Call of Cthulhu, 7e: Cults of Cthulhu.
Secrets of the Cthulhu Cult.
Cults of Cthulhu delves into the human side of the dark and horrific world of those who worship the dead yet dreaming abomination known as Great Cthulhu. Here, twisted humans try to find meaning in a hopeless universe, and seek purpose in their fleeting and insignificant lives. This is the world of the Cthulhu Cult and those who hear its master’s dark call.
In Call of Cthulhu there are many who serve the alien forces of the universe and seek to trade favor for power. But, there is one insidious cult that rises above the rest. One that has secretly permeated human civilization since before human civilization even existed: the Cthulhu Cult. From the history of its varied forms through to its notable personalities, this sourcebook presents not only ready to use Cthulhu cults but also advice on designing unique cults to trouble your investigators in your games and campaigns.
Herein, a horrific doorway is thrown open. Inside, the intricacies of Cthulhu cults and their varying permutations are explored in depth. As a Keeper, writer, or storyteller, this book can be used as a tool to help inspire you to expand and create something totally new, but still rooted in the twisted brambles and sunken seaweed of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Cults of Cthulhu guides you in the creation of complex and believable antagonists for your scenarios and campaigns—villains who are more than just faceless, robed minions and who perhaps embody the most terrifying threat in all of the Mythos.
Mature Content
This book deals with mature themes and is intended for mature players.
This supplement is best used with the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game and, optionally, with the Pulp Cthulhu supplement, both available separately.
Chapter 1: History of the Cthulhu Cult, a collection of historical accounts of events possibly connected to the worship of Great Cthulhu. From the 1920s research of Mildred Schwartz through to the modern age information gathered by David Eberhart, a documentary film student.
Chapter 2: Cults of Cthulhu, a detailed look at five Cthulhu cults from different periods in history. Each explores the history, beliefs, and social structure of the differing cults, as well as detailing their leaders and key members, along with possible plot and story ideas.
Chapter 3: Creating a Cthulhu Cult, the nitty-gritty of creating your own Cthulhu cult, providing details about what makes a Cthulhu cult different from other types of Mythos cults, as well as going into organizational structures. Provides a step-by-step process for designing a cult from the ground up, looking deep into aspects such as financing, recruitment, and organization. Advice for creating a cult leader, arguably, the linchpin of any cult, is included. Three example cults are included to demonstrate the method as well as offer inspiration.
Chapter 4: Cultists, Monsters, and Artifacts, provides resources for Keepers, including profiles for a wide range of generic cultists, as well as monstrous followers and allied alien creatures. In depth analysis about the Deathless Masters, and guidance on how to create these undying masters. This chapter also details new supernatural artifacts, and new spells to cause investigators nightmares.
Chapters 5 to 7: Scenarios, a collection of three adventures, set in different time periods and locations. Each provides the basis for expanded play and can be used to set up new campaigns. You can play these scenarios as separate adventures or link them together to paint a much broader picture of the Cthulhu Cult across both time and the world. While structured to take place in differing eras, the scenarios can be adjusted to allow play in a single time period, be it the 1920s–1930s or the modern-day.
Appendices, cover suggested further reading and inspiration, using Mythos tomes when researching Cthulhu, and collected player handouts and maps from the scenarios.