Into the Jungle

Wojon - A small village on the edge of territories controlled by the Kuji Clan, Autumn, 3214.

SITUATION

In our Last Episode the heroes came upon an old man, dying in the bush. He pleaded to them to recover the Idol of Kojuku from his village and beged them to retrieve it and take it to the Temple of Wah. The heroes find their way to the village and discover the scene of a massacre. Some set themselves to burning the bodies of the dead while others search for the Idol. They found a locked and sealed strongbox they presumed contained the idol, but had to stay the night in the village. During the night they were attacked by a small band of ninja.

It is morning decisions must be made as to what is to be done with this Idol…

THE GAME

In the morning there was much discussion as to how to get the Idol to the Temple. Daichi, it turns out as familiar with the temple, having visited it a couple of times, and familiar enough with the region to lay out two options.

Option #1 was to head straight up into the jungle and through the mountain passes. This would take about 2-3 days. They could live off the land on the march and be done with it quickly. Any more ninjas would have to track them.

Opion #2 was to take the long way around the mountains – around the northern end of the island. This option would take about two WEEKS!? The had pitiful little money between them to be staying in inns and buying food along the way… if there had been any other ninjas around the previous night they would surely be watching out for them and there would be no one they could trust on the road….

Eventually they decided to head into the jungle, covering their tracks as best they could.

Later in the afernoon on that first day they stumbled across a Goblin hunting party….

Strangely it was Isamu, who was taking up the rear, that spotted the Goblin drawing his bow in a tree up ahead and shouted a warning just in time for Daichi to duck!

Then the whole group loosed their arrows – Hayato was struck twice and wounded. He dove for cover in the bush as quickly as he could!

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


The other three stormed across the river and hunted down the Goblin hunters. The action was fast and furious – four were slain and the rest disappeared into the jungle…

The Heroes would be more wary in their march.


Their next encounter wasn’t until late at night… A larger group had tracked our heroes down and tried to ambush them while they were resting.


Once again their ambush was spotted and they failed to get the drop on our adventurers! Daichi spotted the marauding goblins sneaking up to their camp site and gave a shout and whacked all the others with his staff to wake them!


As the goblins charged in he summoned a blinding light. The goblin archers firing into the light ended up hitting more of their own than their intended targes and the attackers were quickly overcome and the rest faded into the darkness to summon a greater war party.

The adventurers were up and off as soon as it was light enough, expecting there would be more attacks…


It wasn’t until nearly noon that they goblins caught up to them and charged up from behind giving fearful warcries!


Meanwhile another band of archers had stole around in from of them and tried to sneak up as they turned their backs to fight the warriors.


Hayato took down one of the warrior goblins with a spear he had taken from the previous group, but then took an arrow in the back from the goblin archers. Akira wounded the sheiftan and Isamu charged in and took down one of the warriors!


DAichi was also struck with an arrow! Akira took down antoehr warrior and finished off the Chieftain.


The archers closed so more could get a shot. Wounded though he was Daichi charged into the bush and engaged one of them! Hayato was still trying to deal with the arrow stuck in his leg.


Akira charged across the open and sliced the head off of one of the goblin archer but was met with a hail of arrows from the others. She was hit by three and was down!! Hayato managed to crawl to cover in the bushes


Isamu also charged the archers and was mobbed by them and taken down. Hayato had finally regained his composure and summoned a swirling vortex of wind and leaves and branches which stunned the goblins.


Daichi and Hayato seized the initiative and charged the goblins beating them relentlessly with their staves and spear. Two were taken down and the rest set to flight….

They would be troubled no more by that particular tribe of goblins!

With the two Bushi wounded their plan to get the idol quickly to the Temple was quashed.

Return to Wojon

After Last Week’s Prologue all made some new character’s of their own….

New Characters….


Hiroki Akira - Amanda - Bushi
Ag d10, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Throwing d6, Tracking d4, Survival d5, healing d6, Climbing d6, Repair d4, Knowledge (Sword-making) d4
Edges: Ancestral Weapon, Alertness,
Hindrances: Code of Honour (Bushido), Loyal,
Gear: Clothes, Ancestral Katana (Str+d6+3), Knife (str+d4)
Akira’s father was a swordmaker and began to teach her the craft. He also had her study under a few Sword Masters to gain a better appreciation for how their product was expected to perform. Well, that was all well and good until her baby brother came along… As the family business was to be passed on to him Akira was all but forgotten and so chose the path of a wanderer.


Daichi - Darrin - Shukenja
Ag d6, Sm d8, Sp d12, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6x, Parry 6, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d4, Faith d10, Knowledge (Phiolosophy) d8, Swimming d6, Climbing d4, healing d6, Survival d4
Edges: Arcane Background (Shukenja), Beast Master, Unarmed Warrior
Hindrances: Poverty, Heroic, Quirk (tries to beat sense into people by whacking them with his staff)
Power Points: 10
Powers: Healing, Light
Gear: Clothing, Staff (Str+d4, Parry+1, Reach 1), Knife (Str+d4), Backpack, bedroll, food, waterskin, candle, flint and steel
Daichi was born into nobility but gave up the life of a samurai to fallow a different path.



Hayato - Jackson – Wu Jen
Ag d6, Sm d10, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, shooting d6, Spellcasting d12, Healing d6, Survival d6, Knowledge (Arcana) d4,
Edges: Arcane Background (Wu Jen - WIND), Power Points,
Hindrances: Heroic, Taboo (root vegetables and foods the come from the earth)
Power Points:15
Powers: Elemental Manipulation (wind), Armour (a protective cyclone of wind), Stun (a furious knock-people-down cyclone of wind)
Gear: Clothing, Staff (Str+d4, Parry+1, Reach 1), Knife (Str+d4), Backpack, bedroll, food, waterskin, candle, flint and steel.
Hayato comes from a long line of Wu Jen.


Isamu - Rick - Bushi
Ag d10, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d10, Shooting d8, Survival d8, Tracking d6, Healing d4
Edges: Ancestral Weapon, Brawny
Hindrances: Code of Honour (Bushido), Loyal, Death Wish?
Gear: Clothes, Ancestral Katana (Str+d6+3)


Wojon - A small village on the edge of territories controlled by the Kuji Clan, Autumn, 3214.

SITUATION

The characters are wanders who met each other in their travels.

THE GAME

The Characters are currently wandering in lands controlled by the Kuji Clan. These lands border on the wild lands – populated by goblins and demons and other monstrous aberrations. While walking along a trail Akira hears the moaning of a dying old man off in the bushes.

The group rushes to the old man’s aid but he is beyond saving. He suffers from dozens of stab and slash wounds about his body and has clearly dragged himself a great distance through the mud and jungle – it is a wonder a man of such age could have survived as long as he has!

Daichi does what he can to ease the old man’s suffering and inquires who has done this to him.

With his dying breath the old man tells them that men in black attacked his village. He thinks they were looking for the Idol of Kojuku and begs them to retrieve it and take it to the Temple of Wah. The idol was buried under his hut in the village. Then he expires.

The group tracks their way through the jungle following the trail of blood and broken plants the old man left as he dragged himself. He had covered a startling distance considering his wounds – it took the group nearly half the day to find the village.

When they arrived in the village they came across the scene of a massacre! The entire village murdered and left to rot in the sun! After searching the village for survivors or clues they set to the task of piling up the corpses for burning and digging under what they deduced was the old man’s hut.

By evening they had dug out a small, but very heavy iron chest, locked and sealed. This they assumed to be the Idol but weren’t sure if they should attempt to open the box.

They decided to stay the night in the village as there was no where else for them to really go, and would set out for the temple in the morning…..

While Daichi was taking a turn on watch and saying prayers for the dead he heard a noise (aced on notice – big time) and turned to see some forms in black moving form shadow to shadow – he gave a shout and ran for cover behind on of the buildings as he noticed one was drawing a bow…


In no time the leader of the gang of NINJAS was upon him and slashing at him eith extreme violence!


The others were up, quick as a flash, and battled the ninjas outside their hut!


Daichi was severely wounded but Akira and Isamu were having better luck. Hayato weaved the wind in and out trying to confused and distract the other ninjas.


The ninjas were eventually overcome…


Akira chases down one that tried to escape.

Unfortunately none survived to be questioned….

Why were these ninjas after this idol? Were they hired by someone else or after it for their own nefarious purposes? Stay tuned next week!

Wojon

As a bit of a prologue to an oriental adventures campaign I ran a little skirmish game for the Local Savages with some pre-generated characters. I also needed an excuse to bust out all the NINJAS !

Rick, Jackson, Darrin, Amanda, and Christian were all in attendance!


Wojon - A small village on the edge of territories controlled by the Kuji Clan, Autumn, 3214.

SITUATION

A group of wandering ronin have been hired to defend a backwater village of no obvious significance against an unspecified perils…

SCENARIO

The Characters were to set up watches and be prepared to defend the village.

Ninjas attacked the village just after midnight… Opposed notice/stealth rolls were doen to see if the ninjas got The Drop on the defenders/sentries…

FORCES

Villagers and their defenders….

Kazumi - Amanda
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d6, Throwing d4
Edges: Block, Quick, Trademark Weapon
Gear: Katana (Str+D10)

Hokata - Christian
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Throwing d4
Edges: Sweep, First Strike
Gear: Naginata (Damage Str+d8, Each 1, 2 hands, Parry+1)

Haruki - Darrin
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Throwing d6
Edges: Frenzy, nerves of Steel
Gear: Katana (Str+D10)

Gorou - Jackson
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d6, Throwing d6
Edges: Marksman, Dodge
Gear: Bow (Rng 12/24/48, ROF1, Damage 2d6), Short Sword (Str+d6)

Arata - Rick
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 8, Parry 7, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d8, Stealth d4, Intimidate d8, Throwing d6
Edges: Fleet-footed, Bring it ON! Hi-Yah!! Unarmoured Warrior

Villagers
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 2, Toughness 5
Gear: Improvised Weapon Damage Str+d6, -1 to hit.

Village Elder
Ag d8, Sm d10, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d10,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 7
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Spell-casting d10,
Edges: Arcane Background, Power Points, Improved Block, Improved Dodge,
Power Points: 25
Powers: Deflection, Healing, Stun, Quickness.
Gear: Short Sword ( Str+d6)



The Ninjas

Ninja Leader – Wild Card
Ag d12, Sm d8, Sp d10, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 8, Parry 7, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d8, Notice d10, Stealth d12, Intimidate d8, Throwing d10, Climb d10
Edges: Combat Reflexes, dodge, Fleet-footed, Thief, Block, Acrobat, Quick
Gear: Shuriken (3/6/12, Str+d4), Ninjato (Str+d8)

Ninjas (3 groups of 5-6)
Ag dX, Sm dX, Sp dX, St dX, Vg dX,
Pace X, Parry X, Toughness X
Skills: Fighting dX, Shooting dX, Notice dX, Stealth dX, Intimidate dX, Throwing dX
Edges: Thief, Acrobat, Quick
Gear: Shuriken (3/6/12, Str+d4), Ninjato (Str+d8), Blow pipe (4/8/16, Vg+d4, if hit Vg or paralyzed), Bow (Rng 12/24/48, ROF1, Damage 2d6),



THE GAME

The Ninjas attacked just after midnight while Arata and Gorou were on sentry…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


Ninjas swarm the village!


…from all directions!


The archer here took a shot or two at Gorou both times his Dodge ability saved his skin!



Gorou – who initially spotted the Ninjas (aced on the notice when one group of ninjas rolled poorly), initially moved to investigate – loosed and arrow at one, then realizing he was surrounded ran for cover in a hut.


Arata ran into the hut the other characters were sleeping in and tried to awaken them.


One group of ninjas silently entered a hut and silently killed all in their slumber.


The Adventurers pour out of their hut and are attacked by ninjas. Arata is already down! (I handed the villagers card to Rick as some of them were beginning to wake up…)


Ninjas attack the village headman –who turns out to be a wu-jen sorcerer! (Christian’s character was down by now so I handed him the village headman’s card..)


Ninjas battle villager that woke up and try to defend themselves.


The archer in the bottom right shot at Gorou – in a building, in the dark with dodge…. Hit with a raise and caused EIGHT WOUNDS!!! We said he got him in the throat and pinned him to the back wall of the hut!


More ninjas join in the battle against the Village Elder…


All the Characters are down now!


Ninjas chase down the last few surviving villagers that tried to escape out a back window!


The Ninja leader is brought in to finish off the headman!

What could they have wanted? Why destroy the whole village? Perhaps a wandering band of adventurers will stumble upon this grizzly scene and solve the riddle and avenge the village!!!

Stay tuned next week!

Red Dawn 2010

I recently heard they are remaking Red Dawn. The original is a guilty pleasure of mine. It came out when I was in grade 7 or 8 and totally captured my young teenage imagination. I was at the time terrified about a Third World War that I thought could start at any moment. Though a Russian invasion of North America, even then, seemed pretty improbable – it was a refreshing, relatively hopeful scenario next to the one I expected – TOTAL NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST!

I’m not sure about a remake though… It makes me wonder who’s behind all this neo-cold war paranoia hype….?

Anyway, I’ve also been watching Generation Kill, which has got me thinking about playing some modern skirmish games… so…

We had a pretty full house with five players; Darrin, Christian, Rick, Jackson and Amanda!


In the Woods North West of Calumet, Colorado, September 2010

SITUATION

Tensions between Russia and the United States have intensified over oil, their failing economies and what the Russians refer to as American imperialistic expansionism and meddling.

The United States and China aren’t getting on so well either.

Green parties have swept the governments of Western Europe. NATO has been dissolved.

Russia experiences it’s worst grain harvest in 65 years.

China and Russia jointly attack the United States!

A group of teenagers have fled into the wilderness and waged a guerilla war against the invaders since Russian paratroopers landed in their town and shot up their school and then rounded up and executed their parents.

They have been calling themselves the “Wolverines” after their beloved high school football team.

The Russians have been tipped off as to the location of one of the “Wolverines” weapons caches/hideouts and are moving to capture it and hopefully caputure or kill the “Wolverines” themselves!


SCENARIO

The Soviet Forces objective is to capture or kill the “Wolverines” and/or capture their weapons cache. The “Wolverines” objective is to deny the Soviets their objectives!


FORCES

The Wolverines

Jed (Darrin)
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d10, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d10, Shooting d12, Notice d10, Stealth d10, Intimidate d10, Throwing d10
Edges: Command, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Natural Leader, Woodsman
Gear: Knife Str+d4
Weapon Machine-pistol Rng 12/24/48, ROF3, Dmg 2d6, 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template

Matt (Christian)
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d10, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d10, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Throwing d10
Edges: Marksman, Block, Woodsman
Gear:
Weapon
AK-74 Rng 24/48/96, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template.

Robert (Rick)
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Throwing d6
Edges: Rock n Roll, Nerves of Steel
Gear:
Weapon
AK-74 Rng 24/48/96, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template

Danny (Jackson)
Ag d6, Sm d8, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 8, Parry 4, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d4, Shooting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Throwing d6
Edges: Fleet-footed, Luck
Gear:
Weapon
AK-74SU Rng 12/24/48, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template

Toni (Amanda)
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Throwing d6
Edges: Dodge
Gear:
Weapon
AK-74SU Rng 12/24/48, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template.


The Russians

Russian Officer
Ag d8, Sm d8, Sp d10, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5 (7/9 vs. Bullets)
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Intimidate d8, Throwing d6, Driving d6
Edges: Command, Dodge
Gear: Body Armour,
Weapon: Pistol Rng 12/24/48, ROF 1, Dmg 2d6, Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template.

Russian Motor Rifle Teams
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5 (7/9 vs. Bullets)
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Throwing d6, Driving d6
Gear: Body Armour,
Weapons:
AK-74 Rng 24/48/96, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
RPK-74 Rng 30/60/120, ROF 4, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) BIPOD
Dragunov SVD 50/100/150, ROF 1, DMG 2d8+1, Scope
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template

Vehicle Crew
Russian Motor Rifle Teams
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5 (7/9 vs. Bullets)
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Throwing d6, Driving d6
Edges: Command, Dodge
Gear: Body Armour,
Weapon:
Pistol Rng 12/24/48, ROF 1, Dmg 2d6
AK-74SU Rng 12/24/48, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8 (AP2) 3RB
Grenade Rng 5/10/20, ROF 1, Dmg 2d8, Med Burst Template.


BTR-80
ACC/Top Speed 7/24, Toughness 16/15/15 (3/3/2)
Notes: Night Vision, Eight-Wheel Drive
Weapons:
14.5mm Rng 50/100/200, ROF 3, Dmg 3d6 (AP5) HW
7.62mm Rng 30/60/120, ROF 3, Dmg 2d8+1 (AP2)


THE GAME

We said Danny had been on lookout and came running into the cabin to tell the others that a whole Russian platoon was heading straight up the road towards the cabin! So everybody hastily deployed their figures within 12” of the cabin.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


From left to right: Robert, Toni, Jed, Matt, Danny


The Russians sweeping the woods on their approach to the alleged hideout of the terrorist group known as the Wolverines!


The Wolverines deploy a hasty ambush for the approaching Ruskies.


The Russians start taking fire! The Second Squad loses their team leader to sniping fire from Matt, prone in the woods far off behind the cabin. Then Jed rushes in and throws a grenade. Two are shaken, one of which is finished off by small arms fire from… somewhere else… Robert? Matt…?


Robert and Danny move up firing on the Russians Second Squad – hoping a little “shock and awe” Colorado-style will send them back the way they came!


Toni moves up and starts shooting up Ruskies from the cover of the woods


The Russians Third Squad starts making some headway through the woods and threatens to flank Danny and Robert. Jed feeling the heat from both the First and Second Squads falls back to the Woods where Toni is still firing from.


Danny takes down one of the Ruskies from the Third Squad!


The BTR-80 crew finally spots a muzzle flash in the woods and pounds the area with their 14.5mm Autocannon – Jed is tagged!


Someone took down the Russians platoon commander ending all hope of rallying any Russians that fail morale!


…until the BTR-80 crew pulls a Joker and rolls “Rally” for it’s fortune and calamity – rallying the sole surviving member of the Second Squad – in a mad frenzy he charges Jed after Jed, but is cut down in a hail of fire from the other Wolverines!


Robert was wounded somewhere along the way, but fought on through with his “Nerves of Steel”. Danny tossed a grenade into the woods near the Third Squad – leaving one of them shaken.


The Russian Third Squad pressed on through the woods, however and the RPK gunner took down Danny – his luck finally ran out… he was only able to soak one of the EIGHT wounds taken from a stray bullet sprayed wildly through he woods!


The Russians pressed on and shot Robert point blank, causing two more wounds.


Fighting through his three wounds Jed managed to wound the RPK gunner of the Russian’s First Squad, then Toni finished him off while dashing from one bit of cover to another – to get out of the line of fire of the BTR-80’s autocannon! The Russians morale failed and they started to pull back.


Despite his three wounds Robert also blasted another Russian while falling back to the stand of trees where Matt had moved up to. The Russian Third Squad also gave up the fight and the Russians began to route! The BTR-80 realizing it no longer had infantry supporting it hatily rolled back down the hill out of the woods…

The wolverines were victorious, but at a great cost. Jed and Robert were severely wounded and Danny was dead! Though they sold themselves dearly, taking out about 15 Russians, their foes would surely be back in greater numbers. Their hideout is compromised, and their cache lost. How could they move it with two of their number so severely wounded? How would they even get the wounded to relative safety in some new shelter? And where the heck was Daryl during all of this!?

A fun game was had by all – it was definitely Fast, Furious and Fun!

Afterwards I thought should have had a “Wolverines” special ability that gave any of the wolverines a +1 to their shooting die if they yelled “WOLVERINES!!!” while rolling the dice…. If I ever do it again I’ll be sure to add that in!