TEXT: 1 | P a g e
  Delta Green: Aftershock
  © 2012 Mark Brassington
  Keepers Background
  Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese cult associated with the 1995 Tokyo sarin gas attack, was led by 
  guru Shoko Asahara. One of the feats he was responsible for was predicting the devastating Kobe 
  earthquake nine days before it occurred, on Japanese radio. It is suspected that Aum was involved at 
  high levels of several world governments, and more than one source has suggested that they were 
  handed ‘advanced weaponry’ by the Russian government. Indeed, when scientific members of the 
  group carried out experiments at the remote Banjawarn sheep station in the remote outback of 
  Australia, a series of powerful earthquakes was the result.
  To this day, few outside of the cult have ever realized that Asahara’s charismatic leadership 
  and the powerful earthquakes actually originated from communion with the writhing nest of 
  chthonians beneath Japan, led by one of the few Great Old Ones free on this earth, Shudde M’ell.
  Asahara and several of his inner circle were humans with the minds of chthonians. Using their 
  telepathy together with the spell Exchange Minds, allowed them to take over these feeble mortals. 
  They took this radical step in order to allow them to direct human affairs to promote sites for the 
  reproduction of their young.
  With the Tokyo subway sarin scandal and subsequent prosecutions of the membership of 
  Aum Shinrikyo, the group renamed, regrouped and splintered across the world. But they are very 
  much, still at large.
  Aum in America
  One such splinter group is located outside of San Antonio, Texas at a disused farm which the 
  group bought as their commune, off Ranch Road 1784. Known as the ‘Church of the Wrath of God’, 
  they embody a faith of mixed tenets, making use of Hinduism as well as Christianity to outline its 
  principle beliefs, much like Aum. Their central tenet is that of direct experience of God through 
  contact with the angels, ‘the Wraths’.
  The leader of the Church is guru Richard Brands, who flew to Japan to learn some advanced 
  techniques about six months ago. Whilst there, impatient for progress, he discovered a secret inner 
  sanctum at a commune, containing a scroll and white sphere, which he took, little realising they were 
  a chthonian egg and the spell Contact Chthonian.
  Upon his return, he set about learning the spell and after about a week he succeeded, and has 
  been in contact ever since. He has found that holding the ‘key’ (the white sphere), aids in his 
  communion. Whilst in one such communion, he asked the ‘angel’ to show him its power, and a minor 
  earthquake (magnitude 2.2) was the result.
  Bear Ridge Shale
  Extending his contact further, he learnt that the angels disliked the local practice of hydraulic 
  fracturing or ‘fracking’ by mining companies. By walking around the various drilling sites of Bear 
  Ridge Shale (BRS), the largest local mining company, he found a site by an old supply shed ‘where 
  the angels congregated’. 
  Mystified, he approached Bear Ridge Shale and offered to make the earthquakes cease if they 
  stopped fracking in a certain area of their field, making it ‘sacred’. He also asked for a donation to 
  their Church. The Regional Director, Jennifer Gonzales skeptically agreed as the earthquakes plagued 
  their operations and were causing bad press as they had been attributed to the company’s fracking 
  activity, which they stringently denied.
  
  2 | P a g e
  When Brands went to the supply shed to pray, and the earthquakes did indeed cease, she was 
  amazed. When pressing Brands for details, he answered saying that it was the will of God, and this 
  area was now ‘sacred’ and must never be disturbed. In actuality, the chthonians in the area had made a 
  nest beneath the shed, and a tunnel extends beneath it. Previously, fracking over this area was harming 
  the chthonians, as it involves the dumping of water underground, which harms chthonians like salt on 
  a slug.
  Theft is discovered
  Meanwhile, the cult seniors in Japan have noticed the missing scroll and egg, and after some 
  investigation, deduced that the likely suspect was Brands. They contacted Brands on the matter about 
  two weeks ago by phone. His guilty response has condemned him. Despite this, the seniors are 
  actually quite pleased with his work, having unknowingly intervened to safeguard a chthonian nest, 
  and successfully contacted a chthonian. However, they do want their egg back. On that account, 
  Brands is still quite naïve.
  Unfortunately, Brands has taken their call to mean he is a marked man, and is now paranoid. 
  In addition to spiritual activities, the Church is also a survivalist group, and is very well armed. As a 
  precaution against any unwelcome visitors, he has told the faithful at the Church that the end times are 
  near, and they should stop all trespassers, regardless of who they are. Zealously, they now watch for 
  any approach to the Church with M-16s. 
  Ignorant of this situation, the Japanese cult leaders have continued to press Brands for the 
  return of their ‘sacred items’ by email, as he now refuses their calls, and have dispatched Masayuki 
  Ishida, a human with a chthonian’s mind, together with his entourage, to retrieve the ‘sacred stone’.
  Initiation of James
  Needing someone to help him with contacting the angels, Brands has taught a fellow devotee, 
  Brian James, the ritual. James is one of his most promising disciples. A couple of weeks ago, Brands 
  gave him some initial tutoring, and then lent him the scroll to continue at home. James is one of the 
  few members who does not live at the Church, due to his schizophrenia.
  Initially, James thought he was unsuccessful, but while meditating he was suddenly contacted 
  by an ‘angel’, and lost his sanity. James was a functional schizophrenic, before joining the Church, so 
  it wasn’t far to fall.
  Now he is plagued by terrible nightmares and visions. One such vision was the destruction by 
  earthquake of one of the business towers in San Antonio. Beset with fear, he brooded for days, 
  coming off his medication, until Friday, 30th March 2012, when he caused a disturbance at Penick 
  Tower, pronouncing, “You’re all going to die!”. The police were called and took him away in a patrol 
  car, but he prayed for deliverance and an angel answered, entering the minds of the policemen, 
  leaving them temporarily insane, upon which, James made his escape.
  Not much was thought of the incident until three days later on Monday, 2nd April, when a 
  brief earthquake shook downtown San Antonio, bizarrely causing the partial collapse of the tower. 
  The story of the mysterious prophet spread and the local news station, KSAT, picked up on it, and 
  have made an attempt to locate the man who predicted the quake.
  Brands recognised the man in the story, and declared that James was either a saint, or a devil 
  come to destroy them. He then ordered his ‘Soldiers of God’, to bring James back to the Church. They 
  set off to bring James back to the Church, where Brands will test his loyalty, and he will either rejoin 
  the group, or be put through various religious practices to help ‘purify’ him.
  This is where the Agents come in.
  
  3 | P a g e
  A-Cell’s Directive
  The lead PC for the cell is contacted by A-Cell via an encrypted email dated 04/03/2012, and 
  directed to contact Detective Luis Shears, a friendly of Delta Green, and assist him in apprehending 
  James. They are also to ascertain the true nature of the earthquake, and determine whether James truly 
  predicted it, or this was simply a series of unfortunate coincidences.
  The email has several attachments of grainy photos of a wild looking man with long hair and 
  an unkempt beard.
  The PCs are on the case officially, the cover story being that Brian James is a ‘person of
  interest’ to the Bureau. However, the PCs would do well not to push their authority, else A-Cell could 
  be compromised.
  OPERATION CHEMOSH
  You are to contact Detective Luis Sears of San Antonio Police 
  Department. He requires discreet assistance in apprehending one 
  Brian James, who he suspects may have some unnatural powers at his 
  disposal. James was arrested by officers after causing a disturbance 
  on 03/30/2012 in the reception of Penick Tower, telling everyone to 
  leave, claiming that the building was due to collapse, and that they 
  would be killed. He never reached the station, as the patrol car was 
  found a distance away, both officers incapacitated, but with no 
  signs of a struggle. One has been admitted to SASH, the State 
  Psychiatric Hospital.
  An earthquake then did occur a few days later in San Antonio, 
  magnitude 5.6, which is the highest on record for the city. It 
  occurred on 04/02/2012 at 0916, and the Penick Tower did partially 
  collapse, causing some loss of life.
  Objectives
  
  Assist Detective Sears in safely apprehending the subject, and 
  interview him to assess his accurate prediction of the quake.
  
  Briefly assess the earthquake and subsequent damage to 
  determine if there is anything unusual about it. Make use of 
  professional resources such as USGS.
  
  Compile a brief report outlining all findings, and send by 
  return encrypted email.
  Possible friendly contacts
  
  Hank Long, local amateur meteorologist
  Aftershock Papers #1
  
  4 | P a g e
  Investigating the Earthquake
  Aftershock Papers #2
  The Agents may wish to contact specialists, to gain quality information. To keep the scenario 
  moving along, you can have some of the contacts not in at the time (determined by a Luck roll), and 
  then return their call during a tense moment elsewhere.
  The essential public facts about the earthquake are:
  
  It was magnitude 5.6 and occurred on 04/02/2012 at 0916 as outlined in A-Cell’s directive.
  
  The epicenter was downtown San Antonio, and caused the partial collapse of the Penick 
  Tower building, killing two, and injuring up to a hundred more.
  Library Use (possibly of an Internet database such as the USGS), or contacting the Earth and 
  Environmental Science Department of New Mexico Tech Research University 
  (http://www.ees.nmt.edu/) or indeed, Hank Long, will harvest some details about the quake, including 
  a seismograph. The data confirms the publicly declared information.
  However, speaking to a seismologist, or examining the data and making a successful Geology 
  roll reveals that the quake was extremely shallow with a depth or hypocenter of 4 km, which is quite 
  unusual, and may account for the damage to Penick Tower. Depths are considered shallow if they are 
  less than 70 km, so 4 km is very shallow. This is probably the only remarkable fact about the quake.
  
  5 | P a g e
  Fracking
  A further Geology or Library Use roll will show that this type of shallow earthquake has 
  sometimes been linked with hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’, a controversial process using water 
  under pressure to drill for gas, although the evidence is far from conclusive. The media, however, has 
  yet to pick up on this connection, and the oil business would be quick to deny a link if the issue was 
  raised.
  Hank Long, however, is something of an environmentalist. He will state this connection as 
  fact, and will say that fracking has even been associated with some unusual illnesses, typically due to 
  emissions and groundwater contamination near to fracking sites.
  Bear Ridge Shale is responsible for the fracking operations around San Antonio, and have had 
  several accidents over the last few years, although their legal team has kept the claims to a minimum.
  Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer, as a result of the action of a 
  pressurized fluid. Some hydraulic fractures form naturally—certain veins or dikes are examples—and 
  can create conduits along which gas and petroleum from source rocks may migrate to reservoir rocks. 
  Induced hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking, commonly known as fraccing or fracking, is a 
  technique used to release petroleum, natural gas (including shale gas, tight gas and coal seam gas), or 
  other substances for extraction. This type of fracturing creates fractures from a wellbore drilled into 
  reservoir rock formations.
  The first use of hydraulic fracturing was in 1947 but the modern fracking technique, called horizontal 
  slickwater fracking, that made the extraction of shale gas economical was first used in 1998 in the 
  Barnett Shale in Texas. The energy from the injection of a highly pressurized fracking fluid creates 
  new channels in the rock, which can increase the extraction rates and ultimate recovery of 
  hydrocarbons.
  Proponents of fracking point to the economic benefits from vast amounts of formerly inaccessible 
  hydrocarbons the process can extract. Opponents point to potential environmental impacts, including 
  contamination of ground water, risks to air quality, the migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing 
  chemicals to the surface, surface contamination from spills and flowback and the health effects of 
  these. For these reasons hydraulic fracturing has come under scrutiny internationally, with some 
  countries suspending or even banning it.
  Courtesy of Wikipedia
  Earthquake Prediction
  Earthquake Prediction is another topic that may be researched (requiring Geology or a long 
  Library Use) but research will indicate that this is very difficult to almost impossible, even for skilled 
  seismologists.
  The Collapse of Penick Tower
  Penick Tower is located on Soledad St, and at 28 stories, it is one of the taller buildings in San 
  Antonio. Typical businesses are lawyers, accountants and internet companies.
  A Geology or Architecture roll, or a discussion with a professional, reveals that a 5.6 
  magnitude earthquake is not usually enough to cause a building to collapse, so it is somewhat 
  remarkable that the partial collapse of the building did occur. However, like the issue of possible 
  fracking, this has yet to be raised by the media or the authorities. For now, everyone is content to 
  blame the earthquake.
  
  6 | P a g e
  Architecture
  The City of San Antonio Development Services Department is currently investigating the 
  building to assess its safety, but will allow repair work to begin within a day or two. Some businesses 
  will be allowed to return after another week, however, several businesses will be forced to stay away 
  for over a month.
  The Agents may contact the Architect’s Office responsible for building Penick Tower, 
  however it was built in 1994. A Library Use roll will indicate that this was Holloway Associates.
  David Ly, a Chinese American will field their questions, once he’s discovered their identity and 
  reasons, but he won’t have much to say.
  In addition, the Agents can pull the blueprints at the Development Services Department, and 
  either examine them themselves with an Architecture roll, or hire a professional.
  Casualties
  The two casualties of the earthquake were:
  
  Richard Solomon, a software developer working for an internet company, Lagoon Holidays, 
  who was going outside to smoke when part of the ceiling fell on him.
  
  Evangeline Johnson, a secretary for a drilling company, HBD Engineering, who fell down the 
  back stairs and suffered multiple fractures around the skull and neck.
  Neither of the deaths is at all suspicious, but the PCs may think otherwise.
  The injuries of those in the building were mainly due to falls, and to heavy items falling on 
  them. Once again, nothing is suspicious.
  Investigating Brian James
  Background
  A background check on Brian James’ indicates that he is a 22-year old, functional 
  schizophrenic, who takes regular medication to manage his condition. He has a history of disturbances 
  with the police, mainly minor infractions which resulted in some overnight stays in the cells, and also 
  in being committed to the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) by the courts for two months, just over 
  a year ago, when his illness took over. However, he has no history of violence.
  Buckeye Avenue
  James lives on Buckeye Avenue in Northwest San Antonio, off Highway 10, in a small house 
  with a back garden. There are plenty of trees at the front, and the back garden is overgrown 
  surrounded by a fence that is falling down.
  Spot Hidden will alert the Agents to a car parked outside, with a warm hood. It is a gray Ford 
  Explorer Sport Trac – a four door pick up. It’s seen better days. If Detective Sears runs the plate over 
  the radio with central, it turns out to be registered to Paul Plaza, of Ranch Road 1784. He has a clean 
  record.
  Inside, Paul Plaza and Daniel Pari (both brethren of the Church) have already pacified Brian 
  James by threatening and beating him to the ground. Both are armed with rifles. If the Agents 
  approach the property quietly (Luck roll to avoid those inside hearing), then events will continue as 
  outlined  under ‘Abduction’, below. As soon as the Agents alert the brethren, refer to ‘Siege’ for 
  events.
  
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  Abduction
  In the living room, Pari will cover James with a rifle, and make fairly loud threats saying, 
  “You have blasphemed against the Angels. You must be taken to the Church to be redeemed. Only the 
  Savior can lift you up from the Hell where you have fallen.” He will use whatever religious language 
  the Keeper sees fit and ensure that James remains on the floor. This may be heard from outside, if 
  someone takes pains to listen carefully (with a deliberate Listen roll)
  Meanwhile, Plaza will search the small property for the ritual documents. If given long 
  enough, they could find it within about 5 minutes. Plaza has left his rifle propped up in the hall, near 
  the living room door.
  However, before this time James, who is covering his face with his hands, says to Pari, “Don’t 
  look at me!” Pari will become agitated, and start pulling James’ hands away from his face until 
  eventually Pari will look into James’ eyes. At this point, Pari will be confronted with a mental link 
  with a chthonian, and go insane. He will begin by screaming constantly for about ten rounds (which 
  will be heard outside). He will drop his rifle, and collapse to the floor and move away until his back is 
  against the wall. Once he has reached the end of his initial shock, he will realize that he has gone 
  blind (this is psychosomatic), and be reduced to a panicky babble.
  Plaza will immediately come running, to see what’s going on, grabbing his rifle on the way. 
  When he discovers the situation, he will be wary. James has return to the fetal position on the floor. 
  Pari will warn him not to go near James, saying, “Just get me out of here!” He will concur, and lead 
  Pari back to their car, and they will drive away.
  This will all happen inside about 5 or 10 minutes or so from when the Agents arrive at the 
  property.
  Siege
  The Agents may alert the brethren to their presence either accidentally by noise, or on 
  purpose, by knocking. At this point, assuming that Pari has not yet been driven insane, the two 
  brethren will crouch down by the living room window (Plaza retrieving his rifle from the hall) and 
  look out to see who’s there. Their initial tactic will be to stay quiet and not to respond, and hope that 
  
  8 | P a g e
  the visitors leave. A Listen roll, however, will hear furtive movements inside. If it is clear that they 
  are law enforcement officials (Sears is in plain clothes), and that they might enter the property, then 
  gunplay will likely result, with the Agents being surprised. To protect the PCs, have the brethren 
  attack Sears in the first instance.
  As soon as gunfire takes place, the clock is ticking for the SAPD to descend on the place in 
  force (7 +1D6 minutes). It is up to the PCs how to handle this situation, and a stand-off could easily 
  occur, but this is not essential. Pari and Plaza will surrender to police within about 10 minutes of 
  reinforcements arriving.
  The biggest problem with the arrival of non-Delta Green personnel, is that James will be 
  whisked away as soon as the situation is resolved, and that they will have less leeway to search the 
  property and keep what they find.
  Interviewing James
  Initially, James will be agitated and scared, and in the same position left by the brethren. He 
  will repeat the same advice to the Agents, “Don’t look at me!” If they do pry his hands away from his 
  face, and get a look in his eyes, then they risk being contacted by a chthonian, through telepathic 
  contact, as Pari was. Roll POW vs POW to see if Par’shreth’kith’dagon(the chthonian) is able to 
  contact them. If so, then they will feel a powerful alien presence within their mind, and must make a 
  SAN roll (1/1D20).
  James is aware of the ‘angel’ which seems to channel through himself into the minds of 
  others, but only if their gazes meet when he feels threatened, hence he implores those he meets not to 
  look at him. Although James would like to escape this mental contact, he is not able to at present.
  Par’shreth’kith’dagon has favored James with his attention because he touched one of the 
  chthonian eggs at the Church, and because he finds James easy to contact due to his schizophrenia. He 
  can in fact telepathically contact anyone who James sees, whether threatened or not; it is simply that 
  Par’shreth’kith’dagon interprets James’ fear or excitement as meaning that these people are of import, 
  and their minds worth exploring.
  An efficient way to calm James, and to reduce the contact with the chthonian, is to give him a 
  sedative, or to just let him calm down by himself. On a longer term basis, Psychiatric treatment 
  including anti-psychotics might help to block the telepathic contact.
  If they can interview James, then a Psychoanalysis roll may elicit each of the pieces of 
  information given below. If a roll fails, then James panics and is overcome with fear, and is unable to 
  answer. Recall that the chthonian, Par’shreth’kith’dagon may still make a psychic intrusion through 
  James at any time, especially if he is agitated.
  
  He is possessed by an angel of wrath.
  
  He knew the earthquake was going to happen, because he saw it in a vision. This is how the 
  angel communicates with him.
  
  It is the angel, through his mind, which took Pari and the policemen who tried to arrest him. It 
  sometimes takes other people who look at him.
  
  Plaza and Pari are fellow members of the Church of the Wrath of God. He doesn’t know why 
  they tried to hurt him, or why they’re angry with him. Their messiah, Richard Brands is in 
  direct contact with the angels.
  
  James became possessed by the angel when he learnt a ritual, taught to him by Brands, and 
  outlined on a scroll which is at his house, and he can show them.
  Once the Agents have finished interviewing him, they can either have him committed, 
  possibly via Det Sears, or simply allow him to return to his home, although he is clearly not coping 
  with his schizophrenia at present and should be referred to psychiatric care.
  
  9 | P a g e
  His behavior will become erratic, and he will say unusual things about angels and he will 
  respond to other voices, as well as to the presence of the chthonian in his mind. Once only, he will 
  utter the cryptic phrase (see below). Whether his schizophrenic voices are anything other than 
  hallucinations, is up to the Keeper.
  A Cryptic Phrase
  Those in contact with the chthonians, knowingly or otherwise, will each utter a cryptic 
  phrase, only once to the PCs. By default this is, “Together in the darkness, we consume you.” 
  However, this can be replaced with whatever you wish. James and, later, Manson and Ishida will 
  utter this phrase, but anyone in contact with the chthonians (even a PC) can utter this phrase if 
  desired.
  It  need not be uttered in a snarling, angry voice. It can be simply uttered as they meet 
  someone, as they are smiling and shaking hands. This incongruity should give a clue that the phrase 
  is uttered involuntarily.
  None will remember saying it, and deny it if asked.
  Searching Buckeye Avenue
  Living Room: Relatively sparse and neglected room, cluttered only with stacks of DVDs and CDs.
  * Spot Hidden: Find a scroll of Japanese writing, painted with traditional characters. It is actually a 
  scroll which discusses the angels a little, but also contains the spell Communion (Contact chthonian). 
  Japanese, takes 1D4 days to read, -1 SAN, +1% Cthulhu Mythos, x1 Spell Multiplier. The scroll is 
  located amongst other items for meditation, such as a small copper bowl, incense, and some small, 
  conical candles.
  Den: This room is dark and dingy, with no bulb, and a blanket secured crudely across the window. A 
  Dodge roll is necessary as they navigate between the piles of old paperbacks and dirty crockery to 
  avoid knocking anything over. If they do, the stench is unbelievable – it seems that James has been 
  collecting his feces and urine in jars and stores them in here. (This is since he became unwell.)
  * Computer Use: Examining his computer finds a useful email from one Ursula Sarabia, requesting an 
  interview (Aftershock Papers #3)
  * Spot Hidden: A photo of some oil derricks and some outbuildings (Aftershock Papers #4). A closer 
  examination, perhaps with digital enhancement or a further Spot Hidden roll reveals the name ‘Bear 
  Ridge Shale’ on a sign, the name of an oil production company, with assets nearby to San Antonio (as 
  well as throughout Texas and the US). He was given this, to ‘aid his meditations’, by Brands, but 
  without further explanation.
  Bedroom: Messy, but bearable.
  * Spot Hidden: A photo of James with a group of mostly Japanese people (Aftershock Papers #5). 
  They all look happy, and are dressed simply and practically, possibly out hiking. They are stood in 
  front a plain wooden building, with some breathtaking mountains in the background. An Architecture 
  roll shows that the building is of Japanese design. It will take a Cartography x0.5 roll, and several 
  days of research, to discern the location of the building – it is a commune belonging to the Japanese 
  spiritual organization, Kakusareta Masuta. If anyone makes an attempt to identify the people in the 
  picture, a few hours research and a Library Use roll recognizes Asahara Shoko, the leader of Aum 
  Shinrikyo.
  Kitchen: Barely livable.
  
  10 | P a g e
  Handouts
  Interview Request
  Ursula Sarabia [ursula.sarabia@express-news.net]
  Hi Brian,
  I’m a reporter for the San Antonio Express, and I hear that you’re a 
  member of the Church of the Wrath of God, based outside the city –
  would you be willing to provide me with an interview? If necessary I 
  can miss out your name, and any other details that identify you. I’d 
  like to hear about your life there, and why you chose this religion.
  If you’d like to call me, you can contact me at the Express newsroom 
  210-250-3171, or directly on my mobile 210-770-5830.
  Thanks for your time,
  Ursula
  Aftershock Papers #3
  A photo of some oil derricks and some outbuildings
  Aftershock Papers #4
  A photo of James with a group of mostly Japanese people. They all look happy, and 
  are dressed simply and practically, possibly out hiking. They are stood in front a plain 
  wooden building, with some breathtaking mountains in the background.
  Aftershock Papers #5
  To follow up on any of the handouts:
  Aftershock Papers #3: For contacting Ursula Sarabia, see ‘Investigating the Church of the Wrath of 
  God’.
  Aftershock Papers #4: It isn’t possible to determine where this photo was taken, see ‘Bear Ridge 
  Shale’
  Aftershock Papers #5: See text.
  
  11 | P a g e
  Stats
  Detective Luis Sears
  San Antonio Police Detective, age 32
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  13
  CON
  13
  SIZ
  17
  INT
  13
  POW
  9
  DEX
  9
  APP
  9
  EDU
  14
  SAN
  45
  HP
  15
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: High School, Police Academy
  Occupation: Police Detective
  Skills: Bargain 15%, Credit Rating 35%, Drive Auto 40%, Fast Talk 55%, First Aid 50%, Law 75%, 
  Listen 65%, Persuade 65%, Psychology 45%, Sneak 40%, Spot Hidden 55%
  Languages: English 60%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 60%, 1D3+db
  Grapple 45%, special
  Beretta M92 Pistol 60%, 1D10
  Description: Tall and clean cut, he wears smart clothes on and off the job. His dark hair is trimmed 
  very short and slicked back, and he wears aviator shades. His face is slightly long and pale, but 
  otherwise remarkable. He is often mistaken for Hispanic.
  Brian James
  Religious seeker, age 29
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  9
  CON
  16
  SIZ
  11
  INT
  11
  POW
  15
  DEX
  9
  APP
  12
  EDU
  13
  SAN
  25
  HP
  14
  Damage Bonus: +0
  Education: High School
  Occupation: Book shop clerk
  Skills: Anthropology 60%, Art (Writing) 15%, Bargain 45%, Drive Auto 40%, History 50%, Library 
  Use 75%, Psychology 35%, Spot Hidden 50%
  Languages: English 85%, Japanese 65%
  Attacks: Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Description: Slim build, short brown hair, neatly kept, clean shaven. Quite unremarkable. Although 
  he has a strong internal will, this does not translate externally. He appears quite down at heel, with all 
  his energies focused on contemplation and religious devotion. Although he is currently in a state of 
  panic.
  Daniel Pari
  Religious fanatic, age 26
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  11
  CON
  12
  SIZ
  16
  INT
  12
  POW
  7
  DEX
  15
  APP
  12
  EDU
  12
  SAN
  5
  HP
  14
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: High School
  Occupation: Survivalist
  Skills: Craft (Survival) 35%, Drive Auto 40%, Electrical Repair 20%, Fast Talk 35%, First Aid 40%, 
  Hide 30%, Law 30%, Mechanical Repair 80%, Natural History 30%, Operate Heavy Machine 31%, 
  Spot Hidden 50%, Track 30%
  Languages: English 60%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 70%, 1D3+db
  Remington Sportsman 74 Rifle 65%, 2D6+4
  
  12 | P a g e
  Description: Strong and weather-beaten. Usually an easy smile, but not today. Slightly long, shaggy 
  hair and a goatee beard growing out. He wears shades, and sturdy outdoor clothes and boots. Rarely 
  without his Sportsman 74 Rifle.
  Paul Plaza
  Religious leader, age 39
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  13
  CON
  6
  SIZ
  15
  INT
  12
  POW
  11
  DEX
  11
  APP
  11
  EDU
  15
  SAN
  15
  HP
  11
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: Psychology Major
  Occupation: Social Worker
  Skills: Anthropology 61%, Cthulhu Mythos 2%, Credit Rating 45%, Dodge 42%, Drive Auto 30%, 
  Fast Talk 65%, Law 60%, Library Use 65%, Occult 10%, Persuade 85%, Psychology 65%
  Languages: English 65%, Spanish 25%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Remington Sportsman 74 Rifle 45%, 2D6+4
  Spells: Commune with Angel of Wrath (Contact Chthonian)
  Description: Calm and assured. 5’ 5”, he wears glasses, his hair is slightly long, brown, and he has a 
  trimmed, full beard. His clothes are casual. He looks like a college professor. His eyes are somewhat 
  steely, but he is very persuasive.
  CHTHONIAN, Adult, Par’shreth’kith’dagon
  STR 45 CON 42
  SIZ 20 INT 23 POW 17
  DEX 10
  HP 31
  Damage Bonus: +3D6
  Weapons:
  1D8 Tentacles per round: 75% 1D6 Damage + 1D6 CON Drain
  Crush: 80% 3D6 Damage
  Psychic Attack: POW vs POW. Typically this causes immobility, even possession of sorts. However, 
  Par’shreth’kith’dagon is capable of entering human minds, causing terror and fear (Roll a SAN check 
  1/1D10).
  Armor: 5-point hide and muscle; regenerates 5 hit points per round.
  Spells: Contact Cthulhu, Contact Ithaqua, Contact Shudde M’ell, Contact Nyogtha, Contact 
  Y’Golonac, Contact Yig.
  
  13 | P a g e
  Clues from Buckeye Avenue
  AP#
  Clue or Lead
  Obtained From
  Leads To
  Plaza and Pari
  Buckeye Ave
  Church of the Wrath of God
  Ranch Road 1784
  Car license plate
  Church of the Wrath of God
  Interview with James
  Buckeye Ave
  Richard Brands
  3
  Email re interview
  James’ computer
  Ursula Sarabia
  4
  Photo of oil derricks
  Buckeye Ave
  Bear Ridge Shale
  5
  Photo of Japanese
  Buckeye Ave
  Kakusareta Masuta/ Commune
  5
  Photo of Japanese
  Buckeye Ave
  Shoko Asahara/ Aum Shinrikyo
  Investigating the Church of the Wrath of God
  Interviewing the Brethren from the Siege
  When the brethren are initially taken in, the PCs may think that they have the upper hand, 
  especially if they are from a law enforcement background. However, this is not the case.
  Firstly, the brethren will maintain their right to silence until they can make a phone call. At 
  that stage, they will call the Church. Brands will initially be furious, but will quickly take control of 
  the situation, and contact their law firm, Beaden and Murnett, who will send two very expensive 
  lawyers to represent the prisoners. A Law roll will quickly uncover who is paying their tab.
  The Police on the case will conduct the interviews, with the PCs listening in, and able to make 
  suggestions to the interrogator. The line of questioning will be to outline why they were in the 
  property, and will largely depend on what happened.
  Their story will largely be that they were going to pick up James to take him back to the 
  Church as he seemed distressed over previous days.
  The PCs may be able to interrogate the prisoners, without police presence, although this will 
  be difficult, and possibly illegal. They could even engineer an interview as they are taking them down 
  to the station. If they can make a successful Fast Talk or Psychology roll, they can get the truth out 
  them, that Richard Brands, their leader, sent them to bring James in, as he needed to be tested.
  Depending on the seriousness of the crimes committed, pressure from the Mayor’s Office will 
  start to appear within 24 hours to have the case either dropped, or plea-bargained down, that the whole 
  thing was a ‘misunderstanding’. Resisting arrest can be ignored, but murdering a police officer 
  cannot. It will take some insistent digging, a Library Use, and a Fast Talk or Persuade roll to uncover 
  that this pressure has come from one of the Mayor’s campaign sponsors, an oil company called Bear 
  Ridge Shale (BRS), through their regional director, Jennifer Gonzales.
  A further Library Use or Accounting roll will uncover that the Church has conducted 
  consultancy work for BRS.
  Researching the Church
  Each point below can be gained with a Library Use roll. Each PC can attempt all of the rolls below 
  every 1D6 hours of research that they complete on the Church.
  
  The Church of the Wrath of God has been running for about twenty years, and is a recognised 
  religion. Their central tenet is that of direct contact with angels, although their overall belief 
  system is a  mish-mash of various other religions including Christianity, Buddhism and 
  Hinduism.
  
  An article about the extreme practices of the Church (Aftershock Papers #6). It is written by 
  James White of the San Antonio Star.
  
  14 | P a g e
  
  The Church building itself is located South of San Antonio on a dusty and remote side road, 
  at Ranch Road 1784. Google Streetview reveals a collection of old farm buildings, quite some 
  distance from the road, partially hidden behind a dense grove of trees.
  
  It is an offshoot of the Aum Shinrikyo cult in Japan, that was responsible for the 1995 sarin 
  attacks on the Tokyo subway. Their leader, Richard Brands, is personally associated with the 
  Kakusareta Masuta cult in Japan, which is said to be the new home of many of the senior 
  members of Aum.
  
  Accounting roll: Independently wealthy. The declared accounts show that the Church is worth 
  about $3 million, mainly in stocks, bonds and land, as well as a cash-rich bank account of 
  about $100K. A further Accounting roll attributes most of this wealth to occasional large 
  payments from the Masuta cult.
  
  Law roll: The ATF are currently investigating the Church in connection with large quantities 
  of weapons purchases. Although none are illegal, it appears that they are all being stored at 
  the same address: Rand Road 1784.
  LSD and Shock Treatment to Find God
  San Antonio Star, May 21 2010
  By James White
  LSD, shock treatment, sensory deprivation 
  and inversion are just some of the bizarre practices 
  endorsed by an obscure cult. And it isn’t in New 
  York or LA, it is right here in Texas, just outside 
  San Antonio.
  This reporter has investigated the Church 
  of the Wrath of God, and interviewed ex-members 
  to uncover the use of these illegal and dangerous 
  methods. The Atascosa County Sheriff’s 
  Department has been contacted, and we eagerly 
  await their response.
  For well over ten years this twisted cult 
  has been practicing as a recognised religion, 
  masquerading as Christians.
  But now, evidence has emerged that the 
  practices of the ‘church’ are so dangerous, that 
  they could well end up at the State Hospital.
  Representatives from the Church of the 
  Wrath of God were unavailable for comment.
  Aftershock Papers #6
  
  15 | P a g e
  Inner Circle of the Church
  In addition to those listed below, Pari and Plaza are also classed as Inner Circle. Brands is the 
  undisputed leader of the cult, but all the Inner Circle are willing to kill for the Church without 
  hesitation, and likely have. Infractions that would demand torture (in the form of extreme ‘spiritual 
  practice’ such as inversion) and possibly death include: trying to expose the cult in the press, talking 
  badly about the cult, interfering with cult business, trying to leave the cult, talking about leaving or 
  doubting the necessity of the practice. 
  Note that the Inner Circle do not view themselves as ruthless enforcers, but martyrs and 
  saviors desperately fighting a rearguard action to literally save souls before the end times come in a 
  matter of months. If they kill someone who is attempting to leave the cult, they simply view this as 
  saving them from descending into the polluted sewer that is mainstream society, and certain 
  destruction of the soul. They often bemoan the necessity of ‘sacrificing the lambs’, while washing off 
  the blood, and stowing away their rifles.
  Only Lee Frost amongst them has much more than a basic level of sanity.
  As far as actual Cthulhu Mythos knowledge goes, they know only what has been taught them 
  by Masuta, from Brands visits to Japan. They know that ‘Angels’ can be contacted to help them, and 
  that the end times, when the stars are right, is at hand. Beyond that, their knowledge is rudimentary or 
  even nil.
  The fact that they have a chthonian egg within their main Church building, is something about 
  which they have no understanding whatsoever.
  Richard Brands
  Insane Messiah, age 28
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  8
  CON
  16
  SIZ
  14
  INT
  9
  POW
  18
  DEX
  8
  APP
  12
  EDU
  15
  SAN
  0
  HP
  15
  Damage Bonus: +0
  Education: College Degree
  Occupation: Academic (Professor)
  Skills: Anthropology 61%, Bargain 5%, Computer Use 21%, Credit Rating 35%, Cthulhu Mythos 
  16%, Library Use 45%, Martial Arts 11%, Occult 70%, Persuade 55%, Psychology 55%
  Languages: English 85%, Japanese 76%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 70%, 1D3+db
  (Handgun) 60%
  Description: Young, awkward looking. He has a goatee, long hair and spectacles, and wears practical 
  clothes for the region. His tanned, rough-looking appearance makes him look like a woodsman at first 
  glance, a hippy at second. However, a glance into his eyes reveals the fanatic that he is. He earnestly 
  believes that the world is about to end in a war of cataclysmic proportions. This is mainly down to his 
  teachings, however, he was a survivalist before encountering Masuta, and now he is a fanatical and 
  paranoid fundamentalist. He has killed several of his own congregation, with the extreme practices at 
  the church, and he honestly believes that he has helped them by doing so, and so do those around him.
  Spells: Contact Chthonian, Contact Shudde M’ell.
  Mythos Documents:
  The Truth Behind The Veil by Shoko Asahara
  Language: Japanese; Mythos Gain: +5; SAN Loss: 1D6; Spell Multiplier: x3; Study 
  Time: 18 weeks; Spells: Contact Shudde M’ell, Contact Chthonian, Mind Transfer
  Notes: Written by the notorious guru of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, he talks about the coming 
  apocalypse, citing various signs, especially star movements. He goes on to explain the various 
  spiritual practices that will allow survival in the end times, including communion with spirits, 
  and mental attunement.
  
  16 | P a g e
  Julie Beloche
  Religious seeker, age 38
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  14
  CON
  11
  SIZ
  12
  INT
  14
  POW
  15
  DEX
  9
  APP
  16
  EDU
  10
  SAN
  0
  HP
  12
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: High School
  Occupation: Drifter
  Skills: Bargain 35%, Drive Auto 40%, Fast Talk 65%, Hide 30%, Listen 45%, Natural History 15%, 
  Occult 35%, Persuade 75%, Psychology 60%, Sneak 50%
  Languages: English 40%
  Attacks: Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Description: Slim and attractive, with long, dark hair. What separates Julie from her peers is her 
  intensity, which shows in her gaze and her insight. It has led her to progress with meditation and the 
  arts which Brands has readily taught her. Since contacting the angel, her sanity has taken a sharp drop, 
  and she is now somewhat paranoid. Brands is involved with her sexually, and she is now pregnant 
  with his child.
  Spells: Contact Chthonian.
  Lee Frost
  Religious seeker, age 21
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  14
  CON
  13
  SIZ
  13
  INT
  10
  POW
  8
  DEX
  13
  APP
  9
  EDU
  13
  SAN
  20
  HP
  13
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: High School
  Occupation: Farmer
  Skills: Bargain 35%, Craft (Farming) 65%, Electrical Repair 30%, First Aid 50%, Mechanical Repair 
  60%, Natural History 50%, Operate Heavy Machinery 41%, Ride 45%, Track 10%
  Languages: English 65%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 80%, 1D3+db
  Remington Sportsman 74 Rifle 65%, 2D6+4
  Description: Young and naïve, Lee is a local farmer who has left his family’s farmstead to join the 
  Church. Although not worldly-wise, he is calm, and unlikely to react and get angry, a reason why 
  Brands has kept him close. His calm exterior does an excellent job of hiding his fanatical and 
  fundamentalist nature, and has killed twice for Brands. He is also responsible for farming the small 
  portion of land surrounding the Church, which he handles easily.
  Colin Wratten
  Religious seeker, age 26
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  13
  CON
  10
  SIZ
  15
  INT
  14
  POW
  12
  DEX
  10
  APP
  4
  EDU
  16
  SAN
  5
  HP
  13
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: College Degree
  Occupation: Engineer
  Skills: Architecture 81%, Chemistry 1%, Drive Auto 45%, Electrical Repair 40%, Geology 41%, 
  Library Use 45%, Locksmith 41%, Mechanical Repair 60%, Operate Heavy Machinery 51%, 
  Persuade 25%, Physics 61%, Sneak 45%
  Languages: English 80%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Browning 12-guage Double-barrel shotgun 60%, 4D6/2D6/1D6
  
  17 | P a g e
  Description: Wratten has a narrow, weaselly face, with yellow, blotchy skin and long, brownish 
  teeth. His beard is unkempt, and his hair is patchy. Long rejected for his looks, when he found the 
  Church he found acceptance, and he gladly works for the Church, supervising the maintenance and 
  construction around the Church buildings.
  Aum Shinrikyo
  Research into this infamous cult reveals the following well-known facts, without recourse to a 
  Library Use roll:
  
  Formed in 1984 by Shoko Asahara, formerly Chizuo Matsumoto. Aum Shinrikyo began as a 
  yoga and meditation class, but later became a cult which preached a mixture of Buddhism and 
  Hinduism. Its publicly stated purpose was that of universal salvation and Aum communes 
  were set up in dozens of locations around Japan.
  
  Its mission was not only to spread the word of salvation, but to survive the ‘End Times’. 
  Shoko Asahara equated the United States with ‘The Beast’ in the Book of Revelation. He 
  preached about many other conspiracies around the world, such as the Jews and the Masons.
  
  The cult is now known to have kidnapped and murdered those who opposed it, including 
  judges, media reporters and members who tried to leave. On several occasions they used sarin 
  over a wide area, affecting hundreds, culminating in the March 1995 attack on the Tokyo 
  subway.
  
  Upon raiding the cult’s facilities they discovered explosives, anthrax and Ebola, as well as 
  sarin, all manufactured in advanced laboratories. There were even facilities for the 
  manufacture of AK-47s. To this day, many world governments list Aum, rebranded as 
  Kakusareta Masuta, as an international terrorist organization.
  Each of the following items can be obtained with the requisite Library Use roll:
  
  Asahara accurately predicted an earthquake in Japan. (Aftershock Papers #7)
  
  Bizarre experiments were carried out by Aum at Banjawarn Sheep Station in Australia 
  (Aftershock Papers #8, #9)
  
  18 | P a g e
  On the 8 January 1995, Shoko Asahara said on radio, “Japan will be attacked by an 
  earthquake in 1995.  The most likely place is Kobe.” Nine days later, a devastating earthquake struck 
  Kobe.
  On the 7 April 1995, Aum Shinrikyo’s Science and Technology Minister, Hideo Murai, said at 
  a news conference at the Foreign Correspondent Club, “There is a strong possibility of the activation 
  of an earthquake using electromagnetic power, or somebody may have used a device that applied 
  force inside the Earth.” A couple of months thereafter, he was assassinated by a member of the 
  Yakuza, one of the largest criminal organizations in the world, publicly, in front of a crowd of 
  reporters. The attacker’s motives remain unclear.
  Aftershock Papers #7
  In April 1993, Aum purchased Banjawarn Sheep Station in Western Australia and installed 
  computer systems and an advanced laboratory. They attempted to import dangerous chemicals 
  which they mislabeled, some of which were confiscated by the Australian authorities.
  When the site was investigated, in light of the Tokyo subway attack, evidence of sarin use 
  was found, including soil samples and dead sheep.
  Aftershock Papers #8
  On 28 May 1993, a quake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale rocked Western Australia, with 
  an epicenter close to Banjawarn sheep station. A nuclear physicist was among the Aum scientific 
  contingent present on site at the time.
  Strange lights were seen in the night sky for hours on the night of the quake, including a 
  ‘fireball’ and a ‘white dome’.
  Aftershock Papers #9
  
  19 | P a g e
  The Church Commune
  Key to the Commune
  1.
  Barn, grain store, windmill water pump, corral
  2.
  Church main hall and offices, diesel generator, incinerator, kitchen, satellite dish, computer
  3.
  Weapons store, survival equipment, eg. Gas masks
  4.
  Fuel towers
  5.
  Men’s living quarters
  6.
  Women’s living quarters, wind turbine
  7.
  Shower and toilet block
  8.
  Inner sanctum, private meeting hall. Chthonian egg, Brands’ mythos document
  About forty men, women and children live here. The various outbuildings are a mixture of 
  prefabricated farm buildings, and some plain brick buildings. The living quarters are cramped but 
  sufficient.
  The commune is not connected to the grid by any means, necessitating kerosene lamps in 
  living quarters and common rooms. Power is supplied by a large wind turbine next to the living 
  
  20 | P a g e
  quarters, and a diesel generator in the main hall for a more consistent power source. Water is pumped 
  by a windmill to a water tower next to the barn. Heating is sparse, but provided by small oil heaters 
  where required. The oil in the fuel towers is essential for the day to day running of the commune due 
  to its remote nature, but given that they live cheek and jowl with oil fields and refineries, it has never 
  been an issue.
  Outbuildings
  An account of Brands’ encounter with the angels in the oil fields (Aftershock Papers #10). This can be 
  found on the commune computer, or as part of a newsletter, pinned up on a notice board.
  Today I encountered and communed with the Angels. They dwell in the western field of Bear 
  Ridge Shale. I followed the teaching scrolls, and attuned myself to them, and they led me out there. At 
  first I was afraid, but when I stood there in the fields, a tremendous sense of how ancient they are 
  came to me.
  I wandered for hours past the oil derricks, until I came to an old supply shed. It was there, I 
  sensed, that they congregated. Although I could not see them, I could sense them. It was if huge, 
  invisible giants stood right next to me.
  Then, in my mind, they showed me men pushing tons of water and other materials deep under 
  the earth, and I could feel that the Angels resented this, I could feel their anger, their Wrath. Then 
  suddenly, I felt a tremor under my feet as the ground shook. I have never doubted the Angels, but 
  when the earthquake struck, I felt a rush of energy and pure happiness through me – our ideas were 
  proven!
  I fell to my knees then, and asked the Angels what they wished of me, but I already knew the 
  answer – they wanted the water to go away. It was the fracking. I resolved there and then that I would 
  stop the fracking, and give the angels a place to stay.
  Aftershock Papers #10
  Visitors
  
  21 | P a g e
  Anyone approaching the commune uninvited, whether uniformed or not, will be assumed to 
  be dangerous. Although hostilities do not commence immediately, the men will arm themselves with 
  rifles and shotguns and the women will bustle the children inside the hall. If visitors approach in a 
  vehicle, then a 4x4 will be parked across the drive, preventing further access to the commune. 
  Once contact is established, visitors will be hailed, and approached by a mean and hostile 
  group of about a dozen armed men, including Brands and his ‘inner circle’. The visitors will be 
  bruskly informed that this is private property, and asked what their business is. Almost no words will 
  mollify the group, and a search warrant will simply anger them, provoking violence. Only the Sheriff 
  himself, Dwayne Holland, who they know, will be allowed to discuss matters with them. If the PCs 
  come in the company of the Sheriff, then they may have a chance of conversation. All others will be 
  threatened, and have guns leveled at them. Anyone failing to leave will have a warning shot fired over 
  their heads.
  This is a dangerously insane and isolated cult, well-armed and willing to kill. If anyone starts 
  to threaten them, or say that they know about what the cult has been up to, then the cultists may well 
  seize the opportunity to kill them and incinerate the bodies. Cars will be driven out to the next County 
  and dumped.
  If gunplay does ensue, and there are survivors, then things will escalate, and police will be 
  called in, resulting in a siege and perhaps a raid. Wako anyone?
  Legal investigations
  If the internet records of the commune are pulled, and a Library Search roll is made, then an 
  email account belonging to Richard Brands can be found. This has several emails from Masayuki 
  Ishida. See ‘Ishida’ below for further information. The emails are from the domain 
  kukusaretamasuta.com (the cult’s web page) and cordially ask Brands to return the teaching 
  documents, and the ‘sacred stone’. It concludes  by saying, ‘You do not know what power you wield. 
  ‘This information can also be located if the PCs are able to enter the commune, and physically access 
  the computer there.
  If Brands’ phone records are pulled, there are calls received from a Japanese cell number. It 
  may be possible to find out that this corresponds to Ishida, however, it would require the cooperation 
  of law enforcement agencies in Japan.
  Clues from the Church
  AP#
  Clue or Lead
  Obtained From
  Leads To
  Political Pressure
  Interviewing Brethren
  Bear Ridge Shale
  Political Pressure
  Interviewing Brethren
  Jennifer Gonzales
  6
  Article of Extreme Practices
  Library Use
  James White
  Research of Church
  Library Use
  Aum Shinrikyo
  Research of Church
  Library Use
  Kakusareta Masuta
  7
  Research of Aum
  Library Use
  Earthquake Prediction
  8, 9
  Research of Aum
  Library Use
  Banjawarn Sheep Station
  10
  Brands’ communion
  Computers
  BRS Supply Sheds
  Ursula Sarabia
  Ursula Sarabia is indeed a reporter with the San Antonio Express, and has been following the 
  story of the Church and Aum for quite some time. She will readily meet with the PCs to discuss the 
  Church, and is aware of the first four points, above, under ‘Researching the Church’. She will 
  volunteer this information if the PCs are not clued in.
  
  22 | P a g e
  Regarding the journalist James White (see the second point of this list, and Aftershock Papers 
  #6), she has tried to get in touch with him, and he has disappeared, together with his wife and young 
  daughter. 
  Sarabia tells them that this isn’t the first time someone connected with the Church has gone 
  missing. Ronald Havershaw has repeatedly tried to get in touch with his daughter Darleen at the 
  commune out on Ranch Road, and been rebuffed. The Church says that she left several months ago to 
  ‘find herself’.
  Sarabia suspects the worst for both the White family, and for Darleen Havershaw, and she is 
  right. They are all dead – burnt in the Church incinerator.
  In fact Library Search rolls will uncover two other similar stories.
  Thomas Hogg wrote letters to his girlfriend, Brenda Mansfield, saying how worried he was 
  about the commune, and about the practices there, and that he was thinking of leaving. When the 
  letters stopped, she went to find him, and was threatened at the commune by man with rifles, and they 
  even tried to get her inside. Fearing for her life, she tried to get away, and it was only when a passing 
  farmer slowed down that the brethren relinquished her, and she ran to her car. She contacted the 
  Atascosa County Sheriff’s Department, however, they couldn’t find any wrongdoing. The two 
  brethren involved said that there was simply a ‘misunderstanding’, and that Thomas Hogg had gone 
  abroad, possibly to Japan but he didn’t say where. He is another addition to the incinerator.
  About nine months ago, Donald Scott, a local businessman who rented out farm machinery 
  joined the Church and agreed to lend them machinery without charge, and also to donate to the 
  Church to help for repairs. However, after staying at the commune for a few weeks, he decided to 
  move back home, but was prevented by the brethren. In the end, he was forced to flee in the night, and 
  even then he was harassed by them, wanting him to return, making vague threats. It wasn’t until the 
  law became involved that they finally relinquished. The commune still have his farm machinery, and 
  refuse to return it, saying that it was ‘donated’. For his part, Scott is simply thankful to be out of the 
  commune.
  Sarabia will offer her services in investigating the various connections to the Church, in 
  exchange for exclusive rights to the story.
  Investigating the Victims
  The White Family lived a short distance away from the commune at Floresville. Their 
  beautiful family home is currently in limbo until it can be shown that the family are not liable to 
  return, so it stands empty. Relatives in Houston currently keep an eye on the property.
  If the PCs somehow get in, one way or another, they can search the property. As it is a likely 
  kidnapping, FBI agents should have little trouble gaining legal access. The main item of interest, is 
  White’s computer. It contains files related to the Church. Roll Spot Hidden to search the computer in 
  the first place (unless they state they are looking for a computer), then Computer Use for each of the 
  items below:
  
  A list of books and documents which instruct the reader in making napalm, homemade 
  explosives, and street drugs such as LSD. There are even plans for manufacturing machine 
  guns.
  
  An account by an unnamed person (Aftershock Papers #11)
  There were no witnesses to the kidnapping. Through diligent forensics work, it may be 
  possible to locate physical evidence related to Pari, Plaza, Brands and Beloche, who were present on 
  the night.
  Havershaw is lost, and no evidence of her murder survives. Mansfield can only repeat the 
  information given to Sarabia.
  Scott is potentially a mine of information, knowing the layout of the buildings, those present, 
  names, who’s in charge, and many other items of interest. Although he didn’t see inside the store of 
  
  23 | P a g e
  weapons and equipment, he was aware of its existence. The Church only began stockpiling weapons 
  in earnest in the last six months, so Scott had left before this phase.
  He can be found at his home in Pleasanton, a small white house, set back from the road. 
  Initially, he will be reticent about talking to the PCs, fearing reprisals by the brethren. A Persuade roll 
  will be helpful with getting him to confide in them, the skill doubled for a lady with high APP, such 
  as Sarabia.
  Unfortunately for Scott, the Church will become aware of his indiscretion shortly after the 
  PCs leave, and begin to threaten him. This will take concrete form, by way of a chthonian sent to 
  claim him, likely Par’shreth’kith’dagon. It will use telepathy in the first instance to bind him to the 
  house, even to the very chair, so that he will be unable to answer the door or the phone. Within a day 
  or two a minor earthquake will strike the area, and coincidentally Scott’s house will collapse into a 
  fissure in the ground. Despite an extensive search, Scott’s body is never found.
  The exact timing of this event is down to the Keeper, possibly occurring if they make a return 
  visit (perhaps to investigate why he isn’t returning their calls).
  I was taken today and locked in an empty room and injected with a drug. A while later, they 
  came back and started asking me questions about my devotion to the Church. They wanted to know 
  my true beliefs. They asked me if I would kill for my Messiah, and other questions to test my resolve. 
  The answers just seemed to come out of me as if someone were speaking for me. I found it highly 
  embarrassing, as my devotion was not nearly as deep as I’d thought.
  I felt disappointed that I wasn’t able to do exactly as I was told by my Messiah. I wanted to be 
  his servant, to live his ideas, but I wasn’t strong enough.
  I have determined to increase my closeness to the Messiah
  Aftershock Papers #11
  Carly Fleischmann
  Another victim of the Church, is a 28-year old woman, called Carly Fleischmann. She is 
  currently living at the commune as one of the brethren. She would like to leave, as she doesn’t like the 
  aggressive beliefs of the people there, but she has seen what happens to others who try to leave. She 
  was initially drawn to the Church about a year and a half ago, but what started as a liberating 
  experience, has become like a prison.
  Fleischmann has contacted Sarabia by email. She managed to sneak in to the office where the 
  computers are and sent out an email to the Express, which got passed to Sarabia. Now Sarabia is in 
  correspondence Fleischmann, and about every day or two a message gets passed between them. 
  Sarabia will enlist the PCs’ assistance in helping her escape.
  The PCs will probably want to ask her questions about what’s going on in the commune, and 
  it is up to the Keeper, precisely what she knows, and what she is willing to divulge. She is so 
  desperate to escape, she might just make up information, in order to get the PCs to stage a rescue. She 
  may press the PCs to commit to some action, before revealing certain pieces of information, or even 
  “I’ll tell you when I see you.”
  This is a very dangerous lure for the PCs, and may entice them into making a rash entry into 
  the commune without backup.
  Every time the PCs urge her to reply, there is a 5% cumulative chance that she will be 
  suspected. Sarabia will warn the PCs that they should be rescuing her, not using her as a spy. The first 
  time, she will warn them of the risks, and the second time, Fleischmann will manage to make a call to 
  them, desperately whispering down the phone that she is in trouble, that she is suspected. Then the 
  phone call could be cut off, and Fleischmann disappears… Sarabia will be distraught, and all lose 1D6 
  SAN.
  Possible items of information which could be passed on are:
  
  24 | P a g e
  
  The inner circle have their own small chapel. She’s heard that that’s where the advanced 
  training takes place. One girl says they use a rough, white stone to help their meditation.
  
  The inner circle use Japanese scrolls to learn their techniques from.
  
  She will have some awareness of the cache of guns, gas masks, NBC suits, and other survival 
  gear, as well as layout and numbers of people there.
  The best plan to rescue her, is to get her to leave in the night, and meet them near the edge of 
  the commune, where they can pick her up. If the PCs are planning to sneak in, this is the best time as 
  well, as the place is pitch black and no guards are posted. However, there is no electricity at night, so 
  there are no light switches, and no power for the computers.
  Clues from Ursula Sarabia
  AP#
  Clue or Lead
  Obtained From
  Leads To
  Various kidnapping evidence
  Different cases
  Evidence against the Church
  11
  Account of brainwashing
  White’s computer
  Evidence against the Church
  West Field Supply Sheds
  Carly Fleischmann
  BRS Supply Sheds
  Sarabia’s Secret
  At some point while the PCs are with her, she lets slip that she is actually a Physics expert, 
  one of the best in the country. If they ask, she Majored at the top of her class at MIT. She could be 
  living a very different life to a journalist. If pushed on the issue, or if another NPC is asked, it turns 
  out that her father paid for her College degree with money he got from Aum – he was a senior 
  member who left after the raids in 1995. She considers her Physics expertise to be ‘ill gotten gains’, 
  so she refuses to go into Physics. Researching Ursula directly may also reveal this information, or 
  perhaps through journalistic contacts in the city.
  All in all, she is quite a tragic figure.
  Bear Ridge Shale
  This oil company uses fracking for the majority of its income. It has fields around San 
  Antonio, and elsewhere in Texas, and has offices in San Antonio at 820 NE Loop 410 Loop Frontage 
  Road, San Antonio 78209 where Jennifer Gonzales works.
  There were serious issues with earthquakes disrupting their operations, especially in the West 
  Fields, until Richard Brands came to the company and offered to help them. When it actually worked, 
  Gonzales offered the Church a retainer to work for them, and are currently working on investigating 
  other issues with the fields. Library Search can turn up the history of earthquakes which stopped about 
  six months ago.
  Jennifer Gonzales
  The PCs are likely to want to interview her at some point, but it will likely prove fruitless. If 
  asked about her company’s connection to the Mayor, she will deny any wrongdoings or favor by the 
  Mayor, and admit only that BRS is indeed a campaign sponsor, a point of public record.
  Asking about the company’s connection to the Church will be even less productive. She will 
  admit only that the Church has some geological expertise which is being lent to BRS. Beyond that, the 
  company’s dealings are confidential.
  In truth, Gonzales is the investigators’ least useful lead. Only with intimidation via a Law roll 
  and a Fast Talk roll could she be convinced to tell of Brands’ communion with the angels.
  
  25 | P a g e
  BRS West Field Supply Sheds
  This is the place where Brands had his spiritual encounter with the angels, and it is now 
  regarded as a holy place by Brands and his followers, although it is not visited. He tends to tell the 
  brethren about how he communed out here with them, staying in the arid desert heat, meditating until 
  he reached their plane of existence. This information is likely to come from Fleischmann, or perhaps 
  even another follower, or from the account left on the commune computer, which he planned to 
  publish in a Church newsletter.
  Alternatively, a knowledgeable person using the photograph of the sheds alone might make a 
  Geology roll (to understand the significance of the sheds themselves) and a Navigate roll (to locate 
  where they might be), could successfully locate them.
  Although the supply sheds are technically on private property, this part of the West Field has 
  been shut down for some time, since Brands had his communion with the angels, and informed 
  Gonzales that it was the fracking here that was causing the earthquakes, by disturbing the holy spirits 
  in residence. The chainlink fences here are partly collapsed and the gates lie ajar. A Track roll shows 
  that various vehicles come through here, and empty beer bottles indicate that it is used as a remote 
  place to party. Despite this, law enforcement officials should still need a warrant to gain access and 
  questions might be asked if shots are fired here without a warrant.
  The Thing in the Shed
  The sheds themselves consist of a small rest hut, with a coffee urn, and old tables and chairs. 
  A huge, greasy spanner and cheap pornography pinned to the locker doors show that this was once 
  used by workmen maintaining the derricks.
  The main supply shed is more like a garage, and is lined with various hardware such as 
  winches and vast iron parts for the derricks. In the gloom, at the back of the shed is a smooth, round 
  shaft. 
  As they are investigating the shed, movement is heard behind one of the piles of boxes. As 
  they watch, a roughly humanoid shape shambles from behind the pile. It is mostly encrusted in the 
  sandy soil that makes up the oil field, but patches of dirty, greenish skin can be seen beneath the dirt. 
  No eyes can be detected, only a gash of a mouth. Haltingly it stumbles out, reaching for them.
  The chthonians who nest here have a method of taking the brains of their victims and 
  transplanting them into a type of protoplasm which they partly excrete, and partly synthesize. This is 
  potentially the brain of Donald Scott after his capture. He speaks in a gurgling fashion, and will urge 
  
  26 | P a g e
  them to leave, which they may view as a threat. He may reinforce this misconception by reaching and 
  moving towards them.
  Even if the PCs take no aggressive action against the ‘creature’, it will start to deteriorate, as 
  the chthonians seek to undo him. This will take about 8 rounds to complete, leaving a slimy mess on 
  the floor. Forensic analysis may reveal a human brain connected with nervous tissue. Scott should 
  make attempts to communicate with the PCs, trying to answer any questions, and saying that ‘they 
  took me’. He should say a few things which cause recognition, so that the PCs can guess who it is. He 
  only volunteers his name if asked. He will say that he was captured by a huge creature which came 
  out of the ground, and that when he woke up he was in this new body.
  If the PCs have not met Donald Scott, then it can be David White or Thomas Hogg, captured 
  by the brethren and brought here as a sacrifice to their angels.
  THE THING IN THE SHED
  STR 13
  CON 18
  SIZ 11
  INT 15
  POW 13
  DEX 14
  Move 5
  HP 15
  Damage Bonus: +0
  Weapons: Flailing appendage 60%, 1D4 +db
  Armor: Bullets and piercing weapons do only 1 damage. Shotgun rounds, blunt and slicing weapons 
  all do full damage.
  Sanity Loss: 0/1D8
  Notes: The ‘Thing’ will surprise the PCs, and stumble towards them. If it still lives after the first 
  round or two, it will speak to them telepathically, and tell them what it knows and what it has seen. It 
  will lose 2HP per round after speaking, visibly deteriorating until only a brain in a puddle of gel is 
  left.
  The Shaft
  It is near vertical, and at least 3m wide, but can be scrambled down with a Climb roll, but it is 
  much slower climbing back up. Plenty of rope, and even a winch can be found in the supply shed. A 
  Geology roll or Mechanical Repair roll will tell that the shaft doesn’t seem to have been machined, 
  but is quite smooth, although irregular.
  Proceeding down the shaft about 150m, reaches a large chamber about 20m across, but quite 
  irregular, with six similar tunnels leading out in all directions. The floor of the chamber is the same 
  sandy soil throughout this area. A Spot Hidden in the chamber will note that some of the sand has 
  been scuffed over, and some white objects are partly visible. Uncovering them reveals six, white, 
  round stones about 20-30cm across. These are, of course, chthonian eggs. If these are taken, then there 
  is a 10% cumulative chance per day, that a chthonian will come to retrieve them. The carrier of the 
  eggs will be subject to repeated psychic attacks, causing them to become listless and groggy (as per 
  the rulebook), until they eventually stay in one place. At this stage it may only take a day or so, or 
  maybe less, before a chthonian arrives to reclaim what is theirs.
  The other six tunnels weave through the oil field, and may travel several kilometers beneath 
  the surface. Other large chambers perhaps also with eggs, exist under the field.
  Although 2D4 chthonians call this nest their home, they will not likely appear on this 
  occasion.
  Interested Parties
  The ATF
  A large quantity of arms purchases by Plaza, Pari and Frost, have come to the attention of 
  the ATF. The weapons are all registered to the Ranch Road commune and although they are all legal 
  
  27 | P a g e
  purchases, the quantity is concerning. Hence the ATF are investigating to ensure that the arms are 
  being held for peaceful purposes.
  Heading up the investigation is ATF Special Agent Ben Manson. He intends to contact the 
  local police and the FBI in the first instance to find out what is known about the Church, but of 
  course, this is very little. Sheriff Holland will caution Manson about the group’s militant nature, 
  however, this will fall on deaf ears. The only benefit of Manson contacting the FBI, is that the PCs 
  will become aware of this investigation, and be invited to join the group. Presumably the PCs will 
  welcome this opportunity to influence the ATF investigation, and to possibly accompany them into 
  the commune.
  Manson is operating out of offices in the center of San Antonio, and can be contacted (by 
  phone or email) and visited. The PCs are welcome to attend briefings. He will listen to any 
  information that the PCs have to offer, but he is somewhat headstrong, a trait which has earned him 
  success and promotions so far, but may cost him his career and maybe his life in a confrontation with 
  the Church.
  If uninfluenced by the PCs, he will apply for, and receive, a search warrant for the commune, 
  and the PCs are welcome to join the agents. This will result in a short and bloody confrontation with 
  the Church, killing two ATF agents, and injuring another. From this point on, in a similar vein to 
  Waco, the commune will be surrounded by law enforcement officials and the media.
  From here on in, it will be very difficult for the PCs to gain unobserved access to the 
  commune to retrieve items such as the chthonian egg, or Mythos documents.
  Having learnt their lessons from Waco, the commune will be peacefully besieged until the 
  occupants eventually surrender.
  However, it is at this point, that the Japanese cultists will become involved.
  Ben Manson, age 39
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  13
  CON
  11
  SIZ
  12
  INT
  12
  POW
  11
  DEX
  8
  APP
  12
  EDU
  19
  SAN
  55
  HP
  12
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: BS Law Enforcement
  Occupation: ATF Special Agent
  Skills: Computer Use 21%, Credit Rating 35%, Drive Auto 40%, Fast Talk 55%, Forensics 21%, Law 
  75%, Listen 45%, Psychology 55%, Sneak 30%, Spot Hidden 50%, Track 80%, Tradecraft 21%
  Languages: English 95%
  Attacks:
  Colt M16A2 Assault Rifle 80%, 2D6 (ROF 1 or 3)
  Beretta M92 Auto 65%, 1D10 (ROF 2)
  Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Description: Manson looks like a grizzled Charles Bronson, but with a big moustache, and a shaggy 
  thatch of hair. At 39 he ought to know better, but he’s just as hot-headed as he was in his twenties. 
  Manson leads from the front. He prefers it out in the open, his hobby is hunting, and he is a mean shot 
  with a rifle.
  Average Agent, age 24
  STR
  12
  CON
  12
  SIZ
  13
  INT
  13
  POW
  10
  DEX
  12
  APP
  10
  EDU
  14
  SAN
  50
  HP
  13
  Damage Bonus: +1D4
  Education: BA Police Administration
  Occupation: ATF Special Agent
  Skills: Computer Use 31%, Drive Auto 50%, Fast Talk 35%, Law 35%, Listen 55%, Psychology 
  35%, Sneak 40%, Spot Hidden 55%
  Languages: English 70%
  Attacks:
  Colt M16A2 Assault Rifle 55%, 2D6 (ROF 1 or 3)
  Beretta M92 Auto 50%, 1D10 (ROF 2)
  
  28 | P a g e
  Fist/ Punch 70%, 1D3+db
  Description: Young men and women on a mission. Tough-minded, no nonsense. Shoot first, ask 
  questions later.
  Masayuki Ishida
  Ishida is a chthonian mind in a human body. He achieved this incredible state by first 
  telepathically contacting a suitable human in the Kakusareta Masuta cult and teaching them certain 
  rituals. Then, when they were ready to ‘ascend’, he used the Mind Transfer spell to move into the 
  human host, where he now resides. At first the adjustment was a terrible one. A scrawny little rodent, 
  a bag of bones and meat with constant cravings, it was hard to keep the reins on the domesticated 
  primate. However, eventually, by using meditation, centuries old mental rituals, and a trained 
  prostitute to slake his constant sexual cravings, he managed to gain a semblance of stability.
  Now ‘Ishida’ occupies a senior position in the powerful Japanese cult Kakusareta Masuta, 
  which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and boasts thousands of members worldwide. After 
  the unfortunate scandal of the Aum Shinrikyo cult which cost several of its brothers and sisters, Aum 
  transformed into Masuta. Now Ishida is a guiding force behind one of the most powerful cults in the 
  world. Its unspoken purpose is to aid the propagation of chthonians around the world.
  As previously mentioned, Ishida has come to the United States to retrieve a chthonian egg, 
  and an important Mythos document. He was not originally displeased with Brands. After all, he has 
  recently helped to foster a nest of chthonians under the Texan oil fields, the very purpose for which 
  the cult was established. However, Brands has become recalcitrant, and refuses to acknowledge his 
  leaders. For this reason alone, Ishida will eventually be forced to destroy Brands.
  Masayuki Ishida, age 26
  Race: Japanese
  STR
  14
  CON
  8
  SIZ
  10
  INT
  17
  POW
  12
  DEX
  9
  APP
  6
  EDU
  15
  SAN
  0
  HP
  11
  Damage Bonus: +0
  Education: Aeronautics
  Occupation: Professor
  Skills: Astronomy 76%, Credit Rating 35%, Geology 41%, Library Use 65%, Martial Arts 71%, 
  Persuade 35%, Physics 41%, Psychology 25%
  Languages: Japanese 80%, English 80%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 90%, 1D3+db+Martial arts
  Description: Ishida is a young man, but appears somewhat older. He has poor personal hygiene, a 
  beard which straggles from his cheeks, and yellowing teeth and fingernails. Very intelligent and 
  quick-witted, he is very unnerving to be around. He is, of course, a chthonian mind in a human body. 
  Cthulhu Mythos is an irrelevant skill, he is of the Mythos. Likewise SAN is somewhat subjective.
  Spells: Contact Chthonian, Contact Shudde M’ell, Mind Transfer, Shriveling, Summon/ Bind 
  Byakhee.
  Special Abilities: Telepathic Control/ Binding, as per Chthonians in the rulebook (POW vs POW, 
  costs 1MP)
  Hisako Tsuchiya, age 19
  Race: Japanese
  Occupation: Concubine.
  Masami Wakayama, age 26
  Race: Japanese
  STR
  12
  CON
  10
  SIZ
  10
  INT
  10
  POW
  13
  DEX
  8
  APP
  12
  EDU
  14
  SAN
  50
  HP
  10
  Damage Bonus: +0
  
  29 | P a g e
  Education: Pilot Training
  Occupation: Driver/ Pilot
  Skills: Drive Auto 60%, Electrical Repair 35%, First Aid 50%, Jump 65%, Martial Arts 40%, 
  Navigate 70%, Physics 26%, Pilot 71%
  70
  Languages: Japanese 70%, English 30%
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 70%, 1D3+db+Martial arts
  Description: This mustachioed young man has volunteered as Ishida’s driver and bodyguard. He 
  fantasizes about being a gangster, but is far from tough. However, he is fanatical, and good behind the 
  wheel.
  Sequence of Events
  Initially, the PCs will likely investigate the earthquake, visit Buckeye Avenue, and discover 
  the existence of the Church. It would then be prudent to allow the PCs a day or two of unhindered 
  investigation, to perhaps meet Ursula Sarabia, and to maybe to attempt a dangerous approach or two 
  to the commune itself. Indeed, if successful, the scenario could end there.
  However, the next step is for the ATF to contact the PCs and ask for intelligence support. 
  After a day or two, the ATF will have a search warrant, and make an approach with agents in two cars 
  to inspect the arms held at the property. The brethren have been told by Brands, fearing the arrival of 
  Masuta, that the end times are near, so they defend the commune, and a gun fight breaks out, forcing 
  the agents back, resulting in a standoff.
  If left alone, this would eventually result in the brethren giving themselves up when supplies 
  ran low, after about a month or two.
  Ishida
  Ishida arrives in Texas roughly the same time as the PCs, hires a black Mercedes with tinted 
  windows at the airport, and books in to the Comfort Suites hotel, 505 Live Oak St with his entourage. 
  His assistant, Wakayama, drives him everywhere, whereas Tsuchiya remains in the hotel room.
  They then drives out to the Church to observe the brethren, and to make contact with as many 
  minds as possible. He successfully contacts several, but eventually they are forced to drive off when 
  they are spotted parked up on the road, and several brethren come to investigate with rifles.
  Ishida becomes aware of the ATF’s initial approach by contacting one or more minds within 
  the commune. With the advent of the siege, this stifles his plans as much as the PCs.
  However, taking an interest in the ATF investigation, he drives out to observe the mounting 
  media circus, and to locate the agent in charge. With this, he begins to make telepathic contact with 
  Manson, in order to find out about the investigation, and to influence him.
  Each day spent with the ATF at the commune, or at the offices, the PCs can make a Spot 
  Hidden roll to notice the black sedan, and a Japanese gentleman observing the ATF at work. They will 
  recognise the man from James’ photograph, and a diligent search of 2D3 hours and Library Use will 
  uncover his identity and position with Masuta. It will also reveal that he travelled to San Antonio from 
  Tokyo in the last few days with two others. A further Library Use roll will locate his hotel room, and 
  the plate of the car he has hired. If they get to speak to Ishida he will, of course, be evasive, however 
  just once he will use the cryptic phrase.
  During this time, Manson complains of headaches, dizziness and even bouts of blurred vision, 
  which he blames on stress. At worst, a migraine will cause temporary blindness. A Medicine roll 
  indicates that these are very general symptoms, possibly caused by tumors, hydrocephalus, stress, or 
  epilepsy. An MRI scan or blood works reveals nothing. He also speaks at odd times, and often may 
  say surreal or inexplicable things. He will also utter the cryptic phrase, but once only. A Psychology 
  or Psychoanalysis roll may reveal that he is possibly having psychotic episodes.
  
  30 | P a g e
  If the PCs check Manson’s background, a successful Library Use reveals that he is indeed, a 
  bona fide relative of Charles Manson. (He is the son of a cousin.)
  In addition, a Spot Hidden, once per day may reveal that he is posting and emailing 
  information to addresses which can be traced to Masuta. This is actually being picked up by Ishida, 
  the address is a PO Box in San Antonio. If he is ever confronted with passing on confidential 
  information, he will initially not remember this, then eventually say it is for a consultant working on 
  the case. He may even phone Ishida at his hotel.
  Mind Transfer
  Eventually, Ishida decides to force the situation. He and his driver travel out to the supply 
  shed where the chthonian nest is located, and he uses Mind Transfer to take over the body of Manson. 
  (To minimize confusion, Manson in Ishida’s body will be denoted as Manson (Ishida), and vice 
  versa.)
  Manson (Ishida) suddenly finds himself at a strange old shed, vomiting, with a Japanese man 
  standing nearby with a gun trained on him. Luckily, Manson (Ishida) is able to get away from his 
  guard, Wakayama, and hide amongst the old machinery at the shed.
  Finding an old CB radio, he manages to get a message out on the emergency channel, calling 
  for the PCs and the Sheriff, that he is trapped in an old mining shed. However, the noise of sending 
  the message gives away his position, and he is forced to flee, this time down the shaft. Wakayama 
  smiles, knowing that it is a chthonian nest, and holsters his gun and leaves. Manson (Ishida) wanders 
  the tunnels in the dark, until he eventually starts to climb the shaft back up.
  If the Sheriff has met the PCs, then he phones them to let them know the message he has 
  heard, and will go over there himself shortly when he gets the opportunity, but with the ATF on the 
  move, he’s got his hands full.
  When the PCs arrive, they can hear Manson (Ishida) down the shaft. Obviously, it doesn’t 
  sound like Manson at all. However, the voice will confirm that he is Manson, and ask to be winched 
  up. He will say that there’s something moving down there with him. 1D6 rounds later, a chthonian 
  will arrive to find out what the noise is, and start coming up the shaft.
  If the PCs ignore the message, or if the Sheriff doesn’t know them, then the Sheriff goes 
  alone. Roll a D6: 1-2 Both die, 3-4 One dies, 5-6 Both escape. If they escape, one or the other may 
  fall into temporary insanity due to their encounter.
  The Raid
  Meanwhile, Ishida (Manson) turns up late at the ATF offices, and announces that a full assault 
  has been authorized. A Psychology Roll will show that Manson is behaving erratically, and 
  Psychoanalysis will indicate some sort of mental disorder. Unless the PCs can somehow intervene, the 
  ATF, in typical paramilitary fashion, goes in guns blazing with bloody and predictable results. If the 
  PCs choose to accompany the team, they will end up in some desperate battles with the brethren.
  As the raid is coming to a close, Ishida (Manson) will make for the inner sanctum (#8) at the 
  back of the commune to retrieve the egg and the Mythos documents. The PCs may give chase if they 
  become suspicious. Ishida (Manson) will go inside and take the Mythos documents, and the egg, and 
  try to make off with them. If the PCs wish, they can intervene and try to retrieve the items from him, 
  at which point, he will use Shriveling to deter them.
  
  31 | P a g e
  However the combat goes, 2D6 rounds later, an earthquake will begin and the egg will hatch 
  revealing a tiny chthonian. During the quake, anyone who knows the spell Contact Chthonian (apart 
  from the Japanese cultists) will suffer seizures, frothing at the mouth, and may even have brain 
  hemorrhages. 1D6 rounds after the earthquake starts, a chthonian will surface to retrieve the egg, 
  devouring whoever holds it in the process, and possibly those nearby. Afterwards, the quake will be 
  blamed by the authorities for the ground erupting, and the disappearing victim. Anyone mentioning 
  huge, tentacled monsters will be sent to the State Hospital for treatment.
  Outside on the road, Ishida’s driver waits patiently for his master, but he never returns.
  Raid Encounters
  When under siege, the brethren will all congregate in the main hall, and keep the blinds shut. 
  Of the dozen armed men in the commune, all but two will remain in the hall. These two remaining 
  scouts will keep watch – one in the trees near the main hall, the other on top of the barn roof. They are 
  armed with hunting rifles and scopes, and carry radios to keep in touch with those in the main hall. If 
  the PCs scout out the area with binoculars, then roll the PCs’ Spot Hidden against the brethren’s 
  Sneak. If they are both successful, the higher roll wins. Initial encounters are likely to be against these 
  scouts, and subsequently against those who fire from within the main hall, out the windows.
  The ATF unit of twenty men and women will use smoke grenades to make their approach, 
  then tear gas in through the windows, then finally flash bang grenades followed by an immediate 
  assault. If the PCs wish to follow, then they will need to support the ATF as they enter, which is a 
  dicey business at best. Have the PCs follow in behind two ATF, who then encounter two brethren. 
  There is no need to make every roll, simply kill off NPCs as you see fit.
  Finally, when the initial resistance is overcome, a door will burst open and two women, and a 
  twelve year old girl will burst out brandishing kitchen knives and will fight to the death. This 
  encounter will entail a SAN loss of 0/1D4. Around the building, similar senseless attacks are 
  occurring, and the ATF agents are unwilling to fire on women and children.
  In the carnage that follows, some agents will be stabbed to death, and their weapons liberated. 
  The women and children remaining will then attack the remaining ATF agents. The PCs will then 
  encounter a ten year old boy with an M16A2 which he will use in burst, emptying the weapon into the 
  heathens. Use the same stats for all the brethren, except those detailed previously.
  Anonymous Brethren
  Race: Caucasian
  STR
  10
  CON
  10
  SIZ
  10
  INT
  10
  POW
  10
  DEX
  10
  APP
  10
  EDU
  10
  SAN
  25
  HP
  10
  Damage Bonus: +0
  Attacks:
  Fist/ Punch 50%, 1D3+db
  Knife 25%, 1D6+db
  Remington Sportsman 74 Rifle 45%, 2D6+4
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Delta Green [multi]/adventures/DG - Adv - AfterShock.pdf