The watchtower on Herrick Hill was exposed to the elements, close to the northern border, and far from the nearest town now that Tilverton had been destroyed. Consequently duty tending the watch-fire there was not popular. The buildings which had long ago housed a permanent garrison had fallen into ruin, and only the tower with its beacon was well maintained. Despite its remoteness the beacon formed a vital link in the chain and provided warning of raiders to the remaining hardy settlers of the Stonelands and the garrison at Castle Crag. On this day early in 1373 sergeant Gorelson and his patrol were on duty. One man was, as always, on duty beside the beacon on top of the tower. Another kept him company from below. The rest were napping or gambling or chatting in the shelter of the broken walls that were all that remained of the earlier outpost.  Peering into the grey day the watchman thought he saw movement. Partly through concern and partly through a wish to break the monotony he called down to his comrade, saying he should call the sergeant. And then there they were - a band of fur-clad barbarians, led by a bearded brute with a huge axe, heading straight for the tower.

Border guards:
 Figures: 5 Personality Points: 60 (37%) Warrior Points: 104 (63%) Total Points: 164
1 x Sergeant (Personality) Points: 60 Quality: 3 Combat: 3 Leader
4 x Spearmen or swordsmen Points: 26 Quality: 4 Combat: 4 Short Move

Raiders:
Figures: 7 Personality Points: 106 (33%) Warrior Points: 216 (67%) Total Points: 322
1 x Barbarian hero - Personality Points: 106 Quality: 3 Combat: 4 Fearless, Hero, Leader
6 x Barbarian warrior Points: 36 Quality: 3 Combat: 3 Fearless

BELOW: Things did not start well for the raiders as their leader, going first, managed a double fail and by virtue of his Hero trait moved on ahead a bit on his own. This allowed the alerted garrison to start to lumber towards the tower.

BELOW: The raiders managed to sort themselves out and rushed the tower. The guard on the top of the tower  began urgently to strike flint on steel.

BELOW: As smoke began to rise the barbarians knocked down the man guarding the door and two others squared up to the Cormyrians who struggled to climb the hill in their heavy armour. However inspired by Sergeant Gorelson the defenders clambered up and faced up to the barbarians.

BELOW: With thick smoke now issuing from the top of the tower the raiders finally got a breakthrough, knocking down one soldier and the door-guard (again) and battering unsuccessfully at the tower door.

BELOW: The raiders finished off the two downed defenders and also manage to kill the gallant sergeant. But the tower door resisted their efforts and the beacon was by now fully alight.

The barbarians withdrew in haste. Their chance to surprise the targets of their raids was gone, as was the reputation of the leader of the raid. Any success their expedition was to have would now have to rely on speed and daring.