™

THE DELPHI COUNCIL NEEDS YOU!

™
Delphi Missions: The Nile Empire is part of
a series of adventures designed to enhance
any Torg Eternity campaign. Each of the
ten adventures inside is suitable for an
evening of play, and may be dropped
into an existing story or played on its

DELPHI MISSIONS: THE NILE EMPIRE

own. These dangerous missions add
opportunities and complications to the
Storm Knights‘ lives.

This product contains adventures for

Alpha and Beta Clearance Storm Knights
written by a host of returning Torg icons,
including Greg Gorden, Ed Stark, Miranda Horner, and John Terra. Industry
names like John Wick, Steve Kenson, Wendelyn Reischl, Camdon Wright,
and Tracy Sizemore join in to add their own spins to the pulp adventure
of the Nile Empire!

INSIDE YOU‘LL FIND:

• Ten adventures, all set within different parts of the Nile Empire.
• Great for a one night fill-in, or to extend an act that ends
too early.
• New foes to battle and allies to win!

UlissesNorthAmerica.com

$24.99

9 781643 770543

This game requires the ISBN 978-1-64377-054-3

Torg Eternity Core Rules UNA10049
and Drama Deck to play.

Justus Pendleton (order #17831739)

Delphi Missions Nile Empire Team Revised & Expanded Developers: Eric Gibson,
Writing: Greg Gorden, Miranda Horner, Steve Jim Ogle, Gareth Michael Skarka, Nikola Vrtis,
Kenson, Tracy Sizemore, Bill Slavicsek, Ed Stark, Stephen Marsh, Talon Dunning
John Terra, John Wick, Scott Woodard, Camdon Nile Empire and Terra Design: Greg Farshtey, Greg
Wright Gorden, Brian Sean Perry, Ed Stark, Michael Stern, and
Ray Winninger
Editing: Ron Blessing
Art Direction: Aaron Acevedo Torg Eternity Design Team
Layout: Aaron Acevedo, Darrell Hayhurst Writing and Design: Shane Lacy Hensley, Darrell
Graphic Design: Aaron Acevedo, Jason Engle, Hayhurst, Markus Plötz, Deanna Gilbert, Ross
Maik Schmidt Watson
Cover: Scott Schomburg, Bien Flores Unique Contributors: Greg Gorden, Jim Ogle, Steve
Soparie Kenson, Ed Stark, George Strayton, Henry Lopez,
Aaron Pavao, Angus Abranson, Steven Marsh,
Interior Illustrations: Ben Acevedo, Emma Beltran, Patrick Kapera, Bill Keyes, John Terra, James
Chris Bivins, Donald Crank, Dennis Darmody, Knevitt, Jonathan Thompson, Andy Vetromile,
Talon Dunning, Bien Flores, Ross Grams, Gunship Joseph Wolf, Jasyn Jones
Revolution, Aaron Riley, Alida Saxon, Unique
Soparie, Carly Sorge Art Director: Aaron Acevedo
Graphic Design: Aaron Acevedo, Jason Engle
Original Design Team Playtesting: Jimmy Macias, Michael Conn,
Mythos and Game Design: Greg Gorden, Bill Damien Coltice, Michael Mingers, Michelle
Slavicsek, & Douglas Kaufman, with Ed Stark, Greg Hensley, Ron Blessing, Veronica Blessing, Tracy
Farshtey, Stan!, Brian Schomburg, Christopher Sizemore, Golda Lloyd, Andrew Harvey, Dale
Kubasik, Ray Winninger, and Paul Murphy Davies, Ed Rugolo, Scott Walker, Darrell Brooks,
Additional Concepts and Playtesting: Daniel Melvin Willis, James Dawsey, Brad Rogers, Jamal
Scott Palter, Denise Palter, Jonatha Ariadne Caspian, Hassan, Jeremy Dawsey
Michael Stern, Richard Hawran, C.J. Tramontana,
Martin Wixted
Technical Assistance: Dr. Michael Fortner, Dr.
George Exner
Original Logo Design: Tom Tomita

Torg, The Possibility Wars, and all unique characters,

concepts, locations, and creatures are trademarks and / or
copyrights of Ulisses Spiele. All rights reserved.

1
 HYENAS OF HARAR
BY CAMDON WRIGHT 4 Fatal Attraction ���������������������������������������������������������� 31
Mission Briefing��������������������������������������������������������� 4
The City of Harar ������������������������������������������������������ 5
Negasi Attacks������������������������������������������������������������ 7
Allies and Threats������������������������������������������������������ 7
THE CATS OF KHARTOUM
BY MIRANDA HORNER 10
Mission Briefing������������������������������������������������������� 10
The Khartoum Cat Lady ���������������������������������������� 11
Talking to the Mummies ���������������������������������������� 12
I Vant to Suck Your Blood! ������������������������������������� 13
The Aftermath���������������������������������������������������������� 14
Threats ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
A Pulp Vampire������������������������������������������������������� 15
RACE FOR THE SCARAB
BY TRACY SIZEMORE 16
Mission Briefing������������������������������������������������������� 16
Locating Aspers������������������������������������������������������� 17
The Cairo Metro������������������������������������������������������� 18
Amenhotep’s Scarab ����������������������������������������������� 20
Scarab Image������������������������������������������������������������� 20
Escaping Cairo���������������������������������������������������������� 20
Aftermath ����������������������������������������������������������������� 21
Threats and Vehicles����������������������������������������������� 21
FOOD FOR THOTH
BY JOHN TERRA 22
Delphi Briefing �������������������������������������������������������� 22
Well, It’s Not Exactly Uber… �������������������������������� 24
As the Crow Flies…������������������������������������������������� 24
Oh, NOW What!? ���������������������������������������������������� 25
Q&A Gone Horribly Wrong���������������������������������� 26
Aftermath ����������������������������������������������������������������� 27
FOG OF WAR
BY STEVE KENSON 28
Delphi Briefing �������������������������������������������������������� 28
Crossing the Valley ������������������������������������������������� 28
Two for the Price of One ���������������������������������������� 30
2
Two-Pronged Strike��������������������������������������������������� 30
The Fog Lifts��������������������������������������������������������������� 33
Threats ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 33
FLIGHT OF THE IKARUS
BY ED STARK 34
Delphi Briefing ���������������������������������������������������������� 35
The Mission���������������������������������������������������������������� 36
The Superstructure ��������������������������������������������������� 38
Denouement��������������������������������������������������������������� 40
Threats ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 40
DIGGING UP THE BETTER HALF
BY JOHN WICK 42
Delphi Briefing ���������������������������������������������������������� 42
The Hidden Tomb������������������������������������������������������ 43
Consequences ������������������������������������������������������������ 46
Threats ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 46
The Gift of Service������������������������������������������������������ 47
THE SERIAL GAMBIT
BY GREG GORDEN 48
Meanwhile...��������������������������������������������������������������� 48
Cupola Falling������������������������������������������������������������ 50
Hangar Ablaze������������������������������������������������������������ 51
Delphi Council Briefing�������������������������������������������� 52
The Plan in Motion���������������������������������������������������� 54
For the scholars among us ��������������������������������������� 56
We Can Only Do One Take��������������������������������������� 56
Threats ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 59
THE ORPHAN
BY SCOTT WOODARD 62
Delphi Briefing?��������������������������������������������������������� 62
In the Desert��������������������������������������������������������������� 62
Bottling the Demon��������������������������������������������������� 64
The Chase is On!��������������������������������������������������������� 64
Sunrise, Sun Set ��������������������������������������������������������� 66
After the Fact ������������������������������������������������������������� 66
Threats ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 66
GRIM HOUSE
BY BILL SLAVICSEK 68
It’s Definitely a Trap! ���������������������������������������������� 68
The Catacombs �������������������������������������������������������� 70
Jackals in the Dark �������������������������������������������������� 71
The Deadly Enclosure �������������������������������������������� 72
Doctor Grim and the Possibility Extractor ���������� 73
The Aftermath���������������������������������������������������������� 74
Threats ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 75

COMMON FOES 76

GENERAL DIRECTIVE #5
an
From the desk of Quinn Sebasti

how we win.
Share your tales of glory—it’s
ion is mo re val ua ble tha n am muntion in the Living Land.
Spreading hope to the popu lat
, bu t for the sa ke of Co re Ea rth, get over it! When you do
I know some of you are shy out it!
ng ex tra ord ina ry wh ile fig hti ng the High Lords, tell people ab
somethi
Quinn Sebastian

GENERAL DIRECTIVE #6
From the desk of Quinn Sebastian

Only share the really glorious stuff.

Some of you really took Directive #5 to heart, but it’s come to
my attention that a
few of the tales going around are a bit...mundane, even if the energ
y was there. If it’s
not a great story, it doesn’t spread well. If it doesn’t spread
well then hope doesn’t
get where it needs to go. Save the tales for the big moment,
the one that leaves a
lasting impression.
Quinn Sebastian

3
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION:
HARAR, ETHIOPIA

The ancient city of Harar in Ethiopia has a long and

sometimes troubled history with the hyenas that

BY CAMDON WRIGHT
HYENAS OF
prowl the desert at night. Long before the coming
of the Nile Empire the city made peace with the
creatures by learning how to coexist with them. For
generations the famed hyena men of Harar hand
fed the nocturnal visitors with bone and meat
scraps.
HARAR
With the coming of the Nile Empire the hyenas have
transformed into supernatural beings, and control
of the animals falls upon the shoulders of a very
special woman. A Storm Knight, Desta Mulugeta,
with the power to control and communicate with
these nocturnal predators, has stepped forward
and become the city’s protector. She has kept the
city an unconquered stronghold, but four days ago
everything changed.
Kofi Wolde Gabriel from the Delphi Council has
a mission for the team: save Desta and keep Harar
out of Dr. Mobius’ clutches.

MISSION BRIEFING
The heroes gather at a desert encampment
just outside the Nile Empire boundaries. The
Delphi command tent contains communication
equipment, maps, and a large conference table.
Kofi Wolde Gabriel sits at the table head and briefs
the characters on the mission
“The situation in Harar is dire. Someone or something
seems to be controlling Desta Mulugeta. She is the
beloved protector of Harar who has the unique ability
to communicate with the magical hyenas that live
in the city. She has devoted her life to Harar and is
possibly the most powerful Storm Knight in Ethiopia.
Despite her protests, the city treats her as a warrior
queen, and most would give their life to save hers.
If Dr. Mobius was able to permanently gain control
over Desta’s mind the people of Harar would be his to
control as well.

4
 The walls of the transfromed city still have tunnels for the local hyenas.
The city location makes it strategic to our operations,
but just as important are the lives of the good people
who live there. They don’t deserve to become subjects
of Dr. Mobius’ tyranny.
Break the spell clouding her mind and find who is
responsible. Unfortunately, time does not seem to be
on your side. You must complete this mission before
the sun sets on this day.
Each night Desta seems to lose more of herself and I
fear we have run out of time. Sunset transforms the
hyenas into terrifying beasts seemingly made of the
night itself. If she were to order them to attack you…
it won’t be good.”
The Delphi Council has vehicles and horses
waiting for the travelers. They choose their
preferred means of travel to Harar.
THE CITY OF HARAR
The stone walls of the city rise up out of the desert
as they have for centuries. Locals destroyed and
cleared most of the modern buildings that once
surrounded the walls for 30 meters in every
direction. Shocktroopers and hyenas patrol the top
of the city walls in plain sight. Everything about the
city makes it clear outsiders are no longer welcome.
THE WALLS
Walkways line the top of the six-meter (20-foot)
high stone walls surrounding the city. Guards
patrol the catwalks day and night. Guards have
an unobstructed view of the surrounding area and
can spot characters in their line of sight as they
approach the city. The predictably timed patrols
are avoidable with a standard stealth skill test.
5
 Duke Gate
A large stone arch, called Duke Gate, is the largest
entrance to Harar. Hyenas and Shocktroopers
stand guard over the opening in the city walls.
The hyenas have a golden glow coming from their
eyes, which gives them a supernatural quality. The
Shocktroopers stand out from the rest of the city’s
inhabitants with their uniforms.
Three hyenas and Shocktroopers guard the Duke
Gate. The team requests passage through the gate,
which the guards deny. It is possible for the party to
make its way past the guards with a hard persuasion
test, but a Shocktrooper and hyena accompanies
the heroes inside the city walls.
If the Storm Knights attack the guards one hyena
and Shocktrooper per two characters join the fight
on the next round.
Argorba Gate
Two hyenas and one Shocktroopers protect the
smaller Argorba gate on the eastern side of the
city. They only allow Nile Empire Shocktroopers
through this gate.
Just inside the gate is a group of tents the
Shocktrooper platoon stationed in Harar is using
as a base of operations.
When attacked the Shocktroopers guarding
the gate will call out for help. Two hyenas and
Shocktroopers per Storm Knight join the battle at
the rear gate two rounds later.
Hyena Tunnels
The people of Harar carved these passageways
into the city walls more than 100 years ago. Two
of the tunnels remain, one each in the southern
and northern walls. They provide quick access
in and out of the city for the hyenas, and are just
big enough for an average sized adult human to
crawl through. Larger people (Strength 10+) or
those in heavy armor (Armor 3+) struggle in the
tight spaces, and must make a Hard (DN 14) stealth
test to wriggle out before attracting the attention of
wandering guards.
6
INSIDE THE WALLS
The city streets
Large roads from the main gates (Duke and
Argorba) lead to the square in the city center.
Countless narrow alleys branch off of those main
roads and create a maze connecting everything.
Stone buildings and canvas tents provide shelter
to Harar’s residents. Most of the city is mundane
in nature and filled with people living trying to
survive in a world of heroes and supervillains.
It is easy to get lost inside the city without a
guide. Characters unfamiliar with the city make
a standard find test to pick their way through the
street and alleys without losing time.
Command Tent
Inside the Shocktrooper base of operations one tent
is much larger than the others. Five Shocktroopers
are at work inside coordinating the Harar mission.
On a large wooden table are drawings for the
obelisk under construction in the city center, and a
scroll detailing the final ritual to be used on Desta.
City Center (Feres Magala)
The city center is located where the roads
from both Duke and Argorba gates meet. It’s a
gathering place for celebrations, public debate,
and pronouncements from city leaders. Desta often
uses the area to meet with people in need of her
help.
A large stone obelisk, covered in scaffolding, sits
at the center point of the central square. The obelisk
seems to grow right out of the earth itself. There is
a large wooden stage on the southern side of the
city center.
Desta sits on a low wooden stool in the center
of the stage. She is speaking to a group of three
Shocktroopers about plans to better secure the city
walls. Two hyenas are asleep at her feet. Citizens
move about the area going about their daily
routines. There is a group of young girls sitting
on the scaffolding across from the stage. They’re
watching Desta closely and most are imitating her
movements. One of the children is carrying a small
cloth hyena doll. They are having a mock battle
with the air and defeating imaginary foes.
 Both Desta and the Shocktroopers are hostile to
anyone who doesn’t appear to be from Harar or Dr.
Mobius’ army. Convincing Desta to break out of
the spell controlling her requires either a persuasion
test at –10 or the scroll from the tomb.
Tomb of Nur ibn Mujahid
On top of a small hill sits a bright green building
shaped like a beehive. Stone protrusions jut out
from the sides. A small group of people sit around
the tomb singing an ancient sounding song. An
elderly woman cautions the party they must enter
the tomb facing forward and exit by backing out.
A spirit resides inside the tomb and provides the
healing scroll if the party respectfully asks for help.
The scroll only breaks a curse for those who are true
of heart. By reading the scroll aloud while staring
directly into the eyes of the cursed, any magical
hold over a person is broken. Any heroic person,
regardless of the language they speak, can read the
scroll. The scroll bursts into flames after it is used.
Written on the scroll are the words, “A spirt has
turned its evil eye upon you. We see the goodness
of your path and would set you back upon it. Grasp
the light inside yourself and burn away evil’s hold.
Return to this world.”
If characters ignore the woman’s instructions on
how to exit the tomb the scroll bursts into flames
when it crosses the tomb’s threshold.
The people outside of the tomb start yelling for
help if the party attacks them, threatens them,
or defiles the tomb in anyway. Their cries attract
the attention of nearby guards and hyenas. One
Shocktrooper per player character and one hyena
per two player characters respond to the situation.
NEGASI ATTACKS
Negasi, the mummy sorcerer who has invaded
Desta’s mind, sits in a small chamber under the city
center. If he senses unfamiliar magic in the area, or
feels his control over Desta break, he opens a portal
in the earth next to the scaffolding. He knows the
cost of failing Dr. Mobius, so he does everything
in his power to regain control over Desta. Negasi
has an amulet on his hand that matches a burn on
Desta’s hand.
If his defeat seems certain, Negasi tries to escape
by knocking over all of the scaffolding onto nearby
innocents. He tries to force the heroes to choose
between saving the innocent or going after him. If
they let him go he burrows into the ground and
returns to the tunnels. Tracking him after this is a
heroic (DN 18) tracking test. He opens and closes
tunnels as he travels to confuse things even further.
If Desta is killed, a supernatural darkness envelops
the city, and the hyenas shift into their nighttime
form, regardless of the sun’s position. The frenzied
hyenas attack all armed people, outsiders, and
anyone threatening them. The attacks last until
sunrise of the following day. Only the original
residents of Harar are safe.
ALLIES AND THREATS
DESTA MULUGETA
Legend says only the purest of heart can speak to
the hyena and bring peace to Harar. Desta is the
only known Harari Storm Knight and has made the
most of her power. She has the ability to speak with
the magically enhanced hyenas, known locally as
the Waraba.
She is a leader to her people, organizer of the
resistance to Dr. Mobius’ takeover, and protector
of the city. Things changed when she invited Dr.
Mobius’ Shocktroopers into the city’s walls. Desta
proclaimed she brokered a truce and the soldiers
are there to make sure the city is safe and strong for
generations to come.
The mummy sorcerer Negasi, a powerful agent
of Dr. Mobius, controls her mind with an ancient
amulet. She hasn’t fallen completely under his
control yet so won’t turn the hyenas on her beloved
city. Negasi will have total control of her mind with
one final ritual.
Desta has a burn in the shape of an Axum cross on
the back of her right hand. The wound was created
by the pendant Negasi is using to control Desta’s
mind.
Quote: “The hyenas aren’t evil, they simply are.”
Attributes: Charisma 8, Dexterity 7, Mind 9, Spirit
9, Strength 7
7
 Skills: Dodge 9, find 10, intimidation 10, fire
combat 9, melee weapons 8, persuasion 11,
reality 10, taunt 10, trick 10, unarmed combat 8,
willpower 11
Move: 7; Tough: 7; Shock: 9; Wounds: 3
Equipment: MP-40 (Damage 13, Short Burst,
Range 10/25/40)
Perks: Beastmaster (Hyena), Rally
Possibilities: 3
Special Abilities:
• Hyena Affinity: Desta can control the magical
hyenas of Harar.
NEGASI
Even in death Negasi still hungers for power over
the world of man as he did in life. Dr. Mobius agreed
to hand him control over the southern region of the
Nile Empire. Even Negasi realizes every promise
from Dr. Mobius carries an unspoken, “Until it no
longer serves my purposes.”
Negasi, once a powerful sorcerer, is wrapped in
traditional bandages. Brightly painted glass orbs
with a dim red glow sit in his hollow eye sockets.
He has an Axum cross woven into the bandages of
his right hand, which he is using to control Desta’s
mind. Negasi has a lair carved out of the rock
underneath the city center. The obelisk above the
ground continues into this room three meters (nine
feet) below the surface. Dr. Mobius gave him very
specific instructions to carve symbols into the base
of the obelisk. Negasi doesn’t yet understand the
ultimate purpose the obelisk will serve.
Quote: “What was once, shall be again.”
Attributes: Charisma 11, Dexterity 10, Mind 9,
Spirit 15, Strength 16
Skills: Alteration 14, apportation 14, conjuration
14, dodge 13, faith 20, find 14, intimidation 20,
maneuver 13, melee weapons 15, missile weapons
14, reality 18, survival 12, taunt 14, tracking 13,
trick 12, unarmed combat 14, willpower 20
Move: 10; Tough: 16; Shock: —; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Khopesh (Damage Strength +2/18)
Perks: —
Possibilities: 5
8
Special Abilities:
• Claws: Damage Strength +2 (18)
• Divine Blessings: Negasi was a spellcaster
in his previous life, and knows the bullet,
magehands, and shield spells.
• Dread: While a divine mummy is present any
Standard Scene counts as Dramatic instead.
• Fear (–2): Divine mummies have a horrifying
groan. The first time a character encounters a
divine mummy in an act, he must make a Spirit
test at –2 or become Very Stymied.
• Immunity: Divine mummies are immune to
intimidate and fire.
• Relentless: Divine mummies ignore Shock.
• Tunneling: He can move 10 meters through
solid stone, may not run.
• Undead: Mummies are immune to poison
and other effects that require living processes.
SHOCKTROOPERS
There is a full platoon of Shocktroopers, 40 soldiers,
inside the city walls of Harar. They proudly wear
the full regalia of Dr. Mobius’ army.
The rest of the Shocktrooper company is on their
way to secure the city. The Delphi Council doesn’t
realize the Shocktroopers are close by and will
arrive the following morning. There are 80 more
Shocktroopers inside of the city walls, and they
make retaking Harar difficult. If they maintain
control of Desta and the hyenas it becomes almost
impossible.
See page 78.
HYENAS
There are currently 31 supernatural hyenas in
Harar. Two stay with Desta at all times, with the
remaining 29 spread out through the city assisting
the Shocktroopers. They all have freewill and are
defending the city from outsiders because Desta
told them there is danger.
Daytime:
These might appear to be mundane spotted hyenas
of the desert at first glance but they are not. One
look into their glowing golden eyes speaks to the
power they contain.
Attributes: Charisma 5, Dexterity 8, Mind 5, Spirit
9, Strength 8
Skills: Dodge 10, intimidation 10, stealth 10,
tracking 8, unarmed combat 10
Move: 12; Tough: 8; Shock: 9; Wounds: 2
Possibilities: Never
Perks: —
Special Abilities:
• Bite/Claws: Strength +2 (10)

Nighttime:
At night the hyenas transform into a much darker
and deadlier version of themselves. They become
larger, their hide thickens, and they transform into
shadowy nocturnal predators. The hyenas still
listen to Desta in this form, but they hunger for
the hunt. The inhabitants of the city keep piles of
bones and scrap meat around the city at night as an
offering of thanks for their protection.
Attributes: Charisma 4, Dexterity 9, Mind 5, Spirit
10, Strength 17
Skills: Dodge 12, intimidation 15, stealth 15,
tracking 10, unarmed combat 12
Move: 12; Tough: 20 (3); Shock: 14; Wounds: 4
Possibilities: Never
Perks: —
Special Abilities:
• Armor: Thick Hide +3.
• Bite/Claws: Damage Strength +3 (20).
• Dread: These transformed hyenas become
terrifying beasts seemingly made of shadows;
any Standard Scene immediately becomes a
Dramatic Scene.
• Fear: The unnatural shadow form and piercing
laugh of these hyenas triggers instinctive terror.
Test Spirit or become Very Stymied.

NIGHT TIME
HYENA

9
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: KHARTOUM, EGYPT

A potential safehouse in Khartoum is under threat.

It’s been discovered by the villainous Baron Insidia,
THE CATS OF
but he won’t report anything until he unravels the
KHARTOUM
BY MIRANDA HORNER
mystery surrounding a group of mummies within
the site.

MISSION BRIEFING
Standard Scene. The Storm Knights received an
Alpha Clearance, urgent missive from Karima of
Khartoum, asking them to head to a small house on
the outskirts of Khartoum so they could meet with
the Medjay, a recent addition to those helping the
Delphi Council. They are urged to dress to avoid
suspicion, due to Khartoum’s place in Doctor
Mobius’ empire.
Once at the small house, they are ushered inside
by a man whose dark eyes miss nothing. He
introduces himself as the Medjay, saying:
“Welcome to Khartoum, where Doctor Mobius holds
sway and eyes are everywhere. I am the protector of
safehouses throughout the Nile Empire, and I asked for
help because a new agent, Lamassu, needs assistance
securing a safehouse here, in the heart of Mobius’
empire.
“She’s onsite at the prospective safehouse now, dealing
with another unfortunate situation that requires me to
leave this in your hands. I will return soon, though,
and I hope you can help her out with a specific matter
while I acquire what she needs. Essentially, one of
Mobius’ agents, a self-styled vampire named Baron
Insidia, has become aware of her efforts to set up a safe
space for us. Please take care of him.
“Time is of the essence. If Insidia decides to talk to
his superiors, we’ll need to reconsider having this
safehouse, unfortunately.”
The Medjay answers any questions, especially any
that can help the Storm Knights maintain a low
profile while in Khartoum, but he cannot linger
long. He plans to guide them to the safehouse, then
leave them in Lamassu’s hands.

10
 There’s danger lurking in every shadow within the Nile Empire.
THE KHARTOUM
CAT LADY
After winding through several back streets leading
deeper into Khartoum, the Medjay steps into
an alcove, where he pops up a paving stone. He
indicates that the Storm Knights should head
down.
A long descent ends at the beginning of a rounded
tunnel. The smell of incense lingers here, and the
darkness fades into light near a hovering blue-
tinted crystal ahead. More such crystals light the
way into a larger room, which contains several other
doors leading into other areas of this underground
complex. A woman calls out in excitement when
the Storm Knights cross the threshold.
“You’re here! Oh, Medjay, they’re being annoying!”
The woman is in her late twenties, and she is of
Middle-Eastern descent. She’s wearing a plain
blue robe over what might be casual clothes, and
her dark hair is braided ornately on her head. Her
expression is a mix of worry and frustration.
“I am here now with some friends, Lamassu, and
we’ll help you finish this project,” the Medjay says
soothingly, but with a touch of warm humor. “Those
mummies won’t annoy you much longer if we do as
they ask.”
The Medjay introduces the characters, adding,
“While I acquire the gemstone they seek, they will
help you with the baron.”
Lamassu hops once in excitement, then rushes
forward.
“Bless you all! To have more allies at last! I’ve
already had to prove myself so much. I promise to be
11
 TALKING TO
THE MUMMIES
The mummies in the central chamber are
guardians of this place (four regular mummies
and one divine mummy), though they won’t
tell anyone what this place once was right
now, which is irritating to Lamassu. Feel free
to flesh out the lore of it yourself to suit your
campaign’s needs or make it available to the
Storm Knights as they continue to work with
and for the mummies, who have their own
goals (of your choosing). After learning about
the current situation, they wish to start working
against Doctor Mobius and his minions.
When the Storm Knights and Lamassu first
meet the mummies, though, they are limited
to the chamber they’re in, and their divine
mummy leader is not conscious. Once the
gemstone is returned to the throne, the divine
mummy stands up and interacts with those
around her. She demands answers to the
following questions of anyone who enters the
central chamber.
1. What is your name?
2. What did you dream about before meeting
me?
3. What are you most ashamed of?
4. What do you consider to be your kindest
act toward another?
5. Who is your most powerful enemy right
now?
This roleplaying scene could allow both the
players and GM to add more depth to each of
the characters and their interactions with the
world and campaign story, so take notes!
If Lamassu, the Medjay, and the Storm
Knights earn the trust of these mummies, they
could accompany people outside the safehouse
on missions in the area, but they won’t leave
Khartoum at any point.
12
worthy of your trust. And that of the mummies. And
Karima’s. Mobius is a fiend. I’m so happy to no longer
be working for him. So are my cats. Though he doesn’t
know about them because I left when I figured out I
could work with them.”
As if on cue, several cats and some kittens
come forward and wind themselves among the
characters. At this point, both Lamassu and the
Medjay answer more questions. Here are some
points of information that might be useful in
handling Baron Insidia, plus tidbits about Lamassu.
• Baron Insidia works for Doctor Mobius and
while he’s not actually a vampire, he likes to
believe he is. He has some abilities that back
this up. (Feel free to note them.)
• The baron once worked with Lamassu before
she left. She finds him both amusing and
annoying, she’s quick to say, but he can also
be deadly. She warns the Storm Knights that it
might be easy to not take him seriously when
he talks, but they should treat him as a high-
level threat. And maybe not let him talk.
• Baron Insidia picked up Lamassu’s trail a
couple of days ago, and he was either good
enough or lucky enough to have spotted her in
this area repeatedly. When her cats alerted her
to his continued presence around here in the
evenings, she decided to ask Karima for help.
• “No matter what happens, do NOT invite
him into anywhere ever,” Lamassu states.
“You’ll never be rid of him. And that’s how the
last safehouse attempt went here in Khartoum:
He controlled someone to invite him in. It was
over after that. It was disgusting to hear him
brag about it, too. Ugh. And I made the mistake
of inviting him into my workspace once before
I really knew him, and he always made a point
to step into it whenever he was around because
he knew how much it irritated me.”
• At around this time, too, she finally figured
out how to get into the central chamber of this
complex, which contains five mummies and a
throne. Four of the mummies are awake; the
fifth is not and is seated on the throne. She has
been tasked with returning a gemstone to the
throne on their behalf, and if she does so, they
will assist in guarding the entire safehouse
instead of maintaining their vigilance within
 the chamber only. The Medjay knows where it
is now and needs to head out to retrieve it.
• Lamassu was once an agent of Doctor Mobius,
but after being asked to do something terrible,
which she won’t talk about, she started thinking
about leaving. That’s when she realized she
could work with cats: talk with them, ask them
to help her, and so on. Obviously, not all cats
are quite ready to help exactly as she’d ask, but
for the most part, they work with her pretty
well. She uses them to patrol the area, watch for
trouble, and so on. They serve as eyes, though,
and do not attack.
• She plans to send out several cats with the
Storm Knights to help them keep undetected
and to get them to where they think Baron
Insidia is holed up right now.
UTILIZING THE KHARTOUM
CAT SPY NETWORK
The Storm Knights could ask Lamassu to have
the cats help set them up for good positions, so
reward that level of planning by having each cat
that accompanies them point out potential spots.
The sign that Lamassu tells them to watch for is
that the cat sits down and starts cleaning it face.
Additionally, you could have a lot of fun
personalizing the cat experience by giving the crew
that helps the characters names, specific coloring,
and even behaviors.
I VANT TO SUCK
YOUR BLOOD!
Now the Storm Knights must figure out how they
want to handle Baron Insidia. Lamassu and her
cats know where he spends his days, and if they
want to wait until daylight to handle him, they
might surprise him and his daytime guardians.
Faster, though, might be better, and the timing of
this scenario might have the characters facing the
baron alone during the night, when he’s looking
around the area. In this case, the cats can guide
them to meet up with him and allow the Storm
Knights to pick their timing. Use either set-up as
time of day dictates
If the baron feels like he will lose, though, he
attempts to flee the area, and the safehouse will
assuredly be compromised shortly thereafter.
HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT
MY DAILY REST!
In keeping with his belief that he is a vampire (and
his aversion to daylight), Baron Insidia likes to find
a safe place to wait out the day, and he keeps several
guardians around him. When the Storm Knights
appear to deal with him, however that looks like,
the guardians are ready to fight, but it takes the
baron a round or two to come into play. Playing it
smart and taking advantage of the baron’s aversion
to daylight should be rewarded!
• Shocktrooper Officer: See page 78.
• Nile Empire Shocktrooper (1 per hero): See
page 78.
• Baron Insidia: See page 15.
VAIT? VHAT?
Because Baron Insidia is seeking to find out what
Lamassu has been up to, and because he has a
certain amount of hubris and wants to victoriously
present all information possible to his superiors,
he wanders the area at night alone, waiting to
catch sight of her and follow her back. He has a
few people in the area who help him with this
unwillingly (using his Mind Control), but the
limited nature of this ability (the target must make
eye contact) means he hasn’t anywhere near as
good a spy network as Lamassu does.
So, it’s possible the Storm Knights could try to
ambush him as he moves around the area by using
stealth and streetwise. If the cats help out due to
planning ahead, their efforts could become easier
and quieter. But if the Storm Knights make a lot of
noise, have a group of shocktroopers show up.
• Baron Insidia: See page 15.
• Nile Empire Shocktrooper (2 per hero): See
page 78.
13
 THE AFTERMATH
If the Storm Knights decide to capture Baron
Insidia or put an end to him entirely, they have
helped Lamassu secure the Khartoum safehouse
for the time being, so she can finish off preparations
to open its doors to those who have need of it.
Given its location, though, it will remain one of the
most vulnerable safehouses among the Medjay’s
network.
If the baron escapes, it doesn’t take too many days
before the location is discovered—Doctor Mobius
puts many people on finding it after Baron Insidia
tells him something is awry in that area of his
empire.
When the Medjay returns from his errand, he
hands the gemstone to Lamassu, who gestures to
everyone that they should accompany her. She
places the stone within a socket in the throne, which
then briefly lights up, awakening the mummy upon
it. At this point, the mummy starts interacting with
everyone. Play this out as a roleplaying scene for as
long as it remains interesting. When the mummies
realize their goals can align with Lamassu’s, the
Medjay’s, and the Delphi Council, they become
allies. However, if the baron escaped earlier, they
request to be removed to another location within
the city, which they reveal only to Lamassu.
“Only when we have remained undetected in our new
location for six full cycles of the moon will we then
allow it to become a safehouse for you and yours,” the
noble mummy states. “After that, we will join forces.”
If asked how many other places they know of, the
mummies remain irritatingly silent.
As for the cats: If any of the Storm Knights wish
to take one on as a companion, Lamassu is happy
to help, but the character must guarantee the cat’s
well-being.
“I know you lead dangerous lives, but within the
scope of that, please take care of this one!”

14
 THREATS
BARON INSIDIA
Baron Insidia’s body was altered in an experiment
conducted by Doctor Mobius and gained the
abilities of an old movie vampire, complete
with sensitivity to the sun, immense strength, a
beguiling gaze, and a distaste of garlic. He actually
truly believes he is a vampire, even though he isn’t.
Quote: “Ahh, ahh, ahh!”
Attributes: Charisma 11, Dexterity 7, Mind 8,
Spirit 8, Strength 13
Skills: Dodge 9, find 12, intimidation 12, maneuver
9, persuasion 16, reality 11, scholar 11, stealth
10, streetwise 13, taunt 13, tracking 11, trick 10,
unarmed combat 11, willpower 13
Move: 7; Tough: 13; Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: —
Perks: Endurance, Super Attribute (Strength),
Mind Control (uses persuasion, target must
make eye contact)
Possibilities: 5
Special Abilities:
• Grappler: Unarmed combat tests, when
attempting to grapple a target or preventing
a target from escaping a grapple, are Favored
(see Grappling in Torg Eternity).
• I Vant To Suck Your Blood!: If Baron Insidia
has restrained a target without Full Body
armor, he may bite for Strength +2 (13) + 1BD
damage automatically.
• Allergy to Sunlight: While in direct
sunlight, Baron Insidia is Stymied.
•Sensitivity to Garlic: Interaction attacks that
involve garlic in some way are Favored.
A PULP VAMPIRE
There is some debate on what a “true” vampire
is like. There is a strain in Orrorsh that is widely
considered the standard, but other cosms
have legends or creatures that fit some of the
same characteristics. Whatever the truth about
vampires, the Baron isn’t one.
Instead, Insidia is quite mad. He has strange
pulp powers and believes he is a vampire, but
that is the only connection he has to the actual
mythical creatures. However, in the world of
Torg belief is a powerful thing, especially in the
hands of a Stormer with the ability to impose
his mad beliefs on the reality around him.
When judging the effects involving Insidia,
belief is the key component. He can’t enter a
home uninvited because he thinks he can’t. He
burns in sunlight or becomes sick near garlic
because he believes he should. If he doesn’t
realize a dish contains garlic, however, it has
no effect on him whatsoever.
A Hard (DN 12) scholar test provides other
vampire legends that might be used against
Insidia: an inability to cross running water,
he must sleep atop Terran soil inside his own
coffin, and so on. Encourage the characters to
play into these weaknesses.
If the Baron is killed in a direct confrontation
with the Storm Knights it might turn out that
supernatural forces are at play after all. The
Law of Inevitable Return insures that even if
staked and burned Insidia may rise from the
grave seeking revenge!
15
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: CAIRO, EGYPT

RACE FOR THE
An Eternity Shard is suspected to reside under
Cairo and must be found before the Insidious Wu
Han realizes what’s happening.

BY TRACY SIZEMORE
MISSION BRIEFING
Standard Scene. The Storm Knights are on a
PBY Seaplane (see page 21) bound for Cairo.
SCARAB
On the plane with the heroes is a Delphi Council
operative named Redner. He pilots the plane
if none of the team has the air vehicles skill and
merely accompanies them if they do. Once in the
air, Redner passes a message bearing the Delphi
Council seal to the Storm Knights. It’s marked
“Top Secret and Urgent!”
“Sabella, our operative now based in Giza, has
obtained intelligence regarding a powerful eternity
shard known as Amenhotep’s Scarab, a unique jewel
purported to have regenerative properties. It was
commissioned by Egyptian pharaoh, Amenhotep III,
to be the centerpiece of his sarcophagus in the 13th
century B.C., but the sarcophagus disappeared from
his tomb shortly after his death.
“Sabella believes a mysterious figure in the Cairo
underworld named Aspers knows the Scarab’s
location, but he is cagey and mercenary in his dealings.
Sabella located Aspers, but her notoriety among Dr.
Mobius’ forces prevented her from making contact. To
complicate matters, we believe Wu Han’s agents are
already on Aspers’ trail, so what was an information
gathering curiosity has now turned into an urgent
operation!
“Aspers works as a tailor in downtown Cairo. You
are to make contact, get the location of the Scarab by
whatever means necessary, and immediately bring it
to Naples, Italy without delay.
“Our operative Redner will secure your plane after
landing and ensure it’s ready to go for quick extraction
on completion of your mission. Time is of the essence!
Good luck.
“Signed, Omar Bednarczyk, Delphi Council
Cassandra Division.”

16
 The Shroud knows all too well it’s better to be inside the plane than outside.
Redner gives the team a package, including
roughly 10,000 Royals, indicating they might need
it to grease the wheels with Aspers. The plane
touches down on the Nile next to downtown Cairo,
and Redner assures the team it will be ready to go
when they are.
ASPERS
Aspers is a piece of work. He’s less a treasure
hunter and more of an information mercenary who
sells his knowledge to the highest bidder. He’s
survived this long by being clever and not playing
fair. He’s always on the lookout for a better deal,
and when things go wrong, he tends to disappear.
Quote: “Come now! This is valuable information,
if not to you, then to someone else.”
Attributes: Charisma 12, Dexterity 7, Mind 10,
Spirit 8, Strength 7.
Skills: Evidence analysis 11, persuasion 13, stealth
12, streetwise 14, trick 10.
Move: 7; Tough: 7; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Flash grenade (x2), knife.
Perks: —
Possibilities: None
Special Abilities:
• Slippery: Aspers has an uncanny ability to
slip away and disappear the moment no one is
looking.
LOCATING ASPERS
Standard Scene. In Cairo, the Storm Knights
should get a sense of a world that never slows
down. Crowds of people shop, work and move
17
 around, while various dramas large and small
play out everywhere they look. Strangers with
suspicious stares and secrets, whispered between
masked figures, is the norm.
Aspers’ shop offers high-end clothing and
tailoring to people of influence and money. It’s
located in downtown Cairo, just a few blocks from
the seaplane port.
Wu Han’s Men
By the time the Storm Knights arrive at the shop,
they’re almost too late. They enter to see Aspers, a
small, frightened looking older man in shirt-sleeves
with a measuring tape draped around his neck. A
sinister but charismatic man with a scar across his
face (the Archeologen) threatens Aspers with a
knife. The man wears a black suit and a panama
hat, and he’s flanked by several humorless thugs.
Aspers looks relieved at the interruption, but the
Archeologen simply grins. He is only too happy to
dispatch any rivals on his path to the Scarab.
Aspers is content to sit out the conflict and cower
in the corner. He’s a deal maker, not an action hero,
and the only deal to be made is with the winner of
the fight.
• The Archeologen: See below.
• Thugs (2 per hero): See page 77.
THE ARCHEOLOGEN
A servant of Wu Han, the Archeologen is a
ruthless criminal who specializes in finding hidden
antiquities. Soft spoken and a snappy dresser, his
charismatic demeanor belies his cold brutality. His
goal is to extract the information he needs from
Aspers and kill anyone who gets in his way.
Quote: “Ah, more amateurs to deal with!”
Attributes: Charisma 12, Dexterity 9, Mind 10,
Spirit 9, Strength 11
Skills: Dodge 11, find 11, fire combat 12,
intimidation 12, land vehicles 10, melee weapons
11, reality 12, stealth 10, taunt 11, trick 11,
willpower 11.
Move: 9; Tough: 11, Shock: 9; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Knife, leather armor, Thompson 1928
Perks: Mind Control
Possibilities: 3
18
Special Abilities:
• Gloater: When taunt or intimidation are
Approved Actions, the villain may affect the
entire party without a Multi-Target penalty.
Affected heroes lose a random card from their
hand.
• Minions: The villain may transfer any hit to a
lackey within a few meters if he succeeds at a
reality test.
Let’s Make a Deal
After the heroes defeat the Archeologen and his
goons, Aspers dusts himself off and expresses
his gratitude to the heroes for saving his life. In
exchange, he’s happy to offer the heroes a special
“friends” discount in exchange for the location of
the Scarab. Aspers is anything if not irrationally
greedy.
With a Hard (DN 14) persuasion or intimidation test,
they convince him it’s in his best interest to reveal
his secret. Lower the difficulty if the Storm Knights
grease the wheels with an offer of substantial cash,
but Aspers is never fully satisfied with what he
gets. After he gives the heroes the information they
need, he mysteriously disappears the first time
they take their eyes off him.
THE CAIRO METRO
Standard Scene. The Scarab is buried in a secret
tomb, directly under the Nile itself, in the very
heart of Cairo. Aspers discovered access to it while
exploring the ruined Cairo Metro lines under the
city. An explosion in one of the tunnels during the
invasion’s reality storms created an opening into
an ancient undiscovered passage.
When the team goes down there, they see what
used to be a modern metro train, transformed
during the reality storms into a steam powered
passenger locomotive, seemingly straight out of
the 1950s. It is wrecked and clogs the area where
rubble and steel hide the entrance to the cave. The
passage leads down in a winding path to a chamber
directly below the Nile River under downtown
Cairo.
 AMENHOTEP’S
SARCOPHAGUS
Standard Scene. An ancient sarcophagus
encrusted with jewels, including Amenhotep’s
Scarab, rests on a precarious rock pedestal at the
far end of the large chamber. The only access to it
is via a dangerous, rickety rope bridge that is badly
damaged and almost unpassable. Below the bridge
is a deep pit ending in a shallow pool of water a
hundred feet down. Several massive blocks of
stone line the walls of the chamber, suspended
through tight, form fitting holes in the ceiling.
The walls below the blocks are wet with dripping
water (obviously the source of the pools below)
and lined with glowing moss, which provides dim
illumination in the room.
If the Storm Knights start planning too much (or
at all), rush them along with an unreasonably large
hoard of Shocktroopers charging down the tunnel
behind them. Naturally, they were followed.
THE FLOODING OF THE NILE
After the team enters the chamber, a massive stone
barrier they didn’t see before drops behind them,
trapping them inside. Exactly what tripped the trap
is a mystery, but they feel a shifting under their
feet, and a rumble surrounds them. Through some
unseen, ancient mechanism, the stone blocks on the
walls slowly begin receding into the ceiling as the
trickle of water becomes a stream, then a flood, then
a deluge, as wall openings are exposed. Thousands
of gallons of water roar into the chamber from all
directions and threaten to fill it completely within
minutes. Getting to the sarcophagus, removing the
Scarab, and escaping the trap alive is a Dramatic
Skill Resolution which must be completed in the
usual five rounds.
• Step A: The Storm Knights must first find
a way to jury-rig the broken bridge so they
can cross it safely and get to the sarcophagus.
Suggested test: Science DN14.
• Step B: After reaching the sarcophagus, the
heroes are confronted with an array of jeweled
scarabs affixed to it. They must identify the
correct one before removing it. Suggested Test:
Scholar DN 10.
• Step C: Once they’ve identified the right
jewel, the water is already bubbling around the
team’s waist and rising fast. They must quickly
pry the Scarab loose from the sarcophagus.
Suggested test: Strength DN 16. Up to two other
people may use Combined Actions to assist
this roll.
• Step D: The water level has reached the
ceiling. The only way to get out of the chamber
alive is to wait for the pressure to equalize.
Then the heroes must swim through one of
the openings in the wall and find a path to the
river. Suggested test: Find DN 14.
Dilemmas
When dilemmas happen, feel free to improvise,
but here are some ideas for each type.
• Possible Setback: This could represent an
errant spray of water knocking the Storm
Knights off balance. A failure of the current
step means the Storm Knights must back up
and repeat the previous step.
• Complication: If the current step’s test fails,
this could represent the extreme pressure of the
situation, and the fear involved. This imposes
a –1 cumulative penalty for the rest of the
steps but taking a deep breath and making a
Hard (DN 14) willpower test as a free action can
overcome the fear and eliminate the penalties.
• Critical Problem: Failure on their test against
the current step may represent a surge of water
through a newly opened crack in the wall,
washing the Storm Knights away from the
pedestal, and dislodging the Scarab from their
grasp (if they’ve gotten that far). This forces
them to start over on step A with the test types
for each step adjusted accordingly.
Failure
If the heroes fail the Dramatic Skill Resolution,
they’re in big trouble. No matter which step they
fail on, the Scarab is lost, and the Storm Knights
have only one chance to escape alive. A successful
Hard (DN 14) find test allows them to discover a
path to the river’s surface, but if they fail, well, it’s
not called a deathtrap for nothing.
19

AMENHOTEP’S SCARAB
Cosm: Core Earth
Possibilities: 8
Tapping Difficulty: 12
Purpose: To affect rebirth, regeneration, and
empowerment.
Description: A large jeweled scarab, made of
dark blue gemstone with flecks of shiny red
impurities. It was originally commissioned
by Amenhotep III as the centerpiece of
his sarcophagus. After his entombment,
Amenhotep III’s sarcophagus disappeared,
and the Scarab along with it.
Powers: During a glory event, anyone within
25m of Amenhotep’s Scarab automatically
heals all Wounds. Each character in range
(including villains) may also make a very
hard (DN16) faith test, and if successful, may
remove one permanent injury. The Law of
Glory is always in effect for anyone within
range of Amenhotep’s Scarab.
Restrictions: Amenhotep’s Scarab’s Powers
and Possibilities may only be used in the
presence of the sun.
20
SWIMMING TO THE SURFACE
Regardless of whether they succeeded or failed the
Dramatic Skill Resolution, each Storm Knight must
pass a Hard (DN 14) Strength test to swim out of
there before drowning. Those who make Good or
Outstanding successes may also add +2 to another
player’s roll. Those who fail take 15 damage plus
two BD (ignoring armor) from almost drowning,
and it’s not over yet.
ESCAPING CAIRO
Dramatic Scene. The Storm Knights surface in
the middle of the Nile River in downtown Cairo.
Unfortunately, the Law of Drama rules the day,
and Aspers couldn’t help himself. He sold the
Storm Knights out to a higher bidder.
The heroes see dozens of motor boats filled with
Nile Empire Shocktroopers approaching them
from both directions. Countless more armed thugs
crowd the shores around them.
On the bright side, the Law of Drama occasionally
comes to the rescue as well, and this also happens to
be the port where their seaplane is parked, gassed
up and ready to go, just as promised by Redner.
It’s a Very Easy (DN 6) Dexterity test to hop on the
plane, as Redner taxis past to pick up the heroes,
but there’s no time to lick their wounds because
once they take off, things get really crazy.
THE WING WALKERS
Whether piloted by one of the Storm Knights, or
Redner, the seaplane successfully takes off and
leaves the Shocktroopers behind. A few minutes
later, however, those who make a Challenging (DN
12) find test see the armed Sopwith Camel biplanes
(see page 21) closing on their position. Those
who get a Good success or better also notice several
masked wing walkers tethered to each plane—all
clearly insane and itching for trouble.
If the heroes fail the find test instead, the villains
get a leg up and start on step B of the ensuing chase,
rather than step A.
 Use the chase and vehicle combat rules in
Chapter 4 of the Torg Eternity core rulebook. The
wing walkers use guns to make called shots at
the seaplane’s engine or control surfaces unless
they are on the same step, in which case they
attempt to board and hijack it. Anyone who leaves
the confines of their plane’s cab to crawl around
outside (including the wing-walkers) must make
a Very Easy (DN 6) Dexterity test at the beginning
of their turn each round, to avoid plummeting to
their doom.
If the Storm Knights escape unscathed, they fly
on without further harassment. If, on the other
hand, their plane gets wrecked or they fall out,
just remember this is the Nile Empire. Be on the
lookout for crazy twists, creative solutions, and
insane action. Almost anything is possible. There
aren’t any parachutes on the plane, but there’s
almost certainly a blow-up raft one could find very
useful!
• The Crimson Cape Twins (2): The pilots of
the Sopwith Camels. Use the Masked Marauder
(See page 77) with three Possibilities each, an
air vehicles skill of 12, and a heavy weapons skill
of 11.
• Wing-Walkers (2 per Hero): see Threats
below.
• Redner: He only flies the plane if none of the
Storm Knights are pilots. Use the stats for a
Soldier (see page 77) with the addition of an
air vehicles skill of 9.
AFTERMATH
When the Storm Knights reach Italy, Delphi council
member Omar Bednarczyk himself is there to meet
them. He listens to their tale with amazement and
thanks them for their remarkable and important
work. He assures the heroes Sabella is safe in Giza
and hasn’t been discovered, and she passes on her
congratulations as well.
As far as Aspers goes, Omar is confident this
is not the last they’ll see of him, and given his
resourcefulness, he may prove as much of an asset
as a liability. It’s probably best to let him go—for
now. Of course, that’s not to say the Storm Knights
won’t have other ideas.
THREATS AND VEHICLES
WING WALKERS
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 8, Mind 7, Spirit
8, Strength 8
Skills: Air vehicles 9, dodge 10, find 8, fire combat
10, first aid 8, heavy weapons 9, intimidation 9,
maneuver 9, melee weapons 9, stealth 9, unarmed
combat 9
Move: 8; Tough: 9 (1); Shock: 7; Wounds: —
Equipment: Flight uniform (Armor +1), Thompson
SMG (Damage 14, Short Burst, Range 15/30/60),
Bullwhip (Strength +2/10 damage, reach 3
meters), petrol bomb (14 damage, Medium Blast).
Perks: Double Tap
Possibilities: Rare (2)
Special Abilities: —
PBY SEAPLANE
Speed: 200 kph (13); Tough: 18 (2); Wounds: 3
• Armament: None.
• Fast: Speed grants a +2 bonus to complete
steps in a Chase or a −2 penalty to be hit.
• Maneuverability Rating: –2 penalty to air
vehicles for defenses or tests.
• Passengers: 6.
SOPWITH CAMEL
Speed: 200 kph (13); Tough: 14; Wounds: 2
• Armament: Two .30 caliber machineguns
(Damage 15, AP 2, Range 500/1k/2k, Long
Burst, Ammo 200 each).
• Fast: Speed grants a +2 bonus to complete
steps in a Chase or a −2 penalty to be hit.
• Passengers: 2, plus Wing Walkers.
21
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: CAIRO AND THE

SINAI PENINSULA, EGYPT

A wild ride takes the Storm Knights through a

storm of bullets in Cairo, to the distant peak of
Mount Sinai, where a cabal of Amaatist priests has
made a powerful mistake. They have unwittingly
FOOD FOR
released Thoth’s “Destructive Bird of Carnage,”and
the team must act quickly to set things right before
BY JOHN TERRA the creature’s rampage becomes unstoppable.
THOTH
DELPHI BRIEFING
Standard Scene. It’s nine o’clock at night, and the
Storm Knights are on the outskirts of Cairo, lurking
in a dark railroad switchyard, awaiting their Delphi
Council contact. It’s quiet, except for the occasional
rumble of a passing freight train, pulled by a
puffing and chugging steam locomotive. Standing
around, waiting for word on the next mission, is a
difficult endeavor in a realm where constant action
and motion rule the day, but one does what one
must.
Suddenly, when it seems the Storm Knights can’t
stand one more moment of inaction, the air is
filled with the desperate roar of a heavy sedan’s
engine, getting ever closer. Headlights catch the
Storm Knights in their glow as the car approaches.
A Challenging (DN 12) Mind test reveals that the
sedan is all shot up, and there are two figures in the
front seat, the one in the passenger seat is slumped
over.
The vehicle swerves to a nifty, tidy stop right
alongside the Storm Knights, with 18 inches’
clearance to spare. Read the following aloud:
“The black sedan, an Allenton Roadster, is riddled
with bullet holes, some of them still smoking. The
engine’s idling rough, as if it’s been subject to damage
and overwork. There’s what can best be described as a
robot, clutching the steering wheel, a metal cigar in its
“mouth” and a green “newsie” cap on its head. Sitting
next to him, with a look of fear found only in the wide
desperate eyes of a dying man, is Daoud, your contact.

22
 “He’s bleeding profusely and clutching
a dispatch, which is slowly soaking up his
blood. ‘Please!’ he manages to gasp. ‘I’ve
been found out! They’re after me! Hurry,
take this! Robo-Hack knows the way, just
tell him where to go!’ As he holds up the
document, his eyes roll up into his head and
he expires, his forehead hitting the dashboard
with a solid THUMP.”
All Dauod has on him is a .38 revolver, a
dozen bullets, and $12 in local currency.
When the Storm Knights decide to read
the dispatch, show them this or read it
aloud:
“This is DC Middle-East Division dispatch.
Informants and radio traffic all point to a
BIG MOVE by Doctor Mobius, a real Hail
Mary play. Several of his favorite personal
sorcerers congregating at the site of Biblical
Mount Sinai, attempting to ascertain via
magic the locations of not one but MANY
Eternity Shards in one fell swoop. Possible
treasures include the Spear of Longinus, a
piece of the True Cross, Moses’ staff, the
Holy Grail, and the Ark of the Covenant.
“If this is true, the ritual MUST be disrupted
at all costs. Proceed to Al Fadrin Airfield,
south suburban Cairo, take possession of the
Fokker-Ramses aircraft labelled ‘Reggie’s
Charter,’ fly to co-ordinates secreted in
the plane. This mission is High Priority.
Destroy this document after reading. End.”
As the Storm Knights finish reading
the dispatch, the sounds of several more
Roadsters fill the damp night air. Multiple
headlights light up the bullet-ridden
car, courtesy of three speeding sedans,
brimming with Thompson-wielding
thugs, bearing down on the group!
Robo-Hack whirrs and clicks, and in an
electronic voice enhanced by a Brooklyn
accent says “Where to, youse guys?”

23
 WELL, IT’S NOT
EXACTLY UBER…
Standard Scene. The Storm Knights are being
pursued by a trio of sedans filled with gangsters in
the employ of Mobius-backed crime lords. They’re
the ones who shot up Daoud, and now they aim to
give the same treatment to the Storm Knights.
ROBO-HACK
This robot is a product of Weird Science, and was
designed by Mystery Men support scientists to
drive a car expertly, freeing up Nile heroes to do
impressively heroic things like standing on a car
roof, making impossible trick shots, or executing
dramatic leaps onto pursuing vehicles. Although
just a prototype, Robo-Hack has been pressed into
service in this urgent capacity. He has a land vehicles
skill of 15, and that’s all anyone needs to know.
Robo-Hack speaks with a stereotypical Brooklyn
accent, and uses slang from the 30’s and 40’s. More
importantly, his memory banks have the location
of the small airfield the Storm Knights need to
get to. While it is possible for the Storm Knights
to extract that information and use it on their own
with a Hard (DN 14) Science test, the approaching
mobsters may make such a time-consuming
operation problematic. Bottom line, Robo-Hack is
the Storm Knights’ driver! At least initially…
THE PURSUIT
There are two Mob Goons for each Storm Knight,
with the total number of enemies distributed evenly
among the three black Allenton Roadsters bearing
down on the group. If the Storm Knights need any
extra urging, Robo-Hack yells “Whadda youse
bums waitin’ for, an engraved inna-vertation? Get
in, ya mooks, before ya gets filled with hot lead!”
To start, everything seems to work out alright.
Robo-Hack guns the car through the railyard,
weaving between moving box cars (land vehicles DN
10), beating a passing freight train to the crossing
(land vehicles DN 12), and crashing through a barrier
to the main southern road (land vehicles DN 10),
until the car is finally racing down the open road,
heading to the airfield, a mere 15 minutes away.
24
Unfortunately, as the car roars down the highway,
halfway to the airfield, the thugs fire a lucky burst
and take out Robo-Hack, who sparks and fizzles
and exclaims “Dey got me! Dose bums got me! I
been eighty-sixed! SNAFUed!” as he shuts down.
However, the car is still doing 70 mph; the robot’s
heavy foot is still on the gas, and a Storm Knight
will need to make a hard (DN 14) land vehicles
test in order to move Robo-Hack aside and take
control of the car. Incidentally, Robo-Hack can’t be
repaired unless taken back to a Weird Science lab
and worked on by professionals. This is hardly the
time or place.
But up ahead on the road is a stalled produce truck,
its hood open in the universally known signal for
engine trouble. The Storm Knight attempting to
gain control of the speeding car will have just one
shot at gaining control of the car before having to
make a Very Hard (DN 16) land vehicles test in order
to get around the truck, before plowing into several
hundred pounds of watermelons.
For the duration of the pursuit, use the Chase rules
found in the Torg Eternity Rulebook. Consider the
starting distance between the Storm Knights and
the thugs to be 20 meters.
With Robo-Hack on the fritz, the Storm Knights
will need to perform the memory bank access on the
damaged robot. Kind GMs could also simply put
signs on the road that point to Al-Fadrin airfield,
if the Storm Knights can’t extract the information.
AS THE CROW FLIES…
Standard Scene. The Al-Fadrin airfield is a small
installation, surrounded by a chain-link fence,
one of numerous small airfields scattered around
the Cairo-Giza area. It’s a civilian facility, though
it’s often watched over by a handful of Nile
shocktroopers, like for instance, right now.
The entry has a guard booth and simple wooden
gate that’s raised and lowered, and occupied by a
single, lowly, bored shocktrooper. Once past it, the
Storm Knights notice a series of Fokker-Ramses
and DC-3’s lined up on the tarmac, near several
hangar buildings. An Easy (DN 8) Mind test reveals
the shabby Fokker-Ramses with the “Reggie’s
Charter” logo and colors. The field seems otherwise
quiet, as few flights arrive or depart at night. If
there’s a need to make things more interesting, or if
the Storm Knights have been too noisy, the airfield
does have a barracks with a shocktrooper patrol.
THE AIRFIELD
There are a total of four Fokker-Ramses and
two DC-3’s. In terms of buildings, there’s the
guard booth, three large hangars, a shocktrooper
barracks, a control tower, a garage/machine shop,
a series of aviation fuel tanks, and an anti-aircraft
emplacement.
The Aircraft
The battered Fokker-Ramses has seen better days.
It has a first-aid kit, a flare gun with 10 flares,
two parachutes for an emergency, a flashlight, a
lighter, four spare batteries, and, in a pouch next
to the pilot’s seat, a map with the coordinates for
the mission.
The map shows a mountain called Jebel Musa,
located in the southern portion of the Sinai
Peninsula, and considered by Hebrew scholars
to be one of the most likely spots of the Biblical
Mount Sinai. There’s a big red circle drawn on
the mountain, with the words “BREAK UP THE
RITUAL!” scrawled next to it. It’s a 400 kilometer
flight from the Al-Fadrin airfield. Time to take off…
Ack-Ack
No sooner does the Storm Knights’ plane leave the
runway and begin banking around to the correct
flight vector, when an anti-aircraft gun opens up
with the intent of bringing down the plane. The gun
battery is manned by a crew of three shocktroopers.
Pursuit
Unfortunately, the alarm has already been raised
to other nearby airfields. A few minutes after the
Storm Knights take to the air, they are intercepted
by a trio of Paket fighters, determined to shoot
them down. If the Storm Knights can shake them
off, they’ll have a clear flight until they get close to
their destination, just in time for them to meet…
Once the party is within 10 kilometers of their
destination, a half-dozen Scarab Warriors fly
up to intercept the plane. After a couple rounds
of fighting, the Fokker-Ramses just can’t take
anymore, sputters, loses power, stalls, and begins
a rapid glide earthward, shedding pieces and
generally falling apart in mid-air.
The pilot has two choices: attempt to land on the
sand or try for what appears from their vantage
point to be a large soft patch of lush green grass
(500 meters wide, 800 meters long), certainly with
the potential to be a better cushion. Landing in the
sand safely is a Near Impossible (DN 20) air vehicles
test, the key word here is “safely,” as in, no one gets
hurt. Landing safely in the crops is a Hard (DN 14)
air vehicles test. Ideally, the Storm Knights should
be “encouraged” to land in the greenery.
In either case, use the Collision rules to determine
any damage.
OH, NOW WHAT!?
Standard Scene. If the Storm Knights land
successfully in the greenery, they quickly realize
this isn’t just any regular agricultural endeavor,
as the smell of freshly cut grass, rotting leaves,
and the copper tang of fresh blood reveal. On the
contrary, they have just landed smack-dab in the
middle of a gospog field! Within two rounds, the
Storm Knights will be surrounded by two dozen
Gospog of the First Planting!
Should the Storm Knights land successfully in the
desert instead of the field, they land adjacent to
the green field, about 30 meters away. In this case
the gospog horde will emerge from the thicket en
masse, charging as a murderous mob at the Storm
Knights!
THE FIELD’S ENVIRONS
The field is located within sight of Mount Sinai,
about 10 kilometers away. Adjacent to the field lies
a caretaker’s cabin. There is also a crop-dusting bi-
plane (treat as a Sopwith Camel), three motorcycles
w/side cars, one Ujarak transport truck, and one
Senehem Jeep. Lastly, there’s a fueling station/
motor pool for vehicles. There’s a road that leads
up the mountain, and it’s clearly the way to go if
the group is proceeding on foot or by vehicle.
25
 The gospog field caretaker is currently absent, but
if things need to be kept even more interesting,
there is optionally a group of a dozen shocktroopers
here performing some half-hearted maintenance
and patrol duties.
Any Scarab Warriors who were eliminated have
crash-landed within sight of the field. Although no
one will survive the landing, the battle suits may be
salvaged if anyone thinks of it. Feel free to throw in
any surviving Scarab Warriors into this fray.
The Storm Knights can get up to the Mount Sinai
site in one of several ways. They can steal the land
vehicles, attempt to take the crop-duster, jury-rig
some kind of jet packs from any Sky Warrior suit
wreckage, or just plain hoof it.
Q&A GONE
HORRIBLY WRONG
Dramatic Scene. Three of Mobius’ favorite
sorcerers stand around a small (3 meters high)
limestone pyramid, chanting a spell of extreme
age and power. Hovering a hand span above the
little pyramid’s apex is a statuette of Wadjet. Off
to the side, 10 shocktroopers and a shocktrooper
officer stand on guard. The air seems charged with
electricity, and ominous dark clouds roil overhead,
with an occasional flash of lightning that has a
slight blue-red tint to it.
The trio of sorcerers have hands linked, faces
raised heavenward, eyes blazing with golden light,
as they chant their ancient spell. Before the Storm
Knights can react, the wind kicks up, bringing the
smell of ancient dust, old dried herbs, and blood,
and suddenly in the midst of the sorcerer group
appears a hideous entity. Read the following aloud:
“The wind howls, and from the dark storm clouds
overhead comes a dark being, a twisted ibis-man
hybrid with jet black skin, glowing red eyes, vicious
taloned hands, and a bloody curved beak. The
monstrosity, towering twenty meters tall, lets out a
hideous screech as it is illuminated by the flash of blue
and red lightning.
“Before anyone, be they Storm Knight or Nile Empire
denizen, can do anything, the grotesque personification
of knowledge gone wrong reaches down with a massive
26
hand, scoops up all 10 shocktroopers, and tosses them,
screaming, into its massive gullet.
“Then it turns its attention to the cowering, panicked
sorcerers…
“Red beams shoot out of the thing’s eyes, sweeping
over the terrified sorcerers, who melt, screaming, into
piles of goo, gurgling and bubbling into the mountain’s
soil. But then the great creature suddenly staggers, as
if tired or confused. It clutches at its monstrous bird-
head, as if ready to pass out.”
The sorcerers were indeed up here on this magical,
Possibility-laced Mount Sinai to conduct a ritual to
divine the location of a number of Eternity Shards,
all part of Mobius’ cunning plan to ascertain the
locations of many Eternity Shards at once. To that
end, they discovered an ancient spell they thought
would reveal the information Mobius desired.
The sorcerers translated the text of the spell
as “Thoth’s Instructive Words of Knowledge”;
unfortunately, they grossly mistranslated the
parchment, which actually reads “Thoth’s
Destructive Bird of Carnage.” Thoth uses this
creature to punish anyone daring to plumb the
Secrets No Man Was Meant To Know.
Whoops…
The sorcerers had also searched for a talisman to
give their spellcasting an extra boost. They tried
to find a Thoth talisman rumored to exist (and it
does, in the Delphi Missions Book mission, Kali
Station’s Gone Dark.) and were unsuccessful, so
they improvised with the only talisman they could
get their hands on, one of Wadjet, figuring that as
she is the goddess of protection that would at least
help keep them safe. Clearly, they figured wrong.
However, in the course of its rampage, the ibis
beast of Thoth has exerted itself too hard, too soon.
It is currently weakened and disoriented, but that
condition only lasts for two rounds, after which it
recovers, spends the following round finishing off
the babbling and fear-struck shocktrooper officer,
then finally turning its attention to the Storm
Knights. Now is the time for the Storm Knights to
strike, while it’s vulnerable!
If the Storm Knights manage to knock the Wadjet
statuette off its hovering perch (a hard shot, DN
14), the feeble little protection the talisman offered
is gone, and the ibis-thing immediately recovers,
and is back to full power, letting out a hideous
shriek of triumph!
THOTH’S DESTRUCTIVE
BIRD OF CARNAGE
Due to its dramatically weakened state, the ibis-
thing is Very Stymied, Very Vulnerable, and can’t
take an action on the first round of the encounter.
During the second round it is Stymied and
Vulnerable, but able to act. From the third round
on it behaves normally.
Attributes: Charisma 8, Dexterity 6, Mind 10,
Spirit 15, Strength 18
Skills: Find 12, intimidation 20, unarmed combat
20
Move: 1; Tough: 18; Shock: 15; Wounds: 5
Equipment: —
Possibilities: 7
Special Abilities:
• Bite/Claws: Strength +3 (21).
• Very Large: Attacks against the ibis-thing
gain a +4 bonus.
• Fear: The ibis-thing causes fear.
• Relentless: The ibis-thing ignores Shock;
Fatigue has no effect.
• Immunity: Normal weapons
AFTERMATH
Once the ibis-thing is defeated, all that’s left is
the clean-up. A single Focus Ankh survived the
onslaught, and can be salvaged for Storm Knight
use. If the shocktrooper officer survives, he won’t
be any trouble at all, as his mind is still recovering
from the horror he witnessed. He’ll just let the
Storm Knights go, and in fact will probably just
wander off into the desert. Who knows, maybe
they’ll meet him again someday!
Enterprising GMs can use the whole incident to
reward the Storm Knights by revealing some hidden
bit of information, in keeping with the whole Thoth
motif. At the very least, the Storm Knights could be
given the hook for the next adventure.
As for the statuette, it’s a Nile talisman. The
talisman is one of a series of ten, fashioned in the
shape of various Egyptian gods. The talismans
were sown throughout the world in an effort to
sow chaos and strengthen Nile influence.
The first talisman, Thoth, is found in the Delphi
Missions: Rising Storm adventure, Kali Station’s
Gone Dark. The second one, Sebek, shows up in the
Delphi Missions: Living Land scenario, Deeper Impact.
The Wadjet talisman is the only one that didn’t
wind up leaving the borders of the Nile Empire.

TROOPS
If you Storm Knights
aren’t getting enough of a
challenge so far, feel free
to replace the group of 10
shocktroopers and an officer
with a larger contingent or add
reinforcements.
• Nile Shocktroopers: 10 (see
page 78) and one reality-
rated Nile Shocktrooper
Officer (see page 78).
• Gospog of the Second
Planting: 3 per Storm Knight
(see page 76) commanded
by a reality-rated Amaatist
Priest (see page 76).
• Mob Goons: 3 per Storm
Knight (see page 77).

27
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: RIFT VALLEY, KENYA

The Nile Empire has built a secret base inside

FOG OF WAR Kenya. A small group of Rocket Rangers plan to
bomb the base, but it’s protected by a thick layer of
fog and guided anti-aircraft batteries. The Delphi
Council needs the Storm Knights to slip in and
BY STEVE KENSON
disable the batteries, so the Rocket Rangers’ attack
has a chance.

DELPHI BRIEFING
The storm knights receive the following missive
from the Delphi Counil in the form of a coded
message:
“Rocket Rangers have learned the location of a secret
Nile Empire munitions factory in the Rift Valley of
Kenya. Continuous heavy fog and magnetically-
guided anti-aircraft emplacements make an air-raid
on the facility too risky. You are needed to infiltrate the
site and shut down the defensive measures in advance
of a coordinated Rocket Ranger attack, then get out of
there before the place is blown to hell. Timing will be
critical. Good luck.”
The mission dispatches the storm knights to the
northern Rift Valley in Kenya, which is occupied
Nile Empire territory and a dominant Nile reality
zone bordering Core Earth, on the southern front
of the Empire’s expansion. As their Delphi Council
briefing indicates, the factory is protected by
some weird science security measures, including
a continuous fog bank created by a study of the
Living Land’s Deep Mist by the Green Shroud, the
pulp villain who oversees the facility, developing
fiendish new weapons for Pharoh Mobius.

CROSSING THE VALLEY

Standard Scene. The Storm Knights need to
approach the munitions factory on foot through
the thick shroud of mist surrounding the area. They
need to move at a brisk pace but, at the same time,
avoid any hazards as well as Nile Shocktrooper

28
 The Shroud faees obstacles and mines in the dangerous fog.
patrols, which are equipped with special goggles
allowing them to ignore some of the obscurement
caused by the mist.
The heavy fog hanging over the whole area
sharply limits visibility, such that the Storm
Knights take a –6 penalty for blind fire on ranged
attacks (Torg Eternity, p. 119). The special goggles
worn by the Nile shocktroopers eliminates this
penalty, although they only allow wearers to make
out shapes and movement rather than any real
details at a distance.
Making it to the site is a Dramatic Skill Resolution
(see Torg Eternity) with the following steps:
• Step A: Set out in the right direction and along
the best route towards the factory, in spite of
the cloaking fog and relative lack of landmarks.
This is a Hard (DN 14) survival test.
• Step B: Overcome obstacles and set a quick
pace overland to the site. This is a Difficult (DN
12) Strength test.
• Step C: Avoid detection or trouble along the
way. This is a Hard (DN 14) stealth test.
• Step D: Pick a safe path through the magnetic
mine fields scattered around the base. This is a
Very Hard (DN 16) test against find or science.
If the task fails, the heroes still reach the site, but
are Fatigued along the way, suffering 2 Shock (or
more with Armor), which cannot be recovered
until the Storm Knight’s rest—meaning essentially
not until their mission is over! Dilemmas that may
arise during the Storm Knights’ trip to the factory
include the following:
29
 • Possible Setback: The heroes find their route
blocked by a natural barrier, a demolished
structure, or other debris. If they fail their test
to progress, they lose a step and have to find a
new route around the obstruction, going back
to the previous step.
• Complication: A patrol of four Nile
shocktroopers passes near the Storm Knights’
location. They are equiped with special goggles
that allow them to partially see through the fog
shrouding the area.
• Critical Problem: On a failed test, the
Storm Knights set off a dangerous “magnetic
mine field” trap, with weird science devices
buried just below the ground. In addition, the
character who failed is trapped in an intense
magnetic bubble and may not act until freed
by a Very Hard (DN 16) lockpicking or science
test. A failed attempt causes a shock dealing 12
+ 1BD damage.
TWO FOR THE
PRICE OF ONE
There are two targets to go after in Two-
Pronged Strike, and the Storm Knights may
try to go after them sequentially or split up and
attack both at the same time.
If they split up, one group only needs to do
steps A & B, and the other only needs to do C
& D. That means the second group starts with
Step C active, and the first group is finished
after they complete Step B.
The downside to splitting up is the groups can’t
help one another—which includes Support and
trading cards from their Action Pools.
Dilemmas affect both groups, so if either
group fails the test for a Complication the
alarm sounds, or for the Critical Problem all
charges are found and both groups must start
over. For the Possible Setback split the four
man patrol into two pairs, one for each group.
However a group that fails to eliminate a patrol
quietly must deal with all 10 reinforcements
each round!
30
TWO-PRONGED STRIKE
Standard Scene. The team’s goal is twofold: Shut
down power to the magnetically-guided anti-air
emplacements around the factory, and close down
the device generating the fog bank surrounding
it. Fortunately, the Council has provided them
with enough information to know where the main
generators for the factory are located, and some
compact charges to blow them up, if need be. The
Storm Knights need to determine on their own that
the fog generator has its own independent power
source.
Let the players come up with their own plan of
action once they have reached the factory. They
might decide to keep the group together, going
through the process of sneaking around and
planting charges, or they might decide to split up,
with one group taking out the generators and the
other investigating the source of the fog, creating a
distraction, or the like.
Setting the charges to destroy the generators or
the anti-aircraft weapons is another Dramatic Skill
Resolution.
• Step A & C: A Hard (DN 14) stealth test to get
into position to plant charges.
• Step B & D: A Challenging (DN 12) heavy
weapons test based on Mind to set the charges
and time their detonation correctly.
If the charges still haven’t been planted by the
fifth turn, the heroes are captured by the base’s full
forces—the Green Shroud wants them alive—and
placed in the Magnetic Trap described in Fatal
Attraction following.
• Possible Setback: A patrol of four Nile
Empire Shocktroopers (see page 78) passes
near the Storm Knights’ location and must be
distracted or eliminated. If they fire shots, 10
more arrive each turn.
• Complication: An alarm sounds and the
installation goes on alert. All further steps
suffer a –2 penalty in place of the standard –1
one for a Complication.
• Critical Problem: If the test fails, a patrol
finds any planted charges and disables them.
 FATAL ATTRACTION
Dramatic Scene. Either the Storm Knights are
defeated and captured by the Nile shocktroopers
while trying to reach the factory, or they succeed
and make their way inside and find the machine
generating the fog bank around the facility and in
the valley.
It is installed in a weird science lab in the facility,
a device like a metallic cube roughly two meters
across on each side, equipped with the variety
of levers, knobs, and dials. A half-meter glass
cylinder is attached to the inner side. It is filled
with a sample of the Deep Mist from the Living
Land, acquired as a “gift” from Baruk Kaah to Dr.
Mobius. The opposite side of the device, near the
outside wall, has a long corrugated hose attached to
a wide dispersal nozzle, a bit like an old-fashioned
vacuum cleaner, which belches the artificial fog out
into the space beyond the building.
If the Storm Knights make their way in here on
their own and find the fog device, they trigger a trap
the Green Shroud set to defend it. If the characters
were captured, then they regain consciousness
inside the Green Shroud’s trap just in time for the
villain to gloat about it.
The trap is a weird science magnetic field, similar
to a Force Field Pulp Power gadget. It immobilizes
the characters and has a Toughness value of 20.
As soon as the heroes are trapped or regain
consciousness, they see a swirling mist in the room
and hear a sinister laugh. Read or paraphrase the
following aloud for the players:
Hahahaha! Did you fools truly think such an
important site as this one would be unguarded, or
that the all-powerful Pharaoh Mobius would allow its
location to fall into the hands of the enemy? You were
lured here into my trap, and now your friends, the
Rocket Rangers, are flying to their doom! You will live
to see their end, and then you will make excellent test
subjects to develop further weapons to conquer this
cosm!
The Green Shroud has the heroes right where he
wants them and is in full pulp-villain gloating-
mode. The heroes gain a +2 bonus on any interaction
designed to keep him talking and distract him from
anything else they might be doing.
The Green Shroud’s has the final anit-aircraft
battery tied directly to the magnetic controls and
the fog generator, and he’s counting on it to destroy
the Rocket Rangers before they arrive. The attack is
due to start in five turns—which is also when any
charges the heroes successfully planted are due to
explode. One way or another, the Storm Knights
need to escape and act fast.
This is a final Dramatic Skill Resolution with these
steps:
• Step A: A Very Hard (DN 16) lockpicking or
science test to disable the magnetic field trap.
Any failed test results in the character making
the attempt taking 12 + 1BD in electrical shock.
• Steps B & C: The Storm Knights must reach
the correct switches on the control panel on the
far side of the room and turn off the magnetic
guidance systems for the anti-air guns and the
fog generator. These are Difficult (DN 12) science
tests—or Difficult (DN 12) heavy weapons based
on Mind tests to destroy the equipment with
explosives withough blowing up the heroes
themselves in the process. Once out of the
entrapping field from Step A the Green Shroud
and his shocktroopers (see below) attack.
• Step D: Climb to (relative) safety of the
beams overhead and help everyone else up.
This is a Standard (DN 10) Strength test, and
any bonuses or special options that apply to
climbing attempts work normally. Once one
Storm Knight succeeds he can drop a rope or
a convenient ladder that allows others easy
access to the beams. A character who can fly
succeeds at this step without a test!
The forces present include:
• The Green Shroud: see page 33.
• Nile Empire Shocktroopers: 20, see page
78. These troopers carry grenades that they
won’t use inside the facility, but may be taken
by the Storm Knights to make an improvised
explosive device for the Dramatic Skill
Resolution.
31

The possible Dilemmas are:
• Possible Setback: The control panels in the
room are damaged by the heroes’ escape.
• Complication: An explosion rocks the facility!
Either one or more of the Storm Knights’ own
explosive devices has gone off or the attack
has begun. In addition to the normal effects,
everyone in the scene is shaken up and Stymied
when the Complication is revealed.
• Critical Problem: The magnetic field trap
crackles with extra power, potentially trapping
the heroes (and anyone close to them) again if
the current test fails. If trapped, or if already
on Step A, everyone inside the field suffers 12 +
1BD damage.
Once the lab catches fire it’s time to climb the struts and get out!
32
IT’S NOT OVER YET!
Once five rounds have elapsed, explosions begin
ripping through the facility, either due to damage
done by the Storm Knights or the attack of the
Rocket Rangers. Whether any Rocket Rangers
survived their bombing run depends entirely on
the group’s success in shutting down the guns
earlier.
The lab’s floor is engulfed in flames, and the only
viable escape route is along the beams above. The
heroes suffer 16 + 1BD damage each round until
they reach the beams. Once at the beams a Storm
Knight may simply run for it and escape, or stay
and try to catch the Green Shroud as he also climbs
the beams and attempts to escape, but the troopers
below aren’t so lucky.
 If any hero pursues the Green Shroud, they must
do so across a network of beams high above the
factory floor, shrouded in mist. This requires a Hard
(DN 14) Dexterity test to avoid falling and hanging
from a beam. Falling into the conflagration deals 20
+ 1BD damage, plus the damage for the fire below.
The Green Shroud may seize this opportunity to
try and throw the Storm Knight to their death, or
simply to flee. If the pulp villain is defeated, he
plunges from the beams and disappears into the
swirling fire from burning debris down below—
surely no one could survive! (Allowing the Shroud
the opportunity to return in a later thrilling
adventure.)
THE FOG LIFTS
If the Storm Knights are able to escape from the
Green Shroud’s trap and shut down the anti-
aircraft guns in time, the Rocket Rangers’ strike
is successful and the Nile munitions factory is
destroyed in a spectacular explosion, which also
eliminates the Shroud’s fog generator and samples
of the Living Land Deep Mist, along with all of his
research notes.
The heroes may even be able to salvage some
things from the facility before it is destroyed,
in which case the Delphi Council immediately
turns them over to “top people” in their fields for
examination.
THREATS
THE GREEN SHROUD
The mysterious Green Shroud is a criminal scientist
who conceals his true appearance beneath a full,
hooded green cloak and face-mask, along with
heavy gauntlets, boots, and goggles, which he uses
to see through his trademark fog.
The Green Shroud has pursued various fiendish
weapon designs for Pharaoh Mobius and the
Nile Empire, and likes nothing more than the
opportunity to expound about his brilliance to
a captive audience. He prefers non-lethal forms
of combat like his gas gun, allowing him to take
prisoners for interrogation—and eventual use as
live test subjects.
The Green Shroud uses his fog cloud power when
the heroes escape from his trap, either trying to stop
them from reaching the controls to the facility’s
defenses or, once explosions start happening, to try
and escape under cover.
Quote: “Fools! I am the shroud that marks your
doom!”
Attributes: Charisma 8, Dexterity 9, Mind 11,
Spirit 10, Strength 9
Skills: Dodge 11, evidence analysis 13, find 12,
fire combat 12, intimidation 12, reality 13, science
15, stealth 13, taunt 10, unarmed combat 11,
willpower 12
Move: 9; Tough: 11; Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Armored Cloak (+2 Toughness), Fog
Goggles (able to see through his fog cloud), Gas
Gun (attacks using fire combat, causes 13 damage,
damage ignores armor bonuses but only causes
Shock and not Wounds)
Perks: Obscure (Power, Cloak—all within 5 meters
suffer –4 penalty)
Possibilities: 4
Special Abilities:
• Gloater: When intimidation or taunt are the
Approved Actions, the Green Shroud may
affect the entire group of adversaries without a
Multi-Target penalty.
• Minions: When the Green Shroud is injured
by an attack, he may make a reality test. If
successful, the attack is transferred to a nearby
lackey instead. This has no effect if there are no
minions within a few meters.
33
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: ANY CITY

WITHIN THE NILE EMPIRE
FLIGHT OF THE
WITH A ZEPPELIN PORT

This mission involves a race against time aboard

a massive zeppelin transporting passengers across
the Nile Empire.
“… and in an effort to escape their island prison,
Daedalus and his son Ikarus fashioned wings of
feathers and wax. The two worked in secret, so even
IKARUS
the gods would not know of their efforts.
BY ED STARK
“When the day came for the pair to attempt their
fateful flight, Daedalus warned his son. ‘Do not fly
too close to the waves, Ikarus, or the spray from the sea
will weigh down your wings and you will crash.’ The
boy nodded, checking the straps underneath his arms
and along his back. ‘And do not fly too high, my son,
lest Apollo, the Sun-God, grow angry and melt the
wax that holds your wings together.’ Ikarus shrugged
and finished his preparations.
“The two launched themselves off the highest cliff
and soared over the sea. It was all Daedalus could do to
flap his old arms and keep himself between the sea and
the sun. When he looked up, he saw Ikarus, strong and
young, flapping madly and rising higher and higher
into the sky.
“Daedalus cried out, but his son could not hear him
over the wind and the sounds of his own laughter. But
when the young man felt the heat of the sun, he saw
the wax beginning to melt. Daedalus saw Ikarus fan
frantically at the melting wax and cried out uselessly.
“Suddenly, a great, white spray flowed down Ikarus’s
arms, coating the wax and hardening it instantly.
“’Ha!’ Ikarus shouted, spinning and whirling in
the air. The sun was hot but his arms were cool and
his wings strong. ‘I knew it, old man! The coolant
worked!’
“’Arrogant little bastard,’ Daedalus muttered as
they continued their flight to freedom. ‘I should have
thrown you off the cliff.’”
—“The Flight of Ikarus,” From The Myths and
Legends of Terra

34
 Try not to let the Ikarus crash and burn!
DELPHI BRIEFING
Standard Scene. Read or paraphrase the following
orders, delivered by a Delphi Council messenger:
“An organization integral to the success of Delphi
Council operations in the Nile Empire is in the
midst of establishing a new safe-route for operatives,
information, and supplies. They have suborned or
recruited the crew and staff of Airship Ikarus, a
zeppelin used to transport high-ranking Empire
officials, troops, and supplies.
“The Council, however, is concerned that Empire
operatives have discovered the shift in the Ikarus’
loyalties. We have secured passage for your team
on the airship, your cover being that of mercenaries
looking for employment with the Empire.
“It is vital that you survey the situation and
determine whether the Ikarus is truly an ally of the
Council or if they have been turned or betrayed by Nile
Operatives. No one on the airship will know your true
loyalties except for a single crew-member, and we need
to keep it that way.
“Maintain your cover and contact our on-board
operative, code-name: The Crimson Eye. She is a deep-
cover operative and may be in disguise. She knows
someone is trying to contact her, however, and has
agreed to wear a red Eye of Osiris hairpin at all times
to identify herself.
“We don’t know whether she is masquerading as
crew, a passenger, or something else, but we have sent
her a contact phrase. If asked ‘Are there sandstorms
brewing at the feet of the Great Pyramid?’ she’ll
respond, ‘Nonsense. The reports of the storms are
greatly exaggerated.’
“Again, your mission is to discover whether the crew
of the Ikarus is loyal to Mobius or the Council, and the
Crimson Eye can help, if you can make contact.”
35
 The messenger supplies each Storm Knight with
false identity papers and a change of clothes—
formalwear expected of passengers dining or
gambling in the Airship Ikarus’s lounge area. The
messenger can provide the Knights with other
(minor) gear requests as necessary. The Storm
Knights also receive transport to the nearest stop on
the Airship Ikarus’s route (Gamemaster’s choice).
The Storm Knights’ cover identities are those of
mercenaries traveling at the behest of Dr. Mobius
or one of his lieutenants. Everyone on the airship
(except the Crimson Eye) should believe they are
powerful minions of the tyrant.
ALL ABOARD!
Boarding the airship should be no problem (unless
the Gamemaster has other ideas), and the Storm
Knights are assigned first-class, double-occupancy
staterooms in the same area of the massive airship
and welcomed by the crew. Whether the crew are
Delphi agents or Mobius loyalists, they’re treating
the Storm Knights like valuable guests—and
potentially dangerous mercenaries: All smiles and
deference.
As the Storm Knights settle into their staterooms,
they have time to “make themselves presentable”
and get ready to mingle with the other passengers
and crew. Once the Ikarus has achieved cruising
altitude (around 10,000 feet), the captain will make
an announcement, inviting passengers to mingle in
the lounge, restaurant, and casino area.
THE MISSION
Standard Scene. The Storm Knights need to
uncover the allegiance of the Ikarus’s crew and
should try to locate the Crimson Eye. Other than
the passenger section, the airship is divided into
four parts, though only the first three are easily
accessible: The casino/lounge, the crew quarters,
and the flight deck. The superstructure of the
zeppelin is off-limits to both passengers and crew
during flight, except during emergencies.
36
THE CASINO
Airship Ikarus’ casino is as large as any normal
club. It is used for dining, entertainment, and
casino games. It is the hub of the airship and doors
lead from the casino to the passengers’ staterooms,
the crew quarters, and the flight deck. It is also a
hub of activity—after takeoff, virtually all of the
ship’s passengers and nearly every crewmember
not necessary for flying the airship is here.
The Storm Knights can mingle and try to uncover
information about the airship’s crew as well as the
location of the Crimson Spector. They can search
the crowd, talk to people, or try to get into other
sections of the ship from here.
Allow the players to be creative and roleplay their
actions, but here are some guidelines for working
the casino.
The Loyalty Question
To determine the loyalties of the passengers and
crew, the players can use persuasion, intimidation,
streetwise or similar skill tests to acquire
information. The DN is generally Hard (DN 14),
but see the Difficulty Modifiers below. Add up
the total number of successes by the group, with a
Good success counting as two and an Oustanding
result as three.
Successes Information Gained
0 None; everyone is very guarded
and close-lipped
“But what can you do about it, eh?”
1—4 Most passengers and crew don’t
like the current leadership of the
Nile Empire
“Time something was done, what!”
5—9 Most passengers and crew hate
the current leadership of the Nile
Empire
“But keep it down, eh—there are
spies everywhere!”
10+ Most passengers and crew are, or
have acted, against the leadership
of the Nile Empire
 Difficulty Modifiers: Storm Knights wearing
formalwear gain +2 on checks using “soft”
approaches like persuasion. Those wearing their
weapons and adventuring gear gain +2 on checks
using “hard” approaches like intimidation., but
quickly draw the attention of Storm Kite (see page
40).
Searching for the Specter
The Knights can also make checks to locate the
Crimson Spector. They can make similar interaction
tests and also find and evidence analysis tests.
Successes Information Gained
0 None; no one knows anything
about anyone wearing an Osiris
hairpin
1—4 Someone recalls a woman in crew
dress wearing a hairpin like that
“Don’t see her around anymore,
though.”
5—9 And … the woman was young,
with dark hair and glasses. She
was dealing Pai Gow
“I think she went on break a few
minutes ago.”
10+ And … she didn’t head to the crew
quarters
“I could have sworn she headed
down toward the flight deck.”
THE CREW QUARTERS
The door leading to the crew quarters abuts the
casino’s service area. This area is locked (DN 10
lockpicking) and off-limits to passengers. At least
two Ikarus security guards are near the door at all
times (unless otherwise dealt with) and notice and
try to prevent any attempts by non-crew to enter. A
total of 10 guards are aboard.
• Ikarus Security Guards (up to 10): See page
40.
Every guard and crewmember possess a key to
the Crew Quarters. Storm Knights can steal keys,
bribe crewmembers, or attempt to intimidate or
persuade guards into letting them pass—let the
players roleplay the situation. The Crew Quarters
aren’t so secure that there should be no way in.
The Loyalty Question Revisited
If the Storm Knights search the crew quarters, they
can use combinations of skills like find or evidence
analysis to uncover the sympathies of the crew.
Successes Information Gained
0 None; this crew is totally apolitical
1—4 Some pro-Council sentiments
“A couple anti-Mobius editorial
cartoons; nothing too seditious”
5—9 Contact info for a pro-Council
meeting group in Cairo
“Someone on the ship is definitely
working against Mobius!”
10+ A small diary detailing the
loyalties of the crew
“Everyone seems to be apolitical or
pro-Council except the new head of
security! She’s a real bastard!”
Searching for the Specter Revisited
In addition to information about the crew’s
sentiments, the search turns up clues about the
Specter as well.
Successes Information Gained
0 None; the crew quarters don’t
have any evidence
1—4 The remains of a burnt message
found in the crew lavatory.
“The only legible word is
‘sandstorm.’”
5—9 A shock pistol hidden in a fake fire
extinguisher.
“Looks like security issue; fully
charged.”
10+ A small jewelry case with an
indentation in the silk.
“That looks like the shape of an Eye
of Osiris to me!”
Mishaps: If any player suffers a mishap during
the search, Security Guards are on patrol and
stumble on to the Storm Knights during the search,
and battle ensues.

37
 THE FLIGHT DECK
The Flight Deck is locked from the inside and the
door barred­—a Near Impossible (DN 20) Strength
test to break down. The only way in without force
is to convince a guard behind the door to open it.
The door itself has a small eye-height sliding panel.
Cadeus Nueses, Elite Guard
Cadeus is a new member of the crew, brought on
personally by the Security Chief, and he is loyal
only to her (and she is loyal only to Dr. Mobius).
He has one job: Guard the door to the Flight Deck.
While it might be possible to somehow fool Cadeus
into opening the door to the Flight Deck, he can’t
be bribed. If he can be convinced those asking to be
let in are loyal to Dr. Mobius or his Security Chief,
add a +6 bonus to their attempts.
The Flight Deck area consists of the Security
Chief’s office (where the door to the casino is), the
airship’s control room, and a ladder leading into
the superstructure.
The most notable thing about this area is that it
is empty except for Cadeus and his accompanying
guards—there is no flight crew on board!
If Cadeus is defeated in combat, he’ll reveal under
questioning (he’s loyal, but also a bit of a coward),
that the crew has been taken into the superstructure
for “loyalty assessment” by the Security Chief.
Should the players search the flight deck, a
successful find test reveals small drops of blood in
the Security Chief’s office and in the control room.
Nothing major—but enough to draw attention.
• Cadeus Nueses: see page 40.
• Ikarus Security Guards: 1 per Storm Knight,
see page 40. These guards aren’t in on any
plans, they are just doing what the chief says.
THE SUPERSTRUCTURE
Dramatic Scene. When the Storm Knights ascend
the ladder into the superstructure of the blimp,
they enter a large, open area, crisscrossed by beams
and wires. There is a narrow walkway leading from
the front to the back of the zeppelin’s interior and a
few wires strung as handholds.
38
The air is thin here, and traces of helium make
voices squeak—there isn’t enough leakage to be
dangerous, but enough to remind everyone what
keeps the Ikarus airborne and instill a –2 penalty
on attempts to intimidate.
That shouldn’t cause more than passing interest to
the Storm Knights. Instead, they should be drawn
to an upper level of the superstructure, accessible
only by vertical beams and wire ladders. But that’s
not all.
“As you enter the superstructure of Airship Ikarus,
you hear the thrum of the great ship’s engines and feel
the winds and thin air of the high altitude. As you
steady yourselves on the narrow walkway, it shakes
violently, and your eyes are drawn to a flash of fiery
light.
“Above you, someone screams and there’s another
flash—fire! And a scream—’For the Gods’ sake, no!
You’ll kill us all!’
“A small object falls from the great height. With a
stab in the air that is almost reflex, you catch it. It
looks like a simple stopwatch, counting down from
one minute. Another explosion rocks the zeppelin as
another scream rings out.”
THE FIRE SHIP
The Security Chief is actually a Nile Villain, Storm
Kite (see page 40), and she has determined
that the majority of the Airship Ikarus’ crew and
passengers are Delphi Council sympathizers and,
under her authority, has decided to destroy the
ship and all its inhabitants. She’s set up several
bombs in the superstructure and given herself just
enough time to escape—but the Crimson Eye isn’t
letting her get away that easily.
The Storm Knights need to reach the bomb, disarm
it, and (if possible), help the Crimson Eye defeat
Storm Kite.
To disarm the bomb the players need to perform a
Dramatic Skill Resolution before time runs out. The
bombs go off after five rounds, and, if not dealt with
before then, the airship is disabled and doomed to
crash. The Storm Knights must do their best to get
the passengers and crew to safety—if they’re still
around after suffering 24 + 1BD damage from the
initial explosion inside the superstructure!
 • Step A: Locate the bombs. Storm Kite set up
a number of bombs in the superstructure and
set them up so that if one is detached from
the others, they’ll all blow. The Storm Knights
need to locate each bomb, so they can disarm
them simultaneously. The Storm Knights need
to succeed at a Very Hard (DN 16) find test to
locate all the bombs.
• Step B: Reach the bombs. Each bomb can
be reached by a walkway or ladder, but this
is dangerous. Each Storm Knight needs to
succeed at a Challenging (DN 12) Dexterity test
to reach them. Knights that can fly gain a +6
bonus to this test!
• Step C: Disarm the bombs. The bombs aren’t
actually that hard to disarm—but disarming
them doesn’t make them harmless, just easier
to move. The Storm Knight must succeed at a
heavy weapons test based on Mind, otherwise it’s
too dangerous to move the devices.
• Step D: Get rid of the Bombs! Even disarmed,
any damage could set off the bombs (and the
villains take advantage of this after five turns),
so the only way to truly save the Ikarus is to
dispose of the bombs. This is a Challenging
(DN 12) missile weapons test, based on Strength.
A failure means the bombs get caught on some
protrusion or blown back towards the ship by
gusty winds!
The following are appropriate Dilemmas for this
situation:
• Possible Setback: The Ikarus rocked by
wind, potentially sending Knights or a bomb
tumbling down into the superstructure. The
bomb doesn’t detonate but gets wedged in a
difficult new spot. The hero who failed the test
suffers 15 + 1BD falling damage.
• Complication: One of the bombs goes off
early. It doesn’t set off the chain reaction or
directly harm anyone, but the smoke and fire
from the blast add the standard –1 penalty
to further tests and a –2 visibility penalty for
attacks within the superstructure.
• Critical Problem: There’s another bomb that
was missed!
DEFEATING STORM KITE
Storm Kite is a Nile villain and loyal servant of
Doctor Mobius. She has flight powers, an attack
power, and is a mistress of disguise.
When the players arrive on the high walkway
above the superstructure, they see her squaring
off with a woman who must be the Crimson Eye—
but who is who? The identifying hairpin has fallen
midway between the two women who are fighting
for their lives.
The battle in the superstructure involves fighting
one, or perhaps two, women who can maneuver
acrobatically and fly. Crimson Eye has exactly
the same defenses as Storm Kite if attacked. If the
attacks are indescriminate, Storm Kite ends up the
least damaged of the two once revealed.
Any Storm Knight who suffers any sort of damage
must succeed at an Easy (DN 8) Dexterity test or
fall through the superstructure for 15 + 1BD more
damage. Any attack that pushes a character a meter
or more makes the test Hard (DN 14) to grab a strut
or catwalk and avoid the fall. It takes 15 meters of
movement to return to the top where the battle is.
If the Storm Knights try to use the pass-phrase to
identify the Crimson Eye, Storm Kite recognizes the
tactic immediately and will try to cause confusion
as long as she can. If she is outed, she will summon
the remainder of her security guards hiding in the
superstructure to assist her.
• Storm Kite: See page 40.
• Ikarus Security Guards: 1 per Storm Knight,
see page 40. These are the last of the guards
loyal to Storm Kite, the rest aboard are
sympathetic to the Delphi Council.
“CAREFUL, I THINK MOST
OF THOSE PARTS ARE
IMPORTANT TO STAYING
IN THE AIR!”
-RAMA TUT
39
 DENOUEMENT
Once Storm Kite has been defeated or escaped, the
Crimson Eye can introduce herself properly. She
affirms that virtually everyone on Airship Ikarus is
either a Delphi operative or sympathizer—except
the certain guards (yes, even most of the regular
guards are good guys).
If Storm Kite was defeated, the Crimson Eye
believes she can assume her identity—that’s what
the Specter does after all. She’ll report in that the
Ikarus is loyal to Mobius and should be used to trap
important Delphi operatives and transport secret
plans and personnel for the Empire. She believes
she can keep up the ruse for quite some time—and
get everyone out should things go belly-up.
If Storm Kite escaped, the Crimson Eye will go
after her but asks the Storm Knights to help the
crew of the Ikarus to escape to a safehouse. She
believes most of the passengers have their own
ways of escaping and isn’t too worried about them.
THREATS
STORM KITE
The nefarious Storm Kite is one of Mobius’
troubleshooters, sent to root out resistance cells
and rabble-rousers. Her wings and talons are
hidden while she’s in disguise, and spring out
when needed.
Quote: “You can’t fly? Too bad, it’s a long way
down.”
Attributes: Charisma 10, Dexterity 12, Mind 8,
Spirit 10, Strength 8
Skills: Air Vehicles 14, dodge 15, energy weapons
14, find 10, intimidation 12, maneuver 15, melee
weapons 14, persuasion 13, reality 12, taunt 13,
trick 10, unarmed combat 16, willpower 13
Move: 12; Tough: 10 (2); Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Mask (Armor +2)
Perks: Flight (gadget), Whirlwind
Possibilities: 5.
Special Abilities:
40
• Kite Wings: Flight (150 meters per round,
Value 11). If not Flat Footed, ranged attacks
against Storm Kite have a –2 penalty.
• Kite Talons: Damage Strength +2 (10), AP 2.
• Mistress of Disguise: Given time ,Storm Kite
can change her appearance to mimic anyone.
Currently she looks just like Crimson Eye.
Someone who knew Crimson Eye could test
find vs her persuasion to spot the disguise, but
since no one knows her, that’s not an option.
IKARUS SECURITY GUARD
Each guard is armed only with a shock pistol.
These use the energy weapons skill to hit and inflict
only painful, non-lethal damage. Guards patrol in
pairs, and if they raise an alarm, two more guards
arrive on the scene each turn until all 10 aboard are
accounted for.
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 7, Mind 7, Spirit
8, Strength 8
Skills: Dodge 8, energy weapons 8, find 8, fire
combat 8, intimidation 9, maneuver 8, melee
weapons 8, taunt 7, trick 8
Move: 7; Tough: 8; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Shock Pistol (Damage 13, Range
10/25/40, Non-Lethal, deals +1 Shock)
Perks: —
Possibilities: Rare (2)
Special Abilities: —
CADEUS NUESES
Cadeus is Storm Kite’s trusted lackey. The other
security guards respect his rank and follow his
orders, but they don’t trust him.
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 8, Mind 7, Spirit
8, Strength 10
Skills: Dodge 10, energy weapons 10, find 8, fire
combat 10, intimidation 10, maneuver 10, melee
weapons 11, taunt 7, trick 8
Move: 8; Tough: 10; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Shock Pistol (Damage 13, Range
10/25/40, Non-Lethal, deals +1 Shock), baton
(Damage Str+2/12)
Perks: —
Possibilities: 2.
Special Abilities: —
41
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE
DIGGING UP THE LOCATION:
ANYWHERE WITHIN THE REALM

BETTER HALF Ten thousand years ago, the creature we called Dr.
Mobius sat on a throne, governing what he believed
to be the known world. But he did not rule alone.
By his side was his magnificent bride, Mukamatura.
The Queen of the Desert. Together, they ruled an
empire of cruelty, villainy, and suffering. But then
came the day when she was bitten by an asp. No
BY JOHN WICK
medicine or magic could save her. She died in his
arms.
He used all the magic he knew to bind and protect
her for the ages, so that one day, when he discovered
the right magic, he could bring his bride back from
the dead.
That day is now.
Mobius has discovered a page from the original
Book of the Dead containing an uncorrupted spell
that is said can restore life. He plans on acquiring
it. Immediately.
Fortunately, Jayne Campbell’s inside agents have
gotten wind of the plan and have sent a secret
missive to Storm Knights in the area. They have
to move fast. Mobius is already on his way to the
location.
Unfortunately, Mobius isn’t the only one on the
way. Another villain, the Scarlet Spectre, is also on
his way to acquire the artifact. He wants to use it as
leverage against Mobius…and to finish off his own
collection of Egyptian artifacts.

DELPHI BRIEFING
Standard Scene. Warning: This is not your standard
Delphi briefing!
One of your Storm Knights sits at a café or at a
street corner when she hears shouts and gunfire.
Suddenly, one of Doctor Mobius’ thugs runs
around the corner, holding his belly, blood on his
fingers. There’s something in his hand. A grenade?
He rushes at you, stumbling into you. He whispers
these words:

42
 Careful with the torch— and explosives — in an ancient tomb.
“Eris…Mobius…Mukamatura…”
He then puts a small apple, carved from peroba
(golden) wood into your hand. And with one last
breath, he dies. In your arms.
You hear guards shouting from around the corner.
Time to run!
The peroba apple is hollow and the Storm Knight
can open it by twisting the stem three times. Inside
is a message hand-written by Jayne Campbell
herself:
There is no time. My agents have discovered that
Dr. Mobius is planning some sort of magical ritual
in the deserts of Egypt. I have rough coordinates. My
sources say Mobius is cackling mad, screaming about
“The Time is Now!” Confusing reports. Something
about resurrection and a lost spell. I cannot confirm
what his plans are, but they must be stopped. Use
these coordinates to get to whatever he’s planning and
STOP HIM AT ALL COSTS.
The note ends with a stamp, the Delphi Council
seal and Campbell’s signature.
With a moment to consider, it makes sense the man
who handed the Storm Knights the apple was one
of Jayne Campbell’s golden apple agents: a native
to the Nile Empire cosm who is close enough to
Mobius to thwart his plans.
THE HIDDEN TOMB
The page of The Book of the Dead Mobius wants
rests in a hidden tomb. The tomb itself can be
anywhere in the Nile Empire you want. We keep
the location up to you, so you can put it as close
to the Storm Knights as possible. It could even be
under a city if that’s where your heroes happen to
be.
Keep in mind that at this moment, the Storm
Knights have no idea what they’re supposed to be
43
 doing. All they know is that Mobius is on his way—
perhaps personally—and they have to prevent him
from doing…something…in this pyramid.
Fortunately, hieroglyphics on the pyramid wall
give a hint. This pyramid once held the body of a
Pharaoh’s bride. She was killed by an asp, but the
Pharaoh was able to bring her back to life using
a magic spell. The two lived long lives together
and also died together, having been murdered by
the Pharaoh’s jealous brother. A faithful servant
secretly buried them here in this place along with
the spell.
The tomb entrance can be any number of things,
including a secret door in the sewers under the city,
or a secret door in an already discovered pyramid,
or a hidden panel in the city’s library. It all depends
on where your Storm Knights are at the time.
Once they enter the tomb, they encounter all the
things people encounter when they open a door
that was closed a few thousand years ago: dust,
stale air, cobwebs, a sudden intake of oxygen from
the seal being broken. It’s all there. And, as they
may expect, there are also traps.
44
This hidden tomb was built by a loyal servant of
the unnamed Pharaoh and he didn’t have a whole
lot of time to prepare. Rather than a resplendent
pyramid, this feels more like a last minute rush.
The servant had no time: he had to find a place to
hide the Pharaoh and his bride. This was the best
he could do.
The tomb itself consists of three chambers.
The first is the entryway. This is where the one
and only trap rests. Unfortunately, the trap hasn’t
survived the last few thousand years. There is
a pressure plate and a poison crossbow, but the
rope that was supposed to make the trap work
has rotted away. When the Storm Knights step
on the pressure plate, they hear a distinct click…
then nothing happens. Nothing at all. A little
investigation shows a bolt hole in the end of the
corridor where a crossbow waits, armed with what
was poison. But the poison has spoiled and the
crossbow is broken.
The second, and largest, chamber is where
the bodies rest. Alas, because they were buried
in secret, there are no treasures here, just two
mummies in stone boxes. Not even a sarcophagus.
One mummy—the male of the pair—holds a scroll
in his hands. This is the spell Dr. Mobius is looking
for.
Unfortunately, the papyrus the spell was written
on has crumbled in the mummy’s grip. It’s useless.
Unreadable. Mobius’ plan of bringing back his
bride are delayed once again. The High Lord will
not be happy about this.
The third chamber has the remains of an ancient
corpse: this is the faithful servant who locked
himself inside the chamber to protect the Pharaoh
and his bride. By his side are small, sealed jars
containing scrolls of handwritten hieratic (the
written language that developed alongside
hieroglyphs). The scrolls are fragile, but intact.
Written on papyrus is the confession of the servant,
as follows:
“I have done as I hoped my lord and lady would
command by finding them a proper resting place here
in this hidden chamber. I have also laid with them the
spell that may rejuvenate their life should anyone have
the courage to use it. I curse myself that I do not. My
lord was a god with the power of creation in his blood.
I am just a simple servant and am incapable of such
feats of magic.
“And so I rest here to guard them. I will perish soon
but I have no life outside this room. I served my master
and mistress all my life and I will end my life with
them, with only his final gift to me to remind me of
his majesty.”
Around the neck of the corpse is a talisman. The
talisman gleams with blue and gold. An eternity
shard.
THE SCARLET SPECTRE
Depending on how you want to play it, the Scarlet
Spectre can arrive before the Storm Knights or
after. Remember: there’s only one way in and out of
this tomb. That means someone has to go through
someone else to escape.
One of her spies inside Mobius’ operations heard
about the spell, and she wants it herself. She knows
why Mobius wants it, and she plans on using the
spell to leverage control in the Empire.
• Scarlet Spectre: see page 46.
• Scarlet Goons: 2 per hero, see page 47.
If the Spectre Gets There First…
She has a troop of goons with her. She’ll casually
reveal to the Knights that the spell is useless and
even show them the ruined papyrus. They may
believe her; they may not. She doesn’t care. Now,
she has a cadre of Storm Knights to trade for favor
with Mobius instead of the papyrus, and that’s just
fine with her.
If the Spectre Arrives After the
Knights…
She wants the papyrus. Depending on how
convincing the Storm Knights are, she may believe
them. That doesn’t matter. She can still turn the
Storm Knights over to Mobius and curry favor
from the exchange. That means…fight scene!
THE FIGHT: SPECTRE’S STRATEGY
The Scarlet Spectre is of two minds here. Half of
her wants to keep things quiet so she can smuggle
the Knights out herself, but the other half wants
to make a big noise so Mobius’ goons can find her
in the middle of capturing enemies of the state.
At first, the Spectre uses quiet and non-lethal
weapons, but if the fight starts to turn against her,
she uses louder and more lethal tactics.
She’s (in)famous for her arsenal of various smoke
and gas bombs, and she’ll use them with dangerous
efficiency. All of her goons wear gas masks, so
they’re immune to her toxins.
Sleeping Gas
At first, the Spectre uses sleeping gas to knock out
the Storm Knights quickly and efficiently. In such a
small area, the gas spreads quickly. Without proper
protection, the Storm Knights may find themselves
falling and at her mercy.
Poison Gas
If the sleeping gas doesn’t work, she’ll resort to a
deadly poison gas. Once again, she wants to take
the Storm Knights quietly, but if things get too
rough, she doesn’t care about taking them alive.
Guns and Bombs
Finally, if all else fails, the Spectre resorts to firing
her pistol and throwing small bombs at the Storm
Knights. She doesn’t care about making noise
down here: she wants the local soldiers and officials
to find them. Unfortunately, like the pulp villain
she is, the Spectre doesn’t count on the explosions
collapsing the small tomb. Which will happen.
THE COLLAPSING TOMB
On the fourth round, after Scarlet Spectre switches
to bombs, the tomb begins to shudder and fall.
Once the tomb starts coming down, the battle
becomes a special Chase. Spectre and her goons are
involved, but the true opponent here is time. It’s an
Easy (DN 8) Dexterity test to complete a step, but
at the end of the round, the cave-in automatically
proceeds through all available steps. So if A, B, and
C are displayed on the card, at the end of the round
it finishes on Step C. Once the cave-in covers Step
D, everyone who hasn’t escaped is buried alive—
hope for the Law of Inevitable Return!
Being passed by the collapse in the earlier steps
isn’t fatal, so long as the Storm Knight finishes Step
D before it’s too late. Scarlet Spectre attempts to
Stymie or attack the heroes whenever she has time!
45
 REINFORCEMENTS
A Setback for the heroes triggers the arrival of local
shocktroopers. They aren’t friendly to either side
in this scenario—they ruin the Scarlet Spectre’s
plans—but at least they don’t open fire upon her.
The same isn’t true for the Storm Knights!
If they arrive after the tomb begins collapsing
they don’t enter, but they happily take potshots or
attempt to Stymie the unfortunates who are fleeing
inside. Their attacks suffer a –2 for cover provided
by the walls, and an extra –2 for each Step away
from the end the target is, so –2 if attempting Step
D, –4 at Step C, –6 on Step B, and –8 if just starting
on Step A.
• Nile Empire Shocktroopers: 20, see page
78.
CONSEQUENCES
A few things can happen here. It all depends on
how your Storm Knights tackle the problem.
THEY ESCAPE THE SPECTRE
The Storm Knights defeat the Spectre and her
minions without raising the ire of local authorities.
This is the best outcome. If they defeat the Spectre,
they can leave the tomb with the Eternity Shard
and a notorious villain. Kudos to them!
They still have to get out of the city (or whatever
location they happen to be) with the Spectre in their
hands. She isn’t going to make it easy for them, and
she’ll make every attempt to escape.
By the way, did we mention her lipstick is
poisonous?
THE SPECTRE CAPTURES THEM
A small chance exists of the Spectre capturing the
heroes without the local officials discovering the
disturbance. If this is the case, it sets up a scenario of
her bargaining with Mobius for an Eternity Shard
and a group of Storm Knights. She’ll take them to
a secret lair for holding while she negotiates with
Mobius.
46
IN THE CLUTCHES
OF A MADMAN
If the Storm Knights foul everything up, Mobius’
crack troops arrive and shut the whole show
down. (You can use the Drama Deck for the timing
of Mobius’ troops arriving, by the way!) Mobius
himself won’t be there—unless you want the High
Lord to arrive. His presence will doom the Storm
Knights to capture and torture…but then again,
maybe that’s in your plans.
He won’t be in a good mood having discovered
the spell he’s looking for has been destroyed by
time, but perhaps he can collect the ashes and
create a device that can restore the papyrus!
CONCLUSION
However all this turns out, the Storm Knights have
a Core Earth Eternity Shard, made a new enemy of
the Scarlet Spectre, and possibly have earned the
wrath of Doctor Mobius himself.
Not a bad way to spend a day.
THREATS
SCARLET SPECTRE
The Scarlet Spectre is a woman dressed in a man’s
red suit, wide-brimmed red hat, red gloves, a red
mask across her face, and a red veil over the mask.
Years ago, that face was burned by acid, and she
uses the mask and veil to hide her disfigurement.
She enjoys using a whip to torment her foes but will
use a pistol to dispatch them if they cease to amuse
her. She has a mind for the unique technology of the
Nile Empire, and the pistol can fire either bullets
or gas pellets. The pistol setting reads “femme” for
the pellets and “fatale” for the bullets.
Quote: “You no longer amuse me. Too bad—for
you.“
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 10, Mind 10,
Spirit 10, Strength 8
Skills: Dodge 15, find 10, intimidation 13,
maneuver 13, missile weapons 14, reality 14,
taunt 9, trick 15, unarmed combat 14
Move: 10; Tough: 10 (2); Shock: 12; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Gas Mask (Armor +2), Bombs (Damage
14, Range 5/10/15, Medium Blast), Unique Pistol
(Damage 14 or a dose of Poison Gas or Sleeping
THE GIFT OF SERVICE
Gas below, range 10/25/40). Cosm: Core Earth
Perks: Endurance, Poison Tolerance Possibilities: 5
Possibilities: 5. Tapping Difficulty: 10
Special Abilities: Purpose: To soothe the hopeless in times of
• Poison Gas: Anyone within 10 meters of darkness.
Scarlet Spectre who inhales this deadly gas Description: A golden necklace with a glowing
suffers a Wound each round. Holding breath blue gem. Red specks are barely visible within
avoids the gas for Strength/2 rounds, but the gemstone.
prevents recovering Shock during that time! Powers: The Gift of Service may be tapped and
If fired from her gun, this affects character one of it’s Possibilities spent to restore 1BD
holding breath if damage exceeds Toughness. worth of Shock to the wielder or a target who
• Minions: When the Scarlet Spectre is injured can see the gem.
by an attack, she may make a reality test. If Restrictions: The Gift of Service may only be
successful, the attack is transferred to a nearby trapped to activate its power, or as part of a
lackey instead. This has no effect if there are no Combined Test the wielder is participating in.
minions within a few meters.
• Sleeping Gas: Anyone within 10 meters of
Scarlet Spectre who inhales this gas suffers
a Fatigue result each round. Holding breath
avoids the gas for Strength/2 rounds, but
prevents recovering Shock during that time!
If fired from her gun, this affects characters
holding breath if damage exceeds Toughness.

SCARLET GOONS
Spectre’s goons are notable for their color
coordination and their gas masks. It’s the masks
that heroes may find especially of interest. A
grapple with the –2 for a Disarm or a Player’s Call
on a maneuver can snatch the mask, leaving the
goon vulnerable to Spectre’s poisons and the lucky
hero protected.
Attributes: Charisma 7, Dexterity 8, Mind 6, Spirit
8, Strength 10
Skills: Dodge 9, find 8, fire combat 11, intimidation
12, land vehicles 10, lockpicking 10, maneuver
10, melee weapons 9, profession (Mob Goon) 7,
streetwise 9, taunt 9, unarmed combat 10
Move: 8; Tough: 10; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Gas Mask, Thompson 1928 (Damage
14), Brass Knuckles (Damage Strength +1/13)
Perks: Brawler
Possibilities: Rare (2).
Special Abilities:—

47
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION:
THE GYROFORTRESS OF THE
NEFARIOUS NEURON MASTER

Movie mogul Janus Challenge produces a popular

movie serial, The Mighty Fists of Mobius. This
THE SERIAL
serial’s stories mirror the real world actions of
our heroes a couple weeks after their adventures,
BY GREG GORDEN showing in movie theaters throughout Cairo.
What is the purpose of this celluloid plot? How is
GAMBIT
Mr. Challenge’s fate intertwined with the Neuron
Master? Who is behind this evil scheme? The
Pharaoh? Another High Lord? Find out as our
investigators take…The Serial Gambit.

MEANWHILE...
Standard Scene, Nile Empire Pure Zone. The
briefing occurs after the first encounter. See
“Matinee” below for the briefing. Meanwhile,
aboard the GyroFortress of the Nefarious Neuron
Master…
Our heroes snuck aboard the GyroFortress of
the mastermind known as the Neuron Master.
Concealed in cargo crates in cargo bay two, our
heroes break free of their concealment and rush the
villain before he can deploy his madness ray upon
the people of Cairo.
Each Storm Knight must make an Easy (DN
8) maneuver or Strength test to escape their cargo
container. As each test is made, adopt your best
old-movie narrator voice, and as each Storm Knight
archetype escapes their container, introduce that
archetype intoning the equivalent of “Starring the
Masked Crusader!” or “Also Starring the Relic
Raider!” Encourage the players to strike a dramatic
pose, describe the visual of them freeing themselves
from their crate, utter a line of pithy dialogue, or
otherwise act in accordance with the purple-prose
pulp sensibilities of the Nile Empire.
Any characters who fail to break free in the
first round can have their archetypes introduced
with the equivalent of “Co-starring the Cyber

48
 The Shroud ought to be in pictures!
Witch!,” and anyone who really fails can have
their archetype introduced with the equivalent of
“Eventually starring the Realm Runner?”
Next round all heroes are free of the cargo crates.
Four shocktroopers stand guard outside the
entrance to cargo bay two. Opening the wide bay
doors quietly is a Standard (DN 10) stealth test.
If the doors are opened quietly, the heroes have
Surprise. The shocktroopers are Flat Footed the
first round and do not act. If the Storm Knights fail
to achieve surprise, have at it per normal.
If any shocktroopers get to act, their first
action triggers an alarm. Whirring red ceiling
lights illuminate the corridor, and a claxon
sounds throughout the GyroFortress. Once the
shocktroopers are dispatched, it is onto the assault.
The heroes need to do two things: wipe out the
defenders in the hangar with the madness ray
and destroy the weapon; take over the piloting
stations in the control cupola and start steering the
GyroFortress away from Cairo.
Ask for the division of the party with leading
questions such as “Which of you are valiantly
dying in a hangar firefight?” and “Who wants to
plunge to their doom in the control cupola?” Those
heading to the cupola slide down fire poles to the
piloting station. Those heading to the hangar run
down the corridor.
• Nile Empire Shock Troopers: 4, see page
78.
49
 CUPOLA FALLING
Standard Scene. The Storm Knight(s) racing to
the cupola have a shorter distance to go. As soon
as they slide down the poles, the encounter starts.
The heroes racing toward the hangar take no action
other than running, but they may still put a card in
their pool at the end of the heroes’ turn.
The heroes in the cupola are opposed by two
shocktroopers and one pilot per Storm Knight.
The pilots are actively flying the GyroFortress
and won’t attack until threatened or attacked. The
pilots are wearing flight suits and are equipped
with parachutes.
• Pilots: 1 per hero, see below.
PILOTS
These are seasoned professional pilots, retired from
Mobius’ air force. They are loyal to the Neuron
Master, but they are not suicidal. They will do their
best to survive rather than defeat the heroes. When
the cupola separates, they will use maneuver to
avoid the heroes, pulling their ripcords when they
get separation.
Attributes: Charisma 8, Dexterity 9, Mind 9, Spirit
9, Strength 8
Skills: Air vehicles 12, dodge 11, find 11, fire
combat 11, maneuver 10, taunt 10, trick 10,
willpower 10
Move: 11; Tough: 10(2); Shock: 9; Wounds: —
Equipment: Desert survival flight suit (armor +2),
Mauser pistol (damage 13, 10/25/40)
Perks: Brawler
Possibilities: Rare (2).
Special Abilities:—
When the Neuron Master explosively detaches
the cupola from the GyroFortress, the heroes find
themselves in free fall. A special Dramatic Skill
Resolution is necessary to survive the uncontrolled
plummet to the ground—each hero must perform
all the steps or court failure!
• Step A: Make an opposed maneuver test
against a pilot. The hero’s free fall is now a
controlled dive that catches her up to the pilot.
• Step B: The hero impacts the pilot with a
crunch. Make a melee weapons or unarmed combat
50
test against the pilot’s defense. A success gets
the parachute away whether he’s KO’ed or not.
• Step C: Wind is rushing past in a roar, the
ground is getting way, way too close, and
the horizon is wobbling and spinning. Make
a Standard (DN 10) Dexterity test. The hero
comes out of the tumble and opens her shoot.
• Step D: Land in style with a Standard (DN 10)
air vehicles test; no hero wants to make a poor
entrance. Feel free to embellish with details
such as:
On Failure
• The hero lands in a crumpled heap in the
midst of Cairo traffic, resulting in a series of
fender benders.
• The hero steers herself onto a balcony, which
turns out to be an awning. The awning tears
and rips, depositing the hero in the middle of
a family meal.
• The hero crashed through the skylight of a
Weird Science laboratory, landing in the lobby
amidst a rain of glass. Security guards mosey
on over to contain the hero if she doesn’t make
a hasty retreat.
• All failures result in a Wound. Yes, even if
they never succeeded back at Step A. This is
the Nile Empire, not a physics seminar, dag
gummit!
On Success
• The hero successfully steers into a couple
of goons who are shaking down a fruit
cart merchant. The goons are knocked
out, the merchant tosses the hero a couple
pomegranates, and the crowd cheers.
• The hero gracefully lands in the middle of a
fancy wedding reception, near the table of the
bride and groom, just as the best man is about
to propose a toast. The hero has time to grab a
flute of champagne, propose a toast of his own,
and get out of there.
• The hero slams into a statue of Wu Han at Al
Azhar Park during its dedication ceremony,
knocking the statue off its pedestal just as
reporters’ flashbulbs go off. Our hero has time
to make her escape before flabbergasted police
can react.

HANGAR ABLAZE
Standard Scene. The heroes enter the hangar
prepared for the trouble that awaits them. The
villains are in position and ready for the Storm
Knights. As soon as the Neuron Master sees the
good guys, he gives a brief speech: “My apologies.
Your sudden appearance left me neither the time
for a soliloquy, nor a proper death trap. Kill them.”
He then depresses a button on his glove; echoing
booms are heard as explosive bolts fire, blasting
the piloting cupola away from the GyroFortress.
Unfortunately, Janus Challenge designed this
part himself as part of his betrayal of the Neuron
Master. The cupola release is cross-wired into the
self-destruct mechanism of the GyroFortress. As
the battle progresses, more blasts are heard, and
flaming, plummeting chunks of airship are seen out
the open hangar doors. This ship is going down.
• Nile Empire Shocktroopers: Four, see page
78; they target the closest Storm Knight.
• Machingun Crew: Two shocktroopers (page
78). A machine gun crew firing a .30 caliber
El Alamein (Damage Value 14, 100/400/600,
Long Burst). They are situated on the opposite
wall of the hangar, 30 meters from the entrance.
The crew fires continuous long bursts as long
as one of the crew is able to belt-feed ammo to
the weapon. Without that feed, the machine
gun has one final long burst before it is out of
ammo. The crew targets the Storm Knight with
the highest toughness.
• The Neuron Master: see page 60. He attacks
whichever hero he considers the greatest
remaining threat. If there is no obvious target,
he prefers a Nile Empire hero as his target.
• Additional Shocktroopers: Four or eight,
see page 78. If there are four Storm Knights,
four additional shocktroopers guard the
madness ray. If there are five or more Storm
Knights, four more Shocktroopers are present
as reinforcements to engage where needed.
Madness Ray Terrain Features
If playing on a map-grid, all madness ray
components occupy a 2 x 2 square (10 meters) plot
on the grid.
• Engram Generator: Toughness 12(8); a
collection of five whirling hexagonal crystal
columns. A Wound to the column causes it to
shatter, throwing off razor-sharp fragments,
Damage Value 13, in a Large blast radius.
• Agitation Capacitors: Toughness 8; five
transparent rounded tubes, with flickering
helical filaments that flash brightly as the
psychic charge is released. A Wound to the
capacitors causes them to discharge into open
air. All characters in the hangar are Vulnerable
the next round.
• Cognitive dissonance coils: Toughness
20; alchemically treated ceramic with an
engrammatically aligned structure. Any
damage from a melee or unarmed strike
causes counter-waves which change the flow
in the coils; this wave may be targeted at any
character, making them Very Stymied and Very
Vulnerable.
A hero with the Weird Science Perk can make an
Easy (DN 8) test. A Storm Knight with scholar or
science makes a Challenging (DN 12) test. Success
reveals that the components function as follows:
The engram generators produce low level psychic
energy from crystalized thoughts. These flow to the
agitation capacitors, which allow the mental energy
to build to 112 KiloPsi’s. At peak, the capacitors
discharge into the cognitive dissonance coils, which
energize and fire a thought-beam which can drive
its targets mad. Other than its industrial scale, the
Neuron Master’s apparatus is nothing more than a
copy of the process notorious stage magician Lotus
Madeline used in her infamous “Veil of Dreams”
tour. Child’s play, really; you betcha Neuron
Master is Vulnerable to a taunt based on this fact.
• Rotary Drop Pods: These are escape pods
which can hold up to eight passengers. They
are not powered; steering controls were not
considered necessary. Allow the players to get
creative if they really want to direct a pod’s fall.
The drop powers the rotors to allow a crash
landing, which might be considered gentle on
the scale of crash landings. No serious injuries,
just scrapes, bruises, and possible loss of
dignity. There are four pods in the hangar.
51
 DELPHI COUNCIL
BRIEFING
MATINEE
Standard Scene. Our defenders of justice are
meeting with their Delphi Council contact, Salma
Fayoud. She has invited them to a matinee showing
of The Cypriot, an espionage thriller starring the
ubiquitous Amal Faisal. As the shorts and serials
before the feature begin to play, Fayoud says,
“Sorry, you might have seen this one before.”
The lights dim, audience members cough, the
popcorn tastes delicious as a narrator voices:
“Meanwhile, the fortress of the evil rebel villain
Neuron Master approaches Cairo with a fully
functioning madness ray. Who dares oppose such
villainy? Who can save us?”
A tinny orchestral soundtrack crescendo as the
title “Mighty Fists of Mobius” fades in. The black-
and-white serial is a crisply filmed recreation of the
Storm Knights attack on the Neuron Master. The
actors portraying the Storm Knights are very close
in appearance to our heroes, close enough that our
champions may experience their own personal
uncanny valley.
Salma Fayoud says, “This seems strange, even for
Mobius and his underlings. The serial is produced
and directed by Janus Challenge for Dreamland. I
suggest you hob nob with Mr. Challenge and the…
elite of our dubious Cairo nightlife. Janus Challenge
enjoys gin joints and lounge singers. In his role as
‘man about town,’ Mr. Challenge always has two
well-trained, well-groomed goons. He is famous
for the blue rose boutonnière he wears whenever
frequenting the Anubis Club. After a few tries, we
perfected a micro-transmitter small enough to be
placed in the flower.”
Salma hands a hero a wax-paper envelope with a
transmitter about one-half centimeter across.
“Make contact, make sure this gets on our man,
find out what he is up to, stop it,” she says.
She then excuses herself and leaves before the
feature, grabbing one last handful of popcorn on
her way out.
52
CAIRO AT NIGHT
The Ministry of Tourism touts all sorts of
wholesome, legal, night-time activities for you and
the whole family to enjoy. Yeah, well, nobody who
is anybody does those. Many activities that are
legal or commercialized in other cosms are crimes
in Cairo. These include:
• Bootlegged alcoholic beverages.
• Serving any sort of alcohol after 11 PM.
• Performing songs not approved by the
Council on Culture.
• Carrying firearms of any kind.
• Wearing clothing that breaks with tradition,
is too ostentatious, or shows excess foreign
influence.
Note that all of the above is commonplace in Cairo,
and these rules are usually invoked only when a
patrol wants to make a point.
LEG WORK
The Delphi Council operatives could just enter
the Anubis Club as customers and try to plant
the listening device on Janus Challenge directly.
But where is the caper-film fun in that? If your
players are up for something more elaborate, they
can set up a plan where they can plant a blue-
rose microphone on Mr. Challenge, here are some
things they can discover or do.
• The woman at the coat check is a Stormer.
Carlissa Stroud is a part owner of the club, and
protects the coat-check armory safe. She is not
to be trifled with. Use the Masked Marauder
stats in Torg Eternity, with the exception that
her electro-ray is in the form of a long cigarette
holder, which she fires in the manner of a wand.
• Janus Challenge has a ‘thing’ for a torch singer
named Amanda Sorrento. She performs Friday
and Saturday night, and Janus has made all of
her performances so far.
• Janus Challenge always, always brings two
loyal bodyguards with him. Bob and Biyali
are feared and respected by the Anubis Club’s
bouncers; the pair gets to bring in whatever
weaponry or gear they want to.
• Salma Fayoud can set up a character with
false credentials for 710 AM Akhenaten Radio’s
upcoming socialite feature, Clear Night in
Cairo. The show has been rumored long
enough that Janus Challenge has heard of it. Of
course he expects to be interviewed. Clumsy
recording equipment is included as part of the
cover story.
• A small ‘hiring fee’ can get the restaurant
manager, Nick Falcone, to hire any character
as a top-section server, bartender, or cigarette
vendor. Cigarette vendors wear provocative
clothing and are flirtatious with customers.
Bartenders are quick with a quip, quicker with
a pour; the bar is located next to the VIP section.
Top-section servers are attentive, polite to a
fault, and are expected to hover around the
tables of VIPs to accommodate any order.
• An investigator could disguise herself/himself
as one of Cairo’s rich and famous. Cover stories,
appropriate wealth, and other resources are up
to the investigators to fake.
• A Storm Knight could pose as a replacement
for a member of the house band or backup
singers. Musical ability helps avoid
embarrassment, but they don’t call them ‘fake
books’ for nothing.
THE ANUBIS CLUB
Gin and jazz joints, such as the Anubis Club, give
Cairo’s rich, mobbed-up, or other elites a chance
to jam in a lot of illicit activity in at one place at
one time. These clubs are where danger and class
mingle in a heady mix; business is booming.
The Entrance
Velvet rope barriers, blue silk tabards slowly
waving in the night breeze, soft sounds of jazz
coming from ivory-trimmed speakers set above the
entrance, the Anubis Club works at the impression
of a high-end establishment. The bouncers are a
counterpoint; thick-necked toughs in ill-fitting
suits, whose uncomfortable ties have their faces
53
 set into perpetual mug-shot expressions. Use Mob
Goons (see page 77) for statistics. Two work
the line, searching for weapons, armor or other
contraband.
• The bouncers can be bribed. Use persuasion
against the thug’s Spirit 8 if money is involved,
and gain a +2 bonus if more than $100 is offered.
• They can miss well-hidden items, but they
take their jobs seriously. Let the Storm Knight
test stealth as a contest against the thug’s find 8.
Larger weapons confer a penalty of –2 or more.
• They deny entrance to anyone who refuses to
check forbidden items with them. Characters
who check their gear are escorted to the coat
check area, given a receipt in the form of blue-
enameled brass quarter-notes with their check
number etched upon them.
• All checked gear is stored in a large walk-
in safe; Very Hard (DN 16) lockpicking test,
Toughness 25(8) if trying to break into it or
explode it open. The safe is guarded by Carlissa
Stroud.
Behind the bouncers are two more Mob Goons, 15
meters back. They are armed with Thompson 1928s
(Damage 14, Long Burst), and they back up the two
bouncers on the line if things get really rough.
Past the coat check, the heroes-about-town
descend down Carrara marble stairs to the main
floor and stage of the Anubis Club. The air is thick
with aromatic cigar smoke. The place is loud with
conversation, laughter and lively jazz from the
house band. If the Storm Nights are entering the
club as themselves they are the subject of curious
stares and obvious whispers; it is clear they are not
the usual clientele.
THE PLAN IN MOTION
Standard Scene. Once Mr. Challenge has arrived,
the Delphi Council operatives can put their plan in
motion. Mr. Challenge is seated at his usual VIP
table. A neighboring table seats a loud, showy,
shipping magnate, who throws money at every
request he makes and gestures with jack-hammer
speed and ferocity. On either side are gangsters
from two mobs who do not look happy to be seated
so closely to their rivals.
54
The goal: succeed at an opposed test, an operatives
maneuver test against Mr. Challenge’s find test.
Success plants the bug into his boutonnière
unnoticed. Failure and the bad guys sense the
attempt. They stop the bug from being planted,
and a ruckus ensues.
Ideas for Storm Knights
As cigarette vendors, servers, or bartender can
joust with Mr. Challenge in conversation. He
admires spunk, and gives Storm Knights a chance
to impress him.
• They can use humor or a sharp comeback as a
taunt to Stymie him.
• They can flirt with him using persuasion and
make Mr. Challenge Vulnerable.
• Any attempt to use intimidation gets Bob and
Biyali to toss the intimidator into the back alley.
As the 710 AM interviewer or wealthy socialite,
they can:
• Ask engaging questions as a trick test to
Stymie Mr. Challenge.
• Pour on the flattery for his serial work
as a persuasion test to make Mr. Challenge
Vulnerable.
As a band member, they can:
• Start the intro riff introducing Amanda
Sorrento’s set. Once Amanda starts singing,
Mr. Challenge focuses on her singing, and is
Stymied.
• Change the current song to one that either
brings the crowd out to the dance floor, or
calms them and returns them to their seats.
This crowd control may aid the Storm Knight’s
hasty exit should they need to make one.
Possible Complications
You can run some or none of the following to
make the operatives lives a little more difficult.
• Bob (see page 59) is smitten with one of
the investigators. He is very attentive and hard
to shake. His attention means the character is
Stymied if they try taking action against Mr.
Challenge, unless she can find a way to ditch
him.
 • Members of the two rival mobs decide to
settle their latest differences with a brawl that
catches Mr. Challenge’s table in the middle.
• Nick Falcone assigns one of more servers
to another section when a very important
customer, Faith Testatore, starts to complain
about her current servers.
• Amanda Sorrento pulls out the investigator in
the band to join her in a duet. Janus Challenge’s
jealousy prompts him to send Bob to “convince”
the band member it’s time to move to another
song.
• Panya Annan, a producer from Ethiopia, is
trying to pitch his serial ideas to Mr. Challenge.
He orders the staff to fetch a particular brand
of cigarettes, whiskey, sauces, any excuse to
send the staff away from the table if they are
engaging Mr. Challenge.
• A rival reporter is also trying to interview
Mr. Challenge. The reporter thinks one of
staff looks familiar; any Storm Knight who
parachuted into the city in Cupola Falling
could be recognized.
• A loud, wildly gesturing showoff
inadvertently knocks the bug from a Storm
Knight’s hand or pocket, sending it spinning
across the dance floor. They need to retrieve
it before it is crushed by a dancer, or sends it
skittering farther along the floor. If you want to
make things even worse, Bob notices the bug
flying through the air, and moves to retrieve it
himself. This could even play out as a Dramatic
Skill Resolution using Hard (DN 14) find tests!
If the bug is not planted, the heroes move on to the
final scene without any intel on the situation.
If the bug is planted the heroes make an Easy (DN
8) evidence analysis test:
• Success: Janus Challenge is planning an
ambush which he intends to film for an
upcoming episode of the Mighty Fists of
Mobius. He is blowing the budget for the action
extravaganza filming in Dreamland Studio
Four.
• Good: Janus Challenge seems to be working
with and at cross-purposes to Mobius. His
motives are unknown; the producer seems more
than a little unhinged. From his discussions
about the Mighty Fists of Mobius scene, the
Storm Knights are going to need something
with enough “boom” to take down a large
armored target.
• Outstanding: Janus Challenge seems to be
working for another High Lord more than
he is working for Mobius. Cyberpapacy? Pan
Pacifica? These two are the leading contenders.
But it is not even clear if Mr. Challenge is fully
aware of what he is doing.
AND…ACTION!
Next morning, Salma Fayoud brings by an
engraved invitation from Janus Challenge. She is
pleased that they impressed Mr. Challenge enough
to be invited to the studio for the filming of the
latest chapter of Mighty Fists of Mobius.
The invitation is for 6 PM sharp, Studio Four. The
invitation includes a security pass for a number
of people equal to the number of Storm Knights.
Allow a last-minute provisioning from the Delphi
Council, which will leave just enough time to
race through the streets of Cairo to the sprawling
complex owned by Dreamland.
THE GATE
At the gate, a studio photographer is taking
pictures of the “Stars of the Night,” the cast of
lesser feature films and serials who film during
the night shift at Dreamland. The photographer,
Clare, mistakes the Delphi Council operatives for
the stars of Mighty Fists of Mobius. She insists on
taking pictures, including staging fights with the
security team and two stunt people she manages to
grab as they tried to leave for the day. The heroes
can talk their way out, or ham it up, as they choose.
“I FIND ALL THIS
SHOWMANSHIP...
UNDIGNIFIED.”
-RAMA TUT
55
 THE STUDIO
The studio is better measured in square kilometers
than hectares; it is huge. Climate-controlled
Quonset huts store delicate costumes, more rugged
warehouses store props for current productions,
and dingier buildings house inventory from
past films. Make-up trailers rub up against film
laboratories where dailies are developed. Machine
shops churn out replicas of every kind, chemists,
electricians, and mechanical engineers collaborate
in workshops building elaborate practical effects.
Hangars store the vehicles needed for films,
with mechanics and special effects teams always
tinkering with something on the floor. Our heroes
pass the charred husk of Studio Three, where
pyrotechnics went awry while Amal Faisal filmed
the climax of “Last Warrior in Beirut.” Their
destination, Studio Four, is still standing for now.
FOR THE SCHOLARS
AMONG US
To learn about the legend the movie scene is
replicating is an Easy (DN 8) scholar test.
• Success: Cyrus of Cappadocia was a
historic figure in Terra. Scrolls buried with
him were said to hold the greatest magical
secrets of the age. Dr. Forrester Fields led
an expedition to recover the scrolls for
Dr. Mobius, but the temple’s defenders
overwhelmed his team.
• Good: When one of the defending
priests fell, his final prayer was answered.
A walking god crashed into the temple.
The god’s divine wrath swept aside the
defenders, murdered Forrester’s team
and the doctor himself, and destroyed the
temple.
• Outstanding: So again, the Mighty Fists of
Mobius are actually depicting heroes who
fought against one of Mobius’s schemes.
Mr. Challenge clearly has an agenda that
is at odds with the Pharaoh’s. If he weren’t
trying to kill the Storm Knights, it would be
good to find out what he is up to.
56
WE CAN ONLY
DO ONE TAKE
Dramatic Scene. Inside Studio Four is an elaborate
set depicting the mythic Tomb of Cyrus of
Cappadocia. Above the set on catwalks, and around
the set just out of camera view, stand film crew.
From the entrance where the Storm Knight’s
stand, two sets of alabaster pillars, four pillars in
each set, support a massive ceiling that is frescoed
with scenes from an ancient siege. To the right,
the temple wall is full of lit niches displaying
votive statuary of unknown gods. Shocktroopers
in ancient dress position themselves between the
heroes and the back of the temple. At the back of
the temple is a marble sarcophagus…and Janus
Challenge. He is dressed in an expeditionary outfit,
complete with pith helmet and a monocle. He says:
“Good evening, thank you for accepting my
invitation, and for being part of the greatest
episode of Mighty Fists of Mobius ever conceived.
Tonight, you try to stop the evil archeologist, Dr.
Forrester Fields, played by myself, before I can loot
this historic tomb. But alas, the Doctor has laid a
trap for you, and one of you…dies. Can the rest of
you overcome this tragic loss to stop me? I think
not, but if you do…well, that is what rewrites are
for.” Off set, a director yells, “action!,” and the
battle is on.
TERRAIN FEATURES
Pillars of Cyrus
They may appear to be marble, but they are made
from far less sterner stuff, painted to look like
stone. They only offer cover +2, and can be fired
through. The special effects team has rigged the
pillars to fall during the battle. The crew abandons
the studio before triggering the effect, but a Hard
(DN 14) Strength test can topple a line of pillars
toward the sarcophagus. The falling pillars do
Damage Value 20, medium area of effect, centered
on the sarcophagus.
Sarcophagus
In one of those Dreamland quirks, they spent
money transporting an actual sarcophagus to the set.
Given tomb robbers sold this to movie executives,
57
 smart money is this is not the sarcophagus of Cyrus.
There is no longer anything inside the sarcophagus
except a special effects package that rattles and
shakes the tomb as if something were trying to get
out. The sarcophagus provides cover (+6).
First Round
Three groups of shocktroopers stand between the
heroes and Janus Challenge. Each group has a
number of shocktroopers equal to the number of
Storm Knights.
The shocktroopers fall back toward the
sarcophagus. Those remaining continue to fight
well. The melee fighters try to attack then move out
of the way of robo-Sebek’s savage pounding.
Janus Challenge keeps firing, and stays in character
as Dr. Forrester Fields. He starts shouting, “The
tomb of Cyrus shall belong to my Pharaoh. The
dead emperor’s treasure shall belong to the new
emperor of the world, Dr. Mobius!”
• Robo-Sebek: see page 61.

First Rank: Armed with their short swords Third Round Onward
(Strength+2/10) As the robo-Sebek takes damage, sparks fly from
Second Rank: Armed with their short swords its torso. The temple set has some very combustible
(Strength +2/10) materials and starts to catch fire.
Third Rank: MP-40 at 20 meters, medium range Janus Challenge continues the scene, with frothing
(Damage 13, short burst, 10/25/40) dialogue gems such as, “I have come too far too fail.
The shocktroopers are organized and tactically This tomb is mine, its death is yours!,” “Taste the
sound. The third rank will time their shots in concert black flames of Set, you faithless curs,” and “Sebek,
with the melee attacks of the first two ranks so no! I am a scholar. They are the tomb robbers, not
as to not fire into melee. Remember, the me. Not meeeeee!”
swordsmen may move into contact, Once the tomb set catches fire, any
attack, and then step away with remaining shocktroopers suddenly
any remaining movement by remember they had promised
becoming Vulnerable. to buy the crew drinks. They
Janus Challenge is 40 meters decide to get right on
from the entrance, that, and flee.
taking cover behind the
sarcophagus. He fires Aftermath
at the nearest Storm Once Janus
Knight, long bursts at Challenge takes
every opportunity. his third wound,
he stops fighting.
• Nile Empire Shocktroopers: 3 per His expression and
hero, see page 78. demeanor change.
• Janus Challenge: see page Spitting blood, the
60. villain

Second Round
The robo-Sebek crashes
through the wall. Its flailing
attacks start to damage the
temple set, weakening
structural supports which
begin to creak. The film
crew notices. They rapidly
choose to spend the rest of
the evening elsewhere.

58
introduces himself as Qiang Shu, a Foreign
Operations Executive from Pan-Pacifica.
Qiang Shu appreciates the Storm Knights help in
eliminating a potential problem in Neuron Master.
The weird science cameras and projectors, used for
the Mighty Fists of Mobius, transmit tiny amounts
of possibility energy into the viewers. If the films
should feature an act of Glory...well, then everyone
in the audience would be refilled.
Shu suggests a partnership. Regardless of whether
the Nile Empire converts to Pan-Pacifica, or back
to Core Earth, Shu’s scheme could save tens of
thousands of lives when the reality flips.
DEAL?
If the Storm Knights refuse, they defeat Challenge,
and can expunge Qiang Shu’s personality with the
aid of his weird science gear they find in the studio.
If they agree, they are movie stars.
Their adventures are projected on hundreds of
screens throughout the empire. Viewers receive
any Glory result the Storm Knights generate on the
actual adventure.
The Delphi Council operatives can be famous to
hundreds of thousands of movie goers. As a result
they gain the Famous perk. This doesn’t cost XP,
but does count as a Perk when determining the cost
of future Perks.
They can hide their activities in plain sight, playing
as the actors who portray the heroes they really are,
creating “secret identities” for their heroes.
THREATS
BOB AND BIYALI
Bob and Biyali were orphaned when the invasion
started. They worked together to avoid starvation
and the invaders. Unrelated, the pair shared a
moment of crisis which bonded them as they were
transformed. They are not identical twins, but the
transformation left them resembling each other.
They are extremely loyal to each other, and
reasonably loyal to Janus Challenge. But the Law
of Morality created a dichotomy. Bob is villainous,
Biyali is heroic. This struggle of good and evil
strains their relationship, but their loyalty to each
other ultimately wins out.
Quote: “Simmer down Bob; I am sure she didn’t
mean nothing by it. Did you, ma’am?”
Attributes: Charisma 10, Dexterity 9, Mind 10,
Spirit 11, Strength 12
Skills: Dodge 11, faith 10, find 12, intimidation
13(Bob), maneuver 12, persuasion 13(Biyali),
reality 12, taunt 12(Bob), trick 12(Biyali), unarmed
combat 11, willpower 11
Move: 9; Tough: 12; Shock: 11; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Webley revolver (Damage 14, Ammo
6, 10/25/40)
Perks: —
Possibilities: 3
Special Abilities:
• Bond of Brothers: Once per scene, their
connection allows one of them to take damage
inflicted upon the other. While villainous, Bob
is as likely to sacrifice himself for Biyali as Biyali
is to sacrifice for him.
59
 JANUS CHALLENGE
AKA QIANG SHU
Qiang Shu is a Foreign Operations Executive
whose ideas were a little too “out there” for his
Pan-Pacifica handlers. This operation in the Nile
Empire was approved only because his Pan-Pacifica
superiors were convinced Shu’s plan would result
in his death, saving future embarrassment.
Qiang Shu had Pan-Pacifica psych specialists
build the personality of Janus Challenge through
hypnosis, and submerge the personality with the
aid of Pac-Pacifica pharmaceuticals.
When he first arrived in the Nile Empire, Qiang
worked with Neuron Master to build a weird
science device that could do the same thing with
the personality of Qiang Shu. Qiang Shu eventually
transformed; the hi-tech drugs stopped working,
Janus Challenge’s personality emerged. Janus
Challenge triggered the weird science device, just
as he had been programmed to do. Qiang Shu is
now a double agent inside his own body.
As Janus Challenge, his Mighty Fists of Mobius
serials are sold as brilliant bits of propaganda, giving
Dr. Mobius credit for saving the day whenever
his villains fail. But any close watch reveals the
subversive nature of these films. Coupled with the
possibility energy transfer from his weird science
cameras and projectors, Janus Challenge hopes to
delay Mobius victory in the Nile Empire until Pan-
Pacifica can turn its full attention to the mad genius
of the desert.
Quote: “I can see it so clearly. Hear me out. This is
going to be big…you are going to be big.”
Attributes: Charisma 11, Dexterity 9, Mind 11,
Spirit 13, Strength 10
Skills: Dodge 11, faith 14, find 13, fire combat 12,
intimidation 14, maneuver 12, persuasion 15,
reality 12, science 15, taunt 12, trick 13, unarmed
combat 10, willpower 12
Move: 9; Tough: 10; Shock: 13; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Monster hunter mini-Gatling. See
special abilities below.
Perks: Gizmos, Nile Engineering, Weird Science
Possibilities: 3
60
Special Abilities:
• Monster Hunter mini-Gatling: Based on
the legendary three-barreled shotgun used
by Dr. Forrester Fields, this weapon was
given the Dreamland treatment and amped
up to ridiculous proportions. The heart of the
spinning, nine-barreled monstrosity is actually
an SC Kyogo T11, substantially reworked by
Challenge with weird science to hold extra
ammunition and spit jet-black flame when it
fires. The flame adds nothing but visual flare;
the weapon itself has plenty of punch: Damage
15, Ammo 243 (3 to the fifth power), long burst,
50/100/200. Not surprising given its origins,
this weapon is a Four Case contradiction in
every Cosm yet known.
• Too pretty to hit: Until Challenge initiates
combat, opponents must succeed at an opposed
interaction test against Janus Challenge’s
persuasion in order to attack him.
NEURON MASTER
Neuron Master has experimented with mental
powers for so many years, he is no longer sure of
his real name. A villain who craves, but never quite
catches, the Pharaoh’s attention, his team up with
Janus Challenge seemed his ticket to villainous
stardom. His defeat of the pesky heroes in glorious
combat aboard his GyroFortress is sure to catch the
eye of Dr. Mobius.
Quote: “You wish nothing more than to lay down
your arms. Resistance is futile.”
Attributes: Charisma 9, Dexterity 9, Mind 12,
Spirit 10, Strength 10
Skills: Dodge 11, energy weapons 12, faith 11, find
13, intimidation 13, maneuver 12, reality 12, taunt
12, trick 13, unarmed combat 12, willpower 15
Move: 9; Tough: 13(3); Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Flexbody bulletproof suit
(Armor+3,Fatigues, Max Dex10)
Perks: Mind Control (gadget), Mind-Ray (gadget)
Possibilities: 3
Special Abilities:
• Egotistical Villain: Successful trick tests
generate an extra level of Stymie. Neuron
Master simply refuses to believe heroic riff-raff
can get the better of him.
 • Eye of the Master: An eye etched into the
helmet of Neuron Master, with a pulsing silver
pupil—as the mind control power using a skill
of 15.
• Madness Pistol: Mind-ray damage 12, ignores
armor, 10/25/40
ROBO-SEBEK
Robo-Sebek is equal parts special effects wizardry,
Nile Engineering and pulp sorcery. Built to
resemble the walking god Sebek, robo-Sebek’s
appearance suffers from its creators never having
seen a walking god, but it’s crocodilian head
makes it clear who this creature is supposed to
be. Embedded in the chest of robo-Sebek is a
votive statue from the genuine Tomb of Cyrus of
Cappadocia. This spiritual artifact is the center of
the magic and possibility energy in the construct;
the statue is a weak point in the robot’s design.
Attributes: Charisma 7, Dexterity 12, Mind 8,
Spirit 10, Strength 14
Skills: Dodge 14, faith 16, find 10, intimidation
17, maneuver 13, reality 13, taunt 10, tracking 11,
trick 13, unarmed combat 14, willpower 10
Move: 8; Tough: 14; Shock: —; Wounds: 4
Equipment: —
Perks: —
Possibilities: 3
Special Abilities:
• Concussive Punch: A massive punch
downward at its target, striking the target and
the ground. Damage Strength +2 (16), Medium
Blast radius.
• Construct: Robots are immune to effects that
require breathing, eating, or other “living”
processes.
• Immunity: Robo-Sebek is fearless and so
immune to intimidation.
• Jaws: Damage Strength +4 (18)
• Large: These statues are large and attacks
against them gain a +2 bonus.
• Relentless: Robo-Sebek ignores shock.
• Votive Statue: A Very Small (–4 to hit)
alabaster statue of a woman warrior embedded
in the chest of the robot, the votive statue has a
Toughness 11. Wounds done to the statue are
suffered by robo-Sebek.
61
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION:
A DOMINANT ZONE IN THE
THE ORPHAN WESTERN DESERT OF EGYPT

A magical artifact dislodged by a reality storm

BY SCOTT WOODARD has altered a giant scorpion, making it a literal
whirlwind of destruction. This living reality storm
is sweeping across the desert, wreaking havoc. The
Storm Knights are traveling through the area and
must deal with this “demon” before it falls into the
hands of Pharoah Mobius!

DELPHI BRIEFING?
Unlike many adventures, The Orphan does not
open with a briefing by the Delphi Council. Perhaps
the Storm Knights are on their way to receive
such a briefing in Cairo, they are just coming off a
previous adventure somewhere out in the desert,
or they have been sidetracked after receiving a
briefing for a completely different adventure. How
the heroes get involved is entirely up to the Game
Master.

IN THE DESERT
Standard Scene. Whether on foot, camel back,
or driving some sort of desert-worthy vehicle,
the Storm Knights begin in media res, traversing
a stretch of arid desert, perhaps following an old
camel track, as evening approaches.
According to their map, a tiny, unnamed village
lies ahead where they are likely to find food and
shelter, but as they crest the hill to begin their
journey into the next valley, they see little but a
towering column of black smoke and broken ruins
at the heart of a debris field extending hundreds of
yards in all directions. As the Storm Knights draw
close, they encounter a few bedraggled individuals
fleeing the carnage led by a man named Bahram
who engages them and, speaking surprisingly
good English, encourages the party to seek shelter
elsewhere.

62
 What creature lives at the heart of the earthquake and the eye of the storm?
If questioned, read the following aloud:
“Two days ago, our humble village was a welcoming
oasis in this great desert. Today, it lies in ruin, laid
waste by the gods. At dawn yesterday, as we prepared
to celebrate the wedding of Nadia and Gamal, we all
heard a strange rumbling and felt a vibration beneath
our feet.
“By noon, our conversations could no longer be heard
above the roaring din of an approaching storm. An
hour later, a twisting column of sand erupted from the
desert and quickly overwhelmed the village. We tried
to flee from the wrath of Set, but few escaped from this
swirling cloud of destruction.
“Homes were shaken to their foundations and loved
ones were wrenched from our hands and pulled up into
the sky. As quickly as it began, the terrifying storm
ended, and we all learned the horrific truth that the
joyful wedding was to be replaced by a hasty funeral.
“The few of us who survived the onslaught, gathered
our remaining belongings and fled, but not before
Hassan trapped an imp, abandoned by the storm, in a
vault at the heart of town. He sits alone there now, to
ensure the creature does not escape its prison.”
Bahram will in no way stand in the way of the
Storm Knights and his ruined village, nor will he
(or any in the retreating party) willingly volunteer
to accompany them, even if offered money or
goods. As far as they are concerned, their village
is no more.
63
 BOTTLING THE DEMON
Standard Scene. The Storm Knights must capture
the “imp” to use it to track the rogue monster.
While difficult, all is not lost if they fail, as they
may still pursue the escaped fragment through the
desert as it glows hot and bright like the sun.
THE GUARDIAN
At the center of town, seemingly undamaged, is
a single-level, mud-brick structure that was once
the local café. Seated on a mat before this is a
middle-aged man, his eyes fixed on the building
and a swirling cloud of hookah smoke dancing
about his head. This is Hassan. He speaks candidly
about what transpired, repeating much of what
Bahram related to the heroes, but his eyes never
shift from the structure before him. All the while, a
rapid, loud tapping sound, like the crack of a small
caliber handgun being fired, is heard from within
the building.
If questioned about the noise, Hassan elaborates
in Arabic or in broken English if no one in the
group can speak it:
“After the desert demon ravaged our village and
raced off into the desert, we discovered that a small
imp remained, somehow trapped inside the café. It
was decided that one of us would remain and keep
vigil while the rest escaped. I willingly offered to be
that guardian, and here I sit while the spark within
struggles to break free.”
If asked about the “demon,” Hassan extends a
finger and points into the desert.
“It is traveling northwest, perhaps towards the town
of Qasr Al Farafra. I fear for those who live there, for
Set cares naught for those such as us.”
Hassan will not stop those foolish enough
to willingly enter the café (nor will he enter
the structure himself), though he warns them
repeatedly that the imp is “enraged.”
CATCH OF THE DAY
The imp, glowing hot like an ember kicked from an
inferno, bounces around the interior of the building
like a frictionless pinball, ricocheting off the walls
64
and chipping away at the brick and mortar with
every strike. Capturing the imp requires a Hard
(DN 14) Dexterity test. Failure results in a burn
(Damage 12+1BD) as the agitated fragment strikes
the victim, while a Mishap finds the imp exiting
the café either via a small window or through a
damaged section of the wall.
Success means the imp is snatched out of the air
and restrained, however it is extremely hot to the
touch and must be transferred into some sort of
container (there are various clay vessels accessible
in the café), or else the person holding it suffers
burns to their hands (Damage 12+1BD). Once
secure, the erratic movements are arrested, though
the imp now begins to pull towards the distant
form of the retreating “demon.”
Once the imp is no longer in the café, Hassan
gathers up a satchel of his belongings, bows and
thanks the party, then rushes off into the desert in
pursuit of his friends.
Should the heroes search the ruins of the village,
they scavenge a week’s worth of food and water
with a find test. A failure finds nothing but charred
remnants and ash.
If the imp escapes it flies towards its “parent”
under its own power, allowing the Storm Knights
to chase or track it. A Challenging (DN 12) find test
to spots it in daylight.
An Easy (DN 8) tracking test can follow the
phenomenon directly without the imp. Whatever it
is travels deep under the desert sands, its vibration
disturbing the surface and creating unusual
perpendicular ripples. Trackers capable of flight
(jet pack, etc.) gain a +2 to their tests as the trail is
far more visible from the air.
THE CHASE IS ON!
Standard Scene. Whether following the imp or the
creature itself, the Storm Knights are now in a race
against a Nile Empire patrol that’s also looking for
the source of these earthquakes and storms. Those
forces are detailed below in the Halftrack Patrol
section. The patrol has a head start, and begins at
Step B within the chase. The DN to gain a Step in
the chase is 11, based on the Halftrack’s speed.
 If the patrol wins the chase they cut off the Storm
Knights, and a pitched battle occurs. If the Storm
Knights win they manage to lose the patrol in the
desert sands on their way to a showdown with
whatever is behind the earthquakes.
The possible Dilemmas that can occur during the
chase include:
• Possible Setback: A swift-moving sandstorm
arrives on scene! If the setback isn’t avoided
each affected participant is Fatigued, and flying
vehicles no longer operate. Read the following
aloud:
Looming large on the horizon, a dark wall of billowing
sand, preceded by hot, rising winds, indicates the
imminent arrival of a sandstorm! You have just a few
minutes to prepare or outrun it.
• Complication: Aftershocks from the many
earthquakes shake the ground and send rocks
tumbling. Failure to avoid the issue results in
damage to the vehicle, scrapes and bruises that
slow down a hero on foot, or broken ground
and clouds of dust that make navigating more
difficult for the remainder of the chase.
• Critical Problem: A reality storm breaks out!
Any Storm Knight who fails the test for this
round loses a Possibility. If the shocktroopers
fall prey to the storm half of them are KO’ed.
HALFTRACK PATROL
A shocktrooper patrol has also been tracking
the beast, and they are just as happy to intercept
the Storm Knights and see what they know. They
travel on the sand in an Aaka Halftrack Transport
armed with a Kocha machine gun. They also have
an Avro C.30 Autogyro flying above piloted by an
additional Shocktrooper with air vehicles 8. This
trooper is in touch with the officer on the ground
via walkie-talkie.
The shocktroopers are seeking information about
the whereabouts of the fleeing stela (though they
should never reveal its secret to the heroes) as well
as resources (food, water, fuel, ammo, etc.). Should
the shocktroopers learn of the existence of the imp
at any point during the confrontation, the officer
will issue a shoot to kill order, with a singular goal
of securing the imp for themselves.
If the patrol manages to defeat the heroes they
are more than happy to leave the Storm Knights
abandoned and doomed to die in the desert sun.
The patrol then meets their own end at the hands of
the creature they’re hunting, leaving behind clues
and captured equipment among the wreckage.
The Autogyro pilot is carrying grenades (Damage
16, Medium Blast), but is more keen on Stymieing
the driver of any pursuing vehicles and letting the
halftrack do most of the fighting.
Apart from the rear-mounted Kocha machine gun,
the halftrack contains a week’s worth of rations and
drinking water for up to 12 individuals, binoculars,
several lengths of rope, two large rope nets, cans
containing a full tank of extra gasoline, and a spare
walkie-talkie used to communicate with the pilot
of the autogyro.
Among these items, the Storm Knights also
recover a journal and orders detailing the troopers’
month long search for the mysterious anomoly,
however details in the book are vague, with cryptic
suggestions that the object is likely something
linked to Set, perhaps an ancient relic.
• Shocktrooper Officer: 1, reality-rated with 2
Possibilities, see page 78.
• Nile Shocktrooper: 2 per hero plus a driver
for the halftrack and a pilot for the autogyro,
see page 78.
AAKA HALFTRACK TRANSPORT
Speed: 60 kph (11); Tough: 22 (2); Wounds: 2
• Armament: Kocha Machinegun (Damage 14,
Long Burst, Range 100/500/1000).
• Fast: Speed grants a +2 bonus to complete
steps in a Chase or a −2 penalty to be hit.
• Maneuverability Rating: –4 penalty to land
vehicles for defenses or tests.
• Passengers: 12.
AVRO C30 AUTOGYRO
Speed: 160 kph (13); Tough: 13; Wounds: 2
• Armament: None.
• Fast: Speed grants a +2 bonus to complete
steps in a Chase or a −2 penalty to be hit.
• Passengers: 2.
65
 SUNRISE, SUN SET
Dramatic Scene. The Storm Knights have tracked
the phenomenon to a mysterious black rock desert
not far from the oasis of Al Farafra. It is here that
the “demon” strikes a deep wall of subterranean
rock, shaking the ground above (heroes on foot
must make a dexterity test to remain standing).
Moments later, it explodes out of the desert before
the heroes like a whirling, roaring juggernaut,
potentially surprising the Storm Knights.
Now exposed, it must proceed above ground
before it can once again plunge back into the
sands and continue its journey. The team may
opt to attack it, perhaps using the captured Kocha
machine gun from the desert pursuit, or arrest its
movement through the use of magic, miracles, or
some other means.
Once the Storm Knights have the creature’s
attention it engages until destroyed or they’re all
KO’ed. In the latter case it moves over the rocks
and dives back underground to threaten another
city.
Immediately following the last Wound on the
creature or if it’s KO’ed, the tornado of swirling
sands around it disperse and it cracks apart,
revealing the shrouded secret at the heart of the
maelstrom. Read the following aloud:
The rapidly spinning vortex of sand scatters in all
directions, and a strange calm falls over the desert.
Before you, hovering about five feet above the ground,
is an inverted, storm-worn obelisk, cracked, and
glowing with strange internal blue light. What floats
in the air before you is undeniably an Eternity Shard
of the Nile Empire.
The shard isn’t usable until the “imp” reaches it,
making it whole. If the imp got away and reached
the creature before the Storm Knights arrived it has
five Possibilities for the battle rather than its usual
three.
66
AFTER THE FACT
Whether through their own investigation or the
work of the Delphi Council, mystery surrounds
this shard. It’s most likely an artifact from the
“Egypt That Never Was” and was disrupted by a
reality storm or a surge of Possibility Energy from
reality bombs or something similar when Mobius
invaded. Since the accident, it has wandered
aimlessly through the Sahara, ravaging anything
in its path.
Getting the heavy object back to the Delphi Council
may be a challenge, but the Archimedes Division
is delighted to study it. If the creature defeats the
Storm Knights and escapes it’s later destroyed by
Pharoah Mobius himself—and now he posseesses
the Beacon of Set!
THREATS
BEAST OF SET
This creature is the result of an unknown
catastrophe involving the Eternity Shard within.
The result is more of an animate natural disaster
than a monster. It does have a malevolent will, and
it seeks to destroy any bothersome Storm Knights
before returning to its instinctive behavior of
destroying population centers.
The beast may have been a scorpion once, twisted
by reality storms and made larger, twisted, and
crackling with Set’s power.
Attributes: Charisma 5, Dexterity 12, Mind 8,
Spirit 12, Strength 20
Skills: Dodge 16, find 10, intimidation 20,
maneuver 14, missile weapons 16, reality 14,
taunt (15), trick (13), unarmed combat 18
Move: 12; Tough: 22 (2); Shock: 14; Wounds: 4
Equipment: —
Perks: Endurance, Whirlwind
Possibilities: 3
Special Abilities:
• Amor: The Beast of Set has thick, chitinous
plates that provide +2 Armor.
• Bite/Claws: Damage Strength +2(22).
• Cyclone: The Beast is surrounded by swirling
winds and sand out to a range of 10 meters.
Any ranged attack passing through the Cyclone
except the Beast’s own Lightning Bolt and
Tempest suffers a –4 penalty to hit.
• Earth Shaker: Each character within 20 meters
of the Beast must make a Standard (DN 10)
Dexterity test each round or become Stymied.
• Lightning Bolt: Damage 16 AP4. Range
20/50/100. The creature may unleash one bolt
for each Wound it suffers, and uses missile
weapons to hit.
• Multi-Attack: The Beast may make separate
attack rolls with its Tempest and Bite/Claws
each round without suffer Multi-Action
penalties. If it may use a Lightning Bolt that
becomes a third separate attack roll.
• Tempest: Small Blast, uses missile weapons,
range 100 meters. Counts as Suppressive Fire,
with an Outstanding hit dealing 16 Damage.
• Very Large: This creature is massive, over 20
meters from its head to the top of its stinger.
Attacks against gain a +4 bonus.
THE BEACON OF SET
Cosm: Nile Empire
Possibilities: 5
Tapping Difficulty: 16
Purpose: To bring ruin, destruction, and
darkness upon the world.
Description: A large stone obelisk covered in
heiroglyphs chronicling the many misdeeds
of Set. It’s too large for a person to carry, and
requires a vehicle to transport. Visually it’s
very similar to the top tip of a Nile Empire
stelae, but this may be coincidence.
Powers: The Beacon of Set may be tapped and
Possiblities spent to summon violent storms
and earthquakes to its current location. The
calamaties last one day for each Possibility
spent. After the disasters subside the beacon
begins recharging its Possibliities normally.
Restrictions: The beacon’s powers may only
be used after uttering a short prayer to Set.
67
 COSM: NILE EMPIRE

LOCATION: GRIM HOUSE,

ON AN ISOLATED ISLAND
GRIM HOUSE IN THE MEDITERRAINEAN SEA

While going about their business in other parts of

the world, a select group of Storm Knights receive
an ornate invitation requesting their presence
BY BILL SLAVICSEK
at a private dinner party at the estate of Doctor
Alister Grim somewhere off the coast of Egypt, on
an island in the Mediterranean Sea. A powerful
sedative in the ink knocks out the Storm Knights,
and when they awaken they find themselves in the
banquet hall of Grim House.
The entire estate has been set up as a trap designed
by the ingenious and criminally insane Doctor
Grim—see page 75. The Storm Knights must
make their way through the estate and survive its
numerous dangers before they can finally confront
Doctor Grim, a weird scientist with a taste for
hunting the most dangerous game—Storm Knights
rich in possibility energy!

IT’S DEFINITELY A TRAP!

Standard Scene. Each Storm Knight discovers
an ornate and old-fashioned envelope in the
afternoon’s mail. While an elegant and artistic
hand addressed the envelope to each hero, there is
no return address indicated and no evidence of a
stamp or other sign that the envelope went through
any of the traditional postal systems. Inside the
envelope, each Storm Knight finds an invitation
that’s as ornate and elegant as the outer wrapping.
The letter reads:
“Honored Storm Knight, know that your reputation
precedes you. Consider this a cordial invitation
to attend a dinner party for a select group of like
individuals at the estate of the esteemed expert on
parallel realities, Doctor Alister Grim, esquire.”
“The good doctor has taken the liberty of arranging
transportation to his private island off the coast of
Egypt. In fact, associates of Doctor Grim should be
arriving to collect you at any moment.”

68
 The Grim House is filled with deadly surprises — beware!
As you finish reading the unusual invitation, you
notice the ink has smeared and now stains your
fingers. Blackness begins to fill your field of vision
and you start to lose consciousness, but not before you
notice the two figures stepping out of the shadows to
reach for you.
Each hero succumbs to the fast-acting poison in
the ink. The two figures, thugs in the employ of
Doctor Grim, gather up each of the fallen Storm
Knights and spirit them away aboard a private
airplane. Next stop, the isolated estate of Doctor
Alister Grim.
ARRIVAL
Standard Scene. Each Storm Knight regains
consciousness in a room out of a Victorian mansion,
except no windows or doors can be seen in the
walls, and no furniture fills the empty space. No
rugs cover the bare-wood floor, but a chandelier
glistens with dozens of electric lights high
overhead, casting stark light into every corner. Give
the characters a moment to introduce themselves
(if they don’t know each other already) before
their host introduces them to the day’s festivities.
Runes subtly carved into the crown molding and
baseboard on the walls suppress the use of magic
in the room. As the members of the group get their
bearings, they discover they possess none of their
usual equipment except for the clothes on their
backs and the boots or shoes that cover their feet.
After introductions and a quick examination of
the room (there’s no obvious way in or out, and the
chandelier is too high to reach), a voice reverberates
from the walls themselves:
69
 “Honored guests,” a powerful voice seems to come
from every direction at once, “I apologize for the
method by which you find yourselves at Grim House.
You are about to participate in a challenge designed
to test your mettle, even as it tests mine. Survive the
night within my estate and overcome every hazard I
set before you, and you may just live to see tomorrow.
Of course, at the end of our game, you must still deal
with me. Rest assured, you are not the first Storm
Knights to grace this manor, and you won’t be the
last. Still, I wish you luck. After all, as we all fully
well know, anything is possible.”
With that, the floor beneath the group slides open,
dropping the Storm Knights into total darkness.
THE CATACOMBS
Standard Scene. The group falls about ten feet and
hits a slide that careens them down at a steep angle.
They emerge from a chute to land in a clear spot
in the middle of a much larger and colder space.
Darkness gives way to dim light, as their eyes
adjust and they see what spreads out around them.
You have fallen into a stone crypt, emerging from a
chute high on the far wall. Discarded equipment of
70
all sorts is piled along the three of the walls to form
a sort of “U” around you. Tools, weapons, and pieces
of protective gear, among other things, can be seen
among the pile. The forth wall, meanwhile, is a wide
opening into more darkness. However, that opening
slowly begins to disappear as a stone slab descends to
seal it. As it drops, the descending slab picks up speed
and will soon block off any chance of escape.
Each member of the group has one chance to
grab something from the pile before slipping out
through the rapidly closing opening. Let each
character make a Challenging (DN 12) find test as
they make their escape from the stone crypt.
Whatever a Storm Knight grabs is what they have
to defend themselves until they can recover their
own equipment or come upon another stash of
weapons elsewhere in the estate. After everyone
makes the check and gains an item, the wall slams
shut.
You randomly grab an item as you slip under the
descending slab of stone just before it crashes down
and seals off the chamber behind you. Now you find
yourselves in a maze of catacombs, probably deep
beneath the manor known as Grim House. As you
try to get your bearings, an ungodly howl echoes out
 that attacks in dim light or total darkness, has an
of the darkness. It is followed by the excited howls of
increased dodge skill to represent a greater degree
multiple creatures.
of difficulty to hit. The Nile Empire considers these
creatures sacred, though Doctor Mobius and other
JACKALS IN THE DARK important personages keep them as guard animals
and beloved pets.
Standard becoming Dramatic Scene. The
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 13, Mind 7,
catacombs beneath Grim House create a maze
Spirit 9, Strength 15
that forms the first real challenge posed by Doctor
Skills: Dodge 15 (17), find 14, intimidation 14,
Grim’s deadly trap. As the group navigates the
maneuver 15, stealth 17, taunt (12), tracking 14,
maze of dark, stone corridors to find the exit, they
unarmed combat 14
must deal with six divine jackals—large, powerful
Move: 12; Tough: 16 (1); Shock: 9; Wounds: 1
creatures from the cosm of Terra, home to the
Equipment: —
original Nile Empire. The creatures, easily twice
Perks: —
the size of normal jackal and black as a starless
Possibilities: Never.
night, hunt in pairs through the deep shadows
Special Abilities:
beneath the manor. When the group encounters a
• Armor: Thick hide +1.
pair of divine jackals, read:
• Bite: Damage Strength +3 (18).
The now-familiar voice once again echoes from all • Pack Attack: When three or more divine
directions. “Please have a care as you make your way jackals work together to attack, they each
through the catacombs. And do mind my pets.” With receive a +2 bonus to attack and damage.
that, a low, rumbling growl reverberates out of the
darkness as a pair of glowing, yellow eyes fix intently
upon you. A pair of huge jackals prowls closer, their
fur so black as to make them seem to be part of the THE GEAR PILE
darkness. Then, without warning, the pair moves to Find Item
attack. Result (choose one)
If the battle with the first pair of divine jackals lasts Fail A farm implement (pitchfork, sickle,
longer than a single round, another pair arrives to etc.), Strength +1 damage.
attack if the new Drama Card drawn reveals that the
Success Shotgun (Tech 20, Damage 13, Range
Villains act first, until all six creatures have joined
10/20/30, ammo 2)
the fray. As soon as a second pair enters the battle,
the scene immediately switches from Standard to Light Crossbow (Tech 9, Damage 12,
Dramatic. If one pair doesn’t join the pack, it waits Range 10/25/40, ammo 3)
until the group reaches the exit to ambush them. Mace (Tech 8, Damage Strength +2)
At the end of the maze, the group encounters a Good .38 Revolver (Tech 20, Damage 12,
heavy, metal portcullis that blocks the exit. A Range 10/25/40, ammo 6)
staircase on the far side leads toward the upper Medical Kit (Tech 23, +1 bonus to
levels of the manor. First Aid or Medicine checks)
• Divine Jackals: 6, see below. Two-Handed Sword (Tech 10,
Damage Strength +4)
DIVINE JACKAL Out- Thompson 1928 (Tech 20, Damage
standing 14, Range 15/30/60, ammo 25)
A large black jackal, native to the cosm of Terra.
The creatures usually hunt alone or in pairs, but Godlight Laser (Tech 26, Damage 14,
can form into a pack if the situation warrants or the Range 50/100/500, ammo 5)
scent of blood draws them together. In addition to
their great size and powerful bite, a divine jackal

71
 THE DEADLY ENCLOSURE
Standard Scene. The stairs out of the catacombs
leads to the grounds outside the manor house.
The long, rectangular area, surrounded by a tall,
stone wall, features a line of metal pedestals along
the right wall. A gate on the far side appears to be
the only exit. As the group moves toward the gate,
read:
The rectangular enclosure you find yourselves in
measures some 100 feet long and 20 feet wide. A gate
is set in the far wall. Metal boxes, spaced about 10
feet apart, line the base of the stone wall to your right.
As you step toward the gate, seals in the metal boxes
release with a hiss of trapped gases, and spring-loaded
panels pop open. Strange mechanical automatons
emerge from each box, some equipped with crackling
lightning shooters, the rest armed with a pair of spiked
maces that rotate around them on metal arms, moving
almost too fast to see. “A little surprise of my own
invention,” declares the invisible voice that fills the
space. “I’m really quite proud of them.”
The next challenge to face the group utilizes an
enclosed field, and deadly automatons of Doctor
Grim’s own design. There are six of the mace-
wielding beaters and four of the lightning lancers.
The beaters move forward to engage with the group
in melee, while the lancers move to the far side
of the field to fire bolts of lightning at range. The
Storm Knights must destroy all the automations,
or otherwise disable them, before the gate in the far
wall will open.
• Beater Automatons: 6, see page 75.
• Lightning Automatons: 4, see page 75.
“I’M NOW 90% CERTAIN
THAT WASN’T THE RIGHT
WIRE TO CUT.”
-ZHANG ZHI
72
USING SCIENCE
A Storm Knight with either the science skill can
attempt to shut down the automatons. A control
panel on the far side of each of the metal boxes can
be used to disable the automaton that emerged
from it. This requires a Very Hard (DN 16) science
skill test.
Conversely, a Storm Knight can attempt a dramatic
skill resolution to shut down all of the automatons
simultaneously. This can be attempted by one or
more science-oriented characters while the rest of
the group deals with the attacking automatons.
• Step A: Open the control panel to expose the
inner circuitry. Science test (DN 8).
• Step B: Jury-rig the circuits so that all of the
panels connect to each other. Science test (DN
14).
• Step C: Rewrite the data code to synchronize
all of the automatons. Science test (DN 16).
• Step D: Initiate the shut-down procedure and
turn off the automatons. Science test (DN 12).
Possible Dilemmas could include sudden changes
in the automaton’s otherwise predictable behavior,
a short circuit that temporarily supercharges the
robots, or the surprising revelation that the control
panels are a decoy—the real control panels are
hidden underneath!
THAT’S OUR STUFF!
When the group defeats the automatons and the
gate in the far wall opens, have the characters make
Challenging (DN 12) find tests. If anyone succeeds,
they spot a metal door with softly glowing lights
on the wall to their left. A check of the door
determines it is locked, but a palm-sized panel on
the door glows with a faint blue-red light. To open
the metal door, a Storm Knight must place a hand
on the panel and make an Easy (DN 8) reality test. A
success gives the character the sense that the panel
reacts to Possibility energy. A character can unlock
the door with a Possibility, which flows into the
panel and is then whisked away to the Possibility
extractor in the next enclosure.
Once opened, the metal door reveals a small vault
that contains each of the Storm Knight’s signature
gear, whatever weapon and defenses they would
have been equipped with when they read the letter
and fell victim to the fast-acting poison. After they
gear back up, they can enter the next enclosure.
DOCTOR GRIM AND THE
POSSIBILITY EXTRACTOR
Dramatic Scene. The gate from the deadly enclosure
leads to another long, rectangular space. This is the
final part of Doctor’s Grim’s hunting grounds and
the site of his greatest weird science invention—
the Possibility Extractor. When the group steps
through the gate and enters this enclosure, read:
Another rectangular enclosure, the same size as the
previous area, opens before you. This one features a
huge Jacob’s Ladder in each corner, each about five
feet wide and rising twenty feet high, each crackling
with arcs of electricity. Another strange mechanism
fills the far end of the enclosure. A metal and glass
contraption, consisting of clear globes of varying sizes
positioned throughout the rectangular metal frame.
Blue-red energy pulses inside the globes, in time to
some silent rhythm. A huge metal figure, similar
in form to the famed Rocket Rangers but distinctly
different, flies into the enclosure on jet-powered boots
to land smoothly in the center of the area. Standing
about twelve-feet tall and painted black with slashes
of red, it boasts a lightning cannon on one arm
and a wicked blade on the other. The metal figure
studies you through glowing, goggled eyes. “Another
invention of my own design,” the familiar voice says,
this time emerging from the metal figure. “This battle
suit is superior to all others in every way. Allow me to
introduce myself. I am Doctor Grim.”
73
 The Jacob’s Ladders draw energy and feed it
directly into the contraption, which Grim refers
to as his “Possibility Extractor.” While the Storm
Knights are inside this enclosure, the contraption
can draw possibility energy away from them and
feed it to Grim and his battle suit. This can occur in
one of three ways in any given round.
• If Setback appears on the Heroes’ line on
the current Drama Deck card, roll a Bonus
Die. The number indicates how many heroes
immediately lose 1 Possibility. The GM
randomly determines which characters are
affected. Any characters not affected lose their
next turn.
• If Surge appears on the Heroes’ line on the
current Drama Deck card, every hero must
immediately make a reality test. A failure
indicates the character has 1 Possibility ripped
away and drawn into the extractor.
• Doctor Grim can use an action to direct the
extractor to steal Possibilities from a specific
Storm Knight. This requires an opposed reality
test. If the Storm Knight gets more Result
Points, nothing happens. If Grim succeeds,
the level of success determines how many
Possibilities the Storm Knight loses: Standard,
1; Good, 2; Outstanding, 3. If the Storm Knight
doesn’t have a Possibility, he or she takes a
Wound instead.
Doctor Grim wants to humiliate and ultimately
defeat this group of Storm Knights, but not before
he strips them of as much Possibility energy as
he can. Grim starts the encounter with a single
Possibility of his own, but each turn he can use the
Possibilities taken from the heroes as per the usual
rules of play.
Grim prefers to utilize his lightning cannon from
a distance, only resorting to his blade gauntlet
when forced into close-combat situations. If he has
fewer than 2 Possibilities, he always uses one of his
actions to try to steal a Possibility from one of his
opponents.
Doctor Grim is supremely confident and criminally
insane. He battles until the death, as he can’t
conceive of the idea he could die in the outcome.
Conversely, if the GM wants to turn Grim into an
74
ongoing nemesis for the group, he can escape after
the Storm Knights defeat him.
The Storm Knights can destroy the extractor in a
number of ways, as described below:
• Each Jacob’s Ladder has a Toughness 15 and
2 Wounds. When destroyed, a Jacob’s Ladder
releases energy, granting 1 Possibility to the
closest character.
• The possibility extractor has a Toughness 20
and 3 Wounds. When destroyed, it releases
all of its energy, granting each Storm Knight 1
Possibility.
• A character with the science skill can attempt
to shut down the extractor and release the
stored Possibility energy by engaging in a
dramatic skill resolution. Use the test provided
on page 72, except all references to automatons
are changed to figuring out and turning off the
extractor. Once shut down, every Storm Knight
receives 2 Possibilities from the energy stored
in the machine.
THE AFTERMATH
Whether the Storm Knights defeat Doctor Grim or
he escapes, they still wind up with a great victory
for the Delphi Council. Grim’s files contain all kinds
of important and pertinent information about his
own operations and the operations of other villains
he has worked with over the years, including
Doctor Mobius. This information can lead to new
adventures, if the GM so desires. There are also lots
of weird science blueprints. A character with the
weird science skill can gain a new gadget or an add
in the skill, as the GM sees fit.
The group also finds equipment belonging to
other reality-rated people that fell victim to the
mad doctor over the years. Some of this equipment
can be used as a reward to bolster the power of the
group, or some secret can be revealed that leads to
a new adventure.
 THREATS
BEATER AUTOMATON
This small, single-wheeled metal automaton
features a rotating arm equipped with a spiked
mace on each end. There are six beaters, which
move to engage the group in close combat.
Attributes: Charisma —, Dexterity 9, Mind —,
Spirit —, Strength 11
Skills: Dodge 10, maneuver 10, unarmed combat
14
Move: 8; Tough: 14 (3); Shock: 7; Wounds: 1
Equipment: Armor plating (+3), double-headed
mace.
Perks: —
Possibilities: Never.
Special Abilities:
• Armor: Plating +3.
• Double-headed Mace: Damage 13, strikes
twice against a single target each round.
DOCTOR ALISTER GRIM,
ESQUIRE
Doctor Alister Grim made his fortune inventing
amazing weird science gadgets that made life easier
and more convenient for the average people of
Terra. He always had a taste for violence and loved
to hunt, and his desire to constantly overcome
the next challenge led him to take on the mystery
men of his home cosm. After years perfecting
his diabolical method of hunting, draining, and
eventually killing reality-rated heroes, he accepted
an offer from Doctor Mobius to join him in his
invasions of other realities. Now Grim mostly
operates of his own accord, hunting Storm Knights
and taking their Possibility energy as spoils of war.
Attributes: Charisma 10, Dexterity 9, Mind 15,
Spirit 11, Strength 11 (16)
Skills: Dodge 13, energy weapons 12, evidence
analysis 14, find 13, intimidation 14, language
13, maneuver 10, medicine 15, melee weapons
11, persuasion 11, reality 13, science 20, taunt 11,
trick 13, unarmed combat 11.
Move: 8; Tough: 16 or 21 (5); Shock: 11; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Weird science battle suit (Strength 16,
Toughness 18, armor +5), weird science lightning
cannon (Damage 16, Range 20/40/80), weird
science blade gauntlet (Damage Strength +4 (20),
stagger).
Perks: Gizmos, super skill (Mind), super skill
(science), weird scientist.
Possibilities: 1 (but see the Possibility Extractor on
page 73).
Special Abilities:
• Weird Science Battle Suit: Doctor Grim wears
battle armor of his own invention. It increases
his Strength and Toughness, provides armor,
and features two weapons: a lightning canon
(ranged attacks) in the right arm and a blade
gauntlet (melee attacks) in the left.
• Enhanced Action: The battle suit’s servo-
motors grant Doctor Grim extra actions in a
round. Essentially, Doctor Grim can Flurry
every round, performing two turns in quick
succession. If the Conflict Line on the current
Drama Deck card grants the villains a Flurry,
then Grim gets to take four turns before the
Storm Knights can act again.
LIGHTNING LANCER
AUTOMATON
This small, single-wheeled, metal automaton
features a crackling lightning shooter. There are
four lancers, which move to stay at range for as
long as possible.
Attributes: Charisma —, Dexterity 12, Mind —,
Spirit —, Strength 9
Skills: Dodge 13, energy weapons 15, maneuver
13
Move: 10; Tough: 11 (2); Shock: 7; Wounds: 1
Equipment: Armor plating (+2), lightning shooter.
Perks: —
Possibilities: Never.
Special Abilities:
• Armor: Plating +2.
• Lightning Shooter: Damage 12, Range
50/75/100.
75
 COMMON FOES
AMAATIST PRIEST
Attributes: Charisma 9, Dexterity 7, Mind 8, Spirit
10, Strength 7
Skills: Evidence analysis 10, faith 13, find 9, fire
combat 8, first aid 9, intimidation 11, profession
(Amaatist priest) 10, reality 12, scholar 10, taunt
10, trick 9, unarmed combat 8, willpower 11
Move: 7; Tough: 10 (3); Shock: 10; Wounds: 1 or 3
Equipment: Protective Ankh (Armor +3), K08
pistol (Damage 13)
Perks: Miracles, Amaatist Hem-Netjer (curse, death
shout, healing, prophecy, ward enemy, wings of the
hawk)
Possibilities: Common (3).
Special Abilities:
• Gloater: Anytime taunt or intimidation are
Approved Actions, the Amaatist may affect
the entire party of player characters without
incurring any Multi-Target penalties. A success
results in the interaction affect and takes a
Destiny card at random from each of their
hands.
CROCODILE
Attributes: Charisma 4, Dexterity 7, Mind 4, Spirit
8, Strength 12
Skills: Dodge 8, find 8, intimidation 10, stealth 11,
taunt (9), trick (9), unarmed combat 10
Move: 7; Tough: 15 (3); Shock: 8; Wounds: 1
Equipment: —
Perks: —
Possibilities: Never
Special Abilities: —
• Armor: Thick scaly hide +3
• Bite: Damage Strength +2 (14).
• Swim: Move 11 in the water.
(β) DIVINE MUMMY
Attributes: Charisma 11, Dexterity 10, Mind 9,
Spirit 15, Strength 16
Skills: Dodge 13, evidence analysis 13, faith 20, find
14, intimidation 20, maneuver 13, melee weapons
15, missile weapons 14, reality 18, survival 12,
taunt 14, tracking 13, trick 12, unarmed combat
14, willpower 20
Move: 10; Tough: 16; Shock: —; Wounds: 3
76
Equipment: Khopesh (Damage Strength +2/18)
Perks: —
Possibilities: 5
Special Abilities:
• Claws: Damage Strength +2/18
• Dread: While a divine mummy is present, any
Standard Scene counts as Dramatic instead.
• Fear (–2): Divine mummies have a horrifying
groan. The first time a character encounters
a divine mummy in an act, he must make a
willpower or Spirit test at –2 or become Very
Stymied.
• Immunity: Divine mummies are immune to
intimidation and fire.
• Relentless: Divine mummies ignore Shock.
• Undead: Mummies are immune to poison
and other effects that require breathing, eating,
or other “living” processes.
• Unique Blessing: The divine mummy was
a priest in its previous life. It knows three
miracles (curse, drain life, scarab swarm).
ELITE SHOCKTROOPER
Attributes: Charisma 10, Dexterity 10, Mind 10,
Spirit 12, Strength 10
Skills: Air vehicles 15 (air force only), beast riding
13 (army only), dodge 14, faith 14, find 13,
intimidation 15, fire combat 15, first aid 12, heavy
weapons 14, land vehicles 14, maneuver 13,
melee weapons 15, missile weapons 13, survival
14, streetwise 12, taunt 11, tracking 13 (special
forces only), trick 13, unarmed combat 15, water
vehicles 15 (navy only), willpower 16
Move: 10; Tough: 10; Shock: 14; Wounds: 1
Equipment: KK81 rifle (Damage 14) or 7.92 KAR
assault rifle (Damage 14, Long Burst) Two frag
grenades (Damage 16, Medium Blast), Khopesh
(Strength 21/11),
Perks: Endurance, Sniper
Possibilities: Rare (2)
Special Abilities: —
GOSPOG OF THE 2ND PLANTING
Attributes: Charisma 5, Dexterity 11, Mind 7,
Spirit 10, Strength 9
Skills: Dodge, 12, find 8, fire combat 14, trick (10),
unarmed combat 13, willpower 12
Move: 11; Tough: 9; Shock: —; Wounds: —
Equipment: KK81 rifle (Damage 14)
Perks: —
Possibilities: Never
Special Abilities:
• Claws: Damage Strength + 2 (11)
• Fear: Gospog of the 2nd Planting appear to be
mummies. The first time a character encounters
a gospog in an act, he must make a willpower
or Spirit test or become Very Stymied.
• Mindless: Gospog are immune to intimidation
and taunt interactions and telepathic powers.
• Relentless: Gospog ignore Shock.
• Synchronized: Apply any bonus from a
Combined Action to damage as well as the
attack itself when multiple gospog attack a
single target.
• Undead: Gospog are immune to poison and
other effects that require breathing, eating, or
other “living” processes.
HUMAN SOLDIER
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 8, Mind 7, Spirit
8, Strength 8
Skills: Dodge 10, find 8, fire combat 10, first aid 8,
heavy weapons 9, intimidation 9, land vehicles 9,
maneuver 9, melee weapons 9, stealth 9, unarmed
combat 9
Move: 8; Tough: 12 (4); Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Ballistic vest (Armor +4), M4 assault
rifle (Damage 13, Short Burst, Range 50/100/200).
Perks: Double Tap
Possibilities: Rare (2)
Special Abilities: —
MASKED MARAUDER
Dr. Mobius has had great success recruiting
villains and masked criminals as lieutenants and
operatives for his sprawling Empire. Most join out
of greed or fear of what the Pharaoh might do if
they don’t cooperate.
Attributes: Charisma 7, Dexterity 9, Mind 10,
Spirit 10, Strength 9
Skills: Dodge 11, find 11, energy weapons 12,
intimidation 12, land vehicles 11, melee weapons
11, reality 12, stealth 10, taunt 10, trick 12
Move: 9; Tough: 9; Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: —
Perks: Electro-Ray
• Electro-Ray: Damage 13, Ammo 10. Minor
Limitations: Gadget (ray-gun), can’t be used in
melee (a rifle).
Possibilities: Common (3)
Special Abilities:
• Gloater: When taunt or intimidation are
Approved Actions the villain may affect the
entire party without a Multi-Target penalty.
Affected heroes lose a random card from their
hand.
• Minions: The villain may transfer any hit to a
lackey within a few meters if he succeeds at a
reality test.
MOB GOON
Attributes: Charisma 7, Dexterity 8, Mind 6, Spirit
8, Strength 10
Skills: Dodge 9, find 8, fire combat 11, intimidation
12, land vehicles 10, lockpicking 10, maneuver
10, melee weapons 9, profession (Mob Goon) 7,
streetwise 9, taunt 9, unarmed combat 10
Move: 8; Tough: 10; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Thompson 1928 (Damage 14), Brass
Knuckles (Damage Strength +1/13)
Perks: Brawler
Possibilities: Rare (2).
Special Abilities:—
SCARAB WARRIOR
Attributes: Charisma 10, Dexterity 10, Mind 10,
Spirit 12, Strength 10
Skills: Air vehicles 15, dodge 15, faith 14, find 15,
intimidation 15, fire combat 15, first aid 12, heavy
weapons 14, land vehicles 14, maneuver 13,
melee weapons 15, missile weapons 13, reality
15, survival 14, streetwise 12, taunt 11, trick 13,
unarmed combat 12, willpower 16
Move: 10; Tough: 12 (2); Shock: 14; Wounds: 3
Equipment: Scarab Flight Harness, MP-40
(Damage 13, Short Burst)
Perks: Endurance
Possibilities: 2
Special Abilities:
• Armor: Deflection Field +2 (Full Body)
• Flight: The Scarab Warrior can fly 20 meters
per round, or rush 160 meters a round with a
–2 penalty.
77
 • Rocket Boost: The Scarab Warrior can fly
during a chase at 700 kph (Value 16, Very Fast)
with MR –2. This speed can be maintained for
30 seconds.
• Wingclaws: Damage Strength +2 (12), use
melee weapons to attack.
MUMMY
Attributes: Charisma 5, Dexterity 6, Mind 6, Spirit
12, Strength 13
Skills: Find 10, intimidation 15, tracking 10, stealth
8, unarmed combat 8, willpower 15
Move: 6; Tough: 13; Shock: —; Wounds: 1
Perks: —
Possibilities: Never
Special Abilities:
• Fear: Mummies have a horrifying groan.
The first time a character encounters a divine
mummy in an act, he must make a willpower or
Spirit test at –2 or become Very Stymied.
BETA CLEARANCE
If the Storm Knights have reached Beta
Clearance a few adjustments can help keep
these missions challenging.
Where an encounter calls for Shocktroopers,
make a third of the force Elite Shocktroopers,
and ensure each officer and one of every group
ing is reality-rated.
For other foes, add reality-rated leaders
for each grouping, and up the number of
Possiblities to five for them and any enemy that
already has access to Possibility Energy. The
overall leader of the group should gain Gloater,
Insidious, or even both. Mix in other Perks or
special properties to keep the surprises coming.
Don’t go too far. In general the Nile Empire is
a place where heroes triumph over villains and
fight spectacular battles without much fear of
injury—unless Mobius or another major villain
is present to up the ante!
78
• Flammable: Mummies take an extra +1BD
damage against fire.
• Mindless: Mummies are immune to intimidate
and taunt interactions and telepathic powers.
• Relentless: Mummies ignore Shock.
• Undead: Mummies are immune to poison,
and effects that require breathing, eating, or
other “living” processes.
NILE EMPIRE SHOCKTROOPER
Attributes: Charisma 6, Dexterity 7, Mind 7, Spirit
8, Strength 8
Skills: Beast riding 8, dodge 8, find 8, fire combat
8, first aid 8, heavy weapons 8, intimidation 9,
land vehicles 8, maneuver 8, melee weapons 8,
streetwise 8, survival 8, taunt 7, trick 8
Move: 7; Tough: 8; Shock: 8; Wounds: —
Equipment: Short sword (Strength +2/10), MP-40
(Damage 13, Short Burst, Range 10/25/40)
Perks: —
Possibilities: Rare (2)
Special Abilities: —
SHOCKTROOPER OFFICER
Attributes: Charisma 9, Dexterity 8, Mind 9, Spirit
10, Strength 8
Skills: Air vehicles 11 (air force only), beast riding
10 (army only), dodge 10, faith 11, find 10,
intimidation 12, fire combat 10, first aid 10, heavy
weapons 9, land vehicles 10, maneuver 9, melee
weapons 10, missile weapons 9, persuasion
12, profession (military officer) 11, reality 11,
survival 10, streetwise 11, taunt 11, tracking 11
(special forces only), trick 10, unarmed combat
10, water vehicles 11 (navy only), willpower 12
Move: 8; Tough: 8; Shock: 10; Wounds: 3
Equipment: KK08 pistol (Damage 13), KK81 rifle
(Damage 14), Knife (Strength +1/9)
Perks: Bolster (if reality-rated), Rally
Possibilities: Common (1 to 3)
Special Abilities: —
 Index
A L
Amanda Sorrento 55 Lamassu 11
Anubis Club 53
Archeologen 18 M
B Mediterranean Sea 68
Medjay 10
Bahram 62 Mukamatura 42
Baron Insidia 10 Mummy 12, 44

C N
Cairo 16, 52 Negasi 8
Crimson Eye 35
P
D
Panya Annan 55
Dauod 23 Possibility Extractor 73
Deep Mist 33
Desta Mulugeta 7 R
Directive 3
Reggie’s Charter 24
E Rocket Rangers 28

Eternity Shards S
Amenhotep’s Scarab 20
The Beacon of Set 67 Sabella 16
The Gift of Service 47 Salma Fayoud 55
Ethiopia 4, 55 Set 63

H T
Hyena 8 Thoth 26

I V
Ikarus 35 Vampire 15

J W
Janus Challenge 48 Wu Han 18
Jayne Campbell 43

K
Kenya 28
Khartoum 10
Kofi Wolde Gabriel 4

79
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