I ran The Great Cat Conspiracy from the Pugmire rule book at TCEP 24. It was a lot of fun. Here’s what happened:

Scene 1: Apolda Manor

Sgt. Leo Bulldog, Sister Picassa Collie, Pan Dachshund, Spike Mutt, Princess Yosha Pug, and Jack Rat-Terrier were summoned to Apolda Manor, seat of the Doberman family. They were greeted with indifference at the main gate, but once the guard saw the summons from Duke Heinrich Doberman himself, they were quickly escorted to the receiving room. The Duke, the Duchess, and their son, Graff Doberman were present when they arrived.

Duke Heinrich told the Pioneers that the storehouses in the village of Ellendonk and the supply chain from the family iron mines to the north was being disrupted by marauding cats. He asked the Pioneers to deal with the cats, discreetly, so as to not embarrass the Doberman family. Sgt. Leo immediately agreed to put an end to the dishonorable activities of the cats. Duke Heinrich said that a suitable reward would be provided on their return, but Sgt. Leo declined saying that upholding the law was reward enough, much to the chagrin of Jack.

Scene 2: Gearing Up and Heading Out

The Pioneers had negotiated with the Duke for horses and supplies for the expedition, and the Duke agreed to provide whatever they needed. Stocked and mounted, they rode out the following morning on the four day trip to Ellendonk.

On the first night, their camp was approached by a pack of wild canines. The animals kept their distance, but were focused on the camp. Jack was wary, but when the Princess offered the canines some of her rations, the animals’ hostile demeanor changed, and they swarmed around her with their tails wagging. After debating whether to recruit the canines or get rid of them, the animals finally ran off when the Princess stopped feeding them.

After searching to verify that the canines were gone, Pan discovered Graff Doberman lurking in the bushes. The Princess challenged Graff to explain himself, and the doberman explained that something of what his father had told them bothered him. He asked to accompany the group so as to see what was going on for himself. The Pioneers debated this and reluctantly agreed.

They continued on their journey the next morning, and stumbled upon some giant ants. The ants were quite aggressive, and the Pioneers were hard pressed to defeat them, but were ultimately successful. That night, the camp was disturbed but a howling wind that woke everyone, but caused no damage and dissipated as quickly as it had arisen.

On the third day, the Pioneers stumbled upon a giant ant nest and wisely avoided it. But when they made camp that night, they were beset by giant worms that attacked from beneath the sleeping dogs. One even found Jack, who had slept in a tree. The battle was settled quickly and efficiently, but there were several casualties, and Sister Picassa’s healing skills were greatly appreciated.

Scene 3: Arrival at Ellendonk

When the Pioneers arrived in Ellendonk, they found the village deserted. Most of the buildings were in disrepair, and there had been no sign of recent occupation. The sole exception was the church, which was nearly pristine. When Jack and the Princess entered the church, something scurried out through a gap in the wall. Following the trail, the tracks led into an empty storehouse. After careful searching, a trapdoor in the floor was discovered.

Scene 4: Searching the Warren

The chamber below the trapdoor was wet and musty. The remnants of records were strewn about. The Princess searched through the rubble and uncovered section of ledger suggesting that a large stockpile of weapons and armor, more than the Doberman’s required, had been kept there, and no taxes had been collected on it!

The tunnel beyond forked. They proceeded down one and discovered what appeared to be an abandoned camp. Jack discovered a secret door which led to a stockpile of food and equipment.

They backtracked to the fork and went the other way, where Jack uncovered and disarmed a trap in the next chamber. There he discovered another secret door beyond which was a chamber in which a pair of badgers were prepared to protect a group of destitute cats.

The badgers confronted the Pioneers, who they assumed had come to kill the cats. Sgt. Leo explained that they had not come to harm the cats. The Princess shared some of her rations with the cats

However, having survived several previous raids by Duke Heinrich’s dogs, the badgers were reluctant to trust the Pioneers. They proposed a test, and told of an artifact of Man sealed in a chamber with a demon. If the Pioneers would vanquish the demon and retrieve the artifact, the badgers would trust them.

Pan suggested that Graff Doberman stay with one badger and the cats, and that the other badger show them where to go. They agreed, and Graff shared more rations with the cats.

The badger led them to the sealed tunnel, which had been engineered to open via a lever. Beyond the portal was a cavern in which a book was perched on an altar. Sgt. Leo and Pan entered and saw no threats. The Princess immediately went to the altar and took the book.

Suddenly, they were beset by a Demon Hound, who attacked Sister Picassa at the rear of the group. The Pioneers coordinated their efforts, and the monster was dispatched. The artifact, however, was not a book, and it vibrated when held.

Scene 5: Finding the Truth

The Pioneers returned to the badger cave with the book, where they were each asked to affirm their good intentions while holding the artifact. Then the badger explained that the artifact ensured that the holder was telling the truth. The Princess said something false, and it burned her paws.

The badger took the book, and, while holding it, told the story of Ellendonk. Duke Heinrich realized that he could enjoy greater profits if he did not pay the miners. He scattered the villagers and enslaved cats and other creatures to work the mines. The badgers aided the escaped cats, who they intended to escort to safety.

Upon hearing this news, Graff Doberman pledged that he would see his father brought to justice and the practice of slavery would be stopped. The badgers dismissed the pledge, gathered the supplies from the other chamber, and left on their way with the cats.

Scene 6: Back to Pugmire

The Pioneers returned to Pugmire and reported their findings to the King.