Masks of Nyarlathotep: Empire of Shadows

Creating your character

Character creation is not paperwork. It is the moment the world notices you. In Session Zero, we don’t build stats. We define pressure points. Who you were. What you believe. What you carry. And what will break first. You don’t pick a class. You choose the part of yourself the story will push against. Possible roles include: • A Highland exorcist haunted by something older than faith • A Bedlam escapee whose visions refuse to stay dreams • A disgraced linguist who understands things better left unread • An occultist pursued by debts that cross oceans • A gentleman-spy serving in a war that officially does not exist • A performer whose bloodline should have remained buried Every character is tied into: real historical structures cultural and mythic context hidden networks moving beneath the Empire What this means in play: your background matters your choices carry weight the world reacts to who you are — not just what you do We build this together in a guided Session Zero. No experience needed. No templates to follow. You don’t begin as heroes. You begin as people the world can use, break, or remember. And once it does, it does not forget.

Preparing for the session

No prior experience with Call of Cthulhu or Pulp Cthulhu is required. But this is not a casual drop-in game. This is a campaign that continues between sessions. The world moves. Consequences carry. Things you set in motion don’t simply disappear. What you need: • A microphone and a quiet space • A willingness to engage with the world and the story • Respect for the table and the people at it • A readiness for mature themes and slow-building tension This works best if you can commit regularly. Not because of rules — but because the world will not pause. Tools & Setup: • Discord (communication, handouts, ongoing world context) • Foundry VTT (browser-based, no install required) Optional, but recommended: • Headphones — you will notice more • A focused environment — this game rewards attention You don’t need system mastery. You need attention.

What Dunchan Hunter brings to the table

This is not a collection of features. It is a way the world responds to you. Everything in this campaign is built on one idea: The world is not waiting for you. And it does not forget. A World Built From Reality This is not a fantasy setting. Every place, institution, belief, and structure is rooted in real history, real research, and real cultural tension. You are not walking through fiction. You are moving through a version of reality that feels like it could have existed — if something had gone wrong. A World That Moves Without You Between sessions: factions act information spreads consequences take shape events continue Not because of a script. Because the world is built to move. Consequences Become Visible What you do does not stay private. It surfaces. in rumors in reports in shifting power in places your characters were never meant to be seen Sometimes, the world starts talking about you. Presence Over Performance This is not about performing a character. It is about being present in it. your decisions matter your perspective matters your reactions matter You are not solving a story. You are inside something that reacts. A Table That Can Hold Weight This campaign deals with: history identity belief power and things that do not resolve cleanly We go deep — but never without structure. Session Zero Lines & Veils X-Card check-ins when needed Intensity without harm. What This Means You are not here to “complete a campaign.” You are here to step into a world that: continues without you responds to you and stays with you This is Mythveil. Not a story you pass through. Something you leave with.

How Dunchan Hunter creates a safe table

This is a game that can go deep. So we make sure it never goes too far. The goal is simple: The story can be intense. The players are always safe. Before We Begin In Session Zero, we set: tone boundaries expectations and what is off-limits Nothing starts without shared understanding. During Play You are never locked into a scene. content can be changed scenes can be skipped breaks can happen at any time No explanations required. No pressure to “push through.” Clear Boundaries Some things are simply not part of the game. Others may exist — but stay off-screen. These lines are respected without exception. Respect at the Table No harassment. No discrimination. No real-world hostility. This is a controlled space — not chaos. What This Means We deal with: horror identity history and things that can stay with you But never at the cost of the people at the table. We go deep. But we never lose control of the space we’re in.