In the shadowed and often unexplored corridors of the literary world, crafting cosmic horror presents a unique challenge to writers. It requires a delve into the unknown, an understanding of the unfathomable, and a portrayal of the ineffable forces that lie beyond human comprehension. This article introduces an innovative exercise designed to ignite the imaginations of those who dare to write in this genre: conducting a psychological evaluation of old gods. This method serves not just as a writing prompt but as a tool to deepen the narrative and enrich the lore of your cosmic horror stories. “Cosmic Horror Through the Eyes of Old Gods” will guide you through this process, offering insights into how such a perspective can transform your storytelling.
If you haven’t read this month’s Cosmic Horror articles, you may want to backtrack to the beginning before going down this path. As with all cosmic horror, there may be a limit to what your mind can handle!
The Essence of Crafting Cosmic Horror
At its core, crafting cosmic horror is about creating a sense of dread and awe in the face of an indifferent universe. It involves entities that defy human understanding, whose motives and origins are beyond the realms of known science or philosophy. By interviewing these old gods, writers can explore the motivations, fears, and desires of these beings, providing a rich backdrop against which human insignificance is cast in stark relief.
Why Interview Old Gods?
- Depth of Narrative: By understanding the perspective of the old gods, writers can create more complex villains or forces, moving beyond the cliché of evil for evil’s sake.
- Humanizing the Cosmic: Even in their inhumanity, giving old gods discernible motives or characteristics can make the cosmic horror more relatable and, paradoxically, even more terrifying.
- Expanding the Mythos: Each interview can add to the lore of your universe, creating a richer tapestry of interconnected stories and histories.
Think of this in the context of the Blade Runner. What was the point of the Voight-Kampff test? It creates a baseline for stability. That might be on display, as in Blade Runner. But, it may simply live in the author’s notes — you know, those special items attached to our Ream subscriptions. Or, it may simply be an exercise for exploring character creation and development arcs. There’s no correct answer here.
Implementing the Psyche Evaluation Exercise
To start, imagine you’re sitting across from an old god, an entity whose existence spans eons and whose power is incomprehensible. What questions would you ask to uncover the depths of such a being’s psyche? Here are some prompts to consider:
- “How do you perceive the universe and your place within it?” – This question aims to understand the entity’s self-awareness and its perception of its own existence in relation to the cosmos.
- “Do you experience desires or needs as beings in our realm do, and if so, how would you describe them?” – This could reveal how the entity’s motivations compare with or differ from those of humans and other known beings.
- “Can you describe your interactions with other entities or forces within your realm?” – Aims to explore the entity’s social or relational dynamics, if any exist in a manner remotely analogous to human experiences.
- “How does your nature influence the fabric of reality as we perceive it?” – This question seeks to understand the impact of the entity’s actions or mere existence on the physical or metaphysical universe.
- “Do concepts such as time, morality, or causality hold any significance to you?” – Designed to probe the entity’s conceptual framework and whether human-understandable constructs have any relevance or parallel in its perception.
- “In your awareness, have you evolved or changed form since your inception?” – This could reveal insights into the entity’s perception of growth, development, or change, if applicable.
- “How do you perceive entities from our realm, and what influence do you believe you have over us?” – Aims to gauge the entity’s view and impact on humans and other earth-bound life forms.
- “What forms of communication or expression are meaningful or possible for you?” – Seeks to understand how the entity interacts with others, if at all, and what forms of communication it uses or recognizes.
- “Have you ever experienced conflict or opposition, and how do you respond to it?” – This question is intended to explore the entity’s experiences with adversity and its methods of dealing with it.
- “What is your understanding or perception of concepts such as creation or destruction?” – Aims to probe the entity’s philosophical or existential views on fundamental processes or states of being.
- “Is there an event or moment in your existence that you consider pivotal or defining, and can you describe it?” – This question seeks insights into significant occurrences in the entity’s timeless existence that might have influenced its perception or actions.
- “How do you experience or perceive dimensions beyond the physical ones known to us?” – Aims to understand the entity’s interaction with and perception of dimensions beyond human comprehension.
- “Do you have a concept of purpose or destiny, and if so, how would you describe it?” – Attempts to explore whether the entity operates under a sense of destiny or purpose that might align with or drastically differ from human and other known beings’ motivations.
- “In your perspective, what is the nature of reality, and how does it manifest to beings like yourself?” – Seeks to gather the entity’s philosophical or ontological views on reality itself, possibly revealing how it differs from human perceptions.
- “How do concepts of creation and innovation manifest in your existence or actions?” – Aims to understand if and how the entity engages in processes of creation or innovation, akin to or vastly different from human creativity.
- “Have you ever felt kinship or antipathy towards another entity, and what was the nature of this relationship?” – Probes the entity’s capacity for relational emotions or connections, even if they are fundamentally different from human experiences.
- “Is there anything you fear or avoid, and why?” – An attempt to discover if such a being can experience fear or avoidance and the reasons behind these feelings.
- “How do you interpret the concept of entropy or chaos in the context of your existence?” – Seeks insights into the entity’s views on disorder, decay, and chaos, and their role or significance in its realm.
- “Can you describe a form of existence or consciousness vastly different from your own that you are aware of?” – This question aims to explore the entity’s knowledge and understanding
From Insights to Narrative
Once you have your “interview” responses, the next step is weaving these insights into your cosmic horror narrative. Consider how the motives and fears of these old gods can influence the events in your story. How might their desires manifest in the world? What signs or omens precede their actions? How do humans interpret or misinterpret these signs?
Challenges and Considerations
Crafting cosmic horror through the eyes of old gods is not without its challenges. Maintaining the mystery and incomprehensibility of these entities while providing enough detail for the reader to grasp is a delicate balance. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid humanizing these beings to the point where they lose their cosmic horror edge.
Conclusion
“Unveiling the Unknown: Crafting Cosmic Horror Through the Eyes of Old Gods” is more than just an exercise in creativity; it’s a gateway to deepening your cosmic horror stories. By interviewing these entities, writers can explore the motivations behind the cosmic dread, creating a narrative that resonates with terror and awe. As we continue to explore the boundaries of the unknown, let this guide inspire you to craft tales that not only terrify but also provoke thought about our place in the universe.
