Announcement: The Bestiarum Vocabulum of Dr. Sigmund Amsel

Dr. Amsel has just informed me that he has indeed been working on a bestiary. But this bestiary does not catalog ordinary creatures. Rather, it catalogs “mythical” creatures and contains instructions on how to combat them and protect against them. I believe it will become an essential tool in the arsenal of any who “hunt the night” as it were.

Dr. Amsel has allowed me to share with you the table of contents for the book and the chapter descriptions.

The Bestiarum Vocabulum of Dr. Sigmund Amsel

Chapter 1: Humans

Chapter Description: This chapter deals with humans who have supernatural abilities, whether they attain them through devotion to magic, pacts with demons, or through a curse. There is another chapter devoted to the human undead, therefore the subject will not be covered in detail here.

I. Vampires
a. Strigoi
b. Moroi

II. Werewolves

III. Witches

IV. Conjurers
a. Sorcerers
b. Necromancers

Chapter 2: Demons

Chapter Description: Demons are spiritual beings from another, non-physical plane of reality. Their benevolence, indifference, or malevolence towards mankind can vary wildly as does their ability to interact with the physical realm. There are two main groups of demons: Greater Demons who are entirely non-physical and separate from our plane, and Lesser Demons, who may be physical or non-physical, but can and often do interact with our plane.

I. Greater Demons
a. Nephilim – Demons of Supernatural Power
b. Archons – Demons of Secret Knowledge
c. Djinn – Demons of Wealth and Worldly Power.

II. Lesser Demons
a. Se’irim
b. Mara
c. Familiars

Chapter 3: Magical Creatures

Chapter Description: This chapter deals with natural, physical creatures who posses supernatural powers, but who are not human. Generally these creatures are rare and secretive and are often therefore the subject of legends and folklore.

I. The Fae (Elves and Fairies)

II. Goblins

III. Trolls

IV. Golem

Chapter 4: The Dead

Chapter Description: This chapter will cover the human undead that lurk in tombs and walk the Earth and how to protect against them.

I. Ghosts

II. Zombies

III. Draugr

IV. Homunculi

V. Liches

Season’s Greetings from Amsel’s Alchemy Lab!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! You may be wondering why there have been no updates from Dr. Amsel during this past year. Shortly after my last update, Dr. Amsel emerged from his seclusion and announced that we would be embarking immediately on a trip. Our first stop was Budapest. From there we travelled east into Asia Minor. Our route became so convoluted and confusing that at times I didn’t know where we were. I never knew where we were going next, and in fact I doubt Dr. Amsel knew either. He was following clues in some investigation, the details of which were never fully known to me. After traveling around Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa for 7 months, we finally headed home where Dr. Amsel once again locked himself in seclusion. I have been able to piece together that he is working on some sort of encyclopedia of creatures from around the world. He has promised me that his work is nearly complete enough to show to the world. I will of course update you when Dr. Amsel updates me. My anticipation grows more and more each day.

Happy New Year from Dr Amsel!

Well actually, Dr. Amsel has been in seclusion since the lunar eclipse on the night of the winter solstice. I don’t know what he’s been working on or what it has to do with that extraordinary and beautiful cosmic event but I’m starting to worry that he is overworking himself.

 

In any case, I’m sure he would like to wish everyone a happy new year, if indeed he even realizes what day it is. I think I should go check on him…

New Project: Necronomicon

Working my own necronomicon. I want it to be rather large so right now I’m just coming up with random crazy scrawlings and mind-shattering etchings that barely hint at the hideous unfathomable forms of Lovecraft’s monsters. Updates soon.

Wisdom from the Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam.

XXXI

Up from Earth’s Centre through

the Seventh Gate

I rose, and on the Throne of

Saturn sate,

And many Knots unravel’d

by the Road;

But not the Knot of Human

Death and Fate

XXXII

There was a Door to which I

found no Key:

There was a Veil past which

I could not see:

Some little Talk a while of

Me and Thee

There seemed ~ and then no

more of Thee and Me.

XXXIII

Then to the rolling Heav’n

itself I cried,

Asking, “What Lamp had

Destiny to guide

Her little Children stumbling

in the Dark?”

And, “A blind understanding!”

Heaven replied.

XXXIV

Then to the earthen Bowl did

I adjourn

My lip the secret Well of

Life to learn:

And Lip to Lip it murmur’d,

“While you live

Drink! -for once dead, you

never shall return.”

Finished the Black Pullet!

I finally finished my Black Pullet project. It is up for sale on my Etsy store.

Lovecraftian Cthuesdays

There’s a brand new trailer for H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society’s Whisperer in Darkness

I can’t wait for this movie to be finished!