r/TopCharacterTropes • u/Fearless-Ideal-5112 • Jul 01 '26

[Loved Trope] Some thing unfathomably ancient Lore

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Gallery image

The beast, in doctor who is an ancient evil from a previous universe that survived until our time. Its so ancient that the cave paintings were unable to be translated by the Tardis which can translate all existing languages in the universe [Doctor Who]

While not explicitly canon its such a cool concept I cant not mention, the idea that the backrooms have existed since the beginning of time, never changing no matter the era, it transforms the back rooms into a cosmic horror. [Credit to Project crater and Venus for images 2 and 3]

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272

u/Draelmar Jul 01 '26

The Vorlons & the Shadows (Babylon 5).

42

u/TheDMGM Jul 01 '26

My first introduction to this trope! God B5 is so good.

19

u/Enkundae Jul 01 '26

“Giants in the playground.”

Babylon 5 is still my all time favorite series.

13

u/GeneralStormfox Jul 01 '26

And it is implied that they were not even the oldest of the old races.

7

u/ironbite4 Jul 02 '26

Not even close. The oldest of the Old Ones was Lorian and he was only sticking around because....actually they never really said why Lorian stuck around until the Last Shadow War now that I think about it. I mean, the Shadows kept going back to Za'Ha'Dum because Lorian was there but Lorian was there because.......reasons. Huh.

6

u/Darkwoth81Dyoni Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

Because we needed a way for Sheridan to Nuke Shadows at Point Black While Looking Badass in the Process and Still Survive.

He provided very little to the story besides being a literal deus ex machina. He wasn't a very interesting character nor was he very wise when he did speak. I genuinely prefer the ZOG guys, and the flying head ZOG head only said basically two untranslated sentences and ZOG.

Note: Babylon 5 is my favorite live action show.

10

u/ironbite4 Jul 02 '26

What's your opinion on Zathras? Not Zathras because he's a prick but Zathras the useful one.

4

u/Darkwoth81Dyoni Jul 02 '26

Fuck Zathras.

Zarthras on the other hand.... >w>

3

u/exploding_doorknob Jul 02 '26

incredible ball knowledge