Adventure Design on Ice: How to Run a Game Based on "Shout at the Devil"

 


The 1976 film "Shout at the Devil" starring Lee Marvin and Roger Moore tells a thrilling tale of adventure, danger and intrigue set amidst the icy landscapes of East Africa. Its cinematic depictions of daring escapes, secret missions and high-stakes confrontation make it ripe source material for an exciting tabletop RPG scenario. Here are some tips and considerations for translating the movie's themes and plot beats into a one-shot or short campaign.


Building blocks

Players take on the roles of mission agents from different colonial powers (British, German, Belgian etc) who are forced to reluctantly cooperate.

Their mission involves infiltrating a remote area to investigate suspicious activity at a mining/logging camp. Things quickly go awry.

The true masters pulling strings behind the scenes are members of a shadowy revolutionary group fomenting revolt. Gaining their trust requires risky gambits.

Chases through the bush on foot, motorcycles or improvised vehicles add dynamic set pieces as players are tracked by hostile forces.

Extreme weather like flash floods or snowstorms present formidable natural obstacles and hazards on the rugged terrain.

Claustrophobic close-quarters combat could take place aboard a hijacked cargo ship or remote logging station under siege.

Players face gut-wrenching decisions like choosing to save an ally or crucial intel over others as situations spiral out of control.

After escaping with their lives, the lingering consequences of actions impact characters' long-term trajectories or the region's political instability.



Set the Scene

Replicate the sense of a remote East African setting during colonial rule. Evoke the rugged terrain, diverse cultures and looming threat of revolt or war. Place the PCs as agents or representatives operating in this volatile political climate.


Make the Mission Personal

Give each PC a unique backstory tie or personal stake in the mission. This could be recovering a kidnapped family member, avenging a fallen comrade, or balancing loyalty to country and conscience. Up the stakes!


Add an Element of Mystery

Include deceptive forces, hidden agendas and twists the players won't see coming. Have "allies" who may become enemies and vice versa. Keep them guessing with unpredictable obstacles both natural and man-made.


Amp Up the Action

Incorporate dramatic chase or combat scenes through the bush or across frozen landscapes. Design climactic confrontations that challenge player wits, skills and endurance to the limit. Amping tension with limited resources adds intensity.


Consider the Consequences

While exciting stunts are fun, the film also portrays the human toll of danger and poor decisions. Address moral implications through difficult choices that impact characters and the wider situation moving forward.




Alternative Time Periods

- Victorian Arctic exploration era: Players chart remote regions of the Arctic/Antarctic amid rivalry between empires. 

- WWII German/Soviet campaigns in North Africa: Operate behind enemy lines on risky reconnaissance missions.

- Napoleonic Wars era: Undercover agents venture into treacherous alpine territories amid skirmishes.


Extreme Environments

- High-altitude Himalayan border regions: Face avalanches, blizzards while traversing mountain passes.  

- Amazonian rainforest: Track poachers/cartels through dense jungle braving tropical diseases.

- Antarctic ice shelves: Survive crevasses and extreme cold while racing the clock to reach remote outposts.

- Australian Outback: Cross harsh deserts to make contact with isolated frontier towns. 

- Siberian taiga: Brave wolves and temperatures while aiding escapees from Gulag camps.

- Martian terrain: Exploration of canyons and volcanic regions as early colonists on a desolate new world.

This could open up all new survival and discovery challenges while retaining core tense political/espionage themes. Steampunk or sci-fi flavors may also introduce exotic technological twists.


With creative mission design, memorable NPCs and a healthy dose of cinematic flair, you can transport your players into a pulse-pounding colonial thriller inspired by "Shout at the Devil" and its enthralling settings. Danger and intrigue await!

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