A day in the woods (with a hint of Cthulhu) – A Pulp Alley AAR
The Somnabulist and I enjoyed our introductory Pulp Alley mini-campaign and we have now started a full blown adventure. Here is the account of the first, tentative encounter somewhere in the deserted hills ...
The scenario is “Race Against Time” with the pyramid of temporal deliverance as the major plot point. The four minor plot points were a bloodstained journal hidden within the exhumed coffin, a bound informant, a case of high jacked explosives and a jewelled orb within a small casket. The group of cultists (played by me) are defending the sacred site (“for the greater good”) against the incursions of Lobster Johnson and his group of none believers (played by The Somnabulist).
The game is set in open woodland with a few old huts and some arcane ruins and a burial yard dotted around.
The Cultist deploy in a defensive position, ready to thwart any attempts at disturbing the ritual to open the portal and summon “it that shall remain nameless”.
Whilst Lobster and his mates lurk in a corner ready to intercede ...
Lobster’s group advance, in a roundabout way, towards the portal managing to collect the case of hijacked explosives on the way.
Whilst “He Who Must Be Obeyed” orders “The Other” to obtain the jewelled orb as an offering to “it”.
The melodic chanting continues at the portal as “HWMBO” succeeds in his second attempt to maintain control, whilst protected by an understanding and locally recruited good ol’ boy
“The Other” sees an opportunity for the greater good and attacks one of Lobster’s group who had been rather annoying with his BAR. A quick leap and a successful attack leaves the BAR guy on the ground with The Other about to make lunch of him.
On the other side of the encounter area, Lobster’s “Femme Fatal” caries the explosive over to the bound informant, having watched one of the cultist attempt, fail and be shot near the informant
Lobster himself makes a mad dash for the portal ...
Assisted by Femme Fatal, Lobster takes out the good ol’ boy. But fails to interrupt the ritual; a third success and the portal is open ...
This is our third encounter and the game progressed really well with only minimal checking of the rules. We both enjoyed the scenario, but in an unusual twist the cultist managed to control the initiative for most of the game.
Most of the scenery and the Lobster group by The Somnabulist with a few bits and pieces and the Cultist group by me.
Where will the adventure take us next ?
RMZ