Lothar’s Expendables

So this was a brutally efficient mission for me, with very little risk to my team. I did roll well to be fair but the mission is quite easy (easier than no. 1). It does continue to build up your characters so that they can participate in the first campaign proper at the end of the book. It was an engaging hour and a half and I am enjoying the slick mechanics of the game.

I found a free update file for the first edition of the game published by Joe and hosted on DRIVETHRURPG that I used in the game. It adds some clarity and refinements.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/298367/Rangers-of-Shadow-Deep-Rules-Update?src=also_purchased

I promised a follow up on the effect of removing the webs from my 4Ground trees. As you can see it does pull free the foliage somewhat. Not disastrous but you should be aware of this and avoid using this set dressing technique if you are concerned to preserve your terrain.

Round 8

Lothar, Quartermain and Squint move forward hoping to kill the spider at range.

“Let me”says Squint and despite heavy cover the archer pulls off a shot in hundred and kills it with one perfectly placed arrow.  

Now the companions and survivors move to command range.

Round 9

The companions listen quietly to see if more creatures are around but silence descends on the clearing apart from the sound of Lothar cursing as he again has to rip himself free of the entangling webs.

Event:  Lothar gets tangled in web but rips free.

Round 10

It looks like the rangers have completely destroyed this nest of horrors. They turn and head back to report.

XP

5 x spiders  10xp

1 x zombie.   2xp

4 x nest trees 20xp

No trees left at end 8xp

3 x survivors 30xp

Total: 70 xp 

Round 6

Lothar destroys the last nest tree and his companions move within command range.

The survivors finally rejoin each other and as a team of three make their way towards the companions. 

Round 7 

Lothar’s men move into the centre of the clearing, whilst the villagers move to join them. Scuttling off to the left flank another monstrous spider enters the battlefield.

Lothar orders Gregori up too the next nearest cocoon, while he nears the final nest tree, brandishing a torch as he goes.

The venom zombie attacks Gibberish but missing clumsily she forces him back giving Squint a clear shot – this time the near sighted archer finds his mark and kills the unfortunate former villager. He then moves to within command range of Lothar and is rapidly joined by Slink.

Quartermain tears open the last remaining cocoon to reveal that the victim it contains has unfortunately died. He moves to join Gibberish, who is moving to protect him and Gregori.

The survivors move closer together. 

Event: A ray of light beams down into the gloom of the clearing but has no effect.

Lothar quickly moves to attack the spider that has just fallen and kills it with one mighty blow. Squint moves to the nearest nest tree and sets it ablaze.

The venom zombie attacks Gregori who manages to fight it off stepping back a little to give his comrades a shot at shooting it, or room to retreat.

Quartermain frees another survivor from a cocoon.

Gregori beats a retreat from the venom zombie giving Gibberish the room she needs to move  and attack it, doing 3 hp to it.

Slink moves to another nest tree and it joins the others in becoming a roaring beacon of burning webs and spiderlings. 

The freed villagers unite and start looking for a way to leave for safety.

Lothar moves within striking distance of a cocoon and the first nest tree. Squint moves to engage the spider attacking Gibberish providing her with support. Gibberish takes immediate advantage killing the last spider with one blow and then moves up to join Lothar, she is followed by Squint loping along behind her.

The two freed villagers move closer to each other to provide some support if needed.

Gregori moves to the next cocoon but as he tears it open a venom zombie frees itself falling to the side and then standing to menace the inexperienced recruit.

Slink sees she cannot reach Gregori to assist in time so leaving the young one to his fate she set fire to the first nest tree she reaches.

Event: A spider drops from one of the nest trees.

Lothar gives the order and Gibberish crashes into the vanguard of the swarm killing one instantly, Lothar fights to her left flank taking another one down. Quartermain mutters a second magic bolt incantation but it also spins wild of the mark.

The last spider charges Gibberish inflicting 6 hp.

Squint takes advantage of the distraction to cut open a cocoon finding within a farmer whom he frees. Gregori likewise rips away webs to reveal a second survivor, a grumpy sick looking dwarf.

Seeing young Gregori does not need help, or babysitting, Slink covers the ground swiftly heading for the nest trees, flint and tinder in hand.