Showing results by author "Clark Ashton Smith" in All Categories

In the depths of human imagination lies a realm where ancient gods stir in their slumbers, where forbidden knowledge teeters on the edge of consciousness, and where cosmic horror casts its suffocating veil over reality. This is the world of the Cthulhu Mythos, a tapestry woven from the mind of one of the most enigmatic and influential writers of the 20th century, H. P. Lovecraft.

Fifteen nautical nightmares: from the discovery and subsequent investigation of a mysterious vessel in The Derelict, to the terrifying ordeal of a lighthouse keeper stationed at the remote Three Skeleton Key...

Zothique est le nom d'un continent. Un monde mythique de sortilèges, de prodiges, d'incongruités, de maléfices et de terreurs innombrables. Dans cet univers, l'amour et la mort ont les couleurs de l'illusion, et les hallucinations sont toujours moins effrayantes que la réalité. Dans les villes et villages, dans les forêts et les campagnes, les morts, les momies, les squelettes ne laissent aux vivants aucun répit et, sans cesse, les assaillent et les poursuivent.

The plague of the "silver death" descended hard upon the land or Yoros, exactly as foretold by ancient astrologers. Countless victims fell instantly where they were stricken, including messengers racing to tell of itscoming. Young King Fulbra, protected from the plague by a magic ring, fled Yoros by ship in search of an island his advisors believed would welcome him. Before long, however, a sudden hurricane set the king on course for another island with a very different reputation.

We’ve recorded some 400+ stories since 2015 here at HorrorBabble. This collection comprises some of our very favorites. From Blackwood's evocative "The Transfer", through to Smith's terrifying visit to the vaults of Yoh-Vombis, there’s something here to strike fear into the heart of any horror enthusiast....

In the desolate forest of Averoigne, resides Anselme, a young romantic who became a recluse after being rejected by his beloved Dorothée. After 13 months of solitude, Anselme stumbles upon a beautiful woman bathing in a forest pond, accompanied by a massive wolf. She is Séphora, an enchantress, who invites him to her realm—Sylaire, “a land lying beyond time and space.”

In the medieval town of Vyones, master stone-carver Blaise Reynard creates two grotesque gargoyles for the newly built cathedral. Little does he know that his creations will unleash a reign of terror upon the city. As night falls, demonic forces descend upon Vyones, leaving a trail of blood and horror in their wake. The townspeople are gripped by fear, and even the church seems powerless against this evil.

In a world where the sun dims over the last continent, Zothique, two exiled necromancers—Mmatmuor and Sodosma—seek to create their empire in a kingdom of the dead. Driven from Tinarath, they journey to the deserted land of Cincor, where plague has left only bones and mummies behind. Using forbidden spells, they raise the dead to serve their dark will, constructing an undead empire of forced labor and eerie splendor. Yet, deep in this kingdom, a spark of rebellion stirs among the dead.

On the continent of Zothique, beneath the dying sun of a withering Earth, the sorcerer Namirrha devises a scheme of revenge powerful enough to shatter an entire empire. His reputation is dark, his allies fearsome beings from hell, but his goal is singular: to confront Emperor Zotulla, the one who, years before, condemned Namirrha—then a beggar boy named Narthos—to a life of degradation. Now he returns under the cloak of night, prepared for a reckoning that may shake the heavens and earth alike.

In the haunting tale of "A Night in Malnéant," a nameless wanderer stumbles upon a city shrouded in mist and mystery. As he navigates its shadowy streets and encounters its solemn inhabitants, he discovers that the entire town is eerily preoccupied with the impending funeral of a woman named Mariel—a name that strikes terror into his heart. Tormented by memories of a love lost and a guilt that has followed him across time and space, he is drawn deeper into the city's labyrinth, where reality and nightmare blur.

Zothique is Earth's last continent in the very distant future when the sun has grown dim, the world has grown old, and the remorseless seas have overwhelmed all other continents. The sciences have been forgotten as the shadowy arts of sorcery and magic have been reborn. The result: a dark world of mystery in which luxurious kings and wandering heroes venture across dim landscapes, pitting their strength and wisdom against powerful wizards, necromancers, and alien gods.

A story from the acclaimed tales of "Hyperborea": A grotesque, deadly black form undulated toward them. Closer and closer it came, almost toying with the frightened, fleeing men who sought treasure in the long-deserted Hyperborean capital....

Zothique is Earth's last continent in the very distant future when the sun has grown dim, the work has grown old and the remorseless seas have overwhelmed all other continents. The sciences have been forgotten as the shadowy arts of sorcery and magic have been reborn. The result: a dark world of older mystery where luxurious kings and wandering heroes venture across dim landscapes, pitting their strength and wisdom against powerful wizards, necromancers and alien gods all under a dying sun.

La Isla que no Estaba en los Mapas de Clark Ashton Smith es un cuento fantástico que transporta a los lectores a una isla misteriosa que desafía la navegación convencional. Cuando un grupo de intrépidos exploradores tropiezan con la isla, se ven arrastrados a un mundo de paisajes enigmáticos, criaturas extrañas y ruinas antiguas. A medida que profundizan en los secretos de la isla, descubren una civilización oculta y encuentran extraños fenómenos que desafían su comprensión de la realidad.

Los relatos Smith que se desarrollan en el mundo prehistórico de Hiperbórea son ejemplos perfectos del estilo y las constantes de su narrativa fantástica que acabo de señalar. Hiperbórea es anterior a la Historia humana; un mundo crepuscular, condenado a la desaparición y al olvido. Los personajes son pícaros y buscavidas nada heroicos; los dioses son monstruosos y crueles; las costumbres, bárbaras y perversas.

La raíz de Ampol es un relato del autor de fantasía Clark Ashton Smith, que se desarrolla en el mundo ficticio de Zothique. En esta historia, un joven llamado Ildefonse se aventura en un viaje en busca de la misteriosa raíz de Ampol, que se dice que otorga la inmortalidad. A medida que avanza en su búsqueda, enfrenta desafíos y peligros, incluidos seres sobrenaturales y horrores ocultos en la oscuridad de las profundidades de la tierra. Ildefonse lucha contra criaturas monstruosas y fuerzas malignas mientras se acerca cada vez más a su objetivo.

King Hoaraph chose two of his most valiant warriors to search through desolate lands for a ravenously beautiful maiden rumored to be living among the far-off pastures. After locating the king's newest desire, mighty Zobal and Cushara headed back home, both with their own eyes on the girl! Priorities changed suddenly when the crew veered off course into mysterious weather and found themselves staring into the eyes of a tall, horrific-looking creature approaching them from the mist ahead!

El Gusano Blanco viaja sobre un gigantesco iceberg llamado Yikith, el cual puede maniobrar como si se tratase de una nave. Desde su colosal ciudadela, el Gusano Blanco contempla los mares y asola grandes extensiones deshabitadas y yermas debido al frío insensato que produce su presencia. Sus víctimas son prolijamente congeladas, y ni siquiera exponiendo sus cadáveres al fuego se logra derretir el hielo antiguo que este dios abominable ha colocado en sus venas.

"Las siete pruebas" es un relato de fantasía Clark Ashton Smith, que sigue la historia de un joven llamado Satampra Zeiros que se aventura en una búsqueda para encontrar la legendaria Joya de la Verdad. Para alcanzar su objetivo, Zeiros debe superar siete pruebas mortales, cada una más desafiante que la anterior. En su viaje, se encuentra con monstruos, trampas mortales y fuerzas sobrenaturales que desafían su ingenio y habilidades. A medida que avanza en su búsqueda, Zeiros se enfrenta a decisiones difíciles y descubre verdades profundas sobre sí mismo y el mundo que lo rodea.

El relato de Satampra Zeiros es un relato de terror, uno de los mejores cuentos de Clark Ashton Smith que se inspira en Lord Dunsany e integra simultáneamente el Ciclo Hiperbóreo y los Mitos de Cthulhu a través de Tsatthoggua.