Cohors Cthulhu is a forthcoming Tabletop RPG published by Modiphius Entertainment, available for their in-house 2d20 system. The second instalment in the Against the Gods Themselves franchise after Achtung! Cthulhu, this game brings the Cthulhu Mythos to the height of the early Roman Empire. Behind the scenes of Rome's expansionist wars, players take on the roles of heroes from all walks of life and hailing from all across the Empire, fighting a Hidden War against horrors facing all of humanity, something that forces them to put aside prejudices and work alongside former enemies. Only by finding their shared humanity can Romans and barbarians stand against the insidious cults answering the call of the Outer Gods. Meanwhile, mysterious immortal patrons, including unhinged survivors of Atlantis, pull the strings of puppets from the shadows, advancing plots millennia in the making.
Cohors Cthulhu, like Achtung! Cthulhu, does not have to be a bleak, hopeless struggle against invincible enemies. A backdrop of heroism provides a glimmer of hope for victory. PCs can become the stuff of legends and take the fight to the most terrifying villains. Magical aid can be solicited from relatively benevolent gods, though they are fickle and their assistance often comes with strings.
This game provides examples of:
- Benevolent Conspiracy: The Fingers of Dawn is a secretive, influential cabal that has generally benevolent goals and operates under the guise of a cult of Aurora, the Goddess of Dawn. Its members actively oppose the Mythos, seeing themselves as protectors of humanity.
- God Guise: Maeren, an immortal Hyperborean, once took on the guise of Athena to arm ancient Greek heroes.
- Immortality Inducer: A handful of Atlantean survivors managed to extend their lives through occult means to achieve near immortality and accrue considerable power. Over millennia, most became corrupted; very few remain free of the Outer Gods' insidious influence.
- Lovecraft Lite: Cohors Cthulhu sets Lovecraftian horror on a backdrop of epic heroism, intrigue and strife. While it might be a bleak, hopeless struggle against invincible enemies if things go poorly, there is always a glimmer of hope that victory might be possible.
- Precursors: Atlantis thrived millennia before the founding of Rome, exerting a widespread, though largely forgotten influence on the world. Its shadow is felt in the legacy of its descendants and a rare few near-immortal survivors who witnessed its fall firsthand.
- Time Abyss: The immortal Hyperborean named Maeren is an enigmatic power who fights a truly cosmic conflict against the fathomless power of the Outer Gods. She has existed longer than humanity and may endure when the last of its cities are reduced to shadow and ash.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: While Maeren's overall aim is to preserve life and order, she can be quite ruthless, cruel and willing to accept tremendous losses. Humanity is a means to an end, and individual lives matter little.
