LURKERSIN THE DARK - Introduction - Keeper and Player Guide

Oct 6, 2026

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LURKERSIN THE DARK is a Call of Cthulhu scenario sequel designed for one investigator, set nominally in 1927, five years after “Paper Chase.” The investigator is called to investigate Thomas Kimball’s mysterious disappearance, while returning characters and time-passed relationships influence how encounters unfold. The scenario expands original investigation elements through multiple clue discovery and backup methods, encouraging “fail forward” to reach key information. It includes narrative groundwork and structured sections such as Keeper Information and Player Information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Summary

Keeper Information

Dramatis Personae

Player Information

Start

Locations

Kimball House

The Cemetery

The Arnoldsburg Advertiser

The Library

O'Dell House

Returning to the Station

Ghoul Tunnels

Conclusion

Appendix A: Characters and Monsters

Appendix B: Collected Handouts

LURKERSIN THE DARK WRITTEN BY DEREK ZIMMER PLAYTESTED AND EDITED BY CRYSTAL CHEN-GOODSPEED Call of Cthulhu is a Trademark of Chaosium Inc. and is used with their permission via the OBS Community Content program. For more information please visit Chaosium’[s website:](s website: www.chaosium.com)[ ](s website: www.chaosium.com)[www.chaosium.com](s website: www.chaosium.com) The Miskatonic Repository Logo is used under license. This scenario is a work of fiction. While it includes descriptions and portrayals of real places, real events, and real people; these may not be presented accurately and with conformity to the real nature of these places, events, and people, and are reinterpreted through the lens ofthe Cthulhu Mythos. No offense is intended to anyone living or dead, or to the inhabitants of any of these places. Lurkers in the Dark ©2024 by Derek Zimmer Dread and Chaos Studios Wax Seal Logo ©2024 Crystal Chen-Goodspeed and Derek Zimmer Photography and Maps acquired through Wikimedia Commons and are in the public domain LURKERSIN THE DARK Introduction ..................................... 1 Summary ........................................................................................ 1 Keeper Information............................................................................ 1 Dramatis Personae ............................................................................. 2 Player Information ............................................................................ 2 Start .............................................. 2 Locations ........................................ 3 Kimball House .................................................................................. 3 The Cemetery .................................................................................. 5 The Arnoldsburg Advertiser .................................................................. 5 The Library ..................................................................................... 6 O'Dell House .................................................................................... 7 Returning to the Station ..................................................................... 8 Ghoul Tunnels .................................................................................. 8 Conclusion .......................................9 Appendix A: Characters and Monsters .. 10 Appendix B: Collected Handouts ......... 11 LURKERSIN THE DARK INTRODUCTION This scenario is designed as a sequel to the Call of Cthulhu Starter Set scenario "Paper Chase". Similar to the previous scenario, it is designed for one investigator, but can accommodate a second investigator if desired. Nominally it takes place in 1927, five years after the events of "Paper Chase."The investigator from "Paper Chase" is called back to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Thomas Kimball. It is recommend that the same investigator from "Paper Chase"be used in this scenario, therefore no pre-generated investigators have been provided. However, if the player wishes to use a different character, they may use one of the other investigators provided with the Starter Set. At the end of "Paper Chase," the investigator may have attempted to improve their skills based on how they performed. If this step was not done, have the investigator complete it before beginning this scenario. For more information on this Investigator Improvement Phase, see Rewards of Success on page 22 of the Introductory Rules booklet from the Starter Set. The scenario has been designed to expand on the elements of the original scenario to allow both the Keeper and player to experience a broader investigation, while still utilizing the Introductory Rules booklet. Also take note of the scenario design in regards to the placement of information. Clues that are necessary to move the scenario forward have multiple ways of discovery. Some even have backup me

FAQs

When does LURKERSIN THE DARK take place and how is it connected to “Paper Chase”?

It is set nominally in 1927, five years after the events of the “Paper Chase” scenario. The investigator is called back to investigate the disappearance of Thomas Kimball.

What guidance does the scenario give about investigator choice and pre-generated characters?

It recommends using the same investigator from “Paper Chase,” since no pre-generated investigators are provided. A player may use another Starter Set investigator if desired, but should complete the Investigator Improvement Phase first if it was skipped.

How does the scenario handle clue discovery and failure states?

Key clues can be discovered through multiple methods, with backup ways to introduce information if a roll is failed or a location is missed. Keepers are encouraged to “fail forward” into important clues while leaving some clues hidden when it enhances the mystery.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Liam