The newest full-length scenario for the Savage Worlds RPG and Treasure Hunter Adventures is now available. The Wreck of the Skylark starts with the heroes pursuing a strange cipher, which leads them into the hunt for a sunken vessel from the Napoleonic Wars--and the loot that it contains.
-Nate
Here is the third and final preview for The Wreck of the Skylark, which will be released on Saturday.
-Nate
First, here's a short video explanation of the Napoleonic Wars.
Second, here's a curious cipher that was used by the British for sending secret messages to agents on the Continent.
As a second preview for The Wreck of the Skylark, here are the four maps involved in the adventure.
-Nate
Here's the ground floor of the Meybohm Museum in London.
From there the action could spill out into the streets of London.
Clues might lead from there to the northwestern coast of France.
Here's the deck plan for the titular vessel, based on the diagram below.
;_Nightingale_(1805);_Oberon_(1805);_Imogen_(1805);_Savage_(1805);_Electra_(1806);_Paulina_(1805);_Delight_(1806);_Satellite_(1806);_Sheldrake_(1806);_Skylark_(1806);_Orestes_(1805);_Julia_(1806)_RMG_J4422.png)
Here's an update to Appendix N, including four books that provided inspiration while I was writing The Wreck of the Skylark.
-Nate
Author: Edith Hamilton
Publisher and Date: Mentor, 1990
Overview:
When it comes to reading an overview of Greek mythology, this little book is hard to beat. It covers lots and lots of stories, telling them without any unneeded embellishment, and has some genealogical charts along with a comprehensive index. It also fits nicely in a cargo pocket, if you have one.
Title: Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas
Author: H.A. Guerber
Publisher and Date: Dover, 1992
Overview:
This book, too, provides a thorough overview of the stories from Nordic mythology, and it adds black-and-white copies of notable paintings depicting its subjects. The fact that it was first published in 1909 means that it sometimes seems old-fashioned in how it tells tales. One also wonders what discoveries involving these topics have been made in more than a century, and thus what new details might be missing.
Title: The Terror Before Trafalgar: Nelson, Napoleon and the Secret War
Author: Tom Pocock
Publisher and Date: W. W. Norton, 2003
Overview:
This book focuses, as the title implies, on the part of the Napoleonic Wars leading up to the defeat of the French off Cape Trafalgar by British forces including Lord Admiral Horation Nelson. It includes information about Robert Fulton, the American inventor who worked on new technologies such as a submarine and torpedoes, offering to sell them to whichever side would fund his research and development. This was an enjoyable read.
Title: Mirage: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt
Author: Nina Burleigh
Publisher and Date: Harper, 2007
Overview:
Here's another title that's pretty self-explanatory. When Napoleon sent troops to invade Egypt, he also sent along a group of scientists called savants. There task was to investigate the natural and cultural wonders of Egypt, including the many tombs and temples with their enigmatic artwork. They made numerous important discoveries—especially in finding the Rosetta Stone—while at the same time committing many of the misdeeds common among colonizing outsiders. This was another good read.
This is interesting. I've played 5E, but not run it. I love the setting, and so this could be enough to make me take the plunge.
-Nate
Here are my thoughts about this story arc, the final one of the series.
-Nate
Boot Hill 48-50
This story arc ran for three issues, published in April, May and June of 2016. Here are my impressions:
It's strange to think back about waiting a whole year for this series. At the time it was rather excruciating, but definitely worth the wait.
The final battle in this arc is truly epic; I wonder how it would play out with the Savage Worlds RPG. One might need to use the rules for Mass Battles, along with a few individual conflicts happening at the same time.
The fact that this story arc takes place in Boot Hill means that we see old faces returning again, and that helps make for a great finale.
Finally, I see what they did there with the characters of Gord and Kalfu. At the time, of course, I didn't know what bearing that would have for the series Shadow Roads.
Here are my thoughts about this story arc.
-Nate
Hell and High Water 42-47
This story arc ran for six issues, published from August 2014 to March 2015. Here are my impressions:
The first issue of this arc presents a good deal of exposition—important, but one could become impatient for advancing the storyline.
We get to see the King of Secrets! He and his servants make a striking impression.
Shards of the King's mirror could make for useful relics, given that they connect to similar items carried by Knights of Solomon in the field.
“The Six seeded messengers into each new world.” That is interesting, especially when combined with the different forms that the Six have assumed in various worlds.
At the end of Issue 43 we see someone standing behind Kalfu. I don't recall if I guessed who that was when I read that issue for the first time, but we eventually learn that it is Gord Cantrell, who struck a deal with that crossroads demon.
The appearance of Kirby in his changed form is intriguing. For one thing, it confirms that the snakemen are made from existing humans, which could be a good plot hook. Secondly, it opens the possibility that someone could undergo the transformation process, and yet still retain a semblance of their true identity.
Finally, we see a lengthy battle that sprawls throughout a small town. This could make for an exciting encounter in an RPG session, using a town such as Fort Griffin as the backdrop.
Oh—riding the Thunderbirds into battle is awesome!
