Nodens is a deity from Celtic mythology, incorporated into the Cthulhu Mythos by H. P. Lovecraft, who calls him "Lord of the Great Abyss," and depicts him as the master of the night-gaunts, a race of strange 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. (HPL: "The Strange High House in the Mist")
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.
In Other Media[]
- Black Souls II: A souls-like roleplaying video game in which the character Node the White Rabbit is a reference to both the name and characterization of Nodens.
- Demonbane: Nodens (also known as the White Ship) appears in the novel Zanma Taisen Demonbane. 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.
- 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