Tag Archives: Arc Dream

Metal Kings, New Orleans’ Beasts, and a 124 year old man

We’ve got a lot to cover today… First two new releases-

Cthulhu Reborn has unleashed The Machine King, a free Gaslight and Dreamlands scenario by Geoff Gillan.

Meanwhile Golden Goblin Press have released (to Kickstarter backers of Tales of the Crescent City only) The Black Goat of New Orleans, developed by New Orleans Mythos.

Gen Con is over and there are various after-action reports:

Speaking of Mr. Ivey, I’d like to note that, as per usual, I’ve been sent my payment for two pieces in the latest issue of the The Unspeakable Oath.  Arc Dream continues to be the most prompt-paying company I’ve written for.  Thanks!

A poster by Daniel Spitzer

Finally, today marks (among other things) two different anniversaries.  It is the 124th birthday of H.P. Lovecraft, without whom this blog would not exist. Here are few folks doing likewise:

I am of two mind about old Grandpa Howie.  On one hand he was a uniquely creative writer, synthesizing earlier horror writing with new fears and terrors of the 20th century, spawning not just the Cthulhu Mythos, but a community to foster his nightmare imaginings even after his death.  At the same time he was, even for his era, a racist and bigot, and wrote some pretty terrible things that we cannot wish away no matter to what degree these views may have softened or changed as he aged.  I think it is fitting, when we recall his good qualities we must also temper it by acknowledging his worst ones.   Today I think it best I have a small dish of ice cream (sorry, no beans and toast, my fandom only goes so far), think of HPL, and make a small donation in his name to a charity he would likely have despised.

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An Untrue Detective?

As GenCon grows closer – and it looks like I won’t be able to attend sadly due to circumstances beyond my control – various folks have begun to outline their plans for the Doritos consumption event to come.  Arc Dream (and Delta Green).  Chaosium.  Dennis Detwiller.  Pelgrane Press.  You Too Can Cthulhu.  Perhaps most importantly, Christopher Smith Adair provides his insight into the Vegan dining options available to GenCon attendees, a topic I suspect doesn’t get much coverage unfortunately.

The biggest news in the various circles of Lovecraftiana are the serious accusations that the writer of True Detective, Nic Pizzolatto, plagiarized portions of the script from other authors, Thomas Ligotti in particular. While this particular story is a bit outside TiP’s usual remit, aside from the biggest bit of Lovecraft-adjacent news (i.e. True Detective), the issues it raises about issues of copyright and fair use that I think are important. It also reminds me of how… mature and rational… (what are some good antonyms there?) internet discussions can be. Caps Lock is not a replacement for facts people.

To wrap things up some bullet points:

  • The retro-reviews of Call of Cthulhu scenarios continue with The Stars are Right.
  • The Dan Harms media empire has moved on to radio.
  • The Kickstarter for Pagan Publishing’s A Covenant with Death is about 2/3rds of their way to its target.
  • Finally, Cubicle 7 have released a PDF preview of The London Boxed set.  Drool.

Move along now, nothing to see here.

Letters, hearts, and https.

Have you ever wished for an index of Lovecraft’s letters?  Shazam!

Want to see the crew from Delta Green at GenCon?  Here you go!

Speaking of GenCon, the Miskatonic University Podcast crew is fundraising to they can attend said GenCon is ongoing.  They’ve made their goal, but still have several stretch-goals to hit.

The Good Friends of Jackson Elias have continued their discussion of their favorite horror RPGs (asides from good old Call of Cthulhu), turning their tri-lobed burning eyes to Monsterhearts.

Speaking of Call of Cthulhu, Chaosium’s just relaunched their website after a complete overhaul.

Finally, the odds are that you’ve not submitted something to the next issue of the Arkham Gazette.  Let’s fix that, yes?

 

 

The Long Quiet

Sorry for the lack of new posts for the past six weeks or so. We’ve been in the midst of a move – TiP HQ is mostly in boxes currently – and I’ve not had the time to keep up to date on matters of Lovecraftian gaming. Hopefully now that we’ve begun to settle into our new host, err, home, I’ll have some time to catch up.

In the mean time, occupy yourselves with a listen to Episode 10 of the Unspeakable Oath podcast, the 27th Episode of the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast, Episode 50 (!) of the Miskatonic University podcast, or join in the Kickstarter for Arc Dream’s Delta Green fiction anthologies “Failed Anatomies” vols I and II.

Non-NecronomiCon news (updated)

(Let me try this one again… sadly a laptop crash ate my first attempt to post this.)

Whilst I collect my thoughts about the last half of Saturday and Sunday at NecronomiCon, I thought I might update other doings in the world of Lovecraftian gaming otherwise unrelated to the recent madness in Providence…

  1. The Sense of the Sleight of Hand Man has been released.
  2. The Unspeakable Oath won a Silver Ennie at GenCon.  Awesome.
  3. Other Lovecraftian winners include Modiphius Games and Pelgrane Press.
  4. The audio of the Delta Green panel discussion at GenCon is now available.
  5. There has been a new episode of The Good Friends of Jackson Elias.
  6. On that note, Chaosium has announced that Mike Mason will become their Call of Cthulhu line editor.
  7. The Kickstarter for Raider of R’lyeh has begun.  I’m in; it sounded interesting and I’ll jump at any new material from Kevin Ross (he’s doing a supplement about occultists in the Arkham area!)

I’m sure there is more but I hesitate to not post this post-haste and have it swallowed by the ether.

Unspeakable Oath subscriber drive and more

As ever, as soon as I post some Lovecraftian RPG news, there’s even more to share…

  • The Good Friends of Jackson Elias have released their 7th episode, this time talking about how they discovered both Call of Cthulhu and Lovecraft himself.
  • NecronomiCon have opening up their (somewhat disappointingly small) gaming registration.  I’m running two games on Saturday the 24th.  Hopefully I can make time to play something on one of the other days…
  • ENnie Award Voting is still open through the 29th.  Vote now for the many wonderful Lovecraftian products of the past year.  If you don’t vote, you risk being eaten by a Yugg.
  • Shane Ivey at Arc Dream has announced a subscriber drive for the Unspeakable Oath.  I’m a big fan of the Oath (and not just because they publish my work) and hope that anyone reading this blog who isn’t already a subscriber to the Oath will become one.  Tell them ‘Tomes in Progress’ sent you.  Don’t make Hecubus angry.
  • Finally, I’ve just about wrapped up work on the Arkham Gazette.  Look for it very soon.

How do you say ‘Podcast’ in German? (Updated)

In case anyone was wondering why I’ve not posted any new graveyard photos, I’m happy to report that the current air temperature in my corner of Lovecraft Country has finally dropped below molten lead and I hope to post another soon.  Hopefully the stones have not melted.

ENies voting time is upon us again. There are a lot of great Lovecraftian books nominated this year; vote now, eh?

Arc Dream is having a sale on their One Roll Engine, Fate, and Savage World products in order to raise extra funds in advance of GenCon and NecronomiCon.  Let’s give Shane extra cash, eh?

In other news there are two more Lovecraftian podcasts to report-

First off, a reduced crew from the Miskatonic University Podcast (augmented by guest host Brian Sammons) picks over the bones of their recent discussion of Lovecraftian films and finds a lot more meat than you might expect.

Secondly, Paradroid (of the late, lamented ‘Paradroid Papers’ on Yog Radio) has interviewed Golden Goblin Press’ Oscar Rios.  The introduction is in German (about 45 seconds) but the remaining 18 minutes is in English and includes some tantalizing details about future GGP books.

(And wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I publish this there’s another new podcast- the Good Friends of Jackson Elias have released another episode – number 7 – this time talking about how they got started in RPGs and Lovecraftian games in particular.)

(FYI – According to Google Translate, Podcast in German is… “Podcast”.  How disappointing.)

The Sense of the Sleight of Hand Man arrives

The Cover of tSotSoHM

I am happy to report that The Sense if the Sleight of Hand Man is now available, at least in PDF form.  As a contributor to the Kickstarter, I’ve had a chance to preview the book as it was coming together.  Perhaps I will find some free time to read it soon?  If you have any interest in the Dreamlands or in Dennis Detwiller’s writings, definitely pick it up.  (PDF, Print pre-order)

In other news, there is a new episode of the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast.  This time the potting shed crew talk about the revised chase rules from CoC 7th Ed.  Apparently it is “hot” in England right now.  Call me when you break 100, or umm… 37 degrees.

The Oath Approachest

Creepy doll… ooohhhhh….

Shane Ivey at Arc Dream has just announced that the next issue of the Unspeakable Oath (aka issue #23) is on the verge of being released (and available for pre-order if you count their subscription option).  While I weep the bitterest of tears over the fact that my submissions did not make the cut (sob!) I’ve enjoyed every issue of the Oath, even those not including my stuff.  This issue features an extended scenario by Adam Scott Glancy set during the Russian coup of 1991 among other items.  Awesome.