Second battle of Hex 29 - The Undead Are Defeated!

  The second battle for hex 29 went differently from last battle but some things were similar. For example, the rain did not abate but got worse for the first half of the battle; this was bad news for musketry; in fact, only half of the muskets could fire so they were even more handicapped than previously. Cannon fire was, in theory, also less accurate but the Beersteiner gunners managed to keep the powder dry and did much damage to the enemy.

  Another difference was the Necrolians had two catapults, but they were totally ineffectual.

Both commanders, Necrolian necromancer lord, Doctor Oliander Homheim and Beerstein general, Alle Ansberg, continued their customary caution. Neither ordered forward movement of troops for four moves. Then Homheim ordered the advance of his army and General Ansberg also ordered an aggressive attack on the Necrolian right flank.       

  GENERAL ANSBERG'S JOURNAL ENTRY

In the year 1744 AC*

It is only two days since we left Village Angelin to intercept the Necrolian invaders. Yet yesterday we fought a second battle. Our tower, on that sector of frontier was well protected with moat, two cannons and the Second Infantry. (The latter are distinguished by their tall cylindrical peaked hats, an affectation of Colonel Pumice but one which might gain popularity). Also present, in the tower had been Archbishop Valter and the hero, Ferdinand Egon Kleiser. In the first battle we lost the sorceress who was killed by a misspell. I anguished about how we would cope without her magic, but the priests and gunpowder have stood us un good stead.

  Our relief force included the First Beerstein Infantry, the Third Grenadiers, The First Cuirassiers, the First Crusader cavalry and three cannons. Also present were the priest Julius and the hero Ferdinand Sourkrout. Both heroes were equipped with magical swords that doubled their attacks. They also carried the new wheellock pistols which, I understand, they completely neglected to use, instead trusting in their enchanted blades.

 All our infantry were equipped with the new flintlock muskets and the cuirassiers with flintlock carbines. These were, thankfully, more resistant to rain than the previously used matchlocks. Even so, firepower was halved when the heavens broke forth a deluge.

  I always ensure my troops are well supplied but kept our supply wagons well out of reach of the diabolical enemy. I also positioned myself from a suitable vantage point to see the battlefield from a distance. From here I could send messengers with the appropriate orders. Every now and then wave my war axe to give confidence and signals to the troops.

  Our two clerics and two heroes were placed among the infantry in front of the tower,

  I do not believe in hasty battlefield actions. As it turned out, my Undead enemy also was cautious, initially not advancing from in front of the forest. In the first battle we had both taken our time advancing. This second battle I planned a cavalry charge to chop off the head of the viper, but I first wanted my troops to try out their new flintlocks. Four volleys were sent into the horrors before them. With my own eyes I saw some of these bony warriors rise again and even for their decapitated heads to reattach themselves to their bodies. Yet, my men completely destroyed the Undead cavalry and reduced the columns of skeleton soldiers.

  The Necromancer lord, Doctor Oliander Homheim and a lesser necromancer, Doctor Osiosdeter, had used black magic to reanimate their dead warriors. Homheim also attacked my line of troops with a bright vortex. Fortunately, the priest, Julius, nullified much of its effect, so casualties were minimized before the vortex floated harmlessly away from my men and suddenly vanished.  The evil Necromancer lord also raised gibbering, moaning, ranks of zombies right in front of my soldiers. Most of these creatures were mown down by the musketry. The Second Infantry, after fighting off one lot of zombies then had to deal with another coming up on its flank. My stalwart men turned and fixed the new weapon - bayonets. The zombies charged but merely skewered themselves on the long, sharp blades. 

   Then the skeleton warriors advanced but I implemented my own plan; The crusaders and cuirassiers charged straight at Homheim. He used one last spell and my lovely cuirassiers in their shining breast plate, red coats and smart black tricorns were targeted with an aging hex. Within minutes young men of twenty years were fifty and then eighty years old, their horses also sagged in loose skin. Finally, they aged beyond the capacity for sinew and bones to support their skin and vitals. Eyes sunk into bony sockets or popped right out and skin began to drop from bones. My poor warriors groaned and screeched before falling in a heap with their miserable dead, leathery nags.

  Another disaster was on our right flank as two units of skeleton warriors charged our artillery. The gunners limbered up, but one crew was caught. One gunner died and the others fled.

But the crusaders, even as they glanced at the dead, were undeterred, but in fact heightened in their stern resolve. Homheim no longer had a shield of skeleton horsemen to his right. Nevertheless, the villain fought for far longer than expected before being brought down by sword and hoof. Imposing in his exceptional height, sinister robes and glowing eyes set in a bony face, he even killed one of the crusaders.

  I knew my strategy was correct when scores of undead began to fall doubly dead! Without their general they could not long survive. The other necromancer must have taken over control for the creatures renewed suddenly their attacks. The First Infantry, positioned in front of the tower were pushed back and into the moat. The priest, Julius and the hero, Ferdinand were caught in the scrum and also ended up in the moat. Julius's heavy robe and Ferdinand's plate armor pulled them down below the icy water. Ferdinand was still swinging his magic blade at the wight king, even as he was sinking, but to no avail. The last trooper to perish was the standard bearer, Conrad Lorenz, who brandished his sword in one hand and the flag in the other.

  Fortunately, we were able to extract Julius and Ferdinand and Archbishop Valter has used his renown healing powers on them. They are still unconscious but alive, just.

  Then the new Undead leader called it a day and tried to retreat - in vain. My gallant crusaders were now positioned in the initial deployment lines of the enemy. Nevertheless, the wight king escaped back through the forest, as did a skeleton crew with its catapult. the other catapult we captured. Fortunately, our own artillery pieces are intact.

That left me with the now surrounded zombies and the necromancer and still barely 'alive' necromancer lord captive. I wondered if I could turn these wizards. My crusaders would have been appalled by the thought. But if I could use them, why should I care about religious niceties? No, I could not look at their wretched ugly faces or hear their creaky voices and they were sure to be treacherous.

  I ordered that the now aimless zombies and the few remaining skeleton warriors be shot down. Stakes were erected for the necromancers. The archbishop prayed for their souls. It was thought they had once been fully alive and human, doctors or alchemists, I believe. Now their souls were given the mercy of the cleansing flames. The rest of the Undead were carefully placed in a pit, covered in tar and set alight. I'll never forget that stench.

  The tower is now to be known as Tower Lorenz.

          

                  BELOW: Beersteiner firing line comes under attack.

Summoned zombies attack the Second Beersteiner Infantry. They are all double killed.

Necrolian skeleton cavalry are shot to pieces by the Beersteiners.

The Beersteiner battle line

           Julius, the priest, apparently drowned, is investigated by some curious ducks.

  The Crusaders, fresh from killing the nceromancr lord prepare to charge some zombies.

                                                The necromancer lord, prior to his demise.

 In the middle ground the white king leads the few remaining skeleton spear welders after they wiped out the First Beersteiner Infantry. In the background is a zombie unit. In the foreground are the grenadiers and archbishop.

                                               Earlier in the battle, the two enemies face off.

Below: the cuirassiers withered and died.

Conrad Lorenz dies with the flag as the wight kin swings his crooked sword.

Julius the priest and Ferdinand, the hero sink beneath the moat's surface,

Archbishop Valter causes undead to crumble.

A CRUSADER'S STORY - SIEGUMUND FREUDRICH - on the day of the second battle

Today we covered ourselves in glory. It was a good thing because previously we did not even get into battle. General Ansberg is in no hurry to force a battle opportunity to battle. I should say, quietly, that he is personally also in no hurry to get anywhere near the battleline. he also is rather slow to outwit the enemy - except for today.

  The foul enemy were lined up in from of the forest and our forces were concentrated on one half of the battlefield.  The cavalry was positioned to exploit the diminished rank of enemy skeleton warriors. Our redcoat infantry and grenadiers, supported by artillery did that. beside us crusaders we saw, with our own eyes, the red coated cuirassiers wither and die from an aging hex. We felt pity for our comrades and shock but also anger and hatred as we charged the necromancer lord. Our war horses were timid, for a change. and tried to hold back but we urged them forward. The enemy wizard general was towering his head higher than our mounts. He did not get a chance to use any more of his evil magic, but he swung his sword and killed poor Arnold Swingertooth. We competed to get close enough to skewer the wretched and animated thing before us. He had the shape of a man, but his face was virtually bare bone and demonic blue light shone from his eye sockets. At last he fell. we detected slight movements of his limbs. General Ansberg had ordered his capture if possible so we carried the foul smelling thing to him. it was relief that we were ordered to tie him to a stake.

PERCENTAGE DICE

We use percentage dice when we want to work out the chance of a leader doing certain things. if he is especially bold or cautious this comes into play. It can also be used to determine what he does with captives. Ansberg had a low kindness percentage and also a low religiosity. But given the nature of the Undead we also factored that in to work out what he did with captives. No-one is kind to zombies and necromancers.

NEXT GAME

The Undead front is placed on hold. When we do our next map moves there might or might not be another battle on that front. meanwhile a massive battle is to take place between Fezians and Aztecs late next week.