This game has ended, but your adventure's just beginning!
This game is in the past! But the good news? There are so many more games you can check out. Let's find your next adventure!
The Curse of the Corbitt Estate: CoC Beginner Mystery
An eccentric priest is dead. Investigate his former residence, the notorious Corbitt house. Rumours say it's haunted, but the truth is far worse.
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Saturday - 2:00 AM UTC
Jan 31
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
3 / 5 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
Meet your party members
3/5
About the adventure
Welcome to 1920s Boston, where the Jazz Age meets lurking cosmic dread. You are hired investigators—a mix of scholars, hardened professionals, and perhaps desperate souls—tasked with investigating a death and securing property documents at the notorious Corbitt House. This house is a landmark of bad luck and dark secrets, rumoured to be impossibly cold and violently hostile. This adventure focuses heavily on careful exploration and uncovering clues hidden within the house's chilling architecture and history. This is the quintessential Call of Cthulhu experience: a thrilling, one-shot descent into horror where failure is common and survival is a triumph. The theme is Cosmic Horror and Mystery, demanding sharp decision-making under pressure. My table prioritizes the Rule of Cool; I make quick, sensible rulings to keep the tension high and the narrative flowing. Expect a focus on mood and immersion—I reward players who maintain the atmosphere and push beyond what's written. This game is perfect for new players curious about Call of Cthulhu and experienced players who value collaborative storytelling over rules-lawyering. If you are someone who loves to ask questions, poke around, and contribute creatively to the narration, you will fit right in. Bring your curiosity, your creativity, and your willingness to have a good time, even if your Investigator doesn't make it out whole. Come prepared to discover secrets... and face the unimaginable!
Game style
Dungeon Crawl
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Roleplay Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(8)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
5 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Creativity, Knows the Rules
About me
Hello! I'm Rodrigo, a veteran Game Master with nearly four decades of TTRPG experience. I started playing 39 years ago and found my true calling as a Keeper for Call of Cthulhu back in 1994. Based in Vancouver, BC, I'm deeply invested in our local hobby. I proudly serve on the board of directors for the Trumpeters Tabletop Games Society, a non-profit club dedicated to building a great community for gamers. My GM Philosophy: Fair, Creative, Narrative My goal as a GM is to facilitate your story. I'm not an antagonist; I'm here to build suspense and reward your exploration with big reveals and "aha!" moments. I love seeing players grab the reins and drive the game. Expect rich descriptions, props, and handouts to pull you into the world. I thrive on long-form storytelling and have run epic 2-year campaigns driven by deep plot twists and collaborative world-building. My Experience & Specialties My toolkit is broad. I have extensive experience running: - D&D 5th Edition - Call of Cthulhu (Classic & Pulp) - Mothership - MÖRK BORG & Cy_Borg - Dungeon Crawl Classics & Mutant Crawl Classics - Pendragon - Rivers of London I also have a special passion for narrative wargames like The Silver Bayonet and Bolt Action. If you're looking for an experienced, story-focused GM dedicated to creating a memorable game, I look forward to rolling dice with you!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Choose your role! Pre-generated Investigators will be provided, ready to jump into the mystery.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players should take the following steps to ensure a smooth game start: -StartPlaying Account: Ensure your account is registered and your payment is confirmed to secure your spot. -VTT Access (Roll20): Create a free account on Roll20.net. I will send you the direct game link before the session. Please log in 10 minutes early to test your setup. -Voice/Video (Google Meet): A private Google Meet link will be provided upon registration. Please ensure your microphone and webcam (optional, but encouraged!) are tested and ready. -Character Selection: Review the provided pre-generated characters before the session and decide which one you'd like to play. No character creation is necessary!
What Rodrigo brings to the table
As your Keeper (GM), I strive to create an immersive, tense, and flexible investigative experience: Atmosphere & Immersion: I use high-quality ambient background music to heighten tension and immersion throughout the session. Visual Aids: You will receive carefully prepared digital handouts (letters, maps, evidence) within Roll20 to enhance the mystery and aid your investigation. The Roll20 map utilizes Dynamic Lighting to simulate the darkness and claustrophobia of the Corbitt House. Narrative Flexibility (Rule of Cool): While Call of Cthulhu has firm rules, I embrace the "Rule of Cool" where narrative excitement dictates. If a creative action is awesome and moves the story forward, I will quickly make a sensible ruling on the fly to allow it, prioritising your engagement over strict adherence. Focus on Story, Not Combat: Expect intense and dangerous situations over tactical combat. My focus is on rewarding exploration, creative thinking, and decision-making. Combat is brutal, fast, and often best avoided—survival is the goal. Collaborative Storytelling: I encourage players to co-narrate and poke at the world. I respond best to players who are proactive and use their character's skills and weaknesses to contribute to the terrifying shared story.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Rodrigo creates a safe table
I utilize the Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist before the game begins to clearly establish everyone's boundaries and comfort levels. We also use debriefing safety tools at the end of the session to check in on how everyone is feeling and process the game. Your personal comfort is the priority.
Content warnings
Safety tools used