Making a Difference: Mass Battle for small Groups
Battlefields
The location where a mass battle occurs is a Battlefield.
Battles do not happen on flat, empty plains of even ground covered in carefully mowed grass. Hills and valleys; rain, mist, and wind; landmarks and old ruins all play a part in describing the struggle about to take place.
The Battlefield description is used to help the players visualize the engagement and create a thread tying together the heroes’ actions. The description should include references to sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, to convey the sense of the place and the fight.
Morale Bonus
The GM may, at their discretion, grant a +1 Morale bonus to an army which seems to hold a battlefield advantage based on the description.
Example: A weak army of ronin (Morale 4) is facing a matched Imperial force (Morale 6). The description includes the ronin’s home village, so the GM grants them a +1 Morale bonus, raising their starting Morale to 5.
Threat
Additionally, the Narrator may decide that the battlefield contains a threat, something which deals physical or spiritual damage or another effect to all Player characters on the field during sequence resolution or that applies for the next sequence. These threats may range from ravaging fires to hungry ghosts.
Note: These effects are considered to be applied to some extent to every person on the battlefield, but since Small Group Mass Battle only considers the PCs, it only applies to the Player Characters
Example: The GM describes a night battle as filled with hungry shadows which leach the life out of all living things. This is a 2 Fatigue spirit threat assessed during sequence resolution.
Below is a chart of some possible terrains and their Threat Effect.
Note: While a Battlefield may have an overall terrain effect, each individual skirmish upon that battlefield may or may not have that terrain effect in play. If the terrain effects are being applied in an individual skirmishes within a round to the PCs, you do not need to apply the general battlefield terrain effect. You don't need to double down.
The location where a mass battle occurs is a Battlefield.
Battles do not happen on flat, empty plains of even ground covered in carefully mowed grass. Hills and valleys; rain, mist, and wind; landmarks and old ruins all play a part in describing the struggle about to take place.
The Battlefield description is used to help the players visualize the engagement and create a thread tying together the heroes’ actions. The description should include references to sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, to convey the sense of the place and the fight.
Morale Bonus
The GM may, at their discretion, grant a +1 Morale bonus to an army which seems to hold a battlefield advantage based on the description.
Example: A weak army of ronin (Morale 4) is facing a matched Imperial force (Morale 6). The description includes the ronin’s home village, so the GM grants them a +1 Morale bonus, raising their starting Morale to 5.
Threat
Additionally, the Narrator may decide that the battlefield contains a threat, something which deals physical or spiritual damage or another effect to all Player characters on the field during sequence resolution or that applies for the next sequence. These threats may range from ravaging fires to hungry ghosts.
Note: These effects are considered to be applied to some extent to every person on the battlefield, but since Small Group Mass Battle only considers the PCs, it only applies to the Player Characters
Example: The GM describes a night battle as filled with hungry shadows which leach the life out of all living things. This is a 2 Fatigue spirit threat assessed during sequence resolution.
Below is a chart of some possible terrains and their Threat Effect.
Note: While a Battlefield may have an overall terrain effect, each individual skirmish upon that battlefield may or may not have that terrain effect in play. If the terrain effects are being applied in an individual skirmishes within a round to the PCs, you do not need to apply the general battlefield terrain effect. You don't need to double down.
Terrain |
Threat Effect |
Dangerous Terrain |
A battlefield with dangers such as fire or evil spirits. Take 2 Damage at the end of the turn (armor does not mitigate). |
Entangling Terrain |
Terrain that is hard for Gunsos to maneuver in. Tactics TNs for Gunsos are increased by TN1. |
Hallowed Terrain |
A battlefield where the warriors are embolded by spiritual aid. Remove 2 Strife at the end of the turn. |
Imbalanced Terrain (by Ring) |
A battlefield where the elements are at war. Theology TNs for Shugenja are increased by TN1 in the specified element. |
Defiled Terrain (by Ring) |
A corrupt and tainted battlefield. No immediate effect, but at the end of the Mass Battle, the character who has fought at least one turn in Defiled Terrain must make a TN 2 Fitness or Meditation check or suffer the Afflicted condition. |
Obscuring Terrain |
Fog or cover makes it difficult for commanders to see or command their troops. Command TNs for Commanders are increased by TN1. |
Disheartening Terrain |
A particularly gruesome or horrifying battlefield. Take 2 strife at the end of the turn. |
