Cthulhu by Gaslight

Cthulhu by Gaslight is a supplement published by Chaosium in 1986 for the horror role-playing game Call of Cthulhu .

Contents

The game Call of Cthulhu was originally set in the 1920s. Cthulhu by Gaslight presents an alternate setting in Victorian England of the 1890s. The supplement includes

  • details of life in Victorian England, with essays on social class, occupations, crime, the cost of living, the government, the monarchy, and belief in the occult[1]
  • a map of Victorian London
  • blank Cthulhu by Gaslight character sheets.[2]
  • The Yorkshire Horror, an adventure featuring interaction with Sherlock Holmes[1]

In order to accommodate players' characters that have already adventured in the 1920s, referees are presented with several ways of transporting those characters to the 1890s.[1]

In 1989, Chaosium republished Cthulhu by Gaslight, adding an essay on world politics of the time, a guide to prominent stores in London, and a glossary of Cockney underworld slang, as well as additional maps of the Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Sherlock Holmes's residence at 221B Baker Street.[1]

Reception

In the August-September 1987 edition of Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer (No. 79), Lisa Cohen gave the book a thumbs up, saying, "Finally, what I have been waiting for! A game with real mystery and horror all in one."[2]

In the June 1990 edition of Dragon (Issue 158), Jim Bambra thought that this book "perfectly captures the flavor and mood of the times, taking CoC into a previous age." Bambra also lauded the included adventure, saying, "The Yorkshire Horrors is a good period piece for CoC. It’s lengthy and develops well as the clues pile up, and there are plenty of opportunities for players to exercise their role-playing skills in Victorian society." With only slight reservations about moving characters to a period that has no other adventures written for it, Bambra concluded with a strong recommendation, commenting, "Gaslight is another excellent CoC product... Gaslight comes with my highest recommendation. Anyone interested in adventuring in the Age of Victoria should snap up a copy."[1]

Awards

Cthulhu by Gaslight was awarded the H.G. Wells Award for "Best Roleplaying Supplement of 1986 ".[3]

Reviews

References
  1. Bambra, Jim (June 1990). "Roleplaying Reviews". Dragon. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#158): 90–91.
  2. Cohen, Lisa (August–September 1987). "Shedding Light on Cthulhu?". Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer. Diverse Talents, Incorporated (79): 38.
  3. "The 1986 Origins Awards". The Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
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