Forgelord Mylori Firehammer stopped mid-swing, hammer aloft, as the sickly sweet odour of death cut through the acrid smell of the forge. Turning, and lowering the hammer as he did so, Mylori saw the figure of the Warlock Thro'Gan. The Dwarf met the Orc’s eyes and barely suppressed a shudder, he’d never gotten used to the eyes. Eyes as black as midnight, Mylori remembered the old wives saying and grimaced under his heavy forge mask, if the eyes really were a window to the soul then the Warlocks had souls as black as they come. 
Mylori raised the forge mask as the Warlock began to speak in the hushed, rattling whisper that they all possessed. 

[b][i]“There is a darkness coming from the East, one beyond our control. You are needed at the council chambers to discuss our future plans”[/i][/b]

With that, the Warlock turned and was gone. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Mylori looked after the figure and grimaced. When the Orcs had first come, he had been one of the few of them to oppose their offer. But he had been outvoted by his comrades, and been forced to accept the decision. Now these mysterious creatures wandered through every city of the Broken Empire, spreading the foul stench of their unholy craft. 

But Mylori couldn’t blame his countrymen. They had been shattered by enemies from all around, beaten bloody and almost wiped from existence. So these Orc’s, with their immense power and grand promises had easily persuaded the Dwarves to agree to their offer; to forge monstrous metal machines and fight alongside the Orc’s. And they had won, Mylori had seen first-hand the sheer power that the Warlocks boasted, as they raised the very dead themselves to fight for them. And the Orc Warriors, or Lichguard as they called themselves, were so brutal and lethal in battle that Mylori couldn’t help but be impressed. And yet now this desperate agreement had become an alliance, but the Forgelord couldn’t help but ask himself, what did the Orc’s gain, and why did they come to the Dwarves aid at all?

Shrugging off his doubts for the time being, Mylori laid down his hammer and strode towards the forges grand doors before hesitating for a moment, and turning back, grabbing his Great Ace from where he had hung it, before turning to leave again. As he walked down the chiselled corridors of the Broken Empires capital, Yutial, Mylori couldn’t help but smile. The city was a wonder of dwarven engineering and workmanship, a relic from when the Empire was glorious and triumphant. Reaching the Council Chamber, the two Hammerbearers that flanked the doors at all time bowed their heads to the Forgelord and pushed the ornate doors open for him. 

Stepping through into the chamber itself, Mylori saw that the other two Forgelords, Tavirin Blackstone and Narrik Deadheart, had already arrived. Nodding his head towards Tavirin, Mylori and Narrik shared a cold look before the final Forgelord to arrive took his seat. Narrik, far more so than either of the other Forgelords, had embraced the Orcs and their black magic, changing his name and becoming fascinated in what the Warlocks were capable of. There were hushed whispers that the Dwarf was practicing necromancy himself, and Mylori always looked deep into his eyes when the two met, looking for any flecks of black. 

Sitting across from the three Dwarves, the three Warlocks stood silently and still, their black eyes unblinking. Mylori looked at the three of them, and remembered when they had first come to the Dwarves, in the very same chamber they stood in now. It was Thro'Gan who spoke first, exposing the curved fangs that still put Mylori on edge, his hand subconsciously gripping the handle of his Great Axe.

[b][i]“There is a presence in the East. The weak nations of the East will not stop it, we must strengthen our border and brace ourselves”[/i][/b]

Mylori couldn’t contain his thoughts any longer, his voice booming around the chamber.

[b][i]“How do you know of this new threat?”[/i][/b]

To his surprise, it wasn’t Thro'Gan that answered him, instead Ronaz'Thunk slowly turned to face the Dwarf and replied, his voice rasping and ragged.

[b][i]“It is darkness; we can sense the black magic that the leader of this army possesses. It is a level of necromancy that we have not seen in centuries. Whispers of it infect the very land, your people are too blind to see it.” [/i][/b]

In an instant Mylori was on his feet, his Great Axe out and gripped in his hands as his eyes glared at the Warlock, only for another’s hand to grab his shoulder. 

Turning, ready to fight, Mylori met eyes with Tavirin and his shoulders dropped, the Great Axe lowering in his hands as the other Forgelord spoke.

[b][i]“Mylori, control your anger, lest it control you. We must trust the warlocks and prepare for the coming war”[/i][/b]

Mylori hesitated for a moment, but he had known Tavirin for near all of his life, and knew that the older Dwarf had been a Forgelord before Mylori had even been born, and was far wiser than he. What he refused to admit to himself was that he doubted whether he could hope to win against just one Warlock, let alone all three together. Returning to his seat, Mylori sat in silence as the other members of the Councils made plans for the future of the Broken Empire. 

[u][b]Garrison[/b][/u]

[hider]

[b]Province 51 [/b]
-10 Heavy Infantry Units
-15 Artillery Units
-50 Mechanical Warriors Units
-10 Mechanical Walkers Units
-55 War-Magi Units
 
[b]Province 48 [/b]
-5 Heavy Infantry Units
-5 Artillery Units
-5 Mechanical Warriors Units
-5 Mechanical Walkers Units
-10 War-Magi Units
 
[b]Province 47[/b]
-5 Heavy Infantry Units
-5 Artillery Units
-5 Mechanical Warriors Units
-5 Mechanical Walkers Units
-10 War-Magi Units [/hider]
 
[b][u]Actions [/u][/b]

[hider]

[b][i]“The Holy Land of Bulai cannot be allowed to remain if we are to use or full power to face this darkness. They detest our gifts, and will not hesitate to attempt to purge us in the name of their foolish faith. We must launch a pre-emptive strike against them, immediately”[/i][/b]

Grugar'Tar had always seemed to Mylori to be the leader of the Warlocks, even if they refused to acknowledge this, so it was no surprise to him when it was him that suggested the Broken Empire go to war. And yet the Forgelord could not fault his logic. Recently the scouts sent across their border with the Holy Lands returned with rumbling of gathering armies and increased patrols. And so it was no surprise to him when all members of the council agreed to this course of action. 

Mylori, his blood still running hot, agreed to lead the Dwarven armies, while Thro'Gan was chosen to accompany him, accompanied as always by his loyal Lichguard. 

It would be an impressive force that marched across the border, and Mylori knew that the Holy Lands had no chance of repelling the invasion. He hoped that this pre-emptive strike would shatter the nation, and leave them easy to claim for the Broken Empire. 

[b][i]5 Heavy Infantry Units, 10 Artillery Units, 40 Mechanical Warriors Units, 5 Mechanical Walkers Units and 45 War-Magi Units move from Province 51 into Province 61 [/i][/b]
 
[b][i]“What of our other neighbours?”[/i][/b]

It was Tavirin who voiced what Mylori himself had been thinking. They were surrounded by nations to all sides, and had no contact with any of them. Mylori had led some scouting parties, defying basic principle so as to experience the rush that he so craved. And so Mylori spoke.

[b][i]“It is essential that we win the support of the new Engelica if we are to defeat the Holy Lands, we cannot hope to defeat them both. Limgar to the North could also offer us aid if we can win their favour. And to the East, Bripiak and the iastuf republic are young nations, and could be potential allies or enemies. Only time will tell.”[/i][/b]

After some debate amongst the Council, they reached an agreement.

[b][i]Diplomats sent to New Engelica and Limgar with offers of fine Dwarven craftsmanship and trade, in return for their aid against the Holy Lands, or their agreement to not get involved in the conflict [/i][/b][/hider]
 
[b][u]Recruitment [/u][/b]

[hider]

[b]Province 51 [/b]
1 War-Magi Unit
 
[b]Province 48[/b]
1 Mechanical Walkers Unit
 
[b]Province 47 [/b]
1 War-Magi Unit [/hider]
 
[b][u]Research[/u][/b]
Mithril Armour