Download her character sheet and Enhanced backstory
Introduction: The Power of the Press in the Face of Cosmic Horror
The 1980s in Tokyo were a time of explosive change: neon lights, karaoke bars, digital watches, and the rise of a new creative class. Amidst this vibrant chaos, Yumi, a fresh journalism graduate, steps into the world as an investigator for The Sutra of Pale Leaves, a Call of Cthulhu campaign set in 1980s Japan. But why is a journalist the perfect occupation for a campaign where the King in Yellow lurks in the shadows? Because journalists are truth-seekers, risk-takers, and storytellers—qualities that make them ideal for uncovering the horrors that lurk just beyond the neon glow.
The Journalist’s Toolkit: More Than Just a Notepad
In the 1980s, journalism wasn’t just about scribbling notes in a courtroom. Investigative reporters had portable tape recorders, 35mm cameras, and even portable video cameras—tools that could capture evidence, document strange occurrences, and expose hidden truths. Yumi’s kit is no different:
- A high-quality 35mm camera with flash and film, ready to snap photos of anything unusual.
- A battery-operated tape recorder to capture interviews, eerie whispers, or incantations in the dead of night.
- A Filofax—not just for scheduling, but for jotting down clues, contacts, and cryptic symbols.
- A text pager (courtesy of her brother, Takeshi) to receive “hot tips” or warnings when things go sideways.
With these tools, Yumi isn’t just a reporter—she’s a detective, an archivist, and a witness to the strange.
Skills That Make a Journalist a Mythos Hunter
Yumi’s occupation skills are tailored for investigation, social manoeuvring, and survival—essential traits for anyone facing the King in Yellow or the horrors of Carcosa. Here’s why her skills make her a formidable investigator:
1. Charm (60%) – The Art of Persuasion
Journalists don’t just ask questions—they get answers. Yumi’s high Charm score means she can talk her way into restricted areas, convince reluctant witnesses to speak, or even distract a cultist long enough to snap a crucial photo. In a world where information is power, charm is her greatest weapon.
2. Psychology (50%) – Reading Between the Lines
A journalist’s job is to understand people—their motives, their fears, and their lies. Yumi’s Psychology skill lets her see through deceptions, detect when someone is hiding something, or recognize the signs of Mythos corruption before it’s too late.
3. Stealth (60%) – The Shadow in the Crowd
Sometimes, the best way to get a story is to not be seen. Whether she’s sneaking into a corporate office after hours or tailing a suspicious figure through the back alleys of Shinjuku, Yumi’s Stealth skill keeps her one step ahead of danger.
4. Spot Hidden (55%) – The Eye for Detail
A journalist notices things—the way a subject’s hands tremble, the odd symbol carved into a doorframe, the faint scent of ozone before a Mythos entity appears. Yumi’s keen eye means she’s less likely to miss the clues that could save her life—or doom her to madness.
5. Photography (40%) – Capturing the Unseen
In a campaign where seeing is believing, Yumi’s Photography skill is invaluable. A well-timed photo can:
- Document evidence of cult activity.
- Capture images of entities that shouldn’t exist.
- Preserve the truth when words fail.
Personal Skills: Rounding Out the Investigator
Yumi’s personal skills fill in the gaps, making her not just a reporter, but a survivor:
1. Dodge (52%) – Staying Alive
When the King in Yellow’s minions come knocking, Yumi’s agility keeps her out of harm’s way. A high Dodge score means she’s more likely to escape a chase, avoid a surprise attack, or dive behind cover when the bullets (or tentacles) start flying.
2. Drive Auto (Confident) – The Getaway Driver
Yumi’s brother’s white Lamborghini isn’t just for show—it’s her ticket to freedom. Whether she’s racing down the Shuto Expressway to outrun a pursuer or navigating Tokyo’s labyrinthine streets to lose a tail, her driving skills make her hard to catch.
3. Fighting (Brawl) (50%) – Last Resort Defence
While Yumi prefers to talk or run her way out of trouble, she’s no stranger to a fight. Her Bokken (wooden practice sword) is both a nod to her father’s craftsmanship and a practical weapon in a pinch. In 1980s Japan, carrying a knife or firearm is illegal—but a Bokken? That’s just martial arts practice.
4. Computer Use (25%) – Navigating the Digital Age
The 1980s saw the rise of personal computers, and while Yumi isn’t a hacker, her basic Computer Use skill means she can:
- Access digital records at a library or police station.
- Decipher cryptic files left behind by a doomed researcher.
- Use early databases to cross-reference names, dates, and locations.
5. Occult (30%) – Knowledge is Survival
Yumi’s basic understanding of the occult might be the difference between recognizing a ritual and walking into a trap. While she’s no expert, her knowledge gives her a fighting chance against the unknown.
Why a Journalist Shines in The Sutra of Pale Leaves
1. The King in Yellow Thrives on Secrecy
The horror of The King in Yellow isn’t just in its monsters—it’s in the lies, the cover-ups, and the gaslighting. A journalist is trained to uncover the truth, making Yumi the perfect foil for a horror that hides in plain sight.
2. Tokyo in the 1980s: A City of Stories (and Secrets)
1980s Tokyo was a melting pot of tradition and innovation, where ancient shrines stood beside towering skyscrapers, and where corporate espionage and occult conspiracies could easily intertwine. As a journalist, Yumi has access to both worlds—the glittering surface and the dark underbelly.
3. The Power of the Press
In a campaign where information is power, Yumi’s ability to publish her findings (even if no one believes her) can:
- Expose cults before they strike.
- Warn the public of impending doom.
- Leave a record of what really happened, even if she doesn’t survive.
Yumi’s Backstory: A Truth-Seeker in a World of Illusions
Yumi didn’t choose journalism by accident. She saw how her father, Kenji, a skilled carpenter, was reduced to a construction drone, while her brother, Takeshi, climbed the corporate ladder with empty charm. She wanted to write about the unseen—the craftsmen erased by progress, the truths buried under corporate lies.
Now, as a courier by day and an investigator by night, she’s looking for the story that will make her name. Little does she know, she’s about to find one—and it will change everything.
Click here for Yumi’s enhance back story
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Play a Journalist in Call of Cthulhu
Yumi’s occupation isn’t just cool—it’s strategic. Journalists are:
- Natural investigators, with skills that complement mythos hunting.
- Socially adept, able to gather information without raising suspicion.
- Resourceful, using tools and wit to survive where brute force fails.
- Storytellers, ensuring that even in defeat, their legacy lives on.
In The Sutra of Pale Leaves, where truth is the first casualty, a journalist like Yumi isn’t just a character—she’s a beacon of hope in the darkness.
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