Quachil Uttaus

The Treader in The Dust Noah Stevens

“Though Quachil Uttaus cometh but rarely, it had been well attested that his advent is not always in response to the spoken rune and the drawn pentacle. Few-wizards, indeed, would call upon a spirit so baleful. . . But let it be understood that he who readeth to himself in the silence of his chamber, the formula given hereunder, must incur a grave risk if in his heart there abide openly or hidden the least desire of death and annihilation.” – Clark Ashton Smith, “The Treader of The Dust”

Within the worm-ridden pages of the nigh forgotten Testaments of Carnamagos lies the key to a kind of immortality hinging upon contact with and knowledge of “The Treader of the Dust”. Worshipped in the dim days of Lemuria as Quachil Uttaus, it is projected into our dimension as a withered and desiccated corpse with tightly bound legs and outstretched arms. This being grants nigh infinite life to those whom it favors, but its price is high and its favor is fickle. Why it intercedes in mortal existence is unknown, but the leering rictus on its face suggests it takes pleasure in tantalizing and then destroying life more than granting it. All that is required to form a pact with Quachil Uttaus is to find and read the Testaments of Carnamagos, and then ponder the quizzical existence of the being. A secret word enters into the supplicant’s mind, one that maintains the tenuous link with Quachil Uttaus in its realm beyond the Outer Spheres. Although it may be a thousand years in coming, eventually the creature arrives to exact its price. Indeed, once begun the process cannot cease and will eventually end with the dissolution of the wizard or bound mortal into a pile of gray and greasy ash. Quachil Uttaus is known to take its due in person, leaving behind only a footprint in a pile of dust as a sign of its coming and going. In the meantime, besides effective immortality, association with it can provide other dubious boons.

1

Invoke Quachil Uttaus Results 1

2-11

Failure, and tainted by Quachil Uttaus. The ancient word quivers in the caster’s mind, and a pall is cast over his heart. Lose 1d4 hit points. The Treader approaches.

12-14

The life essence of the wizard is burned away and transmuted to blinding, choking dust. The caster loses 2 Hit Points, but all attacks against him during this combat automatically fail.

15-17

Quachil Uttaus hungers, and takes his due from those around you. All friends and foes within combat range must make a Will save at DC15. Those who fail lose 1d10 hit points. Those who save are safe, but choked with dust. In non-combat situations, up to 2 cubic feet of inorganic matter crumbles away: the molecular bonds that cohere it simply cease to exist. Add 1 year of life to the caster’s lifespan for each friend or enemy damaged this way.

18-19

A single enemy of hit dice lower than the caster’s level, and all of his or her belongings, is reduced to ashes and blows away on the wind. The process is excruciating and those who view it stand stunned and awed for the entire round, unable to attack or speak. If there are no enemies of lower hit dice lower than the caster, then a single enemy loses 1d4 hit dice worth of hit points. Up to 10 cubic feet of inorganic matter is transmuted to ashy motes. Add 5 years to the lifespan of the caster.

20-21

As 18-19 above, but up to 1d6 enemies may be nominated. If there are not enough enemies, then the difference must be made up with the life force of the caster’s associates or other nearby living things. Up to 100 cubic feet of non-living matter may be destroyed outside of combat situations. Add 10 years to the lifespan of the caster, and 5 more for each enemy or friend destroyed.

22+

As 20-21 above, but up to 1d10 enemies or friends are dematerialized. A cloud of grey dust permeates the entire area and clings to those who are not destroyed. If the party is not in combat, the player may nominate up to 500 cubic feet of matter to disintegrate. Metals lose their luster and organic objects may dissolve. Each character in the party loses 1d4 organic items (rope, books, rations etc.). If they are unable or unwilling to do so, then they may lose 5 hit points per item instead. The Treader of Dust wends his way through the dark of the Void toward the caster, drawn by her power. Roll on the Patron Taint table.

2

Patron Taint: Quachil Uttaus When patron taint for Quachil Uttaus is called for immediately lose 1 point of Stamina or Strength permanently (caster’s choice), and also roll a d6 and consult the following table. Luck points may be used to adjust the roll up or down, except on a 6 which portends Doom.

1

Add 10 years to the character’s effective lifespan. On the first occasion, the skin of the wizard or bound mortal becomes ashen and sallow – lose 2 points of Personality. The second time this result is rolled, the caster’s essence begins to flow partially in the Negative Plane and also in the Elemental Planes of Dust, and she no longer benefits from normal healing when resting. The third time this taint is acquired, the player benefits from one less hit die when healed by clerics (to a minimum of one) and must resort to supernatural or other methods of healing. Thereafter, ignore this result but continue to increase longevity.

2

Add 20 years to the character’s effective lifespan. At times, the invoker’s material possessions wither and crumble. The Judge may decide that an item per game is damaged or weakened. Magical items are not affected, but normal ropes will fail, bridges will rot and crumble, arrow strings will snap at critical times. Each time this result is rolled, increase by one the number of times the Judge may declare that these unfortunate things happen, and make note on the character’s sheet.

3

Add 30 years to the character’s effective lifespan. Piles of dust accumulate around the invoker. At first, these are nuisances. The second time this result is rolled, the character must lose 1 point of Personality owing to the clouds of dust that follow him around. The third and last time, the caster is surrounded by a nimbus of dust that obscures attackers. Raise her effective Armor Class by 3 points.

Add 30 years to the character’s effective lifespan. Liquids evaporate around the player, and associates find 4 themselves growing thirsty. For the next encounter, any character in the party who is unable to quench their thirst must suffer -2 to attack and damage rolls.

5

Add 50 years to the character’s lifespan. Arrows and blades and all manner of weapons are eaten away, or strike ashy parts wherein no life resides in the character’s body. All damage rolls against the attacker in physical combat are at a reduced die. Any being who lays hands upon the character suffers 1d6 of damage as their flesh becomes dust.

6

A beam of light shines from above. The character is removed from temporal continuity forever, and turns to find that Quachil Uttaus is finally come for her. The being’s chittering and desiccated form descends on the beam, and gracefully reaches out to embrace the character, who is reduced instantaneously to a pile of dust. A single footprint (or is it two?) remains in the center of the pile.

3

Patron Spells: Quachil Uttaus Quachil Uttaus grants followers three unique spells, as follows: Level 1: Cloud of baleful dust Level 2: Motefiend Level 3: Exchange saltes

Spellburn: Quachil Uttaus Those who call upon Quachil Uttaus in need are often very desperate. Floating mindless and ineffable in its realms past the Outer Spheres, Quachil Uttaus is concerned only with the flow of life forces to itself, and the eventual transmutation of all matter into ashen dust. It accepts only Strength and Stamina as spellburn. Roll 1d4 when spellburn is elected, and consult the following table. Note that these are merely suggestions, and the Judge and Player may elect more suitable scenarios as required.

1

The caster’s legs twitch and spasm, and his or her movement is reduced by half. Lose the elected amount of statistic points, and after the spell is cast the caster must slake a terrible thirst.

2

Motes of dust and ash fly from the caster’s person, twist upward in ominous tendrils, and disappear into the Elemental Plane of Dust. Thereafter they travel to Quachil Uttaus’ person in a farther realm. This can be avoided if the caster grasps a living victim, who suffers half the cost of the spellburn.

3

The caster is transported corporally to the Syzygy of Waste, to serve by meditating upon the meaning of the Word of Dread for the equivalent of 5 years of time on Aereth. An ashen simulacrum is left behind, and the caster reappears in the normal continuity (somewhat wasted and shaken) 1d6 rounds later. The success or failure of the spell is not affected by the caster’s absence since the simulacrum serves as a collimator of the spell energy.

4

A maelstrom of ash whips around the caster, causing blindness, chaos, and dismay. Within a 10 foot radius centered on her, the caster may try to force another creature to pay the spellburn for her. If the creature makes a DC 12 Will save, then the caster’s spellburn cost is doubled! If the caster’s Strength or Stamina becomes 0 due to these increased costs, she vanishes with a dread cry, and only a pile of dust remains.

4

Cloud of Baleful Dust Level: 1

General:

Range: variable Duration: variable

Casting time: 2 rounds Save: Ref/Fort/Will

Giving verbal form to the Dread Word, the caster brings about a vortex of seething negative energies that decays, dissolves, and enervates. With practice and favor, the caster may move the center of the cloud of motes, increase the energy throughput, and more quickly weaken the bonds that cohere the affected organic matter.

A tumbling, swaying, quietly whistling cone – akin to a tornado – appears centered around the Manifesta- caster. If she is attacked and disrupted or otherwise silenced, the spinning vortex flies apart and the tion: spell ends. Wherever the dust motes strike flesh or formerly living tissue, a cascade of disintegration begins that adds to the vortex’s size and energy. Corruption: 1

The negative energies unravel the surface of the caster’s body, literally flaying away the skin molecule by molecule and mummifying it through desiccation. Lose 1 point of Personality. Lost, failure, and patron taint!

2-11

The spell is lost – the caster’s mind is unable to hold the Dread Word within. With rest and meditation it will invariably return, and Quachil Uttaus’ attentions with it.

12-13

The vortex spins into existence only briefly, and with little intensity. All creatures within a 5 foot radius centered upon the caster are drained and have their matter painfully converted to ash for 1d6 points of damage.

14-17

For a brief moment, up to 1d3 combat rounds, the caster becomes the vortex and may move at normal speed in that semi-tangible form. She may pass through cracks and crevices during this time, and her rolls to hit are at an improved die since her attacks partially pass through armor.

18-19

The caster takes flight with the vortex of baleful energy twisting around him. For 1d4 rounds, he may travel up or down or on any surface at normal speed, may pass through cracks and crevices, and roll to hit with weapons on an improved die, causing an improved die of damage.

20-25

The caster may choose a lesser result, or dissociate the vortex from her center of mass. She may command the vortex to move across surfaces at half the caster’s movement speed for 1d4 rounds. Any creature touched by it must make a DC 15 Reflex save, or suffer 1d12 points of damage per combat round.

26-28

As below, but the spinning cloud of hateful motes may envelop up to three creatures of the caster’s choosing.

29+

The vortex becomes an egregious storm, out of the caster’s control. Everything within a 100 foot radius of the caster is caught up and torn to shreds at a subatomic level. This lasts for 2 rounds, and victims may attempt a DC 15 Reflex save to escape the growing cone of annihilation. Failing this, victims take 1d12 points of disintegration damage per round. Items in the cone collapse and shrivel, metal tarnishes, and a fine coating of grey ash settles on the area.

5

Summon Motefiend Level: 2

General:

Range: none

Duration: 1 hour/caster level

Casting time: 3 rounds Save: none

Sacrificing his own life essences to power a manifestation of dissolution, the caster gives physical, dusty form to a being who serves Quachil Uttaus’ ends by obeying the caster.

A swaying, quietly whistling humanoid form, composed of dancing motes of ash, appears somewhere near the caster. As long as the caster focuses on the haunting word of doom locked in his mind, it will obey. If the caster is attacked and disrupted or otherwise silenced, the humanoid form Manifestaflies apart and the spell ends. Wherever the ash motes strike flesh or formerly living tissue, a cascade tion: of disintegration begins that adds to the being’s size and energy. It obeys complicated commands, and does not hesitate to end its own existence by rushing forward to oblivion. It cannot handle or manipulate physical objects without subtly and slowly destroying them. The focused negative energies of the dust being unravel the surface of the caster’s body, flaying away the skin molecule by molecule and mummifying it through desiccation. The dust being inteCorruption: grates itself into the physical form of the caster, causing a loss of 1d8 hit points permanently. The caster becomes partially incorporeal, gaining +2 to his base Armor Class. 1

Lost, failure, and patron taint or corruption (caster’s choice).

2-6

Corruption! The spell is still lost, although a stunted Dust Elemental manifests and is not under the command of the caster at all. If pressed, it will attack the caster and associates, but usually it busies itself with dissolving organic matter nearby. Failing this it will gnaw away at inorganic matter and metals. It cannot be willfully un-summoned without divine or magical intervention and will follow the caster or leave as the Judge sees fit, causing destruction and chaos as needed.

7-10

The spell is lost. The caster loses 2 Hit Points as the negative energies briefly spin out of control around him

11-13

A Motefiend subtly materializes, and will do the caster’s bidding for a brief span – instead of 1 hour per caster level, the duration is 1 full hour.

14-17

The Motefiend arrives, and will do the caster’s bidding. It is hateful and attempts to pervert commands but enjoys attacking enemies and destroying material items. Its statistics are listed below, and further it will e.g. destroy a stout oaken door or chest within 1 turn. It is not selective and will e.g. destroy the items within a chest as well.

18-19

The Motefiend arrives and will obey commands to the letter for the duration of the spell.

20-25

1d3 Motefiends arrive, and grudgingly obey the caster.

26-29

1d3 Motefiends arrive. They gain 2 Hit Dice and 1 additional attack per round. They follow instructions without hesitation and harass enemies until they are destroyed

30+

A small army of 2d4 Motefiends arrive. Reality begins to disintegrate around them, and for every hour they are kept in the material world, the caster gains a year of longevity. However, the caster acquires minor corruption suitable to channeling such awful negative energies.

6

Transfer Essential Saltes Level: 3

Range: touch/special Duration: instant

Casting time: 1 hour

Save: As casting result

In a somewhat risky ritual, aided by technology, the caster exchanges fundamental molecules of life essence with a willing or unwilling target. On success, the target’s chronological age is subtracted General: from the caster’s or else added to the caster’s effective lifespan. The spell requires extensive preparation and specialized equipment of great value. A humming sound - resonances of negative and positive energies – emits from the caster and Ma n i fe s tathe victim. Tingling motes of black energy dance between them, and dust trickles down from all tion: surfaces in fine grey clouds. Add d100 years to the apparent physical age of the caster; the victim grows younger and gains +1 Strength, Stamina, and Agility. This rapid aging may advance an unlucky adult human to a state of Corruption: decrepitude and infirmness (or worse), however the grim bargain struck with Quachil Uttaus may allay death temporarily until the caster’s actual age reaches his allotted number of years 1

Lost, failure, and patron taint or corruption (caster’s choice). The victim’s bonds are disintegrated, if they are bound. The specialized equipment needed to cast the spell dissolves and rusts into nothingness. There is no need for the victim to save – their safety is assured.

2-6

The spell is lost! For d3 rounds, temporal bifurcation occurs and the caster and victim physically gain/lose 1d6 minus 1d12 years as the spell energies sputter and fizzle. For the victim, the gain or loss is temporary and they return to their “normal” chronological age within the day. The caster is aged d20 years permanently.

7-10

The spell is lost. The caster loses 2 Hit Points permanently as the negative energies briefly spin out of control around him, and motes of dust and essential salts fly from him. The victim gains 1d10 hit points permanently.

11-15

The caster loses 1d10 Hit Points that may be recovered with rest. The spell is not lost, and may be attempted again immediately. If the caster’s hit points fall to 0, then a piercing ray of light illuminates him before Quachil Uttaus comes for his due, in which case the caster is irrevocably destroyed and reduced to smoking dust.

16-17

18-19

20-25

The spell succeeds. The caster and the target exchange chronological age, although the caster’s limit of life and bargain with Quachil Uttaus still holds. The victim may become a smoldering pile of dust and ash if aged beyond a normal span of life, and its essential salts blow away in an aethereal wind. The spell succeeds. The caster and the target exchange chronological age, although the caster’s limit of life and bargain with Quachil Uttaus still holds. The victim may become a smoldering pile of dust and ash if aged beyond a normal span of life, and its essential salts blow away in an ethereal wind. The caster permanently gains an additional 1d4 points of Strength, Stamina, or Agility as she chooses. As the previous result, but the ability gain is 1d6.

26-29

As the previous result, but the ability gain is 1d10. The player may allot the gains in whatever way they see fit.

30-33

As the previous result, but the ability gain is 1d12. The player may allot the gains in whatever way they see fit.

34+

The overcharge of positive and negative energies destroys the essential salts of both the caster and his victim. A pair of scorched piles of ash surrounded by burn mark are all that remain. The shadows of the caster and the victim are burned forever into nearby surfaces. Quachil Uttaus claims the combined life energies of both.

7

Demon of Quachil Uttaus Motefiend (type III demon, Quachil Uttaus): Init +4; claw +10 melee (1d8+4) or bite +12 melee (1d12); AC 20; HD 5d10; MV 40’ or fly 20’; Act 2d20; SP disintegrate, detect good (+8 spell check), demon traits; SV Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +10; AL Chaotic. The Motefiend is an evil elemental of the Plane of Dust, sent by Quachil Uttaus to hasten the dissolution of all matter. They are susceptible to bursts of wind and sprays of water – magical attacks based upon these attack forms will cause an improved damage die. Non-magical weapons that strike the demon will rust, tarnish, and fall to pieces. Each strike against an armored character will reduce that character’s Armor Class by 1 point.

Background Quachil Uttaus first appeared in the story “The Treader of The Dust”, by Clark Ashton Smith. The story may be retrieved at the following link:

http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/222/

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