Parapsychologist's Handbook - Revision history

Malcojones: /* Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only */

2019-11-15T15:52:27Z

Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 15 November 2019
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	[[Category:CoC:MULA Monographs]]		[[Category:CoC:MULA Monographs]]
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	~~Review of Content~~
	A sourcebook for all eras (though focusing on the historical ones) providing background and game information for creating parapsychologist characters, scenarios and campaigns (with D20 stats in bold).		A sourcebook for all eras (though focusing on the historical ones) providing background and game information for creating parapsychologist characters, scenarios and campaigns (with D20 stats in bold).

	The monograph is competently presented (2 columns ranged right) for the most part, but is only sparingly illustrated (usually on quite a small scale). The writing style is functional though there irritations in terms of incorrect punctuation and typos. This was the first monograph I acquired and the drop in quality from the appearance of Chaosium's CoC books was very noticeable at the time.*		The monograph is competently presented (2 columns ranged right) for the most part, but is only sparingly illustrated (usually on quite a small scale). The writing style is functional though there irritations in terms of incorrect punctuation and typos. This was the first monograph I acquired and the drop in quality from the appearance of Chaosium's CoC books was very noticeable at the time. My copy is an early one with a card cover, white back cover and taped binding. I believe current printings will have the slicker glossy cover. There will have undoubtedly been opportunities to correct the typos and layout errors, but I don't know whether this has been done.

	Review of Content		Review of Content
	There is a lot of information presented here, all of which is pertinent to creating parapsychologist characters, making them effective, rational scientists and illustrating the sort of phenomena they are customarily interested in. The intellectual paradigms are laid out clearly and the author knows his material, essentially the history of parapsychology, throroughly (as far as a layman can tell). Spiritualism, mediumship, psychics, ghost and poltergeist phenomena are all covered. There are timelines listing famous cases and fascinating descriptions of historical personalities from the world of psychic research. The Society of Psychic Research is shown to be a key institution and cultural impact of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century 'boom' in interest in the area is brought home to the reader. This ~~isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t~~ developed to the same degree for the present, which is a shame but is understandable from the point of view of potential litigation and/or the requirements of someone actually involved in the field.		There is a lot of information presented here, all of which is pertinent to creating parapsychologist characters, making them effective, rational scientists and illustrating the sort of phenomena they are customarily interested in. The intellectual paradigms are laid out clearly and the author knows his material, essentially the history of parapsychology, throroughly (as far as a layman can tell). Spiritualism, mediumship, psychics, ghost and poltergeist phenomena are all covered. There are timelines listing famous cases and fascinating descriptions of historical personalities from the world of psychic research. The Society of Psychic Research is shown to be a key institution and cultural impact of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century 'boom' in interest in the area is brought home to the reader. This isn't developed to the same degree for the present, which is a shame but is understandable from the point of view of potential litigation and/or the requirements of someone actually involved in the field.

	The parapsychological material is tied to the mythos in a number of ways; from quotations from Lovecraft's The Lurking Fear to references and tie-ins to well-known Chaosium scenarios and campaigns. These links are occasionally a little tenuous and there are moments of uncertainty about how the handbook is to be used (sections for Keepers and players) but such hesitancies are to be expected in what was only the second monograph produced.		The parapsychological material is tied to the mythos in a number of ways; from quotations from Lovecraft's 'The Lurking Fear' to references and tie-ins to well-known Chaosium scenarios and campaigns. These links are occasionally a little tenuous and there are moments of uncertainty about how the handbook is to be used (sections for Keepers and players) but such hesitancies are to be expected in what was only the second monograph produced.

	Conclusion		Conclusion
	The material is intrinsically intriguing and suggestive. The monograph ~~doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t~~ actually demonstrate how a shift of focus to the parapsychological would play out by providing scenario or campaign beyond a two-page appendix of sinister seeds (and hooks sprinkled throughout). I'm sure some readers would say that they like their sourcebooks to be sourcebooks and their scenario books to be scenario books, but in this instance I feel it is a flaw. They lack of additional monographs offering parapsychological scenarios or campaigns of this type might be telling us something.		The material is intrinsically intriguing and suggestive. The monograph doesn't actually demonstrate how a shift of focus to the parapsychological would play out by providing scenario or campaign beyond a two-page appendix of sinister seeds (and hooks sprinkled throughout). I'm sure some readers would say that they like their sourcebooks to be sourcebooks and their scenario books to be scenario books, but in this instance I feel it is a flaw. They lack of additional monographs offering parapsychological scenarios or campaigns of this type might be telling us something.

	This monograph is probably the bestseller of the line, according to Chaosium site stats, but I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t help feeling (uncharitably) that it may often be sold to non-gamers hooked on Most Haunted and shows of that ilk. I think those purchasers get their moneyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s worth, too, in the 'Selecting Equipment', 'How to' and recurrent phenomena sections and with the history of the field included here. As a gamer, I've got less out of it. This monograph offers essential material for parapsychologist characters and scenarios but the package doesn't ultimately offer enough to make me consider it more than a well-developed background for an occupation or, if you like, character class. I'm not convinced that a parapsychological campaign wouldn't be 'CoC lite'. After all, the scenario that introduces many of us to the game, The Haunted House in the rulebook, comes on like a spirit manifestation but soon gets much, much deadlier.

	~~Overall, I feel~~ the ~~monograph has been~~ the ~~best format for this addition~~ to ~~the game in~~ that~~, while~~ it ~~offers a lot~~ of ~~supplementary background~~, ~~it is very far from~~ the ~~core~~ of the ~~game~~. If, ~~however~~, ~~you are at all interested in developing~~ a parapsychological ~~angle~~ to ~~your games this is~~ the ~~one-stop shop~~.		This monograph is probably the bestseller of the line, according to Chaosium site stats, but one can't help feeling (uncharitably) that it may often be sold to non-gamers hooked on Most Haunted and shows of that ilk. Those purchasers get their money's worth, too, in the 'Selecting Equipment', 'How to' and recurrent phenomena sections and with the history of the field included here. In gaming terms this monograph offers essential material for parapsychologist characters and scenarios but the package doesn't ultimately offer enough to make me consider it more than a well-developed background for an occupation or, if you like, character class. Would a parapsychological campaign be 'CoC lite'? After all, the scenario that introduces many of us to the game, 'The Haunted House' in the rulebook, comes on like a spirit manifestation but soon gets much, much deadlier.

	* My copy is ~~an early one with~~ a ~~card cover~~, ~~white back cover and taped binding. I believe current printings will have~~ the ~~slicker glossy cover~~. ~~There will have undoubtedly been opportunities~~ to ~~correct~~ the ~~typos and layout errors, but I don't know whether this has been done~~.		Overall, the monograph is the best format for this addition to the game in that, while it offers a lot of supplementary background, it is very far from the core of the game. If, however, you are at all interested in developing a parapsychological angle to your games this is the one-stop shop.

Malcojones: /* Links */

2019-11-15T15:45:48Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:45, 15 November 2019
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	==Links==		==Links==
			There is an article/review for this Monograph on the site, but an edited version of its content is inserted below under 'Keeper's Eyes Only'.

	==Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only==		==Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only==

Malcojones: /* Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only */

2019-11-15T13:31:19Z

Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 15 November 2019
Line 74:		Line 74:
	[[Category:CoC:MULA Monographs]]		[[Category:CoC:MULA Monographs]]
	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__
			Review of Content
			A sourcebook for all eras (though focusing on the historical ones) providing background and game information for creating parapsychologist characters, scenarios and campaigns (with D20 stats in bold).

			The monograph is competently presented (2 columns ranged right) for the most part, but is only sparingly illustrated (usually on quite a small scale). The writing style is functional though there irritations in terms of incorrect punctuation and typos. This was the first monograph I acquired and the drop in quality from the appearance of Chaosium's CoC books was very noticeable at the time.*

			Review of Content
			There is a lot of information presented here, all of which is pertinent to creating parapsychologist characters, making them effective, rational scientists and illustrating the sort of phenomena they are customarily interested in. The intellectual paradigms are laid out clearly and the author knows his material, essentially the history of parapsychology, throroughly (as far as a layman can tell). Spiritualism, mediumship, psychics, ghost and poltergeist phenomena are all covered. There are timelines listing famous cases and fascinating descriptions of historical personalities from the world of psychic research. The Society of Psychic Research is shown to be a key institution and cultural impact of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century 'boom' in interest in the area is brought home to the reader. This isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t developed to the same degree for the present, which is a shame but is understandable from the point of view of potential litigation and/or the requirements of someone actually involved in the field.

			The parapsychological material is tied to the mythos in a number of ways; from quotations from Lovecraft's The Lurking Fear to references and tie-ins to well-known Chaosium scenarios and campaigns. These links are occasionally a little tenuous and there are moments of uncertainty about how the handbook is to be used (sections for Keepers and players) but such hesitancies are to be expected in what was only the second monograph produced.

			Conclusion
			The material is intrinsically intriguing and suggestive. The monograph doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t actually demonstrate how a shift of focus to the parapsychological would play out by providing scenario or campaign beyond a two-page appendix of sinister seeds (and hooks sprinkled throughout). I'm sure some readers would say that they like their sourcebooks to be sourcebooks and their scenario books to be scenario books, but in this instance I feel it is a flaw. They lack of additional monographs offering parapsychological scenarios or campaigns of this type might be telling us something.

			This monograph is probably the bestseller of the line, according to Chaosium site stats, but I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t help feeling (uncharitably) that it may often be sold to non-gamers hooked on Most Haunted and shows of that ilk. I think those purchasers get their moneyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s worth, too, in the 'Selecting Equipment', 'How to' and recurrent phenomena sections and with the history of the field included here. As a gamer, I've got less out of it. This monograph offers essential material for parapsychologist characters and scenarios but the package doesn't ultimately offer enough to make me consider it more than a well-developed background for an occupation or, if you like, character class. I'm not convinced that a parapsychological campaign wouldn't be 'CoC lite'. After all, the scenario that introduces many of us to the game, The Haunted House in the rulebook, comes on like a spirit manifestation but soon gets much, much deadlier.

			Overall, I feel the monograph has been the best format for this addition to the game in that, while it offers a lot of supplementary background, it is very far from the core of the game. If, however, you are at all interested in developing a parapsychological angle to your games this is the one-stop shop.

			* My copy is an early one with a card cover, white back cover and taped binding. I believe current printings will have the slicker glossy cover. There will have undoubtedly been opportunities to correct the typos and layout errors, but I don't know whether this has been done.

Malcojones: /* Details */

2019-11-15T13:29:52Z

Details

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:29, 15 November 2019
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	'''Author(s):''' [[Chris Jerome]]		'''Author(s):''' [[Chris Jerome]]

	'''Artist(s):''' Cover by [[Meghan McLean]]; Illustrations by [[Simon Monk]], Jessica.		'''Artist(s):''' Cover by [[Meghan McLean]]; Illustrations by [[Simon Monk]], Jessica Billman.

	'''Setting(s):''' [[1890s]], [[1920s]]		'''Setting(s):''' [[1890s]], [[1920s]]

Dce: /* Contents */

2011-03-10T23:49:52Z

Contents

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:49, 10 March 2011
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	This monograph reveals the real-world science of the paranormal, Parapsychology (its history and methods), how to play a parapsychologist, how to run a Call of Cthulhu campaign centered around a ghost-hunting group, and how to simulate various non-Mythos entities and psychic powers in your campaign.		This monograph reveals the real-world science of the paranormal, Parapsychology (its history and methods), how to play a parapsychologist, how to run a Call of Cthulhu campaign centered around a ghost-hunting group, and how to simulate various non-Mythos entities and psychic powers in your campaign.

	~~'''CONTENTS:'''~~
	'''Parapsychology Exploring New Prontiers of Science'''		'''Parapsychology Exploring New Prontiers of Science'''

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	'''Appendix C: Parapsychological Literature, 1882–1930'''		'''Appendix C: Parapsychological Literature, 1882–1930'''

	==Front Cover Text==		==Front Cover Text==
	A New Occupation For		A New Occupation For

Dce: Created page with "==Details== ''Front Cover'' '''Product Code:''' CHA0302 (was originally released under product code 85) '''Publishing Year:'..."

2011-03-10T23:49:25Z

Created page with "==Details== thumb|''Front Cover'' '''Product Code:''' CHA0302 (was originally released under product code 85) '''Publishing Year:'..."

New page

==Details==
[[Image:MULA-Parapsychologists-Handbook.jpg|thumb|''Front Cover'']]

'''Product Code:''' CHA0302 (was originally released under product code 85)

'''Publishing Year:''' 2003

'''Pages:''' 112

'''Cover Price:''' $19.00

'''Author(s):''' [[Chris Jerome]]

'''Artist(s):''' Cover by [[Meghan McLean]]; Illustrations by [[Simon Monk]], Jessica.

'''Setting(s):''' [[1890s]], [[1920s]]

'''Format:''' [[CoC:MULA Monographs|MULA Monograph]]

'''Released as PDF:''' Yes

==Contents==

This monograph reveals the real-world science of the paranormal, Parapsychology (its history and methods), how to play a parapsychologist, how to run a Call of Cthulhu campaign centered around a ghost-hunting group, and how to simulate various non-Mythos entities and psychic powers in your campaign.

'''CONTENTS:'''
'''Parapsychology Exploring New Prontiers of Science'''

* Parapsychology
* Parapsychology in the Laboratory
* Generating a Parapsychologist Character

'''Phenomena'''

* Paradigms—Theories of the Unexplained
* Ghosts and Hauntings
* Investigating Poltergeists
* Spiritualism and Mediumship
* Psychical Research

'''Secrets Mankind Was Not Meant to Know'''

* Running a Parapsychological Campaign
* Ghosts: a Keeper's Guide
* The Poltergeist Scenario
* Mediumship Explored
* Psychics
* Cthulhu Rising: Cthulhu and the Psychic

'''Appendix A: Sinister Seeds'''

'''Appendix B: New D20 Cthulhu Psychic Feats'''

'''Appendix C: Parapsychological Literature, 1882–1930'''

==Front Cover Text==
A New Occupation For
Call Of Cthulhu

==Comments / Trivia==
List dedication, color plates, rarity of the book, etc.

==Links==

==Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only==
'''Players should not read any further.'''


Comment here to Keepers about this book.
Comments on specific Scenarios and Campaigns
go on their respective pages.
Keep DISCUSSION on the talk page.

[[Category:CoC:MULA Monographs]]
__NOTOC__