Idol of Gork Project Part 1: The Big Picture

Ok, a week on and it is time to spend some more time thinking about my ‘Idol of Gork’ campaign project for 8^th edition.  A look at the ‘big picture’ of the campaign as it is laid out in 5^th edition seems a good place to start. 

I will be reflecting on the ‘story aspect’ of the campaign in future posts but, in brief, the campaign background is as follows:

·         Margraf Freidrik, one of the Border Princes of Imperial descent, has recently defeated  the orcs of the Ironfang tribe who border his lands, destroying their fortress and driving them from their lands.

·         In order to secure his borders, the Margraf invites Lord Rutger, a younger son of the Elector Count of Wissenland, to establish his own domain on the lands formally held by the Ironfang Orcs.

·         The orc warchief Grotfang Shah of the Ironclaw orcs is determined to regain his territories and goes to war against the Imperial settlers under Lord Rutger.

The campaign consists of 4 linearly linked scenarios involving conflict between Empire and Orcs and Goblins armies in the Border Princes.  I will be reflecting on each scenario’s conversion in more detail (including some terrain projects and narrative issues) at a later stage, but for now the campaign works as follows:

Scenario 1: ‘Da snatch’ (1000 pts.)

The Ironfang Goblins (no orcs) are sent on a night-ambush to recover the ‘Crown of Gork’ which is buried beneath the idols of Gork and Mork on lands now claimed by Lord Rutger’s followers.  The Wissenlanders are unaware of the Crown’s presence beneath the Idol, but have the idols under guard until they can have a wizard deal with the blasphemous magic protecting them.

If the goblins win they gain a free magic item for the final battle.

Scenario 2: ‘The Ambush’ (1500 pts.)

Reinforcements arriving for Rutger’s forces, including wizards from Altdorf and artillery from Nuln, are ambushed by the orcs on the way to Rutgerburg.

If the orcs and goblins win they limit the Empire’s access to magic and artillery for the final battle.

Scenario 3: ‘The Battle for Troll Rocks’ (1000 pts.)

A neighbouring orcish tribe is gathering to negotiate an alliance with the Ironclaw orcs, but has not yet made contact with them.  Lord Rutger sends a force to defeat this new threat.

If the Empire win, the orcs and goblins are denied 750 pts. for the final battle.

Scenario 4: The Battle for Rutgerburg (3000 pts.)

The Ironfang orcs launch their final assault on the new settlement for Rutgerburg.

The winner takes all!  If the orcs and goblins win they raise Rutgerburg and re-establish their rule over the area, if the Empire wins then Rutgerburg is firmly established and Lord Rutger takes his place as one of the Border Princes!