Shattered Reality. Call of Cthulhu Scenario Anthology by The Yellow Hand

Seth Stauffer

Usually, esteemed publisher Chaosium is responsible for creating content for the iconic game Call of Cthulhu. Things have changed. Via the Miskatonic Repository (an initiative allowing people to create content for the classic horror RPG), publisher Yellow Hand has stepped up with a collection of one-shots titled Shattered Reality. There’s a wide variety of modules available for a Keeper looking for a low-prep supplement to torment entertain their players. 

One of my favourite aspects of this anthology is that the antagonists aren’t elder gods. Threats facing investigators are smaller, targeted, and less well-known. This is a great way to shake up expectations for a game that has a lot of quality material published for it. One module incorporates the Hounds of Tindalos, while another uses Shadow Monkeys. The threat level is not cataclysmic, but it is lethal to the investigators and hapless NPCs. The modules themselves contain helpful information for keepers to help facilitate gameplay. Every module has a preface for keepers and a sidebar containing essential details. 

Many modules offer significant freedom to keepers and players alike. Experienced gamers in particular will appreciate the openness of these investigations. What wasn’t evident was how keepers would get investigators to their destinations. In a few modules, it was apparent that the keepers will need to be ready to fill in gaps in the story to help move things along when investigators get stuck. People familiar with the game will appreciate this, but less experienced players may find it requires more work than scenarios that feel more like a railroad.

As an aside, older gamers may need to adjust the font size. This book is 86 single-spaced, dense pages of small letters. Kudos to the writers for trying to shoehorn as much content as possible into a tightly made package, but it’s a strain on the eyes for people with vision problems. 

This is a very tidy package of one-shots for Call of Cthulhu. It’s less than 100 pages, but it contains seven scenarios. There’s never been a time when a group found themselves short a player or two, or wanted to put a campaign on pause for a week or two-the kind of product every game should have. When this happens, it’s time for a one-shot, and a book like this is invaluable.Additionally, Shattered Reality highlights why it’s worthwhile to let players make content for games. The material fits CoC perfectly, but it is a fresh perspective from what players might expect. It’s probably best for more experienced players. If you’re someone who’s often looking for a Plan B for a game night or conventions, this is definitely worth considering.