Dark Continent Redux: The Military Pier and The Estates

Dark Continent Redux

A Fantasy Core Adventure

© Jerry Harris 2016

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Playtest Rules.)

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Inner Station Index

The Military Pier and The Estates

2 XP for liberating the area.

Many of the local Militia were out drilling with some regular Commonwealth troops when the attack came.  They were caught out in the open by a massive ambush.  Those that stood and fought were massacred.  The ones that ran to the Military Blockhouse and to the Estates were able to survive.  They were joined by the private mercenary guards at the Estates.  Together, this relatively fortified area has been able to hold out.  At the Military Pier, the war galley there was set ablaze and sunk by the Watchtower Witch Doctors.  That shot kept the other ships from even trying to run that blockade.  Being a low value target for captives, Kurtz’s orders have been to simply put the area under siege.  After everywhere else has been pacified, they’ll overrun them later.

The cordon is a loose skirmish line to just keep the troops pinned down.  Though they are in easy bow range, the defenders are saving their arrows for a rush.  There are 20 Possessed Natives, 2 Possessed Witch Doctors, and 5 Giant Possessed Natives.  They are not expecting an attack from the rear, so they will easily be caught by surprise.  The Giants will be moved to engage the Characters, the rest won’t break ranks until the Characters attack them.

The small Blockhouse by the pier is used by the military.  It is a minor fortification.  Currently, the military galley tied to the dock is sunk, and there are  

dead soldiers propped up on the parapets to make it look better defended.  Inside, 4 Enlisted Soldiers, 1 Sergeant, and 1 Divine Specialist are holding the position. 

The Estates are two-story fortified homes with small courtyards.  Their occupants are as follows. 

a)     1 Lieutenant, 1 Arcane Specialist, 2 Native Warriors (Mercenaries), 6 Civilians.

b)     2 Militia Infantry, 2 Militia Archers, 1 Militia Sergeant, 4 Civilians.

c)      4 Native Warriors (Mercenaries), 1 Militia Sergeant, 2 Civilians.

The Archers and the Wizard will aid the Characters with ranged attacks.  If the group can kill off about half of the besieging troops, the Lt. will call out for a charge (with a bugle), and the defending troops will come out mop up the rest of the Possessed Natives.  After the battle, Lt. Hayden and the Estate owners will thank the Characters.  The Lieutenant, after a 1 turn rest, will want to take his Paladin and the Wizard up the road to the Temple area (the bell is still ringing), with the remaining troops guarding the Civilians.  He’ll want the Characters to join him.  (The Paladin will give 1 full healing to a wounded Character.)

Things have been pretty hectic, but surely one of the Players will remember that they were supposed to meet with the Captain Verity on a military galley.  Hopefully, their Characters will ask about her, putting two and two together with the galley and the military facility.  Alas, the soldiers in the blockhouse saw the captain and crew go down with the ship.  That feeling the Players will be experiencing when you tell them this should be anxiety along with some symptomatic confusion and nervousness.  But, they’ll have to live with it until things are settled in town.