THE SALT GUEST |Play by Post| Horror in the Pacific Ocean

Image by Nuedama

THE SALT GUEST |Play by Post| Horror in the Pacific Ocean

Aboard a ship where things go deeply wrong, you must survive a nightmare before isolation takes its toll. Will you survive the ship's dark fate?

TYPE

Campaign

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Open to all

AGE

18+
3 NEEDED TO START
$15.00

/ Session

Details

3 players following this game

Play by Post (Asynchronous)

Billed Weekly / Friday - 3:00 PM UTC

Session Duration / 1–2 hours

0 / 6 Seats Filled

Report Adventure

Money Back Guarantee

StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee

If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy

This game will begin once 3 players have joined
About the adventure

IA! IA! CTHULHU FHTAGN! This is a text-based, Play-by-Post (PbP) adventure hosted on Discord, designed for active players who crave deep immersion. As your Game Master, I commit to posting at least two times a day, and I m ready to ramp up the pace to more posts daily if the group’s momentum demands it. The Setting & Theme: This custom campaign aims to recreate the feeling of mounting dread and insignificance. Its 1990, you are part of the crew of the MS Sovereign, a private Danish research vessel sailing into the "marine desert" of the South Pacific on a scientific expedition. There, you will discover a strange marine formation that defies every map ever drawn—and curiosity will quickly turn to horror when a distress call from the middle of nowhere begins to wail over your radios. What to Expect: This game focuses on psychological horror and cosmic mystery. You will face a reality that defies the natural laws of the universe, where your characters will feel a constant sense of vulnerability. If you enjoy uncovering unsettling stories through collective roleplay and respecting the dark tone of a cosmic nightmare, there is a seat for you at this table. A document explaining how to join, PbP dynamics, Session 0, and safety tools is provided as soon as you join. Beginners welcome!

Game style

Play By Post

Puzzle / Mystery Focused

Roleplay Heavy

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Theater of the Mind

Meet the Game Master

5.0

(8)

Hispanic/Latinx
Artist
Educator

Less than a year on StartPlaying

11 games hosted

Highly rated for: Storytelling, World Builder, Beginner Friendly

Average response time: 24+ hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

Hi! I’m Juan (Nuedama). I have been a tabletop RPG player and Game Master since 1997, a journey that has led me to fall in love with the creative freedom of homebrew campaigns. Professionally, I work in design and illustration, which naturally influences the way I visualize my games and the atmosphere I bring to the table. My focus is always on the narrative and emotional depth of the story. I enjoy games where the characters' choices and their personal growth take center stage. For me, tabletop gaming is a collaborative art form where we come together to create a story that is as meaningful as it is thrilling.

View Profile →
Character creation

Creating your character

Character creation will take place entirely before the game begins. Once you join, you will receive a "Player’s Guide" document. This guide explains step-by-step how to create your investigator, how to navigate our Discord channels, the PbP dynamics, the Session 0, and the safety tools we use to ensure a great experience for everyone. Where to create your investigator? You can build your character using the following free online tools: -Ink & Insanity: https://www.inkandinsanity.com/ – My current favorite, it’s a beautifully designed, intuitive, and feature-rich character creator. Highly recommended for a smooth experience. -The Dhole's House: https://www.dholeshouse.org/ (the official online toolkit for players and Keepers of the Call of Cthulhu® role-playing game, its requires a free account, great for customization). -Arkham Registry: https://arkham-registry.online/ (Also free, but full randomization, including skills). You are welcome to create a new investigator or use an existing one from your list. These methods are highly effective for developing a solid investigator without getting lost in the process. However, if you want to dive deeper into the world of Call of Cthulhu and its mechanics, you can always refer to the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition Quick-Start Rules. This is a free downloadable PDF from Chaosium that provides the core rules, pre-generated characters, and everything you need to get started. I will also provide any additional homebrew setting information via Discord.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

To join the expedition of the MS Sovereign, you will only need two things: 1- A Discord Account: This will be our primary hub for the story, dice rolls, and atmospheric music/images. 2- Your Character Sheet: You can have it ready or create it during our Session 0 on Discord using the tools provided in the "Player's Guide." No additional software or complex virtual tabletop (VTT) accounts are required. Once you join, you’ll receive the invite link to our private server to begin your descent into the mystery.

What Juan brings to the table

What I Provide as your GM: Atmospheric Immersion: I curate a dark, immersive environment using details and references hand-drawn by myself. My GM style is heavily leaned toward intrigue, the unsettling, and psychological tension. The "Rule of Cool" & Horror: While I respect the core mechanics of Call of Cthulhu 7e, I prioritize the flow of the story and the impact of your choices. I embrace the "Rule of Cool" as long as it enhances the mounting dread. Combat & Freedom: My campaigns offer great freedom of action. Combat is always an option, though in Call of Cthulhu, exchanging blows is rarely free of consequence. Most encounters can be dealt with through social interaction, cleverness, or just fleeing like a rational coward XD. A Safe & Collaborative Table: I provide clear safety tools and a dedicated Session 0. My goal is to live a great story with you, ensuring everyone feels comfortable while exploring the darkest corners of the mystery.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer

Microphone

Safety

How Juan creates a safe table

Lines and Veils: We will establish clear boundaries before the game starts to ensure everyone enjoys the horror without crossing personal limits. Open Door Policy: Players are welcome to step away or discuss concerns at any time; your well-being is more important than the game. Stars and Wishes: At the end of chapters, we’ll discuss what we loved (Stars) and what we’d like to see more of (Wishes).

Content warnings

Alcohol Use
Blood
Body Horror
Cannibalism
Cults
Death
Deep or Large Bodies of Water
Drowning
Extreme Violence
Fire
Gore
Guns
Hangings
Illness
Insects
Language/Cursing
Lifechanging Injury
Mental Illness
Murder
Mutilation
Panic Attacks
PTSD
Self-Harm
Small Spaces (Claustrophobia)
Suicide
Violence

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions