Welcome back to my Solo campaign for the survival horror game Under the Martian Yoke. This game is currently available on the Blood and Spectacles Wargame Vault Page. It can be played solo, co-op, or Versus and any combination in-between!
Under the Martian Yoke is set after Orson Welles' broadcast of War of the Worlds. In this game, this was no hoax; but an actual news broadcast. The Martian invasion has laid waste to the East Coast of the United States, and only a handful of survivors are left. It is up to them to make it back to survive as long as they can! If they survive long enough, they might escape out from Under the Martian Yoke!
Annie looked up from the tattered and worn Bible she had found in the farmhouse. She and her fellow survivors had been using the place as a hide-out, its inhabitants long gone. Where they ended up, was anyone's guess? Perhaps they had been vaporized by a heat ray, choked to death on Black Dust, dissolved by Green Gas, or perhaps they were still out there somewhere hungry and thirsty?
"We still got some canned peaches from Shyville if your hungry?"
Annie had found Luke hiding here in the Farmhouse when she and Tommy stumbled across it. Luke hadn't been alone. Some slick wily named John was here with him. Luke seemed the decent sort, but she did not trust John as far as she could throw him. The good book had warned her about people like John.
Annie reached out and took the can from Luke's hand. The labelled was faded, and partially torn off. On the front was a drawing of a happy housewife grinning like a fool and holding aloft a Georgia peach. Annie pulled out a can opener from her apron, and with a newly practiced ease tore into the can.
John wandered into the room, "Maybe we should head back to Shyville and see if we can find more supplies? Your gun's still out of ammo Luke?"
"Yup. Shyville's too red though."
"Huh. Well, there has to be somewhere else we can get some eats?"
Timmy's little voice squeaked up, "I was lookin' for Martians and I saw another farmhouse out yonder, Not too far. Maybe there?"
"We could scoot out there and back in no time. Maybe they got some ammo for ya' Luke?"
"I reckon' so."
Annie nodded along. She wanted to stay put, hide, and take comfort in prayer. However, what she wanted was no longer important. They had to keep food, water, and supplies up. Unlike the Israelites, she did not expect Mana to appear from the heavens to sustain them.... not unless it was canned. Survivor BandIn today's battle we have the following 4 survivors. All survivor bands start with only 4 members. Most humans were killed or horribly injured in the initial Martian assault, so small bands of survivors are all that is left.
On the left is Handsome John. He is a criminal archetype and survived by running for the hills when things went south.
Activation Aimed Suppression Fight Brawn Brains Nerve
5+/2 6+ 3+ 4+ 8+ 9+ 7+
Cool Customer
- Pistol, Knife, Canteen of Alcohol
- Duck and Weave- Shooting attacks have a -1 TN when he has moved.
Next is Tommy Wilkins. He is just a kid, and survived when a building collapsed on his family. He managed to dig his way out, but no one else did.
Activation Aimed Suppression Fight Brawn Brains Nerve
3+/2 9+ 8+ 6+ 4+ 7+ 5+
Pitter Patter of little feet, Fear of Enclosed Spaces
- Improvised Fight weapon, Satchel, Good Shoes
The lady is Annie. Annie McCall is a devout believer, trying to process what exactly is going on. She was part of an ambushed evacuation, and forced to flee.
Activation Aimed Suppression Fight Brawn Brains Nerve
6+/2 7+ 5+ 9+ 8+ 4+ 3+
Pray, +3 Experience
- Pistol, Map, Bandages, and Knife
Last up is Luke Goodson, the leader of this little band of survivors. He survived when he was suddenly knocked unconscious.
Activation Aimed Suppression Fight Brawn Brains Nerve
5+/2 7+ 6+ 4+ 8+ 9+ 3+
Do As I Say, Do Not Be Afraid
- Knife, Canteen of Water, Flares
- Revolver is out of ammo and left at Hide-out
ScenarioThe survivors were able to see another farmhouse in the distance that they could walk to easily. Hopefully, their would be some scraps left over, but they might also be Martian traps.
This scenario has 5 loot markers randomly placed on the board. When a survivor picks up a marker, you roll a 10. On an even it is Loot that can be picked up. On an Odd it is a Martian Trap! A Trap brings on a Martian foe within 6 MU.
The objective is to gather as much loot as you can before you are forced to scatter, all go unconscious and possibly dead, or the danger level gets too high.
Set-upThe area to be searched for scraps is a lone farmhouse at the end of a dusty roadway. Next to it is a weed choked ruined out-building. There is a nearby dying field, and a barren orchard. There is also a small pond in the area. There are 5 loot markers scattered randomly from the center of the board.
The board itself is 36MU by 36MU. 1 MU equals 1 inch in today's scenario. There are no Martian foes starting on the board. The survivors decide to deploy on the west side, near the destroyed out-building. Annie and Tommy stick together, while John and Luke stay together on the opposite corner. They start 6 MU in from the deployment edge.
The group also decided to set off just before dusk, and arrive at their destination at dusk. However, poor timing also means that bad weather has rolled into town with wind, rain, and thunder. This automatically starts the danger at 11! That stinks!
If you are interested and so inclined, you can read the full report on the Blood and Spectacles blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/10/battle-report-under-martian-yoke.html
