Time for an update I think
The Solland Effort of 2524
"Herr Baron" said the man at arms as he raced up the final flight of steps that led to the top most tower that looked across all the lands surrounding the town of Kruetzhofen, as the man at arms reached the top he found the Baron looking out of one of the stone arched windows, looking out towards the north, deep in thought, oblivious to the cold wintry gales buffeting his thick silvery wolf-skin cloak that covered his entire frame, which by the standard among the southerners' of the Empire was big indeed. He wasn't big like the northerners', no, he didn't even have much muscle or even fat, the baron was tall and thin, but, that was what made him respected, many a duel with upstart nobles had convinced the surrounding nobility not to cross him, he could use a blade that was for sure, for his uncle the late Baron von-Phiefroucher, for whom the Baron was named after had made sure he was well versed with a blade. But what also made the Baron respected was his keen mind. He wasn't a warrior, he had only stepped foot on a single battlefield once and that was to keep the left flank from crumbling against an ork army that was rampaging across the Black Mountains, yes, his uncle had taken a gamble and sent his nephew with many a protests from his advisers' but it had paid off with the left flank holding whilst the heavy cavalry charging the orks flank. It was during that engagement that the boy who was to take his uncles place as the Baron of Kruetzhofen learned his speciality, it was before the final charge of the greenskins that he rallied the men around him and led them in the final charge to hold the orks in place. He had used faints, decoys and traps to keep the orks engaged, well, after that the old Baron new he had chosen his successor well.
It was as the he was reminiscing about his uncle and the good time they had when he was but a young child that he heard a guard calling, "Herr Baron", "Hmm, yes, what is it?" he said with concern in his voice as he turned to receive the message that the guard had come to deliver, "They have arrived my lord" said the man at arms with a little concern on his face. Remembering the day the Baron turned to the window once more and looked down to see six coaches with a small cadre of guards each arrive through the keeps main gate, without a second thought he sped down the tower stairwell with the man at arms in close persuit receiving further orders as they went. As the two reached the main study on the first floor the guard left his lord to follow out his orders to receive the Barons guests', this left the Baron alone for a few minutes to regain his breath and settle his nerves whilst he waited for his guests' to arrive and meet with the Baron within the study, yes, he needed to be calm for he needed his wits for what was to come, for him he was already to far on his path to turn back, but if it didn't go well with the following meeting then that could be the end for him and his family. If he could not succeed with his uncles last wishes then not only could he doom his own family but he could doom the families of over a dozen nobles within the Empire and bring war to the heart of the civilised world from within, especially now they are at war once again with the forces of chaos that march from the northern wastes.
As the guard began to knock at the door the Baron calmed himself and prepared for what was to come, as he permitted entrance, he did so with an Iron will he could not have used since his first battle all those years ago,
"You may enter"
"Welcome lords and ladies. I hope you all had a good trip, so if you would kindly take your seats then we can begin"
"Yes, well let's start this gathering with introductions, many of you know who I am of course but I can see some of you do not, yes,well, I am Baron Nathaniel von-Phiefraucher, all of you knew my uncle, the late Baron von-Phiefraucher, may he rest in peace"
"Right,well let's start with the charming young lady on my right, the Lady Rosalina, sister to the Duke of Arnalos, I take it your brother is still ill dear lady."
"Yes, the physicians tell me he will not survive the winter, unfortunately, with no heir to speak of I am forced to step into my dear brothers place while he slowly fades away"
"I'm sure after the success of this campaign my dear I am sure our two realms will be able to live in peace and prosperity"
"Of caurse"
"Good, good, and now moving on to the ladies right we have the Mayors of Mortensholm and Arkendorf, good to have you both here, following on I see the representatives from the de Crux family, the von-Furstenberg and our sponsors' from Nuln, right shall we proceed, good. After our success at unfoiling the spies of that pig-faced gett von-liebwitz there has been no responce so far from the court in Nuln, nor from her supporters, but my informants tell of plans being made for a full military push once this Raven Host has been dealt with in the north. So far I am able to call forth 500 men of my personal house hold troops, another 300 Auxiliaries from my estates here in Kreutzhofen and from Phieldorf, my cousin from Stirland is happy to loan me 200 men from his house hold troops and 400 militia. I can if needs be contract further mercenaries as and when needed. So when battle is finally joined how many able bodied men are you lady and gentlemen are willing to commit"
"I can send 400 men to reinforce your position here now and then another 600 when Karl-Franze comes for your head, I can also offer you sanctuary if needs be"
"The league offers to send 1100 men at the most for we cannot spare no more due to the increase in raids by the greenskins"
"Mortensholm can spare you 200 men and provide you with timber and ore"
"Arkendorf can't spare the manpower at this time but we can provide food stuff and coin for your coffers"
"Good, it's a start, that only leaves the de Crux's and the von-Furstenberg's, for I am awaiting a reply from our allies in Meissen and a 1000 handgunners' and 4 great cannons from our sponsors' from Nuln. And this leaves me to conclude my friends, now return home and ready your selves because if we strike too soon or too late then that would be the end of us"