Turn 14
Desaster struck at Cimri. My 5th was met by close to 130 Caelum units who had managed to sneak into Cimri before my troops were able to arrive.
4 Mammoths trampled my Helhirdings and while my troops managed to take down 2 of them and repel the other 2 morale broke soon after this due to the heavy losses suffered. The Caelum flyers had no problems killing my fleeing Mounted Hirdmen to the last man, only the Helkarl managed to survive the onslaught.
Overall I managed to kill 51 Caelum troops + 16 undead, but the prize my troops had to pay was way too high. I have to find a means to neutralise these Mammoths when I run into them the next time. Massed archers with order to shoot at large creatures might be the solution, but Caelums flyers are surely ordered to attack archers. I hope Caelum will stay on the sidelines till I am able to bring the large number of troops to bear I will need vs them.
On the bright side Citala and Summerland were retaken without any opposition.
And to end with something negative - the fort at Arco still holds (slowly I am beginning to wonder if this is a bug, or maybe the walls were magically restored after the ownership of the fort changed hands ?!). I need those troops on my southern border with Sauro, not being kept up in the north. In addition another fort and the associated gem sites of a former capital would be a nice boost.
Vemund, the luckless commanders of the former 5th is ordered to sneak back to the capital. The less the news of the disaster of Cimri can spread the better...
While keeping a close eye on Caelum the 6th in addition to 40 heavy infantries and archers are sent to Carnag in order to prepare for a possible strike vs. Sauro.
40 archers are brought south from the northern province of Silver Fangs since the threat from Niefel has diminished for now and they might be needed vs Sauro soon.
Another Svartalf and 7 Helhirdings are recruited in addition to as many archers as the treasury can supply.
The Canyon of Sand was found in Rotmarsh (1 erath-gem/turn), a relic of the Arco empire which should help with money/later magic items.
With research up to 54 points/turn due to the returned Helkarls I will reach construction 2 this turn and ponder about researching more aggressive spells. But despite the defeat I am still confident in the physical abilities of my troops and in the power fear can have on my enemies.
Sadly there is nothing I can do right now about the barbarian uprising in Hubbarton south of Fenica, but if Sauro is not able to establish order during this turn my troops in Carnag might feel inclined to step in to keep the peace there
For the moment I will concentrate on Sauro, but this might change fairly soon if Caelum decides to make a move. Thanks to my fast units and the limited size of my realm I am able to reach most provinces in 1 turn should it become neccessary.