The Darkness over Eaglescar

The Darkness over Eaglescar is a 24-page Call of Cthulhu Modern scenario set in Eastern England, and published by Stygian Fox. After a call form a concerned mother, the investigators are drawn into the machinations of the charismatic leader of a sinister cult and, quite possibly, a whole lot more. It’s suitable for play over two nights, and contains seven handouts and two maps.

When a friend of the investigators contacts them with concerns about the safety of her teenage daughter, our erstwhile sleuths will no doubt venture to the wilds of East England. Nestled in a low-lying area, Eaglescar is a small seaside town, popular with tourists. All is not what it seems in Eaglescar, however, as the picturesque town harbours a dark secret. Yes, that’s right, there’s a cult in town promising enlightenment through drug use, meditation, and contact with benign interdimensional beings.

Initial investigation occurs in the usual way and the investigators will uncover tantalising clues that point them onwards toward other sources. After a bit more digging around, investigators will discover a large chunk of the backstory, as well as hints of supernatural happenings associated with cult figures. Being a two-session scenario, this is likely to happen toward the end of the first session, and provides a satisfying ending, leaving the investigators with a reasonable idea of what’s going on, while leaving the big questions unanswered. In any case, they’ll know where they want to go next. In fact, they may receive an invitation.

The following section of the scenario involves some interaction with the cult, along with opportunities for a stakeout or even a break-in of the cult HQ. Questions will be answered, and a lot rides on how the players deal with the situation. But to get to the heart of the mystery, the investigators will have to venture further afield.

In the final location, a confrontation is inevitable. The precise form it takes, however, is up to the players and the nature of the information they managed to obtain during their investigation.

More generally, The Darkness over Eaglescar is very well put together. First off, it just looks good. The cover is evocative, the illustrations, handouts and maps look fantastic, and the layout is easy to follow and use, with a pleasing colour scheme. On top of that, the writing is well balanced. The backstory is all there, but it’s communicated efficiently and at no time did I feel my time was being wasted with irrelevancies. Location and NPC descriptions are similar: they may take a narrative form, but describe things from the investigators point-of-view, and are therefore useful. There is also balance in the information communicated: enough detail for the Keeper to give players a vivid description of a person or place, but not so much as to make life difficult. Lastly, the writing is smooth and efficient. Information is presented in a logical order, is easy to assimilate, and Keepers are aided by text boxes and tips where help might be needed.

The scenario unfolds organically and doesn’t feel linear (although, like most horror scenarios, it is). There is a ticking clock, meaning that outcomes will vary depending on how fast players respond to situations. This adds a sense of urgency that players may be unaware of but which the Keeper can communicate to them. The clue trail is mysterious at first, but then opens up to reveal quite a lot, offering player satisfaction without giving the game away. Players can successfully deal with the situation in a number of ways depending on their play style and the results of their investigations.

The themes addressed in The Darkness over Eaglescar are quite adult and include psychological manipulation, drug sale and use, sexual activity (god forbid), abduction, quite a lot of murder, and human sacrifice. That being said, at no point does it seem salacious or exploitative, but it would seem prudent to check whether your players are up for this type of thing. Mine are.

The serious real-world harm created by some cults are afforded appropriate consideration and respect, while allowing players to engage with an uncommon, but all-too-real issue. The Darkness over Eaglescar offers players and Keepers alike the opportunity to touch on and explore difficult and controversial topics, in the long and storied tradition of the arts.

Available from Drivethrurpg.com

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