Modern Mythos with Jon and Seth

In this episode, Seth and Jon share tips, tricks, and habits every player should know, and how GMs might consider addressing problematic players. P l a y e r T i p s Do prep-work before the game (pick that skill/power from leveling last game) Remember Other People in the room - Hogging Time/Spotlight Avoid Distractions (phones, crafting, etc.) Look out for other players' fun Learn your character's...

In this episode, Seth and Jon share tips, tricks, and habits every player should know, and how GMs might consider addressing problematic players. P l a y e r T i p s Do prep-work before the game (pick that skill/power from leveling last game) Remember Other People in the room - Hogging Time/Spotlight Avoid Distractions (phones, crafting, etc.) Look out for other players' fun Learn your character's...

In this episode, Seth and Jon are joined by Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu Creative Director, Mike Mason. Together, the gents talk about how to manage and run long-running campaign games.   Thank you to our recent patrons: Obsession Engine, Bryan Stephens, Zander Ford, Charlie Ough, and to Jim Calabrese for his extra-generous support. If you also want to support the show, please consider joining our P...

Jon finally fulfilled his promise to run The Code for Seth!!! And we pulled in three patrons to play with Seth, Andy, Chris, and Nelson. It was a fantastic playthrough. The game was recorded, and it's exclusively available for patrons of the Modern Mythos podcast to enjoy. If you're interested in checking it out, it's a five-hour playthrough completely available in a single audio file, just join t...

In this episode, we'll be imagining changes we'd like to see in an imaginary 8th Edition of Call of Cthulhu. Automatic fire – Simplify the skill roll based on difficulty of hitting the target, ignore bullets fired. Introduce snap fire?  Sanity/Mythos - Prefer the idea of relationships and cherished things being sacrificed as SAN disappears or to recover. Rather than a possible consequence for Bout...

Pateron voting results: Jon's plot idea is selected   J o n ' s I d e a : Chloe is missing, and could be the victim of serpent people who want to spread their sinister influence. The investigators must find Chloe before a competing team of (bumbling) investigators ruin the clue trail and seal Chloe's fate. Low-budget grindhouse movie shot in the Philippines. Name of movie: Raining Blood!   Seth di...

In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about some of their favorite books, movies, and music that inspire their tastes in horror, and they review Blackwater Creek, a scenario suitable for new players and Keepers in the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game.  Topic 1: Inspirational Media for Horror Games The Fisherman , by John Langan Other short short stories by John Langan (ex: Wide Carnivorous Sky) The C...

In this episode, Jon and Seth discuss running a Call of Cthulhu game without the influence of the Mythos in it, and they continue designing an original Call of Cthulhu adventure with some help from their patrons.    Topic 1: Call of Cthulhu without the Mythos This isn't new, Chaosium has several adventures that don't feature the Mythos. Including the two Blood Brother books which feature more than...

In this episode, Jon and Seth discuss running a Call of Cthulhu game without the influence of the Mythos in it, and they continue designing an original Call of Cthulhu adventure with some help from their patrons.    Topic 1: Call of Cthulhu without the Mythos This isn't new, Chaosium has several adventures that don't feature the Mythos. Including the two Blood Brother books which feature more than...

In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about games where skill failures are still interesting. Games like Dystopia Rising, Kids on Bikes, Achtung Cthulhu, ALIEN, Blades in the Dark, and Call of Cthulhu.   Seth and Jon also begin a new series where they will collaborate to design a Call of Cthulhu scenario. We'll be sharing ideas on the Modern Mythos Discord and seeking help from our Patrons. Who knows...

Modern Mythos with Jon & Seth - Episode 14: Chaosium Con & Horror Atmosphere   In this episode, Jon and Seth discuss ways to effectively create an atmosphere of horror at your gaming table, and the guys were able to finally meet each other in person for the first time at Chaosium Con in Ypsilani, Michigan. It was a blast, and they've got lots of thoughts on it as they reflect on the convention wee...

Modern Mythos with Jon & Seth - Episode 14: Chaosium Con & Horror Atmosphere   In this episode, Jon and Seth discuss ways to effectively create an atmosphere of horror at your gaming table, and the guys were able to finally meet each other in person for the first time at Chaosium Con in Ypsilani, Michigan. It was a blast, and they've got lots of thoughts on it as they reflect on the convention wee...

Modern Mythos with Jon & Seth - Episode 14: Chaosium Con & Horror Atmosphere   In this episode, Jon and Seth discuss ways to effectively create an atmosphere of horror at your gaming table, and the guys were able to finally meet each other in person for the first time at Chaosium Con in Ypsilani, Michigan. It was a blast, and they've got lots of thoughts on it as they reflect on the convention wee...

This 12-minute audio file is a sample taken from Modern Mythos Episode 11 - Bouts of Insanity. This episode was originally released in January 2022. Jon and Seth are submitting this episode sample so it can be considered for the 2022 ENNIE Awards. 

Jon and Seth have a conversation with actor, director, roleplayer, and friend of the show, Drew Shirley.   We discuss the similarities and differences between directing actors through a scene and being a Keeper in Call of Cthulhu.   We can't do this show alone. We want to thank our amazing editors Max Mahaffa and Edwin Nagy for their hard work and keen skills at making us sound awesome!   We also...

Jon and Seth have a conversation with actor, director, roleplayer, and friend of the show, Drew Shirley.   We discuss the similarities and differences between directing actors through a scene and being a Keeper in Call of Cthulhu.   We can't do this show alone. We want to thank our amazing editors Max Mahaffa and Edwin Nagy for their hard work and keen skills at making us sound awesome!   We also...

In this episode, Seth and Jon finish their conversation about the Insanity mechanic in the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game. They also share their ideas and advice for playing roleplaying games online.   Jon and Seth discuss how to use phobias and manias in your Call of Cthulhu game. And they discuss how sanity is handled in other RPGs, like Delta Green, Kult, Yellow King, and Alien. As for playin...

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2022!   In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about the Insanity mechanics in the Call of Cthulhu RPG. Recently, Jon had a personal brush with a real life "Bout of Madness," and he shares that story. Have no fear, all parties involved are safe and well, which is why Jon felt comfortable enough to share this story.   So, put a kettle on, sit back, and give this episode a...

Call of Cthulhu Credit Rating:  For many RPGs gaining treasure is a key motivator for both PCs and Players. In CoC a character can simply begin being wealthy, removing much of that character motivation or hurdle of not being able to afford something.  Daily Spending Level allows a certain amount of purchases to be made without any paperwork or math.  But how does one gain or lose Credit Rating? Wi...

Chaosium's Line Editor for Call of Cthulhu, Mike Mason, rejoins us to talk about low-prep Call of Cthulhu games. With some practice, it's possible to have an impromptu game of Call of Cthulhu. Join us as we discuss how with Mike Mason.  We want to thank Mike for coming on and chatting with us again. It was a real pleasure.  We can't do this show alone. We want to thank our amazing editors Max Maha...

In this episode, special guest Mike Mason, Chaosium's Line Editor for Call of Cthulhu, joins us to talk about our favorite forms of horror entertainment, be it a film, book, TV show, game, whatever! 

Topic 1: Optional Uses for Characteristics APP -- Change the base chance of Charm to be Half APP (Current base Charm is 15%) APP -- Grant a Bonus Die on Charm, Fast Talk, and Persuasion rolls if APP is 70+, conversely grant a Penalty Die on Charm, Fast Talk, and Persuasion rolls if APP is 30- APP -- Grant a Bonus Die on Intimidation rolls if APP is 30-, or a Penalty Die if APP is 70+ STR -- A succ...

In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about Milestone Leveling and the benefits of PC Death!  D&D characters "level up"... traditionally by XP awards, but a new concept known as "Milestone Leveling" allows characters to level up after certain milestone achievements. Can a concept like this be used in CoC? Instead of "ticking your skills" and then rolling to see if the ticked skill can qualify to be i...

Welcome to the next episode of Modern Mythos. In this episode, we interviewed James Lowder, the Executive Editor at Chaosium. Chaosium recently reanimated their fiction line, and Jim is their Dr. Herbert West!  Jim is a super interesting guy. He's a TSR alum with a long career in writing and publishing in and around the gaming industry. It was an absolute honor to talk with Jim, and we had an amaz...