Quote from: Reckall on July 15, 2023, 03:04:27 PMThe Aztecs were used as forced labour to build churches for the Spanish. Big mistake: they built the churches but they hid in them idols, religious symbols and other elements of their own religion. So, the Spanish saw them devoutly praying in these churches and didn't realize that they were actually praying to they gods.

Love it. Very Kult.

Quote from: Spinachcat on July 16, 2023, 02:43:02 AM

Quote from: Thornhammer on July 15, 2023, 10:07:02 PMWikipedia says the town had a museum (the Frissell Museum) that closed without warning in 1995 and a huge collection of Zapotec and Mixtec artifacts (40,000 to 80,000 pieces) vanished.

OMGerd. That's awesome. Just imagine the look on players' faces when they discover that in game and again when they learn it really happened.

Most, most excellent.

They could find a note - maybe a printed email - that references this. At the end it says "Here is were you can find more info" - with the address of the real website. If they go to the address... lo! It exist for real and they get the "real" story.

Of course it is then up to the Keeper to decide what's real, what's not and what was covered up.

Edit: the same with Popular Mechanics of course. The site itself already seems a handout from Call of Cthulhu.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a44475021/archaeologists-found-ruins-of-famous-backdoor-to-hell/

Quote from: Spinachcat on July 16, 2023, 02:45:20 AM

Quote from: Reckall on July 15, 2023, 03:04:27 PMThe Aztecs were used as forced labour to build churches for the Spanish. Big mistake: they built the churches but they hid in them idols, religious symbols and other elements of their own religion. So, the Spanish saw them devoutly praying in these churches and didn't realize that they were actually praying to they gods.

Love it. Very Kult.

The Catholic Church already had bizarre habits by itself. They razed down "pagan/demonic" cult sites all over the World and then purified the area by building churches in their places that incorporated stones and other parts of the original - after blessing them - so to assert even more dominance over the Heathens. Let's say that, IMHO, if the original cult was of Shub-Niggurath the actions of the Church weren't really smart... Unless the Church knew more than they let us see.

To remain in Mexico, the Metropolitan Chatedral of Mexico City was built on the site of Tenochtitlan's temple districts and, to this day, incorporates stones from the razed temple to Huītzilōpōchtli. They were blindsided by the Aztecs because the workers put in the churches unknown - and thus unblessed - symbols.

Shadows of Mitla

Adventure Hook:
The Luchadores receive a desperate plea for help from the people of San Pablo Villa de Mitla in Oaxaca, Mexico. Strange occurrences plague the town, centered around the Church of San Pablo. Local legends speak of hidden ruins beneath the church, believed to be the entrance to the ancient Zapotec underworld. The disappearance of the Frissell Museum's valuable collection further deepens the mystery. The heroes answer the call, embarking on a perilous adventure to uncover the truth and restore balance to the town.

Adventure Synopsis:

    The Call for Aid: The Luchadores arrive in San Pablo Villa de Mitla and meet with the townsfolk, who share stories of the strange happenings and the vanished artifacts. They learn about the ruins beneath the Church of San Pablo, rumored to hold the key to the mystery.

    Descending into Darkness: The heroes explore the hidden underground ruins, facing traps, puzzles, and encounters with ancient Zapotec guardians. Within the depths, they encounter cultists worshipping Camazotz, the Bat God, who seek to exploit the mystical artifacts for their own nefarious purposes. Along the way, they encounter Zapotec-specific monsters like the Tlalocs (water spirits) or Cihuateteo (female spirits associated with childbirth).

    Confronting the Cultists: The heroes confront the cultists, battling against their dark powers and uncovering the truth behind their plans. The cultists may have skeletons or mummies as their loyal servants, adding to the challenges the heroes face.

    Unveiling the Plot: As the heroes defeat the cultists, they discover evidence pointing to the involvement of a powerful cult leader in Mexico City. They learn that the mystical artifacts from the Frissell Museum are key to a larger, sinister plan. The heroes must travel to Mexico City to confront the cult leader and recover or destroy the artifacts before they unleash dark forces upon the world.

    The Road to Mexico City: The adventure ends with the heroes preparing for their journey to Mexico City, where they will face further dangers and unravel the true scope of the cult's activities. They may receive additional information or guidance from a local informant or ally, setting the stage for future adventures in the bustling capital.

Needs a suitable dungeon design.