The Voice of El-lil

Introduction

“The Voice of El-Lil” is a captivating adventure story by Robert E. Howard, written in the 1930s. It takes readers into the mysterious depths of Africa, where ancient civilizations and supernatural phenomena intertwine. Through the narrative of Bill Kirby, an English adventurer, An Englishman (Bill) and an American (John Conrad) venture into Somaliland where they discover a tribe of people who have not advanced/progressed with the rest of the world and have remained as they were about 3,000 years earlier.

From the letters

It was accepted in June 1930 and published in Oriental Stories Volume 1 Number 1, October/November 1930. In June 1930 he wrote (letter #134) to Tevis Clyde Smith about his sale:

Well, me bauld buccaneer, I sold “The Voice of El-lil” to Farnsworth for $95.00 being about the first story I ever sold that I had to batter out by pure force of study. He says it’s to appear in the first copy of Oriental Stories, which will come out about September 15.

Remembering your remarks about historical stories, I quote from his letter: “I especially want historical tales — tales of the Crusades, of Genghis Khan, of Tamerlane, and the wars between Islam and Hindooism. Each story will be complete in one issue, and we will use no serials. The longer lengths are preferred — that is about 15,000 words.”

To Harold Preece Cirka October 1930, he wrote:

Well, Harold, how did you like my story, “The Voice of El-Lil,” in the new Oriental Stories? I’m very well pleased with the magazine myself. But listen — if you’ve read the story, you probably noticed a sentence which referred to non-Aryan peoples in Connaught and Galway. That’s the printer’s mistake, not mine; I wrote “Connaught and Galloway,” meaning, of course, the province in Scotland. I don’t know why it was changed.

This error was also mentioned to H.P. Lovecraft in a letter the same month. He got an answer from Harold Preece and in his reply (letter #144, October or early November 1930) he wrote:

I’m glad you liked “The Voice of El‑Lil.”

and

As regards the pre‑Aryan communities I mentioned in “The Voice of El‑Lil,” as you know all western Europe was once inhabited by small, dark, garlic‑eating tribes of Neolithic culture, known variously as Mediterraneans, Iberians, Basques, Long‑heads, Garlic‑eaters, and in Britain, Silures or Picts. Traces of these people, conquered and subjugated by the Aryan Celts, show still in the races today in the British Isles, and these primitive peoples I mentioned are undoubtedly vestiges of the race — whence doubtless come the legends of Phoenician settlements in Cornwall and Ireland. New races of Nordic Celts or Teutons coming into the Isles, seeing these small dark men concluded that they were of Semitic blood, or Egyptians. The fact is, they preceded all other races into the west, possibly excepting a very primitive Mongoloid prototype which was soon extinct.

To Lovecraft (letter #145) circa November 1930, he talks about the new Oriental Stories:

I think Wright’s Oriental Stories bids fair to show more originality than the average magazine dealing with the East, though the initial issue, was, to me, slightly disappointing — not in the appearance of the magazine but in the contents. However, with such writers as Hoffman-Price, Owens and Kline, I look for better things. I particularly hope that you will find it convenient to contribute to the magazine, since with your magnificent talents and your sincere interest in things Oriental, you should turn out some splendid work. Mr. Wright tells me that my “Voice of El-Lil” has so far tied another story for first place. I hope you like the tale.

In a letter (#146) circa November to Tevis Clyde Smith he mentions the story again:

I quote from Farnsworth’s last letter: “‘The Voice of El-Lil’ is tied for first place with ‘Strange Bedfellows,’ in the letters and votes received so far for the first issue of Oriental Stories. This augurs well for the popularity of ‘Red Blades of Black Cathay’ and ‘Hawks of Outremer,’ which I think are much more striking.

In another letter (#149) to Tevis Clyde Smith, around December 1930, he wrote:

Yes, Farnsworth gave us quite a hand on our Oriental tale and I feel that it should win first place, in spite of the stupid errors and anachronisms I made in it. My “Voice of El-Lil” tied for first place in Oriental Stories, I guess you noticed. It was the very devil to write, but I rather like the thing.

And in a letter, to H.P. Lovecraft, circa January 1931 after he learned that Lovecraft enjoyed the story, he wrote:

I am very glad you liked “The Voice of El-Lil” and sincerely appreciate the kind things you said about the tale. You’re right, of course, about the Asia Minor business. Using the term to designate Mesopotamia was sheer carelessness in me. I’m afraid you’ll find my work riddled with errors like that. I have a slovenly way of not stopping to look up references when I’m writing. But my erroneous use of Asia Minor was really inexcusable and I’m glad you called my attention to it.

Summary

The story begins in the bustling port city of Maskat, a melting pot of various nationalities and cultures. The narrator, leaning on a bar, hears the sound of a Chinese gong, which startles a nearby Englishman, Bill Kirby. Intrigued by Kirby’s reaction, the narrator engages him in conversation, leading Kirby to recount his extraordinary adventure.

Bill Kirby, a seasoned explorer, teams up with John Conrad, a young entomologist obsessed with finding a particular insect. Their journey takes them deep into the uncharted jungles of Somaliland. After trekking for a month, they find themselves in a region populated by strange, primitive tribes. The local porters and askari (guards) accompanying them grow increasingly fearful, spooked by tales of a powerful ju-ju curse.

One night, Kirby and Conrad hear a haunting, melodious voice emanating from the jungle, compelling and mysterious. Despite their fear, Conrad’s obsession drives them to continue their journey. The following morning, they discover that their native porters have deserted them, taking most of their supplies.

Undeterred, the three remaining members of the expedition—Kirby, Conrad, and their half-caste servant Selim—press on. They build thorn bomas (barriers) each night to protect themselves from predators. The enigmatic voice grows clearer and more insistent as they venture deeper into the jungle. The voice evokes ancient, dreamlike visions in Kirby’s mind, hinting at a civilization long forgotten.

Their journey culminates in a sudden attack by a group of strange, silent warriors who capture Kirby and Conrad. Selim is brutally killed. The captors, lean men with dark eyes and peculiar armor, take the captives to their city, Eridu. The city, located in a valley surrounded by cliffs and centered around a lake, features ancient architecture reminiscent of Mesopotamian civilization.

In Eridu, Kirby and Conrad are brought before the ruler, Sostoras, a grim, bearded man who serves as both king and high priest. They are imprisoned but receive food and information from Naluna, a dancer of El-Lil, who speaks Somali. She reveals that the city was founded by Sumerian ancestors who fled from the conqueror Sargon of Akkad.

Naluna expresses sorrow for their plight, warning that no “Akkaddian” (outsider) leaves Eridu alive. She explains that the city’s inhabitants worship El-Lil, and the mysterious voice they heard is the god’s voice emanating from a great gong in the temple. She hints at the ancient origins and traditions of her people, who have remained isolated for millennia.

Kirby deduces that the people of Eridu are descendants of ancient Sumerians who migrated to Africa. He and Conrad discuss the implications, marveling at the survival of such an ancient culture. Naluna, smitten with Conrad, aids them by providing food and information.

One night, the captives are taken to the temple of El-Lil on an island in the lake. There, they witness Naluna performing a hypnotic, primal dance before the great gong. The dance, embodying elemental forces, leaves Kirby and Conrad mesmerized. Sostoras strikes the gong, producing a sound that overwhelms their senses, pushing Conrad to the brink of madness.

Naluna, defying her people and god, frees Kirby, giving him his gun. Kirby kills the black mute playing the gong, Sostoras, and several soldiers, escaping with Conrad and Naluna. They flee across the lake, pursued by warriors led by Gorat, a fierce archer. Despite their desperate flight, they manage to reach the opposite shore and climb the cliffs to safety.

Naluna, gravely wounded, succumbs to her injuries but not before declaring her eternal love for Conrad. She urges them to escape, warning of the pursuing warriors. Kirby and Conrad make their way through the jungle, eventually finding their cached supplies and embarking on a grueling trek back to the coast.

Rescued by an elephant-hunting expedition, Kirby and Conrad are brought back to Jibuti. They part ways, with Kirby heading to India and Conrad returning to New England. Kirby reflects on the experience, haunted by the memory of the Voice of El-Lil and the ancient city of Eridu.

Characters

  • Bill Kirby – The English narrator and seasoned explorer who recounts the adventure in Somaliland.
  • John Conrad – A young entomologist from New England, obsessed with finding a particular insect.
  • Selim – A half-caste servant accompanying Kirby and Conrad, who is killed by the warriors of Eridu.
  • Naluna – A dancer of El-Lil who aids Kirby and Conrad, speaks Somali, and falls in love with Conrad.
  • Sostoras – The ruler and high priest of Eridu, a grim, bearded man who commands the city’s warriors.
  • Gorat – A chief among the warriors of Eridu, a fierce archer who pursues Kirby and Conrad.

Alternate title:

TEMPTRESS OF THE TOWER OF TORTURE AND SIN.

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