In 'Eldritch Horror' Expansion

In Q1, Fantasy Flight Games will release the Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion for its Lovecraftian horror board game Eldritch Horror. Chaosium, for its part, plans to release an updated version of the classic Call of Cthulhu horror campaign that inspired the FFG expansion set.

Published in its first form in 1984, the Call of Cthulhu adventure module Masks of Nyarlathotep has become one of the iconic adventures for that game. In the module, multiple cults around the globe conduct rituals that seem to be devoted to different gods, but which in reality all feed power to the dreaded Messenger of the Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep. As investigators, the players must track down these cults one by one, in places as widespread as London, Egypt, Japan, and Australia, and try to stop their rites before it’s too late.

The Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion brings the experience of that classic adventure campaign to the tabletop, allowing fans of Fantasy Flight’s board game to confront the same challenges. In addition, the expansion set adds some new mechanics to the game. Now each investigator can pursue their own individual “Personal Story” during the game. These stories reveal more details of the character’s history, while possibly giving them new advantages to help, or unfortunate consequences to contend with. Players can also play the game in a new “Campaign mode” with a series of linked adventures, with the benefits and consequences of each game carrying over to the next.

As an expansion, Masks of Nyarlathotep requires a copy of the base game to play. It supports games with 1 to 8 players, and is intended for ages 14 and up. The game takes 2 to 3 hours to play. MSRP is $49.95.

Chaosium, the publisher of Call of Cthulhu, is also joining the fight against the cults of Nyarlathotep by producing a new edition of the Masks of Nyarlathotep adventure. The new hardcover edition has been rewritten with expanded adventures, new enemies, and an easier to use organization to help both new and experienced Keepers to run the game. The adventure has also been updated for the new 7th Edition rules.

Earlier this year, Fantasy Flight released the apocalyptic Eldritch Horror expansion Cities of Ruin (see “Reveal the Desolate Future in ‘Cities of Ruin’”).