Hello, meet the Ringolos!
Random late game crisis
QT3 map seed
Veteran/Veteran/Medium/IronMan
Permanent Destruction disabled
The misadventures of the Ringolos – days one to five
Day one
We are ambushed. Most of the Company is lost, only three remain : two solid front-line fighters, Eugène and Gustave, and a talented but overweight archer, Babar the Plump. Our equipment has broken down. We survive the encounter and salvage a dagger and a buckler from our fallen enemies.
We make it to the nearest village, where we resolve to hunt down Hoggart, the leader of the ambushers. While visiting two nearby cities, we buy cheap weapons and armour and hire three new soldiers : Archibald the militiaman, a disloyal drunkard, Volker, an average peasant and Wilreich, an optimistic brawler. Only Archibald has real promise, if he ever gets his head out of his cups.
Day two
We reach Hoggart’s hideout : on to weasel hunting! A disciplined approach and favorable terrain gives us victory without any losses or serious injuries.
We manage to recover Hoggart’s armour in pristine condition, a falchion, some gold and a signet ring (an auspicious sign!)
We take a risk and spent 500 gold to hire Kettilmund, a well-equipped caravan hand. He would be the perfect candidate for the role of sergeant, if only he wasn’t a complete coward!
We make our way south to the city of Wunderstadt looking for new work. Only a cargo delivery is on offer, which we decline. Southwards again, to Grafenhaven. On the road, we agree to become friendly with a local settlement.
Once there, we take on a mission to secure the Remote Graveyard. On the way there, we intercept 8 bandits (to our 7 ringolos) who were chasing peasants. The peasants abscond before the fighting starts. So much for altruism. The enemies are only thugs, with no ranged support. Disciplined fighting should win out.
It is a desperate battle. Archibald gets surrounded by two 2-handed axe wielders and another thug wielding a hatchet! He soon loses his shield and is within an inch of losing his life. Fortunately, the bottom half of the front rank kills thug after thug and routs the whole enemy band. We will have to be more careful, that won’t happen against stronger foes. Most of the company is badly wounded and our armour is in tatters, so we rest through the night.
Day three
We have to recuperate until late past midday. We trek to the Remote Graveyard… Undead are afoot!
We are victorious. Most of the undead were unarmed and our armour was enough to protect from their bites! Spearwall and a pitchfork wielding Volker were the key.
We take on another contract in Grafenhaven: drive off brigands in the Lawless Hideout to the south. We hire Horace, a messenger well suited for front-line combat. Kettilmund, still injured, picks up a pitchfork and joins Volker and Babar in the back rank.
Day four
Night falls as we reach the bandit hideout. Some ringolos are still injured and repairs must be made. We camp out at a respectful distance from the bandit lair.
Day five
We rest until late afternoon. We send Wilreich the brawler to scout the area. He reports the presence of “some” brigand raiders.
How many we all asks? Turns out the brawler can’t count! We should have hired that historian instead. We go in unsure of what awaits us…
We are triumphant, but battered. There were only four raiders facing us, but the are much more dangerous than mere bandit thugs. Kettilmund took an arrow to the leg and Horace has a bruised leg and broken ribs; he will be out of the fighting line for at least a few days.
We collect great spoils : 2 morningstars, one flail, three strong helmets and a worn mail shirt… all way better than our current equipment! This should help us defeat fiercer foes.
We return to Grafehaven just after nighfall. The gates are closed until dawn, so we will have to camp outside for the night.