The Shab-al-Hiri Roach is a dark comedy of manners, lampooning academia and asking players to answer a difficult question – are you willing to swallow a soul-eating telepathic insect bent on destroying human civilization?
No?
Even if it will get you tenure?
Awards
- Kenneth Hite’s 2006 Outie Award as best sui generis game of the year!
Downloads
Reviews
- rpg.net, 17 July 2006
- Gamester at Large
- Destruction is Imminent blog
- Some information auf Deutsch
Praise
“If you like the idea of a roleplaying game that requires little set-up and no GM, then I give it a green light. If this sounds attractive, go for it! If you’ve ever done roleplaying and want to capture that again without a lot of hassle, I’ll strongly recommend The Shab-al-Hiri Roach.” – Scott Nicholson
“Everything about the game rules drip with theme, and every card reminds you that you will end up doing the Roach’s bidding…sooner or later. Brilliant.” – Chris Bennett
“What a winner of a game. I think this one’s top-notch.” – Ron Edwards
“Jason Morningstar’s The Shab-al-Hiri Roach… may be the best Lovecraftian RPG I’ve seen in several years.” – Ken Hite
“Overall, a lovely physical book and interesting game design. Play should be absolutely hilarious. Well worth a look.” – Mike Sands, Gamester at Large
“Worth playing: You bet. The satirical element is very entertaining, and the cockroach beckons.” – Thomas Munkholt
“The Shab al-Hiri Roach is the perfect game for blissful nonsense galore and I can’t wait to set fire to Pemberton University in my next game!” – Christoph Boeckle
Actual Play
- DU MUMUA AK NAR
- Barker Bites
- Embassy Suites with Jasper
- The Horror in the Museum
- The Dark Fates of Regina Sutton
- Eating Regina
- Convention Play
- The Joy of Depravity
- Poisoner’s Day
- Dark Goddess Regina
- One, Two, Three … Roach!
- The Roach at Recess
- The Power of Klaus Compels You
- Blissful Nonsense Galore (Francais)
- They Ate His Heart Out
- You are Chancellor, and on this Rock I’ll build my wing
- So Long, and Thanks for all the Roach
- Koalas, Incest, and Gunfire
- Death! Debauchery! (And we’ve only started the Semester)
- They Ate His Heart Out
- What’s the Premise, Where’s the Fun?
- The Roach – First Time
- When You’re Smiling…
- In Which the University Burns…
- More Victims and Looking Back at the Roach
- The House of the Harping Monkey actual play podcast: part one | part two | part three
- The Roach at Ambercon Northwest
- Stay Out of the Woods!
- Election Year Roach
Are you interested in stocking The Shab-al-Hiri Roach? Our books are available from Indie Press Revolution, Alliance, ACD, GTS, Lion Rampant, Esdevium, and other distributors. We’re happy to do direct wholesale orders as well. In addition, we participate in the Bits and Mortar program, giving you the opportunity to extend our “free PDF with purchase” guarantee to your brick-and-mortar customers. If you have questions or would like to make a direct order, drop us a line. Download a sell sheet here.