Band of Gold
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Author: Steve Hatherley
Homepage: http://www.flar.demon.co.uk/
System: Call of Cthulhu
Type: Hook
Category: Horror
Requirements:

	It's a murky pawn shop with smears on the glass and a 
stale smell coming from inside. But the ring in the window is 
eye-catching for all of that. It's a ring, like a wedding ring 
made from greenish gold with an inscription running around the 
inside.

Possibilites
1       The inscription is simply the same three-armed symbol 
repeated: the Yellow Sign. The ring is strangely heavy, and is 
referred to in a few texts as Hastur's Bridal Ring.
	Wearing the ring for any length of time results in two 
events. The first is that the ring contracts and cannot be 
removed, and the other is the arrival of a byakhee. The byakhee, 
summoned by the ring, takes the wearer of the ring (Hastur's 
Bride) back to Hali. The byahkee only appears when Aldebaran is 
in the sky, and if somehow dismissed another replaces it on a 
following night.
	At Hali, Hastur's Bride commands all of the Great Old 
One's attention. When the wedding-night activities are over, 
Hastur discards the remains of his bride and the ring is 
eventually returned to the pawn shop and its devoted owner.

2       The insciption is written in Hyperborean and says "Sleep 
Well, Dream Well." Wearing the ring whilst sleeping allows the 
wearer automatic entry (barring other effects prohibiting entry) 
to the Dreamlands via the Cavern of Flame. The ring is otherwise 
unremarkable.
	The ring was sold to the pawn shop by John Montego who 
used it for some years before his Dream-self was killed, 
preventing him from returning to the Dreamlands. Through the 
shop's records, Montego can be contacted. He knows much about 
the Dreamlands, but knows nothing of the horrors threatening the 
Waking World. Perhaps he would make a good ally.

3       The ring is slimy and cold, and if worn will not come 
off - at least not without the finger. The inscription, if 
translated before the ring is first worn, says "Welcome friend, 
join us," in the language of ghouls.
	If the ring is not removed (with the finger) then the 
poor soul's flesh slowly starts rotting and her appetite turns 
to rotten meat. She is turning into a ghoul. The ring falls off 
when the transformation is complete.
	The ring was sold to the pawnshop after Laura Black 
vanished from her lonely city garret. Her family have no idea 
what happened to her, and found the ring among her belongings. 
Now, whoever buys the ring may soon be in a position to find out 
exactly what happened to Laura . . .

Copyright (c) 1997 Steve Hatherley
steve@flar.demon.co.uk