The Strawman

The Strawman: A Modern Call of Cthulhu Must-Run

Step into the eerie fog of rural Pennsylvania with The Strawman, a modern-day Call of Cthulhu scenario that masterfully blends small-town mystery, escalating horror, and cosmic dread. Investigators are drawn to the quiet town of Wilson, where a rash of disappearances, brutal murders, and a wave of madness have left the community on edge. The adventure’s hook is immediate and personal—missing loved ones, a spike in insanity, and a local legend of a scarecrow that stalks the night. Every detail is designed to pull your table into a chilling investigation where nothing is as it seems.

What sets The Strawman apart is its rich, interconnected cast and open structure. Each location—be it the town’s cozy diner, the tense sheriff’s office, or the ominous farms—offers memorable NPCs, layered clues, and opportunities for both roleplay and suspense. The scenario’s antagonists are more than simple monsters: they’re tragic figures, each warped by their connection to the Larvae of the Old Great Ones. The result is a story that’s as much about unraveling human motivations as it is about confronting the supernatural.

Keepers will appreciate the scenario’s flexibility and Keeper-friendly design. Modular scenes, clear timelines, and detailed stat blocks make prep a breeze, while the inclusion of spells, handouts, and a scenario timeline ensures you have everything you need at your fingertips. Whether you want a tense one-shot or the seed for a longer campaign, The Strawman adapts to your group’s style—investigation, action, or psychological horror.

Bring your table a session they’ll never forget, filled with moral dilemmas, pulse-pounding encounters, and the creeping dread of the unknown. With minimal prep, you’ll be ready to deliver a night of memorable investigation and escalating terror. Head to DriveThruRPG and add The Strawman to your Keeper’s collection—your players will thank you for it.

The Pre-Generated Investigators:

• Benson Templeton - I met David Greggson while working at the VA part time. Giving back to the Vets. He is great nurse and friend. I met Georgia McConnell while doing some work for the Harrisburg PD. She is a go getter that never gives up. Melody Mickelson is quite the looker, but smart too. And what she can do with a make up brush is amazing. James Paxton just needed a bit of direction after Afghanistan. I hope our little ad-hoc group can provide that. Georgia has used him to intimidate a few less savory characters.
• David Greggson - I met Benson Templeton through the VA. He is great with the Vets. We struck up a friendship. He is easy to talk to which is why he is great at his job. He brought Georgia McConnell to see me after she apparently 'won' a knife fight. Would hate to see the other guy. Benson recommended James Paxton to Georgia to help her out. Seems to have helped them both. I met Melody through Georgia McConnell. She is quite the stunning and a great makeup artist. You won't recognize yourself after she gets done...
• Georgia McConnell - I pulled my small group of ad-hoc associates together through necessity. I met Ben Templeton when I worked as a cop. He is an adept profiler. When I needed to be stitched up after a nasty knife fight, Ben introduced me to David Greggson, a nurse. When I needed some extra muscle, Ben suggested James Paxton a war vet he met while working at the VA. Ben suggested James needed a purpose.
• Melody Mickelson - I met Georgia after she busted my younger brother for underage drinking. Boy, did she scare him straight! She has become a good friend. She introduced me to Ben and David. I call them the Dynamic Duo. Ben can talk anyone down from a ledge and David can stitch them up after they fall. Quite a combo. Not sure to what to think about James Paxton. He is a hard one to figure out. But he can be counted on. Taught me how to shoot.
• James Paxton - After Afghanistan, life has been hard. Being maimed, and horrid looking limits you prospects. I thank god for Benson and David. When I was about to give up, they introduced me to Georgia McConnell. It is good to have work and a purpose again. Working on getting my PI license. Georgia introduced me to Melody. I would have had a chance with a girl like that before Afghanistan, but not now. She can even make me look decent.