STEP ONE: CHOOSE A PULP ARCHETYPE

Pulp archetypes are shorthand character concepts, allowing players to choose a character ideal that becomes the foundation of their hero. Each archetype provides certain skill and characteristic bonuses. Choose the archetype that best fits the type of character you wish to play.

Each entry provides a brief summary of the key personality aspects of the archetype, as well as detailing a core characteristic and the likely skills such an archetype would possess. Keep a note of these on some scrap paper and apply them as you go through the rest of hero creation.

Option: If you prefer to more fully establish your hero’s background before determining characteristics and skills, jump to Step Four to decide an occupation and then to Step Six to work out their backstory. These steps determine “who” your hero is, what drives them, and their vocation. Once you have fleshed out your hero in this way, jump back to Step Two and work through their characteristics, skills, and talents.

Guidance notes:

• Each archetype has a core characteristic. Sometimes there is a choice between characteristics—choose one of these as the core characteristic for the hero.
• Most characteristics for standard Call of Cthulhu investigators normally start no higher than 90%; pulp heroes, however, can begin with 95% in their core characteristic. To determine a core characteristic, roll 1D6+13 and multiply the result by 5 (see Step Two).
• Any or all of the skills listed under each archetype may be chosen; allocate the bonus points to as many or as few of these skills as desired.
• A list of suggested occupations is provided, although players can choose whatever occupation suits their character concept (such as choosing occupations from other Call of Cthulhu supplements like the Investigator Handbook).
• In some cases, the archetype states whether a particular talent is recommended or must be taken.
• Some suggested backstory traits are provided; you don’t have to take these for the hero, just use them for inspiration.

This Free Basic Rules version contains a limited number of Archetypes. For many more player options, check out the full Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook

Adventurer

A life without adventure is not worth living. The world is a big place and there is much to experience and many chances for glory. Sitting behind a desk, working a job nine to five is a death sentence for such folk. The adventurer yearns for excitement, fun, and a challenge.

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: choose either DEX or APP.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Climb, Diving, Drive Auto, First Aid, Fighting (any), Firearms (any), Jump, Language Other (any), Mechanical Repair, Pilot (any), Ride, Stealth, Survival (any), Swim.
• Suggested occupations: Actor, Archaeologist, Athlete, Aviator, Bank Robber, Big Game Hunter, Cat Burglar, Dilettante, Drifter, Gambler, Gangster, Hobo, Investigative Journalist, Missionary, Nurse, Photographer, Ranger, Sailor, Soldier, Tribe Member.
• Talents: any two.
• Suggested traits: easily bored, tenacious, glory hunter, egotistical.

Egghead

Everything can be broken down and analyzed in order to understand how it works. Knowledge is a treasure and a joy—a puzzle to explore. Where the scholar is bookish, the egghead is practical and thoroughly enjoys getting their hands dirty. Whether it’s wires and gears, valves and computational engines, or blood and bones, the egghead likes to figure out what makes things tick. Perhaps an absent-minded genius or a razor-sharp virtuoso, the egghead can easily become absorbed in the problem before them, leaving them exposed and unaware of what is actually happening around them. Depending on the pulp level of your game, the egghead may be able to invent all manner of gizmos, useful or otherwise, see Weird Science for details.

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: choose either INT or EDU.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Anthropology, Appraise, Computer Use, Electrical Repair, Language Other (any), Library Use, Mechanical Repair, Operate Heavy Machinery, Science (any).
• Suggested occupations: Butler, Cult Leader, Doctor of Medicine, Engineer, Gentleman/Lady, Investigative Journalist, Mechanic, Priest, Scientist.
• Talents: any two.
• Suggested traits: knowledgeable, focused, tunnel vision, information seeker, oblivious to surroundings, lack of common sense, tinkerer, irresponsible.

Explorer

“Don’t fence me in,” is the oft-heard cry of the explorer, who wishes for a more authentic and fulfilling life. Strong willed, virtually unshakeable, the explorer is ever questing for what lies over the horizon. Possibly at one with nature, such types are content to sleep where they fall, happily disdaining the soft comforts of urban life. Whether hacking through jungles, squeezing through caverns, or simply charting the hidden quarters of the city, the explorer is often a misfit who grows restless and annoyed by those they consider to be “weak” or “cowards.”

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: choose either DEX or POW.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Animal Handling, Anthropology, Archaeology, Climb, Fighting (Brawl), First Aid, Jump, Language Other (any), Natural World, Navigate, Pilot (any), Ride, Stealth, Survival (any), Track.
• Suggested occupations: Agency Detective, Archaeologist, Big Game Hunter, Bounty Hunter, Dilettante, Explorer, Get-Away Driver, Gun Moll, Itinerant Worker, Investigative Journalist, Missionary, Photographer, Ranger, Sailor, Soldier, Tribe Member.
• Talents: any two.
• Suggested traits: outcast, brave, misfit, loner, bullish, strong willed, leader, restless.

Femme Fatale

A deadly woman or man whose outward beauty usually masks a self-centered approach to life; one who is ever vigilant. By constructing an alluring and glamorous persona the femme fatale is akin to a spider. She draws others to her web in order to possess what she desires or destroy her target. Brave and cunning, the femme fatale is not shy of getting her hands dirty and is a capable foe. Neither is she foolhardy, and she will wait until her web is constructed before dealing out a sudden and well-timed assault (be it mental or physical). A classic pulp archetype, the femme fatale could as easily be termed homme fatale if so desired.

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: choose either APP or INT.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Art/Craft (Acting), Appraise, Charm, Disguise, Drive Auto, Fast Talk, Fighting (Brawl), Firearms (Handgun), Listen, Psychology, Sleight of Hand, Stealth.
• Suggested occupations: Actor, Agency Detective, Author, Cat Burglar, Confidence Trickster, Dilettante, Elected Official, Entertainer, Federal Agent, Gangster, Gun Moll, Hit Man, Hooker, Investigative Journalist, Musician, Nurse, Private Investigator, Reporter, Spy, Zealot.
• Talents: any two (Smooth Talker talent recommended).
• Suggested traits: alluring, glamorous, wicked, deceitful, cunning, focused, fraudulent.

Hard Boiled

Tough and streetwise, someone who is hard boiled understands that to catch a thief you have to think like a thief. Usually, such a person isn’t above breaking the law in order to get the job done. They’ll use whatever tools are at their disposal and may crack a few skulls in the process. Often, at their core, they are honest souls who wish the world wasn’t so despicable and downright nasty; however, in order to fight for justice, they can be just as nasty as they need to be.

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: CON.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Art/Craft (any), Fighting (Brawl), Firearms (any), Drive Auto, Fast Talk, Intimidate, Law, Listen, Locksmith, Sleight of Hand, Spot Hidden, Stealth, Throw.
• Suggested occupations: Agency Detective, Bank Robber, Beat Cop, Bounty Hunter, Boxer, Gangster, Gun Moll, Laborer, Police Detective, Private Investigator, Ranger, Union Activist.
• Talents: any two.
• Suggested traits: cynical, objective, practical, world-weary, corrupt, violent.

Seeker

Puzzles and riddles enthrall the seeker, who uses intelligence and reasoning to uncover mysteries and solve problems. They look for and enjoy mental challenges, always focused on finding the truth, no matter the consequences or tribulations they must face.

Adjustments

• Core characteristic: INT.
• Add 100 bonus points divided among any of the following skills: Accounting, Appraise, Disguise, History, Law, Library Use, Listen, Occult, Psychology, Science (any), Spot Hidden, Stealth.
• Suggested occupations: Agency Detective, Author, Beat Cop, Federal Agent, Investigative Journalist, Occultist, Parapsychologist, Police Detective, Reporter, Spy, Student.
• Talents: any two.
• Suggested traits: risk taker, tunnel vision, deceitful, boastful, driven.