Paul Fricker Posted October 10, 2023 Share Posted October 10, 2023 https://blasphemoustomes.com/2023/10/10/the-shadow-over-innsmouth-part-1/ This is the first instalment of a multi-episode exploration of HP Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. It is a dive so deep it goes all the way down to Y’ha-nthlei. While “The Call of Cthulhu” gets all the name recognition, it’s fair to say that “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” is Lovecraft’s most influential story. It has spawned countless sequels, adaptations and imitations over the 90+ years since its first publication, and these show no sign of slowing down. More importantly for our purposes, Innsmouth and its ichthyic, batrachian residents are at the centre of a staggering number of Call of Cthulhu scenarios. This time, however, we start off by looking into the origins and influences behind this tale, then pick through the first chapter of the story, looking for gaming inspiration. News Apocalypse Grizzlies Scott recently joined the Apocalypse Players over at Grizzly Peaks Radio for a special series of crossover episodes, playing “Secret of Castronegro” from The Cthulhu Companion. Expect shenanigans! More Eldritch Stories Paul and Mike Mason have put out another batch of Eldritch Stories. You can find them anywhere you might find podcasts, or over at eldritchstories.com. Scott on Tear Them Apart Scott recently joined Paul Yellovich and Evan Dorkin for a livestream of the Tear Them Apart podcast, discussing all manner of horror films and how they relate to RPGs. You can watch the video below. Paul on Innsmouth Book Club Paul recently appeared on Episode 72 of the Innsmouth Book Club podcast, where he was joined by Mark Griffin from 30 Minutes+ With HPL. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Fricker Posted October 24, 2023 Author Share Posted October 24, 2023 Second part out now This is the second part of our multi-episode exploration of HP Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. Last time, we explored the origins of the story and then joined Robert Olmstead for a quick tour of Newburyport. Now, moving into chapter 2 of the story, we catch Joe Sargent’s bus from Newburyport, travel across the bleak seaside landscape, and then enjoy the faded grandeur of Innsmouth’s buildings. Come for the salt marshes, stay for the extended discussion of roof architecture! News Paul at Grogmeet Paul will be attending Grogmeet 2023 at Fanboy 3 in Manchester, between the 10th and 12th of November. Eldritch Stories Paul reads Porch Pirate, a story by Mike Mason on Mason and Fricker's Eldritch Stories. Also, Mike and Paul chat about various topics in Eldritch Extras - wherein Paul reads aloud from a blasphemous tome! Look out for a new story from Paul on Thursday. Scott Livestreaming at Symphony Entertainment Scott will be joining our good friends Bridgett Jeffries and Graham Walmsley over at Symphony Entertainment for a short livestream on the 1st of November. The stream will begin at 3 PM EDT/7PM GMT and run for around one hour. Two New Arcs on Ain’t Slayed Nobody Scott has also appeared in two new arcs over at Ain’t Slayed Nobody. “Eclipse of the Heart”, written and run by Rina Haenze, is now out in its entirety. This bloody romp through an ’80s high school prom features Camille Brouard, Kathryn Edmonds, cuppycup, and Scott. Cuppycup and Scott also appear in “The Waking Children”, alongside Bridgett Jeffries and Nic Rosenberg. This is a mini-arc written and run by Malevolent creator Harlan Guthrie, which will be released weekly on the ASN feed, starting from the 24th of October. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Fricker Posted November 7, 2023 Author Share Posted November 7, 2023 https://blasphemoustomes.com/2023/11/07/the-shadow-over-innsmouth-part-3/ Part 3 out now. This is the third part of our multi-episode exploration of HP Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. Last time, we jumped on Joe Sargent’s bus, made the journey to Innsmouth, and bought some cheese crackers. Now, in chapter 3 of the story, we finally meet Zadok Allen for one hell of an episode of Drunk History. Sure, this chapter is mostly exposition, but it’s written in such strong dialect that you’ll hardly notice. News Matt and Paul at The Innsmouth Literary Festival Paul and Matt attended the Innsmouth Literary Festival back at the end of September, and they share some of the highlights in this episode. These included film screenings from Chris Lackey and Greig Johnson, and a live performance by Lovecraftian metal band Arkham Witch. Paul Joins Chaosium Paul has moved from being a freelancer to taking up a staff position at Chaosium, where he is now an Associate editor, mostly working on Call of Cthulhu. Read the full article on the Chaosium Blog. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Fricker Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 The Shadow Over Innsmouth part 4 This is the fourth part of our multi-episode exploration of HP Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. Last time, we had a long, drunken chat with Zadok Allen, down by the docks. Now, we’re almost ready to catch the last bus out of town. This time, we reach the action-packed part of the story. Lovecraft isn’t known for his action scenes, but the chase sequence in “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” stands out in this respect. We break down Robert Olmstead’s attempt to flee Innsmouth and its inhabitants, finding plenty of gaming inspiration along the way. Links Things we mention in this episode include: The New Annotated HP Lovecraft, edited by Leslie Klinger Franklyn Expedition Shaun of the Dead (2004) Covered bridges “Tam O’ Shanter” by Robert Burns Quatermass and the Pit (1967) Saraband Malleus Monstrorum Tam O’ Shanter News Paul at Dragonmeet Paul will be at Dragonmeet 2023, on Saturday the 2nd of December. While he’s not sure about seminars or other events yet, you will be able to find him on the Chaosium stall. Do drop by and say hi. Matt and Scott at Illusion Horror Con Meanwhile, both Matt and Scott will be attending the Illusion Horror Con. This is an online convention devoted to horror RPGs. While the main focus is Kult, there will be all sorts of games going on over the weekend. Scott and Matt will also be appearing on a number of panels. Check the convention website for times and details Paul Doing Push-Ups for Charity Paul is raising money for Cancer Research UK by doing 100 push-ups every day throughout November. Please see his fundraising page for full details and give generously! Christmas Card and Tome If you are a Patreon backer of the podcast, at the $3 or above, please check your mailing address. We are almost ready to send out this year’s Christmas cards. Backers at the $5 level or higher will also receive a print copy of issue 11 of The Blasphemous Tome. This issue features “Blackshade”, a brand new Call of Cthulhu scenario by our own Scott Dorward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Fricker Posted December 5, 2023 Author Share Posted December 5, 2023 And here's part 5 of our discussion of Shadow over Innsmouth: This is the fifth part of our multi-episode exploration of HP Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. Last time, we followed Robert Olmstead’s increasingly frantic departure from the town of Innsmouth. This episode, we reach the end of the story. Olmstead now has time to process what he has seen and learnt. Of course, in true Lovecraftian fashion, that just makes things worse. Or does it? Strap yourself in for an extended debate about just what that ending means. We’ll be back next time to wrap up our analysis of the story and to pick the bones for some gaming meat. The Blasphemous Tome Issue 11 You have until the end of December 2023 to secure your copy of the latest issue of The Blasphemous Tome. Patreon backers at the $5 level or higher will receive a print copy, signed by our own gnarled hands. This issue features “Blackshade”, a brand new Call of Cthulhu scenario written by Scott Dorward. Christmas Story Reading on the Good Friends Discord Once again, Mike Perceval-Maxwell of Mr Spike’s Bedtime Stories is organising a Christmas ghost story reading on the Good Friends Discord server. You may have heard our earlier performances of “A Christmas Carol”, “The Canterville Ghost” and “The Viy”. This year, we are reading “Told After Supper” by Jerome K Jerome. Please join us if you can for the live readings at 22:30 GMT on the 18th, 19th and 20th of December. If you can’t make those, however, don’t worry! We also plan to record each reading and release them as special episodes on the Good Friends podcast feed. Paul at Grogmeet Paul attended Grogmeet 2023, where he played Paranoia, Vaesen and Dragonbane, and ran a new Call of Cthulhu scenario called “A Dark Age”. Thanks to Dirk and Blythy of The Grognard Files for organising the convention. Panels From the Illusion Horror Con 2023 Matt and Scott appeared on a number of panels at the latest Illusion Horror Con. These were all recorded and are now available on YouTube. Check out the links below. Designing Compelling Villains Horror Podcasting Exploring the Subgenres of Horror RPGs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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