The original Masks handouts are iconic—Jackson Elias’ blood-stained notes, the cryptic Carlyle Expedition diary. The Companion re-imagines dozens of them with:
While widely praised, the Companion is not without critique. Some Keepers argue that it over-explains, removing the ambiguity and cosmic horror of the unknown. By providing detailed motivations for every NPC, the Companion risks turning Nyarlathotep from an incomprehensible force into a "dungeon master with a plan." Furthermore, at over 300 pages (rivaling the main campaign), it presents an overwhelming amount of supplementary reading. The PDF format, while searchable, lacks the navigational ease of a well-indexed physical book.
Handout 14 – Torn letter found in Emerson Imports (London)
Dated March 3, 1925
“…the third mask requires a vessel of pure will. Gavigan assures me the Kenyan excavation will yield the obsidian mirror by summer. Keep the Americans busy with the false cult in Harlem. They must never learn that the true ceremony happens at the solstice — not in Egypt, but beneath the city of stone.”
Margin note in different handwriting: “Elias has seen too much. Silence him before Shanghai.”
If you want, I can help you write a specific section of that paper (e.g., the analysis table, or a paragraph comparing the Companion to other Chaosium supplements) once you tell me which edition of the Companion you own and which aspect interests you most. Just let me know.
Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion is a massive 700+ page unofficial supplement designed to expand upon the iconic Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign for Call of Cthulhu . Originally a project by fans at Yog-Sothoth.com
to celebrate their 15th anniversary, it was later published via a successful Kickstarter by Sixtystone Press Current Availability
Finding a legal PDF today is difficult because it was a limited-license project. Kickstarter Official Storefronts
: The PDF is generally no longer available for direct purchase on the webstore or DriveThruRPG Secondhand & Free Versions
: Some early, less-complete versions (often referred to as the 0.9 version) were previously released for free by Cthulhu Reborn
. Full physical editions like the "Sandbat Edition" are now primarily found on the secondhand market (e.g., eBay or Noble Knight Games).
Help finding Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion : r/callofcthulhu
The Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion (MONC) is widely considered the ultimate community-driven guide for running one of the most legendary RPG campaigns ever written. Originally a collaborative fan project on the Yog-Sothoth.com (YSDC) forums, this mammoth supplement grew into a professional-grade volume spanning over 700 pages. What is the Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion?
The Companion is a massive resource designed to augment the world-spanning Call of Cthulhu campaign, Masks of Nyarlathotep. While the original campaign provides the plot and core locations, the Companion offers a "deep-dive" into historical authenticity, providing Keepers (Game Masters) with:
Historical Detail: Exhaustive research on 1920s life in locations like New York, London, Cairo, Kenya, and Shanghai. masks of nyarlathotep companion pdf
Expanded Scenarios: Additional plot threads and prequel adventures to flesh out the journey.
Enhanced Props: Hundreds of high-quality handouts, including realistic newspaper clippings and maps.
Keeper Advice: Practical tips from veterans who have run the campaign over its 30+ year history. The "Sand Bat" and "Bloody Tongue" Editions
The book went through several iterations during its development and eventual limited release:
Bloody Tongue Edition: Often refers to early draft versions (e.g., version 0.9) shared during the project's development.
Sand Bat Edition: The definitive hardcover and PDF version released by Chaosium and Sixtystone Press following a successful 2015 Kickstarter. Current Availability of the PDF
Help finding Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion : r/callofcthulhu
The Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion (often referenced as a 700+ page resource once available freely via yog-sothoth.com, now often associated with Sixtystone Press/Sand Bat edition) is a massive, fan-created repository designed to enhance the already epic Call of Cthulhu campaign. It provides deeper lore, NPCs, and structural support for the 1920s globe-trotting story.
Here is a long, thematic summary of the overarching story that the Companion helps flesh out. The Chronicle of the Bloody Tongue
The year is 1925, but the story begins in 1919 with the disastrous Carlyle Expedition. Sir Aubrey Penhew and his team vanished in Kenya, supposedly slaughtered by natives, but the truth is far more sinister. The team did not just die; they uncovered a hideous cult dedicated to the Crawling Chaos, Nyarlathotep, specifically in his guise as the "God of the Bloody Tongue."
1. The New York SparkThe adventure begins when journalist Jackson Elias, a friend to the investigators, is brutally murdered in his New York hotel room. He was investigating the Carlyle disaster, uncovering that it was not a one-time event, but part of a global conspiracy. The investigators, seeking vengeance, find clues leading to the Penhew Foundation and a bar called the Stumbling Tiger, hinting that cultists are operating in the heart of the city.
2. The London Fog and the Shadow of the SunFollowing the trail, the investigators head to London, where the Penhew Foundation is based. Here, they uncover that Sir Aubrey didn't just study ancient Egypt—he acted as a conduit for cult activity. The Companion expands on the shadowy dealings of the London underworld and the cult’s ability to influence the aristocracy. The investigators must navigate a web of social horror, demonic rituals in derelict warehouses, and the realization that their enemies can be anywhere.
3. The Cairo Heat and the Black PharaohIn Egypt, the heat is blistering and the danger intense. The players confront the "Black Pharaoh" aspect of Nyarlathotep, discovering the cult’s efforts to open a massive portal. The Companion provides detailed, gritty information on the streets of Cairo and the ancient, rotting tomb complexes that the cult uses for their foul initiation rituals. Handout 14 – Torn letter found in Emerson
4. The Kenyan InfernoThe story turns truly horrifying in Kenya Colony. It is here that the Carlyle expedition met its doom. The investigators enter the jungle, facing local corruption, the terrifying "Bloody Tongue" cultists, and the horrific "flesh-flowers" that bloom from the victims of the dark god. They learn that M'Weru, a Kikuyu woman, has served as the High Priestess to the dark god since her youth.
5. The Shanghai NightmareThe investigation moves to China, where the cult operates from a base of unparalleled corruption and shadow-magic. The investigators are plunged into the depths of Shanghai's underworld, facing not just cultists, but the terrifying Ho Fong. Here, they must uncover the final pieces of the puzzle and stop the impending "destruction of humanity," as the Companion details the bizarre, dream-like horrors of Gray Dragon Island.
6. The Final ReckoningThe Companion ensures that through every location, the players are relentlessly pursued by the cult, their sanity strained by the truth of the Mythos, and forced to realize that in the world of Masks, the only true victory is slowing the inevitable descent of the Crawling Chaos. If you are running this campaign, would you like tips on: Integrating the Australia chapter Managing the large number of NPC allies How to best utilize the handout materials
The Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion is a massive, fan-created supplement for the legendary Call of Cthulhu campaign. Originally a collaborative project from the Yog-Sothoth.com community, it evolved into an epic 775-plus page tome designed to help Keepers manage one of the most complex RPG campaigns ever written. Core Contents
The Companion serves as a "Keeper's Bible," offering deep-dive resources that go far beyond the standard campaign book:
Detailed NPC Profiles: Provides fully statted NPCs for every location, which is particularly useful for replacing player characters (PCs) who inevitably die or go insane.
Side Adventures: Includes additional scenarios like a "side-trek" featuring Jackson Elias' notes in Hong Kong to flesh out the world.
Campaign Integration: Offers advice on weaving other published Call of Cthulhu scenarios into the global journey.
Keeper Advice: Extensive sections on pre-planning, managing global travel, and handling the "moving parts" of the investigation. Availability and Versions
The "Sand Bat" Edition: This is the most famous version of the Companion, resulting from a successful Kickstarter campaign. While a limited print run exists, it is now primarily found as a PDF.
Edition Compatibility: The Companion was written for the 6th Edition of Call of Cthulhu. While still highly valuable for the current 7th Edition (7E) of Masks of Nyarlathotep, Keepers will need to convert some stats and note that newer 7E additions, like the Peru chapter, are not covered in the original Companion.
Where to Find: Chaosium historically hosted the PDF to support the fan community, with proceeds often going back to the Yog-Sothoth forums. Physical copies are rare and typically sell at "collector prices" on the secondhand market. Is it Essential?
While many veteran Keepers consider it a "gem" of their collection, it is not strictly necessary to run the campaign. The 7th Edition of Masks of Nyarlathotep was significantly expanded by Chaosium to include much of the depth (like the Peru prequel) that the Companion originally aimed to provide. If you want, I can help you write
The "Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion" is a legendary resource in the tabletop roleplaying community. Originally created as a fan project by the community at Yog-Sothoth.com (YSDC), it grew into a mammoth 700+ page tome of advice, Keeper resources, and expansion material. It was designed specifically to support what many consider the greatest roleplaying campaign of all time: Chaosium's Masks of Nyarlathotep.
Whether you are a seasoned Keeper or preparing to run this massive campaign for the first time, understanding the history, contents, and digital availability of the Companion PDF is crucial. What is the Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion?
The Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign is famous for its complexity. It is a massive, globe-trotting sandbox where player characters investigate a cult conspiracy spanning several continents in the year 1925. Keeping track of hundreds of NPCs, clues, and timelines is a monumental task for any game master (Keeper).
The Companion was born out of the collective wisdom of Keepers who had run the campaign over several decades. It includes:
Keeper Advice: Deep dives on pacing, managing player death, and tracking complex clue networks.
Historical Context: In-depth dossiers on the real-world 1920s locations featured in the campaign, providing sensory details to bring the era to life.
Pre-Written Scenarios: Brand-new side adventures and a prequel to help onboard players or give them a break from the main plot.
Expanded Handouts: Hundreds of incredibly immersive, high-quality prop mockups, newspaper clippings, and telegrams. The PDF Availability Maze
Finding a legitimate digital copy of the Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion PDF can be incredibly confusing due to its unique publishing history. The Original Editions
The project was funded via a highly successful Kickstarter in 2015 to support the YSDC community hub. Digital versions were circulated to backers under names like the "Bloody Tongue Edition" or the "Sand Bat Edition". Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion special Sand Bat edition
Here’s a complete informational text for a hypothetical “Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion PDF” — a fan or supplementary guide for the classic Call of Cthulhu campaign. You can use this as the core descriptive or introductory section of the PDF.
From a game design perspective, the Companion addresses specific failures of the original text:
| Problem in Original MoN | Companion Solution | | :--- | :--- | | The "Peru Prologue" is deadly and linear. | Provides alternate opening hooks and rebalanced encounters. | | The Australia chapter feels disconnected from the main plot. | Adds "The God of Mitnal," directly linking the Dreamlands subplot to Nyarlathotep’s main scheme. | | Magic rules are contradictory. | Clarifies casting times, sanity costs, and provides a unified table of all Mythos spells in the campaign. | | Handouts are plain text. | Offers full-color, aged-paper style handouts with typographical errors and stains for immersion. |
Canonically, many NPCs have one line of description. The Companion gives them:
For example, the villainous Edward Gavigan in London transforms from a generic cult leader into a nuanced, terrifying antagonist with a tragic logic.
