Amulet of the Hound

Description

These small trinkets are the well-guarded symbols of a Tcho-Tcho corpse-eating cult. The amulets are each carved in an Oriental motif from a single piece of green jade. They all resemble a crouching winged hound, sphinx-like but with definite canine features. Around the base of the amulet are tiny words in the language of the Tcho-Tcho and on the bottom there is a skull. These amulets are always worn around the neck.

The power of the amulet takes effect when a member of the Tcho-Tcho kills and consumes a victim. When this happens a special ritual feast is held and the soul of the victim is drawn into the amulet, then into the dimension where dwells the Tcho-Tchos' death god, a great winged hound. There the victim's soul is tom open, mauled, and consumed by the huge beast, again and again for all eternity. Since the amulet is the source of this soul ensnarement, a part of the victim's spirit becomes bound to it in the form of half of the victim's total magic points. These magic points can then be used by the cultist, but once they are spent, they are gone forever, save for the one magic point per victim that always returns. Thus, if a corpse-eater killed and ate 15 people in the ritual manner, then his or her Amulet of the Hound would always retain 15 magic points that would regenerate nightly if spent.

As powerful as the amulet is for the cultists, it is as equally dangerous to own for any non-cult member. Not only will the Tcho-Tcho hunt down and attack any non-cult member in possession of this item, but two supernatural forces will also make the infidel's life unpleasant and short. The first force is that of all the souls bound to the amulet, which will haunt and torment the possessor. The Tcho-Tchos know spells to prevent this, but the unwitting investigator who takes this necklace likely will not. As if this were not enough, the Hound itself will come for any person who dares to defile its likeness. This beast is a master at hunting and terrifying its intended prey. There is no known escape for the victim once the Hound is on the hunt, but perhaps powerful spells such as the Elder Sign or the Eye of Light and Darkness might help. Then again, they might not.

Appearances

fiction: "The Hound" by H.P. Lovecraft