The Hollowing · Mission 1 of 10 · Short mission
First Light
Light three of five rooftop flares to lead the nearby horde, then run for the field.
Host First LightThe briefing
The radio in the hardware store caught one sentence before it died: a helicopter will sweep Marrow Falls at dawn, and it will only land where it sees a signal.
Hal sold road flares by the box, and there are boxes on rooftops all over this block from a Fourth of July nobody cleaned up after. Five rooftops have a box; three lit will do. A lit flare fizzes and spits for a few rounds, and everything hollow nearby hears it: pick the rooftops that lead the horde away from your road, then get everyone to the football field before the sky goes grey.
The goal
Light any 3 of the 5 rooftop flares, then get every survivor to the football field. A lit flare burns for 7 rounds and, from the round after it catches, pulls every Hollow within 7 zones not right on top of you while nobody stands within 2 zones of it, and every drain within 4 spills out there (relight it from its rooftop): choose the rooftops that pull the horde off your road.
At the end of round 13 the sun is up, the helicopter has passed over, and nobody saw a light.
What makes this night different
- The short night: only 13 rounds on the round track.
- Your choice of target: any three of the five signal flares will do, so pick the ones that help you most.
- A lure: once it is lit, it pulls the horde toward it while nobody stands within 2 zones.
- A crowded town: 8 Hollows are out before your first move.
The signal flares
Signal flares
Light 3 of 5 rooftop flares, then reach the field. The way out is the Football Field, always on the south edge of town. Everything around it is dealt fresh from the town tiles each game.
At a glance
| Type | Short mission |
|---|---|
| Round track | 13 rounds, adjusted a little for the size of the team |
| The way out | Football Field (FIELD) |
| Campaign | Chapter 1 of 10, Act I, the town |
| Players | 1–6, co-op. Alone you lead 2 to 6 survivors |
| Price | Free, in the browser |
If you make it
Three red lights burn on the rooftops. The helicopter banks, drops, and the grass of the field flattens under it. You are the last people out of Marrow Falls.
How a round goes
Everyone acts at once
Each survivor gets three actions a turn: move, search a building, fight, open a door. Talk it over, then do it.
Then the horde moves
The Hollows walk toward whoever they can see, or toward the loudest noise. A shotgun saves you and calls the street. A baseball bat is quiet.
You get stronger, and so does it
Survivors level up and pick new skills. The stronger you get, the bigger the horde gets. Finish the mission before the round track runs out.
Next mission: Last Bus Out · Previous: Hollow Hill · All missions
Questions
How long does First Light take?
The round track is 13 rounds, adjusted a little for the size of your team. Most missions take about 45 to 60 minutes, and this is the short one.
Can I play First Light alone?
Yes. Alone, you lead the whole team: 2 to 6 survivors, each yours to play. Friends can join on their own phones with the room code, up to six players.
Is the map the same every time?
No. The Football Field always stands on the south edge, but the rest of Marrow Falls is dealt from town tiles each game and turned at random.
Which twists can turn up?
Unless you turn twists off, one of these may be dealt: Blackout, The Pack, Walking Wounded, Restless, Echoes, Bitten. You can also pick one yourself in the lobby.
Where does it fall in the campaign?
First Light is chapter 1 of 10, in Act I, the town. In the campaign your survivors bring their chosen skills and one item from the night before.
More from Rucksy: Play The Hollowing · Play Candlewake · The Hollowing: zombie survival board game · The Hollowing’s ten missions · The daily mission · Solo board games online · Candlewake: haunted house board game · Hidden traitor games online · Board games to play with friends online
The Hollowing and Candlewake are original games by Rucksy.