Lovecraft Stuff

[Captain Emu]

Hello everyone,

Does anybody know if there is a good online resource for Lovecraftian style stuff? I am running a small game for a couple folks and would greatly appreciate anythign that can save me some grunt work for what is basically a side game.

Thanks,

Eli

[Curufea]

http://www.giger.com
http://www.lovecraft.org/ (German)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu_Mythos (links at the bottom)

[Captain Emu]

I should have specified that I was looking for HERO System resources. Thank you, though.

Eli

[Greg]

If you can find a copy of Champions 3D there's a horror world scenario that's straight out of Lovecraft. It has mechanics that models the Chaosium insanity rules as well.

[Captain Emu]

I do have the 4th Ed Horror Hero rules. Has anyone statted out any of the nasties from Lovecraft's works? That's the main thing I need is stats for Lovecraftian horrors.

[Curufea]

I happen to think my version of the Lictor (http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/WS:Lictors) and the Slake Moth (http://www.curufea.com/games/crobuzon/slakemoth.php) are quite Lovecraftian.

[Curufea]

Plus there is Susano's stuff of course-
http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/creatures.html

Boltworm (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/boltworm.html)
Byakhee (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/byakhee.html)
Chthonian (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/chthonian.html)
Dark Young (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/darkyoung.html)
Deep One (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/deepone.html)
Dimensional Shambler (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shambler.html)
Dhole (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/dhole.html)
Fireworm (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/fireworm.html)

Fire Vampire (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/firevamp.html)
Flying Polyp (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/flyingpolyp.html)
Ghast (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/ghast.html)
Ghoul (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/ghoul.html)
Gnoph-Keh (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gnophkeh.html)
Gnorri (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gnorri.html)
Gug (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gug.html)
Hunting Horror (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/huntinghorror.html)
Leng Spider (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/lengspider.html)

Mi-Go (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/migo.html)
Shantak (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shantak.html)
Shoggoth (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shoggoth.html)
Star Vampire (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/starvamp.html)

[Curufea]

I should point out though - for Lovecraft, being a fan of the genre - the unknown is of primary importance.
Really you shouldn't use a monster that has been used before. It should be unknown to everyone. It defeats the whole purpose of horror if the PCs immediately know that to defeat the suddenly encountered monster, they have to do the following things...

[Captain Emu]

Thanks for the info guys. Found Susano's stuff. I think I have enough to begin with until I can get some stuff of my own done.

Thanks,

All

[Jomster]

If your group does get into the mood for a longer Cthulhu campaign, and are looking for something ready made, Masks of Nyarlathotep is fantastic! :)

Even if you don't run it per se, it's full of great atmosphere to get you thinking in that Lovecraft/Cthulhu way! :thumbup:

[Jomster]

Forgot to mention - it's not actually free, but it's not too pricey either, $15 or so I think.

But it's definitely worth it! :hail:

[Curufea]

I like all the modules I've bought so far for Cthulhu - even the modern day ones. They tend to be quite well written.

[Michael Hopcroft]

When I was a member of the legenrady Alarums & Excursions APA, game reports from the Cthulhupunk campaign were regular highlights.

It was one of those take the Mythos, add pop culutre elements, and put them in a blender campaigns. One of the PCs was Peter Venkman. And the group ran into the Mythos Big Bads on a regular basis.


GM: Cthulhu rises from the swamp.
Peter: Hi.

It was very much a pulp campaign. (And had nothing to do with the GURPS 3E book, which depicted a world so decayed that its total destruction would actually be an improvement.)

[yamamura]

While not exactly Lovecraft, the scenario I wrote for this section of my website is based/inspired by a Howard story and has a Lovecraftian feeling.

http://wanderingthoughts.net/campaigns/HorrorHeroMag/tablecontent.htm

[AmadanNaBriona]

Plus there is Susano's stuff of course-
http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/creatures.html

Boltworm (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/boltworm.html)
Byakhee (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/byakhee.html)
Chthonian (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/chthonian.html)
Dark Young (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/darkyoung.html)
Deep One (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/deepone.html)
Dimensional Shambler (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shambler.html)
Dhole (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/dhole.html)
Fireworm (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/fireworm.html)

Fire Vampire (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/firevamp.html)
Flying Polyp (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/flyingpolyp.html)
Ghast (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/ghast.html)
Ghoul (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/ghoul.html)
Gnoph-Keh (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gnophkeh.html)
Gnorri (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gnorri.html)
Gug (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/gug.html)
Hunting Horror (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/huntinghorror.html)
Leng Spider (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/lengspider.html)

Mi-Go (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/migo.html)
Shantak (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shantak.html)
Shoggoth (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/shoggoth.html)
Star Vampire (http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionscreatures/coc/starvamp.html)


Thanks for reminding me that he had those posted. It just reminded me of an old Cthulhu campaign I put together involving a Gnoph-Keh, an ancient horror trapped in a lost valley, and the Yukon Gold rush. I should throw together a thread in the pulp forum.

[Susano]

Thanks for reminding me that he had those posted. It just reminded me of an old Cthulhu campaign I put together involving a Gnoph-Keh, an ancient horror trapped in a lost valley, and the Yukon Gold rush. I should throw together a thread in the pulp forum.

I need to get back to posting those. I have a bunch partially converted too.

[Susano]

Thanks for reminding me that he had those posted. It just reminded me of an old Cthulhu campaign I put together involving a Gnoph-Keh, an ancient horror trapped in a lost valley, and the Yukon Gold rush. I should throw together a thread in the pulp forum.

I need to get back to posting those. I have a bunch partially converted too.

[Cancer]

Psssst. Hastur. Pass it on.

[Curufea]

Strangely enough, the latest Doctor Who I found to be Lovecraftian. It was kinda "R'lyeh in space"

[ThothAmon]

Good HPL scenario stuff here ;)

http://www.talesofterror.net/index.html

[Captain Emu]

I need to get back to posting those. I have a bunch partially converted too.

Oh, please do.

[Captain Emu]

Thought I'd post an idea for something "Mythos-esque" that came to me at work. It's just sort of a seed. What I will do with ito, or what other might do with it, I am not sure. But sometimes the idle prattlings of a bored mind are worth a sniff.

Let me know what you think.



The Tree of Ilthuaqua

In ancient times before the coming of Christianity and the lightening of the dark places things were given power. Places, objects, even natural phenomenon were all granted divinity. In some places, this was more prevalent than others. At Delphi it was a cavern. In Ancient Britain, it was the groves of the Druids. Even farther back it was the caves of Lascaux. These places were granted divinity by men, who believed correctly or otherwise, in the power of such places. Other places, however, had a divinity granted by no other than their own.

Such a place was Ilthuaqua and the tree that grew there. Huge and dark, damp with the drippings of its primordial sap. Feasting on soil rich with the carnage of ages of sacrifice its stench was at once repelling and luxuriant in its richness – sickly sweet like honeysuckle growing over and open grave. All along its height, creepers, alive with their own movements seem to slither about with purpose, festooned with blossoms pale as ghost shrouds.

In the center of the trunk of this monstrous growth was a gaping hollow, like the maw of some nightmare beast, pitch dark and seeming to absorb all light. Looking into this void was to look into time itself, the sense of ages of wisdom, coalescing in its innards. Those that have looked upon this chasm of time are never the same, gibbering in strange words, faces twisted in an expression of ultimate fear and all knowing.

This sylvan scion, this pinnacle of life’s eternal struggle to thrive against all odds, was now, by merit of its own success and majesty over all other things in the forest. It was a god in its own rite and it demanded every bit of attention and sacrifice as any other god. The natives called it simply, “The Tree of Ilthuaqua” and claimed that through it, they were granted power over the other tribes who they have enslaved to their will.

It was these people, the Ithuaquxti who dominated the hidden valley of Ilthuaqua and created the now empty temples that now loom in ruin of that tangled and fetid place. Thee blood of innocents poured into the maw of The Tree and from The Tree they were granted what was supposed to be an eternity. But as is the ways of things ancient and evil, eternity often takes a different meaning to them than to those mortals who fall to their sway.

[Cold Steel]

Ithuaqua was Lovecraft's version of a wendigo was it not?

[Captain Emu]

I am not sure. Wow, if I stumbled on that name by accident, I might need to check for squid infestation. I honestly have had little exposure to Lovecraft's actual works.

[Cold Steel]

What i know is that Lovecraft wasn't the only one to use his "C" mythos. Several other pulp writers used them in their own works with his permission.

[Captain Emu]

I do know that and haven't had read much of any of the actual literature. I seem to have a hard time finding good printings of it.

[Cold Steel]

Arkham House Publishing is still around.

[Captain Emu]

Here is the link to Ithaqua

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaqua

Looks like a name change is in order. Too close. Considering it was written off the cuff at work, I think the name is a minor issue. I'll just have to change it.



The Tree of Uhuaxti

In ancient times before the coming of Christianity and the lightening of the dark places things were given power. Places, objects, even natural phenomenon were all granted divinity. In some places, this was more prevalent than others. At Delphi it was a cavern. In Ancient Britain, it was the groves of the Druids. Even farther back it was the caves of Lascaux. These places were granted divinity by men, who believed correctly or otherwise, in the power of such places. Other places, however, had a divinity granted by no other than their own.

Such a place was Uhuaxti and the tree that grew there. Huge and dark, damp with the drippings of its primordial sap. Feasting on soil rich with the carnage of ages of sacrifice its stench was at once repelling and luxuriant in its richness – sickly sweet like honeysuckle growing over and open grave. All along its height, creepers, alive with their own movements seem to slither about with purpose, festooned with blossoms pale as ghost shrouds.

In the center of the trunk of this monstrous growth was a gaping hollow, like the maw of some nightmare beast, pitch dark and seeming to absorb all light. Looking into this void was to look into time itself, the sense of ages of wisdom, coalescing in its innards. Those that have looked upon this chasm of time are never the same, gibbering in strange words, faces twisted in an expression of ultimate fear and all knowing.

This sylvan scion, this pinnacle of life’s eternal struggle to thrive against all odds, was now, by merit of its own success and majesty over all other things in the forest. It was a god in its own rite and it demanded every bit of attention and sacrifice as any other god. The natives called it simply, “The Tree of Uhuaxti” and claimed that through it, they were granted power over the other tribes who they have enslaved to their will.

It was these people, the Uhaga who dominated the hidden valley of Uhuaxti and created the now empty temples that now loom in ruin of that tangled and fetid place. Thee blood of innocents poured into the maw of The Tree and from The Tree they were granted what was supposed to be an eternity. But as is the ways of things ancient and evil, eternity often takes a different meaning to them than to those mortals who fall to their sway.

[Captain Emu]

Arkham House Publishing is still around.

You'll forgive me. Though I have spent many years intrigued by the mythos, I have not spent much time hunting it down and only recently have I been interested in running it as a game, and only then at the request of my players.

I'll have to go hunting again. Maybe I can pick some up cheap at the local discount book store.

[Lord Liaden]

If you can find a copy of Champions 3D there's a horror world scenario that's straight out of Lovecraft. It has mechanics that models the Chaosium insanity rules as well.

Ah, the classic "Anopheles" adventure. Brilliantly disturbing stuff. Even though the adventure was written for Champions, the main threat isn't defeatable through sheer force, so the power level of the PCs doesn't make a lot of difference. And there were a bunch of cool horror creatures statted up, too (in 4E HERO).

Actually, author Allen Varney has the full text from that adventure on his personal website, free for the viewing (with Hero Games's permission). You can see it here: http://www.allenvarney.com/anopheles.html

[Curufea]

The full text stories of H.P. Lovecraft :-
http://www.dagonbytes.com/thelibrary/lovecraft/index.html
http://www.yankeeclassic.com/miskatonic/dliterature/authors/lovecraft/hplmain1.htm#hplnovellas

I recommend starting with The Shadow over Innsmouth.

Also good - The Dunwich Horror, The Haunter Of The Dark, The Horror at Red Hook, Herbert West: Reanimator, The Call of Cthulhu, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, At the Mountains of Madness

Other writers I like in this mythos include August Derleth, Frank Belknap Long and Ramsey Campbell.

Further reading - http://lovecraft.cjb.net/

[Cancer]

The domain www.hasturhasturhastur.com is not available at this time. It may take a while to come back, if ever, ....
I am not making this up. Editing, yes, but not making it up.

[Alric]

Chaosium is selling lots of their old books as PDFs at Drive thru RPG.

www.drivethrurpg.com