As the wagon train pushes through its final stretch of wilderness, the settlers catch their first real glimpse of life beyond the trail—a lone homestead, its fields neatly planted, smoke curling gently from a chimney. After days of tension, sleepless nights, and dwindling nerves, this simple sign of civilization feels almost unreal.
Cautious approaches give way to wary relief as the family living there welcomes the party with warmth, curiosity, and a farmer’s eagerness to barter news for company. For the first time since the Twin Cities, real plates are set out, real food is cooked in a real kitchen, and the promise of a future in Missouri Crossing stops being a dream and starts becoming something the settlers can almost touch.
But even as hospitality is offered and stories are shared, not everyone finds it easy to let their guard down. Exhaustion, memory, and the ghosts of the journey still cling to more than a few travelers. Some see the homestead as safety earned; others see it as one last test before the crossing itself.
With night approaching and the town only a day away, each settler must decide how much they are willing to trust—strangers, the land, and even themselves—before taking their final steps toward the life waiting on the horizon.
Call of Cthulhu – Down Darker Trails: Missouri Crossing is a Western horror campaign set in 1867, using the Down Darker Trails supplement for Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition. The story follows the founding generations of Missouri Crossing, a rough camp town in what will one day become Bismarck, North Dakota—decades before the events of The Ultimate Evil. As immigrants, veterans, and drifters stake their claim on a cold, contested landscape, they must navigate community, lawlessness, prejudice, and the brutal realities of frontier life. Against this backdrop of manifest destiny, “northern horror” takes shape: long distances, bitter weather, scarce resources, and the creeping realization that some things lurking beyond the firelight are far worse than bandits or hunger.
Love the stories? Want to chat with the storyteller and players? Or maybe you're just looking for a place to geek out about tabletop roleplaying games?
Whether you're a seasoned GM, a curious newbie, or just love hearing epic tales unfold, our community is the perfect place to hang out, ask questions, share your own adventures, and connect with fellow TTRPG fans.
Come say hi—we’d love to meet you!
👉 https://discord.gg/T9zeN9p
X: https://x.com/Twin_Cities_VtM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwinCitiesByNight/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/twin-cities-by-night/id1246523585?mt=2
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/twin-cities-by-night
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBUyj7h-xIhwsM3kHK56SRA