Call Of Cthulhu: Character Creation Guide

Creating a compelling and believable character in the Call of Cthulhu tabletop role-playing game involves several key steps. The first step requires a player to select an appropriate Occupation from the list available in the core rulebook which provides the character with a background and a set of skills. The next step involves defining the character’s Characteristics through dice rolls or point allocation. After defining the Characteristics, players will define their character’s Skills, carefully allocating points to reflect their character’s expertise. Finally, players should develop a detailed Background for their investigators, which often includes defining motivations, goals, and connections to the wider game world.

Alright, gather ’round, ye brave souls, and let’s talk about something that’s equal parts terrifying and totally awesome: Call of Cthulhu, the role-playing game (RPG) where insanity is practically a character stat! This isn’t your typical fantasy quest where you’re slaying dragons and hoarding gold (though, I mean, who doesn’t love hoarding gold?). Nope, this is a plunge into the maddening depths of cosmic horror, inspired by the master of the genre himself, H.P. Lovecraft.

Forget your sword and shield because, in Call of Cthulhu, your best weapons are your wits, your sanity (or what’s left of it), and maybe a trusty revolver if things get really hairy. It’s a glorious blend of horror and mystery, where you’re not just fighting monsters but also piecing together clues, deciphering ancient texts, and trying to figure out what the heck is going on before you lose your mind completely.

You, my friend, will be taking on the role of an Investigator, a brave (or foolish) soul who stumbles upon dark secrets that humanity was never meant to know. You’ll be delving into forgotten libraries, exploring creepy mansions, and facing off against unspeakable horrors that lurk just beyond the veil of reality. And trust me, reality gets pretty darn thin in this game.

Now, here’s where the real fun begins: creating your Investigator. It’s not just about picking a class or assigning stats. It’s about crafting a person with a history, motivations, and a fragile grip on sanity. The better you know your character, the more deeply you’ll be immersed in the game’s world, and the more thrilling (and terrifying) your experience will be. So, buckle up, because we’re about to dive headfirst into the art of crafting a Call of Cthulhu character who can (hopefully) survive the horrors that await.

The Investigator’s Foundation: Core Character Attributes

Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes your Call of Cthulhu investigator tick! We’re talking about the core attributes – the very building blocks of your character’s being. These aren’t just numbers on a page; they’re the foundation upon which your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately, their sanity (or lack thereof) will be built. Think of it like this: if your investigator were a house, these attributes would be the concrete foundation. Mess them up, and the whole thing could come crashing down when a Shoggoth sneezes nearby.

Decoding Your Investigator: Attributes and Characteristics

First up are the Characteristics, sometimes called Attributes. These are the raw stats that define your investigator’s inherent capabilities. We’re talking about things like Strength (how much they can bench press… or, more likely, how easily they can shove a cultist aside), Dexterity (their gracefulness and agility – crucial for dodging tentacles), Intelligence (their capacity for reasoning and problem-solving), and Education (their learned knowledge and ability to decipher ancient texts). Each of these attributes has a direct impact on gameplay, influencing everything from combat rolls to skill checks. A high Strength might help you break down a door, while a low Intelligence could lead you to misinterpret a vital clue. Choose wisely, my friend; the fate of the world (or at least your character’s sanity) may depend on it!

Skills: Your Investigator’s Toolbox

Next, we have Skills. Now, these aren’t just any skills – these are the tools your investigator will use to interact with the Lovecraftian world around them and, hopefully, solve some truly mind-bending mysteries. Think of skills like Psychology (for reading people, or at least trying to understand why that professor is ranting about non-Euclidean geometry), Occult (essential for identifying that creepy symbol carved into the wall), and Medicine (for patching up those wounds you inevitably get from tangling with unspeakable horrors). Skills allow you to apply your character’s attributes to specific situations, turning raw potential into practical ability.

Occupations: The Path That Led You Here

Ever wonder how your investigator ended up in this mess? That’s where Occupations come in. Your character’s occupation provides a background, a story, and, most importantly, skill bonuses that reflect their expertise. Were they a hard-boiled private investigator, a bookish professor, or a down-on-their-luck artist? Each occupation offers a unique set of skills and connections that can shape your investigator’s approach to solving mysteries. Plus, it adds some flavor to their backstory. Why are they poking around in that dusty old library? Because they’re a historian, duh!

Sanity: Hold On To Your Mind!

Ah, Sanity… the most fragile of all attributes in Call of Cthulhu. This is a measure of your character’s mental stability in the face of the unspeakable horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos. Every time your investigator encounters a ghastly sight, reads a forbidden tome, or battles a tentacled monstrosity, their Sanity is at risk. Lose too much, and you might find yourself gibbering incoherently, developing strange phobias, or, in the worst case, going completely insane. Trust me, seeing a Mi-Go up close is not good for your mental health. Keep a close eye on your Sanity score; it’s often the only thing standing between your investigator and complete madness.

Hit Points: Can You Take a Punch?

Hit Points are a bit more straightforward – they represent your investigator’s physical health and resilience. When you take damage from monsters, traps, or angry cultists, you lose Hit Points. Run out, and your investigator is either incapacitated or, more likely, dead. While Call of Cthulhu isn’t primarily a combat-focused game, knowing how much punishment your character can take is still crucial for survival. After all, even the most brilliant mind can’t solve a mystery when it’s been crushed by a giant claw.

Luck: Lady Luck, Be On My Side

Finally, we have Luck. This is the wildcard, the unpredictable element that can influence events and help your investigator overcome unexpected challenges. Luck can be used to reroll a failed skill check, avoid a sudden danger, or simply catch a lucky break at a critical moment. It’s that moment when you find the vital clue just as the cultists are closing in, or when your gun doesn’t jam at the worst possible time. Luck can be a lifesaver, so don’t underestimate its importance! It’s the cosmic equivalent of finding a twenty in your old jacket just when you need it most.

Diving Deep: Why Your Investigator’s Past Matters in Call of Cthulhu

Alright, so you’ve got your stats rolled and your skills picked out. But hold on, we’re not quite ready to face the cosmic horrors just yet! The real magic of Call of Cthulhu isn’t just about having high skill numbers; it’s about bringing your Investigator to life with a compelling history. Think of it like this: Would you rather play a cardboard cutout who stumbles into a haunted mansion, or someone with a reason to be there, haunted by their own past? I’m betting the latter, right? Let’s dig into how you can craft a background that makes your Investigator more than just a stat sheet.

Unpacking Your Past: The Investigator’s Background

Your Investigator’s background isn’t just fluff; it’s the bedrock upon which their entire persona is built. Were they raised in a dusty library, surrounded by arcane tomes? Or did they grow up on the rough streets of Arkham, learning to survive by their wits? This dictates not only their skill set (think boosted Occult if they lived in that library!), but also their motivations. A professor obsessed with forgotten lore will have a very different approach to a Cthulhu Mythos mystery compared to a hardened gangster looking for a payday.

Your background also shapes their connections. Maybe they have a network of academic contacts, or maybe they know every crooked cop in town. These connections can be invaluable when you’re trying to track down a cult or decipher a cryptic clue. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-developed background – it’s the key to unlocking your Investigator’s potential.

The Why: Finding Your Investigator’s Motivation

Let’s be honest, nobody in their right mind wants to poke around in ancient ruins filled with tentacled horrors. So, why is your Investigator doing it? What’s driving them to risk their sanity and their life? Maybe they’re seeking knowledge, driven by a thirst to understand the universe’s dark secrets. Perhaps they are atoning for a past mistake or saving a loved one. It could even be that the investigator is forced into it.

Whatever it is, motivation is the engine that keeps your Investigator moving forward, even when things get really scary. A strong motivation gives the Keeper (GM) hooks to pull you deeper into the story, and it gives you a reason to care about what happens.

Embrace the Flaws: Imperfection Makes Perfect

Forget about playing the perfect hero. In Call of Cthulhu, perfection is boring, and it certainly isn’t realistic. Give your Investigator flaws. Are they prone to fits of rage? Do they have a gambling problem? Are they deathly afraid of spiders (or maybe something more relevant, like deep water)? Flaws add depth and realism, making your Investigator relatable and human, even when facing the inhuman.

Flaws also create opportunities for interesting roleplaying. How does your Investigator’s fear of spiders affect their ability to explore a cobweb-filled crypt? How does their gambling problem complicate their investigation when a key clue is tied to a high-stakes poker game? Embrace the imperfection – it’s what makes your Investigator unique.

Weaving the Tale: Crafting a Detailed Backstory

Finally, pull it all together into a detailed backstory. This doesn’t have to be a novel, but it should be more than just a few bullet points. Think about key events in your Investigator’s life that shaped who they are today. Who were their parents? What was their childhood like? What were their successes and failures?

A detailed backstory provides context for your Investigator’s actions and reactions. It explains why they are the way they are, and it gives you a wealth of information to draw upon when roleplaying. When the Keeper throws a curveball your way, you’ll be able to react in a way that’s consistent with your Investigator’s personality and history. A compelling backstory transforms your Investigator from a collection of stats into a living, breathing character ready to face the unspeakable horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos.

The Stage is Set: Typical Settings and Overarching Themes

Alright, now that your Investigator is starting to take shape, let’s talk about where all this cosmic madness usually goes down. Knowing the stage helps you understand the play, right? So, where are we most likely to find ourselves knee-deep in tentacles and ancient secrets?

The Roaring Twenties and Beyond: A Time of Intrigue

Think flapper dresses, jazz music, and… unspeakable horrors lurking beneath the surface. The 1920s are like the go-to era for Call of Cthulhu, and with good reason! It’s a time of great social change, new technologies, and a creeping sense of unease as the world recovers from the Great War. The perfect breeding ground for cults and cosmic weirdness! Beyond the 1920s other settings such as the modern era can be used as well.

And where in the world? Well, New England is practically synonymous with Lovecraftian horror. Picture quaint, isolated towns, windswept coastlines, and a pervasive sense of something not being quite right. From the shadowed streets of Arkham to the eerie shores of Innsmouth, New England provides the perfect backdrop for your Investigator’s sanity to slowly unravel. Of course, adventures can take place anywhere in the world, from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Egypt, each with its own unique flavor of cosmic terror.

The Cthulhu Mythos: A Universe of Interconnected Nightmares

This isn’t your average monster-of-the-week scenario. The Cthulhu Mythos is this sprawling, interconnected universe created by Lovecraft and expanded by countless others. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of ancient entities, forbidden knowledge, and the terrifying realization that humanity is but a tiny, insignificant speck in the grand cosmic scheme of things.

Think of it like this: each adventure is a piece of the puzzle, revealing more and more of the horrifying truth. And the more your Investigator learns, the closer they get to the brink of madness. Fun times!

The Occult: Whispers of Forbidden Lore

You can’t have Call of Cthulhu without a healthy dose of the occult! This is where things get really interesting. Ancient rituals, forgotten lore, and hidden powers are all part of the package. Your Investigator might stumble upon a dusty tome filled with incantations, uncover a secret society practicing dark magic, or even encounter a cult worshipping some unspeakable entity.

The occult is the key that unlocks the door to the Mythos, but be warned: once you open that door, there’s no telling what might come crawling out. This often involves making tough moral choices that test the very core of your Investigator’s beliefs. Remember, sometimes the knowledge you seek is best left buried.

Driving Forces: Goals and Relationships

So, you’ve got your Investigator statted out, brimming with skills, and maybe even sporting a fetching fedora. But what really makes them tick? What gets them out of bed in the morning, besides the existential dread of the approaching apocalypse, of course? That’s where goals and relationships come in.

Goals are the engine that drives your Investigator through the murky streets of Arkham and beyond. Are they after a specific relic, hoping to sell it to the highest bidder (or, you know, destroy it before it unleashes unspeakable horrors)? Perhaps they seek revenge against the cult that wronged their family. Maybe they are simply trying to earn enough money to keep the lights on, but got mixed up with something way over their head. A well-defined goal gives you a reason to pursue those cryptic clues, confront those sanity-blasting monsters, and risk it all for the sake of… well, whatever it is they’re after! Consider both short-term goals (like finding a missing person) and long-term aspirations (like unraveling the secrets of a specific Mythos entity) to add depth to your character’s motivations.

And then there are relationships. These are the ties that bind – or, more often in Call of Cthulhu, the ties that strangle. A loving family, a close-knit circle of friends, can provide support and motivation, but they can also become targets for your enemies. Rivals can add a layer of personal conflict to your investigations, as you compete to solve the mystery first – or simply try to outdo each other at the local speakeasy. And let’s not forget the organizations: are you a member of a secret society with its own hidden agenda? Or perhaps you’re being hunted by a cult who see you as a threat to their dark designs. These connections, whether positive or negative, can have a huge impact on your character’s choices and the course of the entire campaign. Remember, even in the face of cosmic horror, human connection – or the lack thereof – can be the most powerful force of all.

Navigating the Shadows: Key Game Elements and Entities

Alright, you’ve got your investigator prepped, their trench coat is lookin’ sharp, and they’re ready to tango with the terrors of the Call of Cthulhu. But before you throw them headfirst into the abyss, let’s peek behind the curtain at some of the lovely things they’re likely to encounter. Think of this as your investigator’s survival guide to the truly nasty bits.

Mythos Tomes: Books That Bite Back

First up? Mythos Tomes. These aren’t your average page-turners. Forget dragons and wizards – these books are filled with knowledge that humanity was never meant to know. Seriously, reading one of these things can be hazardous to your health, both physically AND mentally. Think of them as Lovecraftian Wikipedia entries, only instead of learning about the mating habits of the lesser spotted newt, you’re getting the lowdown on elder gods and rituals that would make your sanity check fail spectacularly. The catch is that they often hold vital clues. What’s an investigator to do?

Cults: Not Your Grandma’s Book Club

Next on the agenda: Cults. These aren’t your friendly neighborhood gardening clubs (unless, of course, they’re cultivating something REALLY sinister). We’re talking organizations dedicated to worshipping those aforementioned Mythos entities. They’re usually up to no good, performing ancient rituals, summoning unspeakable horrors, and generally making life difficult for anyone trying to stop them. Picture a group of cosplayers but instead of Comic-Con, they’re trying to bring about the end of the world. Your investigator might be up against brainwashed followers or charismatic leaders with a direct line to cosmic evil. Either way, avoid the punch at their meetings.

Secret Societies: Friends, Foes, or Frenemies?

Last but certainly not least, we’ve got Secret Societies. Now, these guys are a mixed bag. Some might be trying to protect humanity from the Mythos, working from the shadows to combat the darkness. Others? Well, let’s just say their agendas are a little more…complicated. They might be hoarding forbidden knowledge for their own purposes, manipulating events from behind the scenes, or even dabbling in the Mythos themselves. Your investigator might find themselves seeking the society’s help or battling its members. These societies add a layer of intrigue and moral ambiguity to the game. Are they allies, enemies, or just obstacles? It’s a question your investigator will need to answer quickly.

So, there you have it! Creating a Call of Cthulhu character might seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a blast. Now go forth, roll those dice, and try not to lose your sanity too quickly! Happy gaming!