A Christmas Inheritance

**A Christmas Inheritance** is the fourth scenario released by *The Apocalypse Players* and the 2021 Christmas Special. It is an original CoC scenario written by Danann McAleer based on the works of M. R. James. It is set in 1891 in Norfolk, England.

Edward Caister (a man from an ‘old money’ family who has fallen on hard times) inherits Warham Hall, a Norfolk manor house and invites two of his close friends to come and visit it with him. Things quickly begin to go bump in the night and it transpires that maybe his luck hasn’t changed for the better after all- but for the much, much worse.

## Episodes

#### **01: A Partridge and a Dead Tree**

In which our investigators learn that one of them stands to inherit a Norfolk pile, and are slowed in their journey by locals, publicans, birds, woodlice, headwear, and a tree... at least.

#### **02: A Game of Bear**

In which our investigators arrive at Warham Hall, only for the vicar to be bothered by a Bible verse, the mesmerist to be bothered by nocturnal visitors, and his lordship to be bothered by his friends.

#### **03: Two Kings**

In which our investigators wrack their brains to remember their Latin, and reflect on the dangers of wild animals in small libraries.

#### **04: A Sort of… Dog**

In which a new friend is made and an old friend is lost, and the house and gardens are found to be the home of all creatures great and small.

#### **05: Hide and Seek**

In which all our investigators find themselves playing a game quite unwittingly.

#### **06: The Holly Bears a Bark**

In which our investigators attempt to commune with the possibly living, the groundskeeper is subjected to an offensive charm offensive, and the garden shrubbery seems to have a life - and face - of its own.

#### **07: Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You, My Lad**

In which a kedgeree breakfast gives our investigators time to make a plan, the herb garden proves unpalatable, and the maze has a familiar face.

#### **08: Epiphany**

In which the center of the maze is found, and all is revealed.

## Trivia

* The scenario was (at least in part) edited by Dom- unusual as normally the players will edit the scenarios that they acted as Keeper for
* It is inspired by Danann’s love for M. R. James, and references several of his stories such as *Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You, My Lad* and *Mr Humphreys and His Inheritance*

## Content Warnings

Expect this podcast to include explicit language and descriptions of violence and mental illness. Many real-world circumstances and experiences will be depicted as game mechanics, including stylized “bouts of madness.” This specific scenario includes the following content (which may be an incomplete list):

**Behaviors:**

* Self sacrifice

* Broken jaw
* Broken knees
* Broken elbows
* Flaying of hands
* Small knife wound
* Burning

*Threats of Harm:*

* Gun violence

* Ritualistic killing with hammer and sickle
* Self sacrificial arson attack

*Offscreen or Alluded To:*

* Repeated and continued versions of this ritualistic killing, including of a child

**Substances:**

* Alcohol use
* Drug use (against their will)

* Ritualistic killings
* Mahdist war of Sudan

*Indirectly or Alluded To:*

* Death of a child