Call of Cthulhu RPG: Edge of Darkness

About the adventure

Call of Cthulhu is set in a darker version of our world based on H. P. Lovecraft's observation (from his essay, "Supernatural Horror in Literature") that "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." Edge of Darkness uses the Call of Cthulhu seventh edition rule set for up to 5 players to join in with preset investigators. A respected acquaintance of the investigators calls to them for help from his deathbed, giving them a box containing clues to his dark secret: a botched unfinished occult ritual performed in a remote farmhouse near Arkham 40 years before, held in check by wards that last only as long as the participants in the original ritual are alive.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Read a quick description of the Call of Cthulhu RPG or Lovecraft's stories online. The game is set in the 1920s, so having a passing knowledge of that period would help (e.g. no cellphones, no computers, no televisions). My intention is not to lean heavily on the period's well-known prejudice or sexism or Lovecraft's own well-documented scientific racism, but that may come up in discussion briefly. Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wouSEjZHj9U 1920s vs. Modern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlPvCXD7I4s

What I provide

We'll handle most stuff over Roll20, but I may resort to a Discord channel for in-between chat and audio and video.

Gameplay details

We will absolutely have a lines and veils discussion before the first game. Call of Cthulhu is a horror game with lots of gore at times. Character death is not unusual. Sudden and violent player character insanity is also not unusual. A lot of players are turned off by these things. People should be prepared in advance.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Debriefing
Lines and Veils
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

I have pregenerated characters for this scenario that can be used in a subsequent campaign. I highly recommend using the premade characters since characters in Call of Cthulhu are largely interchangeable and making a squad of highly trained combat characters won't necessarily make you more successful investigators (I've had it happen. A group made a bunch of thug characters. They couldn't figure out anything that was happening and were eventually eaten by a horde of fish people).

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.