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Episode 177: Ghosts in Call of Cthulhu part 2
This is the second of two episodes looking at ghosts and how they tie into Call of Cthulhu. The first focused on ghost stories and folklore. This time, we discuss how (and if) ghosts might fit into Call of Cthulhu and the wider Cthulhu Mythos.While Lovecraft wrote a handful of tales which might be considered ghost stories, these were usually... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 178: A Warning to the Curious
This episode explores M R James’ classic English ghost story, “A Warning to the Curious”. England has an enduring love for ghost stories, and James is the towering figure in the field. We spend some time talking about the man himself and how his work has retained its appeal. Then we go digging for treasure in one of his best-known tales,... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 179: More Great NPCs of History
In this episode, we once again seek out historical personages who might make interesting Call of Cthulhu NPCs. We have restricted ourselves to the classic 1920s and Gaslight time periods to best fit your games.
This is a follow-up to our first Great NPCs of History discussion in episode 173. That time, Paul and Scott got so carried away (mainly... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 180: Azathoth
This is the latest instalment in our series on the deities of the Cthulhu Mythos. Earlier episodes have covered Dagon, Shub-Niggurath, Yog-Sothoth and Nyarlathotep.
This time, the focus is on the blind idiot god at the centre of it all, Azathoth. We dig into Azathoth’s origins and how he changed throughout Lovecraft’s work. Then we move on to exploring how... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 181: Making a Monster
This episode is a discussion of how we go about creating new monsters for Call of Cthulhu. Is it enough (or even safe) to reskin a Deep One or a shoggoth? How do you decide how deadly your monster should be? What kind of stats should you assign? What is the monster doing in your scenario in the first place? And why not just pick something out of the rulebook... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 182: Body Horror
This episode is our exploration of the linked topics of disgust and body horror. We were originally going to cover disgust in our episode about Making Call of Cthulhu Scary, but ran out of time. And body horror has been on our list for some time. It seemed logical to send the two topics through the telepods, melding them into a twitching, mewling hybrid of... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 183: The Fly
Following on from our episode about body horror, we thought we should discuss an example of the genre. And what better-known body horror film is there than David Cronenberg’s 1986 classic, The Fly? Despite being almost 35 years old, it still has the power to make people squirm and go a little green around the gills. Assuming you have gills, that is. If not,... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 184: Character Advancement
This episode is our typically idiosyncratic look at the subject of character development in RPGs. We look at different ways in which characters can change through play, from gathering XP by killing monsters to resolving their messy character arcs. Not every character improves over time, however, and we discuss our expectations, as well as how all... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 185: Cults (Part 1)
This is the first of a multi-episode look at cults in the real world and how (and even if) they relate to what we see in Call of Cthulhu. Over the course of this series, we will discuss what kind of person forms a cult, how cults recruit, how they indoctrinate their members and what kinds of things they might believe.
This episode is largely taken up with... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 186: Cults (Part 2)
This is the second of a multi-episode look at cults in the real world and how (and even if) they relate to what we see in Call of Cthulhu. Over the course of this series, we will discuss what kind of person forms a cult, how cults recruit, how they indoctrinate their members and what kinds of things they might believe.
We are continuing our discussion... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 187: Cults (Part 3)
This is the third of a multi-episode look at cults in the real world and how (and even if) they relate to what we see in Call of Cthulhu. Over the course of this series, we will discuss what kind of person forms a cult, how cults recruit, how they indoctrinate their members and what kinds of things they might believe.
We are continuing our discussion of... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 188: Cults (Part 4)
This is the fourth of a multi-episode look at cults in the real world and how (and even if) they relate to what we see in Call of Cthulhu. Over the course of this series, we will discuss what kind of person forms a cult, how cults recruit, how they indoctrinate their members and what kinds of things they might believe.
We are continuing our discussion... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 189: Unusual Places
We thought we’d take you on an audio tour of some of our favourite unusual places. Sure, at least one of them isn’t actually there anymore, but given that we’re used to making places up entirely, this is still a step up. It just means that you’ll have to source your own overpriced souvenirs.
After the last few episodes, we thought we’d leave... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 191: Mythos Deities: Nodens
This is the latest instalment in our ongoing series about the deities of the Cthulhu Mythos. Previous subjects include Dagon, Shub-Niggurath, Yog-Sothoth, Nyarlathotep and Azathoth. This time, we’re delving deep into the abyss to learn about hoary Nodens, charting his progress from obscure Celtic deity to the public face of the Elder Gods.
Runtime:... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 192: Three Views of the Weird West (Part 1)
This is the first of two episodes exploring the weird west in gaming. With the release of Down Darker Trails, Cthulhu has followed the pioneers out to a strange new frontier. We thought it would be interesting to map out some of this territory.In this instalment, we discuss a couple of the weird west games that predate Down Darker... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 193: Three Views of the Weird West (Part 2)
This is the second of two episodes exploring the weird west. Last time, we looked at a couple of other RPGs and what they might be able to teach us about the setting. Now, we’re focusing on the Down Darker Trails supplement for Call of Cthulhu. From our superficial knowledge of the genre, it seems like all this weird west stuff... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 194: The Whisperer in Darkness
This is the first instalment of a multi-episode delve into Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. As well as being a gripping yarn, this is one of the key stories of the Cthulhu Mythos. It not only introduces the mi-go, one of our favourite monsters, but also draws in a number of other writers’ creations.
Runtime:... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 195: The Whisperer in Darkness (Part 2)
This is the second instalment of our multi-episode investigation of Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. Part one offered some background to the story and a poke around the first chapter. This time, events are in full swing and tension is building!
Runtime: 55 min
Previous episodes include discussions... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 196: The Whisperer in Darkness (Part 3)
This is the third instalment of our multi-episode investigation of Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. Last episode, Albert Wilmarth had made a new pen pal up in Vermont, Hnery Akeley, who told him some troubling tales linked to local folklore. Now, things are ramping up as Akeley’s farm comes under attack... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 196: The Whisperer in Darkness (Part 4)
This is the fourth instalment of our multi-episode investigation of Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. Last episode, Albert Wilmarth had become troubled by the increasingly bizarre letters from his new friend Henry Akeley. Someone or something also seemed to be interfering with their correspondence, stealing... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 198: The Whisperer in Darkness (Part 5)
This is the final instalment of our multi-episode investigation of Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. Last episode, Albert Wilmarth travelled to Vermont to visit his eccentric penpal, Henry Akeley. The two shared some mind-expanding conversation that quite unnerved Wilmarth. Now, we cut forward to that... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 199: Top 3 Mythos Media feat. Mike Mason
This episode presents a discussion of some of our favourite Cthulhu Mythos media, in the form of films, songs, musicals and comics. Anything, really, as long as it’s not a novel, short story or RPG. Obviously, there’s going to be a bit of debate as we never agree on anything. We are joined in the scrum by Mike Mason, creative director... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 200 Special: Ask Us Anything
This is our big 200th episode celebration! Somehow, we’ve managed to keep the podcast going for 7 1/2 years, racking up a frightening number of hours of our words. Once you count all the special episodes, backer-only specials, story readings and the like, the total is probably closer to 250 episodes, but we’ll only count the full releases.... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 201: Occupations in Call of Cthulhu
This is our discussion of the role of occupations in Call of Cthulhu? Are they just character classes? How do they work? Are there any that can be difficult to fit into a game? How might we create some of our own? And are there any we find particularly appealing or off-putting?
Runtime: 61 min
Previous episodes include discussions of... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 202: Media Catch-Up: TV
After the positive reception to our short run of lockdown specials for our Patreon backers last year, we thought it might be fun to carry the format into the occasional regular episode. This time, we each discuss some of the television we’ve been watching recently and how it’s informing our gaming lives. Even though none of the programmes we discuss... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
Pay What You Want
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Episode 203: Ubbo-Sathla and Mordiggian
This episode is the latest in our series on the deities of the Cthulhu Mythos. It is also a return to talking about Clark Ashton Smith, one of the key members of the original Lovecraft Circle. Smith was always the most imaginative and weirdest writer amongst Lovecraft’s correspondents, and the gods we discuss in this episode are no exception.... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 204: Cadaver
This episode is our look at the 2020 horror/science fiction film, Cadaver, currently available on Netflix. It’s the first feature from Norwegian writer/director Jarand Herdal. This grim post-apocalyptic tale of theatrics and cannibalism divided us at least as much as any film we’ve seen before. Be prepared for some spirited debate.
Runtime: 54 min
Previous... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 205: Cosmic Horror
This episode is our long-overdue look at cosmic horror. The term “cosmic horror” is often used as a synonym for Lovecraftian horror. Is there more to this relationship, however? For all his passion for the genre, how effective was Lovecraft at writing cosmic horror? How can we bring cosmic dread into our games of Call of Cthulhu? And what the hell is... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 206: The Willows
Following on from our recent discussion of cosmic horror, we thought it might be helpful to look at an example of the genre. Dating back to 1907, Algernon Blackwood’s “The Willows” is one of the earliest examples of cosmic horror. It was also a profound influence on the young HP Lovecraft, who later raved about it in Supernatural Horror in Literature.... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 207: Albert Fish
While The Good Friends of Jackson Elias is definitely a horror podcast, most of the horror we discuss is rooted in the fantastic. In this episode, however, we’ve decided to look into some real nightmares from the classic 1920s era for gaming inspiration and talk about Albert Fish.
If you’ve heard the name Albert Fish before, you should have some idea... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 208: Investigator Organisations
Once again, we’re delving into some of the underpinnings of Call of Cthulhu. In the more innocent days of the ’80s, we generally handwaved the reasons why a new investigator might step into the smoking shoes of their fallen predecessor. While this was convenient, it usually required active suspension of disbelief. Having some sort of organisation... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 209: Media Catch-up - Books
Once again, we’re presenting one of our regular discussions about the media we’ve been consuming recently. This time, we’re talking about some of the books that have been planting ideas in our heads. Nasty ideas, mostly. They’re the best kind.
Runtime: 56 min
Previous episodes include discussions of 7th Edition Call of Cthulhu rules,... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
Pay What You Want
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Episode 210: The Endless
This episode is our look at the 2017 horror film, The Endless. A number of you recommended it to us when we released our series on cults, given some of the subject matter.
Runtime: 62 min
Previous episodes include discussions of 7th Edition Call of Cthulhu rules, stories by H.P.Lovecraft, Gencon, interviews with game designers and much more.
For further... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 211: Mythos Deities: Ithaqua
This episode is the latest in our series on the deities of the Cthulhu Mythos, looking at Ithaqua — the wind-walker. Previous entries include Dagon, Shub-Niggurath, Yog-Sothoth, Nyarlathotep, Hastur, Azathoth, Nodens, Mordiggian and Ubbo-Sathla. In our discussion, we look at Ithaqua’s origins, how he has been developed over the years, and how... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 211: Mythos Deities: Ithaqua
This episode is our examination of how we structure RPG scenarios. While scenario structures are mostly important when writing your adventure up to share with other GMs, they can affect every stage of the development process. In this episode, we try to identify different types of structure and go into their pros and cons, challenging some of our... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 214: Sword and Sorcery
This episode is our examination of the genre of sword and sorcery. “But why are you doing this on a Call of Cthulhu podcast?” we hear an imaginary listener ask. While we hope the episode more than answers this, it’s probably worth explaining here too.
Sword and sorcery and the Cthulhu Mythos were birthed from the same otherworldy womb and bear... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 215: Sword and Sorcery Part 2
This episode is the conclusion our exploration of sword and sorcery. In our first instalment, we looked into the origins of the genre in the pulps. This time, we’re delving into films and games, seeing how they compare to their source material. While the 1980s were a boom time for sword and sorcery films, were any of them actually any good?... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 216: The Changeling
This episode is our discussion of the 1980 Canadian horror film, The Changeling. While horror cinema is hardly short of ghost stories, there’s always room for a well-made one. And there’s good reason why The Changeling haunts so many genre best-of lists. As ever, we pick the film’s bones for gaming inspiration.
Runtime: 67 min
Previous episodes... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 217: Genre Emulation
This episode is our discussion of the role of genre emulation in RPGs. How do RPGs reflect the source material that inspires them? Should they even attempt to do so? And how do we even attempt to define genre? While we may not provide comprehensive answer to these thorny questions, they do at least act as springboards for some robust discussion.... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 218: The Life and Times of Robert E Howard
Following our recent discussion of sword and sorcery, this episode is the first of a two-part look into the life and work of Robert E Howard. A close friend of Lovecraft (although the two men never actually met), Howard was a cornerstone of the success of Weird Tales. He not only added to the Cthulhu Mythos but created, arguably,... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 218: The Life and Times of Robert E Howard
This episode is the conclusion of our two-part look into the life and works of Robert E Howard. Last time, we offered an overview of Howard’s life. This time, it’s the turn of his work.
As well as being the creator of Conan the Cimmerian, Solomon Kane, Kull of Atlantis, and the Pictish king, Bran Mak Morn, Howard initiated both... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 220: Tower of the Elephant
After spending a couple of episodes discussing Robert E Howard’s life and works, we’re now exploring one of his stories. “The Tower of the Elephant” was the third Conan tale published and arguably the first to really pin down his character. As well as discussing the story itself, looting it for gaming inspiration, we use it as a springboard... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 221: Media Catch-up: Films
This is the latest of our occasional discussions about the media we’ve been consuming recently. After our earlier episodes about television and books, we’re turning to the big screen. Well, not that big. We’re all still watching most of our films at home.
The three films we discuss are:
Paul: Free Fire (2016)
Matt: No One Gets Out Alive... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 222: Mythos Deities – Daoloth and Eihort
This is our latest exploration into the deities of the Cthulhu Mythos. We have devoted previous episodes to Dagon, Shub-Niggurath, Yog-Sothoth, Nyarlathotep, Hastur, Azathoth, Nodens, Ubbo-Sathla and Mordiggian, and Ithaqua. This time, it’s the turn of a couple of Ramsey Campbell’s creations.
Campbell is responsible for many... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 223: Gangsters in Call of Cthulhu
Our latest episode delves into the deadly underworld of gangsters in Call of Cthulhu. Given that the classic era of Call of Cthulhu coincides with the advent of prohibition and the rise of organised crime in the USA, gangsters have always played a large role in the game. In this episode, we talk about the influences we’ve drawn upon when... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 224: Gozu
Following last episode’s discussion of gangsters in Call of Cthulhu, we now look at probably the strangest gangster film ever made. Gozu is a 2003 production from legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike, and it defies description. It may not precisely be a horror film, but it will probably make you more uncomfortable than most horrors. As in so many of his films,... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 225: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath part 1
This is the first part of our multi-episode exploration of Lovecraft’s first novel, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. While Lovecraft had been writing stories set in the Dreamlands for several years beforehand, this is the book that tied everything together. As well as consolidating the Dreamlands as a setting, it also fleshes... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 226: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath part 2
This is the second part of our multi-episode exploration of Lovecraft’s first novel, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. In our first episode, we looked at the book’s origins and development, as well as the start of the story itself. Now, we’re deep into the narrative and and things are getting strange
With Randolph Carter... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
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Episode 227: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath part 3
This is the third of our multi-episode exploration of Lovecraft’s first novel, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. In our first two episodes (part 1 and part 2), we looked at the story’s origins and followed Randolph Carter’s increasingly odd adventures. Now, we’re deep into the story and things aren’t getting any less... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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Episode 228: Everything is Horror!
This time, we’re joined by Baz Stevens of the wonderful What Would the Smart Party Do? Along his with co-host Gaz, Baz has been a cornerstone of the British RPG podcasting scene for some years, offering insight into a wide range of systems and genres.
While Baz tells us he is not a horror fan, he suggested that we talk about how the... [click here for more] |
Paul Fricker |
FREE
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