The following Expeditions campaign scenario is taken from Beasts, Men and Gods by Ferdinand Ossendowski.

Campaign Scenario, circa 1920

You must escape from the Soviets. You start in Soviet Siberia. War is all around between Bolsheviks and White Russians. You start in Krasnoyarsk and must reach a coastal port. Unfortunately the train line has been destroyed and you have no idea whose hands it is in. You will meet and have to contend with: Bolsheviks are your enemy, well may be not if they are locals (i.e. Mongolians but this is rare). White Russians could be your friends but the Baron Urgen-Sternberg may not be and watch out for Col. Sepailoff of the Baron’s staff who suspects everyone and likes to kill indiscriminately. Don’t get caught.

Mongolians probably your friends, Russian colonists, may be may be not POWs from Austro-Hungarian Empire if not armed they will be friendly and starving, otherwise they have been recruited by the Bolsheviks.

Cossacks for the most part will be friendly. Abkhan Tartars are moving their cattle away from the advancing Reds and into the highlands; you could be a threat to them. Chinese are not friendly unless you are in China.

You must be mounted, on horseback everywhere but the Gobi where you need a camel. Unless you are on the Mongolian Plateau grazing will be poor and worse in winter. All movement is dangerous with so many unknowns. Movement at night is generally safest in small groups even up to large caravans if you are well hidden during the day. The only really safe places are Lamest Monasteries, you cannot enter with a weapon even if it is hidden they will know and turn you out. You must bring the Lama a present of distinction (hence the high quality yellow silk). Towns are not safe, particularly if held by Chinese troops. And sometimes can be even more dangerous if held by Bolsheviks or the Baron. Trust no one and stay out of towns. The Chinese in Mongolia have orders for a pogrom against all Mongolians and Russians. But the Chinese peasants who enforce these orders rarely leave the safety of the towns.

Unless you have a good lead over pursuers the mountains are not safe and are filled with very Hungary wolves and swampy territory that can be crossed but only very slowly.

You begin with yourself and a bear of a friend, sixteen Czarist officers and two Mongolian guides. You have a rifle and pistol, as does your friend who also has an ax, the Mongolians have bows and the officers have ten rifles between them. Individual fire is not effective in this group, although you your friend and two others are good shots the remainder is not. Volley fire is your best weapon in the open, even in the woods. Few small groups (one unit) will stand against your volley fire and will retreat. Most of what you will come across will be scouts for larger distant groups. If your group is spotted and they report back they will find and attack you. You are all mounted and have five packhorses. Your journey begins in Western Mongolia and you must get to central Manchuria and the rail line for safety. Tibet is not safe and you will be attacked by bandits and stripped of all you own if you are not killed; your guide in Tibet must be a yellow robed monk. You cannot travel due west, you must weave yourself between opposing forces. You are most safe riding along the forest edge of the foothills, but the forest is not continuous and the Reds like to hide in it. Beware of anyone who claims to be Ulan (Red) you need Tzagan (White supporters or neutrals).

In your group four fire as British, 8 as Egyptians, the two Mongolians are excellent bowmen. Your enemies all fire as Egyptians, except for the Chinese mobs that are not soldiers and fire as half Egyptians at best. The cities are few and far between, however, the Chinese are everywhere in Mongolia.

You will need supplies for your journey; you may barter with anyone who is willing. Near or still in Russia you may use your rubles to stock up on stuff to barter with (silks, especially yellow, bricks of tea, knives, bullets, clothing especially trousers, etc.). Your supplies must include at least one brick of tea per man, 100 bullets for each gun, bread, butter, potatoes and/or rice and cheese. Meat can be hunted or you can trade for it. You can get no further ammo unless you take it from the dead. Winter will be deadly but you and your friend know how to stay warm and you teach the others, but will the officers continue this if you have to run or split up.

If the Reds are in platoon or company-sized units they will attack, small units of less then 20 will ambush, or they will follow your trail and attack from the rear. If you are in a structure they will surround you in the middle of the night and pound on the door. Small units will fire from long range as soon as they see you, but you may not see them except by muzzle flash.