Titus Crow

Titus Crow is a fictional character created by Brian Lumley for the eponymous Cthulhu Mythos series Titus Crow.

Description[]

Originally an occultist with a vast knowledge of the history, creatures, and motivations of the in-universe Mythos, Crow also had in his possession a number of artefacts related to the topic. He has displayed an unwavering resolution in stopping the schemes of the Great Old Ones and their minions, even to the point of apparent self-sacrifice.

Later rebuilt to be better in every way after a catastrophic accident, Crow became a persistent nemesis to the Cthulhu Cycle Deities, and Ithaqua in particular.

Lumley's 1987 short story "Inception" reveals the Crow's vast mystical knowledge to stem from being unwittingly baptised in a mind-expanding liquid.

Crow's best friend is a man named Henri-Laurent de Marigny, who assists him in many of his ventures, and shows an equal commitment to his cause, despite not being as knowledgeable as Crow himself.

History[]

The Burrowers Beneath[]

Crow and de Marigny uncovered a plot by the Chthonians against the people of Great Britain. During the course of their investigations, they were approached by a shadowy organisation known as the Wilmarth Foundation who had similar goals to them, and the two immediately joined. Subsequently aiding in the Great Britain Project, an operation designed to rid the British isles of the Chthonians, their combined strength was great enough to destroy the Chthonians inhabiting Britain and kill their leader, the being known as Cgfthgnm'o'th.

Following this, the Great Old One Ithaqua retaliated, leaving Crow missing, presumed dead. (EXP: The Burrowers Beneath)

The Transition of Titus Crow[]

Having escaped Ithaqua's wrath in the cosmic time machine de Marigny's Clock, Crow travelled the universe, although he was lost in time and space, unfamiliar with the machine's controls. He visited past and future incarnations of Earth, before colliding with a virtually-uninhabited planet after a lengthy pursuit by the Hounds of Tindalos.

Luckily for Crow, the planet's sole resident was a highly-advanced robot who collected what was left of his body and reconstructed it using the memories and brain patterns stored in the Time Clock. Crow emerged better than before, physically superior to any other human.

Taking his leave of his saviour, Crow then wandered the cosmos again, before being guided to the domain of the Elder Gods, Elysia. There, he was enlisted by their leader Kthanid in the fight against the Great Old Ones, met and fell in love with the Lady Tiania, and enhanced his already-considerable knowledge of the Cthulhu Cycle Deities. (EXP: The Transition of Titus Crow)

The Clock of Dreams[]

Sent by Kthanid to investigate the strange silence which had descended over Earth's Dreamlands, Crow and Tiania travelled there and uncovered a plot by the Fly-the-Light to enslave the population. Calling de Marigny to aid him, the three were able to destroy the rubies used by the Fly-the-Light to control its inhabitants, and thereby saved the Dreamlands. (EXP: The Clock of Dreams)

Appearances[]

Short Fiction[]

"Inception" (1987)
"Lord of the Worms" (1983)
"The Caller of the Black" (1971)
"The Viking's Stone" (1977)
"An Item of Supporting Evidence" (1971)
"Billy's Oak" (1971)
"Darghud's Doll" (1977)
"De Marigny’s Clock" (1971)
"Name and Number" (1982)
"All The Way Up" (2023)

Novels[]

The Burrowers Beneath (1974)
The Transition of Titus Crow (1975)
The Clock of Dreams (1978)
In the Moons of Borea (1979)
Elysia (1989)

Behind the Mythos[]

Whilst Robert M. Price suggested several inspirations for the character of Titus Crow during an interview with Brian Lumley, Lumley denied any of them as being an influence. He did however, confess to “always [having] had a soft spot” for Bram Stoker's Abraham Van Helsing. In a letter to American fanzine Crypt of Cthulhu, he also stated

“

I have trouble relating to people who faint at the hint of a bad smell. A meep or glibber doesn't cut it with me... That's the main difference between my stories... and HPL's. My guys fight back. Also, they like to have a laugh along the way.

„

Titus Crow is referenced in the lyrics from the Arkham Witch song, "The Lord of R'lyeh".

Titus Crow makes an appearance in "All the Way Up" by David Niall Wilson (first published in Tales of Nyarlathotep for the Books of Cthulhu series). This was done with Brian Lumley's permission, shortly before the author's death.