R'lyeh Disk

Description

The disk is of solid gold an inch or so thick and a foot in diameter. The top of the disk bears an intricate latticework portraying a central winged figure, perhaps a bird or perhaps something more sinister. Sets of glyphs occupy the interior of the top, the rim, and the edge of the disk; at least one set is said to be in R'lyeh glyphs. The bottom or reverse side of the disk portrays an octopoid figure, with swirls and curves carved with runes and set with tiny gems that glow even in daylight.

For ease of movement, the roughly three hundred pound disk separates into three sections that were hacked apart by a Roman field officer two millennia ago. The disk is strongest when the three pieces are together, but additional ceremonies and another arcane focus, the Arc of Vlactos, may compensate for the absence of one or even two of the disk segments.

The R'lyeh Disk is a powerful magical talisman. It can guide the owner to the lost city of R'lyeh or give instructions on raising the city from the depths of the sea. The disk can also cause the city of R'lyeh to sink if it is already raised.

Touching or studying even a portion of the disk causes humans to feel dizzy and slightly nauseous. If the patterns and glyphs are studied first hand, the scholar's player must attempt a Sanity roll for each new day of study, at a daily cost of 0/1D4 SAN. If the roll fails, the scholar feels as though he or she is falling into the disk. The terror is fresh every day. Photos or rubbings of the disk may be studied without such effect.

Each segment of the R'lyeh Disk weighs nearly a hundred pounds. The keeper should not let the party carry the pieces very far without arranging some form of transportation.

To destroy the R'lyeh Disk, melt the gold. Once the disk is melted, it has no magical power. Depending on the year, place, and currency fluctuations, the gold is worth from about $95,000 to $135,000 U.S.

Appearances

Campaign: Shadows of Yog-Sothoth