The Lighting of the Suphris beacons

Marshal’s Log, Entry 3:

Today, we have fought our first battle. It has been victory, but not one achieved easily.

Our objective was to kindle the beacons at a ruined outpost, near the mouth of the river Suphix. With this, we have alerted friends and allies to our call for aid.

Just as we were about to engage, a heavy storm came from the ashen wastes around us. Our enemies vanished from sight. While we marched forward to secure our objectives, a rain of arcane barrages fell upon the Yndrinien Watch behind us, who were able to raise their pavises just in time to shield themselves from harm. Sensing the trial ahead, I sent out the cavaliers with one order: hold the southern beacon at any cost. Me and my entourage were about to secure the northern tower, and with our mounted forces, we should be able to hold at least one. The last thing I saw was the enemy general, aiming his elite forces at our cavaliers. After that, they were obscured.

When we charged, we were in the midst of the raging storm. Ash and steaming rain clouded our vision as we pushed onward. Sigmar be praised, for it seemed our foes were as blinded by the storm as us, because as we approached, we were able to reach their leader, a Liege named Zradan, the immortal. He lived up to his name, as we heard bullets and cannonballs screaming around. Yet even on horseback, this commander was barely harmed, with many bullets stuck in his formidable armour. Even the flaming-bullets from Fusil-Major Volgi had only lodged themselves in his shield, hissing like a furious magmadroth, but not able to harm our foe.

Yet this fire was our guiding light.

We seized the moment, and went with a roaring charge into the Ossiarch Flank. Nearby skeletal guards tried to reach us, but we were able to evade their blades. Our spymaster, Arch-Knight, and Gargoylian were able to reach Zradan’s steed, and slay it, pinning our foe down. Standing on top of his fallen creation, I was able to dispatch our foe by crushing his rib bones with my sword.

After this, our fight can best be described as an alley scrap, with both us and the Mortek Guard fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground. Then suddenly, the Archai descended upon us, carving a bloody path through our finest warriors, and I feared that our cause was lost. But to our relief, they had arrived to spirit their master out of battle. With that, the remaining Ossiarch Bonereapers made an organized retreat. We did not pursue, for we were spent.

Our losses have been greater than expected. As the storm lifted, we saw that a large part of my entourage was gravely injured, as well as many cavaliers who had been able to hold the Archai, even if just for a little while. Their heroism should be remembered in tale and song. Even Volgi, Mikul, and Zinkev have been wounded, as they jumped at the last moment into the breach, trying desperately to keep hold of the northern tower.

Yet with this day, we have made our first victory on the Ravaged coast. With this, we can summon the allies we need to our cause. Our border is set, with a defensive post against our closest enemies. To the city council of Torvil: Hope has been kindled.