Five Leagues from the Borderlands - The Gentlemen of Much-Piddling

[Doug ex-em4]

Great table. Shooting seems to be dominating the action though lately. Maybe some poor light, smoke or other mitigation is needed?

You’re right - shooting has been dominating the games. However, in today’s game (which the Mad Lord will provide an AAR of in the fullness of time) saw most of the shooters (including me) run out of ammunition. So it was necessary to indulge in the vulgar and messy business of hand-to-hand fighting. We’ve been lucky up to now in that we’ve not had such a situation but it’s always possible.

Doug

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Great table. Shooting seems to be dominating the action though lately. Maybe some poor light, smoke or other mitigation is needed?

A fair point. Taking the high ground and unleashing an arrow storm has become the sine qua non tactic of the Compagnye. The Compagnye's motto is now 'Tolle Alta Terra et Inferni' (or TATI for short). It happened again in the next game, yet to appear here. However, in this week's game, we reduced the sight-lines significantly. Although there was a fair bit of ranged weapon action in the beginning, it developed into a rather fun bout of fisticuffs, to conclude. Watch this space...

AARs to follow soon for:

The Cult of Moloch Horridus in the Dijabringabeeralong Desert

A Deserted Dangling-in-the-Mire?

[Citizen Sade]

Excellent. Variety being the spice and all that.

Does Five Leagues ever throw up enemies with more firepower than the adventurers? I'm guessing not.

[dwbullock]

So you're saying the Compagnye ... HAS THE HIGH GROUND?  Clearly, then, it's over.

https://tenor.com/bVhZf.gif

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Does Five Leagues ever throw up enemies with more firepower than the adventurers? I'm guessing not.

I think three ranged weapons is the maximum for opponents, depending on the list.

[Doug ex-em4]

I’ve made some suggestions to the other members of the Compagnye that would reduce the amount and effectiveness of ranged weapons. It’s still at the discussion stage.

Doug

[ced1106]

> Proxy List

Updated the "How Many Miniatures" file on the FB group, but the list should work!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3132829460161785/posts/6369527656491933/

> Does Five Leagues ever throw up enemies with more firepower than the adventurers? I'm guessing not.

You can certainly add more, as ranged units are "always superior" to melee. Because slings are hard to find on mini's, I got lazy and upgraded slings to self-bows.
Also, the undead Threat limits *your* range to 9".

> Shooting seems to be dominating the action though lately.

Had the same experience. Munchkined my way through the campaign with two Halflings who spent a year hunting rabbits and selling pelts until everyone had a crossbow and the tall guys had bastard swords. Huzzah!

EDIT: The Whispers in the Dark (?) Threat has a special ability limiting range to 9". Also, the Site / Delve Battles have limited range. Limited range didn't really affect my battles, since everyone was armed with crossbows!

Anyway, the Enemy Threat (p.97) makes taking Objectives imperative. The objectives with time limits up the difficulty of the scenario, as you can't just take a good position and wait for your opponents. Basically, when you battle a threat, add a Meeting Engagement objective, which must be completed in addition to any other objectives. If you fail to reach this additional objective, you have failed in your objective. You cannot reduce Threat and roll on the Objective Failure table.

I've written a "Munchkin and Challenges" doc if anyone's interested. I'll post it in the 5L Fan FB media section.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Many thanks all, for your interest and comments.

Herewith, the next encounter for the Compagnye as they meet the Cult of Moloch Horridus!   

The thorny devil (Moloch horridus), also known commonly as the mountain devil, thorny lizard, thorny dragon, and moloch, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Scorchio and is found mainly in the Dijabringabeeralong Desert. It is the sole species in the genus Moloch. It grows up to 65 feet in total length (including the tail), with females generally larger than males.



A cult has slowly built up over the years, who worship the Moloch and name themselves the Cult of Moloch Horridus. They are vicious predators who prey on unwary travellers. They generally move through the desert at night and attack their victims at dawn.

Drawn by the scent of blood and battle, generated by the Compagnye’s encounter with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Cult move through the night to Walkabout Creek Taberna.

Exhausted by their battle with Priscilla and the Ossies, the Compagnye have taken quarters for the night in the Taberna. The game begins when the Cult attempt to sneak up on the inhabitants of the Taberna.



The Cult assemble and begin their stealthy approach.







Bara and Thorvald are on sentry duty as the dawn approaches.



However, in the poor pre-dawn light, the Cult are able to advance without detection.







It is not until they reach the creek, that they are seen by Bara and Thorvald.



Due to the accurate and deadly archery skills of the Compagnye, Cult members start to drop.





Nevertheless, a breakaway group of Moloch-lovers crosses the Walkabout Creek, using the ford, known locally as O’Rorke’s Shift.





They maintain their attack as the Compagnye attempts to draw in their outlying picquets.



The main body cross the creek.





More casualties are taken by the Cultists. The Compagnye have rather cleverly, taken out the Cultist ranged weapons and the Cultists need to close to melee.







At this point, morale starts to crack with the Cult and one of their number turns tail and runs.



The rest of the Cult stand firm however, taking more casualties in their mad charge.



An arrow takes out their leader, the Grand Muff Moloch himself!



One of the few remaining Cultists makes it to the door of the Taberna, only to be shot down. The Compagnye have kept the Cultist hordes at bay and win the day.





Once again, the ranged weapons win the day. Not being satisfied with this, we decided to make some changes in our next game. The Compagnye move to Streptococcus Island, in the Defnascir chain. Changes to be detailed in our next game AAR, ‘A Deserted Dangling-in-the-Mire’.

[Silent Invader]

A most excellent report

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

A most excellent report

Thanks! ...and an excellent taberna too!     I didn't think it was going to come in handy in Fantasy, but it makes an excellent pub at Walkabout Creek.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

We made some changes to reduce our effectiveness with ranged weapons. The games were getting a little 'samey', so we opted for the following.

A weather rule:

Throw 1D10 at the start of each battle.
•   1 – heavy rainfall, no use of longbows, self-bows or crossbows. No effect on slings.
•   2-9 – no effect.
•   10 – bright sunshine, sun in shooter’s eyes reduces range of ranged weapons by 25%.

We reduced the number of longbows in the Compagnye:



During set-up, there should be more scenery to reduce sight-lines and allow the enemy to close for melee.

Our next AAR (to follow shortly) features these additions to our 5LftB campaign. The Compagnye move to Streptococcus Island. An updated map, to reflect the move.

[Silent Invader]

Thanks! ...and an excellent taberna too!     I didn't think it was going to come in handy in Fantasy, but it makes an excellent pub at Walkabout Creek.

You’re making great use of it 😁

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Pre-game set-up for the Dangling-in-the Mire scenario.

A familiar figure darts into the privy, on the outskirts of town.



To reduce sight-lines for ranged weapons, Dangling-in-the-Mire has more buildings and roads. We threw our weather die, but to no effect.









...and as you can see, the Compagnye started in the centre of the board. There's no high ground here!

The opposition are the Stumbling Dead. One of their traits (They Rarely Come Alone) did present some difficulties, later in the game. So we initially faced thirteen Stumbling Dead, divided into three groups, two led by Sergeants and one led by a Captain.

The Captain...



The Sergeants...



and the roster...



There were six roads leading into the town and we threw dice to randomly determine points of entry. Groups 1 and 2 were led by a Sergeant and Group 3 by the Captain.



The Compagnye arrives in the town centre, fresh off the ferry from Scorchio Island. Here they are asking that age-old question, "where is everybody"?

Let the hostilities commence...

[Elk101]

Great stuff!

[Doug ex-em4]

The board looks damn good, Martin. The full effect doesn’t quite come over on the video link so it’s good to retrospectively enjoy it to the full.

Doug