<![CDATA[Yog-Sothoth - Lovecraft & Cthulhu]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/ Dedicated to H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu en Fri, 24 May 2013 21:36:27 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.yog-sothoth.com/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Yog-Sothoth - Lovecraft & Cthulhu]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/ Cthulhu Invictus Campaign Book Giveaway http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25406-Cthulhu-Invictus-Campaign-Book-Giveaway?goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 17:45:50 GMT Just a heads up to anyone interested in getting a free copy of The Legacy of Arrius Lurco (http://www.miskatonicriverpress.com/products/tloal.shtml)... Just a heads up to anyone interested in getting a free copy of The Legacy of Arrius Lurco by Oscar Rios. He's doing a giveaway on our site. All you have to do to win is post a comment with a character death story by Midnight tomorrow!

Good luck: http://goblinbeat.com/2013/05/080-os...lhu-companion/ ]]> Cthulhu Antiquita Odesh http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25406-Cthulhu-Invictus-Campaign-Book-Giveaway Lake Surrounded by Ancient Skeletons in India http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25405-Lake-Surrounded-by-Ancient-Skeletons-in-India?goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 13:14:09 GMT There's got to be a great CoC game in here. I just haven't figured out what it is yet.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obs..._surprise.html ]]> Anything else... Asmodas http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25405-Lake-Surrounded-by-Ancient-Skeletons-in-India How do you handle no-shows? http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25404-How-do-you-handle-no-shows?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 23:56:04 GMT What do you do or what would you like to have done when a player doesn't show up for the game? ]]> General Discussion Fallingtower http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25404-How-do-you-handle-no-shows <![CDATA["Illuminations"- my notes from the first arc of my Bookhounds game!]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25403-quot-Illuminations-quot-my-notes-from-the-first-arc-of-my-Bookhounds-game!?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 20:08:52 GMT Hi guys!

I'm going to post the session notes from my Bookhounds game, 'Illuminations'. I have a lot of notes to go through!

We just finished up the first campaign arc this last Tuesday night. It was pretty awesome. There was fire, meat cleavers, Nazi U-Boats, and naked knife-wielding red-headed french women!

Everyone enjoyed it and after a little break I'll be kicking off the 2nd campaign arc!

Our characters:

Violet McCourt
Occupation: Dilettante
Drive: Adventure
Pillars of Sanity: High Principals of Art, Epicureanism, Moral Principals, Worthiness of Nature
Quick sketch: a young woman of means in her mid-twenties, piercing eyes and a strong backbone

Nigel Bartholemew
Occupation: Bookseller
Drive: Curiosity
Pillars of Sanity: Books are the foundation of society, Any situation can be improved with Port, Honesty is the best policy, The Customer is always right
Quick sketch: In his mid 40's, has been a bookseller all his life, small in stature and very scrappy

Ethan Kyle
Occupation: Occultist
Drive: Thirst for knowledge
Pillars of Sanity: There is always an angle, Old age and treachery always beats youth and good intentions
Quick sketch: middle aged, charming gentleman

Tyler Calhoun
Occupation: Bookscout
Drive: Thirst for knowledge
Pillars of Sanity: It's not personal, One of a kind, Skill always wins
Quick sketch: American ex-pat who came over after the great war, always has an angle adn is good at getting what people want "no questions asked"- a "gentleman privateer".

The Bookstore
Bookshop Name: Illuminations
Description: nooks and crannies, wine and tea, places to read
Street adn Neighborhood: 13 Gower Place, Blomsbury
Proprietor: Nigel Bartholemew (owned by Violet, run by Nigel)
Bookshop Credit Rating: 3

Stock:
Art History 1
Occultism 1
Art 1
Objet d'art 1 (we made this one up as we went)

NPC: Angus Petersen- a 16 year old clerk who worked at the store as well.

Next up- Part 1 ! ]]> Trail of Cthulhu Liberator http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25403-quot-Illuminations-quot-my-notes-from-the-first-arc-of-my-Bookhounds-game! THEM! http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25402-THEM!?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 18:37:38 GMT I'm going to have my 1950 COC characters go against the 1954 movie THEM! Giant Ants. Was wondering if there where any COC resources that might relate (like two-meter ant stats).
Quick movie plot: the first atomic bomb test in 1945 caused desert ants to mutate and run amok, with newly hatched queens trying to start new colonies, one in the sewers of LA. Great black-n-white monster movie if you haven't seen it.
]]> thewoozle http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25402-THEM! Help with my first campaign: Heir Apparent http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25401-Help-with-my-first-campaign-Heir-Apparent?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 17:57:47 GMT So I've ran a scenario and decided I loved RPGs and Call of Cthulhu! The two guys I ran the adventure for ("The Forbidden Isle" from "Shadows Over Scotland") loved it and in discussion with two other friends from church decided they liked the sound of it!
So I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning to turn the Shadows Over Scotland book into a campaign called "Heir Apparent" and I was just looking for general advice, I'll outline what I've got so far:

General Storyline:
In 1912 Edward VIII has just become Prince of Wales. His womanising is well known and his affairs frequent. One such dialence results in child being born. The palace is used to producing the right incentive to rid themselves of any further embaressment but this mother refuses to go away. Her terms are this, her son is a prince and should be brought up with his royal family. Failure to do so will result in her publicly disgracing the next heir to the throne. The palace has little choice but makes efforts to disappear the boy. Without evidence there can be no threat. The mother screams for thwarted hopes and plans. Her vision of being in a rightful place of power have been replaced by dreams of power and vengeance. Through chance she discovers that her son is being looked after in Edinburgh castle. She tries many routes to power but discovers one that seems to suit her purpose. The Church of Dagon, once powerful with branches that spread throughout the country is in disarray after its leader disappeared following a raid on its headquarters in the Scottish capitol. Through force of will and a fortunate family connection, she takes over. She now has a source of power and knows where her son is. Can she bring them to bear? Can anyone stop evil forces taking over the throne?

Chapter 1: The Haunting (reset in Edinburgh using the Church of Dagon and Walter Corbitt's death to show the cult is still alive and well but under new management)
Chapter 2: Its All About The Cut (Self-penned story about a wizard being brought in by the cult to bump off a government advisory group using Byakhee(s) and an incantation woven into suits to attract them, introduces conflict between authorities and cult)
Chapter 3: Death and Horror Incorporated (Just to break things up, also to introduce ghouls)
Chapter 4: An Elegant Solution (A politician uses ghouls in the catacombs in Edinburgh to rid the city of the homeless and travelling community, hints at the cults influence spreading)
Chapter 5: Heed the Kraken's Call (just to break things up!)
Chapter 6:Hand of Abyzou (the cult use the investigators to prevent the Serpent people awakening)
Chapter 7 Uisage Beatha (Linking other arms of the cult to its headquarters, 3 barrels of tainted whiskey are sent on)
Chapter 8: Escape from St. Combs (leads on from the last one, our investigators have to get back to warn the outside world)
Chapter 9: Prohibition (Tracing the three barrels with discovery of the royal connection and child)
Chapter 10: The Right Cheese (Variation of The Crack'd and Crook'd Manse with it being set up by the wizard in chapter 2 to kill the investigators on behalf of the cult, reveal info to lead them to the final story)
Chapter 11: Battle Royal (The cult try to raise Cthulhu to aid them, investigators try to stop them and escape)

So there you have it! Was just looking for advice on how best to run a campaign, if you think the story is missing anything, or if there other stories that would fit in better! Any help gratefully received! ]]> MonkeyPrime http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25401-Help-with-my-first-campaign-Heir-Apparent <![CDATA[[Buy] cover art needed for ebooks]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25400-cover-art-needed-for-ebooks?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 17:38:42 GMT Hi guys Whats the going rate for artwork for ebooks? I have two books online at amazon kindle and smashwords. Frankly they arent flying off the... Hi guys

Whats the going rate for artwork for ebooks?
I have two books online at amazon kindle and smashwords. Frankly they arent flying off the shelves as it were. My main issue is that I have the artistic ability of a housebrick.
What I need is some eye grabbing art to entice, beguile and seduce a prospective reader. As my work is currently priced at zero, money is at a premium. The idea being I get an audience before I work up the nerve to ask for money. Sadly you cant give away stuff on kindle for free which in turn has affected downloads on that format. My amatuerish artwork is killing me I think.
I dont expect free art, I just need nudged in the right direction of quality artists who can produce something I can afford.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Arkham Market Square TC McQueen http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25400-cover-art-needed-for-ebooks <![CDATA['The Cult Attacks!' or How to Plague your Investigators ?]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25399-The-Cult-Attacks!-or-How-to-Plague-your-Investigators?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 09:34:30 GMT Dear Yoggies, My investigators have just got past the Cairo chapter of MoN, and with no surprise have made many enemies that have good means to... Dear Yoggies,

My investigators have just got past the Cairo chapter of MoN, and with no surprise have made many enemies that have good means to track them and plan their demise.

Of course assassins, car bombs and the like will ensue, but what would be your Top 20 (or even 50) miscellaneous ways to plague your investigator without resorting to the same old means and keeping the pressure on them ?

Thanks for your input, I am quite sure that if we share all our tricks together we must have quite a mean list ;-) ]]> General Discussion Faustroll http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25399-The-Cult-Attacks!-or-How-to-Plague-your-Investigators Plot-By-Gender? http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25398-Plot-By-Gender?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 14:03:08 GMT Basically, I play Call of Cthulhu with my group as a sort of gender-neutral thing. The Investigators have never been hampered by NPCs based on... Basically, I play Call of Cthulhu with my group as a sort of gender-neutral thing. The Investigators have never been hampered by NPCs based on gender, age etc. My question is, does anyone else do the same? I know it's 'okay' to keep it neutral but do you think it would be more immersing for the players into the setting if, say, the female Investigators were halted from entering a gentlemen's club? Or if a group of Suffragette female NPCs needed to be convinced that the male Investigators were in agreement with their views before helping them? Are there ways to balance it so that it's there but not insulting? Because, let's face it, these things happened in the 1890s and 1920s. Certain groups got more rights then others, after all at least in countries where those things applied. Do you, as a Keeper, use those things or leave it simply gender/race/age neutral? ]]> General Discussion DrFaust21 http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25398-Plot-By-Gender Arkham Horror Investigator Set: Horror on the Orient Express http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25397-Arkham-Horror-Investigator-Set-Horror-on-the-Orient-Express?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 11:31:21 GMT I was really debating on what thread this would go in: whether it should have it's own, if there was another thread for created content in Arkham Horror or if it should go under the Marketplace. If this needs to be moved I have no issue with it! :p

Anyway, I am a huge fan of the Horror on the Orient Express Audio game. It gave me a firm grasp of how game mechanics work and how to balance for players' needs and the like. In fact, I liked it, it's players and its characters so very much I went and bought the novelization. The only thing I'm a bigger fan of, however, is Arkham Horror. A great board game that I ADORE making custom content for, especially Investigators. So, in tribute to the Bradford Players and their fun romp through Europe, I created this set of Arkham Horror Investigators based on their initial party of characters.

This is completely free since obviously I don't own the characters, nor the models used to create the 'character art'. This is just a fun little tribute I made for some folks that really helped me make my aspirations of being a great keeper become a bit closer. to reality.

The ZIP File Link

Enjoy! And once again--hope this is in the right area and this is NOT for profit of any kind. ]]> Cthulhu Electric Card Board Live DrFaust21 http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25397-Arkham-Horror-Investigator-Set-Horror-on-the-Orient-Express The Deep - A Cthulhu Dark Adventure http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25396-The-Deep-A-Cthulhu-Dark-Adventure?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 02:50:25 GMT Image: http://i.imgur.com/SB6papk.png This is the second adventure I wrote for Cthulhu Dark, the rules-light system for lovecraftian horror by...

This is the second adventure I wrote for Cthulhu Dark, the rules-light system for lovecraftian horror by Graham Walsmley. It was made a year ago, in spanish, and now is horribly translated by myself, like one of those old arcane tomes barely understood by the twisted mind of a madman. (So watch your sanity.) The players play the crew of a cargo spacecraft on a nine-month journey to the far reaches of deep space, with the mission of bringing back an archaeological discovery found during excavations in a mining colony. It's a two-sided sheet and is made in the same trifold format as the Apocalypse World playbooks, so you can print it and fold it into three, and you end up with a small and convenient booklet.

In this adventure, you will not find:

  • A pre-made story. I give you the framework. The players will give you the horror.
  • Pre-made characters. Characters are made during the course of play, not before.
  • Lovecraftian lore. There is no info about known creatures or gods. You can use whatever it seems fit or create your own on the fly.
  • Combat. But could be some kind of fight here or there.
  • No investigation, no clues. This is pure Horror.

Insteed, you will find:

  • The framework for a horror story told to you by your fellow players.
  • Instructions about how to make this easy to GM.
  • A ready to play one-session scenario that develops different every time you play.
  • A lot of possibilities.
  • Enough information to play it with almost no preparation.

Clear inspirations: Alien, Flatliners.
Not so clear inspirations: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, A Perfect Storm.

Hope you like it.

Download (english)
Download (spanish) ]]> Alejandro http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25396-The-Deep-A-Cthulhu-Dark-Adventure Dice rolling apps: yes or no? http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25395-Dice-rolling-apps-yes-or-no?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 23:52:50 GMT So, I had my first game as a player in a while, joining an established D&D 4e group. One of the players was using a dice app on her tablet (that she'd written herself) and was encouraging the rest of us to get on board. Everyone else seemed very positive but it was just too weird for me. The clicky noises whilst she was setting it up was annoying but I could live with that. What really got me was the quick tap whenever she needed to make a roll. No drama, no choosing your lucky die, no familiar clatter of dice bashing against one another. She also kept her tablet close to herself so we couldn't see her rolls easily. I don't think she was cheating but I've always found dice rolls (especially the important, game changing ones) to be a collective thing. The hush around the table as one player (or GM) stands up and casts their dice (and our souls/lives/livelyhoods) into the lap of the gods. Waiting for those dice to settle and to see the result has always been a big part of role-playing for me.

What does everyone else think? Am I just getting old? ]]> Cthulhu Electric Card Board Live synthboy http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25395-Dice-rolling-apps-yes-or-no <![CDATA["H. P. Lovecraft's COOL AIR" released by Lions Gate]]> http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25394-quot-H-P-Lovecraft-s-COOL-AIR-quot-released-by-Lions-Gate?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 22:27:07 GMT After years of dead ends, I was finally able to make a film adaptation of Lovecraft's chilling short story "Cool Air". We shot it in two days and after a prolonged post production due to scheduling conflicts with other productions, I was able to complete the film late last year. That enabled the film to be acquired by Lions Gate and they released it today. I have another film released today (my 1990 Captain America) but Cool Air is the one near and dear to my heart. It's screened at just two film festivals and won awards at each.

I'm proud of the film and the film adaptation as I wanted the film to have the same experience as I had reading Cool Air. Also, knowing that Lovecraft was experiencing his own very real world horror (fear of career failure, financial problems and the doubt that causes) at the time when he wrote Cool Air, I wanted the film to frame the plot with those real world fears. And, in truth, they are the thing we fear more than Jason or Freddy - fear of being a failure, fear of being destitute, fear of being forgotten.

Hope all of you hear post your thoughts on it and we can have a give and take of ideas here.

Albert Pyun
facebook / Albert Pyun Movies ]]> Unshowable AlbertPyun http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25394-quot-H-P-Lovecraft-s-COOL-AIR-quot-released-by-Lions-Gate Whodunit scenarios, anyone know a good one? http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25393-Whodunit-scenarios-anyone-know-a-good-one?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 21:28:51 GMT Whodunit scenarios, anyone got one or can suggest one? If there are lovecraftian themes involved all the better. One of my favorite scenarios is... Whodunit scenarios, anyone got one or can suggest one?
If there are lovecraftian themes involved all the better.

One of my favorite scenarios is "Uncle Timothy's Will" from Blood Brothers Scenario book. Not a real Whodunit scenario,
but got the flavour of the players having to work together and against each other at the same time, in an old mansion.

For me Whudunit + CoC is the genre for me, can anyone help? ]]> General Discussion Bergh http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25393-Whodunit-scenarios-anyone-know-a-good-one Cthulhu-ish Computer games http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25392-Cthulhu-ish-Computer-games?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 20:20:37 GMT I've been wondering if there are any games out there that capture the Cthulhu Mythos feel in one way or another? I've heard that Dark Corners of the Earth game is a special kind of bad and the only other game that springs to mind is Amnesia the Dark Decent (Which I swear to god one day I will man up and reinstall after last time I tried to play it I panic uninstalled it...)

I'd really like a game that captured ether the slow investigating build up of a good CoC campaign or just a straight horror with that Lovecraftian feel. Anyone know any? ]]> Cthulhu Electric Card Board Live CamofCthulhu http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25392-Cthulhu-ish-Computer-games