Graveyards of Arkham | Call of Cthulhu Actual Play | Episode 5

Four regular people get lost in the machinations of a nefarious cult in 1920s New England.
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Outnumbered and outgunned, our investigators turn to extreme measure and strange allies
GRAVEYARDS OF ARKHAM
A Call of Cthulhu Adventure
Original Story by
Belinda Cornish & Darren Ormandy
Call of Cthulhu by Chaosium Inc.
Roll20 interface by Roll20.net
Call of Cthulhu Creative Director
Mike Mason
Executive Producer
Brian Holland
Michael O'Brien
Producer
Jake Michels
Matthew Moynihan
Becca Scott
Director
Jake Michels
Keeper of Arcane Lore
Mark Meer
Cast
Patrick Logan
Josephine McAdam
Lucia Versprille
Noura Ibrahim
Becca Scott
Director of Photography
Nate Cornett
Editor
Garrett Johnson
Production Assistant
Nick Barragan
Sean Gundersen
Kassie Matthews
Ben Nicholson
Gaffer
Jennifer Harriman
Sound Mixer
Scott Neff
Production Designer
Daniel Baxter
Scenic Artist
Katie Michels
Handsome Ray Rehberg
Carpenter
Sean Gundersen
Prop Maker
Gina DeVivo
Katie Michels
Costume Designer
Alisha Silverstein
Costume Assistant
Joshua Cervera
Hair and Makeup Department Head
Tequana Colvin
Hair and Makeup Assistant
Jessica Seifert
Amber Harris
Set Photography
Handsome Ray Rehberg
Post Production
James Coquillat
David Naylor
Town of Arkham Street Plan Map
Matt Ryan
Andrew Leman & Sean Branney, H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
Graphic Design
Monika Godyń
Atmospheric Soundtrack
Hideous Hiss
Graveyards of Arkham Official Movie Poster Artist
Ossi Hiekkala
Chaosium and Good Time Society Present
Graveyards of Arkham
A Chaosium Production
Graveyards of Arkham © 2024 Chaosium Inc. All rights reserved
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Call of Cthulhu, Chaosium Inc., and the Chaosium logo are registered trademarks of Chaosium Inc. Call of Cthulhu © 1981-2024 Chaosium Inc. All rights reserved.
Grateful thanks to our Kickstarter Backers without whom Graveyards of Arkham wouldn't have been possible:

[@Crimson.1551]

@1:04:55 Difference between D&D and CoC: D&D: I charge the insect monsters with my +4 sword of vermin slaying. CoC: I charge the insect monsters with a rolling pin.

[@jupiterzombies]

when impale doesn't kill it, you *know* you're in deep shit

[@scottlarmore5038]

I swear, Becca Scott always looks a little too joyful when she’s doing terrifying eldritch shit 😂

[@thehermitthetower1126]

Shes agro, it comes out in her gaming.

[@randomguy6679]

@@thehermitthetower1126 What do you mean by that?

[@thehermitthetower1126]

@randomguy6679 she has been caught cheating on board game sessions, and she typically seems to play aggressive characters in RPGs, but it wasn't meant to be taken to seriously

[@chloe-historyandgames]

she gorgeous! and i love the sadistic happy look in such a disturbing scene!

[@guillermoponzsegrelles4168]

Seeing the low stats of Vic in her sanity made the acting and the distorted hair make much more sense

[@xerenas1593]

It’s so cool to see the difference between the first sessions (slicked hair, nice hat, full suit) and the later sessions (messy hair, only shirt and suspenders) with Vic. It’s such good visual storytelling!!

[@zararias]

I could swear the players were losing sanity in this episode. The use of props and NPC guests, in this, are so awesome. Can't wait to watch the other campaigns!

[@WolfmanXD]

I love how Josephine looks more unhinged as the episodes go on, like representing her descent into madness.

[@theyellowstripe1]

The list of crimes against Irish accents is even longer than the list of crimes against English accents, so it's really nice to hear it done well! Hats off to Belinda Cornish, sláinte!

[@belindacornish1060]

Thank you kindly!

[@rabbithatfarm]

Very cool that Mother Fowler (Belinda Cornish) is also one of the co-writers of the show!

[@darren.ormandy]

she's a marvel

[@chloe-historyandgames]

she's gorgeous! very talented lady!

[@klorpdonk]

Thanks I was curious who that was.

[@andrewbeeching1240]

And married to Mark Meer! Conspiring together to give these actors a hell of a ride😂

[@falcon989]

Everyone was so in-character, I thought Patrick might throw a molotov at Becca

[@JackBellows]

@chaosium Just now realized the moth accents on the stone pillars behind the players. Nice touch.

[@neshirst-ashuach1881]

Brilliant episode, and a wonderful series!

[@laurapetruzzi5814]

Love how JCVIM's Vic, is slowly showing stress by their makeup and hairstyle. Breaking insanity!

[@scrathed]

Incredible. I've never seen a game quite like this, and an adaptation so truthful to the source material all of this revolves around. I, as an passionate Keeper of CoC myself, have learned so much throughout these five episodes, and I am more than eager to find out how all of this will end in the finale! I am beyond impressed by the participation of the players, and by the performance of the keeper. This truly feels like the exact way I would like to play this game. Thank you for this great piece of inspiration!

[@spockjenkins365]

hear, hear!!

[@yumehisakawa]

Absolutely loved the entrance of Mother Fowler! A truly excellent performance from everyone involved

[@anthonym.austin5346]

Big Betty Briggs is my fave. ❤❤❤ her so much!

[@danielgranda896]

Bravo to all involved in this production. I hope Mark Meer and Chaosium continue these actual plays! I feel like the effects and NPCs were definitely kicked up a notch from the last entry.

[@SilverViper219]

This is just perfect! Exactly how CoC is meant to be! Tense, tragic, and horrifying! Also beside Mark Meer which as I said many times, is a flawless lore keeper, I love how Patrick Logan seems the type of guy you just know is fun to grab a drink with yet he gets so intense that makes you believe all of this is really happening! Hats off to all the cast and crew! Well done!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Remember kids, when you’re observing an evil cult ritual, always aim the cocktail for the floor/feet. It splashes wider and sets more things on fire. 😂 I wouldn’t have watched that whole ritual as a player, but i can suspend my disbelief for some storytelling 😉

[@KargoolElvalie]

This is an amazing show! Mother Fowler was amazing! This has given me so much joy during hard times.

[@oliviawolcott8351]

I never expected it to be this tragic. I now need more tragic horror in my life.

[@dannybourne6427]

Been a big fan of this series and it has been genuinely creepy I places. I feel that the production team learned a lot from the previous series. Whatever happens next will have a hard job to follow.

[@dannybourne6427]

I also hope Mr Sleet is a somewhat accomplished artist…

[@edmundtetch3357]

I just stumbled upon this and I was absolutely hooked within 10 min, Mark is a brilliant Keeper. I binged all 5 episodes sick in my bed today. I don't know what else to say other than I think I'm gonna order some books soon.

[@kanazak2]

Definitely do (and share book recs if you've got them, I need them too but haven't looked myself yet), and there's also many more liveplays by Chaosium on their channel too. I especially liked A Time To Harvest as my first foray into the more standard-presentation liveplays.

[@rendonor5070]

Vic's hair becoming more disheveled per episode is a very sexy choice ngl

[@LunchboxFamily765]

Ohh a little Lovecraftion RPG night very nice 🙂🙂☺️

[@anitahebert1511]

Fabulous tension and pacing, Mr. Sleet's voice and manner is perfection and the visual touches 👌. Always impressive to watch. I can't wait for the next session.

[@chloe-historyandgames]

yeh when Mark does the Mr Sleet character i am hanging on every syllable haha

[@ashleyblake4899]

Awesome episode. Mr Meer and the cast are terrific. Great costumes and NPCs. The bar has been set very high!

[@anthonyragan2696]

Well done. This has a very "Pulp Horror" feel while avoiding the "two-fisted" feel of some Pulp. Oh, and I'm madly in love with Belinda Cornish, even if she is a 17th-century witch. We're not all perfect. 😅

[@myevilplans]

Watching live play like this is light-years better than a glorified zoom call..the emersiveness sucks you in 👏

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Yet zoom calls are certainly better than nothing.

[@MC_K-Dawg_the_Prophet]

I love this series so much - I love the theatrics and the stellar story telling. Fantastic cast, fantastic keeper, fantastic NPCs.

[@ctakahashi]

Wow....I was.expecting a tpk when the worms were introduced nasally!

[@littlefigue5186]

This was the best Call of Cthulhu session I ever watched, and I watched a lot. TY to everyone involved in its creation!

[@Blackmuseops]

I'm starting MoN in an hour. This is exactly what I need to get in the spirits!

[@knightofnii4659]

Good luck. It's been a while since I ran it. If I can offer any advice it would be that you should make them ( your players ) fear everything. Never give a clear answer to anything you don't need to.

[@samanthapatrick4345]

I'm curious what is MoN?

[@spiritconsumer]

what does MoN stand for? I searched and can't find anything...

[@trueblueedits4673]

@@samanthapatrick4345I think it could be Mask of Nyarlothotep (another Call of Cthulhu game)

[@trueblueedits4673]

@@spiritconsumercould be Mask of Nyarlothotep

[@saraann8140]

Another awesome episode 🥰 Love the story and the character portrayals 🥰 Ty ty Chaosium for both the Call Of Cthulhu RPG and sponsoring this awesome show 🥰 Stellar across the boards 🥰

[@lordshell]

Always go back for heavy weapons.

[@chrisbates8906]

From the storyline, through the set, props, costumes, casting and superb performances this has been worth every penny it cost to produce. it is a superb production and well worth the investment of time to watch from start to finish.

[@chloe-historyandgames]

i love the acting so much! everyone is just so brilliant and talented! i go through a rollercoaster of emotions every time i watch! really well written, the music is exhilerating and mark meer is a legend of a keeper!

[@Laestrygonianz]

Late to the game but WOW! This is an absolute joy and terror to watch. A very talented bunch on and behind camera. Thank you 👏🏽 Hope there's more to come. 🦋

[@b_g_c3281]

This particular story, and absolutely, of course, everyone bringing it to life::... it and they are _BEYOND Masterful!!_ ...Indeed, I believe the best descriptor is::.. _... _*_SUPERLATIVE!!!_*

[@jeremycrow1735]

Everyone is so good! Thank you for sharing your story with us all!

[@VelvetTeacake]

I love the theatricality of this show. It's absolutely superb ❤

[@haloizkwl]

I stumbled across this series a couple of weeks ago and I have been loving it. The voice acting and roleplaying of the Keeper, all the players, the guests, the production value. It's all so amazing and while I know shows of this caliber are tricky to do consistently I would love to see more. It's been a fantastic ride and I'm excited to see the end and I've loved the whole cast the whole way.

[@stevengardiner5516]

Becca! Fantastic work!

[@PotterFreak22]

WELL! I WASN'T PLANNING ON SLEEPING TONIGHT ANYWAYS! Did I just binge watch 3 episodes going on 4 next? Yep. Am I going to be tired tomorrow? Yep. I’m always tired. Is this some of the coolest stuff I’ve ever seen? YOU BETCHA! I’ve not heard of Belinda Cornish but you can bet I’ll be looking around more now! That was really good acting! I was genuinely scared of her! The dream version seems a bit less scary. And everyone has worms. Lovely. There’s no medication for that in those times! Or the good old X-ray machines to see wtf them stinkers are! I’m really hoping not all of them die to these things or to the whoever this god impersonator is. But this is a horror game and there’s rarely a good ending for anyone if watching BDS taught me anything.

[@chemgeektim]

Such a great cast, and I love the job Mark does as a Keeper.

[@reylann2965]

Fantastic, I love the lovecraftian like story telling. All I can say is I think I'd have thrown the Molotov sooner if I were in that situation.

[@Gravity.96]

Josephine is extra good this episode!❤

[@TheFaulkned]

Another great show. You guys had me worried a couple times. But the roleplay was at least a chef's kiss.

[@LukusOh-ii1xi]

Well done all involved.

[@mirjamin1]

Fantastic job. Good sounddesign

[@k.c.8658]

Thanks for these.

[@carolynmeszko7481]

Amazing episode

[@Telorion]

So good!

[@petemcsorley]

I love this series!

[@benjones1452]

Great work, what pathos you guys are a wonderful bunch - I found it moving thanks!

[@avenovum148]

Why is thsis show so underrated smh

[@brushdogart]

Wow, CoC campaigns are very different from one shot games. I'm more used to CoC as a drinking game where you drink every time your character dies and the objective is to have the most gruesome and interesting death possible.

[@marklindsey4112]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[@vooides]

Miss Versprille is sooo 🥰🥰 In character and out of character. And her glimpses at camera 💔 Viva Chuntu 🥳

[@davidbrown5912]

Just awesome! I might have to update from my old 3rd Ed COC rulebook

[@JWPanimation]

That was super creepy. Great job all around. Note to the producers: Dropping the lights and using a special would have really added to drama...

[@drizzo4669]

@30:00 they tried so hard to be stealthy, only to start smashing everything. 😂

[@landog606]

I would have enjoyed some actual penalties for fumbles and harsher san losses for some of the really horrid stuff. Was beautifully performed by everyone involved though and a good advert for the game

[@notthesonofwilliam788]

🔖 Bookmark 1:50:00

[@tomjohnson4922]

hold on... the Crone drinks butter?

[@matthew_thefallen]

Oh no Becca! 😅

[@samanthapatrick4345]

That was my first time catching the livestream that was a lot of fun, one thing I'm curious about who or what are the Lacewings I came to the stream a little late

[@saraann8140]

The Lacewings are a group of society women who do charitable acts for the needy. And they have been around since at least the 1700s. But all seems not all that nice - Last episode they were eating someone. Not sure if they are monsters or more like a cultist. This is an awesome story - Well worth watching from the beginning🥰

[@rhettgreenfield4549]

Society women with perfectly sculpted features loosely affiliated with the Daughters of Grace, a charity group that runs a soup kitchen in the Arkham slums. However, that is only what they appear to be at first glance. In actuality, they are carnivorous moth creatures whose flesh unfurls into hideous mandibles and long probiscuses.

[@oliviawolcott8351]

they are the women from the previous episode. all the high society ladies.

[@failurenotsorry6600]

​@@saraann8140 definitely monsters. they have mantibles and proboscises(?) and are very inhuman and theyre referred to using "it" and "things"

[@ajurban2010]

Wow. Shows how a team failure can really be disgusting. Time to blow your nose guys!!!

[@Donnyjohnsonbooks]

❤❤

[@jannevalkeapaa]

All that railroading was OK, until it got a bit too random. Not one single significant decision from the players! It's all super well done. Yet, it's more a story than a game. I have a bit mixed feelings about it..

[@BYOBando]

I love this show to death. But does anyone else remember the weird graveyard dogs from episode 1? What happened with that lol? They never came back and almost certainly won't come back.

[@oldmandemontoya7508]

Those were ghouls, and Mr. Sleet is one of them.

[@MiniatureMashUp]

Direct combat with the monsters in CoC is never a good idea. This was a bit frustrating to watch.

[@JenIsHungry]

What else are they gonna do? Lmao

[@trueblueedits4673]

It made for great RP. It's what the characters would've done. Plus, there's no place to run really.

[@Blackmuseops]

Winning isn't an option either tho😂. I liked how they RP'd it

[@livviegoat]

idk if I was in that situation, that's what I'd have done. Well, assuming I didn't run away in sheer terror at the first sign of supernatural on episode 1. Hell I wouldn't have let them cover pippa in mud. I'd have tossed the molly almost immediately.

[@oliviawolcott8351]

I felt that it upped the stakes though.

[@locolotus7716]

Mother fowler sounds like a simpson.

[@h3adban60r]

Ok, have to be honest, this episode took me completely out of the immersion. No reason to let that ritual start, much less happen, aside from continuing the show. In every actual play the group would have gunned down everyone before anything would have started :/

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Yeah, in a real game. I had the same thought. But then i thought, eh, it’s a LARP show, they’re trying to bring in more of a tv/film storytelling thing. After all this is an entertainment show from LA, not really a true live play. If you want to see some excellent live play, Chaosium’s weekly crew on Twitch Fridays is ace.

[@protect_trans_lives]

Noone but the Doctor knew that their soon to be cocooned homie was dead already ,so they probably tried to chill and watch.

[@trihex9]

I think they could tone down the "acting". Probably just me, but it pulls me out. Just play the game man. Don't need all the theatrics.

[@MiniatureMashUp]

There's plenty of actual plays of that variety on youtube. I'm here for the high production.

[@trihex9]

@@MiniatureMashUp I'm fine with production values, it's the I have to "act" rather than role play that at times feels a bit much. Totally understand I'm probably in the minority, so I'll yell at my clouds quietly. 🙂

[@samanthapatrick4345]

@@trihex9 It is roleplay in a way some people go all out with costumes and everything there's nothing wrong with theatricality combined with roleplay it makes for a more enjoyable experience for both players and the Keeper of Arcane Lore

[@MiniatureMashUp]

@@samanthapatrick4345 And for the listener. There's a reason Critical Role is huge and Joe Schmoe and his buddies from work are not.

[@alvaromendes1099]

I agree with Trihex9 here. In order to gain more popularity Chaosium is clearly betting on L.A. By night trendy formula and what not( and they got into a bit too late imo). Too much focus on imagery, poses and acting rather than keeping the essence of it as a game. Idk if the people here are professional actors like Geek & Sundry series had, but if this gonna be or look like another showing off and improv sessions by pros it's a no thank you. It's still a game after all! CoC for the players, not for acting propaganda!

[@vicrules6666]

Trying so hard to be critical roll. Lol

[@BlertaPupu]

In what way?

[@livviegoat]

Is that a bad thing? Critical Role has only played call of cthulhu once as far as I'm aware, and it's my preferred TTRPG. I'm thrilled someone is doing lovecraft critrole.

[@BlertaPupu]

@@livviegoat yup and to be perfectly honest I didn't quite enjoy CR playing Call of Cthulhu.

[@davidmurrell5143]

No disrespect to Critical Role, I've watched them since their very first episode on Geek & Sundry, but no this is not trying to be Critical Role. CR relies on Matt being able to do a variety of voices, this is on a different level.

[@illistensmith2718]

Sorry but in my opinion this is much better than Critical Role.