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Chaosium Digest Volume 11 Number 09
Chaosium Digest Volume 11, Number 9
Date: Sunday, September 24, 1995
Number: 1 of 1
Contents:
Freud in CoC (Frederic Moll) CALL OF CTHULHU
Marriage & Childbirth (Don McKinney) PENDRAGON
Announcement: Mythos (Chaosium) CALL OF CTHULHU
Announcement: Convulsion 3D (Heidi Kaye) MISC
Review: Beaumains #6 (Heidi Kaye) PENDRAGON
Review: Heraldry Shareware Programme (Heidi Kaye) PENDRAGON
Editor's Note:
This week, a big batch of short tidbits for various Chaosium games.
Shannon
RECENT BOOKS OF NOTE
* Call of Cthulhu - _The Dream Cycle of HP Lovecraft_ (Del Rey,
$10.00, ISBN 0-345-38421-0) is the newest mass market collection of
Lovecraft's Work. If you've already got all the Arkham House
hardcovers, there's nothing new here. However, this book is
interesting because it puts together all of Lovecraft's dream
stories in one place. I'm tempted to reread the set, to see all the
past connections that I might have missed. Definitely worth at least
a look.
_The R'lyeh Text_ (Skoob Books, #6.99/$11.99, ISBN 1-871438-90-X) is
the newest in Lovecraftian fakery. It's in the same vein as the 1978
Necronomicon, which was reprinted by Skoob in 1992. The book
contains sections by Colin Wilson, Robert Turner and others. Mostly
the authors seems to theorize and draw historical connections, but
there is also 25 pages of 'Necronomicon translation' in the center
of the book. I've yet to do more than skim the book, but it looks
pretty interesting. And, those 25 pages could make great CoC props.
* Nephilim - _The Big Book of Conspiracies_ (Paradox Press/DC Comics,
$12.95, ISBN 1-56389-186-7, 224 pg) is a huge black & white comic
covering a number of the best known conspiracy theories. It
emphasizes the twentieth century (numerous assassinations, the CIA,
the greys, etc) but tendrils span back to Assassins, Masons, Christ
and the Pyramids. Full of interesting ideas for a Nephilim campaign.
--------------------
From: FREDERIC MOLL <100350.1766@compuserve.com>
Subject: Freud in COC
System: Call of Cthulhu
Original idea by Frederic Cosson
Write-up by Frederic Cosson and Frederic Moll
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Famous psychoanalyst who lived in the city of Vienna (Austria) in the
waking world. He used hypnosis in his search to heal different types
of mental diseases.
Also a fine dreamer, he travelled through the Dreamlands and finally
became one of the Sages of Zakarion, a seaport of the southern sea,
east of the Enchanted Wood. There, he studied the arcane records of
Zakarion in his quest to free men from the madness generated by mythos
creatures in the waking world and the Dreamlands.
The results of some of his studies were published in the waking world
and used as techniques for healing the mind.
Finally, Freud left forever the Dreamlands, fleeing the wrath of
Hypnos who became aware of his research in the domain of the gods.
STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 12 INT 18 POW 16
DEX 12 APP 15 EDU 22 SAN 85 HP 13
Skills :
Cthulhu Mythos 15%, Debate 95%, Diagnose Disease 60%, Fast Talk 80%,
Hypnosis (self) 80% / (other) 70%, Oratory 55%, Psychology 60%,
Psychoanalysis 50% (*), Treat Disease 55%.
Dreaming 30%, Dream lore 50%.
Spells :
Elder Sign, Vortex of Far Journeying, Ironmind, Crystal World.
Notes :
The psychoanalysis skill of Sigmund is variable, as he is the father
of a new discipline and is still perfecting it.
Comments are welcome.
Frederic Moll
100350.1766@compuserve.com
or
fm10@calvanet.calvacom.fr
--------------------
From: Don McKinney <rcs@csci.csc.com>
Subject: Marriage & Childbirth
System: Pendragon
A few weeks back, I posed a question on childbirth rolls for PC
females and random death... The responses ranged everywhere from
"unless they remain chaste, death is a danger" to "ignore it if it's a
problem"; I would like to thank everyone who wrote me with their
ideas. We have decided to use the simplest method: such a roll
indicates a major wound, and failing a CON roll sends the player to
the Aging Table.
Now, a new problem has arisen: Female Knights who wish to use the
Random Marriage Table. This was followed by male Knights who wanted a
chance of their random wife being a Knight or warrior... (these things
are never simple). So I offer the following tables for discussion:
RANDOM MARRIAGE TABLE A
(for use by Male Knights, d20)
[allows marriages with female warriors and knights]
01-15 normal lady [use table B]
16-19 female warrior [as table B]
[has warrior package if culture allows, add appropriate glory]
20 female knight [use table C]
RANDOM MARRIAGE TABLE B
[standard table from book]
RANDOM MARRIAGE TABLE C
(for use by Female Knights, or from Table A, d20)
[represents random Male and Female Knights]
01-04 squire, d3L 25 glory
05-07 poor knight, 1 manor, d6L 1050 glory
08-17 ordinary knight, 1 manor, d6+3L 1100 glory
18-19 rich knight, 2 manors, d6+6L 1250 glory
20 superlative knight, 2 manors, 2d6+6L 1500 glory
The squire entry normally assumes an older squire (20+), but if a Male
Knight receives this result, it means he has married a squired woman
whose education and provision is now in his hands...
In my campaign, Cymric daughters, especially the younger daughters,
are given training as Cymric Warriors, to assist against raiders, and
to defend their homes when the men are away. Of course, once such a
woman has daughters of her own, she is inclined to expect such
training, and woe to the man who unsettles his own house by refusing
such!
Lastly, another question to Pendragon GMs: Has anyone updated the
procedures from the old Nobles Book to the current edition of the
rules?
--
Donald E. McKinney (dmckinne@csci.csc.com)
--------------------
From: <Chaosium@aol.com>
Subject: Announcement: Mythos
System: Call of Cthulhu
*************
MYTHOS UPDATE
*************
Mythos is Chaosium's upcoming Call of Cthulhu collectable card game.
We have been playtesting the game for the last few aeons, including
continuous private games at this year's GENCON. The playtesters have
been having quite a bit of fun. It seems to appeal both to players who
are deeply into collectable card games and those that aren't. Even
those who claim that they hate collectable card games are uncannily
attracted to MYTHOS.
FURTHER DETAILS
MYTHOS will consist of starter decks featuring 60 cards, plus an
Investigator Card and rulesbook. You can even read the rules without
the use of a magnifying glass. 8 decks come in a display. We are
creating a number of different Investigators, each with different
skills, different beginning Sanity values, and slight variances in how
their hands work.
At the same time that we are designing the basic game, we are also
working on the first three boosters. This will allow us to release the
boosters at the appropriate times following the release of the
starters in March 1996, without the delay that had plagued some games.
The total number of cards in the starters and boosters is 400.
The cost of a starter will be $8.95, and each booster pack will cost
$2.95. Of course, the stock number for the starter display is #1300.
Release is scheduled for March 1996.
NOTES ON DESIGN
The goal of a MYTHOS game is to travel to various locations described
in the tales by Lovecraft, gathering allies, tomes, spells, and
artifacts, while trying to avoid being driven insane. Everyone who has
played enjoys the storytelling aspects of the game, and feel that we
are managing to capture the spirit and feel of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Starter decks focus on Lovecraft Country. Boosters will further
explore the world.
The game works for two or more players. A two-player session lasts
from 30 minutes to an hour. Each additional player adds about 20
minutes to the length of the game.
WRITE!
We know that you have many ideas of your own, and that there are many
things that you would like to see in this remarkable new game. We have
created a specialized online e-mail address just for MYTHOS. Simply
jot down your ideas or comments and send them to MythosCCG@aol.com.
--------------------
From: Heidi Kaye
Subject: Announcement: Convulsion 3D
System: Pendragon, Cthulhu, RuneQuest
Plans are afoot for next year's convention, Convulsion 3D, The Epic,
in Leicester. Anyone who was at either of the two previous
Convulsions, and particularly anyone who played in the Gloranthan
freeform games, won't want to miss it. They will be running a new and
improved version of Home of the Bold, as run at the first con and
developed at an American RuneQuest con. An Australian RuneQuest
tournament, a Cthulhu tournament, and regular guests Greg Stafford,
Sandy Petersen, and Michael O'Brian are all promised. Paul and I are
certainly booking early. David Hall is once again organising it. The
date is 19-21 July 1996, and it will be held at Stamford Hall,
University of Leicester.
Residential membership is #18 plus room deposit of #10. They are
promising that rooms will be no more than #19 per night including
breakfast. Non-residential membership is #28. Make cheques payable to
"Convulsion." You must be 18 or over to attend.
For registration and/or further info, write to:
David Hall
Convulsion
21 Stephenson Court
Osborne Street
Slough
Berkshire
SL1 1TN
United Kingdom
--------------------
From: Heidi Kaye
Subject: Review: Beaumains #6
System: Pendragon
Just received issue 6 of the fanzine _Beaumains_. It contains:
* Editorial
* The Adventure of the Strangers' Path - by Gareth Jones, as run at
last year's _Convulsion_ in Leicester.
* The Adventure of the Noble Baby - by Tim Harris - good adventure
nugget about a mysterious foundling.
* Readers' Survey
* What Your Character Knows in 495 AD - Michael Trout - a supplement
to the material from the rulebook for campaigns starting before the
standard 530.
* Reviews of: Pagan Shores - by Heidi Kaye and Ed Everett; King
Arthur's Camelot pop-up castle and 4 storybooks - by Gareth Jones;
AD&D 2nd ed. Crusades Sourcebook - by Ed Everett; The Ellyllon
Knights Campaign 1995 - a week-long roleplaying break run
by Gareth Jones, reviewed by him
* To Wax Wood - by Gareth Jones - chat column
* Divers Dabblings - Temporary Fellowships - by Heidi Kaye; Saracen
Knights - by Danny Bourne
The 495 article is very useful, as is the short piece on Saracen
knights. The adventures are interesting; I especially like the idea of
a baby of unknown origins, which creates a story which will continue
to develop as the campaign proceeds and could lead to many intriguing
twists.
Issues are now #2 and can be ordered from:
Gareth Jones
69 Atherley Road
Shirley
Southampton
SO1 5DT
Don't know what it costs in dollars, but you can order in the US from:
Eric Rowe
1635 Julia no. 3
Berkeley CA 94703
and in Luxembourg from:
T. Jones
37 Rue D'Ernzen
L-7635 Ernzen
----------------
From: Heidi Kaye
Subject: Review: Heraldry Shareware Programme
System: Pendragon
There is a very useful shareware programme for creating coats of arms.
It is called Blazon, and is produced by Pete Barrett. It can be
obtained from various shareware supply companies, which is where I
recently spotted it.
Blazon allows you to build up a coat of arms using the various tools:
ordinaries, charges (symbols, animals, inanimate objects), with
different kinds of lines of division (dancetty, embattled, etc.). It
can even cope with differencing coats of arms for combining the arms
of two families by quartering or empalement. You can choose to follow
the strict rules of colour combinations or not. The charges and poses
for creatures (only lions) are rather limited, but do offer a
reasonable range. You can even use the "fur" colours (ermine, vair)
and do patterned backgrounds such as lozengy, chequey, or fleur de
lis. The coats of arms can be printed out.
This programme could teach the basics of heraldry to an interested
player as well as be a useful game aid for creating characters' coats
of arms. I recommend it, and hope that it will be developed further
if interest is shown. The addition of more animals and other charges
would be useful. Registration is #10. Write to:
Pete Barrett
40 Warren Road
Stirchley
Birmingham
B30 2NY
--------------------
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