Call of Cthulhu
Compendium
Type to search for a spell, item, class — anything!
Step Two (Generate Characteristics)
STEP TWO: GENERATE CHARACTERISTICS
Use the following rolls to determine each of the characteristics, although substitute a roll of 1D6+13 multiplied by 5 for the hero’s core characteristic (as determined by the archetype chosen in Step One).
- Strength (STR): roll 3D6 and multiply by 5.
- Constitution (CON): roll 3D6 and multiply by 5.
- Size (SIZ): roll 2D6+6 and multiply by 5.
- Dexterity (DEX): roll 3D6 and multiply by 5.
- Appearance (APP): roll 3D6 and multiply by 5.
- Intelligence (INT): roll 2D6+6 and multiply by 5.
- Power (POW): roll 3D6 and multiply by 5.
- Education (EDU): roll 2D6+6 and multiply by 5.
Write the result for each characteristic on the Pulp Cthulhu hero sheet, and also write in the half and fifth values for each of them—entering the values alongside the full characteristic percentage:
- Divide the percentage value by two, rounding down, and enter for the “half” percentage value.
- Divide the percentage value by five, rounding down, and enter for the “fifth” percentage value.
The half and fifth numbers are used in relation to characteristics and skills in the game and all the numbers are calculated up front so that play is not hindered by mental calculations. If you prefer, you can always work these out during the game as necessary.
Age
Choose any age between 15 and 90 years. Age modifiers (characteristic penalties or experience bonuses) are not used in Pulp Cthulhu.
Determine Other Attributes
- Luck: roll 2D6+6 and multiply by 5.
- Sanity points (SAN): equal to POW.
- Hit points (HP): add CON and SIZ together, then divide the total by 5 (round down).
- Magic points (MP): equal to one-fifth of POW.
- Damage Bonus (DB) and Build: add STR to SIZ together and look up the total on Table 1: Damage Bonus and Build.
- Movement Rate (MOV): compare DEX, STR, and SIZ as per TABLE 2: MOVEMENT RATES.
TABLE 1: Damage Bonus and Build
STR+SIZ |
Damage Bonus | Build |
2-64 | -2 | -2 |
64-84 | -1 | -1 |
85-124 | None | 0 |
125-164 | +1D4 | +1 |
165-204 | +1D6 | +2 |
205-284 |
+2D6 | +3 |
285-364 |
+3D6 | +3 |
365-444 |
+4D6 | +5 |
445-524* |
+5D6 | +6* |
*Add an additional 1D6 to Damage Bonus and +1 to Build for each additional 80 points or fraction thereof.
TABLE 2: MOVEMENT RATES
STR, DEX, & SIZ |
MOV Rate |
If both DEX and STR are each less than SIZ |
MOV 7 |
If either STR or DEX is equal to or greater than SIZ, or if all three are equal |
MOV 8 |
If both STR and DEX are each greater than SIZ |
MOV 9 |