Hellboy Codexery

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis Keepers

Silent sentinels standing between humanity and the apocalypse.

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis Keepers are a shadowy lineage of guardians dedicated to the containment and protection of the forbidden Book of the Dead. Throughout history, various individuals and secret cells have taken up this mantle to ensure the text does not fall into the hands of those who would use its rituals to summon eldritch horrors or reshape reality.

Role
Guardians of Forbidden Text
Affiliation
Independent / Secret Society
First Appears
Historical Legends
Status
Active (Obscure)
Location
Various Hidden Sanctums
Goal
Prevent Apocalyptic Rituals

Lore & Background

In modern times, their role has shifted subtly. With the B.P.R.D. securing the primary copy, the Keepers act as a failsafe network. They monitor for leaks within official channels and ensure that other copies hidden in ancient vaults remain dormant. Their existence is a testament to the enduring threat of the supernatural forces that dwell just beyond perception.

In Their Own Story

The candle flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls of the underground archive. Elias adjusted his gloves, feeling the cold leather of the tome before him. It hummed with a low vibration, a sound felt in the teeth rather than heard by the ears. Outside, the storm raged, masking the approach of those who sought to break the seal. He knew he could not fight them all; instead, he would do what his predecessors had done for generations. He closed the book and turned the key on the iron chest. The darkness swallowed the light as he retreated into the shadows, leaving the door to rot behind him.

Reader's Guide

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis Keepers operate as a decentralized network of occultists and guardians dedicated to ensuring the Book of the Dead remains out of hostile hands. Unlike the public-facing Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, these individuals work in absolute secrecy across centuries. Their primary goal is containment rather than study; they believe certain knowledge should never be fully understood by humanity. Members are rarely known by name, passing their duty through bloodlines or secret oaths. They often clash with villainous cults like the Order of Dagon who seek to open gates between worlds using the text. While modern custody has largely fallen to government agencies, the Keepers remain in the shadows as a failsafe against betrayal from within official organizations. Their role in the conflict is defensive and reactive. They do not hunt demons; they hide the tools that summon them. This makes them essential allies for heroes like Hellboy, even when their methods seem obscure or dangerous. They represent the burden of knowledge that must be carried silently to prevent global catastrophe.

Did You Know?

More in Factions & Groups

Elsewhere in the Hellboy universe

Spotted an error? Know more?

This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record

Comments

Loading…
Open in the interactive codex →