Hunters
[comments:(0), views:(6057), rating:(0.0)]

Author: Brett Hegr
Homepage: http://www.users.uswest.net/~bhegr/main.htm
System: Heroes Unlimited
Type: Hook
Category: Super Hero
Requirements:

Hook: Several grisly murders have occurred all over town. They seem to be unrelated, except for the fact that they all appear to have been committed by some sort of animal(s).

Line: The victims always seem to have the backs of their heads removed (via claws, fangs, or brute force) and are all homeless people and drifters. Police are unable to find clues and leads because of the sheer randomness of the killings. This is further compounded by the fact that a lot of homeless persons are terrified of monsters. Police attribute it to mass hysteria. Talking with the homeless folks will bring the realization that they are very afraid and quite sane.

A couple even claim to have found the "skin" of one of the monsters, but the police aren't interested in the stories. The skin of the monster, if the players find it, is truly a mystery. It's kind of rubbery, gray, and human-sized, as if a snake-man chose to molt right then and there.

PCs might either know a homeless person or two, might have a hideout located in the area of a killing, or could even hear a yelp of fear while walking down a dark street. If the PCs have had contact with the anti-hero Hellhound, he might attempt to get a message to them that he has information regarding the murders.

Sinker: Dr. Heinrich Vossen (pg. 152 of Villains Unlimited^tm) is in town on vacation and is testing out something he is developing for a third-world dictator. He has created a tracer chip and a cybernetic implant with a great range (nearly 40 miles) that gives a being the ability to mentally track the tracer. He has implanted a creation with the device (and a control collar, for safety) and is testing the effectiveness by launching the tracer into the backs of the heads of the homeless (does 2d6 damage but is not life threatening). The creature senses the tracer and is trained to retrieve it from the cranium of the victims. Failure or lateness results in a painful shock from the control collar.

The ape-like creature has rubbery black skin, great agility and strength, and the ability to adhere to substances. Some bionic weapons or a sonic scream can round out the beast. The control collar is the only way that Vossen can truly control it, though it looks up to him as a sort of pack leader. Destroying the collar will free the beast from control, and it may go wild or run away to the nearest wilderness area. Vossen left Iron Golem to tend to the freaks and is accompanied by Winston and the Hatchetman, his cyborg lackeys.

Another possibility - what if the tracer chip is planted into one of the player characters? They'll have a beast on their tail until they can figure out what is going on.