Cthulhu Dark - Adv - He Who Laughs Last - CoC Conversion Notes

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Kyle

He Who Laughs Last conversion notes explain how to adapt the modern Cthulhu Dark scenario to the Call of Cthulhu system, which changes clue discovery into skill-check driven progress. Using 6th edition rules as a base, the guidance highlights the keeper’s flexibility needs when running CoC. It introduces a modern “Pop Culture” skill and provides specific skill check outcomes, including success, failure with minor complications, and fumbles that create dangerous, major complications, plus scenario-by-scenario check assignments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Call of Cthulhu vs Cthulhu Dark conversion rules

Skill roll outcome handling (success, failure, fumble)

Pop Culture skill and replacing History

Scenario check guidance

Back at the Hotel (Becca)

Becca’s Apartment

David Lee - Coroner

Janey Lassiter

Susan Ortega

Ralph Ares, Future Self

Bryan’s House in the Hills

Laughing Hyena Spell

Detective Jim Wrigley

Medallion of True Sight

He Who Laughs Last Call of Cthulhu Conversion notes The following notes will help convert the modern Cthulhu Dark scenario, He Who Laughs Last, to the Call of Cthulhu system. This scenario tells the tale ofa comedian who has gained access to ancient magic, which he then uses for fame and fortune that come with the requisite horrible costs. These notes were written using the 6th edition CoC rules, but should be easily converted to 7th edition when that becomes available. Call of Cthulhu is fundamentally different than Cthulhu Dark (which the scenario was written for), as CoC demands PCs pass a skill check to find a clue, while CD assumes that the PCs will automatically gain that clue, regardless of die rolls or skills. As such, a Keeper running HWLL with CoC will have to be flexible with the story to keep the PCs on track with finding clues. As part of the CoC conversion notes for the amazing Trail of Cthulhu campaign Eternal Lies, Andrew“Tigger” Nicholson has written up a system for helping bridge the gap between the two systems regarding finding core clues, and I have used those conversion notes as the basis for my own. When an investigator needs to make a skill roll to find a clue (pretty much any time the text lists a skill in bold), apply the following rules: 􀁹 Success : The clue is found without any issues 􀁹 Failure: The clue is found, but a minor complication arises. This minor complication requires the investigator(s) to do an additional task, but is not in itself dangerous. 􀁹 Fumble: The investigator finds the clue, but with a major complication. This major complication requires the investigators(s) to do additional tasks which may be dangerous. Also, note that I have created a new skill for playing CoC in modern times: Pop Culture. As popular culture has become such a strong force in modern civilization, I do believe it is valuable as a skill described below. If you don’t want to add it to a modern campaign, just replace it with History where noted. 􀁸 Pop Culture: The ability and knowledge to not only navigate the multiple avenues of modern communications and media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, BuzzFeed, etc.), but to be inthe-know regarding the latest happenings and any fallout from them (viral videos, flame wars, doxxing, etc.). This includes knowing about the latest movies, performances, pop stars, and anyone else deemed “famous.” Back at the Hotel (pg 15,17) 􀁸 A successful roll in Law, History, or Pop Culture will gain one of the background clues on Becca. 􀁸 Watching Bryan’s video requires a Sanity check (1/1d3) . 􀁸 Finding the clues on Becca’s phone requires a success in Electronics or Spot Hidden. Failure means that the clues are still found, but the PC is overcome with a sense of dread as they look through their dead friend ’s phone, which is a Sanity check (1/2). Becca’s Apartment (pg 17-18) 􀁸 Entering the house and smelling Becca’s death requires a Sanity check (0/1d2). 􀁸 A successful Chemistry check notes the presence of the gasoline smell, and a second successful Chemistry roll notes the smudge marks are some sort of graphite composite. 􀁸 Check Occult to recognize that the smudge marks resemble some sort of spell. 􀁸 Successful Fast Talk, Persuade or Computer Use determines where the appropriate Home Depot is located with an hour of research. A failure would indicate that finding the Home Depot takes a day instead of an hour. David Lee – Coroner (pg 18-19) 􀁸 Check Law to determine that Lee is the head person in charge of the death and where to find him. 􀁸 Persuade or Fast Talk is needed to get the PCs past the receptionist to talk to David Lee. Failure means that the investigators must wait a long time to meet Lee. 􀁸 While a successful Psychology check determines that Lee is hiding something, PCs will have to inflict 1-3 HP of physical damage, or show firearms they intend to use, to reduce Lee to a blubbering mess where he will divulge Ares’ name. Ja

FAQs

How should clue-finding be handled when converting to Call of Cthulhu?

Whenever the text lists a skill in bold, the investigator must attempt a skill roll: success finds the clue cleanly, failure finds it with a minor complication and extra task, and a fumble finds it with a major complication that can be dangerous.

What is the purpose of the new “Pop Culture” skill in the notes?

The notes add a modern skill to help investigators navigate contemporary media and stay current on events and their fallout. If the campaign does not want to use it, it can replace the “History” skill where noted.

What changes do the notes describe regarding running the scenario in CoC compared to CD?

CoC requires skill checks for PCs to locate clues, while Cthulhu Dark assumes clues are gained automatically. The keeper must therefore be flexible to keep PCs on track through clue discovery.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Kyle