Following my last post's I want to elaborate on the narrative that I am trying to build for my games. As I mentioned I am basing it in my own version of the Empire with the majority of the world and politics being influenced by the world of WFRP 1st. edition with my own additions. I am currently planning to use a map and the original Mighty Empires system as a basis for the game with a greatly increased narrative backing up and elaborating on each action, so that I eventually have a history of the province based on gaming events that flows like a real history.
The most sensible time to start seemed to be 2477. This is well before the actual events of the enemy within and following the 'defeat' of Drachenfels at the start of Jack Yeovils novel. So there is not to many major events that could encroach on a narrative that is meant to fit in with the great WFRP.
An introduction to the recent history of Weisburg
Weisburg is a small province in the North West of the Empire in the shadow of the Grey Mountains. it is largely isolated from the rest of the Empire by the great forest and rivers. While the nobility of Weisburg have previously played their part in the wider politics of the Empire, forming alliances with various factions, the Earl of Weisburg does not have voting privileges and the provinces relative geographical isolation and lack of real funds has meant that Weisburg is often ignored.
This physical and political separation has given Wesiburg and inward looking sensibility, dealing with local issues despite what the consequences for the outside world might be. Perhaps paradoxically, it has also attracted people who feel they can use this isolation to build power. This ranges from religious fanatics and would be politicians seeking to be big fish in a small pond, through to wizards who seek to practise their art away from the attention of the outside world. a recent magic storm on the outskirts of the provinces borders while being unusual, is not an unheard of event and is something that is put down to these visitors who have settled in Weisburg. It has also attracted the attention of fanatics following law who, with the 'defeat' of Drachenfels, plan to turn their attention to the Provinces in the shadow of the Grey mountains.
However, the recent history of Weisburg has been dominated by the Graf, Hans Bismarck, and his slow seizure of power. Bismarck was a merchant who left the Empire to trade from Marienburg. He then left Marienburg to earn his fortune in Lustria, returning laden with gold and a loyal groups of men at arms who had followed him across Lustria and now had a stake in the gold.
Upon his return, Bismarck rapidly recruited more men at arms, using his wealth to recruit men who were both skilled and trustworthy. But his next move was seen as strange for someone with his wealth. He journeyed to the small province of Weisburg.
However Bismarck realised that he only had economic power and if he needed to have permanent political power, instead of just influence, he needed to join the Empires nobility and become part of the rising power in the Old World. Weisburg offered this opportunity. His money soon bought him local power and the support, although not the friendship, of Weisburg's Earl, Otto Von Haugwitt. In exchange for helping Weisburgs failing funds, Bismarck was appointed Graf.
With no male heir, following his sons renouncing of their heritage in favour of religious beliefs, the Earl announced that whoever married his daughter would be heir. To the fury of his daughter, Lady Winona Haugwith, the Earl also stated that the Graf rule until he had an heir, effectively leaving her powerless and a prize to cement someone else's power.
The Earl died later that year, falling from his horse after an encounter with a mutant from the forest that had found it's way on to the Earl's estate. the Graf took power, announcing a year later that he was engaged to Lady Winona Haugwitt. He informed the Lady by letter.
The Lady was not simply going to allow this and took two actions. The first was to flee to the family castle with her loyal staff. She manned it with a small force of mercenary swordsmen and then sought help from possible allies.
Bismarck attempted to pressurise her allies and Lady Winona was disappointed by the response. It would seem that Bismarck's influence was very wide reaching. Of the response she got, one was from a Halfling retainer knighted by her father. He bought a small force of Halflings and pledged his life to the Lady.
The other responder stopped The Graf from storming the castle. It was the Emperor who declared that "...no woman of noble blood should be forced to marry a commoner!" Bismarck had no choice but to accept this. he could not go against the declaration of The Emperor. But he could try and change his mind. So began a stand off.
Lady Winona remained exhiled in the castle with Bismarck refusing to allow her to go beyond it's walls until she agreed to marriage. Something he had the both the physical power to do and the legal right as Graf to enact.
Bismarck himself began trying to build allies to change the Emperor's mind with varying success. Amongst those he approached was Prince Friedrich Von Sturm, the ambitious son of an elector counts Prince Von Sturm at first turned down Bismarck's approachs for assistance with his advisers unanimous about not getting involved.
But at the same time a new menace was presenting itself. Following an increase in what is loosely described as unnatural activity around Weisburg, street preachers and clergy in the North West of the Empire were preaching for action. Prince Otto saw this as an opportunity to raise his profile as the man of action the Empire needed as the next Emperor. Although he was naive believing the fellow electors wanted that kind of Emperor, he was careful to choose what he did so he would not become entrenched in a long unwinnable war based on cleaning up Weisburg.
Instead he found an easier opportunity. A horder of green skins had gradually been sweeping south towards Weisburg since the recent magical storm. The Prince asked for Bismarck to give some forces to help fight the green skins in return for his political support.
Bismarck agreed and their combined forces converged at the village of Gimte, ready to face off the Orc and Goblin forces. The battle was a disaster.Out numbered the Empires forces were over run and although Prince Otto managed to marshal an orderly retreat he was humiliated.
Prince Otto's father nearly disowned him. The only thing that stopped him was the fact that it would be a public admission of weakness. Instead he went to the Emperor and suggested his son win the new war that he had started and use it to sure up the borders of Weisburg and the West of the Empire. Borders that has been insecure since the Gwyn Eira dwarf war.
Prince Otto leapt at the opportunity, still believing he was the hero the Empire needed. He saw a way of ruling and expanding his family power with Weisburg. Even better, he was being given command of the Imperial Guard to achieve his goals. A wiser man would of realised that the open nature of the goals were not only setting him up for failure, but also meant that he never had real power in Weisburg or his own army. Prince Otto ignored this and at the head of a force of Imperial guard and Knights from various backgrounds, some of whom were even loyal to his family, Prince Otto rode into the province and the capital of Weisburg. he stood in front of the cheering crowds and declared himself protector of Weisburg!
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