The Hollowing · Mission 9 of 10 · Work under pressure
Floodgates
Crank three loud, stiff valves while the night shift comes, then flood the town and run.
Host FloodgatesThe briefing
Marrow Mill ran a night shift, and the night shift is still here: big men in hard hats who went hollow at the looms and kept their size.
The sluice valves are old and stiff, and every turn of a wheel rings through the building. Open three of them and the millrace jumps its banks and drowns the streets, and everything walking in them. Then get up onto the dam walk before the water finds you too.
The goal
Crank 3 sluice valves open (2 loud actions each; the work stays done). The third floods the streets and washes the horde away; for that round the streets are water, nothing climbs out of the drains and nothing walks the streets: then get every survivor onto the dam walk. The night shift is out: every horde card of 2 or more Hollows brings a Brute. You start with the millwright’s fire axe.
At the end of round 14 the valves are rusted shut for good, and the night shift has found you.
What makes this night different
- Hard work: each sluice valve takes two loud actions, but the work stays done.
- The flood: the last valve washes the horde out of the streets for a round.
- The night shift: every horde card of 2 or more Hollows brings a Brute with it.
- You start with the Fire Axe.
- Already waiting: one Brute on the streets when the night begins.
The sluice valves
Sluice valves
Crank 3 valves to flood the streets, then reach the dam. The way out is the Marrow Mill, always on the west edge of town. Everything around it is dealt fresh from the town tiles each game.
At a glance
| Type | Work under pressure |
|---|---|
| Round track | 14 rounds, adjusted a little for the size of the team |
| The way out | Marrow Mill (DAM) |
| Campaign | Chapter 9 of 10, Act II, the valley |
| Players | 1–6, co-op. Alone you lead 2 to 6 survivors |
| Price | Free, in the browser |
If you make it
The third wheel gives, the sluices roar, and the millrace jumps its banks. The night shift goes under the brown water without a sound. You watch from the mill steps until it stops moving.
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: Hollow Hill · Previous: Track Meet · All missions
Questions
How long does Floodgates take?
The round track is 14 rounds, adjusted a little for the size of your team. Most missions take about 45 to 60 minutes.
Can I play Floodgates 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 Marrow Mill always stands on the west 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?
Floodgates is chapter 9 of 10, in Act II, the valley. 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.