Hopfkorb is angry because "the village militia" (in fact, some old soldiers of Gersabeck living in the village) takes side with Gersabeck who is threatening him; so he shouts that he wants to set fire to the whole village!
Flammekueche is not happy to hear that. Burning the suburbs of a town controlled by the Swedes (his new masters in this campaign) is certainly not included in his mission! He sends a messenger to the (Swedish, NPC) town Governor, to inform him about what Hopfkorb said.
(Um, do you think that it was unkind from me to inform a superior military authority of the bad conduct of a fellow officer… and that I did it only because I seek favour and promotion? …do you really think that I could do this? Um… …YES!)Hopfkorb's men set fire to a barn, which begins to burn.
However, a sudden wind extincts the fire!
The GM says it's probably natural… but everyone understands that the witch is hidden in the barn (in fact she is in the neighbouring house).
But judge Schelsier and his escort of Scots cannot come close to the barn to catch her:
The Scots have stood for a while in the graveyard (a precognition?)
Then they move further in the village …but they are caught between Masaryk's men and the Croat cavalry. They try to resist in a building:
Masaryk's men take burning material in the nearby forge to set fire to this house.
The Scots surrender to the Croats!
...who, having suffered many casualties, cannot guard all these prisoners and give them to Masaryk.
Masaryk decides to kill them all except their leader McLaren (player character himself)!
…The wagons of Flammekueche's wagon train reach the town:
Now that his wagons are safe, Flammekueche is relieved him from his fears of ambush and defeat, and he wants to ride through the village to attack the Imperials. But Gersabeck is uncertain of these intentions, is unwilling to let him pass and he blocks the road, ready to fight:
Having received the message from Flammekueche, the Swedish Governor (NPC) comes out of town to see what all the fuss is about:
Having no interest in a conflict against Gersabeck, Flammekueche rides round the village to fight the Imperial troops. On the other bank of the marsh he sees Hopfkorb wounded and pursued by some Imperial cavalrymen (NPC)…
…
"Vorwärts Flammekueche!!!" (Um, did I really shout this silly battlecry a few times on top of my voice while moving my little toy soldiers? My friends say that I did)… The Imperial cavalry (NPC) retreats out of table.
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Players achievements:— Masaryk failed to stop the artillery wagon train, but he destroyed a whole enemy unit (the Scots), he suffered very few casualties and he freely leaves the table with McLaren prisoner.
— McLaren lost all his men (except those who were escorting the judge); he is sent to general Conti who will probably question him (the hard way).
The other players have to explain their story to the Governor (in role-play).
— Gersabeck tells the Governor that he helped to fight the Imperials (this is not true but there is no proof against it) and is quite convincing. He regains most of the stolen goods.
He also succeeded in protecting the village (and saving the witch: he sent her out of table with Masaryk).
— Von Hopfkorb blames the village militia …which does not really exist! He is reprimanded by the Governor for pillaging, and is confined to town. Most of the stolen goods in his wagons are given back to Gersabeck.
— Johann Flammekueche saved his own wagons from the foes who wanted to take them, saved the village from Hopfkorb's men who wanted to burn it; saved Hopfkorb from the Imperial cavalry, saved the toooown, saved the country, saved the woooorld!!!
(um, sorry).
— Judge Schlesier (still same player as McLaren) has found proof of satanic activity in the house of the witch but has been unable to catch her. He is allowed by the Governor to continue his enquiries but he must not raise trouble with the local people.
The Game Master map (in French):
French version (with more text and players' comments…) here:
http://argad.forumculture.net/t1248-biere-convois-et-malefices-hiver-1630-1631#11605