One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing

Copyright 1999

Index

• The Animal
• Background
• Conclusion
• Editor's Note
• Situation

The timeline of this adventure is left purposefully vague, so that it may be set in a period of the referee’s choosing. If set in the late 19^th century, though, the reward should be reduced to $5,000 and the maximum pay out should not be greater than $25,000 (£1,000 and £5,000 respectively).

The carnosaur is a 200 kg killer bagged by the hunting expedition amidst the ruins of an ancient island city. It is extremely crafty, and uses its fore limbs as hands to manipulate objects. While not sentient, the creature shows a remarkable ability to learn through observation, and in doing so has divined how to open doors and remove sewer grates.

A hunting expedition to Venus captured a specimen of previously unknown dinosaur native to the lowland swamps. The specimen was shipped to Earth where it promptly escaped from quarantine at the New York ether port. The expedition’s backers want the animal back, alive if possible, and are willing to pay the team $100,000 to recapture it. There is only one stipulation — no one must learn of the creature’s existence.

The animal in question, unbeknownst to the players, is a particularly vicious carnosaur that is now stalking human victims from the sewers of New York.

Several of the expedition’s native guides and one of the hunters were killed capturing the animal. Once the animal escaped quarantine, it fled into New York’s sewer system. Over the last few days it has been responsible for several grisly killings. The police have begun a manhunt for what they suspect is a serial killer. The players should not initially tie this wave of killings in with the animal they are hunting — keep them believing the dinosaur they are looking for is relatively harmless as long as possible. Clue them in slowly — the discovery of clawed dinosaur prints in the mud; the proximity of the animal’s spore to a recent murder victim, etc.

Eventually, the carnosaur will become aware it is being hunted (it is a remarkably intelligent beast). At that point it will begin stalking the party. The creature will not attack the group straight out if it is outnumbered; rather, it will wait to surprise party members when each is alone.

Should the party kill or capture the animal and turn it over to the patron, they will be paid their $100,000 and reminded to keep their mouths shut. If the players decide to hold out for more money to keep the whole thing a secret, the patron will agree to up to $500,000, but the characters will soon discover their lives are in danger (the manner is up to the referee, but should be quite nasty). This holds true if the players go to the authorities with what they know.

The patron represents a group of wealthy clients who run several "game" ranches. The killer was destined for one of these ranches when it escaped. The patron’s group has contacts in Customs and various police departments, so they will be able to locate the players with relative ease, should the need arise.

If the players are cooperative, the patron will recommend their services to his clients and several (shady) job offers will begin coming their way. Of course, the players will begin to get reputations among the international police community …

GDW's House Rules