Great Old Ones (1)
[Cthulhu's Race]
A race of alien beings associated with Cthulhu, who is said to be their priest, and who preserved them with spells in the sunken land of R'lyeh so they can survive until the stars are "right" again. It is not known whether the Great Old Ones resemble Cthulhu [HPL Call (online text)]. For information on the cult of the Great Old Ones, see: Cthulhu.
According to Reverend Nye, the Great Old Ones created humanity to worship and obey them. The passing of huge comets caused earth upheavals and the submerging of continents, and a great Flood that trapped the Great Old Ones beneath oceans and polar ice. After the catastrophe, new priesthoods denied the existence of the Great Old Ones and masked their memory in the guise of demons. Yet a few faithful followers of the Great Old Ones remained. And the Great Old Ones survived, sleeping through the eons and sending forth dreams to invade the minds of believers and unbelievers. When they return, only the chosen will be spared. The Shining Trapezohedron is a gift of the Great Old Ones. Kay Keith dreamed that the Great Old Ones were watching her with millions of eyes, opening millions of mouths, and send millions of tentatcles toward her. The being possessing Orin Sanderson said the Great Old Ones feed off human emotion, especially fear. [RB Strange]
Compare with: Cthulhu spawn.
Other Meanings of "Great Old Ones"
- Great Old Ones (2): The crinoid Old Ones (1) of Antarctica.
- Great Old Ones (3): Evil alien gods who rebelled against the benevolent Elder Gods (1) in Derleth stories.
- Great Old Ones (4): Occasional synonym for Elder Gods (1) in Derleth stories.
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