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Chaosium Digest Volume 35 Number 01
Chaosium Digest Volume 35, Number 01
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2001
Number: 4 of 4
Contents
* The Ascension of Hastorang (CTHULHU) - pt 4
by Mervyn Boyd - jack@ktana.freeserve.co.uk
Engraved on the wall, behind the fire is a thousand year old, but well
preserved mural. Those who know astronomy see that it depicts constellations
of the southern hemisphere. One of which is more prominent, and within that,
one star stands out from the rest - Fomalhaut in The Southern Fish
(ASTRONOMY roll). Beneath the engraving, a throng of people with arms raised
high in prayer surround a mountain, on top of which three figures appear to
offer gifts to a pillar of flame.
Etched below the mural is another engraving of the F'tag'uan tribe. It
measures 20 inches by 16 inches (Player Handout 4). If there is one thing
interesting about the F'tag'uan way of writing it is this - it bares a
striking similarity to Assyrian Cuneiform. Why? Who knows. Maybe the ancient
F'tag'uans were originally from Assyria...
It reads, when translated: From a land across uncharted waters, shall come
the faithful. When the stars are right the servitor of lightning will
command the doorway to be opened, marking the way to enlightenment. Upon
that holy time, the sky will boil as lord wisdom, that incubus of fire,
returns to pass judgment over all. Those judged worthy shall join the
master for all eternity as his side, knowing only truth and wisdom. Those
judged unworthy shall be consumed, their flesh rent from their writhing
bodies, only to know and endure an eternity of perpetual suffering.
The Summit
Climbing to the summit by way of the natural snaking rocky pathway takes up
to an hour and a half for a fairly fit person (CON 14). Those wishing to
reach the summit undetected must succeed at least THREE SNEAK rolls,
otherwise they will be spotted and intercepted by armed guards as before.
Only the high priest, his aides and a select few individuals are allowed up
there before the ceremony proper. The site chosen atop Fire Mountain is
approximately 1000 feet wide and is partially enclosed within a rocky collar
making it resemble a volcanic cater. In the centre of the crater is an
oblong stone slab measuring 20 inches in height, five foot wide and six foot
long, its entire surface etched in a mix of Turkish, and Pahlavi. Probably
scripture of some kind. It's quite obvious that the block was put there
quite recently. Erected in front of the altar, there is a microphone on a
stand that is attached to a simple amplifier which in turn is wired to
several speakers which radiate out so that the faithful can hear the
ceremony. Banks of car batteries power the apparatus. Several dozen five
foot tall iron spikes are driven into the ground around the crater. Each are
embossed with the Sign of Cthugha, thus signifying them as Enchanted Torches
to anyone who succeeds a MYTHOS roll. Their main purpose here is to
illuminate the summit at night, in aid to summon Cthugha and his Fire
Vampire minions. The summit is also active with six minor sect leaders who
spend all day and all their magic points enchanting the brands. They will
continue this mundane existence right up to 24 hours before the ceremony
proper. A couple (keeper's choice) of armed guards also patrol - day and
night.
Inscribing an Elder Sign upon the stone altar has no effect. Since the stone
itself is non-magical and serves no real purpose other than a resting place
for the Entity. The Entity itself is immune to the effects of the Elder Sign
anyway. High Priest Yilderim will however be severely pissed to see the
desecration of his work. Ah well. Never mind. Those infidels responsible
will pay in due course. When inscribing the Elder Sign, the player should be
told that the Sign should cover at least one third the alter for it to have
any effect. Creating a small unobtrusive Sign just won't work.
October 20
From sunrise (06:02) to sunset (17:14) the entire Turkish congregation are
led in prayer in homage to the mountain and the Flame Entity within. The
High Priest and his immediate aides pay their respects directly to the Flame
Entity, and there they will stay all day appealing it to open the gateway
when the time is right. Armed guards will not let anyone near the mountain.
Up to 500-odd civilian onlookers are drawn to witness today's events. Out of
respect they keep their distance. Since nothing much happens many of the
bystanders leave through boredom, leaving only a handful of journalists,
reporters and other interested parties; some of whom include Mortimer
Greyson and other Institute members. Greyson watches with anticipation,
still unsure as to what to expect - if anything. Unless the players have
clued them in, they will be woefully unprepared armed with a few useless
spells and talismans.
The ceremony does not begin in earnest until just as the sun sets and
Hastorang is in the ascendant. Upon which time the ceremony to create the
gateway begins with 100 chosen disciples, who carry flaming torches (to
light the way) aligning both sides of the path from the main cavern
chamber, up the mountain side to the altar. Four sect leaders lift a ready
prepared 2mx2m platform and approach the Flame Entity. The High Priest
recites something in Pahlavi, inviting the Entity to participate in the
ceremony. The Entity then condenses in size and leaps onto the framework.
The sect leaders then carry it out and up to the summit, the High Priest
following closely behind all the while in exhortation and adulation. As the
Entity is carried up the mountainside the 100 chosen cultists kneel in
respect before falling in behind. The procession halts atop the summit and
arranges itself as the platform is set down on the stone altar. The Entity
resumes its normal size and volume. Once established, the High Priest speaks
into the microphone to lead the assembled congregation in an hour's prayer
dedicating the assembly's collective will to the entity.
The Flame Entity begins to flash, pulsate and ripple - turning white; as it
grows into a pillar of fire 300 feet high and 10 feet wide (Sanity loss
1d3/1d10). Snaky fiery tendrils uncoil from the body, and grab nearby
cultists who are dragged to a fiery death. The sky above the mountain top
begins to shimmer as the gateway begins to slowly form. Stars and galaxies
shine more brightly with infused cosmic flux. Space and time begins to fold
as the gate gradually expands to engulf the entire mountain top and
surrounding area. Star fields shift until one is prominent - Hastorang. Tiny
pinpricks of light fill the night sky. The gate has opened.
Everyone is captivated by the whole spectacle. They stare around in total
amazement. Players included. If they want to break free of the visual feast
and do stuff they are required to succeed a POWx3 check. Roll per round,
though once free no further rolls are required. Yilderim seems unaffected
and continues his adulation as he launches into the spell to Call Cthugha.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthugha Hastorang n'gha-... Best kill Yilderim now, while
he's in mid sentence.
The sky begins to boil as lumps of molten rock rain down, bombarding the
area. Crimson lightning here and there. People require LUCK rolls to avoid
being hit for big damage. Frightened disciples begin to back away in
uncertainty. So much for their faith. The pinpricks, all 1d100x10 of them
are Fire Vampires. They surge through the gate heralding Cthugha's return,
and immediately begin to lay waste to the area attacking all those who are
on the summit or at the mountain's base. (Players receive a LUCK roll per
round to avoid being attacked. Those with Elder Signs can pretty much ward
off these attacks). 1d10 minutes after the onset of the attack Cthugha will
start to come through. He is seen at first as a fiery comet streaking across
the sky gaining in size and volume until it burns as bright as the sun. From
somewhere unseen the terrifying howling and baying of dogs is heard.
Seeing time and space fold and warp is very sanity blasting as is witnessing
the 10-1000 Fire Vampires. The combined effect is a loss of 1d10/3d10. The
appearance of Cthugha causes another 1d3/1d20 sanity loss. Cthugha will mop
up any survivors and then begin to drift towards Los Angeles.
Fortunately the gate is insubstantial and after 1d6x10 minutes or so it
reverses and collapses in on itself creating a massive spiraling vortex
that acts like a black hole. Anything within a 1d6 mile spherical radius
will be sucked into it (including Cthugha) and transported through time and
space, eventually to be ultimately annihilated, deposited on or near
Fomalhaut, any localized star system within a 100 parsec radius, alternate
dimension, or any period of time - past, present, or future. Characters need
not end up in the same place.
Resolving The Adventure
First and foremost, the gateway is the key to the scenario. Without it
Cthugha cannot be summoned. Therefore the players must prevent its opening.
Although there are many things the players can do to bring about the
scenario's end, it basically boils down to two elements - Yilderim and the
Flame Entity. Without the Entity the gateway cannot be opened and so Cthugha
cannot be called. Killing Yilderim is another, since he must invoke the
Entity to open the gateway. The removal of either one of these objects
resolves the scenario. It's only a question of when and how. As such, there
are no precise, nor preferred methods for it - whatever works will do.
Several of which are outlined below, though they are not full summations.
Use your judgment when filling in the blanks.
Doing Nothing
This should be mentioned straight away and for all intents and purposes it's
probably the best thing to do - especially if they don't know what's going
on. Even if players take a back seat and don't get involved, the scenario is
self resolving. If Cthugha is summoned, his time here on Earth is limited
before being sucked, along with the rest of his cult, into the vortex.
Earth, for now, is safe. Phew!
Delay & Interruption
Remember, Cthugha can be summoned only when Fomalhaut is above the horizon -
September to November (in north America). Unless the players can delay
things for over a month then this tactic seems highly unlikely. The only
tactic open here would be to abduct Yilderim (and for safety, the other sect
leaders) and then kill him/them.
Once the gateway has been opened, interrupting Yilderim's summoning is
academic. But since the players don't know this all they need to is do
whatever it takes to force Yilderim to lose concentration and force him to
begin again from the start.
Removal of The Flame Entity
To prevent the backflow of the vortex, and the disappearance of a chunk of
mountain range, it is imperative for the players to act before the Flame
Entity opens the unstable gateway. Only in the name of Cthugha can the
Entity be extinguished; no weapons or magic can harm it. Only an Insane
Insight will allow characters to gain this knowledge. Remember a POW
resistance roll is also required.
If players are successful in this and get away unnoticed, Yilderim will be
aghast to find that the one thing he could count on simply vanishes. It
breaks his heart and he takes it personally as though he has failed Cthugha
and is being punished in some way. Distraught, he begs Cthugha's
forgiveness, before resolving to return home to redouble his efforts.
Random Player Twitchiness
You're on your own with this.
Gunfire
A full on frontal attack is suicide when faced with 1000 outraged cultists.
However, taking advantage of the opportunity to eliminate the High Priest
and his aides inside the cavern is perhaps the simplest way to do things -
providing the players can make a clean getaway. Without the High Priest
there will be no one to conduct the ceremony. This ultimately causes a rift
between the surviving sect leaders who begin to squabble, bicker, argue, and
fight amongst themselves on how things should proceed - but more to the
point who should now become the new High Priest. Battle lines will be drawn.
Pick your man; choose a side. However this infighting goes is for the keeper
to decide. In whatever case, the following consequence occurs:
The Turks, in reprisal for the death of their leader riot and set fire to
LA. The fire spreads quickly and fire-fighters are unable to get it under
control. After ten hours the fire finally burns itself out. An area of two
miles by a half mile is razed to the ground, and a further 250 blocks
scorched - many of which lies in the heart of business and residential
sections of town. It leaves behind 125 million dollars worth of damage, 12
to 17,000 homeless, and a further 1,300 dead. Players must roll their LUCK
to avoid losing their homes or other real estate property in the fire. Maybe
the tragedy is further deepened by the death of a family member.
Spell Use
This is where things can get complex depending on how players go about
things. If the players are totally clueless and have a brainstorming session
(with or without Greyson) to discuss how to proceed, they may want to try
and research spells that could help out. For example; players who are really
stuck could hire a medium, or try to find their own spell that allows them
to see the future; this way they could react and make a plan. Researching
spells, or deliberating on what to do could take days, maybe even weeks.
However this is resolved is left to the keeper - though it is suggested that
any single researcher should be limited to 1/10th their EDU (round down) in
spells learnt - providing the relevant LIBRARY USE, R/W LANGUAGE rolls are
made with an accompanying INTx2 or 3 check. Any spells picked up may not
even be pertinent to their situation. Just imagine after three weeks of
research all they learn is how to Brew Space Mead. Of course, if players
define exactly what they want from their spells, then time to find and learn
them will be correspondingly longer and harder. Should players suspect
Cthugha is going to be summoned then maybe they can they go about finding a
corresponding dismiss or banishment spell. All this research is likely to
take the characters to other organizations and research facilities such as
the US Library of Congress (restricted section), Miskatonic U., etc., but
then are they willing to invest in a 12 hour round trip flight for something
that might not pay off.
Other spells such as Shrivel, Summon Creature, Grasp of Cthulhu, and so
forth can all be used to great effect, though how they are employed are for
the players to decide and keeper to deal with. What if the players summon a
Dimensional Shambler or Nightgaunt to spirit Yilderim away in the middle of
the night... Hmmm, what if in deed.
Dismissing Cthugha
If the players are successful in learning how to dismiss Cthugha, it'll be a
matter for them when to cast it. They can either wait until he's arrived on
earth (and lost the sanity) or jump right in when Yilderim is in mid casting
himself, or just when he's finished. Dismissing a deity is like calling one.
Any number of people can join the casting, but a focal member of the group
must be chosen. Anyone who knows the spell can expend as many magic points
as they want. Those who do not know the spell can only expend one magic
point. For a base 5% success chance the players are required to expend 9
magic points. For every other magic point expended thereafter adds another
5% chance. Thus a total of 28 magic points are required for a 100% chance.
Any roll of 00 automatically fails; the magic points are lost and the spell
is required to be cast again. In order for this casting to take effect it is
required that the players be on the mountain summit in close proximity to
the main summoning.
Simultaneously casting dismiss with Yilderim's summoning causes a great deal
of contention and so a battle for dominance ensues. Roll a POW resistance
roll between Yilderim (POW 16) and the focal leader of the players. Keep
rolling until three clear wins are made. If the battle ends in the players'
favour they get to roll their dismiss chance. If Yilderim emerges as the
victor Cthugha is successfully called and the players, despite their valiant
effort lose their allocated magic points. Any active member of Yilderim's
personal guard will try to go after the players if any are able.
The End, Summing Up, and the Gain
The resultant vortex creates a humongous and completely spherical
indentation up to 12 miles wide and six miles deep in the San Gabriel
Mountain Range without so much as an earth tremor. The meteor crater in the
Arizona desert is dwarfed into insignificance by it's sheer size. World news
is in a frenzy with news reports. Eye witness accounts from up to 100 miles
away and nearby near by towns are broadcast; these people explaining to the
best of their ability what they witnessed from their point of view. Some
even have home movie footage. The military swiftly mobilize and lock-down
the immediate area and begin to round up those people who say they saw
something. Government scientists pour over he area taking all sorts of
readings. No explanations are forthcoming. Will there ever be a satisfactory
explanation?
Those characters who research well, devise a plan and participate in the end
ceremony, and dismiss Cthugha, and survive are rewarded with 5d10 sanity.
Bringing about the scenario's conclusion by pre-emptively killing Yilderim
out of fear of what he might do, and living with the guilt that they are
responsible for the LA fire should be rewarded with 1d10. Extinguishing the
Fire Entity gains 2d10. Giving up and letting the Turks get on with it
results in no gain.
S T A T I S T I C S
Fire Vampire
-- 7 1 11 13 17 11 7
WEAPON ATTK % DAMAGE Vampires have no armour. All weapons are
Touch 85 Special useless, doing no damage. Water, however,
does 1 point of damage per half gallon used.
Special: If an attack is successful, roll 2d6 and match this against the
player's CON on a resistance roll. If the player wins he takes half the
rolled damage, otherwise full damage is taken. In the same round, if the
attack was successful the vampire may try to steal magic points with a magic
point vs magic point resistance roll. If the vampire wins it drains 1d10
magic points from the victim, otherwise it loses one point itself.
Cthugha
80 120 140 28 42 21 0 / drift 130
WEAPON ATTK % DAMAGE Armour: None, although all weapon take 14
Pseudopod 40 1d6+13d6 points of damage on connecting with
Heat Burst 60 Special Cthugha. Thus if a bullet did 15 damage,14
points would be deducted before Cthugha is
harmed by 1 point of damage.
San Loss: 1d3/1d20
Cthugha affects an area roughly 2d20x20 yards in diameter. Within this area
all living things must make a CONx5 roll. Once the roll is failed they take
1 point of damage per round, automatically - no further rolls are made. The
only way to survive this is to flee the area. Each round Cthugha can form
1d4 pseudopods with which he can attack, or he may belch forth a fiery
inferno of flame. The flame burst has a range of 150 yards long and 20 yards
wide. All caught within this area must make a resistance roll matching their
CON with Cthugha's POW. If the player fails the roll he takes damage equal
to Cthugha's POW. If the roll is a success, half damage is taken. Armour
does not protect. Flambé.
News In Brief: Sept 24 - Oct. 20, 1962
Although not essential to the adventure the following news reports can be
used by the keeper to pad things out as investigators read, watch or listen
to the news. The news extracts have been broken down day by day. While some
items are actual news reports of the day there are others that have been
made up to become red herring leads (if the keeper wishes to expand upon
them) that the investigators may want to follow up. These fictional reports
can be shuffled around so that players can come across them at any time.
Actual News
Sept. 24.
War talks focus on Cuban situation.
University of Mississippi agrees to admit Negro James Meredith.
Sept 25.
Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett bars University of Mississippi from
admitting James Meredith.
Sept. 26.
US announce its intentions in supplying Israel with Short Range missiles.
Sept. 27.
Yemen: Iman Amhad assassinated after one week on throne.
Sept 29.
President John F. Kennedy federalizes Mississippi National Guard. He orders
state to yield on integration.
Sept. 30.
Rioting erupts as University of Mississippi admits James Meredith.
Oct. 1.
James Meredith attends first classes. 200 arrested in riots.
Oct. 3.
Astronaut Walter Schirra orbits Earth six times in Sigma 7.
Oct. 4.
Huge crowds gather in Italy to watch the Pope travel by train for the first
time in 100 years.
Oct. 6.
Three US troops are killed in helicopter crash in South Vietnam.
Oct. 7.
Cuba broadcasts "Radio Free Dixie" program praising Negro revolt in the
South.
Oct. 10.
Mariner II data reveals presence of Solar Wind.
USA gearing up for World Series Baseball game on Oct. 16. New York Yankees
versus San Francisco Giants.
Oct. 15.
Amnesty International created to monitor human rights.
Oct. 16.
San Francisco: New York Yankees beat the San Francisco Giants to win the
World Series in final game, four games to three.
Fictional News
LA: A house fire, yesterday claimed the life of sixty-two year old Alice
Sprigs.
LA: Archaeologists discover a new archaeological site beneath St. Joseph's
Chapel. The remains of an old temple have been found during renovation.
Workers excavating the site for a new extension found an old stone floor.
Estimates believe it to be 100 years old.
LA: Fire claims another victim. Mr. Dan Woodcock, was discovered late last
night by his wife Mary. Investigators conclude the Mr. Woodcocks death was
attributed to smoking in bed and falling asleep.
MONTEREY CA: Sea Monster washed up on beach. The strange three ton, 20
legged monster is covered in a matted fur. The disgusting blob is baffling
experts.
SAN FRANCISCO: Hospital Porter Juan Carlos Sanchez was yesterday jailed for
ten years after he was found guilty of selling body parts to Professor of
Biology, Lenard Zinnefki. Zinnefki will appear in court for sentencing in
one weeks time.
GARDEN GROVE, CA: 39 members (21 women, 18 men) of a local church were found
after fire-fighters managed to extinguish a blazing fire after several
hours. It is believed that Reverend Nathaniel Lincoln was not amongst the
dead. Police Investigators are not releasing any details at this time,
although they are discounting the possibility that they are the victims of a
death cult as is rumored. Rev. Lincoln was not available for comment. At
that same time, in an unassociated incident, five more bodies, including
that of an infant were found in a chalet in San Diego
Handout 1. Institute of Higher Learning
09-23-62
Tel: 213-272-2186
Gaining enlightenment through fellowship, understanding and an abundance
of knowledge.
Dear Friend,
It has been brought to my attention that you are a patron of the sciences
and literature. One who strives for the betterment of ones self through
pursuit of the understanding of knowledge.
I am delighted to announce that you are invited by our distinguished board
of advisors to join The Institute of Higher Learning - a private fellowship
of people committed to the gathering, documenting and sharing of Earth's
history, mankind's accomplishments and knowledge. In fact to properly
welcome you, I would like to extend to you an invitation to an open evening
for a more in depth chat and tour, where you can meet similar like-minded
people. If you are interested please come on Wednesday, September 26 at
8.00pm If this inconvenient please contact us at the phone number above.
If you are at all skeptical about this invitation, let me assure you that
I'm not going to waste your time with irresponsible guarantees of 'instant
knowledge' or 'overnight enlightenment'. It will take months, even years of
dedication just to begin the process of 'understanding'.
Also, Please do not - under any circumstances - pass this invitation on to
anyone else. I know how tempting it will be to share this news with others
like yourself, especially once you begin to start enjoying the reward of
your membership.
Sincerely Yours,
Mortimer Greyson
Handout 2.
I gravely .....ich Denis set loo....not be contained for ever. ...living
darkness... ... fortunately some kind of insane insight enabled us to...
-..tled it into a series of caves... Lives and souls were ...... to
impri...n it beneath... Only myself (Dav......avis) and Daniel Lyons
survi........e days following we swo......a pact to never... ...nor ...eal
what happened, how...er, we must continue our searc.......arn of all that
which is not known so that one day.... build an Institute of learning....
-in which we shall secretly learn more about the .... Only those who
are.......y of the kno....ge shall...
Handout 3.
Nestar also writes...
The faithful shall feel an irresistible pull to the golden land of new; to a
desert valley of great desolation, once the home to people, their skins died
red, who gathered at the mountain of the lord to bathe in the light of his
eternal holy flame. The time of gathering shall be performed at a time upon
the great cosmological alignment when Hastorang is in the ascension. The
holy flame shall then, on commandment, open the doorway marking the way for
the faithful to call forth Asha - in all his divine splendor. Upon this
great conjunction, that demon of fire shall return. He will rage over this
earth on the four uppermost sides, and the uppermost one third. The earth
will cry out: "I cannot endure this demon, which is has been brought forth,
I cannot endure its habitation of me, for its seizes me with such fervor".
As such the sky will boil and fire shall rain like molten lead. The Hounds
of Tindalos shall bay for three nights at the twin suns. And only then at
the Bridge of Discrimination shall all souls be judged. Unbelievers shall be
cast into the pit of oblivion and consumed in the hellfire's wrath as the
disciples of truth and enlightenment pass over as though drinking warm milk.
So go forth my faithful and seek thy destiny and thine redemption.
(Player Handout 4 translation)
From a land across uncharted waters, shall come the faithful. When the stars
are right the servitor of lightning will command the doorway to be opened,
marking the way to enlightenment. Upon that holy time, the sky will boil as
lord wisdom, that incubus of fire, returns to pass judgment over all. Those
judged worthy shall join the master for all eternity as his side, knowing
only truth and wisdom. Those judged unworthy shall be consumed, their flesh
rent from their writhing bodies, only to know and endure an eternity of
perpetual suffering.
--
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