The Ultimate Guide to At Your Door: Tips and Tricks for Surviving the Horror Roleplaying Game
At Your Door (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying, Modern Era, 2326) Book
If you are a fan of horror roleplaying games, you might have heard of Call of Cthulhu, one of the most popular and influential RPGs of all time. But have you heard of At Your Door, a campaign book for Call of Cthulhu set in the modern era? If not, you are missing out on a thrilling and terrifying adventure that will challenge your sanity and test your courage. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about At Your Door, including what it is, why you should play it, what it contains, and how to play it. Let's get started!
At Your Door (Call Of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying, Modern Era, 2326) Book
Introduction
What is Call of Cthulhu?
Call of Cthulhu is a horror roleplaying game based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, a famous American writer who created a fictional universe of cosmic horrors and ancient evils. In Call of Cthulhu, you play as investigators who explore the dark and mysterious secrets of the world, often encountering supernatural creatures and cults that worship them. The game is known for its emphasis on atmosphere, suspense, and sanity, as well as its rich and detailed setting that spans different eras and genres.
What is At Your Door?
At Your Door is a campaign book for Call of Cthulhu that was first published in 1990 by Chaosium. It is set in the modern era (the late 1980s and early 1990s), and it consists of six interconnected scenarios that form a coherent story arc. The book is designed for experienced players and keepers (the term for game masters in Call of Cthulhu), as it involves complex plots, mature themes, and high difficulty. The book is also notable for being one of the first Call of Cthulhu products to feature female authors and protagonists.
Why should you play it?
There are many reasons why you should play At Your Door if you are a fan of horror roleplaying games. Here are some of them:
It offers a refreshing change from the typical Call of Cthulhu scenarios that are set in the past or in exotic locations. At Your Door brings the horror to your doorstep, literally and figuratively, as it takes place in modern urban settings such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Montreal.
It features a compelling and original story that mixes elements of science fiction, conspiracy, mystery, and body horror. The plot revolves around a mysterious substance called Nectar, which has various effects on humans and animals, ranging from addiction to mutation. The investigators must uncover the source and purpose of Nectar, while dealing with its consequences and dangers.
It introduces a diverse and memorable cast of characters that will challenge and intrigue the investigators. Some of them are allies who can provide clues and assistance, while others are enemies who can hinder or harm them. Some of them are also victims or carriers of Nectar, who may elicit sympathy or disgust from the investigators.
It presents a variety of locations that are richly detailed and atmospheric. The book includes maps, illustrations, handouts, and descriptions that help the keeper and the players immerse themselves in the setting. The locations range from mundane places such as offices, hotels, and apartments, to exotic places such as laboratories, sewers, and underground caverns.
It poses a number of challenges that will test the investigators' skills, resources, and sanity. The book includes rules, tips, and suggestions for the keeper on how to run the scenarios, as well as how to adjust the difficulty and the tone. The scenarios involve puzzles, combat, chases, stealth, research, and social interaction, as well as moral dilemmas and psychological stress.
Overview of the book
The plot
The plot of At Your Door is divided into six scenarios that can be played separately or as a continuous campaign. The scenarios are:
Bad Moon Rising: The investigators are hired by a biotechnology company called Genetech to find out what happened to one of their researchers, Dr. Erica Carlyle, who disappeared after working on a secret project involving Nectar. The trail leads them to San Francisco, where they encounter a cult of Nectar addicts and a werewolf-like creature.
Of Dreams and Magic: The investigators are contacted by a friend of Dr. Carlyle, Dr. Joan Fine, who is a psychologist and a dream researcher. She tells them that she has been having nightmares about Nectar and that she suspects that someone is trying to kill her. The investigators must protect her and find out who is behind the attacks, while also exploring the strange realm of dreams.
At Your Door: The investigators are invited by another friend of Dr. Carlyle, Dr. Marion Allen, who is a zoologist and an environmental activist. She tells them that she has discovered a link between Nectar and a series of animal deaths and mutations in Los Angeles. The investigators must help her expose the truth and stop the culprits, while also facing the horrors of Nectar firsthand.
Hell in Texas: The investigators are contacted by yet another friend of Dr. Carlyle, Dr. Winston Connors, who is a chemist and a drug dealer. He tells them that he has been experimenting with Nectar and that he has found a way to synthesize it. He also tells them that he has been kidnapped by a rival gang who wants his formula. The investigators must rescue him and recover the formula, while also dealing with the dangers of the drug underworld.
The Killer Out of Space: The investigators are contacted by the last friend of Dr. Carlyle, Dr. Nadia Veprensky, who is a physicist and a UFO enthusiast. She tells them that she has been tracking a mysterious signal that she believes is coming from an alien spacecraft. She also tells them that she has been attacked by men in black who want to silence her. The investigators must help her find the source of the signal and uncover the alien conspiracy, while also facing the threat of the men in black.
The Thing at the Threshold: The final scenario reveals the ultimate truth behind Nectar and its origin. The investigators are summoned by Dr. Carlyle herself, who has been hiding in Montreal. She tells them that she has discovered that Nectar is actually the blood of an ancient god called Shub-Niggurath, who is imprisoned in a hidden temple beneath the city. She also tells them that she has been corrupted by Nectar and that she plans to free Shub-Niggurath and join her as her bride. The investigators must stop her and prevent the awakening of Shub-Niggurath, while also facing their own corruption by Nectar.
The characters
The book introduces a number of characters that play important roles in the plot. Some of them are:
Dr. Erica Carlyle: The main antagonist of the book and the former leader of the investigators' group. She is a brilliant but arrogant scientist who became obsessed with Nectar after finding it in Africa. She experimented with it on herself and others, hoping to unlock its secrets and gain its power. She eventually became corrupted by Nectar and fell under the influence of Shub-Niggurath, whom she considers her true love.
Dr. Joan Fine: A friend of Dr. Carlyle and one of the potential allies for the investigators. She is a kind and compassionate psychologist who specializes in dream research. She became interested in Nectar after learning about its effects on dreams and consciousness. She also developed a psychic bond with Dr. Carlyle through their shared dreams, which allowed her to sense her whereabouts and intentions.
Carlyle and another potential ally for the investigators. She is a passionate and outspoken zoologist who cares deeply about animals and the environment. She became involved in Nectar after discovering its connection to a series of animal deaths and mutations in Los Angeles. She also joined an environmental group called Green Dawn, which opposes the exploitation of Nectar by corporations and governments.
Dr. Winston Connors: A friend of Dr. Carlyle and a potential ally or enemy for the investigators. He is a clever and greedy chemist who uses his skills to make and sell drugs. He became interested in Nectar after learning about its addictive and hallucinogenic properties. He also managed to synthesize Nectar using his own formula, which he calls Connors' Special Blend.
Dr. Nadia Veprensky: The last friend of Dr. Carlyle and another potential ally for the investigators. She is a curious and eccentric physicist who is fascinated by UFOs and aliens. She became involved in Nectar after detecting a mysterious signal that she believes is coming from an extraterrestrial source. She also discovered that Nectar has a strange effect on electromagnetic fields and radiation.
Shub-Niggurath: The ultimate source of Nectar and the final enemy of the book. She is an ancient and powerful god who is also known as the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young. She is worshipped by cults and creatures that seek her favor and her offspring. She is imprisoned in a hidden temple beneath Montreal, where she awaits her liberation by her chosen bride, Dr. Carlyle.
The locations
The book features a variety of locations that serve as the settings for the scenarios. Some of them are:
San Francisco: The city where the first scenario takes place. The investigators must explore the streets, the docks, the Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Park, where they will encounter a cult of Nectar addicts led by a man named Brother Timothy, and a werewolf-like creature that hunts them.
Los Angeles: The city where the third scenario takes place. The investigators must investigate the animal deaths and mutations that are caused by Nectar, which leads them to a zoo, a pet shop, a slaughterhouse, and a sewer system, where they will face various horrors and dangers.
New York: The city where the fourth scenario takes place. The investigators must infiltrate the drug underworld to rescue Dr. Connors and recover his formula, which involves dealing with gangs, dealers, junkies, and cops, as well as surviving a shootout in a nightclub.
Montreal: The city where the final scenario takes place. The investigators must find and stop Dr. Carlyle before she frees Shub-Niggurath, which requires them to enter a hidden temple beneath the city, where they will face unspeakable horrors and temptations.
The challenges
The book presents a number of challenges that will test the investigators' skills, resources, and sanity. Some of them are:
Nectar addiction: One of the main dangers of Nectar is its addictive nature, which can affect anyone who consumes it or comes into contact with it. Nectar addiction can cause physical and mental deterioration, as well as hallucinations, paranoia, and obsession. The book includes rules and guidelines for handling Nectar addiction and its effects on the investigators.
Nectar mutation: Another danger of Nectar is its mutagenic nature, which can affect anyone or anything that is exposed to it for a long time. Nectar mutation can cause grotesque and horrific changes in appearance and behavior, as well as new abilities or weaknesses. The book includes rules and guidelines for handling Nectar mutation and its effects on the investigators.
Nectar corruption: The ultimate danger of Nectar is its corrupting nature, which can affect anyone who uses it or studies it extensively. Nectar corruption can cause moral and ethical degradation, as well as alignment with Shub-Niggurath and her cults. The book includes rules and guidelines for handling Nectar corruption and its effects on the investigators.
Dream manipulation: One of the unique aspects of Nectar is its ability to manipulate dreams and consciousness, which can be used for good or evil purposes. The book includes rules and guidelines for handling dream manipulation and its effects on the investigators, as well as how to use it as a tool or a weapon.
Alien interference: One of the surprising twists of the book is the involvement of aliens and their spacecraft in the plot, which adds a layer of science fiction and conspiracy to the horror. The book includes rules and guidelines for handling alien interference and its effects on the investigators, as well as how to deal with the aliens and their technology.
How to play the book
The rules
The book is compatible with the 5th edition of Call of Cthulhu, which is the most widely used and supported version of the game. The book includes all the necessary rules and information for playing the scenarios, as well as some optional rules and variants that can enhance the experience. The book also includes pre-generated characters that can be used by the players, or as inspiration for creating their own characters.
The tips
The book is designed for experienced players and keepers, as it involves complex plots, mature themes, and high difficulty. The book includes tips and suggestions for the keeper on how to run the scenarios, as well as how to adjust the difficulty and the tone. The book also includes tips and suggestions for the players on how to survive and succeed in the scenarios, as well as how to roleplay their characters.
The resources
The book provides a number of resources that can help the keeper and the players immerse themselves in the setting and the story. The book includes maps, illustrations, handouts, and descriptions that depict the locations, the characters, and the events of the scenarios. The book also includes a bibliography and a filmography that list some of the sources and influences that inspired the book.
Conclusion
Summary
At Your Door is a campaign book for Call of Cthulhu that offers a thrilling and terrifying adventure set in the modern era. It features a compelling and original story that mixes elements of science fiction, conspiracy, mystery, and body horror. It introduces a diverse and memorable cast of characters that will challenge and intrigue the investigators. It presents a variety of locations that are richly detailed and atmospheric. It poses a number of challenges that will test the investigators' skills, resources, and sanity. It is one of the best and most influential Call of Cthulhu products ever made, and it deserves to be played by any fan of horror roleplaying games.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to play At Your Door?
A: It depends on how fast or slow you play, but generally speaking, each scenario can take between 4 to 8 hours to complete, which means that the whole campaign can take between 24 to 48 hours to finish.
Q: How many players do you need to play At Your Door?
A: You need at least one keeper and one player to play At Your Door, but ideally you should have between 4 to 6 players for a balanced and enjoyable experience.
Q: Can you play At Your Door with other editions or systems of Call of Cthulhu?
A: Yes, you can. At Your Door is compatible with any edition or system of Call of Cthulhu, as long as you make some minor adjustments and conversions. You can also use other horror roleplaying systems such as Delta Green or Trail of Cthulhu, as long as you adapt them to fit the setting and the tone of At Your Door.
Q: Where can you buy At Your Door?
A: You can buy At Your Door from Chaosium's website or from other online retailers such as Amazon or DriveThruRPG. You can also find used copies on eBay or other platforms. You can also download a PDF version of At Your Door from Chaosium's website or from other online sources.
Q: What are some other Call of Cthulhu products that are similar or related to At Your Door?
A: Some other Call of Cthulhu products that are similar or related to At Your Door are:
The Masks of Nyarlathotep: A classic campaign book that involves a global conspiracy involving cults, ancient gods, and dark secrets.
The Horror on the Orient Express: A classic campaign book that involves a train journey across Europe that is plagued by supernatural mysteries and dangers.
of books and supplements that involve a secret organization that fights against the threats of the Cthulhu Mythos in the modern era.
The Laundry Files series: A series of books and supplements that involve a covert agency that deals with occult and paranormal phenomena in the modern era.
The Cthulhu Now series: A series of books and supplements that update and adapt Call of Cthulhu to the modern era.
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