Ugo Serrano returns to our pages with this selection of faux reliquary pieces. Although "faux" isn't totally accurate. They're made from real human finger bones, but aren't actually the phalanges of a recognized saint. Which, come to think of it, makes them an accurate recreation of a whole lot of "genuine" reliquaries.
Over on Reddit, Mazayiz has posted some shots of the props they put together to run "Edge of Darkness" from the Call of Cthulhu Starter Set. It's a great scenario that already comes with a selection of handouts, but they took it to the next level with custom documents, ephemera, and curios.
"Going to run edge of darkness for some new players this upcoming weekend. This being a text heavy scenario, I cut down some of writing in the handouts and wanted to add a few physical props like the sarcophagus, key, boxes, “powders”, lighter and candle.
There are also a few extra handouts, mainly the “sheaf of yellowed papers” from the farmhouse which instead of being read out by the keeper can now be read by the PCs. Also on the backside of Sigil is a 16th century German version text of the De Vermiis Mysteris. Although it was supposed to be in Latin, the paper is torn to show as if Marion Allen torn out the original manuscript page and added some handwritten notes. Also I took the Latin chant handouts for the ritual and added Marion Allen’s handwriting to show the changes he made from a summoning ritual to a banishment ritual. I also wanted to spruce up the translation of the sarcophagus and have made it so that if professor Rice helps to decipher the Egyptian writing, it appears as if he made a charcoal rubbing on one side of the paper of the hieroglyphics and wrote the translation on the other side.
Overall a fun experience to make."
Even better, all of the bespoke paper props are available for download over on Google Drive. Kudos to Mazayiz for their generosity. If you've been thinking about introducing a group to Call of Cthulhu, or tabletop games in general, these props will guarantee it's a memorable experience.
Velimira Designs brings us the Necronomicon, or at least a blank journal version of the infamous tome.
Greig Johnson was hired to create an interactive prop for the Lovecraftian LARP "The Key of Dreams". His directions were to create a period occult science device that could expose features of the "hidden world". Based on his build video, he delivered in spades.
Watching the assembly process is exactly the kind of prop pr0n I love. Beyond the construction and finishing techniques this is the first time I've even heard that something like inductive LEDs exist. As Mr. Johnson points out, they open up some amazing live-action possibilities.
This gorgeous "Seal of the Azure Dragon" by artist Takayuki Takeya is part of the "Seal of the Four Gods" series from Manas SUM. It's available in two versions, pictured below.
The gifted Karen Main returns to our pages with this wonderfully icky pendant, featuring a mounted labradorite cabochon. The fleshy bits are painted polymer clay.
Sculptor Mark Newman brings us this excellent shrunken head prop. Amazing work on the skin texture, and the painted base really kicks it up a notch.
What happens when a progressive rock group embraces the King in Yellow? Shadoko42 on Reddit brings us the answer with this selection of custom props for his Call of Cthulhu campaign.
As a long-time rock DJ I absolutely love this stuff. There's a huge overlap between the history of rock and roll and the occult that can serve as very fertile ground for the Mythos. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has made no secret of his fascination with Alistair Crowley. That includes his purchase of Boleskin House, one of The Beast's former residences. David Bowie was a serious believer in magic in addition to his fondness for science fiction, making him a particularly appropriate inspiration.
An amazing look at the artifacts uncovered by a team from Miskatonic University during a middle-east expedition in the 1930s. Brought to us from Andrea Bonazzi's personal collection of Miskatonic ephemera.
Lion heads? A stuffed bear? Pshaw! Real hunters have a dragon mounted on their wall. The gifted Winton Afric brings us the head of Thrannox the Blue, the latest in his series of dragon specimens.
McCormick Wands returns to our pages with a new selection of wands, this time in a slender, black and red style. One of the things I love about wand collecting is the sheer variety of versions available.
This Lovecraft-inspired ancient ritual mask comes to us from artist Aleksandr Sivkov. I really like how he's taken the basic form of tribal ancestor and spirit masks and given it a Giger-ish spin.
Jason Soles of "Gods Below" has been producing Mythos artwork for years. That includes the awesome cover for the D20 version of "Call of Cthulhu". His latest is "The Face of the King" mask in cast bronze.
Sweet fancy Moses, these are gorgeous. Over on Reddit, Djonas3 has posted a gallery of the paper props he created for a Pulp Cthulhu campaign based on the Arkham Horror "Scarlet Keys" expansion. Click through to check out the full collection.
In the comments they mention something that genuinely blew my mind- manila folders aren't available in Europe. The covers for his suspect reports had to be created from cardstock.
Tyler McCormick returns to our pages with these nifty hand-forged runes. There's something to be said for a divinatory tool that has enough heft to serve as a weapon.
Tom Kuebler returns to our pages with this collection of traditional gaff-style shrunken heads. The woven headbands are a nice touch.
Artist James Gardner brings us this wonderful theatrical poster for a production of "The King in Yellow". Sadly, he doesn't appear to have it available for sale.
It's been a while since we've featured a full-blown prop set like this one from Creafae. It not only features a nicely done Grey alien-style fetal specimen, but a slew of supporting documents and props.
The report itself is a wonderful piece of work describing the recovery of the specimen(s) and the resulting autopsy. Some wonderful worldbuilding is on display here. Click through on the link above to see the complete gallery.
"The wizard-lords of House Telvanni have traditionally isolated themselves, pursuing wisdom and mastery in solitude. But certain ambitious wizard-lords, their retainers, and clients have entered wholeheartedly into the competition to control and exploit Vvardenfell's land and resources, building towers and bases all along the eastern coast. According to Telvanni principles, the powerful define the standards of virtue..."
This amulet of House Telvanni from the Elder Scrolls videogame series comes to us from Silverrend Props.
This massive beast of a tome comes to use from the talented Sladjana Vukelic. She has a very unique style of construction and weathering that I absolutely adore.
Morok Art Studio returns to our pages with this intriguing idol. It depicts Hassara, a primal steppe god created by author E. Lear.
Inspired by "Pan's Labyrinth", Mats Labyrinth brings us this faun pendant inset with a domed smoky quartz.
Landron Artifacts has been making amazing Mythos props for years, and I'm proud to have multiple examples in my personal collection. Their latest is this very nice Shoggoth wall plaque. It's available in multiple finishes, but the green stone pictured below is my favorite.
Artist Umut Comak has posted a brand new font that's ideal for prop documents. Best of all, it's absolutely free.
Hey folks,
I’ve been experimenting with alien scripts and visual languages lately and ended up creating this brutalist-style font called Kron’thul. Think forgotten monoliths, ancient AI cults, or strange glyphs etched into derelict starships.
It’s completely free to use for personal or commercial projects. All I ask is that you credit me and shoot me a quick email if you use it anywhere. Would love to see what you do with it!
You can download the Kron'thul alien language font at his site.
"Escape From Innsmouth" was originally released back in 1992 as one of Chaosium's first batch of "Lovecraft Country" supplements. It builds on the details revealed in Lovecraft's "The Shadow Over Innsmouth". The supplement includes a complete guide to the Deep One-dominated town and a series of adventures, including a recreation of the infamous raid on Innsmouth at the climax of the original story.
Gallery of Cthulhu brings us this impressive set of physical props he created for a friend running the adventure. It includes the Book of Dagon, "Innsmouth gold", an idol of Dagon, and a variety of Deep One jewelry. Click through and scroll down to see some of the details of their creation.
Professional tomecrafter MilleCuirs returns to our pages with their latest, "The Oracle". Featuring a custom-tooled leather cover with an inset glass eye.
This traditional-style Cthulhu idol comes to us from Maelstrom Makers. It's available as a downloadable 3D print file. Below you can see the digital model and a copy printed out in resin.
Andrea Bonazzi has been one of the most active Mythos artists for decades. In addition to his impressive sculptures and bas reliefs he's also crafted some great photomontages using those same artworks. His latest is this look at one of the disturbing artifacts unearthed by the Miskatonic University Middle East expedition of 1920.
I love stumbling across an incredibly niche prop, and this one certainly qualifies.
Noah Bunyan directed the 2023 fan-film "The King in Yellow". As part of the process he created this conjectural pamphlet for Hildred Castaign, the rightful Emperor of the Imperial Dynasty of America. As someone who seems to trigger every handout-bearing cultist I pass, this is exactly the kind of stuff I would expect the Emperor to be passing out.
You kids today and your realistic LARP weapons. Back in the day, we fought with swords made from pipe insulation wrapped in silver duct tape. And we were happy!
Geezer flashback aside, it really is amazing how LARP weapons have evolved. As artisans like Sander Propworx demonstrate with this dagger, things have gone far beyond being "Hollywood quality". Stunt weapons on both the big and small screen just have to look good to a camera. LARP blades are now so good they can survive up close scrutiny.
What a time to be alive.
Valraven brings us this interesting blend of cutting edge technology and old school gaff-making. Their mounted mermaid skeleton was 3D printed in high resolution, assembled, and aged. The results speak for themselves, with the bones devoid of the striations that are the mark of poor print head calibration.
