An Ungentlemanly War - the battle between Gerolstein and Chaos, some first hand reports.
MEMOIRS OF DUCHESS EUSTACE
THE HORROR BEGINS
It has been my duty, and mostly my pleasure to serve Gerolstein, as duchess, for thirty five years. in that time I kept both Blusia and Hermany from absorbing our little country. I had also effectively led the country against a Ruritanian invasion in 1900. However, nothing compares to the horrific events of 1908.
In March of that year my moments of reflection on my then thirty years of rule were interrupted by a knock on my study door: only selected confidants may approach me thus in the palace.
General Tricktober entered the room, his agitation apparent as he held some papers marked 'Top Secret'. He was dressed in the newest version of the Duchess's Guard regiment with bright blue jacket, red trousers and high black busby. He had the usual violet collar and cuffs of a staff officer or general.
I still remember the conversation's every word and I shall write it exactly here:
I must admit to being uncharitable to my general but I did indeed say: 'What is the meaning of this wild interruption to my conjugations?'
'Terrible news your nobleness: your niece, Beatrice has been kidnapped by dark forces', he replied.
'Good .. G.. God,n, n no!' I stammered, and I must confess that I momentarily lost my stately composure.
'Diabolical forces from the Unknown Lands, specifically Chaos, infiltrated Gerolstein last night and swept Beatrice from her bed'.
'I have some knowledge of the reports of that land but what is the full state of our knowledge?'
'The inhabitants are, for the most part, strangely inhuman, or more accurately, non-human; although many have vaguely human shape and some are actually most degraded human beings: many appear to have supernatural abilities and powers beyond our ken. Quite a few, that possess varying intelligence, also have immense size and strength. They also worship certain gods that we might refer to as 'greater demons'. In fact an unknown number of Chaos denizens are lesser demons taken corporeal form. When they are 'killed' they lose their earthly form and return to their parallel universe, some would call Hell.'
'Comes whence our intelligence of this land?'
'The Unknown Lands are partially and imperfectly known to us from the rare incursions of their inhabitants and the very rare occasions we can insinuate spies there.'
'General Tricktober, refresh my knowledge of the known Chaos incursions into out land'.
'Both Chaos, the demonic land, and Necrolia, the land of the Undead have made occasional incursions. many are probably mysterious unsolved crimes involving torture and mutilation of the dead. However, there have been two significant incursions by Chaos into Gerolstein and also some poorly reported ones in Hermany, Crussia, Fezia and Eastern Euroob .'
'Duchess you may have read, in our history, of the 1504 and 1885 'incidents'.
"Yes, the Renaissance era one is sometimes reported as mythical but most historians now claim it to be well established in fact. Were not hideous creatures, malignant in intention and action laying waste whole villages?'
"Precicely! The key is the green miasma which surrounds the Unknown Lands. No-one can pass through the Green corrosive mist from our human side although, it is thought that occasionally some Chaos or Necrolian creature itself passes through unhurt. In any case every once and a while the miasma lifts, unknown whether by chance or design. This is what happened in 1504. Some villagers were torn apart and some partly devoured or dismembered, their parts assembled in ghastly travesties of human shapes. The events also triggered the worst period, in our history, of mass hangings and burnings of 'witches'.'
'And what of the 1885 events? Didn't they involve the military?'
'Yes, the local militia and police were involved in the town of Droozgoff. A similar incident occurred at Kruleburg. At Droozgoff the police heard shots from the Western side of town. Thinking, bandits were involved seven constables set off in a cart and arrived at Miller Street to see bodies strewn across the ground. Most were workers clothed in brown overalls; most were missing their heads. The startled police drew their revolvers as they advanced to the spot. Suddenly they were attacked by red skinned, winged 'demons'. A few panicked shots found their marks and two of the creatures fell to the ground, black blood pouring from their wounds. The other shots missed and the creatures, which reportedly had generally human shape, pounced on the police. Some of the fiends had edged weapons they used to disembowel the constables but, as often, they used sharp and protruding fangs,to tear out throats. One constable fled the scene and contacted the militia. The militia were not battle proven but well led. They arrived at the scene to see a horde of red skinned, green skinned and blue skinned humanoids.
Fortunately for the jittery but steadfast militia they had a Gatling gun and combined it's fire with their rifles to disperse the creatures. Strangely, many of the creatures' bodies disintegrated before any could be retrieved for study. The green skinned ones remained intact. They have a bare skinned simian appearance and a few individual bodies have been secretly preserved in our State museum.
In Kreleburg a company of voltigeurs answered terrified pleas for help from the local village. The light infantry were well trained and good shots but on this occasion they marched down the street and became sitting ducks. They expected to find a few criminals who would be easily intimidated. It took fifteen minutes to exterminate all but one of the soldiers. The weird creatures burst from drains, alleyways and rooftops so that the voltigeurs didn't have a chance to even let off a volley.'
'Three days. Last time it dissipated this much, in 1885, it was so for a month. It is potentially long enough for us to launch a rescue mission'.
THE HORROR BEGINS
It has been my duty, and mostly my pleasure to serve Gerolstein, as duchess, for thirty five years. in that time I kept both Blusia and Hermany from absorbing our little country. I had also effectively led the country against a Ruritanian invasion in 1900. However, nothing compares to the horrific events of 1908.
In March of that year my moments of reflection on my then thirty years of rule were interrupted by a knock on my study door: only selected confidants may approach me thus in the palace.
General Tricktober entered the room, his agitation apparent as he held some papers marked 'Top Secret'. He was dressed in the newest version of the Duchess's Guard regiment with bright blue jacket, red trousers and high black busby. He had the usual violet collar and cuffs of a staff officer or general.
I still remember the conversation's every word and I shall write it exactly here:
I must admit to being uncharitable to my general but I did indeed say: 'What is the meaning of this wild interruption to my conjugations?'
'Terrible news your nobleness: your niece, Beatrice has been kidnapped by dark forces', he replied.
'Good .. G.. God,n, n no!' I stammered, and I must confess that I momentarily lost my stately composure.
'Diabolical forces from the Unknown Lands, specifically Chaos, infiltrated Gerolstein last night and swept Beatrice from her bed'.
'I have some knowledge of the reports of that land but what is the full state of our knowledge?'
'The inhabitants are, for the most part, strangely inhuman, or more accurately, non-human; although many have vaguely human shape and some are actually most degraded human beings: many appear to have supernatural abilities and powers beyond our ken. Quite a few, that possess varying intelligence, also have immense size and strength. They also worship certain gods that we might refer to as 'greater demons'. In fact an unknown number of Chaos denizens are lesser demons taken corporeal form. When they are 'killed' they lose their earthly form and return to their parallel universe, some would call Hell.'
'Comes whence our intelligence of this land?'
'The Unknown Lands are partially and imperfectly known to us from the rare incursions of their inhabitants and the very rare occasions we can insinuate spies there.'
'General Tricktober, refresh my knowledge of the known Chaos incursions into out land'.
'Both Chaos, the demonic land, and Necrolia, the land of the Undead have made occasional incursions. many are probably mysterious unsolved crimes involving torture and mutilation of the dead. However, there have been two significant incursions by Chaos into Gerolstein and also some poorly reported ones in Hermany, Crussia, Fezia and Eastern Euroob .'
'Duchess you may have read, in our history, of the 1504 and 1885 'incidents'.
"Yes, the Renaissance era one is sometimes reported as mythical but most historians now claim it to be well established in fact. Were not hideous creatures, malignant in intention and action laying waste whole villages?'
"Precicely! The key is the green miasma which surrounds the Unknown Lands. No-one can pass through the Green corrosive mist from our human side although, it is thought that occasionally some Chaos or Necrolian creature itself passes through unhurt. In any case every once and a while the miasma lifts, unknown whether by chance or design. This is what happened in 1504. Some villagers were torn apart and some partly devoured or dismembered, their parts assembled in ghastly travesties of human shapes. The events also triggered the worst period, in our history, of mass hangings and burnings of 'witches'.'
'And what of the 1885 events? Didn't they involve the military?'
'Yes, the local militia and police were involved in the town of Droozgoff. A similar incident occurred at Kruleburg. At Droozgoff the police heard shots from the Western side of town. Thinking, bandits were involved seven constables set off in a cart and arrived at Miller Street to see bodies strewn across the ground. Most were workers clothed in brown overalls; most were missing their heads. The startled police drew their revolvers as they advanced to the spot. Suddenly they were attacked by red skinned, winged 'demons'. A few panicked shots found their marks and two of the creatures fell to the ground, black blood pouring from their wounds. The other shots missed and the creatures, which reportedly had generally human shape, pounced on the police. Some of the fiends had edged weapons they used to disembowel the constables but, as often, they used sharp and protruding fangs,to tear out throats. One constable fled the scene and contacted the militia. The militia were not battle proven but well led. They arrived at the scene to see a horde of red skinned, green skinned and blue skinned humanoids.
Fortunately for the jittery but steadfast militia they had a Gatling gun and combined it's fire with their rifles to disperse the creatures. Strangely, many of the creatures' bodies disintegrated before any could be retrieved for study. The green skinned ones remained intact. They have a bare skinned simian appearance and a few individual bodies have been secretly preserved in our State museum.
In Kreleburg a company of voltigeurs answered terrified pleas for help from the local village. The light infantry were well trained and good shots but on this occasion they marched down the street and became sitting ducks. They expected to find a few criminals who would be easily intimidated. It took fifteen minutes to exterminate all but one of the soldiers. The weird creatures burst from drains, alleyways and rooftops so that the voltigeurs didn't have a chance to even let off a volley.'
'General, I have read of this horror and had hoped it would never return but to have my own family involved is too much! I thought anarchists were the only such threat, although our secret police have them under control!' My own dear Beatrice, only fifteen, flaxen haired, sweet-natured. Why her? My poor sister - Beatrice was her only child. I used to read Gerolstein fairy tales to Beatrice but this is a nightmare. I want to sob but must not show emotion to my general.
'What is your command, Duchess? I am at your service.'
'How long has the miasma been lifted?'
'Three days. Last time it dissipated this much, in 1885, it was so for a month. It is potentially long enough for us to launch a rescue mission'.
'I want full mobilization of the army. I have been modernizing our armed forces these last ten years'. We must get my niece back and teach these fiends a lesson. Report to me in the morning and prepare to send a major force to the Chaos lands. Meanwhile I'll get our diplomats to gain support from our bordering countries as we may need to cross Crussian or Herman territory for part of our expedition' One more thing, General October, i'll be leading the expedition!'
I saw the general wince. I knew he thought a battlefield was no place for a woman but my nation needed me, my army and my niece! The general saluted, clicked his heels and left the room.
I gazed at the report laying on the desk. I poured myself a stiff drink, cognac, and pulled up a chair. After reading several minutes I came to a section headed, 'Chaos religion'. This is what I read: 'The Chaos Lord rules the land of Chaos with unquestioned authority from his subjects but he is still a servant of the Chaos gods. One thing they constantly demand is blood sacrifice. Generally, the sacrificial victim is taken to a special shrine, ascends the steps and is hurled down into a pit of boiling blood. The victim is to be preferably a female virgin, and the more pure, pretty and innocent the more welcome to the god is the sacrifice.'
I gasped, half feinted and began to sob. Only my Blusian poodle, Pixie was there to hear and he howled with me.
I gazed at the report laying on the desk. I poured myself a stiff drink, cognac, and pulled up a chair. After reading several minutes I came to a section headed, 'Chaos religion'. This is what I read: 'The Chaos Lord rules the land of Chaos with unquestioned authority from his subjects but he is still a servant of the Chaos gods. One thing they constantly demand is blood sacrifice. Generally, the sacrificial victim is taken to a special shrine, ascends the steps and is hurled down into a pit of boiling blood. The victim is to be preferably a female virgin, and the more pure, pretty and innocent the more welcome to the god is the sacrifice.'
I gasped, half feinted and began to sob. Only my Blusian poodle, Pixie was there to hear and he howled with me.
THE SECOND DAY
GENERAL TRICKTOBER'S MEMOIR
The Duchess has given me the honor of mobilizing and helping to command the expeditionary force but the Duchess will be coming as its leader. I do hate to see women at a battle. One frets about their safety and leading men into battle is a gentleman's burden. Even so, this morning I saw the Duchess emerge from her palace and she did make its splendid lace work and domes pale in comparison. The Duchess might be fifty years old but she is still a handsome woman, not pretty exactly - her chin is too strong for that, her hair is mostly grey and she has gained some extra padding over the years - but her blue eyes are still clear and full of vitality, her milk skin is still smooth and has few wrinkles, and dare I say it, her ample bosoms still appear to defy gravity! (Editor's note: this last sentence had been marked for removal but the general passed away before he could do so! Also note that Gerolsteiner bras are know for their efficiency.)
The Duchess was also dressed as a general of hussars with the splendid bright blue and red uniform with jacket over shoulder covered in silver lace. She still wore her Duchess silver crown, wonderfully set off by her grey but shiny hair. The duchess, in her brand new automobile drove past the troops before delivering a rousing speech about past victories and the bravery and cleverness of her army.
DAY FOUR
Despite the Duchess's impatience it was four says before we were ready to leave. Fortunately the army's efficiency had so improved over the past decade that even this short time was enough to get ready, especially as we now had motorized transport for much of the army. the Redians had sold us some of their splendid omnibuses and the Hermans had sold us their latest automobiles to transport some of our supplies, including our tactical beer supply and ammunition. We still relied on wagons for some other supplies but we made good time leaving our borders.
The Duchess was also dressed as a general of hussars with the splendid bright blue and red uniform with jacket over shoulder covered in silver lace. She still wore her Duchess silver crown, wonderfully set off by her grey but shiny hair. The duchess, in her brand new automobile drove past the troops before delivering a rousing speech about past victories and the bravery and cleverness of her army.
DAY FOUR
Despite the Duchess's impatience it was four says before we were ready to leave. Fortunately the army's efficiency had so improved over the past decade that even this short time was enough to get ready, especially as we now had motorized transport for much of the army. the Redians had sold us some of their splendid omnibuses and the Hermans had sold us their latest automobiles to transport some of our supplies, including our tactical beer supply and ammunition. We still relied on wagons for some other supplies but we made good time leaving our borders.
Thanks to Duchess Eustace's wonderful diplomacy and splendid team of diplomats we had no trouble gaining approval to cross Herman and Crussian borders and reports had trickled in of atrocities committed in those countries by the same type of fiends we had previously heard of.
Day 8
The Hermans and Crussians generously allowed us the use of their trains to transport our men, vehicles and weapons. Today we are crossing into the unknown lands. the landscape is dotted with marsh and strangely twisted trees. We have yet to see signs of sentient life but a few small creatures unknown to science have been spotted in the undergrowth.
Day 9
Today we have reached habitation, a village populated by humans wearing rags. One woman defied modesty by revealing her thighs.
Most of the few inhabitants look at us with slight interest but the life is drained from them. One would think that they would welcome us as liberators.
One of the inhabitants actually resembles an ape, in fact it is an ape but it mumbles something like words.
Only the scantily clad woman has signs of vitality, although those signs be most scandalous. One moment she was publicly breast feeding a dirty infant. Then she put down the boy and looked directly at me and leered! All the while she hitched her already thigh length rags to her waist. Admittedly, scrub off the dirt and put her in an evening gown and she could be splendid, unlike the other denizens who were hideously ugly. The village, we later learned, was called Elas. As I meditated on this the young woman suddenly poked out an exceptionally long tongue; it was forked, whether by birth or mutilation I did not know. For science's sake I ordered my photographer to take some photos of the inhabitants, including the strange ape and especially the wanton woman.
Then I noticed a tower in the far distance. Upon it was mounted a catapult manned by some strange pink figures. Were they men? In the mid-distance, behind some forest I could see the pinnacle of a weird shrine or temple; I could make out the top of large dragon-like sculptures and an apparently metal platform which reflected the sun.
My attention was drawn back to the weird but beautiful woman as her baby turned its face towards me. Although it was the size of a newborn it had a full head of hair; it even had hair sprouting from its ears and the face... resembled that of an ape!
Then the two of them vanished, not just behind a hut or a bush - they just became a waft of blue vapor!
REPORT: PIERRE HASTRON, GEROLSTEIN CHIEF OF SPIES AND SCOUTS.
I have been in the area for two days dressed as a peasant. Blending in with these people is not easy as many of them are scarcely human. In the village of Elas most of the inhabitants appear to be human but elsewhere this is not the case. One variety I shall call mutants and they have distorted human form and grey, purple or blue skin. The most strange ones have heads resembling hammerhead sharks with horrible dead fish eyes a each end of the 'hammer'. Another variety is bright pink with prominent veins and a single large eye in each of their bald heads. most of the mutants have the strength of men but subhuman intelligence.
Another sentient species has mostly hairless green skin and a slightly simian face. They are stronger than humans and in some cases much stronger. I'll call them orcs for they closely resemble those creatures we once thought exclusively the work of myth and fiction. Most of them wear leather and chain mail with a few having plate armor. They carry swords, axes and spears and some have bows. Another greenskin type with long pointy noses appear smarter than orks but much weaker. They frequently are armed with short bows or crossbows.
Beastmen have human shapes except for the heads, feet and tails of beasts, usually bulls or pigs. They are stronger than humans and prone to fighting each other.
Resembling a very large beastman is the minotaur, ranging from seven feet to ten feet tall and possessing immense strength.
Another large semi sentient creature is the troll. They are basically humanoid and about thirteen feet in height. Like the giant they are quite stupid but strong.
Chaos warriors wear plate armor and are exceptional warriors. They are about seven feet in height and apparently human but with various distortions in face and body.
Red skinned creature known as Bloodletters have the appearance of demons with horns, pointy ears and sharp teeth. They look very alert and fast. One variety has purple or black wings.
There is a giant here known as the Ugly Mugly. He is about twenty feet tall, freakishly muscled and with the face of an imbecile. With his enormous muscles he could smash a modern light and perhaps even a heavy vehicle to bits.
The overlord is called Feltor and he resembles a larger Bloodletter, that is he has the classic fairytale appearance of a red skinned devil. His height is about twelve feet.he has a horned helmet. The other creatures shake with fear in his presence.
The intention of this overlord is to sacrifice Beatrice to the Chaos gods. The locality of this altar is not far north of Elas ,next to a small forest. Tomorrow is the beginning of the sacrificial season when the gods accept offerings. They prefer female virgins, mostly human. Beatrice is kept close to Feltor in a movable cage.
One last thing: Magic or sorcery is practiced here and it seems to actually work. There are two sorcerers in the area, Moonface who has a large, warty, cresent shaped head, and Lady Silver. The latter appears to be a young attractive silver haired woman in her twenties, her hair waves and gyrates like it has a life of its own.
The place of sacrifice is called Eloose. I have found a hollow in a carved tree where I'll return to hide and spy from. the tree has a large painted hand and snake protruding from its trunk.
lastly, I have followed our usual practice and deposited hundreds of flagons of beer around the area for the enemy to drink and to lessen their effectiveness.
End of report.
(Unfortunately Pierre was discovered by beastmen.he kept them at bay for an extended time with his pistol until he ran out of ammunition and was then ripped to pieces).
LORD FELTOR
A blonde woman dressed in rags had begun her report.
Lord Feltor rubbed his hands with glee. 'More sacrifices for the blood gods!' His minions cackled and their lord grinned.
'Send the Bloodletters into concealed positions ready to pounce on the advancing enemy'. The beastman nodded and ran to do his lord's command.
Ugly Mugly slavered over the girl's cage. he was bending over and leering at the girl who whimpered as her dress, already wet from a drizzle became wetter from the giant's saliva.
'Come way from there. I want her pure for sacrifice'.
Reluctantly the giant pulled away from the 'pretty toy'.
'You are to hide yourself behind the tallest trees by the road. Tomorrow you will have new toys to play with!'
'Goody. Thank you master!' Ugly mugly grinned idiotically and stomped off into the growing darkness.
Lord Felton's witch spy, Freydon watched the giant leave and then continued her report to the overlord. 'The duchess rides in a motor with her general. Her army has come euqipped with deadly weapons that kill from a distance.
'It will do them little good and the Duchess will be a special target for my Bloodletters', replied Lord Feltor.
BEATRICE'S STORY
They had come in the dark. She had smelt rather than seen them. Some of them smelt like wet dogs that had not been bathed for a long time. Others had a metallic and oily smell.
Before she could scream she had somehow been stunned into unconsciousness. She was asleep for days only to awake to a nightmare.
Beatrice was inside a small metal cage and she was surrounded by the creatures. She adjusted her seating position and pulled the hem of her nightdress down over her ankles.
Some of the more bestial creatures were publicly mating! Beatrice began to fear the unthinkable - rape - and by such horrors!
The disgusting giant had repeatedly leaned over her cage and dribbled on to her whilst grinning his idiotic leer.
But it was the demonic looking boss creature which scared her the most. Although he was nowhere as big as the giant he was as twice as tall as the tallest man. He was red skinned and the skin shone with sweat. His skeletal looking face had high cheek bones and massive chin..
It approached her cage and bent towards her.
'None will touch you before the sacrifice', his voice trickled like warm honey.
Beatrice stared into the bright yellow hypnotic eyes but she resisted his power.
'You are honored to be the virgin sacrifice to our Chaos gods'.
'Sacrifice?' The word echoed in her skull. The Chaos Lord released the latch of the cage.and Beatrice ran. A nearby forest she sought as her refuge but she might as well have been a chicken trying to escape in someone's yard. Within minutes a large clammy hand clasped her wrist and Lord Felton once again controlled his victim. She was dragged, screaming, through the woods and back past the cage and to a grey stone shrine. A spiral staircase led up to a platform which had a central opening.
'This is where you fulfill your destiny.' Atop the platform now, Beatrice looked down to see a bubbling pit of a boiling, viscous red liquid.
JEREMY POTTLE
Private Jeremy Pottle was on the open top deck of the double decker omnibus. it was one of two military transports that had arrived by the strange dirt road which had now become white marble. He held his bolt action rifle, whilst resting its butt on the floor.
He was a member of the elite Duchess's Voltigeurs. A less esteemed voltigeur regiment road in the other omnibus. His uniform was parrot green and he wore a two cornered peakless cap with light blue trousers. The other voltigeurs were dressed in various shades of blue. All of his regiment were crack shots.
As they moved down the road there suddenly appeared, from the air, a large flying rock. It hit his omnibus bonnet and the vehicle trembled and lurched. Pottle grabbed a hand rail firmly in his left fist. He looked over the top of the bus and saw that the front of the omnibus was severrly dinted and steam shot from under the bonnet. Then he saw the distant source of the missile - a grey cliff was home to a stone tower and a weapon of some sort - a catapult. But that was not the end of Jeremy Pottle's troubles.
Some enormous creatures were charging them! One towered as high as the bus and the others reached the top of the first level; they had the heads of bulls and the bodies of men - minotaurs. The latter bashed the vehicles with huge clubs and axes whilst the giant pounded with his fists.
Those, like himself, in position to do so, fired off some shots at the creatures. they roared in pain but continued their rampage.
The soldiers stumbled around the shaking bus and sought the rear spiral staircase exits. Like the others, Pottle stumbled out of the ominibuses but some remained behind,dead from the direct hit of huge fists and weapons or dead from concussion. As he fell on the ground Pottle was faced with a new horror.
The other voltiguer regiment was already being attacked. Pottle saw one of them sliced open from gut to neck,his entrails spilling in the dust. Part of the man's white havelock covered his face. Blood flowed freely onto his white trousers.
The enemy, this time, were red devil men! They slashed with large axes, swords and halberds. then another wave attacked but these ones had purple or black leathery bat-like wings. As hey dropped upon his fellow soldiers he saw his officer cut down by a halberd. With the rest he ran, clear of the monstrosities.
Fortunately the Gerolstien Guards and the Gatling gun were a new line of defence to fall back on. Once they had a clear field of fire they opened up with volley after volley. A large troll fell to the ground. the giant was next. The ground trembled when he fell.
The devils were harder to kill and they attacked our red coated bear skin hatted guards. Even our best had trouble against those furies. They were being pushed back and many of them fell to the blood soaked ground.
Day 8
The Hermans and Crussians generously allowed us the use of their trains to transport our men, vehicles and weapons. Today we are crossing into the unknown lands. the landscape is dotted with marsh and strangely twisted trees. We have yet to see signs of sentient life but a few small creatures unknown to science have been spotted in the undergrowth.
Day 9
Today we have reached habitation, a village populated by humans wearing rags. One woman defied modesty by revealing her thighs.
Most of the few inhabitants look at us with slight interest but the life is drained from them. One would think that they would welcome us as liberators.
One of the inhabitants actually resembles an ape, in fact it is an ape but it mumbles something like words.
Only the scantily clad woman has signs of vitality, although those signs be most scandalous. One moment she was publicly breast feeding a dirty infant. Then she put down the boy and looked directly at me and leered! All the while she hitched her already thigh length rags to her waist. Admittedly, scrub off the dirt and put her in an evening gown and she could be splendid, unlike the other denizens who were hideously ugly. The village, we later learned, was called Elas. As I meditated on this the young woman suddenly poked out an exceptionally long tongue; it was forked, whether by birth or mutilation I did not know. For science's sake I ordered my photographer to take some photos of the inhabitants, including the strange ape and especially the wanton woman.
Then I noticed a tower in the far distance. Upon it was mounted a catapult manned by some strange pink figures. Were they men? In the mid-distance, behind some forest I could see the pinnacle of a weird shrine or temple; I could make out the top of large dragon-like sculptures and an apparently metal platform which reflected the sun.
My attention was drawn back to the weird but beautiful woman as her baby turned its face towards me. Although it was the size of a newborn it had a full head of hair; it even had hair sprouting from its ears and the face... resembled that of an ape!
Then the two of them vanished, not just behind a hut or a bush - they just became a waft of blue vapor!
REPORT: PIERRE HASTRON, GEROLSTEIN CHIEF OF SPIES AND SCOUTS.
I have been in the area for two days dressed as a peasant. Blending in with these people is not easy as many of them are scarcely human. In the village of Elas most of the inhabitants appear to be human but elsewhere this is not the case. One variety I shall call mutants and they have distorted human form and grey, purple or blue skin. The most strange ones have heads resembling hammerhead sharks with horrible dead fish eyes a each end of the 'hammer'. Another variety is bright pink with prominent veins and a single large eye in each of their bald heads. most of the mutants have the strength of men but subhuman intelligence.
Another sentient species has mostly hairless green skin and a slightly simian face. They are stronger than humans and in some cases much stronger. I'll call them orcs for they closely resemble those creatures we once thought exclusively the work of myth and fiction. Most of them wear leather and chain mail with a few having plate armor. They carry swords, axes and spears and some have bows. Another greenskin type with long pointy noses appear smarter than orks but much weaker. They frequently are armed with short bows or crossbows.
Beastmen have human shapes except for the heads, feet and tails of beasts, usually bulls or pigs. They are stronger than humans and prone to fighting each other.
Resembling a very large beastman is the minotaur, ranging from seven feet to ten feet tall and possessing immense strength.
Another large semi sentient creature is the troll. They are basically humanoid and about thirteen feet in height. Like the giant they are quite stupid but strong.
Chaos warriors wear plate armor and are exceptional warriors. They are about seven feet in height and apparently human but with various distortions in face and body.
Red skinned creature known as Bloodletters have the appearance of demons with horns, pointy ears and sharp teeth. They look very alert and fast. One variety has purple or black wings.
There is a giant here known as the Ugly Mugly. He is about twenty feet tall, freakishly muscled and with the face of an imbecile. With his enormous muscles he could smash a modern light and perhaps even a heavy vehicle to bits.
The overlord is called Feltor and he resembles a larger Bloodletter, that is he has the classic fairytale appearance of a red skinned devil. His height is about twelve feet.he has a horned helmet. The other creatures shake with fear in his presence.
The intention of this overlord is to sacrifice Beatrice to the Chaos gods. The locality of this altar is not far north of Elas ,next to a small forest. Tomorrow is the beginning of the sacrificial season when the gods accept offerings. They prefer female virgins, mostly human. Beatrice is kept close to Feltor in a movable cage.
One last thing: Magic or sorcery is practiced here and it seems to actually work. There are two sorcerers in the area, Moonface who has a large, warty, cresent shaped head, and Lady Silver. The latter appears to be a young attractive silver haired woman in her twenties, her hair waves and gyrates like it has a life of its own.
The place of sacrifice is called Eloose. I have found a hollow in a carved tree where I'll return to hide and spy from. the tree has a large painted hand and snake protruding from its trunk.
lastly, I have followed our usual practice and deposited hundreds of flagons of beer around the area for the enemy to drink and to lessen their effectiveness.
End of report.
(Unfortunately Pierre was discovered by beastmen.he kept them at bay for an extended time with his pistol until he ran out of ammunition and was then ripped to pieces).
LORD FELTOR
A blonde woman dressed in rags had begun her report.
Lord Feltor rubbed his hands with glee. 'More sacrifices for the blood gods!' His minions cackled and their lord grinned.
'Send the Bloodletters into concealed positions ready to pounce on the advancing enemy'. The beastman nodded and ran to do his lord's command.
Ugly Mugly slavered over the girl's cage. he was bending over and leering at the girl who whimpered as her dress, already wet from a drizzle became wetter from the giant's saliva.
'Come way from there. I want her pure for sacrifice'.
Reluctantly the giant pulled away from the 'pretty toy'.
'You are to hide yourself behind the tallest trees by the road. Tomorrow you will have new toys to play with!'
'Goody. Thank you master!' Ugly mugly grinned idiotically and stomped off into the growing darkness.
Lord Felton's witch spy, Freydon watched the giant leave and then continued her report to the overlord. 'The duchess rides in a motor with her general. Her army has come euqipped with deadly weapons that kill from a distance.
'It will do them little good and the Duchess will be a special target for my Bloodletters', replied Lord Feltor.
BEATRICE'S STORY
They had come in the dark. She had smelt rather than seen them. Some of them smelt like wet dogs that had not been bathed for a long time. Others had a metallic and oily smell.
Before she could scream she had somehow been stunned into unconsciousness. She was asleep for days only to awake to a nightmare.
Beatrice was inside a small metal cage and she was surrounded by the creatures. She adjusted her seating position and pulled the hem of her nightdress down over her ankles.
Some of the more bestial creatures were publicly mating! Beatrice began to fear the unthinkable - rape - and by such horrors!
The disgusting giant had repeatedly leaned over her cage and dribbled on to her whilst grinning his idiotic leer.
But it was the demonic looking boss creature which scared her the most. Although he was nowhere as big as the giant he was as twice as tall as the tallest man. He was red skinned and the skin shone with sweat. His skeletal looking face had high cheek bones and massive chin..
It approached her cage and bent towards her.
'None will touch you before the sacrifice', his voice trickled like warm honey.
Beatrice stared into the bright yellow hypnotic eyes but she resisted his power.
'You are honored to be the virgin sacrifice to our Chaos gods'.
'Sacrifice?' The word echoed in her skull. The Chaos Lord released the latch of the cage.and Beatrice ran. A nearby forest she sought as her refuge but she might as well have been a chicken trying to escape in someone's yard. Within minutes a large clammy hand clasped her wrist and Lord Felton once again controlled his victim. She was dragged, screaming, through the woods and back past the cage and to a grey stone shrine. A spiral staircase led up to a platform which had a central opening.
'This is where you fulfill your destiny.' Atop the platform now, Beatrice looked down to see a bubbling pit of a boiling, viscous red liquid.
JEREMY POTTLE
Private Jeremy Pottle was on the open top deck of the double decker omnibus. it was one of two military transports that had arrived by the strange dirt road which had now become white marble. He held his bolt action rifle, whilst resting its butt on the floor.
He was a member of the elite Duchess's Voltigeurs. A less esteemed voltigeur regiment road in the other omnibus. His uniform was parrot green and he wore a two cornered peakless cap with light blue trousers. The other voltigeurs were dressed in various shades of blue. All of his regiment were crack shots.
As they moved down the road there suddenly appeared, from the air, a large flying rock. It hit his omnibus bonnet and the vehicle trembled and lurched. Pottle grabbed a hand rail firmly in his left fist. He looked over the top of the bus and saw that the front of the omnibus was severrly dinted and steam shot from under the bonnet. Then he saw the distant source of the missile - a grey cliff was home to a stone tower and a weapon of some sort - a catapult. But that was not the end of Jeremy Pottle's troubles.
Some enormous creatures were charging them! One towered as high as the bus and the others reached the top of the first level; they had the heads of bulls and the bodies of men - minotaurs. The latter bashed the vehicles with huge clubs and axes whilst the giant pounded with his fists.
Those, like himself, in position to do so, fired off some shots at the creatures. they roared in pain but continued their rampage.
The soldiers stumbled around the shaking bus and sought the rear spiral staircase exits. Like the others, Pottle stumbled out of the ominibuses but some remained behind,dead from the direct hit of huge fists and weapons or dead from concussion. As he fell on the ground Pottle was faced with a new horror.
The other voltiguer regiment was already being attacked. Pottle saw one of them sliced open from gut to neck,his entrails spilling in the dust. Part of the man's white havelock covered his face. Blood flowed freely onto his white trousers.
The enemy, this time, were red devil men! They slashed with large axes, swords and halberds. then another wave attacked but these ones had purple or black leathery bat-like wings. As hey dropped upon his fellow soldiers he saw his officer cut down by a halberd. With the rest he ran, clear of the monstrosities.
Fortunately the Gerolstien Guards and the Gatling gun were a new line of defence to fall back on. Once they had a clear field of fire they opened up with volley after volley. A large troll fell to the ground. the giant was next. The ground trembled when he fell.
The devils were harder to kill and they attacked our red coated bear skin hatted guards. Even our best had trouble against those furies. They were being pushed back and many of them fell to the blood soaked ground.
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