BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 1

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 BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS
THE ASSAULT ON WARLOCK CASTLE
A Council Planning Game

THE SCENARIO

The forces of Good have been struggling against the onslaught of the Dark Lord for many years,
and, after many reverses, trials and setbacks, finally the tide has turned. A Grand Alliance of
Humans, Dwarves, Free Folk and Elves have thrown back the Hordes of the Dark Lord, back to the
lair of that master of Evil in the famous (and feared) Warlock Castle in the land of Daunt. Now is
the moment of the final campaign to enter the Dark Lord's Domain and rid the world of this evil,
once and for all.
The players represent leaders of the Grand Alliance of Good Folk. Each of the elements of the
Alliance has been fighting the Dark Lord's forces for many years. The leaders of these contingents
form the Council Of Good under the leadership of the mighty hero and brilliant and charismatic
war leader Lord Shakewell The Bold of Estretham. Whilst not a monarch, and of relatively modest
origins, Shakewell has risen to become the trusted leader of the disparate factions of the Grand
Alliance. Using Shakewell's inspired tactical and strategic brilliance, the Alliance has been winning
battle after battle.
Now Council has gathered to plan the final assault on this most terrible and ancient of enemies.
The objective of this council meeting is to discuss and approve Lord Shakewell's master plan for the
Assault on the Dark Lord's castle. This plan has been in development in secret for ages, and
everyone is looking forward to hearing what it is.
Note that decisions of the Council are not the subject of a vote in the Council (most people in this
world don't know what a vote is, let alone wish to be bound by one) a consensus must be
achieved for any plans.
At the end of the Council Meeting, the council will publicly announce the plan to the assembled
captains and leaders of the various contingents of the Grand Alliance. If the plan is a good one – it

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 2

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 BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS
will be followed enthusiastically. If there are obvious flaws in the plan then the captains will no
doubt vocally point them out!
The Council of Good consists of ten members.

Lord Shakewell The Bold of Estretham

Responsible for coordinating and leading the grand
Chair of the Council and Captain alliance to ultimate victory.
General of the Grand Alliance
King Martin of Yendor Commands the largest human contingent of battle-
Commander of the Yendorian Knights hardened knights from the famed Kingdom of Yendor
Bhanegit Goldenhorn
Commands the army of dwarf artisans and fighters.
Leader of the Mountain Dwarves
Big Chief Graargh A powerful contingent of tribal fighters from the Free
Leader of the Good Free Folk Folk (good orcs).
Admiral-General Evadne Backwash The Admiral commands a hodge-podge fleet made
Commanding the Free Fleets up of ships from many sea-going peoples.
Grand Mage Archimandril Spokesperson for the contingent of mages (magic
Representative of the Wizdome and users) who have proved important in countering the
'leader' of the magic-user contingent Dark Lord's foul magicks.
Charismatic war leader of a number of disparate
High Chieftain Brigit McMad
barbarian warbands who have come together to
High Chieftain of the Mountain Bands
fight the Dark Lord.
The engineers are important for their ability to build
Sir Backsite Forethought
machines of war, such as giant trebuchets (catapults)
Chief Artificer and Engineer
and other siege engines.
Lady Ariadne Vanborough
Responsible for ensuring the Grand Army is fed and
Commander of the Commissariat and
supplied with its needs.
supply train.
Lady Shandalarion The Elvish contingent is small, but they are terrifyingly
Representative of the Elves capable fighters and feared by the Dark Ones.

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 3

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 BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS
THE ARMIES OF GOOD

The Grand Alliance of Good

King Martin of Yendor
3 Contingents of Armoured Knights
1 Contingent of Foot Soldiers and archers
Mountain Dwarves
1 contingent of axe-wielding dwarf fighters
1 contingent of dwarf engineers
Free Folk
3 warbands of fearsome freefolk warriors.
Admiral-General Backwash
2 squadrons of fighting ships
1 squadron of transport ships
Mountain Bands
3 warbands of terrifying barbarians
Engineers
2 contingents of engineers
Supplies
The Alliance's supply train has 50 supplies in it.

Currently the Alliance Armies are camped on the Great Plains a little distance off the map, and from
their current position they can enter the land of Daunt (the map) from any direction they choose – or
even multiple directions.

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 4

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 BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS
GEOGRAPHY
The Land of Daunt would be a beautiful country, were it not for the ravages of the hordes of the evil
Dark Lord. Forests have been uprooted, rivers and streams polluted, towns are ill-kept and stinking,
the peasantry cowed and sullen, in thrall to their overlord.
The main town is Grinch – a hive of depravity, desperation and wrongdoing.
Overlooking the town is the looming fortress that is Warlock Castle. Built centuries ago by a mad
warlock (hence the name) the place is not only haunted by evil spirits but rumoured to be sentient.
Whatever the truth of these rumours, the place is on a high rock promontory and will be difficult to
take.
Approaches to the Land are from the North, Northwest, South and Southwest.

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 5

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 BACKGROUND FOR PLAYERS

The ASSAULT on WARLOCK CASTLE 6

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