The Architeuthian

The Architeuthian
"Through pain, strength. Through struggle, victory. Through victory, enlightenment"
Origin	Flesh
Titles	The Squid The Architeuthian The Dweller in Depths
Names	The Captain
Aspects
Date of arrival	Unknown
Owner(s)	Cyborg-Squid

The Architeuthian (The Squid, The Dweller in Depths) is the Fifth Hour of the Fansus, created by Cyborg-Squid. He is a God-From-Flesh. His aspects are Lantern, Heart and Forge. His tarot card number is 4, corresponding to that of The Emperor. Heavily involved in the First History (ascension of The Aged Bones), Fourth History (the Platyplode Plague), and Fifth History (the War of Division).

Description

Appearance

His true form is that of a giant squid, but in order to dwell within the Mansus, he requires a simpler form. Therefore, his commonly-seen form is that of a figure dressed in contemporary scholarly fashion, torn and waterlogged in places, with shadows of tentacles lurking behind him.

Principles

The Architeuthian has influence over those who seek forbidden knowledge and he encourages his followers to push themselves to their limits. Treachery is not tolerated. Progress is made through evolution, not industry.

Theme Song

What The Water Gave Me by Florence+The Machine

Worship

Cult

The Antediluvian League, home to the Dedicants: Paper is never enough of a surface for these cultists, and traditional inks never enough. Skin works, with knowledge tattooed across every surface. For others, blood works as ink, and walls as canvas.

Mark

"Fill a bathtub with salt water. More. More. There. Now add the oils, release your blood into the water, and submerge. When you emerge, if you emerge, you will be more capable, and stronger." These are the Marks of Survival, to obtain them one must not fear death, and change.

1. Temptation: Evolution: It has occurred to me that I could be better than I am, in a more powerful form.
2. Dedication: Evolution: I have dedicated myself to changing myself, both mind and body. I will survive and I will outlast, no matter the cost.
3. Ascension: Evolution: The furious gaze of the Squid is upon me, and everywhere I go I feel like I am being watched. I know this to be the Third Mark.
4. Ascension: Evolution: The Fourth Mark has removed my inability to breathe underwater. Perhaps I do not need to breathe at all, though this is difficult to test. I am never dry, I am always damp.
5. Ascension: Evolution: The Fifth Mark required me to open my neck veins to the saltwater. The wounds have almost completely healed, though whenever I breathe there is a gurgling sound, and the scars are extremely visible.
6. Ascension: Evolution: My skin itches furiously and comes away in patches, revealing rubbery flesh beneath. I dislike being away from sources of water for extended periods of time. This is the Sixth Mark.
7. The Evolution of Man:: I have passed through the Tricuspid Gate, in a perfect and imperishable form. I entered the Aquarium to thunderous applause, for His Servants were enthralled by my splendor of form. I will walk the world in the service of the Architeuthian, learning, evolving. Perhaps I will rebel. Perhaps, one day, I will rise even higher.

Servants

• His Mercies: creations made by the Architeuthian’s own hand, to help aid and heal his most loyal of servants in their endeavours. Have porcelain pale skin, large shining eyes, and permanent sharp grins. The Architeuthian intended their appearance to be comforting, but it has been a long time since he was human.
• The Anchors: former Long of The Maker now in the service of the Architeuthian to help draw their god back from Nowhere.
• The Flesh Eaters: survivors of the Valley of Teeth

Locations

The Fansus

The Squid dwells in the Aquarium, massive building filled with tanks of water in which float tomes of forgotten lore, somehow preserved. Various leavings and failed experiments of Hours also reside within, simultaneously trophies, prisoners, and exhibits. Some exhibits in The Aquarium include The Joined Ouroborines from the Fourth History, The Flesh Eaters from The Valley of Teeth, The Platyplode Plague from the Fourth History

The Histories

• The Valley of Teeth: What may seem an insignificant mountain pass in the Rending Mountains is actually a holy place of those who venerate The Architeuthian. Here, an ill fated group of settlers fell victim to an avalanche, and some, to starvation. Those that did not starve rose stronger, but with mightier appetites. Hazards: Impossible Terrain, Ten Million Miles of Rock, Endless Fields. Beginning an expedition: The terrain surrounding this area is more dangerous than any sort of guardian, protector, or ward. We must move carefully and quickly. Ruined remains: There, a scrap of rotting wood! This must be the remnants of their carts. Get the shovels, light a campfire, and start digging. Reward: A journal and a small lockbox, treasures the settlers were carrying with them. Perhaps they were cursed for having this. Hopefully we won't.
• The Egyptian Port: There exists a vibrant History in which this library was not burnt, and ushered humanity into a golden age. In our History, it remains a ruin, but The Architeuthian favors those who seek knowledge from within its hallowed remnants. Knowledge dwells within these halls, barely.
• Wreck of the ____: This shipwreck lightly lies upon the beach of this vibrant island. The locals say that it was wrecked due to the sailors not paying homage to a local god. Their tale holds a seed of truth, The Architeuthian could not allow the soldiers being transported to reach its destination, and with the assistance of the Anaconda, a plague fell upon them. He leaves the wreck as a test for his faithful, and those who succeed may keep the treasures within, along with the lessons learned along the way.
• Temple of the Deep: An ancient stone temple, residing on a faraway island. Since ancient times, locals have made prayers and sacrifices to a certain Squid god. As far as you know, The Architeuthian has never shown any interest in them, or even acknowledged their existence. But they do not know that, and treasures continue to pile high on the altar.

Items

Tools

• Shattered Spectacles(8): These fractured glasses once belonged to a powerful adherent of The Architeuthian, but he strayed far from certain teachings. He was deemed weak, and was culled. The Architeuthian may be merciful, but does not tolerate weakness. Used with moderation, these spectacles may still grant insights.
• Perilous Journal(4): A diary of a soldier who served in the Great War. A bullet is lodged firmly in the cover, having shielded it’s wearer. It is said that the soldier took up the worship of the Architeuthian after this event.
• Squid-Touched Coral(4): A pearl diver cut himself fatally on this piece of coral, but he did not die, he became something more. A hint of the power that transformed him remains within this fragment.
• Monks-blood Blade(8): This blade pierced the skin of a notorious Russian monk, but it did not kill him, it only increased his power and reputation. His name is known wide and far, but knowledge of this blade is not.

Ingredients

• Beak-Chitin(8): A small fraction of The Architeuthian himself. It exudes a power of integration, and of change.
• A Message in a Bottle(8): One could not find anything that more exemplifies the essence of The Architeuthian. The power lies in its secrecy, endurance, and the unknowing. Opening it releases that power.
• Ink of Remembrance(4): Squid’s ink, mixed with saltwater, and a drop of blood. The measurements must be precise, or it will just be a mess. Words written in the ink will never be forgotten. Pigment.

Books

• The Dweller's Shanty (4, Rite of the Third Eye): The widely known version of this seafarer’s song tells of an ill fated sea voyage, and ends with the sinking of the ship. But that is not where this story ends. Study Start: How the ship sank varies, depending on the singer. And it is ultimately unimportant, for it is how one overcomes a struggle that is important, according to He Who Dwells In Depths. He converses with The Captain as he sinks. Study Finish: The deeper The Captain sank, the more he saw, and the stronger he became, until his feet touched the bottom of the sea, and by the grace of He Who Dwells In Depths, he fell into the Mansus. The ritual within should provide you with a similar vision.
• Two Beings (2, Contentment): A fable written in the style of a children’s story about a squid and a reptile, and the friendship they share. The illustrations are typical of books written by the People’s Committee for Openings.
• Monsters of the Sea (6): A bestiary discussing sea creatures monstrous and mundane. Study Start: The tone is patronizing, but the text itself is accurate and detailed. Perhaps a little overly-detailed, considering how unlikely it would be for the author to visit many of the deep-sea places discussed. Study Finish: The end of the book has a twenty-page dissertation on the possible mating rituals and reproductive habits of the ‘colossal abyssal squid.’ More than anyone should ever learn. In Latin.
• The Unmaking of The Maker (8): This book is written in an almost academic format, like a student writing an essay. The author does not divulge their name. Study Start: There was once a God-from-Stone, one of many consumed by The Engine during the Ignition. The Architeuthian took affront to this, for he desired the Forge-power that The Maker had. That power now exists somewhere deep within The Engine. It is foolish for The Architeuthian to combat this consuming power directly, after the events of the Fifth History, so he wages a secret war against its followers, across the Histories. Study Finish: Shortly after the Ignition, The Architeuthian came to remaining servants of The Maker, the Unfinished, and offered them a deal. Vengeance for their dead god, and an avenue of further advancement, in the service of the Architeuthian. The rest were either slain, or left to the whims of other Hours.
• Advice (4, 2): Months ago, a prominent scholar of the occult was found murdered in his home, his body beaten to a pulp, spectacles missing. This missive was found nailed to his door. This is a reproduction, the original was almost immediately confiscated by the Bureau. Study Start: It appears to be a warning, against deviations from certain teachings. The writing is shaky, as if the author only learned to write recently. Its writing is blunt and to the point. ‘Remember the Ignition, and ware the Engine.’ Study Finish: It warns against betrayal, and of the rise of industry. It is both a warning, and a promise. Other movements have interpreted it as a protest against industry, pollution, or other such ills, but you see it for what it truly is.
• Between the Mountains (10): The journal of one of the ill-fated settlers trapped in what would become known as The Valley of Teeth. This journal, stained with blood, chronicles their last moments of humanity. Study Start: ‘We began with those already dead. We had not left their bodies behind, for we thought to bury them when we arrived home, with their families. Now they will join their families, in a different way. We had no fire to cook them, so we began gnawing…’ Study Finish: ‘On the 7th day, he appeared before us, offering us words of praise, for we had done what few would dare, in order to survive. We howled and raged, for had he been there the whole time, watching us abandon our humanity, becoming animals!? We hate him so! One day we will catch him unawares and rip his salty flesh and drink his blood. But until then, we will follow.’ Found in The Valley of Teeth expedition.
• A Censored Bible (6): An old, waterlogged King James bible. All except for one passage have been torn out. Some sections of the passage have been blotted out. The tear edges are sharp. Study Start: Job 41:'Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?...Will he make a covenant with thee?...None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?' Study End: ' By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning...Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.'

Rites

• Rite of the Everlasting: The Architeuthian ensures that which is strong may evolve, and culls the weak. Perhaps this follower (or adversary) was strong, and deserved to live. We leave that to the Architeuthian's judgement. Requires a corpse, Architeuthian lore, and Architeuthian influence. May transform a corpse into Drowned Dead. If it fails, all that is consumed is a corpse and influence. (Architeuthian can be merciful, sometimes.)
• Rite of the Third Eye: People all across the world have referred to the power of a ‘third eye’, one that pierces the veil and sees into the world beyond. The Architeuthian is willing to grant you this knowledge, but you must prove yourself worthy. Consumes Health and Ingredients, and gives high level Lore or Influences. Minor: 5 Lantern, 1 Forge, gives a 2nd order influence on fail, 6th order on success. Major: 10 Lantern, 1 Forge, gives 6th order on fail, 10th order on success. Grand: 15 Lantern, 1 Forge, gives a 10th order on fail, 15th order on success.

Relationships

• The Anaconda: ‘Friends’ of a sorts, encountered each other during the War of the Doors. The Anaconda is permitted access to the Aquarium due to this.
• Snake Tail with Appendages: The Architeuthian dislikes the Tail, since it keeps trying to break into the Aquarium and mess with his stuff.
• The Engine of Cycles: The Architeuthian is waging a secret war against his followers, seeking the power of The Maker.
• The Peacock: A thief, opportunist, and coward, who stole St. Darwin away from his just as justice was about to be served.
• Old Tarnished:
• The Spark: The Architeuthian believes that the Star is weak and deceitful, as well as being too nice.
• The Cuckoo:
• The Silver Owl:
• The Watcher in the Window:
• The Elder Sister:
• The Apple-of-the-Eye: FNORD
• SWOUP:
• The Archivist:
• The Bright-Delver:
• The Harvester:
• [    ]:
• The Insidious:
• The Snow-Stained:
• The Fanged Bramble:
• The Aged Bones: These two Hours have a sort of teacher-student relationship. The Architeuthian is proud of her ascension. As with the Anaconda, he is debatably a friend with her.
• The Mendicant Without: Somewhat manipulating, fed them an account of Mansus history which paints him in a very positive light and his enemies in a negative one. Granted them access to the Aquarium, in order to garner more favor with them, since they're not normally allowed in the Mansus.
• The Anvil:
• The Maker: The Architeuthian coveted the Forge-power of the Maker, which is now consumed by The Engine.
• The Deceiver:
• The Huntsman:
• The Great Serpent: