Pulp Alley Perils: Predator

Introduction

As I mentioned in my last post (Pulp Alley Perils: Introduction), my friend Steve has come up with a detailed set of rules for what we've called the "Predator" class of perils.

The Predator is a type of danger that will (to a greater or lesser extent) stalk or chase a character.  As such, it might represent a swarm of tropical bees defending their nest, a gang of pickpockets, an officious Gestapo agent ("papers, please!") or an angry rhinoceros.  Or many other things, indeed.

Over to you, Steve:

The Predator

Following our last game I've contemplated mobile perils like the Nazi agents and the angry buffalo.  As we've gained experience playing Pulp Alley, we've become adept at avoiding the normal static perils.  We typically only brave the peril if baited with a plot point, or if it represents terrain that we absolutely must cross.

I enjoyed the element of risk introduced by the mobile perils.  The possibility to lead them toward another player's characters added an extra aspect to the game.

Here is a simple model for a peril which attacks the player characters.  I've named it the predator, it fits snugly into existing pulp Alley mechanisms.

Each predator is assigned a range, movement and optional special behaviours called traits.

For example: 

The Buffalo

Range 8"

Move 4" / 2d10

Traits Impetuous

Roll the move dice (2d10) when a character (target) moves within the range of the buffalo (8" in this example).  The buffalo travels its move distance toward the target (4") for each success.  No successes no movement, one success 4", two successes 8".

If the predator contacts the target then a peril occurs, and is resolved as normal.

The predator normally stops on reaching the target, though traits can adjust this behaviour.

Traits

Traits are simply special rules that apply to the predator.  Predators may have no traits or several.

• Feeble: The predator is removed if the target passes its challenge.  This represents a weak or timid or easily eliminated threat.  Removal overrides any post-challenge actions caused by other traits.
• Pack (N): A pack of N relatively weak threats, similar to feeble, but with N "lives".  One member of the pack is removed each time the target passes their challenge.  The pack is removed (see Feeble) when its last member is eliminated.
• Ambush: The predator only moves if it rolls sufficient movement to reach its target.  A classic ambush predator that lies low and attacks from a short distance.

Predators may have only one (or none) of the final three traits:

• Elusive: The predator always deploys in cover.  If its move finishes the open, it returns to the closest cover.  Specific definition of cover may be used to fine-tune behaviour.  For example,
  - a swarm of bees would return to their hive.
  - a vampire might return to any shadowy corner, except sacred ground.
• Impetuous: The predator moves the full distance rolled, and may move beyond its target.  The target suffers a peril even if the predator overshoots.  Example: a bull or rhino that will build up a head of steam during its furious charge.
• Hit and Run: After resolving a challenge, the predator rolls its movement again.  It moves the rolled distance back in the direction it came.  Example: a pack of small yappy dogs or smaller monkeys, individually timid but brave in numbers.

The predator provides a flexible method for single threats, or packs and swarms of smaller creatures.  Range and movement can be adjusted to represent the tenacity of the predator.  Traits permit different behaviours.

Example Predator Perils

• Rhino : Short sighted, easily provoked, faster than you'd imagine - the original "battle unicorn".
  Range: 8"
  Move: 4" / 3d6
  Traits: Impetuous.
  The Rhino's move is potentially greater than its range.
  The Impetuous trait means it can charge through and past its target.
• Bees defending their hive:
  Range: 12"
  Move: 3" / 4d6
  Traits: Ambush, Elusive (returns to hive).
  Several movement dice, threat level increases with proximity.
  Ambush means the swarm will not leave the hive unless they can reach and imperil the target.
  Elusive sees the bees return to their hive after an attack.  (Elusive specifies return to cover, in this case the hive is specified).
• The Mummy: Classic Universal studios version, slow, but always on your tail.
  Range:16"
  Move: 4" / 1d12
  Traits: None
  Long range and big movement die guarantee pursuit.
  Single die and short move mean it will rarely catch a running target, but trip, or stop to investigate a clue, and your adventure may be over.
• Macaque troop: Small nosey monkeys. Raid your pack / pockets for food, may bite.
  Range: 8"
  Move: 4" / 2d8
  Traits: Hit and Run
  These fellows will back off as soon as they've relieved you of your sandwiches.
• Small stray dog: More bark than bite, but what other perils might the bark attract?
  Range: 12"
  Move: 4" / 3d10
  Traits: Feeble, Hit and Run
  Fairly mobile, but a limited danger.
  Will not stand its ground, and disappears in the face of determined resistance.
• Young conscripts: acting tough but fearful for their own safety.
  Range: 6"
  Move: 6" / 1d6
  Traits: Pack (5)
  As likely as not to challenge characters getting too close.
  Reasonable staying power from Pack (5), but won't resist a determined show of force.

Conclusion

So, is this useful inspiration?  Or possibly unnecessarily complicated?  Please let us know your thoughts!

Congo: Reinforcements (and wildlife)

Introduction

Today I've not got anything special to talk about, so I'll just show some recently-finished models instead.  These are all for Congo (or could be used for any other game set in Darkest Africa, I suppose).

Forest Tribes

I finished another five warriors for my Forest Tribe about a month ago.  For the purists, they probably belong to at least 2 different tribes; the combination of hide and wicker shields would probably not occur within a single group.  I'm not too bothered by this, though in a game I'll probably try to put them in different squads (perhaps they're allies from a neighbouring tribe?)

These models are from North Star; they're well sculpted and cast.  Natives like this are really easy to paint as there is very little in the way of clothing or equipment to detail!

Ruga Ruga

The Ruga Ruga are mercenaries with a reputation for being flamboyant, though somewhat shabby in appearance (and possibly drug-takers as well).  These six Foundry models will be used by my Arab Slavers, though they could be hired by white men or natives as well.

Ascaris

Above are some more armed followers for my White Men column.  They're Foundry models, but very compatible with the North Star or Copplestone "Darkest Africa" figures.  I think these are some of the more useful poses for skirmish games; I'm not a big fan of the "every man in every squad is shooting" look.

Animals

This is the North Star African Elephant.  It's a 3-part model: there are 2 body halves and a separate head.  The body parts fitted together very well, but the head was an exceptionally poor fit.  Still, plenty of filler seems to have worked well in hiding the join (and it's somewhat hidden behind the ears anyway).

Personally, I think this is one of the nicest-looking 28mm African Elephant models out there.  It's also priced quite reasonably.

As part of the same package from North Star, I obtained 3 hyenas.  Now I've seen a number of 28mm hyena models and most of them are somewhat...disappointing.  In particular, a lot of sculptors seem to have difficulties with the hyena's classic "sloped" profile, with long forelegs and much shorter rear legs.  These models, on the other hand, are excellent!  They really do look like the animals they represent (though I've possibly gone a bit dark with my painting).

Note that I've based my hyenas on smallish 40mm x 20mm bases, rather than the more common 50mm x 25mm cavalry bases.  They're quite large models (for hyenas), but they're not as big as horses!

Finally, here's a leopard - also from North Star.  It's a nicely-posed model, though perhaps there's something not quite right about the tail.  Anyway, I'm just glad that I don't have to paint more than one of these beasts!

Conclusion

More forces for Congo - can't be bad, right?  Also, this is a very useful expansion to my collection of African wildlife (currently one lion and a crocodile, I think).

Mind you, I still need some hippos.  I like the Foundry models (waterline and otherwise), but they're very expensive.  Hmm, we'll see...