Menu

Fight the Power Word, Kill

no we're not the same 'cause we don't know the game

header photo

The Enemy Within - Empire in Flames: The Battle of Wolfenburg (S5E14)

 

Captain's Log:

Speaking to Dr. Faustmann Faustmann and his companions gave us nearly the same details of the Imperial civil war. Heinrich Toddbringer was up ahead in Wolfenburg, just past what seemed like a legion on both sides of the conflict. It was decided that we would have to be quick and adopt a peaceful stance towards any possible threats. After all, Sigmar and Ulric would never have wanted their loyal followers to strike each other down. Chaos should be the common foe! Several Ulrician cannoneers demanded that we halt and state our business. They gave us a nasty glare and even if I wanted to duel them, I know I wouldn't make it. My bones were still a bit stiff after sitting on a flying horse for nine days. We were clearly in no shape to dodge or bear the brunt of a cannonball! I introduced us all to the head cannoneer and proudly held aloft that mighty destroyer of daemons, Ghal Moraz. He nodded and laughed at what he considered a "fine joke". I think that the White Wolf medallion meant more to him than the hammer. We were truly in dark times when the very hammer of the Empire's founder is laughed off as a joke! What would Magnus think of such a terrible lack of faith? Actually, the very next thing we saw was a shrine of Sigmar. It was... unclean. Let's leave it at that. We certainly did. It was best not to dwell on these things when salvation was nearly in our grasp.

About fourteen soldiers were travelling beside us, in the opposite direction. Werner was quick to ask what their business was. The leader of the group hastily spun a tale about chasing down stragglers. We all knew in that instant that we were dealing with deserters. Clearly this was not lost on them as they drew their weapons and demanded that we give up our horses. The One drew bolts of lightning from the grim clouds above and released this power once above them. The sergeant, who I would learn later was named Udo, started weeping uncontrollably. They all told a bitter tale of the endless bloodshed and grotesque deeds that the war demanded of them. I let them go after that. There's no fight in a broken man. What were just distant sounds were now accompanied by visions of battle. Steel drew blood from a mass of armour and horses. Blasts of flame and lead were exchanged from the fringes of each side, like distant shooting stars leaving smoke in their wake. The south side was lined with the tents and camps of various troops and orders, including the Order of the Fiery Heart and the Gryphon Legion. Werner personally made sure to send some soldiers after the deserters. I disagreed with the decision but felt that if we ended the war soon, their punishment wouldn't be as drastic. Our breach of the battlefield proper had begun.

I heard a rider trot behind us and turned around to see a knight with the Middenheim standard. He lifted his visor and let out an enthusiastic "AHA!". It was THE Siegfried Prunkvoll, Cavalier Forev... Knight Eternal and Protector of Middenheim! He was going to lead a glorious charge into the ranks of the Sigmarites and wanted us to ride alongside him. It was a tremendous honour but the clouds of musket and blunderbuss smoke made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Werner was much more enthusiastic about the charge and readied his sword. We all galloped into the fray, weapons raised. I could hear a thundering sound of a hundred rifles being fired. I closed my eyes and accepted my fate. At least someone will find the hammer and bring it to Heinrich... I opened my eyes. Lead balls lay broken and useless upon the field. Werner was groaning and clutched his shoulder, giving me a weary look as blood trickled down his face. The Knight Eternal and his steed had been laid low by the volley. I leapt from my horse to listen to his dying words. He gasped something but I couldn't hear him properly over the din of battle. Something about knowing him and then knowing me? I told him of his bravery as his spirit left him. Werner spat blood and told me to keep moving. I still don't fully understand how he survived all that. Sigmarite cavalrymen approached us with weapons at the ready.

In my fervour I declared aloud that I, Johann Dasbuut, had brought Ghal Moraz to Wolfenburg to end this madness! Only one soldier started to believe me. He was quickly dismissed by the others. It was a start. The One's lightning injured a few but it was not enough. Werner unleashed The Devastator and Blessed Jim his rune blade but they too were not enough to end the chaos of combat. I held the hammer in front of me and sat upright on my steed, staring directly into the hammer. Blade strikes, spear points and hammer blows curved and bounced away from my body, as I was shielded in a holy, shimmering light. I would not move until all around me believed in the miracle that would save the Empire. I'm sure it was for hours that I stayed afloat in the middle of that sea of steel and confusion. Eventually the storm was weathered and all stood back and stared. Maximilian von Genscher and Heinrich Toddbringer approached us. I was too astonished to speak and just gave him the hammer. He held it high above his head, as still as a statue, and became a being of great holy might. His whole body was full of the light that would finally banish that insidious Chaos. The light of the twin tailed comet was joined by a howling from the forest. Thousands of wolves, glowing spirits of Ulric, surrounded Heinrich and howled in unison! Then there was a united chanting, a glorious herald of the return of our founder: "SIGMAR!" A great war veteran, Countess von Carmille or something like that, cried before his majesty. She declared that this battle was senseless after this sign of unity between Sigmar and Ulric. I nearly collapsed off of my horse. I think I had almost forgotten the feeling of being without the hammer's awesome power!

Von Genscher told us to speak with Ar-Ulric. He was completely stupefied by what had occurred. All around us were people helping each other after that terrible siege. Foes turned to friends once again. We could finally rest easy for a while. Our quest was a success, against all odds and all that Chaos could muster.

There are other matters and obligations to mention, true. However, I just want to enjoy the sight of this harmony.

Been a long time since I've seen it.

  • Johann Dasbuut.

Go Back

Comment