Run Concept: Life After the Pool

Environment: Swampy Marsh and Woods, fog and mist make things difficult in addition to bugs and hot temperatures.

Inspiration- Small excerpt I wrote after viewing hannibal in the middle of the night:

I stood there breathless and shocked as he stood before me. The figure that haunted my dreams and my footsteps. His elongated skull almost seemed to glow faintly in the moons pale light. His antlers made him giant in comparison to my small human stature. Crimson blood pooled at his feet dripping from his claws.

I wanted to scream but I found myself paralyzed. He just stared at me, seemingly judging me silently. He made no sound, for there was no mouth to snarl or growl. I stared back into the dark abysses that were his eye sockets.

Plot: Research has begun to note a higher than usual amount of mist and fog emanating from the Red Pool infringing on their ability to see it. As such they call in the Poolboys to find the source of the fog by going through.

When the poolboys surface they find themselves in a marshy swampland. It is a humid summer night, and the light of the moon provides their only light. Fireflies also light the terrain however larger will-o-wisps also make their presence known. The poolboys come near the edge of the woods, the creeks and rivers trickling around them, when they spot a large buck. He stares at the poolboys who will require a mental check DC 6. Should anyone fail they would see a scene from a happy ending. When they come back too, the Buck is still standing their watching. As the poolboys watch, its face deteriorates and the eyes sink in to hollow skull holes, and its back arches and jaw falls off. It morphs into Deer Skull (see below). He watches the Poolboys from afar. Should they engage he will impart a shot or two before fleeing into the woods. Unengaged he will watch until they leave further in.

Emphasis: Recon, Medical, Security, Science

Enemies:

Will-o-wisps- Small pale lights that appear as sickly yellow, grey, or frosted blue. They follow and echo the words of the poolboys and try to lead them off the path into the water.

Water Monsters- Unseen creatures who pull down those who enter their domain. Their hands are mottled browns and greys and blend in all to well with the water making them highly difficult to capture or see. When they touch skin acid from their claws create a bloodied mess. Fabric will deteriorate until skin is exposed.

Deer Skull- A mysterious entity that appears and doesn't outright harm the group unless confronted. First appearing as a live buck whose face decomposes and skeleton morphs into the monster it seems its purpose is to remind the Poolboys that by being at the Site they are effectively sacrificing their own futures or "Happy endings" to the Red Pool itself.