Kislev History

By Niels Arne Dam, Tim Eccles, and Alfred Nuñez Jr.

Additional Material developed by John Foody, Ryan Wileman, and Talabheim Project Team

HISTORY

The Great War Against Chaos
Excerpts from the Diaries of Common Soldiers
By the Collegium Historica

With due diligence, the scholars of the Collegium Historica have been compiling a comprehensive tome which describes the events surrounding the Great War against Chaos, its antecedents and aftermath. This great effort remains a work in progress, but a sampling is submitted here to provide a sort of overview to this most important period in Imperial history.

In this submission, we will take a look at the events from the soldiers’ point of view. Given the lack of writing skills prevalent among the average Imperial and Kislevite citizen, the sources used here are very rare indeed. Still, these excerpts provide an interesting insight of the times that are generally overlooked by scholars of lesser stature.

We cite four sources in this endeavour: Boyar Volkh Staverovich from the Kislev area; Cregnor Hardhelm, a Dwarf captain of the Red Talons mercenary band; Holger Schmidt, a member of a Middenheim detachment of archers; and Nobert Flesicher, a volunteer from the Reikland who ran messages between the various unit leaders.

Volkh, 25 Kaldezeit 2302:

A contingent of Dwarfs from Karaz-a-Karak arrived today on their way to Praag. When told that the great city of the north was under siege with little hope of relief, the Dwarfs bowed their heads in silence. Their leader then proclaimed that the Dwarfs will stand with the Kislevites to battle the Great Enemy. The Dwarfs begin work on strengthening the defences of Kislev.

Volkh, 12 Ulriczeit 2302:

No word has reached us since Tsar Alexis sent an appeal to the soft-living Imperials to the west. Where is their great army? Why have they not appeared to help us? We assume that the siege of Praag continues apace. The rumour that circulates is that the Chaos horde is toying with the people of Praag, stretching out their inevitable doom. The generals have stopped sending riders out as they no longer return. Meanwhile, we continue to store provisions, but we are exhausted from the wait. Things are looking bleak indeed.

Volkh, 18 Ulriczeit 2302:

A carrier pigeon arrived yesterday bearing news that the Imperial army had left Talabheim a week or so ago. Perhaps this Magnus, who leads that army, is the great man many are claiming him to be.

Nobert, 18 Ulriczeit 2302:

Arrived in Wurzen today with a newly-arrived Reiklander contingent to join the army of the glorious and Sigmar-blessed Baron Magnus von Bildhofen, known as “the Pious.” I’ve spotted his magnificence from afar and noted that he was dressed as a warrior-priest of Sigmar. The host he leads must be the largest ever assembled in the whole world. There are hundreds of banners fluttering in the wind, of all colours and heraldic devices. There are also a great deal of cannon. I doubt not that the minions of Chaos will be swept away by the power of the Empire.

Holger, 18 Ulriczeit 2302:

Some Ostlander Knights have arrived to join the foot soldiers and cannons to push their way through the snow along the road that follows the River Talabec to the Urskoy. Weeks ago, von Bildhofen has sent his fastest, and best, troops to Praag to relieve the siege there. The restof us are to join the Kislevite troops that the Tsar is mustering for the push north.

Cregnor, 19 Ulriczeit 2303:

The Red Talons have now been assigned to march on the northern flank of Magnus’ great Imperial army. We had been guarding the baggage train until Grak ate two halfling cooks who did not have the wit or foresight to ensure they had enough provisions to feed a bloody Ogre. We kept Grak from being blamed for the incident by claiming that we beat back a Beastman raiding party after they ate the two halflings in question. The troops are grumbling about the cold weather. Bah! I’ve been through worse when I was serving a term out of Karak Kadrin.

Cregnor, 28 Ulriczeit 2303:

Last night we were attacked while on sentry duty by Beastmen. Lars was impaled by a spear before he could let out a warning cry and Otto took a grievous wound in the gut. We couldn’t help him with a quicker death as we were too busy beating back the raiders. The Chaos beasties broke and ran after Grak impaled several on a pike. The Ogre then proceeded to eat his victims. I’m not sure what is worse: hearing the Beastmen wail as Grak eats them alive (though dying) or his smacking his Ogrish lips after eating each Beastman. Small wonder he developed a stomach ache soon after.

Nobert, 28 Ulriczeit 2302:

Rumours circulated around the camp that another probing assault was repulsed by Magnus’ elite sentries during the night. Why do they continue this folly? Perhaps it’s fear that drives them.

Holger, Mondstille 2302:

As we get closer to Kislev, the more things are out of a place. A sudden hot wind blew out of the north and started to melt the snow. This will make the going more treacherous. I’ve never seen the like before.

Volkh, Mondstille 2302:

A fiercely hot wind blasts Kislev from the direction of Praag. A wizard manning the walls burst into flames and died. With a heavy heart and great anger we knew that the brave city of Praag has fallen to the invaders from the northern Wastes this day. We will not allow this affront to go unavenged.

Nobert, 10 Vorhexen 2302:

Each day, the weather becomes unseasonably balmy. The roads have turned into mud from the sudden snowmelt and the going is slow. We continue as we are reminded each day that Chaos will never rest until we and our kin are all enslaved and sacrificed to the Dark Powers. Outriders returned from the east. Their look was grim and they were hurried to Magnus’ pavilion. They met for an hour before Magnus called his captains for a meeting. Imperial Guard cordoned off the area so the leaders could meet in peace.

Cregnor, 10 Vorhexen 2302:

Captains, such as myself, were summoned to Magnus’ large tent after he met with this close advisors. We were told that we would arrive in the vicinity of Kislev in three days. Magnus cautioned us that the forces arrayed against us were formidable and their numbers endless. Nothing like a good bit of cheer to pick us up. If I had my doubts before, I am certainly happy now that I signed a couple of Slayers for this job.

Holger, 10 Vorhexen 2302:

Our sergeant told us to keep on our toes from this point out. The enemy is within a few days march. More than likely, they’ll have patrols looking to snipe at the fringes of the army.

Volkh, 12 Vorhexen 2302:

The host of the Great Enemy appears before the gates of Kislev. Their numbers are endless. No matter. By the wills of Olric, Taal, and Rhya, we will see this fight to the bitter end. After they sacrificed some of their captives in a brutal ritual to the Dark Powers (some of the men had to empty their stomachs of bile), the horde pounded our gates hard. The Dwarf ballistae are killing a large number of the enemy, but this is nothing more than an irritant to the besiegers.

Holger, 13 Vorhexen 2302:

By Ulric, the numbers of Chaos minions is beyond all reckoning. Several of my company emptied their bladders at the sight of the horde. I fear that many of us will not survive the upcoming battle. I go now to form up with my company.

Nobert, 13 Vorhexen 2302:

Magnus the Glorious, chosen of Sigmar, gave us a rousing speech this morning. He then sent his captains forward to deploy their troops. Thanks be to Sigmar that the horde seems unaware of our presence. We need every advantage we can get.

Cregnor, 13 Vorhexen 2302:

It’s a good day to die.

Volkh, 13 Vorhexen 2302:

The sounds of horns can be heard in the west. We turn to look and see the charge of the Imperial army. While its numbers are great, they still pale against the Chaos servants who they strive against. The initial impact is great as the Imperial army falls upon the Chaos rear. The enemy seems to be routing before they are brought around by their leaders. A great shout at the north gate greets its opening as Dwarfs and the Kislevite army rush out to take advantage of the Imperial attack. I put this journal down and join the attack.

Nobert, 14 Vorhexen 2302:

I am one of the lucky ones to have survived the harrowing battle that took place yesterday. We attacked the foul creatures in their rear, slaughtering many while dispersing their number. These rabble seemed lost until their terrible leaders made their way to take command of the situation. Soon, the tables were turned on us and we fought for our lives and that of our fellows.

It was then that the great gates of Kislev opened up so that the Dwarfs and Kislevites within could open another front. Their impetus was quickly spent and they began a fighting withdraw whilst we were surrounded. Magnificent Magnus, the avatar of Sigmar as surely as I fought that day, fought against the mighty leader of the Chaos horde in single combat. The battle seemed to last all day.

As the battle turned against us, the knights that Magnus sent to Praag arrived unexpectedly from the north with Kislevite cavalry. They charged hard onto the rear of the Chaos horde as the thrice blessed Magnus beheaded the Champion of Chaos. This proved too much for the invaders from the Wastes and they broke. A mighty cheer arose as the battle was won.

The cost was great.

Holger, 14 Vorhexen 2302:

I survived the battle. The nightmares have begun.

Vokh, 14 Vorhexen 2302:

On bended knees, I gave thanks to all the gods: Olric, Taal, and Rhya for this deliverance. So many have died for our beloved motherland.

Cregnor, 14 Vorhexen 2302:

The Slayers gave a good account of themselves before they fell to the Minotaurs. They were avenged by Grak who seemed rather pleased that the sides of Minotaurs might last him a couple of days of feasting. I think the Red Talons will stay away from the Ogre until his “feast” is over. I wouldn’t want any “accidents” to occur.

While others are proclaiming this day a great victory, they don’t realise that a lot of Chaos beasties got away. Someone’s going to have to go after this creatures and exterminate them. I have a bad feeling about this…

With the departure of Chaos, it seems that winter is returning to Kislev.

Cregnor, 21 Vorhexen 2302:

While the celebration continues in Kislev, we are given our orders. The Red Talons will join the hunt in Spring to eradicate the elements of the Chaos horde that fled the Battle of Kislev and still plague the land. We will be sent to the Translynsk region around Grovod Forest. Grak is looking forward to new delicacies, but he’ll have to wait a month or so.

The men of the Empire are complaining about the cold Kislevite winter. One would think they were pansy Elves…