'Sharke's Cannon'

A Flintloque Scenario by Paul 'Wiggy' Williams

Sharke's Rifles have orders to neutralise an Elvish cannon's offensive capabilities whatever the cost...

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Recent Events

The withdraw of the Orcish 42nd Brigade from Northern Catalucia had been progressing well until a few days ago. The main column had entered into a partially dried river valley, intending to capture the Elvish garrison in the small town of Santa Barbara and so allow the other Orc forces to bypass the area safely, when it came under cannon fire.

Scouts scoured the area but could not find the battery's location. The army suffered day after day of constant barrage and retreated to the far end of the canyon. The Brigade commander, Colonel Biglungz, was in a quandary about what to do. His orders were to take Santa Barbara with all speed, but the only way around the valley would take nearly five days. Five days back towards the following Elf army.

Just as things began to look desperate a local shepherd appeared with important news. He explained to the Colonel that he had seen a band of Elves towing a huge cannon through the canyon a week ago. According to other shepherds that he talked to recently, the Elves set the cannon, nicknamed Big Eric, on a large hill, known as Faijita Hill, a few miles from the other end of the valley. He claimed that the cannon was test fired and that it could fire almost five miles!

Colonel Biglungz knew that he had no choice but to neutralise the cannon. He summoned the only men that he could trust to do the job quickly - Sharke's Rifles.

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Action at Faijita Hill

Sharke's Rifles have orders to 'neutralise the cannon's offensive capabilities,' whatever the cost. With the cannon in place, the Brigade will be massacred within days or be forced to retreat back towards the main Elvish armies.

The cannon is situated atop the large hill known as Faijita Hill. At the base of the hill is a small farmhouse that the Elves manning the cannon use as a barrack house. A small copse flanks the opposite side of the hill.

Sharke decides to attack the cannon and its Elvish protectors in the early hours of the morning, hoping that the Elves will be caught napping.

For the first four turns of the battle a light mist (-50% to firing) covers the area. After this, the weather is sunny.

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The Elves

The Elvish Voltigeur force manning and guarding the cannon consists of two Experienced Elves, three Average, and five Raw troopers. They are all armed with muskets and the unit is Regular. The unit is lead by an officer, Captain Louis de Bastille, and his aide, Sergeant Pedric Gahon. Both Elves are Experienced.

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Big Eric the Cannon

The cannon is a huge beast and is the only one the Elves have. Firing and reloading the cannon is a lengthy process and the cannon can only be fired every four turns. Unfortunately for Sharke, the Elves have just loaded the cannon and are waiting for the mist to clear before they fire at the pinned down Orc Brigade.

The cannon is manned by five Elves (2 Average and 3 Raw) whilst the other's guard it.

The cannon can only fire in the direction that it is pointed and it takes two turns to change its facing by 90 degrees. The cannon be moved whilst it is being loaded. The cannon can also fire at units on the map and its firing chart is given below.

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Victory Conditions

The only real victory conditions lie with Sharke's Rifles. If they can destroy the cannon then the Brigade can advance to Santa Barbara. Failure will cost the Brigade dearly.

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Webmaster's Notes

'Sharke's Cannon' was originally published in Valkyrie magazine #17 (Vol. 2, Issue 6) as part of its regular Battlelines column way back in 1998.

The scenario was first published on Orcs in the Webbe on the 10th December 2024 as the tenth entry in that year's Advent Calendar and, of course, is part of Orcs in the Webbe's ongoing Flintloque Archive Project.

Any comments in maroon in the article above have been added by me either to provide additional information or clarity. I may also have made small changes to grammar and layout but have not marked these.

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