I believe that one of the most important aspects to any faction in a game, is that which that gives you something you can identify with and makes you decide that above all the other factions, this particular one is for you. In a game like Mythos we've already seen the very human-looking Priory and the slightly fishy Hidden Ones, but how do you empathise with something wholly inhuman? Let's take a look…

The story of the Custos Crypta who roam the world of Mythos in the 1920’s begins in the year 700 BCE at the height of the Kushite Empire. The authority of the Pharaoh of that era, Neferkare Shabaka, was considered absolute. Shabaka was said to be blessed by an ancient Egyptian God known as Khepera. It was in Khepera’s name that Shabaka ruled from Nubia to the Nile Delta. For this service, the Kushite Empire was gifted the service of the Custos Crypta, a sentient insectoid species that acted as both guardian and custodian of Shabaka and his people. But time and the treachery of humankind are the only constants in this world and when Shabaka was murdered by his nephew Taharqa, the Custos Crypta were entombed alongside him in the pyramid at el-Kurru, there to remain for the rest of eternity. At least that was the plan…

The Crypt Guardian was the last of its kind to survive the overthrow of Shabaka. Though thought dead by the primitive priests at the time, the Guardian had instead entered into a state of cryptobiosis and its desiccated body was interred alongside the slain Pharaoh. When the pyramid at el-Kurru was excavated by George Reisner and his team in 1919, the Guardian was taken as a curio back to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. It was late one night that a researcher-made the mistake of spilling a glass of water onto the Guardian’s inert form. Though initially, it appeared no harm was done, by the following morning, the Guardian had vanished, revived and now enacting the will of Khepera once more.

Crypt Grubs are the larval form of the Custos Crypta and the most numerous of the creatures to be encountered. Usually tasked with all manner of menial tasks, when fed a specific blend of proteins and secretions they rapidly evolve into their required final form.

Evolved for long-distance infiltration and observation, the Crypt Sham has a passing resemblance to a human silhouette when at rest. When in low light or illuminated by solitary street lamps, a Crypt Sham can stand in such public spaces and observe a target for hours without arousing suspicion.

The Custos Crypta extends its influence through the human cattle by way of mentally compelled servants. Victoria Taylor and Sara Heriot are former research students from the Museum of Fine Arts that were brought under the control of the Crypt Guardian on its reawakening. Though utterly dedicated to the whims of Khepera, regrettably any initiative or higher reasoning is stripped away by the process which limits the Custos Crypta’s use of such enslaved pawns.

As you can see, by tying what would otherwise be personality-less insects to a wider narrative, drawing in mortal servants and expanding on their formidable biology, the Custos Cryptos are as exciting and compelling a faction as any other. Some might even argue that they are more interesting than others! See them in action yourself when the tabletop skirmish horror of Mythos arrives at your friendly local gaming store early next year.

Until next time.

Stuart