Discovery of the Necronomicon
Journal of Simon Barrington

Journal of Simon Barrington
Es Sham Expedition, 1939

Sealed within an unmarked tomb deep within the sand-engulfed ruins of an ancient and forgotten city near Damascus, we discovered a small sarcophagus of black stone engraved with strange sigils and unknown hieroglyphics. The mysterious coffer held only a single treasure, a large book scribed in ancient Arabic, obviously an artifact of sacred or perhaps forbidden knowledge.
      After countless months of translating the text of the crumbling relic, a dark and sinister truth began to reveal itself. The book held a revelation of ancient horrors and incantations with which to summon them forth. I soon realized that what we had unearthed from that lost, nameless city was the mythical Kitab al Azif, the "Book of Dead Names," otherwise known as the Necronomicon.
      This was no mere copy of the book, this was the original version of the dreaded tome, penned by the hand of the mystic Abdul Alhazred, written in what I can only assume is his own blood.
      The horrific contents of the book seem too astounding to perceive as fact and too grotesquely immense for the human mind to fathom, but as incredible as these tales may seem, the existence of the fabled Necronomicon can no longer be questioned, and there can no longer be any denying that the dark legends of the Elder races of our world are true.
      Over the centuries, certain facts became clouded and were lost through the numerous translations, but this original copy of the Necronomicon sheds light upon that which was previously unknown.
      Man is neither the oldest nor the last of Earth's masters. There is a darkness that dwells beyond the scope of our meager comprehension of life, death, time and space. It lies dormant within the deepest shadows of our world and lurks at the threshold of dimensions beyond, awaiting the time to rise again and lay claim to the Earth.
      I curse the day that we discovered this book and have thought of destroying the diabolical tome on several occasions, however, some unknown force keeps me from doing so. But the incantations within this book must never be spoken, and the Dark Gods must never be awakened and released. I beseech you to destroy this book or guard it with your life. I pray that you will fulfill this dire task, for in the wrong hands, the rituals within could unleash nightmares beyond all imagining and bring about the downfall and annihilation of all mankind.

The Necronomicon Mythos

Long before mankind existed, the Old Ones trod upon the Earth. They worshiped the Elder Gods and served them as slaves, but in time, the Old Ones gained the knowledge of dark magic and dared to use their sinister powers against their masters. The wrath of the Elder Gods was merciless and terrible, and those who rebelled against them were banished to distant dimensions and imprisoned deep within the darkest recesses of the Earth. In deathless sleep, the Old Ones dream and lie in wait for the time when they shall rise again, for when the stars come right, they shall awaken from their aeon-old slumber. Then shall they return to hold dominion over our world once more, bringing woe and destruction unto mankind.
      From his Black Throne at the center of ultimate chaos, Azathoth, the lord of madness and the abyss, reigns supreme over all time and space. For he is the master of all that dwells in the darkness.
      To Nyarlathotep must all things be told. For he is the messenger between the spheres, and the traveller between the realms of the living and the dead. He shall summon forth the Ancient Ones and wake them from their deathless slumber. Then shall the elder signs be shattered and the Lords of Darkness be released.
      From across the black seas of infinity and beyond the mists of time, Yog-Sothoth watches and waits. For he is the guardian of the gateway between worlds, and he alone holds the key to unlock the gate. For when the ancient rites have been spoken, and the Lords of Darkness have been awakened and summoned forth, then shall the gateway between the stars open once more. Past, present, future, all are one in Yog-Sothoth.
      Behold mighty Dagon, the great leviathan, risen from the black depths of the eternal sea. For he is the avatar of Cthulhu, who lies dreaming in deathless slumber in his ancient temple in R'lyeh.
      Hail mighty Cthulhu, high priest of the Great Old Ones. For when the stars come right, he shall rise from his ancient tomb to signal their return. Then shall the Ancient Ones, long ago banished to the outer spheres, break free from their prisons and plunge from the stars to claim the Earth once more. For those who lurk at the threshold of our world are ever vigilant for the time of their return.
      From the wells of night to the gulfs of space, let it be known, The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are and the Old Ones shall be. Azathoth, Shub-Niggurath, Tsa Thoggua, Nyarlathotep, Yog-Sothoth, Dagon, Cthulhu. Man rules now where They ruled once; They wait patient and potent, for here shall They reign again.