3.6.3.5 Example of characters in a battle

In his battle against Alexander, Darius has sought to bolster the strength of his army with some mercenaries. Two mercenaries, Cogan and Ragnar, are fighting as part of Darius' Spearmen 2 unit under the command of Shadrak.

Most people in the unit are armed with a spear with an attack mod of +3 and a damage mod of +4, and have an average armour PV of 3.

For the initial disposition, Shadrak puts his mercenaries in the vanguard.

Second battle turn

On the second battle turn, Shadrak's spearmen charge into a unit of archers. All people in the spearmen unit are fresh and unwounded (including Cogan and Ragnar).

Ragnar elects to go berserk - he succeeds in achieving an enraged status - while enraged he has a penalty of -1 on his battle tactics and battle survival dice rolls, but a bonus of +1 on his battle glory dice roll.

Both mercenaries now make Battle tactics dice rolls -

• Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) = 0; he rolls 2D-6, gets a 4 and 5, giving a dice roll result of 3. This is not enough to change his disposition in the unit, but fighting normally, it is enough to give him +1 on both the Battle glory and the Battle survival dice rolls.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +0 (IQ) -1 (for enraged) = 2; he rolls 2D-4, gets a 4 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 2, which given he is all-out attacking, gives him a bonus of +4 on the battle glory dice roll, and a penalty of -3 on the battle survival dice roll.

Now it is time to see how well the mercenaries accredit themselves in the combat, through their Battle glory dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +1 (tactical acumen) +2 (charge) -1 (enemy are veterans) +1 (better weapon than average) = 14. He decides to risk 4D+2, rolls a 4, 3, 5 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 16 - Cogan launches himself into the archers unit and performs a heroic feat, slaying one of the enemy captains.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 7 (Melee) + 1 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +4 (tactical acumen on all-out attack) +2 (charge) -1 (enemy are veterans) +1 (enraged) = 13. He decides to risk 4D+1, rolls a 4, 3, 3 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 16 - also a heroic performance as Ragnar charges first into the enemy and takes out several of the enemy single-handed.

Having determined that the mercenaries acquitted themselves well in combat, now we need to see at what cost. Both characters make their Battle survival dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) +1 (tactical acumen) -1 (4% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) = 8 1/2. He decides to risk 2D+2 1/2, rolls a 4 and a 5, making a dice roll result of 11 1/2. Looking this result up, Cogan suffers a light wound - rolling 2D for the wound location gives a 3 and 2 - to his Abdomen. His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wound, but he will suffer -1 on all dice rolls from now on due to his wounds.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 5 (Combat) +2 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -1 (4% casualties on unit) +2 (better armoured by 2 PV) -1 (enraged) -3 (all-out attack)= 1. He decides to risk 2D-5, rolls a 6 and 4, making a dice roll result of 5. Looking this result up, Ragnar suffers 1 medium wound, 2 light wounds and 1 scratch. He rolls 2D for each wound to determine the hit location - the medium wound is to his Chest (6 rolled), one light wound is to his arm (8 rolled) and one to his head (10 rolled), and he also has a scratch to his leg (3 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wound, but he will suffer -2 on all dice rolls from now on due to his wounds.

Third battle turn

On the third battle turn, Shadrak's spearmen charge into another unit of archers. All people in the spearmen unit are normal tiredness. Cogan is carrying a light wound (and so has a -1 penalty on all dice rolls), Ragnar is carrying a medium wound (and so has a -2 penalty on all dice rolls). Both our mercenaries are sufficiently tough that they automatically make their dice rolls to continue while wounded.

Ragnar elects to go berserk - he succeeds in achieving an enraged status - while enraged he has a penalty of -1 on his battle tactics and battle survival dice rolls, but a bonus of +1 on his battle glory dice roll.

Both mercenaries now make Battle tactics dice rolls -

• Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) -1 (wounded) = -1; he rolls 2D-7, gets a 3 and 4, giving a dice roll result of 0, not good enough for anything.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +0 (IQ) -1 (for enraged) -2 (wounded)= 0; he rolls 2D-6, gets a 4 and 4, giving a dice roll result of 2, which given he is all-out attacking, gives him a bonus of +4 on the battle glory dice roll and a penalty of -3 on the battle survival dice roll.

Now it is time to see how well the mercenaries accredit themselves in the combat, through their Battle glory dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) -1 (enemy are veterans) +1 (better weapon than average) -1 (wounds) = 12. He decides to risk 4D, rolls a 4, 3, 2 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 11 - Cogan fights courageously and takes out several of the enemy.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 7 (Melee) + 1 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +4 (tactical acumen, all-out attack) +2 (charge) -1 (enemy are veterans) +1 (enraged) -2 (wound) = 11. He decides to risk 3D+2, rolls a 4, 5, and 6, giving a dice roll result of 20 - Ragnar, despite his wounds surges through the enemy ranks and slays an enemy captain, achieving a major feat.

Both characters now make their Battle survival dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -1 (4% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -1 (light wound) = 6 1/2. He decides to risk D+3 1/2, rolls a 4, making a dice roll result of 7 1/2. Looking this result up, Cogan suffers two more light wounds (rolling 8 and 9 for the hit locations makes them both to his arms) and one scratch (rolling a 10 means to his head). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wounds, and he will continue to suffer -1 on all dice rolls from now on due to his wounds.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 5 (Combat) +2 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -1 (4% casualties on unit) +2 (better armoured by 2 PV) -1 (enraged) -2 (medium wound) -3 (all-out attack) = 2. He decides to risk D-1, rolls a 5, making a dice roll result of 1. Looking this result up, Ragnar suffers pretty badly, with 1 serious wound (to his Chest, 7 rolled), 2 medium wounds (one to his head, 10 rolled, and one to his arm, 8 rolled), 1 light wound (to his leg, 3 rolled) and 1 scratch (to his throat, 11 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the light wound and scratch, but must make dice rolls for the other wounds because of his ongoing impairment of -4 on all dice rolls from now on due to the serious wound. For the medium wounds, he rolls 2D-3, getting 4 and 5, and 4 and 3 respectively, both enough to avoid the shock. For the serious wound, he rolls 2D-3 and rolls a 6 and 5 - fortunately enough to avoid the shock. Because he has a serious wound, he may suffer a specific disability - because the wound was to his Chest from a cutting weapon (the archers' swords), there is no impact.

Fourth battle turn

On the fourth battle turn, Shadrak's spearmen charge into Alexander's camp followers. All people in the spearmen unit are slightly tired (-1/2 to all dice rolls). Cogan is carrying a light wound (and so has a -1 penalty on all dice rolls), Ragnar is carrying a serious wound (and so has a -4 penalty on all dice rolls). Both our mercenaries are sufficiently tough that they make their dice rolls to continue while wounded.

Ragnar decides not to go berserk any more, but to fight defensively.

Both mercenaries now make Battle tactics dice rolls -

• Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) -1 (wounded) -1/2 (slightly tired) = -1 1/2; he rolls 2D-7 1/2, gets a 3 and 2, giving a dice roll result of - 2 1/2, not good enough for anything.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +0 (IQ) -4 (wounded) -1/2 (slightly tired)= -1 1/2; he rolls 2D-7, gets a 4 and 5, giving a dice roll result of 1 1/2, which given he is fighting defensively, gives him a bonus of +4 on the battle survival dice roll and a penalty of -3 on the battle glory dice roll.

Now it is time to see how well the mercenaries accredit themselves in the combat, through their Battle glory dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) +1 (better weapon than average) -1 (wounds) - 1/2 (slightly tired) = 12 1/2. He decides to risk 4D +1/2, rolls a 4, 3, 5 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 14 1/2 - Cogan fights courageously and takes out several of the enemy.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 7 (Melee) + 1 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) -4 (wounds) -1/2 (slightly tired) -3 (defensive) = 4 1/2. He decides to risk 2D - 1 1/2, rolls a 4 and 5, giving a dice roll result of 7 1/2 - Ragnar, despite his wounds, fights courageously and his comrades are impressed by his martial prowess.

Both characters now make their Battle survival dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -0 (less than 1% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -1 (light wound) -1/2 (slightly tired) = 7. He decides to risk 2D+1, rolls a 4 and 5, making a dice roll result of 10. Looking this result up, Cogan suffers one more light wound (rolling 4 for the hit location makes it to his groin) and one scratch (rolling a 7 means to his chest). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wounds, and he will continue to suffer -1 on all dice rolls from now on due to his wounds.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 5 (Combat) +2 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) +4 (tactical acumen, defensive) -0 (less than 1% casualties on unit) +2 (better armoured by 2 PV) -4 (serious wound) -1/2 (slightly tired) = 5 1/2. He decides to risk 2D- 1/2, rolls a 5 and 3, making a dice roll result of 7 1/2. Looking this result up, Ragnar's defensive strategy pays off, and he only takes a further 2 light wounds (to his leg, 2 rolled, and arm, 9 rolled) and a scratch (to his eyes, 12 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the light wound and scratch, and he continues with an ongoing impairment of -4 on all dice rolls from now on due to the serious wound.

Fifth battle turn

On the fifth battle turn, Shadrak's spearmen charge into one of Alexander's phalanxes. All people in the spearmen unit are quite tired (-1 to all dice rolls). Cogan is carrying a light wound (and so has a -1 penalty on all dice rolls), Ragnar is carrying a serious wound (and so has a -4 penalty on all dice rolls). Both our mercenaries are sufficiently tough that they make their dice rolls to continue while wounded.

Ragnar continues to fight defensively.

Both mercenaries now make Battle tactics dice rolls -

• Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) -1 (wounded) -1 (quite tired) = -2; he rolls 2D-8, gets a 5 and 4, giving a dice roll result of 1, enough for a +1/2 to his Battle survival dice roll.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +0 (IQ) -4 (wounded) -1 (quite tired)= -2; he rolls 2D-8, gets a 3 and 2, giving a dice roll result of -3, which doesn't help. He just has a bonus of +3 to his battle survival dice roll, and a penalty of -3 to his battle glory dice roll for fighting defensively.

Now it is time to see how well the mercenaries accredit themselves in the combat, through their Battle glory dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) +1 (better weapon than average) -1 (wounds) - 1 (quite tired) = 12. He decides to risk 4D, rolls a 4, 6, 5 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 17 - Cogan achieves another major feat of valour.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 7 (Melee) + 1 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) -4 (wounds) -1 (quite tired) -3 (defensive) = 4. He decides to risk 2D-2, rolls a 6 and 4, giving a dice roll result of 8 - Ragnar, despite his wounds, fights courageously and his comrades are impressed by his martial prowess.

Both characters now make their Battle survival dice rolls:

• Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -2 (11% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -1 (light wound) -1 (quite tired) +1/2 (tactical acumen) = 5. He decides to risk 2D -1, rolls a 3 and 6, making a dice roll result of 8. Looking this result up, Cogan suffers two more light wounds (to his Chest, with a roll of 7, and Arm, with a roll of 9). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wounds, and he will continue to suffer -1 on all dice rolls from now on due to his wounds.
• Ragnar has a basic value of 5 (Combat) +2 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -2 (11% casualties on unit) +2 (better armoured by 2 PV) -4 (serious wound) -1 (quite tired) +3 (defensive) = 2. He decides to risk 2D-4, rolls a 1 and 3, making a dice roll result of 0. Looking this result up, Ragnar is in trouble - he suffers 2 serious wounds (one to his Chest, with a roll of 7, and one to his Leg, with a roll of 3), 1 light wound (to his arm with a dice roll of 9) and two scratches (to his head, 10 rolled, and his arm, 9 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the light wound and scratches, but the serious wounds are much more of a concern. Ragnar is sufficiently tough, that while the serious wounds stun him momentarily, the fact that they are from impaling weapons means he avoids passing out through the immediate pain. However, he is doubly impaled on enemy pikes. What's more the impaling specific injury to his leg means that his leg is disabled for a week. Finally, he has to make dice rolls to avoid shock - his basic value for these dice rolls is 5 + 2 -4 (existing wounds) -1 (quite tired) =2; for the first wound to his leg, he risks 2D-4, rolls a 4 and 3 and gets a dice roll result of 3, not enough to prevent shock, which increases the wound from Serious to Critical; and for the second wound to his chest, he risks 2D-4, rolls a 6 and 4, making a dice roll result of 6, enough to prevent shock. But, he now is doubly impaled, incapacitated and has an ongoing impairment of -6 on all dice rolls from now on due to the critical wound. Unless someone rescues him, he will be cut of pieces by the opposition.

Given the circumstances, the referee rules that Cogan's major feat of valour was to single-handedly rescue Ragnar when he was surrounded and brought down by the enemy. At the end of the battle turn, Cogan is standing over his friend's body. Providing he can continue to fight off the opposition, Ragnar stands a chance of survival. If Cogan falls, they will both die.

Sixth battle turn

Fortunately, the charge routed the enemy phalanx, and so the sixth battle turn is relatively quiet for Cogan and Ragnar. Rather than forcing Cogan to pursue the fleeing enemy, the unit commander, Shadrak, recognises Cogan's bravery and lets Cogan carry Ragnar's body to the relative safety of the centre of the unit, where Ragnar can get emergency treatment. Thus, Cogan's and Ragnar's disposition becomes Protected for this battle turn (and they both count as fighting defensively).

All people in the spearmen unit are tired (-1 1/2 to all dice rolls). Cogan is carrying a light wound (and so has a -1 penalty on all dice rolls).

Cogan focuses on getting Ragnar treated and so does not bother with his Battlefield tactics or Battlefield glory dice rolls this turn.

However, the unit is subject to some missile fire, so Cogan has to make a Battlefield survival dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) +3 (Protected) -1 (3% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -1 (light wound) -1 1/2(tired) +3 (defensive) = 11. He decides to risk 3D +5, rolls a 4, 3 and 6, making a dice roll result of 19. He is completely unaffected by the hail of arrows.

Meanwhile, the surgeon manages to remove the impaling weapons from Ragnar without further damage (if he had failed on the leg wound, the tearing would have killed Ragnar).

Seventh battle turn

On the seventh battle turn, Cogan returns to the vanguard to rally the troops for one last charge.

Cogan now makes his Battle tactics dice roll - Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) -1 (wounded) -2 (very tired) = -3; he rolls 2D-9, gets a 3 and 4, giving a dice roll result of -2, useless. He decides to fight normally.

Now it is time to see how well he accredits himself in the combat, through his Battle glory dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +2 (charge) +1 (better weapon than average) -1 (wounds) - 2 (very tired) = 11. He decides to risk 3D +2, rolls a 1, 6, and 2, giving a dice roll result of 12 1/2 - Cogan fights bravely against the heavy cavalry countercharge.

To survive the cavalry charge, Cogan has to make a Battlefield survival dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -3 (14% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -1 (light wound) -2(very tired) = 2 1/2. He decides to risk 2D -3 1/2, rolls a 5, and 3, making a dice roll result of 4 1/2. In fighting off the cavalry, Cogan takes 2 medium wounds (one to his arm, 9 rolled, and one to his head, 10 rolled) and one light wound (to his head, 10 rolled) and one scratch (to his abdomen, 5 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high that he shrugs off any shock from the wounds, but he now has an ongoing impairment penalty of -2 on all dice rolls.

Eighth battle turn

On the eighth battle turn, the exhausted unit continues to engage the cavalry. Cogan remains in the vanguard.

Cogan now makes his Battle tactics dice roll - Cogan has a basic value of 2 (Tactics) -2 (IQ) -2 (wounded) -3 (exhausted) = -5; he rolls 2D-11, gets a 2 and 4, giving a dice roll result of -5, useless. He decides to continue fighting normally.

Now it is time to see how well he accredits himself in the combat, through his Battle glory dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +1 (better weapon than average) -2 (wounds) - 3 (exhausted) = 7. He decides to risk 2D +1, rolls a 6 and 2, giving a dice roll result of 9 - Cogan fights bravely against the heavy cavalry.

Cogan now has to make a Battlefield survival dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -2 (10% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -2 (medium wound) -3(exhausted) = 1 1/2. He decides to risk 2D -4 1/2, rolls a 5 and 2, making a dice roll result of 2 1/2. In fighting off the cavalry, Cogan takes 1 serious wound (to his chest, 7 rolled), one medium wound (to his leg, 3 rolled) and two scratches (to his abdomen, 5 rolled, and his arm, 9 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high (his basic value is 6 1/2 (Combat) + 4 (ST) - 3 (exhausted) -4 (serious wound) = 3 1/2) that he shrugs off any shock from the scratches, but must make dice rolls for the other wounds because of his ongoing impairment of -4 on all dice rolls from now on due to the serious wound. For the medium wound, he rolls 2D-2 1/2, getting 2 and 5, enough to avoid the shock. For the serious wound, he rolls 2D-2 1/2 and rolls a 6 and 4 - fortunately enough to avoid the shock. Because he has a serious wound, he may suffer a specific disability - because the wound was to his Chest from a cutting weapon (the referee rules it is a cavalry sword rather than spear that hits him, since the cavalry are no longer charging), there is no impact.

Ninth battle turn

As night falls on the ninth battle turn, Cogan's exhausted unit attempts to disengage and leave the battlefield.

There is no point in Cogan attempting a Battle tactics dice roll in his reeling and wounded state.

As his unit withdraws, Cogan decides to fight defensively. For his Battle glory dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 8 1/2 (Melee) + 1/2 (CO) +2 (vanguard) +1 (better weapon than average) -4 (wounds) - 4 (reeling) -3 (defensive) = 1. He decides not to take any risks, and just has a quiet battle turn, without too much incident. For once, Cogan lets others take the glory.

Cogan now has to make his last Battlefield survival dice roll. Cogan has a basic value of 6 1/2 (Combat) +4 (ST) -3 (Vanguard) -1 (7% casualties on unit) +1 (better armoured by 1 PV) -4 (carrying a serious wound) -4(reeling) +3 (defensive) = 2 1/2. He decides to risk 2D -3 1/2, rolls a 5 and 4, making a dice roll result of 5 1/2. As he retreats, Cogan suffers a further Medium wound (to his Head, 10 rolled), two Light wounds (to his Abdomen, 5 rolled, and Chest, 6 rolled) and a Scratch (to his Arm, 8 rolled). His Combat and ST are sufficiently high (his basic value is 6 1/2 (Combat) + 4 (ST) - 4 (reeling) -4 (serious wound) = 2 1/2) that he shrugs off any shock from the scratch and light wounds. For the medium wound, he rolls 2D -3 1/2, gets a 4 and 4, making a dice roll result of 4 1/2; enough to resist the shock of the wound.

Aftermath of the battle

Both Cogan and Ragnar did well in the battle, and this is reflected in their experience award for the battle:

• Ragnar achieved two major feats of glory (charging the enemy single-handed in the second battle turn and slaying an enemy captain in the third battle turn) and impressed his comrades with his martial prowess before being incapacitated by his wounds. For his experience award, the referee rules that the characters overall achieved as much as expected (1 ep), that Ragnar individually achieved two major feats (1/2 eps each = 1 ep), and Ragnar was well role-played (1/2 eps), making a total of 2 1/2 eps.
• Cogan also achieved two major feats of glory (slaying an enemy captain in the second battle turn and protecting Ragnar when he was incapacitated in the fifth battle turn) and impressed his comrades with his martial prowess throughout the battle. For his experience award, the referee rules that the characters overall achieved as much as expected (1 ep), that Cogan individually achieved two major feats (1/2 eps each = 1 ep), and Cogan was well role-played (1/2 eps), making a total of 2 1/2 eps.

But, both Cogan and Ragnar were badly wounded in the combat. Totting up the wounds, both characters are in need of a healer quite badly: