TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ��5 G ��120 H ��127 CONCERNING MAGIC ��7 I ��128 State of Mind ��7 The Nature of Sacrifice ��7 J ��131 Are the Stars Right? ��8 K ��131 Wheel of the Year ��10 NPC: Thomas Davenport ��133 CONCERNING SPELLS ��11 L ��134 Spell Names ��11 M ��138 Deeper Magic ��11 N ��144 Adjusting Spells ��12 Difficulties in Spellcasting ��12 O ��146 Folk Magic ��13 P ��147 Flawed Spells ��13 Q ��154 Dreamlands Magic ��14 Spirit Attacks and Possession ��14 R ��156 Spell Components ��15 S ��162 Table 1: Spell Components ��16 T ��178 Magical Residue ��18 Ley Lines ��19 U ��182 V ��183 SPELL CATEGORIES ��22 NPC: Niels-Viggo Schou ��185 THE GRAND GRIMOIRE ��26 W ��186 A ��26 Y ��192 B ��34 C ��53 Z ��192 NPC: Hestia Locksby ��85 D ��93 INDEX ��194 E ��102 F ��116 AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES ��200

Cyaegha © copyright 2020 the Estate of Eddy C Bertin. Used with Gol-goroth and Koth © copyright 2020 Cabinet Licensing LLC. permission. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC. Used with permission. Some Byatis, Daoloth, Eihort, Gla’aki, Ghroth, Green Decay, Keeper of the Robert E. Howard elements may be in the public domain. Moon-Lens, Shaggai, Shan, Tomb-Herd, and Y’golonac © copyright 2020 Ramsey Campbell. Used with permission. Nyogtha and Zu-Che-Quon © copyright 2021 Carole Ann Rodriguez. Used with permission. Some Henry Kuttner elements may Ossadagowah and Zoth-Ommog © copyright 2020 the Estate of Lin be in the public domain. Carter. Used with permission. Bugg-Shash, Call the Black, Chthonian, Shudde M’ell, and Yibb-Tstll Cthugha, Ithaqua, and Zhar and Lloigor © copyright 2020 the Estate © copyright 2020 Brian Lumley. Used with permission. of August Derleth. Used with permission. SampleAbhoth, Quachil Uttaus, Rlim Shaikorth, file and Tsathoggua © copyright Ahtu © copyright 2020 David Drake. Used with permission 2020 the Estate of Clark Ashton Smith. Used with permission.

Chaosium recognizes that credits and copyrights for the Cthulhu Mythos can be difficult to identify, and that some elements of the Mythos may be in the public domain. If you have corrections or additions to any credits given here, please contact us at [email protected]. s h o o t i n g d e e p o n e s

Sample file

4 INTRODUCTION

Ygnaiih… ygnaiih… thflthkh’ngha… Yog-Sothoth… Come! all ye, and learn the secret that hath not yet been revealed.

—H. P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror —Aleister Crowley, Liber AL vel Legis (The Book of the Law) For the first time, the Grand Grimoire of Cthulhu Mythos Magic gathers together some 550+ Call of Cthulhu spells from across The Oxford English Dictionary describes magic as “the thirty years’ worth of supplements, scenarios, and campaigns. A power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious useful tool for Keepers, this tome is a resource to both inform or supernatural forces.” This definition works just fine and inspire. All of the spells have been revised and updated for but misses one important aspect when we consider the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition. Some spells have been changed magic of the Cthulhu Mythos—namely, corruption. In to be more generally useful and less specifically tailored to a many traditional fantasy games and fiction, magic is often particular scenario; in other cases, where multiple spells were a source of wonder, possibility, and utility, a tool used to virtual duplicates, they have been amalgamated into a single entry. achieve a result for little or no cost. Very much a tool used A small number of spells (usually found in campaigns or older to achieve a result for little or no cost. However, the magic scenarios) were found to be overly specific to their original plot of the Cthulhu Mythos, while seemingly offering tangible and, having little particular use outside of that plot, have not been benefits, is hostile. It gives with one hand and takes away included. Nearly all spells have been given a number of alternative with another. Mythos magic corrupts; it breaks down moral names, where appropriate, allowing Keepers to keep their players fiber and sinks its teeth into the mind, shredding both on their toes and ensure no spell becomes commonplace. sanity and humanity. The opening chapters take a brief look at magic Wielding otherworldly energies damns the wielder: the and spells in general and provide additional resources more one drinks of the unnatural power, the greater the concerning astronomical considerations, spellcasting, and infection becomes. If reading a tome can be likened to other relevant information for Keepers to use as they will. playing with fire, casting a spell is like pouring gasoline Flawed spells, deeper magic, folk magic, and Dreamlands over your head and striking a match. The erosion of Sanity magic are all discussed and advice and guidance is provided points combined with a thirst for magical knowledge drives for developing such magical tangents in your games. Three people insane, destroys morality, and leaves only the insane magical non-player characters are detailed, each able to be will of the sorcerer to lust after even greater power and to dropped into games to help or hinder investigators. plumb greater depths of horror. Hopefully, the Grand Grimoire of Cthulhu Mythos Magic will The magic of the Cthulhu Mythos defines the cosmos provide you with not only a handy resource in the middle of a and it is the awful truth that lurks beyond humanity’s game, but also a deep well of inspiration to draw upon when perception of reality. Those who touch its flame are forever creating your own scenarios, plots, and encounters. changed. SampleIn lucem, ita inspiratio. In tenebris secreta sapientiae. file Mike Mason, 2016

5 s h o o t i n g d e e p o n e s

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6 CHAPTER 1 CONCERNING MAGIC There is great danger in me; for who doth not understand these runes shall make a great miss. He shall fall down into the pit called Because, and there he shall perish with the dogs of Reason. —Aleister Crowley, Liber AL vel Legis (The Book of the Law)

any diverse matters should be taken into is always prudent to ensure that such entities are “made to consideration when attempting to bend the feel at home” lest they feel snubbed or slighted. cosmic forces of the universe to one’s own will. MSome guidance and ideas follow for Keepers wishing to Watch the Heavens add layers of verisimilitude to the magic in their games. Astronomical configurations are often of great significance in the effectiveness of certain spells (particularly when invoking or petitioning a Mythos entity). Wizards who STATE OF MIND neglect research and who pay no heed to the turning of Having the correct frame of mind when spellcasting can be the Wheel of the Year will find themselves undone—their vital to success. Distracted sorcerers risk spells performing spells may fizzle or unexpected outcomes may arise. Great poorly, not at all, or worse transforming into something sorcerers plan years in advance to ensure they are in step undesirable. Ritualistic purification of mind and body are for the perfect moment of astral alignment—this is why often requirements of more involved spells. Often all that wizards will seek far-reaching revenge on those who is required is a clear and focused mind—hence, the reason vandalize such feats of planning (cue the investigators). why a number of spells call for periods of meditation. For more on astronomical considerations see Are the Some wizards will ritually bathe; others may use foul- or Stars Right? (see page 8). sweet-smelling oils to purify their flesh. Outside concerns, such as dire conditions and combat, THE NATURE OF SACRIFICE act to distract the spellcaster. When such matters might Oh, there are little rhymes a mage might use to remember the prevent the caster from clear thought, call for an INT roll sequence of what must be done, but the words themselves don’t Opposite: Old Ones by Goomi the Great of Sigil to ensure clarity of mind and purpose. do a thing. You could write every ‘spell’ as high as a man on the barn wall, but if you don’t have the power to start with, all Working Space you’d have is a strange rhyme. And a bad one at that. Ensuring a clutter-free magical workspace is essential when executing complicated and involved magic. Appropriate —Gail Z. Martin, The Blood King vibrations, energy, and space are needed. Leaving the remains and aftereffects of old spells hanging around could, Sacrifice is often an integral part of the pact, petition, or in theory, bring contamination to new spell work (with negotiation between the spellcaster and a Mythos power. disastrous consequences). Usually, some form of sacrifice is required for a successful The space should be ritually purified beforehand for outcome, be it in magic points, hit points, POW, or an significant summonings (the nature of the purification can offering like the blood of an animal or the life of a human vary widely, and “purification” might be an unfortunate choice sacrifice. Spell-casters must, in virtually all cases, sacrifice of word when watching a sorcerer pouring fresh blood around part of themselves to the spell (normally magic points or Samplethe area to “cleanse” it). The area might also be consecrated POW); however, at times a spellcasterfile will need to provide to the spell caster’s favored Mythos deity, although as certain more. Understanding the nature of such sacrifice is a vital spells call upon a specific Outer God or Great Old One, it tool for the Keeper.

7 CHAPTER 1 s A sacrifice must be of something that matters. The spell h will usually state the required sacrifice (if it is more than ARE THE STARS RIGHT? simply channeling the sorcerer’s energy). Where the caster o is desirous of greater power, often the sacrifice required is In the Days and Hours of Saturn thou canst perform personal. Thus, in this case, sacrificing a captured enemy experiments to summon the Souls from Hades, but only of o would not suffice, whereas severing and offering up one’s those who have died a natural death. own hand would. If invoking a Mythos deity, the sacrifice t of captured enemies (or just about anyone) will most likely —The Key of Solomon suffice and sate the hunger of the entity (at least for a i while). Wizards who forget the appropriate offerings to Many spells (particularly summoning and calling spells) Mythos creatures will find that they themselves quickly require certain astronomical events to be taking place n become the sacrifice. for the caster to succeed in the performance of the spell. Where investigators are performing a spell requiring a Unless noted in the spell’s text, astronomical considerations g sacrifice, the Keeper should think about using the sacrifice are the purview of the Keeper in terms of whether or how to drive the story. If something has little or no value to the they might assist or hinder spellcasting. Spell descriptions, d investigators then it has little or no value as a sacrifice— in the main, are purposely vague to allow the Keeper to perhaps the spell will fail or be weaker than imagined. develop, design, and impose plot and story considerations e The spell might call for the sacrifice of an animal and as they see fit. Most times, most spells just work and other just stealing one from a farm might sound like a brilliant considerations, like the current phase of the moon, are e solution, but as the beast has no value to the caster the unimportant. spell will fizzle, whereas the sacrifice of a favored pet or However, to assist Keepers when designing motives for p an animal of great significance to the caster is exactly what despicable cult leaders, or when developing new spells, the the spell is asking for. following is a sample selection of possible astronomical o Sacrifices should pose moral quandaries for the factors that could be called upon as the Keeper sees fit. investigators (and players): they need to cast the spell Perhaps the version of the Call Cyaegha spell in your n to defeat some terrible outcome, yet to do so calls for a game is best performed on a new moon or on the night of significant sacrifice of something very personal. Such acts Samhain—how complicated and limiting such conditions e have a cost. The Keeper should play on these to bring could be is ultimately your decision. drama and consequences to the story. Often this can For Keepers wishing to really play up astronomical s be accomplished through the loss of Sanity points, but considerations, it is suggested that a bonus be granted where possible try to figure effects upon the investigators’ when the spellcaster has waited for the most opportune backstories: their key connections, relationships, ideology, time for the spell to be cast. The bonus could be applied to and possessions. Just as a Keeper might corrupt a backstory the initial spellcasting success roll (decreasing the difficulty element through insanity or a major wound, casting a of the roll from Hard to Regular), or could be a bonus particularly nasty spell may well entail the same result. die awarded to the caster when an opposed POW with Remember that Mythos magic is fundamentally inhuman a target is made, and so on. Likewise, a penalty (raising and uncaring; it burns through the consciousness and the difficulty level to Hard or Extreme, or imposing a damns those who partake fully of its cup. penalty die) could be applied if the conditions are not favorable. A word of caution: building up to a big magical event can be a very engaging point for the players and so overtly penalizing the spellcaster and increasing the likelihood of failure (i.e. of nothing happening) can be “Kla-ia!! Shub-Niggurath! very anticlimactic and unsatisfactory for all concerned. If Mother of the thousand! in doubt, have something (rather than nothing) happen. Mistress of the grain! Better for the spell to go awry and cause some unexpected Come now! Kla-ia!” calamity than for it to fizzle and nothing to happen. Sample—Rural invocation file

8 CONCERNING MAGIC

DAYS OF THE WEEK

In magical practice, each day corresponds to a particular planet, which is thought to bring beneficial associations for spells concerning certain spheres or desires.

Astronomical Weekday Spell Associations Associations

Monday Moon Dreams and spells concerning health and restorative magic.

Tuesday Mars Combative spells, bringing disaster or injury to enemies.

Wednesday Mercury Communication and divination, and spells concerning enhancing skills or abilities.

Thursday Jupiter Spells bringing luck or bad luck, fulfilling desire, and summoning.

Friday Venus Magic concerning creativity and relationships.

Saturday Saturn Protection spells, warding and banishing.

Sunday The Sun Magic that will bring power, strength, promotion, or a reward. PHASES OF THE MOON

The positions of the Moon have long been believed to enhance certain types of spells. Moon Spell Associations Notes Phase

Waxing Summoning, calling, and Increasing (from new to full); Moon contact spells. the Moon is 45–180 degrees ahead of the Sun.

Spells concerned with empowerment, forcing one’s The Moon has reached its zenith; Full Moon will upon another, combative 180–255 degrees ahead of the Sun. spells.

Banishing, binding, and Waning Deceasing (from full to new); releasing spells. Also Moon 225–315 degrees ahead of the Sun. cleansing and healing.

New Divination, prophecy, and The Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun and therefore SampleMoon communication spells. hidden; 0–45 degrees ahead of thefile Sun.