Old One is a term used to refer periphrastically to God or a deity. It is also widely used in fantasy and horror ficton. This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Look up deity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... “Horror story” redirects here. ...

Referring to God

Albert Einstein, the famous 20th-century physicist, famously said: “Einstein” redirects here. ...

Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing. But an inner voice tells me it is not yet the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the Old One. I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice.

This quotation is widely condensed into the short sentence I cannot believe that God plays dice, or God does not play dice (with the Universe).

Fantasy

Cthulhu Mythos

In H.P. Lovecraft's fiction, the term Old Ones is used in different contexts. In his short story "The Call of Cthulhu" (1928), Lovecraft used "Old Ones" to refer to Cthulhu's spawn.^[1] Lovecraft also mentioned the Old Ones in "The Dunwich Horror" (1929), naming them as mysterious entities associated with the Outer God Yog-Sothoth. In "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" (1936), the Old Ones (whoever they were) had the power to keep the Deep Ones in check. In Lovecraft's revision story "The Mound" (1940), "Old Ones" referred to the denizens of K'n-yan. Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of fantasy, horror and science fiction, noted for combining these three genres within single narratives. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Cthulhu with the insane city Rlyeh in the background. ... See also: 1927 in literature, other events of 1928, 1929 in literature, list of years in literature. ... Cthulhu in the lost city of Rlyeh For other uses, see Cthulhu (disambiguation). ... The Dunwich Horror is a short story by H. P. Lovecraft. ... See also: 1928 in literature, other events of 1929, 1930 in literature, list of years in literature. ... An Outer God is a fictional deity in the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. ... Yog-Sothoth (The Lurker at the Threshold, The Key and the Gate, The Beyond One, Opener of the Way The All-in-One and the One-in-All) is a fictional character in the Cthulhu Mythos. ... The Shadow Over Innsmouth is a novella by H.P. Lovecraft, written in 1931. ... See also: 1935 in literature, other events of 1936, 1937 in literature, list of years in literature. ... The Deep One is a fictional creature in the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. ... See also: 1939 in literature, other events of 1940, 1941 in literature, list of years in literature. ... Kn-yan (or Xinaián) is a fictional, subterranean land in the Cthulhu Mythos. ...

In Lovecraft's novella At the Mountains of Madness (1936), "Old Ones" was another name for a fictional alien species, the Elder Things, which were described in vivid detail in the story. These aliens built cities around the world during prehistory but were eventually relegated to Antarctica. At the end of their reign, they were all but destroyed by the shoggoths, a slave race of their own creation. A novella is a narrative work of prose fiction somewhat longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. ... At the Mountains of Madness is a novella by horror writer H. P. Lovecraft. ... See also: 1935 in literature, other events of 1936, 1937 in literature, list of years in literature. ... Alice, a fictional character based on a real character from the work of Lewis Carroll. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Elder Things (also known as the Old Ones) are fictional characters in the Cthulhu mythos of H. P. Lovecraft. ... A shoggoth (or shaggoth[1]) is a fictional monster in the Cthulhu Mythos. ...

Old Ones can also refer to the Great Old Ones, alien beings of immense power. Along with the previous definition, these two uses of the term are the most popular among Cthulhu Mythos authors.^[2] A Great Old One is a type of fictional being in the Cthulhu Mythos based in the stories of HP Lovecraft. ... Cthulhu and Rlyeh The Cthulhu Mythos encompasses the shared elements, characters, settings, and themes in the works of H. P. Lovecraft and associated horror fiction writers. ...

Dresdenverse

In the Dresden Files the Old Ones are demons, or dark gods who ruled the world before mankind. They were apparently banished from our reality. The Fifth Law of Magic prohibits the summoning of both the Old Ones, and their foot soldiers the Walkers, or Outsiders.

Buffyverse

Main article: Old Ones (Buffyverse)

In the fictional Buffyverse established by the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, the Old Ones are the powerful pure-breed demons that once dominated earth before humankind appeared and during its first years. In the Buffyverse, the Old Ones are the extremely powerful, pure-breed demons that once dominated Earth before humankind appeared. ... Buffyverse is a term coined by fans of Joss Whedons first two television shows to refer to the shared fictional universe in which they are set. ... For other uses, see Buffy the Vampire Slayer (disambiguation). ... Angel is a spin-off of the American television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ... “Fiend” redirects here. ...

Warhammer

Within Games Workshops fantasy and sci-fi settings there is reference to the Old Ones; these are implied to be the same creatures though they have been presented in slightly different ways. Games Workshop Group PLC (often abbreviated to GW) is a British game production and retailing company. ...

Warhammer 40,000

Main article: Old Ones (Warhammer 40,000)

In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Old Ones traveled through space manipulating minor species on several planets and growing them into tools for their battle against the C'tan. The Slann were probably their servants. The Old Ones are a mythical race in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... A fictional universe is an imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for one or (more commonly) multiple works of fiction or translatable non-fiction. ... This article is about the tabletop miniature wargame and the fictional universe in which it is set. ... In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Ctan originally lived as energy beings that fed on the stars themselves. ... In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Slann were a reptillian or amphibian species who were servants of the Old Ones though current background fiction states that they in fact are the Old Ones, not unlike the Lizardmen of Warhammer Fantasy. ...

Warhammer Fantasy

Though less prevalent, the Old Ones also appeared in the background material for the Warhammer Fantasy setting and the Slann are the rulers of the Lizardmen. Before the Lizardmen Army book was released, the race now known as the Old Ones were called the Slann (primary referenced in the High Elf rulebook); after the book was released, they were renamed the Old Ones allowing the name Slann to be assigned to the Mage-Priests of the Lizardmen. No current allusions are made as to the physical appearance of the Old Ones, although it is assumed they were bipedal - as were the two races that served them (the High Elves and the Slann). Some materials (Drachenfels) referred to them as the "toad men" from the stars. The Old Ones/Slann were the ones who set up the warp gates at either pole of the planet and shifted it into a more favourable orbit before encouraging the development of the native species. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Reptilian humanoids are a recurring theme in mythology, fiction, and especially science fiction, fringe theories, and conspiracy theories. ... In Games Workshops Warhammer Fantasy setting, the High Elves, or the Asur as they name themselves, are a race of Elves who live on the Isle of Ulthuan, analogous to Atlantis. ...

The Dark Tower series

In The Dark Tower series written by Stephen King, the Old Ones (also sometimes called Great Old Ones) were a highly advanced civilization, called the Imperium, that ruled the All-World many centuries, or possibly millennia ago. They were obsessed with technological development and saw their inventions as a solution to everything; replacing the immortal, magical essence of creation with mortal machinery. In their hubris, they thought they could rule the time-space continuim, but in order to do this, they had to rebuild the Dark Tower. When they arrived in End-World, where the Tower resides, they attempted to knock the the Tower down. No sooner had they hit the wall of the Tower when great cracks appeared in the earth, allowing a thick mist infested with monsters to escape from the Outer Dark. These mists spread all over Mid-World and the Old Ones blamed each other for this and soon war started. In one final battle, the old ones managed to destroy themselves, leaving Mid-world a radioactive dump. Technological relics of the Old Ones' era can still be found scattered throughout the world. The Dark Tower painting by Michael Whelan The Dark Tower is a series of seven books by American writer Stephen King that tells the tale of lead character Roland Deschains quest for the Dark Tower. ... Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of over 200 stories including over 50 bestselling horror novels. ... The Dark Tower painting by Michael Whelan The Dark Tower is a series of seven books by American writer Stephen King that tells the tale of lead character Roland Deschains quest for the Dark Tower. ... For the film, see The Mist (film). ...

The Dark Is Rising series

In The Dark Is Rising series by the British author Susan Cooper, the Old Ones are timeless wizards whose task is to prevent the Powers of the Dark from taking control of the world. They are capable of extra-sensory perception, immortality, time-travel, transcendence of what humans perceive to be reality, psychokinesis, control of people's memories, and negotiation with such beings as Oceans and Stars. There are five books in the series: Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark Is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; and Silver On The Tree. The Dark is Rising is a childrens novel by Susan Cooper. ... Susan Mary Cooper (born May 23, 1935) in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England is a British author. ... Animated map exhibiting the worlds oceanic waters. ... STAR is an acronym for: Organizations Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers], the self-regulatory body for the entertainment ticket industry in the UK. Society for Telescopy, Astronomy, and Radio, a non-profit New Jersey astronomy club. ...

Forgotten Realms

In the Forgotten Realms universe of Dungeons & Dragons, the Old Ones are an extinct race of extremely powerful, cruel, reptilian humanoids (likely the sarrukh) who had enslaved the "warm blood" races in ages past. The original Neverwinter Nights story revolves around their queen's attempt to resurrect the race - also called the "Creator Race" - and reestablish its dominance on Faerûn. It has been suggested that Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the role-playing game. ... The sarrukh are a fictitious race of reptilian humanoids in the Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons & Dragons. ... This article is about the 2002 computer role-playing game. ... Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. ...

Other appearances

• There is a filk entitled The Old Ones by Zander Nyrond that was inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos.

• A theocratic group of Martians mentioned by the main character in Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land are called the Old Ones.

• In Marvel Comics, Cthulu-esque Old Ones appear as extradimensional demons who once ruled the Earth tens of thousands of years ago. They serve largely as a backstory, the only one of note being the Dr Strange enemy Shuma-Gorath..

• The Old Ones make an appearance in Anthony Horowitz's series, The Power of Five.

• Old Ones appear in Madeleine L'Engle's series of science fantasy books about the Murry family, notably in A Swiftly Tilting Planet. These Old Ones are similar to the ones in Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series -- humans born with unusual mystical powers and dedicated to a never-ending struggle against the powers of darkness and evil. In both series, the Old Ones are associated with an Old Music.

• In the novel "Shadow Scourge", part of the Outlanders series by Mark Ellis, the villain, Ocajinik, is suspected of being an Old One.

• In the universes and dimensions that collectively make up the Palladium Books Megaverse, the Old Ones are a group of extradimensionally imprisoned Alien Intelligences that were responsible for the creation of the "science" of Magic.

Filk is a form of music created from within fandom, and performed generally late at night at science fiction conventions. ... Theocracy is a form of government in which a religion and the government are allied. ... Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of hard science fiction. ... Stranger in a Strange Land is a best-selling 1961 Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... The Great Old One. ... Doctor Strange is a sorcerer, featured in Marvel Comics. ... This article or section on a comics-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... A Swiftly Tilting Planet A Swiftly Tilting Planet is a 1978 science fiction novel by Madeleine LEngle. ... The Dark is Rising is a childrens novel by Susan Cooper. ... Outlanders is a series of science-fiction novels published by Gold Eagle, an imprint of Harlequin Enterprises. ... Mark Ellis can refer to different people: Mark Ellis: a record producer Mark Ellis: a Major League Baseball player Mark Ellis: a writer This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Palladium Books (sometimes called Palladium Games) is a role-playing game publisher founded by Kevin Siembieda and Erick Wujcik, best known for their popular, genre-crossing Rifts gaming series (1990-present). ... For the fictional characters in the H.P. Lovecraft mythos, see the Old Ones. ... In the various game settings of Palladium Books, Alien Intelligences are fictional, vastly powerful beings of unknown origin that are stated to be a combination of equal parts spirit, magical energy, and physical flesh. ...

References

• Harms, Daniel. The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana (2nd ed.), Oakland, CA: Chaosium, 1998. ISBN 1-56882-119-0.

Notes

1. ^ Harms, "Great Old Ones", The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana, p. 128.
2. ^ Harms, "Old Ones", The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana, pp. 228–9.

See John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness also:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Mouth_of_Madness

External links

• "Who Were The Old Ones?" by Daniel Harms, an essay about H.P. Lovecraft's "Old Ones"