Preview of Generic Heroes for Treasure Hunter Adventures

This product takes the eight archetypal characters from the first Treasure Hunter Adventures supplement, adds the Technician from THA6: Expeditions & Excavations, and then reformats them as print-and-play character sheets that players can make their own by adding names, descriptive information, and other such details. 

They are great for GMs who want to let players dive into a treasure hunt quickly, without having them play the Iconic Heroes or other pre-generated characters. 

There's even room for a character sketch. 

-Nate

Modifying Even More THA Material for the Raiders Time Period

Presented here are tips for using more recent releases for Treasure Hunter Adventures in the pulp time period of the 1930s and 40s, including World War II and its immediate aftermath.

THA6: Expeditions & Excavations

As a toolkit, this supplement requires little modification. The stats for Scout characters remain quite relevant. While the equipment used by the Technician would change, such a character would still be on the cutting edge of technological development. One is reminded of the Nazi program working on V2 rockets as an example of such work, along with the American Operation: Paperclip, which helped lead to the creation of Nasa. Those elements would certainly apply to the time period during and after World War II, when Indiana Jones is working for the Office of Strategic Service, as is referenced in the fourth movie. The rest of the supplement, with plot suggestions, hazards, and locations that serve as prizes, all remains useful.

Bad Blood and Operation: Portmanteau

As mentioned for previous scenarios, these two can take on a greater sense of urgency if they are set during World War II. The prior takes place in Bamberg, Germany; the latter, in Bürgeln, Switzerland. If the Nazis are still in power, then they would have agents actively investigating both of these locations. The Inquistion stronghold in Bad Blood could even be the local Nazi headquarters, where they are studying material gathered there. On the other hand, the betrayal which lies at the center of Operation: Portmanteau could be happening at the time of this adventure; perhaps the nun, Sister Margaretha, suspects that Emmanuel Grey is in danger and comes to the heroes seeking help for him. Grey would certainly have family members with an interest in this business, too.

The Meybohm Museum of World History

This location makes an excellent hub of activity in this time period. During the Blitz—Nazi Germany's bombing campaign against England in 1940 and 1941—it would have been crucial to protect the museum's displays from damage. As is mentioned in the supplement, too, the building became a center for distribution of food and even medical aid. At the same time, the Nazis could send spies who try to discover an important artifacts or lore that are stored there. Finally, Louisa Meybohm would have been a contemporary of Henry Jones, Sr., perhaps being around during some of the early adventures depicted in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

The Wages of Sin

This scenario takes on a really interesting dimension if Cyril Throckmorton is a Nazi sympathizer, or even just a greedy zealot who agrees to work with them toward achieving his own goals. In either case, his unholy religious organization becomes a threat to national security, perhaps using drugs and other influences in tricking Americans to reveal wartime secrets. Exposing him and his plans, then, becomes all the more important for the heroes to accomplish.

For suggestions regarding previous scenarios and supplements, please refer to last year's post.

https://d20pirates.blogspot.com/2022/06/modifying-more-treasure-hunter.html

Indiana Jones Coming to Disney+

This pleases me. I've been frustrated that the Indiana Jones movies have been unavailable to stream recently, but now they're coming to Disney+ on May 31st. What is more, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles have not been available for a long time. 

-Nate 

New Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

This trailer was released almost two weeks ago, and I am finally taking some time to look at it. 

Here are my thoughts: 

• My first thought was that the use of the song "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones was rather jarring. In previous films we've seen the use of music from the time period, such as Sallah singing "I Am the Monarch of the Sea" from HMS Pinafore and Willie Scott singing "Anything Goes." Those were both released before 1936, however, which is the more familiar period in which Raiders of the Lost Ark takes place. Seeing that this fifth film is set in the late 1960s, however, I guess it is appropriate. 
• This trailer really seems to play up the idea that Indy feels out of place in this time period and, in fact, is about to retire from his job as a college professor. 
• The lyrics of the song clearly refer to temptation toward wicked deeds, including the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Bolshevik uprising in Russia and the slaughter of the royal family, World War II and the Hundred Years War. 
• There remains the question of just what the titular Dial can do. Helena clains that it "can change the course of history." Voller takes that a step further when he says, "Hitler made mistakes, and with this I will correct them all. Does that imply some kind of time travel device? I don't love the sound of adding time travel to this setting, but what else could it be? 
• Finally, this film seems to create the potential for Helena Shaw to start her own series of adventures. Could this be a setup for a spinoff series, much like The Mandalorian and other shows build upon the events of the Star Wars movies? 

As usual, only time will tell. 

-Nate

A Belated Preview: The Wages of Sin

Only after I'd released The Wages of Sin on DrivethruRPG did I realize I'd forgotten to post any previews of it. Here, then, is a preview. We'll start with a map of the religious compound in which the action takes place. 

Next there is a painting that plays an important role in the story. 

Finalize, here is a cryptic clue to unlocking one of the scenario's mysteries. 

-Nate

Influence & Inspiration for Spelljammer: Jungle Cruise

It is my annual New Year's resolution to get more exercise; this leads me to jogging on the treadmill in the winter, since the sidewalks can be dicey. This year I have incorporated my son's iPad into the process, allowing me to watch movies and TV shows while I jog. After watching again Season 1 of The Bad Batch, in preparation for Season 2, I was casting about for something else, and settled on Disney's Jungle Cruise. It seemed, of course, like a fun film that wouldn't require too much concentration, and something in the vein of Treasure Hunter Adventures. About halfway into the movie, however, I realized that it would make a great Spelljammer adventure. Here are some more specific thoughts.

• The opening sequence, in London, could be moved nicely to the Rock of Bral, with the theft from an institute of higher learning, and a chase through the streets.

• The Amazon River and jungle, then, could be replaced by an asteroid belt in just about any planetary system, or perhaps an unusual world like Garden in Realmspace, which has asteroids connected by the massive plant known as Yggdrasil's child.

• While the movie takes place against the backdrop of World War I, the second Unhuman War would make a good replacement. Alternately, local conflicts—such as the War of the Lance on Krynn—would work well, too.

• In place of Frank's boat, I think that a smaller type of vessel makes sense. This could be a Shrike Ship, a Wasp Ship or a Dragonfly Ship, depending on where it needs to be able to land.

• For Prince Joachim's submarine, something well suited to combat would be appropriate. This could include a Scorpion Ship, or perhaps a Squid Ship or Hammerhead Ship that carries extra weapons.

• The obvious suggestion for the Conquistadors is that they are undead. That still begs the question, however, of who they were originally. If this adventure takes place during the second Unhuman War, then they could be soldiers who fought in the first go-round of that conflict. It makes sense that they were also seeking the prize, and still seek it after death. Vampirates are an easy option for this, but lots of other undead would work, too.

• The native people—in the film it is Trader Sam and the Puka Michuna tribe—could be native to Wildspace, or they could inhabit a world that is the PCs' destination. In the latter case, the possibilities are pretty much endless. In the prior case, creatures such as the chwinga could be a good option.

• The arrowhead that leads the party to their prize could be something like a collection of star charts, a crystal ball, a sending stone connected to someone who knows where to go, a relevant spell scroll, a well of many worlds, a sentient magic item, or even a portable hole that contains valuable clues.

• Finally, the Tree of Life could be replaced with—or might function just the same as—items such as an elixirs of health, potions of longevity, a ring of regeneration, a rod of resurrection, or the like.

The Wages of Sin

Now available on DriveThruRPG is The Wages of Sin. This scenario, for use with Treasure Hunter Adventures and the Savage Worlds RPG, finds the heroes trying to discover the secrets behind a rapidly growing but isolated religious organization.

The Wages of Sin