Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos (1) 12

I Getting Started
As you look through the monsters and other

First, they can seek the wealth, which is genuinely

elements of this book, consider many such possible

there as a lure. And second, they might wish to save the

uses, both obvious and subtle. You can certainly use

world from the Old Ones’ return. (They may not know

any adventure or situation you like, merely plugging

about this aspect of the adventure until they get to the

in the Lovecraftian entities. But for a memorable

pyramid, or perhaps only in retrospect.)

and compelling game, spend some planning time

But how else could Nyarlathotep affect the dungeon

considering how the situation is now different because

crawl? Well, I would propose that as he has a thousand

the Cthulhu Mythos is involved.

forms, each separate dungeon level features its own

Everyone’s familiar with the classic dungeon crawl,

avatar of Nyarlathotep, starting out with comparatively

commonly constructed by an insanely powerful lich

weak forms, and working up to the most powerful. I

or a mad wizard. Perhaps the dungeon is instead

would also suggest that each time the adventurers

being run by a Lovecraftian entity of enormous

encounter Nyarlathotep he speak with them, mocking

power. I’ll randomly select a possibility (rolls dice).

their efforts and making suggestions, foul offers, and

Okay, I came up with Nyarlathotep. Arbitrarily I’ve

promises.

named this dungeon “The Twisted Pyramid.” (Seems

This is a dungeon with a kick to it, and yet in

Egyptian-ish.) Now obviously the Crawling Chaos

many ways, it is a normal, expected experience. The

has the ability to create a vast maze full of treasure,

Mythos has added that little extra touch to bring it

traps, and monsters, but why would he? Let’s think

beyond the mundane. With this twist, you can turn

about Nyarlathotep’s personality: he is the mind and

Nyarlathotep into an ongoing foil for the players and

voice of the Outer Gods, and what he primarily cares

for your campaign, using a mere dungeon crawl as their

about is serving them. What if his goal in creating this

introduction to him.

dungeon is to keep up to date on how dangerous the
most powerful adventurers in the world are? He doesn’t
necessarily want to kill them—he just wants to know

How to Use Horror in a
RPG Environment

how they’re doing and how to challenge them. And if

Many of the creatures in the Mythos are so horrendously

these top adventurers are weak enough, he can bring

powerful that even a high-level group cannot kill them.

back the Old Ones to destroy the world with the flick

Some of the entities described in this book are literally

of a metaphorical wrist.

impossible to defeat. Don’t force such a confrontation

Of course, the best way to ensure that he gets a

upon your players without giving them warning. You

good analysis of these adventurers is to tell them the

don’t need much of a premonition—perhaps a shadow

unvarnished truth. Let everyone know that there is

suddenly darkens the moon, or the city’s dogs suddenly

wealth—as well as danger—in the Twisted Pyramid to

and abruptly cease their howling.

draw the finest adventurers available. Once the current

The entities of the Mythos almost always corrupt

crop of adventurers proves too craven and feckless to

those who learn of them. Adventurers who investigate

brave the pyramid, Nyarlathotep will know the world

the ancient lore of Yog-Sothoth or other Great Old

is ready for the end times. Thus, the players have two

Ones should do so through a sea of terrors and ethical

reasons to brave the pyramid—one obvious, one subtle.

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