Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Chaosium Digest Volume 34 Number 05
Chaosium Digest Volume 34, Number 05
Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2001
Number: 1 of 4
Contents:
* The Deep Ones of Shellbourne (CTHULHU)
by Mervyn Boyd - jack@ktana.freeserve.co.uk
Editor's Note:
Welcome all to the latest installment of the Chaosium Digest! This issue
features another of Mervyn Boyd's extensive adventure write-ups for Call of
Cthulhu. It also bears the sad news that Nephilim will no longer be
supported by Chaosium. As a result, Nephilim articles are no longer eligible
for the Chaosium submission contest. However, I'll still accept such
submissions for the Digest, should anyone care to submit them. In any case,
keep those submissions coming!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* WINNERS OF STORM TRIBE DRAWING
Issaries, Inc. is pleased to announce that Ralph Plowman and German
Cantabrana Gonzalez are the winners of the Storm Tribe drawing. Their names
were drawn at random from the 28 emails we received. (We apologize for the
delay in this announcement, but our DSL line was down for over two weeks,
which caused us delays on several fronts.) Their free copies of that book
(autographed by Greg Stafford) were mailed at the end of last week. We hope
that they enjoy them. We will hold a new contest when the newsletter comes
out next quarter.
In the meantime, keep your eyes posted to www.HeroWars.com for updates on
our publishing schedule.
* Dear Fans of Nephilim,
I write to let you know of our plans for the Nephilim roleplaying game.
For the past while the core rules for Nephilim have been out of print and
sales for the supplements have entered serious decline. During that time we
have been casting about for a way to reinvigorate the line, but we can not
justify the cost of rewriting those rules, and in doing so we would be
incorporating much of the material in the supplements that we hoped to sell.
As a result we are discontinuing the Nephilim line -- it is going into
stasis, if you will. The message board will run for a while, but will be
shut down at the end of August, giving you the time to shift to other
discussion boards. Undoubtedly the fan Nephilim boards will continue, with
our encouragement and appreciation.
Everyone at Chaosium wishes to thank you for the long support that you have
shown us. Every publishing company relies on the good graces of its fans in
order to survive, and we hope that you will support and enjoy our other
games and books.
Thanks for your support,
Charlie Krank
President, Chaosium Inc.
** RUMORS & NEWS **
UNSEEN MASTERS, a Call of Cthulhu supplement published by Chaosium Inc., has
earned 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 department. The book has been given the stamp of
academic acceptance and recognition in the medical world.
Additionally, UNSEEN MASTERS has currently seven 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.
20th Anniversary Call of Cthulhu almost done!
Our special edition Call of Cthulhu rulebook is at the printer. We expect it
to be available by Lovecraft's Birthday (August 20th).
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2399.shtml
Straits of Chaos & Slaves of Fate (still) coming soon!
Our Slaves of Fate adventure, intended as a Spring release, but delayed due
to earthquakes, migration, and strange doings in Texas has now been turned
in to
Chaosium. David is working on the layout now, and we expect our first D20
adventure for Dragon Lords of Melnibone to be released by Mid September.
http://www.chaosium.com/woec/2018.shtml
Our second D20 adventure for Dragon Lords of Melnibone, Straits of Chaos, is
nearly complete (again) . In late June, a lightning strike scrambled the
Shawn's
computer - delaying it's release. We suspect this book will see print in
late September.
http://www.chaosium.com/woec/2019.shtml
Song of Cthulhu CHA 6032
Chaosium Editor Stephen Mark Rainy has orchestrated Song of Cthulhu, for
release this summer. We should have this one out in time for Necronomicon in
mid August.
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6032.shtml
Chaosium @ Gen Con 2001
Charlie Krank and Dustin Wright will be at Gen Con next week. Swing by the
Chaosium Booth of Delights and say howdy! There will also be a Cthulhu
Devival
Friday evening. If you can lend us a tentacle for the event let us know!
(mailto:dustin@chaosium.com) We'll also be holding our infamous Chaosium
Unplugged seminar. Check the program book for details. If you have time to
run a demo at the booth, let us know!
Chaosium @ Necronomicon!
Charlie Krank will be attending Necronomicon in Providence Rhode Island
August 17-19. Come celebrate all things Lovecraftian with us! There will be
plenty of Cthulhu gaming and other swell events.
http://www.necropress.com/necronomicon
H.P. Lovecraft Birthday Bash
The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets will be holding a West Coast Birthday
Bash for Howard while the Necronomicon Folks are meeting on the East Coast.
There will be plenty of Music and Chaosium Swag. Don't miss it!
http://happybirthdaylovecraft.50megs.com
How about a demo?
Anyone out there wondering what they can do to help out Chaosium? Run a
Chaosium demo at your local game shop, game club, convention, or cabal!
Game
demonstration are a great way to introduce new blood into the Chaosium
tribe. Another great way to help is to print out this email and take it to
your local
game retailers. Then they'll know what we're up to!
As always, thank you all for your support. Chaosium couldn't be here without
you!
Dustin Wright
Leng Embassy
Chaosium Release Schedule through August 2001.
Just Shipped:
CHA 2115 Stormbringer $29.95
http://www.chaosium.com/stormbringer/index.shtml
Expected August
CHA 2399 20th Anniversary Call of Cthulhu (Very Limited!) $79.95
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/rpg/2399.shtml
CHA 6032 Song of Cthulhu $12.95
http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu/fiction/6032.shtml
------------------
The Deep Ones of Shellbourne
by Mervyn Boyd - jack@ktana.freeserve.co.uk
Foreword
This scenario is written for new players of Call of Cthulhu in mind assuming
that no prior knowledge of H. P. Lovecraft or his mythos works is known.
While it is primarily suited to new gamers, there is no reason why seasoned
players shouldn't get a kick out of it either. Should investigators be old
hands at kicking cultist arse then this scenario should be modified
accordingly by the keeper - the specifics being left to him/her. No special
skills or knowledge are required for its successful conclusion. Although a
time frame is used, the keeper can ignore it to allow new players to find
their feet, so events can move according to the pace of the keeper, though
ideally, the scenario should be completed within the time set at most to
prevent it from becoming bogged down, slow moving, and ultimately boring.
That said, it should also be mentioned that this is not a scenario in the
truest sense. There's nothing really to investigate; it's more a collection
of events that the keeper can use to create an enjoyable afternoon, or
evening session. There are numerous places to add events, change
particulars, pick monsters, and customize it to your liking. Chances are the
scenario will be slow moving, maybe even a little boring too. But, that's
how it's meant to be. Small coastal villages are boring places, they might
boast a hill fort, or some standing stones to look at, and some local
produce perhaps, and that's about it. They are places you go when you want
to get away from it all.
The scenario is intended to be set in England of the 1920's. The Southern
coast of Devon to be precise, though any coastal town will do, as will the
location and year. Although this scenario is written to be a stand alone
adventure, the keeper, with a little modification can insert it into another
ongoing campaign. If it is to be used in another campaign, experienced
investigators may simply be brought in after being alerted to strange and
unusual activity in a nearby town. The scenario could then be used for an
excuse to commit pure unadulterated violence. What better way to break the
monotony of investigation. Dank tunnels. Deep Ones. Blazing Shotguns. What
more could a player want? It should also be mentioned that experienced
players will know exactly what's going on from the outset and can complete
this adventure in 10 minutes.
Because I am not a great creative writer there will probably be many entries
that are vague in content and description, or missing, thus causing the
adventure to appear disjointed. Don't be put off by this. While provisions
have been made for all places that 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. It's conceivable that the players (and
keeper) will not be interested in half the information supplied, but it's
here anyway. Just in case.
Keeper Information
Several weeks ago a scouting party of Deep Ones discovered an abandoned
network of caves close to the sleepy little town of Shellbourne. It was
perfect for what they were after - a place where a new Deep One colony could
be established. There was one problem though - the local population. What
will the locals do once they are discovered? It is only a matter of time.
Would they rally and try to exterminate them, would they flee in fear of
their lives, or could they be won over somehow... converted, or even
subjugated?
With no true leader or ruling body with which to make contact, the Deep Ones
settled for the next best thing - their spiritual leader, the Revd. Irving
Shipley. At first strange tablets were left for him to discover, then, they
contacted him in dream visitations and revealed themselves to him,
explaining the situation. To prove their intentions the Deep Ones left
Shipley a gift of several golden nuggets, with which he used to make
necessary repairs to the church's roof and bell tower - a gift to the town
from an anonymous benefactor, he said in a sermon. There was plenty more
gold to be had, the Deep Ones also told him, and a late night meeting was
later arranged. Since then, several more meetings have taken place as well
as a tour of their new habitat. So far all this has remained a secret from
the rest of the town who are thankfully oblivious to the whole affair.
Poor Shipley is completely under their control and is completely unaware of
his involvement. His sermons have also changed. A recent topic ponders upon
the fears of mankind, our place on this world and our understanding and
acceptance of new ideals - often using analogies of the sea and what dwells
there. Portraying what lies below the ocean waves is akin to our deepest
fears and that may prey on our timid narrow perceptions to such an extent
that we are often consumed with fear, loathing and hatred. Once we learn to
control these fears, then and only then shall we truly begin to become aware
and grow, living in peace and harmony with our neighbours. A unity. A
belonging to the greater good - no matter how different they be.
To ensure the subjugation, the Deep Ones require the blood sacrifice of
innocents. More precisely - children. In order to acquire the children, the
Deep Ones have compelled Shipley (through a spell) to abduct them, and have
no memory of doing so. The Deep Ones plan to sacrifice the children and
invoke the Chorazin of Cthulhu which will appear in dream form to all...
Character Information
Characters can either be actual residents of Shellbourne - born and raised,
locals from other nearby towns, out-of-season holiday makers, or people just
passing through. Perhaps they are seasoned investigators who hear of strange
goings on and turn up to see what they can do - if the scenario is to be
inserted into another campaign... If this the case a few of the daily events
should have already occurred to draw them in. However the characters come to
be in Shellbourne is a matter for the keeper to decide upon. Those who
belong to Shellbourne will be well aware of the local news (as will holiday
makers), they may even be friends or neighbours of the families concerned.
They will know of Lenny's past transgressions, the mood and gossip of the
people, the town's history and such like. Due to the current situation, the
townspeople will be mistrusting of people they don't know, so their attitude
should reflect this and be modified accordingly as to how well the players
ingratiate themselves into their good books. If suspicions arise far enough
and the townspeople begin to suspect the players of foul play a lynch mob
may be formed to "get those bastards."
The town of Shellbourne
Shellbourne is a small isolated fishing village (nearest town: Torcross - 12
miles) on the southern coast of the county of Devonshire, South-western
England. Sandwiched between Cornwall to the west, and Somerset and Dorset to
the east, Devon extends between the Bristol Channel to the north and the
English Channel to the south. Located on the crescent of Start Bay,
Shellbourne definitely cannot be accused of not being picturesque.
The hamlet comprises a cluster of small stone cottages which centres around
the town square. With a tight-knit population of 279 inhabitants - at least
of which 35% are related to each other, either by marriage or blood-ties -
Shellbourne includes several shops, a post office, butchers, bakery, a
crafts and arts shop, a lighthouse, and several lodgings. Boasting some of
the finest scenery of the area - attractions include ancient standing
stones, friendly people, a mild climate, plenty of sea, a shingle beach,
cliffs, rolling hills and quaint buildings to look at all around the place.
All of which combined makes the village a popular retreat for holiday
makers. The jagged ridge of Lighthouse Point overlooks the whole sweep of
Start Bay and is an excellent point for bird watchers. Early migrants from
the continent alight here, and there are many native breeding colonies of
seabirds. And for those who find the peace and tranquility just too much,
then the cities of Plymouth and Torquay are less than 1 hour away, with all
the attractions of a major city.
The local economy is largely based upon fishing, farming and agriculture,
though in the summer months tourists enrich the town's well-being further
still. For as long as anyone can recall, there has always been a settled
community here and it became a notorious hangout for pirates, smugglers and
ne'erdowells in the 16, 17, and 18th centuries, who often used the local
caves for their illicit activities.
Local News
* First and foremost, the news that's on everyone's lips - the disappearance
of three children. All girls - the eldest being only 10 years old, the
others - both 8. All three disappeared within a week of each other, the last
being only two days ago. This distressing circumstance has rocked
Shellbourne, with suspicions falling on the village idiot - Lenny, who has
been reprimanded before on several occasions for luring young girls away,
though no malice or sexual intent was involved. Inspector Peter Thatcher has
already spoken to Lenny and he denies any involvement. A search of his home
was made and nothing was found to suggest otherwise. Inspector Thatcher has
suggested that it's entirely possible they have been abducted by a person,
or persons unknown from out of town, such as a vagrant, or gypsies even.
Another theory, though much less popular is the fact that they may have
simply wandered off and got lost, though he favours the former as it is
just too coincidental for three locals to wander off in such a short time -
and not be seen by anyone else. He has also called for anyone who may have
seen anyone acting suspicious in the area to come forward, so that we can
see them safely reunited with their families as quickly as possible. In town
there are another half dozen girls all below the age of 11 - all of whom are
potential victims.
* Of lesser note the church has recently completed some renovations over
last few weeks at a cost of £300. The funds were apparently donated by an
anonymous benefactor. Speculation of who this could be is free-flowing,
though it is generally believed to be Salene Little, who died three weeks
ago at the age of 87. She was a lovely old biddy, a recluse who loved cats.
* It's hardly worth mentioning, but for last few weeks the local trawler has
been enjoying a bumper catch. The excess of which has been sold to
neighbouring towns. Whether this is down to Deep One intervention is left to
the keeper to decide.
That's pretty much it for local news. Any other news is left for the keeper
to include.
The Town
High Street
The main street in Shellbourne comprises several buildings (butchers,
bakers, post office, courthouse, repair shop, a small pottery, Fishleigh
House, the town's surgery, the office of the constabulary, and others) where
almost anything can be bought for a fair price. Everything that is except
expensive or exotic items, such as: high fashion clothing, transport,
weapons & ammunition, microscopes, cameras, film developing kit and such
like. Anything out of the ordinary, or outside day-to-day use will have to
be specifically ordered. Arrival of such equipment takes as little as 2 days
to well over a week in some cases. All orders require a deposit.
Shellbourne Souvenirs / Arts & Crafts,
Small seasonal shop that stocks locally made consumables and souvenirs, such
as: postcards, maps, hand-painted rocks, hand-crafted pots & painting
supplies, information booklets, jams and assorted confectionery like
Shellbourne toffee, tablet and shortcakes.
Beach front & Harbour
The shingle beach is a good hunting ground for collectors of shells and
pretty pebbles of all shapes and sizes, but bathing can sometimes be
dangerous due to riptides. There's are a few small boats moored in the bay,
or dragged up on shore. The town's only fishing vessel, the Wave Clipper,
can usually be seen docked at the harbour during the day.
(continued)
--
To unsubscribe from the chaos-digest ML, send an "unsubscribe" command
to chaos-digest-request@chaosium.com. Chaosium Inc., Call of Cthulhu, and
Nephilim are Registered Trademarks of Chaosium Inc. Elric! and Pendragon
are Trademarks of Chaosium Inc. All articles remain copyright their
original authors unless otherwise noted.
