Sandy petersens cthulhu mythos 162

VI

Mythos Items and Artifacts

Books of the Cthulhu Mythos
Ancient tomes of lore and their various translations and

book’s contents, and a shock rating, which reflects the

versions are a core theme and signature of the Mythos.

dangers of investigating the topics in the books for a

These books are a major source of power, for both

mortal mind.

heroes and villains alike, and even the grisly monsters
of the Mythos value them.

To research a specific topic or question within a
book, a character must succeed at a research check,

These books teach not only the rituals and

using one of the skills listed in the book’s entry. A

summoning ceremonies for entities of the Mythos,

research check is akin to a Knowledge check, though

but also provide useful information about the history,

each book’s stat block lists the specific skills that can

nature, and threat posed by them. Knowing that dark

be used for research checks based on the nature of that

young of Shub-Niggurath are solely concerned with

book’s contents, which are sometimes not Knowledge-

serving their terrible Mother is useful information

based. A book’s complexity rating is the minimum DC

when negotiating with one.

for research checks using that book. If a Knowledge

These books also pose a threat. The information

check is for a topic with a higher DC, the higher DC

they provide may boost a person’s knowledge of Yog-

is used instead.

Sothothery, but it also tends to destroy the reader’s

Attempting

a

research

check

requires

an

sanity and grip on reality. Reading one for the first

uninterrupted 8-hour period of research, and a

time is always at least a minor disturbing discovery,

character cannot take 10 or 20 on a research check.

and each book may contain multiple such discoveries

Each 8-hour period of research on the same question

(see Chapter 4).

grants a cumulative +1 bonus on research checks. A

Each Mythos book is unique, even if multiple copies

character who stops researching a given topic in the

are known to exist. Different versions of the same text

same book for a month or more loses any relevant

may vary widely in structure and even content. The

bonuses gained for researching in that book thus far.

terrible truth is that all versions are true in their own

Up to two additional characters can use the aid another

way, and seeking to reconcile even two copies of the

action to assist a primary researcher if they have their

same text has driven many a researcher hopelessly mad.

own copies of the text or another text on the same

A few of the more famous Mythos books are listed

topic. Though some research checks cannot normally

below with some of their traits and features. Many

be attempted untrained unless the research check's DC

others exist, safely beyond the bounds of mortal

is 10 or lower (such as if the research check requires a

knowledge—for now.

skill that does not allow untrained skill checks), the

Researching a Text
Comprehending the nuances of one of these texts is a
challenging process of research that uses the following
rules (which have some similarities to the research rules
from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Intrigue).
Every Mythos book has a complexity rating, which
represents the intricacy or confusing nature of the

research of many Mythos books is written specifically
to lure in the unwary, allowing untrained checks
regardless of the relevant skill.
Succeeding at a research check reveals facts as
normal for a successful Knowledge skill check. For
every 5 points by which a research check exceeds the
DC, further details on the topic (if any) are revealed.

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