Promethio

Hello everybody, I just joined the site. I picked up Call of Cthulhu about a month ago after watching Seth Skorkowsky's series on the game, and being a longtime Lovecraftian fan figured it would be fun. A couple of weeks ago, my wife's friends came over wanting to cut their teeth on some tabletop RPG's, and as I was the only one they knew who had GMing experience they expected me to provide a adventure... on the spot... for a game I never played before. While I had far more experience with Shadowrun, that game can be pretty overwhelming for new players, Paranoia: Red while fun I'm not the best on the spot comedian and it way to "open" for a traditional tabletop RPG new comer, I decided to start with Call of Cthulhu. While I thought it was sloppy (my GMing I mean) and the adventure didn't really go anywhere, my wife's friends seemed to really dig it. Well I'm planning a new adventure for them and I wanted to get some advice on it from more experienced Call of Cthulhu. As to why I don't do a pre-made adventure, there are a couple of reasons. One, since I am new the GMing, I need something and can play around with through the course of the game and more freely play around with the mechanics. Two, they are new rpg players. If it were my friends, I'd have no issue running a more professionally made campaign, but outside of the last session, they have no experience. I'd hate to "waste" a adventure I can do later when they get a better grip on how to play RPGs in general. Anyway, on to the Investigation... The story opens up in the 1920's with all the PCs getting a letter stating that a distant relative (that they never heard of), Henry Percivel Ioger, has died and his estate has fallen to them. Traveling to a small town in the southern part of Maine, where the PC's find their dear deceased benefactor died of mysterious circumstances (suicide by self cremation), the murder of his lawyer, and strange/aggressive behavior of the wildlife. Here, they are introduced to the main cast. Herbert McMahon - The town doctor and has taken over the duties of informing the PC's about Ioger and his estate. Actually, he is the main bad of the story, and a cult leader. Baxter Draper - A nineteen year old cult member. Known as a town bully, will harass the female PCs upon arrival in town. Sadistic, strong, and brutal, he wields a cedar baseball bat with horse-shoes drilled into the end of them. Daphne Poyle - A young woman, and cult member. Appears shy, but is absolutely devoted to McMahon's leadership. Not particularly dangerous but will attempt to play the damsel in distress to lure the pcs into trouble or manipulate them into doing what she (and the cult) want. Officer Earl Roy Mulligan - An older, out of shape Police officer. A good cop who knows there is something nefarious going on in his town. Serves to get the PCs to question the motives of McMahon and accompanies the PC's to Ioger's mansion. Shortly after arriving, he is lured away and murdered by Baxter (which can possibly be observed by the PC's). Jennifer Hazelwood - Another distant relative, like the PC's. Largely useless, serves either as cannon fodder or possible cult sacrifice. After the PC's meet the cast, the PC's, McMahon, Hazelwood, and Mulligan travel to the large mansion. McMahon plays a cordial host over drinks, talks about the house and hinting a a secret that is hiding within and suggests exploring the house. Questioning either McMahon or Mulligan about Ioger reveals that he "was a professor at some university in Massachusetts" and that he was from "a old Maine family with old money." When questioned about his death, McMahon will state that Ioger "was never the same when he came back from Massachusetts," "withdrew from social life," and "depression and paranoia lead to his suicide." Mulligan however will state that Ioger was "downright 'fraid of some of the folks is town," and he believed that Ioger was being pursued one the night of his death. He remarks "what could drive a man to burn hi'self to ash." At this point the pc's will split into two groups to explore the house. Eventually they will find two things that will kick of the investigation in earnest. One is a sealed door under the stairs and another is strange glowing rune in Ioger's master bedroom that can only be seen by the PC's and Hazelwood, not Mulligan or McMahon. Shortly after both of those a found and scream is heard from outside (Daphne's) and Mulligan will leave to investigate. Depending on where the PC's are in the house at the time, they may witness Baxter ambushing and murdering Mulligan (sanity check). The goal is for the PC's to find two other runes to open the door under the stairs. Should the PC's try to escape, they will first be pursued by Baxter and/or several other cultists. Even if they escape them in the woods, the PC will find themselves transported back into the house. When questioned, McMahon will initially feign ignorance. If pressed for real answers, McMahon will drop his cordial attitude, and state they have until sunrise to find a way to open up the door under the stairs or they will never leave. (sanity check) IT IS HERE that I need advice. The PC's will need a couple tests or puzzles to solve to find the last two runes hidden in the house. I was thinking something to do with the library or something. And I'm drawing a complete blank on what to do with the other one. Namely I need something for the PC's to do with the game. Not only that, but I feel I need a few events to happen so the PC's can be given some time to shine. Something else I was planning on doing was having the rooms seemingly shift around. I.E. PC A leaves the kitchen to enter into the dining room, but when A passes through the threshold, A will find himself in the study. Turning around, and exiting the room A may find himself in a hall, or the dining room, or the library, as determined by dice roll and sanity check. Ultimately, the PC's may find Ioger's hidden journal where he details his battle of wits with "the greatest of hunters" and tricking the "Great Hunter," subsequently capturing him. It also details that he has started to believe that while the "Great Hunter" would be unable to physically escape, his influence was spreading to the local town, and believed his life was in danger. Ioger also states that the only way for the seals to be broken was by those of his own blood. Ioger assumed that meant anyone descended from him, however it also passed to those even vaguely related to him (hence the pc's being able to see the runes). Already old, infirm, unable to run forever, and unwiling to set the "Great Hunter" free, Ioger cremated himself when set upon by the cultists to rob them of acquiring his blood (a component needed to release the seal.) The "Great Hunter," unknonwn to both Ioger and even the PCs should they survive, is a Dimensional Shambler. The house was the trap that drew it in, and the strange teleporting from room to room is its vain attempts to escape. The PC's have no choice but to find the runes to escape, but using the runes also will allow the Cultists access to the object of their worship. The finale is another point I need advice on. The cultists will need one of Ioger's blood to serve as sacrifice (IE lunch) for the "Great Hunter." This sacrifice will either be a PC that particularly got on the wrong side of McMahon OR the small, weak-willed Hazelwood. I want to give the PC's the chance to abandon the sacrifice here should they wish, take the cowards way out. But as to the ritual to unbind the "Great Hunter" how do you think I should run it? Well that is my plan for the first adventure. What do you guys think? Any advice on how I should run it or questions of lore? Thanks in advance and happy to be here. ^^