Turn 23 Rumor Mill
News of the Chaos Storm
The Corpse Wall Holds! - Despite all the effort you put into supporting your vampires in the Chaos Wastes, you're actually surprised when they manage to hold of the hordes of Chaos. You hear reports of battles that last for weeks and endless hordes of demons, but the undead hold. With the help of the Druagr and Kreugar's own undead armies, they actually gain a little ground.
Blood in the Water - West of the your foothold in the wastes, an armada of Chaos worshiper sail out of the Wastes, intent on pillaging the south. However, the navies of Ulthuan, Heimgard, the Empire, and Marienburg were ready and waiting, having been warned by your undead spies. The allied fleets crush the Chaos armada, and sharks feast upon the corpses of marauders.
AN: Your Albionese friends didn't have a chance to win much glory this year because most of the fighting took place in the Wastes or at sea (and the Albionese had yet to board your navy. Some of them are on your ships now.)
Druchii Stand Firm - The forces of Chaos slammed into the Naggarothi defenses. However, the Druchii appear to have fended them off yet again. When you heard that, you said it was good news, but you would have been fine with a few more Dark Elves dying. Just a few weeks later, you got your wish in the worst way possible...
Massacre in Naggaroth - You finally learn what happened to all the steppes people in the far east and where all the Nipponese ships went. They've all been gathered up by Morathi, Malekith's damned mother. Halfway through the year, when the Druchii seemed to be doing so well, countless Nipponese ships and Cathayan junks sailed across the Far Sea, bearing Hung and Kurgan cavalry. As soon as her flotilla landed and her forces disembarked, Morathi declared her horde's allegiance to Slaanesh. She demanded that every person in Naggaroth join them or die. At the same time, the Cult of Pleasure struck throughout the Druchii cities, cutting down many of those most likely to resist. This massacre left Malekith's forces realing. Meanwhile, Bretonnia and Estalia scramble to protect their colonies.
In the East... - You have no had enough time to get much news from Cathay, but the first reports sound dark indeed. If they're true, then all of Cathay has plunged into a brutal three-way war between the Cathayans, Chaos, and the Ogres' 'Maw Crusade.'
News of the Empire
Despite many people's fears, the Empire suffered very little during the first year of the Chaos Storm. They mostly take the time to lick their wounds and recover from the Silver Pinnacle.
Sigmarites United! - After Adolphus's ringing endorsement of Stirland's Grand Theogenist last year, the Reikland Grand Theogenist has grudgingly accepted defeat and swore obedience to his onetime rival. The Church of Sigmar is once more united under a single leader. However, cynics point out that a thing that has broken once is always easier to break again.
Praise Averland and Talabecland! - Those two provinces shocked the Empire with the sheer magnitude of their generosity. They suffered relatively little over the past few years, and they spent all year helping their less-fortunate neighbors. With their help, Wissenland has been pulled back from the edge of crumbling after the Lahmian pillaged the region. It will be years before the Empire's population reaches its former heights, but it is well on its way to recovery.
Espionage: Adolphus's Vampire Hunt - The Emperor continues his hunt for Lahmians. However, your spies note that some convicted 'Lahmian pawns' happen to be Adolphus's rivals or they happen to be the subject of a Dwarf grudge. Your agents manage to confirm at least some of these convicts were discretely handed over to the Dwarfs for them to 'punish as they see fit.'
Espionage: Strigany Exodus? - Your spies bring you some puzzling news. The Empire is home to many Strigany, people who wander from town to town in caravans. Mysteriously, many of their caravans have begun to journey south. Those who started the year Wissenland have already left the Empire and journeyed into the kingdom of Alesandr. You have no idea what could be calling these wanderers south.
News of the South
Espionage: Skavens are killing each other! No one minds! - Your Skaven sources have not yet gotten a clear picture of what's happening in the Skaven civil war. However, they can confirm one thing: everyone is taking massive casualties. This is good news in general, and it's particularly welcome now because it means the southern Skaven will be even less likely to come to Moulder's aid.
Surprises for Settra - Settra called upon the 'lesser Tomb Kings' to rally to his banner, but many pledged their forces to the Golden King instead. King Phar of Mahrak is always happy to wage war upon his ancient foe, Settra. Additionally, the Golden King won over Sehenesmet, the legendary necrotect of Quatar, by promising to send living servants to help construct and marvel at Sehenesmet's work. Surprisingly, Khalida, High Queen of Lybaras, and several other Tomb King have also turned on Settra. Perhaps, they have grown weary of his arrogance and domination.
Even the Dead can Die - Even with many other Tomb Kings turned against him, Settra still leads the mighty armies of Khemri, and he has the help of the dread necromancer Arkhan the Black. Legions of skeletons clash in countless desert battlefields. So far, there is no clear victor, but every side has lost many forces.
Death and Glory! - While many of the Sell-Sword king's mercenaries where bought up by Marienburg, Alesandr took the rest of his armies south to fight in Nehekhara. Alesandr personally lead elite forces on lightning strikes against some of Settra's Liche Priests. That madman claims to have cut down half a dozen Tomb Kings and laughed off their death curses. Already, the wealth of plundered dynasties is flowing into his homeland.
News from the Darklands
Ogres Arrive! - The western branch of the Ogre's 'Maw Crusade' has engaged the Chaos Dwarfs and Grom's Waagh. You've yet to receive much information, but there are rumors that the Chaos Dwarf's last bastions are starting to crumble.
