I posted this over on the temp boards, and I'll post it over here...
Because, in the 90's even moreso than the 20's (can't speak for the new millenium yet), some people are always looking for that "extra taboo";whether it's the brand-new drug, a new, lethal, S&M variant, or a dark incantation that can get you high just by reciting some words, many people with either too many problems or who are so well-off that they are looking for that "extra kink" will try something new and potentially soul-stealing. They don't LEARN that there's anything to it until they are already in it - and by that time they have already bargained away their souls, bodies, or worse.
In my opinion, one of the best sets of Cthulhu adventures from Chaosium was a book called The Stars are Right! The adventures were graphic, they were disturbing, but they were great! Every one of them started because someone who was originally still human took one step in the wrong direction willingly, and proceeded, intrigued, to their dooms. They in the process try to drag others along with them.
I won't say anymore to ruin these fantastic series of advetures, but I will say, prepare to have your stomach turned by stuff that TSR would have been blasted for had THEY been the ones to publish it.
Compared to The heat TSR was getting back in the early 90's, I am absolutely stunned that Chaoisum didn't fold for the stuff they were producing for Cthulhu NOW! back then.
