"The Seven Geases" by Clark Ashton Smith / Hyperborean Cycle

[@HorrorBabble]

The Complete Hyperborean Cycle: fantasybabble.bandcamp.com/album/the-hyperborean-cycle

[@michaelconnell1010]

In which we learn Lovecraftian horrors are surprisingly polite and good neighbors to one another.

[@piotrb8434]

LOL, I thought the same when I first read this story online. They are really well behaved. They probably throw tea parties together from time to time.

[@kgb333m3]

@@piotrb8434 I mean it would be rude not to attend if invited

[@johannageisel5390]

Yes! That hunter is a rude asshole who kills somewhat intelligent beings for sports and in contrast to him the "monsters" are all very polite and thankful.

[@thehillz726]

The eldertich art of regifting

[@GoatOfTheWoods]

Clark Ashton Smith is simply amazing, his style is elegant and unique, and i can't not imagine what an amazing adventure / dark fantasy game this story would make.

[@teyanuputorti7927]

A pretty good game

[@Brenthias]

Elden Ring comes out 2/24...so two more days depending where on this planet you are. That is as close as one could get, I would imagine.

[@jokreil5076]

Reading his fantasy stories, you also see where games like D&D got a lot of their original inspiration from.

[@drummyt7166]

I'm running a D&D game at the moment and my friends have seemingly refused to read or listen to this story, regardless of how many times I've suggested it. So, I basically stole the plot/many of the characters from this story and are making them run it. If they dont know it, it's new to them right? They love it so far!

[@voiceofamos]

Apex logo spotted 👍

[@AffyisAffy]

I love how this morphs from adventure, to horror, then comedy. CAS is way underated. Excellent reading and voices. I love the little echo effect you have for the spoken lines in the cave.

[@josephskiles]

It's sad Smith often doesn't get the notice that Lovecraft or Howard does, the man had a great way with words and his paintings are something special in their own write . Great job on the narration on this.

[@hillaryclinton1232]

I read many Clark Ashton Smith stories then learned Lovecraft Gropys held him in contempt. I have rad these stories since 1959.

[@agoogolofgeese]

very interesting. Do you know why they held such perception of him?

[@robbabcock_]

Terrific tale!

[@jlworrad]

Love all the voices with this one.

[@nikolaihanuschak191]

This is hands down one of my favorite Cthulhu Mythos stories, as well as Clark Ashton Smith stories. Oh how the pompous Lord Rallibar Vooz "3rd cousin to King Homquat himself" was put to the test, as a true Hunter. LOL

[@CJM-rg5rt]

I didn't realize how funny "3rd cousin to King Homquat himself" was until you wrote it.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Another fantastic story from CAS. Great narration, Ian. Spoiled, rich, insufferable brat on a journey. I chuckled as he went through the stages of each gease. Keep them coming!

[@ukaszstrzelecki9157]

That was… interesting story to say the least. But the voices of the creatures, awesome!

[@jerichohill487]

This is incredible, as usual. Ian, you and Jen spoil us. Why you guys aren't in the top ten, or truthfully, the number one channel is a mystery that could've been created by Poe or Christie. Keep'em coming. And thank you guys. You'll never know what you mean to some of us. God Bless and keep you both.

[@paynezerfaust4282]

Greatest narrator on the web!

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Beyond true! I wish more ppl were interested in the topic so I could recommend it without seeming crazy about vintage Sci-fi : ) cheers!

[@Shacthulhu]

Possibly my favorite by Smith. Love it!

[@johnmitchelljr]

Unique writer. Thank you.

[@robertwalker-smith2739]

I remember reading that Mount Voormithadreth is called that because it's the addreth of the Voormith.

[@TheHappyhorus]

Have come to rely on your wonderful tellings and professionally crafted selections. Thank you HorrorBabble.

[@jamiecameron7615]

Very excited for this one!! Thank you very much!!

[@RangerOfTheOrder]

It should be titled "The Seven Roasts" He just gets verbally torn apart at every turn and it's hilarious

[@acidnine3692]

"we're all aware that this amounted to a game of Eldritch hot potato, aren't we?"

[@lillianwhite760]

This was hilarious! Mighty hero hunter is rude. Gets passed along from monster to monster, each one finding him inconsequential or useless or repulsive. Falls in a hole. 😂

[@babalon7778]

I was trying to be all serious and now I can't, makes me love the story even more!

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

In Warhammer Fantasy tabletop game there is a special rule named "Tastes Bad", i guess hero of the story has that.

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

He reminded me of Author Dent from Hitchhiker's Guide, mostly harmless! Lol! Cheers!

[@lillianwhite760]

@@Self-replicating_whatnot he's human fruitcake.

[@briangreen1781]

Lol After his fall I could almost see Dirk The Daring from "Dragon's Lair" with a broken skeletal frown.

[@Bashamo257]

This sounds like the script of a great D&D one-shot

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Somewhere, it is.

[@Kropothead]

Mythos fantasy is really fun to play, as long as you don’t expect to survive the story.

[@Mi-yc3oy]

i first read it as “the seven GEESES” 😅. thank you for another great reading🥳

[@Disciple_of_Cthulhu]

I always thought "geas" was pronounced like that, not like "flesh."

[@russhurst6730]

Lol... Is it not, oh ok it's not. I was really looking towards a tale of sinister ducks and swans and the like taking down unsuspecting man in their dark plot to serve a horrifying unknowable god that all water fowl serve sooner or later.

[@geoff7936]

Did anyone play Baldurs Gate and get the one Asian thief/fighter character? He was super useful until at one crucial point he abandoned the party because he had had a geas upon him the whole time! Taken me a good couple years to finally stumble on the right pronunciation😂

[@geoff7936]

Did anyone play Baldurs Gate and get the one Asian thief/fighter character? He was super useful until at one crucial point he abandoned the party because he had had a geas upon him the whole time! Taken me a good couple years to finally stumble on the right pronunciation😂

[@shgnamaste7730]

@@russhurst6730 .. I like that concept. Waterfowl, the eyes of Cthulhu. Luring us to the water's edge. 😏😁

[@ryanmattox7408]

Archetypes: Get lost, uggo, maybe that dickhead Abboth will mistake for his kid. Abboth: Those assholes said what?!? You’re not my child I wouldn’t eat you! Hunter: -Internal sobbing- Demon Birb: Skraw! Skraw!

[@billsummy2412]

Another Super Duper read .... AWESOME :-)

[@Calvin300clan]

I've been listening 2 u at work for over a year

[@calviniscool]

Holy cow, I get so stoked whenever your channel uploads something with the name "Lovecraft" or the words "Cthulhu Mythos" I can't wait to listen during my commute from work

[@PatFerris]

What pleasure and fun to hear this Ian! It's like a mini Dante's Inferno...I feel so sorry the huntsman!...Yeah, he's an asshole and deserves it, but still... Even excrement didn't want him...what really tickled my fancy was the way you told it and the voices you manufactured, a real joy to listen to.

[@VhaidraSaga]

Beautiful reading!

[@babalon7778]

I love how he describes everything, if this doesn't color my dreams I don't know what will! 35:03- The floor here is in Eternal Darkness, Sanity's Requiem, my favorite Gamecube game. It's based on a Lovecraftian style universe, worth checking out for the beastiary alone, it's a unique game. There's videos if anyone's interested.

[@AdamStJamesStJames]

Such a disappointment that it didn't become a successful franchise. I was in college when it came out but would go to my parent's house to chill with my younger brother to watch him play it. Great story, good scenery, and good endings.

[@babalon7778]

@@AdamStJamesStJames At least it didn't get ruined with crappy sequels, for that I'm grateful.

[@Colonelingus]

I'm sick with pneumonia and I was hoping for something good to come home to after work, and I'm not disappointed ☺️

[@adamp3223]

be safe, man

[@babalon7778]

I hope you heal up quick! 💊⚡

[@HorrorBabble]

Get well soon, Colonel.

[@12201185234]

Shit, man... Do you have the Kung Flu?

[@Colonelingus]

@@12201185234 no bat soup for me thanks lol

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the upload.👍🏼👍🏼🖖🏼

[@PAX---777]

RAD AF....CHEERS

[@williamfawkes8379]

In my memory, this is the only story I've ever heard that contains the word Archaeopteryx. This is a rather unique distinction, among the many other special qualities this tale possesses. That particular word is, furthermore, one of the least obscure of the deliberately placed word puzzles that await those who venture into the realms of Klarkash-Ton.

[@thefisherking78]

Finally got to this after queuing it for a while. What a fun and witty tale! 😍

[@Battury]

Heyyyyy, Abhoth is in this one! My first homebrew Call of Cthulhu 7e game used Abhoth as the main mythos creature :) very fond of this story ❤️

[@kristinacable]

Delightful!❤

[@Tazirai]

Always love a good CAS story.

[@CountingHouse]

This is like if Crom prank orders a pizza to the Ephiloegean Mountains and all the room mate monster bros are too polite to make good on it.

[@Kropothead]

I understood this reference, and the image made me lol.

[@jacobmccormick3823]

Thank you! I hope you cover "The Flower Women", it's one my favorite Clark Ashton Smith stories!

[@KyloB]

I really love horrorbabble, Ian's narrations are amazing. Though my favourite narration of this story so far was uploaded by Nemesis The Warlock, I don't know the name of the narrator (I wish I did) but his energy and voice acting was nothing short of excellent

[@HorrorBabble]

I know the one, Kylo - and yes, it's superb! Here's a link for those who might want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqrUaqJsf7iEp5o

[@ianauck8764]

In my place, my famous last words would be: "STUPID SLOTH!!!" But seriously, this was a very fascinating tale. The various worlds and beings described by Smith are always a delight. Thanks!

[@MrsCaranAmy]

This was quite an entertaining adventure and then the perilous ending. I did really like it and hope there are more Monday night stories.

[@HorrorBabble]

Every Monday, Amy! Monday is our primary upload day of the week.

[@MrsCaranAmy]

@@HorrorBabble Thank you Ian. I will look out on Mondays for them.

[@DemienC.]

Moral of the story: Don't interrupt scientists. To be fair slightly ruins mysticism around Tsathoggua. But, of course, great reading as usual.

[@arturprejna5143]

As a more than mildly perturbed scientist (not entirely mad), I can attest to this.

[@sunlesssentinel5326]

Fantastic work.

[@rachweatherilll69]

I gease his luck was up. Sheesh, shut up Rachel

[@moonchildsfaeryrealm.3971]

Bloody brilliant! And so intense.

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

Eldritch FedEx quest.

[@12201185234]

You mean like Death Stranding?

[@epiendless1128]

This could be a Hell devised by a deity who considers re-gifting a sin.

[@Echosinfireify]

Big fan of Clark Ashton smith

[@readdescriptionforanaughty3344]

Great one again

[@Bbergster]

What a rough day/ mission, being rejected, regurgitated by a dino, etc. Ejoyed it! Lot of crazy stuff going on

[@luluseatowngetdown6251]

ya, wow. You’re obviously extremely perceptive. Come live in my castle and we can discuss the subtleties of existential existence. Rock on 🤘

[@greatpower6063]

Me and the boys at 3am, kitted out and hunting alien monsters.

[@Shacthulhu]

I misspoke. This is easily my favorite CAS!

[@rachweatherilll69]

Sounds like a fantastic version of my life. I too, once thought my excrement had no odour until life proved otherwise lol Fortunately, my life has had a happier ending, thus far.

[@jeremyw.norwood1453]

NO! Please don't let it be the final tale you give us from the Cthulhu mythos... That is unless, of course, it is actually the only one which you haven't already covered... Ha. You guys have the best Cosmic Horror content I have ever found & I truly do thank you for all of the amazing work which you have done here; all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed!

[@HorrorBabble]

Only the last tale from the *Lovecraft Circle* Cthulhu Mythos...

[@Wombats555]

The Seven Geases gets a lot of attention for the bad-scrabble-hand entities it references but its one of his joke / anti-hero ones. Would be very cool to see phantasmagoric stuff like The Death of Malygris and The Double Shadow. When CAS is not taking the piss he eclipses Lovecraft for cool stuff and exquisite descriptions.

[@alexpekios2896]

I'd like to see HB do The Death of Malygris aswell.

[@Wombats555]

Actually Ian's voice is really lifting the material :)

[@bobbymarcum772]

And The Colossus of Y'lourgne would be awesomer, most awesomer if indeed that is possible, if only undertaken by Ian

[@olalustig5397]

A CTHULU MYTHOS STORY YES YES YES YES YES YES

[@blakmajk369]

Sweetness! 🍭

[@saulgoodman7858]

Wild ride

[@BryinWillis-e8g]

Complete

[@hellodarkness5644]

Like, dang ol' spoilers man. Passed from monster to monster like a dang ol' hacky sack man. Dang ol' big hole man. He falls in it.

[@SedDelMar]

You are no one until you have been rejected by the elder gods, then you are naught.

[@Derek_Smallshorts]

I LOVE the fact that Lord Ralibar Vooz is John Wayne.

[@Itried20takennames]

Lelouch Lamperouge (aka Vi Britainia) was one of the two dislikes. He doesn't condone talk of geas.

[@danbrown2908]

I'm not sure 😕 how many times 🤔 that poor sob was run through the ringer, and the rejection too, that guy really is a warrior.

[@chrisu7022]

This was amazing, is there anyway you can narrate "the door to saturn"

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Chris! Feel free to send any suggestions via our website: www.horrorbabble.com

[@duncangriffiths4399]

Did anyone else listen to the intro and just want to see how a hunt for the Voormi played out? Or does that happen after I fall asleep😅? The world is so well built I just wanted to see how it worked via something like a hunt, is there another hyperborean story with Voormi?

[@Real_Patriot-y1y]

The seven 🦢gooses.

[@Pentapus1024]

This is one of my very favorite CAS stories. I hope you do, "The God of the Asteroid" at some point. I never donate or support this channel, even though I love it, cuz I'm a pathological procrastinator extraordinaire. So someone who's not like I am should nudge Horrorbabble toward the aforementioned CAS story. Damn, Benadryl kicked in and I'm too discombobulated to go on

[@HorrorBabble]

Feel free to send any suggestions this way, sir: www.horrorbabble.com/contact

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Lol, cheers mate!

[@lucasconner5648]

I feel kind of dumb asking this but how do you find the copyright status of certain short stories or books?

[@flyingshoes4129]

@@lucasconner5648 stories over a certain age become members of the elusive PUBLIC DOMAIN club. at least thats what i heard

[@HorrorBabble]

@@lucasconner5648 Extensive research, Lucas. Even then, 100% certainty can be hard to achieve.

[@johnnikyecole9114]

And at last our traveler finds his final location, therapy for his horrible journey filled with rejection.

[@kevingluys3063]

Them: "The worst the unknowable horrors can say are revelations unfit for the human mind." The unknowable horrors: "Ew."

[@12201185234]

I love taking trips up to the mountains, but these are definitely not mountains that I would want to vacation in.

[@crowejagerson3628]

What dose a guy have to do to get eaten by eldritch beings?

[@nicholassudov2299]

Like. Thank you. Though in the spirit of the time a certain xenophobia is obvious. Did the humans look for gold, oil or uranium there? :-) All those monsters like some regular bureaucrats keep footballing the visitor from one dept to another :-)

[@nyygthaal-sothoth2265]

د҉͞͠ي҉̡͞پ̸̶̀͘͢ت҉̷̀́͞ م͏͜҉̸́ي̸̶͟͠چ͘͟͜ه͟͡ ه̵̛́ د҉͞͠ي҉̡͞د҉͞͠ي҉̡͞پ̸̶̀͘͢د҉͞͠ي҉̡͞پ̸̶̀͘͢پ̸̶̀͘͢ت҉̷̀́͞ ⭒ م͏͜҉̸́ي̸̶͟͠ ه̵̛́ . د҉͞͠ي҉̡͞پ̸̶̀͘͢ت҉̷̀́͞ ⭒ م͏͜҉̸́ي̸̶͟͠چ͘͟͜ه͟͡ ه̵̛́

[@boxfox2945]

King' comquat' 😅 - Thought it was seven geese' 😃

[@mariovillarreal8647]

What is a " gease"!? Edit: an idiosyncratuc taboo, the observance of which can bring power and...blessings. Thank you, I'd never heard that word. Geis or Geisa (plural) root word.

[@ZephaniahL]

Ralabavooz, eh? Wasn't he also Rodney Dangerfield's doctor for some years?

[@sabrinatscha2554]

🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆.

[@rickmaurer8726]

Hey Rala-whatever, isn't this part in the quest when the ground falls beneath our feet? I said.....AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

[@CountingHouse]

He's lucky on of those 7 didn't break his arm.

[@mikereilly7629]

The word is pronounced geez In ireland.they are odd curses that prevent heroes from performing some simple but necessary tasks.designed to hamper his success. Hyperboria is the land from which the north winds emenates.dont mean to be know it all!!!! Just me,I like to hear the obscure words,and get more out the story.Thanks for the old ones...

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Mike! That's yet another pronunciation of the word to add to the list...!

[@fnunez]

In case anyone didn't connect the dots, this story is where the D&D Geas spell comes from...

[@frankmcgovern5445]

Well ACTUALLY, to get mansplainy for a sec, a Geas is a recurring feature of ancient Celtic, primarily Irish, folklore. A divine command that must be followed on pain of death or dishonor. It shows up in Scottish and Welch folklore too (being Celtic). In Scottish mythology it’s a “Geis”. This story and the D&D spell are borrowing from that tradition.

[@andreasbuehler1821]

@@frankmcgovern5445 True, but these stories were explicitely cited as sources for warly D&D.

[@frankmcgovern5445]

Technically, CAS, it should be “The Seven Geasa”, but I’ll forgive you for slipping on your anglicized Gaelic.

[@ninjadolphin01]

Why is the Hyperborean magistrate an American?

[@andy-the-gardener]

great story. one quibble is the word geases is best pronounced like the bird (imo). not that anyone would call a group of geese geeses anyway. it both sounds more natural and doesnt detract from anything. there are many words in the english language that sound the same as others, but have different spellings and meanings. its one of the many things that makes english such a delight to learn.

[@billl2903]

So were the cave people feral humans then, or something more like ghouls? I’m not sure if he was using his prose to give you a window into the prejudice of the hunters, or make it ambiguous, or otherwise. Either way the main character’s fate seems appropriate for his hubris lol

[@calebdavis4226]

The amount of ads on this one ruin the pacing so much

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for pointing that out, Caleb. Ads weren't supposed to appear during the story. We've updated the settings for this one.

[@feralbluee]

those monster voices were horrible. brrrrr. :)

[@michaelsmyth6296]

........Hollywood remake....has Ebeneezer development throughout ..... falls in hole, wakes up and is a new redeemed person, in the 🇬🇧 version we see him dying on the floor of the pit....fade out...

[@unclestaco]

YOU FOOL!.....Ralibar Vooz is dead....

[@alvinoreo2517]

I guess abominations also care for their nutrition

[@virovac885]

Feels weird to call it a Cthulhu Mythos story. Its more its own thing with some crossover.

[@thomasstevens2252]

Umm that's what the cthullu mythos is? Multiple crossovers building a shared universe.

[@thomasstevens2252]

i mean conan the barbarian is part of it too.

[@randallbesch2424]

Should Atla-Natcha finish his work the Earth will vanish to some other dimension.

[@arturprejna5143]

Wait, what...that's it?!? All the mythos and buildup and the dumbass just literally falls into a loophole? Goddammit... Awesome voicework and characterization on this one, Ian!

[@timmy18135]

cthulhu meet dino

[@boxfox2945]

Doesn't actually say' he died' just fell down a hole. 🤔 so probly' his trip's, just beginning.

[@NEWYORKINTHESOUTH]

Dinosaur leather, ok.

[@zuffercanis6709]

That's how it ends? huh....mmmkay

[@thomasstevens2252]

humanity is pointless afterall why should our deaths be any more meaningful?

[@badas45]

This lacks cthulu vibes...also there's not 14 gease

[@thomasstevens2252]

oh it's cthulu in theme since humanity is too worthless for any eldritch thing to care about