Kislev
By Niels Arne Dam, Tim Eccles, and Alfred Nuñez Jr.
Additional
Material developed by John Foody, Ryan Wileman, and Talabheim Project Team
With due diligence, the
scholars of the Collegium Historica have been compiling a comprehensive tome
which describes the events surrounding the Great War against Chaos, its
antecedents and aftermath. This great
effort remains a work in progress, but a sampling is submitted here to provide
a sort of overview to this most important period in Imperial history.
In this submission, we
will take a look at the events from the soldiers’ point of view. Given the lack of writing skills prevalent
among the average Imperial and Kislevite citizen, the sources used here are
very rare indeed. Still, these excerpts
provide an interesting insight of the times that are generally overlooked by
scholars of lesser stature.
We cite four sources in
this endeavour: Boyar Volkh Staverovich from the Kislev area; Cregnor Hardhelm, a Dwarf captain of the Red
Talons mercenary band; Holger Schmidt, a member of a Middenheim detachment of
archers; and Nobert Flesicher, a volunteer from the Reikland who ran messages
between the various unit leaders.
Volkh, 25 Kaldezeit
2302:
A contingent of
Dwarfs from Karaz-a-Karak arrived today on their way to Praag. When told that the great city of the north
was under siege with little hope of relief, the Dwarfs bowed their heads in
silence. Their leader then proclaimed
that the Dwarfs will stand with the Kislevites to battle the Great Enemy. The Dwarfs begin work on strengthening the
defences of Kislev.
Volkh, 12 Ulriczeit
2302:
No word has
reached us since Tsar Alexis sent an appeal to the soft-living Imperials to the
west. Where is their great army? Why have they not appeared to help us? We assume that the siege of Praag continues
apace. The rumour that circulates is
that the Chaos horde is toying with the people of Praag, stretching out their
inevitable doom. The generals have
stopped sending riders out as they no longer return. Meanwhile, we continue to store provisions, but we are exhausted
from the wait. Things are looking bleak
indeed.
Volkh, 18 Ulriczeit
2302:
A carrier pigeon
arrived yesterday bearing news that the Imperial army had left Talabheim a week
or so ago. Perhaps this Magnus, who
leads that army, is the great man many are claiming him to be.
Nobert, 18 Ulriczeit
2302:
Arrived in
Wurzen today with a newly-arrived Reiklander contingent to join the army of the
glorious and Sigmar-blessed Baron Magnus von Bildhofen, known as “the
Pious.” I’ve spotted his magnificence
from afar and noted that he was dressed as a warrior-priest of Sigmar. The host he leads must be the largest ever
assembled in the whole world. There are
hundreds of banners fluttering in the wind, of all colours and heraldic
devices. There are also a great deal of
cannon. I doubt not that the minions of
Chaos will be swept away by the power of the Empire.
Holger, 18 Ulriczeit 2302:
Some Ostlander
Knights have arrived to join the foot soldiers and cannons to push their way
through the snow along the road that follows the River Talabec to the
Urskoy. Weeks ago, von Bildhofen has
sent his fastest, and best, troops to Praag to relieve the siege there. The restof us are to join the Kislevite
troops that the Tsar is mustering for the push north.
Cregnor, 19
Ulriczeit 2303:
The Red Talons
have now been assigned to march on the northern flank of Magnus’ great Imperial
army. We had been guarding the baggage
train until Grak ate two halfling cooks who did not have the wit or foresight
to ensure they had enough provisions to feed a bloody Ogre. We kept Grak from being blamed for the
incident by claiming that we beat back a Beastman raiding party after they ate
the two halflings in question. The
troops are grumbling about the cold weather.
Bah! I’ve been through worse
when I was serving a term out of Karak Kadrin.
Cregnor, 28
Ulriczeit 2303:
Last night we
were attacked while on sentry duty by Beastmen. Lars was impaled by a spear before he could let out a warning cry
and Otto took a grievous wound in the gut.
We couldn’t help him with a quicker death as we were too busy beating
back the raiders. The Chaos beasties
broke and ran after Grak impaled several on a pike. The Ogre then proceeded to eat his victims. I’m not sure what is worse: hearing the
Beastmen wail as Grak eats them alive (though dying) or his smacking his Ogrish
lips after eating each Beastman. Small
wonder he developed a stomach ache soon after.
Nobert,
28 Ulriczeit 2302:
Rumours
circulated around the camp that another probing assault was repulsed by Magnus’
elite sentries during the night. Why do
they continue this folly? Perhaps it’s
fear that drives them.
Holger,
Mondstille 2302:
As we get closer
to Kislev, the more things are out of a place.
A sudden hot wind blew out of the north and started to melt the
snow. This will make the going more
treacherous. I’ve never seen the like
before.
Volkh, Mondstille
2302:
A fiercely hot
wind blasts Kislev from the direction of Praag. A wizard manning the walls burst into flames and died. With a heavy heart and great anger we knew that the brave city of Praag has
fallen to the invaders from the northern Wastes this day. We will not allow this affront to go
unavenged.
Nobert, 10
Vorhexen 2302:
Each day, the
weather becomes unseasonably balmy. The
roads have turned into mud from the sudden snowmelt and the going is slow. We continue as we are reminded each day that
Chaos will never rest until we and our kin are all enslaved and sacrificed to
the Dark Powers. Outriders returned
from the east. Their look was grim and
they were hurried to Magnus’ pavilion.
They met for an hour before Magnus called his captains for a
meeting. Imperial Guard cordoned off
the area so the leaders could meet in peace.
Cregnor, 10
Vorhexen 2302:
Captains, such
as myself, were summoned to Magnus’ large tent after he met with this close
advisors. We were told that we would
arrive in the vicinity of Kislev in three days. Magnus cautioned us that the forces arrayed against us were
formidable and their numbers endless.
Nothing like a good bit of cheer to pick us up. If I had my doubts before, I am certainly
happy now that I signed a couple of Slayers for this job.
Holger, 10
Vorhexen 2302:
Our sergeant
told us to keep on our toes from this point out. The enemy is within a few days march. More than likely, they’ll have patrols looking to snipe at the
fringes of the army.
Volkh, 12 Vorhexen
2302:
The host of the
Great Enemy appears before the gates of Kislev. Their numbers are endless.
No matter. By the wills of
Olric, Taal, and Rhya, we will see this fight to the bitter end. After they sacrificed some of their captives
in a brutal ritual to the Dark Powers (some of the men had to empty their
stomachs of bile), the horde pounded our gates hard. The Dwarf ballistae are killing a large number of the enemy, but this
is nothing more than an irritant to the besiegers.
Holger, 13 Vorhexen
2302:
By Ulric, the
numbers of Chaos minions is beyond all reckoning. Several of my company emptied their bladders at the sight of the
horde. I fear that many of us will not
survive the upcoming battle. I go now
to form up with my company.
Nobert, 13 Vorhexen
2302:
Magnus the
Glorious, chosen of Sigmar, gave us a rousing speech this morning. He then sent his captains forward to deploy
their troops. Thanks be to Sigmar that
the horde seems unaware of our presence.
We need every advantage we can get.
Cregnor, 13 Vorhexen
2302:
It’s a good day
to die.
Volkh, 13 Vorhexen
2302:
The sounds of
horns can be heard in the west. We turn
to look and see the charge of the Imperial army. While its numbers are great, they still pale against the Chaos
servants who they strive against. The
initial impact is great as the Imperial army falls upon the Chaos rear. The enemy seems to be routing before they
are brought around by their leaders. A
great shout at the north gate greets its opening as Dwarfs and the Kislevite
army rush out to take advantage of the Imperial attack. I put this journal down and join the attack.
Nobert, 14 Vorhexen
2302:
I am one of the
lucky ones to have survived the harrowing battle that took place yesterday. We attacked the foul creatures in their
rear, slaughtering many while dispersing their number. These rabble seemed lost until their
terrible leaders made their way to take command of the situation. Soon, the tables were turned on us and we
fought for our lives and that of our fellows.
It was then that
the great gates of Kislev opened up so that the Dwarfs and Kislevites within
could open another front. Their impetus
was quickly spent and they began a fighting withdraw whilst we were surrounded. Magnificent Magnus, the avatar of Sigmar as
surely as I fought that day, fought against the mighty leader of the Chaos
horde in single combat. The battle
seemed to last all day.
As the battle
turned against us, the knights that Magnus sent to Praag arrived unexpectedly
from the north with Kislevite cavalry.
They charged hard onto the rear of the Chaos horde as the thrice blessed
Magnus beheaded the Champion of Chaos.
This proved too much for the invaders from the Wastes and they
broke. A mighty cheer arose as the
battle was won.
The cost was
great.
Holger, 14 Vorhexen
2302:
I survived the
battle. The nightmares have begun.
Vokh, 14 Vorhexen
2302:
On bended knees,
I gave thanks to all the gods: Olric, Taal, and Rhya for this deliverance. So many have died for our beloved
motherland.
Cregnor, 14 Vorhexen
2302:
The Slayers gave
a good account of themselves before they fell to the Minotaurs. They were avenged by Grak who seemed rather
pleased that the sides of Minotaurs might last him a couple of days of
feasting. I think the Red Talons will
stay away from the Ogre until his “feast” is over. I wouldn’t want any “accidents” to occur.
While others are
proclaiming this day a great victory, they don’t realise that a lot of Chaos
beasties got away. Someone’s going to
have to go after this creatures and exterminate them. I have a bad feeling about this…
With the
departure of Chaos, it seems that winter is returning to Kislev.
Cregnor, 21 Vorhexen
2302:
While the
celebration continues in Kislev, we are given our orders. The Red Talons will join the hunt in Spring
to eradicate the elements of the Chaos horde that fled the Battle of Kislev and
still plague the land. We will be sent
to the Translynsk region around Grovod Forest.
Grak is looking forward to new delicacies, but he’ll have to wait a
month or so.
The men of the
Empire are complaining about the cold Kislevite winter. One would think they were pansy Elves…