On Roll4Sanity, we had the pleasure of looking at the world of Call of Cthulhu roleplaying with special guest Charlie Creek. https://www.blackcreekpodcasts.com Charlie, an audiophile with a passion for horror and a rich history in roleplaying games, shared his insights and experiences, offering a fascinating glimpse into the immersive world of Call of Cthulhu.

Charlie’s journey into roleplaying began over 25 years ago with Dungeons & Dragons, but it was about five years ago that he discovered Call of Cthulhu. His love for atmospheric horror, reminiscent of Hitchcock and the original Alien, drew him to this unique roleplaying system. Charlie’s transition from D&D to Call of Cthulhu was gradual, starting with adapting scenarios from one system to the other before fully embracing the cosmic horror of Call of Cthulhu.

One of the standout features of Call of Cthulhu for Charlie is the brooding, atmospheric horror that permeates the game. He enjoys the sense of being a “squashy little speck of dust in the cosmos,” where survival and sanity are never guaranteed. This contrasts sharply with the heroic fantasy of D&D, where players often feel like superheroes. Charlie’s preference for the D100 system in Call of Cthulhu stems from its flexibility and the way it allows for a more narrative-driven experience.

Charlie predominantly acts as a Keeper (Game Master) but has recently enjoyed playing in various playtests and an upcoming podcast. He discusses the “Forever Keeper Syndrome,” where transitioning from Keeper to player can be challenging due to the tendency to oversee the game even as a player. However, he finds joy in setting the scene and reacting to players’ actions, creating a dynamic and unpredictable gaming experience.

Insights into Podcasting

Charlie’s background in media and publishing led him to conduct a survey on podcast preferences, revealing valuable insights for aspiring podcasters:

• Audio Quality: The top priority for listeners is clear and balanced audio.
• Podcast Length: The ideal length for a podcast episode is around 60 minutes.
• Listener Habits: Most listeners decide within two episodes whether to continue with a podcast.
• Discovery: Podcasts are often discovered through recommendations rather than active searching.

Charlie advises podcasters to create content they genuinely enjoy and to engage listeners by imagining them as part of the conversation. Networking with other podcasters for mutual promotion is also recommended. Charlie’s favourite Call of Cthulhu systems are Cthulhu by Gaslight and Pulp Cthulhu, which allow for heroic and superhero-like elements within the horror genre. He enjoys playing powerful, bullish characters but knows when to let others take the spotlight, ensuring an inclusive and engaging gaming experience for all players.

One of Charlie’s most memorable gaming moments involved creating an emotional roller coaster for his players. By flipping a dark scenario on its head with humor, he was able to evoke tears of both sadness and joy, creating a lasting impact on his players.

Charlie can be found on Discord servers like Miskatonic Playhouse and Embers of Humanity. He also hinted at an upcoming website, Black Creek Podcasts, which promises to be an exciting addition to the Call of Cthulhu community. https://www.blackcreekpodcasts.com

Podcasts and Shows Mentioned

We mention the Good Friends of Jackson Elias:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0E2W0vw3QMZo6QCnxEIZbp

It’s Curse of the Seven which is the Cthulhu by Gaslight Campaign

This is the Matt Ryan interview on Modern Mythos Podcast

And of course https://www.blackcreekpodcasts.com

The Podcast Survey results:

• The vast majority listened to less than 10 podcasts, with the next highest listening to only a couple.
• By far the largest majority listened daily to podcasts.
• The choice way to find new podcasts was mentions in other podcasts or in group chats.
• The responders infrequently looked for new podcasts.
• The greatest number did not care how many episodes were available.
• Earbuds the main was to listen, followed by headphones.
• The greatest majority by far listened while commuting.
• 45 – 60 minutes the ideal podcast length.
• On listening to a new podcast, the listeners will give it at least 1 or 2 episodes before deciding not to listen.
• Poor audio and unbalanced audio between cast sound quality is by far the biggest ‘turn off’.
• Background music was also pretty unanimous in being a turn off from listening.
• Frequency wasn’t a priority although weekly is popular the episodes can be infrequent.
• Pretty even between people who listen to 1 episode, a couple or binge listen at any one time.
• Even spread between what type of scenarios people like to listen to. However, Campaigns and one shots were the least popular.
• High quality audio biggest draw beyond content to keep people listening.
• Way out in front is people liking to feel as though they are at the table with the players, along with a moderate amount of non-gaming banter.
• The story and player characters are the hook, the players personal personalities not so much.
• Discord, chances to interact with the ‘cast’ plusses.
• Seasonal One-shot episodes and specific cast recap / chat episodes were a draw.
• The larger amount of respondents outside of TTRPG podcasts listened to factual type podcasts with audio dramas coming in next followed by narrated fiction.

This episode of Fast Talk was a treasure trove of insights and experiences, offering a look into the immersive world of Call of Cthulhu. Whether you’re a seasoned Keeper or a curious newcomer, Charlie Creek’s passion for the game is sure to inspire your next adventure. Stay tuned for more fascinating discussions on Roll4Sanity!