The Winter War: February 9

Day: February 9

Weather: 9 (Light Rain - Muddy roads mean that movement is still reduced by 1/4th)

Initiative Order for the week:

1. Armies of Immianthe
2. The Undead Legions
3. Men of Hambley
4. The Beastman Hordes
5. Principality of Oraving
6. Wood Elves of Arbelladon

Troop Movements

The perfidious servants of Law have assassinated the Lady Immianthe! Her troops are left leaderless, scattered to the winds...

The Undead legions remain in the Necropolis, continuing to grow their power... For now...

A secretive force of Heavy Infantry belonging to the Men of Hambley, which had traveled to the Bronzeborn mine by stealth, is seen entering the mine, where they find three Dwarven companies available for recruiting. They recruit a unit of 120 Dwarven Heavy Infantry A, armed with a spear, a hand axe, a shield, and banded plate. 

The Beastmen Hordes occupy the Ironburg, and begin the process of reopening the tunnels to the Netherdark in order to restore their lines of supply and reinforcement.

The Overlord of Oraving receives a response from the High Abbot: "The enemies of Mankind are the Enemies of Hesper, but if your sins were not great, these plagues would not have been visited upon you. We will aid you in your war, but what lands we conquer we will keep for ourselves, for the glory of our god. And yet, Hesper is not jealous, and cares not for the names of living princes to be spoken by those who inhabit his lands. He claims total sovereignty only over the dead. Therefore, tithes will be given to you for those lands, in repayment of what the vile ones took from you." 

Faced with no other choice, the Overlord accepts these terms, and the agreement is sealed.

The Crusaders of Hesper move through the pass, unchecked by the Beastmen (who do not themselves desire battle), and march immediately to the Necropolis, assaulting it immediately. They are joined by Crusader Cavalry (Heavy Cavalry) and a company of Elven Light Infantry of the Citadel of the Eye of Law. A battle is fought.

Elven Heavy arrive at the Bronzeborn Mine, and recruit a unit of 120 Dwarven Heavy Infantry A, armed with a spear, a hand axe, a shield, and banded plate. 

Elven ships are seen moving up the lake.

Reinforcements: 

• Hambley recruited a band of Dwarven Heavy Infantry at the Bronzeborn Mine
• The Wood Elves recruited a band of Dwarven Heavy Infantry at the Bronzeborn Mine
• Three Wraiths are raised at the Necropolis

Battle Resolutions

The Third Battle at the Necropolis (027,016)

Force 1: Crusaders of Hesper

• 1 unit of 120 Light Infantry, led by a Level 5 Fighter - BR: 1
• 1 unit of 60 Medium Cavalry, led by a Level 5 Fighter - BR: 5
• 1 unit of 120 Bowmen, led by a Level 5 Fighter - BR: 1.5
• 1 unit of 60 Cataphract Cavalry, led by a Level 7 Cleric - BR: 7.5
• 2 units of 120 Heavy Infantry/each, each led by a Level 7 Cleric - BR: 4
• Total BR: 19
• Commander: Level 7 Cleric |  STR: 12 INT: 11 WIS: 15 DEX: 16 CON: 13 CHA: 15 (+2) | LA 7 SA 1 MM +2

Force 1a: Citadel Garrison

• 1 unit of 60 Heavy Cavalry, led by a 7th Level Human Cleric - BR: 6
• 1 unit of 120 Elven Light Infantry, led by a 5th level Elven Spellsword - BR: 1.5
• Total BR: 7.5
• Commander: Level 7 Cleric |  STR: 12 INT: 11 WIS: 15 DEX: 16 CON: 13 CHA: 15 (+2) | LA 7 SA 1 MM +2

Force 2: Undead Legions

• 150 Skeletons - BR: 0.75
• 120 Zombies - BR: 1.2
• 12 Ghouls - BR: 3.5
• 9 Spectres - BR: 19.3
• 3 Wraiths - BR: 1.9
• Total BR: 26.65

Force 1 & 1a are surprised.

Surprise Round: As the Crusader and Citadel forces converge on the necropolis, a foul mist rises to obscure their vision. Out of it, the screams of the dead pierce the silence and tear courage from the hearts of men. Wraiths, ghouls, and other foul creatures emerge from the mist, pulling men into their doom, dealing 11 BR of damage. The Crusaders and Citadel Garrison fight back valiantly, the Clerics of Hesper raising holy symbols and relics to lead their men on into the darkness. The mists protecting the Necropolis, the uncertain terrain of the ruins, and the strong evil that is there makes it difficult for the Crusaders to deploy their cavalry. All the same, though, many of the Undead are banished, and they inflict 7.5 BR of damage.

Thanks to their superior morale, the Crusader troops do not route, but the High Abbot withdraws his joint forces back in the direction of the Citadel of the Eye of Law, deeming his strength as-yet insufficient to take the Necropolis in a single assault. 

Outcome: Crusader-Garrison force repulsed, with losses. 

Casualties: 

• 60 Elven Light Infantry Slain, 60 Elven Light Infantry wounded or scattered; 
• 60 Crusader light infantry slain and raised as undead, 60 wounded and scattered; 
• 60 Crusader Bowmen slain and raised as undead, 60 Crusader Bowmen wounded and scattered; 
• 30 Crusader Medium Cavalry slain and raised as undead, 30 Crusader Medium Cavalry wounded and scattered;
• 60 Crusader Heavy Infantry slain and raised as undead, 60 Crusader Heavy Infantry wounded and scattered;
• 150 skeletons
• 120 zombies
• 12 ghouls
• 1 spectre

Additional reinforcements:

• The Undead Legions raise 210 zombies