"Société is the periodically published journal of Technicians of the Sacred, The International Religious and Magical Order of Société, La Couleuvre Noire, and The Neo-African Network, and Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua. It is dedicated to the preservation and practice of Voudoun and other Neo-African religious systems, its magic, art and culture."
Monday, March 18, 2024
COSMIC DEBRIS: The Crone Papers
Sunday, March 17, 2024
BIGFOOT: AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE MONSTER by Daniel Cohen
Monday, March 11, 2024
SWORDS OF THE BARBARIANS by Kenneth Bulmer
At one point Bulmer references a far Khurdisran, and Belmont Tower's quality control is so poor that I'm not sure if he meant to explicitly write Khurdisan as a nod to John Jakes' barbarian hero Brak. In either case, it's not always the best idea to remind readers of other, better stories they could be enjoying. Bulmer also gives us the usual fantasy names like Frelgar, Kar Sjontu, Shishu-Sji, and others, with many foul and unknown gods cursed in passing - "By the swag belly of Obese Rumphaldi Himself!" Some of them land, some don't, and Bulmer's world feels more like a DnD pastiche than a fully realized setting. Some decent character work is appreciated, and sidekick Frelgar is especially well drawn as an "unfrocked philosopher" - a former wizard who now refuses to practice magic. The invading Garthlanders are a curious bunch, a conquering army of honor obsessed nobles who are treated more sympathetically than the Gamelon defenders. Torr sums it up near the end with disquieting relevance for recent events:
"Now may your people take possession of this place, Kar Sjontu," Torr said gravely. "I know nothing of the rights and wrongs of a whole people thus migrating and taking over another habitation. But I do know what my sister and I - and Frelgar - suffered here. You are very welcome."