SOURCES:
"The Terrible Parchment" by Manly Wade Wellman (Weird Tales, August 1937)

DESCRIPTION: “For that fallen page had a clammy, wet feel to it. Dank is the word, I should think...It was a rectangle of tawny, limp parchment, grained on the upper side with scales, like the skin of some unfamiliar reptile...” (“The Terrible Parchment” by Manly Wade Wellman)

NOTES: The Terrible Parchment bears writing which will at first appear to be ancient Arabic, then Latin and finally, as it adjusts to its victim, the victim’s native tongue. The first legible part reads: “Many minds and many wishes give substance to the worship of Chthulhu.” Once this is read the Parchment will exert its mind-control on the victim, trying to get them to chant the rest of the words. The Parchment can move, much like a caterpillar, and its dank texture allows it to cling to any surface. Only Holy Water can destroy it.

HISTORY: Wellman's "cheeky" Mythos tribute, the story takes the idea of the arcnae tome to a new level, where the book is actually the monster. Almost a parody, but not quite, the same idea would be used in the film Army of Darkness starring Bruce Campbell.
 

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