At the Mountains of Madness · Character

The Old Ones

The aeons-dead architects of a cyclopean Antarctic city, whose geometrically impossible ruins rewrite the entire history of life on Earth.

supporting

Also known as the marine Old Ones, armed Old Ones

First appearance: iv

As a supporting figure in At the Mountains of Madness, The Old Ones is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The star-born beings revealed as the city's builders, depicted in the mural carvings.

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In VI: The star-born beings revealed as the city's builders, depicted in the mural carvings. Later, in VII: Central subjects of the…

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Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it depicts the protagonists' psychological and emotiona…

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The Old Ones appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
The star-born beings revealed as the city's builders, depicted in the mural carvings.
VII
Central subjects of the chapter; their origins, civilization, wars, and decline are detailed.
VIII
Depicted in the carvings as migrating to a cavern sea-city, breeding Shoggoths, and eventually abandoning the land city due to encroaching cold.
IX
Their sculptures and tunnels are the focus of the exploration; the odor from the dissected specimen is linked to them.
X
Their sculptures and tunnels are explored; their civilization's decadence is evident in the degraded carvings.
XI
Their headless, slime-coated bodies are discovered, revealing Shoggoth attacks.
XII
Their sculptured farewells and ancient fears are referenced as the explorers depart.

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