Adventure 13 - War and Peace

War and Peace

Heroes: Jag, Zeke, Atobe Keigo, Dust and Balarai Snowe
Enemies: Men of the Mountain, and the Battle-Knights of Sphere

Jag – Officer’s Dispatch 12
Recent Duties: As far as you’re concerned, the Spherans are finished. Dumping harmful chemicals into the water supply of all those wild animals is absolute legal suicide. Which is a good thing too, since many of your own men will no doubt be indicted on drug charges any day now.
Troop Status
Supplies: Schmitzer SMGs, Armored Flak Vests, Deluxe Laywers’ suits, and briefcases full of legal documents.
Morale: In spite of their name, the Shark Pack is never too enthusiastic at facing wild animals on the battlefield. This is because it’s generally much harder to indict them in the court-room, though in extreme circumstances it can be done. Fortunately, it looks like you’ve put a stop to the wild beast attacks, at least for now.
Health: Unlike both the rest of this base and those animals, your own men are of course completely clean of all illegal substances.
Military Communiques
- You’re not quite sure what this important assignment is that the Commander has for you, but you’re not at all surprised that he’s putting you on the job. After all, you’ve proven time and again that Law Division is the top of the line. With you in charge, this assignment is as good as done.
- You received a classified dispatch today stating that there is solid information that Auxiliaries Lieutenant Zeke is still in possession of a top secret item from the R&D centre – namely, a metal cylinder, 10 inches long, 2 inches in diameter. No doubt this is either a drunken mistake, or the grubby Auxiliary plans to sell it on the open market. Either way, you’ve been issued a warrant to retrieve this item, through any legal means necessary.
Personal Notes
- There is legal turmoil at the Republic Front Base: the Prince of Stormwind has escaped! Although Special Forces investigators have been scrambling to determine how this severe breach of security may have occurred, so far nothing has been determined for certain. The time of the escape has been narrowed down to sometime from 10 to 16 hours ago, but beyond that, little is known. The legal paperwork surrounding this event is likely to keep you working through lunch for days to come.
- You’ve been on the phone non-stop with various Animal Rights activist groups. Naturally, they’re completely insensed over the Spheran use of innocent wild creatures as weapons of war. Fighting the Electran military is bad enough, but now those Spherans will have hordes of activists and protesters on their hands as well!
Mini-Objective
- Retrieve the top secret R&D project from Lieutenant Zeke.
- Act like you’re the one in charge of the special assignment on which you’re being dispatched.

Balarai Snowe – Officer’s Report 11
Recent Duties: Impregnable or not, as far as you’re concerned, neither this Fort Romulus nor the Spherans worry you at all. You’ve already faced the most terrifying foe imaginable: a wild IKYAK!! No amount of danger pay is worth taking one of those on.
Troop Status
Supplies: Heavy Field Mortars, 2 Remote Mines, Combat Daggers, ratched-up winter parkas and snowshoes, and a Dunebuggy that once belonged to Arch Hall Jr.. Outrageously, you seem to be missing a pair of winter parkas from your gear! Varin or Zeke’s men must have pilfered them during your Superbowl party, the ingrates.
Morale: It took you a 10 mark bribe to the chefs, but you managed to reserve a super-sized bucket of the Colonel’s coveted KFC for your boys. That and your continual Superbowl party has kept their spirits up, but it’s not liable to last much longer if their clothing keeps disappearing.
For the remainder of this Adventure, the Avalanche is at +1 Morale. Health: The two men who lost their parkas are in a bit of danger of frost-bite, given the army’s impending march to the mountains in the north. Fats Dynamo, on the other hand, is in danger of a heart attack from all that greasy chicken. Or at least so you’re always quick to tell him.
Military Communiques
- You doubt that Auxiliaries high command cares one way or another whether Commander Kilant plans to follow his orders from the Senate. After all, they seem to have little enough control over Genghis Khan. As long as you’re not disobeying HIS orders, that’s all that matters.
Personal Notes
- Just this morning, you received some very troubling news indeed: Aeolus, Prince of Stormwind, has escaped! Special Forces investigators are scrambling to determine how this could have occurred, but so far nothing is known for certain. One thing is for sure in your mind though, either the Prince has friends in surprising places, or else you severely underestimated him...
- A bad storm blew over the base last night, making the ground slick with freezing rain. You even heard that the lightning took out some of the electrical equipment on the west side of the base. You’ve really got to get some parkas for those two guys before a storm like that catches you out in the open.
Mini-Objective
- Acquire winter clothing for your two men whose parkas have gone missing.

Zeke – Officer’s Report 15
Recent Duties: Bahh. Your weakling fellow officers might have thought that Sir Karsh was tough, but you have no doubts that just you and Jenissa could have taken him back in the day. Or at least, you have no such doubts in front of Desrae. This so-called ‘special assignment,’ on the other hand, is another matter...
Troop Status
Supplies: Hacksaw Shotguns, Combat Helms, Steel Breastplates, Republic Sabres, brand new leather Wheel jackets, a shiny new motorbike, Zeke’s Tent of Horrors, a barrel of genuine White Lotus Lager, and a mysterious metal cylinder. Ominous theme music starts playing whenever you look at this latter object.
Morale: There isn’t much more terrifying then facing a giant IKYAK as it comes stomping and tromping down the mountain, especially without Kupp’s previous experience in dealing with it. As such, the boys are a little shaken, but you’re sure it’s nothing a little White Lotus can’t fix up.
Health: The storm last night was a little chilly, and you almost wish you’d bought one of those fire-barrels from Snowe yourself.
Military Communiques
- These new orders from Commander Kilant have you a little worried, not just for your life but for your paycheque. But then again, orders from Kilant are still bound to be more official than any coming from Auxiliaries high command.
Personal Notes
- You’re a little concerned about this so-called ‘special assignment’ the Commander has in store for you. As far as you’re concerned, ‘special’ sounds suspiciously like ‘suicide.’ You wouldn’t put it past the Electrans to use a crack Auxiliaries squadron like yours in just such a manner.
- Just this morning, you received some very troubling news indeed: Aeolus, Prince of Stormwind, has escaped! Special Forces investigators are scrambling to determine how this could have occurred, but so far nothing is known for certain. One thing is for sure in your mind though, either the Prince has friends in surprising places, or else you severely underestimated him...
- You have to admit, unfortunately White Lotus Lager has come off tasting pretty weak and vile. Of course, you don’t have to admit this to anyone but yourself, nor do you plan to. You managed to market a normal army tent as a popular horror attraction, surely you can sell this beer.
Mini-Objective
- Sell as much White Lotus Lager as possible.

Atobe Keigo – Officer’s Report 11
Recent Duties: Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made in the line of duty, even if those sacrifices involve pretending to have potato in your blood. If only Seishuen Gakuen understood this as well as you did, they wouldn’t be whining so much. As it is, you’ve got a job to do, and you intend to see to it that they’re up to the task.
Troop Status
Supplies: FLAME-THROWERS, Deluxe uniforms, kamikaze headbands, several exploding “tennis balls” and still no tent.
Morale: The accusations of illegal drug use in their midst has done little to improve Seigaku’s morale. In fact, they’re afraid that any moment now the Law Division will come storming in and haul them off to the brig Rumors (started by you) that Sgt. Stenda’s food has been ‘poisoning’ them hasn’t helped much either. For the remainder of this Adventure, Seigaku is at –1 Morale.
Health: There was a bad storm last night, with thunder, lightning and freezing rain. Sadly, Seigaku’s makeshift awning of sewn-up trenchcoats was woefully ineffective, and your troops are seriously suffering from the effects of the frigid night. For the remainder of this Adventure, Seigaku is at –1 Condition.
Military Communiques
- You’re quite thrilled to have been selected by Commander Kilant for the upcoming ‘special assignment.’ What’s more, the rest of these ingrates should be highly honoured for the chance to serve under you. You’re sure that with you in charge of this mission, it cannot fail to bring honour to the noble Atobe name.
Personal Notes
- Just this morning, you heard word that Prince Aeolus of Stormwind has escaped. You’re not quite sure what to make of this event, and more importantly, whether you can find some way to blame Jag and his lawyers for it. Their legal finangling can win a tennis match, but it doesn't seem capable of keeping the Prince behind bars.
Mini-Objective
- Find a way to restore the spirits of your heavily demoralized troops. - Act like you’re the one in charge of the special assignment on which you’re being dispatched.

Dust – Officer’s Report 10
Recent Duties: Watch out for snakes! The Spherans themselves are a cake-walk for your wily Denchulli snipers, but those wild beasts will be the death of you. Hopefully, now that you’ve defeated the Spherans dumping the chemicals into the river, you shouldn’t have to face their kind again for a little while now.
Troop Status
Supplies: SIR Rifles, Deluxe Scout Uniforms, and a Spheran ‘Highwind’ Light Infantry Rifle. Sadly, Snowe and his men insisted on taking the Football Cup, claiming it as Fats Dynamo’s ‘beer mug.’
Morale: There was a bad storm last night, and needless to say, the Boyo Scouts are scared silly of thunder and lightning. Not to mention the fact that they’ll likely be having nightmares about that wild IKYAK for days to come.
Health: O’Malley has a bloody nose from fumbling a potato catch. Raw potatos can really hurt, you know. Other than that, as usual, the only real injuries are your own, involving an impromptu meeting between your bicep and a medical syringe. That’s certainly the last time you do Atobe Keigo any favors!!
Military Communiques
- Major-General Byrne-White is in quite a flap over Kilant’s intention to disregard his orders from the Senate. You can’t imagine it’s good for his heart to be so worked up, he really should calm himself.
Personal Notes
- Finally, you’d managed to acquire the parts you need to refit your DRMkIII, and you’ve been working on it non-stop for the past day. And now, at long last, it’s ready to go, and you’ve got the firepower to take the Spherans on your own terms.
Your DRMkIII now uses SIR-caliber ammo and inflicts 3d8 damage. Now, make a x3 Dex check to determine the quality of your work. Should you fail, your gun has a 10% chance of jamming with every shot. If you succeed, it is perfectly functional and ready for action.
W- ord is out around the base that the Prince of Stormwind has escaped. And after all the trouble you went through to capture him too! It just goes to show that for all their talk, those Special Forces can’t even run their own base propely.
- You’re not quite sure what to think of Commander Kilant and his intention to disregard the Senate’s orders. On the one hand, you have no particular loyalty to the aristocratic Electran Senate. On the other, you have no intention of seeing good Denchulli boyos die in some crazy Special Forces mission that goes against orders. It’s their plan, so they can be the ones to take the hits.
Mini-Objective
- Ensure that the Boyo Scouts take no casualties in any upcoming battles.

Adventure Summary

The Adventure opens with our heroes and indeed all Frontbase officers called to an emergency strategic meeting. Commander Kilant announces that they have received orders from the Senate to begin an advance against the broad, open Windguard slopes leading to the city of Velguara. The objective is to keep the Spheran forces pinned down in their entrenchments, allowing a sizeable Conventionals contingent led by Gol Draam to slowly make their way through the treacherous mountains to the north of Velguara and seize the city from behind. Xelme reports that Lord Keldon of the Tiger, commander of the city's defenses, has heavily entrenched the slopes with his forces and the going will be harsh and gruelling. Meanwhile, Warlady Tallyn and the House of Stormwind control the skies from their airbase at the Aerie, and Vygrymm's army that sacked Stratholme will soon be recovered and ready to march again. Mahmood reports that with the added burden of all the refugees from Stratholme, they would all have to be on partial rations before very long.

Kilant announces, to the outrage of Major-General Edward Byrne-White, that he plans to ignore the Senate's orders and formulate a different approach. His plan calls for a shorter approach to Velguara, straight through the mountainous Fort Romulus and bypassing the Spheran troops stationed on the Windguards. Compared to the slopes, Romulus, commanded by the mighty Lord Kronos of the House of Ursus, was lightly defended, but the position was said to be impregnable and could not be breached. Furthermore, should the Electrans fail to take the fort in a timely fashion, they would be smashed against its walls by Vygrymm's advancing forces, which would no doubt be hot in their tail. Nevertheless, in spite of Byrne-White's doubts, Kilant was confidant the fortress would fall. Although he announced that any officer who disagreed was free to leave, none did. This done, Kilant dismissed the officers to make ready to break camp from Frontbase for the last time. As our five heroes made good to leave, however, they were stopped by Xelme and told to report back in an hour for a special assignment...

The troops receive some last-minute training from their top-ranking Commander. The Shark Pack trains under the iron-eyed Major Xelme, Seigaku under the swordsmaster Lanver, and Dust's Boyos under Major-General Byrne-White. The Auxiliaries options aren't quite so austere: the Avalanche trains under Captain Rodric, whereas the Wheel goes for some 'morale in a bottle' courtesy of Captain Dolg.

Following the training, Jag and his lawyers storm Zeke's tent with a search warrant, demanding the item from the R&D lab. Although Zeke protests, the muzzle of Mattar's Schmitzer is quite convincing.

Our heroes return to the command tent for Kilant's special assignment. They learn that Kilant is sending them and their troops on a secret mission through the mountains to infiltrate Fort Romulus and open the gates from within. Due to the Spheran airforce, an airdrop beyond the fortress' walls in unfeasible, but the Egg has designed a set of boosters for Jag and Zeke's bikes that will get them over the walls. However, while our heroes agree that the Spherans will no doubt not be expecting such a daring maneuver, they still question how they will get through what may be hundreds of Spheran guards and reach the gatehouse. Kilant then reveals his ace in the hole - they have a man who they've already witnessed do exactly that. They were bringing Axen Dredd.

A few moments later, our heroes have arrived in the prison, and informed Axen Dredd that the Commander would like him to engage in peace talks with Lord Kronos at Fort Romulus. Dredd exclaims it's about time the diplomatic talks proceeded and promptly picks the lock to his own cell. According to the Deksiilan 'diplomat,' there's no time to waste.

The troops, accompanied by Dredd on his bike, say their farewells to Frontbase, although there is some disagreement about whether it is Jag or Keigo who actually gave the order to march out.

With little trouble, the troops reach the foothills of the northern mountains. Keigo orders the troops to set up in the midst of an evergreen forest, whereas Jag prefers to the visibility offered by a nearby rocky bluff. In spite of rustling and snake-hissing throughout the night, there are no major disturbances.

During the next day's march, the troops come across a strange, lone hermit drinking rum around a campfire who introduces himself as "Mr. Smith," or 'Smithie' to his friends. What exactly Smith is doing there is unclear, though he makes vague allusions to being marooned, but cheerily decides to come with our heroes to watch the big fancy-to-do up at the fort. Given the quantity of rum he has on hand, the Wheel and the Avalanche are not at all upset.

During this exchange, Dust's men uncover a nearby group of Spheran scouts. The Republic troops to scramble to mount an attack and prevent the Spheran scouts and mountain rangers from escaping, which in spite of the enemies' snow-shoes, they manage to do with little difficulty.

Our heroes arrive within sight of Romulus and say their farewells to their troops, leaving their sergeants in charge. Dust climbs in Jag's sidecar, Keigo onto the back of Zeke's bike and Snowe rides with Dredd. With a roar of their engines and rocket boosters, the bikes ramp over the walls, shocking a pair of Spheran sentries. Snowe leaps off Dredd's bike in mid-air and promptly disappears, while the others make for the tower where the gate-winch is known to be. A platoon of Spheran troops rushes out to confront them, but Dredd guns them down with hardly a pause and races in the front doors of the fortress, en route to his surprise appointment with Kronos.

Dredd's noisy distraction gives our heroes the chance to reach the tower, but throwing open the door to the winch-room reveals an ominous welcome party: the battle-knights Sir Pandaro and Grizzlor of Ursus, Lady Draven of Stormwind and Sir Karsh of the Tiger. Karsh is pleased to see them again so soon, this time with the odds on his side. Although our heroes slam the door and make an escape attempt down the stairs on their bikes, they are disabled by Karsh and Draven, leaving Keigo, the last conscious officer, with no choice but to present their surrender. Thus captured, our heroes are left only to ponder what will become of Kilant's imminent attack on the fortress, and what had become of Balarai Snowe...

Major Characters this Session
Smithie
Race: Electran
Rank: Captain(?)
Affiliation: Unknown
Meeting the so-called Mr. Smith - or 'Captain' Smith as he prefers to be called - for the first time, one might be inclined to declare him the worst pirate they've ever seen. He wears a long dark seaman's overcoat, a red sash and bandana, and his stark-white hair spills out from beneath his black three-cornered hat in several long, tangled braids, and his white beard is similarly braided. Encountered for the first time as a maroon deep in the Velguara mountains, Smithie remains a man of dubious allegiance and background about whom much is speculated and little is certain.

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