This is the Lovecraftian horror game De Profundis, by Michal Oracz (fun fact: he also worked on the

This is the Lovecraftian horror game De Profundis, by Michal Oracz (fun fact: he also worked on the Neuroshima RPG). This is the original New Style version of the released in 2001 by Hogshead Publishing, the first English language edition (and the final New Style game). It was previously issued in Polish by Portal Publishing. I’ve previously posted about the 2010 reprint by Cubicle 7, this is essentially the same text as that, because it is essentially the same game!There is no game master in De Profundis, no combat, no dice, no stats. The rules are minimal – most of the book is advice on structure and atmosphere. The game requires two or more players to write each other letters (or emails, or blog posts, but ideally letters – otherwise it might veer to far into creepypasta territory, though no such thing existed in 2001), mimicking the epistolary style of Lovecraft’s “The Whisperer in the Darkness” to create a horror narrative revealed by reading. Players control all aspects of the action and mystery by writing. As such, the game is almost entirely free form and improvisational. I have never played De Profundis, despite very much wanting to – writing for a living makes writing not the most ideal leisure pursuit. Still, despite the game’s perhaps limited appeal, it is noteworthy for completely reinventing roleplaying for an entirely new form. It reminds me a bit of a Ouija Board, in some ways. Everyone at the board knows that someone is moving the pointer; the fun is pretending that isn’t the case, then acting scared in the hopes that the experience will become ACTUALLY scary.  Here’s another connection with Pagan Publishing (following John Tynes’ Puppetland) — Dennis Detwiller did the cover art. -- source link

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