As many have noticed, there is a mention on page 57 of goblin Netters & Clubbers, but the special actions referred to are not listed in the NPC section of the book. I know from the wargame that Netters & Clubbers are squig herders. What's more puzzling is that the NPC section contains info, including stats and 2 special actions, for Da Squig, but I can find no reference to where in this chapter Da Squig is supposed to make an appearance. Add in the fact that the stats for the Troll do not appear in the NPC section, and I surmise that the chapter originally included Da Squig, but at some point in the development process, a Troll was put in his place, but the NPC section was never updated and the bit about Netters & Clubbers slipped through editing as well.

I'm seriously thinking of substituting Da Squig back in for the Troll. First of all, they never tell us whether it is a Stone Troll or a River Troll that is locked in the pantry. They are close in stats, with the River Troll having one more wound, but the Stone Troll having higher soak and Magic Resistance. With a soak of 7 or 9 and Regeneration, it's easy to see why both are 5 Threat Level. Considering the difficulty my group has had up to this point, I don't see them surviving with a Troll on the loose. I'd have to have the Troll spend all its time going after gobbos, which would make the rest of the encounter easier and defeats the purpose of Gobspite having it set free.

Da Squig has a 3 Threat Level rating. With 15 wounds, but only a 4 soak, it is going to be much easier for a group to take him down. Add to that his normal damage is 9 rather than 12, and the PCs might last more than a round or two in combat with him as well. His special actions are interesting and it seems a shame not to use Da Squig in a chapter that reminds us that some encounters are supposed to be funny as well as threatening. However, having both Da Squig and the Troll to deal with is probably too much.

I have to run this section on Wednesday, so any feedback from others that have run this or want to chime in with thoughts before then, I'd greatly appreciate.

The info is in the FAQ - it had gotten lost in the original edit. The current FAQ can be downloaded and it has a bit about boons adding various conditions for the netters and the clubbers using boons for fatigue. =)

Sorry also - got derailed - but the squiq is actually mentioned in the patrols. There are squiqs around with numerous patrols that are making their way around the farm as guards [one per patrol].

The troll appears from the token and images to be a Stone Troll. As to including him - you can for the flavor and totally use it as some of the suggestions in the scenerio. If your players are sharp they direct it somewhat [by baiting and staying out of sight] to rampage into the goblins and evening up the fight a LOT. Once he is full if they players are quick - he wanders off to eat livestock. He certainly is a tough critter - especially with all the goblins - but keep in mind they don't really control him, they just let him out and hide as best they can. He will gladly, with some quick thinking - happily eat them just the same!

Hope that helps - if it rambles a bit I apologize - it is the end of a loooong day at work! =D

I'm using the the troll as a tool rather than a monster for the party to deal with.

Basically, the party has just discovered that Gobspite has gone up onto the roof. They were thinking of either going back to the courtyard and either just using missile fire from there to bring the shaman down, or using the ladder to get up on the roof and climb the easy way from there - that would have made the final confrontation way too easy. Even with goblins shooting at them from the tower.

However, the troll chasing goblins around, and sitting down in the courtyard eating those it has already killed, have put them off this. So, the playing field is leveled again, and afterwards I suspect that they will happily leave the troll to it and escape - or confuse it long enough so they can get out without having to fight it. Of course, that will leave a troll wandering around the farms... but that may be a task for another day

This 'chapter' is interesting because it shouldn't be a kill everything that's there part of the adventure. There are way too many goblins, and the party should do everything they can to not have to face the troll. My lot poisoned the beer killing half the goblins, then snuck in to confront Gobspite. Gobspite under attack panicked and screamed out the window to release the troll, and when it looked like his guards were done for, he legged it up the chimney. Meantime, the troll either drove the remaining goblins who hadn't charged inside the farmhouse out of the farm or into the tower or gatehouse or killed the rest. And that is where things stand... until next week.