Shadow Over the Colony
HardAncient Power, Hidden Knowledge, Women Who Remember
Dark rituals in the heart of British India reveal a sinister plot against the crown. As lady investigators, you navigate the colony's regions using networks invisible to colonial officials -- the zenanas, the temple women, the widows, and the scholars' daughters who hold India's true secrets.
"India holds secrets older than empires. The men who rule here believe they understand this land. They do not. But the women do -- the temple guardians, the widows, the daughters who remember. They have chosen to share their knowledge with you."
Lady Detective Notes
India's women hold knowledge passed down through generations -- temple rituals, ancient texts, family histories that predate the British by millennia. The Veil seeks artifacts that male scholars cannot locate. But the women know where everything is hidden.
Regions
The Three Acts
Act I: Whispers of Dark Rituals
Gather 8 clues from temple and library locations. The temple women and scholars' daughters know something terrible is being planned.
The zenana networks span all of India. The widows of Benares, the devadasis of Madras, the Mughal princesses of Delhi -- they remember what was hidden and why.
Act II: Recovery of the Artifacts
Visit all 4 Indian regions and recover 3 artifacts. Each artifact is guarded by women who have protected it for generations.
They will not trust colonial men -- but they may trust you. Prove yourself worthy of their secrets.
Act III: Confronting The Veil
Prevent the final dark ritual with matching Leads: Motive, Method, Agent, and Location.
You carry the hopes of generations of women who were never allowed to fight. Fight for them.
Special Rules
Dark Rituals
At the start of each round, if any player is alone in a region, roll for a ritual encounter. Failure increases Menace by 2.
The Zenana Network
Once per region, spend 1 Trust to receive intelligence from local women. Does not increase Menace.
Temple Refuge
Spend 2 Trust to seek refuge in a temple, preventing ritual encounters for one round.
Widow's Watch
In Benares, all lady investigators gain +1 to Observation tests as the widows share what they have witnessed.