Les Masques de Nyarlathotep PDF: The Benefits and Challenges of Playing the Campaign in Digital Format
Les masques de Nyarlathotep PDF: How to Download the Classic Campaign for L'Appel de Cthulhu
Introduction
If you are a fan of L'Appel de Cthulhu, the French version of Call of Cthulhu, the famous role-playing game based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, you have probably heard of Les masques de Nyarlathotep, one of the most acclaimed and celebrated campaigns ever created for the game. But do you know what it is about, why it is so popular, and how you can download it as a PDF file? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so that you can enjoy this classic adventure in digital format.
les masques de nyarlathotep pdf download
What is Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
Les masques de Nyarlathotep, or The Masks of Nyarlathotep in English, is a campaign for L'Appel de Cthulhu that was first published in 1984 by Chaosium, the original publisher of Call of Cthulhu. It was written by Larry DiTillio and Lynn Willis, with contributions from other authors such as Sandy Petersen, Keith Herber, and Kevin Ross. It was later translated into French by Descartes Editeur, who also added some original content and modifications to suit the French audience.
Why is it considered a classic campaign?
Les masques de Nyarlathotep is widely regarded as one of the best campaigns ever written for any role-playing game, not just L'Appel de Cthulhu. It has won several awards and accolades, such as the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Adventure in 1985, and has been praised by critics and players alike for its epic scope, rich detail, immersive atmosphere, and thrilling plot. It has also been reprinted and revised several times over the years, with new editions adding more content, illustrations, maps, handouts, and scenarios.
How can you download it as a PDF file?
If you want to experience this masterpiece of horror gaming in digital format, you have several options to download it as a PDF file. You can either buy it from official sources such as Chaosium or Scribd, or you can find it from unofficial sources such as Sway or Brainabilitiez. However, be aware that some of these sources may not be legal or authorized by the original publishers, so use them at your own risk. In any case, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to download and use the PDF file later in this article.
What is Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
The plot and setting of the campaign
The campaign takes place in 1925, during the roaring twenties, a period of social change, technological innovation, cultural diversity, and political turmoil. The players take on the role of investigators who are drawn into a global conspiracy involving an ancient evil known as Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos, one of the most powerful and sinister entities in Lovecraft's mythology. The investigators must follow a trail of clues that leads them to various locations around the world, such as New York, London, Cairo, Nairobi, Shanghai, and Australia. Along the way, they will encounter cultists, monsters, mysteries, dangers, allies, enemies, and secrets that will test their sanity and survival.
The main characters and factions involved
The campaign features a large cast of characters and factions that play important roles in the story. Some of them are: - Jackson Elias: A famous author and journalist who specializes in exposing cults and secret societies. He is a friend and ally of the investigators who invites them to New York to share his latest discoveries about a mysterious cult called the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh. However, he is brutally murdered by cultists before he can meet them. - Roger Carlyle: A wealthy American playboy who led an ill-fated expedition to Egypt in 1919. He was supposedly killed by bandits along with his companions in Kenya. However, his body was never found. - Edward Gavigan: A British archaeologist who was part of Carlyle's expedition. He survived the attack in Kenya and returned to London where he became the director of the Penhew Foundation, a prestigious institution dedicated to Egyptian studies. He is also secretly the leader of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh in England. - M'Weru: A mysterious African woman who was Carlyle's lover and advisor. She is also a high priestess of Nyarlathotep who orchestrated Carlyle's expedition and his transformation into a powerful servant of the Crawling Chaos. - Ho Fong: A Chinese businessman who runs a vast criminal empire in Shanghai. He is also a member of another cult devoted to Nyarlathotep called the Order of the Bloated Woman. - Randolph Carter: A renowned dreamer and explorer who has traveled to many strange and fantastic realms beyond normal reality. He is an acquaintance of Jackson Elias who may offer some guidance and assistance to the investigators.
The challenges and rewards for the investigators
The campaign poses many challenges for the investigators who dare to face Nyarlathotep and his minions. Some of them are: - The complexity and length of the campaign: The campaign consists of several chapters that can be played in any order depending on the choices and actions of the investigators. Each chapter offers multiple paths, options, and outcomes that can affect the course of the story. The campaign can take several months or even years to complete depending on the pace and style of the game master and players. - The difficulty and danger of the scenarios: The scenarios involve many situations that can threaten the lives and sanity of the investigators, such as combat, chases, traps, puzzles, rituals, and encounters with supernatural horrors. The scenarios also require careful planning, research, and investigation skills to uncover the clues and secrets that will help them advance in their quest. - The moral and ethical dilemmas: The campaign presents many moral and ethical dilemmas that can challenge the values and beliefs of the investigators, such as whether to kill, spare, or ally with certain characters, whether to use or destroy certain artifacts, whether to trust or betray certain factions, and whether to sacrifice themselves or others for a greater good. However, the campaign also offers many rewards for those who succeed in their mission. Some of them are: - The satisfaction and achievement: The campaign provides a sense of satisfaction and achievement for completing one of the most epic and acclaimed campaigns ever created for any role-playing game. The campaign also allows players to create memorable characters who will grow, change, and evolve throughout their journey. - The knowledge and discovery: The campaign offers a wealth of knowledge and discovery about Lovecraft's mythology, history, culture, and geography. The campaign also introduces many new elements that expand and enrich Lovecraft's universe, such as new gods, monsters, cults, artifacts, and realms. - The fun and excitement: The campaign delivers a lot of fun and excitement for both game masters and players who enjoy horror, adventure, mystery, and action genres. The campaign also features many moments that will surprise, shock, amuse, or terrify them.
Why is it considered a classic campaign?
The atmosphere and mood of the horror
The campaign creates a powerful atmosphere and mood of horror that will immerse the players in a world of darkness, madness, and terror. The campaign uses various techniques to achieve this effect, such as: - The contrast between the mundane and the cosmic: The campaign juxtaposes the normal and familiar aspects of the 1920s society and culture with the bizarre and alien aspects of Lovecraft's mythology and cosmology. The campaign shows how the investigators gradually discover the hidden and sinister reality behind the apparent and superficial reality. - The escalation of the threat and the stakes: The campaign increases the level of threat and the stakes for the investigators as they progress in their investigation. The campaign reveals how Nyarlathotep and his cults are plotting to unleash a cataclysmic event that will destroy humanity and usher in a new age of darkness. The campaign also shows how the investigators are hunted, harassed, and manipulated by their enemies who will stop at nothing to prevent them from interfering with their plans. - The erosion of the sanity and the morality: The campaign tests the sanity and the morality of the investigators as they face unspeakable horrors and impossible choices. The campaign exposes them to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations that will shatter their minds and souls. The campaign also forces them to question their values, beliefs, and ethics as they confront their own fears, doubts, and flaws.
The influence and legacy of the campaign
The campaign has had a lasting influence and legacy on the role-playing game industry and community. The campaign has inspired and influenced many other campaigns, scenarios, books, movies, games, and media that deal with Lovecraftian themes or elements. The campaign has also been recognized and honored by many awards, publications, reviews, polls, and lists that rank it among the best role-playing game products of all time. Some examples are: - In 1996, Pyramid magazine named Les masques de Nyarlathotep as one of "The Millennium's Best" role-playing products. - In 2004, GAMES magazine gave Les masques de Nyarlathotep a GAMES 100 award for Best Roleplaying Supplement. - In 2007, RPGnet ranked Les masques de Nyarlathotep as the second best role-playing game product ever. - In 2011, RPG Geek awarded Les masques de Nyarlathotep a Golden Geek award for Best Supplement. - In 2018, Chaosium released a new edition of Les masques de Nyarlathotep to celebrate its 34th anniversary. The new edition features updated rules, expanded content, improved layout, enhanced artwork, more handouts, and additional scenarios.
How can you download it as a PDF file?
The official sources and editions available
If you want to download Les masques de Nyarlathotep as a PDF file from official sources, you have several options depending on which edition you prefer. You can buy them from the following websites: - Chaosium: This is the original publisher of Call of Cthulhu and Les masques de Nyarlathotep. You can find various editions of the campaign in English on their website, such as the first edition (1984), the fourth edition (1996), or the latest edition (2018). You can also find some translations of the campaign in other languages, such as Spanish or German. - Scribd: This is a digital library that offers access to millions of books, documents, and audiobooks. You can find a French edition of Les masques de Nyarlathotep on their website, which was published by Descartes Editeur in 1991. You can read it online or download it as a PDF file if you have a subscription or a free trial.
The unofficial sources and editions available
If you want to download Les masques de Nyarlathotep as a PDF file from unofficial sources, you have some alternatives that may not be legal or authorized by the original publishers, but may be easier or cheaper to access. You can find them on the following websites: - Sway: This is a presentation software that allows users to create interactive and multimedia stories. You can find an English edition of Les masques de Nyarlathotep on their website, which was uploaded by an anonymous user. You can view it online or download it as a PDF file if you have a Microsoft account or a free trial. - Brainabilitiez: This is a social network that connects people who share common interests and passions. You can find an English edition of Les masques de Nyarlathotep on their website, which was posted by a user named Lora. You can view it online or download it as a PDF file if you have an account or a free trial.
The tips and tricks for downloading and using the PDF file
If you decide to download Les masques de Nyarlathotep as a PDF file, you may want to follow some tips and tricks to make the most of your experience. Some of them are: - Choose the edition that suits your preferences and needs: Different editions may have different rules, content, quality, and price. You may want to compare them before buying or downloading them. You may also want to check the reviews and ratings of other users who have used them. - Use a reliable and secure device and connection: Downloading a PDF file may take some time and space depending on its size and format. You may want to use a device that has enough memory, battery, and performance to handle it. You may also want to use a connection that is fast, stable, and protected from viruses, malware, or hackers. - Enjoy the adventure with your friends: Les masques de Nyarlathotep is designed to be played by a group of players who cooperate and interact with each other. You may want to invite your friends to join you in this epic quest. You may also want to use a platform that allows you to communicate, share, and play online with them, such as Discord, Zoom, or Roll20.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Les masques de Nyarlathotep is one of the most classic and celebrated campaigns ever created for L'Appel de Cthulhu or any role-playing game. It is an epic adventure that takes place in 1925 and involves a global conspiracy involving an ancient evil known as Nyarlathotep. It offers a lot of challenges and rewards for the investigators who dare to face it. It has also had a lasting influence and legacy on the role-playing game industry and community. It can be downloaded as a PDF file from various official and unofficial sources depending on which edition you prefer.
Call to action for the readers
If you are interested in playing Les masques de Nyarlathotep, we encourage you to download it as a PDF file from one of the sources we mentioned in this article. You will not regret it. It is one of the best experiences you can have as a fan of L'Appel de Cthulhu or any role-playing game. However, be prepared for a long, complex, difficult, and terrifying adventure that will test your skills, sanity, and morality. And remember: The world is not what it seems.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Les masques de Nyarlathotep:
Question
Answer
How many players can play Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
The campaign is designed for four to six players plus one game master.
How long does it take to play Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
The campaign can take anywhere from 40 to 80 hours or more depending on how much detail and exploration you want to include.
What level of experience do I need to play Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
The campaign is suitable for both beginners and veterans of L'Appel de Cthulhu or any role-playing game. However, it may require some adaptation and guidance from the game master depending on your level of familiarity with the rules, setting, and genre.
What other materials do I need to play Les masques de Nyarlathotep?
Besides the PDF file of the campaign, you will need some dice (preferably percentile dice), some character sheets (either pre-generated or created by yourself), some pencils or pens, some paper or notebooks, some handouts (either printed or digital), and some reference books (either physical or online) such as L'Appel de Cthulhu rulebook, Lovecraft's stories, or historical guides.
?
You can find more information about Les masques de Nyarlathotep on various websites, forums, blogs, podcasts, videos, or social media that are dedicated to L'Appel de Cthulhu or role-playing games in general. Some examples are: - Yog-Sothoth: This is a website that offers news, reviews, resources, downloads, and forums for L'Appel de Cthulhu and other Lovecraftian games. - The Good Friends of Jackson Elias: This is a podcast that discusses L'Appel de Cthulhu, horror films, weird fiction, and related topics. They have several episodes that cover Les masques de Nyarlathotep in detail. - How We Roll Podcast: This is a podcast that features actual play sessions of various role-playing games, including L'Appel de Cthulhu. They have a series that follows their playthrough of Les masques de Nyarlathotep. - Seth Skorkowsky: This is a YouTube channel that offers reviews, tips, and commentary on various role-playing games, especially L'Appel de Cthulhu. He has a video that gives an overview and analysis of Les masques de Nyarlathotep.