It's a Mad, Mad World - A Monster of the Week Mystery
I've run several Monster of the Week scenarios over the years, pre-written and my own. I figured I'd provided my notes for some of my scenarios. This one was inspired by an episode of Supernatural called "Asylum". It was fun to play around with character's fears and led to some hilarious roleplaying.
"It's a Mad, Mad World"Overview
The group investigates an abandoned aslyum and discover that when the hospital was open. In the past the patients revolted against the cruel and unusual punishments inflicted by the head doctor. While the group search the aslyum they encounter two wicked spirits who force the groups to face their worst fears and feel rage like they have never felt before.
N.B.Before the session try to gather at least three fears each character has. During the game a custom move, a Touch of Fear will be used to act upon these fears.
Cold Open
I always enjoy doing a little scene upfront that shows the villian in action. I find it increases the antipaction of the players.
A couple of teenagers are daring each other to spend the night in an abandoned asylum. As they travel throughout the museum they are confronted by a glowing ghost who places its hands on one of the teenager's head. Cut to hours later police are on the scene and the teenager, who was touched by the ghost is in handcuffs, is being placed into the back of a police car with their hands bloody, knuckles raw, and their face wet with tears. Nearby a body on a gurney is being placed into the back of an ambulance.
Hooks
Here are some options for why the hunters are getting involved since they weren't involved in the cold open.
- The hunters hear about a violent murder occurring at an abandonded asylum.
- One of the hunters is tipped off by one of the police about the strange stammerings of the teenager who claims to have seen a ghost then his world turned all red.
- One of the hunters is called by relatives to look into what went on with their child.
| Countdown | |
|---|---|
| Day | The police show up to the scene of a murder at the asylum. |
| Shadows | Later, one of the cops investigating the murder scene is reported to have seen visions and commits suicide. |
| Sunset | More teenagers sneak into the asylum and start acting out. |
| Dusk | Police receive numerous calls about spontaneous acts of violence or people behaving strangely from people living near the asylum. |
| Nightfall | The neighborhood near the asylum has fallen into madness. Riots in the streets, people running and screaming in fear for their lives from invisible foes. |
| Midnight | The town has descended into chaos and shortly nothing will be left standing |
Custom Moves
- A Touch of Fear: When a character misses a +Weird roll the Keeper may use one of the character's fears against them. Perhaps the Monsterous character is afraid of spiders. The Monsterous character has Unnatural Appeal fails a manipulate someone roll, they might have been so busy trying to manipulate someone they failed to move out of the way as a dozen spiders falling down onto them from the ceiling. Sit back and watch as they panic. Other characters can help the affected character recover through a successful help out roll. Failure of the help out roll results in the hunter needing to make a successful act under pressure roll or they too will be driven insane by fear.
- Hand of Rage: When a character misses a +Sharp roll, the ghost of Dr. S. Milgramattacks the character and drives them insane with anger. The character will now attack anyone within sight, starting with the closest. To recover from the Hand of Rage custom move the character must pass an act under pressure roll. Other characters can help the affected character recover through a successful manipulate someone roll. Failure of the manipulate someone roll results in become the target of the enraged hunter.
Threats
Simon Crane
Ghost: Torturer (motivation: to hurt and terrify)
Simon was an inmate at the asylum. Simon delighted in discovering other people's fears and preying on them. A burlap scarecrow with the initials S.C. stitched in can be found in the asylum.
Powers:
- A Touch of Fear: Drive a character mad with fear.
- Telekinesis: 0 to 2-harm ignore-armor magic. Simon can throw objects or push victims.
- Punch: 0 to 1-harm ignore-armor close magic. Simon pummels those who get to close.
Weakness: Rock salt or burning their bones
Dr. S. Milgram
Ghost: Executioner (motivation: to punish the guilty)
Dr. Milgram was the head doctor at the asylum. Dr. Milgram conducted dangerous and highly-controversial experiments on his patients. He believed anger was the key to overcoming insanity and strove to drive his patients angrier and angrier so they could overwhelm their psyche and achieve sanity.
Powers:
- Hand of Rage: Drive a character insane with anger.
- Electric Shock: 0 to 3-harm electric close. Dr. Milgram can send bolts of electricity through characters close to him.
Weakness: Rock salt or burning their bones
Locations
Cedar Grove Sanitarium
Location: Lab (motivation: to create weirdness)
The sanitarium is rundown from decades of disuse and a damage from a patient riot. Hunters and bystanders should feel disoriented and off-balance while in the asylum.
Bystanders
Max Burton
Bystander: Skeptic (motivation: to deny supernatural explanations)
Max is a brash teenager who does not believe any of the rumors about the dangers of the asylum. Max tries to show his bravery by convincing his girlfriend to spend the night in the asylum with him.
Fears: Being naked in front of everyone at school, being seen as weak
Vanessa Hart
Bystander: Innocent (motivation: to do the right thing)
Vanessa is high-strung do-gooder who is going along with Max despite her own trepidations.
Fears: claustrophobia, being all alone
Charles Young
Bystander: Gossip (to pass on rumors)
A sharp-tongued bully, Charles has dared Max to spend the night in the asylum to show he isn't scared.
Fears: clowns, being caught flat-footed.
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