AuZtralia (2º Edition)

From 1180, for seven long centuries, the Ancient Ones dominated without opposition the riches of the Earth and the high spheres of humanity. All that changed in 1888. Thanks to the invention of dynamite and a fearless war started by famous people of the Victorian era, they managed to defeat these monstrous tyrants by expelling them from the earth. Humanity had triumphed, but the countries of Europe and America were devastated and in a sorry state. The land was poisoned and food shortages were a constant scourge.

Other parts of the planet had not yet been explored, as the Old Ones had imposed a strict ban on expansion into other territories. Humanity, enjoying its newfound freedom, sent ships to explore the world. A vast new land was discovered. At first it was called Terra Australis, although the name Australia quickly became popular. Intrepid explorers, cartographers, surveyors, engineers and countless avid adventurers quickly set out to venture into the interior of the island. They were followed by pioneers and settlers who built ports and railroads to exploit the island's vast nature reserves, developing farms to produce food and transport it to the starving masses they had left behind.

Untold riches in coal, iron, and gold were discovered within. But that was not all that awaited them... There was a reason why there was a ban on exploring this part of the world. In secret, deep within the earth, the Ancient Ones had established secret bases. After their defeat, those who survived the war and some of their loyal followers (called Loyalists) quickly returned to the interior of the island to rebuild their forces. As the settlers spread out, the Ancient Ones began to awaken, hell-bent on driving these pesky intruders back into the sea. Terrible creatures spawned by the Ancient Ones began attacking farms and plantations, destroying everything in their path. In the face of this horror, the new 'Australians' pinned their hopes on the only advantage they had: the power of modern military technology, which was far more advanced than it was in 1888, when humanity first woke up to deal with the dead. Ancients. A new war had begun...

AuZtralia is an adventure/exploration game for 1 - 4 players set in an alternate reality in 1930. The theme is inspired by "A Study in Esmeralda". Another of Martin Wallace's titles. After the restorationist war, the lands of the northern hemisphere were poisoned and famine was the norm. Intrepid adventurers set out to explore and settle new lands. Little did they know, after the war, that the surviving Old Ones and their armies of loyal humans were heading into the Australian outback to lick their wounds.

Players will need to build a port, railways, mines, and farms for food. They must prepare for the awakening. They must fight. Everything you do in the game costs time, which is one of AuZtralia's most precious resources. At some point, the Ancient Ones will wake up and become an active player. They begin to reveal themselves and move, with potentially devastating results.

Players must prepare wisely for the awakening and perhaps cooperate to defeat the most dangerous Ancient Ones. Military units will help you locate, fight and defend against the nightmarish beings that may be lurking around. In addition to equipment, they will need to recruit some personalities who have the skills and resources to help them.

Riches of the earth, mixed with darkness and madness await you within. Will humanity prevail or will the Ancient Ones take revenge?


Content:

•     1 double-sided game board
•     4 player boards
•     4 wooden port markers
•     90 wooden cubes
•     13 wooden discs
•     84 farm tiles
•     80 rail tokens
•     50 pieces of plastic charcoal
•     50 pieces of wooden iron
•     50 pieces of plastic gold
•     7 pieces of plastic phosphates
•     36 personality cards
•     40 ancient cards
•     30 reveal cards
•     10 solo objective cards
•     5 variant cards for two players
•     25 military unit tiles
•     43 ancient tiles
•     20 exploration tiles
•     13 sanity tokens
•     17 victory point tokens
•     1 summary sheet
•     1 rule book