The Battle of Zirakzigil, Part 1

 Welcome to the Battle of Zirakzigil!

 

Left to Right: Goldberry, Zoltar, Xanthia, Sir Solaire, Bulldog, Kano, Alpha, Verbal, Bortai, Stroika

We start with the same pic that ended last post, but this time... with different words!

Goldberry:  All right, sweethearts, you're a team and there's nothin' to worry about. We come here, and we gonna conquer, and we gonna kick some, is that understood? That's what we gonna do, sweethearts, we are going to go and get some. All right, people, on the ready line! Are ya lean?

Heroes: Yeah!

Goldberry: Are ya mean?

Heroes: Yeah!

Goldberry: WHAT ARE YOU?

Heroes: Lean and mean!

Goldberry: Get on the ready line! Marines, get some today! Get on the ready line! Move it out! Move it out, goddammit! Get hot! One, two, three, four! Get out, get out, get out! Move it out, move it out, move it out! Move it out, move it out, move it out! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven! Aaarrrrr, absolutely badassess! Let's pack 'em in! Get in there!

Zoltar: Um boss? I think we are close to the summit, its just around the corner. Im not picking up anything on the motion tracker. Oh wait... we got a strong signal there. Right ahead. Whatever it is, its sitting right at our objective. Right on the beacon that the White Tower has sent us to investigate.

Goldberry: Someone check on our little army behind us, make sure they know its game time!

Left to Right: Butters the Beercart Pony, Hobbit Militia, Gondorian Imperial Handgunners, Dol Amroth Myrmidon Spearmen

Butters the Beercart Pony gives a wistful neigh. The Hobbits huddle around the Beercart. They know what the most important mission is... save the Beercart at all costs!

 

Up ahead they see the Beacon, a small ziggurat-like formation of stones with a mystical looking pedestal on the top. Surrounding it are four stone megaliths with unlit lamps.

Even further away they see a ruins and at the furthest end - a Numinous Occulum. A structure that some unknown and ancient civilization built for looking and perhaps communicating with other dimensions. There appears to be some sort of dark crystal built into the round observatory part on its upper floor.

A view of the full length of the table.

The heroes and their entourage approach the beacon and a Slann Mage on his floating stone throne greets them.

Bullywug King: Hail, brave heroes! All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again.

Heroes: So say we all.

Bullywug King: I am the Lizard King. I can do anything! But not this time... I need your help to stop Mythos from destroying our world! Our salvation lies there... *points at the Beercart*

Butters the Beercart Pony: *neighs*

The Bullywug King explains that the Beer Cart must be taken to the nearby Numinous Occulum, to power up the Beacon using Bugman's Beer as a fuel source. With that done, the Bullywug King can send an amplified summons for help to otherworldly allies. The Bullywug King must stay near the Beacon to cast his spell, while the Beer Cart and its defenders must reach the Occulum.

Goldberry: Ooh, I just know that something good is gonna happen. I don't know when but just saying it could even make it happen.

Zoltar: Simmer down, compadre... So, um... Lizard Dude... what happens if we cant get the Beercart to this... Occulum?

Bullywug King: Then you better have a bigger army than the one with you because if I know Nyarlathotep, he has sent his minions here to destroy us all completely. *suddenly bestial roars and horns sound in the mists around them*

Zoltar: *looks at Goldberry* How long after we are overdue can we expect a rescue? Seventeen days? I dont want to rain on your parade, but we aint gonna last 17 turns! Game over, why dont we put her in charge! *points at the Beercart Pony*

Goldberry: Hey, Zoltar... just deal with it because we need you! And I'm sick of your bullshit. I need to see air ducts. I need to see electrical access tunnels, sub-basements, every possible way into this complex. Two teams, stay frosty! Defend the Bullywug King! Defend the Beer Cart!

All heroes and their henchmen: *saluting and standing to attention* Ah-ffirmative!

THE BATTLE FOR ZIRAKZIGIL

Summary
The White Council in Gondor has discovered that a secret beacon exists high above Khazad Dum, upon the peak of Zirakzigil! They have sent Goldberry and her team to investigate this beacon. The White Council also sends 2 new types of henchmen to support our heroes - Spearmen and Handgunners. Once the expedition nears the peak, they meet the fabled Bullywug King. He needs our heroes help him light the Beacon of Zirakzigil. The Bullywug King sees Butters the Beer Cart Pony and says their salvation lies with the Beer Cart! If the Beer Cart is taken to the nearby Occulum, they can power up the Beacon with beer as a fuel source. With that done, the Bullywug King can send an amplified summons for help to otherworldly allies. Suddenly, bestial roars and horns sound in the mists around them. The Bullywug King must stay near the Beacon to cast his spell, while the Beer Cart and its defenders must reach the Occulum. Defend the Bullywug King! Defend the Beer Cart!

Board Setup
The table size is 22" x 60" (two mats). Place the Occulum within 6" of the eastern board edge, then place 4 clumps of terrain - trees, rocks, or ruin around it. Then place some Stone Platforms, 4 lanterns, and the Beacon in the center within 12" of the western board edge. Also place 2 clumps of trees, rocks, or ruins around it. Clump terrain needs at least 4" of open space around them and at least 2" from a board edge.

Deployment
- All Heroes, Henchmen, the Beercart and the Bullywug King must deploy within 12" of the eastern edge. See Hero Stat sheets for points buying Henchmen forces.
- No Villains are deployed at start.

Reinforcements:
- DM Only Info

Special Rules
- Addendum to Ranged combat
- Ranged combat needs LOS, friendlies will block LOS, may still fire into combat between friendlies and enemies
- Most Ranged figures cannot Move and Fire (except for Hobbit slingers)

Victory Conditions
- Game ends for a Hero Major Victory once:
The Slann Mage AND the Beer Cart (or a Barrel of Beer) are on the Numinous Occulum.
If the Beer Cart is destroyed, any 2 friendly figures can drag the Beer Barrel for a move of 4" per turn (1 figure drags 2"), but these figures must forego Shooting, Casting, or Melee Attacks.
- Game ends for a Villain Victory once either the Bullywug King is slain or Turn 12 and the Hero victory conditions are not achieved.

The Numinous Occulum and the "dark crystal" on the second level.

The hero starting defense. Who stays with the Bullywug King and who will accompany the Beercart?

On one side, Zoltar, Bortai, Bulldog, Verbal, Kano, and Stroika look to advance to the Occulum or stay at the Beacon.

On the other side, Goldberry, Alpha, Xanthia, the Beercart, and the Hobbit militia seem ready to set out for the Occulum and perhaps eternal glory or shameful defeat.

Sir Solaire commands the Handgunners and Myrmidon Spearmen to defend the Beacon and the Bullywug King.

Sir Solaire: Live your best life, my friends. May the power of the eternal and unconquered Sun watch over all of you!

Zoltar: *looks at Bortai* What is it? What do you see? What do you sense?

Bortai: Evil. From the darkest corners of Old Night. They come! Prepare yourselves!

Zoltar: She knows of what she speaks. Bortai once walked in the streets of the Nameless City and survived to tell of it. I hope we all live to tell of this upcoming tale...

A Gug! A Gug has come! What a terrifying and gruesome visage to look upon!

Next Post: The Battle continues...