Jump to content

seneschal

Member
  • Posts

    2,523
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    34

Everything posted by seneschal

  1. The movie serial this scenario thread is based on is from the right era, with Bela Lugosi as the good guy for once! Chandu the Magician was, like The Shadow, a radio hero with mystical powers. He featured in two shows, one before and one after World War 2. The Cat aka Selena Kyle aka Catwoman would make her debut in 1940.
  2. I had visions of Julie Newmar while writing it. 😸 My original plan was to have the PCs battling both cultists and a certain supervillainess (DC or Marvel, take your pick).
  3. In preparation for an important holiday the Cult of Ubasti is stealing cat-themed artifacts from museums, private collections, and art galleries around the world. No item is too precious or too small to avoid being targeted. Jeweled cat statues or mummified feline remains from ancient Egypt? Sure. Original 35mm prints of "Cat People" or Felix the Cat cartoons? Why not? A giant fiberglas Hello Kitty effigy from downtown Tokyo? Absolutely! The World's Largest Ball of Yarn? Eh, maybe as an afterthought. Where is the cult storing all this stuff and what does the group plan to do with it? Enquiring minds had better find out, quickly.
  4. The Cult of Ubasti Source: "The Return of Chandu," Principal Pictures, 1934 Here are some bad guys to bedevil Astounding Adventurers, Cthulhu investigators, and Superworld crime-fighters. Based on Magic Isle, a fragment of the lost continent of Lemuria, the cat-worshipping Cult of Ubasti is a global conspiracy stretching its sorcerous tentacles from the South Pacific to posh European capitals to the United States. Its goal is to resurrect the ancient witch-queen Ossana, an event the cult believes will cause Lemuria to rise above the waves and restore the Ubastian hegemony to power. Members include turbaned priests, primitive tribesmen, sleek Continental noblemen, brawny cat-costumed fanatics, and crude American gangsters. The cult is quite egalitarian in its recruitment efforts, but as usual failure means summary execution at the hands of one's supervisor. Since membership is so heterogeneous, cultists identify each other with coins bearing the visage of Ubasti. Rank-and-file cultists are fond of knives of all sorts, as well as thrown weapons such as darts. They're not above using firearms but prefer quieter methods of dispatching foes as befits their stealthy goddess. Fanatics are brawlers who sometimes employ melee weapons. Priests are skilled hypnotists armed with a variety of narcotics and poisons and sneaky means of delivering them. High priests display abilities such as telepathy, mind control and the creation of teleportation circles. How much of this is stagecraft and how much is actual magic is hard to determine. The cult's headquarters is a tropical lost worlds set piece. It features labyrinthine prehistoric stone architecture, deathtraps, hungry big cats, chanting natives, cavernous torchlit rooms, secret passages, rock-hewn dungeons, the Tomb of Ossana, and a massive golden cat idol whose eyes are priceless emeralds. Ubasti's dark powers, if they exist, are strongest here -- an oppressive atmosphere even the most stubborn skeptic can't help but feel. Is the island seated atop a tectonic fault complete with uneasily dozing volcano? Maybe. Will the whole joint go boom if the High Head Honcho's rituals go awry? What do you think? So, how does the Ubasti Cult plan to revive Ossana this time? Because they've been at this practically forever. The latest attempt isn't their first rodeo. Hey, they may be crazy but at least they're persistent. Some possibilities: Ossana was placed in a mystical/super high-tech slumber to avoid or delay the ravages of a dread disease. Doctor Whatshisname of the University of Southern Someplace has just announced his discovery of a possible cure for said disease. Guess who the cult's newest recruit is? The priests of Ubasti believe they can transfer Ossana's soul into a living host but only if the woman is a descendant of certain ancient bloodlines -- such as the player-characters' latest companion, Miss Lovely McGuffin. Advanced cloning techniques developed at BigMed, Inc., attract the cult's attention. Why wait on a cure or chance reincarnation when the Lemurians could manufacture an army of vessels for the witch-queen?
  5. That celestial dragon isn't eating ships, he's charging interstellar transit fees. In space no one can hear you max out your credit cards. If you're strapped for cash he will still let you pass -- for unspecified favors to be determined later.
  6. Hmmm, guess I'll resist the urge to ask out any cute Korean girls I encounter. Besides, my wife would kill me long before the master villain ever got his shot at the job. 😱
  7. The phony leader only needs to fool a handful of subordinates who will carry out his orders no matter how crazy those instructions are. Presumably these subordinates had minimal or no contact with the original royal heir; they have no way of recognizing any changes in manner, habits or personality -- and in their quest for power they may not be looking for holes in the phony leader's story of how he escaped the enemy faction attack that killed his closest associates. You can be sure the shapeshifter will attempt avoid the real politician's former friends, co-workers, family members and personal servants -- if he doesn't quietly have them isolated or assassinated. It is one thing to give a convincing speech to the High Council, another to fool a mistress or longtime valet. In fact, odd deaths and disappearances or a cold shoulder from an old pal may be the PCs' first hint that something is up. No disguise is perfect.
  8. While I agree that you need Superworld's powers to emulate these kind of stories, they really are a different genre, or couple of genres. On the lighter side, the romantic comedies seem to be the Korean equivalent of old 1960s sitcoms such as "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Genie." Supernatural beings exist in the modern world but they simply want to fit in and settle down with that cute guy or gal that has caught their fancy. Their magic powers are balanced by the need to seem human and not ruin their love interest's career or family relationships. An occasional bad apple shows up to cause social embarrassment but these creatures aren't presented as monsters. Fast talking and a subtle magic spell can save the dinner party. On the other end, we've got "Hanson" and "Forbidden Love," which more nearly resemble shows like "Wolf's Blood" or "Vampire Diaries." Here the creatures really are Other, dangerous monsters, and woe upon any human who gets tangled up with them! Call Carl Kolchak or the brothers from "Supernatural." Social conventions won't protect you from an angry mother-in-law or ex-girlfriend. The question is, how do you run these very different genres as a role-playing scenario? In the sitcom campaign social finagling and a quick excuse are as powerful as magic. The supernatural beings really care about their humans and aren't likely to turn anyone into a toad, much less kill them, anytime soon. In the romantic horror campaign, all bets are off, humans are grievously outclassed, and the Beast asking you to join him for dinner is a loaded request. No Disney fairy tale plot protection here. If you find you really did marry a monster from outer space, perhaps you should grab your wallet and keys and drive off in a random direction -- fast!
  9. You just need an efficient, reliable asteroid delivery system to bring raw minerals to the precise processing site. Wait! What do you mean you didn't want them to enter the Earth's atmosphere? Was that even in the specs? Oops! 😳
  10. But Al has a defense ready!
  11. Modern lasers can already do that. The target just has to be reasonable enough to stand in place for 15 minutes while you drill him. 😉. Han shot first (after tricking Greedo into stepping into a couple buckets of fast-drying cement)!
  12. I dunno, Francis does run around outfoxing enemy soldiers and criminals. What's Sherlock Holmes' INT in the most recent version of Cthulhu By Gaslight? For all we know, he may have worked at a research facility but quit. The lab coats were just too uncomfortable. 😉. I don't know about the original novel, but in the films Francis just pops up out of nowhere to rescue a young Army lieutenant trapped by a Japanese bombardment in Burma.
  13. Per APP, well, Francis is a movie star with multiple films to his credit. Per INT, an 18 or 20 might have been sufficient but the talking mule seems sharper and better informed than any humans he encounters. It's part of his shtick.
  14. Francis Source: Francis The Talking Mule film series, Universal Studios, 1950-1956 A veteran of the United States Army, the Women's' Army Corps and the U.S. Navy, Francis the talking mule was a genuine hero of World War 2. Fighting in the Pacific theater, he thwarted multiple Imperial Japanese operations and exposed spies and would-be saboteurs. Army Intelligence managed to conceal the ornery mule's unique gifts for both national security and public relations reasons. After the war, Francis determined to settle down with a racehorse relative and enjoy an easy life at pasture. However, his natural curiosity, sense of duty, and penchant for meddling in human affairs soon had him battling crooked gamblers and gangsters. Long military service has made Francis cynical, crass and cranky. The realization that he is smarter than other animals and most humans has caused him to become a know-it-all -- except he really does seem to know what to do in almost any situation. While he can be stubborn and selfish at times, the heroic mule enjoys helping people in trouble out -- if only because it enables him to jeer at them and boss them around. STR 28 CON 15 SIZ 26 INT 23 POW 15 DEX 13 APP 16 MOV 12 HP 20 (41 CON+SIZ) DB +2d6 Armor: 2 AP hide Attacks: Bite 25%, 1d6; Kick 50%, 1d6+db; Trample 25%, 2d6+db Skills: Bargain 35%, Command 50%, Dodge 45%, Fast Talk 70%, Hide 25%, Knowledge (U.S.Army Practices and Procedures) 90%, Language (Equine) 115%, Language (English) 90%, Listen 60%, Persuade 80%, Spot 40%, Stealth 30%, Teach 45%
  15. Amzot pebbles + sling = Big Badda-Boom! Tech low is the reliable way to go.
  16. I say stick with the classics: Captain Nemo's Electric Rifle -- Fires an insulated glass capsule charged with electricity. The shock rather than the projectile kills the target. Designed for underwater shooting, the rifle's firing mechanism isn't described (although it might be pneumatic). Buck Rogers' Rocket Pistol -- Sort of like the Gyrojet pistol perfected or a miniature rocket launcher, the gun fires self- propelled rounds packing an explosive charge. No stun setting on this baby, although Rogers and main squeeze Wilma Deering managed to survive being hit on multiple occasions. That's what the heavy leather flight suit is for, you primitive Starfleet morons! Aunt Entity's Micro Crossbow -- Assembled from wood and metal scraps, the pistol-grip weapon fires a single deadly flechette. Good thing post apocalyptic goons sport giant shoulder pads but fail to protect their vulnerable throats and chests.
  17. The Invisible Man (1975) -- Once again a British scientist turned himself permanently invisible but this time retained his sanity, perhaps because of the loving support of his hot wife. He concealed his condition with a high-tech mask and lifelike gloves and stripped naked to oppose bad guys. Gemini Man (1976) -- A secret agent could turn Invisible (clothes and all) for 15 minutes with the aid of a special watch. Any longer and he'd disappear for good. I found Invisible Man charming, and the special effects were good for '70s television. Apparently they were too expensive for the show's lukewarm ratings. and the network replaced it with a similarly themed series with a lighter tone and cheaper effects. Gemini Man, however, bombed even harder than its predecessor.
  18. Nine tails,eh? Gives new meaning to "Honey, I need to brush my hair." Dating a fox is like dating a mermaid or elf maiden. Never works out for the human guy. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2255085/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0 I've seen the first couple episodes of "Strong Girl" (2017). What I watched was pretty funny, about a shy career girl who becomes a reluctant superhero after inheriting supernatural powers she doesn't want. She apologizes to the gangsters as she accidentally beats them to a pulp. 😀
  19. Captain Nice and Mr. Terrific (1967) -- Aired on different networks back-to-back on the same night, both quiet nerds who gained temporary Superman-ish powers by taking unrelated miracle drugs. Played for laughs in the era of Adam West Batman with nary a nod to Hourman. No fair! The drug-taking apparently became controversial even though The Shield, Captain America, Hourman, the original Blue Beetle, Elongated Man, Roger Ramjet and Underdog had all done it. Just saying.
  20. "Also, more modern day, Misfits was really good, I especially laughed hard at one character who had gained the ability to remove superpowers by having sex with the owners, he was referred to in one scenario as The Raper." Um, can you do that on television? 😱
  21. Thank you! Much appreciated. I believe even if you're not sure. 😉
  22. Of course Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Hulk made it big on television, as did The Six-Million-Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. But for every hit there have been myriad other live-action crimefighters that just didn't catch on. They may have had a cool concept but had poor execution or a lousy time slot. Some of them were summer replacements that were ultimately replaced by more forgettable programs. Here are a few of my favorites. What are some of yours? The Magician (1973) -- Before he portrayed the Hulk's troubled alter ego, Bill Bixby played an unflappable conjuror who used stagecraft and illusions to baffle criminals. He didn't have any real magic powers but he did drive a cool sports car. M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994) -- A paraplegic physician developed an exoskeleton to enable himself to walk again and discovered that it made him unusually strong and bulletproof. And he had an underwater base and triphibian vehicle. Bruce Wayne should be so lucky. Street Hawk (1985) -- A washed out motorcycle cop agreed to secretly test a a high tech hog, complete with an armored bodysuit that allowed only him to ride it. Stylish if relatively low-powered. Automan (1983) -- A computer genius programmed a handsome virtual hero who could create almost any weapon or vehicle out of pixels. How Eighties is that? The Man From Atlantis (1977) -- Pre-"Dallas" Patrick Duffy presented a sweetly naive water-breathing champion who left dolphins in his wake. Plus you got former Batman '66 villain Victor Buono as one of his enemies. Beauty and the Beast (2012) -- Typical CW garbage but with an interesting premise: The Beast was a survivor of a shady super soldier program, a sort of gene-spliced werewolf hunted by his sinister Deep State creators.
  23. So, to be a pirate you need a doctorate in economics, a bachelor's degree in marketing, the equivalent of graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. Who knew buccaneers were such educated folks? Explains the high fees they charge. 😱
×
×
  • Create New...