Psi Delta Fraternity

These points were discussed very carefully because of their probable connection with the death of Robert Blake. Students in the Psi Delta house, whose upper rear windows looked into Blake’s study, noticed the blurred white face at the westward window on the morning of the 9th, and wondered what was wrong with the expression. When they saw the same face in the same position that evening, they felt worried, and watched for the lights to come up in his apartment. Later they rang the bell of the darkened flat, and finally had a policeman force the door.

-H.P. Lovecraft, The Haunter of the Dark

The talented Mike Jenkins brings us this conjectural seal for the Psi Delta fraternity featured in the Old Gent's "The Haunter of the Dark".  Via that connection it also happens to be one of the few fan-made props for The Illuminatus Trilogy, where Robert Blake is prominently featured.  Fnord.

Mask of the Hunter

Jason Soles returns to our pages with this ominous Hunter Mask.  When you wear something like this on the hunt I suspect your prey isn't of the usual sort.  

The Innsmouth Ritual

Here's an interesting change of pace.  Dancer Sony Voodoo shares these snapshots from a performance of her Innsmouth inspired Deep One ritual dance.  It's a disturbing mixture of creepy and sexy, which no doubt helps explain why the Deep Ones had such a friendly relationship with certain coastal enclaves.

Idol of the Black Goat

Copper Centipede returns to our pages with this nicely done idol of Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young. I own one of his earlier castings with a weathered stone finish and it looks like it just came out of the ground.

The Old Gods

Polish artist Sebastian Jarmołowicz brings us a recreation of the pre-Christian idol posts found across Slavic Europe.  Personally, I've been a lot more interested in Slavic mythology and history since I was exposed to the Witcher books and video games.   It's too bad schools don't give the folklore of eastern Europe as much attention as the Norse and Greco-Roman pantheons.

For the Emperor!

Roses and Boltshells brings us this incredible Warhammer 40K space marine armor.  I've never been a fan of Games Workshop's over the top grimdark aesthetic, but it translates into some impressive costumes and LARP gear.

Cthulhu Fhtagn! Civan Edition.

Turkish artist Seda Civan brings us this intriguing Cthulhu idol. The fired clay finish is just outstanding. This really looks like something uncovered during an excavation.

Cthulhu Fhtagn! Dürum & Bass Edition.

We've featured an increasing number of Cthulhu idols that were sculpted digitally and then 3D printed. Unfortunately, many of them take a serious quality hit because of the layering effect produced as the molten filament builds up the physical model. This very nice design from Dürum & Bass handily dodges that problem.  I really like how the facial tentacles taper down to fine, curving tendrils.

The Cryptex

It's always a pleasure to stumble across a well made prop, but it's even better when the item in question is for a "Call of Cthulhu" game.  Swedish artist Karbunkl brings us this cryptex cylinder hand carved from fir.

Cthulhu Fhtagn! Cruz Edition.

We continue our theme of international Lovecraftiana with this resin Cthulhu idol from Mexican artist Abraham Cruz. 

Denizen of the Witch House

"All the objects—organic and inorganic alike—were totally beyond description or even comprehension. Gilman sometimes compared the inorganic masses to prisms, labyrinths, clusters of cubes and planes, and Cyclopean buildings; and the organic things struck him variously as groups of bubbles, octopi, centipedes, living Hindoo idols, and intricate Arabesques roused into a kind of ophidian animation."

-H.P. Lovecraft, Dreams In the Witch-House

This octopoidal horror comes to us from Swedish artist Richard Svensson.  It's based on an original concept sketch from KingOvRats, itself inspired by the multi-dimensional denizens in Lovecraft's "Dreams in the Witch House".

Cthulhu Talisman

This nicely done Cthulhu talisman cast in metal comes to us from Monkoo.

Cthulhu Fhtagn! McKittrick Edition.

The talented Jason McKittrick returns to our pages with this Cthulhu idol cast in translucent resin.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

It's just not fair. I double dig my beds, apply compost heavily, and fortify the soil with terra preta. Despite that, I never get the kind of vigorous growth Karen Main is seeing in her own garden.

The Unliving

Patrick Magee returns to our pages with this nasty little creature.  I really like the translucence of the clingy, fleshy bits.  And I can pretty much guarantee this is the only place you'll read a sentence like that. Heh.

Cthulhu Fhtagn! Reid Edition.

This work in progress Cthulhu idol comes to us from artist Carter Reid. 

Cthulhu Fhtagn! Wodewose Edition.

This nicely done Cthulhu idol comes to us from artist A.J. Wodewose.  I like the globular eyes.

Specimen, In Progress

This work in progress video of an upcoming bottled creature comes to us from artist Brogan Paul Johnson. I can't wait to see the finished piece floating in liquid.

Made some more progress on this little guy last night. Hopefully he will be done soon and I can get working on his umbilical cord. #alien #creature #creaturedesign #fetus #specimen #oddities #sculpture #chatacterdesign #original #art #modelkit

A post shared by Brogan Paul Johnson (@broganpaulcreations) on May 10, 2017 at 11:16am PDT

From the Mountains of Madness

Artist Chris Williams brings us this impressive Elder Thing figure.  The one minor quibble I have is the lack of the webbed feet that figure so prominently in "At the Mountains of Madness", but..well, look at it.  It's gorgeous.

Horror Under Glass

This specimen of unknown origin comes to us from Mr. Jones. 

Cthulhu Grimoire

Mille Cuirs is back, and his latest is a wonderful Cthulhu themed grimoire.  I love the accoutrements included in his display tableaux.

Demon Lord of the Winds

This massive statue of the demon Pazuzu from "The Exorcist" comes to us from effects artist Patrick Magee.  It was a collaboration with Casey Wong for a haunted house attraction themed on the movie.   In a stroke of genius, the final room of the maze featured an actor wearing a costume identical to the statue prop.  One can imagine the impact on the unfortunate patrons.  

Daedric Dagger

Arsynal Props brings us this beautiful recreation of a Daedric Dagger from the Elder Scrolls video game series. It's actually cast in transparent red resin and then painted with a metallic finish.

The Borgerding Vampire Hunting Kit

Rich Penn Auctions is offering up this Vampire Hunting Kit from the collection of the late Dick Borgerding.  Bidding is currently up to $1600, sans buyers premium.

Vampire kit, wood & leather case w/ornate brass hardware, wolf's head & crossbow, interior sections hold wood arrows, prayer book dated 1914, crucifix, rosary, candle stands, double-barrel percussion pistol, lead balls, bullet mold, powder horn, skull bottle, bone pocket knife, silver match holder, hypodermic needle, holy water bottle, coffin nails & much more, probably early 1900's, all VG cond, case 10"H x 12.5"W x 10"D; top crossbow 18"L x 15"W.

On the bright side, they aren't claiming it's an authentic kit or offering up a definitive date of manufacture.  Given that many of the individual pieces probably do date back to the late 1800s or early 1900s the bid price isn't too out of line, but does seem a bit high.  If the after-market hinges hadn't been attached over the decorative scrollwork I'd be a bit more enthusiastic about its quality.

Trophy Troll

The talented Alice Tochylovska brings us this Jotun troll head. Before you think of adding it to your trophy wall let me warn you how incredibly dangerous something like this is. As anyone who's played old school Dungeons and Dragons could tell you, trolls regenerate. The only way to kill them for sure is fire.

On the other hand, as long as you don't lose track of time something like this is really helpful when you're questing. Once you get used to the fishy taste and chewy texture it's really handy to have a meat supply that constantly renews itself.

A Mass of Mandragora

This collection of hand collected mandragora roots comes to us from artist Tomàs Barceló Castelà.

The Power of Gold

Brazen and Bold productions brings us this tutorial on painting a realistic gold finish.  Not to be "that guy", but I think it's better described as painting an aged metal finish.  As many a buyer of discount jewelry has learned real gold doesn't tarnish and darken.

Amulet of Dagon

The gifted Copper Centipede returns to our pages with this Amulet of Dagon hand carved from real ebony.

Lord of Nightmares

This disturbing piece, "Nightmare: Bide", comes to us from artist Josh Hardie.  It features some wonderful texture work and is available in both finished and raw castings.