With the release of Ravenloft: The Horrors Within it has been confirmed that amongst the many Dark Lords that players could encounter, one oldie but goodie (or baddie?), is making his grand return to our tabletops. The one and only, Cthulhu!

To celebrate his dreaded return and, for those who may know the name but not the face, let’s dive into this infamous monster!

Background

Cthulhu first made an appearance in February 1928 when an issue of Weird Tales published a short story by H.P. Lovecraft titled “The Call of Cthulhu”. Lovecraft never saw mainstream success during his lifetime, but his friend August Derleth who was also a writer took Cthulhu and expanded the setting into what is known as the Cthulhu Mythos. Coined by August Derleth, the Cthulhu Mythos is the conglomeration of shared elements, characters, themes, and settings found within the work of H.P. Lovecraft.

From these early beginnings, Cthulhu became a pop culture sensation, inspiring several works and media such as TV shows, videogames, and of course TTRPGs. Cthulhu has been in previous editions of D&D, first appearing in the initial print run of the 1980 AD&D first edition supplement Deities and Demigods. Within this book TSR, the D&D publisher of the time, included a full “Cthulhu Mythos” chapter featuring lore and stats.

Due to a copyright dispute with another publisher who had gained the rights to Cthulhu, he was not included in D&D in any official capacity for several decades. Instead, finding his footing in another TTRPGs by Chaosium, the Call of Cthulhu. He did make an appearance in unofficial D&D 5e supplements, such as Sandy Petersen’s 2018 sourcebook Cthulhu Mythos for 5e.

With the release of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, however, he was mentioned as a potential Patron for Warlocks of the Great Old One Subclass. Most recently, in July 2025 Cthulhu appeared on D&D Beyond in Cthulhu by Torchlight, another 5e supplement created by a third party for Wizards of the Coast. And as soon as June 16, 2026, we will have the ability to encounter him in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within!

Description

Cthulhu is described as a great monster of terrifying size with a pulpy tentacled head, a grotesque and scaly body, and rudimentary wings. Extraterrestrial in origin, he was birthed in the depths of space. Upon his defeat in a cosmic war, he found himself imprisoned on Earth, along with his star spawn, beneath the Pacific Ocean where an ancient sunken city lay known as R’lyeh. Here he lays in a dormant sleep-like state. Though not slumbering entirely. Cthulhu has been able to exert his psychic influence over the world for eons; shaping civilizations, influencing Earth’s people, and gaining the attention of cultists who seek to awaken him and bring in a new era.

Great Old One

Cthulhu is known as one of the Great Old Ones. He is god-like in power, though not as powerful as the Outer Gods. However, despite this “lack” in power, humans are much more likely to worship the Great Old Ones because they are comparatively closer at hand in that they will occasionally participate in human life or will contact individual humans as needed.

Cultists who secretly worship Cthulhu, believe that their worship and the stars alignment will usher in the return of their Great Old One and bring about a transformation in the world where all notions of morality and compassion are cast aside; violence and bloodshed becoming the ruling ideologies.

Then there are those who may choose to be more than a follower but rather a conduit for power. Binding themselves to Cthulhu so that he becomes their patron. These humans allow and welcome Cthulhu’s “voice” into their minds. Through this open channel, they have the ability to receive an ongoing stream of cosmic thought, twisting their understanding while empowering them through the gained knowledge. This “power” can give them power over others, life, and even death.

However, a power such as this does not come without cost. The knowledge that an entity like Cthulhu offers is a light that is to be nurtured and grown. However, as it burns it can quickly become a flaming inferno, spreading and engulfing until the one who holds it is nothing more than ash. This is the path for all cultists, especially those who would ask for power.

If it wasn’t clear, Cthulhu is one bad guy (to put it lightly). Cosmic ability, gargantuan size, and being a Great Old one makes Cthulhu one foe that is beyond mortal abilities, even that of a hero. Those who find themselves in conflict with Cthulhu, well…it was nice knowing you, hope to see you again. And, if you run? Nobody would hold it against you. If you make it back, people will still praise you for even surviving.

Cthulhu returned June 16, 2026, in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within! And check out Roll20’s marketplace for Cthulhu related stories including Cthulhu by Gaslight!