RECAP

AO 8, Day 116/365 Local

Report: Regimental Historian, Earthbreakers:

Linkup with Steelscrews repulsed by encounter with Satrapy skirmishers and irregular forces on 115/365. Casualties heavy on both sides owing to ambush and command disarray. Captain Cyclops killed by arrows before retreat of local forces. With his death following the assassination of Bloodlord Paluzzi on 78/365, and the lack of contact with Hostlord Onorino, cohesion of Earthbreakers is untenable.

Efforts to consolidate with other regiments have failed. Steelscrews have recalled to Invasion Point. Extinguishers are encircled in the west by Khalq machines and Bloodlord Vaccarell will fight to the last. Standing order 0299.1 instructs independent operation in pacification of the local area until contact with Hostlord or High Command can be made, but there is no one left to enforce this order and there is not a scrap of ground in this land worth filling a grave on.

During the Reading, I will call the remaining platoon officers to form an ad hoc leadership council. If the Satrap forces can pick apart the Earthbreakers like this, the regiment will be wiped out by contact with Baltine or Khalq formations. The regiment must hold out until retreat toward Invasion Point is possible, or a new campaign is mounted into the region.

The alternative, in the opinion of this Regimental Historian, is the first step toward Forswearing the Intention.

Additional entries to follow in an effort to completely record the regiment’s circumstances.

Addendum: Engineer Perito Ilari, Earthbreakers, 4th Platoon:

Forage remains barely adequate for maintenance of soldati and stretti effectiveness. Scorched-earth policies enacted by local forces degrade an already-poor situation. Local winter will limit both foraging and mobility. See Lieutenant, Earthbreakers, 4th Platoon for proposed strategy to make the most of these conditions.

The damage to nature in the local area is typical of the wider situation in “Bracken,” agricultural mismanagement compounded by poor husbandry of natural forces. As with other locales encountered, very old formations of natural power are improperly subdued or remain hostile to mobilized populations. To the south, the “Gluchy” is a no-go area for local populations without magical assistance despite abundant timber and game.

My continued assessment is that restoration of damaged lands is possible by engineering units. With proper allocation “Bracken” can provide a surplus of food for the support of soldati deployment.