title: S. Petersen's Field Guide to Lovecraftian Horrors: A Field Observer's Handbook of Preternatural Entities and Beings from Beyond the Wall of Sleep (Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying)
author: Sandy Petersen
description: Weird shapes in the park? Odd rumbling noises in the basement? A lurking dread in the kitchen?
zlib_text: 
  
  
  H. P. LOVECRAFT
  
  
  COLLECTION
  
  
  
  
  
  THE BEAST IN THE CAVE
  
  
  The horrible conclusion which had been gradually intruding itself upon my
  confused and reluctant mind was now an awful certainty. I was lost,
  completely, hopelessly lost in the vast and labyrinthine recess of the Mammoth
  Cave. Turn as I might, in no direction could my straining vision seize on any
  object capable of serving as a guidepost to set me on the outward path. That
  nevermore should I behold the blessed light of day, or scan the pleasant bills
  and dales of the beautiful world outside, my reason could no longer entertain
  the slightest unbelief. Hope had departed. Yet, indoctrinated as I was by a
  life of philosophical study, I derived no small measure of satisfaction from
  my unimpassioned demeanour; for although I had frequently read of the wild
  frenzies into which were thrown the victims of similar situations, I
  experienced none of these, but stood quiet as soon as I clearly realised the
  loss of my bearings.
  
  
  
  
  
  Nor di