Children of Fear: A 1920s Call of Cthulhu Campaign Across Asia

Creating your character

We will begin the campaign with a Session 0, which is used to align on tone, themes, safety tools, and character concepts, and to ensure the group starts play with a cohesive and well-balanced cast of investigators. Session 0 plays an important role in character creation, but investigators are not expected to be fully completed during the session. We will be using Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition, with character options drawn from the Keeper Rulebook and the Investigator Handbook. New players are welcome, and guidance will be provided throughout the process. Players may choose from a selection of pregenerated investigators designed for this campaign, or create a custom investigator. Players intending to use a pregenerated character should review the options in advance and come to Session 0 with one or two preferred choices identified. Players creating custom investigators are encouraged to arrive at Session 0 with one or two character concepts in mind. During the session, we will discuss concepts together to ensure strong narrative fit and to avoid unnecessary overlap in roles or backgrounds. Investigators in this campaign are assumed to be curious, motivated individuals with a reason to travel widely and engage seriously with unfamiliar cultures, beliefs, and histories. Characters should be capable but ordinary people rather than combat specialists, and each investigator should bring a distinct perspective or skill set to the group. Backgrounds should support long-term play in a historically grounded 1920s setting, with motivations rooted in inquiry, belief, duty, or personal conviction rather than simple profit or violence. At the start of the campaign, the investigators are drawn together through academic, exploratory, or personal connections linked to China and the old Silk Road, with the opening chapters centered on Peking and the region around Dunhuang. During Session 0, we will establish how each investigator fits into this starting situation, whether through shared contacts, institutional ties, or individual reasons for being in the region. For custom investigators, characteristics will be rolled using standard 7th Edition methods, with dice rolling handled during or immediately after Session 0. Skills, background details, and final touches may be completed between Session 0 and the first full session of play. Additional sourcebooks or optional rules should not be used unless discussed and approved in advance, in order to maintain a consistent tone and play experience. Survival is possible, but investigators are fragile, and choices carry lasting consequences.

Preparing for the session

Before the first session, players should make sure they have access to the tools used for the game and are able to connect successfully. This campaign uses Discord for voice communication and as the primary campaign hub. After signing up, you will receive an invitation link to the Discord server, where you can communicate with me and the rest of the group, review campaign information, and ask questions ahead of Session 0. Please ensure you have a working microphone and a stable internet connection. We will use Roll20 as the virtual tabletop for maps, handouts, and dice rolling. You will receive an invitation to the Roll20 game prior to Session 0. A free Roll20 account is sufficient, and no additional software is required beyond a modern web browser. Players do not need to prepare characters in advance unless they wish to begin reviewing the pregenerated investigators or thinking about a custom character concept. Additional guidance will be provided in advance of Session 0 to help everyone feel ready and comfortable.

What Michael brings to the table

I aim to run a thoughtful, immersive game that balances investigation, atmosphere, and player agency. You can expect a steady, character-focused pace, clear scene framing, and an emphasis on meaningful choices rather than spectacle for its own sake. Horror in this campaign builds gradually through discovery, interpretation, and consequence rather than constant shock. I use distinct character voices for important or recurring NPCs, but not for every character. The focus is on clarity, mood, and roleplay rather than performance. Tone and tension are established through description, pacing, and player interaction. Combat is present but not constant. When it occurs, it is fast, dangerous, and consequential rather than tactical or grindy. This is not a combat-heavy campaign, and violence is rarely the safest or most effective solution. Investigation, conversation, and careful judgment drive the story forward. Rules are applied consistently and transparently, with an emphasis on supporting tension and fairness. I generally follow the rules as written, using occasional rulings to keep play moving smoothly or to support the tone of the moment. Player creativity and good ideas are encouraged, but success is never guaranteed simply because something sounds cool. You can expect clear communication, respect for player boundaries, and a collaborative approach to long-form storytelling. My goal is to create a table where players feel supported, challenged, and invested in the unfolding mystery over time.

How Michael creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a priority in this campaign. We will begin with a Session 0 to discuss tone, themes, content warnings, and table expectations, and to establish Lines and Veils so everyone is clear on boundaries before play begins. These can be revisited at any time as the campaign progresses. The campaign includes elements of cosmic horror, occult and religious themes, psychological manipulation, ritual violence, and other mature material, as outlined in the content warnings. These themes are handled thoughtfully and respectfully, with an emphasis on atmosphere and meaning rather than shock or gratuitous detail. We will take regular breaks during sessions, and players are always welcome to step away briefly if needed. During play, we will use X, N, and O cards, which may be communicated verbally or through chat, to allow players to signal discomfort, uncertainty, or a desire to pause or redirect a scene. No explanations are required when using these tools. After intense scenes, I will check in with the group as needed to ensure everyone is comfortable and supported. My goal is to create a table where players feel safe engaging with difficult themes while knowing their boundaries will be respected at all times.