It’s been some time since we visited the alternate World Conflict II of Achtung! Cthulhu, and I had the possibility to learn a brand new journey, so let revisit, lets? Should you haven’t seen the sport your self, otherwise you haven’t learn any of my critiques of the sport, Achtung! Cthulhu is a sport set in World Conflict II, the place the PCs are particular operatives making an attempt to thwart Nazi occultists utilizing the forbidden supernatural powers of the Cthulhu mythos. Whereas there have been different variations of the setting utilizing totally different sport system, this one makes use of Modiphius’ 2d20 system, the identical base system that powers the Fallout RPG, Star Trek Adventures, Dune: Adventures within the Imperium, and Dishonored, though it leans into the marginally extra mechanically textured system in Fallout versus a number of the extra streamlined implementations.
The journey we’re taking a look at right now is Operation Oberon, a mission the place the PCs try to close down a German operation to steal objects of energy from Asia, funneling the operation by means of Shanghai.
Disclaimer
I acquired a assessment copy of this journey from Modiphius, and I’ve acquired different assessment copies from Modiphius previously. I’ve not had the chance to run or play on this journey, however I’ve had a superb quantity of expertise working 2d20 video games in addition to being a participant in a number of.
Achtung! Cthulhu: Operation Oberon
Achtung! Cthulhu Created By Chris Birch
Writing Invoice Heron
Editor John Houlihan
System Design Nathan Dowdell
Cartographer David Keenor
Graphic Designers Matthew Comben, Richard L. Gale, Michal E. Cross, Tony Mastrangeli
Venture Managers Haralampos Tsakiris, Gavin Dady
Venture Assistant Robert Hebblethwaite
Artistic Lead John Houlihan
This mission is 26 pages lengthy, which incorporates the next pages:
- Cowl and Credit Web page: 2 pages
- Desk of Contents: 1 web page
- Handouts: 2 Pages
- Advert for different Modiphius Merchandise: 1 web page.
The remainder of the content material is the taken up by the journey itself. Along with the journey PDF, there’s a file with participant and GM model of the handouts. The journey is formatted in a two-column structure, with the product strains normal weathered look, which incorporates simulated stains, taped in photograms, and different affectations that make it seem like a file that sits in an workplace of some hidden authorities company.
The Define
We’re going to get into spoiler territory, so when you don’t have clearance for this file, please wait on your handler to assign your subsequent operation.
The Nazis from Black Solar, the extra mystical, sorcerous Nazi supernatural company, has an operation to plunder the supernaturally powered relics from Southeast Asia, facilitate by the Japanese navy, and funnel by means of China through Shanghai.
The PCs solely know that Black Solar is working an operation generally known as Operation Oberon, and their mission is to seek out out as a lot details about it as they will, however they aren’t essentially being despatched to personally shut down the group. Which means, as soon as they study the above data, they will deal with exfiltrating themselves from Shanghai.
The PCs begin the journey with invites to get into an occasion at The Wagnerian Nightclub, what capabilities as each an ordinary nightclub, and a fan membership for the Nazi get together. The place is owned by Gerhard Wagner, a person with no precise standing with Black Solar, however one along with his personal supernatural secret.
Black Solar is being facilitated by an area triad, the Flying Dragon Triad. Not solely have they got management of the prison exercise on this part of Shanghai, however the Flying Dragon Triad additionally has its personal supernatural traditions and dabbling into the Mythos.
Getting Began
As soon as the PCs get into the membership, lots of the opening of the journey is letting the PCs clarify what they’re investigating, and the way troublesome totally different strains of investigation could be. There are a selection of NPCs that the PCs can work together with, in addition to a number of sections of the nightclub which will comprise extra data that the PCs will discover helpful.
NPC interactions embody some tips for various techniques the PCs may make use of, like dancing with varied patrons or making small discuss. There are guidelines for what occurs if one of many PCs will get thrown out of the membership (it really helps the opposite PCs’ stealth efforts, as a result of the guards already handled the rabble rouser). Certainly one of my favourite issues on this part is that some brokers can simply work the room and search for leads, search for escape routes, numbers of guards, and so forth., and so they could make a Problem 0 check to generate Momentum for the group.
Diverging Paths
As soon as the PCs have a while to research, the native rating Black Solar Grasp will arrive, giving the PCs an opportunity to comply with him after he leaves the membership, or to aim to snoop on his conversations. Relying on what tactic the PCs make use of, and what choices they make, they may both comply with the Black Solar brokers by means of the sewers to find a Mythos temple beneath the membership, or they discover out a couple of truck hauling artifacts that they will attempt to catch.
The temple advanced reveals the Mythos connections of the Flying Dragon Triad. They might witness a sacrifice about to happen, forcing them to resolve on intervening, or avoiding detection.
Observe That Truck
Both the PCs head straight to this a part of the journey, or they meet up with it after following their Black Solar goal, which can decide if he’s current within the automobile, and adjustments a number of of the encounters barely. It’s additionally related to this part whether or not the PCs handle to tail the truck with out being seen, or if this turns right into a full-on automotive chase.
There are some statistics for autos that PCs can use. These embody their rented automotive, native vehicles that may be stolen, and even some motor cycles. There are some chase guidelines included, which is basically a check to find out what number of areas exist between the PCs and the truck they’re following. Bikes are literally a bit of higher for this, as they will weave out and in of site visitors that slows down bigger vehicles however present the PCs with much less cowl. There are additionally a number of Chase Hazards outlined that the GM can spend menace to provoke, together with working into highway building, sudden site visitors, or the ever standard bins set of their path.
Earlier than the truck could make it to its vacation spot, a battle breaks out between the Flying Dragon Triad and a rival triad. Shifting by means of this battle places the PCs at risk, but when the Black Solar agent is within the truck, it barrels over everybody, even the allied members of the Flying Dragon Triad. The final problem is a checkpoint run by Japanese navy, which means the PCs are both going to should have a very good plan to persuade them to let the PCs by means of, or discover a approach to maintain following the truck after sneaking by the checkpoint.
Warehouse Revelations
Within the warehouse, the PCs can dig by means of some crates, which comprise each mundane items, like fireworks, and artifacts. The fireworks are referred to as out as being usable as impromptu explosives, which can be useful, particularly for the reason that PCs aren’t prone to have been in a position to sneak in any demolition gear once they confirmed up on the membership masquerading as common patrons.
This warehouse is related to a waterway, which permits a German sub to maneuver in, decide up its cargo, after which transfer out once more. There are a number of notes on what occurs if the PCs present up and go in weapons blazing, versus sneaking round. In the event that they take a direct strategy that’s a bit of too direct, there are stats for the deck weapons of the submarine. It’s undoubtedly essential to remind the gamers they don’t should cease this operation; they only want to assemble data on it. I do know you may make improvised explosives, and there’s a submarine, however when you attempt to relive your youth taking part in that Medal of Honor mission the place you blow up the engine room on the sub, that’s on you.
The Remaining Stretch
When the PCs depart the warehouse, the streets are flooded with triad members in an all-out road battle. The PCs can’t keep away from the subsequent growth when the chief of the Flying Dragon Triad sees them and decides to summon a Searching Horror to chase down the PCs. If the PCs acknowledge what the creature is, they know that in the event that they discover a approach to depart that retains to well-lit streets, the Searching Horror will proceed to keep away from direct gentle, ready for them to stray right into a extra shadowed space. The fireworks the PCs could have discovered within the warehouse will also be used to drive off Searching Horror.
When the PCs get again to their contact, they smuggle the group out of Shanghai. The PCs are supposed to study what can be completed with this data. The Japanese authorities are tipped off to raid the temple, if the PCs found it. The Allied command buildings who know in regards to the supernatural goings on aren’t going to cease Venture Oberon, they’re going to magically booby lure plenty of artifacts they permit to slide into gadgets being smuggled, to allow them to be broadly disseminated.
I Perceive Its Energy Now
For me, personally, I like Achtung! Cthulhu eventualities that lean extra into “what if Indiana Jones, however with Mythos stuff,” and this situation undoubtedly sits comfortably in that area. As a result of so many eventualities happen throughout Europe, it’s attention-grabbing to see extra of the world and the way it interacts with the first villains of the sport. I’m a fan of eventualities which have clear goals however give the PCs a large avenue to pursue these goals, and this begins with a scene that does simply that. I respect that there are little touches displaying what a pathetic Nazi fanboy Gerhard Wagner is, embody the truth that PCs can discover out that the runes he has on show are non-sensical gibberish.
. . . Prime Males . . . Prime Males
It’s all the time going to be difficult to shift the main focus from European areas to China, when China isn’t a location addressed within the core guidelines, and this situation is clearly meant to be a contact and go between the extra European targeted adventures. The issue with that is that it touches on some insensitive parts that Cthulhu mythos tales have already got points with. I don’t assume any of that is intentional. I feel it’s a matter of not expressly stopping to consider the place Mythos tales have gone fallacious representing different cultures previously.
For instance, the Flying Dragon Triad play into the “non-European cultures are corrupted by the mythos,” after which actually stumble into that difficulty by implying that the custom of Chinese language dragons really comes from Searching Horrors. As a substitute of utilizing them as a possibility to shift the narrative away from associating Chinese language characters away from being Mythos cultists, the rival triad is given no actual characterization. I’m not saying it’s one of the best cultural illustration, however in 1986, we had this film referred to as Large Hassle in Little China that introduced one of many two rival gangs as allies in opposition to the gang tied up in supernatural horrors.
The Wagnerian Nightclub is the strongest a part of this journey, primarily due to its open-ended construction and the assorted clues that exist in numerous areas. Exploring the warehouse feels a bit of too sparse, and the ultimate act Searching Horror complication is heavy handed. Moreover, there isn’t a lot in the best way of explaining how that encounter ought to finish, apart from the PCs can fend off the Searching Horror with fireworks and staying on the primary streets.
Tenuous Advice–The product has constructive features, however patrons could need to ensure that the constructive features align with their tastes earlier than transferring this up their listing of what to buy subsequent.
There are issues I actually like on this journey. Between exploring the nightclub, and the chase by means of the streets, I used to be feeling the Indiana Jones vibes. However as soon as they permit the journey to separate off into separate tracks, after which come again collectively, the whole lot feels much more abrupt, and sparse.
Older model of Achtung! Cthulhu detailed organizations from different components of the world, and allowed for some exploration of these areas, and I might like to see that for the 2d20 model, however I additionally assume it actually must be completed with designers with a background within the tradition, to take action with sensitivity and understanding.
