It all comes down to this. Mina Monisario, in disguise, must join with her sworn enemies, the fanatical Machine Cultists, in a final, desperate battle against the Piperunners for control of the explosives stashed beneath the Great Machine. And if she fails, the entire city is forfeit!
 
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Mechanics
SCENE 45: 
Chaos Factor 4
Altered Scene: No
FATE: do the Cultists surrender? (50/50) No
 
NPC Tactics
 
NPC opponents have an Aggression rating of 1 to 6, with most starting on 4.
 
As they take or inflict wounds, gain or lose the advantage in a fight, NPC opponents' Aggression will raise or lower. Experienced fighters will change only a small amount, while green, frightened or vengeful opponents will change more. Each time someone in the fight (either PC or NPC) suffers a setback, there should be a chance for Aggression to change. If the NPCs are nervous or demoralised, Aggression will drop when they suffer a setback and rise when a PC does. If they are angry or undisciplined, Aggression will rise when they suffer a setback and drop when a PC does.
 
Roll 2D6 (gold), 1d6 (black). 
Black die 1, 2, 3: same tactic as previous round. 
Black die 4, 5: Gold dice plus Aggression= NPC Tactic 
Black die 6: Roll again for a Twist 
 
NPC Tactic table
Panic - flee without caution, open self up to opportunistic attack
Surrender - throw down weapons and submit to opponent
Disengage - attempt to divert opponent's attention away from self
Retreat - move towards cover or out of range
Guard - defend only, no attack
Probe - attack cautiously, testing opponent's defenses
Wear down - draw the fight out and try to tire the opponent
Stand-off - wait for opponent to make the next move
Balance - attack and defend evenly, no particular strategy
Feint - try to trick opponent into defending against the wrong move
Reverse - rapidly switch from aggressive to defensive fighting to off-balance opponent
Taunt - try to anger or dismay opponent into making a mistake
Press - keep opponent on the defensive and hope their skill is inferior
Strike - try to penetrate opponent's defence with a fast attack
Charge - attack with ferocity, risking injury to wound opponent
Frenzy - attack wildly, risking death to wound opponent
 
Twist Table
Re-enforce - Call for help from allies/bystanders
Change - weapon/objective/ground
Disadvantage opponent - throw a burning candelabra, maneuver into uneven terrain, cut a curtain so that it falls over their head
Advantage self - take the higher ground, move so that they are not facing the sun, draw/pick up a second weapon
Bargain - try to persuade opponent to surrender/back out of combat/change sides
Trick - try to convince opponent they are about to suffer a setback or gain a false advantage



Initiative
 
Bandit Captain 21 (A5e MM 470) Starting Aggression 4
Cult Fanatic 20 (A5e MM 472) Starting Aggression 5
Mina 14
Squads of Bandits (x3) 13 (A5e MM 466 & 470) Starting Aggression 4
Squads of Cultists (x4) 10 (A5e MM 466 & 472) Starting Aggression 4




ROUND 1
FATE: Does he try to smash open a barrel? (50/50) yes
Bandit Captain: Hatchet: Multiattack: 24 and 21 vs barrel AC15, 7hp and 5hp vs barrel, 6 of 18hp remaining (DMG 246)
Cult Fanatic: Hold Person DC WIS: 4: Fail, Bandit Captain Paralysed (1 min, save at end of each turn). Concentration. 
Mina: Crossbow 16 vs AC 15: 8hp (57/65), draw sword, move to engage Bandit Squad 1. Bonus: Barbican Disarm
Barbican: 30ft leap, Ath