I've re-written section 9.5.15 in response to Nick's concerns. I don't think this will result in the game playing the way he'd prefer, but he was quite right in pointing out that it was unclear how the section, as written, would apply to creatures. The new version reads as follows:

9.5.15 Multiple Weapons & Attacks
Characters and creatures can make multiple attacks using the Multiple Actions rule (8.0.8), but the penalty is only -1 per extra attack provided that the attacks are all made by separate limbs or other body parts. Multiple attacks using the same limb incur the standard multiple attack penalty of -2 per extra attack.

Characters may carry weapons in any free hand. The PHYS requirement of a weapon wielded in an ‘off hand’ (i.e. not the main hand or an ambidextrous hand) is increased by 2. Attacks by off-hand weapons suffer a penalty of -1 to hit.

P 89, 27. Acceleration (P)
Av Hn Ka Vi

Puzzled about the seemingly random letters, then remembered these are abbreviations for deities. Perhaps write as, "Deities: Av Hn Ka Vi"

I know I just read your description of how spells are to be listed, but it still threw me for a moment.

I understand what "prq" means, but am a fan of less cryptic rules notation. Will "Prereq:" hurt? More clear is pretty much always better than less clear.

p.241 (Waba's Almanac) "Others perceive the leave of this book as old paper, torn fragments, scribbled notes, etc." -> leaves

p.238 (Aluáz Dhúkan Am) "A legitimate reader receives the power to erect a transparent shell 3”" -> Does this mean that the shell can be erected at any time after reading, or is it created immediately upon reading the book? Is the granted power permanent? The book description states that it may be read once per day. Does that mean that the book produces the effect or that one person per day can use the book to gain the power?

I periodically see notations for target numbers written this way: "18-". Is this intended to be like the Traveller usage for "or lower"?

p.237 (Korúnkoi hiSsánu hiMissúm) "a sorcerer devoted to Change who reads gains 2 experience points in Sorcery skill." -> "a sorcerer devoted to Change who reads it gains 2 experience points in Sorcery skill."

p.236 (Zigzag Scimitar of Savadáno the Slayer) "a hilt that appears to be silver - chaised iron" -> silver-chased

p.232 (Jade Bowl of the God - King of Purdánim) "The devices exchanges the user's mind with that of another being of the same species" -> device exchanges

(Helmet of the Three - Pointed Star) "Charges are checked by with d100," -> checked with

Oops, just noticed your message from earlier... 😕

Thanks for the rewrite of the multiple attack rule! I do think it's better, and I like the reference to the related section 8.0.8.

I recognized the source for the picture on p. 75. That scene in Man of Gold was also cringe-worthy. To take an admittedly more extreme example, I like H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror, as did Prof. Barker, but I wouldn't want an illustration uncritically depicting Lovecraft's racism in my Call of Cthulhu rulebook either.

Thanks for the clarification on the non-ascending damage ranges being deliberate. It would be helpful for those of us mis-perceiving patterns to mention this in the rules.

Thanks for the pointer to section 9.5.3 (Avoid Armor) re: low damage weapons vs armor. Nearby was section 9.5.5 (Death Blow), which provides the mechanism for lethal hits that I was looking for. It feels odd to me to only have such exceptional effects occur when the attacker has chosen a special attack action, but that's relatively minor.

Many of the rules in section 9.5 aren't applicable for all opponents. It may just be common sense, but I think it wouldn't hurt to include short, clarifying disclaimers that rules specifying “vital organs” don't apply to the undead, automatons or amorphous opponents; called shots don't apply to amorphous opponents; and so on. (I'm not insulted by such directives in the rules, since I think they should aim to be easily usable by a hypothetical newbie on the fly, but perhaps other players would find them condescending.)

I think that the game would benefit from well-annotated examples of skill use of all types, particularly combat, to illustrate the available choices and the interaction of rules from different sections.

P 96, 54C. Enslave Undead (Ritual)
Cost: 27; NRG: 34; aimed; attack; 30”range; 1”area; resist; duration: 12 hours
As many as 2 undead can be controlled and attached to the Caster's service for 12 hours. This spell can only be used once upon the same undead being, however. When it expires, the creature must be ordered to depart - or the caster may kill it before the spell ends. Otherwise it will attempt to slay the caster the moment it is again free.

I suggest:
This spell can only be used once upon the same undead being. When it expires, and before the spell ends, the caster must kill the creature or order it to depart. Otherwise, the creature will attempt to slay the caster the moment it is again free.