County Roads Z Campaign (6/4/25 Mission 7 AAR with pics!!)

[Legionnaire]

Legionnaire, I've just had a good read through. Very gripping writing, very immersive. Reports are superb and I will be following with great interest.

Lord Snapcase, sir! I am honoured to receive these wonderful sentiments, especially when knowing the high quality of games you Gentlemen of Much Piddling are showcasing. Many thanks for your time reading and for your very kind words.

Regards,

Legionnaire. 

[Doug ex-em4]

I’m loving the narrative details. Tell me, was Damon’s decision to leave decided by the system (in other words, was it a die roll on a chart that dictated his having to leave) or was it down to your decision based on how you see the story developing?

Doug

[Legionnaire]

I’m loving the narrative details. Tell me, was Damon’s decision to leave decided by the system (in other words, was it a die roll on a chart that dictated his having to leave) or was it down to your decision based on how you see the story developing?

Doug

The narrative is just my own interpretations of the action on the tabletop, but thank you sir for your kind words regarding my modest efforts  .

The game tracks Hunger and Exhaustion, if you haven't enough food or beds for the survivors, you'll get these. Along with a threat of Zombie Siege (too much noise from construction, time since last siege etc). If those combined ratings reach a certain number, in game rules, one survivor of the lowest Tier will leave (too dangerous, too little food, too cramped...).

So, I have three Tier 1 characters. Kelly-Ann was not going to leave, Bernice is a tough cookie so I decided to "let" Damon go.  He DID have the skill Break (which is used for smashing down walls to gain entry to locked places), but Gloria has Enter (kind of a sneaky burglar skill, from all that excavating she's done).

I need to make sure the base is set up with food and beds first.  Then I will be looking at relocating to a bigger place, that can house a Medical Station, plan to research the Virus but also need a character with Medicine skill 2+.

That's the long term plans for now. But it'll take me a couple of missions at least to solidify my current position.

Also, need to paint up the rest of my zombies and survivors  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[CapnJim]

Well, sumbitch!  That was a gripping series of reports...couldn't stop reading them. 

Looking forward to see how these next 2 missions go...so, Bernice and Billy-Ray are gonna stay back and guard the fort?

[Legionnaire]

Well, sumbitch!  That was a gripping series of reports...couldn't stop reading them. 

Looking forward to see how these next 2 missions go...so, Bernice and Billy-Ray are gonna stay back and guard the fort?

You are too kind, Sir, but I am very happy that my efforts are appreciated and that you lot are enjoying reading them, many thanks for your time reading and commenting  .

And with that, you are now giving me some narrative ideas... 

Rules wise, I assign Duties to people in the community. They can only be assigned one Duty per game turn (about 1 week in time), be it constructing a new facility, recuperating or going on a mission. Because I've already assigned Billy-Ray to constructing a Garden and Bernice to build some Extra Beds, they HAVE to stay behind when the others go on their missions.

There MIGHT be a little prelude up this weekend, if I get a chance  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[Legionnaire]

GAME TURN 3 PROLOGUE (Week 3, March 202...)

It was mid-March and it had rained almost non-stop for the past week, we had only caught a few glimpses of the sun and I think our collective mood was affected, everyone were a bit miserable. Damon had left us for his own reasons yesterday, and I felt I should address some of that. We were only gathered in the same place at meal times, so as breakfast was served, I stood up and felt everyone's eyes on me.
“Good morning everyone, I hope you've all slept as well as you can, because there's lot for us to do today.” I looked at them all in turn. Senor Vidal with his bushy white moustache seemed deep in thought, Shivani was fletching an arrow. Big Billy-Ray drank deeply from the coffee cup, whilst Kelly-Ann cradled his broad shoulders for support and comfort, I guess. Bernice actually shut her mouth, she had let EVERYONE know that she blamed the government for The Rot happening in the first place and Gloria, she just leaned back in her seat, brushing some fluff off her shoulder.

“But before we go into that, I feel that there a few ground rules that should to be laid down, to avoid any confusion. We have all made it this far, it doesn't matter much how. But, tolerance, THAT is the key. Regardless of your gender identity (Gloria had had a wife), age group (senor Vidal was pushing 70, Billy-Ray, Kelly-Ann and Bernice were only in their early 20's), cultural origins (I was a Swede, Shivani of Sikh origin), religious beliefs etc, none of that trumps, and this is really important to understand, that it's very unlikely, if we don't work together and work past whatever disagreements we may have, NONE of us will survive for very long.” I paused to let that sink in. No one were eating.

“Regardless of your past (I suspected Billy-Ray and probably Bernice too, to have had run-ins with the law), THIS is your second chance. We have taken you in and we are happy to have you here. But in turn, everyone have to do their bit to help out. I really can't stress enough how important it is for everyone to be able to get along. Because, anyone who is putting the community at risk in any shape or form, WILL be evicted! No if's, no but's. I won't repeat myself, so this will be the only warning you will get.” People were glancing at each other around the table, with different emotions, from senor Vidal nodding slightly to Bernice rolling her eyes and lighting up a cigarette taking an aggressive drag. But, everyone there had no doubt in their minds that none of my words were anything but the truth.

“Now, with all that out of the way. Senor Vidal, would you please be so kind?” the table was quickly cleared and the well thumbed map of the surrounding area was laid out. There were scribbles in the margins in biro and highlight markers had been used at different places as we mapped out the territory.
“As you all know, senor Vidal is a longtime resident in these parts so here's what we know,” I let them study the map, their heads leaning in to see better. Shivani and I had been busy over the past few weeks to get a better lay of the land. Some areas were deemed too dangerous whilst others were much more appealing.

I nodded to Shivani and smiled encourangingly. I knew she wasn't very comfortable talking in public, a bit shy and reserved, I had the impression something had happened to her in the past that made it difficult for her to get out of her shell. She wiped her palm off on her trousers and licked her lip. She fiddled with her pony tail, a sure sign that she was nervous, but she stood up and cleared her throat.
“Umm,” her soft voice barely audiable, so she tried again.
“so... we have discussed how best to move forwards. Food is of a pressing concern, we have to move out tomorrow to take whatever we can find. HERE,” she indicated a farm shop a little way away,
“we think there'll be plenty. Obie, myself and Kelly-Ann will be heading there at first light.” The rain pattered the windows and I sighed, I hoped it'd let up tomorrow, but was none too optimistic about it. During my national service basic training, my second lieutenant had said: “There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!” I still to this day disagree with him on that! Shivani sat back down quietly as soon as she stopped talking, looking at the table.

“Meanwhile,” senor Vidal's pleasant barytone with a hint of a Spanish accent continued.
“because we feel that now that we are so many here, we are in need of a transport. Both to be able to pick up more provisions and also to be able to explore further away, not being restricted to how far we can walk in a day, mrs Nguyen and I are going HERE.” He stabbed his finger at a place called Three Willows.
“This is... was a sort of a recreation spot for mainly families. Barbecues, cheap trailers, playgrounds, forest walks and such. All about an affordable holiday for those on a low income really. I hope to find a suitable vehicle or two in working condition that we can bring back here. I've been informed that mrs Ngyuen is a very accomplished driver.” she laughed and smiled at that. She had indeed driven everything from an ATV to a fully loaded articulated lorry during her expeditions to Central- and South America. Many times on appaling roads.

“Billy-Ray and Bernice, I know it's less exciting but not less important, in fact maybe THE most important. You two will remain here and finish your work. If we can't start growing things in the garden and getting a good night's rest, EVERYTHING will be severely impacted. So all being well, we will have new beds to sleep in tomorrow night and soon have fresh grown stuff from our garden. Does anyone have anything else to add or discuss?” I saw Billy-Ray hesitate, as if there was something, but he obviously had second thoughts and settled.

“SCHWISH, SCHWISH, SCHWISH,” I found the sound of the whetstone against the blade of the heavy brush knife soothing. The blade was showing signs of heavy wear, not so surprising when it cut through human bone and cartilage on almost a daily basis. I was making my final preparations for tomorrow, it was dark outside and I was going to turn in soon. We had a busy day ahead of us. ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL it said on my t-shirt. That album had been played a lot during my late teens. My hearing was affected by too many concerts and too loud music, but maybe, because of the quiet background noise in the world in general or maybe just because I was more aware, I heard the floorboards shift.

“Hello Billy-Ray,” I didn't even need to turn around. I knew I was right.
“Umm, boss. Can I have a word? Please?” he sounded worried so I put down the blade and turned around, indicating for him to close the door behind him. His massive shadow fell upon me. He was twitchy and on edge. I waited patiently for him to continue.
“Aww, s*it! I don't know how to explain this boss!” he was pacing to and fro.
“That's ok Billy-Ray, take your time.” I said softly.
“See, it's like this boss. When I tried to get back here and I found the car, I got injured by one of those f*cking zombies! If it wasn't for Gloria, I would never have made it. I owe her! But...” he hesitated.
“it still feels like... like there's... SOMETHING in there. F*ck! I don't know how to explain it boss!” He fidgeted agitatedly.
“Try, how do you mean?” I was paying him my full attention now. This was news to me.
“Like... there's something inside my blood that's not... well... ME!” he shrugged his shoulders, pleading with me to make sense of it all. I took out my torch and looked him over, feeling for a fever, examing the wound. No raised temperature, the wound looked like it was healing nicely. But as I was going to give up, something caught my attention. A slight tinge of purple discolouration of his eyelids, I probably wouldn't have noticed it in daylight.
“I really don't know what it is mate, I'm no doctor nor a scientist so I can only speculate. Maybe, even if you don't die immediatiely from an attack, that the zeds leave you with something to fester,” I pushed him back down in the chair again.
“I think that you are not at any risk now. Only potentially in weeks, maybe even months from now and possibly only when your infection, whatever it may be, has reached a sufficiently high level. You are strong as an ox, healthy, young, so don't worry. I really appreciate you coming to see me about this and I think we need to tell everyone else tomorrow. We NEED to able to trust each other. Any concerns you have, will have an impact on us all.” I squeezed his shoulder for reassurance and I could feel him shaking from anxiety and fear, but he nodded understandingly and left.

“S*IT!” I said quietly to myself as I sat down on the only chair in the room that I shared with senor Vidal. I don't swear often, but I definitely felt like doing it now. I took a deep breath. I had always enjoyed watching murder mysteries and forensic programs, so I tackled this new problem like a murder needing to be solved. When we come back tomorrow, I would pick Gloria's brain for some advice, she had seen many strange unexplainable things in her line of work... I put my kit in order and went to bed. The rain was pelting down on the roof and I soon drifted off to sleep, dreaming about insidious monsters erupting from the cadavers of my friends...

(In the rules, every time a character receives a Wound, they also receive 1 point of Infection, which is cumulative. You can ONLY heal Infection if you have a Medical Station AND someone with Medicine manning it. At a certain point, there is risk that the Infection break out consuming the character and Turning them in the night. Currently, Billy-Ray has got 1 point of Infection. When/ if he get's at least 4, there is a risk that he will succumb to it. 10 Infection points is the maximum you can have, but even then, it's not guaranteed that you will Turn...)

(Rolling for Weather, Week 3, I rolled 10, Rain Effect 2, so any Facility needing Water to work, can be supplied with rain. Would come in handy for the new Garden...)

If all goes according to plan, the two missions will be played over Tuesday-Wednesday.

Below, pictured the morning meeting with all the discussions and planning. Also pictured, the realisation that maybe not all is well with Billy-Ray after my examination...

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Interesting to hear the between game part as an AAR.

[Legionnaire]

Interesting to hear the between game part as an AAR.

That I blame Doug ex-EM4 for!!! His setup for his VBCW were incredibly inspirational and I nicked stole borrowed that idea for my own game  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[mikedemana]

Great storytelling. I am enjoying it -- I think it really adds to the whole thread. 

Mike Demana

[Doug ex-em4]

That I blame Doug ex-EM4 for!!! His setup for his VBCW were incredibly inspirational and I nicked stole borrowed that idea for my own game  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

Thanks for the name check, Legionnaire, I’m very proud to have had a tiny part in your great story

Doug

[Spinal Tap]

Your storytelling is top notch and I'm glad to see that you're including the between game stuff as well.

I'm about 6 games into CRZ and am keeping a paper diary of events; I may post up some AAR at some point but will keep it simple.

Thank you for giving so much time to enriching this game for us.

[Legionnaire]

Great storytelling. I am enjoying it -- I think it really adds to the whole thread. 

Mike Demana

Many thanks for your very kind words Mike  . I am playing it for my own amusement but knowing the games and the AAR's are appreciated here is giving it even more satisfaction. Careful now so my ego doesn't reach ginormous proportions  .

All being well, the two missions should be played tomorrow Tuesday and Wednesday.

With regards,

Legionnaire.

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the name check, Legionnaire, I’m very proud to have had a tiny part in your great story

Doug

Credit where credit's due sir!! When I first saw your excellent, evocative photo shots of your revolutionaries, I thought: "That's so cool! I want to do something like that too!". I make do with what scenery I have and the figures and try to fit it around the story I want to tell. So knowing you are appreciating my efforts, that means a lot  . Many thanks for the inspirations.

With kind regards,

Legionnaire.

[Legionnaire]

You're storytelling is top notch and I'm glad to see that you're including the between game stuff as well.

I'm about 6 games into CRZ and am keeping a paper diary of events; I may post up some AAR at some point but will keep it simple.

Thank you for giving so much time to enriching this game for us.

Those are some very appreciated words sir! I'm very glad that my ramblings are being read and appreciated so thank you very much for taking your time with my posting  .

When I play a game, I want to tell a story. Receiving the nice comments from all people here, it gives me the incentive to carry on doing what I am doing, to share it and let people experience my game.

I think I have found my own way of how to share an AAR and can't thank people enough for your kind comments. So, really, without you, I probably wouldn't make this effort  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[Legionnaire]

      GAME TURN 3, MISSION 1 OF 2

Hector Jesus Alonzo Vidal, his white hair and moustache flowing gently in the breeze, had no problem keeping up with Gloria Nguyen. She had spent most of her professional career as a professor of archeology, outdoors on excavation sites in Central and South America. The sun broke through the clouds and spread some very welcome warmth, although everything in sight was soaked with the heavy rainfall from the past few days. Senor Vidal's toolbelt clanked gently and he had a fully loaded pump shotgun in his hand with a handfull of spare shells in his pocket.  Gloria travelled lightly but senor Vidal had lent her a sharp chisel, just in case and she had packed some bandages and disinfectant.
“Babs, she would've loved you guys,” Gloria said as they splashed through a big puddle.
“Your wife Barbara? She sounds like a lovely lady and I would've loved to have met her” Senor Vidal smiled.
“She loved to cook and bake and had the most infectious laughter you could imagine. It was that laugh that drew me to her in the first place,” she had shown him a photograph of them together on their honeymoon to Hawaii. Her wife had been a tall, large black lady that radiated happiness.
“Hettie and I, we met in '76 in high school. The first time I saw her, I knew she was for me. We have had a good life. My daughter and son...” his initial joviality trailed off and he suddently remembered that they were no longer alive. His wife had passed away in cancer the previous year and his children and grand children he assumed had fallen victims to The Rot.
“Are you ok?” Gloria asked.
“I will be, but I think we shall remember those that have passed. Only when no one remembers them anymore, then they are truly dead,” he bent his head as if in a short prayer, Gloria noticed a silver crucifix hanging around his neck and he crossed himself.
“I wasn't particularly devout before The Rot, I mostly went to church because Hettie wanted to go. But, we all have our ways of coping,” he gave a brief sombre smile.
“We are nearly there now mrs Nguyen, so I think we need to put our minds to the task at hand.”
“Please, senor Vidal, call me Gloria,”
“Call me Hector in turn. Well then, Gloria, shall we?”

The swings were creaking in the wind and a merry-go-round came to a stop, it must've been nudged by a passing zombie. The paint work was faded and chipped, but Gloria had no doubt this still had been a popular place, it had charm. Several vehicles had been parked or abandoned here. A white Volvo, a high end Land Rover and a police patrol motorcycle, amongst others.
“Mierda!” Hector said with displeasure.
“That Land Rover would've been our best option, plenty of room and comfort, but look at all those zombies. It's as if they also admire it,” there were nearly half a dozen zombies in close proximity to the vehicle.
“I think that Volvo will be our best bet, it's out of the way of any zombies I can see. Great cars, reliable and even with only my basic tools, I'm sure I can get it up and running with a bit of work.”
“There's also some provisions scattered around, I think we should take some at least. None of us are the scrounger that Shivani is, but I'm sure we can find something useful.”
“And, I really don't fancy our chances IF I have to shoot. That will draw all zombie's attention. So nice and quietly is our best bet, we are severely outmatched.” Still, Hector brought out the shotgun and chambered a round, safety on. Just in case.

There was a pile of stuff lying in the road which probably had fallen off a vehicle and they found something useful, which Gloria put in her backpack before moving on. They froze! A zombie was rising up from the ground and stood swaying in place.
“I don't think it has spotted us,” Gloria whispered so quietly that Hector barely could hear her. He nodded.
“Let's make a BIG circle around it.” Taking their time, they gave it a wide berth and climbed over the sturdy stone wall, keeping a watchful eye on the zombie. They realised they had held their breath and sighed with relief. It didn't move.

They cautiously made their way to a makeshift camp in the copse of woods and rummaged through the remains.
“I have no more space to put anything in now,” Gloria said quietly, her small rucksack full.
“You make your way to that white Volvo, I shall just pick up what I can from those boxes by that blue trailer, then I think we need to get out of here,” Hector looked over the recreational site with watchful eyes. There was movement all over and a noisy shuffling from a large group shambling around the playground equipment. His boots were covered in mud he randomly reflected. Gloria nodded and moved towards the car. Volvo, Latin for roll, as in movement, a brand synonymous with safe and secure, and Obie would love this, being a Swede. She tried the door handle and stopped herself from letting out a loud yes when it opened. She slid into the seat and pulled the door shut as quietly as she could behind her. The interior smelled of an air freshener that was hanging from the rear view mirror. She cleared some mist off the windows and saw Hector move up to a pile of boxes by the trailer and putting some of it in his backpack. A zombie was standing on the other side of the trailer but hadn't seemed to notice their activity. Her mouth tasted of metal and she could barely swallow. She felt like she should be out there doing things, not sitting in the car. The Horde came shambling forth and Hector raised his head, like an animal sensing danger. He heard the shuffling steps from a zombie coming around the trailer and he KNEW, that whatever he was going to do would attract its attention.

Hector took a deep breath and went for it, his boots squelching in the rainsodden grass and mud, the zombie immediately gave chase, guttural gibbering as it zoned in on Hector.
“Comeoncomeoncomeon,” Gloria's heart was thundering in her chest as she saw Hector rushing past, A screwdriver in hand.
“Pop the hood!” he barked as the zombie drew nearer. She found the lever and there was the clonk as the hood opened. Hector was rummaging around for a few moments and suddenly the engine turned! The car was working. She gave a whoop of relief, but as Hector slammed down the hood, she saw a zombie launching itself at him!

The stench of the zombie's fetid decaying flesh filled Hectors nostrils, as it bit and clawed at him with rotting teeth and sharp fingernails. The thing was inhumanly strong and he was pinned against the metal of the car. His boots slipped in the mud and he gave out a cry of pain as the zombie's teeth sank into his shoulder, right through his rain coat and shirt!
“NO!” Gloria cried out from inside the car. She flung the door open and was coming out, chisel in hand. He felt warm blood trickling down his torso, the shock of it and the adrenaline numbed him but he knew that if he didn't get away pretty darn quick, it'd all be over. He could see many, many zombies moving towards them, drawn like flies to a cube of sugar.

“Get... off... me...” Hector braced himself and dug deep inside of him. Mouthing a prayer he pushed back against the zombie to free himself. They wrestled for control, but more through luck than skill, Hector slid back towards the car in the mud, out of reach from the zombie. A blur of black leather jacket and denim pants rushed past, as Gloria launched herself at the zombie. With quick, savage slashes with the chisel, she took it completely by surprise. It fell on the floor and she didn't stop stabbing until it lay completely still. She was caked in mud and gore and breathing heavily, the chisel was covered in blood.
“I didn't know I had it in me!” Gloria said shakily, the realisation of what she'd done dawning on her. She wobbled as she stood up.
“I think I'm going to be sick,”
“You can be as sick as you like in the car, Gloria, but we really need to move. NOW!” Hector pushed her into the car, she was not objecting, finding it difficult to think for herself right now. Hector was keeping an eye on the large group of zombies shambling towards them. He estimated at least ten.

Hector shoved Gloria in on the backseat and slid in behind the wheel. Manual. No problem, he could drive stick shift. He took a deep breath and looked skywards,
“Here goes,” he disengaged the handbrake and put it in gear, easy press down on the accelerator as the Volvo slowly pulled away, gaining speed. The noise from the engine drew EVERY zombie within earshot and he kept accelerating. The flimsy gate broke open without problems as they had taken care to unlock it before entering and the tyres made screetching noises as the car turned sharply to the right along the road, still gaining speed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Horde running as fast as it could after them, and one was ahead of the pack. It flung itself over the stone wall and the side mirror got knocked off as they sped past, the sharp THUNK made Gloria sit up, she was pale but had regained control of herself.
“Let me have a look at that nasty gash when it's safe to do so,” she said and took out her first aid supplies. Hector pulled into a layby a little further down the road so she could tend to it, then they made their way back home. In one piece, but it was getting more dangerous out there and they saw more zombies shuffling towards the Fennel house where they had their base.

(THAT was a close call, Hector needed to roll 6+ on a D10 to Repair the car and he succeeded on the first try. Then he unluckily got injured but rolling a 9 for Gloria attacking in desperation, needing 6+ had me sweating nervously and then sighing deeply with relief! It could've gone so badly if I hadn't fixed the car so quickly.

Hector and Billy-Ray have 1 Infection point each but are otherwise healthy and able to do assignments without penalties.)