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The Apocalypse Players

The Apocalypse Players

By: The Apocalypse Players
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 A Call of Cthulhu actual play podcast. Dice-driven cosmic horrors supplied by Dominic Allen, Joseph Chance, Danann McAleer and guests. --- The Apocalypse Players is an actual play (or live play) TTRPG podcast focused on horror tabletop roleplaying games. Think Dimension 20 or Critical Role, but fewer dragons, more eldritch horrors, and more British actors taking their roleplaying very seriously (most of the time). We primarily play the Chaosium RPG Call of Cthulhu, but have also been known to dabble with other systems, most of which can be found on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/apocalypseplayers We now have a free Discord server where you can come and worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will be only to eager to welcome you into the fold. New sacrifices oops we mean players are always welcome. Join here: discord.com/invite/kRQ62t6SjHCopyright 2021 All rights reserved. Art Entertainment & Performing Arts
Episodes
  • An Uncommon Burial 08: "Portable Nurse"

    An Uncommon Burial 08: "Portable Nurse"
    Jun 20 2025
    Portable Nurse [This episode is a re-release, addressing some minor technical issues] In which we all learn the consequences of visiting a library, a medical professional becomes a chef, and a journey to Whitby (finally) begins… A Call of Cthulhu scenario by Danann McAleer. Episodes released weekly. Cast: Dr. Henry Carraig-Muire - Joseph Chance Rev. Perregrine McCutcheon - Dan Wheeler Lady Helen Marjorie Bjarmia Potts - Dominic Allen CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. Human discretion is advised. The Apocalypse Players is an actual play (or live play) TTRPG podcast focused on horror tabletop roleplaying games. Think Dimension 20 or Critical Role, but fewer dragons, more eldritch horrors, and more British actors taking their roleplaying very seriously (most of the time). We primarily play the Chaosium RPG Call of Cthulhu, but have also been known to dabble with other systems, most of which can be found on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/apocalypseplayers We now have a free Discord server where you can come worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will only be too eager to welcome you into the fold. New sacrifices oops we mean players are always welcome. Join here: discord.com/invite/kRQ62t6SjH For more information and to get in touch, visit www.apocalypseplayers.com The Apocalypse Players are: Dominic Allen @domjallen Joseph Chance @JosephChance2 Danann McAleer @DanannMcAleer Dan Wheeler @DanWheelerUK Music and SFX from Epidemic Sound Kevin MacLeod, at Incompetech: Vanishing by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4578-vanishing License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4590-virtutes-instrumenti License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Epidemic Sound: Radestsky March - Trad. When I am Calling Your Name - Giant Ember Ave Maria - Trad. String Quartet in D - Andante (Trad.) Scorpion Dance - Mike Franklyn Sneaky Fingers (T. Mori) Trollmors Vaggsang (String Quartet Version) - Trad. Prayer - Arvid Svenungsson The Spy - Wendy Martini Hallucinarium - Kalak Lucky Bird - River Run Dry Polska Fran Knaggalve - Trad. Persapojkarnas Polska - Trad. Joyful Occasions - Ludvig Moulin Folksong on Piano - Trad. Horror Composition 5 (SFX Producer) Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 “Spring” II. Largo e pianissimo sempre - Michelle Ross Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 “Summer” III. Presto - Michelle Ross Largo from Xerxes - Trad. Taproot - Esme Cruz Distant Chanting - Jon Bjork Vacuum Sealer - Edward Karl Hanson It Lurks Below - Trailer Worx Godsend - Johannes Bomlof Amaranth Fields - Reynard Seidel Let Them Try - Hampus Naeselius Evil Intentions - Experia Trailed By Horror - Trailer Worn
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    53 mins
  • An Uncommon Burial 07: "Library Use"

    An Uncommon Burial 07: "Library Use"
    Jun 10 2025

    In which the players attempt the most civilised of rolls, and the results are predictably demented…

    A Call of Cthulhu scenario by Danann McAleer. Episodes released weekly.

    Cast:

    Dr. Henry Carraig-Muire - Joseph Chance

    Rev. Perregrine McCutcheon - Dan Wheeler

    Lady Helen Marjorie Bjarmia Potts - Dominic Allen

    CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. Human discretion is advised.

    The Apocalypse Players is an actual play (or live play) TTRPG podcast focused on horror tabletop roleplaying games. Think Dimension 20 or Critical Role, but fewer dragons, more eldritch horrors, and more British actors taking their roleplaying very seriously (most of the time). We primarily play the Chaosium RPG Call of Cthulhu, but have also been known to dabble with other systems, most of which can be found on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/apocalypseplayers

    We now have a free Discord server where you can come worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will only be too eager to welcome you into the fold. New sacrifices oops we mean players are always welcome. Join here: discord.com/invite/kRQ62t6SjH

    For more information and to get in touch, visit www.apocalypseplayers.com

    The Apocalypse Players are:

    Dominic Allen @domjallen

    Joseph Chance @JosephChance2

    Danann McAleer @DanannMcAleer

    Dan Wheeler @DanWheelerUK

    Music and SFX from Epidemic Sound

    Kevin MacLeod, at Incompetech:

    Vanishing by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4578-vanishing License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4590-virtutes-instrumenti License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    Epidemic Sound:

    Radestsky March - Trad.

    When I am Calling Your Name - Giant Ember

    Ave Maria - Trad.

    String Quartet in D - Andante (Trad.)

    Scorpion Dance - Mike Franklyn

    Sneaky Fingers (T. Mori)

    Trollmors Vaggsang (String Quartet Version) - Trad.

    Prayer - Arvid Svenungsson

    The Spy - Wendy Martini

    Hallucinarium - Kalak

    Lucky Bird - River Run Dry

    Polska Fran Knaggalve - Trad.

    Persapojkarnas Polska - Trad.

    Joyful Occasions - Ludvig Moulin

    Folksong on Piano - Trad.

    Horror Composition 5 (SFX Producer)

    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 “Spring” II. Largo e pianissimo sempre - Michelle Ross

    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 “Summer” III. Presto - Michelle Ross

    Largo from Xerxes - Trad.

    Taproot - Esme Cruz

    Distant Chanting - Jon Bjork

    Vacuum Sealer - Edward Karl Hanson

    It Lurks Below - Trailer Worx

    Godsend - Johannes Bomlof

    Amaranth Fields - Reynard Seidel

    Let Them Try - Hampus Naeselius

    Evil Intentions - Experia

    Trailed By Horror - Trailer Worx
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    35 mins
  • An Uncommon Burial 06: "The Book of Judith"

    An Uncommon Burial 06: "The Book of Judith"
    Jun 3 2025
    In which new friends make dramatic exits, biblical passages are employed, and clues are finally followed up on! A Call of Cthulhu scenario by Danann McAleer. Episodes released weekly. Cast: Dr. Henry Carraig-Muire - Joseph Chance Rev. Perregrine McCutcheon - Dan Wheeler Lady Helen Marjorie Bjarmia Potts - Dominic Allen CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. Human discretion is advised. The Apocalypse Players is an actual play (or live play) TTRPG podcast focused on horror tabletop roleplaying games. Think Dimension 20 or Critical Role, but fewer dragons, more eldritch horrors, and more British actors taking their roleplaying very seriously (most of the time). We primarily play the Chaosium RPG Call of Cthulhu, but have also been known to dabble with other systems, most of which can be found on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/apocalypseplayers We now have a free Discord server where you can come worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will only be too eager to welcome you into the fold. New sacrifices oops we mean players are always welcome. Join here: discord.com/invite/kRQ62t6SjH For more information and to get in touch, visit www.apocalypseplayers.com The Apocalypse Players are: Dominic Allen @domjallen Joseph Chance @JosephChance2 Danann McAleer @DanannMcAleer Dan Wheeler @DanWheelerUK Music and SFX from Epidemic Sound Kevin MacLeod, at Incompetech: Vanishing by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4578-vanishing License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4590-virtutes-instrumenti License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license With very special thanks to Finn McAleer for the use of his fiddle music, particularly his album ‘Rough As Folk’ (with The Great Bearded Tits). More of Finn’s music can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@finnnnn Epidemic Sound: Radestsky March - Trad. When I am Calling Your Name - Giant Ember Ave Maria - Trad. String Quartet in D - Andante (Trad.) Scorpion Dance - Mike Franklyn Sneaky Fingers - T. Mori Trollmors Vaggsang (String Quartet Version) - Trad. Prayer - Arvid Svenungsson The Spy - Wendy Martini Hallucinarium - Kalak Lucky Bird - River Run Dry Polska Fran Knaggalve - Trad. Persapojkarnas Polska - Trad. Joyful Occasions - Ludvig Moulin Folksong on Piano - Trad. Horror Composition 5 - SFX Producer Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 “Spring” II. Largo e pianissimo sempre - Michelle Ross Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 “Summer” III. Presto - Michelle Ross Largo from Xerxes - Trad. Taproot - Esme Cruz Distant Chanting - Jon Bjork Vacuum Sealer - Edward Karl Hanson It Lurks Below - Trailer Worx Godsend - Johannes Bomlof Amaranth Fields - Reynard Seidel Let Them Try - Hampus Naeselius Evil Intentions - Experia Trailed By Horror - Trailer Worx House of Horror - Marc Torch Beast By Beast - Edward Karl Hanson Wicked Games - Philip Ayers Onus - Ethan Sloane No Time For Drinks - Martin Landstrom Winnipeg Sneak - Arthur Benson Oddball - Jon Bjork Corrivation - Ethan Sloane Eye For Detail - Jay Varton Stay Or Go - Farrell Wooten Sign Here - Enigmatic Lemon Squeezy - Martin Landstrom Survival - Bonnie Grace
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    46 mins
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Funny, scary and enthralling.

Lovely to hear people having so much fun, while making something so good.

Brilliant stuff

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The best at what they do plain and simple great work guys keep it up

Always top tier

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What a star-studded team of Investigators! from the core crew of Dom, Dan, Dannan and Joseph to guests like Jeany Spark, each tale of terror is beautifully enacted, with horrors galore, as the Keepers of Arcane lore guide the hopeless, and oft times luckless, teams to their doom!! fans of Lovecraft, M.R. James, and other masters of the macabre will enjoy these feasts of fear!

Calling Cthulu...

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An absolute must for anyone who enjoys horror, comedy and wants to listen to four grown men having fun going stark raving mad on the regular. Hilarious and genuinely frightening, the acting and banter are wonderful across the scenarios. My personal favourites are:

If you know nothing about Call of Cthulhu:
● 'The Lightless Beacon’ – kicks off quickly and features a guest who has never played before, so all the rules are explained as they play.
● For a more detailed and visual introduction, you can watch Dom GM a brilliant Agatha Christie-style scenario he wrote over on YouTube, called ‘NRB Plays Call Of Cthulhu (Ep 1 of 3)’. It introduced me to Call of Cthulhu, made me laugh like a loon, and sent me hunting for this podcast.


If you know the game or are happy to figure it out as you go:
● 'Bleak Prospects' - only just started, but it's a phenomenonal opening episode. Strong characters and immediate horrorifying tension contrasted with some of the funniest player conversations in their whole catalogue. Incredible work everyone, especially Dom as keeper and whoever's on editing. The character sheet reveal had me in stitches!
● ‘A Christmas Inheritance’ and ‘A Residence at the Bay’ – written by Danann in the style of M R James. A must for anyone who loves slow-build, atmospheric horror like ‘Dark Matter’ by Michelle Paver. Wonderful Jamesian horror with humour and domestics giving way to increasingly uncanny and terrifying occurrences. Inspired me to go and listen to all the free M R James stories on Audible. I am now impatiently waiting for Part 3 and for Danann to write a novel!
● ‘Machine Tractor Station Kharkov-37’ – one of the tensest scenarios in an endlessly bleak setting and the normal mythos horror augmented with the chilling dynamics of Stalinism.
● ‘Saturnine Chalice’ – an oldy but a goody! Dom is a hilariously evil keeper clearly having the time of his life. The other 3 are playing prison escapees who just broke down outside the wrong haunted house. No one is prepared, least of all the NPCs!
● ‘Crimson Letters’ – starts slow but builds towards an amazing episode 6 and just keeps getting better from there. A side-splittingly chaotic and creepy witch-hunt.
● ‘The Afflicted’ – the most disturbing of the scenarios so far, although the humour is still thankfully present. The stunning music soundscape by Dan & co. and the players responding to some genuinely upsetting scenario moments make this one really stand apart. Increasingly devastating police cases and city-wide dreams in a New York heatwave. I now have an actual fear of saxophone music as I listened to this while experiencing a 60+ hour bout of insomnia!
● ‘Il Portico di San Luca’ – wonderful trip to Italy! Felt like going on summer holidays.

If you enjoy the scenarios here, their Patreon is absolutely worth the price of admission, especially for the wonderfully creepy, claustrophobic 1 player vs Keeper Dom games and for the post-scenario discussions.

Fantastic for gamers and non-gamers alike

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A very talent crew of hilarious characters, not just worth a listen but best to binge every session.

Great podcast

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