Aihai

Template:Inmythos

Aihai
Sociocultural Characteristics
Affiliations	The Dweller in the Gulf (certain sects)
Real World Information
First appearance	CIRCLE: "The Dweller in the Gulf (short story)"
Created by	Clark Ashton Smith

The Aihai are a species of alien which appear in the H.P. Lovecraft-inspired Cthulhu Mythos.

Overview

Aihai are tall creatures, measuring over six feet in height. They possess a tough, leathery hide, a triple-nostrilled nose, sunken eyes, twin sets of sharp teeth, four-jounted fingers, and satyr-like legs. Some are birthed with a vestigial, atavistic third arm which sprouts from their angular chest. Unlike their ancestors, the Yorhi, the Aihai are not proficient in the use of advanced machinery, although occasionally one can be found operating ancient technology beyond the capabilities of human science, such as disintegrator rays.

The Aihai inhabit a collection of subterranean cities on Mars, modest in terms of size and architectural scope. They worship the powerful alien known as Vulthoom, although they see him as more of an equivalent to Satan than than to a Christian God. Despite this, the Aihai are a largely peaceful race, and are for the most part quietly friendly to the humans who encounter them.

One particular sect of Aihai worship the Great Old One known as The Dweller in the Gulf, although they appear to be a minority group, and conduct their practices in secret.

Background in Call of Cthulhu

The Aihai are peaceful sentient race which is indigenous to Mars, whose society revolves around culture and trade. Whom are 10 ft tall with a bulging chest and multiple many-angled arms. They coexist uneasily with the warlike Martians, and have little to do with them. Aihais live in subterranean cities though in the future they will built great and beautiful cities on the surface, once contact is made with humans. A faction reside in a great underground complex with their master, the Great Old One Vulthoom.

Aeons ago, when Vulthoom arrived on Mars, a civil war erupted between Vulthoom and his followers and the ruling Aihais. Vulthoom was defeated and it and its followers fled underground. Where they slumbered in suspended animation for centuries. Now they build spacecraft to carry Vulthoom and its followers across the cosmos to conquer new worlds, with Earth being the first target. Among the weapons its followers possess are disintegrator guns capable of melting rock and metal and instantly dissolving organic matter.

Gallery

Aihai (Call of Cthulhu)