Session #17 – Daring Tales #8 – The Island Of Terror
[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 17th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play. The narrator is shown in italics.]
In this hair-raising adventure of Tesla’s Power Corp you can follow the exploits of the following heroes:
- Clyde Beatty – Whip crackin’ animal expert with a troubled past.
- Johnny Kelly – Self-taught mechanic and chemist who knows he is the best at what he does…just ask him!
- Mike Callahan – Tough private-eye with a zest for life.
- Tommy Kelly – Teen thief with a “Robin Hood” complex.
- Miles Ravenwood – Mysterious man-of-means with knowledge in all things arcane.
Chamber Of The Moon
As the fight ends the group speaks with the “intended sacrifice” and examines the chamber just inside the mountain at the back of the ziggurat. The sacrifice has olive skin and deeply stained tan pants. When the heroes address him in English he replies that he knows only little English. He is apparently fluent in Greek. His name is Lander. Lander claims to work for Stefan. He says that most of his party has been sacrificed by the savages. The lone Greek guesses that he might be the only survivor.
While Lander gets his strength the group examines the chamber just inside of the ziggurat. The chamber walls are full of strange pictographs. Using the journal from the American explorers Miles is able to translate the pictographs. He learns that these ruins were built by an ancient race known as the Chicomoztoci, or “those who dwelt in the seven caves.” They apparently worship some type of moon good. A set of pictographs over the only way out of the room warn of the “dawn plunderers of the Valley Of The Moon.”
After giving the Greek a spare pistol, the members of Tesla’s Power Corp moves out of the chamber. After along walk in a dark cave the group finds a large round copper metal door. In the center of the round door is an Aztec calendar. After investigating Tommy realizes that it is like a simple safe tumbler and sets to crack it. A minute later and the door opens. The next room is full of large centipedes! When the door opens they surge forward followed by two humongous centipedes that are over 18 feet long! After a pitched battle the group is able to take down the creatures.
Ruins In The Valley Of The Moon
On the other side of the room with the bugs is a short hallway that leads to a beautiful grass meadow. Tommy climbs up the mountain side and borrowing Johnny’s binoculars takes a look around. On one side of the meadow he spies some dinosaurs that resemble velociraptors. On the other side is a ruined city. Behind both is the volcano. About 1/2 way up is a cave entrance. The top of the volcano is sputtering ash.
Clyde finds trails from several men leading towards the city ruins. Examining the trails carefully reveals that the Americans appear to be being led by the Greeks. Are they captives?
At the ruins Tommy scouts ahead. He spies a thin wisp of smoke from a fire and investigates. Several of the tribesmen are watching the trail through the city from cover. On one of the them has a shiny knife that obviously does not belong to the man. Tommy attempts to steal it but gets his hand caught on the mans belt. He then whistles for the heroes who are actually able to back down the savages without getting attacked. Quietly the group leaves towards the cave mouth.
Out Of The Pteranodons And Into The Fire
Johnny rigs up some of his sticky goo so that the group can climb up the side of the volcano a bit easier. As they near the cave mouth some pteranodons take to the air. Their nests have apparently been disturbed by the presence of the heroes. As they swoop down the group jumps into action. Tommy scampers up the hill. The baby t-rex grabs a pteranodon out of the air snapping its neck! Johnny and SAM let loose with gas attacks stunning the beasts. Clyde pulls one out of the air with his whip sending it crashing into the rock hard lava wall. When one swoops down Mike punches it in the neck sending it sprawling down the side of the volcano.
As Tommy climbs over the crest of the ridge towards the cave he hears a rifle bolt click back. The familiar Greek accented voice of Stefan Andropolous speaks out, “Climb up slowly and the rest of the Americans in your party will be allowed to live!” Next to Stefan is his bodyguard Mr. Scar. Standing nearby are four of his mercenaries. After binding and disarming the heroes Stefan goes on to explain that he believes the creators of this structure are the fabled Atlanteans. Stefan also relays that his men have just broken through a tunnel that will lead him to the Hollow Earth where he can get their fabled technology and use it to get the power he so rightly deserves. Lander is not being bound but instead appears to have rejoined Stefan’s group.
The members of Tesla’s Power Corp are led into a large room with a strange metal floor. On one side of the room sit four tied up members of the American expedition. On the other side of the room are rail cart tracks that lead into the heart of the volcano. Lander speaks with Stefan in Greek but he seems nervous and not comfortable with the plan. Lander keeps glancing back at the heroes then the other Grecians.
With some careful trickery the group escapes their bonds and rushes the Greek mercenaries, Stefan, and Mr. Scar. After felling two of the mercenaries Mike stuns Mr. Scar and Stefan with some well placed fists. Tommy runs towards the carts. Johnny lets loose with gas stunning several of the men. Miles cuts loose on Stefan with lightning bolts. Clyde grabs Mike’s rifle from one of the fallen mercenaries then start shooting at the other men. After regaining his senses Stefan jumps into a mine cart then pulls forth an item that summons four huge metal sphinx statues! The statues move forward to attack the group. Mike grabs on to the back of Stefan’s mine cart while it goes down the tracks. Tommy, Johnny, and Miles jump into another cart to pursue. This leaves Clyde who takes out sphinx after sphinx with well placed rifle shots! Once the Americans are safe he jumps into a mine cart with baby t-rex and rolls down the tracks.
After a wild ride the lead mine cart with Stefan and Mike hanging on the back reaches a sharp dip with broken tracks in the center! Mike jams on the breaks as the mine cart tumbles off the tracks towards the lava! Thinking fast Johnny pulls a rope and grappling hook from the bottom of the mine cart and asks Tommy to throw Mike a line. Tommy throws a perfect shot to Mike who swings under the cart then up inside of it! After clearing the jump the heroes trundle down the roller coaster track where they plunge off into the darkness…
What fate awaits the members of Tesla’s Power Corp in the Hollow Earth?!? Terrible cults!?! Ancient temples!?! Strange creatures that defy description!?! THAT AND MORE!!!
