Descent into Madness TTRPG

Defiant Lens Studios
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Games
  • Updated Daily

Descent into Madness is a narrative-driven horror TTRPG actual play series. Blending immersive storytelling, rich sound design, and a creeping sense of dread, *Descent into Madness* invites you to slip beyond the veil and lose yourself in a world where every answer leads to deeper darkness.

  1. Jun 23

    After the Descent! | Hell in Texas | A Call of Cthulhu Playthrough Series

    They survived the lloigor. But survival comes with questions — the kind that burn in your chest when the dice stop rolling and the Keeper closes his notebook. Welcome to AFTER THE DESCENT, an out-of-character after show where the cast steps back from the table to ask everything they couldn't ask in-game. What was the Keeper hiding behind the screen? Which dice rolls nearly ended them? What secrets did they walk right past without ever knowing?In this first episode, the players sit down to unpack every chilling detail of their encounter with the lloigor — and for the first time, the Keeper reveals what was really happening in the shadows.ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGNHIT is a modern Call of Cthulhu scenario written by Scott Dorward, featured in The Things We Leave Behind from Stygian Fox. Three strangers are drawn into something unholy in a small town — and every answer leads to a worse question.NEW EPISODESFull campaign episodes premiere every other Friday at 8 AM EST.AWARD-WINNING ACTUAL PLAYDescent into Madness — Best Overall Tabletop & RPG Podcast, Pop Con 2026.STAY CONNECTEDhttps://linktr.ee/descentttrpg

  2. May 25

    H*ll in T*xas | Ep. 3 — Every Answer Leads to a Worse Question

    The house wants to burn. Bradley warned them. Now the investigators have to decide — do they walk away, or do they dig deeper into something that was never meant to be found?Every answer they uncover leads to a worse question. The ground itself seems to push back. And the longer they stay, the more the town closes in around them.Welcome to H*ll in T*xas — a modern-day Call of Cthulhu actual play where every roll matters and every decision has a cost.FOLLOW US ON ALL SOCIALS: https://linktr.ee/descentttrpg CASTOllie Remy — Josh WarrenDeputy Martinez — Wesley "Wes" OpauskiSarah McGibbs — Kristin MazzaCREWDirector: Dakota SmithProducers: Tom von Dohlen & JJ AustenDirector of Photography: Tom von DohlenProduction Designer: JJ AustenEditor: Rainn Mowris GET THE SCENARIOH*ll in T*xas is part of The Things We Leave Behind — a critically acclaimed anthology of modern-day Call of Cthulhu scenarios by Stygian Fox. If you want to run this at your own table, grab it here: The Things We Leave Behind — DriveThruRPG🔔 SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every other Friday at 8 AM EST.👁️ New to the channel? Start here and lose your sanity with us.

  3. May 8

    Something Evil is Buried in Leeland | Hell in Texas Ep. 2 | Call of Cthulhu

    Bradley said Satan wants the house to burn. Now they have to figure out if he's right. Hell in Texas continues — and the rot in Leeland goes deeper than anyone expected. ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGNHell in Texas is a modern Call of Cthulhu scenario written by Scott Dorward, featured in The Things We Leave Behind — a critically acclaimed anthology of contemporary Lovecraftian horror built for the 7th edition ruleset. No dusty 1920s libraries. No ocean liners. Just a Texas town, a deputy, a drifter, and a woman who knows more than she's letting on. At Descent into Madness, we play horror the way it was meant to be played: cinematic, immersive, and unapologetically dark. Every roll matters. Every decision has a cost.CASTOllie Remy — Josh WarrenDeputy Martinez — Wesley "Wes" OpauskiSarah McGibbs — Kristin MazzaCREWDirector: Dakota SmithProducers: Tom von Dohlen & JJ AustenDirector of Photography: Tom von DohlenProduction Designer: JJ AustenEditor: Rainn MowrisGET THE SCENARIOHell in Texas is part of The Things We Leave Behind — a critically acclaimed anthology of modern-day Call of Cthulhu scenarios by Stygian Fox. If you want to run this at your own table, grab it here:[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/191250/the-things-we-leave-behind-an-anthology-of-modern-day-call-of-cthulhu-scenarios]The Things We Leave Behind — DriveThruRPG🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every other Friday at 8 AM EST.👁️ New to the channel? Start here and lose your sanity with us. https://linktr.ee/descentttrpg

  4. Apr 24

    HELL IN TEXAS: The Horror Begins | Call of Cthulhu Actual Play Ep. 1

    Something unholy has taken root in a small Texas town — and three strangers are about to find out just how deep the rot goes. Welcome to Hell in Texas, a modern-day call of cthulhu actual play experience where faith, desperation, and cosmic horror collide.This is Episode 1. The investigation begins. The darkness hasn't shown its face yet — but you can already feel it watching.🩸 ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGNHell in Texas is a modern call of cthulhu scenario written by Scott Dorward, featured in The Things We Leave Behind — an anthology of contemporary Lovecraftian horror built for the 7th edition ruleset. No dusty 1920s libraries. No ocean liners. Just a Texas town, a deputy, a drifter, and a woman who knows more than she's letting on. At Descent into Madness, we play horror the way it was meant to be played: cinematic, immersive, and unapologetically dark. Every roll matters. Every decision has a cost.👤 CASTOllie Remy — Josh WarrenDeputy Martinez — Wesley "Wes" OpauskiSarah McGibbs — Kristin Mazza🎬 CREWDirector: Dakota SmithProducers: Tom von Dohlen & JJ AustenDirector of Photography: Tom von DohlenProduction Designer: JJ AustenEditor: Rainn Mowris📖 GET THE SCENARIOHell in Texas is part of The Things We Leave Behind — a critically acclaimed anthology of modern-day 69 call of cthulhu scenarios by Stygian Fox. If you want to run this at your own table, grab it here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/191250/the-things-we-leave-behind-an-anthology-of-modern-day-call-of-cthulhu-scenariosThe Things We Leave Behind — DriveThruRPG🔔 SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every other Friday at 8 AM EST.👁️ New to the channel? Start here and lose your sanity with us.#CallofCthulhu #TTRPGActualPlay #HorrorRPG #ActualPlay #Cthulhu #Lovecraft #HorrorStorytelling #TTRPG #ModernCallofCthulhu #HellInTexas #DescentIntoMadness #CosmicHorror

  5. Apr 10

    Descent into Madness Plays: Too Close to Home Ep. 3 | A Call of Cthulhu Actual Play

    They made it to the other side.After everything — the paranoia, the fractured reality, the moments that shattered their sanity piece by piece — Katy, Danny, and Mandy stand on the threshold of something no living person was ever meant to reach. The wish is within reach. The nightmare might finally end.But in Call of Cthulhu, nothing comes without a cost.This is the finale of Too Close to Home — a psychological horror story about a threat that was never out there. It was already home.🎲 In This Episode:The investigators reach the other side — and what waits for them thereA wish that could change everything… or destroy itThe moment of truth for Katy "The Cap" Hertz, Danny "The Degen" Burrow, and Amanda "Mandy" SmithA Keeper who has been building to this moment since Episode 1⚠️ Content Warnings: Psychological horror, paranoia & loss of reality, domestic tension, body horror, mature themes🕯️ Cast:Keeper of Arcane Lore: Dakota J. SmithKaty "The Cap" Hertz: JJ AustenDanny "The Degen" Burrow: Parker PatzkeAmanda "Mandy" Smith: Katie Wickline📖 About Too Close to Home:Too Close to Home is a modern Call of Cthulhu scenario by Benjamin Schäfer, published through Chaosium's Miskatonic Repository. A horror story about the threats already embedded in everyday life — where every decision carries weight and every revelation cuts deeper than the last.👉 Get the scenario: Too Close to Home – Miskatonic Repository🎧 Start from the beginning:▶ Episode 1: Too Close to Home – Episode 1📂 Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xf9bGYa6-GrGOXxdr47qlOVwfS7hoqb🖤 Descent into Madness TTRPG creates cinematic, horror-driven actual plays where sanity shatters, dice betray, and the story always gets dark. If you love narrative-first horror roleplaying — this is your channel.🔔 Subscribe for more Call of Cthulhu, Dread, and investigative horror actual plays.📱 Follow us: [https://linktr.ee/descentttrpg]#callofcthulhu #actualplay #ttrpg #horrorrpg #CallofCthulhuActualPlay #TooCloseToHome #TTRPGActualPlay #cthulhumythos #descentintomadness #tabletoprpg

  6. Mar 27

    Descent into Madness Plays: Too Close to Home Ep. 2 | A Call of Cthulhu Actual Play

    Episode 2 of Too Close to Home is here—and things are getting personal. What began as a strange, unsettling situation is now spiraling into something far more invasive. The investigators are no longer just observers—they’re part of the horror. As paranoia sets in and reality begins to fracture, the line between safety and danger disappears entirely. If you love slow-burn psychological horror, creeping dread, and stories that hit way too close to reality, this episode will leave you questioning what’s lurking just out of sight… System: Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)Scenario: Too Close to HomeAuthor: Benjamin SchäferPublisher: Chaosium Inc. – Miskatonic Repository In this modern Call of Cthulhu scenario, the investigators face a threat that has already embedded itself into their everyday lives. Every decision carries weight, and every revelation cuts deeper than the last. Expect: Psychological horror rooted in the familiar Rising paranoia and fractured reality Emotional stakes between family, safety, and truth Sudden, brutal moments of terror Roleplay-heavy tension with sanity on the brink Keeper of Arcane Lore:Dakota J. Smith Investigators:JJ Austen as Katy “The Cap” Hertz – The shining star with everything to loseParker Patzke as Danny “The Degen” Burrow – The guy you go to when you need… anythingKatie Wickline as Amanda “Mandy” Smith – The moral compass caught in the middle This episode may include: Psychological horror Domestic tension Paranoia & loss of reality Body horror Mature themes Viewer discretion is advised. We are playing Too Close to Home with permission under Chaosium’s community content guidelines. If you want to experience this scenario yourself, grab it here:👉 https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/285342/too-close-to-home Please consider supporting Benjamin Schäfer and Chaosium Inc.—community content keeps the Mythos alive. Huge thanks to Chaosium Inc. for Call of Cthulhu and for empowering creators through the Miskatonic Repository. Learn more:👉 https://www.chaosium.com/ We create cinematic, horror-driven TTRPG actual plays focused on: Call of Cthulhu & investigative horror Narrative-first storytelling Slow-burn tension and psychological dread Dark, immersive roleplay experiences If you enjoy: Sanity-shattering revelations Dice that betray you at the worst possible time Players fully committing to the horror …then welcome to the madness. 👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe to support the channel and help us keep telling dark, cinematic stories. 🧠 About the Scenario🎭 Cast & Characters⚠️ Content Warnings📺 Series Info📚 Support the Original Creator🙏 Special Thanks🕯️ About Descent into Madness TTRPG

  7. Mar 13

    Too Close to Home | Call of Cthulhu Actual Play Episode 1

    When the horror isn’t in ancient tomes or distant ruins, but sitting quietly in your living room… 🕯️🏚️Our investigators find themselves drawn into “Too Close to Home”, a modern Call of Cthulhu scenario written by Benjamin Schäfer and published via  @ChaosiumInc  Miskatonic Repository. What begins as a seemingly mundane situation slowly unravels into something far more personal, invasive, and deeply unsettling.If you like slow-burn psychological horror, creeping dread, and the feeling that nowhere is truly safe, this one is for you.🧠 About the ScenarioSystem: Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)Scenario: Too Close to HomeAuthor: Benjamin SchäferPublisher: Chaosium Inc. – Miskatonic RepositoryIn this scenario, the investigators confront a threat that has already permeated their everyday lives. As reality frays at the edges and paranoia sets in, they’ll have to decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice to protect the people they love… and what’s left of their own sanity.Expect:Psychological and domestic horror that hits uncomfortably close to realityTension between family, safety, and truthSanity-shattering discoveries hidden in plain sightRoleplay-heavy scenes mixed with moments of brutal, sudden terror🎭 Cast & CharactersKeeper of Arcane Lore:Dakota J. Smith – The Keeper of Arcane LoreInvestigators:JJ Austen as Katy "The Cap" Hertz – The rich kid that is the shining star of school.Parker Patzke as Danny "The Degen" Burrow – If you want some "stuff" everyone knows to go see Danny.Katie Wickline as Amanda "Mandy" Smith – Lives in Katy's shadow but has the best moral compass of the three.You can also add:Content Warnings: (e.g., domestic tension, psychological horror, body horror, etc.)Session Length / Structure: one-shot or multi-part, and links to individual episodes or a playlist📚 Support the Original CreatorWe are playing Too Close to Home with permission under Chaosium’s community content guidelines. If you like what you see and want to run this scenario at your own table, you can purchase it here:Too Close to Home – https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/285342/too-close-to-homePlease consider supporting Benjamin Schäfer and Chaosium by grabbing the official PDF. Community content is what keeps the Mythos alive at our tables.🙏 Special Thanks to ChaosiumHuge thanks to Chaosium Inc. for Call of Cthulhu and for opening the doors to creators through the Miskatonic Repository.You can learn more about Call of Cthulhu and Chaosium here:https://www.chaosium.com/Chaosium – Call of Cthulhu & More🕯️ About Descent into Madness TTRPGWe create cinematic, horror-focused TTRPG actual plays, specializing in:Call of Cthulhu & other investigative horror systemsNarrative-driven, slow-burn storytellingHigh tension, psychological dread, and unapologetically dark themesIf you enjoy:Sanity-shattering revelationsDice that betray you at the worst possible timePlayers leaning hard into character and consequences…then you’re in the right place.Every like, comment, and share helps us keep making dark, cinematic stories for you.

  8. Feb 27

    Descent into Madness Plays: The Edge of Darkness Ep. 3

    The ritual must be completed. The darkness must be faced. And not everyone is walking away with their sanity intact.In this explosive finale of Edge of Darkness, our investigators confront the true horrors lurking beneath the surface in a cinematic Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition actual play. Secrets are revealed, sanity shatters, and the Keeper of Arcane Lore pulls back the curtain on cosmic terror in this Lovecraftian horror TTRPG campaign.If you love:Call of Cthulhu actual playHorror TTRPG campaignsLovecraftian cosmic horrorSanity rolls and psychological dreadCinematic tabletop RPG storytellingDark investigative roleplayingEldritch rituals and forbidden knowledgeThen welcome to Descent into Madness.This is narrative-driven tabletop horror powered by tension, atmosphere, immersive roleplay, and the unforgiving mechanics of Chaosium’s legendary system.🎲 System: Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition📜 Scenario: Edge of Darkness (Starter Set)Get it here: https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-starter-set/Published by  @ChaosiumInc  🔔 Subscribe to Descent into Madness TTRPG:https://www.youtube.com/@DescentintoMadnessTTRPG?sub_confirmation=1📢 Follow the Madness:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/descentttrpg/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCbVUEzlyxG2r5jN6RauH8MgKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductionsSupport cinematic horror tabletop storytelling and help us continue bringing high-quality Call of Cthulhu actual play content to the community.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Descent into Madness is a narrative-driven horror TTRPG actual play series. Blending immersive storytelling, rich sound design, and a creeping sense of dread, *Descent into Madness* invites you to slip beyond the veil and lose yourself in a world where every answer leads to deeper darkness.

Information

  • Creator
    Defiant Lens Studios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Defiant Lens Studios
  • Show Website
    Descent into Madness TTRPG