English classes typically cover the most famous authors to have existed. The basics discuss the same influent poets and writers such as William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart. All of which are excellent examples of how to become a great storyteller. These stories feature intrigue, mystery, terror, love, tragedy, and triumph; similar ideas you will find in today’s tabletop roleplaying stories.
One of which surrounds another prolific writer known for his fictional works covering the horror and the occult: H.P. Lovecraft.
Lovecraft created the Cthulhu Mythos in 1919 with his first story Dagon. But it wasn’t until 1928 that The Call of Cthulhu expanded the idea of the mythos. Fast forward 53 years later to 1981 with the release of the first tabletop game surrounding Lovecraft’s stories, Call of Cthulhu. It allowed players to become detectives, investigators, and journalists as they tracked down occult symbols and creatures.
The Roleplaying game is currently in its seventh edition and released a starter set in 2018. It’s also been featured on Critical Role and after the episode aired, Chaosium, the creators of the TRPG, say they sold an increased number of starter sets. So much so, that shipment was delayed as they focused on resupplying.
While all the stories and authors mentioned above are taught in college courses or high school classrooms, no campus has focused on writing for tabletop roleplaying games. It’s a subject I feel should be taught. Learning how to create and write an adventure is just as valid as writing a book or novel.
Enter professor T.R. Knight at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. He is teaching a class called the Tabletop Game Writing Lab. Its specific focus is teaching the art of designing a tabletop roleplaying game, more specifically, Call of Cthulhu.
The course focuses on teaching the fundamentals of writing an adventure module. From the outline of the adventure to designing art for the guide, by the end, students will publish their own story set within the Call of Cthulhu mythos.
Knight is working with members of the creative team at Chaosium to help during the class.
We got to chat with him during the process to see how the course came about and what he expects for the future.
With the popularity of tabletop roleplaying games such as D&D, what made you choose Call of Cthulhu?
As a Christian college and with Call of Cthulhu revolving around the occult and horror, was there any difficulty getting the course approved?
What got you interested in writing and editing for tabletop roleplaying games?
What is the first Roleplaying game you wrote/contributed to?
What is your favorite RPG adventure you’ve played/read?
How has the response been to this class and your previous ones?
What is your advice to other writers who want to break into the RPG writing industry?
Chaosium echoed Knight’s response as well by saying,
Add to that the connection Call of Cthulhu has with the literary creations of H.P. Lovecraft, which fits well in our professional writing program. I reached out to the Chaosium leadership and they loved the idea of a collaboration on the course, so I proposed it to department for approval.”
When I was offered the opportunity to work on an RPG that was to be published, I was intrigued and honored. I had never actually thought about working in the game industry as an editor or writer until I was approached by my friend, Angus Abranson, to help him out on a project when his current proofreader had a conflict. I filled in on that project and fell in love with the work.
Partnering with others to create amazing worlds and game systems scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. It became a new creative outlet for me and expanded my understanding and passion for the RPG hobby.”
I seldom use the world built into the game, even though I enjoy reading it. Instead I have used the core system as a starting point and let my imagination run with it running adventures inspired by Three Musketeers swashbuckling, Wild Wild West style western espionage, pulp masked avengers, 80s action hero parodies, monster hunters, urban fantasy, and more.”
I had a freshman from that first class and numerous students from the second class, approach me and talk to their department chair, requesting I teach a follow-up course that was more focused on publishing an RPG book. They really wanted to experience the full process from beginning to end of publishing.
That interest led to a discussion on what a follow-up class would look like, inquiring how many students would be interested, then developing a course proposal. The proposal was accepted, and seven students were approved for this inaugural Tabletop Game Writing Lab. We wanted to keep the class small so it would be manageable as a creative team.”
It is possible to apply to an open call for new talent by a publisher, but those are rare, and you are just a random applicant among many. More often, you post your creative works to online sites like Dungeon Masters Guild, Drivethru RPG, Miskatonic University, Deviant Art, etc. to get some experience while you get to know the publishers that interest you.
Volunteer to work in their booth at conventions, meet with them at conventions, demo their games at events, participate in their online discussions, and talk to them on social media. Show your passion for their company and their games. Then, when an opportunity arises you are not just a random name, you are a person they have met and come to know, and hopefully trust. Building relationships provides you the best chance to work in the industry.”
I want to thank T.R. Knight and Chaosium for taking the time to speak with me about the course.
These allow independent creators to offer their own user-made content, which they set the price for (and which can be free, or pay-what-you-want). This is an effective way to get attention. We have already recruited several creators from the ranks of the Miskatonic Repository to write for Call of Cthulhu, and last year a number of community content titles were up for consideration for ENnie Awards.”
Knight will be teaching more courses surrounding gaming next year. And for the record, he said his favorite cryptid is the yeti.
