I'm proofing the book now, in preparation for submission to Chaosium for approval. This is one well-written book. It's very faithful to the Lovecraft universe and the Mythos which it inspired. The layout is very evocative, as is the artwork. If you are a fan of Call of Cthulhu, you owe it to yourself to check this book out.
There are a number of backgrounds and 3 new roles which are central to the 1920's, which is the primarily setting. However, these can easily be used in other time periods, such as the modern era. Alternately, if you choose to go the Delta Green Route, this book will do that type of game justice. As you might expect, Shadows of Cthulhu provides you with statted Mythos creatures, rules for Sanity and some new mechanics, like Awareness points, which allow you to unlock mythos traits as your characters gain more knowledge about the "things that should not be." If you've never played a Call of Cthulhu game, we got you covered as well, with adventure suggestions, advice on running a Cthulhu game, and even pregenerated Characters you can use "right out of the box." All in all, this is one hot book.
My compliments to the writers and editors. The werecabbages have delivered yet another fine product.
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What system does this use? Since you posted this here in the "d20/OGL board", and not the "Other RPG's" board, I'm going to assume it will be d20/OGL based...
Which I think would be cool, as d20 Cthulhu did not get a whole lot of support (but then, I'm one of the few "weirdo’s" that kind of liked the d20 version of CoC)...
-That One Digitalelf Fellow-
What system does this use? Since you posted this here in the "d20/OGL board", and not the "Other RPG's" board, I'm going to assume it will be d20/OGL based...
Which I think would be cool, as d20 Cthulhu did not get a whole lot of support (but then, I'm one of the few "weirdo’s" that kind of liked the d20 version of CoC)...
-That One Digitalelf Fellow-
Hiya Digitalelf,
Shadows of Cthulhu will be for the True20 game system.
As I said above, it's incredibly well-written. Proofing has been difficult today, because I catch myself geeking out on adventure ideas and supplements I'd like to do instead of reading the darned thing. *lol*
You can get more information about it on my website:
www.realitydeviants.net
Here's Cthulhu, statted for 34th level, True20 style:
Why anyone would ever think of trying to go head to head with him is beyond me, but hey.. You guys are free to try ;)
Cthulhu
Type: 34th Level Outsider (Great Old One)
Size: Colossal
Speed: 90 ft., swim 60 ft., fly 90 ft.
Abilities: Str +14, Dex +3, Con +8, Int +5, Wis+5, Cha +8
Skills: Bluff 37 (+45), Climb 37 (+51), Craft (architecture)
37 (+42), Intimidate 37 (+45), Knowledge (supernatural) 37 (+42), Mythos Knowledge (history, life sciences, physical sciences, theology and philosophy) 37 (+42), Notice 37 (+42), Sense Motive 37 (+42)
Feats: All-out Attack, Cleave, Double Strike, Great Cleave, Hover, Imbue Item, Improved Grab, Iron Will, Move-By Action,Powers(B), Seize Initiative, Tough, Wingover
Traits: Amphibious, Damage Reduction 8/supernatural, Darkvision 120 ft., Fast Healing, Fear Aura, Powers (rank 37, Cha, save Difficulty 35, all powers except elemental powers and curing powers+45), Sanity, Tear.
Combat: Attack +27 (-8 Size, +34 base, +3 Dex,-2 two-weapon), Damage +18 (2 x claws), Defense:Dodge/Parry +29/ - (-8 Size, +34 base, +3 Dex), Initiative+3
Saves: Toughness +20 (+8 Size, +8 Con, +4 natural),
Fortitude +27 (+19 base, +8 Con), Reflex +22(+19 base, +3 Dex), Will +26 (+19 base, +5 Wis, +2 Iron Will)
Combat
Cthulhu can rake though crowds of creatures each round with two attacks from his massive hands, taking advantage of his cleaving ability. He can substitute attacks with one or two of the tentacles on his face, which are each capable of grappling and crushing creatures up to Large size. Cthulhu seeks to destroy any non-worshipers in his vicinity, pursuing them through water, across land, or through the air. If Cthulhu is slain, his
body disintegrates and reforms in a slumbering state back in the depths of R’lyeh, which immediately sinks back to the bottom of the ocean.
Amphibious: Cthulhu can breathe both air and water.
Fast Healing: Cthulhu is not made of the stuff of this earth, so earthly weapons cannot damage him permanently. He makes recovery checks once per round for staggered or unconscious, and once per minute for wounded, disabled or dying. Any damage caused by supernatural weapons heals at the normal rate.
Fear Aura: Anyone who sees Great Cthulhu must succeed on a Difficulty 35 Will save or be affected as though by the fear effect of the Heart Shaping power. A creature that successfully saves is immune to Cthulhu’sappearance for 24 hours. The save Difficulty is Charisma-based.
Sanity: Seeing Cthulhu causes an anxiety disorder (Difficulty 35 Sanity) and a mood disorder (Difficulty39 Sanity).
Tear: If Cthulhu successfully grapples a creature with one of his facial tentacles, he may try to tear the creature apart as a move action. The target of this attack must succeed on a Difficulty 41 Fortitude save or be torn in half.
The preview for Shadows of Cthulhu is up!
you can check it out Here
This may sound like a PR stunt, but it's not.
I've been having some SERIOUSLY weird dreams ever since I started proofing the Shadows of Cthulhu book.
Strange stuff dealing with swimming in stormy water, being chased by hounds through old towns, being lost...
The dreams are violent, too, especially the ones in water. The other dreams I'm having deal mainly with running from things, trying to escape whatever it is that's hunting me.
Maybe I shouldn't unleash this book on you guys..
Good point.
Ok better release it. I don't want it locked away at Miskatonic.
I'll try the tape recorder. Maybe I don't wanna know though.
And the nightmares continue!
These were just plain weird. I was at some summer camp where all the kids were beating each other with baseball bats. I think I was some counselor.. but my quarters were in a mental ward section of the camp, and everyone only came out at night. I had to sneak food, too. Nobody was feeding me anything.
There were others, but I can't quite recall them. I just know they were freaky.
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I really liked the way True20 works with Cthulhu.
I tried d20 Cthulhu years ago, but I had some issues with it. First, d20 assumes heroic development (a 5th level character is WAY more powerful than a 1st level) which is a little overpowering for my Cthulhu style. Second, the spells and Mythos knowledge mechanics seemed to be at odds with the basic d20 mechanics (learning spells without leveling, mythos knowledge working different than other skills). It was like they took d20 Modern and stuck half of the Chaosium rules on the outside.
For Shadows of Cthulhu, we tried to stay within the spirit of the True20 system, and I love what happened. It's clean and it feels right.
David, Russel,
It looks like a great work, but it leads me to a very practical question. I know that some of Reality Deviant works are available in print already, like Reign of Discordia, and as many True20 fans, I would like to have a look at them beyond the previews available on the net.
But, where I live (Central London), it is just impossible to find your books in any gaming store. When I ask about them, the answer I get is "Reality who ?". Is it because you have reserved your print works for the US only ?
David, Russel,
It looks like a great work, but it leads me to a very practical question. I know that some of Reality Deviant works are available in print already, like Reign of Discordia, and as many True20 fans, I would like to have a look at them beyond the previews available on the net.
But, where I live (Central London), it is just impossible to find your books in any gaming store. When I ask about them, the answer I get is "Reality who ?". Is it because you have reserved your print works for the US only ?
Mad Elf, thanks so much for your questions.
Promoting products elsewhere on Paizo boards is justifiably frowned on, and since I don't have my print books for sale here, I can't do anyhting other than point you to my website:
www.realitydeviants.net
There you can find links to places to buy my printed products.
Beyond that, I'm happy to announce I've signed with Mongoose publishing to become a member of the Flaming Cobra print family, so you should be able to grab all of my print products in 2009.
Thank you so much for your interest, and I'm sorry I can't be a greater help to you.
If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to email me at:
mdavidjarvis@yahoo.com
I really liked the way True20 works with Cthulhu.
I tried d20 Cthulhu years ago, but I had some issues with it. First, d20 assumes heroic development (a 5th level character is WAY more powerful than a 1st level) which is a little overpowering for my Cthulhu style. Second, the spells and Mythos knowledge mechanics seemed to be at odds with the basic d20 mechanics (learning spells without leveling, mythos knowledge working different than other skills). It was like they took d20 Modern and stuck half of the Chaosium rules on the outside.
For Shadows of Cthulhu, we tried to stay within the spirit of the True20 system, and I love what happened. It's clean and it feels right.
You did a great job on it. Troy Taylor and Ed Healy, likewise, did outstanding work with the editing.
You guys should pat youselves on the backs for a job well done.
I can't wait until this puppy pops. people are going to love it.
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But, where I live (Central London), it is just impossible to find your books in any gaming store.
Hmmm. I'm trying to figure out a devious excuse to deliver books to you in person. It's been a couple years since I was in London (I remember the Orc's Nest! And Forbidden Planet!). My family's about due for another trip to the UK, but since America's economy started heading for third world status, it's become very expensive to travel. Thinking hard.
"Honey, the kids are both in college and it's off-season." Sounds good.
Just an update.
Shadows of Cthulhu has been released!
I'm just waiting on the great guys here at paizo to review the book and put it up for sale!