Amongst the Stones

English, by Justin Geoffrey, 1918. Handwritten, containing poems later found in People of the Monolith (pub. 1926), bound in the skin of a hunting horror.

• Link: The Carlyle Mansion Library, page 134.

Although several of the verses contained within this slim volume are identical to those which appear in Geoffrey’s later published work, some are earlier versions which see heavy revision prior to their official publication by Erebus Press, Monmouth, Illinois. Others are unique to this manuscript.

Purpose

Relevance: one of the unique poems is “The Trappings of a Queen,” which describes the dread ruler Nitocris’ regal paraphernalia in great detail (Appendix D: Artifacts).

• Sanity Loss: 1D3
• Cthulhu Mythos: +1/+2 percentiles
• Mythos Rating: 9
• Study: 1 week
• Spells: none

Physical Description: Bound in the skin of a Hunting Horror, handwritten contents with few inked sketches of high-quality, 96 pages in length, a written note from the author (described below), no date of publication or publisher
Initial Reading: A collection of poetry, mostly in modern style without structure, focuses on dark themes with occasionally oddly juxtaposed romantic elements. Titles include “Out of the Old Land”, “People of the Monolith”, and “My Ancient Queen”. For contemporary sensibilities, the content will seem sensational and disquieting despite the author’s apparent lyrical gifts.

Connection to the Broader Campaign:

The book’s binding may be identified as unusual and other-worldly with a successful Natural World or Science – Biology roll. In the event of a successful Cthulhu Mythos roll, you can reveal the true nature of the binding. Should your character encounter a Hunting Horror in any chapter (notably summoned by M’Dari and Misr House), they may recognize the similarities between the book and the terrifying creature. If they have it on their person, it may even draw the attention of the Mythos creature or Nitocris. The investigators and/or Vabreaux should connect the bookbinding with the Hunting Horror at the Egyptian mosque (p. 343).
The final poem, “My Ancient Queen” describes the three adornments of Nitocris and foreshadows their importance. If necessary, the Investigators may recall this poem with a successful Idea roll during the Egypt chapter upon finding the Girdle or speaking to Dr. Kafour/Agatha Broadmoor.

Document Structure

Publication Status

Publication History: No history of publication for this work. This appears to be a gifted or commissioned copy of poems handwritten by the author and provided to Roger Carlyle. The inscription reads:
To Roger, dear friend, thank you for all the compelling conversation and rich inspiration. My regards and gratitude to your beautiful companion, as well. Best of luck in your upcoming travels, Justin

Historical Details

Background

Author: Justin Geoffrey, an avant-garde English poet of questionable repute, born in 1898 (will die in 1926). Rare review pieces will describe him as an obscene blend of de Sade and Baudelaire. In an interview with the poet (Library Use), he discloses his interest in poetry began after a summer night spent sleeping in a long-abandoned, decrepit farmhouse. He recounts spending many nights as a youth sneaking from his bedroom and wandering the woods in the darkest hours of the night. He received no formal training beyond completing high school at 17, at which point he left home to seek further inspiration for his work.

Read the Document

Amongst the Stones

Full Study or Focused Reading:

They say foul things of Old Times still lurk
In dark forgotten corners of the world.
And Gates still gape to loose, on certain nights.
Shapes pent in Hell.
–People of the Monolith


They lumber through the night
With their elephantine tread;
I shudder in affright
As I cower in my bed.
They lift colossal wings
On the high gable roofs
Which tremble to the trample
Of their mastodonic hoofs
–Out of the Old Land



In her jet black crown
she shall will the weak to bow down.
Wearing starred ruby at her supple waist
mortal lives shall be erased.
With silver and emeralds upon her chest
the Queen will be immortally blessed
Forever, I shall tend her dark desire
offering my flesh to her Ebon pyre
For vengeance, once more she returns
-My Ancient Queen

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Type

Manuscript, Magical (Tome/Scroll)

Location

Carlyle Estate