Handbook For The Study of the unknown

Handbook for the Study of the Unknown, By Professor V. I. Hayworth Chapter One - Beginning Precautions There is an eternal problem that plagues those of us drawn to the study�of the darkness. It is our innate humanity. For to the creatures of the�darkness, human is synonymous with prey. For the average citizen this�is no trouble, because of a defense mechanism which has stood us in good�stead over the thousands of years, and no doubt it is the reason that humans exist anymore at all.� It is our ability to block from our�consciousness all those things which are out of the ordinary. For all of�these supernatural threats are far from ordinary, and to a one, they can�only sense what senses them first. It is awareness which tempts and�attracts them like the motion of a mouse's tail attracts a cat. These facts make the study of these creatures all the more perilous for�those of us who take up the cause. Due to the rarity of humans who�notice them, much less seek them out, we glow to them like beacons in�the night.� While there is no way to block the light of our awareness,�there is a way to disguise our human natures and thus be able to�continue our studies in relative safety. Before you begin your learning in earnest, it is vital that you perform�this ritual to keep yourself safe on your journeys. It will also grant�you certain powers which you will find invaluable as you continue�forward. First, you must summon one of them. It is imperative that you select�something small and weak, so that it does not overwhelm you. I recommend�minor shades if there are no children in your household, as they are�simple to control and summon, requiring only a small creature such as a�mouse to distract them from attacking you. However, if a child is present in the home they will ignore all other living beings and attack�them exclusively. For this reason, despite the relatively higher risk�they pose, full shades are preferable in such households. It will�require a sacrifice of your blood to keep them from attacking, but it is�well worth it. I have included the summoning rites for both at the end�of the main ritual. Simply use the one appropriate to your situation. Before you summon your shade, you will need to take a bath containing�the following: One cup of sea salt, preferably Dead Sea salt if you can get it. Three drops oil of myrrh One spoonful dragons blood powder (actually a resin product) One handful of leaves or needles from the tree most common in the place�you were born, preferably red gathered from around your childhood home. Soak in this for at least a half hour, then towel off with a clean, new�towel and put on clean new black clothing that has never been worn�before, even to try it on.� Go to a place where you will not be�disturbed, and make precautions such as locking doors and closing�windows to preclude intrusion or escape. Take a stick of white chalk and inscribe on the floor a circle large�enough for you to lay down in with your arms and legs stretched out.�Draw within this first circle the summoning sigils for the shade you�decided apon. Scribe another circle around this, about six inches�larger, and fill it with various protective runes, and another circle�around this, which should be large enough for you to stand comfortably�in. This you should leave blank. Douse all light save for a single�candle placed on a shelf or table to the north of your circles. Place�the blood or mouse at the southernmost part of the inner circle. Also�be sure to place a broom in the circle. Stand in the outermost ring of your circle. At no point during the�summoning part of this ritual should you leave this ring. You should�especially not cross the protective ring till you are sure you wish to�complete the ritual. At this point you should proceed with summoning�your shade. Once it manifests and is preoccupied with the mouse or�blood, observe it for a bit, it's motions and attributes. You must decide now weather or not you wish to continue. If you do,�