Rangers of Shadow Deep: The Walking Dead

(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 crashed through the undergrowth, heedless of the twisted brambles that snared around his boots and snagged his armour.

“This way; I see light ahead!” he yelled above the eldritch howling that echoed through the gnarled trees.

Breathing heavily, he burst onto a wide track, lit as if by the grace of the Gods themselves by weak sunlight. Finally, after an eternity of pursuit and evasion, they had a path to follow and space to fight whatever evil the Shadow Deep had sent after them…

Having led the scholar to his objective, investigated the well and started on the long return journey, our next online session of ROSD saw Rita, Alan, Giles and I played the next mission of Giles’ homebrew ‘Escort’ campaign, called ‘The Herd’. Here’s the blurb:

The Rangers are resting as they navigate new paths to escape the pursuit they have heard behind them. Several of them peel off to try and see if a path home is free from Evil minions, unfortunately it is not.

An eerie and unnatural howl is heard from behind them, so picking up speed they move forward only to find a shambling herd of zombies ahead of them. More disturbingly, the Rangers and Companions recognise the badly ravaged remains of some of their colleagues…

Felton, Shelley, (Giles), Ethan Jugge, Mouse, (Alan), Bronwen, Eric, (Rita), Holy Moses, Baldric (Jon), were escorting Milankovite the Scholar through the woods. They were being pursued by a Zombie Werewolf and four Zombies, when a large group of Zombies (16) appeared ahead of them.

Bronwen fireballed Zombies ahead, killed 2. Ethan ditto but missed. Holy Moses used Magic Bolt to kill one. Watching the rear, Felton shot at Werewolf. Enemies advanced. Shelley failed to kill Zombie; other Companions joined Rangers.

Bronwen used Eldritch Recall to fireball 4 more Zombies. Ethan used Halt Undead to stop all Zombies then killed one. Holy Moses killed one. Felton shot Werewolf, wounded it, moved to support Shelley. Shelley killed Zombie & searched corpse (all zombies could be searched for clues) but nothing found. Baldric & Scholar ran past Zombies. Eric threw Explosive Cocktail without success. Mouse pushed back Zombie. Rain reduced shooting range.

Bronwen fired at Zombies but missed, moved to support Eric. Ethan Enchanted Weapon, attacked Zombie. Holy Moses searched corpse, found Magic Crossbow, left it, moved to Ethan. Felton shot Zombie. Werewolf attacked Felton who wounded it. Zombies wounded Shelley, Mouse, Holy Moses & Bronwen. Ethan beat off 2 others. Eric saved by Blocking Shield. Baldric & Scholar searched corpses, Baldrick found Enchanted Sword, moved to Holy Moses. Searching a corpse, Shelley got covered in gore so ignored by Zombies, moved to next corpse. Mouse beat off Zombie. Shelley killed Zombie. 4 Zombies arrived behind.

Ethan, Bronwen, Holy Moses killed Zombies. Felton missed Werewolf. Eric wounded, Holy Moses beat off Zombie, Ethan killed one, Mouse wounded again – down to 1 health. Felton killed Zombie Werewolf with silver sword. Scholar searched corpse, found formal letter. Eric beat off Zombie. Baldric killed Zombie. Mouse searched corpse, found Spell book. Any damaged figure has to pass health role or be poisoned – Mouse & Bronwen poisoned, Eric okay.

Ethan cast Heal on Mouse, moved to pin Zombie. Holy Moses joined in, draw. Bronwen used Split Cast to Heal herself & Eric, pinned Zombie. Felton retreated from advancing Zombie reinforcements, who followed. Bronwen wounded by Zombie. Holy Moses killed Zombie (Gregory Peck). Eric beat off Zombie, Scholar searched corpse, found Wolfsbane. Mouse & Baldric searched corpses, found conflicting notes about sorcerer in ruins. Bronwen grabbed by zombie corpse.

Ethan used Eldritch Recall to Fireball approaching Zombies, killed 1. Bronwen freed herself from corpse. Holy Moses Healed himself. Felton shot Zombie. Zombie attacked Bronwen who killed it then left. Baldric searched corpse, found smudged letter. Scholar & Eric left. 3 Zombies appeared in front, blocking exit.

Ethan Healed Mouse back to full health using unused spell in Spell book. Felton shot & missed Zombie, but pinned it. Zombie wounded Felton; Holy Moses & Ethan drew with Zombies. Mouse escaped; Baldric killed Zombie.  Zombie arrived behind.

Ethan shot at Zombie but missed, supported Felton, who killed Zombie. Holy Moses drew with Zombie which was killed by Baldric.

Holy Moses shot Zombie. Felton & Ethan killed Zombie. Baldric & Holy Moses killed Zombie. Last Zombie advanced. Got extra action.

Rangers shot last Zombie & left.

Having successfully fought through the zombie herd and seen off their pursuers (for now at least), our heroes were able to continue their journey home. However, the hunters of Shadow Deep don’t give up on their prey that easily…