It has been my experience, when introducing new characters into games, that the original group will treat the newcomer like they have a DEFCON 1 level of cooties. It is quite amusing to see the newcomer attempt to breach the circle of trust in a group once introduced. It could be that we are trying to roleplay something interesting and a normal introduction is just not that exciting or maybe we feel that this new character needs to prove themselves worthy before they are fully accepted. In some cases, I think it is warranted however, most of the time we are just trying to get a new character up and running and get back to the story at hand. The conversations that characters have with one another can go in circles and sometimes even create tension between one or more characters which can create an interesting dynamic in the storyline or a block in forward inertia. Read more...

By: David Pitzel Jan. 4, 2017, 1:01 p.m.

So you have your rulebook, your dice, some pencils and paper and your beverage of choice. You are off on an adventure which you hope will amaze and astound the would-be investigators. They have all selected their favorite professions and have rolled up a group of investigators. Now you can begin to weave your tale of mystery and horror, but wait, what the hell is the farmer doing at the high priced charity ball, and why would the history professor be friends with the career criminal. OK, we have some issues here, you would love just to say, who cares, let's just start playing, but of course, you can't. That might fly with a group of friends just playing in a basement somewhere, but it is much more likely that you are playing at a public game store, a convention, or on some sort of on-line virtual table that is also open to the public. In these cases, the players are going to hold your feet to the coals and ask you, "What the hell am I doing here?" Read more...

By: David Pitzel Dec. 6, 2016, 1:17 p.m.

With the 7th edition of Call of Cthulhu firmly upon us, I wanted to take some time to discuss bonuses, penalty and pushed rolls under the new system. If you haven't picked up a copy of the 7th edition, you probably should, but it's going to cost you. You can, however, check out the quick start PDF that is free HERE. I do not yet own a copy of the 7th edition book, but I do have the full PDF version. The trouble with getting a PDF before the physical copy is that you have the content in hand, and it makes it harder to spend the money on the physical copy if you're on a budget like myself. Nonetheless, the 7th edition keepers guide is beautiful, the investigator's handbook is as well, but if you are only looking to get the rules, you won't need to pick that up. The investigator's handbook does have lots of great information dealing with the creation, customization, and playing of your character. Again, this is a top-notch book and Chaosium Inc. has done a great job on these. Add in the Keeper's screen and the field guide, and your sitting pretty. For those of you who are new, you may not want to drop money just for the sake of owning the books. In this case, the free PDF will get you playing the game, and if you want to buy the more in-depth PDFs, those are available as well for a lower cost than the physical books. Call of Cthulhu is less about rules than it is about the story, so if you get the quick start guide and some free auto calculating character sheets, also available at Chaosium Inc. you will be set. Now you're on your way to the eldritch horrors of the Mythos, beware. Read more...

By: David Pitzel Dec. 2, 2016, 3:09 p.m.

The subject of table manners is probably something that comes up often, and I would assume there is a large degree of difference between one individual and another in regards to this topic. First of all, I am not talking bout keeping your elbows off the table or eating with your mouth closed, although those may be valid table manners in the context of what this article is about, I am talking about the role-playing game table. Let me define that, though, because, in the digital age, the game table can mean many things. I describe the game table as any group that gets together in some fashion, whether it be an actual table, a virtual table like Roll20.net, voice chat, video chat, or a good old fashion message board, to play a game. Read more...

By: David Pitzel Dec. 1, 2016, 12:37 p.m.

It is inevitable when you play a role-playing game, regardless of what type, that you will have players who will bring the weaponry and bring it heavy. Not to say this is a bad thing. Many games are based on precisely that, carry a big gun, and shoot it often. In Call of Cthulhu, however, this is not the style of play that gets results. Well, I shouldn't say that it gets results, just not always the ones you wanted. Now it is well known that Call of Cthulhu is not a combat-based game and that it focuses more on story than combat. I agree, but at the same time, you will eventually have combat in a CoC game. There are times that it is unavoidable, and so, out come the guns. Read more...

By: David Pitzel Nov. 20, 2016, 5:24 a.m.