Magic and the Black Arts

The tome Magic and the Black Arts is statted out in the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition Rulebook, and originates in Henry Hasse's "The Guardian of the Book (fiction)" (1937).

Description

An ancient volume of magical lore and experiemnts, bound with a heavy bronze clasp and closed with a lock and key.

• author: Kane
• date: ?
• language: English
• number of known copies (if rare): (unknown, presumably rare)
• last known location of surviving copies (if rare): (unknown)
• study: 12 weeks
• sanity loss: minor
• mythos lore: minor
• occult lore: ?
• spells:  ?

Quotes

The tiny man told Doctor Wycherly that books such as Magic and Black Arts would not be found lying about in bookstores.
-Henry Hasse's "The Guardian of the Book (fiction)"

There be many who revere the Devourer, though few have seen the full stature of this great power. It is a vision fraught with eldritch horror, and much sought by wizards of early times. One, Johannes of Magdeburg, wise in the lore of the ages, hath met success greatly in his efforts. He asserteth that the Devourer liveth in the Deep, and is not to be reached by any means, yet he hath been able to feel his breath and know his will. The secret is in a vaporous effluvium. For the Devourer hath power to manifest himself where there is moisture.
His breath is the fog and the rain. Wherefore, many do account water the elemental, and do worship it in divers ways.
This Johannes hath told in his book of medicine how he did conjure from a heavy vapor in his efforts the very Essence itself upon occasion. The phosphorous light of dead things did swell into a great brightness and fill the chamber, and withal came the spirit of the Devourer. And Johannes hath learned that he liveth in the deepest Ocean, where he awaiteth only a time auspicious for his return to earth. Many there be who joyfully believe the time approacheth yet Johannes saith that many centuries shall pass ere the Master returneth to claim his own.
Much astonishment hath one remark which he made produced. He saith that the Devourer is a familiar of every man and every woman. He liveth eternally in the Inner Man. He reacheth forth from the Deep, and the Inner Man doth hear. All-seeing is his eye, all-hearing his ear. None can destroy him, for he is intrinsic in all men. In times of evil and lust, of war and strife, of man against man, and brother against brother, the Devourer liveth lustily in men. His ways are the ways of the Deep. There be saints and mystics who believe they have exorcized the Devourer, but in them, also, he liveth. In the deeps of the waters, and in the souls of men, he sleepeth, and one day will awaken to take his own.

-Bertram Russell's "the Scourge of B'Moth (fiction)"

Appearances

• fiction: Henry Hasse's "The Guardian of the Book (fiction)"
• fiction: Bertram Russell's "the Scourge of B'Moth (fiction)"
• sourcebook: Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition Rulebook