Following the disastrous collapse of my forces Hardenburg's part in the Averland War of Succession came to an end. After initial success as the Marines, led by Pietr, crossed the Blue Reach and at the
Battle of Pfunzig secured a foothold in the town of Pfunzig, the Grand Army, led by Pietr while the Prince took charge of the marines in their push west, marched of Grenzsdadt only to be crushingly defeated by Ferdinand Leitdorf (Kastor Leitdorf's cousin) at
the Battle of Grenzsdadt. Away in the north, Prince Vyshnevtsky was marching upon Bieswang with the full force of the Hardenburg marines when he was
ambushed by the newly arrived Kastor. But the marines put up a fierce fight and by the end both forces were forced to retire to Bieswang and Pfunzig respectively. A
following clash as the two armies again tried to advance along the road ended in another terrible defeat for Hardenburg, and the Prince and the Marines were beaten back to Pfunzig. To the south Ferdinand, pursuing the retreat Grand Army with his van upon a winged steed, caught the Kasotian rearguard in the Grenzsdadt hills.
The Battle of the Grenzsdadt hills ended in another crushing defeat for the Grand Army which was forced to flee to Pfunzig. But in Pfunzig the Prince with the marines was coming under
assault by Kastor Leitdorf's forces. At last the Hardenburgers clawed back victory and Kastor was sent reeling from the town. Making good upon this recent victory the Prince led his army to
assault Bieswang once more and this time broke Kastor's defenders and took the town. Yet it afforded him little good as Ferdinand, once more catching up with Pietr, headed off the Hardenburgers from Pfunzig, allowing them to fall back across Blue Reach, but occupying Pfunzig and thus severing the Marines' supply line and stranding them in Bieswang.
Hardenburg was thus left with no secure foothold south of the river and with an army surrounded, whose evacuation would have to be negotiated. Thus did the diplomats, who had severed ties since the Battle of Grenzsdadt, meet again with all graciousness and apology.
Here is the letter by letter account of how they did resolve the war...
Kastor,
Baron, General of the Empire, leader of the armies of the famed realm of
Averland, protector of the Moot, destroyer of chaos and cultists, killer
of orcs, goblins, ogres, dragons, giants (of various sizes), fell bats, beastmen,
Dark Elves, Vampires and skaven.
The wielder of the Averland Runefang, true
successor of Marius Leitdorf, the late noble and rightful governor of the
aforementioned state of Averland, master of the Dwarven road and the rivers
Aver and Blue Reach.
Supported by the loyal nobles of Averland,
Tilla and Estalia, the Valorous knights of the Blazing Sun and the Moot.
From him;
He wills you, in the name of Sigmar Almighty,
That you divest yourself, and lay apart
The borrow'd glories that by gift of heaven,
By law of nature and of nations,belong
To him and to his heirs; namely, the throne of Averland
And all honors that pertain.
That you may know
'Tis no sinister nor no awkward claim,
Pick'd from the worm-holes of long-vanish'd days,
Nor from the dust of old oblivion raked,
He descends from this most memorable line,
In every branch truly demonstrative;
A Litdorf,
You find him evenly derived
From his most famed of famous kin,
Marius Litdorf. He bids you then resign
Your claim on his state, indirectly held
From him the native and true challenger.
Our demands are
I The return of the sized forcefully and
captured town of Bieswang.
II For the surrender or exile of the false and
cowardly Von Alptraums, who dare not come and face us on the field but send
better men in their place.
III That all troops, agents and followers of
Principality Of Hardenburg leave the State of Averland. Making no attempt to
molest or hinder the citizens of the afore mentioned Sate of Averland.
IV That no further claim to the throne be made the
Princes of Hardenburg, and that the Litdorf line is recognized as the true
heirs.
V That the knights of the Black Bear who wish to
return to their chapter house swear to never raise sword to the line of
Leitdorf.
VI That in time of war the old customs of the
empire be kept and States march side by side for the emperor.
VII That the taxes and revenue of the so
called Old Dwarf Road and rivers Aver and Blue Reach remain in the hands of
throne of Averland.
VIII That no force of men, armed agents and ill
wishers enter uniformed into the Land of the Leitdorf's from The principality
of Hardenburg.
IX That a tribute be payed from the Republic of
Kasos of one river galley and the sum of 40,000 Kasotion Kos every year
until the wood is not to be found or the line of Leitdorf fails. (our scorn to
the failed Warden of the Lagoon, may he remember his lesson, that the field of
battle is no place for for a robber pirate. May the Kasotions find a more
worthy warden to lead their men, who are ill used to have such a commander.)
X For the head of the Chaplin of the Knights of The
Black Bear we also ask.
XI That in time of need forces of Averland and
Hardenburg may pass, escorted but unhindered, through their respective
lands.
XII That the traitor Knights of the Black Bear or
Hardenburg let over ninety fit recruits and arms every year for forty summers.
Though they will not give the widows back their sons, they will repay our
armies what is due.
These terms are open to dignified and diplomatic
debate. Any point can be talked over in detail if so wished.
If you refuse these teams
Bloody constraint will follow; for if you hide the
truth to his claim
Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it:
Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming,
In thunder and in earthquake, like a Griffon,
That, if requiring fail, he will compel;
And bids you, in the name of Sigmar,
Deliver up the Von Alptraums, and to take mercy
On the poor souls of Hardenburg for whom this hungry war
Opens his vasty jaws; and on your head
Turning the widows' tears, the orphans' cries
The dead men's blood, the pining maidens groans,
For husbands, fathers and betrothed lovers,
That shall be swallow'd in this controversy.
This is his claim, his threatening and his message.
Finally The Baron Kastor, heir to Averland, wishes
to retract his words concerning the Prince and his family, that he stated in his
other massages, and having fought the prince face to face to sees he is a just
and noble man, and that it was his youth and love for his people that
made him speak so rashly.
Letter
from Hardenburg
Vyshnevtsky, the second of that name, Grand Prince
of Hardenburg and true Lord of that City of the line of Von Hune, Baron of
Stirland, General of the Empire, Servant of Morr and Protector of his
Church, friend of Dwarves, Elves and men, enemy of all undead, daemons, skaven,
beastmen and other abominations of the world.
Master of the Sylvanian lands, bonded protector of
the Glorious and Free City Republic of Kasos, supported by the loyal nobles of
Hardenburg, Kasos, Tilea and Estalia and the Glorious knights of the Black
Bear.
In his name the regency council of Lord Pietr, the
truly born, Grand Master of the Knights of the Black Bear, Boris Johannes
Marcov, the Archlector of Morr, and Duke Vyshnevtsky, the third of that name,
son and heir of the Grand Prince, do greet your welcome treaties.
An end to the recent and most bloody conflict is
greatly desired by both the Grand city of Hardenburg and the noble electorate
state of Averland. As it has proved in the recent war, the holy lord Morr,
gardener of the grove of the dead, does not support our great city's cause in
this fight and has rewarded you with victory on the field. We therefore submit
to His will and your prowess. Yet though he has shown to us that your line is
true, still he has not deserted our great city, for His name is still
Hallow'd here.
Though your demands are for the most part agreeable
to our great city, there are certain points we wish discussed further
III That all troops, agents and followers of the
Grand Principality of Hardenburg shall leave the State of Averland, making no
attempt to molest or hinder the citizens of the afore mentioned Sate of
Averland. In addition to this that all plunder taken might be returned to its
rightful owners, but that this shall be done trusting the honour of the Prince
and that the army and its followers shall not be molested or hindered in their
turn whilst they are withdrawing. And that envoys and messengers shall be
return to each other's capitals so that diplomacy may recommence.
VII That the
taxes and revenue of the so called Old Dwarf Road and the river Aver remain in
the hands of throne of Averland, but that the taxes and revenue of the Blue
reach remain, as they have for centuries, in the hands of the Grand city of
Hardenburg, for they are the lifeblood of that city's people. This is the one
article to which there can be little compromise since were the river's trade to
be forfeited by our Great city it would mean greater ruin than our losses in
this conflict have yet deserved. Indeed to the people of this city such a
calamity as the loss of the benefit of the Blue reach trade would heavier
born than for our city to be under great siege, plagued by flame, famine
and necromancy.
IX The Glorious and Free City Republic of Kasos is
a free city and a republic, and though it is our vassal and under our
protection, neither we nor the warden of the Lagoon (when that post,
currently empty and up for election, shall be filled) can command the city to
do any such thing. For though the power to declare war and to make peace lies
with the warden, he is entirely at the mercy of the Council of Merchant's voted
funds, and they are a stubborn and, and dare I say divided, body. We cannot
speak for them.
X The chaplain of the Black Bear will be replaced
with one of our own priests of Morr.
XII That the honourable Knights of the Black Bear
(who did honour their oath of fealty to our Lord), swear such fealty to the
Baron Kastor to serve and fight for him in times of war (this is our greatest
concession) - though their allegiance to the Grand Prince of Hardenburg, when
both our lands are in a state of war with other lands, shall take
precedence.
Should these conditions be met, then to these
listed hereafter, we submit unreservedly
I The return of the occupied town of Bieswang.
II The exile of the Von Alptraums from
our noble city.
IV That no further claim to the throne be made the
Princes of Hardenburg, and that the Leitdorf line is recognized as the true
heirs.
V That the knights of the black wolf who wish to
return to their chapter house swear to never raise sword to the line of
Leitdorf.
VI That in time of war the old customs of the
empire be kept and State to Sate march side by side for the emperor.
VIII That no force of men, armed agents and ill
wishers enter uninformed into the Land of the Leitdorf's from The Grand
Principality of Hardenburg.
XI That in time of need forces of Averland and
Hardenburg may pass, observed but unhindered, through their respective
lands.
In short our concessions are to retract our support
from the Von Alptraums and offer it to you and to have the Knights of the Black
Bear swear an oath to you. This we do in good faith and in all honour.
Our Grand Prince acknowledges Baron Kastor's
prowess on the field and retracts his words, acknowledging him as a noble
General and a gentleman of honour and courage.
We hope that a swift ratification of these terms
shall be reached and that our army should be allowed to depart unscathed.
After much debate, concession and posturing the final agreement was settled
I
The return of the seized town of Bieswang, along with payment for the
repair of its fortifications and recompense for its people and the people of
Pfungzig for all property damaged or stolen.
II The
Prince of Hardenburg retracts his support from the Von Alptraums. Furthermore
the Von Alptraum pretenders are exiled from the Grand city of Hardenburg on
pain of arrest or subsequent surrender to the count of Averland.
III
That all troops, agents and followers of Principality Of Hardenburg leave the
State of Averland, making no attempt to molest or hinder the citizens of the
afore mentioned Sate of Averland, but neither will they be molested or hindered
in their turn, but will be escorted from the State of Averland by chosen
provost marshals. Furthermore the forces of Hardenburg will return
all loot and plunder taken in the course of the campaign, and subsequently
observers from both courts will accompany the armies of Averland and Hardenburg
so that trust might be built between the two states and and cooperation against
mutual enemies facilitated.
IV That
the Prince of Hardenburg recognizes Baron Kastor Leitdorf as the rightful
Elector Count of the State of Averland.
V That
the true Knights of the Black Bear swear allegiance to the Elector
Count of Averland and promise to answer his call whenever he may summon them,
provided they have not already been called by the Prince of Hardenburg.
VI That
in time of war the old customs of the empire be kept and States march
side by side for the emperor.
VII That
the taxes and revenue of the so called Old Dwarf Road and river Aver remain in
the hands of throne of Averland, while the taxes and revenue of the Blue reach
remain in the hands of the City of Hardenburg.
VIII
That no force of men, armed agents and ill wishers enter uninformed into
the Land of the Leitdorf's from The principality of Hardenburg.
IX That
the Prince of Hardenburg guarantees a naval tribute every year from the Free
Republic of Kasos.
X That
the Chaplin of the Knights of The Black Bear shall be replaced, and the man who
held that title be exiled to his homeland of Kislev
XI That
in time of need forces of Averland and Hardenburg may pass, escorted but
unhindered, through their respective lands.
XII
That Prince of Hardenburg let a hundred fit recruits and arms every year for
forty summers to serve in the armies of Averland.
-----
Thus was the treaty agreed to, and Hardenburgs forces were withdrawn from Averland
