This will be a rather extended episode, covering what ended up being a rather extended campaign under Khergit command against two enemy factions. Sieges, battles in the field, protecting allied caravans, even a good old fashioned raid!
We start in the Rhodok highlands, with an intent to join the Khergits soon, but in need of cheap supplies that may not be available on the road for some time. We head to Yalen, an ideal place to load up on produce, cheese, fish, and butter. And maybe somebody there may be interested in taking out this obnoxious bandit hideout. Far too many ruffians offering to “escort” travelers in these parts.
Count Gutlans, Lord of Yalen, is eager to pass of the responsibility of protecting his lands to me. I oblige, and am rewarded with plenty of experience and denars. I also pick up supplies for the future campaign. Nothing like a bit of Yalen cheese and eggy wegs to sharpen you up for a bit of the old “ultraviolence.”
As I guessed, the Rhodoks play their hand against Swadia, declaring war and entering into alliance with the Kingdom of Nords. We’ll see how greedy Sultan Hakim is. He may choose to break faith with the Veigirs and bring the fight to the Rhodoks while they’re distracted. The war in the steppe has only just begun, so that probably won’t happen until we get our fill of blood and glory.
We meet nobody of consequence until we reach Tulga. On the way, we pass a besieged (and doomed) Khergit force in defense of Narra. Things are not looking so good for the Khanate right now. Once inside the castle, Sanjar Khan tasks me with eliminating a steppe bandit lair, and Chaurka Noyan extends the invitation I’ve been waiting for to join the Khanate as a mercenary. Of course, I accept both. I buy a warhorse to match my riding skill, and up my looting and leadership abilities.
Shortly after leaving the capitol, I stumble upon the lair. Usually, the steppe bandits settle near the woods by Tulbuk, but this time, they stake claim right in the middle of the steppe. No time to deal with them now, however. I am summoned into a new campaign by Kramuk Noyan, Marshal of the Khanate. Apparently, Ichamur is besieged, and calls for aid. Rather than ride towards the rally point at Malayurg Castle, I go to assess the situation at Ichamur.
Not good. Parties stand guard outside the city to harry any reinforcements. I withdraw and meet the marshal not far off. In the distance, I see Narra under Sarranid control, and the outlying villages burning (some of them being looted by opportunistic Khergit lords). I accompany Kramuk Noyan to Ichamur, where we try to repel the Vaegir forces led by Boyar Vlan.
I assume a position to the side of enemy ladders, barraging a largely defenseless enemy from the side. Until I run out of arrows. I run into the fray to grab a fresh quiver from a fallen comrade, and take enemy fire along the way. Soon, those arrows are expended as well. As I take the long, safe route around to scavenge arrows along the other side of the enemy assault, the all clear is sounded, and the battle is won.
Now things get interesting. A feeding frenzy ensues upon the demoralized and battered Vaegir forces. I see my old friend Boyar Meriga on the field (Lord of Rivacheg, I helped him with his sea raider problem). Instead of taking him captive, I set him loose. I think it best to have at least one friend in each kingdom, preferably of some influence. Not long after, King Yaroglek himself falls prey, along with several accompanying lords. Across the steppe, other invaders are defeated in like fashion.
The marshal spends no time gloating over our decisive victory. He asks me to scout for any more approaching enemy forces, or to detect any weaknesses in the enemy line. I meet back up with him near Narra, where we wait to retake the city (You see now, greedy dumbasses? You basically looted your own villages!). While encamped, a runner informs the party that the Kingdom of Rhodoks has declared war against the Sarranid Sultanate! Great news for us, and an aggressive tact that I did not expect from King Graveth.
While fetching a herd of cattle to feed our forces, I hear that a truce has been brokered between the Nords and Swadia. Graveth may have broken off more than he can chew. He brokers a non-aggression pact with the Vaegirs to cover his ass. I join the battle at Narra, and we retake the city with ease. Afterwards, the cattle are accepted by the marshal, who is doubly grateful.
As an aside, I want to note that this is one of the more unusual campaigns I’ve seen, and under a very aggressive and determined marshal. Usually, after retaking an objective or two, A typical marshal will call it quits, and leave you with a herd of cattle you have no use for and he has no intention of paying you for. But Kramuk Noyan? He leads our forces in a hunt for Sarranid stragglers, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t organize a counter-assault to come out on top in this conflict. What a goy.
In fact, a feast is ordered and a tournament held in the city. I end up taking the tourney, and a handsome purse as well. I drop by the feast afterward to exchange tales about our victories over the Sultanate.
While out and about recruiting more tribesmen, I discover a group of bandits pillaging Tash Kulun. We draw them out of the village into open ground at the bottom of a hill, and the lancers and archers combined make short work of them. Denying a reward, our reputation with the village increases and our honor as well. A couple hours later, we spot Emir Azadun trying to raid an allied caravan. After driving him off, Nasugei Noyan joins me in punishing his impudence.
We take a quick rest at Tulga after, and then move on to the steppe bandit layer. The fight goes our way, but I make a couple mistakes. For one, I shoot Nizar in the back of the head and knock him unconscious. Then, I shoot a lancer in the back of the head and kill him instantly. Oops… Before I can report my success to the Khan, I must first help him win a battle against Emir Dhashwal, who has a sizable infantry force supported by skilled archers and a few heavy cavalry.
I ask the Khan if he has any other tasks. He mentions a fugitive hiding away in Kedelke. I will have to wait until the village is rebuild. Right now, it is abandoned, so the mission will be unavailable for another few days, at least. Leaving this meeting, good news arrives: peace between the Vaegirs and Khergits! Now we can bring the fight to the Sarranids.
Perhaps not yet… Narra is besieged once more. I head that way and join up once again with the marshal. We scare off the enemy and pick off some of their lords in the field. From there, I seek more gold and a ransom broker. The one in Tulga has moved on. I begin a trade loop, starting from Tulga, through Ichamur, stopping in Khudan, selling a good deal off in Reyvadin, and winding up back in Dhirim, where my brewery is restocked with cheap grain.
I think it’s time to pay the Sarranids a visit. Their rich lands haven’t been tampered with in some time. I swoop as carefully as I can onto Hawaha. The Sultan is spotted in the distance. That’s a fight I don’t want to take part in right now. I wait until he heads the other way, then rely on my looting skill to bring me out safely before the enemy can respond.
It doesn’t work. Emir Ghanawa catches me in the act. Fortunately enough, defenders of a village are always stripped of their cavalry (never understood why). We draw them into a kill zone outside the village, and fall upon them from the hills. They redeploy their troops, we fall back and repeat. The battle is ours. Right after we resume with the pillaging, a truce is declared. Fortunately, we are able to finish the job without causing a diplomatic fiasco. The only penalty is the disfavor of the lord of Hawaha, Sultan Hakim. The benefits are far more interesting. I medium size herd of cattle, fine velvet, and plenty of other commodities that will fetch a good price.
So far, being a mercenary for the Khanate has been hard work, but very fruitful.
jeremyswood 