Miskatonic Monday #70: Bootleg Whiskey, Liquor, Champagne & Wine

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.

—oOo—

Name: Bootleg Whiskey, Liquor, Champagne & Wine

Publisher: Chaosium, Inc.
Author: C.M. Arnold

Setting: Gangland New England

Product: One-shot scenario or part one of a campaign
What You Get: Thirty-eight page, 23.88 MB Full Colour PDF
Elevator Pitch: The Color of Whisky

Plot Hook: Pulled back in for one last job...

Plot Support: Detailed plot, three decent handouts, six NPCs, one Mythos monster, and four pre-generated Investigators. 

Production Values: Reasonable.

Pros
# Gangland bloodbath

# Suitable as a one-shot or first part of a campaign, ‘The American Empire Saga’

# Nicely flawed pre-generated Investigators

# Horrible dream sequences

# Possible sequel to ‘The Colour Out of Space’

# Intriguing campaign set-up and antagonist

Cons
# Requires a strong edit

# Plotting not always clear
# Similar theme to (but not exactly like) ‘Blackwater Creek’ from the Call of Cthulhu Keeper Screen Pack

# Odd mix of Mythos elements in places

Conclusion

# Requires a strong edit

# Plotting not always clear

# Gangland bloodbath

# Punchy, physical investigation which suits the gangland setting