The Steam & Sorcery Live Action Role Play (LARP) game mystery is an immersive weekend long, hotel wide event that places you as the central character in your story. During Opening Ceremonies (5/30/25 – 7PM on the main stage) “The Curse of Cthulhu” mystery will be revealed . . . but who will step forward to solve it? A series of clues spread around the convention space, and interactions with a cast of characters, will lead you deeper and deeper into the investigation of Cultist plots against the Exposition . . .
The “Curse of Cthulhu” Plot
The 1893 Exposition has several odd artifacts from around the world on display, but perhaps the strangest is a statue reported by one publication as a “monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind.” Shortly after this statue was revealed to the public a series of strange events began to occur, mysterious hooded figures were seen flitting through the midnight shadows of the Exposition grounds, and a couple of night ago the Cold Storage Building burst into flames, engulfing the building in an inferno that killed 13 firefighters and four other unfortunate souls. Investigations into the fire have resulted in the puzzling discovery of strange unidentifiable substances and bizarre symbols scorched into the walls . . .
The mystery will take all three days to solve, but for those at the Exposition for only one day there are “chapter endings” on Friday and Saturday evening, and clever sleuths only there for Sunday might be able to cram three days of investigation into one day. Whichever investigator is the first to crack the case and submit the correct answers on Sunday will be invited to the stage at Closing Ceremonies to reveal the truth . . . and win weekend badges to the 2026 Chicago Steampunk Exposition (June 12-14, 2026)!
- First Place – Four Weekend Badges ($300 value)
- Second Place – Two Weekend Badges ($150 value)
- Third Place – One Weekend Badge ($75 value)
The mystery starts at 8PM on Friday, May 30th, 2025, at which time a key password begins your investigation . . .
“Steam & Sorcery” – Second Edition Players’ Guide
Click on the book cover below to access the game instructions:
