Note this review was originally written is 1993. It is being republished "as is."
An 8 1/2" x 40" four-panel keeper's screen is the centerpiece of this set of accessories designed for the Call of Cthulhu game. Also included are reference cards for fire-arms and explosives, condensed game data for common non-mythos creatures, optional rules for car chases and hit locations, and a handy keeper's bookmark, which provides a quick reference index to important rules. Half-page investigator sheets, supporting character sheets, a cardboard model of Lovecraft's "Strange High House in the Mist," and an adventure, "The Little People," complete the package.
The player's side of the screen features a dark blue background set with the Elder Sign and other arcane symbols, while the keeper's side presents a number of 5th edition charts and rule references for the keeper. All the important combat and insanity tables are included, along with other useful information such as rules for skill development, a list of magical tomes, creatures of the mythos, and some sample poisons. The screen itself is sturdy, although the blue background on the player's side of my copy began to show signs of wear after being stacked with other books. The optional rules are clear and concise, and actually take up only about 1/4 of the package.
The remainder is a short adventure called "The Little People," which draws heavily on celtic tradition and mythology. In it, the characters play toughened criminals sent to do a job for the Irish mob. The adventure manages to balance the gaelic tradition with original characters and a situation where PCs can easily end up caught between a nasty employer and something, well...more sinister. I especially liked the idea of the PCs-as-gangsters. In "The Little People," mundane evils and supernatural evils get a chance to meet. Places for laughs, followed, of course, by moments of sheer terror, make for a lively scenario.
The "The Strange High House in the Mist" is probably the weakest part of the package. The cardboard house model doesn't really evoke the mysterious dwelling of Lovecraft's short story, but it probably could make for a useful prop in some adventure, should the keeper decide to go through the trouble of assembling it. But considering the amount of other useful and interesting stuff in the package, this is a minor quibble.
The size of the 5th edition rules book makes the condensed keeper's screen a welcome sight, and most keepers should find this package extremely helpful. Given the quality of the bonus adventure, I don't hesitate to recommend this supplement to Call of Cthulhu players.
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