Monday, 25 April 2022

Miskatonic Monday #116: Tales of the Casket Girls

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 InvictusThe PastoresPrimal StateRipples from Carcosa, and Halloween Horror, there was Five Go Mad in EgyptReturn of the RipperRise of the DeadRise 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—
Publisher: Chaosium, Inc.
Author: Michael Henebry

Setting: Jazz Age New Orleans

Product: Scenario
What You Get: Twenty-two page, 67.27 KB Full Colour PDF

Elevator Pitch: A missing persons case leads to nasty nuns!
Plot Hook: A convent of chills
Plot Support: 
Two monsters, five handouts, three maps and floorplans, six pre-generated Investigators.
Production Values: Plain.

Pros
# Straightforward plot
# Potentially pulpy plot
# Good background and history
# Vampire nuns
Solid mix of pre-generated Investigators
# Potential lead in to a Secrets of New Orleans campaign
# Possible campaign set-up with Investigators as new Knights Templars vampire hunters!

Cons
# Not vampire nuns!?
# Not enough made of New Orleans

Conclusion
# Straightforward plot leads to a dark secret hidden in New Orleans and confrontation in a convent

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