Things Man Was Not Meant To Know

After the unveiling of the Dagon Warriors rules and the recent investigative scenario*, Teófilo Hurtado asked me how we would represent characters like Arthur Jermyn. The staple protagonist of a Lovecraftian story is not, after all, a two-fisted bruiser or a swami with mind control, simply a fellow of ordinary prowess and sometimes with an academic bent. OK, then...

The Scholar

Scholars are learned investigators and antiquarians who delve into forbidden knowledge and ancient mysteries. Unlike other professions that rely on physical prowess or psychic powers, Scholars use their extensive education and research skills to overcome supernatural threats. Their deep study of esoteric lore has granted them unusual resistance to mental intrusion, but at the cost of combat effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements: Intelligence 12+, Psychic Talent 9+

Starting Stats:

• Health Points: 1d6+4
• Attack 11, Defense 5
• Psychic Attack 0, Psychic Defense 6 (enhanced mental resistance)
• Evasion 3
• Stealth 13, Perception 7

Progression:

• Attack/Defense: +1 at 4th rank, then +1 at 7th, 10th, etc.
• Health Points: +1 at 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.
• Psychic Defense: +1 each rank, with additional +1 at 4^th, 7th and 10th ranks
• Evasion: +1 at 5th, then +1 at 9th rank
• Stealth: +1 at 4th, then +1 at 7th, then +1 at 10^th
• Perception: +1 per rank

Special Abilities

1st Rank Abilities:

• Linguistic Analysis: Can attempt to decipher unknown languages, codes, and ancient inscriptions. At 1^st to 3^rd rank the Scholar will always be able to translate at least one important phrase. At higher ranks they can additionally interpret a percentage of the text equal to 1d10x their rank, though this usually takes a few hours.
• Historical Research: Exceptional knowledge of historical events, antiquities, and academic sources
• Psychic Resilience: Starting Psychic Defense of 6 instead of the normal 5

Higher Rank Abilities:

4th Rank: Academic Network - Can locate rare books, expert consultants, and obscure information through academic contacts.

6th Rank: Rapid Analysis - Can quickly assess supernatural threats and identify weaknesses through cross-referencing folklore and historical accounts.

8th Rank: Theoretical Construction - Can design and (given sufficient time and resources) build devices based on historical accounts and mythological descriptions. Examples include Eilmer's wings, Greek fire, siege engines from ancient texts, or protective talismans based on folklore.

10th Rank: Masterwork Construction - Can create sophisticated devices combining multiple historical techniques, such as mechanical calculators (such as the Antikythera mechanism), advanced Babylonian optics, or complex timing mechanisms using ancient mathematics and astronomy. (Cf gadgeteers in GURPS 4e.)

Scholar Skills

Scholars gain expertise in the following areas as they advance, beginning at journeyman level and becoming fully proficient by 5th rank:

• Languages: All known ancient and modern languages (Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, etc.)
• Archaeology: Understanding of ancient civilizations and their technologies
• Occult Theory: Academic knowledge of supposedly supernatural phenomena (without the ability to practice it)
• Research: Exceptional ability to find information in libraries, archives, and academic institutions

Combat Limitations

Scholars’ strength lies in preparation, research, and the construction of useful devices rather than direct confrontation.

What's Real and Make-believe?

The premise of the game is that extraterrestrial civilizations and other-dimensional entities first visited the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago. Some of these creatures were worshipped as gods by primitive man. Over the millennia, the few definite facts have been distorted, misreported and added to until the field of “mythos lore” today bears little resemblance to reality. Those who imagine themselves to be perpetuating the ancient worship are like modern druids fancying they are continuing traditions from before the Roman conquest by mustering at the far more ancient site of Stonehenge. The prayers that cultists offer to Cthulhu are unheard, if indeed Cthulhu even exists as a single being, and would not be answered in any case.

That doesn’t mean that study of the Cthulhu mythos is not worthwhile. Consider Bible studies. Knowledge of the Old Testament will not tell you anything about the history of the universe, or even just the solar system, or provide useful insight into medicine, hygiene, nutrition or ethics, but nevertheless it is a valid academic subject. Similarly, Cthulhu mythos lore is largely a study of the many fabrications made over the centuries, the truth often being unknowable, but it is valuable for the Scholar to know about those beliefs because the actions of cultists who venerate Cthulhu and other such beings are predicated on such beliefs being true.

Design Notes

The Scholar's enhanced Psychic Defense progression provides significant protection against the mental attacks common in Cthulhu Mythos scenarios. Their construction abilities offer unique problem-solving options that complement rather than replace the combat abilities of other professions. At higher ranks, a Scholar might construct a collapsible glider, a defensive smoke bomb, or even a primitive spacesuit—all potentially invaluable tools for 1920s investigators facing supernatural threats.

Stats for an Average Scholar

*For traditionalists, here is a downloadable version of the "Abnormal Growths" scenario with Call of Cthulhu stats.