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Post by Alphons Morgenstern "the Mad" on Jun 22, 2020 20:53:39 GMT -8
Riding inwards Alphons took a few moments to become conscious of the presence of the Elector between having half fallen asleep on his steed, him not having his spectacles on, and aged hearing there was no remedy for save a currently unused hearing-pipe. But when one of his men ran up and tapped him on the shoulder he straightened out and saluted Elric with his hand perpendicular to that of the typical salute; another symbol of the man's age from the era when a salute was simply a man raising the visor of his helmet.
"Yes, Sah!" he cried out, lowering his hand. "Three-hundred men for the royal cause, we will rout the bloody rebel bastards or die trying M'Lord. Morgenstern Kaiserlicht und Koniglicht Trupp at your service!"
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
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Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
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Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Aug 1, 2020 10:08:54 GMT -8
"Augendorf welcomes you," Elric replied. "And I will personally see that you and your men are well rewarded for their service." The Count was pleased that the veteran was so eager and confident. "We are making the final preparations today and will be moving out tomorrow. There may be room in the barracks for you and your men - or you may pitch camp outside the walls with the other volunteers. If there is anything else I can do to accommodate you further do not hesitate to ask."
Odo raised his stumped arm to his mouth as he cleared his throat. "M'lord, maybe it would be wise to invite your guest to the war room and allow him to comment on your plans. He is more experienced than you, after all..."
"Hm," Elric nodded approvingly. "Care to join me in the castle, Alphons?"
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Post by Alphons Morgenstern "the Mad" on Sept 1, 2020 20:05:47 GMT -8
"Thank you, Lord!" The old man hacked, coughing into a handkerchief before stowing it away in some recess of his armour. "We require no reward except the knowledge our duty is complete." At these words the men under the geezer's command made it abundantly clear they disagreed, but his hearing wasn't good enough for him to be made truly aware of this.
At the offer of rest and bedding for his men Alphons perked up, his back previously the shape of the last letter of the alphabet immediately righting itself straight. "That would be most excellent. They're young lads, full of enthusiasm but even they need a good rest you see." After a muttered exchange with one of the Officers amongst his troops, the warriors went marched a little further such that one of Elric's officers could guide them to the barracks.
Finally, when asked to join him in the castle the old man bowed as deep as he could on horseback. "I would be most honoured, m'Lord, as the song goes: 'We'll put the traitors all to rout, I'll bet my boots we'll whip them out!'"
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
======
Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
======
Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Oct 13, 2020 7:14:05 GMT -8
"Hmhm," Elric let out a laugh. "Well, let's hope you keep your boots." The Count began to take a route towards Augendorf's castle. Meanwhile Odo accompanied Alphons' motley band to their quarters.
The castle was quite large: a feat which was easy to accomplish thanks to the rich stone supply that was found throughout the mountains. The fortification was built long ago by early Vessian lords who sought to project their power in the north and rape the landscape of its resources. As it expanded into a city, and the lords became wealthy from trade, renovations converted a simple fort into a grand castle. Thus, depending on where one was, the architecture appeared practical and simple, or lavish and considered. Nevertheless, it was a bastion of strength, complemented by the mighty stone walls surrounding the city.
After passing through the gates and initial rooms, then through the main hall - which was adorned with a throne, artifacts, paintings of past rulers, and royal decor - the Count led Alphons and some guards into a large circular room. In the center was a map of the Bergland. There were various figurines placed in various locations on the map depicting the masses of forces which were gathering the region. Looking around the room Alphons would note the extensive library which the Augendorf Counts had collected.
"Before we begin," Elric began, sighing heavily and tiredly as he collapsed into a chair near the map table, "won't you tell me about a war story?"
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Post by Alphons Morgenstern "the Mad" on Oct 13, 2020 21:11:37 GMT -8
Alphons replied to Elric's laugh with one of his very own. "If I don't I'll nick 'em off a dead bugger. That's the way it is in this man's army oh yes." Alphons had been to the Castle a few times before when he was much younger, but it was no less impressive in his elderly years; what his lost ability to see detracted from was made up for by Imperial innovation in science, technology, and the arts as well as general increases in quality of life. Though the old man had served in the army of the Empire rather than the Electoral Army, he was nevertheless a patriot of his homeland as much as the Empire it was in and he beamed with pride at what the Bergland represented: the mountain born jewel of all Vessia.
As the party went through the interior of the Castle Alphons felt the weight of decades upon him be lifted as the great men in portraits and sculpture within bore the weight of centuries and perhaps millennia. He made sure to salute those immortalized figures that he recognized, and he bowed his head lightly to those that he didn't. As they entered the room the retired officer saw that there weren't other commanders about to discuss the future with, and he started to get an inkling as to why he in particular was here. At the request of Elric an eyebrow arose, and he stopped to think for a moment or two.
"Very well my Lord. I am sure I am here because of the many battles I won, but in this room? Let me regale you with how I lost one." He wasn't sure if he was understanding things in the senility he was well aware he had, but if he was then he felt it would be a good teaching moment.
"The battle of Rakoszi pass, I think most will call it. Funnily enough it was rather far from the actual Rakoszi pass, but it determined who held the territory. A horde of Eastern savages had amassed in Swavia and I was given command of a formidable force to crush them. Two regiments of Halberdiers clad from head to toe in full plate, a half regiment of Egyszer archers in half-plate and yet another of their horse archers with chain barding on their mounts, a regiment of Westerling pavise crossbows, a volunteer force of Knights from the Order of His Most Holy Burning Blade, and some mercenary Engineers with mangonels and onagers lobbing alchemical flame. Not the largest of forces but an impressive one nonetheless. We arrived to find the foe had overrun Rakoszi past and had marched past it to make sure they would not be bottlenecked there. We wanted to push them back through it and then secure the pass for ourselves, you know how it goes. Well, we got to the planning of our assault you see. I suggested we force-march our men upon the enemy wherein we would strike them whilst they were celebrating their victories and not yet expecting us, the weariness of our men and animals more than made up for in this hypothetical battle by the drunkenness and general unpreparedness of our foe. My fellow officers of course disagreed like the buggers they are. They suggested we send scouts ahead whilst maintaining an orderly march in an ordinary battle. I told them to shut up, and I crushed the enemy. That battle of Rakoszi pass? A decisive victory for the Divine Empire of Vessia. A less recorded battle soon followed it however, Thaddeus's folly. You see though we crushed the army we were ordered to crush, the foe had several small bands coming in to reinforce them upon hearing the warlord's prior victories. They came from all directions but the South-East, though we didn't know this for we had not scouted ahead. We could have escaped encirclement, but alas we were decimated. Thaddeus was not at fault of course, but he was a Sergeant-Major under my command and the only important officer to die... poor bastard's head was mounted on a spike."
The old man tried to continue speaking, but his mouth had already been failing him for two sentences. He made fleshy noises with his tongue as he tried to moisten his lips but both parties were equally dry. Alphons made a motion for water or some other refreshment, and upon receiving it he would exhale with satisfaction as if he wasn't recounting the gruesome death of his comrades. "We could have sent men ahead to scout while maintaining the aggressive force march. As an experienced man with clear goals in mind I should have stuck with my first principles and my gut feeling, but though I may reject the ultimate plans of my advisors I should still have listened to their wisdom, and perhaps I could have crushed the barbarian horde by virtue of my methodology without getting my army decimated in the process by virtue of theirs'." The previously milky and withered eyes of Alphons suddenly looked aquiline, alert — they were scanning Elric to see if the moral of the story had gotten to him or not.
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
======
Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
======
Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Oct 14, 2020 5:45:40 GMT -8
Halfway through the story the Count's aide, Odo, arrived. He propped himself up on a nearby beam separating two book cases and listened to Alphons' words. He was quick to fetch the man a refreshment when he needed one - but only a southern-made wine was available.
Elric may have heard of the Battle of Rakoszi Pass before, but never from Alphons. Hearing a first-hand account - and from the commander no less - was a treasure. At the conclusion Elric smiled and nodded: "it is your experience, my friend, that I value so much. You knew how to achieve victory, and you achieved it. And even after Thaddeus' Folly you acknowledged mistakes in hindsight. I'd dare say few commanders have this trait. Those who do... well, that's why they live as long as you do."
The Count turned his attention to the war table. "So allow me to explain the situation. My cousin, Reinhart, attempted to seize Augendorf from me. But on my return he and his supporters fled the city. They're holed up in Volksburg," Elric pointed to the southernmost fortress that guarded the entrance into the province. "This is where Reinhart was raised, so he certainly knows everything there is to know about it. We can expect him to be well-prepared, and he will not give it up without a fight.
"Also," Elric pointed out a specific figure on the map, also near Volksburg. Iosef Lange... Grandmaster of the Paladins of Saint Engels." He shook his and sighed. "The traitor has taken up with my cousin, and they will bolster the resolve of his men. They do not fear death; they're determined; they're experienced. I would rather take them alive and attempt to reinstitute them in the city but... only time will tell us their fate.
"And finally, Imperial Secessionists: more traitors. They're marching from the south and hope to reinforce Reinhart. If they do then they will outnumber us. Reinhart will leave the castle and the combined army will destroy us and take Augendorf. Even if we were expecting Imperial reinforcements Reinhart will have starved most of our citizens to death. Thus, I aim to march south and lay siege to Volksburg. I plan to leave a token force there overnight while the rest of our forces march further south and destroy the Secessionists. By the time Reinhart realizes the main force was absent it will be too late for him to retaliate. Then I can bring the full force of our army to bear on Volksburg, without worrying about traitors on our rear."
Elric leaned back in his chair and looked to Alphons. Do you approve of this strategy?"
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Post by Alphons Morgenstern "the Mad" on Oct 27, 2020 21:51:00 GMT -8
Though he learned a good lesson from his story, it seemed that Elric did not take the intended one. Well, the lad was young and had a harsh life Alphons supposed, he couldn't be too harsh on him. He'd have to show him what a war well waged looked like through a trial of fire as so many men like him had to experience.
The elderly man nodded, before taking a more comfortable seat to listen to Elric explain the situation, nodding every so often to indicate he was still paying his full attention.
It was a good plan that the Elector had and a creative one at that, but Alphons felt it was... somewhat ambitious. "My Lord, if I may?" he said after about a minute and a half of thought. "You shan't crush Volksburg so easily, I believe. However, you have an excellent idea when you go forth to destroy the enemy piece by piece striking the secessionists first. Here is what I propose." he stated, removing a small telescopic baton from a recess in his armour and gesturing on the map with it to illustrate his points. "At Volksburg you need not a token force but one consisting entirely of Engineers. They can raise simulacra of siege engines without wasting resources in the efforts of creating the real thing. They can create fake men and encampments out of wood and canvas and such. Perhaps some retired Witch Hunters in these lands could be enlisted to make sure that this falsehood is deceiving. The enemy will figure it out eventually, but when they realize what has happened they know they have been starved for information and as such hesitate to leave their entrenchments on a hunch buying us even further time. As you said the secessionists must be struck before they reinforce their allies, however." At this point Alphons bit his lip slightly. "I believe we should strike the Paladins. They are an elite force best destroyed before they can mobilize their full might. To know they are crushed will be also an irreversible strike upon the morale of the enemy. My Lord as it stands you will not beat your kin in an open battle. But strike at all the individual elements of his power, cut off all the heads of the hydra and then burn them with fire. When at least he is alone then you may take your birthright from the pretender."
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
======
Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
======
Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Oct 29, 2020 16:47:15 GMT -8
Elric listened with interest to 'the Mad' veteran's suggestion. He leaned back in his chair and softly rubbed his beard, which needed a good trim, contemplating the matter. Finally, he began to nod. "Yes... perhaps it is best to eradicate the Paladins before they become more of a problem." It pained him to say such a thing - but Alphons was right: destroying them now would fare better than letting them gather to full strength.
"I know where their chapter houses are located throughout the province," he continued. "We shall detach units along the way to annihilate the resistance." Elric then began to ponder another action - one much more symbolic. "Odo," Elric's man re-postured, "recruit learned men throughout the city to... to demolish the Paladin's local chapter house." The knightly refuge had been constructed of marble, which was a rare resource in the Bergland. "Store it within the keep o safeguard it; we shall construct something more worthy in the future."
Elric directed his attention back towards Alphons. "Let the Berglanders, Vessians, and all of the world know we will not tolerate treason. We will eliminate the traitors, and raze their legacy. Destruction and eradication will befall the Paladins, and the same punishment shall be dealt out to any who oppose the rightful Augendorf Electors.
The Count gave a single nod in Alphons' direction, as if he was seeking approval from the old man in front of his main man, Odo.
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Post by Alphons Morgenstern "the Mad" on Jan 3, 2021 20:42:20 GMT -8
The old man raised a finger at the words of the Count. "Once more, if I may, Lord? Do not demolish their structures. No doubt the Paladins have come to be respected amongst the people and whilst they may tolerate the eviction of the Order to see the very Chapter houses crushed my turn away hearts and minds. I do not oppose the notion, but I question the practicality. But I shall follow you until the death regardless of your choice."
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
======
Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
======
Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Jan 5, 2021 4:33:05 GMT -8
Elric's decision to demolish the chapter house was bold, perhaps disheartening to some, especially coming from someone like the Count. A part of him did consider the potential consequences such an action could bring. But the Elector's mind was made up, at least for now. But there was no reason to keep the issue on anyone's mind. "A valid point," he replied. "We will shelve the topic for another time, perhaps until after we deal with those traitors."
Elric stood up from his seat and reviewed the map laid out across the table once more. "Now, if that is all, we can begin preparations to march for Volksburg Keep."
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