Play-along: Total War: Warhammer, The Empire (Karl Franz) (2/3)
Last updated: 05 Jan 2021
The story so far…
In the campaign’s Introduction, Karl Franz defeated an Empire Secessionists army led Helmut Ludenhof near Grunburg, and quickly captured the lightly defended Grunburg. Karl Franz then teleported to quest Battle of Bloodpine Woods, defeating 2 more enemy armies led by Richter Weismund (Middenland) and Hans van Zanger (Empire Secessionists), killing both enemy lords.
With a foothold via Grunburg, and the scheming at Bloodpine Woods thwarted, Karl Franz begins a full-fledged war against the Empire Secessionists, aiming to fully consolidate control over the province of Reikland.
Game is saved: Turn 3
Towards Helmgart
Karl Franz marches toward Helmgart, and recruits 3 flagellants along the way.
Diplomacy: There is no way now to trade with Talabecland, the most friendly of our human neighbors, since we had to trespass into their province to snuff out a scheme by Empire Secessionists (quest Battle of Bloodpine Woods). It is likely we will have to conquer Talabecland by force. We have no diplomacy options at this point.
Technology: Now that we have Rally Field, we start research on State Troop Sergeants which will let us recruit Rank 2 infantry units by Turn 11.
Construction: Grunburg upgrades to Village, which by Turn 6 will give Reikland better population growth and public order. Note that a population surplus of 1 is easier to reach than that of 2, so we should upgrade Grunburg now rather than wait another 5 turns to upgrade Altdorf.
End Turn 3.
Game is saved: Turn 4
Battle of Helmgart
Karl Franz marches on Helmgart.
Game is saved: Turn 4 Battle 1
The battle is a Decisive Victory (casualties: 272 vs 1419). Enemy lord Hans Zintler is killed, as well as the captain of Helmgart’s garrison Wigel Swaft. We occupy Helmgart.
Battle replay: Turn 4 Battle 1
Character skill: Karl Franz puts a skill point into Honest Steel (level 3), the maximum possible boost through this avenue for spearmen’s and swordsmen’s durability in fights. Stirland’s Revenge becomes available for recruitment.
Recruitment and replenishment: Karl Franz merges the most experienced flagellants and swordsmen units (except for rank 1 swordsmen unit), leaving 5 remaining swordsmen units. (TODO: see if rank 1 units’ replenishment drops rank.) Karl Franz recruits 3 shielded spearmen units; they defend better than spearmen. Karl Franz stays within Helmgart for faster replenishment.
Construction: Demolish Training Field in Helmgart; we already have one in Altdorf.
End Turn 4.
Game is saved: Turn 5
Battle of Eilhart
Karl Franz marches on Eilhart.
Game is saved: Turn 5 Battle 1
The battle is a Decisive Victory (casualties: 39 vs 496). Enemy garrison captain Emil Hall is killed. We occupy Eilhart.
Battle replay: Turn 5 Battle 1
Construction: Helmgart upgrades to Village, which by Turn 8 will give Reikland better population growth and public order. Helmgart also builds Fields to further improve population growth.
Recruitment and replenishment: We recruit new lord Boris Furthfidler in Helmgart. Boris Furthfidler will lead an army into Bastonne to close with Beastmen with whom we are at war. Boris Furthfidler recruits 1 shielded spearmen unit, 1 swordsmen unit, and 1 crossbowmen unit.
Karl Franz freezes recruitment; we want Boris Furthfidler to have a large enough army to deal with Beastmen, and we’re nearing the limits to our army upkeep. Karl Franz merges the most experienced shielded spearmen units to retain experience gained.
Character skill: Karl Franz puts a skill point into Route Marcher; he will hopefully soon be blitzing into Marienburg to close with Skullsmasherz with whom we are at war.
Boris Furthfidler puts a skill point into Inspiring Presence, and another into Honest Steel (level 1).
Lupio Lord of Droners puts a skill point into Shem’s Burning Gaze, aiming for Pha’s Protection.
Province commandments: Now that we have fully consolidated Reikland, we can use province commandments in Reikland. Reikland issues Imperial Taxation for a +5% increase in tax income. There is little hope in stopping the decline in public order, so we might as well not try yet.
End Turn 5.
Talabecland offers non-aggression pact. We accept. We may yet find a trade partner with Talabecland after all. The fewer fronts we have to fight, the better we can conquer what provinces we aim for.
Marienburg issues a mission for us to kill any lord of Bretonnia. However, this mission is nigh impossible, given that we don’t have military access through The Wasteland (to reach Couronne) nor good relations with Marienburg to gain such access.
Game is saved: Turn 6
The story continues…
With the capture of Eilhart, we complete chapter 1 of the campaign, receiving 5000 gold as reward (3000 from bonus objectives). Reikland is united under the banner of The Empire. However, our rapid consolidation of Reikland had placed undue pressure on public order, displacing a significant number of livelihoods and creating malcontents still loyal to Empire Secessionists.
Will we venture forth into Marienburg and Bastonne, or stay home to deal with an impending rebellion?
The campaign continues at Chapter 2A: Display of Power (westward push)!
