A fatalism had been upon him since the verdict and a relative calm as he spoke with both the executioner and the bishop.
After laying on the block and making a sign to the executioner, the deed was done. The executioner raised the kings head to display in front of the assembled crowds
Witnesses described the crowd releasing "such a groan as I never heard before, and desire I may never hear again", people within the crowd fainting, falling upon each other and a wave of horror rolled over them.
This would not prepare the crowd for what was to happen next.........
The head of the King was replaced on his body, so that it may be sewn on at a later time. What nobody expected was, once the head was set by the neck, for the Kings torso to reach up, grab at the head and settle it firmly upon its neck, then rising from the stage and to begin to angrily address the crowd and denounce the Parliamentarians as heretics, traitors and witches all.
If the crowd had been horrified before, utter chaos erupted at being addressed by the King they had seen executed only moments before, and by being urged by the corpse king to enact justices on his behalf.
A violent wave swept through the city as the King demanded his guard come to him and they felt compelled to follow him.
Royalists split into those driven mad by the witnessed event and those who viewed this as divine evidence of the Kings royal authority and holy mission, making them fanatically gather their armyand their allies and begin to wage ruin on the people around them, before marching on to Parliament behind their Divine King.
The Bishop, having witnessed all of this, calmly followed in the wake, seemingly confident of what he was witnessing unfold.
Then the true devilry began.............as the King walked amongst his guard and took charge of the assault on Parliament, the dead began to claw their way from the surrounding graves and cemeteries, wet corpses rose from the river and picking up dropped pikes, swords and shields and assembling themselves into a fighting force, seemingly at the command of the King and forming his Royal Guard, utterly loyal to one of their own and their crowned King.
The Parliamentary leaders and forces within the locale were massacred. The New Model Army managed to fighting retreat out of the city to join with the surviving leaders to the south west of the City and reinforce, before deciding what to do and consult with the priesthood.
The decision was made to hold where they were, assemble the battle lines and prepare to make a stand against this corpse king, staying within close proximity of the remote wooden church where they had met, so as to remain near hallowed ground, as no dead beast would dare to cross this sanctuary.
As word spread of the Royalist army advance on Parliaments Stand, the locality emptied, other than assembled fanatics, witchfinders and assorted hardline volunteers who hurried to the Parliament lines to bolster and lend support where they could.
Venue: Old Sergeant, Wandsworth
Date/Time: 7th April 2019. 12pm arrive and setup.
Table Size: 8x6
Rules: Pike and Shotte
Deployments:
The terrain is fairly open, with trees, outcrops and some hedgerows in the area. To the more wooded Southwestern quarter, there is a simple wooden church.
The New Model Army deploy along the Southern end of the table and around the church grounds.
The Royalists and The Dead deploy along the Northern end of the table.
Brigades may be kept in reserve if the CIC wants to, arriving on the table a turn after the GM is notified the reserves will be given the command to arrive.
Parliament Considerations: You must fight, you must attempt to destroy this vile heresy and end this war. You are outnumbered, but your men are veterans and are the New Model Army. You have fought greater forces, but never one like this. Your faith will hold!
Royalist Considerations: Revenge. You will revenge yourself on those who saw fit to kill their King and make an example of them. A new era in the Kingdom beckons.
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