Apathy: The Calling

A role-playing game Version 0.2

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, and being part of the ongoing feedback 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 To Do List: Grammar and Spelling, Redoing section 1.5 with more infomoration on how to run monsters and use their abilities etc.

Thiswork[ApathytheCalling,v0.2]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 unknownreasonsyoucanhearcthulhuashedreams,callingyoutocommitunspeakableacts. Fortunatelyyou'velongbeenaccustomedtoignoringinconvenientrealities.Youfightbackwiththe inertiaandapathy,thathasdefinedyouasagenerationofslackers,miscreants,goodfornothings, babybustersandlosers. 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 imaginarymeasurmentofhowapatheticyourcharacteris.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, mutha.Roflcoptersandlollerskatesaboundinyourhead.Youcanheartheplayerchat,sofeelfreeto actonit.Thevoicescomedirectlyfromcthlulhuhoweversoexpectyourmilagetovary. Sometimesyouwillgetmorepowerz,morepets,athirdarm,yourbrainwillgetstuckinajar.seethe chapteronpowerzandpetstofigurethatout,butitsprettyeasy.Thepowerz'snameistheirdescription. Ifyouhavethepowerofsomethingyoucandoit.Ifithasacostyoumustspenditbeforeyourgetit. Simpleenoughright? Traits:Thisisalittlehistoryofyourjennyhistrionics.Thesetraitsdon'taffectstatsorapathyorpowers ,butarealltheotherthingsaboutyourcharacter.Traitsholdbothyourcharacterbackgroundorthe storyofwhathappenedtoyourcharacterbeforethegamestarted,andthingsthathappenedafter.If youraoneleggedalbinowithaperchantforfishandathreeleggeddog,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.TheGmhasasetofresponcibilitiesthataredifferentfromtheother players.Whereaplayercreatesacharacteroravatarintheprevioussection,theGameMaster(GM) managestheprops,world,rulesandotherpeopleinthegameworld.Thisisnottosaythatplayerscan't helpbutitistheGM'sresponcibilitytodothesethings.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 concensousorifconcensouscannotbeachieved,theGMpicksthestat.Iftheplayerstie,theyreroll untiltheyarenottiedandthenwhoeverhasthehighestrollwins.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,theycanalwaysdropoutoftheconflictandgainoftheapathytheGm biddedfordoingso. 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,andinsteadofthemosntereverrolling2d6+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). Ifyoufallunconcious(ieFailedaRoll)youareoutofthatscene,butfindyourselfrelativelyintactat themostthenextdayarroundbreakfasttimeinasafeplace.Sometimesyoushowupatyour appartment,sometimesahospital,sometimesapark.Badthingsmighthavehappenedtoyouinthe meantime(suchasobvoxiousphoto'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'seyefindingyourfearpsionicly 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 handedarroundinafunandeasyway.Headlineshappenintwosituations:A>AfewdaysofGame TimehasgonebyorB>wheneversomethingnoteworthyhashappened. Thefirstcaseisjustaheyhowdoyoudo,timeispassingmechanism,andshouldfunctionasawayto ntroducenewconcepts. 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.Inaddittionyourollforan addittionalramificationinthefollowingtableasappropiate.

[1.4.1.1]HighorLowApathyresults

Roll2d6andtotal;findnumberandimplimentresult.
[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 althoughttheyhaveenoughmoneyfortheirbills....forawhile. 5Theplayerbeginsreceivingoverduebillsfortheirutilitiesjustasoneofthemarecutoff 6Theplayerloosestheirwalletwithalltheirsparecash. 7TheApathyventsintheformofaPsychicEnergyBlast,allmonstersinthescenearedefeatedand receivenodyingaction.Everyonegains3Apathy 8Theplayerloosessomethingofvaluetothem,ifnothingofvaluerollagain. 9Aravenagentisdispatchedtodisposeoftheplayers,hearrivesinthreescenes. 10Cthulhuwarpsspacearroundtheplayerandteleportshimtoarandomlocationinthegame 11PlayerPetbecomeslost,ifnopetrollagain. 12Playergainsanewpower.
[1.4.1.3]Apathyunder1

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

5PlayerisofferedajobwiththeRavenAgency,iftheyaccepttheymuststartanewcharacterandthe GMusestheiroldcharactertomercilesslyhuntdownthePc'susinginsideknowledge. 6Theplayerstartsscreamingorlaughinguncontrollably.Theycandonothingbutmoveuntiltheend ofthescene. 7ThePlayerisknockedunconcious(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,extradimensioncable 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.IfthePCis

seriousrunwithit.
[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,andthispurposly ignoresalargechunkofthemythosforaverysimplereason.Wearenotplayingwitchesandwizards. Magicandesoterricloreishardtofind,requireseffort,brains,andresourcestoaccumulatethatthepc's don'thave.MagicstufffallsunderthelabelofJUSTSAYNO.Ifyoudowantmagicstuff,magical items,artifacts,etctheycomeintwovaritiesA>TheMacguffinB>Thebetterthanaverage

[1.4.5.3]TheMacguffin

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

[1.4.5.4]Mine'sBetter

Thiskindofmagicalitemisindistinguishablefromanordinaryorregularitem,exceptinonerespect thatitsbetterthanaverage.Itmaybeanunbreakableswordoragunthatneverrunsoutofammo,ora candlethatburnsexceptionallybrightly.Theseitemsdon'tneedspecificstatsbeyondhowtheyarean exceptionorbetter. 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,sometiemstheyaremorelikearampagingrobotbuteitherwayhere'showthey work.

[1.6.3.1]HowdoIgetone

Petsaregainedforspendingcash,forsucessfullyinvestigatingscene'sforbeinginventitiveatthe roboticsfacotryorotherreasons.Thereareonlytwocertainwaystogainapet,tobuyitortogainit whenyourapathydecreasesbelow1,everythingelseisuptothegm.

[1.6.3.2]Cost

Petscost100dollarsifboughtfromastore,otherwiseitwillbeuptothegm.Inaddittionbecausepets requirecareyourmaxapathyisdecreasedby5,itskindahardtovegoutinyourlivingroomwhenyour dogneedsawalkbro.

[1.6.3.3]Benefits

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

howeververylimited,theycandonothingthatasmallanimalorachildcouldnotdo.Thismeansthat beyondsomecarrying,protectingofunconciousmasters,draggingthemoutoftheburningbuilding andothermundanetasks,thepetshavestatisticalbenefitbesidestheonelistedbelow.

[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.