THE BASTION OF ST. CONRAD A THIRTY YEARS’ WAR SKIRMISH

S ETTING THE S CENE In the midst of besieging a Hessian-held city, four officers of the Saxon Brigade have discovered a conspiracy against their Duke. Not knowing who to trust inside the camp, they make a brave sally to take control of the ruined bastion of St. Conrad where they may discuss the matter privately. However the abandoned bastion belongs to the city’s fortifications and the Hessians intend to take it back and repair it forthwith.

T HE B ET The senior amongst the group, one Adler, has placed a bet with a Swabian dragoon that he and his three companions, Eichel, Pfaff, and Ungar will go and breakfast in the bastion, and we will remain there an hour, by the watch, whatever the enemy may do to dislodge them!

O BJECTIVES The Saxons wish to achieve the following: Enjoy a hearty breakfast Discuss the conspiracy fully Hold the bastion for an hour All four companions survive and escape The Hessians simply wish to retake the bastion within the hour

O PPOSING F ORCES T HE S AXONS THE COMPANIONS Adler, Eichel & Pfaff – all veteran captains and previously members of the Ducal Guard, armed with muskets and swords Ungar – a young but gifted captain, armed with a musket and a sword Lehmann – unarmed, but with the wherewithal to prepare breakfast and reload muskets

T HE H ESSIANS THE PIONEERS Initially a group of pioneers with a small escort approaches the bastion to repair the damage done to it the previous day. 1 Sergeant – average quality, armed with a half-pike and a sword 4 Soldiers – average quality, armed with muskets and swords 16 Pioneers – poor quality, armed with pickaxes, mattocks and shovels

THE TROOP Afterwards a troop of soldiers from the garrison approaches. 1 Captain – average quality, armed with pistols and a sword 1 Sergeant – good quality, armed with a half-pike and sword 16 Soldiers – average quality, armed with muskets and swords THE COMPANY Drums announce the impending arrival of a full company. This wave of attackers marks the end of the hour, where upon the companions may escape back to their own lines with honour.

S PECIAL C IRCUMSTANCES C OLLECTING A RMS The recent battle between the Swabians and the Hessians over the bastion left a number of dead from both sides along with their arms and ammunition. The companions may gather the arms and ammunition without much effort [perhaps as quickly as five minutes], but not all may be unusable. Roll D6 separately to discover how many weapons and how much ammunition is available. D6 Muskets Ammunition 1 7 4 Reloads / Poor 2 8 5 Reloads / Poor 3 9 6 Reloads / Normal 4 10 7 Reloads / Normal 5 11 8 Reloads / Good 6 12 9 Reloads / Good Depending on your chosen system, you may keep track of reloads or have a general rating on the supply of ammunition

T HE B ASTION The bastion itself has been damaged by Ungar’s attack on the previous day – hence the initial attempt by Hessian pioneers to repair the breach. However this damage is on the outward facing of the fortification and does not impact the Saxon defence (indeed, it provides an easy escape for the brave companions!)

A H EARTY B REAKFAST The most important meal of the day, or so I have been assured. Adler’s servant Lehmann has packed a hearty breakfast in a basket – a medley of victuals and two bottles of wine. To enjoy their fare, each companion will require a relatively uninterrupted 10 minutes, though this can reasonably be spread across the entire hour.

T HE C ONSPIRACY To unwrap the conspiracy fully, the companions must be in close proximity for 20 minutes. This can be split up between combats, but the matter cannot be adequately discussed while under fire.

T HE F LAG Adler has packed a small Saxon flag into his bag and sets it up at the beginning of the affair. For honour, this flag must not be left behind – but retrieving it will entail significant personal danger as the brave companion must leap to the parapet – where he will gain no benefit from the fortifications.

A S KETCH OF THE A REA

SOME SYSTEM NOTES As a system-free scenario, I am including some notes on my assumptions. A matchlock musket will take about a minute to fire and reload fully The distance from the bastion to the main walls of the city is about 500 yards As brave and loyal companions the Saxons should be very unlikely to run away due to fear. Conversely they may refuse to run despite the odds!