Thursday, 18 March 2021

Rangers of Shadow Deep: Hungry Like a Wolf

(Please note: this game was played virtually and as such I don’t have any photos to add just yet. Also, as I haven’t got time to write this up properly, this report consists largely of the notes taken by our august chronicler, Rita.)

‘Holy’ Moses uttered a prayer of thanks to the Gods, for, having avoided further encounters with the creatures of Shadow Deep by taking tortuous routes, landmarks were suddenly becoming familiar.

Well-known hills, rivers and woods went by as the Rangers, their companions and the scholar they had worn to protect journeyed on, safe in the knowledge that their troubles were behind them.

That was, alas, until a chilling howl rent the air, swiftly followed by a score more…

The next session of ROSD saw us play the finale of Giles’ homebrew ‘Escort’ campaign, entitled ‘The Hunt’, which starts thus:

The Rangers are now heading back to base through the woods. They are aware of movement, and suddenly an eerie howl of a pack of wolves starts up. The following packs of wolves and more sinister werewolves emerge in the woods all around them.

Over to you Rita…

Rangers and companions: Felton, Shelley, (Giles), Ethan Jugge , Mouse, (Alan), Bronwen, Eric, (Rita), Holy Moses, Baldric (Jon). They were escorting Milankovite the Scholar through the woods, when they became aware that numerous wolves and werewolves were approaching. Blocking the path ahead were a very large Alpha Werewolf, another Werewolf and 4 Wolves, on the left flank were 2 Werewolves and 2 Wolves, with a Wolf behind and another on the right flank.

Ethan Fireballed the left flank enemy, killing a Werewolf and severely wounding a Wolf. Felton shot and wounded a Werewolf ahead but Holy Moses missed his shot at the following Wolf. Bronwen’s Fireball did little damage. The enemy closed in to pin most members of the party, with Ethan facing 3 opponents.  Baldric fell fighting a Wolf but Mouse pushed his opponent back and moved to support Eric, who was wounded by a Wolf. Shelley attacked and killed a Wolf, allowing Milankovite to move away from the melee. Another Werewolf arrived ahead.

Bronwen used Eldritch Recall to cast Fireball again, severely wounding the Alpha Werewolf and killing a Wolf, before moving to support Ethan. Felton badly injured another Werewolf with his silver sword and moved to shield the Scholar. Holy Moses killed a Wolf, then charged a Werewolf. Ethan beat off a Wolf. The Werewolf fighting Holy Moses was wounded and pushed back and a Wolf coming up in support failed to hurt the Ranger. The Wolf attacking Ethan was also beaten back, and the Alpha Werewolf died attacking Felton. A Wolf attacked Bronwen who killed it, and another Werewolf failed to injure Bronwen. Ethan was injured by two more Wolves. The newly arrived Werewolf moved towards Felton. Mouse attacked a Wolf by Holy Moses but lost and was wounded. Eric moved to Felton hoping to be healed. The Scholar cowered nearby. Two Grimwolves arrived behind.

Felton Healed Eric and moved to support Shelley. Holy Moses killed a Wolf, Bronwen was slightly wounded by a Werewolf, and Ethan killed a Wolf. The two new Grimwolves pinned Mouse, and Ethan Jugge was wounded by a Wolf. Holy Moses failed to kill a Werewolf and Bronwen was wounded again by a Werewolf. A Wolf died attacking Eric, and Felton wounded a Werewolf attacking him. Eric and Shelley fell fighting Wolves, and Mouse was wounded, but Milankovite was able to flee away. A Grimwolf arrived on the left flank.

Felton killed a Werewolf and moved to support Bronwen, who failed to hurt another Werewolf. Ethan was killed by a Wolf, but Holy Moses killed a Werewolf, before moving to support Mouse. A Grimwolf attacked Holy Moses, who killed it, but Mouse fell to a second Grimwolf. A Werewolf attacked Bronwen who beat it off. The Scholar escaped, which was just as well or he would have been fatigued and unable to move.

Holy Moses fought and killed one Grimwolf and charged another. Bronwen beat off a Werewolf, and Felton killed it. Holy Moses pushed off the Grimwolf attacking him, and Bronwen was uninjured by an attacking Wolf. A rainstorm reduced shooting ranges.

Holy Moses killed a Grimwolf, and Bronwen killed the last Wolf. The Rangers searched Werewolf bodies, discovering the original identify of one Werewolf, and a different pelt on another A Werewolf arrived behind.

The Rangers took the head off one Werewolf, and recognised the location of the village where the werewolves had been, before leaving the scene.

Baldric was badly wounded but Ethan and the other companions survived okay. However, Baldric and Mouse also developed lycanthropy, although Felton provided Wolfsbane to cure Mouse.

Finally, our heroes had made it to safety!

After bidding farewell to the grateful scholar (and hoping that the information he had gathered was worth the effort), they looked forward to a well-earned rest.

However, it was not to be, for once more their captain called upon them to convey an important message to a distant garrison. Meanwhile, a village had been attacked and people were missing, whilst eerie howls were heard during the night…

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