MONSTER FREAK a Ready-To-Go Module for Henshin!: a Sentai RPG
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Henshin!: A Sentai RPG MONSTER FREAK A Ready-To-Go Module for Henshin!: A Sentai RPG Written by Tim Batiuk & Sam Kusek Illustrated by Emmett Helen Find more at henshingame.com ©2020 Cave of Monsters Games Bell Hill, a town renowned for ghastly folktales and classic monster movies filmed on location, is home to a scary secret discovered by a group of young citizens. When they find out that the long-gone mon- sters were real and were protecting the town from a far greater evil, these teens are bestowed with the monsters’ powers and a duty: Protect the people of Bell Hill! Designer Notes This module borrows from classic movie monsters, especially those featured in Universal Studios films from the 1920s to 1950s. The aesthetic is distinct and anchored in popular imagination, which helps get “Monster Freak” to the table. Also, sentai heavily features monsters as the antagonists, much like in these classic films, except we often sympathize with these horrific creatures when we see the transformations they underwent to become that scarier self. What if when the teens in “Monster Squad” transformed into masked heroes, they also took on these monstrous forms, and the civilians then had to reconsider who the true mon- sters really are? Henshin!: A Sentai RPG Color Aesthetics Community & Cast First Session Hooks Dracula Setting: Bell Hill, a sleepy town that was once the An opening scene to draw the Colors into the Mysterious, elegant, and cunning, the vampire lurks filming location of old monster movies action could include: in the shadows… Base: The abandoned Bela Theatre, a once- • An out-of-town amateur film crew arrives in Bell Suit detail: Shadow cloak ornate movie house that is home to the Phantom Hill to dig up local legends for their documenta- ry. Weapon: Dual daggers Community locations: Movie memorabilia tour- Mech: Mega bat ist trap, cobblestone streets of Old Town district, • A mass haunting erupts in the dead of night, Named attack: “Brooding Wings!” historic cemetery, crumbling castle on the edge of causing citizens to take refuge in the aban- town, labyrinthine underground caverns doned theater. Frankenstein’s Monster Enormous, hideous, and sensitive, the monster • A pirate broadcast of Hostess of the Dark takes knows it has no place in society… Squad obligation: A promise to carry on the over Bell Hill airwaves from an unknown source. classic monsters’ legacy Suit detail: Patchwork stitching Further Scene Ideas Weapon: Electric bolt Squad principle: Duty to protect the civilians of Bell Mech: Colossal monster Hill When appropriate, a scene to progress the continuing action could include: Named attack: “I Am...Alive!” Custodian of power: The Phantom, a classic mon- • Civilians are terrified by the monstrous Squad Mummy ster who lost their powers and now lives alone in the and hold a town hall meeting in response. Decaying, estranged, and forlorn, the corpse seeks to abandoned theater • The Hostess discovers that the local tourist act out an ancient curse… Big bad: Hostess of the Dark, a glamorous trap is home to a powerful relic hidden among Suit detail: Loose wrappings as fringe monster (who appears as a human) who is bent the memorabilia. Weapon: Flaming ankh on terrorizing citizens and hosts her own late-night • Monstrous transformations (fangs, fur, gills) Mech: Nile crocodile horror show on cable access television start mysteriously appearing on the Colors even Named attack: “Scroll of Thoth!” General: Tomb Warden, the acerbic ghoul who in their normal civilian form. Werewolf reanimates monsters from their resting places and Primal, unstable, and yet human, the beast roams the dallies in dreadful puns Ongoing Season Arcs moonlit lands… Foot soldiers: Ygors, loyal hunched-over minions Finally, future episodes that advance the season Suit detail: Fur stole that arise and return from the dirt arc could feature: Weapon: Lupus bite • The Phantom rediscovers their lost powers, Mech: Dire wolf Power source: Ancient rings, gaudy accessories that causing the Hostess to extend an ‘invite’ to her Named attack: “Full Moon Howl!” could be confused for stage jewelry show that cannot be refused. • The Tomb Warden reanimates monsters specifi- Gill Person Signature hand motion: Fingers curled like claws, cally based off each Color’s deepest fears. Strange, amphibious, and somehow familiar, the hands reach forward then arms cross missing link rises from the water… • The Hostess reveals Bell Hill to be the portal to the Underworld, the realm of ghouls, which Suit detail: Gills on helmet Weapons combine into something piercing and can be opened only when its citizens produce Weapon: Neptune’s trident antique enough fear. Mech: Sea horse Mechs combine into an Ultimate Form that is gigan- Named attack: “Missing Link!” tic, terrifying, and winged.