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Sharke's Retreat - Reloaded |
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Friday, 01 February 2008 00:00 |
Sharke sighed with dismay and gobbed on the ground. Life was such a sod. He'd stormed the breach at Badajobz, captured an Eagle at Tel'n'Vera, been shot, blown up, stabbed and shot again and would Wheeling-Turn and his Guinelian half-wit Wogan give him a bit of leave to investigate the taverns and whorehouses of Al-Garvey? No they sodding would not!
N0, that bugger Wogan said it was important that he was at hand as the Elves was getting peaky, but they'd give him a wee break looking after a new-fangled Horse Artillerie team that had arrived in Catalucia with a secret weapon.
Sharke idly scratched at a flea attempting to make its home in his greasy hair and looked at the Artillerie crew in their silver braided blue tunics and fanciful plume crested helmets. Sort of thing you'd expect to see on a 'Timmy' in Londinium, not a soldier in Catalucia, the veteran officer mused to himself. "Lieutenant Shreddle" he addressed a bespectacled Horse Artillerie officer, "do you not think that you've massacred enough olive trees today? My lads are bored and hungry and so am I "
The Artillerie officer turned to Sharke, his fear in addressing the legendary Captain betrayed by a tic he attempted to hide with a nervous smile. "But Captain Sharke sir, I still have important calculations to compute. We've yet to try this new shelle out at various ranges and trajectories, and Londinium has tasked me to accurately assess this information before they decide whether to purchase it in quantity. I must insist that we continue until the light is lost."
"Lieutenant, you and Londinium can stick your shotte up your bloody..." Sharke froze and scanned the tree line. Frowning he sniffed the air.
"Captain?" Shreddle nervously questioned the dirty rifle officer.
"Shut it." Sharke unslung his Bakur rifle and eased back the lock, not once taking his eyes off the tree line. As he started to turn towards his troops, he spotted movement, then suddenly he saw the lancers emerge from the woods.
Sharke stared at the troops in black uniforms with polished silver skull and crossed bones on their shakos as they slowly moved forward on their porcine mounts which explained the strange smell that had attracted Sharke's initial attention. The riders were clearly Dwarfs, but what was puzzling Sharke was that they were not Mordred's lackeys from Finklestein, he'd seen these uniforms many seasons ago, before they smashed the hu-man army at the city now called Wheeling-Turn. These were Krautian Dwarfs, but they were Mordred's enemy weren't they?
Map & Setup
The terrain is typical rural countryside with a large wooded area to the east and a stream that bisects the board cutting Sharke and the artillerie off from the friendly edge to the west.
The Orcs deploy as shown on the map 2/3rds of the table away from the left most edge. The Ferach player(s) setup within 5cm of the top right corner as shown on the map.
Scenario Objectives
Here are the objectives for each force in the Scenario:
Sharke and his Orcs
You are Captain Sharke of the 105th Orc Ryfles, currently attached to the 67th Orc Line. The Duke of Wheeling-Turn's Chief of intelligence has tasked you with 'guarding' a horse Artillerie battery recently arrived with a secret weapon - a form of ammunition called spherical case, but nicknamed "shreddle" after its inventor and commander of the battery, Lieutenant Shreddle. You did not expect the duty to be anything more than a waste of valuable boozing and hooring time. However, Wogan's fears have proved correct and the enemy has surprised you and the battery.
Whilst it is important that you see the howitzer and its crew to safety (especially the Lieutenant) your attempts will be inconvenienced by Lieutenant Shreddle who is determined to prove the worth of his invention. He must be given the opportunity to fire two rounds of 'shreddle' from his howitzer at the enemy (with a reasonable chance of inflicting casualties) before retreating to safety.
Constantine's Elves
You are Lieutenant Athlen Constantine of His Imperial Majesty's 64e de Ligne, a Regular Line Infantrie Regiment. You are on a reconnaissance mission after continual artillerie fire was heard in the area. Your section has been teamed up with an untrustworthy bunch of Krautian Dwarf Uhlans, now your allies, who fall under your command.
Upon discovering the source of the artillerie fire you soon realise that the poxed Orcs are testing some new form of shelle and that its capture would raise your prestige immensely (and possibly result in a promotion). Unfortunately rather than cut the Orcs off with a two pronged attack, the Dwarfs let the cat out of the bag and the Orcs now realise that you are upon them. Speed is of the essence if you are to capture the artillerie piece and its secret ammunition.
von Friibrest's Dwarf's
You are Kaptain Thorsgrimm von Friibrest, of the 3rd (ost Krautia) Uhlan Regiment. Following the recent "peace treaty" between Mordred and the Dwarfs, Amorica and Krautia are now allies (though for exactly how long, is open to debate). The terms of the treaty stipulate that to seal the new alliance, the Krautian League should supply a volunteer contingent of troops for Mordred's ongoing war in Catalucia. You don't recall volunteering, "but you and your section of Uhlans now find themselves in a hostile country, surrounded by vicious Dark Elves and up against your old Orc allies. Life can be so unfair, but still, unlike half of the regiment, you weren't sent to the cursed Witch-Lands.
Whilst you outrank the High Elf commander, you are still under his command (though it pleasures you to have him still call you "Herr Kaptain" when addressing you). Given the position of the Dwarfs in the High Elf army, you will not actually disobey an order by the Elf, however you will interpret it as creatively as you can. Your object in the game is to keep casualties to a minimum and get as many of your troops safely home as is possible. You command comprises of six mounted troopers, including yourself.
Game Length
This game scenario ends automatically upon the completion of either sides objectives.
Victory Conditions
The Elf player scores a major victory if they manage to kill Lieutenant Shreddle and take possession of the Howitzer. The Orc player scores a major victory if they manage to fire two rounds of 'shreddle' and get Shreddle and the Howitzer off the left most table edge. Either the Orc or PLayer score a minor victory if one of thier objectives is met. The Dwarf player scores a major victory if they have 100% of thier forces left after ten turns or the game end, and a minor victory if they have 50% of thier forces left.
Scenario Forces
The Orcs
Full rules for Lieutenant Sharke, Sergeant Harpy, Ryfleorc Hagsmun, Ryfleorc Arris and Ryfleorc Purrkinz Full can be found in the Alternative Armies supplement “JOV#09 - Sharke's Ryfles” which can be found in the files section of Alternative Armies Notables Yahoo group.
Note that Private Tunge is not at the weapons testing, Sharke does however, have the following three Ryfleorcs:
Rifleorc Muir [Elite Raw Orc] 28 Points
Bakur Rifle, Bayonet (+1)
One of two recent additions to the section, Muir tries to impress all and sundry (especially the Dark Elf prostitutes) with his heroic posturing. However although he claims to know almost everything (though "nowt a lot" worth knowing according the Hagsmun).
Rifleorc Dorness [Elite Raw Orc] 28 Points
Bakur Rifle, Bayonet (+1)
Magical Ability (1)
A quiet individual, rarely heard, Dorness just wants an easy life and to fade into the background - just leave all that heroic stuff to Sharke and Harpy.
Rifleorc Battunz [Elite Raw Orc] 28 Points
Bakur Rifle, Bayonet (+1)
Flaw: Unmotivated (Criminal)
Nearly hung by Provosts for stealing "wild" chickens, Battunz is a good for nothing Orc and perpetual criminal (in another life, he would be a solicitor). He has only recently joined the Ryfles.
Lieutenant Shreddle [Raw Orc] 22 Points
Orc Artillerie Pistol, Sword (+2)
5.5" Howitzer
4 Horses
Sergeant Shagzrat [Experienced Orc] 30 Points
High Elf Duelling Pistol, Sword (+2)
Gunner Rignaz [Average Orc] 22 Points
Orc Artillerie Pistol
Gunner Rumbligutz [Average Orc] 23 Points
Standard Pistol
Gunner Sycoz [Raw Orc] 19 Points
Standard Pistol
Total Force: 12 Orcs, 1 Bog Orc and 357 points and horse drawn howitzer
The Elves
Lieutenant Athien Constantine [Experienced Ferach Elf] 27 Points
Elf (Ferach) Pistol, Sword (+2)
Corporal Jardine Elanoesse [Average Ferach Elf] 24 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Magical Ability (1)
Fusilier Lathron Degalis [Average Ferach Elf] 24 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Fusilier Elrond Perimones [Average Ferach Elf] 24 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Skill: Crack Shot
Fusilier Valariane Amant [Average Ferach Elf] 24 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Fusilier Certianne Uriens [Raw Ferach Elf] 20 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Fusilier Metheine Galehade [Raw Ferach Elf] 20 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Magical Ability (1)
Fusilier Ferech Poncequer [Raw Ferach Elf] 20 Points
Elf (Ferach) Musket, Bayonet (+1)
Total Force: 8 Ferach Elves and 183 Points
The Dwarves
Kaptain Thorsgrimm von Frubrest [Veteran Dwarf] 44 Points
Standard Pistol, Sword (+2)
Mounted: Pig
Feldwebel R Schimdt-Owen III [Average Dwarf] 33 Points
Lance (+3)
Mounted: Pig (Pay de Vet)
Oberschutze Barni Biggenonken [Average Dwarf] 33 Points
Lance (+3)
Mounted: Pig
Schutze Sigurd von Sheisserberg [Average Dwarf] 33 Points
Lance (+3)
Magical Ability (1)
Mounted: Pig
Schutze Ulf Holstenpils [Raw Dwarf] 29 Points
Lance (+3)
Mounted: Pig
Schutze Sven Nockwurst [Raw Dwarf] 29 Points
Lane [+3]
Mounted: Pig
Total Force: 6 Dwarves, 6 Pigs and 201 Points
Scenario Special Rules
Adding more variety to a standard battle this scenario uses the follow quirky special rules.
Flaw: Unmotivated (x): A character with this flaw does not believe that the battlefield is where they should be for the reason listed. They get a -1 modifier on any morale check.
Merit: Motivated (x): A character with this merit truly believes he is here to serve for the reason listed. They get a +1 modifier on any morale check.
Merit: As Motivated as One Can Possibly Be: A character is as unshakable as a bloody big rock. They get a +4 modifier on any morale check.
Merit: Belief of Immortailty: Characters with this merit believe they are immortal. Every wound they receive results in a + 1 Morale modifier not a negative one, as this proves he cannot be killed (until of course it does).
Skill: Crack Shot: Any character with the 'Crack Shot' skill receives a one column shift left when firing as if they have aimed every time they fire.
Crossing the Stream: The stream can only be crossed by the artillerie train at either the bridge or the ford. Other characters can cross the stream anywhere subject to the usual modifiers.
Scenario Notes
This scenario was first published in the Flintloque Supplement Grapeshotte. I have added to the original text and also have made changes to the scenario in order to match Alternative Armies new scenario format and make the scenario more accessible to players of Flintloque Reloaded.
If you're looking for the original unaltered version then click here.
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