Post By Manga Shoggoth Mon Jul 19, 2004 at 11:49:19 am EDT	Subject Why is the Manga Shoggoth a member of the Lair Legion? - A "Why is..." Theme Week Special.
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This is my view of the question. It would be interesting to see HH's comments on the same question.

The Shoggoth, or at least a part of it, is currently residing in the Lair Mansion. It is waiting for the Legion to work out a method of removing the Mundane Matter from its body, having been contaminated whilst trying to protect the Legion during the Resolution War.

This - indirectly - gives the main reason for the Shoggoth being a part of the Legion. It is attempting to pay the Legion back for its "room and board" (and eventual decontamination). Payback is very important to the Shoggoth, as it views taking without some form of payment as a form of enslavement. Since it was originally created by the Great Old Ones as a slave, it has some very strong feelings on the matter.

The paybacks may - to human eyes - be disproportionate. To the Shoggoth it is the principle that counts.

The Shoggoth does have at least three other motivations, however. The main one is probably curiosity. It has been observing mankind since mankind first made an appearance. It has a very deep and detailed knowledge of mankind, but its knowledge is limited by two things:

(a) It is the knowledge of an outsider. The Shoggoth is not human by any description, and in any case thinks in multi-dimensional terms. It looks upon fifth or sixth dimensional effects as nice artwork, and is usually operating on much higher dimensions.

(b) Because it operates in such terms, it can easily become confused with human mores and customs, which change regularly - even a few years can make a drastic difference in some societies, and in any case humans are so...brief.

For a rough human parallel, think of the "average" westerner trying to understand Japanese society, and then trying to understand the societies of ancient Greece and the Middle East in the same terms.

(Incidentally, this explanation neatly covers any differences in writing style between HH and myself).

The second motivation is part of its long-term plan to prepare the human race for its inevitable encounter with the Great Old Ones, who still inhabit the deeps of space. To this end it has created a refuge in Lemuria (which doesn't exist, and never has existed), where it tries to accustom humans to being in the presence of Elder Creatures. Mixing with the Legion will give it more data on how to achieve this end.

(For the confused: The Shoggoth is a real Lovecraftian horror, the mere sight of which sends humans insane - this is why it spends most of its time swathed in bandages when with the Legion).

The final motivation, and one that should not be underestimated, is that Sir Mumphrey Wilton may well have asked it to help. HH has hinted that the relationship between Mumphrey and the Shoggoth has been in place for some time (before it became known as the Manga Shoggoth).

• Chris Leeson's Rather Basic Web Site

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