COC story suggestions for new players.

[Darklance]

I'm planning on starting a COC game next month or so with the release of the D20 COC game and I was wondering what short stores by HP lovecraft I could recommend to my players to get a feel for the setting before we start. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Piratecat]

There are a bunch; some are much more interesting than others.

I'd probably start with "The Rats in the Walls" (man inherits ancient estate, discovers secret trapdoor in basement, hideous insanity ensues.) Then I'd move on to "The Whisperer in the Darkness" (man corresponds with friend in Vermont who thinks something odd is living in the woods; he's correct!), as well as the essential "Shadow over Innsmouth" (man is stranded in a Massachusetts fishing town that hides a truly horrible secret.) Finally, I'd strongly recommend "Pickman's Model," about a Boston painter whose paintings are just a bit TOO realistic.

There are many other stories that are applicable and creepy, and some that are a bit boring, but these should convey the right atmosphere!

- Piratecat

 

[Aaron L]

Good choices, PC.
The Dunwich Horror is also a good one.

 

[Disciple of Darwin]

If you're looking for a mega-adventure, you can't go wrong with Masks of Nyarlathotep.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Salutations,

"Call of Cthulhu" is also a good adventure-like read.

For dm references-

Since d20 CoC is supposed to be more acton-like then the Chaosium version, the Titus Crow series by Brian Lumley may be a good read. It is definitly about a more proactive protaganist then in most mythos stories.

There is also "Encyclopedia Cthulhiana" printed by Chaosium that is a good refernece book for the mythos.

Good luck!
FD