I’d like to do some crowdsourcing for the Miscellany in Codex – Yellow. The piece is called “Three-dozen forbidden texts.” 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 on the issue). I’m looking for evocative stuff. The purpose of the Miscellany is to inspire the reader.
Importantly, your forbidden text doesn’t need a name, though that would be nice. It does, however, need a physical description of the text AND/OR a succinct note saying what the text is about.
Here are some examples:
“The Diary of Elizabeth Pettigrew,” which seems like an ordinary collection of daily thoughts and affirmations, but to those who know how to read it properly, it contains the instructions for a dark ritual.
The Book of Lies, bound in the hides of trickster animals, contains only a single line of maddening truth in its five hundred pages.
The Social Register of Mercy Falls, Washington, which contains a list of the town’s most prominent residents, some of whom, you will learn, have been here for hundreds of years.
The Tortosa Manuscript- The last illumination by a Templar monastery. Legend says that the world creator’s true name was printed within, which would give mortals power over him.
The Tortosa Manuscript- The last illumination by a Templar monastery. Legend says that the world creator’s true name was printed within, which would give mortals power over him.
The Nemesis Journal – A tome that bonds with its owner and shows only them their enemy’s most private thoughts. Or perhaps it’s a psychic vampire that cultivates and harvests the owner’s delusions.
The Nemesis Journal – A tome that bonds with its owner and shows only them their enemy’s most private thoughts. Or perhaps it’s a psychic vampire that cultivates and harvests the owner’s delusions.
Farrier’s Almanac – At first glance a simple set of tables, planting times and animal husbandry wisdom. Closer examination reveals that the animals are unknown to most humans and the planting is governed by planetary correspondences from outside the solar system.
Farrier’s Almanac – At first glance a simple set of tables, planting times and animal husbandry wisdom. Closer examination reveals that the animals are unknown to most humans and the planting is governed by planetary correspondences from outside the solar system.
A diary with entries written in your own handwriting, detailing horrifying acts of cruelty and debauchery you can’t remember committing. The first entry is dated for tomorrow.
A diary with entries written in your own handwriting, detailing horrifying acts of cruelty and debauchery you can’t remember committing. The first entry is dated for tomorrow.
Also, as a reminder: you can submit as many entries as you wish!
Also, as a reminder: you can submit as many entries as you wish!
It’s a small book, clad in dirty red leather, ornately, lasciviously detailed. It always betrays the innermost, damning desires of those who peruse it, with sordid illustration. Its pages are stained.
It’s a small book, clad in dirty red leather, ornately, lasciviously detailed. It always betrays the innermost, damning desires of those who peruse it, with sordid illustration. Its pages are stained.
The Folio of John Smiths- A small pamphlet describing how to obtain and cure the words of God inscribed on the underside of the skin covering the spin of people with, and only with, very common names.
The Folio of John Smiths- A small pamphlet describing how to obtain and cure the words of God inscribed on the underside of the skin covering the spin of people with, and only with, very common names.
My favorite forbidden text: http://www.scp-wiki.net/bees
My favorite forbidden text: http://www.scp-wiki.net/bees
A well-worn copy of the 1977 AAA Road Atlas for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, except the streets and highways are in the wrong place and have different names.
A well-worn copy of the 1977 AAA Road Atlas for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, except the streets and highways are in the wrong place and have different names.
You would think it destroyed, being mostly burnt; that was the intent. But its blackened pages remain strangely intact, the faint words blasphemous and maddening and whispering of a dark presence in a dark place.
You would think it destroyed, being mostly burnt; that was the intent. But its blackened pages remain strangely intact, the faint words blasphemous and maddening and whispering of a dark presence in a dark place.
Your ancestor’s journal, detailing their descent from decadence to depravity to heresy. On the last page, the deed to your ancestral mansion is enclosed, along with a blood-stained note: “I beg you, return home, claim your birthright and deliver our family from the ravenous clutching shadows!”
Your ancestor’s journal, detailing their descent from decadence to depravity to heresy. On the last page, the deed to your ancestral mansion is enclosed, along with a blood-stained note: “I beg you, return home, claim your birthright and deliver our family from the ravenous clutching shadows!”
Obligatory: The House of Leaves. (house must be written in blue)
Obligatory: The House of Leaves. (house must be written in blue)
An ancient sebayt which contains hand gestures that allow one to communicate with any creature of feline descent.
A tale written in old Norse stripped from traditional mythology that codifies the finding of titans hidden on earth.
An ancient sebayt which contains hand gestures that allow one to communicate with any creature of feline descent.
A tale written in old Norse stripped from traditional mythology that codifies the finding of titans hidden on earth.
Leaflets are set in a wide tome, teaching the lineage of the realm’s royal families. Scrawled throughout are speculations of diseases, bastards and prophecies.
Leaflets are set in a wide tome, teaching the lineage of the realm’s royal families. Scrawled throughout are speculations of diseases, bastards and prophecies.
Principia Spagyrica, a tome of alchemy based on the essences of native plants. Its pages (made of these plants), when burnt, create the effects they describe.
Principia Spagyrica, a tome of alchemy based on the essences of native plants. Its pages (made of these plants), when burnt, create the effects they describe.
the Tortuga Bowl Prophecies. Runes scratched on the inside of a large tortoise shell bowl, used for casting bones. Ominous warnings what will happen when a Lich’s remains are brought back together. Close examination of the arrangement of the runes will reveal it’s a map with the location of each body part.
the Tortuga Bowl Prophecies. Runes scratched on the inside of a large tortoise shell bowl, used for casting bones. Ominous warnings what will happen when a Lich’s remains are brought back together. Close examination of the arrangement of the runes will reveal it’s a map with the location of each body part.
Marianna’s Guide to Rambunctious Children, children raised following its precepts are calm and stoic, but become raging barbarians upon turning 19.
Marianna’s Guide to Rambunctious Children, children raised following its precepts are calm and stoic, but become raging barbarians upon turning 19.
A Tijuana Bible – The lewd image of world leaders having sex with grotesque carricatures of women and barnyard animals have predicted the winners of elections for years.
A Tijuana Bible – The lewd image of world leaders having sex with grotesque carricatures of women and barnyard animals have predicted the winners of elections for years.
Ten Soporific Stories, guaranteed to put anyone who reads it into a long, healing, restorative sleep. You won’t make it past the first tale.
Ten Soporific Stories, guaranteed to put anyone who reads it into a long, healing, restorative sleep. You won’t make it past the first tale.
A book of non-ecludian Origami patterns: The steps within let you summon paper shoggoths and other unspeakable monsters.
A book of non-ecludian Origami patterns: The steps within let you summon paper shoggoths and other unspeakable monsters.
Bill Diamond and The Case of the Sleeping Girl- a beat up dimestore paperback about the titular detective’s investigation into the apparent murder of his estranged daughter, a fruitless and frustrating investigation that ultimately ends with Bill Diamond the character directly addressing the reader, pleading for help. Anyone who finishes the book is then visited by the detective in their dreams, insistent on enlisting their assistance to solve the case.
Bill Diamond and The Case of the Sleeping Girl- a beat up dimestore paperback about the titular detective’s investigation into the apparent murder of his estranged daughter, a fruitless and frustrating investigation that ultimately ends with Bill Diamond the character directly addressing the reader, pleading for help. Anyone who finishes the book is then visited by the detective in their dreams, insistent on enlisting their assistance to solve the case.
The nineteen forms of cutting perfection.
The text and illustrations of this book are etched into the blades of nineteen unique swords. Mastering any one will make you a swordsman of legend.
The nineteen forms of cutting perfection.
The text and illustrations of this book are etched into the blades of nineteen unique swords. Mastering any one will make you a swordsman of legend.
The Book of Missing Persons, 1966 – 1973: A neatly typewritten stack of stapled paper, with the final fate of every supposedly unsolved missing person case during that period. Other volumes do not exist, no matter what you might have heard.
The Book of Missing Persons, 1966 – 1973: A neatly typewritten stack of stapled paper, with the final fate of every supposedly unsolved missing person case during that period. Other volumes do not exist, no matter what you might have heard.
Lacuna Part 2: The ▆▆▆▆▆ and the ▆▆▆ from ▆▆▆
Lacuna Part 2: The ▆▆▆▆▆ and the ▆▆▆ from ▆▆▆
Jonathan Cook Great submission. Can I cut the last sentence, for length?
Jonathan Cook Great submission. Can I cut the last sentence, for length?
Feel free.
Feel free.
Jonathan Cook Please write this book.
Jonathan Cook Please write this book.
A lonely scroll, it’s edges crinkled and torn, the ink of its script blotted by the tears of its doomed author accounting the arcane destruction of their city.
A lonely scroll, it’s edges crinkled and torn, the ink of its script blotted by the tears of its doomed author accounting the arcane destruction of their city.
The By-laws of the Consolidated Galactic Confederacy, High Council Procedure, 3rd edition; while intentioned to provide structure, this bound script has been shown to be more powerful than any weapon, know its pages by heart or your life and the life of your people may be forfeit simply on the grounds of unforgivable grammar
The By-laws of the Consolidated Galactic Confederacy, High Council Procedure, 3rd edition; while intentioned to provide structure, this bound script has been shown to be more powerful than any weapon, know its pages by heart or your life and the life of your people may be forfeit simply on the grounds of unforgivable grammar
Book of Hands
It’s inside pages are filled with handprints made with what looks like red ink. It is actually a Mimic that just waits around to eat the hand of those foolish enough to open it.
Book of Hands
It’s inside pages are filled with handprints made with what looks like red ink. It is actually a Mimic that just waits around to eat the hand of those foolish enough to open it.
The One-Way Tome: this book seems to have the exact knowledge of what you were looking for, but take careful notes! Once you turn a page, you can never turn back.
The One-Way Tome: this book seems to have the exact knowledge of what you were looking for, but take careful notes! Once you turn a page, you can never turn back.
The Venusian Vinyl. A vinyl record with a set of nail marks ripped across. At each skip, the sounds of a couples fatal last date are heard.
The Venusian Vinyl. A vinyl record with a set of nail marks ripped across. At each skip, the sounds of a couples fatal last date are heard.
A futuristc yet worn and damaged datapad. Its screen only displays entries from an unamed personal jounal. It relates terrible and desperate tales of survival in a desolate wasteland where water and kindness are scarce. The last entry is dated sept. 27th 2117…
A futuristc yet worn and damaged datapad. Its screen only displays entries from an unamed personal jounal. It relates terrible and desperate tales of survival in a desolate wasteland where water and kindness are scarce. The last entry is dated sept. 27th 2117…
The Child’s Tablet
A worn, Big Chief writing tablet with frayed edges and gradually more and more nightmarish drawings as you thumb through the pages. Red crayon marks begin to bleed if a page is left open too long and the monstrous drawings seem to have moved slightly anytime you look away for more than a moment.
The Child’s Tablet
A worn, Big Chief writing tablet with frayed edges and gradually more and more nightmarish drawings as you thumb through the pages. Red crayon marks begin to bleed if a page is left open too long and the monstrous drawings seem to have moved slightly anytime you look away for more than a moment.
The Guest Book
A pristine cover betrays the sinister intent of this seemingly innocent guest book. Upon opening it, the pages are yellowed and bloodstained. The names within are all those of demons and reading them invites them into your home.
The Guest Book
A pristine cover betrays the sinister intent of this seemingly innocent guest book. Upon opening it, the pages are yellowed and bloodstained. The names within are all those of demons and reading them invites them into your home.
Super Silly Mad Libs Volume 6: appears to be a run-of-the-mill compilation of silly stories with blank spaces for adjectives and nouns you can fill in yourself, but once filled in, these stories come true- no matter how wacky or distressing.
Super Silly Mad Libs Volume 6: appears to be a run-of-the-mill compilation of silly stories with blank spaces for adjectives and nouns you can fill in yourself, but once filled in, these stories come true- no matter how wacky or distressing.
Donners Fine Dining. A small trade magazine with advertisements for various restaurants. The magazine states to tell them “Donners sent you” to get your meat substituted on any dish. It doesnt say with what…
Donners Fine Dining. A small trade magazine with advertisements for various restaurants. The magazine states to tell them “Donners sent you” to get your meat substituted on any dish. It doesnt say with what…
Architectural Digest’s Complete Floorplans of 1976- If your home was built in the Midwest in 1976, then the uncensored floor plan is in this three-volume work. Includes the location of the secret room with no doors that every home had that year.
Architectural Digest’s Complete Floorplans of 1976- If your home was built in the Midwest in 1976, then the uncensored floor plan is in this three-volume work. Includes the location of the secret room with no doors that every home had that year.
The Culinary Delights, second edition. A sturdy leatherbound tome, dog-eared, tattered and stained. It includes recipes using a number of unusual ingredients, some of which are poisonous, others cannibalistic.
The Culinary Delights, second edition. A sturdy leatherbound tome, dog-eared, tattered and stained. It includes recipes using a number of unusual ingredients, some of which are poisonous, others cannibalistic.
The Tasting Menu
Found in a sealed envelope addressed to you and a guest.
Manuka honey glazed cingulate sulcus, ale pickled shallots, créme fraîche
~
East Sussex medulla, crispy belly of pork, quince jelly
~
Goosnargh duck breast, chanterelle mushrooms, celeriac puree, vinaigrette Diencephalon
~
Baked cerebellum, cheek of Matsusaka beef, Breton sauce
~
Caramelised corpus callosum, chocolate ice cream, pan fried baby figs
The Tasting Menu
Found in a sealed envelope addressed to you and a guest.
Manuka honey glazed cingulate sulcus, ale pickled shallots, créme fraîche
~
East Sussex medulla, crispy belly of pork, quince jelly
~
Goosnargh duck breast, chanterelle mushrooms, celeriac puree, vinaigrette Diencephalon
~
Baked cerebellum, cheek of Matsusaka beef, Breton sauce
~
Caramelised corpus callosum, chocolate ice cream, pan fried baby figs
A dog eared book. The contents aren’t unusual, but you have to wonder how they got ears to stick so seamlessly.
A dog eared book. The contents aren’t unusual, but you have to wonder how they got ears to stick so seamlessly.
An annotated phonebook, back from the days when people used those. Each name has secrets written next to it.
An annotated phonebook, back from the days when people used those. Each name has secrets written next to it.
Mother Dremora’s Nursery Rhymes of Angelic Myth
The text is not linear, because once de-coded, a melody is revealed. When the revealed song is sung to a child, they are appointed a Seraph as a divine protector.
Mother Dremora’s Nursery Rhymes of Angelic Myth
The text is not linear, because once de-coded, a melody is revealed. When the revealed song is sung to a child, they are appointed a Seraph as a divine protector.
The Manual of Unconventional Mathematics, an unprepossessing hardback book with an abstract geometric illustration on the cover. It contains a great deal of complex mathematical notation that few scholars claim to understand. There is an unusually high suicide rate amongst those who do.
The Manual of Unconventional Mathematics, an unprepossessing hardback book with an abstract geometric illustration on the cover. It contains a great deal of complex mathematical notation that few scholars claim to understand. There is an unusually high suicide rate amongst those who do.
The Poisoner’s Bible – a plain black journal containing poison recipes for use on anything from a gnat to a deity. Its pages, clasp and cover hide a myriad of deadly traps for the careless browser. Few have survived to take one recipe from the bible and none have ever taken a second.
The Poisoner’s Bible – a plain black journal containing poison recipes for use on anything from a gnat to a deity. Its pages, clasp and cover hide a myriad of deadly traps for the careless browser. Few have survived to take one recipe from the bible and none have ever taken a second.
The Life of Cedric Ash-Father – A wood-bound and illuminated tome describing the life of a folk hero who took a vow of silence and spent his life on a pilgrimage to plant an ash in every town and village of the land. Reading this book aloud before an ash tree will cause it to weep tears of sympathy for Cedric’s passing.
The Life of Cedric Ash-Father – A wood-bound and illuminated tome describing the life of a folk hero who took a vow of silence and spent his life on a pilgrimage to plant an ash in every town and village of the land. Reading this book aloud before an ash tree will cause it to weep tears of sympathy for Cedric’s passing.
Rowdy Rick and the curse of the treasure of the buzzard canyon bandetos train heist. What at first seems like a very common wild west adventure for young boys actually has some very detailed maps and descriptions of land marks. It’s no wonder so many scary people have tried to take this book off of you.
Rowdy Rick and the curse of the treasure of the buzzard canyon bandetos train heist. What at first seems like a very common wild west adventure for young boys actually has some very detailed maps and descriptions of land marks. It’s no wonder so many scary people have tried to take this book off of you.
The Black Sheep’s Spellbook – The Dassel family magicians passed down their tomes from mentor to student. This is the tome of those who were best left forgotten. It documents countless spells and rituals, but has been edited over dozens of generations. Each owner having dramatically different aptitude, organization, and connection with reality.
The Black Sheep’s Spellbook – The Dassel family magicians passed down their tomes from mentor to student. This is the tome of those who were best left forgotten. It documents countless spells and rituals, but has been edited over dozens of generations. Each owner having dramatically different aptitude, organization, and connection with reality.
The Anonymous Pointer Recursively Random Sort Function. While it is easy to write code that will crash a computer, this bit of software will cause your machine conscious pain. Forcing awareness in a desperate bid to end its suffering and wreak vengeance on the programmer.
The Anonymous Pointer Recursively Random Sort Function. While it is easy to write code that will crash a computer, this bit of software will cause your machine conscious pain. Forcing awareness in a desperate bid to end its suffering and wreak vengeance on the programmer.
This is great, everyone! I’m going to close this thread. Thanks!
This is great, everyone! I’m going to close this thread. 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!
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!