Lobopods of Mars Chapter 7: Descent into Nova Novgorod

By Henry Edward Hardy with Cadence Boynton, Greg Boynton, John Kelly, Jeff Young, Joe Zapytowski, and Mark Zapytowski.

Copyright © 2025 Henry Edward Hardy.

Honey, I’m home.
Unman worker returns to his domicile in Nova Novgorod.
Copyright (C) 2025 Henry Edward Hardy

Lobopods of Mars Chapter 7: Descent into Nova Novgorod

A Mongoose Traveller (2e–compatible) Adventure

Table of Contents

1. Overview & Background
2. Scenario Hooks & Party Roles
3. Dramatis Personae
4. Locations
   • Pavonis Mons Summit & Elevator
   • The Road Train
   • Nova Novgorod Ruins
5. Adventure Outline
6. Potential Hazards & Encounters
7. Resolution & Sequel Hooks
8. Appendix: NPC Stats

1. Overview & Background

Premise:

• Dr. Jack Woolpit, famed space geologist, organizes an expedition to Mars’s hidden depths. This time, they forgo flight in favor of a massive road train—a 20-foot fusion-powered crawler cab towing two 40-foot, 14-foot-high trailers.
• An old Russian elevator (circa 1970s) on Pavonis Mons is discovered. Believed derelict, it still runs—powered by an aging thorium reactor and a gargantuan Stirling engine.
• Rumors say the elevator leads to a cavernous system, once home to Nova Novgorod, a Soviet outpost lost 50 years ago. No official records survive. Now the expedition aims to explore it and confirm whether rumors of alien life or hidden resources are real.

Tone:

• A mix of post-apocalyptic ruin exploration and scientific expedition. Dusty, claustrophobic, and full of opportunities for discovery or confrontation.
• Mystery: Why did Nova Novgorod vanish? What’s left behind—and who or what might still dwell below?

2. Scenario Hooks & Party Roles

Hooks

1. Scientific Curiosity: Dr. Woolpit hires the PCs to provide protection, technical skills, or specialized knowledge (engineering, biology, sensor operation).
2. Corporate or Military Interest: A sponsor (perhaps a shady corporation or government group) tasks the party with retrieving old Soviet data, rumored advanced reactor designs, or discovering exotic life forms.
3. Treasure Hunt: Legends say the Soviets had stashed large caches of precious metals, old nuclear tech, or hidden prototypes. The party wants to lay claim for profit or glory.

Party Roles

• Lead Scientist (Woolpit): Coordinates research tasks, interprets geological or biological data.
• Crawler Pilot / Mechanic: Operates the fusion-powered cab, maintains the big rig through hazards.
• Security / Bodyguards: Expect possible creatures, rival explorers, or structural collapses.
• Medic / Researcher: Tends to injuries, analyzes anomalies, possibly deals with contamination or old reactor leaks.

3. Dramatis Personae

Dr. Jack Woolpit

• Role: Expedition leader, enthusiastic geologist.
• Motivation: Confirm rumors of subterranean Martian life and glean historical insight on Nova Novgorod.

Stu “The Hobbit” Hobart

• Role: Mechanic / security hand. Possibly connected to smuggling or shady deals.
• Motivation: Keep the big crawler running, earn a stake in any valuable salvage.

Captain Lars Brecker

• Role: Seasoned soldier-turned-crawler pilot.
• Motivation: Keep the expedition safe, possibly on retainer from a sponsor.

Dr. Yajtoo Smith

• Role: Tech infiltration / remote ops.
• Motivation: Hack into any old Soviet mainframes or drone networks if discovered.

Dr. Ginger Takata

• Role: Expedition medic & xenobiologist.
• Motivation: Investigate potential life signs rumored to dwell in old caverns.

Sergei, Fyodor, & Charlie (Unman)

• Role: Scouts, possibly with Russian or mutant ties, giving them a personal stake in rediscovering Nova Novgorod.

(Adjust or swap the cast depending on your table.)

4. Locations

A. Pavonis Mons Summit & Elevator

1. Approach
   • The team treks across Mars’s dusty roads in the road train, climbing the slopes or specialized switchbacks up the volcano.
   • Possibly battered by dust storms or forced to bribe local outpost officials for a “permit” to use the elevator.
2. Elevator Platform
   • A massive gantry with rusted Soviet markings.
   • Machinery House: Houses a centuries-old but still functional thorium reactor powering giant cables and a Stirling engine.
   • Control Room: Antique Soviet-era consoles, blinking CRTs (or equivalent) still partially operational. Some instructions in Russian.
3. Elevator Ride
   • Potentially a 1–2 hour descent if it can handle the crawler + trailers. The ride is nerve-racking: flickering lights, mechanical groans.
   • Scenes: The world outside dims as the platform lowers the expedition into volcanic caverns.

B. The Road Train

1. Crawler Cab
   • 20 feet long, fusion-powered engine, seats up to 3 in the front. Typically has vacuum or sealed compartments to handle Martian or subterranean conditions.
2. Two 40-Foot Trailers
   • One trailer: Lab & living quarters, full of scientific gear, bunks, a small med station.
   • Second trailer: Storage for drilling rigs, rovers, or a small scout bike, plus extra fuel, rations, water.
3. Driving Challenges
   • Navigating tight lava tube corridors. Potential modifications: retractable “roof sensors,” variable wheelbase, or swiveling trailer couplings.

C. Nova Novgorod Ruins

1. Layout
   • A once-inhabited settlement in a subterranean crater or large cavern. Soviet architecture: blocky, utilitarian modules, now partially collapsed.
   • Abandoned for ~50 years. Some parts still have partial power from the old reactor grid.
2. Points of Interest
   • Central Dome: Possibly a collapsed geodesic structure, containing living quarters and labs.
   • Reactor Chamber: Another thorium or nuclear reactor site, maybe leaking or meltdown-threatening.
   • Research Wing: Old labs with locked computers or half-destroyed logs referencing Martian biology or secret experiments.
3. Mysteries
   • Why was it abandoned? Disease, sabotage, unstoppable Martian creatures, or political reasons?
   • Could there be survivors or descendants (mutants/unmen) still lurking?

5. Adventure Outline

Act I: Ascent & Descent

1. Crossing Mars
   • The expedition sets off from a known city (Mutch, Schiaparelli, or Bradbury Landing).
   • Encounter minor hazards: dust devils, mechanical breakdown, or run-ins with bandits.
2. Negotiations at the Elevator
   • They find the old platform guarded or locked. Must figure out how to power it safely. Possibly fix some Stirling engine components or handle reactor cooling rods.
3. The Ride Down
   • Tension as the crawler is lowered into darkness. Flickering lights, the possibility of mechanical failure.
   • Clues: Soviet signage, graffiti from a presumably lost era, half-buried crates on side ledges.

Act II: Entering Nova Novgorod

1. Initial Survey
   • The expedition sets up a base camp near the old settlement.
   • Recon with sensors, environmental checks. The place is eerily silent.
2. Exploration
   • Splitting up or traveling as a group, discovering partially intact corridors.
   • Evidence of a meltdown or partial meltdown in one sector. Possibly a mutated ecosystem thrives on the residual energy.
3. Surprises
   • Encounters with local fauna (mold, fungus) or leftover robots (old Soviet security drones?).
   • Data logs hint the Soviets discovered “something” and tried to harness it.

Act III: Confrontation / Discovery

1. Deeper Depths
   • A large meltdown chamber or hidden tunnel leading to a more extensive cavern. Possibly containing bizarre Martian life.
2. Factions
   • Rival explorers might appear (a mercenary corp or Talhir band).
   • Unmen survivors or mutated Russians, living in isolation with a meager society.
3. The “Big Reveal”
   • Some decisive clue: an advanced device, living Martian organisms, or a sealed crypt with Soviet secrets.
   • Danger: Reactor meltdown risk, violent creatures, or the arrival of a US Army scouting party also tracking these secrets.

Act IV: Resolution & Escape

• Option A: Peaceful Research
  • The party secures the reactor, glean knowledge, and tries to preserve the site as a historical/scientific treasure.
• Option B: Cataclysm
  • The meltdown or an awakened beast threatens the entire ruin. The party must flee. Possibly the elevator shuts down, forcing them to fix or find an alternate route.
• Option C: Rival Confrontation
  • A showdown with bandits or other factions that want to claim Nova Novgorod’s relics.

Epilogue

• The party might ascend back to the surface with priceless data or create a secure outpost. They might vow to return with a bigger expedition or keep it hush-hush if the secrets are too dangerous.

6. Potential Hazards & Encounters

1. Environmental
   • Cave-ins, flooding from subglacial water pockets, leftover radiation in meltdown zones.
2. Creatures
   • Mutant flora or small rodent-like Martian life. Possibly subterranean “lobopods” feeding on reactor heat.
3. Automated Defenses
   • Soviet security drones or static turrets with half-working sensors.
4. Other Explorers
   • Competitors or saboteurs.
5. Reactor Hazards
   • Overheated thorium rods, possible meltdown, or partial meltdown causing contamination.

7. Resolution & Sequel Hooks

• Grand Discovery: The PCs recover intact Soviet research logs on Martian biosystems or technology decades ahead of its time.
• Tragedy: The meltdown resumes, forcing them to seal or destroy Nova Novgorod.
• Population: Mysterious dwellers in the ruins might be saved or allied with. Or they vanish into deeper tunnels.
• Future Adventures:
  • Rebuild Nova Novgorod as a subterranean colony.
  • Explore branching caverns leading to more lost labs or hidden enclaves (like rumored Nova Moskva?).
  • Rival governments or corporations scramble to seize the reactivated elevator.

8. Appendix: NPC Stats

(Adjust skill levels or equipment as desired.)

Dr. Jack Woolpit

• STR 6, DEX 7, END 8, INT 10, EDU 12, SOC 8
• Skills: Science (Geology) 3, Recon 1, Persuade 1, Vacc Suit 1
• Traits: +1 DM on geology tasks.

Crawler Pilot / Mechanic (Lars or Stu)

• STR 8, DEX 7, END 9, INT 8, EDU 8, SOC 6
• Skills: Drive (Wheeled) 2, Mechanic 2, Gun Combat (Slug) 1, Vacc Suit 1
• Traits: +1 DM to checks repairing the crawler.

Dr. Ginger Takata

• STR 6, DEX 7, END 8, INT 9, EDU 12, SOC 6
• Skills: Medic 2, Science (Biology) 1, Vacc Suit 1
• Traits: +1 DM to diagnosing unknown pathogens.

Old Soviet Security Drone (Encounter)

• Hull 3, Armor 2
• Skills: Gun Combat (Energy) 1, Recon 1
• Weapons: Low-power laser or slug turret (2D, short range)
• Traits: Ancient circuits (malfunction 8+ on 2D if stressed).

Concluding Notes

In “Descent into Nova Novgorod”, your players undertake a tense road-train journey up (and then beneath) Mars’s towering Pavonis Mons, using a half-century-old Soviet elevator to explore a lost settlement. Whether they chase knowledge, treasure, or a bit of both, they’ll find the environment harsh, the secrets haunting, and the potential for conflict high. Will they unravel the fate of Nova Novgorod and harness its hidden wonders—or become one more tragic footnote in its mysterious history? Only their choices will decide. Good luck down there!

8 October, 2025 Posted by scanlyze | scanlyze | campaign, cyberpunk, Lobopods, Mars, Mongoose Traveller, retrofuturism, role-playing, science, science fiction | Leave a comment

Lobopods of Mars Chapter 6: Return from New Moscow: The Battle for Talhir

By Henry Edward Hardy with Cadence Boynton, Greg Boynton, John Kelly, Jeff Young, Joe Zapytowski, and Mark Zapytowski.

Copyright © 2025 Henry Edward Hardy.

Disclaimer
“Traveller” is a registered trademark of Far Future Enterprises. This scenario is a homebrew creation using Traveller-like terminology. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mongoose Publishing or Far Future Enterprises. Any references to Lobopods of Mars or other original works remain the property of their respective authors.

Return from New Moscow: The Battle for Talhir

A Mongoose Traveller (2e–compatible) Scenario

Table of Contents

1. Background & Context
2. Scenario Overview & Hooks
3. Dramatis Personae
4. Key Locations
   • Aphrodite’s Navel
   • Nova Moskva (New Moscow)
   • Talhir City
   • US Outposts on the Tharsis Plateau
5. Act-by-Act Breakdown
6. Notable Factions & Goals
7. Adventure Endings & Consequences
8. Appendix: NPC Stat Blocks

1. Background & Context

Mars in 2034:

• Talhir (capital of the Kangar Union) looms in the Noctis Labyrinthus region, below the Tharsis Plateau. Ruled by Great Khan Kuara Tengri and his daughter Princess Gan, the Kangar Horde wields power, technology, and cunning, albeit fewer resources than the Earth-based superpowers.
• New Moscow (Nova Moskva) is an underground, highly secret Russian enclave beneath the Tharsis region. Very few outsiders know it exists.
• US Military has established a forward base near Pavonis Mons, sending in II Marine Expeditionary Force, units from the 2nd Marine Division, plus 1st Lunar Mechanized and others. They brand the plateau a “Restricted Zone,” authorized to use deadly force.
• Princess Gan attempted infiltration near the US lines. In a flash confrontation, Colonel Mark Flagg shot her and killed her handmaidens. Gan survived—minus an arm—rescued by her father’s forces. Tensions skyrocket.

Your Travellers begin this scenario leaving the hidden city of New Moscow alongside local “unmen” scouts. They return to find the entire region in chaos: the US is accused of unprovoked aggression, Talhir is mobilizing for war, and the Kangar Horde demands revenge for Gan’s injuries.

2. Scenario Overview & Hooks

Central Conflict: The US Army (and possibly Marine) forces have attacked or repelled intruders near Pavonis Mons. Princess Gan is gravely wounded. The Kangar Horde readies for retaliation, risking a full-blown war on the plateau. The PCs are caught in the middle.

Possible Hooks

1. Gan’s Summons: Dr. Joret (or any PC with medical expertise) receives an urgent call from Gan’s circle—she is critically injured, needs advanced care. The PCs must cross the plateau to get to Talhir quickly.
2. Protect or Evacuate Civilians: The party is asked by local officials to safeguard an outlying settlement from the looming conflict.
3. Diplomatic Mission: An ISA official or a neutral contact begs the PCs to broker peace. They might need to slip into the US forward base and then to Talhir, or vice versa, collecting terms for a ceasefire.
4. Ties to the “Unmen”: The “unmen” from New Moscow are either under your party’s protection or in your debt. They want to relocate, or join the Kangar Horde, or vanish into the Martian outback. That may put the PCs at odds with either the US or Talhir.

3. Dramatis Personae

Princess Gan Khulan

• Role: Kangar Horde Royal, recently gravely wounded. Charismatic figure for the Horde.
• Condition: Missing an arm, in a suspended “hypothermic stasis” to prevent further injury.
• Motivation: Survive, maintain dignity, avenge the attack, or negotiate a cunning peace if it benefits the Horde.

Colonel Mark Flagg (US Army)

• Role: Commanding officer of 1st Lunar Mechanized Regiment, leading the forward base near Pavonis Mons.
• Personality: Stoic, by-the-book, believes he was well within rights to open fire on “intruders.”
• Motivation: Secure the region for US interests, obey a wide “restricted zone” directive from Earth.

Great Khan Kuara Tengri (Georgi Kubatov)

• Role: Leader of the Kangar Horde, father of Gan.
• Motivation: Furious at the US for harming Gan, but cautious about an all-out war he might not win.

Unman Scouts: Charlie “Unman” Podgorney & Fyodor the Slow

• Role: Mutants from Nova Moskva traveling with the PCs after leaving the hidden city.
• Motivation: Survive on the surface, possibly help the party navigate lava tubes or Martian wilds, eager to avoid direct conflict with powerful forces.

Dr. Joret (PC)

• Role: Mediator or doctor. Possibly the impetus for returning to Talhir to treat Princess Gan.
• Motivation: Live up to medical oath, keep the party alive, possibly uncover deeper conspiracies.

4. Key Locations

1. Aphrodite’s Navel
   • Feature: A natural lava tube high above Talhir, discovered by the party earlier. Possibly grants secret access to the city or out to the plateau.
   • Danger: Collapsing sections, volcanic vents, or lurking mutant creatures from deeper tunnels (like “unmen” or feral Martian biosystems).
2. Nova Moskva (New Moscow)
   • Secret: An underground Russian city with partial knowledge of early Soviet bases from the 1970s.
   • Status: The party departs here at scenario start. If the PCs revealed too much, the Russians might brand them liabilities.
3. Talhir City
   • Capital of the Kangar Union, often described as the “Las Vegas of Mars.” Lavish entertainment, but also a hotbed of hidden military and advanced or black-market tech.
   • State of Emergency: With Gan wounded, security is tight. The city either prepares defenses or organizes a raid on US lines.
4. US Outposts on the Tharsis Plateau
   • Fort Galleon near Pavonis Mons, or a ring of smaller forward bases.
   • Heavily Defended: With powered armor patrols, exoskeleton squads, Farnsworth Fusor drop pods, etc. Access is restricted.

5. Act-by-Act Breakdown

Act I: Escape from New Moscow

• Setup: The party finishes business in the underground city. Dr. Joret receives Gramash the Hacker’s urgent telegram: “Princess Gan is severely injured—Return ASAP!”
• Challenges: They must cross the underground lake (“River Styx”) or the labyrinth of tunnels to surface. Possibly face mutated wildlife or “Old Believer” watch posts.
• Outcome: They emerge near Aphrodite’s Navel with their unman companions.

Act II: Racing to Talhir

• Travel: The group navigates rough Martian terrain or uses partial rover transport. They see signs of mobilization—a Kangar column or US drone patrol overhead.
• Encounters:
  • A US recon squad demands to search or question them.
  • Kangar outriders, suspicious the PCs might be spies.
• Decision: The PCs can either slip past, talk through, or fight. Possibly they gather intel on the approaching conflict.

Act III: Crisis in Talhir

• Arrive: Gan is in suspended stasis. Her father demands help: either a direct assault, infiltration, or negotiation with the US.
• Possibilities:
  • Healing Gan requires special gear from the US lines.
  • The Horde is planning a massive retaliation; they want the PCs’ assistance or at least to stand aside.
  • If the PCs want peace, they must convince the furious Khan.

Act IV: The Showdown (Diplomacy or War)

• Option A: Diplomatic Gambit
  • The PCs approach Colonel Flagg or other US reps under a flag of truce. They negotiate compensation or an end to the “Restricted Zone.”
  • Possibly reveal that Gan was unarmed or that the handmaidens died needlessly. Tensions intensify if the US refuses to admit wrongdoing.
• Option B: War
  • The Kangar Horde launches an assault. The PCs can aid the defense or infiltration. The US calls in exoskeleton squads, mecha, or drones.
  • Expect large-scale battles or smaller infiltration set pieces: sabotage comms towers, hijack rovers, etc.

Epilogue

• The outcome depends on the PCs’ approach: peace, chaos, or a cunning compromise.

6. Notable Factions & Goals

1. Kangar Horde
   • Goal: Vindicate Gan’s honor, protect Talhir, possibly expel US from the plateau.
   • Means: Hit-and-run cavalry, cyborg shock troops, hidden alliances (maybe with certain corporate or black-market suppliers).
2. US Army / Marines
   • Goal: Hold the restricted zone for strategic advantage, follow Earth orders. Possibly remain “open” to a settlement if hostilities threaten bigger resources.
   • Means: Superior tech (powered armor, advanced rifles, mechs), systematic tactics, official Earth backing.
3. Unmen (Charlie & Fyodor)
   • Goal: Survive. Possibly help the PCs or remain aloof. They might glean a new home in Talhir if they side with Gan’s father, or vanish into underground lava tubes.
4. Neutral Agents (ISA, Mutch City, or others)
   • Goal: Might want to quell the conflict, keep roads open for commerce. Some quietly benefit from war “tourism” or arms trade.

7. Adventure Endings & Consequences

1. Peaceful Accord
   • The PCs mediate a deal: the US apologizes for harming Gan or pays restitution, the Kangar Horde backs off. Both sides remain uneasy.
   • Gan recovers. Possibly the PCs gain strong favor with the Kangar court and a nod from Earth.
2. Kangar Victory
   • The Horde’s cunning raids push the US to retreat from the plateau. Princess Gan’s survival and public image soars. The PCs become heroes in Talhir but outlaws to Earth forces.
3. US Dominance
   • A crushing campaign by the US (overwhelming firepower) forces the Horde to sue for peace. Gan might remain an embittered figure. The PCs face moral questions if they sided with the Kangar.
4. Escalation & Wider War
   • The conflict spirals, drawing in other Martian cities (Mutch City, Schiaparelli, etc.). The PCs end the scenario in the midst of a planet-wide crisis with no resolution in sight.

8. Appendix: NPC Stat Blocks

Below are sample Mongoose Traveller 2e–style stats. Tune them up or down to match your table’s difficulty level.

Charlie “Unman” Podgorney (Mutant Scout)

Skills: Recon 2, Survival 1, Gun Combat (Slug) 1, Stealth 1
Traits:

• Mutant Hardiness: +1 DM to Endurance checks vs. cold or radiation.

Fyodor the Slow (Mutant Scout)

Skills: Melee (Unarmed) 1, Athletics (Strength) 1, Survival 1
Traits:

• Thick-Skinned: Gains 1 point of armor (natural) vs. basic melee or slug.

Colonel Mark Flagg

Skills: Leadership 2, Gun Combat (Energy) 2, Tactics (Military) 2, Recon 1
Gear: US advanced powered armor (Armor 10), Sig Sauer XM 251 L Squad weapon (Auto 3, 3D damage), sidearm.
Traits:

• By-the-Book: +1 DM to Leadership checks among regular US Army subordinates.

Kangar Horde Warrior

Skills: Gun Combat (Slug) 1, Melee 1, Survival 1, Athletics 1
Gear: Patchwork vacc suit (Armor 3–4), older slug rifle (2D) or shotgun.
Traits:

• Fearless: Gains +1 DM on morale checks if in a group of 2+ horde allies.

Conclusion

Return from New Moscow: The Battle for Talhir propels the PCs into the epicenter of Martian geopolitics. Whether they rally to Princess Gan’s side, serve Earth’s interests, or walk a delicate diplomatic line, the fate of the Tharsis Plateau may hinge on their choices. Will the conflagration intensify—and might they discover deeper secrets behind both the old Soviet bases and the US’s “authorized deadly force”? Only the next session will tell. Good luck!

5 October, 2025 Posted by scanlyze | scanlyze | campaign, cyberpunk, Lobopods, Mars, Mongoose Traveller, retrofuturism, role-playing, science, science fiction | Leave a comment

Lobopods of Mars Chapter 5: Confrontation with the Kangar Horde

By Henry Edward Hardy with Cadence Boynton, Greg Boynton, John Kelly, Jeff Young, Joe Zapytowski, and Mark Zapytowski.

Copyright © 2025 Henry Edward Hardy.

Diorama of a Kangar Horde fort on Mars
Copyright (C) 2022, 2025 Henry Edward Hardy

Lobopods of Mars Chapter 5: Confrontation with the Kangar Horde

A Mongoose Traveller (2e–compatible) Scenario

Disclaimer
“Traveller” is a registered trademark of Far Future Enterprises. This scenario is a fan work using Traveller-like terminology. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mongoose Publishing or Far Future Enterprises. The Lobopods of Mars references remain the property of their respective authors.

Table of Contents

1. Adventure Background
2. Scenario Overview & Hooks
3. Major Factions
   • Kangar Horde
   • Local Authorities (Mutch City & Others)
4. Locations
   • Thomas A. Mutch Crawlie Stop
   • Talhir (Kangar Base)
   • Potential Battlegrounds
5. Running the Scenario
6. NPC & Enemy Stats
   • Generic Kangar Raider
   • Kangar Lieutenant (Bear-Man)
   • Sheriff Olav Pekkonen
7. Possible Endings & Aftermath

1. Adventure Background

Mars in 2034 is embroiled in multiple flashpoints. Tensions with Earth-based fleets in orbit are rising, while local powers jockey for territory. The Kangar Horde, a self-styled neo-Turkic clan from the edges of the Tharsis Plateau, has escalated from “rough trading” to outright raiding smaller outposts and crawlie stops.

Recent Incidents

• Mutch Crawlie Stop Takeover: The Kangar Horde forcibly occupied the Thomas A. Mutch Crawlie Stop near Mutch City, terrorizing staff and travelers.
• Sheriff’s Posse Victory: Sheriff Olav Pekkonen rallied volunteers to fire warning shots and flush out the Horde, prompting them to flee—albeit slowly—into the Outback.
• Wider Ramifications: Now that the Kangar raiders have retreated, Mutch City is celebrating, but new rumors swirl that a larger Kangar warband is assembling deeper in the desert to retaliate.

2. Scenario Overview & Hooks

In Confrontation with the Kangar Horde, the Traveller PCs find themselves in the crossfire. They may be defending Mutch City, investigating the Horde’s motives, or even traveling outward to broker uneasy peace or deliver a preemptive strike.

Hooks

1. Defensive Contract: The PCs are hired by Mutch City Council or a local trader’s guild to protect the region from further Horde attacks.
2. Search for a Missing Victim: A friend or allied NPC is among those brutalized at the Crawlie Stop. The party tracks the Horde to reclaim stolen items or rescue a hostage.
3. Diplomatic Overture: A neutral mediator tasks the PCs with meeting the Kangar Horde’s leadership, hoping to avoid an all-out war.
4. Personal Vendetta: One of the PCs was robbed or humiliated by the Kangar raiders. It’s time for payback.

3. Major Factions

Kangar Horde

• Identity & Mythos: A band of raiders claiming lineage from Old Turkic khans, led (officially) by Great Khan Kuara Tengri (real name: Georgi Kubatov, ~81 years old).
• Base of Operations: The settlement “Talhir,” perched near a water seep in Valles Marineris. In reality, it’s a patchwork fortress of pressurized domes and salvaged crawler parts.
• Capabilities:
  • Skilled in desert survival and constructing “hillbilly armor” for their vehicles.
  • Armed with older but functional slug guns and shotguns, plus some black-market ex-Earth military gear.
  • Rely on fear and intimidation to gather “tribute” from isolated outposts.

Local Authorities (Mutch City & Others)

• Mutch City: A mid-sized settlement near Tharsis, with a precarious water supply but robust trade. Sheriff Olav Pekkonen is the de facto law.
• Thomas A. Mutch Crawlie Stop: A privately owned stopover dome with cheap lodging, refueling, and basic entertainment. Important for local commerce. Recently besieged by the Kangar Horde.
• Sheriff Pekkonen’s Posse: Ad-hoc volunteers, often outclassed by better-armed foes, but determined to defend their homes.

4. Locations

Thomas A. Mutch Crawlie Stop

• Layout: A single pressurized dome with an attached refueling station, a bar, a few bunkrooms, and a cargo yard.
• Recent Damage: Broken furniture, bullet holes, captured staff traumatized. The locals are angry but relieved the Horde left.
• Clues: Searching the dome may yield leftover Kangar symbols, forced locks, or data logs showing messages from unknown sponsors (hinting they might be pawns for bigger factions).

Talhir (Kangar Base)

• Environment: Deep in the Valles Marineris outback, perched near a dripping water seep. Minimal oxygen, raging dust storms.
• Defenses: Spiked walls, watchtowers, roving crawlers. The place is half shantytown, half fortress.
• Population: ~200–300 hardened raiders plus families. Possibly hundreds more innocents coerced into living under the Horde’s rule.

Potential Battlegrounds

• Desert Wastes: Rolling dunes, unpredictable dust devils, ancient lava flows. Perfect for crawler chases and ambushes.
• Mutch City Outskirts: If the Horde tries a mass reprisal, the city outskirts or surrounding crater walls become the front line.
• Abandoned Mines or Lava Tubes: Could be fallback points or hidden outposts.

5. Running the Scenario

Phase 1: Gathering Intel

• PCs investigate the aftermath of the Crawlie Stop raid. They meet witnesses, see traces of violence, and piece together who led the incursion (e.g., a Kangar Lieutenant known as “Bear-Man”).
• Sheriff Pekkonen warns them: The Horde might regroup, or the PCs can take the fight to them.

Phase 2: Desert Pursuit or Negotiation

• Option A: Pursuit
  • The PCs head out in crawlers or half-tracks, following the raiders’ trail. Dust storms hamper visibility. Potential stealth or infiltration to get close to the Kangar camp.
• Option B: Diplomatic Approach
  • The PCs attempt to contact the Kangar leadership to broker peace or arrange a prisoner exchange. Batar Khan or Bear-Man might arrive suspiciously to parley, flanked by armed guards.
• Complications
  • Earth-mined or Mars-based corporate interests could be egging the Kangars on, providing them with weaponry.
  • Tensions with the “Talhir Council” (the few quasi-civil officials in the Kangar settlement) might overshadow the warband’s own chain of command.

Phase 3: Showdown

• The final confrontation can take many forms: a pitched battle on the desert floor, a stealth infiltration of Talhir’s perimeter, or a tense negotiation that might devolve if one side is provoked.
• Combat Encounter: The Kangar Horde deploys multiple crawler rigs with improvised turrets, or they ambush from rocky outcrops. The PCs must coordinate tactics, use the environment, or even call in local militia.
• Talk (or Betrayal): If the PCs attempt to negotiate, they might learn of the Horde’s real demands—e.g., new farmland, guaranteed trade, or a “tribute” system. Whether the city can accept that is another story.

Victory or Unrest

• If the PCs defeat the Kangar leadership (like Bear-Man or Batar Khan), the warband might disperse. But the settlement of Talhir remains, potentially seeding future trouble.
• If the PCs treat with the Horde respectfully, they might forge a new “tribute for peace” arrangement, but Mutch City’s populace may resent giving in.

6. NPC & Enemy Stats

Below are sample Traveller 2e–style stat blocks. Adjust skill levels and gear to match the desired difficulty.

Generic Kangar Raider

Skills:

• Melee (Blade) 1 or Gun Combat (Slug) 1
• Athletics (Strength) 1
• Survival 1
• Streetwise 0

Gear:

• Patchwork vacc suit (Armor 3–4)
• Slug rifle or shotgun (2D–3D damage)
• Improvised melee weapon (1D+1 or 2D damage)

Traits:

• Raider Tactics: +1 DM to Stealth or Recon when preparing an ambush in Martian desert terrain.

Kangar Lieutenant (Bear-Man)

Skills:

• Melee (Blade) 2
• Gun Combat (Slug) 1
• Leadership 1
• Recon 1
• Survival 1

Gear:

• Tough environment suit or combat armor (Armor 5+)
• Sawed-off shotgun or heavy rifle (3D damage)
• Brutal-looking scimitar or carbon blade (2D damage)

Traits:

• Intimidating Presence: Gains +1 DM on any opposed checks to threaten or coerce.
• Fanatical Loyalty: Nearby Kangar raiders get +1 to Morale checks.

Sheriff Olav Pekkonen

Skills:

• Gun Combat (Slug) 2
• Recon 1
• Leadership 1
• Persuade 1
• Vacc Suit 1

Gear:

• Heavy revolver (3D)
• Light ballistic vest or environment suit (Armor 4)
• City crawler with a small railgun turret (non-lethal or low-power shells)

Traits:

• Local Hero: Gains +1 DM to persuade or rally local fighters.
• Outnumbered, Not Outgunned: The Sheriff never backs down if defending Mutch City.

7. Possible Endings & Aftermath

1. Kangar Defeat
   • The PCs lead a decisive strike on the Horde, capturing or scattering the raiders. Mutch City breathes easy… for now.
   • Possible blowback: Remaining Kangars vow revenge, or other outback gangs see weakness.
2. Negotiated Truce
   • The PCs broker a tenuous deal: The Horde gets safe passage, minimal tribute, or some autonomy. City authorities grudgingly accept.
   • The truce might turn fragile if hotheads on either side pick a fight later.
3. PCs Switch Sides
   • If the party sees the Kangar cause as legitimate (lack of resources, forced to raid?), they might ally with them. Mutch City’s authorities become adversaries. This sets up an ongoing “bandit kings” arc.
4. Stalemate & Expanding Conflict
   • Neither side gains a clear advantage. The setting escalates into a broad conflict as more raiders and possibly ISA or Earth forces intervene. The region remains a powder keg.

Conclusion

In Confrontation with the Kangar Horde, the PCs must navigate a fine line between local politics, outback survival, and the fierce warlike culture of the Kangar clan. Whether they choose to fight, talk, or outmaneuver the Horde, this scenario promises dusty chases, tense standoffs, and moral gray areas—perfect for a grounded, high-stakes Martian Traveller campaign. Good luck out there, and remember: on Mars, water and alliances are equally precious.

2 October, 2025 Posted by scanlyze | scanlyze | campaign, cyberpunk, Lobopods, Mars, Mongoose Traveller, retrofuturism, role-playing, science, science fiction | Leave a comment