Can mortal ears dare to hear such eldritch strains?
Many and diverse are the powers of the Magician’s Skull. He commands a fell host of be-winged monstrosities, his smoldering gaze means instant immolation for the unwary, and, of course, it was the Skull himself that devised the infamous Power Word: Make Intern Cry spell. But it is The Skull’s otherworldly puissance in the musical sphere that goes most remarked upon in the ancient grimoires recounting his exploits in the past, and it is in awe and honor of such skill that we share this mere sampling of his melodic power.
Some foolish mortals might suggest that the following are not original compositions of The Skull. Bah! As if the sublimity of Tequila! or Linus and Lucy (The Peanuts Theme Song) could have arisen from any other source than an ensorcelled undead wizard’s skull. As the following short playlist in celebration of the upcoming New Year’s festivities proves, the Skull is without equal in all things, even harpsicord and lute.
And now that The Skull’s subliminal messaging has worked its way into your mortal mind, you will most assuredly be eager for Issue 9 of Tales From the Magician’s Skull — which features an all new tale of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser!
PRE-ORDER – Tales From the Magician’s Skull – No. 9 – Print + PDF + ePub
NOTE: THIS IS A PRE-ORDER FOR TALES FROM THE MAGICIAN’S SKULL #9. IT WILL SHIP AFTER IT HAS BEEN PRINTED.
Cease your wailing, mortal dogs, for once more I have granted your fondest wishes and returned with fantastic tales of sword-and-sorcery! No more must you pace forlornly before your mailbox waiting for salvation only I can deliver, contenting yourself with the reading of street signs and the backs of cereal boxes! Now that you hold my peerless magazine in your hands once more, it is time to be transported to realms of wonder!
Your praise has reached me, and I am somewhat pleased. While the limerick was of questionable merit, three of the odes were quite fine, and the concerto for trombone and guitar brought me true delight. I expect more and greater tribute in the weeks to come!
Tales From The Magician’s Skull is a magazine of all-new swords & sorcery fiction. Issue #8 features cover art by legendary fantasy artist Ken Kelly.
NOW WITH ePUB! Tales From the Magician’s Skull #8 is also available in ePub format. It is included with a print purchase of the latest issue, or available as a stand-alone item.
Let’s look at the table of contents!
STORIES
Three Festivals by James Enge
A Tale of Morlock Ambrosius
Kalx, brazen defender of the city, had left a trail of ruins in his wake. Morlock followed the trail until he passed the border of the city — the line that Zlynth had called the pomerium. By the time Morlock caught up to the brazen monster, Kalx was already outlined in scarlet flames, fighting a cloud of Furies.
The Raven-Feeder’s Tower by Philip Brian Hall
The skeleton was held upright by a tall stake driven deep into the ground, to which support its spine was fixed by leather bonds. The breastplate covered bare white ribs and the helmet’s visor protected merely the empty eye-sockets of a morbidly-grinning skull.
Blue Achernar by Tais Teng
An Homage to Clark Ashton Smith
Lady Magida had slept in the tombs of magicians so feared that their names had never been written down, walking into their death-dreams, leafing through their grimoires that had long ago turned to dust. When she strode through the necropolises the ghûls fled like whimpering hares.
Pawns’ Gambit by Nathan Long
A Tale of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
The monks howled at this violation of their sacred place, and Mouser saw he had been incorrect when he had thought them all unarmed. From every sleeve sprang a dagger, and they held them high as they rushed to encircle him.
Orphan Maker by S.E. Lindberg
“It is her time to sacrifice,” Ingrid explained while adjusting her mother’s hair. “Ma resisted. She escaped from the Bleeding Tree.” She laughed while shrugging. “But her blood is stronger than her faith!”
The Necromancer and the Forgotten Hero by D.M. Ritzlin
The wound was still fresh, but not a drop of blood escaped from it. Hyallbor wondered what sort of necro- mantical energies were sustaining him.
The Glass Dragon by David Gullen
Rhayder staggered grey-skinned from the mouth of a labyrinth of seventy-seven turns wielding a felling axe with a head of star-forged iron.
ARTICLES
The Monster Pit by Terry Olson
Enter the monster pit! Down here in the pit, we provide tabletop RPG fans with playable DCC RPG game statistics for the creatures in this issue of Tales From The Magician’s Skull.
The Skull Speaks by The Skull Himself
