And good thing to, because this book is HEFTY! We're talking 500 pages of content, between player rules, rules for facilitators, puzzles and handouts, item appendices, and not to mention, the campaign itself. Keep the momentum going, and we'll make sure both books get matching ribbon bookmarks!

One of the coolest parts of working on this project is that I was lucky enough to participate in the playtesting.

When the writers asked if I'd be interested in an eight-session playtest, I immediately said yes. What I didn't expect was for those eight sessions to grow into a year-long adventure as we discovered just how much was hiding beneath the surface of Cthulhu Dreamt. Without spoiling anything, my three favorite aspects of the campaign.

Everyone loves a good side quest, right?

Sure, eldritch gods may be rising from the ocean to unravel reality, but why not stop to help someone in need along the way? After all, what's the point of saving the world if you never take the time to discover what makes it worth saving?

I loved that each chapter hides little threads, hidden just off the main path, with small details waiting for a curious player to notice them and potentially send the entire party in an unexpected direction.

I can't reveal my favorite without ruining the surprise, but I can tease it. While exploring a place that absolutely should not exist, your party may uncover a series of recordings left behind by EDGE troopers who ventured there before you. Will their discoveries become the key to your survival... or a warning you ignore to your own detriment?

Each TRACE is a puzzle, and learning to recognize that early can make a huge difference for your party.

When dealing with creatures beyond comprehension, sometimes physical power and some ammo are all you need. Other times, you might find that you'll save yourself some headache if you take the time to analyze the creature, its movements, and its strategies.  You might discover a clever way to overcome an encounter without escalating it, conserving resources and avoiding injuries. Or you might realize that the smartest move is simply to walk away. 

The puzzles don't stop with the TRACEs, either. Throughout the world of Cthulhu Dreamt, you'll find interactive handouts, strange documents, cryptic notes, and physical clues designed to be passed around the table and solved together. The game is built to be an immersive, collaborative experience, and those moments where everyone leans in to decipher a mystery are some of its absolute best.

I've played plenty of TTRPGs before where my GM has pulled up "Creepy Scary Spooky Radio Beats to Relax/Go Insane To," on YouTube.

But getting to play a game where the soundtrack and the story go hand-in-hand together was a whole new level for me. Quiet, contemplative moments feel more poignant, while tense encounters become even more nerve-wracking when the music rises with the action.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the OST preview video to get a taste of some of what awaits you in Cthulhu Dreamt!