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Friday, 27 October 2023

Miskatonic Monday #227: The Phthonus Cabinet

Between October 2003 and October 2013, Chaosium, Inc. published a series of books for Call of Cthulhu under the Miskatonic University Library Association brand. Whether a sourcebook, scenario, anthology, or campaign, each was a showcase for their authors—amateur rather than professional, but fans of Call of Cthulhu nonetheless—to put forward their ideas and share with others. The programme was notable for having launched the writing careers of several authors, but for every Cthulhu InvictusThe PastoresPrimal StateRipples from Carcosa, and Halloween Horror, there was Five Go Mad in EgyptReturn of the RipperRise of the DeadRise of the Dead II: The Raid, and more...

The Miskatonic University Library Association brand is no more, alas, but what we have in its stead is the Miskatonic Repository, based on the same format as the DM’s Guild for Dungeons & Dragons. It is thus, “...a new way for creators to publish and distribute their own original Call of Cthulhu content including scenarios, settings, spells and more…” To support the endeavours of their creators, Chaosium has provided templates and art packs, both free to use, so that the resulting releases can look and feel as professional as possible. To support the efforts of these contributors, Miskatonic Monday is an occasional series of reviews which will in turn examine an item drawn from the depths of the Miskatonic Repository.

—oOo—
Publisher: Chaosium, Inc.
Author: John Crowdis

Setting: 1890s London
Product: Scenario
What You Get: Seventy-one page, 12.00 MB Full Colour PDF

Elevator Pitch: Covet thy neighbour’s cabinet.
Plot Hook: When an auction house fails to deliver, a customer threatens to sue for his missing purchase. Can the Investigators track it down?
Plot Support: Staging advice, six pre-generated Investigators, eleven handouts, four maps, six NPCs, 
one Mythos tome, three Mythos spells, one Mythos artefact, and three Mythos creatures.
Production Values: Excellent

Pros
# Excellent scenario for Cthulhu by Gaslight
# Highly detailed and supported investigation
# Very well presented handouts
# Presents some interesting locations in the grubbiness of London’s Limehouse
Epiplaphobia
Zelophobia
Necrophophobia

Cons
# Artwork slightly cartoonish in places

Conclusion
# Solidly plotted investigation with great production values
# Grubbiness and envy combine for a fine addition to any Cthulhu by Gaslight campaign

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