Pulp Alley - Perilous Popeye

I decided to play a Pulp Alley game using my Popeye League.  I painted them up a while ago and they only ever were played once.  I thought that maybe they felt lonely and wanted to get them back on the table.

Popeye was going up against a group of mercenaries on a tropical island.  I used a game map that I have to simplify the setup.  I know that the look isn't as great as the 3D terrain but for a easy setup and breakdown game it can't be beat.

My issue is that while I have a lot of buildings, trees, etc storage isn't that easy.  It requires a major investment of time to get things out, set them up, break them down, and put them away (including moving furniture).  Because of that I do a lot of gaming on either maps like this or Cigar Box Battle Mats.  I can add a few buildings and am able to play a fun game with minimal terrain requirements.  It is also nice when demoing a game at someone's home so that I don't have to make a mess with trees, lichen, and sand for roads.

Popeye and Company

The Merc opposition

The neutral observer

The alligator would be triggered by anyone entering the water.  The water was considered perilous (especially with the wildlife).  It would move towards that person a random d10 number of inches.  That would allow it to move anywhere from 1 to 10 inches.  If there were multiple people in the water it would move in a random direction on a d12 (using clock directions).  The alligator could not be "killed" but could be "hurt" by doing two hits on it in one attack.  This would result in the alligator moving in a random direction away from the person inflicting the damage.  Of course the next turn it may move again.  

The game opened with Popeye activating and moving toward the closest plot point, supplies on the shipwreck.  

Can Popeye make it to the shipwreck safely?

Bluto activated and drew a card that required a card draw for each activation, not just the first three.   He was followed by Alexander Jones.  Jones's card ended activation for Popeye's side (for the moment).

Colonel Smithee heads for the fuel plot point, hoping to secure it for his side. 

Singh seemed confused as to what he should do, perhaps the heat got to him, and he hesitated and didn't do anything.  

John Q. Public drew The Calm card as he began moving through the jungle with his machete.  

The Calm allowed people to move into position without fear of reprisal (at least for now)...

On the next turn Popeye wades into the water to go for a plot point.  

This movement triggers the alligator to move towards him.  The roll is only a 3 so he moves towards Popeye only three inches. A break for the sailor man!  Popeye is able to secure the supplies and the first plot point goes to his side.  

Jones moves towards the next plot point...

...but unfortunately for Popeye, Jones is a bit of a clutz and goes down as he tries to secure the plot point.  He failed the Challenge and was KO.  

Colonel Smithee gets to the fuel and is able to easily secure it.  Free Pass.  

One plot point for each side.

 Meanwhile John Q Public finishes his jungle trek and prepares to go for another plot point on the other side of the river.  

Pops Blissett takes a shot at Bluto but Bluto wasn't hit.  

Now Popeye moves towards the next plot point and the alligator moves in for the attack.  

 Popeye is locked in combat with the alligator and takes two damage.  He might need to get out his spinach!!

With Popeye locked in a brawl his other compatriots move to either help or secure plot points, but don't accomplish anything much this turn.  Bluto gets as confused as Singh was earlier and does nothing. 

John Q. Public heads for the next plot point.  With the gator occupied by Popeye he doesn't have to worry about it.  He also secures this for his renegade band.  

2 plot points for the mercs and 1 for Popeye.

The Colonel and Pops move into position for the next turn, ready to attack.  

On turn 4 Popeye is able to beat the gator.  This results in a random movement by the creature.  It moves towards the land and away from Popeye and Nico.  

 Nico moves to the plot point and secures it for Popeye's group.  

2 plot points per side.

Bluto gets moving and secures the next point for Popeye's side.   

Popeye now has 3 plot points and the Colonel 2. 

Both Luther and Singh open fire at Bluto.  Luther hits Bluto but Singh misses him.  

The Colonel fires at Popeye and Popeye goes down.  Is this the end for our hero??

Popeye is able to recover from his hit though.  He was just stunned!

He quickly takes off toward the shore.  This movement triggers the gator who (randomly chosen) charges right into Nico.  

 Nico doesn't stand a chance against the gator and succumbs to his powerful might.

Despite a few desperate shots from the mercenaries at Popeye and Bluto the last turn is played.

The game ended in a tie with both Popeye and the Colonel controlling two of the five plot points.  The last plot point was effectively controlled by the alligator, who for some reason, had a smile on his face.

This was another fun game of Pulp Alley.  I look forward to playing the next game.  

Next time, Doc Savage, The Man of Bronze...