this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2024
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Lovecraft Mythos - Cosmic Horror

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H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos is a shared universe far larger and more terrifying than that of humanity, where ancient, malevolent beings known as the Great Old Ones slumber in the depths of space or time. After Lovecraft's death, the Mythos has been expanded and developed by many authors, including August Derleth, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert E. Howard. These and many other authors have helped to flesh out the Mythos into a rich and complex Dark Universe.

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submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/lovecraft_mythos
 

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I never thought of it before, but, how exactly the Outer gods would see us? Are we repelling for them? Was Cthulhu actually trying to get rid of pests infesting his house?

I mean Yog-Sothoth doesn't exactly count as a god, it is actually far beyond that, more like the multiverse in one being (like Eternity from Marvel). Regarding the deep one, they are basically horny fishmen not too far beyond human. What i'm talking about is, how the Outer Gods actually see us?

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Really depends of the mythos, version of the mythos, and the mood of the author. Most people I know are briefly spooked by a spider, but willing to simply remove it from their space. Lovecraft swaps at a whim, sometimes making humans vital to any possible plans, sometimes making them the casualties of a plan, and sometimes casualties for simply existing in the vicinity of something immeasurably greater.

Thinking about it reasonably, a fourth dimensional being might find utility in an army of slaves, or it might not care at all about herding metaphorical cats and do what it wants on its own, or feel entirely indifferent and leave us be, or it might think β€œcute!” Character motivations decide.

[–] ekZepp 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I agree. OP in the post mention Yog-Sothoth and the deep one, i think because in the lore there are episodes where they interbreed with humans, but this is not the only case when some eldritch entity show actual interest in humans. In the first place Cthulhu want to use human and contact them in their dreams, so at very least there are some cases where outer gods may have use for humans, even if only for the reason to be in the right place (dimension) at the right time.

[–] Etterra 10 points 5 months ago

All gods are cosmic horror gods. Some just line up better with the human insanity which is blind faith."

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (2 children)

We are like ants to them. How do you feel about ants?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Bad, if they're in my sugar specifically. OP is suggesting that this would carry over to the human-Outer God "relationship".

We could just as easily be grass or yeast, though. I honestly can't say if dislike of insects is cross-cultural, and I'm pretty sure it's not philosophically inevitable.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

If we were like yeast, I hope they use me to make beer instead of bread.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I have no quarrel with ants but if one is ever happens to be in my way I will stomp it without even thinking about it

[–] artichokecustard 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

The Genocides by Thomas M. Disch is a good little read that i would recommend to anyone interested in this sort of idea

just scifi tho, not explicitly lovecraftian