Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos 156

VI

Mythos Items and Artifacts

Alien and Bizarre Technology
Some of the technological wonders presented here

on the following round. Once the brain is extracted, the

require energy to function. These items each have a

device permits communication with the brain. Because

capacity score, which indicates the maximum number

of the trauma in removing the brain, the wielder of the

of charges the item can store at any one time. The

cylinder may ask up to 1d6 questions per brain before

number of charges an item consumes when it is used

the victim becomes too distressed to communicate

varies from item to item.

coherently. A brain expires 24 hours after removal from

Compatibility: Most races have their own

its body unless the cylinder's energy is resupplied. The

distinctive means of recharging their devices, which are

cylinder can hold only one brain at a time. The living

not compatible with the technology of other species.

brain's body can be restored if the brain is removed and

Understanding an Item: Deducing how to activate

the body is immediately targeted with regenerate. The

an item without watching it being used by another

body can't be revived with resurrection magic while the

generally requires a successful DC 20 Profession

brain lives; such effects work only if the dead brain and

(Yog-Sothothery philosopher) or a successful DC 30

body are reunited. With a successful Profession (Yog-

Knowledge (engineering) check, although some might

Sothothery philosopher) check against DC 20 or a

be more or less intuitive at the GM's discretion.

Knowledge (nature) check against DC 30 as a standard

Construction: Most alien technology can be

action, a user can restore 1 charge by accepting 1

manufactured by specific types of aliens with supplies

temporary negative level (Fortitude DC 15 to remove).

costing half the price, but terrestrial mortals generally

It can be recharged only once per day.

cannot replicate it.

BRAIN CYLINDER, FAULTY
Price 4,000 gp; Weight 20 lbs.; Capacity 1 charge; Usage
1 charge per 24 hours

CLITHNI
Price 10,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.; Capacity —;
Usage consumable

This clear, emerald liquid, when ingested, causes

Able to briefly preserve a living brain, a faulty brain

the drinker to live several years longer. It makes the

cylinder is less effective than the fully-functional mi-

drinker more youthful by subtracting 1d10 years off

go design because it lacks the mi-go’s unique multi-

the character's current age. Penalties from aging can be

dimensional fluid (see page 300). This bizarre and

reversed by this effect, but bonuses are not lost.

grisly cylinder of glass and metal allows the removal of
the brain of a creature, which can then be housed within.
First, the empty cylinder must be attached to the head
of a helpless living creature. It automatically begins the
process of removing the creature’s brain, which takes 1
minute, after which the brain is extracted and the body
dies. A successful Fortitude save against DC 20 at the
end of the minute causes the process to fail, dealing
10d6 damage due to harm to the victim’s skull, but
unless removed, the cylinder begins the process again

DIGESTIVE REPLACEMENT
Sometimes mi-go find it useful to change the diet
of their human allies/slaves. This is accomplished
through complete surgical removal of the humanoid’s
gastrointestinal tract and support organs (i.e., pancreas,

liver, etc.), which the mi-go then replace with a whole
new set of organs designed to handle whatever the
fungi desire that human to be able to subsist upon.
These replacements can take a variety of forms.
For example, if the humans are going to be visiting

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