Haldorf:
The Haldorf Province consists of two heavily fortified hill chains—Nupe and Cacheu. The majority of its populace resides in these hills. Different areas Key cities include Nuur, an economic hub and Brahma, renowned for its basilica housing the heart of Saint Notger. The Nupe stronghold, densely populated, features forts across each barony. To the sides of Nupe, the Artoisard and Bornu valleys, populated by cattle breeders, lack significant villages. The western and northern regions are covered by the extensive forests of Segura and the royal wood of Air, used for hunting by the nobility. The Polignac Route, constructed in the 6th century, traverses Haldorf, connecting Arganne, Andore, and the Empire. Throughout its history, Haldorf is noted for its devout peasants, turbulent lords, influential criminal networks, and the pervasive presence of the Church of the True Faith.
https://ghoria.org/universite/1010_chroniques_haldorf.pdf
Sir Lambert de Bordeleau, Lord of the province of Haldorf, also known as the King of Haldorf
The former imperial province of Haldorf is located between the Empire to the north and Andore to the south, with the Bonaguil River serving as the border with the Empire. This river played a crucial role in the Empire's maritime trade. After Andore voted for independence in 712 CE, the Empire closely monitored the Haldorf-Andore border, considering Haldorf as its new imperial frontier. Despite the Empire's attempts to control Haldorf, rebellion in the province became inevitable. Unlike Andore, the Empire has not recognized Haldorf's independence, leading to an ongoing conflict*.
*As a note, there was some out of game conflict between Haldorf and Empire players over geopolitical rules that needed to be managed by Bicolline. I understand it is a sensitive issue for both groups, so I just wanted to add my personal advice that before playing with this conflict you first get to know the groups involved.
Saint-Denis the Walker and the foundation of Haldorf
Haldorf is said to have been founded in 350 CE when Saint-Denis the Walker built a True Faith religious building on the domaine of Brahma. Saint-Denis had been sent by the church of True Faith at that time an imperial religion, to convert pagans to the True Faith. He was beheaded by local leaders in 370.
According to legend, Saint-Denis walked ten paces, his head in his hands, continuing to preach. It is fitting that Haldorf, known as a bastion of the True Faith, should have such an origin story.
From 350 to 1001 Haldorf’s history was that of any other imperial satellite with a series of imperial governors. Like the rest of the central lands, conflicts with chaotic forces defined the age. In 1006, Emporor Gar III, named a new leader, Hubert. Hubert was already well known for his prowess in battle, his ability to build collations, and his fanatical devotion to the True Faith. Hubert would be the leader to finally fight for Haldorf independence.
First Reign of Hubert:
In 1006, just after the naming of Hubert as governor of Haldorf, Emperor Gar III was assassinated and Gorghor Baey proclaimed himself the new emperor. Hubert refused to serve the new self-proclaimed emperor without the approval of the True Faith. Hubert of Haldorf succeeded in convincing his barons to revolt with the slogan: “Long live free Haldorf!” If the Empire did not submit to the authority of the True Faith, Haldorf would separate.
The two turrets were completed in 1005. In the same year, the Brahma Temple received custody of the relic of Notger's heart and became an important center of pilgrimage. During the summer, Lord Gilles de Kormantin was deposed by a vote of confidence from two-thirds of the barons, and it was the very pious Hubert d'Haldorf, who ascended the lordly throne the following year, marking the beginnings of a new ruling dynasty. 1005:
Independence:
Summer 1008: The province of Haldorf becomes independent. The revolt ceases.
The years 1007 and 1008 were marked by conflicts between the imperial supporters of the True Faith and those who bore allegiance to chaos. During the winter, a sign that the Empire was falling into chaos, the calamities of the Return of the Damned swept through Haldorf's armies, preventing him from taking part in the civil war in the rest of the Empire. After the fall of Vassouras in Dalabheim, the entire court of Haldorf was invited to Brahma for the coronation of Hubert of Haldorf by the Manus Dei Théobald of Lavignac during a ceremony with great pomp. The new King and his province became officially independent. The Circle of the Rose, the Royal Lily, the Order of the Lion and the Holy Order of the Templars, who were installed in Haldorf pledged allegiance to the good King. A delegation from Arganne also welcomed this coronation and spoke of good neighborliness and even building a bridge. No one in Haldorf suspected that a year later, Arganne would prove to be deceitful and a traitor to their word.
Long planned in secret, the Empire's full-scale blitzkrieg on the province of Haldorf brought the coronation festivities to an abrupt end. It was without much resistance that the Imperial war machine marched towards the very heart of Haldorf to carry out an unprecedented punitive strike.
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War with Andore/War of Three Crowns:
GB1013: Following the Haldorf attacks in Andorian Lands, the armies of Moussillon and Tarpignan mount an assault on the fortifications of Bhrama, and begin a siege there.
The subsequent years saw conflicts, including the Haldorf Invasions and the War of the Three Crowns. The seat of Brahma, besieged in 1014, showcased the defense of Haldorf against Andoran forces. Simultaneously, an election in Arganne saw political turmoil, with King Hubert intervening and declaring himself Lord-Protector, leading to tensions with the elected king, Thur. These events, chronicled in The Holy Scriptures and The Haldorf Chronicles, depict the complex history of Haldorf, shaped by religious fervor, political uph
Besieged throughout the year 1014 by the troops of Brabancourt, the Host of the True Faith defending Brahma could not wait to do battle with the forces of Andore, in order to settle by last stand the case of the siege of domain of Brahma. It is on the plain of the mages that our army gathered, protecting the Good King Hubert of Haldorf and the Emperor Karl Von Shlaffenmark from the enemy armies, the usual people of Brabancourt, Tarpignan, Montfort, the elves, a few Redemptorists dressed like beggars and other people only good for feeding maggots.
We included among us a distinguished guest, Plume de Castenza. He was able to put aside the religious differences that separate us in order to be able to brutalize Duke Arios, known as the traitor, a long-time common enemy. We were joined by Imperial forces shortly after the start of the fight, which was very short-lived. Truly, God help us, this victory was more crushing than the previous one against the cannibalistic Hullsburg heretics. We thank all our allies, natural and otherwise, mentioning the vital importance of our elite skirmishers, the Gaurydrims. Without them, victory would have been uncertain. Long live the Kingdom of Haldorf and long live Good King Hubert!
Source: Oracle of Bicolline, year 1018
On the other hand, the province of Haldorf and its allies humiliated Gorghor Baey by razing the monument erected in his honor as retaliation for the affronts he had inflicted on the True Faith...
The list is still long, but this looming war will undoubtedly inflame the entire region and very quickly risks igniting the rest of the world. The position you take in this major and complex conflict is up to you, but know that the winner of this war will shape the history of our world for decades to come. It's up to you to choose in which humanity you want to live...
2019 he Haldorfian capital has fallen, but survivors still refuse to leave. The Andorian and Imperial armies hunt the last survivors from the ruins. First, the imperial allies must defend the great gate of Brahma. Gorghor's cannon is the pillar of an impenetrable defense that the Phoenix will face without success. Much like their emblem, the men of Berkwald rise from the ashes time and time again, and their courage and perseverance in the face of adversity can be praised.
1019: Roughly a year and a half after the start of the Haldorf War, the enemy capital, Brahma, fell to the combined assaults of the Imperials and Andorians. A symbol if ever there was one, the Brahma Cathedral was razed under the orders of Baron Robert who participated in the final attack. Although Haldorf is not yet imperial, it has lost more than two thirds of its buildings, fortifications, garrisons and armies. The Empire has inevitably demonstrated its power and perseverance when it comes to exercising the will of its Serene Highness. For his part, Glahul must add a fourth verse to “Our specialty”.
During a second assault, the gunners, accompanied by Sac à Puces and a few men from Nemesis, managed, despite being outnumbered, to hold the western front for almost the entire conflict. They have the opportunity to face the consequence of the incessant escalation of violence: an eight-to-one cannon of the true faith. The gunners also have the chance to punish Gilles Marcus Flaminius for his presumption in having fought for the enemy, notwithstanding his alleged diplomatic reasons.
Background
Autumn 1023: A fort is built.
Summer 1023: A stockade is built.
Battle 1022: The last stand is won by Haldorf, the domain is handed over to Florent de Brahma, The heir is Hubert d'Haldorf.
Winter 1020: The Audacious sacks the domain so that it becomes a village and occupies it for a 3rd season.
Fall 1019: The Tax Collectors arrive on the estate, transfer units into the Dauntless and are subsequently disbanded. The keepers of secrets leave the domain. The Audacious destroys a development stage and the estate becomes a village and then occupies it for the 2nd season. Thorik Cairagh places himself in regional and provincial revolt.
Summer 1019: The Bold Banner arrives. The Imperial Osterity leaves the domain. The Dolphin's Fist banner leaves the domain. The Cauvinière guard of honor leaves the estate. The Keepers of Secrets arrive on the estate.
BP1019: The Imperial Guard III banner suffers military support so 5 knights die. The Imperial Guard III banner takes the seal of exploration, the 3 weapons, 3 equipment and 3 victuals from the domain before leaving. The Imperial Osterity banner collects the spoils of Brahma. The Lezan Champions banner leaves the domain.
Winter 1019: Reinforcement of 5 militias, 3 master artillerymen and 2 assassins. King Hubert of Haldorf orders a line of defense on the Brahma fort. The banners Skill Shot 1, Imperial Guard VIII, A credible dwarf, Royal Gendarmerie of Claircastel 2nd division, The heroes of Tremille, Druid Battalion, Imperial Osterity, The Imperial Collectors, Champions of Lezan, the honor guard of Cauvinière , Duchy of Tarpignan, the fist of the Dauphin, the Imperial Guard VI, The Lion Cubs, The Order of the Lion, The feudal pigs arrive on the Interceptor and disembark from the ship. The Imperial Guard III arrives on site. It is with courage that the troops look at each other in the distance before the great charge demanded by the attackers. To the sound of horns and drums, the armies engage in a combat without end. On the morning of the 11th day of February 1019, the great city of Brahma finally fell to its sworn enemies. The garrison is killed and the banners Crown of Haldorf, Big Black Turkey, Crowned Crab, Cubs, Order of the Lion, Feudal Pigs, Skill Shot 1, Credible Dwarf, Imperial Guard VIII, Druid Battalion, Imperial Collectors, Imperial Guard VI, Heroes of Tremille, Royal Gendarmerie of Claircastel 2nd division and the Duchy of Tarpignan are destroyed in the assault. 1 knights of the Dauphin's Fist banner also died in the fight. The palisade, the fort, the military academy, the brewery, the castle, the cathedral, the field, the chapel, the castle, the cottage, the carpenter's school, the blacksmith's school, the mason's school, the house, the mill and the temple were destroyed. The Imperial Guard III banner occupies the domain. The Imperial Osterity banner collects the spoils of war. Appearance of new spoils of war.
GB1018: Construction of a fort. 2 knights from the garrison die of poisoning. The banners Chaud kopains, Imperial Guard I, Personal Guard of the Empress, the XIIIth, the Crown of Haldorf and Cannoneers of the Order arrive on the scene. Unfurling the banners The Big Black Turkey, Ferrus manus and The Crowned Crab. The Bear banner arrives on site and mobilizes 3 knights from the garrison. Destruction of the turret, keep and fort. Reinforcement of 5 militias. An epic battle rages once again in the ruins of Brahma. Corpses pile up on top of each other and the troops of the Argan Federation wipe out the armies of the Empire. The banners Chaud Kopains, Imperial Guard I, Personal Guard of the Empress, the XIIIth and the Cannoneers of the Order were destroyed during the assault. The 5 militias of the garrison are killed, Ferrus Manus, Vigintiquattuor, the Crowned Crab, The Bears, Posen Sudden Gren are destroyed by the Imperial attack. The Big Black Turkey banner also saw 10 knights perish among their ranks. Spoils of war appear on the estate.
Summer 1018: 52 points of mischief are canceled by the garrison. The Posen sudden gren banner protects against 24 points of mischief. 40 peasants are lost. His Majesty Hubert of Haldorf orders a final entrenchment on the domain. The Parakeets of Haldorf banner mobilizes 1 knight and 1 militia. She demobilizes 2 skirmishers, 1 exploration seal, 3 weapons, 3 equipment, 3 provisions before leaving the domain. The Cannonniers banner of the order arrives on the domain. The Posen sudden gren banner unfurls over the domain. The Imperial Guard banner IV arrives on the domain pursued by Gaurydorf. The Duchy of Krinkov banner arrives on the domain. The walls of Brahma still tremble from the confrontation that took place before its gates. The Vegetatorix, Gaurydorf, Duchy of Krinkov and Guard banners
Imperial IV are destroyed. The Cannoneers of the Order lose 1 professional soldier, 4 master artillerymen and 2 knights. No longer having enough units for a siege, the banner of the Cannoneers of the Order is pushed back. Spoils of war appear on the estate. 5 militias are promoted to professional soldiers.
BP1018: 5 militias are promoted to professional soldiers. 50 points of mischief are added to the domain. Reinforcement of 3 knights and 17 militias. The banners of the Federation Host and the Haldorf Crown leave the domain. The Ladakh Tigers banner leaves the field. The banner of the Parakeets of Haldorf arrives on the domain. The banner of the Devotees of St-Nodger is deployed on the domain, mobilizing 10 knights from the garrison. The Vegetorix religious host banner deploys on the domain by mobilizing 7 professional soldiers, 1 militia and 2 knights from the garrison. The Feudal Pigs banner takes the 2 gold ingots in the castle and leaves the domain.
Winter 1018: Reinforcement of 7 knights. 5 militias are promoted to professional soldiers. The federation host mobilizes 3 professional soldiers and transfers 1 militia to the garrison. 191 points of mischief inflicted on the domain.
GB1017: 5 militias are promoted to professional soldiers. The Ladakh Tigers banner arrives on the domain and transfers 10 militias in exchange for 10 professional soldiers. 86 points of mischief are inflicted on the domain.
Summer 1017: 5 militias promoted to professional soldiers. Haldorf's Crown Banner picks up the healing potion on the estate. The domain suffers 96 points of mischief. Banner The Crown of Haldorf arrives on the estate and takes the healing potion. The 192 points of mischief were processed for revenue.
BP1017: The domain suffers 96 points of mischief. Hubert of Haldorf places 1 healing potion on the domain. The ship Balthazar leaves the domain.
Winter 1017: The ship Balthazar arrives on the domain. the Ost banner of the federation arrives on the domain and parks. It mobilized 17 professional soldiers and demobilized 15 militias. Reinforcement of 2 professional soldiers.
GB1015: General Cathan protects Butasard's comet domain.
BP1014: A great battle is brewing at the bottom of the walls of Brahma's turrets. The bells of the cathedral are heard just before the assault and Sergeant Viktor's lance banner leaves the battlefield under the effect of the redemption of the True Faith. The armies of Haldorf make a sally in an attempt to break the siege. The armies of Duke Arios and Hook join the besiegers and tip the outcome of the fight in favor of the besiegers. The seat still holds.
Winter 1013 The soldiers on the ramparts celebrate the arrival and convincing victory of the Haldorfian banners, free at last! What can we see in the distance? Andorians, they settle in for another siege. The soldiers greet the Allied banners with lowered faces. Everyone resigns and increases resistance to increase the siege seasons by one season (last retrenchment). The Soudard's two trebuchets bombard the fortification, one soldier dies.
Galleon 1005: Brahma's Turret is complete and protects Nupe Fief.
Winter 1005: In the absence of a leader for 2 seasons, the Haldorf army is dissolved. The 34 militias remain on the estate.
ldorf, the home of the righteous and the birthplace of ancient emperors; located in the center of the known world and bordered by the borders of Irendille, Andora and the Empire.
The boots of many warriors have trodden this field of honor for centuries, and countless numbers have found their final resting place there. Local customs even suggest that the scarlet roses that grow in these lands are watered with the blood of the brave who have perished in these places over the years. Whether during the feudal wars between 1001 and 1004, the battles for independence which followed, those of the union with the kingdom of Arganne in 1009, the War of the Three Crowns or the conflict with Andore in the shadow of Brahma's fortifications. The resilient Haldorfian populace probably has a blatant and pronounced taste for martial events.
For almost ten years, the best fighters in the region have been competing to win the kingdom's esteemed tournament: champions like Hector and Targon of the Order of the Lion, the paladin Deagon, Yves Jacques le Pied- bot… In order to celebrate the coronation of Hubert of Haldorf as High King of the Arganna Federation, the Haldorf tournament this year takes on proportions worthy of the wars that took place there. Adorned in their carefully arranged flamboyant colors, the fighters of the Host of the Saint-Reliquaire inaugurate the jousts of the celebration. However, such an event attracts people of all kinds. In the royal forest, located within the limits of the stronghold of Artoisard, several scoundrels of all kinds gather together hoping to be able to plunder the surrounding area while the noble people are busy at the tournament. Others, however, aspire, through their unquenchable desire to prove themselves in the eyes of their dark gods, to monopolize all the honor destined for them. Under the invitation of Grand Prior Wiss Norrisson, the bravado and the fights also begin in this camp in order to elect the dark champions who will cover themselves with glory!
The Arganne Federation comes from the union of the provinces of Arganne and Haldorf. During the Arganne invasions of Haldorf in 1009, King Tod conquered Haldorf. The provinces united to form the Federation in 1010. In 1018, following the independence of the province of Dinant from Andore, the free Dinant chose to join the Federation.
With the path to the throne clear, Gorghor Bey proclaimed himself not only a God but also the new emperor. However, widespread dissent, particularly in the True Faith stronghold of Haldorf, resisted Gorghor's rule. This resistance led to a total war, culminating in the destruction of the abbey of True Faith founder Sainte-Abelle and the theft of the holy relic, the heart of Sainte Abelle herself.
In the summer of 1017, His Supreme Highness Karl Von Shlaffenmark, first of the name, decided that it was time the Empire was reunited to its fullness. The rebellious province of Haldorf, that had seceded in 1006, had to come back to the Great Empire. Imperial bureacrats were put to work and prepared an invasion plan.
On the first of may 1018, a great yell was heard in Phala, one of the domains in Haldorf. « JE SUIS GORGHOR BAEY! », the call of the once-Emperor, now God-sun, was so powerful it put the Phala dungeon to ruins. At the same time, more than a dozen Imperial banners marched into the rest of Haldorf bringing havoc and destruction. This was but the first of several seasons of imperial attacks on Haldorf.
The fight for Haldorf was also made on the battlefield at the Great Battle of 1018. Three battles were fought : on Tuesday, in the Segura valley, the Empire won 10 000 points to 1000. On Thursday, in the Nupe forest, the Empire won 10 000 points to 1000. On Saturday, at the siege of Nuur, it was a stalemate: since no side was able to get the three flags out of the castle, it was decided that the side that had been able to move one flag for 24 seconds would win the tie. The Empire had 5000 to 6000, for a total of all battles of 25 000 to 8000 for the Empire.
Before the beginning of the invasion in 1018, the province of Haldorf had close to 90 buildings and 160 military units. At the start of the 1019 Great Battle, Haldorf has less than 30 buildings and less than 30 military units. There are 13 imperial military banners in the province, while the province itself has only one banner left in defense. Ten or so domains have been razed to the ground by imperial troops, including the capital, Brahma.
One can be envious of the power of the Empire. One can feel intimidated by it’s sheer effectiveness. One rebellious mind can wish for it to be less tremendous. But one can’t ignore facts. Haldorf has been crushed by the will of the Emperor.