We’re back and we’re accepting an enticing invitation. Apparently, if we accompany our new friends back to their commune, they’ll give us dinner and share the secrets of the universe with us. We’re more interested in the food, but who are we to turn down some free enlightenment? The meal smells lovely too. It’s roast pork of some kind, although the cuts look unusual. Still, best tuck in and fuel up for the initiation ritual later.
Main Topic: Cults part 3
We are continuing our discussion of real-world cults and how they might inspire Call of Cthulhu games. This time, we’re exploring how cults draw people in and what kind of people they attempt to recruit. Based on the anecdotes we share, the answer seems to be “Paul and Scott”.
Once again, this is a slightly longer episode than usual, mixing together elements from the recording misadventures we mentioned last time.
Once again, the lockdown means we recorded this episode remotely. We hope that we’re getting the hang of making this sound all right. It’s far from the biggest problem current circumstances have presented, but it’s still a challenge.
Links
Things we mention in this episode include:
- John Sumrow’s Patreon
- Peoples Temple
- Buddhafield
- Holy Hell (2016)
- Cult Concern FAQ
- The School of Philosophy
- A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
- The Jesus Army
- Spying in Guru Land: Inside Britain’s Cults by William Shaw
- NXIVM
- Children of God/The Family International
- Grounded With Louis Theroux
- Heaven’s Gate
- Derren Brown
- Messiah
- Shared psychosis
- Elmore Leonard
News
Full Fathom Five
Paul has a new Call of Cthulhu scenario coming soon to the Miskatonic Repository. “Full Fathom Five” is an unusual adventure set aboard a whaling ship in the 19th century. As well as blood and sea slime, it drips with period detail. It should appear on DriveThruRPG by the end of the month. Watch our Twitter feed for more details.
Masks of Nyarlathotep on How We Roll
The end is nigh! As many of you may know, Scott has been running his prelude chapter from Masks of Nyarlathotep for an all-star cast on How We Roll. The players include Veronica from Cthulhu and Friends, Keeper Murph from The Miskatonic University Podcast, Seth Skorkowsky, and Eoghan and Joe from How We Roll. Well, we are now in the final stretch. The final episodes will be appearing in the HWR feed over the course of the next month or two. Now is a great time to start catching up if you haven’t already done so!
The Blasphemous Tome Issue 5.5
We are currently putting together issue 5.5 of The Blasphemous Tome. This is an interim digital edition of the fanzine we publish for our Patreon backers. Issue 5.5 will contain a number of pieces we couldn’t fit into our last print edition, along with all-new articles and artwork. It will also feature a new Call of Cthulhu scenario by Scott, titled “The Murder Shack”. Anyone backing us at the time of release (expected to be early July) will receive a PDF copy.
More Lockdown Specials
We are still releasing fortnightly lockdown specials, discussing films, books and television you might find inspirational in your gaming lives. If you are backing us on Patreon, check your feed. Otherwise, backing us at any level will grant you instant access to the back catalogue.
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Scott. You mention in this episode of your exploration into Wicca and going to a Coven. Do you recall that I accompanied you to this Coven, and we participated in a ceremony where we stripped down, donned robes, and interacted with members of the Coven? I believe drinking or hash might have been involved, and as it was late, we ended up spending the night in this house?
Real weird stuff for me and it truly left a memory that I had forgotten until you mentioned it in this episode.
If you’ve forgotten this I would be glad to discuss it with you on Discord.