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Nodens

This subject contains information from the Mythos Adjacent Works, and while share similar themes and features of the Mythos are not based on his work, or generally considered a part of the Mythos proper. This subject contains information from the "Lovecraft Circle" Myth Cycles, and while guided by HPL are not based on his work alone. This subject contains information from the Derleth Cthulhu Mythos, and not based on H.P. Lovecraft's works directly. This subject contains information from the Expanded Cthulhu Mythos, and not based on H.P. Lovecraft's works directly. Nodens (also known as Lord of the Great Abyss) is a deity from Celtic mythology, incorporated into the Cthulhu Mythos by H. P. Lovecraft. The character is generally depicted as being an inhabitant of the Dreamlands and the master of the night-gaunts, a servitor race of flying creatures.

Later writers, starting with August Derleth, refer to Nodens as an Elder God. (AWD: "A Note on the Cthulhu Mythos")

History

Nodens is an "archaic" god served by the night-gaunts. He seems to be somewhat benevolent, opposing the frightening Nyarlathotep, and helping Randolph Carter to find his way back to the waking world, along with S'ngac. (HPL: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath)

Nodens is also described with "...the grey and awful form of primal Nodens, Lord of the Great Abyss". He appeared to Thomas Olney and the One, along with the ocean god Neptune and a procession of tritons and nereids. Nodens was riding a "vast crenulate shell" carried by dolphins. He extended a hand to help Olney and the One board the shell carriage and took off "into the limitless aether". (HPL: "The Strange High House in the Mist")

Bas-reliefs in the Dreamlands represent Nodens as an anthropomorphic deity with a beard made of tentacles, "now hunting winged octopi with a trident, now enthroned in a scallop shell". (EXP: "The Summons of Nuguth-Yug")

In Other Media

  • Black Souls II: Nodens appears as a fire keeper-esque NPC in the main safe area of the role-playing video game, under the name White Rabbit Node. The game depicts her as a human girl with rabbit ears and she serves the player without questioning their morality.
  • Demonbane: Nodens (also known as the White Ship) appears in the novel Zanma Taisen Demonbane, as one of the Elder Gods who led her fleet against the Vortex Blaster. The entity is depicted as having two components, the heart body taking the form of a human girl and the base body being a flagship, with the relationship being similar to that of a grimoire and their Deus Machina. She is also described as the embodiment of good, holding a pure spirit and an indomitable soul.
  • Fall of Cthulhu: In Boom! Studios' comic book series, Nodens appears as a resident of the Dreamlands and bitter enemy of Nyarlathotep. Although the two clash, Nodens is soundly defeated by his nemesis.
  • Haiyore! Nyaruko-san: Nodens appears in the light novels and anime, as one of the space smugglers in the theme park of R'lyeh. With the help of Kuuko, he attempted to kidnap Mahiro and make him the star of a yaoi-themed television drama. After his plan had failed, Nodens appears sporadically throughout the series, including a stage show performance where he was dressed up like a kaiju fighting Luhy Distone. However, it is later revealed that there are many identical members of his species who, despite sharing the same name, are unrelated to the original space smuggler.
  • The House of Nodens: In Sam Gafford's 2017 debut novel, Nodens is featured as the primary antagonist, although this version is very different from his more popular portrayal in the Cthulhu Mythos.
  • Persona 2: Eternal Punishment: Nodens makes an appearance in Atlus' role-playing video game.
  • Yu-Gi-Oh!: Nodens appears in the trading card game, under the name Elder Entity Norden.

Gallery

Main article: Nodens/Gallery

Behind the Mythos

  • The name Nodens probably derives from a Celtic stem *noudont- or *noudent-, which J. R. R. Tolkien suggested was related to a Germanic root meaning "acquire, have the use of", earlier "to catch, entrap (as a hunter)". Making the connection with Nuada and Lludd's hand, he detected "an echo of the ancient fame of the magic hand of Nodens the Catcher".
  • A temple to Nodens was found at Lydney Park in Great Britain. It features a surviving mosaic where the god is served by two long-necked seals or as more fanciful people have suggested, plesiosaurs, leading to theories as to the origin of the Loch Ness Monster and its possible connection to Nodens.