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Chaosium Digest Volume 34 Number 10
Chaosium Digest Volume 34, Number 10
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2001
Number: 1 of 4
Contents
* The Ascension of Hastorang (CTHULHU)
by Mervyn Boyd - jack@ktana.freeserve.co.uk
Editor's Note:
The Chaosium Digest expresses condolences to all those affected by the
tragedy of Sept. 11. At the same time, we join the President in encouraging
everyone to not let fear keep you from enjoying life. If we give in to fear
then the terrorists win. Therefore, we encourage all our readers to exercise
their creativity by submitting articles for publication here in the Chaosium
Digest. Check out last issue v34.09 in the Chaosium Digest Archive
(http://pages.prodigy.net/gobackstage) for guidelines.
This issue presents a four part Call of Cthulhu adventure by frequent
contributor Mervyn Boyd.
Enjoy!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Issaries, Inc. News Release
September 13, 2001
Issaries, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Complete Griselda,
the first book in the Hero Wars Fiction line. The Complete Griselda is a
book of twenty-eight short stories about life in the Big Rubble. Written by
Oliver Dickinson in a Damon Runyon style with humor, irony, and an intimate
knowledge of life in the ancient ruins, they provide an entertaining look at
life in Glorantha, the world of adventure.
Griselda is an adventurer in the city of Pavis whose exploits are the
subject of wonder, admiration, and fear. Listen to her friend Olaf
Dickin's-son as he tells of her quick wits with everyone from barroom
companions to troll overlords. Witness the loyalty of Wolfhead the bandit
and the cleverness of Hurbie the con man. See her decisive action when
confronting swords, and her more clumsy ripostes at love. Above all, marvel
at her apparent invincibility as she defies death and all challengers in
Pavis, deadliest city in the Praxian wastes.
Issaries will follow the publication of The Complete Griselda with A Promise
of Thunder, a Gloranthan novel by Robin D. Laws.
ISS 4502 The Complete Griselda
ISBN 1-929052-11-1, 224 pg. trade paperback, $17.95
** CHAOSIUM RUMORS & NEWS **
The 20th Anniversary Edition is (still) coming!
Our greatly anticipated 20th Anniversary Edition of Call of Cthulhu (Cha
2399 $79.95)has taken much longer to print & bind than we were led to
believe. Despite all the delays, we expect to ship this book the first week
of October. As soon as we receive them, we'll start shipping them out to
everyone who has placed orders. Go reserve a copy at your local game shop
this weekend! For more info check out:
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2399.shtml
Miskatonic University Library Edition Announced
We're printing a *very* limited number of signed & numbered editions of our
20th anniversary tome for all of you die-hard cultists out there. This
version is only available direct from Chaosium. Read more about it at:
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/mu.edition2399.shtml
Chaosium Boo Boo Books now online!
We're making a variety of out of print books available to you via our web
page. These boo boo books are slightly scuffed, dinged, or otherwise show
minor cosmetic blemishes from sitting on shelves, being shipped back and
forth across the county etc. You can view our boo boo offerings at
http://www.chaosium.com/chaosium/booboo.shtml
Unseen Masters Honors!
UNSEEN MASTERS, CHA 2384 $23.95, a Call of Cthulhu supplement published by
Chaosium Inc., has earned author Dr. Bruce Ballon the 2001 Mary Seeman Award
for Outstanding Achievement in the Area of Psychiatry and Humanities.
The Mary Seeman Award is given for outstanding achievement for papers,
programs or work that focus on Psychiatry and the Humanities. It is
presented by the University of Toronto.
Although there were numerous papers submitted for the award, UNSEEN MASTERS
blew them all away. Dr. Ron Ruskin, Chairman of the Award Committee stated
"An amazing work. It is prodigious, highly creative and extremely original.
It was the best of a number of wonderful papers submitted this year."
UNSEEN MASTERS is the first horror fiction or RPG book to ever receive an
award from a World Health Organization Centre of Excellence and top
international Psychiatry . The book has been given the stamp of academic
acceptance and recognition in the medical world.
Additionally, UNSEEN MASTERS has currently nineteen recommendations for
consideration of a Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writer's Association.
This is the largest number of recommendations any RPG book has been given in
the HWA.
Read more about Unseen Masters at:
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2384.shtml
Read about the award at:
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/unseenaward.shtml
Chaosium Release Schedule through Dec 2001.
Just Shipped:
CHA 6032 Song of Cthulhu $13.95
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6032.shtml
Expected October:
CHA 2399 20th Anniversary Call of Cthulhu (Very Limited!) $79.95
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2399.shtml
CHA 2393 Ramsey Campbell's Goatswood and Less Pleasant Places $27.95
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2393.shtml
The Great Pumpkin.
Expected November:
CHA 6028 Nameless Cults $15.95 1-56882-130-1
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6028.shtml
CHA 6012 The Necronomicon (reprint) $16.95 1-56882-070-4
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6012.shtml
CHA 6022 Encyclopedia Cthulhiana (reprint) $16.95 1-56882-119-0
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6022.shtml
CHA 2370 1920's Investigators Companion (reprint) $20.95 1-56882-106-9
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2370.shtml
CHA 2375 The Creature Companion (reprint) $21.95 1-56882-133-6
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2375.shtml
Expected December:
CHA 6026 Book of Eibon $15.95 1-56882-129-8
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6026.shtml
Sandy Claws
Chaosium Titles Available Now:
Call of Cthulhu Fiction
CHA 6004 Shub Niggurath Cycle $19.95 1-56882-017-8
CHA 6009 Made in Goatswood $13.95 1-56882-046-1
CHA 6011 Disciples of Cthulhu $13.95 1-56882-054-2
CHA 6014 Singers of Strange Songs $13.95 1-56882-104-2
CHA 6018 Nightmare's Disciple. $14.95 1-56882-118-2
CHA 6021 Ithaqua Cycle $12.95 1-56882-124-7
CHA 6023 Yellow Sign & Other Tales $19.95 1-56882-126-3
CHA 6024 Tales Out of Innsmouth $13.95 1-56882-127-1
CHA 6027 Book of Dyzan $13.95 1-56882-114-x
CHA 6030 Three Imposters $13.95 1-56882-132-8
CHA 6031 Antarktos Cycle $19.95 1-56882-146-8
CHA 6032 Song of Cthulhu $13.95 1-56882-117-4 NEW
CALL OF CTHULHU Chaosium's Classic Lovecraftian Horror RPG
CHA 2342 Adventures in Arkham Country $19.95 1-56882-004-6
CHA 2359 Horror's Heart $12.95 1-56882-068-2
CHA 2360 Utatti Asfet: The Eye of Wicked Sight $20.95 1-56882-056-9
CHA 2361 Masks of Nyarlathotep $25.95 1-56882-069-0
CHA 2362 Compact Trail of Tsathoggua $8.95 1-56882-087-9
CHA 2364 Resection of Time $11.95 1-56882-095-x
CHA 2365 Minions $10.95 1-56882-098-4
CHA 2367 Secrets $8.95 1-56882-100-x
CHA 2368 Dreaming Stone $11.95 1-56882-101-8
CHA 2369 New Orleans Guidebook $16.95 1-56882-089-5
CHA 2371 Escape from Innsmouth $22.95 1-56882-115-8
CHA 2372 Bermuda Triangle $16.95 1-56882-122-0
CHA 2373 Dead Reckonings $14.95 1-56882-123-9
CHA 2374 Day Of The Beast $19.95 1-56882-125-5
CHA 2377 Before the Fall $11.95 1-56882-135-2
CHA 2379 Last Rites $14.95 1-56882-137-9
CHA 2380 Beyond the Mountains of Madness $39.95 1-56882-138-7
CHA 2384 Unseen Masters $23.95 1-56882-120-4
CHA 2385 No Man's Land $14.95 1-56882-142-5
CHA 2386 CALL OF CTHULHU RPG Hardback $37.95 1-56882-148-4
CHA 2387 Call of Cthulhu Keepers Screen $14.95 1-56882-149-2
CHA 2388 COC Keeper's Companion $23.95 1-56882-144-1
Chaosium Inc Worlds of the Eternal Champion: A New World for the d20 System
CHA 2017 Dragon Lords of Melnibone D20 worldbook $23.95
Stormbringer 5th edition Michael Moorcock's Dark Fantasy RPG
CHA 2115 Stormbringer 5th Edition DARK FANTASY RPG $29.95
CHA 2902 Elric Gamemaster's Screen $14.95 1-56882-011-9
CHA 2903 Fate of Fools $10.95 1-56882-024-0
CHA 2905 Atlas of the Young Kingdoms $19.95 1-56882-021-6
CHA 2906 Sailing on the Seas of Fate. $12.95 1-56882-022-4
CHA 2907 The Unknown East... $16.95 1-56882-032-1
CHA 2111 Rogue Mistress... $18.95 0-933635-73-7
CHA 2112 Sorcerers of Pan Tang $18.95 0-933635-79-6
CHA 2113 Perils of the Young Kingdoms $18.95 0-933635-82-6
Chaosium Inc: Mythos: Lovecraftian Card Game
CHA 1301 Expeditions of M.U. Booster Display $106.20
CHA 1302 Cthulhu Rising Booster Display $106.20
CHA 1303 Legends of the Necronomicon Booster Display $106.20
CHA 1304 The Art of Playing Mythos $8.95
CHA 1305 Investigator Card Set $5.00
CHA 1307 Dreamlands Starter Display $89.95
-----------------------------
The Ascension of Hastorang
by Mervyn Boyd - jack@ktana.freeserve.co.uk
Foreword
This scenario is written to be a stand alone adventure with characters who
have had no or some minor contact with the mythos in mind, however the
keeper may wish to insert it, with some modification, into a larger
campaign he/she is already running. It introduces the Institute of Higher
Learning which could be adapted and set up as a base where investigators mix
with other semi-influential people who can be contacted when help in certain
matters are required. This adventure gives ample scope for more sub-plots
and side-track adventures.
While no special skills are required for its conclusion, it is advised that,
for investigators to be properly brought into this adventure it is necessary
for them to be of a scholarly type with an interest in some kind of
academic study. Characters like archaeologists, theologians, scientists,
professors, etc. are excellent for a start. Non-scholarly characters like
soldiers, policemen and private detectives should harbour an interest in
some kind of specialist skill.
A time frame is used, though this can be changed, or ignored to allow new
players of Call of Cthulhu time to adjust and settle in, though events
should ultimately move along. The bad guys won't sit around waiting for the
players to get their act together. They've got important things to do;
spells to cast, sacrifices to make, gods to summon.
Because I am not a great creative writer there will probably be many entries
that are vague in content and description - or even missing - thus causing
the adventure to appear disjointed. Don't be put off by this. While
provision have been made for all the places the investigators are likely to
visit, it is up to the keeper to improvise, and flesh out all other areas -
as well as NPC personalities and reaction. The scenario is intended to be
set in Los Angeles, California of September 1962, though this can be changed
as the keeper desires.
Keepers Information
°C °F EFFECT
27 80 People comment on how nice the summer is. Tourism is up, swimming
and sunbathing are popular.
30 86 Old people start to grumble. With the increased tourism petty
crime rises.
31 88 People become more easily agitated. Thefts become robberies.
Police become harassed.
It's hot in the city. The bitumen from car exhausts and the tarmac cling to
the warmth with an stifling acridity. Smog is sometimes a problem. As the
heat-wave drags on the thermometer slowly climbs bringing with it more
unease. For the past several months California has experienced a freak
steady temperature increase. Still, the warmer climate is welcomed
nonetheless as is the prolonged tourism. The rise in temperature is due to a
particular planetary alignment that will come to its fulfillment on October
20. On this date Turkish cultists will attempt to call Cthugha forth from
his home on Fomalhaut to re-establish his divine rule here on Earth.
Already, events are in motion...
The scenario proper is split in two parts; part one being the introduction
of the characters with an option to join an exclusive organization by the
recommendation of a friend of theirs. The Institute of Higher Learning is a
place where academic studies can be undertaken in privacy. So this should be
of interest to those characters who want to advance their knowledge in their
respected fields of study. During their time at the Institute the players
have the chance to increase their character's skills and partake in several
minor adventures, should the keeper feel inclined to throw some their way.
Delving deeper into the Institute's history, the players may discover a
horrific secret that is literally buried deep within the institutes origin.
Part two of the scenario pits the investigators against The Brotherhood Of
The Sacred Flame Of Enlightenment.
°C °F EFFECT
33 91 People begin to faint with the heat. Robberies become assaults.
Fires become more widespread.
35 95 Everyone is harassed. Assaults become murders. The Fire Department
is harassed. Garbage collectors threaten with all-out strike.
40 104 Hospitals are overwhelmed with sun related injuries. Everyone is
irritable and tense. Riots occur. Fire Department unable to cope.
41 105 ... and still climbing. The last time temperatures were this high
was 1913 when Death Valley reached 58°C (140°F).
The Brotherhood Of The Sacred Flame Of Enlightenment
The cult is believed to be a descendent from the original Zoroastrianism,
which flourished in Persia around 630 BC. However, the Brotherhood itself
has
its roots extending from 10th century Persia when at this time it's parent
cult - the Nestarian Cult of Cthugha - was as a distinct minority within a
Moslem population. Pressures and personal differences forced the
fragmentation of Nestar's cult as members cast off their long standing vows
of poverty to be drawn to materialism, wealth and power. Factional struggles
for dominance also splintered the cult into several different sects - each
with its own unique view of how things should be.
Those members who held fast to one set of beliefs formed the Brotherhood
and moved to Turkey, where they remain today. Although its philosophy still
held that The Great Old One - Cthugha would one day return to earth to
enlighten all with his divine rule, Cthugha's significance was lost with the
cults reversion back to basics. While all practitioners believe the tenets
put forward by their faith, Cthugha was seldom mentioned specifically by
name.
Today the cult is provided for by a supreme official, who wields virtual
autocratic power. Mobed Abd al-Yilderim came to power six years ago after
usurping power through bloody assassination and murder. Under his
leadership, the Brotherhood has yet again changed direction. It's
progressive militant outlook, and motivation is often quite chilling: public
execution to terrorize and exert control, and to die courageously to convert
even more.
It has become common practice for the more fanatical member to brand
themselves in honour of their beliefs. The brand found on the right forearm
of these cultist depicts a cauldron which has flames burning from it.
Surrounding the cauldron are the words: O Purifying Flame of the stars,
Protect this man, your humble servant. It is also seen that some of its more
hard core of those fanatics practice a test of faith in which they set
themselves alight. The majority of the cult (save for sect leaders) are
unaware that Yilderim actually has designs on summoning Cthugha.
California After World War II
During World War II (1939-1945), California grew prosperous as aircraft
plants and ship yards were built to meet the production demands of war. The
resultant growth in industry saw capital wealth more than double, as well as
workers, who caused the state's population to increase by almost 2 million.
Fearing disloyalty 100,000 Japanese inhabitants were placed in relocation
centres during the war. When peace came, many workers and returning veterans
remained in the state, causing the population explosion to continue. By 1950
California had become the second most populous state, and in 1962 it became
the most populous. California, like the rest of the nation, had to deal with
racial violence in its slums and student unrest on its campuses.
Time Frame
The time frame for this adventure should be set at three to five weeks
(between September 24 and October 20, 1962) during which, events will move
along according to the pace of the investigators. A week or two could simply
be spent at the institute learning new skills before the adventure begins
for real. To prevent game play from really slowing down it is left to the
keeper to flesh this part out with things to do if he/she so desires. Also,
for every 7 to 10 full days that passes the temperature rises 1 degree
(keeper's discretion). Incidentally, this adventure spans a time that is a
red letter date in some American diaries. On Oct. 16 the New York Yankees
defeat the San Francisco Giants in the World Series Baseball championships
winning by four games to three.
In the News...
Other than the weather, certain additional things are widely known to
anyone who listens to, or reads the news; these being:
* There has been a mass build up of Turkish Nationals in and around Los
Angeles over the last few weeks. It has been reported that the religious sec
known as The Brotherhood Of The Sacred Flame Of Enlightenment are here are
here for an important religious observance and have made camp around the
base of Fire Mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains. Some kind of ceremony is
planned for the 20th of October. News and media coverage vie for the
exclusive story with the High Priest, Mobed Abd al-Yilderim (Blessed
Servitor of Lightning), who has only made one remark: "The mountain has
revealed itself as a holy site of great power, and as such we are here to
pay our respects".
* Graffiti becomes a problem, well a greater problem than normal and it gets
everywhere. The symbols and half letters of Turkish origin, when translated
say: "Bathe in the Light; Rejoice; He comes; The purifying Flame will
cleanse thy soul; Rejoice in the enlightening flame o infidel, lest you be
consumed by his wrath...and other such axioms. As well as this, cultists dot
the streets handing out pamphlets (in English) which say pretty much the
same thing. The chances of a leaflet such as this being pushed into a
character's hand is left to the individual keeper.
Of course, with mentioning these two items the players shouldn't
automatically make the assumption that they are in any way related to the
forthcoming scenario.... Yeah Right!
Player Introduction
Monday, September 24, 1962
The PCs awake one morning and as they file through their post they find an
envelop containing a letter and map (Handout 1) in amongst the bills and
junk mail. The letter is from the Institute of Higher Learning and
introduces itself as such as well as inviting the reader to an introductory
open night. Reading the letter and becoming intrigued by its content the
investigators may naturally be wary and may well want to check up on a few
things before actually turning up to the Institute. By way of general
knowledge and reference material from the library, newspapers, hall of
records and also from, electoral records, income tax records, social
security records, birth records, police records, etc., (if the PCs have the
ability) they can find all sorts of information pertaining to Mortimer
Greyson and the Institute. days Each piece of relevant information requires
a successful LIBRARY USE roll to find and an allotment of time chosen at
random by the keeper depending on where the investigators do their research
and what kind of red tape they have to cut through. The Keeper should
determine the amount of information learnt.
Mortimer Greyson
Born in Syracuse, New York on July 16, 1904 to Barbara and Macintyre
Greyson. Mortimer is a professor and tutor at University of California
teaching American History. He gained his doctorates at Oxford and Cambridge,
England, before serving in the Navy. Served with distinction in the Pacific,
which earned him the Navy Cross. He is well respected in his field, not to
mention the rest of the scientific community in general. He has written
several books. He has no police record. He currently lives in Redondo Beach,
California with his wife Lydia. They have two daughters; Michelle (26), and
Alyson. (31).
The Institute
An IDEA roll will be sufficient to know that the Institute is a privately
owned and ran organization that professes to document mankind's true
history - and deliver a fresh way of looking at what we think we know. A
KNOW roll allows characters to understand that the Institute has come under
fire from orthodox scientists and religious leaders for it's radical views.
Radical being a loose word used to mean "troublesome, interfering with what
we already know, tampering with irrefutable scientific fact; unfounded
pseudoscientific mumbo jumbo", a designation happily accepted by the
institute. Its members are drawn from all walks of society who share similar
views and harbour an interest in these academic studies. It was founded just
after the turn of the century and occasionally it funds archaeological
expeditions across the globe. There has been no scandals, at least none that
made the news or courts. More information will be learnt when the characters
join the institute.
Occult Significance
Players of a suspicious disposition may want to check this avenue, however
nothing at this time leads them to believe that the institute is in any way
affiliated with the occult....or indeed with the Mythos.
Chasing Up Mortimer
University of California: Investigators may want to come here to see
Mortimer in person. After explaining why they want to see him a LUCK roll is
required to see him right now without an appointment, otherwise one will
need to be made in 1d3 days time. If a character is fortunate enough to see
him, Greyson grants him/her a few minutes before excusing himself to teach a
class. He will not elaborate on anything further but will be happy that the
player is interested and that he hopes to see him/her at the institute on
the specified date.
His Home: Greyson has a beach house in Redondo Beach and between the hours
of 0900 and 1800, there are only a maid present, along with Greyson's six
over-friendly Golden Labradors. The maid is happy to take any messages and
will pass them onto the Greyson's. Outside these hours players require a
LUCK roll to catch Mortimer at home otherwise he'll be at the institute.
Mortimer will again not elaborate on anything but will mention that he hopes
to see the player there on the specified date before excusing himself as he
is late for a dinner engagement
(continued)
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