Campaign Arcs
This section introduces campaign arcs: additional narrative frameworks players can add to their campaign battles. They share some similarities with quests, but whereas quests are solo affairs, campaign arcs involve multiple warbands interweaving their battles with an overarching storyline. Playing through these arcs involves extra rules mechanics and rewards.
Every campaign arc tells a different story; for example, one campaign arc might tell the tale of a warband encroaching on another's territory, whereupon they clash multiple times to determine the victor. Another might pitch multiple warbands against each other as they all search an area of the Gnarlwood for a particularly valuable treasure.
Each campaign arc involves 2 or more warbands and lasts for around 3-5 battles. During the campaign arc, your warband will fight special campaign battles against the other warbands. At the end, one player will be crowned the victor and the warbands will earn rewards.
If a campaign tells the story of your warband, a campaign arc can be likened to a chapter in that story. Over the course of your campaign, your warband can complete as many campaign arcs as you desire. Some players might wish to play the majority of their battles as normal campaign battles and only occasionally choose to play through a campaign arc with their warband. Other players may wish to start a new campaign arc with their warband the moment their current one ends. Both approaches have equal merit; it is up to you to decide how you will play!
There are 2 campaigns arcs in this book, but you will be able to find additional campaign arcs in other Warcry publications. Some can be played through by warbands from any faction; others might be tailored for a specific faction or for warbands from a specific Grand Alliance. In this section you will find all the rules for including campaign arcs in your Warcry campaign and then 2 campaign arcs that can be played through by warbands from any faction: The Path of Ven Talax and The Chotec Valley.
Embarking On A Campaign Arc
The players first need to agree on the campaign arc they wish to play through. Each campaign arc will have a required number of players.
Each player will need a campaign warband that is not on another campaign arc (a warband can only be on 1 campaign arc at a time). There is space on your warband roster to note down the campaign arc your warband is on and any other relevant information.
The campaign arc itself will explain how campaign battles can be fought as part of it. Although these battles will have extra rules, they are otherwise treated as campaign battles and all the rules that apply to campaign battles apply to these battles too (for example, you resolve the aftermath sequence after each).
While a warband is on a campaign arc, it is still free to fight other campaign battles that are not part of it (including quest battles). Similarly, your warband can play through the same campaign arc multiple times, although certain rewards such as artefacts of power might be limited to one per warband.
Campaign arcs are designed to be short; they can usually be fought over 3-5 battles. This makes them perfect for a weekend of gaming with friends or even a single action-packed evening. However, you can certainly play through a campaign arc at a slower pace if you wish. For example, if you had a gaming friend that you only met once a month or so, you could play through a campaign arc each time you met up but fight any number of normal campaign battles in between.
List of Campaign Arcs
Campaign Arcs released in the 2022/23 boxed sets come in pairs: one is a generic arc available to any warbands, and one is specific to the warbands within that box.
Over time I aim to add all Campaign Arcs, focusing on the generic arcs first. I will update this section when I add more.
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The Path of Ven Talax
In this campaign arc, one warband has secured a Ven Talax map that tells of a treasure hoard hidden within the depths of the Gnarlwood. As they search for it, they rivals are hot in their heels.
- 2 players
- 3 battles
- A set sequence of unique battleplans is played though to determine the outcome.
The Chotec Valley
In this campaign arc, the shifting canopy of the Gnarlwood has opened a path to a long-lost valley rumoured to hold a shard of Talaxis, the crashed Seraphon temple-ship.
- 4 players
- 4 battles each
- Ends in a climatic battle involving all the warbands.
- Your rivals aren't the only threat, however, as you'll come face to face with the savage Seraphon that fiercely guard these grounds too!
The War of Rot and Ruin
Source: Rot and Ruin (out of print)
- 2 players: Rotmire Creed vs Horns of Hashut
- 3 battles
The Fell Alliance
Source: Rot and Ruin (out of print)
- 4-6 Players, divided into 2 teams
- 3 battles
- Ends in a climatic battle involving all the warbands.
The War of Stealth and Stone
Source: Stealth and Stone/Sundered Fate (out of print)
- 2 players: Jade Obelisk vs Hunters of Huanchi
- 3 battles
The Trail of Fire
Source: Stealth and Stone/Sundered Fate (out of print)
- 4-6 players, divided into 2 teams
- 3 battles
- Ends in a climatic battle involving all the warbands.
The War of Blood and Butchery
Source: Predators and Prey/Bloodhunt (out of print)
- 2 players: Claws of Karanak vs Askurgan Trueblades
- 3 battles
Primal Strongholds
Source: Predators and Prey/Bloodhunt (out of print)
In the first 4 battles, each player will defend their fortress twice, and launch two assaults on rival strongholds. In the final battle, the most successful defender(s) will have constructed a formidable stronghold, which their rivals will assault in a Triumph & Treachery battle fought between all the players.
- 4 players
- 5 battles
Realmshaper Wars
Source: Might and Madness/Nightmare Quest (out of print)
- 2 players: Questor Soulsworn vs Royal Beastflayers
- 3 battles
Storm of Madness
Source: Might and Madness/Nightmare Quest (out of print)
- 4-6 players, divided into 2 teams
- 3 battles
- Ends in a climatic battle involving all the warbands.