By the unholy seething horrors of the abyss, above and below

[Korumil]

If you have not read the short story, The Call of Cthulhu, by H. P. Lovecraft, please do. It expresses horror and incomprehensible terror capable of crushing the spirit of men most resolute. Every person who partakes of Ravenloft should experience this unsettling monstrosity. I am now keen to read any more material that would upset my mind so. Please share.

[Bloody Morgan]

Assuming that Lovecraft is new to you, go through the rest of his works. I'd especially recomend the Shadow over Innsmouth and the Dunwich Horror. The Shadow out of Time is also worthwhile, though is getting more into sf territory than pure horror. Also nasty are the Music of Eric Zahn, the Colour Out of Space and the Dreams in the Witch-House. A lot of the others are good, if not as nightmarish. The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, though fun, is almost whimsical in places.

[Lord_Pruitt]

One of the better Lovecraft collections in titled - Black Seas of Infinity and contains a number of (I think) his better works. Another story that has always "stuck" with me as being creepy is Sir A.C. Doyle's Lot 42

[Drinnik Shoehorn]

My favourite Lovecraft story, and one that's heavinly applicable to Ravenloft is Pickman's Model. The story of the disturbingly real paintings and where the artist drew his inspiration is so fitting for Dementlieu or Richemulot.

[CorvusCornix]

One of the better Lovecraft collections in titled - Black Seas of Infinity and contains a number of (I think) his better works. Another story that has always "stuck" with me as being creepy is Sir A.C. Doyle's Lot 42

Say, what's this Lot 42 you speak of? What's it about? I don't know much of Doyle besides Sherlock Holmes, I assume it's a short story? In a book named "Around the red lamp" there's a story called "Lot No. 249", you wouldn't be mixing up Doyle and Douglas Adams, now would you?

[maraudar]

Saw the thread and title and thought someone was summoning me .. HPL is one of the greatest writers ever. The older I get the more I find myself enjoying the writers from the past more than the present. HPL, CAS, REH are my top three.


Maraudar

[Lord_Pruitt]

Say, what's this Lot 42 you speak of? What's it about? I don't know much of Doyle besides Sherlock Holmes, I assume it's a short story? In a book named "Around the red lamp" there's a story called "Lot No. 249", you wouldn't be mixing up Doyle and Douglas Adams, now would you? [/quote]

well, it could be, as it has been a rather long time since I read it. The story involves a recently discovered mummy. The part that really stayed with me was the chase through all the shadows and dark & fog covered streets. So vivid and chilling.

I may be advancing in age, but I think I can keep my Douglas Adams and Doyle works separated

[Dion of the Fraternity]

What was that story again about this expedition to the South Pole with the blind penguins? That Lovecraft story takes the bag for me.

Beyond that, Rats in the Walls.

[Malus Black]

What was that story again about this expedition to the South Pole with the blind penguins? That Lovecraft story takes the bag for me.

At the Mountains of Madness. Which, incidentally, was just made into a radio drama by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society.

[ScS of the Fraternity]

That's so awsome that my head exploded.
I think Mountains is easily the most interesting of Lovecraft's stories - as much as I like Call, mountains just has more exploration, more dark disturbing secrets.

[Mortepierre]

Eh, funny, this mini just came out:
http://www.leisuregames.com/cgi-bin/sh0 ... 4256#a4256

Also, those interested in Mountains of Madness (perhaps for a Modern d20 RL adventure?) will probably want to purchase this:



Chaosium is going to re-publish it soon (if it hasn't happened already)

I had the occasion to play it (took us over a year real time!) and I still have shivers about it...

[Charney]

All these stories you mentioned are really great. But there's one I really like that wasn't. I don't know the title in english so I'll describe it (spoilers).

A young man and his uncle investigate an haunted house they rented in which odd things happened throughout the years. Eventually the uncle dies and his nephew digs underneath the house and discovers the arm of something big...

It was the first Lovecraft story that really spooked me so it holds a special place for me.

Another good one is Cold Air.

[Darkknight]

Thank you Dion. Rats in the wall is by far my favorite of his works. I have used this story in lines with Van Richtens guide to the dead for a ghoulish society. Went over very well with my group.

[Jennifer]

Hey guys and girls,
I was fortunate enough to be able to buy the collected works of Lovecraft in three volumes this summer. And I really like his tales, not all of them are equally good, but the ones mentioned in this thread are definitely worth checking out.

Another interesting one is "the case of Charles Dexter Ward" definitely ravenloft material if you are interested in mucking about with cursed family lines and doppelgangers.

Jennifer

[Slerm]

All of HP Lovecraft's works are in public domain at this point. You can read them all online for free.

The professor that I'm working for is writing a book on HP Lovecraft. I'll let you all know when it's finished, etc., and post a link to it (assuming it's for sale on amazon, etc.).

Slerm