Nyogtha

The Haunter of the Red Abyss, The Thing which Should Not Be, Dweller in Darkness, Night Comer

### Associations

Curses, imprisonment, stench, vengeance, witchcraft

### Common Blessings

**Odor of Darkness:** taken by some as a blessing and by others as a curse, this grants the worshipper the smell of Nyogtha, which at best might be described as an insidious odor, akin to rotting vomit. Characters in the presence of such a “blessed” individual should make a CON roll to avoid becoming overpowered with retching.**Living Darkness:** granted the ability to temporarily change into a miniature version of Nyogtha, with the body becoming formless and liquid-like flesh, able to throw out pseudopods (1d6 damage) and squeeze through tight places.

**Vampirism:** certain high-ranking worshippers may be granted the ability to suck magic points (sometimes POW) from another by sucking out their lifeblood. Unlike a traditional vampire, such “dark vampires” cannot make others into vampires. At times, Nyogtha will grab one of its vampires and eat them, presumably to sup on their own and their victims’ life energies.

> The painting showed a glistening, gelatinous blob of living darkness within what appeared to be a vast cavern deep underground. Something like oil given crude shape. Forming out the horrid mass were several rudimentary limbs or pseudopods, which seemed to be reaching out from the canvas toward the viewer.
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Debate continues to rage concerning this entity, which most consider to be an Old One (possibly born of Ubbo-Sathla, Tsathoggua, Cthulhu, or Abhoth ~ the information is fragmentary and puzzling at best), although some scholars believe it to be a mask of Nyarlathotep (due to a perplexing reference in the *Necronomicon*, where it is described as the Dweller in Darkness). While interesting for a few, such demarcations distract from the abhorrent reality of the being.

Nyogtha is said to dwell on a dark world in the vicinity of Arcturus (the brightest star in the constellation Boötes), and may at times also reside on Earth in a deep cavern within the underground realm of Yoth (once a place of serpent people that may lead to the gulfs of N’kai, and possibly situated below Oklahoma). Considered to be a minor Old One, Nyogtha may not yet be fully mature and its powers yet to completely manifest, which may explain its ability to partially or temporarily transport itself to Earth while seemingly unable to leave its cave in Yoth (forgotten Elder Wards may play a role too, but that remains speculative).

The entity is believed to have an insatiable appetite, feeding in a vampiric fashion upon the lifeforce of others (again, arguing for its need to feast so it may fully mature). A few wicked individuals (mostly sorcerers) have sought to capitalize on Nyogtha’s hunger, enticing the Old One with numerous human offerings in return for boons of magic and knowledge. While such transactions appear to have worked for some, many have not supplied quite enough “food” and consequently found themselves part of the Old One’s meal.

Returning to the *Necronomicon*, further details come to light concerning the entity’s banishment, with the tome recommending the performance of the Vach-Viraj incantation, the use of the “looped cross” (possibly an ankh) and the Tikkoun elixir as the only means of displacement. Certainly, no evidence has yet come to light on the efficacy of other spells and rituals.Once, a man by the name of Carson unwittingly invoked the curse of Abigail Prinn, causing the body of the witch to resurrect itself and attempt to summon Nyogtha through a portal between worlds known as the Witch Room. Luckily, an occultist named Michael Leigh was able to thwart the ritual through use of the method described in the *Necronomicon*, and both Abbie Prinn and the Great Old One were banished back through the partially opened gateway.

Nyogtha was also worshiped for a time by a group of hustlers in New Orleans.

The Great Old One Mordiggian was described long ago in distant Hyperborea as Nyogtha's free lead servant.

## Appearance

Nyogtha is an amorphous mass composed of an unidentifiable sticky black substance. It is capable of extruding tentacles from this mass to manipulate the environment around it. According to the cursed *Necronomicon*, the only way that it can be cast back to its own dimension once summoned is through the use of a ritual combining an ankh, the Tikkoun elixir, and the Vach-Viraj incantation.

## Cult

Nyogtha appears to have few human worshipers, with no notable organized cult; however, solitary wizards and witches, and some covens, have been known to attempt summonings of the Old One in the hope of gaining magical knowledge or utilizing the entity’s powers to perform acts of vengeance. In most cases, Nyogtha is offered human sacrifices to appease its hunger, although the sacrifice of some of the summoners’ POW is sometimes sufficient. Certain accounts of the Salem witch trials (held in private hands) seem to suggest a connection to Nyogtha for at least two of the folk accused of witchery, while a few tomes make mention of summonings taking place in Syria, Libya, and Finland.

In the Dreamlands, a community of ghouls, calling themselves the Night Feasters, is believed to hold Nyogtha above all over deities. Due to the atrocities committed by this group and their refusal to worship Mordiggian, they are shunned by other ghouls. It is not known whether the Night Feasters conduct “business” in the Waking World.

## Encounters

Most encounters are likely through contact with a lone practitioner or group ~ human, ghoul, or otherwise) intent on summoning or connecting with Nyogtha in some manner. Worshippers, especially those blessed with gifts of power, may prove wily and distasteful opponents. The search for the means and artifacts to repel this entity may prove challenging, and one that may draw the attention of worshippers’ intent on keeping such things secret or unknown.

## Aura

An all-consuming sickness, a rotting smell, and the atmosphere of death heralds Nyogtha’s approach. Any location visited by the entity is liable to be a charnel house of partially consumed sacrifices and not a place for the living.