ForewordWhat has risen may sink, and what is sunk may rise… Cthulhu still lives. —H. P . LovecraftMy own introduction to H. P. Lovecraft was as a child, when I found a tattered book of stories, printed long before I was born. I read that book in bed that night, and became entranced forever. If you, too, love Lovecraft’s stories, you can now experience the Cthulhu Mythos in a whole new way.I’ve been a game designer more than 30 years, and a Lovecraft fan far longer. I’ve been an author, a college professor, and even executive producer on a movie. You’ve probably heard of some of the games I helped to create, and might even have played them. In the video game field, I’m probably best known for the strategy games I worked on. But I am most proud of how I helped create the horror roleplaying genre, as original author/developer of the Call of Cthulhu game way back in 1980.My other ventures have, at times, been successful. Some of the computer games I helped to develop sold millions of copies. But when I am invited to a game convention as a guest, or when a fan offers to buy me a drink, or asks for an autograph, or any of the perks that my modest fame has accumulated, it is always for Call of Cthulhu, never one of my other games. Call of Cthulhu is beloved in a way nothing else has been – and this is of course due mostly to the power of Lovecraft’s world, and Chaosium’s dedicationin bringing it forth to you, my friends.Chaosium, through Call of Cthulhu, popularized the terrifying universe of H. P. Lovecraft in gaming and made Cthulhu a household word. Now, Chaosium has put together a team of experienced game professionals with decades of experience. In this 7th edition, Chaosium has managed once again a successful combination of roleplaying adventure with Lovecraftian horror, both of which are dear to my heart. They are, and were, the right team for this topic…