Prologue: Rumbles from the East

Plus Ultra

A Narrative Campaign, inspired by Warhammer Fantasy

Summer, 1492 in the Imperial Calendar.

The sleepy farming town of Esperanza, just south of the mighty keep that seated the Duchy of Guaniar, stirred as expected in the early hours of the morning. Peasants, with calloused hands and hardened bodies, once more ventured out towards the farmlands in preparations for the summer harvest. Militia were dispatched to keep an eye on the mountain passes, for reports of bandits were always circulating throughout the eastern regions. Life in the valleys and heights of the Irrana Mountains was hard but rewarding, as mountain rivers served to carry rich silts to the hard-working villagers below. For others, livelihood and employment was found in mining the mountain side, filled with copper, tin, and iron. Esperanza was but one piece of Guaniar's modest wealth as a province of the Estalian realm, answering only to the Kingdom of Astarios and their king, Esteban I, who sat on the throne in Magritta.

A mosaic of the lands of Estalia. Magritta, the southern most city, is the kingdom's current capital and seat to the Kingdom of Astarios.

Unfortunately, the Duchy of Guaniar stood in the path of a mighty tempest that gathered on the horizon. For months, a band of greenskins had been marshaling in the highlands to the east, recruiting goblin, orc, and beast alike. By the beginning of summer, this horde prepared itself to cross the border over the Irrana Mountains and into the lands of Estalia, Tilea, and even the far-flung settlements of the Border Princes. The whole of the southern realms was in jeopardy, but Estalia was to feel the brunt of the invasion. Barely half a century had passed since the lands reunified under the Reconquista in 1452, with the expulsion of Sultan Jaffar and his armies from Araby. Now, the fragile kingdom was in danger of another invasion, and the newly crowned King Esteban I chose to make a stand against the savage invader.

King Esteban I, ruler of the Kingdom of Astarios and high-king of Estalia. In his youth, as pictured in this portrait, the king often fought alongside his soldiers during the Reconquista against Araby and the reunification of Estalia thereafter.

Yet, the good King would need troops. Estalia had yet recovered fully from the war against Araby, and the process of reunification was not a peaceful one either. The Kingdom of Astarios waged a bloody conflict against its rival kingdoms, duchies, and baronies for well over twenty years after the fall of Sultan Jaffar's expedition. It was only after the marriage with the queen of the Kingdom of Tigarre, Queen Christina de Bilbali, that Esteban found allies in the northlands. Still, even with the union of Astarios and Tigarre, the remaining unaligned territories put up a staunch resistance. By 1480, Estalia could finally stand as a unified realm, or as unified as any human land can claim to be if Bretonnia, Tilea, and the Empire are anything to go off of. Even with a shared banner, however, the lords and ladies of Estalia were known for their love of personal honor and stubbornness. Working together was a concept not well received in their minds.

Another mosaic, this time of Tilea. The lands of Tilea are much like those of old Estalia, split into a variety of princedoms and city-states. The strongest cities, namely Miragliano, Trantio, Remas, Verezzo, and Luccini all vie with one another for power over the whole of the peninsula.

With this knowledge in mind, Esteban regrettably turned to the one source of aid he dreaded seeking out. To the south-east, the Tilean city-states enjoyed relative tranquility. They had their fair share of problems, notably with pirates and bandits. However, the threat of an entire army of greenskins and savage beasts turning into a full-scale 'Waaagh!' instilled fear into even the richest of trade princes. That is, if they could be convinced. After some days of wallowing in hesitation, emissaries were dispatched from Magritta to sail for the city-state of Miragliano, arguably one of the strongest in all of Tilea. Upon arrival, the envoys were ushered towards the court of Prince Andre Vinchenzo, the man who sat upon the throne of the state and head-patron of all reputable mercenary companies in the territories.

A brief conversation ensued. Tileans were as pleasant as the situation demanded it, but they had little patience with Estalians to begin with. After a short banquet, Prince Andre demanded to hear the purpose for the envoy's coming to Miragliano. The necessity for mercenaries was revealed, and the reason for this sudden build-up troubled the wealthy trade prince. Still, the act had to go on. Tilean negotiations were like plays, with both sides acting out their roles. Prince Andre nonchalantly directed the envoys to speak with his paymaster general, who then recommended the services of one Captain General Michael Frangazzini. Captain Frangazzini was, however, not cheap. He was experienced, having served in the employ of multiple Empire counts before. Yet, he was arguably one of the best in all of Miragliano.

And, in the face of a greenskin invasion, the best were needed.