Discover the world of Call of Cthulhu, a tabletop role-playing game based on HP Lovecraft's works. Explore the game's mechanics, including sanity preservation and percentile-style gameplay. Learn about character creation, secret cults, time travel, and adaptations of the Cthulhu mythos. Dive into the discussion of creatures, entities, and supernatural elements in the game. Join Ramie and Beth as they delve into the terrifying lore and future streaming plans for Call of Cthulhu.
Call of Cthulhu is a tabletop role-playing game that incorporates elements of Cosmic Horror and emphasizes the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible otherworldly forces.
Character creation in Call of Cthulhu involves determining characteristics and skills of regular people set in the 1920s, allowing for investigation-based scenarios filled with jazz, prohibition, cults, conspiracies, and supernatural entities.
Deep dives
Call of Cthulhu as Japan's most-played tabletop role-playing game
Call of Cthulhu is a tabletop role-playing game that is popular in Japan. It is based on the works of HP Lovecraft and incorporates elements of Cosmic Horror. The game emphasizes the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible otherworldly forces. Sanity is a key mechanic in the game, reflecting the psychological toll of encountering the unknown. The game allows players to encounter world-shattering monstrosities and includes influences from Lovecraft's cosmic entities such as Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, and Yog-Sothoth.
Character creation and gameplay mechanics in Call of Cthulhu
In Call of Cthulhu, character creation involves determining characteristics like strength, constitution, power (which affects sanity score), dexterity, appearance, size, intelligence, and education. Characters are often regular people such as academics, journalists, or detectives. The game uses a percentile-style system, where players roll dice to determine success based on their skill scores. The setting is typically in the 1920s, but scenarios can be set in different times and places. The game is investigation-based, with an atmosphere of jazz, prohibition, cults, conspiracies, and supernatural entities.
Considerations and recommendations for playing Call of Cthulhu
Call of Cthulhu allows for a wide range of scenarios and can be played in various styles. However, it is worth mentioning that character death and bleak outcomes are commonplace, as the game embraces a dark and hopeless atmosphere. The presence of cosmic horrors and the potential for characters to go insane adds to the game's tension. Additionally, it is important to be aware of HP Lovecraft's racist views reflected in his writing. The game's core handbook may have safety tools and guidelines to address sensitive topics. Overall, Call of Cthulhu is recommended for those interested in investigation-based, horror-themed tabletop role-playing games.
Ramie and Beth dive into the world of Call of Cthulhu, a tttrpg set in the cosmic horror universe of H.P. Lovecraft. Ramie gives Beth a rundown of the game's mechanics and setting. Beth shares her thoughts on the game's unique brand of horror and its appeal to players.
Listen now to hear Ramie and Beth discuss Call of Cthulhu, one of the most influential horror tabletop RPGs of all time!