Ambush

It is possible for an encounter to begin with one of the sides (or at least a number of characters) unaware of what is happening. This is not limited to combat, you can also be caught by surprise in many other circumstances and the variety of possibilities makes ruling it a futile effort. Instead, the following rules provide a list of ideas to represent this kind of situations. Choose the situation that best fits your story’s circumstances, or make up your own.
 * Characters are caught without their weapons drawn. They won’t be able to use their weapons during the first round, but they will be readily available during the next.
 * Characters are scared and will have to perform a Discipline Check at the end of the first Round. If the attacker is or appears to be mighty, they might even suffer Fear.
 * Characters are caught in disarray and cannot be in a Formation during the first Round.
 * Character’s defences are low, and they are easy prey, the first attack of each attacker during the first Round gains one advantage.
 * The opponent’s arguments are so well constructed that the characters are caught scrambling for ideas. They can’t attempt to lie throughout the conversation.