Campaign AAR, A Minuet of Moon and Lightning

Our group just completed our Band of Blades campaign, and I as the Lorekeeper want to share the annals, telling the story of what happened during the long retreat from Ettenmark Fields to Skydagger Keep. Most of the posts will consist of annals describing happened on missions, though I’ll include various interludes (back at camp, dramatis personae, old tales of the legion, and out of character mechanical notes).

Dramatis Personae

  • Lieutenant Anirbhan Godpole, Bartan Officer
    Anirbhan Godpole was head of his class at university, but had a strong yearning to see the world and make a difference in the conflict with the Cinder King. Fascinated by the storied history of the Legion, he joined them just before the Legion, as part of the Second Eastern Expeditionary army under Shreya, arrived at Ettenmark Fields. His first action as a provisional officer in the Legion was at Ettenmark Fields, where he had the distinction of being the lowest ranked officer in the Legion. After Ettenmark Fields, he became its only remaining officer.

  • Zai Yaryevna, Zemyati Medic
    Zai was struck ill as a child, and not expected to live. However, a local healer took deep interest in bringing her back to health, and once Zai recovered she swore to stay strong and use her talents to heal others as well. By then the healer was closer to her then her own kin who had given up hope when she was ill, so when the healer left to seek more knowledge Zai went with her. Alas, their party was set upon and the healer was killed, but Zai was saved by members of the Legion. Zai went with them and made herself useful as a medic in training, eventually signing up, learning to shoot, and using her skills to help the Legion fend off enemies both natural and unnatural. She is well known within the Legion for her tenacity and loyalty.

  • Silver Dancing Storm, Panyar Sniper
    Her parents and much of her village were killed by a mutated boar beast, Rakthos the Great Boar. She swore vengeance and joined the Legion, who were hired to exterminate the beast, and Silver Dancing Storm ended up staying on with them after the job was done. She traveled to the Panyar forest in order to hone her hunting skills, and seeked the forest’s blessing in order to get every edge she could in the hunting of the supernatural. She resents the divine and therefore all chosen since they are the source of magic in the world. Her mark is avian predatory eyes, and she is known for her killer instinct and calm under fire.

  • Maximillian “Mercy” Brecht, Orite Heavy
    Maximilian was born to one of the outer clans at the periphery of Or, one that is known to those outside of the Or as being mystical, but known within the Or city states as uncouth bandits. Maximilian was known to torture animals as a child and graduated to theft and murder. When the heat got too high in his hometown, Mercy decided to try his luck far far away… The Legion had a use for Mercy’s immense strength, and Mercy found his calling as the Legion’s cruel, cold-hearted killer.

  • Emerald Dancing Moonlight, a.k.a. The Horned One
    Originally known as Emerald Dancing Moonlight, the Chosen of the Horned One raged when Nyx was broken and the moon shattered. She found out the Horned One and thrust herself to become his Chosen. They seek vengeance for their loss.
    The Horned One can take animal form and can shift quickly from one animal form or forms to another. The Horned One seeks knowledge and intel, often ranging out from camp to discover what has occurred at large, infrequently appearing at camp in human form. When she appears, all around her are blessed with unnatural calm and ease, and she speaks in ways that appear transcendently mystical.

Ghost Owls

  • Chevalier Norris Lanno
  • Mahogany Piercing Thorn
  • Saniz Karlovich
  • Blue Streaming Laurel
  • Manakesh Kleriki

Mechanical Interlude

Lieutenant Anirbhan Godpole: Warm, Educated, Officer School, Channels 1, Research 2, Skirmish 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Discipline 1, Marshal 1, Sway 2
Zai Yaryevna: Tough, Loyal, First Aid, Doctor 1, Research 2, Rig 1, Skirmish 1, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Discipline 1, Sway 1
Silver Dancing Storm: Traveler, Shrewd, Notches, Aim 2, Scout 2, Shoot 2, Maneuver 1, Discipline 1
Mercy: Stern, Cold (starting Trauma which does not count against death, instead taking the place of a heritage trait), War Machine, Anchor 1, Scout 1, Wreck 2, Skirmish 2, Maneuver 1, Discipline 1, Sway 1
The Horned One favors the Mystic. She is radiant and transcendent, and is a shapeshifter.
The Legion is pursued by Breaker and Blighter.

Postal Pickup and Delivery (Mission Obsidian Squall)

As Commander Garossi was marshalling the remnants of the Legion, a squirrel walked into the camp and transformed into an antlered Panyar. The presence of the Panyar instantly calmed the camp, which had been on the precipice of panic. Announcing herself as the former Emerald Dancing Moonlight, priestess of Nyx and as the current Chosen of the Horned One, the Horned One informed Garossi that she had been watching the Legion, and believe that she can help the Legion starting with recovery of a stash of black shot that was abandoned across the Tigeria during the retreat from Ettenmark Fields.
The commander, conferring with the remnants of the command staff, quickly assembled the best that the Legion had remaining: Lieutenant Anibhan Godbole, the medic Zai Yaryevna, the sharpshooter SIlver Dancing Storm, and the heavy Maximillian “Mercy” Brecht. Only Atuli Markesh was left in reserve to quickly arrange a camping site safe from ambush. The specialists led the Ghost Owls across the Tigeria, quickly finding an undead convoy with, among other plunder, the blackshot.

The caravan was pulled by two monstrosities of human flesh, later called the stitched by the Legion. One of the stitched had, unlike the other one, multiple heads, forever screaming, and was later named Hecatonchire by the Lieutenant. The two stitched were accompanied by two score of Blighter’s undead, nicknamed walkers by the Legion rookies. The walkers were armed and armored with the fine weaponry left by the Eastern armies at Ettenmark Fields. The Lieutenant then led the detachment ahead of the caravan to prepare an ambush, with Silver Dancing Storm (leaving her armor behind to move more quickly) was dispatched to scout out the adversary. She spotted two of their plague masked minders, similarly named vultures, and eliminated each with one shot apiece. Unlike prior encounters, their elimination did not cause the walkers to go feral, which the Lieutenant realized was due to the presence of Hecatonchire.

At the ambush site, Anibhan asked the Horned One to intercede. The Horned One acceded, turning into a large avian and launching themself at Hecatonchire. They grievously wounded the many headed abomination, and the Horned One shapeshifted to a swift and flew away before the monstrosity could respond in kind. Countless animals emerged from the forest and pecked at the other stitched, causing it to leave its post at the back of the caravan. Anibhan and the Ghost Owls distracted the majority of the walkers with a salvo and led them into prepared pit traps. The walkers were dispatched while entangled.

Zai, Mercy, and Silver Dancing Storm rushed to the carts of the caravan. Zai identified the critical black shot supplies and moved them to one cart while Mercy rigged the other carts with explosives that Anibhan had specifically requisitioned for the mission. Mercy then lashed himself to the black shot cart with the chains used by Hecatonchire and singlehandedly pulled the cart like an oxen. The remaining carts were rigged with explosives, specially requisitioned by the Lieutenant, and were detonated as the undead forces strove to regain the carts. Remnants of the walker force gave chase, nearly catching the legionnaires and causing small injuries to Zai, who saved Chevalier Lanno from a grisly fate, and Silver Dancing Storm.

After the detachment regrouped, they headed to their secondary objective: a mail cache abandoned in the chaos of the rout at Ettenmark Fields. The mail included both correspondence among the leaders of the Eastern armies as well as private letters earmarked for the Eastern nations. Each bore the Legion’s seal. Considering the Legion’s origin as the logistical hub for the Old Empire, recovery of the cache was considered of high organizational importance. Only minor resistance was faced, with Silver Dancing Storm decapitating the vulture leader and the remaining walkers eliminated in detail by the Ghost Owls.

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Tales of the Legion
The rout at Ettenmark Fields

The rout at Ettenmark Fields was a failure of intelligence. It marks the fifth time in Legion history that the Legion, at the height of its military prowess, was humbled through its reliance on its strength of arms.

When Shreya issued her first call of arms in 842 OEF, the Legion commander Boris Godunov considered, on the strong recommendation of the Lorekeeper Kapatia and the more restrained suggestion of the Marshall Trupattellen, breaking the contract at the Windward Isles in favor of joining the First Eastern Expeditionary Army, but ultimately rejected that call to arms. However, the Battle for Aldermark was not far from the minds of the Legion. The Quartermaster, with the approval of the commander, initiated a massive expansion in the ranks of the Legion, and so when the contract was completed, the Legion was ready to join the Second Eastern Expeditionary Army with over 1000 soldiers retrained in the tercio strategies pioneered by the Legion during the late Imperial age. The Legion, along with other elite units such as the Winged Lancers and the Garde Mechaniq, formed the anvil of Shreya’s battle plan and the Commander was part of Shreya’s grand council.

It was shortly before Ettenmark Fields that Shreya foreseen the Salutary path, in the same manner as she had foresaw three years earlier in the pivotal moment at the Battle of Karlsberg which snatched a stalemate from the jaws of defeat (the Legion would later be told of a third such moment months later). With the oracular statement of the Bartan Chosen, morale was high when the combined army set up in Ettenmark Fields.

Lorekeeper Kapatia died before the battle commenced. The Commander, along with the Banner Guard, was at Shreya’s command center when an unnatural fog quickly swept into the allied army position. Heretofore unknown monstrosities arose amidst the soldiers all across the battlefield, shimmering from what seemed to be freezing moonlight. The slaughter of the Second Eastern Expeditionary Army began.

The majority of Legion survivors from the massacre were from support units that did not begin the battle in the front lines. There were exceptions: Bottas Davintarm, Albon Anunsin and Conte Suderia Feri led the remnants of a few squads of Grinning Ravens to a breakout from Ettenmark Fields. Irex Tayovna was ordered by the sergeant of the Shattered Lions to retreat with their banner, which she bitterly followed, seeing the rest of the veterans lay down their lives so that she could escape. Crimson Rushing Flame of the 15th Ghost Owls managed to get lost from the rest of his squad and only felicitously ended up in the camp of the remnants of the Legion after many lost hours. Sniper Violet Flowing Tempest lost an eye in the battle and was half carried by Vettel Sebanich of the 63rd Grinning Ravens to safety. The heavy Maximillian “Mercy” Brecht outright fled from the carnage-- fortunately for him, none of those that he abandoned lived to tell that tale. And none of the 20 Ember Wolves squads were seen again.

It was not long before the Marshall, the Quartermaster, and the logistical officer Godbole arranged for the command HQ to retreat, and they were hard pressed. It was only due to the brilliant if unconventional tactics of Captain Marchesa Elena Fiammetta Luciana il Garossi, who ordered the the 20th Silver Stags into the trees to cover the retreat, that the remains of the command squad lived to regroup across the Tigeria River.

The Marshall and the Quartermaster debated whether Captain Garossi’s approach was incredibly foolhardy or merely stupid. However, when she declared that it was instead absolutely brilliant and the only reason that they survived, both were impressed by Garossi’s commanding presence and asked her to be the new Commander (in no small part because both felt ill suited to assuming the mantle themselves). Violet Flowing Tempest assumed the role of Lorekeeper, which followed in the long tradition of Lorekeepers who were at least partially blind.

One thousand two hundred and twenty four records were added to the annals that day. In the end, only thirty five soldiers arrived at the mustering point, nearly all green. The thirty who were not specialists were reorganized so that all six of the original squad types were represented. Most of the material of the Legion was also lost, though fortunately a score of smiths, tradesmen, and other laborers along with the alchemist Contessa Severina Garossi (no relation to the new commander, who was now being called Commander Squirrel due to her actions in Ettenmark Fields). The Legion camp was still in considerable chaos when Emerald Dancing Moonlight, the Horned One, arrived.

Dramatis Personae

  • Commander Marchesa Elena Fiammetta Luciana il Garossi (Fierce, Bold, Lithe, Well-kempt, Athletic)
    Commander Marchesa Elena Fiammetta Luciana il Garossi is the youngest of thirteen. Sick of her over-protective and bossy family, and completely uninterested in taking her place in the family vineyard business, she joined the Legion as soon as she was old enough. (Somehow she failed to think about the fact she would be trading one set of bosses for another.)
    A childhood spent keeping up with twelve older brothers turned out to be perfect training for the Legion and she was given her own squad to lead shortly before the Battle of Ettenmark Fields. During the battle, she ordered her squad to scale some trees and cover the retreating remnants of the Legion. The leaders of the Legion were divided over whether it was an act of incredible bravery or stupidity, but given how few people with any leadership experience at all (no matter how small) remained, she received a battlefield commendation and promotion to Commander. She also earned the sobriquet, Commander Squirrel.

  • Marshal Kentik Trupattellen (Protective, Cautious, Crisp)
    Kentik has an uncanny ability to remember names and faces, and no desire to use that ability to sway others beyond what is needed to preserve those names and faces, whether alive or, as happens too often, in memory. Straightlaced and to the point, Kentik carries out the Marshal’s duties with a keen eye for detail, sometimes surprising the troops with a personal word when all that was expected was merely a sharp nod of acknowledgement and an admonition to carry on.

  • The Quartermaster (Bartan, Precise, Resourceful, Frugal, Tired, Grizzled)
    The Quartermaster is the oldest tenured member of the legion, and he is only referred to, even in the Annals, as The Quartermaster. He has the habit of inventorying even the soldiers of the legion, referring to them by number instead of name. The soldiers of the legion are of the opinion that he is a penny-pinching bastard, and the only reason that he has a heart of gold is that he had it replaced so that there is no softness left. The command staff respect his thoroughness and ingenuity in amassing resources.
    Despite his reputation, the legion rarely has any gold in its coffers, for The Quartermaster consistently prefers to invest in practical resources that the Legion can put to immediate use.

  • Lorekeeper “One Eye” Violet Flowing Tempest (Wise, Eloquent, Young, Soft, Maimed, One-eyed)
    Violet Flowing Tempest was a sniper in the Legion before she was physically crippled in the route =at Ettenmark Fields. Ever since that day, the formerly bubbly and personable Panyar woman is now aloof and mystical, attuned to the Horned One like few others in the Legion. She also has a disconcerting way of referring to soldiers of the Legion as future members of the annals, but her recitation of the annals is well-regarded by the remaining legionnaires, for it is more humorous than the dry sermons of Lorekeeper Kapatia.

Mechanical Interlude

The Legion started with 1 intel, 1 food, 1 blackshot. 1 horses, 1 supply cart, 3 laborers, and an alchemist.

Time Passes, 4 = 3 + 1

Campaign Actions
Free 1. Liberty
Free 2. Long term project: Intensive Training Program, allows for campaign action to be spent to give two characters 1 advance each (either skill or ability). Requires someone with Educated background or Officer School ability. Three ticks are rolled, one remaining
Laborers: Supply cart, 4-clock. Requires wood. Three ticks are added.
Alchemical: Fox snuff, alchemical elixir that gives improved cognition. +1 to engagement rolls, causes lvl 1 harm (headaches). Critical success, four ticks are added, project complete.

The Legion advances to the Western Front, 5 = 4 + 1 (fortunate roll from 1 die)

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Back at camp

Even small successes can raise the spirits of the most demoralized units, and the success of the black shot raid was much needed respite for the legion, as well as making available a significant amount of powder, both blackshot and gunpowder varieties. One of the rookies, Maz Belyich, celebrated in his own fashion by combining some of each to launch one of his shoes into the air. He had brought his good friend Kyvat Danilovich to watch, but had not anticipated the additional spectator of Lieutenant Anibhan, who was checking up on each of the soldiers. Maz tried to explain that he was experimenting with a concept for a blackshot explosive, but the Lieutenant was not convinced and certainly not amused. Maz was consigned to weeklong latrine duty, though Kyvat was spared.

Missions

  • Flying Hawk - Troop Recon
    Reward: +2 Intel
    Penalty: +1 Pressure

Reports are coming in that the undead have been seen bringing cartloads of living captured refugees and corpses to the village of Platz. Find out what is happening to the people and bodies being brought here, and report back. This mission is over a day away.

  • Emerald Storm - Route Recon
    Reward: +1 Intel, -1 Time
    Penalty: +1 Pressure

The bulk of the undead forces are still trapped on the west side of the Tigeria River, thanks to the destruction of key bridges during the retreat. They have begun to commandeer river boats to ferry their troops across. Many refugees sailed across the river and abandoned their boats at Schmeker’s Landing. Your mission is to sabotage those vessels, denying their use to the undead. Assess the number and disposition of hostile forces on either side of the river. This mission is less than a day away.

  • Screaming Citadel - Recon
    Reward: +2 Intel
    Penalty: +1 Time
    Requires: Scout (this Specialist does not count against your limit)

The Horned One has reported seeing men and women riding large flying beasts in the night. They have flown East across the Tigeria, and into the foothills between The Legion and Plainsworth. It is unclear who they are or what their purpose is, but we suspect they are agents of the Broken. Find them, find out who or what they are and what they are doing. Gather any orders or intelligence that they may have on them. This mission may take several days.

Persona Dramatis

  • Atuli Markesh, Bartan Scout
    Bright and clever, Atuli attributes his success as much to divine guidance as to his own quick wits and, frankly, a little bit of luck. He has a small metal capsule hung on a chain which he uses as a dousing device when seeking divine guidance.
    Warm, Pious, Infiltrator, Scrounge 1, Scout 2, Rig 1, Shoot 1, Maneuver 2, Consort 1, Sway 1

  • Maz Beylich,Zemyati Rookie of the Star Vipers
    A resourceful but reckless soldier who had interest, but not aptitude, in the aetheric sciences.
    Bold, Stubborn, Devil’s Own Luck, Rig 2, Skirmish 1, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Sway 1

  • Contessa Severina Garossi, Orite Alchemist
    Unlike most Orites, her title is not a shallow one. She comes from a family with a large landed interest, many workshops turning out innovations, and enough wealth to have a strong guard. She is the oldest child, and would usually have taken over rulership of the County after her mother, but signed away those rights so she could pursue her passion of Aetheric Science. This was somewhat scandalous in Or, but she had no to give fucks. Her family supported her research interests, and was quite successful until the Great Breaking. When fear and paranoia about corruption started to ripple through the countryside, Contessa Severina signed on with the Legion so she could continue her work, and perhaps end the crisis that kept her from going back home to her beloved grasslands, workshop, and family.

Primary Mission Summary

The Horned One has reported seeing men and women riding large flying beasts in the night. They have flown East across the Tigeria, and into the foothills between The Legion and Plainsworth. The Marchesa, Commander of the Legion, assigned Lieutenant Godbole, the scout Atuli and the heavy Maximilian Brecht, who was ironically called Mercy, along with the Star Vipers to investigate.
The site of the reported beast activity was several days’ travel away, with dangerous Riki, a large indigenous ape, in the area. Atuli tried to lead it away, but instead was thrown from his horse, and the horse was caught and eaten by the Reiki. The squad kept their distance from the reiki, and traveled north, searching with significant difficulty for the site of the totem. The Legion searched for two days, and somehow the rookie Crimson Rushing Flame got lost and later returned to the Legion camp on his own. The Lieutenant identified the peak that the winged beasts were likely to be and the mission team went to investigate.

Atuli scouted out one of the peaks and found a coterie of six Witches (later identified as consisting of two cabals, one led by Hashi Vikenni), along with their Batbeast steeds. The Batbeasts were former birds favored by the Bartan goddess Varaza, but now seem to be ravenous monstrosities. There were in addition two shepherds with sigils marked on them, which were perverted inversion of the marks of Varaza, gathering storms instead of presaging fair weather. The witches were crafting a summoning totem, using the bones and entrails of sheep which were ravenously chewed by the batbeasts.
The mission team waited for some time until half of the witches left to get more sheep and got into the perimeter of the enemy ritual, with the witches perpetually chanting. Atuli led the expedition towards the ritual gathering, and Mercy used his extraordinary strength to throw a grenade into the ritual pillars, destroying the pillar of bone and wounding the witches and a batbeast. The remaining witches go to confront Mercy while the rest of the team goes into the witch’s camp.The witches invoked a curse at Mercy, who bravely ran away.

Atuli riflds through their tent and triggered a hex, suffering from unnatural warrior wasp stings, as his reliquary burns. Maz Belyich and the Lieutenant managed to net one of the shepherds and the team manhandled the shepherd away from the other, who looks blankly at the squad
Although the expedition managed to regroup, they were heavily pursued in their flight back to camp at Plainsworth. . As they neared a trail through the last woods north of Plainsworth, the witches caught up to the group and Hashi Vikenni cursed Versta Kunyart and Ansunhin Parandi. The two were driven into an unnatural rage and came to blows. Maz Belyich interposed himself between the two and was run through, absorbing the curse.
As the shepherd is taken to camp, his movements dulled even more noticeably. The Lieutenant, the medic Zai Yaryevna, and the Lorekeeper study the shepherd and found that the sigils tattooed into his body are a perversion of Varaza’s sigils of protection. Spiritually, the shepherd was already dead. Mercy took upon himself to excise the sigils in a most unpleasant manner, which breaks the last shreds of non-automatic motion of the shepherd, rendering him into a catatonia. Mercy then disposed of the shepherd. The Star Vipers had started the practice of calling those like the shepherd to be Meat Puppets.

Other Mission Summary

  • Emerald Storm
    Silver Dancing Storm, with the aid of the Ghost Owls, ambushed a squadron of Blighter’s troops, with Silver Dancing Storm earned another notch (a stitched). After eliminating the squad, the sniper and the Ghost Owls rigged the boats with explosives and return safely without any casualties.

  • Flying Hawk
    The Horned One reported that villagers, captured by Breaker’s witches, were impaled on stakes were invigorated with lightning to create lightning crackling constructs of Breaker. Called the Singed by the Lorekeeper.

Campaign Phase
Campaign Phase

  • Screaming Citadel and Emerald Storm were successful. Flying Hawk was aborted. Rewards: 3 Intel -1 Time. Penalties: 1 Pressure

  • Campaign action: Liberty action performed

  • Campaign action: The Long Term Project, Officer’s school, is complete

  • Alchemy campaign action: Contessa Garossi began research on Black shot grenades research begun

  • The laborers complete a supply cart and begin crafting another.

  • The Commander orders an advance to Plainsworth. The Legion make good time (one horse used to reduce pressure roll to 2 dice, with lucky roll) and arrive at Plainsworth (at time 7)

Musical Interlude (Back at Camp)

Maz Beylich was the first, but not the last, Legionnaire to die on the long retreat to Skydagger Keep. His best friend, Kyvat Danilovich, composed and sang the following at Maz Beylich’s memorial.

(To the tune of “The Ballad of Billy the Kid” by Billy Joel)

From a small fishing town known as Karlskronna
Rode a boy with a six-gun in his hand
And his daring in Aldermark’s grime
Made him a legend in his time
East and West of the Tigeria

Well he started with a shoe outside of Karlsberg
In the heel a blackshot charge he hid,
And the explosion and the fire took the lieutenant by surprise
And word spread of Maz Belyich

Well he never traveled heavy
And he never rode alone
And he soon put other older guns to shame
And he never had a sweetheart
And he never had a home
But the officer and the medic knew his name

Well he fought his way towards the Screaming Citadel
And he threw a grenade at a beastbat bearing down
And it served his legend well
For the troops they’d love to tell 'bout when Maz Beylich came to town

Well one cold day the squad got hexed by Breaker’s witch
And he gave his life to save two others, yes he did
And the squadies and the staff, came pourin’ in to watch the funeral of Maz Beylich

Well he never traveled heavy
And he never rode alone
And he soon put other older guns to shame
And he never had a sweetheart
But he finally found a home
Underneath the boot hill grave that bears his name

From a small fishing town known as Karlskronna
Rode a boy with a six-pack in his hand
And his daring in Aldermark’s grime
Made him a legend in his time
East and West of the Tigeria

Players note: Maz Beylich was the first rookie that was played by the PC, and as one of those Devil’s Own Luck characters, made a lot of impressive resists. The task force had almost escaped from the witches when, during the final roll to fill the final clock to complete the mission, we got a risky consequence involving the death of two rookies. The specialists by this point where in pretty bad shape, and the player playing Maz had a chance to be the hero-- all he needed was a 5 or 6 in 5 dice to survive. And that is how the first entry of the annals was added. All of us felt that this episode was about Maz, starting from the Back at Camp scene from the previous mission to his final sacrifice…

Mission Briefings

Broken Storm - Supply - Mercenary Work
Rewards: +1 Box Food. +1 Supply.
Penalty: None.

After the Legion arrives in Plainsworth, an agent of the Legion slips into the camp. Antoinette explains to Commander Squirrel that she had an arrangement with the previous Commander, and will continue to serve under the Marchessa if she wishes to continue that arrangement.

She says that Plainsworth is rife with refugees passing through fleeing the Cinder King’s armies, and that bandits that have been attracted to these relatively loaded and easy pickings. Moreover, some of the survivors of Ettenmark Field have also turned to looting and taking what they need from those who can’t protect themselves.

Antoinette’s found a local landowner with extensive holdings outside Plainsworth, Grisynn Bauer. Grisynn has offered several bushels of grain and cured meats, as well as your pick of other useful supplies from her farmsteads in exchange for escorting her, her family, and her wagons past the worst of the opportunists. Three days out, three days back. (Supplies will just barely cover this.)

Crimson Peak - Route Recon
Reward: +2 Intel.
Penalty: 1 Death. (Bandits will eliminate a member of the Legion during Liberty.)

Commander Squirrel quickly grasps that Antoinette mostly brought opportunities to the previous Commander where she had some way to personally profit from the transaction. She seems to be eminently well informed about what is really happening on the ground in Plainsworth, and Violet Flowing Tempest affirms to the Commander that the Legion Annals record AntoinetteAnotoinette to be honest and extremely capable, in the estimate of the previous Commander.

Squirrel is concerned about what impact bandits might have on operations in the area, and spends several hours with Antoinette over maps discussing what she’s seen and where. In the end, the two conclude that though many of the incidents are unconnected, there is at least one group of raiders that seems disturbingly well armed, well informed, and well coordinated.

It sounds as if they make extensive use of trails in the woods to the northeast and mountains to the east. There have also been a number of disappearances of soldiers in Plainsworth. Too many to be accounted for even by the chaos of the retreat from Ettenmark Field, or even by mass desertions among units where morale is shattered. Antoinette suspects these are advanced agents of the bandits systematically removing troops when their guard is down, softening their future targets.

Based on the operational patterns of the bandits, Commander Squirrel assesses several locations that the bandits could be using as base camps. Your mission is to assess those locations for bandit presence, and to chart the trails through the forest for possible egress when The Legion leaves Plansworth. Capturing or killing targets of opportunity is encouraged.

Amber Wolf - Supply
Rewards: +2 Morale, The Tentari Banner
Penalty: None.

Lorekeeper Violet Flowing Tempest has scoured The Annals of the Legion and discovered that an important object from The Legion’s past may be nearby. The Tantari banner, the original symbol of the Legion’s authority, was lost during the Aldermark Pretender Wars. It was granted to the Marshal of the Legion at its founding by the Seventh Emperor, Tantarus.

After the Great Breaking three years ago, Stormbreaker, broken avatar of the Bartan weather goddess Vazara, set up a dig site to look for it before they were driven west of the Tigeria by the widespread use of Black Shot. There are reports of peasants working day and night at the old dig site. The mission is to finish the dig, while fending off any challengers.

Intelligence Questions

  1. Are there any contacts (local allies, guards, police, etc.) of ours or Grisynn’s within the Plainsworth area that can lend aid to the mission?

The Legion certainly does not have any allies in Plainsworth. You’re from far away, and the Aldermani don’t like the remnants of the Old Empire, generally speaking. Grisynn has many contacts in the area, but seems to be using them to protect her interests. She seems to have prioritized using her local influence to protect her assets and her people as they wind down farms and prepare to evacuate, and what she has was stretched thin enough that she had to hire mercenaries to get everything she needed protected/done.

Grisynn’s caravan is about a dozen assorted carts and wagons (1 Supply Wagons). Each wagon has a driver and most have a farmhand riding “shotgun”, except they just have regular muskets. So, you’re looking at about 20 (a large group) of Threat 1 folks. Grisynn’s eldest son Deikart usually manages the farmhands. You think they’re likely to defer to your authority and expertise when it comes to safety, though it couldn’t hurt to build some rapport with them before there’s any trouble, just to ensure things go smoothly.

  1. What is the benefit to the Legion of acquiring the Tantari Banner?

The Banner has great symbolic significance to the Legion, and recovering it will bring significant boost to morale. It can be used 5 times to negate the morale penalty of a legionnaire’s death.

  1. What are the weaknesses of the Infamous Stitched? The Infamous Stitched is meticulous about its own upkeep. It is known to collect recently dead bodies, either from the battlefield, or to go so far as to dig up recent graves, in order to find fresh parts for “repairs”. It has metal plates riveted to its body, so it is hard for Black Shot to have full impact on it. Perhaps very precise shots or an injector would get around this? It is powerful, and even survived an encounter with the Horned One. It seems to have high confidence against human troops, and presses attacks somewhat recklessly. Except in situations where there are strong fortifications and no fresh bodies on hand. It seems to want to avoid being heavily damaged and not have resources to fix that. The vultures it travels with are the ones who do the actual surgical / alchemical procedures. We suspect it may make private use of alchemical supplies that are intended for its superiors.

  2. How can we help the Horned One ameliorate the breaking of Nyx?

Nyx Broke when her Chosen Broke. The Horned One does not understand how it is possible to Break a Chosen, but thinks the first step to repairing it is to understand what happened. The most helpful thing would be to find and capture Shadowbinder, Nyx’s avatar. Short of that, it would be helpful to have something with strong sympathetic resonance to Nyx. A piece of the moon that has fallen to the Earth, a relic tied to the goddess, etc. Alternately, observing the other Broken to see if they reveal the secret of how they became as they are. Capturing one of them to experiment on or interrogate seems dangerous but possibly fruitful. Destroying the Cinder King may also fix the problem.

Personae Dramatis

  • “Feathers” Frost Slicing Star, Rookie
    Frost Slicing Star was raised almost exclusively near the frontier, with very little civilizing input. She acts like one of the guys, a point she attempts to drive home on every occasion.Especially among the rough and ready, she is well liked and popular, recognized by her swagger, enthusiasm, and her amiability, and loves to chit chat and drink with all around her. She loves cooking, and though the taste of her food may not be the best, her presentation is excellent and she is quite skilled at the use of herbs to improve the fragrance of food. She also is known to use mild natural hallucinogens for more challenging ingredients to improve the palatability of slightly spoiled or difficult ingredients. Her Panyar mark is the feathers that seem to be hair extensions, and she earned her third name from her travels to Mount Hoggar, where she claims to have touched a star.
    Shrewd Traveler. Home Cooking. Scout 2, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Skirmish 1, Consort 2

  • Vettel Sebanich, Rookie
    Vettel’s longevity in the Legion is due to a bit of luck and a lot of determination. Before he joined the Grinning Ravens, he worked at the docks for years, so he is pretty easygoing though there is a new edge to his barking laugh since Ettenmark.
    Tough, Bold. Devil’s Own Luck. Rig 1, Skirmish 2, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Discipline 1.

  • Silver Dancing Storm, Sniper.
    She has notched multiple kills and is eager to add more to her tally. Silver Dancing Storm recognizes Feathers as a possible protege.
    Cunning, Ruthless, Expert Shot.

*Lieutenant Anirbhan, Officer
Highest ranking officer within the Legion, has led two prior missions on the road to Skydagger Keep. Cautious and focused on the objectives.
Educated, Earnest, Practical.

*Pakunas
Large predatory felines found in Aldermark. They hunt in large packs (~20) and each are individually smaller than human, but collectively quite dangerous. They are extremely aggressive in their territory, with multiple alphas per pack based on that aggressiveness. They are carrion-eaters as well. They live between the treeline between plains and forest, and are themselves prey to large predatory birds of the plains and the Reikei in the forest. They are nocturnal and often sleep in trees (and have excellent agility among trees). Loud noises can disconcert them. Their flesh is touch and strongly ureaic, but their furs have some value.

  • “Mercy” Maximilian Brecht
    Notorious within the Legion as someone not to cross, Mercy does the Legion’s dirty work.
    Cold, Cruel, Explosives Handler

Mission After Action Reports

Broken Storm

The Legion arrived at Plainsworth battered but not broken, and sought out mercenary contracts in order to restock the depleted Quartermaster stores. Due to the Legion’s poor reputation in Aldermark, the only opportunity that presented itself was an escort mission. Grisynn , a significant land owner with estates south of Plainsworth, was seeking to evacuate her goods to the east towards Westlake, and needed to make great haste due to the rapid advance of Blighter’s forces. A task force led by the Lieutenant was dispatched, along with Silver Dancing Storm and the Grinning Ravens to guide the caravan to safety.
The Legion made contact with Grisynn’s wranglers and made good time despite the racket of the assembled convoy, including the cacophony of a wagon of chickens. After settling to camp for the first night, the convoy encountered a desperate band of refugees from Karlsberg. The Lieutenant foresaw the possibility of a riot or theft by the refugees, and so dispatched “Feathers” Frost Slicing Sta to hail the refugees and bear offerings to the leader of the refugees, a priest of Gerholtz. It was the Chosen of Gerholtz that previously had been Broken and there was lingering uncertainty among the faithful of these broken gods. Feathers’ offering was well received, but was not enough to share among all of the refugees. Some of the refugees made to steal from the caravan, but Vettel apprehended them and gave them a gentle beating before seeing them on their way.
The Lieutenant surveyed the possible routes and maneuvered to a path deep into the woods in order to dissuade the refugees to follow. However, the convoy found tracks of pakunas, a large predatory feline. SIlver Dancing Storm led the Grinning Ravens in a hunt for the pakunas and found them napping. Volleys of gunfire showered down on the animals, killing most of the pakunas. A couple made it through to the Grinning Ravens and nearly eviscerated the Conte Suderia Feri, before Vettel beat the feline down. The Grinning Ravens brought the bodies of many of the pakunas to camp, and they are transported along with the rest of the convoy.
A day before arriving at Grcwynn’s rendezvous point, the convoy arrives at a shrine of Gerholtz. Most of the pakuna flesh (which is tough and redolent of urea) are left there, with only the pelts retained. The Lieutenant tries to make an offering with the pakuna flesh, but gets a severe premonition of fear and his reliquary catches on fire. Some poor quality pakuna jerky is brought back to camp for those desperate enough for meat.
The convoy arrives at its destination safely, and Grisynn repays the legion with a wagon of food and a banker’s note. Feathers would later successfully trade the pakuna pelts for a variety of foreign (by Aldermari standards) food stuffs that was well appreciated by the multinational forces of the Legion.

Amber Wolf (secondary mission)

The heavy Mercy was sent with the Shattered Lions on the critical mission to recover the Tantari banner from the dig site that Breaker had initiated prior to their discovery by the Second Eastern Army. The squad found that the dig site was in fact a cemetery and shrine dedicated to Mattias the Maker near an Aldermani village.
The local Aldermani were suspicious of the Legion and balked at the arrival Legion soldiers.The Aldermaini in the end stood down due to the intimidating stare of the corporal of the Shattered Lions, Irex “Honeybadger” Tayovna and the hardness of Mercy and the Shattered Lions, who were handpicked for calmness in the face of danger.
While most of the squad surveyed the prior excations, which defiled the far eastern part of the cemetery that held primarily foreigners, Albon Anunsin (who as the kid of the squad was assigned lookout duty) noted a strangely familiar Dar inscription on one of the family mausoleums. The phrase “Witness Bearer” is part of the Legion’s credo, and Albon, acting on a hunch, opened the casket which had the inscription. Underneath the embalmed Aldermani corpse, who the Lorekeeper later confirmed was the corporal of the Shattered Lions during the Aldermani Pretender Wars, was a tube containing the Tantari Banner.
When the squad tried to leave with the Tantari Banner, a meat puppet stationed at the village managed to tip off the coven led by Hashi Vikenni, and the squad was ambushed before it could return to the Legion camp. The beastbat ridden by the witch Kevani Mahnushin carried off Midnight Cascading Thunder, and his remains were later found a mile away, dropped from a significant height. The rest of the squad fought back, killing several meat puppet auxiliaries, with Mercy throwing a grenade that slew the witch Adikar Dewa, though not before receiving significant shrapnel damage from the close range of the blast. The squad managed to escape in the confusion, though not before the witch Hashi Vikenni laid a curse on Intendent Alidraius Orate, who tore his own eyes out and died during the retreat.
Mercy, Corporal Irex, and the rest of the Shattered Lions were praised for bringing back the revered Tantari Banner, but Admattus Torio Rosso felt only bitterness over the loss of his squad brethren. He deserted from the legion and is suspected of being recruited by the bandits of Crimson Peak.

Back At Camp

The Lieutenant approached the Horned One, asking about his concerns about a contact with the Aldermani shrine. The Horned One sniffed Lieutenant and was revulsed, flying away. All of the stress that Lieutenant had held flooded right back. The Lieutenant sought out the counsel of the Lorekeeper, and she brought up that although it is possible that it could be jealousy between the Gods, the more likely result is that the Horned One sensed the Cinder King’s taint from his interaction with the altar. The Lieutenant asked for discretion on the manner, and so the Lorekeeper sealed this account until after the siege of Skydagger Keep.

Campaign Phase

Primary mission Broken Storm is successful, food and a unit of supply were received in payment.
Secondary mission Amber Wolf is successful, with the loss of two legionnaires. Morale improved and the Tantari Banner is again in Legion hands, after its loss over a hundred years ago.

Tertiary mission Crimson peak was ignored. Result in desertion of a legionnaire (Admattus Torio Rosso of the Shattered Lions), and bandits are gaining in strength.

Time progressed, Morale 9, Time Summer 8, Pressure 1

Quartermaster procured many assets, including horses, religious supplies, corrupted alchemist Amber Bubbling Spring, expending all supply

Quartermaster dispatched Frost Slicing Star to get food. She manages to trade supplies and pakuna furs for very fine victuals which are particularly suited for all members of the Legion

Laborers complete third supply cart, begin crafting a ballista.
Alchemist complete work on Black Shot grenades.
The Legion stays in Plainsworth…

Tales of the Legion

After four legionnaires were struck from the rolls, the Lorekeeper told the story of the Legion’s Founding, and filled the ranks with the desire for the glory of yesteryear. The tales are in another post.

Mission Opportunities

Azure Pakuna - Religious - Unearth
Rewards: +2 Morale. Relic: Alicja’s Anvil - +10 Points.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

The Star Vipers take the initiative to canvas Plainsworth for rumors, legends, and information about sacred sites, burial grounds, relics of the Chosen, and so forth. Despite the general acrimony toward the Legion among the Aldermani, Reeve Emilias (the Lesser) makes some friends while watching a pair of bulls goaded into goring one another to death. (It’s certainly not the elegant sport practiced by Orite gentlefolk!) They talk about an ancient cairn in the mountains where one of the Smith god’s chosen was laid to rest.

Your mission is to survey the area to find the cairn, ascertain its true nature, and recover any parts of relics of the Chosen there interred.

Shattered Fortress - Assault - Undead
Rewards: +2 Morale. +1 Intel.
Penalties: -1 Supply. (Attacks against the Legion escalate, and more resources must be spent to keep a stable position.)
Requires: Scout (You must have a Scout for this mission, and the Scout does not count against your 2 Specialist per mission limit.)

Walkers have been making a series of strikes against concentrated positions of humans: refugees, bandit camps, and The Legion’s fortified position outside Plainsworth. They appear to be collecting the living, putting them in carts, and taking them to the Southwest. Your mission is to find where they are taking the living, figure out what is happening on site, stop whatever process they are using the living for, and destroy whatever undead are responsible.

Grasping Falcon - Religious
Rewards: 1 Religious Supplies. All Specialists on the mission mark +2 xp. Specialist: Heavy (+2 actions). 1 Mystic Favor.
Penalties: None.

Voyis Kariyevich, the Kingfisher Knight, is renowned for his skill in battle. He’s said to be cursed, and rather than inflict this on others, he retired nearby to the southern mountain range to spend his days in contemplation, tending a local holy site. If he could be swayed to join and be cleansed, his expertise in combat would surely be a huge benefit to the Legion.

Intel questions

  1. What item would be useful for Grasping Falcon?
    In addition to reliquaries for dealing with the curse on the Kingfisher Knight, Voyis has been isolated in the shrine for a long time. Fresh food is likely to be greatly appreciated.

  2. What is a weakness of the witches?
    Witches are made by having a part of Breaker put into them. If you can find and locate the part, you can break the connection. The witches are also not acting of their own volition. If you sever the connection,you may be able to free the connection temporarily.

  3. What is the provenance of the curse on the Kingfisher Knight?
    Cursed by a witch Rehika Chabarti shortly after the Great Breaking (3 years). There is almost certainly a personal connection between Voyis and the witch that cursed him-- Voyis was knighted Or, known as a great warrior, most of his repute was built on defeating pirates. The witch used to be the priestess of the ship Calypso, was a seaborne bounty hunter. It is likely that the witch can lift the curse if they choose, and also there are different rituals that can be used, would require research or finding the right contact. Also sacred places to perform the ritual. The curse first manifested in battle, he slew all of his men.

  4. Where can we find the fragments of the moon described in prior intelligence?
    The moon fragments were seen falling in the Talgon Forest. There are rumors of strange animals in the area.

Mission After Action Reports

The Kingfisher Knight-- Grasping Falcon

During the Battle of Aldermark in 843 OEF, a renowned weaponmaster by the name of Voyis Kariyevich fought under the banner of Vlaisim the Shining One, before Vlaisim was Broken and turned into the monstrous Bonerender.Voyis had been previously knighted by Or for services rendered in fighting pirates as a bounty hunter. As captain of the ship Calypso along with Rehika Charbati, priestess of Vazara, he had hunted down the infamous pirate Yellowbeard and earned the epithet the Kingfisher Knight.

When Minika Arya was Broken at the Battle of Aldermark, Rehika was corrupted and cursed Voyis with hallucinatory sight. He became unable to distinguish many men from undead abominations, and during the battle slew all of his men. Stricken with fear and guilt in the aftermath, he fled from the battle, crossing the Tigeria and, in his wandering, found a shrine to Gerholtz and served as its protector while keeping apart from other people. During this time,encounters with him varied drastically, for not every pilgrim who came to the shrine looked like an abomination to Voyis.

Silver Dancing Storm led the Grinning Ravens to the shrine in order to recruit Voyis to the Legion. She was also accompanied by the medic Zai Yaryevna and the scout Atuli Markesh. They found the shrine to Gerholtz under a tree canopy, near displays of hunting trophies and racks of javelins and bows. Voyis, in his gold and silver uniform from the Battle of Aldermark, saw the Legion delegation as undead abominations and shouted at them, “Undead scum, stay back or I will kill you!”

Zai and Frost Slicing Star (Feathers) approached the Kingfisher Knight and assured them that they were not undead. Voyis was uncertain, cognizant of his difficulty in telling friend from foe, and tried to intimidate the group down from the hill on which the shrine sat. Zai, Feathers, Vettel Sebanich, and Silver Dancing Storm were close to convincing Voyis of a parlay, when Voyis spotted the other members of the Grinning Ravens, saw them as plagued Walkers, yelled “Watch out!”, and charged the Grinning Ravens with lethal intent. Vettel interposed his body, and was slammed to the earth by the enormous Voyis.

It took the entire squad of the Grinning Ravens to wrestle him down and it was only with great fortune and the relatively emaciated state of the Kingfisher Knight that there were no casualties in the act. Zai convinced the Kingfisher Knight that the Legion knew of a way to break the curse on him and swore a Zemyati blood oath that she would not rest until she found a way to lift the curse.
Voyis joined the legionnaires in a feast, headlined by the spicy Byeka stew, a delicacy from Zemya, specially prepared by Feathers. The legion informs Voyis of the aftermath of the Battle of Karlsberg and the Breaking of Vlaisim and Minika Arya, and Voyis noted that one of Breaker’s batbeasts has been sighted regularly in the area.

Zai found reference to a dawntime ritual of sacrifice to Gerhotz and adapted it, using the curse as the offering to the hunter god. Due to the presence of the relic Farsight, the unerring relic of a long forgotten Chosen of Gerholtz, there was enough mystical quintessence to trigger the ritual and break the curse. Afterwards, Atuli used his dousing reliquary to recognize Farsight. Voyis took possession of Farsight and pledged his loyalty to the Legion.

Silver Dancing Storm then led the legion to track down the Batbeast that was surveilling Voyis and shot it through the heart. The remainder of the squad wrestled down the witch that was riding it, who was later confirmed (by Hashi Vikenni) to be Rehika Chabarti. Somehow the witch was able to plead to the Legion to slay her and end her suffering. Zai acceded and tried to perform the theorized surgery, digging into the Witch’s collarbone and extracting a piece of flesh that is said to be from Breaker herself. The witch bled out from the operation, thanking Zai with her final breath.

Azure Pakuna
Prior to the official endorsement of the mission and the involvement of Lieutenant Anirbhan, the Star Vipers had already conducted significant investigation of the source for Alicja’s Anvil. Between the charm of Reeve Emilias (the Lesser), and the investigations of sergeant Ansundin Parandi and Versta Kunyart, the Star Vipers had found the burial cairn where the anvil was likely to be. The Lieutenant had ascertained that the Anvil was a relic of the Godwar that had previously crossed paths with the Legion, and led the Star Vipers into the cairn.

The Lieutenant vaguely remembers the traps and other obstacles on the way to recovering the anvil, but it was after its recovery that disaster struck. While Crimson Rushing Flame was standing watch, the rest of the Star Vipers experimented with the anvil, attracting the attention of wraiths. The Lieutenant, who had been deciphering some glyphs away from the Star Vipers, recognized the danger and tried to warn them before Reeve Emilias the Lesser, Ansundin Parandi, and Versta Kunyart were electrocuted by wraiths. The Lieutenant and Crimson Rushing Flame fled and barely escaped, with the Lieutenant absorbing a near lethal curse.

It was later discovered that the coven led by Hashi Vikenni had discovered the Star Viper’s activity through Meat Puppet spies. When the Star Vipers experimented with the Anvil, their strikes caused sparks which the wraiths that accompanied the coven were able to channel and allowed them to project into the cairn and kill the three Star Vipers. The coven then pursued the two survivors, with Hashi nearly killing the Lieutenant with a withering curse.

Back to Camp

Crimson Rushing Flame, the lone survivor of the Star Vipers, despairs, and is comforted by Kyvat.

Gained Voyis Kareyvich, a Heavy who is a renowned weaponmaster, a minor relic, Farslayer, that can be turned into religious supplies, and
Lost 3 morale (2 from penalties, 1 from death, 2 morale loss averted through use of the Tantari Banner), ending at morale 6

Campaign Phase

Pressure 2, TIme advances to 9
Campaign Actions
Liberty is declared, morale to 8.
Laborers complete Siege Weapon, begins work on another siege weapon
Alchemists prepare more Foxsnuff
Promotions: Feathers to Soldier.

Mission Briefings

Amber Storm - Supply - Mercenary Work.
Rewards: +3 Supply.
Penalties: -1 Morale

Plainsworth has begun to suffer acts of sabotage. Several homes and a tavern have been burnt down in the night. (Thankfully the town is made of stone from the nearby hills, so it did not spread.) A well has been contaminated. The command staff suspects that Meat Puppets are infiltrating the city imitating refugees, and/or witches are entering by subterfuge, magical domination, or flight. The local authorities are offering a large reward if the Legion can locate and destroy whatever adversaries are within the city, and demonstrate proof that they have done so.

Chosen Tiger - Supply - Mercenary Work.
Rewards: +3 Supply.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

The bandits in the woods to the northeast have increased in number. Word is that it is very hard to make it to Sunstrider Camp without paying “tolls” at best, or being violently set upon at worst. The city of Plainsworth is offering a large bounty to any force that can clear the woods of the bandits. They don’t care how it is done, treachery, diplomacy, force, and any other means you can come by, so long as the city and those trying to trade with it or leave it are no longer beset by the living.

Shattered Arrow - Assault
Rewards: +2 Morale. 5 Rookie recruits. +1 Intel.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

A stitched that the troops have taken to calling “Red Hook” for the large, bloody hook it uses to catch and drag men around has been doing nighttime raids on local settlements, capturing people, and keeping them in cages. A nearby village that Plainsworth used to regularly trade with is currently being used to hold these captives before they are taken for undead conversion. A rapid raid would reunite local friends and families, likely net volunteers for the Legion, and provide insight into what the Broken were planning for them.

Intel questions

  1. What is the highest threat among the missions?
    The highest threat on these missions:
    Amber Storm & Chosen Tiger - 2
    Shattered Arrow - 3

  2. We want to try to see if we can capture and free a witch. In order to lure them to us, what instincts and cravings of Witches can we take advantage of?
    Witches tend to “play with their food”. They want to make people mistrust their reality, lose hope, and lose control; ideally; before the coup de grace. This is both a tactic for weakening a target before attacking it, but also pathology. Giving them pristine targets to sully may be compelling, and certainly they can take longer to deal with a target because of their proclivity than other more direct and brutal forces.

  3. What’s the main weakness of the undead’s position on Shattered Arrow?
    The main weakness of the undead’s position in Shattered Arrow is that their camp is set up to a) contain those who have been captured and b) facilitate throughput of captives to processing centers. This is to say that a lot more defenses/personnel look inward than outward, and a large proportion of their personnel are involved in acquisition and transfer of captives rather than guarding or defending their position.

Intel 3: What equipment, allies, and other goods would be useful in the defense of Skydagger Keep?
Useful at Skydagger:

  • Laborers
  • Siege Weapons
  • Squads
  • Specialists
  • Chosen
  • Mercy
  • Alchemist
  • Artifacts & Relics (assorted)
  • Time
  • Supplies
  • Annals

Bonus: The Horned One reports that witches have identified a number of locations that they are sending Breaker’s minions to. They are performing rituals on small villages. Lorekeeper cross-references these locations, and they correlate to locations of religious significance.

Personae Dramatis

  • Voyis Kareyvich, the Kingfisher Knight
    A renowned weaponmaster, Voyis had been knighted by the Royal Orite Navy for his actions as a privateer and bounty hunter, particularly his capture of Yellowbeard. He was part of the First Eastern Army, and was cursed by his friend and former shipmate, the Bartan priestess Rehika Chabarti. He had stood vigil at a shrine of Gerholtz. After the Legion lifted his curse, Voyis swore the legion’s oath and joined as a heavy. He carries Farslayer, a relic bow found at his shrine, which aids hunters in stalking their prey.
    Tough, Loyal. Weaponmaster, Anchor 1, Rig 2, Wreck 1, Skirmish 3, Maneuver 1, Discipline 1, Sway 1

  • “Feathers” Frost Slicing Star, Grinning Ravens
    Recently promoted to Soldier as a trained Cavalrywoman.
    Friendly, Clever, Energetic.

  • Vettel Sebanich, Rookie
    Recently promoted to Soldier, ready to go over the top.
    Tough, Protective, Bold.

  • Silver Dancing Storm, Sniper.
    Recently had One Eye surgery, performed by Zai, Contessa Garossi, and Amber Bubbling Bubbling and eager to try out the newly crafted ballista.
    Cunning, Ruthless, Expert Shot.

  • Atuli Markesh
    Ready for anything, he instructed the Ember Wolves in the art of guerrilla fighting
    Infiltrator, carefree, religious

  • Red Hook
    A particularly large Stitched, Red Hook had one of its limbs destroyed and replaced by a steam powered grappling hook. They have been seen using the grappling hook to climb up walls or capture enemies.

  • Dame Arora Sanici, Alchemist
    An alchemist who was convinced to join the legion, but with the condition that the legion first fund her research into the recovery of memories from the deceased, a project that the Quartermaster has labeled in his records as the “stupid project”.

  • Kalikya Chbarti, Mercy
    Kalikya had been part of Shreya’s command squad and was one of the many individuals who got separated when the Second Eastern Army was shattered. She tried and failed to rendezvous with Shreya in Plainsworth, and had arrived only after Shreya had already gone north along the Long Road. In resignation, she had been healing wounded veterans who had made their way to Plainsworth. Feathers’ talk with Kalikya helped the mercy regain a sense of purpose, and she joined the Legion with hopes of meeting up with Shreya’s contingent.

Mission Summary

Shattered Arrow
With the end of summer approaching, the undead forces were increasingly brazen in the depredations around the town of Plainsworth. Blighter began a series of raids capturing whole villages just a few days ride south of Plainsworth. Commander Squirrel received intel that the villagers were being funneled and processed in the village of Wodz, guarded by the infamous stitched Red Hook. A task force was sent with the goal of determining the purpose of the detention facility at Wodz, freeing the Aldermani captured there, and sabotaging the camp so that it can no longer be used by the enemy. Feathers, along with the rest of the Grinning Ravens, was sent along with the Kingfisher Knight and the sniper Silver Dancing Storm.
The legionnaires arrived at the village of Trakai on the way to Wodz, where Silver Dancing Storm, with her alchemical One Eye, detected traces of undead corruption. The squad discovered a nest of vultures operating out of a barn in the town. The vultures are flushed out and eliminated, and a map is discovered in the vultures’ possession showing the local towns along with sortie paths and population counts, with several known destroyed villages crossed out on the map.
One of Blighter’s dominator squads was intercepted at the nearby village of Druskininkai. From an ambush position centered around a barn in the town, the enemy force of a stitched, two squads of walkers and two crows were engaged with ballista and blackshot fire. The Kingfisher Knight slew the crows with the bow relic Farsight, while the stitched fell to fire from the ballista and a close quarters engagement by the Grinning Ravens led by the charge of Vettel Sebanich.
The detention center at Wodz was fortified against escape, not from attack, as by this point the regional militias defending Plainsworth were no longer capable of force projection. However, initial scouting by Feathers and Silver Dancing Storm sighted Red Hook and a score of undead, so an unusual approach was taken to get within engagement range without alerting the enemy.
Sebanich and the Kingfisher Knight rigged the slain stitched into a macabre marionette, nailed to a cart attached to a sail boom and enveloped with a holocaust cloak. Even the arms could be manipulated through a counter weight system. The contraption, christened Burny, served as the Legion’s Tarjan Horse to the camp. Burny allowed the legionnaires to approach within ballista range of Red Hook, allowing the squadron to land a shot into its shoulder.
The undead charged, but were scattered when Sebanich pushed a burning Burny into the undead formation. He was nearly gutted by Red Hook, but Silver Dancing Storm managed a killing shot through Red Hook’s torso. The Kingfisher Knight singlehandedly laid waste to over a dozen undead in a masterclass of weapon mastery that had pushed forward of the stitched bonfire, and the remaining undead fell to concentrated blackshot. The Kingfisher Knight appropriated the eponymous red hook as a trophy of the conquest.
It was discovered that Wodz was an alchemical research laboratory for Blighter, developing Blighters which were encountered in the months to come. Blighter’s reasearch notes and maps of her force’s movements in the areas surrounding Plainsworth led to the Legion’s evacuation from the area shortly after mission end. In all, 231 Aldermani prisoners were freed, and several would later join the Legion.

Chosen Tiger
Atuli and the Ember Wolves launched a series of guerrilla attacks on bandits, slaying many bandits. The bandits in the direction of a retreat from Plainsworth became disorganized, allowing for the legion as well as many refugees to flee to the northeast.

Amber Storm
A retired Bartan soldier had run an inn in Plainsworth. That tavern was destroyed by saboteurs. Commander Squirrel is not optimistic about Plainsworth’s chances for survival.

Back at camp
A Plainsworth refugee found at Shattered Arrow tells of unsubstantiated rumors of Broken troops and experiments. Claims to have spotted what we know as Batbeasts, Belchers, and various other unknown monstrosities, such as animal chimeras and dog-like amalgams. Aquidith Marcade Vilado expresses doubts about the veracity of these claims, but the Commander insists on hearing out the refugee. Later, the Marshal had words with Aquidith Marcade Vilado.

Mission rewards: 5 Rookies, +1 Morale, +1 Int, 3 Supply

Campaign Actions
Alchemist recruited by Contessa Severina, requests “stupid” project before working on new projects.
Mercy Kalyika Chabarti recruited by Feathers
Rest and Recuperation
Officer Training, two rookies to soldiers. (Bottas Davintar, Irex Tayovna)

Workers start of Memorial Train (6 clock)
Alchemists start on stupid project, progress is slow.

TIme advances to 10, pressure to 3.
Commander orders advance to Sunstrider Camp. Pressure = 3 - 2 (Horses), time roll is 4, for end time 12.

Promotions: Feathers to Scout, Irex to Soldier, Bottas to Soldier

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Mission Briefings

Amber Peak - Assault
Rewards: +2 Morale. If Falka is killed, gain: +2 Supply. 1 Horses (3 uses). If Falka is allied with, gain: -1 Time. Pressure does not increase.
Penalties: None.

Falka — a self-styled bandit queen — has a camp up in the western mountains. From there, she has access to both the western and eastern roads and preys on many. If she could be reasoned with, the bandits could be an asset against the undead. Dead, her raids on refugees would end, and it would free up Tsaga’s soldiers from bandit duty.

Shattered Tiger - Assault
Rewards: +2 Morale. +1 Intel.
Penalties: +1 Pressure.

As the Legion comes to the Sunstrider Camp, they hear stories of an enormous batbeast. They say it is large enough to pluck a Firemane from the earth, carry it into the sky, and drop it with precision on a target below. In hushed tones they say that on otherwise clear nights a storm will roll in unexpectedly and there it is, large and silver, riding the clouds and dancing amidst the lightning. It has been leading sorties against the pastures and stables the Firemanes are kept in. It inflicts damage until the resistance is finally assembled, and then retreats amidst the rain and darkness. Your mission is to devise and organize defenses against this batbeast. Deal grevious harm to the great batbeast to drive it away; kill it if you can. Collect the body of at least one batbeast so that the Horned One and Silver can examine it up close, and we can perform an autopsy on it.

Broken Wing - Assault
Rewards: +4 Morale.
Penalties: -1 Supply.

The undead are coming east over the mountains, and will soon be in and take control of Three Day Pass. This is the most direct West-East route from Karlsburg over the mountains to Westlake. Their advanced elements may even overtake the last of the refugees and mercantile groups fleeing, and make it much harder for the Quatermaster to meet the Legion’s needs. Get to Three Day Pass before the undead have it under their control, and render it as difficult to use as possible.

Intel questions

Intel 3: Based on the Annals and other histories of the Godswar, is
there a relic from that age, crafted to fight other Gods, that we can
acquire and use against the Broken?

There is a spear in the Duresh Forest that was crafted to kill Chosen of the gods. It is pinning the shadow of the Cacophany.

Intel 2: What customs and traditions, especially initiation rites or
leadership challenges, of the horse nomads of Sunstrider Camp, that we
can use to prove ourselves or show dominance to Falka and her bandits?

Answer: The plains nomad value horsemanship and bow accuracy.

Intel 1: What are the weaknesses of Blighter’s Belchers?
They are highly flammable.

Intel 0: What (one thing) would be useful to bring to Amber Peak?
They have plenty of goods, but lack luxury items.

Personae Dramatis

  • Voyis Kareyvich, the Kingfisher Knight
    Carries the hook, from Red Hook, as a Trophy.
    Renowned, Loyal. Weaponmaster

  • Irex “Honeybadger” Tayovna, Zemyati Soldier, Corporal of the Shattered Lions
    The only survivor of the Shattered Lions at the time of the battle of Ettenmark Fields, Irex is an unpleasantly uncompromising and iron willed taskmaster. She is very vocal about the superiority of the Shattered Lions among the Legion’s squads, and has a rivalry with Conte Fieri of the Grinning Ravens. Not well liked among the Legion, though few would challenge her crazy-eyed stare.
    Loyal, Stubborn. Devil’s Own Luck, Iron Willed, Channels 1, Skirmish 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Sway 2, Intimidate 2

  • Albon Anunsin, Rookie
    The prodigy son of a professor, Albon’s curiosity of the western front led him to sign up with the Legion just before Ettenmark Fields. He lied about his age and is the youngest Legionnaire, but is already considered one of the most learned and ingenious among them.
    Warm, Educated. Just a Kid, Research 2, Rig 2, Skirmish 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 2, Discipline 1

  • Zai Yaryevna, Medic
    Helped patch up the Lieutenant and Mercy just before leaving Plainsworth.
    Loyal, Surgeon, Tough

  • Atuli Markesh, Scout
    Infiltrator, carefree, religious

Mission AAR

Amber Peak

Horse Lady Tsaga asked the Legion to eliminate a threat to her, Falka. A former rider from one of the lesser clans, Falka was charismatic and even a match in horsemanship and skill to Tsaga, but was not originally of the horse tribes, having been captured along with her mother from her village outside of Plainsworth. Falka, after being refused the leadership of her clan, fled to the western mountains and took up banditry, amassing quite a following, preying on the eastern and western roads, and proving a thorn in Tsaga’s side. Commander Squirrel and the Legion took upon themselves the role of intermediary, to convince the two sides to work together against the common undead threat. While the Commander, along with the Lieutenant went to hold court with Horse Lady Tsaga, the Shattered Lions, led by Corporal Irex “Honeybadger” Tayovna, were sent along with Voyis Kariyevich, the Kingfisher Knight, and the scout Atuli Markesh to get an audience with the self-styled Bandit Queen Falka.

The detachment rode into the mountains along a road known to be favored by the Bandit Queen’s riders. During the night, a score of the bandits tried to surprise the camped Legionnaires, but Atuli, ever ready for anything, had set up the camp to provide good sightlines for sentries. Albon Anunsin, the other member of the Shattered Lions to have survived Ettenmark Fields, was able to rouse the camp so all are at the ready when the riders tried to surprise the camp. Corporal Tayovna and the Shattered Lions faced the bandits, led by a rider named Rustem. Rustem and Tayovna announce their respective group titles,and Tayovna announced that even the renowned Kingfisher Knight is under the legion banner and is her subordinate. Despite some insults that Rustem made about the Legion and Voyis, he warily avoided confrontation and accepted Tayovna’s request to escort the Legionnaires to Bandit Queen Falka for parley. The two bands eyed each other warily without fraternization and made it to the Bandit Queen camp without incident.

Falka received the legion at her tent, with the looted splendor of her band’s efforts. The bandit queen was remarkably fit despite being in middle years, and a townsfolk factotum announces the legionnaires, Irex, Albon, the Kingfisher Knight, and Atuli to the feast table.The Legion representatives and Falka shared tidings and discuss mutual recognition, including from Horse Lady Tsaga, in preparation for mutual defense from the undead. They shared stories of valorous actions against the undead, with both sides telling stories of how they dispatched particularly renowned Stitched. Albon, Voyis’ most strident fan, retold the story of how Voyis led the team that slew the infamous Red Hook.
Atuli, always spiritually curious, asked about Gerholtz.The legion and Falka’s senior advisers then had a learned discussion about Gerholtz, with Voyis telling of his years at Gerholtz’ shrine and Albon surprisingly providing much insight. Falka then told stories of how the Firemanes became the favored steed of the Chosen of Gerholtz and how no Firemane has ever rejected Falka. She then asked Rustem his assessment of the Legion. Rustem, out of pride, the Legion and says that they are not worthy, and Falka asked the Legion to respond. Voyis took up the mantle of Rustem’s challenge, and when Rustem proposed an atheletic contest of horse riding and archery, Irex managed to goad the bandit with an insult about his cowardice in refusing to meet the Kingfisher Knight by arms, that Rustem accepted a mounted duel with their horses as stakes.

Rustem, spiritually supported by a shaman of Gerholtz, charged recklessly at Voyis. Voyis managed to leap from his horse onto Rustem’s firemane and, as the two wrestled for control of the horse, the Firemane threw Rustem to the ground and accepted Voyis as his new master. When Voyis went to help Rustem up, Rustem tried to knife him with a hidden weapon, but Voyis fluidly threw Rustem back to the ground. Rustem then left the camp in shame, and was not seen again.

Falka would later reconcile with Horse Lady Tsaga and would prove vital to the horse tribe’s defense of the plains to the north and west of Sunstrider Camp. Although Sunstrider Camp itself would end up abandoned, the people of the area were mostly spared the fate of Plainsworth, surviving the war.
(Mechanical note-- the session ended with two critical successes, one by Irex to goad Rustem into a more favorable contest and to up the stakes of that contest, and one by Voyis to win the contest with extra style points).

Shattered Tiger

Zai Yaryevna led the Ember Wolves to the Firemane stables. Corporal Bottas Davintar, a master strategist, set up the ballista into an ambush position for when the beastbats arrive. Storm Roc and a small flock of beastbats. The first shot killed a beastbat outright, but Strom Roc moved with unnatural celerity, slashing Valteri Natovichna to death, wounding Zai, and grabbing Gray Striking Flint. Zai and the ZBlackshot spent, Ballista deployed, Zai and the Aquidith turn the ballista around and gravely wound Strom Roc, driving it away. The remaining beastbats go feral and are eventually driven from the field by teh remaining Ember Wolves. The first slain beastbat was carried back to camp and carefully vivisected.

Broken Wing

The Horned One reports that the Breaker can now control the weather and trees at will.

Back at Camp

Crimson Rushing Flame, squad leader of the Star Vipers, approaches Marshall Trupattellen and demands replacements to his squad, which are down to just him and the new recruit Belgarin Deinyer. He observes that not only have the Ember Wolves had their losses replaced, but the Grinning Ravens have been prioritized with two rookies replacing recently promoted specialists. The Marshall diplomatically tells Crimson Rushing Flame that the recent recruits were mainly Aldermani recently freed from Wodz and did not have the breadth of experience suitable for the more mystically minded Star Vipers. The Marshall neglected to mention the directive from Commander Squirrel to try to get as many squads back to fighting strength, nor the favor that the Grinning Ravens had accrued due to their recent successes and the silver tongue of the Conte.

Mission Penalties and Rewards:

Morale 7 = 9 - 2 (Shattered Tiger deaths)
Lose last supply (Broken Wing failed)
Morale 7 + 4 = 10 (Morale gain from both Amber Peak and Shattered Tiger)
+2 Intel (1 from Shattered Tiger, 1 from Horned One)
Time 11 = 12 - 1 (Amber Peak)

Time Passes
Time advances, 12 = 11 + 1
Pressure does not advance (Amber Peak)
Tale of the Legion told of the Legion’s independence (3 ticks to Long Term Project, Panyar Allies)

Campaign Actions
Acquire Assets: Horse (poor quality, only two ticks).
Rest and Recuperation. Anibhan clears lvl 3 harm, Mercy clears lvl 2 harm.
Reverie advances, 2 steps, 2 corruption.
War memorial completes, max morale is now 12.

Legion advances to Duresh Forest, Time 14 = 12 + 2 (0 pressure)

Campaign note-- intelligence throughout the campaign was high, with the Horned Ones Shapeshifter ability being key towards keeping intelligence high. Thus, one was spent by the commander to get a special mission starting from the previous (third) Plainsworth mission and on to the end of the campaign).

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Mission Briefings

Grasping Gale - Assault
Long ago Mattiar the Smith crafted a mystical spear for his brother Gerholtz the Hunter. Gerholtz wielded the spear made by his brother to spare humanity from a dangerous monster. The Cacophony - a famous beast from the forest, inscribed on the seal of Aldermark — is pinned by this powerful artifact to keep it from rampaging. The Legion could use a weapon such as this—provided they can slay the beast.
Rewards: +2 Morale, +1 Mystic favor. Relic: Sticking Spear (if anyone or their shadow is impaled by this spear, they are rooted in place).
Penalties: None.

Russet Hillock - Religious
Rewards: +1 Intel. +2 Morale. +1 Mystic Favor.
Penalties: -1 Morale.
Emerald Dancing Moonlight, Chosen of the Horned One tells Commander Squirrel that the fall equinox is soon. The full moon closest to the equinox is a holy date, in which it is tradition to make offerings to the Moon, perform sacred dances, and drink fermented beverages. There is a temple to the Moon hidden in the forest, where it is said that a sacred pool will reveal truths about the coming year if the religious rites are performed correctly. (Emerald Dancing Moonlight is/was a priestess of the Moon, and can explain how to find it to a Panyar.) Your mission is to locate a high priest of the Moon, escort them and other adherents to the temple, see that the holy rites are performed, and learn what you can from the divining pool.

Sunrise Tornado - Recon
An early season crop of apples and pears has been harvested in the Duresh. Your agents in the area report that the local Panyar and Aldermani have had to abandon many barrels of apples with the arrival of the undead on the periphery of the wood. Your mission is to ascertain the undead forces that are entering the forst, and recover the foodstuffs for the Legion.
Type: Infiltration.
Rewards: +1 Box Food. +1 Intel.
Penalties: None.

Persona Dramatis

  • Voyis Kariyevich, Heavy

    • Voyis now rides a Firemane won through a contest and carries the Red Hook, which he claimed as a trophy after he and the Grinning Ravens slew the infamous Stitched. Has great camaraderie with the Grinning Ravens.
    • Loyal, weaponmaster, tough
  • Silver Dancing Storm, Sniper

    • She looks to add more notches to her rifle, volunteering for the mission.
    • Focused, ruthless, elite shoot
  • Vettel Sebanich, Soldier

    • Recently promoted to Soldier, and always at the forefront
    • Over the top, protective, bulky
  • “Goblin” Golden Leaping Shadow, Rookie

    • Golden Leaping Shadow was an apprenticed tanner, and was fascinated with the taxidermy and anatomy of all animals, especially humans. He has a morbid fascination with necromantic tales and joined the legion in order to learn more about the minions of the Broken. His Panyar mark are manifest in his dilated eyes, his hunchback, and the owl-like ability to rotate his head 270 degrees. His disfigured look and his unnatural interests and affect have resulted in his nickname Goblin.
    • Traveller Artisan Panyar. Jack of All Trades, 2 Research, 1 Scout, 2 Rig, 1 Skirmish, 1 Maneuver, 1 Shoot, 1 Consort
  • Zai Yaryevna, Medic

    • Still wounded from leading the Shattered Tiger, she was still chosen for Russet Hillock to serve as a liaison to the Nyx priest Sapphire Dancing Grove
    • Tough, stern, healer
  • “Feathers” Frost Slicing Star, Scout

    • Newly promoted to specialist, sent to help support Zai and to provide scouting support to arrive at the Nyx temple.
    • Strategist, amiable, home cook

Intel Questions

  • Intel 3: What special opportunities are available in the Talgon Forest?
    Answer:Talgon forest missions: In addition to the known special mission to investigate a fragment of the moon, there are two additional opportunities: to retrieve a cutting from the Heartwood Tree, and to participate in a Horned One ritual hunt of the white stag.

  • Intel 2: What is a weakness of Cacophony?
    Answer: The sticking spear was too weak to pierce the Cacophony, so it was used to trap the Cacophony’s shadow instead. However, given the long time that the spear has pierced its shadow, it now has a weakness at the the particular point in its body corresponding to its shadow wound.

  • Intel 1: What is a craving of Batbeasts?
    Answer: When in the presence of witches, they prioritize serving them. When on their own, they are very aggressive. If they see any person or animal alive, they will go for it (unless ledby the Infamous Storm Roc).

  • Intel 0: What are useful items to bring?
    Answer: The Huntsman’s Bowt, fire, mirrors.

Mission After Action Reports

The Cacophony

In an age before the Old Empire, twin Chosen of the Aldermark Gods worked together to trap the Cacophony, the monstrous beast that is on the Aldermark royal crest. Legend has it that they pinned the beast with the Sticking Spear, crafted by the Chosen of Mattiar specifically for the purpose and said to be able to pin in place anyone whose shadow is pierced by the spear. Records from the annals told of a cursed region of the Duresh forest in which the sounds of thunder crashed continuously that match the famed legends of the Stocking Spear. A mission team led by Voyis Kariyevich, including Silver Dancing Storm and the Grinning Ravens, were sent to investigate the rumors and acquire the Sticking Spear. The ballista was assigned to the squad, limbered on a hand cart for quick movement through the terrain.

The squad entered the cursed forest area and felt the vibrations of the ground shaking. The Grinning Ravens used their trademark laugh as a chant to keep rank and morale, but witches riding beastbats started animating the forest to pursue the detachment. Silver Dancing Storm ordered the detachment to march in double time to avoid pursuit.

They discovered a cave containing the Cacophony, a constantly vibrating beast with sixteen heads and the bulk of a house. An everglowing monolith reflected light into a hole, projecting the Cacophony’s shadow deep into the cave. The StickingSpear is stuck in the shadow, keeping the Cacophony starved for centuries. Its myriad heads desperately snapped at the legionnaires, but the relic kept it pinned in place.

Voyis and the Grinning Ravens crafted a multiple headed fishing line, with the main oversized fishing hook taken from the Infamous Red Hook. Using the contraption, the squad dangled much of the entire squad’s rations to distract the monster while Silver Dancing Storm and Kerishma Derari gotinto position on the far side of the cave with the ballista.

Centuries of being pinned with the Sticking Spear created a sympathetic weakness in the Cacophony’s hide, and Silver Dancing Storm, with the hunter’s instincts of the Huntsman’s Bow, shot straight and true, piercing the Cacophony in its weak point to slay it. It is said that this is how the Legion fulfilled the ancient prophecy of Gerholtz begun centuries before with the crafting of the Sticking Spear. The detachment returned with the Spear, the Horn of the Cacophony, and with the Eye of Mattiar that was instrumental in providing the light for the Cacophony’s near eternal shadow.

Days later, Emerald Dancing Moonlight, Chosen of the Horned One, returned to the cave and brought back a hunk of the Cacophony’s flesh. They prepared a grand feast, granting the thews of the Horned One to the soldiers of the Legion.

The Scrying Pool

Emerald Dancing Moonlight, before she had demanded to become the Chosen of the Horned One, had been a priestess of Nyx, and knew of Turquoise Gazing Temple, a Nyx holy site deep in the Duresh forests. She asked Frost Slicing Star and the legion to find and escort an uncorrupted priestess of the Moon to the temple to perform the Full Moon Equinox ritual, which is said to reveal the truths about the coming year.

Newly promoted scout Frost Slicing Star (Feathers) and Zai Yaryevna led the Ghost Owls on the mission. Feathers went to Brno, the largest Panyar village within the Duresh forest, and consorted with the local Nyx followers. She convinced Sapphire Dancing Grove and his acolytes to reclaim the Nyx temple and perform the ritual.

Feathers scouted a safe path to the temple, and found it abandoned. The trees around the temple had been lightning blasted, with many charred bodies in the surroundings. Feathers and Zai led the Ghost Owls in an ambush of a Witch who was guarding the temple and wounded her, driving her and her batbeast off.

The detachment cleared away the damage to the temple with the help of Sapphire Dancing Grove’s devotees. The temple is open to the sky and moon, and was lit in the warm glow of tall standing lanterns. A traditional Panyar feast of harvest moon squash soup was prepared by Feathers, topped off with mooncakes. Then they performed the ritual over the sacred pool, and after its completion saw many visions within the pool.

They saw Plainsworth prostrate with a supernatural plague, and taken without a fight. They saw the horse lords of Sunstrider Camp performing hit and run actions against the undead They saw images of a 12 pointed flaming crown floating in darkiness. They saw an immaculately decorated sarcophagus, with the arms of the statue holding a chain crackling with energy. They saw moonlit figures gathered around a giant rock, dancing and singing. They saw a massive fortress being beseiged by Blighter’s forces. And they saw dozens of Black Oak Knights on the western edge of the Panyar woods, leading a massive figure. That figure, presumed to be the Cinder King, raised his hands and set off a massive conflagration in the woods. Then the Cinder King peered straight at the legionnaires, and sent an enormous blast of fire at the scrying room. The water of the scrying pool instantly boiled, scalding many of the participants. Saniz Karlovich and Blue Streaming Laurel perished, and Zai and Feathers were badly burned. It was only due to the perseverance of Zai that Sapphire Dancing Grove and most of the delegation survived the mystical attack.

Back to camp

The Horned One brings a hunk of the Cacophony and roasts it. All sorts of forest animals brought vegetables. The Legion eats of the bounty, and everyone gains the Thews of the Chosen One.

The legates of the Legion were given orders at the beginning of the rout at Ettenmark Fields, were given orders to travel across Eastern Aldermark to deliver and gather news and to rendezvous with the Legion once at the Duresh Forest and finally at Skydagger Keep. News from the returning legates have arrived.

Plainsworth had fallen to Blighter’s plague, and the city was purged of human life without a fight. It is believed that there is nothing more to be done for Plainsworth or its environs.

The truce between Horse Lady Tsaga and Falka holds. With the help of Shreya’s remnant forces in the Barrak Mine, the horsefolk have been able to keep the undead at bay, pressed only by minor detachments of Blighter’s and Breaker’s forces (the majority of which have been diverted into the forest and into the roads to the south. The Commander has sent a message to Shreya to rendevous at Skydagger Keep, though it is our current expectation, based on the prior messages that she has sent, that she intends to winter in the Barrak Mine and hold the Gallows Pass.

Blighter’s forces are making good time pressing east into the lands south of the forest and north of the twin cities of Westlake and Eastlake. The Aldermani of those cities have withdrawn into their walls, and so Blighter is facing very sparse resistance. Fort Calisco has signaled that they are preparing for a protracted siege. The Commander has sent a message to Fort Calisco to expect our arrival.

To the south of Westlake and Eastlake, the Royal Orite fleet has been burned from a mystical conflagration outside of Portsmouth. It is believed that the Cinder King is being escorted by Render towards the Eastern Kingdoms, though it is not known at this time by the remnants of the fleet as to where the Cinder King is expected to strike. The Commander has sent a message to the Panyar Forest to expect that the Cinder King is likely to arrive.

Mission Penalties and Rewards

Morale 8 = 10 - 2 (Ghost Owl deaths)
Morale 8 + 4 = 12 (Morale gain from missions)
+1 Intel (1 from Shattered Tiger, 1 from Horned One)
2 Mystic Favor
Promotion: Vettel to Specialist (Heavy)

Time advances, 15 = 14 + 1
Pressure advances to 1

Campaign Actions
Long Term Project: Dog allies complete
Rest and Recuperation. Zai clears lvl 2 harm, Mercy clears lvl 1 harm
Alchemy: Finish delirium, using Cacophony horn, create a new batch of Fox snuff.
Surgical ICU Wagon gets three ticks

Legion advances to Talgon Forest, Time 16 = 15 + 1 (1- 1 (horse)pressure))

Mission Briefings

Calico Protrustion
The Horned One has warned Commander Squirrel that in the southwest of the forest is a sacred lake. She can feel something is profundly wrong there, and must be set to rights.
Rewards: -1 Time. + 2 xp.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

Dappled Swordfish
When the moon was shattered, several pieces of the Goddess Nyx fell from heaven. A large piece can be found in the forest, only a day or so out. According to preliminary reports, there are ethereal, silver, and strange creatures, only vaguely humanoid, guarding the site where the stone crashed.
Rewards: Relic: Lunar Crown (said to purify and reveal the unseen). 1 Mystic favor.
Penalties: Nyx worshippers desert the Legion to continue seeking the relic (two deaths).

Saturated Ambrosia
The Panyar elder, Amethyst Swirling Eternity, has been gravely injured in the defense of the Panyar from the undead. She is being tended by one of the priests of Ariska. Go to the village she is recovering in, and persuade her to come to the Legion and teach the Horned One sacred mysteries she does not yet know. You will need to escort her safely if she agrees to come.
Rewards: 1 Mercy. 1 Mystic Favor.
Penalties: None.

Persona Dramatis

  • Emerald Swinging Vine, Rookie
    • The corporal of the Silver Stags, Emerald Swinging Vine is a protege of the Lieutenant. At first it seems she has twining green lines tattooed up and down her left side, but upon closer inspection it appears those are her veins, green as fresh ivy. Considered the most strongly marked of the Legion Panyar, she was the first to befriend the Panyar canine allies. She secretly feels guilty that she has not fully committed to botanical living as a Panyar (i.e. vegetarian, still enjoys being sentient). She likes to rub wood pieces like worry stones.
    • Shrewd Marked Panyar, Jack of All Trades, Scout 1, Rig 1, Shoot 1, Skirmish 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Sway 2, Discipline 1
  • Atuli Markesh, Scout
    • Atuli has taken the lead as trailblazer and shows little fear even of the Talgon Forest. He has shown a great deal of curiosity about the faiths of both the Aldermani and the Panyar, and has tried, awkwardly, to talk to the Horned One, while getting friendly tips from Feathers.
    • Open to religious experiences, infiltrator, ready for anything
  • Zai Yaryevna, Medic
    • After her failure to save the witch near Plainsworth, Zai has become focused on understanding the link between Breaker and her minions and has spent time with the Lieutenant peering through the Commander’s reports and through the annals.
    • Broadly educated, field dressing, surgeon
  • Mercy, Heavy
    • Finally healed from his wounds from recovering the Tantari Banner, Mercy is itching for some action.
    • Cold, War Machine, Brutal
  • Lieutenant Anirbhan, Officer
    • Newly recovered from his wounds from Azure Pakuna, Anirban is eager to take command in the field again.
    • Tactician, exceptionally educated, tolerant
  • “Feathers” Frost Slicing Star, Scout
    • Though still suffering from burns from Russet Hillock, Feathers believes she saw a vision of herself at a profanely polluted lake, and convinces the Commander that she should accompany the Lieutenant on Calico Protrusion.
    • Strategist, caring, home cook

Intel questions:strong text

  • Lvl 3
    • What is the meaning of the sarcophagus with the sparking chain from the ritual at Turquoise Gazing Temple?
    • Answer: A pre-imperial Chosen is interred in the maw with a chain that shoots lightning.
  • Lvl 2:
    • What is the weakness of the infamous know as Storm Roc?
    • Answer: Batbeasts are corruptions of sacred birds of Varaza. Storm Roc was one of the oldest and well known of the sacred birds. There is the possibility of connecting to its past identity as a sacred Bartan animal of health and wisdom.
  • Lvl 1:
    • What are items useful for the mission to the meteorite?
    • Answer: Book and scrolls, gift, navigation equipment
  • Lvl 0:
    • What are two approaches to the mission to the meteorite?
    • Answer: One approach is through force of arms, another through a ritual connection to the meteorite guardians.

Mission After Action Report

Dappled Swordfish

When Nyx broke and the moon shattered, several pieces of the goddess fell from the heavens. The legion had an interest in helping the Horned One figure out and hopefully fight against the corruption of Nyx, and so traced reports of sightings of these moon fragment crash sites. A large piece was sighted in the Talgon Forest close to Harug. According to reports of Panyar locals, there were strange silver ethereal creatures, only vaguely humanoid, guarding the site where the stone crashed. A task force led by Emerald Swinging Vine, corporal of the Silver Stags was assigned the heavy Mercy, the scout Atuli Markesh, and the medic Zai Yaryevna to go investigate and if possible bring back pieces of Nyx.

Atuli brought Spike, a recently trained Panyar canine ally, who helped the squad navigate the treeline above the forest, thus avoiding the ursinoids and the giant weasels who were exceptionally active near the crash site. As dusk was falling, the mission team saw an odd luminescence in the area and heard a strange harmony. Emerald Swinging Vine led Atuli and Zai in a Panyar dance, improvised to harmonize with the strange music, and saw a large crater where the trees had been blasted away. At the center was a carriage size meteor, with smaller pieces strewn around the meteor. Gathered around the meteor were a dozen ethereal creatures. Eight were multi-tentacled objects with silvery filigree like a man of war, and four were long necked fractal creatures with unnatural angular features and pentagonal symmetry. They were all moving with dance-like grace and emitting otherworldy harmonics. A pentagonal figure seemed to be the leader and had an iridescent circlet framing its translucent neck. The crown emitted pure moonlight.

The legion trio joined the dance and song, and the strange creatures imitated the movements of the three humans. Seeing themselves accepted, Emerald Swnging Vine, Atuli and Zai announce themselves and are given an offering bowl. Zai intuits that the bowl was for collecting blood, and began a bloodletting ritual requiring a significant amount of life force from the three of them.
The head ethereal alien took the blood offering and used it to paint the meteor,inviting the legionnaires in the painting. As the three paint on the meteor with their blood, they can hear in their minds the sentiment, welcoming the three to a mental communion with the aliens.Emerald Swinging Vine accepted, and the pentagonal leader melded minds with the three, so that they could see into each other’s minds.

The aliens were native to the moon and had spent an eternity dancing and harmonizing to the eternal rhythms and heavenly cycles of the passing of time. They were horrified when the moon cracked, bewildered by the strange landscape that greeted their fall to this world, and concerned that their piece of the moon fell to this place.

They were delighted to learn that the Horned One, former priestess of Nyx, travelled with the Legion but warned the three communing legionnaires of the danger of Mercy, showing a formative scene of Mercy torturing and murdering the town drunk of his village.

The moonies then asked the three to help in a cleansing ritual. Using the blood offering, the leader sorrowfully but determinedly used their own lunar life force. The circlet flared brightly and its form started to boil off. The meteor glowed intensely with the blood patterns swirling around its surface. It then rises out of the ground, floating momentarily before exponentially accelerating away back towards the distant fractured moon. The crown fell, and the other moonies emoted expressions of concern and relief.

With the passing of the leader the telekinetic link was broken, and, encouraged by the moonies, Atuli took the lunar crown. In an attempt to communicate with the moonies, he wore it, and it then fused to his skull, turning his eyes silver and his hair white. The moonies circlde around Atuli and one touched Atuli’s head. Atuli found that he could now thoughtmeld with the moonie, and understood the cost to put back the meteor, and that the remaining pieces were too broken to be returned. Atuli promised to safeguard and protect the remaining corrupted fragments. The moonie then communicated that they will go find and support the Horned One’s servants, resolved to protect this world of the corruption that broke theirs.

Atuli found that he can recognize the broken pieces with the illuminating power of the lunar crown, and that there were more that he could see, though he was not yet ready to pay that cost. He also found, despite his and the Zai’s best efforts, that it was not possible to remove the lunar crown.

Calico Protrusion

When the Shattered Lions went to the site of the corruption, they saw a strange heavy mist rolling of the lake and heard the creaking of the trees. They heard some distant chanting, and began to investigate the trees, wary of witches. As they proceeded deeper into the forest, the trees animated and Rakinta Pojner was slain and the Lieutenant was wounded by the branches of a pair of trees, with the Lieutenant taking a severe wound and Rak. With Corporal Adlera Koberel and Agitor Tonio Vinazzi bearing the Lieutenant, the remainder of the squad fled out of the trees and into a clearing near the polluted lake. The Lieutenant determined that the witches put a profane object in the lake and performed rituals to bend the forest to their will. Feathers determined the resting spot of the object and Lanki Schtroll swam to the bottom of the lake and managed to bring a stained chalice up to the surface. They suffered massive corruption as first sores, then then ability to see through their feet. As they got to the surface, they felt tremendous bloodlust, stabbing Feathers. Lanki killed themselves to save the rest of the team from more harm.

Back at camp

The sweeping advance of Bligher’s forces into the villages north of the twin cities of Westlake and Eastlake had caused a panic among the populace there. Many refugees fled into the Talgon Forest, though few survived the dangers of the forest, between distrustful Panyar hunters, the dangerous beasts of the forest, and roving agents of Blighter. While returning from the Calico Protrusion mission objective, Feathers was alerted by some of the Chosen One’s attendant birds to a score of refugees, led by survivors from the Battle of Ettenmark Fields. With help from Corporal Adlera, Feathers made contact with the band and led them to the Legion’s camp. Most of the refugees were later placed into Panyar villages but twelve chose to join the Legion before the Legion broke camp from Harug and advanced to Fort Calisco.

Mission rewards and penalties
Lunar Crown obtained, fused with Atuli
Morale 12 -2 = 10 (deaths)
Time 16 - 1 = 15
Intel 5 + 1 = 6 (Horned One)
Gain 1 mystic favor

Time Passes
Time 15 + 1 = 16
Pressure 0 + 1 = 1

Tale of the Legion’s Victory: Legion digs in,pressure 1-1 = 0

Campaign Actions

Laborers complete Surgical tent
Campaign Action 1: Recruit
Campaign Action 2: Officer School
Alchemists: Purify moon rocks (create religious supplies)

The Legion stays in the Talgon Forest

Mission Briefings

Iron Wheel
Religious - Escort
The Horned One asks for Atuli and Commander Squirrel one night. She explains that there is a cave sacred to the worshippers of Nyx, goddess of the moon. The cave is a place where initiates to the sacred mysteries of Nyx go to meditate, and test themselves metaphysically. Not everyone who seeks spiritual growth and enlightenment has an experience there, but many do. Deep within the cave are a series of sacred pools, where she suggests Atuli go and cleanse himself before seeking deeper spiritual connection with the Lunar Crown and the goddess.
Rewards: “The Song of Nyx” (This allows characters with an appropriate mystical connection to buy the WEAVE ability, and may purchase their first dot of WEAVE for 2 fewer xp.) 1 Mystic Favor.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

Obsidian Pillar
Recon - Exfiltration
Black Questing Night is a Panyar forestwayman (like a highwayman, but who robbed travellers going through the passable ways of the woods) who has been temporarily forgiven for his crimes in exchange for services as a spy against the Cinder King’s forces. We have lost contact with him, and fear he has fallen into the hands of the enemy. Find out where Black Questing Night is, and rescue him if he’s in trouble. If he is in the hands of the enemy and you can not save him, you must kill Black Questing Night in a way that destroys his body. His knowledge of the secret ways of the Talgon would be a great danger to the Legion’s operations in the area.
Rewards: 1 Box Food. (Black Questing Night was tasked with finding and cacheing food.) +1 Intel.
Penalties: +1 Time.

Effervescent Eel
Religious
Talgon Forest was once less formidable. A few hundred years ago, a Panyar sect brought a cutting of the Heart Tree of Panya to take root here in Aldermark. Now, with Panya under assault by the Cinder King, this new Heart Tree may soon be the last of its kind, and its importance to the Panyar people cannot be understated. A cutting of the tree could be of strategic value to the Legion. Brave the wild guardians of the Heart Tree to take a cutting.
Rwards: 1 Mystic Favor. +2 Morale. Relic: Heartwood Cutting (used in later campaigns), add +10 points to final score.
Penalties: None now. Consequences in later campaigns.

Dramatis Personae

  • Atuli Markesh, Scout
    • The normally confident and easy-going has turned morose ever since he had worn the Lunar Crown and found himself unable to take it off. He can sense the lambent power of the Crown but does not yet know what to do with it.
    • Touched by Nyx, (Almost) Ready for Anything, Sixth Sense
  • “Honeybadger” Irex Tayovna, Officer
    • Most rookies grow nervous when newly promoted Master Sergeant Irex Tayovna is about, as she has a reputation for stubborness, acerbity, and unreasonable expectations. However, Commander Squirrel and the rest of the command staff have recently elevated her as having the needed temperament for this time.
    • Intimidating, Iron Will, Relentless
  • Crimson Rushing Flame, Soldier
    • The last survivor of the original Star Vipers squad from the start of the retreat, Crimson Rushing Flame has since come to terms with the losses and has been nurturing the new recruits. His resilience has been noted and he has received leadership training through the officer school.
    • Marked Traveller. Jack of All Trades, Iron Will, Grit 1, Skirmish 2, Shoot 1, Maneuver 2, Consort 1, Discipline 1, Marshall 2
  • Stralank Oller, Rookie
    • An Aldermani farm hand, Stralank had always been considered weird by those around him. Somehow learning to read, he had managed to accumulate all sorts of odd trivia and rumors about strange happenings in the region. These eccentricities were accentuated after his ordeal in the Wodz concentration camp. In reaction to the horror around him, Stalank couldn’t help but be fascinated by the supernatural processes around him, even if they disgusted him. After being freed by Silver Dancing Storm, Voyis, and the Grinning Ravens, he was the first to volunteer to join the Legion and has spent a lot of time with the more educated members of the Legion and poring through the Annals.
    • Devil’s Own Luck. Research 2, Rig 1, Wreck 1, Skirmish 1, Maneuver 2, Consort 1, Sway 1

Intelligence

  • Intel 3: Talgon Forest – Two major objectives in Talgon forest: Breaker is pursuing the Legion and the Horned One. Aside from pacifying local forces, the only thing that Breaker is focusing resources on is finding secret mystical sites.
  • Intel 2: Fort Calisco – Asset rating of 2, Require a mission to get into Fort Calisco. Need to secure a route out. Without a route out, can’t advance and 1d penalty engagement roll.
  • Intel 1: What items to bring to WeaveQuest? Any kind of vision quest drugs, musical items, dancing, mirrors
  • Intel 0: What are the strengths and weaknesses for the trees? Minika was a mystical powerhouse, saw visions, had strong control of weather, channeled her goddess stronger than expected, strong conduit for the supernatural. She has been focused on controlling natural phenomena and how they interact with the bodies of living things. She has been able to manipulate trees-- the trees are not sentient, these trees by controlled physically. If we cut the “strings” (witches almost certainly), the trees would stop what they were doing. Trees are rooted, not treants. Maybe a siege weapon, but not chased people down.

The Song of Nyx

After Atuli returned from the site of the Moon meteor, he was accosted by the newly promoted Master Sergeant Irex “Honeybadger” Tayovna. She saw Atuli forlorn, who had not yet come to terms with the permanent fixture of the Lunar Crown on his head. Concerned for her friend, she said, “What happened? Who did this to you? I’ll kill them!” Atuli admitted, “I did it to myself.” before he headed to his tent.
Atuli sat there in silence for about two minutes before he was summoned by the Commander. When he arrived there, he found the Horned One and the alchemists along with the Commander. The Horned One revealed that, as Emerald Dancing Moonlight, she had known of a cave that was known to the followers of Nyx as a place for meditation and initiation into the priesthood of Nyx. Emerald Dancing Moonlight explains that those who take part in the ceremony will sing and dance under the focused moonlight of the chamber. Then, the communicant should take sacred psychedelics and submerge themselves in the largest of the meditation pools. The Horned One asked Atuli if he was ready. Although he had doubts as to his worthiness, he accepted the challenge to dedicate himself to Nyx.
The alchemists Dame Sanici and Amber Bubbling Spring raised the possible utility in consuming Reverie along with the head-like section of the deceased Moonion that had previously worn the Lunar Crown, and Atuli agreed. Upon consumption of Reverie, he saw fragments of the memories of the Moonion. An old eternal and important being of rhythm and song, the Moonion performed the countless cycles of dance and incantations that they had performed on the Moon. Atuli saw fragments of the memories of the shattering of the moon and of being cast down onto the Earth, trying to understand all of the strange objects in the new land that the separated Moonions had found themselves on.
The Countess Severina Garoosi asked Atuli to bring back the waters of the Nyx pool, as the alchemists have been suffering from the foul corruptions that now plague their art. Commander Squirrel added that as a secondary objective to the mission, and also requested that the site be made unavailable to Breaker and her minions. Irex Tayonva was assigned to lead the mission to escort Atuli to the pools of Nyx, with the Star Vipers providing squad support.
The mission team had difficulty finding the cave, and did not arrive before a suspicious sudden rainstorm engulfed the team. Atuli prepared for the eventuality of animated trees, and when they started rousing (shortly after Atuli gave the all clear to enter the cavern), the team took the ravine path to the cave, which was clear of trees. The cave system was quite deep, and the final pool involves diving into an underwater segment. Belgarin Deinyer nearly drowned, but was saved by corporal Crimson Rushing Flame.
The initiation pool was ornately decorated with many beautiful silver ornaments, moon sauers, and a mural inlaid with silver. The mural showed scenes of dancing people, and there were many sconces for candles surrounding the central pool. The edges were worn smooth from generations of pilgrims and priests. Crystal formations on the ceiling seemed to collect the outside moonlight, which diffused onto the pool.
Stralank Oller used the murals to reconstruct the initiation ritual and fine Bartan mirrors were set up to concentrate the moonlight to the center of the pool. As the moonlight hits the pool, a shadow made of moonlight emerges. Crimson Rushing Flame later confirms that the shadow was of the same ilk as that which emerged in the mission Azure Pakuna and slain prior members of the Star Vipers. Officer Tayovna managed to direct the shadow to dance along with Natarmi Ashanatin, who was the ceremonial dancer, with Regona Surrel and Belgarin Deinyer providing musical accompaniment. Spike, the Panyar canine ally, also danced instinctively and vocalized in an oddly melodious way.
Atuli, under the influence of the psychedelics, performed the lunar dance, his crown catching the moonlight and causing translucent ripple refraction of the glowing moonbeams. Under the influence of the ritual, Atuli felt the perspective of Nyx eternal, following the cyclical relationship between the sun and the moon. Over time, generations of Panyar prayed to and worshiped the distant moon, who for a long time just observed. As time goes on, the Moon observed destruction on Earth and those creatures who were destroyed before their time. Eventually, the moon felt concerned and accepted one of the many offers of those who would be a vessel for the moon. A part of the moon went into that person, and the harmony between the moon and those on Earth were amplified. This Chosen would burn out, and the cycle would continue. The most recent Chosen won important battles on Earth, but then the Cinder King with his nine-pointed crown of fire cornered the Chosen and spoke directly to Nyx. He told of a time that the sun will stop shining, that the eternal dances and songs for the moon will stop, and that with time everything will end. It was at this point, when Nyx saw the possibility of the end, that the moon broke.
Atuli conveyed to Stralank the words of the Cinder King, that all things must end. WIth that, Atuli and Crimson Rushing Flame were filled with despair and Stralank felt a strong urge for self-immolation and corruption. The Cinder King’s crown of fire also flared in Atuli’s mind and Atuli’s body began to burn, only partially doused when Atuli tries to submerge himself Master Sergeant Irex only felt rage and indignation. She urged Atuli from his despair, and Spike dove into the pool to prop up Atuli. Then, Irex addressed Nyx through Atuli.
“Enough! Enough of this wallowing, this indulgent cowering. Now is not the time for despair. Are you going to let some… mortal thing break you tlike that? You’re a God, act like one! Never never surrender!”
The remaining Star Vipers acted as a chorus in support, echoing the Master Sergeant’s demands. With that Atuli broke free from his despair and the moon asked Atuli if there is hope for another way and if he is devoted. Atuli consented to accept the Song of Nyx, and the light in the chamber attuned on Atuli, connecting with the moon and the Lunar Crown. With this newfound insight, Atuli could sense the three witches of Breaker, led by Hashi Vikenni, held at bay by the holiness of the caverns. Atuli beheld them, and used his own body as a vessel for freezing moonlight to purify the witches, purging them of the corrupting taint of Breaker and freeing them from their foul subservience. The witches would ask forgiveness for what they had done, and the legion accepted them into its care.
The moonlight shade then entered the crown, and Atuli found the fingerbone of that ancient Chosen to serve as his new reliquary, his old Bartan dousing pendant shattered by the power of the Cinder King’s edict.
The team gathers waters from the pool, and detonated the mouth of the cavern to hide it from Breaker, though its location is marked according to Legion protocol to be reopened after the end of the war.

The World Tree

With the vision of Panyar Burning from the Turquoise Gazing Temple, many of the Panyar within the Legion, led by Indigo Swirling Lake of the Ember Wolves, grew concerned for the fate of the Heart Tree. Commander Squirrel commissioned Indigo Swirling Lake to lead her squad and Zai Yaryevna to find the Young Heart Tree in the Talgon Forest and ask for a cutting.

The team was quite concerned with being stopped by the guardian ursines and mongooses of the Talgon Forest. However, as they traversed deeper into the Heart Tree Glade, they found Moonions traveling with the ursines and mongooses, and they were escorted by the forest guardians to the Young Heart Tree. Indigo Swirling Lake then communed with the tree and told them that the team was sent by the Horned One to provide for the possibility of the destruction of their parent. The Young Heart Tree agreed to allow for a cutting, titled Youngest Heart Tree, to be taken into the Legion’s care. The Young Heart Tree then asked the Legion to handle a force of Breaker’s minions that was trying to trace a path to the Heart Tree. The team was able to eliminate the threat with only minimal injury.

The Heart Tree Glade remained untainted by Breaker during the war, protected by the guardians of Nyx and the Horned One, and Youngest Heart Tree (now named Young Heart Tree) would play a pivotal role in the restoration of the Panyar forest.

Mission rewards and penalties
Song of Nyx obtained (Atuli gains Weave ability at rank 1 with ability to train).
Morale 10 + 2 = 12 (rewards)
Time 16 + 1 = 17
Intel 5 - 1 = 4
Gain 2 mystic favor

Back at Camp
Master Sergeant Irex orders the Star Vipers to stay quiet about the visions of Nyx in order to contain the possible memetic danger of the Cinder King’s vision. This withholding of information is against the standard retrospective praxis of the Legion, causing rumor and mild discontent. Goblin of the Grinning Ravens is particularly incensed and sneaks into Stralank’s tent and tries to steal his notes. Stralank and Crimson Rushing Flame chase Goblin, who flees to his squad and there is a wild mass wrestling match between the Grinning Ravens and the Star Vipers. Eventually, Conte Suderia Fieri, corporal of the Grinning Ravens, finds the mess. The Conte is embarrassed and forces Goblin to relinquish the papers and assigns him to latrine duty for the week. Later on Kerishma of the Grinning Ravens and Stralank have drinks and Stralank spills, unable to hld his excitement over what he saw.

Time Passes
Time 17 + 1 = 18
Pressure 0 + 1 = 1

Campaign Actions
Laborers start preparations for tunneling out of Fort Calisco
Campaign Action 1: Recruit (including 3 former witches of Breaker)
Campaign Action 2: Officer School (The Lieutenant, Voyis)
Alchemists: Purify moon rocks, +1 religious supplies

Legion stays in Talgon Forest

Commander spends intel for special mission
Intel 4 -1 = 3

Commander asks for religious missions, Chosen choses religious missions (again)

1 Like

Mission Briefings

Bloodstained Horn - Route Recon

Commander Squirrel has begun to evaluate how to leave the Talgon when the Legion is ready to move on. The most direct route would be through a place unauspiciously called “The Maze of Thorns”. Send a squad to find a path through this sharp and unwelcoming route out of the Talgon Forest. Making contact with native Panyar who may know the route could be fruitful.

Rewards: +2 Intel.
Penalties: 2 Deaths. (Something the Legion doesn’t learn about here is very bad.)

Sunset Thistledown - Troop Recon

A storm that has lasted weeks over the Western Talgon can’t be natural. Persistent lightning strikes day and night have The Legion’s strategists concerned about what they mean. Penetrate the western Talgon toward the lightning strikes as far as is in the squad’s reasonable judgment to understand what is happening here. If possible, make contact with locals who might still be in the area and have useful information or resources.

Rewards: 1 Food. +1 Intel.
Penalties: +1 Time. (The Horned One and the Legion will lack the needed information to react to Breaker’s plans.)

Sparkling Dawn - Religious Special Mission
One of the ritual observations for the Horned One is the last hunt of the season. One of your scouts spotted a white stag, a full three paces tall, near this place. Its sighting is an opportunity: catch the stag, prepare a ritual meal of it, and the holy site you’re camped at will bless your troops.

Rewards: 1 Food (3 uses). 1 Mystic favor. Blessing: +2 Morale, and each Specialist may clear all stress or remove all harm.
Penalties: -2 Morale if the Legion has any Panyar Scouts.

Dramatis Personae

  • Silver Dancing Storm, Sniper
    • During her encounter with the Cacophony, Silver Dancing Storm felt touched by the power of Gerholtz through the relic Farsight that she carried, which guided her aim of the ballista shot that sange through the heart of the legendary beast. She has been a fanatical follower of Gerholtz since then, to the concern of some of her comrades.
    • Elite Aim, Elite Shoot, Ruthless
  • Voyis Kareyvich, Heavy
    • The Kingfisher Knight has fully embraced being part of the legion and has regained some of the easy going affect he had before the war. He has developed a strong sense of camraderie with the Grinning Ravens, though has unintentionally antagonized for former squad member Vettel Sebanich over prior unauthorized testing of the Sticking Spear.
    • Weaponmaster, Lead from the Front, Rig
  • Zai Yaryevna, Medic
    • In the culmination of Atuli’s recitation of the Song of Nyx, he had beheld three witches and tore out corrupted implants, severing their connection with Breaker. These three begged for forgiveness, and the Commander asked Zai to assess the mental state of these former enemies. Zai conversed with each of them separately for many hours, and came to understand that the three women were broken in distinct ways but saw within each the need for redemption and great potential. Zai went up with the command staff and spoke on their behave, declaring them to be no longer under the influence of Brekaer and asking that the Legion take care of them. After a spirited debate, with Zai arguing against separate concerns from both the Marshall and the Quartermaster, Commander Squirrel decided to ask them to take the Legion’s oath. All three accepted vigorously and they were placed, as lowly rookies, in the Grinning Ravens, the Ghost Owls, and the Shattered Lions.
    • Moral support, Field Dressing, Loyal
  • “Elphie” Kevani Manushkin, Rookie
    • Before the war, Kevani was a priestess of Vazara and in charge of pilgrim hospitality at her temple. She reluctantly followed the Chosen Minika Arya against the Cinder King and was present at the Breaking. After Minika became Breaker, the priestess Hashi Vikenni rallied the remaining sisters of Vazara in a last ditch effort to stop Breaker which resulted in the capture of the remaining priesthood. Kevani, like the others, was transformed into a witch with a corrupted fingerbone implanted into her sternum. Thus began a nightmarish servitude to Breaker, in which she and her friends were compelled to fight against the Eastern armies. She was part of Hashi’s coven, which pursued the Legion from Ettenmark Fields into the Talgon Forest. She along with the two remaining survivors of the coven were pursuing Atuli Markesh and the Legion to capture a Nyx relic, when Atuli sang the song of Nyx and was enveloped by a moonbeam from the Lunar Crown. The implanted fingerbone was plucked from her body and destroyed, and Kevani regained her freedom. Full of revulsion for what she had been forced to do by Breaker, Kevani wept terribly, begged the Legion for forgiveness, and eagerly took the option to take the Legion’s oath. She has adjusted well to the soldier’s life and is an eager drinker and gambler, and receives support from her fellow Grinning Ravens when she has episodes of sadness or anger as a result of her prior trauma.
    • Stoic, Unstable. Home Cooking. Rig 2, Wreck 1, Skirmish 1, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1.

Intel

Intel 3: Why were Breaker’s plans for Tantari Banner?
Breaker is spiritually powerful, anything that is a powerful symbol is a way to influence it. Having Tantari Banner would be an incredibly powerful tool to affect the Legion. Her agenda was to use it as a spiritual conduit for affecting the Legion. Intel leads us to believe that she knows that the Legion and the Horned One will be working together. The domain of Varaza and the Horned One are the natural world, and is in a struggle with the Horned One.

Intel 2: What is a weakness of the white stag?
White stag-- in a forest of extraordinary creatures, it stands out. It is known visit certain locations at the end of the season before vanishing for the next year. There is a pond that it will always stop to drink from. The time is upcoming. There are hunting locations that can provide good blinds or ensnare it. There are grasses that are particularly delicious to it. It is exceptionally swift.

Intel 1: What is a weakness of the vultures?
Vultures-- They are rubbery and flexible, but can’t apply that much brute physical force. Easy to bar them from entry. Their physical integrity is highly compromised by alchemical substances, so that anything that attacks their physical structure like acids will be effective.

Intel 0: What are other threats to be aware of for the hunt of the white stag?
Other threats-- other panyar hunters that are worshippers of Horned One are likely to hunt the stag.

Sparkling Dawn
The Hunt

The Chosen of the Horned One told the Commander of the last hunt of the season, the surprising size and swiftness of the stag, the yearly ritual hunt for it, and the blessing bestowed for the hunters. The Chosen urged her to send an expedition to catch the white stag. Silver Dancing Storm was commissioned with Voyis Kareyivich and Zai Yaryevna and the Grinning Ravens to hunt the stag. The Quartermaster entrusted the Sticking Spear to Voyis Kareyivich, though cautioned him that the Legion did not quite understand how the ancient relic works. Zai examined the spear, and was at a loss understanding it. The Quartermaster also sent reliquaries on the religious mission.
The team trekked through the Talgon Forest with surprising safety. The Talgon forest was known for its dangerous fauna, but it appeared that the Horned One’s relationship with the Legion was now thoroughly understood by the forest denizens, and so the legionnaires found the lake which was demarcated as a favorite watering spot for the white stag. There was already encamped a local group of Panyar hunters, led by Opal Seeking Storm, a Panyar of Zemyati heritage with enormous bat ears. There was a tense introductory meeting in which both Silver Dancing Storm and Opal Seeking Storm recited their past kills-- Opal Seeking Storm announced that she has caught the stag in the previous seven seasons, and Silver Dancing Storm recited her kills, including the stitched Red Hook and the legendary Cacophony. Opal Seeking Storm proposed a contest for the right to hunt the stag, to hunt an animal in the forest without tool or clothing. Silver Dancing Storm immediately accepted, and said a prayer to Gerholtz.
This prayer immediately got the suspicion of the Panyar, both for the rivalry between Gerholtz and the Horned One as well as the recent breaking of the Gerhotlz chosen. The latter concern is shared by Voyis, the Kingfisher Knight, who had his own more conflicted relationship with Gerholtz dating back to his three year hermitage at Gerholtz’ shrine before joining the legion. The second to Opal Seeking Storm, Sun Stone (a panyar covered in yellow scales) stated that he does not want Silver Dancing Storm participating in the hunt due to her blasphemy, which Voyis soothed, stating that the legion will fully share in the rite with the locals regardless of the results of the hunt, and that if Silver Dancing Storm lost, she will be excluded. Sun Stone’s suspicions were not fully allayed, but he and the other Panyar did accept an invitation to join a pre-hunt meal prepared and both groups enjoyed each other’s company while the feast was prepared.
Silver Dancing Storm and Opal Seeking Storm both stripped for their contest. While Opal Seeking Storm dove into a lake to capture a fish, SIlver Dancing Storm found a pointed stick and quickly sharpened it and headed into the forest. Protected by Murphy, SIlver Dancing Storm’s Panyar canine ally, Silver Dancing Storm manageds to spear a squirrel, though not before Opal Seeking Storm emerged from the lake with a turtle. They both run to the camp, with Opal Seeking Storm ahead by a few strides. However, Silver Dancing Storm threw the spear, still skewering the squirrel, and managed to toss it into camp, strides ahead of Opal Seeking Storm. Opal, accepting her loss graciously poorly, tuckedthe turtle underneath her arm and refused overtures to prepare the food together. Silver Dancing Storm skinned and prepared her squirrel before dressing and meeting the rest of the party for dinner.
Kevani Maknushin, a former witch that was purified by Atuli Markesh with the power of the Lunar Crown, prepared a traditional Panyar meal using a cauldron she shared with her two friends that were also purified by Atuli. The Conte Suderia Fieri, “Goblin” Golden Leaping Shadow, and Kerishma Derari of the Grinning Ravens joined Voyis in telling stories of the slaying of Burnie, Red Hook, and the Cacophony, and Zai gave a detailed description of the anatomy of Cacophony for the interested Panyar, and told other stories of her own journeys. The quality of the food and pleasantness of the company served to bring the local Panyar and the team into fellowship and they resolved to all work together to catch the white stag.
The legion set up snares to catch the stag, though Kevani has a bit of a breakdown in frustration for setting up her part of the snares. Zai had to soothe her, reciting the Lieutenant’s pragmas of setting personnel schedules, which had an oddly calming affect. In the end, the Kingfisher Knight, Goblin, and Gerzig Parer do the majority of the trap setting, Blinds were also set up, and the local Panyar and the team awaited together for the white stag to appear.
As dusk settled, the white stag eventually appears near Voyis, Kevani, and a local Panyar. The team moved as one, taking advantage of their prior experience together to fluidly corral the stag. Voyis struck with the Sticking Spear, nearly stabbing Kevani, who had impulsively rushed to the fore, and managed to stick the spear into the shadow of the stag. Zai managed to observe the convulsing of the stag, which appeared pinned in place, with the muscles of the area corresponding to the stabbed shadow spasming. The legion followed the prayers of the local Panyar, and Kevani stabbed herself, adding blood potency to the ritual.
The entire group, including Opal Seeking Storm’s band, met at the heart of the Talgon forest. The Horned One prepared the stag and presided over the feast. She talked about the passing of the season, and how the seasons are part of a sacred cycle. About how we eat this meal to commemorate the passing of time and hope to come back to this next year. She gave appreciation to the hunters of the feast, and there are cheers all around the campsite, including from nearby animals that the Legion could now strangely understand.

Sunset Thistledown

Feathers led the Lieutenant and the Silver Stags to the west, where Breaker’s influence had been growing, and made contact with a Panyar village that had requested help. The elder requested that the Legion make an attempt to save her son, Sapphire Surging Flood, who had been scouting to the far west and bring him to safety. The squad made the approach into the edges of the lightning scorched glad that had, in hold das, been where the great animals of the Talgon Forest would grace. They found a blasted landscape with burned trees and impaled Panyar villagers in the early part of the process of being electrocuted into Wraiths. The Lieutenant came to realize that the burned trees form the pattern of a corrupted Bartan symbol of transformation. Feathers found Sapphire Surging Flood’s trail and found him alive but badly wounded.

The Silver Stags carried the Panyar with them as the detachment made its escape, but their approach into the blasted forest was noticed by batbeasts, led by the infamous Storm Roc. The team made it back to the main part of the Talgon Forest, but were not able to evade pursuit, and Storm Roc carried off Kaleka Putanishadur while another batbeast slammed into the Lieutenant, shattering his arm. Hoscarl Fatari Hodonius and Feathers covered the retreat of the remaining squad, with Hodonius getting a lucky shot which injured Storm Roc, forcing it to disengage. In their retreat, Feathers received a terrible shoulder wound by a wild batbeast but managed to ride away. She was more fortunate than Hodonius, who was torn limb from limb by two quarreling batbeasts.

The survivors carried the wounded back to the Panyar village. Sapphire Surging Flood told his story of how he had managed to find Breaker in the corrupted glade and brazenly tailed her for hours. He saw a villager held down in front of breaker, who painted the villager with animal blood. The villager painfully transformed into a weasel-man hybrid. Sapphire Surging Flood then made his escape, but not before being chased and wounded by the aberration, which would latter be called a werefolk by the Silver Stags.

Sapphire Surging Flood urged his village to evacuate the area, and so the Legion aided in the escort of the village to Harig. In appreciation, the village shared with the Legion excess food supplies.

Mission Rewards and Penalties
Intel= 3 + 1(Sunset Thistledown) + 1 (Horned One)
Morale = 12 - 4 + 2 = 10
Mystic Favor + 1, the Chosen One gains the ability Hide of the White Hind.
Food: 2, all specialists recover stress or harm.

Back at Camp

A skirmish takes place between Breaker’s wraiths and the camp perimeter patrol. Due to the heroics of the heavy Vettel, the wraiths were slain before they could return to Breaker. In the commotion, it is not noticed until later that rear sentries Manakesh Kleriki and Kimzir Reikovich died, impaled by each other’s weapons. Commander Squirrel ascertains that the Legion’s position has been compromised by Black Questing Night and orders the legion to decamp and advance to Fort Calisco.

Time passes
Time = 18+1 = 19
Pressure = 1 + 1 = 2

Campaign Actions
Training (Atuli, Anibhan)
Recruit soldiers

The Legion Advances
Advance Dice = 2 - 2 (Talgon special rule) = 0, roll 5, 3.
Time = 19 + 1 = 20
The Legion arrives at Fort Calisco

Ebony Rocking Chair - Assault

Commander Squirrel never thought a bird’s eye view would be so dismal. According to their chirps and trills, Fort Callisco is completely surrounded by the undead. Rank upon rank upon rank of dead soldiers, wearing well polished and maintained gear from the various armies that once came to challenge the Cinder King at Ettenmark Field. Dozens of brutes, over a story tall, stitched together from the bodies of many of the dead.

The vultures are directing crews of the dead in assembling catapults. Fine Orite tools and mechanisms being used portend excellent range and accuracy. Carts with viscous sacks of bile are the obvious missiles intended to be flung into the fortresses walls and interior. Your alchemists can only guess at what their contents will do, but none of the assessments are good.

Worst of all, Blighter is here, personally overseeing the siege.

To get into Fort Calisco, you have to break the siege. The best way to do that is to hit the undead in a position and force them to shift forces to defend, while the Legion makes a break out of the forest and into a side gate. The siege weapons under construction look like a good target.

If the Legion has an Alchemist, the engagement roll is at +1d.

Requires: Horses, The Horned One.
Rewards: -1 Time. +3 Morale.
Penalties: You may not advance until you finish this mission.

Personae Dramatis

  • The Lieutenant
    • The Lieutenant, with encouragement from Commander Squirrel, has started to delegate some responsibilities to the Master Sergeant in order to focus on higher level concerns. He has also taken advantage of the ability to communicate with animals to recruit among Talgon residents. He has successfully reformed the Panyar Allies to the Second Ember Wolves (auxilliary). However, despite initial successes to form an aerial reconnaissance Second Grinning Ravens, ultimately the assorted crows and magpies refused the to leave Fort Calisco when the Legion would eventually advance.
    • Attache, Officer School, Tactician
  • Voyis Kareyivich, the Kingfisher Knight
    • Voyis has volunteered for more command responsibility and is being groomed toward taking more of an officer role within the Legion.
    • Weaponmaster, Lead from the Front, Tactician
  • Atuli Markesh, Nyx Touched Scout
    • Since reciting the Song of Nyx, Atuli has been attuning his senses for the divine. He has calibrated his innate intuition for danger, and is eager to infiltrate Blighter’s headquarters to learn more about her corruption.
    • Weave, Infiltrator, Ready for Anything, Sixth Sense
  • “Goblin” Golden Leaping Shadow, Soldier
    • Goblin’s morbid curiosity to the enemy has been noted and he his interest has been funneled towards alchemical training. He has officially been graded to carry explosives and is eager to apply his learning on the battlefield.
    • Grenadier, Rig, Research

Intel

  • Level 3
    • CSI Talgon Forest-- How did Manakesh and Kimzir die?
    • Zai conducts autopsies, having seen the witches’ work before, and Anibhan has understanding of the markings that Breaker uses to control her witches. They come to a disturbing conclusion-- one of these two soldiers has had a procedure performed on him, with a part of a body for the witch creation process. This does not look like Breaker’s personal work. They conclude there are one or more witches who have learned to perform a similar, though lesser, binding that Breaker applies to her witches. After exchanging intel with locals and referencing the annals, there are records of Elia the Passing Curse, an Infamous witch. Reputation is that she works alone and works to infiltrate groups from the inside. We are confident that she at least penetrated our perimeter once.
      The commander orders Silver Dancing Storm to observe the legion with her One Eye, and Atuli to check up on Silver Dancing Storm.
  • Level 2
    • What is the main weakness of the enemy forces outside Fort Calisco?
    • The fort itself has siege weapons, so the enemy has to be deployed a fair distance from the fort. Due to the rapidity of Blighter’s march to Fort Calisco, she has also not been able to properly attend to her logistical supply chain, and in particular has a critical shortage of bodies for undead conversion. In particular, the local population managed to mostly evacuate to the fort, and so Blighter has not been able to “forage” in the way she had done at Plainsworth.
  • Level 1
    • What resources or benefits might we find at Blighter’s position at Fort Calisco?
    • We haven’t seen blighter’s siege weapons in action. Reports indicate that they seem to be enhancements on Orite designs. Capturing them or recording detailed measurements might get information that might help with our siege weapons or how to defend Skydagger Keep later. Additionally, if Blighter is here, whatever maps, plans and communications are stored here somewhere. They would be extraordinarily valuable if we could get them. Finally, Blighter’s army has been equipped and maintained with a large amount of excellent equipment, There must be laborers with good tools and equipment at her encampment.
  • Level 0
    • What are two approaches we could use to get the Legion into Fort Calisco?
    • It is necessary to hit something important enough to get the undead out of position. The baggage train and the siege weapons are the best targets. A lightning assault is one approach, another is to cover the mission team in dead visceraand try to infiltrate the enemy position, likely rigging up some sabotage.

After Action Report

With Breaker’s creation of the Were and her discovery of Harug, the Legion’s position at Harug was untenable, The initial scouting forays were fended off and the Commander issued orders to move out as fall deepened. The defensible position out of Talgon Forest wasFort Calisco, the famed Aldermari border fortress. It was clear from recent intel that the Cinder King has ordered both Blighter and Breaker to prioritize the capture of the Horned One above all other priorities, and so Blighter’s forces sped east and north, sparing the cities of Westlake and Eastlake to focus on interdicting the Horned One and the Legion. The famed Commander Jonakas had taken command of the surrounding areas and had evacuated as much of the civilian population as he can into the fortress, as well as absorbing most of the surviving military units from Ettenmark fields, save for the Shreya’s force, now dubbed the Third Eastern Army, that had bivouacked at the Barrack Mines far to the west.
The Legion command staff and the Horned One agreed on a plan to raid the Blighter’s siege engines to force a shift of Blighter’s already thinly spread forces to enable the Legion to march its entirety into Fort Calisco. Assigned to the assault was a task force led by the Lieutenant and including the Horned One, the Kingfisher Knight, Atuli, cantor for Nyx, and the Grinning Ravens. After the ritual feast of the Horned One, the senior members of the Legion can talk to animals, and the Lieutenant (at a small loss to his sanity) has trained the 1st Bartan Intelligence and Reconnaissance Division among corvid volunteers picked out by the Horned One. Though mouthy and disrespectful to their handlers, the agents of BIRD were effective at flying casual while examining the enemy position, and have identified the location of Blighter’s command tent as well as the location of the enemy siege engines. Atuli was tasked with infiltrating Blighter’s command area and purloin whatever intel that was easily accessible, while the Lieutenant is ordered to destroy the siege engines.
Alchemists, using both the existing siege ballista as well as some jury-rigged mechanisms lobbed an incendiary barrage in a feint attack away from the target positions. After the barrage, a horde of vermin, birds, and assorted animals blanketed the enemy position, attacking exposed enemies and generally creating a terrific distraction. The Lieutenant, Voyis, and the Grinning Ravens charged at the moment of maximal distraction, and surprisingly made it into the siege position without attracting more than a minimal defense force of a handful crows and their requisite walkers, who were quickly dispatched. The siege weapons were quickly identified as a novel design, using well machined Orite parts. The Lieutenant and Goblin of the Grinning Ravens quickly ascertain that the half cubic gears were the bottleneck component for manufacture of these weapons, and the team took the crate of these parts from their storage bin and rig the six siege weapons with three satchel charges, with each satchel charge within range of two of the siege weapons. Two were rigged to explode on timer, and the third was rigged to explode based on proximity.
As the team maneuvered to an ambush position away from the explosions, a poisonous gas started rising across the battlefield. The team quickly put on gas masks that the Lieutenant requisitioned with great difficulty from the Quartermaster, and was in position when the initial satchel charges went off. Many undead converge on the explosions and tried to put out the fires before the secondary charges go off. All were destroyed except the leader of Blighter’s engineering team, Viktoria Karhowl, only moderately singed in a heavy smock and Orite protective gear.
The strike team surrounded Viktoria and unleashed a heavy volume of gunpowder and a grenade launched by the Goblin. Although greatly wounded, Viktoria survives the fusillade and plunges a syringe into herself, gaining inhuman strength which she uses to toss a tub of alchemicals at the Goblin and at the Kingfisher knight, who were only barely protected by their heavy armor. The Lieutenant ordered a charge into close quarters. While Viktoria grabbed a log which she was about to use to smash the squad, Voyis, who Viktoria had assumed was dissolved by the previous attack, slipped behind Viktoria and ran her through. The Kingfisher Knight quickly noticed the grenade that Viktoria armed as she was dying, and flings her atop the grenade away from the squad before ordering the team to scatter. Viktoria’s dying body took the force of the explosion.The team quickly disengaged to rendezvous point to aid in the escort of the Legion baggage train into Fort Calisco.
Meanwhile, Atuli made his way cautiously towards Blighter’s tent, putting on his mask when the corruptive gas started rising on the battlefield. He waited for the satchel charge explostionst, which drew off Blighter and the rest of the enemy command staff. Atuli is informed by a mole that the Horned One engaged Blighter, and took that as a signal to slip into Bligher’s tent. He found and grabbed some maps and documents there. As he tried to slip away, the Clockwork Avian, chief assassin of Blighter, shot an alchemically corrupted crossbow bolt through Atuli’s shield and into Atuli’s arm. Atuli instinctively sang a lunar rhythm, and a helix blood and moonlight strikes Blighter’s assassin with purifying energy. This dazzled the Clockwork Avian, allowing Atuli to mount his horse and ride away. Zai was able to remove the bolt, and Atuli later was able to partially purify his wound, burning the site of the infection with moon frost.
The Horned One was able to wound Blighter, but not before taking substantial injuries herself. She limped into camp in rat form, with burn marks and one of her antler’s chipped. Zai stroked the wee Horned One and tended to her wounds.
WIth the undead in disarray and a cavalry sortie led by Commander Jonakas from the defenders of Fort Calisco, the undead guarding the path to the fort were scattered, allowing the Legion to ride in. In addition, multiple groups of survivors including Panyar villagers, Aldermain stragglers who had not evacuated earlier, and a Mercy envoy from the Third Eastern Army, were able to take advantage of the distraction to make a break for Fort Calisco. Though the enemy undead numbers are little changed, their existing siege weaponry were severely sabotaged and their lead engineer died, providing the defenders of Fort Callisto with a moment of respite from the siege.

(Mechanical note, the engagement roll was a critical success, which certainly helped in the success of the mission)

Mission Rewards

Time = 20 - 1 = 19
Pressure does not advance
Morale = 10 + 3 = 12 (max)

Time advances, 19 + 1 = 20

Campaign actions

Horses acquired (crit), Firemanes!
Alchemist “acquired” (1-3, 2 corruptions reduced).
Stitched Strength potion created! (pure success + 1 tick from siege)
Laborers complete a tunnel out of Fort Calisco.
3 corruption gained, Contessa Severina put down by Mercy.

Back at Camp

The alchemists poured through the schematics from Blighter’s headquarters and found research to enable a human to gain the strength of a Stitched for a brief time. By this time, all three of them were severely corrupted, but their enthusiasm for their art remained strong, to a fault. Amber Bubbling Bubbling had the final inspiration which led to the quick completion of the project. Sadly however, as she passed the completed formulation to Contessa Severina, an accident ensued, resulting in the Contessa getting accidentally drenched in the caustic fluid. As the Contessa could feel herself mutating, she recalled her first meeting with the sadistic heavy Mercy, who gleefully informed her that he was looking forward to ending her when she turned into a monstrosity. Those chilling words now became a desperate comfort to her, and she ran quickly to Mercy. She was able to get to him just before she lost control, and Mercy cheerfully rendered her his mercy. True to his word, he was quick and brutal.

Mission Briefings

Onyx Obol - Route Recon

The tunneling team working on an exit beneath the fortress has broken into an ancient catacomb. Assess what may be helpful about this route, and whether there are any new exposures to the fort or the Legion.
Rewards: +2 Intel.
Penalties: +1 Time.

Rouge Reminiscence - Assault

The undead horde arrived before all materiel made it into the fort. A unit buried a supply cache of Black Shot, weapons, and food just in sight of the northern wall. It’s sitting completely untouched. Sortie from the fort, deal with the undead crawling over the depot, and bring the supplies back before the siege cuts you off.
Requires: Horses
Rewards: -2 Time. +3 Supply. +1d to Acquire Assets this campaign phase.
Penalties: None.

Incandescent Icicle - Religious

The fall equinox has come. It is a traditional time among the Zemyati to renew their blood oaths to their clan and families, and to engage in contests of skill and daring. Gnady Petrovich, an ardent of the Living God, has arrived with a fantastic prize for those who earn the greatest acclaim within the fortress.
Rewards: Old Imperial Galvanic Arccaster (1 siege weapon)
Penalties: -1 Morale.

Dramatis Personae

  • “Honeybadger” Irex Tayovna, Master Sergeant

    • Irex is the junior officer of the Legion, and acts as the bad cop to Anirbhan’s good cop among the officer corps.
    • Iron Will, Strategist, Discipline
  • Albon Anunsin, Medic

    • Albon has been studying with the alchemists and has been entrained with use of the Chemist’s bandolier
    • Chemist, Doctor Feelgood, Rig
  • Voyis Kareyvich, the Kingfisher Knight

    • Voyis has a new trophy-- the burnt heavy glove of Viktoria Karhowl.
    • Weaponmaster, Lead from the Front, Skirmish
  • Conte Suderia Fieri

    • Scion of an old Orite rural family, Suderia studied and trained with her cousins at their manor. Galvanized by the war in Aldermark, she signed up with the legion when she achieved maturity, determined not to miss the culmination of the struggle against the Cinder King. After surviving the bloodbath at Ettenmark Fields, Suderia found herself promoted to corporal of the Grinning Ravens despite her lack of experience. She took the responsibility with the gravity of an Orite noble and has since been involved in numerous actions. Though she runs the Grinning Ravens with a light touch and her squad is known to be a free-spirited bunch, she is not hesitant to discipline her squad when their actions undermine the activities of the Legion.
    • Noble, Stern. Devil’s Own Luck. Research 1, Rig 1, Skirmish 1, Shoot 1, Maneuver 1, Consort 1, Discipline 1, Marshall 1

Intelligence

What is a weakness of the Clockwork Avian?
It has lots of metallic parts. An electrical and galvanic device can be used to apply current to it and disrupt its complicated technical components. It winds itself in order to maintain its energy source, so if it were somehow preventing from winding itself for a prolonged period of time, it could slow down or even stop.

What Infamous or Lieutenant might we face on this mission?
The Horned One, along with her animal allies, has been keeping track of major threats. They are pretty sure that the Clockwork Avian has been secreted on the location marked by the mission Rouge Reminiscence to ambush those attracted to the location.

What resources or benefits might we find at the Maw?
Nothing-- there are no advantages whatsoever. Assets cannot be acquired here. Horses do not reduce pressure. Lanterns will be required.

What are two approaches we can take on Rouge Reminscence?

  1. Use catacombs discovered from tunnelers to get near supply cache from underneath.
  2. Monitor undead movements to do a lightning strike to quickly bring down the defenders and obtain the loot before discovery, with extra sorties to disguise the action.

Mission After Action Reports

Rouge Reminiscence

Blighter’s advances east from Plainsworth surprisingly bypassed the twin cities of Westlake and Eastlake and took the forces surrounding Fort Calisco by surprise. As a result, not all of the war materiel was sucessfully transported into the fort and some of it is buried near the northern wall of the fort. Prior excavation of the Legion beneath Fort Calisco had unearthed sections of the catacombs and research indicated that the cache was close to some of those tunnels. A strike force led by Master Sergeant Irex Tayovna and supported by Albon Anunshin, Voyis Kareyvich and the Grinning Ravens was commissioned to recover the cached goods. Prior intel indicated that Blighter’s forces were aware of the rough location of the material and that the Clockwork Avian was in the area, ready to ambush any forces that attempted to recover the goods.

The task force decided to navigate through the catacombs to tunnel a new route to the surface and they traveled through areas that had not been explored since the founding of Fort Calisco. They find a sealed doorway with old markings that Albon translated. It was the burial tomb of Calisco, the founder of the Fort. The Conte gave orders to the Grinning Ravens to secure the area, but the commanding officer was not impressed with the laxity of the squad’s performance and verbally reprimanded them to motivate them to go faster as they heard the sounds of distant shuffling resonate through the tunnel system.

The Kingfisher Knight examined the sealed doorway and found a hidden mechanism that allows unsealed tomb. There they find chiseled line drawings that showed the construction of the original fort and a eulogy of Calisco, replete with her feats. The Grinning Ravens, led by the Gerzig Parer, said an Aldermani blessing and Albon updated the maps to mark the spot of the tomb.

The squad then locates a part of the catacomb that is close to the surface and near the cache. Albon and Voyis rigged their compass to use one of the three alchemical fields so that it can give a bearing on the Clockwork Avian. The Master Sergeant whipped the Grinning Ravens into preparing some tunnel defenses and a quick and relatively quiet exhumation towards the surface. All but the heavily laden Kingfisher Knight maneuver out of the catacombs and get visual confirmation of the Blighter ambush.

The Grinning Ravens engage with the walkers, which sprung the ambush. The Clockwork Avian, supported by a dozen walkers, pounce on the legion position, who withdrew back into the tunnels. The tightly packed undead forces ran into a pit trap laced with blackshot-tipped spikes. Although the Clockwork Avian managed to avoid injury, the walkers were all eliminated.

The Clockwork Avian was still at the entrance, and the full moon shone down and gave the Lieutenant a long shadow. While the Master Sergeant distracted the Avian by fouling its crossbow arm with her cloak, the Kingfisher Knight was able to spear the shadow with the Sticking Spear, thus trapping it. Recognizing itself trapped, the Clockwork Avian wounds Voyis with its hand ballista while also shooting an Orite grapnel at the Sticking Spear. It is only through the efforts by the Grinning Ravens to interpose themselves in the way of the grapnel that the spear was safeguarded.

The Master Sergeant then deployed a capacitor weapon dating back to the Godswar to short out the clockwork mechanics inside the Clockwork Avian’s harness. The Clockwork Avian, now thoroughly trapped, launched vials of Belcher alchemical acid at the squad, who were shielded by Voyis’ tower shield. In desperation, the Clockwork Avian tore itself from its windup mechanism (the point at which the Sticking Spear had struck its shadow). Voyis, imbibing a draught of the newly developed Stitched Strengh potion, personally engaged with the depleted Clockwork Avian, using precision strikes with his arming sword to pierce the winding springs of the Avian. Each shot caused the Clockwork Avian to wind down and resulted in its armor now serving as its immobile cage. Against the concerns of a couple of the members of the Grinning Ravens, the Master Sergeant ordered the Clockwork Avian to be captured alive and intact for the command squad to interrogate. With the ambush thwarted, the task force was able to secure the cache and bring them back to base, along with the captured Clockwork Avian. The Kingfisher Knight later reported to Albon his concerns about feeling feverish after drinking the Stitched Strength potion, and later research revealed that the draught has corrupting side effects.

Onyx Obol

Feathers and the Ghost Owls were sent to investigate the catacombs that lay beyond the tomb of Callisto, following up on reports of movement sounds in that area. They found that the catacombs were man layers deep, replete with buried bodies. Deep within the catacombs, they found a roving band of walkers led by a pair of vultures. A desperate engagement took place, with Feathers wounded by walkers and Zeban Kelvich slain through corrosive chemicals thrown by a vulture. The undead force was eliminated, and Breaker’s entry point into the catacombs was found, with a team later sent to seal that entrance. On the teams return to base, Jaya Pikanatur tripped a lethal trap. On closer examination, a passage was found leading deeper into the catacombs, marked with the Emperor’s seal. This tomb was marked for future investigation and the team arrived safely back to the fort.

Mission Rewards and Penalties
Penalties: 2 deaths
Morale 9 = 12 - 3
Bonuses:
Time 18 = 20 - 2
Supply 3 = 0 + 3
Intel 6 = 4 + 2

Back to camp

Adamattus Rosio Torro, who had deserted the Legion at Plainsworth, was found by Mercy at a pub within the Fort. Mercy, who had not yet been spotted, slipped out. When Rosio drunkenly left the establishment he was ambushed by Mercy. Bound and gagged, Rosio was brought to the Legion camp, with Mercy first bringing him to Albon for a bit of first aid, as Mercy was quite vigorous in his argumentation with Rosio. Albon, freshened Rosio up and discreetly slipped him a pill in case Rosio desired a quick death. Irex was brought in to examine Rosio, who quickly escored him to the commander, the marshal, and the quartermaster. The quartermaster quickly leaves, saying that he is not relevant to him as he is no longer marked an asset of the Legion. The marshal, commander, and master sergeant debate his fate, with the marshal counseling execution and the master sergeant arguing for some leniency, citing Torro’s exemplary record before desertion. The commander looked piercingly into Adamattus Rosio Torro, and decided to commute his sentence on the condition that he deliver a message to the guardian of the World Tree. Adamattus Rosio Torro, acknowledged the exceedingly high chance of death for the mission and accepted the charge with a look of resolve. Rosio then left immediately.

In later annals, it is recorded that Adamattus Rosio Torro did successfully reach the Panyar forest. After delivering his message, he fought in defense of the World Tree and was slain by the infamous Ache.

The command staff led by Lieutenant Anirban has analyzed the notes captured from Blighter’s field office. These notes revealed a series of experiments by Viktoria Karhowl, the Doctor, and Blighter on living prisoners and the recently dead. They have been introducing alchemical mixtures with corruptive substances, and found that by introducing different alchemical substances they can control the mutations. They’ve perfected bile production that creates corruptive fluids and also a strong vomiting strong reflex, and then innovating further they created aerosols to spread this further. They’ve also perfected applying corruption to weapons and also found a formula for the strengthening of sinew. The last formula was used by the Legion alchemists as the basis for the Stitched strength potion, which provides a short burst of supernatural strength to the imbiber.

Time passes

Time 19 = 18 + 1
Intel 7 = 6 + 1

Campaign Actions
Alchemist hired (Moff-- known criminal, morally flexible, inventor of Blight Tank)
Blackshot (had to barter food to acquire)
Religious supplies
Mercy (idealist, refuses to talk to or heal specialists or command staff)
Explosives (volatile)

Siege weapon constructed

Clockwork Avian research project begun

Mission Briefings

Bloodstone Wheel
Religious - Unearth.
Katriza Pober, an Aldermarki archaeologist, has heard that you found a way into the burial chamber of Commander Calisco. She has requested that the Legion support her in exploring the tomb. She says she believes there may be weapons to be used against the undead and ancient knowledge hidden within.
Rewards: Specialist - Katriza Pober / Scout. (Has Trauma: Obsessed, Survivor, Expert in Scout and 4 total pips in Scout. You build out as normal by choosing 1 Special Ability, base scout stuff, add 4 pips as normal, and then 1 more for being an Aldermarki.)
Penalties: -1 Morale.

Boxite Toadstool
Assault
Signs of blight have spread among the general populace. Jonakas suspects an Orite unit named the Garde Mechaniq. Heavily injured in the war, their unit was allegedly ravaged by blight, but investigation found no evidence of any corruption. Jonakas has asked you to send a squad of Specialists—and only Specialists—to investigate.
Requires: Vital, Only Specialists
Rewards: +2 Morale. +2 Supply. Relic: Blight Tank.
Penalties: +1 Time.

Diamond Roast
Recon - Route Recon.
The laborers responsible for reinforcing the catacombs have found a secret passage. Your mission is to explore what is beyond the passage, assess any threats or opportunities, and report back to Commander Squirrel.
Rewards: +2 Intel.
Penalties: 2 legionaries on tunnel duty disappear forever.

Dramatis Personae

  • Albon Anunsin
    • Albon had hoped to investigate the captured Clockwork Avian, but was instead tapped to lead Boxite Toadstool, with his alchemical knowledge considered important to the mission on hand.
    • Research, Rig, Chemist
  • Silver Dancing Storm
    • Silver Dancing Storm is keeping an eye out for Opal Seething Storm, for which she had a tryst in the Talgon Forest, and who has been seen in the forest around Fort Calisco.
    • Elite Shoot, One Eye, Discipline
  • Voyis Kareyvich, the Kingfisher Knight
    • Voyis has taken the Clockwork Avian’s crank as his most recent trophy, which was mysteriously left off the inventory report after Rouge Reminscence.
    • Weaponmaster, Lead from the Front, Tactician
  • Mercy
    • Prior to joining the Legion, Mercy had been a somewhat infamous bandit and murderer who joined the Legion to avoid justice.
    • Skirmish, War Machine, Grenadier

Intelligence

  • Intel 3 - Special Missions in the Maw
    The tomb with a chain and lightning, from the Nyx Pool Prophecy.
    A tribe of cave dwellers that worship a large white serpent lives in the Maw. Allying with them would be very helpful in slowing the undead pursuit, buying the Legion extra time to get to Skydagger Keep.
    There is a vast cavern called the Hall of Kings that forms a junction that must be passed to reach the exit towards Skydagger Keep. A sufficiently large explosion has the potential to trap a Broken…

  • Intel 2 - Weaknesses of Elia the Passing Curse
    She is trying to understand Breaker’s powers and how they work so that she can appropriate them for herself. She is not always cooperating with others of Breaker’s agents, and so is often alone. Because she is not as powerful as Breaker but trying to emulate her, she is weaker when she is implanting herself in people. There is a window of vulnerability after she does si.

  • Intel 1- What’s a challenge we might face on Boxite Toadstool
    The commander of the Garde Mechaniq, Marquess Geneva deNova will be a problem. You have been trying to figure out why people are getting sick and why the Garde Mechaniq have corruption. It becomes very clear that people close to the Garde will not talk to us. She is quieting leads, and is clearly hiding something and acting against us.

  • Intel 0- What is a useful item to bring on Boxite Toadstool. This unit is entirely Orite, so luxury items such as wine or masks or an Orite noble would be useful.

Mission After Action Reports

Bauxite Toadstool
The Garde Mechaniq, the famed Orite battalion, had been at the forefront during the Battle of Ettenmark Fields, and was under the direct attack of Blighter, who personally unleashed a toxic gas attack that transformed most of the Garde into blighted monstrosities. Much like the Legion, there were few survivors of the Garde Mechaniq, and of the fifty or so remaining members, nearly all were afflicted with the most extreme symptoms of blight. Those survivors have regrouped in Fort Calisco under the command of the Marquess Geneva deNova and has taken position near the northern gate.

Within the past few weeks, it has been noted that members of the Garde seemed to have appeared remarkably free of blight, while simultaneously a large number of civilians have been discovered with corruption. Commander Jonakas suspected that the Garde had something to do with the corruption, but the attempts by his people to investigate have been shut down. It is highly suspected that the Marquess is at the center of this corruption and acting against anyone who tried to look into the matter.

Jonakas has discreetly hired the Legion to launch an independent investigation, and can vouch that the Garde’s quartermaster, Aquidith Servio Arness, was honorable and likely to know the truth of the corruption. The Quartermaster reaches out to the Garde Mechaniq on the pretext of discussing trade of alchemicals, with Albon Anunsin commissioned to lead the investigation with the aid of Silver Dancing Storm, Mercy, and the Kingfisher Knight.
The sergeant of the Grinning Ravens, Conte Suderia Feri, is the scion of a noble family in the region that the family of Aquidith Servio Arness was in charge of water rights, and she provided a letter of introduction. The Aquidith cordially greeted the Legion representatives along with his second, Princess Elenor, heir of a principality of a village containing almost fifty people. The Aquidith did note Mercy with disdain, recognizing Mercy as a somewhat infamous bandit in Mercy’s time prior to the Legion.

After some preliminary niceties, Albon and Servio discussed the struggles that both organizations had with keeping their alchemists uncorrupted. Servio revealed the creation of a device that allowed the transfer of corruption from one person to another, though Servio assured Albon that only well compensated volunteers were used to cleanse the Garde Mechaniq. Then, Albon presented Servio with evidence compiled by Jonakas of innocent civilians who were kidnapped and found with notable corruption. Servio at first was in denial, but after thinking through some quashed misgivings, came to the conclusion that the Legion evidence had merit. Servio revealed that the new Legion alchemist, Moff, was the inventor of the device and realized that his second, the princess, must have surreptitiously used the device without his knowledge. He thrusted her against the wall and asked if she did it. The princess responded that she did what must be done and that they only kidnapped commoners who were useless in the fight ahead. Servio ripped her mask off and took out a knife. Voyis tried to intervene, but Albon restrained Voyis and Servio branded the princess with an L.
The princess reveals that Moff performed the procedure on orders of Commander DeNova, and Albon consulted the shift schedule to find the time that all but one of the squads of the Garde Mechaniq are on the walls. Jonakas was given the princess’ confession and in turn gave the Legion a writ of judgment to arrest Commander Denova.

With Silver Dancing Storm taking an overwatch position at a nearby tower, the rest of the squad approached the tower housing the Garde Mechaniq. There was one member of the Garde in front of the door to the Garde Mechaniq’s command hall, and when Albon approached with demands to go inside, the watchmen moved to alert Commander DeNova and the undeployed squad of the Garde. Mercy grabbed the guard from behind, getting his arm around the guard’s neck, and frogmarched him in.

Albon shows the arrest warrant to DeNova, who refused the authority of Jonakas and drank an alchemical preparation before Voyis and DeNova duel. They are closely matched, but DeNova does not notice Mercy coming from a rear angle and Mercy kicked her in the back of the knee. The two grappled, and it is only due to Mercy’s nearly supernatural strength that he was able to match physically with the alchemically enhanced DeNova.

The guard that Mercy released was about to intervene when Albon gave Silver Dancing Storm the signal to stand down in order to negotiate with the guard. Silver Dancing Storm interpreted the situation differently and shot the guard in the back of the head, killing him instantly. The two later have an unresolved disagreement on what should have occurred and whether the situation with the guard was escalating or deescalating, a situation that Albon found vexing.
WIth Mercy pinning DeNova, Voyis was able to safely disarm her and Denova was put into a submission hold and rendered unconscious. Albon discovered her journal and was improbably familiar with the obscure Orite cipher that DeNova used, thus discovering exactly how the Garde Mechaniq dealt with the blight along with a recording of all those civilians used for the process, including both those paid for service as well as those kidnapped. The records also showed Denova’s motivated Machiavellian reasoning, echoing the princess’s belief that the peasants used were cowards who owed the Garde for their role in protecting them.
Commander Jonakas accepted Commander Denova as a prisoner and was pleased with the journal, paying the Legion extra for their service. The Aquidith would later take control of the Garde Mechaniq and they would eventually break out of Fort Calisco and later encounter the Legion some time after the Siege of Skydagger Keep.

Bloodstone Wheel

Katrina “Indi” Pober, an archeaologist infamous for her recklessness and her affected Dar accent, had an obsession for records related to the Old Empire. After word went out that the Legion had discovered the tomb of Lord Calisco, founder of Fort Calisco, Indi approached the Legion and begged/demanded to lead an expedition to excavate/loot the tomb. It was only after Indi implied the existence of relics at the tomb and the resulting begging of the Lorekeeper that Commander Squirrel commissioned a recovery team led by Master Sergeant Tayovna and her old team, the Shattered Lions, to accompany Indi to recover the relic.

The Master Sergeant led Indi to the tomb discovered during Rouge Reminiscence and Indi spent hours investigating the tomb, testing the patience of the squad, including fending off a walker raiding party. She eventually found a secret passage to another set of tombs. These tombs, contrary to Indi’s claims, were not touched by Chosens but were instead included later family of Calisco, including her husband, who was a bureaucrat of the Old Empire. It was in his tomb that Indi found what she was looking for, a cache of historical documents concerning the founding of the fortress. It was there that Indi made the discovery that the Last Emperor had Fort Calisco build by edict, with specifications for its exact location and including architectural plans for a labyrinthian catacombs.

Although the Loremaster was thrilled with the discoveries, the other members of the command squad were disappointed, to say the least. As a result, when Indi requested access to the annals to see what it had about the Last Emporer, the Quartermaster refused. After some spirited back and forth, Indi took the Legion’s oath, joining the Legion so that she could peruse those annals. The Marshall quickly assesses that there is something very off about Indi, but determined that she would be an excellent scouting asset.

Diamond Roast

Commander Jonakas has requested that the Legion, in place of guard duty at the walls, instead provide security for the catacombs after the discovery of undead activity there. Commander Squirrel lacked the resources to fund a proactive mission to secure the catacombs. During the Silver Stags watch, two sentries, Marquine Paneela Caslinian and Nikanish Khurta were found murdered. Further investigations suggested that the Doctor was responsible.

Mission Rewards and Penalties
Morale: 9 = 9 - 2 + 2
Supply 2 = 0 + 2
Relic Blight Tank acquired
Scout Katriza Prober hired

Back At Camp

Just before Albon returned his report to the Quartermaster, Marshall Trupattellen had a report from Conte Fieri. The Conte had been keeping careful tabs on Goblin, and had noted that he had been spending time with the new alchemist Moff and Strahlank from the Star Vipers. Interviews of Goblin and Strahlank revealed that the three of them were doing vivisections of smuggled walkers and meat puppets. This unauthorized necromantic research, combined with Albon’s report on Moff’s time with the Garde Mechaniq, resulted in Moff brought to Commander Squirrel and the command staff for a hearing.

The resulting questioning did not alleviate any of the Commander’s concerns about Moff’s judgment and moral flexibility. After some deliberations the Commander decided to force Moff to take the Legion’s oath and informed him of the severe punishments that would befall if Moff violated his oath according to the judgment of the Commander. Throughout the rest of the retreat to Skydagger Keep, Moff was closely monitored and scanned by Silver Dancing Storm and her One Eye.

Time Passes
Time 20 = 19 + 1
Pressure 2 = 1 + 1
Food spent

Tales of the Legion: Crimson Rushing Flame is promoted

Campaign Actions
Gain Mercy, with 3 blight, desires human flesh, has bulging eyes and forked tongue
Improved Explosives, Alchemical, rolled 6
Reinforce the City’s Defenses (Reduce Time), Laborers
Additional Foxsnuff was created by alchemists

1 Like

Mission Briefings

Immaculate Panacea - Area Recon

Smoke. The air is full of it. The undead around Fort Callisco have been burning things. Wood from the Talgon. Bodies. Mixed with chemicals. Sometimes it’s just smoke. Hard to breath. Unpleasant. Sometimes it’s different. Sometimes the people in it die. Choking. Coughing up blood. Sometimes it’s worse. Sometimes they begin to change…
The animals were once able to keep Commanders Squirrel and Jonakas informed, but the undead seem to be harvesting them to throw on the pyres.
Identify the locations of the pyres, ascertain how much dangerous material is available to burn, and if possible estimate when, where, and how these materials will be used.
Rewards: +3 Intel.
Penalties: 2 Legionnaires will die from exposure to the horrible clouds around Fort Callisco.

Inert Solution - Rescue Supplies

Opal has sent word that she and others of the faithful in the Talgon have gathered materials she believes The Legion could use. The siege has prevented her from effectively delivering them, but has sent details about where in the woods these things are now cached.
Rewards: +1 Religious Supplies. +1 Supply.
Penalties: None.

Inviolable Recipe - Assault

When the tide turned, the Banner Guard — an elite squad of the Legion — was tasked by General Shreya, Chosen of Asrika, Commander of Second Eastern Army, with a priority mission eastward. Your paths cross again! They need help clearing Old Empire catacombs beneath the fort, built centuries ago for honored Imperial soldiers and now overrun with undead. The Guard seeks a map to an artifact, inscribed on the shield buried with the Emperor’s lover.
You play a squad of Legion Rookies assigned to the Banner Guard Specialists. Requires: Only Rookies
Rewards: +3 Morale. +3 xp to each Legionnaire rookie that survives this mission.
Penalties: None.

Dramatis Personae

  • Adlara Koberel
    • Adlara and her family were captured and taken to Wodz in the extermination camp guarded by Red Hook, and Adlara personally witnessed the death of her husband at the hands of Red Hook. By the time the Legion rescued her, the rest of her family had already been slain. When Adlara asked to enlist in the Legion, Marshal Trupattellen stared into her and saw the unshakeable fortitude of someone with nothing left to lose. In her first mission with the Shattered Lions, she witnessed the deaths of two other recruits, and when Corporal Tayovna and Albon were promoted, she found herself as the last of the squad. Recently reconstituted in the Talgon Forest with new members, she uncomfortably finds herself as the senior member of the squad and leader by default.
    • Aldermani, Ingenious Hunter, Devil’s Own Luck, Scout 2 Rig 1 Skirmish 1 Shoot 2 Maneuver 1 Consort 1 Marshal 1
  • Hashi “Scarlet” Vikenni
    • From when she was an acolyte with Vazara, Hashi had grandiose dreams, of leading the faith and perhaps even becoming Vazara’s Chosen. When Minika was chosen instead, Hashi swallowed her sullen dismay and threw herself into the work of organizing the sisterhood, along with Lakshmi and Rakash, to support the First Eastern Army. When Minika was broken and became Breaker, Hashi rallied the sisters and persuaded them to try to stop and perhaps even save Minika. The united sisterhood, in the ensuing disastrous confrontation with Breaker, were bound and captured through their Vazaran faith rosaries. Hashi was one of many that went through the Ritual of Treachery, embedded with a piece of Breaker and compelled to do her will. In the aftermath of the Rout of Ettenmark Fields, Hashi and her coven were assigned to harry the Legion and Hashi was personally responsible for the deaths of three Legionnaires. In her pursuit of Atuli and the Lunar Crown, Hashi and the two remaining members of her coven were discovered by an empowered Atuli and were freed, through the power of the Lunar Crown and the Song of Nyx, from their servitude. Hashi, in her remorse, put herself at the mercy of the Legion, and was surprised when the Legion showed mercy. She swore an oath to give her life to protect the legion and was placed in the Shattered Lions. Unable to forgive herself, she has lost all her faith in the gods and hopes, through her actions for the Legion, to do some small recompense for her previous actions.
    • Bartan, Educated, Reckless, Devil’s Own Luck, Research 2 Rig 1 Skirmish 1 Maneuver 1 Consort 1 Marshal 2
  • Hazel Pattering Branch, Agitator Vinazzi, Adzen Vitalovich
    Agitor Vinazzi was one of the few survivors of the disbanded mercenary group Silver Spears. Adzen Vitalovich was a town drunk, having fled from service as one of the Shining One’s pikemen when Vlaisim was broken. Hazel Pattering Branch was on their way back from the Talgon after completing their third name deed. They all found themselves in Poprad when the villagers heard that Blighter’s forces were rushing forth from Plainsworth. The three were moved by the pleadings of the villagers and resolved to lead the band of nearly one hundred, mostly women and children, north to the Talgon Forest. They had almost reached the forest line when they were discovered by a squad of walkers. The three exhorted the villagers to head to the forest while they made a last stand to protect them, and just before their fatal encounter swore oaths of siblinghood to each other. Due to their valor and a lucky shot to the vulture that was leading the walkers, the three managed to survive their encounter and were able to make their way to the Talgon. In appreciation for mercy treatment for a gravely wounded Adzen, the three enlisted in the Legion on the provision that they would not be separated. Marshal Trupattellen, upon hearing of their exploits, finally found worthyies to backfill the Shattered Lions.
    • (Hazel Pattering Branch) Panyar, Shrewd Traveler, Devil’s Own Luck, Rig 1 Skirmish 1 Shoot 2 Maneuver 1 Consort 1 Sway 1
    • (Agitor Vinazzi) Bartan (adopted), Educated, Stoic, Devil’s Own Luck, Research 2 Skirmish 2 Shoot 1 Maneuver 1 Consort 1
    • (Adzen Vitalovich) Zemyati, Every Inch a Zemyati, Skirmish 2 Shoot 1 Maneuver 2 Consort 1 Discipline 1
  • Dak, Banner Guard heavy
    • Dak is a huge Bartan, covered in scars bearing innumerable Bartan tokens. Dak’s family has had a long affiliation with the legion and Dak had a reputation for being task oriented and reliable, as well as being warm and encouraging to new recruits. He was believed killed at Ettenmark Fields, but had instead been sent, on orders of Shreya and the old Commander, to Westlake and Eastlake.
  • Gray Coursing Hearth, Banner Guard medic
    • Gray Coursing Hearth was originally from Or but settled in the Panyar Forest at a young age. She spent a lot of time investigating the Old Empire ruins in the forest, and later returned to a leading Orite university to study architecture before joining the Legion. She has a big pig nose, and a propensity for nervous laughter. She is known to be inquisitive but reckless and have considerable knowledge of medicine and alchemy.

Intelligence

Level 3: What is the relationship between Blighter and Breaker?
Blighter and Breaker have very different approaches to power, with Blighter requiring a lot of physical resources, especially bodies, while Breaker has been primarily focused on mystical resources such as relics. As a result, Blighter and Breaker have been trading. Initially Breaker supplied Blighter with a few relics, but soon realized that Breaker is so desparate for relics that Blighter has taken to leading Breaker along with the promise of relics, intending to renege on her promise. As a result, Blighter considers Breaker to be weak and easily manipulated.

Level 2: What are the cravings of the Doctor?
Blighter keeps notes on her experiments, including the Doctor, who is one of the early ones. Even though the vulture is a dead thing, the Doctor retains all of his intellect, and so in addition to his interests in the alchemical sciences, he is also an avid writer of poetry. He goes out of his way to loot poetry. He also enjoys riddles and word puzzles.

Level 1: What items would be useful to bring on the mission?
The site that the Banner Legion is interested in dates back to the Old Empire, so old empire linguistics would be useful. The emperor protects its tombs, and brute wrecking strategies might be disastrous, while rigging and wrecking tools intended for careful neutralization of traps are likely to be useful.

Level 0: What are two approaches for the mission?
One approach is to fight our way through undead. The other is to pass through an area of the catacombs that even the undead have been avoiding.

Mission AAR

Inviolable Recipe

Among the Legion, the Banner Guard is spoken of in reverential terms. Originally they served as the bearers of the Tantari Banner. After the loss of the banner in the Aldermani pretender wars, the Banner Guard was reorganized to be a force of five dedicated specialists and a standard five soldier squad that was answerable only to the commander, available for any special missions that might be required.

During the Rout at Ettenmark Fields, the Banner Guard was serving as the bodyguard of the old commander, who was slain in defense of the Second Eastern Army headquarters. It was assumed that the Banner Guard was also slain, and the names of all its members had been written into the annals. It was a great surprise to Commander Squirrel when the Banner Guard arrived in Fort Calisco shortly after the investigation of the Garde Mechaniq. On the eve of the disaster at Ettenmark Fields, Shreya and the old commander had given the Banner Guard a cryptic special mission that had taken the Banner Guard through Westlake and Eastlake and finally to Fort Calisco. Upon its arrival, all of the squad members and one of their specialists had perished leaving only four specialists remaining. Commander Squirrel tried in vain to convince the Banner Guard to return to the Legion, but they insisted that their mission took precedence for an investigation that might aid in the discovery of the origins of the Cinder King.

During the Banner Guard’s infiltration through Blighter’s siege of Fort Calisco, two of its members have become temporarily indisposed from the corrosive fog surrounding the fort, so the Commander offered the services of the Shattered Lions to help the Banner Guard in their investigations. Gray Coursing Heart, the medic of the Banner Guard, had a map (found in Eastlake) to a location within Fort Calisco’s catacombs. By this point, both Blighter and Breaker had forces within the catacombs, making the catacombs a dangerous place to operate in.

Adlara and Scarlet, upon perusing the map, settled upon a route that lead through an area behind the tomb of Calisco, which was known to have so many traps that even the undead shied away from. To reach that area, the heavy Dak and the Trio, as Hazel Pattering Branch, Agitator Vinazzi, Adzen Vitalovich were collectively known, headed an assault through Blighter’s pickets that allowed the team to reach the tomb and take a special passage to the undisturbed parts of the catacombs. To further disorient the enemy forces, the Quartermaster provided explosives that Dak planted on route, timed to go off as the Banner Guard and Shattered Lions headed into the unmapped region.

This section of the catacombs had been undisturbed for what was likely centuries. As the force entered a large antechamber, the stone slabs that they passed through closed shut behind them. As they assessed the room, they started to hear the hissing of gas seeping into the room. Scarlet, in her former life as a witch, had spent much of the campaign under Breaker looking for relics, and when searching for the Silver Spike had found a trap similar to this. She quickly led Hazel to the point that needed to be reset on the ceiling of the chamber, to which Hazel quickly clambered to, thus neutralizing the trap. Grey Coursing Hearth looked at Hashi quizzically and asked how she knew about the trap, and Hashi quietly told her history of servitude under Breaker. There was a moment of tension as Grey Coursing Hearth and Dak tensed and the Shattered Lions gathered around Hashi in support. Then Dak let out a bellowing laugh, remarking he was glad that Hashi was on his side, and he and the Agitor high fived.

The party then found the hidden passage and went through a series of highly ornate passageways, embroidered with tapestries with romance themes. Hazel, taking point, spotted most of the traps set along the path, only missing one. That trap unleashed a heavy bolt aimed straight at Hazel. The Agitor however spotted it and nudged Hazel to the side, who agilely rolled away while the bolt grazed the Agitor through his shield to his left arm. Shortly after this incident, the group arrived at an elaborately carved stone enclosure.

In front of the structure were Old Dar inscriptions consisting of an o poem, written by Emperor Tantarus dedicated to his lover.

Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars

of light,
Had given off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,

the long tapers
of cattails
Were bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders

of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is

nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have ever learned

in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side

Was salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world

you must be able
to do three things:
Loving what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it
go,
to let it go.
(note-- adapted from “In Blackwater Woods” by Mary Oliver)

Adlara led most of the force in a search of the area, but there were no obvious way to enter the enclosure. Scarlet and Grey Coursing Hearth worked on the translation of the poem, and Scarlet found oddities in the verb conjugations, and Grey Coursing Hearth noted that the engravings of those words seem to have a different look from the rest of the poem. Over Grey Coursing Hearth’s objection, Scarlet quickly and recklessly pushes each of the words, which held pressure plates. The enclosure then opens and the chamber beyond was illuminated with the glow of the setting sun.

Inside the tomb materialized a figure dressed in a Bartan variant of the old style of clothing dating from the Bronzed Man era of the Old Empire. Grey Coursing Hearth brought out a fruit offering, and the ethereal figure rasped, “Thank you brothers, I am hungry”. It then bit into an apple, and the color of the apple drain out of it, rendering it gray. The ghostly figure then asked for news. Adlara began to talk about the Cinder King, but the ghostly figure appeared to grow more and more discomfited. The Agitor interceded and recounted wars that he had learned in the Old Empire period and presented his Bartan token.

The spirit then less of how he was assigned to guard the tomb until relieved, but doubts that the Emperor will send someone to relieve him. It cannot remember the last time it was on the surface, and seemed to have no concept of time, but is happy to see another representative of the Empire, as it perceived the legionnaires. The Agitor recalled that old Imperial customs put a lot of weight in degrees of familiarity, and suggested to Adlara that she use the authority of the Legion. Adlara proceeds to tell the shade about the line of authority from the Emperor to the Bronzed Man to Commander Squirrel to herself, to give the order for the shade’s release. When the shade appeared skeptical, the Agitor explained the legalities of the transfer of the authority, satisfying the shade. Then the shade asked who would take its place. Scarlet quickly volunteered, and then brazenly announced, after taking control of the post, that the vigil would end immediately. The shade was visibly disgusted and pushed its geas onto Scarlet, but she resisted the command through force of will. However, she was visibly shaken and the Marshal would later note that Scarlet’s reckless inclination towards duty were further exacerbated.

Grey Coursing Heath then searched through the tomb, dedicated to the Emperor’s lover Laurentius. In consultation with Scarlet who has seen this type of tomb before, found a secret cache holding a shield which had embossed on it a map leading into Dar. Dak then told the Shattered Lions that the Banner Guard intended to head to Dar, following clues found in Eastlake and Westlake about the emergence of the Cinder King. Hazel left an acorn as the squad left the tomb, and Hazel would lead the squad quickly back towards the service, avoiding further undead patrols.

Immaculate Panacea

Feathers led the Ghost Owls to investigate the poison pyres around Fort Calisco. The details of the investigation were lost, as the remaining force was traumatized by the experience. What the command staff was able to ascertain is that the squad made contact with Opal and the Talgon Panyar scout force, who were able to point out the location of the nine pyres, in a pattern that Ramayana “Willow” Jankru recognized as symbolically important. The squad, taking with the religious supplies that Opal had cached, made contact with two of the pyres, discovering wagons of organic material fuel, and came to the conclusion that they were to be used to launch a poison attack on Fort Calisco similar to what occurred in Plainsworth. They were able to purify the two pyres, though at the loss of Lena Gerzel and Sivelik Sivelich, who perished in the poison clouds.

Mission benefits and penalties

Morale 11 - 2 + 3 = 12
XP bonus
Intel 9 = 5 + 3 + 1

Back at Camp

The Commander Squirrel and Jonakas had a dinner before where the Marchesa and Jonakas reflected on their time together and where the Marchesa informed Jonakas that the Legion were ready to leave soon. Jonakas understood that the Legion’s presence was itself a danger to the fort due to the objectives of Blighter and Breaker to capture the Horned One, and so was not uneager to see the Legion to leave, but the commanders left on warm terms.

When the Marchesa went to her room, she found a fiery young Zemyati woman. The Marchesa started sobbing, filled with a sense of failure and disappointment, and greeted her old friend with a hug. The Zemyai said how proud she was of the Legion, and then the Marchesa gave a recount of the Legion’s retreat from the Rout at Ettenmark Fields. Then the Zemyati gave the Marchesa a knife and a scroll and asked the Marchesa to take good care of the Horned One, and to leave at once.

The Marchesa then awoke to distant howling in screaming in the distance. She realized that she must have dreamt of all of the events after retiring for the night after her dinner with Jonakas. She saw the Horned One, in the shape of a bird, sitting at her window. The Horned One said that ravens have sighted a fast moving force of Zemyati cavalrymen that have crashed into the undead pickets to the north. It would later be ascertained that this was the newly formed Knights of the White Oak, led by a newly re-emergent Zora, leading a march south to the Panyar forest. The Commander found the the Legion already awaken by the screams of distant battle and led them to the prepared tunnel path leading out of Fort Calisco,

Time Passes

Time 21 = 20 + 1
Pressure 3 = 2 + 1

Campaign actions

Volunteer for Corruption tank for alchemsits.
Horses, Relgious Supplies
Laborers complete reinforce defenses, siege weapons
Alchemy: Improved explosives

Advance
The Legion heads out of Fort Calisco through the underground tunnels and towards the Maw.

Mission Briefings

Crimson Hope
Religious - Defense.
Rewards: -1 Time. + 2 xp.
Penalties: +1 Pressure.

Commander Squirrel’s finest rat agents report that Breaker’s troops, burnt, and crackling with energy, are marching on a shrine to the Bartan Goddess of Darkness, Secrets, and Lost Causes. Intercept them, defend the shrine, do not let them gain whatever power they seek in this place.

Emerald Fear
Religious - Cleansing.
Rewards: +1 Intel. +2 Morale.
Penalties: -1 Morale.

A cavern, said to be full of ancient pillars carved out of the living rock, covered in thousands of ancient runes has been occupied by Breaker’s forces. Remove them, and prevent them taking whatever they have learned back to their corrupt mistress.

Opal Uncertainty
Religious

While most of the script on the cave walls remains indecipherable, some is recognizable to religious scholars in the Legion. It speaks of the tomb of a pre-Empire hero who wielded lightning—a Chosen from an era little is known about. Brave the tomb’s traps and guards, and fetch the corpse to make into Reliquaries.

Rewards: 1 Religious Supplies (3 uses). Relic: Lightning Chain. (Mark 2 corruption to throw lightning at a nearby target, and reveal to Breaker who you are, where you are, and what you’re doing.)
Penalties: None.

Dramatis Personae

  • Katriza “Indi” Pober, Archaeologist
    • Katriza left university in first year to pursue her love of investigating Old Empire archaeologist dig sites. Considered a disgrace by the academy, she is nonetheless considered a legend for her ability to survive and thrive in otherwise inhospitable conditions and infamous for her lack of interest in publishing or basic artifact security. She has raided countless shrines and tombs, and is obsessed with the connections between the Emperors and the ultimate fate of the Last Emperor. She joined the Legion for the sole purpose of getting access to the annals, and found an affinity with the Legion’s practical focus on discovering relics. She has a carefree attitude and a boldness that would impress a Zemyati. When asked about her distinctive, hard-to-place accent, she responded, “Pure affectation.”
    • Aldermani Daredevil, Elite, 1 Scrounge, 4 Scout, 1 Rig, 1 Wreck, 1 Shoot, 1 Maneuver, 2 Sway
  • Lieutenant Anirban, Officer
    • The Lieutenant, especially with an establishing junior leadership cadre developing, has been spending increasing time reading through the annals and conferring with Horned One, attempting to anticipate Breaker’s actions in viewing the field of battle through a mystical lens.
    • Research, Officer School, Tactician, Lead from the Front
  • Albon Anunsin, Medic
    • Albon, after the brutal arrest of Commander deNova, has refocused away from military matters and more to alchemical subjects, and has been trying to bring a secular reasoning approach to the mystical. Also has been given the thankless job of supervising the alchemist Moff after his most recent indiscretions.
    • Research, Rig, Doctor Feelgood, Chemist
  • Ramanya “Willow” Jankru, Bartan Rookie
    • Before the war, Ramanya was a priestess of Vazara, performing greeting rituals and ceremonies. She reluctantly followed the Chosen Minika Arya against the Cinder King and was present at the Breaking. Like Kevani and Hashi, she was transformed into a witch and was part of Hashi’s coven. After her rescue by Atuli, she was the most visibly traumatized, crying continually and thanking everyone in the legion multiple times for freeing her. Later assessments by the Marshall suggest that perhaps Ramanya has instead had the easiest time expressing the pain that she endured and has the best mental health prognosis of the three. Unlike her friends Hashi and Kevani, Ramayana has regained her faith and finds special comfort in the rites and rituals of her former priesthood. She still remains close to Kevani and Hashi, and is also beloved by the Ghost Owls for her gentle nature.
    • Pious Soft Bartan, Jack of All Trades, 2 Rig, 1 Research, 1 Skirmish, 1 Maneuver, 2 Consort, 1 Discipline, 1 Marshal, 1 Sway

Intelligence

Lvl 0: What’s the highest threat we can expect on these missions?
Crimson Hope: 4
Emerald Fear: 3
Opal Uncertainty: 4

Lvl 1: How do we appease the Guardian?
A challenge we will face is convincing this guardian that you are devout servants of Vazara and are acting in the interests of the goddess and the temple. We need to prove that we are the natural heirs of Ravia the Stormsinger.

Lvl 2: What Infamous or Lieutenant might we face on Opal Uncertainty?
Breaker, who has been assigned to track down the Legion in the Maw, has not yet identified the location of the Shrine of Ravia, which gives us the opportunity avoid any serious undead opposition.

Lvl 3: What happened to the undead forces since we left Fort Calisco?
Zora’s hit and run attacks disoriented Blighter’s forces, and both Broken were given the capture of the Horned One as their primary objective. It appears that Breaker and all her available forces were sent into the Maw, while Blighter is taking the high road in order to cut the Legion off before they arrive at Skydagger Keep. Only a relatively small force has been left to keep the siege at Fort Calisco, which is still resisting. In light of the recent bolstering of the structural defenses of Fort Calisco, it may be able to hold out, though it does not have the forces to break the siege.

Mission AAR

Opal Uncertainty

At the Tomb of Laurentius there were references to the tomb of Ravia Stormsinger, a pre-Empire hero who wielded lightning, a Chosen from an era little known about. This shrine was seen in the vision at Turquoise Grazing Temple in the Duresh Forest, and intelligence about the shrine has been a high priority for Spymaster Antoinette. Based on records of Panyar scouts who have contacted the Pale Crawlers of the Maw, the shrine is a place of legend in the Maw, with a guardian that is known to render strangers into ash. Due to the guardian and the myriad of known traps in the area, the Pale Crawlers kept a wide berth from the area. The Lieutenant was sent to investigate the temple with the medic Albon Anunsin, the archaeologist Katriza “Indi” Pober, and the Ghost Owls, who included the former Witch Ramanya “Willow” Jankru. Willow, still somewhat shell-shocked from the trauma of being a tool of Breaker’s, had redoubled her faith in Vazara, unlike the other two former Witches, and was identified as a strong candidate to act as a faithful emissary of Vazara to the guardian.

The group marched within the subterranean caverns of the Maw towards the area avoided by the Pale Crawlers. On reaching the periphery of the area, there were carvings that Indi recognized as an old dialect of Bartan with a warning that only the faithful should tread there. Albon joked about sending Willow alone into the darkness, causing the soft-hearted Willow to weep. The Lieutenant assured her that everyone would stick together, and attempted to calm WIllow by asking about her religion, which only led to horrifying accounts of being one of Breaker’s minions. Willow does show all of the tokens she had of the other former priestesses of Vazara, many of whom are still Witches in Breaker’s employ.

As the group penetrated deeper into the presumed temple grounds, Albon stepped on a pressure plate and the smell of ozone wafted into the air. WIllow got a rock to replace Albon’s weight-- though Albon, in panic, almost left too early. It was only due to Indi’s quick reaction, stumbling into Albon to slow him down by a hair, that the trap did not discharge.

Indi consumed some Owlsight Oil to more easily find the path avoiding the traps, but did not appreciate the spiritual significance of the appropriate ritual movements towards the temple. Albon tackled Indi and the two end up in an embarrassingly intimate tangle. Willow took the lead singing the Vazara song of the four seasons, tracing a figure eight route to the temple door, an ornate edifice covered in Ancient Bartan script. Albon interpreted the writings as an admonition that only high priests of Vazara were allowed to proceed, and the compass that Indi was using registerd strange anomalous readings. Albon held Indi’s hand to trace the pattern necessary to open the door. Albon forewarned the group that the true danger is the monster ahead, with the Lieutenant correcting Albon to refer to it as the guardian.

The temple room was illuminated by blue crackling light dancing between blue rods. Upon the walls were friezes with themes of the seasons, typical of Vazaran temples. Standing in the center of the temple was a tall humanoid figure dressed in the priestly vestments of Vazara but made of exquisitely crafted metal. Willow intoned the traditional traveler-host greeting ritual on behalf of herself, the Legion, and the her fellow priestesses of Vazara, presenting the tokens of those priestesses.The golem became active, its eyes glowing with electricity, as it acknowledged Willow as a priestess, took her tokens in the proper spirit, and inquired about those who accompanied Willow.

Willow formally introduced everyone, and Indi’s excitement at seeing a Vazaran guardian, as well as her offering of a Vazaran relic that she had discovered at a previous ancient site, seemed to amuse the guardian. The Lieutenant then apologized for the presence of the Legion but mentioned the spiritual struggle of the world and asked the Guardian if he felt the change, to which the Guardian, looking pointedly west, acknowledged.

Ramanyan told of the hardships she faced as a witch under Breaker. Albon and Indi suggested to the Guardian that the only way to protect the holy relics of the tomb was to evacuate the tomb. The Guardian, upon further conversation with Lieutenant, who was transparent about the potential corruption of Vazara through her Chosen, promised that he would help protect the Guardian from that corruption if he were to travel with the Legion. The Guardian pointed out that he would need protection for its lifetime, and it does not age like humans. Indi offered the Legion’s eternal help and remarked how it is better to be part of something like the Legion that lasts forever. The Guardian laughed for a long time, and said that it has not seen something that understands the burden of that eternity. It disarmed the traps, opened the door to the tomb, and brought out the sarcophagus. After transcribing and defacing the stonework texts, the Legion left with the Guardian, laden with the sarcophogas.

The Guardian moved slowly, allowing plenty of time for conversation with the Lieutenant. The Guardian said it was created by a now forgotten sect to guard the tomb of Ravia the Stormsinger. An ancient relic crafted by Ravia, the Lightning Chain, is inside it and served as its power source.

Anirban had acid from the Quartermaster, and the researchers transcribe before Indi defaced the texts.

The guardian moved slowly, and Indi found that the way back was crawling with Pale Crawlers. The group took the long way around, requiring Indi to scrounge some edible mushrooms. Anibhan talked to the guardian, saying it wascreated by a now forgotten cult to guard the tomb of Ravia the Stormsinger. The lightning chain was inside it and powered it, and does not think itself as a person, but is just a tool of Vazara.

Crimson Hope

Feathers and the Grinning Ravens, by the time they arrived at the shrine, found it firmly in the possession of a large Breaker force. Sited were Bhed the Wolf, a nine foot tall werefolk of unnatural strength and agility, and a monstrosity that Feathers named the Chimera. The Chimera was an amalgam of three humans and various animals, one of which was a former lover of Elphie’s from before mustering of the First Eastern Army. Given Elphie’s distraught state and the poor tactical situation, Feathers made the decision to disengage, leaving Breaker to initiate corrupting rituals on another member of the Bartan pantheon.

Back at Camp

Stralank, Goblin, and the new alchemist Moff, have been doing experiments on Walkers that were slain around Fort Calisco. Despite being sworn to secrecy, Stralank could not refrain from excitedly talking about it to other members of the Star Vipers, and Crimson Rushing Flame brought the matter to the Marshall. As a result Moff is under disciplinary supervision, and Goblin earned more KP duty.

Investigation of the Clockwork Avian proceeds, and it is determined that it is still aware even in its unwound state. Examination of the clockwork harness suggests that Blighter has made multiple breakthroughs on this form of mechanical technology.

Conversations with the entity known as Dharsana have revealed much about the capabilities of the golem. Dharsana does not require food or sleep and is capable of answering questions very rapidly, suggesting that its cognitive processing is faster than human. It’s body is made of an unknown and likely alchemical metallic substance that is exceptional dense and durable. Corrosion is a concern of the durability of the golem’s structural integrity, though there do not appear to be fine mechanisms that would be affected by such corrosion. Dharsana is believed to have the hauling capability of a four oxen team. Movement speed is slower than human-- though Dharsana can easily keep up with a human at a brisk walking pace, it cannot move faster than that. . Very heavy, high density. Strong-- pull as much weight as an ox. Movement speed as a person, but only at walking pace.

Dharsana is capable of shooting bolts of lightning at a range of many hundreds of yards. It is capable of a high degree of control, including both precision guided blasts as well as wide area blasts. It is definitely tied to Vazara and is susceptible to corruption by Breaker. Use of its powers will alert Breaker and it will get corrupted as it uses its lightning.

It does not perceive itself as sentient. Although it currently operates purely as a tool of its divine creator, the Lieutenant is working on convincing Dharsana to align itself more strongly with the Legion. Although currently stored in one of the Quartermaster’s wagons, both Willow and Scarlet have taken a strong interest in Dharsana, for different reasons. Willow views Dharsana as a symbol of Vazara and has redecorated the supply wagon housing Dharsana into a small Vazaran shrine. Meanwhile, Scarlet has been seen having long, heated philosophical discussions with Dharsana, attempting to convince Dharsana of the uncaring ways of the gods and arguing about duettic concepts related to whether the gods or humanity is the primary force.

(Mechanical note: Dharsana counts as a threat 3 being. It’s lighting attacks are considered threat 4, and usage of its lightning power will result in Dharsana accruing corruption. Any blight that it receives will additionally greatly facilitate Breaker’s ability to perceive and control Dharsana.)

Relic acquired: Dharsana(Lightning Chain)
Morale 11 = 12 - 1
Pressure 1 = 0 + 1

TIme Passes:
Time: 23 = 22 + 1
Pressure 2 = 1 + 1

Campaign Actions:
Laborers: Rugged Wagons
Long Term Project: Research Darsana’s powers (complete)
Long Term Project: Recruit Darsana to the Legion (ongoing)
Alchemical project- Remove explosive volatility

Missions Briefings

Ceremonious Cube
Assault - Undead.

A horde of twisted bodies, shaped into animal forms, are ranging through the tunnels. They move swiftly and operate well in the darkness of the caves. Figure out how to take out their commander and disrupt their operations.
Rewards: +3 Morale.
Penalties: +1 Pressure.

Fascinating Torus
Religious - Cleansing

The shrine to Bheda, the Bartan Goddess of Darkness, Secrets, and Lost Causes, has fallen to Breaker’s forces. Your scouts can hear the chants of witches echoing for miles. Find a way to the witches, eliminate them, and if possible reverse whatever they have done.
Rewards: Specialist. (Someone from your past is also working to solve this problem, and will join you afterward.)
Penalties: None.

Pedantic Prism
Assault

The Pale Crawlers can be addressed head-on. Scouts tracked some of them deeper into the caves. They sortie from a giant cave that is host to a giant milky white serpent (threat 4) that glows with a pale luminescence.
The Pale Crawlers feed intruders to this creature. If you can put it down or appease its hunger, the Pale Crawlers would pull back, giving the Legion much needed breathing room. Requires: Vital, Only Specialists
Rewards: -2 Time. +3 Morale.
Penalties: +2 Pressure if you attempt but fail, but no penalties if not attempted.

The OG Squad
The Lieutenant
Silver Dancing Storm, Sniper
Zai Yaryevna, Medic
Mercy, Heavy

Intelligence

Intel 0 - What is a useful non-food thing to bring to the Pale Crawlers?
They are interested in Orite devices which are beyond their capability to produce. The Lieutenant expects that different elements of the society have different relationships to the serpent. It is likely to be revered as a deity. In addition to food, symbolic offerings appropriate to a god or demigod would be appropriate.

Intel 1 - What resources or benefits might we find at the Pale Crawler’s lair?
The Pale Crawlers have control and understanding of the easiest and most direct paths through the Maw. They also represent a powerful force in the area.

Intel 2- What is a craving or instinct of the milky white serpent?
It is an apex predator of immense size that requires a large amount of protein matter. Not sure if the undead works-- may cause it to be corrupted. There are a lot of horses, and they are pretty tasty. It also would eat non-vegetarian foodstuffs.

Intel 3 - What are Blighter’s evil plans?
Blighter finds herself unable to resist direct control of the Cinder King. She feels certain that if she can get samples of Cinder Blood, she can use alchemy to discover how to figure out how the Cinder King controls the undead, so that she can free herself from his control and obtain personal command of the undead.

Mission AAR

Pedantic Prism

Early in the Legion’s stay at Fort Calisco, Commander Squirrel had made the decision to travel through the Maw to get to Skydagger Keep, and asked Antoinette for any intelligence on the existing denizens of the area. Antoinette found that the passage through the Maw saw, in earlier times, some amount of merchant traffic and one of those merchants described a fierce tribe of humans who reside in the Maw. The merchants call them the Pale Crawlers, though they call themselves the Enyakki, which translates to “the people” in their language. There is enough contact between the Enyakki and the surface dwellers that the Enyakki have some translators of other languages, principally Zemyati and Aldermani. The Enyakki are known to ambush travelers, and are said to worship a giant milky white serpent to which they sacrifice captives. Commander Squirrel designated Lieutenant Anirban as a diplomatic envoy between the Legion and the Enyakki and assigned Silver Dancing Storm, Zai Yaryevna, and Mercy as his entourage, and sent him with carts laden with all of the Legion’s meat stores to be used as a peace offering.

The envoys headed towards an area of the Maw known to be infested with the Pale Crawlers, with Silver Dancing Storm noting that she identified their pickets withdrawing deeper into the cavern system in preparation for an ambush. The Lieutenant then pronounced greetings and the desire to meet with their leaders, with the meat cart as a peace offering. The Pale Crawlers interpreted that the Lieutenant was surrendering the food without a fight, and several came to seize the food. Mercy pummeled the most brazen of them, and Zai hissed at the Lieutenant to simplify his message. Before the Pale Crawlers could organize an attack, Silver Dancing Storm issued a warning shot and the Lieutenant demanded that the group be taken to the Pale Crawler’s leaders. The Pale Crawlers withdrew deeper into the tunnels, and wavde the sortie to follow.

The envoys penetrated deeper towards Enyakki territory where the walls of the tunnels form very smooth curves.The Lieutenant wondered whether the Great Serpent carved these caverns. Eventually the party approached gates towards a major settlement and were able to view the Enyakki more clearly. They were all bald with very pale skin and almond eyes. The higher status members had intricate tattoos and used fragrant perfumes. The scouts that led the party towards the settlement pointed out one of the fragrant ones, who appeared to be the leader.

At this point, Mercy noted that this scout had his favorite knife, which was stolen in the earlier scuffle by the meat cart. He slyly approached the scout and cold-cocked him. Mercy then got into a scuffle with several of the scout’s friends, and was like a war machine, thoroughly humbling and scattering the attackers. He then saddled up to the nearly unconscious scout and made a show of recovering his knife. Such a show of martial prowess earned significant respect among the Enyakki, who themselves had a fierce martial culture.

The Lieutenant greeted the leader with an Orite watch gift and they shared information. The Lieutenant explained the dangers of the Cinder King’s forces, and the Enyakki leader confirmed that they had seen significantly more intruders from the surface world. Initially, they were “edible”, of the sort that the Enyakki had preyed on and were considered a blessing, but soon after they saw “inedible” disturbed things that appeared to be walkers and werefolk minions of Blighter and Breaker. The Lieutenant then proposed a partnership between the Enyakki and the Legion to confront the cursed and asked for a guide and help through the passages. The Enyakki leader carefully explained that that is impossible, for the caves were a gift from the Enyakki ancestors, and that such claims can only be taken, not given (for that would be an insult to the Great Serpent). The leader further asserted that the gifts of the meat cart can also not be given, but must be seized as well. Zai observed the ritual phrasing and then proposed that the claims be adjudicated through a combat by champions.

Mercy was selected to represent the Legion, and the Enyakki’s fighter was the mud-clad champion Batsnatcher. The Lieutenant spied Batsnatcher’s warmup routine, and was accosted by Batsnatcher’s concubine Gemslider. The Lieutenant, attempting to allay Gemslider’s concerns, made conversation with Gemslider until the uncomfortable realization that Gemslider was flirting unsubtly with the Lieutenant. Despite Silver Dancing Storm’s encouragement, the Lieutenant rebuffed Gemslider’s advances.

With the Lieutenant’s warnings about the defensive properties of the mud, Mercy fought off Batsnatcher and, after a grueling battle, managed to get a headlock on the Pale Crawler. To the approval of the crowd, Mercy then broke Batsnatcher’s neck. It was thus how Mercy earned the title of the new Batsnatcher. The Lieutenant and Gemslider prepared Mercy to perform the ritual dances and chants required for the initiation ritual, which also involved ritual scarring and the preparation of the former Batsnatcher to be a ritual sacrifice for the Great Serpent. The body of the old Batsnatcher, as well as the contents of the meat cart, was offered to the Great Serpent. The ritual chants brought out the enormous milky scaled white worm, who quickly ate the offering and then retracted back down to its hole.

With the conclusion of the ritual, the alliance between the Legion and Enyakki were sealed. It was at this point that final planning for Operation Oricalcum Oubliette, started at Fort Calisco, was concluded that would put an end to Breaker’s pursuit.

Fascinating Torus

Master Sergeant Irex Tayovna and the Star Vipers were sent back to the temple of Bheda to investigate the Breaker force that had taken control of the shrine. Scouting of the temple revealed that a coven of witches was performing a ritual to bring the shrine in alignment with Vazara. Stralank of the Star Vipers believed that Bheda could be subverted if enough of the holy sites of Bheda were subverted. At this point, the Chimera could be seen leading the werefolk detachment on a mission, leaving the witches alone.

At this point, Opal Seething Storm revealed herself to the Legion squad. She and a small band of Talgon hunters had been hunting these witches, and had managed to first divert Bhed the Wolf and now the Chimera, at the cost of significant losses. The Master Sergeant and Opal Seething Storm agree to pool their resources to root out the coven at the temple of Bheda.

The combination of the Star Viper’s knowledge of mystical forces, the Talgon hunter’s stealth, and the Master Sergeant’s strategic planning allow for the ambush of half of the coven, sent to investigate a false relic signature. The remaining witches were attacked in a direct assault at the temple, attempting to complete their ritual. When one of the witches were shot, lightning would arc out of their body to a nearby wraith and the witch would continue chanting in the new body. It took a combination of counterchanting ritual by Stralank and other Star Vipers, aerosol delivery of relics by Crimson Rushing Flame, and extreme violence by the remainder of the hunters to slay the remaining members of the coven.

After the battle, the remaining members of Opal’s band decide to head back to the Talgon Forest to retire from the war. Opal decided to keep on with the struggle and offered to join the Legion.

Back at Camp

With the sacrifice of the meat cart, the Legion was on a strict Bartan vegetarian diet. Many complained of the insufficiency of the rations, and there were several incidents of illness among those who foraged for meat in the caverns of the Maw. One particularly egregious case was the blighted Kyvat, who consumed tainted vermin meat when his blighted third eye said that it would be fine.

Silver Dancing Storm was overjoyed to see Opal Seething Storm join the legion, and the two would have a tempestuous on-again-off-again relationship over the coming months.

Mercy approached the Marshall, and gave notice that he would be resigning from the Legion after receiving his share of the spoils the end of the current campaign. After the conclusion of the Second Eastern Army contract with the defeat of the Cinder King, Mercy and his consort Gemslider returned to the Enyakki and became Lead Batsnatcher. Mercy would remain a Legion contact and would aid the Legates in their monitoring of the Lightning Tomb.

During one of the discussions about Vazaraa between Scarlet and Dharsana, Scarlet’s words sufficiently disoriented Dharsana that it discharged a blast of lightning into the cavern wall. The realization of its own sense of resentment and abandonment led to Dharsana’s reevaluation of itself as an entity in its own right and away from its self-conception as purely a tool of Vazara. It then talked at length with the Lieutenant and the Lorekeeper, and chose to join the Legion. After much heated discussion, Dharsana was transferred from the Quartermaster’s jurisdiction to the Marshal’s, and considered to be a Bombard, a new class of attache specialist. His cart was moved close to the Shattered Lion’s area, and Scarlet and Dharasana became very close friends.

Mission penalties and rewards
Pressure: 3 = 2 + 1
Morale: 11 + 3 = 12
Time: 23 -2 = 21
Sniper: Opal Seething Storm

Campaign actions
Long term project complete: Dharsana is recruited to the legion
Liberty
Laborers work on Collect Guano

Mission Briefings

Ebony Echochamber
Religious - Escort

Gem Slider knows that a distant band of Pale Cralwers has captured some refugees trying to pass through the caves. From her description, they sound like they are religious figures of some kind.
Rewards: Vision Serum (3 uses). User has hallucinations, which tend to lead to self understanding and growth. +2 XP on consumption.
Penalties: +1 Pressure.

Silver Slipstream
Assault: Undead.

The undead assaults have grown relentless. The Legion is hardly sleeping because of the consistent cadence of attacks. Find the command post that is organizing the attacks, take out their leadership, and destroy their maps or other logistical materials.
Rewards: +3 Morale.
Penalties: +1 Pressure. +1 Time.

Oricalcum Oubliette

The route through the caves merges to a single passage at one point—a vast cavern known as the Hall of Kings. This means that you know where Breaker chasing you must pass through to continue. A volunteer group should place and detonate charges on the supporting pillars to collapse the cave around Breaker, taking them out or burying her until long after the war is decided.
Requires: Vital, Explosives
Rewards: +5 Morale. -3 Time.
Penalties: None.

Dramatis Personae

  • Voyis Karieyvich, Legendary Weaponmaster
    • At this point in the campaign, no one of the Legion was more energetic than the Kingfisher Knight, whose confidence kept rising even as the weight of the campaign was enervating most of the soldiers. His heroic optimism made him a natural choice of leader for as perilous a mission as Oricaclcum Oubliette.
    • Weaponmaster, Lead From the Front, Tactician
  • Albon Anunsin, Battlefield Alchemist
    • Albon reluctantly agreed to take part in the mission. Although concerned about their chances of success, he couldn’t help feel excitement about the challenge of rigging together the mother of all cave-ins, and had been rehearsing for this moment for weeks with help from the Legion alchemists.
    • Chemist, Doctor Feelgood, Moral Support
  • Atuli Markesh, Nyx Touched
    • Atuli has fully come to terms with his role as speaker for Nyx, and has recovered from his wounds at the gates of Fort Calisco. Although he has regained some of the cheerfulness and swagger that he had before he donned the Crown of Nyx, there remains an element of somberness and serenity that arose from his assumption of his new role.
    • Song of Nyx (Weave 2), Ghost, Infiltrator, Sixth Sense, Ready for Anything
  • Hashi “Scarlet” Vikenni, Penitent Soldier
    • Scarlet has been a key resource for the Legion command, as she had the best knowledge of the inner workings of Breaker and her minions among the three former witches that are now in the Legion. The marshal has noted her tendency for recklessness, especially in fighting against Breaker. She has become an outspoken unbeliever, and has frequent philosophical arguments with the golem Dharsana concerning the beliefs of the Vazara priesthood.
    • Reckless, Devil’s Own Luck, Eat Iron Shits Nails
  • Dharsana, Living Bombard
    • Dharsana has become convinced of its own sentience and is quite loquacious, stemming probably from hundreds of years of isolation. It has contributed significantly to the lore of the pre-Imperial times of Ravia Stormsinger, and can be regularly seen conversing with Indi, the Lieutenant, and Willow. It has bonded perhaps most closely with Scarlet.
    • Powered by Lightning, Extraordinary Construct, Linked to Breaker through Vazara

Intelligence

  • Intel 3 question: How close does Breaker need to be to break the Horned One?
    • All the breaking that has occurred is at a close speaking range. Within 10 feet.
  • Intel 2 question: What’s the main weakness of the undead’s position on this mission?
    • A lot of Breaker’s power is related to the weather and many of her forces can fly. She can’t leverage a fair number of her abilities, and her flying forces are not with her, having taken the overland route.
  • Intel 1 question: What’s useful to bring on this mission?
    • Reliquaries!
  • Intel 0 question: What are two approaches we could use on Oricalcum Oubliette?
    • One approach is to prepare the chamber as an ambush, triggering the avalanche when Breaker is present. This approach would be focused on stealth, reconnaissance, and engineering.
    • The second approach is to do battle at this location. Force Breaker to appear because their forces are blocked at the choke point. Not as many of her troops would get through, but it would be riskier.
    • The third approach is to engineer a distraction that will drop off some of Breaker’s forces, such that when trapping Breaker she has less access to help. The most obvious would be to have the Horned One provide the distraction.

Mission AAR

Oricalcum Oubliette

Following the visions that were seen at Turquoise Gazing Temple in the Duresh forest, which foresaw the Legion’s descent into the Maw, Commander Squirrel and the command staff had been feverishly researching information about the Maw, and uncovered the existence of the Hall of Kings, which formed a central nexus point through which all paths between the eastern and western entrances must pass. Planning for the mission named Oricalcum Oubliette began in earnest in Fort Calisco. Dangerous quantities of volatile explosives were purchased there at great expense and Moff led the effort to prepare these explosives into a charge potent enough to destroy the foundational supports of the Hall of Kings. The plan was simple-- lure Breaker, who by this point was aware that the Legion obtained several relics including a couple of false ones that the Legion had faked in the Talgon Forest and in Fort Calisco, to the Hall of Kings and bring down the mountain on top of her and as many of her minions as possible. Even though the command staff highly doubted that this would be able to kill Breaker, it was believed that at minimum this would stop Breaker’s pursuit of the Legion and was likely to end Breaker’s direct participation in the war.

Given the immense gravity and danger of the mission, the joint command gathered as many resources as possible for the mission. The renowned weaponmaster Voyis Kareyvich, the Kingfisher Knight, carrying the Sticking Spear, was chosen to lead the mission, with Albon Anunsin as the trained field alchemist responsible for the explosives allocated for the mission. Atuli, Nyx touched and bearer of the Crown of Nyx, and Dharsana the Lightning Golem were also joining the mission. When Adlara Koberel of the Shattered Lions heard rumors of the mission, she and Hashi “Scarlet” Vikenni directly approached the marshall and made the case that they should be sent on the mission, with Scarlet’s knowledge of Breaker’s minions from her time as a favored tool of Breaker’s. Adlara promised that, no matter the situation or the cost, the Shattered Lions would not break or abandon the mission. The marshall acceded and placed the Shattered Lions under the Kingfisher Knight’s command.

The Horned One, in the form of a bat, also approached Commander Squirrel. She too could sense an opportunity to strike back at the Broken and informed that commander that she would accompany the team to the Hall of Kings to insure that Breaker would not emerge from the Maw. She had her bat scouts shadow Breaker, and when they detected that that Breaker was mustering her forces to advance towards the Hall of Kings, the team quickly assembled and made their approach to the Hall of Kings, with Atuli, ever ready for anything, taking point.

They quickly made it to the Hall, which was a truly enormous cavern. As they were making their preparations for the ambush, Atuli detected the scuttling of roden werefolk, advance scout of Breakers. As they fanned out into the Hall of Kings, Atuli quickly ordered the team into their prepared camouflage coccons, which had been earlier prepared rigging together native vies and camouflage gear to allow the creation of overhead platforms for the team to stay, well above where the werefolk would tread. The werefolk passed through, pausing for a pregnant moment, before scouting further into the caverns. The team then unfurls themselves from the overhead cocoons to complete their work with the explosives, set up in the exact center of the Hall of Kings so that it could be triggered from a flaming arrow. After the preparations were complete, the team repositioned the cocoons to a far part of the cavern and waited.

After a couple of hours, the Horned One turned into a small rodent and scampered deeper into the caverns. Soon thereafter there were the rhythmic chants and marches of Breaker’s host, with the smell of ozone replete throughout the cavern. First to pass were several dozen wraiths, sparkling with lightning. Then a nine foot tall wolf werefolk, identified by Scarlet as Beyd the Wolf, passed through with a coven of witches in support. Beyd was already infamous in Fort Calisco, with witnesses swearing that it could tear through men and armor as if it were nothing and could heal quickly from the most grievous of wounds.

The bulk, as identified by Scarlet, of Breaker’s werefolk passed through lead by one infamous construct consisting of the combination of multiple people and animals. The Chimera, as one of Breaker’s first experiment was called, included one that was the former lover of Kevani Manushkin of the Grinning Ravens, from their time as followers of Vazara before the war. Scarlet recalled for the team that the different heads loathed each other and would sometimes bash themselves, to little effect.

Then a slight air current passed through the cavern, gently rocking the team’s cocoons, and a the monstrous presence of Breaker weighed on the hall. The clacking of bone striking bone, consisting of the friends and family that Breaker wore around herself, rang through everyone’s mind. By her side was a smoldering, glowing red figure encased in baroque full plate armor. This guardian, nicknamed Blackmail by Scarlet and the other witches, had been sent by the Cinder King himself to watch over Breaker. Albon had heard of other dead soldiers directly invested with the Cinder King’s power, and all held immense power.

Scarlet assessed that the several of the witch covens and the host of favored meat puppets were guarding the rear, but that the main lieutenants that Breaker had brought with her were already seen passing through. Atuli then quietly slipped out of his cocoon to get a better sight line to identify the exact moment that Breaker reached the explosives, and sent out a signal to the remainder of the team. Dharsana then shot a bolt of lightning, searing through the darkness and hitting the charges exactly. An enormous flare could be seen, and the sound of the impending cave-in began.

As the team flees into the tunnels, the smell of lightning came emanating from Dharsana as it started repeating “I must serve”. The runes that the Lieutenant and the Lorekeeper had inscribed on Dharsana as part of its Legion initiation rite began to burn, briefly quenched when Albon applied reliquaries to it. Voyis ordered everyone to scatter as the lightning field began to charge around Dharsana. Only Scarlet disobeyed, who told Dharsana that she would honor her promise to stay with it till the end. As she held its hand, Dharsana regained control from Breaker, and the two led the team down the extraction route back to camp.

The Horned One returned to the group, with evidence of her ambushes on a couple of the scattered remnants of Breaker’s forces. She informed the team that the most of the more numerous enemy concentrations were headed towards away from the team, but a small core of dangerous pursuers were following the team.

The route that Atuli had designated included a sharply descended chute partially filled with water. Using the tower shields of the soldiers of the Shattered Lions, the squad was able to slide down the chute quickly, as was Dharsana and Scarlet using both her shield and Voyis’, and followed the Horned One, who had shifted into an eel and was rapidly descending the chute. The three specialists followed more slowly, covering the retreat. As Voyis, Atuli, and Albon were making their way down, Atuli sensed the pursuit of Beyd the Wolf coming from behind them. Albon used the last bit of explosives and, with Voyis’ help, rigged them to explode behind them. Though this did not harm Beyd significantly, it did close off the tunnel that it had been using to pursue them, allowing for the team to escape and reach the Legion camp.

Silver Slipstream

Prior to the attack on the Hall of Kings, a set of wraith and witch attacks had been a source of concern for the Legion’s ability to exfiltrate the Maw. The Ember Wolves led by the expert strategist Bottas Davintar, along with the Heavy Vetel Sebanich were assigned to discover the source of the attacks, disrupt the leadership, and eliminate their capability to harry the Legion’s retreat.

The attack team set up an ambush for one of the attacks and followed the trail of the attackers to a long set of tunnels that led to the surface in the direction of Skydagger Keep. Set up in a valley was an outpost led by Rakash the Hag. Later intelligence from Scarlet, Willow, and Elphie (former witches under Breaker’s control) revealed that Rakash had a reputation for ambition and selfishness that made her unpoopular among the priestesses of Vazara. When she came under Breaker’s control after the Great Breaking, she became even more ruthless. Rumor has it that she consumed her own coven and, through their entrails, learned some of Breaker’s secrets. Breaker kept the Hag at a distance and delegated some of the least pleasant work.

After reconnaissance determined that nearly all of the Hag’s forces were away on missions to harry the Legion, Vettel and the Ember Wolves attacked at an ideal moment. Using jury-rigged gliders, the team launched a daring aerial attack, igniting the defending wraiths with blackshot grenades and Vettel managed to find the Hag nearly defenseless in the midst of a trance, presumed to be directly controlling distant minions. Vettel struck a grievous wound to the Hag, who was carried away by her beastbat in a comatose state. The camp was put to flame before the Hag’s forces could return and the force made it back to camp safely.

Back at Camp

Immediately after the explosion, the Breaker’s advance forces could be heard trying to free Breaker. After some time, they departed and a monumentally large storm arose above the Maw. Lightning bolt after lightning bolt slammed into the mountains surrounding the Maw, creating a cacophony of sound through which sleep was impossible, forcing the Legion to flee from the Maw in haste.

Even after the war with the Cinder King was over, Breaker remained trapped in the Maw. Frequent thunderstorms can be seen in the normally arid area and lightning striking the same location is a regular phenomena. The Legion has been deliberately spreading false rumors concerning the “Lightning Mound” to obscure the continued existence and entrapment of Breaker to discourage anyone from freeing her and has a regular guest with the Enyakki in order to keep watch over the area.

The Hag would be slow to recover from her wounds and did not take part in the Siege of Skydagger Keep. Instead, she took control of most of the surviving forces of Breaker, including the Chimera and many of the werefolk, and had claimed Breaker’s position among the Cinder King’s Broken.

Mission penalties and rewards

Time: 21-3 = 18
Pressure: 3+ 1 = 4

Campaign actions

Liberty
Officer School: Adzen Vitalovich of the Shattered Lions and Conte Feri of the Grinning Ravens are promoted.

Laborers complete Guano for additional blackpowder supplies in Skydagger Keep
Alchemists, full of corruption, take a break and focus discussions on the nature of blight and corruption, based on previous work on the distillation of Moon fragments and Miff’s invention of The Machine.

Advance
To Skydagger keep: Arrive at Time 21.

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Roll Call

  • Attache
    • Officer
      • Lieutenant Anirban Godpole
    • Medic
      • Zai Yaryevna
      • Albon Anunsin
    • Bombard
      • Dharsana
  • Specialist
    • Officer
      • Master Sergeant Irex Tayovna
    • Heavy
      • Maximillian “Mercy” Brecht
      • Voyis Kariyevich, the Kingfisher Knight
      • Vettal Sebanich
    • Sniper
      • Silver Dancing Storm
    • Scout
      • Atuli Markesh
      • “Feathers” Frost Slicing Star
      • Katriza “Indi” Pober
      • Opal Seething Storm
  • Squads
    • Ember Wolves
      • Sergeant Bottas Davintar
      • Private Aquidith Marcade Vilado
      • Private Indigo Swirling Lake
      • Private Mik Sumacker
      • Private Feldcarl Euchrian Sunodia
    • Ghost Owls
      • Corporal Chevalier Norris Lanno
      • Private Mahogany Piercing Thorn
      • Private First Class Ramnya “Willow” Jankru
      • Private Kitya Mazpinya
      • Private Haas Ferrer
    • Grinning Ravens
      • Sergeant Conte Suderia Fieri
      • Private First Class “Goblin” Golden Leaping Shadow
      • Private Kerishma Derari
      • Private Kevani “Elphie” Maknushin
      • Private Kerzig Parer
    • Silver Stags
      • Corporal Emerald Swinging Vine
      • Private Kyvat Danilovich
      • Private Verdant Folding Fern
    • Shattered Lions
      • Sergeant Adlara Koberel
      • Private First Class Hashi “Scarlet” Vikenni
      • Private First Class Agitor Tonio Vinazzi
      • Private First Class Adzen Vitalovich
      • Private First Class Hazel Pattering Branch
    • Star Vipers
      • Sergeant Crimson Rushing Flame
      • Private Belgarin Deinyer
      • Private Natarmi Ashanatin
      • Private Regona Surrel
      • Private Stralank Oller

Mission Briefings and Assignments

Reinforce the ramparts and gates
Skydagger has not been maintained in decades, and has never been besieged. A specialist will oversee a squad to prepare the infrastructure for the coming siege.
Team: Albon and the Ember Wolves.

Stop the main force
Send a team on a dangerous recon mission that involves climbing the mountain passes and evading undead patrols. The objective is to start an avalanche to stall and stagger the main undead force.
Team: Atuli, Indi, and the Ghost Owls.

Assemble the siege weapons
There are a few underground routes to siege weapon positions on the cliffs above. Nobody knows if the undead have sent more nimble units to reach them overland, or what might be nesting amidst the tunnels. Carry the Legion siege weapons to the cliffs and get them into firing position.
Team: The Lieutenant, Feathers, Vettel, Grinning Ravens.

Hold the second wave
Fight off a Lieutenant and its undead at the walls. Your Chosen will take the field . The undead will attempt to scale the walls and get in
Team: Silver, Voyis, Mercy, Zai. Shattered Lions. Dharsana.

Intelligence

Lvl 3 intel
What happened to Breaker’s forces after her entombment in the Maw?
Breaker’s forces are scattered and independently lead. The coven of witches is likely in control of Bhed’s forces, and is one of the last covens outside the control of Rakash the Hag, who is still recuperating from her injuries.

Lvl 2 intel
Which Infamous or Lieutenant might we face on the fourth mission?
Bhed the Wolf is due to arrive.

Lvl 1 intel
What’s a challenge we might face on this mission?
In addition to Bhed, there is likely to be a significant number of witches and werefolk that will take part in the attack.

Lvl 0 intel
How does our Chosen feel about the second wave?
A lot of revulsion and horror at Bhed and those that have been twisted into animal form, which are a twisted inversion of humanity and nature. In general Breaker’s research has been encroaching on the Horned One’s portfolio. Both the deity and Emerald Dancing Moonlight are still filled with rage and a desire for revenge.

Skydagger Keep

Reinforce the ramparts and gates

Albon passed around copious amounts of homebrewed stimulants to keep the Ember Wolves working. The work was completed just in time before the remainder of the loyalist Breaker forces, including Bhed, arrived at the gates.

Stop the main force

Blighter’s forces advanced on Skydagger Keep led by her newest invention, a track-laying train which trailblazer a path for the logistic cars necessary for sustaining Blighter’s war machine. A task force, led by Atuli and including Indi and the Ghost Owls, was dispatched to infiltrate the pass above the projected path of the train and to bury it in an avalanche.

As the team approached the mountain pass, they got sight of the initial picket line of vultures that were tasked with preventing enemy infiltration. Indi found a gap in their patrol lines, allowing the team to get into position. However, two vultures deviated from their patrol positions. Indi used a quick diversion to allow the team to start work on the explosives, but just before the explosives setup was finished, the vultures, along with reinforcements, approached the Ghost Owl position. Atuli came out from his hiding place away from the team and led the vultures away.

The team readied the explosives, and after Willow gave it Vazara’s blessing, the team hurriedly left. The explosives soon were set off, causing a terrible avalanche. Atuli, cornered by many vultures, tapped into the Crown of Nyx and weaved a moonbeam back towards the keep. The moonbeam burned away vultures in its path and Atuli rode the moonbeam away from the pass. The avalanche overwhelmed the other pursuing vultures and later smashed into the track-laying train, delaying Blighter’s attack significantly.

Assemble the siege weapons

The Lieutenant led a task force with Feathers, Vettel and the Grinning Ravens to climb up the cliffs and install the siege weapons in preparation for the siege. The team, consisting of Grinning Ravens past and present, made good time and started to install the siege weapons. At this point Feathers spotted an incoming assault by beastbats led by StormRoc. Vettel and Feathers attached fine lenses to the ballista and the Lieutenant ordered the team to shoot at the Storm Roc. Fire from the ballista, operated by Kerishma and the Conte, and the rest of the team strike Storm Roc hard, but is not sufficient to take down the infamous beastbat. The Lieutenant took out a bottle of finely aged Orite wine and offered it to the person who got the kill. Another volley nearly felled Storm Roc. It made one final lunge at the Conte, but Vettel grabbed the wine bottle and threw it at Storm Roc, striking it in the eye and finishing it off.

The remaining beastbats go feral and charge into the team. They are met by a grapeshot volley and blackshot grenades rigged to explode on proximity, killing or driving away all but one of the beastbats. Feathers drank stitched strength and rage venom potions that Goblin had prepared. The empowered Feathers picked up an old siege weapon and smashed the remaining beastbat with it. At the same time, Goblin drank a rage venom potion and went berserk, attacking Feathers feebly. Vettel collapsed on Goblin and stayed on him until the rage venom wore off. It was at this point that a flash occurred from from where another team was holding off the second wave.

Hold off the second wave

On the day before the arrival of Bhed’s assault force, Silver Dancing Storm saw with her One Eye a laborer with an eldritch aura. Consultation with the Lieutenant and the Lorekeeper suggested that the laborer had Elia’s curse on her. Silver Dancing Storm shadowed the laborer and, during the second night watch headed by Adlara, the legionnaires spotted the laborer opening the gates. Silver Dancing Storm spotted Elia the Passing Curse try to enter, and Silver Dancing Storm lined up the perfect kill shot, putting a full load of blackshot through Elia’s head. Elia was instantly killed and her corpse brought into the keep.

The next afternoon a large mass of werefolk, in two waves of ursine and lupine werefolk, led by Bhed and a coven of witches reached the outer gate. Voyis, the Kingfisher Knight, was tasked on stopping this force along with the heavy Mercy, Silver Dancing Storm, Zai Yaryevna, Dharsana, and the Shattered Lions. As the Legion formed up, the Horned One flew to meet them and stood by their side awaiting the enemy.

As the werefolk approached, the defenders noticed a strange distorting effect, resulting in strange vertigo effects and mild hallucinatory sensations. The was one of the common types of curses that Scarlet had told Zai about, and Zai was prepared with a tonic formulation that had a stimulative effect that counteracted the sense distortion, Voyis, Zai, and the squad fired into the initial wave of werefolk, which were the ones with ursine components. The squad rained blackshot death on that wave, causing the outer screen to waver, but they continue to move forward. Silver Dancing Storm and Adlara, who had taken sniping positions outside the keep in the forest line, spotted the coven of witches and identified the one leading the sensory curse. Silver Dancing Storm lined up the shot and dropped the lead witch. The witches sought out the position of the snipers and Adlara and Silver Dancing Storm retreated back to the battlements, laying down harassing fire.

The charging werefolk enter the demolition zone that Zai had set up with explosives. Adzen’s declaration of , “This is where we make our stand, we stand with”, was interrupted when Hazel Pattering Branch set off the explosives, leveling and routing the bear werefolk and taking out many of the wolf kin. Rats moved in on Bhed and the werefolk, slowing down their advance. The witches took cover from Silver Dancing Storm’s suppression fire while using nearby trees to fend off attacking birds, but Dharsana could sense the witches trying to assert control over it. Mercy hurled a blackshot grenade that carried over the length of the battlefield, exploding among the witches to further disrupt them.

As Bhed and the lupine werefolk charged towards the gates, the Horned One jumped over the wall. Turning into an elephant, she crashed into Bhed the Wolf, striking him soundly. However Bhed was quick to recover and clawed into the Horned One. The lupine werefolk raced to help Bhed, forcing Voyis, Mercy, Dharsana, and Scarlet to descend down the battlements to engage the enemy in melee. The Legion charge gravely wounds Bhed, allowing the Horned One to feint back, change into a rhinoceros, and trample Bhed into an inert pulp, but not before Bhed thrashed about in a death frenzy. Voyis, Mercy, Dharsana and the Horned One all were gravely wounded, and Scarlet was struck with a mortal wound.

As Dharsana cradled Scarlet, a nimbus of sparks covered Dharsana as Breaker’s influence started to gain control. Scarlet’s last words to Dharsana was a Legion blessing and to urge Dharsana to live its best life out of the control of any entity. Dharsana, the stands up and, as it was consumed with lightning, yells out “I AM FREE”. It reached into itself and grabbed the Lightning Chain powering it. With the last of its sentience, directing the lightning force at the remaining werefolk and into the forest where the coven was attempting to control Dharsana, incinerating them all. With that, Dharsana became permanently inert.

Aftermath

With the injuries to key defenders such as Voyis, Atuli, Mercy, and the Horned One and the deaths of Scarlet and Dharsana, the Commander was forced into a defensive posture, trading space for time. The full force that Blighter had used to besiege Fort Callisto arrived and were able to take the outer towers during the time that the Legion needed to recover. Still, the Legion still had near its full strength and was preparing a counterattack from its stronghold when a new Broken arrived to lend aid to Blighter’s siege.