Science Versus Pluck:

Or, Too Much for the Mahdi

by Lynn Bodin

Victorian Sudan Campaign Wargame by Howard Whitehouse

"SvP" is not your normal run-of-the-mill set of colonial wargaming rules. Rather, author Howard Whitehouse has attempted to capture much of the "flavor" of the era in what is essentially a role-playing game with miniature rules thrown in as a bonus. The rules set consists of two booklets, the "Umpire's Handbook" and the "Officer's Pocket Book", and sells for $7.00. Additional "Officer's Pocket Books" may be purchased for $3.00 each. The "Umpire's Handbook" is fairly self-explanatory, and the "Officer's Pocket Book" is the equivalent of a player's handbook.

The latter is much different from other RPG players' guides. The "SvP" booklet begins with an essay entitled "On Being a British Officer". Further chapters are filled with other contemporary quotes, anecdotes, etc., totally intended to "guide" the players into "acting" as a proper British officer of the late 19th Century would have acted relating to the circumstances presented by the Umpire.

The key to these rules is a well-read, learned Umpire who can create situations requiring responses from the Officers (players) as closetowhat would have really happened as possible. Emphasis on good "acting" by the Officers is essential. Players must read the "Officer's Pocket Book" carefully and referto it as much as possibleduring the course of the game. The Umpire must work hard to promote proper Victorian Officer responses from the players. As much in-bred wargaming logic and historical hindsight as possible must be cast to the wind, with players relying more on their handbooks than on everything they have learned or read.

The whole game could probably be played without miniatures exceptfor the fact that the players would probably want to experience their characters' actions in battle once the "on paper" play had progressed to that point. The miniature rules provided are basic, but draw considerably on contemporary material, just as the role-playing portion of the rules does. A good bibliography is included as well as a description of a sample game, Abu Klea. To help would-be Umpires, a booklet of pre-set scenarios is in the works.

The real potential of these rules lies in their ability to create and evolve player-characters forwargame campaigns. There are lots of possibilities in "SvP" for colonial campaign referees and/or players to give personalities to their little lead generals, colonels, majors, captains and lieutenants. I recommend these rules more for this potential than as a"stand alone" set of colonial wargame rules.

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