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The Apocalypse Players

The Apocalypse Players

By: The Apocalypse Players
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Summary

 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
  • The Company of the Light (Vaesen) 01: ‘Heartsholm Light’

    The Company of the Light (Vaesen) 01: ‘Heartsholm Light’
    May 11 2026
    In which five misfits find themselves drawn to a remote, rocky outcrop in South West England... The Company of the Light uses the Vaesen roleplaying system, by Free League Publishing and based an original concept by Johan Egerkrans. The mystery at the heart of the scenario is taken from Mythic Britain and Ireland by Graeme Davis. The name of that scenario (which may contain a mild spoiler) can be found below the music section of these notes. With special thanks to Joseph Chance for his role in creating the world of Heartsholm. The Heartsholm Light itself is inspired by Hanstholm Lighthouse — An Alternative Headquarters, by Morten Greis. You can hear a short prologue to The Company of the Light on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/blomqvist-01-ho-153999494 Cast: Lieutenant William Fellwood — Joseph Chance Bab Chase — Dominic Allen Siobhan Strong — Danann McAleer Bridge Ebden — Lucy Farrett Narrator — Dan Wheeler (For Bab Chase family lore, listen to Allhallowstide: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-apocalypse-players-2058667/episodes/allhallowstide-01-marked-by-de-103013020) (For Siobhan Strong family lore, listen to Night of the Hogmen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/73994862) CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. (MILD SPOILERS FOLLOW): The mystery at the heart of this story is premised upon the disappearance and death of a young woman. However, with the exception of one moment (which I will flag when it arrives), this is not dwelt on in any great detail, and please note for avoidance of doubt this is NOT sexual violence or self-harm. 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 and worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will be only 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 Music and SFX From Epidemic Sound: Daniella Ljungsberg - Against the Tide; Long Term and Ashes; Still in Blues; Flute; Soar Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen - Missing Memories; Partners in Crime; Desert Hideout David Edward – Angelica; Space Elf; Threads Horna Spelman – Vasterut; Svantes Polska; Koslapp British Grenadiers - John Abbot Bytt-Lasses Brudmarsch - Traditional End of a Dream - Hanna Lindgren Farewell to Ennerdale Water - Moorland Songs Frozen Fields - Medité Great Bend Reel - Roy Edwin Williams In the Storm - Amber Glow Lily of the Woods - Sandra Marteleur Meme - Nevin Pillow Magic - Valante Polska Fran Knaggalve - Traditional Red as a Rose - Rune Dale Reflection No. 2 for Solo Violin - Hanna Ekstrom Sayings and Blessings - David Celeste From Artlist: Amulets - I Blackbard – Cyancerto; Skogsdrommar Brianna Tam - Circularity G-Yerro - Dark Hollows James Forest - El Faro; Morning Walks; One Evening in May pt 1; Queen of Art Michael Vignola - From the Sea; Under Water Rotem Moav - Blood on the Snow; Homebound Journey Manos Mars - Swiss Michael John Wookey - Wanderlust Motifs - Rural Folklore Accordion Musical Mandalas - Memories of a Fairground Skies Speak - I Think He Saw Us Yehezkel Raz - Enceladus Public Domain / Creative Commons / Wikicommons: "Teller of the Tales" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Wind that Shakes the Barley – YouTube user ‘peakfiddler’ Collegium Vocale: O przedobry Boże nasz Tom Dillon - On Raglan Road - The Dawning of The Day - Sonny Don't Go Away (The Volunteer Pub, Sidmouth) The Tudor Consort: Thomas Tallis - Videte Miraculum The Tudor Consort: Thomas Tallis - Loquebantur variis linguis The Tudor Consort: Thomas Tallis - Lamentations I Tallis - If ye love me Tallis - Spem in alium John Dowland - Shall I sue U.S. Army Band: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Ralph Vaughan Williams - English Folk Song Suite Makemi: Scarborough Fair Endersslay: Star of the county down Danny Boy tin whistle by JGrandgagnage The Girl I Left Behind Me From Pond 5 ‘Krummi Svaf I Klettagja’ – M Ragnarsdottir ‘Undir Blaum Solarsali’ – M Ragnarsdottir ‘Modir Min I Kvi Kvi’ – M Ragnarsdottir ‘Bjort Mey Og Hrein’ – M Ragnarsdottir ‘Travelling for a Living’ – Henry Parker ‘Sylvie’ – Henry Parker ‘...
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • As The Waters Cover The Sea FINALE: Back to Back to Back to the Future

    As The Waters Cover The Sea FINALE: Back to Back to Back to the Future
    May 5 2026
    …or Requiem for a Bream. In which the investigators meet the many ends of their many timelines and face crucial decisions in desperate circumstances. The threads converge and the tapestry reveals itself on a vast and dreadful scale - but can Launceston and his band of agents, or indeed all of the many actors in this history - find a way through the labyrinth? A late Restoration and modern era Call of Cthulhu Scenario by Joseph Chance Cast: Josephine Arundel, Felicity Blake & William Mandeville – Belinda Cornish Chris Caldwell, Jonathan Tatler & Rafe Launceston – Dan Wheeler Max Davenant, Tam Philips & Aspin Drayton – Danann McAleer Charlie Westenra, Luther Eliot Redmark & Elise Farrowale – Dominic Allen Elizabeth Launceston - Alice Wheeler The Keeper of Arcane Lore ­– Joseph Chance CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, mutilation and death. As ever, 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 and worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will be only 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 @josephchancemj.bsky.social Danann McAleer @DanannMcAleer Dan Wheeler @DanWheelerUK Music includes: Waves from The Past - Anna Dager & Hannah Ekstrom https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Kw21NkSu4j/ Celestial Spheres - Ave Air https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/5346c11d-81ac-458e-9d63-f53b8fa91321/ Who We Once Were - Gavin Luke https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c9e485f8-2969-4b8e-9c75-829fe9ad9079/ Through The Alleyways - Jon Bjork https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/64978412-f992-3301-bdc8-8747a039ffd3/ Hiding in The Shadows - Ludvig Moulin https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c4f88f81-2c2b-4d98-b64d-f9126470c734/ Tiny Scandals - Creative Cut - Heron Vale https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/tiny-scandals-creative-cut-orchestra/138177 Up To No Good - Alt Version - Score Maestro https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/up-to-no-good-alternative-version/137611 The Ninja Path - Jono Heres https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/album/blue-desert/10972 Hotel Lalo - Harry Edvino https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/a6d57ec3-cb02-405d-af2a-14931d1555aa/ Gravity of Fragile - DEX 1200 https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/6165500f-3d46-4509-b16d-d308229ee352/ Light Footed - Bonnie Grace https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/48833251-ac55-3e3d-9562-e632dde5b5fd/ Mysterious Antics - Dream Cave https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/e8a513fe-c597-39eb-a101-bc8898b50444/ Imber - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/19d624eb-2516-43ea-8c3a-52e92cdb68c4/ Scandinavian Folk 2 https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/bede20b4-36e0-3965-9fab-3d220dfc0444/ Landscapes - Helmut Schenker https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/f6e96196-103b-4260-b2bc-ec423116c6f9/ Sworn by Blood - Dream Cave https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/75628ecd-c5f2-387f-b01e-839e8b434bc6/ In Santa Ana - First Timer https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/8b74f82a-e721-4f93-b358-d214e6c00086/ Do You Really Wanna Be In Love? - Frigga https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/b94f0ef1-9a8b-311c-b358-537b560c433b/ Missing Memories - Christopher Moe Ditlevsen https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M5e5wT9Ci7/ Tavore - Anders Schill Paulsen, Anna Dager & Hannah Ekstrom https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/3jAWMYFdtD/ Crucial Calculations - Gavin Luke https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/wJWNbpM3bh/ Sounded Blue Saga https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Ua4aSty4ml/ Murmur Forest - Rand Aldo https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/7amZAibTX0/ Where the Flowers Grow - Dez Moran https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/EcUT8PAe8b/ The Adjunct Anders Schill Paulsen, Hanna Ekström, Anna Dager Celestial Spheres - Ave Air https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/3ed2z62JCV/ Out of the Window - Farrell Wooten https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/uZpb17J0rN/ Redemption - Sunriver https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/redemption/93323 Bitter Bitter - Dylan Thomas https://artlist.io/...
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • As The Waters Cover The Sea 22: Where Eyes Wide Eels Dare

    As The Waters Cover The Sea 22: Where Eyes Wide Eels Dare
    Apr 27 2026
    In which the investigators descend deep into the Coastal Barrow alongside the Faithful, infiltrating the ranks of cultists and rebels, desperate to seek out clarity amidst the occult workings and treacherous machinations… A late Restoration and modern era Call of Cthulhu Scenario by Joseph Chance Cast: Josephine Arundel & Felicity Blake – Belinda Cornish Chris Caldwell & Jonathan Tatler – Dan Wheeler Max Davenant & Tam Philips – Danann McAleer Charlie Westenra & Luther Eliot Redmark – Dominic Allen Keeper of Arcane Lore ­– Joseph Chance CW: This podcast contains mature themes, strong language and cosmic horror. This episode also contains gentle satire regarding the world’s favourite roleplaying game. As ever, 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 and worship at the altar of the Apocalypse, play Call of Cthulhu online, and meet like-minded cultists who will be only 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 @josephchancemj.bsky.social Danann McAleer @DanannMcAleer Dan Wheeler @DanWheelerUK Music includes: Waves from The Past - Anna Dager & Hannah Ekstrom https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Kw21NkSu4j/ Celestial Spheres - Ave Air https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/5346c11d-81ac-458e-9d63-f53b8fa91321/ Who We Once Were - Gavin Luke https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c9e485f8-2969-4b8e-9c75-829fe9ad9079/ Through The Alleyways - Jon Bjork https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/64978412-f992-3301-bdc8-8747a039ffd3/ Hiding in The Shadows - Ludvig Moulin https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c4f88f81-2c2b-4d98-b64d-f9126470c734/ Tiny Scandals - Creative Cut - Heron Vale https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/tiny-scandals-creative-cut-orchestra/138177 Up To No Good - Alt Version - Score Maestro https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/up-to-no-good-alternative-version/137611 The Ninja Path - Jono Heres https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/album/blue-desert/10972 Hotel Lalo - Harry Edvino https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/a6d57ec3-cb02-405d-af2a-14931d1555aa/ Gravity of Fragile - DEX 1200 https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/6165500f-3d46-4509-b16d-d308229ee352/ Light Footed - Bonnie Grace https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/48833251-ac55-3e3d-9562-e632dde5b5fd/ Mysterious Antics - Dream Cave https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/e8a513fe-c597-39eb-a101-bc8898b50444/ Imber - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/19d624eb-2516-43ea-8c3a-52e92cdb68c4/ Scandinavian Folk 2 https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/bede20b4-36e0-3965-9fab-3d220dfc0444/ Landscapes - Helmut Schenker https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/f6e96196-103b-4260-b2bc-ec423116c6f9/ Sworn by Blood - Dream Cave https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/75628ecd-c5f2-387f-b01e-839e8b434bc6/ In Santa Ana - First Timer https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/8b74f82a-e721-4f93-b358-d214e6c00086/ Do You Really Wanna Be In Love? - Frigga https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/b94f0ef1-9a8b-311c-b358-537b560c433b/ Missing Memories - Christopher Moe Ditlevsen https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M5e5wT9Ci7/ Tavore - Anders Schill Paulsen, Anna Dager & Hannah Ekstrom https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/3jAWMYFdtD/ Crucial Calculations - Gavin Luke https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/wJWNbpM3bh/ Sounded Blue Saga https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Ua4aSty4ml/ Murmur Forest - Rand Aldo https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/7amZAibTX0/ Where the Flowers Grow - Dez Moran https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/EcUT8PAe8b/ The Adjunct Anders Schill Paulsen, Hanna Ekström, Anna Dager Celestial Spheres - Ave Air https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/3ed2z62JCV/ Out of the Window - Farrell Wooten https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/uZpb17J0rN/ Redemption - Sunriver https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/redemption/93323 Bitter Bitter - Dylan Thomas https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/dylan-thomas-bitter-bitter/49435 Bound To Fall Apart - Jon Bjork https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/ecb4e639-62bc-3f2c-b48f-53c23b5b8cf0/ Savage Shadows - Semi https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/...
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    1 hr and 26 mins
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All stars
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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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The best at what they do plain and simple great work guys keep it up

Always top tier

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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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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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Funny, scary and enthralling.

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

Brilliant stuff

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