King of the Forgotten People – synopsis

Introduction

The synopsis of “King of the Forgotten People” tells the story of Jim Brill, an adventurer driven by love and duty, who embarks on a perilous journey into the Gobi Desert to find a missing scientist. The narrative unfolds with elements of survival, strange scientific experiments, and a climactic confrontation with forces both human and monstrous.

This draft explores themes of survival, transformation, and the corrupting nature of power, mixed with adventure and strange science.

See also the published version of King of the Forgotten People and the earliest known draft.

Summary

Jim Brill ventures into the Gobi Desert, searching for Richard Barlow, a scientist who disappeared four years prior. Brill undertakes this dangerous quest at the request of Gloria Barlow, Richard’s wife, whom Brill secretly loves. Gloria had not been happy with her brutal husband but felt obligated to attempt his rescue.

Brill’s expedition faces disaster when it is attacked by Mongol bandits, and he is the only one to escape. Struggling to survive on a tired horse amidst a sandstorm, Brill presses on toward a wild and rocky range of hills, pursued by the Mongols. Just as they close in, a gigantic spider appears and attacks the Mongols. Brill manages to shoot the spider and continues onward, exhausted and nearing collapse. He eventually stumbles upon a strange city hidden in the hills, occupied by the degenerate descendants of Genghis Khan’s warriors. To his shock, Richard Barlow has become the ruler of the city and lives with a Chinese woman he had captured from a caravan.

Barlow reveals that he has created monstrous, giant spiders to protect the city, transforming small spiders from local caves into the fearsome creatures through his scientific experiments. He shows Brill a meditation chamber once used by Genghis Khan and shares his plan to invoke the conqueror’s ghost. Barlow believes that thoughts leave an imprint on material substances, much like physical objects, and that he can develop these impressions, much like photographic negatives, to gain the power of Genghis Khan’s mind and spirit. Barlow’s own transformation into a Mongol has already begun, as he shows Mongolian characteristics and speaks with a guttural accent.

When Brill mentions Gloria, Barlow sneers and declares that she should be brought to him. Brill refuses, leading to a brutal fight between the two men. Though Brill knocks Barlow unconscious, he is eventually overpowered by Barlow’s servants. However, the Chinese woman, who overheard Barlow’s demand for Gloria, stabs him to death. At the same time, the city is raided by a band of Mongols led by an old friend of Brill’s. The Mongols free Brill, and his friend escorts him back to civilization.

Characters

  • Jim Brill: The protagonist, an adventurer in love with Gloria Barlow. He embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue Richard Barlow from the Gobi Desert, driven by love and duty.
  • Richard Barlow: A scientist who disappeared into the Gobi Desert and has since become the ruler of a city inhabited by the descendants of Genghis Khan’s warriors. Barlow conducts strange experiments, creating giant spiders, and seeks to invoke the spirit of Genghis Khan to gain power. He is gradually transforming into a Mongol.
  • Gloria Barlow: Richard Barlow’s wife, whom Jim Brill secretly loves. Though unhappy in her marriage, she feels obligated to try and rescue her husband.
  • Chinese Woman (unnamed): Richard Barlow’s consort, captured from a caravan. She is ultimately the one who kills Barlow after overhearing his plans for Gloria.
  • Mongol Bandits: Pursue Brill across the desert but are driven off by the appearance of a giant spider.
  • Brill’s Mongol Friend: A former ally of Brill who leads a raid on the city and helps Brill escape back to civilization.

Alternate title

THE VALLEY OF THE LOST (1)

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