Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Celebrity Undead : Jay Leno

"VAMPIRE" PICTURE: Exorcism Skull Found in Italy
March 10, 2009—Among the many medieval plague victims recently unearthed near Venice, Italy, one reportedly had never-before-seen evidence of an unusual affliction: being "undead.
The partial body and skull of the woman showed her jaw forced open by a brick (above)—an exorcism technique used on suspected vampires.It's the first time that archaeological remains have been interpreted as belonging to a suspected vampire, team leader Matteo Borrini, a forensic archaeologist at the University of Florence, told National Geographic News.Borrini has been digging up mass graves on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo, where the "vampire" was found, since 2006. "I was lucky. I [didn't] expect to find a vampire during my excavations," he said. Belief in vampires was rampant in the Middle Ages, mostly because the process of decomposition was not well understood.For instance, as the human stomach decays, it releases a dark "purge fluid." This bloodlike liquid can flow freely from a corpse's nose and mouth, so it was apparently sometimes confused with traces of vampire victims' blood.The fluid sometimes moistened the burial shroud near the corpse's mouth enough that it sagged into the jaw, creating tears in the cloth.Since tombs were often reopened during plagues so other victims could be added, Italian gravediggers saw these decomposing bodies with partially "eaten" shrouds, Borrini said.Vampires were thought by some to be causes of plagues, so the superstition took root that shroud-chewing was the "magical way" that vampires spread pestilence, he said. Inserting objects—such as bricks and stones—into the mouths of alleged vampires was thought to halt the disease.
—Christine Dell'Amore
Labels:
adventure seed,
inspiration,
vampire

The Devil you say? – Sub horror genres in Crypt world part 1
DEVIL flicks
The Exorcist, The Omen, Rosemary’s baby are all well-known
examples of this sub-genre. The main
antagonist in this genre is the lord of the nether regions, the lord of the
flies... Satan or anyone of his minions. The pc’s know exactly where the evil
is springing from. The Devil is evil incarnate, capable of exerting a direct
influence upon the world of men. In this sub-genre, the pc’s allies are
frequently killed off in a series of demonically created mysterious accidents,
while the devil’s formidable band of earthly followers (secret cult that infiltrated
the rest of the world) deals directly with the pcs. This is the only genre of horror,
where the main “Big Bad” actually never comes into play – it would be a one
sided game if you actually had the devil appear as an encounter.
Here are some ideas you can use if you wish to run a game in
this sub-genre – mind you if you’re playing in this genre an average game cycle
(Number of sessions) should be 2 to 4 – with each session just unveiling a little
bit of what’s really going on.
- Now & then throw in some biblical fact - in the exorcist movie they used the roman rites of exorcism and in the Omen they used the book of revelations.
- Watch the exorcist! and then the omen (the original not the remake) <-- cannot be stressed as much
- be prepared to have a way out - This is actual a battle the pc's cannot and should not win. They can postpone it but cannot end it .
- Create some interesting NPCS - a hooker possessed is one thing, but a baby possessed is scarier.
I hope this helps, if you have any questions - you can comment below or email me
Labels:
chill,
creature,
cryptworld,
demon,
movie

CDC Warning On Zombie Apocalypse — Really
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not known for its comic hijinks. Indeed, the agency’s data and disease reports are typically serious, straight-forward and well, dull.
So imagine the buzz in public health circles when the CDC issued something kind of funny: an advisory on a potential zombie attack (and other emergencies) that was so inundated upon its release Wednesday that the site crashed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Well, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse” is back up again, and here’s a taste:
There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency…
In movies, shows, and literature, zombies are often depicted as being created by an infectious virus, which is passed on via bites and contact with bodily fluids. Harvard psychiatrist Steven Schoolman wrote a (fictional) medical paper on the zombies presented in Night of the Living Dead and refers to the condition as Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome caused by an infectious agent…
The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?”
Well, we’re here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing for real emergencies too!
So what do you need to do before zombies…or hurricanes or pandemics for example, actually happen? First of all, you should have an emergency kit in your house. This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp (or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored). Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.
The WSJ reports:
Zombie preparedness is the brainchild, so to speak, of communications staff who noticed that traffic took off when zombies were mentioned during one of its Twitter sessions on Japan and radiation, says Dave Daigle, a CDC spokesperson who led the new campaign.
So imagine the buzz in public health circles when the CDC issued something kind of funny: an advisory on a potential zombie attack (and other emergencies) that was so inundated upon its release Wednesday that the site crashed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Well, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse” is back up again, and here’s a taste:
There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency…
In movies, shows, and literature, zombies are often depicted as being created by an infectious virus, which is passed on via bites and contact with bodily fluids. Harvard psychiatrist Steven Schoolman wrote a (fictional) medical paper on the zombies presented in Night of the Living Dead and refers to the condition as Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome caused by an infectious agent…
The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?”
Well, we’re here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing for real emergencies too!
So what do you need to do before zombies…or hurricanes or pandemics for example, actually happen? First of all, you should have an emergency kit in your house. This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp (or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored). Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.
The WSJ reports:
Zombie preparedness is the brainchild, so to speak, of communications staff who noticed that traffic took off when zombies were mentioned during one of its Twitter sessions on Japan and radiation, says Dave Daigle, a CDC spokesperson who led the new campaign.

Monday, December 30, 2013
Melon Heads
Melonhead is the name given to a race of mutant cannibals that live primarily in Connecticut's Trumbull county. They are described as being short, pale, and gaunt, with large bulbous heads. Their teeth are yellow and blocky and their eyes are a pinkish red. Melonheads usually act aggressive towards people. They are usually nocturnal, and it has been reported that sunlight causes them pain or weakens them greatly. This, coupled with their appearance, makes many researchers believe that they are horribly deformed albinos.
The most prominent and wide held belief among researchers is that melonheads were people just like you and me once. The leading hypothesis behind their origins is that they were patients at a mental asylum that burned down years ago. In fact their was a tragic fire that burned down an asylum in Trumbull county years ago. A few of the patient's weren't accounted for and their bodies were never counted among the dead. Many believe that they fled into the surrounding woods and turned to cannibalism after being unable to find food. People that go hiking or driving around the area of the old asylum have gone missing, leaving anything form no trace to their abandoned car. There is a road in Trumbull called Velvet Way, which is known by the locals as Dracula Drive. Much Melonhead phenomenon is reported there. Although gaunt, Melonheads are reported to be incredibly strong, able to withstand being hit by a car, and know to push cars off the road. They do NOT like bright lights and these can be used to disorient and blind them. Some survivors of melonhead attacks report using LED or Floodlights to escape the creatures. They may be found in other places also. They have been reported as far north as Maine and as far south as Florida, and everywhere in between. Melonheads may or may notintelligent, they tend to hunt in packs and may communicate. It seems that they are intelligent but they're origins, if correct, would suggest otherwise. They are supposed to beinbredmutants who's grandparents were from a mental asylum who where probably suffering from hydrocephalus, ( a build up of fluid in the skull which can cause insanity and retardation, and also makes the skull swell, which explains their large heads). The melonheads are feared in Trumbull county, locals don't travel the back roads at night, and no one goes into the woods alone or at night. There have been disappearances around the area. Those that vanish aren't heard from again. Some believe that they may be used for something other then food (have to keep your numbers up somehow, right?). (compare to: Blood farmers). There are many first hand accounts of encounters with melonheads. They might have a societal hierarchy with a more intelligent individual on top...
Melon Heads
STR: 4 (60) WPR: 4 (60)
DEX: 3 (45) PER: 1 (15)
AGL: 3 (45) PCN: 4 (60)
STA: 4 (60) PWR: NA
ATT: 1/53% WND: 14
MV: L 75†
Experience: 600
The most prominent and wide held belief among researchers is that melonheads were people just like you and me once. The leading hypothesis behind their origins is that they were patients at a mental asylum that burned down years ago. In fact their was a tragic fire that burned down an asylum in Trumbull county years ago. A few of the patient's weren't accounted for and their bodies were never counted among the dead. Many believe that they fled into the surrounding woods and turned to cannibalism after being unable to find food. People that go hiking or driving around the area of the old asylum have gone missing, leaving anything form no trace to their abandoned car. There is a road in Trumbull called Velvet Way, which is known by the locals as Dracula Drive. Much Melonhead phenomenon is reported there. Although gaunt, Melonheads are reported to be incredibly strong, able to withstand being hit by a car, and know to push cars off the road. They do NOT like bright lights and these can be used to disorient and blind them. Some survivors of melonhead attacks report using LED or Floodlights to escape the creatures. They may be found in other places also. They have been reported as far north as Maine and as far south as Florida, and everywhere in between. Melonheads may or may notintelligent, they tend to hunt in packs and may communicate. It seems that they are intelligent but they're origins, if correct, would suggest otherwise. They are supposed to beinbredmutants who's grandparents were from a mental asylum who where probably suffering from hydrocephalus, ( a build up of fluid in the skull which can cause insanity and retardation, and also makes the skull swell, which explains their large heads). The melonheads are feared in Trumbull county, locals don't travel the back roads at night, and no one goes into the woods alone or at night. There have been disappearances around the area. Those that vanish aren't heard from again. Some believe that they may be used for something other then food (have to keep your numbers up somehow, right?). (compare to: Blood farmers). There are many first hand accounts of encounters with melonheads. They might have a societal hierarchy with a more intelligent individual on top...
Melon Heads
STR: 4 (60) WPR: 4 (60)
DEX: 3 (45) PER: 1 (15)
AGL: 3 (45) PCN: 4 (60)
STA: 4 (60) PWR: NA
ATT: 1/53% WND: 14
MV: L 75†
Experience: 600
Labels:
creature,
cryptworld,
horror,
rpg

Real Horror Vs. The Horror Genre
Ever ask yourself what you find terrifying? Would you rather be stalked by a madman with a chainsaw or a real life 25 foot long crocodile while you are in a dingy of a boat in the middle of the Ruzizi River near the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika. While both scenarios seem far fetched, the crocodile one is real and is played out every day when the local fishermen go out to try to catch fish to sell.The crocodile named GUSTAVE was featured on Nat Geography and a full length motion picture "Primeval" and it has been reported that he claimed the lives of 300 people which helped the massive beast attain a legendary status - so knowing that at least one of the scenarios offered could be real which one would you choose? I would take my chance with the guy in the mask, the idea of being eaten alive does not sit well with me.Now & then its good to throw a curve ball at the players who arent expecting it. How about this, after a couple of

Sunday, December 29, 2013
An American Werewolf in London Trailer

Saturday, December 28, 2013
As you enter the morgue
How many times have I used that sentence? many times my friends...many times since 1985 when I first got my hands on CHILL then published by pacesetter.The rules were easy to understand that once you opened the box you were able to play within the hour of opening. I missed those games - Edward Fink ran by my friend John Karnay and Conner Mccloud ran by the great statesman Alan Kaltman. We ran chill from 1985 til 1999 when I left New York and started a new life with my wife. Jump ahead to present, I stumble upon the rebirth of pacesetter when I found ROTWORLD online. I was ecstatic and grabbed a copy quicker then my wife saying no. I loved the rules, but it still wasn't the same as chill.. it felt like a natural extension to the game I loved . Jumping ahead as a whim, I went back to the pacesetter site and what did I find? Crypt world! again I snagged up a pdf of the game and added it to my kindle. I am home... I feel the need to transpose my old chill campaign (I still have the 1st & 2nd edition) to this new version. One note - I was one of the few people who play tested the doomed 3rd edition. Which is now dead in the water and maybe its not a bad thing.
What should you find on this blog?
What should you find on this blog?
- Things stats - all of my 20 + years creations posted here for your games
- Adventure seeds & ideas - something to help the crypt masters with coming up with adventures on the swing.
- Full length Adventures!
Labels:
chill,
cryptworld,
d20,
ghosts,
horror,
lycanthropes,
rotworld,
rpg,
things,
welcome,
zombies

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