PETERSEN’S FIELD GUIDE TO CTHULHU MONSTERS - The 27 Most Frequently Encountered Monsters - A Field Observer's Handbook Of Preternatural Entities

Oct 6, 2026

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PETERSEN'S FIELD GUIDE TO CTHULHU MONSTERS presents an introductory overview of preternatural entities, framing the study of strange creatures as both dangerous and rewarding for careful observers. The introduction explains the book’s structure: each of the 27 featured monsters includes a standardized two-page format with general discussion, habitat and distribution notes, behavioral hints, identification guidance, artwork, and an easy-to-use scientific key. It also stresses limits on evidence, practical observation precautions, and the continuing inspiration drawn from Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages65

Reading Time1 h 40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

How the field guide is organized

Observation methods and precautions

Reading guidance and references

Monster identification key (excerpt)

S.PETERSEN’S FIELD GUIDE TO CthulhuMonsters A Field Observer's Handbook Of Preternatural Entities The 27 Most Frequently Encountered Monsters Howard Phillips Lovecraft1890-1937 | PETERSEN’S
Field Guide
To
Cthulhu
Monsters
A Field Observer's Handbook
Of Preternatural Entities
Sandy Petersen
conception and text
Tom Sullivan
27 original paintings,most other drawings
Lynn Willis
project,additional text,editorial,layout,production
Chaosium Inc.
1988
The FIELD GUIDE is published by Chaosium Inc.·PETERSEN'S FIELD GUIDE TO CTHULHU MONSTERS is copyright @1988
by Chaosium Inc.;all rights reserved.● Similarities between characters in the FIELD GUIDE and persons living or dead are strictly
coincidental.·Brian Lumley first created the Chthonians.●HP.Lovecraft's works are copyright ◎1963,1964,1965 by August
Derleth and are quoted for purposes ofillustration.·Incidental monster silhouettes are by Lisa A.Free or Tom Sullivan,and are
copyright by them.Ron Leming drew the illustration ofHP.Lovecraft and the sketches on p.25.●Except in this publication and
related adverising,artwork original to the FIELD GUIDE remains the property of he artist;all rights reserved.·The reproduction
of material within this book for the purposes of personal or corporate profit,by photographic,electronic,or other methods of
retrieval,is prohibited.·Address questions and comments concerning this book as well as requests for free catalogs of Chaosium
games and supplements to Chaosium Inc.,P.O.Box 6302,Albany,California 94706-0302,USA.·ISBN 0-933635-48-6
Chaosium Publication 5105.·Printed in Singapore by Singapore National Printers Lid through Palace Press. | | --- | To ROBERT BLOCH,these nightmares in return. # INTRODUCTION Though we now praise such studies,students of preternatural lifeforms once were castigatedand persecuted.For generations,'‘pracktikal metaphysiques'were threatened merely forstriving after the truth.Those pioneers faced hair-raising danger—not only from the thingsthey studied,but also from the hand of their fellow man. The present volume presents information to the public in what is believed to be aneasily assimilable form.All concerned hope that knowledge of these strange creatures canbecome more widespread,increasing support for urgently-needed research efforts. THESE PAGES DISCUSS 27 TERRORS of the hyper-geometrical realms,those which most concern us Earth-bound mortals. Each two-page entry has an identical apparatus:a general discussion,notes on habitat,distribution,and life and habits,and hints for distinguishing one entity from others in thisbook.There is a height chart,and a diagram of some special point of interest about the entity. Since many preternatural creatures do not photograph well or cannot be photographedat all,an accurate painting illustrates each monster. An easy-to-use scientific key helps tell one monster from another.Near the end of thisfield guide,a relative-size chart compares the 27 field guide monsters with the creators of thisbook.A bibliography and recommended reading list complete the text. PRENATURALIST FIELD WORK IS EXCITING and personally rewarding,but amateurpreternaturalists are reminded to take appropriate precautions before initiating observations. Obstacles to successful observation are plain.With rare exceptions,preternaturalcollections in museums or zoological gardens do not exist,so that the student gains littleacquaintance with the entities he or she seeks to encounter.Indeed,preternatural physicalevidence of any sort is difficult or impossible to come by. The naturalist can establish blinds,follow game paths,lurk near water holes,plantvideo cameras,and otherwise dog the heels of his chosen species.Such ploys are unavailableto the preternaturalist,whose interest may be not only off-planet but out-of-universe.Andmetaphysical observation methods are ava

FAQs

What structure does each of the 27 monster entries follow?

Each two-page entry uses the same apparatus: general discussion, notes on habitat and distribution, life and habits, identification hints, plus a height chart and a diagram of a special point of interest.

Why is it difficult to obtain preternatural physical evidence?

The guide notes that preternatural collections in museums or zoological gardens generally do not exist, and physical evidence is difficult or impossible to come by, making direct confirmation challenging.

How does the book help readers distinguish one monster from another?

An easy-to-use scientific key is provided to tell one entity from another, and the entries include hints for distinguishing similar creatures.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Damian