The 10 Commandements of Cthulhu Hunting

A Blatant copyright infringement of Chaosium's rights...

  1. Keep it secret

    Opinions were divided as to notifying the Massassuchetts State Police, and the negative finally won.

    H.P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror

    The most deadly threat posed by Cthulhu Mythos is knowledge of its arcane science, its creatures, and locales. Always remain closemouthed about your activities. It's often better not to bother with a cover story; professional seekers-after-truth make indifferent liars.

    In general, authorities should not be notified of a Cthuloid menace's presence unless catastrophe looms. Police, federal agents, of the National Guard are unprepared to deal with the preternatural, and their participation in a dangerous investigation is rarely helpful. Secretiveness is not for selfish purposes - it can save lives. The same applies to local help, who must often be hired to complete an investigation. Of course, secrecy can be carried too far - a man who has lost a family member to a Cthulhu monster has earned the right to know the truth.

    Another reason for sealed lips is preventative. Wide-spread knowledge of paranormal techniques would change our world irrevocably. A crackpot with a grudge could whistle-up Azathoth and wipe out a state. To obtain Glaaki's hideous reward of near-immortality, hundreds of hopeless or terminally-diseased folk might flock to join his service. A misguided government agency might attempt to utilize Ghatanothoa as a military asset. Worse scenarios are easy to imagine. Some scholars also believe that many authorities may be pawns of the foul Cthulhoid monsters such as the Mi-Go, etc. and are not trustworthy.

    By confining knowledge of arcane horrors, a handful of dedicated scholars can work to avoid the worst horrors, advance the cause of science, and protect not only humanity but also the dreams of humanity.

  2. Stay Together

    Even though you're a vampire, you're still my brother.

    -from The Lost Boys

    This particular tidbit of advice is two-part: first, never operate alone if you can possibly avoid it; second, stick with your partners.

    While many great Mythos discoveries have been made by intrepid adventurers working by themselves, it is equally true that most of these scholars came to bad ends subsequently. Emulate their skill and their values, not their solitude.

    Peter Dannseys, the noted metaphysician, gives a cautionnary account of the parapsychologist L. Svedin who, with several aides, ended his career while investigating cattle mutilations. Correctly suspecting a nearby mineshaft, Svedin sent a hired hand into the shaft while he and the others performed a bovine autopsy. When the hired man did not return, he sent two aides after them. They, in turn, vanished. Svedin sent a dozen men into the shaft in twos and threes before plunging in with the rest of his team, never to be seen again.

    Some years later, Dr. Dannseys discovered that the mineshaft housed a rather masty parasitic being. The shaft originally held only a single parasite, who captured the hired hand and transformed him into a being like itself. When Svedin sent his aides, the parasites transformed them as well. When Svedin finally braved the shaft with his remaining investigators, nearly twenty parasites awaited him. If Svedin had initially penetrated the cave in force, he could have easily overpowered the parasite. By frittering away his strength, he became an accomplice to a great tragedy in parapsychological history.

  3. Act in Haste, Repent at Leisure

    Then we'll turn it up hotter and burn up the ashes.

    -from Return of the living dead

    Enormous grief stems from the crime of acting before thinking. In one case a team discovered that an enormous clay paque was connected with a particularly obnoxious manifestation of Nyarlathotep. Suddenly confronted by a hissing swarm of supernatural locusts, they instinctively reacted by shattering the plaque. Alas, the plaque actually contained the chant for dismissing the aforementionned manifestation, and shattering it eliminated all hope. The entire team was killed of hospitalized, and the manifestation continues to this day. Anyone knowing of a 12th Dynasty spell for the dismissal of the Bringer of Pests is invited to contact Dr. Ratsegg c/o Department of Oriental Antiquities at Miskatonic University.

    Such tales should give pause. Before doing something irrevocable, make sure you have no other choice.

  4. Always have a plan

    Launcelot, Galahad, and I leap out of the rabbit..."

    -from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    Even a bad plan is better than no plan at all. While a bad plan may get everyone killed or turned insane, the lack of a plan always will. In contrast, Cthulhu monster usually operate with very clear goals.

    In one sad case, a group of scholars accidentally created a dimensional Gate to a hideous alien reality. One of the scholars entered the Gate without any plan of return. Presumably he's there yet. His friends wish him luck and periodically send sandwiches and beer through the Gate, hoping they reach him. Somehow.

    When investigating a Cthulhoid manifestation every member of the team should have a clear idea of what will be expected of him during the investigation. If possible, a backup plan should be available. Have an idea of what to do if the only member with guns disappear. If one member of the team is especially important to the success of the investigation, make sure he is safe at all times, don't leave him alone in the cellar, don't take a nap while he reads some awful book, and don't let him experiment with strange talismans alone.

  5. Scout it out

    Does this house have a basement ?

    -from Re-Animator

    Before risking an encounter, make sure someone has scouted the area. This need not take the form of sending in commandoes; doing a bit of research into local history can be quite effective. Careful survey of all evidence is vital. Remember: knowledge is power

    One of the surest ways to be killed by monsters is to run into their lair with no information about possible escapes, number of monsters, and other such vital information.

  6. Guns are a last resort

    What're we supposed to use, harsh language ?

    -from Aliens

    A firearm is a useful tool, handy in opening jammed locks, an excellent way to signal a comrade, or useful in attracting the attention of local authorities. When confronted with unruly locals, nonchalent display of a firearm can often effect quick cooperation. A gun has a wide assortment of uses; no investigational team should be without one.

    Many investigators mistakenly assume that guns can defend against preternatural entities. This is a serious error. Firearms are designed to kill or wound humans and other native Earth life. No reasonable person would expect much effect against entities from other worlds, other realities, or other geologic time periods.

    Undisciplined use of guns as weapons leads to unfortunate accidents, an unscientific regard for violence as the answer to problems, and even to possible jail terms. A gun should be the last resort of the successful investigator.

  7. Know your enemy

    I want to investigate the bite marks. Maybe we can find out what we're dealing with here.

    -from Creepshow

    Use of all forms of media as research tools. Books, movies, the television news can all give clues and information about the weaknesses, powers and whereabouts of the enemy. Know the sign of the vampire, the werewolf, the deep one hybrid, and others.

    But do not expect that something which worked on the Late Show will work against Cthulhu monsters. Always keep an open mind with regards to the mythos.

  8. Things are not always as the seem

    I never drink... wine !

    -from Dracula

    Some entites are not distinguishable as powerful monsters, or even as monsters at all. Is that three-foot tall insectoid really and avatar of Nyarlathotep ? Is your next door neighbor who spends so much time in his swimming pool actually a deep one ? When dealing with the mythos, assume that what you encounter is powerful: that's just playing it safe and smart.

    Keep eyes and ears opened. Ronno Meed relates a time when a friend he thought dead came knocking at his door. Some of his companion were overjoyed at seeing the friend again and invited him inside. When he claimed to be thirsty, Professor Meeb responded slyly "How about your favorite, an ice-cold glass of turpentine ?" When he responded that turpentine would be delicious, the rest of the group all pulled out guns and blew him to pieces. The fluid flowing from his veins was, luckily, fluorescent yellow, not red.

    Many monsters are expert at fitting into human society. Beware especially the effect that mythos monsters can have on their weak-minded human servants. Almost anyone could be a worshipper of the Great Old Ones.

  9. Never give up

    Sometimes on the very brink of certainty, I failed; yet still I clung to the hope which the next day or the next hour might be realize

    -Mary Shelley Frankenstein

    Inexperienced investigators commonly give up when it appears that victory is impossible. Dedicated scholards never cease action, no matter how hopeless matters seem.

    Never overlook the obvious; recheck your data; do more research. If things look bleak, try random approaches to defeating the menace. No matter how bad it seems, it can get much worse if you give up. Don't go poking sticks into wasps' nests unless you are prepared to finish the job.

    Our brothers and sisters in arms are all stand between earth and the sinister designs of the Cthulhu Mythos. Take heart in the fact that the perils and sacrifices of today may make a better world for future generations of the human race !

  10. Be prepared

    Normal folks don't spit up bullets when you shoot 'em

    -from Near Dark

    This goes much further than just bringing along extra rope when speluking. Before starting an expedition, do research on the subject, find out any legends about the area which may give helpful clues; with access to ancient tomes of magical spells, a particular cantrip may be useful on your investigation. When ready to confront the beasty, consider the hardware needed. Take anything which sound even remotely useful, but does not burden or impede movement.

    In most cases, assume you can never have enough stuff. Who knows what might come in handy when facing the Mythos ?

This was taken from Cthulhu Casebook by chaosium. All credits should be given to these guys for such a job well done.


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