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Learn to play Call of Cthulhu: Dreams Die Here
A strange smell, a locked door, and a missing tenant. It’s just another sweltering summer day in 1931 Providence Rhode Island
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Thursday - 10:30 AM UTC
Oct 15
Session Duration / 1.5–2 hours
1 / 5 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Meet your party members
1/5
About the adventure
Welcome to Ma Shanks’ Boarding House, where hard times, strange tenants, and whispered secrets collide. Set on the summer solstice in 1931 Providence, this Call of Cthulhu one-shot begins with a simple welfare check on a quiet neighbor… and descends into a race against time to stop an ancient, dream-born horror from breaking through. This session is ideal for both new and returning players Light on rules, heavy on atmosphere. With a focus on contained horror, limited timelines, and classic Mythos dread, The Dead Boarder is an intense, single-evening scenario where every choice matters and survival is far from guaranteed. In The Dead Boarder, investigators uncover a horrific secret in a Depression-era boarding house, where an occult ritual gone wrong unleashes something that was never meant to wake.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(51)
2 years on StartPlaying
293 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Beginner Friendly, Storytelling
Average response time: 3 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
My day job as a webdev taught me technology should fade into the background. The same goes for rules: my job is making sure you know enough rules and in-game-lore to feel informed and empowered. I was trained how to teach a game to new players, in a way they have fun the whole time, when starting a university board game club. It's hard for everyone to make time for games. I do my best to run a scheduled game 'no matter what.' You may be surprised at what I “let you get away with” – but that's the point of a roleplaying game! The whole reason I’m here is to allow you greater freedom than any computer or boardgame could ever allow. My role is to invent reactions and consequenses. I have diagnosed and medicated ADHD, one of the ways it can show up is a deep craving for emotional intensity. My toxic trait is seeking strong reactions. Years of unconscious practice mean I have developed a knack for pressing buttons, stirring up conflict, and chasing those moments that make people around me feel. That used to get me into trouble. But as a GM? It’s my greatest strength. I channel that energy into crafting unforgettable story beats and emotionally charged choices. When you disappoint a friendly “Non-Player Character”, I’ll make it hurt. When a villain taunts you, you will burn to take them down. I use every narrative trick in the book to draw you deeper into your character’s journey. Join me in crafting adventures where your characters live, breathe, and grow! (possibly into horrible flesh monsters, to be determined)
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
I have pre-generated characters, balanced by the designer of the game: The Landlord/Landlady, age 38 Lives on the third floor and is secretly in love with James Gardiner. Whether this is forbidden love during the time period because of the player’s gender selection or simply unrequited love is up to the player. The Bookstore Owner, age 29 Lives on the second floor. Owns a second-hand bookstore in Providence, specializing in esoteric tomes. The Bookstore Owner is in a dire financial position owing to the Depression combined with the general public’s lack of interest in the specialty nature of the shop. The Business Associate, age 34 Lives on the second floor. The Business Associate is a shady character and a bootlegger, with connections to local gangsters. Some months back, Gardiner asked the Business Associate, who has a reputation for acquiring hard to find items, to obtain two knives crafted from obsidian. The Nosy Neighbor, age 58 Lives in the smallest room on the second floor. A dreadful gossip, forever poking their nose into other people’s business. They are out of work and has pressing financial troubles, not least of which is the rent.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
I use Discord for the voice chat, everything else won't require you to make an account. You won't need to read the rules or make a character: the whole scenario is designed to teach you how to play!
What Isaac Schubert brings to the table
As your Keeper, I bring a cinematic, story-driven experience where horror unfolds through mood, pacing, and character choices. Not endless dice rolls. Expect evocative narration, ambient music, and a slow-burn mystery that crescendos into terrifying action. I focus on your character’s perspective and inner life over funny voices, and keep things rules-light to prioritize momentum and immersion. Whether you're brand-new to Call of Cthulhu or a returning investigator, I’ll guide you through the mystery with care and just enough menace to keep you on edge.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Isaac Schubert creates a safe table
This is meant to be The Horror Game, I want to know what you are comfortable with so I can riff on it. Make sure that you have completed the 'Monte Cook' form before playing.
Content warnings
Safety tools used