Mu: Shadows of Ghatanothoa

Let's head into the new year--and a new burst of productivity--with some new material for Mu using the Eldritch Tales rules involving the terrible god of Mount Yaddith-Gho, Ghatanothoa.

Slaves of Ghatanothoa:

AC: 3 [16]
HD: 3
Save: 16
Move: 6
Morale: 1
Level/XP:  4/120
Insanity: -1/1/1d3
Attacks: Claws+3, 1d6
Special: Ghatanothoa Curse, Immune to Sleep or Charm.

Sight of the god, or its image, as all the legends of the Yuggoth-spawn agreed, meant paralysis and petrifaction of a singularly shocking sort, in which the victim was turned to stone and leather on the outside, while the brain within remained perpetually alive—horribly fixed and prisoned through the ages, and maddeningly conscious of the passage of interminable epochs of helpless inaction till chance and time might complete the decay of the petrified shell and leave it exposed to die. 

--H. P. Lovecraft and Hazel Heald, Out of the Aeons

The poor wretches unfortunate enough to gaze upon the fell form of Ghatanothoa, the God of Mount Yaddith-Gho, are doomed to to a grisly fate of living death. Their still-living brains trapped in a prison of desiccated and petrified flesh and bone. However the priests and sorcerers devoted to the Mountain God have found a use for these poor souls.

Created by the spell "Awaken Slaves of Ghatanothoa" (see below), these shambling creatures obey the commands of the caster without question or pause. Their leathery skin and sinew make them exceedingly tough, and the tips of their shriveled fingers are razor sharp. Worse, someone wounded by these talons must make a saving throw or they themselves will surfer Ghatanothoa's Cruse, becoming a petrified mummy within 1d3 rounds. Anyone seeing this horrific transformation must make a saving throw vs. insanity or gain 1 insanity. Only very powerful magical intervention can save the victim from this end.

Awaken Slaves of Ghatanothoa:

Spell Level: 5
Learn Spell: -2
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
Spell Check: Intelligence -2
Range: 20 ft.
Duration: Permanent until broken.
Failure: All Slaves within the spell range awaken and attack the operator until either the Slaves or the operator are slain.

This spell activates all dormant mummies petrified by Ghatanothoa's Curse within the range of the operator. The awakened Slaves will obey the operator until they are destroyed or willingly released by the Operator.

The Amulet of T'yog

So T’yog wrote his protective formula on a scroll of pthagon membrane (according to von Junzt, the inner skin of the extinct yakith-lizard) and enclosed it in a carven cylinder of lagh metal—the metal brought by the Elder Ones from Yuggoth, and found in no mine of earth. This charm, carried in his robe, would make him proof against the menace of Ghatanothoa—it would even restore the Dark God’s petrified victims if that monstrous entity should ever emerge and begin its devastations.

--H.P. Lovecraft and Hazel Heald, Out of the Aeons

Created by T'yog of K'naa, the ancient Naacal sorcerer-priest of Shub Niggurath, this powerful amulet can protect the bearer from the petrifying effects of Ghatanothoa's Curse. Also, if touched to the Mountain God's mummified victims, the amulet will restore them to full life and vigor. However, depending on how long they've been cursed, their sanity might not be intact.

As far as we know, only one of these potent talismans were ever created. It was stolen by T'yog's rival, Immash-Mo, the High Priest of the Temple of Ghatanothoa, and is believed to have been lost with the destruction of Mu.  

Fauna of Mu

While the continent of Mu was once home to many strange eldritch beings that defy human comprehension, during its period of human habitation, the local ecology wasn't unlike most tropical regions and its natural fauna was quite mundane. Cattle, goats, swine and other familiar livestock are kept on Naacal farms. Exotic birds and monkeys squawk and chatter high in rainforest canopies while reptiles, frogs, and insects scurry along the floor. Fish, whales, and dolphins swim in Mu's warm coastal waters. For the most part, there are few animals that would have been unrecognizable to modern eyes.

Of course, being a prehistoric age where many forms of now-extinct animal life existed, there are a few note-worthy exceptions. Below, in White Box (there is a reason for this) stats, are a few examples of some of the long-vanished beasts that once dwelt in this doomed land.

Naacal Mammoth (Col'hun):

Armor Class: 5 [14]

Hit Dice: 12

Attacks: 1 Trunk (Id6+2), 2 Tusk Gore (2d6), Trample (2d6+2)

Special: None

Move: 12

HDE/XP 13/2300

Larger than modern elephants, these prehistoric pachyderms are far less hirsute than their contemporary tundra-dwelling cousins. Living in large herds, wild Col'hun live mainly in the equatorial jungles and savannahs. Domesticated for the great size, strength, and surprising degree of intelligence, the Col'hun are the Naacal's primary beast of burden. Even the smallest village keeps one or two of these animals to aid with heavy work such as clearing land. Merchants also use them to pull massive carts, laden with trade goods, across the length and breadth of the continent. Many Naacal armies fight from the backs of Col'hun fitted with barding and howdahs. When treated with kindness, a domestic Col'hun can be a loyal and gentle giant. When abused or threatened, they can be deadly, near unstoppable brute.

Terror Bird (Skal'los):

Armor Class: 6 [13]

Hit Dice: 3

Attacks: 2 Talons (Id6), 1 Beak (Id6+2)

Special: None Move: 18

HDE/XP 3/60

For the average Naacal, the most terrifying sound in the world is the screech of the dreaded Skal'los, a lingering species of Phorusrhacids or Terror Bird. Flocks of these giant flightless, meat-eating birds fearlessly prowl the jungles of Mu for prey—any prey. Using coordinated tactics and attacking with their massive, bone-cracking beak or kicking with their razor-sharp talons, these swift, agile birds can bring down an adult Col'hun if the opportunity arises. While their meat is inedible, the bright plumage of the males (the feathers of the female are shades of brown and gray) is prized by hunters. Also, if properly tamed and trained, they are large and strong enough for a human to ride and several Naacal kingdoms field elite units of Skal'los cavalry. Peasant levies have been known to break ranks and run when they see these armored warriors and their equally-deadly mounts charging at them.

Smilodon (Fra'zur):

Armor Class: 6 [13]

Hit Dice: 7

Attacks: 2 Claws (Id6), Bite (2D6)

Special: None

Move: 12

HDE/XP 8/800

Several species of the fabled Smilodon or "Saber-Toothed Tiger" (although, these animals were not closely related to modern felines) are another ferocious predator, feared throughout Mu. Some varieties, like modern tigers or panthers, live in the jungles, waiting in trees or cliffs to pounce upon unsuspecting prey. Other species live in the grasslands and mountainous region in prides like lions. Along with slashing attacks from their massive claws, their long incisors and powerful jaws make the Fra'zur an especially dangerous threat.

These are just some of the unique, prehistoric creatures that you're characters can encounter. Have suggestions for more? Post them in the comments below.