Difference between revisions of "Elder Thing"
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| − | '''Elder Things''' are a race of strange ancient aliens from the Cthulhu Mythos. They were first introduced in Lovecraft's [[At the Mountains of Madness]]. | + | '''Elder Things''' (sometimes confusingly called the "[[Old One]]s", or "Elder Race") are a race of strange ancient aliens from the Cthulhu Mythos. They were first introduced in Lovecraft's ''[[At the Mountains of Madness (fiction)]]''. |
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| + | Origin: Elder things first appear in [[H.P. Lovecraft]]'s ''[[At the Mountains of Madness (fiction)]]'', where they are called "Old Ones" or "Elder Race". | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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| + | For best results, include a descriptive quote from the original source of the monster/race, | ||
| + | followed by a fairly standard description of what the monster looks like, is, and does. | ||
| + | An optional copyright-free illustration can be inserted with this code: | ||
| + | [[File:File.png|200px|thumb|right|alt text]] | ||
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| + | [[File:Lovecraft elderthing.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Lovecraft's notes and sketch of an "Elder Thing"]] | ||
One of the strangest of Mythos creatures, when explorers first found hibernating elder things, they were uncertain whether or not they were plants of animals. | One of the strangest of Mythos creatures, when explorers first found hibernating elder things, they were uncertain whether or not they were plants of animals. | ||
There physical depiction is summarized in ''Mountains of Madness''. | There physical depiction is summarized in ''Mountains of Madness''. | ||
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-H. P. Lovecraft | -H. P. Lovecraft | ||
| + | <blockquote>Six feet end to end, three and five-tenths feet central diameter, tapering to one foot at each end. Like a barrel with five bulging ridges in place of staves. Lateral breakages, as of thinnish stalks, are at equator in middle of these ridges. In furrows between ridges are curious growths – combs or wings that fold up and spread out like fans. . . which gives almost seven-foot wing spread. Arrangement reminds one of certain monsters of primal myth, especially fabled Elder Things in [the] ''[[Necronomicon]]''. | ||
| + | <br>— [[H.P. Lovecraft]], ''[[At the Mountains of Madness (fiction)]]'' | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
The elder things were radially symmetrical and dark gray in coloration. Their wings, which originally allowed them to fly, became useless after thousands of years of disuse. Eyes were located at the end of the arms of the organism's starfish-shaped head. Elder things can survive both in and out of water, and once had cities across the world. | The elder things were radially symmetrical and dark gray in coloration. Their wings, which originally allowed them to fly, became useless after thousands of years of disuse. Eyes were located at the end of the arms of the organism's starfish-shaped head. Elder things can survive both in and out of water, and once had cities across the world. | ||
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==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||
The Elder Things were apparently very skilled bioengineers, and are credited with creating the [[Shoggoths]] among other organisms. They are noted for building great cities using shoggoths, and also using the creatures in Wars against the [[Mi-go]], [[Yithians]] and spawn of [[Cthulhu]]. | The Elder Things were apparently very skilled bioengineers, and are credited with creating the [[Shoggoths]] among other organisms. They are noted for building great cities using shoggoths, and also using the creatures in Wars against the [[Mi-go]], [[Yithians]] and spawn of [[Cthulhu]]. | ||
==Society== | ==Society== | ||
| − | Unlike most species of the Cthulhu Mythos, the Elder Things seem to have no religion whatsoever, and their society had even been suggested as being a socialist one. Much of Elder Thing life has been interpreted from the ruins of their great cities and the intricate | + | Unlike most species of the Cthulhu Mythos, the Elder Things seem to have no religion whatsoever, and their society had even been suggested as being a socialist one. Much of Elder Thing life has been interpreted from the ruins of their great cities and the intricate carvings left on the building walls. |
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| + | ==Heresies and Controversies== | ||
| + | <!-- | ||
| + | Optional. This is a good place to include non-canon and controversial aspects of the creature's mythos. | ||
| + | Suggested Alternative Theories include: Derleth's elemental scheme; pseudo-science interpretation; | ||
| + | "fanon" interpretations; unofficial humorous or eccentric versions; | ||
| + | identification with "Real Life" mythological, religious, folklore, natural, and historical phenomena; | ||
| + | rumor and speculation... these contribute some flexibility and ambiguity to the mythos. | ||
| + | * Alternative_theory. ([[source]]) | ||
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| + | ==Keeper Notes== | ||
| + | <!-- Optional. Suggestions for using these creatures in the CoC RPG, and in fan-fiction. --> | ||
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| + | ==Associated Mythos Elements== | ||
| + | * tome: ''[[Necronomicon]]'' (a description) | ||
| + | * artifact: [[Soapstone Fragments]] | ||
| + | * location: [[Polar City of the Old Ones]], and the [[Hollow Earth]] beneath it | ||
| + | * race: [[Shoggoth]]s, creations and enemies of the Elder Things | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <!-- | ||
| + | for list of scenarios, see http://www.yog-sothoth.com/wiki/index.php/Category:CoC:Name1_scenarios Call of Cthulhu Scenarios | ||
| + | for list of films, see http://www.yog-sothoth.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Film:General | ||
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| + | * [[H.P. Lovecraft]] - ''[[At the Mountains of Madness (fiction)]]'' (primary source) | ||
| + | * [[H.P. Lovecraft]] - ''[[The Shadow Out of Time (fiction)]]'' (additional background) | ||
| + | * [[H.P. Lovecraft]] - "[[Dreams in the Witch House (fiction)]]" (cameo appearance) | ||
| + | * [[Charles Engan]] and [[Janyce Engan]] - ''[[Beyond the Mountains of Madness (fiction)]]'' | ||
| + | * [[Tim Curran]] - ''[[Hive (fiction)]]'' | ||
| + | * sourcebook: ''[[Malleus Monstrorum]]'' | ||
[[Category:Races]] | [[Category:Races]] | ||
| + | [[Category:HollowEarth]] | ||
| + | [[Category:LovecraftMythos]] | ||
| + | __NOTOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 21:11, 30 June 2022
Elder Things (sometimes confusingly called the "Old Ones", or "Elder Race") are a race of strange ancient aliens from the Cthulhu Mythos. They were first introduced in Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness (fiction).
Origin: Elder things first appear in H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness (fiction), where they are called "Old Ones" or "Elder Race".
Description
One of the strangest of Mythos creatures, when explorers first found hibernating elder things, they were uncertain whether or not they were plants of animals.
There physical depiction is summarized in Mountains of Madness.
-H. P. Lovecraft
Six feet end to end, three and five-tenths feet central diameter, tapering to one foot at each end. Like a barrel with five bulging ridges in place of staves. Lateral breakages, as of thinnish stalks, are at equator in middle of these ridges. In furrows between ridges are curious growths – combs or wings that fold up and spread out like fans. . . which gives almost seven-foot wing spread. Arrangement reminds one of certain monsters of primal myth, especially fabled Elder Things in [the] Necronomicon.
The elder things were radially symmetrical and dark gray in coloration. Their wings, which originally allowed them to fly, became useless after thousands of years of disuse. Eyes were located at the end of the arms of the organism's starfish-shaped head. Elder things can survive both in and out of water, and once had cities across the world.
Technology
The Elder Things were apparently very skilled bioengineers, and are credited with creating the Shoggoths among other organisms. They are noted for building great cities using shoggoths, and also using the creatures in Wars against the Mi-go, Yithians and spawn of Cthulhu.
Society
Unlike most species of the Cthulhu Mythos, the Elder Things seem to have no religion whatsoever, and their society had even been suggested as being a socialist one. Much of Elder Thing life has been interpreted from the ruins of their great cities and the intricate carvings left on the building walls.
Heresies and Controversies
Keeper Notes
Associated Mythos Elements
- tome: Necronomicon (a description)
- artifact: Soapstone Fragments
- location: Polar City of the Old Ones, and the Hollow Earth beneath it
- race: Shoggoths, creations and enemies of the Elder Things
References
- H.P. Lovecraft - At the Mountains of Madness (fiction) (primary source)
- H.P. Lovecraft - The Shadow Out of Time (fiction) (additional background)
- H.P. Lovecraft - "Dreams in the Witch House (fiction)" (cameo appearance)
- Charles Engan and Janyce Engan - Beyond the Mountains of Madness (fiction)
- Tim Curran - Hive (fiction)
- sourcebook: Malleus Monstrorum
