L DREAD-QUESTS L

The Haunter from BeyondInspired by H.P. Lovecraft, Robert Block

& Ambrose Bierce

Fate™ is a trademark of Evil Hat Productions, LLC. The Powered by Fate logo is © Evil Hat
Productions, LLC and is used with permission.

Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)

 L DREAD-QUESTS L

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Adventure Background 3
Character Introduction 4

Carcosa Locations
1. The road to Carcosa 7
2. The Killing Square 7
3. The Thing in the Attic 8
4. Ritual Houses 9
5. Stary Wisdom Temple Locations
Nave & Apse 10
Narthex 11
Anchorhold 11
East Foyer 11
Vestry 12
Toilets 12
Steeple 12
6. Carcosa Citadel 12
7. Alchemists Lab 13
8. Peron's Hideout 13

Events
The Ouija Seance 14
De Vermis Mysteriis 14
A thousand Young 15
An Unexpectant Saviour 17
Ryu Alive? 19
The Ritual 20
Nyarlathitep Revealed 21
Epilogue 24

Reference Section 25

Fate™ is a trademark of Evil Hat Productions, LLC. The Powered by Fate logo is
© Evil Hat Productions, LLC and is used with permission.
This work is based on Fate Core System and Fate Accelerated Edition (found at
http://www.faterpg.com/), products of Evil Hat Productions, LLC, developed, authored, and
edited by Leonard Balsera, Brian Engard, Jeremy Keller, Ryan Macklin, Mike Olson, Clark
Valentine, Amanda Valentine, Fred Hicks, and Rob Donoghue, and licensed for our use under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)

 L DREAD-QUESTS L
ABOUT DREAD-QUESTS
Dread-Quests adventures are set in various horror
settings where characters can be anyone from
ordinary people to seasoned occult investigators.
This adventure draws inspiration from the Cthulhu
Mythos, where the characters are a group of young
travelers backpacking across Europe.
This version of The Haunter From Beyond is designed
for use with the Fate Core game system. You can get
a copy of the Fate Core system on DriveThruRPG
from Evil Hat Productions. It is listed as a pay-what-
you want product with a recommended price of
$5.00.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/114903/Fate-
Core-System
INSPIRATION & ATTRIBUTION
The Haunter From Beyond is inspired by the following
public domain short stories from the late 19th and
early 20th centuries.
An Inhabitant of Carcosa was written by Ambrose
Bierce in 1886.
The Shambler From the Stars by Robert Block, first
published in the September1935 issue of Weird
Tales.
The Haunter of the Dark by H.P. Lovecraft, published
in the December 1936 edition of Weird Tales.
The Shadow From the Steeple by Robert Block, first
published in 1950. This short story completes the
series started by Block in 1935 and continued by
Lovecraft in 1936.
Some encounter or location descriptions in this
adventure will use direct or modified text from these
publications.
These stories can be found online, both in text and
audio format. I highly recommend checking out the
audio versions on the YouTube channel Horror
Babble.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvp_SM7UrKuFg
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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
CHARACTERS
This adventure takes place in modern-day. The
characters are a group of young people who are
traveling together across Europe. Their journey has
taken them to Italy, where they visit the abandoned
town of Carcosa.
Just because the characters are not super-heroes, it
doesn’t mean they can’t be interesting or capable.
Characters can be any gender, background, or
ethnicity. It often helps to jump-start the creative
process by picking an actor or athlete to play your
character.
Character sheets for Fate Core are readily available
online.
NPCs
The adventure includes six NPCs who are fellow
travelers. Their stats are detailed in the appendix
section. Feel free to replace these characters with
your own NPCs.
Selma Vale: Selma is a spiritualist and yoga
instruction from Australia. For the past month, she
has been in Europe on a pilgrimage of enlightenment
following her parent’s death in a car accident.
Tasia Shaw ((Influencer/Coach): Tasia is from the
U.S. and is in Italy on a four-week working vacation,
writing her first book. She met the characters at a
party and decided to join them for a few days.
Ava Van Burren (Server): Ava is from Cape Town,
South Africa, and has spent the last four months
working her way across Europe as a bartender. Ava’s
plan is to spend the next three years working her way
around the world.
Omar Keita (Millwright): Omar’s father recently
passed away and he’s traveling to try and decide
whether to take over his father’s small business
(auto-repair shop) or do something different.
Ryu Jin-Ho (Soccer Player): Ryu plays in a popular
South Korean Soccer league. He recently tried out for
the national team and didn’t make the cut. He’s in
Europe to try and figure things out.
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Iyana Rusnak (Heiress): Iyana’s father a member of
the Russian mafia. Iyana never had the chance to
grow up to be anything other than her father’s
daughter. Her father expected her to marry one of his
business associates, so she moved to Europe and
hasn’t spoken to him in over a year.
BACKGROUND ASPECTS
To create greater immersion and roleplaying
opportunities, players need to pick one of the
following bonus background aspects. In return for
taking these aspects, the characters get a free fate
point.
Raised in the occult: This aspect must be selected.
The character’s mother (Monica), who passed away
some years ago, studied the occult. While the
character didn’t necessarily indulge in their mother’s
obsession, they did learn a few things. The character
doesn’t know who their father was.
Unbeknownst to the character, their mother was a
member of the Starry Wisdom Cult when she was
pregnant. Their father is Virgil Corda. Give this
character an extra fate point.
Distracted by a new relationship: The character
recently started a romantic relationship with either
Ava, Tasia or Omar. It’s new and fun, but you’re not
sure how serious they are about it. The character can
be of any gender.
Traveling BFFs: This character is the best friend of
the character who was raised in the occult. They
traveled to Europe together and have been friends
since they were kids. You thought their mother was a
bit weird.
Secret crush: The character has a crush on Selma.
Although she has some odd beliefs about the world,
you find her fun and fascinating. You haven’t
revealed your feelings yet. The character can be of
any gender.
From Russia with love: The character is in the employ
of the Bratvá (Russian mafia). They’ve been sent by
Iyana’s father to befriend and keep her safe. It’s been
made clear that if something happens to Iyana they
will be held personally responsible. They have a
concealed Makarov handgun with 8 bullets.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
SECRET ASPECTS
Optionally, you can offer secret backgrounds to any
character, except the one with the aspect raised in
the occult. Anyone who takes a secret aspect gets a
free Fate point.
These secret backgrounds are not revealed until the
final encounter. Everyone who accepts a secret
background is actually a member of the Starry
Wisdom Cult (Refer to page X).
CHARACTER DEATH
Given that this is a horror adventure and the
characters are ordinary people, a character may die.
If a character dies early in the adventure, either give
them a second chance with a consequence or allow
them to play one of the NPCs.
HOW TO SUPPORT DREAD-QUESTS
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This is a PAY WHAT YOU CAN product, and we
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All of the money goes to pay for more writing and art.
If you want to stay up to date on Dread Quests, Mini-
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love to tune in or even do a guest appearance.
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ADVENTURE BACKGROUND
The Starry Wisdom Sect came to Carcosa after the
fall of Benito Mussolini's regime at the end of World
War II. Its members came from across Europe and
the Americas to follow the cult’s founder, Enoch
Bowen.
Bowen was a British soldier. During the liberation of
Austria, Bowen and his squad discovered a secret
stash of occult relics owned by Otto Rahn, a member
of the Nazi SS.
One of the items was a copy of the nefarious De
Vermis Mysteriis. A book thought to be only a thing of
legend, even amongst the most dedicated occult
scholars.
There was also a strange black crystal with red-
striations. A voice from beyond spoke through the
crystal. It told Bowen to kill the soldiers with him to
keep the existence of the items secret. Bowen
obeyed, blaming their deaths on enemy action.
Using the book and the crystal, Bowen began to
communicate with beings beyond space and time.
They promised power in return for his obedience.
They commanded him to found a church and attract
followers. They named him their Keeper of the Secret
Dark. He called his church The Starry Wisdom Sect.
After settling in Carcosa, Bowen and his followers
had little contact with the outside world. Residents of
surrounding towns began to characterize the people
of Carcosa as being of odd and unusual character.
The word ‘cult’ was often used to describe Bowen’s
church.
Bowen died in the late 1970s. From beyond the
grave, Bowen continued to preach to his flock
through the crystal. His sermons turning ever towards
the subject of his resurrection.
In reality, Bowen was dead. The entity known as
Nyarlathotep was speaking through the crystal using
Bowen’s voice. The plan was not to resurrect Bowen
but to help Nyarlathotep enter our world in physical
form. To accomplish this, many sacrifices would be
required.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
A rash of missing persons began in the late 80s and
early 90s. This resulted in the formation of a special
police task force headed by special detective Marco
Peron.
After years without a break, an anonymous tip led
investigators to suspect Virgil Corda, a resident of
Carcosa. After months of tracking his movements,
they had enough evidence to bring him in for
questioning.
When Peron arrived in Carcosa to take Corda into
custody, he opened fire and barricaded himself in the
church. After a tense stand-off, the police breached
the main doors, only to find Corda kneeling in from o
the alter. His naked body soaked in gasoline.
Turning to Peron, Corda proclaimed, “I have been
chosen by the faceless one, and my progeny shall be
born in his likeness. I now go to the beyond where I
shall dream forever to the sound of flutes. ” Corda
then set himself on fire. Despite their attempts to
save him, the flames could not be doused. Corda was
reduced to ash.
The case was closed until a few months later, there
were more disappearances. Peron reassembled the
task force.
The investigators suspected that Corda had not
acted alone. This time their interest was with the
church to which Corda belonged, the Starry Wisdom
Sect. To his horror, Peron realized the entire town of
Carcosa was complicit. Their motivation was to use
the victims as sacrifices to some unknown deity.
In Carcosa, Nyarlathotep, now using Corda’s voice,
instructed the followers to kidnap a dozen sacrifices
in preparation for the resurrection ceremony. He told
them that when his lover, Monica, gave birth,
Bowen’s soul would be reborn into the world (the
character with the raised in the occult aspect
mother). In reality, it would be Nyarlathotep, who
would take the child’s form.
When Person received word of brazen kidnappings
taking place in the communities around Carcosa, he
knew he had to act. With a unit of soldiers for
support, the task force descended on the town.
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While the highest-ranking members of the cult
prepared for the ritual, others waited in ambush,
knowing the authorities were soon to arrive.
After a brief but intense firefight, the Italian soldiers
overran the cult defenses. They stormed the church,
arriving just in time to find Monica lying on top of the
altar, surrounded by the cult’s elders.
They mistakenly believed her to be one of the
kidnapped victims instead of a willing participant.
The bodies of the actual sacrifice victims were found
in the apse, withered, and drained of blood. Some of
those present say there was something else, lurking
in the shadows, but close inspection revealed
nothing. All those involved were severely shaken by
the horrors they witnessed.
The residents of Carcosa were rounded up and
escorted into the town square. Nobody knows who
fired the first shot, but once it started, the soldiers
and police didn’t stop until all the residents of
Carcosa were dead. Fifty men, women, and children
were executed.
Panicked by the gunfire, the military transport driver
sped away, desperate to be far from this cursed
place. He lost control while taking a turn and was
killed in the crash. His body was recovered, but the
truck was left were it sat. In total, four soldiers had
lost their lives.
The residents and bodies of those sacrificed were
hastily buried in a mass grave. All involved were
anxious to forget what has happened. No reports
were filed. No questions were asked.
Marco Peron, however, could not forget. He was the
first to reach the woman lying on the altar (Monica).
He clearly saw something hideous in the shadow of
the apse. Something waiting just across the threshold
of our world.
After the incident, he tried to return to normal life but
couldn’t. The thoughts of Carcosa plagued his mind.
One day he left for work and never came home. His
wife reported him missing, but little came of the
investigation into his disappearance.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Peron returned to Carcosa. The town was as he had
left it. He settled into one of the homes and began
preparing for the day when that thing in the apse
would try to enter our world again. Peron would give
his life to ensure that that day would never occur.
TIPS & IDEAS
Visit the blog on our website www.one-shot-rpg.com
for some ideas on how to turn this adventure.
WHAT ABOUT COMMON SENSE?
The players may decide early in the adventure that no
rational person would stay in Carcosa. They might try
and leave before the Selma conducts the Ouija board
session.
If this occurs, offer the character a fate point to
accept that they decide to stay.
You can use the NPCs to encourage the characters
to stay. Selma could become upset, “When will we
ever get a chance to stay in a place like this. I know
you are freaked out, but that’s part of the experience.
There is nothing to be afraid of. Spirits can’t hurt you.
This is important to me.”
Ava and Tasia won’t leave Selma and prefer if
everyone stays the night. Omar and Ryu will agree to
stay because they don’t want the girls to remain in
Carcosa alone.
The character with the raised in the occult aspect will
also have an overpowering feeling that they belong
here. They know there is a secret in Carcosa that is
fundamental to who they are.
In the end, if the characters are determined to leave
then, Nyarlathotep will use his powers to prevent that
from happening.
As the characters drive away from town, they will
encounter thick fog where visibility is reduced to only
a few feet in front of the car. After driving for 10
minutes, they’ll arrive back at Carcosa. It doesn’t
matter how many times they leave, they’ll always end
up back at the same place.
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You’ve spent the last several months exploring the people and
places of Europe. During your travels, you’ve met some kindred
spirits. Like you, for them, this trip is about more than just having
fun. They are looking to discover who they are and what they want
to do with their lives.

You know when the trip is over, some of them will be lifelong friends
or even something more.

Over the past week, you’ve been staying in Policoro on the coast of
Southern Italy. By day you enjoy the famous Lido di Policoro beach,
attend soccer games, and wander through the markets. You spend
your nights at the numerous wine bars and clubs.

As your stay in Policoro comes to an end, Selma Vale suggested an

excursion. While she is overly obsessed with history, Wicca, and
other occult matters, her quirky side trips are always fun.

Renting a couple of cars, you plan to drive to the abandoned town

of Carcosa, about 80 miles away. According to Selma, the place
has been deserted since 1999.

Selma has convinced everyone to stay the night, so you have your
traveling gear with you. After a few sessions with the Ouija board,
it’s party time.

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
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CARCOSA
The adventure begins on the drive to Carcosa. Have
each player introduce their character and provide a
quick introduction for each of the NPCs.
If the characters research Carcosa on their own,
they’ll discover that information is sparse. They can
make an Investigation roll. Depending on how well
they roll, they can uncover the following information.
• (Average +1) The town was mysteriously
abandoned in 1999. Some sources reference an
earthquake. An Italian government website lists
the village as condemned.
• (Fair +2) In late 1998, a police investigation into
missing persons led them to a resident of Carcosa
named Virgil Corda. Surrounded by the police,
Corda lit himself on fire. He died at the scene.
• (Good +3) An online post mentions that four
soldiers were killed near Carcosa in a training
accident in 1999, the same year the town was
abandoned.
• (Great +4) An online petition was posted in 2010
to tear down the town. It only received half a
dozen signatures. A name search of each of the
signatories will turn up an obituary.
The characters can also make a Lore roll.
• (Average +1) An occult blog names Carcosa as
one of Italy’s most haunted places.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
• (Fair +2) There are references to an odd religion
practiced in Carcosa since the late 1940s. It is
called the Starry Wisdom sect or cult. It was
founded by Enoch Bowen.
• (Good +3) An occult blogger claims they
interviewed someone who belonged to the Starry
Wisdom Sect in the 70s and 80s. The person
claims the religion was based on an occult book
Bowen found in a Nazi stash during the war.
• (Great +4) An Italian police detective named
Marco Peron went missing in 2000. The post
mentions that Peron left pages and pages of
notes. Each had the world Carcosa written
repeatedly. He has never been found.
If the characters raise concerns to Selma, she’ll
respond, “It’s abandoned. Of course, there are going
to strange stories. Don’t worry. The psychic vibes are
going to be amazing. Trust me”
The NPCs’ behavior during the drive are as follows:
Selma will explain that she learned about Carcosa
from an online occult community. She will claim that
forgotten and abandoned places are great for
recharging your spiritual aura and wild parties.
Tasia is listening to a podcast. If asked about it, she’ll
reply, “It’s a podcast about how to be your best self
when you’re constantly interrupted.” Her serious
expression will quickly turn into a smile. She’ll put
away the podcast and engage with the group.
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Ava and Ryo will be arguing about who is the best
soccer player, Rinaldo or Messi. Ryu is basing his
arguments on his experience playing while Ava is
going by who looks best in knickerbockers.
Omar will spend the drive doing research on Carcosa
using his phone. He’ll uncover and share the story
about Virgil Corda plus one other fact (pick one).
Iyana is quiet. The character with the from Russia
with love aspect will notice her wipe away a tear. If
they inquire, she’ll respond in her thick Russian
accent, “I get email from my mother. My father is very
sick. I feel sad but don’t know why. I hate him since I
was little girl.”
1. The Road to Carcosa
Aspect: Curves, dust, and bumps
The road to Carcosa is a bit rough but easily
traversed with care. Traveling over 25 mph requires a
Fair (+2) Drive roll. There is no cell reception within
20 miles of the village.
Marco Peron will watch as the vehicles approach, but
will not reveal himself.
As Carcosa comes into view, the characters will
notice the wreck of a military-style truck. Read the
following:
In the distance, the town of Carcosa sits perched
atop a rocky hill. The stone buildings have a
distinctive medieval appearance. In the town center,
an ominous-looking cathedral of black stone looms
over the surrounding buildings.
As you drive up the winding trail, you notice the
wreck of a military-style truck in a gulch to your right.
The truck’s front end is smashed against some
boulders. It’s rotted tires, and rusted frame leads you
to believe it’s been here for many years.
Oddly, whoever crashed the vehicle, never bothered
to have it removed.
Ryu will want to stop the car and take a look. None of
the NPCs will object.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
If the characters stop and investigate, they’ll discover
the truck is an old Italian military vehicle (FIAT TM69).
The truck is big enough to transport twenty soldiers
and their gear. The truck is beyond repair.
If the characters make a Fair (+2) Notice roll, they
can find a locked compartment in the truck bed. The
lock is seized, so a Good (+3) Craft or Physique roll is
required to open it.
Inside are a Beretta BM59 rifle and two 20 round
clips of ammunition. The locker has been moisture
free for the past twenty years, so the gun and
ammunition are in excellent condition.
Ava and Omar think they should leave the gun alone.
Selma agrees, saying that taking it will create some
serious negative energy. Omar will point out the gun
has been sitting here for years and could backfire.
Ryu thinks it would be fun to set up some targets and
fire off some rounds. Iyana will grab the gun and
expertly run through a series of checks, “My father
hired ex-Spetsnaz to teach me how to shoot when I
am fifteen. This gun works fine.”
Ultimately, it’s up to the characters to decide what to
do with it.
2. The Killing Square
Aspect: A spooky place where people died.
This open area is where the characters can park their
vehicles. They will notice a faded symbol painted on
the wall of a building. Examining the symbol requires
the character to make an Mediocre (+0) Will roll or
take the difference in mental stress.
Selma will take pictures of the symbol. If asked, she’ll
pretend not to recognize it. The character can make
an Empathy roll against Selma’s Deceive (+2) to
realize she’s being deceptive.
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If they confront Selma, she’ll admit the symbol is
associated with pagan cults and an obscure deity.
It’s bad luck to say the deity's name. Some call it the
haunter from beyond, the faceless god, or the stalker
amongst the stars. She’ll apologize for lying and
explain that she just wants everyone to have fun.
She’ll again promise there is nothing to worry about.
Anyone who makes a Great (+4) Lore roll will also
note these cults are rumored to have made human
sacrifices during medieval times.
The character with the raised in the occult aspect
will recognize the symbol as something their mother
drew when they were young. The character must
make a Fair(+2) Will roll or suffer mental stress.
Have everyone make a Fair (+2) Notice roll. Those
who succeed will spot bullet casings lying on the
ground. If they examine the area, they’ll find
hundreds of casings buried in the dust. Most are
rusted. This square is where the military killed the
Carcosan residents. Iyana will point out the bullets if
the characters fail to notice.
If the characters found the rifle in the wrecked
military truck, they’ll recognize the casings as
belonging to the same model of firearm. Iyana will
comment, “I think there were soldiers here. They all
shoot in that direction.”
An Average (+1) Investigate roll will also uncover
bullet holes in the buildings. There are far fewer
bullet holes than casings, suggesting that whoever
was firing hit their target. Ryu will ask the question,
“Do you think someone was killed here?”
Selma will reply, “Save that question for the Ouija
board, and you’ll get your answer!”
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
3. The Thing in the Attic
Aspect: A musty place of mystery.
The door to this three-story home is missing. Inside,
the furniture is ruined and rotted. Several dozen bullet
casings litter the floor, and there are bullet holes in
the walls. A few rats mingle around the first floor.
If the characters make a Fair (+2) Notice roll, they
can find another BM59 rifle under a kitchen table.
Exposed to the elements, the weapon no longer
functions. Iyana will inspect the gun, “It broken. If this
was Kalashnikov, it would still work.”
If anyone makes a Fair (+2) Notice roll, they can find
a trap door in the third-floor ceiling. If the characters
fail their roll, Tasia will point it out.
A Fair (+2) Investigation roll reveals fingernail scratch
marks around the trap door. This suggests someone
was desperately trying not to be pulled up through it.
The characters will have to boost someone up to
reach the trap door. Iyana will volunteer, “I am not
scared of Baba Yaga. Help me up.” Once in the attic,
she’ll scream before popping her head back down
through the trap door laughing.
The attic is filled with old boxes of junk. There is a foul
unidentifiable fishy odor. A Fair (+2) Investigate roll
will reveal an Italian soldier’s skeletal remains. If none
of the characters make their roll, Tasia will discover
the body. This time the scream is real.
There is a hole in the soldier’s skull. If someone
makes a Fair (+2) Investigate roll, they can pull a
small sharp tooth out of the wound.
The soldier is wearing a holster containing a 9 mm
Beretta handgun with two 15 round clips. The gun
can be made to function with an Average (+1) Craft
roll. Ryu will suggest keeping it, but Selma and Ava
will disagree.
Near the body, the characters will find the source of
the foul odor. Partially concealed behind a box is the
rotted dried-out remains of some animal. A Fair (+2)
Lore roll, will identify it as a strange octopus species
with tentacles 3 to 4 feet in length. The tooth
matches. Everyone must make an Average (+1) Will
roll or acquire mental stress.
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Tasia will suggest calling the police. Ava will reply, “I All of the buildings show evidence of regular
saw the Amana Knox documentary. I don’t want to be maintenance. The windows are boarded over, but the
mixed up in any murder investigation.”. front doors are unlocked.

Ryu will look alarmed, “You think he was murdered?”.
Tasia will reply, “He has a hole in his head, Ryu?”
Omar will remind everyone there is no cell coverage
and suggest they place an anonymous call after
leaving the country.
Selma will stare intently at the soldier, “This
happened a long time ago. Perhaps we can contact
this soldier’s spirit and find out how he died.”
OPTIONAL: If you want to include more combat in
this adventure, read the following as the characters
come down from the attic.
As you return to the first floor, you notice the number
of rats has increased. A dozen of the vermin leer out
from beneath the rotted furniture. Unnervingly, their
beady eyes follow your every move. For the first time,
you notice these are not your ordinary city rats. They
have overgrown incisors that look like they can
deliver a vicious bite.
Inside, all of the furniture has been removed. The
walls, floors, and ceilings are covered in odd symbols
and hieroglyphs, including many drawings of
triangles. Anyone making a Good (+3) Lore roll will
recognize the symbols as being similar, but not
identical, to signs of protection and barrier creation.
Selma will identify them as such but admit there is
something unusual about them.
In a central room, a large triangle is carved into the
wooden floor. At each point of the triangle sits an unlit
candle next to a symbol. In a small bowl nearby are
sticks of chalk and a box of waterproof matches.
A Good (+3) Lore roll will recognize this as one
corner of a triangle of protection. The implication is
there must be two other buildings.

The rats have been mutated by the presence of

Nyarlathotep. Three rats will aggressively charge out
from under the furniture and bite at people’s ankles. If
any of them draws blood, all of the rats will swarm
that person. The rats won’t leave the building.

L Aspect:
12 RABID RATS
Shadow dwelling rodent
Tendency to swarm
Skills: Good (+3): Athletics
Fair (+2): Fight, Hide
Stress: 1❑ The only reason someone would create a triangle of
Frenzy: If one rat causes at least 1 physical stress, protection is to keep something supernatural trapped
other rats get +1 to attack the same target the next inside or prevent it from entering.
round.
To perform the ritual the candles need to be lit, and

4. Ritual Houses
Aspect: Uncluttered places of deceptive power
To entrap Nyarlathotep, Marco Peron created a
triangle of protection (similar to a magic circle)
around the cathedral. Three buildings serve as the
points of the triangle (refer to map on page x).
symbols need to be traced in chalk (refer to page x).
Each building that is part of the greater pyramid can
be activated in sequence or simultaneously. Selma
will explain the ritual if no one else makes their roll.
Omar will ask whether or not this is some elaborate
hoax. Tasia will reply that given the effort involved,
whoever set it up took it seriously.

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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
5. The Starry Wisdom Temple
Aspect: A dark and sinister place of worship
As the characters approach the cyclopean cathedral
located at the center of the town, read the following:
The great bulk of the church rises darkly in the center
of Carcosa. The building is in a state of great
decrepitude. The high gothic windows are unbroken.
The massive doors are intact and tightly closed.
Desolation and decay hang like a pall about the
place. You feel a touch of the dimly sinister that is
hard to define.
Selma giggles with excitement, “Can’t you feel the
waves of psychic energy coming from this place.”
Omar will reply, “I think normal people call that feeling
being scared shitless.”
Ava will break the ice. “Once we get inside, I’ll set up
the cocktail bar. With a little music and some liquid
courage, this place won’t look so bad.”
Tasia will reply sarcastically, “Spooky church, drunk
young people. What could go wrong?”
The main doors require a Legendary (+8) Physique
roll to pry open. Alternatively, a smaller door on the
east side can be opened with a Good (+3) Burglary
roll or Great (+4) Physique roll. Anyone making a Fair
(+2) Notice roll will spot an open cellar window. If the
characters fail their roll, Ryu will spot it. Looking
inside, they see:
The basement is filled with cobwebs, debris, ruined
boxes, and old furniture of numerous sorts. Over
everything lay a shroud of dust. The rusted remains
of a hot-air furnace sits at the far end of the cellar.
The vaulted cellar is vast and without partitions. In a
far corner, amid dense shadows, you see a black
archway and a flight of stairs beyond.
Iyana will grab Ryu’s soccer ball (under protest) and
toss it into the basement. It will bounce across the
concrete floor, leaving a furrow in the dust. She’ll
smile, “Good. No nasty critters.”
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
The characters can lower themselves down to the
dust-carpeted and debris-strewn floor (Aspect: Dusty
and cluttered). Getting back out requires a Fair (+2)
Athletics roll unless the characters place something
against the wall.
Beyond the arch a set of well-worn stone steps that
spiral up into the darkness. At the top is a close door
that is unlocked. Once opened, it leads into the nave
of the cathedral.
NAVE & APSE
Aspects: Cobwebs and shadows everywhere.
The colossal nave is an almost eldritch place with its
drifts and mountains of dust over box pews, altar,
hourglass pulpit, and sounding-board. Titanic ropes
of cobweb stretch between the Gothic columns
supporting the roof.
Through the strange half-blackened panes of the
great apsidal windows shines the hideous leaden light
from the afternoon sun.
The paintings on the windows are mostly obscured,
but you can make out the same unnerving symbol
you saw in the town square. One of the windows
shows merely a dark space with spirals of curious
luminosity scattered about in it.
A large altar of black stone sits inside the apse.
Unlike the rest of the church, it is not shrouded in a
layer of dust. You don’t see a crucifix.
The altar is made of a single piece of black stone and
weighs several tons. Oddly, the rock absorbs all light,
so there is no reflection off the surface. There is
nothing else of interest in the room.
The characters who has the raised in the occult
aspect will have an unshakable feeling like they’ve
been here before.
Omar will take a look around and proclaim, “I’m
giving this place a 1-star review. Anyone think to
bring a broom?”
Selma will twirl in a circle, her arms outstretched.
“Don’t be silly. This place is awesome. I can’t wait to
see what spirits we can summon.”
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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
Ava and Iyana will start unpacking and setting up the
bar on the altar. Selma will rush over to them in a
near-panic, “What the fuck are you doing? You can’t
use the altar as a bar!”
Ava will back away, “Calm down, Selma, what
difference does it make?” Iyana will shrug, “Yeah,
what’s big deal?”
Selma will reply angrily, “It’s fucking disrespectful to
the spirits. There is a table over there against the wall
you can use.”
One of the characters can make an Average (+1)
rapport roll to smooth things over.
Reluctantly, Ava will move her bar on the table. She’ll
pull out some small plastic cups and a bottle,
“Everyone needs to chill out. Vodka shots will be
ready in five.” Iyana will add, “Make it double for me.”
Omar will jump in, “Triple here!” Ryu will keep it
going, “Quadruple.” If the character made the rapport
roll, Selma will laugh, “I don’t know what comes after
that….”
Selma doesn’t want to start the Ouija seance until
after dark. This will give the characters time to
explore the church and town.
NARTHEX
The reception area of the church is covered in dust
and cobwebs. If they inspect the double doors, they’ll
discover no obvious locking mechanism.
A Good (+3) Investigate roll will reveal a hidden lever.
Activating it, unlocks the door. Strangely, the door
can only be locked or unlocked from the inside.
ANCHORHOLD
Behind a solid wooden door is a small cell with no
furniture. The door has a tiny slot window and can
only be locked or unlocked from the outside. The only
item of furniture is a rusted metal bucket in one
corner.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Anyone making a Fair (+2) Lore roll recognizes this
as an anchorhold, a small cell used for solitary
medication. In medieval times some monks would be
locked away for days or weeks at a time (Aspect:
uncomfortable and pitch dark).
Ryu will dare someone to let themselves be locked
inside for five minutes without their cell phone or
flashlights. Ava/Tasia/Omar will volunteer if the
character they are romantically involved with joins
them. You might also compel the character with the
secret crush on Selma to act.
Once the door is closed, it is pitch black inside.
Once inside, Ava/Tasia/Omar will say. “I have an idea
of how we can kill 5 minutes.” They’ll laugh as they
reach out, trying to find the characters face in the
darkness. They will then lean in and give them a kiss.
During the kiss, the character will feel something
coiling around and up their leg. Ava/Tasia/Omar will
feel it as well, asking, “Is that you?” If they reach
down, there is nothing there, but they get the
sensation that something just moved away from
them. Both the character and Ava/Tasia/Omar need
to make a Fair (+2) Will roll or suffer the difference in
mental stress.
If they yell, Ryu will open the door, “I knew you
wouldn’t last 5 minutes.”
Ava/Tasia/Omar will, “Shut up Ryu, there was
something in there with us.”
Looking at the empty cell, Ryu will laugh. “Yeah, an
overactive imagination.”
EAST FOYER
Aspect: A non-descript room
The outside door in the east foyer is locked. There is
a keyhole so it can be picked with a Good (+3)
Burglary roll or forced with a Great (+4) Physique roll.
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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
VESTRY
Aspect: A forgotten repository of the occult.
This vestry room contains a rotting desk and ceiling-
high shelves of mildewed, disintegrating books.
Anyone checking the desk will find a locked drawer. It
can be opened with an Fair (+2) Burglary or Physique
roll. Omar will open it if no one else makes the roll.
Inside, wrapped in red cloth, is a strange and
unnerving dagger. Iyana will point to the blade, “It’s
curved. Good for cutting throat.”
Anyone examining the bookshelves can make a Fair
(+2) Lore roll. If successful, they can identify the
volumes as relating to the occult and dark magic.
Selma will do a quick review of the titles. “Quite an
interesting collection of the occult, astronomy, and
alchemy. But all of them are ruined. What a waste.”
She’ll pick up a book, and it will crumble to dust.
TOILETS
The area contains four stalls with toilets. One of the
toilets is missing, leaving a gaping hole in the floor.
There is an old broom in this area.
STEEPLE
Aspect: Tight, dusty, and winding
A spiral staircase leads up to the steeple. Read the
following:
The ascent up the spiral stairs is a choking
experience, for dust lays thick, and spiders have
done their worst in this constricted place. Periodic
windows grant a dizzying view of the town and
surrounding country. At the top of the stairs is a small
closed door.
The door cannot be opened until the Ouija séance.
6. Carcosa Citadel
Aspect: Large empty halls and loud echoes
This tall stone keep is devoid of furnishings. In the
center of the main hall is a stone sarcophagus.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
The name carved into the lid is Enoch Bowden. An
epitaph reads, “Founder of Starry Wisdom and
Keeper of the Secret Dark.”
Inset into the stone lid is a depression where a fist-
sized crystal has been placed. It is black with red
striations. Read the following:
This stone exerts an almost alarming
fascination. You can scarcely tear your eyes
from it. Looking at its glistening surfaces, you
almost fancy it to be transparent, with half-
formed worlds of wonder within.
Your mind drifts to images of alien orbs with
great stone towers and titanic mountains with
no trace of life. And still, your mind wanders to
remoter spaces where you sense a stirring of
some great consciousness in the vague
blackness.
Anyone making a Good (+3) Occult roll will recognize
the crystal as a conduit or medium through which a
psychic can contact spirits or supernatural entities.
If the character with the raised in the occult aspect
touches the stone, they’ll find it strangely familiar.
Even though they’ve never seen it before, they can‘t
shake the feeling they’ve been in the stone’s
presence in the past. They will find themselves
whispering, “…the Secret Dark.”
To slide the heavy stone lid aside requires a Good
(+3) Physique roll. Inside is a mummified corpse of a
man with what appears to be a dried octopus draped
over his head.
.
The Secret Dark
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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
Selma is mesmerized by the stone. Her hands will
shake as she reaches out to run her fingers along the
surface, “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful….so
powerful.”
Selma feels the crystal would be a good addition to
their Ouija séance. Omar and Tasia don’t like the idea
of graverobbing. Selma will respond, “We’ll put it
back before we leave. Promise.”
Iyana, will suddenly break down in tears and run out
of the hall. Ava will go after her. The characters can
find them both outside sharing a cigarette, tears still
staining Iyana’s cheeks. If they ask what happened,
she’ll reply, “I heard voice coming from stone. It was
my father. He told me I could be happy now because
he was dead and in hell where he belongs.”
If they ask about her father, Iyana will explain, “My
father is very wealthy and member of Russia party.
He has dinner with Putin sometimes. He only cares
about money and power. He has always been cruel
and tried to force me to marry business associate. I
left and have not spoken to him since.”
Iyana has been thinking about her father ever since
receiving the email earlier in the day. She will
conclude the voice was a product of her imagination.
The voice was real. Her father is dead.
7. Alchemists Lab
Aspect: Limitless jars of alchemical ingredients.
The door to this building is locked. Through the
windows, the characters can see what looks to be a
laboratory.
Inside, underneath a layer of dust, is alchemical
equipment. Shelves are lined with hundreds of glass
jars containing alchemical ingredients like salt,
bismuth, sulfur, zinc carbonate, powdered iron,
calcium sulfate, gunpowder, barium sulfide, lye, and
numerous other chemicals.
In a room with no windows is a modern work station
and tools. There is also an empty crate labeled as
explosive. If someone makes a Good (+3) Craft rol,l
they can determine the workstation was used to
create contemporary explosive devices.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
8. Peron’s Hideout
Aspect: The hideout of a man with a plan.
This building on the outskirts of the town serves as
Marco Peron’s residence. The reinforced doors
are locked, and the windows are shuttered.
There is a pile of firewood at the back of the
building that looks freshly cut and a wood axe free
of corrosion.
Peron is not present. He is staying hidden, hoping
the character will eventually leave.
If the characters are persistent, they can break in
with a Great (+4) Burglary or Physique roll. Once,
inside it’s evident that someone lives here.
The furnishings are modest. There are several
shelves cluttered with books on the occult. There
are hundreds of hand written pages on the subject
of rituals and the elder gods. There are also
dozens of photographs taped to a wall including
those of former cult members.
The character with the raised in the Occult aspect
will immediately be drawn to a large photograph of
their mother. Underneath the photograph is
written, “Victim or volunteer?”
A pantry contains several months of food and a
locked gun cabinet. The cabinet requires a
Fantastic (+6) Burglary roll to open.
Inside the cabinet are the following weapons:
• Beretta 92 pistol (100 rounds)
• Beretta ARX160 (300 rounds)
• Benelli M4 Shotgun (100 rounds)
• A remote detonator – it will do nothing if
activated.
PAGE 13
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
The Ouija Seance
Once the sun sets, the characters and NPCs can
gather inside the cathedral. The mental and physical
stress from the day can be reset.
Ava and Tasia are hanging out around the make-shift
bar. Electronica-style music is blaring from a blue
tooth speaker. Ryu and Omar are be kicking a
soccer ball back and forth in the vestibule. Iyana is
sitting by herself, her mind on her father.
Selma is in the apse setting up dozens of candles.
She has the Ouija board laid out on the altar and the
Secret Dark crystal (if she took it from the tomb).
Give the characters a few moments to interact with
the NPCs and each other.
Selma will soon call everyone to join her at the altar.
Ava will offer a round of shots and raise her glass in a
toast, “Spirits for the spirit.”
After finishing her shot, Selma’s voice will take on a
serious, slightly sinister tone, “To get the most out of
this spiritual experience, everyone needs to have an
open mind. There is nothing to be afraid of.”
She’ll ask the character who has a secret crush on
her to place their hands on the planchette opposite
hers. As they do, she’ll give them a slight smile
intended only for them alone.
Selma’s will suddenly cry out, her voice echoing
around the apse, “Spirits of Carcosa. We ask that you
grant us the wisdom of the beyond. Is there someone
who will speak with us. Someone who died here and
wants their story told.”
The planchette will twitch, moving to the “Yes”
marker on the board. Selma has connected with
Amos De Masi, the soldier whose body is in the attic
at location #3 on the map.
Selma will encourage the character to ask the
questions. Amos wants his body buried but can only
answer with single-word responses.
After answering a few questions, the planchette will
shake and spell out HIDING. It remains still for several
minutes before violently swirling around the board.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Nyarlathotep is now in charge. It will not entertain
questions, but instead repeat the same four
words: BOOK – STEEPLE - DOOR – OPEN.
If the group has already checked the steeple and
discovered the door was locked, Omar will
exclaim, “No way. That door was locked solid.”
Ava will pour another shot. “Well, there is only one
way to find out.” She’ll down her drink and run for
the stairs. “The last one to the top dies first.”
Iyana will be right on her heels.
De Vermis Mysteriis
Room Aspect: Place of Oppressive Evil Power
When everyone reaches the top of the spiral
staircase, they’ll find the door is open.
Through the door is a room, about fifteen feet
square, with four shuttered lancet windows, one
on each side. In one corner of the cobwebbed
chamber, a ladder is built into the wall. It leads up
to a closed trap-door.
In the center of the dust-laden floor rises a
curiously metallic podium some four feet in height.
Each of the four legs is adorned with bizarre,
octoploid carvings. On this podium sits an open
book.
The musty scent that rises from the pages carries
with it the reek of the tomb. The faded leaves are
maggoty at the edges, and rats have gnawed the
leather.
If anyone climbs the ladder, they’ll find the trap
door is locked. Omar will check it out if the
characters don’t.
Selma will study the book for several minutes.
Anyone joining her needs to make a Fair (+2) Will
roll or suffer mental stress.
A Great (+4) Lore roll will identify the book as the
legendary De Vermis Mysteriis.
After flipping through a few pages, Selma will let
out a jarring squeal of delight.
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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
SELMA
Oh, my god. It can’t be. It’s real. It’s fucking real. This
is a copy of De Vermis Mysteriis.
It was written by Ludvig Prin in the late 15th century.
They say he worshipped old pagan gods in the
forests near Brussels before agents of the inquisition
captured him. He was imprisoned and tortured.
It was in prison awaiting for trial that he wrote the De
Vermis Mysteriis, also known also as the Mysteries of
the Worm. Prinn was later burned at the stake as a
witch.
No one knows how he smuggled it out of that
dungeon, but a year after his death, it saw print.
The book was immediately suppressed, and no
copies are known to have survived.
If the character with the raised in the occult aspect
examines the book, they will blindly turn to a page
and read aloud (Gain Fate or spend Fate to avoid)
“Ia! Ia! Noctis velut custode secretum aduoco veteris
miserunt mille cum istis.”
Anyone who can make a Good (+3) Lore roll can
identify the language as Latin. Roughly translated, it
means.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
“Praises! Praises! As the Keeper of the Secret
Dark, I call upon the Old Ones to send their
thousand Young.”
As soon as the character finishing reading, they’ll
regain control of their faculties. They understand
ever word of the translation.
The character will also recall a memory of their
mother reading to them when they were young.
The children’s book supplanted with the dreaded
De Vermis Mysteriis.
If the character spends a fate point, they can resist
the urge to read the book. Selma, however, will
not be able to resist. Read the following:
As you look around the strange room you notice,
Selma’s eyes glean in a feral light; her profile
grows more intent as she pores over the
moldering pages.
Her voice falls to a whisper as she reads a
passage from the book.
After reading the passage (above), Selma will
suddenly propel herself away from the book. Her
face is a pale white mask of newly awakened fear.
“I didn’t mean to read that. It’s like something
came over me. My voice wasn’t my own.”
If the characters prevent Selma from reading the
book, read the following.
The ancient stone walls of the church suddenly
creak as if under tremendous stress. From the
book itself comes a sudden burst of lubricious
laughter – a hysterical cackling born of utter
madness. The voice then begins to read (see
above).
A Thousand Young
Regardless of who reads the book, the following
occurs:
The room turns cold. A sudden wind shrieks up
the spiral stairs from below. A wind that is not of
this earth. The trap door in the ceiling flies open
with a loud crash.
PAGE 15
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
The NPCs are freaked out. Ryu will say nervously, “I
think I’m going to puke.” He will turn and vomit in the
corner.

Ava will grip one of the character’s hands, “Do you

know what’s going on? Is there someone up there?”

Omar remains calm, “Okay, whose idea was this?

Nicely done but can we quite the scare tactics?”

Tasia will head towards the stairs, “I don’t’ care if it’s

Jesus himself up there. I’ve had enough of this Ouija
board shit. I’m going back downstairs.”

From beyond the trap-door, there is a soft slithering

sound. If none of the characters investigate, Iyana
will walk towards the ladder, “I check it out. It just
wind and loud noise, not ghosts.”

As soon as anyone reaches the top of the ladder, a

pair of tentacles will strike out from the darkness.
The character/Iyana need to make a Fair (+2)
Athletics roll to evade.
If they fail, the tentacles wrap around their head and
arms. They will fall backward off the ladder, pulling a
Mimicking Creeper into view. If it’s Iyana, she will
L need help escaping its clutches.
If the Athletics roll is successful, the tentacles will
instead grip the ladder and pull the creeper into view.
The creature resembles a large octopus with
antennae. It’s anterior opens into a maw of rotator
teeth. To you horror, the abominable creature
speaks, it’s voice sounding like Ava’s, “Last one to
the bottom dies first.”
To free someone gripped by tentacles, a character
must make competing Fight or Physique rolls against
the creeper. Don’t forget that other characters/NPCs
can gang up on a creeper and give an advantage.
Selma will not survive this encounter. At a dramatic
moment, read the following:
Hideous laughter echoes down from the steeple attic.
All at once, Selma screams and claws wildly at the
empty air. In the light, her features contort into a
grimace of insane agony. A moment later, her body
rises unsupported from the floor and bends outward
to a back-breaking degree. A second later, you hear
the sickening grind of broken bones.

Another set of tentacles emerge from the trap door
as a second creature emerges.
Before rolling initiative, everyone needs to make a
Will roll against the creepers’s Provoke skill. A failure
results in mental stress.
Each round, another creeper will emerge. There
L number is endless, so the characters will soon
realize they have no choice but to run.
Selma is shrieking now; her screams blended with the
grateful, atrocious laughter coming from above. Her
sagging body, dangling in space, bent backward
once again as blood spurts from her torn neck,
spraying like a ruby fountain.
The blood never reaches the floor. It stops in mid-air
and flows upward, disappearing through the trap
door. The laughter ceases and a loathsome sucking
noise takes its place.

PAGE 16
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
With a new and accelerated horror you realize that
the blood is being drained to feed some invisible
entity from beyond!
Selma’s body becomes shrunken and lifeless. At
length, it drops to the floor and lays nauseatingly still.
Everyone needs to make Good (+3) Will roll or
acquire the difference in mental stress. Nyarlathotep
is content with his meal and will leave the rest of the
encounter to the creepers.
The NPCs will run in panic. The stairs can only be
descended in a single file and require an Average
(+1) Athletics roll not to trip and fall.
After being sick, Ryu is the slowest to react.
Numerous creepers will grab him before he can leave
the room. One of the creepers will bite into his head
with their rotating teeth carving out a hole in his skull.
Ryu should also not escape the steeple.
If someone tries to remove the De Vermis Mysteriis,
they’ll find it is held in place by a powerful unseen
force (Legendary +8).
If anyone climbs the ladder to try and shut the trap
door, they’ll encounter a sea of writhing tentacles as
dozens of creepers roil above as they wait their turn
to go through the door.
An Unexpected Savior
When the characters reach the bottom of the stair,
Marco Peron is waiting armed with a shotgun and two
silenced pistols. He’ll open fire on any creepers that
are in pursuit.
After firing several shots, he’ll back away towards the
east foyer exit, “I have a safe place. Follow me if you
want to survive this!”
Peron will hand two of the characters his silenced
Beretta handguns (Ammo: 15 each).
Peron will lead the group to his hideout (Location #8
on the map, description on page X). Once inside, he’ll
secure the door and reload his shotgun.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Restore all mental and physical stress.
PERON
“We will only be safe here for a short time. You will
find food and medical supplies in the pantry. There is
hot coffee on the stove for those of you who need to
sober up.
My name is Marco Peron. I was a police detective in
charge of a task force looking into missing person
cases dating back to the 70s. In 1999, I led a group
of soldiers here to take everyone in this cursed town
into custody. We had evidence they were complicit in
dozens of kidnappings. I later learned they were
abducting people for sacrifices to that thing that
dwells in the steeple.
You have unleashed something I’ve been waiting for
for twenty years. It goes by many names, but its true
name is Nyarlathotep. If we don’t destroy it, it will be
the doom of us all, perhaps the whole fucking world. “
While Peron is talking, the character with the raised in
the occult aspect should notice the photograph of
their mother, Monica, on the wall.
All of the surviving NPCs are upset. Tasia will try her
phone but can’t get a signal. Frustrated, she’ll throw it
to the ground, “Why the hell are we still here? We
need to get the fuck out of this place and call the
police.”
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 L DREAD-QUESTS L
Peron will open the gun safe and start taking out
firearms. “I’m sorry, my dear, but you can’t leave.
None of us can. That thing in the church won’t let us.
Your only chance to survive is to help me kill it.”
Peron will be able to provide any information in the
adventure background (Page 3) but will grow
impatient with too many questions,
PERON
“I have a plan to kill that thing. I’ve rigged the church
with explosives. Enough to reduce the entire
structure to ruins. But to kill it, we need to lure it out
of the trap door.
When it is in the steeple, it exists outside of our
dimension, beyond our reality. Setting off the
explosives while it is inside will do nothing.
We need it to come down into the church but can’t
risk it escaping Carcosa. That is why I built a triangle
of imprisonment. The triangle surrounds the church.
At each point of the triangle is a building. Inside each
building is a room with a smaller triangle carved into
the floor. The candles at each point of the small
triangle must be lit. Then using chalk, three symbols
inside must be traced. There are enough of us that
one person can stay at each point to make sure the
candles don’t go out. We need to activate the triangle
before we lure it out.
Once Nyarlathotep comes down into the church, I will
blow the steeple, so it has nowhere to escape. Then
we just need to run. Once we pass beyond the
triangle’s boundary, I’ll detonate the rest of the
explosives and send Carcosa to hell where it belongs.
I need your help if I’m going to pull this off.
When they ask him how he intends to lure
Nyarlathotep out, Peron will sigh, “I’m not exactly
sure, I’ve never been able to get past the door at the
top of the stairs. There must be something special
about your group or someone in it. I am hoping it will
come out from where it dwells because of one of you.
Do any of you know why it has taken an interest in
you?”
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Omar will reply, “No idea, but if I understand what
you’re saying, you want to use us as bait?”
Peron will reply, “I’m sorry. I would volunteer, but I’ve
been here for twenty years, and Nyarlathotep has
shown no interest. I guess it finds me unappetizing.”
Tasia will jump in, “What about the book? Can we use
that somehow?” Peron will shrug in response.
IF ASKED ABOUT MONICA
Presumably, the character with the raised in the
occult aspect will ask about the photograph of their
mother. Peron will explain who she is.
PERON
“We rescued her from the church. At the time, I
believed she was supposed to be the last sacrifice.
Now I’m confident she was not a victim but a
volunteer.
Monica was pregnant at the time. I believe the father
may have been Virgil Corda. He was a senior ranking
cult member who set himself on fire in the church
when I tried to arrest him.
I think the baby was an essential part of the ritual that
we interrupted. This woman, Monica, went back to
America after the incident. I’m not sure what became
of her.”
If the character reveals to Peron that Monica is their
mother, he’ll fall silent for a few moments before
frantically searching through his papers until he finds
what he is looking for.
PERON
“You were going to be his vessel. Of course,
Nyarlathotep wouldn’t be able to do much in his true
form. The world would unite against such an
abomination. His plan was to take human form. That
of a baby. Your form.
It’s not a coincidence that you are here. Nyarlathotep
must have manipulated events to ensure you would
return. He still intends to use you as his host.”
Give the characters a Fair (+2) Notice roll. If
successful, they’ll notice Peron’s hand edging
towards his shotgun before pulling back.
PAGE 18
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
PERON
“You need to be the one who draws Nyarlathotep out
of the steeple. He’ll come for you, I’m sure of it.
Without you, he’s just a monster. You are his door
into our world. You are our bait.”
If anyone, except the character with the raised in the
occult aspect, uses the crystal, they must make a
Great (+4) Will roll or suffer mental stress. If the
character with the aspect uses the crystal, they will
hear the whispery voice in their mind.

While Peron is talking, the character who had a
secret crush on Selma will momentarily feel her
presence. They will find themselves looking around
the room as if expecting to see her.
Selma’s spirit is present and now knows the
character secretly liked her. The character has
gained a secret aspect, a guardian angel. As GM,
you can invoke to give the character a +2 bonus on
any roll in return for a fate point. If they agree, they
feel Selma’s presence guiding them.
“Lay yourself upon my black alter and accept that we
are destined to be one. Obey me as your mother and
father obeyed.“
They now realize that what Peron claimed is true.
They were conceived by their parents to serve as a
vessel so that Nyarlathotep could walk the earth.
The De Vermis Mysteriis book will not play a role in
the final encounter.

In summary, Peron’s plan is as follows: Ryu Alive?

This event occurs as the group leaves Peron’s
• Split up and activate each of the points of the
hideout, but before they split up. It assumes Ryu (or
triangle of imprisonment. He wants one person
maybe another NPC) never made it out of the
(an NPC) to stay behind and protect the ritual
steeple. The creepers will be using Ryu to set an
house.
ambush.
• Everyone else will rendezvous in front of the
church.
There are shared nods, handshakes, and hugs before
• They will enter the church and draw out
you split into three groups. Before you make it more
Nyarlathotep.
than a dozen meters from Peron’s hideout, you hear
• Peron will detonate explosive charges destroying
a familiar voice yelling towards you. It’s Ryu, “Hey
the steeple, cutting Nyarlathotep off from escaping
guys, help me! I can’t get out. Please, guys!”
through the trap door.
• Everyone will run, passing outside of the triangle’s
You immediately spot movement further up the
boundary.
street. A hand is waving from an open second-story
• Peron will detonate the remaining charges,
window.
blowing up the church and destroying
Nyarlathotep.
If a character makes a Fair (+2) Investigation roll,
they can determine that Ryu must be on the floor,
Before they leave, Peron will give the characters
straining to reach out the window based on the height
access to his weapons.
of his arm.
If, by chance, the characters have the Secret Dark
If they approach, Ryu will continue to beg to be
crystal, Ava will say, “We should take the crystal. It
released, “Please help me, guys. I don’t know what
might be useful for something.”
happened, but I woke up locked in this room. Get me
out of here. I can’t stand. Something is wrong with my
The Secret Dark Crystal: Anyone making a Fair (+2)
legs. I can barely lift my arm. Please get me out of
Lore roll will realize the crystal can be used to directly
here.“
communicate with Nyarlathotep. It is also likely that it
can see through the crystal. The characters might
The main entrance to the building is unlocked.
come up with a way to use it to trick him and draw
him out.

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When they reach the 2nd floor, to their horror, they
L find one of the creepers waiting for them. Protruding
from its maw is Ryu’s arm. It’s speaks with Ryu’s
voice, “Thanks, guys.”
From the 1st floor they can hear more of the creatures
ascending the stairs behind them. It’s a trap.
If any of the characters are outside, the creepers will
try and close the door, trapping anyone who entered.
More creepers will appear from the alleys and
rooftops. There will be 1-2 per character/NPC
depending on how difficult you want to make the
encounter.
The Ritual
The ritual houses are free of creepers. The
characters can light the candles and trace the
symbols inside the small triangles. The following
NPCs will decide to stay behind and protect the
candles, one at each location.
• Ava
• Omar
• Tasia
As one of the best shots in the group, Iyana plans on
joining the characters in the final confrontation with
Nyarlathotep.
If the character assigned to protect Iyana raises an
objection, she’ll respond, “I like you [NAME], but I
don’t need guardian protector. I am daughter of Igor
Rusnak. There is nothing in that church scarier than
that.”
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
If they decide to tell Iyana the truth, they will have to
make a Fair (+2) Rapport roll. If they fail, Iyana will
stand trembling with rage for a few minutes before
getting in their face. “You Mu-dak. I was actually
sad to hear of my father’s illness. Now, I wish what I
see in crystal is true. That he is dead, and that you
will join him.”
The character needs to make a Will roll against
Iyana’s Provoke skill (+2) or suffer mental stress.
If they succeed on the rapport roll, she’ll respond, “I
can’t believe this, but you tell me truth. It doesn’t
matter who you are, we need each other. If we live,
we will discuss later. If we don’t live, there is no
secret between us.”
Give the character a temporary aspect: Iyana’s
forgiveness.
Ava/Tasia/Omar will approach the character they
are in a relationship with and give them a long kiss,
“Be careful. When we get out of here, let’s finish
what we started in that cell, okay.”
Omar will grasp forearms and hug the characters,
“Wish I was going with you. Good luck, and don’t
worry about me. I got this place. Any of those little
crawly bastards try and get it here, they’ll be sorry.”
Tasia will give each of the characters a hug, “I wish
I had something motivational to say, but I’m at a
loss, so I’ll just say. I believe in all of you.”
Ava will pout, “Dammit, no booze. We could all
really use a shot right now. Good luck.”
As they leave, each NPC will close and lock the
door from the inside. The characters and Peron can
meet in front of the cathedral.
Peron will walk up to the double doors and pull
them open. They are no longer sealed.
They can make an Average (+1) Notice roll to
detect the doors quietly swinging shut behind them
as they leave the vestibule. The locking mechanism
will activate.
PAGE 20
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

Nyarlathotep Revealed Each time the character fails, they must make an
Average (+1) Will roll or suffer mental stress.
All physical and mental stress is reset.

You step back into the colossal nave of the church.
Your mind replays the horrors of Selma being drained
and cast aside, devoid of life.
L first, there are writhing shapes, coiling, and squirming
The light from her candles fills the space with an eerie
luminescence. Just enough light to betray the outline
of the great columns and pews but not nearly enough
to cast back the shadows. You doubt there is enough
light in the entirety of the universe to do that.
The symbols painted onto the windows are now
clearly visible, each glowing with a dull eldritch
radiance.
At the front of the church, the large black altar awaits.
The Ouija board and planchette have been thrown
aside, leaving it bare.
Once they succeed on the roll, read the following:
In the coalescing darkness, something moves. At
around in the dark nothingness.
Then, the haunter from beyond, Nyarlathotep, steps
forward. Its body is that of a beautiful woman, but its
head is a horror beyond description - a hideous alien
mass of grasping tentacles and probing antennae
surrounding an abyssal maw of rotating teeth.
Everyone must make a Will roll against Nyarlathotep’s
Provoke or take mental stress.
The entity speaks, it’s voice is both seductive and
repulsive. You are transfixed.

(If the characters don’t’ have the stone) – Hovering in

the empty space above the infernal altar is the stone
crystal known as the Secret Dark. From it, you hear
whispers akin to the hiss of vipers.

Behind the altar, there is an area of coalescing

darkness.

If the characters have the crystal, read the following.

From the crystal, you hear what sounds like a viper’s

hiss. It begins to vibrate, looking to be free of your
possession. Flying from your grasp, it soars across
the room, coming to rest hovering directly above the
insidious black altar.

Despite the hesitancy in his voice, Peron will urge the

characters forward, “Go ahead, approach the altar,
and call out this demon. It can hear you through the
crystal. Draw it out, and let’s be done with this wicked
work.”

The character with the raised in the occult must

make a successful Provoke roll. The difficulty will start
at Great (+4). If they fail, they can roll again at Good
(+3), and then again at Fair (+2) and so on until they
succeed.

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NYARLATHOTEP
“You have called, and I have answered.
It is time that I walk your world again, as I have done
many times before.
With each incarnation, I bring new methods of
destruction, the most recent the atomic bombs.
Hundreds of thousands were consumed by the mad
auroras that brought ruin down onto Japan’s quaking
cities. What horrors I have in waiting to loose on the
world, bringing it one step closer to doom.
Now, lay yourself upon my altar so that we can
become one.”
Peron will detonate the charge in the steeple, but
nothing happens. Nyarlathotep’s tentacles will dance
L the room. Each wears a creeper like a perverted
around its head as the entity unleashes a cruel and
menacing laugh. The sound of this thing rejoicing is
hideous. Everyone needs to make an Average (+1)
Will roll or suffer mental stress.
NYLARLATHOTEP
“You are so naïve, Peron. You destroyed my cult, so I
needed someone else to complete the ritual that will
allow me to cross into your world.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
Why do you think I let you dwell here under delusion
for so long? You are an ignorant tool. Too arrogant
to understand that the occult knowledge you
learned and sought to use against me was
delivered to you by me.
Your triangle will not entrap me – it will ensure the
host’s spirit and mine become one. You are right in
that I orchestrated the host’s arrival. Not alone, of
course. Others did their part in guiding them here.
The characters can hear the double doors behind
them creak open.
The three NPCs, Avan Tasia, and Omar will enter
crown. Their mouths firmly latched to their skulls,
connecting the creature to their brain. All are
chanting, “Ia! Ia! Praise his coming.”
As soon as Ava, Omar and Tasia cry out their
praise of Nyarlathotep, instruct the characters who
agreed to take the secret aspects to now read
them. They can either accept the aspect, gaining a
fate point, or reject it by spending one.
PAGE 22
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
For those that accept the secret aspect, have them
read their own praises to the vile deity, then read the
following:
To your horror, you realize you’ve been betrayed by
some of your closest companions. Your coming here
wasn’t Selma’s plan, it was Nyarlathotep’s, and it was
orchestrated by his followers.
Your mind is still reeling, as creepers appear from
L hiding places under pews or in shadow. Without any
resistance, they crawl up your so-called friends
backs, taking their place upon their heads.
Your former companions’ eyes blaze with near
feverish devotion to the vile thing standing at the
altar.
From the look on Peron’s face, you realize his horror
is as real as yours.
Besides the character who was raised in the occult,
Marco Peron and Iyana Rusnak are not members of
the Starry Wisdom cult.
Nyarlathotep’s voice will drip with hatred, as he
commands his new thralls, “Place [NAME] on the
altar. Kill the rest.”
The three NPCs (Ava, Tasia, and Omar) with their
creeper crowns will attack. Any character who
accepted the secret background is now compelled to
obey Nyarlathotep. However, they can spend Fate
points to resist.
Nyarlathotep will only attack if it is attacked directly,
or if all of his thralls are defeated.
Let the encounter play out. When it seems obvious
the non-cult members will lose, have the character
with the secret crush on Selma make a Fair (+2) Will
roll. Invoke Selma’s aspect, if necessary. If the
character fails, they can roll again each round.
When/if they succeed, they will feel Selma’s presence
enter them. If they are a member of the Starry
Wisdom cult, they will see Nyarlathotep for what he
really is. They acquire the aspect: “I now know the
truth.“
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
They will notice the planchette is moving on its own
across the Ouija board. Selma’s spirit will spell out,
again and again, DESTROY – STONE.
Nylarlathotep will attack anyone attacking the stone.
If the stone is destroyed, read the following.
The black crystal cracks. From within leaks beams of
crimson light that grow so bright, you can barely keep
your eyes on it.
Nyarlathotep unleashes a hideous cry, not one of
rage, but one of utter despair. Suddenly, the crystal
explodes, sending deadly fragments in all directions.
Where the crystal was hovering is an area of
darkness so deep that the candlelight dims in its
presence.
Before the crystal shards reach a distance of ten feet,
they stop in mid-flight, as if time itself has come to a
standstill.
Shuddering in place, the shards collapse back
towards the area of darkness. The entire cathedral
begins to vibrate in harmony with Nyarlathotep’s
wailing cries. The whole building is collapsing in on
itself.
The creepers will die. Anyone under Nyarlathotep’s
control will now realize the truth and gain the aspect
“I now know the truth.“
The characters need to run. To escape the cathedral
requires an Fair (+2) Athletics roll. If anyone fails,
Peron will push them to safety at the cost of his own
life. Once outside, read the following:
Escaping the collapsing structure, you turn to watch
as the great stone walls crack and chunks of stone
fall inward, spinning towards the nothingness.
As the cathedral tears itself apart, the keening of
Nyarlathotep increases in intensity. You cup your
ears with your hands against the infernal choir.
With a thunderous crash, the entirety of the structure
collapses, and piece by piece, it is swallowed by the
darkness. As the last of the structure disappears into
the beyond, the echo of Nylarthotep’s cries fade with
it.
PAGE 23
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
Epilogue
If Nyarlathotep is defeated, the characters can leave
Carcosa. If Peron survived, he’ll take a folder out of
his backpack and hand it to the character with the
raised in the occult aspect.
PERON
“Here is everything I know about your mother and
father. What’s in this file is pretty grim. Be sure you
are prepared before you read it.
I was going to kill you, just in case. But I’ve had my fill
of death. My part in this is finished. I’m going to find
some quiet corner of the world and try to forget all of
this shit. You might consider doing the same.
Peron will leave. The NPCs who survived will stare
blankly at the characters. One of them ask, “What
now?”
Let the characters answer or not. If present, Iyana will
state bodly, “My father is dead. It is time for me to go
home to family. After that, maybe I take Peron’s
advice and move to Siberia.”
One of the other NPCs (Ava) will point, “Hey look, it’s
Ryu’s soccer ball”. Lying in the grass at the edge of
town is the ball, blown free from the collapsing
church. Omar will walk over and pick it up, “I’m
heading to Korea. Ryu’s family deserves to know
what happened.”
The character who had a secret crush on Selma will
again feel her presence. They’ll have a powerful
impulse to find a Ouija board.
Fate™ is a trademark of Evil Hat Productions, LLC. The Powered by Fate logo is
© Evil Hat Productions, LLC and is used with permission.
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
What if Nyarlathotep Wins
If Nyarlathotep successfully captures the character
wio was born into the occult, read the following.
You open your eyes to dim candlelight and see a
colossally dark empty space above. As your vision
clears, you realize you are still in the church of the
Starry Wisdom Sect.
Lifting your head, you are taken aback by the dozens
of people in dark robes standing in a circle around
you. Each has one of those crawling monsters on
their heads.
You can’t move your arms or legs and realize you are
tied to the altar. Your mother promised you to the
Haunter from Beyond and that promise will be
fulfilled.
You hear a slithering sound. Tilting your head back,
you see the apse shrouded in darkness. Something
within slithers.
The crowd around you begins to chant, “Ia! Ia! Ia!.”
and the thing in the alcove steps forward, revealing
it’s monstrous horror.
The probing tentacles slide across your face. The
thing leans over you. Slime drops from the corners of
its suction-like mouth filled with spiraling rows of
razor-sharp teeth.
You know you are doomed. As the creature leans
forward, bringing its lamprey-like maw ever closer,
you realize the only thing left to do is scream.
THE END
.
PAGE 24
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

REFERENCE SECTION
Check out our website for tips & ideas on
running this adventure.
www.one-shot-rpg.com

Fate™ is a trademark of Evil Hat Productions, LLC. The Powered by Fate logo is
© Evil Hat Productions, LLC and is used with permission.
This work is based on Fate Core System and Fate Accelerated Edition (found at
http://www.faterpg.com/), products of Evil Hat Productions, LLC, developed, authored, and
edited by Leonard Balsera, Brian Engard, Jeremy Keller, Ryan Macklin, Mike Olson, Clark
Valentine, Amanda Valentine, Fred Hicks, and Rob Donoghue, and licensed for our use under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

KNOWN BACKGROUND ASPECTS

Each character needs to pick one of these aspects. They don’t need to share.

Raised In The Occult

You mother Monica, who passed away some years ago, studied the occult. While
you didn’t necessarily indulge in your mother’s obsession, you did pick a few things
over the years. You don’t know who your father was, but you know your mother
loved him very much.

Distracted by a new relationship

You have recently started a romantic relationship with one of the NPCs. Select
either Ava, Tasia or Omar. It’s new and fun, but you’re not sure how serious they
are about it.

Traveling BFF
You are the best friend of the character who has the background Raised by the
Occult. You’ve known them since they were a kid and have always treated them
like a little brother/sister. You thought their mother was nice but a bit weird. You
came to Europe together for the adventure of a lifetime.

Secret crush
The character has a crush on Selma. Although she has some odd beliefs about
the world, you find her fun and fascinating. You haven’t revealed your feelings yet.
The character can be of any gender.

From Russia with love

You are in the employ of the Bratvá (Russian mafia). You’ve been sent by Iyana
Rusnak’s father to befriend her and keep her safe. It’s been made clear that if
something happens to Iyana you will be held personally responsible. You have a
concealed Makarov handgun with 8 bullets. Your character does not need to be of
Russian nationality.

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 L DREAD-QUESTS L

SECRET ASPECTS
Give these backgrounds out to the characters and instruct them not to look at them until instructed.

As Nyarlathotep reveals himself, the shroud of obfuscation vanishes. You realize you've been
waiting for this moment since being born into the Starry Wisdom Sect. Even though you’ve never
been to Carcosa before, it has always been your home. You have fulfilled your promise of
delivering the chosen to your lord. Your parents would be proud of you. Hearing your Lord’s voice,
your heart swells knowing you will witness his coming. Your voice cries out.

“Ia! Ia! I welcome you master! From the eleven cycles of darkness, from the nine aeons of oblivion,
Come forth, master!
Ia! I worship you!
Ia! I am yours to command!

As Nyarlathotep reveals himself, the shroud of obfuscation vanishes. You realize you've been
waiting for this moment since being born into the Starry Wisdom Sect. Even though you’ve never
been to Carcosa before, it has always been your home. You have fulfilled your promise of
delivering the chosen to your lord. Your parents would be proud of you. Hearing your Lord’s
voice, your heart swells knowing you will witness his coming. Your voice cries out.

“Ia! Ia! Welcome, master of the angled path and knowledge from beyond. While we are born of
our mother’s womb, we are reborn in your image.
Ia! I worship you!
Ia! I am yours to command!

As Nyarlathotep reveals himself, the shroud of obfuscation vanishes. You realize you've been
waiting for this moment since being born into the Starry Wisdom Sect. Even though you’ve
never been to Carcosa before, it has always been your home. You have fulfilled your promise
of delivering the chosen to your lord. Your parents would be proud of you. Hearing your Lord’s
voice, your heart swells knowing you will witness his coming. Your voice cries out.

“Ia! Ia! I welcome, that which cannot be named, from the thirteen mountains of time. We are
your puppets to do with as you will!
Ia! I worship you!
Ia! I am yours to command!

As Nyarlathotep reveals himself, the shroud of obfuscation vanishes. You realize you've been
waiting for this moment since being born into the Starry Wisdom Sect. Even though you’ve
never been to Carcosa before, it has always been your home. You have fulfilled your promise
of delivering the chosen to your lord. Your parents would be proud of you. Hearing your Lord’s
voice, your heart swells knowing you will witness his coming. Your voice cries out.

“Ia! Ia! Praise be your arrival great faceless one. From the ashen pits to the unscalable peaks
of the beyond, the thousand young rejoice!

Ia! I worship you!

Ia! I am yours to command!

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

CARCOSA

1. Dirt Road (page 6. THE CITADEL

2. Square/Parking Area (Page ) 7. The ALCHEMISTS HOUSE
3. Missing Soldier (Page 8. PERON’s HOME
4. Ritual Houses (Page
5. The Church of Starry Wisdom RITUAL TRIANGLE

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

CARCOSA PLAYER’s MAP

PAGE 29
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

STARRY WISDOM TEMPLE

APSE
Stairs to cellar ANCHORHOLD

VESTRY

NAVE
EAST
FOYER

TOILETS

VESTIBULE

SPIRAL STAIR TO STEEPLE

PAGE 30
Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
Non Player Characters
SELMA VALE STRESS
Physical
Aspect:
Selfish Seeker of Spiritual Enlightenment 1❑2 ❑
Can’t resist occult temptation. Mental

Skills: 1❑2❑3❑4❑
Great (+4): Lore
Good (+3): Will, Investigate
Fair (+2): Empathy, Deceive, Notice

Stunt: Risk everything for the occult: Selma

gains +2 on a Lore roll but a failure results in a
Minor consequence.

TASIA SHAW
Aspect: STRESS
Over-confident life coach Physical
Rally the team.
1❑2❑
Skills:
Mental
Great (+4): Rapport
Good (+3): Notice, Empathy 1❑2❑3❑
Fair (+2): Empathy, Investigation, Athletics

Stunt: Getting Real: Tasia can make an

Empathy roll to remove mental consequence (Target
of 2/4/6). Failure results in stress damage.

AVA VAN VURREN

Aspect:
STRESS
Bartender who just wants to have fun
Rose colored glasses Physical

Skills: 1❑2 ❑3❑

Great (+4): Empathy Mental
Good (+3): Athletics, Rapport
Fair (+2): Fight, Notice, Physique 1❑2❑
Stunt: Liquid Courage: One round after taking a
shot, Ava gains +2 to any roll. She must make
physique roll to avoid the consequence of being drunk.

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L

Non Player Characters

OMARR KEITA
Aspect:
A brilliant yet reluctant mechanic STRESS
Bound by responsibility Physical

Skills: 1❑2❑3❑4❑
Great (+4): Craft Mental
Good (+3): Physique, Will, Athletics
Fair (+2): Notice, Empathy, Fight 1❑2❑3❑4❑
Stunt: Rally to others: Omar gains +2 on
rolls to defend others for 1 round after that person
has taken physical or mental stress.

RYU JIN HO
Aspect:
Very easy-going athlete STRESS
High pressure scissor kicker Physical

Skills: 1❑2❑
Great (+4): Athletics Mental
Good (+3): Notice, Empathy
Fair (+2): Empathy, Investigation, Athletics 1❑2❑
Stunt: Optimistic Outlook: Ryu can ignore 1
shift of mental stress when taking damage.

IYANA RUSNAK
Aspect:
STRESS
Want to be anything but an heiress
Driven by guilt Physical

Skills:
1❑2❑
Great (+4): Resources Mental
Good (+3): Shoot, Notice, Will
Fair (+2): Fight, Athletics, Stealth, Provoke
1❑2❑3❑4❑
Stunt: Always First: When first to act, Iyana
gains +2 for the one round. When she is not first, she
suffers a -2 for one round.

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Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)
 L DREAD-QUESTS L
WEAPONS
BENELLI M4 SHOTGUN BERETTA 92

Aspect: Aspect:
Deadly at close range (+2 physical stress) Silenced (Peron’s version)
Weapon:2 (minimum of 2 physical stress)
Ammunition: 7 Ammunition: 15

BERRETA BM59 MAKAROV

From Russia with

Love aspect

Aspect:
Weapon: 3 (minimum 3 physical stress) Aspect:
Long range Concealable
Suppression (Provoke +2) Weapon: 2 (minimum of 2 physical
stress)
Ammunition: 20 Ammunition: 8

BERRETA ARX160 OCCULT DAGGER

Aspect:
Weapon: 2 (minimum 3 physical stress)
Suppression (Provoke +3)
Automatic Fire: Spends 10 rounds. Can hit
multiple targets when succeed with style.
Ammunition: 30
Aspect:
Intimidating (Provoke +2)
Weapon: 2 (minimum of 2 physical
stress)
Stunt: If wielder uses the weapon to
provoke causing mental stress, their next
physical attack is +2.

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OCCULT ARTIFACTS
The Secret Dark crystal is used by worshippers of the Elder
THE SECRET DARK Gods to commune with their messenger Nyarlathotep. It is
through the crystal the Nyarlathotep delivers his sermons
and commands. One of the followers is chosen to the
Keeper of the Secret Dark. Since the crystal is directly
linked to Nyarlatotep’s conscious mind, its destruction
would cause enough mental damage that it would take the
elder god years or decades to recover.

Aspect:
Dangerous Relic of Power
Direct Line to the Elder Gods
Physical

1❑2❑

The Vermis Mysteriis was written by Ludvig Prin in the late

DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS 15th century. He was a worshipper of old pagan gods in the
forests near Brussels before agents of the inquisition
captured him. He was imprisoned and tortured.

It was in prison awaiting for trial that he wrote the De Vermis

Mysteriis, also known also as the Mysteries of the Worm.
Prinn was later burned at the stake as a witch.

No one knows how he smuggled the book out of the

dungeon, but a year after his death, it saw print. The book
was immediately suppressed, and no copies are known to
have survived.

Aspect:
Ancient tome of forbidden and dangerous lore
A corrupted path to power

StuntS:
Forbidden Lore: Anyone who uses the book gains an
advantage of +4 to any Lore rolls. With each use, they
must make a Good (+3) Will roll or suffer mental stress.

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MIMICKING CREEPER
The Mimicking Creeper are dark servants of Nyarlathotep. They appear at locations of power to prepare
for their master’s arrival. These perverted and loathsome creatures see to his comforts, desires, and
strive to eliminate all dangers. Creepers are stealth predators preferring to attack from ambush. They
have a limited chameleon ability that allows them to blend into shadows.

The mouths, located on their posterior, possess frightful abilities beyond being filled with lamprey like
teeth. They can not only imitate any sound but can latch onto a victim and control their body. It can
even control severed limbs or body pieces.

Creepers have no ambitions of their own. They live only to serve their master.

AspectS: STUNTS:
Crawling tentacled abomination Lamprey Bite: If someone takes at least 1
Psychic mimicker physical stress, they suffer a minor
consequence of being grappled for 1 round.
Skills: On the next attack the lamprey can bite
Great (+4): Stealth
Good (+3): Fight, Notice, Deceive
inflicting mental stress. Anyone who suffers a
Fair (+2): Athletics, Burglary, Provoke moderate or higher consequence as a result
falls under the control of the creeper.
STRESS
Physical Mental Shadow Dweller: A creeper gains +2 to
stealth when in a heavily shadowed area.
1❑ 1 ❑2 ❑ Conversely, a bright or uncluttered area
results in a -2 shift.

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CREEPER THRALL
A mimicking creeper prefers to attach themselves to the back of the host’s head like an abhorrent crown.
While the host still maintains some independence, the creeper can exert control at any time. The host can
attempt to resist by making a Will roll against the Creepers Provoke ability.

If a creeper is slain, it will fall off the host. If forcibly removed while still alive, the host will take 1 physical
stress damage. A host’s abilities are modified as follows:

AspectS:
Controlled by a crawling tentacled abomination
Devoted to Nyarlathotep

Skills:
The host gains the following skills. If they already possess the skill, then they take whichever bonus is
higher.

Good (+3): Fight, Notice, Deceive

Fair (+2): Athletics, Burglary, Provoke

STUNTS:
Frenzied Attack: The creeper can cause the host to a violent attack that is so ferocious they gain +2 shifts
to damage. They also injured themselves, causing 1 physical stress.

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THE HAUNTER IN THE DARK (NyarLAthotep)
Nyarlathotep is known by many names. He is the messenger of the Elder Gods repeatedly sent to Earth to
bring about the destruction of the human race. One of the entity’s strategies is to provide humanity with
knowledge that we will be prone to use for destructive purposes, like atomic weapons.

Nyarlathotep’s natural form is that of woman’s body with a head that resembles a hideous alien mass of
grasping tentacles and probing antennae surrounding an abyssal maw of rotating teeth. When manifesting
on Earth, Nyarlathotep prefers to possess a human host so it can walk among us unimpeded.

AspectS: StuntS:
Incomprehensible Terror from Beyond Master of Occult Lore: If Nyarlatotep should
Arrogant obsession with character born into the occult happen to fall a Lore roll, it can choose to
Unites those in it’s presence – good and evil. succeed at the cost of 1 mental stress.

Skills: Assault of Tentacles: A mass of tentacles

Fantastic (+6): Lore attacks a single opponent giving Nyarlathotep
Superb (+5) Provoke, Will, Physique +2. As a result of the entity’s singular focus, all
Great (+4): Fight, Resources, Deceive attacks against it from the flanks receive a +2
Good (+3): Notice, Investigate, Stealth, Athletics bonus.

Physical 1❑ 2❑ 3❑ 4❑ Lamprey Bite: Anyone who takes damage from

STRESS a tentacle can be bitten the next round with a
Mental 1❑ 2❑ 3❑ 4❑ +2 shift.

Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)

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MARCO PERON
Marco Person is a former Italian police detective. He was in charge of a task force looking into missing
persons across southern Italy. His investigation led him to the discovery that all of the residents were
complicit in the disappearances. After participating in the execution of the residents of Carcosa, Peron
spent the next twenty years preparing for Nyarlathotep’s return.

He is burdened by the knowledge of Nylartjotep’s existence and cannot focus on anything else. While a
good person, he will do whatever it takes to stop the entity from entering our world.

Aspects:
Fanatically dedicated police detective
Believes he is an expert in the occult
A man with a plan
Skills:
Great (+4): Investigation
Good (+3): Lore, Shoot, Notice, Will
Fair (+2): Stealth, Physique, Fight, Crafts
StuntS:
Get outta my way: Perone gains +2 to attack a single
target but is so overbearing that anyone else
attacking the same target in the same round suffers a
-2.
Push through it: Instead of taking mental stress,
Person can opt to take physical stress instead.

STRESS
Physical Mental

1❑ 2❑ 3❑ 1❑ 2❑ 3❑ 4❑

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VISUAL AIDS

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VISUAL AIDS

THE SECRET DARK

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OCCULT DAGGER
DER VERMIS MYSTERIIS

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VISUAL AIDS

CREEPER MIMICKING CREEPER

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 AVAILABLE NOW
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4266/One-Shot-RPG

Paulo Gustavo (Order #35720866)