These are the “mission menus” I gave the players in our recent campaign, that they used to pick the primary in advance of the session:
Western Front 1 ===============================================
A. Sec, success. An undead column has been spotted moving NE along the near bank of the Tigeria razing the villages there. Unchecked they will soon be between us and Plainsworth, and not long after actually at Plainsworth. Engaging them now before they meet up with other columns will make them an easier problem to deal with. They are lead by a crow in a(n unusual) white mask. Disperse/disable/destroy the column.
B. Undead activity is expected to increase rapidly in the surrounding areas shortly. If we act now we may be able to predict larger troop movements for the war in the near future. Head to the Sonorian Abbey in the hills to the east (good view across the plains). The Nuns are still there, and are unlikely to cooperate with a group of soldiers at their gates. Record undead movemnt of the plain for several days from the abbey bell tower.
C. Pri, success. A scout has made contact with a spy still in Karlsberg - a high ranking Zemyati military officer, Lieutenant General Nikodim Makarovich, has turned traitor after the loss at Ettenmark and is reportedly acting as advisor to Render’s troops there. Undead numbers on this side of the Tigeria haven’t yet increased to numbers preventing travel to Karlsberg (thanks to the successful destruction of the Hozelbrucke Bridge by the Legion). Get access to the General and silence him. He is reportedly located in a secure compound near the centre of Karlsberg.
Plainsworth 1 =====================================================
A. Sec, success. A nearby enclave of worshippers of the Crafter (i.e. Alchemists) was approached by the Legion to request alchemical supplies and personnel. They were refuseded, but when the Legion representitive insisted, worshippers attacked with alchemicals. These Alchemists have fallen to the foul corruption of Blighter, and the temple must be cleansed of their blight. It was also noted that the first negotiator sent out was, unlike the others, not visibly blighted so there may be an opportunity to bring her under the watchful eye of Shreya, and benefit the Legion.
B. The Holy Warden of the local Aldermani cathedral has approached the Commander and begged, for the sake of his parishioners, for assistance recovering goods raided from his estate and vineyard by a unit of fleeing Orite soldiers, who have installed themselves in a nearby Old Empire keep. The Warden has promised to share the recovered goods with the Legion.
C. Pri, success. Special
Plainsworth 2 =====================================================
A. Sec, success. It’s known that the ancient tomb of a Chosen of Nix sits deep in the forest to the east. Undead scouts have been reported entering the forests, presumably to search for it. What the undead plan with it is unknown, but the body of a Chosen is a powerful artefact they may be able to put to foul use. The tomb sits in the forest at the base of a mountain - if enough earth could be brought town on top of it it could be hidden and/or protected from the undead for years to come.
B. Pri, success. A small convoy from Blighters lines has been spotted making it’s way to a camp of Render’s south of here, suspected to be carrying both alchemical supplies for Render and correspondance from Blighter. A team is to infiltrate the camp and overhear/ascertain resulting movements/plans of Render’s troops. It would also be highly beneficial t the legion (and detrimental to the undea) if some of the alchemical delivery could be aquired.
C. The Holy Warden Zigfried is back, this time not to ask for military aid against the soldier-bandits, but for an escort for himself. He has gathered treasures and valuables that he intends to use as payment to the soldiers to have them move on, hopefully leaving behind any food or supplies they are unable to carry with them. He requests and armed part capable of getting him safetly to and from the keep. The soldiers have grown considerably more aggressive of late, raiding the country around their base, robbing refugees, and pillaging what they can. Warden Zigfried offers to share any recovered supplies with the Legion, and the people of Plainsworth will no doubt be genuinely grateful for the aid.
Plainsworth 3 =====================================================
A. Mayor Wallner comes to the Commander, hat in hand, and with a crate of fine wine as a gift, and begs for aid. Holy Warden Zigfried went to negotiate with the soldier-bandits unescorted, and hasn’t been seen since. Now word has come from the old keep, they demand an rich ransom to return the Warden. The Warden is the religious light that this community follows, and they are lost sheep without him - the town will pay, but need a strong force to safetly deliver the ransom and escort the Warden back.
B. Pri, success. The legion has been in contact with a group of resistance fighters based in the Bahr Swamps to the west, local undead numbers have inceased significantly and these fighters are under considerable pressure. They are sorely in need of supplies. They are aware of some hidden smugglers stores in a hamlet on the west bank of the Tigeria and propose that they and the Legion share them - the resistance will provide the boats and navigators, the Legion will provide personnel, and recover the supplies. Previous attempts to recover the cache have been unsuccessful because there is an unusually large body of armed people (humans) there lead by a man said to see without eyes, who won’t agree to resistance proposals or intrusion.
C. Sec, success. Undead numbers are increasing rapidly in the area, there are numerous reports now of undead sighted north of here, including many of Spitters. Scouts report a large undead outpost in the edge of the forest to the north from where the Doctor is directing local troop movements, and it is increasingly looking like there will soon be an attempt made to overcome Plainsworth. Strike before Plainsworth can be cut off, and before the Doctor can amass even greater force around himself. Kill the Doctor and any other leadership supporting him, and destroy any facilities the undead have there.
Sunstrider 1 =====================================================
A. Sec, failed. There are reports of Renders troops already on this side of the mountains, ahead of the Legion. Advance troops have been trickling through a hidden pass in the mountains to the south, despite the danger of the pass and resources required. This is an unexpected problem. Find out at what rate troops are coming through now, who their leaders are, and where they’re headed. If possible, destroy or block the pass once its location and characteristics are known. A stealthy approach through mountainous terrain will be necessary.
B. Legion scouting parties, searching for more secure locations for the Legion to pause, report that the Citadel of the Living God Templars on the road to the south is besieged by Black Oak Knights. A ramp up the walls has almost been completed - the Knights will soon be over the wall and in control of the citadel. The Templars have libraries containing ancient knowledge and lore which should be kept from the hands of the Cinder King, and the Templars are reknowned fighters who may join their strength to the Legion, at least temporarily. Get through the seige, destroy the library (or even better the citadel), bring back anything and anyone that will aid the Legion in its struggle.
C. Pri, success. Special
Sunstrider 2 =====================================================
A. Scouts report the recently taken Templar citadel has already been left behind by the troops that took it, as they hurry towards fresh conquests. It may be worth searching the citadel for any intel that can be gleaned from anything that may have been left behind. A squad is to enter the citadel and search for useful material. Proceed with some caution, the scouts also reported seeing movement on the walls in the dark of night…
B. Pri, success. Vesna, heir of Horse Lord Nettar has been trailed by a group of our scouts for some time now. She and her cadre of elite riders have been raiding to the south and will be returning, no doubt heavily laden with loot, to Nettar in days. This may be our only opportunity: intercept her and her band, seize her and bring her back to act as hostage against Nettar.
C. Sec, success. Special
Duresh 1 =====================================================
The Legion is now in the the hills and valleys that form the outskirts of the great Duresh Forest - the Hellenwald. The local Paynar communities are cooperative - and to ease the burden on them the Legion has spread itself among several villages, hiding from the unrelenting searching of Render’s cruel troops.
**A. ** Legion Panyar are permitted to participate in the local rituals, and one night [unnamed Panyar legionaire], under the influence of ‘Semsayt’ brew experiences a holy vision, that the tribal elders say is a message from the gods: [unnamed Panyar legionaire] must go to Mother, an ancient being deep in the forest said by legend to have eaten “the hearts of one hundred Chosen”, and waken her to stalk the forest an protect it from the Broken. Shaman Grey Twisting Smoke will guide you on your holy task.
B. Pri, success. [unnamned Legionaire] has taken a secret lover in the Panyar tribe, and in their bed in the dark has heard whispered tales of the Champion’s Grove, a place where an ancient Chosen fell, still clutching Del Mitra. Sometimes boastful young men from the tribes go to seek the Grove to claim Del Mitra and its power for themselves, although the Grove is forbidden to all but the elders, but they either come back without reaching the Grove, or not at all.
C. Sec, failed. On returning to the village one night the patrol finds carnage waiting for them. A Crow, and a vast hulking Horror with the lower half of one ‘arm’ replaced with a gigantic metal hook (reminding some of Shreya’s comment after the mission at Plainsworth to hunt the Doctor that she’d cut the hand off some monstrosity) stand over the bodies of several dead Panyar warriors. The Crow delivers a written message from Blighter: “My darling, you and your pups may be able to hide from the Hollow Knight, but not from me. There is no need for us to squabble. Let us join our strength - we will crush the Hollow Knight and his master, and rule this world together. I am not unreasonable, I have no wish to see humanity destroyed, merely to have it grovel before me. Send your pups now to do a little task for me, moon of my heart - the Knight has had a forge set up on the forest’s edge where he can pour wood into his fires and Cinder Blood into his iron, and send his Thorns against the city beyond the lake. Locate the forges camp for me, and give a report to my servants. I will use what is in the camp to crush him, and to show goodwill I will deliver a present to your pups to help them fight the Kight’s slaves. Listen to your soul my darling, I know you dream of me - I am waiting for you.”
Talgon 1 =====================================================
A. Scouts have spotted a large team of Blighter’s undead, led by an “unusually large” Crow, circling well clear of our location and heading south towards the plains. As far as we know there’s nothing on the plains now but Render’s troops and caravans heading east. Appearances suggest Blighter may be about to make an overt move against Render - our complete lack of understanding here is dangerous and could lead to our undoing. Find out what they’re up to and why. If their goals pose a threat to the Legion, disrupt them.
B. Sec, failed. Rowan rushes to the Commander in a state between panic and outrage: he’s spotted undead at the northern end of Cold Way, the deep, dark lake in the valley just to the north of Harug. He claims they’ve caught a Markeek, a legendary creature thought to be more myth than truth, that the ancient hero of fables, Sawn Mol is said to have slain to steal it’s mystical powers. Investigate, see off the undead, and if there’s any “mystical power” to be claimed for the Legion, see that it’s claimed.
C. Pri, success. Atikar wakes up alone - Turquoise Drifting is gone. From the few traces found in the camp it seems the Panyar have been following the Legion through the forest, waiting for an opportunity, entirely unseen despite our extensive and experienced pickets, and apparently untroubled by undead. They must have knowledge and techniques beyond our own. There are still vast tracts of forest to be travelled by the Legion - hunt down the Panyar, ensure they won’t be a future threat to the Legion, take one with knowledge that can be extracted to benefit the Legion (ideally Turquoise, but failing that, any other).
Shreya utters a brief prayer to her parent and speaks to the command staff discussing this mission: “The Panyar must have a powerful shaman with them - they have called to the Horned One for her protection, and she has heeded them, I feel her. She is a childish, petulant, and powerful force. I will join this mission, no-one else can hope to stand against a Chosen.”
Entry to Calisco =====================================================
PCs fired at Blighter, learnt why that was a bad idea. Got into Calisco.
Calisco 1 =====================================================
A. Troops managing access to the fortress’ only well, a narrow 200 yard deep shaft near the centre of the fortress, reported today noise from the shaft and dirt and dust in the water being brought up. The fortress’ water source must be protected at any cost, action is to be taken immediately. It appears the digging site, now very heavily guarded, that the Legion blew up as a distraction when they arrived has become active again, and is the source of the incursion. At this point the well doesn’t appear to have been poisoned. Someone in the undead forces is willing to expend significant time and resources on this project, more than seems warranted. A team is to go down the shaft and enter the intersection tunnel, to find out who is responsible, and whether the reason for digging is something unexpected.
B.Sec, failed. Since the night the Legion entered the fortress, Render’s monsterous trebuchet, Madness, has been pounding the gate fortifications relentlessly, with massive missiles. The buildings on top of the gate are nothing but rubble now, exacerbating the already critical housing shortage in the fortress, but the gate walls beneath have not yet broken. Last night, in the middle of a staff meeting between Jonakas and some fortress officers, Madness suddenly, without warning, changed target and obliterated the building they were in. Jonakas escaped almost unscathed, but others weren’t so lucky. Angry troops and panicking civilians meant there was bloodshed before order was restored. This morning reports have come to light of a sentry seeing a shadow moving along the bottom of the wall towards Madness’ position shortly before the incident. There are informants in the fortress. Tonight Jonakas will set bait for the traitors, the Legion must send someone out to catch the mole and settle this matter.
**C. Pri, success.**Special
Played an extra mission/session here to escape Calisco ===============================
A spy for Render was directing bombardments, hoping to kill Jonakas. The PCs screwed Jonakas over in a deal then ran for it.
High Road 1 =====================================================
A. Sec, success. Forward pickets report activity further up, close to the plateau - an advance depot of some kind. Take this opportunity to remove support for the enemy that must soon be following us: destroy or render useless the depot, whatever its purpose is. Black Oak Knights have been spotted there, led by their champion, Irag the Flayed. Avoid him if possible.
B. Earlier today we passed a monastery high up on a nearby peak. Figures watched us openly from atop the walls, as did others: hanging by their necks from ropes out windows were the bodies of the monks who called the monastery home. Now as night is falling and camp is being made, Shreya comes to the Commander. “Commander, those monks today must have seen a great many interesting detail in the last few weeks. Bring me one, I will know what its dead eyes have seen”.
C. Pri, success. Special
=====================================================
Atikar became guardian of the Horned One’s head, which Shreya cut off in Talgon. He used it to gain weave. His wife Turquoise left him as a result.
Del Mitra was used in the second wave to make a Heavy threat 3, she cut swathes through the enemy before finally dying at the end of the second wave, the only casualty.
Campaign score was 145.