Black Book Codices—Cthaat Aquadingen

All [Black Book] manuscripts are in two languages and also contain still indecipherable code. Those portions which are illuminated and decorated are in an obscure form of early Gothic. All spells, chants, and incantations are in an unknown language the writing of which appears to be closely allied to that of the R’lyeh Text.
—Joan C. Stanley, “Ex Libris Miskatonici”

Black Book Codices (Cthaat Aquadingen)

Latin, Old High German, Middle English, author unknown, c. 300–1000 CE
The Black Book Codices are a medieval series of texts about the “oceanic horrors” of Cthulhu and related deities.

Sanity Loss: 2D8
Cthulhu Mythos: +4/+9%
Mythos Rating: +39%
Study: 46 weeks

Description
The Latin translation of the R’lyeh Text forms the basis for five Black Book Codices, a quintet of Gothic works produced near the end of the first millennium, compiled in various obscure monasteries across Ireland and Europe. Written in a bizarre fusion of Latin, Middle English, and Old High German, the books feature apocalyptic illumination and obsessively stylized script. Each codex is a collection of manuscripts, incantations, and indecipherable codes, often illustrated by opaque diagrams copied from the R’lyeh Text. In addition to the material on Cthulhu, the codices contain sacraments relating to Dagon, Tsathoggua, and Ubbo-Sathla. There are many repeated elements across the five volumes—not to mention a few contradictions—but each codex features a significant amount of unique content. None of the Black Books were formally titled, but their informal names have become canon. It’s widely believed that additional codices may exist, as well as a master compilation dating from 300-400 CE.

The Five Black Books
Two of the codices confusingly share the name Cthaat Aquadingen, and contain numerous “Sathlattae,” or chants and rituals devoted to Ubbo-Sathla. One volume offers comprehensive star charts, while the other is famous for its mysterious “black page.” Both are bound in human skin. The third Black Book is known as the Codex Dagonensis, and focuses on Dagon and the Deep Ones. Bound in batrachian leather of an unknown origin, it features extensive oceanic maps, considerably more advanced that what was available to contemporary Europeans. The fourth is the Codex Maleficium, which serves as a general grimoire, collecting protective rituals and boasting uncannily accurate star charts. It’s bound in the skin of an Andalusian Moor. The fifth is the Codex Spitalsk, which devotes half its pages to Tsathoggua. It’s bound in aluminum, a virtually impossibility given its date of creation. Although legend contends that all five Black Books continually “sweat” from their covers, this is true only of the Codex Dagonensis and the Codex Maleficium.

Appearance in White Leviathan
Four of these codices appear in White Leviathan. Three are possessed by the Kingsport Cult—both versions of the Cthaat Aquadingen, copied in England from the originals by Judge Return-to-Dust Whicher, and the Codex Dagonensis, copied from Obed Marsh’s original by Rowena Tuttle. In 1840 Abner Hoag, Rowena Tuttle, and Return Whicher combined their three facsimiles into a single volume, generally called the “Kingsport” Cthaat Aquadingen. The fourth codex doesn’t appear until Chapter 8, and is the Vatican’s original Codex Maleficium, stolen by Cardinal Vocasiel.

Suggested Spells (“Kingsport” Cthaat Aquadingen)
Awaken the Dreamer (Contact Deity: Cthulhu), Awaken the Filth (Contact Deity: Ubbo-Sathla), Awaken the Sleeper (Contact Deity: Tsathoggua), Breath of the Deep, Call Forth Thy Minion of Filth (Summon/Bind Spawn of Ubbo-Sathla), Create Mist of R’lyeh, Flesh Ward, Eucharistia Viridi (Control Green Flame), Nyhargo Dirge (Reversal of “Resurrection” spell; used to destroy revenants), The Omen Seal (Elder Sign), Speak with God-Child (Contact Star-Spawn of Cthulhu), Speak with Sea Children (Contact Deep Ones), Vinculum Sanguinis.

White Leviathan > Books & Grimoires
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Author: A. Buell Ruch (incorporating material by Joan C. Stanley.)
Last Modified: 18 August 2023
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