Kthanid is a deity first introduced in the novel “The Transition of Titus Crow” written by British author Brian Lumley. It is considered an Elder God in the context of the story. This is the first appearance of the Kthanid in Lumley’s writing. His writing always has a taste of HP Lovecraft and God characters are also derived by Lovecraft World of Fantasy and lore.
Brother Of Cthulhu & Leader Of The Elder Gods
Kthanid, who is rumored to be the sibling of the Great Old One Cthulhu, is identical to his brother in appearance. He is a massive humanoid with small bat-like wings and octopus-like tentacles on his lower face. However, the only difference between the two is the color of their eyes, with Kthanid having golden eyes. Despite being similar to the evil Cthulhu, Kthanid is believed to be benevolent and exudes a sense of kindness to those around him.
He is the leader of the pantheon of Elder Gods who stand against both the Great Old Ones and Outer Gods, and resides in a magnificent crystal palace located in the heart of Elysia, the home of the Elder Gods.
A Great Benevolent God From “The Transition of Titus Crow”
Kthanid is known for being the opposite of his insane brother and has a calming aura around him. He harbors a deep hatred towards the Great Old Ones for killing his family while he was in a slumber. He prefers using non-violent means such as binding spells or memory erasure to handle his enemies, but if necessary, he possesses the power to defeat most of the Great Old Ones, including Hastur and Cthulhu.
Story Around Kthanid & Titus Crow
It follows the story of the titular character, Titus Crow, a cosmic time-traveler who is lost in the infinite depths of the multiverse. The Elder God Kthanid summons Titus and introduces him to his daughter Tiania, and the two fall in love. Kthanid then sends Titus on a mission to Earth’s Dreamlands to defeat the growing threat posed by the Great Old Ones.
Titus faces numerous dangers and obstacles during his journey, including the Men of Leng and the Fly-the-Light. He eventually reaches the source of the threat and unintentionally opens a portal that would allow the Great Old Ones to enter the Dreamlands. Nyarlathotep, the messenger of the Great Old Ones, appears to celebrate their triumph, but Kthanid, using Titus’ dimensional time machine, is able to materialize in the Dreamlands and banish Nyarlathotep and the Great Old Ones while sealing the portal permanently.
Throughout the novel, the reader is treated to a rich tapestry of cosmic horror and adventure, as Titus travels through the multiverse and confronts the forces of evil. With its mix of cosmic horror and science fiction, “The Transition of Titus Crow” is a thrilling and unforgettable tale that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.
Similar Read: Nyarlathotep & Why Is He H.P. Lovecraft’s Most Terrifying Character?
Abilities & Superpowers
Prescience is a supernatural ability that allows a person to see into the future and predict future events or consequences. It is a form of extrasensory perception that gives the user the ability to know what will happen before it actually occurs. In the context of Kthanid, he uses a crystalline viewing monitor to have this power and uses it to make plans based on how different actions will affect the future in various dimensions.
Kthanid possesses Cosmic Telekinesis ability to manipulate and control objects and matter across the cosmos through the power of his mind alone. This power allows him to move objects and matter from one place to another, alter their properties, and even create or destroy objects and matter as he sees fit. It is a formidable power that greatly enhances Kthanid’s abilities and makes him a formidable opponent.
Nova Manipulation is a superpower where Kthanid is able to control and manipulate nova explosions. This could include creating, directing and intensifying nova explosions for various purposes, potentially causing widespread destruction.
Another wonder, Banishing Blast is a supernatural power used by the Elder God Kthanid to banish and expel beings such as the Great Old Ones and Outer Gods from the planes of reality they are in. It is a stream of pure energy directed at the target, forcing them to return to their own reality or dimension. This power is used by Kthanid to maintain balance in the cosmos and to keep the Great Old Ones and Outer Gods from causing harm to other dimensions and realities.
Kthanid, as described in the works of Brian Lumley, has the ability to emit gamma-ray bursts from his hands, which have the capability to cause destruction to planets and harm pre-existentials and other elder gods. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are intense and highly energetic bursts of gamma radiation that can last anywhere from a few milliseconds to several minutes.
Wrapping Up
Kthanid is rumored to be behind the Great Old Ones’ fear of the Elder Sign, as he allegedly planted this fear deep in their subconscious. He is one of the few Old Ones who primarily speaks the language of the world he inhabits. Despite his animosity towards the Great Old Ones and Outer Gods, and his desire to do good as an amoral entity, Kthanid has earned the respect of Angels of Heaven, God, and Pagan Deities, as they allowed him to join the Council of Godheads. However, some gods still distrust him due to his eldritch nature. As a show of gratitude, Kthanid helped heal Tiamat after she was killed by her offspring, and in return, Tiamat gifted him powers over the sea.
Throughout the novel, the reader is treated to a rich tapestry of cosmic horror and adventure, as Kthanid and Titus confront the forces of evil. With its mix of cosmic horror and science fiction, “The Transition of Titus Crow” is a thrilling and unforgettable tale that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.