Frights & Fables: Mainstreet Blackout Adv.
The Blackout Beneath Main Street
A Table-Ready Worlds of Pulp™ One-Shot
What You Need
Visit the Pulp Roster (NPCs) under Geek Opera on the main page and download the NPCSs for this adventure.
Now grab the article Mainstreet, USA
Hook
A town-wide blackout hits Main Street.
When power returns:
- Three residents disappear.
- Strange symbols appear throughout town.
- Livestock are found mutilated.
- Witnesses report seeing the Patchwork Man.
The town believes they’ve found their monster.
They’re wrong.
An ancient possessing spirit known as Ashur the Betrayer has escaped a stolen occult relic hidden beneath the town.
Cast
Allies / Potential PCs
- Sister Magdalene
- Lilith Blackwell
- Dr. Elias Kronhart
- Silas Grey
- The Patchwork Man Reborn
Wild Card
- Caleb Voltek (arrives later hunting the “monster”)
Villain
- Ashur the Betrayer, possessing townsfolk and preparing resurrection.
Adventure Structure
Scene 1: The Blackout
Start at any Main Street location.
The heroes learn:
- A mysterious crate vanished from the Courier Office.
- Missing victims all visited various businesses before disappearing.
- Strange symbols appeared after the power outage.
Key Lead
Courier manager Calvin Price reveals the missing crate arrived from overseas and was covered in protective glyphs.
Scene 2: Main Street Investigation
Each location provides one clue.
Brass Lantern Beer Hall
- Witness saw the Patchwork Man carrying an injured teenager.
- Mob begins forming to hunt him.
McKinley’s Drug Store
- Missing persons bought candles, batteries, salt.
- Black sand found on belongings.
Cross Hardware
- Missing people purchased wire, generators, and batteries.
- They appeared dazed.
Bennett’s Mercantile
- Security footage shows victims abruptly changing behavior and leaving together.
Courier Office
- Burn marks.
- Broken protection symbols.
- Evidence the crate contained something dangerous.
Barber Shop
- Locals report chanting from storm drains.
- Old utility tunnel maps discovered.
Scene 3: The Monster
The heroes locate the Patchwork Man inside an abandoned warehouse.
Truth
He is innocent.
He followed the artifact to town trying to stop the evil spirit.
If treated with kindness he becomes an ally.
If attacked he only defends himself.
Scene 4: Escalation
A second storm strikes.
Power fails again.
Caleb Voltek Arrives
Convinced the Patchwork Man is responsible.
Now three groups collide:
- Town Mob
- Caleb Voltek
- Patchwork Man
This encounter should focus on roleplaying, negotiation, or chaos.
Scene 5: The Possessed Werewolf
Ashur takes control of Silas Grey.
Use Silas’s Lycanthrope statistics.
Add:
- Fear Aura 8
- +2 Willpower
- Immune to simple persuasion
Set Pieces
Choose one:
- Rampage through Penny’s Fuel & Service
- Siege of the Brass Lantern
- Battle down Main Street
Resolution
- Defeat Silas
- Exorcise Silas
- Break the possession
Saving him should be easier than killing him.
Scene 6: The Tunnel Beneath Main Street
Old utility tunnels connect:
- Courier Office
- Drug Store
- Fuel Station
The tunnels are covered with black sand and occult markings.
Guardians
Possessed townsfolk.
Quick Stats
- Combat 6
- Toughness 6
- Willpower 7
- Hits 10
Final Encounter
Ashur the Betrayer
Type: Ancient Possessing Revenant
Core Abilities
- Agility 8
- Combat 9
- Intelligence 10
- Magnitude 10+5
- Might 8
- Perception 10
- Toughness 10+3
- Willpower 10+5
- X-Factor 10+5
Hits: 33
Powers
- Possession 10+4
- Fear Aura 10
- Necromantic Command 10+3
- Shadow Blast 10+3
- Telekinesis 10+2
Twist
During the battle:
The Sand King Arrives
He reveals Ashur was one of the priests who betrayed him centuries ago.
The Sand King wants vengeance.
The heroes must choose:
- Aid the Sand King.
- Save Ashur for judgment.
- Seal the spirit forever.
- Sacrifice power to end the threat.
Final Ritual
Sister Magdalene and Lilith are the most likely candidates.
Suggested Goal:
12 Successes
Useful Skills:
- Exorcism
- Spirit Banishment
- Theology
- Spirit Lore
- Curse Weaving
- Ritual Crafting
Allow teamwork and stacking per The Skinny Complete.
Conditions Spotlight
Encourage frequent Condition checks:
| Character | Condition |
|---|---|
| Sister Magdalene | Takes Others’ Suffering Personally |
| Lilith Blackwell | Tempted by Forbidden Knowledge |
| Silas Grey | Uncontrolled Rage |
| Patchwork Man | Craves Acceptance |
| Dr. Kronhart | Merciless Toward Vampires / Vengeful |
| Caleb Voltek | Wrathful |
Reward Boxcars and strong roleplaying.
Endings
No Soul Beyond Saving
Ashur sealed. Silas saved. Patchwork Man accepted.
The King’s Justice
Sand King destroys Ashur and departs.
Necessary Sacrifice
Victory requires permanent personal cost.
Darkness Wins
Ashur manifests fully and escapes, launching a campaign arc.
Breathe child. That’s right. There are more macabre revelations to come, but in the meantime, lean into our blog index and enjoy past perilous presentations. GeekOpera Index.