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VII Cults
Opener of the Way Cult
The Opener’s followers are typically lone sorcerers,
wizards, or other outcasts who seek Yog-Sothoth’s
power and knowledge. They walk a reckless path,
as the Opener wants them to help him return to the
world, which is likely to destroy everything mortal.
They view their role as support for the Opener and his
minions: the god itself is supposed to do the greatest
tasks while his worshipers merely assist.
Generally, followers of the Opener owe him
their loyalty out of carnal obsession and/or familial
obligation. Yog-Sothoth often breeds with them
directly or with their descendants, producing outer
mutants, abominations, or spawn. Thus, the follower’s
descendants can inherit the world.
At times, a group of like-minded spellcasters may
band together under Yog-Sothoth’s guidance for a
short time, but the Opener’s worship more often
produces a wider, looser fraternity. Such a far-flung
network involves wizards in several places, all working
together, who maintain contact through periodic
travel, sending of familiars, or spells. Joseph Curwen
leads such a loose-knit group in Lovecraft’s The Case of
Charles Dexter Ward.
More importantly, Yog-Sothoth is a widely known
entity among those who study the arcane, so wizards
almost everywhere can access his powers, summon him
or his servants (by mistake or otherwise), and try to tap
into the arcane influence he commands. Thus, while
Yog-Sothoth does not have a tight or strict organization,

he is respected, feared, and spoken of among other
Mythos cults. Thus, it is possible for almost any cult’s
members to access Yog-Sothoth’s eldritch powers and
summon his monsters. The Opener’s purpose is always
the same and quite direct—to expand his influence

Opener Cult Gifts

‘‘ Channel Power: Many of the Opener’s
worshippers have great mystical might but
lack physical strength. They can channel
mystical power into their own bodies in
order to gain physical strength and prowess
when fighting. They favor the Arcane Strike
feat and the spell ferox (page 116).
‘‘ Immortality: The Opener can greatly extend
the life of his worshippers, though there is always
a cost. Always. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
contains one such cost: the horrific demise of
one’s descendants to allow for self-resurrection.
‘‘ Summoning: The Opener can be brought
physically (at least in part) to the mortal realm,
where he can carry out his will, including
the creation of outer mutants, abominations,
and spawn (page 358–page 364).
‘‘ They Break Through: Yog-Sothoth's followers
are more easily able to create gates to other places,
or portals through which the Old Ones can
come. In addition, the gates they create can often
access times or realms unavailable to other cults.

Followers of the Opener often take the ritualist
wizard archetype (page 68) and have an easier
time procuring obscure focuses for plane shift.
‘‘ Time and Space: When a cultist of the Opener
is traveling through space or time via magic or
technology, the Opener can act as a guide so no
error is made, and they arrive where they intend.
‘‘ Treasures: Cultists can usually access
Abhoth slime, gates, Plutonian drugs,
space mead, and silver keys.

and enter the world.

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