We’re back and we’re doubting our humanity. It’s easily enough done. Whether it’s these gill slits on our necks, that pervasive smell of death surrounding us, or just the weird way our shadow shifts and twists, there’s always been something a little off. Normally, that doesn’t cause any problems beyond the usual revulsion. It does make us wonder, however, whether we’re really protagonist material. Is a background role the best a non-human character can hope for in this game, or it is finally our time to shine as investigators?







Main Topic: Non-Human Characters in Call of Cthulhu







There are plenty of creatures in the Cthulhu Mythos that resemble humans, both in appearance and intelligence. While it’s easy to categorise them as monsters, we explore how to present them as fully formed characters. Normally, their role would be as an antagonist, but the Mythos is more ambiguous and nuanced than that. Some of your best friends might be ghouls!







And, of course, Lovecraft’s protagonists often discovered that they weren’t quite as human as they’d believed. Why shouldn’t the same be true in Call of Cthulhu? What are some of the considerations of having non-human characters as investigators in your game?







Links







Things we mention in this episode include:









* D&D







* “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” by HP Lovecraft







* “Pickman’s Model” by HP Lovecraft







* The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by HP Lovecraft







* “The Outsider” by HP Lovecraft







* At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft







* “Nyarlathotep” by HP Lovecraft







* “The Whisperer in Darkness” by HP Lovecraft







* “Fat Face” by Michael Shea







* “The Shadow Out of Time” by HP Lovecraft

















* Possession in Call of Cthulhu







* Ghosts in Call of Cthulhu







* Cloverfield (2008)







* Ain’t Slayed Nobody







* Invasion of the Body Snatchers (195...