Run the Adventure

In this episode, I take a look at the first scenario in the Doors to Darkness collection aimed at beginner Keepers of Call of Cthulhu 7th edition. The Darkness Beneath the Hill is often touted as a good transition for D&D players into Call of Cthulhu. Whether that's true or not, its a scenario that has some great atmospherics but a bit of dodgy setup.
For this episode I'm joined again by Matthew (@juniperapolo) to discuss how this adventure played for our group.
Further resources:

• Doors To Darkness from DungeonLand
• Doors of Darkness PDF from DriveThruRPG

Also check out the excellent D&D Actual Play podcast, Tomes of the Chaos Bard.

If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email [email protected] or on Twitter @rta_podcast.
Listen to the show for a special discount from DungeonLand.

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For this special episode, I am joined by Iain from the Roll To Save podcast to discuss the Vampire the Masquerade campaign adventure, Fall of London.

Vampire the Masquerade is a setting and rule system that hit its peak in the 90s when at least in my gaming circle it pushed out more traditional RPGs like D&D. It perfectly captured the goth chic and music vibe that would go on to stylise films like the Matrix and Underworld. It is a lore rich setting and a simple enough system to play.
Whilst much has been written about the setting and countless campaigns played amongst friends and LARPers alike, what it seemed to lack was a memorable or even half decent adventure or scenario book. Well, at least in my opinion that was the case until Fall of London was released in 2020 for the 5th edition game.
Further Resources:

• Fall of London on DriveThruRPG
• Fall of London hardback book from DungeonLand (10% discount for Patreons)
• History of Vampire: The Masquerade on Roll To Save podcast

If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email [email protected] or on Twitter @rta_podcast.

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For the tenth episode, I go back to the beginning with my favourite module from back in the day, the Isle of Dread. Like many gamers of a certain generation, I got introduced to RPGs with Frank Mentzer’s Red Box Dungeons & Dragons. But it was the blue Expert set that really made me a lifelong roleplayer. Inside that box was contained the orange cover of X1 Isle of Dread which gave not just a sea adventure, not just a wilderness hex crawl but also the first rough sketch of the Known World.
In an effort to see if it holds up against my boyhood memories, I've been playing through it in a lunchtime game using pared down rules based on Old School Essentials. I talk about how that goes. I also approach the structural and content problems that the module throws up for modern gamers.
Further resources:

• X1 Isle of Dread from DriveThruRPG
• Old School Essentials

If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email [email protected] or on Twitter @rta_podcast.

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For this episode, I embark on the Achtung! Cthulhu adventure, A Quick Trip to France. This was provided in the Quick Start rules for the 2d20 version of Achtung! Cthulhu.
It’s a setting about fighting the Axis powers in a Secret War during the Second World War, involving as you might suspect Cthulhu Mythos entities, magic and weird science. In short, its pulp adventures in wartime with a bit of horror fantasy thrown in.
The 2d20 system isn’t for everyone and Modiphius’ has gotten some flak for the editorial quality of their rulebooks. So, whilst I’ll be focusing on the scenario in the Quick Start rules as it stands, I will be discussing how it works as an introduction to the 2d20 rules as well.
I am joined by Ryan to discuss how it played for us.
Further Resources:

• Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 Quickstart

If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email [email protected] or on Twitter @rta_podcast.

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For this episode, I'm back to talking about Call of Cthulhu with a scenario that is included in the 7th edition Starter Set. Edge of Darkness often competes with the Haunting for best introduction for a group of players getting into Call of Cthulhu.
I found it a lot of fun but lacking in a couple of departments. Notably, the investigation portion had low stakes and the exposition dumps at the start were a little heavy. However, these problems can be overcome with a little work
I wax lyrical about the three elements I think make for a good introductory Call of Cthulhu scenario. What makes for a good hook, a meaningful investigation and the challenging confrontation?
I'm also joined by one of my players, Matthew (@juniperapolo), to discuss how this adventure played for us.
Further resources:

• Edge of Darkness PDF from DriveThruRPG
• Call of Cthulhu Starter Set from DungeonLand (Patreons get a 5% discount)

If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email [email protected] or on Twitter @rta_podcast.

Support the show