Rules

Medieval battles, while brutal and bloody affairs, were often framed by basic and familiar terrain. An impassable waterway, a densely wooded copse, or an elevated mound bordering the battlefield, were often the sole distinctive geographical features on the horizon. 

Though rumors abound of a multitude of terrain variations and nuances in remote lands, there are only four basic Terrain Types in the core BattleLore game:

• Countryside
• Wooded Terrain
• Elevated Ground
• Waterways

Each terrain type is characterized by its impact, or restrictions, on movement, battle and line of sight. 

Retreat moves (p.25 of Chapter 4 – Combat) are not subject to stated terrain movement restrictions. 

When present, terrain battle limitations impose a cap on the default numberof battle dice a unit attacking in or from this terrain type will roll by default. Usually, the rougher the terrain, the lower the limit. 

As a result, Red Banner troops, weighed down by their superior armament, or armored mounts, usually suffer the worst in difficult terrain, while Green Banner “irregulars” fare comparatively better.

This limit on the number of dice rolled, when present, only applies to the base number of dice rolled by that particular troops’ unit type. Bonuses gained from Lore or Command cards or any other source are not subject to this limit and still add up, so that the actual number of dice rolled by a unit in difficult terrain may still exceed the maximum for that terrain type.

In the rare instance where a terrain hex might combine with another terrain type or Landmark on the same hex, the lowest of these terrain/landmarks maximum is the one that applies. For an example of this, please see Ramparts, on p.69 of Chapter 11 – Landmarks.

The Terrain Summary cards provide a short overview of the key effects of each terrain type. When you set up an adventure, position the corresponding Terrain Summary cards alongside the battlefield. The effect section of each Summary card describes the various features of the terrain, including its impact on line of sight, movement and battles.

Command cards are normally used to order units to move and/or battle. The card you play dictates in which section(s) of the battlefield you may issue orders, and how many units you may order. 

More details in "Phase 1 - Play a Command card".

The chapters that follow are what set the world of BattleLore apart from the Medieval Europe of history books.

While many things remain the same, as you delve into the Lore Adventures you cannot help but notice some important differences: Increasingly frequent sightings of mercenary bands of mythical races on the battlefield; whispered tales of monstrous creatures; and a growing influence of men of lore and great power. 

This arcane power often walks the razor's edge between science and witchcraft... but it is the surest sign yet that something very strange is afoot! 

As we saw in Chapter 10 – Basic Terrain Types, terrain does not vary much in BattleLore. However, the ingenious nature of men (or, as some might argue, the ancestral talent of dwarves and the forced labor of goblin slaves) is shown in the strategic placement and inspired construction of the many Landmarks that dot the landscape.

Be they artificial constructions or natural wonders, Landmarks are the game’s most distinctive architectural structures and geographical features. As such, their control is often heartily contested, and their possession highly treasured.

Landmarks Common Rules and Generic Effects

Unless explicitly specified otherwise on a Landmark’s Summary card, the following terrain rules apply to all landmarks:

Morale

A Landmark boosts the morale of any unit that occupies it to Bold. As long as a unit occupies a Landmark, it may ignore 1 flag, and possibly battle back.

Movement Restrictions

• A unit entering a Landmark must stop and may move no further on that turn. Follow-on moves are subject to the same movement restrictions, and thus may be impossible, or only partially achievable, during this turn.

Combat Restrictions

• A unit entering a Landmark hex may not battle that same turn.
• A unit on a Landmark hex battles with a maximum of 2 dice.
• A unit attacking an enemy unit on a Landmark hex battles with a maximum of 2 dice.

Line of Sight

A Landmark hex blocks line of sight.

Lore Masters' Landmarks

Being characters of considerable means and power, high-level Lore Masters control vast domains and countless properties. As a result, they often hold a commanding advantage - a family-owned or allies’ property located somewhere on the battlefield, at the onset of battle.

An Adventure’s battle notes will state when Lore Master Landmark rules are in effect.

When Lore Master Landmark rules are in effect, a player with a 3rd Level Lore Master (Cleric, Wizard, Warrior or Rogue) on his War Council receives the corresponding Lore Master’s Landmark at start of play.

If both players have a Level 3 Lore Master of the same class on their respective War Councils, their benefits cancel out however, and neither Lore Master receives a Landmark of that class.

Upon receiving a Lore Master Landmark, and before the game’s first turn, each player must decide where to place his newly received property. When both players have a Landmark to place, the player who moves first in the adventure must place his Landmark first. Each Landmark must be placed on an Empty hex, on the 3rd or 4th row of hexes from the controlling player’s side.

Note that each Lore Master Landmark belongs to the player who laid it. The Landmark’s special effects only benefit that player’s units, never the enemy. All other effects (morale, movement and combat restrictions, line of sight) still apply to all units occupying the Lore Master Landmark, regardless of their status (friend or foe of the Landmark’s original owner).

This lexicon provides a short description of the key concepts in BattleLore. When the Player's Guide first introduces you to these concepts, you'll often find that the key words are marked in green bold text to make it easier for you to reference.