Editing Nyarlathotep (section)

== Summary ==
Nyarlathotep differs from the other beings in a number of ways. Most of them are exiled to stars, like [[Yog-Sothoth]] and [[Hastur]], or sleeping and dreaming like [[Cthulhu]]; Nyarlathotep, however, is active and frequently walks the [[Earth]] in the guise of a human being, usually a tall, slim, joyous man. He has "a thousand" other forms, most of these reputed to be maddeningly horrific. Most of the Outer Gods have their own cults serving them; Nyarlathotep seems to serve these cults and take care of the deities' affairs in their absence. Most of the gods use strange alien languages, but Nyarlathotep uses human languages and can be mistaken for a human being. The other [[Outer God]]s and [[Great Old Ones]] are often described as mindless or unfathomable rather than truly malevolent, but Nyarlathotep delights in cruelty, is deceptive and manipulative, and even cultivates followers and uses [[propaganda]] to achieve his goals.

Nyarlathotep enacts the will of the Outer Gods, and is their messenger, heart and soul;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title="Nyarlathotep" by H. P. Lovecraft |url=https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/n.aspx |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=www.hplovecraft.com}}</ref> he is also a servant of [[Azathoth]], his father,<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Selected Letters of H. P. Lovecraft IV (1932–1934)]]|last=Lovecraft|first=H. P.|author-link=H. P. Lovecraft|year=1967|publisher=[[Arkham House]]|location=[[Sauk City, Wisconsin]]|isbn=0-87054-035-1|no-pp=y|page=Letter 617}}</ref> whose wishes he immediately fulfills. Unlike the other Outer Gods, causing madness is more important and enjoyable than death and destruction to Nyarlathotep. It is suggested by some that he will destroy the human race and possibly the Earth as well.<ref>Harms, "Nyarlathotep", ''[[The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana]]'', pp. 218–9.</ref>

Nyarlathotep is an immensely powerful being, as he is able take anything to the throne of Azathoth, which is at the center of Ultimate Chaos.<ref>{{Cite web |title="The Dreams in the Witch House" by H. P. Lovecraft |url=https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/dwh.aspx |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=www.hplovecraft.com}}</ref> He also envelops the world in darkness and causes waves of destruction to emanate from "ultimate space", and he also causes groups of people to go insane.<ref name=":0" /> Nyarlathotep also knows the truths and futures of things that are incomprehensible to the human mind.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Nyarlathotep" by H. P. Lovecraft |url=https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/n.aspx |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.hplovecraft.com}}</ref>