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ORE Horror

Szcymanski Algorithm

Written by banshee

Thursday, 01 February 2007

The Szcymanski Algorithm is a relatively simple method for generating strings of random numbers. Szcymanski was working for the Polish millitary when he came up with the algorithm.

It was tested as a basis for one-time-pad encryption, but relatively quickly the algorithm's sinister side was revealed. When messages encrypted with Szcymanski's "random" numbers are subjected to cryptological cracking attempts, it turns out that the numbers tell a story of their own... the Szcymanski Text.

Author: Gregorz Szcymanski
Written: 1963
Language: Polish (1963)/Russian (1964)/English (1968)
Study Time: 1d4 hours
Sanity Loss: 0
Cthulhu Mythos: +0 percentiles
Skill Checks Earned: Mathematics or Computer Use
Spells: None

Szcymanski Text
The Szcymanski Text doesn't seem to end, nor does it appear to repeat itself... instead it just goes on and on about the hideous truths of the Universe and the Mythos, in great detail. It has been speculated that the text and algorithm are a nasty "prank" committed by Nyarlathotep, but the true origin is unknown.

It is known that Szcymanski defected to the West in 1967, when he realised the full significance of his work. After explaining his discoveries and translating the algorithm for NATO officials, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome and met with Pope Paul VI in 1969. Scant hours after this audience Szcymanski killed himself with a P64 pistol.

Author: The Szcymanski Algorithm (Gregorz Szcymanski?)
Written: 1963
Language: Latin
Study Time: variable (minimum of 1 hour)
Sanity Loss: variable (1 per hour spent studying text?)
Cthulhu Mythos: variable (+1 per day?)
Skill Checks Earned: Cryptography if personally decrypted; Latin
Spells: at Keeper's discretion