Cthulhu By Gaslight: Dust & Blood (Review and Deep Dive)

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Chaosium is heading back to the soot-stained streets of 1890s London with a brand-new scenario anthology for Cthulhu by Gaslight, the setting expansion for their popular Call of Cthulhu RPG. Entitled Dust & Blood, the book offers two full-length adventure scenarios that explore the grimy underbelly and eldritch horrors that lurk in the depths of the “Old Smoke.”

You can pick up the PDF version of Dust & Blood now from DriveThruRPG, while the hardcover version is available from local game stores, Chaosium and Amazon.

So is this latest scenario anthology worthy of queen, country and Cthulhu? Below, we dare to look into its pages and put together a complete review. (NOTE: While we have received Chaosium review materials in the past, this particular product was purchased in hardcover format at our own expense).

What is the Cthulhu by Gaslight RPG?

Cthulhu by Gaslight is a standalone, spin-off tabletop RPG from Chaosium based on their popular Call of Cthulhu game. The setting, however, moves from the familiar 1920s New England (which is the primary location of author H.P Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos) and instead takes place in 1890s London, with its gaslit streets, horse-drawn carriages, and rigid social hierarchies.

The setting blends historical Victorian life with cosmic horror, with players taking on the role of Investigators tasked with uncovering ancient evils hidden beneath the veneer of industrial progress and imperial grandeur in the era of Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and Oscar Wilde.

Technically, Cthulhu by Gaslight is its own standalone game; although it does use the same Basic Roleplaying (BRP) engine which powers Call of Cthulhu and other Chaosium games. The base rules of the current 4th edition, however, are found solely in the Cthulhu by Gaslight Investigators Guide and you do NOT need any Call of Cthulhu RPG rulebooks to play.

Notably, Cthulhu by Gaslight has been a parallel product for years, with the first edition published by Chaosium in 1986, followed by a second edition in 1988 and a 3rd edition in 2012. More recently, a fourth edition was published in 2024, which saw the release of both the Investigator’s Guide and a Keeper’s Guide (the latter of which is an optional rulebook published in 2025).

What is Cthulhu by Gaslight: Dust & Blood about?

Cthulhu by Gaslight: Dust & Blood is a 120-page hardcover supplement for Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition written by British game designer and horror author Keris McDonald and longtime Chaosium designer Kevin Ross. The book is geared specifically towards Keepers and includes the following:

• Two full-length scenarios: These adventures showcase two very different sides of London life. “Dust to Dust” focuses on the working-class struggle at a massive refuse disposal center, while “Signs Writ in Scarlet” is a deadly, sandbox-style mystery set in the notorious East End.
• Ten pre-generated investigators: These characters are specifically designed for the themes of the book, allowing groups to dive into the scenarios right away.
• Detailed Maps and Handouts: The book features maps by Finnish cartographer Miska Fredman and a variety of player handouts to enhance the investigation.
• Digital Integration: Like most modern Chaosium releases, the book is supported by downloadable “Clear Text” packs and map packs to simplify play for both physical and virtual tabletops.

Notably, it does require the Cthulhu by Gaslight: Investigators’ Guide.

What are the scenarios like in Dust & Blood?

The book contains two adventures, each catering to different experience levels.

*** MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD ***

Dust to Dust: This is a shorter, relatively linear adventure designed specifically for beginner Keepers and players. The investigators act as employees of a “dust yard” (a Victorian-era junkyard) who find themselves framed for the death of a scholar involved in a failed mummy reincarnation ritual. The scenario offers some amazing opportunities for roleplay involving the rigid Victorian class system and the conclusion is satisfying if not a little predictable. All in all, it’s a solid option for groups looking to dip their toes into Cthulhu by Gaslight.

Signs Writ in Scarlet: This is a much lengthier, more complex adventure intended for experienced Keepers and investigators. Set in Whitechapel about a year and a half after the final Jack the Ripper victim, it involves a series of murders that lead the investigators into a web of different factions, schedules and past-life regressions. It does a great job of really exploring the mythos and lore, although it requires a high degree of Keeper management to track all of the moving parts and it feels at times like it can be a little overly punishing to players. That being said, it’s a great example of what really makes Cthulhu by Gaslight stand out from Call of Cthulhu.

*** END OF MINOR SPOILERS ***

How much is Cthulhu by Gaslight: Dust & Blood?

The hardcover version retails for $39.99 USD (not including shipping and handling), while the PDF is $19.99 USD on DriveThruRPG. Both prices are pretty comparable to what we’ve seen with similar products.

What is the art and design like in Dust & Blood?

From a production standpoint, the book is solid. The layout is easy to read and the maps and player handouts are fantastic. The writing is also top tier, with a few evocative and genuinely creepy passages, while also being well organized and easy for Keepers to use at the table.

The artwork, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. When it works, it works extremely well, particularly in terms of some of the creatures featured in the scenarios. That being said, there’s a lot of art that feels a bit like filler with a hodgepodge of Victorian portraits and minor illustrations, rather than anything that really grabs the imagination or builds the overall atmosphere. It’s serviceable, but definitely not mindblowing.

Is Cthulhu by Gaslight: Dust & Blood worth picking up?

Pros

• A solid sampler: The book features two distinct scenarios that really do a great job of showcasing two very different aspects of 1890s London, looking at both ends of the class spectrum.
• Excellent production and writing: The book boasts top-tier writing, an easy-to-read layout and fantastic supplementary materials, including detailed maps and engaging player handouts.
• Ready-to-play resources: The inclusion of ten pre-generated investigators tailored to the book’s themes, along with downloadable content, makes it easy to get started quickly, especially for first-time players.
• Deep lore and roleplay: Ashes to Ashes provides amazing opportunities to roleplay the rigid Victorian class system, while Signs Writ in Scarlet does a great job of thoroughly exploring mythos lore, and both really stand out in that they couldn’t as easily be dropped into 1920s Arkham.

Cons

• Inconsistent artwork: The illustrations are a mixed bag; while some creature art is excellent, much of the book feels a bit like filler and it would be great to see Chaosium step up its game in the art department (especially when compared to other horror TTRPGs like Free League’s Vaesen).
• Limited number of scenarios: While the scenarios are generally well done, it feels like it would have been better to feature more short adventures, rather than one short and one long. The recent Call of Cthulhu: Campfire Tales, managed to pack in four scenarios and additional rules in 180 pages.
• Demanding on Keepers: The more complex Signs Writ in Scarlet scenario definitely requires a high degree of management and prep, which might be a bit offputting even to more experienced players.
• Punishing difficulty: While killing off Investigators isn’t out of the norm for a Chaosium Cthulhu product, Signs Writ in Scarlet can be challenging and something only veteran players will likely be able to tackle.

Final thoughts and review score

Dust & Blood is a respectable addition to the Cthulhu by Gaslight library. While the first adventure is a solid introductory tale, Signs Writ in Scarlet is the true highlight, offering a deeper, more atmospheric experience for those willing to put in the effort.

If you are willing to brave the smog-choked streets of 1890s London, you’ll find that Dust & Blood is a tome of eldritch terror well worth investigating.

Final Review Score: 17 out of 20

You can pick up the PDF version of Dust & Blood now from DriveThruRPG, while the hardcover version is available from local game stores, Chaosium and Amazon.