Ive come across 2 versions of Cthulhu ...

1. HP Lovecraft ... created this make belief character used in role play.
2. Religion .... on some island somewhere to its people, Cthulhu is indeed a real god that lies asleep in the bottom of the ocean, they wait for him to awaken.
(There is a satanist who tells me that Cthulhu is one of his deities - a demon aswell)

Now which is it???? Did Lovecraft "create" this character or did he "exsit" before the Call of Cthulhu was written?
Id like to know others opinions on this ..... any info appart from HP Lovecrafts?????

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Cthulhu is indeed nothing more than a creation of H. P. Lovecraft, probably one of my favourite authors. I'm sorry to say it, but it is possible that the source where you read about Cthulhu being a god to some South Pacific islanders was part of a scenario for the Call of Cthulhu roleplay game. Since HPL was writing stories just at the turn of last century (untill his unfortunate and untimely death in '37), that's been morethan enough time for his Pulp stories to gain notoriety and get integrated into some religions here and there. in fact, many metal bands have adopted HPL's, and some of his cohorts', beasties and deities into their music and even some go so far as to apparently believe the deities to be true, such as Trey Azaghthoth from Morbid Angel...

Howard Phillip Lovecraft however, was not a believer in the unexplained, magic and/or demonology. Most of the monsters he created were actually derived from very vivid and frightening dreams he had as a child. Allister Crowley was desperate to get in correspondence with the author, who actually thought him to be somewhat of a charlitan.

I'm afraid your Satanist friend has also been fooled. Cthulhu really hasn't got anything to do with Satanism at all. Cthulhu isn't even a deamon really, he's a big powerful alien entity. And he's not evil either; it's more a case of he cares as much about humanity as we care about cockroaches. Satanism itself isn't really a religion anyway, the only true "holy book" to go by being La Vey's Satanic Bible, which isn't really much more than a proto pop-culture essay on glorified humanism. Why worship an ex-angel who gets his arse handed to him every time he tries something? he's not an underdog... it's not as if he's Rocky Balboa or anything!

Like you I was interested in finding out whether his stories had any basis in actual mythology, but I'm afraid they don't.

You said it all, my friend....you said it all.

Very true, it's also the same fate as the "legendary" Necronomicon.

Cthulhu is a fictional being created by horror author H.P. Lovecraft...
LINK-> Cthulhu

Hehe....LEGENDARY!!*thunder crashes in the background*..and on sale at your local Barnes & Noble for about $3.99

Man, that must HURT, getting told what you worship is a TOTAL fabrication! Just goes to show how gullible people can be. I mean it's one thing to believe in an ancient religion shrouded in mystery, but a Lovecraft character popularized by a role-playing game? Sheesh.

hah hah. It really is true. Some people think of it as there own personal bible. Everyone thinks anything written by a decent author has to have some truth, such as the Davinci Code. Im guessing 100 years from now, people will be looking for the truth behind Harry Potter and the School of Wizardry.

...To true, all they'd have to do is ask me......it's all Hermione's doing!!! But yes, it's unfortunate that so many would blindly follow something like The Necronomicon just to be different...there are better ways to display individuality.

The necronomicon was popularized by what boof or film? I remember references made to it in several places. Any idea what the earliest reference to it is?

It's also the same fate as....as....I got nothing.

No wait! Unicorns! I thought they were real until I was 5!

What do you mean, "not real"?
I'm distressed.

The Necronomicon was first introduced in some of Lovecrafts short stories, such as, the Call of Cthulhu. After awhile, a number of readers began to wonder what exactly the Necronomicon was. He then saw the oppertunity to write a book all about it. He wrote it in a 1st person view, about a man named called the " Mad Arab " that found and began talking about the necronomicon, and it's properties. The pages are somewhat like reading a grimoire like The Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon.

Since it was written in a this specific viewpoint, it comes across that Lovecraft is not the author, in fact, the Mad Arab is, much like a diary. People then assumed Lovecraft somehow "aquired" the book, and wrote about it himself. Lovecraft himself said the book was fiction, and the name Necronomicon, like much of his other stories and creatures within them, came to him in a dream, nothing more.

I think it's so funny how metal bands and metal listeners take so much of this stuff like metal created it. Like I'll be watching TV with someone whos a fan of metal, if a commercial mentions Cthulu, the first thing they'd say is "Cradle of FIlth! Thats a COF song! Nice!" But I have to say, no no , metal didn't make that. Where were you in school? DId you listen? Did you read anything? It's just so funny how they think metal first, like that's where it came from.

You find that in pretty much all cultures, rezna, not just metal culture; it's called ignorance, or in the more innocent cases, naiivety.

Does that mean Indiana Jones isn't real, either?

Sit down, Snuffs....I've got some hard truths to lay on ya.

Naiivety, definately. I can't tell you how many times I've had to SHOW my child that a rapper or even hip-hop "artists" song was not original, or at the very least based on someone elses melody. Hell, even Kid Rock admits it and embraces it. That's why I respect him.

That's why my kid listens to Zeppelin, old Aerosmith, etc. as well as current stuff. Even he has started pointing out rap acts that are nothing but street cred, no talent involved.

Maybe that's another thread all together, the effects of pop culture on the paranormal?

Well, I know for a long time already that Chtulu was not real...

Sorry to break it to you so suddenly.

Santa Claus doesn't exist either! Hahahaha!

also the necronomicon is in the evil dead series as welll as a book made of human skin and written in blood

The only work Lovecraft wrote about the Necronomicon was the short three or so paragraph long "History of the Necronomicon" that details the fictional background of the book. Lovecraft never wrote a book about it -- in fact he only wrote two or so full-lenght novels (At the Mountains of Madness and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward). There is a short story called The Book though, and it is refered to in almost all his later works.

All the books named Necronomicon that claims to be the book are fakes.

Feel free to prove me wrong, but wasn't Cthulu also referred to as Tiamat, which is a real Babylonian deity?

nena seems to know hp-lovecrafts work well . cthulu for president in 08 !--

'Fraid so. Nor is Jurassic Park

Thus the mystery. " Followers " believe H.P Lovecraft wrote the original copy. I've heard tales that it exists in a museum in Rome, London, and even a claim that a secret vault exists in the New York State Library, where many specific books are held. People will embellish any story necessary to back up what they want to beleive in.

I'm curious about the status of the trademarks and copyrights regarding Cthulhu and the Necronomicon. They are referenced in films and books all the time.

In the animated series of 'Ghostbusters', they did a whole string of eps surrounding the Cult of Cthulhu and the Necronomicon. There have been several made-for-cable films about the Lovecraft P.I. character, too.

Doesn't exist, eh? How do you explain this photo I have, wiseguy?

Yep he did only write 2 stories long enough to be considered "Novellas", both of which are absolute crackers! ATMOM being my fave HPL story. It's funny how no-one ever latches onto any of the other books he featured in his stories such as the Book of Eibon (originally created by Clarke Ashton-Smith) or the Pnakotic Manuscripts.




I've never heard that. I have heard that Cthulhu has been supposedly linked with Satan. This being that Satan has several other translations or names (I can't remember which) including Shai-Tan, which can also be written as Kadul-Hu (possibly the Arabic version) or something. Of course, it's all made up to fit in with the Mythos. Same with Abdul Al Hazred, which supposedly translates as Abdul the Slave (being a slave to whatever Mythos deity he was serving).

The Color of Space was always my favorite. Lovecraft's view of horror was that of sci-fi, with in-explainable things made to warp the human mind.

Expired, expired; failed to renew, expired. It's a long story but that pretty much sums it up.



The Colour out of Space was nice indeed. As was the Shunned House.

Still, I like At the Mountains of Madness the best. Got to love the Elder Things and their immense city.

TEKELI- LIIIIIIII!!!!!!!


Also loved Shadow Out of Time, Shadow Over Innsmouth and Pickman's Model. And of course Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath and Celephais (possibly one of hte most beautiful and sad stories he ever wrote). Me and a jamming buddy have written a couple HPL-themed songs, with the intent of forming a horror-punk/rock band based mostly on the Cthulhu Mythos (as opposed to Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, who are a bit more So-Cal pop-punk).

Dear dear little eggumby .... I didnt say I worship the Lovecraft character at all ... I said that there are people going round making him to be "real" and I found a site that actaully told of people on some island that actually do worship him .... This weekend I played "Call" and thats how far it goes.
I wanted to hear others thoughts and opinions on the subject and if there are others that see him as a real god. Of all the gods that Ive studied (Im pagan) in the 12 years of my life this is a recent god that came about ... I didnt study satanism but recently was given a load of satanic books and it does have Cthulhu in it as a god which kinda made me wonder about satanism itself .... I dont know much about it ... have never really dug into that religion. I was just curious...
As for assuming .... instead ask .... its better!

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QUOTE(Azalin @ Feb 9 2007, 03:22 PM) [snapback]1536012[/snapback]

Very true, it's also the same fate as the "legendary" Necronomicon.

Ok as for the Necro ... this I know if a load of hog-wash! I have a copy of one which is a total fake .... If there is such a book .... the closest you are going to find in summoning demons to do your work is The Key Of Solomon.

QUOTE(receivingendofsirens @ Feb 10 2007, 03:34 PM) [snapback]1537378[/snapback]

also the necronomicon is in the evil dead series as welll as a book made of human skin and written in blood

LOL!!!!

QUOTE(Opus Magnus @ Feb 11 2007, 12:38 AM) [snapback]1537830[/snapback]

Feel free to prove me wrong, but wasn't Cthulu also referred to as Tiamat, which is a real Babylonian deity?

Might be a misunderstanding???

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Simon's "Necronomicon" (A book detailing the history of the Necronomicon and the history of it's gods and origins; as well as means for invoking them in a way..) spoke of Tiamat as one of the Ancient Ones, who was slayed by the Elder God Marduk by chopping her body in half; after being granted means to do so through other Elder Gods. Tiamat is a real Babylonian entity, as are so many others in the "New Age" Cthulhu religions.

In regard to intellectual property...'expired' trademarks and copyrights means 'public domain', the way I understand it.

Like for instance, the works of Shakespeare, or Sir Thomas Mallory. They're long gone, and their works are now the general property of the public, not held or restricted by copyrights, trademarks, patents, etc....

Hence, there are always films, TV series, comic books, RPGs, and merchandise produced from these works.

Yes, that is correct.

Thus why you can obtain all Lovecraft's works from WikiSource.

Curses, foiled again!

BUT how do you explain I don't have, wiseguy?

Yeah, Simon's Necronomicon stole a lot from a some different culture's mythologies and combined them into his book. I noticed when I was reading through it, Marilyn Manson had put one of the sigils for one of the names of Marduk on his Anti-Christ Superstar cover; the one to aid despair.

He he, sorry I didn't mean to imply that YOU worshiped him. My apologies for not being clear. I just had a visual of someone getting that news. (I suppose it could be Christians getting the news too)! It just made me giggle.

Oops sorry then lol! misunderstanding, but anyway the satanist I spoke to actually really really believes that Cthulhu is a god and when I told him tis a role play character he carried on and made a big scene ... and the people on the island, we talking about quite alot of people here ..... *shrug*

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You know, those satan worshipping people probably wouldn't believe that chtulu isn't real. And they'll insist on that, thus left you on a vaguely neverending debate. I say, lay it to rest, say amen on whatever they say and forget that over a pint of maple syrup!

Cthulhu is way cooler than Satan anyway. He'd kick his butt easily. With nine tentacles tied behind his back, even!

*Giggles myself silly* It reminds me of the game I played this weekend that passed .... In the game we had this onyx egyptian head that whistled .... calling the guardians - those that look like jelly fish head shadows with glowing eyes that guard the world of sleep (I think) ..... those that are familiar with the game might know what Im talking about ..... I lost alot of sanity points but not enough for permanent insanity and the GM decided I was going to get the urge to eat dirt for about 5 minutes because I had seen them .... This is scaring ... picturing myself licking the floor while a guardian is about to kill me (Thank the gods that another player whom I was fighting with earlier on dragged my stupid ass out of room).
Do you think that if you had to see Cthulhu in the game ... its like instant game over for you???? I never asked the GM about this.

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There ARE scattered reports of *some* tribes and cultures having fish/fish-related or fish-headed gods (like Dagon, etc), and authors all tend to be avid historians of obscure real-world trivia, so I wouldn't doubt at all that Cthulhu was *based* on probably an amalgam of a number of figures and gods from different cultures, but no, no specific Cthulhu, Ktooloo or any other remotely similar spelling. The Biblical reference to the Leviathan that moved across the face of the Deep, in some Greek works, would seem to qualify as a sanity-blasting Great Old One, for those that are interested.

Re *** the RPG, it depends on the situation one encounters Cthulhu. You'll be lucky to even GET to Cthulhu's home in Rlyeah (not correct spelling) without losing half the party to insanity due to the weird angles and anything else that might lurk around there, and then Cthulhu himself is (last time I played) only a D100 Sanity loss. I played in a group that encountered him in his home. Out of the six players, who went through probably a dozen characters for the scenario, two lived through it, and only one of those managed to survive with most of his wits intact. Its a fun but gritty game.

It doesnt help if you encounter him with 54 sanity points!!!! LOL!!!

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I'm sure the Satanist you spoke to is some kid that "worships" Satan because it pisses of his Mom or something. Maybe he's just too lazy for all that goth makeup and crap, so to be "evil" he has to worship Satan! OOhhhh.

PS He's the kind of person I like to mess with! Usually easy to scare the crap out of.

Maybe you right, maybe you wrong .... I met him .... hes a 28 year old shef and works in a classy hotel. And he lives alone ... has a girlfriend - long distance. Has all the neccessary tools for rituals, etc. But maybe you right .... he might just be faking it!

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To be honest, you really should never encounter Cthulhu in person in the RPG for a couple of reasons: First, your character will die. And he/she will die a horrible death. Second, it actually makes the Elder Gods lose some of their mystique and genuine "Brown-trowser-ness" (or "Brown-pants-ness" to thee Americans ) if you just happen upon them. In dreams and visions, that's all good, makes for interesting gaming when a character is singled out in their own mind (but still physically where they started).

But to acutually meet the astral buggers mean less

Zoiks!!

and more

awwwwwwwwwwww (yes... this is in fact my own cuddly cthulhu)

Thats a beautiful pic of Cthulhu!
And I totally agree with what you said!
Thanks!

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