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| A player's statement that was chosen to head the article for humor value. It is also sort of true of ACKs. |
As is something of a point of pride among readers of the BROsr it was pleasing that the campaign lasted longer than 6 turns at a proper 7, a number signaling completion in some traditions. The turns were each supposed to represent two weeks of in game time, played in one week of real time, but when life became especially busy for my players, the turns were slowed down to 1 to 1 time.
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| Blue is the Count of Wales, Dark Blue the Count of Midlands, White the Count of York, Red the Viscount of Cornwall and the forests are filled with elves (to a Viscount level in the ACKs rules.) |
Turn 1.
The first turn was fairly slow. I made the executive decision mid-game to not track movements on a public maps (with one semi-accidental exception) and as such there is not a good series of neat maps of movement. The Count of Wales tried to spread his troops out and achieve one of my Twilight Imperium/Catan inspired objectives, but it was ill-thought out on my side and did not work out. The Viscount of Cornwall did some basic maneuverings in and around Bristol, but did not achieve his goals of allying with dragons or suborning other mystical creatures to his cause. The Elvish lord, through raw charisma and magics collected a harem of random adventurers, a widow viscountess in Cichester and maybe another? The Count of the Midlands didn't do anything and neither did the Count of York.
One of the funny little things that was discussed at this point was speculation on why the Viscount of Bristol could not find any lawyers (he was considering 'lawfare') and the persistent rumors of undead in the regions around the free Southern cities.
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| Elven player's artwork of a one of his characters. |
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| Elven player's artwork of another of his characters. |
Turn 2.
Rumors in London. (As a game effect, regardless of all other factors all players could hear these rumors from the streets of London)
It has been reported that merchants from the naked Picts have been attacked and assaulted by flying monsters that seized and devoured their horses. (This was a fake rumor)
The mysterious consort to the Viscountess of Dorchester is reported as dead. (This was also fake.)
The men of Dover report that barbarians from the lands of Jutland have passed them traveling southwards. (This was real, but per random rolls, the barbarians died in the forests anti-climatically.)
The County of the South are allegedly surrounded by undead abominations that have been stealing merchants from each of the major roads.' (Entirely true and entirely ignored after the first turn.)
The inactive Count of Midlands was assassinated. This was done really late in the turn, as I had been delaying to play the event out with the player, but due to real-life intervention this was impossible. As I could not understand how to run the rules for assassins in ACKs, I took a page out of the BROsr and ran the assassination with AD&D rules. The Elf Lord had hired the three assassins as an opening move and it was effective as a tactic. Otherwise most of the action centered around the Viscount of Cornwall, who dashed about countryside, met bandits, somehow rolled max reaction and recruited them and doubled his army.
The Counts of Wales and York were basically inactive.
Turn 3.
Rumors.
1. 9 families of peasant folk have perished and been sucked dry outside Darlington to an infestation of carnivorous flies! The people yearn for a hero to rescue them from such a horrid fate! (This was real and the Count of York ignored this, how sad.)
2. Terrible news comes out of the hinterlands between the County of the South and the County of Wales. Reports persist of whole hamlets being wiped out by some terror of the Day Without Night, or perhaps a creature escaped from the Succession Wars after Nero. Over 500 hundred have been killed by whatever this threat is and refugees leave that land almost deserted. The fear is too such a great extent that a folk of over 800 have fled that land and piteously beg entry into Gloucester. (The Viscount of York had somehow run across a massive Chaos Hulk and wisely avoided it. It then caused much death and destruction and was ignored by the players.)
3. Reports exist of a friendly sky blue dragon in the mountains north of Lancaster who spared a group of three junior venturers and gave them his defaced copper coins and told them a riddle. The nature of the riddle is unknown but the boys of Baker street suggest unlikely and irreverent meanings. (This was real, but the dragon had three siblings who were not friendly and would have eaten anyone who found the youngish group.)
4. Further terror reported in the South County! Over 130 have been killed by a strange beast of unknown strength or type. It is widely assumed to be a carnivorous creature, but a monstrosity insatiable and insane for the bodies found have been foully desecrated. No consistent reports have been announced as to the nature of this danger, but it is truly a fearful thing. (The Viscount had also bumped into some Wargs and ignored them.)
5. Rumors abound of elves plying the roads of the South County. Mothers write their daughters to wear veils and amulets against evil and fathers warn their sons that the beauty of the elves is likely false or magic in origin. (As mentioned, up until this point the Elf-Lord was using Charisma and spells to collect a harem.)
6. The Infamous Bandit Brand the Brash and his no-good band have been reported in the South County in the service of the Viscount of Cornwall. Priests of the temples of Jupiter/Ammonar are advised to not allow him into their temples for fear of theft and assault to the gods. (As mentioned above, the player got a really good reaction roll and recruited a known bandit. I wanted to hint to him that others would likely look on this without favor.)
7. Rumors of undead walking the land have proven founded, at least between the Midlands County, South County and the Weald Forest. (No one cared.)
8. Reports of an attempted assassination were made against the Count in Shrewsberry on the 18th of October. Further details will be forthcoming. (As mentioned above, he died.)
9. Faithful Romans celebrate the Victory Games of Sulla and will continue to do so until the 3rd of November. Unfaithful Romans will be judged for their laxness in honoring this worthy. (This was based on the quick use of a Wikipedia and led to Sulla showing up a lot in the references of the early campaign.)
2. Terrible news comes out of the hinterlands between the County of the South and the County of Wales. Reports persist of whole hamlets being wiped out by some terror of the Day Without Night, or perhaps a creature escaped from the Succession Wars after Nero. Over 500 hundred have been killed by whatever this threat is and refugees leave that land almost deserted. The fear is too such a great extent that a folk of over 800 have fled that land and piteously beg entry into Gloucester. (The Viscount of York had somehow run across a massive Chaos Hulk and wisely avoided it. It then caused much death and destruction and was ignored by the players.)
3. Reports exist of a friendly sky blue dragon in the mountains north of Lancaster who spared a group of three junior venturers and gave them his defaced copper coins and told them a riddle. The nature of the riddle is unknown but the boys of Baker street suggest unlikely and irreverent meanings. (This was real, but the dragon had three siblings who were not friendly and would have eaten anyone who found the youngish group.)
4. Further terror reported in the South County! Over 130 have been killed by a strange beast of unknown strength or type. It is widely assumed to be a carnivorous creature, but a monstrosity insatiable and insane for the bodies found have been foully desecrated. No consistent reports have been announced as to the nature of this danger, but it is truly a fearful thing. (The Viscount had also bumped into some Wargs and ignored them.)
5. Rumors abound of elves plying the roads of the South County. Mothers write their daughters to wear veils and amulets against evil and fathers warn their sons that the beauty of the elves is likely false or magic in origin. (As mentioned, up until this point the Elf-Lord was using Charisma and spells to collect a harem.)
6. The Infamous Bandit Brand the Brash and his no-good band have been reported in the South County in the service of the Viscount of Cornwall. Priests of the temples of Jupiter/Ammonar are advised to not allow him into their temples for fear of theft and assault to the gods. (As mentioned above, the player got a really good reaction roll and recruited a known bandit. I wanted to hint to him that others would likely look on this without favor.)
7. Rumors of undead walking the land have proven founded, at least between the Midlands County, South County and the Weald Forest. (No one cared.)
8. Reports of an attempted assassination were made against the Count in Shrewsberry on the 18th of October. Further details will be forthcoming. (As mentioned above, he died.)
9. Faithful Romans celebrate the Victory Games of Sulla and will continue to do so until the 3rd of November. Unfaithful Romans will be judged for their laxness in honoring this worthy. (This was based on the quick use of a Wikipedia and led to Sulla showing up a lot in the references of the early campaign.)
The Count of York began acting late on this turn, while the player for the Count of Wales, due to a promotion, resigned. Another stepped into a of Viscount of Venonis, but they were not too involved due to real life issues.
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| The Viscount of Cornwall's men dealing with a troublesome rustbeast. |
Most importantly, the Viscount of Cornwall and the Elf-Lord made an alliance against the Count of York and began marching through the countryside together, then a forest where they slaughtered all my poorly thought out encounters, arriving with trouble in London, conquering Dover and then returning to London near the end of the fortnight, per sources the Elf Lord spilt off at Dover to go to Canterbury. This was done through two or three long phone calls, which worked fairly well. I was misreading the encounter table at this point and the players kept meeting things that were far stronger than average and since I was still learning how to read these situations, they were effectively able to slaughter greater monsters in displays that were not always up to my own standards. Still I think they enjoyed it.
Turn 4.
Rumors.
1. It is said that the Usurper of Canterbury has been ousted and that a wandering Paladin who fought a hundred battles for Constantine himself has been reborn a demon at the service of the fey lords of the forest. Others say that the Usurper’s designated heir has been accepted as rightful ruler of Canterbury by the Elves. (Amusingly, this Paladin was the genuine article and was convinced that the Elves were going to act in a Lawful manner.)
2. Elves are said to have caused great confusion on the streets of London and men are encouraged by an unnamed council member to keep their daughters safely in their own homes until this ceases to be so likely. (They had not caused any problems, but the Viscount of Cornwall had rolled an encounter of two wagons having accident three times in a row and this is meant to be an example of a rumor twisting slightly.)
3. The notorious Brand the Bandit has been seen in the neighborhood of London and the honorable Bookies Guild is offering 43 gp for proof of his death. (Once again hinting to the Viscount of Cornwall that his hired man was in with a bad crowd.)
4.Traders who have passed between the South County and the County of Wales report that the devastation is through and that unnatural wastelands are springing up and that foul beasts and fouler beast men are becoming prolific in this death march. (Nobody cared.)
5. Three Councilors of London are to stand for election on the 24th of November. (By time of midgame preparations I probably spent the longest on organizing the Council of London. In game they were meant to represent a council formed from the eight most prestigious church men, Roman Temple priests, and merchants of various camps. From outside of the main game viewpoint, having seen how easy it was for characters to be charmed or otherwise overwhelmed by shenanigans, these numbers were somewhat intended to make London a harder nut to crack, so that one assassination or mind control would be insufficient to take over the richest prize in Britannia.)
6. Chaos most foul expands towards Oxford as the vast majority of a baron’s land has been rendered a charnel pit. None who have travelled that way have been able to confirm the nature of the foul beast or beasts that have done this but it is said 4 out of 5 of the peasants in that area have been devoured or defiled in death. (Nobody cared.)
7. In pleasing news a private adventurer from Darlington has gone out and killed the carnivorous flies in that region, raided their stump and crushed their eggs. No more will the peasants of Darlington fear the biting flies… or at least this group of them. (The Count of York was pleased that luck had resolved a minor problem for him.)
8. Dover is reported in the hands of the lord of Exeter. Given the recent reports about their previous evils, this is likely deserved. (The capture of Dover was accomplished by a probably incorrect reading of the rules, but essentially the Elf-Lord personally killed almost half of the token guard-force (like 30 0th levels) before storming the personal chambers of the local ruler and killing him. The Lord Exeter who had waited outside the walls while all this was occurring then came in and offered his services as a new ruler.)
9. The Lord of Exeter is reported as having caused a half dozen wagon accidents while wandering the street like a country bumpkin! (I am unsure why this was reported on twice.)
10. Valen the Fallen, a corrupted greater titan, has been reported as having killed off a group of semi-humanoids of avian origin, plucked them for the construction of a high value feather pillow and then cut a swath of destruction across the North until he reached the walls of York. (This was a few mistakes on top of each other. I had rolled up a lair type I didn't really want in a Britannia/Heptarchy Themed campaign (Satrapy of Faravahar) and I took this turn's opportunity to change that. Had York's player not been involved, this likely would have ended their tenure in-game, but he rallied an army and won good treasure from the corrupted titan's death.)
2. Elves are said to have caused great confusion on the streets of London and men are encouraged by an unnamed council member to keep their daughters safely in their own homes until this ceases to be so likely. (They had not caused any problems, but the Viscount of Cornwall had rolled an encounter of two wagons having accident three times in a row and this is meant to be an example of a rumor twisting slightly.)
3. The notorious Brand the Bandit has been seen in the neighborhood of London and the honorable Bookies Guild is offering 43 gp for proof of his death. (Once again hinting to the Viscount of Cornwall that his hired man was in with a bad crowd.)
4.Traders who have passed between the South County and the County of Wales report that the devastation is through and that unnatural wastelands are springing up and that foul beasts and fouler beast men are becoming prolific in this death march. (Nobody cared.)
5. Three Councilors of London are to stand for election on the 24th of November. (By time of midgame preparations I probably spent the longest on organizing the Council of London. In game they were meant to represent a council formed from the eight most prestigious church men, Roman Temple priests, and merchants of various camps. From outside of the main game viewpoint, having seen how easy it was for characters to be charmed or otherwise overwhelmed by shenanigans, these numbers were somewhat intended to make London a harder nut to crack, so that one assassination or mind control would be insufficient to take over the richest prize in Britannia.)
6. Chaos most foul expands towards Oxford as the vast majority of a baron’s land has been rendered a charnel pit. None who have travelled that way have been able to confirm the nature of the foul beast or beasts that have done this but it is said 4 out of 5 of the peasants in that area have been devoured or defiled in death. (Nobody cared.)
7. In pleasing news a private adventurer from Darlington has gone out and killed the carnivorous flies in that region, raided their stump and crushed their eggs. No more will the peasants of Darlington fear the biting flies… or at least this group of them. (The Count of York was pleased that luck had resolved a minor problem for him.)
8. Dover is reported in the hands of the lord of Exeter. Given the recent reports about their previous evils, this is likely deserved. (The capture of Dover was accomplished by a probably incorrect reading of the rules, but essentially the Elf-Lord personally killed almost half of the token guard-force (like 30 0th levels) before storming the personal chambers of the local ruler and killing him. The Lord Exeter who had waited outside the walls while all this was occurring then came in and offered his services as a new ruler.)
9. The Lord of Exeter is reported as having caused a half dozen wagon accidents while wandering the street like a country bumpkin! (I am unsure why this was reported on twice.)
10. Valen the Fallen, a corrupted greater titan, has been reported as having killed off a group of semi-humanoids of avian origin, plucked them for the construction of a high value feather pillow and then cut a swath of destruction across the North until he reached the walls of York. (This was a few mistakes on top of each other. I had rolled up a lair type I didn't really want in a Britannia/Heptarchy Themed campaign (Satrapy of Faravahar) and I took this turn's opportunity to change that. Had York's player not been involved, this likely would have ended their tenure in-game, but he rallied an army and won good treasure from the corrupted titan's death.)
11. Rumors of a great, righteous army in York and Lancaster fill the hearts of the righteous with joy, the wicked with fear and the Romans with concern. (Nothing really to add hear.)
12. It is reported that the Line of Shrewsberry has gone into exile in France and that there they work with the former lords of the Welsh. Chaos throughout the isles? (Nothing really to add hear)
12. It is reported that the Line of Shrewsberry has gone into exile in France and that there they work with the former lords of the Welsh. Chaos throughout the isles? (Nothing really to add hear)
Through wandering the streets of London the Viscount of Cornwall had learned about a draconic statute and went to see it, finding he did not have the tools to destroyed it. After observing it, the player tried to influence the elections so that the various Roman temples would open their coffers to him. As I had rolled these up randomly, there were some very good options in the temple vaults, including a Rod of Cataclysm. However, during his actions there, he discovered that the priest to the shrine of Sulla was a chaotic actor who had brought a pack of wargs into the city. The Viscount destroyed these, and finding out that the original bandit he had hired was also Chaotic, had the Elf-Lord kill him. Surprisingly, the bandits didn't fail their morale checks and abandon their lord (probably because of the discretion of the Elf-Lord in dealing with the issue) and instead increased in their loyalty to the Viscount so as to be kept away from the elves.
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| I am not sure if this was made at this time or not, but it suits the mood of the elves. |
The combined force then traveled past Dover and Canterberry towards Boston.
Meanwhile York was active and coordinating with the Viscount of Venonis and sending forces into Wales to snap up as much of that realm as was possible.
Turn 5.
Rumors From the Streets of London.
1. It is said that the garrison towns among the Welsh are conquered and sacked by a northern horde. Others deny this and say that they willing accepted a Northern York. Others still, say that they requested Northern Protection!
2. It is reported that there was an engagement in marriage between the premier family of the North and that of the Venonisian Nobility. Further details are entirely too limited. (This was somewhat important ingame, but is mainly interesting in that it happened.)
3. The election of London has concluded with a single new elector on the council. Councilor Arminius from the Temple of Turos-Mars has retained his office as has Councilor Hemlock of the Temple of Jupiter-Amonaur; Councilor Rotherham former priest to the Shrine of Sulla has been replaced by a Blade Dancer of Ianna in an act seen to indicate the rising power of that temple.
4. The Viscount of Exeter is reported as having hunted out and destroyed a notable nest of evil and chaotic forces in the very city of London! Heads of chaotic beasts line the walls and merchants speak of cloaks made from the very fibers of their hairs. He is rumored to have been instrumental in the result of the election, but who can say as to the exact causes of the results?
5. The Honorable and Worshipful Bookies Guild is pleased to announced that their bounty of 43 GP on the head (and upper torso) of Brand the Brash Bandit was claimed. Let those who try to cheat on their bets beware! (The Elves claimed this before leaving London.)
6. Strange symbols and unnatural colors are reported on the Thames, and a man resting in the Temple of Neptune/Naurivus woke screaming, eyes dripping blood, skin hot to the touch and hair smoking, spoke thus, “Terrible war, and the river Thames [is] foaming with streams of blood!" (Mostly just intended to encourage a scene.)
7. A race of honest light two year old horses is announced to be held in London on the 10th of December. 8 Horses to be run and all horses to be registered with the Temple of Neptune/Naurivus. Proceeds will be used for the noblest of causes. The distance is to be 1 furlong, so as not to over tax the health of the noble beasts. (Nobody cared.)
8. Reports from the South speak of no new depredations from the chaotic areas, but who can say what iniquities develop there within the Shadow?(Nobody cared.)
2. It is reported that there was an engagement in marriage between the premier family of the North and that of the Venonisian Nobility. Further details are entirely too limited. (This was somewhat important ingame, but is mainly interesting in that it happened.)
3. The election of London has concluded with a single new elector on the council. Councilor Arminius from the Temple of Turos-Mars has retained his office as has Councilor Hemlock of the Temple of Jupiter-Amonaur; Councilor Rotherham former priest to the Shrine of Sulla has been replaced by a Blade Dancer of Ianna in an act seen to indicate the rising power of that temple.
4. The Viscount of Exeter is reported as having hunted out and destroyed a notable nest of evil and chaotic forces in the very city of London! Heads of chaotic beasts line the walls and merchants speak of cloaks made from the very fibers of their hairs. He is rumored to have been instrumental in the result of the election, but who can say as to the exact causes of the results?
5. The Honorable and Worshipful Bookies Guild is pleased to announced that their bounty of 43 GP on the head (and upper torso) of Brand the Brash Bandit was claimed. Let those who try to cheat on their bets beware! (The Elves claimed this before leaving London.)
6. Strange symbols and unnatural colors are reported on the Thames, and a man resting in the Temple of Neptune/Naurivus woke screaming, eyes dripping blood, skin hot to the touch and hair smoking, spoke thus, “Terrible war, and the river Thames [is] foaming with streams of blood!" (Mostly just intended to encourage a scene.)
7. A race of honest light two year old horses is announced to be held in London on the 10th of December. 8 Horses to be run and all horses to be registered with the Temple of Neptune/Naurivus. Proceeds will be used for the noblest of causes. The distance is to be 1 furlong, so as not to over tax the health of the noble beasts. (Nobody cared.)
8. Reports from the South speak of no new depredations from the chaotic areas, but who can say what iniquities develop there within the Shadow?(Nobody cared.)
This is around the time I actually figured out the weather table and the movement started to match that of small armies fighting the winter weather that is more consistent with an English winter.
York conquered London and The Cornwall-Elvish Alliance took Boston. Both sides behaved very competently in these strokes. York had assembled a significant army and siege equipment and had good luck in crushing their opponents. Due to similar good planning by the Viscount of Cornwall his seizure of Boston was not quickly reportable information in London and the Count of York would not know about the extent of his losses for quite a while. Most of the turn's time was spent on rolling up weather and the Cornwall-Elvish alliance dealing with a plague.
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| Drawn by the Elvish player after they used 'enhanced interrogation tactics' on the previous overlord of Boston. |
Through the use of the Avian Messenger Spell, the Alliance then directed the Viscount of Cornwall's family and personal staff to abandon Exeter and retreat into the forest with the Elves.
Most of the tension for me was wondering weather the Cornwall-Elvish Alliance and the Count of York would meet before the end of the turn in York. Had this happened, my money would have been on an Alliance victory as the majority of the Yorkist troops were busy conquering London at the time. However, bad weather slowed the Alliance and the Count of York was not in his city at the beginning of the next turn.
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| A few players made moves inspired by misreading the map. |
Turn 6.
Rumors.
1. London has fallen under the Northern Heel! Down with the offenders of Jupiter Ammonaur! Throw off the Yorkist Heel… (the following man has been arrested for disturbing the peace.)
2. London has been liberated by the right honorable and righteous champion of York, Ferguson, in noble battle on Fegurson’s Bridge! Long may he live and high may Yorkish Banners fly!
3. Rumors swirl about a Yorkist and Venonis marriage.
4. Bad weather denies the people of London news of Shrewsberry, Oxford, Canterbury, and York. This is to say nothing of those lands further away.
5. Rumors writhe throughout the city about the fates of the councillors from the temple of Jupiter Ammonaur and Inna. (They led the ineffective resistance to the Count of York's men.)
6. Travelers warn of dreaded Cockatrice hunting along the hinterland near Venonis.
2. London has been liberated by the right honorable and righteous champion of York, Ferguson, in noble battle on Fegurson’s Bridge! Long may he live and high may Yorkish Banners fly!
3. Rumors swirl about a Yorkist and Venonis marriage.
4. Bad weather denies the people of London news of Shrewsberry, Oxford, Canterbury, and York. This is to say nothing of those lands further away.
5. Rumors writhe throughout the city about the fates of the councillors from the temple of Jupiter Ammonaur and Inna. (They led the ineffective resistance to the Count of York's men.)
6. Travelers warn of dreaded Cockatrice hunting along the hinterland near Venonis.
York then embarked on a very complicated set of orders to min-max my victory cards and to reap victory. Generally things worked for him, but with some losses. His messengers to Wales generally met horrible ends and without the spell Avian messenger or large parties to deliver orders, orders had worse than even odds of making their targets.
For whatever reason the vagaries of war table began to yield omens (good and bad) more regularly from this point on, I think heightening tensions.
Meanwhile, the Cornish-Elven Alliance, their sicknesses mostly dealt with, continued the road up towards York, despite very bleak weather. Weirdly they got a bad omen, which I interpreted as five, sickened giant ferrets coming up onto the road and dying in front of them in horrific fashion. The Elf Lord dispatched manes (I am told this is pronounced man-ees) to pick them up and carry them out of the way to avoid the army being reinfected.
Unknown to them they passed their first demon boar at this time, though this one would not be effective. They reached the city of York on the 15th of December and rather casually broke into it. It is worth noting that defenses were generally very weak in this campaign. Probably, something to address in future campaigns. They then took one hostage from the Count of York's surviving family.
Meanwhile garbled reports of atrocity trickled into London and the Count of York was enraged. He declared total Elf Death (in other words) and immediately took a cavalry force back to his defiled seat of power. Along the way he burned trees to spite the elves and he left orders for his spare infantry to begin cutting down every tree within sight of London. Another force was sent to claim Dover and Canterbury with strict orders of vengeance.
The Viscount of Cornwall's patrols of cavalry warned him in time and he prepared to flee the overwhelming force coming up against him from the South. He left a body double, his sick and wounded and after a number of other stratagems fled as fast as possible towards the draconic statue that he had thought to destroy earlier. He now intended to pledge himself to Chaos and gain incredible powers and destroy his enemies.
The Count of York came back to find his relatives killed or captured and his stance on the elves was redoubled. No Cornish troops survived his conquest and the same stance was taken with collaborators. A force cavalry tried to pursue the Cornish Viscount, but they were too slow. The Viscount of Cornwall then passed 6 demon boars in row, much to his growing unease, as all of them rolled very favorable impressions and just stood there, watching his ride towards the draconic altar with favor. As this was entirely up to the dice rolls it gave things an especially eerie feeling.
There was also some comedy as the Viscount of Cornwall went through his looted scrolls.
Meanwhile the Dover's garrison was killed or put to forced labor, while Canterbury proved more awkward. The lord of the place was the npc paladin mentioned earlier. He was genuinely Lawful and had been impressed by the Elf-Lord's killing of a powerful demonic creature outside the walls and had made an oath of service to him. He could not be convinced that this being he had seen act in a Lawful way just a short time before could have actually done that heinous deeds reported. This was perhaps the longest negotiation carried out in game and probably the one held in best faith by both parties, but ultimately both sides had their orders. The fight was brutal, a cone of fear spell made it closer to even, however York triumphed.
Just before things wound down, they came to a head in London. The Viscount of Cornwall had been fascinated with the loyalists to himself he had gathered in Boston and gave them free reign to cause covert trouble in London. London was not entirely loyal to York, as he represented the Church faction and the majority of the powers in London were not aligned with them. So a spy was sent and began plotting. He failed his rolls though and near the end of the turn he was captured and the spy revealed who he was working with; the temples of Jupiter/Ammonaur and Inna. This inspired the local commander to send a company of troops to each, and seize them. One of the priests, then took out the Rod of Cataclysm and called it down on the City of London! (I then read the rules for it, and to my chagrin discovered that this takes a whole week to arrive.) There was a quick trial and then mass executions of these traitors and the temples were plundered of their goods.
Turn 7.
Rumors.
1. London is rocked by a sense of doom. Speculation runs rampant! Is this punishment for forsaking the Roman gods? Is one of the ancient kings or revered emperors plucking strings of fate? Has a malignant being brought its focus onto the people? Or is the new faith about to see a miracle of judgement? Theories flow faster and faster as the people of London begin to panic. (This rumor drowns out all others on the 26th of December from noon onwards.) (It was of course the Rod of Cataclysm going off.)
2. It is said that the sense of doom, the feeling of the bottom dropping out from and dashing all hopes and dreams by the lax and the unconverted, began after an alleged agent of Exeter was captured and an underling of the Count of York brought sacrilege against the temples of Jupiter Ascendant in his aspect as Ammonar and the Blade Dancer temple of Inna.
3. It is said, in nervous whispers that the whole population of both temples were killed for crimes of high treason and that some or all of them perished in a fate worse than death. Servants say heated arguments passed between Ferguson and the high priest of Neptune, but this is firmly denied by the temple. (This is exactly what had happened.)
4. Things are somewhat settled on Friday the 27th, but an air of tension and doom lingers over the city.
5. Rumors spread about the fall of York, Bolton and the whole of the north to the Elves. Of the instability of Wales and the South country. Insects and bats speak of a plan by the men of York to kill all the Elves. Tales spread of a vampire butchering the whole of the population of York and draining them all of their vital essence in a horrid ritual.
6. From the south comes troubling and verified accounts of spreading Chaos, to the gates of Glouster and Bristol.
7. Confused tales tell of the cockatrices leaving statues around the area of Venonis, but the actual number killed is unknown.
8. One stabilizing element to the lives of the people of London has been the recent knowledge that the trees to the south of the city are being cleared. It brings peace to know that the elves will struggle to sneak up on that angle of the city, by means of the forest.
2. It is said that the sense of doom, the feeling of the bottom dropping out from and dashing all hopes and dreams by the lax and the unconverted, began after an alleged agent of Exeter was captured and an underling of the Count of York brought sacrilege against the temples of Jupiter Ascendant in his aspect as Ammonar and the Blade Dancer temple of Inna.
3. It is said, in nervous whispers that the whole population of both temples were killed for crimes of high treason and that some or all of them perished in a fate worse than death. Servants say heated arguments passed between Ferguson and the high priest of Neptune, but this is firmly denied by the temple. (This is exactly what had happened.)
4. Things are somewhat settled on Friday the 27th, but an air of tension and doom lingers over the city.
5. Rumors spread about the fall of York, Bolton and the whole of the north to the Elves. Of the instability of Wales and the South country. Insects and bats speak of a plan by the men of York to kill all the Elves. Tales spread of a vampire butchering the whole of the population of York and draining them all of their vital essence in a horrid ritual.
6. From the south comes troubling and verified accounts of spreading Chaos, to the gates of Glouster and Bristol.
7. Confused tales tell of the cockatrices leaving statues around the area of Venonis, but the actual number killed is unknown.
8. One stabilizing element to the lives of the people of London has been the recent knowledge that the trees to the south of the city are being cleared. It brings peace to know that the elves will struggle to sneak up on that angle of the city, by means of the forest.
Wishes now began to be fired off. As explained in a previous post these were given in reward for books that players reviewed as inspired by a BROsr group's similar practice.
The Viscount of Cornwall reached his draconic statue and pledged himself to Chaos and used his wish to summon forth an undead legion.
There had been some heart-searching about this course, but given his alliance with the elves it seemed necessary.
On January 1st of A.D. 411 battle was fought between the forces of York and Cornwall's undead half legion. Numbers were entirely in favor of the forces of Chaos, but the heavy cavalry of Law thundered valiantly and siege artillery played no small part as well. The forces of Chaos ultimately fled, until a convenient time.
By the 3rd of January the Elf-Lord and the former Viscount of Cornwall had fled England, but the Count of York had enough of things and and had already purchased a map of the elven fastnesses. This map proved accurate as...
Then on the next day, the 5th of January, a force of Yorkists arrived at the forest fastness nearest Darlington and put the Elves to the Sword as well. But that was not all...
And then the Count of York announced that he would be holding his coronation. The Viscount of Venonis the only other player remaining, accepted an invitation to the event and the campaign could be declared concluded.
If you like how this went, see the five of the player's perspectives here. These are basically as the player wrote them, with names removed to maintain privacy.
Conclusion.
Overall, a solid Yorkist victory. Interestingly, this is the third time we have recorded a campaign's results here on this blog and a third win for this player. This can be considered a challenge to the other players of my future campaigns!
Thank you for reading and I hope you find this report inspirational to your own campaigns as I have found the reports and interviews of others I have benefited from, especially Macho Mandalf's written work and the This is Dunder Moose's Youtube channel.
