Bug Hunt......

The Quest For The Eagle-Eyed Spotted Blue.....

Corporal Saibu Hassan of the Gold Coast Constabulary has been charged with the kind of job he really, really hates...

The white men he encounters he generally slot into four categories...

1) Those of no consequence, who can be ignored until ordered otherwise...

2) Those whom he grudgingly admires - such as Captain Hamiltini, who is a man's man and a soldier (who, had he not had the misfortune to have been born of the wrong tribe and colour, would have made a fine Captain of any Emir's Guard), Fatha-Mikali, the white priest of the Isisi Country Mission, who speaks many tongues cleverly and who, despite being an infidel and drinker of the forbidden spirits, knows well - and is always happy to discuss - the intricacies of the Holy Quran.... And the enigmatic and rather frightening Commissioner Sanders, "Breaker of Kings"...

3) Those he despises: such as the European criminals who pollute the Territory, and the dirty, drunken and unlearned white soldiers he encounters far too often when his duties take him to the Coast.

4) And finally; those "Touched By God" - such as the clearly mad Lieutenant Bonesi, most of the lonely young men scattered in the Territory as District officers, the other Mission folk of many kinds, with their curious ways and bizarre songs - and the wide variety of lunatics who come into the forests and hills of Sandi's Patch to engage in a range of foolish and utterly baffling errands...


The latest "Wawa" - a Professor Marcus Postcombe, whom the men of the garrison have already nicknamed "Killer of Flies" - is the very worst sort of lunatic in Hassan's book; a genuine mzungu, whose aimless wanderings revolve around the search for, and a desire to capture - and put with his other dead bugs - "A labalaba blue and black; big like man's two hands, with the eye of bird on its wings four times, that live for stones".. Seriously.. You couldn't make this nonsense up....

It is the "Killer-of Flies" and his entourage that Hassan has to steer safely to the City of The Dead in Lulanga territory; the ruins being, in the Professor's opinion, the ideal spot to seek this elusive insect....

Commissioner Sanders has made it clear that Hassan is to keep the Professor and his party safe and prevent him from upsetting local sensibilities. Hassan will have five constables to aid him in this.

Basically this is a Hunting Game... There is the possibility of fighting, but the challenge is to guide the mad professor to his target, then get him home...

Basic rules...

a) Movement and camping.

A camp must be established. The Professor will move randomly until suitable ground is found (throw 6 on 1x6D at end of each move to find a place he deems fit until camp is made. Hassan/player can influence towards safer ground with +1. One policeman must be left to guard the camp.

While hunting the Professor will move randomly 4" + 1x6D until the Target is spotted (dice throw each move for direction. Ground previously covered -1). Hassan/player can influence the professor towards safer ground if he is with him +1. Once target has been seen the professor will follow the target/proceed to last seen location, then move randomly if it does not appear again.

Once spotted the target throws a 1x6D dice each move: 1-3 it stays put unless spooked (see below) 4-6 it moves. It will move 2x6D in a direction using the Movement Spider (AND a 3x6d throw). If the direction chosen is blocked by walls/building above 2" high or heavy bush it will move instead the OPPOSITE direction on the spider. if choices are very limited (e.g. on jungle path) Then just do a simple dice test for direction.

b) Capture of the Labalaba....

If any person approaches the target within 6" throw a 1x6D (all but the Professor modify the dice upwards, adding 1 to the dice throw). On a throw of 5-6 the creature is spooked and moves (randomly) 2x6D.

Any person other than the Professor must be within 1" of the target to attempt a capture. They may capture same on a throw of 5-6, minus 1 from the throw if under fire, minus 1 per wound. On a minus score they accidentally kill the target. 

The Professor may attempt a capture from 2" away. He catches the target on a 1x6D throw of 3-6, minus 2 from the throw if the target is in flight, minus 1 if under fire, minus 1 per wound. Only the professor may attempt a capture in flight (i.e. if it flies/is flying within 2" of him).

Once captured, check the creature;

Professor's capture; (1x6D throw) 2-6: Success!! Tonic Waters all round! Throw of 1: "Dash it!! It's Simpson's False Blue Birdwing... How could I have been so wrong..??! Must be the heat..."

Anyone else's capture; (1x6D throw) 5-6: Success!! Tonic Waters all round! Throw of 1-4: "Good Lord, man.. Nothing like it.."

c) Dangerous Locations.

The Village and Jungle Paths may produce hostile encounters - see the Spade pack. These follow normal "Encounter" protocols. All fighting follows standard rules.

d) Events;

The Standard Deck is a deck of hearts, clubs and diamonds, plus jokers. Throw a 1x6D per move end. Add 1 per 12" from the table edge and per 5 moves expended. On a modified 6 draw a card.

Spades Deck; keep the spades in a separate deck. This is the "Danger" Deck. IF the tester is in the Forest or the Village the tester must throw a 1x6D to see if he draws from the Standard or the Danger Deck: 1-2 Standard. 3-6: Danger.

Possible dangers are wildlife, danger from the ruins, random gun runners, offended locals etc .etc.....

A simple enough set up - taking advantage of the table already mainly set up..

Two goes thus far - with success for the Professor and no serious issues - though Hassan's patience is wearing thin...

The Professor, his companions and bearers, plus others who will appear in some soon-to-come adventures kindly donated by Douglas H.