Tactical Battle - Brigands & Orcs - 07 March 2024

Another encounter between the Brigands and Orcs inhabiting Hex 45:47 in sub hex 4.  They met on a battlefield of general Scrub Terrain.  Rolling for the 16 sectors of the battlefield, resulted in just three alternate terrain features:  a marsh in sector 9 and woods in sectors 2 & 10.

The Brigands arrived with 110 regular troops from the Southwest (which gives them the option to enter the battlefield from sectors 9 or 13) vs. Orcs numbering 140 strong which enter from the South (sectors 14 or 15).

Time of day (1d6: 1-3 am / 4-6 pm) (1d12: hour) = 8:00 am.  Early 8n the morning, this will benefit the Brigands, because Orcs suffer a penalty in daylight.

Checking for surprise Brigands (5) gain 3 surprise rounds over the Orcs (2).

The distance is rolled as 10" (6d4 - 2+4+3+2+1+4, reduced by 3 for the Scrub terrain, reduced another 3 for surprise).  

Since the Orcs are surprised, they deploy their troops first.  The Orc commander arranges his forces in two lines with Axe wielding troops in front of Spear and Pole Arm troops positioned in the center of the battlefield.

The Brigands then divide their forces into two groups:  Foot and Horse.  The Foot is placed North of the Marsh 10" distant from the Orcs, while the Horse align just to the left rear flank of the Foot concealed in a sight line to the Orcs.

With their surprise rounds the Brigands equipped with Short Bows unleash volley after volley of long range arrows at the Orc horde.  Since missile weapons can be fired at 3x the normal rate, each troop of archers is then able to fire 18 arrows.  Though they only hit on a 20, the sheer volume of arrows results in a handful of hits, wounding a few of the Orc troops but resulting in no kills.

Winning initiative (5/4) in the first round, the Brigand archers continue to pelt the Orcs, knowing the Orcs cannot reach them across the Marsh or through the Woods to their current position, while the Horse repositions further to the East maintaining more than 12" from the Orcs' staring location.  Irritated by the barrage of arrows they attempt to close on the Brigand Foot through the Woods, just making the clearing on the far side by the end of the round.

Round two initiative again goes to the Brigands, and the Foot withdraws max regular movement around the Woods in sector 2 to the North, extending the gap between them and the Orcs.  The Horse repositions and wheels to position themselves to defend vs. the Orcs, or rear attack if they engage the Brigand foot.  Hot on the trail and seeing they are gaining on the Foot, the Orcs pursue.

Orcs win initiative in round 3, and predictably Charge the Brigand Foot.  Since the Foot are mostly armed with Swords, and the Orcs with a mix of Axes, Spears, and Pole Arms, the Orcs gain First Strike.  The Orc charge results in 6 hits resulting in 2 kills.  The Foot passes a Morale check easily with an adjusted 30.  

Returning blows, the Brigand Foot are only able to land one hit by a troop and one by a leader - no kills.  However, the Horse have been waiting their turn and charge into the rear of the Orc line.  Both Medium Horse Troops hit, plus the command group of higher level fighters, and one Light Horse troop lands as well, killing three of the Orc troops, including the leader assitants.  At this point the Orcs need to check Morale as well, but again, easily passing with a 20.

Round 3 is where it gets interesting. Initiative is tied, (6/6) so actions will happen simultaneous.  On the 2nd round of combat the Horses get to attack as well as the troops.  The Medium Horses get 3 attacks, while the Light Horse 2.  This is a real force multiplier and a huge advantage for Brigands, especially when one considers the Horses attack as a 3 Hit Dice monster, hitting on a 10 or better.

The Brigand Magic User hits one of the Orc troops with a Stinking Cloud, causing them to be helpless and essentially autokilled.  The Brigand Foot and Horse squeeze the Orcs in their vice grip and slaughter ensues.  The simultaeous attacks by the Orcs only results in two hits, killing one additional troops (unfortunately one of the troops of Light Horse), but at the end they spectacularly fail their Morale check and the remaining Orcs all surrender to the Brigand Leader.

After Action Reports:

Off of the dead Orcs, the victors collected 964 electrum pieces while scavenging 150 gold pieces off of their fallen comrades.  This will be added to the Brigand treasure pile.

With these results, the forces of the Orc horde have been greatly reduced, though they still have their Chief, Sub-Chief, and Witch Doctor since none were with the raiding band that engaged the Brigand patrol today. Combined with losses from the previous conflict the total number of rank and file Orc warriors now stands at 130 plus Leaders, females, children, etc.

Meanwhile, the Brigand group stands at 140 typical troops plus Leaders, Magic-User, Clerics, etc.

Wonder where this will head next.