The Thing in the Well…. concerning events on the edge of a dark and forbidding forest, somewhere in Northern Gaul where Tertius and has companions have been drawn by a disturbing dream foretelling the power of a dark God from the Province of Aegyptus growing and devouring the Empire.

In the centre of the table stands an old stone well where the ancient relic was dropped, decades earlier by a traveller returning from Aegyptus who was set upon by bandits. The artefact is the major plot point. It can only be attempted by a single player climbing down the well, overcoming perils and solving multiple challenges over multiple turns. There are four minor plot points around the clearing, in the round house stands a gardener who can remove the peril associated with the hornets nest which is situated in the log with the badger. A wooden crate has been hidden by rebellious Gaul’s containing amphora’s of Greek Fire. Finally, the old tree trunk where the owl nests has some strange cryptic symbols carved into it.

Dramatis Personae – Tertius of Gaul

Strictly speaking Tertius is of course now a Roman and not a Gaul at all. 22 years service following the Eagle, and now he has mustered out and been awarded a plot of land to build a villa in Gaul. Tertius is restless and still yearns for adventure so when his sleep is disturbed by visions of a Serpent encircling and devouring Rome he calls upon his Gallic companions, dons his trademark felt travelling hat and Legionary armour and marches towards danger and destiny.

Left to right: Sagillus(ally), Vopiscus (sidekick), Tertius, Curcagni (ally), Dovagni (ally). League has taken short ranged perk.

Dramatis Personae –The Servants of Apothis

The scenarios in the first chapter of Tomb of the Serpent are played with one player league and a servants league played by the other player, randomly selected as part of scenario set up. Lucius is being opposed by a Serpent Priest (leader), 4 x militant cultists (ally) – this are locals brainwashed by the cult armed with missile weapons and 1 x fierce cultist (ally).

Lewis rolled up the same opponents as John had faced in the last scenario.

Tertius and the Gaul’s activated first. Tertius headed straight for the well, avoiding the perils of the dangerous spiders that nest there and climbed to the bottom. Curcagni, Sagillus and Davagni moved up to guard the well.

Unfortunately, for Tertius they were not quick enough and the Serpent Priest managed to slip down the well before they could prevent it. Vopiscus strides of purposefully to investigate the cryptic symbols.

A vicious melee develops around the well. Both Curcagni and Davagni fight of the fierce cultist while one of the militant cultists attempts to throw a pilum into the back of Vopiscus.

As Sagillus rushes forward to join the melee he is targeted by three of the militant cultists but manages to dodge the slingshots and arrows.

The gardener looks on perplexed as the story develops in front of him.

Dodging several pilum, Vopiscus makes it to the tree with the cryptic puzzle and manages to copy the symbols down on to a small wax tablet.

Curcagni lands a heavy blow on the fierce cultists who drops to the ground.

The Gaul’s do there best to hold off the cultists. A fierce melee continues around the well. Vopiscus eventually falls under a hail of stones and arrows and drops his wax tablet in the confusion.

…. however, the events on the surface are a mere sideshow. The main event is happening far underground in the dark and confined shaft of the ancient well. Tertius had a head start, and stated to search for the ancient artefact but once the Serpent Priest had caught up with him a protracted close quarters battle raged in which both Tertius and the Serpent Priest suffered arm injuries. While the battle was still raging a dark tentacle rose from the murky blackness of the water and snatched the artefact and bore it away!

The Campaign so far:

Handy Links:

Pulp Alley: Two fisted adventure gaming rules for any genre!

The Might of Rome: Sally 4th’s range of Roman soldiers & citizens

Gangs of Rome: An exciting game of gang conflict in Ancient Rome

Lindsay Davis: Author of the Marcus Didius Falco and Albia series of novels set in 1st Century Rome. Highly recommended inspiration for 1st Century adventuring. Lindsay hosts a ‘Listen with Lindsay’ Zoom reading once a month on a Tuesday evening which is highly recommended.

Eventus I: Circus of Horrors – Where Lucius faces the Servants of Apothis at the Circus Maximus and recovers the Wand of Destiny