Gone Girls - HCoder.org

G ONE G IRLS
This is a Cthulhu-themed role-playing scenario set in 1921. It is written with Call of Cthulhu in
mind, but it can easily be adapted to Trail of Cthulhu or other games.
Disclaimer
have been planning this for years. Larry's
Although some amount of research was
his mind, they are “getting married to
done about Charleston in the 1920s and the
Rutsha”) in order to improve the chances of
KKK,
success.
there
are
artistic
plan is to sacrifice some girls to Rutsha (in
licenses
and
undoubtedly some historical mistakes. It's ok.
This is, after all, fiction.
In the meantime, Jeff Harris, who is also a
member of the Klan, has problems with his
Finally, this is a story to be played by adults.
daughter Mae. Larry convinces him that he
The oppression of black people was, and is,
could discipline her and Jeff sends her
an important and sensitive topic that should
without telling his wife Barbara, making
not be trivialized.
Mae the first known victim. The same day
she finally disappears, one of the PCs, sibling
Story summary
(narrator only!)
of Barbara, happens to be visiting.
Edward Y. Clarke, current Imperial Wizard
finding out what happened: the police chief is
of the KKK, is a Rutsha follower. He
also part of the Klan and wants to protect
already has some power granted by Rutsha.
the others.
Meanwhile, in Charleston, West Virginia, the
While all this goes on, Rutsha is gaining
Grand Dragon of the state (Larry C.
power over Charleston. Its influence makes
Grayson) gets his hands on a translation of
everyone in the city gloomy and depressed,
the Necronomicon (Cultus Maleficarum).
and the city itself is starting to look
Then, Larry, a History Professor in Lanier
unmaintained (people notice but don't have
university, calls Edward Clarke when he
the strength to do anything about it). In a
realizes the book contains the appropriate
couple of days after all the PCs arrive,
spell to invoke Rutsha. Larry and Edward
Edward Clarke and Larry Grayson plan to
The investigation to find the kidnapped girl
starts, but the police is not that interested in
invoke Rutsha. They need clear skies, which
might have ended in a tragedy.
they won't have the first night. Instead, they
• Jeff Harris: Husband of Barbara, father
will have a ritual for people joining the Klan
of Mae. Very strict man, member of the
(maybe including some PC!). This will give
Klan. Has had conflicts with Mae and
the PCs some hints that something is very
secretly sent her to Larry for some
wrong with Larry and Edward.
discipline, but wants to know what
If Larry and Edward are not stopped by the
following night (killed, the book destroyed,
or similar), Rutsha will come, together with
many byakhees, and essentially the world
happened before admitting it. He feels
guilty but doesn't actually know what
has happened to her.
• Larry Grayson: Grand Dragon of West
Virginia. History professor at the new
will end.
Lanier University. Married to Paula, has
a son (James) and a daughter (Sarah).
Characters
The latter is offered to Rutsha by the
• Shelia Greene: First disappeared girl.
time the PCs arrive, and he intends to
invoke Rutsha on November 29th.
Black.
• Robert Greene: Grandfather of Shelia.
• Edward Y. Clarke: Imperial Wizard of
Black. Shattered by the disappearance of
the Klan. Called by Larry, he will be
his granddaughter and by the lack of
visiting Charleston those days to help
understanding by whites, who seem to
Larry invoke Rutsha.
blame
them
for
everything.
Feels
powerless.
• William Cook: Policeman assigned to
the case. Honest but a coward, he's not
• Mae Harris: The disappeared niece of
part of the Klan and has been made quite
one of the PCs. First known victim for
aware that his bosses are. Ordered to
the protagonists and the police.
keep his nose out of the Klan's business,
• Barbara Harris: Sister of one of the
won't get anything done out of fear of
PCs, mother of Mae. Desperate to find
losing his job, or something worse. Will
her daughter. If asked, she remembers
end up joining the Klan.
her daughter acting a bit weird, as if she
was hiding something. She's not as
conservative as her husband Jeff, and
fears that conflicts between them two
Hooks
One of the PCs should be Barbara Harris'
brother or sister, and he/she will be visiting
West Virginia, arriving on November 25th,
the same day Mae disappears. In addition, it
would be a good idea if at least one of the
PCs (the same or a different one) was a
member of the Klan, or at least sympathized
with it. This player can be shown a
newspaper clip about the Lanier university.
Scenes
Intro
Jeff Harris
people everywhere, no jobs, crime, etc.
“We
were
much
better
off
with
Cornwell”.
Barbara's brother/sister is visiting family in
• People seem to be depressed, like an
West Virginia, arriving on Friday November
impending doom approaches; it's kind of
25th, 1921. On the train station he/she will
disturbing (pass this as a note, so that
find out that his/her niece has disappeared
the player will decide whether to tell this
that same morning. The police doesn't seem
or not).
to have much resources so the character
• According to her parents, Mae had been
could ask the others for help.
mostly in her room for the last couple of
The rest of the characters will take about a
days, not seeing friends much.
day to arrive (this is indeed a bit of a stretch
• He/she has also gained access to the diary
if they come from Boston, but it's nice if they
of the girl, see Handout 1. The parents
don't take too long). While they arrive, the
are afraid that a “Negro” has tricked and
first character could have the following
hijacked Mae, and blame the governor for
starting clues/information:
it. They assume it's a black person
• Things have been going awry since
because the name sounds weird to them,
Republican Governor Ephraim Morgan
and because at some point Mae talked
was elected about a year ago: black
about how black people were maybe not
treated fairly.
• Barbara is not as conservative as Jeff, but
she will probably not talk about it in front
of any Klansman, especially Jeff. Mae
and her father have had some arguments
lately and Barbara fears that she has left
due to them. If she reads the diary, she
will think that she willingly left with a
Robert Greene
black man, but again won't say it out loud
in front of any Klansman.
• The policeman assigned to the case,
William Cook, hasn't started working it
yet.
Moreover, Jeff will salute any potential
Klansmen with something like “I'm sorry,
did you say your name is 'Mr. Ayak'?”. This
is code for “Are You A Klansman?”.
Klansmen will know that they should
include the made-up word “Akia” (for “A
Klansman I am”) in their reply. If he
identifies any Klansmen, he will at some
point mention the “heroic deed of our Tulsa
brothers this summer”, referring to the Tulsa
race riot.
the hills. They have heard of Shelia's
disappearance and will assume the PCs are
looking
for
granddaughter,
her.
Shelia,
lived
with
Robert's
him
but
mysteriously disappeared a couple of days
ago. Robert is scared and desperate, and
doesn't know what to do. He will be afraid
and wary of white visitors but won't hide
anything.
On the night of the disappearance Robert
tried to look for her, and saw some
humanoid creature in the woods: “Looked a
bit like a person in robes, but didn't have a
face and had something else for hands. And
something, like a big eye, moved about in his
Investigating in the black
neighborhood
chest. It shot light, I couldn't see well”.
Initially, the only clue they will have is
If
something related to black people. So, if they
mysterious man in robes, some people will
go to the poorer areas asking about some
say they did see a man roaming around that
missing girl, someone will point to Robert
night. They will mention it didn't look like
Greene, an old man who lives in a shack in
“one of them Knights”, as the robes looked
Robert is really scared and doesn't know
what to think of the PCs.
they
ask
around
mentioning
some
orange, or maybe yellow. Someone might
point to Robert Greene if the PCs haven't
even say that they saw the man bringing
already met him.
something to a car.
If he thinks the PCs are trying to have their
The truth is, it was Larry in his yellow
own investigation, he won't know how to
costume.
The
Rutsha's
react (the PCs could interpret it as relief, as
influence
on
Robert's
someone is helping, but also uncertainty
first
signs
Larry,
of
and
imagination, did the rest. Robert tried to
about how legal/appropriate this is).
pursue Larry but suddenly lost conscience,
In general, when asked about the case he'll
only to regain it the next morning.
just say he is looking into a couple of leads,
If Robert is asked about “Rutsha”, his face
and interviewing a couple of suspects among
will indicate that he recognizes it somehow
the black residents.
(maybe roll Psychology), and he even seems
somewhat scared by the mention, but will
say that he can't really remember what that
means. “I'm not looking for no trouble,
Mister”. He heard the name the day of the
disappearance but it's hard for him to
remember, and the name doesn't mean
anything to him anyway.
Talking to the police
Another alternative would be talking to the
police. The policeman assigned to the case is
William Cook. He imagines the Klan is
somewhat involved but doesn't want to
investigate them as he has been threatened.
William Cook
In short, he won't get anything done. He's
trying but won't dare investigate what
Church day
happens to be the actual culprit. His main
The day after the rest of the PCs arrive will
concern is keeping his job, and buying as
be Sunday, November 27th. Pretty much
much time as possible with the confused and
everyone will be in church. At least the
angry parents. His best bet is to look for
KKK member will want to go to church,
some black people to blame it on. He can
and you should encourage them. The PCs
don't seem particularly grieving (“Don't
are likely to go with the The Harrises, who
worry, the police is on the job. They will find
might make a comment about “Sarah” not
her”). When asked, they will say Sarah “just
being there.
disappeared” last Wednesday, on Nov 23rd.
After the service Jeff will go talk to another
Larry was in Atlanta, working (he has taken
man. That man is Larry Grayson, Sarah's
the next week free because of this), and the
father, which happens to be West Virginia's
mother was with James in the studio in the
Grand Dragon (if Barbara's sibling is a
ground floor. He's home-schooled. Asking
Klansman it's likely that he will recognise
too
Larry). Jeff and Larry will have a heated
defensive. They will say Sarah was behaving
discussion, in which Jeff and any other PCs
as usual, but being a teenager she has
close enough will hear Larry say “Don't talk
sometimes been a bit difficult.
to me like that, I've lost my daughter, too!”.
If they somehow manage to talk to James
Larry has been avoiding Jeff the last few
privately, he will try to avoid the questions,
days, but finally Jeff corners him and Larry
but when pressed he'll say that they're
explains the whole story, including his plans
preparing for Rutsha's coming; that Sarah
for his own kids. This takes the whole
already married him, and soon they'll all
afternoon, Jeff doesn't have lunch at home.
join; and that, that way, they'll avoid the
Shocked, Jeff returns home even more
Ever Beasts. Then he'll ask the PCs if they
depressed and less talkative. Maybe even
are going to join, too, or if they are going to
violent. He understands there's nothing he
be eaten by the Ever Beasts.
many
questions
will
can do now, and knows something is planned
by Larry two days later, on Tuesday 29th.
Larry
The PCs might want to talk to Larry after
the church argument with Jeff. He will be
busy for several hours (with Jeff), but should
be available afterwards.
If they go to his house they can meet his wife
Paula and his son James (9yo). They will
openly
admit
their
daughter
Sarah
disappeared just a couple of days ago, but
Larry Grayson
make
them
Edward Clarke's arrival
Edward Clarke will come visit Charleston.
He will arrive on Monday, November 28 th.
Many people in town are excited to receive
an “important man” such as him. If anyone
asks about the reason for the visit, it's
because
of
the
newly
open
Lanier
University: Edward is visiting some of the
professors and he couldn't miss Larry
Grayson, responsible for “one of the most
important subjects, namely History”. He will
stay with the Graysons while in Charleston,
and will probably stay for two or three days.
That night, one of the PCs will wake up in
the middle of the night. The reason? He/she
can feel a thin rain inside whatever bedroom
(s)he's in. There's also some kind of pressure
that can be felt, and everything seems
darker. Leaving the room (eg. to call
someone else) or waiting until morning will
make any traces vanish. Things will not
seem to get spoiled because of the water (eg.
paper will feel wet, but won't create smudges
just not work. No obvious signs of change or
brokenness, the key simply doesn't seem to
work. After a while, maybe having help
from someone else (there's a phone in the
room, the PC could call reception and have
someone drop by) everything will seem back
to normal. The key worked all along??
Sanity, 1D2/1D4.
Yet another PC might go down to have
breakfast, as normal. That PC will not see
the rest of the group. Instead, a group (same
number of people) of well dressed black
people will approach him as if they knew
him. They'll talk about keep going with "the
investigation" about the disappeared black
girls. Anyone around (eg. those working in
the hotel) will be surprised that the PC thinks
the others are black. If this is used, both
groups
should
1D4/2D4
for
play
separately.
the
PC
Sanity,
having
the
hallucinations, and 1D2/1D4 for the rest.
Morning of November 29th
or otherwise be changed). If someone is
Giving in to pressures for “results”, William
called in the room without leaving it, the PC
Cook will arrest a random black man
will still feel the rain, but not the visitor.
(someone named Sylvester Bates, or maybe
After someone has come visit, closing ones
Robert Greene himself, whatever feels more
eyes or focusing on anything else for a
dramatic)
second or two will make it disappear. Sanity,
disappearances.
1D4/2D4.
William will take him to the police station,
The next morning, a different PC might have
and after several hours of beatings he will
problems unlocking the door. The key will
confess being Rutsha and having kidnapped
as
the
culprit
of
the
the girls (he actually hasn't, of course!). This
nightmarish remnants of this world, they
will reach the police department chief's, and
will be dead.
then Larry's, ears. They decide to use him
If they sneak and search the house, the
that same night for the invocation.
library in the attic study will contain the
book Cultus Maleficarum (printed in 1597,
Larry's house (not after
Klan gathering!)
translated by Baron Frederic). Reading the
whole book takes a few days for skimming
If the PCs visit Larry's house that afternoon,
and many weeks for full study, gives +2 (+5
or the afternoon of November 30th, Paula
for full read) in Cthulhu Mythos and
Grayson will be talking to her son James.
subtracts 2D6 sanity. It contains a spell
The PCs will hear her saying “A distant,
called "Yellow Petition" and claims to call
distant future. A future where hope is not
either
simply lost, but forgotten. A future where
"Unspeakable" (it's not clear whether or not
humanity consumes itself from within before
it is the same). It specifically says it only
being devoured from without. A future
works in clear skies, though. See the rest of
where the thin veil that separates the world
the description of the house in the section
from the dark planes beyond has finally
“Larry's house”.
been breached, and the Ever Beasts feast
living”... at that moment there will be a
First invocation attempt;
naturalization of William
pause, and then she'll say “are you there?”.
On November 29th there will be a Klan
freely upon the dead and what's left of the
Paula
will
realise
that
the
PCs
are
investigating Larry. She was explaining her
son James that they'll die in a couple of days.
She is cold, not showing much emotion. She
is fully aware of what she's saying, and looks
perfectly rational. She will explain that they
intend to bring Ragnarok and clean the
world by invoking Rutsha, and then the
byakhees will come and kill everyone, but
they will be first! While everyone burns in
anguish and desperation and sees the last
"The
King
in
Yellow"
or
the
meeting somewhere in the woods. The idea is
having the naturalization for William Cook,
who is joining the Klan out of fear. After
that they plan to invoke Rutsha, but it will
have to be cancelled because they cannot
invoke without clear skies.
The first thing the PCs notice is that both
Edward and Larry have yellow robes, not
red. The second is that Larry's wife and child
are there (in regular white robes). They start
by gathering around a cross, then getting
the fire from Edward (while he says
Edward
“Klansman, do you accept the light?” “Yes, I
ritual”) but they had to postpone it until the
do”). Then, Edward goes “Klansmen, for
following day. At that point, Larry asks all
West Virginia! Klansmen, for America!” and
Klansmen to form a lynch mob and start a
everyone lights the cross. He continues:
hunt. The mob is very scared and will follow
“Klansmen, behold the fiery cross still
Edward and Larry. As it's dark and people
brilliant! All the troubled history failed to
will split, it will be easy for the PCs to
quench its hallowed fame. Let me say that the
escape. This is a perfect moment for the PCs
cross is an inspiration, a sign of the Christian
to try to figure out what's wrong, maybe by
religion, a symbol of faith, hope and love”.
visiting Larry's house. Note that, at this
“Get the Negro ready”. Then the actual
point, Cultus Maleficarum (see below) will be
naturalization ritual will begin: the men get
in Larry's car, not the house!
the victim in a chair, tied, then blindfold
(“the
ultimate
naturalization
William Cook and give him a bat. You can
Larry's house
imagine the rest. You can skip the details as
Only the interesting rooms in the house are
the characters don't really care for the black
mentioned. The book “This Old Haunted
man, but the players are assumed to. Once
House, Too” has an appropriate house map
the poor black man is killed, Edward will ask
for this, called “Exotic Style House 1877”.
the corpse to be given to him, at which point
the crowd will start to feel uneasy and
nervous.
corpse
William
to
hesitantly
Edward,
brings
while
the
shaking
uncontrollably. It's hard to see, but tentacles
seem to appear out of Edward's robe. After
a couple of seconds with William sweating
and gasping, almost falling to the floor, the
corpse of the black man will be halfdissolved, as if bathed in acid. Larry (the
Grand Dragon) and his wife will be the only
ones that seems in awe and excited, not
scared. Little James will (literally) piss his
pants.
Larry will say that they had a surprise for
First floor
Only the studio is interesting. It's where
James is home schooled. There's a table, a
cabinet with pencils, rulers and such things,
and a medium-sized library. The library
contains mostly encyclopedias and text
books, like history and geography. In
between all those there are some Egyptian
books and “The Golden Bough” by Sir
George Frazer (thirteen volumes): a classic
work of anthropology exploring magic and
religion.
good door, that probably seals well the
Second Floor
• The Master
Barbara's
Bedroom
room.
There
is Jeff and
contents. Or maybe it hasn't been opened
are
in a long time?
several
religious items here, including a bible in
• The coal room does not seem that
interesting, but on close examination
both bedside tables.
• The bedroom besides the bathroom is
they will find some rags of some old,
Mae's. There is a dressing table with a
small trousers with a dead flower in the
couple of make up items and the diary.
pocket. They didn't seem like good
See Handout 2.
quality trousers in the first place. What
• The other bedroom is James'. Searching
the room will yield some disturbing
kind of person would wear that?
• The storage room is full of dirt and old
drawings of monsters killing or eating
things. It feels cold in here. There are
people. Sanity, 0/1D3.
bicycles, old furniture, old clothes, some
books, several chests... there is someone
Attic
in the room! One of the PCs will see a
The study has a fairly large library with
black girl with her eyes growing big as
many history books, "On the Origin of
her throat is slit... but it seems it was just
Species by Means of Natural Selection, or
a reflection in a mirror. A reflection of
the Preservation of Favoured Races in the
what? That character hears sobs for a
Struggle for Life" by Charles Darwin, more
couple of seconds, but no other character
books about Egypt, and (unless it's right
after
the
invocation
attempt)
Cultus
Maleficarum (see above).
Basement
Already walking downstairs to the basement,
some PCs will have sad, personal memories.
Some examples in Handout
3. These
memories are relatively vivid and will trigger
a sanity roll (1D3/1D6).
• The cellar is essentially empty, but they
will see three doors in front of them. The
farthest (to the wine cellar) seems like a
Shelia reflected in the mirror
does. The PCs (all) might hear a door
way as the day before, lighting the cross,
opening, seems like the wine cellar door.
then the invocation itself. It will take 15
• The wine cellar has many bottle racks
minutes for Edward and 30 for Larry, and
and a fair amount of bottles. Nothing out
the invocation consists on reading seemingly
of the ordinary. It's clear they have
nonsensical words off Cultus Maleficarum
money and a certain influence, otherwise
and chanting (you can read random stuff in
they wouldn't be able to keep alcohol at
Enochian or something). After a minute or
home (remember prohibition!). The PCs
two, the Klansmen will start chanting too,
will hear muffled screams and, after a bit
like carried away. The PCs will feel the
of poking, they'll realise there's a secret
impulse but can resist (roll POW for them to
door.
scare them, but feel free to let them resist
• The secret room has some big, unknown
regardless of the roll).
signs crudely painted on the walls, and
If the PCs don't stop the invocation, they will
three giant slug-like creatures that will
all die and the Earth will be destroyed, but
start slowly moving towards whoever
play it out. They will start feeling quite a bit
opens the door. Sanity, 1D8/2D8. Some
of pressure, as if the air pressure grew in the
kind of cry or moan can be heard, and it
whole world. A couple of seconds later,
can only come from the creatures... but
everything will seem darker, especially the
the moan sounds too human. The PC that
sky, and then some horrible flying creatures
is
somehow
will start coming in droves. Unbelievably,
recognise her in one of the creatures.
they will look like flying dinosaurs (flash
Extra sanity roll, 1D8/2D8. If that PC
some pictures of byakhees) and they scream
loses over 10 points combined, (s)he will
with
most probably vomit or faint. If they
1D20/2D20.
don't leave (?), the creatures will hug
Several seconds later, the PCs will see
them: if they succeed an opposed STR
something absolutely obscene: a kind of
roll (50%) three times in a row, the victim
giant grotesque creature, or maybe some
will become part of them and die.
kind of organic spaceship, vaguely shaped
family
with
Mae
will
a
deafening
volume.
Sanity,
like a vagina with tentacles at the bottom.
Second invocation attempt
If Larry of Edward are alive, any of them
can invoke Rutsha. It will start the same
Sanity, 3D20/5D20. Stats don't really matter
at this point, but for reference about how
quickly they'll die (play it out, giving the
group the illusion that they might survive):
• Byakhees have 55% in attack, attack
stolen the book). Unless the PCs come up
twice per turn, and inflict 2D6 damage.
with some creative way to stop the local
They will try to bite victims and hold on
police (like use a police contact from another
to them, as they drain their blood,
state to get the Bureau of Investigation,
removing 3D10 STR per turn (any victim
equivalent of the FBI of the time, to call the
will die when reaching 0 STR points).
police chief in Charleston and ask a few
• If Rutsha got any close to them, a single
questions) they will eventually die in jail. Or,
tentacle/claw attack is instant death
possibly, the world will end while they are in
(13D6 if you want to estimate just how
jail. This last option could be dramatic to
gruesome
calculate
play out, with byahkees breaking into the
destruction on buildings, cars and other
police station and killing everyone. Again,
structures).
let the players think they might come out
deaths
are,
or
alive: after all, they will not know how many
Resolution
Assuming the world didn't end, there are
several things that could have happened.
If the PCs kill Larry and/or Edward while
they're gathered, some Klansmen will want
to attack them but someone will stop them
shouting that neither Larry or Edward were
humans, but the Devil's creation. Having
both of them killed will certainly cause a stir
in the city and even across the whole
country (Edward Clarke is famous, after all)
but William Cook, feeling extremely guilty,
will protect the PCs enough that the case
will be solved as self-defense. Whoever sees
the remains of what happened will not want
to ask much around anyway.
If Larry or Edward survive and the book is
not destroyed, they will try to get the police
to arrest the PCs (especially if they have
there are or how the city looks at this point.
If the PCs destroy the book, Larry will kill
himself (and Paula will kill James and
herself) and Edward will leave to Atlanta.
He will try to get the PCs arrested using his
influence, but at some point he will go to jail
himself for violating the famous WhiteSlave Traffic Act, or “Mann Act”. In reality
this didn't happen until March 1924 but it's a
great moment for this to happen in this
story. After a couple of weeks, the PCs will
read somewhere that there has been some
strange deaths in a jail in Atlanta (both
inmates and guards), including a mass
suicide
of
100
inmates
in
circumstances. Sanity, 1D10/2D10.
strange
• Nov 28th: Edward Clarke arrives in
Timeline
Charleston to finish preparations for the
• Nov 20th: Shelia Greene is abducted in
invocation. The fact that the Grand
the woods at night, while she was looking
Dragon arrives is not only not a secret,
for lumber. Only her grandfather Robert,
but it's actually a quite public and
who lives with her in a shack, notices or
celebrated event.
cares. That same night she is offered to
• Nov 29th: a.k.a. "Dismal day of the
Rutsha and turned into a boneless, slug-
Weird week of the Frightful month". In
like creature filled with fluid.
the morning, a random black man
• Nov 21st: Mae goes with Larry and
meets Rutsha for the first time.
• Nov
23rd:
Larry
offers
(Sylvester
Bates,
or
maybe
Robert
Greene) is arrested and beaten up until he
her
own
"confesses" being Rutsha. That night
daughter Sarah to Rutsha, turning into
there's full moon but the sky is not clear
another slug-like creature.
and the invocation cannot be carried out.
• Nov 24th: Larry tells the police that his
The special initiation ritual for William
daughter has disappeared. Tries to not
will be performed, though, which will
make much fuss, and doesn't tell Jeff.
make
• Nov 25th: Mae escapes from home in the
morning. That same night she turns into
the
something
PCs
aware
inhuman
that
about
there's
Edward,
maybe also Larry.
• Nov 30th: a.k.a. "Doleful day of the
a similar slug-like creature.
• Nov 25th: The first PC arrives, learns
Weird week of the Frightful month".
about Mae's disappearance. The police
Almost full moon, with clear skies. The
doesn't seem that efficient/helpful, calls
night of the 30th, and unless the PCs
the other PCs.
sabotage it, Rutsha will be invoked and
• Nov 26th: The rest of the PCs arrive.
the world will end.
There are already a couple of clues
waiting to be investigated.
• Nov
27th:
Church
day.
Heated
Final notes
conversation between Jeff and Larry, Jeff
As you may have noticed, this story features
leaves for the whole afternoon with
Hastur The Unspeakable One. Its name has
Larry. Jeff returns home even more
been changed to Rutsha so that players don't
depressed and less talkative.
recognize it.
Example characters
The following characters are just example player characters. Feel free to play with whichever
characters you have, but note that one of them should be a sibling of one of the Harrises
(probably Barbara, but Jeff could work, too). In addition, at least one of the characters should
be a member of the KKK, and this scenario works better if there is more than one character
conservative enough to be a Klan sympathizer.
Mildred Mayfield
Barbara Harris' sister, Mae's aunt. She loves Mae to pieces and is devastated by her
disappearance, partly because she has tried for years to have a child with her husband Frank
Mayfield, to no avail. Frank is more conservative than her, which somehow mirrors Barbara
and Jeff's relationship. Her relationship with Frank has been far from ideal the last months,
and in fact she has been having an affair with George Miller, a friend of Frank that works as
a policeman. After months of struggle trying to keep their relationship afloat, Mildred decided
to travel back home to see her family and relax for a couple of days, but when she arrived at
the train station she received the awful news.
She is dainty and graceful, more educated than many would assume. Good with animals and
loves cats. She is a member of the League of Women Voters (formerly “National American
Woman Suffrage Association”) but avoids talking about it with her husband.
Frank Mayfield
Mildred's husband. He is a fairly religious and conservative factory worker from New Jersey,
where they live. Frank is not a member of the Klan although personally knows some
members, including George Miller, a good friend who works as a policeman. He admires them
and has wondered for a while if he should join, as the devout Christian he is. His relationship
with Mildred has been fairly bad the last couple of months. They have been trying for years to
have that baby Mildred wanted so badly, but it hasn't been possible. He doesn't know if it's his
fault or hers, and then it occurred to him that maybe God was trying to send a message:
maybe he hasn't been Christian enough and he needs to do some good deed. That's why when
Mildred travelled back home to see Mae, and then called to say she had disappeared, Frank
saw in it a message from God: do a good deed and save your relationship. He intends to prove
that he deserves Mildred and he deserves to have that child.
Muscular and tall, he is quite the handyman and has the reputation of being the scariest guy
around when angry. Thinks that race mixing is an evil that should be rooted out of this world.
George Miller
A friend of the Mayfields. Lives in New Jersey like them, and came to help when he heard
what happened. George has been a Klan member for several years now and is generally
conservative. He is having an affair with Mildred and doesn't think anyone suspects. George
knows about the couple's struggles and feels pity for them, especially for Frank. George thinks
it's Frank that cannot have children: Frank needs to man up and maybe even join the Klan.
Ultimately, he thinks that Mildred should leave Frank for him, but it's a situation that must be
handled carefully. His goal is to help Mildred in this situation, partly because he cares about
her, and partly to score more points and show that he's better than Frank.
George is slightly taller than average and slim. He is pretty ambitious and a bit manipulative,
and has been called cynical more than once.
Handout 1
Excerpts from Mae Harris' Diary
th
September 6 , 1921
Dear Diary,
Father doesn't understand me. He keeps treating me like a child, I
hate it! I know God wants us all to honor our fathers and mothers,
but sometimes I find it hard. And Father is always telling me that
I'm not Christian enough. He talks so much, who does he think he
is? I don't think he should cast the first stone...
th
November 20 , 1921
Dear Diary,
I have met someone today. My heart beats fast when I think of
him now. I have to admit that, initially, his blackness made me
nervous, but I cannot lie to myself: I am irresistibly attracted to
HIM. Being with him is intoxicating. I am almost afraid of
writing his name down. Nobody must know about this.
th
November 21 , 1921
Dear Diary,
I cannot stop thinking about him. He makes me feel protected and
safe, but I wonder if this is against our values. I am so conflicted. I
am very afraid of telling Mother. And Father must never learn
about this. He will be very, very angry. I don't know what he can
do if he finds out.
th
Dear Diary,
November 23 , 1921
Today Mother told me that uncle John will be visiting. I don't
think I can keep my secrets having one more person at home, I need
to do something about it.
th
November 24 , 1921
Dear Diary,
I have talked to Rutsha and have come up with a plan. We are
going to meet tomorrow morning in our secret place and he will take
me home with him, where we will marry and live together forever.
There is no one that can do anything about it. I will miss everyone,
but this is what I must do. For myself. For HIM.
Handout 2
Excerpts from Sarah Grayson' Diary
February
Dear Diary,
first ,
19 15
Today daddy said something scary . He talked
about the future and about the end of the
world. He said we will be prepared . I don 't
want to die. I don't want little Jamie to die .
September 27th, 1921
Dear Diary,
Father says we are finally ready for the Ever Beasts to
come. I was hoping that all these years he would Just be
dreaming, or at least wrong, but he seems very serious. I
don't know what to do. He keeps talking about people
being devoured. About not having any Future. About
humanity being barely puppets for more powerful, more
divine creatures.
He does not seem to be talking about God. He keeps saying
“Ratsha”. Whatever happened with God? Where is he now? If
Father is right, this is when we need a savior. Or is this
the Rapture in the Holy Scriptures? Are we paying for
our sins? Is any of this my fault, was I a bad daughter?
October 15th, 1921
Dear Diary,
It's hard to talk to Father. He gets really angry when I
try to ask about God. She says I am only a child and I
don't understand, but that I will soon.
He wants me to marry Rutsha. I tried to say that I did
not think that was Christian, but he started shouting
at me. He says Rutsha is in a different plane but that
he will come soon. Father is arranging everything. I hope
he is not talking about Hell. I don't want to marry the
Devil or go to Hell. I am scared.
November 20th, 1921
Dear Diary,
Father says my veil is ready. I don't want to get
married, I don't know what to do. Father says that
Rutsha has another veil but he will help remove it.
Father says that my getting married is the best thing
for me. He insists that I don't want to see the people
dying. Why does everyone have to die? What will happen
to James? He doesn't deserve this. I don't want this. I
don't want any of this.
I wonder if there is any other solution, but Father says
this is the best we can do. That he has been working on it
for years. He says he is happy for me. He says I should
be happy, too.
November 23th, 1921
Dear Diary,
Father told me that today is the special day for me. I
will finally marry Rutsha and be done with this
hopeless life. I don't Feel ready but I don't want to meet
the Ever Beasts or be eaten. I hope I will not go to Hell. I
hope I will meet James, Father and Mother behind the
veil.
Goodbye, diary.
Handout 3
Sad memories
Example 1:
You remember how, when you
were little, you were sleeping
besides your overweight father.
He turned while still asleep and
almost crushed you. You tried to
fight and moan but he was too
big.
You
were
powerless,
insignificant. You could not
breathe and thought you were
going to die. After what felt like
years, everything turned black.
Somehow you woke up again at
the doctor's and after a couple of
days you could go back home.
But that incident had longlasting effects. It taught you that
there are things bigger than us
that could crush you at any
moment. Not intending to. Not
even realizing. No matter what
you do.
Example 2:
You were in third grade. They
laughed at you because no one
liked you. You had spent so much
time thinking about how to prove
them wrong. How you would
prove them wrong. Finally, one
day you managed to build up
enough confidence to pick up a
flower. You decided to give it to
Emma. That would tell them.
Emma wasn't the prettiest in the
class but you wouldn't even think
of talking to Ida. And you gave
her the flower. And she pushed
you. They didn't even like her.
And she pushed you. You lost
your breath and had to go home,
tumbling and feeling physical
pain in your chest. You never told
it to anyone and, since then, you
have always felt uncomfortable
among women. You know it will
never change. No matter what
you do.
Example 3:
It was Easter six or seven years
ago. The Great Flood. It started
as the Great Dayton Flood in
Ohio. You felt so safe, miles away.
But one day it came to West
Virginia. And that day you saw
your brother Raleigh die. His
body broken against the rocks
and the fallen trees like a tiny,
insignificant
insect.
Your
insurmountable terror, running
around not knowing where you
would be safe. When you would
be safe. But Nature doesn't have
any malice. Malice belongs to
humans. There was just sheer
power and indifference. Laws of
nature. It wasn't even brutal. It
was simply defining. This is my
place. Communication, in a way.
Such
a
sweet
connection
experience, learning what you
are. Learning you can only
behave as you are supposed to.
Knowing that you cannot rebel.
Or delay the inevitable. Superior
forces always have their say. No
matter what you do.
Credits
This scenario was written and illustrated by Esteban Manchado Velázquez using the
following resources:
• Wikipedia for a lot of information about the KKK, eg.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan
• Inside the New Ku Klux Klan: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/inside-ku-klux-klan17577693
• Buttersafe webcomic for the Ever Beasts quote: http://buttersafe.com/2014/06/05/eye-infection/
• Font “Old Style” by the H.P. Lovecraft's Historical Society:
http://www.cthulhulives.org/toybox/PROPDOCS/FreeFonts.html
• Font “Xiomara” by Lauren Thompson: http://www.nymfont.com/2009/06/fonts.html
• Font “Bybsy” by Sara Byblow: http://openfontlibrary.org/es/font/bybsy
• Font “Pecita” by Philippe Cochy: http://pecita.eu/
• Vector set of Vintage Design Divider Elements: http://www.webdesignhot.com/free-vectorgraphics/vector-set-of-vintage-design-divider-elements/
• Stain brushes for Gimp by lizn DeviantArt: http://lizn.deviantart.com/art/Stain-Brushes-for-GIMP198775000