Thursday, August 16, 2018

Redwood Mystery Machine


My long running podcast ended earlier this year and we've decided to keep playing Monster of the Week. We're in the same setting but jumping from the Deep South in the Great Depression to Northern California in the late 90's. Most of the preparation for Tumbleson was done via a D6,6 table providing the sorts of rumor and gossip that permeate small towns wherever the grass grows. I put this together for Shasta, California.

D6,6
1,1 - Strangers - The Park houses a large population of drifters and vagrants, so be careful when you're camping. Don't leave anything out or it'll walk off. And pack table salt. A line at the door to your tent should suffice.
1,2 - Medical trials - The local Church is heavily involved with the local medical practices, funding many of them directly. Especially the Urgent Care and free clinics. However, if you ever need a little money, you can always go to the Hospital and participate in some medical trials. They take a bunch of neurology readings and stuff. I heard Dr. Alder at the college is also offering money for some other ... stuff.
1,3 - Sleepwalking - Speaking of Dr. Alder, has your sister been sleeping alright? My nephew was in his class and stayed late for extra credit. Ever since then he walks and talks in his sleep, talking to things that aren't there. Could he still be in Il Regno Delle Fate? Should've out grown it by now.
1,4 - Missing children - There's been a rash of child kidnappings. Unfortunately the sheriff can't be bothered with it. Just a bunch of poor kids out in the trailer parks, far from the touristy spots. If some out-of-towner was snatched he'd give a shit.

1,5 - Suspicious circumstances - Three bodies washed up in a creek deep in the park. They were all young Klamath women, which explains why it wasn't really reported. Coroner said they died from drowning. 


dappermouth
1,6 - Enchanted motel - When you're driving late at night on those two lane roads, wending through the trees, you might see a neon sign for a motel you don't remember. It's safe to sleep there if you need to. Just heed the sign and don't eat anything. Even the mints on the front desk.
2,2 - The old junk shop - You know the junk shop with the "?" sign? That's the "Mysterium" it's where everyone's old crap ends up. Ran by Zach Ketchum. A lot of weird shit ends up there too. Unlike Gold Diggers Pawn, Zach puts it all up on the shelf for sale. Usually has a yarn to got with it.
 2,3 - Ritual murder - Valeria Magnani was hard to get along with. But she didn't deserve to die like she did. It must've taken a long time, having her face split up like a flower and her eyes cut out. I heard she was close to one of the MCs. Maybe a gang killing?
2,4 - Slaughtered family - You remember last summer when the Tillinghasts went missing? Turns out they were killed about a half mile into the woods from that rest stop. Never did catch the killer.



2,5 - Wisemen - The Town was founded by Italians who've "gone native." That's why everything waxes Americana too thick. The past 30 years have been marked by East Coast wiseguys "Going West" into retirement. Those idle hands end up doing a lot of "community work" for the local Church, dedicated to St. Clare of Assisi.
2,6 - Pill mill - If you're hurting, just see Dr. Ricci. He'll get you the medicine you need. Since Valeria's murder, he's the only person I'd trust. He won't take money, instead he'll want favors. Last time my brother needed some painkillers, we took a package out to the prison for Kim Yancy.


3,3 - Crossroads - You know the local record shop? Yeah, "Holy Mountain". Warburton's kid runs it, and he's really turned around musically. Gossip's he went down to the crossroads and bartered with a Fell Power, sealing the deal with a fluid exchange. But that's just superstitious nonsense.
3,4 - The Gentry - If you came for the golf, you're in for disappointment. The local country club keeps odd hours, a stable full of horses, and the grounds are unkempt. Nothing weird about that at all.
3,5 - Motorcycle clubs - Something about the woods draws the rootless. Jim Jones, the hippies, etc. The Town used to have a bunch of small motorcycle "cliques", calling them clubs would oversell them. Recently two large outlaw clubs moved in - the Shaggy Men and the Mountain Devils. Venomous rivals, if you've got a bike they'll patch you in for whatever rumble is sure to happen.
3,6 - The covered bridge - I hope the old bridge get's taken down soon. the road feeding it has  been blocked for a decade. Fool kids playing out there are liable to get hurt. 

4,4 - Bigfoot hunters - Everyone's heard those stories of folks going missing in state parks. The Park and the Mountain are a bit different. A couple of yahoos have moved in to the Trailer Park, hunting "Bigfoot". They've got tunnel vision- eyes only for Sasquatch. I hope they don't stumble across the Market.
4,5 - Silly games - You ever wonder how ideas spread among kids? You know; insults, jokes, nursery rhymes, and other odds 'n ends. Especially playground games. The kids around Town have been playing the same game of pretend for the past decade. Even kids who just moved in get into it. The call it "The Matter" and there's prescribed role and motivations. Whoever plays the monster is called "Talpa" and wants to pluck out the maiden's eyes.
4,6 - Star crossed lovers - The Rosettis and the Lastregas have bad blood since their fathers' time back East. I heard they buried the hatchet last year but, with Ray L making eyes at Jerry R, I don't think the patriarchs will leave it alone.



5,5 - Dreamlands - Did you know that Spanish cartographers drew California as a massive island? I think the Mountain remembers that as truth. Spend too many nights up there and you'll dream of an Old World Eden. It's a strange place. Clings to you even after you leave. The old families call it "Il Regno Delle Fate". 
5,6 - Mystery cult - It's an open secret around here that "the Church" isn't some extension of larger Catholicism. It's a syncretic mix of folk beliefs and New Age hippie stuff. They hold their doors open, but only members who meet various esoteric requirements are initiated into the greater mysteries. I know couples who were struggling to have kids were blessed with kids not long after joining. 
6,6 - Roll twice. 



Sounds like - Dragonaut by Sleep off the Album: Holy Mountain

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