With the focus on "The Black Stone", it's important not to overlook other aspects of Robert E. Howard's work, particularly those involving lost civilizations. This, I think, is where his writings have the most resonance to XM effects and the Shapers (or others). To start with, his most well known works (outside of certain esoteric circles) are the Conan stories. These are all set within the ancient civilization of Hyperboria. He also wrote many works that were set in, or referred to, Lemuria and the lost continent of Mu. All these were great civilizations that were destroyed--Mu sank to the bottom of the Pacific (some say that R'Leyh may even have been on it), Lemuria and Hyperborea devastated by war and calamity. Put together with his Mythos work, one can see a full picture at last, one he feared to put into a single work. Civilizations at their peak, now lost, and dark forces seen through portals or other visions, set on destruction. Hank Johnson Verity Seke Edg...