Bloodborne's Great Ones: Unearthing Lovecraftian Horrors in Yharnam

10 April 2025

If you’ve ever felt the clammy grip of dread while wandering through the haunting streets of Yharnam in Bloodborne, you’re far from alone. From the eerie architecture to the grotesque creatures lurking in the moonlight, there’s something undeniably unsettling about this gothic masterpiece from FromSoftware. But perhaps the most spine-chilling aspect of the game? The Great Ones—cosmic horrors straight out of Lovecraftian nightmares.

These enigmatic entities aren't your run-of-the-mill monsters. They embody mystery, madness, and the kind of terror that sticks with you long after you’ve turned off your console. But what exactly are the Great Ones? What’s their story, and how do they tie into Bloodborne’s intricate lore? Let’s shine a lantern into the darkness and uncover the chilling truths behind these eldritch beings.

What Are the Great Ones, Exactly?

If you’re thinking, “Are these just really big bosses with creepy designs?” ... well, you’re halfway there. The Great Ones in Bloodborne are eldritch, godlike entities that blur the lines between divinity and monstrosity. Equal parts awe-inspiring and horrifying, they hail from the cosmos, powerful beings that operate on a level of existence far beyond human comprehension.

And here’s the kicker: their presence—both physical and metaphysical—has shaped the world of Yharnam. The Great Ones aren’t just random cosmic wanderers. They’ve intertwined themselves with humanity in baffling and terrifying ways, offering forbidden knowledge and making pacts (often at a horrifying price). Think of them as unholy patrons in a Lovecraftian sense, doling out gifts that no one asked for and no one can truly understand.

Their very existence is like trying to understand the infinite depth of the ocean by staring at a single droplet. Creepy, right?

A Love Letter to Lovecraft: Inspirations Behind the Great Ones

It’s no secret that Bloodborne is FromSoftware’s twisted love letter to H.P. Lovecraft. From the unsettling themes of forbidden knowledge to the creeping madness that infects everyone in Yharnam, the fingerprints of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror are everywhere. And the Great Ones? They’re the cherry on this bloody, otherworldly cake.

Let’s talk about Lovecraft for a second. His tales often revolve around ancient, incomprehensible beings like Cthulhu and Azathoth—creatures so vast and alien that just looking at them can fracture the human mind. Sound familiar? The Great Ones follow this blueprint to a T. Their designs are deliberately bizarre, blending humanoid and animalistic forms with abstract, otherworldly embellishments.

But it’s not just their looks. It’s their sheer unknowability. Lovecraftian horrors aren’t evil in the traditional sense—they’re indifferent to humans, mere ants scurrying about in their incomprehensible grand schemes. The Great Ones operate on a similar wavelength. They don’t actively seek to destroy humanity, but their mere presence twists the world into something grotesque and horrific.

The Great Ones’ Influence Over Yharnam

Okay, so these cosmic beings exist in Bloodborne’s universe. But how do they actually connect to Yharnam and its gruesome lore? Spoiler alert: they’re the root cause of… well, pretty much everything going wrong in this cursed city.

Blood Ministration and the Great Ones

The infamous blood transfusions that Bloodborne’s Hunters rely on trace back to the Great Ones. The Healing Church—the shady organization at the heart of Yharnam’s decline—discovered the Old Blood, a mysterious fluid tied to these cosmic entities. This blood was believed to be a miracle cure, capable of healing diseases and granting superhuman strength.

Sound too good to be true? It was. Prolonged use of this so-called miracle blood led to horrific side effects, transforming humans into grotesque beasts. Yep, those snarling, wolf-like monstrosities you encounter? They’re the byproducts of humanity messing with forces it doesn’t fully understand.

You know that old saying, “Don’t poke the bear?” Yharnam poked the bear, and the bear turned out to be a horrific alien god.

The Nightmare Realms

Yharnam isn’t the only place touched by the Great Ones. Throughout Bloodborne, you’ll find yourself transported to nightmarish realms, surreal landscapes that feel yanked straight out of a fever dream. These areas (like the Nightmare of Mensis or the Hunter’s Nightmare) are heavily influenced by the Great Ones, serving as both prisons and playgrounds for these entities.

Here’s the mind-bending part: time, space, and logic don’t function normally in these realms. It’s almost as if you’re stepping into the Great Ones’ distorted reality. And if you thought Yharnam was terrifying, wait until you face down the horrors lurking in these twisted dreamscapes.

Iconic Great Ones—and Why They’ll Haunt Your Dreams

Not all Great Ones are created equal. Some are malicious, others indifferent, and a few… well, let’s just say they inspire more pity than fear. Let’s look at some of the most iconic Great Ones in Bloodborne:

1. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos

Ebrietas is one of the more tragic Great Ones. Found in the depths of the Upper Cathedral Ward, she seems more lost and sorrowful than outright malicious. In fact, she’s one of the few Great Ones that doesn’t outright attack humans unless provoked. That said, don’t let your guard down—her crushing attacks and devastating AoE moves will punish any Hunter who underestimates her.

Ebrietas is also a symbol of humanity’s futile attempts to comprehend the cosmos. The Healing Church worshipped her, seeking to bridge the gap between mortals and Great Ones. Spoiler: it didn’t end well.

2. Mergo’s Wet Nurse

If you thought terrifying babysitters were just a Hollywood trope, think again. Mergo’s Wet Nurse guards the infant Great One, Mergo, and serves as one of the game’s most haunting boss fights.

With her skeletal wings and razor-sharp blades, this horrifying creature embodies death and despair. Oh, and her fight takes place in a mist-shrouded arena where she can clone herself and attack from multiple angles. Good luck sleeping tonight.

3. The Moon Presence

This is the Great One behind the Hunter’s Dream, the entity that grants you the ability to respawn. But its reasons for doing so remain ambiguous. Is it using you as a pawn in some cosmic game, or is it genuinely trying to help you break the cycle of the hunt?

The Moon Presence is fascinating because it represents the thin line between savior and oppressor. It’s like an eldritch, otherworldly version of a genie—granting your wish of rebirth but not without a hidden cost.

The Themes of Madness and Insignificance

What makes the Great Ones truly terrifying isn’t just their grotesque forms or immense power—it’s the existential dread they bring to the table. Unlike most video game enemies, you can’t "win" against the Great Ones in a traditional sense. Sure, you can defeat them in battle, but their presence—and the havoc they’ve wrought—remains.

The Great Ones tap into a uniquely Lovecraftian fear: the idea that humanity is insignificant in the grand cosmic scale. They remind us that some knowledge is better left untouched and that striving for greatness often comes with a horrifying price.

Let’s face it: no therapy session can undo the mental scarring you’ll feel after diving into Bloodborne’s lore.

Why the Great Ones Stick With Us

When you strip away the eldritch horror and cosmic dread, the Great Ones represent humanity’s endless thirst for understanding. They’re a cautionary tale: what happens when we reach too far, push too hard, and unlock truths we’re not prepared to confront?

But, at the same time, they’re oddly fascinating. They’re not just mindless monsters—they’re deeply woven into Bloodborne’s narrative and world-building. From their cryptic origins to their tragic influence over Yharnam, the Great Ones aren’t just scary—they’re unforgettable.

So, the next time you face one of these cosmic horrors in-game, don’t just swing your saw cleaver and hope for the best. Take a moment to admire the sheer genius behind their creation. Then, of course, run for your life—or die trying.