Call of Cthulhu 7e: Paper Chase --- A Solo-Player One-Shot Investigation

About the adventure

Douglas Kimball lived alone in a small house at 218, Aylesbury Street in Arnoldsburg, Michigan. On August 14th, 1921, his his family realized that he was nowhere to be found. It has been almost a year since Douglas Kimball disappeared without a trace. His nephew, your old school-friend, Thomas, inherited everything, along with all of the years of suspicion and rumour that have shrouded Douglas' former abode on the edge of town. Some claim to have seen the missing man, since then, but the police have found nothing to substantiate these wild claims. But the "chin music" of busybodies is the least of this towns concerns. Someone else, an adventurous child named Elanor, didn't come home one evening. Whether the wary Arnodsburgers actually suspect your friend Thomas of being involved matters little --- nobody there will so much as give Thomas the time of day, if they aren't vandalizing his car, or calling the police on him for the slightest, non-existent transgression. Thomas has sent you a letter. He would like to catch up for old times sake; a midsummer vacation for you both, as it were. A week of fishing, drinks by the fireplace, and old stories of happier times that seem so distant now. He is dying to show you the new telescope he designed! However, you can tell that he is worried. If not downright frightened---and, your company would be a sure relief from the trouble he has been facing in town. Just on the eve of your train's departure, however, you received another message from your friend---this time, an urgent telegram. Late in the night, someone broke into the Kimball house. Thomas is safe, but the intruder is still at large, somewhere nearby, no doubt. The police were of no help, whatsoever. You have decided to make what haste you can for your old friend's sake. Who broke into the Kimball house? Why? Does this have to do with Douglas Kimball's disappearance, almost a year ago to the day? Many would say that trail has long since gone cold. For you, though, this might be more than a simple Paper Chase.

Additional Details

How to prepare

REQUIRED MATERIALS, SOFTWARE, AND EQUIPMENT: -Electricity -Webcam -Microphone -Headphones or earbuds that are compatible with Discord -The ability to have Discord and Google Chrome open, accessible, and visible at the same time -A Roll20 account -A Discord account -A reasonably stable internet connection -A relatively quiet environment for play (to minimize disruptions) -A fine beverage of your choice to enjoy during the game (stay hydrated) -A Free Syrinscape account -The Free Syrinscape Online (beta) app (to be able to hear sound effects) https://syrinscape.com/online/ Scroll down and read the instructions at this link if you are unfamiliar with the software. (I will send you an invitation to receive the sounds generated on my account) -A Notebook/Notepad/Writing surface of your choosing for Notetaking -A pencil and eraser -Sufficient lighting so that you can actually see what you are writing

What I provide

T'INGS THAT I WILL PROVIDE: -A Roll20 Game with Call of Cthulhu core book compendium sharing -Roll20 Virtual Investigator Sheets -Syrinscape sound effects -Roll20 Virtual Dice for Everyone! yay -Background music -A Private Discord Server -Fun...AND HORROR!

Gameplay details

During the course of a typical game of Call of Cthulhu, the Investigators (player characters) will, through the course of their activities, regardless of who they are or what they do for a living, encounter something strange, unnatural, or flat-out hair-raisingly horrifying. Your role, as investigators, will be to delve into the mystery, behaving as many "idiots" in horror movies might (when they just don't know when to walk away), yet still seeing the true terror of what is before you through your character's eyes --- and, if you think you should call the police, you can certainly try. You are here to find clues, make deductions, roleplay with each other and with NPCs, and possibly go MAD from what you find... A typical game is not combat-heavy. However, if push comes to shove, they are hot on your heels, or they are getting away and you need to stop them at all costs, gritty, tooth-and-nail fights for survival can break out. Humour is a vital component of horror, and I respect this, and will NOT be asking all participants not to have fun XD. However, when things get VERY SERIOUS...! I would appreciate it if participants would please respect the tone, such as it is. Also, I strongly recommend that you take notes to keep track of names and pieces of information. I, J.P., will be playing the role the "Keeper" (of Arcane Lore) (The Game Master). I will be the narrator, the voice of the NPCs, and the informal referee. CONTENT WARNINGS *Please be aware that, as this is a horror game set in the 1920s, there may be certain subject matters that (while they are supposed to make you feel discomfort and/or fear) may not be suitable for all players. These themes include; Graverobbing, Violence/Gun Violence, Religious Biases/Condemnation, Police, Police Violence, Homelessness, Transformations/Body Horror, Blood/Gore, Cult Rituals, Darkness, Child Abduction, Smoking, Reading, and Fishing, though not necessarily in that order!* SAFETY: If, at any point during the course of the game, you find that you are intolerably uncomfortable with a given set of circumstances (that I have not listed above as warning), in the game or between players, you reserve your right to use your X, N, O CARDS by typing in chat, or saying the respective letter aloud. For context; X=You are uncomfortable with the present content in the game. The group can change the content, rewind and redo, or have the scene fade to black. N=You believe that the present circumstances are leading to an X for you. The group can change course so that it doesn't become an X or have the scene fade to black. O=You are okay with what is going on. Occasionally, if I ask "O?", I am gauging everyone's comfort levels (outside of the horror inherent of the game). If a participant exhibits negative, toxic, abusive, aggressive, hateful, discriminatory, blaming, and/or unkind behaviours that put down / disrespect others at the table, I reserve the right to ask them to stop and/or leave.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

(none)

How will character creation work

I will be communicating with each player in advance of the day of the session to help you make a Call of Cthulhu character. If you already know how to make an Investigator, grand! I would still ask of each participant that we communicate, regardless, so as to allow me to be able to tailor the scenario to the information I have about your respective Investigator. (I will communicate with you in Discord (for audio and video) and Roll 20 (for dice rolling and character sheets) for the character creation process).

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.