Pulp Alley Scenario - Get Greystoke AAR

My goodness what a difference a shake up in abilities and terrain and bring to the party.  This time hidden was used to successfully, though more from fear of the ladies gun line than - oh wait it was tactics in play!

In the end Lord Ackerley had a win but it was hard won and only through some vicious card play at times that things went his way in the end.  The ladies did not play fair, and the men quite frankly hid and used Ackerley's Harmless ability to save the day, that and hide a lot.  Perilous terrain also took it's toll, the giant man eating plants got Pike in the end.

A Story...

Garfield struggled to pull his booted foot out of the clinging and sucking mucking mud for what must have been the millionth step.  His muscles ached, the clothes were drenched in sweat, the insects were positively growing fatter from his blood each time he swatted them away.  He looked ahead and marvelled that Ackerley hadn't even broken into a proper sweat yet, it must be all that damn tea he was swilling.

Slowly the dense jungle thinned slightly to rockier ground and exposed ruins of some prehistoric civilisation.  Garfield recalled Tarzan entertaining them one night at Bumrush Hall, about how there had been a mighty yet questionable civilisation in these lands.  No one had properly investigated the ruins and it had an evil reputation with the natives.

"Ackers, I think it would be best that we stick together old bean.  I've always read stories where adventurers who split up are picked off one by one until..."

Ackerley, Lord Wishart turned and gave Garfield a disbelieving look. 

"Nonsense man!  You can't believe everything you read.  No I won't hear a word of it.  We're British, we're the equal of any savage we're likely to encounter here, man or beast, alone or together.  For God's sake man, were's your Pluck!"

Garfield saw that there was no arguing with Ackerley when he was like that so he looked at the terrain and made a decision.

"Batty, I want you to go check those not threatening looking ruins that look like a evil wizards tower.  I'm sure there is nothing there that should worry you.  Pikey, take the left flank and check the far section of ruined garden section, Niles you do the same but take the right closer to us.  Don't pay any attention to those large giant man eating plants, I'm sure they are figments of our imaginations... I hope.  Jabari, stick with his Lordship and for heaven sake keep your hat on.  Right, off we go!"

Table setup with: The giant man eating plant garden with two minor plots.

Table setup: He said - She said, with Tarzan in the perilous ruins.

The main party of Ackerly, Garfield and Jabari off to get the maps.

Damn those plants have run riot, should have brought some Agent Orange, whatever that might be?

The ladies (Ms Sorrow, Hazelwood & Friesenhahn) strategize and form a very effective and terrifying gun line.

Forthwright & Steihauer spot Archimedes in the garden talking to the plants.

How the end of the first turn looked.

Lady Hillary snuck through the underbrush but found she couldn't get a bead on anyone.

The ladies gun line advances but Ackerley's ability of Harmless saves him.

Garfield and Niles responding to the threat of the gun line and hiding.

Gladys encounters one of the perilous giant man eating plants but subdues it with a vicious kick to the berry sack.

Barrington against all odds succeeds in a perilous climb and spots Tarzan with a cherry 'ello chum.

A lot of hiding going on.  Ackerley is off solving minor plots.  Jabari is holding onto his hat tightly.

Gladys acquires the samples from Archimedes while Pike stealthily moves into position for a quick bang. 

Barrington dashes past Tarzan with a brief cheerio to support Ackerley who is making his way up the stairs.

 

Pike had his way with Gladys taking her out and saving the plot falling into the ladies hands.

The deadly, yet highly ineffective gun line, while still remaining capable of instilling fear - advances.

Ackerley having some quiet words with Tarzan, but before that he has to first deal with the perilous ruins he entered.

 

Jabari dashes forward ready to unleash the terror that is beneath his hat!  Lady Hillary obtains the map half.  Garfield remains hidden, waiting for a half decent opportunity... to run!

 

Ackerley having defeated the 500 year old curse now convinces Tarzan it's best to remain in Africa.

Jabari unleashes his deadly Peruvian killer moths and Hazelwood goes down as she attempts something cunning.  Niles in a rather unsportsmanlike manner shoots Sorrow in the back.

Pike stumbles upon a root... of the giant man eating plant and is subsequently taken out of play.
Steinhauer steps in and claims the dropped samples, hooray a plot recovered!

End of the turn six.  Lady Hillary beats a hasty retreat.  Jabari unleashes another torrent of deadly Peruvian killer moths removing Ms Friesenhahn.

OK not as detailed as my previous reports.  I'm finding it hard to keep notes, enjoy the games, and take photos all at the same time.  I'm thinking that maybe what I may do in future reports is try and recall the more memorable actions and re-stage the figures for a staged photo.

Lord Wishart 

Minor Plot - "Unhand me you savage!" +1 Gear

Minor Plot - "She said." +1 Backup 

Major Plot  - "You want me to vote." Red Herring

2VPs

Lady Shtop-Pitt 

Minor Plot "He said!" +1 Gear and +1 Backup

Minor Plot - "What leaving already?" +1 Gear

2VPs

A Story...

Ackerley sat on the squishy lump of tentacle that had attempted to pull him into the ruined tower when he had hailed Tarzan.  It had been touch and go there, he had almost dropped his cup and saucer, but who'd have thought that the tea he was drinking was deadly to the creature.  Yes he had saved his precious china, but spilt it's content over the questing creatures tentacles as it attempted to drag him into its dark den.  Tarzan had then finished it off, dashed sporting of him.

He then turned his gaze over the jungle musing on the affairs.  Mr Hackleman and Ms Dellinger seemed to have stopped arguing and would appear to have found common ground in an embrace.  Ah, love, it is the greatest cure to all anger, or was it the precursor of all wars?  Oh well, he was sure they'd work it out one way or the other.  

The ladies of the Association were being assisted with their dignity and would be sent on their way shortly.  He was sure that Lady Shtop-Pitt was lurking in the bushes somewhere nearby plotting evil thoughts his way, nasty piece of goods that one.  Pity, fine mind, just needs a good cause, rather than the mad one she hell bent on persuing.

A faint cry echoed from further down the ruined garden, accompanied by some vigorous thrashing amongst the plant life.

"Will someone please go and release Pikey from that damn plant.  I think it's taken just a little too much of a liking to him for his own good.  Niles, I think you'd better do that, Jabari is too busy trying to find those bloody moths of his.  Can't have them breeding out here, what would Quarantine Control say about it?"

Well he thought, all up not to bad an adventure.  He'd stuffed up the Foreign Offices plans for a while, Tarzan was nonplussed about what they had planned and has decided that he needs to truly get lost in Africa for a while.  Maybe he'd join him...

Viscount Greystoke is required to get a vote.

Mixing of present and past, having a go at all things thought sacred and confusing the hell out of people with what I write.  Have I managed to do that to you so far?  If not, then I clearly have not been trying hard enough!

Right oh then.  Lord Wishart and his brave band (League) of gentlemen are off to a coastal jungle area (which has marooned many an unfortunate person) in search of Viscount Greystoke, John Clayton who is desperately required for an upcoming crucial vote in the House of Lords.  However dastardly forces oppose the vote in the form of Lady Hillary Shtop-Pitt who has been dispatched by a sinister and secret group unknown to Parliament.

As an aside I am a huge admirer of Edgar Rice Burroughs, while I have actually yet to read his Tarzan works I have read his other titles which include John Carter, Carson of Venus and Pellucidar.  Could there be a trip to the mysterious Red Planet in the distant future?  Who knows, my imagination is a rather fertile environment only limited by my poor mental health.  Time will tell, just wait and see...

Minor Plots

"She said!" - Map section 
Garry Hackleman
Mr Hackleman and Ms Dellinger are the latest batch of marooned persons to wash up on this notorious piece of coastal jungle.  Each have part of a map that will allow them to reach "civilisation" and a slow boat back to true civilisation.  Mr Hackleman is a rather bluff individual and when he and Ms Dellinger came ashore soaked to the bone he made an off hand remark about her feminine figure.  Perhaps he should not have been holding the only map they had as in a pique of fury she swiped and tore the map asunder. Claiming the torn part she then promptly stuffed it down her cleavage.  Hackleman refuses to apologise until she returns his map section.  Luckily Tarzan came across them and has put them up until they can come to terms... whenever that might be.

Objective: Get the map section.

Dolores T. Dellinger

"He said!" - Map section
Dolores Dellinger
Dolores Dellinger is an American school mistress on her way to a teaching position with well to do family in Britain.  Her journey was interrupted by a squall which has resulted in her and one other individual - Mr Hackleman, being marooned on the African coast.  Ms Dellinger is rather prickly about her figure and after wading ashore soaked to the bone, the water having caused her clothes to cling to her body in ways she was not wanting to display, she got testy.  When Mr Hackleman made a rather bluff comment about her figure, she lost it, snatched part of the map detailing a way to safety, and shoved it into her bodice.  Dolores and Hackleman had been arguing at such volume it attracted the attention of Tarzan who offered them the comforts of his jungle home until they can sort out their differences.... if they can.

Objective: Get the map section.

Professor Archimedes Q. Porter

"What leaving already?" - Animal and plant specimens 
Professor Archimedes Q Porter
Currently pottering around the garden with his daughter Jane.  He's cataloguing a range of unusual giant man eating plants at present.  Archimedes has learnt that the giant man eating plants have a very sensitive root system which as long as you avoid the exposed roots will ensure you do not become it's dinner.  However just in case he makes a false move, he carries a supply of dead fauna to throw into the floras path, satiating the plant and allowing him to document it fascinating life cycle.

Objective: Obtain samples of the flora and fauna from Archimedes.

Mrs Clayton nee Jane Porter AKA Lady Greystoke

"Unhand me you savage!" - Hostage
Jane Porter
Once a bumbling damsel in distress she is now a formidable adventuress in her own right, fully capable of surviving and defending herself in the wilds of Africa.  The perfect companion for Tarzan.  Jane is currently keeping an eye on her father as he wanders through her garden, which includes several variety of giant man eating plants.

Objective: Claim Jane if you can to ensure Tarzan agrees to your Leagues agenda.

Major Plot

John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke AKA Tarzan

"You want me to vote!" - Hostage
John Clayton
After some time in civilisation John Clayton has returned to his domains in Africa.  Far from impressed with the affairs of civilised men, he has no interest in returning anytime soon to the polluted streets of city life.  He's currently poking around, perhaps unwisely, in an old ruined temple near his wife's prize garden of giant man eating plants.

Objective:
Lord Wishart ensure Tarzan remains in Africa.
Lady Shtop-Pitt get Tarzan to England for the vote.

A Story...

A polite knock at the library door brought Lord Wisharts attention to the present.

"Enter."

The door opened allowing Phillby the butler to announce a plump and flush faced man of middle years into the Safari Drawing Room.

"Mr Rueben Anchor of the Foreign Office, m'Lord," Phillby said closing the door and giving his master a knowing look, all while massaging his backside.

Ackerley looked with amusement at the plump bureaucrat as Anchor offered his pale limp hand in a halfhearted attempt at the handshake.

"My Lord Wishart, I come with the most urgent request from his Majesties Government," he lisped in a peculiarly girlish and very unmanly voice.

Looking up at the ceiling, Ackerley admired the artistry of the painted ceiling and wished desperately he had a gun at hand.  He sighed and put on a jovial voice of enthusiasm.

"Oh, don't tell me the Lord Chamberlains kitty cat is stuck up a tree again."  

Not bloody likely he thought the kitty cat in question was a male Bengal tiger weighing in at 480 odd pounds.  He had managed to persuade it down last time by bringing in Barrington.  The cat had caught one whiff of old Batty's scent, sensed the danger and bolted for the safety of its cage.

"No, something far more sinister, there's to be a vote in the House of Lords and we require every Lord present to be ensure the vote doesn't pass.  You have to go to Africa and bring back Viscount Greystoke."

"Tarzan!" exclaimed Ackerley, "good luck with that.  He's had shot of you rum lot after one of your... well I'm sure you know what he thinks of who makes up the current House.  Just what is this bill before the House that has this urgency?"

"It's a bill to pass equal rights for people who are not heterosexuals, the House won't hear of it."

Quite right thought Ackerley the House had enough queers and steers amongst them already legalise it and who knows what would come out from under the robes.

"But isn't that a good think, equal rights, you know you could extend it to women as well."

The look of utter horror that flashed across Anchors face was panicky as it was brief.

"No, certainly not.  Next thing they'll be running the country, then how will we tell who's frilly panties were left in chambers?  What!"

What indeed thought Ackerley.  Well he could not refuse a request from His Majesties Government, no matter how frivolous the matter.  Duty and honour, the by words of the Empire, God save the King!  After all he could always say he couldn't find Tarzan, or they got the dates wrong, he was sure Tarzan would be just as happy to play silly buggers with this sodding lot of buggers... literally.

"When's the vote?"

"Tomorrow.."

"Impossible," interjected Ackerley, "I know I'm bloody good but I can't get from Blighty to Africa in 24 hours.  Be reasonable old man."

"A vote is being put forward for a vote to be taken on the subject.  After which we will then vote on the substance of the vote, it's nature, the wording, how it might apply to the interpretation of the vote.  I expect it will be ready to be voted on in 18 months, unless we can get it to committee, in which case we can stall it indefinitely.  You'd best work on 18 months though, that should be plenty of time for a quick dash and grab."

Ackerley looked up at the ceiling again and just wondered what his bloody country was devolving to.  If things got any more hairy he'd have to join Tarzan and hope the friendly natives remained friendly...

The Ladies have a go... off to Africa

As part of a new adventure until Wong is found a side plot has been developed.  To further this along a new adversary was needed to which The Association to Preserve Animals (Right!) or as the English call them the Mad Taxidermists of Mayfair.  This group of women are hell bent on preserving what ever creature than can find, living or dead!  Hence they never get invited to tea parties and must socialise amongst their own sorry mad and insular selves, hence the mad part.

This League went with a different direction.  A League Perk of Companions (takes one slot, no Sidekick, but all Allies have two abilities) after all Lady Hillary will only accept lackies.  Which is not too bad a trade as they all come with two abilities.  We'll see how that pans out in the games to come.

The Association to Preserve Animals (Right!)

Lady Hillary Shtop-Pitt

Lady Hillary Shtop-Pitt
Leader

Lady Hillary is the type of woman mother warned you about.  The type you should never marry regardless the dowry she came with.  Hillary has gone through two husbands who all died of natural causes while on safari (in Victoria Park).  Needless to say she is now a widow for life, a bitter and twisted individual, a man hater to the core whose only joy is preserving whatever animal life has the misfortune to cross her path.

Brawl: 2d8, Shoot: 3d10, Dodge: 3d10
Might: 2d8, Finesse 3d10, Cunning 3d10

Abilities: Intimidating, Dread Gaze, Cloud Minds

Miss Earnestine Sorrow

Miss Earnestine Sorrow
Ally

Ernie is a deadly shot, pity it's with a hypodermic needle.  Her skills at wrestling creatures and sedating them for preparation is phenomenal. No finer surgeon has been expelled from the Royal Society of Surgeons for the inappropriate interference with a living patient with the intent to stuff and mount for display.  

Brawl: 2d6, Shoot: 1d6, Dodge: 1d6
Might: 2d6, Finesse: 1d6, Cunning: 2d6*

Abilities: Clever*, Doc

Miss Gladys Forthwright

Miss Gladys Forthwright
Ally

Gladys was Lady Hillary's nanny, she is nutty as a fruit cake, has bats in the belfry, is one sandwich short of a loaf, it's no wonder that Lady Hillary is herself not a stable individual.  Often seen walking her stuffed cat Winston for walks in Hyde Park she scares the bejeebers out of any sane person she stumbles across.  

Brawl: -d-, Shoot: 2d6, Dodge: 2d6*
Might: 1d6, Finesse: 3d6*, Cunning: 1d6

Abilities: Sly*, Swarm

Miss Imogene Hazelwood

Miss Imogene Hazelwood
Ally

Imogene is the most unladylike of the party.  She is into callisthenics, wears men clothes, adopts many manly attitudes which of course doesn't win her many male suitors.  She is a plain Jane without any application of makeup, on the one and only time she did make (was forced) to appear as a lady she so stunned society by her beauty she fled the occasion from an anxiety attack never to appear in high society again (much to the disappointment of many promising suitors).  Imogene now thinks that hiding as a man will make her problems go away and as joined Lady Hillary more out of survival than a belief in her Association.

Brawl: 2d6*, Shoot: 2d6, Dodge: 2d6
Might: 2d6*, Finesse: 1d6, Cunning: 1d6

Abilities: Fierce*, Mighty*

Miss Aileen Friesenhahn

Miss Aileen Friesenhahn
Ally

Aileen is a wanted women in Europe, having escaped across the Channel to England she has found the good graces of Lady Hillary who believes she has found someone who can spread the word of the Association to the benighted heathens of the Continent.  Aileen has no interest in this but plays the act, after all her surroundings are so much better than the sanitarium she previously called home.

Brawl: -d-, Shoot: 1d6, Dodge: 3d6
Might: 1d6, Finesse: 1d6, Cunning: 3d6

Abilities: Trick, Brainy*

Miss Fannie Steinhauer

Miss Fannie Steinhauer
Follower

In every group there is always the person who makes the tea, scones and ultimately cleans up after every taxidermy.  Fannie though is not that person, a stern and uncompromising Hanoverian she has been on Lady Hillary's staff almost as long as Nanny Gladys.  Her hobbies include beating the stuffing out of anyone slow enough not to get out of her way when she is on the move.  Not a woman to upset.

Brawl: 1d6, Shoot: 1d6, Dodge: 1d6
Might: 1d6, Finesse: 1d6, Cunning: 1d6

Abilities: Swarm

The Association to Preserve Animals (Right!)

Crime Alley Scenario - The Kidnap: Part 2 - The Game

This was a far more brutal game than the last.  We were prepared to shoot this time, without fear of the consequences.  As usual there is a story to go it all.

The figures from Blue Moon are just the right size that I can fit them onto a 30mm base.  What I intend to do for future games is colour the bases so that the Minor and Major Plots can stand out amongst the crowd of civilians I have on the table.  I'm not sure on colour yet, maybe white white for Minor and Yellow/Gold for Major.

No mucking about this time, the Feds are moving on in a block and are ready to rumble.

As usual the Irish Mob split up into two groups, Teague with Ronan and the new man Donagh.

Dinny the leading Finbar and Brian.

Turns one and two were spent sprinting on to the table and positioning, so not a lot to report.  No one was prepared to shoot or test the waters crossing the roads.  All the action starts from turn three onwards.

TURN THREE

Teague gets to Schowalter and points out his man Donagh making the move on his missus.  Schowalter cracks and signs over the shares to Teague.  (Reward +1 Backup).

Teague gets to Schowalter and the shares!

Donagh menaces the mother and child while Schowalter looks on.  

Will Leavy crack and tell the Feds where the gambling den is and just how many Feds will it take to make him crack?

Walter makes it to Leavy but the Mob play a difficult peril requiring three successes.  Walter only succeeds in one.  This drags in Sherman who throws in his lot to complete the plot, adding another success, still falling one short.  Yet another agent has to commit (well not really but they do) so Thurman piles in and finally Leavy cracks and spills the beans about the gambling den. (Reward +1 Tip).

Trying to get to Madam Mroczek is proving difficult, the traffic and the hedge of all places to meet.

Meet me at midnight I have a message.... argh.....  and he died on the spot!

Forrest met with the reporter Lash only to be told a cryptic "meet me at midnight argh...." and then died on the spot, an ornate dagger protruding from his back.  Is this a clue, you had better hang on to it. (Reward +1 Gear and +1 Backup)

Madam Mroczek is as difficult as Leavy is to crack plot wise, just how many men does it take...

Finbar has to risk the traffic to attempt to complete the plot, only to find he needs help.  He does navigate the traffic and fails the plot going no further.  Brian attempts to cross the road but it defeats him and he stays where he is.  Dinny has no choice but commit to the plot and groans at only making half and attempt one out of two.  He'll have to wait till next turn to finish the plot.

Neweborne finally takes action and nails Donagh before he can snatch the child.

Newborne moves to stop the Irish Mob from grabbing the child.  The problem is the police officer outside the bank interfers and crack him over the head with his baton taking him down a health as a result. (Failed a peril test, in the recover phase Newborne did not recover his health either, not good news.)

Police officer giving Newborne a crack over the head for discharging his firearm outside the bank.

TURN FOUR

Dinny finally completes the plot with Madam Mroczek only to find out it's a Red Herring!

Newborne shoots Teague whose health drops (after Two Guns).  Police interference again but the peril was a Free Pass.

Ronan shoots Forrest who goes down dropping the plot (Reward +1 Gear and +1 Backup), another Policeman arrives on the scene but an exchange of cash sees him look the other way.

Thurman, and Melvin fail to cross the road.

Walter and Sherman cross the road.

Finbar crosses the hedge (just).

Brian runs towards the baby.

Teague attempts the Major plot and succeeds with 1 success (of 3).

Recover phase - Forrest fails and is removed.

Leavy feeling well and truly threatened by the constabulary!

Turn 4 placement

Teague attempting to capture the baby.

TURN FIVE

Newborne shoots Teague with Two guns but fails.  Policeman intervenes, health reduced

Ronan shoots Newborne, and send him down.  Policeman intervenes, another payoff.

Walter shoots Teague and misses.  Policeman intervenes, Walter fails peril and removed.

Sherman shoots Dinny and reduces health.  Policeman intervenes, Sherman down.

Recovery phase - Newborne, Sherman and Walter removed.

Policemen on the take everywhere it would seem!

Teague and Dinny move in to snatch the baby.

TURN SIX

Teague decided to leave the baby to Dinny and block the Feds from interfering in the snatch.  Brawled with Melvin reducing his health.

Dinny succeeded in snatching the baby and achieved the Major Plot (+1 Experience).

Thurman brawled Teague with no result.

Melvin brawled Teague with no result.

All out brawl with the large Irishman.

Dinny grabs the baby and legs it.

So another exciting game of Crime Alley has finished.  This time a lot more happened that in the previous game.  More shots were fired.  The Policemen interfered more often and it would appear from the way the results happened that they were on the take from the mob.

Conclusions:

The Policemen interference played nicely this time, so I think I will keep this mechanism.

The roads I think I will drop, will they were an interesting play I think they made movement a little too difficult and corralled movement into a predicable pathway.  Once I acquire some more buildings and mix up the terrain there will be some more excitement I hope in future play.

The Silver Shillelaghs - 4vps

Newbornes Special Operations Unit - 1vp

A Story

The crying baby was starting to get on his nerves.

"Will somebody please take the child somewhere safe for a while. He's getting on my nerves."

All up it had been a good day, he hadn't realised that the town square was being patrolled by Sergeant O'Tools boys, that had proven to be a boon in disguise indeed.  The look of dazed confusion on Newbornes face when O'Tool had rapped him over the head with his baton had been priceless.

Who had killed Wilfred Lash he had no idea but it had been none of his lads, so it was a mystery to be investigated.  Someone had mentioned an ornate and oriental style dagger.  Were the eastern beggars moving into his territory, did he have to start worrying about them now.  Was He making a move in the area?  But he was dead wasn't he?

Teague lit another cigar and took a long pull.  Leavy had ratted out his gambling den at The Blarney Stone Pub, that was a short term problem.  He'd have to find a new base of operations, pity it was a good pub.  Leavy though, Leavy was going to have to pay.  He'd have to have a word with those Jews and see if they be prepared for some wet work, it's not that it's what he wanted, but he message had to be sent, and he was sure they'd get the job done right.

"Dinny what happened about that painting" he queried?

"It was a Red Herring boss."

"What, The Red Herring?" 

"No, as in it wasn't there, she was spooked and didn't have it on her.  She'll make another drop off when the times right."

Well thought Teague, thinks were looking good in the payroll right now.  He had good stocks with shipping, he would get a high ransom for the child, a message was to be sent to the gambling community about unpaid debts and.... the mystery assassin... that was for another day!