|  |
I just hope I can get it printed in time...
6 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
The Armitage Files brings improvisation to the GUMSHOE system, and to Trail of Cthulhu. It's still Keeper-lead, but players contribute, too. The heart of the book is a series of documents and pictures sent from the future (or is it an alternate time line?) but Dr Henry Armitage. The PCs must follow the leads, and prevent disaster. The Files have been subject to rigorous playtesting, and now include extra practical material on improvising in actual play for both players and the Keeper. Oh, it's written by Robin Laws.
I'm also pleased to announce that Sarah Wroot, our amazing Dying Earth layout artist and illustrator has returned to create the documents themselves. Here is a section:
2 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
There is a review of the Esoterror Fact Book over on the Pelgrane Press forums.
I just didn't get what Esoterror was supposed to look like ... The Esoterror Factbook changed all that for me.
...
The part that really struck me was the section on the Special Suppression Forces. To be sure, all the crunchy combat rules you could possibly want are available here. The good news is, they stick to the theme of genre and narrative use, and do not take GUMSHOE too far down the wargame path. But here's the better part: embedded in this section, along with the sample adventure, is a thinking man's wargame. Mr. Laws has managed to show how the GUMSHOE paradigms of resource management and clue finding can be used in a tactical combat environment. Now, taking down the bad guys guns blazing is more about managing your pools, and using your noggin to get the best advantage. And one by Pookie on Game Cryer for Trail of Cthulhu supplement, The Dying of St Margaret's: There is something awful about the Purist nature of The Dying of St. Margaret’s, but a stark beauty too, one that exemplifies Lovecraftian horror’s uncaring nature.
1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Arkham Detective Tales
The various municipal police services in New York and the surrounding area, as well as the federal Bureau of Investigation are becoming aware that certain cases are… unusual. As the investigators have proven to be adept at handling things that are out of the ordinary, they get called in whenever there’s a hint of the occult. Each investigation begins with some terrible crime that stems from some ghastly corruption caused by the Mythos...
13 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Dan Harms has written a review of DoSM, here.
...this is a chilling scenario epitomizing Lovecraft’s cosmic horror. It not only recommends itself to Trail of Cthulhu purist players, but it’s also an excellent resource for Call of Cthulhu players who want more cosmic horror in their games. Also, Graham and I were also rather chuffed to note this comment from Dr_Locrian on the yog-sothoth forum: The Dying of St. Margaret's is an awesome scenario, all kinds of win! I just love the story, it feels like an old school Val Lewton production (is it a leftover from Shadows Over Filmland?). I'm tempted to contact the writer so I can write a screenplay adaptation!
I think it also has what I would consider the Platonic ideal for Trail of Cthulhu scenario writing format: a non-linear collection of scenes and clues and multiple ways of obtaining information listed. Also liked the hints on how to roleplay the key NPC's.
Bravos all around!
Finally, Indie Pete reviewed it on RPGnow.com. Watch out for the very early spoiler. "The Dying Of St Margaret’s" is a professionally presented and evocative Mythos scenario in the Purist vein...Cheerful stuff, presented in a no-nonsense fashion... this is great, more scenarios and RPG-writing should be so direct.
1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Shadows Over Filmland has been reprinted correctly following the flawed first print run and will be ready for shipping shortly. Now I have to decide what to do with 1500 books I am very unlikely ever to sell.
Before:
After:
20 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
I found this sign on a bus shelter near my office. ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) gbsteve kindly took the picture. What could it mean? I find psychogeography is a useful inspiration for Fear Itself and Esoterrorists adventures.
Update: Since this picture was taken, the note, and a similar one on a nearby phone box have been torn away.
6 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
 Mutant City Blues is now out as a PDF at rpgnow.com.
As of this post, we've had eight entries into the MCB competition, so your odds are still pretty good of winning $350 worth of Pelgrane Press products.
2 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Why am I excited?
Mutant City Blues is on sale, and the latest issue of our new webzine Page XX is out, too. It includes two new columns by Robin D Laws, some advice on CCG design, a cartoon, a Mutant City Blues competition, and new Trail of Cthulhu hand-outs. Mutant City Blues is stand-alone GUMSHOE game of contemporary superpowers by Robin D Laws, out now from Pelgrane Press store, and Indie Press Revolution. Solve the mutant murder mystery and win $150 worth of Pelgrane Press vouchers. See Page XX this month is a bumper edition, and includes:
20 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
The first review of Mutant City Blues is up on rpg.net. It gets a 4/5.
For the first time in months I’m excited about running a new game. I can’t wait for the new season at my local games club so I can get stuck in. And I think this is because Mutant City Blues is one of the more original settings I’ve seen in a while. It adds a decidedly grown up spin to the superhero genre, getting away from Spandex and silly names of X-men and other similar comics, as well as their save-the-cheerleader-save-the-world plots. I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard-copy. There is also a review of Fear Itself over on Game Cryer. As a GM I enjoyed Fear Itself and the GUMSHOE system. It does a good job of supporting horror while giving players the control to shape scenes with their skill uses. Character generation is fast, and a GM could easily rip off nearly any horror movie for quick inspiration if needed. It is a rules light game that does a good job of focusing on the characters.
1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Excerpt 2 from the Ordo Veritatis Operations Manual. Expect this post to be removed by the pluggers at any time. Disseminate this information while you can.
On that date a National Guard unit appeared on the scene under orders to secure the facility. They were ambushed by the surviving Circle members.Video footage taken by the guard unit shows one of the women—most likely Joanne Waller—rising phoenix-like from the structure. If the tape is to be accepted as real, she then reduces the guardsmen to ash with a sweep of her arms.
3 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
We've sold out of pre-order Mutant City Blues special editions, apart from four copies for Dragonmeet. I'll pop one in the auction - the rest, first come first served.
There will be some leather-bound Trails of Cthulhu and Shadows over Filmland (perfect-bound special Dragonmeet editions).
3 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Edit: I now have enough writers to chose from. Thank you!
I've had limited success in finding someone to write a world-spanning Trail of Cthulhu adventure, so I am putting out a call.
I'm looking for an experienced writer, very familiar with the Mythos and preferably with GUMSHOE to write a big, world-spanning adventure. A successful candidate should write so well that their work requires little editing, and have written adventures which have been widely played and enjoyed. Payment would be on a work-for-hire basis, with payment either per-word or on a royalty basis as you prefer.
Edit: By all means spread this around, but do link to this post, so that if I find a writer I can update it.
15 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Role Playing Public Radio presents actual play of the Esoterrorists adventure Profane Miracles, and a home brew follow up using Fear Itself.
Ogre Cave presents a detailed and well crafted review of the Trail of Cthulhu adventure Stunning Eldritch Tales.
4 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
The Esoterrorists are at work. Or, judging by the plausibilty of the content, the OV.
The National Archive has released a bunch of UFO-related documents. Here is a sample. Click the image to read to the end of this exciting but terrifying event.
3 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Janus Design will be releasing the Italian version of the Esoterrorists - Esoterroristi, joining Esoterroristes and Los Esoterroristas in our growing stable of foreign language editions. 
The Esoterrorists adapt to their new enviroment, but the Ordo Veritatis is always the OV.
1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
Up for sale on Indie Press Revolution now:
Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
I've added a GUMSHOE Mutant City Blues website. Releases still to do.
1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
|
|
|
|
|