Rule Chatter: Stances

[Vardaen]

So stances, namely Rearward is an issue here we need to talk about.

A character's stance describes the attitude of a hero during a round of combat, from boldest to most cautious, and determines both his basic combat Target Numbers and the order in which each character acts. During the first round of combat, all players select a stance for their heroes, choosing one of the four available options from the table below. Characters may change their stance at the beginning of each round. There are no restrictions on a hero's stance unless a hero wishes to assume a rearward stance (see below). A hero who spent his previous round in a rearward stance may flee combat at the beginning of a round.


Close Combat Stances
The first three stances (forward, open and defensive) see a character exchange blows in the thick of the fight, using close combat weapons. As long as his hero maintains a close combat stance, a player uses the stance's combat TN when making an attack roll using a close combat weapon; the same TN is used by the Loremaster for all close combat attack rolls directed against the character during a round.

Ranged Combat Stance: Rearward
Once a confrontation is underway, player-heroes are allowed to make ranged attacks only if they choose a Rearward stance. A character is allowed to assume this stance only if at least two other characters protect him by fighting in a close combat stance, AND if the total number of enemies facing the Company isn't more than twice the number of characters in the Company.

If a character finds himself unable to satisfy these requirements at the beginning of a round, he must choose a different stance. Characters in a Rearward stance may not attack using close combat weapons, and may be targeted only by attackers using ranged weapons. The basic Target Number for all ranged attacks is 12.

I highlighted the key point here. So no one can assume Rearward unless you have 2 members of your side in a close combat stance (Forward, Open, Defensive) AND the enemy doesn't out number you more than 2 to 1, or in your case there aren't more than 10 foes total.

In effect you need 2 front liners, and 10 or less foes to have people in rearward stance, because those front liners are able to hold the enemy at bay. We have been playing fast and loose with this rule, allowing Borir to be the only front liner, but that is getting tricky.

So the orcs in this case can run past him, he can't be everyplace after all, and once they close to melee you are stuck in it and can't get out within using the escape Combat action option, or by killing that foe engaged with you.

When you don't need the Rearward stance requirements I'll likely do things like I have, enemies will make ranged attacks against you to a point, or if they don't have one they will simply close in on party members until you meet the requirements. Like they did with Aerth. Now you have 2 people in close combat so the other 3 people can remain in rearward.

If you have thoughts or comments let me know.