Steve Hatherley
It is just like any other day, except for a blinding migraine that doesn't subside until evening. It's one of those crippling, agonising migraines incapacitating the investigator and results in a day in bed, away from work and investigation. As a result it isn't until the following morning that the investigator discovers that twodays have mysteriously vanished.
What the investigator was up to during those two days prior to the migraine is a mystery; friends and neighbours are unaware of the investigator's activities. In fact, some may be a little disgruntled at the cavalier way the investigator broke appointments and ignored calls.
Little by little an idea of the investigator's activities may be established. It is strange.
1 The migraines are a result of fragmentary possession by one of the Great Race. Full possession was never achieved, and the creature had to leave.
It is possible that the member of the Great Race was homing in on the investigator. Had he discovered, or read something? Had he recently dealt with the flying polyps? If so, it may attempt to regain possession, perhaps this time it will be successful.
Hypnotising the investigator and sending him back to the time of the memory loss reveals scenes and sensations appropriate to being temporarily housed in the body of one of the Great Race.
2 The investigator has become ensnared in a small but foul Cthulhu cult. Each time the cult meets it uses powerful magicks to possess its victims and draw them to the ceremonies. There they participate in obscene acts, lasting several days. Upon recovering from the magick the victim has no memory and a massive migraine. Also, his clothing is torn, muddy and splashed with blood.
It is possible that the cult have chosen the investigator randomly, but more likely that they have singled him out for treatment.
Unfortunately, one of the victims is sacrificed each time the cult meets. This is random, but eventually it will be the investigator's turn.
3 Nothing else ever happens. Ever.
Some time later the investigator discovers that a small figurine is missing. (The figurine was carved from an oily dark brown stone, and vaguely african in design. Until now it was entirely unremarkable.) It is possible that the investigator never makes the connection, although even if he does he will be none the wiser. It isall a mystery.
Copyright (c) 1993 Steve HatherleySteve Hatherley is the creator of Tales of Terror, and has written for both Chaosium and Pagan Publishing. He also has a number of other websites, including www.great-murder-mystery-games.com and www.mylowerbackpain.com.
Steve lives in Yorkshire, England.
Click here to see Steve's other Tales of Terror.