Monday, 18 March 2024

Miskatonic Monday #271: Tiger in Human Skin

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: Agata Brig

Setting: Swindon, Lovecraft Country

Product: Scenario
What You Get: Twenty-one page, 1.47 MB Full Colour PDF

Elevator Pitch: The circus always leaves chaos in its wake...
Plot Hook: When a monster crosses your path...
Plot Support: Staging advice, four NPCs, one Mythos monster, and a piglet
.
Production Values: Plain.

Pros
Begins en media res
# Easy to slot into an existing campaign
# Easy to adjust to other times and places
# Coulrophobia
# Achondroplasiaphobia
# Tigriphobia

Cons
# Needs a slight edit
# Linear
# Easy to spot the villain
# Feels as if the background could been more accessible for the Investigators

Conclusion
# A circus came to town and left a monster in its wake
# Linear push to get the Investigators to the showdown without any real investigation

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