Area 01 · Act 1 · The Wheat Incident
The Campion Incident
Campion district, WA wheatbelt east of Merredin — flat golden wheat paddocks broken by low granite outcrops, dead-straight fence lines, and a single dusty soldier-settler road.
DAY 1: TWENTY THOUSAND EMUS ARRIVE FOR LUNCH. THE ARMY ARRIVES FOR THE EMUS.
The history behind it
The actual opening engagement of the 1932 Emu War: on 2 November, Major Meredith's men fired their first Lewis gun bursts at emus near Campion and hit almost nothing. The area recreates that first contact — the gun jams mid-sweep, historically accurately, and the tutorial teaches you to rush during the fumbling.
Outposts (3)
Take all of them and the area is yours. Retreat halfway through and the ones you already hold stay held.
Perkins' Feed Bins
Grain silo · Defence tier 1
Tutorial outpost. A farmer, his shotgun, and three scarecrows the UI helpfully marks as NOT A THREAT. Teaches the capture bar: stand your five emus in the yard and eat his wheat until it is yours. Tier 1 Picket with one Rifleman Line of exactly one nervous rifleman.
The Settler Road Picket
Gun post · Defence tier 1
First contact with Major Meredith: a Lewis Gun Post set up on the road, crewed with parade-ground confidence. Scripted to jam on its second sweep (historically accurate); teaches rushing during the 2.5s reload fumble. Meredith observes from a staff car and takes notes, appalled.
Campion Rail Halt
Rail siding · Defence tier 1
A grain siding with supply crates and a Rifleman Line (3 men) guarding the wheat stacks. Teaches flanking: the thin red rifle lines only point one way. Capturing it drops the war's first meaningful scrap and a comedic mountain of Food.