Battle Brothers may be over 7 years old at this point, but its turn-based combat and punishing narrative always leave me coming back for more. Whenever I have an inkling for something just a bit different, with satisfying victories, waves of unyielding enemies, and punishing losses, I always come back to Battle Brothers. This time was no different, and after a much-needed break from work, I decided to revisit this classic turn-based RPG. So, the story begins in the small village of Neufarn.
We were about a week into our journey, and our newly formed mercenary company had finally collected a stash of gold that was enough to provide a small bit of comfort. While in a small village called Neufarn, our band of 10 became a band of 11 with the addition of Thilman the Wolf, a man whose only profession before deciding to become a mercenary was gambling. I peered into our stash of goods, equipped Thilman the Wolf with the best armor I could, which admittedly wasn't much. I had looted a padded tunic from enemies we had bested just before landing in Neufarn, and it would have to do. I soon realized our small company had, at some point between the last fight and our travels, acquired a banner dawning our mercenary group's Sigil. The banner was a bright yellow, with faded edges and a large gleaming gauntlet sporting a diamond encrusted jewel on the ring finger. A fitting sigil for our quickly ascending group of battle-hardened mercenaries. After some consideration, I thought the troop deserved a full-fledged bannerman. Not to mention that the bonus to the troop's combat effectiveness was a significant one. Thilman The Wolf became the first official bannerman of our fearless mercenary company, The Roaming Light.
However, almost suddenly a band of 7 brigands was spotted on the horizon and headed our way.
Within the town of Neufarn, it was time to collect another contract, and like many of the towns we'd visited, Neufarn was tormented by a band of roving bandits. The group was called The Greedy Hearts, and they had a makeshift base located just on the other side of the Prowlers Woods behind the village. The reward for slaying the tormentors of Neufarn was a heaping pile of 900 gold pieces. We eagerly accepted the task and after resupplying with food, medicine, and materials to repair our weapons and armor, moved out to vanquish the evildoers beyond the woods. With the woods only just behind the village, I expected to enter them fairly simply and quickly. However, almost suddenly a band of 7 brigands was spotted on the horizon and headed our way. Though I was confident our newly formed troop of 11 could take on the cowards, I opted to avoid them as I thought it best to save our energy and avoid injury for the contracted task at hand. We turned to avoid the conflict but soon found ourselves on an unavoidable collision path with a pack of Direwolves. We could only avoid one, and the decision was made to fight the wolves.
The wolves moved quickly and soon opted to try and outflank our troop. As a result, Thilman the Wolf was unexpectedly surrounded.
Expecting a quick fight, we sallied out proudly, with our new bannerman positioned on elevated ground to inspire the troops from a safe distance. As I looked at the battlefield, I knew I had made the right choice. We would make quick work of the wolves, and hopefully without much hassle. But the cost would be high. The wolves moved quickly and soon opted to try and outflank our troop. As a result, Thilman the Wolf was unexpectedly surrounded. Not entirely unable to defend himself, Thilman used the pole of the banner to impale one of the wolves, but it was too little too late. The speed and ferocity of the wolves were too much, and bite after concussive bite, Thilman the Wolf was torn down by the very creature he was named for. The troops rallied and avenged their fallen comrade, dashing the remaining wolves with arrow, spear, and sword. We looted the remains, mourned Thilman, and continued our journey through the woods.
As we pushed through the woods, the fog of war was lifted, and the hideout of the Greedy Hearts finally came into view. We approached and prepared for combat, as a few Brigand Poachers and some Brigand Raiders did the same. Once we entered the battlefield, the brigands put up an incredibly pathetic showing of frequently missing arrows, throwing axes, and throwing spears. We quickly surrounded them, with our Axman moving to the flank. In a show of confidence, I released our War hound to quickly engage the enemy archers. While our own axman dashed the head from one archer's shoulders, an enemy axman did the same to our war hound. The slaying of our loyal K9 companion was a severe blow and coupled with the recent loss of our bannerman Thilman the Wolf, was yet another death that could not go unanswered. With shields high, we encircled the remaining brigands, and savagely beat, stabbed, and bludgeoned them to death. Victory was ours, and so were the 900 gold pieces. The Roamers of Light were victorious, but in a world as unpredictable and savage as Battle Brothers, we expected many more gut-wrenching casualties in the future.
You can play the Turn-based RPG classic Battle Brothers now by picking up a copy on Humble Bundle, and every purchase donates a small amount to charity to boot.
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