When two armies clash at such a scale as to make regular combat impossible, a Pitched battle begins. The player characters initiate a Challenge Clock with a number of segments determined by the size of their opponent’s army. Rather than rolling against a static DC, each segment must be filled by completing a series of consecutive combat encounters.
A segment is considered a Success for the player characters when their opponents are completely incapacitated at the end of a combat encounter. If all player characters are incapacitated, the segment is considered a Failure, and the Challenge Clock’s remaining segments are filled based on the performance of other parties or Hirelings.
Because a Pitched battle is meant to represent a massive engagement between hundreds or thousands of combatants, Hirelings are able to participate in off-screen combats simulated by the GM. The GM will weigh the relative strength and number of Hirelings against their opponents, then fill segments accordingly.
If the Challenge Clock is ever fully filled, the Pitched battle immediately ends in the players’ favor. If there are no characters left who can fight, the Pitched battle’s outcome is dependent on how many segments remain unfilled. If less than half of the segments are filled before the players and their allies are defeated, they may face death or capture. If this outcome seems likely, it is recommended that players flee.
Potential Battle Outcome
- All segments filled: battle ends in total victory.
- Half or more segments filled: pyrrhic victory.
- Less than half of segments filled: defeat, flight or capture.
- No segments filled: total rout, immediate capture or death.
Number of Segments
- ~300 or less combatants
- 3 Segments
- 300-1,000 combatants
- 6 Segments
- 1,000-5,000 combatants
- 9 Segments
- 5,000-10,000 combatants
- 12 Segments
- ~10,000 or more combatants
- 15 Segments
Each segment’s combat typically involves a comparable number of player characters and enemy combatants. In cases where the opposing side has an overwhelming advantage or disadvantage, the number and strength of their combatants will be adjusted to reflect that.
Tide of Battle
Because there are countless factors which can influence the outcome of a battle, certain actions taken outside the Pitched battle will contribute to its difficulty.
If the characters secure a flank, demoralize a commander, sabotage supplies, or otherwise subvert their enemies, the GM can reduce the number of Challenge Clock segments or increase the rewards of a potential victory. Likewise, if the characters secure powerful allies, fortify their position, or bolster their army’s morale, they can dramatically increase their likelihood of success and survival. Given the potential lethality of a Pitched battle, it is highly encouraged that players take creative risks to secure as many advantages as possible.