Outer Gods

## Ecology

### Lifespan

Effectively immortal, some can enter periods of death-like slumber to hibernate for decades, centuries or millennia

### Diet

Varies could be sanity, flesh, and/or energy

### Prey

All living things that are not Cosmic Horrors

### Predators

Prime Protas(?)

“*All hope for life as you know it will be lost if the Outer Gods of the Eldritch are set free. Their victory will be assured. The unseen gates that once protected you will have fallen. And all the gods will be dead and gone.*”
―The Source to Adalwulf of Aedirn about the Cosmic Horrors

The **Outer Gods** are a subspecies of Cosmic Horror, in the race hierarchy they stand at the top of the pecking order. They are thought to be the progenitors of the various individual Cosmic Horrors as well as an existence birth as shadows of the Prime Protas.

## Physiology

The bodies of this subspecies differ greatly between the races as well as from different viewpoints. Most of these beings' true forms are incomprehensible to humans and would drive them insane with the scope and magnitude of their form.

## Abilities

* **Eldritch Physiology**: The **Outer Gods** are eldritch abominations, beings whose very existence defies the rules of nature and/or existence and is defined by its disregard for the natural laws of the universe as we understand them. They wield godlike powers and are, for the most part, not bound by the laws of the universe. Their true form cannot be grasped by mortal beings and may be interpreted differently by different individuals/species, with others creating a collective delusion of their form. These interpretations can range from the unusual to the awe-inspiring, to the mind-shatteringly terrifying. It is rare, but not unheard of, for the presence of such a being to benefit the universe it currently inhabits.
	+ **Alien Mind**: The inner workings of a **Outer God's** mind differ greatly from what could be considered "normal" or "sane" by the standards of most living things.
	+ **Contagious Influence**: An **Outer God** can taint those around them with a physio-psychoactive influence that can twist and warp their very appearance and mindset to whatever the individual desires.
	+ **Cosmic Otherness**: An **Outer God** possesses an essence that is absolute in its otherness and entirely exclusive to their nature alone. They are able to distinguish themselves from absolutely everything, everywhere, everywhen, and everyhow, without any exception.
	+ **Fanaticism Inducement**: An **Outer God** can induce fanaticism, the belief in something with uncritical zeal, or with an obsessive enthusiasm.
	+ **Incomprehensible Form**: An **Outer God** possesses a true form that others cannot grasp with their mind.
	+ **Interdimensional Entity Physiology**: An **Outer God** is an existence that occupies two or more dimensions essentially existing in several places at once. While they exist within those boundaries, they can only affect one dimension at a time and usually appear transparent in either one or the other. They cannot be detected by conventional instruments due to not being "entirely real" as their existence is split between other dimensions.
	+ **Science-Magic Ascendancy**: An **Outer God** possesses abilities beyond the laws of science and/or magic, resulting in them in possession of unfathomable power and capable of incredible feats; their powers are inexplicable to either side and seemingly accomplish completely illogical/irrational actions/effects to both. The potential effects are innumerable in possibilities, as they can accomplish apparently everything imaginable with very little exposition as to how it is done.

## Notes

* **The Outer Gods** are free to use in stories and articles, all I ask is that you honor the lore present.
* The existence of the Outer Gods are a personal iteration inclusion for the fanon by Adalwulf of Aedirn, as such their existence in the fanon is not 'definitive' and is subject to the decision of inclusion in others head canons.
* **Iukhuztotl, The Gate of the Cosmic Horrors** is based off of Yog-Sothoth from H.P Lovecraft's work but has been modified for inclusion into the witcher IP.
* **Petohtalrayn** is based off of Nyarlathotep from H.P Lovecraft's work but has been modified for inclusion into the witcher IP.
* **Zach'riel** is based off of Tru'nembra from H.P Lovecraft's work but has been modified for inclusion into the witcher IP.