Miskatonic Monday #232: Once Bitten Twice Shy

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: Once Bitten Twice Shy

Publisher: Chaosium, Inc.
Author: HareAndRaven Maps

Setting: Modern Day France

Product: One-Shot
What You Get: Forty-three page, 6.42 MB Full Colour PDF
Elevator Pitch: Are a whistle-blower’s reports of missing students at a cooking school true or is she just stirring the pot?

Plot Hook: A cry for help at a prestigious culinary school
Plot Support: Staging advice, six pre-generated Investigators, two handouts, two maps, four NPCs, and two Mythos creatures.

Production Values: Decent

Pros

# Engaging culinarily themed investigation

# Options and suggestions for outsider Investigators or student Investigators

# Options included to make it more horrifying

# Cibophobia

# Dragoferophobia

# Mageirocophobia

Cons

# Needs an edit

# Investigators will need the Locksmith skill

Conclusion

# Serves up a soufflé of scares and strangeness

# If you thought chefs were monsters, then this scenario is for you