T H E .. B A T T L E[]
For weeks a guerrilla war in the wilderness has been waged as Dummonian patrols have attempted to contain the Invaders and gather intelligence towards the next move. Moltke is now on the move and launching his offensive. Moltke's main are driving directly for the capital, cutting right through the valuable Parselles province. Moltke has also sent a flanking force along the northern edge of the region to counter any reinforcements from the north. Thanks to intelligence gathered during the patrol campaign, Dummonian officials have planted an elite force of off-worlders whose job it is to stop the flanking maneuver. Likewise, another small Alliance force has been dispatched to take the southern rim of the province. This move is unexpected and the defenders have been forced to dispatch a rapid force on short notice in an attempt to cut them off before they can enter the fertile SillersValley and cause havoc among the hundreds of rural villages of this region. Moltke's recent success at the Battle of Beauprix has allowed him to push out of the Beauprix wilderness region and into the valuable agricultural areas of Parselles. This has forced the bulk of the Loyalist defenders to fall back and fortify three key positions, the Minerva Valley, the resort of Parc Parselles and the Duke of Revenarre's own estate lands. Moltke appears to be massing for a major punch in the hopes of capitalizing on the overall experience of his veteran troops.
M O L T K E ' S P U N C H[]
Moltke's recent success at the Battle of Beauprix has allowed him to push out of the Beauprix wilderness region and into the valuable agricultural areas of Parselles. This has forced the bulk of the Loyalist defenders to fall back and fortify three key positions, the Minerva Valley, the resort of Parc Parselles and the Duke of Revenarre's own estate lands. Moltke appears to be massing for a major punch in the hopes of capitalizing on the overall experience of his veteran troops.
P A R C .. P A R S E L L E S[]
The sector's elite come to Dummonia for lavish hunting expeditions in the pristine wilderness. The elite of the elite come to Parc Parselles. This state-of-the-art hunting resort complete with its luxury palace complex is home to thousands of hectares of prime forest and hills. It also has its own space port which the Loyalists have reinforced with Naval air units. Normally host to the cream of society, it has been converted into a fortified airbase garrisoned by the Dummonian and Blodsburg Divisions of Vaubanne's core army. This installation is an important bastion for the Loyalist defenders. General Moltke himself will lead the attack on this position as the capture of the space port would allow him to initate the next phase of the planetary invasion.
R E V E N A R E .. E S T A T E[]
Bordering the Parc Parselles installation is the Duke of Revenare's vast estate lands. General Benedictus has been given command of holding this position . WIth him is an independent command of Adeptus Astartes who are reinforcing Vaubanne's army in the hopes of counter balancing the Tau edge of the Alliance. In the face of such a strong position, it is only fitting that Shaso Kauyon and a compliment of Hibernian heavy infantry are charged with executing the assault on the Revenare estate.
M I N E R V A .. V A L L E Y[]
There is only one potential thorn in Moltke's side, namely Colonel de Bourgogne Ray and his victorious 501st Storm Trooper Regiment . After their success at Sorrel they now threaten Moltke's right flank. In response the Alliance has dispatched General Oberspier to stop Ray before he can break through and support the main army. Likwise Shas' o Tamiya has been ordered to tie up the Canoness Catherine and make sure she does not link up with Ray from the other end of the Valley. Recognizing how vital the left flank is, Vaubanne has ordered General Suvorov in a wide march to support Canoness Catherine. Together these elements form the crucial north position and perhaps the key to victory.
ANVIL TRADE WAR ENDS[]
– Alliance claim victory – Tau trade extended
Lulli Parselles – Dummonia
The young Regent of House D’Hautville, Elisse Conde agreed to a ceasefire following the Battle of Parselles this week and immediately entered into closed door talks with General Moltke of the Alliance army. In less than an hour the two sides emerged with a treaty that essentially brings peace to the sector and has ended the devastating Anvil Trade War.
BATTLE OF PARSELLES – A BLOODY BUT SHORT END
The Treaty followed quickly on the heels of Dummonia’s last stand at Parselles. Eye witnesses of the battle described a short brutal affair where the cream of the Dummonain army was assaulted at the centre by a surprisingly swift attack by Kroot mercenaries and Alliance drop troopers led by the legendary Nerus Karloff. General Vaubanne, realizing his mistake in not supporting the Parc Parselles high ground with the Findhorn division quickly melted under the sustained ground assaults supported by fire from Colonel Balent and General Moltke’s armoured flank attack. General Benedictus of the Aachen Émigrés did his best to staunch the assault but when his air strike failed to deliver all parties knew it was over.
VAUBANNE CAPTURED – EXCHANGED
In a post battle interview, Colonel Savoye of the 101st Dummonians said that despite the courage and ability of the Aurex Bluebloods and Aachen Émigrés the concentration of enemy forces on the hilltop was a clean and effective surgical strike. When Vaubenne himself bravely rallied the last of the Dummonians it was the beginning of the end. “The last I saw of him (Vaubanne) he had grabbed the colours and was leading a counter charge down the hill into the teeth of a thousand Kroot. I couldn’t believe it! No man would have the gall to do it but he did it. That was the last we saw of him and after that well, the rest is history. Touted as a miracle, Vaubanne and much of his staff emerged from the scrum only to be captured by the Kroot who were allegedly impressed with the bravery of the charge. “We shall honour him by feasting on the meat of his compatriots.” One shaper is quoted in saying. However, the Regent’s treaty has quickly seen the Dummonian hero back in the saddle as all prisoners are allegedly being exchanged in the post battle good will on both sides.
THE REAL WINNERS – THE TAU
The treaty of Dummonia ends a long and bitter internecine war but more importantly it opens up a whole new era for the Agrippa political roadmap. Other highlights from the treaty include raising the Hibernian subsector to full House status and establishing a new free trade port with the Tau at Inkion. However, critics say that Inkion represents the Tau’s first inclinations to expand outside their Aachen sub-sector base. A notion that has prompted the Ordos Xenos to announce they will move their permanent Fortress from Blodsburg to Inkion as part of the rebuild of that world.
D’HAUTEVILLE BACKS HIBERNIAN VOTE – Kitchener Virtually Garunteed Elector's Seat
Blodsburg – Blodsburg
With the close of the Anvil Trade War come calls for a Parliamentary election that will virtually guarantee Kitchener’s bid for leadership of the sector. The Regent of D’Hautville Elisse Conde has already publicly announced her House support for Kitchener’s bid, no doubt a part of the demands during treaty talks after the battle of Parselles. However with D’Hautville’s support analysts believe a war weary Parliament will find Both Dukas, Red and Wyte also supporting Hibernia’s bid. This will leave incumbent Fortuna the only voice of dissent and pave the way for a new era in Agrippa. “Even if we (Wyte, Red, and Dukas) decided to form a coalition, The D’Hauteville and Hibernian votes alone could bury us. With Hibernia now a full member of Parliament, things are going to be a lot different. I’d say we’re a decade away from having a two party system rather than a Parliament ruled by fractious Houses” Says, Fortuna MP Fortus Adrian. Despite the changes, many on both sides see Hibernia’s entrance into the upper house a sign of increased Imperial unity in a sector plagued by centuries of partisan trade wars. The general Hibernian buzz is all over Blodsburg these days as echoed by Dukas MP Augustus Dukas who is quoted in saying. “Hibernia this, Hibernia that. It’s a shoe-in. The kids are even wearing pith helmets to raves now! They say Kitchener’s interior decorator has already arrived to renovate his Parliamentary office and the vote hasn’t even been held yet. When Parliament sits next month, it’s going to be a very different place.”
HOUSE GUARD FORCED TO INSTITUTE COMMISSARS
Fladgate City – Hibernia
When Parliament resumes next month it is said that one of Kitchener’s first orders of business will be to establish a new Commissar Scholarium on Hibernia. In a series of sweeping reforms to both Church and Guard, one of the more unpopular changes (from the Houses perspective) will be the institution of Scholarium Commissars to House regiments. “This order will pretty much force the Houses to have Commissars in their regiments and help Parliament have greater central control over the army.” Says General Moltke, Kitchener’s right hand man. The proposed reform has nearly all the Houses grumbling but powerless to do anything. “It sucks but there’s nothing we can do. Not unless we’re willing to go to war with Hibernia again and to be honest, the Commissars thing. It just ain’t worth it.” Says Dominic Wyte of the House Wyte advisory committee. His comments echo many other House supporters who all agree that it’s time to give a little or fight, and the fight is now over.
JOHN PROCTOR NAMED EPARCH – Announces Sweeping Reforms to Eccliesarchy
Blodsburg - Blodsburg
With the instalment of the Hibernian elite in Blodsburg comes a new era for the Ecclesiarch. Already the 10 centuries old stained glass windows of the Blodsburg cathedral are being replaced by plain clear glass. There are also strict new rules governing the display of Imperial iconography and several popular holy festivals such as the Feast of Sabbtine and Russ-mass have been banned by holy decree. Public drinking and dancing are also on the hit list as John Proctor’s new austere version of Imperial faith is installed at the highest levels. Proctorisim as it is known has swept Hibernian culture in a wave of religious reform following the great scandal of Cardinal Thrackos. Since that time it has grown in popularity in Hibernia and Cerebus and has become the unofficial faith of the Alliance, during the Anvil Trade War. In direct protest of the decadence of the Great Houses, Proctorisim gets back to basics with the Emperor’s gospels doing away with the gold laden trappings and rich luxury of the former regime. However, despite this ascetic movement, Kitchener has ordered Proctor not to go too far for fear of inciting the anger of the populace and courting a religious civil war. As a result, Proctor has been ordered to work closely with the former regieime and house representatives and give key posts for former high ranking ecclesiarch. Kitchener has also halted a dozen controversial orders such as having all gold iconography in the Blodsburg Cathedral melted down. Even the former Eparch is to get a plum position as Mazarlieu retires to the largely ceremonial position of Holy Executor of the Consular Guard. Proctorisim marks yet another reminder of the changing culture in the capital as Hibernian’s take over.
BOURGOGNE RAY TO BE GIVEN DUMMONIAN MOON - Reward for services to
D'Hautville Regency
Lulli Parselles - Dummonia
The 3rd Dummonian moon, Terraformed in the last century and just now starting to turn a profit on a budding wine industry has been officially named “Bourgogne”. In honour of his feats during the Anvil Trade War the moon has been given over to General Victor deBourgogne Ray XVI and his Agrippa followers who will take the official House D’Hautville title: Viscount deBourgogne of Bourgogne Ray XVI. Of all the House D’Hautville forces and allies, Ray’s 501st Storm Trooper Regiment were the most successful and were a key bastion that held out even when the bulk of Vaubanne’s forces were lost at Parselles. “Bourgogne Ray is the only thing that prevented Kitchener from really making the march through Lulli Parselles.” Says one anonymous observer. Regent Conde named Ray a lord of the D’Hautville trade federation and granted the moon which also brings a significant Guard element into the growing D’Hatuville armed forces.
OBERSPIER TO BE GIVEN HELIOS STATION – Haufesen to be named Sector Lord Admiral?
Helios Station - Cerebus
Basking in the glow of victory General Oberspier has been given governorship of Helios Station where his famed Rho Expeditionary force will form a permanent garrison. No doubt as reward for his services to the Alliance, Oberspier was awarded the planet which will serve as a major Naval station and base of operations for the Rho forces. It is also expected that his comrade Admiral Haufesen will be named Sector Admiral of the Imperial Fleet to replace the long standing vacancy left by Lord Bellatore.
BALENT PARDONED - To be given Governorship of Khorne's Kitchen
Moniack - Scylla subsector
In one of the more surprising orders of the day, Kitchener has tabled a total pardon of Colonel Balent, the infamous right hand man of the Dread Pirate Exeter. Balent’s pardon comes as a reward for his services at the Battle of Parselles where his armoured line was instrumental in forcing Vaubanne’s surrender. Also as a reward Balent will be installed as the planetary Governor of Khorne’s Kitchen, a vicious jungle deathworld responsible for the death of thousands of Fortuna guardsmen during the Scylla crusade. Terraforming of Khorne’s Kitchen has only met with minimal success as the hyper-active flora and corrosive eco system tend to make settlement an expensive and high maintenance prospect. The pardon of Balent has left analysts guessing whether the Dread Pirate Exeter himself may also be pardoned as rumours suggest his pirate fleet assisted the Alliance by attacking Loyalist shipping and contributed to Viscount Suarez defeat in the Cerebus subsector. The Ordos Hereticus was unavailable for comment.
NERUS KARLOFF DISAPPEARS AGAIN – Entire Imperial Regiment goes with him
Anvil - Aachen subsector
The heroes of the battle of Parselles, Nerus Karloff and his Leveller Drop Troopers have vanished without a trace following the Dummonian peace. Former Navy Admiral, Nerus Karloff, whose been in and out of favour with the Imperial authorities for decades and is said to have gone into hiding in order to foster his radical beliefs. “Karloff’s views on Imperial society make Proctorisim look like a day at the Beach” Said an Ordos Hereticus representative. “We believe he’s well on his way to declaring his own private war on the Imperium, but we’re waiting to issue a Carta until he makes the first move. For all we know, we’ll never see the guy again.” However, the loss of an entire Imperial air cav regiment has hurt Kitchener’s hopes in balancing the Imperial Guard with men who support Alliance doctrines and belief systems.
SETHNOR ELDAR DEFIEANT AFTER DUMMONIAN AFFAIR – Ulthwé Language raises Tau / Eldar Tension
Anvil - Aachen subsector
The very presence of Sethnor mercenaries bolstering Dummonian Militia at the Battle of the Parselles Plantations has raised the ire of the Tau Aachen enclave. For years, tensions between Sethnor Eldar and the Tau have remained high. The Sethnor hold the keys to the Sethnor gate and the main means of re-supply for the Tau in the Aachen. The only thing that has kept the Sethnor from being attacked by the Tau has been their ability to remain completely neutral in the Imperial / Tau conflicts over the years. However, the presence of Sethnor troops on the Loyalist side has changed all that. Also fanning the flames of tension comes a statement from the Sethnor seer council that any actions of aggression would bring not only the military resources of the Sethnor but also the wrath of Eldrad Uthien of the Ulthwe Craftwrold.
TWELVERS TO GUARD PARLIAMENT
Hraxis – Blodsburg
As the smoke clears on the Anvil Fronde, the Twelvers have emerged unscathed and poised to be the peace-makers in a post war world. Spokesman Helenus is well known among the populace as the voice of reason throughout the conflict. As a result the famous Twelvers and nearly all forces of the Adeptus Astartes managed to steer clear of the Fronde conflict. Even when the Twelvers agreed to host a proxy D’Hauteville government in exile in the event of a total Hibernian take-over of Dummonia, the chapter managed to keep relations with the Alliance cordial. Thanks to the relationship with Cadre Tam’ya, the Twelvers deftly manoeuvred through both Loyalist and Alliance political pit-falls and are now emerging as a neutral third party poised to take on the role as mediating guard to the Parliament. A special honour guard consisting of veterans will now guard the empty Governor’s throne as a symbolic reminder to all partisan factions in Agrippa that the throne of Terra remains the sole Imperial Authority. In this role, the Twelvers will form the senior element of a Parliamentary Guard system which consists of two companies of the Consular Guard charged with protecting the Elector’s seat (and thus Parliament) and the Cardinal’s (now known as the Princeps Dictat) throne. The Inquisitional throne will still be guarded by secret ISNS troopers while the Eparch’s protection outside of Parliament will continue to be the Findhorn Orders. However, the Twelvers post as guards to the throne has not gone uncritisised. While popular outside of the capital, many true Blodsburgers still remember the unmerciless orbital bombing of their city by Twelver’s forces. As a result, mistrust among the citizenry remains high and conspiracy theories abound saying that this move is just one step on the path to a total Twelver’s take-over of the sector.