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the IRon Dragon
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Grand Cathay
Harmony Grand Cathay benefits from its rulers' mastery over the forces of Yin and Yang. The balance between these forces can be manipulated to empower the cities and armies of Cathayan factions. The Great Bastion The Great Bastion protects the northern border of Grand Cathay from the horrors of the Chaos Wastes, and symbolizes the mandate of the Dragon Emperor. It must be defended for the good of all. The Ivory Road The distant cities to the west will gladly part with their wealth for Cathayan treasures, but the trade routes are dangerous. Trade caravans can be dispatched along the Ivory Road, but they must be defended. |
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Zhao Ming
The Iron Dragon +5 Recruit Rank for Alchemists +15 Armour for all melee units (Faction) Ruler of the Western Provinces +1 Caravans and +20% maximum cargo capacity -25% upkeep cost for Ogre mercenaries +10 Melee Attack and Defence for Ogre mercenaties (Faction) Lord of the Jade-Sworn +100% magic item drop chance -25% upkeep cost for all melee units (Lord's army) |
Prologue: The Western Provinces
How the cursed Tome came into my possession, and my soul into its, is a shameful tale that I will not recount here, but it put me on a desperate path in search of its secrets. Unwelcome in the lands of my birth, and with my own keen knowledge of the futility of finding one who would risk helping me in the learned institutions of Altdorf, I had first travelled to Myrmidens in hope of finding some outcast scholar of circumspect knowledge. Though that city of vagabonds offered me no answers, it was there that I first heard the tales of the Iron Dragon, from a large caravan that arrived in the city soon after myself from far off Cathay. The Cathayans, with appearances that were strange to my eye at the time, all agreed that their ruler was a wise master of the arcane arts, with a greater understanding of the winds of magic and the creation of attuned items than any here in the western realms. Furthermore, they described his realm as one not restrained by the ignorant fears of the Temples, and was certainly as far from the Order of the Silver Hammer as I could hope to flee. With no other leads to follow, I joined the next caravan destined for the dangerous journey across the mountains and wastes between to Grand Cathay, and arrived at the city of Shang Yang, disguised as an old vagabond. However, the Iron Dragon was not here, in his traditional seat, and I learned that this inscrutable ruler had withdrawn from most of his public duties and chosen to live a hermetic life to pursue his studies and research. In fact, it was clear that a different authority had replaced him in Shang Yang, calling themselves the Prophets of Jinshen: zealots of faith that did not seem to respect the Dragon Emperor and his children.
At the stronghold of Qiang, on the most western borders of Grand Cathay, where the land begins to rise into the Mountains of Mourn, I finally found the Iron Dragon, and my foreign appearance earned me enough attention to attend his court. There I dared to contradict the information presented by a trader who had returned from the west regarding the value of goods and the most profitable trade routes, and an audit of the man's ledgers proved the man to be lying, and in fact an agent of the Prophets in Shang-Yang. Summoned to a further audience, Lord Zhao Ming, demanded my services regarding acquisition of rare materials from the western lands, and in return he would grant my request to study the riddle of the Tome of Fates, assuring me that this artifact was not beyond his power. Though he did not deign to explain the current state of his realm to me, I eventually came to some understanding of this vast empire that was, in fact, larger than Sigmar's own, and fighting a similar war for its survival against incessant incursions of barbarians, orcs, and beastmen. The Dragon Emperor of Cathay had not been seen for centuries, sealed in meditation in the Forbidden City, and his scions governed his divided realm. Similarly, the Iron Dragon himself had withdrawn from society and chosen to study the arcane mysteries and applications of alchemy within the laboratories and forges of Qiang for many years. He claimed to be the Lord of the Western Provinces, but the people of his land were unsure if he even lived, and he had done nothing as his banners were thrown from the walls of Shang-Yang during riots incited by the Prophets of Jinshen. Though details would not be revealed to me, some unknown shame regarding a part played in the disappearance of his younger sister, had driven the Iron Dragon into self-exile and broken his already tenuous ties with his other siblings. As I came to see that Grand Cathay was the eastern counterpart, an estranged sister, of the Empire, the Tome showed me it also shared its ultimate fate: split asunder by war and overrun by the Ruinous Powers.
Determined to change my own fate, I risked sharing this knowledge with the Lord of the Western Provinces, he however insisted that the reign of the Dark Gods had been thwarted long ago by the Dragon Emperor. It was not until I learned that materials he lacked for his studies were available abroad, that I was able to rouse his interest in the wider world, for when his advisors explained that all power over the western trade routes was now held by the Prophets and the ogre tribes of the mountains, he immediately assembled his war council for the first time in decades. It's members, many of whom had never even met the Iron Dragon before, humbly briefed him on the neglected state of the Western Provinces and awaited his rage, but Lord Zhao Ming simply ordered them to ready for war. Over the next weeks I observed his atrophied emissaries return with word that none of the cities of the Western Provinces would answer Qiang's call, stating that the Iron Dragon was dead and Jinshen heeded only the Prophets now. Those sent to neighboring rulers brought only requests for money and soldiers from the stewards of those regions to combat an ongoing invasion of pirates and slavers, and a private response from the Storm Dragon of the Northern Provinces that infuriated Lord Zhao Ming for days. Southern Cathay, where the control of the Dragon Emperor was often stretched thin, was now divided between regional desert nomads and river warlords who rarely spared a thought for the wider concerns of the realm. I observed his generals drill the army of Qiang, which counted some proud elite soldiers and frightening engines of war in its number, but that number itself was woefully unimpressive. His administrators intended to bolster the army with mercenaries, but the Iron Dragon lacked gold outside of his laboratories, with taxation being diverted and controlled by the Prophets in Shang-Yang and Hanyu Port. Despite this bleak outlook, the Iron Dragon's servants in Qiang loyally carried out his tasks and I followed their example. I had been assigned a task to utilize my knowledge: assisting in the planning of large caravans destined for the western realms, just as I had first met in Myrmidens. Including procurement of the most profitable goods and the assignment of destinations, I offered my advice to the trade administrators, though to my understanding it seemed a waste to throw such an investment into the Dark Lands with small chance of seeing it return. My pessimism only increased when I was ordered to accompany the Iron Dragon to Hanyu Port, where he would demand the return of the city from the Prophets of Jinshin at the head of his small army. I foresaw my one hope throwing himself onto the spears of his enemies in his delusions of grandeur, but divination was yet the purview of the Tome alone. Instead, I witnessed the celestial power of Grand Cathay and came to understand how it had earned its place in the world.
As it would come to be known, the Ivory Wars began at Hanyu Port, the closest trading center to Qiang. Lord Zhao Ming's advisors explained that shipments of alchemical materials, such as ivory, had become prohibitively expensive when the last western trade route had been completely cut off by the Goldtooth ogres, but trade had now become almost impossible when the warden of Hanyu Port gave they keys of the city to the Prophets of Jinshen in exchange for help against an army of mutant beastmen emerging from the desert. When we arrived at Hanyu Port, the gates were not opened for us, and the gate commander declared to Lord Zhao Ming that the Iron Dragon was dead and Hanyu Port answered to Shang-Yang, not Qiang. With noticeable fury, Lord Zhao Ming ordered his army to take the city by force, and I witnessed the power of the Hammers of Maufin and the bravery of the flying Sunpiercer Order for the first time as they attacked the city's walls. Then, to my utter amazement, I watched Lord Zhoa Ming himself transform into a giant creature: a flying dragon, metallic in appearance, that hypnotically swam through the air and joined his soldiers as they charged through the broken defences, breathing fire upon the heads of those who had denied his existence. The city was quickly taken, heralding the Iron Dragon's return to all of Grand Cathay.
At the stronghold of Qiang, on the most western borders of Grand Cathay, where the land begins to rise into the Mountains of Mourn, I finally found the Iron Dragon, and my foreign appearance earned me enough attention to attend his court. There I dared to contradict the information presented by a trader who had returned from the west regarding the value of goods and the most profitable trade routes, and an audit of the man's ledgers proved the man to be lying, and in fact an agent of the Prophets in Shang-Yang. Summoned to a further audience, Lord Zhao Ming, demanded my services regarding acquisition of rare materials from the western lands, and in return he would grant my request to study the riddle of the Tome of Fates, assuring me that this artifact was not beyond his power. Though he did not deign to explain the current state of his realm to me, I eventually came to some understanding of this vast empire that was, in fact, larger than Sigmar's own, and fighting a similar war for its survival against incessant incursions of barbarians, orcs, and beastmen. The Dragon Emperor of Cathay had not been seen for centuries, sealed in meditation in the Forbidden City, and his scions governed his divided realm. Similarly, the Iron Dragon himself had withdrawn from society and chosen to study the arcane mysteries and applications of alchemy within the laboratories and forges of Qiang for many years. He claimed to be the Lord of the Western Provinces, but the people of his land were unsure if he even lived, and he had done nothing as his banners were thrown from the walls of Shang-Yang during riots incited by the Prophets of Jinshen. Though details would not be revealed to me, some unknown shame regarding a part played in the disappearance of his younger sister, had driven the Iron Dragon into self-exile and broken his already tenuous ties with his other siblings. As I came to see that Grand Cathay was the eastern counterpart, an estranged sister, of the Empire, the Tome showed me it also shared its ultimate fate: split asunder by war and overrun by the Ruinous Powers.
Determined to change my own fate, I risked sharing this knowledge with the Lord of the Western Provinces, he however insisted that the reign of the Dark Gods had been thwarted long ago by the Dragon Emperor. It was not until I learned that materials he lacked for his studies were available abroad, that I was able to rouse his interest in the wider world, for when his advisors explained that all power over the western trade routes was now held by the Prophets and the ogre tribes of the mountains, he immediately assembled his war council for the first time in decades. It's members, many of whom had never even met the Iron Dragon before, humbly briefed him on the neglected state of the Western Provinces and awaited his rage, but Lord Zhao Ming simply ordered them to ready for war. Over the next weeks I observed his atrophied emissaries return with word that none of the cities of the Western Provinces would answer Qiang's call, stating that the Iron Dragon was dead and Jinshen heeded only the Prophets now. Those sent to neighboring rulers brought only requests for money and soldiers from the stewards of those regions to combat an ongoing invasion of pirates and slavers, and a private response from the Storm Dragon of the Northern Provinces that infuriated Lord Zhao Ming for days. Southern Cathay, where the control of the Dragon Emperor was often stretched thin, was now divided between regional desert nomads and river warlords who rarely spared a thought for the wider concerns of the realm. I observed his generals drill the army of Qiang, which counted some proud elite soldiers and frightening engines of war in its number, but that number itself was woefully unimpressive. His administrators intended to bolster the army with mercenaries, but the Iron Dragon lacked gold outside of his laboratories, with taxation being diverted and controlled by the Prophets in Shang-Yang and Hanyu Port. Despite this bleak outlook, the Iron Dragon's servants in Qiang loyally carried out his tasks and I followed their example. I had been assigned a task to utilize my knowledge: assisting in the planning of large caravans destined for the western realms, just as I had first met in Myrmidens. Including procurement of the most profitable goods and the assignment of destinations, I offered my advice to the trade administrators, though to my understanding it seemed a waste to throw such an investment into the Dark Lands with small chance of seeing it return. My pessimism only increased when I was ordered to accompany the Iron Dragon to Hanyu Port, where he would demand the return of the city from the Prophets of Jinshin at the head of his small army. I foresaw my one hope throwing himself onto the spears of his enemies in his delusions of grandeur, but divination was yet the purview of the Tome alone. Instead, I witnessed the celestial power of Grand Cathay and came to understand how it had earned its place in the world.
As it would come to be known, the Ivory Wars began at Hanyu Port, the closest trading center to Qiang. Lord Zhao Ming's advisors explained that shipments of alchemical materials, such as ivory, had become prohibitively expensive when the last western trade route had been completely cut off by the Goldtooth ogres, but trade had now become almost impossible when the warden of Hanyu Port gave they keys of the city to the Prophets of Jinshen in exchange for help against an army of mutant beastmen emerging from the desert. When we arrived at Hanyu Port, the gates were not opened for us, and the gate commander declared to Lord Zhao Ming that the Iron Dragon was dead and Hanyu Port answered to Shang-Yang, not Qiang. With noticeable fury, Lord Zhao Ming ordered his army to take the city by force, and I witnessed the power of the Hammers of Maufin and the bravery of the flying Sunpiercer Order for the first time as they attacked the city's walls. Then, to my utter amazement, I watched Lord Zhoa Ming himself transform into a giant creature: a flying dragon, metallic in appearance, that hypnotically swam through the air and joined his soldiers as they charged through the broken defences, breathing fire upon the heads of those who had denied his existence. The city was quickly taken, heralding the Iron Dragon's return to all of Grand Cathay.
The Army of the West
Commmand
The Iron Dragon - Lord Zhao Ming
Alchemist - Zhiyuan the Mandarin
Commmand
The Iron Dragon - Lord Zhao Ming
Alchemist - Zhiyuan the Mandarin
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Celestial Retinues
1 Great Longma Riders - The Sunpiercer Order 1 Celestial Dragon Guard - The Iron Claws of Qiang |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
3 Jade Warriors - The Scorched Shields, The Dragon's Scales, The Swords of Haili 1 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen - The Sunset Guard |
Levies and Mercenaries
1 Fire Rain Rocket Battery - The Hammers of Maufin 2 Peasant Long Spearmen - The White Turbans, The Black Turbans 1 Peasant Archers - The Banner of the Feather |
Conflicts of the Ivory Wars
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The Jinshen Rebellion
Adversaries: The Prophets of Jinshen, Clan Krizzor Allies: None Forces of the Western Provinces: The Army of the West, the Army of Shang-Yang Results: The Western Provinces reclaimed Hanyu Port, Xen Wu, Shang-Yang, Tai Tzu, and the Shrine of the Alchemist. The Prophets of Jinshen and Clan Krizzor were destroyed. Major battles of the Jinshen Rebellion The Siege of Hanyu Port - Lord Zhao Ming defeated Magistrate Zhiyuan Tao of the Prophets of Jinshen The Battle of Xen Wu - Lord Zhao Ming defeated Chieftain Aratt of Clan Krizzor The Siege of Shang-Yang - Lord Zhao Ming defeated General Sheng Ye of the Prophets of Jinshen The Battle of Tai Tzu - Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Shugengan Ying Wen of the Prophets of Jinshen |
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The Curseling's Invasions
Adversaries: The Puppets of Misrule, the Yusak, the Kurgan Allies: The Northern Provinces, the Imperial Wardens Forces of the Western Provinces: The Army of Shang-Yang, The Army of the Desert Results: Alliances were formed with the Northern Provinces and the Imperial Wardens. The Turtle Gate was annexed by the Western Provinces. Major battles of the Curseling's 1st Invasion The Battle of Weng Chang - Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Vilitch the Curseling of the Puppets of Misrule The Battle of Vale of Titans - Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Sorcerer-Lord Vygo of the Puppets of Misrule Major battles of the Curseling's 2nd Invasion The Siege of the Turtle Gate - Baozan the Red Glove and Shugengan Yuanshan Fu of the Wardens defeated Vilitch the Curseling The Siege of the Dragon Gate - Baozan the Red Glove and Astromancer Chong Zu of the Imperial Wardens defeated Chieftain Wolfrick Grydalsson of the Kurgan The Battle of the Shrine of the Alchemist - Hei of the Shrine defeated Vilitch the Curseling of the Puppets of Misrule The Battle of Dragon's Crossroad - Baozan and Shugengan Yuanshan Fu of the Imperial Wardens defeated Kholek Suneater of the Hearlds of the Tempest and Chieftain Wolfrick Grydalsson of the Kurgan The 2nd Siege of the Turtle Gate - Baozan the Red Glove defeated Chaos Sorcerer Lord Houdekai of the Puppets of Misrule The Battle of TBD - Baozan the Red Glove defeated Vilitch the Curseling of the Puppets of Misrule The 3rd Siege of the Turtle Gate - Taian Zheng of the Turtle Gate is defeated by Chaos Sorcerer Lord Malofex Hellcaster and Chaos Lord Farmort of the Puppets of Misrule, and Jorhul Mortkin of the Heralds of the Tempest. Alchemist Taian Zheng and Chaos Sorcerer Lord Malofex Hellcaster are slain in battle. The Battle of Wei-Jin - Baozan the Red Glove and Feng the Lion defeated Chaos Lord Farmort of the Puppets of Misrule The 4th Siege of the Turtle Gate - Baozan the Red Glove defeated Vilitch the Curseling and Chaos Lord Demaharr Ironcast of the Puppets of Misrule, and Chaos Lord Rell Korfex of the Heralds of the Tempest The Siege of the Snake Gate - Feng the Lion and Alchemist Long Yuchi of the Imperial Wardens defeated Marauder Chieftain Torveig of the Kurgan Warband |
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A Burning Light for the Shadows
Adversaries: Clan Eshin, the Blessed Dread Allies: The Northern Provinces, The Celestial Loyalists, The Jade Custodians Forces of the Western Provinces: The Army of Jinshen, The Army of the Desert, The Army of Shang-Yang Results: The Western Provinces annexed Xing Po, the Village of the Moon, Kunlun, and Jade Wind Mountain, TBD. Clan Eshin was destroyed. Major Battles of the Shadow Hunt The Battle of Tai Tzu - Shenji Duanmu of Tai Tzu is defeated by Deathmaster Snikch of Clan Eshin The Siege of Shang-Yang - Feng the Lion defeated Deathmaster Snikch of Clan Eshin The Battle of Xing Po - Feng the Lion defeated Enginseer Boilrer the Dominator of Clan Eshin The Battle of the City of the Shugengan - Baozan the Red Glove defeated Chieftain Klesh of Clan Eshin The 2nd Battle of the City of the Shugengan -Baozan the Red Glove defeated Master Assassin Staden of Clan Eshin The Battle of TBD - Baozan the Red Glove defeated Warlock Master Ekitch of Clan Eshin The Siege of the Celestial Monastery - Longyuan defeats Master Tothauthrak of the Blessed Dread The Battle of Zhanshi - Feng the Lion defeated Supreme Sorceress Volilosh of the Blessed Dread The Siege of Jade Wind Mountain - Feng the Lion defeated Chieftain Shief of Clan Eshin The 2nd Siege of Jade Wind Mountain - Feng the Lion and TBD of Jade Custodians defeated Lokhir Fellheart of the Blessed Dread The 3rd Siege of Jade Wind Mountain - Liao Ti of Jade Wind Mountain is defeated by Sorceress TBD The Siege of Kunlun - Feng the Lion and Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Deathmaster Snikch The Battle of Jade Wind Mountain - Longyuan of Jiagu and Feng the Lion defeated Lokhir Felheart and High Sorceress Orinon Barbedlash of the Blessed Dread The Battle of the Village of the Moon - Longyuan of Jiagu defeats Dreadlord Vanquissh of the Blessed Dread The 2nd Battle of Jade Wind Mountain - Feng the Lion defeated Lokhir Felheart of the Blessed Dread The Siege of Zhi-Zhu - Feng the Lion defeated High Sorceress Orinon Barbedlash of the Blessed Dread |
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The Lizardmen Raids
Adversaries: The Spirit of the Jungle Allies: The Golden Order The Western Provinces: The Army of Jinshen Results: The Celestial Loyalists form an alliance with the Western Provinces. The Western Provinces liberated Shang-Wu, the Bridge of Heaven, and the Temple of Elemental Winds. Alchemist Huan Sima was killed in battle against TBD. Major Battles of the Liberation of the East The Siege of Shang-Wu - Feng the Lion defeated Scar-Veteran Hextoc of the Spirit of the Jungle The Siege of Qiang - Jun Sun the Golden defeated Nakai the Wanderer of the Spirit of the Jungle The Siege of the Bridge of Heaven - Feng the Lion defeated Scar-Veteran Enji-Benqi of the Spirit of the Jungle The Battle of the Temple of Elemental Winds - Jun Sun the Golden defeated Scar-Veteran TBD of the Spirit of the Jungle The Siege of Shang Wu - Niu Jin defeated Skink Priest Meso'clan of the Spirit of the Jungle |
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Securing the Ivory Road
Adversaries: Goldtooth, The Lazarghs Allies: The Crossed Clubs, The Bloodmaw The Western Provinces: The Army of Qiang, The Army of Shang-Wu Results: The Western Provinces granted the Maw Gate, Grimtop, the Great Hall of Greasus, Karak Krakaten, the Vale of Titans, Amblepeak, Karak Azorn, the Fire Mouth, Titan's Notch, Yhetee Peak, and the Valley of the Horns to the Bloodmaw tribe. The Western Provinces granted Karak Vrag and Black Fang to the Blood Guzzlers tribe. The Goldtooth and the Crossed Clubs were destroyed. Miao the White Crane was killed in battle. Zhiyuan the Mandarin assassinated by Goblin Big Boss Gorfag Trolleater Major Battles of the 1st Ivory Road Campaign The Battle of the Valley of the Horns - Zhao Ming defeated Tyrant Nogflag of Goldtooth The Battle of the Maw Gate - Zhao Ming and Feng the Lion defeated Slaughtermaster Maldigg of the Lazarghs The Siege of Shang-Yang - Zhengde Ding of Shang-Yang defeated Slaughtermaster Groundbreaker Gad of the Lazarghs The Battle of Titan's Notch - Zhao Ming defeated Grimgor Ironhide of Grimgor's 'Ardboyz The Battle of the Maw Gate - Feng the Lion defeated Greasus Goldtooth of Goldtooth The Battle of Grimtop - Feng the Lion defeated Tyrant Vrud of the Goldtooth The Battle of Yhetee Peak - Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Big Boss Zajar Backstab of Grimgor's 'Ardboyz The Battle of the Great Hall of Greasus - Feng the Lion defeated Tyrant Nogflag of Goldtooth The Battle of Black Fang - Zhao Ming defeated Grimgor Ironhide of Grimgor's 'Ardboyz Major Battles of the 2nd Ivory Road Campaign The Battle of Blood Peak - Longyuan of Jiagu and Paymaster Maldigg of the Bloodmaw defeated Chaos Sorcerer Lord Hagrudek of the Heralds of the Tempest The 2nd Battle of Blood Peak - Longyuan of Jiagu and Paymaster Maldigg of the Bloodmaw defeated Kholek Suneater of the Heralds of the Tempest and Grimgor Ironhide and Spinny Wolfherda of Grimgor's 'Ardboyz The 2nd Battle of Titan's Notch - Longyuan of Jiagu defeated Chaos Sorcerer Lord Beronaer Kul of the Heralds of the Tempest |
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The Cleansing of the Pass
Adversaries: Poxmakers of Nurgle, Knights of Caledor, Slaughterhorn Tribe Allies: The Bloodmaw, Tepok's Spawn The Western Provinces: The Army of Qiang, The Army of the Ivory Road Results: The Western Provinces conquered Gnobbly Gorge and the Skrap Towerr, liberated Pigbarter for the Thunderguts and all of the Dragon Isles for the Spawn of Tepok, and granted Shambletown and Flayed Rock to the Bloodmaw tribe. The Slaughterhorn Tribe and the Poxmakers of Nurgle were destroyed. Major Battles of the Conquest of the Pass The Battle of Flayed Rock - Zhao Ming defeated by Ku'gath Plaguefather of the Poxmakers The 2nd Battle of Flayed Rock- Zhao Ming defeats Ku'gath Plaguefather of the Poxmakers The Battle of Grimtop - Zhao Ming defeated Daemon Prince Farmort Woe-Maker of the Poxmakers The 2nd Battle of Grimtop - Zhao Ming defeated Ku'gath Plaguefather of the Poxmakers The Battle of Shambletown - Zhao Ming defeated Daemon Prince Farmort Woe-Maker of the Poxmakers The Battle of Gnobbly Gorge - Zhao Ming defeated Chaos Lord Chant of the Poxmakers The Battle of Skrap Towers - Jun Sun the Golden defeated Plaguebearer Direpox of the Poxmakers The Battle of Shattered Stone Bay - Jun Sun the Golden defeated Maggungus Barrowguts of the Poxmakers The Battle of Gnobbly Gorge - Zhao Ming defeated Ku'gath Plaguefather of the Poxmakers The Siege of Pigbarter - Zhao Ming defeated Archmage Westara of the Knights of Caledor The 2nd Battle of Shattered Stone Bay - Jun Sun the Golden and Oldblood Malhotraptor of Tepok's Spawn defeated Ku'gath Plaguefather and Plagueridden Tally-Master of the Poxmakers The 3rd Battle of Flayed Rock - Jun Sun the Golden defeated Beastlord Rhaabqu Blightheart of the Slaughterhorn Tribe The 2nd Battle of Skrap Towers - Jun Sun the Golden is defeated by Prince Imrik of the Knights of Caledor The Battle of the Sea of Storms - Zhao Ming defeated Ku'Gath Plaguefather of the Poxmakers The Battle of Dragon Fang Mount - Zhao Ming defeated Chaos Lord Vygo Coraxus of the Poxmakers |
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The Army of the West
Command
The Iron Dragon - Lord Zhao Ming
Alchemists - Xiaolin the Haughty
Gate Masters - Piao the Sprout
Command
The Iron Dragon - Lord Zhao Ming
Alchemists - Xiaolin the Haughty
Gate Masters - Piao the Sprout
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Celestial Retinues
2 Great Longma Riders - The Sunpiercer Order, The Righteous Lance of Wei-Jin 1 Celestial Dragon Guard - The Iron Claws of Qiang 1 Onyx Crowmen - The Feathered Council 1 Sky Lantern - Chamon's Torch |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
2 Jade Warriors - The Scorched Shields 2 Jade Warriors (halberds) - The Black Tassels, The Teeth of Jinshen 2 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen (shields) - The Sunset Guard, The Greenhelms of Hanyu 3 Jade Lancers - The Wardens of the Pass, The Lances of the Last Shrine, the Banner of Shi-Gori 1 Fire Rain Rocket Battery - The Hammers of Maufin 1 Grand Cannons - The Banishers |
Levies and Mercenaries
1 Ogre Bulls - The Charred Mallets 1 Ogre Bulls (dual weapons) - The Ironbound |
The Army of Jinshen
Command
Celestial General - Feng the Lion
Astromancers - Bao the Poet
Alchemist - Henyu Tao the Scribe
Gate Masters - Niu the Sealbearer
Command
Celestial General - Feng the Lion
Astromancers - Bao the Poet
Alchemist - Henyu Tao the Scribe
Gate Masters - Niu the Sealbearer
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Celestial Retinues
1 Celestial Lion |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
3 Jade Warriors 1 Jade Warriors (halberds) 2 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen 1 Grand Cannons |
Levies and Mercenaries
1 Peasent Spearmen 2 Peasant Archers 1 Iron Hail Gunners 1 Peasant Horsemen |
The Army of Shang-Yang
Command
Lord Magistrate - Longyuan of Jiagu
Alchemists - Chen He the Lamp of Hanyu, You Dong the Wise
Gate Masters - Zhuixue the Lizard
Command
Lord Magistrate - Longyuan of Jiagu
Alchemists - Chen He the Lamp of Hanyu, You Dong the Wise
Gate Masters - Zhuixue the Lizard
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Celestial Retinues
2 Celestial Dragon Guard 1 Celestial Dragon Crossbowmen 1 Zhangu War Drum 1 Terracotta Sentinel |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
3 Jade Warriors 1 Jade Warriors (halberds) 1 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen 2 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen (shields) |
Levies and Mercenaries
1 Peasant Archers 1 Peasant Horsemen |
The Army of the Turtle
Command
Dragon-Blooded Shugengan Lord - Baozan the Red Glove
Astromancers - Gongsun the Whisperer
Gate Masters - Qilin the Inquisitor
Command
Dragon-Blooded Shugengan Lord - Baozan the Red Glove
Astromancers - Gongsun the Whisperer
Gate Masters - Qilin the Inquisitor
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Celestial Retinues
1 Onyx Crowmen 1 Jet Lion |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
1 Jade Warriors 1 Jade Warriors (halberds) 1 Jade Warrior Crossbowmen (shields) 1 Jade Lancers |
Levies and Mercenaries
2 Peasant Spearmen 4 Peasant Archers 1 Nan-Gau Grenadiers 2 Peasant Horsemen |
The Army of the Ivory Road
Command
The Celestial General - Jun Sun the Golden
Astromancers - Yu Cui of the Rod
Alchemists - Min Ji the Silk Weaver
Command
The Celestial General - Jun Sun the Golden
Astromancers - Yu Cui of the Rod
Alchemists - Min Ji the Silk Weaver
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Celestial Retinues
None |
Warriors of Jade and Steel
1 Jade Warriors (halberds) 1 Crane Gunners 1 Grand Cannons |
Levies and Mercenaries
3 Peasant Spearmen 2 Iron Hail Gunners 1 Ogre Bulls 1 Ogre Bulls (dual weapons) |
Victory Objectives Complete
Control the provinces of the Ivory Road, the Bone Road, the Mountains of Mourn, and Gnoblar Country
Destroy the Caravan of Blue Roses, the Legion of Azgorh, and the Poxmakers of Nurgle
Destroy the Caravan of Blue Roses, the Legion of Azgorh, and the Poxmakers of Nurgle
Epilogue: the Slaughterer
The fiery warpath of the Iron Dragon saw the Western Provinces revitalized and secured, an eruption of the mutant ratmen clan of the Eshin purged from the Mountains of the Moon, the eastern cities liberated from the grip of The Blessed Dread's slavers, and the Great Bastion reinforced. While ambitious merchants of Grand Cathay were well known to brave the dangerous roads west in large well-armed caravans, I encouraged the Iron Dragon's wish to spread the order and harmony of Cathay across these wastes, where he envisaged a guarded trade route with prosperous cities all along it that connected with the western realms of my birth.
His first challenge would be to subjugate the Ogre Kingdoms in the mountains above Qiang, which would demand tribute or plunder from all passing caravans. The Goldtooth tribe was the dominant power along the Ivory Road and demanded exorbitant tributes for safe passage, and so the Western Provinces met with rival tribes, brokered alliances, and marched to war with them against Greasus Goldtooth and his numerous armies. Greasus was unable to crack the Army of Qiang, and half his realm was lost and his famous Great Hall plundered by the end of the first campaign. A second campaign followed after a brief peace, that saw the Goldtooth tribe entirely supplanted by the Iron Dragon’s allies, the Ogre Kingdom of the Lazarghs.
With the Ivory Road held by a puppet, the caravans of Cathay could reach all the way to the Darklands from Shang-Yang in relative safety for the first time in the memory of the celestial archives, but the Western Provinces would push farther. Before any conquest of the Darklands, the Iron Dragon sent his armies to secure Gnoblar Country, a lawess route through the southern foothills of the Mountains of Mourn where caravans were attacked by undead and demons. The conquest of the pass indeed brought me to face both such horrors, and the Iron Dragon banished the great demon Kul’Gath before my eyes as its horrifying minions threw themselves against the spears of the Western Provinces. However, I would only hear about the further successes and failures of Lord Zhao Ming much later and from a far away, for the foul scent of the demons had not yet even left my nose, when I was taken by what at first seemed like a simple raiding band of Ogres. Though I had hoped to negotiate my release in return for some promised favor from the lord whom I was in service to, I was told that I now had a new master, who had heard I could interpret prophecies and read the strands of fate. And so I was delivered, prodded forward by vicious looking gnoblars, to a massive mutilated ogre, stirring a hot cauldron with a giant cleaver that replaced his right hand. An armored ogre bull by his side, introduced him as Skrag, the Slaughterer, the Ever-Famished, the Gore-Taker, and the Prophet of the Maw.
His first challenge would be to subjugate the Ogre Kingdoms in the mountains above Qiang, which would demand tribute or plunder from all passing caravans. The Goldtooth tribe was the dominant power along the Ivory Road and demanded exorbitant tributes for safe passage, and so the Western Provinces met with rival tribes, brokered alliances, and marched to war with them against Greasus Goldtooth and his numerous armies. Greasus was unable to crack the Army of Qiang, and half his realm was lost and his famous Great Hall plundered by the end of the first campaign. A second campaign followed after a brief peace, that saw the Goldtooth tribe entirely supplanted by the Iron Dragon’s allies, the Ogre Kingdom of the Lazarghs.
With the Ivory Road held by a puppet, the caravans of Cathay could reach all the way to the Darklands from Shang-Yang in relative safety for the first time in the memory of the celestial archives, but the Western Provinces would push farther. Before any conquest of the Darklands, the Iron Dragon sent his armies to secure Gnoblar Country, a lawess route through the southern foothills of the Mountains of Mourn where caravans were attacked by undead and demons. The conquest of the pass indeed brought me to face both such horrors, and the Iron Dragon banished the great demon Kul’Gath before my eyes as its horrifying minions threw themselves against the spears of the Western Provinces. However, I would only hear about the further successes and failures of Lord Zhao Ming much later and from a far away, for the foul scent of the demons had not yet even left my nose, when I was taken by what at first seemed like a simple raiding band of Ogres. Though I had hoped to negotiate my release in return for some promised favor from the lord whom I was in service to, I was told that I now had a new master, who had heard I could interpret prophecies and read the strands of fate. And so I was delivered, prodded forward by vicious looking gnoblars, to a massive mutilated ogre, stirring a hot cauldron with a giant cleaver that replaced his right hand. An armored ogre bull by his side, introduced him as Skrag, the Slaughterer, the Ever-Famished, the Gore-Taker, and the Prophet of the Maw.