Southlands Campaign

House Rules: Shields and bucklers provide an extra +1 when used in melee combat. Warbands begin the campaign with a starting list then adding 4 xp to leader, 3 to each starting hero and 2 to each starting henchmen group eligible. Then adding 100 gold to their total. Each hero may search once for rare items for using this 100 gold. Currently using the normal or multiplayer scenarios with a few additional added in, but using the main mordheim exploration chart unless inappropriate to the setting.

Game 1: Mu'au'ri vs. Zamula vs. Safari
Scenario: Wizard's Mansion

The Mu'au'ri had found a secret retreat of a rouge warlock hidden within the ruined coastal town of Haverston. After dispatching and allowing their youngest members to consume the mana of the weak warlock they ransacked the retreat in hoping of finding some usable salvage. Slowed by the locked doors they eventually managed to find a significant stash of Crimson Shade (3 units). Mu'au'ri are not known for their subtlety and the fires and noise drew a curious Zamula Warparty as well as a Safari Expedition looking to find some valuables in order to fund their adventure.

The Zamula came from the east while the Safari approached cautiously from the west, trapping the cannibals in the small town. The Zamula took the initiative and rushed forward under the cover of a volley from their spear-throwers and the Stalker's poisoned arrows. Despite the accuracy of the Zamula the Mu'au'ri weathered the hail without serious injury. The Mu'au'ri scrambled for better cover and waited for the two groups of outsiders drew closer. The Safari noticed that the Mu'au'ri were setting up an ambush and readied the dogs while opening fire with their handguns. No injuries were inflicted but several Mu'au'ri were forced to ground to avoid the hot lead.

The Zamula advanced again but had few targets present themselves the Medicine man did manage to convince the Earth Spirits to vent their anger on a Mu'au'ri Warrior Dancer but only managed to knock him over. One of the Mu'au'ri Mana Gorged broke formation and charged a Porter. He failed even with his frenzied rage to do anything and was kncoked down by the flailing Porter's club. The pack of hunting dogs were sent in and tore the Mana-Gorged apart. The rest of the Safari warband calmly reloaded their guns while the dogs did their work.

The Zamula were within range and charged in to a group fo Mu'au'ri. The Pouakai Handler clubbed a Beastmaster over the head while dodging a charging pig. Tanemahuta the Warrior Dancer was attacked by a charging Bonded. The Mu'au'ri spent much of their turn standing up other than the Heart Seeker and Chieftan charging Safari members. The Chieftan went one on one with the Professional Hunter and fought to a standstill while the Heart Seeker easily dispatched a Porter before the Porter could even level his pistol. The safari responded by opening fire and sending a few dogs and one of the Lads to support the Professional Hunter. The Cheiftan fell quickly to the dogs while the Heart Seeker took a ball to the chest without even flinching.

The Zamula rushed the remaining Mu'au'ri within reach and one of the tree snakes pumped deadly venom into the Pouakai handler and the Huntsmaster out matched Tanemahuta and dispatched him with his Beastlash. The Mu'au'ri broke ranks and fled carrying their many wounded off at this point. The Safari sent several dogs forward to cover their retreat while using their discipline to suppress the Zamula with handguns.

The Zamula easily dispatched the two dogs but doing so bought enough time for the Safari to run without any losses of human life. The two dogs paid the ultimate price and were assured a place hunting at Ulrics side. At least that's what they told the Lads...

The Zamula found a pitiful amount of gold crowns and were about to give up and go home when the Medicine Man had a spirit show him a hidden compartment containing the warlock's grimoire! (Tomb of Magic).

Three dogs died for the Safari, a Warrior Dancer (Hohepa) died for the Mu'au'ri and none of the Zamula suffered permanant injuries despite the beating of of the Beastmaster's took.

Zamula Won

Lessons learned:
- Zamula are NOT bad in melee as I had thought, especially with a few advances. They are going to be a powerful warband in the right hands.
- Mu'au'ri lack of anything with more range than 6" hurt them this game. Although the player was new to Mordheim (his second game) and is going to try some things new. He feels the warband can pull itself back especially due to the powerful offensive punch of the heroes.
- Safari is great, but needs to position itself well. Also considering reducing size to 12. But will wait on that for a few more games to see how advances affect everything.

Game 2: Safari vs. Reiklander Mercenaries
Scenario: The Pool (Oasis)
Both sides deployed on opposite ends of the small hamlet of Villes de Bistrot (I think i got my French/Bretonnian right and that is Watering Hole Town), a group of Ubuntu were sighted just on the horizon but seemed to be pursuing other prey.

The Reiklanders started it off by sprinting into the available cover that presented itself. Gunnadie the Youngblood and a Marksman with a bow climbed up to the second story of a small building while a crossbowman and Whitey the other Youngblood entered another building on the other flank. The rest of the warband moved into some bushes to get closer to the Oasis without drawing too much fire. The Safari's more prominent members rushed up to the Oasis and hid around the edge in order to hide from enemy fire.

The Reiklanders opened with a pair of bow shots that went wide as their swordsman and the blunderbuss wielding man moved forward along with the Captain himself. The rest of the warband moved to get better shots or to be hidden from sight. The Safari saw this and opened fire with their handguns and the Reiklander swordsman took a ball to the leg that took him out of the fight, but would not be serious long term. The Reiklander Captain was also winged by a ball and hit the ground in suprise.

After some reloading and shooting from both sides the blunderbuss moved up and unloaded stunning a dog and the Professional Hunter. Gunnadie the Youngblood shot an arrow that critically wounded Leon the Lad. Leon died on the spot from the arrow, at least it was relatively painless.

Vowing revenge the Safari opened up on the mercenary scum injuring Whitey the Youngblood with a bullet that seriously injured his hand impairing his combat ability and taking out a crossbowman. While reloading the Safari took the opportunity to search the pool for the rumored treasure. They could not find anything worth the trip but the Noble Houndsmaster found two chunks of some odd stone that was black with green glowing seams. They did not know what it was, but figured it could be valuable so they grabbed it.

Eventually the bold defiance of the Safari won out and the Reiklanders pulled back not wanting to risk further engagement as the dogs and porters of the Safari were moving around to flank them and several had been taken out of the fight.

The Safari had no serious injuries other than the death of poor Leon. The Reiklanders all survived but Whitey lost some use in his hand (-1ws).

The Reiklanders managed to find some useful maps showing game trails (6666, Catacombs) which they were planning on making use of to suprise their next enemy.

Thoughts/Lessons:
- The Reiklanders player accidentally left a bowman and a crossbowman behind due to forgetting he had more than one warrior in each of those groups.
- Reiklanders vs. the Safari is an ugly shoot out with the Safari probably going to lose because guns have a hard time dealing with a equal or greater number of crossbows.
- Considering bringing in a reduction of cost on armor, but armor is unavailable to several teams of the southlands so unsure.