Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos (1) 36

II Mythos Races
aquatic dreams acquired lives as the gnorri. Or so the

Others probably:

texts suggest, at least.

‘‘ think you’re a sea monster who means to

Of course, those who suggest such a genesis to a

drag them below the waves to drown.

gnorri will likely be laughed at or attacked for the

‘‘ assume you’re a primitive since you

insult. If anything, to the gnorri race, it is their own

prefer to use tools of bone or stone.

nightmares of being stranded on land that gave birth
to life on the surface above.

Playing a Gnorri

Gnorri are driven by individual accomplishment and
seek greater success in their fields of interest. This leads
some gnorri to want to explore lands above and beyond
their aquatic homes. Gnorri are capable of living on
land as they are in the ocean. They can even survive in

‘‘ mask their jealousy of your ability to
breathe water with insults or fear.
‘‘ want you to help them deal with something
underwater, such as recovering a bit of
sunken treasure or finding good fishing.
‘‘ can’t tell your gender, and may not know
that there are three genders of gnorri.

Physiology

desert climates (although no more than most humanoid

Gnorri appear vaguely humanoid from the torso up, yet

races). However, most gnorri find being “tied down” to

the more one learns about how gnorri bodies work, the

the land disturbing. The ocean is a three-dimensional

more their humanoid appearance seems a coincidence.

existence; on land, only creatures that can fly can

Gnorri have a chiseled body like that of a humanoid

experience a “normal” state of being. Given gnorri

above the waist and a tentacular lower trunk. Some

cannot fly without magic that allows them to do so,

gnorri even have suction cups along their tails, but this

it can be an adjustment to “always live on the bottom”

is uncommon. Above water, gnorri exude a thin layer

(which is what it feels like to a gnorri).

of glistening slime that keeps them looking freshly

If you’re a Gnorri, you likely:
‘‘ are curious about surface dwellers, but have
trouble telling them apart and are disturbed by
how rigid and unchanging their bodies are.
‘‘ value your friends for their diversity
and differences rather than any
similarities they might have to you.
‘‘ have several close friends (gnorri or otherwise),
but do not have a concept of family; you do
not know your parents, your siblings, or your
children and have no need to know them.
‘‘ understand that there are many dangers
in the sea, but your appreciation of the
beauty of the ocean depths and its denizens
cannot be tainted by its perils.

emerged from the sea. Gnorri’s fingers are webbed to

aid in swimming but they can absorb this webbing
partially into their flesh when they wish to wear rings
or gloves.
What appears to be hair on their heads is actually a
forest of thin tendrils more akin to the undercarriage of
a jellyfish than anything else. All three genders possess
this fringe of tendrils along the chin and sides of the
face, giving them their distinctive “bearded” look.
These tendrils are fish-like gills. When the gnorri head
is fully dry its hair-like tendrils fall off along with any
fins they may have. A gnorri missing their “beard” and
“hair” can drown in water. Fortunately for such gnorri,
these tendrils swiftly regrow when the face is exposed
to water over the course of 2d4 minutes. While this
regrowth is occuring, the gnorri can hold their breath

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