Pilfer this Lovecraftian plot seed: From Beneath Cratendune

This works in any reasonably contemporary setting that includes elements of Lovecraftian horror. It will not be dealing with the larger themes of an uncaring universe and massive elder gods who could snuff out the stars on a whim, instead it touches more on the more personal horror of the unknown and explainable. And monsters.

The artificial lake was created decades ago, and a small town sat in the valley it would fill. All the residents were moved on, some more willingly than others, but when the dam was fully constructed, Cratendune there were rumours that not everyone got out. No bloated corpses were seen rising to the surface though, so the owners of the dam patted themselves on the back and forgot about the tiny little town.

Costs were cut in the construction of the Dam though, and before long it started to show. Repairs were carried out where able, until it became clear that plastering over the cracks wasn’t going to be enough; it had to come down. Those suits who had been so happy with the project had long since retired to a nice sunny country and other suits were given the PR job of handling such a disaster. They had no idea just how bad it was going to be. With the dam gone the way of so  many other badly thought out projects, the remains of Cratendune were once again shown the cold light of day. 

But they weren’t as ruined as anybody would have expected. Early investigations revealed some unusual things, such as signs of domesticity far more recent than they had any right to be. The a survey team went missing, and you were called in to take a look…

As should be clear from that little intro, it should be expected that the Characters are a group of investigators that have worked together at some point in the past, but GMs should feel free to modify as needed to fit their player characters.

Research before heading to the scene of the unusual occurrence reveals more than a few old folk stories about the people who lived in Cratendune. They settled in the valley to be away from other towns and settlements, and had little to do with outsiders, apart from essential trading. The land was poor and the livestock a weak and poor example of cattle. They traded instead with rare metals and ores, and many people thought to find the source of such riches for themselves. None returned…

Recent events will be less well documented, as Rodriguez Meganetics – the company behind the failed Dam – have an army of PR experts and tamed journalists in their pockets, and know who within the police force to pay off to keep such things hidden from the public. What is discerned though is that the buildings revealed by the retreating waters show little in the way of damage that would be brought about by being submerged for decades under water. Inside the houses, it just got stranger, with beds made and food stored as if the residents had just gone out for the day.

Upon arrival, the scene is cordoned off with police tape, with at least half a dozen uniformed officers and a couple of men in suits talking with the Local interest is minimal, and the police will inform the investigators that they are under strict instructions to keep the press away. If pressed, a knowing glance towards a be-suited individual lets everyone know who’s pulling the strings in that regard.

Everything else will be desperately quiet, with not even the sound of wild life as the investigators enter the town. The ground is still muddy from the recently evacuated lake, and the buildings will have a shiny look to them, caused by various algae and other growths. Populate the town with a main street and stores, and a couple of dozen houses, throw in a church and a town hall for good measure too, and let the players wander around. take the time to describe the strange fungal growths upon the buildings, and if investigated closely, these reveal that they have been harvested. As expected, the houses show signs of recent habitation, but nothing living expect the strange otherworldly mushrooms. If anyone thinks to ask, they won’t even see any other aquatic life, or what is left of it, littering the ground.

When they get to the church though, things get a little strange. All pretense of any Christian faith has been removed, and sigils of unknown origin adorn all the walls. Enough to make even an experienced investigator uneasy.

Behind the altar, a stair way is found leading down…

The story.

The Townsfolk of Cratendune started as miners after they discovered a very rich vein of minerals, and dug further down, uncovering a lost tomb. The writings left behind had a strange effect on them, and they felt compelled to go even further beneath the surface, uncovering treasure and arcane lore as they went, opening up tombs and and temples to an unknown, but powerful being. When word reached them that the valley was to be flooded, they sought aid from this thing, and were granted the ability to survive the coming waters – or at least, the more pious were. They survived for decades beneath the murky water, harvesting strange fungus to survive, and digging deeper below, opening up air-tight catacombs where they could once again breath.

It is in these final chambers that they worked to bring their Savior once more to their own world, to allow it to breathe again of the waters of this world, and feast on the flesh of the unbelievers. They are still humanoid, but with a look a look that might be described as Innsmouth-y. Spending decades living beneath the water has also left them almost unable to commune in anything close to a human tongue.