Elder Lord Cthulhu
In the dark, forgotten corners of Zelrinda's cosmology lies the enigmatic and incomprehensible entity known as Cthulhu, an ancient god-like being whose existence predates the fabric of time itself. This is a being not bound by the limitations of mortal minds or the conventional rules of reality, an entity whose true form and purpose are beyond the grasp of even the most powerful scholars and arcane seers. Cthulhu is often referred to as "The Great Dreamer," for it is said that its immense consciousness is not confined to a singular reality. Instead, Cthulhu slumbers in the Far Realm, a place of unutterable horrors that lies outside of mortal comprehension, existing in a space between spaces, not truly part of the Material Plane but somehow within it nonetheless.
The Arrival of Cthulhu
Long before the gods of Zelrinda came to be, before Adoa's first light split the void and illuminated the world, there existed the Elder Evils—a group of entities from beyond the stars, incomprehensible in their forms and motives. Cthulhu was one of them, a being of incomprehensible size and alien intent, drawn to Zelrinda's cosmos by the burgeoning energy of the Material Plane. This god of madness was said to have arrived eons ago, taking a form that resembled an ancient, colossal cephalopod with bat-like wings and a body covered in scales that shimmered with an eerie glow. Yet, even such a description cannot truly encapsulate the horror that is Cthulhu—its true shape exists on a level of reality that defies logic and geometry, an existence that only mortal minds can attempt to grasp through distorted visions and nightmares.
The Cult of Cthulhu
Despite being an entity in slumber, Cthulhu’s influence seeps into the world through the minds of mortals. Throughout history, scattered cults have worshiped the Great Dreamer, seeking to commune with this unfathomable being, believing that their purpose in life is to serve as harbingers for Cthulhu’s return. These cults have often flourished in remote, forgotten places—on the fringes of civilization, where secrets and darkness lie hidden. From the oceans’ depths to the furthest corners of wildspace, these cults believe that one day Cthulhu will rise from its deep slumber, bringing with it the end of all known reality. The cultists hold twisted rites in the dark of night, offering sacrifices and performing rituals designed to summon visions from beyond the stars.
Many of the myths surrounding Cthulhu's rise and return involve the Deep Ones, an aquatic race of humanoid creatures that are said to serve as Cthulhu's heralds. These strange, fish-like beings are said to possess knowledge of ancient truths and cosmic horrors, and they are often considered Cthulhu’s agents, helping to carry out its will in preparation for its inevitable awakening.
The Dreaming of Cthulhu
Cthulhu's true power lies not in physical form but in its presence within the dreams of all living things. Those sensitive to the dream realm—like the mystics and dreamers—are said to be visited by the Great Dreamer, though they are rarely aware of the source of the terror and knowledge they experience. These dreams are often fragmented and illogical, full of impossible geometry, vast cities on alien worlds, and maddening encounters with cosmic entities. Some say that these dreams are glimpses into Cthulhu's eternal slumber, while others believe they are psychic messages from the Great Dreamer, foretelling the eventual unraveling of existence.
In these dreams, those who are susceptible to Cthulhu’s influence are granted terrifying visions: an entire city of madness submerged beneath the waves, ancient star ships traversing the vastness of space, and colossal, winged horrors flying among the stars. The most fortunate or unfortunate of these dreamers find themselves compelled to seek out these symbols, slowly unraveling the mind-bending mystery of Cthulhu’s existence. For some, the dreams are a source of power, while for others, they drive them to insanity.
Cthulhu’s Slumber and the Prophecies of Its Return
Though Cthulhu sleeps, it is not without its influence. It is said that once every few centuries, Cthulhu stirs from its deep slumber, and the dreams of mortals grow darker, filled with a pervasive sense of dread. These periods of unrest coincide with dark omens and strange occurrences—unnatural storms, sudden plagues, and inexplicable disappearances. Many believe that during these times, the stars are aligned in such a way that Cthulhu is able to stretch out its mind across the planes, leaving its mark on the waking world.
Scholars of the far realms, especially those who study the Far Realm and its mind-bending properties, believe that Cthulhu is not merely a god of madness and decay but a harbinger of the eventual end of time. It is theorized that Cthulhu’s waking is linked to the fall of the gods themselves. When the Great Dreamer arises, it will bring with it an all-consuming darkness, devouring not only the Material Plane but also the gods and the very concept of existence itself.
The Prophecies
The ancient Prophecy of Cthulhu's Return is a collection of cryptic, fragmentary texts found across the various ancient cultures of Zelrinda. The earliest known fragments come from the Eindola steampunk scholars, who uncovered these texts in long-forgotten vaults beneath their cities. The prophecy speaks of the Rising of the Great Dreamer, and how the gods of order and the beings of light will stand helpless against the primal chaos Cthulhu will bring. As it wakes, the stars will vanish, the skies will burn, and the oceans will boil. The celestial order will crumble under Cthulhu’s influence, and all that will remain will be the vast cosmic chaos of the Great Dreamer’s domain.
Cthulhu's Realm
When it awakens fully, Cthulhu will rise from the Deep, a place where reality becomes a malleable, shifting concept. It is said that Cthulhu’s full manifestation will reshape the realms themselves, causing reality to unravel like threads in the wind. Entire cities, mountains, and oceans will be swallowed by the infinite void of the Deep, never to be seen again. Time, space, and memory will warp and become unreliable. The boundaries between life and death will blur, and the very nature of existence will fall into chaos. Dreams will no longer be separate from the waking world, and the Great Dreamer will become one with the consciousness of every living being. It will not speak or act—it will simply be, and in that being, all will know the maddening truth of reality.
In the deepest reaches of the Far Realm, it is said that Cthulhu waits for this moment, slumbering and yet ever-present, its dreams stretching across the multiverse, slowly infecting the minds of the unwary, preparing for the time when it will once again rise.
Divine Domains
Chaos, Cosmic, Creation, Destruction, Dream, Judgement, Pestilence, Arcana, Death, Knowledge, Tempest, Trickery, Twilight, War, Inquisition, Oath of the Spelldrinker, Oath of Conquest, The Great Old One
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