The Temple of Abomination

Introduction

The Temple of Abomination. Unpublished and unfinished during Howard’s lifetime. Featuring Cormac Mac Art is an outlawed Gael, a pirate, and a Reiver. There is both an early draft and a later draft of this story. 

The story

“The Temple of Abomination” is a tale that melds historical adventure with elements of horror and the supernatural. The story follows a group of Viking warriors led by Wulfhere Hausakliufr and the Gael, Cormac Mac Art, as they navigate through British lands with an aim to ambush Saxons from the west.

The narrative opens with the Vikings’ cautious approach to a stone structure in the midst of a forest, presumed to be a Druidic temple. Cormac, familiar with the Celtic ways, believes they have nothing to fear from the Druids and enters the temple to seek their blessing against the Saxons. Wulfhere, although skeptical and influenced by superstitions surrounding Rome and its legacies, allows Cormac to proceed.

Inside, Cormac encounters an unspeakable horror. He emerges pale and shaken, his sword covered in a mysterious green slime. Without delving into specifics, he instructs Wulfhere to unleash his warriors inside the temple.

The Vikings encounter creatures that defy nature—a blend of plant, animal, and human characteristics, suggesting a return to prehistoric, chaotic forms of life. The temple is not a place of Druidic worship but a site for ancient and abominable rites that combine elements of various mythologies and religions, hinting at satyrs, mandrakes, and other monstrous entities.

After a harrowing battle, marked by sounds of violence and otherworldly cries, Wulfhere and his warriors emerge victorious but visibly affected by the experience. The group promptly leaves the site, determined to continue their original mission.

In the later draft of “The Temple of Abomination,” the story’s tone shifts darker, with a more palpable sense of dread and horror. The narrative focuses on a group led by Wulfhere Hausakliufr and Cormac Mac Art as they stumble upon a sinister stone temple while traversing British lands. Inside, they encounter abhorrent carvings and a mysterious pit leading to a deeper darkness. They rescue a tortured priest, Fabricus, and confront a ghastly horde of goat-like creatures and their ominous high priest. The battle is vicious, showcasing the savagery of both sides, and ends with Cormac pursuing the high priest to a gruesome end. The changes from the early draft include a more elaborate description of the temple, a deeper dive into the characters’ backstories, and a more intense, climactic confrontation.

Characters in the early draft

  • Wulfhere Hausakliufr: A Viking leader known as Skull-splitter, characterized by his large stature, red beard, and fearsome demeanor.
  • Cormac Mac Art: A Gaelic warrior who is knowledgeable about Celtic beliefs and leads the expedition through Britain.
  • Thorfinn: A Viking warrior under Wulfhere’s command, who expresses superstitions about the temple.
  • Hrothgar: Another Viking, who comments on the fungus around the temple and contributes to the eerie atmosphere.
  • Hakon Snorri’s son: A member of Wulfhere’s band, who mistakes a vine for a goat, adding to the group’s tension.
  • Arthur Pendragon: Mentioned in the story as a king rallying British tribes, though Cormac doubts his lineage and claims he is a Celt from a western tribe.
  • Lancelot: A renegade Gallo-Roman, adept at political maneuvering, who influences Arthur.
  • Gawaine: Another ally of Arthur, described as a pure-blooded Briton with an affinity for Roman culture.

Characters in the later draft

  • Wulfhere Hausakliufr: A Dane leading the group, characterized by his size and combat prowess.
  • Cormac Mac Art: A Gael with a scarred face, knowledgeable about the local lore and skilled in combat.
  • Fabricus: A Christian priest who has been tortured, providing information about the temple’s true nature.
  • Thorfinn Jarl’s bane: A warrior in Wulfhere’s group, instrumental in saving Cormac from a trap.
  • Black Hrothgar and Hakon Snorri’s son: Warriors in Wulfhere’s group, present during the exploration and battle.
  • High Priest: The leader of the monstrous horde, eventually killed by Cormac after a chase through the temple.

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