Between October 2003 and October 2013, Chaosium, Inc. published a series of books for Call of Cthulhu under the Miskatonic University Library Association brand. Whether a sourcebook, scenario, anthology, or campaign, each was a showcase for their authors—amateur rather than professional, but fans of Call of Cthulhu nonetheless—to put forward their ideas and share with others. The programme was notable for having launched the writing careers of several authors, but for every Cthulhu Invictus, The Pastores, Primal State, Ripples from Carcosa, and Halloween Horror, there was a Five Go Mad in Egypt, Return of the Ripper, Rise of the Dead, Rise of the Dead II: The Raid, and more...
The Miskatonic University Library Association brand is no more, alas, but what we have in its stead is the Miskatonic Repository, based on the same format as the DM’s Guild for Dungeons & Dragons. It is thus, “...a new way for creators to publish and distribute their own original Call of Cthulhu content including scenarios, settings, spells and more…” To support the endeavours of their creators, Chaosium has provided templates and art packs, both free to use, so that the resulting releases can look and feel as professional as possible. To support the efforts of these contributors, Miskatonic Monday is an occasional series of reviews which will in turn examine an item drawn from the depths of the Miskatonic Repository.
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Author: Iain Ross
Setting: Jazz Age Britain
Product: Hotel Horror Mystery Scenario
What You Get: Forty-two page, 7.98 MB Full Colour PDF
Elevator Pitch: West Country Weirdness.
Plot Hook: A widow in need, a husband’s legacy shrouded...
Plot Support: Plot outline, five decent handouts, five maps, five pre-generated Investigators, and a new servitor of a new Old One.
Production Values: Decent.
Pros
# Part One of a Very British Horror
# Introductory scenario
# Very Green & Pleasant Land
# Nicely illustrated with period photographs
# Nice array of curios and details
# Cosy Call of Cthulhu
# Short, tightly plotted, one or two session scenario
Cons
# Underwhelming maps
# Needs editing
# Anachronisms ahoy
# Overwhelming climax for an introductory scenario
Conclusion
# Underwhelming maps
# Needs editing
# Short, tightly plotted, one or two session scenario
# Very Green & Pleasant Land
I'm just preparing to run this and am expecting a fun time. This is very much in the "green and pleasant land" / Agatha Christie vein. The scenario is well written and entertaining - not sure what you mean by "needs editing". Similarly I didn't spot any anachronisms. The maps are just fine for a sub $5 community scenario - can't expect Chaosium levels of production at that price.
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