Played scenario 1 of the Perilous Island campaign with my kids on Sunday. It’s been about 5 years since we last played (
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=105591.msg1314055#msg1314055) but the rules are so simple that it didn’t matter. We used the same leagues that we used back then except we switched roles. I had the honor (alongside my youngest daughter) of playing the Nerves of Steele league, led by the courageous and dashing Guy Steele. My oldest son, who has gotten to the age where he wants to be the villain in every game we play, led the Cult of the Emerald Scorpion, accompanied by his younger brother. We had so much fun that they immediately wanted to play again so we did scenario 2 as well. This is a write up of the first game. Only took a few bad pics and they are included to provide some visuals. Write up for the second will follow soon.
Legends tell of an ancient civilization, from which all other great civilizations sprung, that mysteriously disappeared into the ocean over 10,000 years ago. From Plato himself, down through the ages, stories of Atlantis have driven thousands to dream and some to act, oft times to their own destruction. Recent discoveries on both sides of the Atlantic make some believe that this legendary civilization may be more fact than fiction.
Greatest among the legends of strange Atlantean artifacts is the rumour of an advanced power source, one that allowed them to develop technologies far beyond those of their contemporaries, and even many of todays modern marvels. In the wrong hands, such power could be used to rule the world or set it ablaze.
Lord Dudley Darrow is one of those for whom Atlantis has been a life long pursuit. A highly respected Archeologist, holding numerous prestigious awards, and regarded as an expert in his field, Lord Darrow set out five years ago to prove the existence of the Atlantean Empire.
Many believe that during his expedition, the man simply went mad. His writings became sporadic and more obsessive in tone. He wrote of an amazing discovery, but never produced a single artifact to support his outlandish claims. Lord Darrow squandered his fortune, abandoned his daughter, and single-mindedly continued his seemingly mad quest for Atlantis. Word has now come that he has disappeared entirely.
His lawyer has contacted Major Neville Mallory, who served under Darrow during the Great War, knowing that Mallory has taken to globetrotting adventures with the children of his deceased best friend. The hope is that this group of adventurers, led by Guy Steele, can find Darrow’s daughter and inform her of her father’s disappearance.
His daughter, Lady Elaine Darrow, a renowned archeologist in her own right, is uncovering an ancient Mayan site in British Honduras, when Mallory and his companions track her down. Unknown to them the evil Cult of the Emerald Scorpion is also looking for Lady Elaine. The nefarious Scorpion Master is obsessed with uncovering the lost power of Atlantis and believes that Darrow’s daughter may be the key to uncovering his whereabouts.
Location: small Mayan temple in British Honduras.
Lady Elaine, at the center, looks at the pyramid her team has almost finished uncovering from years of jungle overgrowth. To the northeast lies a stone covered in Mayan carvings. To the southeast are crates of items taken from the site ready to be loaded on the waiting trucks and shipped to the British Museum in London. Lady Elaine’s lady’s maid is on the southwest side of the pyramid while their camp site is to the northwest.
Guy Steele and his companions spread out in the jungle on approach to the site, hoping to investigate as many potential leads as possible while not spooking anyone at the camp. They emerged at different places and moved towards their intended targets. Guy moved directly towards Lady Elaine, walking slowly in an attempt to avoid startling her.
From the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of movement and looked to the north, seeing green robed cultists emerge from the trees. Acting on reflex he drew his Webley from it’s holster and snapped off a shot, while calling to Lady Elaine to take cover. Bullets flew through the air back at him but none found their mark. Having only half convinced the mistrustful archaeologist that he was there to help her, Guy decided that actions speak louder than words and moved to engage the cultists who were slowly creeping out of the jungle.
On the other side of the pyramid Molly O’Brien approached Lady Elaine’s maid. Talking quietly to reassure her that she meant no harm, Molly closed the distance quickly. Hearing gunfire she pulled her pistol and looked around but saw no sign of immediate danger. After a while she was able to convince the quiet girl that she was there to help her mistress.
Ruairidh made his way towards the half buried artifact only to be surprised by half of the Cult members coming towards him. He let loose with his trusty tommy gun Morag and was answered with a similar response. Despite the surrounding vegetation being torn to shreds, both sides of the fight emerged unscathed.
Major Mallory and Penny Steele headed for the crates sitting by the trucks to investigate any potential leads that could be gathered. Penny sent her faithful hound Finn running towards the pyramid to scout ahead. Upon hearing the sounds of engagement to the north Mallory unshouldered his rifle and began firing at the cultists as he caught sight of them through the trees. He climbed on top of one of the trucks to try and get a better vantage point. Penny continued on to the crates, determined to find something that could help their cause. As she clambered up the pile of boxes she lost her footing and fell hard.
As his minions distracted the Steeles and their friends, the Scorpion Master made his way to Lady Elaine’s camp to see if there was anything of worth hidden amongst her personal belongings. He soon found a letter from Lord Darrow himself and quickly secreted it within his robes. Exulting in his discovery he next decided to see if he could corner Lady Elaine and “convince” her to give him the information he needed to find her father. He quickly moved toward her but was stopped by the gunfire that was now flying fast and free.
One of the cultists saw his master’s intent and decided to try and win favor by detaining Lady Elaine. He was interrupted by a flash of grey fur as Finn leapt from the undergrowth and sunk his teeth into the man’s flesh. Sadly the cunning canine was no match for the heavy butt of the shotgun wielded by the foul follower, who quickly brought it down on the dog’s skull.
Other members of the deadly cult continued to engage with Ruairidh near the buried stone. One of their mechanical scorpion constructs closed with the brave Scotsman and attempted to deliver it’s venomous payload. Ruairidh blocked the stinger tail with Morag, only to be swept off his feet by the machine’s claws. With the immediate danger removed, the other cultists attempted to interpret the markings on the ancient relic. They appeared to have been successful as they soon moved away from the artifact. To their surprise, Ruairidh got to his feet and opened up with his Thompson once more, driving them back. In response their metal beast once again brought the man low with a sweep of it’s claws. The cultists quickly took advantage of the situation and moved to intercept Lady Elaine.
Meanwhile Molly, having gotten Elaine’s maid to safety, had crept over to the crates which Penny and Mallory had been unable to investigate. She pried one open and snatched out a small artifact inside. As she secured it in a canvas bag she hoped that closer inspection under safer circumstances would reveal something that would help them later.
Major Mallory, seeing the impending danger that Lady Elaine was about to encounter, ran towards her to try and finish what Guy had begun earlier. In his haste he did not notice that one of the cultists was taking aim with his pistol. The crack of the shot rang in his ears a nanosecond before the pain pierced his leg, driving him to the ground.
Guy, seeing the same danger heading towards Elaine, attempted to go to her, only to be intercepted by the Scorpion Master himself.
The dastardly deviant had timed his attack well. As he and Guy traded blows, his followers were able to reach Darrow’s daughter and abscond with her, a pistol in her back to encourage her along. Guy wanted desperately to pursue them but with most of his companions injured or unconscious, he decided that they would have to find another way to fulfill their mission.
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April 20, 2024, 12:49:04 AM
December 22, 2012, 05:39:42 PM