Manumbalik
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Davao City. April 2021.
The city is on lockdown. COVID-19 cases are on the rise. The liquor ban is implemented¸ and everyone is made to stay indoors. Only households with a city sanctioned pass are allowed out for essential trips to the grocery mart or public market on certain given days. The wait of the vaccine is ongoing¸ scheduled within the next few months.
The investigators part of an organization called Lantaw follow a trail of a case involving human trafficking and a fanatic called "The Shepherd”¸ who has a warrant for arrest in the United States¸ and has somehow created a cult following in the city. There are reports of disappearing bodies in the overcrowded hospitals that may be overlooked given the bigger health crisis on hand. The investigators work to find the truth about the missing dead¸ and the man who preaches for people to become "their better selves” through following the ways of the one true Shepherd.
Manumbalik. Filipino. Noun. Return to¸ recover. turn again to¸ turn again¸ come back.
Manumbalik is a scenario that can be played as a one-shot¸ or over the course of 2 sessions¸ with 4 pre-generated investigator characters.
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This scenario is inspired from a personal horror story that haunts me to this day. CW: Grief¸ loss¸ and the COVID-19 experience revolving death.
That's the beauty of horror¸ isn't it? It allows you to experience the uncomfortable¸ allows us to feel the parts that make us¸ human. This also inspired me to start a series called Lantaw¸ which means to watch out and observe. And through this story¸ may it be a cautionary tale¸ and a means to keep watch of movements¸ be on the look out and not fall prey to predatory ideologies and the manipulative powers that be.
Would love to know your experience with the first of the Lantaw series! Feel free to reach out via twitter @denmotherplays or email me at thisisdenmother@gmail.com! Would love to hear from you!