Action Check Transmissions

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T ab l e o f Co n t e n t s

Transmiss ions Advent ure Hooks forStar*Drive and Dark*Matter

[Andy Collins, JD Wiker and Jeff “Zippy” Quick]

Page 3 From Dragon Issue #265








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TRANSMISSIONS Copyright Wizards of the Coast, 2001. Allrights reserved. Reprinted by permission.

Gamemaster HintsThis transmission provides the heroes with the perfect excuse to go on a UFO hunt. Ofcourse, what’s really behind the sightings is up to the Gamemaster. (Deviousness is encour-

aged.) Some possibilities include the following:• U.N. black helicopters spreading chemicals or viruses through the air.• Secret military aircraft on routine training maneuvers.• Illicit air deliveries of contraband to local airfields.• Foreign aircraft operating out of a secret base, either under Lake Michigan or across the Canadian border.• Alien spacecraft abducting innocent civilians, delivering emissaries, or shuttling personal between bases.

Gamemaster HintsBakx can have whatever psionic skills you want to give him, at whatever skill ranks seemappropriate. He will be looking for discreet transportation across the Verge to a destination

of your choice. A group of heroes with their own ship or extra cargo space are a likely target.Potential stories or side adventures include:• Bakx might approach and attempt to buypassage wherever the heroes areheaded. Maybe he just wants a ride, andthe Concord tracks him to your heroes’ship. Maybe he wants to hijack their ship.• Bakx might be hunting someone for apast wrong. That someone might be thesame person the PCs need to talk to.• The Concord might be playing down thethreat Bakx presents to avoid panic. Bakxcould be homicidally insane, killing everyweren he sees, or worse yet, anyone hethinks looks like a weren!• Having someone who can play with per-ceptions can challenge even wary heroes.Perhaps Bakx is near while they read thisnewsfeed, altering their perceptions ofwhat they read. In that case, nearly any-thing could be true.

AUTHORITIES EXPLAIN AWAY SIGHTINGSAUTHORITIES EXPLAIN AWAY SIGHTINGSAUTHORITIES EXPLAIN AWAY SIGHTINGSAUTHORITIES EXPLAIN AWAY SIGHTINGSKenosha, WI [AP] — Local authorities continue to claim that the bright lights seen in the night sky by local residents over the pastfew months come from low-flying planes or helicopters and that residents need not suspect anything out of the ordinary.

“We’ve had some recentchanges in traditional flight pathsat local airports,” explained po-lice spokesperson Tabitha Wick-man. “This leads to unfamiliarlights, which at night could eas-ily seem unusual or unexplain-able.”

Military officials refused tocomment on the matter, statingthat they “can neither confirm ordeny the presence of experimen-

tal military aircraft” in theKenosha area.

One resident, 53-year-oldRoger Maxwell, insisted that theofficial explanation didn’t holdwater. “I was in ‘Nam, and Iknow what a helicopter soundslike,” claimed Maxwell. “I didn’thear no rotor sounds so unlessthey [have] some new Hueys thatdon’t [have] rotors, that wasn’tno helicopter.”

Long-time residents note thatthis isn’t the first rash of UFOsightings the area has experi-enced. In fact, the Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison area experi-enced several UFO-related“scares” in the mid and late1970s. Those were generallyexplained away as mistakensightings of weather balloons orsmall planes.

This Article first appeared in Dragon Magazine #265, by Andy Collins, JD Wiker and Jeff “Zippy” Quick.

GGGG R I D W I D E N E W S F E E DR I D W I D E N E W S F E E DR I D W I D E N E W S F E E DR I D W I D E N E W S F E E D>>ROGUE TELEPATH ESCAPES CONCORD PRISON<<>>ROGUE TELEPATH ESCAPES CONCORD PRISON<<>>ROGUE TELEPATH ESCAPES CONCORD PRISON<<>>ROGUE TELEPATH ESCAPES CONCORD PRISON<<

Concord authorities report a rogue mindwalker, Tanmay Tanmay Tanmay Tanmay Bakx, hasBakx, hasBakx, hasBakx, hasescaped from prison on Haleescaped from prison on Haleescaped from prison on Haleescaped from prison on Hale. Bakx is a blond human male, 5 feet, 9inches tall, who possesses strong psionic abilities. Common aliases:Common aliases:Common aliases:Common aliases: James Tanner and Mason Baksel James Tanner and Mason Baksel James Tanner and Mason Baksel James Tanner and Mason Baksel. Tanmay has demonstrated ad-vanced telepathic and biokenetic abilities. He is known to be dangeHe is known to be dangeHe is known to be dangeHe is known to be danger-r-r-r-

ousousousous and believed to be heading for Verge space. Concord AdminiConcord AdminiConcord AdminiConcord Adminis-s-s-s-trtrtrtraaaators advise cautiontors advise cautiontors advise cautiontors advise caution if traveling between Old Space and the Vergein the next two weeks. Dr. Bejide Jorgensun, a Concord specialiDr. Bejide Jorgensun, a Concord specialiDr. Bejide Jorgensun, a Concord specialiDr. Bejide Jorgensun, a Concord specialist inst inst inst inMindwalker psychology has this bit of advice:Mindwalker psychology has this bit of advice:Mindwalker psychology has this bit of advice:Mindwalker psychology has this bit of advice: “Citizens should reportto a Concord Administrator if they experience any unusual blackouts,lost time, or suspicious people in their neighborhoods.” Jorgensuncontinued, “Tanmay was raised and educated in Hatire Communityspace. In a crowd he can be identified by his disdain of technologyand avoidance of guns or more complex electronics.

MILWAUKEE TRIBUNE ! MONDAY NOVEMBER 1 1999

Local resident Susan Moellercaptured this shot of the incident.

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Tulsa Examiner$1.50

SundayEdition

POTEAU, OK. [AP] — The Center for Disease Control declared a state of quarantine on the town of Sorrels late lastnight, citing an outbreak of the Houston virus. The quarantine soon turned into a Waco-style standoff when some ofSorrel’s 750 citizens fired on Army helicopters assisting the CDC.

Though CDC and Army officialshave so far refused to comment,residents of Sorrels have used cellu-lar telephones to contact the mediaand tell their side of the story.

“We woke up to tanks right on ourdoorsteps,” said Wayne Kilkenny,who operates the local filling station.

“They said they needed to test us, but they wouldn’t say for what. It’sgot a lot of folks scared.”

The standoff has already claimed

the lives of two young people. Thevictims, identified as John Stur-devan, 17, and Amy Lambert, 18,were apparently attempting to bypassthe roadblocks when they were firedupon by Army helicopters.

“They just blew up his truck,” saidanother caller, who refused to be

identified. “I might have turned my-self in before, but now they’re goingto have to take me out of here in a body bag.”

With the town of Sorrels blackedout by Army engineers, and theroads blocked by tanks and barri-cades, representatives of the Centerfor Disease Control and the U.S.Army have been meeting with the president since early this morning. Aspokesman for the White House has

said that the president is reviewingthe situation, and a statement is expected this afternoon.

Gamemaster HintsThis story begins with an apparent outbreak of the so-called “Houston virus” in a small townin Oklahoma, and the subsequent response by the Center for Disease Control. The truth is

that the CDC believes that the town has been compromised by sandmen and has asked the army for help.Unfortunately, the townspeople are refusing to give themselves up for “testing.” This might be because a significantportion of the population have already been converted to sandmen. Alternatively, it might just be that the isolatedcommunity reacted to the quarantine with armed paranoia. The heroes can try to work with the CDC or try to slippast the troops and find our what is really going on in Sorrels.

Gamemaster HintsBesides their prohibitive expense, genocoats really do live up to their press.

Equipped with hoods, oversized genocoats can fit over armor and keep heroes warm and dry in mostcircumstances. The fashion press doesn’t mention that the coats have a waste cylinder that must be

replaced weekly, or that the coatsrequire occasional grooming to stayhealthy. Regardless, heroes whodress stylishly will be socially bereftwithout a genocoat for the season.Other complications include:

• The genocoat could give offpheromones or scents that attractpredators on some worlds.• Heroes who mistreat the coatscould be hounded by ecological pro-testers.• Allergies might make a genocoat anuisance or useful—in certain cir-cumstances.

WWWWinter fashions have arrived, and theinter fashions have arrived, and theinter fashions have arrived, and theinter fashions have arrived, and thewatchword this year is mammalian!watchword this year is mammalian!watchword this year is mammalian!watchword this year is mammalian!

Three top designers, including the vibrant Thuldan designer,Chevron, have unveiled living furred garments callen Geno-coats for the 2502 season to keep you toasty—and stylish—inthe coldest of winter chills.

“These dazzling white and midnight black longcoats protectyou from the cold by generating their own body heat,” saysChevron. “It’s like having a snuggly pet to help keep you warm.”A liquid protien fed through an implanted tube keeps each

coat alive, shiny, and healthy for years. According to Chevron,the coats stay warm in –50o C temperatures, and they hibernatewhen outside temperatures reach +20o C. Function and beautycan be friends!





Gamemaster HintsThe heroes have received an invitation to a Mutual UFO Network conference in Lexington,Kentucky. The heroes witness one of the speakers, Alva Mayhill, a former analyst for the

Hoffmann Institute who resigned after an alleged alien abduction, being forced into a black sedan by two mendressed in black suits and wearing dark sunglasses.

Was Alva Mayhill abducted by the Men in Black? Or was her kidnapping merely a hoax orchestrated to generatepublicity among the conspiracy-happy convention attendees? As rumors spread about Hoffmann Institute involve-ment, the pressure increases for the heroes to discover who is really responsible for Alva’s disappearance.

GamemasterHints

The state of the local grid in Aegis is atro-cious. With a little effort, nearly anyonecan slip invasive viruses into the system.In this case, a t’sa hacker has createdPushover as revenge on a mechalus busi-ness partner who cheated him in the saleof their company.

An infected cybernetic hero will not im-

mediately know of his or her condition.Infection becomes apparent when he orshe discovers reconfigured bioart or seesphantom images on cybereyes.

The bioart distortions and sendory gho-sys are consistent over time, showing pic-tures or sounds of the mechalus whocheated his t’sa partner. What will the he-roes do when they see him for real?


VVVV I R U S A L E R T !I R U S A L E R T !I R U S A L E R T !I R U S A L E R T !

A new gridvirus, “Pushover” has been found in the local Aegisgrid system. The Pushover virus is memory resident; it infectsand destroys cybernetics files in the user’s nanocomputer.

Gridpilots in or near the Aegis system are strongly advised todiagnose their wetware immediately. Pushover is extremelydangerous to cybernetics and Aleerins. Grid users with cyber-netic organs in or near Aegis are advised to seek a safe jack-inpoint and proceed immediately to Inseer and VoidCorp gridsites

for anti-virus updates. The Pushover virus begins by destroying data related to cy-

bernetic operation. Early warning signs of infection include mus-cle spasms, sensory organ feedback, and reconfigured bioart.Pushover spreads progressively over several days, finally con-stricting cybernetic musclature into a useless state. Pushover isfatal to victims with cardio-pulmonary cybernetic organs.

You are cordially invited to attend

MUFONiaMUFON for the NEW MELLENNIUM

Presented by the Mutual Unidentified Flying Object Network

Lexington Convention Center and ArenaFREE PARKING WITH REGISTRATION

Speakers & Guests Include:

Rev. Leon Oglethorpe Prof. Ian McKinley Maj. Samuel Wylie, USAF

“Messages from the Divine” “The Hill Incident” “Aerial Phenomena”

Janet Randall Alva Mayhill Amanur Prompattaya “Psychic Encounters” “The Abductee Effect” “UFOs Abroad”

Many other guest speakers will be on hand for a variety of panel discussions and seminars.

Advance registration required for workshops due to limited space.

Call MUFON at (970) 555-UFOS to pre-register.All major credit cards accepted.

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Gamemaster HintsThis journal page couldserve a variety of pur-poses. Perhaps the ghoststill haunts this house,and the heroes must in-vestigate. Is the ghost aharbinger of danger, anangry spirit, or merely arestless spectre denied apeaceful afterlife?

The journal page mightbe a hoax perpetrated tocreate a news story for atabloid show. Alterna-tively, the heroes mightneed to contact the writerof the journal (or his next-of-kin) as part of a sepa-rate investigation intohauntings. The purposeselected by the Game-master determines the“how and why” that the journal page falls into theheroes’ hands.

Gamemaster HintsThe heroes’ ship might be in the area to hear Mount Illumination’s distress

call, or they could be hired to deliver emergency supplies to the settlement. Mount Illumination re-searches alien archaeological sites on Yellow Sky. While storms aren’t unheard of, they usually

aren’t this strong. Why was thisone so severe?

• Archaeologists accidentally acti-vated a dormant weather machinebelonging to the previous inhabi-

tants.• Pirates seeded the atmospherewith a storm cocktail designed tocover up their activities.• Perhaps the locals are right andan angry god really is unhappywith the desecration of its sacredsites.

Winds measured at 145 kph drove through the Mount Illuminationcolony on Yellow Sky in the Tychus system two weeks ago. Dozens ofdeaths are reported, with more expected as workers clear devas-tated areas. Damage estimates are in the millions of Concord dol-lars.

Yellow Sky’s corrosive atmosphere damaged several outlyingbuildings across the settlement, including several hydroponic farms.Although other Yellow Sky settlements have given assistance, Or-lamu officials have appealed to the Galactic Concord and all nearbyvessels for supplies, including food, water, clothing, and e-suits.

Mount Illumination has had a difficult existence in its 250-year his-tory, continuing to be intensely self-reliant even after the Long Si-lence. Surviving colonists are reported to be dismayed but in goodhealth.


Saturday January 16, 1937

Heappeared again last night just after midnight. I was fixing myself

a late-night snack when I caught a flash of movement out of the cor-ner of my eye. Turning, I saw him, muddy clothes, rifleand all, as if

hehad just stepped out of thetrenches and into my kitchen.

I almost did not drop my sandwich this time. Even when it is not

thefirst time, onesimply does not becomeaccustomed to seeing one of

the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers standing in one’s kitchen. At least I had

thepresenceof mind to offer him a wedgeof Stilton, though I cannot

say I expected him to accept. After all henever speaks or shows any

signs heunderstands my words.

Despitethat, I almost feel I am beginning to know this young man,

if that is truly thecorrect work to usewhen describing what for all the

world seems to benothing morethan a spectre. He is definitely young;

I cannot imaginehim any older than eighteen at most, despitethe

tired look in his eyes. His gear marks him as a soldier in the Great

War, and I haveidentified his battalion from markings on his jacket.

His identity remains a mystery to me. However, there weresimply too

many young men likehim who died in Beaumont Hamel and other

hell-holes.

Still, I haveto wonder how many moreSunday nights shall be

marked with his appearance, as well as how long my sanity can last

under such circumstances.

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Gamemaster HintsThis photo was picked up by theHoffmann Institute off a wire ser-vice as part of a report of “animalattacks” in the Mt. Rainier NationalForest in Washington State. Ac-cording to the piece, three separatecampsites have been attacked inthe past month. No injuries are re-ported. In each case, the campershad a good scare but didn’t actuallysee the animals responsible.

A wild sasquatch is responsiblefor the attacks, but his motives areanything but murderous. Thatsasquatch’s mate is pregnant andclose to delivery, and he seeks toprevent anyone from venturing tooclose to their cave lair. Investiga-tors might run into other interestedparties (such as a team hired bythe Center for Xenological Studies)and ultimately encounter thesasquatch themselves. A hero withMedical Science or Knowledge –first aid might aid in the delivery!

GamemasterHints

A planet with large, mobile, carnivorous plantsis an adventure unto itself. Use the “Primate”statistics in the Alternity Gamemaster Guide (substitute “bite” for all other attacks), or lookinside the Alternity Alien Compendium II ac-cessory for commensurate creatures. Potentialstory elements include:• Feeding the evidence to a carnivorous plantwould be the perfect way to cover-up a mur-der.

• Most people believe Shamondendra to beroughly as intelligent as dogs. Some could besmarter.• Political dissidents might use the symbolismof the celebration to launch another coup.• Brave or foolhardy heroes might enjoy a rec-reational fling in a Shamondendra running,protein tosses for distance, or other physicallychallenging “fun” activities, without any extradanger or subplots.


GGGGet Away to the Shamondendra Days Festival for Onlyet Away to the Shamondendra Days Festival for Onlyet Away to the Shamondendra Days Festival for Onlyet Away to the Shamondendra Days Festival for Only$1,099!$1,099!$1,099!$1,099!

Tired of the day-to-day grind? It’s time for a vacation! Cometo beautiful Simon’s Leap in the Annahoy system for thesesquicentennial Shamondendra Days Festival.

Named for the mobile, carnivorous Shamondendronplant indigenous to Simon’s Leap, the yearly festival cele-brates the Simonians’ independence, attained in 2353,when the native rebellion struck against the occupying re-

gime in concert with the plant’s 30-year bloom cycle. Thedecisive timing of the strike resulted in most of the govern-ment forces being devoured. Soon after, the planet re-turned to native rule.

The two-week long celebration is open to everyone. Fes-tivities include parades, daily Shamondendra runnings,balcony feedings, and a full-scale recreation of the victory150 years ago.

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Gamemaster Hints A memo meant forsomeone else in the

Hoffmann Institute findsits way to the heroes byaccident. The implica-tions are that the Insti-tute suspects an agent-perhaps one of the he-roes-of stealing classi-fied documents. The in-stitute is prepared totake drastic action, in-cluding eliminating the“mole’s” entire team.

Of course, this allmight just be a loyaltytest on the part of theHoffmann Institute, andthere really is no spy.The heroes can get tothe truth only if they con-front the memo’s authorand gain her trust. Butdoing so might compro-mise her investigationand let a spy go free.

Gamemaster HintsExternals are hard to secondguess, but it doesn’t take a xenso-ciology degree to know they don’twant well-armed targets. A smallExternal strikeforce has been dis-patched to disrupt Austrin-Ontistrade routes to the Verge. This isa good opportunity to have heroesinteract with a small group of Ex-ternals. They could be traveling to

the same destination as an Aus-trin freighter when the Externalsattack.Of course, attacking Austrinships — even cargo ships — is adangerous proposition. But aclever Gamemaster can dropclues from the strikeforce leadingto the larger External threat.

T TT The following is a paid advertisement by Austrin Partners Ltd.he following is a paid advertisement by Austrin Partners Ltd.he following is a paid advertisement by Austrin Partners Ltd.he following is a paid advertisement by Austrin Partners Ltd.Austrin-Ontis Unlimited is providing for Vergers’ self-defense needs.

“We are very pleased by the Verge’s interest in self-defense,” saidAustrin spokesperson, Gelaina deLoughton. “Money spent onpreparation is money well spent.”

“People with guns are safer people. While the Concord is doing itsbest to help, sometimes a starfall is too far away. That’s when youneed personal munitions.

“In an area of space where uncertainty is commonplace and Ex-ternal attacks are on the rise, experts recommend keeping a de-pendable light source, a two-week supply of uncontaminated food,and a loaded gun ready in the case of emergency.

“We at Austrin-Ontis are proud to be a major supplier of ordnancefor so many prepared Vergers,” said deLoughton, “and want to re-mind everyone that an armed family is an unharmed family.”


“Improving the Human Condition”

The Hoffman Institute

New York • Chicago • Flagstaff • Washington D.C. • Barcelona • Cairo • Edo • Jakarta

READ&DESTROY

C:Amnow convinced information has been leaked to Fed.

Docoment inventory missing cl assi fied documents. Fedinvestigation too close to material for coincidence.

Recommend action before enti re teamis compromised. Re-route, fol low, or delete? Loss of enti re teaml ikely.

Please advise.O

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Gamemaster HintsIf someone wanted to poison a desertplanet’s water system, that personwould poison the atmosphere. Reasonsfor large-scale poisoning include extor-tion from hostile business interests, bio-logical warfare released by Externals, or just a natural part of the planet’s lifecy-cle.

Heroes can get involved as part of thecleanup efforts or perhaps as watersmugglers. On a desert planet, water isscarce when there isn’t a quarantine.Certain individuals might be willing topay well for uncontaminated water dur-ing the government-imposed draught.


WWWWARNING /// WARNING /// WARNINGARNING /// WARNING /// WARNINGARNING /// WARNING /// WARNINGARNING /// WARNING /// WARNING

A water quarantine is in effect in theMantebron system, according to an offi-cial release from the High Gulch gov-ernmental systems. Colonial GovernorGiles Sandovar reports in the releasethat bacteria counts in High Gulch at-

mosphere condensers have risen 600% in the last two weeks.Sandovar reassured off-planet family and friends that resi-

dents appear healthy and unharmed, but he declared aplanet-wide state of emergency. No water is to be introducedto or exported from the ecosystem until further studies arecompleted. Off-planet visitors are required to recycle theirown water and wastes until preliminary studies conclude inten days.

Gamemaster HintsThe police have discov-ered what might be a cultof demon worshipers.(See “Final Church” inChapter 6: The Illuminatiin the Dark*Matter cam-paign setting for more in-formation.) They’ve con-tacted the Hoffmann Insti-tute instead of the FBI,since one of the finger-prints found at the sceneis that of an FBI agent.

In fact, the agent wasone of several planted inthe FBI to assist in cover-ing up cult activities. Hewas participating in a se-cret ritual when the de-mon they summoned gotaway from them, forcingthem all to flee.

Can the heroes trackdown the FBI agent? Willhe talk? And where is thedemon now?

Seattle Police DepartmentPrecinct 33

Seattle, WA 98102

Crime Scene Report

Case Number:67-6-6131

Offense:homicide

Victim:Martin Kelso DOB:7/13/80

Victim:Evelyn Gephardt DOB:9/04/81

Location:University R&R, 316 Calderon Road, Billiard room

Time:approximately 0100-0300 hours

Means: apparently ritual torture/mutilation

Weapons: apparently curved knife or sickle (not found)

Details:Reporting officer arrived at University R&R, 316 Calderon Road at 0310 hours, in re-

sponse to a report of a possible homicide. Witnesses reported seeing several unclothed and bloody men and women exit University R&R and drive away in a gray van.

R/O entered business (temporarily closed by Excise) and discovered bodies of college stu-dents. Bodies had been attached to billiard tables with leather straps and ritually tortured anddesecrated. Internal organs had been removed and placed in jars. R/O found occult symbolsdrawn in blood on floor, along with candles and unidentified powder. Cleaning supplies werefound nearby, along with thirteen suits of street clothing. No identification was found, exceptfor those belonging to victims.

N E W S

REPORT

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Gamemaster Hints

The Journal entry was written by 22-year-old Andrew “Sandy” Irvine who, along with notedclimber George Mallory, was part of a Britishascent of Mt. Everest in 1924-29 years beforethe historic climb of Sir Edmund Hillary andTenzing Norgay. When they disappeared onJune 8 only a few hundred meters below thesummit, they were assumed to have died in theascent. Mallory’s preserved body was found inMay of 1999, lending credence to this opinion.However, Irvine’s body, along with the camerathey took with them that day, has never beenfound.

Did Irvine also perish on Everest, or did heencounter something unusual near the summit? A Grey station-ship is hidden in the area, and

both the yeti and the Kha-glor monks have beenknown to wander throughout the Himalayas.Perhaps he was rescued from death by one ofthese beings. And who knows what picturesmight still be preserved within the Kodak Vest-pocket Model B camera he carried?For more on this mystery, check out the follow-ing websites:www.mountainzone.comwww.everestnews.com/jochen5.htmwww.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/lost/mystery/


Mallory is already gone, and I do not believe I shall

survive this night. I should never have let him talk me

into the ascent. When Somervell and Norton bothfailed, we should have realized that “Sagarmatha”

didn’t want her summit reached. I had thought the

Sherpas merely superstitious after the deaths of

Shamsherpun and Manbahadur earlier in the climb,

but I should have heeded their warnings.

I have begun hallucinating. I see figures in the

darkness, standing just beyond my vision. I call out to

them, thinking that Odell and the others have come

to rescue me, but they never answer. I would fear in-

sanity, though I believe it academic, since I won’t livelong enough to be examined by any doctor. Perhaps

the photos I have taken with Odell’s camera will one

day be recovered by those who have come after us.

The last of my oxygen will soon be gone. After

that, I imagine death will feel much like a welcome

slumber, though in this case it will be the Grim

Reaper, and not Morpheus, who comes to greet me.

Monster or mugger?

By Paulette Findlay

Along with the Pacific Northwest and Scotland’s Loch Ness, Cas-tle Creek might have its own “mystery monster.” Not only does itappear to be real, but it’s also a little short on cash.

Police discovered local resident Justin Fernbach in a stream be-

hind Whitley’s Tavern, the apparent victim of a robbery. But the bruised and bloody Fernbach claims that he had been attacked bya “monster” — one that mauled him before running away with hiswallet.

“It looked like a man, but bigger,” Fernbach told reporters. “itgrabbed me when I was getting into my truck and threw me all theway to the creek” — a distance of almost 50 feet, say police, whowhile not corroborating Fernbach’s statement, aren’t denying iteither.

Gamemaster HintsThis adventure hook introducesthe heroes to a new kind of life-form: the throwback. A throwbackis a human of a variety not seenfor centuries, but somehow borntoday (perhaps as a mutation, ordue to a long, hidden line of paral-lel human development). Thethrowback is an alien to the cul-ture of modern man, respondingonly to its own needs for food andshelter.

The throwback that attackedJustin Fernbach did so because it

felt threatened. After throwing himinto the ditch behind the tavern, itpummeled him until other humansappeared, then fled into a nearbywoods. There, it lurks safely hid-den—though a nearby land devel-opment is scheduled to destroythe woods. When the bulldozersarrive, the throwback will attackthe drivers to defend its home.The heroes must stop it, or thedevelopment project, before thathappens.

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