A Brief History of Gnolls: Anthropophagy and Emeralds from Wales to Wisconsin and Beyond (revised and expanded 2nd edition)

A Brief History of Gnolls: Anthropophagy and Emeralds from Wales to Wisconsin and Beyond traces the history of the title fantasy creatures in literature and gaming, from when they were first introduced nearly a century ago up through the present. This revised and expanded second edition of the book includes the 1951 Margaret St. Clair (aka Idris Seabright) short story "The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles." 

Features of this unique and entertaining volume also include two quasi-academic essays by writer Paul Haynie that examine the literary history of Gnolls; the 1912 Lord Dunsany short story "How Nuth Would Have Practiced His Art Upon the Gnoles," the first literary work to introduce the creatures in question; and illustrations by fantasy artists Jon Kaufman, Eugenia de León, Sharon Daugherty, and Sidney Sime.

Inspired by the works of classic swords-and-sorcery authors like Fritz Lieber, Jack Vance, and Robert E. Howard, Swords of Kos: Hekaton is the second entry in Skirmisher Publishing LLC’s fantasy fiction series and follows Swords of Kos: Necropolis. In this anthology, the island and city of Kos and the lands around it are explored through the stories of eleven authors and original illustrations and cartography by nine artists. All are set during the Hekaton, centennial observance of the great volcanic cataclysm that reawakened magic, the elder races, and all manner of fell monsters, in a fantasy world that draws upon the myths, legends, and history of the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Middle East.

Stories in this compilation include “Bloodsuckers” by Michael O. Varhola, “Rogue’s Nightmare” by R.M. Aislin, “Chasing Shadows” by Richard T. Balsley, “The Misadventures of Bjoric” by Brendan Cass, “The Rite” by Christopher Van Deelen, “To the Dragon Apeiron” by Lissanne Lake, “Unfamiliar Ground” by Sharon Daugherty, “The Day Pateon Fnordseeker Gave Up Drinking” by Eric Lis, M.D., “Eugenos and the Green Griffon” by Robert Gruver, “Nithernons the Ale’er” by John Giddens, and “The Price of Land” by D.M. Fitzgerald. Join us in our adventures through the dark and fascinating swords-and-sorcery world of Kos! 

You can get Swords of Kos: Hekaton today for just $5.99!