Scooby-Doo: The Weird Werewolves of the Wild Woods

SYNOPSIS

Scooby-Doo and friends are driving through the mountains on their way back to Crystal Cove when they hear stories of a local family who have reported that the woods around their log cabin are haunted. The police haven't taken any interest, so this sounds like the perfect job for Mystery Inc to clear up. Without wasting any time they travel to the cabin where Grandma Culpepper and her boys meet them, and they set up camp to investigate overnight.

This is the narrative of a game of 7TV2, using theMystery Inc. programme guide, played with the basic rules but using Profile Cards for some models, the Countdown Deck and Gear cards from the 7TV2:Apocalypse set. We felt the tone of these, and the style of the gadgets, worked better for the cartoon horror style of the game.

Grandma tells our heroes the over last few months the evil spirits of the wood seem to have taken a dislike to the hillbillies, and made things uncomfortable for them. There have been lots of strange sightings and mysterious goings on after dark, and as recent as last month their nearest neighbours were so scared they've abandoned their property and moved out wholesale. Grandma reported this to the police, but they just said there was nothing they could do. So knowing that Mystery Inc take such things seriously she is very hopeful that they can help.

Grandma feels that if the mystery is not solved soon she may be forced into a decision she does not want to make. People are always interested in buying the Culpepper place and she was made another offer (though not a high one) one month ago. If they don't find a solution to the problem, the hillbillies feel they may have no choice but to sell their land and go elsewhere.

SET-UP

The game was played on a 4 x 3 table with a central log cabin and campsite within a clearing, surrounded on all sides by woodland. Mystery Inc. were the defenders and their models were placed first, with Mystery Inc. in the camp and the Culpeppers in the cabin, and the Mystery Machine parked close by. The Things that Go Bump in the Night then placed their models touching any table edge, and placed five objectives no closer than 6" from the table edge. In this game, only Mystery Inc. could claim objectives (which were principally there for narrative purposes).

The table set-up

The colours of the forest change from moment to moment as the light finds its way through the dense woodland into small open glades. Standing and fallen trees make the forest impenetrable in places and difficult to find a path through.

Or: the lighting was terrible because of the table position next to the window and very poor internal lights. The fallen trees in the forest were because the terrain didn't travel very well in the back of the car. And you'll just have to use your imagination about the density of the woods, as we only had so many trees. The area outside the circle of trees is taken to be reasonably dense woodland.

Mystery Inc.'s object was to find the clues and make sense of them, and solve the mystery; the Things would aim to scare them all off, or capture them (as this is a children's show, eliminated models are considered scared off or captured, of course).

THE CASTS

Mystery Inc.

Fred (co-star, 5)
Daphne (co-star, 4)
Velma (co-star, 4)
Shaggy (co-star, 4)
Scooby Doo (co-star, 4)

Scrappy Doo (co-star, 4)

Grandma Culpepper (Extra 2)

The Culpepper Hillbillies (6 x Extras 3pts/2)

The Mystery Machine (vehicle, 4)

35pts, generating 10 plot pts

The Things that Go Bump in the Night

The Ghost of the Woods - Mysterious Monster (Guest Co-Star, 5)

2 x Ghosts - Spectres (Extras, 3 each)
2 x Spectres (Extras, 3 each)
Alpha Werewolf - Beastman Elder (Extra, 3)

7 Werewolves - Beastman (Extras, 2 each)

Victim Zero (Extra, 2)

36pts, generating 7 plot pts

Scrappy Doo's profile was created from Scooby's, altering a couple of stats and replacing his Special Effects with Small, Puppy Power, and Puppy Pest. You can download his profile card from the image above or, if you prefer, from this link to the .yaml file for use with Jorge's fantastic 7TV2 card generator.

Lycanthrope Victim Zero is a modified Patient Zero (from the Apocalypse set), but for someone infected with a werewolf bite. Which is obviously something psychosomatic when the werewolves are really people dressed in rubber suits, of course. Yaml file here.

VICTORY POINTS

2 points if opponent's cast is axed, or 3 points if opponent's cast has no models left on table

3 per star eliminated

2 per co-star eliminated

1 per extra eliminated

1 per objective token claimed and explained appropriately as a clue (Mystery Inc only)

AND… ACTION!

Our heroes set up camp outside the Culpepper's log cabin

Crickets chirp in the undergrowth as the last rays of the sun disappear behind the tops of the trees that surround the cabin and campsite. Velma, Shaggy, Scooby and Scrappy sit around the campfire enjoying the evening's peace and quiet. Or do their best to enjoy it, while trying as hard as possible to shut out Scrappy's inane chatter to himself. 
"A talking dog is all very well," says Velma. "But why does it need to talk so much?"
"Like, and about so little," Shaggy acknowledges. "And with such an annoying accent too. At least Scooby has the decency to have a speech impediment that makes him sound like I imagine a talking dog should."
Scooby-Doo ignores them all, snoring lightly, dreaming of the next meal.

Behind them, Daphne and Fred emerge from one of the tents. 
"Er.. Yes, Fred, you've done a very good job setting up the tent," Daphne says, thinking quickly and trying not to look at Fred, while smoothing her clothing straight.
"Er.. What's up, gang?" asks Fred, trying to look innocent.

Werewolves gather inside the woods

In the distance, eyes are watching from the woods. A pack of werewolves is assembling, planning its next move. Unfortunately they have become separated while trying to find their way through the undergrowth, and they need to take a few moments to get their act together. The alpha wolf growls discontentedly. What part of Pack Mentality didn't they understand?

Ghostly presences are present

On the other side of the cabin, insubstantial ghostly forms materialise independently.

There's a sudden chill in the air as a shadow passes across the face of the full moon. Or maybe it is the unseen presence of the ghosts. 

"Did you hear that?" Velma whispers, to nobody in particular.

"You mean like that strange howling, that's been getting nearer over the last hour?" asks Shaggy.

"You mean that weird ghostly whistling in the wind, that sends shivers up your spine?" asks Fred.
"You mean that strange rustling coming from the undergrowth really close by?" asks Daphne.
"That was just me getting my poop bag ready," says Scrappy.

"No, not those," says Velma. "I mean that rasping scraping noise, like claws being sharpened on stone, coming from somewhere over there near the edge of the woods."

"Rrrraaaggggyyy!" says Scooby-Doo, who is suddely awake, and jumps onto Shaggy's lap, his teeth chattering loudly.

Fred smiles, ignited with purpose.

"I suggest we split up," Fred declares. "Velma and I will find the source of the rasping scraping sound while Shaggy and Scooby can investigate the howling and whistling noises. Daphne can deal with the strange rustling and take Scrappy for his evening walk. Let's go!"

Velma is quick to head in the direction of the rasping scraping sound. Almost as soon as she has left, something at the edge of the woods moves at the limit of Shaggy's field of vision.

"Gulp," says Shaggy, "Did you see what I just saw, Scoobs?"

"Yeyeyeye", mutters Scooby-Doo, still on his lap, shivering. Shaggy shrugs his shoulders.

"That’s what always happens," he sighs, setting Scooby down on the ground. "Come on, then, let's go investigate."

Inside the cabin, Grandma is laying out the law to the Culpepper boys.

"These here Mystery Inc folk are here to help us, boys," she explains. "So you give them all the help they need so we can see off these spirits once and for all." She counts on her fingers, slowly mouthing their names in turn.

"Where's Billy Bob?" she asks, finally.

"Oh Granma," drawls Cleetus, the oldest and most intelligent of the Culpepper boys, "Oh Granma he's done gone to his bay-ed, Granma, he has. He drunk too much moonshine with breakfast, Granma."

Grandma Culpepper squeezes her rolling pin. "You boys!" she yells, "You know that moonshine's special for Sunday dinner! Now get those shotguns loaded quick so we can help those Mystery folk do their stuff."

The Werewolves are finally assembled

At last, the werewolves have found each other in the darkness. The alpha werewolf growls a sigh, lamenting the quality of today's average werewolf. It's just not like it was in the good old nights.

Spectres on the move

Behind the log cabin, two other mysterious presences have appeared. A pair of spectres approach the side of the building intent on a cunning and devious surprise attack.

The ghosts advance on Fred and Daphne

Fred and Daphne linger at the camp a little longer than the others. Daphne is not at all happy about her assignment, and is making her views quite clear.

Their arguing is interrupted by the sudden ghostly presence of two ghostly presences.

"Woo, woo!" cries one of the ghosts, rather unconvincingly.
"Woo, woo!" cries the other one, even less convincingly, possibly because it is werewolf-shaped.
"Is that the best you can do?" asks Fred, who advances in response. 

The first ghost instantly vanishes, teleporting away. "Woof?" the other one tries, then turns and runs off into the darkness of the woods.

"There must be a clue somewhere around here, Scoobs."

"Hey Scooby," Shaggy asks, "Why is it like always a full moon when we do these things?"

"Rrridunno", Scooby responds.

But the moonlight proves useful. In the distance, Shaggy can see something reflecting back the light. It must be a clue, and they head towards it purposefully.

"Hey Scooby, it's a clue!" says Shaggy, rather unnecessarily, and picks up a small object.

"Wow, Scooby, it's like a badge, " he says, examining it closely. "No, it is a badge", he concludes. "A pin badge that reads 'Spencer's Mountain Summer Ball, 1938'. Like wow. I wonder what that can mean?"

Fred and Velma chase the ghostly werewolf-shaped creature, contrary to its expectations. Eventually it realises it has little option but to turn and fight, but before it gets the chance it finds itself a target. Velma, who has thoughtfully brought along a fie extinguisher with her, attacks, stunning the creature, and Fred, who has had the forethought to devise a cunning trap using two overhanging trees and a convenient hole in the ground, deals further damage. The stunned ghost, now vulnerable to fisticuffs, is duly dispatched.

There's something lying on the ground nearby, which Velma picks up. It's a folded newspaper, and is obviously a clue.
"Hmm," says Velma, reading the headlines. "The Blue Ridge Chronicle... Now why does that sound familiar?"

The ghost reappears

There's a bounce in Scrappy Doo's step as Daphne follows him back towards the camp. Behind, her alert eyes scan the darkness with care, but she can't see a suitable receptacle for the poop bag she's carrying at arm's length. What she does see, though, is the ghostly presence from before, which has teleported back to threaten her.

Scrappy is as annoying as ever. "Lemme at 'em" he says, in the voice that should not belong to a small dog, and charges the mysterious phantasm. Somehow he manages to wound the creature, though he injures himself in the process.

Daphne does what she's best at, and screams.

"Ha ha ha!" cries the ghost, in a ghostly female voice that might have a Virginia accent.

"I know I shouldn'a drunk that much..."

Billy Bob (the most intoxicated of the Culpepper brothers) shuts the door to the bunk room behind him. His head is reeling a little less now that he is out of earshot of Grandma's orders. He stumbles towards one of the bunks, but only at the last moment does he sense a presence, or two in the room with him. The spectres have walked through the walls, as spectres do.

Without a sound, one of the spectres taps on his shoulder.

"Yoo hoo, behind you," it whispers, as Billy Bob turns around, looks deep into its empty eye sockets, and falls unconscious to the ground.

Werewolves, advance!

The pack of werewolves steadily advances toward the cabin. But unfortunately for them, their path through the woods takes them dangerously close to where one of the set technicians has left a big box of pyrotechnic special effects. Which go off unexpectedly.

I love the smell of burning Werewolf in the evening

The alpha werewolf and four of his companions catch fire.

"Hey, Scoobs, do I smell home cooking?"

Shaggy and Scooby's attention is drawn to the smoke and flames coming from the woodland nearby.
"Like wow," says Shaggy. "Isn't it a bit late to have a barbecue?"
"Rraybe rrrireworks?" suggests Scooby.

No soon have the werewolves beaten out the flames then they find it's not only pyrotechnics that the technician stored here. The inevitable explosion occurs, and several charred werewolves duly detonate.

Showdown outside the cabin

All this noise has attracted the attention of the hillbillies who, shotguns loaded, have left the hut. But the evil spirits have one final trick to play.

One of the Culpepper brothers seems not his usual self

Grandma, Cleetus, Peetus, Wheatus and Litus form a line and aim their guns at the ghost. It is only at the last minute that they notice that Fetus (the smallest and sickliest of the Culpepper brothers) is changing form.
"Granma, Fetus look more like a dawg today than usual," says Peetus (the most observant of the Culpepper brothers).
"Granma, Fetus smell more like a dawg today than usual," says Wheatus (the smelliest of the Culpepper brothers).
"Granma, don't know as it makes much difference," says Litus (the wisest of the Culpepper brothers).
They all turn their weapons in the direction of the youngest brother and open fire.

"Woo, woo!" says the ghost, slightly more confidently than before, given that Daphne now seems to be its only serious opposition.

Daphne emits a small, pathetic scream. Instinctively her reflexes take over and she flings the bag in the ghost's direction.

"Ew, ew!" says the ghost and retreats again. But Velma and Fred are closing in on it from the other side.

"Behind you..."

Shaggy and Scooby have disguised themselves as well as they can with bits of charred werewolf that they have found scattered around and are sneaking up on the remaining, wounded alpha wolf and its diminished pack. Though unconvincing, in the darkness their disguise seems to work, as the alpha werewolf signals all of the pack, including them, to keep up and advance on the cabin for the final assault.

"It's time to find out who you really are..."

Meanwhile, the wounded ghost confronts Fred. Though weakened, Fred is able to set off another makeshift trap with a few convenient trees and various pieces of an old moonshine still he has found, and the spirit is captured. As Velma approaches he tears the rubber mask from the ghost's head.

Fred gasps in horror.
"Mary Ellen Walton?" he says.
"Of course," announces Velma. "You were the family that lives next door! You want to get rid of the Culpeppers so that you can buy their land at a bargain price and open the whole woodland up as a Walton's Mountain Theme Park."
"Yes," says Mary Ellen. "And we would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling kids."
And with that announcement, Ben, Erin, Jason and Jim-Bob Walton step out of their rubber werewolf costumes with their hands up.

The final scene

Shaggy and Scooby remain undetected as they follow the last two werewolves into the camp. Shaggy, who it seems has been carrying a rusty bear trap around with him all this time, now puts it to good use and catches one, while the alpha werewolf is taken out by Scooby, who somehow manages to swing a weighted mesh net over it. 

Rubber masks are removed.
"Oh no, not you too, Elizabeth?" says Shaggy. But John-Boy Walton just sits there in his smouldering alpha werewolf suit and scowls.

CREDITS

All game rules, templates and tokens from Crooked Dice Game Design Studio;
Mystery Inc models from Hasslefree Miniatures except Scrappy-Doo, who was scratch-built by the author;
Hillbillies from Blue Moon/Old Glory;
Werewolves, spectres and ghosts from Reaper Miniatures, Westwind Productions and CP Models.
Clear Bases from Sally 4th;
Gaming mat from Deep Cut Studios;
Log cabin and all terrain scratch-built by the author.

EPILOGUE

Later, after the police have gone, and Grandma Culpepper has cooked them all a slap up meal, Mystery, Inc. head to their beds.

"Good-night, Fred"
"Good-night, Daphne"
"Good-night, Velma"
"Good-night, Scrappy"
"Good-night, Scooby"

"Rrr-night, Shaggy"