Further Adventures in The Scarlands - part 15, Dambusters II, the Revenge!

Even though they expected a second attempt on their dam the Swordfyshes were somehow not ready for it when it finally came.

The flowing water, that came through the cracks in the dam made by the ogor's last attack, had rejuvenated the flora of the river valley and there had been an explosion of plant growth. Iron-hard vines had sprouted up around every tree and rock.

Flotsum and Lugger Dag rushed to join the defences.

Before anyone else had a chance to do anything Krashhart impetuously pushed past Old Mudgob and charged at Skargat; he leapt off the riverbank.

Time seemed to slow down as the Warchanter sailed through the air with the Gristle Grinder held two-handed above his head, trailing crackling green sparks behind it. He brought it down on Skargat, in what he expected to be a killing blow.

Skargat was not even looking at Krashhart, he was too busy kicking a gnoblar into activity. The wretched creature squealed and landed with a tumble but somehow came up running in the direction of the dam's nearest timber support struts.

The Gristle Grinder glanced off the Tyrant's helmet with a disappointing clang. Time went back to normal speed and Skargat hardly even seemed to register what had happened. His axe-hand moved almost without thought and smashed into Krashhart's legs with a sickening crunch, sweeping him off his feet. He landed on his back hard, and all the wind was knocked out of him.

The Skargat lifted one massive foot and loomed over Krashhart.

The foot came down hard with the Tyrant's full weight, and his not-inconsiderable muscle-power, behind it. Krashhart's world went dark.

Flotsum and Lugger ran toward the boss as fast as they could. But it was already too late.

Braggoth Blackpelt clambered up the bank and came face-to-face with Old Mudgob, but he wasn't there to fight - he was there to allow the gnoblar sappers time to do their job. The miserable hog-worms had clearly been given very specific instructions this time. There was no running about at random screeching contradictory instructions at each other. Old Mudgob watched in horror.

Each of the gnoblars seemed to know exactly where they should go and exactly what they should do there.

They even managed to coordinate the moment they lit the fuses that were jammed into the heavy bags of hard-compacted blackpowder.

Almost simultaneously the rolling, overlapping explosions of the oversized blasting charges detonating split the stones of the dam in three critical spots and the massive quantity of water it had been holding back burst forth and crashed down the valley.

~ ⦽ ~

Meanwhile Dakmeff was off on his own, exploring the forests and looking for interesting places and things.

He had used his kutlass to hack his way through thick undergrowth for several hours heading south, or as near to south as he could tell. He had been bitten more times than he could count by large buzzing insects, his boots were soaked through from crossing several small streams and he had run out of grog. All in all he was in a pretty foul mood.

But all his griping was scattered to the four winds when he stumbled upon a high stone wall, covered in knotted creepers. He worked his way along the structure slowly, following it and trying to find an opening. Eventually he found a broken archway, half hidden by overgrown plants.

He pushed his way through into the area enclosed by the wall and found the crumbling remains of an ancient citadel. None of the buildings were intact, in fact most were nothing more than piles of stones. But there were many that remained half-standing. It was clear that, long ago, this had been a very impressive stronghold: There were the remains of once-strong defensive walls and towers, houses and halls, barracks and stables, storerooms, a blacksmith's, a wide courtyard and much more.

He knew that he had to get back to Brackenthorn Tower and tell the others about this place!

~ ⦽ ~

Deployment: Burst The Dam again (Warcry Core Book P.134)

Victory: Burst The Dam

Twist: Thick Foliage

This was a very short game - it was all over at the end of Round One! Three of my fighters never even made it to the battle, as they were to be deployed in Round Two.

Viktor learned his lessons from the last attempt on the dam very well and built his warband and planned his deployment and moves with a solid strategy in mind. I definitely did not do any of those things!

But the good news - Dakmeff was sent forth exploring the woods and found a Timeworn Ruin, he named it Badrok Anchorage. The Swordfyshes will move their Encampment there (it gives them +2 Reputation and allows a 1100 point warband size!), at the cost of ALL their Glory points.

Leeway Ruk's Fractured Arm recovered but poor Mr Flea's Gut Wound is still bad. I swapped the Carnosaur Fang Elixir from Docker to Flotsam, and the Blight Serpent Venom from Hook to Docker (since I realised more Crits doesn't help a Big Choppa as much as more Strength will!)

Dramatis Personae

The Swordfyshes, a crew of pirate Ironjawz

• Lord Krashhart - Warchanter Explorer
  3 Renown, Agile Warrior, The Gristle Grinder, Broken Leg (-1 Movement)
• Old Mudgob - Weirdnob Shaman
  1 Renown, Idol of Mork
• Lugger Dag - Orruk Brute with Pair of Brute Choppas (2 swords)
  3 Renown, Aqua Ghyranis, red bandana
• Hook - Orruk Brute with Pair of Brute Choppas (axe and hook hand)
  3 Renown
• Flotsam - Orruk Brute with Pair of Brute Choppas (axe and sword)
  2 Renown, Carnosaur Fang Elixir, blue bandana
• Yardarm Gark - Orruk Brute with Pair of Brute Choppas (axe and sword)
  2 Renown, Jabberslythe Blood, blue bandana
• Leeway Ruk - Orruk Brute with a Jagged Gore-hacka
  1 Renown, Itxi Grub, Fractured Arm, red bandana
• Bulkhead Krug - Orruk Brute with a Jagged Gore-hacka
  Itxi Grub, broad-brimmed hat, beard.
• Kaptain Battendown - Orruk Ardboy with Ardboy Choppas
  3 Renown, red cloak and squig-parrot
• Mr Flea - Orruk Ardboy with Ardboy Choppas
  Gut Wound, drummer
• Dakmeff - Orruk Ardboy with Ardboy Choppas
  1 Renown, barrel on his back
• Barnacle Nog - Orruk Ardboy with Ardboy Choppas
  3 Renown, bag of bones
• Mainstay - Orruk Ardboy with Ardboy Choppas
  Red shoulder-plate and red bandana
• Docker Goff - Ardboy with Big Choppa
  Blight Serpent Venom, black top hat and red shoulder-plate

Reputation: 7

Glory: 0

Quest Progress: Explore the Gnarlwood - ongoing

New Encampment: Badrok Anchorage (a Timeworn Ruin)

Viktor's version of this episode is here.