The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath part 1

We’re back and we’re descending the seventy steps of light slumber. At least we can take a breather in the cavern of flame before we have to trot down the seven hundred steps to the Gate of Deeper Slumber. Schlepping down all these stairs is knackering. We’re going to need a good night’s sleep before we wade through any more of The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. Maybe we’ll have some interesting dreams while we do so. Main Topic: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath This is the first part of our multi-episode exploration of Lovecraft’s first novel, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. While Lovecraft had been writing stories set in the Dreamlands for several years beforehand, this is the book that tied everything together. As well as consolidating the Dreamlands as a setting, it also fleshes out several aspects of the Cthulhu Mythos, offering insights into ghouls, Nyarlathotep, and the Court of Azathoth. As ever, we begin by discussing the background and context of The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. We then move on to the story itself. Our synopsis is peppered with side discussions about how we would use elements of the story in our games. More than any other Lovecraft story, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath is filled with inspirational hints and snippets. This episode also features the return of Matt! He has largely recovered from COVID, although his voice is still croaky. Patreon backers can enjoy the full range of Matt’s coughs and sputters in the unedited episode. Links Things we mention in this episode include: * Dreamlands Cycle* Lord Dunsany* Lucid dreaming* The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H P Lovecraft* H P Lovecraft’s Dreamlands* The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H P Lovecraft* At the Mountains of Madness by H P Lovecraft* The New Annotated H P Lovecraft – Beyond Arkham edited by Leslie Klinger * Randolph Carter* “The Statement of Randolph Carter” by H P Lovecraft* “The Unnamable” by H P Lovecraft* “The Silver Key” by H P Lovecraft* “Through the Gates of the Silver Key” by H P Lovecraft and E Hoffmann Price* “Out of the Aeons” by H P Lovecraft and Hazel Heald* “Polaris” by H P Lovecraft* “The White Ship” by H P Lovecr...