10mm Troops

Hey, actually got some painting done. These boys are for Maurice/Might & Reason. They represent the Grand Duchy of Volborg's 2nd Regiment (Zweck's Own) and will hopefully see battle in our long stalled Second War of Unkerlant Succession campaign.
Since Wednesday night has proven to be lighter in the participant section, we played a game of Maurice. It's really a 1 v 1 game, but we used teams of two.
It started as a smashing success on one flank. We should have just sat tight and burned cards. But, our blood was up to drive the attack home and we paid for it. Barely squeaked out a victory.

Heavy Metal

The Arch Duchy of Volborg gets some artillery. Four stands of 10mm to be exact. These fine lads will be doing double duty for both Might & Reason and Maurice. Does that mean I decided on a scale? No, not really.

Borogravia, knocked out of the War?

As our readers may recall, Prince Ruprect of Borogravia (boo, hiss), was stopped from invading the Arch Duchy of Volborg several weeks ago. In a final attempt to enter the duchy again, he swung his forces wide, thru the capital of Unkerlant, Koenigstadt, and entered the Marches. Tired from the forced march and abandoned both by his allies and foreign advisors, Ruprect made camp in the holiest of places, the Rock of Saint Osbert.

The flag of St Osbert

Though never a particularly pious nation, Unkerlant does have a soft spot for their patron saint. Osbert was a wayward monk sent to preach to the unholy barbarians located in the secluded valley that would become Unkerlant. Osbert approached the local chieftain, Unkar, and began describing the wonders of Christianity. Unkar promptly had Osbert's head detached from his body. Still, legend says, Osbert kept preaching the gospel. He was set on fire. Still he kept singing the gospels praises.
The chieftain was impressed. He would not convert, but from that point on, his descendants would. St. Osbert would come to embody the fighting spirit of the people of Unkerlant. Battling on despite the odds.

While camping outside this holiest of places, Borogravian scouts brought Ruprect bad news. Franistover was coming. Flush from his resounding victories over Zlobenia, Prince Adalbert had moved swiftly across the north and caught Borogravia unawares. Stuck quite literally, between a rock and a hard place, Prince Ruprect decided to make a stand.

At noon, on a brilliantly beautiful day, the cannonade began. Franistover took a gamble and stacked all of its cavalry on one flank. In a giant cloud of dust that threatened to block out the sun, the horse rumble forward.

Borogravian Horse awaits their foe

From the start, Prince Ruprect had trouble moving his forces forward. The Guard units, under his son Ruprect the Younger, simply would not budge. Had the long march worn them down too much? Were the notoriously stalwart Borogravian troops, now too filled with raw recruits to fill the ranks?

Meanwhile, the Franistoveran horse plowed forward. Borogravian horse was forced to fall back, rather than be overwhelmed. But, this pushed the line back on itself, until Ruprect's battle line resembled a fish hook.

In the center, the Borogarvian artillery was pounding the Franistover lines. Prince Adalbert's Loyal Mountaineers, took the brunt, stoically holding the line despite horrific casualties.

As the bell of St. Osbert's temple struck 3pm, Franistover's gamble paid off. In a matter of minutes the sheer mass of their horse crushed Ruprect's left flank. The Prince himself barely escaped capture as a tide of broken men streamed south.

Adalbert Victorious

The victorious Franistoveran horse pursued long into the night, rooting out Borogravian troops from barns and haystacks.

It looks as though Prince Ruprect, that foreign invader from the south, is well and truly out of the war.

The Battle of Blech

"Herein lies one eyewitness's account of the Battle of Blech, fought this day, the 14th of July 1703 in the kingdom of Unkerlant.
Twas a rainy night in Blech. Borogravian troops had bee spotted late in the evening entering the valley from the east. The army of the Arch Duchy of Volborg, commanded by General Wulfe, had spent the night in formation, lined south to north from Blech. Their far right flank, rested on the town itself.
When the rain ceased in the early morning, Borogravia was still arriving. It wasn't until late afternoon that the hostilities finally began. As a foreigner, in a very xenophobic kingdom, I was not allowed in either commander's tent. Instead, I watched, like many, from the walls of Blech. There, I was witness to a very bizarre ceremony. A party rode out from each side. There, a very animated discussion ensued. Something was tossed in the air, then both sides rode away. I was later to find out that they were discussing who would get the honor of the opening cannonade. As invader, Borogravia brought a ceremonial burnt sausage. This was then thrown in the air. Whichever side the sausage rolled toward, would get the honor.
A few moments later the canons of Volborg opened up.
From my perspective, the left flank of volborg was the farthest away. General Wulfe had massed his Dragoons. These sad louts were barely horsemen. Merely mounted infantry really, astride on poor nags. So it was to no one's surprise when the Borogravian Kuirassiers charged them, destroyed half the Dragoons and carried the position. They were not to stay though. The dragoons had merely been a screen to protect the deploying infantry. The dragoons fell back, revealing the Volborgan regulars, who delivered an almost point blank volley into the Borogravian heavy horse. The Kuirassiers fell back, never to play a part in the battle the rest of the day.
Closest to me the Volborgan Guards had deployed and awaited their equals on the other side. The Borogravian Guard led by the grenadiers and the vaunted Dutch Guards seemed to have trouble moving forward. Was it nerves or terrain? Regardless they spent most of the fight trying to get in position, under a constant rain of cannon balls.
Indeed, Volborgan artillery was proving to be particularly brutal and accurate. In the center, contingents from those counties and duchies conquered by Borogravia, called Traitor Legions by most in Unkerlant, were taking the brunt of it. Some regiments, like those from Graveholm managed to survive the onslaught only to be wiped out by infantry fire.
As the last of the day was waning, the infantry finally closed. General Wulfe could be seen under a hastily erected pavillion having an evening meal with his staff as his infantry collided with the Borogravians.
Both sides delivered brutal volleys at close range, but int eh end, the softening up by the cannons early had made the infantry clash a foregone conclusion.
Despite rallying attempts by Prince Ruprect himself, his troops left the field for the shelter of the forest beyond. By then, night had fell, and darkness quashed an attempts at pursuit.
Volborg had twarted another Borogravian invasion."
From: My Travels and Travales in Unkerlant by Dolpheus Thewd

The opening moves. As you can see, I have lots of minis to paint.

But, as it was St Pat's day, the fridge was well stocked.....

A Battle Most Imminent

"I, Dolpheus Thewd, do once again take pen in hand, to give a right and true account of the current state of affairs in that most hidden of kingdoms, Unkerlant. Borogravia, led by that scoundrel Prince Ruprect, tried and failed to make gains into the Arch Duchy of Volborg. He tried another route by invading the county of Durmwald, a staunch ally of Volborg. 
General Wulfe, leading the Volborgan army, left the protection of the Duchy to come to Durmwald's aid.
Having crossed the country from my previous location on Zlobenia, I can state without a doubt once again that for what passes for a road in this miserable little country is appalling. My guide and I were forced on several occasions to change carriages as each one was wrecked over the course of our travels. My stomach aches from the limited and sometimes strange food of these people.
The county of Durmwald is bordered on three sides by either rivers or mountains, and as such has always been an isolated place inside what is an isolated country. It is filled with dark pines and lonely meadows. Durmwald is known for its oxen, and it's equally thick headed people. This is an unjust assessment as I found most Durmwalders by nature a serious, contemplative people unused to new ideas in their remote land. They are extremely loyal. Durmwald has long been an ally of neighboring Volborg. Where Volborg goes to war, so too does Durmwald.
As our latest carriage crested a rise into yet another valley a terrible smell hit us. My companion leaned over to say "Blech!"
"Yes, I know, the smell is awful", I said.
"No" he explained, and pointed to a small town next to a river below. "Blech".
Blech it turned out would be my home for next few days. Whereas the rest of Durmwald spends most of its time raising cattle, Blech is where those cattle end up. The tanning of hides, it turns out, involves a great deal of urine and feces. This has left the people of Blech, and their town, shunned by almost everybody. Personally, despite my guides assurances, I never got used to the smell.

The forces of Volborg had already gathered on the plains north of Blech. Fortunately for them, upwind. General Wulfe had gathered most of Volborg's forces to stop Borogravia. He cut a dashing figure on his white steed, a red coat amongst all the yellow uniforms of Volborg.
I was treated with the parade through town late in the afternoon, as Count Dietrich Von Durmwald himself led the vaunted Durmwald Grenadiers out to battle. There would be a fight, and soon it seemed. Borogravian troops were massing to the east."

A Durmwald Grenadier

From: My Travels and Travales in Unkerlant by Dolpheus Thewd, published just after his disappearance in 1714

Honor accepted

Prince Adelbert of Franistover, claimant to the throne of Unkerlant, proudly wears his newest honor, the Military Order of the Golden Crown, presented to His Serene Highness by the Reich Duchy of Beerstien.

The Battle of Altenbruk...

...Or a "bad night of dice rolling".

With his back against the wall, Duke Sigmund of Zlobenia, made at stand at the hilltop town of Altenbruk. It's command of the only two crossings of the River Blut made it ideal for defense. With this in mind, the Duke Sigmund arrayed what was left of the Zlobenian army on the slopes of the town, waiting to find out which crossing Prince Adelbert and the Franistover army would take.
It was a particularly cold Spring morning, and fog covered the lowlands around the river for miles. Sigmund had placed his Horse, led by the remnants of the Ducal Horse Grenadiers, forward in hopes he could catch the Frannies at the bridges, holding them long enough for the Infantry to arrive.
Luck, and the weather was against the Duke. When the sun fiannly burned away the fog, it was to reveal the entire Franistover army crossing at one point, the northern bridge, the farthest from his Horse.
Zlobenia seized the initiative, and the Duke raced his Horse in a giant arc, north towards the bridge. His Foot, however either were tardy, or didn't budge. The brunt of the attack, would rely on his cavalry, which had preformed abyssmally at the last engagement.

Frainstover Horse range across the countryside, while the foot battle it out.

Meanwhile, Franistover had managed to get a few troops across the bridge. The Horse move quickly to swing wide and ride hard for a spot between two forests. Prince Adelbert was having a hard time getting his Guard units to move. They had stopped dead in their tracks on the road. Maybe they had seen the Zlob horse thundering down from the hilltop town, straight for them.
Indeed, the Duke's horse slammed into the still forming Franistover foot. They horse caught them in marching formation and cut them to pieces.
The Franistover Horse that had crossed the Blut, bypassed the fight and rode headlong towards the only road from Altenbruk to the capital. If they succeeded in holding it, Altenbruk would be cut off from the rest of Zlobenia.
The battle over the bridge was getting heavier. Rain started to fall. More troops were committed. Prince Adelbert left his carriage and trudged through the mud to his General of the Guard, the Count Zuffel. Prince Adelbert literal put his boot to the Count's backside. Finally, the Guard would move across the river.

The steady drizzle was turning a firefight into a slow grinding of bayonet and sword. A battle of attrition was something Duke Sigmund could not afford. Weakened by earlier battles, the Zlobenia army was giving way. Troops sent to drive off the enemy horse from the road to capital were slow to respond, and were proving ineffective at budging the horse.
As night fell, Duke Sigmund pulled his troops back, as Prince Adelbert encircled Altenbruk.
It would be a siege.
Horrible dice rolls ruled the night. Both sides had trouble moving troops, and command points were hard to come by. But, as always, Might and Reason proved a fun and period game.

Goings on in Northeastern Unkerlant

After the disastrous Battle of Derlopp, Duke Sigmund and what was left of his army, fell back to his capital in Zlobenburg. Several of his foreign military advisors "disappeared" while he personally oversees the defense of the city, and consolidation of his army.
Sigmund's dragoons now scour the countryside around Zlobenburg recruiting soldiers to fill his decimated ranks.

Meanwhile, Prince Adelbert of Franistover has not been idle. His forces quickly occupied the much larger town of AltenBruk after a dangerous crossing of the river Blut, where the two main bridges had been destroyed by the retreating Zlobs.
Now, there is but a few miles of road separating the two forces. Two old foes pair off in what is surely to be their deciding battle.

Meanwhile, in Unkerlant

I realize news from the current struggle in Unkerlant has been sparse. Life and missing participants always plague campaigns, but I hope to soon kick start some activity.
Recently, Borogravian forces were bloodily repelled in the Arch Duchy of Volborg. The battle itself was particularly brutal on horse flesh, and both sides have become scarce on cavalry. Borogravia was able to find a pass through the mountains and across the treacherous River Vollen, thanks to traitorous cur of a local lord.
Meanwhile, across the country, Franistover and Zlobenia face off for control of the west, in what is sure to be a titanic battle (by Unkerlant standards).

Gaming Weekend Pt II

"I, Dolpheus Thewd, do hereby take pen in hand, to give a right and true account of the battle of Volgen, Unkerlant. Open war has been upon this tiny kingdom for more than a year after the death of their beloved monarch Karl Franz III. Borogravia has gained the upper hand in this conflict and has, over the winter, through shrewd negotiation and  calculated threats amassed a large army from its conquered lands.
After learning of Unkerlant through my contacts at the Geographical Society, I travelled to Greater Germania to find this illusive and barely known kingdom. I was able to "tag along" as they say, with expedition from Cavendaria, sent as allies to Zloebnia, one of Unkerlant many fractious provinces.

Cavendarian troops cross the Blut

A harrowing crossing through the mountains, and terrifying crossing of the river Blut we entered Zlobenia. My Cavendarian compatriots were surprised to find Zlobenia's Duke Sigmund was already on the road with his famed Ducal Horse Grenadiers, sprinting to a battle in the east. Though exhausted, we quickly followed.
I must say, Unkerlantian roads are ay best, awful. There were holes that could have swallowed a man, but we were able to reach the town of Volgen along with two regiments from Franistover, also sent to aid the Duchy of Volborg in it's last stand against Borogravia.

We entered Volgen at dawn, a pious town full of churches beside a dark, deep river. General Wolfe, commander of Volborg's forces ordered our regiment to guard the northern most river crossing. After passing a few "witches" trussed up in their gibbets outside of town we made for our little part of the battlefield.
Across the wide river sat flat country. A large forest dominated the center of the battlefield. Behind it, rolling forward like some great storm front, the forces of Borogravia marched forward. Their great line split at the forest with the Borogravian regular army heading towards us on the left. Our right would see a mass of Borogravian cavalry and allied forces.
The plan, as I understand it, was to hold the river and slaughter the hated Borogravians as they attempted a crossing. But then, we watched in dismay as the entire Volborgian massed cavalry of the left, galloped across the bridge to meet the enemy.

The Borogravian cavalry rode out to meet them, leaving their own infantry behind. There was a great clash! Unkerlant is poor country for horses, and so breeds poor horsemen. What Unkerlantians lack in skill they make up for in sheer bloodthirstyness. It was an ugly affair, costly to both sides, but Volborg eventually got the upper hand, and forced the Borogravian horse back. Volborg attempted to follow up their gains, but the Borogravian infantry was able to deploy and slowly push our cavalry back towards the river.

The Borogravian infantry, including all their guard units, marched steadily toward us. Our forces stood stalwart, ready to defend the river. As the sky grew dark, the Borogravian cannon deployed directly opposite our position. Cannonballs began thumping into the wet ground around us.

I was to find out later, that hardly anything had occurred on our opposite flank. It seems the Borogravian commander on the that flank had trouble motivating the allied troops. A small cavalry skirmish had occurred, but little else.

As night drew near, the battle ended. Borogravian forces withdrew during the night, to find a better crossing point. The Duchy of Volborg was safe, for now".

As is our way, the battlefield was generated randomly. It turned out very benefitial for Volborg, being the home team got to choose which side to hold. Borogravia had a slim chance at victory, which became even slimmer as our deployment was stalled by a combination of bad rolls and a brilliant move by Lead Addict in sending his cav out to meet us. My vaunted Borogravian cavalry was slaughtered, as is norm for me.

Our evening game was Robofire! Scott Pyle had added Overwatch rules for us to try, but no one ended up using it. Sorry, Scott. Two of our generals dropped out during play (my daughter fell asleep, and Lead Addict's son was sick). When enough objectives were conquered we stopped with a tie.

Good time, but we were exhausted. A good exhausted, though.

Battle of Boscheberg

Franistover's Irish Guards

As every good Unkerlanter knows, the roads in Franistover are terrible. So it was no surprise when good Prince Adalbert raised taxes to help pay for said roads. It was, however, a surprise to the citizens of Boscheberg when their beloved  Schlossenslopp beer got the brunt of the taxation. The town mayor refused to pay, and in an act of near insanity appealed to Franistover's age old rival, Zlobenia for help. A fight was on.

Both forces arrived in late morning (probably because of the state of the aforementioned roads). The Zlobenian center was taking time deploy. Meanwhile, on the Zlob flanks, the cavalry took advantage of open terrain to fly foward. Zlobenia being hilly country, rarely affords a horseman such luxury as open terrain.
On the other side, Franistover forces were also taking their time. Indeed, it was early afternoon before ineffectual cannonade was exchanged. The citizens of Boscheberg lined the walls to watch.
As the Zlobenian cavalry on the right, thundered across the valley, led by the vaunted Ducal Horse Grenadiers in their shining gold breastplates, they spotted the Franistoveran horse still deploying. Now was the chance! But, the Zlobs miscalcualted, and the Franies counter-charged. The Ducal Horse were scattered
and beaten.

The Ducal Horse Grenadiers charge to their doom.

In the center, the Zlobenian cannon was taking a toll on the Franistoveran infantry, but the Guard were still lagging. The Scots Guard has stopped for lunch, it seems.
With the afternoon wearing on, the Zlobenian cavalry on the far left finally came to grips with the Franistoveran horse. They met the same fate as their broters on the opposite end of the field.
The people of Boscheberg, mesmerized by the battle at their doorstep, had forgotten to lock their gates. The Franistoveran grenaiders occupied the streets and houses and seized the brewery. They lined the walls troops and began reigning fire down on the approaching Zlob infantry.
Night, mercifully fell, and the Zlobenians quickly fell back across the border.
Prince Adalbert enjyoed a lovely dinner in the town square, accompanied by a tall mug of Schlossenslopp and the hanging body of the mayor.

We used Might and Reason again, as it is a flawless, fun system that let us play a fairly large game in a short time. As all my miniatures are not done, a careful observer will notice the use of foamcore stand in:

It is everything I can do, not to do switch from 10mm ( doable scale for this campaign) to 28mm which is soooo pretty.

Once everybody gets a firm grip on the rules, we will continue our Unkerlant campaign started a while back. Stay tuned.

Unkerlant Update

Borogravian forces fall back from Middelheim to Krugenheim. Franistover now controls the Electorate.

Spring in Unkerlant (move 2)

The second half of May shows both the Grand Duchy of Volborg and Borogravia making what seems to be movements for the capital, Keonigstadt. Meanwhile, the battered forces of Franistover and Zlobenia trudge back to their respective bases. With newly acquired troops from conquered lands, can the Borogravian juggernaut be stopped? Will a foreign prince sit upon Unkerlant's throne? The kingdom waits and watches...

The Swiss Guard

Pictured (poorly, I'm still getting used to the new camera) are the Arch Duchy of Volborg's Swiss Guard. Second only to the Arch Duchess's Own Elite Grenadiers, the Swiss are identifiable as a Guard unit not only by their hat lace, but also because their drummer does not have reversed colors. If this were a regular Unkerlant regiment, the drummer would have a white coat with red cuffs.

Spring maneuvers 1703

The snow has receded, and mud soaked roads are drying up. Spring has come again to Unkerlant, and with it the resumption of hostilities. The Archduchy of Volborg has made bold advances into Nuln and the Marches. Meanwhile, Borogravia consolidated its numerous garrisons and now seems ready to move from bases in Overholt, Hurn and Thurnin.
In the northeast, Zlobenia and Franistover have given up their holds on each others capitals and seem to be marching home, but now sit a mere march away from each other. Will the Zlob/Franni rivalry erupt again?

Bringing Unkerlant into the 20th century

As the readers of this blog know, Unkerlant is an angry little Imag-Nation somewhere close to Central Europe, but not quite on any maps. So far, it has only existed as an early 18th century kingdom, wracked by civil wars and its own rampant xenophobia. A few in the Imagi-Nation community have started expanding this idea into other realms. So, what would Unkerlant look like during the Interwar period (1920s and 30s)? 

In its first foray into the wider world, did it get entangled by foreign treaties and forced into the Great War? Was it bankrupted by its losses in both men and money? Did old regional rivalries rear their ugly heads?

Below is an artist's rendering of a member of the Volborgian Freistaat Provincial Militia.

His uniform is similar in both cut and design to late war German soldiers. Only the color and shoulder patch identify him as a member of this elite paramilitary organization.

Spring Manuevers

Winter is finally over in Unkerlant, and with its passing the roads and passes have opened. Soon, armies will criss-cross the countryside, and set the kingdom once again aflame.

Prince Ruprect of Borogravia is in the best place for victory. He has managed to unite 6 other territories under his banner, and present a wide front across the south, from which to launch his offensive.
In the northwest, the Arch Duchess of Volborg has found only two allies to stop the Borogravian juggernaut.
Zlobenia and Franistover are perhaps in the worst shape. Before winter they captured each other's capitals, and refused to budge. As a consequence, neither was able to collect taxes, recruit or recoup losses to their existing units.
Unless these three factions can present a united front, Unkerlant will fall to a foreign invader from the south.

The Council of Electors vote

Outside, the capital was cold. But not as cold as the mood inside the Council Chambers. Unkerlant had been at war with itself for  nearly six months, with no end in sight.
One by one the Electors voted. Count Ludwig of Graveholm, sat in a shadowed corner, cadaverous as ever. He was flanked on either side by Borogravian Hussars, instead of his fearsome Black Guard. In a hollow voice he voted. "Graveholm votes for Prince Ruprect."
The proud General Wolf was given the honor of giving the Arch Duchess's of Volborg's vote. Sneering at the assembled Electors he said,"Our beloved Duchess, humbly accepts Volborg's vote for Queen."
Count Ernst Von Wusterberg stood next. He was disheveled and a bit sheepish looking. He glanced nervously and his newly appointed "advisor" from Borogravia. His trusted sister was nowhere to be found.
"I,...we..proudly vote faa, faaa, for Prince Ruprect.
Elector Hans Leopold Jones of Middelheim stood, "The people of Middelheim, the council of Guilds, and the minor nobility,... abstain".
Then it was time Styrland to vote. Elector-General Freidemene, resplendent in his medals and spotless uniform, cleared his vote. "I, humble put forth my own name, in this time of troubles, to be king".
Finally, the head Councillor, Elector of Koenigstadt, and head of the Civic Militia, General Rolf Von Stern stood. "The Elector of Zlobenia, Duke Sigmund, has his vote in forfeiture, owing to fact his capital is in the hands of Franistoverian troops. Therefore, Prince Adelbert has been offered himself as a candidate. As for Koenigstadt, we abstain until a stronger candidate steps forward."
And so, the war waged on the next Spring.

Spring moves coming soon!

Winter is coming...

Spring and Summer have given way to Fall and soon Winter in Unkerlant. It has been a bloody campaign year for some, and a war of maneuver for others.
The Archy Duchy of Volborg has fallen back to it's traditional borders and allies. The loyal troops of Durmwald and the pious people of Helmgard will now join the Duchess in next year's campaign.
Zlobenia and Franistover have lost their earlier gains and now sit in each other's capital, unable to collect taxes or recruit for next year's battles. Will a diplomatic solution be in the making?
Prince Ruprect and his invading army of Borogravia have profited the most by our horrible little war. No less than seven of Unkerlannt's lands lie beneath the boot of of their Borogravian oppressors. But, in true Unkerlantian fashion, they recognize a strong leader when they see one, and will no doubt provide troops for next season's fighting.
When the Council of Electors meet over the winter, Borogravia will hold 2 votes, Volborg 1, and Franistover another. It takes a majority of 4 to elect a new monarch. It will interesting to see how the "non-allied" nobles vote.

August Moves For Unkerlant (Big News)

August finds Unkerlant's warring factions making bold moves, possibly to secure lands before the kingdom's terrible winters.
Prince Ruprect reorganized his Borogravian forces, and spread out to capture Wissenburg in Sumpftlund, Ferlangen in Salacia,Klessen in Overholt, and Carroburg in the Principality of Hurn (no doubt for a liaison with his mistress).
In a audacious move, Duke Sigmund decided not to relieve his forces at the capital, Keonigstadt.
Instead, his remaining forces made a mad dash for Franistover's capital, finding it undefended. The Duke lost Keonigstadt, the garrison surrendered to Franistover forces, but hamstringed Prince Adalbert by cutting him off from his own lands.
As mentioned before, Franistoveran armies captured Unkerlant's capital, but lost their own.
Amidst all this marching about the kingdom, the Arch Duchy of Volborg has been remarkably sedentary. Possibly licking it's wounds from the battle of Vollenbeck? The Duchess's only move was to take the fortress town of Waldbruk in Durmwald.
With 2 months of campaigning left, one can only imagine what will happen next.