Part Seven; The Merry Widow

December 18th. 1409.

Having sheltered all night from the driving snow and freezing cold, Heinrich von Lüneberg and his men find themselves caught between the snow drifts and the pursuing forces of the Lithuanian knight, Vaclav of Stentzin. To make matters worse for the Germans, Vaclav has managed to recruit several local Prussians to his cause, including an outlawed German knight; the fearsome Jörgen Krag of Dachswald. Krag is regarded as a traitor by the Ordenstaat for having cooperated with the Lithuanians and there is a handsome bounty on his head.

In the early morning light, the Teuton’s note the arrival of their enemy and prepare their defence of the inn compound. Barricades are hastily thrown up at vulnerable points and the crossbowmen find advantagious positions.

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Starting

Heinrich von Lüneberg and Justus Kekulé von Nathusius begin within the inn compound, each with his own retinue to command. There are several civilians in the inn, and although they merely classed as crew, these can be used as seen fit. Each player on the Teutonic side has three civilians.

Vaclav of Stentzin and his allies begin outside the inn. Each player may decide for himself where abouts he starts, but no element may be placed closer than 12 inches to the inn compound.

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Map

All terrain outside the inn is difficult (or impassable as marked) except the road which is rough. All terrain inside the inn compound is rough.

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Victory conditions

Either side wins by defeating two thirds of the opposing force or both enemy commanders. Players one and two win by default if they still hold the inn at the end of the game and no victory conditions have been met, but if players three and four have entered the inn then they win by default if no victory conditions have been met.

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Special rules

The inn is not a fortification, therefore it cannot give +3 in cover regardless of terrain. The maximum defence bonus is +2.

The snow drifts are too soft to allow elements to use them to climb over the walls.

Visibility is good and there are no penalties for weather.

Breaking down the doors requires a roll against 5, or against 6 if the door is being held.

Part Six; On a winters day...

December 17th. 1409.

Act I.
Scene I. On a snow covered hill top.

Howling wind. Enter VON LÜNEBERG, VON NATHUSIUS and two SOLDIERS in armour, muffled against the cold

Von Lüneberg. What a filthy weather is this? Sooth but it freezes the marrow in my bones!
Von Nathusius. An tis but December. My discomfort swells in this chill breeze...
Von Lüneberg. Worthy Justus. Take pride and find warmth in your duty to the Fatherland.
Von Nathusius. Tis not my pride that diminishes in this foul tempest Noble Brother
Von Lüneberg. No indeed... [PAUSES TO STARE INTO THE DISTANCE]
Von Nathusius. What do you spy?
Von Lüneberg. Methinks I see a rider upon yonder snowy road
Von Nathusius. There is a road? In all this bleak wilderness I see but those hovels and trees before me
Von Lüneberg. Look you beyond that rude abode. There is a rider on the road
First Soldier. My Lord I spy two riders.
Von Lüneberg. Two riders? I say! What business is this on a dirty day in Skalvia?
Second Soldier. I can’t see them. Where away?
Von Nathusius. I spy them now!
First Soldier. There are soldiers with them, marching behind.
Von Lüneberg. How many can you count?
First Soldier. Ten or more My Lord. They wear red across their armour.
Von Nathusius. But this man has a good set of eyes!
Second Soldier. I still can’t see them.
Von Lüneberg. What soldiers are these? Death of my Soul if the Poles are running amuck whilst our men sleep in their warmth of their cots, an’ we few stout hearted Germans, duty bound by our honour, love and obeidience, must do away with these dark faced mutineers!
Von Nathusius. Amazing!
Second Soldier. Is that them over there?
Von Lüneberg. Can you make out their insignia by chance?
First Soldier. A yellow mark upon a blue shield
Von Nathusius. But the man is a miracle!
Von Lüneberg. What say you Justus, is it not the badge of the Lithuanian?
First Soldier. They are holding forth at the hamlet below
Second Soldier. Now I see them also. That is Vaclav of Stentzin and his men
Von Lüneberg. Be it so? Tis said he is a mad dog
Von Nathusius. Some say he is mad, others that lesser hate him do call it a valiant fury, but for certain, he cannot unbuckle his distempered cause.
First Soldier. Now I see another group on the farther road
Von Nathusius. Yet another road?
Von Lüneberg. Be it distempered or no, his cause will meet with a scant reward once I drew my sword this day!
Second Soldier. For this will bring a heat to our bones! What’s your gracious pleasure Sire?
Von Lüneberg. Let the Devil damn this Polak’s heart!
Von Nathusius. Lithuanian...
Von Lüneberg. Let the Devil damn this Lithuanian’s heart! I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked!
First Soldier. I shall rouse the men! [HURRIES AWAY]
Second Soldier. I must attend the call of nature before we advance to war. [HURRIES AWAY]
Von Nathusius. But who are these others which ride up the road?
Von Lüneberg. I know it not, but I fancy they bear blue shields.
Von Nathusius. Curse this wind which waters my eyes. Infected be the air upon which visions lurk.
Von Lüneberg. Vaclav must be meeting with some one. I spy the shag-haired villain himself now. He stands there by yonder hut.
Von Nathusius. He looks ill at ease. See how he casts this way and that, seeking a witness who will uncover his treacherous depravity.
Von Lüneberg. These Poles, they know not the tempered love of Christ and Germany. We shall kill them all or rue the day.
Von Nathusius. [PAUSES] ...Lithuanians My Lord Brother.
Von Lüneberg. A horrible sight!
Von Nathusius. I think the men are rousing now.
Von Lüneberg. The service and loyalty I owe, in deed, it pays itself.
Von Nathusius. Did you not yourself tell me an hour since that you have relinquished your oath to the Grand Master?
Von Lüneberg. Not so, valued Sergeant! My honour remains intact, for I swore my oath before Christ, to the Order, not to those who abase it!
Von Nathusius. A worthy distinction upon my soul.
Second Soldier. [RETURNS] I’m done.
Von Nathusius. Are the men ready?
Von Lüneberg. The sin of his ingratitude even now weighs heavy upon me. What other course to lay is mine? The needs of the Order must be supreme over the needs of the man, no matter his station.
Von Nathusius. I think the men are ready
Second Soldier. I am.

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Conclusion

This game was different from previous games in several ways. First it began with a short 'thespian intro', Oleg playing the part of von Lüneberg and Palle the part of Von Nathusius, whilst I took First Soldier and my brother Peter debuted as a DSB player by taking the role of Second Soldier. Goeg was present but was eventually forced to sit out the game due to illness, other wise we would have had five players.

There was no map at all, the players taking turns to place terrain features on to the table top, once a faint snow clad road had been drawn running length wise across the table (which was smaller than usual due to the snow terrain slowing the elements to a crawl).

Once the terrain had been established, the players rolled to determine who would play which
force. Peter rolled for von Lüneberg and Oleg was his second in command. Goeg rolled for the local Prussians, Palle rolled for Vaclav of Stentzin and I rolled for Radu Puşcaş of Dâmboviţa.

A; von Lüneberg. B; von Nathusius. C; Vaclav. D; Radu Puşcaş.

We set up standing forces and the game began with the Teuton's trudging along the road and fanning out to attack the Lithuanians, and Muntenians who were centered in and around the
largest buildings in the centre of the table. The Eastern Europeans had been meeting, and were engaged in some kind of trade, but both were heavily escorted and the Lithuanians were guarding every approach.


Von Lüneberg took the road, moving the bulk of his force in a turgid column whilst Von Nathusius moved to cover his eastern flank. The Germans were not happy about the Lithuanian skirmishers and Muntenian archers but they pressed on, weathering the constant barrage of missiles and returning fire with some accuracy. The soldiers of the Ordenstaat were better armoured and carried effective crossbows and this told. They whittled down their foes as they moved slowly southward, though some of the forward Lithuanians on the western flank held their own slowing the German advance and keeping the fight managable.

Peter's first game.

The Muntenian commander, Radu Puşcaş was seated upon his horse through the battle, and beside him was another mounted Muntenian, clad in bright clothing and bearing a crossbow (he also had a lyre on his horse's harness). This second rider attempted to ride into the skirmish on the eastern flank, but was brought down by a Teuton crossbow bolt to the head. He died instantly. The Muntenians who were trying to hold the eastern flank were also suffering terribe losses, but as things began to look hopeless, some local Prussians arrived and took the side of the Lithuanians. These were Goeg's elements, but by this time he had left and so the dice decided the local Prussians loyalties. I won the toss so the locals became a relief force for the eastern flank.


The arrival of the Prussian locals meant the defeat of von Nathusius, though being a named character required for another game, he was allowed to survive to fight another day without a damage roll, for this time.

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The end result was a marginal win for the Teutons, who were in better condition by the end of the game, with more elements in some semblence of order, despite the loss of their secondary commander. The Lithuanians eventually retreated into the countryside, Radu Puşcaş and his remaining men fleeing along side them. The Teuton's arrested the surviving locals and put them in chains and began to drag them back to Memel...

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Aftermath

Von Lüneberg and his men trudge from the burning ruins of the peasant farm and return along th the road. After a few hours the weary soldiers and their prisoners come to a crossroads. Wrapped against the cold wind, von Nathusius has walked with help from his men, but his condition has begun to deteriate and von Lüneberg calls a halt to the column as he regards the silent snow covered roads which radiate off into the gathering darkness.
"I am exhaused" von Nathusius grumbles.
"Your head does not look good" von Lüneberg replies. "I wish we had some shelter so you might recover your strength".
He turns to a nearby man-at-arms.
"Heinz, go and fetch one of those treacherous locals".
"What are you thinking?" von Nathusius asks.
"Memel is still half a days walk at this pace. You will never make it. We should have stopped at the farm but for the risk of that dog Vaclav returning and surprising us".
The man-at-arms returns dragging a shivering bare headed man.
"What is your name, you!?" von Lüneberg shouts at the terrified man.
"Gutenberg My Lord" the man replies.
"What? Art thou a German?"
The man nods miserably
"But then why did you take up arms with the Poles against us?" von Lüneberg asks in wonderment. The man merely shakes his head and mutters something to himself. He points back down the line and the Brother Knight understands the man is blaming one of his fellow rebels.
"Well, be that as it may. Now is your chance to find some small redemption"
The man glances up, and despite his shivering there is a spark of hope in his eyes that almost moves von Lüneberg to pity him.
"We need to find a place to shelter. The wounded cannot be expected to walk to Memel in these conditions."
Even as von Lüneberg speaks, the snow falls heavier than ever and the man nods enthusiastically. He points.
"That way there is an inn not more than a short way"
"An inn?" von Lüneberg frowns. "A German inn?"
The man nods eagerly, hugging his thin arms to his shivering chest. Von Lüneberg nods to himself then motions for the man-at-arms to drag the prisoner away again.
"It sounds promising" von Nathusius says. Von Lüneberg agrees and soon the column makes its way southards. It takes an hour to reach the inn, but eventually the soldiers see a dim light up ahead. A moment or two later there is another and then a row of windows.
"Finally" von Nathusius groans as the group stops before the facade of the inn. He looks up and reads the lettering which is half obscured by the driven snow. "The Merry Widow"
"Lets hope she is" the soldier beside him mutters.

Von Lüneberg and his men do not stand on ceremony but kick in the door and enter the inn with drawn weapons.
Within they find several people with shocked faces huddled around a fire place.
"Who... who are you?" a fat man in aleather apron asks
"Are you the inn keep?" The Knight replies.
"Yes... Yes I am Albrecht Bauer, are you guests or bandits?"
"I am the District Provost and I am requisitioning this inn under the authority of the Ordenstaat!"
"But you can't..." Bauer's voice whispers as he watches the long line of heavily armed soldiers entering the building.
"Albrecht! Whats going on?" a woman cries as she enters from a backroom.
"Madam." Von Lüneberg holds up a commanding finger. "Calm yourself. We merely require food and shelter for the night". He removes his sopping wet cloak and kicks the snow from his feet.
"Verily" the woman agrees readily as she sees the stark black cross on his chest. "We have plenty of room My Lord. Albrecht! Prepare our finest room for his Lordship at once!"
Starting in surprise at his wife's tone, the Inn keeper shuffles up a flight of stairs and disapears above. Von Lüneberg glances about the room at the civilians who make way before him. He warms his hands at the hearth and looks into their eyes.
"Have you ever known such a winter?" he shakes his head.
One man, gratefully replies, "No My Lord".
There is visible relief at this District Provost's tone, and the room is suddenly filled with voices as people begin to relax again. Most of the Teutonic soldier's disperse to other parts of the building, to find a dry place to sleep whilst the inn keepers wife busies herself in the kitchen. Von Nathusius finds a chair and pulls it to beside his brother knight. He warms his hands at the fire, then leans back in grateful repose. Von Lüneberg has produced an object wrapped in cloth
"What do you have there?".
"I'm not sure. I picked it off the Poles's mules."
"I think they were foreigners"
Von Luneberg shrugs. The package is tied with wet leather string and his fingers are still numb with cold. He draws a poniard and slits the package open. Within is a book of dull metal, its cover wrought in finely worked gold and a locked clasp holding it shut.
"Well, well" von Lüneberg mutters. "What is this now?"
"Can you open it?" von Nathusius asks.
"It is locked, but I'll wager I can break into it easily enough.
Von Nathusius shakes his head slightly. "It would be a pity to break such a fine book"
Von Lüneberg considers this for a moment but then shrugs and passes the book to a nearby soldier.
"Open this."
"Yessir!" the soldier produces an axe and with a single blow severs the lock from the cover.
"Impressive" Von Nathusius murmurs
"Yes, Hans is a dab hand with his axe!" Von Lüneberg smiles happily, "And look, the damage is minimal".
Ale is brought and the two men sip greatfully, then von Lüneberg places the book on his lap and opens the cover. The first page is blank but for a few strange scribbles in some alien writing. Frowning von Lüneberg turns the page, and then the next.
"What is this?" he wonders. "Moorish?"
"It is Greek" Von Nathusius replies in a dull voice.
"Can you read it?"
"No."
"Oh..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The testimony of Karl Grubenhagen.

Scribed by Johann Altenburg. Schöenberg Castle. 14th June. 1409.

Before the mother of my lord and saviour Jesus Christ, I do hereby swear to the validity and truth of what I am about to relate. Let God’s heavenly will alone pass judgement upon me for my sins.

In the summer of 1398 I was approached by my kinsman Frederick of Kitnow who bore news of a secret gathering of nobles from our home province of Culm, wherein it had been decided that the best interests of the people of Culm were to be safe guarded by a secret fraternity whose prime purpose would be to eradicate the outlaws who were then a problem for the people of the province. Culm had long since suffered from the deprivations of undesirable elements from foreign parts, not least from amongst the Lithuanians and Poles and I agreed to meet with Nicholas von Renys upon whose initiative the meeting had taken place.

Von Renys was then a secular brother of the German Order, and upon our meeting, he impressed upon me the importance of joining the order with the purpose of influencing it from within. He spoke at great length of the troubles afforded to Culm by the imposition of authority by the leadership of the German Order and how the province would be better served if it were a part of a greater Germany under the sovereign rule of a Holy Roman Emperor.

I could not but agree, for in those days I was young and idealistic and betraying the Orderstaat seemed of no great importance if only Culm could be liberated. To my ever lasting shame I readily agreed and entered into the Order with the intention of furthering the interests of Culm. I was not alone however, a great many other young nobles of Culm were beside me, and we called ourselves the Union of the Lizard.

For the next many years I campaigned hard on behalf of the Ordenstaat whilst all the while working towards the interests of Culm. At first this was easy as my differing interests did not conflict, but with time, I began to find it harder to reconcile my betrayal of the men I was fighting along side. I knew that with time, the acts I undertook at the behest of the Union would eventually bring me into direct conflict with my pledge of allegiance to the Order. Little did I realise that my worries were misplaced and that subsequent events would demonstrate the folly of my decisions.

In 1407, after many years of dedicated service to the Union, I became aware of a conspiracy at its heart which defied its stated purpose. Like most of my fellows, I was convinced of the honour in Nicholas von Renys and his intentions, but during a trip to Liege I was made aware that certain highly placed individuals within the Union were in direct conversation with highly placed members of the Order, and together with several members of the Court of King Ruprecht were conspiring for own gain. I became confused and undertook to discover the truth of what I had glimpsed. I met with Frederick and made him aware of my knowledge and whilst he initially attempted to deny that any such conspiracy was afoot, he soon gave up the pretence and admitted that the Union had been infiltrated by unscrupulous parties and that he himself did not even know if Nicholas von Renys was implicated in the affair. We agreed that I would undertake to investigate the matter further and for the next few years I went about my business, quietly watching my fellows.

Around about this time, I became wounded in a skirmish with some Poles and I was sent to Memel to work as a secretary to the Komtur. This gave me an insight into matters to which I had heretofore previously been blind. I examined the archived records of the Komtur and discovered that the Ordenstaat was rife with corruption and that a great deal of wealth was being taken from the provinces and moved to the coffers of several influential nobles, some of whom were themselves high standing brother knights of the Order.

My wounds were sufficiently recovered in the Spring of 1409 that I was sent to help deal with the uprising in Samogitia, but I discovered upon my arrival that the group with which I had been placed was comprised mainly of members of the Lizard Union and the purpose of our group was not to impose the authority of the Order, but to gather as much wealth as possible. To my dismay, none of the other members of the Union objected and I soon found myself witness to all manner of atrocities carried out against the native Poles. Alone with my doubts and misgivings I am ashamed to say that I went along with the actions of my brethren, acting the part of an aloof observer. During the first months of 1409 I saw a great many murders committed, often accompanied by rape, torture and the destruction of entire villages.

I finally lost my reserve when I was sent on a raid with von Voldensee and Metzger. Both are high standing brother knights of the order whom I had long suspected of corruption, von Voldensee’s name in particular has often been whispered to me as I searched for connections between the corruption of the Ordenstaat and the Court of King Ruprecht.

We arrived at a rebellious village called Pinnow where both Germans and Poles were living and von Voldensee and Metzger chose to attack. I had supposed they would slaughter the Polish inhabitants as this had been seen on several previous occasions, but this was not to be the case. With us on this mission was a noble in blackened armour unmarked with any heraldry, whose name I gathered was Krebs. I had never seen this man before, but I understood from his bearing and the deference shown to him by von Voldensee and Metzger that he was of great importance and influence. Krebs ordered the destruction of the entire village and despite my protestations, von Voldensee and Metzger obeyed. I was placed under guard and removed to a nearby hill top, from whence I watched as the village and all its inhabitants were all put to the sword whilst anything of value was removed in a caravan of wagons which headed west.

Later I was removed to the custody of Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich who informed me that my arrest had been cosigned by the Grosskomtur himself, and that I was to be taken to Memel to be tried as a traitor to the Ordenstaat. This did not happen as I was unexpectedly rescued by Heinrich von Lüneberg and his compatriots.

During the past several years I have uncovered a lot of corruption within the Order, with many examples of individuals taking bribes, stealing assets of the order and general theft of goods belonging to the native population of the Ordenstaat. To which degree these crimes are connected I cannot say, but I can identify a number of key figures in the conspiracy of corruption which exists between the Lizard Union, the German Order and the Court of King Ruprecht.

The Komtur of Memel, Albrecht von Oldenburg and several of his staff are all guilty of corruption, von Oldenburg himself may also be in league with the Grosskomtur of the German Order, Franz Karl von Voldensee and his Sergeant-at-arms Marius Metzger, both of whom are in league with several high standing knights of the Court of King Ruprecht, including Dieter Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich, Adam August von Eschenmayer and the mysterious Knight in Black named Krebs whom I have only encountered once.

Aside from these, there are also the members of the Lizard Union, several of whom I suspect to be implicated with the afore mentioned conspirators, and others whom I know to be in league with various Polish and Lithuanian nobles. Nicholas von Renys is a traitor to the Ordenstaat and almost certainly in treasonous conversation with the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila. Frederick of Kitnow is a co-conspirator in Nicholas von Renys’s plots as are John of Pulkow and Frederick of Kitnow. These men make up the governing body of the Lizard Union, but behind them are several other notable figures from Culm, foremost of whom is one Albrecht Wohlfahrt von Toruń. I cannot be certain, but I have reason to suspect that von Toruń is in league with von Beyrich and von Eschenmayer.

Part Five. Ambush

3rd June. 1409.

Lothar von Schöenberg and his men rest up in the early dawn light. Their attack on the farm house at Pinnow was thwarted and whilst their remaing men squat in the early morning light catching their breath Otto Bierhoff approaches the knights with a grave face.
"We lost seven men, three of them are dead"
"Verdamt!" Lothar slams a gauntlet against his armoured thigh. "We must rescue Grubenhagen, he's the only one who can tell us whats going on!"
Heinrich von Lüneberg places his hand on Lothar's shoulder. He is the next ranking Brother Knight in the group but in age and bearing he is second to none.
"Oh Brother of mine. We shall rescue Karl or die in the attempt. He is one of our Order, betrayed, and we must not suffer our fears or fatigue to allow such a thing. I know of many local men who can aid us. Let me gather some allies and then we will return and triumph if God wills it, or find von Beyrich on the road if he tries to flee..."

Lothar looks about his men and finds each and every face firm and resolute.
"It shall be as you suggest Brother Heinrich, but it pains me to wage war upon my fellow Germans whilst all across the Ordenstaat, rebellion simmers. I must assume these gentlemen of the Royal Court are engaged in foul deeds that they hold captive a true and loyal brother of the German Order".
Heinrich von Lüneberg nods solemnly. "It is a foul day indeed, but we must d what must be done!"
The men murmur their agreement and Lothar orders several to accompany von Lüneberg.
"We meet tonight at the crossroads by the broken tree!"

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The screams of the man on the ground suddenly cease as the arrow is finally pulled from his ankle and he faints. Sitting on his horse, von Beyrich watches with a glum countenance.
"Roland!" he calls to his trusted sergeant-at-arms.
"My Lord?" the sturdy soldier replies, marching across the farm yard.
"Roland, we need to move away from this place as soon as possible. We shall travel to Memel at once."
"Yes My Lord!"
"Round up some willing locals and some means to transport the prisoner."
Roland looks down at the moaning man on the ground. Another soldier is tending to the dreadful wound in the man's ankle.
"What about the wounded My Lord?"
"We shall leave them here with von Eschenmayer for now. We can send carts and a doctor to fetch them later on, but for now our priority is to prevent our attackers from taking the prisoner... I wish I knew who they were working for. This attack was a most unpleasant surprise."
"Indeed My Lord."
Adam August von Eschenmayer staggers from the farm house, a crossbow in one hand and a quiver full of bolts in the other. "I am going with you" he states.
"How so?" von Beyrich replies.
"Roland. Send a man to the schloss Ortenstein and request the ue of their carriage. The Baron is an old friend of mine and it will not take more than a few hours."
Roland looks to his lord and master, but von Beyrich merely shrugs.
"As you wish Lord Eschenmayer" Roland hurries away to make the arrangements.
"Why are you doing this?" von Beyrich asks. "You should stay here and recover yourself. Go and visit the schloss Ortenstein perhaps"
"No." Von Eschenmayer replies. "If they come again, I want my revenge! I shall guard Grubenhagen and ensure he does not escape."

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Later that same day Heinrich von Lüneberg rendezvous's with Lothar and his compatriots at the cross roads. The sun has passed from the sky and as its last rays fade, the shadows are long.
"What news Lothar?"
Von Schöenberg emerges from the undergrowth and removes his helmet. On the road behind von Lüneberg he sees a grup of local men bearing weapons.
"There is no news as yet. Either thay have taken a different road or they are still at the farm house. We have set up an ambush though and I anticipate an engagement some time soon."
"I suggest we send some runners to gather more information" von Lüneberg says. Lothar nods, tiredness evident in his every movement. After he has dispatched four of his local skirmishers, von Lüneberg looks to his friend.
"You are tired. How far is it to the ambush?"
"Only a short distance"
"Take me there, and then you must rest"
The two knights make their way through the gathering darkness, followed by the locals who mutter amongst themselves and passing a wine sack.

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Map

All terrain is rough except the road which is good, the stream which is difficult, or unless otherwise marked.

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Forces

Player One: Palle

Lothar von Schöenberg (Ritterbruder)
Maximillian von Schöenberg (Halbbruder)
Albrecht Mannsfeld (Diendebruder)
6 x Archer
6 x Skirmisher
Karl Grubenhagen (unarmed)

Player Two: Goeg

Heinrich von Lüneberg (Ritterbruder)
Lorentz Wolfenbüttel (Halbbruder)
Jörgen Billung (Halbbruder)
3 x Archer
8 x Skirmisher (locals)

Player Three: Oleg

Dieter Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich (Knight)
3 x Spears/cavalry
4 x Arbalestiers
8 x Skirmishers

Player Four: Jan

Roland (Sergeant-at-arms)
2 x Spears/cavalry
2 x Skirmisher/light horse
8 x Skirmisher (locals)

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Starting

Lothar and his men have rested during the night, as have von Beyrich's. Both sides are up early and ready for any eventuality.

Players one and two begin by positioning their troops on the table.
Players three and four arrive in column on road, at the western edge of the table

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Victory conditions

Players one and two win by rescuing Karl Grubenhagen (note player one controls Grubenhagen) or by defeating two thirds of their opponents force.

Baron Ortenstein and his men have become aware of the conflict and are roaming the countryside nearby. If the game is undecided at its close, it iassumed that Lothar and his men have been forced to withdraw by the imminent approach of the local Baron. In this situation players three and four win by default.

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Special rules

Players one and two may place a fallen tree across the road if they wish, or they may arrange for a tree to fall once a signal is given. Furthermore, they may also place 2+ 1d6 booby traps on the map.

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Write up

Palle and Goeg set up traps and positioned their forces for a surprise attack, and then the game began with two of von Beyrich's riders moving along the road ahead of the column and scouting the terrain. In doing so, they managed to discover the ambush before it could begin, and before the caravan had properly arrived on the table. The ambush essentially lost its surprise advantage and went off 'half cocked'.


The carriage and the wagon behind it moved off the road to create a barrier to protect von Beyrich's men (see image above), but as the fight had essentially begun, most of the defenders were scattered around outside the protection of the make shift 'lager'. Of the two cavalry riders who had discovered the ambush, one was quickly brought down by arrows and the other sped away as fast as possible up the road. This looked like he was fleeing but he was simply doing what light horse always do; hit n' run. Over the course of the game, whilst the battle raged at one end of the table, this lone rider ducked and dodged at the other end and took out three of Heinrich von Lüneberg's men. He subsequently became the games highest scoring element.


Arrows were speeding left and right as the ambush erupted and the attackers adapted to the situation. Their initial plan was disrupted, but they still had the advantage of longer range weapons and more missile troops. Von Beyrich's arbelstiers attempted to return fire and were moderately succesful, but sitting in the carriage with von Eschenmayer, who was taking pot shots out the carriage windows with his crossbow, Karl Grubenhagen was simply biding his time. When the attackers shot up the carriage, killing both horses and its driver, Grubenhagen took his chance and jumped out.

Suddenly, the defenders realised their prisoner was fleeing and several of the foot soldiers defied enemy arrow fire and attempted to grab the feeling men. Holding the road, von Beyrich became aware of the situation and urged his horse up the slope, but too no avail. Grubenhagen ran like a hare and his rescuers covered him (Grubenhagen can be seen in the upper left of the above image, in a red cloak, running off behind Lothar's skirmish line). The game ended with a victory for Lothar von Schöenberg and his bretheren as they all slipped away into the undergrowth leaving Dieter Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich and his men in total disarray and still wondering who their attackers actually were...

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a good game, but brief, and some what predictable. Nonetheless I had fun, and I promise that next time, I will have a thespian intro!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the aftermath of this game, read the Testimony of Karl Grubenhagen

Part Four. Saving Karl Grubenhagen

The story so far;

2nd June 1409

Rebellion has gripped the eastern provinces of the Deutsche Ordenstaat, and faithful brother-knight Lothar von Schöenberg has found himself at odds with the leadership of the Teutonic Order. Rushing to the assistance of helpless German farmers against the pitiless Lithuanian uprising, Lothar has found his superiors to be largely indifferent to the suffering of their fellow Germans and far more interested in protecting their own assets and those of their holy order.

Now Lothar, his brother Maximillian and their friend Albrecht Mannsfeld have become aware of a conspiracy of silence amongst senior members of the order concerning a massacre in the village of Pinnow. Only one person can help the three knights discover the truth, but Brother Knight Karl Grubenhagen has been placed under house arrest at an out of the way farm near Rudau.

Together with three other like minded Brother Knights; Lorentz Wolfenbüttel, Heinrich von Lüneberg and Jörgen Billung, Lothar, Maximilian and Albrecht decide to gather together a clandestine raiding party and free Karl Grubenhagen. Each of the knights chooses a few trusted foot soldiers from their personal retinue and dresseed nondescript, they make their way to the farm. Upon their arrival however, they are surprised to learn that the farm is being used as a billet for the retinue of a powerful German knight named Dieter Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich and that of another Knight, Adam August von Eschenmayer.

Lothar hesitates for neither of these two knights are members of the Deustche Orden, but are members of the Court of the German King Ruprecht and their presence implies a great many things. Having previously learned from another Knight of the Royal Court, Ulrich von Kunitz, that King Ruprecht is seriously ill and will probably not be able to assist the Ordenstaat in the face of an inevitable confrontation with the Poles and Lithuanians, Lothar realises that he has probably stumbled across circumstantial evidence of a conspiracy between the leaders of the Ordenstaat and high standing members of the Royal Court of Germany. To what end these men have conspired is not apparent, but what is obvious is that only by freeing Karl Grubenhagen will the truth be revealed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Map

All terrain is rough unless otherwise marked. Roads are good. Building interiors are filled with gear and furniture, so are difficult.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forces

Player One: Oleg

Lothar von Schöenberg (Ritterbruder)
Maximillian von Schöenberg (Halbbruder)
Albrecht Mannsfeld (Diendebruder)
6 x Archer
6 x Skirmisher
Karl Grubenhagen (unarmed)

Player Two: Goeg

Heinrich von Lüneberg (Ritterbruder)
Lorentz Wolfenbüttel (Halbbruder)
Jörgen Billung (Halbbruder)
6 x Archer
6 x Skirmisher

Player Three: Jan

Dieter Anschütz-Kaempfe von Beyrich (Knight)
4 x Spears/cavalry
4 x Arbalestiers
8 x Skirmishers

Player Four: Palle

Adam August von Eschenmayer (Knight)
8 x Spears/cavalry

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starting

Players one and two may decide what time of day they choose to attack, and they may begin in any order, in any round from any edge of the map. Once an element has arrived on the table however, it cannot leave again without being defeated.

Players three and four set up in the farm and may place four sentries each, any where on the table top. All other elements must be inside, or within six inches of a farm building. All elements belonging to players three and four must be on the table top from round one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Victory conditions

Players 1 & 2 win by finding and freeing Karl Grubenhagen.
Players 3 & 4 win by preventing them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special Rules

Karl Grubenhagen must be hidden in a building. He is not tied up as his captors regard him as a gentleman and do not anticipate a rescue attempt. He can be freed simply by removing any guards allowing him to run for it

Players three and four may place four sentries each, any where on the table top. These can be hidden, using the standard stealth rules.

There are six horses tethered in the farm house and eight more around the courtyard. The later can be mounted at the cost of five rounds, from the moment the alarm is given

There are four pigs in the sty they may raise a slight noise if disturbed. Their perception is +1.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Write up

This game was played on thursday 14th Oct. 2010.
Participants were; Oleg, Goeg, Jan & Palle.

The Teuton's decided to approach the farm under the cover of darkness, then attack using the early morning sun as blinding cover against enemy archers. This plan seemed sound, but it had a slight flaw, von Beyrich had placed sentries outside the farm and one of these was in the way of the approaching Teuton archers. The wind was high and cloud cover almost complete, so when two archers approaching from the east stumbled into the sentry at the break in the paddock wall (see second image), neither side had a clear idea what they were facing and when the sentry jumped around the wall, not sure what to expect, he bumped into an archer who took to his heels and fled in panic.

The sentry realised that something was amiss so he ran back to the farm shouting the alarm. The rest of von Schöenberg's archers quickly shot him in the back however so the people at the farm were unsure as to what exactly was going on.

The table top (with Oleg, Palle & Goeg)

First contact

Von Beyrich's (Jan) men realise something is wrong...

...but von Schöenberg's (Oleg) men are too good at hiding in the dark and remain unseen

Meanwhile, von Beyrich's second hidden sentry who was hiding to the north of the farm and watching the road, was noticed by von Lüneberg's skirmishers as they crept closer across the fields. They tried to shoot him, but missed and the sentry, blinded by the darkness and deaf due to the howling wind, didn't even notice he was being shot at. Only when a second, larger group of von Lüneberg's men approached from the north did the second sentry realise he was in danger. He made a dash for the farm... but was also cut down.

By now the men at the farm were aware that something was up and von Eschenmayer wasted no time. He ordered his men to saddle up and ride straight for the enemy. Which they did. Von Eschenmayer and two of his cavalry charged around one end of the farm house and out into the darkness whilst two others tried to go round the other way, jumping the paddock walls as they went and cutting through the trees.

Von Lüneberg (Goeg) launches a diversionary attack from the north

Von Eschenmayer (Palle) sallies forth to do battle with Von Lüneberg's skirmishers

Von Eschenmayer's attack proved to be some what rash however as the paddock walls and von Schöenberg's archers dissolved the second flank whilst von Eschenmayer himself soon got bogged down fighting skirmishers in the dark. Whilst this was happening, von Beyrich was mustering his sleep addled men in the farm courtyard whilst von Eschenmayer's remainig cavalry were still mounting up.

Arrow fire was coming in from multiple directions but von Beyrich and von Eschenmayer's men couldn't see from where. The night was too dark and confusion reigned. Von Beyrich stayed in the courtyard until he had a clear target to attack.

Von Schöenberg then attacked the farm from the south (see image below), approaching in a line with flanking skirmishers and von Eschenmayer's remaining cavalry wheeled to engage them.

Having lured many of the guards away, Lothar von Schöenberg launches his main attack on the farm house

Von Eschenmayer 's rear gaurd turns to engage von Schöenberg

Von Eschenmayer was dragged from his horse by von Lüneberg's skirmishers and foot knights and this left the defenders with something of a problem. Von Beyrich was still holding the courtyard which was being attacked by von Schöenberg, but he was also taking fire from the darkness. He opted to clear out the archers then wheel about and attack von Schöenberg, either in the courtyard or from behind, depending on how well von Eschenmayer's remining cavalry held.

Alas it was not to be. The game ended before von Beyrich could carry out his plan.

Von Eschenmayer had been defeated and neither side had a significant loss of forces but essentially it was a victory for the defenders, as their prisoner remained in the farm house.

Von Eschenmayer's initial attack ends in defeat

Von Beyrich charges into the dark to find and kill the snipers who were pestering him

Part 3. The Bridge

Having returned to Memel from his mission in Samogitia. Lothar von Schöenberg is burdened by dark thoughts for the future. Bloody rebellion is in the air and the leaders of the Ordenstaat appear to be indifferent to the consequences of their actions. Lothar sits in his cell at Schloss Oldenburg when suddenly he becomes aware of a distant voice, He lifts his head to see his younger brother Maximilian and his old friend Albrecht Mansfeld entering the chapel and seconds later the three men are laughing and slapping each others shoulders.

"Brother, I heard you were set upon by Rebels!" Maximilian exclaims, his eyes searching Lothar for visible evidence of combat.
I was but never mind. It was Gods will that I should survive, even though many did not. How are you both? What brings you here?"
"The Grand Komtur sent us to you. We are to assist you in your new task"
"What new task?"
Maximilian grins and produces a small roll of paper tied and sealed with a ribbon and the crest of the Ordenstaat.
"For you."

Lothar breaks the seal and his eyes narrow as he reads quickly. He looks at his brother and passes him the roll.
"If its war you want, then the Lord has provided."
Maxmillian shrugs and reads the parchment quietly.

My Dearest Lothar.
I pray your strength is sound for I have an urgent task for you. Father Vitalius of Talsi is to return to Memel at once, but the road from Kurland has been cut off at the Liba bridge by the Curonian Cheiftain Vironia who currently holds sway in the lands north of Liba. Take your brother and the men I have placed at his disposal and open the bridge before the night of the seventeenth of May. On that night, Father Vitalius will cross the bridge at midnight and you must bring him to Memel at all costs!

Großkomtur des Deutschen Orden
Franz Karl von Voldensee

"What do you think?" Maximillian asks Albrecht Mansfeld.
"It seems straight forward enough" Mansfeld replies. Lothar nods, but slowly.
"It is very straight forward but it is lacking in detail. How many men has the Grand Komtur sent?"
Maximilian leads the way to a small window which looks out onto the central courtyard of the castle and motions for Lothar to see for himself. Lothar peers down and is astonished to see a gang of rough and dirty men in muddied brown. He counts sixteen in total. None wearing mail, nor any insignia of the Ordenstaat.
"Who are they?" he asks in bewilderment.
"They came from Danzig but I believe they are Danes. Their leader calls himself Erik Gyldenløve."
"Danes?" Lothar shakes his head in surprise. "Why has his Excellency sent us Danes?"
"I have had occaison to judge them on the road here" Mansfeld interjects. "I don't believe they are all Danes. Some are Germans, from Lübeck if their accent is anything to judge by and at least one of them is a Rügian."
Lothar makes his way down to the courtyard where the motley band has gathered around the well head. One of their number stands up and bows slightly as the Teutonic knight approaches. He is a small man with wiry, red blond hair and a crooked nose.
"Erik Gyldenløve I presume?"
The man smiles and nods. "At your command My Lord" he replies in a strange accented voice.
"You are a Dane?" Lothar asks.
Gyldenløve nods and again his face splits in a wide toothy grin."Very much so!"
Lothar regards the strange man for a moment. There is something unusual about him, a certainty bordering on the cocky that belies the man's humble appearance. He regards the other men in the group and notes their many and varied weapons.
"You are mercenaries" he decides.
"In a manner of speaking, I suppose we are, but My Lord, do not hold it against us, for in this venture we act in accordance with the designs of the Grand Komtur."
"Of course" Lothar replies, "and please pardon my brusque manner, but what manner of men are you?"
"My men and I have had... experience with the Curonians and we were asked by Von Voldensee to assist you because we have made killing Curonians our particular specialty". Gyldenløve hefts a short lethal axe and waggles it in the air. "Mjölnar here has killed over thirty Curonians in just the last two years".
Regarding the slight glaze of madness in the small Dane's eyes, Lothar believes him. He nods to the short bows, javelins and hand weapons the men carry. "You are tirailleuren? ...Skirmishers?"
"Ja ja!"the men laugh and Gyldenløve chuckles.
"Let us say that".

Later in the evening, Lothar, Maximillian, Albrecht and Otto Bierhoff gather in s mall antechamber of the castle chapel.
"Well, what do you think Otto?"
Bierhof rubs his chin. "To be honest My Lord, I think they are free booters. There doesn't seem to be one God fearing man amongst them."
"Well, we are ordered to use them and frankly, I'd just as soon send Danes out to die than Germans, but only if they can fight! Can they do the job?"
"They handle themselves well" Otto nods, "and their weapons are all well maintained. Familiar in their hands. I think they are well used to killing, but I don't trust them".
The Germans all exchange knowing glances.
"I will take some of our own men with us" Lothar agrees, ”But you and Albrecht will remain here... I have other work for you. Important work!”
”As you wish brother” Maximilian replies, disappointed but with a raised eyebrow

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starting

Having travelled in good time, Lothar and his men have been able to approach the bridge undetected and as dusk approaches they watch from afar as a camp fire lights up. On the bridge a farm wagon has been tipped to form a barricade and gathered around it are several armed men, though none appear to be heavily armoured. Lothar directs Erik and his men into position...

Draguni of Berzika and his men begin any where on the table, but must be guarding the bridge and at least half of their number are gathered at their camp site on the northern side of the river. Player 3 decides the location of the camp site.

Schöenberg and Gyldenløve begin off table and may come on from any side of the game table they choose, when ever they choose. Once they have entered the table top however, elements belonging to players 1 & 2 can not leave again without suffering a defeat.

Vironia is tracking Father Vitalius and arrives in round nine.

Map

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Forces


Player 1: Goeg

Lothar von Schöenberg
Otto Bierhoff.
4 x Teuronic arbelestiers
6 x Gyldenløve’s skirmishers

Player 2: Jan

Erik Gyldenløve
Father Vitalius
5 x Gyldenløve’s archers
5 x Gyldenløve’s skirmishers

Player 3: Rasmus

Draguni of Berzika
7 x Curonian skirmishers
7 x Curonian archers
Camp site marker (fire pit)

Player 4: Palle

Vironia
4 x Curonian cavalry
8 x Curonian light cavalry

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Victory conditions

Players 1 & 2 win by getting Father Vitalius safely across the bridge. Players 3 & 4 win by preventing Father Vitalius from crossing the bridge.
If the primary victory conditions are not met, either side can win by downing both enemy officers, or two thirds of the enemy force.

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Special Rules

Father Vitalius is a spy and has a healthy stealth bonus. He can ride a horse.

The farm building contains the decomposing bodies of a man and young boy and the stench makes the building undesirable. The building suffers a terrain disadvantage as a result, but can be endured by a man with a strong stomach.
There are no pigs left in the sty.

The river boat is swamped and cannot move. It can be used to fight upon, but suffers a terrain disadvantage.

Curonian light cavalry can exit the table top and move around its edge as if in difficult and then re-enter at another point. They cannot however cross the river whilst the barricade is in place.

Moving the barricade requires two men to roll against 5, or three men to roll against 4. Alternatively a horse with a rope can be used. This takes one round to attach the rope and one round to move the cart. The horse must roll against 2.

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Write up

This game was played on thursday 16th Sept. 2010

Rasmus as Draguni began by deploying his troops, scattered all along the river's edge with archers hiding under cover on either side and his camp site some distance to the west of the bridge. On the bridge itself he placed three archers and two skirmishers.

Goeg as Lothar had the option of attacking from any direction he chose (his elements could swim across the river off map and attack when ready). He decided on a course of action that would attack the barricade on the bridge from both sides at once with Lothar surprise attacking from the north and Otto using his horse to pull the barricade off the bridge.

Jan as Erik deployed in various flanking positions to Lothar's men, with Erik himself taking up a position on the southern bank, to the east of the bridge, from where he could fire on the men guarding the barricade. Erik also sent two small groups of skirmishers across the river with Lothar to give support and help Father Vitalius reach the bridge.

Lothar's surprise attack (see above) began hostilities. Three of Erik's skirmishers followed the Teutonic knight into the fray in order to protect his rear whilst he slaughtered the poorly armoured bridge defenders. At the same time the Germans on the southern bank moved into firing range and the archers Erik had placed to the west of the bridge began firing at the Curonian camp site, killing Draguni who was on his horse.

Though it took longer than anticipated, Goeg's tactic worked. Lothar managed to clear the bridge (to the satisfaction of the Gullit) and Otto managed to pull the wagon back to form a new barricade from which the Germans might defend themselves against the rapidly approaching Curonian Cheiftain Vironia.

Erik's skirmish rear guard on the northern bank, held long enough to assist Lothar but eventually all died. The two remaining Skirmishers were escorting Father Vitalius but the arrival of Vironia sent them back under cover.

Palle as Vironia, Cheiftain of the Curonians arrived in pursuit of the spy, Father Vitalius. Upon finding the bridge barricade captured he deployed, then redeployed his light horse in various formations to bring his archers into an advantagous position. The Germans on the southern bank returned fire and Erik almost had Vironia.

Lothar and Otto bolstered the barricade with as many skirmishers as they could bring up but a withering attrition was picking off the lighter troops on both sides.

The game ended abruptly when Erik and his archers turned their fire once again on Vironia and he recoiled (fled) off the edge of the table.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aftermath

Tired and weary the Germans watch in amazement as the Curonians break off and retreat.
"What happened?" Lothar wonders aloud.
Erik Gyldenløve saunters over and grins.
"Did you see that?" he gestures to the northern bank as he shouts. "I didn't even hit him but he ran any way"
"You probably scared his horse" Otto replies. "You probably hit it on the back side."
Erik is laughing too hard to heed.
"He ran away the coward!"
"Perhaps" Lothar says as he stands in his stirrupts to get a better view, "but they've stopped running now. They're up on that hill, regrouping. I suggest we find Father Vitalius and get away from here as fast as we can."
Otto wastes no time. He gallops across the bridge shouting for the priest.
Erik peers in to the diminishing light.
"I don't see them" he mutters.
Lothar shouts orders to his archers and the Germans gather around the stinking farm house.
"Torch this building" Lothar commands. "By its light we may see the Curonians if they give chase"
As Otto and Father Vitalius return over the bridge. Lothar points to the farm wagon barricade.
"Push that back onto the bridge and torch it also. It may slow them down if they give chase".
As his men rush to do his bidding, Lothar accepts a water bag and takes a long grateful swig.
"Its thirsty work" Erik laughs. "Killing Curonians"

Three days later Lothar enters his cell in Schloss Oldenburg with Maximillian and Albrecht close behind him.
"What did you find out?" he asks
"You are not the only one with doubts brother" Maximillian's face is grave and troubled. "We spoke to Karl Heinrich as you suggested and to Lorentz Wolfenbüttel, von Lüneberg and Billung and they have all agreed to a meeting, but we could'nt reach Grubenhagen because he has been detained by von Oldenburg. Karl Heinrich informed us that von Oldenburg has recently received secret orders from the Großkomtur and this has something to do wth Grubenhagen's arrest."
Lothar frowns, then stands and paces the cell.
"Why would the Großkomtur arrest Grubenhagen? It doesn't make sense."
"I don't know" Maximilian replies, "but I don't like it"
"Grubenhagen was with von Voldensee and Metzger at Pinnow" Albrecht Mansfeld says softly. The Schöenberg brothers turn to regard him. Standing by the window his face in shadows, contrasted against the light.
"What happened at Pinnow?" Maximillian looks from Mansfeld to his older brother.
"There was a Polish attack. Von Voldensee reported it last year. An entire village was wiped out. The Order blamed the attack on Jogaila."
Mansfeld nods.
"Grubenhagen was there. He has since implied that the Poles were not responsible for the massacre. He didn't say who was but the inferrence appears to indicate some one within the order."
Maximilian inhales sharply. "Such an accusation would be treason, unless it were true"
Lothar shakes his head.
"Even if it were true. The Ordenstaat cannot tolerate internal dissentention with Vytautas so powerful. If von Voldensee is protecting some one, then he would have to remove Grubenhagen's loose tongue."
The three friends regard each other in silence.
"The Order is compromised by the greed and incompetence of its own leadership" Albrecht Mansfeld states. Lothar nods.
"I swore to protect Christians, to further the cause of Christ on Earth."
"Whats to be done?" Maximillian asks.
Lothar meets his brothers eyes. Years of faithful service have brought him to the edge of open rebellion but his conscience remains clear.
"I have prayed for God's guidance and I know what to do. We must rescue Karl Grubenhagen!"

Part two. The road to Memel

Image inspired by an original work by NC Wyeth

3rd May. 1409.

Having gathered all the surviving German civilians of Karlshof, and having looted the defeated Lithuanians (including Vladimir's rather expensive horse). Lothar gave orders to evacuate the village after the civilians warned of other Lithuanian war bands roaming the nearby countryside. Lothar realised the longer he stayed in Karlshof the more likely he would be attacked so gathering his booty in a small convoy he headed west for the river Neman.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometime around dusk, as the Germans approach a ridge on their way to the river, a solitary figure steps out into the road before them.
"Halt!" the man shouts in German. "Halt in the name of Ulrich von Kunitz!"
Lothar rides to the fore and holds up a mailed hand.
”I am Lothar von Schöenberg, Brother Knight of the Ordenstaat and bound for Memel.”
The figure in the road approaches cautiously, a loaded arbalest in his hands. ”Who do you travel with?” he asks.
”My men and some Germans fleeing the treachery of Vytautas”
Another figure approaches from the gloom. Others can be glimpsed along the ridge, barely visible against the backdrop of dark trees.
”I am Ulrich von Kunitz” the second man says in a deep imposing voice. ”I too am headed for Memel and Germans from Samogitia travel with me. You are welcome to join our camp”
Lothar considers the offer. Time is of the essence, but his retinue is already weary from the forced pace of the last two days and the German civilians look pinched and miserable. He looks to his Sergeant-at-Arms. ”What say you Otto?”
”We know they are coming after us and we are moving too slow with all this baggage. We need to rest before we are overrun” Bierhoff replies tersely.
Lothar agrees.
”We will rest with these people until dawn then.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beyond the ridge is a simple roadside camp, a fire and warm food. Whilst Bierhoff and von Kunitz’s men arrange a perimeter, Lothar sits on a log beside Ulrich.
”I know your name sir. Are you not of the Royal Court?”
”I am, for what thats worth these days”
Lothar frowns as he regards Ulrich. ”Come sir, what do you mean by that?”
Ulrich glances about the camp as if to catch eave droppers, but no one is paying any attention to anything but the hot broth being served.A few are engaged in conversations of their own, none sit close enough to hear what is said above the crackle of the fire.
”King Ruprecht is ill and I do not think he will live much longer. In his illness the King has no interest beyond the court and the throne of the emperor is beyond us. With the current state of affairs, I cannot see any great likelihood of a German ascending the Imperial throne.”
”Samogitia will soon be in open rebellion” Lothar predicts. ”If the king is as weak as you say, can he support the Order?”
Ulrich regards the younger knight with melancholy eyes. ”Probably not, but the Brotherhood has not asked for help so even if the King could help, any aid he might feel able to offer would wait in vain.”
Lothar pauses and says nothing for in his mind the answer forming is unpardonable, his allegiance to the Grand Master is an obligation he cannot allow himself to violate, but in his heart he knows that Ulrich von Jungingen is stubborn and proud. Until now he has defied his innermost feelings but suddenly, seeing the resignation in Ulrich von Kunitz’s eyes, Lothar realises that his faith in the Grand Master is lost and even his faith in the Ordenstaat is precarious. He looks about the fire place, at the German civilians in their mud spattered clothes with gaunt, tired faces and realises that they are symbolic of everything he has sworn to protect. Watching him, Ulrich von Kunitz nods his head wearily.
Otto Bierhoff approaches, stepping carefully over the sleeping bodies huddled about the fire. ”My Lord...”
Lothar looks up and sees the urgency written upon Sergeant-at-Arms face. ”There are men on the last ridge behind us and Jörgen counts at least three horsemen.”
”I will join you” Ulrich von Kunitz says as he rises to his feet.
As the older knight hastens to confer with his men, Lothar grabs Bierhoff's arm.
”Find Gerd Möller and put him on the Russian horse. Tell him to ride for Memel at once!”
Bierhoff nods.
”As you wish My Lord”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Map

All terrain is Rough unless otherwise marked and the road is Good. The camp site is Rough.
The dotted line indicates the ridge

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forces

Player One: Palle

Lothar von Schöenberg (Ritterbruder of the Teutonic Order)
Otto Bierhoff (Teutonic Sergeant-at-Arms)
4 x Teutonic Infantry
4 x Teutonic Cavalry
5 x German civilians
Baggage wagon wth two oxen

Player Two: Oleg

Ulrich von Kunitz (German Knight of the Court of King Ruprecht III)
6 x German Infantry
6 x German Skirmishers
2 x German civilians with crossbows
5 x German civilians
2 x Mules

Player Three: Jan

Svarn of Šiaulē (the celebrated first son of a Lithuanian noble)
4 x Lithuanian Cavalry
7 x Lithuanians Skirmishers
7 x Lithuanian Archers

Player Four: Goeg

Vaclav of Stentzin (the fifth son of a minor Lithuanian noble)
Vladimir Rus (Russian Knight/adventurer of dubious reputation)
6 x Lithuanian Infantry
8 x Lithuanian Light Cavalry/Turcopoles

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starting

Players One and Two start to the west, and along the ridge in prepared positions. All civilians begin within 6 inches of the campfire.

Players Three and Four begin within six inches of the estern edge of the table.

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Victory Conditions

Either side wins by defeating both generals, or two thirds of the opposing force. If neither side has won by the end of the game, the DM considers the situation from a role playing perspective.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special Notes

The game takes place during the night, but there is a quarter moon so visibility is reduced to 24 inches and command range is reduced to 12 inches.

All players may pass movement pips to their partners.

The Lithuanian Turcopoles are extremely skilled and can fire on a target any where within 360' degrees.

Both Vaclav of Stentzin and Vladimir Rus were wounded in the last game and Vladimir Rus suffers a penalty as a result; in this game he is classed as ordinary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Write up

This game was played on Thursday 11th February. 2010.

Angered by their defeat at Karlshof, Vaclaf of Stentzin and Vladimir Rus sought the help of another marauding Lithuanian noble; the dreaded Svarn of Šiaulē. Celebrated by his people as a hero, Svarn is a ruthless young man dedicated to restoring Lithuanian power at the expense of Germans. He readily agreed to track down and kill Lothar and his retinue. Filled with eagerness then, the Lithuanians mounted up and followed the fleeing Germans with all haste.

Catching up with them after night fell, the Lithuanians entered the game table from the east, converging at the junction with their mounted troops and making no attempt to conceal themselves.

Hatching plans; Goeg and I had seven different plans during the game but to no avail

The Germans having been made aware of the Lithuanian approach had decided on a cunning plan which would lure the Lithuanians into the forest where traps and ambushes were waiting whilst all the heavier German elements were concealed behind the northern hillock awaiting the Lithuanian attack. The Lithuanians however did not attack. Instead, they used the cover of darkness to move their lighter troops into the open ground where they set up a loose line of archers and soldiers, hoping to provoke the Germans into emerging from the forest. For a long time, nothing much happened. Beyond the ridge, the German civilians were busily engaged in creating a subterfuge but most of the rest of the Germans remained under cover. Only a few brave Germans crept out into the darkness, penetrating the Lithuanian line and scouting the terrain.

Eventually the foremost Lithuanians crept into the forest where they soon discovered small groups of Germans crouching behind bushes and trees. One Lithuanian in particular, by the name of Biatuslaf the Bold, managed to pass over the reach and in doing so, discovered the German cavalry, including both the German knights. Unfortunately Biatuslaf was so far forward that he could not get word back to his companions. This was remedied when the Lithuanian Archers spotted the German knights (Lothar's white surcoat and big white crest being difficult to conceal in the dark). The word was sent back and the Lithuanians charged. Svarn, Vaclaf and Vladimir Rus charged up the road with the Lithuanian cavalry whilst the Lithuanian light horses rode to either side to provide cover.

The big Lithuanian idea was apparently nipped in the bud however, when the Germans also charged, though what looked like it might develop into a headlong smash turned out to be a feint and the Germans quickly turned and fled back into the forest. Ignoring this obvious ploy, the Lithuanians carried on down the road with the idea of passing right through the German positions and coming up from the rear, unfortunately at this point we ran out of time, so the game was concluded with the Lithuanians ignoring several more viable options and turning into the forest in order to force a satisfactory conclusion. Svarn, Vladimiar and two Lithuanian cavalry charged into Lothar and a line of spear men but were all but obliterated, Vladimir Rus being bodily impaled on a Teutonic spear. Only Svarn of Šiaulē survived the initial charge, meeting Lothar in a brief series of blows which left neither knight at a disadvantage.

Svard leads the Lithuanian charge up the road, and then spots Lothar off to his right

Svard survices contact with Lothars line, but Vladimir Rus doesn't.

All around them the forest was in mayhem as the ordered ranks dissolved into a squabbling meleé, so the two knights were forced to turn their attentions else where. Svarn eventually withdrew from the chaos with most of his forces intact. Lothar and Ulrich carried the day but at a heavy cost.

Neither side defeated two thirds of the other, and all four commanding elements survived the game. Palle and Oleg won because they'd defeated several of the Lithuanian elements, where as the Lithuanians hadn't managed to defeat a single German element.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aftermath

Battered and weary, but still alive, the remaining Germans withdraw back across the River Neman and make their slow way to the coast and to Memel where Lothar is admitted to the chambers of the Komtur, Albrecht von Oldenburg.

"Ah, my dear Brother Lothar!" the squat muscular von Oldenburg exclaims as he peers from his ledgers. "How good it is to see you hale! I take it you dealt with the Lithuanian rebels that kept you on the road?"
"I am afraid not" von Schöenberg replies, "though truth be told, we did put a great many to the sword."
"Indeed...?"
Von Oldenburg is an older man, heavier than Lothar but slowly losing his strength with the passage of time. With his great black beard now greying and the lines about his face deepening, his appearance is more of statesman than a soldier, and yet he wears his armour and resting across his thighs is a mighty broadsword.
"I welcome your news" he says bluntly. This unreliable peace was always a bastard child of chance, forced upon us by outsiders. We were always going to see rebellion sooner or later. Vytautas will never rest easily under the Ordenstaat. It will be good to bring the sword to bear again."
Lothar agrees with regards to Vytautas, but watching the Komtur's eagerness he realises that there is more to the older Knight's sanguine nature than a wish to deal with Vytautas. In von Oldenburg's face, Lothar sees the animated greed of an old man grasping for youth. He says nothing however. Tradition and respect are utmost in his mind, though his conscience struggles with his misgivings.
"War will see a great many Germans killed in Samogitia" he says in as neutral a voice as possible. The older man's lack of interest shows his tact to have been in vain.
"Indeed, Christians on both sides" he adds.
The Komtur regards him.
"It cannot be helped" he replies and his voice conveys a degree of sadness which briefly confuses Lothar. "The Lord God will protect the righteous however!"
"As you say My Lord. Tell me, did a man I sent ahead reach you?"
"A man?"
"His name was Gerd Möller..."
"Ah yes. The one who saw the Lithuanians mustering forces. Yes he made it here. I was very happy to hear from him. I sent him on to Marienburg at once. The Brethren will be most interested to hear what he has to say. Well done."

Several days later, Lothar sits in contemplation when he becomes aware of a distant voice, He lifts his head to see his younger brother Maximilian entering the chapel. At his side walks Albrecht Mansfeld who is trusted by both. All three embrace.
"Brother, I heard you were set upon by Rebels!" Maximilian exclaims, his eyes searching Lothar for visible evidence of combat.
I was but never mind. It was Gods will that I should survive, even though many did not. How are you both? What brings you here?"
"The Grand Komtur sent us to you. We are to assist you in your new task"
"What new task?"
Maximilian grins and produces a small roll of paper tied and sealed with a ribbon and the crest of the Ordenstaat.
"For you..."