Midmark Scenario

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The Midmark scenario is a fairly simple scenario I am using for testing and is the first written for Marshall Lords. Although it is only one-quarter the size of the original Lords of Midnight map, it should still prove a new challenge for eager players.

From one of the background history files:

"Old man? Yes, you may call me that, although men have died for less. You ask why I am here, and why I insisted your son also attended. I will tell you, in time. Your father kept much from you, and it is time the truth was revealed in full.

"The land of Midmark suffered many long years of turmoil and warfare during the reign of the sorceress Olgarmuk and the Lord of Golarlum. From their twin cities built at the end of the impregnable pass of Kalgar they dreamt of an empire, an empire they would build on the skeletons of any that opposed them. The Lord of Targrath, cousin to Olgarmuk, rallied to their dread banner and with his forces guarding the mouth of the Kalgar pass their armies could swarm across the land.

"Olgarmuk led her warriors south, and faced with a horde on his doorstep the Lord of Haragrath had no choice but to capitulate. His riders joined the march, coming at last to the quiet lands of Angar. At the keep of Beroth the bold forces of the south gathered, but the stronghold was surrounded. The peaceful Angars had gambled on stopping the Foul at the keep, and had summoned all their forces to defend it. Faced with legion after legion of Foul warriors, they could do little but delay their own end. Beroth fell, its walls torn down by Olgarmuk's craft. No more resistance was encountered and the villages and hill-forts were taken one by one. Turning west, Olgarmuk drove her fleeing enemies towards the lands of the Fey.

"Golarlum had headed west from Kalgar. The dwarf-lord Untokoth rode out to meet him, determined to halt the march of these humans from the east. Untokoth found no battle. Golarlum played on the dwarf's fears of the Fey to the south, persuading him that with Golarlum's help the dwarf could keep his lands safe from any incursion by the Fey. Untokoth was no fool and suspected treachery, but Golarlum had offered a chance to avoid his lands being over-run with skirmishing forces, and after many days' deliberation he capitulated. Leaving Untokoth to guard his fortress, Golarlum rode on to meet the dwarf Kothlon. Kothlon refused Golarlum passage across his lands, knowing full well that once he allowed Foul forces to cross his borders he would never be rid of them. Golarlum flew into a fury, swearing that he would raise Harograth and Untokoth against Kothlon and would see it burn for its impudence. Kothlon was taken aback, for he had heard reports of Golarlum's wheedling diplomacy and had not expected a fierce response. Kothlon readied his armies to fight, but a scout brought news of massing Fey forces to the south. Kothlon could not defend both frontiers. With great sadness and foreboding, he surrendered.

"When the fleeing Angars reached their borders with the Fey, the forest lords turned them back. They had seen the Foul gathering across the land, and would not shelter its enemies lest the darkness fall on them in turn.

"Not all was lost. From my tower in the forest of Angar, I decided the time had come to act. From the despairing farmers and peasants of Angar, I selected one man, your father, to lead a counter attack. I took him in training and in a village nearby secretly began training an elite guard to defend him. Satisfied that Angar and the dwarf lands had been pacified, Olgarmuk and Golarlum returned to their cities to rule their fief.

"As the years passed, the occupying forces gradually withdrew to leave only a token force behind. When he was fully ready, I declared my chosen the Lord of Angar and the people rallied to his banner as never before. A series of beacons was constructed to bring news of any fresh invasion, and in a series of one-sided battles the Foul occupying forces were routed. The peaceful Angars had developed a new taste for battle and they craved victory over their cruel oppressors. News of the uprising reached Golarlum, and he rode with his army to meet it. Olgarmuk was confined to her bed in the final stages of pregnancy; she and her lover had consummated their alliance some months before and they were eagerly anticipating the start of their dynasty. The armies met just north of the ruined keep of Beroth, and the fighting tracked back and forth across the plains. Angar sought out Golarlum for single combat but, seeing that the Free forces were larger than he had expected, Golarlum had already retreated with a small force to summon help from Haragrath. From a nearby hill I saw him ride and summoning the powers of my art struck down both him and his entourage. His army fled, leaving your father victorious. When the news reached Olgarmuk, grief took her reason and she threw herself from her tower to die on the streets of her city far below."

- Lorthron the Wise in council

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