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History (Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition)

Skills

Definition

History represents your knowledge of recorded human events—wars, political movements, famous figures, and the sweep of civilization. In Call of Cthulhu, where ancient evils have influenced humanity throughout the ages, historical knowledge helps you connect the dots between past events and present horrors. This skill covers broad historical knowledge as well as the ability to recall specific facts and place events in context. In the 1920s, historians work primarily from written records, and a good historian can trace patterns across centuries—recurring disappearances in a region, the rise and fall of secret societies, or the true history behind local legends. History provides the context that makes other academic skills more meaningful.

How it works

**Base Value**: 5% **Key Uses**: - Recalling historical events and their significance - Identifying historical figures and their roles - Placing current events in historical context - Recognizing historical patterns and connections **Special Rules**: History covers broad knowledge. For specific ancient civilizations, Archaeology may be more appropriate. For cultural practices, use Anthropology. History provides the timeline and context that connects them all.

Tips

**Build Advice**: Solid investment for any academic investigator. History often provides crucial context clues that other skills miss. **Occupation Synergies**: Pairs excellently with Library Use for research, Archaeology for ancient history, and Occult for tracing the history of magical traditions. **Character Concepts**: History professor, librarian, journalist, military officer, author, antiquarian.

Frequently asked questions

How does History help in Mythos investigations?

The Mythos has left traces throughout human history. History helps you recognize patterns—why this town has disappearances every 30 years, what happened to the previous owners of that mansion, or why a particular cult keeps appearing across centuries.

What's the difference between History, Archaeology, and Anthropology?

History covers recorded events and their context. Archaeology studies material remains of past cultures. Anthropology studies living and recent cultural practices. They overlap but have distinct focuses.