384YE Summer Solstice winds of war
Overview
Over the last three months, Imperial forces are engaged in military campaigns against barbarian forces. Sometimes those engagements have been wide ranging and dramatic, other times they have been more sedate. This season, we're trying something a little different with the Winds of War. While the overarching details of the campaign are summarized here, some of the Winds of War - where there's been more dramatic action or where there is a battle opportunity - have been given their own pages. We've also worked to try and provide even more detail about the battle opportunities for the event than ever. After the event, we'd be interested in reading your feedback about how these changes affected the game in the field at the usual address (matt@profounddecisions.co.uk).
As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of War and the Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters 'should' know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months.
Also, it should go without saying that we ask everyone to abide by the rules about online roleplaying with regard to the military campaign. It's important that the key in-character activity of the Empire world takes place at events. The game is busier and better if everything that can happen in the field, does happen in the field. Military planning and political discussions should happen at events. For this reason we generally discourage too much downtime roleplaying between events and put strict limits on what can be done online particularly using our forums and Facebook groups.
With that in mind, we now present a summary of the key military activity in the Empire - both with links to the expanded Wind of War pages and notes about other important things that have happened that didn't need a full battle campaign.
In the West
The Jotun are in Kahraman, and despite the best efforts of Imperial heroes during the Spring Equinox, the Lasambrian [[Jotun] claimed the plains of Gambit. The orcs and their Mournwold allies did not have it all their own way however - the delay at Rotoga, and a powerful Imperial enchantment prevent the orcs raiding the Great Mine of Briante and the Damatian Cliffs. The defenders of Fort Braydon cannot match their zeal for conquest, however, and they are able to take control of Jade Range shortly before the Summer Solstice. You can learn more about the Jotun campaign in Kahraman in Down that road.
Further north, Mathilda Fisher presses her claim to Bregasland with the support of the Jotun. The self-styled steward receives limited support from the Bregas, but that does not stop her - or the armies of orcs alongside whom she fights. Armies clash, but the Jotun have the upper hand and the Imperials are forced to cede first Grey Fens and then the Ottermire. Bregasland is no longer Imperial, but who precisely is in charge of it remains to be seen. You can learn more about the disposition of the western fens in Deep when the river's high
Let your eye slide further north, skipping over the growing threat from deep beneath the earth, to Sermersuaq. The alliance of Empire and Otkodov overwhelms the Jotun, driving them from Suaq Fount and Suaq Wastes. Only when they reach the forts of [{Sermersuaq#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]] and Stark does their triumphant advance falter. Regardless, Sermersuaq is once again an Imperial territory - during the Summer Solstice it will fall to the Senate to assign it to a nation and allocate the Pride of Ikka's Tears. The territory has been liberated, but the war is not over - the same Spring magic that heals and protects the alliance is just as effective at ensuring that the western orcs can continue to fight. You can read about the Sermersuaq campaign in In good company.
In the East
Along the eastern borders of the Empire, Imperial forces clash time and again with the insidious orcs of the Mallum. Out of the Forest of Ulnak come the Druj, seeking to reconquer Ossium and punish those who thought themselves free of their tyrannical yoke. A major force attacks the Echofell, bent on destroying the Tower of the Scorpion. With only the Thule garrison of Fljajokep are there to aid the defenders; the Tower falls and the forests of Echofell are once again in enemy hands. You can read about the invasion of Ossium in Delerium.
At the same time the Druj are trying to recover Ossium, Imperial armies are striking against them in the Barrens. It has been three long years, but the Empire ionce again fights to conquer the great wilderness. The Imperial strategy involves a risky pincer movement to cut the territory in half, with armies attacking both the northern Carmine Fields and the southern hills of The_Barrens#Hope's Rest. Despite the warriors of the rebuilt Spires of the Dusk, the Empire has carved a Steel Causeway through the heart of the Barrens with barely a casualty. You can learn about their conquest in Into the valley.
While Ossium and the Barrens are barely contested, the same cannot be said of Zenith. Two massive forces clash for control of the former Urizen territory, with orc and Imperial caught in a bitter struggle for control of the hills of Clypion. The Druj are no longer defensive here - going on the attack to try and drive the Imperial armies out of the territory, and to slaughter as many of them as possible in the process. They are unsuccessful - but they manage to hold the Empire's advance. You can learn about this bitter, grinding campaign in This little light of mine.
Battle Opportunities
Imperial prognosticators have identified TBC possible major conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate at the coming summit. The Friday night muster will see the generals debate these options and select two of them to be taken up by Imperial heroes eager to influence the direction of the Empire's military campaigns.
| Location | Opportunity | Opposition | Day | Learn More |
| TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | link |
There will also be skirmishes throughout the weekend that allow Imperial heroes to engage the barbarian enemies of the Empire; some will be detailed in the Winds of War, others in the Winds of Fortune.
Considerations
The following considerations should be borne in mind when discussing military strategies during the Summer Solstice.
- Adamant Gate: The Adamant Gate in Semmerholm cannot be reduced below 1,000 military strength. Link
- Billeting: Any Imperial army can take the Billet order in Bregasland, Upwold, or Mitwold. Link
- Dawn: Dawnish armies cannot take the Cautious Advance order or the Give Ground order. Link
- Highguard: Highborn armies benefit from double the normal amount of natural resupply. Link
- Highguard: Highborn armies can issue the Crusading Storm order. Link
- The Marches: Marcher armies cannot take the Give Ground order. Link
- Urizen: The Citadel Guard will begin to deteriorate again after the Summer Solstice. Link
- Varushka: Varushkan armies involved in the same campaign as an army from the Brass Coast or Wintermark generate 10% fewer victory points. If armies from both nations are present, the reduction is increased to 20%. Link.
- Wintermark: Wintermark armies can take the Fight with Honour order. Link
- Wintermark: Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun will gain 10% more victory points but inflict 20% less casualties. Link