QuotePress - Early morning phone calls, death threats and other strangeness...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm making this post because events of the past few weeks have proven to be a harrowing experience and, if this nightmarish trend of events continues, these posts may very well be my last. I've always had an infatuation with all things paranormal. Ghosts, conspiracy theories, the possibility of alien life visiting this planet... These and other subjects have been a great spark for my imagination over the years. Of course I had always endeavored to maintain a level head, dismissing these subjects as little more than real life science-fiction, considering those who engaged in serious investigation of them to be slightly "off-center." Then came the Alien Invasion project.

I had an idea back in April of this year to do a rpg supplement dealing with the notion that alien life is secretly visiting this planet, studying it's people, and even in some cases working with various world governments to prepare for some future event. The idea seemed pretty cool, but my schedule prevented me from fully engaging in the writing.

A friend (who has asked to remain nameless) suggested that I contact Michael Tresca. I've been a fan of Michael's work, especially his work with RPGobjects. His projects have always been well-researched and his writing style top-notch, so when he agreed to do the project I was thrilled! I provided Michael with a few links to websites I had looked at during my preliminary research and then he went to work.

Over the next few months I continued my own research into aliens, U.F.O.sightings and other phenomena including crops circles, cattle mutilations and fringe elements of society. I was simply looking for more cool and interesting angles on the genre that might make the book more interesting. That's when I discovered the Majestic-12 documents.

Majestic-12 (often referred to as MJ-12) was a secret government project enacted in 1947 by Harry S Truman for the purposes of monitoring alien activity, investigating sightings and, when appropriate, recovering wreckage from crashes. Most people believe it's a hoax. I used to believe it was a hoax, but I'm not so sure anymore.

I decided that I would include some sample pdfs of the real documents in the pdf to provide game masters and players with what I felt were interesting tidbits of information to be used in campaign involvings Alien Invasion. I sent off emails to various people I had been discussing the project with, notifying them of my intentions and got positive response. I contacted Clyde Lewis, a prominent radio talk show host and asked for his permission to reference Ground Zero Radio – a show dealing with all sorts of topic including alien abductions and sightings – in the book. Clyde was ecstatic about the idea.

He and I started corresponding on the subject of Majestic-12 and other strange occurences, such as a virus of unknown origin which has been quietly spreading across the nation over the past few years. We talked about his car bombing and how it was tied to an aline sighting in Utah back in '92 and other secret projects. We made plans to promote the book on his radio show. Editing began and art direction was going smoothly. Smooth sailing, right?

Then things began to get weird.

I started receiving some weird emails from individuals warning me to stop development on Alien Invasion. These individuals specifically said not to mention the majestic-12 or the alien sighting in Utah. If I did, they would be forced to take certain measures. I replied saying I wouldn't be bullied. I sat at my computer one morning, went to open my copy of Alien invasion and found the document was missing. Did someone hack my computer and erase the data? I'm, not sure, but I had to get another copy (which I promptly stored on an external hard drive).

Since the emails, I've had multiple problems with my computer and am now thinking I need to get another one. My dog has been poisoned, and As editing continues on the manuscript and I correspond with Michael and my editors, I have been receiving strange phone calls telling me to disavow any knowledge of Majestic-12 and other supposedly 'sensitive" material of suffer the consequences.

My conversations with Clyde have been strange. He is now very hesitant to dsiscuss this book, but won't say exactly why. My college courses have been cancelled. The financial department claims I haven't paid the tuition even though I have copies of the check and I think I'm being followed.

I plan on releasing this book very soon. I won't be dissuaded by these individuals, whoever they may be. After all, this is just a role-playing game supplement... isn't it?

I'm not so sure anymore.

Disclaimer: The preceding message is a promotion which is, for the most part, fiction, presented to you in the spirit of the upcoming Alien Invasion sourcebook, an rpg supplement for use with the d20 mdoern gaming system which deals with conspiracy theories, presenting the notion that aliens exist and inhabit our world. It is not the intention of this writer or anyone affiliated with Reality Deviant Publications to discredit anyone or insinuate that anyone is really in danger. Our goal is to raise awareness of the book in an interesting manner. It is our hope that, in the spirit of role-playing games, that you see this (and future) message as an opportunity participate in an ongoing mystery surrounding this book and future supplements. This is for entertainment purposes only. Thanks for your time.
---David Jarvis, head of Reality Deviant Publications

Quote from: Mr. Analytical*Ring-Ring  Ring-Ring*

*Mr. Analytical gets up and goes to answer the phone*

"Hello? Oh yes... he's here.  Can I ask who's calling?  Ok"

Um Mcrow... I've got 1997 on the phone.  They say they want their setting back.  Would you know anything about it?

Quote from: McrowI'm not saying anything about the setting, just that the way the publisher decied to promote the game via a Hoax thread. It's entertaining. Yeah, the setting doesen't seem to special, i just like the approach to the promo thread.

Quote from: Caesar SlaadI like the idea of the setting.

Of course, Spycraft Conspiracies, which I already own, is all over this sort of thing. But I'll probably pick it up for d20 modern too... just to rip things out of it.

I am reminded, though, of a similar "in character" promotion over on one of the rec.games.frp usenet groups. It didn't go over so well...