“The battlefield is first and foremost horrible stenches, not sights, not sounds, but stenches. They don’t travel well into literature.” – Amos Oz
The moans of the dying, and the screams of the wounded. The smell of rotting flesh, fresh spilled blood, and the pyres to burn the bodies. All the result of a clash of arms, whether that be a few squads squaring off against one another, or a full-blown set piece battle. No matter who wins, the crows will be fed.
To use these tables, simply roll 5d8 and consult the results below
1d8 |
Where is it unfolding? |
1 |
A body of water such as a river, lake, or swamp. |
2 |
The cramped confines of a mountain pass or bluff. |
3-6 |
A field, grassland, or some other form of open terrain. |
7 |
A heavily wooded, forested or underbrush heavy area. |
8 |
In the streets of a city, town, village, or other settled area. |
1d8 |
What is being fought over? |
1 |
Schism over faith or religion. |
2 |
Dynastic or feudal conflict. |
3 |
Border dispute between two polities. |
4 |
Some long-running vendetta or some other form of hatred. |
5 |
A misunderstanding or diplomatic blunder. |
6 |
A ritual or another sort of cultural observation |
7 |
Nothing. It is senseless, bloodthirsty violence. |
8 |
Money, whether that be in the form of a raid, or a mercenary contract. |
1d8 x 2 |
Who is fighting? |
1 |
Levies, barely trained and equipped with shoddy gear. |
2-3 |
Green troops, hungry to prove themselves. |
4-5 |
Regulars. Hard-bitten troops, inured to the terror of battle. |
6-7 |
Veterans. Dead-eyed killers equipped with personalized gear. |
8 |
Elite troops, the pride of their people. Their morale and equipment is superior. |
1d8 |
How’s the battle going? |
1-2 |
One side has seized clear advantage and the battle has been reduced to a bloody rout as the losers retreat in disorder. |
3-4 |
After hours of back and forth, one side has finally began to turn the tide. The losers are retreating in good order. |
5-6 |
The commander of one of the belligerents has been slain. Negotiations for surrender may be occurring. |
7-8 |
A brutal, grinding affair in which no side is able to overcome the other(s). Both sides are considering flight. |
