I just keep coming back to this...I really wish all the CAS cycles hadn't had stories taken down or made unavailable (at least in the US), so many Poseidonis, Zothique, and Mars cycle parts were on YT at one point. Also, other cthulhu mythos gone...same with Jack Vance audiobooks
Agree - in some ways I consider CAS to be better as HPL, but indeed he never got the credit he deserves. And this story is a good example thereof. Thanks for the reaction, and all the best from Holland.
Absolutely, agreed. CAS casts amazing imagery second to none. No wonder that both CAS and Lovecraft shared a friendship and continued correspondence until Lovecrafts death.
CAS and William Hope Hodgson are more eloquent and honestly, just better overall. Lovecraft is good, Dreams In The Witch House and Dream Quest Of Unknown Kaddath being my favorites.
I'm slowly working my way through his THE COLLECTED FANTASIES (on Volume #2 now) and I am starting to come to that conclusion too. I haven't read Lovecraft's complete stories, so maybe I should get on that too, and then compare and contrast them. But it's undeniable that Smith was the greater wordsmith and poet, and I have no doubt Lovecraft thought so too.
This would be a great story to put on film. I can picture this in the gothic setting and color pallete of Lothric castle in Dark Souls 3 (video game). A setting along those lines has a lot of potential.
I just keep coming back to this...I really wish all the CAS cycles hadn't had stories taken down or made unavailable (at least in the US), so many Poseidonis, Zothique, and Mars cycle parts were on YT at one point. Also, other cthulhu mythos gone...same with Jack Vance audiobooks
This one is like the best author of all time!
Awesome writing, fully of mystery and depth. This always struck me as great writing.
Excellent story and narration! I feel like CAS must have influenced Gygax and the development of Dungeons and Dragons quite a lot.
I agree completely. I'm a huge D&D fan, and this was D&D as hell.
If I'm not mistaken there is a Gygax recommended reading list that includes ZOTHIQUE by Smith.
Superb. Great reader and great writer.
Them wizard thieves messed up!
Sho nuff!
This is my favorite CAS story.
thank you so much for this!!!! one of the greatest types of literature! thank you!
I have always held Ashton Smith to be the equal of Lovecraft but you rarely hear any critics give him the credit he is due
Agree - in some ways I consider CAS to be better as HPL, but indeed he never got the credit he deserves. And this story is a good example thereof. Thanks for the reaction, and all the best from Holland.
Absolutely, agreed. CAS casts amazing imagery second to none. No wonder that both CAS and Lovecraft shared a friendship and continued correspondence until Lovecrafts death.
CAS and William Hope Hodgson are more eloquent and honestly, just better overall. Lovecraft is good, Dreams In The Witch House and Dream Quest Of Unknown Kaddath being my favorites.
I'm slowly working my way through his THE COLLECTED FANTASIES (on Volume #2 now) and I am starting to come to that conclusion too. I haven't read Lovecraft's complete stories, so maybe I should get on that too, and then compare and contrast them. But it's undeniable that Smith was the greater wordsmith and poet, and I have no doubt Lovecraft thought so too.
Smith is the best off the mythos authors.
I'm not certain but I believe this story is where the idea of the DnD Lich came from. An absolutely excellent tale!
That was absolutely awesome!! Thank you!
This would be a great story to put on film. I can picture this in the gothic setting and color pallete of Lothric castle in Dark Souls 3 (video game). A setting along those lines has a lot of potential.
Wizards are rad.
What collection was this first published or reproduced in?
I am not sure, but Weird Tales makes a good change....
Isn't malygris mentioned in one of his other stories?
Yes indeed, the last hyroglyph,
Yes indeed.
Yes. The Last Incantation, and he is also mentioned as the wizard Avictes's teacher in The Double Shadow. Probably in a couple other stories as well.
Complete
Who is the narrator?
No clue, but I would love to know!