Apathy: The Calling

A role-playing game Version 1.0

by Logos7 With Special Thanks to: Game Chef Team Hydra Willow Devlin1 Lachek Willow Ben Lehman Eric J. Boyd Kynn Jason Morningstar For taking the time to read my submission and comment back revision notes/changes: Changed some of the order/numbering, added a small pet section, added high/low apathy penalty tables,Extra info about magic items, Grammar and Spelling

Thiswork[ApathytheCalling,v1.0]islicensedundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution NoncommercialShareAlike3.0UnportedLicense.Toviewacopyofthislicense,visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/byncsa/3.0/orsendalettertoCreativeCommons,171Second Street,Suite300,SanFrancisco,California,94105,USA. MyGameChefartiscopyright2008JasonMorningstar.Thisversionoftheartisknownas"Game Chef2008Art:TheLowrises".ThisworkislicensedunderaCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0 License.Toviewacopyofthelicense,visit:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

[1.1]TableofContents [1.0]ApathytheCalling,ARolePlayingGame [1.1]TableofContents [1.2]Introduction [1.3]RoflcoptersandLollerskates [1.3.1]YourCharacter [1.3.2]TheCharacterSheet [1.3.2.1]Example1Stan [1.3.2.2]Example2Jenny [1.3.3]TheMechanics [1.3.3.1]HowdoIdothatThingIdoAKAMakeaScene [1.3.3.2]PlayerConflicts [1.3.3.3]GMConflictsRollingversusApathy [1.3.3.4]ApathyBidding [1.3.3.5]ApathyBiddingandGM's [1.3.3.6]ExampleofConflicts [1.3.4]Combat [1.3.4.1]DeathandYou [1.3.4.2]CombatExample [1.3.4]Life [1.3.4.1]ListofLifeBuzzwords [1.3.5]Headlines [1.3.6]Paydays [1.3.7]InappropriatePC's [1.4]ApathyandtheWorld [1.4.1]TheWorld [1.4.1.1]HighandLowApathy [1.4.1.2]Apathyover25Table [1.4.1.3]Apathyunder1Table [1.4.2]Cthulhu [1.4.2.1]TheEnding... [1.4.3]TheTown [1.4.4]ThePeople [1.4.4.1]NamelessNPC's [1.4.4.2]Villains [1.4.4.3]IsCthulhuanAntagonist?(ShortAnswerNo) [1.4.5]Equipment [1.4.5.1]EquipmentList [1.4.5.2]MagicStuff [1.4.5.3]MacGuffin [1.4.5.4]Mine'sBetter [1.5]FlippingCthulhu [1.5.1]Nightgaunts [1.5.2]DeepOnes [1.5.3]Shoggoth [1.5.4]ElderThings

[1.5.5]Cultists [1.5.6]FormlessSpawn [1.5.7]DarkYoung [1.5.8] Migo [1.5.9]RavenAgents [1.5.10]ApartmentLich [1.5.11]Vampire [1.5.12]FireVampire [1.5.13]StarVampire [1.5.14]Byakhee [1.5.15]Ghost [1.5.16]Ghasts [1.5.17]StarSpawn [1.5.18]Ghouls [1.5.19]Zombie [1.5.20]Yuggya [1.5.21]Gugs [1.5.22]FlyingPolyp [1.6]PetzandPowerz [1.6.1]Powerz [1.6.1.1]WhatarePowerz [1.6.1.2]DescriptionofPowerz [1.6.1.2.1]Backfire [1.6.1.3]ConflictingPowerz [1.6.1.4]PowerChains [1.6.1.5]Whendoyougetmorepowerz [1.6.2]THEPOWAHS [1.6.2.1]NewPowahs? [1.6.3]Petz [1.6.3.1]HowdoIgetone [1.6.3.2]Cost [1.6.3.3]Benefits [1.6.3.4]Examples [1.6.3.5]Limitations

[1.2]IntroductionorThisisYOURlife!
Stansatthereonthecouch,whiletheYuggyainvadedhishome,butitwasokay,America'sFunniest RetardswasontheTV.TheYuggyamovedcarefullytheirblindeyesuseless,reachingoutwiththeir mind'seye,lookingforthesparkofrecognition,ofhorror,ofgibberingdenials.Stanwaswatchingthe multichannel,600hundredchannelsinone.Standidn'tevenhavetoclickanymore.Thefloorscreaked undertheYuggyafeetastheyturnedtowardthedoor,theirmanformcrammedwithalienthoughts. Theirpreyhadevadedthemsomehow.Confusedtheyleft. Stansatthere,watchingthedailynightshowforalittlewhilemore,beforefallingasleepinfrontofthe television.TheInfomericalsluredhimtosleepwiththehypnoticlureofaweirdflute.Asleepandon thevergeofdreamspace,Stanstopped.PerhapsApathywastheonlyway! WelcometoApathy:TheCallingaRolePlayingGame.Inthisgameyouplayregularfolkdealingwith themythosintheonlywaytheycaninthemodernage,withapathy.Asoneoftheselectfewfor unknownreasonsyoucanhearDreadCthulhuashedreams,callingyoutocommitunspeakableacts. Fortunatelyyou'velongbeenaccustomedtoignoringinconvenientrealities.Youfightbackwiththe inertiaandapathy,thathasdefinedyouasagenerationofslackers,miscreants,goodfornothings,baby bustersandlosers. Apathy,theRolePlayinggameisagameaboutthelostgeneration,everydaylifeandcthulhu.

[1.3]Roflcopter
ApathytheCallingisaroleplayinggame.Thatmeansthatyoutocreateaplayercharacteroravatarto navigateandinteractwithagameworldtocreateasharedstorywithyourselfandtheotherplayers. Thesecharactersinteractwiththegameworld,eachotherandthegamemaster(Gm).Tohelpensurea fair,fun,andspeedygamethissectionoutlinesyourcharacters,howyoudescribethemonacharacter sheetandhowyourinteractwiththegameworld,theGm,andeachother.
[1.3.1]YourCharacterYo

CharactersaredescribedinApathythecallingin3ways.TheFirstwayistheapathymeter.A imaginarymeasurementofhowapatheticyourcharacteris.Therearedifferentdrawbacksforhighand lowapathyandthemeterishowyoukeeptrackofit.Apathyitselfisoneofthemostimportantways tointeractwithothers,usekewlpowerz,resolveconflicts.It'stheRoflcopteroflifethatthegeneration seeminglywiththemostpotentialisexactlythemostapathetic,theleastcaring,andthemostdeadlyto DreadCthulhu. TheSecondwayoftrackingyourcharacterisstats.Statsshortforstatisticsrepresentyourcharacters physicalandmentalcapabilities.Statscomeinthreeflavours,Cynicism,Competence,and Conciousnessthatareexplainedbelow.Thethirdwayisthrewthekewlpowers,pets,andothertraits andobjectsthatyouwillgatherinlife.Here'stheexamplesheetsandcharacters.

[1.3.2]TheCharacterSheet

Name:YourDudegottahaveaname,itsthelaw Stats:TheseDescribeyourCharacter'sRawAbilities,andconsideringwhoyouare,youain'tgotalot morethanthem.Unfortunatelythisisalldeterminedrandomly,roll2d6foreachofthethreestats.that's yourstat.Norerolls,noswitching,nonothing. Competence:Youreffectivenessattasks,Yourwannaplaysomeonewho'sgoodwithhishands,can throwapunchthisisyourstat. Cynicism:Thisisyourmentalarmour,thejadedcynicletsnothingtouchhim,leastofallslimyalien mindprobes. Conciousness:Thisisyourendurancebothmentalandphysical.Thisstatmaybemoreaccurately describedasStayingConcious. Apathyisdifferentfromastat.TheStat'sdon'tchange,ever.Apathyroutinelygoesupanddown, dependingonhowinvolvedyouare.Yourmaximumapathyis25andyourminimumis0.Howeverif youeverhit0apathyorhavemorethan25apathy,letyourGmknowbecausethat'swhenweirdstuff beginstohappen.Youbeginthegameatyourmaxapathyandyoucanloseorspenditasdescribedin theothersections. KewlPowersfromRyleh:Thisisthelistofpowerzthatyouhave.Everycharacterhas IcanhearCthulhutellingmetodoevilstuff,lol. that'syourfirstpower.youknowallthatplayertablejawingthatgoesonlikeshoothimintheface. Roflcoptersandlollerskatesaboundinyourhead.Youcanheartheplayerchat,sofeelfreetoactonit. Thevoicescomedirectlyfromcthlolhuhoweversoexpectyourmileagetovary. Sometimesyouwillgetmorepowerz,morepets,athirdarm,yourbrainwillgetstuckinajar.seethe chapteronpowerzandpetstofigurethatout,butitsprettyeasy.Thepowerz'snameistheirdescription. Ifyouhavethepowerofsomethingyoucandoit.Ifithasacostyoumustspenditbeforeyourgetit. Simpleenoughright? Traits:Thisisalittlehistoryofyourjennyhistrionics.Thesetraitsdon'taffectstatsorapathyorpowers ,butarealltheotherthingsaboutyourcharacter.Traitsholdbothyourcharacterbackgroundorthe storyofwhathappenedtoyourcharacterbeforethegamestarted,andthingsthathappenedafter.If youraoneleggedalbinowithapenchantforfishandathreeleggeddog,thisiswhereitgoes.Traits mustcontainataminimumasignificantother(parents,partner,orfriend),ajobandmodeoftransport andsomethingthatdescribesyourself. Andnowafewexamplecharacters,ifyourinarushjustusethesecharactersandchangetheirnames foryourgame,otherwiseusethemtofamiliarizeyourselfwiththecharactersheet.

[1.3.2.1] ExampleCharacter1StantheMan

MynameisStanI'mapathetic(okaythisisstolenbutI'mstillworkingonityo) Competence5 Cynicism3 Conciousness4 MaxApathy=25,CurrentApathy=25(He'sjuststartedthegame KewlPowersfromRyleh Ihearcthulhutellingmetodoevilstufflol Traits I'mtheproductofdivorcedlesbianswhichmeansIhavelike4moms(Significantothers) I'maunderachvingdropout(Describeshimself), whoworksthelateshiftatthelocalporncinemamyJobpaysformyApartment,food,andmyvolvo. ExtraCash,About50buxapayday(Jobandextracash)
[1.3.2.2]ExampleCharacter2JennyHistrionics

MynameisJennyHistrionicsI'mapatheticus Competence8 Cynicism6 Conciousness6 MaxApathy25CurrentApathy25 KewlPowersfromRyleh Ihearcthulhutellingmetodoevilstufflol Traits IwenttoschoolandmajoredinHarryPotter,Icannowmanglelatinconjugationwiththebestofthem (DescribesHerself).I'mhalfAsianandhavehorribletasteinmen.IwishIwasalesbianlikemybest friendTina(Significantother) MyjobatCorportationCorppaysgoodmoney,butIhavehugedebt.IlivewithTinaanduseascooter, Extracash$10.

[1.3.3]TheMechanics

Sonowyouhaveacharactersheet,andthat'sswellandallbuthowdoIdothatthingIdosowell? Firstofall,thegroupmustdecidewhotheGameMasterorRefereewillbe.Thisiskindoflikehow monopolyrequiresabanker.TheGmhasasetofresponsibilitiesthataredifferentfromtheother players.Whereaplayercreatesacharacteroravatarintheprevioussection,theGameMaster(GM) managestheprops,world,rulesandotherpeopleinthegameworld.Thisisnottosaythatplayerscan't helpbutitistheGM'sresponsibilitytodothesethings.HowdoesaGmdothis?TheGmhasafew toolstohelphimmotivateandinformtheplayers,thesetools(andresponsibilities)includethingslike Headlines,Paydays,NonPlayerCharacters,Villains,andMonsters.TheGmisinalotofwayslike Cthulhuinthisgame,workingfrombehindthescenestoensurethatthemythosmonstersworktowards Cthulhu'sgoal,thattheplayersgetintrouble,andthatapathyisspent. Butletsfaceit,GMisadifferentjobthanplaying.Whowantstobethebankerafterall.Apathythe RPGhasacoupleoffeaturesthatlenditselftoGMlessplay.1>aDifficultyChallengemechanicthat dependsontheplayersandnottheGMorgameworld2>Anemphasisoninterplayerresolution mechanic3>quickassruleztohelpplaymoveforwardsuchasHeadlinesandPaydaysthatwillbe discussedlater.IftheplayersareinterestedinhelpingouttheDmtheycandothisbybeinginvolved andcreativeingameplay,makingsuggestionsandtryingtobothHavefunandHelpothershavefun.
[1.3.3.1]HowdoIdothatthingIdo.AKAMakeaScene

Soyouwanttodosomething?HowdoIbringmycharacter'sdesiresintobeinginthegameworld? Firstwehavetorealizethatinrpg'syouplayinanimaginaryspacethatissharedbyyourselfand others,whohavevariouslevelsofcontrolovervariousaspectsofthatsharedspace.Asaplayeryouare consideredtohavealotofcontroloveryourcharacterbutnotothers,ortheareawhereyourcharacters are.TheGmontheotherhandistheopposite,theyhavealotofcontroloverthearea,monsters,npc's butdon'thaveasinglecharacterpersay.Eitherwaybecausethisisasharedspacethefirststepto changingtheareaoryourcharacteristoannounceit.Youhavetotellotherswhatyourcharacterdoes orattemptstodo.IftheseactionsareunopposedbyeithertheGmortheotherplayersallyouhaveto doisdeclaretheaction.Ifnoonechallengesyou,youdoit. Acraftyplayermighttrytodothisoutsideofhisavatarorcharacter,somethinglikeinsteadofIkick theshoggothmorelikeTheShoggothdiesfrominternalhaemorrhaging.Aslongaseveryone'son thesamepagethisisabsolutelyfine.Ifsomeone(theGMoranotherplayer)islike,NoIdon'tthink so,itcanberesolvedintwoways,playerorgmconflictasshownbelow.Inaddittionasingletimeand placeiscalledascene,forexampleatthedocksatmidnight.Thisisnotaninstanceoftime(likethe secondbetween11:59:59and12:00:00butratherasmallperiodoftime.Rememberthisfornow becausescene'sbecomemoreimportantinthenextchapter.
[1.3.3.2]PlayerConflict

Soyouhavetwoplayers,whoaregoingYes,andNooversomethingorother.Howdoweresolvethis? Iftwoplayersareattemptingtogetmutuallyexclusivegoals,orpreventeachotherfromdoingactions, eachplayerrolls2d6+astatandwhoevergetsthehighestnumbergettheirgoal.Thestatisdecidedby agreeemntorifagreementcannotbeachieved,theGMpicksthestat.Iftheplayerstie,theyrerolluntil theyarenottiedandthenwhoeverhasthehighestrollwins.Theloseraddstwototheirapathy.

[1.3.2.3]GMConflicts

NowifyouhaveadisagreementwiththeGm,itgoesalittlebitdifferently.IfaplayerisalllikeIkill theShoggothandtheGmislikenoyoudon't.ThePlayerrolls2d6+astatoftheirchoicethatreflects theactiontheyaretryingtoaccomplish.Iftheyrollovertheirapathyscore,theysucceedandifthey don'ttheyfailandaddonetotheirapathypool.

[1.3.3.4]ApathyBidding

Ifsomeoneisunsatisfiedwiththeresultofeitheraplayerorgmconflict,theyhaveaoption.APlayer orGMmaybidapathytooverturnaloss.Ifaplayerdoesthistheydon'tgainoneapathyforloosing (becausetheydidn'tloose)andinsteadspendshowevermanyapathyisdeclared.Apathybidsshouldbe declaredloudlywithIbidxapathyandWhy,wherexissomenumberofapathyyoucanpay.Ifthe otherplayerorGMwantstheymay'upthebid'tosomelevelofapathytoanewerhighernumberthat theymustbeabletopay.Theycanupitbyoneorabunchorwhatever,itdoesn'tmatter.Whoever makesthehighestbid,paystheapathyandgetswhattheywant.ALLTHELOSERSofthebidgain2 apathy.

[1.3.3.5]ApathyBidingandGM's

Gm'sarealittlespecialwhenitcomestoapathybidding.BecausetheGMdoesnothaveacharacterthe gmhasnoapathypoolbutcansomehowstillbidapathy.IftheGmisbiddingonbehalfofamonsteror npctheyhaveanapathypoolforthatcreaturethattheycanuse.IftheGmisbiddingotherwisehehas infiniteapathy.WhattheGmiseffectivelydoingisputtingataxorminimumbidintheapathybidding Iftheplayersdon'tlikeit,theycanalwaysdropoutoftheconflictandgain2oftheapathytheGmbid fordoingso. EXCEPTION!IfthePlayerdoesn'twanttheapathytheymayrefusetheapathy.Iftheapathywouldput themovertheirmax,theircurrentapathyissetto24andtherestoftheapathyislost.

[1.3.3.6]ExampleofResolution

SaybothStanandJennywanttobetheonewhopressesthebigredglowingbuttonofdoom.The buttoncanonlybepressedonce.Stan'splayersaysIraceyoujennyandtheybothracetowardsthebig button.Stanandjennybothagreeracingisacompetencestatandrolloff.Stanrolls2d6+his competencescore5andtotals14.Jennyrolls2d6+hercompetencescoreandtotals15.Jennypresses thebigbuttonandstanaddstwotohisapathyscore. IfJennyhadinsteadbeenracingagainsttheshoggoth(ieiftheGmisinvolved),shewouldhaverolled 2d6+astatofherchoicethatappliesagainstherapathy.Jennyrolls2d6+competenceandtotals15.If 15ishigherthanJenny'scurrentapathyshewins,if15islowersheloosesandgainstwoapathy. Ineithercaseifsomeonedisagreedwiththeoutcometheycouldhavebid1(ormore)apathy.Stanafter loosing,insteadofgainingoneapathycouldhavebidoneapathytowin.Jenny'scharactercould attempttooutbidhim.Whoeverbidsthehighestwins,andeveryoneelsewhobidlooses,gainingone apathy.
[1.3.4]CombatandYou!

Sohowdoesthisworkwithshotgunsandshoggoths?Itsbasicallythesame.Allmonstershaveapathy

scores,andinsteadofthemonstereverrolling2d6+stat,theplayermustrolltonegateit.Iftheshoggoth isattacking,theplayermayattempttododgewith2d6+stat.Ifthetotalisovertheplayersapathythey avoidthemonsterandthemonstergains2apathy.TheGmcaninadditionspendapathyforthe monster,doingthingslikeIhityouanywaywithmyoverwhelmingassault,Ibid1apathyPlayerscan thenresolvethisthrewordinaryapathybidding. TheGmcanstillimposeataxorminimumbid(fromhisinfiniteGMpoolofapathy)butinthiscaseit wouldbesomethingthataffectsboththeplayerandtheshoggoth,buttheGMraisesthestatstoofar, BOTHTHESHOGGOTHANDTHEPLAYERLOSE,gaintheGm'sbidinapathy,andgofind somethingbettertodo.

[1.3.4.1]DeathandYou

Youmightnoticeyouain'tgothps,that'sbecauseyoudon'tdieuntilCthulhumakesatastymorselout ofyou.Ifyouareinasituationwhereyouwouldreasonablytakedamage(suchasbeingtazed,ina burningbuilding,beinghitintheheadwithaclub,beingeaten,chewingyourowntoungeoutbecause oftheotherworldlythingsyouareseeing)youmustmakeaconciousnesschecktostayconcious.This isexactlythesameaseveryothercheck(2d6+Conciousnessversusyourapathytostayawake). Ifyoufallunconscious(ieFailedaRoll)youareoutofthatscene,butfindyourselfrelativelyintactat themostthenextdayaroundbreakfasttimeinasafeplace.Sometimesyoushowupatyourapartment, sometimesahospital,sometimesapark.Badthingsmighthavehappenedtoyouinthemeantime (suchasobnoxiousphoto's,beingslimed,etc)butyourcharacterisstillrelativelywhole.

[1.3.4.2]ExampleofCombat

Soyouknowthatshortstorythingyatthebeginningwhichyouprobablythatwasuselessblatheringof awanttobenovelist,thinkagainfoo!Itsalsothecombatexample. Stansatthereonthecouch,whiletheYuggyainvadedhishome,butitwasokay,America'sFunniest RetardswasontheTV.TheYuggyamovedcarefullytheirblindeyesuseless,reachingoutwiththeir mindseye,lookingforthesparkofrecognition,ofhorror,ofgibberingdenials. Standoesn'twanttobefound,buttheYuggyawanttofindhim,that'sainterpersonalconflict. GM:Yugyyaactivatetheirmind'seyefindingyourfearwithPsionics Stan'splayer:Ispendroll2d6+5(cynicism)apathyforthemnotfindmetotal13versusmyapathyof8I succeed. Jenny'splayer:Ibid1apathyforthemtofindstan. Stan'splayer:Ibid2apathythattheydon't. Jenny'splayer:(marksanextratwoapathyonhercharactersheet,forloosingabid) Yesyoucandothat,anyonecangetinvolvedwithapathybidding.Howeveronlyaplayercanbidfor theirowncharacter.JennybiddingtokeepStanhiddenisanono. GM:theydon'tfindyoustan,(marksanextratwoapathyontheYuggya'ssheetforloosing)butbefore theygo,theirintensementalpowerssetyourcoachonfire(iftheGMwantedthistobeopenfor discussion,hecouldsaytheYuggyabids1apathytosetyourcoachonfirebuthedidn't,thisisan exampleoftheminimumbidorapathytax).Thinkingtheyfeltsomethingwiththeirmind'seyethey

lookagain,Yuggyabids1apathy,andI(theGm)bid2Apathyforthesmokeandfire(ieMinimum BID3Apathy.) Stan:TheyfindmeasIleapupknockingtheTVover(stanlostthebidsohegain'shalfoftheGm'sbid whichisonly1apathythistime).Iattempttoknockthemoutwithmyamazingkewlpsychicpowers, Stan'sPlayerspends2apathytoactivatehiskewlpowerandbids3apathy. GM:TheYuggyascreaminpain(andbeingalmostoutofapathytheyarescrewed),butbeforetheir headsexplodetheysuckerpunchyou(Monstersasyouwillseeinabit,getaloosingactionasopposed toanextraapathywhentheylooseforthelasttime)RollConciousness. attheendofthelatestbidbothsidesarehurt,(headexplodingvssuckerpunchrespectively).Ifyouget hurtinaconflictyoumustmakeaconciousnesscheckversusyourapathytostayconcious.Stanrolls 2d6+4wellabovehis2apathyleft.Thesuckerpunchisweakandtheyuggya'sheadgoeslikepoppop. andthat'stheendofit.Amonsterstakingdamageattheendofabiddies(unlessthePC'sdo somethingtopreventit)

[1.3.5]Headlines

HeadlinesareawayofadvertisingwhatthePC'saredoing,howwelltheyaredoingit,andwherethe personmakingtheheadlinewouldlikethegametogo.ThisistraditionallytheGm'sjobbutcanbe handedaroundinafunandeasyway.Headlineshappenintwosituations:A>AfewdaysofGameTime hasgonebyorB>wheneversomethingnoteworthyhashappened. Thefirstcaseisjustaheyhowdoyoudo,timeispassingmechanism,andshouldfunctionasawayto introducenewconcepts. HEADLINE:FREAKSTORMSANDDISAPPEARANCESCONTINUE. Thistellsyourplayerssomething,weirdshit,ishappening,andthatmaybetheywanttoinvestigate. HEADLINE:THECRYSTALINSTALLATIONATTHEROMFINALLYOPENSAFTERDELAYS Thistellsyourplayersanewplacetoinvestigate,thecrystalinstallationattheROM(RoyalOntario Museumforthosethatcare).Italsotellsthemthatthere'sproblemsgoingonthereI.e.Delays. Thesecondcaseisareportcardessentially,consider: HEADLINE:TERROISTATTEMPTTOBLOWUPHISTORICALBUILDINGINDOWNTOWN TORONTO Thisisprobablyasignoffailureofyourpc's,beingtheonlyidiotswiththeexplosivesinthegame. Whereasiftheheadlinereadsmorelikethis: HEADLINE:LOSTSAILORSFOUNDINMYSTERIOUSCIRCUMSTANCES It'sprobablyasignthatsomethingwentcorrectly. IfyourunsurewhattomakeforaheadlineasaGM,feelfreetofarmitouttoaplayer.Theplayerwill eitherintroducesomethingnew,orcommentonsomethingthathappened.Eitherwayithelpsfocusthe gameandintroducenewconcepts.
[1.3.5.1]TheBeginningHeadline

Thisheadlineisprobablythemostimportant,itsthefirstonethePlayersseeandwhatwillprobably becomethefocusofthatsession.DONOTPUTOUTACRAPBEGININGHEADLINE.Itsshouldbe awesomelike: HEADLINE:LESBIANSTRIPPERNINJACATGIRLSATTACKSENATE,EMPOROR PALPATINESAFE. SomeWTFfactorisokay,infactitsexactlythefeelingyourgoingfor.Thebeginningheadlineexistto getthePC'sinterestedinyourworld.IfitfallsflatitmeanstwothingsA>yourbeginningheadlinewas toosubtleB>ThePC'saren'tinterested

RulenumberoneofHeadlines:TheyarecalledHeadlinesforareason,notseemoreonpagethree.Is thisthemostrealisticthingever,no!Cthulhuinspiredevents,likesubwaysuicides,oughtnottobein thepaperandforaboutthesamereason,butthisisagamenotreallifeandnotsomegreatCthulhu mythosstory.PCSAREDUMBSOKEEPITSIMPLESTUPIDHeadlinesareobvious,theyarethe introduction,intro,thesis,hooktothestory,somakethemOBVIOUSandINTERESTING. Sometimes,evenyourbesteffortsatgrabbingthePC'sbytheshorthairsdon'twork.Don'tworryabout it.Ifyourvengefulyoucanhavealittleconsequence,somethinglikethePC'srunintoanencounteror finddeadratsstuffedintotheirmailbox(maybeundeadrats,theyarehellahardtogetridof,andstink tohighheaven).BUTDONOTCONTINUEYOURPREPLANEDSTORYWITHOUTTHEPCS. IfaHeadlinedoesn'tgetthepc'sinvolvedjustletitdropandmoveontosomethingmoreinteresting andinvolving.Ifyourfailingtograbtheirattentionlettheplayers,maketheheadlinesandseewhat theycomeupwith.Ifneitherofthesemethodsareresultinginplaybesidessittingarroundthehome eatingtostitos,wehaveaplanB,thePayday.
[1.3.6]PaydaysandBills

Youknowhow,allthePc'shaveajobsandtransportandtv'sandstuffandsomuchmoneytheymight makeextra?Paydayshappeneverytwoweeksingametime.WhentheyhappengivethePC'sthe amountofextracashtheyhavelistedontheircharactersheets.IfthePC'shavetoomuchcashtheywill trysomethingstupid,soiftheytrytogetalotofcashA>refuseorB>callthecops.TheCopsatleast willseizethegoodsandcashassuspectedofstolenobjects,takethepc'squestionthemandrelease themanhourlater.OtherwisethePC'swillbeallupinyourshoggoth'sfacewiththeirgoldgrillsand diamondstudded9mm,andthat'sjustsilly.Theextracashisthereforthepc'stodoeverydaystuffwith, notMacGregor(hewaslikemacguyver'suncletwiceremovedbuthefoughtcthulhusothereyougo) thesituation. Ifthepc'sarenotrespondingtotheheadlinesyoucanpulloutaBill.ABillisanunpaidforexpense fromthepc'slife.Billscomeinvariouskinds,butalwaysfor100dollars.Ifthebillisnotpaidoffsome featureofthepc'slifeisturnedoff,suchascable,heat,water,theircar,etc.IftheBillisnotresolvced inapaydayortwo,bountyandordebtcollectorsbegincalling/showingup,harrassingthepcuntilthey pay.Ifthepc'scan'torwon'tpaytheymustforfietitemsuntilyouaresatisfied(Tv's,Stero's,Losing theircarpermanently,etc)

[1.3.7]InappropriatePC's

SowhatdoyoudoifyourPC'sareallgungho,andexmilitarymemberswhowanttodestroycthulhu causehekilledtheirsister,independantlywealthy,andskilledinthearcanearts?Whatiftheyare politicalcandidates,thepresident,feminist,greenpeaceactivist,Fortune500companypresident, batmanetc JUSTSAYNO

[1.4]Apathyandtheworld
Sonowwegotallthesecharactersandwegotapathy,andkewlpowersandstuff.Whatdowedowith them?wellyouusetheminafictionalworld.how,why,where?Here'swhereyougetintointeresting stuff.Thisstuffisthestory(andsometimesgory)worldwherecthulhusleeps,whisperingmadnesslike (Ibid6apathy,andIrolleda7)intothecharactersminds.Ifthisisnotenoughtogettheplayers involved,thenSOMEONE(playersorGM)hastostepitupanotch. Players,thisgenerallymeansdoingsomethingstupid,Likelookingfortheotherswhohavethis blessingandcurse,investigatingoldwarehouses,seeingwherecthulhuorhisvoicesleadyouandthat kindofstuff.Whileyouareaapatheticmofo,ifyoursittinginyourhousealldaydoingnothingyour doingitwrong.Beingapatheticdoesnotmeandoingnothing,likeanyotherstateofminditshowyou dothingsthatmatter.Likeanormalpersonyou'llbeattendingwork,cashingchecks,fillingupyour car,buyingsmokesandporn,etc. GMthismeansreactingtothePC'sandFORCINGTHEMTOREACT.Dependingonhow comfortableyouarewiththefriendsyouaredoingthiswith,havethemseetheinnsmouthlook,have catsfollowthem,havespawnofDagonattack,havetheMeninBlackquestionyourPC's,etc Sowhereintheworldareyou,orratheryourcharacter.I'mgoingtotalkabitaboutApathy,HowI wouldrunagame,andthingstodo.Yourmileagemayvary.

[1.4.1]ApathyandTheWorld

YourPc'smostimportantstatistheapathymeter.Itisusedtodetermineyourdifficultyforactions,to bidforoutcomesyouwant,toactivatepowersandmore,butwhathappensifyougointonegative apathyorgooveryourmaximumapathy. TheonlywaytogooveryourmaximumapathyistorepeatedlylosePlayerconflicts.Eachtimeyoudo yougain2apathythatyoucannotrefuse.IfyoulooseaGmconflictyouhavetheoptiontorefuseor onlyacceptenoughapathytoalmostfillyourapathymeter. Youspendapathyonbids,powersetc.Youcanchoosetospendyourlastpointofapathy. Regardlessofifyougoover25orunder1apathy,youapathyisresetto12.Inadditionyourollforan additionalramificationinthefollowingtableasappropriate.

[1.4.1.1]HighorLowApathyresults

Roll2d6andtotal;findnumberandimplementresult.
[1.4.1.2]Apathyover25

2ThePlayerhasaPsychicSeizure,theplayerloosesconciousnessandallmonsters,npc's,players, cthulhuandbillingagenciesknowwheretheplayeris,lives,andhowtogetthere. 3Cthulhuinstigatesaneventtopreventtheformationofanapartmentlich,GMImmediatelycreatesa newheadlinethatthePC'scan'tignore(HeadlineYourhouseisburningdown,etc) 3Theplayercontractsnarcolypse,andmustpassaconciousnesschecktoactinthegame(atGM'swill) 4Theplayerloosestheirjobduetopoorworkandabsentism.Theygainnobenefitfrompaydays althoughtheymayhaveenoughmoneyfortheirbills....forawhile. 5Theplayerbeginsreceivingoverduebillsfortheirutilitiesjustasoneofthemarecutoff 6Theplayerloosestheirwalletwithalltheirsparecash. 7TheApathyventsintheformofaPsychicEnergyBlast,allmonstersinthescenearedefeatedand receivenodyingaction.Everyonegains3Apathy 8Theplayerloosessomethingofvaluetothem,ifnothingofvaluerollagain. 9Aravenagentisdispatchedtodisposeoftheplayers,hearrivesinthreescenes. 10Cthulhuwarpsspacearoundtheplayerandteleportshimtoarandomlocationinthegame 11PlayerPetbecomeslost,ifnopetrollagain. 12Playergainsanewpower.
[1.4.1.3]Apathyunder1

2RollTwiceAgain 3ThePlayerisknockedunconscious(noconciousnessroll)andaminionofcthulhuissenttocollect. 4Allthetelephonesstartringingwithinahundredfeetoftheplayer,for3days.Anyonewhoanswers hearsnothingbutstaticandaslurpingsoundandtheyloose3apathy.

5PlayerisofferedajobwiththeRavenAgency,iftheyaccepttheymuststartanewcharacterandthe GMusestheiroldcharactertomercilesslyhuntdownthePc'susinginsideknowledge. 6Theplayerstartsscreamingorlaughinguncontrollably.Theycandonothingbutmoveuntiltheend ofthescene. 7ThePlayerisknockedunconscious(noconciousnessroll)andhasaoneononechatwithcthulhu 8ThePlayerisunabletospeakexceptforIA!IA!IA!,STFU,LOL,NEWBandURMOM 9Theplayerselectivelyforgetseverythingtheyhavelearnedsincetheymeettherestofthepc's 10Theplayerattemptstodefendthemselvesbydrainingtheapathyoutofnearbypeople.Goodnews: Productivityinthatquarterordistrictofthecitygoesup300%Badnews:allpc'smustrolltostay concious. 11ThePlayergainsapet 12Playergainsanewpower
[1.4.2]Cthulhu

CthulhuinmygameissleepingunderneathLakeErie,oneofthegreatlakes,inbetweenCanadaand theUS.MaybethisisbecauseIliveinToronto,maybebecauseIamsickofthesouthpacifichaving allthecthulhuglory.Eitherwaythat'swhereheis.However,CTHULHUMUSTNEVERBESEEN. ifyoucanseeit,theycankillit.ThePlayersarenotallowedtokillcthulhu,noticethatcthulhucan'tkill theplayerseither.itsnotthatkindofgame,ifyourlookingforthatI'msureyoucanfinditsomewhere, Partofthereasonwhycthulhumustneverbeseenisthattheunknownisfarscarierthantheknown. That'sthewholepointofthemythos.Maybeyoudon'thaveCthulhuinyourgameyouhaveYiggor Azerothorsomethinglikethat,THATSKEWL.Surpriseyourplayers,justdon'tlietothem.Ifthey wantsomeoldskewlcthulhuactionandyoupulloutsomehippyShubNaggorothcraptheywon'tbe happyandforgoodreason. ItsprobablyeasiesttoputCthulhuundergroundorunderwater,thusthelake'sandthesouthpacific bits.
[1.4.2.1]TheEnding

Itprobablywouldn'tbehorribletoendagamewiththepc'smakingittoRYLEH,cthulhu'ssummer address(orthe9thplanet,ortheDREAMLANDS)intheirattempttorestorelifelibertyandcablebutI wouldn'tgofurtherthanthat.Justafadetoblack,andnoneofthisyourPC'sarealrightBravoSierra either.Maybeafadetoblackwithsomescreamingorsomething.ThisgameisaboutfightingCthulhu withapathy,ifthey,thepc's,goknockingondoorstheywillgetinovertheirhead.Ifyouwanttodo thatoldskewldungeoncrawl,everyonegetsanewcharacterevery5minutesitsuptoyou,myselfI wouldn'tkillanyone.Themoreattachedtheyaretothecharacterthemoretheyinteractintheworld, whichmakestheunhappyendingallthemorepoignant. YESTHISGAMEHASANUNHAPPYENDING.THEREISNOWININTHETHISGAME. THEREYOUGOYOURUINEDITFORYOUSELF.YOUHAPPYNOW,NOPEANDNEITHERIS YOURPC.butweallreallyknowthatCthulhugamesareaboutthejourneyandnottheending.

[1.4.3]TheTown

Thisgameisbasedaroundanurbanmodel.Itdoesn'thavetobebutI'mlivingneardowntownnowand Icanseewhyit'ssopredominateinthemythos.CITYTYPELIFEEXEMPLIFIESTHEHUMAN CONDITION.quotethatcrapatyourplayers,thereyougopatyourselfonthebackandleaveme alone. Townscancombinesqualorwitheverydaylife,whichinturnleadstothemythosversuseverydaylife. Somepeoplearegoingtobealllike,themountainsofdoom,onmyass.Buthey,youknowI'mright. foreverystoryonthemountainorinthedesertorthebarrendreamspaces,thereistwoinatown,a city,anabandonedhouse,orroomintown.adreamcitywhereyoucantraderubiesforslaves,etc. Butwhat'sintown. FirstyouneedaplaceforyourPC'stolive,eat,andcrap.Thisisgenerallyknownasanapartment.yes, allthePC'sshouldbeapartmentdwellersdoesthissurpriseyou?ThenyouneedaplaceforthePC'sto hangout,thiscanbeatthelocalquirkymart,MCDonald'sortheentirefriggingdowntowncore,a nightclub(thebronzeforbonuspoints)orsomethinglikethat.LastlythePC'sneedplacesto investigate,abandonedwarehouses,creepywitchhouses,corporatemainframes,extraimensioncable billingagencies,thedocksandthatkindofstuff.Theseinvestigationlocalsshouldgenerallybe announcedintheHEADLINES.SometimesthePCSwillbelikeIgotoXwhereXissomething thatyouhadnoideaexistedandwasn'tsureiseveninyourgame.SAYYESFORTHELOVEOF CTHULHU.Thisisyourpcsaying,IWANTTHISINTHEGAME,itsinvolvedandactive.ifnothing elseitssomethingyoudidn'thavetothinkupyourselfsothankthemprofuselyandletthemontheir merryway,trustmeItwon'tbemerryforlong(sowhatyouwanttogototheplanetarium?sureyou findtheTorontoPlanetarium,sowhatifitdoesn'texist,maybeitsacthulhubaseddelusion,maybethe forcesofthemythoshasitrecommissionedinordertomakesurethestarsareright,isn'tthatbetter thanNothereisnoplanetariuminToronto?
[1.4.4]ThePeople

Sowhataboutthepeople?Theycomeintwosizes,namelessNPC'sandvillains.
[1.4.4.1]NamelessNPC's

TheVastmajorityofpeopleinthecityortownofTorontoorwhereveryourplayingyouprobablywill nevergettoafirstnamebasis.JustcallingthemTHECLERKandhavingthemactCLERKLIKE.is probablyenough.SomePlayersmaybereallyinterestedinthatcrap,inthiscasetreatitlikethis PC:SowhatistheClerk'sname,whatdoeshisnametaglike,doIrecognizehim? GM:Dunnowhatishisname,doyourecognizehim? IfthePCislikeIdunnoitmeansoneoftwothings,theywheretryingtomakelifehardforyouto beginwith(inwhichcaseyoucleverlyturneditbackonthem,scoreforyou),ortheyareshy.Push themafewminutes,letsomeonehelpthem,whatever.Ifitsdeadsilencejustsay,Hedoesn'thavea nametagandwon'ttellyouhisname.(thisisn'tagameofputtheplayersonthespotcausetheyare shy) IfthePCislikeCORNHOLIOANDHENEEDSTPFORHISBUNGHOLEmaybeheis,maybe heisjustmakingthatjokeinthegame,maybeitsjustwhatthePChearsinhishead.Runwithit.

[1.4.4.2]Villains

Villainscomeintwoflavours,cultistsandmonsters.andasyouseeinthemonstersection,that'sreally oneflavour.MONSTER.TheseareyournakedwitchgirlsshoutingIAIAIAinthedeadofnight,that creepthat'sfollowingthePC's,TheapartmentlichthatmaybeabletohelpthePC'siftheycan overcomehisapathy.ThesearesimplyapartofthestorythatisopposedtothePC's.TheAntagonistto thePC'sprotagonist. SowhatdoesanAntagonist/Villaindo? TheyopposethePC's.ThepreventthePC'sfromdoingwhattheywant.Ifyouexpectittoendinfire andfighting,theantagonistisaBOSS.TheMonsterattheendofthestagethatthePC'smustusewhat theylearned(eitherasaplayeri.e.howtoeffectivelyplayandworktogetherorusingsomesecretfrom thegameasacharactersuchasasecretchantorbrewthatwilldestroyordefeattheboss.)Ifyouexpect thePC'stodiscoversomethingabouttheantagonistordosomethingforthemtodefeatthemandgain theiraid.Theyareafalseantagonist,theydon'treallyopposethePC's.OncethePC'sfreethefalse antagonist'swifeorremovethemindcontroltreathimexactlylikeanamelessNPC. SoyesVillains=Fightorsomethingelse;ifsomethingelsethenFalseAntagonist InmyworldmostofthenoncthulhuantagonistarethedreadedR.A.V.E.N.Ameninblacktype organizationdedicatedtoensuringthatthespreadofcthulhu'sinfluenceiscurtailed,generallyby violentmeans.TheyabductPC's,cleanupafterthem,capturemonsters,createcoverstories,fake deaths,abductwitnesses.ANYTHINGtoensurethatlesspeopleknowaboutthemythos.
[1.4.4.3]soisCthulhuanAntagonist?

Nope,CthulhuwantsthePC'stogoaround,investigate,getinovertheirheadandbeforcedtousetheir powers,becauseeverytimethePC'sdotheyhavetouseapathy,whichmeanstheymightbecomea cultist.TheformerPC'sareCthulhu'smostpowerfulweaponsagainstR.A.V.E.N.andtheonlywayhe's evergoingtofreehimself.Cthulhuismuchmoreofamentor.hopingtobringhisstudentstothedark side,ratherthanwantthePC'stofail.However,therestofthemythos,allthoseshoggothsand monstersandYethhounds,andsuchareAntagonistofthevillian/monstervariety

[1.4.5] Equipmentandstuff

Sowhereareallthesweetclaymore'sflamethrowers,grenadesandAK47's?Wetotallyneedsomeof thattokillcthulhuright?WRONG.Thisgamedoesn'thavegreatbiglistsofequipment.Weapons workbyforcingconciousnesscheckstostayinthescene.Monster'sdon'tgetconciousnesschecks (Theyjustspendorbidapathy)Soweaponsaremoreorlessuselessthen?No.Theyarehandybecause theycanengagemultipleenemiesatonceandallowyoutodothingsthatyoumaynotbeabletodo otherwise.TheFireaxealthoughitisnotreallyanymoreeffectiveagainstdeepspawnthansayyour fists,kungfuoramachinegun,letsyouchopthings.Knivesletyoucutthings,Gunsletyoushot things,machinegunsletyoushotlotsofthings,Flamethrowersletyouburnthings,grenadesletyou blowthingsup.magicweaponsletyoumagicthings.Thistableistogiveyousomeideasaboutthem.

[1.4.5.1]EquipmentList

Club,Fist,Blunt,Chains,Flails,Nunchucks:Can'tCut,NoRange,GoodforCloseCombat Knife,Bayonet,Swords,Daggers:CanCut,CanThrow,GoodforCloseCombat Axes:CanChop,CanThrow,GoodforCloseCombatandBreakingThings Handgun,Pistol,Revolver,HandCannon:CanShoot,GoodforCloseCombat,GoodforShortRange Rifle,Longgun:CanShoot,GoodforLongRange MachineGun,MachinePistol,AK47M16:CanAutofire,GoodforEverything FlameThrowers:KILLITWITHFIREIA! Grenades,Explosives:Blowthingsup,grenadesareshortrange,explosivesvary

[1.4.5.2]MagicStuff

Sowegotthemythos,whereisthemagic.Allofthepcpowersarepsionicinnature,andthispurposely ignoresalargechunkofthemythosforaverysimplereason.Wearenotplayingwitchesandwizards. Magicandesotericloreishardtofind,requireseffort,brains,andresourcestoaccumulatethatthepc's don'thave.MagicstufffallsunderthelabelofJUSTSAYNO.Ifyoudowantmagicstuff,magical items,artefacts,etctheycomeintwovarietiesA>TheMacguffinB>Mine'sBetter

[1.4.5.3]TheMacguffin

ThebestexampleofthisisIndianaJonesandtheLordoftheRings.Thedetailsofthearkofthe covenantortheoneringdoesn'tmatter.Whatisimportantabouttheseobjectsistheemphasistheplot andcharactersputuponit.Becauseofthisthemacguffinneedsnostats. Examples:weirdflutes,infernalsymphonies,unholygrimories,crystalskullsetc

[1.4.5.4]Mine'sBetter

Thiskindofmagicalitemismoreorlessindistinguishablefromanordinaryorregularitem,exceptin onerespectthatitsbetterthanaverage.Itmaybeanunbreakableswordoragunthatneverrunsoutof ammo,oracandlethatburnsexceptionallybrightly.Theseitemsdon'tneedspecificstatsbeyondhow theyareanexceptionorbetter. Examples:Agunthatalwayshitsbetweentheeyes,acanethatparalyzesshoggoths,afuturisticblaster thatcanfirethrewwalls,ormagicalxrayvisiongoggles. Thepropertiesvarybutgenerallycandowhateverthebasicobjectdoesbutbetter,lastlonger,fires further,uncannyaccurate,doesn'tneedtobereloaded,indestructible,etc.Nomatterwaydothese qualitiesgiveanumericalbonus,butratherasimplequalitiesoftheobjectitself.

[1.5]FlippingCthulhu
Priests,Gangsters,FormerPC's,ApartmentLichestheyareallthesametocthulhu,merelyuseful pawnsthatbringhimonestepclosertofreeinghimself.MonstersinApathyallhaveasimilarlayout. MonsterName:TheExampleBeast Description:Ilooklikealltheotherbeasts Weakness:NoPowersofmyown Powers:Icontaininfiniteinstancesinfiniteform APATHYX Restrictions:Cannotbeoriginal Ability:Boring

TheDescriptiontellsyouwhatyourPC'scanorcannotseedependingonthemonster. Weaknessconsistofthingsthatareextradamagingtothemonster.Ifthemonsterbidsagainsta weaknessitautomaticallylossesapointofapathy.Restrictionsarejustthingsthatmonsterscannotdo. Powersandabilitiesrefertopsionicpowersorrawphysicalabilities.Somemonsterscanonlyseewith theirmind.somecanturninvisibleorleavegiant5clawedfootprintsintheirwake.Somemonsters havegiantclawsandteeththattheyuseincombat,etc.

[1.5.1]NightGaunt

Apathy7

Nightgauntsarevaguelyhumanshape,butarethinandblackandfaceless.Theirskinisslickand rubbery.Theysportapairofinwardfacinghornsontheirheads,andhaveclawedhandsandalong barbedtail,andwings Weakness:Water Restrictions:Unintelligent Abilities:Flight,Claw,Bite,Horn,Strength,Tailbarb Power:ANightGauntcangrabasleeperoutoftheirdreamsintotheDreamlands.

[1.5.2]DeepOnes Apathy3

Ithinktheirpredominantcolourwasagreyishgreen,thoughtheyhadwhitebellies.Theyweremostly shinyandslippery,buttheridgesoftheirbackswerescaly.Theirformsvaguelysuggestedthe anthropoid,whiletheirheadsweretheheadsoffish,withprodigiousbulgingeyesthatneverclosed.At thesidesoftheirneckswerepalpitatinggills,andtheirlongpawswerewebbed.Theyhopped irregularly,sometimesontwolegsandsometimesonfour.Iwassomehowgladthattheyhadnomore thanfourlimbs.Theircroaking,bayingvoices,clearlyusedforarticulatespeech,heldallthedark shadesofexpressionwhichtheirstaringfaceslacked...Theyweretheblasphemousfishfrogsofthe namelessdesignlivingandhorrible. TheShadowOverInnsmouth Weakness:Fire Restrictions:Cannotbeseeninpublic Ability:Amphibious,CanMatewithHumans,Immortal
[1.5.3]Shoggoth Apathy12

Itwasaterrible,indescribablethingvasterthananysubwaytrainashapelesscongeriesof protoplasmicbubbles,faintlyselfluminous,andwithmyriadsoftemporaryeyesformingandun formingaspustulesofgreenishlightalloverthetunnelfillingfrontthatboredownuponus,crushing thefranticpenguinsandslitheringovertheglisteningfloorthatitanditskindhadsweptsoevillyfree ofalllitter. H.P.Lovecraft,AtTheMountainsofMadness Weakness:ElderThings Restrictions:None Abilities:Fluid,Amphibious,FamiliarwithHumanity,ImmunetoDamage Powers:AShoggothcanimitateanything,living,deadormachine,itworksperfectlyasthatobject absolutelyindistinguishablefromtherealthinguntiltheShoggothstopsusingthisability
[1.5.4]ElderThing Apathy20

Sixfeetendtoend,threeandfivetenthsfeetcentraldiameter,taperingtoonefootateachend.Likea barrelwithfivebulgingridgesinplaceofstaves.Lateralbreakages,asofthinnishstalks,areat equatorinmiddleoftheseridges.Infurrowsbetweenridgesarecuriousgrowthscombsorwingsthat foldupandspreadoutlikefans...whichgivesalmostsevenfootwingspread.Arrangementreminds oneofcertainmonstersofprimalmyth,especiallyfabledElderThingsin[the]Necronomicon. H.P.Lovecraft,AttheMountainsofMadness Weakness:Shoggoths Restrictions:VerySlowMoving Abilities:Technology,GeneticEngineering,Interspaceflight,ImmunetoDamage Power:ElderThingscanmakeHypnoticSuggestions,Mesmerize,andDominatefoes.

[1.5.5]Cultist

Apathy1

Humans.HalfmadpeoplewhoworshiponeoftheElderGods.Theirhumanitymakestheirterrifying andimmoralactsallthemoredisturbing.Oftenseenatthesitesofgreatevil,whetherancientstones thatstoodpresenttoimmoralritesorthemassmurderoforphansandkittens.Singularlydistrubing andoftengibberinglymadshoutingIA!IA!IA!oratleastwehopetheyare. Weakness:Handguns,Rifles,Explosives Restrictions:Cannotbeseeninpublic Abilities:Daggers,Punch,Maddness Powers:CultistscansensePC'sandFreeCthulhu,CthulhutellsCultiststodoevilthings,andtheydo

[1.5.6]FormlessSpawn Apathy12

Thebasin...wasfilledwithasortofviscousandsemiliquescentsubstance,quiteopaqueandofa sootycolour....[T]hecentreswelledasifwiththeactionofsomepowerfulyeast[and]anuncouth amorphousheadwithdullandbulgingeyesarosegraduallyonaneverlengtheningneck...Thentwo armsifonecouldcallthemarmslikewisearoseinchbyinch,andwesawthatthethingwas not...acreatureimmersedintheliquid,butthattheliquiditselfhadputforththishideousneckand head,and[itwasnowformingarms]thatgropedtowarduswithtentaclelikeappendagesinlieuof clawsorhands!...Thenthewholemassofthedarkfluidbegantorise[and]pouredovertherimof thebasinlikeatorrentofblackquicksilver,takingasitreachedtheflooranundulantophidianform whichimmediatelydevelopedmorethanadozenshortlegs. ClarkAshtonSmith,"TheTaleofSatampraZeiros" Weakness:Fire,Mercury Restrictions:CannotHarmTsathoggua Abilities:Pound,Bite,Rend,Tentacles,ImmunetoDamage Powers:FormlessSpawnarenaturallyliquid,abletoseepthrewthesmallesthole.
[1.5.7]DarkYoung Apathy5

Somethingblackintheroad,somethingthatwasn'tatree.Somethingbigandblackandropy,just squattingthere,waiting,withropeyarmssquirmingandreaching...Itcamecrawlingupthe hillside...anditwastheblackthingofmydreamsthatblack,ropy,slimejellytreethingoutofthe woods.Itcrawledupanditfloweduponitshoofsandmouthsandsnakyarms. RobertBloch,"NotebookFoundinaDesertedHouse" Weakness:None Restrictions:WillnotHarmShubNiggurathorherworshippers Abilities:Frightening,Tentacles,Devour,ComesinGroupsofThousands Powers:DarkYoungduetotheirappearance,cannotbefoundinforestsunlesstheyareattacking.Dark Youngalsohaveunnaturalreachabletoattackanythingtheycansee.
[1.5.8]Migo Apathy4

Fungus,Theyarefunguswithshells.Funguswithlegs,andthoughts.Funguswithtentaclesinsteadof heads.Theirbodyisaconvultedellipsoid.Theirfleshpalestreakedwithbiliousgreenandhorridblue. TheMigoareaboutallthingsalien. Weakness:Byakhee Restrictions:CannotharmNyarlathotepandShubNiggurath. Abilities:AdvancedTechnologyandIntelligence.ThoughtControl Powers:BrainExtraction(Brainisputinatube,andcanstillsensebutcannotmoveordoanything)

[1.5.9]RavenAgents Apathy3

Thesemenarealldressedinblack,everybit,Gloves,Boots,Glasses,Vehicles.Theytake,theytakethe

unexplainedandmakesureitremainshidden,thatitisneverexplained.Theyneverstop,theydon't care,theydon'tquestion.Theyerase.Thesearethemenoftheraven,theextentthatmankindwillgoto ensurethattheoldonesareforgotten. Weakness:Explosives,VideoRecordingRestrictions:CannotbeseeninPublic Abilities:WellTrainedandFunded,handguns Powers:Cansensepeopletaintedbythemythos,knowledgeofmythosmonstersweakness

AdvancedRavenAgent Apathy10

ReferredtoasSeers,theseravenagentshavebeenpushedtotheutmostofhumanmodification.Their EyesandTonguehavebeenremoved,infavourofpsionicsenses.Inadditiontheymanipulatethe thoughttechnologyoftheMigotodeadlyprecision.AdvancedRavenAgentsareNightmaresIncarnate dedicatedtoeradicatingeverythingthatisthemythos. Weakness:None Restrictions:None Abilities:UncannyStrength,Speed,Accuracy.Neverpaysapathytoactivepowers. Powers:OnlyCreatureswithpowerscansensetheSeers.SeerscansensePC's.Psionicsightand hearing,includingelectronictransmission,toarangeof1mile.Migothoughtweaponrycanthrow blastsofforceandprovidepropulsion,allowingtheSeerstojumpandruntogreatheightsandspeeds.
[1.5.10]TheApartmentLich Apathy25+

Thisdestituteoldsoul,stillwearingthetatteredremainsofpyjama'slaysuponthecouch,watching television.Theirapartmentisrevolting,decadesofdeadmice,cats,budgies,pigeons,andsometimes largerbodiesandtheirshitlayheavyuponthefloor.OldNewspapersandvinylrecordscoverevery conceivablesurface.Thestinkofshit,pissandoldage,asmelllikevinegar,liesheavyintheair.The beastdoesn'tstirfromitslocalprogramming. Weakness:Light Restrictions:CannotLeavetheApartment Powers:ApartmentLichscanturnoffelectriclightsourcesandExpensiveObjectswithathought,can seethetelevisionwithitsmind,Putpeopletosleep.TVrottedtheapartmentlichsbrainandnoone canreaditsmind.Ordinarypeopledon'tevenknowtheapartmentlichexistsamongthem.
[1.5.11]Vampire Apathy5recentlysired15vampirelord

Thedeceasedformsofvirginsbroughtbacktolifebytheunholybloodoftheirsire.Theylooklikethey didinlifebutwiththeirfeaturestwistedbyhateandrageagainstalllivingthings. Weakness:Mirrors,Crosses,RunningWater,SunlightRestriction:Cannotenterprivateareasuninvited Abilities:Strong,Fast,Bloodsucking,Flight, Powers:VampirescanMesmerisewithaGlance,AppearWholesomeforshortperiodsoftime,turn intomistorbats,createmorevampires,DrainApathyalongwithBlood(1apathyatatime)

[1.5.12]FireVampire Apathy8

ThesepointsofCrimsonFirecoalescedintoaroughmanshape,giveoffconsiderableheatandlight, flickeringandreappearingalmosttofasttosee. Weakness:Water,Cold Abilities:Fast,Burnsanythingittouches, RestrictionsCannotHarmCthugha

Powers:FireVampirescansetfiretoanythingwithathought.FireVampiresdrainthememoriesof thosetheyburnandareinconstantcommunicationwitheveryotherFireVampire.
[1.5.13]StarVampire Apathy10

Itwasredanddripping;animmensityofpulsing,movingjelly;ascarletblobwithmyriadtentacular trunksthatwavedandwaved.Thereweresuckersonthetipsoftheappendages,andthesewere openingandclosingwithaghoulishlust....Thethingwasbloatedandobscene;aheadless,faceless, eyelessbulkwiththeravenousmawandtitanictalonsofastarbornmonster.Thehumanbloodon whichithadfedrevealedthehithertoinvisibleoutlinesofthefeaster. RobertBloch,"TheShamblerfromtheStars" Weakness:Sunlight Restrictions:VisibleduringandAfterFeeding,AlwaysLaughing Abilities:Tentacles,Suckers,Claws,Bloodsucking,UnnervingLaughter Powers:StarVampiresarenaturallyInvisibilityandDrainsApathywithBlood(3Apathyatatime)
[1.5.14]Byakhee Apathy7

Thereflappedrhythmicallyahordeoftame,trained,hybridwingedthings...notaltogethercrows,nor moles,norbuzzards,norants,nordecomposedhumanbeings,butsomethingIcannotandmustnot recall. H.P.Lovecraft,"TheFestival" Weakness:None Restrictions:MustobeySummoningCircles,CannotHarmHastur Ability:ByakheecanflyandtravelthrewOuterSpace.

[1.5.15]Ghost

Apathy1minorpoltergeist20Ringu

Thespectralremainsofahuman,continuedbyanunendingthought.someappearastheyareideally, othersastheydied,andyetothersashorriblephantasms. Weakness:Sunlight,GeometryRestrictions:Incorporeal(GhostshavenoPhysicalBody) Abilities:GhostscanVanishturninginvisible,Reformafterdestruction,andHauntbuildings Powers:Ghostscanliftupto100lbswiththeirthoughts,canlightafireswithoutalighter,cantakethe formofalovedone.AllPowersusedagainstmebackfire.

[1.5.16]Ghast Apathy6

Afteramomentsomethingaboutthesizeofasmallhorsehoppedoutintothegreytwilight,andCarter turnedsickattheaspectofthatscabrousandunwholesomebeast,whosefaceissocuriouslyhuman despitetheabsenceofanose,aforehead,andotherimportantparticulars. H.P.Lovecraft,TheDreamQuestofUnknownKadath Weakness:Fire,NaturalLight,Gugs,SunlightKillsInstantlyRestrictions:CannotSmell Abilities,Strong,LeapAttack,KeenSenses

[1.5.17]StarSpawn Apathy15

Squidheadedmonstrositieswithgiantgreenboatedbodiesandwings.Clawsandtentaclesare everywhere,squirmingmassesinsteadoffingersormouths.StarSpawnarethechildrenandservants ofcthulhuinthedreadcityofRyleh,deepundertheocean

Weakness:None Restrictions:None Abilities:Claws,Tentacles,Flight,Strong,Tough,StarSpawncanDevourstheBrainsofdefeatedPC's

[1.5.18]Ghoul Apathy5

RisenCorpseswithatasteofdeadflesh.Sometimescalledwightsbecauseoftheirpalecolourations. Theseundeadabominationsusetheirspeed,teethandclawstokillsothattheymayeat. Weakness:FireRestrictions:Canonlyeatdeadflesh Abilities:Strong,Tough,Fast,PointedTeethandClaws

[1.5.19]Zombie Apathy2

DecayedBodiesbroughtbacktolifebynecromanticmagicortechnology.Zombiesareslowshamblers thatareonlydrivenbyoneinstinctnow.TheirendlesshungerforBrains Weakness;Fire,HeadshotsRestrictions:Cannotmovefasterthanaslowwalk Ability:Strong,Tough,EatsBrains

[1.5.20]Yuggya Apathy7

Theselooklikehumans,exceptforthefactthepallidskinoftheirfacesseemssoverylifeless.Yuggya rarelyopentheireyes,astheyareallnaturallyblind.Insteadtheyseewiththeirminds.Yuggyalook likehumansbutarenot,andtheyareunfailinglyloyaltotheiralienmasters. Weakness:Noise,TV,RevulsingAppearance Ability:Mind'sEyethatcandetectFearandRevulsion Restrictions:Blind

Apathy13

[1.5.21]Gug

Itwasapaw,fullytwofeetandahalfacross,andequippedwithformidabletalons.Afteritcame anotherpaw,andafterthatagreatblackfurredarmtowhichbothofthepawswereattachedbyshort forearms.Thentwopinkeyesshone,andtheheadoftheawakenedgugsentry,largeasabarrel, wabbledintoview.Theeyesjuttedtwoinchesfromeachside,shadedbybonyprotuberancesovergrown withcoarsehairs.Buttheheadwaschieflyterriblebecauseofthemouth.Thatmouthhadgreatyellow fangsandranfromthetoptothebottomofthehead,openingverticallyinsteadofhorizontally. H.P.Lovecraft,TheDreamQuestofUnknownKadath Weakness:GhoulsRestriction:CannotOpentheGreatDoorofKoth Ability:GugsFrightening,StrongandToughwithMassiveClaws.

[1.5.22]FlyingPolyp Apathy17

[Theflyingpolypswerea]horribleelderraceofhalfpolypous,utterlyalienentities...Theywereonly partlymaterialandhadthepowerofaerialmotion,despitetheabsenceofwings...[Theyexhibited]a monstrousplasticityand...temporarylapsesofvisibility...[S]ingularwhistlingnoisesandcolossal footprintsmadeupoffivecirculartoemarksseemedalsotobeassociatedwiththem. H.P.Lovecraft,"TheShadowOutofTime" Weakness:GreatRaceofYith Restrictions:CanAlwaysbeheardwhistling,Alwaysleaveshuge5clawedcircularfootprints Ability:FlyingPolypscanLevitatewithnoapparentmeansto.FlyingPolypscanturnInvisibileatwill. Powers:FlyingPolypscanControltheWindtodevastatingeffect.

References:QuotesandbackgroundinformationconcerningtheCthulhumythoscomefromWikipedia.

[1.6]PetzandPowerz
[1.6.1]Powerz

sonowyou'vegonethrewabout5/6'softhetextthinkingtoyourself,everybodygotpowersexceptme andallmypoweris,istoheartheoutofcharacterchitchat,manthatissounfair. wellnotsosunshine.therearealargevarietyofpowerssoletsbegin

[1.6.1.1]Whatistehpowah?

Apowerreferstoapsychicpowergiventoyoubycthulhu.AllofthePC'sinthegamearelowlevel psychics,andastheycontinueonthrewthegametheymaygetnewpsychicpowers.Powerzaremost definitelynotmagic,becausethatrequiresreadingmythosbooksandinvestigationandlearningand stuff,andthat'snotapathy.Ifyouwantmagicgoplaymageorsomething.

[1.6.1.2]PowerDescriptions

ThePower'sdescriptionisthenameofthepower.Allpowerscanbeusedwhenevertheapathycostcan bepaid.SomeApathycostsaredescribedlikeApathy3orApathy1withDrawback.Inthiscaseeither

costmaybepaid,andbothtimeitwouldbeconsideredspending3apathy.TheGmorotherplayersare responsibletoensurethatanappropriatedrawbackispayed.
[1.6.1.2.1]Backfire

Backfireisanegativeconsequence.Itisgenerallyofthreesorts,anextraencounter,Badluck,oranew villain.IfthePC'sselectBackfire,theGM,orotherplayersmayselectabackfire.Appropriate backfiresincludethingslike,ThePC'swinthefightbutthevillainescapes,Youlooseyourwallet,Your poweraffectsmoreorlessthanexpected,althoughitstillaffectsthemaintargetfine,yourcharacteris knockedout,civiliancasualties,mixedresults,thatkindofthing.However,backfirenevermeansthat themaingoaldoesnothappen.IfIbackfireYousleepnow,thetargetgoestosleep,otherthingsmay happenaswell,butthetargetgoestosleep.Useyourcreativity.

[1.6.1.3]ConflictingPowers

Ifmultiplepowersareusedthathaveconflictingproperties,theplayerwhospendsthemostapathy wins.Theotherplaymaychoosetospendextraapathy(thisisexactlylikeapathybiddingbutwith powers).Thepersonwhospendsthemostapathywins,theloserdoesn'tandgains1apathy.

[1.6.1.4]PowerChains

AllpowersarepresentedinchainformatbeginningwithIcanhearcthulhuinmyheadtellingmetodo evilstufflol.Togetaccesstohigherpowersyouneedthelowerpowers(Allofthem).Exampleyou needIhearcthulhutellingmetodoevilstufflolbeforeyoucanIhearotherpeopleinmyheadand youneedIhearotherpeopleinmyheadbeforeyoucangetIheartheradiowhenthereisnoradio.

[1.6.1.5]Whentogiveoutpowers.

Thisisalmostentirelyuptothegroup/players.somepeoplemaywanttostartwithanextrapower, somepeoplewillonlywanttogainanextrapowerwhenyoueatstarspawnbrains,whenyoudo somethingparticularlyapprovedofbycthulhu.Iwouldsuggestthatifyouareplayingthisgameasa oneshot,onceeveryotherheadline(probablyalternatewithpaydays).Iwouldsuggestthatifyouare playingthisgameasamultisessionaffairaboutoneeverysession.

[1.6.2]THEPOWAH!!!!!!!1!!11!!11!!1!!1111!!111111one1one11oneoneoneoneonewun

Powah Cost Ihearcthulhutellingmetodoevilstufflol 0Apathy Iamageingbackwards0Apathy Ihearotherpeopleinmyhead 1Apathy Iheartheradiowhenthereisnoradio 1Apathy IcanTxtwithmyMind 3Apathy IcanreadyourmindwithmyVulcanmindmeld 5Apathyor3+Backfire IseewhatyourdoingwhenI'mnoteventhere3Apathy Icanseewhatyouseethrewyourowneyes3Apathy Icanlightacigarettebythinkinghard1Apathy Icangetasodawithoutgoingtothefridge 1Apathy MyHandisajoybuzzer 0Apathy Icanlightlightbulbswithmymouth 0Apathy StreetLights(andlightsingeneral)turnonoroffaroundme1Apathy

TVRottedmybrainandasaresultnoonecanreadmymind3Apathyor1+Backfire PeopleCan'tPickmeoutofacrowd0Apathy Peopledon'tevenknowI'mtherewhenIamthere3Apathyor1+Backfire Icanreadbodylanguagelikeabook0Apathy MyThoughtsetchthemselvesontonearbysurfaces1Apathy Myhandswritethingsbythemselves0Apathy andsometimesitsevenusefulstuff 1Apathy Isleepnow 0Apathy Yousleepnow5Apathyor3+Backfire Icanseeinthedark 1Apathy Icancloudsmen'smindsaboutasmuchasaexpensivescotch1Apathy Icancloudmen'smindsaboutasmuchasabottleofscotch5Apathyor3+Backfire ExpensiveThingsDon'tWorkAroundme 1Apathy

[1.6.2.1]NewPowers?

Youwantthem?gomakethem!Icouldseeseveralofthepowerseventuallyopeningintoreally belligerentstuff,likethrowingfireballs,andlightening,psychokinetic,dominationthatkindofstuff. Therealquestionisdoyouwanttoplayyourgamelikethatcauseifyoudo,maybeadifferentgame wouldbebetter.Ifyouthinkthisisthegamehowever,feelfree.

[1.6.3]Pets

Petsaresmallsubhumancompanionswhotravelwiththepc'stohelpthemdostuff.Sometimesthey aremorelikelassy,sometimestheyaremorelikearampagingrobotbuteitherwayhere'showthey work.

[1.6.3.1]HowdoIgetone

Petsaregainedforspendingcash,forsuccessfullyinvestigatingscene'sforbeinginventiveatthe roboticsfactoryorotherreasons.Thereareonlytwocertainwaystogainapet,tobuyitortogainit whenyourapathydecreasesbelow1,everythingelseisuptothegm.

[1.6.3.2]Cost

Petscost100dollarsifboughtfromastore,otherwiseitwillbeuptothegm.Inadditionbecausepets requirecareyourmaxapathyisdecreasedby5,itskindahardtovegoutinyourlivingroomwhenyour dogneedsawalkbro.

[1.6.3.3]Benefits

Themainbenefitofapetisthattheyareoddlyimmunetodamage,themythos,andothersourcesof painandfrustrationforthepc's.Theyhavenoapathymeterandthereforecanneverbeturnedby cthulhuandtheyhavenoconciousnessandthereforecanneverbeknockedunconscious.Theyare

howeververylimited,theycandonothingthatasmallanimalorachildcouldnotdo.Thismeansthat beyondsomecarrying,protectingofunconsciousmasters,draggingthemoutoftheburningbuilding andothermundanetasks,thepetshavethenonstatisticalbenefitbesidestheonelistedbelow.

[1.6.3.4]Examples

Pet

Power

XboxRobot, SurprisinglyStrongandSmart TalkingShaggydog,Speech anAnimatedMarionette,Levitation(Heythosestringshavetogosomewhere) ACatwhowasawarlock,BadLuck,(Allenemiesloose1apathy AsmallandstupidbyakheeYoucanridehim,evenwhenhe'sflying Adumbshoggoth.Canturnintoanynotmagicalitemforashorttime.

[1.6.3.5]Limitations

Only1petever,andPetscannotparticipatedirectlyincombatorcontests.