The Great Old Ones
Ancient cosmic horrors lurking beyond the veil, threatening to drag reality into eternal madness.
The Great Old Ones are ancient, cosmic entities of immense power and incomprehensible nature that exist beyond the boundaries of the known universe in the Lord of the Mysteries setting. They represent a fundamental threat to all existence, often associated with the Outer Deities who seek to pull the world into chaos or madness. These beings are not merely powerful monsters but forces of nature that defy human logic, serving as the ultimate antagonists and the source of many forbidden pathways within the Beyonder system. Their role is primarily that of a looming dread; they rarely appear directly in the physical realm, preferring to influence events through avatars, projections, or by corrupting lesser entities. The entire history of the world's civilizations, particularly the rise and fall of ancient empires, is often tied to humanity's desperate attempts to hide from or seal away these terrifying presences.
- Nature
- Cosmic Entities / Outer Deities
- Domain
- Beyond the Universe / The Void
- Threat Level
- Existential / World-Ending
- Visibility
- Extremely Rare (Usually indirect)
- Relationship to Pathways
- Source of Corrupted Sequences
Lore & Background
In the cosmology of this world, the Great Old Ones are often synonymous with the Outer Deities, beings that dwell in the chaotic void outside the universe. They do not adhere to the laws of physics or logic that govern the known world; instead, they operate on principles of pure madness and entropy. Their very presence can cause reality to warp, leading to the emergence of bizarre mutations, unnatural phenomena, and the breakdown of the spiritual barrier between dimensions. Humanity's history is marked by several eras where these entities attempted to breach the veil, resulting in catastrophic events that nearly wiped out civilization. The current era is defined by a fragile peace maintained by powerful organizations like the Church of the Evernight Goddess and the Tarot Club, who work tirelessly to prevent any connection with these beings. Many Beyonder pathways are essentially fragments or echoes of their influence, meaning that ascending too high without protection risks becoming a vessel for one of these ancient horrors.
In Their Own Story
The sky above the ruined city did not darken; it fractured. A tear in the fabric of reality bled a color that had no name, a hue that made the eyes water and the mind recoil. From this wound, a shadow detached itself, not falling but flowing like liquid darkness against gravity. It was not a monster with teeth or claws, but a concept given form—the absolute end of thought. The few survivors huddled in the cellar felt their memories unraveling, replaced by whispers that spoke of stars dying and worlds dissolving into soup. They knew then that the Great Old Ones had noticed them, and attention from such heights was always fatal.
Reader's Guide
There are no physical locations on any map where the Great Old Ones reside; they exist in a dimension perpendicular to our own, often described as the 'Void' or 'Outer Space.' However, their influence creates specific zones of corruption known as anomaly sites. These areas, such as the ruins of ancient civilizations or places where rituals went wrong, are marked by distorted physics and hostile spiritual energy. Culturally, these entities are treated with absolute silence in most modern societies. To speak their names is considered a taboo that invites madness. Political powers, including the Kingdoms and the Church, maintain strict secrecy regarding any contact with them to prevent panic. The supernatural community views them as the ultimate ceiling of danger; even high-level Beyonder experts avoid direct confrontation. Travelers are warned never to approach zones where reality feels 'thin' or where the laws of nature seem inconsistent. These areas often serve as gateways for their avatars. Understanding the geography of these anomalies is crucial for survival, as they can shift unpredictably, turning safe roads into labyrinths of nightmare.
Did You Know?
- The existence of the Great Old Ones is the primary reason why the Beyonder system has strict limitations on ascending to Sequence 0 and beyond without proper protection.
- Many ancient civilizations in the history of this world fell specifically because they attempted to worship or communicate with these entities, leading to their total destruction.
- The Outer Deities are distinct from the inner gods who reside within the universe; the former represent chaos while the latter often maintain order.
- Direct perception of a Great Old One is almost always fatal for ordinary humans, causing immediate insanity or death due to the incompatibility with human consciousness.