DriveThruRPG.com
Browse Categories
$ to $















Back
pixel_trans.gif
Cthulhu Hack: From Unformed Realms $3.99
Average Rating:4.5 / 5
Ratings Reviews Total
11 2
3 1
2 0
1 0
0 0
Cthulhu Hack: From Unformed Realms
Click to view
You must be logged in to rate this
pixel_trans.gif
Cthulhu Hack: From Unformed Realms
Publisher: Just Crunch Games
by Björn L. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/11/2023 08:37:03
Fast formed monsters - a Mephisto review

From Unformed Realms

From Unformed Realms is a small, system-independent add-on to generate monsters of the eldritch horror genre or bizarre creatures for the Cthulhu Mythos. This extension is based on several random tables, which can be used to roll for different properties of the monsters. The resulting elements are primarily about the descriptive properties and characteristics of the monsters. Even if these characteristics can have game-relevant effects because they can be, e.g., natural weapons or similar features, no game statistics or rule mechanisms are presented here. The tables revolve around extremities (including natural weapons), sensory organs, skeleton, bodily fluids, appearance, and other features. Within these sections, there are always several subgroups, each with six traits, some of which can be further differentiated by additional rolls. For example, with body fluids such as saliva or sweat, there is the possibility that these are corrosive, poisonous, freezing cold, etc. All these characteristics have in common that they are bizarre, dangerous, or both.

The idea of From Unformed Realms is to define the appearance and bizarre features of such horrific creatures. This approach works fast on the one hand and generates hardly predictable monsters on the other. However, this expansion leaves the task of creating game statistics for the resulting creature to the game master.

As an appendix, a few additional random tables are presented to tie these creatures into a story and define certain backgrounds.

The rating of From Unformed Realms strongly depends on the individual attitude towards random tables. Those who like random tables and also want to generate eldritch monsters for their game round will get a comprehensive set of random tables to quickly and easily define bizarre monsters. Also, those who need general inspiration for describing their cthuloid horrors will find the tables a useful tool simply by using characteristics as a source of inspiration. However, those who value "canonical" Cthulhu monsters or for whom game statistics are more important than description will not enjoy this expansion.

(Björn Lippold)



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Cthulhu Hack: From Unformed Realms
Publisher: Just Crunch Games
by Tore N. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/09/2017 12:23:17

Since From Unformed Realms is essentially system-less, it serves as a great resource for creating new strange monsters for many games. I have personally used it for The Black Hack itself, and for Portal Rats, but not for The Cthulhu Hack itself (yet). Next up I plan to use it for Macchiato Monsters.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Cthulhu Hack: From Unformed Realms
Publisher: Just Crunch Games
by Steve D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/07/2016 21:04:07

First things first, Paul offered me a free copy of this product, but after I read it, I went back and paid for it. I expect to make use of it in a few different ways and the price wasn't exactly going to break the bank anyhow.

The charts here are well-organized and useful. They include some options you'd probably consider mandatory for a horror game (like tentacles) and some things you might not have thought of (like acquired - a creature which steals limbs from previous victims). The same goes for several of the other categories. Some of the categories go pretty far-afield, like creatures which excrete urine or semen at will, but honestly those are both pretty horrifying.

For myself, I kind of see a couple of places where I can use this quickly. I'm running a Champions game were some of the villains are playing with magic they don't really understand. Using these charts to generate the creature will make it easy for me to then stat out the character. With the release of Horror Adventures for Pathfinder, there's going to be even more call for creatures and this might help me make them.

Overall this is a great collection of tables with some very inventive options as well as some of the expected options. It's a great product and I'm glad Paul suggested I check it out.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 reviews) Result Pages:  1 
pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif Back pixel_trans.gif
0 items
 Gift Certificates