TEXT: LTHOUGH m y  different investigator types 
  may play this scenario, scientific skills such as 
  , Astronomy, ElElectroaics, and Computer Use are 
  especially useful ?he adventure is located in the heart of 
  Nebraska and although it can easily be moved to another 
  location of the keeper's choosing, it should be noted that 
  in order for the technology involved to operate comctly 
  some degree of isolation is necessary. 
  Keeper's Information 
  Stan h o l d ,  an old friend of one of the investigators, is 
  presently W i g  held in jail in a small town in Nebraska, 
  accused of murdering his girlfriend, Carrie Osboume. Ar- 
  nold is employed as a computer technician at the Great 
  Plains Cruciform Amy (GPCA), a radio telescope facility 
  located in an isolated area 45 miles no& of the city of 
  North Platte, and near the small town of Hayden. h o l d  
  has admitted to the hanicide. 
  The GPCA has for the past few months been monitor- 
  ing strange signals emanating from the constellation 
  Bocites. The radio transmissions have been converted to 
  sound by Dr. Gerald Neal, head of the station, the result 
  b e i i  a diirdant music that is both odd and alien, but 
  still somehow hauntingly beautiful. For a short time the 
  astronomers thought they might have discovered intelli- 
  gent signals, but study of the emanations proved other- 
  wise. The signals are now believed to be generated by a 
  mysterious dark star, one the astronomers believe might 
  be the fabled Nemesis star. 
  The object is presently invisible to all eanhly optical 
  telescopes. Very dim, its magaitude is in the high 20s. Its 
  distance is calculated at about 14 trillion miles at a right 
  ascension of 14 holus, 38 minutes, and a declination of 
  +27 d e w ,  06 minutes. This puts it within the nanuwest 
  p~rtoftheconstellationBoMs,theHerdsman. 
  UnguessedbyanyonqthesigeaLsareofcosnicimpart, 
  andtheclaawoftbemurdcraanmittedbySta~~Amold 
  w.IA.rir 
  ThsNemesisthsorywasbomiathelate198(bandpos~1- 
  latss that a small, very distant star shares our solar sys- 
  tem At its farthstreaeb, the companim star's cubit takes 
  it 14 trillion milcs fmm the sun. NaKsis completes one 
  ohit evay 26-30 million years egd the disnlptions that 
  result fmn its mar passing are believed respoasiMe f a  
  the periodic mass extinctions seen in the geologic recod 
  -including the demise of the dhomxs. The star's p 
  sapmtMlghtheOaRcomcloudcrcPtescbra9ta~ 
  comet storms which plague our solar systsm Cmvcs 
  suikingtheEanhthrowupdemedoudsddcbds,shuttiag 
  out the sun's light, in turn killing many life hrms. Ths well- 
  known nuclear winter theory is a by-pnducl ofthe N e d  
  hypahesis 
  Ghmth, the Harbinger 
  The Nemesis star is in fact the Outer God Ghroth, a 
  planet-sized entity of gas, ash, and molten ira It appears 
  as a vast rust-red sphere, its surfam split by faub. Occa- 
  sionally it opens great eyes formed horn the vast seas 
  hidden below its crust. Ghoth is the herald of the Outer 
  Gods, glidimg through the universe, singing songs heard 
  only by the pitiless stars and those called the Old Ones. 
  excerpt from a Mythos tome 
  Though the whrene may feign the m W v w x ,  d fldde 
  neds,bsoulhns&aysknormbmashus.Thesiwpd 
  bmsaersisbutthe~qdedaYIYe,fuasthe 
  delian- 
  and fwgdr*ress of winter is rendsred vah by 
  sunmer. so the ddanca and forgetfulness d man, and 
  d thcseothars who have assumed stewardship, shal be 
  csst aside by the reawakensd mastem. Whsn these hi- 
  bernal times an, wer, and the time for reawakening 1s 
  near, the universe itsaH shall send fmth the Harbiw 
  and Maker, Ghmch. Who shall wge ttm stam and worlds 
  to rightness. Who shall raise the sleephg maslers han 
  thdr turmws and drmwW tombs; who shaU raise the 
  tombs themselves Who shall be altentlva to those 
  worlds where washippers pr88wne themaehr%s stew- 
  &. ~
  h
  o
   
  shail bmp those worlds under sway, until dl 
  admowledge their pesumption, end bow down.' 
  Ghmth Papers Ul 
  
  The songs urge the sters to righmess, and awakem thc 
  dead Old Ones, free'@ them. Ghroth is called the Harbii 
  ger and the Maker of the Doom of Worlds. 
  Due to the entity's distance from Earth, the songs nor- 
  mally have no effect, but dismvcred by the GKA, ampli- 
  F d  and recorded, they have begun to affect ow planet. 
  The earth has be.gun to sympathetically resonate to the 
  songs sung by Gbroth. The longer the OPCA records these 
  extratarestrial signals, the stronger the sympathetic vi- 
  brations became, eventually bringing about doom, d s  
  shuction, and madness in fmal preparation for the return 
  of the Old Ones. 
  Ghroth is very rarely mentioned in Mythos works. 
  Most Mythos tomes have a chance of d y  xl the book's 
  Cthulhu Myth- 
  knowledge of containing infmtion 
  about this entity. The Necronomicon definitely makes 
  mention of the entity as does ntc Revekuim of GIoaki 
  and the. extremely rare The Outer Ones (see Ghroth Pa- 
  pers #I.) The entity is referred to as a star or planet which 
  brings doom to the worlds it visits. The death star's pas- 
  sage through space is said to disturb the Seeds of 
  About Radio Astronomy 
  This sdenca began in the 1- 
  end deals with the study 
  of radio emissions hom objects in space. Radio waves 
  are a farm of de*mmagnetic radiation, pan of the normal 
  speanim. The radii emiskm studied by ashOromers 
  are naturd ones, caused bv the physical procasses at 
  work in w s ,  planar. oas dards,~pism, &?.am 
  and 
  distant palaxes These studies have olfered dues about 
  thelifeanddeathofaarsanddwsm~e~n,andend. 
  of me universe. 
  Radio waves are nol affmed by s u t i i  so radio 
  astronomers can cdlecl data 24 hwrs a day. However. 
  Sonre, airwall, and even ar ignitbns can interfere with 
  delicate readings. For this ream radio W8scopes are 
  usudiy located in areas with as few intrusive radio 
  scurces as possible. Computer filtering removes other 
  unwanted sign-. 
  Radio asmmorny is c a m  of reach- 
  ing fafther inm spaat than traditional optical aslrmomy. 
  The Mh-treqtmq emiss'ions are coeded by rado 
  telescopes--actually dishshaped antennae-whii then 
  feed the dala back to a recaiver. Although the radio 
  Mwrcas do not uealesound waves in andof themselves. 
  astrmomers can translate them into an audible sim. 
  Cosmtc radio waves detectable by r a o  telescopes 
  1 
  measure anywhere from a few milhmetert to 20 meters on 
  length. In order to accuately study such a range of wave 
  Sizes, most observing facilities feature muniple tele 
  I I 
  scopes placed far enough apm m male what is called a 
  rad~o tnlerferometer Dlshes are ohen rcble, allomng 
  their positionsto be changed as needed. When in use. the 
  I telescopes are aimed at a certain parl d the shy and set 
  a specific range of wavdengths. ~ignaJs are 
  rece~ved at Vw, dierent telescopes at SliQhtlY Merent 
  I 
  times allowing the a s t r m m  to pinpoint ihe iocatim of 
  the radii souca. 
  Azathoth, alteriiig their wanderings, and do&g 
  inno- 
  cent worlds. 
  Tho Music of tho Sphoms 
  Ghroth's signals have already begun to affect the staff of 
  the G- 
  although Stan h o l d ' s  unprrdiaea outbust of 
  violence has as yet been the worst d t .  But all who 
  work at the facility are subject to fits of irritability, de- 
  pression, lethargy, illness, and other emotional instab'ili- 
  ties. None there are the least bit aware of i t  After all, the 
  staff has been working extra hard trying to solve the mys- 
  tery of the dark object they discovered, and worried that 
  someone else will discover it before they can publish a 
  paper abut it. Competition in the world of astronomy 
  and a6tmphysics is intense. 
  As the o m  
  continues to receive Ghroth's radio emis- 
  sions the effects grow stronger, eventually reaching to 
  nearby Hayden and affeding the citizens of the town as 
  well. It will be the job of the investigators to discover the 
  source of the dishubances and fmd some way to shut the 
  G P W  down. If they fail to do this, it might be done for 
  them by a band of Mi-Go who appear on the scene, drawn 
  here in response to the Gbroth-induced disturbances. 
  They have reasons of their own for wishimg the distur- 
  bances stopped. 
  Investigators' Information 
  'Ibe adventure begii when one of the investigato~s is 
  contaded by the parents of an old friend, Stan Amold. 
  Amdd, always a gentle man, has been charged with the 
  murder of his live-in girlfriend, Carrie Osburnc. h o l d  
  apparently strangled Osbume in the course of an argu- 
  ment. He immediately turned himself into the McPhe~~gl 
  County Sheriff in Hayden and now sits alone in jail, 
  awaiting trial. 
  Arnold's parents, Bradford and ?gmmy h o l d  of 
  Chicago, have hired a lawyer to represent Stan. They are 
  now seeking out Stan's friends and acquaintances to stand 
  as character wimesses for their son. At least one of the 
  investigators knows Stan, and is known to his parents as 
  well. Stan might be a f m e r  college chum or roanmate, 
  drinking buddy, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, or close 
  family friend. 
  The investigator members Stan Amold as a thin, 
  very intelligent young man with ambition. A brilliant stu- 
  dent, he excelled in both computer technology and elec- 
  trical engineering. Amold graduated with honors from the 
  University of Illinois and later altended graduate school 
  at MET. 
  After earning his Master's he took a job as a computer 
  technician at the Great Plains Cruciform Amy radio ob- 
  servatory and has been employed there ever since. He had 
  known Carrie Osboume, a graduate student of geology, 
  for almost three years. Amold is ranembaed as an easy- 
  going, very even-tempered individual who seldom raised 
  his voioe. 
  
  Music 01 Th. sphoms 
  I01 
  Event-Storms 
  I 
  The weather plays an ominous role throughout the ad- 
  venture. The investig,ators first arrive in Nebraska in the 
  mast ol a heavy thunderstorm with high winds and 
  lightning. 
  Similar stwm occur throwhwt the scenario; there 
  is a40% chance every day of i 
  booming thunderstorm 
  that lasts 206 hwrs. The resuitant heavy rains reduce 
  Drive skills by 10 to 30 percentiles and limit visibility. 
  The rains may also cause flash-flooding along the Dis- 
  mal River north of Hayden, the South Loup River to the 
  east, and the North Platte River far to the south. 
  Running the 
  Adventure 
  T 
  HE scenario begins with the investigators being 
  asked to travel to Nebraska to see if they can't 
  somehow help their friend. Nearing the tiny town 
  of Hayden they are overtaken by a violent thunderstorm, 
  only the first of the Ghroth-induced events they meet with 
  (see Event--Smm nearby). They should fmt want to 
  visit Arnold, then from there search the couple's apart- 
  ment and visit the Great Plains Cruciform h a y  where 
  Arnold was emoloved. 
  . . 
  Viiting the GPCA the investigators meet some of the 
  senior members of the staff, and possibly notice some odd 
  behavior on their part. They are given a tour of the large 
  facility and intmduced to the workiiigs of the radio tele- 
  scopes. It is unlikely that anyone will reveal the current 
  secret pmject that involves most of their time. Gaining 
  this particular bit of knowledge may require several visits 
  to the GPCA facility, making friends with some of the 
  staff, and perhaps successful Astronomy and/or Persuade 
  rolls. 
  During their stay in Nebraska the investigatas expe- 
  rience a number of odd incidents, described in the Ewnts 
  boxes found throughout the scenario. These are be staged 
  whenever the keeper deems it best. 
  Seasoned investigators researching prophecies and 
  p d e n t s  in Mythos tomes may discover references to 
  Ghroth (see Ghroth Papas #I) or to the dire portents of 
  the r e b i i  of the Great Old Ones (Ghroth Papers #2). 
  The. investigators, perhaps suspecting the chaos is the 
  result of the alien object's radio emissions, may try to 
  convince Dr. Neal and his staff to diict their attentions 
  elsewhere. But because the discovery of what might be 
  the Nemesis star is such an important scientific find, the 
  astronomers are very reluctant to stop. 
  Events Around the World 
  The keeper should punctuate the stmge goings-on in 
  Nebraska with news of similar Ghroth-induced occur- 
  rences around the world. Investigators might learn of 
  these events through network television reports or news- 
  papmarticles. Three such events are reproduced as player 
  aids found at the end of this scenario (see Ghroth Papas 
  3.4, and 5). These include reports of earthquakes in Ne- 
  braska and northern Africa, and a severe storm in the 
  South Pacific. Characters making ahulhu Mythos mUs 
  realize that the African tregedy is located suspiciously 
  close to the supposed site of G'hame, the fabled city of 
  the chthonians. 
  The South Pacific disturbance seems to occur near the 
  site. of R'lyeh, the cmpsx!ity of Great Cthuh h i l t 7  
  Each of these realizations costs l/lD3 Sanity points. The 
  keeper is free to create other catastrophic events mclud- 
  ing forest fues, earthquakes, tidal waves, flash floods, the 
  rismg of islands, avalanches, freak storms, plane crashes. 
  murder-sprees, suicides, termrist bombings, economic 
  declines, and war. 
  The Fungi from Yuggoth 
  To complicate matters further, the Fungi arrive on the 
  scene, drawn to the area by the Ghroth-induced diitur- 
  banoes. They have their own reasons for wanting to see 
  the GPCA shut down and the disturbances stopped. Their 
  acticms, d=ribed 
  near the end of the scenario, may help 
  or hinder the investigators' activities. How and when they 
  act is up to the keeper. 
  The Climax 
  Finally, total chaos erupts in central Nebraska as the earth 
  takes up the resounding rhythms of Ghroth's music. The 
  citizens of Hayden are overcome and in their madness 
  turn on one another, destroying most of the town. Caught 
  in the middle of the holocaust, the investigators must es- 
  cape Hayden, avoid the insidious Mi-Go, and find some 
  way to shut down the radio telescopes, putting an end to 
  the growing insanity. If both the investigators and the 
  MiGo fail in the end to stop the OPCA'S signal reception, 
  nature itself destroys the facility with a cataclysmic light- 
  ning storm. 
  excerpt from a Mythos tome 
  'The the wwld be easy to know, for then mankind 
  would have become as me Great OM Ones, free and 
  wild and beyond good and evll, with laws and morals 
  mmm, aside and all men shouting and killing and rev- 
  eling in joy. Then the liberated Old Ones m i d  teach 
  t b m  new ways to shout and kill and revel and enjoy 
  themselves, and all the earth would flame with a holo- 
  caust of ecstasy and freedom.' 
  I 
  I 
  Ghroth P a p n  M 
  
  102 
  The Stars Am Right 
  Welcome to 
  Hayden, 
  Nebraska 
  H 
  AYDEN, the seat o f  McPherson County, is Ic- 
  cated along State Route 97 about 45 miles north 
  of North Platte, Nebraska. North Platte itself is 
  located along Interstate 80 at the junction of the North 
  Platte and South Plaae Rivers, a city of 25,000 people. 
  This city may be the investigators' only source of such 
  exotic items as special ammunition, computer equipment, 
  national newspapers, or library facilities. 
  Hayden is a tiny community of about 850 inhabitants. 
  Businesses include the Quick Stop convenience store, the 
  Hayden Haven diner, Murphy's Comer Feeds, the 'Mart 
  (a small mom-and-pop grocery store), and two small 
  bars--Tony's and The Hidey-Hole. The largest non-resi- 
  dential building in town is the brick County Courthouse 
  which also houses the Sheriff's office and the jail. 
  The residents o f  Hayden are openly friendly and unas- 
  suming. They don't question strangers much and are al- 
  ways usually willing to talk, be i t  about the weather or the 
  recent murder of Carrie Osboume-the 
  most exciting 
  thing that's happened here since a fatal car accident last 
  winter. 
  Wildlife 
  Later events involve the effects o f  Ghroth's alien radio 
  signals on Hayden's animal life. The keeper should make 
  passing reference to the abundant glasshoppers that jump 
  and fly from the investigators' every step, as well as the 
  crows and blackbirds seen roosting on telephone lines 
  and in trees. These creatures appear in more sinister form 
  later on (see Ewnts sections). 
  The Music of the Spheres 
  T 
  HE radio transmissions re- 
  ceived by the GFCA alled the 
  planet at large through a sort of 
  resonanm, the earth's electromagnetic 
  fields changing as they begin to sympa- 
  thetically resonate to the alien signal 
  focussed and amplfied by the astrono- 
  mers. These changes cause physical 
  disturbances in the planet causing mas- 
  sive earthquakes and drastic climatic 
  shihs. All animal Me, including humans, 
  is affected as well. 
  Ghroth's signals affecl the human 
  deep subconscious, those working or 
  living closest to the GPCA faulility are 
  affected first. As the scenario pro- 
  gresses, the area of sympathetic reso- 
  nance grom, eventually reaching the 
  town of Hayden. 
  The effects take place during the 
  late akernoon and evening hours;dw- 
  ina the time Bwtes is above the horizon 
  a& the telescopes are trained on the 
  object. To determine exactly who is af- 
  fected, make a Sanity rdl for each char- 
  acter in range d Ghroth's signals. If the 
  roll fails, roll a MO and mnsult the table 
  below for the Mecl, or simply choose an 
  BplxDpTiate one. 
  The effed last for a total of 3D6 
  hours but can be fweshwtened with a 
  successlul Psychoanalysis roH. Rolls 
  are made for investigators and non- 
  player characters alike. Effeds alllicting 
  non-player characters are noted in their 
  descriptions. 
  DZO Effect d TransmissI'm 
  1-4 Anger/Rage 
  5 7  Anxiety/Nervousness 
  8-10 Depression 
  11-13 Elation 
  14-15 Lethargy 
  16-18 Lust 
  19-20 Pain 
  igerlRag.: Roll DIW, subtrad the 
  AI 
  sulferer's F ~ w  
  from the resun, lhen ac!d 
  10 percentiles for each prevwus episode 
  of AngerIRage stilefed by this character. 
  01-65 results in irritable; 66-85 is en- 
  raged; 86-95 is murderous; and 96-00 
  means th charads has gMle berserk. 
  lrrltable characters are short-tem- 
  oered. snan at those around them. ar- 
  gue at the blihtest opportuntq, and say 
  me first thing that ccnms to mind--re- 
  gardless of the consequences. 
  Enraged characters are more argu- 
  mentative and prone to videnm, any- 
  thing from broken penals and slammed 
  doors, to thrown furniture and fisifights. 
  Murderous characters turn violent 
  when provoked, otherwise they are 
  merely enraged, as above. Someone 
  caught tampering with GPCA equip 
  rnent would certainly quaMy as a target 
  for a murderous GPCA staff-member. 
  Berserk characters exhibit all the 
  above symptoms betore exploding into 
  a reckless, murderous, destructive 
  spree of total madness. 
  AnxietyNenou.ness: 
  Perhaps 
  tinged with paranoia. Everylhing bad 
  that can happen is happening. The 
  world is doomed and there's nothing to 
  be done abwt it. The subject is jinery, 
  jumps at shadows, and always fears the 
  worst. 
  Depression: Those afflicted are 
  gloomy, unable to see the positive. The 
  sulferer may be sullen and uncommuni- 
  cative, and subsequent episodes may 
  lead to suicide. A character suffering 
  this aflliaion loses 011 Sanity points. 
  Elation: The character is without a 
  care in the world. He sees problems. 
  accidents, and tragedies as nothing 
  more than mimr imveniences. Cloy- 
  ing optimism and annoying cheerful- 
  ness are the hallmarks of this allliion. 
  Lethargy: The afflicted character is 
  slothful and deprived of energy. He may 
  be late for work, haphazard in his du- 
  ties, easily distracted and sleepy. 
  Lust: The character is sexually stimu- 
  lated. Morals are forgotten as the char- 
  acter flirts shamelessly with almost any- 
  one of the opposite sex. Serious cases 
  lead to assault and rape. 
  Pain: The character suffers from any 
  number of the following symptoms: 
  painful headaches, aching back or 
  joints, burning eyes, severe heartburn, 
  or other ills resembling flu or hangaver 
  symptoms. Reduca DEX and hit points 
  by 1 point for the duration of affliction. 
  
  The McPherson County 
  Sherifrs Department 
  Located in the County Courthwse, the Sheriff's office is 
  always manned by a dispatcher with the sheriff and his 
  two deputies frequently checking in and out during the 
  course of their shifts. If necessary, the Sheriff's office can 
  get assistance from any of the surrounding counties, includ- 
  ing large numbers of men and vehicles from Nolth Platte. 
  At any given time the Sheriff or one of the deputies 
  wiU be on duty. In the event of an emergency the other 
  officers can be called at their homes in Hayden, usually 
  arriving on the scene in 2D10+2 minutes. The department 
  owns a 4x4 Chevy Blazer, usually driven by Sheriff Kauf- 
  man, while the deputies work out of their own pickup 
  trucks. All vehicles are equipped with radios and 12- 
  gauge shotguns. 
  Sheriff Randy 
  Kaufman 
  Kaufman is an athletic 
  man, stoutly built, with 
  short reddish hair and a 
  sunny disposition. Kauf- 
  man is mamed, and lives 
  on a farm iust outside Hav- 
  /I 
  den with his wife and two 
  young daughters. He is 
  eauallv devoted to the law 
  . . 
  and his family. 
  The sheriff has had little 
  experience with major 
  Sheriff Randy Kautman crimes. Hayden sees a few 
  Nebraska 
  This pan of North America is wide open, flat, and barren. 
  thearkJllandusedforrabsin~hopsaridbeelcatlle.md 
  for hay farmhg. Many d the old-time fmYy fm 
  have 
  been bought UP and replad by law, cwmde tarms. 
  their metal silos seen dong the horizon. Towns are few 
  -atxi~le~ 
  aresm&mmm&im~r;lmberinennwe 
  than a mole hundred residents. The only businesses 
  T h e s c s n a r i o i s s e t ~ t b s u m m e r ~ ~  
  the M
  i
  i
   
  weather is generally hot. humid, end 
  unpleasant. Temperawes rm@a fmm the 60s at nighl to 
  the 8Osdurhg the day. Sweltering90degreaday~arenol 
  u m m o n .  Nmsl)y mere is a 25% chmm of rain per 
  day, usuatiy amounting to less than an inch. 
  It should be noted Ma a bit d mmhg was done 
  vdth McPherson Canty, the actual town d Tryon re- 
  placed by the fictional Hayden. 
  fights, drunken drivers, or lost or stolen cattle, but crimes 
  such as mbbery are uncommon and murder practically 
  unheard of. While sympathetic to Stan h o l d ,  Kaufman 
  knows the man murdered Carrie &bourne and hence 
  must pay the price. If the investigators come to Kaufman 
  for aid, are honest with him, and can clearly explain what 
  is going on, he may be of help. 
  Deputy Bob Homer 
  Homer is tall, thickset, and 
  grim-looking. He wears a 
  cowboy hat at all times and 
  is seldom seen without a 
  Deputy Bob Horner 
  big chaw of tobacco stuffed 
  in his cheek. Horner is 
  gruff, blunt, and although 
  not overly-bright, has a 
  streak of cunning. Di- 
  vorced, he spends much of 
  his time drinking at the 
  Hidey-Hole. 
  Horner doesn't like 
  back talk, or strangers who 
  question how he does his 
  job. If he catches the investigators up to something, he 
  hauls them in for questioning. If anyone resists arrest 
  Homer uses his nightstick or firearms as the situation 
  demands. 
  Deputy Donny 
  Carpenter 
  Domy Carpenter is cheer- 
  ful, youthful, and honest. 
  Recently discharged from 
  the army he has returned to 
  his home town to take the 
  job of deputy sheriff. He is 
  the most worldly member 
  of the department and his 
  stint with the military po- 
  lice gave him valuable ex- 
  perience useful to his work 
  in Hayden. 
  Danny is the 
  Deputy Donny Carpenter 
  likely authority to believe 
  fantastic claims made by the investigators. Still, he stops 
  short of doing anything illegal, or which might endanger 
  others. Domy is a ptktially useful ally. 
  The Sheriff's Office 
  Upon entering, the investigators find the sheriff and Hor- 
  ner engaged in a heated argument over the official depart- 
  ment parking space in front of the courthouse. Kaufman 
  claims it is for the use of the sheriff, Horner says it's for 
  whoever is on duty at the time. The arrival of the investi- 
  
  104 
  Tho S u n  A n  Right 
  Event-Plague of Locusts 
  As stated earlier, the keeper should have previously men- 
  tioned the countless grasshow inhabiting the Ne- 
  braskaroadsides, parking IMs, and fields. More l h a n m  
  during the adventure a character should have had to 
  brush a few 04 the leaping, whining pests df his &thing. 
  At some point this profusion of bugs taes a nasty 
  turn. At first a grasshopper or Mo lands on a character, 
  followed by afew more, then finally swarms, a1 within the 
  space of a couple rounds. The attack does lirtle physical 
  harm but costs the victim 011 Sanih, mints Der round 
  whde witnesses lose 011 San~ly pomis but a &le t~me 
  Thevlctlm 1s plagued by the horde unt~l he dr~ves them dl 
  by rolling m theground, submerging him& in water, or 
  Simply smashing them one by one. 
  gatm puts a stop to the dispute as the two men turn to see 
  what the strangers want. 
  Kaufman is friendly and very talkative; despite his 
  belief in Stan Arnold's obvious guilt he is sympathetic to 
  the young man's plight. He ha. known Arnold for several 
  years now and always liked him. If the investigators can 
  make a successful Law or Persuade roll, or if they have a 
  lener from Arnold's attorney, Kaufman allows them KI 
  see the official police report regarding the murder and 
  mest. 
  The report states that Arnold came into the ofice at 10 
  PM one Thursday evening claiming to have accidentally 
  killed his girlfriend, Carrie Osbourne. The two had hadan 
  argument-Osboume had dented the fender of Arnold's 
  beloved '74 Mustang-and 
  Stan lost control and killed 
  her. Arnold was distraught, and seemed genuinely re- 
  morseful. 
  Investigating officers found the body of Carrie Os- 
  bourne in the apartment and all evidence seemed to verify 
  Arnold's story. Neighbors reported hearing sounds of an 
  argument at the time in question, and no one was s e m  
  entering or leaving the apartment save Stan Arnold just 
  before and after the argument. 
  Visiting Stan Arnold 
  Arnold is presently being held in the jail in the basement 
  of the courthouse. To gain a visit the investigators must 
  either convince Sheriff Kaufman with a successful Law 
  or Persuade roll, or wait until Saturday and normal visit- 
  ing hours. 
  
  Music Of Tha Sphems 
  105 
  Vitors am searched then shown downsbim where 
  they am allowed to sit in chairs outside the prisoner's 
  baned cell. A deputy always stays within earshot. 
  Arnold is morose; a successful Psychology mll 
  reveals he is racked with grief and despair. He tear- 
  fuUy tells the friend-investigator all about th_e silly 
  mw that triggered the tragedy. If asked, he claims he 
  was totally sober at the time, and was taking no 
  drugs-at least none that he knew of. 
  If asked about GKA he tells them a little about 
  what has been going on lately, about the tension and 
  secretiveness surrounding a recently made discov- 
  ery. W~thout going into detail Stan tells them about a 
  mysterious stellar object that was found, the discov- 
  ery of which has led to tensions at the site, different 
  members of the staff studying different aspects of the 
  object, all conducted under a cloak of secrecy in- 
  tended to keep the discovery under wraps until an 
  announcement can be made. Competition among as- 
  tronomers is high and the members of the G K A  staff 
  are no exception. Besides trying to keep the secret 
  from being leaked to the outside world, Stan says 
  there is competition between senior members of the 
  staff for the scientific credit it will eventually bring. 
  Stan exhibits caution himself, declining to go into 
  any specific details of the discovery. 
  Stan Arnold overcome with grief 
  his f
  d
   
  or water that made him crazy, and that led to 
  . . 
  Stan, in his grief, has come toihink that someone at 
  Carrie's death. Competition at the site is so high, he 
  the GPCA tried to poison him, put a drug or something in 
  claims, that he wouldn't put it past someone to try to kill 
  off other membets of the staff in order to keep the discov- 
  Event-Mad Dog 
  This i n d n t  can accw almon anywhere w anytime: in 
  town, at the GPCA, or even on the road. 
  Whatever the sating, with a successtJ Spa( Hidan 
  or Listen the investiqators see or hear a large pan-Ger- 
  man shepherd mutt trotting toward them. head down. 
  eyes glaring, tail between its legs. With a low growl me 
  slavering dog jumps at a random character and attempts 
  to knockhidown Agamt apronetarget its blteanacks 
  are made at plus 20 percenltles I! it sutfers hail its h ~ t  
  points in damage it flees. 
  Those witnessing the unprovoked anack of the mad 
  dog lose 011 Sanity points. Those attacked by the dog 
  might fear lhey have been infected wid1 rabies, losing an 
  additional 011 Sanity points for the realization. If ihe dog 
  was killed or captured testing shows that it is urinfeCtBd. 
  Otherwise the bitten character will have lo decide 
  whether or not to travel to North Plane and begin under- 
  gang the long and pamfd series ol abdorninafinjectlons 
  necessary to thWart the d~sease. 
  ery to themselves. 
  If asked about different members of thestaff Stan says 
  that Dr. Carl Guest, grad student Jenny Hooper, and com- 
  puter technician Jack Bernard are the friendliest, though 
  Bernard is rather obnoxious at times. He describes both 
  Chief Astronomer Dr. Gerald Neal and Harlan Bennett, 
  Stan's supervisor, as stuffier and more businesslike. Dr. 
  Diane Mancini he refers to as a verbal barracuda. But he 
  says that any one of them could be the culprit. 
  A Psychology roll shows that Stan is quite upset, hut 
  believes what he says. 
  Mad Dog 
  STR9 
  CON13 
  SIZE 
  INT4 
  POW7 
  DEX 12 
  HP11 
  Move10 
  Weaoons: Bite 40%. 1 D6 
  Skills: Jump 60% Listen 75% Spot Hidden 65%, 
  Tra& 70%. 
  C 
  The Apartment 
  S 
  TAN and Carrie's apartment--the scene of the 
  murder--is located on Boone St. two blocks west 
  of Main. The place has been sealed and Sheriff 
  Kaufman's permission is required for legal entry (Law or 
  Persuade roll). Kaufman says they found nothing out of 
  the ordinary, no weapons or drugs. Investigators breaking 
  into the apartment risk discovery and arrest (a Luck mll 
  indicates they have avoided the neighbors'notice). 
  In any case, the couple's apartment holds no clues. It 
  is left exactly as it was the night of the murder, with a 
  
  106 
  The Stars An, Right 
  couple of pillows fallen from a couch being the only 
  items out of place. A taped outline on the floor shows 
  where police discovered Came Oshwrne's body. There 
  are a number of books dealing with astronomy, comput- 
  ers, electrical engineering, and midwestem geology-- 
  nothing out of the ordinary. A framed photograph shows 
  Stan and Carrie standing next to each other beneath one 
  of the GPCA'S radio telescopes. 
  The Neighbors 
  The couple's neighbors seemed to have liked Stan and 
  Carrie, and say they seemed in love. They never argued, 
  were quiet, and kept to themselves. One of them heard the 
  shouting thai preceded the murder that night but thought 
  little of it until the sheriff showed up on the scene. 
  Great Plains 
  Cruciform 
  HE GPCA radio telescope facility is located four 
  miles due west of Hayden, reached by a gravel 
  road. Nearing the facility visitors see a set of rails 
  stretching across the flat plain. Large, moveable radio 
  dishes are mounted on these rails while other, still-larger 
  dishes are permanently stationed nearby. The entire array 
  is nearly five miles long from east to west, two miles 
  nosh to south. At the junction of the cruciform is a small 
  cluster of buildings including a four-story tower topped 
  by a gigantic dish 165 feet in diameter. 
  Daily Operations 
  Most of the GPCA'S operations are run by computers in- 
  cluding positioning the dishes, collecting data, and 
  switching dishes between different projects. At most only 
  a technician or two is needed to monitor the entire array. 
  When a problem arises which the computer can't solve an 
  alarm sounds in the control room. Such problems usually 
  include dishes getting stuck on the rails, diicomected 
  dishes, and aiming difficulties. Manual corrections must 
  then be made. 
  During any given week the GPCA'S telescopes work 
  round the clock on as many as a dozen different projects, 
  many of them s~mrelated. The GPCA has yet to receive 
  an intelligent radio transmission. The remainder of the 
  GPCA'S time is spent in more typical research. 
  Data collected by the telescopes is stored in the com- 
  puter for later study, Drs. Neal, Guest, and Mancini going 
  over it at their convenience. In the many cases where the 
  GPCA is doing studies for other universities or observato- 
  ries the data is sent to the sponsoring group via modem, 
  fax, or mail. 
  The GPCA also allows visiting scientists from other 
  organizations to oversee or set up their own projects. At 
  any given time there is a 20% chance of such a visitor, 
  they will have skills similar to Dr. Guest or Dr. Mancini. 
  Visitors are usually housed in the staff quarters on the 
  site. 
  The GPCA staff consists of a handful of permanent 
  scientists and technicians, along with another 15-20 com- 
  puter technicians, electrical engineers, grad students, 
  clerical and maintenance workers. 
  The senior staff members all maintain homes away 
  from the facility, some in Hayden, others as far away as 
  North Platte. Some of the computer technicians and grad 
  students reside in the staff quarters. 
  Administration Building 
  Besides administration, this one-story cinder-block build- 
  ing houses offices 
  for the permanent staff and a small 
  conference room. A handful of cars occupy the snow- 
  fenced parking lot. 
  Inside the front door is the receptionist's desk, 
  manned by fortyish Miss Nora Kelly. Although she pre- 
  fers appointments, a Persuade roll convinces her to con- 
  tact Dr. Gerald Neal or Dr. Carl Guest. Other personnel 
  
  Music Of The 8pk.n~ 
  107 
  currently in their ofices include Dr. Diane Mancini and 
  chief computer engineer Harlan Bennett (see Senior Per- 
  sonnel nearby). Each oftice contains a desk, computer 
  terminal, telephone, file d i e t ,  and n u m a s  books on 
  astronomy, physics, computer technology, and electron- 
  ics. Nothing out of the ordinary is found anywhere in the 
  building. 
  Staff Quarters 
  This long, single-story building looks very much like a 
  small motel. Each suite consists of a living room, 
  kitchenldining area, bathroom, and bedroom. Personal 
  computers connected to the GPCA's mainframe are com- 
  mon furnishings. The quarters are small and unfriendly, 
  lacking in warmth. Senior staff members generally opt to 
  live off-site leaving this facility for junior staff members 
  or visitors. Cummt residents include Jenny Hooper, Jack 
  Bernard, and a half-dozen or so technicians. 
  The Tower 
  This four-story structure is topped by a 165-foot radio 
  telescope dish known to the staff as "the Salad Bowl." 
  GROUND FLOOR: Tbo spacious lounges are stocked 
  with current magazines, newspapers, and videos. Each 
  has its own TV, VCR, and vending machines. Prints by 
  Dali and Escher decorate the walls. Rest rooms are 
  nearby as well as a closet stocked with supplies. Asmall 
  computer lab is outfitted with four terminals and two 
  printers, all tied into the GPCA's centralmainframe. The 
  library contains hundreds of scientific works spanning the 
  
  i 
  08 
  The Stan Am Right 
  Y\ 
  Control TowerIN 
  range from hard theory, to mainstream books by Stephen 
  Jay Gould, Stephen Hawldngs, and Carl Sagan. There is 
  also a considerable amount of fiction, represented by 
  such authors as Arthur C. Clarke, William Gibson, Isaac 
  Asimov, and J.G. Ballard, as well as books by Stephen 
  King, Tony Hillerman, and Tom Clancy. 
  An elevator and a winding metal staircase in the 
  atrium give access to the upper floors, as does the exterior 
  fue escape that curves around the tower. 
  THE SECOND FLOOR: This floor is given over to of- 
  fices and conference rooms. The larger of the two confer- 
  ence rooms is furnished with a huge table, numemus 
  chairs, a blackboard, podium, slide projector, and a TV 
  with a VCR hook-up; capacity is thiiy people. The 
  smaller conference room has only a small table with a 
  dozen chairs, and no audio-visual equipment. The visi- 
  tom' office is used by non-staff astronomers visiting the 
  facility. It contains thee battered desks furnished with 
  computer terminals, a shared printer, and several locked 
  file cabinets. The files contain hundreds of documents 
  pertaining to long-term projects funded by the National 
  Science Foundation, NASA, and several SET1 groups. In- 
  vestigators could spend weeks poring over these files but 
  there is nothing here pertinent to the adventure. 
  The staff ofice holds three desks used by Drs. Guest 
  and Mancini, and other members of the permanent staff. 
  Each desk has a computer and printer hook-up. Mancini's 
  desktop is cluttered with papers, overflowing ashtrays, 
  and doodle-covered notes. Guest's desk is neatly ordered, 
  with a strange wood cawing of a mandog hybrid identi- 
  fied with an Anthropology roll as a Pawnee Indian ren- 
  
  dering of the supernahlral trickster-hero, Coyote. Star 
  maps, radio maps, and computer printouts cover every 
  square inch of wall space. Dr. Neal's private office is 
  similar to the staff office, outfitted with a desk, terminal, 
  and printer. Stacks of printouts and reports pertaining to 
  various GPCA projects cluner his desk. Prominent among 
  these are countless orbit projections, radio maps, and 
  theories concerning the possible Nemesis star discovered 
  by the GPCA. 
  THE THIRD FLOOR: The lounge is nothing more than a 
  bare room with a table, four chairs, a coffee maker, and a 
  rumpled couch. The storage m m  contains office sup 
  plies, electronic components, and other minor needs. The 
  file room contains printouts, reports, computer illustra- 
  tions, administrative documents, requests for research 
  time, and other matters concerning all facets of the 
  GPCA's operation including the latest data on the Neme- 
  sis star (located only with successful Library Use). 
  The main computer lab contains all the equipment 
  used torecord, decipher, and analyze data collected by the 
  telescope. Numerous terminals, displays, and printers 
  chatter day and night. 
  Next door, the control room directs the actual move 
  ments of the telescope's components, and which wave 
  lengths will be monitored. Most of these processes are 
  preprogrammed, requiring no human hand or eye to in- 
  itiate. Again, computers flash and printers chaner. 
  THE ROOF: The uppermost level of the tower is off-rim- 
  its to visitors, and reached only by the exterior fire es- 
  cape. Here is found the powerful machinery that moves 
  the monstrous Salad Bowl. This machinery takes up must 
  of the roof. Locked doors lead to maintenance and control 
  I001TLS. 
  Workshop 
  This building stores replacement parts and houses a large 
  workhop with welding gear, tools, etc. The garage con- 
  tains an old canvas-topped jeep belonging to Gary Wil- 
  son, a Chevy pickup, and a heavy tmck fitted with a huge 
  winch. The two tmcks are clunered with tools and littered 
  with cigarette butts. 
  Observatory 
  This two-story domed building houses the GPCA's single 
  optical telescope, a 24-inch reflector used to make visual 
  verification of phenomena. It is equipped with cameras 
  and remote-controlled from a small room inside the 
  dome. Unfortunately, the Nemesis star's extreme distance 
  prevents any possibility of viewing it with even the Iarg- 
  est telescope. 
  The Receivers 
  These are the actual radio telescopes, consisting of eight 
  stationary 85-fool dishes (1-8), and five mobile 55-foot 
  dishes (A-E) mounted on rails. All the dishes can be inde 
  pendently aimed in any direction as needed. 
  I inch =25fect 
  Typical 
  Staff 
  Suite 
  l inch= 
  20 ft. 
  Workshop 
  I inch = 35 ft. 
  Observatory 7 ' ~  
  I inch 
  = 20ft. 
  
  110 
  The Stars Are Right 
  Dr. Gerald Neal 
  Dr. Gerald Neal 
  Dr. Neal is in his early 50s. 
  never married, and considered 
  something of a wld fish. Neal 
  has thinning brown hair and on 
  the job always wears arumpled 
  suit and tie. Ha owns a simple 
  house in the suburbs of North 
  Plane but frequently (40% of 
  the time) spends his nights in 
  the GPCA staff quarters. 
  Though much of the 
  GPCA's time is devoted to 
  SETi-related projects. Neal is a 
  skeptic. He would like to be- 
  lieve that extraterrestrial life ex- 
  ists but doesn't think the prwf 
  will be seen any time swn. He 
  is excited by the possibility that his facility may have dismvered 
  the fabled Nemesis star and has rescheduled some of the 
  GPCA's telescope time to do further studies of the mysterious 
  object. Although unusual. Ned is sure the emissions are of non- 
  intelligent origin. 
  Neal rejects any notion that the Nemesis star's radio emis- 
  s i w  are having dire effects on the earth and its people. Distur- 
  bancss at the GPCA are blamed on job stress related to the 
  dismvery of this object. Asked about Stan Arnold, Neal replies: 
  'Stan was working too hard lately-though that's hardly an exwse 
  for murder." 
  Che to Gkolh's signals. N& 
  him& is subject to bwts d 
  elatbn, pain, and depression. Alternately the keeper can mll on the 
  table to find Dr. Neal's Ghmth-inspired mood-swings. 
  Dr. Carl Guest 
  Dr. Cad Guest is more personable than Dr. Neal. Weathered, 
  smiling, Guest is an avid outdoorsman in Ms early tRies. Since 
  his wife's death from cancer a decade ago Guest has lived alone 
  on a small ranch along the highway between NoM Piatte and 
  Hayden. There Guest raises horses, hunts, fishes, and whiles 
  away his time with nature studies. He drives a new open-top 
  Jeep, and is fond d high-speed jaunts on McPherson County's 
  many gravel roads. Guest has 
  a roguish, conspiratorial air 
  about him and he is likely to 
  share with those he befriends 
  idormation about the GPCA's 
  staff, operation, and findings. 
  Guest is guardedly excited 
  about the possible discovery of 
  the Nemesis star. He has 
  worked with Dr. Nealfor almost 
  ten years. He accepts Neal's 
  single-mindedness. 
  Guest was fairly dose to 
  Stan Arnold and Carrie Os- 
  bourne. He worked with Stan 
  daily, and frequently saw the 
  m p l e  socially. 
  'She was a bright, beautiful 
  gai, sharp as a tack. And the 
  Dr. Carl Guest 
  two were really close. They weren't just in love-they 
  were 
  friends. I just can't figure Stan killing her. It doesn't make any 
  sense. He's a quiet guy. This is the last thing I'd have expected 
  from him." 
  As for wild claims about the Nemesis star's harmful effects, 
  Guest listens, but it takes a successful Persuade roll to mnvince 
  him. Even then his influence with Neal is limited; mnsideraMe 
  proof must be produced to wnvince the elder scientist. Regard- 
  less. Guest is a valuable ally. 
  Guest is rot seriwdy af- 
  fected by Ghmth's signals. The 
  keeper should roll on the Musk 
  of the Spheres table, but the 
  effects should be fairly subtle. 
  Guest is not prone to violence. 
  Jenny Hooper 
  Jenny is a serious astronomy 
  student from Connecticut. 
  studying here for the summer. 
  She is pretty, and frequently 
  wears glassis. Prone to gush- 
  ing abwt recent astronom;cal 
  discoveries and theories, she 
  stays immers8d in her studies. 
  Uncomfortable sociallv, she 
  Jenny Hooper rarety dates and is unlikely to 
  recqnize a pass shwld an in- 
  vestigator make one. Jenny lives in the staff qualters and drives 
  a small, early '80s four-door hatchback. 
  Jenny enjoys working at the GFCA, even though her em- 
  ployer, 6. 
  ~eai, 
  isdl oveiy friendly. Dr. Guest is so&thing of a 
  father flg,re 
  to her. She likes Harlan Eennen and most of the 
  others well enough, but she's rather tired of JacX Bernard con- 
  stantly hitting on her. She liked Stan Arnold and CarrieOsbaurne, 
  and had gone out with the m p l e  a few time for drinks and 
  dinner. She can't believe Stan killed Carrie. He wasn't a violent 
  man, and the two seemed very happy together. 
  Jenny Hooper might befriend the inves(igat0rs. She is more 
  likely to open up to them if they treat her as an intelligent woman- 
  -and if they don't pressure her for a date. 
  Due to the effects of Ghmth's signals, JeMy SuffersflOm wild 
  mwd-swings induding anxiety, depression, elation, and pain. 
  Other effects are possible, as the keeper chwses. 
  Harlan Bennett 
  Harlan Bennett is a tall, slim, bespectacled black man in his late 
  30s. Bennen, a doting family man, lives in Nollh Platte with his 
  wifeJudith (aseaetaryat a law firm) and their 15-year-old daugh- 
  ter, Lisa. Bemen drives afairly new fw-door family sedan. 
  Bennett is the chief computer programmer and troubie- 
  shwter at the GPCA. He implements new systems, updates d d  
  ones, and maintains the facility's mainframe. While Neal and the 
  other sckntists can program the alignments of the dishes and call 
  up the acwmulated data, it is Bennett who writes the programs 
  they use. 
  Bennett is even-tempered, but often preoccupied, terse with 
  visitors. He hired Stan Arnold out of MIT, and was assurprised as 
  anyone when Arnold murdered his girlfriend. Bennett feels that 
  
  Music Of The Sphems 
  Ill 
  Amold was working tw hard on 
  the Nemesis star project and 
  just snapped. As for strange 
  goings-on at the GPCA. Ben- 
  nen attributes this to everyone 
  working t w  hard to help prove 
  the Nemesis theory before an- 
  other facility beats them to it. 
  Harlan Bennett responds to 
  Ghroth's signals with anger, 
  lethargy, and pain. There may 
  be other effects as weli. 
  Jack Bernard 
  Jack Bernard is a rakish man in 
  his early 30s, a lackadaisid 
  computer technician with a mo- 
  noto.mus job. Jackisfrun Chi- 
  Harlan Bennet 
  cago where he was used to 
  m e  sodal lie than he's fwnd in Nebraska. He often goes into 
  Hayden on week nights to have a few beers, and often makes 
  weekend-long pilgrimages to North Plane. He shows up for work 
  Monday morning unshaven, shabbily dressed, and hung over. 
  Jack lives in a slovenly bachelor pad in the GFCA staff quarters. 
  Des~te this, Jack is a competent programmer and techni- 
  cian. J& took the GPCAjob forthe experiince and the pay, but 
  now wants something a iinle more chalienging-preferably in a 
  "more happening locale." 
  Jack is friendly with outsiders-they're 
  a welcome change 
  from the hayseed routine. If they're willing, Jack takes them out 
  to various places to eat and drink. Those who accwnpany him 
  should have a tolerance for 
  Jack Bernard 
  spicy food, Jack's cigarette 
  smoke, and copious amounts 
  of alcohol. 
  Jack knew Stan and Carrie 
  fairly well, but says they were 
  pretty much loners. He can't 
  understand why Stan killed 
  Carrie but puts it down to w d -  
  related stress. 'Hell, anybody'd 
  get a link bats out here in the 
  middle of nowhere, iwkin' at a 
  bunch of damn computer 
  Screens." 
  Jark doesn't suffer horn the 
  effects of GhroWs signals very 
  often but when he does ils usu- 
  ally lethargy or lust. As usual, 
  other effects are possible. 
  Dr. Diane Mancini 
  Dr. Mancini is a sarcastic, frumpy-lwking woman in her mid-40s. 
  She is the mok'e among the GFCA staff, having worked here for 
  less than a year on loan from U-C Berkeley. She is overweight 
  and a three-pack-a-day smoker to bwt. Mancini is especially 
  short-tempered when it mmes to dealing with fwls and foolish- 
  ness. She and Jack Bernard bicker constantly. Dr. Marcini lives 
  in a cluttered apartment in the GPCAstaff quarters. 
  Diane Mancini never married, having decided early on to 
  become a scientist. Her initial studies emphasized nuclear phys- 
  ics, but she has since bemme interested in astrophysics, hem2 
  her assignment to the GPCA. She likes to refer to herself as "a 
  cosmologist." She has taken an interest in the least useful astro- 
  nomical iwl d the facility: the 24-inch optical telescope. She is 
  crrently trying to get a vis~al 
  f ~ x  
  on the mysterious dark Wect 
  believed tobethe h e s i s  star. 
  As tor Stan Anwld, Mandni 
  has Me good m say. He was a 
  mmpetent technician but not 
  much help in the thmretical as- 
  tronomy department. He just 
  snapped from working too 
  hard. 
  'Now if I was Carrie, and 
  that slug came screaming at 
  me for watching his precious 
  rust-heap, weli. I just would 
  have taken out my pistol and 
  asked him which was more im- 
  portant: his car or his man- 
  hood? Great conversation 
  pieces, guns." 
  Heaven M p  the hapless in- 
  vestigatorwho babbles to Manc- 
  mi about a l i  radio emissions 
  causing earthquakes and tidal 
  waves and insane behavior. 
  Dr. Marcini is subject to fits 
  Dr. Diane Mancini 
  of anger, lethargy, and pain. 
  Gary Wilson 
  Galy Wilson is a local-a stocky, powerfully-built man in his late 
  50s; balding, usuelly unshaven, &d quiet. Wilson is the GPCA 
  facility's maintenance chief and also serves as security, running 
  off theoccasional tresDassino wildlife. He isfairlvshvand mends 
  most of his time in the workShop tinkering with;ari&s prbjects: 
  repairing the dishes, searching for replacement parts, building 
  new housings and gadgets, and maintaining the vehides. He 
  owns the old ieeo Darked in the 
  . . .  
  facility's garage and keeps a 
  .22-2s varmint-rifle in the back 
  seat. Wilson lives on a farm 
  with his family outside Hayden. 
  Wilson has learned how to 
  use most of the GFCA's equip 
  ment, at least on a rudimentary 
  level. The scientists like him, 
  and buSt his ideas when he sug- 
  gests building new equipment. 
  Wilson din? know Stan Ar- 
  nold well, but thougM him a 
  likeable fellow. As for the other 
  staff, Gary thinks they're all fine 
  folks. If the irivestigatws come 
  to him with wild theories about 
  alien radio signals, he won't be- 
  \\\\ 
  1 
  lieve them, and may even warn 
  Gary Wilson 
  Dr. Neal about them. 
  Roil on the table to see how Ghroth's music affects Wilson. 
  Other Personnel 
  m
  e
   
  are others atthe GPCA. m e  keeoershould strivetomatea 
  living fadiity wih secretaries, janitors, &d technidans at work at all 
  hours d Uw dav. If necessarv. statistics for these can be derived 
  from those listeb: mmputer technicians using Jack Bernard's skill 
  list, visiting sdentists using those d Drs. Guest or Mandni, grad 
  students using Jenny Hwper's, maintenance workers with Gary 
  Wilson's, and sa forth. 
  All character statistics on pages I S 1 2 1  
  
  112 
  Tha Stan Am Rlght 
  Gaining Information 
  The Nemesis project is top secret and senior staff mem- 
  bers will not discuss it. Junior members or visiting as- 
  tronomers might have learned a little about it and may be 
  more open to investigator inquiries. Psychology rdls re- 
  veal that the staff is edgy when discussing current p- 
  jects. 
  Computer Use skills might be used to enter the 
  GPCA's computer system but only from withii the wm- 
  plex itself--and this requires at least one hour to affect. 
  Unless the investigators have a good idea what they are 
  looking for, Astronomy rolls and several day's time will 
  be required to analyze the reams of data they f i d  on file. 
  W~th enough time, and enough Luck and Astronomy 
  rolls, they might discover that the GPCA staff are track- 
  ing what they thiik might be the theoretical Nemesis star. 
  Prying investigators can learn much of the same infor- 
  mation by going through the GPCA's written files, al- 
  though again unless they know what they are looking for 
  this takes a tremendous amount of time. Access to these 
  files is l i t e d  so only respected scientists or involved 
  journalists are allowed to see them. Others must use 
  Sneak or Hide, and then hope for the best 
  If the investigators appear knowledgeable about the 
  GPCA's studies (successful Astronomy or Fast Talk), a 
  Persuade roll might convince Dr. Neal to let one or more 
  of the party stay on as observers. A journalist or free lance 
  author who has learned about the secret observations can 
  buy hi way in on the story by promising not to reveal it 
  until the data is in and the staff has made the decision to 
  publish. An irritable Dr. Neal would of w m e  insist an 
  when and where the story would be released-and on prs 
  viewing the work before publication. Any 0bSe~efS will 
  be invited to stay in the GPCA's staff qu~RerS. 
  Dr. Neal may play his Nemesis tapes for the investiga- 
  tors. When the radio emissions of Ghroth are coded into 
  sound waves the result is something like a b i m  mixture 
  of rumbling harmonic bass tones and crooning whale 
  song. Hearing the taped signals for the first time costs a 
  listener 011 Sanity points. 
  The Fungi 
  fkom Yuggoth 
  A 
  S if the harmful effects of Ghroth's music 
  weren't enough, a second Mythos menace a p  
  pears on the scene. A small band of Mi-Go have 
  been attracted to the area by the disturbances. For reasons 
  of their own, the Fungi seek to stop the facility's contin- 
  ued reception of Ghth's signals. They have no desire to 
  A Murder of Crows 
  
  see the Old Ones awakened at this time and plan to stop 
  the activities of the GFCA in any way they can. 
  Throughout this adventure the Fungi make repeated 
  attempts to end the reception of Ghmth's signals. Their 
  tactics include sabotaging the telescopes 'or the facility, 
  convincing the humans that the radio telescopes are re- 
  sponsible for the current spate of worldwide disasters, or 
  possibly destroying the facility altogether. These acts, de- 
  tailed below, are left tothe keeper to use when and how he 
  sees fit. 
  The shy Fungi stay out of sight as much as possible, 
  preferring to operate by night. The keeper may introduce 
  witnesses to the Fungi's activities if desired. Nearby 
  farmers sight strange, big birds in the night sky, a motel- 
  keeper spots someone lurking about an investigator's car 
  or room, a GPCA technician sees someone moving out 
  near one of the dishes. 
  Sabotage 
  The Fungi use odd, fst-sized brown ceramic bombs capa- 
  ble of doing 6D6 points of explosive damage in a three 
  yard radius. If one of these is obtained, a halved Idea mll 
  d i v e r s  that the nodulsshaped explosives are activated 
  by rubbing an oddly discolored section. Once activated, 
  the nodule explodes in 15+1D10 seconds. One or two 
  nodules could easily take out any of the telescopes, save 
  the Salad Bowl. But destmying a single dish h l y  re- 
  duces GPCA's capabilities; more than half would have to 
  be knocked out before the facility would be crippled. De- 
  stroying the Salad Bowl would greatly reduce the ability 
  to receive Ghmth's signals. 
  Any such attack are made after dark, the initial tar- 
  gets being the most isolated dishes--especially the rail- 
  mounted ones. One or two Mi-Go set the explosives 
  whiie three others armed with weapons stand guard 
  The Dream 
  One of the Mi-Go knows the spell Send Dnams, and may 
  use it to warn the humans that their studies are endanger- 
  ing the planet. The spell is jointly-powered by all the 
  MiGo, boosting it so that more than one investigator is 
  affected. Each sleeping investigator must make a resis- 
  tance check, his or her pow against the Mi-Go's 
  17. Suc- 
  cess means there is no effect; those who fail suffer the 
  following nightmare. 
  It is night, and the investigator is awakened by a rum- 
  bling sound and the tinkling of broken glass. An Idea mll 
  realizes that a minor earth tremor has just occurred. Ris- 
  ing, the investigator finds that outside nothiig seems 
  amiss: the buildings and/or radio telescopes are undam- 
  aged. Other investigators or non-player characters may be 
  met, further convincing the dreamer that this is a real 
  world occurrence. 
  Thunder rumbles in the distance then great black 
  clouds roll in, obscuring the stars. Lightning flashes, but 
  no rain falls. Then the clouds pafi and an impossibly vast 
  sphere appears in the sky. 
  lose (temporarily) 
  1D10/1Dl00 Sanity points. Those who have read the 
  Revelations of Glaaki or the Necronomicon instantly rec- 
  ognize the rust red planet-form of Ghroth-others must 
  make a s u c ~ f u l  
  Cthulhu Mythos roll to identify it. 
  The planet's great sea-eyes slowly ooze open while its 
  surface quivers and splits, revealing red magma-scars b e  
  neath. Lightning bristles over its surface then shoots 
  down to strike the ground, obliterating a telescope dish a 
  blasting a car. The gmund trembles violently as the thing 
  looms closer and closer. Failing a DEX xl roll, dreamers 
  are thrown to the ground. 
  A steady humming, throbbing sound emanates from 
  the planet-thing-a 
  beat echoed by the ground beneath 
  the dreamers. An Idea roll recognizes the rhythm as iden- 
  tical to the Nemesis signals monitored by the GPCA. The 
  throbbing rises to an ear-splitting crescendo then a great 
  bolt of lightning strikes amidst the investigators, bringing 
  darkness. The dream is over. 
  The next morning those who had the dream remember 
  it all too clearly. Fmtunately, as the experience was only a 
  dream the Sanity point loss is only 10% of what was 
  rolled (drop all fractions). Lingering phobias may result, 
  however. Agoraphobia and astrophobia might plague 
  dream-maddened investigators throughout the rest of this 
  adventure. 
  
  114 
  The Stan Are Right 
  The Device 
  The Fungi may tq to leave a clue for the investigators in 
  the form of a strange, metal device left where it will be 
  easily discovered. It is a cylidrical object a foot and a 
  half long and four inches in diameter, made of half-inch 
  thick disks stacked on a rod. The discs are decorated with 
  odd, mathematical symbols and can be rotated inde- 
  pendently about the central shaft. 
  This is the Mi-Go equivalent of a book. To read if a 
  complex but regular formula is used to tum the discs to 
  certain positions, creating whole sentences and formulae 
  from the engraved symbols. The mathematics are simple- 
  -once the fivedigit system is grasped-but a Computer 
  Use mll is required to create a pmgram that will eventu- 
  ally decipher how to use the device. The GPCA mainframe 
  will be required. 
  The cylinder discusses the topic of Ghroth, and its 
  role in the resurrection of the Great Old Ones (see Ghmth 
  Papers #I). Reading the decoded text costs 1D6 Sanity 
  points and adds 6 percentiles to the investigator's Cthulhu 
  Mythos skill. 
  Parlay 
  This is the Fungi's last non-violent attempt to stop the 
  OPCA'S reception of Ghroth's signals. The Mi-& attempt 
  to set up a facetwface meeting between one of their 
  number and an investigator. To do rhi they leave a note 
  for him or her stating: "Meet me by dish 1 at 2 AM." It is 
  written in a very unusual hand, and unsigned. 
  If the investigator keeps the appointment, alone or 
  with companions, he finds a lone figure cmuched beneath 
  the dish, nearly invisible in the pitch-dark. The thing is 
  cloaked in a heavy overcoat and wears a broad-brimmed 
  hat. It cautions the visitors not to come too close, or to use 
  lights near it. 
  There is a buzzing timbre to its voice and a Cthulhu 
  Mythos mll suggests it is a Mi-Go (lose 0/1D6 Sanity 
  points). A Spot Hidden roll or a flashlight beam reveals it 
  to be one of the Fungi fmm Yuggoth. If attacked or a p  
  proached too closely, the Mi-& flees. 
  If left unmolested the creature tells the investigators 
  that they must prevent the radio telescopes fromreceiving 
  the signals fmm the Nemesis star. It is these signals and 
  their effects which currently torment the Earth. The Fungi 
  may relate the nature of Ghroth, and mention some recent 
  catastrophes to punctuate its claims. 
  "Haaev y o u  not fehhlt the fvery ehrthh bzelow y o u  
  zsinghing vwizth zthe muzzic ohf zthe zsferesz?" it asks. 
  Its warnings given, the Mi-Go flies off into the night. 
  Destruction 
  If all else fails the Fungi turn destructive. But they wait 
  until the last minute, when the effects of Ghroth's music 
  are already unleashed on the GPCA and nearby Hayden. 
  
  Music 01 The Sphana 
  11s 
  The Fungi begin by systematically destroying all of 
  the outlying telescopes. Then they fly to the main wm- 
  pound and continue their demolition. While one or two of 
  the Fungi fly overhead dropping explosives, the others 
  lay down wvering fie with their electrical weapons. The 
  Fungi seek to destroy the entire facility and slay all 
  within; they want no survivors leaking their existence to 
  the outside world. To this end they relentlessly pursue 
  anyone fleeing by foot or car. Those who do escape (by 
  malting Hide or high-speed Drive mlls) may be. swght 
  out at a later date. 
  Chaos 
  A 
  T the climax of the adventure the earth itself 
  takes up the alien rhythms of Ghraih. Violent 
  s t o m  erupt, tremors shake the ground, and all 
  within several miles of the OPCA become slaves to their 
  lowest desires. 
  The worst of the horror occurs at the OPCA and in 
  Hayden. Nearing the town, smoke is seen rising into the 
  sky and a car is seen lying in a ditch. A man and woman 
  are glimpsed fleeing across a distant field while Listen 
  rolls detect gunshots wming from the diiection of town. 
  Reaching Hayden the investigators encounter any 
  number of the following incidents. Undoubtedly after a 
  few encounters they will try to escape the town, but by 
  then they themselves may be affected by Gbroth's music. 
  Any investigator visiting Hayden or the OPCA loses 
  lD212D6 Sanity points. 
  Hayden Dances 
  to the Music 
  All Hell is breaking loose in Hayden. In addition to the 
  following suggested encountes, investigators see people 
  and animals running in terror, broken water-mains flood- 
  ing streets, and hear the sounds of breaking glass, car 
  accidents, and screams. 
  A Deranged Motorist 
  At least one insane driver is tearing through Hayden's 
  streets, running down pedestrians and ramming vehicles. 
  This cackling young man drives a brand new four-wheel- 
  drive pickup with blood on its fenders and dents and 
  scratches in its sides. The crazed driver tries to run the 
  investigators down, or ram their vehicle, incapacitating it. 
  Statistics for the mad driver are at the end of this section. 
  A Rooftop Madman 
  In the driving rain a naked man climbs to the roof of his 
  house and exalts the stormy sky overhead. Keeper's 
  choice as to whether he eventually jumps to his death, is 
  struck by lightning, or merely sings strange psalms to the 
  heavens. 
  Earthquakes 
  One or more minor earthquakes rock the town, as d e  
  scribed in the earlier Events box. 
  Lightning 
  Freak bolts of lightning crackle down blasting buildings, 
  cars, and residents alike. Investigators failing a Lnckmll 
  suffer a near-miss and take 1D6 points of damage plus 
  minor burns and 1D6 rounds of unconsciousness. Fum- 
  bled mlls indicate more serious strikes, causing 4D6 
  damage, 1D6 minutes of unwnsciousness, and some 
  form of permanent or lasting damage such as deafness, 
  loss of hair, or serious bum scars. Several such bolt-inci- 
  dents occur during the odyssey through Hayden. 
  A Murderous Mob 
  Agroup of 1D4+1 unarmed lower-class men have tackled 
  and beaten a prominent Hayden citizen and now stand 
  urinating on their downed prey. The thugs flee if threat- 
  ened with a show of force. 
  The Afflicted 
  Several times the investigators come across a man or 
  woman on bands and bees, vomiting. These folk are. 
  extremely ill with headaches, fever, and severe nausea. 
  The Insane 
  Insane groups and individuals stalk the town gratifying 
  their violent desires. The investigators are bound to come 
  across some of them sooner or later. Up to lDlO blood- 
  thirsty men and women may be met. The thugs flee if 
  outnumbered, outgunned, or if more than one of their 
  number are killed. 
  The Victims 
  The dead, dying, and unconscious are everywhere. Lying 
  on the streets and sidewalks, victims of gunshot wounds 
  and beatings. A man has hung himself fmm a tree in front 
  
  116 
  The Stan A m  Riaht 
  of the courthouse while another has fallen through the 
  front window of the 'Mart, held upright by a shard of 
  glass through his stomach. A group of snarling dogs tear 
  at the flesh of a corpse lying in the middle of Main Street. 
  Rampant Crime 
  The investigators should witness one or more of the fol- 
  lowing violent crimes: a resident beating his neighbor 
  with a lead pipe, a man strangling his wife, a gang of boys 
  raping a waitress. 
  Hot Dog 
  A group of laughing children aged five to ten years chase 
  a burning dog down the street. They carry charcoal lighter 
  fluid and matches, seeking others to play with. 
  A Crazed Rifleman 
  A mad resident armed with a rifle wanders amund town, 
  shooting windows, WIC 
  signs, and the occasional citi- 
  zen. The gunman may disable the investigators' car if the 
  keeper wishes to keep them in Hayden for awhile. See the 
  statistics given at the end of this section for the crazed 
  rifleman. 
  Vandalism 
  A lanky youth dances clumsily down the street, singing 
  off-key, punctuating his song with a baseball bat smashed 
  through car and store windows. With a successful Listen 
  roll anyone who has heard the GKA'S tapes of Ghroth's 
  signals recognizes the young man's tuneless song. 
  Fire 
  Several homes and businesses are ablaze, smoldering in 
  the heavy rains. Some of the fires are due to lightning 
  strikes, others were deliberately set. Groups of arsonists 
  and pyromaniacs gather to watch the fun. 
  Destruction 
  Cars, some ablaze, are left abandoned m the middle of 
  streets, or smashed into storefronts, trees, or telephone poles. 
  Explosions 
  At some point the gas pumps at the Quick Stop go up in a 
  fiery explosion that blows out windows and knocks down 
  everyone with'm a two-block radius. Those within 20 
  yards of the blast are killed instantly; those within 20-30 
  yards suffer 2D6 damage; those 30-35 yards damage suf- 
  fer only 1D6. The explosion might have been caused by 
  a madman turning on the pump and deliberately igniting 
  it, or a luckless motorist might have plowed over the 
  pumps, or the earthquakes might have ruptured the 
  thks. Whatever the reason, it causes further blazes and 
  traffic blockages. 
  Rescuing Stan Arnold 
  The investigators might want to save their imprisoned 
  friend. There are 1D6-1 people left in the Courthouse, 
  each with a 70% chance of having been affected by the 
  music of the spheres. Affected or not, each of these per- 
  sons has a 25% chance of being armed with a .38 revolv- 
  er. Combat or Persuade rolls may be required to get past 
  these people. 
  They find a despondent Stan Arnold in his cell prepar- 
  ing to hang himself with his coveralls. Asuccessful Psy- 
  choanalysis roll soothes him long enough for someone to 
  fmd the keys to the cell. Otherwise he commits suicide 
  within 2D4 rounds of the investigators' arrival costing 
  each witness l/lD4+1 Sanity points. Investigators 
  searching for the keys get a chance equal to onefifth their 
  Spot Hidden mll every round. Once freed, Stan is of no 
  real help, but neither does he hider the investigators. 
  Depending on how it all turns out, the investigators may 
  or may not be charged with helping the prisoner to es- 
  cape. 
  If the investigators fail to remember Stan Arnold, he 
  hangs h i e l f .  They learn about hi death later and lose 
  l/lD3 Sanity points. 
  The End of the GPCA? 
  The same chaos occurs at the GPCA, though on a smaller 
  scale. Storms, lightning, and earthquakes shake the 
  ground while the staff behaves as insanely as the resi- 
  dents of Hayden. Fortunately, the lack of weapons and 
  pyrotechnics prevents them from wreaking as much 
  havoc as the citizens of the town are. 
  Roll each staff member's Sanity to see which of them 
  are affected. 
  By the time the investigators reach the GPCA, some 
  staff members may already be dead while others are vio- 
  lent and insane. Again dodging the lightning and the 
  crazies, the investigators must try to find a way to stop 
  reception of the malefic signal. Destroying the dishes is 
  one possibility, or more knowledgeable investigators can 
  use the facility's controls to shut down the radio tele 
  scopes. To do this, at least two consecutive Computer Use 
  or Electronics rolls must be made from within the control 
  room in the tower. 
  The Mi-Go or nature might do the job for them, how- 
  ever. Realizing the severity of the situation, the Fungi 
  from Yuggoth may choose now to destroy the station. 
  They too have to avoid the staff and the lightning but they 
  are determined to put an end to this madness. 
  With all the lightning slashing through the skies, it is 
  no surprise that the G K A  eventually attracts it. So even if 
  the investigators and the Mi-Go fail to shut down the 
  facility, the s t o m  eventually do. Lightning strikes hit 
  close to the tower giving those sane enough to notice it 
  some warning of approaching doom. Then several bolts 
  hit the Salad Bowl, showering the tower with sparks and 
  flame. Those caught inside the building take ID6 points 
  of damage per mund from electrical shocks, fire, and fall- 
  ing debris. 
  
  Music 01 Tk. S P h .  
  117 
  Ghroth looms closer 
  
  118 
  Th. Stan Am R i ~ h t  
  Conclusion 
  T 
  HIS is a difficult scenario to complete success- 
  fully. Shutting down the GPCA or turning its at- 
  tentions away from the Nemesis star are not easy 
  tasks. More than likely the radio telescope station and 
  Hayden are destroyed with considerable loss of life. But 
  even such dark endings are not without lingering mo- 
  ments of hope. 
  If the investigators can convince Dr. Neal that the 
  radio emissions from the Nemesis star are causing catas- 
  trophes around the world, he may cease work on that 
  project. Considerable proof must be gathered to con- 
  vince him. A Persuade roll combined with a stack of 
  disaster reports might do the trick. Successfully turn- 
  ing the GPCA'S attention away from Ghroth before 
  chaos erupts is worth a reward of 2D6 Sanity points 
  (although this plan may be disrupted by an insane tech- 
  nician with plans of his own). An additional 1D6 San- 
  ity points should be awarded if the investigators realize 
  the identity and purpose of the cosmic malefactor. If 
  the investigators are wise, they suppress knowledge of 
  the astronomical causes of the worldwide disturbances 
  and warn other radio astronomers to avoid listening for 
  the Nemesis star. Doing so is worth an additional 1D6 
  Sanity points. 
  Assuming the worst, that Hayden and the GPCA are 
  beset by disaster, the rewards and penalties increase in 
  number. First of all, each insane Hayden resident the in- 
  vestigators fmd it necessary to slay costs them 0/1D2 
  Sanity points. After the holocaust each murderous inves- 
  tigator must also make a ~ u c k  
  roll to avoid having 
  charges brought against them, their crimes witnessed by 
  one of the few Hayden residents who didn't lose their 
  mind. Each citizen the investigators save from their 
  neighbors'insanity grants 1 point of Sanity. 
  Saving the GPCA from destruction nets each investiga- 
  tor 1D3 Sanitypointr. If,on theotherhand,it isdestroyed 
  by the Fungi from Yuggoth, each loses ID4 Sanity points. 
  Destruction by the storm costs no Sanity points. Each 
  GPCA staff member slain by the investigators calls for a 
  less of ID3 Sanity points, regardless of the person's pos- 
  sibly violent intentions. Again, Luck rolls must be made 
  to avoid being charged with a crime. Each of these char- 
  acters that the investigators manage to save gives them an 
  award of 1 Sanity point. 
  Finally, each of the Mi-Go slain by the investigators 
  rewards them with a Sanity point. If the Mi-Go were 
  driven off before they could do much damage, each in- 
  vestigator receives an additional 1D3 Sanity points. If, at 
  the end of the scenario, any of the players have nagging 
  thoughts about the'i investigator having possibly aided 
  the Fungi, assess a penalty of ID2 Sanity points. 
  Any investigator spending a fair amount of time at the 
  OPCA learning its operation and goals receives a check to 
  their Astronomy skill. 
  Though no monetary rewards are forfhcoming, the 
  parents of Stan Arnold will be grateful if the investigator 
  helped their son. Simplyp?scuing Stan from the holocaust 
  brings them an awad/of 1D6 points. If Stan survives the 
  scenario he stands trial and goes to jail for Carrie Os- 
  bourne's murder; parole and time off for good behavior 
  are always possible. Despite the trial's outcome Stan's 
  parents use their influence to reward each helpful investi- 
  gator with a lDlO bonus to Credit Rating. 
  Yet a dark side remains. Ghroth's music affected the 
  entire planet. Who knows what fwl things might have 
  been awakened by the songs from the stars and the resul- 
  tant stirrings of the Earth? What rough Beast might even 
  now be lurching forth toward civilization to celebrate its 
  Iebii? 
  Handouts and 
  Statistics 
  T 
  HE handouts below are to be distributed to the 
  players as required. The circumstances by which 
  each is acquired are listed below. Note that in- 
  stead of newspaper articles, the keeper can provide these 
  clues in the form of TV newscasts. 
  Ghroth Papers #3 
  This arkla can either be given out at the beginning d the adven- 
  ture to helo draw the investioators to Nebraska or in the midst d 
  the adventure. 
  - 
  I 
  Minor Earth Tremor 
  in Nebraska 
  AP.THUR COUNTY-0%- 
  cials at the University of Ne- 
  bnska have reposed that yes- 
  terday's mine eanh vemor 
  measured les than 2.0 on the 
  Riehtaxak. Thequakeisb 
  lieved to have been centered in 
  the area of lkce Mik lakc in 
  AnhurCounly40 miles wrth- 
  w s t  of Nath Plane. No dam- 
  age8 have been repafed at this 
  time, though midents were 
  understandably ShoCM. 
  "lust kind of imexpected, 
  you know," stated Billy 
  McHenry of nearby Anhur. 
  'The hogs staned running 
  b c k  wd fath and swing 
  wd all, and tbe eanh shaking, 
  but no harm done. Nothing 
  like you see in Califmia all 
  the time." 
  Midwestern canh (remors 
  e quakes are rare, but mt un- 
  known. Readers may recall 
  that in 1990 scientists pre- 
  dicted that a ma& earthquake 
  wmld occur with an epicene 
  in M i .  
  That quake never 
  materialized, but scientists 
  nevenheless say that maja 
  earthquakes in the Midwesl 
  an a real possibility, hugh 
  predictkg them is impassible. 
  Ghroth Papers K3 
  
  Music 01 The Spheres 
  I t 9  
  Hayden gone mad 
  
  I20 
  The Stam Am RlgM 
  Ghroth Papers #4 
  This report should be given w t  in the midst d the advenh*-a-an- 
  other symptom d the cham striking worldwide. The selling is 
  near Wm city d the chthonisns known as G'hame. 
  Thousands Feared Dead 
  in Ethiopian Quake 
  ADIS ABBBA-An earth- 
  qualre belicvcd to have meas- 
  d 
  nearly 9 paim an the 
  Richterscak~thesouth 
  ce"~ponionoflhi?.Ahifan 
  nation yesterday morning. 
  P- 
  C m  
  vduacm end af- 
  end m u u k  fatalitia. 
  The canhquah vas po 
  ceded by a series of small 
  mas tha began abad thir- 
  teen hous Mac tk major 
  guakc rocked Adis Abeba d 
  areas as far away an NaLnb'i 
  Djiboufi. and s o u k m  Egypt 
  Casualties are repmed to be 
  heavy with wai I- 
  mew- 
  ring ammg tk Sarving pc- 
  ples of Ethiopia. Severe 
  droughs have afflicted this 
  African mtim f a  o m  a dee- 
  a&, d 
  waldwidc nlid ef- 
  forts have failed to bring 
  needed aid to the famine- 
  &ken 
  Ethiapians 
  N h n  Valrghah head of 
  the American Peace Corps 
  Famine Relief Program in 
  Edniopis. sated that nowmore 
  thanevaaidisrrcdcdfathe 
  devastated African nation. 
  Thsepcoplewercbsdoff 
  before the eanhqualre, and 
  now wc'vc gci damaged mds 
  saw can't even gel the sup- 
  plks to where they're needed. 
  Things are a hell of a lot 
  worn. I'M 
  sen whole vil- 
  lags lying in ruirs, hunmeds 
  of people dead. We're going a 
  need evcn mom medical sup 
  plies and food than before. 
  Christthisisjuaadmess" 
  Ghroth Papers #4 
  Ghroth Papers #5 
  As above, this Wide shwld s m  as mthsr reminder that the 
  curant spate of bizarre events isnl limited to the Miwest. The 
  hplcatlon is that the storm-racked area is adjacent to Rlyeh. 
  South Pacific Stirred by 
  Storms, Earthquakes 
  EASTER ISLAND-Severe 
  SIOIIM 
  and tidal w a r n  have 
  racked the viciniiy of Barler 
  lsld fa fhe pa weck ORi- 
  a& of the Chilean gwcm 
  me* w m  against havetting 
  in the waters west of that 
  country, as an underwater 
  emhqdc is believed to have 
  stirred up exvmely mugh 
  -&x&mthtptof& 
  Swth padfie. 
  At kist om vessel, the 
  heigher rObda Gmy nn of 
  San hanci. hssbrmlosIh 
  stcmns. Raar opera- 
  tions wacsuspendcd Manday 
  due to mugh waters and high 
  win&andallhandssnfead 
  laa Captain Pa& Rivas of 
  Ihe Chilean cixs Guard re- 
  pam b t  wdenvanr seismic 
  activity is belied tobe caw 
  ing the disturhncs in the 
  ocean nearby. 
  Reseue vuwk haw re- 
  ported seeing new islands 
  thrown up from the ocean 
  floor, bul t h e  repons a n  as 
  yet ~ r m e d .  
  Sheriff Randy Kaufman, ape 36 
  STR12 
  CON14 
  SIZ15 
  I M 1 4  
  POW13 
  M X 1 3  
  APP13 
  E W  14 
  SAN65 
  HP15 
  Damage Bonus: +1 W 
  Weapons: Fist 60%, 1 D3+1 W; Grapple 35%, special; 
  NigMslidc 45%, 1 D6+1 W; .38 Revolver 65%. 1 D10; 12-gauge 
  wmD shotwn 75%. 4DMZD6/106. 
  ~ k l l k :  
  DO& 
  35%. anre ~umrnobite 55%. First Aid 40%. Hid. 
  25%. Law 65%. Listen 50%. Persuade 45%. Photography 40%. 
  PsyCholkqy 40%. Sneak 30%. Spot Hidden 60%. Tradc 30%. 
  Doputy Bob Homer, ape 48 
  STR13 
  CON 11 
  SIZ16 
  INTI2 
  POW10 
  D M 1 0  
  APP 9 
  E W  12 
  S A N S  
  HP14 
  Damsge Bonus: +1 W 
  Weapons: Fist 75%, 1D3+1 W; Grappk 65%, spedal; Kick 
  50%, 1 L W l W  Nimtstick 55%,1W+lD4; ,357 Magnum 
  R~MIVW 
  W%. 108+108; 12-gauge pump shotgun W%. 
  4D612W1 D6. 
  Skills: Dodge 20%. hive Automobile 55%. Law 55%. Uslen 
  35% Spot Hidden 40%. 
  Doputy Donny Carpenter, age 33 
  STR 14 
  CON 16 
  SIZ15 
  I M 1 3  
  POW12 
  D M 1 4  
  APP15 
  E W l $  
  SANW 
  HP16 
  Darnwe Bonw: +1 W 
  - 
  Weapons: FM 65%, 1D3+1 W; Grappe W%, spdal: Kick 
  65%. lLWlD4, Nightstkk 55%, lD6+104; .38 Revdver 50%. 
  1 D10: 12- gauge pump shotgun 45%. 4D612D611 D6. 
  Skills: Climb 50%. Computer Use 35%, Dodpe 45%. Dinrs 
  Automobile 50% Hide 40%. Law 50%. Uslen 30%. Martial Am 
  45%. Mechanical Repair 40%. Psycnology 30%. Sneak 30%. 
  Spot Hidoen 35%. Throw 55%. Track 25%. 
  Dr. Oenld Neal, astmphysklst. age 53 
  STR10 
  CON 11 
  SIZ14 
  INTI7 
  POW13 
  D M 1 0  
  APP11 
  EDUZZ 
  SAN59 
  HP13 
  Weapons: None, aU at base percentages. 
  Skills: Accounting 45%. Astromy 95%. Chemistry 20%. 
  Computer Use 50%, Credit Rating 65%, Electronics 35%. 
  English 95%. German 50%, Hislory40%. Library Use 60%. 
  Listen 40%, Make Maps 30%. Persuade 65%. P h y s i ~  
  70%. 
  Soot Hidden 40%. 
  Dr. Carl Guest, astrophysicist, age 5% 
  STR10 
  CON 10 
  SIZ14 
  INTI5 
  POW14 
  D M  9 
  APP12 
  E W  19 
  SAN70 
  HP12 
  Weapons: Double-barrelled 20-gauge shotgun 45%. 
  2 W 1  W 1  D3. 
  Skills: Anthropology 15%. Astronomy 80%. ChemlsVy 2096, 
  Computer Use 55%. Credit Rating 50%, Electrical Repair 35%, 
  Elemon cs 30%. Ewlish 95%. Geology 20%. History 50%. 
  Lbary Use 45%. Usten 35%. Mechanical Repair 45%. 
  Persuade 55%. Photography 40%. Physics 65%. Psychdcgy 
  35%. R~de 70%. Spd Hidaen 45%. 
  Jenny Hoopor, grad student. age 25 
  STR 9 
  CON 12 
  SIZ11 
  INTI5 
  POW13 
  DEX 13 
  APP14 
  EDU 18 
  SAN65 
  HP 12 
  Weapons: None, dl at base percentages. 
  Skills: Astronomy 65%. Chemistly 30%. Computer Use 55%. 
  m
  e
   
  40%. Drive Automobile 35%, English 90%, Geology 
  35%. Hislory 30%. Library Use 50%, Listen 45%. Persuade 
  40%, Photography 3596, Physics 50%. Psycholo~y 45%, Ride 
  45%, Spot Hidden 35%. 
  
  Muslc of Thm s p h m s  
  q 2 i  
  Hadan Bennett, chief 
  computer technician. age 3 8  
  STR12 
  CON 14 
  SIZ13 
  INTI6 
  POW12 
  D m 1 3  
  APP13 
  EW19 
  SANM) 
  HP14 
  Damwe Bonua: +I W 
  Weapons: None, all at base percsntages. 
  Skills: Asbornmy 35%. CMplter Use 80%. Credit Rating 
  45%. Drive Automobile 40%, E l e & b J  Repair 30%. Electronics 
  65%. English 95%. Listen 30%- Make Maps 45%. Mechanical 
  Repair 35%, Physics 40%. Spot Hidden 55%. 
  Jack Bernard, computer technician, age 3 2  
  STR12 
  CON 12 
  SIZ14 
  INTI4 
  POW11 
  D M 1 3  
  APP14 
  EDU 17 
  SANS5 
  HP13 
  Damage Bonus: +I W 
  Weapona: Fist 55%, 1W+1 W; Grapple 35%, special: Club 
  45%. 108 or 1 D8 (as per dub size). 
  Skills: As(mnwny 30%, Computer Use 65%, Dodge 35%. 
  M e  
  Automobile 50%. Electrical Repair 4596, Eledron'ka 50%. 
  Fast Talk 45%, Law IS%, Make Maps 35%. Mechanical Repai 
  50%. Physics 35%, Sneak 30%. 
  Dr. Diane Mancini, astrophyskist, age 44 
  STR10 
  CON11 
  SIZ13 
  INTI6 
  POW13 
  DM11 
  APPH 
  E N 1 9  
  SAN65 
  HP12 
  Damage Bonus: 0 
  Weapons: Kick 40%, 1D8; 38 revover 25%,1D10. 
  Skills: Astmmmy 55%, Botany IS%, Chemistry 40%. 
  Cornpuler Use 35%. English 95%, Histmy 50%. Library Use 
  65%, Listen 4056, Persuade 65%, Physics 75%, Psycholcgy 
  35%, Spot Hidden M)%. 
  Oary Wilson, maintenance chief, age 57 
  STR13 
  CON15 
  SIZ15 
  INTI3 
  POW12 
  D M 1 3  
  APP12 
  EDU 13 
  SANM) 
  HP15 
  Damsga Bonua: +1 W 
  Weapons: Fst 75%. 1 W + l  W; Grapple 6w, special; Chlb 
  60%, 1 08 or 1 D8 (as per dub size); 22-250 boltgction rifle 
  60%. 2D6+1. 
  Skills: Astronomy 15%. Climb 60%. Comprtef Use 15%. Drive 
  Automobile 50%, Electrical Repair 70%, Electronics 40%. 
  English 65%. Mechanical Repair BOX, Spot Hiiden 50%. 
  The Fungi fmm Yusgoth 
  WI 
  n 
  m
  w
  r
  w
   
  STR 
  10 
  12 
  11 
  17 
  7 
  CON 
  12 
  13 
  9 
  10 
  8 
  St2 
  6 
  12 
  9 
  13 
  9 
  INT 
  12 
  14 
  15 
  10 
  16 
  POW 
  14 
  12 
  17 
  15 
  14 
  DEX 
  15 
  14 
  18 
  10 
  18 
  HP 
  9 
  13 
  9 
  12 
  9 
  DB 
  -04 
  - - +04 
  -D4 
  C b ( a )  30% 
  60% 
  35% 
  40% 
  45% 
  Weapon - 
  30% 
  50% - 
  65% 
  Move: 719 fiyhg 
  Armor: None, but impaling w e a m  do milllmn damage. A 
  pistol doing 1 D10+2 damage does only 3 poinls to a Mi-Go, a 
  6 on an impaling roll. 
  Sanity Loss: W1 08 
  Vktims of the Muslc 
  These statist= can be used for m y  of the above encounters, H 
  needed (Rs 4 a 7 can be used as the rilleman, while the mad 
  driver is #2 a #11). 
  X l n 2 X 3  
  STU 13 
  15 
  6 
  CON 15 10 16 
  812 
  11 
  15 
  12 
  INT 
  13 
  13 
  10 
  POW 10 16 
  10 
  DEX 10 10 
  7 
  APP 
  9 
  7 
  11 
  EDU 10 14 12 
  SAN 37 M 41 
  HP 
  13 13 14 
  DB - +M - 
  Skills: Lhdge 30%, Spot Hidden 30%; (#s 2 and 11 above) 
  Drive Autmobile 55%. 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Call of Cthulhu (CoC) (BRP) [multi]/3rd Party (Unoffical Content)/CoC - Music of the Spheres.pdf