It was fucking insane. He started gagging, retching, then he puked. That was when I got it, why he’d needed to swallow a maggot when he cast that spell this morning–shit, thank God I’m not the group’s wizard.
The damned thing was about the size of a chihuahua when it started shoving its way out of his mouth–I thought his face was going to split open. The maggot-thing was already about a foot long when it slid out and splopped onto the floor, thick with mucus, and rapidly growing.
By the time I blacked out, it was as big as a mastiff and growing tentacles, spikes, and too many mouths and eyes. Good thing it was on our side.
When I came to, we were back at the safe house. I’m the shotgun member of the team, a pump-action 12 gauge, and they told me I helped a lot–blew away a bunch of whatever the hell we were fighting–ghouls, giant spiders, cultists, I can’t remember. Thank God I didn’t hit any of our people while I was out of my mind.
Magic, yeah, it’s a mixed bag.—Samantha “Sam” Fernandez, member of The Silent–a group of ordinary people dedicated to protecting humanity.
The arrival of a Guardian From The Mother is precipitated by casting a summoning spell which includes swallowing an ordinary maggot. The author of this work, being an evil Keeper, would name the spell something benevolent-sounding like “The Calling of the Blessed Mother’s Guardian.” Nevertheless, it is an appeal to Shub Niggurath.
Casting this spell costs no Sanity, though it clearly states viewing the Guardian can be unpleasant, and that it will be expelled if not “brought forth” within 24 hours. Once this time has passed, the caster will vomit a surprising amount of mucus and the spell must be re-cast.
In a combat situation, the caster may recite the final two words of the spell, “come forth,” and the Guardian will do so. In that round, they will be overcome by gagging, followed in the next by vomiting a foot-long maggot, so thick only its soft texture prevents the tearing of the caster’s cheeks.
Once the Guardian hits the floor, in a huge splash of mucus, it rapidly begins to grow and change. Within moments, it will be approximately six feet tall and eighteen feet long–weighing around 16,000 pounds/8 tons. If it is unable to fit into the available space, its mass will extend forward–away from the caster and toward their enemies.
As the creature grows, it immediately turns a medium green, becomes festooned with plant life–vines, branches, fruit, etc. all of which rapidly grows, rots, regrows, and so forth. It also grows eyes and mouths of varying sizes–the mouths filled with sharp, pointed teeth and bellowing incomprehensibly–and develops tentacles.
The Guardian From The Mother will surge forth, brutally attacking all beings before it which hold the intent and capacity to harm the caster, starting with the greatest threat and working downward–which is determined by the Keeper.
The Guardian From The Mother, a gargantuan maggot
STR: 200 (100/40)
CON: 200 (100/40)
SIZ: 300 (150/60)
DEX: 60 (30/12)
INT: 10 (05/02)
POW: 100 (50/20) Magic Points: 20
HP: 250
Damage Bonus: +5D6
Build: +6
Move: 8
ATTACKS
Attacks per round: 1D4, all magical. Once number is determined, roll 1D4 that many times to determine which attack forms are used
Crush: 30 (15/06), damage 2D10 in a 10’ diameter
Tentacle Grab: 30 (15/06), damage 5D6
Numerous Bites: 30 (15/06), damage 2D3
Incidental stabbing by spikes and thorns: 10 (05/02), damage 1D6
Dodge: None
Armor: None
Skills: None
Sanity Loss: 1D10/1D20, the caster loses an additional 3 Sanity
My name is CthulhuBob Lovely, I live in my childhood hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and have a son and two daughters. I volunteer at MisCon, which occurs each year on Memorial Day Weekend in Missoula, Montana and help out at other shows.
In my younger years I had seen H.P. Lovecraft’s books in the collection of my older brother, Brian, who is also responsible for introducing me to Monty Python, Star Wars and many other things geek.
I began running and playing Dungeons and Dragons in 1977 at the age of 15, and Call of Cthulhu since its original publication in 1981.
I believe geekery and gaming can have positive effects on math, reading and writing, and social interaction skills, as well as family togetherness. I have three published stories online at
http://www.bewilderingstories.com/bios/lovely_bob_bio.html
