In This Issue... The classic horror comics of the 50s and 60s are a treasure trove of monstrous thrills perfect fear fodder for your gaming table! The following story from EERIE No. 3 inspired the horrific adventure found in the back of this CRYPTWORLD comic conversion! Enjoy the original comic story, then prepare yourself for a terrifying night of gaming based on this gruesome tale! Tim Snider The Case of the Painted Beast originally appeared in EERIE, Oct-Nov., 1951, Vol. 1, No. 3, by Avon Periodicals. Scans provided courtesy of The Digital Comic Museum at www.digitalcomicmuseum.com. This product refers to CRYPTWORLD TM and Pacesetter System TM. More information can be found at www.goblinoidgames.com and www.pacesetter.us. CRYPTWORLD TM, Pacesetter System TM, and associated text, logos, and trademarks are owned by Daniel Proctor. Used with permission under license.
The Case Of The Painted Beast A CRYPTWORLD Comic Conversion by Tim Snider Introduction The village of Maple Valley, California, has just completed work on a new town hall. In celebration, Mayor James Corbin invited residents to submit their artistic masterworks for consideration to hang in the hall s rotunda. Numerous works were submitted, and Corbin and Town Clerk Peter Rollins named Our Feathered Friends as the winning entry. The chosen painting was placed in the town library while final preparations were made in the rotunda. Last night, however, the library watchman was attacked and the winning painting was utterly shredded. The players have been dispatched to investigate the disturbance. Was the assault and vandalism caused by a disgruntled losing artist? Or is there something more nefarious and deadly in Maple Valley? Crypt Master Background Ezra Vale is an eccentric old artist who lives in Willow Brook Hollow on the edge of Maple Valley. Although Vale is recognized as an incredibly talented artist, his works are seen as unsettling and macabre. He often paints scenes of uncomfortable landscapes, strange visions, and esoteric beings. His contest entry, The Forest of Fear, was aptly named, as it featured a lush overgrown glade with a grotesque monstrosity surrounded by three cavorting imps. The horrific painting was not selected, and Vale returned home with the disturbing canvas. Unbeknownst to Vale, his artwork was somehow imbued with a semblance of life. A week
later when the full moon hung overhead, the beasts in the painting were able to leave the canvas, taking physical form! The Painted Beast and its Imp minions ( gnomes ) somehow sensed their painting s rejection. Seeking revenge, the creatures tracked down the winning painting, mauled the guard standing watch, and shredded the artwork. They next seek to destroy the two men who overlooked their masterwork Corbin and Rollins. And, if the players are unable to stop their rampage, they plan to finish off Vale as revenge for failing them during their creation. How To Run The Scenario Before starting, the Crypt Master should read through both the comic story and this scenario to prepare for the game session. Because the Painted Beast can quickly move from place to place with its portrait walk ability, the CM should account for this in any player encounters with the thing. Be sure to make a note of any clues the PCs may find so you can pass them along as they re discovered. Also, at CM s discretion, require fear checks on column 4 each time the PCs encounter something frightening or unsettling. The Crypt Master will need to initially determine how the PCs have become involved in the scenario: Players who are private investigators or members of law enforcement may have been invited by local police to investigate the assault and vandalism of city property. Players who are members of the media may have been sent to cover the opening of the new town hall and the artwork selection, and are still in town when the disturbance occurs. Players who are members of a supernatural investigation organization may have heard that the watchman is claiming monsters attacked him and destroyed the painting. One of the players may have a relative who entered a piece of artwork in the contest, and they and their friends were in town when the adventure begins.
Everyone s A Critic Regardless of how the players become embroiled in the scenario, the action should pick up shortly after the library attack. If any players wish to investigate the library, they ll first need to get past the Maple Valley patrolman who has been asked to secure the crime scene. Any reasonable explanation as to why they should be granted access should merit a general check versus that player s PER score. If successful, the patrolman allows the players to enter the building. If they are unsuccessful, they may need to resort to breaking and entering to gain access. (Which could lead to legal troubles if discovered by the police!) The PCs can easily determine that entry into the library was gained by breaking one of the side windows. There is shattered glass on the floor, and the broken window has been boarded up. With a successful check of either an appropriate skill (Investigation, etc.) or their PCN ability, a player can determine that the window glass is shatter-resistant and would have taken great strength to break. There don t seem to be any signs that a tool or club was used to smash the window. Some of the glass looks scratched as if something sharp was raked across the surface. (CM Note: The Painted Beast clawed at the window before smashing it open.) The players will find the damaged painting lying on the floor next to the wall it hung on. It appears to have been hacked and torn with a knife or blade. A successful skill or PCN check will reveal that the damage appears to have been caused by the claws of a large animal. (The Painted Beast tore it apart.)