Sources of art on this subject have been indexed.

Nyarlathotep

From PathfinderWiki
Nyarlathotep
(Deity)

Titles
The Crawling Chaos,
the Faceless SphinxFS,
the Haunter of the DarkHD,
the Black PharaohBP
Realm
Alignment
Areas of Concern
Conspiracies
Dangerous secrets
Forbidden magic
Worshipers
Edicts
Sow discord among allies, misuse positions of authority by steering events toward apocalyptic ends
Anathema
None
Follower Alignments (1E)
Domains (1E)
Chaos, Evil, Knowledge, Magic; TrickeryBP; AirFS; DarknessHD
Subdomains (1E)
Arcane, Divine, Memory, Thought; DeceptionBP, ThieveryBP; CloudFS; WindFS; LossHD, NightHD
Follower Alignments (2E)
Domains (2E)
Knowledge, Magic, Nightmares, Trickery;
Darkness,HD Knowledge,HD Nightmares,HD TrickeryHD
Favored Weapon
Symbol
Inverted ankhBP
Featureless faceFS
Circle with winglike armsHD
Sacred Animal
Sacred Colors
Black, redBP
Black, goldHD
Source: In Search of Sanity, pg(s). 70 (1E)
Gods & Magic, pg(s). 130f. (2E)
StarfinderWiki logo

More information about this subject might be available on StarfinderWiki.

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.

  1. Wikipedia article on Nyarlathotep. Original source: H. P. Lovecraft, "Nyarlathotep", 1920;James Jacobs. “The Elder Mythos” in In Search of Sanity, 70. Paizo Inc., 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 James Jacobs. “Cults of the Dark Tapestry” in Wake of the Watcher, 66. Paizo Inc., 2011
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 James Jacobs. “The Elder Mythos” in In Search of Sanity, 70. Paizo Inc., 2016
  4. Richard Pett. “Into the Nightmare Rift” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 42. Paizo Inc., 2012
  5. Greg A. Vaughan. Leng: The Terror Beyond Dreams” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 68. Paizo Inc., 2012
  6. Colin McComb. “Minor Deities” in Faiths of Corruption, 20. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. 7.0 7.1 Scott D. Young. “Cults of the Darklands” in Lord of the Black Sands, 68. Paizo Inc., 2020
  8. Richard Pett. “Into the Nightmare Rift” in Into the Nightmare Rift, 41. Paizo Inc., 2012