The City of Thieves II

The City of Thieves II
~~Last Orders in the Merchant Quarter~~
Is it not written that man should rest? A pipe or a dram in the cool gloom of a house of hospitality is a blessing of the gods. Alas all men are welcome, but not all are men of goodwill.

April 21, 2022-- Week 7 of the campaign. We had all six players in attendance and completed 4 games.

In this episode the Reavers (Chris M's Chaos Marauders) fall out with the Slavers (Jim Lenglade's Arabian Slavers) at a harborside bar in the Merchant Quarter. Insults were exchanged, beer was spilled, then mayhem erupted.  The Slavers had a newly hired Warlock to counter the Reaver's Voodoo Priestess.  In this instance simple magic proved stronger than hexes and curses.

The fight raged through the entire bar, but the Warlock and the Ogre proved stronger than the gods of chaos or the spirits of the land. The Reavers flee!

Post Battle
No one died from either warband.

I'm a little out of practice writing these so we will start with these:



Edit: After a few years of not being able to post, the Library has lifted the block on this site. No idea why, but why question a good thing.

Thus, I return with reports of yet another Arabyan campaign. The second that has happened since I could not post.

We have six players including 2 other members of this forum:
Da Bank is running Bretonnian models with Marienburger rules.
Playtable is revisiting his Arabyan Slavers (from the Relics of the Crusades campaign)
I am playing the Ghutani (also from the Relics of the Crusades)
Chris M is running Chaos Marauders from BtB
Chris S is playing Lahmians from Khemri: the Land of the Dead
Brandon is playing Pit Fighters (TC#21)

~~Rock the Boat~~
Occasionally some trusting soul will forget to leave a guard on his ship.  In a busy harbor, such a soul may find someone else in possession of his cargo…


April 21, 2022-- Week 7 of the campaign. We had all six players in attendance and completed 4 games. This is the second of those games.

In this episode the Ghutani have appropriated a ship that they discovered unguarded in the New Harbor of the Merchant Quarter.  The ship had not been unloaded yet or else the crew left for a drink after loading the cargo, either way, the Ghutani planned to profit.  However the Bretonnian/Marienburgers suddenly appeared out of the dense crowd to contest the ownership of the cargo.






The Ghutani


The northern barbarians immediately attacked the Ghutani with missiles.  




Several errant arrows landed among the dockside crowd, causing panic.  The crowd raced to and fro attempting to find cover or leave the area.  For a moment the Ghutani feared that the disturbance would draw the Harbor Watch.  However the disturbance they heard was not the Imperial Knights, but rather a small herd of horses that had escaped their handlers.  


Between the horses and the maddened crowd, the Bretonnian attack ground to a halt.

The barbarians reached the dock in complete disarray, which prompted Emir Haroom to order a counter charge by the Flagellant swordsmen, Achmed and Omar.  


The Righteous easily defeated one barbarian. But alas, the Righteous were mobbed by angered barbarians and overwhelmed.  


Fortunately the barbarians felt emboldened.  They attempted to board the dhow, which led to more casualties.


Unable to manage a captured horse and an attack on the dhow with decreasing numbers, the Bretonnians fled.  



The Ghutani held the ship and the cargo! For is it not written that the Righteous shall prosper?


Post Battle
The Bretonnian/Marienburgers suffered no permanent  losses. They gain one horse from the battle.

The Ghutani were similarly blessed with no deaths.  They gain three cargo for holding the ship in addition to rolling 7 exploration dice.  The Ghutani gain "connections" with the governing powers.  Amra the Righteous is deputized by the Harbor Watch.  He now has the powers of arrest.


Photos by Da Bank and Playtable of this forum

Scenario from Stryrofoamking's Sartosa campaign.

Interesting read and nice pictures of themed warbands and tables with lovely scenery.
Thanks for posting!

HOORAY! I was hoping your return would mean new battle reports. The swashbuckling action & the WONDERFUL photos of all the LOVELY scenery & war bands were even better than memories of your previous posts. VERY WELL DONE!

BigD&Alan--Thank you for the kind comments.  Good to be back.

~~Last Orders in the Merchant Quarter, Part II~~

Is it not written that man should rest? A pipe or a dram in the cool gloom of a house of hospitality is a blessing of the gods. Alas all men are welcome, but not all are men of goodwill.


April 21, 2022--In this episode Chris M's Reavers fall out with Brandon's Pit Fighters at the same harborside bar in the Merchant Quarter that they had fled earlier in the evening. More insults were exchanged, still more beer was spilled, then the Pit Fighters withdrew to their rooms on the upper floors.

They left the poor Dwarf on his own on the ground floor. The Reavers left the Dwarf alone as well. He spent the battle singing sad, lonely songs to an empty bar room.


The Reavers attempted to use their magical superiority to enchant the Pit Fighters into fighting themselves. The Seer was able to briefly control the Ogre, but it came to its senses before any of its allies were hurt.


The fight in the bar was a largely unarmed affair, but even those Reavers who were armed fought with the usual rubber weapons. The Reavers fled when honor allowed with 4 warriors out of action.

Post Battle
The Reavers lose poor Ivar, who was literally beaten to death. Strygar the Condemned fully recovered. Daka II becomes a hero.



This round it was the Pit Fighters turn to have no one out of action.

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~~The Heist ~~

Rumors have spread that a warband has obtained a magical artifact. A thief has been hired to steal the powerful item! Now everyone is chasing after him – the warband that was robbed is hunting him down while his employers are trying to organize his escape.



April 21, 2022-- In this episode Brandon's Pit Fighters politely steal a Lucky Charm from Chris S's Lahmians, perhaps in the mistaken idea that petty theft will not upset Sasha the Eternal.


Needless to say, Sasha was not amused. The neighborhood was ransacked by the Lahmian minions while Sasha moved with all speed toward the Pit Fighter's hideout, guarded by her loyal jackals (who look like dire wolves.)


The Pit Fighters made some attempt to slow the search down, but that only resulted in the loss of Achilles III. Achilles tangled with two skeletons (that look like wights, because Chris S.), much to Achilles sorrow.


This was a daring daylight robbery, again perhaps with the hope of slowing Sasha down. However, as the saying goes, "die Todten reiten schnell". The "invisible" crowd of thieves, whores and merchants panicked due to the violence of the search. This slowed the jackals, but Sasha pushed through the crowd as though they were not there.

Sasha shoved her way toward the last possible hideout for the thief (besides the one her minions had surrounded). When she arrived, she boldly climbed the stairs to confront the Pit King on the roof. That worthy thought better of challenging the Vampire alone and leapt into a convenient cart to escape the roof. Sasha shrugged and leapt over the low parapet herself to dive upon a poor ogre that had been knocked over by the crowd.

The Pit Fighters were broken, but held on even as Sasha destroyed the door to the hideout and marched inside. The Pit King rallied his followers and charged (along with Mad Marcus.) The Pit King and Marcus rained blows upon the impervious Vampire, who for once did not destroy either of them with her own weapons.


Alas it was for nought! The thief was discovered far from his employers in the surrounded house to the west. Before the thief could escape, he was shot down by an archer!


The stolen Charm was recovered. Sasha looked at the Pit King with scorn and swept from the room to rejoin her jackal guard.

The Pit Fighters would not know how close the Eternal One was to collapsing from her wounds. (Sasha has 4 wounds, she had suffered 3 in the battle.)

The Lahmians win!

Post Battle
Achilles III suffers a leg wound. He will miss a game. The Pursuer, Tigris of Gual, suffered Horrible Scars. The ogre fully recovered.

The Lahmians had no one out of action. Sasha gains an attack...

It is SO GOOD having you posting again! Both reports were SPLENDID swashbuckling affairs; AND the photos made the reports cinematic. OUTSTANDING STUFF!

~~Rock the Boat~~

Occasionally some trusting soul will forget to leave a guard on his ship.  In a busy harbor, such a soul may find someone else in possession of his cargo…

April 28, 2022-- Week 8 of our campaign. We had all six players in attendance and completed 5 games. (I am far behind.  New job for the summer.)

In this episode the Pit Fighters have appropriated a ship that they discovered unguarded in the Old Harbor of the Thieves Quarter.  The ship had not been unloaded yet or else the crew left for a drink after loading the cargo, either way, the Pit Fighters planned to profit.  However, the Ghutani suddenly appeared from the Old City to contest the ownership of the cargo.  This battle marked the third week that the Ghutani have faced this scenario.  This time Amra wore his deputy star (crescent?).  The Ghutani were the Law.





The Ghutani marched out of the gloom with torches blazing. In addition to his new badge of office, Amra had decided to attempt to master the Magic Carpet.  How hard could it be? Mi Sher and the Flagellant known as Omar accompanied Amra on the maiden flight. Mi Sher held a guttering torch aloft (lest the flammable carpet catch fire.) 


The trio floated through the night with only minor difficulties until the javelins began to fall around them.  The Pursuers could see the Carpet Riders before the light of the torches could reach the cowards hiding behind the dhow's gunnels.
The rest of the warband approached from two directions.  Haroom led the bulk of his forces through the old Sea Gate.  The Djinn Binder approached from beyond the gate to the west. The flickering light of the torches drew javelins from out of the dark for these forces as well. Achmed was struck down quickly.  The Djinn Binder also suffered a wound.



As the columns approached the dhow the light of the torches reflected off the faces of the Pursuers lining the rails. Arrows and bolts flew from the Ghutani ranks.  One enemy face disappeared behind the rails and did not rise again.
More javelins flew, but they were fewer.  None lodged in the flesh of the attackers.  In response more arrows sought the defenders.  Another fell.  A wail went up from the ship.  Followed by a gruff shout above the hubbub.  


The Ghutani rushed the ship. but found no one aboard.  The Pit Fighters rowed into the harbor in concealed boats that they had filled with the choicest cargo.
The Ghutani held the ship and the remaining cargo. Victory, of a sort. (I got too close with too many of the warband before my final rush.  No Attacking heroes get on the ship.)

 Post BattleThe Pit fighters all recover from their injuries. They gain 3 cargo plus 6 exploration dice. They hire a Trained Monkey.


The Ghutani lost the flagellant Achmed III. They gain 7 exploration dice income which is enough to hire Achmed IV.

Scenario
Rock the Boat is a nautical variant of Defend the Find written by Dave and Malte for the Sartosa campaign setting. We use it everywhere there's a harbor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~Chance Encounter~~

Both warbands have completed their daily labors and are on their way back to their lodging when they run into each other. Neither side was expecting a fight, and the warband that reacts the quickest has the advantage.

In this episode the Slavers encounter the Bretonnian/Marienburgers while on a stroll through the Arabyan Quarter. 




Insults were exchanged, honor was questioned, then mayhem erupted.  The sudden hostilities panicked the daytime crowd of shoppers, merchants, thieves and laborers.  The poor populace trampled the combatants in their haste to flee the area. 

 
Amidst the chaos, a cute little monkey attempted to steal from a caravan guard.  The chulish guard called for help and the poor monkey was butchered before it could escape.


The Bretonnians attempted to use their mundane missile and magical superiority to subdue the Arabyans.  Alas their missiles did not deter the natives.  Led by their hulking ogre, Baghel, the Slavers charged!

The Bretonnians responded in kind, overwhelming the ogre hero with numbers.  The death of the ogre did not break the Arabyans.  They attacked with renewed fury.  Dismayed, the Bretonnians fled!
The Slavers "win".




Post Battle
The Bretonnians  lose 2 nameless men at arms and a wardog. Biggus Fatus fully recovers.


 The Bretonnians again 2 treasures plus 5 exploration dice.

The Slavers lost a slave and a wardog killed.  Baghel the Talented Ogre also dies! Woe!



The Slavers gain 1 Treasure and 6 exploration dice.  They begin a Go Fund Me account for a new ogre.[/size]

YET ANOTHER visually stunning game! OUTSTANDING STUFF!

~~The Heist ~~

Rumors have spread that a warband has obtained a magical artifact. A thief has been hired to steal the powerful item! Now everyone is chasing after him – the warband that was robbed is hunting him down while his employers are trying to organize his escape.

In this episode the Reavers politely steal another Lucky Charm from the Lahmians.  Once again the neighborhood was ransacked by the Lahmian minions.  Sasha the Eternal was righteously upset with this continued larceny by impudent men!


The Reavers made some attempt to slow the search down, but  their attempt was derailed by a group of slavers posing as members of a fish cult. 


The Slavers sought to capture the Reavers to serve the galleys of the Caliph of Al Haikk.  A brawl broke out in the streets between the Marauders and the pressgangers. The Reavers were successful at retaining their freedom.

However, while the Reavers fought off the attack, the Lahmians widened their search.  Eventually, the Necromancer discovered the thief's hideout! 


As the thief attempted to escape the necromancer summoned skeletons to block the escape.  The poor thief was trapped and killed.

The Lahmians win!

Post Battle
No one was injured on either side.  The Reavers may or may not have captured one of the pressgang.  The Reavers have their usual difficulty convincing the Black Market to trade with them.

The Lahmians regain their property and enjoy the usual success trading with the Black Market. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~Down at the Docks ~~

Smugglers dock at the Old Harbor in Al--Haikk's Thieves Quarter. They must avoid sunken wrecks and shifting sand bars, but no representative of the Caliph or the Imperial Merchant Guild awaits them. Still one must avoid the inevitable gangs of thieves and mercenaries keen on taking a smuggler's cargo for their own.


April 28, 2022-- In this episode the Ghutani race the Lahmians down to the docks in an attempt to be the first to steal a choice cargo. The Ghutani relied on their Magic Carpet to sail over the dockside crowd and capture the ship.


However, the best laid plans and all that. A Storm of Chaos broke over the harbor! Acid rain fell upon the just and the unjust alike. The foolish smugglers were caught out in the open. Several succumbed to the rain, including the swivel gunner nearest the Ghutani!

Unfortunately, the crowd panicked in the unnatural rain. Both warbands were trampled by civilians just trying not to melt into puddles of goo. Only Sasha moved unaffected by the crowd or the rain. Even the Carpet was caught by panicked fools who nearly upset it altogether.



Calamity followed on calamity. Abdul Alhazred the mighty Arabayan Sorcerer and Necromancer caused his spirit to hover over the docks. The henchmen of both warbands were terrified by the otherworldly presence with several members of both warbands suddenly fleeing the area.

The disciplined Mamluks soon mastered themselves, but between acid rain and incorporeal sorcerers the Lahmians lost a jackal and a blood slave.

Then Sasha reached the ship. The poor crew defended the ship to the last man. Sasha cut through them one by one or in groups. It mattered not.

As the Vampire destroyed the crew, the Ghutani loaded cargo onto the Carpet. More cargo was taken up by the Djinn Binder. The air filled with arrows and bolts as the Vampire's minions finally reached the dock. One of the women even fired a blunderbuss at the Carpet Riders!





Then a loud tramp of feet and the blaring of horns announced that the Caliph's soldiers were coming to investigate the rumor of storm and sorcery. Both warbands joined the panicked crowd fleeing the area.

(The Store closed!)

Post Battle
The Lahmians all recovered from their injuries. The cargo turned out to be food. The Lahmians gain 6 exploration dice worth of income.

The Ghutani had suffered no casualties. They gained food and clothing from the stolen cargo they "recovered". They also gained six exploration dice worth of income.

You certainly have returned to telling the tales of swashbuckling adventure in a GRAND MANNER. WONDERFUL STUFF!