ere begins the story of how Harvey Walters, the noted 1920s New York journalist, mystic, and psy- chic investigator, comes to be. The player takes up a fresh investigator sheet pencil, and three six-sided dice, and then opens the rulesbook top. 34 CHARACTERISTICS. STR (Strength): the rol is 306. The player rolled a 4, ‘early the worst possible result. In consequence, the new investigator is an exceptional weakling, But the player is ‘not dismayed: Call of Cthulhu is an unusual game—the srs yet may be right DEX (Dexterity): the roll is 3D6, The roll result is @ 12, high average, and the investigator's Dodge is 24%. Given {good Dexterity despite low Strength, the investigator might ‘want to learn skills which show off that ability —or perhaps the or she will just be a good dancer or a good typist. INT Clatettigence): the roll is 20646. The INT result is 17, am excellent score, This investigator may be someone to reckon with. Her curiosity piqued, the player smiles and rolls the next characteristic CON (Constitution): the rol is 36. The result is 14, another good score, This investigator's hardiness helps compensate forthe terrible STR score APP (Appearance): the roll is 3D6. The result is (7, anoth- cer outstanding score, Whatever other flaws aris, this inves- tigator’s personality sparkles. POW (Power): the roll is 3D6, and the result is 2 9. No one with POW 9 is destined for greatness in the magical ars, Nor should someone with « Luck roll of 45% count on Iuek ‘ocextricate himself or herself from « tight situation, SIZ (Size): the rolls 20646, and the result isa 16, As soon 8 the dice stopped moving, she started thinking of her new investigator as male. At SIZ 16. e is hely, if weak. Pethaps he i overweight, or perhaps an injury has lft him partly par- alyzed. The mere bare numbers ofthe characteristics may suggest personality Roleplaying begins in explaining unusual combinations of characteristics, first name comes to mind. She has never had an investigator named Harvey, but it seems to fit. For now, the investigator is Harvey, ‘SAN (Sanity): the multiplier is 5x POW, a result of 45 for Harvey. Not a terrible score, but less than average, Perhaps he is nervous and high-strung, or he has undergone a shat {ering mystical experience already. EDU (Education): the roll is 306+3, and a 16 comes up, a ‘good score, high enough that it makes Harvey a college graduate. His player decides that Harvey has an Master of ‘Ans degree, though that ttle has no game function. Harvey speaks English at 80%, His player wants Harvey to be youngish, and does not age him, so he remains age 22 (EDU+6 years). {dea Roll: with an INT of 17, Harvey's x5 Idea rol is 85%. He is quite clever, and stands high chance of coming up with workable plans, Luck Roll: with a POW of 9, Harvey's x5 Luck rolls 45%. He is slightly more often unlucky than lucky. He should depend on ideas and knowledge, and not hope for the best from a roll of the dice Know Roll: with an EDU of 16, Harvey's x5 Know roll is ‘80%. He worked hard in school and leamed a lot. Toi inane es] == HY — Uy i HH i if it lape-sige Bi) BEEBE + Cut, Sagem Hy 1 i Mus & 1 i Damage Bonus: the sum of Harvey's STR+SIZ is 4416=20, His bonus is 2er, Hit Points: the sum of Harvey's CON+SIZ is 14+16=30. Divided by 2, he has 15 hit points, a good score. Harvey is not a fighter, though. With his brains and charm, he ean ‘often talk his way out of difficulties, ‘Magic Points: these equal POW. Harvey has 9, At this, point Harvey’s last name comes to his player: Walters, because the wall sound reminds her of wallflower. and. bbeeause Walters hymes with falters, which she thinks & nervous guy like Harvey may do. BACKGROUND Harvey is 1920s character. Rolling on the Investigator Income Table, his player gets a 2, putting $2500 in Harvey's