to report an Empire victory. Thousands and thousands of enemies lie dead in the valley, burning as I write this to prevent them from being raised again. We hold the Keep, and the Stone (and a certain axe) are being covered in heavy lead plating. The Middenlanders under Heinrich One-Eye shall remain in force to make sure the Keep does not fall again.

In other news, my cavalry contingent has finally arrived, and with them, Ankh, our Lord of Light, beloved of Soll, and so forth. The infantry and the artillery have not yet arrived, and no one can tell me anything of their progress. No matter. Ankh and the soldiers will go to Salzenmund.

I've also had a vision of Ulfberth and the others. Granted me by Ulric, I believe. They are indeed in Norscan lands, far to the north, in the mountains, seeking the true flame of Ulric.

I will head for Altdorf at speed. My wife-to-be is getting impatient. We're talking about the ball at least once a day, and it's starting to become tiresome. Best get this over with.

From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 59 (The charge of Brass Keep)

 

10 Pflugzeit, 2500

Brass Keep picket, Eastern Middenland

Back home, spring will be in full swing. 

Not so in the shadow of Brass Keep.

Instead, the land is eternally swathed in cold mist, and dark clouds cover the sky, always.

But Ankh's grace is upon me, I live in his light, and the daemons of Chaos fear my presence.

This Brass Keep is a foul place, this old necromancer's keep. Legends of its vile disposition run back centuries, if not longer. It is claimed that Magnus the Pious purge and purified it. Maybe he did, but why then is it guarded by a wall at the mouth of the valley, with two companies of soldiers and three batteries of guns? There is an entire barony ruled by the Kärzburdger family, whose only task is to man this wall!

(and whose gunpowder the Skaven had gotten hold of - more about that later)

That was a rhetorical question, by the way.

 I just led a charge against the Keep, a coalition of Nordland, Middenland, Knights of the White Wolf, and my own men. We faced off against a horde of Chaos. Deranged men, mutants, beastmen, chaos warriors - and a genuine daemon of Khorne. I cast down the foul creature, smiting with my left and my right, until he lay broken on the ground, begging for mercy. But Ankh gives no clemency to the darkness, and I banished him back into the Warp.

It was a tough battle. A third of our brave warriors we lost (or will lose in the coming days as they succumb to injuries). I myself took five blows that would have ended any lesser warrior. But I stood fast in arms and faith and could not be undone.

Unwilling to risk more valorous men for little gain, I gave the order to fall back to the wall. The lump of warpstone sitting in the Keep's courtyard is as big as a house, and cannot easily be moved.

Now, we must rest and wait for the rest of my army to arrive. Then we shall put this matter to final rest.

Addendum: I seem to have picked up a troop of wild wood elves along the way. It's a long story that I'll save for another day, but I think they will serve me well.

From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 56 (They dug too deep/wings of fury)

 

4 Jahrdrung, 2500

Middenheim, Middenland 

I can't seem to leave the North...

One thing led to another, and suddenly, I found myself riding east to the Middle Mountains in search of more Skaven. A mining town had gone quiet, as in completely dead, and we discovered quite the lair of vile ratmen beneath the mountains. We took care of them, and Baron Heinrich is now garrisoning the site with a reinforced battalion.

We also ran into some horribly mutated griffons. Slaughtered them all, of course. I suspect they came from the Middle Mountains. Were they exposed to warpstone? Did a chunk of Morrslieb land there? I suspect so, but it is impossible to be certain.

The Skaven were in possession of a lot of gunpowder, locally made up by Brass Keep. I should probably investigate, but I don't feel like it. Instead, I've returned to Middenheim and have sent for my finest regiment. I shall wait for them here, then go north to visit my Nordland holdings.

Made a few new friends along the way: a peddler (who now works as a spy for me in Salzenmund), a huntress, and a forest baron.

A Prince and an Elector, married to high nobility. Who would have thought it possible? And in the future? Marienburg? Araby? Perhaps even Lustria?

From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 54 (Return to Altdorf)

12 Nachhexen, 2500

Altdorf, Reikland 

I have returned to Altdorf.

But now that I am here, I long for the northern lights again. For the longest time, I had imagined my destiny to lie in the South, in Solland or Araby. But it is to Ulric's domain I must go. At least for now.

The trip south was not uneventful. We caught one lieutenant of the Purple Hand fleeing Middenheim. An unexpected boon but a welcome one, to be sure. We also witnessed a strange green lightning flicker between the Middle Mountains and Morrslieb, followed by chunks of what I believe to be warpstone falling from the sky. The smaller fragments may have burned up like shooting stars, but some larger lumps have surely impacted the world. To the far north, for the most part, I believe. 

The Emperor seemed most pleased about my report from Middenheim and made vague promises for grand rewards. I like better concrete results, but I shall be patient since he is my Emperor. 

Princess Isadora - or Bella as she insists I call her (I refuse, of course) - was also most pleased to meet me again, and we had a most wonderful time. She would make a fine wife, I am sure, but she is not for me. My path lies with the Todbringers. I am certain of this.

Liebe Mutter was also pleased to hear of the Komission. She will continue to work towards uniting the disparate witch-hunting communities into one unified Inquisition.

I had a strange vision one night of a hammer hidden in a cave. I am sure it was Ghal Maraz, the hammer of Sigmar, though I do not yet understand the significance of this vision. I tried asking Ankh, but it was no vision of his.

Characters of Nordland and Middenland

 

MIDDENHEIM/MIDDENLAND

Boris X Todbringer: Elector-Count. Lord of Middenheim and Middenland. De-facto ruler of Nordland. In his 50s (same generation as the Emperor and von Liebwitz). Married twice, plenty of mistresses and dalliances. Could very well have more children than those known.

(Maria von Richthoven): Boris' first wife. Died in childbirth with Stefan.

(Annike-Elise Nikse): Boris' second wife. Died young in 2498. No children. Niece of Baron Werner Nikse of Nordland. Claimed to be a Slaaneshi cultist (no proof, but she may have been associated with von Wittgenstein, which would warrant some questioning if she was alive). 

Stefan Todbringer (b. 2470): Boris' oldest son and heir. Around 30 y/o at present. Sickly and sometimes simple-minded, but has improved somewhat under Doctor Luigi Pavarotti's care.

Katarina Todbringer (b. 2479): Boris' second (recognized) child. Born out of wedlock to an unnamed lady at court but raised as Boris' own from an early age. Often called the Princess of Middenheim. Engaged to Wigmar. Future Princess of Nordland. 

Baron Heinrich "Todbringer" (b. 2470): Widely assumed to be Boris' illegitimate son. Why else would he be given the title of Baron? He has no right to the family name, however, as he is not formally recognized. A fine warrior with experience fighting greenskins in the Middle Mountains, Skaven, and now also Chaos. He may (or may not) be the oldest child of Boris, born out of wedlock right before Stefan, depending on what sources you believe.

Uther: Venerable Knight of the White Wolf. Accompanies Wigmar to Nordland.

Baron Emil Kärzburdgers Responsible for maintaining and manning the Brass Keep wall and the picket. Considerable gunpowder production (sells to both Middenland and Hochland). Very impressive - and very red - beard.

Emilline Kärzburdger: Baron Emil's twn sister. Quite attractive - if you like gingers.

NORDLAND

NOBLES

Baron Werner von Nikse: Cheerful and sociable man in his 40s. Uncle of Annike-Elise Nikse. Married for the 5th(?) time to a very young lady. The last in a long line of "Princes" from House Nikse to rule Nordland in the name of the Todbringers. Rather gracefully stepped down from his position to become Wigmar's Chancellor.

Dowager Baroness Ingrid Gausser (the elder): The matriarch of the Gausser family. Quite elderly but energetic. One of the few who can credibly trace her lineage back to the Jutones tribe (almost all nobles claim descent from the old tribes, but few have proof as good as this). Despite this, the Gaussers have been a marginalized House during the 2209-2500 Nikse era. Ingrid and her late husband (and later her son) have done much to reverse the Gausser fortunes, to the point where they are quite wealthy and well-connected both inside and outside of Nordland.

Baron Theoderic Gausser: The current Lord Gausser. Son of Ingrid. Spends much of his time outside Nordland.

Ostwind Gausser: Theoderic's son and heir. Apparently, the man is a fine sea captain that was ventured the width and breadth of the world. As such, he's rarely at home.

Ingrid Gausser (the younger): Theoderic's daughter/Ostwind's sister. Lady in waiting for Katerina. One of the most attractive young noblewomen in the Empire.

Baron(ett) Goderic Tant "von Beeckerhoven": Self-proclaimed lord of Beeckerhoven. Tries to pass as a Reiklander, but is probably from the hill country of southern Averland or Stirland. Rode to war with Wigmar. Missing a few fingers after Brass Keep.

PRIESTS, WIZARDS & SUCH

Magister Sabine Flamius: Magister extraordinaire. Originally a gold wizard, this weird lady has an interest in heavenly phenomena, including the Chaos moon. The only wizard of note in Salzenmund.

Wolf Lord Erich Granholm: High Priest of Ulric.

Wave Lord Otto Sider: High Priest of Mannan. Currently on a journey to Norsca. Mentioned only.

Wave Rider Aelfric Kalt: Acting High Priest of Mannan.

Lector Germund Vorstell: High Priest of Sigmar. A Southerner that tries to apply Southern logic to Northern peoples. Sigmar's temple hasn't really grown much on his watch.

Agata von Durch: High Priestess of Shallya. 

POLITICAL & MILITARY

Burgomeister Maximilian "Max" von Kirscheschlage: Mayor of Salzenmund.

Herr Antal von Rammel: The Silversmiths' Guild representative to the City Council. Which probably makes him the most powerful person in Salzenmund. 

Captain Sigrid Neiding: Commander of the Salzenmund Greatswords and Protector of the Crimson Gate. Owner of an eye patch. Quite fierce. Not corrupt, just dedicated to her job of collecting coins.

Grandmaster Artur von Pretzer: Leader of the Knights of the North Star, the only local order of (secular) knights. Their primary sponsors include the Silversmith's Guild and House Gausser.

OTHERS

Piotr Wagner: A peddler of mixed ancestry. Now a trader and spy for Wigmar in Salzenmund.

Ulli Jenk: An engineer encountered in Südtor. Well schooled in Altdorf, but too young to be very experienced. Recruited into Wigmar's service. If he can build a stone arc bridge, maybe he can build the largest canal project in Empire history?

Sister Superior Frobel: Head of the Adler Academy of Fine Learning. Mentioned only.

Sister Tennetz: Senior teacher at the academy and "envoy" to the new Prince.

Chancellor Otto Krogh: Headmaster of the University. Mentioned only.

Professor Stefan Elledan: A teacher at the Salzenmund University and "envoy" to Wigmar.

Dag Olhauser: Upstanding Salzenmund trader (and perhaps sometimes smuggler) in his 50s. A staunch supporter of Ulric's temple.

Khulnan: Male wood elf. Leader of the band of "wild" elves that kidnapped Rallane. Currently accompanies Wigmar.

Uysha: Female wood elf. A devotee of Atharti, the dark elven goddess of lust and revelry (totally not Slaanesh). With Wigmar.

Das Herzogtum Etzel-Drakzen

Neue Etzel, rather clean and cozy - compared to other towns

The Duchy of Etzel-Drakzen, a vast forested domain deep within the Drakwald, is one of the primary vassals of Middenland. It's ruled by the Etzel clan from their remote forest holdfast, the Etzelhaus (literally: the house of the Eztels). 

The only large settlement is the walled town of Neue Eztel, centrally located and on the main road. The town sits smack in the middle of a large clearing. The forest has been hacked back by generations of settlers. Farmlands stretch for many miles in all directions and villages and hamlets dot the landscape. It's truly the rural heart of the Etzel-Drakzen. The breadbasket and the primary source of income for the ruling house.

At the last census, the town had 1974 registered citizens but can easily accommodate twice that number within the walls (the result of plague some years ago) and consequently feels much less crowded than most towns. Nominally ruled by Duke Günther, the Rat der Bürger - the Citizen's Council - has day to day control of the town. As long as the Duke gets his trade tariffs he's not inclined to interfere.

The southern border of the Duchy lies about 100 Imperial miles north of Altdorf as the crow flies. The Altdorf-Middenheim road cuts right through the heart of Etzel-Drakzen. A rider or fast coach can reach the capital in as little as two days starting from the border. Most travelers prefer a more leisurely pace. Wagon trains and people on foot take far longer, a full eight-day week at least.

Campaign notes: Wigmar Heck has been hired by the Council to serve as a guard, outrider, roadwarden, and more. It was his skill with horses that landed the job. That ultimately makes Duke Günter his boss, but his employer is the town council.

Die Fünf Schwester (the Five Sisters)

The Five Sisters is the name of a hilly area covering 150 square miles (400 km2) between the Altdorf-Middenheim road and the River Delb. It sits astride the border between the Duchy of Etzel-Drakzen and the Duchy of Delbrenhof. Much of the area is densely forested but the central peaks (five in number, hence the name) stand barren and jagged above the tree line. Snow can be found on the northward slopes even in summer. 

The area is rich in game but hard to navigate - the combination of heavy tree cover and rugged terrain means that only the local hunters, trappers, and woodsmen know their way around the place. Goblins have been a problem in the past and probably will be again in the future given how they breed and spread like vermin. But, for now, they are not a problem. The late Duke Adalwolf Etzelhaus, Duke Günther's uncle, was very meticulous when he purged the area of greenskins not ten years ago. Died shortly thereafter, some say to a festering wound caused by a goblin arrow.

The southernmost four peaks (the fifth stands alone to the north) form a cauldron, a plateau that's only accessible from the east, going along a rocky stream that meanders between steep cliffs. Here can be found an ancient stone circle from long before the Unberogen ever set foot in the Old World. The Old Faith is gone but occasionally a priest of Taal or priestess of Rya will come to pay homage or a small group of pilgrims make their way there. The locals shun the stones, however, thinking it an ill-omened place.

The Duke's men rarely have reason to come to the Five Sisters. There are no roads, so no road wardens. No settlements - except Unfer - to speak of, so no bailiffs. No enemies of man, so no soldiers. Besides, Etzel and Delbren are not always the best of neighbors, so it's best not to cause too much of a stir on the border.