Call of Cthulhu Scenario by Miskatonic Repository / Chaosium
Scenario Overview
Setting: Modern-day United States — Serpentfork, a fictional small town in Missouri
Recommended Players: 4
Estimated Play Time: over 9 hours (in-person session)
This is a Call of Cthulhu scenario centered on a special “painting.” It employs themes of false memory and hallucination and includes Investigator Background Handouts that tie a portion of each Investigator’s backstory and personal motivation directly into the events, so that players feel more deeply entangled in the truth.
Recommended for Keepers who enjoy brazenly gaslighting their players with a straight face.
This scenario was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “Medusa’s Coil.” Players familiar with the original work may recognize elements scattered throughout.
Scenario Summary
The Investigators have each come to Serpentfork for their own reasons. Serpentfork is a small town in Missouri where the mood has grown very dark of late — the townspeople are falling ill, and strange incidents keep occurring in the surrounding area.
Then, in a long-hidden attic of the hotel where the Investigators are staying, a painting of a certain “Saint” is discovered.
Investigator Summary
Each Investigator has a personal motivation (and in some cases, an occupation) suggested by the scenario. The Keeper may choose to start the session without revealing the motivations to the other players, letting them come to light naturally during play. The full motivations and Investigator Background Handout information are written in the scenario text for the Keeper to review in advance.
The Detective and the Assistant
Investigator 1 — The Detective. Usually works assigned cases, but this time has come to Serpentfork at the Assistant’s request. Coincidentally, word has reached them that strange things are happening in the area.
Investigator 2 — The Assistant. Traveling with the Detective. This trip is personal — their only living relative, grandfather Walter Drake, is ill, and the Assistant has come to Serpentfork, where Walter lives. In their last call, Walter said he had something he needed to tell them. Serpentfork is also the Assistant’s hometown.
A Married Couple
Investigator 3 — The Wife. Sister of Cynthia Schwartz, owner of the only hotel in Serpentfork. Cynthia’s health has been declining recently, and the Wife has come to pay her a visit out of concern.
Investigator 4 — The Husband. Has accompanied the Wife to this hotel. It’s his first visit, but Cynthia’s husband, Lawrence Schwartz, is a well-known mystery novelist — and the Husband happens to be a fan.
This scenario was originally written in Korean, and the translation of the scenario was done with the help of a translator. The person who wrote this scenario is not someone who lives in the United States. You may notice cultural differences, but please adapt those parts to fit your table.
The Headless Saint is available through DriveThruRPG in PDF.
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Voices From The Pulpit 