Occultism and Hidden Lore

Occultism is the general study of the mysterious and the supernatural. Occultism represents knowledge contained in publicly available or otherwise known sources, some of which may be rare or obscure but do not amount to Hidden Lore. Specialization should be represented by Expert Skills. See GURPS Basic p. 212 and GURPS Horror p. 29 for more information.

Expert Skills should be used to represent knowledge more specific areas of occultism such as Cryptozoology, Demonology, Pneumatology, Ufology, and Vampirology. Specialization is required. While this study also derives knowledge from publicly available sources, the expert has spent considerable time in focused study of a particular subject. Descriptions of these specializations may be found in GURPS Horror, p. 29.

Hidden Lore is knowledge that is lost, deliberately hidden, or simply neglected. Narrow specialization may be required. Sources of Hidden Lore are not publicly available and in some cases are not even known to those who do not possess the skill. Any occultism expert skill likely has a hidden lore parallel, but there are areas of hidden lore unknown to the general occultist or even expert, and there may be areas of specificity within the known areas of knowledge. Acquiring or improving Hidden Lore requires a reliable source of relevant information. See GURPS Basic p. 200 for a detailed description and some examples.

Hidden Lore (Things Man Was Not Meant to Know) refers to “cosmic horrors,” most notably exemplified by the Cthulhu Mythos. This is the study of cosmic deities, ancient ones, and their various minions as recorded in obscure and sometimes dangerous tomes. The most common text studied containing this lore is Unausprechlichen Kulten by Friedrich Wilhelm von Junzt, first published in 1839, often referred to as “the Black Book.” Partial and unreliable English translations were published in 1845 and 1909 by an unknown translator. For more on cosmic horror, see GURPS Horror pp. 73-76.

None of these skills provide any practical ability to actually do anything, nor should they be presumed to represent or replace other skills, no matter ow closely related. Expert Skill (Pneumatology) does not allow you to perform Exorcisms, for example. Expert Skill (Demonology) does not give you the skills or knowledge to summon a demon.