After the initial wave of Tainted forces break upon the Wall, it comes time to sally forth against them…
PCs may each work to secure an advantageous position on Dangerous Terrain (Core 267): characters suffer Fatigue equal to the Strife on their kept dice. PCs may take one of three options to do so.
In the first, they may attack the enemy position (Assault, per Core 278), making a TN 3 (yes, 3) Tactics check, generating 1 Momentum Point per 2 Attrition inflicted upon the enemy force.
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 goblin)
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
Gear: Scavenged ashigaru Armor (Physical 3)
If you lose this challenge, your character is killed and unable to further participate in the game.
This Stage is successfully completed once the Legion earns 8 Momentum (not cumulative with Stage 1).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.
