Wittenberg - the 'package' is ready for delivery

King Leopold IV (left) in discussion with Count Hermann of Munster (centre) and the Chancellor (right). Count Hermann of Munster has arrived back from diplomatic visit.

King: Did things go well ?
Munster: Yes your majesty.
King: Chancellor, did Munster brief you about his visit ?
Chancellor: Yes, thankyou for including me in the latest developments and letting me know what's going on.
Munster: The negotiations are complete, the recipient awaits delivery of his 'package'.
King: Then we must ensure the 'package' arrives safely.
Chancellor: I will make the arrangements.
King: Munster you will travel with the package. Chancellor - ensure there is a full escort.
Chancellor, Munster: Yes your majesty.

[figs in picture: King -Suren; Munster - from Black Cat pirate range;Chancellor - converted Irregular Miniature SYW prussian NCO]

Monrovian Artillery Update

Those dodgy Monrovians have got their howitzer into service first (don't worry the Wittenberg one is on it's way).

[Figs : Hinchcliffe 5.5" howitzer and SYW prussian crew + Irregular Miniatures Marburian limber]

The Hills are Alive ...

The gnomes in the Wittenberg toy shops, after having their rest after Xmas, have been busy constructing hills for the wargames table.

I decided to make my own hills. I used layers of Foam Board, sculpting the edges at an angle. First a ridge feature to defend..

Some medium size hills,

One of the medium hills is a bit smaller so it can be stacked up if needed...

I also made some smaller hills from cheap mouse mats (not a good idea, I won't be making any more)

I'll have to paint the foam board hills later.

Monrovia : in the King's Council Chamber

The Kingdom of Monrovia is the rival of the Kingdom of Wittenberg.

At the palace, in the King's Council Chamber, the Chancellor and the King Francis III of Monrovia are in discussion ...

King: What's the current military situation ?

Chancellor: Our army is nearly fully mobilised and has undertaken some field manouvres. We have intelligence on the Wittenberg army, they have placed a corp of observation in Upper Belgravia, although we don't believe they are fully moblised yet.

King: When will our army be ready for taking offensive action ?

Chancellor: From the reports I have received it will be al least 3 months before they are fully ready.

King: We cannot threaten Wittenberg from the south as they border the Imperium, who have no interest in our squabbles, if anything they are likely to put pressure on us if we act when they are not distracted elsewhere. Do we have the support of Saxe-Jarlsberg and Hesse-Limburger ?

Chancellor: Yes, they have signed the usual treaty and have agreed to supply 2 regiments of infantry, 1 of cavalry and a battery of artillery.

King: We need to find out the intentions of the states to the north of Wittenberg. We can make no concrete plans until we know which side the Duchy of Fenwick is going to support or whether they are going to remain neutral as they have done in the past.

Chancellor: The Duchy of Fenwick is being non-committal in discussions with our ambassadors, they are always polite but always ask for extra assurances, more clarification of treaty points etc. I believe they are prevaricating. Their fortresses which control access through the mountain passes along their border with our country have been re-inforced.

King: What of their army ?

Chancellor: A small force of troops is mustering ready for foreign service although we don't know who for. They have already supplied a regiment of infantry and a battery of artillery to the defence of Tipplebruder; we believe the cost of this was paid for by the Kingdom of Wittenberg. As to the rest of the army it has not yet started mobilising. They are rumours that Prince Maurice of Fenwick is reviewing all current arrangements for troops in service with foreign powers and may be going to terminate some of his contracts or raise the costs when renewal is due.

King: Have we made contact with Stagonia ?

Chancellor: Yes your Majesty, our ambassadors have been well received and they are willing to discuss a treaty of alliance.

King: What about Saxe-Bearstein ?

Chancellor: They refused to meet our ambassadors, on the grounds we have been in contact with Stagonia. In fact our ambassadors were rudely treated and ejected from their country.

King: Thankyou for your time Chancellor, we will consider the information you have given us and I will talk further with you on these matters.