Advice for Running 'Dead Man Stomp' for Call of Cthulhu 7e

"Dead Man Stomp" isn't just a good scenario for beginners - it's a standout showcase of Call of Cthulhu's ability to blend historical realism with supernatural horror. Set in 1920s Harlem, this pulpy, jazz-soaked tale puts investigators in the middle of a cultural powder keg filled with zombies, jazz legends and the lingering echoes of the occult.

Ideal for Keepers who want a little more flavor and complexity than "the Haunting", Dead Man Stomp builds a stronger world around the players, and rewards roleplaying and caution.

Scenario Overview:

• Title: Dead Man Stomp
• Setting: Harlem, 1920s Jazz Age
• Runtime: 1–2 sessions
• Themes: Undead horror, jazz culture, racial tension, necromancy
• Recommended For: Groups ready for richer social interaction and dynamic set pieces

The adventure begins when the investigators witness a violent street altercation—and then discover that the victim’s corpse didn’t stay down for long. From there, they’re pulled into a tangled web involving a cursed saxophone, a desperate musician, and an ancient African artifact that brings the dead to life.

Review: Why Dead Man Stomp Stands Out

Dead Man Stomp takes everything that’s great about Call of Cthulhu and wraps it in a smoky jazz club. It’s atmospheric, morally complex, and offers players the chance to navigate a rich cultural setting with real-world depth.

✅ Pros:

• Immediate Hook – The opening scene is brutal to witness, and it forces your players and their characters into a horror mindset immediately.
• Rich Historical Setting – The 1920s Harlem background gives the scenario a lot of real texture. It's more about the 1920s than it might be about lovecraftian horror, but in this case that is a good thing. It gives this Scenario a lot of life.
• Adjustable Pacing – The final battle is very easily adjustable as is the timeline of the scenario which features a bit of a ticking clock. This really shows your players that the world won't wait for them. Things happen with or without the players.

❌ Cons:

Challenging Tone for New Keepers – It should be emphasized greatly that the scenario explores rather than contains, racist content, but it still requires some thoughtful presentation. Especially if this is not within your wheelhouse

Limited Agency – Some Keepers and Investigators will find this scenario too linear. It can feel like an ongoing story the Investigators bear witness to rather than engaging them.

Thin Investigation – For players that love chasing down obscure clues, it may feel too straightforward.

Keeper Tips & Tricks:

1. Do Your Harlem Homework and Play up the Chaos of a Living World: Understanding the Harlem Renaissance is key. This scenario isn’t just horror—it’s historical horror. A quick primer on 1920s Black culture, jazz history, and Prohibition goes a long way. Additionally, don't be afraid to let players fall behind the curve. That can be part of the lesson. Not everything can be stopped and sometimes horror just happens. This can be a tonal lesson for new groups
2. Use Harlem as a Living, Breathing Character: Investigators should feel the pulse of the jazz clubs, the tension in the streets, and the sorrow in the church pews. A little flavor here goes a long way.
3. Show the Saxophone’s Power Gradually: The cursed instrument works best when its effects are eerie and escalating. Consider letting players hear it in the distance, or watch others fall under its spell, before it truly turns deadly.
4. Make the Police a Complication, Not Just Enemies: Police interference is realistic in this setting, but don’t turn them into faceless villains. Add depth: a Black beat cop who sympathizes but can’t help, or a white officer on the take.
5. Let Clubs Breathe: The Cotton Club or a smoky Harlem dive bar can be entire scenes in themselves. Give NPCs unique voices, dress, and motivations. Let the players mingle, dance, or overhear a tense exchange.
6. Use Music: If possible, play 1920s jazz softly in the background during club scenes. It adds immersion and highlights the setting’s uniqueness.

Handout Design: Make it Real

One of the best ways to elevate Dead Man Stomp is with rich, immersive handouts. Here’s how to turn props into plot devices.

1. Cotton Club Poster or Playbill: A glossy flyer advertising a late-night jazz set. You can: Include a line-up of fictional or real musicians, Make it a key clue (the cursed musician is headlining), Add smudges or bloodstains from a previous “event".
2. Sensational Newspaper Headline: A clipping from The New York Amsterdam News: “Jazz Man Dies—And Walks Again? Harlem Horror Shocks Witnesses” Bonus: print it on aged paper or newsprint stock. Add a sidebar column referencing missing artifacts at a nearby museum.
3. Business Card for the Music Agent: Design a 1920s-era card for a character like Ezekiel Marrs – Uptown Sound Management. On the back, scribble: “Don’t trust the horn. It’s HIM. —L.A.”
4. Museum Guide or Artifact Brochure: Create a handout from the American Museum of Natural History. Focus on an African funerary mask, or cursed object tied to the scenario. A guest speaker may have gone missing.
5. Jazz Sheet Music: “Funeral Stomp” Make a stylized sheet of music with handwritten lyrics and a final line circled in red: “Play it loud—wake them proud."

Final Thoughts:

Dead Man Stomp is messy, evocative, and vibrant. It won’t be everyone’s favorite—some may find it too scripted or culturally loaded—but for others, it’s an unforgettable experience. And remember the trumpet for future adventures: what happens if the Investigators get their hands on it.

Handled well, Dead Man Stomp teaches players that this isn’t a world they control—it’s one they survive.

Looking for more campaign-ready horror content? Check out my other Call of Cthulhu Articles!

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