The Blessed and the Blasphemous: On the Eve of War

Creating your character

Investigators in The Blessed and the Blasphemous should feel grounded in the time, place, and themes of the campaign. While any mechanically valid Call of Cthulhu investigator is welcome, characters with meaningful ties to the pre-war North African setting will find stronger narrative hooks and more natural reasons to remain involved as the mystery deepens. Investigators may begin as strangers or as prior acquaintances. Both approaches work. Pre-war Morocco was a crossroads for diplomats, scholars, soldiers, journalists, and wanderers from across the world, so characters may be of European, American, African, Arab, or Asian descent. What matters most is not nationality, but motivation. This campaign rewards curiosity, moral conviction, and a willingness to confront unsettling truths. Common investigator concepts include scholars and academics, civilians such as journalists or civil servants, military or intelligence personnel, and adventurers drawn to the region by opportunity or escape. These are guidelines rather than limits. Players are encouraged to research the era or bring their own concepts to Session 0. Pregenerated investigators will be available for use or inspiration, and we will work together to ensure the group is balanced and thematically cohesive. We will be using Player Factions and Lore Sheets from the campaign. Factions provide investigators with contacts, resources, locations, and narrative hooks that support immersive roleplay and long-term development. Players are encouraged to build faction-aligned investigators, though one or two outsiders can add interesting tension. Investigators begin neutral or opposed to the Mythos. Corruption is possible over time, but never assumed. Character creation will be finalized during Session 0, where we will align expectations, discuss tone, and ensure every investigator has a natural place in the story. If an investigator retires, dies, or becomes unplayable, new investigators can be introduced organically through confidants, faction ties, or existing relationships. The goal is always continuity, credibility, and a shared investment in the unfolding mystery.

Preparing for the session

This game is run online using Discord and Roll20. No special software is required beyond a web browser, a working microphone, and a stable internet connection. After signing up, you will receive an invitation to the campaign’s Discord server, which we will use for voice chat, announcements, scheduling, and between-session communication. Please plan to join the Discord before Session 0 so you can review any shared materials and ask questions ahead of time. A Roll20 game link will be provided prior to Session 0. Roll20 will be used for character sheets, handouts, maps, and visual aids. If you are new to Roll20, that is completely fine. We will cover the basics during Session 0, and no prior experience is required. Beyond that, there is no advance preparation needed. Pregenerated investigators will be available, and character creation will be handled collaboratively during Session 0. Come ready to engage with the setting, ask questions, and settle into the tone of the campaign.

What Michael brings to the table

I run games with a strong emphasis on preparation, immersion, and player agency. Sessions are carefully structured, but never scripted. The story unfolds through investigation, conversation, and consequence, with player choices shaping how events develop over time. I focus on creating a setting that feels coherent, grounded, and responsive to the investigators’ decisions. Roleplay is central to the experience. I use character voices selectively for important or memorable NPCs to help establish personality and presence, while keeping interactions clear and focused. Atmosphere is built through detailed description, pacing, and attention to context, allowing tension and unease to develop naturally over the course of play. I apply the rules consistently and transparently to support investigation and meaningful choice. Mechanics are used to reinforce stakes and consequences, not to override narrative logic. Combat is handled carefully and realistically, with an emphasis on danger and aftermath rather than spectacle. Decisions carry weight, and outcomes matter beyond a single scene. Players can expect a collaborative, respectful table with clear expectations set during Session 0. I aim to ensure every investigator has a reason to be involved, opportunities to contribute, and space to develop over the course of the campaign. If you enjoy thoughtful roleplay, careful investigation, and a GM who treats both the setting and your choices seriously, this game is designed with that approach in mind.

How Michael creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a priority throughout the campaign. The Blessed and the Blasphemous explores unsettling themes, historical tension, and cosmic horror, but it is never intended to make players feel unsafe or pressured at the table. We will begin with a Session 0 that includes a discussion of tone, themes, boundaries, and expectations. Players will have the opportunity to establish Lines and Veils, and a shared document will be used to capture and respect those boundaries. This allows the group to engage fully with the material while ensuring that sensitive topics are handled thoughtfully. During play, we will use digital safety tools that work naturally in an online environment. Players may signal discomfort privately or openly via Discord chat, direct message, or voice, depending on what feels most comfortable in the moment. There is no requirement to justify a pause, redirect, or change in content. If something needs to stop or shift, it will. Aftercare is handled informally but intentionally. At the end of sessions that touch on heavier material, I will check in with the group and make space for brief decompression if needed. Players are always welcome to follow up privately between sessions if something lingers or if boundaries need to be adjusted as the campaign progresses. The goal is to create a table where players feel respected, supported, and free to engage deeply with the story. Safety tools are there to protect immersion, not interrupt it, and they will be used calmly and without judgment whenever needed.