As has happened again and again, the Shadowlands Horde descends upon the Wall, trying to break through one of its gates in the hopes of penetrating into the guarded lands behind. The Crab, bolstered by the Legion, determine not to let them have the day.
PCs may take one of three options:
A point of clarification: EACH PC interferes with a distinct attack. That is, EACH ROLL is working against an attack that inflicts 5 Attrition.In the first, the PC will work to prevent the enemy force from taking the Legion’s fortified position, interfering with an incoming attack that, if left unchecked, will inflict 4 Attrition on the Legion (with all outside factors already included). The player will roll a TN 2 Tactics check; success reduces the Attrition the Legion would suffer by 1 plus 1 for every 2 bonus successes. Reducing the Attrition to 3 or less earns 1 Momentum; reducing it to zero or less earns an extra 1 Momentum.
Clarification: If you win this challenge, you get to add momentum equal to your focus to the event.In the second, a PC may make a targeted strike against a prominent member of the opposing force. This is mechanically equivalent to issuing a Challenge (Core 278); the challenge will be accepted by a goblin warrior. Begin Skirmish with chosen foe)
Warrior Goblin
Earth 2 Water 1 Fire 3 Air 2 Void 1
Artisan 0 Marital 3 Scholar 0 Social 2 Trade 1
Endurance 10 Composure 6 Focus 5 Vigilance 2
Advantage: Fearsome Presence (Fire, Social, Interpersonal)
Disadvantage: Quick to Anger (Fire, Social, Interpersonal)
Gear:
Small yari: Range 1, Damage 5, Deadliness 3, Wargear
Small yumi: Range 2-3, Damage 4, Deadliness 3
Scavenged ashigaru Armor (Physical 3)
If you lose this challenge, your character is killed and unable to further participate in the game.
In each case, PCs take Fatigue equal to the Strife showing on their kept dice due to being on Dangerous Terrain (Core 267).In the third, a PC who can perform Invocations may attempt one against the advancing force. Perform the Invocation as normal; success generates Momentum, and inflicts EITHER Attrition OR Panic on the enemy army (as the player chooses), equal to the Rank of the Invocation.
Do note, however, that Spiritual Backlash carries particular dangers within the Shadowlands. In addition to the regular effects of Backlash (Core 190), characters receive a Shadowlands Taint Adversity related to the Ring used to perform the Invocation for every 3 Strife past the Backlash (i.e., 3 Strife causes Backlash, while 6 Strife awards a Shadowlands Taint Adversity). Failing to perform the Invocation also awards a Shadowlands Taint Adversity related to the Ring used with the Invocation.
The kansen do not play fair.
Jade Strike, Essence of Jade, and Tomb of Jade, for obvious reasons, do not incur the particular dangers, although they may still trigger Backlash as normal.
Please note that, due to this being an action of armies, the Invocation does not benefit from bonus successes.
This Stage is successfully completed once the Legion earns 6 Momentum.
