Exploring the Cthulhu Mythos: Elder Sign

[@paulcoy9060]

Here's a crazy idea -- the original stick version was the best our primitive ancestors had at representing the different paths that reality could take, sort of a map to parallel universes. Some Mythos creatures are described as not entirely in our universe, and until their quantum wave function collapses, they can exist and not exist. But once they pick a path on the stick (a branch), they can be actually here. The Elder sign may force the creature to un-collapse their wave function, and then they are no longer in our universe. The Many Worlds theory may save our world from Yog-Sothoth. Either way, I still going to use this in my D&D game.

[@vacuousbard6410]

Yoggy is a good guy.

[@adaisychain4azathoth]

@@vacuousbard6410 Yeah. Azzy's the one you gotta worry about.

[@vacuousbard6410]

@@adaisychain4azathoth Let him sleep.

[@adaisychain4azathoth]

Oh, I am. I just hate it when he tosses and turns, it causes strange things. It worries me that he’ll toss and turn so much he awakens! I fear the music won’t be enough...

[@Satyred]

@@vacuousbard6410 yeah Im a good Guy

[@mechanwhal6590]

Bad things: (exist) Elder sign: *I'm about to end this man's whole career.*

[@dannguyen7800]

we gonna need Runesmith Caryll for this

[@scaper8]

I hadn't heard about the version that combines Lovecraft's and Derleth's versions. I kind of like that idea. The branching stick could be mistaken for a primitive drawing of a flame, and the stick/flame could be used as a simplified version of the more complex whole in a pinch. I do kind of like that.

[@Perplexing_Enigma]

the eye rune in Bloodborne is based on the Elder Sign

[@marloyorkrodriguez9975]

Mindless Media what we need is more eyes

[@stickyy_fingaas]

I thought it looked familiar 🤔

[@ScreaminSavior]

Your videos are fantastic. Your voice makes for great narration, you're very educated, and you get great artwork. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything on Lovecraft and Middle-Earth. Thank you

[@thehumanmechanismmk2545]

Calling August Derleth a “fan of Lovecraft” is like saying “The Wright Brothers contributed to the invention of the airplane.” Derleth is *the* reason we know about Lovecraft today. If it wasn’t for him, Lovecraft would have surely faded into something below obscurity.

[@gribberoni]

I can't stop laughing at "The Wright Brothers contributef to the invention of the airplane"

[@casbienbarr]

the OG fanboy

[@guitarsforcuttlefish]

THANK YOU! LOVE YOUR CTHULHU MYTHOS VIDEOS

[@madalinionut1748]

i need to make a ton of these

[@luddsen8314]

Have you seen the yellow sign?

[@dragmasanimation]

Luddsen no

[@mushroomjohnson4694]

you do not know da way!

[@MrCjlauer49338]

Man I shoved that shit up my nose a long time ago.

[@chrisstick5403]

Indeed

[@isaiahboisseau274]

Hastur is coming!

[@elricengquist9989]

I actually wonder if it might be related to the Elder Things, such as something they developed to help them combat against races that could call on the powers of the Great old ones as allies. As far as I know the Elder things do not really hold or worship any of the Great old ones in the setting, and so having such defenses would make sense an why they are still quite powerful, while yet seeming to fail now in this era.

[@Solkard]

Or maybe is cites whatever ceasefire, treaty, or pact that the Elder Things established at the end of their wars. Supposedly the Elder Things won several wars against other races, but as those races still exist and weren't wiped out, I would assume they reached some sort of accord at the cessation of hostilities. Maybe invoking the sign marks a person, place, or thing as being affiliated with the Elder Things and thus off limits, in accordance to that ancient truce. Or it could be that the sign does nothing, and that people only think it works because the people for whom it didn't work, aren't around to say otherwise.

[@scaper8]

Elric Engquist & Solkard Oh I really like both of those ideas! I may have to file them into my personal headcanon!

[@casbienbarr]

@@Solkard last bit there feels very lovecraft

[@mysterious_truth6907]

@@casbienbarr I feel that the last paragraph is more realistic people can't disagree if they're dead That's why in hitman games no one's knows it's you if you kill everyone lol

[@casbienbarr]

@@mysterious_truth6907 right? and lovecraft loves making humans pathetic and actually powerless

[@dinosauce6785]

Ah, yes. Another Cthulhu Mythos video! I love the way you edit these Exploring videos, it gives it a more unique feeling than most other videos I've seen. Anyways, great job on the video and keep it up!

[@Quakr35]

In my opinion, I feel as if the elder sign may work because it gives hope, so therefore it is the opposite of what a great old one would want you to feel, making it harder to influence you. So it's essentially it is a Cuthulu sugar pill. Just a thought.

[@darthsavage4025]

Could you do a series exploring the universe of the Dark Tower?

[@jarofross1326]

I never read the Dark tower book but i've that its connected to other stephen king's story

[@shoumikadhikary9193]

euangaming Some concepts are related to 'it'.

[@trevor663]

Almost a year later and I second this

[@niksatt4843]

Yes please

[@raffleslovecraftfriends8375]

Yes please!

[@Teifling]

I've played the tabletop gamr named Elder Sign with uses the Derleth's design. I kind of like Lovecraft's version because as a simple design and the way it is described in the Dreamlands story you can conclude that a human can use their hands to mimic the sign's design.

[@nono9543]

Hey 2 questions. Are you considering on covering anymore EU of the Cthulhu Mythos and what is your favorite of the Gods in the Expanded Mythos. Personally mine is The Kruschtya Equation. Just the idea that Nyarlathotep took the form of an Evil Math Equation is something so bizarre but so cool that it makes me gitty. Literally, these are the reasons why I love Cosmic Horror so much :D

[@animeisrael7628]

"only humans can can draw" the elder sign... draw the energy in thru belief

[@rikuakka]

Eye rune

[@nagual1992]

HEY! I hear that Nyarlathotep 1, from Cryo Chamber in the back ground! Good to see people appreciating good music.

[@JKaffekimbo]

Could you make videos where you talk about human characters from the Cthulhu mythos like Charles Dexter Ward or Joseph Curwen?

[@Mokov40]

Jimbo Kaffekimbo Human characters in the books are as useles as could be! why even talk about them?

[@samuelgorton4702]

Injectoplaktor Because it would be interesting to learn about them.

[@moregasmthepowerful2959]

A bad sign could be explored next, namely: the Yellow Sign.

[@janvanriel603]

Yes I have been waiting for a new cthulhu mythos vid

[@ls455]

Yes the series is back

[@wolfgod6443]

You should do a video on The Mist. I know it's Steven King and doesn't outright go along with the overall mythos. But it's a very "Cthulhu" like concept of a random portal to another dimension casually floating through.

[@seeker4it]

Can you please do a exploring series on Berserk or even on Elder Scrolls? I think those would be so awesome.

[@Spudmeister568]

Berserk would be amazing.

[@worldmess5891]

better cthulhu mythos in my opinion than these two

[@ThrottleKitty]

I think Elder Scrolls would be a great idea. The amount of lore in those games is insane, and it's deeply fascinating. It's like Lord of the Rings and Lovecraft had a twisted orc baby. It'd be perfect for this channel.

[@seeker4it]

Elder scrolls would also be great since it also has a lot of lovecraft inspirations as well, though berserk is mostly original with some small background lore while most of it is just thrown at us really.

[@J2the707]

ShadeOfEclipse why not just watch the anime?

[@PennyDreadful1]

Isn't the Elder sign just a symbol of the Elder gods? Powerful rivals of the Old ones. From what I understand they seem more partial to existence of the universe and life than the Old Ones but aren't necessarily good.

[@LinkenLorko]

I just finished colour out of space. loved it. What should I read next?

[@uzi3138]

Anton Henricsson Do the lurker in the threshole

[@merrittanimation7721]

Anton Henricsson At the Mountains of Madness

[@pious83]

The Terrible Old Man and/or The Cats of Ulthar are good palette cleansers after his longer stories. Other than that, as long as it has Lovecraft's name on it, you should enjoy it regardless. Take or leave the Extended Universe stuff, as it isn't essential.

[@lookingtotheskies6282]

@ Anton Henricsson, The Shadow out of Time or the Dunwich Horror!

[@merrittanimation7721]

pious83 I don't know, some of his earlier work can be pretty poorly written, and then there's some latent xenophobia some of his work, though it depends on the person on how much they care since it's not a major part of most of his stories, only bits and pieces.

[@flatheadgg2443]

Yes more cthulhu stuff just become a lovecraft fan because of this series now I really have to gonna buy some books

[@silvertheelf]

It protects you at random times depending on your luck that day. haha

[@KittyBoom360]

I'd love to see one on the Leviathan race in Mass Effect Trilogy!

[@SethChambaud]

Great stuff as always, keep it up!

[@Silverwind87]

What if it's their version of the middle finger?

[@Dadutta]

the elder sign was probably inspired by Lord Dunsany's "sign of Mung" mentioned in the Gods of Pegana

[@H0rsemen0fDeath]

fuck yes we back please keep going into more detail.

[@HrothlorienGaming]

Really enjoy these bro. Especially The Lord of the Rings stuff.

[@nightlock826]

I view the Lovecraft elder sign as a greater seal while Durleth is minor, combined makes them able to withhold a old one for maybe a second.

[@tieubachduongduong9064]

Great old ones and outer gods:"I fear no man but that thing" [Shows picture of the elder sign] Great old ones and outer gods: "It scares me"

[@pious83]

To me, this highlights an issue I have with the Cthulhu Mythos, anything Lovecraft did should take precedent. I only acknowledge his works within this mythos myself, it ended with his death.

[@scaper8]

pious83 Although I really don't like a lot of what Derleth did and can easily see why he, more than any other, can put people off of the larger Mythos, I do like that the Mythos is essentially open to anyone. The universe (or universes, as the case may more likely be) is/are so vast and complex that we tiny meatbags can only comprehend a small, relatively insignificant part. And even then we get it wrong as often as not and end up full of contradictions. P.S. It's not like Lovecraft himself cared all that much about keeping a consistent continuity. There are tons of irrevocable contradictions even in just the stuff he wrote. So, I kind of have a, "Eh, why not?" mind about it.

[@pious83]

+scaper8 It is *his* work though, not theirs. Much in the same way it is Tolkien's Middle Earth, Fleming's James Bond, Howard's Conan The Barbarian etc They created it from their own imagination/life experience. Everything that came to those series after the death of the author, regardless of quality, is mere fan fiction and can be easily dismissed as such.

[@scaper8]

pious83 You can't look at Lovecraft the same way you do the others though. He encouraged others to use his names, places, and beings in their works and took some of their's into his. No oversight or checking in to see if it fit with what he had done/was going to do. The goal was to creat a united body that was greater than the sum of its parts and felt more real because of it. Because of that, the idea of adding to the Mythos literally comes from Lovecraft, and that's the reason that so many do it now. P.S. Howard's Conan series _is_ part of the larger Lovecraft Mythos by that same principle. They were contemporaries and friends and each borrowed from the other to tie them together.

[@pious83]

+scaper8 He only encouraged others _within his lifetime_ , not after the fact. His end goal to that effect remains largely a matter of assumption. His own world building was substantial enough to make it real and believable across his entire body of work. Even those not directly part of the Mythos have a similar tangential feel. It's much like Fan Fiction or gaming mods of today, you can accept it or not. To me, unless it has Lovecraft's name on it, I don't recognise it as part of his work or part of the Mythos itself.

[@scaper8]

pious83 I'm afraid that we are going to have to agree to disagree on this. I think it pretty clear that his goal was to create a reality that would live on well after his own life (although he never would have believed the popularity of it, certainly). But one, sort of two really, final questions though: Do you then consider the works that _were_ written during his life and therefore gave his consent to have any canon value? What about works like _The King in Yellow_ that came before his works were written but Lovecraft himself more of less took as part of his universe in the same way as he did with his friend's works?

[@themadmeatball]

I really prefer the branch symbol over the drunk pentagram lol the fact that the original is lovecraft's interpretation makes it even better I don't even get why people would popularize the 2nd version

[@DeconvertedMan]

I Lovecraft this video! :D

[@LRBeforeTheInternet]

+Deconverted Man I'm surprised to see you here. Are you still busy clinging to "logic" or have you finally given into the absurd? :)

[@megoco411]

When he said elder sign I was like "no other names we just going to start the video? Ok"

[@Renzo-eq9bu]

Yess do some of the protagonist of some the stories!

[@gustavmetal]

Loved the series. Thank you very much for your effort. Any chance on doing some videos on Stephen King´s megaverse and its creatures?

[@Tengu125]

The "Eye" Caryl rune in Bloodborne looks alot like the star version of the sign too.

[@walidsidisaid2521]

Oh Great another vidéo about the Cthulhu Mythos. man I love the quality of your videos ! Do you have any informations about the Sign of Koth That strikes terror in the heart of the Gugs...and most importantly Who or what is Koth anyway ?

[@Mokov40]

Nice! New video on Locecraft. It would be really nice if you made more of those.

[@derrabbit7289]

Perhaps there are different and varying levels of Elder Signs

[@joelhutton9748]

I don't see the elder sign as a defence, I see it as a target, labelling those who fear the great knowledge, showing and exposing further humanities weakness. Our eyes are yet to open.

[@mafuyashi]

Joel Hutton fear the old truth

[@gangstalker47]

I have the sign tattooed on my shoulder. I've planned on getting the original but it looks just like a stick lol.

[@NothingYouHaventReadBefore]

clintgimbel Sick! Love the idea!

[@sofiaholiday5344]

The elder sign also looks like the moon rune from bloodborne

[@westernrider100]

Folks, you need to explore Lin Carter's Xothic Mythos. Contains many references to Lovecraft's works.

[@soulreaver1983]

Excellent video dude!😎

[@DayisArmand-tp3sf]

Imagine the Elder Sign is actually just a depiction of Yog and making it. Drawing it or otherwise creating it in some fashion. Allies you with it. You become akin to a tentacle. Hence the "branch". From this point on, you begin to hear faint voices of the very God/Old One/Great One/Being you just slighted and now. Basically become an extension of Yog. At this point, your connection to Azathoth is severed and much of the view of the Earth. (If Yog decides to put you there) Is changed to that of it. Also as a side note, I've begun to think the star is in fact for protection. Though, I've seen....other stars. These held a more slimy and lively look to them. No "symbol" at their core but these were

[@worldmess5891]

more cthulhu mythos! pls :)

[@thegunslinger8806]

let the deep terror of Lovecraft BEGIN!

[@koboldengineering7687]

YES YOU MADE ANOTHER

[@Edwardvileblood]

The Elder Sign also appeared in Bloodborne as the Eye rune.

[@jayhoso2267]

He already did a video on Hastur. Sorry for necroposting, bro.

[@Edwardvileblood]

what?

[@goldenboy8361]

The mark of the slayer.

[@AdolphusOfBlood]

So it began as his version of crossing your fingers? Intriguing

[@kronoscamron7412]

Amazing , how call of Cthulhu : dark corners of the earth contains NO CTHULHU. , but at least they had DAGON AND HYDRA.

[@ivanhrvatin5075]

Hey man, can we expect any Cthulhu related content in the future? P.S. Great chanell, keep up the great work :)

[@theratking013]

The Elder Sign looks like rough drawn version of Azathoth maybe that is why it is so powerful for some time...

[@hullumarko]

Elder sing is star shaped. Elder Thing race head is star shaped. See connection? Elder Thing race is oldest race in lovecraftverse and they are masters of organic technology and creators of most of other races directly or indirectly. So, would it be smart to Elder Things put code in every of they creations dna to not attack against their head?

[@TheRealSpiderMew]

The Elder Sign is a symbolic aspect of Shuma-Gorath of The Many Angled Ones.

[@glaonrielelsinoth7243]

My favorite save point

[@jimpyre5038]

Nice work!

[@imperator692]

Please do a Song of Ice and Fire, you'd be perfect for it

[@luejackbaker4678]

Yay more Cthulhu vids :)

[@Methuselem]

3:16 looks like the Star Trek insignia

[@lucifermephistophilies6629]

I took and compared this picture to both the Laneakia supercluster and the Asgardian 9 realms and they both match this symbol. It could be dismissed as mere coincidence of adaptation that it resembles the asgardian symbol but only recently have we discovered the existence and shape of galactic bodies in the surrounding universe that make up the supercluster and it's a far assumption that it not only resembles both symbols in shape but meaning as well. The asgardian existed 900 years ago. How would they know the shape of the Laneakia supercluster and definitition of what it is? As well as Lovecraft's adaptation of it as a universal signal. Almost as if his imagination had tapped into some sort of recorded log of things going on beyond our world and that symbol represented some sort of intergalactic council or empire of sorts

[@sylendraws1249]

Thought you were finished with the cthulu mythos

[@TheExploringSeries]

Yeah, I'd probably say I am now, aside from the Cthulhu Mythos in Bloodborne video.

[@pious83]

+WorldMess as he said, he has covered everything he wants to cover, aside from extras in Bloodborne. The playlist is both solid and extensive enough as it is and I'd think he knows what's popular on his own channel -_-

[@Xcyper33]

Subscribed. AMAZING channel

[@ismohautamaki3471]

More cthulhu mythos pls

[@samuelburson619]

Here's a fun idea what if it's not a sign of protection so much as a sign of being a servant to the elder ones and the reason that the gods don't mess with you if you have this sign is because they see you as their property and don't wanna start A-war with the elder things

[@Gothichippie420]

Yes!!! More please, por favor

[@TheFruitofTruth]

yes a new one!

[@DodgeCharger-er9ud]

It kinda looks like the communicators from Star Trek Voyager

[@jackiesantos2121]

Yeah and have some magical signed to protect

[@ahmedhasanica6120]

Ma nigga's back!

[@XDRONIN]

@TheExploringSeries But, is this the Elders sign, the Elder Sign, An Elder sign or an Elder's sign?.. I'm not sure it's clear.

[@mactonight4546]

good vid

[@feanor1865]

Please do MORIA in middle earth please I beg u I beg u and do the istari please

[@-Destiny-54]

Is it just me or does lovecraft elder sign look like an olive branch which means peace.

[@opalthediloalt9595]

The elder sing must do something against monsters.

[@xshadowscreamx]

The word game unspeakable words uses the simple elder sign design.

[@swardinc]

video was well done although that does not explain who or what made the sign to begin with? Was it of human origin? Or did the old ones make it just to entrap others?

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

Is nobody going to mention that Durlep’s Sign was the insignia of the Tent of Telepathy.

[@alienaids4622]

U just got a sub

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

Flamethrower makes a pretty good elder sign.

[@darkjade9367]

In universe reason: Implanted in the mind of Cthulhu by Cthulhu's Brother (Closest to cannon findable reason)

[@edwardaugustus9680]

Its clearly the Tree sign, if you try and use the Star you will be fending off the Old Ones with your bare hands.

[@seanfoox7263]

Do more pls

[@freemanaccount5146]

Ohhh.... how about the Yelloe Sign?

[@Armazillo]

I like the branch mself

[@jasonsantos3037]

Well you need some protection against cosmic forces The elder sign is a good choice.

[@Valdagast]

Could be that there are more than one Elder Sign.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Perhaps it is both. Botha charm of real power and just a superstition. This is a world where chaos is the norm. Maybe it simply forces the viewer to think more orderly, making the mad hordes that serve the great old ones and the like recoil. Where humans, who cling to the vain belief in some greater order, would normally not feel an effect. Not magical, just happy coincidence and superstition.

[@jamesperkins2552]

Malificarum!

[@Amphibax]

Even if it doesn't work if you make a few around you can at least say that you trie

[@sapphirejaxxgh8639]

I feel like playing eternal darkness

[@justins2454]

Jacqueline Gutierrez awsome game wish i still had it