Mysteries of Tibet

Details

Name of Page

Product Code: CHA0351

Publishing Year: 2008

Pages: 84

Cover Price: $16.00

Author(s): Jason Williams

Artist(s): Some maps and photos by Jason Williams, Dagger drawing by Patrick Crusiau[1], Lhasa Map on page 60 licensed for use from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Digital Collections and was originally from "Tibet: a geographical, ethnographical, and historical sketch derived from Chinese sources" by W. Woodville Rockhill. From the "Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland” 1891, Photo of kartika on page 30 used with permission from http://www.exoticindiaart.com]], [[All other images licensed from © Jupiterimages A.K.A. Clipart.com

Setting(s): 1890s, 1920s, Modern

Format: MULA Monograph

Released as PDF: Yes

Contents

A Study of the Religion, People, and Mythology of Tibet

Though not directly mentioned by H.P. Lovecraft in any of his stories, there are several references throughout his works to the Himalayas. Like most young men with a sense of adventure during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Lovecraft would have been aware of any news stories coming out of Tibet. It was a mysterious country—until 1984 visited by fewer than 2000 Europeans and North Americans, and the majority of those were among the Younghusband expedition of 1904.

The story of Tibet is as much about the country as it is about its people. With the highest points on earth, areas are nearly impossible to reach, and malevolent gods and monsters lurk under every rock. Religion, government, and mythology in Tibet are inextricably connected.

The lack of a native written language until the seventh century means that the earliest history of the country has been handed down through oral tradition and iconic images. Even until recent times there has been very little done in Tibet to explore the archaeological record, but what has been done reveals early bronze-age and previous settlements in the northern regions. Many exciting finds await discovery.

Table of Contents

 * Map of Tibet & Potala Palace photo
 * Forward
 * Introduction to the Mysteries of Tibet
 * History of Tibet
 * Call of Cthulhu Version of Tibet -- and the Connection to Earth's Dreamlands
 * Fungi from Yuggoth
     o Sonic Mi-Go Devices
     o Lifting Horns
     o Stone Shattering Drums
     o Matter Dissolving Horns
 * Early History
 * Chronology of Events
 * Geography of Tibet
 * People of Tibet
 * Tibetan Aristocracy
 * Tibetan Government
 * Typical Houses
 * Typical Village
 * Tibetan Monasteries
 * List of Dalai Lamas
 * Fighting Monks of the Sera Monastery
 * Mani Stones and Chortens
 * Tibetan Religious Symbols
 * Immured Monks
 * Tibetan Monk Spells
     o Bliss
     o Empty Mind
     o Immovability
     o Levitation
     o Looking Inward
     o Restorative Meditation
     o Trance Running
     o Warmth of Mind
 * Tulpa Creation
 * Tibetan Book of the Dead
 * Bön -- Pre-Buddhist Shamanism
 * Tibetan Sky Burials -- Jhator
 * 108 -- Sacred Number of Tibetan Buddhism
 * Madam Blavatsky Information
 * Common Charms purchased from Bön Sorcerers
     o Charms against bullets and weapons
     o Charms for protection against clawing animals
     o Charms against plagues
     o Charms against injury by demons
     o Charms against dog bites
 * Tibetan Mythology and Monsters
     o 'Grol-Ma -- the Giant Ogress of Ra-Sa -- Manifestation of Shub-Niggurath
     o Garuda Bird -- Giant Relative of the Byakhee
     o Grey Lama -- Avatar of Nyarlathotep
     o Khandromas/Dakinis
     o Yeti -- Abominable Snowmen
 * Persons of Note
     o Thubten Gyatso
     o Sir Francis E. Younghusband
     o Heinrich Harrer
     o Alexandra Davi-Néel
 * Famous Expeditions
     o Missionaries
     o Pundits
     o Sven Hedin
     o Younghusband Expedition
     o Crosby Expedition
     o Joseph F. Rock
     o 1939 German SS Mission to Tibet
     o ST Circus -- CIA Operation in Tibet
 * Travelling to Tibet
     o Modern Travel -- Beijing-Tibet Train
     o Altitude Sickness
     o Yak Wrangling
     o Documents, Visas, and Entry Permits
     o Caravans
     o Tibetan Mastiff
 * Weather Conditions
 * Villagers and Nomads
     o Nomadic and Bandit Tribes
 * Tibetan Occupations
 * Tibetan Holy Lakes
 * Lhasa
 * Justice in Tibet
 * Tibetan Weapons
 * Tibetan Calendar
 * Tibetan Festivals
 * Tibetan Names
 * Tibetan Food
 * Tibetan Writing
 * Tibetan Words and Phrases
 * Tibetan Skills
 * Scenario -- Legacy of the Guru
 * Glossary
 * Index
 * Bibliography

Scenarios: Legacy of the Guru

Front Cover Text

Mysteries of Tibet - A Study of the Religion, People, and Mythology of Tibet

Comments / Trivia

List dedication, color plates, rarity of the book, etc.

Links

• Listing in Chaosium catalog

Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only

Players should not read any further.

The ending of the one scenario that is included is left deliberately vague so that the keeper can take it in whichever direction that they wish.

This is written for either the gaslight or classic period. Keepers wishing to use a modern setting should take into account the current political situations and potential difficulties for obtaining visa's and crossing into Tibet from the disputed Kashmir region of India.

The creature that provides the main challenge is a ghost as defined in the Call of Cthulhu rule book complete with POW draining abilities.

It appears at a climactic moment of the adventure after a long arduous journey.

For maximum effect the keeper should go for a slow build-up with just enough description to allow the investigators imagination to fill in the gaps.

As detailed in the scenario, there are a number of ways to resolve the cave encounter, with one "right way" that will benefit the investigators through a SAN gain.

Keep DISCUSSION on the talk page.