Overlords
E469479
The Overlords are a mysterious and technologically superior alien race in Arthur C. Clarke’s novel "Childhood’s End" who guide humanity through a transformative evolutionary leap.
Statements (49)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
collective character
ⓘ
fictional alien species ⓘ |
| appearance | demonic in human perception ⓘ |
| appearsIn | novel "Childhood’s End" NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| associatedTheme |
benevolent alien overlord trope
ⓘ
conflict between rationality and mysticism ⓘ transcendence of humanity ⓘ |
| cannotJoin | Overmind NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| communicationMethod |
spoken language via translators
ⓘ
telepathic abilities (limited) with some humans ⓘ |
| creator | Arthur C. Clarke NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| ethicalStance | non-cruel but utilitarian ⓘ |
| firstAppearance | "Childhood’s End" (1953) NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| firstContactEvent | arrival of Overlord ships over major cities ⓘ |
| genreContext | science fiction literature ⓘ |
| governanceStyle | benign dictatorship ⓘ |
| governs |
Earth
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
humanity ⓘ |
| hasLeader | Karellen NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| homeworld | Overlord home planet (unnamed in the novel) ⓘ |
| influenceOnHumanity |
cultural stagnation
ⓘ
end of war ⓘ global prosperity ⓘ trigger psychic evolution in children ⓘ |
| interventionType | non-violent takeover of Earth ⓘ |
| knowledgeArea |
advanced science
ⓘ
psychic and evolutionary processes ⓘ |
| missionDuration | several human generations ⓘ |
| motivation | to guide humanity to its next evolutionary stage ⓘ |
| notableMember | Karellen NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| notableMemberRole | Supervisor for Earth ⓘ |
| physicalTraits |
horns
ⓘ
red, devil-like appearance ⓘ tails ⓘ wings ⓘ |
| policy |
discourage nationalism
ⓘ
prohibit nuclear weapons use ⓘ prohibit warfare on Earth ⓘ restrict certain scientific research ⓘ |
| policyOnVisibility |
initially conceal physical appearance
ⓘ
reveal appearance decades after arrival ⓘ |
| reasonCannotJoinOvermind | lack of necessary psychic evolution ⓘ |
| relationshipToOvermind | subordinate race ⓘ |
| roleInWork |
guides humanity’s evolution
ⓘ
overseers of Earth ⓘ |
| serves | the Overmind NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| technologyLevel | far beyond human technology ⓘ |
| travelCapability | interstellar travel ⓘ |
| uses | vast starships ⓘ |
Referenced by (4)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.