Shadowbrook

 

Episode: The Escape.

The band have to exit the enemy side of the table. At least get the girl off that edge

Expecting the roads to be watched the band decided to take the girl to safety through the woods. Not the Olde Woods by the crossroads rumoured to be used for coven meetings, but one the villagers use to forage for herbs, berries and mushrooms.

The band. Soldiers x 2, 38 points

Looks quiet and peaceful

An eclectic band

Crow King, Murder of Crows and Vampire

Anne de Freis and Cult Leader

5 Corn Dolls

Succubus and Murder of Crows

How were the evil band chosen?

I drew up a list of 14 characters excluding the Crow King and Anne de Freis who were the backbone of the group. One murder of Crows was free which is by the Crow King.

I used a D20 to randomise the picks up to 38 points which is the total of the good guys. The last choice, the Succubus i.e Slasher, bumped up the total to 45.

The locations for any character besides Crow King and de Freis were randomised using a D6, a 6 being besides one of the 2 main characters. Which  happened with the Cult Leader and Vampire.

The Corn Dolls total was diced for using a D6 and was 5.

Quite a formidable bunch I would say.

The script is written. Everyone knows their parts, hopefully.

Quiet on set!

Roll sound. Sound rolling.

Roll camera. Camera rolling.

Marker!

Set!

Action!

And now for something completely different....

 It's games Workshop time.

My youngest son bought the Aeldari Combat Patrol box about 14 months ago to play with a friend. That friend must be very patient as he hadn't even put most of them together.

 I said bring them over and I'll do them. Which I have.

He wanted them painted as Ulthwe, which is basically black. I can do that!

And to be different from my own figures I varnished them.

Here is how they turned out.

Shadowbrook

 part 3

It was early when Caleb, our leader, called out in his sleep in some alarm.

'Must go quickly to the Mill! 

'Save the girl, save the world!'

Without hesitation I, Eli Witworth, called our band together. I sent Joshua out to ascertain the whereabouts of the mill in the area. As he went we got dressed and prepared ourselves.

Sadly, Caleb couldn't go. The psychic vision had left him weak and in no shape to accompany us. (To make the casts equal. Would it be a mistake?).

When Joshua came back we gathered for a short prayer asking the Lord's protection and help in the coming hours. We made our way out forgoing breakfast so urgent was the need.

1 sergeant & 2 Soldiers

We hastened towards the mill. The directions Joshua had been given were the most direct and easily followed. As we neared we espied through the trees a clump of people dressed in yellow and a fellow dressed in black. Were these the ones coming to harm the girl?

3 Murder of Crows & 4 cultists

No!

Dastardly deeds! One of the foul servants of evil appears as if by magic by the girl!

and she hypnotises the girl to do her will

We hasten towards the windmill

Crows fly towards us as the cultists move to intercept.

I dominate the Cult leader and turn her onto her brethren

First casualty!

We move to block the escape and are attacked by the crows

They swirl around but neither they nor we can cause any hurt.

The Crow King 

The Crow King flourishes his Fevered Feathers at Joshua, the Sergeant, and he falls, stunned.

More attacks between the birds and soldiers and neither can gain an edge.

Zachariah dominates Yvonne de Freis and she attacks the Crow King causing one health damage

The rebound

de Freis shakes off the effect and attacks Zachariah putting him out!

Although they put Zachariah and Winthorpe out of action things are turning against the cultists, and when they have less than half of the force they started with the cast is axed. The credits roll and they are left bereft. 

The End

The evil minions nearly pulled it off. After the check for being axed the die roll showed the four remaining cast were all axed in one fell swoop.

The remnants with the girl they saved.

It was a fun game.

The quality of the good guys didn't match their rather poor performance in the game. The soldiers with bladed weapon and 1'' reach only managed to kill the crows after many attempts.

Disappointing too were the murder of crows although they were tough to beat because of their defence starting at 9.

The Crow Kings 'Fevered Feathers' is a very powerful weapon even though it only stuns.

It was a crushing victory 8-2. Each concentrating on the enemy neither picked up the objective tokens.

The only one which really counted was the girl (she was an objective). Yvonne de Freis got to her but dropped her when dominated. No one picked her up afterwards.

Shadowbrook

part 2

After some little while we came upon our destination. 

We saw how pleasant the place looked, much cleaner than many similar places.

People going about their business without apprehension despite the tidings of woe we had been foretold of.

We came upon the Blackstar Inn, our lodgings for the duration of our investigation.

A rather surly fellow stood at the door, hired to stop trouble no doubt.

We spoke and he said we were expected and welcomed us. His name is Brutus, well named I'm sure.

We took the three rooms at the front of the inn.

Our goods, such as they are, were taken to our rooms and we settled in the tavern for ale and food. We spoke of things in general and looked forward to a good nights sleep. Tomorrow the men will wander the town to see how things look while I will go to the preacher for his story.