Miskatonic Arcihves

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An encyclopedia of strange fiction, its creators, places and mythos. Follow the sources; draw your own conclusions.

Tagged: Bottles

Characters

The Terrible Old Man

The Terrible Old Man is the unnamed Kingsport resident whose ancient money, painted stones and responsive bottles conceal a power three robbers fatally underestimate. He later appears as a keeper of local memory and an interpreter of Thomas Olney’s changed return from the high house. Neither story supplies a complete origin or a definitive explanation of his supernatural resources.

4 min read · 835 words

Literature

The Terrible Old Man

The Terrible Old Man follows three robbers who mistake an elderly Kingsport resident’s apparent frailty for helplessness. Local stories about his stones and strangely responsive bottles mean nothing to the intruders until the attempted robbery becomes a catastrophe. The brief tale keeps the violence offstage and makes a waiting accomplice’s mistaken interpretation carry the suspense.

5 min read · 860 words