THE TREASURES OF LHEDU
PLAYERS' Briefings
Binky’s Briefing
After a reasonable rest and recuperation you have continued your march towards Lhedu and the safety of the Italian garrison and a steamer home for the rescued treasures. The treasures are now secure in packing cases and the villagers that gave so much trouble are now carrying them for you. The slavers evacuated their mountain stronghold at your approach and blew up their two cannon and fled into the hills.
The heat is appalling and the glare from the sun reflecting off the stony desert is almost blinding. In the distance you can just make out some ruins and a smudge of cooking fires.
4 of the horses have recovered enough to walk, though none are fit enough to ride. All of the others had to be left behind.
As you approached you saw the excavation site and an Italian tricolour. And beyond the line of palm trees that marks the tributary Izastoni River. The tents of the camp are easily visible.
Off to the left you can see a small patrol of Italian Cavalry heading away into the hills.
Biographical Note:
Professor Incontinente, Riccardo b. 1838, Milan. Educated at the Universities of Milan, Rome and St Andrews. Professor of Antiquities of the University of Milan. Studied with Professor George Edward Challenger whom he met at St Andrews. Married with two daughters and one son. Currently working in the Lhedu district of Italian Zumalia searching for evidence to support his contentious claims that the Romans and Egyptians established trading posts in the region that outlasted both empires. Published works: “A Perambulation in the Environs of Lhedu”, “The Conundrum of the Roman Eagle in Morvalistan”, “Later Egyptian Exploration South of the Equator”, “The Realities of Travelling through the Ether”.
Ramsden is recovering slowly from his wound. It is unlikely that he will be able to hear on his left side or see through his left eye again and he is suffering dreadful headaches. Big Sam seems to have made a complete recovery.
After the ambush in the village you had Adrian take a party out to the native stronghold. After a daring night march he attacked at dawn leading a bayonet charge. The enemy were gone. They had blown up two ancient cannon and some old guns. Presumably they were the ones that they could not carry away with them.
The last week or so has been particularly slow. The horses are all worn out. The mules are better but they need a rest. Small game has been plentiful but hunting it has been time consuming. Water has been found at fairly regular intervals. You have only 3 days of preserved rations left if you discount the bearers. You are keeping these as a reserve. You were most relieved to get within sight of the dig site. It is only 16 miles from Lhedu. Prof Incontinente is an old acquaintance of Gerald’s.
Gerald’s briefing
After a reasonable rest and recuperation you have continued your march towards Lhedu and the safety of the Italian garrison and a steamer home for the rescued treasures. The treasures are now secure in packing cases and the villagers that gave so much trouble are now carrying them for you. The slavers evacuated their mountain stronghold at your approach and blew up their two cannon and fled into the hills.
The heat is appalling and the glare from the sun reflecting off the stony desert is almost blinding. In the distance you can just make out some ruins and a smudge of cooking fires.
4 of the horses have recovered enough to walk, though none are fit enough to ride. All of the others had to be left behind.
As you approached you saw the excavation site and an Italian tricolour. And beyond the line of palm trees that marks the tributary Izastoni River. The tents of the camp are easily visible.
Off to the left you can see a small patrol of Italian Cavalry heading away into the hills.
Biographical Note:
Professor Incontinente, Riccardo b. 1838, Milan. Educated at the Universities of Milan, Rome and St Andrews. Professor of Antiquities of the University of Milan. Studied with Professor George Edward Challenger whom he met at St Andrews. Married with two daughters and one son. Currently working in the Lhedu district of Italian Zumalia searching for evidence to support his contentious claims that the Romans and Egyptians established trading posts in the region that outlasted both empires. Published works: “A Perambulation in the Environs of Lhedu”, “The Conundrum of the Roman Eagle in Morvalistan”, “Later Egyptian Exploration South of the Equator”, “The Realities of Travelling through the Ether”.
Your wound is healing nicely but you will be left with a scar on your thigh where the spear thrust went right through the muscle. Until it is healed you will suffer a –1” move penalty and you not able to run.
The journey has been quite rough on the treasures. Some of the packing cases are showing signs of damage. You just hope that they contents have not suffered.
In the distance you can see the camp and dig site of your old acquaintance Prof Incontinente. It would be too much to call this bizarre little Italian a friend but he is good company even if his ideas are a bit controversial to say the least. He maintains that the Ancients (Romans and Egyptians in particular) had surviving outposts in this area and south into Morvalistan until a few centuries ago. Imagine.
He also says it is possible for men to fly to the Moon and back. Just shows you. Eh?
Adrian’s Briefing
After a reasonable rest and recuperation you have continued your march towards Lhedu and the safety of the Italian garrison and a steamer home for the rescued treasures. The treasures are now secure in packing cases and the villagers that gave so much trouble are now carrying them for you. The slavers evacuated their mountain stronghold at your approach and blew up their two cannon and fled into the hills.
The heat is appalling and the glare from the sun reflecting off the stony desert is almost blinding. In the distance you can just make out some ruins and a smudge of cooking fires.
4 of the horses have recovered enough to walk, though none are fit enough to ride. All of the others had to be left behind.
As you approached you saw the excavation site and an Italian tricolour. And beyond the line of palm trees that marks the tributary Izastoni River. The tents of the camp are easily visible.
Off to the left you can see a small patrol of Italian Cavalry heading away into the hills.
Biographical Note:
Professor Incontinente, Riccardo b. 1838, Milan. Educated at the Universities of Milan, Rome and St Andrews. Professor of Antiquities of the University of Milan. Studied with Professor George Edward Challenger whom he met at St Andrews. Married with two daughters and one son. Currently working in the Lhedu district of Italian Zumalia searching for evidence to support his contentious claims that the Romans and Egyptians established trading posts in the region that outlasted both empires. Published works: “A Perambulation in the Environs of Lhedu”, “The Conundrum of the Roman Eagle in Morvalistan”, “Later Egyptian Exploration South of the Equator”, “The Realities of Travelling through the Ether”.
You are fully recovered from your wounds and the after effects of your intoxification.
Mahmoud on the other hand was badly wounded by a musket ball in the shoulder. It has broken his collarbone and cracked a few other bones. The ball flattened itself against the inside of his shoulder blade and only the skill of the Italian Nun saved his life. He can walk but tires easily.
Professor Incontinente’s Briefing
For 7 long years you have supervised the dig here in Lhedu only travelling back to secure additional funds. Now you have conclusive proof that Roman and Egyptian explorers were active in the region long after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. The most important finds are stored in boxes and jars for taking back to Milan and thence to The Royal Society in London.
Present is yourself (Prof Incontinente), your assistant, a cook, a servant, a hunter, 4 askaris, a foreman, 4 diggers, 6 labourers and a few native women. There has been considerable unrest amongst the natives and they are very restive the past two nights. So much so that you have not left the dig site and have had all the treasures boxed and ready.
In addition a column of an Italian Officer, an Italian NCO, 6 Askaris and 3 wagons is due to arrive to escort the party to Lhedu.
The dig is finished and the Professor has his evidence. One wagon is for camp gear; one for the treasures and the other carries the rations, water and stores for the troops.
A party of adventurers led by Binky is on the way and may be here sometime during the morning.
The foreman, diggers and foreman must be paid before Prof Incontinente departs. But you are quite hard up.
Also in camp you have a squadron of Italian cavalry - 7 lancers and 7 Penne
de Falco. One troop is in the little fort and the other is on the high
ground behind the camp.