|
The bones of a saint are a touchy subject. It is especially touchy when he is the saint of more than one nation, whose people venerate him as a really good bloke all around. Such is the situation in Diberia where a delegation from Joccia (land of the Ratmen who claim Saint Andy as their own) has met a similar delegation from the Witchlands (land of the Undead where St Andropov’s bones are desired for the re-animator) to discuss the merits of the saint. However all is not what it seems as the Joccians have brought the Ratty remains of Andy with then and the Zombies sent to meet them are very much desiring to take the remains home with them whatever the cost. Peace and love? Not ruddy likely! *** ‘Wully will ye stoup playing wie that bone laddie!’ Captain Archie McWhiskers chastised the young private and then stuck out a furry hand to take the iron box which contained the bones of Saint Andy from him. Carefully the offending Ratman replaced the single bone into the box and closed the lid. He then handed it to his commander. ‘Um sorry Captun, I wuz only huving a wee peek ken.’ The Captain took the box and held it carefully in his hand. He thought it would be a good time to address the lads and tell them why they had been brought to this chilly old church in the midst of a Diberian nowhere. ‘Laddies, gather around and gie me yur ears.’ The Joccians ceased their own conversations, threats and boasts and all turned to their officer to listen to his words. They were all interested in why they were here and all their fellows in the Blacke Watchit were back in Catalucia. ‘Noo, as ye all ken weel we ur here for Saint Andy. Fur he is the most revered and that of au us Joccians. Fur are we all no just Joccie Tamsrats bairns? Anyhoo listen up. Oor friends fay Moskova huv said that they also want tay see his bones as they too hauld him in greet reverence ken. So General Gordon, aye him, huz said we are tay be here at this time tay show their priests and huv a blessing ur twa. En we’s all is heading back tay Catalucia to gie Mordy anaither drubbing!’ There was a small cheer and then several of the Joccians asked how they would know when the Witchlanders had arrived and what they would want when they got there. The captain considered this. General Gordon had been quite vague on that. Not to fight unless provoked and to be ready for quite a shock when their allies arrived. Plus under no circumstances was he to hand over the relics, they belong to and would always belong to Joccia. At that moment a party came into view and all of the Joccians looked on at them in amazement. It was definitely the Witchlanders the pale faced officer at their fore wore the colours of the Star Wraith and certainly none of them were Diberian Werewolves. But the captain drew a deep frosty breath in shock when he made out the detail of the rest of the approaching party. They were soldiers but their uniforms were torn and shabby and they looked a bit like Elves but they shambled along heads lolling around. Some dragged broken legs and all carried firelocks that seemed rusted and badly maintained. ‘Captain whit are they. Fur sure they cannie be oor allies, cun they?’ MrWhiskers gazed on and before he could answer the pale officer raised an arm in apparent welcome. The captain considered chastising the young private again but almost immediately the officer’s arm fell like a sword stroke and several of the shambling soldiers levels their muskets and loosed a ragged clattering volley. One musket exploded and blew pieces from its owner who seemed not to notice. The rest of the lead balls hammered into the stonework of the church. They were poor shots but their intention was now clear to the Joccians. They were not here to venerate the bones, they were here to vamoose with them! The Captain drew his pistol and growled an order to the Blacke Watchit Rats to ready their bessies for action. He spoke. ‘Aye laddie that’s oor allies a’right. Im mebbie thinking that oor bonnie friends arnie all that much fur keeping au us breathing. Gie them en a right booting for Kyng Gorge and our Andy!’ *** Map and Set Up This game of Flintloque uses the 3rd edition rules and takes place in the middle of a frozen field outside a small stone church in the wilds of Diberia. The playing area is made up as follows. A table three foot by three at the centre of which is a small church with a footprint on table of no more than 15cm square. It has no steeple, that fell down many years ago. There are a scattering of six groups of tomb stones (2-3 in each group or one larger tomb) all within 15cm of a church wall, three behind, one each side and two in front. The surface of the table is hard packed snow and there are no hills to speak of. There is a group of six dead trees to one side of the church and at least 15cm from its wall. All movement occurs as normal. When the scenario begins the Joccians are all within 5cm of each other and any wall of the church. The Undead player sees his forces enter from any chosen table edge within 5cm of that edge and within 3cm of each other in the first turn. Joccians set up first. Scenario Objectives The Joccian Party: Keep a hold on Andy’s bones or your own bones will be ground up for porridge when you get home to Glasgee. The Undead Thieves: Get those bones and then get out. Kill any of the furry unintelligible ones you need to in getting the job done! Game Length The game lasts until the Bones leave the table or the Undead player no longer has a character capable of reaching the table edge with the bones. Victory Conditions Victory belongs to the Undead if they can remove the Saints Bones from any table edge. They care not for losses and even if they have only one character left it’s a victory. The Joccians would prefer to stay alive but they are ferocious when it comes to keeping Andy. If the Ratmen can keep a hold of the bones and drive the Undead fibbers off then victory will be in their hands. If there are only three or less Joccians left when this occurs then it is a minor victory for them. Scenario Forces The Joccian Party – 8 Lowland Rats and 2 Highland Rats These Joccians are all from the Blacke Watchit regiment and are led by a Major. Create their statistics using 5025 War in Catalucia. They are all armed with Bessie Muskets except for the officer who has a sword and standard pistol. They may have one Veteran character, one Experienced, three Average and the rest Raw, all are classed as Regular. Skills, Traits and Flaws as normal. The Undead Thieves – 8 Undead, 1 Liche and 1 Vampyre The Undead are a typical section with an Average type Vampyre leading them and an Average type Liche commanding the shamblers. Create their profiles using 5026 Death in the Snow making the Zombies a mix of fifty percent Fresh and fifty percent Skeletons. All are armed with either a standard musket or standard carbine, the Vampyre has a sword. As always the Liche is unarmed. Skills, Traits and Flaws as normal. Scenario Special Rules There are few special rules in this scenario, those which there are apply as follows. The Bones of Saint Andy: The Joccians have the sacred bones with them in an iron box. This box must be in the possession of one character at all times. It reduces their movement by 25% rounding up and they may not fire any black powder weapon except a pistol while holding the box. A friendly character may take the box from its holder using an action but an enemy character must KILL the holder and spend an action taking the box after this. When the game begins the box is in the hands of the Joccian officer. On the Wind of Change: While the fight over the bones is going on between Joccians and the Undead, it is happening in the lands of the Werewolves who as allies of the Ferach Empire are sworn enemies of both sides. At the start of turn two and each subsequent turn roll D10, on a result of 1 the locals turn up to cause fuss. Use the solo play rules for a section of six Little Werewolves (all average, regular) armed with standard muskets. Class them as Aggressive in their motivation. They will attack both sides when possible. The Werewolves enter on a table edge as determined by the PLAYERS (toss a coin, winner chooses entry side). Aye, that torn it!: The weather can turn nasty at any time in Diberia. At the start of each turn after the first turn roll 1D10, on a result of 2 a massive blizzard begins. This mass of falling snow makes firing any black powder weapon impossible, melee only, and reduces movement by 50% across all terrains. The snow stops after two turns and but then all movement is reduced by 25% for the rest of the game. Dem Bones: Being nearer to the Witchlands than normal means more Wylde Magicke in the soil, in the air and…in the box! Saint Andy has come back to life! At the start of each turn after the THIRD turn roll 1D10 on a result of 7 the box leaps out of the hands of the character holding it and all of the remains from the box assemble themselves into….an Undead Joccian! Use the statistics for an Experienced / Regular Highland Rat with no weapons. He will scream and run about the table (not leaving it), use random movement for this. He has only one wound. He will attack only if shot at or melee attacked in which case he will attack the character who last assaulted him. If killed (again) Saint Andy returns to a pile of remains magically inside the same box (shush…don’t point out plot holes!). Scenario Notes This special Flintloque scenario was written exclusively for the Orcs in the Webbe (OITW) website by Gavin Syme creative manager of Alternative Armies and head of the World of Valon and Flintloque since 2003. Craig asked me to turn out a little something for St Andrews day, to go along with the other patron saints scenarios he had organised elsewhere in 2010, who am I to say no… especially when he cries! It’s a bit of fun, set in a situation which would not most likely occur on Valon. After all how often do you get to fight as a Ratman against Zombies to keep possession of some old bones eh! The scenario is inspired by the fact that several nations dispute the ownership of Saint Andrew as their own patron saint. Of course if you ask me he is Scottish but then I would say that. When playing you will find its actually a pretty balanced game you have on your hands. The Joccians have the edge in firepower and movement, but they can’t escape the table. The Undead have more wounds and less movement but they have to get the bones and escape. Throw in the three possible random events and this makes for quite a mix up. Especially when all THREE occur across the first few turns! For those of you wanting to try this adventure you should use the following miniatures as a suggestion. For the Joccians use 56120 Blacke Watchit troopers, 56119 Blacke Watchit Command and if you like an officer from 56535 Joccian Command Set. For the Undead use a pack of 55508 Zombie Line Infantry plus 55005 Latrinslav Command; for variety throw in a pack of 55002 Fleschless Krautians. You will need a copy of 5025 War in Catalucia (or Flintloque Lite) plus a copy of 5026 Death in the Snow. Webmaster's Notes An Orcs in the Webbe Exclusive ! As mentioned above Gavin wrote this as a special request to celebrate St Andrew's Day 2010. The last of our four Saints Day scenarios OITW has brought you throughout 2010. The first Saint's Day scenario, "Foul Mouth Freddy Saves the ****ing Sheep", was written by Taffsea's Tony Harwood and followed the escapades of his lovable anti-hero set in the misty hills of the fair country. The second, "The Rocky Road to Albion", was written by our Guinalean correspondant Danny O'Hara and featured Patrorc and the first of many vermin drives. The third was a departure to an earlier time in Valon's history. "Georgina and the Dragon" saw the classic tale tipped on it's head with Georgina the novice beast handler being 'rescued' by two opposing warbands in this scenari0 for Alternative Armies' re-released fantasy skirmish game, Darkestorme. |
