DNDifying Cthulhu Dreamlands

I have been considering running an alternate kind of Urban Arcana game. One where fantasy and horror is staple in one world and the other (Earth) is deeply rooted in a slumbering state.

What I mean by slumbering is that the masses are not aware of the shadow and denizens that lie beyond it. What I would like to do is take the Dreamlands and modify it ever so slightly to conform to DnD. Being that I own Cthulhu D20 is this going to be any sort of problem? I mean, will it make the process easier?

Also is there a website where I might be able to find some info on Cthulhu conversions?

Do you have a Dreamland supplement for d20?

In any case I never was interested in Urban Arcana. However, if it is turned into a d20 Modern Cthulhu campaign, where the Dreamland replaces the Shadow World, this could be great! All FX abilities (Mage class for instance) would work only in Dreamland. Then, a mage wanting to cast a spell in the normal world would have to do it in the "normal" d20 CoC fashion (losing sanity points and temporary Con damage).

I wouldn't go the DnD way though. Unless you only make a DnD campaign where the setting is based on the Dreamland (that could work too).

Turanil said:

Do you have a Dreamland supplement for d20?

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No, I do not and I am not aware if there is one. In any case this will be this base project: Dreamlands D20

Turanil said:

In any case I never was interested in Urban Arcana. However, if it is turned into a d20 Modern Cthulhu campaign, where the Dreamland replaces the Shadow World, this could be great! All FX abilities (Mage class for instance) would work only in Dreamland. Then, a mage wanting to cast a spell in the normal world would have to do it in the "normal" d20 CoC fashion (losing sanity points and temporary Con damage).

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A D20 Modern Cthulhu Game is exactly what I am shooting for, with the Dreamlands replacing the shadow world. All DnD stuff would work almost the same way it does now, with possibly using the sanity system from Unearthed Arcana. I was also thinking that sanity loss would occur not only on earth but in the Dreamlands as well for any arcane spellcaster.

Turanil said:

....make a DnD campaign where the setting is based on the Dreamland (that could work too).

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Exactly what I had in mind.

Frukathka said:

No, I do not and I am not aware if there is one. In any case this will be this base project: Dreamlands D20

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Several years ago Chaosium did publish a supplement (a boxed set I believe) for Dreamland, but for their basic system CoC rpg (not d20). I can't fathom if something like that is still available anywhere (on their website, on ebay, etc.). Maybe that would be useful to check it (here for example).

In any case, if you don't know it yet, check this website: yog-sothoth.com

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EDIT: I should never have read your thread... I failed my Snity check and was compelled out of my own will to immediately go on Amazon and order a copy of the Dreamlands book. I should get it in two weeks. So I envision either CoC d20 + Dreamland (for setting) + DnD. There are two sets of character sheet per PC: one normal CoC d20 (or d20 Modern) for real world, and one DnD of the same character for Dreamland. Or I could go Grim Tales all the way...

Chaosium has had several versions of the Dreamlands over the years; the latest is a slicked-up hardcover, which I don't think has any D20 material. So you'll have to do a fair bit of conversion. Monsters won't be too hard as the attributes are calculated the same. For spells, use the ones in CoC D20 as guidelines. The Dreamlands has a lot more "D&D" type spells, so you might just want to ignore that stuff and use basic D20 magic when in the Dreamlands.

Generally, PCs in CoC had to find a way to enter the Dreamlands- an old book, a special item or drug, whatever. Once they got enough experience they could go there on their own. There was a "Dreaming" skill that allowed them access to the Dreamlands, and also to control some aspects of the dream (similar to a morphic plane in D&D). Dreaming, and dreamlands spells, only work within the Dreamlands, unless something very odd is happening within the material world, such as bleedover or something. The PCs could also end up with a lot of skills that they could use in the real world, but didn't usually have the chance to, such as alien languages or spear chucking or whatever.

In CoC the players kept one sheet, but I'd use whatever works best for your campaign. At the very least I'd restrict what can pass back and forth between the worlds. No technology worked in the Dreamlands, so guns or explosives couldn't be taken there any more than the spells could be used in the real world. A lot of the scenarios hopped back and forth, so if you don't stay in any one place to long spellslingers and gun bunnies will still have their moments to shine.

Byrons_Ghost said:

A lot of the scenarios hopped back and forth, so if you don't stay in any one place to long spellslingers and gun bunnies will still have their moments to shine.

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That's an important point to remember. Some players would be more interested with the d20 Modern aspect of the game while others would prefer the DnD aspect...

Dreamlands certainly lends itself to fantasy gaming but low magic. This could be a really deadly world if the characters aren't careful, though.

Keeper of Secrets said:

Dreamlands certainly lends itself to fantasy gaming but low magic. This could be a really deadly world if the characters aren't careful, though.

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Grim Tales would probably work well then. Especially as character done with these rules could be used in both the "real world" and Dreamland. Nonetheless, I would need to come up with a houserule for adding something different when the characters are in the Dreamland. Maybe adding a few bonus feats that are more powerful than normal feats, but are usable only in the Dreamland? Maybe adding psychic feats and psychic skills from Green Ronin's Psychic handbook, telling that psychic abilities are in fact Dreaming and only work in Dreamland?

With what I have heard Grim Tales does sound more appropriate.

*Chucks Urban Arcana out the window*

*Sound of glass breaking*

You know I thought I was going to get some use out of that book.

I got the Dreamland supplement for BRP Call of Cthulhu. Well, it could be used as a kind of heroic fantasy setting, but is somewhat succinct compared to a d20 setting book you could buy. Many monsters and NPCs would have to be converted to d20, which takes time (I won't do it).

I will use the Dreamland for my d20 CoC Grim tales campaign. Hum, I need to find players for that. My idea is that they will begin in the real world (Paris during World War II), with frequent shorts trips into the Dreamlands to advance the plot in the real world. Then later, they could end up having to make a long quest in the Dreamland for whatever reason.