Gates of Imagination

"Shadows in the Moonlight" to a dark tale of escape, revenge, and mysterious beauty. In the shadowy swamps by the Vilayet Sea, Conan stands in defense of the beautiful Olivia against the sadistic rogue Shah Amurath. Will he manage to save her from a grim fate? Only the moon knows... Series: Conan the Barbarian Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gates-of-imaginatio...

“Ancient Sorceries” is a tale where mysterious events intertwine with reality. The protagonist, a traveler, stops in a remote French town where the inhabitants appear strangely cat-like and watch him closely. Is it just imagination, or is there something more? You’ll discover the secrets of ancient sorceries. Series: John Silence: Physician Extraordinary  #2 Become a supporter of this podcast: htt...

“Gods of the North” (also known as “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” or "The Frost King’s Daughter") is one of Robert E. Howard’s earliest Conan stories. Set in the icy lands of Nordheim in the far north, it follows Conan, a young warrior from Cimmeria, as he becomes the sole survivor of a battle. Amidst the snowy landscape, he encounters the beautiful, naked daughter of Ymir, Atali, who tries to seduc...

“The Charwoman’s Shadow” is a beautiful tale about an apprentice sorcerer who discovers that his master is unscrupulously using stolen shadows. He decides to free an elderly lady from this captivity. The book is one of the pioneering works in the fantasy genre, published before it was officially named. The story is set in Spain during the Golden Age. The main character, Ramon, seeks knowledge of t...

Step into the treacherous alleys of a city steeped in mystery and danger, where the infamous thief Conan finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal. “Rogues in the House” by Robert E. Howard is a tale of cunning plots and savage confrontations, where trust is as scarce as a noble heart. In this classic adventure, witness Conan’s wit and strength as he faces off against a powerful sorc...

Discover the dark secrets and dangers lurking in "The Pool of the Black One" by Robert E. Howard. In this electrifying tale, the daring Conan the Barbarian confronts terrifying forces of ancient evil on a distant tropical island. With each page, the reader is drawn deeper into a world of magic, monsters, and relentless struggle for survival. Will Conan be able to defeat the sorcerer and his demoni...

Discover the dark secrets hidden in old manuscripts and medieval legends in "The Treasure of Abbot Thomas" by M.R. James. This classic horror story takes you on a journey full of puzzles, ancient codes, and unsettling discoveries. Follow the fate of a supernatural researcher who finds that some treasures are better left undisturbed. Will courage and erudition be enough to confront the terrifying s...

When Professor Parkins discovers an ancient whistle while on vacation on the coast of England, he has no idea about the dark forces he is about to summon. His scientific skepticism is put to the test as disturbing dreams and inexplicable phenomena begin to disturb his peace. "Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad" is a classic ghost story by M.R. James that speaks to our deepest fears, remindi...

In the dark corners of Sweden, where echoes of the past still resonate among the old walls, a traveler comes across the story of Count Magnus. This mysterious and sinister aristocrat, known for his severity and cruel punishments of his tenants, seems to be a figure taken straight from the darkest Nordic legends. In M.R. James's story, "Count Magnus," the reader is drawn into a world full of Gothic...

While researching the history of a church in Viborg, Denmark, the narrator’s cousin stays at a local inn, choosing room number 12. However, during the night, strange occurrences lead him to confront the door marked number 13. Series: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gates-of-imagination--6962309/support .

In the enigmatic story ‘The Ash-tree’ by M.R. James, the tree becomes a curse for successive generations of Castringham estate owners. Witches, spells, and fear in Suffolk County, England, in 1690. Will Sir Matthew Fell be able to save his heritage? Discover the dark secrets hidden within the ash tree in this intriguing narrative. Series: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary Become a supporter of this po...

“The Mezzotint” is a mysterious print that changes every time you look at it. Its images reveal terrifying events from the past, and one of them may lead to tragic consequences. Will Mr. Williams uncover the truth? Find out if you dare to gaze upon the mezzotint… Series: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gates-of-imagination--6962309...

In the mysterious mansion of Mr. Abney, the hearts of vanished children continue to beat. Young Stephen must uncover the macabre secret behind this phenomenon before he becomes the next victim. Can love and revenge endure beyond the grave? M.R. James’s “Lost Hearts” weaves a chilling tale where mystery and the occult intertwine in unforgettable ways. Will Stephen unravel the enigma and save his ow...

In a neglected cathedral in southern France, an English antiquary discovers a mysterious manuscript. The illustration within the book leads him to a demonic history that draws him into a dark world of revenge and the past. Series: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gates-of-imagination--6962309/support .

In the desolate forest of Averoigne, resides Anselme, a young romantic who became a recluse after being rejected by his beloved Dorothée. After 13 months of solitude, Anselme stumbles upon a beautiful woman bathing in a forest pond, accompanied by a massive wolf. She is Séphora, an enchantress, who invites him to her realm—Sylaire, “a land lying beyond time and space.” Anselme becomes her lover an...

In the dark corners of Edinburgh, two medical students lead double lives. Fettes, educated but morally conflicted, and his manipulative colleague, Macfarlane, procure bodies for the anatomy professor’s dissection. Their task is to acquire dead bodies, but when Fettes recognizes one as a woman he knew, he becomes entangled in a sinister intrigue. Secrets, betrayal, and moral dilemmas push them to t...

Also known as: Xuthal of the DuskIn the mysterious and perilous world of Hyboria, Conan the Cimmerian roams the vast wastelands. Alongside the scantily clad Natala, he arrives at a forgotten city in a distant oasis. There, he uncovers dark secrets, and the Lovecraftian demon Thog becomes his adversary. Will Conan survive in this desolate land? “The Slithering Shadow” is a tale of adventure, magic,...

“Mother of Toads” is a short story by Clark Ashton Smith, originally published in the July issue of Weird Tales in 1938. The plot revolves around a young apothecary’s assistant who encounters an extraordinary witch deep in the forest. Readers are drawn into a mysterious world where magic and supernatural phenomena intertwine with human desires and fears. The tale is filled with intriguing details...

Let’s delve into the mysterious corridors of The Secret Glory, where mystical symbols intertwine with reality. Follow the journey of young Ambrose Meyrick, initiated by his father into the hidden mysticism of the Holy Grail. Ambrose becomes an apprentice to secret rituals, uncovering ancient secrets that could alter the course of history. Will he discover the truth and safeguard it in secrecy? Bra...

“Black Colossus” unfolds in the mysterious ruins of Kuthchemes, where the ancient sorcerer Thugra Khotan is awakened from his three-thousand-year slumber by the bold yet ill-fated Zamorian thief, Shevatas. Thugra awakens with dreams of world domination. Taking the name Natohk, the “Veiled One,” he gathers an army of desert tribes and sets out to conquer the nations of Hyboria . This tale is filled...

The last of Lovecraft's youthful tales saved by its creator. For the first time, a cursed lineage appears – a motif quite frequent in Lovecraft, borrowed from Poe. It is also the writer's first approach to Gothic poetics in prose. "The Alchemist" was a "validation" of Lovecraft's literary skills in the United Amateur Press Association, i.e., a literary text based on which the author's writing pred...

“The Inmost Light” is a masterful tale in which we uncover the confessions of a scientist delving into the occult. Enigmatic clues are pieced together by two gossipers, transforming seemingly insignificant details into something… chilling. If you’re ready for an emotional thrill and extraordinary experience, Arthur Machen’s The Inmost Light awaits—a mystical journey that will leave a lasting impre...

“The Disinterment of Venus” is a short story by Clark Ashton Smith that transports us to the year 1550. In the Perigon Abbey in Averoigne, something extraordinary and scandalous has occurred. Three monks—Paul, Pierre, and Hughes—unearth a marble statue of a goddess hidden in the monastery garden. Its arms and bosom evoke both pious terror and mysterious excitement. Could it be the ancient Venus he...

“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a masterful tale of morality, sin, and courage. Set in Puritan New England, the story revolves around Hester Prynne, a young woman who bears a child out of wedlock. The scarlet letter “A” embroidered on her gown serves as her punishment for adultery. But Hester is more than just a sinner – she possesses unyielding character and compassion. Her love fo...

“The Tower of the Elephant” is a dark tower that harbors not only a treasure, but also ancient magic and terrifying secrets. Conan risks everything to obtain the jewel, but is he truly prepared for what lurks in the shadows? Uncover the mystery of “The Tower of the Elephant” now! Series: Conan the Barbarian Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gates-of-imagination--...