Sigmarzeit 2502 - Turn 1
- Location
- Singapore
Sigmarzeit, 2502 IC
One Month After the Ascension of Karl Franz I to the Imperial Throne
One Month After the Ascension of Karl Franz I to the Imperial Throne
"Milady," your Lady-in-Waiting says dutifully by your side, soft-spoken but unerringly precise in her duties like the servant ideal she aims to be, "He is here to see you."
The emphasis is all you need to know precisely what she means. You look up from the fireplace and set the poker aside, nodding at one of your handmaidens to make sure that poetry burns in hell. "Thank you, Luise," you smile, and the dark-haired girl smiles slightly, her head still bowed. You haven't had her for long and she's already accustomed to your mannerisms and codes. "Prepare some tea for him, won't you?"
Luise Liebjungfer, your new Lady-in-Waiting after the unfortunate demise of Duchess Preissner, bows politely, but you are already moving. Your footfalls are heavy as you make your way down the tower to the entrance of your wing of the Imperial Palace, but not as heavy as they should be in full plate armor. Long experience, and dislike for the clank of steel on marble, has taught you how.
Soon you make it to the greeting hall where your finest trophies and ornamental weaponry is presented upon stands - they're not real swords no sense making it easy for the assassins - and there he is. Electing to stand instead of sit despite the perfectly good couch right next to him is a middle-aged man a head taller than you, wearing a broad white moustache and cupping a plumed helm. You know him well, but the Runefang Grudge Settler on his belt confirms his identity better than any crier.
He nods stoically at you and starts to speak, but you wrap your arms around him instead, both of your full plate clanking as you hug him. "Hey, Uncle Kurt! Here to see me off?"
The man smiles and returns the hug, but he breaks off quickly, and you see the tension on his face. "I would love to, my dear, but…" He kicks the chest at his feet lightly, the sound louder than it should be as steel meets steel, and your spirits dampen slightly. "Unfortunately, I come here on business."
"Ah..." You nod and compose yourself. Kurt Helborg may be your and Franz's Uncle Kurt and a close friend of your father's, but he is still Reiksmarshal. And formalities must be followed. As if on cue, you hear the jingle of Luise's tray, and you smile at the old man. "Would you like some tea, Reiksmarshal, or is this urgent?"
"Fairly urgent," he admits, "But I would like some tea. Thank you, madam," he nods as Luise pours him a cup, and ponders something briefly while she pours you yours. "Actually, my dear, we should sit down for this."
----
The servants work quickly, presenting a tantalising array of cakes and pastries to complement the bitter tea while the two of you get to work. "Your brother would have liked to be here," Uncle Kurt says with a sad smile, "He sends his regards."
"Heavy is the head that bears Sigmar's crown," you observe evenly, citing one of the passages you memorised in a lesson from your childhood. "I understood with father and I'll understand with him. But he does know he can throw me at his problems, right?"
"Indeed," Kurt says mirthfully, and produces a letter from his armor, stamped with the griffon-headed seal of the Emperor. "That is the business I came here for. Your brother has a few requests when you leave today." You take it and read it immediately, eager to find out what your brother wishes to discuss.
'Dearest sister,
I would have liked to see you in person, but the duties of an Emperor are never done. But this is important, so a letter will have to do.
I understand that you have chosen the crusading vows, but your order will still need Chapterhouses to work from in order to conduct your duties. To that regard, I would have you take ownership of the village of Rottfurt, and its surrounding territories.
I have already transferred ownership of the land to the Order of the Iron Arm, as well as an amount of funds to construct your first Chapterhouse. In addition, the people of Rottfurt now pay taxes to you, to be utilised solely for the purposes of your knightly mission.
Besides the Reikwald, however, there are many fires burning in the Empire and only so many I trust to deal with them. There are Orcs in Wissenland, Beastmen in Middenland, Norscans harassing Nordland… but more pertinently, we have bandits by Wittgendorf, interrupting trade with Stirland. I would gladly have you ride with me to Wissenland, but it is important that you deal with these bandits before their raids grow bolder.
The Deed to Rottfurt, and everything else, is within the chest. Glory to you, Johanna.
Your Brother,
Karl Franz
P.S. A Bretonnian Marquis came to court today. I hope he's not another suitor; the Empire has enough of a vampire problem.'
I would have liked to see you in person, but the duties of an Emperor are never done. But this is important, so a letter will have to do.
I understand that you have chosen the crusading vows, but your order will still need Chapterhouses to work from in order to conduct your duties. To that regard, I would have you take ownership of the village of Rottfurt, and its surrounding territories.
I have already transferred ownership of the land to the Order of the Iron Arm, as well as an amount of funds to construct your first Chapterhouse. In addition, the people of Rottfurt now pay taxes to you, to be utilised solely for the purposes of your knightly mission.
Besides the Reikwald, however, there are many fires burning in the Empire and only so many I trust to deal with them. There are Orcs in Wissenland, Beastmen in Middenland, Norscans harassing Nordland… but more pertinently, we have bandits by Wittgendorf, interrupting trade with Stirland. I would gladly have you ride with me to Wissenland, but it is important that you deal with these bandits before their raids grow bolder.
The Deed to Rottfurt, and everything else, is within the chest. Glory to you, Johanna.
Your Brother,
Karl Franz
P.S. A Bretonnian Marquis came to court today. I hope he's not another suitor; the Empire has enough of a vampire problem.'
The smile you didn't know you were wearing dies. You sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose at the end. Reiksmarshal Kurt leans forward slightly, gauging your reaction. "He ruined it," you say suddenly, completely unamused. "He had a thing going in the letter and he ruined it."
"The rapport you two siblings share is beautiful," the Reiksmarshal says with a happy sigh. "And speaking of; have you chosen a God to uphold, Johanna?"
"I considered Sigmar and Ulric for a while last night, to support Karlchen or to reconcile with the North respectively, but after that stupid bat showed up I very strongly considered Morr," you seethe. At the Reiksmarshal's concerned frown, you elaborate. "It was a soliloquy this time. Very egotistical, extremely stilted prose. And I'm pretty sure the ink was blood."
"Almost certainly," he nods sagely. "Have you considered Myrmidia?"
"Who?"
"Nevermind."
You chuckle and shake your head. Of course you know who Myrmidia is. You just don't particularly care, strategy is hardly her sole domain. "I've decided to be Secular. So anyways, what do you have for me? I know you supported my bid as Grand Master," you explain, when the Reiksmarshal frowns. "Karlchen might have made the proposal, but you and the Grafs von Jungfreud and von Wallenstein supported it. You didn't come on my brother's behalf alone."
He smiles, pleased at your savvy. "Many Orders begin with a single knight, but you are special. Twelve of my Reiksguard will escort you to Rottfurt, where they will form the core of your Order." He smiles when you look at him in awe, at what he has just given away. "Had we the numbers I'd have gladly given you one of the cohorts whole, and I know several who would love to serve under you - but with the losses to Waaagh Brainskuppa and the campaigns to come, I cannot responsibly give them to you. My apologies, Johanna."
"Y-You just gave me twelve of the finest knights in the Empire," you say, after you find your tongue. "I should apologise for taking your men! Are any--"
"None are of the Inner Circle," Kurt Helborg says sadly, killing your enthusiasm some, "But there is you. I trust that you will produce a few who would live up to your standards soon - or die trying." He frowns suddenly, deadly serious. "Try not to kill them. I am serious, Johanna."
You opt not to mention that you've hired an ogre as a combat instructor. "Of course!" You say instead, beaming brightly. "I'm here to protect the Empire, not kill it slowly. I won't promise not to maim them, though."
"I will take what I can," the old man sighs. He stands, adjusting the belts on his full plate, and picks his helmet off the table. "Thank you, Johanna, and best of luck. I know you will become a great Knight."
"Just one last time," you ask, "Would a great Knight as yourself show me the ropes on the sparring grounds instead?"
"I would rather not leave you too bruised to ride on your first day," the Reiksmarshal teases.
"That was one time!" You shout as he leaves. "ONE! TIME!"
You love that old man. He better not die ever.
Sponsors Identified!
- Emperor Karl Franz von Holswig-Schliestein (Major)
- Reiksmarshal Kurt von Helborg
- Graf Ferdinand von Wallenstein
- Graf Sigismund von Jungfreud
Forces Acquired!
- 12
- 28
----
You open the chest that night, knowing what your brother really meant in his letter. Earnest boy he is, he intends to honour a promise he made to you the day before his coronation while you were both drunk. To be honest you can't even remember what he promised besides the fact that it was a mystery - though you are also pretty sure he never specified what it was.
Fully private now - even making sure that your ladies are fully asleep before starting - you open the travelling chest… and besides a small case where the deeds and documents are likely kept, there is a long, narrow case. This had better not be like one of those Kislevite dolls.
There is a letter on the case as well, generic well-wishes written by your brother's hand. The text seem to shift as you pick it up by hand, and holding it over a candlelight for a few minutes has the letters dance around until they rearrange themselves in a nonsensical cipher - one you crack instantly, because it is the cipher you and Karlchen developed in your childhood. It is childishly simple, like a small joke between the two of you.
'Dearest sister,
Don't. Fucking. Lose it.
Your loving brother,
Karl Franz'
Don't. Fucking. Lose it.
Your loving brother,
Karl Franz'
That does not sound like a joke.
Just seconds later the letters on the parchment swell until they are but black circles, and then they become holes. Blackness melts the letter until it is little more than ash, and even that disintegrates in the wind. Shrugging at the efforts of wizards, you turn your attention to the case.
The case itself is sealed as well, protected by a mighty padlock with an intricate keyhole - your padlock, the one father had made years ago! You must have lent it to him that night; you don't even remember doing that. You snap the end of a toothpick and stick it in as your 'key', knowing full well that it doesn't matter what the key is; only that you open it. There is a click as you twist, and it pops open.
What you see boggles the mind.
The scabbard is made of fine leather cut from a rare beast, most likely a griffon or a wolf of some impressive measure, but the true wonder is the blade it wraps. You draw it and it feels light as a feather, yet carries itself with weight like a warhammer. The runes on the blade are finely etched, nearly too fine to see except in the candlelight, and they hum with secret power. You twirl the blade once, twice in your hands just to test it, and it is fast. You nearly fumble if not for your own skills. This is a very fast weapon.
You laugh. You laugh loudly, once. Barked laughter, which might actually be a short scream. That madman. Your brother is insane. You should do your imperial duty and dethrone him because he is clearly insane.
Once more you hold the Runefang Beast Slayer in your hands, marveling at the peerless craftsmanship - or should it be craftsdwarfship, considering who made it? Alaric the Mad's expertise is legendary even in the Empire, in the stories told of Sigmar's reign and of the Runefangs… but holding one of his creations today, the Drakwald Runefang, you believe them. You believe that he is every bit as mighty as the stories say. Because this sword feels as mighty as the stories say.
You shudder to think what Ghal Maraz would be like. Oh, but Karlchen would be truly insane to let you hold that holiest of warhammers.
You sheathe it in its scabbard and return it to its case, muttering a meaningless code phrase as you twist the toothpick again - once more, it doesn't matter what you say, only that you do. This is not a sword you can carry openly, as the Elector Counts or the Reiksmarshal do. No one knows you carry this. And you intend to keep it that way.
Mystery Box Revealed - The Drakwald Runefang, Beast Slayer, is in your possession!
----
Your departure from Altdorf the next day happens early in the morning and with little pomp and circumstance, just the way you like it. Loud is one thing, but ceremony gets tiresome after the fifth parade as you march forth with an army from the Reik. You much rather return in triumph to cheers instead, which is fairly high up on your agenda. For now, however, you ride with your knights, who all know you by reputation if not by name. They ride in formation, wordless and unerring. Good, they know your tolerances.
You spend your time riding alongside the forward carriage, getting to know your staff instead. Sontrulvus rides in it alongside Sunnhilde, neither of them making conversation. The elf, dressed in the garish fashions of Reikland, complete with a hat large enough to be a heater shield and a feather tall enough to adorn the Reiksmarshal's helm, is spending his time making notes in the ledger. Meanwhile, your Shallyan Priestess is praying to her Goddess, and probably wondering just how she wound up in the service of probably the most violent woman in the Empire.
You're rather proud of that title, actually. Very fetching. Still, you ride alongside Sontrulvus' window, and speak to him directly through it. "Sontrulvus," you say. He looks up and nods.
"Lady Johanna, to what do I know the honour?" He asks. You notice now that his Reikspiel lacks any of the accent his counterparts in the Long March had. You suppose he's had time to get rid of it over the centuries.
"Just making conversation," you reply. "What did you leave behind in Altdorf?"
"Nothing, my attendants will manage my shop while I'm away. This is as much a business venture as it is a service, Lady Johanna - though I will serve to the best of my ability regardless."
"Good, good. Anything I should know?"
"Not at the moment."
You nod. Evidently, Sontrulvus is not one to mince words.You head on over to the next window, where Sunnhilde is praying. You knock on the window twice, and she jumps in her skin before opening it. This woman is sitting on a bed of nails or something, that must be it. "And how is your day, priestess?"
"F-Fine, Princess--I mean, my Lady!" She swallows and continues clasping her hands together, rubbing them from time to time. "I-I hope there won't be fighting, I'm a pacifist -- n-not that there's anything wrong with fighting!"
You smile comfortingly, which seems to ease her a bit. "Calm down, Sunnhilde, I won't bite your head off."
"But can you?!"
Your reputation must be growing. You seem to be turning into some she-beast. "How is your day, Sunnhilde?"
She frowns, and looks down at her lap, still clasping her hands. "F-Fine, milady. I haven't ridden a carriage like this before."
"It's boring after a while," you say to her. "Most find a way to amuse themselves on the road."
"I-I see, Lady Holswig-Schliestein. I-I'll pack something in the future."
"Johanna is fine, Lady Johanna if you must."
"Yes, Lady H--Johanna." She blinks, and looks at you. "A question, Lady J-Johanna?" You nod. "Why aren't you riding in the carriage?"
"I just told you. Most find a way to amuse themselves on the road." You pat the head of your horse, who neighs pleasantly. "I ride outside the carriage."
"...In full plate armor, Lady J-Johanna?"
"Yep."
She looks at you, frowning slightly, before nodding. "I-I see, milady…"
Wow she is uncomfortable around you. Won't even stumble over 'Johanna' now. Time to give her some space. "I shan't bother you any longer, Sunnhilde. Won't be long now, we're almost at the river barge."
"Yes, milady. Thank you, milady."
This woman will be a while.
----
Rottfurt is a small village that sits on the edge of the Reikwald Forest along the River Teufel. It has barely a hundred heads and largely raises sheep, selling wool, milk, and mutton to Altdorf along that same river. It suffers constant beastmen raids, has no money to clear the trees for logging or significant farming, and basically everyone of talent and connection flees to elsewhere in the Reikland.
And also there is currently an ogre there, sitting on a hill and being given a wide berth by just about everyone that lives there. They're pretty frightened, all things considered, and are extremely relieved when you show up. And then back to pretty frightened when you waved at the ogre and he waved back.
"Heys, boss Jo!" He says cheerfully, waving arms like tree trunks at you and grinning with a mouth missing several teeth. The big lug looks scary but he's like a puppy. A giant, obese puppy with few teeth and four stomachs. "Looks like I's surprised you!"
"You actually found Rottfurt, eh?" You ask, grinning. "Nice. Are the people here nice?"
He nods eagerly. "Sheep fluffy! And fat."
You look around, suddenly realising someone's missing. "Dragg, where's your friend? The halfling?"
"Hugo go home, come back later. Bring food!" Dragg tilts his head and looks at the knights following behind you, their hands warily on their weapons. "Boss, why ev'ryone in armor? Time to fight?"
"Later," you say casually, and so Dragg shrugs and sits down. Everyone around you exhales slightly and take their hands from their swords. People need to calm down, sheesh. "Where's the headman?"
Dragg looks at you, confused.
"Who has the most sheep?" You try again.
"Oh! Here, boss, follow me!"
----
The headman turned out to be an old fellow named Rodrik, chosen by dint of having lived the longest and having the most sheep. The man was absolutely stunned that you of all people would be setting up in Rottfurt, and was more than happy to pay taxes to you. The beastmen must be terrifying. Which they are, to be fair. But more terrifying to people without horses and swords.
Anyways, with that out of the way and the servants just arriving now, your people set up camp and plan their next actions. There is lots to do, and not much time to do all of it.
Note: Turn Length is Seasonal
Forces
Knights:
- Grand Master Johanna Holswig-Schliestein, die Schädelknackerin [Hero]
- 12 Knights of the Iron Arm (Former Reiksguard)
- 28 Initiates
Finances
Treasury: 600g
Current Income: 127.5g/Season
- Emperor Karl Franz: 75g
- Graf von Jungfreud: 25g
- Graf von Wallenstein: 25g
- Rottfurt Village: 2.5g
Current Expenses: 65g/Season
- 12 Knights: 30g
- 28 Initiates: 350g
Net Income: 62.5g/Season
Actions
The Chapterhouse (Choose 1):
[] Build the Chapterhouse as in the plan; further expansion will be possible, and a Chapterhouse will give the Order a place to start with. (Spend 400g on Chapter House, as planned; will reduce Knight upkeep and provide additional options)
[] You watch the Reikwald, you are sister of the Emperor; you can do more. Secure additional funding to create a Citadel. (Mini-Action, may secure additional funding for a full Citadel; if successful, will provide prestige boost, a more fortified stronghold, and all the benefits of a Chapterhouse)
Available Actions (Choose 3):
[] You have twelve former Reiksguard Knights, and they've proven their valor as part of the Reiksguard. Now they have to prove their worth to you. (May find Knights of the Inner Circle)
[] Your Order is young, and you need manpower. Recruitment drives will be necessary. Ride across the Empire and look for young men and women who wish to fight as one of the Iron Arm. (Recruit new Initiates)
[] You have several new Initiates and no way to test their worth right now - but they are probably worthy of something considering that they were brought along. Decide on your rites of initiation into the Order of the Iron Arm - and then test them, if they be worthy.
[] Your bid as Grandmaster was backed by the Grafs von Jungfreud and von Wallenstein - the lords of Ubersreik and Aeurswald, respectively. They must want something. Go speak with them, such that you may strike up an agreement with them.
[] The Reikwald is not the Drakwald Forest, but beastmen and greenskins still infest the woods, and monsters still emerge periodically to harass the countryside. Ride forth with your knights and hunt these beasts down, before they can threaten the smallfolk.
[] Your brother mentioned bandits by Wittgendorf, and so you shall investigate and hunt them down. Trade with Stirland cannot be interrupted any longer, and you need to show the Empire that the chaos of a new Emperor has ended. Long Live Karl Franz I.
[] Your brother rides to Wissenland to fight Orcs; there is no reason for you not to join him, whether or not he asked for it. Gather your men and fight alongside the Emperor.
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