Sanctum Secorum: Recent Episodes
Sanctum Media
Join two of our Keepers of Mysteries as they dive into Red Nails, by Robert E. Howard.
Red Nails begins in the jungles far to the south of any known civilized or barbarian kingdoms. Valeria of the Red Brotherhood is fleeing persecution and is followed into the wilderness by Conan, a fellow adventurer who wishes for an alliance with Valeria. The pair journey towards a mysterious walled city, which appears deserted. The city, which is known as Xuchotl, is a massive structure completely enclosed and roofed off by an emerald dome. A single great hallway runs across the entire city. However, no streets or open courtyards are present.
The two separate and search the city’s empty corridors. Valeria encounters a man named Techotl, who she joins in his feud between two factions which dwell in the once populous city. Soon, Techotl invites Conan and Valeria into the stronghold of his tribe, the Tecuhltli. Eventually, the couple are welcomed by the rulers of Xuchotl, Olmec and Tascela. After a ritual, Olmec reveals the history of his civilization and its ancient war with the other inhabitants of Xuchotl and the meaning of the red nails driven into a pillar within the Olmec stronghold.
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Plus, tune in for our latest fantasy book give away!
Originally broadcast live on the Goodman Games twitch channel on April 25, 2023.
Robert E Howard’s suicide was a tragic loss. If you are in distress you can call, text, or chat 988, to be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how your problems are affecting you, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary. Additionally the Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) remains available to people in emotional distress or crisis.
Tonight the Keepers of Mystery discuss one of the novels of Poul Anderson, The Broken Sword. Specifically cited on Appendix N, it has also been cited by author Michael Moorcock as having greatly influenced his stories.
The book tells the story of Skafloc, elven-fosterling and originally son of Orm the Strong. The story begins with the marriage of Orm the Strong and Aelfrida of the English. Orm kills a witch’s family on the land and later half-converts to Christianity, but quarrels with the local priest and sends him off the land. Meanwhile, an elf named Imric, with the help of the witch, seeks to capture the newly born son of Orm. In his place, Imric leaves a changeling called Valgard. The real son of Orm is taken away to elven lands and named Skafloc by the elves who raise him. As the story continues, both Skafloc and Valgard have significant roles in the war between the trolls and the elves as things escalate until the restoration of…the Broken Sword.
The StacksAppendix NThe Broken Sword by Poul Anderson
AdventuresBeyond the Black Gate by Harley Stroh
Doom of the Savage Kings by Harley Stroh
The Isle of Fury by Greg Oppedisano
The Old God’s Return by Michael Curtis
The Sorcerer’s Tower of Sanguine Slant by Terry Olson
Thieves of Cold Corner by Harley Stroh
The Trolls of Mistwood by David W. FisherTwilight of the Solstice by Marc Bruner
FictionThe Tale of Halfdanur the Black by Colin Brodd
MusicCreature of the Wood (song) from the album Balance of Nature by Alexander James Adams
Creature of the Wood (song) from the album Life’s Flame by Heather Alexander
Edda: Myths from Medieval Iceland (album) by Sequentia Ensemble
How far to Asgaard (album) by Týr
Huldufólk (album) by Skáld
Íslandsklukkur (album) by Magnús Þór Sigmundsson, Rafn R. Jónsson
Källa (album) by Valkyrik
A Night at the Nordic House (Live with the symphonie orchestra of the Faroe Islands) (album) by Týr
Nordic and Viking Folk (album) by Ragnarök Nordic Viking Folk
Odin’s Raven Magic (album) by Sigur Rós, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, Steindór Andersen and Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir
Vikings Chant (album) by Skáld
PodcastsGlowburn
SettingsDying Earth
Lankhmar
The Purple Planet
Viking Crawl Classics
Source BooksDivinities & Cults Vol 1 by Dan Osarchuk
Isles of the Celts
Tribes of the North
Warrior Horde of the Einherjar by James Spahn
Spotify ListsSanctum Secorum Playlist #51
Marc’s Full Word ListBusk – To prepare, to make or get ready; to put in order, array
Byrnie – A cuirass, corslet, coat of mail
Doughty – Possessing courage and determination; brave, bold, resolute
Fetch – The apparition, double, or wraith of a living person
Howe – An artificial mound, tumulus, or barrow
Leman – A lover or sweetheart
Lur horn
Quern – A large piece of ice; a crack or crevice in a piece of ice
Rede – Counsel or advice given by one person to another
Sea-mew/erne – The common gull/an eagle
Shield-burg
Skyey – Of, relating to, located in, or emanating from the sky
Weregild – There are fun examples actually codified in norse/anglo-saxon law
Zines
The Bachwezi by Ashraf Braden
The Kakondo by Ashraf Braden
Kamila by Ashraf Braden
Lukwata by Ashraf Braden
Sanctum Secorum Quarterly
Get the free Sanctum Secorum #47 Companion COMING SOON A predecessor to Howard’s Conan the barbarian, Solomon Kane is a somber-looking Puritan who wanders the world with no apparent goal other than to vanquish evil in all its forms. Returning to Africa, Solomon Kane’s old friend N’Longa (the witch doctor from “Red Shadows”) gives the […]
Join two of our Keepers of Mysteries as they take a look at The House on the Borderland, by William Hope Hodgson – a story praised by both H. P. Lovecraft and Sir Terry Pratchett, as well as being influential for Clark Ashton Smith. Be sure to check out the music of Electric Wizard and their […]
In a special Halloween episode, Keepers Jen and Bob dive in to the delightfully spooky seasonal tale, A Night in the Lonesome October, by Roger Zelazny. Plus, tune in for our latest fantasy book give away! You could win a copy of Jack of Shadows (details in the show). Originally broadcast live on the Goodman […]