We’re back and we’re holidaying in Leng. While it’s not everyone’s first thought for a getaway, we’ve found it really quite dreamy. Leng may have had some shocking reviews on TripAdvisor, but we’re not sure where its evil reputation comes from. Sure, our stone hut is draughty and the corpse fires do little to take the edge off, but it’s not the worst Airbnb we’ve ever rented. The locals have a lively culture, with a special interest in music and the arts. Their extended crotala solos take a bit of getting used to, but the dances that accompany them are lively. We would join in except our legs bend the wrong way. The only irritating thing is how much the locals fuss about spiders. There’s nothing around here a rolled-up newspaper can’t take care of. Now, what’s with all that scuttling outside…?
Main Topic: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath part 4
This is the fourth part of our multi-episode exploration of Lovecraft’s novel, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. In our first three episodes (part 1, part 2 and part 3), we looked at the story’s origins and followed Randolph Carter’s increasingly odd adventures as he searches for his dream city. Now, we’re heading into the most action-packed part of his romp through dreamland.
As ever, we pick the story apart, looking for Call of Cthulhu inspiration. In particular, we spend some time trying to work out why Leng gets such a bad rap. Sure, it seems cold and grey, but by that measure Aberdeen should have a similarly evil reputation.
Links
Things we mention in this episode include:
- Necrotising fasciitis
- ICU delirium
- The Sopranos
- Shantaks
- Mister Ed
- Night-gaunts
- Crotala
- Leng
- Nyarlathotep
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Lovecraft and the Occult
- At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft
- Lengian spiders
- Sarkomand
- Diorite
- Nodens
- Moon-beasts
- Azathoth
- The King in Yellow by Robert W Chambers
- HP Lovecraft’s Dreamlands
- The Private Life of Elder Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Keris McDonald and Adam Gauntlett
- Robert E Howard
- The Two-Headed Serpent
- Dog Soldiers (2002)
- From Beyond the Grave (1974)
- MK-RPG
News
Matt Returns!
The big news this episode is that Matt is well enough to record with us again! His experiences with necrotising fasciitis over the past few months have been nothing short of terrifying. Matt shares some of the less gruesome details, along with insights about what it’s like to be in a coma. All surprisingly relevant to our main topic.
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Matt, I’m so happy you’re okay now. That’s terrifying. That weird dream thing happened to me when I had my gall bladder removal surgery last year. When I was brought back to my room, I had a panic attack because I couldn’t breathe, and then I kept drifting in and out of consciousness, hearing everything happening around me, but having visions of colors and shapes that I couldn’t focus on. Thank heaven my husband was there. I was holding his hand to have a grip on reality. I’ve never dropped acid or smoked pot, but I wonder if what’s they’d call a bad trip. It’s scary, and all you can really do is ride it out. I think it has something to do with the anesthesia they use. My tonsillectomy (again, last year) used anesthesia where it was the best sleep I’ve ever had. Woke up fully aware and ready to go home. They didn’t let me of course, but I felt fabulous, except for the sore throat.
Please guys, stay healthy.
Welcome home, Matthew…
I had the very unfortunate experience of witnessing the post-op delirium Matt described up close, with my Dad. He was, admittedly, much older and frailer than young Matthew, but after a tube had to be inserted into his chest for a pneumothorax caused by a fall, and after the administration of morphine for pain, he was in a drug-induced haze/coma/nightmare for a week or more. It was months before he returned to his former self (common among the elderly) and arguably he never became normal again.
Yet, all the doctors who saw him in the ICU bed ASSUMED his crazy behaviour was baseline.
Matt, you are very lucky, and I am so grateful to see and hear your presence on my favourite podcast once again.
I started listening to you when he was still alive, and am grateful for those early ‘casts so much.
BEST WISHES to you all,
anthologos (Anthony)
I don’t suppose any of the Good Friends will be attending Necronomicon in Providence this year?
Ahh right, no one bothers reading these. Just the hell of discord gibbering. Such a sad choice.