Plergoth Press/Issue Five

http://wiki.battlemaster.org/images/Plergoth.png The Plergoth Press
Bring in Valhalla's head, get a lifetime subscription!	Editor: Mendrugo	Issue Five, June
The main propaganda sheet and newspaper of Plergoth!

The Scoreboard

June 1, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

A running count of damage inflicted by each side in the ongoing Plergothian Civil War (and the Monster/Undead/Daimon conflict) in the month of June.

June Summary:
Battles won: 5.5
Battles lost: 5.5
Casualties inflicted: 256
Casualties suffered: 1,230

Plergoth:
Khthonian brigands killed or wounded: 52
Vlaanderen rebels killed or wounded: 43
Monsters killed or wounded: 41
Undead killed or wounded: 15
Daimons killed or wounded: 105
Netherworld Pitlords killed: 1

Khthon:
Plergothian solders killed or wounded: 2

Monster Swarm:
Plergothian soldiers killed or wounded: 102

Necromancer's Servants:
Plergothian soldiers killed or wounded: 100

Netherworld:
Plergothian soldiers killed or wounded: 1,026
Plergothian nobles wounded: 4
Plergothian nobles captured: 2

Number of battles included in the above tally (victory count): 11
Weghie: 1 (Plergoth: 1, Khthon: 0)

Yokk: 2 (Plergoth: 2, Vlaanderen: 0)

Haffemet: 1 (Plergoth: 1, Vlaanderen: 0)
Tindle: 1 (Plergoth: 0, Khthon: 1)
Jaekind: 2 (Plergoth: 1, Monster Swarm: 0, Netherworld: 1)
Eg Tutnu: 1 (Plergoth: 0, Necromancer's Servants: 1)
Xinjin: 1 (Plergoth: 0, Necromancer's Servants: 1)
Cwellndell: 1 (Plergoth: 0.5, Netherworld: 0.5)
Creasur: 1 (Plergoth: 0, Netherworld: 1)

June Off to a Good Start

June 1, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The dawning of the month of June finds Plergoth in an excellent strategic position. The rebel army of Vlaanderen is busily attempting to restore the ruined region of Bajit to some sort of productive use while it continues to battle the army of our staunch ally, Mesh.

The shattered Khthonian field army has just returned to Dyomoque and should spend the next few days rebuilding and refitting, leaving the Army of Plergoth free to maneuver.

Plergoth has already made use of this window of opportunity, attacking rebel recruiting centers and food stores in Yokk and Haffemet and doing the same to Khthonian assets in Weghie. It is believed that the rebels and bandits have largely exhausted their family resources during earlier stages of this war, and now, with their regions in chaos, their smallfolk put to the sword, and their coffers empty, they lack the coin to mount a serious challenge on the field of battle in the forseeable future.

Stirring Words from the Field

June 3, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

From Marcus Antonus

I don't say very much anymore, life hasn't been the kindest thing to me lately, but there has definitely been a major turn of events recently.

In the beginning of this war I have to say I thought we had it all wrapped up. Vlaanderen alone is no match for our might. Then Kthon got into the fray and things got alot more complicated.

Honestly, I didn't think Kthon would matter too much in the big picture, but I've been proven wrong more than once. I am still amazed at how they've even managed to gain so much of OUR land throughout this war. for a long time Weghie was our stronghold. I would never have thought that we could lose it to those "heroes". We went back and forth with it for about 3 weeks with no side gaining an advantage. I just knew if we could get a good hold on it we could win. Then we lost it.

So we move back, the rebels move down and take Yokk and the rebels help Vlaanderen fight for Worvobaen. They had it for a while their too. Thank Daishi we have great generals or we would be fighting from the walls of Creasur.

It is our generals, and esteemed council members, that got us through all that we've lost. From Weghie to Yokk to Worvo. they have found a way to beat back the rebels.We, as nobles of Plergoth, have come back to reclaim what is rightfully ours. And not once, but thrice our generals have taken us to the walls of both Reeds and Dyomoque. Thrice we have taken the fight to the rebels very own doorstep in the past month. Thrice we have done it! Thrice we will do it again! And by the holy name of all that is good I will go to those walls and fight until EVERY REBEL IS HANGING FROM A TREE!

I have seen a great change in how we do things, in how we work, in how we fight. We will be the rebels undoing, and we will not stop until the job is done!

Lo, there do we see our fathers.

Lo, there do we see our mothers.

Lo, there do we see our sisters and our brothers.

The line of our people back to the beginning.

They do call to us to take our places.

Where the brave live forever

Marcus Antonus (Royal)

And from Sir Regstav

We have three times marched on the chief capitals of our enemies.

Since the moment that the rebels first started the rebellion, waiting until most of the army was away from the capital and performing region maintenance, the rebels have only attacked Creasur once. That signaled the beginning of their war with us.

They have never marched on Creasur since. Since their defeat there and the secession or Reeds now rebel force has been able to march on Creasur herself.

This is not because of the generals are good, though I would be a fool to dispute that, in more than on reason. ;-) It is because all of you, all of us, have followed the orders of the generals and our armies have moved with a precision and a timing that most considered impossible. Even in our darkest times, our knights and our bureaucrats and our traders and our priests have followed their orders, hoping to save this realm.

And in doing so, they have done so. Even outnumbered in nations standing against us, in men standing against us, and in money standing against us, we have marched out from Creasur again and again, and even when we knew we could not hope to win a battle all of you have marched in the pure hope of bleeding our enemies so badly they could not follow us back.

And now both the rebels and Khthon lay huddling in their capitals, or fighting desperately to keep the regions directly around their capitals. When was the last time the rebels marched on us? When was the last time a great Khthonian army marched out to meet us in battle? When was the last time that the rebels and Khthon stood side by side against us in battle in Haffemet or in Weghie or in any other region of our fair realm?

Even in losing battles, we have wounded them. And now, the money they have spent trying to kill us running out. And now the men they are sending against us are becoming discouraged. And now the nations they brought in to fight us are losing interest. They are standing against us alone now, alone or with only half-hearted support.

We have lost many brave men, as my province will attest to. Ypsilanti has sent hundreds of men and women to die against them, but volunteers are always willing to come to sign on the X. They follow us because they know that we will do everything we can to help the realm. And even should they die, they know that it is not without reason, and that Daishi himself will honor them after they pass the veil into the next world.

We are united, in ways that few other realms are, and THAT is why we survive to this day. And THAT is why both the rebels and Khthon are fading. We stand, looking around us at the wreckage their war has brought. But I say to you now that I see a new dawn, and that dawn signals the end of their rules! As we stand fast, they splinter and drive away those they should be able to trust the most! We trust! They quarrel!

And THAT my friends and countrymen and countrywomen is why PLERGOTH lives this day!

We are PLERGOTH! And UNITED we will STAND against them!

FOR PLERGOTH!

Sir Regstav Count of Ypsilanti

Law and Order Returning to Worvobaen

June 4, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Following the overthrow of Plergothian authority by the Vlaanderen rebels in April, the region of Worvobaen has steadily been falling into greater and greater chaos. The Vlaanderen provisional government collapsed under its own ineptitude over a month ago, and Plergoth was too busy dealing with the rebels to properly support its own provisional government, which also collapsed.

Now, the main army of Plergoth has returned and is busily rooting out the brigands, beastmen, and anarchists who have begun carving out power bases in this lawless region, restoring law and order to the people of Worvobaen. Several large bandit forces have been engaged and crushed by the Plergothian army, and soon the banner of our realm will once again wave over a land at peace.

Worvobaen Reclaimed!

June 5, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

With the crushing defeat of the band of outlaws styling themselves the 'Knightsbane Brotherhood' (the last of six major bandit clans that had taken up residence in the area), the rule of law has been restored to the rogue region of Worvobaen. In ceremonies at villages across the territory, the smallfolk assembled in central squares to watch the banner of Plergoth rise once more, declaring that justice and honor had returned.

Scattered survivors of the Brotherhood and other bandit clans still lurk in Worvobaen, however, and the Army of Plergoth is busily rooting them out, keeping the Chancellor's hangmen busy on the gibbets. We will not rest until all foes of the Chancellor's Peace have joined their comrades in taking a long drop with a quick stop.

Hearts and Minds in Cwellndell

June 6, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Cut off from the rest of Plergoth when the region of Worvobaen became a bandit-infested no-mans land, the people of Cwellndell had no choice but to form their own provisional government and soldier on as best as possible, picking up the pieces in the aftermath of the brief and brutal occupation by Khthon and Vlaanderen marauders.

Now that the bandit infestation has been scourged from Worvobaen, the Army of Plergoth has returned in force, not as an occupation army but as a relief force, bringing food and construction teams to rebuild the region's shattered infrastructure.

As the Plergothian soldiers marched through villages en route to the pallisaded seat of government, cheering peasants lined the trails, throwing flowers and waving Plergothian banners.

Cwellndell Rejoins the Realm of Plergoth!

June 7, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Only hours after envoys from Plergoth arrived at the provisional seat of government in Cwellndell, the elders of the region gratefully agreed to rejoin our realm. In the villages and hamlets where Plergothian troops were hard at work raising barns, laying cobblestones and reinforcing aqueducts, spontaneous celebrations accompanied the arrival of messengers and scribes bearing the news, and Plergothian banners (hidden for safekeeping during the brief tenancy of Vlaanderen rebel forces) were brought out and flown proudly in every village square and at every roadside tavern.

Plergoth Stands Ready Against Inhuman Threats!

June 11, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Word has reached Plergoth that a new wave of destruction is near. Agents of the Necromancer Lord and minions of the Beast Lord have been sighted in Beluaterra, seeking items of power and promising salvation to those who aid them, but destruction to those who oppose them. Several of these abominations have been struck down, but others are nearing Plergoth's borders, and it appears that the recent rebellion in Avalon was due to an internal disagreement over whether or not to side with the undead.

Plergoth has placed its armies on ready alert, watching its borders for signs of the enemy - be it monster or undead...or Vlaandereeni. Any outsider making a hostile move against the people of Plergoth will be swiftly engaged and destroyed by our might, and we resolve to see our people safely through the coming conflagration.

The Undead Are Coming!

June 13, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

- Dateline Zuhle -

The sun is shining brightly in the woodland region of Zuhle. The air is full of birdsong, the chirping of crickets, and the sound of human endeavor as the smallfolk continue to rebuild their war-ravaged hamlets.

But on the southeastern frontier, a dark storm is brewing. The air is still - the birds have fallen silent and the woodland beasts have retreated deep into their dens and burrows. Outlying villages lie abandoned, and the roads are choked with terror stricken peasants, hurrying westward, carrying their meager possessions on their backs.

The dead are coming.

Panicked messengers and town criers have made their way through from Piwani, carrying news of a vast army of the living dead approaching Zuhle, under the command of the Dreadlord Hannibal, servant of the foul Necromancer. The have posted the following notice in every village square and at every roadside tavern:

Citizens of Zuhle: You are advised to remain indoors, with the doors and windows boarded up. Priests of Daishi are accommodating as many requests for sanctuary as room allows. Should you be traveling along the path of Hannibal's advance, please find shelter in common rooms or taverns, and do not attempt to fight, except in self defense. The army is aware of the situation, and is standing by to render assistance should it become necessary.

It is hoped that the Dreadlord Hannibal and his legion of the walking dead are merely passing through on their way to Khthonian and Vlaanderen territory in their search for arcane treasures, and will leave the people of Zuhle in peace. Pray to Daishi, and may the coming dawn find you all alive and well. - Fiorello, Count of Zuhle

Hannibal Speaks!

June 14, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The undead horde commanded by the dreadlord Hannibal is passing on through Zuhle towards the ravaged lands of Tindle. As the shambling assemblage of skeletal thralls passed through each village, the smallfolk cowering in the taverns and meeting halls heard a dreadful, soul-shattering keening, followed by a deep, rasping voice (presumably Hannibal's) that spoke the following words:

People of Plergoth...rise with the undead, and protect the interests of humanity.

Have your leader choose one of you as his liaison, and follow me. I head north to premptively destroy the monsters attempting to do their evil deeds against us.

Hannibal

With his message delivered, seven blasts were sounded on his warhorns, and the horde shambled on to the next village to repeat the process. When the bravest of the smallfolk emerged, hours later, they found a a great trail of skeletal footprints leading through the square, littered with bits of yellowed bone and scraps of rotten flesh. Looking at each other in mixed horror and wonder, the villagers uttered prayers of thanks to Daishi for sparing them their lives, and set about cleaning the foul residue of undeath from their land.

Dominus Attacks in Eg Tutnu!

June 15, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The Dreadlord Dominus, at the head of zombie horde, three-hundred in number, marched into Eg Tutnu overnight, falling upon the camps of Tarion and Gileas - brave knights of Plergoth - and tearing them and their men to bloody shreds in an orgy of terror and death.

The Plergoth Press has received this report from one of the survivors - a pikeman from Creasur by the name of Brom:

We wuz wit the Defenders o' Plergoth, camped in Eg Tutnu keepin' an eye on that Hannibal creep. Sir Tarion wuz gettin' lots o' parchiments an' scrolls for a while, an' we got th' good news that Hannibal wuz movin' off. An' then the messengers stopped comin'. We ast th' local farmers, an' they said there were some bandits on the road, waylayin' folk. We sent out huntin' parties, but never found nothin'.

Yesterday, some of the boys come back from a scoutin' and say that th' other Defenders o' Plergoth have moved out. Their camps're empty, 'cept for Gileas' axemen across th' creek from us. Sir Tarion got hisself in a panic, started sending out messengers, askin' what wuz goin' on, but we never heard back from 'em neither.

So we set th' night watch and went to sleep. I had th'second watch. It wuz blacker 'n mud that night - an' windy too. Couldn't hear aught but th' wind screamin' through th' trees. A storm was brewin'. When the rain came, I foun' meself a hollow unner a tree and hunkered down to wait 'till dawn. The storm moved right on top'a us, wi' lightnin' flashin' all aroun'.

That's when I saw 'em. In a big flash an' crash o' thunner, I saw shapes on th' far hill, over by th' axemen's picket line. Dark, angular shapes, spread out aroun' a tall caped guy onna black horse that looked to be breathin' fire. When th' thunner stopped, that's when I heard th' screamin'... Th' terrible screamin'. Those creatures, they weren't just killin' th' axemen - they were eatin' 'em alive!!

Sir Tarion tried to rally th' boys, but we never had a chance. I stabbed one o' th' things wi' my pike, but it just kep' comin' an stabbed me wi' its sickle. The rest is a blur. I don' know how many o' us got out, but it weren't many.

Zuhle - Waypost on the Highway From Hell?

June 15, 1007 | By: Fiorello

A brief word of thanks to cousin Mendrugo for granting me a forum in which to air my grievances.

As Count of Zuhle, it is my highborn responsibility to watch over and protect the thousand or so little people that inhabit my lands. It falls to me to defend them against harm, hold court and hear their dreary, petty concerns and dispense justice to the insignificant wretche...ahem...fine Zuhlean people.

Aside from a mere handful of full-scale invasions and pillagings by Khthonian bandits during my tenure as Count, and the...ah...collapse into total ruin of the Zuhlean Jouster training grounds, the Zuhlean people have prospered under my reign.

And yet I ask you, my fellow Plergothians, how am I supposed to manage my estates and serve my people when the entire region appears to be a major thoroughfare for armies of living dead?!!! First Hannibal comes through and spreads terror among my smallfolk with his recruiting pitches - "Join the living dead! See the world!! Get eaten by monsters!!". Now, barely a day later, Dominus encroaches on my lands.

This madness must stop at once!!! Brave warriors of Plergoth, we must rise up and rid our realm of these abominations, who have already slain more than fifty Plergothian armsmen in Eg Tutnu. Let us sally forth and dismember the foul servants of the Necromancer, ridding Plergoth of their vile presence once and for all!!!

- Count Fiorello of Zuhle

Carnage in Tindle - Plergoth Too Late to Help

June 16, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

In a dramatic show of pan-human solidarity, despite their previous enmity, a peace treaty was signed between Khthon and Plergoth, and the Army of Plergoth sallied forth to join with the Khthonians as they marched to meet the Dreadlord Dominus and his army of the unliving in battle on the plains of Tindle.

Regrettably, the route taken by the Plergothian army was long and tortuous, and the column experienced numerous logistical delays, allowing the legions of Dominus to fall upon the Khthonians alone, devastating their field army and dashing hopes of a quick victory against the servants of the Necromancer.

Dominus Driven From Tindle

June 16, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

With the Khthonian field army retreating in disarray and the Army of Plergoth withdrawing in the face of Dominus' horde of undead warriors, it seemed that the servants of the Necromancer Lord would be free to work their evil in the ravaged land of Tindle. Two stragglers (Hitmulg of Plergoth and Jenny of Khthon) remained in Tindle, hoping to harry the vile Dominus with their warbands of archers. Hopelessly outnumbered, they bravely stood their ground, firing arrow after arrow at the gibbering mass of animated corpses, to no avail. The arrow-studded ghouls advanced inexorably, not even bothering to draw the shafts from their putrid flesh. All seemed lost.

Then, with a roar that split the very air, help arrived from a most unexpected quarter. An army of monsters - hundreds of griffons, beastmen, giant serpents, dragons, trolls and others too hideous to describe - swept in from the north and smashed into Dominus' flank, rending the skeletal warriors limb from limb and driving the Necromancer's servant from the field.

As he retreated, Dominus delivered an ominous warning:

You fools...aiding those that spread disease...so many wasted corpses, it is a pity I could only be allowed to raise such few men.

We cannot infinitely replenish our numbers, now I am sent fleeing, because you make foolish mistakes.

We will get you, Curled Mane, and send you diseased flesh to the fires of earth--and hell.

Dominus

War Rages Between Monsters and Undead in Tindle

June 17, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Tindle is fast becoming the focal point for the all-out war between the Necromancer's Servants and the Army of Monsters. Mere hours after the monster swarm commanded by Curled Mane decimated Dreadlord Dominus' undead horde, fresh zombie reinforcements, under the command of the Dreadlord Sarge (OOC: Sarge?! *snerk*), approached from the northeast and drove the monsters from the field.

If both sides continue to feed reinforcements into the flashpoint at Tindle, we can only watch and pray to Daishi that the conflict remains in Khthonian lands and doesn't spill over into Plergoth.

Cease Fire Declared as Inhuman Armies Converge on Reeds

June 18, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

After weeks of boastful declarations that the Vlaanderen rebels would never accept a cease-fire proposal that did not include provisions for the transfer of Cwellndell to their control, the rebel leader, Valhalla, finally realized that hundreds of monsters and thousands of undead are converging on Reeds, where he claims to be holding one of the five mystical relics sought by the inhuman forces, and agreed to an unconditional cease-fire that will remain until the monster/undead threat is concluded.

With the official cessation of hostilites between Plergoth and Khthon earlier this week, the Plergothian civil war has been set aside for the duration of the present crisis. A titanic battle appears to be shaping up on the plains of Weghie, as the undead legions of Sarge continue to drive back the battered monster horde of Curled Mane, while both sides (the Dreadlord Dohlor and the Beastlord Snarler) are en route with reinforcements.

Beastlord Curled Mane Defeated in Jaekind!

June 20, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

With all-out warfare raging between the monster swarm and the Necromancer's servants on Plergoth's northern borders, it was only a matter of time before the fighting spilled over into Plergoth's territory. A steady stream of undead reinforcements has been moving (mostly unopposed, except for a brief and bloody skirmish in Eg Tutnu) through Plergoth's northeastern territories en-route to the main battlezones in Weghie, Tindle and Haffemet.

However, it was in Jaekind that the might of the Army of Plergoth was tested by a monster horde commanded by the Beastlord Curled Mane. Chancellor VonGarrett rode out to beard the monster, demanding that he depart Plergothian lands:

You and your foul beasts are not welcome in Plergoth. Remove yourself from our lands, never to return. If you do not do this, your hide shall become a nice throw rug on the floor of the palace in Creasur.

Curled Mane responded:

I am here simply to claim one of the items we search for. The one named Valhalla has assured me that the one you call Alexia holds one of those that we seek, and that she should be in this region, though it would appear she has moved on.

With that, Curled Mane roared an attack order to his monstrous creatures, and they charged the Plergothian lines. In the ensuing melee, the numbers and training of the human warriors won out over the ferocity and brute strength of the monsters, though over one hundred soldiers were killed or wounded while dispatching more than forty of the beastlord's minions.

Monsters Flee, Undead Invade!

June 21, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

After suffering a resounding defeat in Jaekind, the monster swarm of Curled Mane has fled to Worvobaen to lick its wounds. However, Plergoth has earned no respite - no less than two Dreadlords (Dohlor and Dominus) today advanced into Xinjin and massacred the small garrison there, under the command of Shinayne Corrinae, leaving only twelve surivors.

Vlaanderen Rebels Ally with Monsters!

June 21, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

In a not-entirely-unexpected move, the rebel realm of Vlaanderen today announced that they'd entered into a formal alliance with the bestial Monster Swarm. One can only imagine the goings on at the treaty signing and the dire hidden clauses of the treaty (the number virgin maids to be delivered to the dragons, the quota of babies allowed to be eaten per month by beastmen, etc.)

The rebel realm of Vlaanderen has forsaken all of humanity by choosing to lie down with the beasts of the wild. When the invasion has been thrown back by the force of human courage and arms, there will be a reckoning for those who have chosen to cast their lots with the enemies of our race!

Vlaanderen Duplicity Revealed!

June 21, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Our sources inform us that the recent undead probe into Xinjin was a direct result of the machinations of the vile Valhalla of Vlaanderen. He bargained with the undead horde of Hannibal and offered to assist them in retrieving the items they seek in exchange for the destruction of the realm of Plergoth. The Dreadlord quickly saw through this ruse when Valhalla entered into a formal alliance with the Monster Swarm, and the undead have withdrawn their probe.

A titanic battle is now looming on the borderlands, with a vast undead army massing in Weghie and an equally massive monster army massing in Haffemet. Should the undead prove the victors, Valhalla may be in for a rough time of it. Should the monsters prevail, the stalwart armsmen of Plergoth stand ready to resist their Vlaanderen-directed incursions to the last man.

Monsters Crushed in Weghie!

June 22, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The first major clash between the Necromancer's Servants and the Monster Swarm took place this morning in Weghie. Four dreadlords led their resurrected legions into battle against two beastlords. The wild monster armies, though unmatched one-for-one in strength and ferocity, were vastly outnumbered by the Necromancer's wights, zombies, skeleton warriors and other unholy servants. The Monster Swarm's coordination in the field also appears to be lacking, as two additional beastlords in Haffemet did not join their brethren in Weghie.

As a result, the monster forces were decisively routed by the undead. Giant serpents, wyverns, beastmen and even dragons were swarmed under by gibbering swarms of ravenous ghouls, hungry for the flesh of the living. The beastlords in Haffemet now appear to be entering the fray, but the lack of coordination places the advantage decisively with the Necromancer's Servants.

In related news, our sources report that Valhalla of Vlaanderen has soiled himself.

Necromancer Exacts Revenge on Vlaanderen!

June 22, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The rebels of Reeds have already begun to suffer the consequences of their ill-advised alliance with the Monster Swarm. While their bestial comrades were being slaughtered in Weghie, a Vlaanderen outlaw by the name of Oofrums was captured by agents of the undead and brought to the mysterious Necromancer's Island, where he was tortured to death - slowly eaten alive by the Necromancer's personal staff of ghouls, kept alive and in agony by the Necromancer's dark sorcery for hours until he was completely devoured.

Given the poor performance of Vlaanderen's monstrous allies in the field, such a fate may indeed await each and every rebel leader in the coming weeks.

Monster-Vlaanderen Alliance in Dire Peril!

June 22, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Following another ghastly rout in Weghie, the Monster Swarm forces in central Beluterra are broken and scattered, leaving the way open for the combined forces of three dreadlords to advance on Haffemet. While the monsters are making advances in other parts of the island (winning crushing victories against the Necromancer-aligned realm of Avalon), little now stands between the Necromancer's Servants and the capital of the Monster-aligned rebel realm of Vlaanderen.

Undead Invade Mesh!

June 24, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Our eyes and ears in Ofengail have just reported the following event that took place in Ofengail:

THE GROUND RUMBLES, AND DARK CLOUDS LOOM OVERHEAD. A LOUD BOOMING VOICE CRACKS THROUGH THE CHAOS

The ignorance of Valhalla will be repaid in good time, but for now, we must continue on our quest for the items. We sense them to be here, in the vicinity of Mesh. Please cooperate peacefully. It is not our intention to divide humanity, or turn them against one another. It would be splendid if ALL were to work with us, for the greater interests of humanity -- both living and undead-- but this will simply prove a folly goal. Already we have been lied to, and manipulated by various humans. Their names and actions being carefully recorded for when the true day of reckoning comes. Those that have faith, and believe, will be rewarded. Those that lack vision, and do nothing--or worse, get in our way -- will face the consequences of their respective actions--and lack thereof. You have heard the message, ignorance cannot save you now, for you have heard the words of truth, on this day. We wait in Ofengail for this tick, please vacate the region, and flee to your City if your Ruler wishes to talk. We will scour the countryside looking for that which is needed for the events to come.

Dominus

The army of undead has apparently bypassed Reeds and moved westwards across the river to continue their search in Mesh, though not without a parting threat against the rebel leader of Vlaanderen. They have thus far crushed all opposition they've faced in Mesh. In light of Mesh's strong and timely support of Plergoth in the past, the people of Plergoth vow to do whatever they can to support the Meshians in their hour of need.

Hellish Hordes Harrow Haffemet!

June 25, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The Horror! The Horror!! The Horror!!!

Our spies in Vlaanderen have reported dire doings in that forsaken realm. Earlier today, the mountains of Zisswit erupted in fire and flame, as a long dormant volcano erupted and belched forth soot, smoke, ash and fiery lava fountains. Within hours, a vile haze covered the region. And then, from out of the darkness THEY emerged...DAIMONS FROM THE NETHERWORLD!!

Beings of cruelty, malice and flame, they marched forth from their fiery pits, stalking the surface world. Nearly one hundred have been sighted by our scouts. Half the group marches north, while the other group appears to be moving south through Haffemet and Yokk, heading straight for Cwellndell where the Army of Plergoth awaits their coming behind stout walls and with strong hearts, for they know that in opposing such fiends, they will find either glory and triumph, or a noble and honored death, and an honored place in the heart of Daishi - the Great Death who comes for us all!

Khthon - Vlaanderen Alliance Weakening!

June 25, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

A June 24th editorial in the Khthonian Chronicle berates the rebel realm of Vlaanderen for its dealings with the monsters and undead. It reminds the Khthonian warriors that their realm was founded on the principles of battling such creatures wherever they may be found. Editor Henning Mandul calls for an end to the Vlaanderen-Khthon alliance, should both realms come through the current crisis intact, allowing Plergoth to deal with the rebels once and for all.

Daimons Marching on Cwellndell!

June 26, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

After briefly pausing in the southern reaches of Vlaanderen-held territory, the southbound army of Daimons has begun to march on Cwellndell, where the Army of Plergoth awaits it behind their pallisades. We estimate that the Plergothian contingent is roughly one third stronger than the Daimons, and have the additional comfort of their fortifications. By Daishi, these hellspawn will rue the day they sought to test Plergoth's mettle!

Daimons Fought to a Standstill in Cwellndell!

June 26, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

As the shadows lengthened and the sun sank redly beneath the horizon, night came to Cwellndell. But not the darkness... For out of the deepening gloom came the stench of brimstone...then figures appeared. Misshapen, hideous creatures bathed in an unholy flame, carrying cruelly barbed spears and swords, and brandishing flaming whips.

Consumed with a mindless rage and passion to destroy these hellbeasts, the Army of Plergoth charged forth out of their pallisade and met the Daimons on the field of battle. The fell daimonblades cut a bloody swath through the massed Plergothian armsmen, leaving hundreds dead or terribly wounded. The creatures of the Netherworld proved vulnerable as well, and they too fell - hewn apart, their poisonous blood oozing onto the ground causing the grass underfoot to burst into flame.

Though more than half their number were out of action, the Daimons finally won free of the Plergothian infantry, and again began to advance towards the pallisade. Their flaming forms proved to be excellent targets for a hailstorm of arrows fired by the Army of Plergoth's bowmen, and many more Daimons fell, including their leader, the Pitlord known as Invisible, whose cloak of invisibility proved no shield against volleys of Plergothian broadheads.

With the death of their Pitlord, the Daimon force withdrew, leaving the Plergothian archers and the surviving infantry in command of the fortress.

Pitlord Invisible Respawns in Yokk!

June 27, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

With the dawning of a new day in Cwellndell, the mood was celebratory. Healers moved from tent to tent, tending the wounded. Unwounded soldiers formed bucket brigades to douse the sickly flames spreading from the daimonic corpses. Those without other immediate tasks took the time to sit back and rejoice in Plergoth's triumph over the hellspawn.

Then word came from scouts sent to Yokk - the slain Pitlord Invisible had reappeared in Vlaanderen territory at the head of a deimonic horde twice as large as his first one. With the Army of Plergoth still recovering and only part of the Defenders of Plergoth on station in Cwellndell, the fighting men of Plergoth would be hard pressed to survive if Invisible renews his march southward.

Other recent reports indicate that two dreadlords have massed a powerful army in Haffemet. It is our hope that the enmity towards the Daimons espoused by the undead will lead them to attack the forces of the Netherworld, drawing the conflict away from our lands.

Dreadlord Sarge Calls for Death of Valhalla!

June 27, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

With a huge force of Undead warriors encamped in Haffemet, within sight of the walls of Reeds - the rebel stronghold, the Dreadlord known as Sarge has just delivered an ultimatum to the rebel leader Valhalla, who attempted to deceive the Necromancer's Servants with false promises of friendship in exchange for the destruction of Plergoth, and then openly allied with the Monster Swarm, sworn enemies of the Necromancer.

Valhalla, your realm is simply too evil to allow to exist. You, through your own wicked nature, alienated the only friend you could of had.

You insult us with a proposition for better relations, in turn, we will always hate you and your people who instilled some sort of "confidence" in you. You bring death to your entire people, merely because your shoes are tiny, and you have no self confidence--or self respect.

We promised that you would pay, sooner or later, and you will. 10,000 human soldiers could not protect you from Maldiciones, he will come for your head, sooner than later.

But then again, your people have an option.

Declare yourself a traitor to their interests, and allow them to execute you. And we will lift the hatred in good time...and merely promise not to sack Reeds with our forces.

There is our offer, and there is where you decide on the compromise.

Sarge

Daimon Horde Sweeps into Worvobaen!

June 28, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The horde of the resurrected Pitlord Invisible has resumed its southward march, this time by way of Worvobaen. The main Plergothian army remains encamped in Cwellndell, cut off from the rest of Plergoth by the Daimon horde. It is not know at this time whether the Daimons are just passing through, or whether this is a strategic move designed to cut the army off from the capital, but the Army of Plergoth stands ready to react as soon as our scouts can discern Invisible's true intent.

Daimon Horde Advances into Jaekind - Creasur Threatened!

June 28, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The Daimon Horde of Invisible has turned eastward, and begun marching into Jaekind. If they continue on this course, they will reach the underdefended walls of Creasur by dawn tomorrow. Apparently, the Pitlord Invisible harbors a grudge against Plergoth for having ignominiously slain his corporeal form only two days after he emerged from the Netherworld, forcing his dark master to resurrect him.

Our prayers go to the militia in Creasur and the people of our fair capital in their hour of need.

Daimon Horde Smashes Opposition in Jaekind!

June 28, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The Daimon horde under the command of the Pitlord Invisible continues to march eastward towards Creasur. They were briefly delayed due to a heroic ambush attempt by Mistweave, but the small band of Plergothian defenders could not stay the inexorable advance of the hellspawn for long, and the enemy is now nearly upon our fair capital.

Hope is not lost! The army of Plergoth is hot on the heels (hooves?) of the enemy, and hopes to arrive in time to finish off the Daimons after they batter themselves into oblivion against the high walls of the capital. It is hoped that, should Invisible again perish, this time he will suffer Daishi - the great and final death - rather than merely Koshi - the lesser death from which he returned once before.

Creasur Smashed by Daimon Horde!

June 29, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

In a swift and brutal strike at dawn, the Pitlord Invisible overwhelmed the Creasur militia and slaughtered the defenders of the Plergothian capital. Though the militia were hundreds strong and had been bolstered by fresh recruits and the personal retainers of whatever nobles were able to reach the city in time, numbers were no match for the terrible power of the hellspawn from the Netherworld.

Moving quickly, and leaving trail of scorched and lifeless fields behind them, the daimons raced towards the towering city walls, from which flew torrents of arrows. Some daimons fell, studded with arrows and turned into infernal pincushions. However, they returned fire - literally! - belching forth blazing spheres of daimonfire that exploded against the walls and sent dozens of armsmen plummeting to the ground, their clothing, flesh and very souls aflame.

Upon reaching the walls, the daimons did not bother with siege engines or ladders. They simply unfurled their black, leathery wings and flew to the top of the parapets, where their fell daimonblades made short work of the city's defenders. The slaughter continued well into the morning, until the daimons faced no further opposition from the routed city garrison.

His thirst for revenge sated, Invisible appears to be satisfied with having gutted the city defense force and heavily damaged the city walls. His horde is now reported to be moving further eastward, towards the Necromancer-aligned realm of Avalon via Eg Tutnu.

Enemy of My Enemy is My Fiend?

June 29, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

In the wake of the horrendous slaughter wrought upon Plergoth by the Pitlord Invisible and his daimon horde (over 1,000 armsmen killed or wounded in two days), the Chancellor has moved to establish a peace accord with the Servants of the Necromancer, who have recently crushed a force of hellspawn in Haffemet. In order to survive the onslaught of the Monster Swarm and the Netherworld, it may be the case that only the Necromancer's Servants can help us preserve our realm.

In light of the Dreadlord Sarge's public pronouncements regarding Valhalla - the rebel leader of Vlaanderen, it would seem that we do indeed have common enemies. The few clashes with the undead between Plergoth and the Undead have been due to Plergothian armsmen being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or to the manipulations and deceits of the vile Valhalla, and not due to any innate malice towards Plergoth held by the Necromancer.

Daimons Moving Away From Creasur

June 30, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

Facing no opposition, the Daimon horde of Invisible has briefly paused in Eg Tutnu. In the aftermath of the Daimon assault on Creasur, the Army of Plergoth has moved in to reinforce the city and perform critical repairs to the city walls and regional infrastructure. Many elite formations from the field army have been reassigned to the city militia, replacing those lost to the daimons.

Word has reached the Plergoth Press that both the Monster Swarm and the Necromancer's Servants have engaged other agents of the Netherworld, as well as battling each other (and the rebel realm of Vlaanderen) in Bajit. It is the hope of your editor that the internecine warfare between the inhuman factions will keep them occupied elsewhere while Plergoth rebuilds.

Vlaanderen on the Brink of Destruction!

June 30, 1007 | By: Mendrugo

The rebels of Reeds are in dire peril, and it may soon come to pass that the Vlaanderen insurgency against Plergoth will end in a tidal wave of inhuman carnage. The Vlaanderen/Monster coalition force that recently proved victorious against the Necromancer's Servants in Bajit was ambushed by undead reinforcements and destroyed in detail. While the field army was being slaughtered, a Daimonic horde struck at the large Heenite/Vlaanderen army encamped in Reeds, dealing severe damage to the defenders before withdrawing at the death of the Pitlord Arcane. Given recent events in our own territory, it is to be expected that Arcane will soon return from the Netherworld with an even larger horde to finish the job. Give 'em Hell, boys!