Every Week It's Wibbley-Wobbley Timey-Wimey Pookie-Reviewery...

Monday 4 April 2022

Miskatonic Monday #102: The Dragon of Wantley

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: SR Sellens

Setting: Jazz Age North Yorkshire (sans Jazz).

Product: Scenario
What You Get: Fifty-Two page, 17.57 MB Full Colour PDF

Elevator Pitch: What evil hides behind an elopement?
Plot Hook: How far will the cultists and Investigators go in determining the aims of the cult?
Plot Support: Straightforward plot, staging advice for the Keeper, two maps, thirteen handouts, ten detailed NPCs, one Mythos tome, one ballad, and five pre-generated Investigators.
Production Values: Decent.

Pros
# Ferroequinology
# Superb cover
# Lambton Worm-like scenario grounded in classic English folklore
# Decent background introduction to England
# Excellently done handouts and photographs
# Gentility hides a nasty little plot
# Nobility hides a dark secret
# Huge potential to disastrously break Yorkshire (a bit) 
# Roleplaying opportunities amongst the manners and mores the English Class system
# Can be run as part of Day of the BeastMasks of Nyarlathotep, or Tatters of the King

Cons
# Needs an edit
# Mummies feel like a red herring
# Underdeveloped in places
# Needs an area map
# No hooks for Day of the BeastMasks of Nyarlathotep, or Tatters of the King
# Huge potential to disastrously break Yorkshire (a bit) 

Conclusion
# Nicely supported scenario which twists classic English folklore
# Plenty of roleplaying opportunities amongst the manners and mores of the English Class system as the Investigators winkle out a dark secret.

No comments:

Post a Comment