The Crack'd and Crook'd Manse

Details

1st Edition

2nd Edition

Pages: ###

Author(s): Mark Morrison

Artist(s): David Conyers, Carol Triplett-Smith, Lydia Ortiz, David Lee Ingersoll, Janet Aulisio, Sam Inabinet

Setting: 1920s

Appears in: Mansions of Madness (Supplement)

Summary

Investigators receive a letter asking for help in locating a missing man. Their investigation takes them to a crumbling manse with a strange and sinister history.

Links

• Demian Katz's review at OgreCave

Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only

Players should not read any further.

Synopsis

Describe the adventure in detail; no bias allowed.

References

Player Handouts:

1. Letter from attorneys asking for help locating Mr. Cornthwaite.
2. Newspaper article discussing the missing millionaire.
3. Newspaper article about a family murder at the house.
4. The Missing People book summary.
5. Note from Cornthwaite, hinting about the monster.
6. Keepers' and Players' maps of the house

Locations: Gamwell, The Fitzgerald Manse

Creatures: Slime monster

Comments

List dedication, trivia, images, anything else of note.

Keeper Comments

The scenario hook letter refers to investigators as "one skilled in locating missing people, particularly those of Mr. Cornthwaite’s persuasion", considers them professionals, and gives them a fairly formal assignment. As such some appropriate backstory or previous gameplay may be called for, to give some more concrete basis than simply being an acquaintance of the missing man.

There are two tragic backstories to the house, but neither has any relevance to the main plot. They can be played up for creepiness or as specific red herrings, or sidelined.

The monster is an offshoot of Shub-Niggurath, though in the scenario as written the only clue is a slight resemblance detectable with a lucky Mythos roll. Moreover, there's little in-game information on the creature's origin, or how it ended up in Connecticut. A Keeper interested in playing up either angle would need to create further references or clues. The missing man's books might contain further information on his travels, and clues to Shub-Niggurath worship in the area. Players might want to follow up with an expedition to the lost temple, perhaps to destroy the original beast.

The scenario notes suggest that the threat is basically unstoppable, as the creature's spores will spread far and wide. This provides for follow-on scenarios, though making these distinct and interesting could be a challenge. In addition, if this plot point is introduced, the investigators could well spend the next few decades hunting down tiny slime creatures across Connecticut, so perhaps not one to introduce lightly.

The scenario as written makes it more-or-less impossible for investigators to succeed at their mission; they can't produce Mr. Cornthwaite's remains (as he's been eaten), nor truthfully explain his disappearance (nobody will believe them), and the scenario has the monster destroying the house and possibly taking some investigators with it, in which case the investigators both lose their fees and are liable to prosecution. PCs or NPCs eaten along the way may also take some explaining. Since they're likely to have spent a long time poking around and ordered a truckload of salt to dump in the basement, pleading innocence may not be convincing.

If investigators are cunning, it's entirely possible for them to bring witnesses to see the monster, or even take some photographs.

Actually defeating the monster in combat is possible, but very difficult: it can attack simultaneously throughout the house, flood the entire ground floor to prevent escape, retreat into the walls to avoid serious threats, and takes minimal damage from everything but fire and salt. A drive-by salting, as pushed by the scenario, is a much better bet. No other combat is likely unless investigators provoke the local sheriff. As such, while unwary lone investigators may be picked off by the creature, not much actual fighting is likely to occur.