LeisureGamesExplicit

Descent into Madness TTRPG

Defiant Lens Studios

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.

Play

Open in

30 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 1 hr 18 min
English

Episodes 30

Newest Oldest Longest

All10 Unplayed10 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S6 · E3
April 10 · 39 min
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
- Transcript
S6 · E1
March 13 · 1 hr 23 min
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 Home Author: Benjamin Schäfer Publisher: Chaosium Inc. – Miskatonic Repository in 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 & Characters Keeper of Arcane Lore:Dakota J. Smith – The Keeper of Arcane Lore Investigators: 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. 📚 Support the Original Creator We 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-home Please consider supporting Benjamin Schäfer and Chaosium by grabbing the official PDF. Community content is what keeps the Mythos alive at our tables. 🙏 Huge 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 TTRPG We create cinematic, horror-focused TTRPG actual plays, specializing in:Call of Cthulhu & other investigative horror systems Narrative-driven, slow-burn storytelling High tension, psychological dread, and unapologetically dark themes If you enjoy:Sanity-shattering revelations Dice that betray you at the worst possible time Players 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.
- Transcript
S5 · E3
February 27 · 1 hr 23 min
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 play Horror TTRPG campaigns Lovecraftian cosmic horror. Sanity rolls and psychological dread Cinematic tabletop RPG storytelling Dark investigative roleplaying Eldritch rituals and forbidden knowledge thhen 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/@DescentTTRPG 📢 Follow the Madness: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/descentttrpg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCbVUEzlyxG2r5jN6RauH8Mg Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions Support cinematic horror tabletop storytelling and help us continue bringing high-quality Call of Cthulhu actual play content to the community.
- Transcript
S5 · E2
February 13 · 58 min
Edge of Darkness Ep. 2: The Lurker in the Attic
The investigation moves to the farmhouse, but we are not alone. 🏚️🕯️ Watch Episode 1 here: https://youtu.be/Vb9nqFntTa0In Episode 2 of our Edge of Darkness campaign, the investigators arrive at the isolated property in Ross's Corners. Armed only with a mysterious box and a dying man's journal, they must prepare the house for a ritual that could cost them their lives.But as night falls, the scratching in the walls gets louder. The wards are fading. And the thing that Rupert Merriweather summoned is hungry.In this Call of Cthulhu actual play, we focus on immersive storytelling, sound design, and genuine horror. Will the investigators solve the mystery before the sun goes down, or will they become part of the house's dark history?💀 In this episode:The Farmhouse explorationClues found in the atticPreparing the Wards of PowderFirst contact with the darkness 🎲 System: Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition (Chaosium) 📜 Scenario: Edge of Darkness (Starter Set) 🔔 Subscribe to Descent into Madness TTRPG: https://www.youtube.com/@DescentTTRPG 📢 Follow the Madness: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/descentttrpg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCbVUEzlyxG2r5jN6RauH8Mg Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions
- Transcript
S5 · E1
January 30 · 1 hr 19 min
Descent into Madness Plays The Edge of Darkness Episode 1
Descent Into Madness plays Call of Cthulhu: The Edge of DarknessFour strangers are invited to a dying man's bed side as he makes a weird request and that is to dispel an evil entity from a farmhouse before its released onto the world.In this Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition actual play, our cast navigates Lovecraftian horror, investigative roleplay, and the creeping dread that defines the edge of darkness scenario. Sanity is tested, secrets surface, and every answer raises more terrifying questions in this horror TTRPG actual play series.If you love cosmic horror, tabletop roleplaying games, and story-driven actual play, this episode pushes the mystery and tension even further. Cast: Anthony Nash Shaucat Mike Metzger Samantha McCord Check out this module: https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-starter-set/ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions Follow us on all Socials: https://linktr.ee/descentttrpg Shoutout to @ChaosiumInc for inspiring horror storytellers everywhere.A @DefiantLensProductions Production.
- Transcript
January 2 · 2 hr 18 min
Descent into Madness LIVE: The Haunting
Welcome to Descent into Madness LIVE at LUGCON 2025, where we descend into cosmic horror with Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition and the classic scenario “The Haunting.”Boston, Massachusetts. The 1920s. When a famous psychic takes interest in the infamous Corbitt House, he sends his trusted employees—a lighting technician, onstage assistant, manager, and an opening performing psychic secretly tied to a cult—to investigate the property. Their task is to research and uncover the truth behind the house’s dark reputation so a séance can be staged, convincing (and deceiving) the wealthy owner into believing the evil has been banished.But as the team digs deeper, the performance gives way to terror. What was meant to be a carefully crafted illusion reveals a far more disturbing truth: there is real evil dwelling within the Corbitt House, and it has no intention of remaining silent.Descent into Madness is a horror tabletop actual play series produced by Defiant Productions, featuring immersive storytelling, live performances, and a focus on psychological horror over cheap thrills. From eldritch mysteries to creeping dread, we bring tabletop roleplaying games to life—live on stage and at the table—with a rotating cast of performers and special guests.Step inside the house. Question what you believe. And pray the séance ends.Check out Into the Odd here: You can play "The Haunting" for FREE check it out: https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-quickstartDonate to our Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductionsFollow the Cast:Matt: matt_metzger812Sami: samikaye.hairNash: ajey_nash Mike: The elders gods said he could'nt have one.#ttrpg #rpg #callofcthulhu
- Transcript
S4 · E2
Nov 21, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
Call of Cthulhu | Forget Me Not | Episode 2
Our Paranormal Investigators are uncovering more of their identity and with that the horrors of what caused them to lose their memories in the first place. What happened at the Cooper House? From weird articles about missing persons to sudden flashbacks of them being trapped in a basement things are getting weird in Clio.💀 Descent Into Madness presents Forget Me Not, a chilling Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition actual play where memory is the most dangerous thing you can trust.⚓ A Defiant Lens Production 🙏 Special thanks to @ChaosiumInc for allowing us to use Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition Support the madness on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions Follow Us on All Socials!: https://linktr.ee/DescentIntoMadnessATL CAST Melissa McGrath – as Herself Tom von Dohlen – as Himself Olivia Smith – as Herself Tim Kelley – as Himself Matthew Metzger – as Himself
- Transcript
S4 · E1
Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
Forget Met Not Episode 1
Forget Me Not: Episode 1 – The Shadows of Memory Some memories are meant to fade… others refuse to die. When a group of friends sets out to uncover what happened on a long-forgotten night, they find themselves trapped between déjà vu and dread—where the truth hides behind the veil of their own fractured minds. As reality unravels, they’ll question everything… including themselves. 💀 Descent Into Madness presents Forget Me Not, a chilling Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition actual play where memory is the most dangerous thing you can trust. ⚓ A Defiant Lens Production 🙏 Special thanks to Chaosium for allowing us to use Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition 💀 Support the madness on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions CAST Melissa McGrath – as Herself Tom von Dohlen – as Himself Olivia Smith – as Herself Tim Kelley – as Himself Matthew Metzger – as Himself
- Transcript
S3 · E3
Sep 26, 2025 · 57 min
The Lightless Beacon Episode 3: Butterford Your Time is Up!
It leaps from the dark... the time is NOW! The noises our investigators have heard have a face and they are terrifying. Watch the finale episode of The Lightless Beacon. Quick heads up because of the old ones massive interference while filming this episode it is AUDIO ONLY. We apologize for this but I guess Cthulhu only wanted to hear this ending not see it. 🎭 Descent into Madness is a Defiant Lens production. 🙏 Special thanks to @ChaosiumInc for allowing us to use Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition. 💀 Support our work and help us continue the horror journey — https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions PRODUCTION TEAM Director: Dakota J. Smith Producers: Tom Von Dohlen & JJ Austen Technical Director: Atch CarrArt Department: JJ Austen Director of Photography: Tom Von Dohlen1st AC: Jesse Yohanes BTS Photographer: Christian Wallace CAST Leonard “Lenny” Hardy (Sailor): Jason Spectre Roland Simone (Artist): Fred Galyean Marine Biologist: Dennis Bean Timothy Butterford: Rainn Mowris
- Transcript
S3 · E2
Sep 9, 2025 · 1 hr
The Lightless Beacon Episode 2: Here we go again Butterford
The Lightless Beacon: Episode 2 – Dead Bodies Don’t Lie Last time, our investigators barely survived their arrival on Beacon Island, uncovering the gruesome fate of one of the lightkeepers. Now, deep within the beacon room, they face the truth left behind: bodies torn apart by fish-like horrors, the evidence of a nightmare lurking just out of sight. Will they uncover what truly happened before it’s too late—or will they join the dead? ⚓ Descent Into Madness presents The Lightless Beacon, a chilling Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition actual play where survival is never guaranteed. 💀 Support the madness on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/defiantlensproductions 🎲 A Defiant Lens Production 🙏 Special thanks to Chaosium for allowing us to use Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition. You can download The Lightless Beacon module FREE at Chaosium’s website! PRODUCTION TEAM Director: Dakota J. Smith Producers: Tom Von Dohlen & JJ Austen Technical Director: Atch Carr Art Department: JJ Austen Director of Photography: Tom Von Dohlen 1st AC: Jesse Yohanes BTS Photographer: Christian Wallace CAST Leonard “Lenny” Hardy (Sailor): Jason Spectre Roland Simone (Artist): Fred Galyean Marine Biologist: Dennis Bean Timothy Butterford: Rainn Mowris
- Transcript

Showing 21–30 of 30 episodes