TEXT: The Near East is a timeless land, with a heritage stretching back to the dawn of recorded 
  history. The cradle of civilization, it was home of the ancient Babylonians and Sumerians, 
  whose cities and monuments stood proud in an age when Europeans were clubbing each 
  other with stones. The cradle of three great religions, it was the home of the great proph-
  ets, whose teachings guide and inspire millions of worshippers to this day. Further east 
  lies India, the jewel in Britain’s crown, and the source of much conflict. For globetrotters 
  desiring adventure and exploration, ancient cities and exotic cultures await. Dominated by 
  three great powers, it is also a covert battleground, the source of much intrigue and subtle 
  maneuvering for colonial supremacy. Welcome to the Near East and India!
  New Leagues
  Below are new Leagues of Adventure suitable for player characters. They follow the 
  rules for the Rank Resource presented in the core rules.
  The Chess Club
  To the general public, the Chess Club is nothing more than a social club for gentlemen 
  and ladies who enjoy a good game of chess and desire to encourage its learning. It even 
  holds regular competitions against members of the public at home and abroad. In truth, 
  all its members are players in the Great Game, an unofficial mix of diplomats and spies 
  locked in a subtle and unseen battle to counter Russia’s expansion in Central Asia. When 
  members meet, they engage in a game of chess. The moves are used to ask and answer 
  questions, allowing silent communication that, for those who understand the complex 
  physical cipher, reveal a great deal of information.
  Starting Skill List: Gambling and pick one from Bureaucracy, Con, Diplomacy, Investi-
  gation, Larceny, Linguistics, Spying, Streetwise
  The Old testament Society
  Founded in 1845, the Old Testament Society comprises two distinct groups of theo-
  logians, anthropologists, and archaeologists. One faction, known Maximalists, hold that 
  the stories of the Old Testament are accurate historical records. Their scholastic rivals, the 
  Minimalists, purport that the tales, especially the earliest books, are folk stories and myths, 
  memories written down long after the events they detail. They do not question the exis-
  202109
  Author: Paul “Wiggy” Wade-Williams
  Editing: Robert Davis
  Graphic Design: Robin Elliott
  Globetrotters’ Guide to
  The Ancient World
  www.tripleacegames.com
  Permission is granted to print this ebook. No site licence is given.
  This game uses the Ubiquity Roleplaying System, developed by Exile Game Studio (www.exilegames.com). Ubiquity Roleplaying 
  System, Exile Games Studio, and all associated logos and trademarks are copyright, Exile Games Studio, LLC. Used with permission.
  ©2012 Triple Ace Games. Leagues of Adventure and all related marks and logos are  
  trademarks of Triple Ace Games. All Rights Reserved.
  •             •
  
  tence of Biblical figures and places, only the history as-
  signed to them. Despite the latter’s view, most members 
  are religious—faith in God does not require historical 
  accuracy. Naturally, the Society focuses most of its atten-
  tion on the Holy Land, though it sponsors expeditions 
  across the Near East.
  Starting Skill List: Pick two from Academics (History 
  or Religion), Anthropology, Expeditions, Investigation, 
  Linguistics
  Near East 
  Gazetteer
  This section follows the pattern laid down in the 
  core rulebook. Entries for countries already described in 
  Leagues of Adventure are not duplicated here, though 
  there may be additional notes and places of interest. Due 
  to its importance in the Great Game, India is included in 
  the region.
  Arabian 
  Peninsula
  The Arabian Peninsula is divided between the Otto-
  man Empire, which controls the north and west, and the 
  British, whose protectorates extend along the eastern 
  and southern coasts. In the center is the Nejd, a vast 
  highland region inhabited by fractious tribes.
  AdEN PrOTECTOrATE
  A hotbed of piracy, Aden was little more than a vil-
  lage when the British began to take an interest. In 1839, 
  marines of the British East India Company seized the 
  settlement, an act which led to the creation of the Aden 
  protectorate and the establishment of a small naval base. 
  Its location quickly saw it grow into a major port, a tran-
  sit for trade passing between India and the Red Sea. Fol-
  lowing the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Aden 
  became a vital coaling and communication station, and 
  an official British protectorate.
  After 1874, the British slowly expand into the sur-
  rounding territory, ensuring a buffer exists between Ye-
  men, the tribes of central and southern Arabia, and the 
  port. The protectorate extends east along the coast to 
  the borders of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.
  The British government is currently debating whether 
  to construct an airship facility near Bunker Point, the 
  coal station. A facility here would open up routes along 
  the East African coast and shorten the distance to India, 
  allowing for more regular flights.
  Ruled from India, the national currency is the Indian 
  rupee, though British pounds are accepted.
  BAhrAiN
  The archipelago of Bahrain has been thrust onto the 
  global stage thanks to its strategic position in the Persian 
  Gulf. Under the terms of its treaty with Great Britain, the 
  sheikh cannot enter into any form of treaty with other 
  nations without Britain’s express consent, and any ter-
  ritory he elects to sell must be sold to Britain. In return, 
  Britain has vowed military protection and to support the 
  Al Khalifa dynasty as the rightful lords of Bahrain.
  With rival claimants to the throne silenced by the 
  threat of British intervention, Bahrain has become the 
  dominant trading port in the Persian Gulf. Long insular, 
  it has developed into a bustling, unified, multicultural 
  state, with large populations of Indians and Persians. 
  It sits at the heart of a trading network extending from 
  Egypt to India both by sea and by land routes through 
  Central Asia.
  Ruler: Lord of Bahrain Sheikh Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa 
  (1869-1932)
  Burial Mounds
  The northern portion of Bahrain has often being 
  called the “Land of the Dead,” and with good reason. On 
  the higher ground surrounding the fort are hundreds of 
  thousands of burial mounds. Nothing more than sandy 
  mounds on the surface, the exterior covering conceals 
  stone chambers. Laid to rest millennia ago are skeletons 
  from an ancient culture, along with basic grave goods, 
  such as pots, jars, and copper weapons.
  Qal’at al-Bahrain
  There has been a fort on this site for thousands of 
  years. The current ruins are Portuguese, though they are 
  built on the remains of a fort constructed a thousand 
  years earlier. The huge mound on which the fort sits 
  is part of a colossal tell, the accumulation of countless 
  generations of building and rebuilding.
  Scholars and antiquarians suspect this might be the 
  site of the Dilmun civilization, whose existence is known 
  only through ancient Sumerian texts. Once known as the 
  Land of Immortality, the Sumerians claimed their gods 
  gathered here to meet with each other. Another Sume-
  rian legend calls it the Place of Ancestors.
  MuSCAT & OMAN
  Occupying the southeast tip of the Arabian Peninsula, 
  the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman’s grip once extended 
  as far as Zanzibar, taking in what is now British East Africa 
  leagues of adventure
  
  •           •
  •           •
  
  and German East Africa along the way. Over time, its ter-
  ritory has been eroded, leaving only its Arabian holdings 
  intact. Erosion of territory led to weakened economic 
  ties, and while still prosperous, the Sultanate is a shadow 
  of its former glory.
  The nation’s people are divided between the coastal 
  dwellers, who are largely secular, and the more religious 
  interior tribes. Threatened by the tribes, the Sultan was 
  forced to seek British support, a move that allowed Great 
  Britain to exert influence over the region, and giving it 
  near unbroken control over the eastern Persian Gulf 
  coast. Despite the British presence, the interior remains 
  a wild and dangerous place.
  Ruler: Sultan Faisal bin Turki (1888-1913)
  TruCiAL OMAN
  During the 16th century, the Trucial Coast (the east-
  ern coast of the Arabian Peninsula) became a popular 
  haunt for Ottoman corsairs. Seeking to defend her inter-
  ests in India and the lucrative trade routes, Great Britain 
  launched a series of raids against the coastal cities. In 
  1820, the sheikhs signed a peace treaty with Britain, 
  though sporadic raids continued until 1835. In 1853, a 
  permanent truce was signed. Aside from enforcing the 
  treaty with force when necessary and settling disputes 
  between the sheikhs, the British took a very limited hand 
  in governing the region.
  With the Ottomans growling and the Germans prowl-
  ing, stronger ties were cemented in 1892, when the 
  sheikhs were convinced to enter into Britain’s favorite 
  treaty terms—no ceding land and no entertaining for-
  eigners without British approval. Standard counter-terms 
  are offered—the British will defend Trucial Oman by sea, 
  and assist in any land wars.
  Adventure Seeds
  * In describing Eden, the Book of Genesis tells that 
  the River Pison flows through a land of gold. A geologist 
  working in the eastern Arabian Peninsula has not only 
  discovered gold, he has located the long-dry course of an 
  ancient river. He believes that by following landmarks, it 
  might be possible to locate the Garden of Eden. Several 
  Leagues, not all of them with good intent, are courting 
  him to discover more.
  * The Sumeria Club is planning an expedition to 
  Bahrain in the hope of proving that the survivors of the 
  lost continent of Mu settled here before populating Su-
  meria. The Immortals Club has already got wind of the 
  endeavor, and has infiltrated the Sumeria Club’s ranks.
  * Work to construct a new village has revealed a pre-
  viously unknown temple. Aside from some fragments 
  of gold jewelry, a bronze bull’s head was unearthed. 
  Inscribed on it is a stylized labyrinth. Could the Dilmun 
  people have known the location of the fabled Labyrinth 
  of Crete? Several Leagues certainly think so.
  india
  The Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire, the 
  notion that India is completely ruled by the British Raj 
  is a fallacy. While it is true the British directly control 
  much of the country, there are vast swathes of land in 
  the hands of native rulers, the rajas (“princes”) and 
  maharajas (“great king”). Nominally loyal to the Crown, 
  the potentates enjoy great autonomy, and are frequently 
  courted by the British, who are keen to retain the status 
  quo in the face of Russian expansion further north and to 
  exemplify the benefits of British culture. The key British 
  territories, known as Presidencies, are Bengal, Bombay, 
  and Madras. 
  Mixed marriages are neither unusual nor frowned 
  upon, and the resultant children have formed the babu 
  class, upper class Hindu Indians who serve as middle 
  ranking administrators and bureaucrats, solicitors and 
  doctors. Literate and urbane, and often educated at In-
  dian universities, they are seen by the British as being 
  above pure-blooded Indians. Not surprisingly, the top 
  positions are all held by Britons.
  India is crisscrossed with railways. Initially designed 
  and built by the British using Indian labor, the Indians, 
  supervised by British engineers, are now progressing 
  with new expansions at a rapid pace. In 1860, the coun-
  try had a mere 860 miles of tracks. By 1880, it wound 
  through the countryside for an impressive 16,000 miles. 
  Partly driven by economic needs, the railways also al-
  low the British to remind the local population who is in 
  charge by the rapid mobilization of troops.
  Education has also improved dramatically, with a 
  number of universities being opened in the major cities. 
  Industry has boomed, especially in the areas of cotton 
  manufacture and heavy engineering, while coffee, sugar-
  cane, and tea remain valuable crops.
  Although Hinduism is the largest faith, there are large 
  number of Muslims in the northwest and east. Religious 
  violence is commonplace across the country.
  British indian Army
  Until 1895, the British Indian Army comprises only 
  the three Presidencies’ armies, each of which was largely 
  independent of the others. In 1895, the structure is re-
  thought—the three standing armies were abolished and 
  reformed into a single army, to which British units are 
  also added. As well as protecting British interests from 
  external aggressors along the North-West Frontier (the 
  region bordering Afghanistan), the army may be called 
  upon by the civil government to crush rebellion and 
  quell civil unrest.
  The highest native ranks are held by viceroy commis-
  sioned officers (VCOs). They rank above sergeant majors 
  but below even junior British officers, and are only al-
  lowed to command Indian troops. In many regards they 
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  
  •      •
  
  are middle men between the British officers and the 
  common soldiers. Despite this, they are highly respected 
  by their superiors. The rank subedar is roughly equiva-
  lent to a lieutenant of infantry, while subedar-major is 
  akin to a British army major. Each battalion has but one 
  subedar-major.
  BOMBAy
  Calcutta may be the capital, but Bombay is the most 
  important port. With trade booming thanks to the open-
  ing of the Suez Canal, the British have not been slow 
  modernizing the city. As well as electricity and trams, it 
  has a university, stock exchange, and hospital, one of the 
  grandest railway stations anywhere in the world, as well 
  as public gardens where citizens can escape the crowded 
  and noisy streets.
  Despite technological advances, Bombay still has its 
  share of cultural and hygiene problems. In 1893, a riot 
  broke out after Muslims attacked a Hindu temple. The 
  violence claimed 75 lives before it was quelled. Three 
  years later, bubonic plague sweeps the city. Thousands 
  die each week, and as much as one-half the popula-
  tion abandons the crowded city. Another riot broke out 
  in 1898, this time against the government’s draconian 
  anti-plague measures. With dock and railways workers 
  involved, the city grinds to a near halt for several days. 
  The effects of plague continue to haunt the city into the 
  early 20th century.
  A new concept sweeping the city is the dabbawala 
  (“lunch box delivery man”), more commonly referred to 
  by the British as tiffin wallahs. Taking a dislike to the 
  local cuisine and its strong flavors, the British employed 
  locals to deliver food cooked by their chefs at home 
  straight to their place of work.
  Ruler: Governors George Harris (1890-1895), Her-
  bert Mills Birdwood (acting; 1895), William Mansfield, 
  Baron Sandhurst (1895-1900)
  CALCuTTA
  Situated in the east of the country (Bengal), Calcutta 
  is the capital of British India and the second city of the 
  Empire after London. A city of great antiquity, it is known 
  as the City of Palaces. While there are many manses, the 
  name refers more generally to its architecture, especially 
  the grand hotels and League clubhouses.
  British rule has brought a massive and chaotic surge 
  of growth. The population has swelled dramatically, and 
  keeps increasing. As the capital, it sits at the heart of a 
  railway and telegraph network, and has paved streets, 
  street lights (at least in the British part), and open parks 
  where the well-to-do can take the air.
  Calcutta is divided into two zones. The British are 
  found mainly in White Town in the center of town, while 
  most of the Indians live in Black Town to the north. De-
  spite the names, there is little segregation.
  The city’s name derives from Kalikkhetro, which 
  means “Field of Kali.” Understanding little of the culture, 
  to many colonials Kali is the goddess of death and blood, 
  whoaw fanatical servants, the Thuggee, the British sup-
  posedly wiped out in earlier decades. While the British 
  have not outlawed her rule (such a decree would lead to 
  an uprising), they keep a discrete eye on the temples.
  diu & GOA
  Great Britain’s claims to rule India politely ignore 
  Goa, two tiny Portuguese states on the eastern coast. 
  Once vibrant ports and important trading centers, the 
  states have been in gradual decline for centuries. Their 
  inhabitants were awarded Portuguese citizenship over a 
  century ago, and thus enjoy greater freedom than many 
  of their colonial counterparts elsewhere in the world.
  Ruler: Governors João Manuel Correia Taborda 
  (1891-1892), Francisco Teixeira da Silva (1892-1893), 
  Rafael Jácome de Andrade (1893-1894), Elesbão José de 
  Bettencourt Lapa (1894-1895), Rafael Jácome de Andrade 
  (1895-1896), Prince D. Afonso Henriques de Bragança 
  (Viceroy; 1896), Joaquim José Machado (1897-1900)
  ThE irON PiLLAr Of dELhi
  Protruding from the courtyard of the Qutab minar, a 
  complex of crumbling monuments, is an iron pillar. Over 
  20 feet tall, four feet in diameter, and with an ornate top, 
  it was raised as a memorial to King Chandra. What makes 
  it unusual is not the skill required to create it, but the 
  fact it has stood around 1500 years and yet displays ab-
  solutely no signs of rust or corrosion. Scientific research 
  carried out by the British has revealed the metal is excep-
  tionally pure. This has only compounded the mystery, 
  for this should mean it is more prone to rust, not more 
  resistant.
  ThuvArAiyAM PAThi
  In the scriptures of the Ayyavazhi, a Hindu sect found 
  in southern India, there is a brief mention on an island 
  that once lay 152 miles off the shore of India’s southern-
  most point. Aside from mentioning it had 16,008 streets, 
  the texts are otherwise silent. However, the Tamils who 
  inhabit the Indian Peninsula have a similar legend.
  They speak of Kumari Kandam, a lost continent locat-
  ed in a similar region of the ocean. Apparently quite thin, 
  it extended for 700 kavatam. The unit of measurement 
  is long forgotten, and could have been anything from a 
  mile or a thousand miles. The sea swallowed the island, 
  leagues of adventure
  
  
  forcing the survivors to colonize new lands. Tamils place 
  the disaster at 50,000 BC. Given its location, it is likely 
  Thuvaraiyam Pathi/Kumari Kandam is a memory of the 
  fabled continent of Lemuria.
  Adventure Seeds
  * Several shipments of arms have recently disap-
  peared. The British suspect they are in the hands of a raja 
  in Kashmir, a northern province bordering Afghanistan. 
  Unwilling to spark a revolt by sending in the troops, the 
  British government in India is seeking the help of the 
  Leagues. Diplomacy and discretion are called for—war 
  must be avoided at all costs.
  * After years of planning and negotiation, the Jockey 
  Club has organized a huge polo tournament, at which 
  many leading raja, maharajas, and British dignitaries 
  will be present. The globetrotters secure an invitation 
  as spectators or players. All goes well until a raja from a 
  border province is assassinated. Unless his killer (a Rus-
  sian agent) is apprehended, the rajas people may rise up 
  against the British, who they hold responsible for their 
  lord’s untimely demise.
  * A fakir (Muslim Sufi ascetic) is developing a cult fol-
  lowing after performing miracles. Muslims are oppressed 
  and mistrusted by the British. Fearful of taking any overt 
  action, they require globetrotters skilled in matters of 
  the paranormal to investigate, and preferably dispel, the 
  claims of miraculous powers.
  * The Sumeria Club has unearthed clay tablets indi-
  cating that trade existed between Goa and Sumeria. Suit-
  able globetrotters are being recruited to explore the tiny 
  state for evidence of Sumerian influence.
  Ottoman Empire
  It is a great irony that the Ottoman Empire has fin-
  ished a period of modernization just as it begins to lose 
  many of its territories. Sweeping reforms have brought 
  in modern banking, replaced religious law with secu-
  lar law, formed a modern army made up of conscripts 
  rather than slaves, and lead to the creation of factories 
  and railways. Parts of the Empire now boast telegraph 
  communications and a postal system, and Istanbul has 
  a growing number of telephones. The government has 
  even decriminalized homosexuality, which previously 
  carried the death sentence.
  As elsewhere in Europe, rapid growth required large 
  sums of money from foreign investors. Unable to pay its 
  mounting debts, the country is subject to the Ottoman 
  Public Debt Administration, a branch of the bureaucracy 
  controlled by Europeans and charged with collecting 
  taxes. These are promptly handed over to the European 
  creditors. In short, the Empire is bankrupt.
  Given its weakened state, it is no surprise the Empire 
  is ripe for conquest. The expansionistic gaze of Austro-
  Hungary and Russia has fallen across the region. While 
  it has no love of the Ottomans, Great Britain acts as a 
  counter to their ambitions. As part of the Great Game, 
  the British are keen to stymie further Russian expansion 
  into the eastern Mediterranean lest it control the entire 
  region around the Black Sea and snake its tendrils into 
  the Holy Land or Persia.
  BA’ALBEk
  Now under the control of the Ottoman Empire and 
  rid of bandits, the vast ruins of Ba’albek are a popular 
  destination for tourists visitng the Holy Land. Formerly 
  known as Heliopolis, the ruined city boasts many mag-
  nificent and wonderfully preserved temples dating from 
  the Greco-Roman period. In terms of grandeur, the ruins 
  easily rival those of Rome, and in many instances surpass 
  them. Had an earthquake in 1759 not wrought great dev-
  astation, the ruins would be far more spectacular.
  Nestled against the ruins is the modern village of 
  Ba’albek, a tiny community of goatherds and subsistence-
  level farmers who supplement their income by acting as 
  tour guides. Their lack of historical knowledge is more 
  than made up for by their enthusiasm.
  Part of the Roman enclosure wall is made up of three 
  stone blocks, known as the Trilithon. Hewn and worked 
  to a smooth finish, each stone weighs a colossal 750 
  tons. More astounding is that they have been raised over 
  20 feet to sit on a lower layer. In a nearby quarry is a 
  larger stone, over 70 feet long and estimated to weigh 
  over 1000 tons!
  The Bible makes reference to the site, for long be-
  fore the Greeks settled here there was a temple to 
  Ba’al-Astarte, which attracted a considerable number of 
  pilgrims. No sign of its foundations are visible. Ancient 
  Arab chroniclers writing in the age of the Hittites also 
  mention the temple. They claim it was constructed not 
  long after the Flood, and that its stones were raised by 
  King Nimrod (the builder of the Tower of Babel), who 
  commanded a workforce of giants.
  EBLA
  Ancient Sumerian and Akkadian writings speak of 
  Ebla, a powerful trading city located in what is now Syria. 
  The only clue to its location is its name, which translates 
  as “White Rock.” The sources continue that the king was 
  not the supreme ruler, but was elected by the merchants, 
  who wielded the real power. The city, whose population 
  is recorded at being over 20,000, is last mentioned as 
  having been destroyed following a war lasting genera-
  tions, but when and by whom remains a mystery.
  Ebla was one of the last outposts of sunken Atlantis. 
  By the time it is mentioned by the Sumerians, themselves 
  descended from Atlanteans, the Atlantean bloodline had 
  perished, weakened beyond rescue by successive breed-
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  
  •                 •
  
  ing with lesser races. It existed only in elite merchant-
  princes, distant scions of the elder race of conquerors 
  and traders who held power based on their ancestry. In 
  those last generations, they recorded their ancestry as 
  being that of the gods.
  Sumerian writings make mention of a great library 
  housed in the palace of Ebla. Tens of thousands of clay 
  tablets, written in a now-forgotten Semitic tongue, were 
  stored there. Many were town records, little more than 
  trade agreements, but among the cache were histories 
  that stretched back to the glory days of Atlantis. The 
  language originated in Atlantis, but overtime it became 
  debased. It may, though, hold the clue vital to decrypt-
  ing the Atlantean script and unlocking the secrets of 
  the ancients. The direct ancestor of later Akkadian and 
  Sumerian scripts, it rapidly fell out of use after Ebla’s 
  destruction.
  GArdEN Of EdEN
  While an expedition to search for the Garden of 
  Eden may sound like a fool’s errand, the holy texts of 
  the Christians, Jews, and Muslims make it quite clear 
  that Eden is on Earth. While the geography of the ac-
  tual Garden is vague, mentioning only the Tree of Life, 
  the texts describe a river that exits Eden and splits into 
  four separate watercourses. Two of these, the Euphrates 
  and Tigris, are major rivers, and have been known to 
  mankind for millennia. The other two, Pishon (or Pison) 
  and Gihon, have yet to be reliably identified. Given the 
  Euphrates and Tigris rise in eastern Turkey, it is possible 
  Eden was located in that region.
  The only other clues are the mention of gates, the 
  appearance of cherubim, and a flaming sword. Members 
  of the Old Testament Society, heretics to many believers, 
  have dared to suggest Adam and Eve were barred from 
  re-entry by a volcanic eruption—eastern Turkey has many 
  volcanoes, though most are extinct. The cherubim may 
  similarly refer not to angels, but to the karibu, mythical 
  beasts with the bodies of lions, the heads of men, and 
  the wings of eagles. Such creatures are commonplace in 
  the art of early Middle Eastern cultures, originating with 
  the Sumerians.
  The Hollow Earth Society has long held that Eden 
  refers to a place beneath the ground, not upon it.
  GEThSEMANE
  The Garden of Gethsemane is well-known to Chris-
  tians. Located at the base of the Mount of Olives on the 
  outskirts of Jerusalem, it was here Jesus and his disciples 
  met before Judas’ infamous betrayal. Eastern Orthodox 
  tradition holds that the Virgin Mary was buried here. 
  Unfortunately, the Mount of Olives has been used as a 
  graveyard for millennia, and there are many thousands 
  of tombs, mausolea, and graves.
  Tsar Alexander III constructed a beautiful Russian 
  Orthodox church in the garden in 1886. It is dedicated 
  to a Mary, but not the mother of Jesus. Rather, it is sacred 
  to Mary Magdalene. Also in the garden is the crumbling 
  remains of a Crusader chapel, which sits atop the ruins 
  of an earlier Byzantine church.
  leagues of adventure
  
  New flaws
    Mental flaws 
  Belligerent: Your character is aggressive by nature. 
  He’s always spoiling for a fight or willing to argue 
  over even the most trivial of matters. You earn a 
  Style point when your character’s aggressive atti-
  tude causes trouble for him or his comrades.
  Immature: Regardless of his age or intelligence, 
  your character acts in a childish manner. He throws 
  tantrums when things do not go his way, sulks at 
  perceived slights, and plays stupid tricks at inappro-
  priate times. You earn a Style point whenever your 
  characters infantile behavior creates problems for 
  him or his friends.
  Vengeful: Your character never forgets and he never 
  forgives. Anyone who crosses him or makes a fool 
  of him has made an enemy; at least until your char-
  acter gets even. You earn a Style point whenever 
  your character’s desire to get even causes problems 
  for him or his comrades.
    Social flaws
  Competitive: Your character doesn’t like coming 
  second. He cannot resist a challenge, especially if 
  the challenger questions his abilities. You earn a 
  Style point whenever your character’s competitive 
  streak gets him in over his head or leads to prob-
  lems.
  Independent: Your character is self-reliant. She dis-
  likes others interfering in her affairs, and rarely asks 
  for help. When help is offered, she is dismissive. 
  She can work in a team, so long as her companions 
  understand she doesn’t need their help. You earn a 
  Style point when your character’s insistence in do-
  ing things on her own or rejection of help causes 
  trouble for her or her friends.
  
  GOrdiuM
  Capital of ancient Phrygia, Gordium was famed in an-
  tiquity for its oracles and diviners. Its claim to fame is the 
  fabled Gordian knot. A peasant and farmer by birth, the 
  bemused Gordias was heralded as king upon entering 
  the city, for his arrival and fate had been predicted by the 
  priesthood. To mark the occasion, his son tethered his 
  father’s simple ox-cart to the temple with an elaborate 
  knot. The diviners, gazing into the future, decreed that 
  whoever would unravel the knot would become the le-
  gitimate king of Asia Minor.
  As history records, centuries later, Alexander the Great 
  cut the knot in twain and went on to become a great 
  king. A later apocryphal legend tells that Alexander did 
  not cut the knot. Although he later went on to conquer 
  Asia Minor, his rule was short-lived, and he left no heirs 
  to found a new dynasty.
  iSTANBuL
  Gateway to the East, Istanbul is the Ottoman name for 
  their capital. Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus, the 
  city has been in Ottoman hands since the 15th century. 
  Always a trading city, modern Istanbul is a cosmopolitan 
  place. Despite the Ottomans being Muslims, and the city 
  the heart of their empire, barely one-half of the million 
  souls who call the city home are followers of Islam. Out-
  side of the Ottoman Empire, the city is more commonly 
  referred to as Constantinople.
  With the diminished Ottoman Empire all-but sur-
  rounded by territories controlled by Austro-Hungary, 
  Great Britain, and Russia, Istanbul has become a city of 
  intrigue and espionage. Though far from the main play-
  ing area, the Great Game is played out on a smaller scale 
  in the narrow streets and smoke-filled cafes of the city.
  While many modern innovations have been installed, 
  the city still carries the inescapable presence of the past. 
  The skyline is dominated by the minarets and domes of 
  many splendid mosques, the grandest being the Hague 
  Sophia (previously a church). Equally magnificent are 
  the many palaces. The Topkapı Palace, former seat of 
  the sultan, now houses the imperial treasury, library, and 
  mint, the rulers governing from the recently constructed 
  Dolmabahçe Palace. The Grand Bazaar is a huge indoor 
  market, its thousands of shops selling everything from 
  silverware to carpets, spices to books. For those who 
  have the right contacts, almost anything can be pur-
  chased from the bazaar, for the right price. Visitors who 
  prefer quieter surroundings can sit in one of the many 
  cafes, go for a massage at one of the Turkish baths, or 
  browse the many museums and galleries.
  The Sultan is keen to draw the Leagues to Istanbul, 
  and has invited many of them to open clubhouses. Some 
  have accepted, but most are more interested in Cairo, a 
  city that allows access both to the Near East and Africa.
  kuWAiT
  Nominally under Ottoman rule, Kuwait enjoys a great 
  deal of autonomy. Following the Ottoman slide into 
  bankruptcy, the governor of Basra, to whom Kuwait of-
  ficially answers, demands the Kuwaitis fall into line and 
  fully submit to Ottoman rule, thus allowing the Empire 
  to plunder the small nation’s trade links. 
  Sheikh Abdullah’s strengthening of ties with the Brit-
  ish was renounced by his half-brother and successor, 
  Muhammad, who favored a pro-Ottoman stance. The 
  sheikh’s brother, Mubarak, disliked the Turks, and in 
  1896 he makes his feelings known by assassinating his 
  brother and seizing power. 
  Fearful of reprisal from his late brother’s supporters, 
  who had powerful allies in the Ottoman court, Mubarak 
  asked Great Britain to place gunboats off the coast to 
  counter any Ottoman moves. Sensing an opportunity to 
  stymie a growing German influence in the region, the 
  British agreed. The Ottomans reacted angrily and vocally, 
  but lacked the stomach for open war. After much shout-
  ing, they backed down.
  In 1899, Mubarak signed a treaty with Great Britain 
  similar to that of Bahrain—the sheikh would not cede 
  territory or receive foreign envoys without the express 
  consent of Great Britain. In addition, internal security 
  within Kuwait fell into British hands.
  Britain’s interest in Kuwait lies less with seizing Ot-
  toman land and ousting German influence than it does 
  in controlling the lucrative Persian Gulf trading routes. 
  Though small, Kuwait is a rich nation, with trade links 
  extending to Ethiopia, India, Persia, and down into the 
  Arabian Peninsula.
  Ruler: Sheikhs Abdullah II Al-Sabah (1866-1892), 
  Muhammad I Al-Sabah (1892-1896), Mubarak Al-Sabah 
  (1896-1915)
  LALiSh
  The small mountain valley of Lalish, in northern 
  Iraq, is the major holy site of the Yazidi. Their religion, 
  Yazidism, combines elements of Christianity and Islam 
  with Mithraism (a Persian faith adopted by the Greeks 
  and Romans) and the old faiths of Mesopotamia.
  While the Yazidi know of God, they do not worship 
  him. When God created man, He decreed that all the 
  angels of Heaven bow down before his new creation. 
  Melek Taus, God’s right-hand angel, refused. Instead of 
  punishing him, God commended him, and made him 
  lord of the earth, granting him permission to do with it 
  as he pleased. The story has strong similarities to the fall 
  of Satan in the Bible and Koran, and outsiders have long 
  associated Melek Taus with the fallen angel, and in doing 
  so have branded the Yazidi as devil-worshippers.
  The unique religion, with its adoption of early faiths, 
  could unlock many mysteries for the Leagues. Unfortu-
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  
  
  nately, the Yazidis have many taboos, among them the 
  belief that contact with outsiders pollutes them and that 
  they cannot discuss their faith with non-believers.
  Any fresh attempts must be made soon, for the Ot-
  tomans and the Kurds consider them a wicked people, 
  and heavily persecute them. With the backing of Islamic 
  clerics, both sides have committed massacres in a bid to 
  rid the world of the Yazidis and their fell creed.
  MAuSOLEuM Of MAuSOLuS
  One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the 
  mausoleum, also called the Mausoleum at Halicarnas-
  sus, after the city in which it stood, was a monumental 
  edifice to one man. Standing over 140 feet in height and 
  bedecked in elaborate reliefs, it took a mere two years to 
  construct, a feat even the ancients thought impossible. 
  The strangeness of the tomb goes further, for it is said it 
  did not rise from the ground, but was suspended in mid-
  air by means unknown to man. Its fate is not recorded. 
  Testaments to it standing at late as the 12th century exist, 
  but by 1402, when the Knights of St. John arrived in the 
  city, there is no mention of it.
  MOuNT ArArAT
  A dormant volcano in the eastern highlands of the 
  Armenian plateau, the skyline-dominating Mount Ararat 
  has two peaks. Greater Ararat, the highest mountain in 
  the region, rises to over 16,000 feet, while Lesser Ararat 
  manages over 12,000 feet. The peaks have been scaled 
  many times, and climbing them is no longer a lure even 
  for the Alpine Club.
  The name of the peaks is somewhat contentious. 
  Ararat is the European name, and dates back to the 4th 
  century AD, when the colossal peaks were first associated 
  with the tale of Noah. To the ruling Ottomans, it is Aghur 
  Dagh (“heavy mountains”). The native Armenians call 
  it Mount Masis, while the neighboring Kurdish peoples 
  refer to it as Çiyayê Agirî (“fiery mountain”). The latter 
  is particularly apt, for Ararat is only dormant. Although 
  it has not erupted in millennia, an earthquake ripped 
  through the region in 1840, destroying a village and a 
  monastery that stood on the northern slope.
  Interest in finding Noah’s Ark is not a phenomenon 
  new to the Leagues. The first question adventurers must 
  ask is which mountain to search. While Ararat is the most 
  commonly associated peak, Muslim and very early Chris-
  tian tradition says the Ark came to rest on what is now 
  Mount Judi. This claim is supported by Josephus, the 
  1st century chronicler who said the remains of the Ark 
  could still be seen on the mountainside in his lifetime. 
  Unfortunately, there are five peaks in the area known by 
  that name in various local traditions.
  Marco Polo, the ancestor of all modern globetrotters, 
  leagues of adventure
  
  fabled Treasures
  The hunt for treasures such as the Ark of the Cov-
  enant and Holy Grail has been conducted for cen-
  turies. Across the region, myths and legends tell of 
  a host of other fabled treasures, any of which make 
  a fine focus for a globetrotting expedition. Whether 
  these treasures have any special powers, or even ex-
  ist, is left to the individual Gamemaster to decide.
  Argo: Jason’s ship, which had the power of proph-
  ecy. Greek legends say it was taken to the heav-
  ens, but there are legends it was buried beneath a 
  mound of earth.
  Ascalon: The spear carried by St. George and used 
  to slay the dragon. Supposedly found in Jerusalem 
  during the Crusades and taken to Europe.
  The Books of Utnapishtim: Series of writings 
  penned by a sage who, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, 
  survived the Biblical Flood. The texts supposedly 
  detail history before the deluge.
  The Cup of Jamshid: Known in early Persian my-
  thology, the Cup of Jamshid bestowed the power of 
  immortality on all who drank from it. Philosophers 
  attest that by gazing into the liquid, one could view 
  the “seven heavens.”
  The Golden Apple of Discord: The spark that be-
  gan a divine dispute of vanity culminating in the 
  Trojan War.
  The Golden Fleece: Retrieved from Colchis by Ja-
  son, the Fleece, the focus of the story of the Argo-
  nauts, promptly vanished from history.
  Seal of Solomon: A magic ring or seal with the 
  power to compel demons to obey the wearer or im-
  prison them in material objects.
  Sword of Attila: Once carried by Mars, the blade 
  was gifted to Attila the Hun. Reputedly buried with 
  him, though where his tomb lay is not recorded.
  The Tablet of Destinies: According to Sumerian 
  myths, whoever possessed this magical tablet com-
  manded the powers of creation and destruction.
  Treasure of Croesus: A king of Lydia, in western 
  Asia Minor, Croesus was said to have amassed a trea-
  sure so vast the Persians went to war against him.
  The Vimana: Ancient Indian texts tell of the Vi-
  mana, a flying machine that used fire and water to 
  obtain great speed. Possibly an early form of steam-
  powered weird science.
  
  mentions the Mountain of Noah’s Ark and describes it as 
  being snow-capped all year round, but gives its location 
  only as the “Armenian mountain range.” Ararat certainly 
  fits that description, but so do a number of other peaks. 
  Sir Walter Raleigh laboriously detailed how the Moun-
  tains of Ararat (the original Biblical name for its resting 
  place, which one notes is pluralized) actually lay further 
  east, in the towering peaks of the Orient.
  More modern evidence comes from 1876, when James 
  Bryce, a British globetrotter and member of the Alpine 
  Club, found a cut timber above the tree line. Ottoman 
  geologists investigating recent avalanches were reported 
  to have seen the Ark as late as 1883, though strangely 
  the Ottomans have no record of any expeditions to the 
  region at that time.
  MOuNT SiNAi
  In the same way that Mount Ararat has become associ-
  ated with Noah’s Ark, so Mount Sinai is tied to the story 
  of another Ark—the Ark of the Covenant. It is the place 
  where Moses received the Ten Commandants, these sub-
  sequently being placed on the Ark.
  This event, according to the Book of Deuteronomy, 
  occurred on Mount Horeb, though versions of the Jewish 
  Torah name it Mount Sinai. Oddly, the names are diamet-
  rically opposed. Horeb is said to mean “glowing,” a refer-
  ence to the sun. Sinai, on the other hand, derives from 
  Sin, the Sumerian moon god. A different interpretation 
  has Horeb meaning “glowing heat,” a clear allusion to a 
  volcano in the eyes of some antiquarians and scholars. 
  The latter claim holds water in some circles. The Book 
  of Exodus makes mention of smoke, fire, earthquakes, 
  thunder, and lightning, phenomena commonplace dur-
  ing volcanic eruptions.
  Mounts Ararat and Sinai share another common fea-
  ture—no one is exactly sure which mountain is the Bibli-
  cal peak. This seemed true even in antiquity, for while 
  the prophet Elijah journeyed there, Josephus (albeit 
  writing centuries later) records only that it lay in Arabia 
  Petraea, an area that also includes parts of Syria and the 
  Arabian Peninsula.
  The mountain popularly known as Mount Sinai is 
  located in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, and is more 
  accurately known as Mount Catherine. A monastery, 
  dedicated to St. Catherine, has stood at the base of the 
  mountain since the 6th century. Popular myth has it that 
  one of the two bushes around which the courtyard was 
  erected was the Burning Bush. Over two millennia have 
  passed, but the bush continues to prosper. Bedouin 
  tradition says the neighboring peak, Mount Moses, is 
  actually the Biblical Mount Sinai.
  Whether the Sinai Peninsula is even the correct loca-
  tion is contested, and not just by modern sources. Judges 
  5 says God lived on Mount Seir, which actually lies in 
  Edom, nearer the Dead Sea. Charles Beke, a member 
  of the Old Testament Society writing in 1873 and a sup-
  porter of the volcano theory, proposed Jabal al-Nour in 
  western Arabia. All told, competing theories point to half 
  a dozen other likely peaks, meaning any expedition in 
  search of the Biblical Mount Sinai had best be prepared 
  to travel far and wide.
  NEMruT dAGi
  King Antiochus I of Commagene ordered that his 
  tomb be located on the upper slopes of Mount Nemrut 
  (named after Nimrod, the Biblical monarch), from where 
  his spirit could watch over the lands he ruled. In an area 
  of southeast Turkey blanketed in snow for six months 
  of the year, laborers toiled to construct two lines of 
  statues. These depict the king, along with lions, eagles, 
  Greek and Persian gods, and the Greek hero Hercules. 
  The badly-weathered statues are seated, but the heads 
  are scattered, toppled by earthquakes or hacked off by 
  invaders long ago. Lying among the debris are the bro-
  ken remains of a large frieze. Parts are missing, but what 
  chunks remain clearly shows star patterns, along with 
  Greek inscriptions.
  No mausoleum marks the spot of Antiochus’ mortal 
  remains, though local legend claims he was interred 
  somewhere on the site. Oral tradition also holds that 
  the king was fascinated with the tales of Hercules, and 
  believed himself a blood relation by one of his consorts. 
  Antiochus also spent a vast fortune searching for the 
  demi-god’s bow and arrows (the latter stained with ven-
  omous hydra blood), which Greek legend says were used 
  in the famous siege of Troy to kill Paris, though whether 
  he found them is not recorded in any story. Frequent and 
  destructive earthquakes would make any archaeological 
  excavation extremely dangerous.
  Globetrotters are forewarned that there is another 
  Mount Nemrut, a dormant volcano, in eastern Turkey, 
  in the region inhabited by Armenians and Kurds. Which 
  mountains locals point you toward on asking directions 
  depends on their ethnicity.
  QATAr
  A small peninsula in the Persian Gulf, Qatar was rec-
  ognized as an independent state by Great Britain in 1868 
  following the Qatari-Bahrain War. Within three years, 
  though, pressure saw the country bow her knees and ac-
  cept Ottoman suzerainty, albeit with clenched teeth and 
  fists. Attempts at reforms to bring Qatar into line with 
  the rest of the Empire in terms of its government and 
  culture met with stiff resistance, resulting in the Battle of 
  Wajbah (1893). Reluctantly, the Ottomans were forced to 
  sue for peace. While not yet completely free of Ottoman 
  influence, Qatar has earned true autonomy.
  Ruler: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al 
  Thani (1878-1913)
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  
  
  TEiShEBAiNi
  Deep in the heart of Armenia, on the slopes of Karmir 
  Blur, is the lost city of Teishebaini. Constructed by Rusa 
  II, King of Urartu, to protect against raiding nomads, it 
  was an impressive display of royal power. Behind mas-
  sive walls and gigantic gates lay a huge palace, a mighty 
  citadel, and a well-organized city. The city vanished from 
  history 2500 years ago, razed to the ground in a night 
  of carnage and destruction. So swift and terrible was its 
  fate that the population had no chance to escape. Be-
  neath an ordinary looking, if somewhat large mound, are 
  the remains of the city and its inhabitants, the later still 
  clutching their precious gold artifacts.
  One myth tells that King Rusa II was a man of immense 
  wealth. His fortune came not from taxes, trade, or con-
  quest, but from a magical machine which transformed 
  base metal into gold. That the Scythians (see p. xxx) sud-
  denly began using great quantities of gold around the 
  same time as Teishebaini was destroyed seems too much 
  of a coincidence.
  TELL ES SAWWAN
  Thanks primarily to the work of the Sumeria Club, 
  Mesopotamia is widely considered to be the cradle of 
  civilization. The Sumerians, it is believed, were the 
  first people to develop writing and metallurgy, having 
  emerged into recorded history as a fully-fledged society.
  Following the abandonment of Göbekli Tepe (see 
  Leagues of Adventure), a number of the freed slaves 
  migrated east, keen to leave behind a homeland stained 
  by centuries of oppression, misery, and blood. On the 
  banks of the Tigris, they built a new city and developed 
  a new culture.
  On the fertile flood plain they learned how to manu-
  facture clay bricks and stack them together to make 
  houses, planted crops as their cruel masters had shown 
  them, mastered the secret of turning rocks into metal, 
  and developed new artistic talents. Yet they knew noth-
  ing of writing, for inscribing the Atlantean tongue was 
  forbidden to them, and they had no desire to remind 
  themselves of the past by trying to remember it.
  All that remains of their city, and concealing their 
  unknown fate, is a vast mound. Did they succumb to the 
  same tyranny their ancestors knew, sparking a second 
  revolt and backfilling of their home? Did the scions of 
  Atlantis discover their outpost and seek revenge? Only 
  excavation will reveal the truth.
  ThEMiSCyrA
  The plain of Themiscyra, on the southern shore of the 
  Black Sea, is a remote place. Bordered by mountains, the 
  site was chosen by the Amazons, who built their capital 
  city, also called Themiscyra, here.
  Fierce raiders, the Amazons terrorized the region for 
  many generations, conquering and plundering without 
  equal. Enamored of battle, they fought against Hercules, 
  who killed their queen, Hippolyta, and stole her magi-
  cal belt, sent soldiers to fight in the battle of Troy, and, 
  according to some legends, fought against Pompey’s 
  legions before suddenly vanishing from history.
  On occasion, rivals would attack the capital, but never 
  once did they succeed in defeating the Amazons. As well 
  as swarms of arrows, the city was defended by swarms of 
  bees. Legend holds that the queen’s treasury contained 
  many thousands of golden bees. In times of crisis, they 
  could be transformed into living creatures and sent to 
  plague the enemies of the Amazons.
  yEMEN
  Freed from Ottoman control in the 17th century, Ye-
  men has slipped back into its grip. While the Ottomans 
  rule, true power lies with the imams, who have governed 
  as de facto leaders for over a millennium. As a result, 
  Ottoman rule is tenuous, and outbreaks of violence 
  against the foreigners commonplace. The present imam, 
  Muhammad bin Yahya Hamid ad-Din, began stirring up 
  trouble the moment he took power. With direct access 
  to the treasury, he handed out grain and money as a 
  counter to Ottoman taxation, and stirred the hearts of 
  the tribes through letters and oration. Violence erupted 
  in 1891. Although the Ottomans had modern weapons, 
  their troops and tactics were no match for guerilla raids. 
  The Ottoman Sultan attempted to placate the imam 
  between 1891 and 1896, sending frequent letters and 
  envoys offering a title and stipend in return for a cessa-
  tion of hostilities. These offers were flatly refused, the 
  iman claiming he sought religious freedom and an end 
  to Ottoman tyranny, not power or prestige. Following a 
  brief lull, fighting erupted again in 1898.
  Ruler: Imam al-Mansur Muhammad bin Yahya Hamid 
  ad-Din (1890-1904)
  Adventure Seeds
  * In 1898, Kaiser Wilhelm II visits Ba’albek while head-
  ing to Jerusalem to meet with Ottoman rulers. What he 
  sees amazes him, so much so that he immediately orders 
  German archaeologists to excavate and record the site 
  so that it might be preserved for all time. Naturally, there 
  are other Leagues who want that glory for themselves.
  * The talk of giants building the temple of Ba’al-Astarte 
  might be considered a mere myth, were it not for a re-
  cent discovery—huge thigh bones. While many Leagues 
  dismiss the notion, someone thinks they are real, for the 
  bones have been stolen.
  * According to legend, the Virgin Mary was buried in 
  a tomb in which was placed a bench, so that her body 
  leagues of adventure
  10
  
  might be properly laid out. The globetrotters acquire 
  a Crusade manuscript which speaks of their building a 
  “house of worship” over just such a tomb.
  * While perusing through an old book in search of 
  other information, the globetrotters discover a fuzzy 
  photograph wedged between two pages. The image ap-
  pears to be the skeleton of a huge ship, its beams just 
  about discernible. On the back is written “Ararat, 1842.”
  * The globetrotting world is abuzz as a fragment of 
  stone tablet comes up for auction. It is inscribed with a 
  fragment of Hebrew text that translates as “Thou shalt 
  not...” The auction house records only that it was discov-
  ered in the basement recently, along with an index card 
  that read “Mount Sinai, 1800.” The writing was French. 
  Did Napoleon’s French explorers and antiquarians locate 
  the shattered remains of the first Ten Commandments, 
  which Moses broke?
  * Teishebaini and Rusa II are all but myths, at least 
  until a tablet is discovered by archaeologists in Persia. 
  Written in cuneiform, it is a fragment of a diplomatic let-
  ter to Rusa II, demanding that he pay the Assyrian king 
  2000 pounds of gold or face destruction.
  * Most globetrotters agree the story of the Gordian 
  knot is a myth. If that’s true, why are Russian archae-
  ologists suddenly so keen to find the ruins of Telmissus? 
  Could the knot still exist, and would untying it fate the 
  Russians to be masters of the region?
  * An antiquarian has unearthed a Roman document 
  that mentions lines of statues high on a mountain. It goes 
  on to speak of a riddle carved either onto the heads or 
  a frieze (the writing is vague), and of a secret that must 
  be protected. The scholar is convinced the text refers to 
  Mount Nemrut (visited by the first Europeans in 1881).
  * While browsing an antiques store or auction lots, 
  the globetrotters happen across a fragment of clay tablet. 
  The title is in Sumerian (a Semitic tongue), and reads “To 
  the King of Ebla.” The rest of the message is inscribed in 
  an unknown Semitic tongue. No records of where and 
  when it was found exist.
  * Awoken in the middle of the night by a scream from 
  outside his house, one of the globetrotters is somewhat 
  surprised to find a dead man lying in the streets, an ar-
  row protruding from his back. Clutched in his hands is a 
  small, golden bee, its wings inscribed (in ancient Greek) 
  with the name Themiscyra. Has someone found the fa-
  bled treasury of the Amazons, and are their descendants 
  trying to conceal that discovery?
  * While perusing the newspaper, a globetrotter comes 
  across a report from the Ottoman Empire, which tells of 
  a serpentine monster that pulled an innocent Muslim at 
  prayer into the dark waters of Lake Van.
  Persia
  A major cornerstone in the board that makes up the 
  Great Game, Persia is one of the rare countries, having 
  managed to retain its sovereignty. It has not, however, 
  escaped completely untouched. It has ceded or lost ter-
  ritories in the northwest and northeast to Russia, and 
  Great Britain has captured territory in the southeast. The 
  influence of these two rivals extends deep into Persia, 
  with only a sliver of the center and the southwest being 
  free of them. There is fear among the general populace 
  that Persia has become a lackey of the great powers, its 
  ruler a puppet who dances to others’ tunes.
  The Shah has done much to improve his nation, hav-
  ing dragged Persia into the modern age, but this does 
  not stop his assassination in 1896.
  His killer, Jamal-al-Din al-Afghani, is an ideologist and 
  political activist, and publicly it is these that lead to him 
  becoming a murderer, for he despised the Shah not only 
  as weak, but subservient to foreigners. Unbeknownst to 
  the world at large, though, he served as an agent for Brit-
  ish intelligence for several decades. Strangely, one of his 
  handlers is Wilfred S. Blunt, an expert in cults and the 
  occult, and responsible for developing Masonic lodges 
  in Persia. It has been suggested that Jamal-al-Din was not 
  only a Mason, but was the head of Egypt’s most impor-
  tant lodge. Suggestions the killing was ritualistic, or at 
  least part of some great ritual, are growing among the 
  Leagues concerned with the supernatural.
  The new Shah, Mozaffar ad-Din spent his early life in 
  extravagant living. Like his father, he too visited England 
  several times. Never consulted on state matters, he as-
  cends the throne totally unprepared for the burden of 
  governing a country. Easily bullied, he signs away con-
  cessions to the British and Russians while maintaining a 
  very expensive playboy living. Whether he will meet the 
  same fate as his father is commonly debated.
  kANdOvAN
  High in the rugged highlands of northwest Persia is 
  the tiny village of Kandovan. The inhabitants do not build 
  their homes at ground level, but rather construct them 
  inside jagged pinnacles of rock that rise up like petrified 
  pine trees. Only the facades indicate any modern con-
  struction, for they are of mud brick. Although the oldest 
  current facade dates from the 14th century, traditions 
  hold the inhabitants’ ancestors dwelt here long before 
  the Biblical Flood. Forewarned of the imminent deluge, 
  the righteous citizens tunneled into the mountainside to 
  take shelter from the waters. On seeing this, the wicked 
  citizens copied them, thinking they would be saved. 
  God’s wrath could not be thwarted so easily, though, and 
  the water ate away at the base of the mountain, causing 
  the houses of the wicked to fall into the water, yet leaving 
  those of the righteous untouched.
  PErSEPOLiS
  Capital of the ancient Persian Empire, opulent and 
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  11
  •       •
  
  magnificent, Persepolis was little more than a grand pa-
  latial complex, a spectacular monument to the powers 
  of Persia’s rulers. Cut into the nearby hills are the tombs 
  of several of those mighty kings. The facades are epic 
  in scale, carved to replicate the entrance to palaces and 
  decorated with bas-reliefs showing triumphant moments 
  in each monarch’s rule. Strangely, the tombs do not 
  stand at grand level—the entrances are elevated dozens 
  of yards up the sheer rock face. Alas for treasure hunters, 
  the tombs were looted in antiquity.
  It has long been believed the site is cursed. The ancient 
  chronicler Diodorus Siculus claims that after celebrating 
  their capture of the city, the army of Alexander the Great 
  succumbed to madness. In a night of destruction, the 
  city was razed to the ground. The spirits of the Persian 
  kings, it seemed, would rather their home be destroyed 
  than inhabited by foreigners.
  SAvEh
  Once an important trading city, Saveh is in serious 
  decline. Raided and rebuilt several times throughout his-
  tory, its modern population has largely abandoned their 
  former homes for a better life in Tehran. As a result, it is 
  in a state of serious disrepair.
  Tradition has it Saveh was the home of the Magi, the 
  wise men of the Bible who paid homage to the new-born 
  Jesus. Marco Polo records they were buried in three 
  beautiful tombs, laid side by side. Despite having been 
  dead for some 1300 years, the corpses were said to be in-
  tact, and their hair and beards still in pristine condition.
  ShAhdAd
  The crumbling ruins of castles and caravanserais are 
  testament to the region of Shadad, in east-central Per-
  sia, having been settled for many centuries. Its origins 
  lie considerably further back in time. In the dim and 
  distant past, not long after Atlantis sank, the area was 
  home to a diminutive race of men likened to dwarfs. 
  Vague accounts speak of them as skilled metalworkers 
  who worshipped a goddess unknown to other people 
  in the region. The deity was not quite human, for leaf-
  less branches extended from her torso. Later historians 
  claimed the growths were “tentacles, like those of an 
  octopus,” though it is extremely unlikely they ever saw 
  carved images or statues firsthand, for the strange race of 
  men were wiped out by the Biblical Flood.
  Adventure Seeds
  * Among the Leagues, there has long been talk that 
  the tombs of Persepolis were fakes, intended to throw 
  tomb robbers off the track. Despite these claims, no one 
  has bothered to see if the theory is true or not.
  * A potential suitor trying to woo a globetrotter gifts 
  her a green pot of some antiquity. During the presenta-
  tion, the clumsy fool drops the vase, smashing it. Inside, 
  wrapped in papyrus bearing writing of an unknown type, 
  is a small, green steatite figurine depicting the Shadadian 
  deity. The suitor says he purchased the vase while on 
  holiday in Tehran, the capital of Persia.
  * A line drawing appears in The Times alongside an 
  article announcing the British Museum is hosting a tem-
  porary exhibition of the diaries and sketches of John Bell, 
  a 17th century Scottish traveller. The sketch shows three 
  ornate tombs and bears the legend “The Magi tombs.”
  russia
  While many of its European rivals have looked over-
  seas for colonial gain, Russia has had no need. Instead, 
  it has been steadily gobbling up the small independent 
  nations of Central Asia. Like dominoes, they have fallen 
  one by one. With further progress in the region stymied 
  by Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire, Russia is now 
  casting her eyes toward China.
  As the century reaches its end, Russia accounts for 
  one-sixth of the world’s landmass. Ethnic Russians ac-
  count for less than one-half of the population, however, 
  and the number of languages and ethnic customs is stag-
  gering. What Russia has in size, she lacks in unity. Only 
  through the iron will of the Tsar is the country bound 
  together, and, while not lawless, many distant realms 
  enjoy greater autonomy than the ruler would prefer. 
  In order to lessen the likelihood of uprisings and crush 
  thoughts of renewed independence, the state practices 
  Russification—the erosion of ethnic culture in favor of 
  Russian culture and language.
  The enormity of the country also makes distribution 
  of goods difficult. Famine may strike in one region, while 
  half a world away another has excess grain rotting in si-
  los. Part of the problem is its infrastructure. Roads are 
  sorely lacking in many parts, and its rail network extends 
  a mere 19,000 miles. While the major cities of Western 
  Russia are linked, many in the center and east remain 
  disconnected. Changes are afoot, though. The Trans-Cas-
  pian Railway (fully completed in 1898) winds through 
  Central Asia, and the Trans-Siberian Railway, construc-
  tion of which begins only in 1890, will one-day link the 
  distant central and Pacific regions to the heartland.
  While the Tsar is the absolute authority, his rule is 
  not unchallenged. Many nobles and industrialists seek 
  a monarch answerable to the people. One branch of 
  socialists argues that land should belong to the peasants 
  who work it, while another group believes power must 
  be given to the industrial workers. The political cauldron 
  that is Russia is beginning to simmer.
  Okhrana
  Created in 1880, Okhrana (Department for Protecting 
  leagues of adventure
  1
  •       •
  
  the Public Security and Order) is a secret police force. 
  Charged with rooting out revolutionaries and combat-
  ting political terrorists, it carries out operations both 
  in Russia and abroad. While it mainly performs covert 
  activities, such as reading correspondence, spying on 
  suspected subversives, and fabricating evidence, it is not 
  beyond using lethal force to counter threats (perceived 
  or real) to the Tsar. While most Leagues are non-political, 
  Okhrana keeps a close eye on known members operat-
  ing in Russian territory.
  BOkhArA
  Once a major city on the Silk Road, Bokhara’s archi-
  tecture has the impression of being the work of giants. 
  Colossal minarets, gateways, and domes dominate the 
  skyline. The grandest site is Bokhara’s ancient citadel, 
  the Ark. Behind steeply sloping walls that rise over 60 
  feet is a small town, home to the emir and his court, his 
  harem, the state treasury and armory, many storerooms, 
  and a prison of terrible reputation. When and why the 
  Ark got its unusual name is unknown. One legend says 
  that the legendary Ark of the Covenant was brought here 
  after the Muslims conquered Egypt. Another tells that is 
  was a place of refuge during a flood.
  Bokhara has always been an important religious and 
  scholastic site. Indeed, during the Middle Ages the city 
  was famous for its library. Foreign visitors speak of books 
  about which they had no prior knowledge, treaties on 
  science that delved into matters previously known to 
  the sages and wise men of the world except in deepest 
  antiquity. Whether these treasures survived the Mongol’s 
  devastating attack on the city is questionable, though sto-
  ries abound the Ark is riddled with secret passageways 
  and hidden rooms. Proving it one way or the other will 
  be extremely difficult.
  Outsiders are not welcome in Bokhara, and more 
  than one European has ended his days incarcerated in a 
  vermin-filled pit before being beheaded or thrown from 
  the top of the Tower of Death, Bokhara’s tallest minaret.
  Educated at a Russian military academy, the emir is 
  a strong supporter of the Russians. His attempts to in-
  troduce reforms that would fully integrate the emirate 
  with Russia are constantly being blocked by conservative 
  factions. His money and patronage have ensured the 
  Trans-Caspian Railway runs within 12 miles of the city, 
  giving Bokhara a vital link to the wider empire.
  Ruler: Emir ‘Abd al-Ahad Khan (1885-1911)
  BOLShOi ZAyATSky iSLANd 
  An island in the White Sea (the bay northwest of Arch-
  angel), western Bolshoi Zayatsky is marked with 13 spiral 
  labyrinths. Created by laying out boulders on the rocky 
  surface, the walls were never higher than a foot. Indeed, 
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  1
  The Great Game
  Known in Russia as the Tournament of Shadows, 
  the Great Game is a strategic contest of supremacy 
  between Great Britain and Imperial Russia. The 
  playing board is Central Asia, the pieces the coun-
  tries and heads of that of that remote region.
  The cause of the competition is India. As Russia be-
  gan to expand her territory, so the British feared the 
  loss India, the so-called Jewel of the Empire. 
  Control of Afghanistan was the opening gambit, for 
  it allowed direct access to northern India. Britain 
  made the first move, initiating the First Anglo-Af-
  ghan War, but the victory was short-lived, and the 
  troops withdrew as the population turned on them. 
  The withdrawal is infamous in British history for the 
  loss of the entire army on the retreat.
  Undeterred, Russia continued a gradual advance 
  southward, consuming small, independent states. 
  In 1878, Russia sent a delegation to Kabul, the Af-
  ghan capital. British requests to send a counter-del-
  egation were rebuffed, and so began the Second 
  Anglo-Afghan War. This time the move was more 
  successful, and Great Britain was granted permis-
  sion to oversee Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.
  Russia reacted in 1885 by seizing territory in north-
  ern Afghanistan. The Great Game had entered a 
  deadly phase, and the two great nations prepared 
  for war. Common sense won out, and on the eve of 
  war Britain ceded the captured territory to Russia.
  In 1891, Russia again prodded the British, leading 
  to the Hunza-Nagar Campaign, in which the British 
  fought in the far northeast of India against local rul-
  ers suspected of favoring the Russians.
  Despite a British victory, Russian expansion else-
  where saw them dominate much of Central Asia. 
  Here the Great Game had reached a stalemate, but 
  the contest was not over. Slowly but surely, the 
  Great Game drifted ever further east, toward China, 
  Mongolia, and Tibet.
  Although the Game involves military action, the two 
  powers have avoided fighting each other. The Great 
  Game is primarily one of conquest and consolida-
  tion of previous independent nations, diplomatic 
  shenanigans, espionage, bluff, and double-bluff. 
  That said, the whole contest is a powder keg.
  
  it is possible to see the route through the maze, an indi-
  cation the route was more spiritual than an attempt to 
  confuse. Nearby are standing stones, each marked with 
  spoked circles.
  The monks of Solovetsky Monastery, which is also on 
  the western side of the island, recite tales passed down 
  through numerous generations, in which the labyrinths 
  are the fingerprints of either an enormous giant slain 
  by a mighty hero, or of Lucifer, who landed here after 
  his exile from Heaven. That there are an od number of 
  spirals is easily explained—evil is never perfect, even in 
  physical form.
  COLChiS
  Located on the east coast of the Black Sea, Colchis, 
  now part of Georgia, is an ancient kingdom. It is best 
  known as the destination for Jason and the Argonauts, 
  who sought the Golden Fleece. According to Herodotus, 
  the land was settled by soldiers from the army of the 
  Egyptian pharaoh Sesostris, whose army passed through 
  during an expedition that took them onward into South-
  ern Russia. Though people were already living here, the 
  Egyptians brought them a new language and culture. 
  Other legends claim it was in Colchis the gods chained 
  Prometheus following his transgression of giving man 
  the secret of fire, and that it was the original homeland 
  of the Amazons.
  dENiSOvA CAvE
  The Altai Mountains of East-Central Asia are a wild 
  and desolate space, sparsely populated by rugged hunt-
  ers, the descendants of Turkic nomads. Russian explor-
  ers named the cave, one among many in the region, after 
  Denis, a hermit who lived here in centuries past. Accord-
  ing to local tradition, he remained in the cave for many 
  generations, dispensing wisdom to those who made the 
  arduous journey to his home, but never once stepping 
  beyond its mouth. His tale ends with him entering the 
  cave and never returning. Curious, the locals investi-
  gated the cave, which extends only a dozen yards into 
  the mountain, only to find it completely deserted. The 
  natives call it Ayu-Tash (Bear Rock), for in their stories 
  Denis was exceptionally hairy, more akin to a bear in ap-
  pearance than a man.
  SCyThiA
  Merciless in war, cruel and barbarous, the ancient 
  Scythians were the scourge of Asia Minor and the great 
  steppe. Chroniclers frequently told of how they skinned 
  fallen enemies to craft cloaks, turned skulls into trophies 
  or drinking vessels, and consumed the blood of the first 
  foe they killed as a mark of manhood. Their warlike tra-
  dition demanded a warrior kill at least one opponent a 
  year, or face ridicule.
  Nomadic, illiterate, and belligerent they may have 
  been, but the Scythians were extremely wealthy. They did 
  not work metal to any great degree, and certainly did not 
  mine it, nor did they plunder traditional valuables (coins 
  and jewels are of little use to nomads, who favor women, 
  livestock, and crops), yet they had gold in abundance, 
  and they worked it into beautiful forms. 
  A Scythian myth, passed down orally until Greek 
  scholars wrote it down centuries later, tells that the gold 
  came from the land of the Arismaspians. This mysterious 
  race lived in the far north (in a land where men slept for 
  six months of the year), had but one eye (the stories do 
  not tell if they were true cyclops, with a central eye), and 
  themselves stole the precious metal from the griffins that 
  guarded it.
  Scythia lay somewhere north of the Black Sea, its 
  borders stretching east into Central Asia and southeast 
  into Afghanistan and Persia. Given the inhabitants were 
  nomadic, it is hardly surprising the territory was seen as 
  fluid, ebbing and flowing as the fortunes of the Scythians 
  rose and fell.
  TuNGuSkA
  While most British weird scientists are eccentric 
  individuals, typically working in garden sheds or make-
  shift laboratories, and their German counter-parts are 
  often state-funded members of a growing industry, the 
  Russians appear to have completely ignored the field. 
  The Russian population may shake their heads at the 
  witty cartoons depicting Russia as a backward nation, but 
  those in power secretly smile at foreign ignorance, for 
  they know Russia has a fully-developed, and very secret, 
  weird science industry.
  On the banks of the Tunguska River, in the heart of 
  a vast and largely uninhabited forest, the Russians have 
  spent an emperor’s ransom constructing a vast, subter-
  ranean factory. The facility requires immense power. 
  Unwilling to use coal (which would require a constant 
  stream of trains, so making secrecy void) or gas (con-
  sidered too dangerous), the Russians have created a 
  power source using a mineral they refer to as “solidified 
  aether” (uranium). Known in Russian scientific circles as 
  an “atomik” reactor, it can supply the needs of a small 
  city—which is fortunate, because the site is a small city.
  Covering a square mile and descending over 500 feet 
  into the earth, the labyrinthine complex is home to thou-
  sands of scientists, bureaucrats, soldiers, and convicted 
  criminals (the latter the main source of manual labor). 
  The families that live here are largely unwilling guests, 
  held to ensure the reluctant inventors they call son, hus-
  band, or father cooperate with the Tsar’s wishes.
  Scientific facilities range from tiny workshops where 
  leagues of adventure
  1
  
  lone inventors perform their work to colossal spaces 
  where an army of men toil to produce advanced airships 
  and land dreadnoughts. Plans are afoot to construct a 
  sister site on the frigid Siberian coast, making it possible 
  to extend research into submersible and maritime tech-
  nology.
  Security is tight. Aside from a few generals and senior 
  aides, the Tsar allows no one to enter or leave. While con-
  ditions for volunteers can be opulent, the scientists are 
  as much prisoners as the convicts. The latter are officially 
  listed as having died in prison, and thus have no hope 
  of freedom. Standing orders are for the guards to shoot 
  anyone who escapes without offering them a chance to 
  surrender—the corpses are then used in experiments.
  Adventure Seeds
  * The emir of Bokhara desires a railway track be laid 
  between his city and the nearest station. He seeks engi-
  neers to plan the route, and antiquarians to ensure no 
  ancient ruins are disturbed during the construction.
  * In recent months a number of prominent weird 
  scientists have gone missing. When the globetrotters foil 
  the attempted kidnap of an inventor friend, they discover 
  the perpetrators are Russian agents.
  * The Tsar has announced a chess competition is to be 
  held in St. Petersburg. Contestants from across Europe 
  and the Ottoman Empire have been invited to attend, 
  along with heads of state and senior officials. Keen to 
  start a major war, Doktor Carnage has ordered his min-
  ions to attack the competition using a deadly new poison 
  gas his scientists have developed.
  * The Yeti Club, convinced Denis was a relative of the 
  mysterious yeti, proposes to investigate Denisova cave 
  and question the locals in the hope of finding evidence 
  to support their theory.
  * The disappearance of an expedition to southeast 
  Russia goes largely unreported in the West—the world is 
  a dangerous place. Due to a postal error, a globetrotter 
  erroneously receives a letter from one of the expedition 
  members, saying that he has unearthed a fabulous Scyth-
  ian tomb full of gold artifacts. The Midas Society knew 
  of the Scythian link, but dismissed it. By the time they 
  learned of the discovery, the expedition had been killed 
  (in an avalanche) and the only clue to the tomb’s loca-
  tion, and possibly that of the Midas Machine, was on its 
  way to England. When the globetrotters (hopefully) try 
  to deliver the letter to the correct addressee, they find 
  him murdered and his house ransacked.
  * The Tsar desires Russia have an airship network. In 
  order to promote his cause and determine which design 
  he will use, he challenges airship companies to go on a 
  grand tour, and race, around Russia’s major cities. The 
  contract is extremely lucrative, and everyone suspects 
  there will be acts of sabotage.
  * The Silk Road is littered with ancient ruins. A recent 
  discovery in Central Asia has excited the Leagues—a pot 
  engraved with Viking runes. The runes are a riddle that 
  claim to conceal a fortune in gold.
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  1
  The Midas machine
  The story of King Midas of Phrygia is a popular mor-
  al tale. The king is offered one wish by Silenus, a 
  satyr, and asks that all he touches be turned to gold. 
  A Greek manuscript, now lost but reputedly seen in 
  the Renaissance period, tells a very different story.
  The text told that Silenus was an artificer, wise in 
  many ancient secrets long forgotten by the rest of 
  mankind even by the time of the Greeks. Perhaps 
  he had access to Atlantean secrets, for he spoke of 
  the city in great detail. He created a machine for the 
  king that turned base metals into gold. 
  The Midas Machine remained in Phrygia for less than 
  a generation. While the common myth claims Midas 
  tired of his gift, the truth is far more mundane—the 
  machine was stolen by raiding Scythians. The ma-
  chine stayed in Scythian hands for several centuries, 
  before it was captured by Alexander the Great. Leg-
  ends speak of how the great conqueror was buried 
  inside two golden sarcophagi which were pulled to 
  his tomb on a golden carriage. Alexander’s generals 
  spent vast fortunes searching for the machine on 
  his death, but no sign of it was ever found.
  No records exist of where the Midas Machine was 
  eventually found, but found it was. It was used by 
  the Mali Empire of Africa. One ruler, Mansa Musa, 
  was reportedly so rich in gold that the gifts he gave 
  away in Egypt while on pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 
  caused a slump in gold prices for over ten years.
  By the mid 15th century the Portuguese were ex-
  ploring the West African coast. Scholars tell of how 
  Portugal grew rich through slavery and trade, but in 
  truth it was the power of the Midas Machine, which 
  they plundered from Mali. The great empire began 
  a death spiral which would last for 200 years.
  A little over 50 years later, Napoleon invaded Portu-
  gal. His incursion was not one of expansionism—
  the Corsican waged war because he had learned 
  of the Midas machine and believed it was hidden 
  somewhere in the country. His great campaign end-
  ed in failure, both in his search for the machine and 
  militarily. A year later, he was defeated at Waterloo.
  Where the machine finally came to rest is not re-
  corded, or even hinted at. Napoleon certainly did 
  not find it, but was that perhaps because the Portu-
  guese had already lost it?
  
  leagues of adventure
  1
  Biblical Scholar
  Archetype: Academic 
  Motivation: Truth
  Style: 3
  Health: 4
  Primary Attributes
  Body: 2
  Charisma: 3
  Dexterity: 2
  Intelligence: 3
  Strength: 3
  Willpower: 2
  Secondary Attributes
  Size: 0
  Initiative: 5
  Move: 5
  Defense: 4
  Perception: 5
  Stun: 2
  Skill
  Base
  Levels
  Rating
  Average
  Academics:
  History
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Academics:
  Religion
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Anthropology
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Diplomacy
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Expeditions
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Investigation
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Linguistics
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Survival
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Talents
  Total Recall (Never forgets anything)
  Resources
  Contacts 0 (Coptic Church; +1 bonus)
  Contacts 0 (Political; Ottoman Empire; +1 bonus)
  Follower 0 (Doctor of Medicine)
  Rank 0 (The Old Testament Society; +1 Social bonus)
  Flaw
  Skeptic (+1 Style point whenever he proves an asser-
  tion wrong or convinces someone else to question his 
  beliefs)
  Weapons
  Rating
  Size
  Attack
  Average
  Punch
  0N
  0
  1N
  (0+)N
  “i do not doubt the word of 
  God, sir; i doubt the words of 
  men, for we are fallible.”
  Character Background
  The son of a minister, I knew the Bible by heart by 
  the time I started school. I think my father hoped I might 
  follow in his footsteps, but my inquisitive brain was al-
  ready asking questions about the places mentioned in 
  the Bible. Where were they, who lived there, what hap-
  pened to them? A man of blind faith, my father refused to 
  discuss such topics, demanding instead I accept the writ-
  ten word of God without question. That I chose to take 
  theology in university pleased him no end, but he was 
  less than amused when I also chose to study history.
  We did not speak much for five years, though I 
  frequently wrote letters explaining my theories and 
  research, and the work already being done in the field 
  by others. The only letter I received regarding him was 
  from the family solicitor, telling me he had died and left 
  me everything in his will. It was not a fortune, but it was 
  enough for me to go on expedition to the Holy Land.
  Some may call the year scratching around in the des-
  ert a waste of time and good money, but to find a shard 
  of pottery that mentioned Gomorrah by name was, to 
  me, a treasure beyond value. While I had not found the 
  fabled city or discovered its true fate, I had discovered 
  proof it once existed. On my return I submitted my find-
  ings to the Old Testament Society, whose research I had 
  already memorized. Paltry as the shard was, it, along with 
  my academic results and encyclopedic knowledge, was 
  enough to secure my membership and ensure funding 
  for future expeditions.
  Enraptured with the Holy Land and the thought of 
  what might lie waiting to be discovered, I soon sold my 
  father’s small house and removed myself to Jerusalem. 
  I speak both Arabic and Hebrew fluently, as well as the 
  Biblical tongues, and have developed many useful con-
  tacts among both the Coptic Church and the Ottoman 
  political elite. Though content to explore any site with 
  Biblical links, I find myself, like Lot’s wife, irresistibly 
  drawn to look upon the city. Strange as it sounds, part 
  of me dreads finding it, for the minister’s son in me fears 
  being transformed into a pillar of salt for gazing upon 
  such a wicked place.
  roleplaying
  While you have no doubt the core message of the 
  Bible is the word of God, you are sceptical about the 
  veracity of the stories, especially those of the Old Tes-
  tament detailing persons and places. In order that the 
  true story of man’s relationship with God be known, 
  you search for physical evidence. You are quite willing 
  to be proven wrong, but any assertions must be proven 
  beyond a shadow of doubt.
  
  Civil Engineer
  Archetype: Spy 
  Motivation: Faith
  Style: 3
  Health: 4
  Primary Attributes
  Body: 2
  Charisma: 2
  Dexterity: 3
  Intelligence: 4
  Strength: 2
  Willpower: 2
  Secondary Attributes
  Size: 0
  Initiative: 7
  Move: 5
  Defense: 5
  Perception: 6
  Stun: 2
  Skill
  Base
  Levels
  Rating
  Average
  Bureaucracy
  4
  1
  5
  (2+)
  Con
  2
  3
  5
  (2+)
  Diplomacy
  2
  3
  5
  (2+)
  Firearms
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Gambling
  4
  1
  5
  (2+)
  Linguistics
  4
  3
  7
  (3+)
  Science: 
  Engineering
  4
  2
  6
  (3)
  Spying
  4
  1
  5
  (2+)
  Streetwise
  2
  2
  4
  (2)
  Talents
  None
  Resources
  Contacts 1 (Political; +2 bonus)
  Follower 0 (Cracksman)
  Rank 0 (The Chess Club; +1 Social bonus)
  Status 1 (Knight of the realm; +2 Social bonus)
  Flaw
  Cautious (+1 Style point whenever he or his comrades
  or his comrades 
  suffer from his inability to make a quick decision))
  Weapons
  Rating
  Size
  Attack
  Average
  Punch
  0N
  0
  0N
  (0)N
  Heavy revolver
  3L
  0
  7L
  (3+)L
  “Queen to king’s bishop ? 
  My God, the situation is far 
  worse than we thought!”
  Character Background
  My knighthood? Oh, I earned that for my contribution 
  to engineering. I built a few bridges in India, helped de-
  sign a sewerage system for the Persians, oversaw the con-
  struction of a modest palace for the King of Afghanistan, 
  that sort of thing. Grateful as I am, it’s nothing much to 
  talk about really. It’s not like I discovered the ruins of a 
  lost city or anything glamorous like that.
  During my time in Central Asia I had recourse to 
  travel throughout the lands of the Empire and those of 
  Britain’s allies. My position allowed me not only to build 
  up a number of useful contacts with important govern-
  ment figures, but also to see the Great Game unfolding. 
  Indeed, while I held little interest in politics I could not 
  help but overhear conversations at the dinner table.
  Shortly after receiving my knighthood I was contacted 
  by the Chess Club. I admitted to a passing interest in the 
  game, for it suited my preference for planning over rash 
  action, but I did not feel skilled enough to join the club. 
  At their continued insistence I attended one evening, 
  quite convinced I would leave looking like a buffoon.
  Well, I admit to a certain amount of shock when they 
  revealed the club’s true purpose. My contacts, ability to 
  travel throughout the Empire without raising suspicions, 
  and my knowledge of Central Asia made me an ideal can-
  didate for membership. I consider myself a patriot, and 
  after a little thought I took them up on their offer. It’s not 
  as if they were asking me to commit murder.
  Oh dear me, no! I don’t steal papers or don a dis-
  guise. That’s work for younger and braver men than I. 
  Let me put it this way—the more active agents are pawns, 
  whereas I am a bishop. I simply go about my business as 
  normal, listening out for rumors, accidentally reading 
  communiques, breaking the occasional code, slipping 
  agents in to a country among my staff, that sort of thing. I 
  may occasionally make a passing suggestion that benefits 
  the interests of Great Britain. It’s quite amazing how a 
  small thing like a knighthood suddenly gives more cre-
  dence to one’s opinions.
  Anyway, that’s quite enough information from me, 
  Ivan. With the evidence I’ve unearthed about your plot to 
  assassinate the Viceroy of India, I’m confident you’ll be 
  spending the rest of your life in a jail in some remote cor-
  ner of the Empire. Checkmate in this game, I believe.
  roleplaying
  Like a good chess player you are cautious by nature, 
  always planning several moves ahead and wary of falling 
  into traps or revealing your hand too soon. You fervently 
  believe that Russia has her sights set on capturing India 
  and that her expansion must be stopped at all costs.
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  1
  
  leagues of adventure
  1
  Petulant raja
  Archetype: Aristocrat 
  Motivation: Glory
  Style: 3
  Health: 5
  Primary Attributes
  Body: 2
  Charisma: 3
  Dexterity: 3
  Intelligence: 2
  Strength: 2
  Willpower: 4
  Secondary Attributes
  Size: –1
  Initiative: 5
  Move: 5
  Defense: 6
  Perception: 6
  Stun: 2
  Skill
  Base
  Levels
  Rating
  Average
  Athletics
  2
  3
  5
  (2+)
  Diplomacy
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Intimidation
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Linguistics
  2
  2
  4
  (2)
  Melee
  2
  3
  5
  (2+)
  Performance
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Ride
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Sports
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Talents
  Iron Will (+1 Willpower)
  Resources
  Follower 0 (Butler)
  Rank 0 (Sporting Gentlemen’s Association; +1 Social 
  bonus)
  Status 1 (Raja; +2 Social bonus)
  Flaw
  Young (+1 Style point whenever his size causes him 
  difficulty or he is patronized because of his age)
  Weapons
  Rating
  Size
  Attack
  Average
  Punch
  0N
  0
  0N
  (0)N
  Short sword
  2L
  0
  7L
  (3+)L
  “What do you mean i lose? do 
  you know who i am? Come back 
  here! i command you to come 
  back at once!”
  Character Background
  Where I come from is not important. You need only 
  know that I am a prince in my country, that my word 
  is law, and that I am beloved by my many subjects. My 
  homeland is independent of the British Raj, though we 
  maintain very good relations with the British.
  My father once tested my resolve, for he is wise. He 
  invited an English governess to tutor me. The woman had 
  the audacity to demand I clean my bedroom. Cleaning is 
  the work of servants, and I told her so in no uncertain 
  terms. She replied “pish-posh,” whatever that means, 
  and refused me permission to ride my favorite elephant 
  until I had done as ordered. Ordered! You do not order 
  a prince; you bow before him and accept his orders. I did 
  not eat for three days, and the woman finally saw sense 
  and relented. It was a worthy test for a prince.
  Some months ago, globetrotters visited my father’s 
  palace. They sought a great treasure, and believed my 
  father’s library held an important clue. At a banquet they 
  told me of their journeys, how they had fought bandits, 
  met wise men, and avoided death many times over. I at 
  once set my mind to accompany them, for their deeds 
  were glorious and widely renowned, and by performing 
  better ones I would be even more loved by my people. 
  Being ignorant of my greatness, they politely refused. 
  Fortunately, my father was very keen that I should leave 
  the palace in their charge, not to return until I was a 
  man. He is both generous and wise. The foreigners gra-
  ciously accepted the request, upon which time my father 
  allowed them to read his precious collection of books.
  Since then I have travelled far and wide, performing 
  many heroic endeavors and putting right many wrongs, 
  as a prince should. I write often to my father so that he 
  might regale the people with my tales and have the British 
  press speak of my deeds, though he has yet to respond 
  and the newspapers are strangely quiet. Still, home is far 
  away, and travel takes time. One day, when I am ready, I 
  shall return home to the adulation of my people. But not 
  yet. There are still peasants who have never heard of me, 
  and that is an oversight I intend to correct. 
  Ah, we have crossed the river. You may lower me from 
  your shoulders and be on your way now, peasant.
  roleplaying
  You are young and petulant. There is more to being a 
  noble than giving orders and demanding attention, but 
  you haven’t learned that yet. You want your own way, 
  and if you don’t get it you’re quite prepared to throw a 
  tantrum or sulk.
  
  Globetrotters’ Guide to the Ancient World
  1
  vengeful Cossack
  Archetype: Aristocrat 
  Motivation: Revenge
  Style: 3
  Health: 4
  Primary Attributes
  Body: 2
  Charisma: 3
  Dexterity: 3
  Intelligence: 2
  Strength: 3
  Willpower: 2
  Secondary Attributes
  Size: 0
  Initiative: 5
  Move: 6
  Defense: 5
  Perception: 4
  Stun: 2
  Skill
  Base
  Levels
  Rating
  Average
  Animal Handling
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Athletics
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Diplomacy
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Firearms
  3
  1
  4
  (2)
  Intimidation
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Melee
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Performance
  3
  2
  5
  (2+)
  Ride
  3
  3
  6
  (3)
  Survival
  2
  2
  4
  (2)
  Talents
  Mounted Charge (Mount will perform the charge 
  maneuver upon command)
  Resources
  Follower 0 ()
  Rank 1 (The Jockey Club; +2 Social bonus)
  Status 0 (Minor noble; +1 Social bonus)
  Flaw
  Loyal (+1 Style point whenever his unswerving loyalty 
  causes trouble for himself or his companions)
  Weapons
  Rating
  Size
  Attack
  Average
  Punch
  0N
  0
  1N
  (0+)N
  Rifle
  3L
  0
  7L
  (3+)L
  Saber
  3L
  0
  9L
  (4+)L
  “i would lay down my life to 
  protect my family, but i prom-
  ise you, many of you will die 
  by my blade before i fall.”
  Character Background
  Life on the steppe is hard, but Cossack men are born in 
  the saddle and bred tough. My people had lived around 
  the Black Sea for many generations. Sometimes we sided 
  with the Tsarist government in crushing their enemies, 
  other times we rebelled against their persecutions—such 
  is the way of the Cossacks. Eventually the Russians tired 
  of our perceived dissention and mounted an attack.
  By fortune I was not in the village, for I was conducting 
  a marriage negotiation with our neighbors. By the time I 
  returned the next morning, my people, my family, were 
  all dead. Without hesitation I charged the Russian troops 
  picking through the smoldering debris for trophies, my 
  bodyguards hot on my heels. Ah, it was a glorious fight, 
  for we were greatly outnumbered, and Cossacks do not 
  like to do things that are easy.
  I would gladly have laid down my life that day, but I 
  heard my wife’s voice on the wind, urging me to flee. My 
  death would be quick, she said, but my vengeance could 
  last a lifetime. Had she been born a man she would have 
  made a fine noble. My bodyguards and I fled south, 
  chased by Russian cavalry. One by one my men fell, until 
  only my most trusted bodyguard remained by my side. 
  Russian horses are no match for Cossack steeds, and we 
  eventually escaped beyond the border.
  For several months we conducted a guerilla war, liv-
  ing off the land while trying to spur our former friends 
  and allies into partaking in our bloody vengeance. De-
  spite out best efforts and their understanding of our 
  cause, they would not turn against the Russians—the 
  destruction of our village was a strong deterrent to such 
  activities. In the end, we turned away in search of new 
  allies. Our travels were long, but eventually we arrived 
  in London. Ah, it is a great city, and I have had many 
  adventures and made many friends there, but my heart 
  regularly calls me back to Russia, where the target of my 
  vengeance lies. My blade has cleaved many Russians, but 
  I have vowed that one hundred must die for each of my 
  kin they butchered.
  roleplaying
  A burning desire to avenge your people fills your 
  heart. Though exiled from your homeland, you seek 
  vengeance against the Russians through any means open 
  to you, be that violence or by earning renown. With no 
  blood family left, you have adopted your fellow globe-
  trotters and your League as your new family. Victorians 
  consider you rough around the edges, but in your view 
  they are too staid—life is there to be lived!
  
  Sample henchmen
  Chess Champion
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 1, Strength 1, 
  Charisma 1, Intelligence 2, Willpower 2
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 2, Perception 4, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 3, Stun 2, Health 4
  Skills: Empathy 4 (Body Language 5), Gambling 4 
  (Board Games 5)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Cautious (+1 Style point when he or his com-
  when he or his com-
  or his com-
  rades suffer from his inability to make a quick decision)
  Weapons: Punch 0N
  Cossack
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 2, Strength 2, 
  Charisma 1, Intelligence 1, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 4, Perception 2, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 4, Stun 2, Health 3
  Skills: Melee 4 (Swords 5), Ride 4 (Horses 5)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Belligerent (+1 Style point whenever his ag-
  whenever his ag-
  ag-
  gressive attitude causes trouble or him or his comrades)
  Weapons: Punch 0N, Saber 8L
  dabbawala
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 2, Strength 2, 
  Charisma 1, Intelligence 1, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 4, Perception 2, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 4, Stun 2, Health 3
  Skills: Athletics 4 (Running 5), Streetwise 3 (Rumors 
  4)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Gossip (+1 Style point whenever he spreads
  whenever he spreads 
  gossip that inadvertently causes trouble for himself or 
  his friends))
  Weapons: Punch 0N
  Exotic dancer
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 2, Strength 1, 
  Charisma 2, Intelligence 1, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 3, Perception 2, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 4, Stun 2, Health 3
  Skills: Con 4 (Seduction 5), Performance 4 (Dancing 
  5)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Thrill Seeker (+1 Style point whenever she
  whenever she 
  puts herself or her companions in danger for fun))
  Weapons: Punch 0N
  Okhrana Agent (undercover)
  Follower 1
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 2, Strength 2, 
  Charisma 2, Intelligence 2, Willpower 2
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 4, Perception 4, 
  Initiative 4, Defense 4, Stun 2, Health 4
  Skills: Firearms 4, Intimidation 4, Investigation 4, 
  Spying 4, Stealth 4
  Talents: None
  Resources: Contacts 1 (Government; +2 bonus)
  Flaws: Secret: Undercover agent (+1 Style point 
  whenever he is confronted with the truth or goes out of 
  his way to protect the secret))
  Weapons: Punch 0N, Light revolver 7L
  Polo Player
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 2, Strength 2, 
  Charisma 1, Intelligence 1, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 4, Perception 2, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 4, Stun 2, Health 3
  Skills: Melee 4 (Clubs 5), Ride 4 (Horses 5)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Competitive (+1 Style point whenever his
  whenever his 
  competitive streak gets him in over his head)
  ompetitive streak gets him in over his head)
  Weapons: Punch 0N, Polo mallet 7N
  Polyglot
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 2, Dexterity 1, Strength 1, 
  Charisma 2, Intelligence 2, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 2, Perception 3, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 3, Stun 2, Health 3
  Skills: Linguistics 7
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Honest (–2 penalty on social rolls whenever he 
  tries to lie; +1 Style point whenever his honesty causes
  whenever his honesty causes 
  trouble))
  Weapons: Punch 0N
  Turkish Masseur/Wrestler
  Follower 0
  Primary Attributes: Body 1, Dexterity 1, Strength 3, 
  Charisma 1, Intelligence 2, Willpower 1
  Secondary Attributes: Size 0, Move 4, Perception 3, 
  Initiative 3, Defense 2, Stun 1, Health 2
  Skills: Brawl 5 (Grappling 6), Medicine 4 (First Aid 
  5)
  Talents/Resources: None
  Flaws: Stubborn (+1 Style point whenever his inflex-
  whenever his inflex-
  ibility causes him trouble, or he forces others to go along 
  with his idea))
  Weapons: Punch 4N
  leagues of adventure
  0
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Triple Ace Games/Leagues of Adventure/Globetrotters Guides/Globetrotters Guide to the Ancient World.pdf