Post by Herne the hunter on Aug 10, 2004 8:45:59 GMT -5
Author: C. J. Henderson
Type: Mythos Adventure
Synopsis:
Supernatural detective Anton Zarnak is contracted to de-program an oriental couple's son who has joined the San francisco branch of nationwide gang, The Yellow Kings. After an encounter that leads Zarnak into the depths of space he uncovers a shocking revelation about the gang's leader. And it's not who you'd expect it to be.
Highlight for the spoiler review The Pain We Desire is a mythos tale with a twist. Lacking the atmosphere and horror of the original mythos style, this puts a whole new spin on things. Recurring protagonist and Old One hunter, Anton Zarnak (a character some veteran mythos fans may be familiar with) is asked by an oriental couple to bring back their son, who has joined the San Francisco branch of nationwide gang, The Yellow Kings. Upon investigation, he learns that the Yellow Kings are not your typical street gang. For the most part they are non-violent, but anyone interferring with their affairs has a habit of simply vanishing, and those who re-appear do so as Kings themselves. What's more their leader is completely unknown.
Upon locating the Kings' hideout in an abandoned warehouse, Zarnak tricks his way past sentries only to come face to face with the gang's leader inside, who turns out to be Hastur the Unspeakable. After ordering four gangers (one of whom is the couple's son) to kill Zarnak, Hastur and the rest of the gangers set off into space atop a fleet of Byakhee. After disposing of the gangers with some good ol' fashioned magic tools, Zarnak summons his own beast and gives chase. Confronting the gang in space he unravels a shocking revelation: the gang's leader isn't Hastur at all, but actually Nyarlathotep posing as him. After an ominous conversation with the Old God, Zarnak summons Hastur himself to let him deal with the impostor. Hastur arrives just in time to save Zarnak, and quickly proceeds to bitch slap Nyarlathotep all over the universe.
This story shows Nyarlathotep at his best; not as the indifferent messenger of the Old Ones, but as an independant agent, manipulating the other gods to meet his own agenda; a theory I've entertained from the very beginning.
Review:
The basic premise of the story is reminiscent of the Devil May Cry games; a solitary detective specialising in out of the ordinary cases, and despite being set in the 1960's/70's the story has an enjoyable cyberpunk feel to it.
If you're looking for that distinctive mythos atmosphere then this story isn't for you, but if you'd like to read a mythos tale with the emphasis on adventure and character development then I'd recommend this story as a good place to start.
(This story can be found in the anthology Lin Carter's Anton Zarnak - Supernatural Sleuth)
Ratings:
Plot: 5
Fun: 5
Style: 5
Overall: 5
Type: Mythos Adventure
Synopsis:
Supernatural detective Anton Zarnak is contracted to de-program an oriental couple's son who has joined the San francisco branch of nationwide gang, The Yellow Kings. After an encounter that leads Zarnak into the depths of space he uncovers a shocking revelation about the gang's leader. And it's not who you'd expect it to be.
Highlight for the spoiler review The Pain We Desire is a mythos tale with a twist. Lacking the atmosphere and horror of the original mythos style, this puts a whole new spin on things. Recurring protagonist and Old One hunter, Anton Zarnak (a character some veteran mythos fans may be familiar with) is asked by an oriental couple to bring back their son, who has joined the San Francisco branch of nationwide gang, The Yellow Kings. Upon investigation, he learns that the Yellow Kings are not your typical street gang. For the most part they are non-violent, but anyone interferring with their affairs has a habit of simply vanishing, and those who re-appear do so as Kings themselves. What's more their leader is completely unknown.
Upon locating the Kings' hideout in an abandoned warehouse, Zarnak tricks his way past sentries only to come face to face with the gang's leader inside, who turns out to be Hastur the Unspeakable. After ordering four gangers (one of whom is the couple's son) to kill Zarnak, Hastur and the rest of the gangers set off into space atop a fleet of Byakhee. After disposing of the gangers with some good ol' fashioned magic tools, Zarnak summons his own beast and gives chase. Confronting the gang in space he unravels a shocking revelation: the gang's leader isn't Hastur at all, but actually Nyarlathotep posing as him. After an ominous conversation with the Old God, Zarnak summons Hastur himself to let him deal with the impostor. Hastur arrives just in time to save Zarnak, and quickly proceeds to bitch slap Nyarlathotep all over the universe.
This story shows Nyarlathotep at his best; not as the indifferent messenger of the Old Ones, but as an independant agent, manipulating the other gods to meet his own agenda; a theory I've entertained from the very beginning.
Review:
The basic premise of the story is reminiscent of the Devil May Cry games; a solitary detective specialising in out of the ordinary cases, and despite being set in the 1960's/70's the story has an enjoyable cyberpunk feel to it.
If you're looking for that distinctive mythos atmosphere then this story isn't for you, but if you'd like to read a mythos tale with the emphasis on adventure and character development then I'd recommend this story as a good place to start.
(This story can be found in the anthology Lin Carter's Anton Zarnak - Supernatural Sleuth)
Ratings:
Plot: 5
Fun: 5
Style: 5
Overall: 5