Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

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Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Cearlan »

Just gauging if there is any interest in this campaign.

I am The Ancient,
and my sorrow is great.

The cold wind of the far stars is the breath I draw,
and my veins are as ice.

I am humbled; I am reduced.
But the keys of old
shall yet find doors of yielding,
and my fury shall find release
on the cold ice and burning sands alike,
and my voice shall be heard
among the stars
and the spaces between them ...


Following Ithaqua's conflict with the Elder Gods, much of his "essence" was ripped from him weakening him considerably, especially South of the equator. His "life essence" is sealed in a room called the Vault of Souls in a place called the Temple of the Winds near the North Pole. A great seal (elder sign) prevents Ithaqua taking back his essence, so that he is reduced to using proxies ... his human cultists. Only now, in the late 1920's, has humanity managed to develop enough to endure a journey to the North Pole, and survive. To further complicate things, the Temple only appears on the day of the winter solstice each year for one day. Should Ithaqua gain access to his life essence, then his power would increase astronomically and he would no longer be confined, as he currently is to the worlds frozen regions - needless to say the impact upon the world as we know it would be devastating, to put it mildly.

Are there any who are brave enough to venture forth into the frozen North to ensure that the thirties come around without the ravages of this terrible deity, to put life and mind on the line as we once again ?
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Mr. Handy »

I'm brave enough!
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Cearlan »

Hehehe Thought you might be my friend. If and when I run this you'll be on the group doing general scientific research on the region, the Inuit, as well as in depth research on the remains of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. The campaign book suggests a background featuring any of the following;-
  • * Anthropologist / Ethnologist / Historian
    * Archeologist / Historian
    * Artist / Photographer
    * Botanist
    * Doctor / Physician
    * Geologist
    * Guide
    * Zoologist
I personally think this is a little restrictive, though I can fully understand why it is so. Anywho, if you want to play another type of character then let me know and what justification your investigator would have for being there and if it sounds reasonable then we'll try and squeeze him in somehow.

Blood and kisses (oops wrong campaign ;) )
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Mr. Handy »

I had already been planning to play an academic type and had been thinking about playing a botanist, so I'll go with that.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by drone232 »

Hello, I would like to join. I have yet to actually participate in a campaign. I have signed up for three, but all are in stasis or something. Have been since I joined them. This sounds like a wondrous adventure and I would love to play the zoologist. I will need guidance because I have yet to actually participate in a play by post game. I do, however, own the 6th edition Call of Cthulhu rule-book and have read it through so I know how the rules work, just not in relation to the internet.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Cearlan »

Hey there Drone232, glad to have you aboard. Won't be starting just yet as we need another two investigators at least to run this, (although it's not as deadly as MoN or HotOE, it's still a bit of a meat grinder)

I'd suggest two characters who could, for example be related, just in case your zoologist bites the dust, then you have a ready made replacement. The second character need not be part of the initial expedition, so does not neccessarially have the restrictions on occupation I outlined in the first post.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by NFVD »

I'm surprised this adventure hasn't generated more attention. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to play in one of Pagan Publishing major scenarios?

I'm game and I'll take the Guide. Since we already have two academics a more physical PC will help balance things out. For potential replacement I'll take the Anthropologist, also a local and brother of the Guide. Two sons of the same father who went in off markedly different lifepaths. How does this sound?
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by ghill »

I'm interested, I'd like to play a guide (a veteran of the war, who has fled civilisation to get away from people) but can see NFVD is thinking likewise, In which case I'd go for the Anthropologist/Ethnologist/Historian. Which in this time period is just as likely to mean a physical character as a book bound academic (if Indiana Jones is to be believed :)
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by NFVD »

Ghill, if you are really keen on playing the Guide by all means take it, I only opted for him to balance the party. I could maybe take the Doctor if you want the guide and then we have someone to patch up folks who decide to go physical. :)

Hey, we got 4 players. Yay!
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Mr. Handy »

Hooray! :D Once you're ready to start, I can set up a forum for us. I'll just need a text blurb that will be visible on the front page.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Papa Gateau »

I'll take a slot if you are still open for admissions - I don't mind what profession, I can build a character/personality around most things :)
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.

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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by andyw666 »

I'd love to jump on board if there's room still. - Andy
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Cearlan »

Excellent! so I am extremely pleased to have the following players on board;

Mr.Handy - Botanist +1
Drone232 - Zoologist +1
ghill - Guide + (anthropologist etc.)
NFVD - Guide + (Doctor)
Papa Gateau - ? +1 ... and
Andy - ? +1

I always think 6 is a nice round number of victims err I mean number of players ... yes of course I do! The backup characters need not be thoroughly fleshed out at this point but if the bulk of the work can be in place it will make it easier and/or quicker to slot them in if and when needed.

As outlined above ... the only real stipulations would be that, due to limited space etc.; at least on the initial expedition, that all characters would probably be male and all with at least experience in and probably be well qualified within their respective fields.

The campaign itself will 'open up' after the prequel scenario and these limitations will by and large no longer apply. For example when Val and BURPS ran it, (excellently by the way), it was a little different to how I envisage it Like most Pagan scenarios / campaigns, Walker can be both deadly and unforgiving and I will not be pulling too many of my punches, nor would I expect you as the party to do so. Not saying that the party would be advised to play in a pulpier fashion, as the campaign in my opinion is balanced between the two camps, showing a leaning towards the pulpier side of the game.

I had wanted to try the 7th edition rules but am happy enough to run in 6th, possibly with pushing rolls and a couple of other things - but I'm flexible enough on this if anyone don't want to do this or is unsure.

Should be ready to start sometime towards the back end of next week - depending how fast you can all get your characters generated. I have NPC's to fill slots left void in the party, so don't worry too much about covering all the bases.

@Mr.Handy; I'll do the intro blurb sometime over the next 24 hours for you to set up the forum.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by NFVD »

Cearlan wrote:I had wanted to try the 7th edition rules but am happy enough to run in 6th, possibly with pushing rolls and a couple of other things - but I'm flexible enough on this if anyone don't want to do this or is unsure.
If we are putting this to a vote I'd cast my ballot against introducing any elements from 7th edition in the game. I am not very familiar with it (I can't recall what a "pushed roll" is or how it works), I do not like most of what I've seen of the changes it introduced, and Pagan Publishing designed this adventure using an earlier version of the rules. We can't predict what the effects of using 7th Ed mechanics will be on the course of running it, whether positive or negative.

If on the other hand you want to import automatic-no-need-to-roll successes for using Investigative Skills from Trail of Cthulhu I'm all up for it. :lol:
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Mr. Handy »

I also would avoid adding any part of 7th edition, as I too prefer 6th and dislike many of the new things added to 7th. Granted, this campaign was designed well before 6th edition as well, but I think 6th edition is closer to 1st than it is to 7th. I know one relevant thing that's different in the rules since the campaign was created is that Botany and Zoology were originally separate skills, but in 5th edition they were both folded into Biology.

I had been planning for my primary character to be female, though she would be experienced and well-qualified in her field as long as I don't roll poorly on EDU.

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Once you post the blurb, I'll set up the forum. I'll also activate the dice roller for it if you like. Invisible Castle is now back up, but there's no telling if it will stay that way. I should be here at the time you post it, though it could come when I'm still asleep. I should also have time tomorrow to create my main character if the character creation thread and instructions are up then too.
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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Cearlan »

Okay then 6th edition it is then ... Like I said, just a thought I'd put out there. Now let's look at the hiring process.

Hiring On

When the expedition was first assembled, there was, of course, a rigorous interview process. This was very strict and only qualified and dedicated individuals were accepted. In general, all investigators must be in good health (Minimum CON of 12) and be willing to withstand harsh conditions and isolation for prolonged periods of time (at least two years). Each member is paid his normal annual income plus a $5,000 bonus at the conclusion of the project. So an Archaeologist for example whose annual income was $4,000 a year will be paid (2 x 4000 + 5000) $13,000 at the end of the expedition. If for whatever reason a person must leave prior to the end of the designated time he forfeits the bonus but any relevant medical bills and other expenses will be picked up by the sponsors.

Since the mission is well funded, no-one is asked to bring any personal gear, through this is certainly not prohibited or even discouraged (though a 200 pound weight limit is set due to transportation restrictions). However, anyone attempting to bring along a semi-automatic, lever action or pump action firearm was asked not to since these types of firearms are more susceptible to malfunction in the extremely cold temperature. Such individuals are gently advised that bolt action rifles, break open shotguns and revolvers are much more suitable. Any character even hinting that they may bring along a fully automatic weapon would have been instantly and irrevocably disqualified and probably reported to the authorities to become subjects of a police investigation.

The expedition leaves Toronto on 10th June 1927 and is due to return on 14th June 1929 after which a month long transition and debriefing period. What now follows is a list of skills that are the minimum prerequisites for each particular job that may be filled by the investigators;-

Anthropologist / Ethnologist / Historian
Skills;
Anthropology 50%, History 50%
Duties; Examine in detail the local Inuit (culture, trade, industry folklore language etc.) and life in the Arctic.

Archaeologist / Historian
Skills;
Archeology50%, Cartography 25%, History 50%, Land Navigation 20%
Duties: Investigate the fate of the Franklin Expedition. Gather as much information and evidence as possible and attempt to determine what happened to that ill-fated party.

Artist / Photographer
Skills;
Draw 50%, Photography 50%
Duties; Document the life of the expedition using photos and drawings.
Note – this is the only non-vital position and should be taken up by another team member in addition to his primary duties if possible.

Botanist
Skills;
Biology 30%, Botany 50%
Duties; Conduct research on the regions flora. Catalogue and obtain as many samples as possible.

Doctor / Physician
Skills;
First Aid 60%, Medicine 50%, Pharmacy 30%, Psychology 40%, Psychoanalysis 30%
Duties; Take care of medical problems as they arise. Determine the physical and psychological effects of isolation and a harsh environment on humans for prolonged periods of time by observing the other expedition members.

Geologist
Skills;
Cartography 30%, Chemistry 25%, Geology 50%, Land Navigation 25%
Duties; Examine the region with an eye to potential for mineral exploitation.

Guide
Skills;
Drive Sled 45%, Electrical Repair 45%, Mechanical repair 45%, Land Navigation 50%, Speak Inuit 55%, Rifle 45%, Inuit Occult 20%
Duties; Maintain the base camp inclining machinery and the building. Escort scientists on field trips. Hunt for fresh meat when the time and opportunity arises.
Note; If there are several guides, the various Maximum skills may be divided between them so that an individual guide need not be saddled with all the above skills and duties.

Zoologist
Skills;
Bilogy 25%, Photography 25% Taxidermy 45%, Zoology 50%.
Duties; Conduct research on regional fauna. Catalog, photograph and obtain samples of specimens.

Note that the above positions may be duplicated so there can be more than one geologist or guide or whatever. In fact there should be more than one Archeologist and more than one Guide. I will fill any positions not taken by the players with either NPC's provided in the text of with your secondary characters, as you prefer. Finaly, just because a position asks for, let us say, a Geologist is required for that position. Rather it takes someone with the minumum skills and appropriate qualifications, references and work experience etrc. Thus the position of Geologist could be filled by a professor of geology or a mining engineer. It is also conceivable that one person could fill two positions such as botanist and zoologist provided the minimum skills (above) and suitable credentials were shown. Investigators filling two positions are entitled to a 20% bonus in pay after all other bonuses are accounted for. As an incentive to players to learn the Speak Inuit skill, a $250 bonus may go to those with a working knowledge (40%) of the language and a $400 bonus to those fluent (60%). Native speakers are assumed to be fluent, even if their bas skill is below 60%.

@Mr.Handy - Logistically being female (ahem) don't throw a major spanner in the works as I can assign some of the NPC's to be female, or you could follow the route taken by BURPs when they did the audio version of this and have your female character married to one of the other investigators, (or even your second character). There are only two bunk rooms, though redrawing the map shouldn't be too difficult.

Edit - Good spot on the Botany / Zoology being joined into Biology - something that I overlooked :oops:

Just hope I can do this old lady justice

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Re: Pagan Publishing's "Walker in the Wastes"

Post by Mr. Handy »

I went ahead and created the forum here in the interests of keeping things moving. I used the text at the bottom of the initial post as the blurb, but I can always change it later if you wish.

Having my first character be married to my second is a thought.

How will character creation work differently than usual? How will we guarantee that we have a minimum CON of 12? What about the mandatory skills that no longer exist in their current forms in 6th edition?
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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