From: john.hughes@anu.edu.au (John Patrick Hughes)
Subject: Necronomicon Entry Form Pt. 1.
Organization: Australian National University
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 92 04:45:58 GMT

Necronomicon IV: The Entry Form (Part One).

Entry and registration details, module ratings and other equally exciting
data are contained in a separate posting (Part Two).

If youd like a paper entry form (lots of pretty but irrelevent graphics)
post me your snail mail address.

John.
john.hughes@anu.edu.au

In the Thrilling Tradition of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings
and Kung Fu CB Motorcycle Mamas versus the Aztec Wrestling Nuns,
The Romantic Penguins Proudly Present...

NECRONOMICON IV: THE PENGUIN THAT ATE NEWTOWN

A Roleplaying Convention 2nd - 5th October 1992
Sydney Australia
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts,
King & Newman Street, Newtown. (two minutes from rail & bus).

CONVENTION GUEST OF HONOUR: GREG STAFFORD

What are some of roleplayings future directions?
How did Runequest & Pendragon originate?
How can I write for a games company?

Necronomicon is proud to welcome US game designer and publisher Greg Stafford
to Australia as our convention Guest of Honour. Over the convention
weekend, Greg will present a series of lunchtime seminars on
roleplaying and publishing, focussing on Pendragon & Runequest.
Hell also be roleplaying, actively socialising, and revealing details
of his yet unpublished Epic system. Necronomicon represents a unique
opportunity to meet one of our hobbys most influential figures.

THE MODULES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. THE DARKNESS
By Craig Stanton

Five Young investigators meet Cthulhu in Northern NSW in 1975.
Sponsored by Chaosium Inc. Two sessions.

Do you remember summer holidays when you were a kid?

Remember travelling out to the Bush with your family along dirt roads
that threw out a long trail of red dust behind the car?

Remember how fresh the Bush looked in the mornings, how the promise
of adventure rang out with the calls of magpies and how even the rich
tang of dewy grass seemed full of possibilities?

Do you remember how the days stretched into forever; how the white
sunshine burned down like a hot tide, draining the colour from
leaves and grass and turning each tree into a lush refuge of shade?

Remember the long twilights, heralded by currawongs and cockatoos,
where the light dimmed grey between the trees and the sky above
turned into a fantastic purple-and-orange veil, strewn with the
first faint stars of night?

And when night fell, do you remember...
The Darkness?

THE DARKNESS RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING.

2. MYTHCAST
by Jacinta Miller

A single session, systemless game, with a good time had by all.
Reading at least some of Robert Asprins Myth Adventures series is
highly recommended. No adult concepts... Honest!

Skeeve looked around. Aahz was in the corner staring out the window,
through the bars. Tanada was sitting at the table, looking glum.
Quigley still hadnt turned up. Skeeve hoped that he wasnt having too
much trouble with the guards.

Skeeve glanced across at Aahz, and it all came back... 

Hed been sitting at his desk when Aahz barged in.
Look at this mission brief! The Mafia have told us that on Earth,
someone is collating our adventures, selling them, and making a profit!!
So we go over and stop them?
 No no, Skeeve, what we are going to do is find the person who is doing
this and take over! Aahzs eyes had glazed over as they always did
when he thought about making a profit.

And so, across they had to come, to the place where Aahz got his strange
sayings from. The place of Christmas trees, and the person that Aahz
was no relation to.

And now, look where they have ended up, in this strange jail, just
for using magic. Skeeve again considered dropping the disguise spell
from Aahz and then asking if they didnt believe in magic, but earlier
reactions had shown this didnt work. Besides, he was having trouble
removing his own disguise ring...

When Quigley finally arrived, Skeeve called everyone together.
I have a plan, we can leave anytime...

MYTHCAST RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME HUMOUR, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING.

3. IN THE GUTTER
If you can find a vacant one

by Gary Cross

Single session Cyberpunk for five players 

Sydney 2023: 

The urban sprawl is no more. Urban consolidation, that great buzz word
of the nineties, has been happening for decades. From a city of three
million in nineteen ninety, spreading from Camden to Cowan, Bondi
to Blackheath, Sydney has become a city of five million crammed
into a circle that stops at Strathfield. The rest of the land
has been reclaimed for high profit, high intensity agriculture and
industry. A clean sweep thats destroyed much that was good and a lot
that was bad.

Chronic long-term unemployment is now levelling at fourteen per cent,
and there are families that have not seen work for three generations.
The police gave up the fight against urban crime when the Millenial Riots
decimated their ranks. Industrial rights are a thing of the past.
Corporations run wild, with only pathetic attempts by government
to control or slow their excess. The public no longer own a slice of
New South Wales.

Contrary to media beat-ups, it is still relatively safe to walk on the
streets. Why rob someone who carries nothing of value? Competing crime
lords and gangs have reached an uneasy balance. Strange and creative
social groups are forming amongst the low life. Barter has created
a second economy unchecked by the banks. Surprisingly, there are still
a few good people left who try to pick up those who fall through the
cracks. Recreational pharmacology provides the only release for those
who arent caught.

Something new has hit the streets and its addicting users way beyond
the expected rate. Without it, the user suffers horrific DTs, mercifully
falling into a coma. Death soon follows  all within seventy two hours.
The Central Mission has seen too many fall victim to this wasting: it
has decided to act. The Reverend has called in some favours. They are
not saints, they run the Gutters, but they have hearts in the right places.

IN THE GUTTER RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING,
SOME COMBAT.

4. URRRGH!

Single Session Paranoia
by Damien Gordon

Doodle Doodle
Dee
Wubba
Wubba
Wubba

URRRGH!
Empty can of dairy whip into a bowl.
Add a dash of Santa, red food colouring,
treacle, tomato sauce and a handful of sultanas.
Presto! Cold Fun!
(Microwave to make Hot Fun).

This is a very serious mission for five trouble-shooters in pre-Megawhoops
Alpha Complex. Its really serious. Seriously. There is no humour in this
mission. Honest. Trust me.

There wont be any prizes either. Its limited to only 1010 teams.
And thats in binary guys.

URRRGH! RATING: ??????

INTRODUCTION: SHORT SHARP SHOCKS IV

Short Sharp Shocks was originally created as a vehicle for designers to
present unusual ideas in a dark fantasy setting. Over the years,
they have become associated with intense characterisation and gritty
psychological realism. For our fourth series of Short Sharp Shocks,
the Sydney Design Group and Ian Wanless of the Wyrms Footprint present
two independent excursions into the darker realms of human experience.
An Unavoidable Duty deals with racism, Lifelines with the value of human
life and human relationships. Each module will be judged separately,
but teams competing in both modules will also be eligible for the
Short Sharp Shock tournament awards.

Warning: Mood, atmosphere and intensity are the key to these chilling
scenarios. Short Sharp Shocks will often challenge you. Players should
come prepared for the unexpected. They are only suitable for players over
the age of sixteen, and, at the discretion of module organisers, entrants
under this age may not be permitted to play.

5. SSS1: LIFELINES

The Wyrms Footprint Presents Life Lines
A short sharp shock by Ian Wanless

Just how well do you know your friends? Youve  joked together,
partied together, basked in the bright sun of youth and future promise.
But when fate turns more sinister, when life and death are weighed in the
balance, what is it you really hold dear?

One of your mates is in trouble  deadly trouble. 
Youre not sure youre able to help. 
Youre not sure you want to.

LifeLines  an examination of the crossroads in five ordinary young lives.

LifeLines is a systemless module for five players.
The focus is on characterisation and involvement. 
Enquiries: contact Ian on (06) 281 3892. 

LIFELINES RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOPHISTICATION, CATHARTIC.

6. SSS2: AN UNAVOIDABLE DUTY

Heres to the folks of Mississippi, / They say to the folks up north,
/ they just dont understand / They tremble in the shadows
/ at the thunder of the Klan / The sweating of their souls cant wash
/ the blood from off their hands / They smile and shrug their shoulders
/ at the murder of a man.
Phil Ochs  American folk singer.

Hatred is a horrible thing to most of us. For some it is a way of life.
A short sharp shock for five good old boys from Mississippi.

This scenario deals with the concept of racism: it may be offensive to some.
An interest in the race relations of the American South during the
1960s may be of some help, but is not essential. 

Only register for this module if you like intense characterisation.
If you have any enquiries contact Adam Dalton on (02) 817-1798 or
Jaime Hill on (02) 632-5573.

Presented by the Sydney Design Group

AN UNAVOIDABLE DUTY RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, GRAPHIC,
SOPHISTICATION.

7. A DINGOS GOT MY BABY!
A two session Call of Cthulhu module by Stuart Ray

Twelve years ago a baby went missing from a campsite near Ayers Rock.
Australia still hasnt stopped talking about it.
Was it murder, an accident, a dingo, or something more
sinister? Everyone has their own opinion. Behind all the court cases,
the rumours and the dingo jokes there lies a mystery.
Five people are asked to solve it.

Players are requested to bring to the module their own beliefs
and prejudices about the Chamberlain case.

DINGO RATING: ??????

8. WITCH!
by Paul Eccleston

A two session systemless module for four Puritans

1692, the small town of Salem, Massachusetts.
Summer is gone, and the nights are growing longer.
Yet something dwells here darker than the long nights.
Not even the brightest fire can dispel it, for the darkness is in the
hearts of the people. The darkness is fear. That fear has a name... WITCH!

WITCH RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING,
SOPHISTICATION, CATHARTIC.

9. DOOM

Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom Doom.
A single session Stormbringer tournament of unrelenting doom
for teams of five ineffably damned players.
Written by Divers Hands. Presented by Penelope Love,
Mark Morrison and Richard Watts. Sponsored by Chaosium Inc.

DOOM RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING, SOME COMBAT.

10. THE WOUNDED LAND

Pendragon by Brent Steeves. Two sessions for four players set in
Britain's Dark Age. Sponsored by Chaosium Inc.

"Alas, Blood my heart, / Alas! Your sickness touches me,
/ Hound of the smith of Conchubur; / my heart and mind are troubled.

See the onset of brilliant winter, / see each wonder in turn;
/ see then that which you serve, / it's coldness and distance and dimness.

Throw off sleep, the peace that follows drink, 
/ throw it off with great energy./ Many gentle words have loved you.
/ Rise, warrior of Ulaid!

O warlike man, rise that you might be great."

>From 'The Wasting Sickness of Cu Chulaind'.

THE WOUNDED LAND RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING,
SOME COMBAT, SOPHISTICATION.

11. ELECTION

by The Apocalypse V Design Team.
A one session AD&D module for five would be politicians.

Fifty years ago, you all went along to the presidential election,
each hoping that he or she would be chosen to head the Council for the
next term.

You lost!

Now its election time again. You all answered the call to council,
wondering whether this time, one of you might be the chosen one.
Ah, to lead the council for the next fifty years! But, you must
decide who among you it will be, or some other faction will steal
the job, again!

This module has no specific objective(s).
It is primarily a group decision making process.

Sponsored by TSR Inc.
The Team is James Demspey, David McPaul, Chris Maxfield,
and Uncle Wes Nicholson.

ELECTION RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING, SOME COMBAT.

12. CONQUEST OF THE DUNGEON OF DOOM

A three session, Second Edition AD&D module for five players.
by Chris Barrett and Tony Calder

Being the further legendary adventures of Norbert
(Draco Melbournis Ridiculi)

So, you want mighty thewed heroes able to hack their way through
armies of foes?
Keen-witted thieves able to defeat the most diabolical traps?
Spells of mass destruction?

This is the module for you! <Roll>-playing as it used to be.

Dice rolling  lots
Role Playing  discouraged
Rule Knowledge  doesnt <everyone> know D&D?

DUNGEON OF DOOM RATING: LOTS OF PROBLEM SOLVING, LOTS OF COMBAT, SOME HUMOUR.


13. SPIRAL DANCE

The Wyrms Footprint Presents
Spiral Dance  A  Sort  of  Homecoming
Two session RuneQuest Glorantha by  David  Wanless & Friends

Being the fourth module of the Ironspike Trilogy

The lovers and the dancers are beaten into the clay,
and the tall men and the swordsmen and the horsemen, where are they?

A generation lost. A kingdom divided. A wounded shaman-king overwhelmed
by the demands of his shattered people. A king who has fled rather than
face the final agony.

You were all friends once. Together you took the stage with gods and
heroes, plotted the salvation of a kingdom, the healing of a people.
All in vain. When your dreams and ambitions collapse, what is left?
An emptiness, a great weariness. A longing for inner healing...

In the east, the burning ruins of Moonbroth signal the birth pangs of
another agony. The Praxian tribes are rising. Despite all you have worked
for, it seems that the land will be afflicted by a Hero.

SPIRAL DANCE RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION. SOME PROBLEM SOLVING,
SOPHISTICATION.

14. TINY TEDDIES III - THE SEARCH FOR PLOT

TASTE... THE FINAL FRONTIER

Its gross, its ridiculous, its been done before...
But now we have Spock!

Five Silly Players, five silly accents...
It will make you sick,
It will make you mad!
And its definitely the last one!

Another tasteful module from the Calimari Muffins.
Each player requires a box of Tiny Teddies to complete this module.

TINY TEDDIES RATING: LOTS OF HUMOUR.

15. HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

Two session Shadowrun
by Mark Broadbent

Seatles sunset provides sickly illumination to the run-down tenement.
An old man sits, cross-legged, eyes focussed on the four shadowrunners
facing him amidst the gathering darkness.

A troll, standing well over two metres tall, humming to herself
as metal fingernails rake across the ceilings crossbeams with careless ease.

A human male in a long black coat. The flickering presence of a fire
elemental confirms the clue of his strong aura  this man is a mage.

Another man, tall, graceful in movement, a long jagged scar tracing
its way down his face. His aura is tightly focussed, with no sign of implants.

And the last  hardest to read of all. Short, human male, military beret,
a data jack above his right temple. That ones first action had been to
scan the room with the muzzle of his smg.

It was he who broke the silence. 'So this mirror is a religious symbol.
You say it was stolen by conquistadors in the seventeenth century, and now
its in the Ares R&D centre. Youre offering us three hundred thousand nuyen
to steal it back for you?'

The old man lifted his head, eyes bright, burning. 'Si Senor, that is correct.
But also, I will go with you!'


16. THE LOTTERY
 
SkyRealms of Jorune by  Tony  Lloyd

Q. What do you do when your city is being battered by the fiercest storm
thats passed your way in over a decade?

One of the citys most respected Sages walks the streets pronouncing
prophecies of doom:

'The sky will shout down in anger as the spirits of our forefathers
roam the streets of our home. Only the unknown one who wears the face
of another can replace the sanctuary of our lives before all is cast down
into the Mah Ashalta-Ca.
Prophecy of life by Reteria Meyone, Crith 663487.

A calm, gentle race of merchants, the Thivin have suddenly decided to
ostracize a race of voracious information gatherers, the Thriddle.
And the most skillful and flamboyant diyorda ever born has managed
to kidnap the Dharsages son right from under the noses of over
twelve hundred elite fighting troops.

A: Why, you hold a lottery to randomly select five eager volunteers. Then
you give them the freedom of the city to track down the terrorist
and return the Dharsages son to your safe keeping.

This single session tournament for five players requires no
previous rules knowledge. Where possible, characters and background
information will be sent to entrants before the convention begins.

LOTTERY RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING.

17. DEMO MODULE: MAD PRAX - BEYOND SUNDOME
(Registration at the convention only)

Runequest by by Michael OBrien, author of Sun County

A special demonstration scenario set in Sun County, the new
RuneQuest-Glorantha release from Avalon Hill.

MAD PRAX - BEYOND SUN DOME
RuneQuesting in the Lands of the Sun

Sun County is the first release in a resurrected RuneQuest,
under its new editor Ken Rolston.  Mad Prax - Beyond Sun Dome
gives gamers at Necronomicon a chance to check out the Sun County
setting prior to its Australian release, as well as match their wits
(and spears) against Count Solanthos Ironpike and his gilded minions.  

Previous RQ experience is unnecessary.  B.Y.O trollkin.
A single session module for five players,
registration at the convention only. Sponsored by Tales of the Reaching Moon, the RuneQuest Magazine.

18. FREEFORM: GREASE IN GREECE

Spawn of the Nemesis presents, In all its untamable glory...
Grease In Greece
by Scott Walton, Derek Proud, Amanda Gibson and Angus Glashier
(So you thought Pompeii was a blast!)

Starring Olivius Newtus Johnus, Johnus Travoltus and a Cast of Many

The stage is set, the brillcream is drying and the togas are creased
for a riotous night of music, dancing and cod pieces. Can our beloved
star win back the heart of the beautiful Vestal Virgin, or will the
Singing Spartans once more crush his plans? To say nothing of the
Saucius Romanus or the Persian Rap King Posse!

A two session freeform / musical for 25 to 30 players, set in a rather
strange ancient Greece.
With a bit of work, this chariot could be grease lightning!

Note: Auditions will be held prior to the event.

GREASE RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, LOTS OF HUMOUR.

19. FREEFORM: DIAL H FOR HERO

by  the Code Blue Crew

Smash! Biff! Pow!

'This is Lana Lang, Galaxy Communications, reporting on the scene
from Downtown 22nd Street...  The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and the
Fearsome Five have just joined forces... Theyve robbed the First National
Bank and freed the evil sorceress, Jinx, from imprisonment...
I can see mass destruction... one police officer is wounded, and ...

Zark! Voip! Crackle...

'Watch it Carl, theyre firing again.'

Crackle... 'Titans! X-Men! Where are you? New York needs its finest to
save the city in this, its darkest hour!'

A single session freeform for twenty five characters with attitude.

HERO RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME HUMOUR, SOME COMBAT,
SOME PROBLEM SOLVING.

20. FREEFORM:ILLUMINATI - THE FREEFORM

Another Creation from Evil Geniuses For A Better Tomorrow

NORAD  bastion of the free world, fortress protecting the great democratic
ideal, home of the American dream... and lots of buttons.
Just like that one over there, with the ominous red light flashing above it.

CIA, KGB, FBI, IRS... Are they all here for a meeting of the AAA*?
The Mafia, Big Media, Psychiatrists, and the Californians? Is this
just a bad dream, or is there some reason? Maybe the Morticians know?
Or the Nuclear Power Companies? Vid Gamers, Yuppies, or Underground
Newspapers? Surely not the Orbital Mind Control Lasers!

Its the second strangest gathering of people youve ever seen.
And who are all these people with the same name? Whoever heard of
someone called 'Secret ID'.

And whats that clock for anyway? Two and a half hours till lunch?

A single session freeform for 24 potential illuminati, aspirant dictators,
and failed business entrepreneurs.

* No, not the Anti-Acronym Association, but the American Autoduel Association.

ILLUMINATI RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, LOTS OF HUMOUR,
SOME PROBLEM SOLVING.

21. FREEFORM: CONCEPT

Concept - A three kilometre long satellite revolving around the Earth.
The most ambitious undertaking since the pyramids.
Shrouded in secrecy. More technology than anywhere on Earth.

Concept - A single session freeform for 40 people. Based on the world of
Cyberpunk. A meeting of corporations to determine if Artificial
Intelligences are sentient.

Concept by Darren Pitman

For design and allocation of characters, phone (02) 755-1020

CONCEPT RATING: LOTS OF CHARACTERISATION, SOME PROBLEM SOLVING,
GRAPHIC, SOPHISTICATION.

22. THE LAST TROLLBALL MATCH?

Uz legends from the First Age speak of TheyFoughtWeAte,
the great trollball match signalling the beginning of Big Eats
(the Hero Wars). Well, with the Red Moon unleashed, dragons and channels
in the sky and Jeff Kennett likely to be next Premier of Victoria,
it seems as good a time as any. The Proud, the Few, The Black,
The Blue  Bhagwhans Broobashers (Black) versus the Third Kyger
Lager Highlander Pipe and Club (Blue). No cost, but bring inflatable
weapons and correct colour kit, facepaint and streamers for a lunchtime
of live action rolesport. Pansy chaos elves need not apply.

ENTRY TO THIS MATCH IS FREE. SPECIFY ON YOUR ENTRY FORM WHICH
TEAM YOU ARE PLAYING FOR.

TROLLBALL RATING: LOTS OF COMBAT, LOTS OF HUMOUR, SOME CHARACTERISATION,
ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM SOLVING.

Part Two of this posting contains the boring but necessary bits, including the electyr
electronic entry form.


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