Call of Cthulhu
Welcome to Shard’s "Spotlight Series", where we highlight some of the many exciting settings and rulesets available on Shard Tabletop
For our next Spotlight Series, we're taking a look at the Call of Cthulhu for 5th Edition, a re-imagining of the original Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game from Petersen Games.
In this blog post, you’ll learn more about the Call of Cthulhu for 5th Edition, including the various products available on Shard, as well as the ways we've implemented some of its unique game mechanics.
What is Call of Cthulhu?
Call of Cthulhu is a horror roleplaying game based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, where players take on the role of ordinary investigators uncovering terrifying cosmic secrets and battling unspeakable creatures, often facing the threat of losing their sanity as they delve deeper into the mysteries of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Call of Cthulhu campaigns typically focus on investigation, puzzle-solving, and intense moments of horror. Solve mysteries by following clues, interrogating NPCs, and researching obscure lore to uncover the truth behind ancient cults and other sinister forces.
And unlike the more traditional foes you might face in D&D such as bandits, dragons and demons, Call of Cthulhu will often pit you against cosmic horrors and entities that go beyond human comprehension.
If you're a fan of movies like Event Horizon, The Thing, or Annihilation, or shows like Twin Peaks, X-Files, or Lovecraft Country, then Call of Cthulhu might just be the perfect TTRPG setting for you to try out!
Learn more about Call of Cthulhu for 5E and the Cthulhu Mythos below, including the 20+ titles available on Shard, as well as the ways we've implemented them to ensure you can run a seamless sci-fi campaign with custom extensions and modified character sheets.
Where to Start?
There are currently 22 Call of Cthulhu products available on Shard Tabletop, so it’s understandable if you’re unsure of where to jump in. That includes the core setting guide, Cthulhu Mythos, which has everything you need to start your own custom Call of Cthulhu campaign; Nightmares I, an expanded bestiary filled with eldritch horrors, and four complete standalone campaigns, which each offers a unique take on the Cthulhu mythos. Each campaign is broken up into four acts, which can be purchased separately, or as a discounted bundle:
The Ghoul Island Saga follows a party of adventurers shipwrecked on a cursed island, plagued by apocalyptic visions and besieged by an undead threat tied to the Cult of Ghatanothoa
In Yig Snake Granddaddy, the heroes battle an ancient serpent folk cult seeking to restore a prehistoric age of dinosaurs, pterodactyls, and eldritch horrors.
In the Dark Worlds Saga, the heroes are cast across the cosmos by a mad ruler’s ritual, trapped on the nightmare world of Yuggoth under the sinister watch of the Mi-Go.
In The Big Sleep Saga, the heroes are drawn into a desperate struggle against the rising of Tsathoggua, the monstrous Sleeper, as cultists unleash eldritch horrors upon the world.
It's worth noting that while Cthulhu Mythos is not required to run any of these campaigns, it includes many of the monsters, special skills, languages, races, and classes that embody the Call of Cthulhu setting. For that reason, we highly recommend you pick up the Cthulhu Mythos in addition to any of the campaigns you want to run!
Bringing Call of Cthulhu to Shard Tabletop
There are certain elements in the Cthulhu Mythos that set it apart from a more traditional 5E D&D game. To that end, the Cthulhu Mythos title includes optional extensions and custom types to provide complete immersion in a Call of Cthulhu campaign, including:
Extension to add the 'Yog-Sothothery' skill and several languages unique to the setting, including: Aklo, Cat, Ghoul, Gnorri, and Zoog
Extension to track the 'Dread' mechanic on character sheets, including descriptions of each of the 7 levels and what they mean for your character
Extension to track the 'Insanity' mechanic on character sheets, including 9 different types of insanity, from delusion and obsession to paranoia and hallucinations
24 'Reference Cards' to allow you to quickly look up info on over 20 different Great Old Ones and Outer Gods
There are many other ways in which we've integrated the Call of Cthulhu setting into Shard Tabletop, including custom subclasses, feats, eldritch invocations, magic items, spells, and much more.
But beware, remember what they say about gazing too long into the abyss...
