Battletech 3025 Badlands Campaign August, Part 1

After a few weeks of fighting the Taurian Forces on Badlands have established a strong position at the Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport.  The various pirate forces have continued to try and secure water resources and supply routs as well as engaging in scouting operation against the Taurian base.   

August 2nd, 3025 Battle of the Survivors Oasis

Tuesday, August 2nd, 3025.  A Desert Foxes recon drone has uncovered a base at an oasis around 200km West of the Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport.  The base includes a repair facility and administration facility.  Enemy mechs identified as; a 70 ton Warhammer, a 70 ton Grasshopper, a 50 ton Trebuchet, and a 50 ton Centurion.  All mechs are suspected as belonging to survivors of the Battle at the Rockhound Spaceport on July 18th, 3025.  The mercenaries have elected to use their Leopard dropship for transport to the base brining; a 75 ton Marauder, a 65 ton Catapult, a 65 ton Thunderbolt, and a 55 ton Griffin.     

The Foxes advanced on the Pirate position cautiously.  Although they had the greater tonnage the Pirate mechs were still quite powerful and they appear to have been fully repaired since their pervious engagement.

As most of the mercenaries move to their left and center the Thunderbolt engages a pirate Grasshopper in a one on one close quarter fight that would last most of the rest of the engagement causing considerable damage to both machines.

The mercenaries first focused their firepower on the Trebuchet while the pirates focused on the Foxes' Marauder.  Although the Marauder was knocked down and suffered significant armor damage the Trebuchet was destroyed when it's ammunition magazine exploded.  The rest of the pirate mechs began to fall back.  

The mercenaries pressed their advantage taking out the pirate Centurion although their Thunderbolt was forced to fall back after taking a cockpit hit that wounded the pilot.  

The pirate Warhammer and Grasshopper managed to escape along with several pirate vehicles.  The mercenaries managed to salvage the Centurion.  

August 8th, 3025.  Battle at the Dome Base

Monday August 8th, 3025.  Following up on rumors the Taurians discovered two pirate bands had allied and built a base at an oasis a short distance south of the Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport.  Drone reconnaissance reveled two lances of mechs defending the facility.  The pirate force consisted of; a 45 ton Phoenixhawk, a 45 ton Blackjack, a 35 to Jenner, and a 20 ton Locust from then Sidewinders pirate band.  The Anarchist pirate band force consisted of; a 75 ton Marauder, a 50 ton Centurion, a 30 ton Javelin, and a 20 ton Locust.  

The Taurians and the Desert Foxes attacked with a joint force with the mercenaries attacking with six mechs from the North of the base while the Taurians used their Leopard dropship to drop a lance of mechs to the South of the oasis to cut off any retreating pirates.  

The Foxes fielded; a 95 ton Banshee, an 80 ton Awesome, a 60 ton Rifleman, a 50 ton Enforcer, and two 20 ton Locust.  

The Taurians fielded; an 80 ton Awesome, a 65 ton Thunderbolt, and two 55 ton Wolverines.

     

The Sidewinders moved to the North to engage the mercenaries wile the Anarchist engaged the Taurians.  Despite being outnumbered the Sidewinders used their superior maneuverability to slow the mercenaries advance.  

The Anarchist were not fairing as well and in a short time their mechs were being worn down.  

Eventually the heavier Desert Foxes mechs began to push the Sidewinders back.  One of the mercenary Locust slipped passed the Sidewinders to support the Taurians.  

The Taurians separated the Anarchist Marauder destroying it's left torso.   

By the end of the battle five of the pirates managed to escape but most had been heavily damaged.  The Anarchist Marauder was captured and the Taurians discovered that the pilot was the commander of the Anarchist pirate band.  

August 11th, 3025 Patrol Interception

Sunday August 11th,3025.  A lance of independent pirates have been probing near the Taurian base at the Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport.  The Taurians decided to intercept the pirate scouts using their Leopard dropship to transport; a 70 ton Warhammer, a 60 ton Quickdraw, a 50 ton Talos, and a 35 ton Jenner attempting to stop; a55 ton Wolverine, a 45 ton Vindicator, a 40 ton Hermes II, and a 25 ton Commando.

The pirates focused on escape using their speed to try to outmaneuver the Taurians.  Unfortunately for the pirate Vindicator his mech did not have the speed to keep up with his allies.  The Taurian Jenner engaged it from behind and did heavy damage.    

The Taurian Quickdraw attempted to use it's jumpjets to cut off the pirate Commando but missed all it's shots and physical attacks.  The Commando was the first pirate mech to escape.

Although the Taurians inflicted heavy damage on the pirate Wolverine blowing off it's right arm the Heavier Concordant mechs just couldn't keep the pirates from escaping.  

The only pirate that didn't escape was the Vindicator who surrendered to the Taurians rather than being destroyed.  

 

Battletech 3025 Badlands Campaign Week 2, Engagement at Bossman's Oasis and Engagement at Ambush Alley.

After securing the spaceport and repairing their mechs the Taurian 3rd Concordant Cuirassiers and the Desert Foxes Mercenary Company commanders planned their next moves.  They had learned that the Rockhound Mining company had cut a dozen mines into the mountains to the East and Southwest of the spaceport.  Carved out by industrial mining mechs the mining shafts were perfect hideouts for smaller pirate bands.  Some of these locations were home to specific pirate companies while a few were used by independents. These pirates would have to be delt with before they could move against the Brethren of the Black flag and the other larger pirate commands.  

Another problem they were facing was that the spaceport water supplies were getting dangerously low.  The spaceport was home to several non pirate civilians including some technicians who used the facilities industrial mech bays to service pirate battlemechs and equipment as a means of supporting themselves.  There was also a staff of civilians who ran the spaceport that was still used by, pirate, smuggler, and merchant dropships.  They typically hired independent pirates staying at the facility to escort their tanker trucks to a nearby oasis to re-supply but since the Taurians and Mercs had defeated those pirates the facility administrators now looked to the Concordant forces to provide an escort. 

 

Sunday, July 24th, 3025 at Bossman's Oasis on Badlands.  Operational command decided to send a lance of Cuirassier mechs to escort the water tankers to a nearby oasis west of the spaceport called "Bossman's Oasis".  This location was chosen because it was near the spaceport but a good deal out of the way for any of the known pirate bands to be using.  Never the less drone reconnaissance picked up a lance of black painted battlemechs and trucks that appeared to be on their way to the oasis as well.  A, 20 ton Locust, 45 ton Phoenix Hawk, 50 ton Hunchback, and 30 ton Spider made up the pirate force.  The Taurian lance consisted of two 55 ton Wolverines, a 70 ton Warhammer, and a 85 ton Battlemaster.  With a significant advantage in firepower the Cuirassiers chose to press the engagement.    

The Pirate Hunchback, a 4G variant, Moved to engage the Taurian Warhammer and scored several shots on the 70 ton mechs center torso with medium lasers and it's Autocannon 20.  These shots ripped away the heavy mechs armor and damaged it's engine and gyro.  Return fire from the Warhammer and Battlemaster overwhelmed the pirate and knocked the Hunchback to the ground.  

 

with their Hunchback distracting the heavier Taurian elements the lighter pirate mechs decided to make a move on the tanker trucks the Taurians were guarding in a bid to try and get the Concordant force to withdraw.  The two Taurian Wolverines managed to hold them off dealing significant damage to the pirate Phoenix Hawk.   

The pirate Hunchback attempted to stand but fell again allowing the Taurian Battlemaster to easily dispatch the pilot by blowing away it's cockpit.  

The Taurian Warhammer was forced to withdraw however seeing their comrade and lance commander brutally dispatched broke the resolve of the remaining pirates who chose to flee rather than suffer any more losses.  

The Cuirassiers were able to gather the require supplies and salvage a fairly intact Hunchback to bolster their forces once repaired.  

Monday, July 25th, 3025 at Ambush Ally pass on Badlands.  A Desert Foxes reconnaissance drone picked up a force of independent pirates heading for the Ambush Ally pass through the Middle Mountains protecting a convoy four supply trucks of various manufacture.   The pirate force consisted of a, 20 ton Flea, a 25 ton Commando, a 45 ton Vindicator, and a 50 ton Hunchback.  

Due to the distance and speed at which the pirates were moving the Desert Foxes commander decided to use the companie's Leopard Dropship to send a lance of mechs to intercept the pirates.  The Foxes dispatched a force consisting of, a 75 ton Marauder, a 65 ton Catapult, a 50 ton Enforcer, and a 40 ton Cicada.   

Seeing the powerful mechs of the mercenary force the pirates decided to split their force with the lighter mechs and two trucks attempting to move South of the mercenary force while their medium mechs and two other trucks attempted to slip around a hill north of the Foxes position.  

Despite the supply trucks making good time the mercenaries managed to stop the trucks moving south through a combination of shooting and physical attacks.  

The mercenary Enforcer kicked the leg off the pirate Flea then destroyed it with it's weapons.  Seeing this the commando decided to slip past the Mercenary line and escape.

In the middle of the field the pirate Hunchback and Vindicator advanced on the heavier mercenary Marauder and Catapult while the trucks they were escorting swung wide to the North.  The Marauder took heavy damage while the pirates managed to avoid the firepower of the mercenary mechs.  Despite this with the loss of the lighter mechs and their transports the pirate Vindicator decided to withdraw while the Hunchback pilot charged ahead trying to get past the mercenary defenders.  This left the Hunchback isolated and surrounded by heavier enemy mech.  Rather than fight it out the pirate wisely decided to surrender himself and his mech.

Even considering half the pirate forces "escaped" their surviving forces were scattered and the Desert Foxes salvaged a fully operational Hunchback 4G with only minor damage to it's armor making this a solid victory for the mercenaries.  

 

 

Battletech 3025 The Badlands War Campaign

 

Thursday, July 7th, 3025 near the City of Grover on Althea's Choice, Taurian Concordant.  Pirates have raided a munitions plant owned by Cross Industries.  The owner of the plant, Alton Cross, had contacted Lt. Chance Antares of the Desert Foxes mercenary company, the only mech force on planet, to attempt to intercept the pirates before they can escape.

The Mercenaries engage the Pirates heading south presumably to rendezvous with their dropship.  The Pirates have been making their way through a broken plateau but must cross an area of open ground to reach their destination.  The Desert Foxes have chosen this location to engage them.  

Though the Mercenaries damaged several of the Pirate mechs the Pirates managed to evade them and escape the battle.  It was later reported that no dropship was detected taking off from the planet after the skirmish and the status of the bandit lance was unknown.  

Tuesday, July 11th, 3025. City of Grover on Althea's Choice, Taurian Concordant.  The 3rd Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Concordant Cuirassiers arrived on planet two days ago to take place in training exercises with the Desert Foxes.  The Battlemechs of both companies are being re-fitted with non-lethal weapons for the exercise.  The operation command is contacted by Alton Cross, of Cross Munitions, a local aristocrat, who informs them that his ancestral Trebuchet Battlemech had just been stolen by a force of Pirates consisting of two lances of battlemechs.  A Union Class drop ship has been detected entering the upper atmosphere that has refused any attempts to contact it.  Based on the ships trajectory and the heading of the Pirates who stole Cross's Battlemech it looks like they are part of the same operation.  Cross demands the Taurians do something to recover his mech and offers the Desert Foxes a substantial reward if they provide assistance.  With only one lance of four Battlemechs each both the Cuirassiers and Foxes move quickly to intercept the Pirates.  

The two forces engage in a broken plateau Southwest of Grover.  The Pirate force consist of two lances plus the stolen Trebuchet.  

With only two minutes until the dropship gets in range the Mercenaries and Taurian forces move quickly to engage the Pirates.  

A pair of Pirate Jenners cause havoc among the Taurian ranks and a Cuirassier Shadowhawk is taken down.  

After about a minute of intense fighting several of the Pirate Battlemechs have been heavily damaged.  The Pirates decide to retreat and abandon the Trebuchet they had stolen.  The pirate piloting the Trebuchet attempts to bail and escape on foot but is apprehended by the Desert Foxes Cicada Battlemech.  

Tuesday, July 18th, 3025.  Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport on Bandland, Pirates Haven Star Cluster.  After interrogating the pirate captured on Althea's Choice it was discovered that the Pirates who had recently raided the planet were part of the Brethren of the Black Flag based on the planet Badlands in the nearby Pirates Haven Star Cluster.  He also revealed that several independent pirate commands were based on the planet.  

Subaltern Douglas Owen, commander of the 3rd Battalion of the Concordant Cuirassiers ordered his 3rd company, already stationed on Althea's Choice to conducted a punitive raid and scouting mission on the planet Badlands.  Alton Cross hired the Desert Foxes Mercenary Company to assist with the raid.  Both companies were outfitted with a Trojan and Leopard class Dropship for transport to and on the planet.  The Taurian Defense Forces also Provided an Invader Class Jumpship for transport to the system.  

The operation command decided to attempt to make landing at the former Rockhound Mining Company Spaceport based on intelligence provided by the captured pirate.  According to the pirate the facility was home to at best a single company of independent pirates who often signed on with other pirate commands for individual raids.  As such they did not fight as an organized force and would likely abandon the facility if pressed.  

On approach to the spaceport it was discovered that the facility was defended by an orbital defense gun.  Rather than risk their larger Trojan dropships it was decided that the two smaller Leopard drop ships would land a lance of four Battlemechs each on the planet outside the range of the gun and then they would proceed overland to the spaceport.  

Initially the Pirates were extremely aggressive due to their superior numbers rushing forward to engage the Taurians and Mercenaries.  A Taurian Stalker Battlemech suffered an extremely unfortunate ammunition explosion when a short range missile managed to slip passed the assault mechs armor and detonate the magazine.  

 Two pirate mechs, a Commando and Jenner, were also taken down early causing some of the Pirates to loose their resolve and begin a fighting withdrawal.  

Without proper support the lighter Pirate mechs began to fall to the heavier Taurian and Mercenary machines.  

By the end of the battle the Taurians and Mercenaries had managed to capture or destroy six of the twelve Pirate Battlemechs including a lightly damaged Griffin who had shudown from overheating during the fight while only loosing their single Stalker.  The Taurians and Mercenaries were able to land their Trojans without any further issues.  

 

 

 

  

Dungeons of Gonzoria: Season 01, Game 02 "Mysterious Raiders"

 7th of Thirdmonth, 1526 H.E.

The warrior, Garrick Valthorn, the Mystic Artemis, the Dward Pendrek Stonehand, and the Elves Araned Threeoak, and Rulo Suras had joined the Gonzoria Adventurers guild after returning from their expedition to the tomb of Saint Bedevere two weeks ago.  After selling off their loot they decided that they would need to mount another expedition if they were going to be able to have enough coin to keep operating in the city.

 After consulting the Basic Tier mission board, the party decided to take the following job:

Mysterious Raiders! 

Posted by: Balin Huntinghall, Baron of Honey Hill

A group of raiders have been attacking farms west of Honey Hill and then fleeing into the Southeast part of the Hagwood.  They seem content to steal livestock, crops, and tools for the time being but a few people have been killed in the raids.  Because they attack under the cover of darkness no one has been able to get a good look at the attackers and none of the attackers have been killed or captured so far.  

I require a party of adventurers to gather some intelligence on their camp and capture one of their
members for interrogation if possible.  I need to know the number of raiders and the nature of the

raiders if possible and the location of their encampment. 
 
I will pay 500 gold crowns for the information and 100 gold for each captured raider up to a maximum

of 3 individuals.  

They took the posting to the counter for Basic Tier members and had the receptionist Alina set up their
contract.
Alina recommended they hire some supporters for the job. She recommended Kaelys Smyte because her

cooking and survival skills would be helpful for the job.
The party hired Kayles and Melira Vollolis who specialized in engineering. They also purchased some

healing potions and rations from the guild stores.

With their new hirelings and supplies the party decided to head out to Honeyhill then follow the High Kingdom Mesa West then try to find a place to ford the Red Devil River before proceeding into the Hagwood.  They also hoped they could find some more information about the "mysterious raiders" in Honeyhill.  

As they were traveling on the Honeyhill road the party was attacked by a large pack of a dozen giant rats.  Rulo managed to put eleven of them to sleep and Garrick dispatched the remaining rat.  After that they made it to Honeyhill without incident.  

At Honey Hill they spoke with several individuals including Father Martin of the Church of the Blessed Saint who offered them a job clearing out the rest of Saint Bedevere's tomb.  The told the priest that they would be happy to help after finishing their current job.  They also spoke with the priestess Holly Thistledown at the Temple of the Holy Mother.  They borrowed a hand cart and some empty barrels from the priestess because they planned to try and draw out the raiders while posing as lost merchants.  

After staying over in Honeyhill they set out the next morning.  At the river they spoke with some potters from Honeyhill who were gathering clay from the banks.  The potters said they hadn't seen any raiders but they told the party where they could ford.  Upon fording the river they discovered a small game trail that had several booted tracks running along.  They followed the trail to the edge of the Hagwood.  Half of the party decided to wait with the cart while Rulo and Aroned scouted ahead with the hirelings to try and locate the raiders camp.  

They had only made it a short distance in the woods when they heard a commotion ahead of them on the game trail.  Moving off the trail into cover they spotted a wounded doe running at full tilt along the trail towards the edge of the wood.  Shortly after two wild looking human women came running along after the deer bows in hand.  

The pair of women exited the woods but a few moments later they came running back along the trail with equal haste. 

 

The elves decided to ambush the women for questioning.  Araned managed to tackle and subdue one of the women and after a brief struggle he subdued her.  Rulo missed her tackle and her target immediately drew steel and attacked her.  Rulo managed to give the woman a stout blow to the head with the pommel of her sword but it was not enough to brink her target down.  Eventually Kaelys managed to get behind the sword wielding women and bring her down with a blow to the back of the head from her frying pan.  They quickly subdued the women and Araned carried them both out of the woods over his shoulders.  

It took them only a few minutes to rejoin their companions but they were worried that the commotion of the fight might draw the rest of the raiders out.  Their captive that was still conscious told them they were members of the "Wildwood" clan from the north and that they had been raiding farms for food.  She warned them that their leader Rognvald would come searching for them shortly as the rest of the raiders were camped not far off and no doubt heard the fighting.   

Indeed a few minutes later a band of seven armed raiders emerged from the edge of the Hagwood.  A large warrior in the center of the party seemed to be giving them orders.  The warrior of the party formed a line to face them.  

The large warrior stepped forward and declared himself as Rongvald of the Wildwood clan.  He demanded to speak with the parties "Chief".  Artemis and Araned stepped forward.  Rongvald demanded the return of the women.  Artemis said they would exchange them for two other hostages because they needed to take someone back with them to be questioned by the Baron of Honeyhill.  Rongvald refused to turn any of his companions over but said he would speak with the Baron or one of his men if they came to speak with him.  Rongvald explained that his clan was driven out of the North by the demon worshiping "Blood Crow" clan and that they only raided the farms for food.  Artemis said she would not accept anything other than an exchange of prisoners and that if Rongvold didn't like it she would set her elf on him while gesturing to Araned.  Without hesitation Rongvold drew his sword and said "Very well as you have chosen your champion I will accept this duel and let the fates decide".  Araned gave Artemis a confused look but drew his sword.  

As Araned squared off with Rongvald he immediately realized that he was outmatched.  Rongvald had the moves of a much more experienced warrior.  The exchange was brief.  The northman quickly landed two buffets with the flat of his blade to Araned's head and the elf dropped to the ground unconscious.  

Before he could celebrate his victory the Northman chief started to stagger from an unnatural fatigue.  He turned and look to see his warrior falling to the ground just before he too fell to the ground in a magical slumber.  With everyone's attention focused on the duel Rulo had managed to cast her sleep spell unnoticed.  

The party quickly tied up the raiders and roused them from their slumber.  Rongvald was furious at their "Alfar" trickery saying they had brought dishonor to themselves by interfering with a duel to change their fate.  Being properly secured there was little the Northman could do other than complain and hurl accusations but that didn't stop him from doing just that all the way back to Honeyhill.   

It was dark by the time the party reached Honeyhill and the party was stopped by the Sherriff and a small patrol.  The Sherriff summoned the Baron after securing the prisoners in the town's small blockhouse, the Barron asked the party what they had learned.  The Baron then asked them to stay the night at his manor.  He also had them bring along the Northman woman Ingi who had been the most cooperative of their captives.  After a rich meal Ingi was quite willing to talk about her clan's plight.  She informed the Baron that after being driven out of their homeland that their "Jarl" Svartgir had brought six fully manned longships with twice that number of non combatants south with them.  They were camped on a strip of land with the Red Devil river to the west and the the High Kingdom mesa to the east.  The Baron realized that a few hundred Northmen had set up a camp just ten miles away and requested that the party inform Count Waldo on their return to Gonzoria.  The party agreed and set off the next morning.  

DM Notes:  This was my second session of my BECMI Dungeon and Dragons campaign "Dungeons of Gonzoria".  Due to some extremely successful sleep spells combat was fairly limited during the session but there was quite a bit of roleplaying which made for a fun session.