From: dhenry@plains.NoDak.edu (David Henry)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.advocacy
Subject: Re: Info on Cthulhu wanted
Date: 15 Sep 92 06:43:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: plains.20339
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing Network

Proof positive that I have been playing CoC for far too long...

In article <009605D5.7C60F3E0@Msu.oscs.montana.edu> gsl2598@Msu.oscs.montana.edu writes:
>>	Hi. I'd like to know a bit more about Chaosium's 'Call of Cthulhu',
>>i.e. what sort of game mechanics are used and a brief desc. of what sort of
>>storyline / adventure plots that players get into. I have played AD&D before
>>(1st and 2nd ed.) but no other system. What are the differences in stats etc?
>
>Ooooh, goodie...
>I get to post something helpful....

More or less... :-)

>First: Call of Cthulhu is a game set in the 1920's (w/rules for
>1890's and 1990's) based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft.  If you
>have never read any of his storries, check one out.

Obvious suggestions:
	The Call of Cthulhu
	The Colour Out of Space
	The Dunwich Horror
	Shadows over Innsmouth
	Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath

Less Obvious personal faves:
	In the Walls of Eryx
	Imprisioned With the Pharaohs
	Pickman's Model
	
>The Cthuhlu
>Mythos is a ficticious(?) bunch of alian beings, elder gods, and
>ancient ones, of which Cthuhlu has the most influence on humans.
>They are immensely powerful, and now it seems they are taking more
>interest in humanity....

The Cthulhoid Entities take no interest in humanity, with the outside
possible exception of Tsathoggua and (of course) Nyarlathotep. One of the
basics of Lovecraftian horror is that even the evil, human cultists are
entirely beneath the notice of the cosmic devils they worship. There is no
joy in Lovecraftian Space & Time, the Universe is uncaring and oblivious to
your best efforts... actually, a darn good role playing setting, because
then the relationships you develop with NPCs become all the more important
thereof.

>CoC runs on a system of characteristics like AD&D (STR, DEX, etc...)
>However, it has a skill system which is percentile.  (Investigators
>try to roll % dice above their zoology skill in order to identify

You roll *below* your %tile stat, like all other Chaosium games.

>The most unique stat in CoC is Sanity Points.  If an investigator
>sees a Dark Young of Shug Niggurath, he rolls %d against his current
>Sanity Points.  If he rolls above this his sanity is reduced by a lot
>(I think 1d10 or something.)

Dark Young? A paltry 2d10. The Necronomicon is worth more.

>I suggest it whole-heartedly.

Agreed. I'm of the opinion that new players/keepers should start out with
the following "Pod Pack," guaranteed for the best introduction to the
friendly realm of Cthulhu...
	CoC rules, 5th edition. Play "Haunted House" (now renamed, I
		believe, into "The Corbitt House," or something) for your
		first scenario.
	Masks of Nyarlathotep. Quite possibly the best RPG supplement for
		any game, ever. And that includes The Grey Knight
		for Pendragon.
	Cthulhu Classics. Has the ever-user-friendly Shadows of Yog-Sothoth
		campaign, where you can meet the Big C personally. Bring
		snacks.
	Horror on the Orient Express. For maximum gore-lovers only.
	Dreamlands (soon to be coming out in 3rd edition) Viable, decent
		accessory to the grim realties investigators usually face.
	Fearful Passages. One of their better current releases. I was
		especially impressed with The Train that Ever Was.
	Dangerous Experiments. Two decent cases, one over-the-top thriller.
	
Most of the Lovecraft Country releases have only been so-so, and mainly only
for Cthulhoid completists like myself (IMHO). Still, pick and choose from
the above, and a fine menu of horror should be yours.

And, please, vote Elder Party in your home state.

-- 
David R. Henry - Rogue Fan Club - CTHULHU in '92! Why vote for LESSER evils?
For Kate is a jealous God, and requires sacrifice./What was your question?--K
"All you of Earth are IDIOTS!"-P9fOS // Thanks... for the memories.--Rogue
dhenry@plains.nodak.edu * ud137927@ndsuvm1.bitnet * ud137927@vm1.nodak.edu
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