Nyarlathotep
the Faceless SphinxFS,
the Haunter of the DarkHD,
the Black PharaohBP
Dangerous secrets
Forbidden magic
Darkness,HD Knowledge,HD Nightmares,HD TrickeryHD
Featureless faceFS
Circle with winglike armsHD
Black, goldHD
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Nyarlathotep1 is one of the Outer Gods of the Dark Tapestry who takes on thousands of forms, each having its own cult, religious symbol, and favoured weapon.2 Unlike the other Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep seems to enjoy manipulating mortals and driving them to madness. It is believed that he is has prepared for the apocalyptic return of Great Old Ones on countless planets.3
Appearance
The god's most notorious forms on Golarion are:
- The Black PharaohBP, a humanoid form23
- The Faceless SphinxFS, a faceless elephantine sphinx4
- The Haunter of the DarkHD, a bat-like entity with a tri-lobed burning eye23
Realm
Nyarlathotep is the guardian and alleged caretaker of the strange gods of the Dreamlands, who dwell in Kadath, the impossible castle at the northern tip of the Plateau of Leng. Rumour also has it that he serves as the door ward to Azathoth. Few dare approach Kadath, and fewer return after meeting Nyarlathotep.5
The Church
Worshippers of Nyarlathotep believe he is the Outer God who ties together the worship of the Great Old Ones. They also believe he will open the doors to the uncaring light of the stars. Common worshippers are assassins, poisoners, and demagogues to bring about the deaths of kings and reformers, moving the world towards chaos.6
On Golarion
Nyarlathotep is particularly interested in Osirion, where his influence is clearly visible: the Black Pharaoh is linked to many witch cults and has appeared to many pharaohs, including (allegedly) the incumbent Khemet III. It is believed that he was responsible for the Armies of Exploration that ultimately led to Taldor's decline, and the invention of firearms by the dwarves of Dongun Hold.37
In his Faceless Sphinx mask, Nyarlathotep was worshipped in Thassilon and had a vague influence.8 Currently, the Faceless Sphinx's cult is infiltrating the drow houses of Zirnakaynin, where his worshippers hide in plain sight among their kin who still worship the demon lords, and seek to convert the leaders of Sothis as well in order to hasten the return of the Outer Gods.7
References
For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.
- ↑ Wikipedia article on Nyarlathotep. Original source: H. P. Lovecraft, "Nyarlathotep", 1920; . “The Elder Mythos” in In Search of Sanity, 70. Paizo Inc., 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 “Cults of the Dark Tapestry” in Wake of the Watcher, 66. Paizo Inc., 2011 .
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 “The Elder Mythos” in In Search of Sanity, 70. Paizo Inc., 2016 .
- ↑ “Into the Nightmare Rift” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 42. Paizo Inc., 2012 .
- ↑ “Leng: The Terror Beyond Dreams” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 68. Paizo Inc., 2012 .
- ↑ “Minor Deities” in Faiths of Corruption, 20. Paizo Inc., 2011 .
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 “Cults of the Darklands” in Lord of the Black Sands, 68. Paizo Inc., 2020 .
- ↑ “Into the Nightmare Rift” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 41. Paizo Inc., 2012 .
- Nyarlathotep
- Outer Gods
- Dark Tapestry/Inhabitants
- Leng/Inhabitants
- Minor deities
- Chaotic evil deities
- Chaos domain deities
- Evil domain deities
- Knowledge domain deities
- Magic domain deities
- Air domain deities
- Darkness domain deities
- Trickery domain deities
- Arcane subdomain deities
- Divine subdomain deities
- Memory subdomain deities
- Thought subdomain deities
- Cloud subdomain deities
- Deception subdomain deities
- Loss subdomain deities
- Night subdomain deities
- Thievery subdomain deities
- Wind subdomain deities
- Darkness domain deities (2E)
- Knowledge domain deities (2E)
- Magic domain deities (2E)
- Nightmares domain deities (2E)
- Trickery domain deities (2E)