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Sergent Baguette was awoken from a deep sleep by a persistent rapping on his door. The first time he had slept in a real bed in weeks, he did not relish leaving it's soft confines. Another, louder series of knocks caused him to roll from the bed, draw on his breeches and storm to the door. "What is it?" He cried angrily as he flung open the heavy oak door. The woman at the door momentarily stunned him with her beauty. "Ah, Mademoiselle..." He said, his voice instantly softening. "Won't you come in? Some wine perhaps?" This was not such a rude awakening after all, he thought. "There is no time Monsieur." She said in a throaty voice. "The Lieutenant Gerard and young Duroque... They are in dire need of assistance... Cossacks ride for the Castle of Doom as we speak. Even now it may be too late!" So that pup Duroque got himself into trouble and now he had to come bail him out. He took one last, wistful glance at the young woman and then strode into the hall calling for his troopers. Scenario
This scenario takes place immediately following the events described in "How the Brigadier Came to the Castle of Doom". Following the destruction of the castle, Anna Stabenmal has run a mile to the nearby village where Duroque's Dragoons are billeted. Quickly rousing the sleeping troopers, Anna sends them to the ruins of Castle Doom to aid Lieutenant Gerard and Sub-Lieutenant Duroque who have yet to recover from their struggles therein. Meanwhile, the Baron's secretary is leading a group of wild Zombiski Cossacks towards the castle unaware of the events that took place in his absence. This scenario is designed to be played by two players. Elf Player The High Elf force is comprised of six troopers of the Crown Dragoons. They are an Elite force. Sergent Baguette and one other trooper are Experienced. The rest are Average. All the troopers are armed with Sabers and High Elf Dragoon Muskets. Baguette also carries a brace of Cavalry Pistols. One of the Average troopers has Magical Abilities (roll for spells). If Gerard and/or Duroque survived the previous scenario they can participate in this one as well. Both characters will retain any wounds they received and will, of course, be on foot. Undead Player The Undead force is composed of eight Zombiski Cossacks as well as the Baron's secretary Igor Tipleezski. The Cossacks are all Zombies. They are led by an Fresh serzhant. Four of the Cossacks are Worn. The remaining three are Decayed. The Cossacks have 2 Standard Muskets, 3 Carbines, and 3 Lances (distribution of this armament is up to the Undead Player). All carry a Scimitar in addition to other armament. Each Cossack suffers from 1d4 wounds prior to the start of the scenario. Igor Tipleezski: The Baron's secretary is an Average Liche armed with a Standard Pistol and a Knife. If the Baron and/or any of his Undead henchmen survived the previous scenario they can participate in this one as well. All characters will retain any wounds they received and will be on foot.
Setup Sadly the map to this scenario has been lost to the ravages of time but one isn't really needed. All you need is a good castle exterior layout. There are many companies which provide excellent terrain. Place the Castle in the centre of the table with a road running North/South. The castle should be slightly ruined (as described in Castle Ruins below) and have a moat. The Zombiski Cossacks enter from the north side of the table, starting off on the road. The Dragoons enter from the south end of the table and also begin on the road. Gerard and any other survivors start near the Castle entrance having just barely escaped the explosion. Terrain and Conditions
Castle Ruins The destruction of the powder magazine has caused ruinous damage to the Castle of Doom. The entire donjon of the castle has been levelled as well as most of the eastern wall. The other walls and towers have taken serious damage and fires burn uncontrolled throughout the structure. The flaming ruins illuminate an area up to 15 cm away as if it were torch light (a -25% to Firing Modifiers). The Moat The castle moat is no longer kept filled, but recent rains have turned it into a river of slime. Any character unfortunate enough to fall or be pushed into the moat will be stuck in the mire for 1d3 Turns. In addition, any firearm he is carrying has a 75% chance of becoming clogged with mud and unfirable for the remainder of the scenario. The Road The recent rain has also caused the road to deteriorate. Apply a -10% Movement Modifier to any characters using the road. The Weather The scenario takes place at night and in dry conditions. Victory Conditions
The Elves must rescue Gerard and/or Duroque by killing or driving off the Cossacks. The Cossacks are intent on revenge for the destruction of the Castle of Doom (and quite possibly their Kapitain) and will kill as many Elves as possible. Figures and Painting Guide
The Crown Dragoons The trooper's uniform of the Crown Dragoons consists of a green jacket with white breast, and braiding. Collars, cuffs and epaulettes, turned backs are yellow. Trousers are white and worn tucked into knee-high, black riding boots. All ranks wear a "Minerva" style helmet which is brown and gold with a tri-colored (white, yellow, and green) plume. Figures from the Gardes Dragoon Command (blister 51009) and the Gardes Dragoon (blister 51012) most accurately portray the uniform of the Crown Dragoons, but the Players may easily substitute figures from the Corps Imperial des Dragoons boxed set. Zombiski Cossacks The Zombiski Cossacks wear dark gray greatcoats with red cuffs. Other than this basic uniform, the Players may go wild painting their figures in barbaric fashion. A painting guide for these figures is included in the Zombiski Cossacks half box set. Alternative Armies produces three excellent packs of Zombiski Cossacks. The Zombiski Cossacks half box set and the Zombiski Cossacks blister pack can represent the mounted figures, while the Zombie Cossacks blister can be used for dismounted Undead. Webmaster's Notes The above was originally published on Mike's long gone but excellent Filbanto Stew website. The story this is based on can be viewed online (legally may I add) on Project Gutenberg here. |
