The Cursed Mandrake Root

Specimen Name: Mandragora Horrifica (Mandrake Root)

Date & Location: August 7, 1924 — Black Forest, Germany

Field Journal Entry:

At last, today I found the legendary mandrake root in the shadowy heart of the Black Forest. The specimen is grotesquely humanoid — twisted, gnarled limbs and a bulbous form terminating in a face so uncannily human it seems to scream even in silence. Even before I unearthed it fully, I felt its presence pressing against my chest like a vice.

Digging it out was an ordeal. As per the old superstition, I tied it to a stray dog with a length of rope and stood at a distance. The creature’s shriek as it was pulled from the earth was bone-chilling — even from several yards away it rattled my senses and nearly drove me to madness. The animal did not survive the ordeal.

Once cleaned, the root stands just over a foot long, its torso knotted and disturbingly lifelike, with tendrils spilling from its base like entrails. Its expression is frozen in what might be agony — or laughter. The texture is woody, but faintly warm to the touch, and I swear it flinched when first placed into the specimen box.

The curse associated with it seems genuine. To even hear its scream is said to kill or drive a person mad. If so, I count myself lucky to have walked away with my wits — though I am not certain I escaped unscathed.

This is both a prize and a nightmare, a true treasure of the occult.

Notes & Sketches:

Face: grotesquely human, mouth open in a silent scream.

Shape: humanoid torso, twisted limbs, gnarled root tendrils.

Size: approximately 12 inches (30 cm) long.

Texture: rough, bark-like skin with faint warmth.

Warning: never dig up directly by hand — risk of instant madness.

 

Caution: The mandrake’s scream is not to be underestimated. Even muted by earth, it can unravel a man’s mind. Keep contained and avoid prolonged exposure.