Following the adventure, I rolled for advancement for the characters. Throckmorton and Cordelia had been rendered out of the fight so neither of them was permitted to roll for their Star Power, but all the characters were allowed to roll for their Rep. Geoff was the only one to succeed at this, so he is now Rep 5.
Throckmorton rolled for his Shooting, Melee and Influence skills because he had successfully used them. He increased his Melee and Influence to 5 but failed to increase his Shooting.
Cordelia successfully used her Archaeology and Ancient Egyptian but failed to score an advancement on either of them.
All characters then rolled for new skills but none acquired them. With this bit of final book-keeping out of the way, they are all ready to go on their next adventure. What will it be? Lost Vikings? Yetis in the Himalayas? An encounter with She Who Must Be Obeyed? Or possibly the return of Kamenwati?
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Showdown
After what seemed like months trekking through the jungle, the daring heroes eventually broke through into the mountains of Abyssinia. Cordelia had been studying the scrolls they had found constantly and now it seemed that she understood them much better. They had made camp the night before on a hill which provided a good vantage point. There had once been a village here and the remains of the huts provided some shelter, which they were able to improve with materials that were lying around. Thus, with safety and comfort assured, they were able to spend a peaceful night.
The following morning, as they ate their breakfast, Cordelia was engrossed in the scrolls she had found. She had actually been up half the night studying them too. While not normally a garrulous type, she was positively non-communicative when ruminating over an archaeological problem. Suddenly she paused with her tea-cup part way to her mouth. SHe looked up and around before turning to Throckmorton, "What do virgin's breasts look like?"
The Colonel was stunned and turned scarlet with embarrassment. What kind of a question was that? I mean, such a discussion might well be expected in the barracks between a pair of privates, but a well-bred lady should not be asking such things. Behind the Colonel, Geoff's normally expressionless face twitched briefly as what passed for a smile crossed it. Throckmorton spluttered into his tea a bit and hummed and hawed until Cordelia continued, "Would you say that those two hills over there look like a virgin's breasts, Throckmorton? This scroll says that the way to the crown lies between the virgin's breasts."
"Well, um, ah, I can't say that I have specifically examined any virgin's breasts," stammered the Colonel, embarrassed beyond all recognition. "I suppose that one might consider those hills to resemble such a thing."
With the shape of a virgin's breasts agreed, they set out through the jungle in that direction. The distance to cross was not vast, but any journey through the jungle would always be slow. It was the nature of such expeditions that they often covered less than five miles in a day and inevitably involved some back-tracking and much cursing from the porters.
Several days later, they had reached their objective. The pass between the two hills was devoid of trees, so they could see across the canopy of trees to the surrounding mountains. This whole area was enclosed by mountains, forming a bowl, within which people must live. They could see the tips of three pyramids jutting majestically above the trees, and smoke rose from many places around the bowl, indicating settlements. The distance to the far mountains must be ten miles at least, so this whole place looked like an enclosed world, cut off from the outside world apart from this one pass leading in. Cordelia examined the area and then said, "Our goal lies where lines drawn from the antelope's head, the hippopotamus' back and the tallest peak converge. Geoff, we shall need you to map our route to there and guide us in."
"Yes, Miss Baxendale," came the response. She had often told him to call her Cordelia, but he resolutely refused to be so informal. Geoff led the way. The other two were experienced travelers and explorers, but would still have become lost in the gloom beneath the forest canopy. Geoff's unerring instinct for a trail kept them right though. Occasionally they had to make detours past small settlements of mud huts with grass roofs. They did so quickly and quietly, sometimes getting a glimpse of sultry maidens, naked to the waist but with the heads of cats, or stolid dwarfish creatures that looked more hewn from rock than born. The people of this area were clearly not of human stock. The only humans they glimpsed on their travels were poor things, dirty and downtrodden. They were more beasts of burden than people but there was nothing that our heroes could do for them at this time so they pressed on. Eventually they reached a small clearing. A collection of ramshackle huts stood to one side of a pair of obelisks and a large plinth with five golden sphinxes on it. Behind these was a large circular gate of ancient design. This object was clearly older than anything else in the clearing, but rusty stains in front of it bore mute evidence to sacrifice and ritual. Throckmorton shuddered at the thought that human beings might have been slain here to appease some nameless god. Then he realised that the being called Kamenwati was already here. Time to gird my loins, thought Throckmorton. He drew his trusty Webley and told the others to ready themselves. Kamenwati had obviously followed similar clues to those that the three heroes had followed, but he had not recovered the crown yet. Well, that was a bonus. Better yet, Kamenwati appeared to be alone. That would certainly make things easier.
I deployed both of Kamenwati's followers but the die rolls called for them to be moved off-table. The die rolls permitted Geoff and Cordelia to remain where they had been deployed.
Geoff moved through the huts to the left of the hawk-headed beast, while Cordelia and Throckmorton moved directly towards Kamenwati through the long grass and brush. Kamenwati saw them coming and bellowed, "I warned thee not to meddle, now it will go the worse for thee. Thy flesh shall be stripped from thy bones as thou yet lives. Thy woman shall be a plaything for my soldiers and thy servant shall learn the nature of true hard labour as he constructs my resting place!"
"I care not one jot for your rantings, beast," muttered Throckmorton in return as he advanced to the nearest obelisk. He raised his trusty Webley and let rip. His shot ricocheted from the arch-beast's armour, and Kamenwati stood unflinching. Meanwhile Geoff had been working his way through the ruined village. He took up position behind a tree and raised his rifle for a shot. Once more sparks flew from the armour but the huge hawk-headed monster was unphased. He shouted once and a soldier ran up with his bow and fired an arrow that bounced off one of the golden sphinxes near Cordelia. A maiden with a hawk's head also appeared, moving quickly through the trees towards. Geoff.
The bird maiden failed her fast move roll completely, otherwise she would have been in melee with Geoff on her first move.
With his followers attacking, Kamenwati ran full tilt at Throckmorton, screeching out a hideous battle cry. Kamenwati's huge sword crashed into the obelisk as Throckmorton ducked and chunks of stone showered the pair of them. His sword stick was not going to be able to parry that thing. The hawk maiden screeched a challenge and veritably flew at Geoff. Her sword cut down for his head, he ducked and rapidly brought his rifle butt up to her chin. She fell to the floor wounded. Overcoming his qualms, Geoff laid her out properly with another blow to the head. The archer fired again and once more hit the golden sphinx beside Cordelia's head. Cordelia's return shot also went wide. By now, Geoff had moved to join her but his shots at the archer were no more effective than hers had been at him.
After wounding the bird maiden, the heroes won the initiative so Geoff was able to put the bird maiden out of the fight immediately. Had they not won, then she would have been back on her feet attacking him.
Kamenwati poured a flurry of blows down on Throckmorton, but the heroic Colonel ducked and weaved between the blows as he sought a chance to land his own point on the creature. With one particularly vicious blow the creature left its side open. Throckmorton lunged but Kamenwati turned at the last moment and his armour took the blow instead. Throckmorton quickly turned his lunge into a cut for the beast's head. Blood spurted from a deep wound and the creature staggered back, leaping to its feet almost immediately. Enraged, Kamenwati renewed his assault on the Colonel. Blood dripped into his eye but the fury of his assault was undiminished, but Throckmorton's cooler head told and he opened a wound in Kamenwati's thigh. The hawk-man's leg gave way under him but he was immediately back on his feet to slice at the Colonel once more. Shocked by the savagery of this attack and by a cry from behind him as Cordelia was hit by an arrow, Throckmorton nearly did not duck in time and his pith helmet was knocked from his head by a blow that might have taken his head off. He quickly gathered himself, ducked under the massive bronze sword and planted the point of his sword in Kamenwati's arm. The immense hawk-creature was now pouring blood and showed signs of slowing but he was by no means done.
Here we see Throckmorton wounding Kamenwati a couple of times. Each time Kamenwati's Star Power failed to stop all the damage, but he managed to pass enough dice on the crisis test to get back on his feet immediately.
Behind the Colonel, the archer had hit Cordelia with an arrow but she shrugged its effects off, even though blood was flowing from her shoulder. Geoff was laying down fire as fast as he could at the archer, but it was all sound and fury. Not one shot hit the hawk soldier. A second arrow struck Cordelia and she fell like a pole-axed steer. Geoff immediately ducked behind the cover of the sphinxes. This was a bit much for him.
Cordelia failed a crisis test for being wounded and went OOF. Geoff promptly failed his crisis test and ducked back.
Quick as a flash, Throckmorton leapt onto the wounded Kamenwati and thumped him mightily, knocking him right out. Enraged by the treatment meted out to the fair Miss Baxendale, Geoff jumped up and leapt over the sphinxes, intent on dishing out some justice to the archer, who showed no signs of remorse for his actions. The archer was caught flat-footed at this and Geoff's righteous rifle butt put paid to the archer's intention of hurting anyone else.
Again the heroes won the initiative at the right time. With Kamenwati wounded and on the floor, Throckmorton was able to put him OOF immediately Geoff got lucky against the archer and wounded him. The archer failed his crisis test and was OOF. Victory to the heroes.
With their foes unconscious, Throckmorton and Geoff quickly tied them up and saw to Cordelia. Although she had been wounded, it was not serious and she was soon on her feet. With the enemy out of the way, the group searched large gateway. Cordelia's interpretation of the scrolls and the hieroglyphs on the two huge obelisks indicated that the crown was concealed below it. Close examination showed that there was a large hollow beneath the main stones, and the Feathered Fetish was indeed in a cedarwood box within that recess. It was a large crown in the Egyptian style. Golden feathers surrounded it in a shining halo that would make the wearer seem at least a foot or two taller than they were. There was an indefinable aura about the crown, which suggested that it had sat on the heads of some of the most powerful kings that had ever lived. It was a truly awesome piece and the British Museum would pay handsomely for it.
"Now," said Throckmorton, "Let's go home. I have a yearning for jam and scones, and a fine cup of Oolong, right after we drop this thing off at the BM. I imagine some Egyptologists will be quite interested in it."
The three heroes packed up their kit and got ready to set off. It was only at this point they noticed that their captives were no longer there. Two sets of footprints had left a trail disappearing into the trees. Bloody scuff marks in the dirt showed where they had dragged something, or someone, with them.
"Hmm, that's dashed awkward," mused the Colonel, "Right, we had better get cracking in case they come after us. Chop, chop, people, let's get going."
Throckmorton was lucky in his combat with Kamenwati. His star power saved him a lot of hurt, unlike Kamenwati's star power, which failed him when he most needed it. Although he was out of the fight, his "Hard as Nails" power kicked in, so he kept fighting. However, his Rep was reduced and Throckmorton was able to reduce it further until Kamenwati was reduced to Rep2. Throckmorton then won the initiative and was able to subdue Kamenwati automatically. Geoff's shooting was abysmal, despite getting a lot of dice for it. He was much better in melee, despite having fewer dice than his opponents. Cordelia's shooting was poor, as expected and she was unlucky in being hit twice by the archer. Overall, it could have gone very badly for our heroes, but luck was on the side of the righteous this time. Next time may be a different story ...
The Heroes:
Throckmorton
Cordelia
Geoff
The Villains:
Kamenwati (Rep 5 Villain)
Bird Maiden (Rep 4 Femme Fatale)
Archer (Rep 3 Soldier)
Travel to Lost World on foot.
Final Showdown at location of the Feathered Fetish
The following morning, as they ate their breakfast, Cordelia was engrossed in the scrolls she had found. She had actually been up half the night studying them too. While not normally a garrulous type, she was positively non-communicative when ruminating over an archaeological problem. Suddenly she paused with her tea-cup part way to her mouth. SHe looked up and around before turning to Throckmorton, "What do virgin's breasts look like?"
The Colonel was stunned and turned scarlet with embarrassment. What kind of a question was that? I mean, such a discussion might well be expected in the barracks between a pair of privates, but a well-bred lady should not be asking such things. Behind the Colonel, Geoff's normally expressionless face twitched briefly as what passed for a smile crossed it. Throckmorton spluttered into his tea a bit and hummed and hawed until Cordelia continued, "Would you say that those two hills over there look like a virgin's breasts, Throckmorton? This scroll says that the way to the crown lies between the virgin's breasts."
"Well, um, ah, I can't say that I have specifically examined any virgin's breasts," stammered the Colonel, embarrassed beyond all recognition. "I suppose that one might consider those hills to resemble such a thing."
With the shape of a virgin's breasts agreed, they set out through the jungle in that direction. The distance to cross was not vast, but any journey through the jungle would always be slow. It was the nature of such expeditions that they often covered less than five miles in a day and inevitably involved some back-tracking and much cursing from the porters.
Several days later, they had reached their objective. The pass between the two hills was devoid of trees, so they could see across the canopy of trees to the surrounding mountains. This whole area was enclosed by mountains, forming a bowl, within which people must live. They could see the tips of three pyramids jutting majestically above the trees, and smoke rose from many places around the bowl, indicating settlements. The distance to the far mountains must be ten miles at least, so this whole place looked like an enclosed world, cut off from the outside world apart from this one pass leading in. Cordelia examined the area and then said, "Our goal lies where lines drawn from the antelope's head, the hippopotamus' back and the tallest peak converge. Geoff, we shall need you to map our route to there and guide us in."
"Yes, Miss Baxendale," came the response. She had often told him to call her Cordelia, but he resolutely refused to be so informal. Geoff led the way. The other two were experienced travelers and explorers, but would still have become lost in the gloom beneath the forest canopy. Geoff's unerring instinct for a trail kept them right though. Occasionally they had to make detours past small settlements of mud huts with grass roofs. They did so quickly and quietly, sometimes getting a glimpse of sultry maidens, naked to the waist but with the heads of cats, or stolid dwarfish creatures that looked more hewn from rock than born. The people of this area were clearly not of human stock. The only humans they glimpsed on their travels were poor things, dirty and downtrodden. They were more beasts of burden than people but there was nothing that our heroes could do for them at this time so they pressed on. Eventually they reached a small clearing. A collection of ramshackle huts stood to one side of a pair of obelisks and a large plinth with five golden sphinxes on it. Behind these was a large circular gate of ancient design. This object was clearly older than anything else in the clearing, but rusty stains in front of it bore mute evidence to sacrifice and ritual. Throckmorton shuddered at the thought that human beings might have been slain here to appease some nameless god. Then he realised that the being called Kamenwati was already here. Time to gird my loins, thought Throckmorton. He drew his trusty Webley and told the others to ready themselves. Kamenwati had obviously followed similar clues to those that the three heroes had followed, but he had not recovered the crown yet. Well, that was a bonus. Better yet, Kamenwati appeared to be alone. That would certainly make things easier.
I deployed both of Kamenwati's followers but the die rolls called for them to be moved off-table. The die rolls permitted Geoff and Cordelia to remain where they had been deployed.
Geoff moved through the huts to the left of the hawk-headed beast, while Cordelia and Throckmorton moved directly towards Kamenwati through the long grass and brush. Kamenwati saw them coming and bellowed, "I warned thee not to meddle, now it will go the worse for thee. Thy flesh shall be stripped from thy bones as thou yet lives. Thy woman shall be a plaything for my soldiers and thy servant shall learn the nature of true hard labour as he constructs my resting place!"
"I care not one jot for your rantings, beast," muttered Throckmorton in return as he advanced to the nearest obelisk. He raised his trusty Webley and let rip. His shot ricocheted from the arch-beast's armour, and Kamenwati stood unflinching. Meanwhile Geoff had been working his way through the ruined village. He took up position behind a tree and raised his rifle for a shot. Once more sparks flew from the armour but the huge hawk-headed monster was unphased. He shouted once and a soldier ran up with his bow and fired an arrow that bounced off one of the golden sphinxes near Cordelia. A maiden with a hawk's head also appeared, moving quickly through the trees towards. Geoff.
The bird maiden failed her fast move roll completely, otherwise she would have been in melee with Geoff on her first move.
With his followers attacking, Kamenwati ran full tilt at Throckmorton, screeching out a hideous battle cry. Kamenwati's huge sword crashed into the obelisk as Throckmorton ducked and chunks of stone showered the pair of them. His sword stick was not going to be able to parry that thing. The hawk maiden screeched a challenge and veritably flew at Geoff. Her sword cut down for his head, he ducked and rapidly brought his rifle butt up to her chin. She fell to the floor wounded. Overcoming his qualms, Geoff laid her out properly with another blow to the head. The archer fired again and once more hit the golden sphinx beside Cordelia's head. Cordelia's return shot also went wide. By now, Geoff had moved to join her but his shots at the archer were no more effective than hers had been at him.
After wounding the bird maiden, the heroes won the initiative so Geoff was able to put the bird maiden out of the fight immediately. Had they not won, then she would have been back on her feet attacking him.
Kamenwati poured a flurry of blows down on Throckmorton, but the heroic Colonel ducked and weaved between the blows as he sought a chance to land his own point on the creature. With one particularly vicious blow the creature left its side open. Throckmorton lunged but Kamenwati turned at the last moment and his armour took the blow instead. Throckmorton quickly turned his lunge into a cut for the beast's head. Blood spurted from a deep wound and the creature staggered back, leaping to its feet almost immediately. Enraged, Kamenwati renewed his assault on the Colonel. Blood dripped into his eye but the fury of his assault was undiminished, but Throckmorton's cooler head told and he opened a wound in Kamenwati's thigh. The hawk-man's leg gave way under him but he was immediately back on his feet to slice at the Colonel once more. Shocked by the savagery of this attack and by a cry from behind him as Cordelia was hit by an arrow, Throckmorton nearly did not duck in time and his pith helmet was knocked from his head by a blow that might have taken his head off. He quickly gathered himself, ducked under the massive bronze sword and planted the point of his sword in Kamenwati's arm. The immense hawk-creature was now pouring blood and showed signs of slowing but he was by no means done.
Here we see Throckmorton wounding Kamenwati a couple of times. Each time Kamenwati's Star Power failed to stop all the damage, but he managed to pass enough dice on the crisis test to get back on his feet immediately.
Behind the Colonel, the archer had hit Cordelia with an arrow but she shrugged its effects off, even though blood was flowing from her shoulder. Geoff was laying down fire as fast as he could at the archer, but it was all sound and fury. Not one shot hit the hawk soldier. A second arrow struck Cordelia and she fell like a pole-axed steer. Geoff immediately ducked behind the cover of the sphinxes. This was a bit much for him.
Cordelia failed a crisis test for being wounded and went OOF. Geoff promptly failed his crisis test and ducked back.
Quick as a flash, Throckmorton leapt onto the wounded Kamenwati and thumped him mightily, knocking him right out. Enraged by the treatment meted out to the fair Miss Baxendale, Geoff jumped up and leapt over the sphinxes, intent on dishing out some justice to the archer, who showed no signs of remorse for his actions. The archer was caught flat-footed at this and Geoff's righteous rifle butt put paid to the archer's intention of hurting anyone else.
Again the heroes won the initiative at the right time. With Kamenwati wounded and on the floor, Throckmorton was able to put him OOF immediately Geoff got lucky against the archer and wounded him. The archer failed his crisis test and was OOF. Victory to the heroes.
With their foes unconscious, Throckmorton and Geoff quickly tied them up and saw to Cordelia. Although she had been wounded, it was not serious and she was soon on her feet. With the enemy out of the way, the group searched large gateway. Cordelia's interpretation of the scrolls and the hieroglyphs on the two huge obelisks indicated that the crown was concealed below it. Close examination showed that there was a large hollow beneath the main stones, and the Feathered Fetish was indeed in a cedarwood box within that recess. It was a large crown in the Egyptian style. Golden feathers surrounded it in a shining halo that would make the wearer seem at least a foot or two taller than they were. There was an indefinable aura about the crown, which suggested that it had sat on the heads of some of the most powerful kings that had ever lived. It was a truly awesome piece and the British Museum would pay handsomely for it.
"Now," said Throckmorton, "Let's go home. I have a yearning for jam and scones, and a fine cup of Oolong, right after we drop this thing off at the BM. I imagine some Egyptologists will be quite interested in it."
The three heroes packed up their kit and got ready to set off. It was only at this point they noticed that their captives were no longer there. Two sets of footprints had left a trail disappearing into the trees. Bloody scuff marks in the dirt showed where they had dragged something, or someone, with them.
"Hmm, that's dashed awkward," mused the Colonel, "Right, we had better get cracking in case they come after us. Chop, chop, people, let's get going."
Throckmorton was lucky in his combat with Kamenwati. His star power saved him a lot of hurt, unlike Kamenwati's star power, which failed him when he most needed it. Although he was out of the fight, his "Hard as Nails" power kicked in, so he kept fighting. However, his Rep was reduced and Throckmorton was able to reduce it further until Kamenwati was reduced to Rep2. Throckmorton then won the initiative and was able to subdue Kamenwati automatically. Geoff's shooting was abysmal, despite getting a lot of dice for it. He was much better in melee, despite having fewer dice than his opponents. Cordelia's shooting was poor, as expected and she was unlucky in being hit twice by the archer. Overall, it could have gone very badly for our heroes, but luck was on the side of the righteous this time. Next time may be a different story ...
The Heroes:
Throckmorton
Cordelia
Geoff
The Villains:
Kamenwati (Rep 5 Villain)
Bird Maiden (Rep 4 Femme Fatale)
Archer (Rep 3 Soldier)
Travel to Lost World on foot.
Final Showdown at location of the Feathered Fetish
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Into The Jungle
With the information about the crown in their hands, Throckmorton and his team sailed southwards. Eventually the boat could take them no further. They had followed the Nyle as far the boat could go and were well into Sudan now. This was a dangerous land, as General Gordon had discovered, but they still continued warily on foot through the thickly forested areas alongside the Nyle looking for further information about the crown. If they could find it before Kamenwati then they could forestall his plans. Despite the scrolls, which gave valuable information about the crown, they could not locate it.
Travel to jungle
Find an object: DF4 (Fail)
Travel to jungle
Find an object: DF4 (Fail)
Monday, 18 May 2009
Text Me
As they sailed southwards, they passed ancient ruins on both sides of the Nyle. Less frequently they passed small villages with goats milling around beside them. They passed few boats and there was no sign of Kamenwati's barge. This far south Aegypt was largely a wasteland now. Once it had been the home of a thriving empire that ruled much of North Africa, but now the ancient gods had abandoned it and left it to moulder and slowly die. The Nyle still flooded every year. The farmers could still plant their crops and be sure of a good harvest. They could still fish the waters of the Nyle and be sure of a good catch. But, the money was all in the north, in Alexandria and Cairo. The farmers in the south were those that hung on and lived a simple lifestyle. Many of their children left for the cities, only to fall prey to the vices of the city when they arrived. British occupation was a mixed blessing. It brought money, but it also brought other problems and it focused all its effort in the areas most accessible to British fleets and British merchants. Throckmorton was pragmatic. He understood the problems of empire and recognised its failings as well as its advantages and he had plenty of time to muse on this and other problems as they travelled.
A few days after his escape from the hawk-headed warriors, Throckmorton sighted a ruin near the bank of the Nyle. This one looked like it had not been dug out by antiquarians yet. He ordered Osman to land near it so that he and his intrepid cohorts could investigate further. The trio jumped ashore, leaving Osman to tend to his boat. They were wary after the last attack.
As they approached, they recognised the ruins as the remains of a mastaba tomb and a large one at that. Someone of importance must have been buried here. The tomb was mostly buried under sand now but two small obelisks remained visible flanking the main entrance. Cordelia rushed over to examine them while Geoff carefully scanned their surroundings for signs of attack. Throckmorton took out his pipe and lit it. It looked like they might be here a while and he might as well settle down.
The hieroglyphs on the obelisks had been scoured by the wind and sand over the ages. It was hard to make out what they said. As far as she could tell, this was the tomb of Emuishere the Fleet of Foot, a Harbinger of Bastet. There was no explanation of what being a Harbinger of Bastet meant though and the context did not clarify anything. The deeds of this Emuishere were manifold according to the obelisks. She had been a great warrior; well, that was novel, a woman warrior. It was certainly not unheard of but Aegyptian culture had no previously recorded woman warriors that Cordelia knew of. Most of her deeds seemed to relate to keeping Aegypt safe from the minions of the Eater of the Dead. This was indeed passing strange. These deeds seemed to read like a penny dreadful and not real archaeology.
Cordelia made up her mind as she worked her way through the writings on the obelisks.
"Colonel, we must enter this tomb and investigate further. This is not your usual tomb and I have a feeling that it relates to our quest. Osman's ancestor may well have been right, even if Osman cannot himself remember the details."
Time to break out the shovels then. They spent the rest of the day clearing sand from the tomb entrance. The overnight camp was uneventful and by midday the following day they were able to enter the tomb. Inside the tomb was brightly painted, although the paint quickly faded as it came into contact with modern air. Still, it was possible to see that the tomb was once as well-decorated as any of the pharaoh's tombs. It was also a maze of tunnels and they could not find the main burial chamber at all. Cordelia was frustrated. To find this and not be able to investigate it fully was torture for her enquiring mind. Still, she did glean more of Emuishere's tale. The paintings depicted this woman warrior fighting hordes of creatures that looked like mummies in the paintings. Most of the people were depicted with the heads of animals too, like Kamenwati.
In an urn in one of the chambers they found a series of half a dozen copper scrolls. The atmosphere in the tomb had preserved the scrolls beautifully and there was not a trace of patina on them. They could not find the main chamber, but perhaps Cordelia could return and investigate properly at a later date. These scrolls might well be more valuable than the gold that probably lay with the embalmed remains of Emuishere.
It took some time to interpret the scrolls. The hieroglyphs were more ornate and developed than those that Cordelia was used to, and the language, while similar to ancient Aegyptian, was different in many subtle ways. The texts described more of Emuishere's deeds. She seemed to have led a life completely dedicated to warfare. There was no mention anywhere of a husband or children, just service to her goddess. Perhaps she was some kind of priestess, but why would the goddess of love have warrior priestesses? This was never made clear. Then suddenly Cordelia came across a section that mentioned the Feathered Crown of Aegyptus. Throckmorton had mentioned that Kamenwati wanted this crown as a prelude to his plans for domination of Aegypt. The object described was a large headdress with a halo of golden feathers fronted by the uraeus, clearly a symbolic linking of the protective powers of Isis and the Aegyptian vulture with the spitting cobra image that was a sign of royalty. The scroll told of how this crown was imbued with powers that granted the wearer dominion over all that gazed upon him. It was a symbol of the godhead of the wearer and simultaneously granted the wearer the status of a god, or did that read that it made them into a god? The language was difficult and Cordelia stumbled over it. Still, it was clear that this crown was a tribal fetish of some description and that it would grant influence over those that believed in its power.
As she explained all this to Throckmorton, it became increasingly clear that the crown might well be the focus of the tribal unrest in the south. They would have to keep going and search out Kamenwati himself. This time they would defeat him, seize the crown and return to His Majesty for safekeeping.
Find an object: DF 1 (Succeed easily)
Get the clue: DF 4 (Succeed with difficulty)
10 Clues
A few days after his escape from the hawk-headed warriors, Throckmorton sighted a ruin near the bank of the Nyle. This one looked like it had not been dug out by antiquarians yet. He ordered Osman to land near it so that he and his intrepid cohorts could investigate further. The trio jumped ashore, leaving Osman to tend to his boat. They were wary after the last attack.
As they approached, they recognised the ruins as the remains of a mastaba tomb and a large one at that. Someone of importance must have been buried here. The tomb was mostly buried under sand now but two small obelisks remained visible flanking the main entrance. Cordelia rushed over to examine them while Geoff carefully scanned their surroundings for signs of attack. Throckmorton took out his pipe and lit it. It looked like they might be here a while and he might as well settle down.
The hieroglyphs on the obelisks had been scoured by the wind and sand over the ages. It was hard to make out what they said. As far as she could tell, this was the tomb of Emuishere the Fleet of Foot, a Harbinger of Bastet. There was no explanation of what being a Harbinger of Bastet meant though and the context did not clarify anything. The deeds of this Emuishere were manifold according to the obelisks. She had been a great warrior; well, that was novel, a woman warrior. It was certainly not unheard of but Aegyptian culture had no previously recorded woman warriors that Cordelia knew of. Most of her deeds seemed to relate to keeping Aegypt safe from the minions of the Eater of the Dead. This was indeed passing strange. These deeds seemed to read like a penny dreadful and not real archaeology.
Cordelia made up her mind as she worked her way through the writings on the obelisks.
"Colonel, we must enter this tomb and investigate further. This is not your usual tomb and I have a feeling that it relates to our quest. Osman's ancestor may well have been right, even if Osman cannot himself remember the details."
Time to break out the shovels then. They spent the rest of the day clearing sand from the tomb entrance. The overnight camp was uneventful and by midday the following day they were able to enter the tomb. Inside the tomb was brightly painted, although the paint quickly faded as it came into contact with modern air. Still, it was possible to see that the tomb was once as well-decorated as any of the pharaoh's tombs. It was also a maze of tunnels and they could not find the main burial chamber at all. Cordelia was frustrated. To find this and not be able to investigate it fully was torture for her enquiring mind. Still, she did glean more of Emuishere's tale. The paintings depicted this woman warrior fighting hordes of creatures that looked like mummies in the paintings. Most of the people were depicted with the heads of animals too, like Kamenwati.
In an urn in one of the chambers they found a series of half a dozen copper scrolls. The atmosphere in the tomb had preserved the scrolls beautifully and there was not a trace of patina on them. They could not find the main chamber, but perhaps Cordelia could return and investigate properly at a later date. These scrolls might well be more valuable than the gold that probably lay with the embalmed remains of Emuishere.
It took some time to interpret the scrolls. The hieroglyphs were more ornate and developed than those that Cordelia was used to, and the language, while similar to ancient Aegyptian, was different in many subtle ways. The texts described more of Emuishere's deeds. She seemed to have led a life completely dedicated to warfare. There was no mention anywhere of a husband or children, just service to her goddess. Perhaps she was some kind of priestess, but why would the goddess of love have warrior priestesses? This was never made clear. Then suddenly Cordelia came across a section that mentioned the Feathered Crown of Aegyptus. Throckmorton had mentioned that Kamenwati wanted this crown as a prelude to his plans for domination of Aegypt. The object described was a large headdress with a halo of golden feathers fronted by the uraeus, clearly a symbolic linking of the protective powers of Isis and the Aegyptian vulture with the spitting cobra image that was a sign of royalty. The scroll told of how this crown was imbued with powers that granted the wearer dominion over all that gazed upon him. It was a symbol of the godhead of the wearer and simultaneously granted the wearer the status of a god, or did that read that it made them into a god? The language was difficult and Cordelia stumbled over it. Still, it was clear that this crown was a tribal fetish of some description and that it would grant influence over those that believed in its power.
As she explained all this to Throckmorton, it became increasingly clear that the crown might well be the focus of the tribal unrest in the south. They would have to keep going and search out Kamenwati himself. This time they would defeat him, seize the crown and return to His Majesty for safekeeping.
Find an object: DF 1 (Succeed easily)
Get the clue: DF 4 (Succeed with difficulty)
10 Clues
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Talk Me To Death
Throckmorton came to. His head was throbbing.
"I suppose I should be grateful that he only used the flat of his blade on me," he thought.
Looking around, he saw that he was on a barge on the Nyle surrounded by hawk-faced warriors. The warrior called Kamenwati was seated on a large ebony throne at one end of the barge. Humans were chained to the oars of the barge and were rowing as though their lives depended upon it. Perhaps they did. The welts on their backs certainly indicated that the overseer was merciless. Seeing that Throckmorton was awake, Kamenwati rose to his feet and came forward to address him.
"So, foolish mortal, thou thought that thou could'st steal our sacred artefacts and drive us from our land, this very Aegyptus. Be glad that thou wilt not see the end of thy nation's dominion in this land. The Nyle calls to us and I have risen to its call. I shall lead our forces against thy troops and crush them under my chariot wheels. My people are ready to follow me. We are preparing the way. Once I have the Feathered Crown of all Aegyptus I shall be as a god unto my people once more and thou shalt be naught but an ant to be crushed under my sandals."
Kamenwati ranted on in similar vein. It was painful to listen to and Throckmorton suffered greatly as a result, but at least he was well in body, even if his brain was hurting now. While Kamenwati was ranting, Throckmorton was working his bonds. to see if he could get his hands free.
Kamenwati won the Talk Me to Death test by 1 success so Throckmorton suffered but was not killed out of hand.
As Kamenwati extolled his own strength and glory, Throckmorton was able to slip a hand free from the rawhide ropes that bound him. In the heat he was sweating somewhat and his sweat helped the ropes expand a little. With his hands free Throckmorton thought he might now stand a chance. Kamenwati had started strutting backwards and forwards as he ranted. The warriors were all watching Kamenwati now. Their eyes reflected the predatory look of their leader. As Kamenwati turned his back on him to stride back down the barge in masterful fashion, Throckmorton saw his opportunity. His feet were still bound but he leapt to his feet and dived for the side of the barge. Throckmorton stumbled as he hopped but still managed to tumble over the side before the warriors could catch him.
Both scored the same number of successes on the Escape table so the character escapes. Cue the chase scene.
Just before he hit the water, Throckmorton took a deep breath. He allowed himself to sink below the barge, while he removed the rope from his ankles. Then, his chest starting to feel tight, he struck out under the heavy silt-laden Nyle waters towards the bank and the reed beds that lined it. Above the water, the warriors were in uproar, although Throckmorton could hear nothing of this. Nor did he hear Kamenwati yell, "Catch him, you fools!"
By the time he reached the reed beds, Throckmorton's chest was burning. He doubted he could ever reach them without surfacing, but still he forced himself to try. He could see the reeds ahead and with his lungs bursting, Throckmorton surfaced among them. He gasped and spluttered as he got air into his lungs. Looking back the way he had come, he could see the warriors in uproar on the barge but they had not spotted him. He moved carefully away from the barge through the reeds for what seemed like an age before he lost sight of it, but eventually he succeeded.
Geoff and Cordelia had decided the continue their quest. They had agreed that the best way to find Throckmorton was to find the object of their quest. Clearly the warrior they had encountered was involved somewhere. Therefore, they believed that if they found one they would find the others. So, it was a great surprise when they were hailed in English from the shore by a rather bedraggled Throckmorton.
Throckmorton beat the warriors on the Chase table and escaped with no consequences for himself. Back to looking for clues now.
"I suppose I should be grateful that he only used the flat of his blade on me," he thought.
Looking around, he saw that he was on a barge on the Nyle surrounded by hawk-faced warriors. The warrior called Kamenwati was seated on a large ebony throne at one end of the barge. Humans were chained to the oars of the barge and were rowing as though their lives depended upon it. Perhaps they did. The welts on their backs certainly indicated that the overseer was merciless. Seeing that Throckmorton was awake, Kamenwati rose to his feet and came forward to address him.
"So, foolish mortal, thou thought that thou could'st steal our sacred artefacts and drive us from our land, this very Aegyptus. Be glad that thou wilt not see the end of thy nation's dominion in this land. The Nyle calls to us and I have risen to its call. I shall lead our forces against thy troops and crush them under my chariot wheels. My people are ready to follow me. We are preparing the way. Once I have the Feathered Crown of all Aegyptus I shall be as a god unto my people once more and thou shalt be naught but an ant to be crushed under my sandals."
Kamenwati ranted on in similar vein. It was painful to listen to and Throckmorton suffered greatly as a result, but at least he was well in body, even if his brain was hurting now. While Kamenwati was ranting, Throckmorton was working his bonds. to see if he could get his hands free.
Kamenwati won the Talk Me to Death test by 1 success so Throckmorton suffered but was not killed out of hand.
As Kamenwati extolled his own strength and glory, Throckmorton was able to slip a hand free from the rawhide ropes that bound him. In the heat he was sweating somewhat and his sweat helped the ropes expand a little. With his hands free Throckmorton thought he might now stand a chance. Kamenwati had started strutting backwards and forwards as he ranted. The warriors were all watching Kamenwati now. Their eyes reflected the predatory look of their leader. As Kamenwati turned his back on him to stride back down the barge in masterful fashion, Throckmorton saw his opportunity. His feet were still bound but he leapt to his feet and dived for the side of the barge. Throckmorton stumbled as he hopped but still managed to tumble over the side before the warriors could catch him.
Both scored the same number of successes on the Escape table so the character escapes. Cue the chase scene.
Just before he hit the water, Throckmorton took a deep breath. He allowed himself to sink below the barge, while he removed the rope from his ankles. Then, his chest starting to feel tight, he struck out under the heavy silt-laden Nyle waters towards the bank and the reed beds that lined it. Above the water, the warriors were in uproar, although Throckmorton could hear nothing of this. Nor did he hear Kamenwati yell, "Catch him, you fools!"
By the time he reached the reed beds, Throckmorton's chest was burning. He doubted he could ever reach them without surfacing, but still he forced himself to try. He could see the reeds ahead and with his lungs bursting, Throckmorton surfaced among them. He gasped and spluttered as he got air into his lungs. Looking back the way he had come, he could see the warriors in uproar on the barge but they had not spotted him. He moved carefully away from the barge through the reeds for what seemed like an age before he lost sight of it, but eventually he succeeded.
Geoff and Cordelia had decided the continue their quest. They had agreed that the best way to find Throckmorton was to find the object of their quest. Clearly the warrior they had encountered was involved somewhere. Therefore, they believed that if they found one they would find the others. So, it was a great surprise when they were hailed in English from the shore by a rather bedraggled Throckmorton.
Throckmorton beat the warriors on the Chase table and escaped with no consequences for himself. Back to looking for clues now.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Kamenwati, The Wounded Eye of Horus
The search for clues about the strange new tribe led the daring group to many temples along the Nyle. Their search was in vain, but it led them to an unexpected discovery. Osman had assured them that information about their goal lay in one of the many ancient temples that dotted the landscape alongside the great river. They just needed to find the right temple. He had heard it from his father, who had told him of his grandfather’s tales about this fetish that the Colonel sought. Unfortunately, he had obviously not been paying attention properly and so their quest was extended.
Although Throckmorton won the initiative, his shot only wounded Kamenwati, who was able to get straight back up and charge Throckmorton, wounding him and knocking him to the floor. Kamenwati then won the initiative immediately after, so he was able to put Throckmorton out of the fight. Following that the heroes scored a 6 and could not act, while the villains were able to act and ran off with the tied up Throckmorton. The civilians in this fight were more like static terrain than anything else. I may have to try the flock of seagulls rule for them in the future.
3 Soldiers (Rep 3)
Then, one day, they docked beside the Great Temple of Bastet at Nasfuret. Their search of the temple was fruitless once more and the group were getting ready to depart after Cordelia had examined just one more set of hieroglyphs. Then suddenly a voice rang out; a challenging cry like a hunting hawk pierced the quiet of the temple. The three looked up and saw a towering figure standing in the main temple entrance, flanked by three similarly-garbed warriors. The figure was wearing old-fashioned armour and was carrying a huge sword. He had a large hawk-headdress on, with a halo of feathers around it, while the others had plain hawk-headdresses on. Two of the other warriors were armed with swords and bows, while the last carried a huge bronze pole-arm. The newcomer roared out his challenge.
"By Set's hairy nostrils, fiend, thou'llt not desecrate our lands with your quest. Return whence thou came and thou shalt live. Refuse and thou shalt die. I, Kamenwati the Wounded Eye of Horus, have spoken. Speak now, fiend. Wilt thou go or die?"
Throckmorton was not faint of heart though and would not be intimidated. His response was swift and to the point.
"Grimes, do you think you can bag that odd-looking bird in the middle there?"
Geoff lifted his rifle, took one shot at the warrior with the halberd and dropped him where he stood. The other three immediately ducked for cover behind the pillars.
"Thy strange magics shall not defeat me, foolish mortal. I am Kamenwati, son of Seti, son of Djefre. I have the power of my ancestors in my arms and have never been defeated."
Throckmorton won the Getting the Upper Hand test and got one shot off. All of the enemy ducked back when their fellow was wounded and put out of the fight, leaving no targets for Cordelia and Throckmorton to shoot, which was the only option available to them.
Throckmorton followed up his advantage by moving out to the side so that he could draw a bead on the leader of the group. His Webley barked once and Kamenwati jerked as the lead slug tore through his body. He fell to the floor, but quickly leapt to his feet again with an eery screech of anger. Meanwhile, Cordelia moved up to shoot at one of the warriors behind a pillar, He saw her coming and hastily fired an arrow in her direction. The barbed arrowhead took her in the leg and she fell to the floor, blood pouring from the wound. Geoff moved out and shot at one of the warriors, his bullet chipping stone from the pillar behind which the warrior was hiding.
Although wounded, Kamenwati leapt to his feet and charged towards Throckmorton. His sword swung once and the Colonel dropped to the floor. He followed this up by dropping his sword and tying Throckmorton up. Cordelia leapt back to her feet and snapped off the arrow as the warriors prepared to flee. She and Geoff both moved to a position for a shot at Kamenwati, but both missed. Stunned by this turn of events they did not move quickly enough and before they could react, Kamenwati had thrown Throckmorton over his shoulder and run off, followed by the two standing warriors. Geoff and Cordelia gave chase but the fleeing warriors had disappeared as if into thin air by the time they emerged from the temple gateway.
Although Throckmorton won the initiative, his shot only wounded Kamenwati, who was able to get straight back up and charge Throckmorton, wounding him and knocking him to the floor. Kamenwati then won the initiative immediately after, so he was able to put Throckmorton out of the fight. Following that the heroes scored a 6 and could not act, while the villains were able to act and ran off with the tied up Throckmorton. The civilians in this fight were more like static terrain than anything else. I may have to try the flock of seagulls rule for them in the future.
The remaining warrior still lay on the floor, bleeding like a stuck pig. The others had left him for dead, but a quick examination showed that he still lived. Cordelia tore up the warrior's tunic and patched up his wounds. Perhaps they could learn something from him. While patching up the warrior's wounds, Cordelia made an astounding discovery.
"Geoff," she cried, "Come here."
Geoff came over to join her.
"Look, it's not a mask! This man really does have the head of a hawk!"
The discovery astounded the pair of them but practicality soon took over. Quickly they brought the warrior round and began to question him. He seemed to have a rudimentary grasp of modern English, although with archaic overtones, but she soon discovered that he spoke a dialect of Ancient Aegyptian. She was quickly able to determine that these warriors had indeed emerged from the mountains near the source of the Nyle but when she asked about the fetish, the warrior refused to speak further. It was clear that he considered it too sacred to profane by discussing it with an outsider.
"Do you think, Geoff, that these are the degenerate remnants of the Aegyptian gods? Think what this means for our study of the ancient Aegyptians. Think what this means for archaeology! These people may have direct connections to the ancient peoples of this country. This is fantastic."
Find an object. DF 5 (Fail)
Villain encountered (Goal is to capture Throckmorton - Successful)
Villain encountered (Goal is to capture Throckmorton - Successful)
One enemy captured and questioned successfully.
Everyone recovered all their wounds after this fight.
9 Clues
The Heroes:
Throckmorton
Cordelia
Geoff
The Villains:
Kamenwati (Rep 5 Villain)
The Heroes:
Throckmorton
Cordelia
Geoff
The Villains:
Kamenwati (Rep 5 Villain)
3 Soldiers (Rep 3)
Other:
3 Civilian bystanders
Friday, 15 May 2009
Supplies
While Throckmorton was visiting with his friend, the others were sorting out supplies. Osman had a boat they would be taking, but they needed additional food, water and porters. Unfortunately, as soon as they heard where the expedition was heading most of the locals melted away. Eventually the group managed to get everything together but not without having to grease more than a few palms. Then began the real work of packing it all up and storing it away on the boat. Cordelia sat and twirled her parasol as she watched the porters loading the boat. As she sipped on her drink, she was grateful that she was a lady and did not have to do this sort of thing. After all, it looked ever so tiring.
Find an object. DF 1 (Success but with complications)
Get the clue. DF 3 (Success)
8 Clues
Find an object. DF 1 (Success but with complications)
Get the clue. DF 3 (Success)
8 Clues
Reunion
Before they headed south, Throckmorton needed to visit Wiggy. He wanted to speak to his old friend and comrade about this mad quest. He also needed to find out why a member of the regiment had been murdered. Throckmorton knew where the barracks lay and headed straight there. A quick discussion with the gate guard saw him into Wiggy’s office. The conversation was straightforward.
“I shall be straight with you, Throckmorton,” Wiggy announced, “The item I mentioned is supposed to be a tribal fetish of great value. The natives think it has real power too. We led an expedition southwards against some bolshie natives, you know. Along the way we captured a rather odd bird. He looked like a lot of the locals but really was much more arrogant than any of them. He and a bunch of other natives in animal masks tried ambushing us but good Sheffield steel saw them off. After that, I put two and two together and wrote to you. We have had a couple of chaps go missing recently. One of them was Private Andrew Friend. It is possible that he was murdered because he was on that patrol and saw something that he failed to report but I am dashed if I know what. Sometimes the chaps do that, you know. They think they can make a profit behind our backs but in this case it seems to have gone badly wrong. If you are heading down that way, I would watch out for our deserters. If they have got too big for their boots then they may think they can set themselves up as tribal gods and live the life of Riley. It rarely works, mind. More than once we have found these chaps butchered and strung up. They forget that once their ammo runs out they are on an equal footing with the bloodthirsty savages. By then, though, it is too late for them.”
With the real work out of the way, the pair reminisced about the old days, and Throckmorton returned to his hotel with rather too much port in him.
Find a person. DF 4 (Success)
Get the clue. DF 1 (Success)
7 Clues
“I shall be straight with you, Throckmorton,” Wiggy announced, “The item I mentioned is supposed to be a tribal fetish of great value. The natives think it has real power too. We led an expedition southwards against some bolshie natives, you know. Along the way we captured a rather odd bird. He looked like a lot of the locals but really was much more arrogant than any of them. He and a bunch of other natives in animal masks tried ambushing us but good Sheffield steel saw them off. After that, I put two and two together and wrote to you. We have had a couple of chaps go missing recently. One of them was Private Andrew Friend. It is possible that he was murdered because he was on that patrol and saw something that he failed to report but I am dashed if I know what. Sometimes the chaps do that, you know. They think they can make a profit behind our backs but in this case it seems to have gone badly wrong. If you are heading down that way, I would watch out for our deserters. If they have got too big for their boots then they may think they can set themselves up as tribal gods and live the life of Riley. It rarely works, mind. More than once we have found these chaps butchered and strung up. They forget that once their ammo runs out they are on an equal footing with the bloodthirsty savages. By then, though, it is too late for them.”
With the real work out of the way, the pair reminisced about the old days, and Throckmorton returned to his hotel with rather too much port in him.
Find a person. DF 4 (Success)
Get the clue. DF 1 (Success)
7 Clues
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Cairo-bound
Finally the group were ready to head for Aegypt. They boarded their ship at Southampton and settled in for the journey. The trip was uneventful but gave the Colonel the opportunity to brief the team on what to expect and what they were looking for.
In Cairo, their first goal was to locate a guide that Hunter had mentioned. This man should be able to take them as close to their destination as any European had ever gone before. Hunter had given the Colonel precise instructions on how to find the man so he did not expect any difficulties. Unfortunately, Cordelia’s knowledge of Aegyptian was restricted to ancient varieties of that tongue, which caused some problems. Still, they eventually found Nyle Tours Ltd (Osman Rashid, prop. Founded 1898). The negotiations were hard fought. Throckmorton knew from experience that the people of Aegypt were some of the best hagglers in the world, and Osman Rashid was no exception. Still, he eventually agreed to guide them for an exorbitant rate that he claimed was in fact going to leave his entire family as paupers even unto his great great grandchildren.
Find a person. DF 1 (Succeed with complications)
Get the clue. DF 3 (Succeed)
6 Clues
In Cairo, their first goal was to locate a guide that Hunter had mentioned. This man should be able to take them as close to their destination as any European had ever gone before. Hunter had given the Colonel precise instructions on how to find the man so he did not expect any difficulties. Unfortunately, Cordelia’s knowledge of Aegyptian was restricted to ancient varieties of that tongue, which caused some problems. Still, they eventually found Nyle Tours Ltd (Osman Rashid, prop. Founded 1898). The negotiations were hard fought. Throckmorton knew from experience that the people of Aegypt were some of the best hagglers in the world, and Osman Rashid was no exception. Still, he eventually agreed to guide them for an exorbitant rate that he claimed was in fact going to leave his entire family as paupers even unto his great great grandchildren.
Find a person. DF 1 (Succeed with complications)
Get the clue. DF 3 (Succeed)
6 Clues
Horse Guards
Throckmorton returned to London. He had with him a button from the murder victim's jacket in the hope that the regimental crest on the button would help identify the victim and perhaps indicate a motive for the murder. A quick visit to the Horatio Club soon turned up the information from a crusty old Major, who had once been in the Pay Corps, but now spent most of his days at the club ensconced comfortably behind a copy of the Times. He seemed to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of every regiment in the army. The button was from the uniform jacket of a private of Wiggy’s regiment. Both battalions of the regiment had been posted to Aegypt in rotation and it now seemed likely that the murder related to Wiggy's letter. But why? Throckmorton had intended to pay his old friend a visit anyway, but he now had even more reason to do so.
Find an object. DF 2 (Succeed)
Get the clue. DF 2 (Succeed)
5 Clues
Find an object. DF 2 (Succeed)
Get the clue. DF 2 (Succeed)
5 Clues
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Slow Boat to Cairo
Throckmorton and Cordelia left London for Southampton early the following day. Geoff had been there for some time now, gathering together the supplies they would need for this journey. The boat to Cairo was due to sail at the end of the week, but Throckmorton wanted time to check that all was in order. It was not that he did not trust Geoff, but that he just needed to see everything for himself.
Obviously word of Throckmorton’s impending departure for foreign climes had reached more than a few ears by now. This was no surprise. Bunny Carruthers was an incurable gossip and if he knew, then everyone would know before too long. Upon arrival at their hotel in Southampton, the concierge handed Throckmorton a rather grubby note.
“A ‘gentleman’ left this for you this morning, sir,” he said sniffily. The Colonel could hear the inverted commas around the word gentleman as he said it. Clearly the note-leaver did not fit the concierge’s definition of gentlemen, but he was too polite to suggest that a possible acquaintance of the Colonel’s might not be one.
The note read “Meet me at Mrs Baldwin’s Rooming House at 8pm if you would like to hear something to your benefit about the Nyle” and was signed by A. Friend.
Throckmorton left for the rooming house in good time. Upon his arrival, the presumed Mrs Baldwin directed him to the correct room. She was a formidable lady, typical of those that owned boarding houses in coastal areas of England. Throckmorton did not rate his chances against her in a fight!
As he approached the room, Throckmorton noticed that the door was ajar. He drew his trusty Webley and crept slowly and carefully down the corridor trying to make as little noise as possible. As he got closer to the room he heard stealthy scuffling inside. Sneaking up, the first thing that Throckmorton saw was blood on the floor. He kicked the door open and levelled his trusty Webley at a large, muscular man with a swarthy complexion, dressed awkwardly in a tan suit. The man saw Throckmorton and charged him. Before Throckmorton could react he was thrown to the floor and the man was past him and sprinting for the stairs. Throckmorton leapt to his feet and gave chase. Leaping the bannister rail, the man dropped ten feet to the floor below, landing nimbly despite his bulk and then he was heading for the front door. Mrs Baldwin stepped into the hallway.
"What's all this racket?" She shouted intimidatingly in a voice like a corn-crake, and was promptly thrown to one side by the fugitive for her pains.
Throckmorton reached the front door and peered outside. The man had disappeared as if into thin air. He holstered his .455 and helped Mrs Baldwin to her feet. She was visibly shaken so he helped her back into her rooms and sat her down.
"Might I suggest a cup of tea, Mrs Baldwin," he said, "It will steady your nerves. I always find that tea is the thing after a brush with near certain death."
Throckmorton's attempt to calm and console her only resulted in an outburst of tears and exclamations about the state of the modern world. Taking his cue, he returned to Mr Friend's room to see if there were any clues as to the reason for the missive he had received or the attack by the strange man.
The room was a mess … blood everywhere. A man, presumably Mr Friend, lay in the middle of the room with his throat cut. He was clearly dead. Quickly but efficiently the Colonel searched the room but found nothing to indicate why this man had been killed. Papers in the room indicated that this person had once been Mr Andrew Friend. A military cut khaki jacket indicated that he might also once have been a soldier. Throckmorton was baffled. Perhaps he needed to return to London and ask around there. There was just time, but his investigations in Southampton were clearly a dead end.
Find a person. DF 3( Succeed with complications)
Get the clue. DF 4 (Fail)
Obviously word of Throckmorton’s impending departure for foreign climes had reached more than a few ears by now. This was no surprise. Bunny Carruthers was an incurable gossip and if he knew, then everyone would know before too long. Upon arrival at their hotel in Southampton, the concierge handed Throckmorton a rather grubby note.
“A ‘gentleman’ left this for you this morning, sir,” he said sniffily. The Colonel could hear the inverted commas around the word gentleman as he said it. Clearly the note-leaver did not fit the concierge’s definition of gentlemen, but he was too polite to suggest that a possible acquaintance of the Colonel’s might not be one.
The note read “Meet me at Mrs Baldwin’s Rooming House at 8pm if you would like to hear something to your benefit about the Nyle” and was signed by A. Friend.
Throckmorton left for the rooming house in good time. Upon his arrival, the presumed Mrs Baldwin directed him to the correct room. She was a formidable lady, typical of those that owned boarding houses in coastal areas of England. Throckmorton did not rate his chances against her in a fight!
As he approached the room, Throckmorton noticed that the door was ajar. He drew his trusty Webley and crept slowly and carefully down the corridor trying to make as little noise as possible. As he got closer to the room he heard stealthy scuffling inside. Sneaking up, the first thing that Throckmorton saw was blood on the floor. He kicked the door open and levelled his trusty Webley at a large, muscular man with a swarthy complexion, dressed awkwardly in a tan suit. The man saw Throckmorton and charged him. Before Throckmorton could react he was thrown to the floor and the man was past him and sprinting for the stairs. Throckmorton leapt to his feet and gave chase. Leaping the bannister rail, the man dropped ten feet to the floor below, landing nimbly despite his bulk and then he was heading for the front door. Mrs Baldwin stepped into the hallway.
"What's all this racket?" She shouted intimidatingly in a voice like a corn-crake, and was promptly thrown to one side by the fugitive for her pains.
Throckmorton reached the front door and peered outside. The man had disappeared as if into thin air. He holstered his .455 and helped Mrs Baldwin to her feet. She was visibly shaken so he helped her back into her rooms and sat her down.
"Might I suggest a cup of tea, Mrs Baldwin," he said, "It will steady your nerves. I always find that tea is the thing after a brush with near certain death."
Throckmorton's attempt to calm and console her only resulted in an outburst of tears and exclamations about the state of the modern world. Taking his cue, he returned to Mr Friend's room to see if there were any clues as to the reason for the missive he had received or the attack by the strange man.
The room was a mess … blood everywhere. A man, presumably Mr Friend, lay in the middle of the room with his throat cut. He was clearly dead. Quickly but efficiently the Colonel searched the room but found nothing to indicate why this man had been killed. Papers in the room indicated that this person had once been Mr Andrew Friend. A military cut khaki jacket indicated that he might also once have been a soldier. Throckmorton was baffled. Perhaps he needed to return to London and ask around there. There was just time, but his investigations in Southampton were clearly a dead end.
Find a person. DF 3( Succeed with complications)
Get the clue. DF 4 (Fail)
Book Club
Throckmorton strolled into the Horatio Club on the Mall that Thursday evening. Dinner was always a formal affair, so he was dressed up to the nines like all the other members. Being a guest evening, there were even ladies in the club. He greeted some of his fellow members as he wandered through, idly wondering what they had been up to recently, but he did not engage in conversation at this point. His goal was to find Bunny. This did not take him long. Bunny was loudly expounding about his latest book, a non-travel piece for a change. Apparently he was moving into the literature market, or rather opening a branch of his business that would focus on murder-mysteries. From what Throckmorton heard, he did not think that he would like Mrs Christie's novels. He had more than enough murder and intrigue in his life as it was. Throckmorton pushed his way through the throng to Bunny's side.
"Evening, Bunny."
Bunny broke off from his discourse and indicated a slightly wild-looking man in an ill-fitting evening suit.
“Gladiolus, might I introduce you to Mr Eugene Hunter, the eminent author of Down the Nyle, and other books of similar ilk? I thought the pair of you might have something to talk about, since you are both explorers. Mr Hunter, this is my good friend, Throckmorton Gladiolus, an explorer of some renown, although I have never yet successfully prevailed upon him to actually write any of his exploits down. Perhaps you could give him some pointers.”
The man, to whom Throckmorton was introduced, grunted his acknowledgement of the introduction. He was clearly ill-at-ease in a formal context and Throckmorton’s attempts to spark a conversation were answered with almost monosyllabic curtness. Nevertheless, he was not going to be beaten by a little social ineptness, so he persevered and eventually found a crack in the man’s reserve. As preparation for the meeting, Throckmorton had read Down the Nyle and a couple of the man’s other books. He broached the subject of an interesting incident in the book involving a native chieftain and a pair of ladies silk unmentionables and Hunter almost cracked a smile. Soon Throckmorton had him talking in more detail about the tribes of the lower Nyle and beyond. Hunter clearly believed that an ancient civilisation survived in that area. His sources suggested that the local natives lived in fear of these people and that they paid them tribute of some kind. It was also rumoured that they had powers beyond the ken of ordinary men and that they might well possess a great treasure like the one that Wiggy had written about. Perhaps there really was something in this story of Wiggy's after all. Throckmorton was intrigued. It was clear that the man had an overactive imagination, I mean, fancy thinking that the pyramids were built by Martians, when it was obvious that the work of thousands of slaves had gone into them! However, it was also clear that he had travelled extensively and his knowledge, once wheat were sifted from chaff, could prove really useful.
Find a person DF 3 (Succeeded easily)
Get the Clue DF 4 (Succeeded but only with difficulty)
4 Clues
"Evening, Bunny."
Bunny broke off from his discourse and indicated a slightly wild-looking man in an ill-fitting evening suit.
“Gladiolus, might I introduce you to Mr Eugene Hunter, the eminent author of Down the Nyle, and other books of similar ilk? I thought the pair of you might have something to talk about, since you are both explorers. Mr Hunter, this is my good friend, Throckmorton Gladiolus, an explorer of some renown, although I have never yet successfully prevailed upon him to actually write any of his exploits down. Perhaps you could give him some pointers.”
The man, to whom Throckmorton was introduced, grunted his acknowledgement of the introduction. He was clearly ill-at-ease in a formal context and Throckmorton’s attempts to spark a conversation were answered with almost monosyllabic curtness. Nevertheless, he was not going to be beaten by a little social ineptness, so he persevered and eventually found a crack in the man’s reserve. As preparation for the meeting, Throckmorton had read Down the Nyle and a couple of the man’s other books. He broached the subject of an interesting incident in the book involving a native chieftain and a pair of ladies silk unmentionables and Hunter almost cracked a smile. Soon Throckmorton had him talking in more detail about the tribes of the lower Nyle and beyond. Hunter clearly believed that an ancient civilisation survived in that area. His sources suggested that the local natives lived in fear of these people and that they paid them tribute of some kind. It was also rumoured that they had powers beyond the ken of ordinary men and that they might well possess a great treasure like the one that Wiggy had written about. Perhaps there really was something in this story of Wiggy's after all. Throckmorton was intrigued. It was clear that the man had an overactive imagination, I mean, fancy thinking that the pyramids were built by Martians, when it was obvious that the work of thousands of slaves had gone into them! However, it was also clear that he had travelled extensively and his knowledge, once wheat were sifted from chaff, could prove really useful.
Find a person DF 3 (Succeeded easily)
Get the Clue DF 4 (Succeeded but only with difficulty)
4 Clues
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
London-bound
Throckmorton and Cordelia caught the next available train to London. Cordelia knew of an author, who had spent time in Aegypt and had travelled down the Nyle towards its source. He might have more information. The man was known to have been in London most recently, but he was also rather reclusive. The Colonel hoped that his contacts at the Horatio Club on the Mall might be able to help. A couple of them were publishers of sensational books about lost civilisations in central Africa and they might know someone that could help.
Cordelia was not permitted inside the club; no women except on lady's night. Even Queen Victoria, when she had visited was only permitted to do so by special arrangement. Despite being the Queen, she had not been permitted to enter by the front entrance, which was reserved for members only. Some traditions are just too strong! So, the Colonel went on his own. The place smelled of pipe smoke and port. He liked the club. It was a comfortable pied-à-terre in the metrop and a place for those with an adventurous attitude to meet and discuss their travels. As he entered, his eye almost immediately alighted on Bunny Carruthers, one of those publishers with whom he wished to speak. Bunny was a rather over-enthusiastic sort and had probably never travelled outside Great Britain, apart from his military service with a junior regiment of no great renown. Still, his work brought him into contact with a variety of adventurous fellows and he was a useful contact to have. He probably owed his membership of the Horatio Club to his publishing business rather than to his adventures. Many members of the club had published memoirs through Bunny and thought it was useful to have him around so that they could bend his ear.
“Bunny, old stick, do you know that Hunter fellow? You know, the one that wrote about the lower Nyle.”
“Hunter? Oh yes, I know him. Published his last book for him, you know. Are you interested in his work? Tell you what, I shall organise a meeting with him if you wish. It’s a guest night here on Thursday. Why don’t I see if he will come along?”
Throckmorton was pleased, that had gone swimmingly.
Scene: find a person
Travel to metropolis by train
DF 4 to find quarry. DF 3 to get clue. Passed both tests easily.
3 Clues
Cordelia was not permitted inside the club; no women except on lady's night. Even Queen Victoria, when she had visited was only permitted to do so by special arrangement. Despite being the Queen, she had not been permitted to enter by the front entrance, which was reserved for members only. Some traditions are just too strong! So, the Colonel went on his own. The place smelled of pipe smoke and port. He liked the club. It was a comfortable pied-à-terre in the metrop and a place for those with an adventurous attitude to meet and discuss their travels. As he entered, his eye almost immediately alighted on Bunny Carruthers, one of those publishers with whom he wished to speak. Bunny was a rather over-enthusiastic sort and had probably never travelled outside Great Britain, apart from his military service with a junior regiment of no great renown. Still, his work brought him into contact with a variety of adventurous fellows and he was a useful contact to have. He probably owed his membership of the Horatio Club to his publishing business rather than to his adventures. Many members of the club had published memoirs through Bunny and thought it was useful to have him around so that they could bend his ear.
“Bunny, old stick, do you know that Hunter fellow? You know, the one that wrote about the lower Nyle.”
“Hunter? Oh yes, I know him. Published his last book for him, you know. Are you interested in his work? Tell you what, I shall organise a meeting with him if you wish. It’s a guest night here on Thursday. Why don’t I see if he will come along?”
Throckmorton was pleased, that had gone swimmingly.
Scene: find a person
Travel to metropolis by train
DF 4 to find quarry. DF 3 to get clue. Passed both tests easily.
3 Clues
Day at the Museum
Throckmorton met Cordelia in the foyer of the Royal Museum. The previous day's rain had given way to glorious sunshine and, typically, they now expected to be stuck inside for the rest of the day. The museum was a spacious, imposing building with a totem pole running up the centre of the foyer and stairs winding up around it. Near the entrance was a desk where the doorman stood guard over the country's greatest treasures. The doorman directed the intrepid pair through a door into the back rooms of the museum, where they were met by the curator's secretary.
“Colonel Throckmorton P. Gladiolus to see the curator of Aegyptology, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“I wrote to him to book an appointment for today.”
“Very well,” said the curator’s secretary, “I shall check the diary." She leafed through a large, leather-bound desk diary. "Oh, I’m sorry sir, but you are not in it. Are you sure you wrote here?”
“Of course I am, my good woman. I would not be here otherwise.”
Throckmorton quickly realised that the people that the little man worked for must have intercepted his letter. Perhaps the man had done so himself and had been monitoring Throckmorton's movements for some time now. Better be careful from now on. This thing clearly went deeper than Wiggy's letter had suggested.
Throckmorton decided to press the issue anyway, “I don’t suppose the curator could make a bit of time to see me, even though I do not have an appointment?”
"Weeeell," the secretary sounded doubtful, " I'm really not sure."
"If you would please, our business is rather urgent," Throckmorton tried his most winning smile."
"Very well, sir. Wait here one moment."
The secretary went through a large oak door. She soon returned and told the Colonel to go in.
“Well, what is it?” said the curator abruptly. He was clearly in a bit of a bad mood and was sporting a black eye. He also obviously had a hangover. It would appear that the curator was a bit of a one, as Throckmorton's mother might have said. Throckmorton soon mollified the curator and Cordelia was able to question him in detail about lower Aegyptus and the tribes of that area. The man he had encountered last night seemed to match descriptions of people from that area, which answered another question. The background detail was useful, but he would still have to head out there to find out what was really going on.
Scene: find a person
The Colonel found his quarry but with complications. He questioned him (DF2) and succeeded at getting the clue.
2 Clues
“Colonel Throckmorton P. Gladiolus to see the curator of Aegyptology, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“I wrote to him to book an appointment for today.”
“Very well,” said the curator’s secretary, “I shall check the diary." She leafed through a large, leather-bound desk diary. "Oh, I’m sorry sir, but you are not in it. Are you sure you wrote here?”
“Of course I am, my good woman. I would not be here otherwise.”
Throckmorton quickly realised that the people that the little man worked for must have intercepted his letter. Perhaps the man had done so himself and had been monitoring Throckmorton's movements for some time now. Better be careful from now on. This thing clearly went deeper than Wiggy's letter had suggested.
Throckmorton decided to press the issue anyway, “I don’t suppose the curator could make a bit of time to see me, even though I do not have an appointment?”
"Weeeell," the secretary sounded doubtful, " I'm really not sure."
"If you would please, our business is rather urgent," Throckmorton tried his most winning smile."
"Very well, sir. Wait here one moment."
The secretary went through a large oak door. She soon returned and told the Colonel to go in.
“Well, what is it?” said the curator abruptly. He was clearly in a bit of a bad mood and was sporting a black eye. He also obviously had a hangover. It would appear that the curator was a bit of a one, as Throckmorton's mother might have said. Throckmorton soon mollified the curator and Cordelia was able to question him in detail about lower Aegyptus and the tribes of that area. The man he had encountered last night seemed to match descriptions of people from that area, which answered another question. The background detail was useful, but he would still have to head out there to find out what was really going on.
Scene: find a person
The Colonel found his quarry but with complications. He questioned him (DF2) and succeeded at getting the clue.
2 Clues
Monday, 11 May 2009
Encounter in the Meadows
Throckmorton decided to head for Edinburgh to do some research at the local museum. It would not do to go blindly into this adventure. He wrote to the curator of Egyptology there to arrange a meeting before getting ready. He also sent a telegram to Cordelia to meet him at the museum; he would almost certainly need her specialist knowledge.
His flight left late on a rainy Wednesday afternoon; it was typical Scottish summer weather. He could tell that it was summer because the rain was vertical instead of horizontal. The plane was small and the other passengers were not particularly unusual, except for one man. This swarthy gentleman looked decidedly uncomfortable. It was clear that he did not like flying at all as he gripped the arm rests of his seat tightly. In fact, the look of relief on his face was so great when they landed again that Throckmorton nearly burst out laughing.
He noticed the strange gentleman again at the hotel. The man was checking in shortly after Throckmorton had done so. Coincidence? Possibly. Still, looking at the chap, he really did not fit the typical mould. Although he dressed well and his clothes fitted him well, the man managed to look completely out of place in them. It was as though he were wearing a costume. Perhaps something was up. Throckmorton made a point of noticing which room the man was booked into. Then, after his supper he decided to take an evening constitutional in the Meadows.
The park was largely empty when Throckmorton walked through it and it was easy to see the swarthy man trying to inconspicuously follow him. The man looked nervous, as though he had to do something that he did not really want to do. Throckmorton bided his time and led the man further into the open, where he could not retreat easily into a crowd of people. Suddenly, Throckmorton turned and raced towards the man, who stood stunned, completely caught out by this sudden action. Although ferocious, Throckmorton's assault was clumsy and the man managed to fend off the first assault, but failed to stop an uppercut that laid him out unconscious. The Colonel carried the man back to his hotel room, pretending that the man had drunk too much. With the man tied up, he splashed water in his face and brought him round from his faint.
“You will never make me talk,” the man blustered, “and you must not answer your friend’s call. It will go the worse for you if you do. I am just here to warn you to stay away.”
The Colonel digested this information and proceeded to question the little man. It was soon clear that he knew very little, but there was enough to be going on. He returned the man to his own hotel room and left him there, tied up. The maid would find him in the morning, but it would give the Colonel a bit of time to get on with his own investigations.
This was a travel encounter with a Rep 3 Civilian. The Colonel gained the Upper Hand on that table and then only just managed to wound the man, who was immediately out of the fight. He then beat the man on an opposed task test to get 1 clue.
Clues: 1
His flight left late on a rainy Wednesday afternoon; it was typical Scottish summer weather. He could tell that it was summer because the rain was vertical instead of horizontal. The plane was small and the other passengers were not particularly unusual, except for one man. This swarthy gentleman looked decidedly uncomfortable. It was clear that he did not like flying at all as he gripped the arm rests of his seat tightly. In fact, the look of relief on his face was so great when they landed again that Throckmorton nearly burst out laughing.
He noticed the strange gentleman again at the hotel. The man was checking in shortly after Throckmorton had done so. Coincidence? Possibly. Still, looking at the chap, he really did not fit the typical mould. Although he dressed well and his clothes fitted him well, the man managed to look completely out of place in them. It was as though he were wearing a costume. Perhaps something was up. Throckmorton made a point of noticing which room the man was booked into. Then, after his supper he decided to take an evening constitutional in the Meadows.
The park was largely empty when Throckmorton walked through it and it was easy to see the swarthy man trying to inconspicuously follow him. The man looked nervous, as though he had to do something that he did not really want to do. Throckmorton bided his time and led the man further into the open, where he could not retreat easily into a crowd of people. Suddenly, Throckmorton turned and raced towards the man, who stood stunned, completely caught out by this sudden action. Although ferocious, Throckmorton's assault was clumsy and the man managed to fend off the first assault, but failed to stop an uppercut that laid him out unconscious. The Colonel carried the man back to his hotel room, pretending that the man had drunk too much. With the man tied up, he splashed water in his face and brought him round from his faint.
“You will never make me talk,” the man blustered, “and you must not answer your friend’s call. It will go the worse for you if you do. I am just here to warn you to stay away.”
The Colonel digested this information and proceeded to question the little man. It was soon clear that he knew very little, but there was enough to be going on. He returned the man to his own hotel room and left him there, tied up. The maid would find him in the morning, but it would give the Colonel a bit of time to get on with his own investigations.
This was a travel encounter with a Rep 3 Civilian. The Colonel gained the Upper Hand on that table and then only just managed to wound the man, who was immediately out of the fight. He then beat the man on an opposed task test to get 1 clue.
Clues: 1
A Letter From An Old Friend
Throckmorton was sitting at home in Gladiolus Towers, resting between adventures. He had been at home for rather too long and was getting a little bored stalking deer and walking in the hills. However, just this morning he had received a letter from an old army friend. Eustace “Wiggy” Wiggins was with His Majesty’s army in Aegypt, guarding the borders from possible Italian incursion. He seemed to have a lead on a rather different sort of problem at the moment. Strange rumours were emerging from down the Nyle river and the natives were in uproar about them. Wiggy was suggesting that the Colonel should come and investigate. It would appear that a great and ancient treasure had been rediscovered and that a previously unknown tribe had emerged from the interior to claim it. Well, this certainly boded well for entertainment. Throckmorton jumped to his feet and rang for his batman.
“Pack the bags, Simpson, I shall be going on a jaunt to Aegypt. And get Grimes to pack the kit and escort it to Southampton. We shall be departing from there in a week or so, there’s a good chap.”
Mission: Find a treasure
Villain: Ancient Civilisation (Rep 5 Villain)
“Pack the bags, Simpson, I shall be going on a jaunt to Aegypt. And get Grimes to pack the kit and escort it to Southampton. We shall be departing from there in a week or so, there’s a good chap.”
Mission: Find a treasure
Villain: Ancient Civilisation (Rep 5 Villain)
Sunday, 10 May 2009
The Heroes
Colonel Throckmorton P. Gladiolus (Ret.)
Explorer
Rep: 4, Star Power: 2, RPs: 4
Primary Attribute: Brawn
Advantage: Fearless
Disadvantage: Distinguishing feature
Weapons: Sword Cane, .455 Webley
Brawn Skills: Climb, Shooting, Melee
Brain Skills: Clever
Bravado Skills: Influence
The Colonel was always involved in exploration and missions to out-of-the-way places when he was in the army. Upon retiring from the army, he took up exploration as a full time job. Being independently wealthy helps with this. The family home, Gladiolus Towers, lies in the north of Scotland and it is here that he rests between adventures.
The Colonel has a nasty scar on his face, where a native spear thrust marred his otherwise rugged good looks. Otherwise, he is known for his physical skills rather than his mental ones. He often calls on his friends for expert knowledge when dealing with issues beyond his ken. Cordelia Baxendale, an archaeologist friend is one of these friends. The Colonel has long entertained feelings for her, but has never dared to express them to her. Other helpers include his ghillie, Geoff Grimes, a dour Yorkshireman, whose taciturn nature might well derive from a view that a man only has a certain number of words to spend in his life.
Cordelia Baxendale
Rep 4 Co-Star and Love Interest
Primary attribute: Brains
Archaeologist 4
Know Obscure Language (Ancient Aegyptian) 4
Pistol
Geoff Grimes
Rep 4 Extra (Guide)
Tracking 4
Rifle
ExplorerRep: 4, Star Power: 2, RPs: 4
Primary Attribute: Brawn
Advantage: Fearless
Disadvantage: Distinguishing feature
Weapons: Sword Cane, .455 Webley
Brawn Skills: Climb, Shooting, Melee
Brain Skills: Clever
Bravado Skills: Influence
The Colonel was always involved in exploration and missions to out-of-the-way places when he was in the army. Upon retiring from the army, he took up exploration as a full time job. Being independently wealthy helps with this. The family home, Gladiolus Towers, lies in the north of Scotland and it is here that he rests between adventures.
The Colonel has a nasty scar on his face, where a native spear thrust marred his otherwise rugged good looks. Otherwise, he is known for his physical skills rather than his mental ones. He often calls on his friends for expert knowledge when dealing with issues beyond his ken. Cordelia Baxendale, an archaeologist friend is one of these friends. The Colonel has long entertained feelings for her, but has never dared to express them to her. Other helpers include his ghillie, Geoff Grimes, a dour Yorkshireman, whose taciturn nature might well derive from a view that a man only has a certain number of words to spend in his life.
Cordelia Baxendale
Rep 4 Co-Star and Love InterestPrimary attribute: Brains
Archaeologist 4
Know Obscure Language (Ancient Aegyptian) 4
Pistol
Geoff Grimes
Rep 4 Extra (Guide)Tracking 4
Rifle
In the beginning
I posted a review of the Larger than Life pulp adventure rules from TwoHourWargames over on my Ooh Shiny Complex blog recently. In it I identified some issues with rules that I felt needed addressing. As part of my extended testing of the rules, I thought that I would post a complete scenario on this blog, and I may continue with further adventures if I find it sufficiently entertaining to do so and I can still afford the time.
Each scenario in Larger than Life comprises several scenes, much like a film. At the end of the scenario will be a final confrontation with the villain. This brings me to a minor gripe. In Larger than Life, the villain is called the Big Bad. To my ears that is far too modern and does not give the flavour of the pulps. Therefore I shall refer to the villain rather than the Big Bad. It's a matter of taste.
Not every scene in a Larger than Life scenario will result in a figure game, and I identified in my review that the non-game scenes were actually rather sterile in terms of the mechanics of dealing with them. One of the things that the rules suggest you do is keep a journal of your character's adventures. This blog is that journal. By writing each scene up as an entry in that journal, you can bring to the game much more atmosphere and the figure games themselves will have more background. In doing so, I hope to show what can be done with the game and also to test it out.
A Larger than Life scenario, as well as being organised into scenes, revolves around clues. Each scene is based on the idea that you are looking for someone or something that will help you reach your goal. At the start of the scene you roll for what the aim of the scene is, where it will take place and how you get there. One conclusion I have come to in generating the initial entries for this journal is that the dice rolls for determining where you go and how you get there do not always make sense. Therefore, I shall not always follow them. Sometimes a particular location or approach is the logical next step, so I shall do that instead. On other occasions, the dice rolls have created interesting situations that require a certain amount of imagination to fit them in. Where this is entertaining, I have done so.
In order to have the final showdown, you need a minimum of 10 clues if your character is Rep 4, as mine is. On average, you would need 14 clues, and there is always a chance that you will not actually get the clue when you go looking for it. Therefore, a Larger than Life game can consist of a lot of scenes. It is also possible that the villain will come looking for you, which can then lead to capture, villainous soliloquoys and daring escape attempts. Will we see all of those in this one game? Who knows?
And so, on with the game ...
Each scenario in Larger than Life comprises several scenes, much like a film. At the end of the scenario will be a final confrontation with the villain. This brings me to a minor gripe. In Larger than Life, the villain is called the Big Bad. To my ears that is far too modern and does not give the flavour of the pulps. Therefore I shall refer to the villain rather than the Big Bad. It's a matter of taste.
Not every scene in a Larger than Life scenario will result in a figure game, and I identified in my review that the non-game scenes were actually rather sterile in terms of the mechanics of dealing with them. One of the things that the rules suggest you do is keep a journal of your character's adventures. This blog is that journal. By writing each scene up as an entry in that journal, you can bring to the game much more atmosphere and the figure games themselves will have more background. In doing so, I hope to show what can be done with the game and also to test it out.
A Larger than Life scenario, as well as being organised into scenes, revolves around clues. Each scene is based on the idea that you are looking for someone or something that will help you reach your goal. At the start of the scene you roll for what the aim of the scene is, where it will take place and how you get there. One conclusion I have come to in generating the initial entries for this journal is that the dice rolls for determining where you go and how you get there do not always make sense. Therefore, I shall not always follow them. Sometimes a particular location or approach is the logical next step, so I shall do that instead. On other occasions, the dice rolls have created interesting situations that require a certain amount of imagination to fit them in. Where this is entertaining, I have done so.
In order to have the final showdown, you need a minimum of 10 clues if your character is Rep 4, as mine is. On average, you would need 14 clues, and there is always a chance that you will not actually get the clue when you go looking for it. Therefore, a Larger than Life game can consist of a lot of scenes. It is also possible that the villain will come looking for you, which can then lead to capture, villainous soliloquoys and daring escape attempts. Will we see all of those in this one game? Who knows?
And so, on with the game ...
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