Friday 2 September 2011

The National Elf Service

The Elves of Lothgolin, or Silver Elves as they are colloquially known, once rules the whole world. Nowadays they are confined to a single province and beset on all sides by humanity, Orcs, Goblins and evil Elves. Yet, they have found a way to survive. Some say that they are in possession of a magical potion that gives each of them the strength of thirty men. Others say that they have great magics that cannot be defeated. Whatever the truth is, the Silver Elves have chosen now to emerge onto the world stage. One can only wonder what threat is so great that they should have to do so.

In Lothgolin it is the case that all adult Elves must serve in the army when they are young and that they are liable to be called back into the army when their land is threatened. This is the National Elf Service.

The bulk of the Elves in the army are archers, the feared Red Arrows, who are so called because of the colour of the fletching on their arrows.


The main melee force in the army are the Spearelves, here shown with their main commander, Kylee Lochalsh:


To support these two arms, a regiment of Elves was formed whose front rank deploys with spears while the rear rank fires arrows from behind the shields of the former. These marines, as they are known for no readily apparent reason, are few in numbers but of fearsome effectiveness.


The Unicorn Guard are the personal bodyguard of the Elven king. It is often unkindly commented by the rank and file that they are the Unicorn Guard because, when it comes to fighting, they are rare as Unicorn shit. Here we see the Guard deployed with their commander-in-chief and king, Elvish III:


Elves are magical people and they can usually call on the services of powerful magi to provide support for their armies. Here we see an Elven Druid, dressed in his ragged finery of animal skin and skull with horns. Elven Druids can have great power and are rumoured to be able to send entire forests on the rampage through the homes of those that have annoyed them.


The Elves will be joining the campaign next season. All figures are Baccus 6mm.

Thursday 1 September 2011

Summer 990 - Dear Barbax ...

Dear Barbax,

I’m sorry to hear of your recent losses. I too find myself basically homeless. It will be difficult to return even to Harbottle, my home of many years.

Life is not too bad as a guest of the Treyine. Brother Superior, the former head of the Brethren has recently taken up residence nearby and we have discussed the future. Following these discussions I have decided to set up an academy for training in the martial skills. This will be at the Brethren preceptory in Harbottle. They have given me command of it. This will mean I can still protect the people of the Border from attack by Orcs and Goblins. It will also mean that the Brethren can live on in this form and train young people in the ways of the Brethren.

As the old saying goes ‘every dark cloud has a silver lining’. I find myself short of riding and archery instructors. I would therefore like to invite yourself and some of your clan to come to Harbottle and help with the school. Not quite sure how this will fit in with the Brethren philosophy, but Brother Superior seems to think it is a wonderful idea. As we are going to have young boarders staying at the school it may be good to have a ‘mother’ figure as well as a father figure.

I must admit I miss your company as well. It would also be good for your daughter to be raised in a good family atmosphere, unless, of course, her father is finally stepping forward and looking after her and doing the decent thing toward you. I find his behaviour totally bemusing and if you would let me have his name I shall go and knock some sense into him.

Yours Faithfully,
Brother Cedric

Summer 990 - Dear Cedric ...

Dear Brother Cedric,

It is with heavy, but also glad, heart that I write you this letter. Many is the time we have talked of our future, but alas it is not to be. I have met my true love in the form of a Treyine nobleman, Sir Terence Bounder of Bounderingham and Caddington.

We could not help this. Our eyes met across my floury baps and we fell deeply in love. He is such a wonderful man and I’m sure you will like him, when you meet him. In fact he has arranged for you to be able to attend the wedding, so I hope you’ll come. Terrypoos says it would be a wonderful symbol of the Brethren acceptance of their friends from Treyine. I just think it would be nice.

Our wedding will be held in the Cathedral of Saint Martha the Submissive in Caddington. It’s what used to be the Cathedral of Saint Wilhelm the Vanquisher before its name was changed and it was re-consecrated.

Hope this letter finds you well,
Griselda