If an effect requires you to sacrifice a character, and doesn't specify "in play" can you sacrifice a character from your hand? I don't note anything in the rules that says you can or that you can't.

The rules state

A player can only sacrifice cards that he controls ...

I emphasized "controls" above, because I think this is the key to answering your question. You don't control cards in your hand - you only control cards that are in play.

TheProfessor said:

However it matters how you look at "control". Example once you draw the cards and they are in your hand, you control them if you decide to place them as a resource or control the timing on playing various cards.

I would have to say that if it doesn't say "from your hand" on the card it's not an option. Of Course, I can't find any kind of official clarification on a sacrifice from the hand, however it's definitely a violation of the spirit of the game. I would never play that person again if they tried to pull that on me.

As a rule of thumb, my wife and I discuss the various rules that are kinda "grey" in understanding. We both agree from then on before we start playing how those rules will be used, so as not to spring a surprise rule that is left for perspective. Like the above question, we both agree to allow "control" to mean in your hand or in play. If at any other point we find this or any other ruling to be unbalanced or just not fair, we change it for the next game. I think the key is to have fun and certain "grey" rulings can change over and over again, but they should be acknolwedged before play starts.

One black and white rule that we are having problems with is, You cannot play a Heroic and a Villianous character at the same time. She likes to use Hastur and The Agency, but runs into problems with this. Granted it makes sense that good wouldn't help evil, but it severly cripples her deck. I use Yog and Shub and this is a heavy hitting combo against her. Sure she gets more magnifying glasses than me, but if I wound or make her characters go insane, she cant use it. One thing about the good helping evil... in some of Lovecraft's stories a good investagator would find some evil relic or manuscript and bring it back to society, which in essance helps evil by spreading the cults and the knowledge. I wonder if anyone else has issues with tthis ruling, or an advice as to how and best counter it.

"When a card comes into play, it does so under the control of its owner" pg 14

the sacking rule it says you can only sack cards you control. i think that answers (for me atleast) the sacrifice and cards in hand questions.

IMHO PearlJamaholic is right and clear as the rule is.

in my opinion in play is on the board not in your hand, so must be on the board (controlled) to be used. pazuzu777, thats what me and the wife does as well,

best way really

You can only sacrifice cards in play, you control unless stated otherwise.

Also, character cards in hand are cards, not characters.