New Tales of

The
Miskatonic
Valley
for Call of Cthulhu®
NEW TALES OF THE MISKATONIC VALLEY edited by Keith Herber
Copyright © 2008 by Miskatonic River Press
All Rights Reserved.
For information contact Miskatonic River Press

Published in the United States by:

Miskatonic River Press

944 Reynolds Road, Suite 188
Lakeland, Florida 33801

ISBN 978-0-9821818-1-2

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

–4–
 Table of Contents
A Preface
by Keith Herber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Two Tales of Arkham

The Reeling Midnight
by Tom Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Wasted Youth
by Christopher Smith Adair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

A Tale of Dunwich
Spirit of Industry
by Oscar Rios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

A Tale of Foxfield
Proof of Life
by Keith Herber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Two Tales of Kingsport

Malice Everlasting
by Oscar Rios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
The Night War
by Kevin Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

–5–
 –Dedication–
For Lynn Willis, long the backbone of Call of Cthulhu and a mentor I never expected.
Thanks for all the lessons, I try to pass them on as best I can.
—most sincerely, Doc Herber

Clear Credit
Scenarios written by Christopher Smith Adair, Keith Herber, Tom Lynch,
Oscar Rios, and Kevin Ross.
Editorial and layout by Keith Herber. Consulting Editors: Kevin Ross and
Gary Sumpter.
Cover art by Santiago Caruso.
Interior illustrations by Jason C. Eckhardt.
Floor plans and Lovecraft Country map by Tom Lynch, other maps by
Keith Herber. Arkham, Kingsport, and Dunwich Village maps courtesy of
Chaosium, Inc.
Playtesters: Dave Sokolowski, Tony Neff as Bertie, Jaime Chamberlain as
Silas and Buffy, Bruce Stephenson as Flora, Mike Peck as Randolph, Mark
Irons as Nells.

–6–
Preface
We’ve got six good scenarios for you here, all set in fabled Lovecraft Country. I
wrote one of them, my pal Kevin Ross contributed another, then we have some new
people on board. Christopher Smith Adair came up with “Wasted Youth,” a story
of juvenile deliquency. New Yorker (and fantasy pyromaniac) Oscar Rios managed
to slip in two scenarios, so you get a double dose of his work with visits to Dun-
wich and Kingsport. My partner in Miskatonic River Press (and various other
crimes), Tom Lynch, cooked up “The Reeling Midnight” set in Arkham’s decadent
social scene.

Though some of these scenarios suggest they be run in a certain season of the year,
most can be moved to almost any time of the year with little trouble. And they can
be run in any order.

We’ve done the best we can to provide solid introductions to the individual stories,
but the fact is it’s difficult to come up with unique entry points to scenarios when
you’re writing for hundreds of different Keepers and players with wildly varying his-
tories, play styles, skill sets, etc. The Keeper is urged to find ways to personalize the
tales to fit their players.

Welcome back to Lovecraft Country.

—Keith Herber

–7–
The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts

Lovecraft Country
 New Tales of
The
Miskatonic
Valley
licensed by Chaosium, Inc.

Westchester, New York • Lakeland, Florida

2008
 The
Reeling Midnight
by Tom Lynch

I
t’s the late 1920s and the Jazz Age has finally reached at the rented house, inviting an older, somewhat distin-
provincial Arkham. Swing music, prohibition liquor, guished crowd for evenings of brandy and Bridge.
gambling, dance, and a “live for today” attitude have But Ariadne became bored, and soon began inviting her
had far reaching effects in the community. own guests, much to her older partner’s displeasure. He
Spearheading the movement is the Countess Ariadne complained, but she would not desist, even once, during a
Varga, a displaced Hungarian noblewoman whose family heated argument, threatening to blow their cover. In recent
was ousted from their ancestral home in the tumult follow- weeks she’s more than once left the house late at night,
ing the Great War. Fashionable, tasteful in an Old World apparently wandering the streets for hours before returning
way, the flamboyant young woman’s soirees have brought home in the early morning hours. Zoltan’s demands for
together people from several different social strata, includ- explanations fell on deaf ears.
ing some of Arkham’s oldest, monied, families, a professor Ariadne’s increasingly erratic behavior troubles Uncle
or two from Miskatonic University, and a Bohemian crowd Zoltan, but he’s determined to finish the scam. In just a few
of artists, musicians, and poets. In some circles these par- more days his benefactors will supply him with over
ties—and rumors about what goes on at them—are a major $35,000 in cash, and he and Ariadne will skip town.
topic of conversation. Many would like to attend, if only
out of curiosity, but invitations are not easy to come by, Zoltan Varga, aka Devon McCoy
meted out to only a select few. Raised on the south side of Boston, Devon grew up on the
Just last week, events from one of the Varga parties tough streets, but early on realized he could make more
were recounted in the Advertiser’s weekly society column, money using his head instead of his fists. On the road at the
written by part–time journalist and Society Editor Madeline age of seventeen, McCoy worked with a mentor, a card
Manchester.

Keeper Information
And publicity is the last thing Ariadne, or her Uncle Zoltan
Varga, need. Neither Hungarian, nor related, this pair of con
artists have set up an elaborate scheme to fleece a couple of
Arkham’s more well–to–do residents, then blow town. Over
the past three months the pieces have all fallen into place.
Posing as displaced Hungarian nobility, the pair rented a
run–down but serviceable mansion at 863 Halsey St., in a
poorer part of town. Soon after, Zoltan Varga, aka Devon
McCoy, fifty–five years old, made contact with his pigeons,
a couple older Arkham residents whom he’d already softened
up with extensive correspondence. He began hosting parties
–11–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

sharp known to his few friends as “Harry the Hat” and to fears she is cracking under the strain of the long running
hundreds of others under a dozen different aliases. By the scam; the pressure is too great. After all, she’s young and rel-
time Harry was gunned down in the back room of a Cleve- atively inexperienced. It was less than a year ago he met her
land bar, Devon had already learned everything Harry could in Boston, scamming drinks at hotel bars. A shade short of
ever teach him. beautiful, she nevertheless had a disarming way about her, a
But unlike his mentor, a brash, often foul–mouthed devil–take–the–hindmost attitude he admired. Though
alcoholic, Devon was possessed of charm and a pleasant nearly twice her age, he fell in love with her anyway.
smile. He soon learned to use it to his own end, his skill
with cards serving as a means to an end, rather than the grab Zoltan Varga, master con
and dash gambling hustles his teacher lived and died for. STR 12 CON 15 SIZ 13 INT 16 POW 13
McCoy looks on his current Arkham scam as the high DEX 11 APP 15 EDU 13 SAN 65 HP 14
point of his career. Once completed, he intends to pack up, Damage Bonus: +1D4
and with Ariadne, head for Mexico with enough money to Weapons: .38 Snub Nose Revolver 55% 1D10, Knife
support the two of them comfortably for many years to come. 45% 1D4.
But Ariadne’s behavior is increasingly worrisome. He Skills: Bargain 30%, Charm Socks Off Guest 70%,
Charm Pants Off Older Women 95%, Disguise 50%, Fast
Talk 85%, Listen 55%, Persuade 80%, Psychology 95%,
Reeling Midnight Papers #1 Spot Hidden 70%.
a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser Languages: English 80%, Hungarian 10%.

“The Gadabout” Ariadne Varga, aka Ariadne Madden

Keeping Up With Arkham’s Social Scene Born to a working class Boston family, twenty–eight year old
Ariadne was the middle child in a family of three girls. Nei-
…Not that the tea and biscuits at the Hall fam- ther as smart as her older sister, or as pretty as her younger
ily estate were not delicious, but with the baptism sister, she grew up feeling slighted and, even as a teenager,
complete, it was time for this reporter to take her began to rebel, sneaking out of the house at night to run with
leave and make a very special call. questionable friends, smoke cigarettes, and drink. When at
For some time the Gadabout has been hearing the age of twenty–three she came home pregnant, her father
tales of wild, loud Friday night parties taking place threw her out of the house. She eventually checked into a
in one of the old mansions over in East Town. Sup- Boston home for unwed mothers where she gave birth to a
posedly hosted by members of European nobility, I son who was immediately adopted out.
was anxious to learn more. Well, I finally managed Back on the street, Ariadne began combing the bars of
to get my hands on an invitation, and away I went. seedier Boston hotels, looking for “gentlemen” who would
I can’t divulge the actual address, but from the buy her a few drinks, some dinner, and maybe reward her
number of automobiles parked up and down Halsey for sharing her charms. If the gentlemen somehow mis-
St., it’s not really hard to find. Although the man- placed their wallets shortly after she left their company it
sion is a bit shabby (supposedly it’s rented) light was certainly no fault of her own.
poured from all the windows, and the sound of But a few years later her life suddenly changed when she
laughter and spirited conversation could be heard met Devon McCoy. A skilled and practiced con–man, the
all the way to the street. Somewhere, a piano played older man read her like a book, calling her bluff only after
Boogie–Woogie music. she’d made a fool of herself playing up to him. Standing up,
What a mixed crowd it was! The Gadabout was ready to leave in a huff, he surprised her by inviting her to
certainly surprised. In attendance were a couple of sit down, and paying for her drinks the rest of the evening
well known older gentlemen in the company of our evening.
host, and even a tenured professor from the Univer- So began their romance—as some might call it. Now
sity, whose name you could not tear from me with under the tutelage of someone she considered a master, she
wild dogs. took quickly to his training, learning all she could about
I couldn’t stay all evening but I had the oppor- spotting likely marks, as well as spotting likely undercover
tunity to meet the gracious host, a distinguished policeman. When Devon revealed his plan to fleece a cou-
gentleman from Hungary named Zoltan Varga. ple pigeons in Arkham, and that she was to play a major
Be assured, the Gadabout will be attending next part, Ariadne was thrilled and gratified. She had shown
week’s gathering. Stay tuned for more. some serious acting skills in a couple routines the pair ran
together, and began to think she had a chance of maybe
—Madeline Manchester making it big in Hollywood. Devon talked about Mexico all
the time, but she had bigger plans, plans for the movies.
–12–
 The Reeling Midnight

But the pressure of maintaining her role for an extended Investigator Information
period of time was unexpected, and has taken its toll. A The most direct method to involve the investigators is via
month after coming to Arkham and assuming the role of the the Wilcox family. The Wilcoxes, whose money is in timber,
Hungarian Countess, Ariadne began having trouble sleep- are concerned their son, young Eugene, the sole male heir to
ing. Alcohol had long quelled her sleepless nights, but now the family fortune, has been attending scandalous parties
it failed her. At her request, Devon supplied her with some over in East Town. Middle–aged Edwin and Grace Wilcox
sleeping tablets and, once again, she could sleep through the worry their son has fallen in with an unsavory crowd, and
night, nearly dreamless. that would surely hurt the family reputation.
Though the tablets seemed to quiet her dreams, her The investigators will meet with the Wilcoxes at the
sub–conscious continued its nighttime quests. Driven by couple’s recently built country mansion, south of Arkham,
guilt over a life misspent, and perhaps even more by the pre- about a mile from the city limits. Invited to sit down and
mature gray hairs she’d recently found in the mirror and share tea, the investigators are told the story of the Countess.
plucked, her unwaking self roamed the world of dreams “She’s nothing but a gold digger,” claims Grace. “She’s
looking for answers, finally finding them at the feet of after our money.”
Atlach–Nacha, the spider–god of time. Making an unholy “We don’t trust these people,” Edwin says, only a bit
pact with the god–thing, Ariadne’s subconscious now peri- more tactful. “They may well be European nobility, but
odically overwhelms her, resulting in nighttime activities friends have told me they’re looking for financing so they
even her lover and mentor doesn’t guess. can return to Hungary and sue for their properties in the
courts. I think they’re trying to use Eugene to get to me.”
Ariadne Varga, nightmare victim More than anything he fears blackmail if Eugene somehow
STR 9 CON 11 SIZ 10 INT 11 POW 10 gets involved in a scandal.
DEX 13 APP 16 EDU 9 SAN 44 HP 10 Grace pipes up: “I found this in Eugene’s dresser the
Skills: Bargain 25%, Charm Socks Off Guest 85%, other day,” she says, and hands the investigators an engraved
Charm Pants Off Male Guest 99%, Disguise 15%, Fast invitation. “The party is tonight,” Grace explains. “I took
Talk 75%, Listen 25%, Persuade 65%, Psychology 65%, the invitation to keep Eugene home, but he just laughed at
Spot Hidden 55%. me.” Eugene has been to quite a few of these parties and, as
Languages: English 65%, Hungarian 06%. a regular, will have no problem getting in, invitation or not.
–13–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Varga House

Ground Floor Conservatory

Kitchen

Dining Room Library

Parlor Sitting Room

Foyer

The Wilcoxes are willing to pay any reasonable fees

associated with investigating the Hungarians, and for spying The Party
on their son.
If the Keeper chooses, Grace may show the investigators As described in the newspaper story, on Friday party nights
a mention of these parties in last week’s Advertiser society the stretch of Halsey street between East Derby and Whate-
column. In any event, the party is this evening, leaving ley Streets is near filled with parked cars. The brightly lit
investigators barely enough time to get back to Arkham and mansion is easy to spot, even from a distance.
change clothes before the festivities begin. Investigators reach the front walk just in time to find
society columnist “Madeline Manchester” in a heated argu-
The Newspaper Story ment with a maid who blocks Madeline’s path through the
The Keeper can provide the investigators with the Reeling front door. “Do you know who you’re talking to?” Madeline
Midnight Papers #1 as he or she chooses. A few short para- asks, her voice growing shrill. The maid, probably in her six-
graphs in the weekly society column, it provides only a bit ties, answers in unintelligible grunts, shooing away the jour-
of additional information. nalist with her hands. “So be it,” Madeline says, throwing in
They will need an invitation to get into the party. If the the towel. “We’ll see how you people like next week’s col-
Wilcoxes have not provided one, resourceful investigators, umn!” With that, she turns and storms off, brushing by the
given a few hours, can track one down, either through per- investigators, who will have to move to get out of her way.
sonal contacts, or by paying someone on the street to track With their invitation in hand, the investigators can gain
one down. In truth, Ariadne’s been far too liberal with her entry, though the maid, still angry, eyes them suspiciously
invitations, and they’re not nearly as difficult to find as the before waving them inside.
Gadabout would have it. The mansion is abuzz with guests, mostly middle–aged
Investigators may wish to speak with Madeline Man- and younger. There seems to be several dozen people in
chester, but no such person can be found in the city direc- attendance. Four or five young men and women, students
tory. It’s actually a pen name used by whoever is writing the recruited from Miskatonic U, serve guests drinks and food.
Advertiser’s Gadabout column these days. Currently the col- Piano music and singing pour out of the room on the inves-
umn’s handled by a middle–aged woman named Callie tigators’ right.
Smith. If they somehow locate Callie, they quickly learn she A gentleman standing in the foyer, drink in hand, has
has no information of value. been watching the proceedings, obviously amused. Once
–14–
 The Reeling Midnight
the investigators have been cleared through by the maid, he student at Miskatonic University. A child prodigy, master of
approaches the group, hand extended. Mozart and Chopin, he continues to infuriate his instruc-
“Alfred Bates,” he introduces himself. “Welcome to the tors by visiting the “negro clubs” in Boston where he hones
party. I’ll apologize for the help,” he smiles. He explains the his boogie–woogie. He is specifically invited here by Ari-
maid is a Varga family retainer from the old country. Named adne, who loves his playing. On occasion Eric will break
Frida, she is mute, and understands only Hungarian. He into solo renditions of tunes like Jellyroll Morton’s “Side-
apologizes for the old woman’s brusque attitude. “She does, walk Blues” or Louie Armstrong’s “Heebie Jeebies.”
however, keep out the riff–raff,” he laughs. “But I must go If a male investigator, APP 11 or better, joins in the
mingle now,” he explains, then moves off to the sitting makeshift choir, he draws the attention of Glenda Barr, a
room on the right, where someone is playing the piano. single woman in her early thirties. A widow, Glenda is
Frida is actually Beatrice “Betty” Harper, a former lonely. Bright and attractive, she will try to latch on to the
madam of a Boston brothel now down on her luck. Hired investigator, hoping to pair up for at least the evening, tag-
by McCoy to help with the scam by posing as the couple’s ging along wherever her chosen escort goes. She will not
maid, it proved impossible to teach her even the simplest brush off easily, and to rid himself of her the investigator
Hungarian words and phrases, so McCoy dubbed her a will have to be very direct, enough to actually hurt her feel-
“mute that understands no English.” So far, she’s pulled it ings and make her tear up. On the other hand, a clever
off fairly well. She’s in for 15% of the game, but McCoy will investigator can spend the evening with her, using her as
cheat her, at least a little bit, and she knows it. cover. She proves a pleasant and personable companion.
The Keeper should encourage the investigators to split Glenda works in the women’s hat department at Glea-
up and mingle with the guests. Moving around in a pack of son’s Department store on Church St. Ariadne was a regular
four or five looks suspicious, and is not particularly sociable. shopper, and last week gave Glenda an invitation. This is
Most guests prove willing to engage in small talk with her second party at the house. She doesn’t know Ariadne
strangers. Allow investigators Persuade or Fast Talk rolls if very well, and has no reason question her claim to Hungar-
deemed appropriate, though the Keeper is invited to judge ian nobility.
success based on the investigators’ actual socializing. On the other side of the room stands a makeshift bar
The rooms of the house are populated with guests, and with a surprising amount of liquor—more than a dozen
the Keeper is invited to add more, at his or her discretion. bottles of Scotch, Canadian whiskey, and gin. There is no
The guests need not stay rooted in one spot all evening, the bartender; guests are invited to serve themselves.
Keeper is free to have them move around at will. The liquor is another bone of contention between
Allow investigators to have three or four encounters Zoltan and Ariadne. In the beginning a bottle or two of
each before ringing the gong that announces Ariadne’s good brandy was all that was required for an evening’s enter-
weekly “Invocation to Bacchus” (see below). tainment, but Ariadne’s friends wanted something harder.

The Foyer
This spacious entry hall features a flagstone floor, Meet Ariadne Varga
well–scrubbed but cracked through in numerous places. A
grand staircase reaches up to the second floor, lighted by a “Dahlings,” Ariadne says upon meeting anyone the
large electric chandelier hung from above. A closer inspec- first time. “I’m so pleased you could attend.” She
tion shows the staircase recently suffered a slap–dash white extends her right hand to any male investigator so
paint job, dabbed over the older, peeling paint. The red car- they can kiss it.
peted runner shows considerable wear. Ariadne is as charming and entertaining as
From the foyer investigators see a good sized crowd in they say, and an attentive hostess, making sure
the sitting room to the right, where the piano is situated, investigators know where the food and drink is. She
and a smaller, quieter gathering in the parlor on the left. will chit–chat with them, and even recount her and
her uncle’s harrowing escape from Hungary at the
The Sitting Room end of the war. “I was but a girl of eighteen,” she
By far the more crowded of the two front rooms, four or five says.
guests, drinks in hands, are gathered around the badly tuned If investigators press her on the issue, she
grand piano, shouting out an impromptu rendition of “I smiles and makes an excuse to leave the conversa-
Love You Truly” while a long–haired young man tickles the tion. In any event she won’t chat long, as there are
ivories. This will be followed up by “California Here I many other guests to be greeted.
Come”, “It Had To Be You”, “Sweet Georgia Brown”, Any investigator making a Know roll has to
“Bye–Bye Blackbird”, “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”, and “Five question why Ariadne extended her right hand. It
Foot Two, Eyes of Blue”. should have been her left, as etiquette dictates.
The young man at the piano is Eric Luttgart, a music
–15–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

trick.” Known to his friends as “Mr. Toad” Appley has a

habit of driving off in cars belonging to friends and acquain-
Meet Zoltan Varga tances, then leaving them parked wherever he feels like it.
Other than a fondness for liquor, the two men have lit-
Zoltan Varga is an engaging older man who greets tle in common, and are barely more than acquaintances,
his guests with a click of his heels and a short bow. and that only because of their regular attendance at Ari-
He rhapsodizes on how wonderful a country Amer- adne’s parties.
ica is, and how he can’t imagine he would find so
many friends willing to accept him and his niece into The Library
their social circles and good graces.”If,” he says, A group of older men are gathered around the billiard table,
“my niece and I should fail to recover our home in discussing politics. A Know roll identifies one of them as
Hungary, then we would certainly settle here in Professor Francis Morgan of the Archaeology department.
Arkham.” He describes the town as “lovely.” Morgan and his companions are talking about the likeli-
He keeps the conversation off himself as much hood of the current Miskatonic University President taking
as possible, and attempts to subtly learn the names over the post of town mayor—the rumblings have been
and professions of the investigators. “And what do going on for some time now. All these men agree the Count-
you do for living, sir?” he always asks when meeting ess is a delightful woman, though secretly most doubt Ari-
someone for the first time. adne and her uncle are any kind of displaced nobles. They,
If an investigator is foolish enough to try to get of course, have no idea that the two are planning to scam a
information out of Varga, he feeds them a line, and couple Arkhamites out of their money.
mentally puts a check mark next this person. He will Professor Morgan seems a bit distracted. An investiga-
not trust them. tor may notice he occasionally scans the room, as though
Varga (Devon McCoy) is nearly impervious to keeping an eye out for someone, or some thing.
Psychology rolls, and totally unaffected by Persuade Near the fireplace stand a pair of gentlemen: Edwin
or Fast Talk.The only thing gained from a successful Tillinghast, owner of a rare book store in town, and
Psychology roll is the sense that Varga is sizing up Andreas ver Hoven, who owns the local art gallery.
the investigator, and slyly manipulating the conver- Both men refer to Zoltan Varga as a man of impecca-
sation to his own end. ble taste. Varga has tickled Tillinghast’s interest with stories
of the vast library his grandfather collected and which, as far
as Varga knows, is still intact, though in the hands of the
Not only has the expense pinched the purse strings, it’s led “interlopers and thieves.” Ver Hoven, for his part, has
to louder, more boisterous behavior, the kind of scene loaned Varga a few of his less valuable paintings to help dec-
Zoltan would prefer not to host. orate the mansion.
Although most guests visit the bar at some time or A few feet away, three younger men, smoking cigars, are
another during the night, two of the more serious drinkers talking professional sports, specifically baseball. Two of
are almost always here. Stewart Portman, forty–three, an them are ardent Boston Red Sox fans, the other a “traitor”
independently wealthy dilletante with strong connections in who roots for the long–standing rival New York Yankees.
Arkham due to family name and family money. He collects Any investigator who stops to listen to the argument is
art and fine books, much of it of an “exotic” nature. His quickly invited into the conversation, and asked for their
companion is Bartholemew Appley, thirty–six, another opinion.
independently wealthy young man who singlehandedly The Red Sox took the World Series in 1912, 1915,
raises alcoholism to a near art form. 1916, and 1918, but have come up dry the last decade. At
In recent weeks Ariadne has taken to inviting a selected the same time, the Yankees took the title in 1923 and 1927.
male guest upstairs to her bedroom, near the end of the “You see,” says Stan, the Yankees fan, “the Yankees are just
evening. These two gentlemen both hope to be Ariadne’s plain the better team. Admit it.” His pal, John, chides back:
next consort, and are waiting, not too subtly, within earshot “You’ll see,” he tells him. 1928 is going to be our year.” (The
of the staircase where Ariadne usually appears. Yankees eventually win the season.) The third man, Peter, is
“She’s a free love advocate,” smiles the handsome Port- silent, staring into his drink. “The Sox threw it away,” he
man, sipping from his drink. “If you know what I mean,” finally says. “They should have never sold Ruth.” “Too late
he adds, with a leer. now,” laughs Stan. “They’re cursed,” Peter finally says, still
Appley’s already three sheets to the wind, but coherent staring into his drink. “I curse them right now. They won’t
and witty, as is his usual. As a host to regular Saturday night win a Series again this century. The curse of the Bambino!”
parties at his own mansion, he can’t help but make compar- then shoots his drink down and ceremoniously throws the
isons. “I’d certainly suggest they expand their offerings of empty glass into the fireplace, smashing the tumbler to
spirits,” he says, adding: “though this certainly does the pieces. (As it turns out, the Sox don’t win again until 2004.)
–16–
 The Reeling Midnight

The Parlor need to get started on the research.” Zoltan will string him
Away from the noise of the sitting room, the parlor hosts a along for the time being, but of course the project never gets
a more sedate gathering. In one corner stand a pair of cou- off the ground. Dalton will likely end up with a career in
ples in their early thirties, in close conversation, the women taxidermy.
laughing at one of the men’s jokes. In the other corner of the
room, three women, probably in their late forties or early The Dining Room
fifties, sit at a card table chatting, the fourth seat empty. A Music pours out of this room, not nearly as loud as the
lean young man stands alone in another corner, drinking piano, but loud enough. Back in the corner a young man
from a glass tumbler. stands next to an electric phonograph, changing records
Through the open doors investigators can see the din- every two or three minutes, introducing the tunes as he
ing room beyond with a buffet spread on a large table and goes. He’s a 1920s deejay. Two couples are dancing, some-
several couples dancing the Charleston to music from a what hindered by the large dining table spread with food.
record player. The first investigator through the door is accidentally
The two couples chatting in the corner prove friendly kicked in the shins by a young woman doing the
enough. Apparently they’re here just to find out what goes Charleston. She whirls around and apologizes profusely, but
on at these parties. “Open bar,” says one of the men, hoist- if none of the investigators are male with an APP 14 or bet-
ing his drink and smiling. The two men, Aaron Hardwick ter, she pays them little attention. Named Ana Washburne,
and Matthew Douglas, are partners in an Arkham cartage she is an acquaintance of Ariadne who considers herself a
firm. Their wives are named Louise and Donna. They know poet. She thinks Ariadne and her parties are “simply divine.”
little about the Vargas, other than they “are Hungarian, and The table holds a large spread of food, mostly cold cuts
had to flee the country for some reason.” They are more and breads. There is a large pot of “authentic Hungarian
interested discussing labor unions. “Some teamsters were up goulash” prepared by Frida, the maid.
here from Boston last week,” they complain. “Trying to The young man at the phonograph is named Bobby
organize our drivers. We told the drivers if we catch them Hamlin, and is the owner of the expensive phonograph, and
talking to organizers, they’re fired.” The two smile and clink the similarly expensive records. Proud of the machine,
their glasses together. They’ll win their battle against the which actually belongs to his family, he’ll boast to investiga-
union, but within six months they’ll be out of business tors “it has almost three watts of power.” It’s certainly louder
when local bootlegger Danny O’Bannion’s Lucky Clover than any hand cranked phonograph investigators have ever
Cartage makes them an offer they can’t refuse. heard.
At the card table, the three ladies anxiously watch the Bobby’s an electronics nut, and fascinated by stories he’s
doorways. Zoltan Varga had promised to play Bridge with read about a new device called a television. “They’re for sale
them, but he has yet to make an appearance. One of the now,” he says. “I just have to talk Dad into buying one,” he
women describes Varga as: “simply the most charming man in
Arkham.” Another adding: “It’s terribly exciting to be exiled.”
Any Arkham resident who makes a Know roll recognizes one
of the women as Janet Larkin, the Arkham City Clerk, and Reefer Madness
may wonder what she’s doing here.
All the women have been promised invitations to Marijuana is classified as a psychoactive drug. It
Varga’s country estate in Hungary, once he has regained his heightens awareness and users become more sen-
family’s stolen property (he has spoken of the estate at great sitive to detail (+10% to Spot Hidden and Listen).
length to each of these ladies on separate occasions). The The drug also alters a user’s perception of time; an
older of the three women has slept with the dashing Zoltan hour may feel like two or three. Physical effects
once or twice, but will never tell anyone about it. include reddened eyes, slurred speech, and physi-
The young man standing alone in the corner seemingly cal clumsiness. For additional, specific effects, each
lost in his drink is an aspiring writer named Dalton Abbott. player whose character is smoking the drug must
He’s been courting Ariadne’s favor, offering to write her roll 1D6.
story of escape and eventual exile from her home in Hun-
gary. She’s been stringing him along for several weeks, but 1-2 Starts laughing and finds it difficult to stop.
has yet to give him the $200 advance he’s requested and 3 Feels anxious and uneasy, and wants to leave
been promised. Without the money, Dalton faces having to the party right away and get some fresh air.
go back to work in his father’s taxidermy shop. 4 Starts to chatter away on almost any subject
Tonight he intends to make the pitch straight to Zoltan, that comes up, then loses his train of thought.
intending to convince him the book he has planned can do 5-6 Hit with a sudden, inexplicable desire to eat
a lot to promote the Vargas’ effort to regain their Hungarian food, then heads upstairs to the dining room.
properties. “It’s a guaranteed best seller,” he claims, “but I
–17–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Wilcox remains in the basement with his smoking

buddy until a gong sounds later in the evening, announcing
Faux Pas the beginning of the “Invocation of Bacchus.” If an investi-
gator socializes with Wilcox, they realize the young man is
Despite Professor Morgan’s best efforts to avoid her, infatuated with the Countess.
at some point in the evening he crosses paths with
Dottie Harris, the student working in the kitchen. The Conservatory
Muttered words are exchanged, then Dottie shouts: This room is built off the back of the house, and features a
“You pig!” and tosses a half–empty drink at the older glass–windowed wall and overhead. An older man stands
man. “To hell with you and your stupid class,” she out here, lecturing to two young women who seem
says, then stomps out the front door, untying her entranced by his presence. Gerrhardt Wvinch is a profes-
apron and throwing it on the floor as she goes. sional psychic and medium, and a friend of Ariadne.
Embarrassed by the scene, Professor Morgan wipes Wvinch is talking to the women about a séance he
himself off, then also leaves the party. hosted the other evening with them and Ariadne. If an
Ariadne is heard to say: “Dahlings, you simply investigator approaches the trio he hears the man say, in a
can’t get good help anymore.” thick German accent: “…believe there’s nothing to fear.
Dottie and her professor had a short fling last Sometimes things happen we don’t expect,” then cuts it
semester, then Morgan broke it off, claiming she short when he realizes there is a stranger in their midst. “But
was “too hot–headed.” He later flunked her in his we’ll try another evening. I’m sure we’ll have more success.”
class, adding salt to the wound. Thirty–three years old, Wvinch was born in Germany.
At a young age he suffered a serious head injury and now
claims he can communicate with the dead. His long hair is
grins. He’s seriously considering forsaking his father’s bank- silvery–white, and he keeps it combed straight back. He
ing business to head off to New York and try to get a job in usually dresses in black.
radio “doing something,” he says. “Good evening,” he says, extending his hand. “Ger-
rhardt Wvinch, professional spiritualist, at your service,” he
The Kitchen introduces himself, bowing slightly.
Here the help prepare more food for the buffet, under the Wvinch is no charlatan. He does display an actual tal-
guttural direction of Frida, the maid. Dottie Harris is one of ent for communicating with the dead, and charges $20 per
the kitchen help, a student recruited from the university. session, whether successful or not. He is more than happy to
She helps prepare and serve food to guests. Watching her make small talk with the new arrival, and even gives them a
work, it’s easy to see she’s upset about something. card. Before the two young women get restless and head
While investigators are in the kitchen, the door to the back into the house, while Wvinch tells a story about falling
basement swings open and a young man appears, his eyes out of tree when just a young boy, and injuring his head.
red and puffy looking. Dottie Harris rolls her eyes skyward “Ever since,” he says, “I’ve been able to speak with the
as sweet smelling smoke wafts up from below. Introducing dead.” Anyone making Psychology roll on Wvinch realizes
himself as Gordon Checkley, he asks investigators: “Would the man apparently believes what he’s saying.
you like to get hopped up?” and shows them a small paper He will not extrapolate on the conversation he was hav-
bag containing a dried green herb. If an investigator accepts, ing with the young women, if investigators are rude enough
Checkley leads them downstairs to the basement, where his to ask. As for the Countess, he lifts his glass in toast. “To
friend Eugene Wilcox waits. The two men light up a joint, her, and all like her,” he says, then downs his drink. He then
then offer it to the investigator. See boxed text to determine excuses himself, explaining it’s time to refresh his glass.
the effects partaking investigators might suffer.
Young Wilcox is already quite high from the marijuana,
and an empty liquor glass is spotted nearby. Perhaps his par-
ents’ fears are not wholly unfounded.
Happy to make small talk, Wilcox sours if an investiga-
tor says anything disparaging about the Vargas. “You sound
like my parents,” he slurs. “You know what I’d do if I found G ERRHARDT WVINCH
out they were lying to me?” he asks. “I’d have to shoot them,
Spiritualist & Advisor
I would,” he says, not waiting for an answer, then pulls out
of his coat pocket a small, nickel–plated Derringer which he Call: Klondike-4079
waves around carelessly. “Bang!” he says, then laughs, put-
ting the gun back inside his jacket. Checkley laughs as well,
and passes the joint.
–18–
 The Reeling Midnight

The Two Young Women mother” Atlach–Nacha. As horrifying as it was Wvinch has
If the investigators manage to catch up with the two young dismissed the event as an anomaly. He has but little knowledge
ladies that were speaking with Wvinch, they’ll find the pair of the Cthulhu Mythos, and no particular understanding.
more willing to talk. “It was so weird!” blonde Lorraine says.
“Like in a movie,” adds Laura, her friend. The Upstairs
The girls explain how Ariadne had hosted a séance If the investigators wander upstairs before the toast, there is
party a couple weeks ago, with Wvinch. “There were only a 25% chance they interrupt an amorous encounter
six of us,” says Laura. “We sat in a circle around the dining between a couple guests in the unoccupied bedroom. Oth-
room table,” Lorraine chimes in. erwise, the room is unoccupied, and mainly unused. Large
It was a great lark, they say, until near the end, when watermarks on the ceiling and one wall testify to the room’s
Ariadne asked Gerrhardt to try and contact her dead mother leaky roof.
back in Hungary. “Everything was going fine,” Laura says, Nothing of interest is found in Zoltan Varga’s room. In
“but then Gerrhardt starting growling, and making awful the maid’s bedroom investigators find a romance magazine
noises.” “Like he was choking on something,” Lorraine says. lying on the nightstand. It’s in English.
Then Ariadne began screaming, and fell out of her Ariadne’s decorated her room to be as sumptuous and
chair, trying to get under the table, horrified by something. exotic as possible, complete with a lighted vanity, a sitting
Wvinch himself tried to stand up, then vomited before area, and a four–poster bed hung with heavy brocade cur-
falling to his knees. tains. Generic paintings—barely more than calendar art—
“Zoltan was really angry,” Lorraine explains. “He was adorn the walls, and cheap knick–knacks are arranged on
yelling at Gerrhardt.” shelves and tabletops. A stack of movie magazines fills the
Both recovered in a manner of minutes, but it spelled seat of a chair.
the end of the evening, and everybody went home early.
“Too bad,” Lorraine says. “I was next, and I wanted to talk The “Invocation of Bacchus”
to my dead Uncle Rudolph and ask him where he hid the At a time chosen by the Keeper, a gong sounds from some-
million dollars.” She elbows her friend in the ribs, laughing. where in the foyer. Conversations sputter and die, and most
Giggling, the two women head off. of the guests head for the front of the house. Standing on
Without realizing what he was doing, Wvinch somehow the stairs, Countess Ariadne Varga smiles down on those she
reached out and made fleeting contact with Ariadne’s “dream believes are her adoring followers. She raises her wine glass

The Varga House

Second Floor

Zoltan’s Bedroom Unoccupied

Maid’s Room Ariadne’s

Boudoir

–19–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

and calls out in a clear voice, “To Bacchus, patron of wine over the doorway.
and revelry!” Young Eugene Wilcox lies on the floor, his shattered
The crowd responds resoundingly, “To Bacchus!” and head surrounded by a pool of blood soaking into the Ori-
all drink. ental rug. His Derringer lies next to the body, emptied.
“To love, to life, to youth everlasting! To Immortality!” There are powder burns around the young man’s mouth,
“May our bell never toll!” roars the response, and every- and a gaping exit wound in the top of his head. Sanity loss
one takes another drink. is 0/1D4 points. The bedroom window stands wide open.
Ariadne glows at her audience then descends the steps to Zoltan looks up. “Where’s Ariadne?” and bolts to the
take the hand of a young man waiting near the stairs—none open window.
other than Eugene Wilcox, the young man investigators have Ariadne lies on the ground below, curled up in the dark.
been hired to watch over. The two chat briefly, then Ariadne She doesn’t move. Zoltan rushes downstairs and out the
places her arm in his, and they walk up the stairs. front door.
Standing nearby, Stewart Portman and Bartholomew If investigators want to take a sample of the odd spider-
Appley, fret and mumble, jealous they were not picked. web material, now is the time. Made partially of dream stuff,
Appley says good night, then turns and heads out the front the web only survives in our atmosphere for about ten min-
door. If the investigators follow him, they see him wander utes before completely evaporating. Any specimen taken
from car to car, finally choose one, then, after some trouble needs to be kept in an airtight container or, again, it will
getting it started, roar off in Stewart Portman’s new Lincoln quickly evaporate, leaving no trace of its presence.
town car.
Ariadne in Shock
When Good Times Go Bad Ariadne is regaining consciousness by the time Zoltan
The party resumes as people return to their conversations, reaches her side. Her dress is torn in several places, but the
and maybe make another trip to the bar. Ten minutes later shrubbery broke her fall and she doesn’t seem to be suffer-
there is a loud bang and a crash from upstairs. A gunshot. ing from any serious injuries, in fact she shows very few
A plate is dropped, shattering to pieces on the floor, scrapes and scratches.
conversations halt in mid–sentence. Zoltan Varga bolts up Back inside, Zoltan seats her in a chair in the library
the stairs to the second floor, the source of the gunshot. and gets her a glass of brandy. Word of the death upstairs
At the top of the stairs Zoltan rushes to the closed door has already spread through the party and most of the guests
of Ariadne’s bedroom. He tries to push it open, but oddly, are taking the opportunity to leave. “The police have been
it springs back on him. notified,” Zoltan says. “Please, if you’re not directly
At the far end of the upstairs hallway, a man struggles involved, I’d suggest you take this opportunity to leave.”
with a latched window, desperately trying to get it open. It He directs Frida to lock away the liquor, then turns his
is Stewart Portman. attention back to Ariadne.
The house quickly empties out, but the investigators
Portman at the Window may choose to linger. Zoltan will again invite them to leave,
It is likely investigators will try to detain the suspect Port- in stronger terms this time around. If the investigators
man, who appears to be trying to make an escape. He does introduce themselves as agents of the Wilcox family—the
not physically resist, but is verbally abusive. “I don’t need to parents of the young man lying dead upstairs—Zoltan
justify myself to the likes of you! If you have an issue, take relents. “Then I’m sure the police will want to speak with
it up with my lawyer. I’m leaving.” you, as well,” he grumbles.
Investigators, again, may detain him, he will not resort Gerrhardt Wvinch walks by, looking more pale than
to violence. If they allow him to push past him, he heads usual. “And you,” Zoltan shouts at the spiritualist. “You stay
downstairs and out the door, intending to get in his car and away from her, you and your magic mumbo–jumbo.
drive home. Wvinch slinks out of the house.
The lascivious Portman had earlier sneaked upstairs and Ariadne, still regaining her senses, keeps mumbling how
was listening at Ariadne’s door when the gunshot went off. Wilcox pulled out a gun and threatened her with it. She says
He panicked, and when he heard people coming up the she opened the window and was threatening to jump when
stairs, tried to escape out the window. he suddenly put the gun in his own mouth and pulled the
trigger. She was so startled, she says, that she lost her grip
Ariadne’s Boudoir and fell, remembering nothing else until she woke up on the
Zoltan Varga continues to try to force his way into Ariadne’s ground, her uncle by her side.
bedroom, but the door is too much for him. With a little
help from an investigator or two, the door finally bursts The Police Arrive
open, snapping loose several narrow strands of an odd, The police arrive about ten minutes after the shooting.
sticky white rope–like substance that had been stretched Arkham police detective Ray Stuckey, accompanied by a
–20–
 The Reeling Midnight

uniformed officer, gets out of the car, only to be accosted by

an angry Stewart Portman, (provided he is not being
detained by the investigators). Portman, arrogant as ever, is
angered about his missing car, and demands the detective do
something about it.
“Do you want me to waste time finding your car while
there’s a dead body up in that house?” Stuckey asks sarcasti-
cally. “Let’s say we keep the death toll at just one tonight,
pal,” and shoves Portman aside.
Inside, Stuckey makes a quick examination of the scene,
concluding that, as Ariadne has described, it was suicide.
“Had he been drinking?” the detective asks. “Not that I
know of,” answers Zoltan.
A hearse shortly arrives, and the body is taken away.
Stuckey leaves to notify Wilcox’s parents, and Zoltan takes
the opportunity to usher any remaining investigators out.
“My niece needs her rest. I’m sure you understand.”

The Next Day

The Wilcoxes mourn the loss of their son Eugene. His sud-
den death is a near–mortal blow to the father. While he sus-
pected something was amiss, he did not anticipate anything
like this, and blames the Vargas. Now sure the pair are up
to no good, he insists the investigators remain on the job, Arkham Neighborhoods
even though it can do Eugene no good. He will, of course,
continue to pay for their services. the officer, Vargas apologized to the neighbor immediately,
Grace, the matriarch, is not surprised by anything the even offering him a small amount of money—$20—for his
investigators find (except any evidence of the supernatural, inconvenience. There have been no further complaints.
which she dismisses out of hand). She knew Ariadne was a
“bad egg” from the beginning. Analyzing the Webbing
If the investigators thought to take a sample of the sticky
Basic Library Research strands they found clinging to the back of Ariadne’s bed-
Investigators may choose to do a little research on Hungar- room door, a Natural History roll reveals it to be very much
ian family names, nobility, the aftermath of the Great War, like a spider’s web, though much larger, of course.
etc. Successful Library Use rolls reveal the following: If they attempt chemical analysis, three successful
Varga Name: Although Varga is a familiar Hungarian Chemistry rolls seem to back up the hypothesis, though
name, there is no record of a Varga of royal or noble lineage. some of the material’s constituents remain unidentified. If
Displaced Nobility: Similarly, though there was some disrup- they submit it to a laboratory or other skilled chemist, they
tion following the Great War, there is no historical record of will get much the same result. In either case, the material
political purges, or of refugee nobles forced to flee the country. barely survives the few minutes required to run the simple
tests before it completely evaporates.
Manton & Manton Realtors
A check of town records shows the house on Halsey St. is
managed by Manton & Manton, their office on the North- Tailing Zoltan
side, on the second floor of the Tower Building. The com-
pany’s manager, Terry Manton, is reluctant to talk about his Investigators may want to tail Zoltan, to find out what he’s up
clients, or their tenants, saying only that the Halsey Street to. But the old con–man is wary. The job is best left to a sin-
tenant has been renting for four months, and the rent is gle investigator, especially one who’s not had a face–to–face
paid on time, very month. “In cash,” he winks. meeting with the uncle, and even better if different investiga-
tors run the tail day to day. The Keeper may allow investiga-
Arkham Police tors to use Disguise, though it may be tested at some point.
The police have nothing on the Vargas, save a single noise Saturday: Both Zoltan and Ariadne stay inside all day,
complaint filed against them six weeks ago. According to apparently cleaning up after last night’s party. Frida emerges
–21–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

from the house about 1 p.m. to dump a bundle of bloody at his host’s home around 7:30 in the evening, bearing a
sheets in the trash can. covered basket with a bottle of brandy in it—a gift for his
Sunday: Sunday morning both Zoltan and Ariadne, dressed host.
for the occasion, leave the house at 10 a.m. and take a cab Zoltan has used the Bridge night to meet and make
to catch the late morning mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic friends with a number of monied people in Arkham. Losing
Church, on the Southside. After church, they have lunch at as often as he wins, he uses the opportunity to work on pos-
a nearby restaurant. They get back home a little after 3 p.m. sible marks. So far, he’s scored with two of them.
and stay in the house the rest of the day. Thursday: After breakfast this morning, Zoltan unexpect-
Monday: As every weekday, the older man arises early, leav- edly heads straight to the train station and boards a coach
ing his house at 8:00 a.m., and heads to a local diner two for Boston. An investigator may follow if he or she wishes.
blocks away, where he eats the same breakfast every morn- Once in Boston, Zoltan heads for a nearby park and
ing: French toast with bacon on the side, and coffee. there meets a man sitting on a bench. The man holds a large
He then returns home Monday, and is not seen outside manila envelope.
the house the rest of the day. Remaining at a reasonable distance, an investigator
Tuesday: Other than breakfast, Zoltan spends most of the making Listen rolls hears Zoltan say: “I’ve brought the
day in his house, emerging at 5:00 p.m. and getting into a money…” “…you have the negatives?” “…are you sure
taxi he’s called. The taxi lets him off at an address across these are all of them?” Although the conversation is cryptic,
town, a large home in the upscale Uptown neighborhood. Zoltan’s complete lack of Hungarian accent is impossible to
He spends most of the evening in the house, leaving shortly miss. If the investigator makes any one of three Listen rolls
after 10 p.m. to take a taxi back to the Halsey St. house. when the stranger is talking, he hears him call Zoltan
With a little digging, investigators can learn the house “Devon” or “Devon McCoy.”
belongs to Sylvia Addison, sixty–five years old, a widow for The stranger hands Zoltan the manila envelope and
ten years, and heir to a considerable fortune. What they Zoltan hands the man a business sized envelope, obviously
won’t learn is that Zoltan visits the widow once a week for stuffed with something. The stranger makes to shake hands
dinner, and “entertainment.” She has already contributed a with Zoltan, but the older man brushes him off, stands up,
few small sums of money toward the legal fund he’s estab- turns his back, and walks away from him.
lished, but in a few short days, he expects her to deliver a Zoltan’s path takes him right near the investigator, and
lump sum of slightly more than $10,000. he will give the investigator a sharp look. Whether or not he
Wednesday: Wednesday evening Zoltan plays Bridge with a recognizes the investigator depends on whether they’ve actu-
few well–heeled gentlemen in the Uptown neighborhood. ally met, the quality of the disguise, etc. In any event,
His host is one of the marks he’s been teasing since before Zoltan suspects the investigator is following him and if the
he came to Arkham. Once again traveling by taxi, he arrives investigator persists, Zoltan confronts them. His Hungarian
accent in full swing, he berates the investigator and prom-
ises he’ll be attending no more parties at the Varga House.
Reeling Midnight Papers #2 And he means it. This investigator will not be admitted.
an article from the Arkham Advertiser, dated If the investigator somehow manages to avoid Zoltan’s
four weeks ago suspicion, they can follow him to a local, somewhat upscale
restaurant where Zoltan enjoys a late lunch before heading
Body Identified as Missing Man’s back to the train station and Arkham. Once home, he will
A body found in an alley last week in Arkham’s burn the envelope, and its contents, in the fireplace.
East Town has been positively identified as that of
Roger Hudson, 23 years old, a resident and native A Sleazy Photographer
of Arkham. If the investigator follows the stranger, he’ll be led to a small
Hudson went missing last week, according to photographer’s studio. The owner, Hal Partland, forty years
police reports. The body was in an advanced state old, unlocks the front door and steps inside, flipping the
of decay, and had probably been lying undiscovered “Open For Business” sign around as he goes.
for the better part of a week, according to medical Hal Partland has $2000 in his pocket and a back room
examiner Ephraim Sprague. full of illegal pornography stuffed into filing cabinets. But
Although autopsy results are not complete, it is he’ll assume the investigator who follows him in is a legiti-
believed Hudson died of a heart attack. Funeral mate client.
services will be held next week, and Hudson will be The investigator may do his best with Fast Talk and Per-
buried in Christchurch Cemetery. suade, but there’s no way Partland will expose his business
dealings with the man in the park, nor will he tell the inves-
—Roberta Henry tigator about the back room full of pornographic—and felo-
nious—photos. The investigator will have to resort to
–22–
 The Reeling Midnight

violence or bribery.
A good beating or $50 will get the name of Devon Reeling Midnight Papers #3
McCoy out of Partland. “He’s a con–man,” Partland says. It an article from the Arkham Advertiser, dated
will take an extra good beating or at least $100 to get him two weeks ago
to admit he was shaking the old man down. “His girlfriend
had me do some magazine photos of her a few years ago. House Fire Claims One Life
Now, she’s decided she wants them back, I guess.” If asked The Arkham Fire Department responded to a
what kind of magazine, Partland answers: “Special maga- call early Wednesday morning to find a house,
zines. You know the kind, magazines for gentlemen.” He believed to be abandoned, completely engulfed in
can tell investigators the woman’s name is Ariadne Madden. flames. The fire was extinguished within an hour,
Friday: After breakfast, Zoltan heads back to the house, and but it was not till the next day a body was discov-
spends the entire day there, preparing for the evening’s ered amongst the ashes.
party. Now identified as Bradford Taylor, the 19 year
old was formerly a student at Miskatonic University
More Boston Information studying biology, but dropped out last semester.
If an investigator takes the time, and has the right connec- Apparently Taylor, estranged from his parents, had
tions, he or she might learn more about Devon McCoy. An been squatting in the vacant structure the last cou-
all day search in the morgue of the Boston Globe, coupled ple months, according to neighbors.
with a successful Library Use roll, turns up the name in a At first thought an arson, the fire has now been
1922 story about a Ponzi scheme broken up by Boston ruled accidental, most likely caused by careless
detectives. A man named Devon McCoy was convicted of smoking.
aiding and abetting, and sentenced to a year in prison. If the —Roberta Henry
investigator has, or can forge a connection with the Boston
Police Department, they can learn the same thing, though
the police add that McCoy has had a few arrests over the the company of Zoltan. After lunch on the South Side, the
years that didn’t make the papers. They have only a few pair return home around 3 p.m. and spend the rest of the
complaints about, and no arrests for, a woman named Ari- day at home.
adne Madden. Last known addresses for the pair are a cou- Monday: Monday is shopping day. Ariadne’s first stop is the
ple years old, and considered useless. However, the address Woolworth’s store on Church Street, in the Merchant Dis-
last given by Ariadne is that of her childhood home in trict. She whiles away an hour or two, picking up one or two
Boston’s South End. knick–knacks for her bedroom, then treats herself to lunch
at the soda counter—an egg salad sandwich with potato
The Madden Household chips, and a lemon Coke.
The address is that of a modest row house. Ariadne’s father, She’ll spend the afternoon prowling the shops in the
Dennis Madden, is at home, having retired earlier this year. Merchant District, making a small purchase here and there,
He is dressed in a dirty sleeveless t–shirt and is three days gabbing with the shop owners in her thick Hungarian
past a good shave. He tells investigators in a thick Boston accent. She’s well known to most of the merchants and,
accent that, “I got nothin’ ta say ta ya about my daughtah while rarely spending any large amount of money, she at
or anythin’ else.” He tells them he hasn’t seen her in about least makes regular, if small, purchases. She makes sure to
five years. “I got two other daughtas that are good girls. She pick up recent copies of Boxoffice and Photoplay magazines,
can go to hell for all I care.” both monthly periodicals catering to film fans.
She heads back to the house around 4 p.m. and spends
the evening at home with her Uncle Zoltan.
Tailing Ariadne Tuesday: Ariadne stays in the house past noon, emerg-
ing about 12:30 to take a cab to the French Hill district,
Ariadne sleeps later than Zoltan, rarely getting out of the where she has the cab wait for her while she visits Almen’s
house before 10 a.m.—after she’s had Frida make her break- Flower Shop. A few minutes later she comes out carrying
fast. She is less wary than Zoltan, making following her an two wrapped bundles of flowers and gets back in the cab.
easier proposition. Regardless, as with Zoltan, investigators They continue to the Southside where the cab finally
might want to alternate who tails her from day to day. lets her off at the entrance to Christchurch Cemetery. The
Saturday: Both Zoltan and Ariadne stay inside all day, gates are open and she proceeds into the cemetery on foot.
apparently cleaning up after last night’s party. Frida emerges Several people are visiting the cemetery today, and Ari-
from the house about 1 p.m. and puts a bundle of bloody adne will pay no particular attention to another stranger in
sheets in the trash can. the area. An investigator following her finds her stopping at
Sunday: Sunday, Ariadne attends St. Stanislaus Church in a fairly fresh grave, where she kneels down, makes a sign of
–23–
the cross, then places one of the bundles of flowers near the in charge, and susceptible to bribes. $10 usually does the
headstone. Back on her feet, she stands with head bowed for trick.
a few minutes, as if saying some silent prayer, then takes her Roger Hudson: The official cause of death is listed as a heart
leave. A few minutes later, some hundred yards a way, she attack. In truth, the autopsy proved inconclusive, as the
locates a second grave where she repeats the process. Again, body had lain undiscovered for nearly a week, exposed to
the grave appears fairly recent. Finishing her visits, she the elements, making it difficult for Sprague to make an
returns to the cemetery’s front gates, calls a cab from a accurate call. The body showed evidence of bite marks, par-
nearby store, and returns home for the day. ticularly around the throat, but, according to Sprague, this
If the investigator checks the headstones of two graves she was due to animal scavengers that had fed on parts of the
visited they read: Bradford Taylor, nineteen years old, with a body. Sprague notes the body was partially mummified,
date of death two weeks ago, and Roger Hudson, twenty–tree attributable to the cool, dry weather Arkham had been
years old, his date of death approximately four weeks ago. experiencing that week.
Wednesday: Ariadne gets her hair and nails done at Miss The file contains several photographs of the body,
Jenny’s Beauty Parlor in the Merchant District. A four–hour which may cost investigators viewing them 0/1 Sanity
process, she rounds off the afternoon with a couple hours points. As noted in the autopsy report, the body is notably
shopping before heading home. dried and shriveled. A close–up of the corpse’s neck wounds
Thursday: Ariadne stays home all day, while Frida leaves to shows significant tissue damage. Any investigator viewing
do the shopping for tomorrow night’s party. Two gentleman the photo who makes a Natural History roll has reason to
visitors make calls at the house, arriving on foot after park- question Sprague’s report. The two, large circular wounds
ing their cars a block or two away. The first arrives just do not look anything like the typical bite marks of dogs or
before noon, and spends about an hour at the house. The cats.
second man arrives around 1:30. Investigators will not see Bradford Taylor: The report lists smoke inhalation as the
him leave. Frida returns home around 3:30 p.m. probable cause of death, though the report notes the body
That evening, Ariadne and Zoltan together build a fire was severely burned in the house fire, making an accurate
in the fireplace. assessment difficult.
Friday: Home all day, likely preparing for the evening’s fes- Photos of the corpse show a badly burned body, arms
tivities. raised in the “pugilist” position typical of extreme burn vic-
tims. Again, viewing the photos costs investigators 0/1
The Two Graves points of Sanity. If an investigator made a Natural History
Investigators will have little trouble matching up the names roll viewing the previous photographs, this person is sure he
with some recent events. A little research at the Advertiser spots evidence of similar wounds on Taylor’s throat.
turns up two recent stories. See the Reeling Midnight Papers
#s 2 and 3. The Victim’s Families
Tracking down the families of the victims should not prove
The Arkham Police difficult. Both men are listed in the city directory, both
Both cases have are assigned to Detective Stuckey, whom residing at their parents’ homes.
investigators may have already met. Stuckey is brief, almost Roger Hudson’s Family: Hudson’s parents, Edwin and
hostile toward investigators. “Both cases are closed. Acci- Beatrice, still mourn the loss of their son. They tell investi-
dents. Talk to the medical examiner if you want.” He insists gators that Roger was “a bright boy” who liked his job as a
the cases are not connected in any way. As per his usual, department manager at Gleason’s Department Store down-
Stuckey smells strongly of alcohol. town, and who seemed to have a career ahead of him. They
have no idea what actually happened to him, or how he
At the Arkham Morgue came to be in that particular neighborhood.
The bodies of the two victims are long buried, but the If the investigators can manage a Persuade roll, Edwin
autopsy reports as well as photographs of the two victims are opens up a little bit. “He was doing an awful lot of socializ-
on file. To gain access to this information, however, the ing lately,” Edwin says. “And keeping some late nights. I
investigators need ties to local or federal law enforcement, spoke with him about it once, but he told me not to worry,
or some other official connection. Otherwise, medical nothing would get in the way of his job.”
examiner Dr. Ephraim Sprague will not allow them to see Only if the investigators bring up the Varga house, and
the files. However, investigators may have past dealings with its Friday night parties, do the parents recall Roger talking
the medical examiner, enough to convince Sprague to give about a big house in East Town, and the parties being held
them the access they want. Or the Keeper might allow Per- there. He had said he’d been invited by one of his customers
suade rolls if the investigators can present evidence that con- at Gleason’s.
vinces Sprague something is not right about the two cases. Bradford Taylor’s Family: Bradford’s mother and father are
If Sprague is not present, morgue attendant Robert Dent is also mourning, but Bradford’s father, Allen, has less good to
–24–
 The Reeling Midnight

A Séance with Gerrhardt Wvinch

If the investigators arrange a séance with Wvinch, he his mouth, reaching almost to his chin. Investigators
sets the time for the session at 8 p.m., to be held in lose 1/1D3 Sanity points.
either an investigator’s home, or a rented hotel room. “Begone intruders! Atlach–Nacha reigns here!” he
Wvinch arrives promptly at 7:55, on foot, carrying a screams. With that, Wvinch twists his head around at an
large candle in a paper bag. He darkens the room, clos- unnatural angle and sinks the long fangs into his own
ing the shades or curtains, then instructs everyone to sit shoulder. He then turns and collapses on the floor
around a table. He lights the candle, sets it in the middle writhing violently, foaming at the mouth.
of the table, then sits down. He asks the group to join Lights back on, the investigators find Wvinch is now
hands. quiet, but unresponsive. In a catatonic state, he needs
“Let your minds relax,” Wvinch says. “Let your treatment and should be taken to the hospital. Wvinch is
energy flow to me.” He closes his eyes. “Where are eventually transferred to Arkham Sanitarium where, after
you? Where is the one that reached out to me before? 2D8 weeks of treatment he will be deemed cured, then
Nothing happens. released.
“I beseech you,” Wvinch pleads, raising his voice. Investigators who make a Cthulhu Mythos roll rec-
“Where is the one?” ognize Atlach–Nacha as a spider–goddess once revered
The candle gutters, as though in a breeze, yet the by the ancient Hyperboreans. She is said to dwell at the
room has not even the hint of a draft. center of the universe where she weaves the webs of
“You are here?” Wvinch asks, eyes still closed. time itself. Hyperborean priests and wizards often con-
The odor of something burnt fills the room. One of tacted her through dreams.
the walls suddenly, and inexplicably, creaks. Otherwise, investigators might learn this information
Wvinch opens his eyes. “Come to me now!” he researching any appropriate Mythos tomes they may
demands. Investigators holding Wvinch’s hands feel him have in their possession. At the Miskatonic University
tighten up, squeezing their hands almost to the point of Library, investigators might locate a book of speculative
pain. There are more creaks in the walls. Then, with an myth titled Tales of Mythic Hyperborea.One of stories tells
unexpected bang, the wooden table top suddenly splits of a young woman who, afraid of losing her youth and
wide open, toppling the candle, plunging the room into beauty, strikes a deal with Atlach–Nacha, who promises
semi–darkness. the young girl eternal life and youthfulness in exchange
“I am the mother!” Wvinch screams out, his voice for the young girl bearing the spider–goddess’ children.
barely human. He bolts upright from the table, his eyes Not surprisingly, the story has an unhappy ending.
glowing an unearthly red. Two long fangs sprout from

say about his son. “It’s not surprising he came to a bad end,” lor, who had taken up residence in the abandoned house.
Allen says. “A few months ago he stopped attending classes Once again, in her madness, she killed the young man and
and then finally dropped out of the university.” Allen then set fire to the house.
explains he and his son had “a row” that ended when the
elder Taylor told his son to “get out of the house.” The Tay- Odds & Ends
lors saw very little of him after that, although Martha, Brad- A few people at last Friday night’s party may have caught the
ford’s mother, says he occasionally stopped by the house to investigators’ attention.
visit her, always when his father was at work.
They know nothing of the Vargas, or the Friday night Stewart Portman
parties. Assuming they learned his name, Portman is easy to track
down through the Arkham City Directory. He will not talk
What Really Happened on the phone, and if visited at his sprawling home at 299 W.
Both young men fell victim to Ariadne’s madness. She fol- Pickman St., is abusive. “You have no business with me. If
lowed Roger Hudson out of the mansion one night after her you do not desist, I will have my attorney contact you.”
party. The couple walked the streets for a while, then Ari- Portman is innocent of any wrongdoing last Friday
adne lured the young man down an alley. Here, she under- night, but his arrogance precludes explaining himself to
went a terrible change and killed him. She quickly covered strangers.
the body with trash, then fled the scene and returned home. His Lincoln town car, recovered the day after the party,
Two weeks later, again overcome by strange urges, she sits in his driveway, a large dent in the front fender. Portman
went walking late at night, and came across Bradford Tay- plans to sue Appley for damages.
–25–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Professor Francis Morgan The Last Waltz

Professor Morgan, fearing for his reputation around the uni-
versity, is hesitant to talk with strangers. He declines meet- Friday night’s party is a comparatively subdued affair, with
ing with investigators in his office, saying he is too busy. If perhaps half the usual crowd. Some have stayed away out of
the investigators can make a Persuade roll, he agrees to meet respect for the young man who last week committed sui-
them for a few minutes at a nearby diner. cide. Others wish to avoid the place because of a growing
Asked about the altercation with Dottie Harris, he sense of potential public scandal.
explains she is a disgruntled student who failed his class. “I Zoltan wanted to cancel the affair. He and Ariadne have
tried to help the girl as much as I could,” he says. “She, train tickets out of Arkham early tomorrow afternoon, and,
unfortunately, simply does not have the aptitude.” given the suicide last week, he sees no need to draw further
Under no circumstances does he reveal his affair with attention to themselves. But Ariadne insisted. If it was going
the student; it would cost him his job. to be her last night in town, then certainly she should host
one more affair. Her “friends and admirers” would be dis-
Gerrhardt Wvinch appointed if she didn’t. Zoltan finally relented.
Wvinch lives in a modest apartment in the Terrace Building Eric Luttgart is here again, at the piano in the sitting
at 611 Gedney St. in Arkham’s Northside neighborhood. room, but the music is mostly subdued. He plays a pop
He will agree to meet with investigators, should they con- tune, but few, if any, join in. He resorts to a Chopin noc-
tact him, but only at a local restaurant, not his home. turne. Arrogant as ever, Stewart Portman has chosen to
If asked about the séance he conducted at the Varga attend, and hangs near the bar.
house, he admits the evening did not go well. “I’m not The library is nearly empty, occupied by a single cou-
always in control of my powers,” he confides. “Often I meet ple, and no one in the conservatory beyond.
spirits I’m not seeking. In the Countess’s case, I’m not sure A few people mingle in the parlor, conversing quietly.
what I came across.” If an investigator makes a Psychology The card table sits unoccupied.
roll, they realize Wvinch seems almost fearful. The raucous group in the dining room is much the
Gerrhardt tells the truth. In fact, he has lately come to same as last week, and seems unmoved. The young man has
actually doubt his abilities. In Germany, as a young boy, the again brought his phonograph, and the dancers are as ener-
visions and spirits came to him unbidden, often asking for getic as ever.
help. Young Gerrhardt helped local police on several cases, A couple students are here, working in the kitchen
one time actually tracking down a man who had murdered while Frida moves through the house, serving the guests.
two young girls. Since coming to America five years ago, Checkley is in the basement, sharing a joint with a couple
and no longer employed in his father’s shoe shop, he turned new friends.
to his powers in order to earn a living.
At first, he experienced a measure of success, by his Zoltan and Ariadne
own account achieving the desired contact at least once out The host and hostess roam about the house, occasionally
of every four sessions, and most of his clients would, sooner stopping to chat with guests. Ariadne is bright, and loud,
or later, be satisfied. But as time went on, and the money perhaps even more outgoing than usual. Zoltan, by con-
became increasingly important, his abilities seemed to trast, is subdued, even sullen. He seems to be keeping an eye
wane. Soon, he was forced to faking contacts, prodding on Ariadne who, for her part, seems to be avoiding the older
clients with questions he could follow up on, and make his gentleman however possible. She finds reasons to leave the
act sound believable. He even resorted to a couple mechan- room anytime Zoltan shows up.
ical contraptions to create sounds in his apartment, and
“embellish” the atmosphere. Prior to the events of the A Confrontation
ill–fated séance at the Varga house two weeks ago, Ger- Eventually Zoltan catches up with Ariadne in the sitting
rhardt had not made a successful contact in over a year, and room. Cornering her, he leans over, clutching her arm,
feared his powers had left him for good. Now, although whispering something in her ear. He looks angry.
fearful of the spirit that possessed him that night, he is Ariadne listens, her eyes growing wider, then she lashes
almost anxious to attempt it again, hoping it signals a out: “I’ve heard enough,” she says. “Leave me alone!” She
return of his abilities. pulls away from him and stalks out of the room, brushing
Gerrhardt agrees to a séance with the investigators, but past Portman, turning into the foyer, and heading up the
insists it be conducted at an investigator residence. He does stairs. Zoltan follows, close behind her. “Wait!” he shouts,
not wish these inquisitive strangers in his home, where they but she ignores him.
might discover his ruse. At the very least, Wvinch will insist As Zoltan heads up the stairs, Ariadne’s bedroom door
they rent a hotel room for the evening. slams shut. Frida, drawn by the commotion also shows up
in the foyer, looking concerned. She stands on the bottom
–26–
 The Reeling Midnight

step and, should any guest try to follow the pair upstairs, she additional 1/1D2 Sanity point loss. Zoltan, aka Devon
will attempt to block their path, gesturing mutely. McCoy, is dead.
Zoltan enters Ariadne’s bedroom, slamming the door Whatever investigator staked out Ariadne last Thursday
behind him. Even downstairs their shouts and accusations (if any) recognizes the dessicated corpse in the wardrobe as
are plainly heard. There is some kind of commotion, then a the man who visited the house that afternoon, but was never
sudden strangled scream—a man’s scream. seen to leave.
Frida glances up the stairs, concerned and, if no inves- Any investigator who pokes his head out the window
tigators make the first move, hustles up the steps and sees nothing on the ground below. If this investigator is
heads for Ariadne’s bedroom. A moment later there’s a extra careful, and looks up before looking down, he or she
scream and Frida comes running down the stairs, shriek- has a chance to avoid an attack from above. A successful
ing at the top of her lungs. “My God! She killed him! She’ll Dodge roll allows the investigator to duck back inside
kill all of us!” then plunges through the crowd, out the before Ariadne launches the attack.
front door, and disappears into the night. Frida eventually If the investigator looks down, or fails a Dodge roll, Ari-
finds her way back to Boston and is never seen in Arkham adne strikes with two of her legs, each capable of causing
again. 2D6 points of damage. If both strikes are successful, Ari-
adne has hooked her victim and drags the unfortunate
Ariadne’s Boudoir investigator out the window and up onto the roof, where
The room is a shambles. Zoltan lies sprawled on the floor, she attacks with two more legs and attempts a bite, before
grasping his throat. He is terribly shriveled, his dead, gray leaving the investigator, either dead or unconscious, where
skin peeling off in great flakes. Ariadne’s wardrobe hangs they lay. Investigators witnessing the victim dragged out the
open, revealing a dried, shriveled corpse propped up inside. window by the two giant spider legs lose 1/1D2 points of
Ariadne is nowhere to be seen, but the window once again Sanity.
hangs open. Sanity loss is 1/1D6. Investigators hear a brief struggle on the roof, then
Zoltan is dying. As the investigators approach, he lifts something large and heavy scrabbling across the top of the
his head on his shriveled neck and gasps “Ariadne…” His house then down a side wall. Seconds later, there is a loud
eyes roll back in his head, and he vomits up a disgusting crash downstairs, and screams.
mixture of blood and liquefied internal organs, causing an
–27–
New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Avatar of Atlach–Nacha, formerly

Ariadne
STR 25 CON 30 SIZ 14
INT 20 POW 20
DEX 30 HP 30 Move 15
Weapons: Bite 70% penetrates any armor
and injects POT 25 paralyzing poison, Strike
70% 2D6 (x6 if standing, x2 if crawling, x8
when pouncing on victim), Ensnare in Web-
bing 60%, tangles victims in webbing of STR
20.
Armor: 2 points of hairy spider chitin.
Skills: Conceal 80%, Dodge 60%, Hide
70%, Jump 50%, Sneak 80%, Spot Hidden
75%.
Spells: Contact Atlach–Nacha, Summon/Bind
Leng Spider.
Sanity Loss: 1D3/1D6+3

Ariadne Mad
Downstairs, Ariadne has crashed back into the
house through the front door, scattering the
guests, many of whom were attempting to
leave after the ruckus upstairs. More spider
than woman, she scrabbles over the hard floors
on eight wildly waving legs. Her face is not her
own, but that of some unholy arachnid with
five glowing red eyes, and sharp mandibles
dripping with poison
She heads into the dining room and grabs
Stewart Portman in her clutches, holding him
off the floor, over her head. “You’ve wanted to
be this close to me for weeks,” she says. “Now
you have me!” She nuzzles Portman’s ear. He
cries out, then faints. If the investigators
approach or attack, Ariadne hurls Portman at
them, then scurries off into the library, head-
ing for the kitchen “Children!” she cries. “I’m
coming for you!”
Completely unhinged, Ariadne runs
through the house, randomly attacking the
screaming guests, circling her way back to the
front staircase, avoiding the investigators’ gun-
fire as best she can, trying to make her way to
the attic entrance on the second floor.

Trapped
If the investigators do not bring Ariadne down,
she eventually finds her way to the staircase and
the second floor, possibly picking up and
throwing another guest at her pursuers. Once
on the second floor she heads down the hall
where, near Zoltan’s bedroom door, there is an
overhead entrance to the house’s attic. She
knocks aside the small board that covers the
–28–
 The Reeling Midnight

opening, then attempts to scramble up through it. But her swarm over the investigators—1D4+6 of SIZ 5 spawn, and
spider form is too large for the opening, and she cannot force 1D4+6 of spawn SIZ 6. The younger, smaller ones flee and
her way through. Deranged as she is, she will keep trying, cower in corners, crying: “Mommmmyyyyyyyyyy!”
even as investigators appear and fill her full of lead. “My The spawns’ strength is clearly in numbers. The best
babies!” she cries. “My babies…” course of action is fire, since this frightens the creatures,
Once killed, Ariadne drops to the floor, falling on her who flee from it. But sanity loss for setting the house on fire
back with her eight legs curling up above her, like any other while listening to child–like cries for “Mommy” costs the
dead spider. Then she begins to change, transforming investigators 2/1D4 Sanity points.
quickly back into the young woman she was, riddled
through and through by bullets. Spawn of Atlach–Nacha
STR 6 CON 16 SIZ 2-6 INT 18 POW 18
The Attic Nursery DEX 20 HP 10-11 Move 10
Investigators hear a faint scrabbling noise coming from the Weapon: Bite 40% penetrates any armor and injects POT
attic above them. Anyone making a Listen roll swears they 15 paralyzing poison, Strike 50% 1D6 damage x 1D8 limbs.
hear children’s voices. Armor: 1 point of hairy spider chitin.
The attic entrance is a good eight feet off the floor. Skills: Dodge 50%, Hide 60%, Sneak 70%, Spot Hidden
Entry requires a ladder, or at least a chair. Investigators can, 50%.
of course, boost one of their number up. Panning a light
around, the investigator sees dozens of dried carcasses scat- Conclusion
tered on the dusty floor—rats, mice, even squirrels. If investigators remain on the scene they will doubtless have
There is a rustling noise in a dark corner, and a child’s to deal with Detective Stuckey who again shows up just in
voice asks: “Mommy? Is that you, Mommy?” time to close the barn door. This time, however, he is clearly
Cowering in the corner, crawling over top of one at a loss, with a house possibly on fire and a body count of
another, are more than two dozen of Ariadne’s unholy off- at least three, and quite possibly more. This is a perfect
spring, oversized spiders with the faces of humans. The moment for the investigators to offer their version of what
abdomens of smallest specimens are fist–sized, while the happened and hopefully escape prosecution. If they manage
largest nearly the size of a basket ball. Witnesses lose 1/1D4 to get themselves off the hook, award them 1D6 Sanity
points of Sanity. On closer look, investigators recognize points.
some of the spider faces: the larger children bear a striking If they managed kill the Avatar of Atlach–Nacha, award
resemblance to Zoltan Varga; the smaller ones look like them another 1D6+2 Sanity points. If they manage to kill
Eugene Wilcox. They all have their mother’s red eyes. Wit- all the Spawn of Atlach–Nacha, award them 1D3 Sanity
nesses lose another 0/1D2 Sanity points. points. If they manage to do all of this, and can still keep the
name of Wilcox out of the local papers, award them an
If investigators approach the clutch of spider–things, the additional 1D2 points and the sincere gratitude of a well
creatures cower in the corner. If attacked, the larger specimens placed family in Arkham.

–29–
–30–
 Wasted Youth
by Christopher Smith Adair

T
his scenario can be undertaken by small groups of ern age. Formerly farmers of Dunwich Township, the
investigators, with no particular professions Coreys sold their farm and moved lock, stock, and barrel to
required. The climax is more physically demanding a new home in Arkham, which they imagined would pro-
than many scenarios, and characters with experience in the vide a better, and more modern environment for their
outdoors have a chance to shine. young son and only child, Elijah.
There is no strict timeline for the scenario, though as But Elijah’s found adapting to city life difficult. His
written the investigators get involved the first few days of attempts to make friends with neighborhood children have
June, right after school lets out for the summer. The precise met with failure, and his schoolmates view him as a “coun-
day and date is left to the Keeper. try rube.” A loner by nature, Elijah used to spend much of
his time wandering the woods and fields of Dunwich, col-
Keeper Information lecting interesting specimens of insects and rocks, and on
The 20th century is a time of great change for much of the one particular trip, some odd, black goo.
United States. Industry continues its societal revolution,
and workers from near and far are needed to keep it run- The Hyperborean Connection
ning. Its products promise to make life easier. The rural exis- Millennia ago, colonists from the prehistoric civilization of
tence that characterized most of human history is slowly but Hyperborea came to that part of Massachusetts now known
surely shifting to one more urban, and more crowded. These as Dunwich. Building a city, the colonists at first flourished,
changes are not without troubles, of course. Bring great fashioning great temples to their many gods. The greatest of
numbers of people together in a constricted environment, these gods was Zhothaqquah, the furry bat–toad said to live
many from different cultures, and is it any wonder that fric- somewhere underground. The arch–priest of Zhothaqquah’s
tions arise? And it is not just the “other” that gives rise to cult, a wizard named Ouriv Zalothos, was an ancient man,
anxiety. The nature of family life itself is shaken by the mod- fast nearing the end of his life. Desperate to live on, the aged
ern era as older generations try to cope with a new world. priest hit upon a plan.
But what of the young? They are at a crossroads as well, and Sacrificing some of the temple’s guardians, the formless
while their developing minds perhaps comprehend less than spawn of Zalothos' god, the priest was able to distill an
their elders, the effects of these changes on them may have essence of their plastic forms that would house and protect
even greater consequences. his spirit even as his mortal body died and decayed. As his
Even a sleepy college town like Arkham is not immune time of death neared, Zalothos transferred his spirit to the
to these strains. In recent weeks, there’s been an increase in black substance, and his acolytes hid it away in an under-
juvenile delinquency, particularly among grade school chil- ground chamber beneath the temple.
dren. But this time the cause can be traced to the darksome But the process was not complete. For the next several
history of the Miskatonic River Valley, for whatever small years the priests of Zhothaqquah were required to perform
comfort that brings. certain rites and rituals—including the blood sacrifice of
The Coreys are one family trying to adapt to the mod- Hyperborean children—before Zalothos could rise again.
–31–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

control that grows greater each and every day.

Wasted Youth Papers #1 Needing more rituals and child sacrifices to complete
a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser the process that would have Zalothos reborn into a new, and
more powerful form, the priest has lately compelled Elijah
Deadly Chase Through Arkham to introduce the substance into other children’s food, begin-
It was like a scene out of a crime thriller, or ning with some of Elijah’s classmates and neighbors. But the
from the headlines of the New York or Chicago plan failed when the infected children ran amuck, destroy-
papers, but it happened here in Arkham. Police con- ing property, and in some cases even themselves. Zalothos
ducted a chase through the streets of our town in has a new plan. The boy will lace the food of his fellow Boy
pursuit of the car that hit and killed Mr. Arthur Scouts while out on a camping trip in the country. Coupled
Hathorne, 65, as he crossed W. Pickman St. After with the proper chant, this second attempt will prove suc-
speeding through many city blocks, the fleeing car cessful. Zalothos will then have Elijah lead the boys cross
spun around a corner too quickly and smashed into country, back to the location of the ruined temple, and
a wall. The driver, Joseph Dooley, was killed in the there perform the sacrifices and rituals necessary for his
crash. rebirth.
All of this would be enough cause for alarm,
but the reckless driver in question was but 13 years The Black Ooze
old. Needless to say, the car was not his. He had This viscous, tarry substance distilled from sacrificed Spawn
stolen it from where one Brian Pritchard had parked of Tsathoggua contains the sentient soul of the Hyperborean
it. wizard Zalothos. Although indigestible, the substance
This is a tragedy on many levels and while our secretes toxins that spread throughout a victim’s body, even-
hearts go out to the dead boy and his family, our tually reaching the brain, where actual tissue damage can
sympathies are with Mr. Hathorne and his bereaved occur.
loved ones. Witnesses claim they saw Joey—as he When Zalothos enticed Elijah to consume a small piece
was commonly called—smiling and laughing just of the black ooze, he forced the bulk of his consciousness
before he hit Mr. Hathorne, and that he continued to into the boy, and slowly took over his mind. In an effort to
laugh even after leaving the poor man dead on the gain the child sacrifices he needed to be reborn, Zalothos
street. forced Elijah to secretly introduce the substance into the
Dooley was a student at Eben S. Draper Ele- food of some of his schoolmates, and in a cupcake he gave
mentary School. to an older neighbor boy, Lou Marino.
—Roberta Henry These bits contained only traces of Zalothos essence,
and the experiment proved a failure. After an incubation
period lasting ten days, the victims began exhibiting
Unfortunately, before the rituals could be completed, the changes in their personality, and within two weeks each
once thriving colony suddenly collapsed. The Hyperboreans went on a rampage of antisocial behavior.
dispersed across the wilds, leaving their temples to fall to Zolathos has a new plan. During a Boy Scout camping
ruin, and leaving the spirit of Zalothos still trapped in the trip, he will have Elijah sneak the rest of the substance into
tarry ooze hidden in a temple basement. the scout’s food. After the meal, Zalothos–Elijah will lead
But Zalothos’ will was strong, and the priest would not the boys in what he claims is an Indian ceremony, but which
be denied. Though it took centuries, Zalothos slowly oozed is actually a Hyperborean chant that will bind the rest of the
his way up through the ruins, eventually finding his way to scouts to Elijah, forcing them to do his bidding.
the surface.
Investigator Information
Zalothos in Dunwich Give the players the Wasted Youth Papers #s 1, 2, and 3,
It was less than a year later the near immobile puddle of goo Arkham Advertiser articles that have appeared in the paper
was chanced upon by the adventurous farm boy named Eli- over the last month.
jah Corey. Scooping up the black mess into a Mason jar he If any of the investigators are journalists, or interested
always carried with him, the boy unwittingly took the in psychiatry or sociology, the series of stories may provide
undead wizard home. enough incentive for them to begin investigations. If the
Before long the priest reached out to Elijah, whispering investigators have past connections with the Arkham police,
things in a voice only Elijah could hear, tempting him with government, or even the morgue, they may be called in to
promises. A few months ago, shortly after the family moved consult on the situation.
to Arkham, Zalothos managed to trick Elijah into ingesting The parents of one of the afflicted children might have
a small piece of the black substance. It was then Zalothos’ some connection to the investigators, or possibly they are a
malevolent spirit began exerting real control over the boy, a friend of a friend. Sarah Reid is one such possibility.
–32–
 Wasted Youth

Investigators may be drawn in after being subjected to The Arkham Advertiser

an attack by delinquent children. See the boxed text Attack Three stories have appeared in the paper over the past
of the J.D.s, below, which may be used to open the scenario. month, two written by lead reporter Roberta Henry, the
other—the second story—written by part–time stringer
Floyd Tobey. Unless investigators have some history with
Investigations in Roberta, she brushes them off, telling them she has no other
information. A Psychology roll reveals she likely knows
Arkham more, but isn’t sharing. She’s still angry she was out of town
when the second story broke, and what should have been
Investigators following up on the newspaper stories may hers got covered by reporter Tobey.
want to visit the Arkham Police, the reporters at the Arkham Floyd Tobey’s another kettle of fish. In his mid–thirties,
Advertiser, Arkham Sanitarium, and the morgue. The short, a little plump, and going bald, Floyd proves amiable
Keeper should adjust the descriptions of these locations to and ready to talk. Too bad he doesn’t really know anything,
reflect any past experiences investigators may have had with as investigators may suspect after listening to him for a few
these institutions, good or bad. minutes. Tobey does, however, offer up one piece of intrigu-
Following that, descriptions of the families involved in ing rumor. According to his sources, the Arkham Medical
the recent burst of juvenile crime are provided. Due to the Examiner did find some unidentifiable foreign substance in
broad nature of this investigation it is difficult to predict any the body of Lou Marino, the boy who died of a heart attack
group of investigators’ exact course of action, requiring the on the street. Though gullible, Tobey is fastidious about his
Keeper to make judgement calls regarding when or where journalistic ethics, and will not reveal the Marino address.
the investigators find a key clue.
A successful investigation leads the investigators to the The Arkham Police Department
home of Elijah Corey, where they discover the boy is out of If the investigators have no friends or contacts inside the
town on a camping trip with the Boy Scouts, ushering in police department, they’ll gain little from a visit here. It’s all
the second part of the scenario, a trek across the Massachu- “official police business” and officers and detectives prove
setts wilderness and a likely showdown east of Dunwich unwilling to discuss the cases.
Township. Even with good connections, investigators find little
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

unfounded speculation will do more harm than good. The

Wasted Youth Papers #2 problem is societal, he aruges, and panicking the public
a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser won’t help in the least.

Teenager Dies on Arkham Street The Morgue

Early risers were subjected to a peculiar sight Arkham’s morgue is in the basement of St. Mary’s Hospital
this morning as a teenaged boy ran screaming down on West St. Although both of the deceased boys are long
S. Peabody Ave. The boy in question was one Lou buried, the autopsy reports are filed here.
Marino, who lived on that street. A student at Arkham’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Ephraim Sprague, will
Arkham High, Marino could be heard to shout not be available on the investigators’ first visit, and the
angry obscenities of the most awful kind. Then, the morgue attendant, Robert Dent, will not give them permis-
boy collapsed in the street. Rushing to his side, his sion to see the autopsy reports. Dent knows his job and
neighbors discovered he was dead. proves impervious to Persuade, and Fast Talk will never
This calls to mind the other recent incident with work. He is, however, susceptible to bribes. For $10 he’ll
the car chase involving young Joey Dooley, though retrieve the two reports and give the investigators a few min-
in this case the coroner has determined that poor utes to look them over.
Lou Marino died when his heart gave out. Of If the investigators leave without seeing the reports and
course, heart attacks are rare in children, but they return another time, Dr. Sprague is at the morgue. Unless
are not completely unknown. While this attack may the investigators are good friends, or can Persuade him suc-
explain his behavior, it seems as likely that illicit cessfully, he refuses to share the reports. He will, however,
substances were involved and that this caused both confide he found an odd substance in the stomachs of both
his actions and his death. The medical examiner boys. If some sort of illicit drug, it’s like nothing he’s aware
maintains that no such evidence was found. of. “A black, tarry goo,” he says. Unfortunately, he’s dis-
—Floyd Tobey posed of both samples.

The Autopsy Reports

information of value. “It’s these kids, today. They don’t have If the investigators get a look at the autopsy reports they
chores or responsibilities. They end up running the streets, quickly notice two similarities. Both boys had a foreign sub-
then they get into trouble.”
Even a good department contact hesitates to share
addresses of the children. This may require a Persuade roll,
or more likely an insistent second visit when the investiga-
tors have more evidence.

Chief Asa Nichols

If the investigators have a positive relationship with the
Chief of Police, they can speak directly with Chief Asa
Nichols. Investigators who are members of the Rotary Club
or the Masons can use these connections to possibly gain an
interview.
Nichols is naturally concerned about the recent hap-
penings but unsure of what to do. He’s lately feeling every
bit his sixty–one years and doesn’t hide his bewilderment
over current events. He’s a good man who feels the world is
changing more quickly than he can keep up with.
“You know, we have troubles with some of the older
immigrant kids, those Irish and Italian teenagers with noth-
ing better to do. Those I understand a little. But these
young boys…some of them are from decent families, even.
Is this what we have to deal with now?”
Nichols can tell them none of the children in question
had any previous involvement with the police.
If asked if he thinks some sort of disease is to blame for
the children’s behavior, Nichols says there is no evidence of Arkham Neighborhoods
that. If investigators persist, he warns them that such
–34–
 Wasted Youth

stance in their stomachs, a tarry, black goo, both samples

weighing less than four grams. Little or no food was found Wasted Youth Papers #3
in either boy’s stomach. Both boys showed evidence of brain a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser
disease; a significant destruction of actual brain cells.
Neither the mysterious goo or the exact nature of the Youth Crime Epidemic Continues
brain disease is identified, and both are described Young Billy Washburne, a student at Eben S.
“unknown.” Draper School, was apprehended by police this
Although not noted in the reports, Dr. Sprague is con- afternoon after he vandalized the windows of sev-
cerned there may be some sort of communicable disease eral storefronts along E. Main Street. Witnesses say
involved, though he has no idea what it might be. the boy calmly walked up with a baseball bat and
began shattering the glass windows. Businesses
Arkham Sanitarium attacked included the Arkham General Store and
The investigators may go to the sanitarium hoping to learn Arkham Printing.
more about Billy Washburne’s condition. Anyone with doc- The boy, who is only 12 years old, attacked
tor’s credentials or on official business for the police or the Patrolman Harris when that policeman approached
government can speak with Dr. Harcourt easily enough. him. The patrolman obviously did not expect a
Otherwise, a successful Credit Rating roll is needed for vicious attack from a young boy, and suffered a bro-
investigators to meet with him. ken arm. It took several officers of the law to sub-
The orderlies are more accessible. Two of them, Jim due the delinquent. The child was in such a state
Bartlett and Tommy Slocum, helped admit Billy. Trudy that the officers took him to Arkham Sanitarium so
Houghton, the young nurse who works at the reception that he would not be a danger to himself or others.
desk, is talkative and readily gives the names of these two He remains under the care of the doctors there.
orderlies, and what their hours are. If the investigators try to The proprietor of the General Store, Rider
talk to the orderlies while the two men are on the job, they Adams, is quoted as saying, “It’s a crying shame
refuse, out of fear of losing their jobs, unless an interview when respectable business people have to endure
has been authorized by one of the doctors. But either of crime like this.” By all accounts, however, the
them can be met outside the sanitarium where the friendly young boy has heretofore been a respectable mem-
offer of a bite to eat or a tug from a hip flask gets them talk- ber of society. And unfortunately this is not an iso-
ing. Otherwise a successful Persuade or Fast Talk roll is lated incident. Readers will be well aware by now
required. of the growing stories of childhood delinquency in
our normally placid town. When will this scourge
Billy’s Admittance end? What is to be done? And, furthermore, when
Either the doctor or the orderlies can reiterate what will City Hall take action?
appeared in the newspaper story, while adding a little detail. —Roberta Henry
While the orderlies restrained Billy, Dr. Harcourt attempted
to administer an oral sedative—sodium bromide—to calm
him down. The first dose of sedative had little or no effect. still weak, and suffers from partial amnesia. The doctors are
Harcourt decided to treat with another sedative, pottasium keeping him under observation, both for his general health
bromide, but Billy became even more agitated, convulsing and to try to determine his state of mind. So far his behav-
and straining, almost breaking free of the orderlies’ grasp. ioral problems seem gone. He doesn’t remember the last few
Finally, Jim squeezed Billy’s nostrils together to force him to days and has no idea why he would have vandalized any-
open his mouth. thing.
The second dose had a nearly immediate effect, and Investigators will only be allowed to see the patient if
Billy threw up a black vomit. His eyes then rolled back and they are doctors themselves, or have the authorization of
he fell unconscious. If asked, either the doctor or orderlies Billy’s family or the police.
can tell investigators that vomiting is not an uncommon Billy is still groggy, but able to answer questions. He
response to sedatives, especially in high doses. Making a maintains he has no memory of anything since two days
Pharmacy or Medicine roll provides investigators the same before the incident. A Psychology roll verifies he is being
information. genuine; he can tell investigators very little.
If asked about the vomit, Jim and Tommy say they If asked about Elijah Corey, Billy looks confused and
mopped it up. then asks: “why do you want to know about that hick?” He
says Elijah’s a new kid at school from out in the country.
The Patient “He talks funny and doesn’t have any friends.” Billy guesses
Billy is still convalescing in a ward, having regained con- no connection between Elijah and what has happened to
sciousness the day after he was brought in and sedated. He’s him.
–35–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

in sports, did well with his grades, and was a natural leader.
Wasted Youth Papers #4 About Joey Dooley: Derby admits Joey wasn’t a stellar stu-
(excerpts from the diary of Sarah Reid) dent, but there was nothing to indicate he’d do something
like steal a car, much less run a man down with it. If the
Dear Diary, investigators press for details about Joey’s record, Derby tells
That queer country boy was gawking at me again today at them Joey was something of a class clown. The last time he
school. I saw him and so did everyone else. Judy teased me and was sent to the principal’s office was after getting in a minor
called him my new boy friend. Well he’s not and I don’t like him. He scuffle with a new boy at school. Joey had been teasing him,
talks funny and is very dumb. I wish he’d never come to our school and the other boy finally threw a punch. Anyway, they were
and that teacher didn’t put him in the desk next to mine. No one both kept after school and that was that. In fact, they
likes him. He should just go back to where he belongs. seemed to get along fine after the incident. This was about
two weeks ago.
Dear Diary, If they ask about the other boy involved, a Persuade or
Elijah passed me a note in class today. I pretended to crumple Fast Talk roll (if the investigators have been cordial up till
it up but I kept it anyway to see what stupid thing it says. I read now) gets Derby to tell them that the boy’s name is Elijah
it later and it says he wants to see me after class to show me some- Corey, who recently started school here after his family
thing special. I don’t think so!!! Now Joey and the country boy are moved to Arkham. The boy isn’t fitting in well, but a lot of
best friends, I guess. Joey’s almost as awful as him so they can be that has to do with being new. On top of that, he’s not a city
friends all they want but I’m not going to be friends with either of boy, so that makes him even more awkward and conspicu-
them. ous. He won’t divulge the boy’s address, but if asked where
Elijah moved from, he’ll tell them the boy’s from Dunwich
Dear Diary, Township.
Elijah gave me another note and this one said that it doesn’t About Lou Marino: Lou Marino also attended Draper until
matter what I think or if I won’t meet him. He has magic and he’s he graduated. Derby won’t initially recall the Marino boy,
going to make me love him anyway. He’s going to take me away to since Lou didn’t leave much of an impression on anyone.
some enchanted castle. And he just keeps staring at me and it’s But if pressed, Derby can check the records and vaguely
making me a little scared. recall the student, but little else.
Sarah Reid: If they ask Derby about Sarah Reid, Derby is
hesitant to say anything about her, unless the investigators
are on official business or it’s clear her parents have author-
Eben S. Draper Elementary School ized disclosure. Another Persuade or Fast Talk is required to
Both Washburne and the late Dooley boy are, or were, get him to open up. He’s perplexed why such a good girl and
enrolled at this public school. Located in the French Hill student would suddenly start skipping school. She seems
district, the school teaches children grades 1-8. The student suddenly antisocial. Derby isn’t aware of any connection
body is primarily from the French Hill and Rivertown areas, between her and Elijah, though they are both in the same
working– and middle–class neighborhoods. Classes have seventh–grade class.
recently let out for summer vacation, but many of the New Students: Investigators may also ask about any stu-
administration staff members are still working. dents who joined the school recently, particularly someone
Investigators can try to meet with Principal Elliot from the country. Derby provides them the same informa-
Derby, but unless they’re here on official business, a Credit tion about Elijah Corey outlined above.
Rating roll or a plausible story accompanied by a Persuade
roll is required. He is not allowed to give out student’s Talking to Other Students
addresses, and will refuse any request for such information Investigators might try to talk to some of the other students in
if not convinced the need is dire. the neighborhoods of French Hill and Rivertown. Note that
The principal is very conscious that if his school is con- children of this era generally look at all adults, even strangers,
nected (and tacitly implicated) with the recent rash of delin- as authority figures, so they’re usually easy to approach.
quent and deadly behavior, his reputation, as well as the Almost every student investigators talk to seems to like
school’s, will suffer. A large, imposing man, Derby talks a lot Billy Washburne, who’s usually described as “nice” or
about the school’s sterling record and the orderly discipline “friendly.” Joey was liked by a good many students, but a few
he demands. The children who attend Draper are mostly will say he is “mean.” Some describe Sarah Reid as “stuck up”
well–behaved and bright, he says. “They’ll grow up to be or a “goody two shoes,” but most are surprised by her recent
contributing members of society.” behavior. Her old friends feel snubbed, since Sarah stopped
About Billy Washburne: Asked for particulars about Billy spending time with them right before summer break. Inves-
and Joey, he speaks well of Billy. Well liked by his classmates tigators learn she’s been mixing with some of the rougher
and his teacher, Billy never got into any trouble. He excelled kids, like Joey Dooley. Lou Marino is known to some of the
–36–
 Wasted Youth

older students, who say he was friendly enough, but pre-

ferred to pal around with other Italians. Lou knew some of Meeting the Families
the members of the Rocks, the local Italian youth gang, but
students say Lou wasn’t one himself. If the investigators fail to obtain the addresses of the boys
If investigators ask about Elijah Corey, they find the few involved in the crimes, most can be tracked down via the
students who know him don’t like him much. They may tell Arkham City Directory. All the families involved, save the
investigators that Billy and Sarah didn’t like the “country Coreys, who moved here just recently, are listed in the book.
kid” and that one day Joey got into a fight with him. They Unfortunately, these surnames are common, each sharing
made up afterwards, though, and started getting chummy. their name with 1D6+1 other families, none of them with
A successful Luck roll means a child knows where Elijah any connection to recent events or the families involved. A
lives and will be willing to tell investigators. One Luck roll lot of footwork, a lot of knocking on doors, then question-
can be attempted each hour. ing often wary strangers will finally narrow it down for
them.
Hilda the Cook
If for some reason the investigators want to visit the school Billy Washburne’s Family
kitchen, they meet Hilda Rasmussen, the school’s fifty–five Billy’s family lives at 620 E. Church Street, in a well–kept
year cook. She knows nothing in particular about the recent two–story house on French Hill. Billy’s father, Gerald, an
events other than what’s appeared in newspapers, and she office clerk, brings home just enough money to afford one
tsk–tsks over the loss of life, particularly the students. of the better houses in this neighborhood. Billy’s mother,
If asked about Elijah Corey, she says she knows the boy. Alice, maintains the home with the help of Billy and his
“He’s nice young man,” she says, “but a little shy.” On occa- older sister, Lisa.
sion, he’s helped her out in the kitchen, preparing meals for The family members are worried about Billy’s health
the other students. and at a loss to explain recent events. Billy’s always been a
well behaved boy with a good disposition, but the parents
The Village of Dunwich say he didn’t seem himself the last week or so before the inci-
Exceptionally thorough, motivated investigators may decide dent—he was sullen and unresponsive. At dinner, he would
to do a little research in Dunwich once it is learned the just trail his fork through his food, hardly eating a bite.
Coreys hail from there. There is but a little information to When asked if something was troubling him, he told his
be found in the distant township. mother “to mind her own business.” The family is unaware
In the decaying village, the investigators learn Frank’s of any other trouble in his life, or anyone who might be
cousin, George Corey, has taken over their parcel of land, connected.
which is adjacent to George’s farm. Frank and his family are
well regarded. Elijah was known to many as a precocious Joey Dooley’s Family
boy, very comfortable in the wilderness. Many people Joey was raised by his widower father, Patrick, in a small
remember seeing him on his long wilderness jaunts. house at 149 E College St., in French Hill. Patrick Dooley

Potassium Bromide
Acquiring Potassium Bromide Administering Potassium Bromide
Investigators may hypothesize the potassium bromide The medicine can be administered orall, or with a hypo-
used to sedate Billy Washburne at Arkham Sanitarium dermic needle. The infected children will do everything
somehow cured him of his condition. Kindly Keepers in their power to avoid being treated, and one or more
can call for Idea rolls. However, the use of the sedative adults will be required to hold them down
is not necessary for the successful completion of this As soon as the potassium enters the bloodstream
scenario. the child convulses, vomits up the black formless spawn
Only licensed physician or pharmacist investigators matter, then falls unconscious. The matter steams and
are able to obtain potassium bromide legally. If they bubbles, and investigators making a Spot Hidden roll
can’t convince Dr. Harcourt at the Sanitarium to supply will swear up and down they saw it twitch.
them, they can attempt to compound the chemical The child wakes up the next day, weak and with no
themselves with materials from Anderson’s Chemical memory of anything beginning a day or two before they
Supply on Armitage Street. An investigator can manu- were infected. Children who have hosted the spawn
facture his own, provided he can make three consecu- matter for a week or longer fall comatose for several
tive Chemistry or Pharmacy rolls. days and suffer some measure of brain damage.

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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

is a large man who works on the docks. Wary of strangers, ner store. And then he does this thing with the car.” Patrick
it takes a Persuade or Fast Talk roll to get him to open up, shakes his head. “You know, I thought things were looking
unless the investigators are here in some official capacity. up there for a bit, but now all this.” If asked for more details
Patrick is still in shock over his son’s death, speaking of the about Joey’s interest in girls, he says that he’d heard that Joey
boy in the present tense much of the time. had been seen in the company of Sarah Reid, a pretty girl
Asked about his son’s behavior, he says, “The boy’s from the Eben S. Draper school.
always had a bit of a mouth on him and I’ve had to take the If asked, Patrick says that Joey hasn’t seemed to have
belt to him now and then, but he’s been sassing more than much of an appetite lately.
usual lately. Then he steals some candy from down the cor-

Attack of the J.D.s

This event can occur any time the Keeper chooses, attack them on the street, from a distance, throwing
possibly even used to open the scenario. The investiga- rocks at their victims with mean accuracy. The boy has
tors must be visiting the French Hill or Rivertown neigh- his baseball bat, and if the investigators come after him
borhoods at the time of this event. he does not hesitate to swing on them. His sister carries
A pair of young twins, a boy and a girl aged eleven, a small kitchen knife and attempts to slash anyone who
launch an unprovoked attack against the investigators. If comes after her.
the investigators have parked a car in the area, the
attack begins with acts of vandalism committed against Gary Woodbine
the auto. If the investigators do not have a car, the STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 8 INT 12 POW 12
attacks are directed against their persons. DEX 13 APP 13 EDU 6 SAN 60 HP 11
Weapons: Baseball Bat 85% 1D8, Fist 55% 1D3, Throw
Whack a Car Rock 55% 1D3.
If the investigators have parked their car nearby they are Skills: Dodge 65%, Hide 40%.
only a hundred yards away, still withing earshot, when
they’re startled by the sound of breaking glass. Turning Mary Woodbine
in the direction of the noise, they see a young boy stand- STR 8 CON 14 SIZ 8 INT 12 POW 13
ing in front of their car with a baseball bat, and one of DEX 15 APP 14 EDU 6 SAN 65 HP 11
their headlights broken out, glass all over the street. Damage Bonus: -1D4
Before the investigators can move or even shout, the Weapons: Knife 45% 1D4, Kick 45% 1D6, Throw Rock
youngster’s already re–positioned himself and knocks out 50% 1D3.
the other headlight with a solid whack. From the investi- Skills: Dodge 65%, Hide 50%.
gators’ vantage point, they don’t see the boy’s twin sis-
ter crouched down on the other side of the car, driving a The investigators should have little trouble subduing
knife into their front tire--but they do hear an unexplained the children, but it will certainly cause a ruckus, with
“pop” and watch their car sink a couple inches. neighbors coming out of their homes to see what the
If the investigators shout at the vandal, the boy trouble is. If things get really out of hand, someone may
jumps on the hood of their car and yells: “You go to hell, even call the police.
fuddy–duds,” then swings the bat again, taking out the Despite all, Gary and Mary’s parents, who live just a
windshield. His sister pops up from where she’s few doors down, are likely apologetic and ashamed—
crouched by the front wheel, a pretty blond girl in pig- providing investigators have not unduly harmed the chil-
tails, and sticks out her tongue at the investigators dren. They offer to pay for any damages.
before dodging out of sight to attack the rear tire. Depending on circumstances, the parents may
If the investigators just run toward the boy and their allow an experimental treatment with potassium bro-
car, he ignores them completely, continuing his attack mide, or at least be willing to sit and talk with investiga-
on the vehicle, denting hood, fenders, etc. His sister, tors. These two children have shown symptoms similar
having finished off the front tire, goes and does the to others. For the most part happy and well behaved,
same to the rear, cutting through it before the investiga- the twins turned sullen and untalkative the last few days,
tors get near enough to stop her. and their appetites fell off.
If anyone asks, the parents tell them both children
Rock Assault attend Eben S. Draper Elementary.
If the investigators don’t have a car, the two children

–38–
 Wasted Youth

Lou Marino’s Family foreign matter inside her, a few grams of the black, plastic
Lou’s parents, Cristofero and Maria, along with Lou’s five substance. Sarah has carried the substance longer than the
year old sister Annie, and his father’s mother, Antonella other children and has suffered some brain damage. As soon
(who speaks no English), live in a house at 508 S. Peabody as she vomits up the black goo, she falls into a coma that
Ave. near W. Pickman St., also in the French Hill district. lasts eight days. She unfortunately suffers from severe prob-
The home is old, but kept up. Chris owns a small general lems with her short–term memory the rest of her life.
store with a lunch counter on the Lower Southside.
The family is still upset over Lou’s death. While the Sarah’s Diary
family is polite to strangers who call on them, they don’t feel If the investigators ask to look around Sarah’s room, the Reids
up to discussing the particulars of Lou’s death. His family oblige, though they insist on accompanying the investigators.
does not see any connection between their son’s death and The bedroom seems typical for a girl Sarah’s age. The
any of the other incidents in town. Asked about Lou in gen- only thing of interest is the young girl’s diary. After some
eral, they speak of him in very favorable terms. He was a hesitation, her parents will let the investigators read it. The
good kid. He didn’t have a lot of friends, but he had no diary is mostly tedious, but there are some entries near the
enemies. He kept to himself a lot. end that might be relevant. Give the players Wasted Youth
If asked about Elijah and the Coreys, the Marinos say Papers #4.
they live next door and are good neighbors. They have done Sarah is seriously deranged, and views nosy investiga-
a good job of cleaning up the abandoned house, which tors as a threat. At a convenient moment, she’ll slip into the
improved the neighborhood. They know Elijah came kitchen, grab a butcher knife and, hiding it as best she can,
around a couple of times to talk to Lou when the Coreys attack the first investigator of opportunity.
first moved in, but since Lou was a few years older and the
two didn’t have much in common, they didn’t develop Sarah Reid, infected 12 year old
much of a friendship. STR 6 CON 8 SIZ 7 INT 11 POW 9
DEX 14 APP 15 EDU 7 SAN 35 HP 8
Sarah Reid’s Family Damage Bonus: -1D4
Sarah lives with her parents, Wallace and Marion, in a small Weapons: Fist 50% 1D3, Grapple 50% (her effective STR
home at 208 S. Powder Mill St. Sarah is an only child. Her is 18), Kick 35% 1D6, Melee Weapons 35%.
father is employed at Arkham Printing. Skills: Dodge 40%, Fast Talk 30%, Hide 50%, Sneak
Investigators find Wallace and Marion eager to talk 50%.
with anyone who can offer hope for their daughter. They
speak in glowing terms of how she used to behave: polite, Elijah Corey’s Family
sociable, got good grades, and never needed discipline. The Corey home is a medium sized one–story house located
That’s all changed the last few days. They recently found out at 510 S. Peabody Ave., right next door to the Marino
she skipped class a week before the school session ended, house. The father, Frank, works as a night watchman for a
and then she refused to tell them where she’d been. A cou- warehouse in Rivertown, leaving for work at 5:30 p.m. and
ple days later, Marion asked her daughter if she’d seen her returning at 6:30 a.m., every day save Sunday.
pearl earrings. Sarah said she didn’t know where they were, Belinda—and Frank, if he’s around—are both
but then Marion found them later in Sarah’s drawer, rolled approachable. They are concerned about Elijah. They
up in a pair of socks. Confronted, Sarah claimed not to moved to town only a few months ago, and their son’s had
know anything about how they came to be there. Sarah con- a hard time fitting in. They’re aware of the recent troubles
tinues to be rude and dishonest. The parents have never and worry Elijah might get mixed up in it.
experienced anything like this and don’t know what to do. The couple is still adjusting to their new life, but seem
They are very worried though, in light of recent events. determined to make it work. Investigators making Psychol-
They’re concerned she may have fallen in with a bad crowd. ogy rolls sense a profound feeling of loss in the Coreys, as
Her parents are keeping a close eye on her now that well as anxiety about the future. It is possible they miss
school is out. They say she mopes around and hardly eats. Dunwich more than they admit, to each other or even to
The only times they allow her to leave their sight is if she is themselves.
in the company of another, trusted, adult.
Speaking to Sarah while she is infected proves fruitless Frank Corey, 33, worried father
since she won’t cooperate in any genuine manner. She STR 15 CON 13 SIZ 14 INT 13 POW 11
proves evasive from the start, then becomes rude and insult- DEX 13 APP 13 EDU12 SAN 55 HP 14
ing, then finally turns non–responsive. A Psychology roll Damage Bonus: +1D4
reveals there is something deeply wrong with her, as though Skills: Listen 30%, Natural History 35%, Navigate 20%,
she’s devoid of any human empathy. Spot Hidden 30%.
If Sarah is forced to take potassium, she vomits up the
–39–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Belinda Corey, 30, worried mother

STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 11 INT 11 POW 12 The Camping Trip
DEX 11 APP 14 EDU 9 SAN 60 HP 13
Skills: First Aid 35%, Natural History 30%. The Winthrop farm is reached by taking the Aylesbury Pike
out of town for about seven miles before turning right on a
Elijah’s Not Here dirt road. Following this dirt road, investigators cross a
Elijah is currently on a camping trip with the Boy Scouts, wooden bridge over the Miskatonic River, then drive
the couple explains. Frank thought the Scouts might be a another three miles to reach the farm, located on the left.
good way for Elijah to meet and make new friends, as well
as give the boy a chance to get out in the fresh air. Frank tells The Winthrop Farm
investigators Elijah used to spend a lot of time wandering As investigators approach the farm, dark clouds gather over-
the wilds back home. head, signaling a summer thunderstorm on its way. No mat-
More and more, the boy’s been spending time alone, ter the time of day, the investigators’ approach is signaled by
seemingly lost in his own little world. Belinda has even the barking of a dog.
heard him talking to himself a few times. Worse, he’s been The farm’s owner, George Winthrop, is out working by
shirking his chores, and wandering off without permission. his barn when the investigators pull up, his Labrador
He’s not taking proper care of himself and hardly eats a retriever, Chief, at his side, the source of the barking.
thing. Then in church last week, he burst into laughter dur- Winthrop doesn’t get a lot of visitors, but he’s friendly to his
ing the sermon and wouldn’t stop, even after being taken unexpected company, especially if the hour is not too late.
outside and given a hiding by his father. The boy didn’t cry, Chief ignores Winthrop’s commands to be quiet and con-
or even protest. When it was over, Elijah looked Frank in tinues to bark until at least some of the investigators have
the eye and said, “You won’t be able to do that to me much offered a hand to be thoroughly licked.
longer.” If Belinda is alone, she’ll confide Frank turned a bit George introduces himself and asks the investigators
pale at that. If Frank is there, a Psychology roll reveals some- their business. If the investigators impress upon him the
thing about the experience disturbed him. If pressed, Frank urgency of the situation, he proves cooperative. But George’s
says: “It was as if he was someone else all together, like look- simple exterior hides a sharp mind. His high Psychology
ing into the eyes of a wild animal.” skill identifies liars 85% of the time, and if the investigators
The Coreys can show them Elijah’s bedroom, if asked. misrepresent themselves, they’ll waste precious time trying
The room’s a bit messy, containing the boy’s various nature to dig themselves out of the hole with George. The farmer
collections: insects, interesting rocks, some bird bones, a will eventually relent—his high Psychology can also identify
dead, dried toad, etc., as well as Elijah’s drawings. One someone sincerely apologetic—and offer to walk the inves-
drawing shows a thin figure dressed in robes, tiny stars tigators over to the camp site.
dancing above his head. Surrounding the figure are small
black blobs of various shapes and sizes. Another drawing George Winthrop, 42, farmer
shows a fat, furry frog with long, bat–like ears. The squat- STR 13 CON 12 SIZ 15 INT 12 POW 13
ting figure appears asleep. Investigators making a Cthulhu DEX 11 APP 11 EDU12 SAN 65 HP 14
Mythos roll realize the picture is of Tsathoggua, and the Damage Bonus: +1D4
blobs in the other drawing might be his formless spawn. Weapons: 12-gauge Shotgun (2B) 40% 4D6/2D6/1D6,
12-gauge Shotgun (2B) with slugs 35% 1D10+6 (He usu-
The Boy Scouts Go Camping ally has a shell loaded in one barrel, and a slug in the
Elijah is on a nearly week–long camping trip that began a other), Hunting Knife 1D6.
day before investigators became involved in this scenario. Skills: Hide 20%, Listen 35%, Natural History 40%, Navi-
His parents can tell investigators the scouts are camping gate 25%, Psychology 85%, Sneak 20%, Spot Hidden
near the Winthrop farm, about eight miles west of Arkham, 30%, Track 20%.
north of the Miskatonic River. If the Keeper judges the
investigators have convinced the Coreys their son is in dan- Chief, faithful companion
ger, a roll is not required. If Frank is present, he insists on STR 9 CON 13 SIZ 6 POW 7
accompanying the investigators. DEX 14 HP 10 Move 12
There are other ways investigators might learn the loca- Weapon: Bite 30% 1D6.
tion of the camp site. The Rotary Club provides support for Skills: Listen 75%, Track 70%.
the Boy Scouts in Arkham, both financial and organiza-
tional. If investigators simply ask where local scouts go for The Camp Site
their outdoor activities or camping trips, they are told about The site is in a clearing about half a mile northwest of the
the campsite at the Winthrop farm. The scout leader’s name farmhouse, near the woods. Comprised of five tents and a
is Dudley Robinson. fire ring, the investigators find no one here. “Maybe they’re
–40–
 Wasted Youth

off on a hike,” George suggests. But anyone examining the

camp quickly determines the camp was quit in a hurry. If
daytime, there is still a small fire burning in the ring of The Boy Scouts of America
stones, and dirty cooking utensils left in a pile, waiting to be
washed. If late at night, the fire is all but burned out, and The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910
the tents suspiciously empty. by Chicago publisher W.D. Boyce who, having vis-
ited London and learned of scouting programs
What Happened in Camp there, decided American youth could benefit from
Elijah prepared the scouts’ last meal and laced their food the program.The BSA's stated purpose at its incor-
with the remaining bits of black ooze. Then, even before poration was "to teach patriotism, courage, self
cleanup, Elijah insisted on leading the group in what he reliance, and kindred values.”
claimed was an American Indian chant he had learned as a With the migration of families from farms to
boy in Dunwich. cities during the early part of the 20th Century, there
The chant, of course, was nothing of the sort, actually were concerns among some people that young
a Hyperborean spell that, combined with the ooze the boys men were no longer learning patriotism and individ-
had ingested, turned them into loyal followers of the pos- ualism. The YMCA was an early promoter of
sessed Elijah. reforms for young men with a focus on social wel-
Elijah and his new followers waited until Scoutmaster fare and programs of mental, physical, social, and
Robinson had gone to his tent for a few minutes, then qui- religious development.
etly slipped away. When the scout leader discovered the Edgar M. Robinson and Lee F. Hanmer became
boys missing, he went looking for them. To his great mis- interested in the BSA movement and convinced
fortune, he found them. Boyce to turn the program over to the YMCA for
The boys are heading for the buried temple of Tsathog- development in April, 1910. Robinson enlisted
gua, nearly fifteen miles away. Once they reach the temple Seton, Beard and other prominent leaders in the
site, Elijah plans to sacrifice his fellow scouts, one by one, early youth movements. In January, 1911, Robinson
until the process of his terrible rebirth is accomplished. He turned the movement over to James E. West who
needs a minimum of six sacrifices to reach this end. became the first Chief Scout Executive, and scout-
ing began to expand across the U.S.
Forming a Rescue Party
It is obvious from the camp site that something has gone
wrong. While investigators may balk, some suggesting a Following the Boys
return to Arkham where the police can be notified (the The investigators have to track the boy scouts over a variety
Winthrops are miles from phone service), George Winthrop of terrain, and Track calls are called for at regular intervals.
insists they form a search party to go looking for the miss- If the investigators have Chief with them, he will do the
ing scouts and Scoutmaster Dudley. If the Coreys are pres- tracking, and his high skill is of benefit to the party. If Chief
ent, Frank is also anxious to look for the boys. is somehow lost, investigators will have to rely on their own
If the investigators refuse to begin the search, George, Track skills.
possibly accompanied by Elijah’s father, head out without A failed Track roll does not mean the party has lost the
them. At best, the investigators can convince George and scouts, only that they waste time following a wrong path.
Frank to take a few minutes to prepare for the hike. Once they realize their error, the investigators can
It’s quite likely the investigators are unprepared for an back–track to their original position, then pick up the cor-
extended hike through the wilderness. Unless they have rect trail from there.
specifically stated otherwise, their clothes are likely typical Although the Track rules in this scenario guarantee the
wear for the times—hats, ties, and suits or suit coats for party eventually catches up with Elijah and the scouts, failed
men, dresses and stockings for the ladies. But their car may rolls cost them time, and this lost time is reflected in how
contain a few things to help them. the climax plays out.
Summer thunderstorms are common this time of year The Keeper should assume the scouts have thirty min-
so it’s reasonable to allow them an umbrella or two stashed utes lead on the investigators. Every time investigators fail a
in the car, possibly even a pair of galoshes in the trunk. They Track roll and waste time following the wrong path, the
might have a weapon or two in the vehicle, which they’ll Keeper should add another fifteen minutes to the boy
almost certainly want to bring with them. scouts’ lead. It will take Elijah thirty minutes to properly
George takes this opportunity to retrieve his shotgun perform each sacrifice, so the more time the investigators
from the house and, if dark or nearly so, he’ll grab a couple waste while lost, the more boy scouts will die.
kerosene lanterns. At the Keeper’s discretion, he might also If the investigators convince George to go back to their
be able to provide a weapon or two for the investigators. vehicle before beginning the pursuit, the Keeper should
–41–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

when it’s been located. Chief often wanders far ahead of the
group while following his quarry’s scent.
Trekking the Wilderness Empathetic by nature, Chief likes the boy scouts, who
visit and play with him, and senses the urgency of George
The Keeper should emphasize the difficulty of tra- and the rest of the investigators. He is loyal almost to a fault,
versing this near wild terrain. Thick undergrowth and selflessly risks his own life in any confrontation the
provides plenty of opportunities for investigators to investigators might encounter.
get caught up in burrs and brambles that catch in
clothing, skin, and hair. Rocks work their way into The Path from the Campsite
footwear, as well. A fairly obvious path leads from the boy scouts’ campsite
Even before the rain, the river valley is a moist into the woods. Chief, alerted to urgency of the situation,
environment, and investigators will be crossing a lot stands and barks in that direction, and is nearly impossible
of streams, and working their way around ponds, to ignore. There are numerous boy scout tracks on the path,
which means muddy patches, sometimes near but if an investigator makes a Track roll, he spots a set of
bogs. Once the rain starts, the party stands to get adult footprints among the rest. Judging from the stride, it’s
drenched whenever crossing open land. obvious the man was running.
Investigators have lots of opportunities to Following the path, the investigators find the pine and
encounter poison ivy, poison oak, and poison cedars growing thicker as they plunge deeper into the wood.
sumac, all endemic to the region. Treat exposure to Light barely reaches the forest floor. Footsteps are cushioned
these plants as a poison of POT 16. The allergic by the thick layer of fallen needles.
reaction that ensues causes no hit point damage, Investigators unfamiliar with the local wildlife might
but the rash developed is irritating and distracting. It ask George what to expect. He tells them there are no
usually takes a day for the rash to appear, so it wolves, or any cats bigger than bobcat or lynx, but black
probably has no effect on the scenario, but Keepers bears might be encountered. Copperheads and timber rat-
may want to plague investigators with it afterwards, tlesnakes, while uncommon, are also a potential danger.
even applying minor penalties to some rolls.
The Keeper may also choose to menace the Dead Dudley
characters with spiders, including the black widow A quarter–mile into the woods, the investigators find the
(venom POT 8). Less venomous spiders might have body of Scoutmaster Dudley, covered in blood, slumped up
a POT of 4 or 5, unlikely to cause real damage, but against a mossy rock. The top of his head is caved in. Flies
the bites can still be annoying. and ants crawl and buzz around him. Next to him is a
All this moisture can lead to illness, as well, jagged stone the size of a grapefruit, covered in a sticky mix-
attacking immune systems with a POT of 12. The ture of blood, brains, and skull fragments.
Keeper might require Luck rolls to avoid sneezing Seeing the murdered Scoutmaster costs 1/1D4+1 San-
while hiding or sneaking, or while doing something ity points. Be sure to roll for any NPCs present. Attacks of
that requires concentration or fine motor skills. temporary insanity will be of the short–term variety, though
Basically, the Keeper should draw occasional long enough the Keeper should consider assessing another
attention to the inhospitable environment. While it fifteen–minute penalty.
likely won’t have a direct effect on the outcome, the Close investigation of the corpse finds numerous lacer-
Keeper might factor the inappropirate clothing of ations and stab wounds on the arms and torso. If an inves-
the investigators into the timing of the chase, along tigator makes a Medicine or Knife roll, he or she concludes
with all of the other obstacles. The Scouts are fairly the cuts were made with a small blade, like a pocket knife.
well prepared for their own journey, after all. The body is still warm.
Shocked by the death of the scout leader, George and
Frank will nonetheless want to press forward. Despite what
assess them a fifteen minute penalty right off the bat. If he investigators may suspect, George and Frank find it impos-
judges they spent an inordinate amount of time arguing sible to believe the scouts could be responsible for such a
with Winthrop, he should consider assessing them another heinous act. They speculate on any number of possibilities,
time penalty. some quite farfetched, such as a bear attack.
The path continues on the other side of the clearing.
Tracking with Chief If the investigators have not yet visited their vehicle and
Unlike trailing dogs such as bloodhounds, Labradors track the farmhouse for equipment, George and Frank both agree
their quarry by airborne scent. Labradors don’t need to sniff now is the time. The Keeper should charge them another
a possession to start tracking, instead they range about, fifteen minutes lost time, however.
picking up traces of scent in the air, pointing or circling
–42–
 Wasted Youth

In the meantime the boy scouts, hearing Chief ’s distant

The Trail of Terror barking, realize they’re being followed. They step up their
pace, but also take time to lay a few traps for their pursuers.
As stated before, Track rolls are required to stay on the right The party should make a Track roll shortly after leaving
path. The group will always recover from a failed Track roll, this waypoint.
but will lose time.
The Trail of Terror is divided into a number of way- 2. Some Train Tracks
points that pose a variety of problems for the investigators. 2a. If the party fails their Track roll, they wander north,
At the conclusion of each of these waypoint scenes the away from the actual trail, eventually finding themselves on
investigators may be called upon to make another Track roll the edge of a sprawling swamp that blocks their path. Too
to pick up the trail. The results of a failed Track roll are deep and too broad to cross, if the investigators realize their
described in the following waypoint scene. error, they can back–track and pick up the right trail, losing
No Track roll is required to find and follow the well worn fifteen minutes’ time. If they stubbornly insist on skirting
path leading away from scene of the Scoutmaster’s murder, the swamp, they find it turning them back in the opposite
deeper into the woods. direction, and nearly encircling them. They can still turn
back, but now they’ve lost thirty minutes’ time.
1. A Highway 2b. Following the correct path, the party traverses another
A two–mile hike along the hilly, wooded path takes more two miles of woods, crossing three small streams in the
than a half–hour, finally depositing the investigators on the process. The first two streams are barely more than a few
edge of an unpaved, two–lane highway. Lightly trafficked, a inches deep, proving little obstacle, but the third is nearly a
single vehicle passes by only once every 1D6+4 minutes foot deep, and nearly eight feet wide. A series of rounded
during the day and early evening, and almost never after 10 stones provides a potentially dry path, but an investigator
p.m. must make a DEX x3 roll to cross without slipping and
If investigators spot a vehicle and flag it down, the plunging one of their feet into the cold water, soaking shoe
driver has seen nothing in the area, but will, at the investi- and sock. The simplest method is to take off your shoes and
gators’ request, find a telephone somewhere and call the socks, and cross through the water with pants rolled up.
State Police, though it will do little good. A half–mile later, the investigators emerge from the
–43–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

woods to find themselves on on the edge of an overgrown themselves standing before another dirt road. Twenty feet of
corn field. The boy scouts’ trail through the scrub proves clear space stands between them and the road. On the other
easy to follow. side is a high, steep embankment, a sign of the hills and
Another half-mile and they come upon a small deep valleys beyond.
embankment with a set of train tracks running north and From their vantage point the investigators can see a late
south. About this time the investigators hear a crack of model Chevrolet, parked halfway onto the far shoulder. If
thunder and the skies open up. Rain pours down on the nighttime, the car’s headlights are on.
party. Two people lie on the pavement, near the parked car. If
On the other side of the tracks, the investigators plunge dark, a Spot Hidden roll is required to see anything more
back into the woods. They will need to make another Track than a couple dark objects.
roll. Approaching closer, the party finds two people lying
dead on the pavement, a man and a young boy. The boy is
3. A Deadly Snare crumpled up in an awkward position in front of the car,
3a. A failed Track roll has the investigators wandering the obviously a scout, and obviously dead. The middle–aged
forest in circles for about fifteen minutes before they finally man lies at the side of the car on his stomach, a crude spear
stumble on some footprints that put them on the right protruding from his back. Blood from the man’s numerous
path.The Keeper should assess a fifteen–minute time loss. wounds form a dark pool around the corpse. Sanity loss is
3b. Thirty minutes, and nearly a mile and a half later, Chief 1/1D3 points.
is ranging about fifty feet ahead of the party when there is The dead boy is one of the scouts, accidentally killed
sharp snap sound, and a yelp from Chief as the dog goes when, attempting to keep up with his fellows, dodged right
down on its side. A clever snare has caught the poor dog, into the speeding car’s path. A large dent in the front left
strangling Chief with a wire noose. fender of the car is evidence to the fact. The driver, who got
George and the investigators can reach Chief in one out of his car to help, was set upon by the rest of the scouts,
round, but the dog needs to roll its CON x4 or suffer 1D3 who killed him with knives and crude spears.
hit points of damage. Anyone making a DEX x5 roll can Both corpses are still warm.
dismantle the snare, but during the procedure Chief has to It requires no Track roll to spot evidence that a group of
make a CON x3 roll or suffer 1D3 damage. If the investi- people have recently climbed the steep, muddy embank-
gators fails his DEX roll he or she may try again the follow- ment on the far side of the road.
ing round, with Chief needing to roll CON x2 to avoid
damage, and so on. 5. Climbing the Embankment
If freed, First Aid will heal Chief 1D2 points. If Chief Climbing the slippery embankment on the other side of the
dies, George looks stricken, his eyes well with tears. road proves a challenge, and the deadly scouts have done as
No Track roll is required to reach the next waypoint. much as they can to make it worse.
The steady rain has soaked the earthen embankment,
4. Another Road turning it into a mud slide. Reaching the top requires a suc-
Three quarters of an hour later, and roughly two and a half cessful Climb roll, or the investigator is sent slipping and
miles, the investigators emerge from the woods, finding sliding back down to the shoulder of the road. No damage

The Hilltop
The Western Trek

7. Foxfield Road
6b. The Head
X 5. Embankment
X 4. Road
X
8. Death Above

6a.

–44–
 Wasted Youth

is incurred, but the mud just adds to the misery most of the many of them tumbled to the bottom of the slope to form
party is probably already suffering. Those who gain the top a loose pile at the foot. Investigators may surmise a cave hid-
find success has its own disadvantages— the boy scouts have den behind the jumbled rocks. If not, allow them an Idea
set a snare for their pursuers. roll.
If Chief is with the group, he tries to tip them off. Hav- But it’s a bad idea. There’s nothing behind the rocks but
ing learned from his last encounter with a trap, he’s on to it, more rocks, and the side of the hill. Every time an investi-
and, standing near the top of the embankment, barks furi- gator moves a rock off the pile, there is a 10% chance of
ously, refusing to move forward. Investigators can make of encountering a fat timber rattler, which strikes without
this what they will. warning.
If Chief is not there, or his instincts ignored, the first
person to reach the top accidentally grabs hold of a tripwire, A Timber Rattler
releasing a heavy log the scouts left suspended from the STR 04 CON 7 SIZ 2 POW 4
overhead tree branches. The log falls flat on the very edge of DEX 11 HP 6 Move 8
the embankment then bounces and rolls its way down to the Weapon: Bite 70% 1D2 damage plus 10 POT poison.
highway. Persons on the embankment have a 50% chance of Sanity Loss: 0/1D2
being in the bouncing log’s path. Those in the path can
choose either Jump or Dodge to avoid it, those failing suf- 6b. Once back on the right path, the investigators travel
fering 1D3 points of damage. The person who triggered the through nearly three miles of thick woods before Chief, if he
trap does not have time to Dodge or Jump and suffers an is still with them, suddenly halts in his tracks and sets up a
automatic 1D6 points of damage. plaintive moaning. If Chief is absent, the group simply
If the investigators pay attention to Chief, and specifi- stumbles onto the scene.
cally state they are searching for a trap, anyone carefully Here, in the middle of the path, mounted on a stick
reaching over the embankment will find the trip wire. But rammed into the dirt, is the decapitated head of a boy
if they fail a subsequent DEX x5 roll, they accidentally set it scout—eyes open, tongue lolling from its mouth. Nearby
off anyway, suffering the same consequences described lies the body, rolled into the scrub at the side of the trail,
above. Once the trap is discovered, it is fairly easy to trigger barely hidden from view. Sanity loss is 1/1D6.
safely, or investigators can simply move down the road a few The unfortunate scout fell ill on the trail, likely a result
yards and climb the embankment there. of the ooze Elijah slipped into his food. Vomiting up the
From here, the trail moves into deep woods, beeches noxious substance, the scout was suddenly freed of Elijah’s
and oaks, climbing steep hills, and following low–lying control, and tried to run. But the other scouts surrounded
glens. After fifteen minutes of hiking, the investigators need and killed him, then mutilated his body and mounted his
to make another Track roll. head on a stick. The scouts hope the horrible display will
put pursuers off their trail, at least for a little while.
6. Death on the Trail Elijah made good use of the scout’s death, turning it
6a. If investigators lose the path, they wander south, even- into a sacrifice used to call in some supernatural help inves-
tually finding themselves in a low–lying rocky area. The trail tigators soon meet.
seems to end in front of a steep hill covered with rocks, No Track roll is required to reach the next waypoint.

mp
The Eastern Trek wa
S

2a. 1. Highway
3b. Chief Snare
X 3a. X
Dead Dudley
2b. Train Tracks

–45–
New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

7. Foxfield Road
A two–lane dirt highway, reinforced by cor-
duroy timbers, leads north to the town of Fox-
field, and south across the Miskatonic River to
the Aylesbury Pike. North of the Tewksbury
fork and south of most of Foxfield’s farms, the
road is little trafficked.
The other side of the road plunges the
investigators back into deep woods.

8. Death from Above

A mile farther in, Chief once again comes to a
halt, this time growling menacingly, bristling
his back even as he tucks his tail between his
legs. If Chief is not with the group, a Listen
roll detects a subtle rustling in the branches
above, just a few yards up the path.
In any event, once the investigators move
forward, a dark form suddenly swoops down
from the branches above them, diving down on
the nearest investigator, maneuvering on broad
wings, looking much like a small manta ray cov-
ered in dark brown fur. The creature, sum-
moned from some unknown plane by Elijah,
attacks its chosen investigator by wrapping itself
around its victim’s head and trying to force a
long, rasping tongue down the investigator’s
throat on the following round. Both attacks are
automatically successful, although investigators
who had some forewarning—either Chief or a
successful Listen roll—are allowed a Dodge to
avoid the creature. If dodged, the creature
swoops by, then turns to line up for a second
attack. The rasping tongue attack, and subse-
quent damage, begin the second round after the
thing as affixed itself to its victim.
If alerted by Chief, or a Listen roll, inves-
tigators will have time to get a shot off, pro-
vided they have their guns in hand. Otherwise,
the thing swoops down unhindered and, if its
attack is successful, knocks the victim flat to
the ground.

Hyperborean Nightmare
STR 14 CON 14 SIZ 8
INT 6 POW 10
DEX 15 HP 12 Move 4/12 flying
Weapon: Rasping Tongue 1D3 + 1 point
POW drain.
Armor: 2 points of tough hide.
Skills: Hide 90%.
Sanity Loss: 1/1D6

Once the thing wraps itself around a vic-

tim, it is nearly impossible to pry the creature
–46–
 Wasted Youth

loose; it must be killed. Guns and clubs do nearly as much Elijah Corey, lost boy
damage to the victim as the creature, with knives the best STR 8 CON 11 SIZ 8 INT 14 POW 11
choice in this situation. Chief will certainly join in the fray. DEX 15 APP 13 EDU 7 SAN 0 HP 10
Keeper’s Note: Depending on varying factors, Keepers Damage Bonus: -1D4
may want to add one or more additional creatures to this Weapons: Pocket Knife 45% 1D4, Spear 40% 1D6+1,
encounter. Grapple 50% (effective STR is 26).
Skills: Dodge 45%, Hide 50%, Sneak 50%.

The Hilltop Disrupting the Ceremony

Investigators will certainly want to bring these activities to
Ritual an end. If they hesitate, George and Frank insist they push
forward.
The first sign of the scouts the investigators get is when, a If reasonably quiet about it, the investigators can
mile later, between an opening in the trees, they spot the approach the foot of the domed hill without detection, leav-
boys atop a domed hill about a quarter–mile away. If night- ing them about fifty yards away from the boys. The hill is
time, the scouts’ hand made torches illuminate the scene. curiously barren and there is no way they can get any closer
The distance is great, and unless the investigators have without being instantly spotted.
binoculars, details are difficult to make out. The Keeper If Elijah and the scouts spot the investigators, they move
should customize the scene depending on how much time into a defensive position, the scouts lining up in front of Eli-
the investigators lost, and subsequently how many sacrifices jah, homemade spears and Boy Scout jackknives at the ready.
have already occurred. Investigators may attempt to negotiate, but Elijah will
The scouts are standing in a circle on the hill, with two have none of it, insisting the investigators leave the area. If
boys in the center of the circle, one of them kneeling while the party starts moving forward, Elijah takes action.
the other stands behind him. If the investigators have man- Mumbling and crooning in a strange language, he casts
aged to reach this spot without suffering any time penalties, a spell upon one of the boys that unleashes the ooze within
they have arrived just in time to see the last few seconds of him. As investigators watch, the chosen boy begins to twitch
the first sacrifice. Depending on time lost pursuing the and shudder, then his skin suddenly darkens, the features
scouts, one or more scouts may already lay dead on the hill- fade from his face, and he becomes one with the ooze, turn-
top. ing into a black, plastic form that rushes down the hillside
As they watch, the boy standing behind the kneeling toward the investigators.
boy plunges a knife into the back of his victim’s neck, fol-
lowed by the encircling scouts falling upon him with spears The Hybrid Spawn
and jackknifes. In a moment he is dead. Witnesses suffer a STR 9 CON 14 SIZ 12 INT 8 POW 10
1/1D4 Sanity loss. DEX 18 HP 13 Move 12
The actual number of scouts depends on how close the Armor: Plastic form provides 1D2 points of protection
party has stayed on the trail. Each sacrificial ritual requires against any weapon.
thirty minutes time. Likely there is more than one victim Weapons: Whip 90% 1D6, Tentacle 60% 1D6, Bite 40%
lying dead on the hilltop by the time investigators arrive. 1D6.
Sanity Loss: 1/1D6
Five Vicious Scouts
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 Elijah continues casting spells on his loyal followers,
STR 9 8 9 8 8 sending them against his attackers, though he requires three
CON 11 10 12 9 13 rounds of rest between castings.
SIZ 9 7 8 8 8 If Elijah is caught alone, or runs out of minions, or if the
INT 10 11 13 12 8 investigators are steadily advancing against him, he makes his
POW 8 10 12 13 9 final desperate move and casts the spell of rebirth on himself,
DEX 9 12 10 14 15 despite the fact he is still short of the sacrifices required.
EDU 9 8 7 6 8 With a quick ritual of the hands, and the shout of a
SAN 30 40 50 55 35 power word, “Zarriqua–kal” Elijah begins transforming
HP 12 9 10 9 11 before the investigators’ eyes.
DB +0 -1D4 +0 -1D4 -1D4 Elijah suddenly doubles over, retching on the ground.
Weapons: Pocket Knife 35% 1D4, Spear 35% 1D6+1, His back swells, bursting his shirt, revealing a glistening
Grapple 50% (effective STR is STR x3). black hump that grows bigger every second, even as it
Skills: Dodge 40%, Hide 50%, Sneak 50%. sprouts flopping human appendages that flail blindly. A face
appears in the black hump. It grins, then grows into a head,
–47–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

while its long legs find the ground beneath it. It rears up on If it lands on the person’s face, it spasmodically thrusts
the long, newly grown and spindly legs, lifting what’s left of a portion of its substance into the person’s throat, attempt-
the shrivelling Elijah off the ground, leaving the barely con- ing to suffocate him or her. The victim must make a CON
scious boy dangling from its side, like a long–dead con- x10 roll on the first round, unless temporarily insane, in
joined twin. which case, the CON rolls begin at x6. Anyone, including
the victim, can try to wrench the black matter off the vic-
Zalothos Reborn tim’s face by making a roll of STR vs. STR on the Resistance
STR 20 CON 20 SIZ 18 INT 28 POW 26 Table. Only the victim and one other person can make
DEX 18 HP 22 Move 7 attempts each round, but they must make separate rolls. If
Armor: Zalothos new form absorbs 1D3 points of dam- the ooze lands on the ground first, it launches itself at a vic-
age. Impaling weapons do not impale. tim the following round. If the attack succeeds, it immedi-
Weapons: Clawing arms x2 90% 1D6, Tentacle 60% 1D6, ately begins suffocating its victim.
Bite 40% 1D6, Elijah’s scratching claws 45% 1D3. After five rounds, or after killing a victim, the spawn
Spells: Cause Blindness, Clutch of Nyogtha, Shrivelling, matter shudders, dies, then liquifies. There is nothing,
Stop Heart, Swell Mind. unfortunately, that can be done for Elijah.
Sanity Loss: 1D3/1D10
The Thing from Inside Elijah’s Head
A New Spell: Swell Mind STR 15 CON 14 SIZ 2 INT 8 POW 10
This spell requires only a round of casting time, and is DEX 20 HP NA Move 12
accomplished with a short chant. It takes effect the same Weapon: Fling itself at someone’s face 45%, suffocation.
round of the casting, bringing the victim to his or her knees Sanity Loss: 1/1D6
as the victim’s brain begins to swell, pressing against the
inside of the skull, causing 1D3 points of damage every Conclusion
round until the caster is killed or otherwise disabled. Hopefully the investigators can rescue some of the boys and
If the victim loses all his hit points, the brain has get them back to civilization. If the investigators haven’t
swollen past limits and breaks through the skull, emerging realized the efficacy of potassium in the treatment of the
through the cracked skull as whitish mass that spills on the infected children, it is possible the doctors eventually realize
ground as the victim dies. it. But it will be too late for Sarah Reid by the time the doc-
tors make that connection, as the spawn will have com-
The Potassium Bromide pletely devoured her brain by then. The scouts suffer some
It is possible the investigators might incapacitate the scouts brain damage, but they will recover.
before some, or any of them, are transformed into horrors. If any of the children are killed or seriously injured by
The scouts will react as described earlier, vomiting up the the investigators, there will very likely be legal consequences,
black substance and soon recovering, although remember- unless the investigators have covered up their actions quite
ing nothing of events since the last time they ate. Elijah’s a well, or can somehow convince authorities the need for such
different story. actions.
If Elijah is given potassium, he convulses violently, his The investigators gain 2D6 Sanity points for stopping
eyes roll back in his head, and he forcibly vomits up a near the ritual. They also gain 2 Sanity points for each child they
brain–sized mass of the black matter, directed at the nearest save. If the people of Arkham are aware the investigators
person’s face. That person can avoid it with a successful were instrumental in saving the children (and other poten-
Dodge roll. It costs 1/1D6 Sanity points to see the formless tial victims), the investigators gain 1D6 to their Credit Rat-
matter. ing skills as well.

–48–
 Spirit of Industry
by Oscar Rios

H
igh up in the Miskatonic Valley, near the Massa- to adjust the details to suit other seasons of the year, even
chusetts–New Hampshire border, lies the remote, the height of summer.
seldom visited village of Dunwich. A simple
place—some would say a backward place—Dunwich is a Keeper Information
small village where almost everyone knows everyone else. Herman and Nancy Blake are about to lose their farm to the
Places like Dunwich always have a few interesting stories, bank unless they come up with $250, and fast. In despera-
some skeleton in the closet or a local legend that makes for tion, they wrote to the Arkham Advertiser, telling them
good reading. At least, that’s what Harvey Gedney, manag- about the 1806 sawmill and its dark history. Their hope is
ing editor of the Arkham Advertiser, hopes for. the Advertiser will find proof the place is haunted, netting
For over three years he’s had a standing offer: If anyone the couple the $500 reward. This would allow them to save
can offer irrefutable proof of ghosts—a haunted house or their farm, and have some money left over to help them get
the like—the newspaper will print the story and pay them a back on their feet.
$500 reward. So far, all such claims have proven nothing Aside from interviewing the Blakes, reporter Floyd
more than hot air. Tobey also intends to track down a former Miskatonic Uni-
Gedney recently received a letter, written in antique, at versity history student named Harold Bishop. Bishop is said
times questionable, English. It told a wild story of a haunted to be an expert on Dunwich history, and Tobey hopes to get
sawmill where some young boys were cut in half, length- some more information about the history of the sawmill to
wise, back in the 1806. The author of the letter, Herman help flesh out his story.
Blake, of Dunwich, claims the mill was shut down after only There are several potential dangers in this scenario. The
a few years because no one would work in the place. It first is the local cult of nature worshiping pagans known as
seemed anyone spending any amount of time there suffered the Believers. This group does not want stories of their vil-
from horrible nightmares. Most of the local residents today lage’s strange goings–on posted in the newspapers. Such sto-
still claim the place is haunted. Gedney assigned part–time ries might draw unwanted visitors, asking unwanted
reporter Floyd Tobey the story, and Tobey’s hopeful he’ll get questions and looking into things best left undisturbed. To
a good article out of all this. January is a slow month for this end, the cult assigns a top member—schoolteacher
news. Marie Bishop—to infiltrate the team of investigators, mon-
The trip up to Dunwich is never easy, but this time of itor their activities, and possibly sabotage their efforts. But
the year makes it a real adventure. Roads are wet from melt- Marie herself is curious about the legend of the sawmill, and
ing snow, and slick spots of ice can put a car off the road. quite likely will join forces with the investigators to solve the
But Tobey is determined to get his story, and has made mystery once and for all.
arrangements to meet with Herman Blake, and find out if Another potential danger is no–good locals obsessed
there is any truth to this tale. with finding the hidden stash of “Whateley gold.” Long
Although this scenario is written to take place during ago, the Whateley clan made use of an alchemical process to
January or other winter month, Keepers should find it easy create small amounts of gold, which they would then mint
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

into coins. The actual process is long lost but there are still while chilly due to lack of a heater, will handle itself
plenty of people in Dunwich convinced the Whateleys have admirably on the sometimes slick highway that is the Ayles-
a secret gold mine somewhere, or at least a lost vault filled bury Pike in winter. Tobey’s a very careful driver.
with gold coins. Some of the residents are actually willing to And he’s more than happy to have company along for
kill to gain this information. Chief among these are local the ride, suggesting the investigators might be willing to pay
moonshiner, Amos Whateley, his cousin Lem Whateley, and for the gas. He has room for three passengers, or a cramped
the degenerate Potters—Temple Potter and his two cousins, four, but warns investigators that he intends to transport
brothers Jubal and Jedediah. These five men are convinced some of the locals around during his visit. Parties larger than
the outsiders poking around the old mill are on the trail of three may have to acquire an extra vehicle and instead fol-
the Whateley treasure. Violent and ruthless by nature, they low Tobey out the Pike. The reporter is scheduled to meet
are more than ready to arrange an “accident” in order to get with Herman Blake at Osborn’s General Store—the town’s
the investigators out of the way. only commercial establishment, at noon, tomorrow (or a
The final danger is the mill which, in fact, is truly day or two from now, at the Keeper’s discretion).
haunted. Over a century ago, while still under construction,
mill supervisor Avern Whateley botched a spell while Floyd Tobey, mediocre reporter
attempting to fuse a benevolent spirit into the four great saw STR 9 CON 9 SIZ 9 INT 11 POW 10
blades. This ritual was supposed to give the mill a “friendly DEX 9 APP 11 EDU 14 SAN 50 HP 9
soul” and ensure prosperity for the new venture. Unfortu- Weapons: Fist 20% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% ID4,
nately, the spirit turned out a malevolent one, with a thirst Kick 15% 1D6.
for human life and blood. This spirit was responsible for Skills: Bargain 25%, Climb 25%, Credit Rating 35%, Drive
killing a trio of boys who broke into the mill just before it Auto 55%, Fast Talk 15%, Jump 15%, Library Use 65%,
officially opened, and for the nightmares that plagued work- Persuade 25%, Photography 50%, Spot Hidden 35%.
ers for the few years the mill remained open and running.
Investigators may discover ways to drive this evil force from
the sawmill and Dunwich, but doing so proves perilous. Part One:
Investigator Information Arriving in Dunwich
There are numerous ways investigators might become
involved. They could be well known paranormal investiga- Leaving Arkham early in the morning, Tobey and the inves-
tors, hired by the Advertiser to accompany Floyd Tobey and tigators reach Dunwich by 11 a.m., an hour early for their
assist him on the story. Or investigators could be sent by Dr. scheduled appointment with Herman Blake. A few of the
Elliot Mills, a professor of history at Miskatonic University, locals—regular loungers at the store—are gathered around
with the mission of persuading his once favored student, the pot belly stove, seated in their usual chairs, or on
Harold Bishop, to return to Arkham and finish his degree. wooden boxes. Two are engaged in a game of checkers while
They may even have read a teaser blurb in the Advertiser, the rest make small talk about weather, crops, bank loans,
hinting at an upcoming article about a haunted mill in etc. They don’t much cotton to strangers, but Tobey
Dunwich Township and decide to make the trip out of sheer approaches them without introduction, trying to chat them
curiosity. Maybe reporter Floyd Tobey is a cousin of one of up, asking questions about the old mill.
the investigators and concerned relatives want someone to The men prove reticent, and say very little to the
look after him. Should the investigators show up and offer reporter, telling him only what is commonly known (see
to help Floyd, he happily agrees—as long as investigators below). One of the loungers, Zebulon Whateley, is a long
pay their own expenses, of course. time member of the Believers. As soon as the investigators
leave the store Zebulon goes to inform Mother Bishop of
Floyd Tobey the strangers’ arrival. By 2 p.m. Mother Bishop has assigned
Now in his early thirties, Tobey comes armed with a small her favorite disciple, Marie Bishop, to offer her “assistance”
camera on a collapsible tripod, a portable typewriter, a to the outsiders.
trusty pad and pen, a reliable flashlight, warm winter cloth-
ing, and a good pair of boots. Big on details, Floyd has care- Commonly Known Facts About the Mill
fully planned this trip to the last detail. The sawmill, opened in 1806, is to this day the largest struc-
He’s a pleasant man, barely passable at his job, but like- ture in Dunwich. Tragically, shortly before the official open-
able. A little too short, a little too pudgy, starting to lose his ing some local boys broke in during the dead of night. No
hair, what Tobey lacks in journalism skills he makes up for one knows for sure what happened, but the boys’ savagely
with enthusiasm. A skeptic through and through, when mutilated bodies were discovered the next morning. The
faced with proof of the paranormal he may go to pieces. three had apparently been held down and sawed into
He drives a well–maintained 1922 Ford Model T that, planks, like timber, crotch to crown. The mill supervisor,
–50–
 Spirit of Industry

Avern Whateley, quickly came under suspicion and several Tobey has the only transportation.
days later an angry mob lynched him for the crimes. Investigators attempting to break into the mill on their
Regardless, the mill opened on schedule, but workers own face possible charges of trespassing and burglary, so
soon complained about nightmares, then began quitting. they need be careful. They may want to simply visit the vil-
Within a couple years the mill, unable to employ a work lage, or hike or drive the township roads. The Keeper may
force, closed, never to reopen. allow the investigators to Persuade Tobey to visit the mill
early, deviating from his schedule, with the scene “Tobey
Floyd Tobey’s Schedule Takes a Fall” playing itself out early in the scenario.
Tobey is a very organized man and likes to keep a tight
schedule. He’s arranged to meet Herman Blake at Osborn’s Herman & Nancy Blake
General Store at noon. He then intends to spend the rest of Herman Blake arrives at the general store just before noon,
the afternoon at the home of Herman and Nancy Blake, on foot, having walked nearly two miles over hard frozen
interviewing them, then, later, have dinner with Squire ground to meet Tobey and the investigators. After a round
Sawyer Whateley, the owner of the mill. Squire Whateley of introductions, the party loads up into their vehicles and
has agreed to rent Tobey the property for one week, so he drives back to Herman’s farm.
can conduct a thorough investigation. Tomorrow, Tobey A rustic home, the farmhouse is neat and clean, and
plans to visit Harold Bishop, and talk to him about the his- Nancy makes every effort to make her guests feel at home.
tory of the sawmill. Later that day, he plans to tour the She offers everyone coffee and some homemade apple pie,
property first hand, and maybe even spend some of the while building a large fire in the front room fireplace at the
night there. Tobey hopes that with these three interviews, same time. Herman and Nancy are simple but proud peo-
and his first–hand experience in the Dunwich sawmill, he’ll ple who’ve been having a few difficult years with bad crops
have more than enough material to write his article. and mounting debt. Their clothing is old but their home
Investigators who have brought their own transporta- seems in good repair, cleaned from top to bottom to impress
tion may want to do some investigating on their own, pre- the rare visitors.
ferring not to keep to Tobey’s inflexible schedule. If Asking about the mill, investigators will again learn only
investigators push Tobey to visit the mill earlier than sched- the most commonly known facts. The Blakes know little in
uled, their pleas likely fall on deaf ears—particularly if the way of details, but swear up and down the place is truly
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

can camp out in the parlor, you won’t even know we’re here.
The Believers, a Rural Cult The Advertiser gives me eight dollars a day for boarding and
expenses, would that be enough?” Cash strapped, the cou-
Unlike many cults, the Believers of Dunwich are a self ple quickly agrees.
defined group, worshipping no specific deity. Whether When the Blakes are later out of earshot, Tobey will ask
as a result of environment, or the cross breeding of the investigators to kick in their fair share of the expense.
specific blood lines—most notably the Bishop and
Whateley clans—a high percentage of Dunwich resi- A Visitor
dents exhibit signs of extra–natural powers such as Before long there’s a knock at the door. Opening it, Nancy
telekinesis, mind reading, ESP, and other phenomena. finds Marie Bishop standing on the frozen stoop. Ushering
Having fled Salem during the witchcraft hysteria, her inside, Nancy’s surprised when the visitor hands her a
drawn to this area by strange dreams, those individu- large basket filled with milk, bread, some ham, eggs and
als with signs of special powers bonded together in a butter. “I hope it’s not rude of me to drop by like this,” she
fraternal organization intended to both protect its says, “but I heard we had guests in town, and I so wanted to
members and to help develop members’ powers. As meet them.”
such, the twenty or so active members run the moral The Blake’s introduce Marie as “our local Schoolmarm
gamut from white to near black, as their individual per- and Township Clerk.” Marie is bright, witty and strangely
sonalities dictate. Some, like Marie Bishop, are positive modern for a place like Dunwich. She enjoys good conver-
influences on the community; others harbor old sation and meeting outsiders. Marie was educated at Rad-
grudges and resentments. Only the strict code of the cliffe College but came back to Dunwich because “this is my
Believers keeps the more dark minded of the cult from home.”
acting on their impulses. Marie offers to help Tobey and the investigators any
The current senior member of the Believers is way she can, telling them she can guide them anywhere they
Charity (Mother) Bishop. Rumored to be over 120 need to go. She also says: “Some folk may be a bit hesitant
years old, and blinded by cataracts, she spends most to talk to people they don’t know. I’d be happy to make for-
her time sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of mal introductions for you.” Tobey immediately accepts.
her ancient home. Mother Bishop is a seer, and con- “That’s an offer we can’t refuse. Thank you so much, Miss
sulted on all but the most trivial of matters concerning Bishop.”
the cult.
Mother Bishop’s protegé is thirty–two year old Marie Bishop. Dunwich schoolmarm
Marie Bishop. College educated, charming and inquisi- STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 9 INT 17 POW 20
tive, Marie poses no threat to the investigators and, DEX 13 APP 13 EDU 16 SAN 85 HP 12
quite the opposite, may prove rather helpful. Marie, Skills: Accounting 75%, Anthropology 15%, Archaeology
under proper conditions, is capable of teleporting her- 10%, Astronomy 55%, Cthulhu Mythos 02%, Drive Auto
self over sizeable distances, up to several miles, using 55%, History 35%, Law 25%, Library Use 80%, Occult
the ley lines that criss–cross Dunwich and the sur- 65%, Persuade 70%, Ride 65%.
rounding area. Languages: English 85%.
A good number of Dunwich residents know of this Spells: Augur, Bind Enemy, Call Horned Man, Dream
centuries–old organization, but never discuss it with Vision, Evil Eye, Warding.
outsiders. A good many more locals suspect its exis-
tence, but do not speak of it out of fear of reprisal. Dinner with Squire Whateley
Around 6 p.m. Tobey, along with the investigators and
Marie Bishop, pack up and head back to the village where
haunted. Herman says: “It gives everyone nightmares, and they have been invited to have dinner at the home of Squire
those boys were sawed into pieces. If any place has got spooks Sawyer Whateley. Living in a large Georgian home—the
in it, it’s that one.” Nancy agrees with everything her hus- finest in Dunwich—this decorated Civil War veteran is also
band says. Investigators making a Psychology roll realize the the biggest landowner in Dunwich. He is eighty–four years
couple is probably embellishing the tale. old, walks with a limp and a cane (“took a rebel round at
At some point one of the Blakes asks if it is possible to Stanton’s Hope”), but is surprisingly fit for a man his age.
get half of the reward money now and the other half after While not a member of the Believers cult, he knows a good
the paper “gets their story.” Tobey apologizes, telling them deal about them. A leading Dunwich citizen, Squire Whate-
it isn’t up to him. The policy of the paper is to only pay the ley serves as Justice of the Peace.
reward once the haunting is proven. Tobey will, however, Upon seeing Marie Bishop with his visitors he says, “Ah
offer to pay the Blakes money if they’ll allow the party to Marie, I didn’t expect to see you here, but I can’t say I’m sur-
stay at their home for the duration of the investigation. “We prised. Come in girl, you’re always welcome at my table.”
–52–
Spirit of Industry

–53–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Dinner is hearty and delicious, consisting of roast duck, changes soon enough.
stewed vegetables, fresh baked bread, and buttered carrot
cake for dessert, all prepared by the Squire’s cook and house- Passing the Mills
keeper, Pastel Harris. Conversation is light, war stories— The most direct path between the Blake farm and Harold
both Civil and Great War—what’s going on in Arkham, Bishop’s is down South River road to Dunwich Road, then
country living versus city life, the weather, and the rest. make a right over the the bridge crossing the Miskatonic
Asked about the mill, the Squire offers the commonly River. Then take the first left at Mill Road and follow that
known facts, adding: “I don’t think my great uncle killed north to Stubbs Road and make another left. Harold
those boys, to be honest. People just got all riled up, horri- Bishop’s is the second farmhouse on the right. This route
ble thing what happened. Anyhow, folks wanted to blame takes investigators right past several abandoned farms and
someone, heated tempers and all. Before you know it poor homes, as well as several of Dunwich’s closed and aban-
old Avern was strung up and that was that.” doned mills, including the reputedly haunted 1806 sawmill.
At the end of dinner Floyd Tobey passes Squire Whate- Tobey stops the car when Marie Bishop points out the
ley an envelope containing $35, the week’s rent for the mill. infamous mill. Getting out of the car, he grabs his camera,
Squire Whateley in turn gives Tobey a ring of nine keys, then sets up to photograph the area. “We’ve got a few min-
explaining he’s not sure which key opens what, but the col- utes,” he explains, proudly. “We’re running ahead of
lection should unlock everything on the grounds. The old schedule.”
judge asks the reporter and the investigators not to break The mill itself is a large wooden structure with a pair of
anything, and tells them to be careful when exploring. massive waterwheels jutting out into the Miskatonic River.
“That old place has seen better days, mind you,” and wishes Over a century old, the building seems sturdy, though defi-
them luck. Unless the investigators have made other board- nitely showing signs of its age. Just north of the mill a water-
ing arrangements, they’ll return with Tobey to the Blake fall cascades down from the north fork of the Miskatonic
farm, where they can turn in for the night. Before they leave River, covering the area with a freezing mist that leaves a thin
the Squire’s home, Marie bids them good night, explaining coating of ice on everything. Footing in the area is tricky at
she has only a short walk home. best. Several other mills in the area are mostly in ruins.
Investigators lingering near the mill must make a POW
x5 check. If they succeed, nothing happens, but anyone
Part Two: missing the roll loses a single point of Sanity while suffering
a sharp pain in their temples. They also feel an eerie vibra-
Settling In tion, experience a loud buzzing in their ears, then are sud-
denly overwhelmed with inexplicable feelings of helplessness
Morning in Dunwich begins with a hardy breakfast pre- and dread, all passing within a few seconds. Neither Tobey
pared by Nancy Blake and Marie Bishop—pancakes with nor Marie Bishop are effected. Marie’s high POW leaves her
maple syrup, sausage, and coffee. Investigators might be sur- nearly immune; for game purposes, assume Tobey made his
prised to find Marie already there, even as they arise. If roll.
asked, she explains she caught an early morning ride with a After taking a good look around, and snapping a dozen
neighbor coming out this way. photos, Tobey hurries everyone back to the car and the trip
Today, Tobey’s schedule has him visiting local historian to visit Harold Bishop resumes.
Harold Bishop for an interview, followed by a visit to the
mill. Meet Harold Bishop
In the meantime, news of the outsiders has spread Following Marie’s directions, the investigators arrive at the
across the village and unfortunately reached the ears of home of Harold Bishop. Marie tells them he’s a distant rela-
Amos Whateley and Temple Potter. tion and explains: “There are Bishops all across Dunwich,
and he’s from another branch of the family. We’re related,
Being Followed I’m just not sure how.”
Beginning this morning, Lem Whateley starts following The man answering the door looks a typical Dunwich
Tobey and the investigators wherever they go. He’s been resident, and it is hard to imagine he once pursued a history
ordered by Amos to tail the party, following after them in a degree at Miskatonic University. Nevertheless, Harold
decrepit Model T of far earlier vintage than Tobey’s. He is to Bishop proves intelligent, well read, and the closest thing to
report on what the investigators are up to. Lem isn’t very a local history expert Dunwich has.
subtle, so its likely investigators detect his efforts. If con- Harold welcomes his visitors and invites them in to
fronted, the hulking Lem reacts angrily, denying he’s fol- have a sit by the fire in his parlor. He’ll offer them tea, serv-
lowing anyone, and tells them threateningly, “I’m just doing ing the pot with a plate of cookies. Harold asks about
what I’m doing, I suggest you do the same.” For the goings–on in Arkham, focusing most of his questions on the
moment he won’t take any aggressive action, but that University. Investigators making a successful Psychology roll
–54–
 Spirit of Industry

realize Harold’s body language indicates

he misses being a student. If investigators 1.
deliver the message from his former 5.
mentor, asking him to return to school,
Harold says, “Yeah, I wish I could, but I 2. 3.
can’t.” If the investigators ask him why, 1. Supervisor House
6.
he answers, “Oh, well, you know, it’s a 2. Equipment Shed
lot of work running a farm. But ya’ll 3. 1806 Sawmill
came to talk about the mills, not me, 4. 1748 Grist Mill
right?” 5. 1791 Saw Mill
Dunwich 6. 1709 Fulling Mill
The History of the Mill 4.
Harold Bishop knows the common his- Mills
tory of the 1806 mill with a few extra
details most people are unaware of.
These are listed below.
1. The boys who died were named David
Jenkins, Rob Allen, and Danny Cahill.
2. The three boys were all teenagers, and
well known troublemakers.
3. Avern Whateley was never formally
arrested and instead was lynched by a
mob on April 13th, 1806, without benefit of trial. patches of ice and the footing slippery. The interior of the
4. Avern lived in the supervisor’s house, right across from building is large and sprawling, frozen sawdust covering the
the mill. floor between stacks of abandoned, aging lumber. There are
5. Avern’s wife, Elizabeth Whateley, remarried within three a number of holes in the roof and snow accumulates inside
months of her husband’s death and moved to Kingsport, the mill, drifting up in corners.
causing quite a scandal. Investigators searching the mill find little out of the
6. The stories about nightmares among the workers at the ordinary, other than the appearance the mill was abandoned
mill cannot be verified historically, as it was never docu- hastily. Lumber cut over a century ago is still stacked, ready
mented. However such tales were widely circulated across for delivery. Workman’s tools, mostly rusted, litter the work-
the area and have become local legend. benches. Tobey and Marie Bishop both take a good look
7. Avern is said to have used old gold coins to pay for things, around, the reporter making notes and snapping pictures as
connecting him to the legend of the Whateley gold. he goes.
At some point a random investigator searching the mill
The Whateley Gold hears a terrible noise coming from right beside him, an
If the investigators ask about the Whateley gold, Harold is inhuman and menacing growl that causes him or her to roll
more than happy to explain: their Sanity or lose 0/1points. In the end, the source of the
“Back in the eighteenth century the Bishops and sound is nothing more than a large, rather startled opossum,
Whateleys of Dunwich used gold coins for trade. Even as hissing noisily at the investigator who has accidentally cor-
the local economy declined, their supply of antique gold nered the animal. If the investigator backs off, the opossum
coins seemed steady. People became suspicious. There were scampers away and finds another place to sleep.
stories about hidden chests filled with gold, secret family
mines—some people even suggested a mystical origin for The Saw Blades
the seemingly endless supply of gold. Wilbur Whateley was The one anomaly in the mill is the four long, reciprocating
using these gold coins as recently as a few years ago. “Over saw blades. Nearly eight feet long, mounted in a box–like
the years lots of folks have looked high and low, turning the device, the four rip blades were used to slice timbers into
village upside down. As far as I know, nobody has ever boards. Despite over a century of disuse the blades are in
found it.” nearly perfect condition, without a spot of rust, and still
sharp to the touch.
Visiting the Mill Any investigator spending time near the blades must
The visit with Bishop over, Tobey is anxious to get back to make a POW x5 check, with those passing the check left
the mill. At the site, Tobey and the investigators find easy unaffected. Investigators who fail the POW check are
entry once they are able to identify the key that opens the drained of a single point of Sanity and and experience a
front door. Inside, investigators find the floor covered with sense of menace, almost paralyzing them with fear. The sen-
–55–
New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

sation, and the resulting paralysis, passes

quickly, leaving those affected shivering as they
break out in a cold sweat under their heavy
winter clothing.
Investigators bold enough to touch the
blades must make a POW x3 check, or be
drained another Sanity point. Those who fail
the check suddenly feel the area vibrating, and
get the impression the blades are somehow hot
and slick. Investigators get a momentary flash
of blood splattering over the area. Again, this
impression passes quickly and, while disturb-
ing, it cannot be documented or proved.

Tobey Takes a Fall

While investigating the upper catwalks of the
mill, reporter Tobey suddenly lets out a cry and
stumbles backwards, crashing through the old
wooden guard rail and falling to the floor
below. Tobey ricochets off an old workbench
then lands hard on the icy floor. Knocked tem-
porarily unconscious, he suffers a small, bloody
wound to the head. Anyone making a success-
ful Medicine roll can assess his injuries and dis-
cover Tobey’s shoulder dislocated, as well.
Marie Bishop rushes over, saying: “We need to
get him out of here, he needs a doctor.”
If one of the investigators is a doctor, or at
least has medical training, they can treat Tobey
back at the Blake farm. If the team is without a
doctor then Marie guides them to the home of
Tucker Jones in Dunwich village, the area’s
physician. Although his medical license long
ago lapsed, he’s a competent doctor who quickly
diagnoses and treats Floyd Tobey’s injuries,
snapping the reporter’s shoulder back into
place, and rigging a sling for the injured arm.
Though badly bruised, none of Tobey’s
injuries are life threatening. Tucker Jones
allows the injured man to leave as long as he’s
accompanied by someone who promises to
watch over him and make sure he doesn’t fall
asleep the next four hours. “Ye might have a
concussion, you know?”
Although Tobey’s injuries are compara-
tively minor, he is fearful, and will not return
to the mill. Even talking about it brings on a
case of the shakes.

Talking to Tobey Afterwards

Back at the Blake farm, Tobey seems disturbed.
If asked what happened he pauses to think a
moment before saying: “I must have slipped on
the ice and taken a bad step.” Anyone making
a Psychology roll knows he’s not only lying but
–56–
 Spirit of Industry

terribly frightened, as well. If investigators make a Persuade Choices

roll to convince him to talk more about what happened, he’ll Investigators now have a few choices. They can agree to take
say he “saw something” and felt something shove him back- a few pictures and a quick look around the supervisor’s
wards over the railing. The something he saw was a boy house before driving Tobey back to Arkham, or they can
standing in the shadows who, turning towards Tobey, was refuse to return to the mill area at all, choosing instead to
cut in half, from crotch to crown. Tobey quickly says: “Over- head back to Arkham with the injured reporter first thing in
active imagination, mind playing tricks on me, I’m sure.” the morning. Should they choose either of these options the
Tobey then shifts gears and admits he won’t continue Blakes lose their farm, the mystery remains unsolved and
the investigation. “I guess I have enough to write the article. the scenario ends in failure.
I really intended to have a better look around, but I think In the investigators take over the investigation and
I’ve got enough to write the story. He asks the investigators attempt to get to the bottom of all this, Keepers should pro-
if they could look around the supervisor’s house beside the ceed to Part Three of the scenario. Marie Bishop will offer
mill, take a few pictures for him and then drive him back to to assist the investigators. Herman and Nancy will be over-
Arkham tomorrow. joyed, going out of their way to make the investigators and
This upsets the Blakes, who immediately ask if this the injured Tobey as comfortable as possible.
means they won’t get the reward money. Mr. Tobey says,
“That’ll be up to Mr. Gedney, my editor. But I wasn’t able
to conduct a full investigation. While it looked promising, Part Three:
there is nothing I can prove. I’m sorry but no, I don’t think
he’ll approve paying out the reward.” Mystery of the Mill
At this point Nancy begins to cry, embracing her hus-
band saying: “Oh Herman, what are we going to do now? In the supervisor’s house are clues about what has gone on
We’re going to lose the farm!” Herman quickly hushes her, in the mill, and how to possibly put an end to it. Investiga-
holding her close and saying, “Don’t worry Nancy, we’ll be tors can learn what went wrong with the special ritual Avern
alright. It’ll work out somehow.” If Herman is questioned Whateley performed, and perhaps even be led to find a
by investigators, he’ll confess the First Bank of Aylesbury is small stash of the famous Whateley gold. With the right
about to foreclose on their farm, and they need to come up information, investigators can attempt to rid the mill of the
with $250 fast. If investigators offer to give or loan the malevolent spirit residing there. However this task will be
Blakes the money the proud couple refuses saying: “We can’t complicated by the actions of Amos and Lem Whateley,
accept charity, thank you. We’re working folk. We’ll man- along with a trio of degenerate Potter allies.
age, but thank you kindly.”

The 1806 Dunwich Sawmill

Saw Blades

Catwalk

–57–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

An Unpleasant Surprise
The Supervisor’s House Investigators going out to their vehicle(s) the next morning
find a winshield smashed, the hood forced open, and several
hoses and wires cut or ripped out. Repairing the vehicles
requires two hours of work and a successful Mechanical
Repair roll. If the Blakes are asked who could have done this
they claim ignorance and apologize for this having hap-
pened on their property. If investigators are unable to make
the repairs themselves, Herman Blake can do it for them.
However, this keeps the investigators away from the mill
area for most of the morning, even if they decide to forego
the vehicles and walk.
Lem Whateley doesn’t shadow the investigators this
The Ground Floor
morning because at the moment he’s helping search the
mill. If investigators fail to notice his absence, Marie Bishop
mentions it, explaining that Lem is likely the culprit, and
the sort that gives country folk a bad name. She promises to
report this to Squire Whateley as soon as possible. Keepers
should have Lem resume his duties later today and once
again begin tailing the investigators.
Master
Bedroom Returning to the Mill Area
Investigators returning to the mill area should make a Spot
Hidden roll. If successful they notice fresh horse dung in the
area. Inside, investigators see fresh boot prints on the snow
covered floor and evidence the place has been roughly
The Second Floor searched—things are knocked over, equipment moved
about, boxes emptied and the like.

The Supervisor’s House

Investigators can gain entry to this house using the keys
given them by Squire Whateley. The house is two stories tall
and, like the mill, has holes in the roof, sagging floorboards,
etc. Other than some old furniture and fading papers, inves-
tigators find little here without making successful Spot Hid-
den rolls. Important clues are located in the attic, basement
and master bedroom.

The Master Bedroom

The Attic If investigators check underneath the rotted bed, and make
a Spot Hidden roll, they find a loose floorboard which, if
lifted, reveals a small metal box, securely locked. The box is
heavy, and none of the keys supplied by Squire Whateley
will open it. The box must be broken into with a Locksmith
roll, or beating a STR of 15 on the Resistance table to pry
it open, or by inflicting 5 points of damage to the lock to
disable it. Inside is an old flintlock pistol, not in working
order but still an antique worth $25 to the right buyer. The
box also contains three one–pound gold ingots with a cur-
rent value of approximately $975. These ingots were made
from five–pound lead weights, like those found elsewhere in
the house. There is also a set of dies, once used for minting
The Cellar gold coins. With the value of the pistol and gold found here,
investigators have more than enough money to pay off the
Blakes’ debts, should they choose to do so.
–58–
 Spirit of Industry

The Attic The Ambush

Investigators exploring the attic disturb a family of raccoons At some point on the third day of the investigation, Amos
who angrily exit through a hole in the roof. Anyone making Whateley becomes convinced the outsiders know some-
a successful Spot Hidden finds a wooden box filled with thing about the hidden Whateley gold. He orders Lem and
papers and books. One of the books is a small leather–bound the Potters to bring the investigators to him so he can find
journal, embossed with the initials A.W. on the cover, which out what they’re up to. Soon after, Lem Whateley, along
once belonged to the late Avern Whateley. If this book is with Jubal and Jedediah Potter, attempt to ambush the
located while Marie Bishop is present she’ll ask to look at it investigators. They may attempt this in or around the mill,
first and then try to keep it out of the investigator’s hands, or they may choose to waylay the party by blocking a
citing matters of privacy, and stating it should be handed remote section of road with their own, decrepit Model T,
over to Squire Whateley. then jump the investigators when they get out of their car
If investigators skim through the journal, they find to help the stranded motorists.
drawings of strange symbols, chemistry notes, sketches of The presence of Marie Bishop is a problem. Even the
indescribable creatures, and fragments of spells. More than dimwitted Lem recognizes that causing her undue harm will
two–thirds of the book is illegible, the pages long ruined by bring the wrath of the village—and the Believers—down on
dripping water. The last few entries are important, detailing his head. The plan is to have Jedediah throw a sack over her
what Avern Whateley tried to accomplish, and how it went head then beat her unconscious while the other two jump
wrong. It also lists his plan to rectify things, written just the investigators and beat them down. Jedediah joins in the
before he was lynched. See the Spirit of Industry Papers #1. fray anytime after Marie is disabled.

An Old Journal Lem Whateley

Title: The Journal of Avern Whateley STR 16 CON 17 SIZ 17 INT 9 POW 9
Language: English DEX 9 APP 8 EDU 5 SAN 33 HP 17
Cthulhu Mythos: +2% Damage Bonus: +1D6
Sanity Loss: 0/1D2 Weapons: Club 65% 1D6, Fist 60% 1D3, Grapple 45%,
Study Time: 1 Week Head 30% 1D4, Kick 55% 1D6.
Spells: None Skills: Climb 45%, Dodge 55%, Drive Auto 45%, Hide
Description: This leather–bound journal, embossed with 55%, Jump 45%, Listen 65%, Ride 45%, Sneak 60%,
the initials A.W., is about 8 inches across, 12 inches long Track 45%.
and two inches thick. It has sixty pages, of which only the
last twenty are legible. While it once held several spells and Jubal Potter
valuable alchemical formulae, all these pages are ruined. STR 15 CON 14 SIZ 15 INT 7 POW 9
The last third of the book is mostly a journal of the alchemist DEX 11 APP 7 EDU 4 SAN 28 HP 15
and minor wizard Avern Whateley, who was lynched by a Damage Bonus: +1D4
Dunwich mob in early 1806. Weapons: Club 55% 1D6, Fist 60% 1D3, Grapple 45%,
Head 25% 1D4, Kick 35% 1D6.
The Basement Skills: Dodge 50%, Drive Auto 30%, Hide 65%, Listen
Investigators find the basement damp, cold and cluttered. A 50%, Sneak 65%.
successful Idea roll reveals the basement is shorter than the
house above by almost twenty feet. Anyone making a Spot Jedediah Potter
Hidden roll here locates a loose, discolored brick which, STR 14 CON 13 SIZ 13 INT 8 POW 9
when pressed, releases the latch of a hidden door. A portion DEX 12 APP 8 EDU 4 SAN 29 HP 13
of the brick wall can then be swung open on perfectly bal- Damage Bonus: +1D4
anced hinges to reveal the hidden room beyond. Weapons: Club 65% 1D6, Fist 45% 1D3, Grapple 35%,
Inside are several dusty, cobweb covered bookcases Head 25% 1D4, Kick 45% 1D6.
filled with jars, bottles, and various containers. There’s also Skills: Dodge 55%, Drive Auto 35%, Hide 65%, Listen
a worktable with mortar and pestle, chemistry tools, and a 60%, Sneak 70%.
half dozen five–pound lead weights. Hanging on the back
wall is an astrological chart listing various positions of the If investigators manage to kill, capture or fight off the
stars, planets, and moon dated 1800-1820. This is Avern trio, Marie Bishop summons Constable Tristram Whateley
Whateley’s alchemy laboratory where, among other things, and tells him what happened. Tristram takes control of the
he turned small batches of lead into gold. If Marie Bishop is situation by either arresting the trio, organizing a search
here, she tries to explain this away, saying that maybe a for- party for the fugitives, or arranging for their bodies to be
mer owner of the house was a chemist or pharmacist. transported back to the village. If any of the attackers are
killed, Marie testifies the investigators were attacked with-
–59–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Spirit of Industry Papers #1—excerpts from the journal of Avern Whateley

March 14th, 1805 need be replaced, this will ruin mill now possess?
My conversation with Mor- the spell but my cousin assures If the other Believers find
timer yielded many secrets. M me that his schooner seldom out what I’ve done, there will
spoke of a ritual he learned needed repairs after being be trouble. I was warned against
while trading in the Caribbean bonded with the spirit. I have my bonding experiments before,
whereby a benevolent spirit hopes that many years will pass they’ll react badly should they
could be placed within an inani- before the saw blades ever need learn I was responsible. God for-
mate object and thereby impart replacing. The expense of the give me for those boys, I need
upon it a soul. M claimed to silver and the cost of con- to find out what happened. Maybe
have performed this ritual on struction have been consider- the silver was tainted? Maybe
his schooner, bonding the vessel able; I’ve used nearly all my someone completed the ritual
with such a spirit. Since then chemicals and half of my lead to before I could?
he says the Sarah Elizabeth per- cover the costs. I require addi-
formed things no other ship tional supplies for my lab. April 12th, 1806
could do, weathering storms that Elizabeth has confessed to
would have shattered a normal February 18th, 1806 taking half of the silver I sent
vessel, somehow finding its way The blades arrived last week her to deliver to the foundry
through deepest fog, being and were installed today. The in Kingsport. I don’t yet know
resistant to damage and somehow mill is nearly ready; just a few what she did with it, but I’ll
easier to maintain. His men say last minute things like painting, find out. She disobeyed me, she
the schooner is “lucky” and that installing worktables and furni- stole from me, and she tells me
those serving upon her always ture, remains to be done. The she has a lover. Why did I marry
feel as if a guardian angel were first of the three rituals is such a woman! I told her that
watching over them. If he could complete; I’ve two more to do it is her fault those boys are
do this with his ship why could- with the final one conducted dead and she threatened to tell
n’t I do that with the new the night after the mill opens. the others what I was doing in
mill? Construction should begin I intend to use the spiritual the mill. She said she hates me.
this spring, which gives me energy of a handful of people I’ve locked her in her room and
enough time to replicate the I’ve invited to tour the mill. cursed her; she’ll not speak
ritual. Unfortunately, cousin M Good, pure hearted, and positive another word until I free her
had the spell cast for him by a sorts of people to help attract of the enchantment. I’ll deal
freed African slave and did not just the right sort of spirit. with the whore later; she’s
learn the arcane ritual person- Six more weeks until the mill where she can do no further
ally. Some details are sketchy. opens, all is ready. harm now. Tomorrow, after the
work shift ends, I will go to
August 23rd, 1805 April 7th, 1806 the mill and knock the saw
The ritual proved very diffi- Something went wrong. Three blades out of alignment. It may
cult. Pure silver needs be boys were found dead, sawn in take a while, but I can’t risk
blended into the steel of the half, blood everywhere! I’m going anyone finding out. I’ll try to
mill’s saw blade that which I con- to be ruined. Why did they have make it look like the blades
sider heart of the mill, just as to break in? How did the spell were installed improperly and
the central mast would be the go wrong? I checked the blades came loose during operation.
heart of a ship. I’ll need to and somehow the ritual was com- People are looking at me with
have the blade made in Kingsport pleted already. I have no idea suspicion. They say I had the only
and shipped here. When the blades how this happened but I know keys to the mill the night the
are installed I’ll complete the one thing, the spirit within the boys died. Some are already whis-
ritual, summoning a benevolent saw blades is a dark and vile pering names, thinking there is
spirit and binding it to the thing, a malevolent force of a murderer among us. I wish it
blades. The blades must be kept evil. You can feel it as you were true, some mortal lunatic
in place within the mill lest draw near, I suspect it’s more and not the demon that now
the spirit be torn free from powerful then it’s letting on, as resides in the mill. Perhaps it
the binding. If these blades ever well. What sort of soul does the is not too late.

–60–
 Spirit of Industry

out warning or provocation, and only acted to defend them- has Marie Bishop summoning a party of the Believers, then
selves. The constable will accept this and not arrest the locating the attackers and prisoners using the Augur spell.
investigators. He will however strongly suggest they leave Keepers can choose whichever option fits best, considering
Dunwich as soon as possible, explaining: “These men have events prior to the investigators’ capture.
kin and I can’t be everywhere at once. Enough blood’s been The Constable’s Rescue: Constable Tristram Whateley
shed, so you’d best get going, understand?” arrives with a posse of armed men just in the nick of time.
Should the locals win out, they leave Marie Bishop The constable orders everyone to come out with their hands
lying where she fell and haul the unconscious investigators up. Temple hands Jubal a pistol, telling him to shoot any-
to a nearby abandoned farmhouse. Waiting here is Temple one approaching the house, then tells Jedediah to kill the
Potter, who, after searching the investigators, binds them prisoners before any of the posse gets inside. Temple Potter
securely with rope. Temple questions the bound investiga- and Lem Whateley then sneak out the back door and escape
tors about what they know of the Whateley gold, giving into the hills. The posse moves toward the house, and Jubal
each a severe beating as Lem, Jubal, and Jedediah stand fires a few shots at them, missing terribly. The posse fires
aside, looking on. Temple plans to eventually murder his back, wounding both of the Potter boys, then rushes the
captives once he’s learned all he can from them. He will use farmhouse. The investigators are saved.
a rusty kitchen knife he found at the abandoned farm, and Jubal and Jedediah are captured, and eventually confess
plans to leave their bodies in the root cellar. Once the situ- to everything, but deny anyone else was involved. The pair
ation reaches a flashpoint, Keepers are invited to introduce makes up a story about the investigators attacking them and
one of the following rescue plans. how they were only defending themselves. Constable
Whateley doesn’t buy a word of it and has them hauled off.
Farmhouse Rescue The investigators are freed and should be thankful the bat-
If the investigators are captured and the Keeper does not tered Marie Bishop led authorities here.
wish the scenario to end with their murder, there are two The Believers’ Rescue: Marie Bishop gathers her own posse
options for affecting a rescue. The first involves Marie and comes to the investigators’ rescue herself, arriving in the
Bishop leading the local constable and his men to where the nick of time with Zebulon Whateley, Wesley Corey, and
attack took place, then following tracks back to the farm- Corey’s parents, George and Emily. These members of the
house where the investigators are held captive. The second cult all live near the mill, where the ambush most likely took
–61–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

place. The Believers silently storm the house, using a mix of The Creature’s Powers
fists, clubs and spells to save the investigators. Temple Pot- The entity has six basic abilities it can employ within the
ter and Lem Whateley manage to rush upstairs then drop area of the mill, and it may use up to two of these abilities
outside from a window and again escape into the woods. at a time. Some of these powers can be used but a limited
Marie Bishop effects this rescue only if she feels the investi- number of times per day.
gators can be trusted with the Believer’s secret. If investiga- Self Motion: The enormous mounted blades can animate of
tors are planning to banish the evil spirit from the mill, their own accord, no matter what safety locks are engaged,
they’ll have done much to gain her trust. even if the blades are disconnected from the waterwheel via the
After the rescue, Marie talks to the investigators while clutch. At any moment these blades can spring to life, rocking
Zebulon Whateley tends to their injuries, possibly even forward and slashing any unlucky investigator with the four
using a healing spell. Marie explains who the Believers are, great tearing ripsaw blades. Victims might be slashed by the
that she is a member, and asking them to keep the group’s teeth, or merely crushed by the heavy wooden frame that
existence a secret. Marie tells them that her people will track holds the blades. In either event, damage is 1D6+2 points.
down and deal with Lem and Temple. She also says if the This power can be employed as often as the entity wishes.
investigators are still willing to confront the evil lurking in Menace: The entity can create a feeling of menace and fear,
the mill, she will help them. often combined with inexplicable physical sensations such
as mysterious vibrations, odd odors, or sudden temperature
changes. This power extends for up to a hundred yards
Part Four: around the mill and can be used an unlimited number of
times per day. Those inside the mill must make a POW x3
The Demon check while those outside the mill require a POW x5 check.
Those passing the check are unaffected, while those failing
of the Sawmill are drained a single Sanity point. This is the entity’s way of
saying “hello” while also enjoying a small snack.
If investigators discover the clues left by Avern Whateley, they Implant Nightmares: The entity can implant a nightmare
might have some idea how to banish the malignant entity in the mind of anyone spending more than an hour inside
within the old sawmill. Otherwise, they might attempt to the mill. The next time the victim falls asleep, a terrifying
spend the night, hoping to provoke nightmares or worse from dream manifests, draining 1/1D4 points of Sanity. This is
whatever is haunting the mill. This section deals with the evil the primary way the spirit feeds itself and the reason the mill
spirit bound to the mill blades, how it can affect its environ- closed just two years after it opened. This power can be
ment and what it does when threatened by investigators. employed up to six times per day.
Telekinesis: The spirit can cause objects within the mill to
What Went Wrong in 1806 move. These manifestations can be simple, like tripping
Avern Whateley hoped to bind a benevolent entity to the someone down the stairs, or pushing a box off a shelf. They
mill, containing it within the saw blades. Through no fault can also be aggressive, like holding someone down on the
of his own the blades were incorrectly crafted, lacking the conveyor, or shoving a reporter through a railing. Moving
proper amount of silver mixed with the steel. The blades objects weighing less than twenty pounds costs the entity
became a vessel for any sort of spirit seeking a connection to nothing, and such movements can be performed an unlim-
the physical world. Many of these entities are dangerous, ited number of times per day. Moving heavier objects can be
anxious to cause harm to the living. Before Avern could performed only five times per day. Those struck by such
properly complete the ritual a malicious entity entered the telekinetic forces typically suffer 1D6 points of damage.
blades. This spirit made the sawmill its home, like a hermit The entity can also hurl objects at a victim, which hit
crab claiming an abandoned shell. 50% of the time. Actual damage depends on the type of
object, a wooden box causing 1D4 points, while a heavy
The Demon of the Mill iron tool might cause as much as 1D12 points of damage.
The spirit inhabiting the mill’s blades feeds by draining the Anyone seeing items moving on their own, being hurled at
mental stability of the sentient creatures around it. Simply them, or feel themselves being hit by a telekinetic force must
put, it devours sanity and spreads madness in return. make a Sanity roll against a loss 0/1D2 points.
Since the murders of the three boys more than a century Illusion: The entity can create illusions, no larger than SIZ
ago, the spirit has practiced moderation, implanting night- 18, attempting to drain sanity from a victim. The illusions
mares in people spending time in the mill and slowly drain- are always horrifying, sometimes powerful enough to drive
ing their sanity. However, this eventually drove everyone a target temporarily insane. Illusions last about a minute
away from the mill, and for over a century the spirit’s been and drain 1/1D6 sanity points from the victim. The spirit
alone, eager to feed once again. The investigators are just can employ this ability up to four times a day, using this
what it needs. power to both feed and protect itself.
–62–
 Spirit of Industry

Paralyze: The entity can cause a victim’s muscles to lock mill at this time is blinded and deafened for fifteen minutes,
into place, effectively paralyzing them. To resist this attack and must make a Sanity check against a loss of 1/1D3.
a target must make a POW x4 check or be paralyzed for Squire Whateley’s reaction to the damage depends on
5D6 minutes. Affected individuals experience such terror the level of destruction caused by the exorcism. Investigators
they are required to make a Sanity roll against a loss of carefully dismantling the saw blade mounts will not draw
0/1D2 points. This, the creature’s most powerful ability, can the ire of Squire Whateley. If investigators instead smash the
only be employed three times per day. Failed attempts to mounting and knock the blades out of alignment, Squire
paralyze a target do not count against this number. The Whateley demands they pay him $50 for the damage
entity used this ability, in conjunction with Telekinesis and caused. Investigators starting a fire in the mill will likely
Self–Motion, to murder the three boys back in 1806. cause significant damage to the structure. In this case, the
Squire will demand full repayment of at least $200, and as
Destroying the Creature much as $2000, depending on the extent of the damage. If
The entity’s one weakness is the focal point of the bonding, the investigators can calm Squire Whateley with a lengthy
the four saw blades. If the blades are removed from their and believable explanation, requiring either a successful Fast
housing, the enchantment is dispelled and the spirit resid- Talk or Persuade roll, he may let them off the hook.
ing within destroyed. Of course, the malevolent entity does
everything in its power to protect itself. Conclusion
To destroy the entity, investigators must either physi- This scenario can end successfully in many ways. The
cally remove the saw blades from the wooden housing, or reporter Floyd Tobey writes his story and meets his dead-
significantly damage the entire assembly. Removing the saw line. It will be a small article that doesn’t bring Dunwich too
blades requires an hour of work and four successful much unwanted attention. In it he states he was unable to
Mechanical Repair rolls. These rolls require the investigator prove the existence of ghosts. His editor, Harvey Gedney, is
to be in close physical contact with the sawmill blades. satisfied with his efforts but of course declines to pay the
Should the entity employ its Self–Motion ability at that par- Blakes any reward.
ticular moment—almost a certainty—the investigators Unfortunately for Herman and Nancy Blake, failing to
immediately take 1D6 points of damage regardless of the procure the $500 reward from the Arkham Advertiser means
outcome of the Mechanical Repair check. The entity might they stand to lose their farm. The Blakes’ farm can be saved
also employ its Telekinesis or Paralyze powers in conjunc- in a number of ways. The investigators may have found the
tion with this attack. hidden gold in the supervisor’s residence and use this to pay
Damaging the mounting assembly might be less risky off the money owed to The First Bank of Aylesbury. If the
but requires a great deal of force. Investigators must inflict Blakes are given more than the required $250, they’ll be able
at least 50 points of damage to the mount using a heavy to buy new seed, livestock and fertilizer to help them get
item like a maul or pick axe. Investigators with explosives back on their feet. If the farm is saved, investigators earn the
may have an easier time destroying the saw blade assembly. eternal gratitude of Herman and Nancy Blake along with an
If all else fails, investigators could set fire to that section of additional sanity award.
the mill. While these last two options will free the blades
from their housing, destroying the entity within, investiga- Sanity Awards
tors may very well cause damage to the entire building if the For driving the bound spirit out of the mill, award the
fire gets out of hand. investigators 1D8 Sanity points. If they manage to save the
If the entity is driven from the saw blades it issues an ear Blakes from foreclosure, award them another 1D3 Sanity
piercing cry, heard for miles around, followed by a burst of points.
sparks that fill the air with the odor of ozone. Anyone in the

–63–
–64–
 Proof of Life
by Keith “Doc” Herber
(with thanks to John Pitman)

T
he small town of Foxfield is located northwest of The northern hills are home to a small but ancient
Arkham, along the Aylesbury Pike. The popular, and Mi–Go research station. Hidden behind a waterfall, the
long standing township supervisor, Henry Barnes, Mi–Go lair is linked to the main colony in Vermont by way
has reportedly received death threats, most likely from some- of a Gate. Desiring a low profile, the Mi–Go have only
one within the community. The struggling population, now rarely disturbed the inhabitants of the region, despite the
numbering less than a thousand people, is usually in accord, fact they’ve been here for centuries. However, when the
but developments over the past year have driven a wedge Mi–Go learned of the possible timber lease in their territory,
between members of the formerly tight–knit community. they felt forced to take action.
A lumber company has offered to lease a large tract of With Supervisor Barnes leaning toward signing the
undeveloped township land in the hills north of town. There, lease, the Mi–Go six weeks ago abducted his two children
the company hopes to harvest top quality hardwoods from from their home and carried them off to their hidden lair in
the stands of oak and maple. This deal would prove an eco- the hills, telling Barnes the children would not be harmed if
nomic boon for the struggling community. Not only would he blocked passage of the lease.
the lease pay the township well, the new industry would pro- Offering Barnes proof of life, the Mi–Go next night
vide a fresh economic base for businesses in the town. delivered two brain canisters, along with the machines
Supervisor Barnes, also the head of the local Unitarian needed to communicate with the canisters’ occupants.
Church, at first backed the proposal but now stands Barnes visits with his two children most every evening,
four–square against it, citing the “desecration of God’s plugging them in so he can read to them. He is by now
domain” as his main concern. His position has until now quite mad.
received the support of two of the three town council mem- Barnes claims he sent the children away to a boarding
bers and a small majority of the townsfolk. Unbeknownst to school in Arkham. His sister–in–law, Sarah Brock, who had
Barnes, however, one of the council members is thinking of been the family’s housekeeper since the death of Barnes’
changing her position. wife, Helen, has also moved out, according to Barnes. The
While no one can prove the source of the death threat, truth is far more terrible. When Sarah, worried about the
most suspect Ike Copley, a local farmer and long time polit- two children, talked of “going to the authorities” the
ical opponent of Barnes. Mi–Go abducted her and carried her back to their lair,
where she still remains. In the meantime, Barnes does all he
Keeper Information can to block the timber lease.
Ike Copley is indeed responsible for the scrawled death This scenario should be staged in early autumn or late
threat left on Barnes’ front door, but Ike never had any real spring, during the school year rather than summer.
intent to harm the supervisor. Drunk at the time, and angry
over a public humiliation he’d suffered, Copley merely Investigator Information
wanted to scare his rival. The town supervisor’s real prob- Investigators may get involved in the mystery several differ-
lems lie much deeper, underneath the hills north of town. ent ways. Henry Barnes may be a friend or family member
–65–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Salem bought the old Sutler sawmill on the north side of the
Proof of Life Papers #1 river and replaced it with a large woolen mill. The mill pros-
a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser pered and many of the local farmers shifted from raising
crops to breeding sheep, selling the wool to the mill.
Tensions Run High in Foxfield Planned from the outset as an idealized industrial commu-
Foxfield, Massachusetts—This usually peace- nity, worker housing was built next to the mill, providing
ful small community of less than a thousand souls lodging for the many immigrant workers drawn to the area.
is abuzz with rumor. The popular Town Supervisor, There was even a small chapel where the workers could cel-
Henry Barnes, also pastor of the Foxfield Unitarian ebrate Catholic mass. With local Yankees hired to supervise
Church, has apparently received a death threat, the work force, Foxfield soon found itself home to a mix of
according to Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant French Canadians, Belgians, Poles and Lithuanians. While
Graham Tolliver. there was occasional friction between the locals and the
“A note was posted on the front door of Super- newcomers, the mill workers mostly kept to the north side
visor Barnes’ home,” Tolliver explained to this of the river in what came to be known as Mill Town, and the
reporter. “There are several suspects, but at this local population, appreciating the economic growth pro-
time we’re not ready to make any arrests. Unfortu- vided by the mill, found reason to tolerate them.
nately, the victim disposed of the evidence before With the advent of the Civil War, the mill was expanded
we could thoroughly examine it.” to fulfill contracts to provide woolen goods for the manufac-
Speculation is the death threat came from one ture of soldier’s uniforms. But by the late nineteenth century
of Barnes’ constituents, possibly angry over Barnes business had slowed, and portions of the mill were shut down
opposition to leasing some of the township land to and workers laid off. In 1911 a disastrous fire burned the
a lumber company. Tempers in this small, usually structure beyond repair. Fully insured, the Pickering family
peaceful, community are running high, and it is chose not to rebuild, moving out of Foxfield and deeding all
rumored Supervisor Barnes was actually involved their properties, including the ruined mill, to the town.
in a physical confrontation with one of his con- Without the mill, the local economy all but collapsed.
stituents on the street just a day or two prior to the Most of the immigrant workers moved out, leaving Foxfield
alleged death threat. mainly to the Yankee descendants of the farmers who founded
Unfortunately, Supervisor Barnes has declined the town. Although still a proud community, Foxfield has
to be interviewed for this story. nonetheless begun to deteriorate as small businesses close and
—Roberta Henry unoccupied buildings go neglected.
The central town enjoys electricity from the local power
company, but neither the southern or northern farms are
of one of the investigators. An old friend of Barnes might electrified. Phone lines are up, connecting most of the farms
hire a private investigator to look into the death threat with hand cranked wall phones that require an operator to
Barnes received. Journalist investigators might want to fol- make connections.
low up on the story printed in the Arkham Advertiser. See A few citizens own automobiles or small trucks, but
Proof of Life Papers #1. horse–drawn wagons are still the norm, and in the case of
the rustic northern roads, all but required.
Foxfield does not have a police force. There is a Town
A History of Foxfield Constable in residence, but most real law enforcement is
handled by the Massachusetts State Police.
Located approximately twenty–five miles from downtown
Arkham, Foxfield is reached by driving out the Aylesbury Pike Supervisor Henry Barnes
for nearly an hour then turning right on the unpaved Foxfield Age thirty–five, Henry Barnes is a Boston native who
Road that runs north and crosses the Miskatonic River. Fox- moved to Foxfield twelve years ago, taking over duties as
field Road is of the corduroy type, unpaved, and reinforced by pastor of the Foxfield Unitarian Church. Married to the for-
timbers that provide traction and footing even during the mer Helen Brock, the young couple had their first child, a
rainy season. It also makes for a teeth–jarring, bumpy ride. daughter named Mary, a few months after they settled in
Bear right at the fork (the left fork leads to Tewksbury) and Foxfield. A son, Robert, was born three years later.
four miles up the road, travelers arrive in the town of Foxfield. The college educated Barnes proved a good choice for
Founded in 1729, the town proper lies mostly on the Foxfield. He quickly got involved in community matters
southern bank of the Fox River, which flows east–southeast and, after less than four years in town, was elected to the
before joining the Miskatonic River a few miles down- post of Township Supervisor. It was during his first year in
stream. A small farming community, Foxfield joined the office that his wife, Helen, was diagnosed with ovarian can-
industrial revolution in 1843 when the Pickering family of cer. A year later she was dead, leaving Barnes to raise their
–66–
 Proof of Life

two young children alone. Ike Copley

Within weeks of his wife’s death, Helen’s older sister, A conservative by nature, Ike Copley has long stood in
Sarah, moved to Foxfield to help out with the housekeep- opposition to Barnes, arguing vociferously against many of
ing, and to look after her young niece and nephew. Settling his rival’s positions. Copley has twice run for Supervisor
into the Barnes household, she, like her sister before her, against Barnes, losing handily both times. Although the de
was quickly accepted into the Foxfield community. facto leader of the farmers north of the Fox River, he’s rarely
Barnes, as head of Foxfield’s only church, and as Town- been able to raise enough opposition to Barnes to overrule
ship Supervisor, has become a respected figure, especially in his decisions. But lately, with the increasingly heated debate
the years following the death of his young wife. Barnes has over the timber lease, Ike may have found an opening.
served four consecutive terms as Supervisor, and is up for When the mill was abandoned in 1911, most of the
re–election in six months. Under normal circumstances he southern farmers gave up raising sheep and turned their
would be a shoe–in, but controversy over the timber lease land back to food crops. The rocky, hilly northern farms are
has left an opening for his political rival, Ike Copley. less adapted to agriculture and, as a result, the northern
farmers have suffered more than their southern counter-
Henry Barnes, Supervisor and Pastor parts. And some of the timber is on property owned by
STR 15 CON 14 SIZ 14 INT 15 POW 15 northern farmers, so they stand to gain even more.
DEX 13 APP 16 EDU 16 SAN 23 HP 14 The farmers north of the river are often referred to as
Damage Bonus: +1D4 the “Congregates” or “Old Believers.” These are families
Weapons: Fist 75% 1D3, Grapple 35%, Head 20% 1D4, who, years ago, broke ties with the original Foxfield Con-
Kick 25% 1D6. gregational Church when the membership voted to go Uni-
Skills: Accounting 30%, Anthropology 10%, Archaeology tarian in 1844. Barnes liberal Unitarianism is a constant
10%, Art History 15%, Bargain 15%, Biology 10%, Climb source of irritation to Ike Copley and his strict, old–school
40%, Credit Rating 35%, Dodge 35%, History 30%, beliefs. There are long–standing rumors about the Congre-
Library Use 45%, Listen 25%, Persuade 35%, Psychology gates circulating among the townsfolk, but in truth, they
15%, Ride 15%. merely practice the severe, Calvinistic Puritan religion of
Languages: English 80%, French 45%, Latin 35%, Greek their forefathers.
20%.
–67–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Ike Copley, Old Believer

Fox STR 14 CON 15 SIZ 12 INT 11 POW 12
Rive DEX 11 APP 11 EDU 10 SAN 60 HP 14
r
Damage Bonus: +1D4
Weapons: Fist 60% 1D3, Grapple 45%, Head 30% 1D4,
Kick 35% 1D6.
Skills: Bargain 25%, Climb 40%, Credit Rating 15%,
Dodge 22%, Electrical Repair 20%, First Aid 50%,
Mechanical Repair 55%, Natural History (local) 35%,
Town of Operate Heavy Machinery 35%, Persuade 25%, Psychol-
Foxfield ogy 15%, Ride 25%, Track 30%.

Arriving in Foxfield
The town of Foxfield lies approximately four miles north of
the Aylesbury Pike. During the ride up the bumpy, corduroy
Foxfield Road, investigators see numerous farms located
along both sides of the road. Narrow, sandy roads branch off,
providing access to other farms along the route. Mailboxes
on posts stand at these intersections. Though many of the
farmhouses are ancient, most are in good repair. The low
stone walls lining the road are neat and well maintained.
Arriving in Foxfield proper, investigators find a small
town of older buildings, some needing a fresh coat of paint,
but otherwise most are in good repair. A couple of automo-
biles are parked on the main street, along with a horse and
wagon tied up in front of Parker’s General Store (the build-
ings on the street still provide hitching posts).
The tall steeple of the brick Gothic Revival Unitarian
Church dominates the skyline. If the investigators explore
farther up the street, past the church, they come to the Fox
River and the ruins of the abandoned mill looming over the
far bank. It’s the dry season, and the river is barely more
than a trickle. Downstream an old covered bridge crosses
the Fox River, and a dirt road leads past the mill, toward the
ad

northern farms.
eld Ro

Places & People

Foxfi

Parker’s General Store

Standing on this spot for over 120 years, Parker’s General
Southern Foxfield Store long served as a tavern and inn, with four rooms avail-
Township able for rent on the second floor. With the advent of prohibi-
tion, the bar was converted to a lunch counter serving
breakfast and lunch, catering mostly to the single male popu-
N lation of the town. The floors are wood, and the walls unfin-
N
ished, with exposed beams. Lanterns and hand tools hang
W

N
E
W N

E S

from hooks and nails, with canned and dry goods lining the
SW

shelves. Though well worn, the place is quite clean and organ-
Miskatonic ized. Owned and operated by the middle–aged Louise Mad-
River
sen, the store also serves as the Foxfield postal sub–station.

Louise Madsen
Louise’s father, Arthur Madsen, bought the place from Old
Man Parker some thirty years ago. Arthur passed ten years
–68–
 Proof of Life

later, leaving the business and its property to Louise. Mar- his two children. “I sometimes worry about him, rattlin’
ried once, Louise’s husband—a notorious drunk—left her around all alone in that big old house,” Louise says. Barnes
early in their marriage and she has been on her own ever resides in the Pickering Mansion that overlooks the river
since. She is childless, and lives in one of the rooms above and the ruined mill on the far side. The house is rented to
the store. Louise is also the Foxfield Town Clerk. the church pastor for a dollar a year, as the church trust fund
Louise is friendly, and happily welcomes visitors. She dictates.
can provide investigators with meals for thirty–five cents, Barnes and Copley Conflict: Louise, of course, knows both
and is willing to dust off the upstairs rooms if they need a men well. She is a strong supporter of Henry Barnes,
place to stay. She will charge the investigators a dollar per though she does express some reservations about his stub-
night, per room. Louise is also a good source of general born opposition to the timber lease. “I think the majority of
information about the town and its inhabitants. the townsfolk are in favor of it now.” Ike Copley, she tells
Louise’s hired help is a local named Rodney Greene. In investigators, is one of the old “north farmers” with property
his early thirties, Greene is a tragically wounded veteran of the other side of the river.
the Great War. Struck in the head by artillery shrapnel, bat- She is not a big fan of Copley, but dismisses the idea
tlefield surgeons replaced the missing portions of his skull that any death threat he might have made was actually seri-
with steel plate and sewed up his shredded scalp as best they ous. “Ike’s a hothead and capable of a lot of things,” she
could. says. “But not murder.”
Rodney will be sweeping the floor, back turned to the She witnessed the altercation between the two men the
door, when investigators arrive. Turning to look at the group day before the death threat was found and, while it is true
of strangers, the sight of Rodney’s misshapen head and face Copley threw the first punch, which caught Barnes on the
costs each investigator 0/1 Sanity points. (For more about face, she’ll tell investigators Barnes responded with two
Rodney, see below.) quick punches of his own, leaving Copley on his knees in
the dusty street, gasping for breath.
Louise Madsen Town Records: As Town Clerk, Louise has complete access
STR 10 CON 12 SIZ 10 INT 13 POW 11 to all the town records, currently stored in a nearby large
DEX 11 APP 10 EDU 10 SAN 55 HP 11 house known to most as “the old Pickering House.” This
Weapons: Fist 35% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% 1D4, spacious house was home to the Pickerings before they built
Kick 35% 1D6. the mansion on the river.
Skills: Accounting 70%, Credit Rating 65%, Library Use The town records are public records, though Louise
49%, Persuade 30%, Psychology 20%, Ride 25%. proves reluctant to open them to outsiders without substan-
tial reason. The building is kept locked, and Louise will have
What Louise Knows to be present while investigators search the records. “And I
Foxfield History: Louise can relate the general history of have to leave Rodney in charge of the store while we’re over
Foxfield, with particular knowledge about the mill, its there,” she complains.
demise, and the affect on the local economy. Offices of The Foxfield Courier: Louise also has the keys to
Supervisor Barnes: Louise is a member of the Unitarian the closed and shuttered office of the now defunct Foxfield
Church, and a good friend of Henry Barnes. She can tell the Courier newspaper. As with the town records, Louise will
story of how Barnes and his family moved to town to take insist she be present if investigators want to check the news-
over the Church and, sadly, the death of Barnes’ young wife paper files.
a few years later.
She knows Barnes’ two children, Mary and Robert, and More About Rodney Greene
speaks well of them. “Reverend Barnes always reads to them. Greene joined the army in 1916, at the age of eighteen, and
They’re a couple of smart little cookies,” she says. She men- was shipped overseas less than a year later. Wounded in
tions that young Robert can sometimes get “a little ram- France by an artillery shell, he barely survived. Once a hand-
bunctious,” but adds the two children are mostly well some man, his head and face are terribly misshapen, and
behaved and well mannered. rudely scarred by the hurried battlefield surgery he suffered.
Louise may mention she has missed the children the last His I.Q. is probably near seventy, and the left side of his
few weeks. If asked why, she’ll tell investigators that Barnes body is partially paralyzed, forcing him to walk with a lurch-
enrolled the two children in a boarding school in Arkham ing gait. Though a little slow, he clearly remembers his for-
six weeks ago. “And their Aunt Sarah left to go back home a mer life, including the sweetheart who, after seeing his
couple weeks later,” she adds. “Without the children to look injuries, left him for another man and then moved out of
after, she moved back to Providence to nurse a sick friend, town. Rodney never speaks of this, though Louise might tell
I’m told.” the investigators the sad story.
Sarah moved into the household after the death of Rodney lives with his mother, Ida, in a small house just
Barnes’ wife, to look after her widower brother–in–law and across the street from the store. Rodney spends most of his
–69–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

free time at the schoolhouse, where he helps out with are nothing but old–school Congregationalists. “Ike
chores, dusts erasers, and plays kickball with the school- preaches in his barn every Sunday.”
children. He is completely harmless, and treated with a spe-
cial respect by the townsfolk. Sydney Etzler, Mailman
If questioned, he proves shy. He has little information STR 12 CON 12 SIZ 10 INT 11 POW 11
to offer other than he lives around the corner with his DEX 10 APP 10 EDU 8 SAN 55 HP 11
mother. If asked about his injuries, his smile fades and, Weapons: Fist 50% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 10% 1D4,
without answering, turns back to his sweeping. If Louise is Kick 25% 1D6.
present, she frantically signals the investigator to avoid such Skills: Drive Auto 65%, Natural History (local) 25%, Navi-
questions, but it will likely be too late. gate 30%, Ride 25%.

Rodney Greene Shirley Sutler

STR 11 CON 9 SIZ 10 INT 7 POW 8 Shirley Sutler is a close friend of Louise, and one of the three
DEX 7 APP 4 EDU 8 SAN 40 HP 10 town council members. The two often share lunch together
Weapons: Fist 20% 1D3, Grapple 5%, Head 5% 1D4, at the store’s counter, and she may be encountered by inves-
Kick 15% 1D6. tigators during any visit to the store.
Skills: Climb 20%, Dodge 14%, Jump 10%, Natural His- To date, Shirley has sided with Barnes on the issue of
tory 10%. the timber lease but, unbeknownst to most, she is ready to
change her vote. If she votes yes, Barnes will be defeated and
The Mailman the measured passed. Unfortunately, the day after Shirley
On any visit to the General Store, anytime the Keeper changes her vote she will be found murdered and beheaded,
chooses, the investigators may have a chance encounter with her corpse left lying in the streets.
Foxfield’s mailman, Sydney Etzler. A widower in his Supervisor Barnes: She is a strong supporter of Barnes.
mid–sixties, Sydney is an employee of the U.S. Postal Ser- Voting against him on the timber lease will be the first time
vice. Foxfield mail is delivered to the general store by truck. she has ever seriously opposed him.
Here Etzler sorts the mail, then delivers to the town and The Timber Lease: She will not reveal to anyone, even her
southern farms in a small Ford Model T pickup truck. In friend Louise, she intends to change her vote.
the afternoon he hitches up a horse and wagon at the Fox- Ike Copley: Shirley doesn’t much care for Ike Copley, or
field Farm Implements store and makes his deliveries to the Ike’s younger brother Zeke, who holds a seat on the town
northern farms. council.
Any investigator speaking with Sydney will catch a hint The Congregates: Shirley is dismissive of the Congregates.
of alcohol on the old man’s breath. “They’re honest people,” she says. “But backward.”
If asked, Syd cautions investigators against trying to take
an automobile up there. “Chances are you’ll
get stuck,” he says. Sydney has the follow-
1.
ing information.
Supervisor Barnes: Sydney likes Barnes, 2.
though he confesses he doesn’t often attend
church these days.
The Timber Lease: He admits that leas- Downtown
ing off the forests would pay the town
well, but he hates to think of “those beau-
Foxfield 3.
tiful hills left barren.” Sydney truly enjoys
the peace, quiet, and beauty of the area
when he delivers to the north farms. He 1. Mill Town
receives a regular paycheck from the gov-
2. Pickering Mill
ernment, and consequently doesn’t worry 5. 4.
much about the money the lease would 3. Pickering Mansion
generate. 4. Unitarian Church
Ike Copley: He finds Ike Copley likeable. 5. Old Pickering House
6.
“Oh, he’s a flinty old s.o.b.,” he says. “But 8. 6. Foxfield Implements
he’s honest, and hard working. All the peo- 7. 7. Parker’s General Store
9.
ple up there are like that. It’s hard to make 8. Greene House
a living on some of that land.” 9. Foxfield Courier Office
The Congregates: He says the Congregates
–70–
 Proof of Life

Shirley Sutler, councilwoman The Rodney Greene Home

STR 11 CON 12 SIZ 9 INT 13 POW 12 Just across the street from Parker’s General Store, a couple
DEX 11 APP 12 EDU 12 SAN 60 HP 11 doors down, is the home owned by Ida Greene and her son,
Weapons: Shotgun, 50%. Rodney. Ida is in her early sixties. She smiles a lot, but her
Skills: Accounting 20%, Bargain 35%, Credit Rating 35%, eyes are care–worn; she still grieves over the wounds her
Persuade 45%, Ride 25%. only child suffered at the hands of war, and is further sad-
dened by her son’s broken romance and the fact she’ll prob-
Others ably never see grandchildren.
Parker’s is a nerve center and gathering place for the town. Ida is the town’s telephone operator. A small switch-
Almost everyone in Foxfield shows up here sooner or later. board stands in her front parlor. An honorable woman, Ida
The Keeper should feel free to introduce characters, includ- never listens in on calls, and will be offended if anyone sug-
ing both southern and northern farmers, as he or she sees fit. gests she does.
Ida attends church every Sunday, in the company of
Foxfield Farm Implements & Stable Rodney.
Run by Richard and Dora Slate, both in their mid–fifties, Supervisor Barnes: “He’s a good person,” she says. “But a
Foxfield Implements carries a complete line of tools, plows, hopelessly stubborn man,” referring to the timber lease.
harnesses, seed, fertilizer, etc. While not a thriving business, And she mentions that he’s “been acting strange lately.”
Foxfield’s farming community keeps the enterprise going. Rodney has told her a couple of the school kids said Barnes
There is a stable behind the store. A horse rents for stays up all night, talking to himself, or reading out loud.
thirty–five cents a day. For seventy–five cents a day, investiga- The two students, Betty Ward and Bobby Kirtland, Ida
tors can obtain a horse and wagon, with seating for four or describes as “scalawags,” but she believes the stories are
more. Investigators wishing to visit the north farms may opt probably true. “Also,” she adds, dropping her voice to a
for horses or wagons when traveling the bad roads in that whisper, “last week I saw Pastor Barnes leaving his house,
area. and he locked the front door.” No one in Foxfield has ever
Richard Slate serves as Foxfield’s Town Constable, though felt the need to lock their doors, but suddenly Pastor
his duties are few. On the rare occasion Foxfield actually needs Barnes has adopted the practice, further raising Ida’s suspi-
real law enforcement, the State Police are called. Richard cion.
Slate’s duties are usually limited to lecturing a delinquent The Timber Lease: Ida makes no bones about it.“This
youngster when some ill–advised prank gets out of hand. town needs the money,” she says.
Richard’s wife, Dora, is the Town Coroner. Not med-
ically trained, her responsibilities are little more than sign- The Old Pickering House
ing death certificates for townsfolk who die of natural causes Currently housing the town records, this Gothic Revival
or the occasional accident. Anything more serious warrants two–story brick home was the first residence of the Picker-
a phone call to the county medical examiner. ing family in Foxfield. It was built in 1843, the same year as
Richard sits on the town council and staunchly backs the mill. The larger “Pickering Mansion” was built several
Barnes on every issue. Despite the business it might bring years later, with younger generations of the Pickering family
his store, he remains opposed to the timber lease, believing continuing to occupy this earlier home. Deeded to Foxfield
it will eventually leave the area barren and devastated. after the 1911 fire, the town has long hoped to renovate this
building and turn it into an official town hall. But funds do
Richard Slate not allow this, and it currently serves as the storage area for
STR 11 CON 11 SIZ 12 INT 11 POW 10 town records. The building is locked, and the key held by
DEX 10 APP 11 EDU 10 SAN 50 HP 11 Louise Madsen, the Town Clerk.
Weapons: Fist 50% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 10% 1D4, A diligent search of the records, at least sixteen
Kick 25% 1D6. man–hours, along with a successful Accounting roll, shows
Skills: Accounting 60%, Bargain 65%, Credit Rating 65%, that over the last few years town expenses have exceeded the
Mechanical Repair 70%, Psychology 25%, Ride 75%. budget by almost $2000, and there is no clear indication of
where the extra money came from. If the investigators ask
Dora Slate Louise about this, she proves evasive, telling them: “Oh,
STR 9 CON 11 SIZ 9 INT 11 POW 12 these records are probably not complete.” The records were
DEX 11 APP 13 EDU 10 SAN 60 HP 10 originally stored in the basement of the house, but a spring
Weapons: Fist 30% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 10% 1D4, rain flooded the cellar two years ago and some of the records
Kick 25% 1D6. were destroyed. If the investigators press the issue, Louise
Skills: Accounting 70%, Bargain 55%, Credit Rating 65%, turns defensive, and investigators may find gaining further
First Aid 55%, Mechanical Repair 25%, Medicine 15%, access to the records difficult.
Persuade 25%, Psychology 30%, Ride 55%.
–71–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Offices of the Foxfield Courier mill is often vilified, even once called a “sweat shop” by the
The Foxfield Courier went bankrupt in 1922. A flourishing paper’s fiery editor. A special edition of the paper in 1911
local paper published twice weekly during the hey–day of recounts the great fire that destroyed the mill. Later editions
the mill, after the devastating fire the paper simply ran out run stories about the debate over to rebuild or not, with a
of advertisers and subscribers. The former owner, Wilson final story telling about James Pickering’s decision to not
Keyes, relocated to Salem and died a few years later of heart rebuild and the family leaving town. Later editions hint at,
disease at the age of seventy–seven. Locked and shuttered, but fall short of accusing James Pickering of burning his
investigators have to go through Louise Madsen to gain own property for the insurance money. Calls are made for
access to the building and the newspaper files. As with the an investigation, but it never happens, and the story gradu-
town records, Louise will insist on being present during any ally disappears from the pages of the Courier.
search. The Congregates: Several references are made to the Con-
Once inside, investigators find the building nearly gregates of the northern farms, but nothing damning or even
empty. The owner sold or gave away all the equipment— suspicious. They are sometimes called “the Old Believers.”
desks, chairs, typewriters—before moving out. Only the Strange Occurrences: These small stories will likely go
large and very heavy printing press remains, dusty and cov- unnoticed unless investigators specifically state they are
ered with cobwebs, standing in a back room. The newspa- looking for them. They are few and far between. See the
per archives are kept in a smaller third room, in tall wooden Proof of Life Papers #2 and #3.
cabinets, also festooned with webs. Making a quick scan of Follow–ups: If investigators ask around town, they find
all the files, from 1867 through 1922, takes twelve most of the populace has heard stories of the haunted
man–hours. Investigators must state what they are looking woods. Some can tell investigators the Indians that origi-
for, and make successful Library Search rolls to gain the fol- nally inhabited the territory spoke of “voices in the woods.”
lowing information. Few, if any, take the stories seriously.
Pickering Mill and Family: A successful search uncovers Most of the adults in Foxfield know of Whipple’s death.
numerous stories about the Pickering family, including mar- Most believe it was a suicide. A heavy drinker, Whipple
riages, births, and deaths. Investigators learn the founder of seemed to be suffering from dementia, often claiming that
the mill, Aaron Pickering, was a savvy investor with an ide- from his fire tower vantage point he could see things mov-
alistic streak. In the early days, the mill is held up as a model ing around in the woods. “Things that ain’t natural,” he
of modern industry that includes housing and other services would say. Most believe, in his demented state, Whipple
for its employees. But when Aaron’s oldest son, Bertrand, actually committed suicide by throwing himself over the
takes over the reins in 1874, the tone of the stories changes. rail. As the story goes, he hit the ground head first, smash-
Wages are cut, and worker injuries are more frequent. ing his head to pieces on an outcropping of rock.
Bertrand spends less money on the town. By the time the Dora Slate, the town coroner, issued the death certifi-
third generation takes over, a grandson named James, the cate, ruling Whipple’s death an accident. If questioned on
the matter, she may reveal it might have been a suicide, but
with no proof, and no suicide note, she ruled it an accident,
Proof of Life Papers #2 so as not to tarnish the Whipple name. If an investigator
an article from the Foxfield Courier, 1898 makes a Persuade roll, Dora opens up more and tells the
investigators that, as smashed to pulp as Whipple’s head
The Haunted Woods? was, there was surprising little brain matter at the scene.
Some things seem to run in ten–year cycles: Sydney Etlzer, the mailman, was Elias Whipple’s drink-
drought, pestilence, disease, and politics. So, once ing buddy. Whipple used to tell him stories about the
again, this editor is hearing tales of “strange voices. He doesn’t think it was a suicide, or an accident.
voices” in the woods north of town. This story is “Where were his brains?” he asks. “You tell me that, eh?”
so old I think I it has cobwebs on it.
“They were buzzing and swearing at us,” The Foxfield Unitarian Church
claims one witness, who says he was assailed by The Unitarian Church, with its towering brick steeple, is
the voices while returning home late one night hands down the largest, most impressive structure in town.
from visiting a neighbor. Built in 1846 and completely financed by Aaron Pickering,
Methinks said witness should curtail his visits this massive brick Gothic Revival structure was built after
to said neighbor, and should also stay away from the Foxfield congregation voted to change the original Con-
said neighbor’s still. gregational Church to the modern, far more liberal Unitar-
And they call this the “Age of Enlighten- ian faith. The church seats three hundred parishioners and
ment”? on Sundays is near filled to capacity.
—your Editor The church is supported by a trust fund established by
Aaron Pickering. It provides for church maintenance, a
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 Proof of Life
small salary for the pastor, and living quarters for the pas-
tor’s family in the Pickering Mansion. Proof of Life Papers #3
Next to the church, on the east side of the building, lies an article from the Foxfield Courier, 1922
the cemetery. With hundreds of graves, some dating back to
the eighteenth century, the grounds are dominated by a Watchman Dies in Accident
large, white marble mausoleum with the name Pickering It is with great regret we announce the death
inscribed over the door. Buried within are Aaron Pickering of Elias Whipple, who last Tuesday fell to his
and his wife Anne, along with Bertrand Pickering and wife death from the fire tower in the north hills.
Emma. Born in Foxfield in 1862, to Abraham and
The front door of the church is always unlocked. If the Ruth Whipple, Elias Whipple was known to all in
investigators visit here for the first time—during daylight Foxfield as a decent man, dedicated to his job as
hours—Pastor Henry Barnes is present. Working in his office, town Fire Watch.
he hears the front door open and rises to meet the visitors, a Bad health in recent years had left Elias
smile on his face. unsteady, and it’s believed that while atop the
tower he suffered a dizzy spell, and fell over the
Henry Barnes railing to his death.
The thirty–five year old Henry Barnes is a sincere, charm- Services for Elias Whipple, who has no sur-
ing, educated man who greets his guests with a broad smile viving family, will be held this Friday in the Uni-
and an extended hand. “Welcome, my friends.” tarian Church. Burial will be on the church
Though driven completely mad by his children’s abduc- grounds.
tion, he shows no sign of insanity. He maintains his poise A successor to his position of fire watch has
and dignity, and willingly indulges in conversation with the not yet been named.
investigators. Depending on how the investigators become —Wilton Keyes
involved in this story, it is possible he is expecting them.
Whatever the case, he will downplay the conflict between
him and Ike Copley, even going so far as to ignore the death If asked about his children, he smiles. “Robert and
threat he received. “Ike’s just blowing off steam,” he tells Mary are the light of my life. I miss them very much.” He
them. “I am in no fear for my life.” He says he threw the can tell investigators the two are currently enrolled at the
threatening note away. Brookdale private school in Arkham. He explains that stu-
Foxfield History: Barnes can relate a general history of the dents near Mary’s age have to take a bus to Bolton for high
town, with particular emphasis on the mill, and how its school grades. “I’d just as soon she’d not,” he says. “And I
destruction crippled Foxfield. He can tell the investigators didn’t want to separate the two, they’re so close.”
he moved here with his family twelve years ago. The children have been gone six weeks. His sis-
Ike Copley: “He’s a good man,” Barnes tells them. “He’s just ter–in–law, Sarah, moved out four weeks ago. “She’s nursing
a little too set in his ways.” If asked about the fight between a sick friend in Providence,” he explains.
the two of them, Barnes smiles wryly and says, “We had a If investigators follow up on this, they may find that
little scuffle. A disagreement over town policy. It was really neither child is enrolled in Brookdale, or ever has been, but
nothing.” it should be noted the school will not divulge this informa-
The Timber Lease: If asked, Barnes explains his opposition tion willingly. It will take a personal visit to the school in
to the lease. “It is God’s country,” he says. “No temple made Arkham and a successful Fast Talk roll to gain the informa-
with hands can compare,” quoting early American natural- tion. If Barnes is confronted with it, he dismisses it with a
ist and Sierra Club founder John Muir. Any investigator simple, “Someone’s obviously mistaken.”
making a Know roll will recognize the quote, and its source. The Town Meeting: There is town meeting scheduled for
Barnes invites the investigators to tour the north part of tomorrow night (Keeper’s option regarding exactly which
the township. “You’ll see what I mean,” he says. “I’ve spent night), held in the church, with Barnes presiding. Barnes
many an hour on walks through those beautiful woods.” He will invite the group to attend, so they can see for them-
cautions against the use of an automobile, though. “The selves what goes on with the timber lease.
roads are pretty patchy up there.” He recommends they rent If Barnes fails to invite them, the meeting becomes
a horse and wagon from Foxfield Implements. “But plan obvious to any investigator in town, as people begin show-
your trip carefully,” he warns. “When the sun goes down it ing up early at the church. Town meetings in Foxfield are
gets awfully dark. You don’t want to get lost up there at well attended social events, drawing as many as two hun-
night.” dred people. With the hotly disputed timber lease the only
His Family: Asked about his family, Barnes’ demeanor issue on the agenda, this meeting will be exceptionally well
noticeably changes. “I lost my beloved Helen seven years attended.
ago,” he says sadly. “She’s buried in our cemetery out there.”
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Church Records and Richard Slate—all for the benefit of Foxfield. As much
Investigators may wish to peruse the church’s records. The as anything else, these actions have made Barnes the popular
parishioner records are kept in a room the other side of the figure he is with those few people who share this secret.
building from Barnes’ office. Barnes will likely give them
access to the records, though he probably inquires what they The Schoolhouse
may be looking for. The church’s private financial accounts Built by Aaron Pickering, this four–room schoolhouse now
are also kept in this room, in a separate, locked, cabinet. operates from a single room, with but one teacher. Miss
Parishioner Records: This is a record of church members’ Aida Simpson, nearly fifty years old, tries to handle a class
marriages, births, and deaths. Going through the files thor- of thirty–four students spread across grades 1 through 8.
oughly takes at least eight man–hours and yields absolutely High school students, grades 9 through 12, take a bus to
nothing of interest. Bolton where they attend Bolton High School. Many
Church Accounts: These are the church’s financial records, choose not to, and drop out of school instead.
kept in a locked wooden filing cabinet on the other side of If the investigators stop by after class lets out at 3 p.m.,
the room. Barnes will not grant the investigators access to Rodney Greene will be there, playing kickball with two
these accounts, citing privacy issues. Simply breaking into younger students, a girl about twelve, and a boy about the
the cabinet is not difficult, though it will leave it badly dam- same age. Rodney waves hello to the investigators, and insists
aged. A successful Locksmith roll will open it without leav- on introducing him to his young playmates, Betty Ward and
ing visible evidence. Bobby Kirtland, both students at the school. Betty and
It will take six man–hours to go through the records. A Bobby were classmates of the Barnes children, and Betty was
successful Accounting roll reveals there seems to be almost particularly close to Mary Barnes. She says she misses her
$2000 gone unaccounted for over the last few years. If the friend. All they know is that the two Barnes children were
investigators have already discovered the excess monies in the sent away to boarding school in Arkham. “He’s kinda strict,”
town accounts, an Idea roll tells them Barnes has been Betty says about her friend’s father. “He made Mary study
siphoning church funds to the town. This is in violation of the Bible all the time.” An exaggeration, but with some truth
the trust account that keeps the church running, and could to it. On the other hand, some would say Betty and Bobby’s
conceivably cost him his job. Barnes colludes with the Town parents could be a little more strict, as the two seem to have
Clerk and two members of the town council—Shirley Sutler the run of the town and are often seen out late at night.
–74–
 Proof of Life

Betty Ward, 12 years old to food crops.

STR 7 CON 14 SIZ 7 INT 11 POW 11 Most are Unitarians, and backers of Henry Barnes, but
DEX 13 APP 14 EDU 6 SAN 55 HP 11 many express concerns about his stubborn opposition to the
Damage Bonus: -1D2 timber lease. Family names include Abbott, Parker, Sawyer,
Weapons: Fist 50% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% ID4, Sutler, and Taggert.
Kick 25% 1D6.
Skills: Climb 45%, Fast Talk 25%, Hide 70%, Jump 35%, Typical Southern Farmer
Listen 65%, Persuade 30%, Sneak 70%, Spot Hidden STR 14 CON 15 SIZ 12 INT 11 POW 11
45%, Swim 50%. DEX 12 APP 11 EDU 8 SAN 55 HP 14
Damage Bonus: +1D4
Bobby Kirtland, going on 13 Weapons: Fist 65% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 20% ID4,
STR 11 CON 14 SIZ 9 INT 10 POW 9 Kick 25% 1D6.
DEX 12 APP 11 EDU 6 SAN 45 HP 13 Skills: Bargain 20%, Credit Rating 15%, First Aid 50%,
Weapons: Fist 60% 1D3, Grapple 45%, Head 20% ID4, Mechanical Repair 60%, Medicine 10%, Natural History
Kick 45% 1D6. (local) 50%, Operate Heavy Machinery 65%, Psychology
Skills: Climb 55%, Dodge 35%, Fast Talk 10%, Hide 60%, 15%, Ride 25%, Track 30%.
Jump 65%, Listen 50%, Locksmith 10%, Sneak 60%,
Spot Hidden 35%, Swim 55%, Throw 65%. Typical Southern Farm Wife
STR 11 CON 14 SIZ 10 INT 11 POW 11
Schoolmarm Aida Simpson DEX 11 APP 12 EDU 8 SAN 55 HP 12
Aida has been teaching at the school for almost twenty years Weapons: Fist 30% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% ID4,
and remembers a time when all four classrooms were operat- Kick 25% 1D6.
ing and Foxfield taught its own high school grades. “Now, so Skills: Accounting 20%, Bargain 25%, Farm Crafts 55%,
many of our students are dropping out after eighth grade, Credit Rating 15%, First Aid 50%, Medicine 10%, Psychol-
sometimes sooner,” she laments. “The tragic irony,” she ogy 10%, Ride 10%.
explains, “is that with so few jobs here, most of them eventu-
ally move to Bolton looking for unskilled jobs in the mills.” Barnes’ Residence
She has taught both Mary and Robert Barnes and says Henry Barnes resides in the spacious Classic Revival home
they were both good students, although Robert sometimes originally built by Aaron Peabody, and locally known as “the
had trouble staying in his seat. If asked about the two chil- Pickering Mansion.” Part of the Unitarian Church trust
dren being sent away to boarding school, she knows very lit- fund, it is provided nearly rent free ($1 per year) to the
tle, other than they are now attending the Brookdale School church’s pastor and his family.
in Arkham. “It was rather sudden.” she says. She may note The house is graced by tall columns on a wide front
she’s not seen the two children since. porch that overlooks the river and the now burned mill.
Furnishings are rather old, and some quite worn. This fur-
Aida Simpson, school teacher niture probably should have been replaced from the
STR 9 CON 12 SIZ 9 INT 14 POW 12 church’s operating fund, as advised by the trustees, but
DEX 10 APP 13 EDU 16 SAN 60 HP 11 Barnes chose to spin the money into the town account, to
Weapons: Fist 30% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% 1D4, help with the budget.
Kick 25% 1D6. Barnes is usually gone most of the morning, attending
Skills: Accounting 40%, Anthropology 05%, Archaeology to church and town matters and doesn’t return home till 1
10%, Biology 15%, Chemistry 05%, Credit Rating 30%, p.m., when he prepares himself a lunch of canned soup.
History 40%, Library Use 65%, Natural History 20%, Per- Most days he spends his afternoons reading, then prepares
suade 25%, Psychology 25%. himself a simple dinner before retiring early. If Barnes is at
home when the investigators visit, he invites investigators in
The Southern Farmers for tea, and sits down to chat with them. If Barnes is not
Investigators may wish to backtrack on their drive into home, the front and back doors are locked, and all the win-
town, and visit some of the farmers living along Foxfield dows latched.
Road. Heading south out of town, the farms are frequent,
right up until one reaches the Miskatonic River and the A Clue or Two
Aylesbury Pike beyond. If the investigators gain an opportunity to search the house,
The southern farmers have done better than their north- they find little in the way of evidence, save a couple letters
ern counterparts since the loss of the mill and its revenue. lying atop Barnes’ desk in his study on the first floor. The
Reducing the size of their sheep herds, the southern farmers letters are from a Boston law firm, Quigley & Sons, which
were able to convert much of their land, rock–filled as it is, administers the church’s trust fund. Both letters, one dated
–75–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

two months ago and another just three days old, inquire
about certain irregularities regarding the church funds, and The Pickering Mansion
requesting a clarification. The tone of the second letter,
while still polite, is more pressing than the first.

A Mysterious Object
If investigators search through the desk drawers, they find,
in the lowest drawer on the right, an oddly shaped object
made of stone. Nearly eleven inches long, the object consists
of a five–sided shaft approximately an inch and half in
diameter, with a broader, five–sided ‘knob’ on top, looking
much like a large bolt lacking threads. The stone is highly
polished, black with a hint of green, and flecked with streaks
of gold. A closer examination reveals the shaft is carved with The Study
shallow, intricate curves and angles. A successful Geology
roll establishes this stone is of non–terrestrial origin, possi-
bly carved from a piece of meteor.
This is a Mi–Go key that can open the secret rock door
behind the waterfall in the north township. Barnes uses it to
visit the preserved bodies of his two children, currently held The Ground Floor
hostage in the Mi–Go lair.
If the investigators abscond with this item, Barnes soon
discovers it missing and, if there is no evidence pointing to
the investigators, assumes it has been taken by the Mi–Go.
He hikes up to the waterfall at the first opportunity, and
confronts the Fungi from Yuggoth about the matter. Once
the Mi–Go realize the key has been stolen they will do
everything possible to track it down. The investigators could
be in for a lot of trouble if the Mi–Go trace the stolen item
to them.

The Cellar
Stairs in the kitchen lead down to the stone–walled cellar. A
lot of junk is stored down here—old magazines, a wooden
chest— but nothing of interest to the investigation.
The Second Floor
The Upstairs Bedrooms
Investigators searching the second floor of the house dis-
cover that one upstairs bedroom is securely locked. A suc-
cessful Locksmith roll opens the door, or it can be
shouldered in with a roll of STR x3 or less. Inside, the inves-
tigators find an empty room, unfurnished save for the tall
mahogany wardrobe standing against the far wall, and a
small dining table with but a single chair facing the cabinet.
Atop the table is a worn copy of the Bible along with a
thick photo album. Perusing the album, investigators find
numerous pictures of Barnes and his family, including pic-
tures of the two children growing up, at first with their
mother, Helen, and later, after their mother’s death, with
their Aunt Sarah.
The cabinet’s twin doors are closed and crudely fitted
with a metal hasp and padlock. It requires a successful halved
Locksmith roll to open this high quality lock. Otherwise, The Cellar
investigators will need at least a crowbar to pry open the
doors, or a screwdriver to remove the hasp. Inside are two
–76–
 Proof of Life

Scuttlers—A Keeper’s Toy

Scuttlers are small, gray, crustaceous the Barnes home, a result of recent Scuttler can be stomped with a suc-
creatures. Looking much like over- visits by the female Mi–Go leader. cessful DEX x3 roll, which automati-
sized ticks, they are the undeveloped Scuttlers avoid direct sunlight, cally kills the thing. Up to two
young of the Fungi from Yuggoth. and seek shelter from the light in additional investigators, if nearby, can
About eight inches long, these Fungi deep woods or inside buildings. At also attempt a stomp, again using a
spawn cling in great numbers to the night, they move about freely. They DEX x3 roll to judge success.
underside of female Mi–Gos, feeding are quick, and capable of climbing The poison is non–fatal, but
on a reddish lichen that grows there. trees. Hungry Scuttlers will drop inflicts an additional 1 point of dam-
Notoriously bad parents, the down on investigators, or scurry out age. The effects of the toxin show up
Fungi from Yuggoth pay scant atten- from behind bookshelves, or jump within ten minutes. Nausea, usually
tion to their offspring. The young fre- from the brush and attack, mistaking leading to vomiting, followed by a
quently accidentally fall off their the human form for a possible adult slight fever and localized swelling,
mother–hosts and run free, desper- Mi–Go. They leap on their victims redness, and pain in the area of the
ately searching for another adult and, holding on with tiny multiple bite for the next twenty–four hours.
female host. Many times they never claws, sink their fangs into their vic- Scuttlers are solitary, and
find a new host and, after two weeks, tim’s flesh, causing 1 point of dam- encounters with them rarely include
die of starvation, their bodies quickly age while injecting a small amount of more than one of the nasty little crea-
disintegrating in the same manner as venom. Their Jump and Grab attack tures.
adults. is very effective (90%) but if an inves-
The secret Mi–Go lair is currently tigator is aware of the Scuttler, they A Scuttler
headed by an exceptionally large can avoid the attack with a success- STR 1 CON 1 SIZ 1
female who frequently travels out of ful Dodge roll. INT 1 POW 1 DEX 15
the cave. She is the main source of If a Scuttler succeeds in its HP 1 Move 5
the Scuttlers investigators will attack, it holds on to deliver another Weapon: Jump and Grab 90%, 1
encounter in this scenario. bite the next round. Investigators point damage, plus 1 point venom.
Scuttler encounters occur most making a DEX x5 roll can pull the Skills: Hide 90%.
frequently north of the river, where bugger loose and throw it down. Sanity Loss: 1/1D3 on first surprise
the Mi–Go move about. South of the Nearby investigators can also help. encounter, 0/1 on subsequent
river, one or two might be found in Once on the ground, a scampering encounters.

Mi–Go canisters housing the brains of Barnes’ abducted the name it’s listed under in most historic registries. Built in
children, along with three alien machines used to provide the the early days of the mill, with Pickering money, it replaced
disembodied brains with sight, sound, and voice. The the earlier simple wooden bridge and is still sturdy today.
machines are currently disconnected, but wiring them up is Horse hooves clop pleasantly on the wooden timbers,
self–evident, specifically shaped plugs and sockets guarantee- echoed back by the peaked wooden roof, nearly covered in
ing a proper hookup. green moss. On the other side of the bridge, the road turns
left and follows the line of hills to the north, past the ruins
Robert’s Canister of Mill Town and the Pickering Mill, and to the northern
If plugged in, Robert seems healthy, almost happy. He keeps farms beyond.
telling people he wants out of wherever he is, but otherwise
he seems stable. Sanity loss for hearing Robert is 1/1D2 Mill Town
points. Consisting of four large dormitories and several small single
residences, these neglected wooden structures have fallen to
Mary’s Canister ruin the last few years. One residence, near the small
Mary has completely lost her mind. Once hooked up, she Catholic chapel, is mostly intact and still inhabited.
does nothing but scream. Her father never hooks up the
voice machine anymore. Sanity loss is 1/1D4. The Mill Town Squatters
This small, single family dwelling is home to Rose Chylinski
The Covered Bridge and her son, thirteen year old Peter. A widow, Rose’s hus-
Once called the Pickering Bridge, this classic New England band, Wojciech, had worked at the mill for several years
covered bridge is now referred to simply as the Foxfield Bridge, before the devastating fire of 1911 took away his job. While
–77–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

most of the immigrant families moved out of Foxfield— side the Fox River, a burned out ruin surrounded by rubble
many of them to Bolton, where mill jobs were available— and tall scrub. The wooden walls, charred by the fire, still
the Chylinskis stayed on, taking advantage of the rent free stand, but are slowly collapsing. Little remains of the roof,
housing while Wojciech worked part–time as a handy man burned away in the fire, and the interior has been left
around town, or as a farm laborer. Brought down by a case exposed to the ravages of rain and the cold New England
of the flu, Wojciech died in 1921, leaving a widow and a winters. The great water wheel, broken off at the shaft, lies
young son. Rose earns what money she can, most often motionless and rotting in the water. The concrete dam,
working as a laundress for the some of the town folk. She however, is still intact, water spilling over the edge. The dam
also takes in sewing. can be used to cross the river, but the water running over the
Rose knows little of town matters, but she is fond of dam’s slippery top edge requires an investigator make a
Pastor Barnes. He has more than once helped out the strug- DEX x5 roll, or take a tumble. If an investigator slips, there
gling family with a few dollars, or a basket of food pur- is 50% chance they fall into the mill pond, and suffer no
chased at Parker’s. But recently she’s seen Barnes acting more than a thorough soaking. The water is only chest deep,
strangely. She will not mention it unless pressed by the and there is little or no chance of drowning. If the investi-
investigators, or tricked with a Fast Talk or Persuade roll. gator falls the other way, it is a six–foot drop to the rocky
If she opens up, Rose can tell the investigators that, over riverbed which at this time of the year is covered by less than
the last six weeks or so, she has seen Barnes leaving his house a foot of water. A successful Jump allows the falling investi-
late at night, carrying a dimmed lantern with him, crossing gator to land on his feet without suffering injury. Failure
over the river via the concrete dam before disappearing into results in an investigator suffering 1D2 points of damage—
the wooded hills. It appears suspicious to Rose because, likely a twisted ankle or a sprained wrist.
instead of taking a quick walk to the covered bridge, then All the doors of the building are boarded up, and sev-
following the road up through Mill Town, Barnes instead eral weathered “No Trespassing” signs are nailed to the out-
chooses to make a shortcut over the concrete dam next to side walls, hoping to keep children from exploring the place
the mill, getting his shoes soaked in the process. Rose has and possibly injuring themselves. The boarded doors pres-
seen Barnes make this journey on at least three occasions. ent little obstacle to anyone determined to gain entry. While
Thirteen year old Peter is nearby, at the edge of the a crowbar may be required for the doors located on the east
river, where he is catching frogs, tossing them up in the air, and west ends of the building, the boards on the main dou-
and batting them with a heavy stick. He is barefoot and ble doors on the north side of the building are so weathered
dirty. His clothing is a little too small for him, and patched they can be pulled loose by hand.
and sewn. A school drop–out with little interest in pursuing If Peter Chylinski is with the investigators, he can show
a job, Rose worries what will become of the boy. them his “secret entrance” near the north door. A hole in the
If questioned, Peter offers little information of value. wall allows any investigator a SIZ 13 or smaller to wriggle
He seems to be interested in nothing more than stalking and through the opening.
killing small animals. He’ll indulge the investigators with
stories of the squirrels and rabbits he’s trapped and killed. If Inside the Mill
the investigators put up with this long enough, they might The interior of the mill is indeed a dangerous place. Rubble
hear him talk about the “scuttlers” he sometimes finds in the strewn floors are weak, often near collapse. The riskiest sec-
woods. He says they jump fast, but you usually can kill tions are marked on the map with an “X”. If the weight
them with a good stick. “They bite, too,” he says, showing these areas can bear is exceeded, investigators fall through to
the investigators a small, apparently recent, wound on his the floor below them.
forearm. If the investigators have brought young Peter Chylinski
along, he can warn them about most—but not all—of the
Peter Chylinski, youth at risk weak spots.
STR 13 CON 12 SIZ 9 INT 9 POW 10
DEX 14 APP 9 EDU 8 SAN 50 HP 11 Ground Floor
Weapons: Fist 85% 1D3, Grapple 80%, Head 40% ID4, This is the largest part of the mill. The wooden floors are
Kick 55% 1D6. covered in rubble, dust, and animal droppings. Some light
Skills: Climb 85%, Dodge 65%, First Aid 35%, Hide 60%, filters down through openings in the second floor, but it is
Jump 85%, Listen 75%, Locksmith 35%, Natural History fairly dark, and artificial light of some sort is helpful. Two
30%, Navigate 85%, Sneak 65%, Spot Hidden 65%, Xs mark weak spots in the floor (both known to Peter). If
Swim 75%, Throw 85%, Track 70%. an investigator or investigators stand or walk in these areas,
there is a danger the floor will collapse and dump them into
The Ruined Mill the partially flooded cellar of the mill. The western X can
This sprawling, three–story structure, as much as thirty feet hold up to SIZ 20 before collapse. The eastern X can hold
wide at some points and nearly eighty feet long, lies along- no more than 14 SIZ points. Falling into the basement
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 Proof of Life

results in 1D3 points of damage as investigators plunge into A burned staircase leads to the third floor. Capable of
the stone cellar half–filled with three feet of scummy water. holding up to 14 SIZ points before collapse, it is wobbly but
There are two ways to reach the second floor of the mill. comparatively safe. A collapse will cost climbing investiga-
A badly burned staircase is the most obvious choice. Wob- tors 1D3 points of damage, reduced to 1 point if the falling
bly, and missing a couple steps, Peter often uses it, and investigator makes a successful Jump roll.
deems it safe. However, if more than one person ascends at
a time, there is danger of a collapse when combined SIZ Third Floor
points exceed 20. If the stairs collapse with investigators on This floor once held the offices of the woolen mill. Roofless
them, they are allowed a Jump roll to lessen injury. If suc- and open to the sky and elements, nothing remains of the
cessful, the investigator takes only 1 point of damage. If low interior walls that once divided the space, either burned
they fail the Jump, they suffer 1D3 points of damage. away in the fire, or decayed by years of exposure to the ele-
Opposite the staircase is a permanently mounted ments. Half the floor is missing, again burned away. Poking
wooden ladder fastened to the wall, but obscured by rubble. around, investigators may find the half–melted remains of
Known to Peter, investigators need to make a Spot Hidden office chairs, adding machines, and typewriters.
roll to find it on their own. If the rubble is cleared, the lad-
der proves sturdy and the investigators can safely gain the Scuttlers in the Mill
second floor. At the Keeper’s discretion, one to three Scuttlers may be
hiding in the ruins, a favorite refuge for the light fearing
Second Floor creatures. If a Scuttler appears and Peter Chylinski is with
Considerably smaller than the sprawling ground floor, the the party, Peter moves quickly to bash it with the heavy stick
second floor presents a similar scene—rubble and fallen he always carries, shouting “Aha! Gotcha!” when he crushes
timbers. Three weak sections of floor are marked with Xs. the Scuttler into unrecognizable goo. Examining the nasty
Peter knows of the weak spots at the western and center X, mess left, a Natural History roll indicates the creature is of
but is unaware of the third weak spot near the southeast no known species. The remains of the creature do not last
corner of the building. The western and center spots can long, dissolving into a thick sticky liquid within half an
hold up to 14 and 12 SIZ points respectively. The third spot hour, which then evaporates completely over the next two
can hold no more than 10 SIZ points before collapsing. hours.
Investigators falling through this weak spot suffer 1D6
points of damage, plus an additional 1D3 points of damage The North Road
when they collapse the floor below them and crash all the This is the single road that provides passage to the northern
way into the flooded cellar. farms and the woodlands beyond. Deeply rutted, alternately

The Pickering Mill

“X”

N
N “X”
W

N
E
W N

E S
SW

Ground Floor

–79–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

sandy or muddy, it is in no way fit for automobiles. If inves- have timbered property, but it is worthless unless the com-
tigators insist on using an auto, the Keeper should feel free pany gains access to the whole of the northern hills.
to inflict upon them flat tires, getting stuck in mud holes, Any of the northern farmers can direct the investigators
overheating, breaking a suspension component, or anything to the sandy road leading to the fire tower. All of them know
else that comes to mind. Horseback, or horse drawn wagon of the death of the former watchman, and some will com-
is the way to go in the north end of the township. Travel on ment on the fact that, smashed as Whipple’s head was, there
foot is also possible, though slower. didn’t seem to be any remains of his brains.
The north road heads west past the mill and along the Northern farm family names include Clegg, Copley,
shore of the mill pond. On the right, no roll is required for Pearson, Whipple, and White.
the investigators to notice the tall metal fire tower perched
atop a high hill some two miles away. Sunlight glints from Typical Northern Farmer
its roof, drawing the investigators’ attention. As the road STR 14 CON 15 SIZ 12 INT 11 POW 11
turns north, still following the line of hills, the tower is lost DEX 12 APP 11 EDU 8 SAN 55 HP 14
from view as stands of great hardwood trees border the road. Damage Bonus: +1D4
Then the road climbs a gentle incline as the trees thin out, Weapons: Fist 65% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 20% ID4,
giving way to hilly, but open farmland. Kick 25% 1D6.
Skills: Bargain 30%, Credit Rating 10%, First Aid 50%,
The Northern Farms Mechanical Repair 65%, Medicine 15%, Natural History
These farms suffered most from the loss of the mill. Set on (local) 55%, Operate Heavy Machinery 65%, Psychology
high ground, hilly and rock strewn, the sheep they raised for 15%, Ride 35%, Track 40%.
the mill once brought them a fine profit. But the land is less
fit for crop farming then the southern flatlands. Trying to Typical Northern Farm Wife
convert these properties to food crops has proved a limited STR 11 CON 14 SIZ 10 INT 11 POW 11
success. Many of these farmers are in deeply in debt to DEX 11 APP 12 EDU 8 SAN 55 HP 12
banks in Bolton and Arkham. Weapons: Fist 30% 1D3, Grapple 15%, Head 10% ID4,
The north farmers are sometimes called “Old Believ- Kick 25% 1D6.
ers,” or “Congregates,” a reference to their descent from Skills: Accounting 20%, Bargain 45%, Farm Craft 65%,
those who split from the Foxfield Congregational Church Credit Rating 10%, First Aid 60%, Medicine 10%, Psychol-
when it converted to Unitarianism in the mid–nineteenth ogy 15%, Ride 15%.
century. Many of the Congregates gather on Sundays at the
Copley farm, where Ike preaches fire and brimstone ser- The Ike Copley Farm
mons in his barn. Ike Copley’s farm is the third farm on the left, about a mile
All the Old Believers are Copley backers, for both polit- up the road. In all likelihood Ike is home when the investi-
ical and religious reasons. Nearly all them stand a chance of gators stop to visit.
directly gaining money from the timber operation. Most Ike, in his early sixties, is a flinty old New England

The Pickering Mill

“X”

“X”

“X”

Second Floor Third Floor

–80–
 Proof of Life
farmer. Rarely smiling, gruff with answers, he is nonetheless The door is unlocked, but unknown to the investigators
a hard working, God fearing man. He is the chief political there are two school children hiding up here—Betty Ward
foe of Pastor Barnes. Ike’s younger brother, Zeke, has a seat and Bobby Kirtland, who investigators may have met at the
on the three–person Township Council. school. Up to no good, when they heard adults below and
Ike admits to nothing regarding the scrawled death then footsteps on the ladder, they hurriedly put their clothes
threat. Done in the heat of the moment, he’s regretted this back on then huddled down, hoping to avoid detection.
ill–thought action ever since. Asked about the physical con- When an investigator opens the door, Betty lets out a
frontation the two men had on the street, he claims Barnes shriek. If the investigator opening the door fails a Sanity
threw the first punch. roll, they lose 1 point as they stumble back against the guard
He doesn’t care much for the investigators. He views rail. If the investigator makes a DEX x5 roll, he regains his
them as outsiders brought in by Barnes to cause trouble. balance. If the roll is missed, the investigator begins tum-
bling backwards over the rail. If there is another investigator
The Fire Tower close at hand, they can try to make a grab for their com-
The road leading to the fire tower is narrow and very sandy. panion. A successful DEX x5 allows them to grab hold of
Impassable by automobile, it is even too much for a horse their friend and pull them back to safety. If all rolls fail, the
drawn wagon. Horseback or on foot are the best ways to investigator tumbles over the rail and takes 6D6 points of
handle the narrow, sandy road that climbs to the summit of damage when he smashes onto the rock outcropping below.
the hill and the tower atop it. Witnesses to the event must roll their Sanity roll or lose
The tower stands at the summit of the hill. Forty feet 1D2 points.
high, built almost entirely of galvanized steel, it was paid for The two kids are afraid they may get into trouble. If
with a state grant a local congressman won for the strug- investigators assure them they won’t tell their parents or the
gling community a dozen years ago. Included in the grant is schoolmarm, Aida Simpson, the pair is more than willing to
the watchman’s salary, paid six months of the year, during tell the investigators anything they want to know, and even
the fire season. Since the death of the original watchman, offer to spy for them. They know next to nothing about the
Elias Whipple, the town has gone without a
fire watch and diverted the state money into
the town treasury. A wooden sign, once
N
mounted on the tower, lies face down on the Fox River
N
ground. Flipped over, it reads: “Keep Off— Falls
W

N
E
W N

E S

Authorized Personnel Only”. Investigators

SW

may also notice a large outcropping of rock

nearby, the spot where Elias Whipple bashed
er
out his brains. ox Riv
A simple ladder mounted on one of the
F
tower’s legs leads to the top and the cupola
that shelters the watchman. The cupola is
surrounded by narrow catwalk with a safety Fire
rail, the ladder reaching the catwalk through Tower
an opening in the walk itself. Climbing the
ladder is no great task, provided an investiga-
tor does not suffer from vertigo or a fear of Ike Copley
heights. Emerging through the opening at Farm
the top, and gaining the catwalk, the investi-
gators enjoy a commanding view of the area,
including the town and distant farms to the
south. and the northern farms to the west. A
large, hand–cranked siren is mounted on the
catwalk rail, near the ladder, faced south
toward town. Its wail can be heard for miles, North
and it has been used a couple times by
prankster children to set the town in a panic. Foxfield
The door to the cupola is nearby, tightly Township
closed. The windows are so grimy it’s impos-
sible to see inside the small watchman’s shel-
ter.
–81–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

timber lease, or town politics. Both children’s parents are bank that leads behind the waterfall, then disappears behind
Barnes supporters, though Bobby says that his dad said: the splashing cascade. He emerges hours later, and slips back
“Pastor Barnes should just go ahead and sign the lease.” to his home before anyone in town rises.
Pastor Barnes: Here they know more. “He’s weird,” Bobby Behind the falls is a secret entrance to the Mi–Go cave.
says. “He sits upstairs in his house and talks to himself—for Perfectly disguised by the surrounding rock, it can only be
hours!” “And he goes out late at night sometimes,” chimes in opened by inserting a special stone key carried by Barnes
Betty. “We tried to follow him once, but it was too dark to and the Mi–Go.
see.” Barnes carries a low burning kerosene lamp on his late Following Barnes on his late night jaunts without being
night excursions. If asked where Barnes went, they answer: detected is difficult. Investigators cannot carry illumination
“He crossed over the dam and headed straight up into the without being spotted by Barnes, and will have to rely on
hills.” Bobby mentions the narrow footpath that’s nearly moonlight. A large company of investigators will be spotted
invisible from the road. This path is a shortcut that leads to regardless of any precautions they take. He is best followed
the hill and the fire tower, and then to the waterfall farther by a single investigator, one with good Sneak and Hide skills.
north. If investigators have not taken stock of their sur-
roundings they may ask “What waterfall?” Bobby and Betty The Town Meeting
will both point out the window toward the northeast. “That Town meetings are held twice monthly, in the Unitarian
one,” they both say. Church. Well attended, town meetings provide residents
with a social outing while at the same time attending to
The Waterfall business. Tonight’s a special meeting, called to discuss the
Clearly visible from the top of the fire tower, the Fox River timber lease. By 6:45 p.m., fifteen minutes before the meet-
Falls is a wide, sixteen–foot drop of crystal clear water ing is scheduled to start, the church is filled to capacity, with
splashing into a pristine pool below. A rocky grotto, deco- standing room only. Seating is open, but over the years the
rated by ferns, it’s beautiful enough to make investigators northern farmers have congregated on the right side of the
think that maybe Barnes is right to oppose the timber lease. aisle, and the townsfolk and southern farmers on the left.
Stripping this land would certainly destroy its natural Tonight the church is filled, so some of the southern farm-
beauty. ers have spilled over to the other side of the church.
It’s about a half–mile walk downhill from the tower to The Township Council consists of three voting mem-
the waterfall, and close up, the falls are even more beautiful. bers. Formerly elected at large by township voters, a provi-
See “Lair of the Mi–Go” below for more information. sion in the township charter now has the council members
elected by district. One each from the southern farms, the
northern farms, and the town proper. The Town Supervisor
Events in Foxfield chairs the meetings, but does not have a vote.
Left to right, the investigators see Barnes on the far left,
During the investigation certain events take place around dressed in a suit coat, standing at a wooden lectern, gavel in
town. Suggestions are offered as to when such events occur, hand. Seated behind a table, facing the room, the three
but it is ultimately up to the Keeper to use them when most town council members consist of—left to right—Richard
appropriate, depending on the pace and play style of his or Slate, representing the town, and a loyal supporter of Barnes
her group. and all his policies. Next to him sits Shirley Sutler, repre-
senting the southern farms, and another Barnes supporter.
Barnes’ Late Night Walks On the far end is Zeke Copley, Ike’s younger brother, who
Investigators may learn of Barnes semi–regular late night opposes Barnes, and votes against him on most issues.
walks. One possible source of this information is Betty and At 7:00 p.m. sharp Barnes knocks his gavel on the lectern
Bobby, the two children investigators may have encountered and calls the meeting to order. “We’ve called this special meet-
at the school or in the fire tower. Interviewing Rose Chylin- ing of the town council to once again consider the timber
ski, a Mill Town squatter, may also uncover this information. lease being offered to us by Crestfield Lumber, who wish to
Barnes usually leaves his home around 11 p.m., long harvest the hardwoods in the northern hills of the township.
after everyone in town has gone to bed. With his kerosene As this matter has been discussed at length many times, I call
lamp set at minimum, he slips out the front door that faces for discussion of this measure to be passed over, and an imme-
away from town, then carefully makes his way across the diate vote of the council taken. All in favor of—”
slippery dam to the other side of the river. Past the mill and “Hold up there,” shouts Zeke Copley, standing up and
across the north road he mounts a narrow path that leads up pounding his fist on the table. “People deserve to be heard
through the wooded hills. Once over the first rise and out of out on this matter!” And a rumble goes up on the right side
sight, he turns up the lantern and proceeds to hike past the of the church as the northern farmers nod agreement.
fire tower, around the hill, and straight for the waterfall. Supervisor Barnes gives Zeke the floor. The younger
Once at the falls, he makes his way along the muddy Copley then spiels on about how the southern farmers don’t
–82–
 Proof of Life

care if their northern neighbors go bankrupt, and have their autopsy. No immediate arrests will be made.
lands seized by “the unholy bankers of Bolton and Follow–up: Investigators, perhaps at the urging of Louise
Arkham.” Madsen, Richard Slate, or other townsfolk, may head to the
When Zeke finally finishes his speech, the vote is held. Barnes house to see if they can find the Town Supervisor.
Richard Slate backs Barnes, voting once more against sign- Reaching the house, they discover both doors locked, and
ing the lease. The crowd’s eyes turn to Helen Sutler, who has the shades drawn on all the windows. Repeated knocks at
repeatedly voted against the lease in the past. “It is with the door elicit no response.
some regret,” she begins, “that I find I have to change my Locksmith, or a couple heavy shoulders can force open
position. For the good of the township, I vote we sign the either the front or back door, giving investigators access to
lease with Crestfield Lumber.” the house. Barnes can be heard somewhere on the second
A roar goes up from the crowd, and the northern farm- floor. He seems to be arguing, even pleading with someone,
ers are on their feet, cheering. Ike Copley steps out in the though no responses are heard.
aisle and, shaking his fist at Barnes, says: “There ya go, ya Barnes will be found sitting at the table in the now
heretic bastid! How do you like those apples?” One of the unlocked second–floor bedroom, his clothing covered in
southern farmers confronts Ike and a shoving match begins. blood. A large butcher knife lies on the floor, next to a
It seems an actual fight may break out. bloody handsaw. Shirley’s mutilated head is also on the
Barnes sees his chance and, banging his gavel on the floor, near the table, the crown of her head rudely sawn off.
lectern, calls the meeting adjourned, shouting over the Her brain sits atop the table in a pool of blood. Barnes is
crowd. Meanwhile, a frustrated Zeke tries to cast his decid- begging the brain to tell him why she changed her vote,
ing vote, but to no avail. He cannot be heard over the din. while apologizing for what he had to do: “But I had to save
“We are in a church, a house of God,” Barnes shouts, Mary and Robert. They’re in terrible danger.” His Sanity is
his deep voice easily carrying over the noise of the crowd. now zero, and will remain that way the rest of his life.
“We will continue this meeting two days from now, when Sanity loss for witnessing this scene is 2/1D6.
tempers have cooled.” Humbled, but still grumbling, the At the Keeper’s option, the mahogany wardrobe may be
townsfolk disperse and leave the church, the matter as yet open, revealing the two brain canisters and the machinery
officially undecided. that drives them. If the investigators have not taken the
Barnes, fearing for the life of his children, immediately carved stone key that opens the Mi–Go lair, it is lying on the
contacts the Mi–Go and relates to them the events of the floor, next to Barnes’ chair.
evening. At the Keeper’s option, Barnes may hand himself over
to the investigators and go quietly, or he may panic and
Swing Voter Murdered attack the investigators, trying to escape. He is unarmed,
The day after the town meeting, one of the townspeople (or and likely easily subdued. He babbles mostly incoherently,
possibly an investigator) stumbles across the mutilated body but in doing so provides whatever information the investi-
of Shirley Sutler. Barely concealed at the side of a road, or gators are lacking to complete the scenario—the location of
behind a town building, her head has been rudely separated the waterfall, the use of the stone key, etc.
from her body and cannot be found. Seeing the headless
corpse lying in a pool of congealing blood costs an investi- The Ike Copley–Thing
gator 1/1D4 Sanity points, plus an extra 1 point if they While the murder and decapitation of Shirley Sutler will
make the surprise discovery themselves. delay the town meeting and the vote on the timber lease, the
If investigators do not make the discovery themselves, Mi–Go know that it will buy them only a little time. A
the switchboard in the Greene House goes crazy, and the more drastic plan will be put into play, a final desperate
buzz races across town. Investigators will hear of it, and gambit intended to put the issue to rest once and forever.
likely visit the scene. If the investigators are late to the scene Ike Copley will be abducted from his farm that evening,
because they were out of town, or for some other reason, the just a few hours after the murder of Shirley Sutler. Taken
police have already arrived and are keeping onlookers from back to the Mi–Go lair, the Fungi perform a radical brain
getting close enough to see the corpse. Investigators may use surgery that replaces part of Ike’s brain with a piece of
their credentials, Persuade, or Fast Talk to get a closer look. Mi–Go machinery that allows them to program the man’s
In any event, they may notice that Supervisor Barnes is con- behavior. It consists of several spinning brass wheels, and a
spicuously absent from the scene. Idea rolls can help, should few twinkling lights.
the investigators fail to notice this on their own, or it could Reported missing by Ike’s wife, Zeke mounts a search for
be mentioned by an NPC. his brother, but to no avail. The following evening the Fungi
The Massachusetts State Police may question the inves- turn the Ike Copley–Thing loose with a can of kerosene and
tigators, if they were the ones who discovered the body, a torch. He begins setting fires in the northern woods,
though they will likely be ruled out as suspects. The body attempting to burn down the entire forest, guaranteeing the
will be taken to the County Medical Examiner’s office for Fungi will not be disturbed. It’s a desperate plan, but the
–83–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Mi–Go are running out of options. time when only Indians roamed this land. They have long
When the fires start breaking out, the investigators may maintained a low profile, wishing to avoid detection, a task
be drafted to find the arsonist behind the fires and stop that became more difficult when the white men came and
them. In that capacity, the investigators eventually come settled in the area.
across the lurching, shambling Copley–Thing. All but The secret entrance to the Mi–Go lair is hidden behind
mindless, the Copley–Thing pursues its programmed goals, the waterfall in the north end of the township. A cunningly
fighting with the investigators only if they attempt to thwart contrived secret door in the rocks behind the falls can be
its mission. Sadly, there is little they can do but put what’s opened with the Mi–Go stone key. A Geology or halved
left of the man down. Reaching 0 hit points, Copley goes Spot Hidden roll locates the outline of the pentagonal door,
rigid, jerking as though suffering an epileptic attack, then and the place where the key needs to be inserted. Pressing
falls over flat on his back. The body continues to spasm on the stone covering the keyhole causes a small section of
while smoke pours from the alien machinery protruding the rock to retract, leaving a five–sided opening exactly the
from Ike’s head. The machine then destroys itself in a small size of the key. Inserting the key, and following the subtle
explosion, scattering what’s left of the farmer’s head across twists and turns of the key’s carvings (roll DEX x2 or less, or
the ground, and across the investigators’ clothing. be forced to remove the key and try again), triggers the
mechanism, allowing the door to slide smoothly out of the
The Ike Copley–Thing way, revealing a low narrow tunnel, again pentagon–shaped,
STR 22 CON 9 SIZ 12 INT 5 POW 6 and less than three feet across, that leads back into the hill-
DEX 9 HP 11 Move 0 side.
Damage Bonus: +1D6 If investigators lack the key, they can still locate the key-
Weapons: Fist 40% 1D3, Grapple 35%, Head 25% 1D4, hole as described above. While impossible to unlock with-
Kick 30% 1D6, Torch 45% 1D3+1. out the stone key, the keyhole itself is just about the right
Sanity Loss: 1D4/1D6+1 size for a stick of dynamite. A single stick will destroy the
keyhole and much of the surrounding rock, disabling the
Lair of the Mi–Go door that seals the tunnel. With a few minutes’ clearing of
The Mi–Go have operated their small research center in the rubble, the shaft is uncovered.
hills above Foxfield for several centuries, dating back to a
–84–
 Proof of Life

Schemes of the Fungi Gate machine that stands nearby, passing between the two
As much as the Mi–Go desire to keep running this opera- crescent horns which arc blue from tip to tip as the Mi-Go
tion, it is not as important as avoiding discovery by the fade, then disappear.
humans. If and when their last option fails (Ike Copley as
arsonist), they begin making plans to abandon the site, gath- Mi–Go Leader
ering equipment and anything else moveable, and escaping STR 13 CON 13 SIZ 14 INT 16 POW 15
through a Gate back to the main colony in Vermont. DEX 15 HP 14 Move 7/9 flying
Events leading up to the climax help determine the state Weapon: Nippers (x2) 35%, 1D6+grapple.
of things in the secret lair. The investigators may arrive at Armor: All impaling weapons do minimum damage.
the site only after all the Mi–Go have left the scene. Or they Sanity Loss: 0/1D6
may still be in the process of closing the operation down,
with at least some of the creatures still on the site. The Mi–Go #2
Keeper shall decide, depending on investigator actions and STR 11 CON 11 SIZ 12 INT 14 POW 13
the climax the Keeper wants to run. DEX 15 HP 12 Move 7/9 flying
Weapon: Nippers (x2) 35%, 1D6+grapple.
The Sentinel Armor: All impaling weapons do minimum damage.
If the investigators arrive at the waterfall while the Mi–Go Sanity Loss: 0/1D6
are still clearing out, they run afoul of a hidden sentry posi-
tioned atop the waterfall, concealed by rocks and scrub. Mi–Go #3
Armed with a lightning gun, the sentry opens fire on the STR 10 CON 12 SIZ 12 INT 13 POW 12
investigators as soon as they show signs of going behind the DEX 14 HP 12 Move 7/9 flying
waterfall. Weapon: Nippers (x2) 35%, 1D6+grapple.
If a sentinel is present, the secret door hidden behind Armor: All impaling weapons do minimum damage.
the waterfall is standing open. Sanity Loss: 0/1D6

Mi–Go Sentinel Entering the Chamber

STR 11 CON 11 SIZ 12 INT 14 POW 13 Scuttlers are common here, providing a painful nuisance to
DEX 15 HP 12 Move 7/9 flying investigators exploring the Mi–Go complex. The Keeper
Weapon: Nippers (x2) 35%, 1D6 + grapple. Electric gun should use them as he sees fit.
35%,1D10 and chance of death if victim fails a resistance Once through the tunnel, investigators find themselves
struggle pitting current hit points against actual damage. in a domed, roughly circular chamber almost a hundred feet
Armor: All impaling weapons do minimum damage. across. The soft purple light illuminating the cave comes
Skills: Hide 80%. from pentagonal shaped modules, each six inches across,
Sanity Loss: 0/1D6 that dot the ceiling and upper walls of the domed cavern.
At first glance investigators see, in the center of the
The Horror in the Hills room, a five–stepped podium ten feet across. Atop the
Once the investigators have located the door and, one way podium is an arching pair of crescent shaped shafts, looking
or another, opened it, they find it leads to a smooth pen- almost like elephant tusks. An occasional flash of blue arcs
tagonal tunnel, three feet across and about twenty feet long, across the two–foot gap that separates the tips of the cres-
sloping down into the hill. An eerie purplish light is seen at cents. A Cthulhu Mythos roll identifies this as some sort of
the end of the tunnel, and a deep sub–sonic throbbing of Gate.
machinery is more felt than heard. On the left, some thirty feet away, an array of five glass
Investigators have to crawl on hands and knees to make cylinders line the wall. Ten feet tall, they are illuminated,
it through the tunnel before it empties into the rock cham- and filled with some kind of bubbling, yellowish liquid.
ber of the complex. If Mi–Go still inhabit the complex, the Each of the tanks holds some indiscernible object. A large
first investigator through encounters 1D3 of the extra–ter- metal chest, eight feet long, three feet wide, and four feet
restrial creatures. The large female Mi–Go, the leader, meets high sits in front of the tanks. On the other side of the
the investigators as soon as he or she sticks their head out of chamber, investigators see two more of these chests.
the tunnel, attacking with her nippers. Her underside is The rear of the cavern is dominated by a large piece of
crawling with Scuttlers, and any successful attack against machinery, nearly twenty feet high, the source of the deep
her results in 1D3 Scuttlers dislodged from her underside. throbbing noise. It is decorated with lights flashing in vary-
These orphaned young hit the floor and 50% of the time go ing, seemingly random patterns. The wall to the left of the
after the investigators with their Jump and Grab attack. machine is marked by a series of deep niches carved into the
Others run away. If the lead Mi–Go is killed, the other two wall, each about two feet high. All are empty, save one,
Fungi retreat, disappearing through the strange looking which holds a Mi–Go brain canister.
–85–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Gate the far left tank is the largest. The smallest specimen, no
This complex piece of machinery, a Mi–Go Gate, is linked more than a foot long, is in the tank on the far right.
to the main colony in Vermont. Standing atop a stepped Investigators’ attention will be attracted by movement
podium, the actual Gate consists of the two horned shaped in the left side tank. On closer examination, it’s found to
crescents that nearly meet at the top. A panel mounted on contain the lower portion of a human torso, with three legs,
the podium is covered with a baffling array of lights, one of the legs substantially larger than the other two. From
switches, and dials. the thigh of this larger leg protrudes a woman’s head. Sight-
An investigator might attempt to use the Gate, but it less, eyes covered by cataracts, the head gapes forward,
will be last thing he or she ever does. Tuned to the physiol- mouth slowly opening and closing. The sight of this causes
ogy of the Mi–Go, the Gate is deadly to humans. Anyone a Sanity loss of 1/1D4. Anyone who has examined the
stepping through it, from either direction, is immediately photo album back in Barnes’ house recognizes the face on
spit out the other side, nothing but a heap of steaming flesh the head as that of the missing Sarah Brock, Barnes’ sis-
stripped of skin and hair, and lacking a skeleton. Blind, ter–in–law and former housekeeper. Those making this con-
unable to breathe, the unfortunate would–be Gate user can nection lose another 1 point of Sanity, regardless of rolls.
only twist on the ground for a couple minutes then die. The rest of the tanks contain further horrors of the
Witnessing this event costs investigators 1/1D6 points of same theme. Sanity losses should be greatly reduced, even
Sanity. eliminated if investigators examine the rest of the tanks.
Tank 2 contains a normal sized arm from which grows a
The Glass Tanks grossly misshapen human form about half the size of nor-
On the far left wall stand the five pentagonal glass tanks. mal, and with a double head joined at the sides. Tank 3 con-
Nearly ten feet tall, including the two–foot high bases, the tains a normal foot from which sprouts an array of slowly
bubbling tanks are three feet in diameter and illuminated waving human arms, like the limbs of some grotesque
from within. starfish. Tank 4 has a human hand from which grows a
Approaching the tanks, investigators see that each con- complete, fetus–like human, tiny arms folded against its
tains some sort of semi–human form. Investigators lose 0/1 chest. The last tank, Tank 5, holds a human ear which is
points of Sanity at the sight, and realize that approaching growing a globe of flesh. Close inspection shows the globe
closer may prove even more disturbing. At ten feet away it of flesh shows signs of developing eyes and a mouth.
is clear the objects in the tanks are semi–human forms,
apparently female, but grossly misshapen. The specimen in The Metal Chest
Made of some slick, silvery metal of
non–terrestrial origin, opening this chest
Mi–Go Cavern proves difficult, requiring that small, square
panels mounted atop the lid be shifted in
different directions until the cover springs
open on its hinges, emitting a hissing sound
while white vapors pour up and out of the
box. It requires a successful Idea roll to deci-
pher the combination of moves required.
The Power Plant Multiple attempts may be made, but each
attempt takes a least two minutes.
Inside the chest is what’s left of Aunt
Sarah. Multiple amputations have taken her
her right leg, left foot, left arm, right hand,
and right ear, all currently growing grotesque
clones in the nearby tanks. Various vivisec-
tions have left her missing organs, insane,
The Gate and mute. Once the lid opens, she begins
thrashing around wildly, trying to escape her
metal coffin. Sanity loss is 1/1D6 points.
Sarah’s Sanity is 0, and she’s a pretty hopeless
case. If investigators decide on a mercy
killing, charge them each 0/1 points of San-
ity.
Upon learning of Sarah’s intent to con-
tact the authorities, the Mi–Go kidnapped
–86–
 Proof of Life

her, brought her back to this place, and have

been experimenting on her ever since.

Two More Chests

Two more chests, identical to the one
described above, stand on the opposite side of
the chamber. If the investigators have managed
to open Aunt Sarah’s chest, the same method
applies to these chests. If not, it requires an
Idea roll to successfully raise the lids, as previ-
ously described.
These chests contain the bodies of Barnes’
two children, Mary and Robert. They lie here,
in suspended animation. They are unharmed,
aside from the tops of their heads being cut off
and their brains removed. The neatly cut skull
caps, complete with scalps, are carefully laid on
the children’s chests. Sanity loss is 2/1D6+1.

The Brain Canister

A single brain canister occupies one of the
many niches cut into the rock wall. Presum-
ably, there were other canisters here, but most
were taken back to Vermont via the Gate.
There is a tag attached to the canister, but the
Mi–Go written language is indecipherable. If
somehow translated it says: “Watcher.”
Only when hooked up to the proper
machines will the resident of the canister be able
to identify himself as Elias Whipple, the alco-
holic fire watch who fell to his death in 1922.

The Machine
This gigantic collection of cylinders and pipes
stands at the rear of the cave. Nearly twenty
feet tall, it emits a deep thrumming sound that
resonates through the chamber. An investiga-
tor making an Idea roll can surmise it is some
sort of power plant.
If investigators explore the machine, they
find, hidden behind it, a polished black cylinder
that doesn’t appear to be part of the machinery,
but instead looks to have been wired up hastily.
An Idea roll suggests it might be a bomb.
Just about the time the bomb is discovered,
investigators hear a thump noise, and the array
of lights on the giant machine change tempo
and begin flashing in a distinct pattern wholly
unlike the seemingly random flashing seen up
till now. The timer on the bomb will run for
another 1D6+5 minutes, then trigger the
bomb which explodes with tremendous force,
vaporizing the machine, collapsing the cavern
in on itself, and burying any remaining Mi–Go
evidence under tons of rock and rubble. Any
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

investigators in the chamber at the time of the explosion will tors might force the Mi–Go to put the brains back in the
be killed and buried. Investigators crawling out the tunnel children's’ bodies. The alien surgical procedure takes less
will be propelled forward by the blast and spit out the other than an hour for each child. The Mi–Go, not wishing to die
end, suffering 2D6 points of damage from burns and broken in an explosion, will reset the timer on the bomb to allow
bones. for the surgeries. It will be up to the investigators to let the
Attempting to short circuit the bomb by yanking one of helpful Mi–Go escape through the Gate, or die at their
the wires results in an immediate explosion. Only an inves- hands.
tigator who can make three Know rolls in a row will be able Discovering and witnessing the destruction of the
to disarm the mechanism without disaster. Any failure Mi–Go lair is worth a Sanity award of 2D6 points. If the
results in an immediate explosion. investigators manage to save the two children, award them
an additional 1D6+4 points of Sanity.
Conclusion As a last resort, investigators may choose to take any or
As written, this scenario offers little chance for the investi- all of the brain canisters, along with the machines, back to
gators to save the two children. Optionally, the Keeper may their homes, hoping that somehow, some day, they might
want to leave one unarmed Mi–Go hiding behind the large find a way to save the canisters’ inhabitants.
machine. By use of sign language and threats, the investiga-

–88–
 Malice Everlasting
by Oscar Rios

K
ingsport, the City in the Mists, has been home to weighted barrels and sinking them into the bay on dark,
many mysteries since its founding in 1639. An old, moonless nights.
quiet city, these days it enjoys a reputation as a On a fateful day a fisherman’s net snagged some of these
peaceful seaside resort. Each year vacationers visit its fine sunken barrels and, opened, their grisly contents were dis-
restaurants and its art galleries, or spend the day sailing. covered. Some of these corpses were identified as locals who’d
With the cool kiss of autumn, the tourists depart, leaving mysteriously vanished in recent months. The barrels, sealed
Kingsport residents to their narrow, winding streets and with wax, were easy to trace to the town’s candle maker.
mist–shrouded secrets. This season is different. The end of The warlock had seen the boats gathering over his
summer brings not only shorter days, but a blight of pain dumping spot in the bay, observed the growing mob, and
and suffering, inflicted on some the city’s oldest families. knew his time was short. He quickly made preparations to
It all started three weeks ago when the Kingsport Chron- ensure, if not his escape and survival, his immortality and
icle reported resident Simon McDonald had been stricken eventual return.
with a mysterious illness. The man, who’d seemed in perfect Chandler conducted a hasty magical ritual that tied his
health just days before, suddenly went totally blind. Six days soul to this world, whatever might happen to his material
later another resident, Bernard White, suffered the same body. The spell allowed the warlock to remain in this world
affliction. Two more victims followed closely, both suddenly as a “ghost,” ready to possess another body. The final act of
losing their sight. None of the victims live near each other, the ritual required the severing of the warlock’s left hand,
work together, or even know one another. They hadn’t eaten which would become an anchor for his consciousness. After
the same food, nor drank from the same water fountain. treating his grievous wound, the warlock hid the severed
Doctors at the local Congregational Hospital are at a loss to hand in the secret temple connected to his basement,
identify the cause, let alone treat it, or discover how it spread. bricked over the narrow passage, and prepared to escape.
Fear now grips the sleepy coastal town. No one knows Abandoning his home, he evaded capture until nightfall,
who will be next, or how to protect themselves. With few then tried to slip away in a small boat. But the mists failed to
answers from local authorities no one feels safe anymore. The conceal him, and the crew of a small fishing boat cornered
people of Kingsport are demanding answers and reassur- him, then hauled him aboard their boat. Beaten and arrested,
ances, but there are none to be had in the “city in the mists.” Matthew Chandler was returned to Kingsport to answer for
his crimes. The next day the murderer was tried, hanged, and
Keeper Information his home burned to the ground. Suspecting him of witch-
In the early 1690s Kingsport was home to Matthew Chan- craft, they cremated Chandler’s body and ground the bones
dler, a candle maker, warlock, and worshipper of the Great to dust. As a further precaution the warlock’s remains were
Old One, Y’golonac. For many years Chandler served his mixed with sea salts then scattered on various patches of con-
dark god, kidnapping travelers and the occasional resident secrated ground as a ward against his possible return. Unfor-
for ritual sacrifice in the hidden chamber beneath his home. tunately, these precautions would prove insufficient; his
Chandler disposed of these bodies by placing them in missing hand—the key to his immortality—was never found.
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

In 1750, a new house was built on the site, constructed ered his hidden temple, gaining access to his Mythos tomes
on the old foundation after it was discovered still intact. It and magical artifacts. Chandler resumed his worship of the
was then the spirit of Matthew Chandler, tied to this spot by malignant Great Old One and eventually found a suitable
his hidden severed hand, began attempts to possess a new vessel for his master, a local woman named Norma Farr.
body. Meeting with failure time and again, Chandler accom- Then the possessed Ronnie Pine began to exact his revenge
plished little more than terrorizing the series of occupants of on the descendants of the fishing boat crew who’d captured
the house. Most of those he targeted suffered from terrible and beat him centuries ago.
nightmares, eventual insanity and, in one case, a victim was Using the Cause Blindness spell, the warlock has
driven to suicide. For much of the house’s history the place blinded four of his five intended victims and is now prepar-
has remained vacant, with owner after owner hastily moving ing to go after the last one. However, this is only the first
out. Gaining control of a new physical body had proved part of his plan. Soon, he will send them horrifying night-
more difficult than Chandler anticipated. mares and, finally, arrange for their murders. With each
All this changed in 1913 when a young couple named passing day the warlock grows ever more confident, and ever
Pine moved into the house. Instead of molesting the couple, more dangerous.
Chandler’s spirit chose to lay low, biding its time. Two years
later the wife gave birth to a son named Ronald, and Chan- Investigator Information
dler saw his chance. The spirit of the warlock now focused Investigators can become involved in this case in a number
its efforts on the defenseless newborn. It took thirteen years, of ways. Learning about the case is easy enough, as the area
but eventually Chandler succeeded, and he took control of newspapers have covered each of the story’s new develop-
the body of young Ronnie Pine. By this time Ronnie’s father ments, listing details on each of the four victims. The author-
was dead—killed in a work accident when Ronnie was ten, ities may even ask investigators in law enforcement, detective
leaving the young boy in the care of his widowed mother. work, or the medical profession to look into the matter.
Once under full control of the warlock, the possessed
Ronnie Pine imprisoned his mother in the house, keeping Kingsport
her alive in hopes of converting her to the worship of This scenario has investigators visiting many places around
Y’golonac or, failing that, offer her up as a sacrifice. The Kingsport. The town is broken up into seven neighbor-
warlock then broke through the bricked up wall and uncov- hoods: Harborside, The Hollow, Central Hill, Southshore,
–90–
 Malice Everlasting

he says: “There ain’t much use for a blind carpenter.”

Malice Papers #1 John Placard: Eighteen years old, John is a student living at
a recent article from the Kingsport Chronicle 555 Holt St. between Green and Hall St., Southshore. He is a
freshman at Miskatonic University, planning to study chem-
Student Struck Suddenly Blind istry. John lost his sight November 1st, while waiting for a bus.
18–year–old John Placard, a freshman He is now home with his widowed mother, Virginia Placard,
enrolled at Miskatonic University, was struck and visited often by Abigail Waite, his high school sweetheart.
suddenly blind two days ago while waiting for a Placard is in good spirits, saying his affliction should clear up
bus in downtown Kingsport. He was quickly any time now, and claiming he’s starting to see shadows and
rushed to Congregational Hospital where doc- light. Both Virginia and Abigail are in good spirits, comment-
tors held the young man for observation. At the ing that John is slowly recovering. Investigators making a suc-
time of this story, physicians have yet to make a cessful Psychology roll realize John is lying about his recovery,
diagnosis. probably for the sake of his mother and Abigail.
While interviewing the doctors it was Scott Forrester: Scott, 51 years old, is a loan officer for the
learned that two other Kingsport citizens have First Marine Bank of Kingsport, and lives nearby on 460
suffered afflictions similar to young Placard. Caldecott St., Downtown. He is currently confined to a
Both Simon McDonald, and Bernard White room in the Congregational Hospital. His wife, Martha,
have been admitted to, and treated at Congrega- spends most of her time at his side. Forrester was stuck blind
tional Hospital during his lunch hour just a day ago, November 5th. The
While as yet undecided regarding the cause, couple has two married daughters, both living in Arkham,
the attending physicians were quick to rule out as well as a son who was killed in the Great War. Mr. For-
any communicable disease, and Kingsport resi- rester seems more concerned about upsetting his wife than
dents are to be reassured they are in no danger recovering from his affliction. Martha Forrester is with him
—Stanley Carter whenever visiting hours permit, usually reading him the
paper, or chatting while holding his hand.

Information Gained
Downtown, the West Side, and Hilltown. Addresses listed Investigators who question all four victims may realize they
here also include the name of the neighborhood. have several things in common. Some of this information is
rather obvious, the rest can be obtained by questioning

Part One:
Malice Papers #2
Elusive Links a recent article from the Kingsport Chronicle

The key to opening up this case is discovering what the vic- Another Man Suffers Blindness
tims have in common. Other than being natives of Kingsport Although authorities have cautioned against
who can trace their families back to the 1600s there is noth- speculation that might cause undue panic, the
ing obviously linking them. The victims are as follows: Chronicle feels it is the duty of this newspaper to
Simon McDonald: Simon, forty–two years old, is married report all and any news of value and service to
and the father of two adult girls. He was the first stricken the community.
blind on October 20th, while out fishing. Simon’s family Yet another citizen has been struck by sud-
lives at 820 Ship Street, between Barrel and Silver St., Har- den, seemingly irreversible blindness. Scott For-
borside. He is currently at home and fed up with the prob- rester, an employee at The First Marine Bank,
ing of doctors. He’ll talk to investigators but only to please inexplicably lost his sight two evenings ago,
his wife, Miriam, who urges him to cooperate. while reading the newspaper in his home.
Bernard White: Bernard, thirty–five years old, is a carpen- Authorities have cautioned this newspaper
ter who works at F.W. Illsley & Sons, the local shipwrights. about spreading undue panic, but the editor of
A childless widower, he lives alone at 185 High St., between this publication feels the public has a right to
Carter and Brush St. in The Hollow. Mr. White is currently know.
confined to Congregational Hospital, where he is undergo- Is there some sinister disease stalking our
ing a series of tests. Bernard went blind on October 25th streets? Authorities seem at a lost to explain
while getting dressed for church and is deeply depressed by these recent events.
his condition. He’ll gladly answer the investigators’ questions —Stanley Carter
in the hope that someone can help him regain his sight. As
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

them and by possibly making a successful Know roll, with a into the case, he’ll attempt to befriend them.
+15% bonus if investigators are natives of Kingsport. Inves- The warlock tries to pry information out of the investi-
tigators can learn all the victims are male, all of them cur- gators. He’ll take out a pen and pad, saying: “I want to be a
rently the last of the family line, and all are descended from newspaper reporter when I grow up.” Ollie also tells them:
old Kingsport families that date back to colonial times. “I’ve been following this case myself, looking out for suspi-
cious characters creeping around the hospital.” If the inves-
The Paperboy tigators take the bait and ask him for details, he tells them
The warlock, now in the body of thirteen year old Ronnie the story of “the mysterious sailor” (see below, “The Paper-
Pine, will be keeping an eye on anyone unduly interested in boy’s Red Herring”). The paperboy tells investigators,
his victims. He has no wish to be discovered and captured a “Maybe if I can help you solve this, the Chronicle will make
second time. Ronnie has recently started a part–time job as me a reporter!”
a paperboy for the Kingsport Chronicle. This way he’ll have After the warlock learns who the investigators are, he’ll
access to the latest developments in the case. start making their life difficult. He may cast spells against
He currently uses the name Ollie Mattock, which is how them, arrange an accident, or send some of his monstrous
his employers at the Chronicle know him. He hopes the fake minions to deal with them.
name will keep people from tracing him back to the home of
Ronnie Pine and the secrets the warlock keeps in the base- Ronnie Pine, possessed teen
ment of the house. Travelling home, usually on his bike, the STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 10 INT 13 POW 16
warlock never takes a direct route. Instead, he takes a round- DEX 15 APP 12 EDU14 SAN 0 HP 12
about path, making multiple Spot Hidden rolls, trying to Weapons: .38 Revolver 55% 1D10, Knife 45% 1D6,
identify and shake anyone who might be following him. Blackjack 65% 1D8.
Ronnie spends much of his time outside Congregational Skills: Conceal 60%, Cthulhu Mythos 20%, Dodge 50%,
Hospital, selling newspapers. He’ll actually be keeping track Fast Talk 70%, Hide 65%, Listen 65%, Occult 45%, Persuade
of police and doctors involved with his victims. Ronnie is 70%, Psychology 65%, Sneak 65%, Spot Hidden 70%.
friendly and tries to chat with anyone visiting the part of the Spells: Call/Dismiss Y’golonac, Cause Blindness, Cloud
hospital where Scott Forrester and Bernard White are being Memory, Enthrall Victim, Nightmare, Stop Heart, Sum-
cared for. Once he discovers the investigators are looking mon/Bind Fire Vampire.
–92–
 Malice Everlasting

The Paperboy’s Red Herring

Ronnie tells investigators he’s spotted a mysterious man at The Malice Papers #3
the hospital who’s shown up every time a new victim an excerpt from Kingsport—A Century by the Sea
arrived. He describes the man as wearing a thick overcoat,
boots and a “Greek fishermen’s hat.” Ronnie also claims the Chapter Six:
man walked with a limp, and pulled the hat down over his The Witch Hysteria Hits Kingsport
eyes whenever police walked past him. Ronnie shows the …The most unusual case involved a collection of
investigators a small Kodak Brownie camera, saying: “Next sunken barrels discovered in the bay, each of the
time I see him, I’ll try to get a picture.” barrels found to contain the remains of a different
None of this is true. Ronnie’s description is generic missing person. The barrels were traced to one
enough to fit any one of a dozen fishermen in Kingsport, Matthew Chandler, the town candle maker. He’d
and the style of hat is especially popular with the town’s Por- fled his home by the time authorities set out to
tuguese fishermen. As the scenario progresses the paperboy arrest him, evading capture until after dark, when
may tell investigators he’s spotted “the mysterious sailor” the crew of the fishing boat Melanie Rose appre-
elsewhere in Kingsport, especially if something violent, hended him on the bay, trying to escape in a
unusual, or supernatural has occurred there. stolen boat. The posse of fishermen had been
organized by Reverend David Appleton, a man
Police and Doctors who played a key role in the arrests and convic-
Investigators may feel the need to speak with the local police tions of many of those accused of witchcraft in
and doctors but there is little to be learned from them that Kingsport.
hasn’t already been reported in the Chronicle. The honest The trial was notable in that Mr. Chandler was
and easygoing Chief Tristram Crane heads Kingsport’s the only person ever put on trial that was willing
Police Department (601 Turner St., Downtown). He cur- to openly confess his crimes, according to some
rently believes this to be some sort of medical crisis as there reports, actually taking pride in them. This trial
is no evidence of a crime being committed. also had the most witnesses, with all five men who
The Chief of Staff at Congregational Hospital (401 captured him appearing in court. Unlike many wit-
Summit St., Central Hill) is Dr. Matthew Harris, a surgeon nesses in these cases, those testifying against
and longtime resident of Kingsport. Outwardly he claims Chandler were all highly respected citizens.
these cases seem to be some sort of stroke that has damaged Samuel Forrester, Jacob McDonald, Goodwine
the optic nerve, but he doesn’t really believe it. To other White, James Placard, and Reverend Appleton all
physicians he confides he has no idea what caused the con- claimed to have witnessed the accused performing
dition, but he has ruled out poisoning, trauma, and infec- acts of magic during his attempts to escape them.
tion. Dr. Harris is currently treating Scott Forrester and The last unique part of this case was the disposi-
Bernard White, running further tests trying to discover the tion of the accused’s body.After being hanged, the
cause of their blindness. body was cut down and burned and, in a final act
of outrage, citizens ransacked the Chandler resi-
dence then burned it to the ground.
Part Two:
A Window and bind Fire Vampires. He also possesses a potent magical
item which he calls “the Sack.” The Sack allows him to sum-
Into The Past mon a limitless number of creatures know as Children of
Y’golonac. While relatively weak, these abominations are
As the investigation moves from interviews with victims and dangerous, and always attack in numbers. They are totally
officials, to delving into books and historical records, things obedient to Matthew Chandler, no matter what body he
become increasingly dangerous. Matthew Chandler has currently inhabits.
been caught and killed once, now he’ll do whatever neces-
sary to keep that from happening again. As investigators Researching the Victims
start digging into the past, the warlock moves to block them There are three likely places the investigators can conduct
every step of the way, often with murderous intent. research attempting to discover further links between the
victims. These are the Kingsport Public Library at 906
Monstrous Minions Howard St., Downtown; Talbot Hall (town hall) at 607
The warlock Matthew Chandler, now in control of the body Turner St., Downtown; and the Kingsport Historical Soci-
of Ronnie Pine, has some dangerous forces at his disposal. ety Museum, 210 Carter St., in The Hollow.
Among his arsenal of spells he has the ability to summon
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Talbot Hall
The Malice Papers #4 Talbot Hall is the location of the City Clerk’s office where
a record of the property at 112 Parson Street deeds, birth and death certificates, permits, and other doc-
uments are stored. Wanda Drake, age forty, is the City Clerk
Lot 810, Prospect Hill and manages the office. She’s an amateur antiquarian with a
1661 – Sold to Harrison Chandler, who constructs a curious streak who’ll eagerly help investigators locate some
home on the site. of the older records they require.
1682 – Property passed to Matthew Chandler, son of Investigators may research three matters here, provided
previous owner. they’ve discovered The Malice Papers #3. Each of the fol-
1692 – Property abandoned after a fire, reverts to lowing pieces of information requires a successful Library
Town of Kingsport ownership. Use roll. If Wanda Drake is actively assisting, the investiga-
1747 – Property sold to Thomas Caulderson. tors may add a +15% bonus to this roll. The three lines of
1750 – House built on the site, utilizing the existing research are:
foundation. Victims’ Bloodlines: Verify if the four afflicted men are
1774 – Property sold to Kenneth Ober. descendants of the fishermen who captured and then testi-
1830 – Property sold to Brian Funt. fied against Matthew Chandler.
1855 – Property boarded up, ownership reverts to The bloodlines of the four victims can be determined
Town of Kingsport on tax lien. by a search of city birth certificates. The four blind men—
1891 – Property purchased by James & James Corp., Simon McDonald, Bernard White, John Placard and Scott
permits issued to renovate house. Forrester—are direct descendants of men involved in the
1912 – Property sold to Gabriel Pine. trial of Matthew Chandler. This also reveals that each of
1920 – Property passed to Julia Pine, widow of pre- these men is the last living male heir of their families.
vious owner. The Appleton Bloodline: Discover if the fifth crew mem-
ber, David Appleton, has any descendants.
These records also reveal David Appleton does have a
Kingsport Public Library living descendant in Kingsport, a Wallace Appleton, age 37.
The elderly librarian Letitia Comstock oversees this small, His current address is 204 Harper St. on the West Side,
rather unremarkable facility. A severe woman, she proves which can be learned with another successful Library Use
helpful if needed. Investigators may attempt a Library Use roll, or a Know roll -25% for any investigator actually a res-
roll here to research possible links between the four afflicted ident of Kingsport.
men. A successful check yields the following information, The Warlock’s Home: Locate the original site of Matthew
found in a book called Kingsport—A Century by the Sea, writ- Chandler’s home, currently 112 Parson St. in Hilltown.
ten in 1888. This is a history of Kingsport, chronicling the The location of the warlock’s home is the hardest to find,
years 1639-1739. See The Malice Papers #3. at a –20% penalty, though easily countered with Mrs.
Drake’s assistance. These records show where the house once
A Possible Attack at the Library stood and the disposition of the property since that time.
Ronnie Pine recently visited the Kingsport Public Library These facts are contained in a number of documents; a sum-
where he tried to find and destroy any references to events mary of the information is listed in The Malice Papers #4.
concerning the witch hysteria of the 1690s. Unfortunately, Investigators who are residents of Kingsport realize,
before he could locate the book Kingsport—A Century by the with a successful Know Roll, that this is the infamous Funt
Sea, the librarian chased him out of the building. Miss House. It’s one of those landmarks locals whisper about and
Comstock caused quite a scene, accusing the paperboy of warn their children to stay away from. Long rumored to be
trying to steal books. Since then the warlock has been plot- haunted, nothing strange has happened there in over a hun-
ting his revenge. dred years. Investigators not native to Kingsport but work-
Keepers may choose to have the warlock strike at the ing with Mrs. Drake learn about the house’s dark reputation
investigators when they visit the library, using his spells. The from her.
elderly librarian can either be struck blind using Cause
Blindness, or suffer a massive heart attack caused by Chan- The Funt House, The Real Story
dler’s Stop Heart spell. The warlock hopes to silence her The actual reasons for the dark rumors surrounding the
before she can tell her tale of a young boy lurking around property at 112 Parson Street in Hilltown can be uncovered
that very section the other day. “They just come in here to if investigators are willing to spend some additional time
steal the books, you know.” But more than that, the warlock researching at Talbot Hall. Keepers should allow them three
still holds a grudge against the old, ill–tempered woman for more Library Use checks. For each successful roll they dis-
publicly embarrassing him. cover one of the following facts:
1. Thomas Caulderson and his family moved out in 1752,
–94–
 Malice Everlasting

after living there only four years. The family later sold the to kill anyone in the records area. Wanda Drake, who’s work-
property at a significant financial loss. ing late, will be viciously attacked, along with any investiga-
2. Kenneth Ober died in the house after hanging himself. tors who remain working after the office closes. If alone,
3. Brian Funt also died in the house, murdered by his six- Wanda is found dead the next day, in her office, covered in
teen year old daughter, Sandra. Sandra Funt also killed her what appear to be animal bites. If authorities are alerted, the
mother, Emma, and her uncle, Wilson Vinton, all of them office is closed to the public for a week, preventing investiga-
with a kitchen knife. Sandra was found dead in the house, tors from obtaining possibly valuable information.
committing suicide in the living room with the same knife If the creatures succeed in their mission, they leave the
she used to murder her family. building and head for a nearby storm drain. Here they hide
until retrieved by Ronnie Pine, or are discovered by investi-
A Certain Attack at Talbot Hall gators. A trail of blood, leading from the victims to the
While there is much information to be had at Talbot Hall, drain, is discovered with a successful Track roll. This trail
investigators will need to invest a great deal of time (four fades quickly due to street and foot traffic, and is ruined by
hours per Library Use check) to find it. If they’ve already 11 a.m. the next day. If investigators discover the Children
made contact with Ronnie Pine, the warlock realizes that of Y’golonac lurking in the drain, the creatures emerge and
clues found at the City Clerk’s office may lead investigators fight until destroyed.
to expose him. The warlock wants to remove the threat
these records pose, and takes action. The Children of Y’golonac (4)
Shortly after closing, Ronnie escorts four Children of STR 7 CON 11 SIZ 5 INT 11 POW 7
Y’golonac to Talbot Hall. He’ll use either his bike, hiding the DEX 10 HP 7/8 Move 5
writhing creatures in a basket, or have his friend, Norma Farr Weapon: Bite 30% 1D2.
(see below), drive him there with the creatures hidden in her Skills: Listen 80%, Scent 80%.
car trunk. At Talbot Hall, the creeping Children are intro- Sanity Loss: 0/1D4
duced into the building through a back window and ordered

The Malice Papers #5

a decaying document uncovered at the Kingsport Historical Society Museum

...Matthew Chandler, unlike others accused of witchcraft, never claimed to be innocent. He was proud of the atrocities of which he stood
accused. When the constable announced in court that the accused had murdered nine people, Matthew Chandler stood up and corrected him. He
announced brazenly that he had, in fact, killed seventeen people but that only nine bodies had thus far been discovered. It took the judge many
minutes to restore order...
...the fishing boat crew then came forward, one by one, to explain how they captured the accused. Each told how they spotted the small
boat he had stolen and pulled alongside it in the dark. This surprised the fugitive, as he was not a capable sailor. They claimed he pointed his
hand towards James Placard, who then began screaming and fell to his knees. Citizen Placard related that he felt as if a great dagger had
been thrust into his heart. The accused is said to have attempted to raise his hand again, but further deviltry was halted as the rest of the
crew swarmed the small craft and beat the fugitive unconscious...
...binding him proved difficult, explained Citizen White, as the accused was missing his left hand. The stump of his wrist appeared to have
been hastily bound and then thrust into molten wax to seal the wound. Witnesses claimed to have seen the accused with both hands just a day
earlier. When asked about his missing hand the accused would only smile and proclaim that he had misplaced it. He then looked at the men who
had captured him and stated that the missing appendage was “the hand of vengeance” and that it would turn up eventually. The crowd once
again erupted in outrage...
...Chandler proclaimed that both The Lord and Satan were the stories of children and that his true master was a being called Igollonack,
who took pleasure from offerings of blood and acts of unholy lust. Some who listened screamed, others wept, some with blood running from their
noses. Reverend Appleton and some of his men, who were experienced dealing with witches and warlocks, then wrestled the accused to the floor
and gagged him. This halted the horrible effect of his words and the trial was able to continue...
...the body was cut down and burned that evening. The bones ground into powder and the remains mixed with salt from the sea, divided into
several bundles and scattered on widely separated patches of consecrated ground. A search of the Chandler home turned up no sign of his miss-
ing hand. Soon the frustrated and still enraged mob pitched torches into the residence, burning it to the ground...

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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Kingsport Historical Society Museum in the attic, the room filling with smoke and heat, is slow
This two–story Georgian mansion has been renovated into suicide. The fire comes as a complete surprise to investiga-
a privately funded museum, currently overseen by Curator tors, who, beginning the second round of the fire, start to
Aaron Hart, an elderly man in failing health and more than suffer from the effects of the suffocating smoke. CON
a little senile. Hart asks for membership cards from anyone checks start at x6 on the second round of the fire, decreas-
wishing to conduct research. Investigators will have to join ing with each succeeding round, x5, x4, etc. A failed CON
the Historical Society in order to gain access to the records check causes 1D3 points of damage from smoke inhalation.
stored here—a one–year membership costing $15, apiece.
Even after having joined the Society, and possibly visiting The Attic Window Option
frequently, Hart will demand to see their membership cards The easiest way for investigators to escape is to locate the
every time they visit. The old man’s short term memory is attic’s single window, hidden behind a stack of boxes and
not what it used to be. only located with a successful Spot Hidden roll. However,
The first floor of the museum holds numerous nautical only a single investigator can exit through it per round, forc-
artifacts such as compasses, figureheads, ship models, etc. The ing those waiting to suffer further rounds of suffocating
second floor houses the society’s library, containing a com- smoke. The window is also quite small. Investigators take 1
plete run of the Kingsport Chronicle newspaper and several point of damage for each point above SIZ 10 as they wrig-
undiscovered mythos tomes among its vast collection. While gle, scrape and force themselves through the narrow open-
both collections are interesting, and valuable, there is nothing ing. Once through the window, investigators then face a
on these two floors even remotely helpful to investigators. drop to the ground below, taking an additional 2D6 points
Hart explains the “really old records” are kept in the attic of of damage from the fall, reduced to 1D6 if they can make a
the building. The attic entrance is a narrow retractable stair- successful Jump roll.
way right across from the curator’s upstairs bedroom. Hart
also says: “I haven’t had a chance to sort through them all yet, The Second Floor Option
but you’re welcome to have a look, if you like.” The only other choice for the investigators is to plunge
down the attic stairs to the burning second floor, and from
The Attic there find their way to the ground floor and out of the
The material here is kept in old wooden boxes, stacked building. Only two investigators per round can move down
about in no particular order. Records here are mostly in the narrow folding stairs to the second floor; the others
poor shape, with documents falling apart, water damaged, must remain in the attic, waiting their turn while suffering
and in some cases rather moldy. Many of the books stored possible smoke inhalation. Having gained the second floor,
here have separated from their bindings, falling apart when investigators must then rush through the flames to reach the
handled. staircase leading to the ground floor. A Luck roll is required
Keepers should impose a -10% penalty to Library Use to avoid flames and falling beams during this passage. Those
rolls made while searching these records. A successful roll who fail suffer 1D8 points of damage while a successful roll
uncovers a smattering of records from the trial of Matthew reduces damage to 1D4.
Chandler. Though badly damaged, some parts of the docu- Before descending the stairs to the ground floor, they
ment can still be read. See The Malice Papers #5. This pass the curator’s bedroom. Investigators notice the elderly
record of Mathew Chandler’s trial is the most damning to Mr. Hart lying unconscious on the bedroom floor. He is at
the warlock. He is aware of this and if investigators move to 0 hit points due to the smoke inhalation, but can be rescued
retrieve these papers the warlock may move to stop them. if investigators carry him out of the burning building. Keep-
ers should mention two important items located here, a
A Fatal Fire large potted fern and a four–gallon fish tank.
Ronnie Pine waits for the investigators to enter the attic At the top of the stairs investigators pass near the lurk-
then moves to get rid of both them and the documents in a ing Fire Vampire. Currently, it’s hiding amid the flames and
single stroke. He quickly sets fire to a pile of raked leaves in will attempt to kill anyone trying to use the stairs to the
a nearby yard and uses this to summon a Fire Vampire. ground floor. The creature rushes forward, blocking the
When it arrives, Ronnie points to the Historical Society investigators’ exit, attacking one of them each round. Inves-
Museum and orders it to “set fire to the second floor of the tigators can rush past it, hoping to survive its attacks, or
building and kill anyone trying to exit the attic.” It happily they can use a second floor window to leap from the build-
obeys, trapping the researching investigators inside the ing, suffering 1D6 points of damage. Or they may attempt
burning building. to defeat the flaming adversary.
Investigators have a couple options to escape the blaze.
They can attempt to rush through the burning second floor Defeating the Fire Vampire
to the stairs, or they can use the single attic window and Investigators likely have no means to defeat the horror sent
wriggle through it. Either method has risks, but remaining against them. However, there are two items in Aaron Hart’s
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 Malice Everlasting

room that can be used as weapons. Investigators hurling the Crane. These men will want to know how the fire started,
soil from the potted plant at the fire vampire do 1D3 points though they suspect the forgetful old curator Aaron Hart is
of damage to the creature. Likewise, those pouring the con- the cause. If investigators can concoct a story that fits their
tents of the four–gallon fish tank over the creature inflict 8 predisposition, they are satisfied.
points of damage, destroying it. Anyone speaking to the authorities about “living balls
If the investigators fail to destroy the Fire Vampire, it of fire” or “undying wizards” might be detained, charged or
flees when the Kingsport Fire Department arrives. It has no even committed for psychiatric evaluation. If Mr. Hart or
wish to face a fire hose or bucket brigade. anyone else has died in the fire, the authorities treat it much
more seriously. If no one was seriously injured, Chief Pax-
Fire Vampire son will rule it “an unfortunate accident” and drop the mat-
STR NA CON 7 SIZ 1 INT 11 POW 13 ter saying, “these things do happen.”
DEX 16 HP 4 Move 0 Investigators who are injured are taken to Congrega-
Weapon: Touch 85%, damage 2D6 (must be greater than tional Hospital, bringing them back into contact with the
victim’s CON for full damage, roll of less than victim’s friendly local paperboy, Ollie Mattock. The disguised wiz-
CON inflicts half damage) + MP drain. ard will try to “help” investigators any way he can, sneaking
Armor: Most material weapons cannot harm them, items into their room or aiding their escape from the hospi-
including bullets, etc. Waters costs a Fire Vampire one hit tal against doctor’s orders. In return he’ll want to know
point per half–gallon poured over it. A typical hand–held “what they’ve learned so far.”
fire extinguisher does 1D6 hit points of damage per round,
and a bucket of sand costs it 1D3 hit points. Further Red Herrings
Sanity Loss: 0 The undead wizard Chandler takes this opportunity to feed
investigators a bit more disinformation. He’ll give the inves-
The Fire’s Aftermath tigators a roll of film from his Kodak Brownie, explaining it
Investigators who escape the burning building will be met has a picture of the mysterious sailor on it. He explains he
by various Kingsport authorities. They’ll be questioned by again spotted the man over in Harborside, going into the
the Chief of the Kingsport Fire Department, Nolan old Derby warehouse. “I haven’t had time to get the film
“Smoke” Paxson, as well as the local chief of police, Tristram developed yet.”
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

area from time to time but don’t know who he is or where

Part Three: he lives. “Just one of those hoboes who lives down by the
old warehouses,” they all say.
The Final Threads While the old warehouses closest to the water have been
converted to apartments, those further inland have not. These
At this point investigators may have gathered enough infor- are mostly abandoned, padlocked two– and three–story
mation to unravel the mystery that plagues Kingsport. They buildings. It is a run down area, with plenty of garbage, rats,
quite possibly have escaped one or more close calls as the and a fair number of vagrants. The Derby warehouse is typi-
warlock attempted to destroy both evidence and those seek- cally chained shut, but a back door has been forced open.
ing it. Investigators must now act on what they’ve learned, Inside live four homeless men, presently gathered around a
hopefully putting a stop to it. And they must act quickly, trash can filled with burning rubbish.
because soon Matthew Chandler will begin sending mind While dirty and rough, these men are not looking for
shattering nightmares and packs of Children of Y’golonac to any trouble. Unless pushed into defending themselves they
attack his blinded victims and their families. Bodies start take no hostile action toward the investigators. If shown the
turning up, covered in human–like bites. photo of the man the investigators are looking for, they
Investigators have three likely courses of action: develop immediately recognize him. However, they deny knowing
the paperboy’s roll of film and identify the “mysterious the man, as they do not wish to turn in one of their own in
sailor” dwelling in the old Derby warehouse in Dockside; case the man is in trouble. If bribed with money, food, or
they can track down, question, and possibly warn the fifth alcohol, and assured by investigators they mean the person
intended victim, Wallace Appleton; visit the notorious Funt no harm, the men direct investigators to his whereabouts,
House, built atop the foundation of Matthew Chandler’s saying: “Melvin’s upstairs, sleeping one off in one of the
destroyed home. Each path could well prove deadly. offices, you can’t miss him.”

The Paperboy’s Camera Melvin Wade, Red Herring

If investigators develop the film they receive nine photo- The “mysterious sailor” can easily be found upstairs. He’s
graphs of a man matching the description the paperboy gave asleep and hung over, having finished off a bottle of wine
them. In this series of photos the sailor appears to be wan- given him by Norma Farr. The man’s name is Melvin Wade,
dering Harborside, eventually entering a dilapidated, aban- a homeless unemployed sailor and alcoholic. He is filthy,
doned warehouse. The man in the photo is actually a simple smells bad, and is obviously in poor health. Melvin has no
wino who was given the coat and hat he wears—along with information to offer about mysterious fires, monsters, war-
a bottle of wine—by the warlock’s accomplice, Norma Farr. locks, murders or anything else concerning the investiga-
Any investigator making a Know roll realizes a roll of tion. He isn’t even aware of the highly publicized cases of
film of this type typically can make twelve exposures. If the blindness. Investigators making a successful Psychology roll
clerk is questioned, he blushes, and lowers his voice. “I can’t realize he’s telling the truth. Unfortunately, once questioned
print those pictures,” he says. “The boss will fire me.” If by investigators he’ll have served the warlock’s purpose—as
questioned about the negatives, he is chagrined, and hands bait. The trap will be sprung and everyone in the warehouse
them over to the investigators. will suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.
These three negatives show portions of a woman’s body,
dressed in undergarments. The woman’s face isn’t shown but Silencing the Red Herring
it is obvious she is rather large. It can be surmised from the Norma Farr and Matthew Chandler have transported a car-
photos the woman took the pictures herself, attempting to load of Children of Y’golonac to the Derby warehouse. The
display herself for the viewer. Mathew Chandler had no idea creatures are commanded to hide inside the building. Most
these photographs were on the film. Norma Farr, not know- are lurking under garbage, inside boxes and cabinets, behind
ing the camera would be given away, took these of herself as crates and desks, waiting for someone to discover and talk
a gift to her “new friend.” If she learns the camera was given to Melvin Wade. Once this happens they emerge from hid-
away she’ll keep silent about these special photos, not wish- ing and try to kill everyone in the building. The creatures
ing to displease Ronnie. fight until all their victims are dead, or the last of their
squirming numbers fall. Should any of the creatures survive,
Dockside Hunt they’ll make for the nearest storm drain and wait to be
Investigators searching Dockside for the mysterious sailor picked up, much like they did in the attack on Talbot Hall.
won’t experience a lot of trouble finding him. The location The warehouse is infested with the creatures, with eight hid-
of the old Derby warehouse is well known to most of the den on each of building’s two floors. The four hoboes on the
locals, who can quickly direct investigators to the building. first floor will be killed first, their screams echoing through
Area residents also recognize the man in the photos, if inves- the vast open space of the warehouse.
tigators show them. They say they’ve seen him around the
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 Malice Everlasting

The Children of Y’golonac (16) again being questioned by Chief of Police Tristram Crane.
STR 7 CON 11 SIZ 5 INT 11 POW 7 Once investigators manage to quiet things down,
DEX 10 HP 7/8 Move 5 Appleton, ever in control of his emotions, calmly asks the
Weapon: Bite 30% 1D2. investigators to drive him to the hospital. Before leaving,
Skills: Listen 80%, Scent 80%. Appleton orders Charles the butler to provide the investiga-
Sanity Loss: 0/1D4 tors with the Bible, and the amulet.

Wallace Appleton The Family Heirlooms

Mr. Appleton is a handsome twenty–nine year old bachelor. The two family heirlooms are kept locked away in a roll top
A lawyer, and heir to a considerable fortune, he lives on desk in Appleton’s study. Only Appleton and the faithful
Kingsport’s West Side, at 204 Harper St. The Appleton fam- Charles know where the key is kept, though breaking into
ily is not only one of Kingsport’s oldest families, they are the desk poses no particular problems.
also among the wealthiest. Wallace is friendly and person- The Amulet of Damietta: This first item is a palm–sized
able, comfortable dealing with anyone regardless of their gold amulet engraved with Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as
social standing. Getting past his butler, Charles, is another some strange, indecipherable runes. Thousands of years ago
matter. Charles is the only person to ever open the door at this magical amulet was created as a defense from possible
the Appleton residence. No one without an appointment is possession by malevolent forces. A person holding or wear-
admitted in to see “Master Appleton” unless they make a ing this item is totally immune to any form of possession.
successful Fast Talk, Persuade or Credit Rating roll. If all The Amulet of Damietta can also be used as a weapon.
attempts fail, investigators raising their voice will be heard If touched to someone possessed, the relic forces the invad-
by Appleton, who comes to the door, sorts the problem out, ing entity into a POW vs. POW Resistance check against
then dismisses Charles and invites the investigators inside. the holder of the amulet. Using the amulet this way costs
He apologizes for Charles, who he describes as an old fam- the wielder 2 Magic Points. Once the Amulet of Damietta
ily retainer. “Charles is a bit over–protective at times,” he cleanses a possessed person, they are safe against further pos-
explains. He invites them to his study, offers them chairs, session for the next ten days.
and tell Charles to prepare tea. The item can also project its protective power as a field
Appleton has studied his family’s history and is aware around itself, costing 4 Magic Points for every 5 feet of pro-
his ancestor David Appleton was involved in the witch hys- tection, per round, with a limit of 25 feet. For example, an
teria of 1692. He’ll speak proudly about the “witch hunter” investigator with 14 magic points wields the Amulet of
in the family with a tone of amusement and skepticism. To Damietta against a man possessed by a Shan. They use the
him it is little more than a charming anecdote. Wallace artifact to project its power in a 15–foot radius, instantly
Appleton also mentions he possesses some his ancestor’s draining the investigator of 12 MP. This then forces the
belongings including “an old medallion and David’s hand- Shan into a POW vs. POW Resistance roll.
written Bible.” The Bible of David Appleton: This very old, handwritten
If investigators ask to see the Bible and the medallion bible ends in several dozen pages of journal entries. These
they’ll need to make a successful Fast Talk or Persuade roll entries detail the efforts made by David Appleton to
to gain access to the items. If investigators have already uncover and destroy some of the cults infesting Kingsport
explained the link between the men afflicted with blindness, between 1677-1709. It mentions the Great Old Ones
namely the witch trial of Matthew Chandler, this roll is Tulzscha, Oorn & Y’golonac as well as the mental parasites
made with a +30% bonus. If investigators can convince him known as Shan.
to loan them the items, Appleton agrees, stipulating that it The book is written in English, takes 12 hours to read
should be for one week only. “I don’t pretend they hold (journal portions only), has a Sanity loss of 1/1D3 and
much value outside my family, but they are dear to me,” he grants +3 to Cthulhu Mythos skill. Give investigators The
explains. Malice Papers #6.
At this moment, while investigators are still chatting
with him, Wallace is suddenly struck blind. Aware of the Notes in a Bible
other cases of sudden blindness in Kingsport, Appleton does Title: The Appleton Bible
his best to stay calm, though he obviously strains to do so. Language: English
Butler Charles becomes very upset, accusing the investiga- Cthulhu Mythos: +3%
tors of somehow causing his master’s affliction. Unless Sanity Loss: 0/1D3
investigators calm Charles down with a successful Persuade Study Time: 12 hours
or Fast Talk roll, he summons the authorities, claiming the Spells: None
investigators have “somehow poisoned his master, Wallace Description: A leather–bound Bible, hand written by an
Appleton.” There is, of course, no evidence of anyone poi- Appleton ancestor. Mostly unremarkable save for the jour-
soning anyone, but investigators may find themselves once nal entries in the back pages.
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Malice Papers #6

journal entries from the Bible of Wallace Appleton

…I asked the judge to order the body burned. I then personally mixed the remains with salt from the sea then scattered them on holy
ground. This way the warlock can have no earthly anchor for his spirit and thus be unable to remain a menace to the living. The fiend’s missing
hand troubled me greatly so I urged the townsfolk to join me burning down his accursed home. It’s been two years without sign of the warlock’s
return, and I am hopeful the warlock’s missing hand was destroyed in the fire. If ever the evil should return, if Matthew Chandler should ever
manage to cheat death, I have the amulet ready.
This holy relic, passed down through my family for countless generations is my most precious possession. I was told the Templars took it as
a prize during the sacking of Damietta in 1219. It is a bane to evil forces possessing a human form. The mere touch of this amulet is often enough
to rid a victim of demonic influence for at least a period of time, if the wielder is strong of heart and faith. If one dare not approach the pos-
sessed, this holy power can be cast outward by force of will. The wielder of the amulet can extend this power some feet away but there is a
cost. Doing this repeatedly, or from great distance brings about a most profound exhaustion from which it takes many days to recover.
I tried to use this relic on Matthew Chandler, in the hopes the man was being controlled by a demon. But he simply smiled at me and said
that no, his own soul was darker than my “foolish Christian fairy tales of demons and angels.” The acts, the horrors, the dark deeds were truly
his own. Now I shall be watching for his return. If his words were not just lies meant to terrorize his captors then he is as dangerous as any
demon or devil.

ago severed hand, partially preserved by a coating of wax.

Part Four: Attempting to turn her to his cause, Chandler read the
entire Revelations of Glaaki to the captive Julia Pine in hopes
The Hand of of converting her to the worship of Y’golonac. Instead, she
completely lost her mind, her sanity shattered by the dark
Vengeance knowledge. Hoping she’d eventually regain her faculties and
join him in worship, the warlock sneaked into Arkham San-
The Funt House sits squarely in Kingsport’s poorest, most itarium looking for a strait–jacket and some restraints. To
run down area. The neighborhood is home to many Por- his surprise, Chandler stumbled across an ally, and someone
tuguese immigrants, among them the Pine (formerly who could eventually serve as a vessel for his master.
Pinéro) family. Ronnie Pine, age thirteen, was born in this
very house. He lives here with his widowed mother, Julia. Enter Norma Farr
Things are much different these days. The house is now It was at Arkham Sanitarium that Chandler met and
home to the warlock Matthew Chandler, who possesses the befriended a heavy–set woman some twelve years his senior.
body of the innocent teen, Ronnie Pine, while Ronnie’s Norma Farr, a nurse who works in the dementia ward at the
mother, Julia Pine, now insane, is held prisoner by the war- sanitarium, proved an easy recruit for the cunning warlock,
lock. The secret underground passage has been reopened and she quickly fell under his spell. Soon, she was helping
and the hidden abhorrent temple recently restored to use. him in every way, from gathering information, to obtaining
Chandler has recruited Norma Farr to the worship of restraints and drugs for his prisoner, and following his every
Y’golonac, and she has become Matthew Chandler’s command. The lonely woman, desperately desiring accept-
devoted minion. ance, found it in the oddly intelligent and knowledgeable
young boy who always seemed able to tell her what she most
The Dark Story wanted to hear. Her physical size—six feet tall and close to
Chandler began working on the newborn baby Ronnie Pine three hundred pounds—is what really caught the warlock’s
as soon as his proud parents brought him home from the attention.
hospital. It took years, but finally, several weeks ago, Chan- Mathew Chandler recognized her as a perfect vessel for
dler was able to take full control of the young boy. his master, Y’golonac. Additionally, she would be his insur-
Once in control, the warlock moved against Julia Pine, ance policy. If anything happens to him she’s been
knocking her unconscious and imprisoning her in the house. instructed to place his wax coated severed hand near one of
He then broke through the bricked up basement wall to gain the near catatonic men housed in her ward. These individ-
access to the temple beyond. Here, Chandler reclaimed his uals would be easy to possess, if Chandler was somehow
most prized possessions, including a complete collection of driven out of the body of the young boy. Secretly, Norma
The Revelations of Glaaki, the enchanted Sack, and his long hopes this happens sooner than later, as she’s anxious for her
–100–
 Malice Everlasting
newfound friend to inhabit a more mature body. The Keeper should note that Chandler’s high Psychol-
With Norma firmly at his side, and insurance plans in ogy score makes the warlock a very skilled liar. However,
place to guard against failure, Chandler is ready for the next investigators by now may realize that Ollie, the friendly
phase of his revenge—driving his victims mad, then paperboy, may not be such a friend at all. Investigators may
unleashing his monstrous minions against them. recognize Ronnie Pine and Ollie Mattock as one and the
same, should the warlock’s Disguise roll fail.
The Funt House If the warlock catches anyone breaking into his home
This house is small and rather neglected. It needs painting, he’ll call the police or possibly fire on the intruders with his
the windows are covered in a layer of grime, and unraked revolver, justified to the authorities by the fact that he was
autumn leaves lay thick on the tiny front lawn. If Norma is simply defending his home.
home (at the Keeper’s discretion) an old Dodge Model DC
truck is parked in the street nearby. Inside the Funt House
If investigators go to the Funt House openly and knock The Living Room: This dusty room contains some simple fur-
on the door there is a 50% chance of no answer, and a 50% niture, a cluttered bookcase, and a radio. The room doesn’t
chance that Norma Farr will answer the door. Norma appear to be in use. Investigators searching here and making a
explains the house’s owner, “her friend Julia,” isn’t home and successful Spot Hidden roll find an invoice: a berthing charge
that she can’t let the investigators in. She asks them to come for a vessel named the Silver Seahorse. The bill lists the dock-
back another time, possibly tomorrow. Norma informs the ing berth as 27-A, Cabot Wharf, Harborside.
warlock of the investigator’s visit as soon as possible. He tells The Dining Room: This room appears recently dusted,
her to wait for him on the boat and that if he doesn’t contact with two places set. Dishes are clean and in the cupboard.
her in two days to enact “the plan.” (See below, “The Plan”.) There are partially burned candles on the table—the house
If no one answers, and investigators decide to break into lacks electricity.
the house—or if they choose to break in without knocking— The Kitchen: This room is also clean and seen recent use.
the Keeper decides who they find in the house, and where. There is fresh food in the icebox, along with a few leftovers.
The cultists and their prisoner could be down in the temple, Anyone making a Spot Hidden roll in the kitchen finds a
conducting rituals and trying to convert Julia Pine by reading small, unlocked box hidden under the sink.
aloud from The Revelations of Glaaki. Or Chandler and In this box is a current map of Kingsport, with some
Norma could simply be sharing a meal or relaxing, while Julia circles on it. These mark the locations of the blinded men’s
is left sedated in the guest room. Ronnie and Norma might homes, as well as Kingsport Public Library, the offices of the
not be home at all, running errands or enacting some sinister Kingsport Chronicle, and Kingsport Historical Society
deed while their prisoner remains securely tied to the guest Museum. There is also a pamphlet from Arkham Sanitar-
room bed. If possible, the Keeper should make sure that if ium with a list of four men’s names scribbled on it. These
there is a confrontation with Chandler, Norma Farr either are the names of patients currently housed in the Sanitar-
escapes or is not present (see “The Plan”, below.) ium. They’re all semi–catatonic males, in otherwise good
health, between twenty–five and fifty years of age. Also
Norma Farr, loyal accomplice stored here is fifty–count box of .38 caliber pistol bullets,
STR 14 CON 12 SIZ 15 INT 12 POW 14 with eighteen missing.
DEX 11 APP 9 EDU14 SAN 00 HP 14 The Bathroom: This room has been freshly cleaned and has
Damage Bonus: +1D4 seen much recent use. A search of the room reveals a num-
Weapons: Fist 75% 1D3, Kick 40% 1D6. ber of feminine items: cosmetics, lotions, etc., along with a
Skills: Cthulhu Mythos 08%, Disguise 50%, Dodge 50%, large woman’s girdle and undergarments, freshly washed
Drive Auto 35%, Fast Talk 60%, First Aid 60%, Hide 65%, and hung to dry over the shower curtain rod.
Listen 50%, Medicine 35%, Pharmacy 50%, Pilot Boat The Master Bedroom: The bed is neatly made. On the
30%, Sneak 60%. nightstand is a vase filled with fresh flowers. There is a
hand–cranked Victrola with a record still on the turntable,
Talking to Ronnie Pine “Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses” by Carl Fenton & His
If Norma Farr is not home, investigators may encounter Orchestra. In the dresser, half the clothing appears to belong
Ronnie Pine himself. The warlock may or may not answer to a young man, likely in his teen years, while the remain-
the door if investigators call at the house. If he answers the ing clothing is that of an older, rather large woman. Under
door, he attempts to disguise himself, so as not to be recog- the bed is a medical bag with standard first aid supplies, and
nized as Ollie Matlock, the paperboy the investigators a woman’s suitcase. The last item of interest is a small seam-
know. He’ll speak only briefly with investigators and won’t stress’ dummy with the early makings of a set of purple and
willingly allow them into the house. If asked about his black robes draped over it. The garment is obviously for a
mother, he’ll tell investigators she’s very sick, unable to rather short and slender figure.
receive visitors or come to the door. The Guest Room: This room contains a bed fitted with
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

leather restraints, a night table cluttered with bottles of pills,

The Funt House a glass, and a half–full pitcher of water. If investigators look
under the bed, they find nothing other than a bedpan. The
Keeper has the option to have the bound and insane Julia
Dining Room Pine restrained here. If she isn’t here, she’ll be downstairs in
the temple, likely being read to by Matthew Chandler.
Kitchen
The Basement: This cluttered basement has a walkway
cleared through the boxes, aged furniture and sacks of old
clothing. This path leads to a heavy Persian rug that’s been
hung against the wall, held up with an old clothesline tied
to some pipes. Beyond the rug, to the left, is a downward
sloping twelve–foot long passageway that leads to a natural
cavern below the house. The rug muffles sound between the
Bathroom Living Room temple and the rest of the house.

The Temple of Y’Golonac

Occupying a large underground cavern beneath the house,
the temple of Y’Golonac is divided into three sections. The
first contains an array of torture instruments and restraint
The Ground Floor devices, some mounted to tables. Chains are mortared into
the walls and floor while a large table covered with iron
spikes, pliers and hammers occupies the center of the room.
Julia Pine is often kept prisoner here, gagged and strapped
Bathroom to a chair. If freed, she sits motionless, indefinitely insane
Guest and suffering from catatonia.
Room The middle of the room has a large open space where
the floor slopes down dramatically in bowl–like fashion.
The floor is coated with a thick, foul smelling oil. This is
where Y’golonac appears when summoned by the hidden
spell triggered by reading the twelfth volume of The Revela-
Master tions of Glaaki. A small bookcase holds the complete set of
Bedroom The Revelations.
The rear section of the temple contains an altar, deco-
rated with a very old, six–foot wax statue of Y’golonac. At
its feet is an offering bowl, freshly stained with blood. Next
The Second Floor to the statue is a closed barrel containing the remains of a
half–dozen recently sacrificed cats and dogs. Sanity loss is
0/1. Investigators making a successful Spot Hidden roll find
something interesting while examining the statue. The
mouth of the left hand is hollowed out, and damaged, as
though something has been removed. This is where
Matthew Chandler’s missing hand was hidden (see below,
“The Plan”).
A large, oiled leather sack lies on the floor, obviously
containing several objects. Anyone approaching the sack
notices things stirring within. Slowly these creatures begin
climbing out of the sack, twittering in child–like voices,
their fat bodies slapping on the floor as they tumble forth.

The Sack and The Children of Y’golonac

The Sack is a Gate Y’golonac uses to send a nearly endless
supply of his loathsome spawn to aid Chandler in his mis-
The Cellar deeds. 1D4 Children of Y’golonac emerge from the sack
each round, with a limit of twenty per day. They are small,
appearing as deformed, eyeless children dressed in rags, with
–102–
 Malice Everlasting

tiny mouths in the palms of their hands. They attack with

three bites per round (both hands and their mouth) while Part Five:
swarming blindly over their victims, their senses of smell
and hearing compensating for their lack of sight. They are Hell Hath No Fury
temple guardians, attacking any enemy of Y’golonac they
encounter. They continue to emerge from the sack until Should investigators defeat Matthew Chandler, driving him
someone wisely ties it shut. Burning, cutting or otherwise out of Ronnie Pine’s body by either method, their work is
ruining the sack easily destroys this priceless artifact of evil. far from done. Unless they recover the warlock’s severed
The sack requires weekly sacrifices of at least SIZ 10 points, hand, the nightmare begins all over again a few weeks later.
required to retain its power. The sack only functions for a Matthew Chandler left nothing to chance this time, a plan
worshipper of Y’golonac. is in place to deal with any “temporary setbacks.”

The Children of Y’golonac (unlimited) The Plan

STR 7 CON 11 SIZ 5 INT 11 POW 7 Should Mathew Chandler be forced back into the mummi-
DEX 10 HP 7/8 Move 5 fied hand, protecting it becomes Norma Farr’s top priority.
Weapon: Bite 30% 1D2. At the first sign of trouble she’ll try to get as far away from
Skills: Listen 80%, Scent 80%. the warlock as possible and hole up aboard her vessel, the
Sanity Loss: 0/1D4 sailboat Silver Seahorse, and wait for Ronnie. If he doesn’t
show up within two days Norma returns to her job at
The Warlock Reborn Arkham Sanitarium. The nurse then sneaks the warlock’s
The warlock Matthew Chandler, inhabiting the body of severed hand into the dementia ward where she hides it near
Ronnie Pine, is an intelligent and dangerous opponent. A one of the four catatonic men held here. Within 2D4 days
skilled liar, a fair shot with Gabriel Pine’s old .38 revolver, this person suddenly awakens, apparently suffering from
and a competent spell caster, the warlock does not hesitate amnesia and showing a distinct change of personality.
to kill anyone threatening his plans. In addition to the pis- Matthew Chandler will have successfully possessed the
tol, he carries a switchblade in his pocket, and a blackjack patient’s body. This new body, an adult male, greatly pleases
tucked into the back of his belt. Norma Farr. The pair then escapes the facility, Norma
The key to temporarily defeating the warlock is to drive sneaking the warlock out in the dead of night.
the possessing spirit out of Ronnie Pine’s body, forcing it
back into the mummified hand currently
held by Norma Farr (see below, “The Plan”).
This can be accomplished in a couple differ-
ent ways.
Kill Ronnie Pine: If the physical body of The Secret Temple
Ronnie Pine is killed, the warlock’s spirit is
immediately ejected and forced back into
the hand. This is the worst of the two meth-
ods, as it costs the life of an innocent
teenage boy, an unwilling victim of
Matthew Chandler’s possession. Investiga-
tors will likely have to explain to authorities
their role in the death of Ronnie Pine. Altar
Use the Amulet of Damietta: This powerful
artifact has the power to drive the spirit of Chamber of
Matthew Chandler out of Ronnie Pine’s Restraints
Summoning
body. If the investigators are successful, the
warlock’s spirit returns to the mummified
hand and is unable to re–possess the boy for
ten days. Once freed of the warlock’s influ-
ence Ronnie instantly collapses, slipping
into a deep coma from which he awakens a
week later, unharmed, without any memory
of anything that has occurred over the past
few weeks.

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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Terror on Cabot Wharf Defeating Y’golonac

Barely in use, Cabot Wharf is typical of most of the nearly While a truly fearsome and terrifying opponent, a well
abandoned docks in Kingsport. Currently, there is only a armed and prepared group of investigators has a fighting
single sailboat docked here. While waiting for Ronnie, a chance of defeating him. While 75 hit points are a lot,
very nervous Norma Farr will be watching the wharf for Y’golonac’s lack of armor is definitely in the investigators’
anyone approaching the Silver Seahorse. If she sees anyone favor. Investigators can also take the initiative as the Great
suspicious nearing the boat, she realizes her friend, Ronnie, Old One charges down the deserted wharf towards them.
is likely dead. Her sailing skills are low, making a hasty The wharf is sufficiently deserted that combat should
escape impossible. She becomes confused, loses her temper be complete before local authorities arrive. If Y’golonac
and panics. defeats the investigators, Norma resumes control of her
Norma boldly steps out of the sailboat and onto the body and escapes to Arkham with Chandler’s hand still in
aging wooden wharf, all the while hurling curses at the inves- her possession. If the party is victorious, the Great Old One
tigators. As she emerges, she begins changing form. Her body falls, transforming back into the body of Norma Farr within
bloats, her head disappears between her shoulders and vicious moments. Either way the aged wharf is in near ruins by the
mouths spring open in the palms of her three–fingered hands. end of combat.
If the investigators want the mummified hand of Matthew Investigators, should they win the battle, can recover
Chandler, they’ll have to go through Y’golonac to get it. the mummified hand of Matthew Chandler. The hand is
currently on board the Silver Seahorse, below deck, inside
Y’golonac, Great Old One Norma Farr’s medical bag. Any investigators searching
STR 25 CON 125 SIZ 25 INT 30 POW 28 there, or making a Spot Hidden roll, quickly locate the
DEX 14 HP 75 Move 10 grisly object. The investigators should still have enough
Weapon: Touch 100% lose 1 INT and 1 POW each time to make a hasty retreat before authorities arrive. If not,
round, Devour 100% 1D4 non–healing damage. they had best be prepared to deliver a really convincing story
Spells: Summon/Bind and Contact spells, and whatever to the police. With Norma Farr’s dead body lying nearby, it
else the Keeper thinks appropriate. may take investigators more than a few Fast Talk rolls to
Sanity Loss: 1/1D20 Sanity points to witness a human to escape arrest.
Y’golonac transformation, 1/1D10 to see Y’golonac.
–104–
 Malice Everlasting

Destroying the Hand medical and psychiatric help both make full recoveries
To fully succeed, the investigators must first drive the spirit within a year’s time.
of Matthew Chandler out of Ronnie Pine. With the spirit
now forced back into the mummified hand, Chandler can Sanity Awards
be destroyed by burning it, grinding the bones into dust and For each Child of Y’golonac destroyed award the investiga-
mixing the remains with salt. If this is done, the last of tors 1 point of Sanity, with a maximum of 5. If the investi-
Matthew Chandler’s ties to this world are broken and his gators managed to save the elderly curator, Aaron Hart,
spirit destroyed. At the moment this is completed, everyone from the museum fire, give them 1 point of Sanity. For sav-
whom the warlock struck blind completely regains their ing Julia Pine and getting her into a hospital, award them
sight—just as suddenly and mysteriously as they lost it. If 1D3 points. Driving out Matthew Chandler and saving
investigators manage to accomplish all this, the scenario Ronnie Pine brings an award of 1D10 points. Killing Ron-
ends in success. nie Pine costs them -1D10 points. Defeating Y’golonac
brings an award of 1D10 points. If the investigators man-
The Fate of Ronnie and Julia Pine aged to destroy Chandler’s mummified hand containing his
Investigators must make arrangements for the catatonic spirit, sight is returned to all Chandler’s victims, bringing an
Julia Pine and her possibly comatose son. Investigators award of 1D6 points.
should, at the very least, alert local authorities. With proper

–105–
–106–
 The Night War
by Kevin Ross

T
his scenario assumes the investigators live in either the infinite, monstrous, dreadful pathos of the things one
Arkham or Kingsport, or that they are able to spend sees—the great shell–hole with over thirty crosses sticking in
considerable time in these towns. The Keeper may it; some just up out of the water—and the dead below sub-
be able to use this adventure directly on the heels of “Mal- merged…If I live and come somehow out of this (and cer-
ice Everlasting” since it begins with an investigator requir- tainly, please God, I shall and hope to) what a book I shall
ing a hospital stay in that town. The adventure can be run write if my old ‘ability’ with the pen has not forsaken me…”
with any number of investigators of any occupation or expe- A few weeks later Hodgson was killed in an artillery
rience level, as most of the action takes place in a series of shelling near Ypres, Belgium. This scenario was inspired by
very violent dreams. The Keeper may need to alter the num- Hodgson’s works, and is dedicated to his memory.
bers and skills levels of the scenario’s opposition for particu-
larly small or large numbers of investigators. Note also that Keeper Information
with some alteration this scenario might be used in a mod- Willson McKenna was eighteen years old when he volun-
ern day campaign, with Willson McKenna becoming a vet- teered to join the American Expeditionary Force to help the
eran of the Vietnam war, and the muddy trenches of Europe armies of Europe fight the Hun in early 1918. He could not
becoming the muddy jungles and rice paddies of Southeast have imagined the horror he would face there, in the endless
Asia. rain, the ever present mud, the lakes of blood, the constant
shelling, the sudden death, the senseless destruction—living
Author’s Note not just minute to minute but second to second. Private
The noted fantasist William Hope Hodgson was one of H.P. McKenna saw more death in his first week than a doctor
Lovecraft’s favorite authors, and in many ways his books back home might see in a lifetime. One dark night McKenna
The House on the Borderland and The Night Land prefigured and a handful of other soldiers were assigned to raid enemy
the type of cosmic horror for which Lovecraft would forces in nearby trenches. Unlike his more seasoned com-
become famous. Hodgson volunteered for service during panions, McKenna was sorely unprepared for such brutal
the Great War, and despite being seriously wounded and close quarters combat, but he had angered his commanding
discharged, he recovered and rejoined the army on the front lieutenant with some triviality and this was his penance.
lines. In 1918 he wrote to his sister: They killed with shotgun and club, knife and grenade,
“The sun was pretty low as I came back, and far off across bayonet and fist. McKenna saw only the mud and blood
that desolation, here and there they showed—just formless, and mangled bodies. As the blood dripping warriors
squarish, cornerless masses erected by man against the infer- returned to their own lines, sniper fire took their first casu-
nal Storm that sweeps forever, night and day, day and night, alty of the night. On they crept through the barbed wire and
across that most atrocious Plain of Destruction. My God! talk shell holes. Then machine gun fire took down half their
about a Lost World—talk about the end of the world; talk number, and as McKenna and the other two survivors
about The Night Land—it is all here, not more than two crawled away on their bellies the shelling began. The shells
hundred odd miles from where you sit infinitely remote. And burst right in their midst, and in a panic McKenna leapt to
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 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

his feet and began to run. The next shell threw him into a investigator ends up sharing a room with another patient, a
shell crater, where he lay dazed but unharmed for hours. coma victim. The hospitalized investigator has been visited
Regaining his senses, he laid there, too terrified to move, all by his companions, so that they too are affected by the
the next day. Finally, in the dark of night, an Allied patrol dreams caused by the comatose Willson McKenna.
found him, still paralyzed with terror. They carried him In order to throw the investigators off guard, this sce-
back to his trench, where he learned that he alone had sur- nario begins in media res, as they suddenly find themselves
vived the raiding party. plunged into a terrible darkness drenched landscape of war,
And then Willson McKenna did what any sane person destruction, and death. While the investigators may quickly
would do having gone through what he had: he broke down. guess they are dreaming, only after they have awakened
The close shell bursts had physically affected his mind, yes, should they be told that one of their number has been hos-
but what he had seen had done its damage as well. The pitalized and that the others have visited him or her.
young man was sent to a field hospital to recover, but the war The Keeper should determine which investigators, if
ended while McKenna was still recuperating. Willson any, fought in the Great War. Any who are veterans retain
McKenna was sent home, disgraced by his breakdown. their rank in the dream, and in addition they suffer only half
At home in Arkham, McKenna still suffered, physically of rolled Sanity losses for non–supernatural events (e.g. gory
and mentally. He had frequent headaches which affected his deaths, horrible injuries, body parts, etc.). The Keeper also
ability to concentrate, and the medication he took for it left needs to keep track of each investigator’s Sanity loss, as
him dull–witted and tired. But the dreams were far worse. when the dream ends the overall totals are halved, since it’s
In the dreams his damaged brain amplified the horrors of just a dream.
war—monstrous creatures now haunted the eternal dark-
ness of the trenches. And in those dreams Willson McKenna Night One:
abandoned his companions to their deaths, and their pitiful
cries echoed across the terrible battlefield to where he lay, The Night War Begins
paralyzed, in the shelter of the crater.
McKenna’s mother thought he just needed a good rest, Read each of the following introductory paragraphs to a dif-
and suggested the lovely atmosphere of the nearby seaside ferent investigator, chosen randomly. Repeat or vary as needed.
town of Kingsport might do wonders for Willson’s condi-
tion. Instead, the dream enhancing atmosphere of Kingsport Dream Beginnings
made the dreams far worse, plunging Willson McKenna into Dream One: You are in pitch darkness. Fumbling about,
a coma, where he is trapped on the battlefield of his night- you find walls that are slimy and wet, and almost within
mares. Taken to the Congregational Hospital on Central arm’s reach from each other. The floor is sucking mud, and
Hill, McKenna lies dying in his dreams. To make matters you feel yourself sinking if you stop moving. Somewhere
worse, everyone who comes into contact with him in behind you, something big moves with a disturbing sucking
Kingsport shares his nightmares, to one extent or another. sound along the muddy passage. As you flee your unseen
Now hospital personnel sleep restlessly with vague memories pursuer, a massive explosion sends you stumbling forward…
of dreams of a distant war. Dream Two: Some massive concussion has jarred you out
And an investigator hospitalized in Kingsport shares a of bed. The room is pitch black, and the ground feels like
room with a young man whose dreams threaten to drive soft, wet earth. A doorway is barely visible in the dim
them all mad. light, and somewhere beyond it is a confused babble of
voices. As you creep toward the door a man bolts past,
Willson McKenna, troubled war veteran barely visible, but clad in a helmet from the Great War,
STR 9 CON 9 SIZ 12 INT 14 POW 10 and carrying a bayoneted rifle. As you reach the door, a
DEX 11 APP 12 EDU14 SAN 35 HP 11 second man slogs through the mud. “Get your gear!” he
Weapons: Fist 50% 1D3, Grapple 25%, Head 10% ID4, cries. “We’re going over the top in five!” He grabs you by
Kick 25% 1D6, Rifle 35%, Bayonet 20%. the arm, and he and others behind him carry you along in
Skills: Accounting 20%, Dodge 25%, History 45%, the rush…
Library Use 35%, Listen 45%, Spot Hidden 35%. Dream Three: You awaken in a pitch–black room, just as a
Languages: English 75%, French 30%. massive explosion rocks the ground and peppers you with
dirt and dust from above. A rectangular opening reveals dim
Investigator Information night light ahead, apparently the only exit. As you grope
One of the investigators has been hospitalized in the city of toward the doorway you see a rifle propped just inside the
Kingsport. This may be the result of a previous adventure in door. A second titanic blast sends you stumbling out of the
the Keeper’s campaign, otherwise the investigator is taken to dark chamber, which collapses behind you. The rifle
the Congregational Hospital as a result of some accident, or clutched in your hand, you find yourself on your knees in
perhaps food poisoning from a local restaurant. The affected several inches of mud at the bottom of a trench…
–108–
 The Night War
Dream Four: You are fumbling down a dark
corridor, bumping into unseen turn after
unseen turn, like a rat in some pitch black
maze. Finally, you see a dim light ahead. As you
charge toward it there is a massive explosion
somewhere ahead of you and a man stumbles
out of a black doorway and falls to his knees in
the trench almost at your feet. It is your fellow
investigator, clad in a mud–caked greatcoat and
steel helmet from the Great War…

The Dream
The investigators find themselves in a network
of muddy trenches, some alone, some with
other soldiers, and some with their fellow
investigators. The Keeper may wish to keep an
investigator or two separated from the others
for a bit, perhaps to meet in the trenches as
they prepare to charge over the top, or even
out in No Man’s Land. Each is clad in a
mud–caked heavy greatcoat and a steel helmet,
and burdened with heavy boots, an ammo
belt, a backpack filled with various supplies, a
canteen, a gas mask, and an M1917 .30–06
rifle with bayonet attached. The coat and hel-
met provide 1 point of armor, which is lost if
the coat is discarded. Any investigator who
served as an officer also has a .45 revolver hol-
stered on his belt.
The night sky overhead is dark and gray,
with thin wisps of lighter ash–gray clouds—
but not a sliver of moon nor even a single star.
Investigator–veterans don’t recognize this place
from their war time service. From above, out-
side the trench, comes intermittent rifle fire,
the chatter of machine guns, and the distant
thump of mortar explosions.
The investigators have only a few
moments to observe their surroundings before
they are ushered into a trench crowded with
dozens of dirty men, their eyes haunted. A
handful of officers pace the trench behind
them, whistles at the ready, revolvers in hand
ready to shoot anyone who doesn’t make the
charge. The investigators are pressed toward
the ladders along with the other men; anyone
who refuses is threatened with execution, and
perhaps even shot on the spot. Other soldiers
tug at the reluctant men’s sleeves: “You’ve at
least got a fighting chance out there, friend.
Buck up.” Moments later the thick air is sliced
by countless shrill whistles, and men clamber
up the ladders in a roaring charge. Once more,
the officers threaten laggards with their
revolvers and then they too climb up into the
–109–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Random Movement Event Table—Roll 2D6

2 or less—No effect! 7—A severed head rolls to a stop at A) yank yourself free, requiring a roll
your feet, its open eyes staring up at of DEXx3 or less. Failure indicates
2—A bullet hits your helmet, knock- you. Lose 1/1D4 Sanity. you remain trapped and must roll
ing it off, and knocking you down. Luck next round or roll again on this
Take 1 point of damage and begin 8—A headless corpse falls at your table with a +2 modifier,
next round in a prone position. feet. Lose 0/1D3 Sanity. or:
B) wriggle out of the snared coat,
3—A mortar strikes several yards 9—A flying object knocks you down, abandoning it, and its armor value.
away and a soldier’s tattered body inflicting 1 point of damage. It’s a Make a Luck roll next round, or roll
flies twenty feet through the air to severed leg—lose 0/1D3 Sanity. again on this table with a +1 modifier,
land in your path. Lose 0/1D3 Sanity. or:
10—A grenade explodes several C) spend 3 rounds cutting yourself
4—A wounded man crawls up to yards away and you are struck with free with wire cutters (if you have
you, grabs you around the legs and shrapnel for 1D3 damage. Then lose them). Make a Luck roll each round or
croaks “Help... me...” then vomits 1/1D3 Sanity as you realize part of roll on this table again, without modi-
blood on you and dies. Lose 0/1D2 the shrapnel sticking out of your fiers.
Sanity. shoulder is a human jawbone.
13+—A stray shot grazes you, inflict-
5—A mortar explodes close enough 11—A grenade explodes a few yards ing 1D6 points of damage.
to send you to your knees. Another away and you suffer 1D6 points of
soldier stops to help you up, but a damage. You are knocked off your Modifiers
bullet rips through him, splattering feet and remain prone for the next Hiding in cover: -2
you with his blood as he falls atop 1D3 rounds. Firing from cover: -1
you. Lose 1/1D4 Sanity and begin Prone, or crawling in the open: +0
next round from prone position. 12—You stumble into a coil of Charging forward: +1
barbed wire, snaring yourself on its Standing in the open: +2
6—A legless soldier lies screaming in barbs, suffering 1D3 points of dam-
your path. Lose 1/1D3 Sanity. age. You can either:

teeth of death. Crossing the Night War

The battleground above is a chaos of mud, barbed wire, Unfortunately for the investigators, they have no choice but
shell craters, gunfire, and shouting men. As the first wave of to ride out the nightmare this first night. Once they have pur-
attackers reaches the surface the sky overhead is streaked sued leads in the waking world and discovered the cause of
with arcs of pale flame as flares are launched to expose the their nightmares, they can seek out Willson McKenna on the
men racing across the devastated landscape, like cockroaches fields of The Night War. For now, the Keeper is free to use the
across a kitchen floor. Men fall like wheat before the scythe, following Atmospheric Events as he sees fit. Note that these
some screaming, some limbless or headless, others hang like situations should occur throughout the three dreams of The
scarecrows on the ever present wire. Night War, along with some additional different ones each
Charging investigators need 1D4+1 rounds of move- night. As such, the Keeper need not and should not use all of
ment to reach an area of relative safety. Each round of move- these incidents during a single dream. In addition to these
ment requires a Luck roll to avoid some mishap, as detailed events, the Keeper may wish to have the investigators occa-
on the table above. If a Luck roll is failed, roll 2D6 and con- sionally roll Luck to avoid having to roll on the Random
sult the Random Movement Event table, using the appro- Movement Table as they enter zones of enemy fire.
priate modifiers. This table is used in other parts of the The investigators may also encounter other human sol-
scenario, where the modifiers come more into play. diers as they cross the battlefield. These meetings are largely
Once the investigators have reached cover on the bat- left to the Keeper to create as desired, but no more than
tlefield, they are free to go where they like. All around them 1D6+1 or so soldiers should be encountered. They may aid
men have died, and are still dying, some of the wounded the investigators caught in a dire situation, or vice versa.
screaming from nearby, in No Man’s Land. Any separated They behave as if the unnatural horrors of The Night War
investigators may be found by their fellows as they crawl were commonplace, and they fear them as much as they fear
through the muddy, bloody chaos. Gunfire. Explosions. mortal foes. The Keeper may also wish to introduce an
Smoke. Flares across the sky. encounter with normal German soldiers. The Germans treat
–110–
 The Night War

investigators and horrors alike as enemies. in the area are attacked by one of the following, chosen by the
Note the enemy lines change constantly throughout the Keeper: 1D6 Skull Soldiers, 1D6 Gas Mask Men, a Trench
dreams of The Night War, and the investigators may find Crawler, the Ghost Gas, or an artillery shelling. These events
themselves fleeing in the opposite direction from one area of are described in the Encounters section below (the
enemy fire into another fire zone. As the landscape changes, Trench–Crawler is in the similar section of Night Three).
previously visited locations may vanish altogether, perhaps
even moments after the investigators leave. Possible Foraged Items
The Keeper should feel free to introduce areas crossed • *M1917 Rifle & 3D10 rounds
with mazes of barbed wire which the investigators must • *Very pistol (flare gun) & 2D6 flare rounds
either bypass or carefully navigate. See entry Number 12 on • Steel Helmet
the Random Movement Event Table above for possible wire • Greatcoat
related hazards. • Bandages
The investigators should occasionally come across • Gas Mask
empty trenches or bunkers where they can find temporary • Trench Club
shelter and catch their breath, bandage their wounds, or • *Grenades (1D4+1)
plan their movements. If an investigator decides to explore • *.45 Revolver & 3D10 rounds
the eerie, cramped, muddy passages and underground • Periscope
chambers, he or she should attempt a Luck roll. Note that • Wire Cutters
they may need light sources to explore deeper, darker areas. • Trench Knife
If the roll is less than the character’s POW, he or she has • *Browning Automatic Rifle & 1D3+1 full magazines
found one of the asterisked items from the list below, subject • *Mortar & 1D6+1 rounds
to his needs and Keeper’s discretion. If the Luck roll succeeds,
but is greater than the character’s POW, the investigator finds Atmospheric Events
one of the non–asterisked items or some other useful trin- 1. Even though it’s night, several dozen ravens roost in the
ket—matches, oil lantern, bayonet, etc. If the roll fails, those barbed wire, feeding on the corpses caught hanging there.

Weapons of The Night War

Name Base % Damage Attacks/Round Ammo capacity HP Malfunction Range Impale
Bayonet Knife 1D6 1 NA 15 NA NA Yes
(hand) (25%)
Bayonet Spear 1D8+1 1 NA 12 NA NA Yes
(rifle) (15%)
Trench Knife Knife 1D6+1 1 NA 15 NA NA Yes
(25%)
Trench Club Club 1D6+1 1 NA 15 NA NA No
(spiked) (25%)
Rifle Butt Club 1D6 1 NA 12 NA NA No
(25%)
.45 Revolver Handgun 1D10+2 1 6 10 00 15 yds Yes
(20%)
Flare Pistol Handgun 1D10 1/2 1 11 00 10 yds No
(20%) +1D3 burn
M1917 Rifle 2D6+4 1/2 clip/5 12 00 130 yds Yes
.30–06 rifle (25%)
Browning Machine Gun 2D6+4 1 or burst magazine/20 11 00 90 yds Yes
Auto. Rifle (15%) (up to 10)
M1917 Machine Gun 2D6+4 burst (up to 20) belt/250 12 96 150 yds Yes
Mach. Gun (15%)
Grenade Throw Skill 4D6/4 yds 1/2 NA NA 99 STRx5 yds No
(25%)
Mortar Mortar 4D6/3 yds 1/2 1 15 95 100 yds No
(01%)

–111–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Optional Insanity in the Night War

The following section is a variation on the victim for 1D3 damage, and must ity, that entity now singles out the
the normal rules for investigator insan- be removed with wire cutters or a affected investigator for its attacks or
ity. When an investigator loses 20% of DEX x3 roll (one roll per round). The other intentions.
his current Sanity, rather than rolling character is at 1/5 of normal DEX
on the Indefinite Insanity Table the while trapped. 8. The investigator suddenly finds him-
Keeper may wish to have the investi- self alone, transported to some other
gator suffer one of the Nightmare 4. A dead or dying man on the bat- part of the battlefield away from his
Effects from the following table, tlefield suddenly grabs the investiga- companions. Keeper’s discretion as to
derived from the rules in H.P. Love- tor by the ankle or arm and how far away he is sent, and how long
craft’s Dreamlands. Some effects are says…something. It may be a warn- it takes him to rejoin his friends.
hallucinations suffered by the insane ing, a curse, something related to
investigator, while others physically another case, or a total non sequitur. 9. The investigator slides into a deep
affect him or her. Their duration is Only the affected investigator hears crater or short trench whose muddy
largely left to the Keeper to determine. this cryptic utterance. sides are too slick and steep to easily
climb. Unless his companions are able
Night War Nightmare Effects 5. If the insanity was brought on by to rescue him, the investigator must
Roll D10 or choose as appropriate: the sight of an enemy, the investiga- roll his DEX or less on D100 (one roll
tor flees in terror for a few moments, per round) to escape the steep pit.
1. The investigator’s weapon jams, or finding shelter in a crater, behind an Enemy creatures eagerly pursue the
is out of ammunition. A melee embankment, etc.—only to turn and trapped investigator into the pit.
weapon may be dropped or lost. find the same enemy waiting for him
or her. 10. The affected investigator looks
2. The investigator finds himself sink- around and sees all of his compan-
ing in the mud, or already stuck. A 6. The investigator sees the silhouet- ions lying dead around him, perhaps
STR x3 roll (one roll per round) is ted anthropomorphic mountain turn its slain by the monsters that caused
needed to pull himself out, or the baleful attention to him or her, its eyes this insanity. No amount of shaking
combined STR x3 of any others help- suddenly blazing upon him like vast will awaken the fallen—they are dead.
ing him or her. All physical skills are searchlights, blinding him or her for The investigator may be jarred from
halved until he is freed. several seconds and following him or this effect if he attempts to kill him-
her for several more. Only the affected self, or after he wanders away from
3. A strand of barbed wire creeps investigator sees this hallucination. his “dead” friends. Again, this is a
across the ground and snares one of hallucination that affects the insane
the investigator’s limbs. The wire cuts 7. If an enemy has caused this insan- investigator only.

They glare at passing investigators. ing down on the devastation, which incurs a 0/1 Sanity loss.
2. The investigators come across a field of dead soldiers The brooding mountain is a figment of McKenna’s sub-
from both sides. As they pass, the dead begin to speak, talk- conscious, a vision of his scornful father, whom he has never
ing about their lives, their families back home, complaining been able to please.
of the dark, “it hurts so bad, why haven’t I gone to Heaven?” 5. As the investigators wade through a muddy area, a Listen
This calls for a Sanity loss of 1/1D3 points. A successful roll reveals a muffled grunt. Below them, half buried in the
German language roll notes the enemy soldiers are saying mud, are numerous corpses, groaning as the living tread
similar things. over them. Witnessing this costs 0/1D3 Sanity points. The
3. The dead may speak throughout these nightmares. They dead are mindless, and offer no assistance.
may be found hanging in barbed wire, or lying dead in the 6. Within a large crater left by an artillery shell are a dozen
mud or a shell hole or trench. They may utter warnings, makeshift crosses, some half submerged in the deep pool at
offer cryptic clues, or curse and mock the living. its center.
4. Flares streak across the sky bathing everything in an eerie 7. An investigator stumbles over something in the mud—a
pale light. Any investigator making a Spot Hidden roll sees fallen cross. The party realizes they are in the midst of hun-
the vast black shape of a distant mountain looming over the dreds of crosses carpeting a makeshift cemetery. If the keeper
battlefield. Anyone who spots the mountain and makes a desires, the dead may begin to whisper and moan, as in the
POW x3 roll, notices the dark shape resembles a man glar- corpse field above, calling for a loss of 1/1D3 Sanity points.
–112–
 The Night War
8. With a Listen roll, an investigator hears a scuffle nearby. direction, the man on the stretcher wakes up. “What are
Peering over a crater rim, investigators see a clearing ahead, you…doing?” he asks. If told they’re heading toward the
filled with wriggling shapes. Approaching closer, or making light the man gazes in horror toward the yellow light. “No!”
a Spot Hidden, or illuminating the spot with a flare, they he cries. “Not that light! The Gas men are there! No! The
see dozens of severed limbs and body parts and maimed white light! Take me…to the white light!” He passes out
bodies struggling in the muck—still at war despite the lack again. If the investigators have had it easy thus far, call for
of brains to direct their hate. This calls for a loss of 1/1D4 another 1D4 Luck rolls to avoid rolling on the Random
points of Sanity. Movement Table, otherwise let them reach the white light
9. If the Keeper desires, he or she may give the investigators without serious incident.
a brief glimpse of the Colossus of Corpses (see Night Two: As they near the white litten area, any investigator who
The Night War Continues) crossing the battlefield in the lives in Kingsport, or who has spent more than a few days
distance. A Spot Hidden roll sees something briefly illumi- there, and who can make an Idea roll, sees the hospital tent
nated across the battlefield, a thing that seemed to walk like is on a rise that for some reason calls to mind the Congre-
a man, but several stories high. Sanity loss is 0/1 for catch- gational Hospital atop Central Hill in that city in the mists.
ing a fleeting glimpse of this unknown titan. As they approach the almost circus–sized tent, the investi-
10. The investigators are flanked by several dozen allied sol- gators hear screams and groans coming from within. Out-
diers marching silently toward enemy lines. The soldiers side, a rail–thin man clad in a bloody apron puts down his
ignore the investigators entirely, neither stopping nor speak- cigarette and waves the investigators and their wounded
ing as they march relentlessly onward. Later, during this charge inside.
same dream, the investigators hear the distant shuffle of a Inside are dozens of cots containing men, or parts of
massed marching group. These are the same men appar- men, all drenched in blood, many with missing limbs, some
ently, only with numbers slightly reduced. Their bodies and holding their guts in with both hands, others with shattered
faces are streaked with grime and blood, and here and there skulls showing splattered brains, some with faces punched
a soldier carries a terrible wound. Again, they pay no heed in by great chunks of shrapnel. Anyone entering the hospi-
to the investigators. Sanity loss for seeing the depleted and tal tent loses 1/2D3 points of Sanity for seeing this mass of
dilapidated force is 0/1 points. shredded humanity. A handful of weary men with blood-
stained clothes and bloodstained hands move among the
The Medical Tent moaning, screaming wounded, administering morphine
This is the first extended event the investigators encounter injections with one hand and—almost to a man—holding
during the first dream of The Night War, either shortly after cigarettes in their mouths or free hands. In a far corner,
the first charge, or after one or two of the above atmospheric masked men in aprons work with scalpel and saw, eliciting
incidents. Again the investigators come across a fire zone, screams from the men they try to save. In a corner, an agi-
calling for 1D4 Luck rolls, each failure requiring a roll on tated man barks into a field telephone “What? Well, you tell
the Random Movement Table. Reaching cover, they are safe West to go the Devil!” and slams down the receiver.
from the massive explosion of an artillery shell which oblit- Two aproned men take the wounded man from the
erates the few allied forces nearby. Two allied soldiers bear- investigators, and another motions them to a corner where
ing a stretcher fall into the investigators’ cover. One’s head coffee and sandwiches await. There, more bloodstained men
has been sheared off by the blast, the other is left strangely stand smoking in grim silence. An Idea roll spots several
unmarked. Both are dead, and the sight calls for a loss of containers of ether within arm’s reach of the smoking doc-
0/1D3 Sanity. The figure on the stretcher rolls over into the tors. Warned about their danger, the men smile wearily. “If
mud, moans, sees the investigators and croaks “Medical the ether doesn’t get us, it’s just as likely a stray shell will.
tent…the light…take me…to the light...” The man lapses One way or the other, we’ll be out of this hellhole,”
into unconsciousness and, examining him, the investigators responds one, then they return to their smoking. They can
find he is wounded in the shoulder and belly. be engaged in further conversation but have little pertinent
If necessary, allow the investigators an Idea roll to real- to tell the investigators. Asked about the Gas Mask Men,
ize the medical tent the man talks about is illuminated. Spot the medics tell them the Gas Mask Men are the mask wear-
Hidden rolls make out a dim yellowish light in the distance, ing fellows who collect bodies—living and dead—and use
back toward the enemy lines. If the Spot Hidden roll was them to create more of their own—or maybe worse, though
less than half the normal skill, this investigator has seen a no one knows for sure. Asked about the supernatural ele-
different light, a dim white one on a rise behind them, in ments encountered, the doctors merely say “Some of ‘em go
the opposite direction. home when they get killed out there. Some go to Heaven,
If the investigators carry the wounded man toward the some to Hell. But some…some don’t. Some stay here to
yellow light, call for at least one more series of 1D4 Luck keep fighting. And so it’ll be till the last of us is dead.”
rolls, each failure calling for a roll on the Random Move- Wounded investigators can get treated here, gaining
ment Table. After they have traveled some distance in this 1D6 points at the hands of the well practiced medics. If the
–113–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Nightmare Warriors

Skull Soldiers, dead combatants
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
STR 3D6 10 8 13 9 9 11 5 4 13 12
CON 3D6 12 14 17 11 13 13 11 7 12 7
SIZ 2D6+6 13 12 10 10 12 16 15 16 12 15
INT 3D6 11 12 5 8 6 18 11 12 18 11
POW 3D6 8 12 11 10 14 13 7 10 5 9
DEX 3D6 9 13 7 12 6 12 15 14 12 13
HP 13 13 14 11 13 15 13 12 12 11
Move: 8
Damage Bonus: +0
Weapons: .30–06 Rifle 35% 2D6+4, bayonet/spear 35% 1D8+1.
Armor: 1 point of heavy clothing.
Skills: Listen 35%, Spot Hidden 35%.
Sanity Loss: 0/1D3

Gas Mask Men, evil combatants

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
STR 3D6 11 8 10 15 11 10 9 7 13 12
CON 3D6 5 11 14 12 9 10 12 8 7 12
SIZ 2D6+6 15 14 12 14 13 11 16 14 14 13
INT 3D6 11 9 8 12 13 12 15 8 9 10
POW 3D6 11 10 7 11 12 5 16 10 9 9
DEX 3D6 10 9 11 14 10 11 10 8 14 12
HP 10 13 13 13 11 11 14 11 11 13
Move: 8
Damage Bonus: +0
Weapons: .30–06 Rifle 30% 2D6+4, bayonet/spear 45% 1D8+1.
Armor: 1 point of heavy clothing.
Skills: Listen 30%, Spot Hidden 30%.
Sanity Loss: 0/1D4

Crater Things, lurking combatants

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
STR 4D6 16 13 16 8 12 9 14 9 15 20
CON 2D6+6 13 10 16 15 11 11 17 15 18 10
SIZ 2D6+8 15 16 16 10 13 14 15 15 11 15
INT 3D6 15 10 10 4 9 7 11 14 4 16
POW 3D6 8 9 12 5 8 12 11 15 10 10
DEX 2D6 7 5 8 6 10 4 2 7 11 8
HP 14 13 16 13 12 13 16 15 15 13
Move: 4
Damage Bonus: +1D4
Weapons: Grapple(x2) 45% 1D4 each. If 2 grapple attacks hit, the Thing drags the victim into the grasp of one of its
leg–tentacles, which does 1D8 constriction damage each round thereafter, unless the victim breaks loose of its grasp by
overcoming it with a STR vs. STR roll on the Resistance Table.
Armor: 2 points of rubbery hide.
Skills: Appear Human 65%.
Sanity Loss: 1/1D4

–114–
 The Night War

investigators linger too long though, the Keeper should have trying to drag them beneath the surface, constricting their
shells begin dropping, falling progressively nearer the tent. prey under the mud and water.
Unless the investigators take the hint and flee, they are
caught in a titanic blast when a shell does finally explode The Ghost Gas
next to the tent, igniting the ether and creating a fiery The Ghost Gas is a terrifying cloud of mustard gas animated
explosion. Anyone still inside the tent suffers 6D6 points of by the spirits of the dead. It appears as a large cloud of yel-
damage; anyone who barely escaped still takes 2D6 damage. lowish–green smoke within which ghostly faces appear and
disappear. The Ghost Gas emits a constant but quiet hiss,
Encounters like a rasping exhalation as it creeps low across the ruined
Most of the following encounters reflect the twisted memo- ground. It attacks by engulfing its prey and choking them
ries and dark fears conjured by McKenna’s damaged brain. with its poison fumes. It is also fed by its servants, the Gas
Note that not all these creatures need be met during the Mask Men, who burn the bodies of dead soldiers for the
investigators’ first nightmare tour of The Night War. Two Ghost Gas to absorb.
additional nightmares lie ahead, so there should be no hurry
to get all these horrors into play right away. Ghost Gas, Spectral Predator
STR NA CON NA SIZ 54 INT 14 POW 18
Skull Soldiers DEX 18 HP 54 Move 6
Among the most commonly encountered combatants on Weapons: Asphyxiation—roll victim’s POW vs. the gas’s
the fields of The Night War, Skull Soldiers are undead sol- POW, and if the gas succeeds the victim loses 1D6 Hit
diers clad in the uniforms of the U.S., Britain, France, Ger- Points, half of which are added to the SIZ/HP of the gas.
many, or others. Regardless of the uniform they wear, the Armor: Normal weapons and cold don’t affect the Ghost
Skull Soldiers consider all living soldiers their enemies, and Gas. Fire does normal damage. Striking it with a torch (nor-
attack on sight. The Skulls may be freshly dead, skeletal, or mal Club skill) does 1D6 points of damage. A flare gun does
anything in between, with missing limbs and numerous normal damage against it, as do explosives.
wounds not uncommon, and most have skulls for heads. Skills: Sense Life 55%.
They are completely silent, never breathing, speaking, or Sanity Loss: 1/1D8
crying out even when wounded. If a skull soldier makes a
halved Idea roll it may fire with its rifle, otherwise it charges Artillery
to the attack with its bayonet. The desolate battlefield occasionally comes under attack
from artillery shelling, falling heedlessly among enemy and
Gas Mask Men ally alike. When these explosive shells start raining down,
The Gas Mask Men are similar to the Skull Soldiers in that the investigators should run for their lives to seek cover.
they are common, and relatively weak enemies. They too The artillery barrage is foreshadowed by a terrible shrieking
may be found wearing any uniform, but they also wear the sound as the shells tear through the air toward their targets.
old–style flannel, or the newer small box respirator gas A war veteran instantly recognizes the sound, others need
masks, giving them a frightening appearance: snouted, gog- an Idea roll to understand their peril. Anyone who under-
gle–eyed, and implacable. The Gas Mask Men serve the stands the meaning of the screaming shells must roll for a
Ghost Gas, for whom they procure the bodies of freshly loss of 0/1 Sanity points. The first shells strike 1D8 x20
killed soldiers, which they then burn in great bonfires to yards from the investigators. The shelling lasts for 1D6
feed the gas. The investigators may encounter the Gas Mask rounds, and each round the shells fall twenty yards closer
Men on the battlefield, bearing stretchers laden with their than the last barrage, perhaps pounding right past them
prey, and mistake them for their fellow men—to their sub- across the battlefield. Investigators who throw themselves
sequent horror when the Masks turn to attack them. Like into a crater or trench are protected enough to give them a
the Skulls, a Mask may fire its rifle if it makes a halved Idea Luck roll each round to avoid damage, though they may be
roll. Otherwise it lunges with its bayonet. showered with earth or even partially buried by the explo-
sions. Failing the Luck roll, the investigator takes 1 hit
Crater Things point of damage for every 5 points rolled above his Luck
Crater Things live beneath the mud and water at the center number. A fumbled roll means the shell lands right on top
of random shell craters and are usually found one at a time. of him, killing him instantly. If the Keeper wishes, the
They appear as human soldiers lying wounded and helpless, investigators may find a trench deep enough to fully pro-
half submerged in the water and mud. In reality, their lower tect them from the bombardment. Anyone caught without
extremities end in two thick tentacles which they use to cover takes full damage from the exploding shell: 10D6
anchor themselves in the muck while they pull their prey within two yards, 9D6 within four yards, 8D6 within six
below the surface and consume Them. They attack by lur- yards, and so on.
ing their target within arms’ reach then grabbing them and
–115–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Nightmare Ends not—fall into the growing abyss. Wire and barricade and
The Keeper should allow the investigators to explore part of trench and ruin and crater, all vanish into its maw. Then it
the blasted landscape of The Night War, experiencing sev- reaches your rocky perch and you stand looking into the
eral different minor encounters and at least two or three black pit below. Somewhere across the vast crater comes the
combat encounters before the nightmare finally comes to a sound of a thousand screaming men and, silhouetted in the
merciful end. distance, a huge manlike shape struggling in the mud before
The end of the nightmare begins with an artillery bom- it too falls endlessly into the dark maw of the crater. Even as
bardment some ways off, at a safe distance from the investi- you watch it disappear, your rocky perch tips and then you
gators. For several minutes the shells whistle downward and too are falling, falling, falling…
detonate in the mud. The last such shell lands nearby, caus-
ing a violent earth tremor that throws the investigators to
the muddy ground and continues rumbling even as the Day Two:
shells stop falling. Regaining their footing, the investigators
see the mud bubbling and heaving in the crater left by the Awakening
shell. Suddenly the mud in the center of the crater drops,
then collapses into a massive sinkhole, threatening to engulf The next morning, after the investigators awake from their
the investigators. As they flee, the ground behind them con- nightmares, they must make an Idea roll to remember their
tinues to collapse into the yawning pit. Each investigator dream in its entirety. Those failing have only vague memo-
must roll D100. The Keeper then reads the following infor- ries of certain portions of the dream, forgetting details and
mation to the investigators, beginning with whoever rolled particular incidents. The Keeper should now halve each
the highest, and continuing down the list in order of the investigator’s total Sanity loss and apply it to the characters
highest to lowest rolls. The keeper may have to improvise or as they convince themselves the terrors of the night were
alter an existing passage if there are more than four investi- merely a very bad, very realistic dream. Note that since this
gators left at this point. nightmare lasted several hours of game time, an investigator
1. Turning away from the crater to run, you slip and fall, losing 20% of his starting Sanity total does not go indefi-
skidding down the sloping side directly toward the gaping nitely insane as a result of the ordeal.
sinkhole The earth falls away at your feet as you try to
scramble back toward the crater rim. If another investigator Recollections of Day One
has stopped to help, you grab his hand just as the ground The Keeper should now outline the events leading up to last
collapses beneath you. Unfortunately, you have doomed the night’s terrible dreams of The Night War—specifically the
two of you, as your weight pulls your despairing friend into events of Day One. They now learn that on the previous day
the abyss with you… one of their fellow investigators was stricken with a sudden
2. You try to run but the mud clings to your boots and you injury or illness while visiting the seaside city of Kingsport.
fall while the ground continues to sink behind you. You The other investigators then visited this person in
grab a barbed wire post and hang on for dear life, but then Kingsport’s Congregational Hospital. While they were visit-
there is only air beneath you, and you hang suspended ing their hospitalized friend, an investigator making a suc-
above the abyss. Still the earth around you collapses into the cessful Listen or Medicine roll learned, in passing, that the
sinkhole, and you find yourself deeper and deeper within patient in the neighboring bed is in a coma. Also, anyone
the pit. Something falls past—an undead soldier with flesh rolling their POW x1 or less (or the lowest such roll, if none
like a mummy’s. It grabs you as it falls, pulling you away succeed), recalls hearing a random hospital employee com-
from the post and plunging the two of you into the dark- plaining of poor sleep due to nightmares he had the night
ness below… before.
3. Curse your luck—you’ve caught your leg on barbed wire. As a change of pace, the Keeper may wish to keep the
The earth falls away behind you, then beneath you. You hospitalized investigator confined to his bed during the
find yourself dangling upside down in the deepening pit. entirety of this investigation, especially if he or she is seriously
Struggling to look up, you see the top of the pit now impos- wounded or ill. Also, it should take the investigators more
sibly far above you. Then, just as you drop into ultimate than a single day to interview all the individuals in Arkham
darkness, you see something else falling into the pit, some- and Kingsport who have knowledge of Willson McKenna
thing manlike, but too big to be a man. The last thing you and his wartime experiences.
hear is your own scream…
4. You see a solid rock spur ahead, if you can only reach it. Kingsport and the Hospital
You hear muddy earth collapsing noisily behind you, then Presumably the investigators are concerned enough to seek
you reach the rock and turn to look back. Hundreds and out the cause of the vivid wartime nightmare, especially
hundreds of yards across, the muddy sinkhole is devouring when they realize they have all shared the same dream. At
the entire battlefield. You see shapes—some like men, some the Congregational Hospital, if the hospitalized investigator
–116–
 The Night War
has bothered to ask the nurse about his room-
mate, he’s been told his name is Willson
McKenna, age 28. McKenna is from Arkham,
and had been visiting Kingsport when he col-
lapsed and fell into a coma two days ago. He
hasn’t awakened and his condition is worsen-
ing. A Fast Talk roll made while interviewing
the nurse reveals that the attending physician,
Dr. Neuberg, says McKenna’s condition is
“very grave indeed.” Asked about any night-
mares she’s lately had, the nurse says she hasn’t
had any she remembers, but mentions she’s
slept badly the past couple nights. Her friend
who works in housekeeping has slept badly, as
well. Other than Dr. Neuberg, none of the
hospital employees know that McKenna
served in the Great War.
If the hospitalized investigator makes a
Luck roll, Willson McKenna’s mother, Janice,
comes to see her son. If the roll is half their
Luck or less, Willson’s father Evert will come
along, too. See the Arkham Investigations sec-
tion for information the parents can pass along.
If they wish, the investigators may inquire
with other hospital employees as to any night-
mares they may have had. There is a 50%
chance the person asked is offended and
refuses to answer the question a 20% chance
the person hasn’t had any bad dreams they can
remember; a 15% chance they’ve slept poorly,
and a 15% chance they vaguely remember
strange dreams of darkness and war and death.
Even outside the hospital they see people nod-
ding off, or overhear complaints about lack of
sleep. If asked, these people reveal they too
slept poorly, or had terrible dreams. This dis-
covery costs the investigators 0/1D3 points of
Sanity when they realize how widespread the
nightmare epidemic may be.
Young Dr. John Neuberg can be found in
the hospital 60% of the time, otherwise he is
seeing to his private practice in his Back Street
office. He won’t discuss the details of
McKenna’s condition unless he knows and
trusts the investigators. Otherwise, all he will
say is McKenna has been in a coma for two
days, during which time he has weakened
physically, and that his prospects are not good.
If Neuberg trusts the investigators, he reveals
McKenna suffered severe neurasthenic shock
to his brain from an artillery shelling in the
Great War. McKenna’s regular physician, Dr.
Horton Wilson of Arkham, prescribed med-
ication for frequent headaches and loss of bal-
ance. Dr. Neuberg says: “He might have a few
–117–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

days, or he could go in a few hours. There isn’t much we can There are no physical clues here, but an investigator
do but hope he pulls out of it himself. Then again, as much looking out the window sees a willow tree in the backyard,
as he’s suffered, maybe he’s better off just fading out like a sight which means nothing now but may eventually aid in
this. No pain, just die while asleep.” Dr. Neuberg can give finding McKenna on the blasted plains of The Night War
the investigators the address of McKenna’s parents in later on.
Arkham, and, if they have gained his confidence, a letter of If the McKennas are asked about the specifics of their
introduction to Dr. Wilson, as well. son’s service in the Great War, and how he received his
injuries, they can tell what little they know. Willson’s regi-
Arkham Investigations ment, the 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers, was stationed in
Willson McKenna was born and raised in Arkham, where the north of France in 1918. Willson had been there a only
he still resides. Investigators will likely travel up to Arkham few months when he was sent out on a raid one night.
in order to research McKenna When the raiders didn’t return, they were given up for lost.
The next night a friendly patrol found Willson lying in a
The McKenna Family crater, cold and wet and dazed. They carried him back to
Evert and Janice McKenna live with their son in a narrow their lines, where he was sent back to an aid post, which in
two–story house in a lower middle class neighborhood on turn sent him to a shock ward where he stayed for several
North Sentinel Street, south of the Miskatonic River on the months, until the war ended. When he came home, he still
east side of the city. Evert manages the clothing department had headaches, dizziness and an inability to concentrate, as
of Gleason’s Department Store while Janice works at Keenan’s well as a severe aversion to loud noises. All he would say
Laundry on East College Street, not far from their house in about the fighting that night was that everyone else died and
Rivertown. Both are found at their places of employment he couldn’t understand how he had lived when they were all
during the day, and at home only in the evenings. so much more experienced and brave than him. The
Evert McKenna is a tall, balding man in his early 60s, McKennas remember the names of only a couple of Will-
with a somewhat sour disposition that turns even less pleas- son’s platoon mates: August Kirke, and Alan “Tol” Tolbert,
ant when discussing his son, Willson. Evert says Willson was both of Arkham.
never a strong person, and even weaker when he came back
from the war. A shell went off too close to him, the doctors Dr. Horton Wilson, MD
said, damaging his brain. Hospitalized, Willson missed the If the investigators seek out Willson McKenna’s regular physi-
last few months of the war, and has been on expensive med- cian, he reveals nothing unless presented with a letter of intro-
ication ever since. Evert got Willson a part–time job at Glea- duction from McKenna’s parents, or from Dr. Neuberg in
son’s, but his illness prevents him from working too much. Kingsport. Dr. Wilson has visited McKenna in the Kingsport
Most of his time he spends sitting in his room, staring into hospital but has nothing to add to Dr. Neuberg’s diagnosis.
space. It doesn’t take a Psychology roll to see the elder Unless McKenna somehow comes out of his coma, Dr. Wil-
McKenna is sorely disappointed in his son, and maybe son believes the young man will be dead in a matter of days.
always has been. Any investigator who saw the silhouette of There’s nothing anyone can do. But given the boy’s suffering
the mountain in The Night War and likened it to a brood- over the past ten years, perhaps it’s better this way. Dr. Wil-
ing man may make a halved Idea roll which, if successful, son seems deeply saddened by McKenna’s plight.
allows the investigator to realize Evert McKenna resembles
the looming mountain. If the elder McKenna is chastised for Brothers in Arms?
dismissing his troubled son, he throws the investigators out The investigators can find August Kirke listed in the
and tells them not to come back. Arkham city directory. Speaking with him by phone or in
Janice McKenna is a small, plump, profoundly sad person, they find that he is now Lieutenant August Kirke,
woman in her early 60s. She loves her son dearly, and and very proud of the fact. The tall, handsome, arrogant
blames herself for his current plight. She had thought if Kirke was a corporal during the war, and remembers Will-
Willson stayed a few days in the pretty seaside town it might son McKenna well. He was just a kid, afraid of his own
clear his head and cheer him up. Instead she worries she shadow, he tells investigators. When he went out on that last
might have killed him. She tries to visit Willson when she raid, no one expected him to come back, the poor little rab-
can get away, but Evert is reluctant to see the boy. bit. They found him cowering in a hole, having abandoned
If Mrs. McKenna is asked, she allows the investigators to his companions to die. Kirke has no proof McKenna left his
see her son’s room, in the cramped attic above. With more fellows behind, but how else could the boy have survived? If
than two people in it, the tiny room is crowded, and there is specifically asked to do so, Kirke can draw an extremely
little to see: a bed, a dresser, a doorless wardrobe with a couple crude map of where the lines were and where McKenna was
of suits and dress shoes, and a few old history books. “Willson found (see The Night War Papers #1). Asked if there’s any-
used to love to read, but he can’t concentrate anymore, and it one else around who might know more about McKenna,
gives him such headaches…” Mrs. McKenna comments. Kirke suggests they try asking Major Charles Hart at the
–118–
 The Night War

Armory just off Independence Square. Failing that, they The Miskatonic Valley Veterans Home
could try the Miskatonic Valley Veterans Home, just around At the Miskatonic Valley Veterans Home, the investigators
the corner from the Miskatonic University sports field. are met in an entry hall by a duty nurse who asks their busi-
“Brace yourself if you go there, though. You’ll not see the ness. She regrets to inform them Christopher Carnell died
likes of what you find there anywhere this side of Hell.” the night before last. He was 46 years old, and suffered from
Asked what he means, Kirke frowns and says “Shrapnel severe respiratory problems due to a gas attack, along with
wounds, gas victims, amputees.” losing his left eye. He died in his sleep.
As the investigators speak with Nurse Creary, a pair of
The National Guard Armory disabled veterans pass by at the far end of the hallway. One
At the Massachusetts Guard Armory, after a few minutes of is entirely covered in bandages, save a single peering eye,
waiting the investigators can see Major Hart, a short, stout, while the other hobbles about on crutches, missing one leg
sweaty man. Hart doesn’t remember McKenna, but he from just above the knee and one arm from just above the
knows Lieutenant Kirke, and remembers Corporal Tolbert, elbow. Investigators lose 0/1 Sanity point for seeing these
a member of the National Guard who works as a mechanic disfigured soldiers. Creary knows of no one else in the home
at an automobile repair shop. Hart can also look up army who might have served with McKenna. If the investigators
records to see who else might have served with McKenna. decide to try their luck asking other residents of the home,
He comes up with two more names: Christopher Carnell, Nurse Creary warns them that many of the occupants are
who lives in the Miskatonic Valley Veterans Home, and a horribly disfigured by their injuries. If they persist, the
Thomas Linche with an address on east River Street. investigators see several maimed and disfigured men, none
of whom know anything about Willson McKenna. Their
Alan Tolbert tour of the home costs them 1/1D3 points of Sanity.
Alan “Tol” Tolbert is found working in an auto repair
garage. Willing to talk with investigators, he is happy for an Thomas Linche
excuse to take a cigarette break. He remembers McKenna. Thomas Linche is found in his dingy room at the Borden
“The kid always had it rough, from the moment he set Arms, but only if a random investigator makes a halved
foot in the mud. He wanted to fight for his country, but he Luck roll. Otherwise, Linche is off somewhere getting
just wasn’t cut out for it. He never moved fast enough for drunk. He returns 1D3+1 hours later, ready to sleep it off.
that s.o.b. Lieutenant Suydam, so the bastard sent the kid If he’s caught sober, Linche is somber but helpful. If inebri-
out on a trench raid one night. Sent that green kid out to go ated, he is intensely bitter about his service in the Great
tooth and nail with the Hun in the flippin’ dark. Nobody War, cursing the arrogant officers and the beastly Huns and
knows what happened, but the next night we found the ungrateful government for not taking care of the veter-
McKenna curled up in a crater, out of his head. Nobody else ans once they got home, all shot to pieces and coughing up
made it back but him, and the boy was really messed up. mustard gas and carrying around memories of that god-
Suydam thought maybe the kid was faking, but the blood damn war in their heads.
running out of both his ears said differ-
ent. Prick Suydam got his a couple
months later. I wish I could have seen
The Night War Papers #1
how brave he was when they hauled him
a map drawn by Lt. Kirke
back to the field hospital minus a leg
and a half. At least Suydam was lucky
enough to cash out rather than hang on
like that poor kid.”
If asked, Tolbert can give some
specifics about the area where McKenna
was found, and can draw a map similar
to the one drawn by Lieutenant Kirke
(see The Night War Papers #2).
Tol” remembers the names pro-
vided by others, but says they won’t find
Linche at the address the investigators
have, “’Cause that house ain’t there no
more. Tore it down years ago. He’s at the
Borden Arms these days.” The Borden
Arms is an Arkham boarding house
located at 488 W. High Lane.
–119–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

other drugs, the Keeper is urged to have

them crash hard the following night,
The Night War Papers #2
perhaps making their final nightmares
a map drawn by“Tol” Tolbert
far more potent and deadly than they
would have been normally. This is left to
the Keeper to judge as he sees fit. The
Keeper should again keep track of each
investigator’s Sanity losses, as these totals
are to be halved once the dream ends.

The Dream Begins

The investigators find themselves hud-
dled in the same dark, mud–clogged
trench, again clad in uniforms of the
Great War and carrying military gear.
The sky is dark, cut only by the occa-
sional wisp of cloud or the dim arc of a
flare. Machine guns and rifles chatter,
and artillery crashes in the distance.
As the investigators make their way
through the slippery passage, they come
Linche says McKenna was a good kid, but the war was upon a trio of soldiers sitting against the side of the trench,
just too much for him—too much for anybody with a good smoking cigarettes. If an investigator is an officer, the three
Christian soul. Asked what happened to McKenna, he says snap to attention; otherwise they merely look up disinter-
the raiding party went out and never came back. They estedly. An Idea roll may recognize one of the men—
found the kid the next night, his mind shattered. Linche Thomas Linche, looking more than ten years younger than
tried to cheer the kid up, but McKenna kept mumbling he the drink–addled version investigators may have met in
must have left the others behind, that the shells started Arkham. (If they interview Linche after seeing him in the
falling and he just started running, damn fool. Anyway, they nightmare, he won’t remember them.) If the investigators
sent him back to a field hospital for shell shock, but they ask about Willson McKenna, the men say he went out on
don’t really do anything there, as the army figured most shell patrol earlier and hasn’t come back. With a successful Fast
shock victims were faking anyway. But not that kid. He was Talk roll the investigators can convince the three soldiers to
really done in. Asked if he’s dreamt of the war recently, accompany them in their search for McKenna and the miss-
Linche replies “Only every goddamn night for the past ten ing patrol. The soldiers don’t recognize anything on the
years.” Kirke and Tolbert maps the investigators may find they have
Shown the battlefield maps drawn by his fellow soldiers, with them, but they can either direct or lead the investiga-
Linche says Tolbert’s seems more accurate, but he doesn’t tors toward the approximate area the missing patrol was last
know much from maps. If he has been drinking, Linche is seen headed.
in tears by the end of his interview with the investigators, a Keeper’s Note: If Private Linche is killed during this
circumstance which costs them 0/1 point of Sanity for dream, he dies in real life too, the victim of a heart attack
reminding the man of the worst time of his life. brought on by alcoholism and the terrific stress of this
nightmare. In such an event, each investigator loses 0/1D3
Sanity points for possibly hastening the man’s death.
Night Two:
Events and Encounters
The Night War The Keeper should consult the lists of Atmospheric Events
and Encounters from Night One to create the tale of the
Continues investigators’ travel across the battlefield during this second
nightmare. A few new encounters are described below, along
Again, due to having come within close proximity to Will- with some variations on elements from the first dream. And
son McKenna in the dream–rich city of Kinsgport, the inves- as before, the Keeper is urged to occasionally have the inves-
tigators again dream of The Night War, regardless of where tigators cross fire zones, each requiring 1D4+1 Luck rolls,
they spend their night. Even investigators slain during Night with each failure calling for a roll on the Random Movement
One are dragged back into this second dream. If they try to Event Table. The Keeper should also introduce other sol-
avoid sleep by drinking coffee, or taking amphetamines or diers, and allow foraging for gear as outlined in Night One.
–120–
 The Night War

The investigators may have the rough maps of where notes the heads and rifles of several entrenched Skull Sol-
Willson McKenna was found, but identifying the land- diers. They are facing into the No Man’s Land the investi-
marks on these maps is difficult, due to the fluid nature of gators are crossing. If more than one successful roll is made,
The Night War’s battlefield. They may need to seek help the investigators see the heads and rifles of countless Gas
locating these landmarks from others in the dream, or use Mask Men facing toward No Man’s Land from the opposite
another method to find the missing young soldier. Again, side of the field. This dilemma costs the investigators 1/1D4
these sources of information and methods of finding Sanity. As they throw themselves flat in anticipation of the
McKenna are discussed below. barrage to follow, they note that neither side has moved an
inch. They continue to stand, mute and unmoving, as the
The Medical Tent investigators crawl out of the potentially lethal crossfire. At
The investigators may wish to visit the medical tent—if it no time does either side ever move.
still exists—to query those within about McKenna’s where-
abouts, or details of the map. Due to the fractured logic of Sniper!
dreams, the tent exists even if it was destroyed in the first A shot cuts through the eerie silence of the investigators’
night’s dream. The investigators should have to cross at least trek across The Night War. This first shot is at a random
one fire zone to reach the pale–lit tent. Curiously, the people investigator or accompanying soldier, and does normal
they meet, and the conversations they have, are almost iden- damage. If an investigator makes a Luck roll he is able to
tical to the first night’s dream of this place. The only differ- find cover from the sniper. If unable to find cover, another
ences may be the investigators’ questions about McKenna shot is fired two rounds later.
and the landmarks on the maps they may have with them. Investigators making halved Spot Hidden rolls spot the
The investigators lose only 0/1D3 Sanity points from seeing muzzle flash of the sniper’s rifle, and may try to flank him.
the wounded and maimed here on this second visit. Failing this, each investigator needs a Sneak roll to slip away
Each investigator should make a halved Luck roll, and from the murderous rifleman, any failed Sneak roll may
those who succeed find a wounded soldier who recognizes bring another shot from the sniper, who can fire once every
the area depicted on the map. The soldier can give direc- two rounds.
tions toward the area, but he says it’s pretty far off, and very The investigators can also fire back, but they only hit
close to the enemy lines. Again, if they linger here too long, the sniper on an impaling roll, and then only for normal
the medical tent comes under artillery fire that eventually damage. If the sniper is killed, it’s up to the Keeper whether
destroys it, as described in Night One. he wants the rifleman to be a regular Skull Soldier, or per-
haps an enemy from the investigators’ past, living or dead.
The Stretcher Bearers If the latter, the Keeper may wish to have him or her utter
At some point in their voyage across the dark, blasted land- some witty or cryptic comment on their previous encoun-
scape, the investigators come across a group of 1D6+1 ters before he or she dies, smiling grimly.
stretcher bearers gathering up the bodies of the fallen. As the
investigators approach, a halved Spot Hidden recognizes the Sniper, long distance slayer
stretcher bearers as Gas Mask Men. The investigators can STR 9 CON 13 SIZ 14 INT 5 POW 12
attack or avoid the scavenging menaces if they are spotted DEX 11 APP 6 HP 14 Move 8
ahead of time, otherwise the silent masked horrors drop Weapons: .30–06 Rifle 40% 2D6+4, bayonet/spear 30%
their carrion and attack. 1D8+1.
Armor: 1 point of heavy clothing.
The Brooding Mountain Skills: Spot Hidden 45%.
Investigators who realized the dark shape of the mountain Sanity Loss: 0
looming over the battlefield resembled a man, and who sub-
sequently recognized that figure as McKenna’s grim father, The Silent Marchers
may wonder at the mountain’s significance in the dream. A Like Night One, the investigators at some point meet a
Psychology or halved Idea roll theorizes that perhaps, like group of soldiers silently marching toward enemy lines,
McKenna’s father, the mountain is “looking down on” Will- their numbers at the same reduced level the investigators
son, and that he perhaps can be located by following the witnessed in the previous dream. As before, the soldiers
mountain–father’s gaze. Estimating where the mountain is ignore the investigators at first pass. Later during this dream
“gazing” requires an INT x1 roll, which each investigator they will again be seen trudging across the battlefield, again
may attempt only once per night. reduced, battered, and weary. If an investigator approaches
them and asks about Willson McKenna, the figures march
The Sentinels silently on. All but one. This one wearily turns and points,
As the investigators cross a wasteland of shell craters, wordlessly, into the distance; then he rejoins his endlessly
corpses, barbed wire and barricades, a Spot Hidden roll marching comrades.
–121–
New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Gas!
The most feared weapon of the Great War was
mustard gas, which didn’t kill immediately,
but could take days or weeks to slowly, agoniz-
ingly destroy its victims. Even those who sur-
vived could be left permanently crippled by its
effects. Now, as the investigators cross the
darkness of The Night War, several gas shells
fall nearby. Allow each investigator a Spot
Hidden roll to note the pale yellow smoke or
fog emanating from these fresh shell craters.
An investigator who was in the war recog-
nizes the dread gas drifting toward them. If
there are no veterans among the investigators,
an Idea roll is allowed. Anyone who recognizes
the weapon and its horrible effects loses 1/1D3
Sanity points. If they try to outrun the gas, an
investigator needs to roll the highest of his
STR, CON, or DEX x3 or suffer the effects of
the gas. Anyone donning a gas mask must roll
DEX x4 to put it on correctly, otherwise he or
she only gets half the normal protection pro-
vided by the mask. War veterans automatically
put the mask on correctly, and may help one
other person do so before the gas reaches
them. When the gas reaches the investigators,
its acid tongues burn each of the investigators
for 1D4 points of damage, calling for a further
Sanity loss of 1/1D4 points. Those in masks
suffer no further damage, but the burning is
painful enough—reduce their DEX by 1D6
points for the remainder of this dream.
Anyone caught without their mask suffers
the full effects of the mustard gas. The gas’s
Potency is 3D6+3, tested against the victim’s
CON on the Resistance Table. If the investiga-
tor wins, he or she suffers half the gas’s Potency
as damage applied at a rate of 2 points per hour
for the remainder of this dream. If the gas
Potency overcomes the investigator’s CON, the
unfortunate victim suffers the full Potency at the
same rate. Those suffering the gas’s full effects
also have all skills halved for the remainder of
this dream, the gas burning their eyes, lungs, and
skin, and making breathing sheer agony.

The Morrigan
In an incident similar to one described in
Night One, the investigators come upon an
area scattered with corpses, some on the
ground, some hanging in the wire. Scattered
about on different corpses sit three glaring
ravens. As investigators pass, they hear voices
behind them. When they turn back to look,
they see the ravens have grown much larger,
–122–
 The Night War

and are now nearly the size of large dogs. “What do you hates the Gas Mask Men and the Ghost Gas, for they harvest
want?” croaks one of the birds. Investigators lose 0/1D2 and destroy the very food the Colossus requires. These two
points of Sanity hearing the bird speak. The ravens say their forces clash memorably in Night Three.
names are Morrigan, Nema, and Macha, known together as The investigators first spy the thing in the distance,
the Morrigan. A Folklore or halved Occult roll identifies striding across the landscape. They may try to Hide from it
these names as those of a trio of Celtic war goddesses known if they wish. If a random investigator makes a Luck roll, the
for their bloodthirsty ways. party can find shelter in a trench and evade the gaze of the
If the Morrigan are asked about Willson McKenna, they Colossus. If the investigators fail their Hide roll, or flee from
croak among themselves for a few moments, then one says, “I the Colossus, it strides toward them, smashing and grabbing
don’t know where he is, but I could find him for you—if you its victims and pressing their bodies into its own. The crea-
make it worth my while.” Asked what she wants in exchange, ture flees if it takes more than half its Hit Points in damage.
the other ravens momentarily squabble, but finally the Any investigator, living or dead, subsumed into the Colos-
speaker says, “I’d like to be able to see into your world again. sus’s body is trapped there during Night Three unless his
I’d like an eye. One of yours would do nicely.” The investiga- companions can rescue him by slaying this giant flesh golem.
tors can do as they wish, but if one agrees, the raven has him
or her lie down on their back so the croaking goddess can The Colossus of Corpses, walking death
messily scratch out the eye with her sharp talons. The raven STR 106 CON 90 SIZ 100 INT 12 POW 13
then plucks out one of her own eyes, devours it, and clumsily DEX 8 HP 95 Move 12
pokes the investigator’s eye into its grisly empty socket. Wit- Damage Bonus: +12D6
nesses lose 1/1D3 Sanity for seeing this. The actual victim Weapons: Kick/Stomp 35% 1D6, Swat 30% 1D8.
suffers 1D6 Hit Points of damage and loses 1/1D4 Sanity Armor: 2 points of tough skin.
points. The raven, deal made, then flies off, wheeling into the Skills: Listen 30%, Spot Hidden 45%.
dark night. The other ravens continue to dine, occasionally Sanity Loss: 1/1D8
croaking in what sounds very much like laughter. Note: Because of its huge size, all attacks made against the
1D3 hours (and perhaps as many encounters) later, the Colossus are at +35% to the attacker’s skill.
raven returns. She gives the investigators precise directions
to where McKenna lies, cold and paralyzed with fear, in a Artillery from Hell
shallow crater close to the enemy lines. “Good luck,” cack- As the investigators approach the area where they believe
les the Morrigan. “You’ll need it. And thanks for the McKenna might be found, allow them to spot one or more
peeper.” With that, all three ravens soar off into the night, of the landmarks indicated by their maps or mentioned by
croaking uproariously. other witnesses—a blasted forest, two stone spires like the
An investigator who surrenders his eye has all sight Devil’s Teeth. And in the distance, a Spot Hidden roll picks
related skills halved during this and all subsequent dreams, out the unlikely shape of a willow tree standing alone amidst
whether in this scenario, or in other dream–related adven- this shattered landscape. An Idea roll made by anyone who
tures, for the rest of their career. In addition, if the investi- saw the willow tree outside Willson McKenna’s window in
gator fails a POW x5 roll, he or she may also lose sight in Arkham recognizes that very same tree, here, amid all the
the missing eye in the waking world, temporarily or perma- madness. Surely McKenna can’t be far away.
nently, as the Keeper desires. The Keeper might also wish to Unfortunately, even as they slog toward what must be
have the maimed investigator suffer mysterious visions their final goal, McKenna’s self–destructive subconscious
caused by the Morrigan’s use of his eye—fodder for further surges forth and, just as the night before, the sky is suddenly
adventures in this world and others. cut by the sound of distant explosions, a whistling in the air,
and the approaching concussions of artillery shells. Let
The Colossus of Corpses them run for cover, let them run for McKenna. Have each
The investigators may have briefly glimpsed an enormous roll D100, and then let them all die in the shelling, begin-
man–like form crossing the dark horizon of The Night War ning with the highest roll first. The investigator who makes
in their earlier dream. That form was the Colossus of Corpses, the lowest roll nearly reaches an old shell crater before he or
a fifty–foot tall creature made up of dozens of human bodies, she is hurled forward by the blast and smashed to the
their flesh and bones folded into its massive frame. It walks ground. As they lie dying in the muddy crater, vision dark-
the battlefield, scooping up freshly dead bodies and pressing ening, they see a youthful figure cowering next to them.
them into its rubbery skin, which absorbs the corpses, feed-
ing the Colossus’s endless hunger. The thing has only the
most vague of human feelings and memories, and its voice is Day Three
the voice of the multitudes suffering within its variegated
form. Its eyes are large battery–powered spotlights which cast The next morning the investigators awake from their night-
their restless gaze about, searching for prey. The Colossus mares, exactly as before. Those failing Idea rolls have only
–123–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

vague memories of some parts of the dream, while success- a Listen roll allows and investigator to hear Wilson whisper
ful rolls indicate they remember the nightmare in its McKenna probably has no more than a couple days to live, if
entirety. Once again the Keeper should halve the total San- that. As before, the doctors won’t discuss details of Willson
ity point losses incurred during the nightmare, and apply McKenna’s condition without having some reason to trust the
them to the investigators. And again, since this nightmare investigators. If asked, Dr. Neuberg has had no nightmares,
lasted several hours of game time, any investigator losing but admits to sleeping poorly. Dr. Wilson, however, has had
20% of his Sanity does not go indefinitely insane as a result nightmares, though he can’t recall what they were.
of the ordeal.
There may be other lingering effects of this nightmare. Other Investigations
Any investigator who took the full effect of the mustard gas The investigators probably haven’t yet interviewed all of
now suffers a minor case of pneumonia, resulting in a tem- McKenna’s fellow soldiers or other interested parties, and may
porary loss of 1D6 CON points, recoverable at a rate of 1 continue their inquiries along these lines during Day Three.
point per day. An investigator who sacrificed his eye to the As with the previous night, they may try to stave off sleep
Morrigan may still be blinded, or may suffer weird visions with countless cups of coffee or drugs, but regardless, anyone
brought on by the Morrigan’s use of his eye. who had the first nightmare is again sucked into tonight’s
There may be other bizarre effects as well. Each investi- dream, the final assault of The Night War.
gator should make a Sanity roll. Any investigator who fails
this Sanity roll should suffer at least one of the following
Nightmare Effects, as many as one such hallucination per Night Three:
every 10 points rolled above his current sanity, rounded up.
These hallucinations recall events or encounters from The The Night War Ends
Night War, now carried over into the waking world. Each of
these flashbacks costs the sufferer 0/1 Sanity points, and lasts Once again, those who have come in contact with Willson
so briefly he or she can’t be sure what saw. Certainly no one McKenna are involuntarily dragged into his nightmares of
other than the effected investigator sees any of these manifes- the Great War, regardless of their location and any efforts
tations. Choose these visions as appropriate for the individ- they’ve made to avoid sleep. Even those who died in previ-
ual’s experiences in The Night War. ous nightmares are pulled in. The Keeper should again keep
1. An investigator visiting the hospital gets a glimpse of a track of each investigator’s Sanity loss, as these are again to
passing doctor, clad in horrifically bloodstained apron and be halved at the conclusion of the nightmare. Note that any
mask. investigator previously captured and subsumed into the
2. An investigator briefly glimpses a uniformed, rifle toting Colossus of Corpses does not enter this dream unless, or
soldier walking within a group of passersby on the street. until, he is rescued by his companions, who must kill the
3. The investigator hears the staccato report of machine gun Colossus to save him or her.
fire, and imagines bullets ricocheting off the side of the
nearest building, sending splinters of wood flying. Passersby The Dream Begins
may be alarmed by the investigator’s frantic ducking and The final dream begins exactly like the previous night,
covering. investigators finding themselves again crouched in a dark,
4. A flare arcs into the clear sky above. muddy trench, kitted out with their Great War gear and
5. Out of the corner of his eye an investigator sees some- weapons. Tonight the sky is black, starless, yet cloudless,
thing huge and man–like pass behind a nearby multi–story with infrequent flashes of lightning along the horizon.
building. This time the investigators find themselves alone in the
6. Crossing a street, an investigator sees several bloody, bul- trench. Climbing out and making their way across the
let riddled bodies littering the pavement, or lying scattered ruined landscape, they see very few normal soldiers, and
in a nearby park. only a few other enemies or groups of enemies. If the inves-
7. Dead soldiers are seen anywhere, standing on street cor- tigators somehow managed to avoid last night’s dream, they
ners, in the hospital cafeteria, beside a parked car, in the may meet the young Private Linche described in the previ-
window of a house, etc. If Private Linche died during the ous night’s dream. As before, if Linche dies in this night-
dream, he might be one of the soldiers seen, at a cost of an mare, he dies in real life as well, causing each investigator to
additional 0/1D3 Sanity points. lose 0/1D3 Sanity points in the waking world when they
learn of the veteran’s death.
McKenna’s Condition Now the investigators probably have a goal in mind—
On the morning of the hospitalized investigator’s third day of find and rescue, or possibly kill Willson McKenna. They
recuperation, he awakens from his terrible nightmare to find should have maps showing his approximate position on the
Drs. Wilson and Neuberg quietly discussing the case of the battlefield, and may even have almost reached him before
patient in the neighboring bed. Both doctors look grim, and they were annihilated at the end of the last nightmare.
–124–
 The Night War
Events and Encounters handful of battered men remain, silent and haunted as they
As with previous dreams, the Keeper should use some of the trudge off into the darkness, ignoring the investigators.
Encounters and Atmospheric Events described in Night Later, as the investigators near the area where they believe
One and Night Two, applied as the investigators cross The Willson McKenna is to be found, they see the last of the
Night War, along with a few new encounters as described silent marchers, a lone figure stumbling toward them out of
below. Also allow foraging in trenches and among the dead. the gloom. He is alone, helmetless and weaponless, and he
Again, if all of the investigators somehow avoided the previ- staggers to within a few yards of the investigators before col-
ous night’s dream of The Night War, the Keeper should lapsing. The expression on his dead face almost seems to
introduce events from Night Two over the course of this be…relief.
dream, as desired or required—possibly The Medical Tent
and The Colossus of Corpses. The Keeper should also have The Colossus and the Ghost Gas Fires
the investigators occasionally forced to cross fire zones, call- The investigators may have previously lost some of their
ing for Luck rolls to avoid rolling on the Random Move- number to the wandering charnel giant, the Colossus of
ment Event Table from Night One. Another terrifying gas Corpses, and an Idea roll guesses that any living victims might
shelling shouldn’t be out of the question either. be rescued if the Colossus is somehow destroyed. The Keeper
is free to set up this encounter as desired, perhaps by having
The Medical Tent the investigators spy the Colossus passing in the distance, and
If investigators have already visited the medical tent more following it to retrieve any lost companions. Or they may
than once, their third visit finds it destroyed. Debris is accidentally come upon the Gas Mask Men just lighting their
strewn for hundreds of yards in every direction. Bodies—and pyres to burn more corpses for their “god,” the Ghost Gas.
body parts—lie charred and scattered about. There is no one Whatever the specifics, the investigators come upon
here and nothing left to help the investigators in their quest. 2D6+6 Gas Mask Men busy building a huge bonfire,
The devastation calls for a loss of 0/1D3 Sanity points. preparing it for the dozens of fresh corpses they have hauled
to the spot. Meanwhile, the jealous and angry Colossus of
The Trench Crawler Corpses has sought them out, and is about to wade into
This encounter occurs as the investigators make their way combat with them, planning to take the gruesome spoils for
through an abandoned trench littered with corpses, sup- itself. As the struggle plays out, the dreaded Ghost Gas
plies, and debris. Near a collapsed portion of the trench, an comes to join the fray. Roll for Sanity every time one of the
investigator hears a grunt, and there, partially buried in the participants arrives on the scene.
mud, lies a wounded Allied soldier, his hand reaching out If the investigators do nothing, the Colossus strides into
imploringly, his face streaked with mud and blood. If an the midst of the Gas Mask Men and within a couple of
investigator approaches and tries to pull him out, the soldier rounds has swatted, stomped, or kicked half of them to
grabs the investigator with both hands then rears up out of death. The Ghost Gas then drifts into the midst, and the
the mud. The soldier is in fact a ghastly, caterpillar–like con- Masks rally and begin to regroup. The Ghost Gas swarms
glomeration of human torsos with multiple shoulders and about the Colossus’s legs, drawing out the life forces of its
arms, pelvises with numerous legs, all surmounted by a corpse components, weakening the Colossus, even as the
human head. The abomination is nearly twenty–five feet giant golem sears the screaming Ghost Gas with its burning
long, a clumsy carnivore eager to capture more prey to searchlight eyes. But it’s a battle the Colossus cannot win,
devour, and add parts to its grisly body. even though it may damage and weaken the Ghost Gas dur-
ing the battle. The immaterial Gas monster and its masked
Trench Crawler, carrion collector servants eventually bring it down, and as the dying Colossus
STR 15 CON 13 SIZ 59 INT 11 POW 10 stumbles about, limp human forms fall from its bulk, scat-
DEX 8 HP 36 Move 8 tering themselves across the field, most dead and mangled.
Damage Bonus: +4D6 The investigators can either ignore this conflict, watch
Weapons: Grapple(x2) 45% 1D6 each. If both grapple it from a distance, or try to intercede. An Idea roll might
attacks succeed the victim is grasped by additional limbs, guess that they can even the odds a bit by taking the Colos-
indicating 2D6 damage done each round thereafter unless sus’s side at first, then later destroying it once the Ghost Gas
the victim breaks free by overcoming the Crawler’s STR and its servants are felled. If the Colossus goes down, an
with his own STR on the Resistance Table. Idea roll notes its searchlight eyes are still lit, and the Ghost
Armor: 2 points of rubbery hide and clothing. Gas is warily avoiding them.
Sanity Loss: 1/1D6 If the investigators can reach the searchlight eyes of the
fallen Colossus, they can use them as weapons against the
The Silent Marchers Ghost Gas, and its servants. Each searchlight requires a STR
Once again, the investigators see the same weary troop of of 12 to maneuver and aim, with the chance of hitting the
soldiers making their way across the battlefield. Only a target equal to DEX x3 of the investigator aiming the
–125–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

device. Each successful searchlight attack causes 1D8 points Jesus. They stripped the insignia off their uniforms, had to
of damage per round. The Ghost Gas can also be attacked know who they were. We were…we were…coming back…a
with flare guns or fire (the Masks have a big fire burning sniper blew off Kenny’s head. I mean, one minute he was
already). The Ghost Gas and its servants won’t bother to there, and then he didn’t have a head. We got into the wire
pursue the attackers should they flee, preferring to burn and and the machine guns got Michael and Keith. We started
feed on many corpses scattered about them. crawling then…and then the bombs started dropping,
closer and closer. Oh my God! Closer and closer! God! I
Private McKenna’s War started running, I just left Gerry and Stephen and Francis
Perhaps for the second time the investigators enter the area and I just ran! Oh God, they’re still out there! Oh Jesus! I
depicted on the maps drawn by Willson McKenna’s fellow hear them calling for me sometimes...”
soldiers. First they must enter the charred forest, shattered The investigators must decide how to deal with the hys-
trees with limbs broken off by artillery shells, withered and terical and terrified McKenna. He doesn’t want to move, and
seared by mustard gas. Here the Keeper should have each doesn’t think he’s capable, though he doesn’t seem to be
investigator roll 1D6 Luck rolls, as machine gun fire sud- injured. The investigators may decide the most prudent and
denly rips through this dead zone and mortar shells burst perhaps merciful course is to put the young man out of his
amid the desolation. Each failed roll indicates a roll with a misery here in the lonely wastes This is done easily enough
+1 modifier on the Random Movement Table. with a bullet to the head, though McKenna’s terrified screams
Reaching cover, the investigators spy the twin columns for help or mercy automatically cost the investigators 1D6
of the Devil’s Teeth ahead. As they cross the blasted ground points of Sanity. This ends the nightmare, and the investiga-
heading toward the spires, Spot Hidden rolls note the lonely tors awaken the next morning.
willow tree in the distance. Anyone who saw the view out If the investigators try to take McKenna to safety, the
the window of McKenna’s room in Arkham recognizes the battlefield—triggered by McKenna’s subconscious—bristles
very same tree from the young man’s back yard. Can with gunfire and mortar shells until they decide this is too
McKenna himself be far away? dangerous a tactic. Each round they must roll Luck to avoid
Approaching the vicinity of the willow tree, the investi- rolling on the Random Movement Event Table. McKenna
gators find countless shell holes filled with mud and water, also rolls, and if he is killed the dream abruptly ends. See
a good many containing corpses. If the investigators begin Dawn, below.
crying out for McKenna, the area suddenly explodes with On the other hand, a halved Psychology roll guesses
the whine of machine gun fire. To reach cover, each investi- McKenna needs to find the men from his patrol, otherwise
gator must make 1D4 Luck rolls, each failure indicating an he’s afraid to leave the shelter of the crater. The investigators
unmodified roll on the Random Movement Table. Once must help the unarmed McKenna to his feet and half carry
they reach cover, a halved Listen roll identifies the sound of him wherever they plan to go. As soon as they leave the shel-
sobbing coming from somewhere nearby. A second halved ter of the crater—for whatever reason—the battlefield
Listen roll is necessary to figure out the direction of the sob- comes alive with gunfire and mortar fire which continues
bing. Following the sound over open territory, another 1D4 for the remainder of the nightmare. All around the investi-
Luck rolls are needed to avoid rolling on the Random gators the battlefield is awash in the chaos of combat as
Movement Table. dozens of Allied soldiers charge and fire and seek cover and
Allow each investigator a halved Spot Hidden roll to die. They are totally oblivious to the investigators.
spot the youth crouched and shivering in a nearby shell If they want to try and find McKenna’s lost compan-
crater. The investigators can rush to his side, but only after ions, they might try calling out and listening for replies.
rolling a single Luck roll to avoid an unmodified roll on the Unfortunately, McKenna’s companions are all dead, and
Random Movement Table. only he hears their ghostly replies over the raging battle.
Willson McKenna, shivering and crying in the muddy McKenna can lead the investigators toward his fallen com-
bottom of a deep crater, appears much younger and health- rades, but each such passage requires 1D4 Luck rolls to
ier than the older, wasted figure who lies dying in a hospital avoid rolling on the Random Movement Table with a +1
bed an ocean, a decade, and a nightmare away from this ter- modifier. As long as they are seeking his companions,
rible place. McKenna is unhurt, but too terrified to move, McKenna doesn’t need to make these rolls, as his guilty sub-
though he fears for the lives of his companions. And loom- conscious is already at war with itself.
ing above the crater where he lies, the black anthropomor- Reaching cover beside one of McKenna’s fellow trench
phic silhouette of the mountain glares disapprovingly down raiders, the investigators find a corpse, either shattered to
on the young man. Anyone who looks up and sees that fore- pieces by an artillery shell, shot full of holes by machine gun
boding figure loses 0/1 point of Sanity. fire, or otherwise mangled by the machines of war. Sanity
“We were on patrol. A trench raid. God, they killed so loss is 0/1D3 points. As McKenna comes face to face with
many of those men, just beat them to death, shot them in his companion the dead thing stirs and speaks to the suffer-
the face, stabbed them in the guts with a bayonet, oh my ing young soldier. “Go home, McKenna,” says the first vic-
–126–
 The Night War

tim found. “There was nothing you could do. Nothing you
can do. We’re dead, and it wasn’t your fault.” Day Three:
If the Keeper thinks the investigators have had too easy a
time of it so far, McKenna may not accept the release his first Possible Endings
dead companion offers. Calling out again, only McKenna
hears one of his dead fellow raiders responding to his cries. As The investigators awake with the dawn. As before, the
they hurry to reach the fallen man, call for another 1D3 Luck Keeper should halve all Sanity losses accrued during this
rolls to avoid rolling on the Random Movement Events Table nightmare, and any investigator failing an Idea roll has only
with a +1 modifier. Again, the dead thing stirs (no Sanity loss foggy and incomplete memories of his nightmare.
this time) and attempts to release the guilt ridden Willson If McKenna died in the dream, he has died in the real
McKenna from his nightmares. “You’re not to blame for us world as well. On the other hand, if the dreaming McKenna
dying, son. Go. Live. This place is for the dead, and you’re not was made to realize his friends were dead through no fault of
welcome here. Go home.” his own, the Keeper is left with two options: McKenna either
McKenna’s search for his fallen comrades can go on as comes to grips with his guilt and survives in the real world,
long as the Keeper desires, with the young man and the or he accepts his guilt and dies anyway. The exact outcome
investigators scurrying from cover to cover to find and ques- is left for the Keeper to decide. And regardless of the out-
tion the dead, each of whom implores McKenna to give up come, McKenna doesn’t recognize the investigators at all.
the dead and try to live.
If and when the Keeper decides to end the scenario— Conclusion
surely no more than a couple interviews with dead soldiers If McKenna dies without accepting the deaths of his fellow
should be necessary—the battlefield suddenly falls strangely soldiers, the investigators lose 0/1D3 Sanity for their inabil-
silent. The gunfire stops. The mortar shells stop falling. As ity to help the young man face his guilty conscience. If the
McKenna and the investigators lie cowering under cover, investigators help McKenna learn he wasn’t responsible for
the sky lightens in the east. Unaided, McKenna rises to his the deaths of the other trench raiders, each of them should
feet as dawn crawls across the blasted landscape. He steps be rewarded with 2D8 points of Sanity. If McKenna died in
into the spreading light. spite of their efforts, the reward should be only 1D8 points.
“My God,” he mutters. “It’s over. The war is over.” Part of this reward comes with the understanding that they
–127–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

have saved Kingsporters and perhaps others from the plague for skill increases, but only 1D6 points may be gained per
of McKenna’s nightmares. skill. In addition, all surviving investigators may roll for a
The investigators may have decided McKenna’s wartime normal increase in their Dreaming skill, even if they don’t
nightmares and their deleterious effect on others required have a starting percentage in that skill.
drastic action. If they slew him on the nightmare battlefield, If the investigators slew any of the nightmare creatures
or perhaps in his hospital bed in the waking world in an encountered in The Night War, they should also receive a
effort to save the populace, this mercy killing costs each of Sanity reward equal to half what is lost for encountering a
them 1D6 Sanity. If they killed him in his hospital bed and creature of that type, rounded up. For example, if they
failed to sufficiently hide their crime they may also be killed a Skull Soldier, they should receive a reward of 1D2
charged with the young man’s murder, calling for a loss of at points. Killing the Colossus of Corpses they should net 1D4
least 1D6 Credit Rating points, or considerably more if they points of Sanity. Only one such reward should be gained no
are actually found guilty. matter how many of those monsters are killed.
Assuming McKenna survives and has overcome the guilt After the third night of nightmares caused by Willson
which caused the terrible nightmares afflicting him and any- McKenna’s dreams, the waking world returns to normal. No
one who came in contact with him in the dream–rich city of more do Kingsport’s residents—nor the investigators—have
Kingsport, he resumes his life in Arkham. Now freed from nightmares of the Great War. Nor do the investigators suf-
his subconscious fears, the young man is able to live out his fer any more flashbacks of the war during their daytime
life in relative normalcy. activities. One way or another, The Night War has come to
Investigators who successfully used their skills, combat an end.
and otherwise, during their dreamtime experiences may roll

–128–
 Player Aids

Reeling Midnight Papers #3

an article from the Arkham Advertiser, dated
two weeks ago

House Fire Claims One Life

The Arkham Fire Department responded to a
call early Wednesday morning to find a house,
believed to be abandoned, completely engulfed in
flames. The fire was extinguished within an hour,
but it was not till the next day a body was discov-
ered amongst the ashes.
Now identified as Bradford Taylor, the 19 year
old was formerly a student at Miskatonic University
Reeling Midnight Papers #1 studying biology, but dropped out last semester.
a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser Apparently Taylor, estranged from his parents, had
been squatting in the vacant structure the last cou-
“The Gadabout” ple months, according to neighbors.
Keeping Up With Arkham’s Social Scene At first thought an arson, the fire has now been
ruled accidental, most likely caused by careless
…Not that the tea and biscuits at the Hall fam- smoking.
ily estate were not delicious, but with the baptism —Roberta Henry
complete, it was time for this reporter to take her
leave and make a very special call.
For some time the Gadabout has been hearing
tales of wild, loud Friday night parties taking place
in one of the old mansions over in East Town. Sup-
posedly hosted by members of European nobility, I Reeling Midnight Papers #2
was anxious to learn more. Well, I finally managed an article from the Arkham Advertiser, dated
to get my hands on an invitation, and away I went. four weeks ago
I can’t divulge the actual address, but from the
number of automobiles parked up and down Halsey Body Identified as Missing Man’s
St., it’s not really hard to find. Although the man- A body found in an alley last week in Arkham’s
sion is a bit shabby (supposedly it’s rented) light East Town has been positively identified as that of
poured from all the windows, and the sound of Roger Hudson, 23 years old, a resident and native
laughter and spirited conversation could be heard of Arkham.
all the way to the street. Somewhere, a piano played Hudson went missing last week, according to
Boogie–Woogie music. police reports. The body was in an advanced state
What a mixed crowd it was! The Gadabout was of decay, and had probably been lying undiscovered
certainly surprised. In attendance were a couple of for the better part of a week, according to medical
well known older gentlemen in the company of our examiner Ephraim Sprague.
host, and even a tenured professor from the Univer- Although autopsy results are not complete, it is
sity, whose name you could not tear from me with believed Hudson died of a heart attack. Funeral
wild dogs. services will be held next week, and Hudson will be
I couldn’t stay all evening but I had the oppor- buried in Christchurch Cemetery.
tunity to meet the gracious host, a distinguished
gentleman from Hungary named Zoltan Varga. —Roberta Henry
Be assured, the Gadabout will be attending next
week’s gathering. Stay tuned for more.

—Madeline Manchester Play Aids are available in pdf form at:

www.miskatonicriverpress.com

–129–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Wasted Youth Papers #1

a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser

Deadly Chase Through Arkham G ERRHARDT WVINCH

It was like a scene out of a crime thriller, or Spiritualist & Advisor
from the headlines of the New York or Chicago Call: Klondike-4079
papers, but it happened here in Arkham. Police
conducted a chase through the streets of our town in
pursuit of the car that hit and killed Mr. Arthur
Hathorne, 65, as he crossed W. Pickman St. After
speeding through many city blocks, the fleeing car
spun around a corner too quickly and smashed into
a wall. The driver, Joseph Dooley, was killed in the
crash. Wasted Youth Papers #3
All of this would be enough cause for alarm, a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser
but the reckless driver in question was but 13 years
old. Needless to say, the car was not his. He had Youth Crime Epidemic Continues
stolen it from where one Brian Pritchard had parked Young Billy Washburne, a student at Eben S.
it. Draper School, was apprehended by police this
This is a tragedy on many levels and while our afternoon after he vandalized the windows of sev-
hearts go out to the dead boy and his family, our eral storefronts along E. Main Street. Witnesses say
sympathies are with Mr. Hathorne and his bereaved the boy calmly walked up with a baseball bat and
loved ones. Witnesses claim they saw Joey—as he began shattering the glass windows. Businesses
was commonly called—smiling and laughing just attacked included the Arkham General Store and
before he hit Mr. Hathorne, and that he continued to Arkham Printing.
laugh even after leaving the poor man dead on the The boy, who is only 12 years old, attacked
street. Patrolman Harris when that policeman approached
Dooley was a student at Eben S. Draper Ele- him. The patrolman obviously did not expect a
mentary School. vicious attack from a young boy, and suffered a bro-
—Roberta Henry ken arm. It took several officers of the law to sub-
due the delinquent. The child was in such a state
that the officers took him to Arkham Sanitarium so
that he would not be a danger to himself or others.
He remains under the care of the doctors there.
The proprietor of the General Store, Rider
Adams, is quoted as saying, “It’s a crying shame
when respectable business people have to endure
crime like this.” By all accounts, however, the
young boy has heretofore been a respectable mem-
ber of society. And unfortunately this is not an iso-
Play Aids are available in pdf form at: lated incident. Readers will be well aware by now
www.miskatonicriverpress.com of the growing stories of childhood delinquency in
our normally placid town. When will this scourge
end? What is to be done? And, furthermore, when
will City Hall take action?
—Roberta Henry

–130–
 Player Aids

Wasted Youth Papers #4 Proof of Life Papers #1

(excerpts from the diary of Sarah Reid) a recent article from the Arkham Advertiser

Dear Diary, Tensions Run High in Foxfield

That queer country boy was gawking at me again today at Foxfield, Massachusetts—This usually peace-
school. I saw him and so did everyone else. Judy teased me and ful small community of less than a thousand souls
called him my new boy friend. Well he’s not and I don’t like him. He is abuzz with rumor. The popular Town Supervisor,
talks funny and is very dumb. I wish he’d never come to our school Henry Barnes, also pastor of the Foxfield Unitarian
and that teacher didn’t put him in the desk next to mine. No one Church, has apparently received a death threat,
likes him. He should just go back to where he belongs. according to Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant
Graham Tolliver.
Dear Diary, “A note was posted on the front door of Super-
Elijah passed me a note in class today. I pretended to crumple visor Barnes’ home,” Tolliver explained to this
it up but I kept it anyway to see what stupid thing it says. I read reporter. “There are several suspects, but at this
it later and it says he wants to see me after class to show me some- time we’re not ready to make any arrests. Unfortu-
thing special. I don’t think so!!! Now Joey and the country boy are nately, the victim disposed of the evidence before
best friends, I guess. Joey’s almost as awful as him so they can be we could thoroughly examine it.”
friends all they want but I’m not going to be friends with either of Speculation is the death threat came from one
them. of Barnes’ constituents, possibly angry over Barnes
opposition to leasing some of the township land to
Dear Diary, a lumber company. Tempers in this small, usually
Elijah gave me another note and this one said that it doesn’t peaceful, community are running high, and it is
matter what I think or if I won’t meet him. He has magic and he’s rumored Supervisor Barnes was actually involved
going to make me love him anyway. He’s going to take me away to in a physical confrontation with one of his con-
some enchanted castle. And he just keeps staring at me and it’s stituents on the street just a day or two prior to the
making me a little scared. alleged death threat.
Unfortunately, Supervisor Barnes has declined
to be interviewed for this story.
—Roberta Henry

Proof of Life Papers #3

an article from the Foxfield Courier, 1922

Watchman Dies in Accident Proof of Life Papers #2

It is with great regret we announce the death an article from the Foxfield Courier, 1898
of Elias Whipple, who last Tuesday fell to his
death from the fire tower in the north hills. The Haunted Woods?
Born in Foxfield in 1862, to Abraham and Some things seem to run in ten–year cycles:
Ruth Whipple, Elias Whipple was known to all in drought, pestilence, disease, and politics. So, once
Foxfield as a decent man, dedicated to his job as again, this editor is hearing tales of “strange
town Fire Watch. voices” in the woods north of town. This story is
Bad health in recent years had left Elias so old I think I it has cobwebs on it.
unsteady, and it’s believed that while atop the “They were buzzing and swearing at us,”
tower he suffered a dizzy spell, and fell over the claims one witness, who says he was assailed by
railing to his death. the voices while returning home late one night
Services for Elias Whipple, who has no sur- from visiting a neighbor.
viving family, will be held this Friday in the Uni- Methinks said witness should curtail his visits
tarian Church. Burial will be on the church to said neighbor, and should also stay away from
grounds. said neighbor’s still.
A successor to his position of fire watch has And they call this the “Age of Enlighten-
not yet been named. ment”?
—Wilton Keyes —your Editor

–131–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

Spirit of Industry Papers #1—excerpts from the journal of Avern Whateley

March 14th, 1805 need be replaced, this will ruin mill now possess?
My conversation with Mor- the spell but my cousin assures If the other Believers find
timer yielded many secrets. M me that his schooner seldom out what I’ve done, there will
spoke of a ritual he learned needed repairs after being be trouble. I was warned against
while trading in the Caribbean bonded with the spirit. I have my bonding experiments before,
whereby a benevolent spirit hopes that many years will pass they’ll react badly should they
could be placed within an inani- before the saw blades ever need learn I was responsible. God for-
mate object and thereby impart replacing. The expense of the give me for those boys, I need
upon it a soul. M claimed to silver and the cost of con- to find out what happened. Maybe
have performed this ritual on struction have been consider- the silver was tainted? Maybe
his schooner, bonding the vessel able; I’ve used nearly all my someone completed the ritual
with such a spirit. Since then chemicals and half of my lead to before I could?
he says the Sarah Elizabeth per- cover the costs. I require addi-
formed things no other ship tional supplies for my lab. April 12th, 1806
could do, weathering storms that Elizabeth has confessed to
would have shattered a normal February 18th, 1806 taking half of the silver I sent
vessel, somehow finding its way The blades arrived last week her to deliver to the foundry
through deepest fog, being and were installed today. The in Kingsport. I don’t yet know
resistant to damage and somehow mill is nearly ready; just a few what she did with it, but I’ll
easier to maintain. His men say last minute things like painting, find out. She disobeyed me, she
the schooner is “lucky” and that installing worktables and furni- stole from me, and she tells me
those serving upon her always ture, remains to be done. The she has a lover. Why did I marry
feel as if a guardian angel were first of the three rituals is such a woman! I told her that
watching over them. If he could complete; I’ve two more to do it is her fault those boys are
do this with his ship why could- with the final one conducted dead and she threatened to tell
n’t I do that with the new the night after the mill opens. the others what I was doing in
mill? Construction should begin I intend to use the spiritual the mill. She said she hates me.
this spring, which gives me energy of a handful of people I’ve locked her in her room and
enough time to replicate the I’ve invited to tour the mill. cursed her; she’ll not speak
ritual. Unfortunately, cousin M Good, pure hearted, and positive another word until I free her
had the spell cast for him by a sorts of people to help attract of the enchantment. I’ll deal
freed African slave and did not just the right sort of spirit. with the whore later; she’s
learn the arcane ritual person- Six more weeks until the mill where she can do no further
ally. Some details are sketchy. opens, all is ready. harm now. Tomorrow, after the
work shift ends, I will go to
August 23rd, 1805 April 7th, 1806 the mill and knock the saw
The ritual proved very diffi- Something went wrong. Three blades out of alignment. It may
cult. Pure silver needs be boys were found dead, sawn in take a while, but I can’t risk
blended into the steel of the half, blood everywhere! I’m going anyone finding out. I’ll try to
mill’s saw blade that which I con- to be ruined. Why did they have make it look like the blades
sider heart of the mill, just as to break in? How did the spell were installed improperly and
the central mast would be the go wrong? I checked the blades came loose during operation.
heart of a ship. I’ll need to and somehow the ritual was com- People are looking at me with
have the blade made in Kingsport pleted already. I have no idea suspicion. They say I had the only
and shipped here. When the blades how this happened but I know keys to the mill the night the
are installed I’ll complete the one thing, the spirit within the boys died. Some are already whis-
ritual, summoning a benevolent saw blades is a dark and vile pering names, thinking there is
spirit and binding it to the thing, a malevolent force of a murderer among us. I wish it
blades. The blades must be kept evil. You can feel it as you were true, some mortal lunatic
in place within the mill lest draw near, I suspect it’s more and not the demon that now
the spirit be torn free from powerful then it’s letting on, as resides in the mill. Perhaps it
the binding. If these blades ever well. What sort of soul does the is not too late.

–132–
 Player Aids

Malice Papers #1 Malice Papers #2

a recent article from the Kingsport Chronicle a recent article from the Kingsport Chronicle

Student Struck Suddenly Blind Another Man Suffers Blindness

18–year–old John Placard, a freshman Although authorities have cautioned against
enrolled at Miskatonic University, was struck speculation that might cause undue panic, the
suddenly blind two days ago while waiting for a Chronicle feels it is the duty of this newspaper to
bus in downtown Kingsport. He was quickly report all and any news of value and service to
rushed to Congregational Hospital where doc- the community.
tors held the young man for observation. At the Yet another citizen has been struck by sud-
time of this story, physicians have yet to make a den, seemingly irreversible blindness. Scott For-
diagnosis. rester, an employee at The First Marine Bank,
While interviewing the doctors it was inexplicably lost his sight two evenings ago,
learned that two other Kingsport citizens have while reading the newspaper in his home.
suffered afflictions similar to young Placard. Authorities have cautioned this newspaper
Both Simon McDonald, and Bernard White about spreading undue panic, but the editor of
have been admitted to, and treated at Congrega- this publication feels the public has a right to
tional Hospital know.
While as yet undecided regarding the cause, Is there some sinister disease stalking our
the attending physicians were quick to rule out streets? Authorities seem at a lost to explain
any communicable disease, and Kingsport resi- these recent events.
dents are to be reassured they are in no danger —Stanley Carter
—Stanley Carter

Play Aids are available in pdf form at:

www.miskatonicriverpress.com

The Malice Papers #6

journal entries from the Bible of Wallace Appleton

…I asked the judge to order the body burned. I then personally mixed the remains with salt from the sea then scattered them on holy
ground. This way the warlock can have no earthly anchor for his spirit and thus be unable to remain a menace to the living. The fiend’s missing
hand troubled me greatly so I urged the townsfolk to join me burning down his accursed home. It’s been two years without sign of the warlock’s
return, and I am hopeful the warlock’s missing hand was destroyed in the fire. If ever the evil should return, if Matthew Chandler should ever
manage to cheat death, I have the amulet ready.
This holy relic, passed down through my family for countless generations is my most precious possession. I was told the Templars took it as
a prize during the sacking of Damietta in 1219. It is a bane to evil forces possessing a human form. The mere touch of this amulet is often enough
to rid a victim of demonic influence for at least a period of time, if the wielder is strong of heart and faith. If one dare not approach the pos-
sessed, this holy power can be cast outward by force of will. The wielder of the amulet can extend this power some feet away but there is a
cost. Doing this repeatedly, or from great distance brings about a most profound exhaustion from which it takes many days to recover.
I tried to use this relic on Matthew Chandler, in the hopes the man was being controlled by a demon. But he simply smiled at me and said
that no, his own soul was darker than my “foolish Christian fairy tales of demons and angels.” The acts, the horrors, the dark deeds were truly
his own. Now I shall be watching for his return. If his words were not just lies meant to terrorize his captors then he is as dangerous as any
demon or devil.

–133–
 New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley

The Malice Papers #4

a record of the property at 112 Parson Street

Lot 810, Prospect Hill

1661 – Sold to Harrison Chandler, who constructs a
home on the site.
1682 – Property passed to Matthew Chandler, son of
previous owner.
1692 – Property abandoned after a fire, reverts to
Town of Kingsport ownership. Play Aids are available in pdf form at:
1747 – Property sold to Thomas Caulderson. www.miskatonicriverpress.com
1750 – House built on the site, utilizing the existing
foundation.
1774 – Property sold to Kenneth Ober.
1830 – Property sold to Brian Funt.
1855 – Property boarded up, ownership reverts to
Town of Kingsport on tax lien.
1891 – Property purchased by James & James Corp.,
permits issued to renovate house.
1912 – Property sold to Gabriel Pine.
1920 – Property passed to Julia Pine, widow of pre-
vious owner.

The Malice Papers #5

a decaying document uncovered at the Kingsport Historical Society Museum

...Matthew Chandler, unlike others accused of witchcraft, never claimed to be innocent. He was proud of the atrocities of which he stood
accused. When the constable announced in court that the accused had murdered nine people, Matthew Chandler stood up and corrected him. He
announced brazenly that he had, in fact, killed seventeen people but that only nine bodies had thus far been discovered. It took the judge many
minutes to restore order...
...the fishing boat crew then came forward, one by one, to explain how they captured the accused. Each told how they spotted the small
boat he had stolen and pulled alongside it in the dark. This surprised the fugitive, as he was not a capable sailor. They claimed he pointed his
hand towards James Placard, who then began screaming and fell to his knees. Citizen Placard related that he felt as if a great dagger had
been thrust into his heart. The accused is said to have attempted to raise his hand again, but further deviltry was halted as the rest of the
crew swarmed the small craft and beat the fugitive unconscious...
...binding him proved difficult, explained Citizen White, as the accused was missing his left hand. The stump of his wrist appeared to have
been hastily bound and then thrust into molten wax to seal the wound. Witnesses claimed to have seen the accused with both hands just a day
earlier. When asked about his missing hand the accused would only smile and proclaim that he had misplaced it. He then looked at the men who
had captured him and stated that the missing appendage was “the hand of vengeance” and that it would turn up eventually. The crowd once
again erupted in outrage...
...Chandler proclaimed that both The Lord and Satan were the stories of children and that his true master was a being called Igollonack,
who took pleasure from offerings of blood and acts of unholy lust. Some who listened screamed, others wept, some with blood running from their
noses. Reverend Appleton and some of his men, who were experienced dealing with witches and warlocks, then wrestled the accused to the floor
and gagged him. This halted the horrible effect of his words and the trial was able to continue...
...the body was cut down and burned that evening. The bones ground into powder and the remains mixed with salt from the sea, divided into
several bundles and scattered on widely separated patches of consecrated ground. A search of the Chandler home turned up no sign of his miss-
ing hand. Soon the frustrated and still enraged mob pitched torches into the residence, burning it to the ground...

–134–
 Player Aids

The Malice Papers #3

an excerpt from Kingsport—A Century by the Sea

Chapter Six:
The Witch Hysteria Hits Kingsport

a map drawn by“Tol” Tolbert

The Night War Papers #2
…The most unusual case involved a collection of
sunken barrels discovered in the bay, each of the
barrels found to contain the remains of a different
missing person. The barrels were traced to one
Matthew Chandler, the town candle maker. He’d
fled his home by the time authorities set out to
arrest him, evading capture until after dark, when
the crew of the fishing boat Melanie Rose appre-
hended him on the bay, trying to escape in a
stolen boat. The posse of fishermen had been
organized by Reverend David Appleton, a man
who played a key role in the arrests and convic-
tions of many of those accused of witchcraft in
Kingsport.
The trial was notable in that Mr. Chandler was
the only person ever put on trial that was willing
to openly confess his crimes, according to some
reports, actually taking pride in them. This trial
also had the most witnesses, with all five men who
captured him appearing in court. Unlike many wit-
nesses in these cases, those testifying against
Chandler were all highly respected citizens.
Samuel Forrester, Jacob McDonald, Goodwine
White, James Placard, and Reverend Appleton all
claimed to have witnessed the accused performing
acts of magic during his attempts to escape them.
The last unique part of this case was the disposi-
tion of the accused’s body.After being hanged, the
The Night War Papers #1

body was cut down and burned and, in a final act

a map drawn by Lt. Kirke

of outrage, citizens ransacked the Chandler resi-

dence then burned it to the ground.

–135–