Well, it's not a straightforward yes or no. Eldritch takes can be short stories, but they can also take different formats and lengths depending on the author's creative choice and the nature of the story being told.
Not necessarily. Eldritch takes can vary in length. Sometimes they're short, but they can also be presented as novellas or even full-length novels.
It depends. Some eldritch takes can be short stories, while others might be longer forms of literature.
One common theme is the existence of ancient and powerful entities that are beyond human understanding. These entities often have a malevolent or indifferent nature towards humans. For example, Cthulhu in Lovecraft's stories is so powerful and alien that its very existence is a threat to the sanity of those who discover it. Another theme is the fragility of the human mind. When faced with the eldritch horrors, characters often go mad, as their minds cannot comprehend the reality they are exposed to.
Well, 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' by H.P. Lovecraft is great. It follows a man who visits a strange seaside town filled with people who seem to have a disturbing connection to some deep - sea creatures. Then there's 'The Music of Erich Zann' which is about a strange musician in a garret whose music seems to hold back some unknown and terrifying forces. Also, 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers has elements of eldritch horror, with its play that drives people mad who read it.
Azathoth is typically portrayed as a source of ultimate chaos in eldritch horror stories. It's not just about physical chaos, but also mental and spiritual chaos. It is often associated with a complete lack of order, with things like time and space becoming warped in its presence. It's like a black hole of sanity, sucking in the minds of those who come near. In addition, it is sometimes described as having a symphony of madness around it, a cacophony of sounds that further disorient and terrify anyone who hears it.
Themes like the unknown are really common. Eldritch horror stories often explore things that are beyond our knowledge. It could be a strange dimension or a power that we can't even begin to fathom. Madness is another one. People in these stories tend to go mad when they encounter the eldritch horror. It shows how our minds can't handle such extreme and alien things. And there's also the theme of a hidden world that exists parallel to ours, full of these terrifying and indescribable things.
One of the best is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. It introduces the terrifying Cthulhu, an ancient and powerful being. Another great one is 'At the Mountains of Madness', which takes readers on a chilling journey in Antarctica, filled with strange and otherworldly creatures. And 'The Colour Out of Space' is also a classic, with its tale of a strange color that brings destruction and madness to a rural area.
My experience was in an old library. I was looking for a rare book when I noticed a section of the library that was extremely cold. As I approached, the books on the shelves seemed to shift on their own. I could swear I saw words moving on the spines of some of the books. It was like the library was alive and trying to communicate or keep me away. I never went back to that section again.
For creepy eldritch monster stories, consider 'The Haunter of the Dark'. It's about a cursed church and the malevolent entity that haunts it. The description of the monster in this story is really chilling. In 'The Rats in the Walls', while the rats are a major part of the horror, there are also underlying eldritch elements that suggest something far more sinister. 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' is another good one. It has a unique take on half - human, half - monster creatures that live in a decaying seaside town, creating a very eerie atmosphere.
The story of Yog - Sothoth is also fascinating. This eldritch horror is often associated with the concept of time and space. It is said to exist everywhere and everywhen at once. In some tales, those who try to understand or communicate with Yog - Sothoth are met with a reality - shattering experience. Their minds can't comprehend the vastness and the alien nature of this being. It's like looking into the abyss of the universe and having the abyss look back at you in a way that is completely beyond human understanding.
One time, I visited an ancient graveyard at midnight for a dare. As I walked among the tombstones, I saw a strange mist rising. In the mist, there were figures that didn't seem human. Their movements were jerky and unnatural. I ran as fast as I could, and when I looked back, the mist was following me. I finally got away when I reached a well - lit street.
Well, in some fanfictions, the eldritch elements might be merged with the Greek mythology in the Percy Jackson world. For example, an eldritch entity could possess one of the gods, and Percy has to figure out how to save the day. He might have to team up with his friends and face not only the power of the possessed god but also the unfathomable nature of the eldritch being. It could be a really exciting and unique take on the Percy Jackson universe.