After doing the RPG Writer Workshop in November 2020 and producing Unsettled Ground on DMsGuild, I came into 2021 with grand plans to produce more.
Those plans haven't turned into outputs and it's in part down to the usual "spinning too many plates" but it's probably as much due to a lack of focus on creating those outputs.
I've got 2 other DMsGuild scenarios and 1 Cthulhu-esque scenario drafted but not in the sense that they're ready for proof reading & editing. Significantly rougher than that.
So, to help tackle this and hopefully assert some structure I've signed up for the RPG Writer Workshop for Summer (July) 2021.
Why?
Those who know me may be quick to point out a few things.
- Erm Dave, have you ever played a game of Call of Cthulhu? - Answer: No.
- Ok, but you've ran a game of Call of Cthulhu before? - Answer: No.
- But you do own the RPG and have read it, right? - Answer: Prior to the 26th June 2021, No.
So why am I doing it with Call of Cthulhu?
I had / have plans to publish a series of GUMSHOE powered adventures but due to licensing have to use either Fear Itself or Esoterrorists for it. Now in all honesty that probably isn't that much of a negative but the adventures definitely have more of a Cthulhu-esque leaning than anything else. I own Trail of Cthulhu and enjoyed running it but I'm not beholden to it as a system.
So, by doing this using Call of Cthulhu I hope it gives me the skills and techniques for writing that "type" of adventure and then I can either pivot back to GUMSHOE or stick with CoC for what I have planned.
CoC isn't a mechanically complex game, in fact it's quite the opposite. I've just never been a fan (as a GM) of percentile systems. Maybe this experience will change that? Who knows.
So yeah, I'm writing a Call of Cthulhu adventure during July. I have several ideas of what it could be without using the draft one I mentioned above.
If you're thinking about writing for the Call of Cthulhu Miskatonic Repository then I highly recommend reading the following websites -
- DriveThruRPG: Chaosium - Miskatonic Repository
- DriveThruRPG: Chaosium - Miskatonic Repository Additional Guidelines
- Chaosium Blog Post about the workshop
- Chaosium Blog Posts about the Repository
- Call of Cthulhu Style Guide
Once you've gone through all of those then worth checking out the following -
Free Art Packs
- Miskatonic Repository 1920's Rogue Gallery Art Pack
- Miskatonic Repository Curious Things Art Pack
- Miskatonic Repository III Omen's Art Pack
- Miskatonic Repository Mythos Monster Silhouettes Art Pack
- Miskatonic Repository Phantasmagorical Art Pack
- Miskatonic Repository Weapons and Relics Art Pack
Free Maps
Product Templates
- Miskatonic Repository InDesign Template - Also works with Affinity Publisher
- Miskatonic Repository Word Template
All of the links above will help you to publish a finished product.
All you need to do is write it.
Which is what I intend to do by July 31st!
