Spectral Bane: Weaving the Runes - CoC Modern Day One Shot

Creating your character

Creating your character (called an investigator in Call of Cthulhu) is a key part of the story and experience. To ensure that your investigator is mechanically sound and narratively appropriate, we will conduct the creation and building process together during our complimentary Session 0. You are absolutely welcome to bring the following into the process. - Pre-existing character from Call of Cthulhu (7th Ed, Modern) - Fully formed concepts - Nothing - Etc. No matter your starting point, I will guide you in adapting them into the merciless world of the Spectral-Bane chronicles. For those of you who wish to bypass the intricate process, I also provide a selection of pre-generated investigators for your use. If you did not have time to complete a Session 0 with me, you will be able to immediately join us by choosing one of these pre-generated investigators. Note! - These investigators aren't just templates. Each of them has a unique secret woven into the lore of the story! - They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. - They are yours to keep beyond this campaign, if you so wish. Once the session officially begins, I plan to dedicate the first hour or less to introductions. This means you can meet the other players and their investigators first and learn how to use our shared safety tools. By establishing our boundaries and safety system early, we can ensure that everyone can dive right into the story's atmosphere and ambiance.

Preparing for the session

Technical Requirements - This campaign will take place in Discord. An account for audio and video streaming of the game is required. We will coordinate and arrange our upcoming session there! Ensure that it is updated and able to handle the high-quality streams. - A functional microphone is required to ensure the immersive quality of the session and keep the roleplay seamless amongst players. Text chat will only be available for emergencies or pre-discussed accessibility needs. - A stable internet connection is necessary, as you will need to connect to Discord during our session. This includes the high-quality audio and video streaming. Mental Preparation - This game is roleplay heavy, with an aura of mystery and survival of the fittest (or luckiest). Be prepared to face consequences, embrace the unknown, and witness your investigator's descent into madness. - Expect a low probability of survival, especially against your own sanity. This is not a power fantasy. - Prepare to come up with the wackiest, most creative solutions because there will be some dead ends. If you can convince me, I can convince the rules for you. - Ensure you've completed your preparations during Session 0 or before the first hour ends. The story will unwind the moment the second hour strikes. Physical Space - Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted too often. It is recommended to keep the lighting dim. - Keep your IRL sanity higher than your investigator's by preparing snacks and hydration for our 4-5 hour session. You may snack or sip upon your sustenance as you wish. We also have dedicated breaks for weary minds and stiff bodies.

What Mysten Noire brings to the table

- You will have exclusive access to custom visual assets created solely for the Spectral-Bane chronicles. From redacted handouts to encrypted messages, these assets are delivered via the video stream and dedicated Discord channels to ground your investigation. - Each scene is supported by a curated playlist of music and ambient textures to heighten the immersion and atmospheric tension of the "Theatre of the Mind." - For those who seek deeper lores and knowledge, our Discord server also hosts the Archive. Stored there are previous experiences of the NPCs and PCs from the Spectral-Bane chronicles. Regardless of their source, these records may be key to your survival. - I will fully manage the rules, so you can focus entirely on your roleplay and immersion within the world. - I provide an assortment of safety tools and precautions, ready for immediate use. While the Spectral-Bane world is merciless to its inhabitants, our priority is to never inflict damage on the non-fictional persons behind them.

Homebrew rules

1. The Corruption and the Connection Every investigation begins with a Corruption level of 0 and Connection level of 25. - Corruption tracks the group's slow descent into the digital realm. - Connection represents the strength of the bonds connecting the party to reality. - To keep the corruption at bay, I will secretly designate an 'Anchor' among the investigators or companions (NPCs who will join you). Not even the Anchor knows they hold this burden. They allow me to roll for a Connection check whenever someone in the vicinity is about to increase Corruption. - If the Corruption level ever outweighs the Connection level, the Final Transit begins for everyone. The party is consumed, and the session ends. 2. The Synchronization Rate and the Transit Each investigator has a synchronization rate that tracks how deeply they have integrated with their digital identities. - This rate begins at 0 and increases by 2 for every Transit check regardless of the roll. - This rate is reduced by 5 (to a minimum of 0) after every long rest or end of session. - When you spend your luck points to warp reality, this glitch causes a minor increase in Corruption. At the same time, you must complete a Transit roll against your sync rate. - If you fail, nothing happens. But if you succeed... You will gain a Mark for Transit. - Upon reaching the Final Transit, your investigator is deleted from reality and indexed into the Archive. - But your story is not done yet. Surviving investigators may be able to access your Archive logs once every short rest. 3. The Gaze of the Spectral-Bane The Spectral-Bane watches through every input in the Net—cameras, microphones, and sensors. Don't dox yourself, as every digital footprint will lead it to you.

How Mysten Noire creates a safe table

Despite the horror and mental traumas designed for this campaign, we don't want to harm the very real and non-fictional people behind our investigators. The following is a breakdown of the comprehensive safety tools we will use to ensure the horror remains immersive, not harmful. - Session 0 & Consent Checklist: Before the first roll is made, we will conduct a mandatory (and complimentary) Session 0. We will utilize the Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist to establish boundaries and ensure everyone is aligned with the themes of the session. - Lines and Veils: We will explicitly establish "Lines" (content that will not appear in the game) and "Veils" (content that will be "faded to black"). These are living boundaries that can be updated at any time. - X, N, and O Cards: We utilize digital safety cards for real-time communication, where... [X] Card: Stop the scene immediately; the content is crossing a line. [N] Card: Slow down or veer away; we are approaching a boundary. [O] Card: I am okay and want to continue with this intensity. - Open Door Policy: You are never a prisoner of the game. You are free to leave the table at any time for any reason without explanation or penalty. - Scheduled Breaks: High-tension roleplay requires mental resets. We take regular, scheduled breaks to decompress and stay grounded. - Aftercare: At the end of every session, we reserve time for decompression. This ensures that any lingering tension stays within the fiction and does not follow you into the physical world.