I’d like to do some crowdsourcing for the Miscellany in Codex – Starlight. The Miscellany is called “Three-Dozen Signs the Stars are Right!” This one is all about omens.
Submissions need to be a single sentence, or 2-3 very short sentences. By submitting here, you’re agreeing to let us use it (you’ll get a credit in the issue). I’m looking for evocative stuff. The purpose of the Miscellany is to inspire the reader.
Here are some examples:
“A cat was seen walking backwards.”
“The sap of a particular tree has turned blood red.”
“A baby was recently born with a short, stubby tail.”
“The stars have begun rotating the other way in the night sky”
“Everynight, less and less stars grace us with their light”
“A peculiar looking star has turned orange and growing in size”
“The stars have begun rotating the other way in the night sky”
“Everynight, less and less stars grace us with their light”
“A peculiar looking star has turned orange and growing in size”
The creatures of the woods all are looking to the north, at the same time, like they’re waiting for something to arrive.
A chill wind blows through every hour on the hour leaving frost on the windows.
The milk cows are all giving water instead of milk.
Every stalk of corn in the field has turned the color of ash and the corn now tastes like death.
The stars in the sky are vanishing, ever so slowly but ones that were there the night before are gone.
The stars in the sky are no longer where they should be. New constellations have taken their place.
The creatures of the woods all are looking to the north, at the same time, like they’re waiting for something to arrive.
A chill wind blows through every hour on the hour leaving frost on the windows.
The milk cows are all giving water instead of milk.
Every stalk of corn in the field has turned the color of ash and the corn now tastes like death.
The stars in the sky are vanishing, ever so slowly but ones that were there the night before are gone.
The stars in the sky are no longer where they should be. New constellations have taken their place.
Animals gather in places of worship. Birds, pigs, dogs and deer all waiting like a congregation before sermon.
Animals gather in places of worship. Birds, pigs, dogs and deer all waiting like a congregation before sermon.
Trees fall in sigils.
Trees fall in sigils.
Statues of saints weep blood.
Rich merchants have sold their belongings for pennies and have taken to begging in the streets for sustenance.
Kings and Queens are eating their heirs.
Statues of saints weep blood.
Rich merchants have sold their belongings for pennies and have taken to begging in the streets for sustenance.
Kings and Queens are eating their heirs.
“All metal near the Smithy’s home turns to rust overnight”
“All the children wake up everynight with the same nightmare”
“All metal near the Smithy’s home turns to rust overnight”
“All the children wake up everynight with the same nightmare”
All music and song sounds out of tune.
An Aurora originates at the Equator.
All music and song sounds out of tune.
An Aurora originates at the Equator.
Cats no longer cast shadows.
What started as a mere black dot in the night sky, has grown to an empty void of a disk that stretches for miles across the norther hemisphere’s sky and is visible both day and night.
Unexplained groaning sounds seem to emit from graveyards starting in Connecticut and then spreading successively to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, and Georgia.
Birds of different species are migrating together out of season in such great numbers that they blot out the sun for days at a time all over the globe.
News reports are trickling in from all over the world about what appears to be a global die-off of all non-human primates. The event appears to have happened overnight and affected both wild and captive animals.
Various hobbyists online are reporting that a new island, complete with carved rock structures, has pushed through the ocean’s surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge based on screen captures of Google Earth satellite pictures. The US Navy is currently restricting access to the area’s waters for what it reports are naval maneuvers. Google has rolled back a recent map update and is making no further comment.
Cats no longer cast shadows.
What started as a mere black dot in the night sky, has grown to an empty void of a disk that stretches for miles across the norther hemisphere’s sky and is visible both day and night.
Unexplained groaning sounds seem to emit from graveyards starting in Connecticut and then spreading successively to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, and Georgia.
Birds of different species are migrating together out of season in such great numbers that they blot out the sun for days at a time all over the globe.
News reports are trickling in from all over the world about what appears to be a global die-off of all non-human primates. The event appears to have happened overnight and affected both wild and captive animals.
Various hobbyists online are reporting that a new island, complete with carved rock structures, has pushed through the ocean’s surface along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge based on screen captures of Google Earth satellite pictures. The US Navy is currently restricting access to the area’s waters for what it reports are naval maneuvers. Google has rolled back a recent map update and is making no further comment.
“The children speak in whispers about a man in the woods whose limbs are like spider legs.”
“Peoples shadows have begun to disappear”
“The roosters refuse to crow at dawn.”
“At two hours before dawn, all the stars turn green for 3 seconds.”
“People finding rooms that did not exist in their home.”
“Dreams of someone softly whispering/crying.”
“A soft tugging while walking, as though a child was holding onto your hand.”
“The children speak in whispers about a man in the woods whose limbs are like spider legs.”
“Peoples shadows have begun to disappear”
“The roosters refuse to crow at dawn.”
“At two hours before dawn, all the stars turn green for 3 seconds.”
“People finding rooms that did not exist in their home.”
“Dreams of someone softly whispering/crying.”
“A soft tugging while walking, as though a child was holding onto your hand.”
The wind blows upwards to the sky.
Petals fall from all the flowers, turning to ash upon touching the ground.
Doors swing open instead of closed.
Horns are heard in the sky with no discernible source.
You leave blood marks on things despite having no wounds.
The wind blows upwards to the sky.
Petals fall from all the flowers, turning to ash upon touching the ground.
Doors swing open instead of closed.
Horns are heard in the sky with no discernible source.
You leave blood marks on things despite having no wounds.
The sweet scent of blossoming fruit rides on the wind.
The sweet scent of blossoming fruit rides on the wind.
A cow was born with the face of a child. It speaks only in scripture from an unknown Gospel.
A cow was born with the face of a child. It speaks only in scripture from an unknown Gospel.
• Fresh cow’s milk curdles in the jug and all the beer turns sour.
• A tree drops all of its leaves and forms new buds in mid summer.
• Usually docile animals turn feral – a cow head butts and tramples a few of its herd mates until they lie in a bloody pulp.
• Your fingernails grow in rapidly, but the new growth is a gross purple-black.
• An unusual dust storm blows through town, the particles kind of glitter. In the morning, six children wake up blind.
• Machines randomly turn on, in one instance a man is severely injured as a result.
• A rogue comet sheds a sickly green light over the night sky.
• Fresh cow’s milk curdles in the jug and all the beer turns sour.
• A tree drops all of its leaves and forms new buds in mid summer.
• Usually docile animals turn feral – a cow head butts and tramples a few of its herd mates until they lie in a bloody pulp.
• Your fingernails grow in rapidly, but the new growth is a gross purple-black.
• An unusual dust storm blows through town, the particles kind of glitter. In the morning, six children wake up blind.
• Machines randomly turn on, in one instance a man is severely injured as a result.
• A rogue comet sheds a sickly green light over the night sky.
The rough stone is slick and oily to the touch.
The rough stone is slick and oily to the touch.
Ha. I wrote mine before reading others. What is it with cows and milk? 🙂 At least three of us went there.
Ha. I wrote mine before reading others. What is it with cows and milk? 🙂 At least three of us went there.
The slight metallic tang which pervades everything you eat.
The slight metallic tang which pervades everything you eat.
“On the third hour of a new day, infant boys wake from their peaceful slumber and begin to speak in tongues.”
“On the third hour of a new day, infant boys wake from their peaceful slumber and begin to speak in tongues.”
“Children are obedient and helpful, and speak as though they were adults.”
“Food never spoils. Drinks are perfect temperature. Meals are perfectly flavored and cooked, no matter the ingredients.”
“The people are always happy, there are no tears or sadness. Only dreams.”
“Children are obedient and helpful, and speak as though they were adults.”
“Food never spoils. Drinks are perfect temperature. Meals are perfectly flavored and cooked, no matter the ingredients.”
“The people are always happy, there are no tears or sadness. Only dreams.”
http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/uploads/1/7/3/8/17382151/8920949_orig.gif
http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/uploads/1/7/3/8/17382151/8920949_orig.gif
The blue flame that exists in the corner of your eye, no matter how many times you turn to find it’s source.
The blue flame that exists in the corner of your eye, no matter how many times you turn to find it’s source.
The feeling of a hand on your shoulder, even though no one is there.
The feeling of a hand on your shoulder, even though no one is there.
Everyone unconsciously using “day star” instead of sun in casual conversation. When pointed out they don’t remember not using “sun”.
Everyone unconsciously using “day star” instead of sun in casual conversation. When pointed out they don’t remember not using “sun”.
All the sparrows in the world commit suicide by flying into the sea and drowning themselves.
All the sparrows in the world commit suicide by flying into the sea and drowning themselves.
Jesus suddenly disappears from all religious art.
Jesus suddenly disappears from all religious art.
You wake to find newts, frogs, and other amphibians lying belly up all over the yard and sidewalk.
You wake to find newts, frogs, and other amphibians lying belly up all over the yard and sidewalk.
The signal fire spontaneously combusts.
The signal fire spontaneously combusts.
Dropped toast lands jelly side down! This never happens normally!
Dropped toast lands jelly side down! This never happens normally!
Daniel Fowler unless you tie it to a cat. Then they both just spin infinitely.
Daniel Fowler unless you tie it to a cat. Then they both just spin infinitely.
Domesticated animals have reversed roles, ex: chickens crow at dawn and roosters lay eggs.
Dogs speak in the tongues of men, reminiscing about a lost hearth and home.
The dead rise up and wander around aimlessly for an hour or so before dawn.
Birds follow you incessantly, issuing raucous warning cries. Magpies, ravens, and owls mostly.
Your deceased grandfather is seen sitting in his favorite rocking chair, reading a newspaper from a future date.
A child goes missing, his intact skin is found but his filling seems to have run off.
Domesticated animals have reversed roles, ex: chickens crow at dawn and roosters lay eggs.
Dogs speak in the tongues of men, reminiscing about a lost hearth and home.
The dead rise up and wander around aimlessly for an hour or so before dawn.
Birds follow you incessantly, issuing raucous warning cries. Magpies, ravens, and owls mostly.
Your deceased grandfather is seen sitting in his favorite rocking chair, reading a newspaper from a future date.
A child goes missing, his intact skin is found but his filling seems to have run off.
For one full month, there are no Cthulhu related products on Kickstarter.
For one full month, there are no Cthulhu related products on Kickstarter.
I’ve noticed a motif with domesticated animals failing in function.
I’ve noticed a motif with domesticated animals failing in function.
Your heart, probably everyone’s heart, beats in tune with the flickering stars.
Your heart, probably everyone’s heart, beats in tune with the flickering stars.
The scarecrow man has been seen at the stones
The scarecrow man has been seen at the stones
A remake of MacGyver is on TV.
Donald Trump becomes the nominee of a major political party for President.
Oceans turn to ash.
A remake of MacGyver is on TV.
Donald Trump becomes the nominee of a major political party for President.
Oceans turn to ash.
Lights in the forest at night.
The insects stop making noise.
Restless hounds.
The well runs dry.
Cats get in the way (okay, maybe that’s normal), but they’re not your cats and when you turn around, they’re gone.
When you’re not looking, there is writing on the walls in disturbing script/running blood/smeared soot.
Children say the darnedest things. Like, “Flames spread like blood across the bed when the stars turn red.” Or, “Death glides out of the corners of your eyes when the crow flies.”
Lights in the forest at night.
The insects stop making noise.
Restless hounds.
The well runs dry.
Cats get in the way (okay, maybe that’s normal), but they’re not your cats and when you turn around, they’re gone.
When you’re not looking, there is writing on the walls in disturbing script/running blood/smeared soot.
Children say the darnedest things. Like, “Flames spread like blood across the bed when the stars turn red.” Or, “Death glides out of the corners of your eyes when the crow flies.”
Some good omens!
• The locket you had believed to be lost was found sitting on the hearth. When opened, a small blue moth flutters out.
• Your initials are carved in a spider’s web. The strands glisten with a golden dew.
• A robin’s song floats in from your back door. The melody sounds like a lullaby from your childhood.
• A half-penny on the ground, with the tyrant’s likeness facing upwards. Her eyes are scratched out.
• A funeral procession filled with joyous laughter. Make sure to take at least three steps with them.
• Itching palms, yellow mucus, a wart on your lip, a long wiry strand of black hair in an unusual place. You lucky dog.
• The tooth, which, after it had fallen out, you had placed on your windowsill, is now missing.
Some good omens!
• The locket you had believed to be lost was found sitting on the hearth. When opened, a small blue moth flutters out.
• Your initials are carved in a spider’s web. The strands glisten with a golden dew.
• A robin’s song floats in from your back door. The melody sounds like a lullaby from your childhood.
• A half-penny on the ground, with the tyrant’s likeness facing upwards. Her eyes are scratched out.
• A funeral procession filled with joyous laughter. Make sure to take at least three steps with them.
• Itching palms, yellow mucus, a wart on your lip, a long wiry strand of black hair in an unusual place. You lucky dog.
• The tooth, which, after it had fallen out, you had placed on your windowsill, is now missing.
The campfire smoke never goes in your face.
Just as you make a huge haul at the tables, the casino runs out of liquor…
The campfire smoke never goes in your face.
Just as you make a huge haul at the tables, the casino runs out of liquor…
Yoshi Creelman is on fire today!
Yoshi Creelman is on fire today!
That’s not an omen but an observation
That’s not an omen but an observation
A patron vomits a toad into their drink
A patron vomits a toad into their drink
All tv psychics, palm readers, and newspaper horoscopes begin to make accurate predictions; all point toward an event at the final alignment.
All tv psychics, palm readers, and newspaper horoscopes begin to make accurate predictions; all point toward an event at the final alignment.
At true midnight, for three beats of a slow drum, everyone walking under the night sky walks backwards.
At true midnight, for three beats of a slow drum, everyone walking under the night sky walks backwards.
The stars can be seen as pinholes in the surface of the moon as it moves across them.
The stars can be seen as pinholes in the surface of the moon as it moves across them.
All music is perceived by those other than the performers as static.
All dogs assume a permanent submissive state. They constantly whimper and whine and only crawl around on their bellies.
For the past week, the outside world goes completely and eerily quiet at sundown. At precisely midnight, each night, all natural sounds of frogs, crickets, cicadas, and other nighttime fauna resume making noise in a deafening cacophony.
All music is perceived by those other than the performers as static.
All dogs assume a permanent submissive state. They constantly whimper and whine and only crawl around on their bellies.
For the past week, the outside world goes completely and eerily quiet at sundown. At precisely midnight, each night, all natural sounds of frogs, crickets, cicadas, and other nighttime fauna resume making noise in a deafening cacophony.
Only the propehcy can be printed or written. No matter what you try it ends up on the paper, replacing all news articles and internet comments.
Only the propehcy can be printed or written. No matter what you try it ends up on the paper, replacing all news articles and internet comments.
Those who gaze upon the green comet streaking across the night sky witness their impending doom.
Those who gaze upon the green comet streaking across the night sky witness their impending doom.
The faceless men walk the woods.
Pale spiders soar on wings of silk.
The honey from the beehive runs black and stinks of something dead.
An avalanche reveals the body of a great dragon, frozen in ice that is quickly thawing.
The bodies of lovers and twins are found in their homes, each strangled by the other.
Wolves’ howls sound like shrieking infants.
The sea turns red and burns mens’ flesh.
Flames turn cold to the touch and ice burns like fire.
A black lion stalks any who leave the village.
Freshwater fish swim in great schools, knocking over boats and drowning fishermen.
The faceless men walk the woods.
Pale spiders soar on wings of silk.
The honey from the beehive runs black and stinks of something dead.
An avalanche reveals the body of a great dragon, frozen in ice that is quickly thawing.
The bodies of lovers and twins are found in their homes, each strangled by the other.
Wolves’ howls sound like shrieking infants.
The sea turns red and burns mens’ flesh.
Flames turn cold to the touch and ice burns like fire.
A black lion stalks any who leave the village.
Freshwater fish swim in great schools, knocking over boats and drowning fishermen.
Strangers begin to appear in town. They always seem to be standing still, and yet are a little close each time you look at them again.
A beast is seen at the edge of town. It stays away from people, but will be seen on the stoop of anyone who is fated to die that night.
Pigs are found chewing human teeth.
People see the distended tortured face of their loved ones at the bottom of the well.
It begins to rain continually, but the ground is always dry.
Strangers begin to appear in town. They always seem to be standing still, and yet are a little close each time you look at them again.
A beast is seen at the edge of town. It stays away from people, but will be seen on the stoop of anyone who is fated to die that night.
Pigs are found chewing human teeth.
People see the distended tortured face of their loved ones at the bottom of the well.
It begins to rain continually, but the ground is always dry.
The last three eggs you broke open had embryos. The fourth begins to crack in your hand
The last three eggs you broke open had embryos. The fourth begins to crack in your hand
[Redacted]
[Redacted]
No politics in the Gauntlet, please. Thanks!
No politics in the Gauntlet, please. Thanks!
Clowns and rumors of clowns fill the local gossip.
Two weeks ago a clown shoe fell from the sky and landed in the middle of a church. People are paralyzed waiting for the second to drop.
Clowns and rumors of clowns fill the local gossip.
Two weeks ago a clown shoe fell from the sky and landed in the middle of a church. People are paralyzed waiting for the second to drop.
A great grandfather owl sat on your window sill waiting for you to awaken before flapping away
your childhood crush gets stranded and happens to knock on your door
A great grandfather owl sat on your window sill waiting for you to awaken before flapping away
your childhood crush gets stranded and happens to knock on your door
The graffiti pertains exactly to your situation.
The graffiti pertains exactly to your situation.
Everyone greets you nicely on the street, I mean EVERYONE, people go out of the way to greet you.
Everyone greets you nicely on the street, I mean EVERYONE, people go out of the way to greet you.
The water reflects entirely different constellations and a moon unlike our own.
The water reflects entirely different constellations and a moon unlike our own.
not exactly miscellany, but here is an 4 omen poem:
The animals know
The wind does tell
When moon’s light glow
When naught flows the well
Bleating sheep, bleeding cow
Wise men know the test
Cat does bark, dog does meow
When gods seek you for a quest
Once the wind blows South
Sell all, save your hand
This is how you fill your mouth
For prosperity has found your land
Pack your belongings
When moon moves west
Make all haste to leave
For the moon knows best
When water you do go and seek
And pumping the well does not yield
Know the time is within a week
When gold is found within your field
These things speak
These signs show
Moon, stars, wind, water
They all do know
not exactly miscellany, but here is an 4 omen poem:
The animals know
The wind does tell
When moon’s light glow
When naught flows the well
Bleating sheep, bleeding cow
Wise men know the test
Cat does bark, dog does meow
When gods seek you for a quest
Once the wind blows South
Sell all, save your hand
This is how you fill your mouth
For prosperity has found your land
Pack your belongings
When moon moves west
Make all haste to leave
For the moon knows best
When water you do go and seek
And pumping the well does not yield
Know the time is within a week
When gold is found within your field
These things speak
These signs show
Moon, stars, wind, water
They all do know
Your name has been stolen, and nobody remembers it.
Your name has been stolen, and nobody remembers it.
Each night for a month, a different house was visited by a ghost of a beloved who had lived in that house. They did not know they had died…
Each night for a month, a different house was visited by a ghost of a beloved who had lived in that house. They did not know they had died…
“Deep in the night, a death wail sounds”
“An unattended cup splits in half”
“Everything blooms, hideous and grotesque.”
“Everything blooms, beautiful and vibrant.”
“Deep in the night, a death wail sounds”
“An unattended cup splits in half”
“Everything blooms, hideous and grotesque.”
“Everything blooms, beautiful and vibrant.”
Tonight is the first time you realize the light of the moon burns your skin.
Tonight is the first time you realize the light of the moon burns your skin.
Frost rings the houses of the recently departed.
Frost rings the houses of the recently departed.
These are terrific, everyone! I’m going to close the thread now. Thanks so much!
These are terrific, everyone! I’m going to close the thread now. Thanks so much!
Thread necromancy! I wanted to let everyone know we are currently raising money on KS to print a big, beautiful hardcover book collecting the first 13 issues of Codex. We’re doing a single print run of this book, and when those are all gone, that’s it! Many of you in this thread have miscellany submissions that made it into one of those early issues, and so you might be interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself. Of particular note is a discounted $35 pledge tier, which is perfect if you don’t care about getting the PDFs.
Even if you’re not interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself, it would be super lovely (and helpful!) if you would share the campaign in your circles.
As it turns out, I can’t actually share a link to the project in this comment because G+ flags such KS links as spam, but if you just go to Kickstarter and search “Codex” it pops right up, or search “Codex RPG” in Google.
Thanks!
Thread necromancy! I wanted to let everyone know we are currently raising money on KS to print a big, beautiful hardcover book collecting the first 13 issues of Codex. We’re doing a single print run of this book, and when those are all gone, that’s it! Many of you in this thread have miscellany submissions that made it into one of those early issues, and so you might be interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself. Of particular note is a discounted $35 pledge tier, which is perfect if you don’t care about getting the PDFs.
Even if you’re not interested in getting a copy of the book for yourself, it would be super lovely (and helpful!) if you would share the campaign in your circles.
As it turns out, I can’t actually share a link to the project in this comment because G+ flags such KS links as spam, but if you just go to Kickstarter and search “Codex” it pops right up, or search “Codex RPG” in Google.
Thanks!