Dark diplomacy and crumbling allegiences

Countess Lena Dragovicz

 “Such fine artifacts you have there, little elf” the countess said, examining the objects on the table. These belonged to the High Elven Archmage Aritlith, who himself sat chained to the cellar floor. “Hands off them, witch!” the elf shouted. Lena Dragovicz turned and smiled at him. Suddenly he felt a searing around his wrists, that burned like fire. The chains had turned an orange hue, and had become burning hot, at the silent command of the vampire countess. “shush little elf” she said in the sweetest voice “I shall do whatever I please, in my own home”. The elf went silent, still sweating heavily from the pain from the magical chains. He had a feeling that his wrists would never fully heal, not even through his own elven magic. 

The countess went back to studying the Archmage's belongings on the table. There was a small elven knife, a blue gleaming crystal and a cloak, that shone with a dim white light. The countess picked up the crystal, and examined it closely. “An Annulian Crystal, yes? Dr. Oppenheimer did tell me, he had felt a disturbance in the winds of magic on the battlefield. Something slowly draining his power. So this is the source.” She stared fascinated into the blue crystal. “I look forward to trying out all of these things myself, once I have put you to sleep for good. Which by the way should be about any time now.” The Archmage sent the vampire a furious stare. None had ever humiliated him like this before, and if he could not get revenge himself, he was sure someone in his family would avenge him. “Then what are you waiting for, witch? Finish me off then – but know that your time is coming soon. I have powerful relations, and they will avenge me!” Countess Lena just smiled at him, and said in her soft voice “If it was up to me, you had been dead long ago, and I would have been drinking your blood from my cup. Fortunately for you, my brother wanted to strike a deal with your other commanders for your release. Your fate depends on the outcome of those negotiations.” “Which have now been concluded!”

The count, the countess and the Archmage

A dark voice rang out through the room. Both captive and captor stared into the darkness covering the entrance hallway, as they heard the sound of heavy foot steps emerging. “Ah, Alejandro you are here. May I slaughter the skinny pig now?” the countess asked hopefully. Out from the darkness stepped a massive figure. He was clad in a red plated armor, and by his side he carried a massive sword. He emanated power and a dark authority. “Today is your lucky day, Archmage. I just spoke to your lieutenant commander Cadaith, and he was willing to pull back his forces from the Silverload Mine in turn for your life. It seems you live to die another day.” The newly arrived count snapped his fingers, and the chains flung open, revealing Aritlith's heavily burned wrists. The count look from the wrists to the countess, who was still standing by the table “It would seem you have already had some quality time. You must have been in a good mood, Lena, you usually don't settle for the wrists of our guests?” “I didn't think this one would be able to handle any more pain, brother” She answered. “You are probably right. Anyway a winged Nightmare has been made ready for you, Archmage. It will take you home. And to my sister's displeasure you will be returning with all your belongings. For your information the City-state of Miladra and the High Elves under your command are now at a ceasefire, and I have sent a messenger to our Ally Count Magnus about this decision. I'm sure he will respect it.” The Archmage got to his feet rubbing his wrists, while not really knowing what to say. Countess Lena's face had turned dark at the note about not keeping the artifacts, but had kept silent. “Follow me then.” Count Alejandro said in his commanding voice, as he turned and walked back into the darkness, followed by the Archmage.

Grave News

Count Alejandro Dragovicz was mounting his Terrorgheist after having sent off the elf, when two messenger came thundering on skeletal steeds. One of them was the messenger Alejandro had just dispatched to Count Magnus. “What is the meaning of this?” The count demanded. “My lord, most unfortunate news. It would seem our ally Count Magnus and his forces have fled the Badlands” Count Alejandro froze. “What? Why?” anger rose in him. “His lands were invaded by an alliance of two human armies. Most of his forces were destroyed. He himself and most of the bloodline managed to escape and flee the region.” Dragovicz starred into the ground pondering the situation. This meant that the western border of Miladra was now also at risk, and that they were on their own. Not that Count Magnus had been the most reliable ally, he was a vampire after all, but none the less... He looked back at the messengers. “Anything else?” he asked in a voice that was even darker than usual. “No sir” the messenger replied silently, before they both left the count alone.

Alejandro Dragovicz climbed into the saddle of his Terrorgheist and took to the skies, towards his army. This turn of events could prove very dire for the City-State, he thought to himself. Perhaps it was time for something new. A new union of dark forces, something to combat all the pesky humans and high elves of the area...

The Defense of Grave Gold Mine

'The High Elves are closing in' Count Leonardo Dragovicz thought to himself. “Faster!” he roared at the marching minions. Hundreds of zombies and skeletons bound by his dark powers groaned and increased their speed marginally. Dr. Oppenheimer, a former philosopher of the Empire, joined Dragovicz at the head of the army. Oppenheimer had been employed by one of the colleges of magic in Middenheim, but had been frustrated with the general lack of competence and resources there. He had then traveled south to pledge his allegiance to the ruling family of Miladra, who were renown for their wealth and interest in the newest sciences. In Miladra he had also found support for his more exotic science projects, one of which were following the army into battle this day – the Mortis Engine.

“You called for me” the doctor said in his low snarling voice. “Ah yes. You are in good fortune today, doctor. The Grave Gold Mine we are marching against struck a good load a few weeks ago, and today you will be reaping the benefits. We have had this staff forged for you from the material of the mine, as a sign of out appreciation with your work on the Mortis Engine.” The Red Count handed over a staff to the necromancer. It had the bones of some winged creature at it's head, a spear-tip, and was exceptionally long. The necromancer seized the staff with greed in his eyes and fingers. “Thank you, my Lord” he coughed, before returning to the ranks of the army.

The armies met on top of the Grave Gold Mine, which was situated underground, with a single entrance through a Watchtower. The undead army, known as the Red Lance set up on the southern side, of the watchtower, and the High Elves deployed their forces to the north, mounting a single Bolt Thrower on a hill. Both generals new, that the army who could take and hold the Watchtower, would secure the entrance to the mine, and win the battle in spite of what else would happen.

The plan was simple. The doctors Oppenheimer and Schoppenhauer would take the Watchtower with a horde of zombies, and from there amass a shield of undead meat, impregnable to any enemy. The Red Count himself would lead his Black Knights into the thick of battle together with the Skeleton Warrior regiment known as the Red Pike, on the right flank. On the left flank a zombie horde would advance, joined by the Mortis Engine and a sinister Corpse Cart.

On the opposite side of the field a regiment of Lothern Seaguards, joined by an elven Mage, covered the right flank (opposite the zombie horde). The center was left open, with only the Bolt Thrower on a hill, and the main part of the elven infantry, composed by a regiment of Seaguards, Swordmasters and White Lions, joined by the army standard and the Archmage himself, took the left flank.

The undead hosts made the first move. The zombies hordes shambled forwards aiming for the Watchtower, while the Dire Wolves moved towards the center of the field, providing cover for the advancing Black Knights and Skeletons. Already on the march, the two necromantic scientists started raising the newly dead from the ground, making their regiment continuously grow in size on the march. A spell from the Vampire Lord himself rushed a dark power into the bodies of the zombies and necromancers, empowering them to march with unholy speed and reach the Watchtower.

Seeing the Watchtower infested with zombies, and the two necromancers mounted in the tower, the elves decided for a more defensive approach. The infantry locked up in a hard battle line and advanced slowly over the field. The bolt Thrower and Lothern Sea Guards let lose a volley of arrows, that fell some Dire Wolves and a single Black Knight. The two mages also unleashed their magic, inflicting some damage on the enclosing Mortis Engine.

Having taken the Watchtower, the undead forces turned towards the elven battle-line. A single cadaverous wolf charged the bolt thrower, killing on of the crewmen and causing the other to flee. This horrifying sight was enough for the first unit of Lothern Seaguards. They fled directly away from the carnage and away from the battle. The Black Knigts led by Count Leonardo Dragovicz then charged the White Lions, who were providing the bulk of the elven host. On the right flank, a spirit host had charged the Swordmaster regiment and tied these up.

In the ensuing combat between Lions and Knights, a dark voice rang out over the combatants. “Who of you puny elves dare face me?” Dragovicz challenged. The elven leaders exchanged glances. Although Aritlith was covered by a magical cloak that protected him from most attacks, he was not sure it would also fend off the vampire's mighty scythe. The Guardian of the White Lions then stepped forth. “I shall meet your challenge” he exclaimed with a stoical firmness. The Vampire Lord smiled to himself, and then charged the elf. Before the white lion could strike a single blow, he had been carved into 6 pieces by the vampires green glowing scythe. Meanwhile the Lions were felling many Black Knights with their great axes, suffering only a few wounds in return. The Red Count then turned towards the elven noble carrying the army Battle Standard. Dragovicz charged him, and made quick work of the elf, even killing a few nearby White Lions in his fury. This proved enough for the elves, even though they had almost reduced the Knights to scratch. They fled the carnage and was run down by the cavalry. Aritlith himself was seized by the vampire, who with a punch of his gauntlet-clad fist knocked the Archmage out, and threw him over the Vampires mount. Dragovicz then turned his mount, and charged the Swordmasters in their rear, killing the last few, while the Mortis Engine and zombie horde took care of the Lothern Seaguards on the other flank.

Following the battle loot from the dead elves provided material for a new magical standard for the Skeleton Warriors regiment, known as the Red Pike. Aritlith was taken to Lithrum castle for interrogation...

Spoils of the mine

After some digging the Grave Gold mine payed of  and provided materials for the crafting of a channeling staff for the necromantic scientist Dr. Oppenheimer, who is lending his support to Count Leonardo Dragovicz and the Red Lance.

Dr. Oppenheimer

Dr. Oppenheimer
Necromancer
Lv. 2 - Lore of Vampires, 
Channeling Staff (free)
Points: 100