The Dark Eidolon
Encyclopedia
The Dark Eidolon is a sword and sorcery
short story
by Clark Ashton Smith
, forming part of his Zothique
cycle of stories. It was first published in Weird Tales
in 1935 and has been variously republished, notably in the anthology
The Spell of Seven
, edited by L. Sprague de Camp
.
Described by de Camp in his introduction to the story as 'one of the most horrible' of Smith's tales, it chronicles the life and death of the dread sorcerer
Namirrha
He becomes fabled as a mighty and dread necromancer and sorcerer, but still driven to revenge himself on Zotulla. He returns to Xylac and builds in one night a palace in view of that of Zotulla, now King of Xylac. He seeks the aid of Thasaidon to destroy the king, but the arch-fiend refuses his request.
Angrier than ever, he makes a pact with an even greater and more dangerous entity, Thamagorgos, Lord of the Abyss. He invites the King and his court to a great feast, which they attend out of curiosity. The food is tasteless and the wine full of fire, followed by entertainment with devilish music performed by strange and frightening creatures.
The mighty horses of Thamagorgos, at Namirrha's command, appear and commence the destruction of the city. He commands the King to drink a poisoned draught and does so himself; the spirits of the King and wizard look upon the destruction.
By Thasaidon's command, the spirit of Zotulla goes free into oblivion, whilst that of Namirrha, who has offended him, returns to his body. As it does so, the macrocosmic stallions of Thamagorgos return through the skies to crush the palace of Namirrha.
Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Clark Ashton Smith
Clark Ashton Smith
Clark Ashton Smith was a self-educated American poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Swinburne...
, forming part of his Zothique
Zothique
Zothique is an imagined future continent featured in a series of short stories by Clark Ashton Smith. Zothique is also the title of the cycle of tales which take place there. In terms of number and extent, the Zothique cycle is the largest collection of stories written by Smith...
cycle of stories. It was first published in Weird Tales
Weird Tales
Weird Tales is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine first published in March 1923. It ceased its original run in September 1954, after 279 issues, but has since been revived. The magazine was set up in Chicago by J. C. Henneberger, an ex-journalist with a taste for the macabre....
in 1935 and has been variously republished, notably in the anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
The Spell of Seven
The Spell of Seven
The Spell of Seven is a 1965 anthology of fantasy short stories in the sword and sorcery subgenre, edited by L. Sprague de Camp and illustrated by Virgil Finlay. It was first published in paperback by Pyramid Books...
, edited by L. Sprague de Camp
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
.
Described by de Camp in his introduction to the story as 'one of the most horrible' of Smith's tales, it chronicles the life and death of the dread sorcerer
Magician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
Namirrha
Plot synopsis
Namirrha was once known as Narthos, a beggar boy of Ummaos, chief city of Xylac. Trampled almost to death by the horse of Prince Zotulla, he leaves the city and becomes a willing pupil of a wizard, driving his own bond with Thasaidon, Lord of the Seven Hells.He becomes fabled as a mighty and dread necromancer and sorcerer, but still driven to revenge himself on Zotulla. He returns to Xylac and builds in one night a palace in view of that of Zotulla, now King of Xylac. He seeks the aid of Thasaidon to destroy the king, but the arch-fiend refuses his request.
Angrier than ever, he makes a pact with an even greater and more dangerous entity, Thamagorgos, Lord of the Abyss. He invites the King and his court to a great feast, which they attend out of curiosity. The food is tasteless and the wine full of fire, followed by entertainment with devilish music performed by strange and frightening creatures.
The mighty horses of Thamagorgos, at Namirrha's command, appear and commence the destruction of the city. He commands the King to drink a poisoned draught and does so himself; the spirits of the King and wizard look upon the destruction.
By Thasaidon's command, the spirit of Zotulla goes free into oblivion, whilst that of Namirrha, who has offended him, returns to his body. As it does so, the macrocosmic stallions of Thamagorgos return through the skies to crush the palace of Namirrha.
External links
- Complete text of The Dark Eidolon at EldrichDark.com