Jon and Seth have a conversation with actor, director, roleplayer, and friend of the show, Drew Shirley. We discuss the similarities and differences between directing actors through a scene and being a Keeper in Call of Cthulhu. We can’t do this show alone. We want to thank our amazing editors Max Mahaffa and Edwin Nagy for their hard work and keen skills at making us sound awesome! We also want to thank John Sumrow, for our badass logo. He’s a very talented artist, so please follow him on Faceb...
Mar 21, 2022•1 hr 23 min
In this episode, Seth and Jon finish their conversation about the Insanity mechanic in the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game. They also share their ideas and advice for playing roleplaying games online. Jon and Seth discuss how to use phobias and manias in your Call of Cthulhu game. And they discuss how sanity is handled in other RPGs, like Delta Green, Kult, Yellow King, and Alien. As for playing RPGs online, Seth and Jon shared some advice, like... Regular breaks needed Higher chance of players...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2022! In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about the Insanity mechanics in the Call of Cthulhu RPG. Recently, Jon had a personal brush with a real life "Bout of Madness," and he shares that story. Have no fear, all parties involved are safe and well, which is why Jon felt comfortable enough to share this story. So, put a kettle on, sit back, and give this episode a listen. Shout-out to our new patrons, Farty McButterpants, Jorge, and MacDhomnuill Games. If you like w...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Call of Cthulhu Credit Rating: For many RPGs gaining treasure is a key motivator for both PCs and Players. In CoC a character can simply begin being wealthy, removing much of that character motivation or hurdle of not being able to afford something. Daily Spending Level allows a certain amount of purchases to be made without any paperwork or math. But how does one gain or lose Credit Rating? With such large gaps between the levels, how does a PC know what their new Credit Rating is if they gain ...
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 16 min
Chaosium's Line Editor for Call of Cthulhu, Mike Mason, rejoins us to talk about low-prep Call of Cthulhu games. With some practice, it's possible to have an impromptu game of Call of Cthulhu. Join us as we discuss how with Mike Mason. We want to thank Mike for coming on and chatting with us again. It was a real pleasure. We can’t do this show alone. We want to thank our amazing editors Max Mahaffa and Edwin Nagy for their hard work and keen skills at making us sound awesome! We also want to tha...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, special guest Mike Mason, Chaosium's Line Editor for Call of Cthulhu, joins us to talk about our favorite forms of horror entertainment, be it a film, book, TV show, game, whatever!
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Topic 1: Optional Uses for Characteristics APP -- Change the base chance of Charm to be Half APP (Current base Charm is 15%) APP -- Grant a Bonus Die on Charm, Fast Talk, and Persuasion rolls if APP is 70+, conversely grant a Penalty Die on Charm, Fast Talk, and Persuasion rolls if APP is 30- APP -- Grant a Bonus Die on Intimidation rolls if APP is 30-, or a Penalty Die if APP is 70+ STR -- A successful Jump roll lets investigator leap a distance of One-Fifth STR in feet with a full running star...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 25 min
In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about Milestone Leveling and the benefits of PC Death! D&D characters “level up”... traditionally by XP awards, but a new concept known as “Milestone Leveling” allows characters to level up after certain milestone achievements. Can a concept like this be used in CoC? Instead of “ticking your skills” and then rolling to see if the ticked skill can qualify to be increased, what about “Milestone Improvements” that award each character a pool of skill points to...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Welcome to the next episode of Modern Mythos. In this episode, we interviewed James Lowder, the Executive Editor at Chaosium. Chaosium recently reanimated their fiction line, and Jim is their Dr. Herbert West! Jim is a super interesting guy. He's a TSR alum with a long career in writing and publishing in and around the gaming industry. It was an absolute honor to talk with Jim, and we had an amazing time. So settle in and give it a listen. As always, we want to thank our amazing editors Max Maha...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about game mechanics from other game systems, and how to adapt them into Call of Cthulhu. And, they provide advice on where game masters and players can divine inspiration for playing Call of Cthulhu in other eras or settings. Topic #1 Using game mechanics from other games: Traveler -- During character creation, players can create backstory links between each other, and as a result of that, gain one skill improvement check each due to that backstory event. King...
Jun 21, 2021•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode, Jon and Seth go into great detail on a couple of Call of Cthulhu scenarios, and give suggestions on how a Keeper could successfully run these scenarios for their players. Jon -- The Code , 2020, by Chris Lackey, Mansions of Madness vol.1: Behind Closed Doors , 31pgs. Sandbox Lots of room for the Keeper to modify it on the fly during play Could be easily adapted to Pulp Cthulhu Built-in hook - investigators are all friends of the subject scientist in the scenario Tight cast of NP...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Modern Mythos, with your hosts, Jon Hook and Seth Skorkowsky. In this initial episode, we talk about writing for Chaosium's Miskatonic Repository on DriveThruRPG, as well as writing for Wizards of the Coast's DM's Guild, and Mongoose Games' Traveler's Aid Society. Miskatonic Repository: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2/Chaosium/subcategory/74_29274/Miskatonic-Repository DM’s Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/ Traveler’s Aid Society: https://www.drivethr...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 1
In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about their favorite published modules that they've run across a gamut of games. Jon’s Favorite Modules: Death Duel with the Destroyers -- 1982, Bill Willingham, Villains & Vigilantes, 20 pgs Art! Art! Art! Great set-up, straight to the action Well written to escalate the danger from the opening scene to the final showdown Comic book tie-in with Elementals comic by Bill Willingham, published by Comico S3 - Expedition to the Barrier Peaks -- 1980, Gary Gygax...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 2
