Melnibonéan mythos

Deities and supernatural beings play an active part in Michael Moorcock’s fantasy series of books about the character Elric of Melniboné. It is nearly certain that a god will be summoned, or at least mentioned, in every story. There are three main classes of gods: the Lords of the Higher Worlds, the Beast-Lords and the Elementals.

Other gods are sometimes mentioned, such as the Dead Gods who are not active through most of the series. The Swords Trilogy, set in the same “Multiverse”, introduces the Lost Gods Kwll and Rhynn.

Long before the time when the stories take place, the royal family of Melniboné established formal alliances with many of these deities, sometimes through a diabolical pact. As the Emperor of Melniboné, Elric enjoys the right to call on them for aid. The Ring of Kings, set with an Actorios stone, demonstrates his right to summon these supernatural beings and supplies him with the mystic energy to do so.

The Lords of the Higher Worlds are the powerful gods associated with Law and Chaos, or with the Cosmic Balance. They include the most powerful gods who are active on Earth at the beginning of the series.

The Chaos Lords have the powers of gods but the behaviour and appearance of demons. When they appear at their worst, they deliberately inflict pain and suffering on mortals for amusement; even at best, they are not concerned with the harmful effects of their creations. The Revenge of the Rose openly portrays Arioch as insane. Sorcerers often gain power by entering into diabolical pacts with Chaos Lords. The Chaos Lords must act under certain limitations. For instance, Arioch must be summoned by Elric before he can manifest on Earth.

In the short story Elric at the end of time, Elric travels to the far future; "The End of Time" where he recognises one of the inhabitants there Lord Jagged as Arioch (see The Dancers at the End of Time).

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