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Originally Published:
1999-10-14 Updated:
2010-06-23 |
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House Rules |
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Editor's Note
The timeline of this adventure is left purposefully vague, so that
it may be set in a period of the referee’s choosing. If set in the
late 19th century, though, the reward should be reduced
to $5,000 and the maximum pay out should not be greater than $25,000
(£1,000 and £5,000 respectively).
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Background
A hunting expedition to Venus
captured a specimen of previously unknown dinosaur native to the lowland
swamps. The specimen was shipped to Earth where it promptly escaped from
quarantine at the New York ether port. The expedition’s backers want the
animal back, alive if possible, and are willing to pay the team $100,000
to recapture it. There is only one stipulation — no one must learn of the
creature’s existence.
The animal in question,
unbeknownst to the players, is a particularly vicious
carnosaur that is
now stalking human victims from the sewers of New York.
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Situation
Several of the expedition’s
native guides and one of the hunters were killed capturing the animal.
Once the animal escaped quarantine, it fled into New York’s sewer system.
Over the last few days it has been responsible for several grisly
killings. The police have begun a manhunt for what they suspect is a
serial killer. The players should not initially tie this wave of killings
in with the animal they are hunting — keep them believing the dinosaur
they are looking for is relatively harmless as long as possible. Clue them
in slowly — the discovery of clawed dinosaur prints in the mud; the
proximity of the animal’s spore to a recent murder victim, etc.
Eventually, the
carnosaur will
become aware it is being hunted (it is a remarkably intelligent beast). At
that point it will begin stalking the party. The creature will not attack
the group straight out if it is outnumbered; rather, it will wait to
surprise party members when each is alone.
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Conclusion
Should the party kill or capture
the animal and turn it over to the patron, they will be paid their
$100,000 and reminded to keep their mouths shut. If the players decide to
hold out for more money to keep the whole thing a secret, the patron will
agree to up to $500,000, but the characters will soon discover their lives
are in danger (the manner is up to the referee, but should be quite
nasty). This holds true if the players go to the authorities with what
they know.
The patron represents a group of
wealthy clients who run several "game" ranches. The killer was destined
for one of these ranches when it escaped. The patron’s group has contacts
in Customs and various police departments, so they will be able to locate
the players with relative ease, should the need arise.
If the players are cooperative,
the patron will recommend their services to his clients and several
(shady) job offers will begin coming their way. Of course, the players
will begin to get reputations among the international police community
…
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