Beneath the Beardmore

"Beneath the Beardmore" is a short Cthulhu Mythos story by the late American author Michael Shea.
== Synopsis ==
When three adventurers on a trek to the South Pole encounter a mysterious stranger, it does does not take them long to discover that it is in fact an alien creature disguised as a human. The being then invites them into a vast chasm beneath the mountains, where it shows them the opening assault by their forces and allies against the usurpers of their ancient empire: the Shoggoths. Although one of the party is eaten by the creatures, the other two are allowed to leave unmolested.
== Characters ==
* Karl, Meadow's best friend and former husband.
* Meadow, Raven's daughter.
* Raven, a rich woman approaching old age who wants to use her fortune to explore the globe. Consumed by the attacking army.
* The Stranger, an ancient creature masquerading in human form.
== Publication History ==
* A Mountain Walked (2014, 2015, 2018)
* Demiurge: The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales of Michael Shea (2017, 2018)
== Trivia ==
* Although never explicitly mentioned, the description of the creature which made the party's acquaintance matches exactly that of the Elder Things from At the Mountains of Madness.
* The creatures' allies are described as a wide-ranging panoply of beings, although their exact nature is unclear.
Category:Michael Shea works
Category:Expanded Mythos Works