The Lovecraft Variant For Monsters! Monsters! From Bolt Thrower Press

By Gaslight and Tentacle: Unearthing The Lovecraft Variant - The ORIGINAL Lovecraftian RPG, Forged in the Spirit of Ken St. Andre

The year is 1980. The tabletop role-playing game scene, still in its vibrant infancy, was being shaped by innovative minds and groundbreaking ideas. In the summer of that year, within the pages of Sorcerer's Apprentice magazine, a pivotal set of rules emerged that would forever alter the landscape of horror gaming: The Lovecraft Variant. Now, thanks to Bolt Thrower Press, this piece of role-playing history has been resurrected, offering a fascinating glimpse into the very genesis of adapting H.P. Lovecraft's chilling mythos to the tabletop, all within a framework deeply connected to the design philosophy of the legendary Ken St. Andre.  

More than just a monster manual, The Lovecraft Variant was a complete system designed to graft the cosmic dread and sanity-shattering encounters of Lovecraft's stories onto the framework of Monsters! Monsters!, the second oldest role-playing game in the world, a creation of the inimitable Ken St. Andre. This 60+ page booklet wasn't just about facing tentacled horrors; it was about investigating strange occurrences, uncovering ancient secrets, and desperately clinging to your character's sanity in the face of unimaginable truths, all powered by the accessible and often perilous spirit of a Ken St. Andre RPG.  

What Lies Within This Lost Grimoire, Touched by the Master?

Bolt Thrower Press has compiled a treasure trove for RPG enthusiasts and Lovecraft aficionados alike:

• The Lovecraft Variant (First published in Sorcerer’s Apprentice No 7 – Summer 1980): This is the heart of the collection – the original ruleset that dared to fully embrace the Lovecraftian mythos within Ken St. Andre's beloved Monsters! Monsters! engine (or any compatible rules). It provides a comprehensive set of adaptations, including:   

  • New Classes: Tailored to the investigative nature of Lovecraftian stories. Echoing the straightforward approach often found in St. Andre's designs, the core rules offer the Detective, the Scholar, and the Dilettante, providing a quick and intuitive way to define your investigator.
    • The Detective: A keen observer, skilled in investigation and often possessing a network of contacts. They excel at gathering clues, interrogating witnesses, and navigating the murky underbelly of society, embodying the resourceful spirit often needed to survive in Ken St. Andre's worlds.
    • The Scholar: Possessing a deep well of knowledge in arcane texts, history, or science, the Scholar is adept at deciphering ancient lore and understanding the often-obscure nature of the threats they face, a character type well-suited to uncovering the secrets Ken St. Andre often wove into his adventures.
    • The Dilettante: Often independently wealthy or possessing unique connections, the Dilettante brings resources and sometimes unexpected skills to the investigation, driven by curiosity or a personal stake in the unfolding events, adding an element of unpredictable flair often seen in Ken St. Andre's player characters.
  • Skills: While the original offering was somewhat limited, requiring supplementation from games like Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes (MSPE), the intent, in line with St. Andre's design ethos, was to provide a core set of abilities to propel the narrative. These skills would likely cover areas such as:
    • Investigation: The ability to thoroughly examine scenes, find clues, and piece together information, a crucial skill for navigating the mysteries St. Andre often presented.
    • Knowledge (Occult, History, Science, Languages): Representing areas of expertise crucial for understanding the often-arcane nature of Lovecraftian mysteries.
    • Perception: The ability to notice subtle details and hidden clues, vital for survival in the often-perilous scenarios Ken St. Andre crafted.
    • Persuasion/Intimidation: Skills used when interacting with witnesses, cultists, or even skeptical authorities.
    • Stealth: Useful for infiltration and observation.
    • First Aid: Essential for treating injuries sustained during perilous investigations.
    • (Supplemented from MSPE): Expect additions like Lockpicking, Disguise, Driving, and various combat-related skills to broaden character capabilities, reflecting the more grounded and gritty aspects sometimes found in compatible systems.
  • Character Traits: Beyond core attributes, these traits, in the spirit of St. Andre's often quirky and memorable characters, would likely define aspects of a character's personality, background, and perhaps even their inherent weaknesses or strengths when facing the cosmic unknown.
  • Weapons: A selection of period-appropriate weaponry, from revolvers and shotguns to more esoteric or improvised tools, reflecting the often-desperate measures investigators must take, echoing the pragmatic approach to problem-solving often seen in Ken St. Andre's games.
  • Monsters: The initial bestiary, providing terrifying encounters with creatures drawn directly from the Cthulhu Mythos, each with their own unique abilities and horrifying presence, reminiscent of the imaginative and often deadly creatures found in Ken St. Andre's works.
  • Sanity Mechanics: Crucially, the rules include a system for tracking and potentially eroding a character's mental stability as they witness unspeakable horrors and confront realities that defy human understanding. This pioneering inclusion demonstrated an understanding that the true horror in Lovecraft's work wasn't just about physical threats, but the psychological toll – a concept that would resonate with the often-brutal consequences found in Ken St. Andre's games.
  • Equipment and Economic System: Investigators need resources, and The Lovecraft Variant thoughtfully includes a system for purchasing equipment and managing finances, adding a layer of practicality to their often-perilous endeavors, a touch of realism often appreciated in St. Andre's game worlds.

• Know Your Foe: The Monsters of the Cthulhu Mythos (First published in Sorcerer’s Apprentice No 7 – Summer 1981): This invaluable essay, presented in a system-agnostic manner, delves into the art of incorporating the iconic monsters and terrifying deities of the Cthulhu Mythos into any role-playing game. It offers insights into their nature, motivations (or lack thereof), and the impact they should have on players, emphasizing the sense of overwhelming dread and insignificance in the face of cosmic power – a theme often explored through the challenging encounters in Ken St. Andre's adventures.  

Why This Matters: A Look Back at the Dawn of Lovecraftian Gaming, Guided by St. Andre's Principles

In 1980, the concept of a dedicated Lovecraftian role-playing game was still nascent. The Rahman brothers' work in The Lovecraft Variant, built upon the foundation of Ken St. Andre's Monsters! Monsters!, was pioneering, laying the groundwork for the genre as we know it today. Their decision to adapt St. Andre's relatively rules-lite system, focused on adventure and monster encounters, highlights the early recognition of the inherent narrative potential within Lovecraft's tales and the accessibility of St. Andre's design philosophy.

For those unfamiliar, Monsters! Monsters! (and its later iterations like Humans Humans) offered a streamlined approach to character creation and task resolution, emphasizing player agency and quick entry into the action – core tenets of St. Andre's design. By grafting the themes of cosmic horror and sanity onto this framework, the Rahmans created a system that was both accessible and capable of delivering truly unsettling experiences, embodying the "get in and play" spirit often found in St. Andre's games. Character creation, taking less than 15 minutes, allowed players to quickly jump into the terrifying realities awaiting them, a hallmark of St. Andre's player-friendly approach.

The inclusion of a sanity mechanic so early on is particularly significant. It demonstrated an understanding that the true horror in Lovecraft's work wasn't just about physical threats, but the psychological toll – a concept that would resonate with the often-brutal consequences and survival-oriented gameplay sometimes found in St. Andre's creations.

A Modern Perspective: Old School Meets Cosmic Dread, in the Vein of St. Andre

While The Lovecraft Variant requires a copy of Monsters! Monsters! (or a compatible system like the Tunnels and Trolls engine, potentially even utilizing elements from Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes to bolster the skill list), its historical significance and unique approach, deeply rooted in Ken St. Andre's design principles, still hold appeal. For old-school gamers who cut their teeth on Tunnels & Trolls and Monsters! Monsters!, this is a chance to experience Lovecraftian horror through a familiar and beloved mechanical lens. For those new to classic RPGs, it offers a glimpse into the accessible and narrative-driven design philosophies championed by Ken St. Andre.  

The straightforward mechanics of Monsters! Monsters! lend themselves well to a focus on narrative and atmosphere, allowing the Game Master to emphasize the eerie settings, unsettling mysteries, and the slow descent into madness – all while maintaining the quick-paced action often found in St. Andre's adventures. The quick character creation ensures that players can readily introduce new investigators as the inevitable perils of the Mythos claim their victims, a pragmatic approach familiar to fans of St. Andre's often-lethal game worlds.

A Few Caveats, A World of Potential, All Within St. Andre's Reach

As noted by a reviewer, the initial offering of only three investigator archetypes (Detective, Scholar, and Dilettante) and a somewhat limited skill list might feel restrictive to modern players. However, the beauty of adapting an older system, especially one as flexible as Monsters! Monsters!, lies in the potential for customization. The reviewer's inclusion of skills from Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes demonstrates how easily the system can be expanded to suit individual preferences, echoing the adaptable nature of many of St. Andre's game designs.

Despite these minor limitations, the core of The Lovecraft Variant, built upon the foundation of Ken St. Andre's accessible and adventure-focused mechanics, remains a potent tool for experiencing Lovecraftian horror in a rules-lite and engaging manner. The inclusion of equipment lists, and an economic system adds a layer of grounded realism to the investigations, while the sanity rules provide the crucial element of psychological tension – all within a framework that emphasizes getting straight to the action, a hallmark of St. Andre's enduring legacy.

Final Verdict: A Lost Grimoire Worth Unearthing, Carrying the Spirit of Ken St. Andre

Bolt Thrower Press has done a commendable service in bringing The Lovecraft Variant, a significant piece of RPG history deeply intertwined with the legacy of Ken St. Andre, back into the light. It's more than just a historical curiosity; it's a playable piece of RPG history that showcases the early ingenuity in adapting a beloved literary genre to the tabletop using the accessible and engaging framework of one of the hobby's true pioneers. If you have an appreciation for old-school gaming, a love for Lovecraftian horror, and a willingness to potentially adapt and expand upon the foundational rules within the spirit of Ken St. Andre's design, then The Lovecraft Variant is a highly recommended addition to your collection. Like a long-lost grimoire discovered after ages, it offers a unique and potentially terrifying journey into the heart of cosmic dread, guided by the principles that made Monsters! Monsters! a beloved classic. Grab your copy, dust off your dice, and prepare to face the unimaginable horrors that await, in a style that would surely make Ken St. Andre proud.

The Lovecraft Variant on DrivethruRPG The-Lovecraft-Variant









The Lovecraft Variant – first published in Sorcerer’s Apprentice No 7 – Summer 1980.

A bevy of rules to recreate HP Lovecraft’s mythos in RPG games.




Know Your Foe: The Monsters of the Cthulhu Mythos – first published in Sorcerer’s Apprentice No 7 – Summer 1981. A system agnostic essay on including Lovecraftian monsters and gods in your games.






You will need a copy of the Monsters! Monsters! Core rules (or a compatible system) to use this book.






These rules are published under license by Bolt Thrower Press.