The River of doubt

A solo expedition Roll and Write game

THE STORY At the invitation of the Brazilian government, former President Theodore Roosevelt accepted the opportunity to participate in an expedition alongside the experienced Marshal Cândido Rondon (who had not yet received the title of Marshal). The 'Rondon-Roosevelt Scientific Expedition' took place between December 1913 and April 1914, successfully achieving its goal of mapping the River of Doubt, an unknown watercourse stretching between the states of Rondônia and Amazonas, which had been discovered by Rondon himself in 1909. 

The expedition endured for five challenging months, facing deadly rapids, men weakened by food shortages and constant rain, attacks by animals and insect infestations. Invariably, the group was prevented from continuing their journey along the river due to violent waterfalls, forcing them to drag heavy canoes through the jungle for days on end. With weakened and sick men, the limited food options, at times reduced to monkey meat and turtle soup, became an additional concern. 

Contrary to expectations, by the end of April 1914, at the confluence of the Castanho and Aripuanã rivers, Brazil discovered that the experienced Rondon was correct. The country 'gained' another river. And the 'American guest' gained an entire river in his honor: the Roosevelt River.