"How much longer until the Express pulls out for the final leg to Bill's hometown, dear?"
"The schedule says 3:05 pm Mary. Forty minutes more I should think."
"Whilst we wait, let's tell our readers about plans for Bill's Annual Birthday Game Day."
"Yes, let's do so, said General William Pettygree.
"The idea germinated from another gaming group playing an annual 30mm Napoleonic game entitled The Emperor's Birthday Game. Long ago, Fred Vietmeyer gathered friends and their collections to participate in a day long Saturday game. Typically, there may have been up to a dozen players and more than a thousand colorful miniatures," said Mary.
"Years later Bill adopted the concept hosting two small games in the morning followed by lunch including a birthday cake with a larger game in the afternoon. This offers a unique opportunity to boost camaraderie with a variety of fun games," remarked the General.
"The three 2026 games are The Tomb Game hosted by Chuck The Lucky, Gaslands GM'd by John The Formidable and Return to the Sudan orchestrated by Bill," said Mary. "Half the boys will be in only one morning game, not both."
"Each is described a little next with Bill's flourishes for fun and to set the scene, remarked the General. "The first is...."
THE TOMB AT EL WIL-YAM
A General Pettygree Battle Story
May 1, 1939
Some four thousand years ago the ancient city of El Wil-Yam prospered on the plain before you. All that remains above ground now is a slight rise cluttered with stonework remnants the locals have not yet carried away to construct the distant modern village. Recent excavations within the step pyramid atop the escarpment uncovered a labyrinth of underground passageways many hope will lead to hidden rooms, new knowledge, fame and treasure.
International teams of excavators, archaeologists and explorers are arriving to descend into the earth as General Pettygree and Aide de Camp Rupert Trevelyan looked on.
"The Americans are first to arrive Sir," remarked Lieutenant Trevelyan.
"The aircraft is a new American design, Sir, a Grumman G-21-A Goose. I believe the A stands for amphibian. It is capable of landing on water or land. If on the water, it can move ashore and power inland," said Trevelyan.
"The Goose is banking right to fly over the rise," said Pettygree.
"There's a chap either welcoming the plane or waiving it off," offered Trevelyan. Are the crew and passengers looking at the site, do you suppose?"
"Surveying a landing spot is more likely. There. She came around and is landing on the west side of the town," said Pettygree.
An hour later occupants of the Goose completed an encampment with a roaring fire before heading to the mound and detritus there.
They were greeted by the same locals who had watched them fly overhead.
Momentarily later the sound of several approaching motorized vehicles ....
Was heard and soon came into view. The Germans commanded by Kapitan von Stiehl had arrived second.
Third to arrive at twilight was a contingent of Russians uniformed in tropical attire listening to the....
Rousing speech by Comrade Colonel Moronsky warning about the kulaks in the other camps, Russian for exploiters of the people. "We must gather the treasure, if any, for the needs of our cause by any means necessary," said he --- as Commissar Boron listened approvingly.
More expeditionary teams would arrive. Whom we cannot tell at this time. The next forenoon....
Each Team was given a ten-minute limit to descend into the crumbling entrance passageway. Here we see the Americans, Tiny as torchbearer, Dr. Applegate and Captain Sommers.
When Tiny reached the downward sloping stone floor below the first set of stairs, he stopped and quietly asked, "Did you hear that?"
Dr. Applegate inquired, "What did you hear? We heard nothing."
"Scurrying sir."
"GASLANDS"
An Entertaining Rules Set
And a General Pettygree Race Car Primer
May 1, 1939
"Let's take a tour of the tentative racetrack," said General Pettygree.
"It is. We'll turn about and ride along the main road," said the General.
"A variety of vexing weapons and surprise equipment," answered Pettygree. "Oh and the volcano might erupt spewing noxious gasses to be avoided at all costs."
"Aye, it looks active now, General," said Grandmaison.
"The gamemaster will throw a direction die. The result will correspond to the direction of the ash cloud."
"Is this nastiness to be avoided as we near...."
RETURN TO THE SUDAN"
A General Pettygree Battle Story
May 1, 1939
"The All Aboard has been called, William. Do you have time to briefly explain the Sudan Game?"
"Barely. However, we can mention that the Dervish and allies are assembling."
"And nearby."
"Oh, one more thing, if I may. Have fun and play fast to complete the games."
"It is time to board the train, Gentlemen. See you on May 2nd. Good day to you."
