The Faceless God by Robert Bloch
Summary
This episode features a reading of Robert Bloch's 1936 Cthulhu Mythos short story, "The Faceless God." The narrative follows Dr. Stugach, a ruthless smuggler who tortures a native to locate a buried idol of Nyarlathotep in the Egyptian desert. After the natives abandon him in fear, Stugach is hunted by a supernatural shadow and ultimately devoured by the sand as the ancient, faceless deity reclaims its statue.
Topics discussed
Sponsor reads and introduction
Welcome to Horror Babble and story setup
Dr. Stugach's torture and background
The legend of the buried idol
Interrogating the native and planning the expedition
Arriving at the site and uncovering the statue
The natives' fear and the description of Nyarlathotep
Mythology of the Faceless God and historical references
Stugach's arrogance and the natives' departure
Mid-roll sponsor advertisements
Stranded in the desert and initial panic
The failed escape attempt and hallucinations
The nightmare of the faceless pursuer
Delirium and the pursuit intensifies
Returning to the camp and the ground quaking
The statue rises and Stugach's demise
Outro and final sponsor reads
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