The "Tales of Terror" were created by Steve Hatherley back in the early 1990s, giving Keepers short ideas from which they could build instant scenarios. Each TOTs (as Steve abbreviated it) starts with a general situation followed by three different possibilites for that situation. The Tales of Terror culminated in the publication of TALES OF TERROR: SCENARIO IDEAS FOR CALL OF CTHULHU (Pagan Publishing, 1996). This scenario appeared in that volume. It was from Steve's TOT idea that I came up with my TOT generator known as "The Stones of Doom".
BLOWN GLASS
By G. W. Thomas
A small package marked FRAGILE arrives at the home of one of the investigators. Picking up the parcel will immediately reveal that the contents have been smashed. Opening the box the investigators will find a short letter and five broken shards of green glass.
The letter is addressed to any investigator in antiquarian studies (archeologist, anthropologist, historian, etc.) in care of the receiver. The package has been sent by a Bartholomew J. Perkins of Hokkaido, Japan. Perkins is a colleague, an American traveling in the Orient. As the note reveals, the box contained a glass float, used by fisherman to anchor their nets. Perkins hopes that the gift has arrived intact.
1. If the globe is not reconstructed: the ball is actually a product of the Deep Ones in an ancient war with the creatures of fire (Fire Vampires, Cthugha). The globe was commandeered by Japanese fisherman and used innocently for years. The bulb contained a special powder which when released (opening the box) will retard open flame (heating, cooking, lighting will fail). This strange occurrence will seem harmless enough but will attract fire vampires. Only the immersion of the box in water and thorough cleaning of the premises will prevent this from happening repeatedly until the structure has burned down.
2. If the globe is reconstructed: the ball will begin to glow. All those in the room at the time of glowing will be caught in a stunning blast of energy. The globe is a mystical teleportation device. The investigators will find themselves in another room, one with paper walls and wooden floors. (They are on the island of Hokkaido). Bartholomew J. Perkins will be waiting for them along with several black robed acolytes. What does Perkins and his partners have planned for the investigators?
3. If magic is cast over the fragments: the globe will magically reconstruct itself, expand, then open like a shell. From the shell will emerge a strange Asian woman. She is tall, green-eyed and dressed in silks. Immediately after emerging she will disappear. The woman is a cat demon named Hosatsu. She knows most occult and minor Mythos spells and will torment all male investigators in their sleep until they die. She can be only be destroyed with an enchanted jade dagger. Battle with Hosatsu takes place in the dream state but all damage and atttacks are as in the real world.
Copyright G. W. Thomas 1996
