New RPG Roundup: ‘Achtung! Cthulhu’, a Dark Conspiracy, and More

Conspiracy Handbook: A Spire Sourcebook

This slim volume contains rules and guidance on making your own bespoke secret society using some of the non-player characters and locations detailed within.

It contains characters such as: Cacophony Gryndel, an amorous widow whose hobbies include sponsoring revolutionary organisations, Brigadier Arneau Destera, a decorated war hero desperate to dethrone the Council, Maji Levecha, an unmasked high elf in charge of a non-Euclidian getaway elevator, Professor Margot Arkemton, a gnoll scholar visiting Spire thanks to some truly labyrinthe visa permissions, Father Gavel, an itinerant priest of the god of Breaking and Entering, and Captain Calvy Lejeune, a teenager who was put in charge of a city guard garrison as a joke.

Each NPC has sets of tables packed with motivations, flaws, leverages, assets and associates to help build a scenario with an emphasis on investigation and player choice; once everything’s set up, it’s up to your players to infiltrate and subvert the organisation to their own ends. Each character and location has been lovingly illustrated by Rowan MacColl.

Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20: Operation Kindling

Welcome to the Secret War! In Operation Kindling you’ll get your first glimpse into the hidden globe-spanning conflict between the forces of good and evil. Only you and your scrappy band of heroes can defeat the malignant forces of the occult, and the malevolent might of their Mythos masters!

In this standalone mission for use with the new free Basic Rules, your agents are dispatched on a top-secret mission to support Operation Terminal, the Allied landing in Tangiers. Can you disable a Vichy radio mast, then sabotage a heavily guarded experimental shore battery that overlooks the landing? And how will you respond when a new threat arises from the waters to reclaim an ancient, long-forgotten artifact?

The Domestic – Rivers of London RPG Solo

Spring, 2016: the Folly, also known as the Metropolitan Police Service’s “special magic branch,” has received word of repeated domestic disturbances at an address on Prince of Wales Road, London—and very odd ones, at that. Convinced that there’s more going on than meets the eye, DCI Thomas Nightingale has assigned you, his newest recruit, to the case.

The Domestic is an introductory scenario designed for one player, based on Ben Aaronovitch’s short story of the same name. Choose to play as a magic-wielding police officer, nurse, or social worker in a game set in the world of Ben Aaronovitch’s hugely successful Rivers of London series. Armed with this book, a pencil, and some roleplaying dice, you are ready to take on your first case for the Folly. No GM needed!

Can you solve the mystery on Prince of Wales Road?

Sprinkles is Missing!

You and your friends sit on the Student Council at Arbor Haven Magical Elementary School. You usually focus on mundane issues around the school, like kids leaving the bathroom stalls locked or someone conjuring bees on the playground, but today is different.

Today, something serious has happened. Sprinkles, the school’s mascot (who also happens to be a unicorn) is missing. Despite vigorous discussion as to Sprinkles’ whereabouts at the last Student Council meeting, the Principal did not appear concerned for Sprinkles’ safety, nor did he take any action to locate said unicorn. It is time to take things into your own hands.

Everyone in Arbor Haven knows Sprinkles, and no one has seen him in town. That leaves only one place for him to have gone…

Nancy Druid

In Nancy Druid, you will play as a druid scout who solves mysteries along with a trusty animal companion! Your magic is drawn from the natural world, the day-night cycle, and the turning of the seasons.

Will you be a sun druid, who brings brightness and a warm glow to all, with the help of your scout troop’s companion critter? Or will you be a moon druid, versed in all things celestial and able to transform into an animal yourself?