Miskatonic Monday #101: The Dilemma in the Desert

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 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.

—oOo—

Name: The Dilemma in the Desert

Publisher: Chaosium, Inc.
Author: Ryan Graham Theobalds

Setting: The Desperate Decade, Death Valley.

Product: Scenario
What You Get: Twenty-Seven page, 49.63 MB Full Colour PDF
Elevator Pitch: Death, distrust, and derangement in Death valley.

Plot Hook: How far will the cultists and Investigators go in determining the aims of the cult?

Plot Support: Detailed plot strands, staging advice for the Keeper, two maps, five handouts, six detailed NPCs, one avatar, and four pre-generated Investigators.

Production Values: Decent.

Pros

# Desert-bound one-shot

# Initiates or Investigators, Investigators or Initiates?

# Interesting real world location, Scotty’s Castle

# Potential for paranoia

# Potential campaign starter

# Potential link to Cult of Starry Wisdom

# Decent handouts and photographs

# Investigators could become cultist NPCs in a campaign

Cons

# Needs an edit

# Maps upside down versus the photographs

# Plot strands not clearly explained before they occur

# Mythos mish-mash
# Floorplans left unmarked and undescribed

# Weird cult initiation to murder mystery plot and back again

# Crucial antagonist’s ultimate aim included as an aside

# Crucial Investigator/Player decision decided by a die roll 

Conclusion

# Possible played through background for cultists in a campaign?

# Oddly plotted and often initially underexplained murder mystery/cult initiation where ultimately, the dilemma of whether or not to turn to the Mythos is out of the players and their Investigators’ hands.