Turn 7 - Days 24 to 48 - Okerdik

News reached the company that the enemy had stepped up their attacks across the region, combining attacks on granaries and wells with cutting of trade routes.  Even Okerdik was affected.

The merchant who had taken refuge in Tidjit no doubt flaired both potentiel gains, an occasion to not spend too long in the icy grip of the north, and, it is true, an opportunity to show his gratitude to the Tidjits.  "I can exchange my caravan of goods for Tidjit's plentiful sheep.  Escort me down to Okerdik, and we can bring aid to its people", he offered - or pleaded ? - with Godric as the villagers danced around the fires to celebrate the day's victory.

Their conversation had been overheard, as the following morning, there was a small pile of food left in front of the heroes' door [Town Event : A Kindly Person Packs Lunch].

Godric was decided by this obvious blessing.  To boot, he knew how eager the Alderman was, to see his reply to the Okerdik town council delivered.

Partho and Radovan were still injured and would have to be left behind, which meant Godric was short-handed.  After earning a little extra goodwill [Campaign Activites : Hard Work], Godric told the Alderman of his problem.  An hour later, one of Tidjit's warriors walked into their homestead, where they were all preparing for the journey ahead, and propped his shield up next to the fireplace without a word [Campaign Activities : Recruit].  "Ruairidh", he grunted, and that was all the talking for the day.

 

Godric gave their winter cloaks into the care of the village shaman, promising that they would be back to wear them again soon, asking him to take good care of their wounded, and leaving him with a small purse to assist with their upkeep.

Just as they were readying to leave, final instructions almost drowned in the bleating of sheep, the Alderman caught at Godric's sleeve.  The two of them looked long at each other, until Godric nodded solemnly and took the Alderman's hands between his.  "We will be back, I promise it.  My word on this is as the word of the King of Alladore, for I am one of his Rangers.  We will be back, and we will bring you hope".

 

 

With the wind at their backs, the road away from Tidjit should have seemed more hospitable than during their walk to it, but Godric's company seemed a little crestfallen at leaving the place.

"The bandits have their tail between their legs", Godric told them.  "They will be back eventually, but we shall be there before them".   He hoped that was true; it was after all a twenty day hike from Tidjit to Okerdik and the animals were going to slow them down.

After ten days of hard travelling, the company reached the source of the Sandger.  The merchant knew well the ways of the land, and they were soon astride a well-trodden path, that, he said, would follow the cheerful, bubbling stream all the way down to Okerdik.

If the damn sheep hadn't been making so much noise, they might have heard the attackers.  Kehar swore he would have smelled them, had he not the smell of sheep in his nostrils for the last two weeks.  Maybe.  In any case, the attack caught everyone by surprise....

 

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Scenario Parameters :

The heroes are Waylaid by Foes, leading to a Defensive Battle against Roadside Enemies.

The enemy are a Robber Baron Patrol (p.178). There are five assailants in all, of whom 2 have a crossbow.  They are accompanied by a Sergeant and a Lieutenant, the Robber Baron himself (p.123).

The theme for the terrain is Along the River.

If during the Tracking Phase, after any Morale Test, the enemy is reduced to 2 figures or less, they will flee and the heroes will Hold the Field.  If they do Hold the Field, the Heroes will be able to loot 1 Gold Mark in petty coin from their enemies.

Terrain is set up as per the generic rules (p.128-129), and for set-up see p.134.

As per my house rules, add a Story Point 1D6" in a random direction from the centre of the battle zone.  This represents the merchant.  If a friendly character reaches him before an enemy character does, immediately gain 1 Story Point.  Any enemy character within 8" will treat the merchant as their priority target, unless another friendly character is closer.

Under Siege (p.219) is in effect, so should a Unique Foe appear during the battle, and is not slain, a roll must be made on the Enemy Plans Table (p.207).

Prospects of pickings are poor, so any valuables generated after the battle are worth -1 Gold Mark (to a minimum of 1).

After the battle, the heroes may continue to their destination at Okerdik, or set up camp.

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The enemy hit hard, and they hit fast.  The first warning went up from Krik, a sort of rustling noise from his upper members that caught everyone's attention.  Godric cast around for the merchant, who he had seen wandering off a few minutes before, chasing down a goat that had strayed from the herd they were moving along the road.

 

By the time he picked him out, Kehar was already sprinting away, and Godric could only follow, muttering as he tried to keep up with the tiger's long strides.

Krik kept the enemy crossbowman busy, but the two of them were beset by numerous and dangerous enemies.  No Jungle Deep folk here.  Kehar was struggling with a wide-framed frog-headed figure, whose attitude and fighting skill was that of a lord, but whose proud finery had turned to rags.  Cast out and turned highwayman, Godric thought bitterly.  He edged around the flashing circle of blades and managed to get the merchant to safety, but Kehar was down, leaving him alone against three enemies.  The little fishman threw himself into the fray, hoping his ferocity would scatter the enemy, but it was not to be.

 

Ash was already dead by then, a barbed arrow clean through his neck.  Ruairidh had moved beside Krik, to protect him from the enemy onslaught, but the insect-warrior pushed him aside, gesturing frantically at the merchant, and at the river.  The hedgehog, whose blood-rage had not had time to well, got the message.  He grabbed the merchant and swam across the river to safety.  Krik fell behind him to a sword blow...

When Godric struggled to his feet, hours must have passed.  He cursed the hedge lord, and simultaneously thanked him for installing so little discipline amongst his men.  Godric himself had been very lucky, and was only bruised around the ribs.  The enemy were so busy chasing down the flock - so hungry, perhaps - that they had left Kehar where he lay, and the Tiger-man was already back on his feet, growling pointlessly.  Krik had only been stunned, and had already been busily rounding up as many animals as he could - the bandits had been too lazy to bother catching them all, satisfied with their haul.

There was nothing to be done for poor Ash but bury him.  The company spent an anxious hour waiting for news of their other companions.  At last Ruairidh emerged from the stream and shook himself off, attracting protest from the merchant who was just behind him.  Their only damage was the hedgehog's shield which he had been forced to abandon in his flight.

This ambush had hurt.  It had wrong-footed Drake's Seven, and it later transpired that the enemy lord, swollen by his victory over the Ranger, had joined forces with other rebels, the Ruin Within, and Bolstered their Leadership.  Perhaps revenge could be had another day.