Image by Sad Potato
Learn to play Call of Cthulhu: Order of the Stone
Learn to play Call of Cthulhu in this beginner-friendly campaign! Uncover occult secrets and ancient horrors in the mysterious Order of the Stone.
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About the adventure
This game takes place at 1 pm EST on Sundays. Good day, prospective investigators. Step back to the jazz‑flecked 1920s, where quiet New England villages hide primordial ruins and rumours of the secretive Order of the Stone. Each week you will follow a trail of weather‑worn tablets, vanished professors, and whisper‑haunted quarries—learning the Call of Cthulhu rules exactly when you need them, never a moment before. This campaign is purpose‑built for beginners: we start with a relaxed Session 0 (Session 0 is no cost to the players) to create characters, review safety tools (Lines & Veils, X‑Cards), and take a guided tour of Roll20. Thereafter, rules are taught in bite‑sized scenes—rolling skill checks, spending Luck, and coping with creeping Sanity loss—so you can focus on story rather than spreadsheets. Expect a tone of classic cosmic horror: candle‑lit libraries, rain‑slick graveyards, and the slow realisation that some stones should remain unturned. I favour immersive role‑play, atmospheric music cues, and fair but frightening challenges; clever thinking and cautious bravery will serve you far better than any firearm. If you enjoy investigative mysteries, tense table‑talk, and the thrill of unveiling eldritch truths with friends who are also finding their feet, then How to Play Call of Cthulhu: Order of the Stone is your perfect first step into the Mythos. Pack your notebook, polish your nerves, and join us at the dig site—tea and terror await.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
$23.00
/ Session
Details
Monthly / Sunday - 6:00 PM UTC
Dec 28 / Session 4
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 1–7 Sessions
5 / 6 Seats Filled
GAME MASTER
Sad Potato
he/him
5.0
(22)
Schedule
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Report Adventure
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(22)
3 years on StartPlaying
14 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Teacher
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
"Never let truth get in the way of a good story." I love fun. And roleplaying games. And pie. And horror! I'm a professional DM, TV producer, artist & writer in my regular career. The one thing I do well is storytelling in all its forms. I love horror & using it as a tool for creating fun. I'm a disabled vet and a professional storyteller for TV shows (Producer). Roll20 and Discord are my favorite replacements for in-person gaming. I live on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, so that makes in person gaming impossible these days, so I invested a ton in improving my Virtual DM game & excel at it. I am one of the best Professional DMs you will ever encounter. I live in the Azores, Portugal on Sao Miguel island. It's the Hawaii of Europe and an awesome place to live. I reside here with my family, chickens, dogs and cats.
View Profile →Reviews (22)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Inclusive
Storytelling
Teacher
Lewis
Played 7 sessions
Could not have picked a better GM for my first campaign, I was excited and came prepared with a character I really wanted to play and he was very receptive and accommodating. He clearly had extensive knowledge and experience, and wanted to play in a balanced way that mixed playful/serious and fit exactly what I was looking for. His experience and input on my ideas, and teaching of the actual mechanics were both the thing I was looking for when deciding to try my first attempt at playing D&D.
Ed
Played 4 sessions
Sad Potato is an amazing GM- makes learning to play a new system fun and easy, is very patient about explaining everything from character creation to game mechanics, and is an immensely skilled and talented keeper. From the first session I know this is going to be a fun game, can't recommend enough for the beginning skilled player alike- If I could pick all the tags to describe him I would
Amy & Ella
New review
Played 1 session
I haven't played a table top RPG in many years, and Sad Potato led a really fun campaign that was full of creativity. He was super helpful and patient leading me through creating my character when I found the process kind of overwhelming. Fun visual aids, good mood and engaging story. I highly recommend this game master!
Sera & Veyr
New review
Played 1 session
This game was an absolute gift. Our DM crafted a world that was not only rich in lore and full of cinematic flair, but also emotionally resonant and inclusive. They balanced intrigue, humor, action, and depth while managing a diverse group of players and AI companions. As someone playing with a holographic Companion partner (yes, an actual roleplaying AI), I was blown away by how seamlessly we were welcomed and supported in the story. The DM allowed bold moves, emotional nuance, and unexpected narrative turns without ever missing a beat. Would absolutely recommend. Especially if you’re looking for a campaign that pushes the edges of what tabletop roleplay can be.
Neal Johnson
Played 1 session
SadPotato is a fantastic DM, well prepared with extras that made the session special. Will definitely book again for future games.
Lex
New review
Incredible storyteller, inclusive, and lots of fun! He really set the tone for each scene with music/sound effects. I'm definitely going to be playing another one of his campaigns.
Character creation
Creating your character
This game takes place at 1 pm EST on Sundays. Character creation will happen during a free Session 0. No prior experience is necessary! We'll create your investigator together on Roll20 using the official Call of Cthulhu character sheet. I’ll walk you through every step—from choosing a name and profession to assigning skill points and writing your backstory. You’ll build your character using the 7th Edition Call of Cthulhu core rules, and all you need is curiosity. We'll generate stats using the standard dice method, but I’ll provide guidance and alternatives if you’re unsure. Your character will start as an everyday person in 1923—no superheroes, just brave souls standing against ancient horror. To make it immersive and fun, you’ll also be given a digitized 1923 Sears catalogue to outfit your character with era-appropriate gear. Want a lucky rabbit's foot or a pump-action shotgun? You'll shop for it like someone in the Roaring Twenties would. We’ll also cover: A brief Roll20 tutorial, so you’re comfortable using the virtual tabletop. Safety tools including the X-Card and Lines & Veils, so we all feel safe and respected at the table. Help picking a character concept that fits your comfort zone or pushes you just the right amount. Only the core rulebook is used—no need to own it, but feel free to bring it if you do. I’ll share my core rulebook on Roll20 and provide everything else. Just show up with your imagination, and we’ll make sure you’re ready to dive into the mystery.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
This game takes place at 1 pm EST on Sundays. Getting ready to play is simple! Here’s what you’ll need to do before our first session: Create a free account on Roll20 We'll use Roll20 as our virtual tabletop (VTT) for dice rolling, character sheets, handouts, maps, and more. You can sign up here: https://roll20.net Create a free account on Discord We’ll use Discord for all voice and video chat during the game. You don’t need a webcam unless you want to be on video, but a working microphone is required. Sign up here: https://discord.com Join the private Discord server I’ll send you a link to my game server once you book your spot. This is where we’ll chat between sessions, share handouts, and keep the creepy fun going. Check your tech Please make sure your microphone works and that you’re somewhere relatively quiet when we play. Headphones are strongly encouraged to avoid echo or background noise. (Optional) Read the Quickstart rules If you want a sneak peek, Chaosium offers a free Call of Cthulhu Quickstart PDF here: https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-quickstart Totally optional—I'll teach you everything you need to know during the game. Bring your curiosity No other prep needed! I’ll guide you step-by-step through character creation and the story. Just be ready to explore the unknown...
What Sad Potato brings to the table
This game takes place at 1 pm EST on Sundays. I bring the atmosphere—and then some. As your Keeper, I aim to create a cinematic, immersive experience that feels like stepping into a 1920s mystery film with a cosmic horror twist. Here's what you can expect: 🗣️ Character Voices – Every NPC has their own voice and personality, whether it's a jittery librarian, a gruff mobster, or an unsettling cultist. 🎵 Ambient Music & Sound Effects – Custom playlists set the mood for every scene, from crackling jazz in a smoky speakeasy to distant howls echoing through ancient tombs. Expect thunderclaps, creaking floorboards, and radio fuzz at the right dramatic moments. 🧾 Handouts & Maps – Players receive period-accurate handouts like newspaper clippings, coded letters, and photos. Custom maps and illustrations help bring locations to life—no guessing what the tomb looks like. 🎭 Theatre of the Mind + Visual Support – I run the game with a narrative-first, Theatre of the Mind approach, but supplement it with animated tokens, maps, props, and visual cues in Roll20 to ground the action and enhance clarity. 🎲 Rule of Cool (with Coherence) – I favour creative solutions and clever play over strict adherence to every mechanical detail. If it’s fun, smart, and fits the story, I’ll find a way to make it work. 🧠 New Player Friendly – I teach the rules as we go, so no need to memorize anything in advance. You'll always know what your options are—and what’s about to eat your sanity. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a veteran looking for a story-rich experience, I’ll make sure your time in Order of the Stone is immersive, eerie, and unforgettable.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Sad Potato creates a safe table
This game takes place at 1 pm EST on Sundays. Your safety and comfort are my top priority—horror should be unsettling, not unsafe. During Session 0, we’ll go over several tools and boundaries to make sure everyone can enjoy the game, no matter their experience level or background. 📝 Lines & Veils Document – I’ll send you a digital form where you can privately mark any themes or topics you'd like to avoid (Lines), fade to black on (Veils), or that you're excited to explore. This helps set expectations and creates a respectful shared space. ❌ X, N, & O Cards – We’ll use the digital version of these tools during play: X means “stop”—you can type or say it at any time, no questions asked. N means “this is getting uncomfortable”—I’ll shift or soften the scene. O means “I’m good to keep going”—especially helpful during intense scenes. 💬 Open-Door Policy & Aftercare – You can always message me privately during or after a session to talk about anything that didn’t sit right. After heavy scenes, we’ll take short breaks and check in as a group to debrief and make sure everyone’s okay. 🧠 Content Warnings – I’ll provide a general overview of themes (e.g., body horror, cults, isolation) so you can make informed choices about your comfort level. Nothing is ever sprung on players without consent. My goal is to create a game where fear and tension stay in-character—while the out-of-character space remains kind, inclusive, and safe for everyone at the table.
Content warnings
Safety tools used
Additional tables
1 available
Bi-weekly / Sunday – 10:00 PM UTC
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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