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Disguise (Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition)

Skills

Definition

Disguise represents your ability to alter your appearance, mannerisms, and voice to pass as someone else or simply blend into a crowd where you don't belong. In Call of Cthulhu's investigation-heavy gameplay, Disguise lets you infiltrate restricted areas, attend cult meetings undetected, or escape pursuit. This skill covers makeup, costume, posture, voice alteration, and the ability to adopt a convincing persona. In the 1920s, without modern surveillance technology, a good disguise can be remarkably effective. The skill also covers maintaining the disguise under scrutiny—staying in character when questioned or challenged.

How it works

**Base Value**: 5% **Key Uses**: - Changing your appearance to avoid recognition - Impersonating specific individuals - Blending into groups where you don't belong - Maintaining a cover identity under pressure **Special Rules**: Disguising as a specific person is harder than a generic disguise. Gender, race, or significant size differences increase difficulty. Opposed by Spot Hidden or Psychology from suspicious observers.

Tips

**Build Advice**: Very useful for infiltration-heavy campaigns. Niche but powerful when relevant. **Occupation Synergies**: Pairs with Art/Craft (Acting) for maintaining a persona, Fast Talk for selling the disguise verbally, and Stealth for avoiding close scrutiny. **Character Concepts**: Actor, spy, con artist, private detective, journalist going undercover.

Frequently asked questions

How long does creating a disguise take?

A simple disguise (hat, glasses, different coat) takes minutes. A thorough disguise with makeup and costume might take an hour or more. Impersonating a specific person requires study and preparation.

Can Disguise fool people who know the person I'm impersonating?

It's much harder. Close friends and family receive bonus dice on their rolls to see through the disguise. Acquaintances are easier to fool. Strangers are easiest.