Hamein under Siege (November)
As Hamein slowly recovers from the plague, it now faces a major goblin incursion. Vlad arranges for farmers from the outlying settlements to pack up their goods and retreat to the protection of the town, supported by his soldiers. He asks them to carry out a “scorched earth” policy, burning and destroying anything that may be of value to the goblins during the winter. Unfortunately, most of the farmers are a little reluctant to go that far and only the areas very near the goblins are affected.
Council of War
Vlad has a mini war council with Yuri and Bram Van De Berg, the captain of their soldiers.
Captain Van De Berg says an initial skirmish with the goblins did not go well, they are better disciplined that he hoped. He has resorted to hit and run tactics, especially if they goblins move from their defended areas. The current situation is stalemate, but the goblins definitely out number them and are better fighters.
Yuri pushes for messages to be sent to both Mara and Charrek, insisting they send reinforcements to Hamein immediately, otherwise the town may fall. Mara’s cavalry would deal with the goblins quickly, he thinks.
Vlad points out as Cariene is on an open plain and has no real defences, she will need to keep most of her forces close to the City to protect it, but Yuri says they need those cavalry now or they may get overrun.
Plea for Help!
Vlad arranges for urgent messages to be sent to Cariene and Rourke, asking for assistance immediately. Vlad then departs on a ferry to Barniere, to try to persuade Hakim to join their side. He is especially keen to get him to use his influence with goblins to get those attacking Hamein to switch sides. However, Hakim is suspicious and defensive, refusing to commit to either side.
Vlad leaves frustrated. When he returns to Hamein, he finds the goblins have begun a slow, cautious advance towards Hamein, moving in large, defensive groups to avoid hit and run attacks. Captain Van De Berg is out in the field, directing his forces in a fighting retreat towards the town.
Yuri has been mustering as many militia men as possible to defend the town.
Charrek responds with a message saying he has no intention of sending forces that far south. If Hamein is not defendable, he suggests they retreat north to Rourke and unify their forces there. Vlad is furious with the awkward Dwarf. He sends Charrek a sharp response, asking what enemies he is facing while Hamein is under siege.
Mara responds to say she will send what forces she can as soon as possible, which is a relief for Vlad.
A tense couple of days pass, with the goblins closing on Hamein while nothing further is heard from Mara or Charrek.
Traitor! Murderer! Turn Coat!
Finally, some of Mara’s cavalry arrive in Hamein and their Captain meets Yuri and Vlad in the Mayor’s office. As they are just starting to talk about the situation, news arrives that a lone dwarf has arrived, demanding to see Mayor Vlad immediately. Vlad has him shown up, thinking Charrek has arrived in person.
When the dwarf enters the office, Vlad realises this is not Charrek, but some other, rather battered dwarf who, upon seeing the Captain of the Cariene cavalry, suddenly draws an axe and attacks him.
A bizarre struggle ensues in which Vlad and Yuri try to stop the dwarf from killing the captain, who desperately tries to defend himself. All the while, the Dwarf is shouting “Traitor! Murderer! Turn Coat!”
Vlad and Yuri are able to stop the dwarf and allow the captain to make a swift escape. Then the dwarf tells them he just come from the Lyssan road, where his brother Charrek and 500 men from Rourke have been ambushed by cavalry from Cariene. Charrek barely got out with his life, and gave this dwarf instructions to get to Hamein as soon as possible and warn of Mara’s treachery.
Too late, Vlad and Yuri try to stop the cavalry captain. Realising he has been exposed, the captain gathers his horsemen and flees the town.
Defeat of the Hamein Militia
Vlad arranges for two of his swiftest riders to warn Captain Van De Berg that the Cariene cavalry have switched sides and he is to retreat to the town immediately. Yuri is sceptical that the message will get there in time.
The Cariene cavalry attack the Hamein soldiers from behind and routs them. Captain Van De Berg and a few good men fight their way back to Hamein, but there are barely 60 left. There are also reports of a Khinasi man on a flying carpet dropping exploding pots of fire on the Hamein troops.
The next day the goblins and cavalry are forming up for a final attack on Hamein. Vlad and Yuri realise all is lost and prepare to retreat and escape as best they can.
The Fall of Hamein
Vlad tries one final appeal to the people of Hamein to rise up and defend their town, but it’s one of his worse speeches ever. The people have not forgotten he brought the plague to Hamein and they can see the man on the flying carpet starting to set fire to their town, telling them to surrender to Prince Denerick or be destroyed. There is also news of ships belonging to Denerick have been seen approaching the harbour.
The townsfolk decide to surrender.
Vlad arranges for as many of his ferries as he can to transport soldiers and supporters out of Hamein, up the Khurinyrn River to Lakeport, a town in Rourke where they can seek refuge. Things escalate quickly and there is a mad, desperate rush to escape, which they manage to do with about 200 men. Sara, Vlad’s partner, comes with them.
They watch from the departing ferries as Hamein falls to their enemies.