MADNESSMADNESSATAT MISKATONICMISKATONIC INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When I sat down to sketch out my first ideas for this mini campaign I had one primary By brief way of acknowledgement I am indebted motive — to design something that was as to a few web sites for the use of their resources close to Lovecraft’s original source material as notably the inspirational H.P. Lovecraft possible. I wanted the campaign to draw only Historical Society (who encouraged me to lift those themes and elements found in the works my game when it came to handouts and whose Howard Phillips. Where better, than, to set the 1920s articles were judiciously retooled for the entire campaign at Miskatonic University. Many in game copies of the Arkham Advertiser), of Lovecraft’s characters were professors at this the Wikipedia entry on Miskatonic University institution that it seemed fitting while at the (where my list of professors is drawn from) and same time, other than setting some small parts an excellent site of jazz age slang (from which of The Dunwitch Horror in Orne Library, very my short list is taken). little is defined about the operation and layout Thanks too much go to my players, Ben, Berni of the campus. This would both give the players and David. Roleplaying is a collaborative effort some (un)reassuring familiarity while keeping and without their creative input during each things fresh. session this campaign would be vastly inferior. For those seeking a refresh or who have not yet read them, the two mythos tales that this RUNNING THIS CAMPAIGN campaign draws on most heavily are the aforementioned The Dunwich Horror and The I’m not one for writing extensive notes when I Thing on the Doorstep. act as a Keeper. That said I’m a firm believer in giving the players evocative handouts. While CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW letting the story build organically, detailed play aids assist in anchoring the narrative — • Madness at Miskatonic is intended to be providing the essential information that will around four sessions long and tells the story keep player characters on the right track. of a group of students in their first semester Flow charts at Miskatonic University. I’ve applied this same reasoning to the • The characters are new to Arkham — more presentation of these campaign notes. suspense can be wrought this way. Each session is broken down in to a • The characters have also enrolled in the same flow chart that links key scenes and esoteric subject. handouts while providing a basic running order of play. The notes that • I strongly advise using my own Cthulhu Lite follow describe the purpose of the rules for the campaign, it’s where they were session followed by scene breakdowns refined and tested, and they better suit the that explore key objectives, a few setting somewhat academic nature of the characters. 2 notes and other vital information. It is expected that the Keeper fill in the necessary