Session 12: Redneck's Raiders Ride to Hell

 

Redneck and his new allies ride forth to search for Zenabarithon's lair to exact vengeance for the destruction of the Lake People. They begin their quest at the Druid's cabin in hex 306.299 and I decide to randomly determine which direction they search, ignoring anything that forces a backtrack since Redneck is, you know, a ranger. I'll check for random encounters as they enter each hex so let's see what happens.

The very first roll sends them into hex 307.298 which results in an encounter with...120 brigands on the move and at a distance of 17". This will not go well.

I distribute arms and armor per MM with the following results:

Unit 1: 48 are equipped with Leather armor and shield, sword (40% of force)

Unit 2: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, light crossbow (10% of force)

Unit 3: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, glaive (10% of force)

Unit 4: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, short bow (10% of force)

Unit 5: 12 are equipped with Light horse, leather armor and shield, spear (10% of force)

Unit 6: 12 are equipped with Light horse, Leather armor, light crossbow (10% of force)

Unit 7: 12 are equipped with Medium horse, chainmail and shield, sword (10% of force)

Things are looking very grim for the Bros...

Surprise comes up with a 5 for both sides, so nobody gets the drop. Bandits win round 1 initiative by a decisive 6 to 1 and after a brutal exchange of missile fire, Bear Amblecrown lies dead, Alethras and Redneck are heavily wounded and Palk Mei is near death. All potential life saving spells are disrupted by the brigand attacks and Redneck kills 5 brigands, to little avail. We proceed to round 2.

Round 2 initiative is tied 3 to 3 so all attacks are resolved simultaneously (for all the good it does). Redneck, Palk Mei and Alethras attempt to make a fighting withdrawal, but the opposing brigands overwhelm them. They join Bear Amblecrown in the Realms of Bone as sun sets on this group of the Bros and Zenabarithon's atrocities continue unabated. We have our first TPK!!!

Thus ends the Saga of the Mighty Redneck, a hero who futilely fought Chaos and met an ignominious end in the Cold Wastes, his anonymous death a testament to Man's insignificance in the Black Seas of Infinity as the gods laugh.