With a newly forced batch of free time at my disposal and the FLGS closed up for a few weeks, I decided it was time to dust off my copy of Rangers of the Shadow Deep. I got the deluxe edition when it was released last year. I liked the idea of co-op wargaming and I was already a big fan of Joseph A. McCullough's other work in Frostgrave so this meant I didn't need to relearn too much to get going. A few minutes drafting up some Rangers for me and my house mates and some extra time painting some monsters and we were good to go.
We went with the first mission from the rulebook, beginning with our investigation of the abandoned village. We each took a Ranger (3 in all) and then dragged some suitable underlings in the form of a wardog, archer, recruit and a man-at-arms.
Our opening moves were to split up and cover as much ground as possible. Grab the clues and then regroup. Sam headed north towards the river, spying the first zombie and pinning it to the wall.
Cas and Bob the Man-at-Arms moved towards the inn. Finding the bar maid less than helpful.
Dean took Spot the Dog to checkout the ruined manor, getting more than he bargained for as the previous owner stepped out to deal with the interlopers.
Charley the archer was able to examine the mutilated corpse by the river, but Sam was attacked by another Zombie whilst she was distracted. Badly mauled, but alive, Sam fights for his life.
Bob was left to fend for himself against more patrons of the Inn. Meanwhile, Cas found a survivor hiding in the courtyard and tried to run them to safety. It was not to be, rounding the side of the Inn a rotten beam finally gave way above our hero, bringing the balcony crashing down. Cas was unhurt, but the loan survivor was not so lucky.
Dean and Charlie come to Sam rescue and pull him back towards the center of the village. Bob and Garth the recruit check the last few clues amongst the outskirts of the village, finding treasure to help in the fight.
Spot the Dog continues to tear apart the undead manor occupants.
The band of heroes regroup and clear the last of the zombie villagers. With the village searched, their next path is clear to them.
This was a fun little run around to play, though we lost sight of what we were doing after a few beers. That said, it was quick to pick up the rules set and we're all eager to finish the mission. I just need to get some stuff built for the occasion.
