MOB

By David Larkins, Pendragon line editor. A new edition of the Pendragon RPG is coming! The intention of this series of design journals by Pendragon line editor David Larkins is to trace the path of development, starting in the early 1980s and culminating with the forthcoming new edition of the Pendragon RPG, which will be first to be wholly published by Chaosium in a quarter-century. Pendragon Design Journal #1: Where It All Began Pendragon Design Journal #2: Bringing the Light Pendragon Design Journal #3: A Modular Approach Pendragon Design Journal #4: Refining Traits and Passions Pendragon Design Journal #5: Honor and Glory Pendragon Design Journal #6: Combat! Pendragon Design Journal #7: The Social Game As we’ve discussed before in this series, a knight’s primary duty is fighting for their lord. The ultimate expression of this comes in the clash of massed formations of warriors on the field of battle. Every edition of Pendragon has featured a system for resolving mass battles, though this system changed and evolved over time. The new edition is no exception. In the month’s journal entry, we’re taking a look at how the new Battle System came together, and what players old and new can expect from the game experience. The new Battle System was actually the first thing Greg Stafford handed to me for feedback and development after he brought me on board as Line Editor. We agreed that the new system needed a play experience that flowed smoothly while also centering the experience of the Player-knights in the larger context of battle. A personal goal of mine was to combine the Skirmish and Battle rules of earlier editions, so that the same system would suffice for clashes of a couple dozen all the way up to huge engagements like Badon Hill or Camlann. In terms of rules design, the Battle System (and its cousin, the Siege Assault System) easily took up the majority of my personal writing and development time as I worked on the core rules manuscripts. It was play-tested extensively, both with my own groups as well as groups around the world. The end result, I feel, is the best iteration of the Pendragon Battle System to date. As with personal combat, battles now move quickly—it’s quite possible to run a large battle and still have time left for the rest of the year’s events in a typical 3-4 hour session. Every Player-knight’s Battle Skill now matters. Conflicts have a natural ebb and flow to them, interspersed with explosions of unexpected activity. Most importantly (to me, personally) is the shift of earning Glory in battle: merely showing up to a battle earns you a nominal amount (it is what’s expected of knights, after all); it is in the command of troops and the defeat of worthy foes that a knight truly rakes in Glory, just as it should be! As with previous iterations, the 6th edition Battle System keeps overall events largely abstracted, and makes no attempt at reflecting the true realities of medieval warfare. This is battle as knights of the Middle Ages wished it could be: they are the stars, and all others tremble before their might! Archers? Peasants with long sticks? Pshaw, sir! Merely chaff to be swept aside as we ride for Glory, fighting corps-a-corps against our brother knights! (Of course, this being Pendragon, there’s no guarantee against an upstart peasant scoring a lucky hit and severely hampering your knight’s day, but we’ll move swiftly on from that unpleasant thought…) And it is in Encounters and Opportunities, the heart of the new Battle System, where the Glory of the fight lies. These are set-piece fights against selected groups of opponents (Elite Knights on Horseback, Saxon Berserkers, etc.), fought in a variable number of Combat Rounds. At the start of a battle, the Gamemaster assembles a list of Encounters and Opportunities appropriate to the makeup of the enemy force. A small skirmish might have just one or two possible Encounters, while a larger battle likely boasts a half-dozen or more. (Gamemasters may write out these options as a literal list. I’ve also made Encounter and Opportunity cards which I’ve used in my own games, and we will be offering these for sale in themed decks, as well as a selection to be included in the Pendragon Starter Set.) Each Battle Turn, the Gamemaster selects an Encounter from the list and presents it to the players. Each Player-knight then rolls their Battle Skill. If they succeed, they may add another Encounter from the list; a critical success generates an Opportunity instead—think of things like trying to capture the enemy battle standard, or raiding their baggage train. If an Opportunity was generated, that’s what happens this Battle Turn. Otherwise, the Gamemaster rolls against the battle’s Intensity (generated at the beginning of the fight); they get to choose the Encounter if they succeed, otherwise leaving it up to the players to pick. For example, in a fight against Saxons, the Gamemaster might select (or the scenario might dictate) a Saxon Berserker Encounter this Battle Turn. The Player-knights no doubt wish to avoid that particular meat grinder, and (thanks to three successful Battle rolls from the group) instead choose Saxon Huscarls, Saxon Ceorls, and Mercenary Knights. The Gamemaster fails the Intensity roll, so the players now have four Encounters to choose amongst. Reasoning that the Mercenary Knights offer the best odds for good ransom and the highest potential Glory awards, they select this Encounter. (Had the Gamemaster succeeded, they could choose from among the four Encounters as well—they are not necessarily bound to go with their initial selection if they like one of the players’ picks better.) At this point, each individual Player-knight selects their posture for the Turn: Prudent, Valorous, or Reckless. (There is a Cowardly posture as well, but no self-respecting knight would choose this—rather it is imposed on them under certain conditions.) The posture commits the knight to fighting a certain number of Combat Rounds against the chosen opponent. Being Prudent means only one round of fighting, but it reduces the group’s Morale (more on this in a moment); Reckless knights must fight three rounds, but not only boost their unit’s Morale but have the best shot at downing more than one opponent! Morale is the crucial counterbalance in the new system. It is generated from the values of the Passions that most motivate each knight (one may be fighting for an amor, another for their lord, etc.) and all but guarantees that the Player-knights will not be constantly engaged in fighting. Rather, they will fight for two or three Battle Turns, then “retire to the rear” to regain their wind and have wounds bandaged up before once again hurling themselves into the breach. Encounters cause Morale loss—the tougher the fight, the greater the loss. As mentioned above, this may be counteracted by Reckless attacks, but unless everyone is acting Recklessly, eventually the Morale loss becomes too much. (And a whole unit of Reckless knights is not long for the world anyway…) Thus we have the core of the Battle System experience: a balancing act between prudence and recklessness, always striving for Glory when not otherwise forced back, bloody and battered, anxious to rejoin the fight and start the cycle again. Even in the biggest battles, the focus remains on the exploits of the individual Player-knights, and the consequences of their choices on how and whom they fight as the battle progresses. There are, of course, many other aspects to the battle system, such as mechanics for preparing for the battle, determining who won after a battle if the outcome was in doubt, how to handle Player-knight unit (or army) commanders, madness and cowardice on the field, and so forth, but I’ve gone on enough for one journal entry already. Hopefully you’ve seen enough to get you excited for the new system! Next time: horses, of course! Art: by Mark Smylie

Our friends at Syrinscape released the Soundpack for the Calcutta chapter of The Two Headed Serpent, our epic action-packed and globe-spanning campaign for Pulp Cthulhu. From all the luxurious and not so luxurious hotels around this part of India to the tearooms and temples. A hit and run incident and chases on foot throughout the city occupy this sandbox chapter of the adventure. Everything is here to immerse you with background sound and music that matches the story, scene by scene. See also the Soundpacks for the Bolivia, New York, North Borneo, Oklahoma, Iceland, and Belgian Congo chapters!

Our friends Chris and Rita Birch, co-founders of Modiphius, have launched a not-for-profit called RollVsEvil which aims to bring the tabletop gaming community together to fight real world evils. RollVsEvil’s first campaign is in support of people suffering from the invasion of Ukraine: this Saturday, play a game, donate, fight real evil! RollVsEvil is supporting frontline groups working to help the people of Ukraine, medical aid, evacuation of the vulnerable, places to stay, and combating the human trafficking at the border. The first event aims to keep it simple, asking interested gamers to “‘Just play a game” online or in-person on Saturday, March 26, and donate to the RollVsEvil fundraising page. As part of this, Roll20 is also launching a special free bundle to get you playing and supporting RollVsEvil. This features content from Chaosium and many other TTRPG publishers: you'll find our Roll20 version The Dead Boarder there, an ideal adventure to give a taste of Call of Cthulhu's core motifs of mystery, investigation, and horror, and suitable for beginning and experienced players and Keepers alike. For more details and get the download link, check out: www.rollvsevil.com

Chaosium President Rick Meints imagines what Chaosium Con 10 might be like, and reflects on his past and on the future of Chaosium. He's talking to James Coquillat for our 'Chaosium Interviews' series. There's still time to attend the inaugural Chaosium Con in Ann Arbor next month: get your con badge here!

Yes, as outlined in the other thread. 'The Fate of the Coders': Julan, Eslas, Maculus, and a new member, Anderida's daughter Johana, continue in their Coder service on missions throughout the Lunar periphery for a couple of years. It is after Eslas is left behind - or chooses to remain behind - on a disastrous mission beyond the Redlands that the group disbands: this is around the time of the Dragonrise. And then we get The New Coders, with Johana as the leader and a new crew of heroes

None of the Coders ever probably return to Prax again after they are recalled following the Cradle episode; their involvement in that debacle I outline in this other thread, along with what happens to all of them in the years afterwards up to the current RQG timeline. (TL/DR: After being cleared in the recriminations that followed the Cradle, Count Julan is later promoted to higher office in the Citadel of Halfway; Princess Anderida withdraws to the Red Moon; Maculus finally retires to do his 'sorcerer in a tower' thing in his own purpose-built retreat near Eneal in Aggar; Nose Ring is said to be captaining one of the fabled Black Galleys in the Underworld, seeking the Giant baby; and Eslas defects from the Empire to serve the returned Sheng Seleris). But, in the shattered times after the Dragonrise, Princess Anderida's daughter Johana forms a new cadre of Lunar Coders, so who knows where they might appear!

Chaosium staff artist Loïc Muzy talks about how he learnt to be an illustrator for TTRPGS. Part of our Chaosium Interviews series with James Coquillat. nb this interview is in French with English subtitles.

Author of Call of Cthulhu's Berlin the Wicked City, David Larkins, talks to James Coquillat about his process for writing with precise historical detail. Part of our Chaosium Interviews series; watch them all on YouTube!

Many thanks to the nearly 3000 people who downloaded a 'Pay-What-You-Want' copy of our Call of Cthulhu release Does Love Forgive? over the past two weeks and made a donation to Ukrainian relief efforts. Based on messages and feedback from supporters of this initiative, we estimate USD$18,000 or more has been raised for organisations supporting people seeking safety from the conflict in Ukraine. And some kind people did actually pay us at DriveThruRPG too, so we'll be donating that entire amount to Ukrainian relief as well. Does Love Forgive? was originally published in Polish by our friends Black Monk Games. So far, Poland has accepted over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees. Black Monk is running their own charitable support efforts, and have links where you can donate directly to Polish aid organisations. If you would still like to support Ukrainian charitable relief, here is a list of worthy organisations. #weareallus

The Brazen Head is one of the eldritch items up for bidding in the classic Call of Cthulhu scenario 'The Auction'. It is rumoured to be a powerful Mythos artefact, said to be able to answer questions put to it – if the right ritual is performed. 'The Auction' is from The Asylum, which is returning to print as part of the Call of Cthulhu Classic Kickstarter, and will be available in general release in May. You can also see the Brazen Head in the splendidly authentic auction catalogue our friends H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society have created, as part of their Call of Cthulhu Classic Gamer Prop Set (which opened for pre-orders yesterday)... ... and now, thanks to our friends at TYPE40, you and your players can also experience the Brazen Head through an all-new lens, as a 3D digital prop! Only $1.99 — Pack contents Brazen Head: 5 digital reference cards + 3D digital prop Using Augmented Reality: 1 digital reference card AR: Supported Devices: 1 digital reference card Digital reference cards Each artifact has two to four digital reference cards, provided as PNG format images. If you run your games via a virtual tabletop (such as Roll20 or Astral), or video call (such as Zoom), you can upload and share each card as a digital handout. If you and your group play in person, print and use them as you would a paper handout. 3D digital props 3D digital props are supplied as GLB format. You can view these using the 3D Viewer app on Windows 10/11, or with a variety of free third-party apps that support GLB files on any device. No software or app is required! Just scan the accompanying QR code on your phone or device to display the game prop. You’ll be able to explore the prop for clues and information, switch to Augmented Reality with a tap. TYPE40 founder Allan Carey says, "I’ve been playing Call of Cthulhu since 1987 and it continues to strike fear into my heart and drive my imagination. I love it." Do check out the rest of TYPE40's range of digital gamer props for Call of Cthulhu, including The Call of Cthulhu Starter Set, Doors to Darkness, and Masks of Nyarlathotep (Peru chapter is Free!).

If you follow the story I posted here, taking events in Sun County from the Cradle through the Great Winter to the second battle of Moonbroth, it's pretty clear the priest Daystar has embraced Chaos deep down in the mines of Pent Ridge. But I don't think his protege Belvani knows that, and he betrays the Lunars literally at the last second at Moonbroth, adroitly changing sides. Although he is illuminated, Belvani aims to win by not losing, which is a very Yelmalion thing to do.

The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society's Call of Cthulhu Classic Gamer Prop Set is open now for preorders - and if you order it now you get special pre-order perks. The HPLHS's Masks of Nyarlathotep Gamer Prop Set won product of the year in the 2019 ENNIE Awards, and this one promises to be just as awesome, with "levels of detail and realism to enhance fun and test sanity". Created to coincide with the release of our Call of Cthulhu Classic Kickstarter, what does the HPLHS Gamer Prop Set contain? A sixteen-page broadsheet newspaper containing 42 different newspaper clippings, printed on real newsprint, complete with fronts and backs, easter eggs and bonus material Large format maps, a nautical chart and other large items Scads of handwritten letters, diaries and notes Brochures & Photos Police and other legal forms Pages from horrifying books and much more! PLUS PRE-ORDER PERKS! Order now and you'll get the HPLHS's special Pre-Order Bonus: large format period maps of Austria, Scotland and the Belgian Congo! And you'll get the whole set at a special awesome introductory price. All told, you get 124 individual props in this set, all organized into handy folders with complete instructions. Remember – if you missed the Kickstarter: we will have left-over copies of both of the Call of Cthulhu Classic boxed sets available for sale to the general public via Chaosium.com. These will go on sale directly after the Kickstarter fulfilment, tentatively scheduled for early May.

In his latest 'Out of the Suitcase' post, Chaosium president Rick Meints says he can't imagine playing RuneQuest in Glorantha without Cults of Prax; it's one for the ages. Although first released way back in 1979, it is still considered one of the best treatments of religion in a fantasy RPG ever written. From the archives, this is William Church's original map for the cover of the second printing, done in ink and watercolors. https://www.chaosium.com/blogout-of-the-suitcase-31-cults-of-prax-one-for-the-ages

Our Call of Cthulhu release 'DOES LOVE FORGIVE?' will remain Pay-What-You-Want at DriveThruRPG until March 14. Remember, don't pay us*, make a donation to a Ukrainian aid organisation instead (suggested places to donate at the link). So far, more than 2000 Call of Cthulhu fans have downloaded the adventure. If everyone has then gone on to donate the cost of the PDF – and we know that some people have donated a lot more – that's at least $12,000 towards supporting refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. As our friends at Black Monk have said, "We can't do much alone, but together we have the strength that matters." #weareallus *some kind people have nevertheless paid us too, so we'll be donating that entire amount to Ukrainian relief as well. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/322173/Does-Love-Forgive

David Larkins, Pendragon line editor and author of Call of Cthulhu's Berlin the Wicked City, talks about how TTRPGs evolve over time as they go through new editions and their fan base changes. Part of our Chaosium Interviews series with James Coquillat.

That is correct. But the BRP monographs could be republished on DTRPG using the BRP SRD/OGL. The creators wouldn't even need Chaosium's permission (or pay any royalties) to do that. As @Rick Meintssaid, the Stormbringer stuff is off the table. Of the BRP titles, many of these were just filed off RQ3 rulebooks done in-house, because Chaosium no longer had the rights. If/when we do a revamp of the BGB I guess we can look at those again, but it's likely they won't be repeated: after all, Chaosium now owns RuneQuest again. Of the other BRP monographs, as outlined above they could republished on DriveThruRPG (or elsewhere) using the BRP SRD/OGL. Or released as fan works non-commercially under the Fan Materials policy. But as @David Scott noted, the vast majority of the monographs were for Call of Cthulhu, so we're going to prioritize getting the MULA stuff sorted first as we have an ideal venue in the Miskatonic Repository for republication. The reality is, none of the monographs were selling well for a very long time (we took them down on December 31st, but it was several weeks before anyone even noticed). The Miskatonic Repository gives all the MULA monographs a chance of a new lease of life, especially as we're going to allow them all to be POD from the outset.

Last November, Peter Willington signed up to the Storytelling Collective’s month-long RPG Writer Workshop and produced his first Call of Cthulhu scenario. 'The Catcott Collection' is an intimate one-to-one story set in 1920s Bristol, beautifully illustrated with period images sourced from the archives of the Bristol Museum. As our community content ambassador @Nick Brooke writes, the Bristol Museum's Archivist was not remotely fazed that Peter’s scenario depicted his employer exposing casual researchers to the perils of madness and death, and asked to have a copy for inclusion in their archives "as an unusual re-use of our holdings." More here: https://www.chaosium.com/blogmiskatonic-monday-47-the-catcott-collection-now-available-in-print-preserved-forever-in-the-bristol-archives-as-an-unusual-reuse-of-our-holdings

Chaosium Con Event Registration is open: https://warhorn.net/events/chaosium-con-2022 Create an account, log in, and fill your schedule with VIP events, games, panels, workshops, auctions, seminars, and more!!! Join us in Ann Arbor Michigan for the inaugural Chaosium Con. It's going to be AWESOME. See you in Ann Arbor!

Many thanks to the 1000+ people so far who have downloaded a free copy of 'Does Love Forgive?'. If everyone has then gone on to donate the cost of the PDF – and we know that some people have donated a lot more – that's some $6000 towards supporting refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. Does Love Forgive? will remain Pay-What-You-Want at DriveThruRPG until March 14. Remember, don't pay us, make a donation to an aid organisation instead (suggested places at the link).

We're making the Call of Cthulhu scenario collection Does Love Forgive? 'Pay-What-You-Want' on DriveThruRPG for the next two weeks (regular price is USD$5.99). If you download it, instead of paying us, we encourage you to make a donation to organisations supporting people seeking safety from the conflict in Ukraine. Does Love Forgive? is a collection of two special scenarios for Call of Cthulhu for one Keeper and one player — great for a fun evening of gaming for two people. It was originally published in Polish by our friends Black Monk Games. As a neighbour to Ukraine, Poland is welcoming an influx of refugees — it is reported over 327,000 people have sought refuge so far, with a queue still going for many miles on the Ukranian side of the border. Black Monk is running their own charitable support efforts, and have links where you can donate directly to Polish aid organisations. Here are some other places where you can donate: International Committee of the Red Cross - Ukraine Crisis UNHCR United Nations Refugee Committee - Ukraine Emergency Save the Children - Ukraine Crisis Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres - Ukraine National Public Radio NPR also has a non-exhaustive list of organizations that are asking for assistance. As our friends at Black Monk have said, "We can't do much alone, but together we have the strength that matters." #weareallus

Our talented staff artist Loïc Muzy talks with James Coquillat about his experiences illustrating Cthulhu Mythos creatures throughout his career. You can see Loïc's superlative work throughout many Chaosium products, including The Malleus Monstrorum and the Petersen Field Guide to Lovecraftian Horrors. Part of our Chaosium Interviews series on YouTube (this interview is in French with English subtitles). Plus see Part Two: How RuneQuest Rekindled Loic Muzy's Passion for Art.

For our Chaosium Interviews series, staff artist Loïc Muzy shares with James Coquillat how his journey into working on RuneQuest Glorantha helped rekindle his passion for his artistic work. You can see some of Loïc's Gloranthan art in the RuneQuest Starter Set. nb this interview is in French with English subtitles.

We've retired the Chaosium monographs series but have a means to keep them in print, should the creators (who retain ownership of their original work) wish. Details at the link below.In retiring the monographs, we've acknowledged the important role Dustin Wright played in pioneering this program, which started in 2003 and ran for ten years, producing some 80 titles and launching the writing careers of quite a few Call of Cthulhu writers. And in many ways, presaging the community content programs of today, e.g. DM's Guild, Storyteller's Vault, Pathfinder Unlimited, and Chaosium's own Miskatonic Repository, Jonstown Compendium and Explorer's Society.