In the Aristrax Marches – Ep10
Previously in the Aristrax Marches, the Ravens of Gadun defeated a band of outcasts who were about to ambush them. With the warband in full strength, Omac Gadun, their leader, must decide what to do next.
Turn 15
On Town Events I rolled Just drunks and yokels, which means for this campaign turn we can only recruit Followers. This has no impact since I was not intending to recruit anyone anyway.
The Upkeep costs are rolled at 2 Gold Marks, which I decide to nullify by Helping the Town Guard.
For the other Campaign Activity I decide that we need to repair Lady Liana’s Helmet and Myrick’s Light Armor. Newhorn is a Manor Town so we can repair 2 items in one turn.
For Adventuring we decide to Travel to the Blighted Vale (15) so to go to the Quest Finale. Unfortunately on the Travel roll, we got Miserable Weather and subsequently we failed our Travelling Proficiency test, so we must camp.
Finally on the News travels table we rolled that Someone important needs adventurers, but since we’re way over our heads at the moment I decide to disregard it alltogether.
The Ravens spend a few nights over at the Weasel’s Cellar. Only drunks and yokels are the customers there this time around, and Omac is quite bored, since there is nothing of interest.
Once they get their gear repaired, and finish their shifts with the town guard – bashing the heads of the aforementioned drunks when they take it too far – the Beard decides they’re ready. He calls the Ravens together.
“The time has come my brothers and sisters. We shall head to the Blighted Vale and eliminate this evil forever! Pack your things for we leave first thing in the morning.” He makes his speech, and the Ravens nod.One thing they did not take into account though, is that when men make plans, the gods are laughing, and this time it was Sacha, Lady of the Sky who did not take kindly to their task. The clouds gathered while they were on their way, and near the Savage Mountains, a storm poured down on them. Torrents overflowed and blocked their way. They had to stop and camp on high ground, waiting for the storm to pass, and the floods to clear.
Omac cursed at the events as they unfolded, but steeled himself for what is to come.
Turn 16
The Camp Events roll gave the result Time on your own. The random member is Solas who earned +1 XP.
Our Upkeep costs are high, at 3 Gold Marks, which give me no other choice but to waste a Campaign Activity to Live off the land.
Omac will go to a Mystic Expedition, which was successful, and he found 1 Congealed Strand.
For Adventuring we decide to continue Travel to the Blighted Vale (15) so to go to the Quest Finale. Unfortunately on the Travel roll, again we got Miserable Weather and subsequently we failed our Travelling Proficiency test once more, so we must camp again.
Finally on the News travels table we rolled that The rangers have been scouting the area, and get to add +2 Adventure Points.
With their path blocked, there is ample time to reflect. Temir, takes the opportunity to train his skills.
The torrenting rain has ruined some of their supplies, so at least half the warband spends valuable time trying to forage for food. Omac leaves them to their camp as he heads out on a mystical expedition.When he returns, the clouds have cleared, and they head out again. It has been only one day on travel over muddy ground when dark clouds gather once more. They quickly make for the hills before tons of water start falling on their heads once more. They wait it out on a makeshift camp near a shallow cave entrance.
Turn 17
The Camp Events roll gave the result Poor Hunting Grounds therefore we cannot go to a Hunting Expedition.
Our Upkeep costs are high again, at 3 Gold Marks, which give me no other choice but to waste a Campaign Activity to Live off the land.
Bolga will Forage for Herbs and he had Success resulting in Springwind berries.
On the Travel roll we Meet Someone who is a Pilgrim, Disinterested, so we move on and we reach the Blighted Vale at last!
Two weeks of constant flooding rain have not only tired out the warband, but have driven away any game. With their supplies mouldy, they have to focus on foraging for food, while Bolga uses his wilderness knowledge to also discern any useful herbs. He finds some springwind berries that they can use.
As the ground dries out, Omac gives the command to head out again. Their paths cross with a pilgrim, but he doesn’t seem to want to make any friends. He doesn’t even nod back when they greet him. There’s the off chance that he’s on a vow of silence, so the Ravens don’t force a conversation with him.
A few days of walking later, they’re at their destination. They crouch, draw weapons and sneak in.
According to the Quest Finale we play out a Site Battle with 6 Enemies + modifier and one of each leader types. The Objective is to either eliminate both the Enemy Captain and Unique Foe or to perform a ritual at the centre of the table.
Since I got my Hexon table ready I decided to play out the battle on this, and make everything cluttered with terrain to block movement and line of sight.
Boots makes the first movement and we get a result of Undiscovered depths, adding 3 Exploration Markers.
Now I can roll on the Enemies table and get that we are up against Grave Walkers and the Unique Foe is a Duskling Champion who is a regular member of the enemy warband. That’s both very dangerous and an interesting combination since Dusklings hate the Undead I can only imagine that the champion is under a curse forcing him to fight for the Grave Walkers.
Caldas steps in quietly, and soon the Ravens see movement. Groups of skeleton knights patrol the area. It seems that either Ugmal’s remains have strong magic binding them to this place, or the enemy has already arrived, waiting to get their hands on the parchments to reanimate Ugmal.
What strikes them as odd, is that there is a living, breathing duskling, standing with the grave walkers. What curse could be holding him in place? Bolga knows that this unholiness must be stopped. He will do what he must.
A group of skeletons has already sighted Boots, and they start moving towards him, while two more groups that patrol, will soon have them in their sights. If they are to destroy Ugmal once and for all, they must destroy the patrols quickly, before the enemy is upon them in full strength.
The Combat
Boots loads up a lead bullet to his sling, and he swings it so that it’s on full momentum. His aim is perfect, and he hits the duskling right on the chest, a cracking sound confirms a broken rib or two. His enemy is wounded.
ROUND 1
Bolga moves up ahead to support Caldas in case the enemy duskling decides to hurt his friend.
Temir and Myrick go for the opening to the east, covering it with their bows, while Omac and Liana head to flank the crossroads from the other side.
The grave walkers move closer.
Another bullet from Boots’ sling hits the duskling champion, but his armor deflects it. Bolga points at his enemy with his cleaver, and he takes the challenge.
Having one of his own brethren at liege with the living dead is something that shakes the very core of Bolga, and he fights with dedication. His opponent can’t parry the hit in time, and the cleaver hacks at the dusklings neck. As the eyes go lifeless, the duskling smiles, thanking Bolga for saving him from his fate.
Two skeletons charge at the Butcher, and they are felled, one by one, by the duskling as he counterattacks each strike.Temir shoots at the grave walkers descending from the eastern hill, but he’s scared of them, and can’t focus properly, missing them. Myrick follows up with another bow shot, but the rusty armor of the dead stops the arrow.
ROUND 2
Temir with a trembling hand tries, to reach for another arrow, but he fumbles, and drops all arrows from his quiver. Valuable time has been wasted, and he knows he has to switch to melee, drawing the Heart seeker.
Boots moves to the side and loads his sling, shooting at his target. He aims for a skeleton that has some insignia, must have been a lieutenant in a past life. His opponent ducks at the right moment, the sling shot hitting the wall at his side. The lieutenant strides forward and reaches Boots, who has drawn his rapier. He blocks the first attack, and follows up with another, but his light blade cannot get past his enemy’s plates, and he’s blocked, and steps back.
A grave walker follows up with an attacks against Caldas. The halfling is flanked, and the hit strikes his leg where the chain shirt doesn’t protect him. Boots is wounded, but blocks the follow up strike and hits back his enemy, crushing a few bones.
Another skeleton charges at Lady Liana of Trenne. She’s taken aback by the force of the dead, and the strike goes past her armor, blood spewing out from the wound. Stunned from the wound she tries to fight back, but fails, she’s wounded again, and unable to stand by the sheer amount of blood loss, she falls to the ground.
Myrick takes another shot with his bow at the skeletons, but the arrow flies off deflected by the armor.
His friend wounded, Omac puts his hands together, fingers touching, and chants in his mystical language. He feels magic slipping away, so he puts his will to the test, and holds everything in place. Caldas, already starts to feel better. The wound at his leg doesn’t hurt him anymore.
Bolga attacks the skeleton who hit Liana, for ‘vengeance’ he screams. His strike is blocked, but then as the skeleton hits back, he counterattacks, only for his hit to be blocked by the ancient armor, finally he hits once more, but the strike was but a glancing blow, and the skeleton is too tough to be stunned.
ROUND 3
Temir, closes in on melee against the dead. A couple of strikes are exchanged, without finding their targets, but finally the Heart seeker goes through the armor like butter, destroying a few bones holding together part of the skeleton.
Bolga fights again the skeleton, but still the fight is undecisive after several blows that aren’t final.
Now the grave walkers push back. Myrick can’t fend them off, and retreats several steps to avoid being hurt. Boots is locked in combat against them, but he ducks and parries the repeat attacks by his enemies.
The grave walker lieutenant challenges Bolga. They fight each other, skill against skill, noone wins, and they finally disengage at a short distance.
Omac lashes out a spell to bring down the skeleton missing several destroyed bones. The spell is succesful, but the skeleton still stands, the magic holding him together remaining strong.
Boots decides not to get locked in combat and tries to shoot at the enemy lieutenant, but in the chaos of battle and the close quarters, his shot fails.
Myrick shoots his last arrow at the wounded enemy skeleton, but the arrow gets through the gaps in the bones, missing the target.
ROUND 4
Bolga attacks once more the enemy skeleton, but his foe fights back fiercely, and he can’t destroy him.
Omac tries to cast another spell to bring down the damaged skeletons, but he fails to recite the correct incantantion, and the spell fizzles out.
The skeletons charge. Temir is pushed back, but he blocks the enemy attacks in a draw.
The lieutenant attacks the surrounded Bolga. But the duskling counterattacks. All dusklings have taken an oath of life, and their hatred burns against the dead. With his strength tapping from the inner core of their origin, he cuts the skeleton in two, destroying him. Only pieces of bones remain where the abomination stood.
Omac is attacked by the skeleton he pointed his spell at. He blocks the strike, and follows up with an attack from his staff. The oaken staff hits the skull, crushing it to bits and the skeleton drops inanimate.
The skeleton captain, with a crown on his head now has reached the fight. He orders his minions on the warband. The first skeleton locks himself against Boots, but the halfling is fast and ready. He evades the attack and cuts off his enemy at the knees, destroying the magic that holds it together. He’s flanked by the other skeleton, who hits him with his axe. The strike is strong, and Boots falls under his enemy.
The line of defense destroyed, the skeleton captain has an open path to Omac, and jumps to the leader of the Ravens. The Beard tries to parry with his staff, but he’s wounded and pushed back. With another strike, the skeleton captain fells the Raven.
‘No!’ Myrick cries out as one by one, his companions are down. Furious he charges at the enemy, but the skeletons seem to still remember the skills they had in life. His enemy blocks the attack, and follows up with an attack by his sword. The blade finds flesh, and Myrick falls as well.
ROUND 5
Only Bolga and Temir remain standing. They look at each other. If they are to succeed, the crowned skeleton must be destroyed.
Their thoughts are interrupted by the fight ahead of them as a skeleton attacks Temir, who is pushed further back, defending himself.
The skeleton captain attacks the surrounded Bolga, who counterattacks, but with only a weak glancing blow, before being forced to disengage. That’s enough distraction for a flank attack by the skeleton axeman who brought Boots down. The axe hacks at Bolga’s body, and the duskling falls as well.
Temir, alone now attacks his opponents, but they stand together, and he can’t manage to score a hit that will break their defenses. He has to step further back.
ROUND 6
The skeleton swordsman attacks Temir, who is pushed back, as the skeleton axeman follows up with another flanking strike. Temir is wounded.
Holding his bleeding side, Temir knows he can’t win this battle alone. He looks at the exit, and retreats. The Ravens lost.
ROUND 7
Working on the Resolution stage, we earned 3 Adventure Points because we defeated a Unique Foe and a Captain.
Rolling on the Injuries and Flight in the Dark tables, Caldas got a Light injury for 2 Turns, Omac got a Damaged Staff, Lady Liana Died, Bolga got a Moderate injury for 4 Turns, Myrick was Knocked Out, and Temir had his Fine Longbow Damaged, becoming a regular Longbow. I expended the extra Luck Bolga had during the Quest, so he’s safe, and used a Silvertree Leaf to reroll Lady Liana’s result. Unfortunately she got another Dead result, becoming the first warband member to perish. She will be remembered in our hall of fame, and we earn +1 Story Point. This means that randomly, also her Throwing Knives were Damaged, and her items can be redistributed among the warband. I decide that they won’t be redistributed, except for Heart Seeker.
The only members who receive experience points, are Temir who survived and gained +1 XP, and Bolga who eliminated the Unique Foe and a Lieutenant, earning him +2 XP. They each gained a level after this, reaching Level 4, with Temir getting an increase in Speed, and Bolga an increase in Toughness.
Finally the News Travels result is that a monster has been spotted in the fog and we add a Hidden Monster Lair to the region.
The Ravens, defeated crawl out of the site. They count themselves, beaten, battered, wounded, bleeding. Omac’s oaken staff is broken, Bolga notices that his wound barely missed a vital organ, and it’s only a flesh wound, he’s back in fighting shape, Boots has his leg scathed, he’ll need time to recover, Temir bent his longbow as he fled out, but what grabs their attention is Lady Liana. She’s coughing blood. Omac is over her, holding her in his arms, and removes the silvertree leaf from his pouch. He quickly builds up a poultice and applies it to her wounds. But they’re too deep. The poultice doesn’t stop the bleeding. Liana holds his hand tightly and tries to speak some last words, but her mouth gasps for air, and no sound comes out. She pulls out her sword, and points the handle towards Myrick, and he respectfully takes it. Finally the strong grip of her hand relaxes, and Omac realizes she’s gone for good. The warband stands in silence as Omac closes her eyes.
They set a burial ground for her. They cleaned her up, and placed a sword and her full assortment of armor, helmet and shield alongside her. The burial of a warrior. Each of them put some dirt and stones until she was completely covered. Finally, they rolled a huge slab of stone on top, so that no animals would desecrate the body. They carved her name into the stone, so that the grave was marked properly.
At night they all stood around the fire. First Omac raised his flask of wine. “To Lady Liana of Trenne, a warrior so strong that mortal enemies trembled before her! Only the dead who have no fear could face her.” The rest of the Ravens, raised their flasks as well. “To Lady Liana of Trenne!” They said in unison. Then, each and everyone, started reciting tales of her deeds, in remembrance.
Next morning, they gathered round. “It seems our enemy is still strong. Thankfully, the parchments are still in our posession, so they will need to take them from our cold dead hands before Ugmal is back from the dead. We will return to the Blighted Vale, but not today. For today we need to live, before we come back tomorrow. Until then, we shall fight the dead, we shall fight the rodents, and that plagues the land. We head back to Newhorn next, but for now, we camp.” Noone speaks after this. The loss of one of their own, reminds them of their own mortallity.
Session Summary
Wow what a battle! I knew it was going to be tough when the enemy table resulted in Grave Walkers. These dudes have armor, toughness, combat bonus and cannot be stunned. Top it off with max numbers and one of each leader type, I maybe should have walked out the minute we entered the battlefield. We tried to win and since we had eliminated the Unique Foe, we were at 50% completion of the objective. Several skeletons were killed, so I was hoping for Bolga to destroy the enemy captain, and tried to win until the very last minute, even when the scales tipped against me. When it was only Temir standing I knew I had to flee, since he had almost no chance of killing the captain. When even he was wounded it was definite.
I noticed that I suffer from the CRPGs hoarding potions syndrome, and once more I did not use either Ironshield root, Springwind berries, and I forgot completely about Dragon’s Spite which could possibly have won the battle.
Unfortunately our first lost battle also had our first dead warband member. Lady Liana was a strong pillar of the warband, and she will be missed. I will need to recruit a new warband member, and I intend to go with an origin that is missing from the group. I’m thinking Dwarf, Feral, Fey-blood or maybe even Preen. I’ll sit on the decision until the next session, where I might roll randomly or choose what I want.
It might sound odd, but I like the fact that I lost. I consider myself at an advantage, since I know the game mechanics all too well and can choose the best tactics in most of the situations (read above how I failed to use Dragon’s Spite), therefore it’s important to have a challenge. I like that winning a Quest Finale requires the warband to have significant strength, and not just pure luck or tactics in order to win. I only have a second chance to win this, so I won’t be returning any time soon. I need to be certain that we stand a good chance against the Grave Walkers.
Hambut are discussing. 
Bob, 
Solo, Pen, Paper and Dice 
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