Francesca Viganò
Before we get into the analysis and review of The Blessed and The Blasphemous, I want to thank Sons of the Singularity for sending us a physical copy so I could talk to you about it. The publisher, which produces and designs independent role-playing games, was founded by Jesse Covner and Jason Sheets in 2018. Among their publications, we also find Journal d’Indochine, which we have already covered.
If after reading this review you want to buy the product, you can find it on DrivethruRPG in the digital version at 28 dollars, about 28 euros. Instead, the physical version can be found on the Indie Press Evolution website at 64 dollars, or about 64 euros.
The Blessed and The Blasphemous is a collection of scenarios for Call of Cthulhu RPG. To play them, you need to know the rules they are based on.
An Impressive Project
The Blessed and The Blasphemous is a volume of about 350 pages, released from a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. This book collects six scenarios (plus an optional one) set in Morocco, just before the start of the Second World War. The time frame covered extends from 1938 to 1941 and considered several Moroccan cities, drawing inspiration from the country’s legendary past.
Each plot can be faced individually as adventures, or in sequence as a real campaign. This possibility makes the product versatile and decidedly long-lasting.
The Setting of The Blessed and The Blasphemous
Sons of the Singularity are not new to this type of product and, once again, they surprise us with a truly excellent historical competence and attention to detail. The manual opens with a large section dedicated not only to the timeline but also to the geography and cultural elements of the places involved.
The historical excursus is extensive, even if it is summarized in about ten pages. Even the places in Morocco and Algeria where the investigations take place find the right space. Equal care has been put into the list of NPCs, a mix of historical and fictional characters who will cross the investigators’ path.
The triggering event at the origin lies in the most remote past. Thousands of years ago, two ancient cosmic entities, Nug and Yeb, influenced the minds and bodies of two twins; one of the two began actively working to bring Nug and Yeb to Earth. The investigators will collect clues, discover hidden truths and race against time to prevent the summoning of these incomprehensible deities.
A Space Dedicated to the Keeper
From my point of view, one of the most interesting things about The Blessed and The Blasphemous is the section dedicated to the Keeper. It is not a section aimed at those who will lead the game, but rather a broad and detailed introduction to the campaign. This section allows you to approach the volume with the right expertise and without requiring excessive in-depth analysis.
The approach to Mythos and the Supernatural is also an amalgam of references and themes that take inspiration from Lovecraftian literature, regional folklore and a pinch of science fiction. The information designed for the Keeper, as well as the details of the Myth, allow you not only to manage the campaign The Blessed and The Blasphemous but also to develop your narratives.
There is a detailed and comprehensive chapter dedicated to creatures and adversaries. These are people and organizations that can also be included in other stories. The tables, which never overwhelm the text, are perfectly readable and timely, providing everything you need.
Attention to Characters, a Matter of Details
Inside The Blessed and The Blasphemous, are 24 pre-generated characters, although it is always possible to create new ones. The suggestion is to remember the historical era and the geographical area when the campaign takes place even when creating new characters.
The stronger their connection to history, the easier it will be to justify their continued involvement in the investigation of the mysteries. It must not be forgotten that the core of the campaign is to investigate and defeat the forces of Myth.os
The authors’ work is equally accurate in providing the backgrounds of each pre-generated character. I therefore consider it a shame not to play at least one scenario with the proposed PCs.
Six Interesting Scenarios…
But let’s look in more detail at the seven plots that The Blessed and The Blasphemous collect, without too many spoilers as we usually do.
He Who Stands on Mountains: It is November 1938; the investigators undertake a perilous journey into the Atlas Mountains to visit a Sufi sage. The venerable mystic urges them to take part in a series of trance-induced rituals. They will serve to reveal a truth about the Twin Blasphemies and their human conduits: the Blessed.
The Blessed Twin Sisters: In July 1939, a well-known local actress recently suffered an attack of acute psychosis while filming a movie. Her incoherent speech somewhat resembles what investigators had previously experienced in the Atlas Mountains.
Le Dossier Mönch: In October 1939, the investigators attended a party celebrating a friend’s promotion to the French Foreign Legion. Amid the splendour of the ruling class and the chatter, they learn about the Third Reich’s activity in Morocco. They also discover clandestine research into paranormal events and objects.
…That Can Become a Campaign
A Lodestone Compass: It’s July 1940 and investigators must recover an ancient artifact before it falls into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, the object was aboard a French battleship sunk in the Battle of Mers-el-Kebir, which occurred a few days earlier.
The Missing Lawyer: The plot takes place in October 1940. Existing outside the confines of time and space, the City of Irem is accessible to mortal souls only during a specific astrological phenomenon. Someone close to the investigators discovers the next opportunity to venture into the mythical city.
Lost City of Pillars: Finally, the investigators must cross the desert to reach Irem, the Lost City of Pillars, in time to prevent their antagonists from carrying out what could prove to be a truly catastrophic event.
In addition, as we said, there is an optional scenario: Horror in the Hammam. This plot takes place immediately after the scenario A Loadstone Compass and provides a series of new clues and information for the journey to Irem.
Aesthetic Review of The Blessed and The Blasphemous
The volume is sturdy and particularly well-finished, the hardcover is thick and the binding is decidedly solid, making the volume beautiful and durable (even if a little heavy to carry).
AlltThe images, wisely distributed throughout the volume, mix illustrations and vintage photos. The choice is impactful and gives the right level of realism, perfect for a product like this. The opaque paper and the clear character, even if a little small enough to be perfectly readable in all conditions, complete the work. Overall, therefore, we are faced with a product that is undoubtedly valuable and valuable.
The Blessed and The Blasphemous Review Conclusions
To conclude this review, I can say that The Blessed and The Blasphemous confirms the authors’ ability to produce an interesting, accurate and valid volume. It is a coherent campaign with solid premises that will be able to drag fans of the genre into this long and compelling narrative.
The possibility of managing the plots individually or in sequence makes it a highly versatile and undoubtedly long-lasting product.
If you are a fan of The Call of Cthulhu, love the horror genre and have a passion for history, The Blessed and The Blasphemous is certainly the product for you.
