An Early Christmas Gift: The King in Yellow

This afternoon, I received a package from an old friend I have not seen in many, many years. In the package was a figurine that I recognized immediately:

The King in Yellow

He mentioned the establishment of the Dynasty in Carcosa, the lakes which connected Hastur, Aldebaran and the mystery of the Hyades. He spoke of Cassilda and Camilla, and sounded the cloudy depths of Demhe, and the Lake of Hali. "The scolloped tatters of the King in Yellow must hide Yhtill forever," he muttered, but I do not believe Vance heard him. Then by degrees he led Vance along the ramifications of the Imperial family, to Uoht and Thale, from Naotalba and Phantom of Truth, to Aldones, and then tossing aside his manuscript and notes, he began the wonderful story of the Last King. (from The Repairer of Reputations, by Robert W. Chambers)

First made famous by the stories of horror writer, Robert W. Chambers, numerous authors have attempted to build on the legend of this horrific entity that rules over the demonic city of Carcosa, somewhere near the star Aldebaran. I myself have tried to tackle a King in Yellow tale, but I lack the gift and it will never see light of day.

Cassilda's Song

Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
     In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is
     Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
     Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead;
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
     Lost Carcosa.

Thank you, John. I may go gibbering mad, but it's still the coolest Christmas gift I've gotten in a long, long time.