The Lovecraftian universe, often referred to as the Cthulhu Mythos, is a fictional cosmology created by the American writer H.P. Lovecraft and expanded upon by various other authors. It features a pantheon of cosmic entities and god-like beings that are characterized by their immense power, indifference to humanity, and often their incomprehensible and terrifying nature. The following is a list of some of the prominent entities in the Lovecraftian mythos:
Cthulhu: Perhaps the most famous entity, Cthulhu is a gigantic, octopus-headed creature with wings and resides in the sunken city of R'lyeh. Its awakening is prophesied to bring chaos and destruction.
Azathoth: Often referred to as the "Blind Idiot God," Azathoth is an amorphous being that exists at the center of the universe and is surrounded by an entourage of lesser entities. It is considered the ultimate source of chaos and represents the inherent randomness of the cosmos.
Nyarlathotep: Known as the "Crawling Chaos" or the "Messenger of the Outer Gods," Nyarlathotep takes on various forms and is often depicted as a sinister and manipulative figure. It acts as a direct agent of the other deities and is known to sow madness and chaos.
Yog-Sothoth: Described as a conglomeration of glowing spheres, Yog-Sothoth is considered the All-in-One and the One-in-All. It is associated with knowledge and acts as a gateway between dimensions.
Shub-Niggurath: Often called the "Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young," Shub-Niggurath is a fertility deity associated with darkness and the creation of monstrous creatures.
Hastur: Hastur is a mysterious being associated with insanity and is often mentioned in connection with a forbidden play called the "King in Yellow."
Dagon: Dagon is an ancient sea deity worshiped by fish-like creatures known as the Deep Ones. It dwells in the depths of the ocean and is associated with aquatic horrors.
Yuggoth (Mi-Go): Yuggoth is a distant planet inhabited by the Mi-Go, a race of fungoid extraterrestrial entities. They are known for their advanced technology and involvement in experimentation on humans.
These are just a few examples of the god-like beings within the Lovecraftian mythos. Lovecraft's works, as well as subsequent stories written by other authors, have expanded the universe to include numerous other entities, each with its own unique characteristics and lore. The key theme throughout the mythos is the insignificance and vulnerability of humanity in the face of these ancient and unfathomable cosmic powers.