[Groop]Re:lovecraft

[SheikOfEntropy@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/22/0 10:36:15 PM, ttpbst@ihug.co.nz writes:

>Lovecraft is without a doubt the finest horror author of all time. 

BELIEVE IT! The fact of the matter is, there is not a horror writer alive who 
would ever disagree with that statement. Everyone, but EVERYONE has borrowed 
from HP Lovecraft at one time or another, though usually in the spirit of 
homage rather than of plagiarism. Even Sergio's humor-horror stuff owes a 
debt of gratitude to Lovecraft. (SEE! I can bring ANYTHING back on topic!!!)

The roleplaying game based on Lovecraft, entitled CALL OF CTHULHU, remains my 
favorite RPG ever. It's a wonderfully adaptable gaming system, generally set 
in the 1920's (but playable in any era). 

You start off your adventuring career as a regular, everyday person - doctor, 
lawyer, teacher, private eye, housewife, whatever - who accidentally stumbles 
across some evil plot. You encounter minor horrors and disturbed human 
cultists, worshippers of the Great Old Ones, and spend most of the game 
trying to discover just what the bad guys are up to and trying like HELL to 
halt the summoning of some elder god who will annihilate life on earth as we 
know it. Unlike other games where you tend to muscle your way through 
adventures, you learn to think and trick your way through life, because some 
of the monsters you'll be facing cannot EVER be killed (hint: know when to 
hold, know when to fold, know when to walk away, KNOW WHEN TO RUN!!!) You try 
not to get too attached to player characters, because frankly, if you ever DO 
meet up with GREAT CTHULHU, the best your Investigator can realistically ever 
hope for is to somehow escape with your sanity intact (doubtful). 

Fun, huh?

-Larry Steller AKA The Sheik Of Entropy