Cthulhu by Gaslight

Cthulhu by Gaslight is a Horror tabletop role-playing supplement, written by William A. Barton, with art by Kevin Ramos, and first published by Chaosium in 1986. This supplement provides the alternate setting of Victorian England of the 1890s for Call of Cthulhu. There have been three editions.

Cthulhu by Gaslight
Cthulhu by Gaslight (boxed set)
published by Chaosium in 1986.
Illustration by Kevin Ramos.
Designer(s)William A. Barton
Publisher(s)Chaosium
Publication date1986 1st edition (Box)
1988 2nd edition
2012 3rd edition
Genre(s)Horror
System(s)Basic Role-Playing

Contents

The game Call of Cthulhu was originally set in the 1920s. Cthulhu by Gaslight presents an alternate setting in Victorian England of the 1890s. The supplement includes

  • details of life in Victorian England, with essays on social class, occupations, crime, the cost of living, the government, the monarchy, and belief in the occult[1]
  • a map of Victorian London
  • blank Cthulhu by Gaslight character sheets.[2]
  • The Yorkshire Horror, an adventure featuring interaction with Sherlock Holmes[1]

In order to accommodate players' characters that have already adventured in the 1920s, referees are presented with several ways of transporting those characters to the 1890s.[1]

In 1989, Chaosium republished Cthulhu by Gaslight, adding an essay on world politics of the time, a guide to prominent stores in London, and a glossary of Cockney underworld slang, as well as additional maps of the Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Sherlock Holmes's residence at 221B Baker Street.[1]

Reception

Tim Wilson reviewed Cthulhu by Gaslight for White Dwarf #78, and stated that "Overall this is a good buy for anyone wanting an English campaign or as a challenge to those souls jaded by the Arkham countryside, and is recommended to those who appreciate sane game design."[3]

In the August-September 1987 edition of Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer (No. 79), Lisa Cohen gave the book a thumbs up, saying, "Finally, what I have been waiting for! A game with real mystery and horror all in one."[2]

In the January 1990 edition of Games International (Issue 12), Kevin Jacklin liked the game, but criticized the included scenario "The Yorkshire Horrors", saying, "My gripe with the Gaslight scenario is that it is a long one and players new to Call of Cthulhu or the Victorian era may find it a little daunting." He also pointed out that the scenario, set in Yorkshire, did not use any of the extensive London resources provided by the game. Nevertheless he concluded "I can recommend Gaslight highly, because it is the best produced and clearest background package for Victorian London yet."[4]

In the June 1990 edition of Dragon (Issue 158), Jim Bambra thought that this book "perfectly captures the flavor and mood of the times, taking CoC into a previous age." Bambra also lauded the included adventure, saying, "The Yorkshire Horrors is a good period piece for CoC. It’s lengthy and develops well as the clues pile up, and there are plenty of opportunities for players to exercise their role-playing skills in Victorian society." With only slight reservations about moving characters to a period that has no other adventures written for it, Bambra concluded with a strong recommendation, commenting, "Gaslight is another excellent CoC product... Gaslight comes with my highest recommendation. Anyone interested in adventuring in the Age of Victoria should snap up a copy."[1]

Awards

Cthulhu by Gaslight was awarded the H.G. Wells Award for "Best Roleplaying Supplement of 1986 ".[5]

Other reviews

References
  1. Bambra, Jim (June 1990). "Roleplaying Reviews". Dragon. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#158): 90–91.
  2. Cohen, Lisa (August–September 1987). "Shedding Light on Cthulhu?". Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer. Diverse Talents, Incorporated (79): 38.
  3. Wilson, Tim (June 1986). "Open Box". White Dwarf. Games Workshop (Issue 78): 2–3.
  4. Jacklin, Kevin W. (January 1990). "The Game's Afoot!". Games International. No. 12. p. 9.
  5. "The 1986 Origins Awards". The Game Manufacturers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
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