Plotting Cthulhu
November 24, 2022 | Author: Anonymous | Category: N/A
Short Description
Download Plotting Cthulhu...
Description
Credits n by ten itte Writ Wr H A AR RDY & M A AT T T T HE W W POOK C H, LY NNE H IRC BIR C HRIS B Edited b y RDY AR LY NNE H A b y iorr Artw ork b Interio IN RT IN AR DIM M A ut b y you ign n & La yo ic Desig hic aph Grap Gr ALL E . C ROSS MIC H A d b y ted ire ecte Dir rt D Art d & A ced Produce Pro RDY AR C H & LY NNE H A IRC BIR C HRIS B g by ing readin of read roof Pro RIC K SMIT H, ERR DER Y , D D AR A R H D AR R JO J OHN DODD, RIC H A D A JD E NDY W O J PHIL IL W W AR A RD & W b y ed b shed lish ubli Pub T LT D. ENT MEN INM AIN A MODIPHIUS E NTE RT QR 9Q 1 4 4 9 W1 W . ndon Lon d, Lo sso on R oad, A Chess 37A 37 m .com us.co hius iphi odip inf o@mod
Legal rveed. reeserv ts r ghts riigh Lttd. Allll r taiinment L terr ta Ente iuss En 20 013 Modiphiu rigght © 2 yri Cop y 20 013. d. 2 Ltd entt Lt men inm rtaain ntert En iuss E © Modiphiu two ork © Artw usse. ic Domain u ublic Pu orr P nse o cen Liice 3..0 L ikee 3 Alik reA n-Share ion ibu utio trib onss Attr mon omm Com ivee C reaativ thee Cre terrms of th thee te ed under th re used are toggraphs a Photo ly.. ontext only co rica call c isttori a his in n a quipment i eq es and e pllaces le,, p peeople iod d unif orm, p peerio atee p ust strrat illllu ed to i re used toggraphs are Photo Pho stiic & Modiphiu iuss Logos are re © 2012, 2013 M Mo odip iph hiu iuss E En ntert rtaain inm ment Ltd td.. ajeest M,, Maj tio on M ck Sun, Secti Bllack lfe, B chttwö fe , Nach n g ! C thulhu , tun Acchtu Th T he A yin ingg, ph hotocop y ding p lud in nclu l, i icaal, anic meechan orr m ron nic o ele lecctro y means, e y an y orr b y forrm o y fo in an y ted d in ran nsmitte ed or tra rep produced bee re hallll b sh is book s f th this of paar t o No p . e r lish lis h u b pu p h e f th t n of o i o ssi peermiss ritt tteen p wri hout w ith wit em w ysstem al s s y val riee v rettri ion n re nfo forrmatio y i in y an y orr b y ingg, o reccordin re ed.. inttended is in inggement is nfr frin in onal manner; no i tio ficcti riccal or fi isttori n a his in ussed i arre u ked d names a traademarke y tr An y xceept f or tio onal e xc inttenti an nd unin tall a inccidenta ly coin rel y is pure nt, is sen prrese paast or p ts,, p veents d e v and le an acttual people h ac ty wit with ariity imililar y sim An n y n. A ion f ict ictio a wo work of f iss a his is i Th T texxt. riccal conte isttori an his in n an ibeed i deescrib ts d veents nd e v le a an se people ose tho th ain n terr tai iph hius Ente otther Modip u and o lhu Acchtun g ! C thulh ore re about A mo ut m ou Find o iuss m/modiphiu com acebook.co .f ace w.f w w w & w m & com iuss.co w..modiphiu w w w 1G 41 M PS010 4 r: M umber: nu rod duct n ment pro inm ertt ain nter En iph hius E Modip
att mes a gam ment ga
DOSSIER
Plottin Pl ottingg Cthu Cthulhu lhu This chapter aims to help you construct some truly nefarious
One, as in The Thirty Nine Steps, Steps, does not mean you cannot
Mythos plots set against the ba backdrop ckdrop of World War T Two. wo. By looking at various inspirational sources it hopes to show how you, the Keeper, can mine them for ideas for your own games. If, after looking at these films and TV series you are still a bit stumped, there are also a series of plot generator tables to further aid you in your machinations.
update it to London, circa 1939. The table below contains a selection of films with a horror or weird war approach that might provide a launch pad for your plots. There are a lot of Nazi zombies in there, but if you can get past the clichés to the background stor storyy, there are some great ideas just waiting to be developed further. And don’t forget the wartime classics. These fantastic movies tell tales of daring heroes, resistance fighters,
Acht htu ung! Cthulhu &
MOVIES & TELEVISION Creating an Achtung! Cthulhu plot becomes a lot easier when you consider the wealth of movies at your fingertips. Just look at the enormous enormous number of W World orld W War ar T Two wo films and television shows, pretty much all of which can make a great starting point for a Cthulhu Mythos story. Whether it is a classic war story, a ‘40s thriller, or a weird war horror, there is enough mileage in many of these sources to help you prepare quite a few nights of creeping insanity for your players if you are struggling for ideas. When looking at old films, ask yourself: what would happen if you changed just one element of the plot? What if it was not a Tiger tank guarding the gold bullion in Kelly’s Heroes?? What if the German “Black Stone” spy ring was after Heroes more than Britain’s plans for war in The Thirty Nine Steps? Steps? The thrillers, or “shockers”, of the early years of Hollywood are packed full of fantastic Cthulhu Mythos stories, especially if you areinspiration looking forfor more investigative storylines. Just because something is set before World War War
Com omba bat t Thee ev ents Th nts d depi epiccted ted i in Acchtu n A htun n g! C thulhu thulhu t take ake p plac lacee in th in thee run run--up to to W W orld rld W W ar ar Two Two as w ell ell as as du dur r ing ing it it;; a per iod iod du durin ringg wh whiich th the Al Allies lies b batt attle le th thee Axi Axiss po pow w ers ers across ross the the g glob lobee. Thu Thus co comb mbaat has has a r ole to to pla playy wi with thin in the A Ach cht t ung ung ! Ct hulh ulhu u set settting ing,, pot poten entia tiallllyy mo more so so th thaan in a in a st stan anda dard rd 19 192 20s gam amee (de (dep pend endiing on w hat st style yle o off adve dven nture ture you your r grou group pr pr efer efer s). Nev erth rtheeless less,, as si signi gnifi fican cantt as comb ombaat is is to a a gam gamee set in w in w ar ar time, time, i itt sho should uld not not d dom omiinat natee a sc scena enari rio o or or adv entu nture re at at the ex expen pensse of of inv inv estig stigaation tion.. Achtun Achtun g! C t t hulhu hulhu is is s still till,, at its its he heaart, a a role rolep play layin ingg ga game of Love oveccraft raftia ian n inv inv estig estigati ativ v e hor hor ror, ror, and and s so o sh shoul ould d be be a att lea least as cluelue-o orien rientt ate ated d as it it is is com omb bat-o at-or r ienta ient ated ted.. No Nott eve every ry playe ayerr cha chara racte cter r or or in inves vesttigat igato or w ill ill be be a sol soldier , a sai sailor, lor, or an an air man an;; som somee w ill ill still still be be p prof rof esso ssors rs,, jou journa rnalilists, sts, libr lib r arian arians, an and so so on on,, and and in in or or der der f f or or yo your playe layer r s to to role role-play lay t thes hesee cha char r acte acters ful fully, th they ey need eed mys mystterie eriess to solve olve..
Films Hor Horror/Weird War Fil h eich 25th 25 th Reic
Sun un Black ck S II: Bla utpo ost II: Outp
War Films A B Bri rid dge T oo F Far ar
San ands ds o off Iw Iw o J Jiima
Acti tio on in in th thee Nort rth h A Atl tlaantic tic
Sav ing ing Pri riv v ate Ry Ryan an
uman an lmo ost Hum Alm
III: aste terr III: pet M Mas Puppet Pup vengge ulon n’s R even To T oulo
elow w Belo
Ark Losst Ark the Lo ers o off the Raid Ra iders
Dead Sn Snow ow
She
W ester n Fro ront nt
T he B Baattle tle o off th the B Bu ulg lgee
oy Hellb He llboy
d 2) and nkerr (1 an Bunke Th T he Bu
All T hr oug ough t the he N Nig igh ht
The Big R ed O The ed On ne
ar of War orro ors of Horr
Frozzen Dead Thee Fro Th
Att ttaack ck
Jone ness ianaa Jo Indian Ind usad de t Cr Crusa e L Las ast d th the and an
T he B Br r idge idge on t the he Riv er Kw Riv Kw ai
p Thee Kee Th Keep
Bla lacck Bo Boo ok
T he D Dirt irtyy D Do ozen
Sky ky Iron Ir on S
d Dea ead the D ar o off the War
Casa sab bla lan nca
T he E Eag agle le Has La Land nded ed
at the the Naziss at Nazi h Eart rth the Ea tre o off the Cen entre
ntis is Atlant ds of Atla arlor ords Warl
Cockle lesh shel elll H Her er oes
The Gr eat E The Esc scaape
Com omee a an nd S Seee
Dead ad vingg De Livin of the the Li sis of Oasis
oopeers Trroop Zon onee T
T he G Gu uns of Na Nava varo rone ne
Das Boot
utpo ost Outp
ake bie L Lake Zom Zo mbie
T he H Heer oes oes of Telem lemaark
Enemyy a Enem att th thee Gate tess
T he Longes estt D Day ay
Hel elll in in t th he Paci cific fic
T he T hin in R R ed L ed Liine
Ice ce C Col old d i in n Ale lexx
T he T rai rain
In W hich In W ich W W e S Seerv e
T hre reee K Kin ings gs
Ingglor iou In ious Ba Bast staard rdss (b (bo oth or igi igina nall and and n new ew v v er er sio ions ns))
To H Hav av e and H Haav e Not
Period/Atmospheric Films & Television
All Qu Quiet iet o on n the he
Die Nacht von Lissabon
The Good German
Kel ellly’ y’ss H Her er oes oes
T w we lv e O O’C ’Clo lock ck H Hig igh h
Foyle’s War
The Third Man
Malt ltaa S Sto tor r y
V alky alkyrie rie
Key Largo
The Thirty Nine Steps
Pass Pa ssag agee to to Mars rseil eille le
W e W ere re S So old ldie ier r s
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
Underground
Pat ath hs of Glo Glor r y
W ent th thee D Daay W ell?
Margaret Rutherford’s Miss Marple
Warehouse 13
R oma, Città tà Aper ta ta
W her e Eagle less Da Dar e
soldiers, commanders, and situations that will give you inspiration and background ideas for your wartime characters and adventures. Again, remember that with some of these, just changing a few details can give you a fresh take on what would otherwise seem to be very familiar territory. What are the commandos really destroying in Where Eagles Dare? Dare? Why is the last Ryan brother so vital to the war effort in Saving Private Ryan? Ryan? Remember though, your Achtung! Cthulhu adventures do not have to be set amidst the carnage of the battlefield—you can just use these to help create dynamic scenes that your characters must traverse. There number of other either moviesinand television shows thatare youalso canause as inspiration, terms of their plot, or in terms of their atmosphere and setting. What else
might Harry Lime (The (The Third Man) Man) have been smuggling during the war? Is there more behind the murders in a sleepy English village than the local spinster (Miss ( Miss Marple) Marple) suspects? Here are three takes on some film classics to show you what we mean:
Kelly’s Heroes versus The Bunker Allied soldiers find a map on a captured German officer that tells of a fortune in Nazi gold which has been safely stored in a secret bunker. Put together as a rag-tag force, the group must fight its way enemy linesthe to journey reach the location. But as this is a through Mythos adventure, is anything but straightforward, becoming increasingly fraught
as the characters must soldier through a series of bizarre and unfortunate events. Finally the characters discover the secret bunker, which is mysteriously deserted. However, they are not alone, and they find themselves trapped when three giant Chthonians emerge from the ground around the bunker, enraged by a strange machine inside the complex which has drawn them to it. The group must rely on a wounded scientist to defeat the Chthonians. This man claims that the other soldiers deserted their posts, leaving him for dead, but is he all that he seems? Will the disturbing ceremony he describes truly win them their freedom?
castle and steal a book. And not just any book, but a very important one that the Germans must not read! The characters make their way into the castle and discover that the Germans are preparing some kind of ceremony.. There is just one thing missing: the guest of honceremony our—a notable member of Black Sun, who will read from the book and unlock a terrifying creature to destroy their enemies! When (if!) the characters return the book to the French, they thank them and then prepare their own version of the ceremony. The characters must now decide whether or not to stop the French Resistance, their supposed allies, before they unleash something they cannot control…
The Thirty Nine Steps
Allied soldiers or agents kill a German patrol. However, it
The investigators meet a man who claims to have faked his own death to hide from his pursuers. He seems half insane and babbles about all manner of strange things. Soon he is found dead, and the shadowy assassins now seem to be after the characters. A mysterious group, who call themselves “Black Stone”, are trying to secure something important in England, and the characters find themselves chased to a remote stone circle adjacent to an RAF airfield. Section M is
turns out that they were actually a special Allied undercover unit tasked with meeting the French Resistance. The Resistance insists the soldiers must take the dead patrol’s place, as there is no time to waste. They must infiltrate a German
using the stone circle to give Spitfire pilots enhanced night vision abilities, and Black Stone want the keystone which triggers this change. Can the investigators stop them before they ruin the RAF’s plans?
Inglorious Bastards (Original)
THE PLOT GENERATOR
The Antagonists
No set of random random tables can ever fully wr write ite you a trul trulyy visceral, bells-and-whistles Cthulhu-based plot, but you can use the following tables in part or as a whole to give you the bare bones of your mind-shattering adventures. You can roll your way through the entire plot, taking advantage of the almost limitless variations, or just check one or more tables for inspiration when you are stuck. Dip in for a location, an
Let’s start with those that would bring destruction on our world and rain fire on our hapless investigators. When plotting, one way you can begin is with an openended roll which, in the case of the Antagonist (Table 1), can give you anything from an individual to an Elder God as your starting point. Roll for what they are, then roll for one or more descriptions. If the results suggest one of the
artefact, or much, much more. Remember to keep asking yourself questions when you see each result, and try not to just take what you get with the fall of the dice literally as read—Cthulhu plots are frequently anything but plain and simple, often consisting of devious and twisted schemes, so use your questions to put your own unique spin on matters.
Cthulhu Mythos gods, roll up the rest of the plot and then take a stroll through the pages of Call of Cthulhu, Sixth Edition or or Achtung! Achtung! Cthulhu: Cthulhu: the Keeper’ Keeper’ss Guide to the Secret War, to see what entity fits this particular story best. Alternatively, you might already have an idea that they belong to a certain group, so roll on Table 2 instead.
Tabl ble e 2: A 2: Ant ntag agon oni ist Gro roup ups s
Table 1: Individual Antagonists D20 Roll
Antagonist (Individual)
Antagonist Description
1
A scientist
Old
2
An aristocrat
Ancient
3
A leader
Rich
4
A cult
Evil
5
A politician
Cursed
6
Expe peri rim men enta tall su subj bjec ectt
Corr Co rrup uptt
7
A gang
Doomed
8
An organisation
Magical
9
A militar y unit
Secret
10
Black Sun
Unstable
11
Nachtwölfe
Mysterious
12
A priest
Deranged
13
Villagers
Delusional
14
An officer
Rogue
15
Royalty
Tortured
16
A Mythos creature (see Opponent Objective)
Nazi
17
An Elder Race
18
D20 Roll Rol
Anttago An agonis nistt (Gr oup up))
1
Bro rothe ther r hood hood of the the Beast Beast* *
2
Broth Bro therh erho ood od o off the the Be Beaast*
3
New W W or or ld In ld Ind dust ustri ries* es*
4
New W orld orld Ind Indu ustrie striess*
5
Broth Bro therh erho ood of the the Bla Blacck Ph Phara arao oh*
6
Br othe otherho rhoo od of of the the B Blac lackk Ph Phar ar aoh* aoh*
7
Cullt of the Cu the Bloo lood dy To Tongu guee*
8
Cult ult of th the Blo Bloody ody Ton onggue*
9
Tr ibes ibes of th the Tc Tcho-T o-Tccho
10
Tri rib bes of of the the Tch cho o-T -Tccho
11
Brot roth hers of the the Yel Yello low w Sign
12
Bro rothe ther r s of of the the Y Y ellow ellow Sig Sign
13
Starr Sta rr y W isdo isdom Cu Cult*
14
Starr y W isdom isdom Cu Cult lt* *
15
Miskat skato onic nic U Uni nive versit rsityy
16
Miskkato Mis aton nic Un Unive iver r sity sity
17
Nach achttwö wölf lf e
Psychopathic
18
Nachtw chtwölfe ölfe
An Outer God
Malicious
19
Blackk Su Blac Sun n
19
An Elder God
Unspeakable
20
Black ack S Sun un
20
Cthulhu
Appears to be (roll twice: first is real, second is appearance)
*Nya Nyar r latho lathotep tep cult cultss.
The Plot Next we w want ant t o fi find nd out ou t what wha t is at the th e co core re o off the plot (Table 3), followed by what is motivating the people involved (which can be more than one thing if you want to complicate matters further). You can also roll to see what the Antagonists need to be successful in their mission. Now you have have the founda foundations tions for you yourr adventure, la layer yer on some trouble and strife by determining what obstacles befall your investigators en-route to the finale (Table 4, p.6). If you are feeling particularly wicked, roll several times to inspire a thoroughly wretched course for your adventure. No Cthulhu plot would be complete wi without thout a dastardly plot twist that sees the characters landed in all manner
of trouble (Table 5, p.6). When you roll on this table, try thinking about how you can make the twist that much more painful and affecting for the characters… You will notice that some results suggest rolling on additional tables to clarify the results; these tables can be found in later sections (p.8 onwards).
The Characters How on earth do the characters stumble across this foul plot you have developed, and how is this information imparted to them th em (Table 6, p.7)?
tion & vat Table 3: Antagonist’s Plot, Motiva rements uir Success Requi 20 D20 Roll Ro ll
eed ds: gon nist Nee nta ago he A Ant ul, the essf sf ul, t Succ cces be e Su To T o b
onccept ot C Con Plot Pl
ivattion Mottiva Mo
1
to atur uree to creat ytho hoss cre a M yt forr a M atew way fo a g gate Open a Open h roug ugh thro com omee th
enge ge reven For rev For
victim timss icial vic acrif rif icial ing s sac Will illing
2
ythos os a M yth el to to a trav avel to tr atew way to a g gate Open a Open ation n loccatio lo
rders ers ing o ord wing Follow Follo
timss al vic victim rifici cial sac acrifi illing ng s Unw Un willi
3
ture re crea eatu thos os cr a M y yth of a pow wer of thee po leash sh th Unlea
atred ed ure h hatr Pure
on men nt on xperi rime to e expe anss to Hum uman
4
turee creaatur or a a cre oup, p, or grou lacee, a gr a plac estro ro y a p Dest
eed d gree Simp Sim ple gr
of art art piecce of A pie
5
tit y y or en entit ture re or eatu off a cr a crea tence ce o exis isten the ex Provve the Pro
y cou untr y For or co
linee ley ey lin A l
6
of ... ... pose se of purpo or th thee pur tity f f or entity ytho hoss en a M yt mon a M Sum umm
y glor or y and gl nou ur and hono For ho
ntion on inveenti An inv
7
poweer reate terr pow a grea abou outt a g oree ab arn m mor Learn
wled dge kno owle dden n kn orbi bidde For
ledge ge now wled lar k kno rticu cular parti Som omee pa e) ectiv ive) Obj bject edge ge O nowlled ee Know (see (s
8
ature ress creatu ple o orr cre people up o off peo gro roup on a a g ment nt on rime Experi Expe
ty riori rity Supe Su perio
ces)) Choi oices tion n Ch Locaatio (seee Loc tion (se locaation A loc
9
ing eth hing somet ne o orr som meo eone ct so som Prote Pro tect
evil Pure ev
tom omee A t
10
thing ng orr som someethi eone ne o som meo ntrol ol so Contr
ud od fe feud blo lood A b
circl clee tonee cir A s ston
11
ne meo eone som ts f rom rom so rets teall sec secre Stea
led ntrol olled contr Bein Be ingg co
n aptio ion ontr trapt ge c con stran ange A str
12
etrea eatt nto r retr ack i into my b back eneemy the en Forc Fo rcee the
n tentio tion rt at atten dive vert To T o di
ientt site anccien ecific fic an A sp speci
13
nem m y the e ene overr the rit y y ove perio riorit supe Gain su
onss vision se o off visi ecau ause Bec
stals ls crysta ncien entt cry anci Som omee a
1 4
rouggh akth throu break orcee a bre Forc
al sion onal Delu elusi
spell -losst spe long ng-lo A lo
15
even entt iouss ev prev eviou for a a pr ngee for reve veng Taake T ke re
fencce Self-deefen Self-d
plan nets of pla men entt of align ignm rtain in al A ce certa
16
secre rett verr up up a sec Cove
deebt A d
rs stars ent o off sta gnm ment in ali align erta tain A c cer
17
ct rtefa fact hos a arte M yt ythos er a a M ecover R ecov
istak akee coveer a mist To T o cov
tef act act os ar artef yth thos ain M M y cert rtain A ce
18
ple /peo eople erson on/p or p pers ntity ty or an e enti er an R ecov ecover
tectt pro rotec To T o p
turee creaatur thoss cre ytho of a M a M y partt of bod d y par Thee bo Th
19
hingg omet ethin ide s som Hide
fs Belie Be liefs
God d uter er Go an O Out of an senc ncee of prese Th T he pre
20
Destr De stroy oy s som omet ethin hingg un unsp spea eaka kabl ble! e!
Sim impl pl y y un unsp speak eakaable ble!!
God Eldeer God f an an Eld The T he p pres reseence nce o o
Table 5: Plot Twist
Tabl ble e 4: O 4: Obs bsta tacl cle es D20 20 R oll oll
D20 Twist Tw ist Roll
Obsta staccle
1
Time me i iss sho short
1
They must make a sacrifice (one or more members of the group)
2
The di distan stancce is is gre great at (th (thiis w orld, rld, t the he Dre ream amla lands nds,, or anot noth her Myth Mytho os w orld)
2
It is an experiment (a group or entity is testing them)
Ther e are are d distr istr actio ction ns alo along ng t the he w ay ay (s (side ide missio ssion ns, pe peopl oplee in need eed,, opp oppo ortu rtun nitie ities) s)
3
It’s a trap! (they are the missing ingredient or motivator)
4
No-one leaves alive a live
3 4
Kno now w ledg ledge is r is r equir equir ed ed (e (e.g. .g. w w here here to to f f ind ind somet meth hing ing,, spe speccific r esear esear ch, p ch, peop eoplle to to ask ask))
5
Phys hysiical diffic ifficu ulties lties or ha harsh rsh e envi nviro ronm nmeent (mou oun ntain tainss, und underg ergro roun und d, des desert, pola olar, r, oce oceaans)
5
Thee ant Th antag agon onis istt is is par partt of of the the gr grou oup p
6
Anoth otheer gro group up o orr entity entity is is als also o on on the the t trail rail
6
7
It is is gu guar ar ded ded by a a pow erful erful forc forcee
The antagonist is not who they thought it was; someone or something else is behind it all (roll another antagonist who is really in charge)
8
Theey mu Th must ta take a pro prob blem lemaatica ticall thi thin ng w ith ith the them (e.g e.g.. som somethi ethin ng fr agile gile,, a per per son, son, a pr pr isone isoner)
7
They thought there was just one to deal with, but they were wrong…
9
Nat ature ure i iss clo closing sing in (v (v olcan olcanoe oess, stor stor ms, ms, earth eart hqua quakkes, es, f f lood loods)
8
Wait—you know him? (a family or previous connection)
10
W ar-to r-tor r n (m (must ust t trav rav er er se se fr ontli ontlines nes o orr battlefie battl efield lds) s)
9
There’s a traitor in their midst, working for another group
11
A M Myt yth hos grou roup p int inter er feres feres (ro (rolll on t on the he Inv olvem lvement ent M Met eth hod ta table ble))
10
A lot lot of goo good d peop people le die die (the (the Pyr Pyrrhi rhicc vict victory) ory)
12
R esou sour r ces ces (spo spoililed, ed, f f aulty aulty, des destroy troyeed, st stole olen n; food foo d, tr ansp nspo ort, eq equip uipm men entt)
11
The antagonist makes them an offer they cannot refuse (e.g. “let me go and the Nazi attack fails, saving thousands of lives”)
13
Hard barg argai ain n (i.e (i.e.. the they must must give som omet ethin hingg up up to prog to p rogr r ess) ess)
12
14
Mora orall dile dilem mma ma (co (con nnec necttion to ant antago agon nists ists,, unccom un omf f ortab ortable pa partn rtneers, be bette tterr offe offer r )
The essential person or item they had to bring along is key to the antagonist’s plot, and they just delivered deli vered exactly exactl y what he wanted w anted straight str aight to his door
15
Unrest rest ( (rio riots ts,, sca scaven venggers in in th thee rui ruin ns)
13
Moral dilemma—they have to become the villain to achieve their goal
16
Corrup rrupttion ion ( (aa me memb mbeer of the the grou roup p is br br ibed ibed, an offic fficia iall w ants ants mon oneey, doubl ublee-cro -crosss, tr aitor )
14
17
Misiinfo Mis nform rmati atio on
The villain(s) in question were coerced as a cover for the true villain (roll another antagonist)
18
Problem Prob lemss wi with th th thee aut auth hori oriti ties es (m (mem emb bers ers arres rreste ted, d, bord ordeer perm permits its requ requiired red))
15
19
Stran trangge illn illness ess
The villain has already achieved their objective (the group watches helplessly as events unfold around them, or learn that they have arrived too late)
20
Ambu busshed
16
The villain was trying to prevent a greater evil. Will the group let him finish, or will they stop him?
17
A key character is killed, only to be found safe and well later (can be tied to the experiment outcome on 2)
18
The investigators are the villains, and the antagonist was only trying to stop them
19
It is not what they think it is (roll another plot concept)
ices reality “Far too often the cho
proposes are such as to take away one’s taste for choosing.”
20
- Jean Rostand
Escalation (roll on this table twice, ignoring any further 20s)
Now you have these the se facts sorted, there ar e only a few more steps you need to take to finish off your adventure. There are two more questions that you need to ask: what is the essence of the investigators’ mission (Table 7), and what is its goal (Mission Objective)? After all, you know why your antagonist is involved, but what do you want the
investigators to achieve? Some of the answers from Table 7 can appear a little odd at first, so just roll with it for now and see what your mind suggests (one’s mental faculties will often lead you down very strange and unexpected paths if you allow them to). Remember, you can also read between the lines, if it helps. Alternatively, if you are running a
Table 6: Plot Hook & Involvement Method D20 ll Roll Ro
ook Ho ot H Plot
d hod etho vement Met Inv ol vem
1
riend A f rie
erss rder ord d o ivered eli vere Del
2
war er of war iso oner prris A p
ion n atio vittat entt an in vi Sen
3
er tter er y l y leett ster yst A m y
4
Tab able le 7 7: : Chara ract cter er Miss Mi ssio ion n & Missi sion on Obje Ob ject ctiv ive es D20 Char acte D20 cter r R oll oll Missi ssio on
Missio ssion n O Ob b jec jecttive
1
Explo xplor r e
An all allyy (Pe (Per r son son Obj Objeectiv e)
ion ns ire ectio dir orr d nts s o ent ume ocum doc
2
R ecov ecov er er
An e An ene nem my (A (Anta ntaggoni onist st T Taable)
an nd wililll a astt w las A l entt men tam tessta te
ientt map ncien anc an a iveen an Giv
3
Atta ttacck
Ident Id entit ityy of of a pe person rson (Antag (An tago onis nistt T Tab ablle)
5
le ticcle arrti orr a rt o veert ad d v An a thee paper in th in
unee d a f or tun red ffere Offe
4
Des estr tr oy oy
A M Myytho thoss opp oppo one nen nt (Oppon (Oppo nen entt Ob je jectiv ctiv e)
6
sorr fesso rofes pro A p
Aske As ked d f or h or heelp
5
Prote Pro tect ct
A M Myytho thoss op opp pone onen nt (Opp ppo onen nentt Ob je jecti ctive ve))
7
oman er y w y wo ster yst A m y
kmaail ackm Blac
6
Deliv De liv er er
8
steer man iniist sin A s
d ard har o a h nto iven int Dr ven ain rgain barg ba
Docu Doc ume men nts (Kno now w ledg ledge Ob Ob jec jecti tive) ve)
7
Docume Docu men nts (Kno (K now w ledg ledge Ob Ob jec jecti tive) ve)
9
or erro icall err erica cller A c
or imee or a crrim forr a c med fo ram Fra actt ous ac ono ason treas tre
Cap Ca pture
8
Find Fin d/lo /loccate
10
ten ned eate Threa ion n Thr ctio auct em in an au ittem An i
An a An arte rtefa fact ct (Art Arteefact fact O Obj bjec ectiv tiv e) e)
9
Negot gotia iate te
An arte An artef f act act (Art Arteefac factt Obj Objeectiv e)
10
Recconn Re onno oitre
A p phys hysiical lo locat catio ion n (Locatio (Loc ation n Ch Cho oice ice a and nd appro ap prop pria riate te su sub b-tab -tablle)
11
Div ert
12
Dist istra ract ct
13
Expos posee
An an ancien cientt ma map p to to… … (Myste (M yster r ious ious Loc Locaation tion Ob je jectiv ctiv e an and d Fro From m/W here) here)
14
Hide
A M Myt yth hos creat reatu ure’s re’s b bod odyy par t (Op (O ppon poneent Obje bjecctive tive))
15
Unde nder r stand stand
A My Myth thos os c crea reatu ture’s re’s bod bodyy pa part rt (Oppon (Op ponent ent Obje bjecctive tive))
16
Prove Pro ve
The curre urren nt ant antago agon nist
17
Dispr ove
The cur cur rent rent ant antaagon gonis istt
18
Stea St eall
A milita military ry un uniit
19
Inse nser r t
A mi mililitary tary unit
20
R escu scuee
A s secre ecrett org orgaanis nisaation
el avel trrav with t ideed with ovid Prov
11
at crat tocr rissto An ari
antt orttan por imp ne im eone Someo Som ingg, is ssin is miss th hem is to t to en been haas be or h e, or ane, nsan ins n son (P Perso ed ( rdeered murd e) ive) ecttiv bjec Obj
12
uall idua ivid ind div y in lth y ealth wea A w
veenge re v Want re Wa
13
Stu tum mbl blee up upon an an ge ange strran entt or st even ev tio on locati
Off ere red d a contr trac actt f or cess rviice serv ir se their
guee eagu olllea col ld c An old
facct rtefa arte an a e red an fere Of f ive)) ctive ject ct Ob je fact rtefa (Arte (A
1 4 15
graam legr teele A t
en dden forrbidd ered fo Off ere ge edge wlled dgee (Kno w ledg owle know ivee) bjeectiv Obj
16
nisst goni tago anta er an ther noth Ano
rniing waarn entt a w Sen
17
cid dent acci An ac
d in lled calle is ca bt is debt A de
18
iou us erio ystter A m ys callll onee ca phon leph tele
ly in need amii y Fam
19
ds eeds nee try n ourr country rett You ber of a secre emb A mem you! yo n tion satio rgaanisa org
20
em y enem An en
O red deta de ls on on st ist o n taigls an ntai hedr a oetre anff le)) Table istt Tab onis agon ntag (An (A
A ph physi ysiccal loc locatio ation n (Loc Locaation tion Cho Choiice an and appro prop p riate sub riate sub--tab table le)) An an ancie cien nt ma map to… to… (Mys yste teriou riouss Lo Loccatio ation n Ob j ject ectiv iv e an and Fr om/W here here))
military campaign, roll on Table 9 to determine the underlying focus of the mission before rolling on Table 7 for the mission objective. As with the Plot Twist table, some mission objectives suggest that you roll on additional tables for specific people, items, or locations. These tables are also useful when you need to quickly generate a random person, object, or piece of information.
Table 8: Artefact Objectives D20 20 R oll
Add dde ed F Fla la vo vou ur
Ar tefa tefact ct St Stat ate/ e/ Condit itiion
1
Scro rollll
Corru rrup pt
2
Book Book
Magic ical al
3
Key
Pr ice cele lesss
4
Stat atu ue
Doom omeed
5
R are re pl plaant o orr f low low er
Cur sed
6
Anci cieent technol olo ogica call dev dev ice ice
7
Table 9: Knowledge, Military & Person Objectives D20 Roll
Knowledge
Militar y
1
Schematics (weapon, base, ship, plane, vehicle)
Pathfinder
Secr et Secr
2
Technology/scientific discovery
Invade
Cry ryst staal
Ancien Anc entt
3
A strange illness
Liberate
8
Dr ug
Aliliv v e
4
A weakness
Infiltrate
9
Str ange ange li lif f e-f e-f or or m
Ev ilil
5
An ancient secret
Defend
10
Ore re o or r r r eso sou ur ce ce
Br oken
6
Escape route
Ambush
11
Pr ototy type pe
Loc ocke ked d
7
Conspiracy
Evacuate
12
Pri ricceles esss a art rt
Out of po pow er er
8
Chemical formula
Rescue
13
R eliliggio iou us i iccon
Bur ied ied
9
Criminal activity
Attack
1 4
Extr a-d a-dim imeension onaal ob je jecct
Unsta tabl blee
10
A spy ring
Seek and destroy
15
Myth tho os a arte rtefa fact ct
Fr agile agile
11
A legend
Scout/recon
16
Heirlo rloo om
Ev er er -ch chan angi ging ng
12
An ar tefact
Suppor t
17
Ev iden idence ce
Holy
13
A state secret
Patrol
18
Phot oto ogra rap phs
R adio ioaact ctiv iv e
14
A language
Take and hold
19
W eap apon on
Myth tho os
15
A tome
Breakthrough
16
A theor y
Pre-emptive strike
Tech chno nolo logi giccal al it iteem
Appear s to to be X X,, b but ut is is act ctu ually ly Y (ro (rollll tw ice ice; fir fi r st st re resu sult lt is X, se seco cond nd resul res ultt is is Y )
17
A traitor
Hold the line
18
What happened?
Rearguard
19 20
What’s there? Resources
Resupply Field test
20
Ta Tab ble 1 10: 0: F Fro rom/ m/Wh Wher ere, e, M My ythos os O Opp ppon onen ent t & Pers Pe rso on Obje ject ctiv ives es D20 Roll Roll
From Fro m/W her her e
My tho hoss Op Opp pon one ent*
Perso rson n Ob Ob jec jecttive ivess
1
Fran Fra nce
Deeep on De one
Civi ivilia lian n
2
Germ ermany any
Mii-go go
Police licem man
3
Bri ritain tain
Night ightggaun auntt
Sold Sol dier
4
Unit Un ited ed State tatess of Ame meri rica ca
Collour out Co out of spa space
Pilot
5
Sout outh h Am Ameeric ricaa
Serv itor itor of of Nya Nyarlat rlath hote otep p
Sai ailor lor
6
Spaain Sp
Gr eat eat Old One ne ( (cho choo ose ap appro prop pria riate te))
Fugit Fug itive ive
7
Italyy Ital
Cult Cu ltist ist of the the Old Old Go God ds
Crim rimin inal al
8
Nort orth h Afr ica ica
Chth htho onia nian n
Spyy Sp
9
Mid iddle dle East
Hound und of Tinda Tindallos
Ref ugee
10
Sov iet iet Un Union
Eldeer thin Eld thingg
Crash rasheed pil pilot ot
11
Scand andiinav ia ia
Bloo lood dbor n
Pr iest iest
12
Thee Low Cou Th Countri ntriees (Belg Belgiium um,, the the N Net eth herla erlan nds, Luxe uxem mbo bou urg)
Gho Gh ouls
Scien ienti tist st
13
Can anad adaa
Die Dra Draug ug ar
Milit Mil itia ia
14
Pacif Pac if ic ic
Die Gef allen Die lleneen
Politi liticcian
15
China
Halja
Acttor/s Ac or/siinge nger r
16
Japaan Jap
Manne nnesskin
Arch rchaeo aeolo logis gistt
17
Asia sia (oth (otheer)
Ser pent peop eoplle
Heir/h ir/heeires iresss
18
Comm mmonw onw ealth ealth
Die T oten
Blacckm Bla kmaarket rketeeer
19
Ausstral Au tralia ia
Die ie Au Ausserw erwä ählt hlteen
Mad adm man
20
New Zea Zeala land nd
Cold Col d on ones es
W ound ounded ed… … (ro (rolll aga again)
*Se Seee Ca Calll of C C thu thulhu , , Six Sixt t h Ed ition ition an and d Ach Achtun g ! C thulh thulhu u: the the Ke Keeeper per’s ’s Gu Guiide to to the the Sec Secre rett W ar.
Locations Finally, you can decide on the region or place where the mission will occur by rolling on the following Location tables, or you can randomly pick a location (or series of locations) for the different parts of your adventure. If you already know what you want—say, somewhere Mysterious, then just roll on the Table Table 12: Mysterious Locations for ideas. Don’t forget to check for the location atmosphere (T (Table able 11) to add some
If you want something truly unusual and a little bit freaky, it is often worth rolling up the plot, some obstacles and a few objectives, followed by a bunch of locations, without rejecting anything at first sight or thinking too much about what you get. Once you have assembled your random plot elements, take a closer look at them: quite bizarrely, you are likely to find some very peculiar matches that make total sense. Just don’t ask why…
additional ambience to the proceedings.
Table 11: Locations Mission Region, Choice & Atmosphere D20 Roll
ions - ati Table 12: Locat ountryside Co s, C Buildings, & Mysterious
Mission Region
Location Choice
Location Atmosphere
1
Western Front
Building
Derelict
2
Western Front
Building
Ruined
1
3
Eastern Front
Building
Peaceful
4
Eastern Front
Building
5
Pacific Front
6
Pacific Front
7
North African Front
8
North African Front
Countryside
Submerged
9
Middle East
Mysterious
Ancient
10
Middle East
Mysterious
11
American home front
Mysterious
ding g Buil ildin D20 Bu pe oll T y pe R oll
side Cou Co untr y side
riou us yste erio M yst
n Town Tow
Old field d attle lefiel batt
le Cast Ca stle
2
Villag Vil lagee
avern rn Cave
Teemple T
Abandoned
3
Mona nast stery ery
Plan Pla ntat tatio ion n
Ston St onee circ circle le
Building
Windswept
4
y Factorr y Facto
ead ne h head Mine
ch urch Chur
Countryside
Dreadful
5
y rator or y Labo Lab orat
ment nt ettle leme Sett
nsion on Mansi
Countryside
Overgrown
6
on Pris rison
Rive Ri verr
ery emet etery Cem
7
al emic ical Chem lantt plan
ertt Des eser
m syste tem avee sys Cav
8
asino no Casi
cierr Gla lacie
b Tomb Tom
Impossible
9
alace ce Pala
p Swamp Swam
gical al eolo logic rcha haeo Arc n vatio tion exca ex cava
Perche hed d
10
ry Libra Lib rary
line oast stline Coa
Ruin Ru inss
11
spita tall Hospi
on Cany Ca nyon
Mine
American home 12
front
Mysterious Mountain-top
12
sit y y niver ersit Univ
Lak akee
orium ium anat ator San
13
British home front
Myst My ster erio ious us
Clif Cl ifff-to top p
13
Chu Ch urch
le /jung ngle orest st/ju Fore
ry naste tery Monas
14
British home front
Sea
Flooded
14
n nsio ion Mans
Min inee
m useu eum Mus
15
m useu eum Mus
Farm
p Swam Sw amp
15
Occupied France
Sea
Underground
16
ion stat tation Tra T rain in s
ields ds Fiel
tposst Outpo
16
Occupied France
Sea
Remote
17
Germany
Militar y
Ominous
18
Germany
Militar y
Dripping
19
Other occupied territories
Mythos
Frozen
20
Other occupied territories
Mythos
Too quiet
17
Hotel
Hill illss
ield attlef lef ield Batt
18
ment nt vern rnme Gove ng uildi ding buil
ins unta tains Moun
ay atew eway Gat
19
rium m anato atoriu San
Delta
Islan Isla nd
20
tmen entt epar artm Dep store sto re
ields nowf f ields Snow
olith ith Mon onol
Table 13: Locations - Military & Sea D20 o ll R oll
ar y itar Milit
Sea
1
ingg din bu uilild rs b rteers uart dqua eadq Hea
yaard hip p y Shi
2
baase ry b itary Milita
hip p shi rgo o s Carg
3
eld d ttllef iel Batt Ba
ip ship Warsh War
4
ump y du Suppl y d
ruiins wateer ru Under wat
5
tle astle Cas rg C elssburg wel We w We
ge ridge seea rid ep s Deep De
6
urgg II sbur Weweelsb Wew
ck reck wre ed w rged Submerg
7
m tem yste kerr s ys unke Bun
base er base ater rwat derw Unde
8
es lines ntlin ron Fro
d and isllan Lost is Lost
9
s y ysstem ch s ench Trren T
se base tin ng ba oati Floa
10
at Seat ’s Se rir’s enrir Fen
er iner n lin ean Ocea
11
ir Lair ’s La f ’s Wolf Wol
n sea pen Ope
12 13
Arm rmss fa faccto tory ry ry tory rato laabora ingg l teestin on t apo Weeap W
Table 14: Locations Mythos-related D20 Extra-terrestrial Roll
Local
1
Dreamlands
Carcosa
2
Azathoth’s Cour t
Carcosa
3
Aldebaran
Arkham
4
Yuggoth
Arkham
5
Xiclotl
Deep One city (Y’ha-nthlei, Massachusetts; Ponape, western Pacific)
6
N’Kai
Deep One city (Y’ha-nthlei, Massachusetts; Ponape, western Pacific)
7
Fomalhaut
Elder thing city
8
Leng
Elder thing city
9
Abbith
G’harne (North Africa)
10
Celaeno
G’harne (North Africa)
11
Kor vaz
Irem, City of Pillars/ The Nameless City (Arabia)
12
Betelgeuse/ Glyu-Ohu
Irem, City of Pillars/ The Nameless City (Arabia)
rs ters wate al wa stal Coast astt Coas
1 4
n tion llatio talla nsta R adar ins
Port
15
y acilitt y h f acili nch aunc Lau
rnss vern er ca ve ater rwat derw Unde
13
Ktyanga
Kingsport
16
ld field Airfie
eckk wrec d wr hed Beache Beac
14
Kythanil
Kingsport
17
se base al ba aval Nav
ch ench trren p sea t eep Dee
15
Uranus/L’gy’hx
Plateau of T’sang/Sung
18
asee bas ne b ariine mar ubm Sub
in hain cha slaand c Isl
16
Rigel/Orion
Plateau of T’sang/Sung
19
vaance ad v of f ad Path o Path
nd land issla ingg i Sinkin Sink
17
Elder Race colony (working)
Severn Valley
20
Con vo y
leett Flee
18
Elder Race colony (abandoned)
Severn Valley
19 20
Mythosconquered world Mythos-ruined world
Innsmouth Innsmouth
PLOT GENERATION SUMMARY •
•
Player Characters: Roll for a Plot Hook (Table 6). Roll for an Involvement Method (Table 6). Roll on any additional tables as directed (Tables 1, 8, 9, 10). Roll for a Mission/Military Mission (depending on your campaign; Tables 7 & 9). Roll for a Mission Objective (T (Table able 7). Roll on any additional tables as directed (Tables 1, 8-14). »
»
Antagonists: Roll for an Antagonist Description on (Individual or Group; Tables 1 & 2). Roll for the antagonist’s Plot Concept (Table 3). Roll for the antagonist’s Motivation (Table 3). »
»
»
»
» »
Roll for3).the antagonist’s Success Requirements (Table Roll on any additional tables as directed (T (Tables ables 9-14).
•
Locations: Roll for a Mission Region (Table 11). Roll for a Location Choice (Table 11). Roll on any additional tables as directed (Tables 12-14). Roll for a Location Atmosphere (Table 11). »
» •
Obstacles: Roll for one or more plot Obstacles (Table 4). Roll on any additional tables as directed (Table 6). Roll for a Plot Twist (Table 5). »
»
»
on is the nati n i “Imag na n.” o reati n. c ing of re ni nn ng i beg n
- George Bernard Shaw
View more...
Comments
