This charm, carried in his robe, would make him proof against the menace of Ghatanothoa–it would even restore the Dark God's petrified victims if that monstrous entity should ever emerge and begin its devastations.
    –H.P. Lovecraft and Hazel Heald, Out of the Aeons
 
Now that Curse of the Jade Emperor is on sale everywhere and the competing factions of Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game have looted the Orient’s Relics , they turn their attention to jungles of Mesoamerica, where rumors hold that more powerful Relics lie hidden amid the flora, fauna, and eldritch dangers not of this world.

Today, guest writer Marius Hartland takes look at Miskatonic University’s expedition to The Breathing Jungle .

It works like a charm
 
Greetings, intrepid archaeologists! We won’t try to deceive you. This whole business of chasing down Ancient Relics can be pretty dangerous. You have journeyed through The Shifting Sands of the desert, faced the triads in search of the Jade Emperor, and now you find yourself amidst the dangers of The Breathing Jungle , where poisonous vermin and beasts of prey lie in waiting, and you must work to keep your bearings, lest you get hopelessly lost. Meanwhile, as a hunter of arcane treasures, you have to face more supernatural threats as well.
 
It’s not all bad, though. Despite all the things out to get you, the rewards can make it all worthwhile. Artifacts like the Disc of Itzamna ( The Breathing Jungle , 57) can protect a character against being chosen as the target of triggered effects. It doesn’t mean that character is completely untouchable, but it takes care of many of the usual ways of disposing of a character.

Normally, stacking a character with attachments is a risky proposal. One well-aimed Deep One Assault ( Core Set , 56) can dismiss an entire pile of cards to the discard pile. With the protection of the Disc of Itzamna, this is much less of a problem. You stand a much better chance of creating (and keeping) your own “super character.” This makes life a lot easier for attachment-friendly characters like John Henry Price ( Search for the Silver Key , 61) or James Logan ( Whispers in the Dark , 1).

Welcome to the jungle

The Breathing Jungle is our next destination for a coordinated Miskatonic University expedition. Miskatonic University shows up in force in the Asylum Pack. In addition to the Disc of Itzamna above, they also gain the help of Eryn Cochwyn ( The Breathing Jungle , 56) who sports a lunatic-like ability to go insane for gains, and it’s worth noting she’s a part the faction that gives access to Dr. Carson’s Treatment ( Core Set , 39).

Against monsters, it shouldn’t be too hard to win investigation struggles, but while the University can start out fast, grabbing that last story can be difficult. This is where Eryn comes in. With enough Investigation, a little skill, an Open for Inspection ( Core Set , 34), and Eryn, you can most often rip through a story with your Investigation, no matter how well-guarded it may be.

The Disc of Itzamna can also provide Eryn with some protection, of course. Just be aware that should you choose to take that extra success token, any attachments Eryn carries will be discarded when she goes insane–except for Relics, which shuffle back into your deck. Thus, if you lose the Disc of Itzamna, it will just be a matter of time until you can find it again. On the other hand, with characters like Eryn on your side, you probably don’t need that time.

Based on the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft and his literary circle, Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game takes two players deep into the Cthulhu Mythos where investigators clash with the Ancient Ones and Elder Gods for the fate of the world. The Living Card Game format allows players to customize their gaming experience with monthly Asylum Pack expansions to the core game.