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The annual migration of the Un-men races the previous spring has led to the traditional destruction and suffering in the Middlelands. Dresda has once again fallen to the Orcs and raiding parties of Un-men have made repeated forays against human settlements throughout the land. Prince-Magnate Otto III of Dresda is once again raising an army to retake his city and the other eleven Princes of the Middlelands supply him with valuable men and money for his cause. However raising an army takes time and it is proving necessary to employ mercenaries to protect the land still under human control. One of the units hired is the legendary Doomgarde Legion. Reputed to have been founded by one of the Middlelands Princes (the Diaries of Francisco Annis make this claim, though Eckhardt's Compendium Militaria disputes this and claims a darker heritage - and purpose). The Doomgarde Legion comprises of approximately one thousand men, all expert fighters, but men without a cause of their own. Currently it is under the command of the Captain-General of Mercenaries, Udo of Brebant, and he has split his command into many smaller units, spreading them thinly throughout the Middle Kingdoms to act as supports for local militias and other less reliable mercenary units. Some of the Doomgarde have been charge with seeking out and destroying some of the most notorious bands of Un-men raiders. One of these commands is that of Graf Richard von Viebrieks widow, Olrika von Viebriek. She started the campaign with twenty-five Doomgarde, but the constant fighting against the Un-men has depleted this number. Over the last few months twelve of her troops have died in the fighting, although on the plus side ninety-seven Un-men heads have been sent to their employers as proof of their successes (including those of the legendary Goblin Niblog and his Backwoods Band). Unfortunately for von Viebriek, seven of her command have recently contracted the debilitating Cozkreczi Marsh Fever, which although not fatal has left her with just six fit Doomgarde (including herself). Still, the depravations of the Un-men means that time and tide still waits for no man (or woman...). The Doomgarde Intelligence has reached Olrika von Viebriek that a small fresh band of Orc bandits have moved into the area near the village of Deurkinfelk. The majority of the inhabitants have fled, but should the Orcs pillage and raze the area, then it would prove nigh on impossible for the local harvest to be reaped in the late summer. The harvests are vitally important for the survival of the small human population in the Middlelands, and von Viebriek knows that he must do everything in his power to ensure that the Un-men are eradicated. The Doomgarde are Human Mercenaries are all are equipped with halberd, sword, shield, breastplate and leather. Including herself, von Viebriek has six fit Doomgarde to complete his mission. Olrika von Viebriek is the Commander of the unit and widow of an exiled Dresdan noble, embittered both at the futility and folly of Otto III and the so-called 'pride' of the Dresdan nobility. von Viebriek is an Experienced soldier with magical abilities. Malik Widukind is an Eastern Horse Warrior, banished from his Clan following an unfortunate incident which ended with the daughter of his Atan pregnant, and Widukind ending up in the Middle Kingdoms. Widukind counts as an Average fighter. Sajer Krossvert is a native of Meerbricht who deserted the Duke of Frinse's army prior to
its ignominious defeat at the hands of the Un-men. Having subsequently tried his hand at
banditry and petty theft, he drifted from city to city before joining the Doomgarde.
Krossvert is an Average warrior.
Rhodri ap Fychan is a rural lad from a small farming community who has left his village for
the call of the big city... Unfortunately an incident in a Franzburg tavern when Fychan (in all
innocence) attempted to protect a young "lady's" honour, and ending up killing her pimp
resulted in his fleeing from the authorities. Fortunately von Viebriek caught up with him first
and persuaded him that the Doomgarde could do with a strong young lad like him. Fychan is
Raw, but due to his size gains an additional + 1 in hand-to-hand combat.
Kuielm ab Meurig is the units' archetypical 'man with no past'. No one knows were he comes from, who he really is or why he joined the Doomgarde. Nevr one to crack a joke or show emotions he only smiles when he is killing. Meurig is Raw but has magical attributes.
Mahel van Koorst is one of the few survivors of the fall of Castle Ferwarden in the previous year's campaign. van Koorst is now a man without a home, and with a past he wishes both to forget and avenge. Van Koorst counts as a Raw fighter but gains an additional + 2 for any morale check in battles against Un-men due to his passionate hatred of them. Webmaster's Notes The above rules were first printed in the original Dresda rulebook in 1996 and they are included here with the kind permission of the authors. |
