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Call of Cthulhu RPG
Doors to Darkness
Doors To Darkness provides five scenarios written especially for beginning Keepers and players of Call of Cthulhu. Here you will find horror, mystery, investigation, ghastly monsters, strange magics, and forgotten secrets, as well as plenty of advice about how to run the adventures for best effect. As well as the scenarios, an essay by Kevin Ross details a wide range of hints and tips on running Call of Cthulhu - guidance any Keeper, new or experienced, will find very useful.
The Darkness Beneath The Hill - A friend’s house renovation project leads to unexpected discoveries in Providence, Rhode Island.
Genius Loci - Not all is well at Danvers State Lunatic Asylum and it’s down to the investigators to heed a friend in need’s cry.
Servants Of The Lake - The hunt for a missing person reveals ancient secrets in the wilds north of Kingsport.
Ties That Bind - Strange rock formations have been found in Mrs. Carrington’s prized fountain. But these are like no rocks seen before!
None More Black - The death of a Miskatonic University student leads the investigators into unsavoury neighbourhoods and dark business dealings.
Also included are ten diverse and ready to play investigators, allowing players to dive straight into the mysteries contained within Doors To Darkness. Lastly, just because these scenarios are written with new players in mind, don’t expect them to be a walk in the park! Those who dare to open the doors to darkness will discover just what secrets and dangers lie within! You must have a copy of the Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook 7th Edition to fully enjoy these scenarios.
The Darkness Beneath The Hill - A friend’s house renovation project leads to unexpected discoveries in Providence, Rhode Island.
Genius Loci - Not all is well at Danvers State Lunatic Asylum and it’s down to the investigators to heed a friend in need’s cry.
Servants Of The Lake - The hunt for a missing person reveals ancient secrets in the wilds north of Kingsport.
Ties That Bind - Strange rock formations have been found in Mrs. Carrington’s prized fountain. But these are like no rocks seen before!
None More Black - The death of a Miskatonic University student leads the investigators into unsavoury neighbourhoods and dark business dealings.
Also included are ten diverse and ready to play investigators, allowing players to dive straight into the mysteries contained within Doors To Darkness. Lastly, just because these scenarios are written with new players in mind, don’t expect them to be a walk in the park! Those who dare to open the doors to darkness will discover just what secrets and dangers lie within! You must have a copy of the Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook 7th Edition to fully enjoy these scenarios.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published December 19, 2016
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74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 28, 2017
While not quite PERFECT, this gets a well deserved 4.5 stars from me.
While aesthestically pleasing ( some really nice full page color plates!), this book also fills a niche that is somewhat underdeveloped for CoC: entry level scenarios designed for beginning players and keepers!
Couple that with a chapter of advice from Kevin Ross, and you have a recipe for a hell of a good sourcebook for Call of Cthulhu!!
While aesthestically pleasing ( some really nice full page color plates!), this book also fills a niche that is somewhat underdeveloped for CoC: entry level scenarios designed for beginning players and keepers!
Couple that with a chapter of advice from Kevin Ross, and you have a recipe for a hell of a good sourcebook for Call of Cthulhu!!
March 16, 2017
Open to the possibility of adventures that might ease newcomers into the world of Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos, I launched in with an open mind. In the end, I found the adventures lacking in substance and all-to-often inviting the Keeper to hand wave --- something not best taught to a newcomer.
In addition, many clues or situations suggested a skill roll. Then another. Then, if they both failed, another - or an Know / Idea / Luck roll. Again, that's not the thing to be presenting to a newcomer, nor does it set a good example for adventure design once they're finished here.
More often than not, the Lovecraft-ness felt slight or odd or ill-conceived.
Adventure #1: Nice idea that turns into a dungeon crawl
Adventure #2: String of implausible decisions
Adventure #3: Starts with a full page illustration that can't be...
Adventure #4: Offers an entirely avoidable sub-plot; an all-to-natural take on Mythos procreation
Adventure #5: Possibly best of the bunch
In the end, a shame - especially when the Introduction suggested that The Haunting had been overused an introductory adventure; and yet, that adventure did the business so much better than anything here.
In addition, many clues or situations suggested a skill roll. Then another. Then, if they both failed, another - or an Know / Idea / Luck roll. Again, that's not the thing to be presenting to a newcomer, nor does it set a good example for adventure design once they're finished here.
More often than not, the Lovecraft-ness felt slight or odd or ill-conceived.
Adventure #1: Nice idea that turns into a dungeon crawl
Adventure #2: String of implausible decisions
Adventure #3: Starts with a full page illustration that can't be...
Adventure #4: Offers an entirely avoidable sub-plot; an all-to-natural take on Mythos procreation
Adventure #5: Possibly best of the bunch
In the end, a shame - especially when the Introduction suggested that The Haunting had been overused an introductory adventure; and yet, that adventure did the business so much better than anything here.
January 14, 2021
Cinco módulos sencillitos para dirigir sesiones de un día con La llamada de Cthulhu. Manual del guardían. Me recuerdan bastante, en general, a las demás que se han publicado con la séptima edición del juego en castellano, casi como si tuvieran un esquema básico que copian y pegan para luego limitarse a pintar sin salirse de los bordes. Que no me parece mal, pero el cuerpo me pide campañas complejas (de las que nunca terminan de jugarse).
Como es habitual, la edición magnífica: papel satinado, impresión en color, bellas ilustraciones... Uno de esos libros que, al abrirlos, huelen a tardes de adolescencia en tienda de tebeos y juegos.
Como es habitual, la edición magnífica: papel satinado, impresión en color, bellas ilustraciones... Uno de esos libros que, al abrirlos, huelen a tardes de adolescencia en tienda de tebeos y juegos.
March 28, 2019
Although marketed as "scenarios for beginning keepers," Doors to Darkness is more a set of stand-alone adventures - somewhat more linear than "campaign-style" scenarios, but for the most part decently complex and challenging - that can be used either as one-offs or inserted into an existing campaign. On the other hand, most of them ARE designed for lower-powered characters (without extensive "powering up" of the opposition, I wouldn't suggest these for Pulp Cthulhu characters). I especially liked "Genius Loci" (gigantic real-world insane asylum) and "None More Black" (Mythos-related street drugs). While "The Darkness Beneath the Hill" had some interesting aspects, it also reminded me of a D&D "dungeon crawl". 3.5 stars.
June 16, 2022
Really lovely presentation. Super that handouts are also available at www.chaosium.com. Makes life a lot easier.
Some great adventures here and a lot of fun to be had.
My only issue is that I don't think the scenarios are as 'new keeper friendly' as they could be. I am a fairly experienced keeper and I had to put a lot of work prepping and figuring out how things were going to work. Ties that Bind and None More Black are the standouts here.
Some great adventures here and a lot of fun to be had.
My only issue is that I don't think the scenarios are as 'new keeper friendly' as they could be. I am a fairly experienced keeper and I had to put a lot of work prepping and figuring out how things were going to work. Ties that Bind and None More Black are the standouts here.
June 27, 2022
Ring Side Report-RPG Review of Doors to Darkness
Originally posted at www.throatpunchgames.com, a new idea every day!
Product-Doors to Darkness
System- Call of Cthulhu, 7th Ed.
Producer- Chaosium
Price- $17.48 here https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
TL; DR-Decent intro with some basic Call of Cthulhu adventures. 90%
Basics- What’s in the basement? Doors to Darkness is a collection of five simple adventures that beginner keepers can bring to the table to introduce Call of Cthulhu to their friends and get new players involved on both sides of the GM screen.
Mechanics or Crunch- What’s here is good, but I would like a bit more. The crunch of the adventures (monsters, skill checks, basics of play) are all done well. My one major criticism is there is not a lot of extra information to help newer keepers/game masters learn the ropes. I would like a bit more GM box text to help a new game master run the game. Since the players and the GM are most likely new, that would really help everyone learn exactly what they are doing. Solid work but this book needs a bit more basics explained to the GM. 4/5
Theme or Fluff- This book has some solid stories that may be a bit disjointed. There are five stories that range from snake cults to undead horrors. Nothing is bad and these are excellent introduction stories, but none of these are really connected. It leads to a bit of a random experience that can end up being kind of a monster of the week. Not bad, but do not expect a long running campaign, but a more introductory experience. 4.5/5
Execution- Here is where Chaosium excels. Chaosium makes amazing digital props and electronic resources for their adventure. Solid layout, digital links, and good text make for an easy to read experience. The book of notes is also an amazing piece that really helps me as a keeper draw in my players. And there are several premade characters that any player could pick up and start playing right away. Fantastic execution Chaosium! 5/5
Summary- Overall, this is a solid effort to help new players get into Call of Cthulhu. For about 18 bucks you get five adventures with decent plot, solid tools and great handouts to draw new and old players in. New keepers will have a bit of trouble as this could use a bit more tools to help newer ones with the rules. But if you want to start Call of Cthulhu and need a good starting point, this is a great place to begin. 90%
May 13, 2018
This supplement for Call of Cthulhu 7th edition contains five scenarios, a separate handouts section, and pre-generated PCs.
All of these scenarios are set in the 1920’s, but with some work on the Keeper’s part they could be adapted for later eras.
Of the five scenarios the second, Genius Loci by Brain Courtemanche is by far the best. It has a compelling and atmospheric setting and I could see this being very well received as a convention session.
Next in quality is probably Blackest Black with a good hook that can support an investigatory group composed of college students, law enforcement, the mob, or even a mix of those with a nosy reporter thrown in to the mix.
The other offerings are of good quality but, in my opinion, they aren’t riveting (or terrifying). They’d be fine for kicking off a new group, but I’m not sore that seasoned players or investigators would derive much from them.
I would normally give a supplement like this 4 out of 5 since I can derive a lot of use from bits and pieces of the 3 weaker scenarios, but it is riddled with typos and some poor word choices that could have been fixed with more thorough proofreading. It is incredibly disappointing to see a Chaosium product that lists for $34.95 to be littered with typos. Even the chapter title bars in chapter 3, Genius Loci are misspelled as ‘Genius Lioci’.
All of these scenarios are set in the 1920’s, but with some work on the Keeper’s part they could be adapted for later eras.
Of the five scenarios the second, Genius Loci by Brain Courtemanche is by far the best. It has a compelling and atmospheric setting and I could see this being very well received as a convention session.
Next in quality is probably Blackest Black with a good hook that can support an investigatory group composed of college students, law enforcement, the mob, or even a mix of those with a nosy reporter thrown in to the mix.
The other offerings are of good quality but, in my opinion, they aren’t riveting (or terrifying). They’d be fine for kicking off a new group, but I’m not sore that seasoned players or investigators would derive much from them.
I would normally give a supplement like this 4 out of 5 since I can derive a lot of use from bits and pieces of the 3 weaker scenarios, but it is riddled with typos and some poor word choices that could have been fixed with more thorough proofreading. It is incredibly disappointing to see a Chaosium product that lists for $34.95 to be littered with typos. Even the chapter title bars in chapter 3, Genius Loci are misspelled as ‘Genius Lioci’.
April 28, 2025
This is the eleventh book I've read from the lot my friend sent me.
This is yet another collection of one-shot campaigns made for both the usual purposes (introducing new players to the game, putting a detour in an ongoing campaign, etc) and also for the purpose of teaching new Keepers the ropes.
With the exception of the first entry, the five modules included in this book are really good and fun stories. Some of them can even be easily transitioned into modern day settings. The first module lacks focus and doesn't seem to have much of a point, and this book is in the bottom three with Harlem Unbound and Petersen's Field Guide to Lovecraftian Horrors in terms of editing amongst CoC books thus far.
This is yet another collection of one-shot campaigns made for both the usual purposes (introducing new players to the game, putting a detour in an ongoing campaign, etc) and also for the purpose of teaching new Keepers the ropes.
With the exception of the first entry, the five modules included in this book are really good and fun stories. Some of them can even be easily transitioned into modern day settings. The first module lacks focus and doesn't seem to have much of a point, and this book is in the bottom three with Harlem Unbound and Petersen's Field Guide to Lovecraftian Horrors in terms of editing amongst CoC books thus far.
February 12, 2018
The production value of this book is very high with lovely cover art and a well laid out pleasing interior. The internal illustrations are a bit hit and miss and this sums up the scenarios too. For beginning keepers to Call of Cthulhu they do not seem particularly suited. They would be better advised to dig out the old scenario “Edge of Darkness” as this, IMHO, is a perfect starting adventure for Call of Cthulhu.
These criticisms aside, this is still an okay collection of scenarios that any keeper could integrate into their campaign with a little work.
These criticisms aside, this is still an okay collection of scenarios that any keeper could integrate into their campaign with a little work.
May 1, 2019
Sehr schöne Sammlung an relativ einfachen Abenteuern, die besonders gut für Einsteiger geeignet sind. Zusätzlich interessanter Artikel über das Cthulhu Rollenspiel selbst und gute Hinweis wie man erfolgreich und atmosphärisch Abenteuer leitet. Habe das Buch in der deutschen Version "Pforten in die Finsternis" von Pegasus Press gelesen.
February 18, 2024
These five one-offs for Call of Cthulhu are a great way for new players to get to know the game. They’re also a good opportunity for folks like me who’ve been gone for awhile to get back into it. The authors also include advice about how to successfully run a roleplaying session, making this a good starting place for first time keepers as well. Plus it’s a fun read.
July 3, 2022
Una recopilación de modulos para La Llamada de Cthulhu sencillos pero al mismo tiempo resultones, y que llevados a la mesa pueden dar buenas partidas. Solo hecho de menos algún consejo más para el director de juego ya que se me han quedado algo escasos pensando que son aventuras de iniciación.
December 1, 2022
High quality hardback, lovely art.
The scenarios are good. Would run all but one of them.
None More Black will be the first one i try...
The scenarios are good. Would run all but one of them.
None More Black will be the first one i try...
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April 30, 2024**Mentioned in Call of Cthulhu review**
February 21, 2018
A marvelous collection of scenarios that can be used as one shots, introducing new players to the Call of Cthulhu role playing game, or as side adventures in an ongoing campaign.
They are all strong with very well fleshed out NPC's and locations along with a lot of advice for starting game keepers.
They are all strong with very well fleshed out NPC's and locations along with a lot of advice for starting game keepers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews