By Crom... This made me smile!

Question:  What is best in life?
CONAN: To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

Glorious as it is, it's not really a CONAN quote.
Apparently it's attributed to Genghis Khan.

Back Soon...

I'm taking a little break from the blog.

I've just finished my first pass through the complete works quoting as I went and found a lot of really cool stuff.

There's a lot left that I'd like to cover and explore here, but I don't want to try do to much to quickly, so I'm going to take a step back, review and then move on again.

I'll be ploughing through it all again in a couple of months and hopefully bringing a little more structure to what's here and really trying to create an online study guide and reference tool for anyone studying the CONAN stories.

Back soon,

Rob

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Nikonov Aleksandr .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN helps an alien die

CONAN meets YAG, last of ancient race of aliens while raiding an ancient tower. Yag is a powerful cosmic being who has been enslaved by an evil wizard, Yara, and made to pass on his secrets. As he says, "No more was I a god to kindly jungle folk- I was a slave to a devil in human form."(Page 97)
Yag asks CONAN to kill him and use his blood to release the magic in a mystical gem, so he can be free and his tormentor can be defeated,

"Take your sword, man, and cut out my heart; then squeeze it so that the blood will flow over the red stone. Then go down the stairs and enter the ebony chamber where Yara sits wrapped in lotus-dreams of evil. Speak his name and he will awaken. Then lay this gem before him, and say, "Yag-kosha gives you a last gift and a last enchantment". Then get from the tower quickly; fear not, your way shall be made clear. The life of man is not the life of Yag, nor is human death the death of Yag. Let me be free of this cage of broken blind flesh, and I will once more be Yogah of Yag, morning-crowned  and shining, with wings to fly, and feet to dance, and eyes to see and hands to break"

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 98. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Memed .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN kills a man with a beef joint

CONAN sits at a feast discussing as chief of the Bamulas a raid on a nearby town with King Bajujh of Bakalah. CONAN has agreed with Livia, a woman held captive by Bajujh that he will kill him and free her in exchange for her bedding him.

The Cimmerian was gnawing a great beef-bone, and as she watched, she saw him cast a glance across his shoulder. As if it were a signal for which they had been waiting, the Bamulas all turned their gaze toward their chief. CONAN rose, still smiling, as if to reach into a near-by cooking pot; then quick as a cat he struck Aja a terrible blow with the heavy bone. The Bakalah war-chief slumped over, his skull crushed in, and instantly a frightful yell rent the skies as the Bamulas went into action like blood-mad panthers.

From, "The Vale of Lost Women"
Page 855 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk

CONAN fights with Baal-pteor, the huge man who kills the sacrificial victims in the temple. He brags of his prowess and he and CONAN try and strangle each other.

"You fool!" he all but whispered. "I think you never saw a man from the west before. Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man- like this!"

From, "Shadows in Zamboula"
Page 496 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Introducing... Zabibi/Nafertari

CONAN finds a noble lady Nafertari being kidnapped by a band of cannibals. He rescues her, but she tells him that she is Zabibi, a dancer.

She was white, though very definitely brunette, obviously one of Zamboula's many mixed breeds. She was tall, with a slender, supple form, as he was in a good position to observe. Admiration burned in his fierce eyes as he looked down on her splendid bosom and her lithe limbs, which still quivered from fright and exertion. He passed an arm around her flexible waist and said, "Stop shaking, wench; you're safe enough."

From, "Shadows in Zamboula"
Page 486 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

A young CONAN on his way to steal a jewel.

A young CONAN roams the city streets on his way to raid The Tower of the Elephant after a brawl in a tavern.

The lurid lights and drunken revelry fell away behind the Cimmerian. He had discarded his torn tunic, and walked through the night naked except for a loin-cloth and his high-strapped sandals. He moved with the supple ease of a great tiger, his steely muscles rippling under his brown skin.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"

Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Loopydave .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

King CONAN is captured by a sorcerer.

The sorcerer Tsotha approaches King CONAN after a battle.

The black armoured figure loomed in terrible menace over the lean, silk-robed shape, the notched, dripping sword hovering on high.
"I offer you life, CONAN," said Tsotha, a cruel mirth bubbling at the back of his voice.
"I give you death wizard," snarled the king, and backed by the iron muscles and ferocious hate the great sword swung in a stroke meant to shear Tsotha's lean torso in half. But even as the host cried out, the wizard stepped in, too quick for the eye to follow, and apparently merely laid an open hand on CONAN's left forearm, from the rigid muscles of which the mail had been hacked away. The whistling blade veered from its arc and the mailed giant crashed heavily to earth, to lie motionless. Tsotha laughed silently.
"Take him up and fear him not; the lion's fangs are drawn."

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 46. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

King CONAN, son of blacksmith

King CONAN has been overcome by sorcery and his army defeated. As his enemies approach his tent, his aides urge him to surrender and save his life.

"But your majesty!" cried the squire in great perturbation. "The battle is lost! It were part of majesty to yield with dignity becoming one of royal blood!"
"I have no royal blood," ground CONAN. "I am a barbarian and the son of a blacksmith."

From "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 732. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Memed .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

Meet CONAN in pirate garb

CONAN has sneaked in to the room where Zarono, Valenso and Strom are arguing. He steps out from behind a wall hanging and reveals himself to them.

The stranger was as tall as either of the freebooters, and more powerfully built than either, yet for all his size he moved with pantherish suppleness in his high, flaring-topped boots. His thighs were cased in close-fitting breeches of white silk, his wide-skirted sky-blue coat open to reveal an open-necked white silken shirt beneath, and the scarlet sash that girdled his waist. There were silver acorn-shaped buttons on the coat, and it was adorned with gilt-worked cuffs and pocket flaps, and a satin collar. A lacquered hat completed a costume obsolete by nearly a hundred years. A heavy cutlass hung at the wearer's hip.

From "The Black Stranger"
Page 786. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Archery... Not a manly pursuit.

As CONAN stand on the deck of the Argus, Belit and her ship are getting nearer. Arrows start to rain around him as the pirate ship closes in.

"Give me a bow," requested CONAN. "It's not my idea of a manly weapon, but I learned archery among the Hyrkanians, and it will go hard if I can't feather a man or so on yonder deck."

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 240. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

On a black jade altar lay Yasmela

The army of Thugra Khotan has been defeated and has fled the battlefield taking Princess Yasmela with his. CONAN finds them both in an ancient ruin.

On a black jade altar lay Yasmela, her naked body gleaming like ivory in the weird light. Her garments lay strewn on the floor, as if ripped from her in brutal haste.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 132. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

I've found a few examples of pale women of dark altars... they were probably all "supple" as well, a few more to follow.

CONAN is more careful with the lives of others than his own.

CONAN while commanding an army, refuses to follow a host of headstrong knights on what he deems a reckless charge. Amalric asks him why he showed such restraint.

"You grow sober with authority," quoth Amalric. "Such madness as that was always your particular joy."
"Aye, when I had only my own life to consider," answered CONAN.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 126. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

King CONAN feels responsible for his subjects

King CONAN has been defeated and captured by a mix of sorcery and treachery, yet he refuses to sell out his people for the chance of his own survival.

He would not sell his subjects to the butcher. And yet it had been with no thought of any one's gain but his own that he had seized the kingdom originally. Thus subtly does the instinct of sovereign responsibility enter even a red-handed plunderer sometimes.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 53. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Some are born with the spirit of the storm in their blood

After returning from crucifixion to save the queen from her evil witch/twin sister, CONAN is offered a position as a councilor as well as captain of the royal guard, but he refuses to continue his adventures plundering  as the chief or the Zuagirs.

But not all men seek rest and peace; some are born with the spirit of the storm in their blood, restless harbingers of violence and bloodshed, knowing no other path...

From "A Witch Shall Be Born"
Page 391. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Liam Sharp .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN has little time for subtlety

Despite long exposure to the ways of civilized men, CONAN's instincts are for direct action, as we see here when he hears a strange sound while exploring an ancient temple.

CONAN was basically a direct-actionist. Such subtlety as he possessed had been acquired through contact with more devious races. When taken off guard by some unexpected occurrence, he reverted instinctively to type. So now instead of hiding or slipping away in the opposite direction as the average man might have done, he ran straight down the corridor in the direction of the sound.

From "Jewels of Gwahlur"
Page 403. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN says you should always wear protection

Iconic as a loin-cloth clad CONAN might be, he does spend a lot of time wearing armour because of the obvious benefits. After an ambush by Picts that kills all his men, CONAN is asked how he survived.

"How did you get away?" He asked presently.
CONAN tapped his mail shirt and helmet.
"If more borderers would wear harness there'd be fewer skulls hanging on the altar-huts."

From "Beyond the Black River"
Page 458. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

King CONAN chooses his queen

After being defeated by his enemies who were aided by the sorcery of Xaltotun, CONAN regains his throne after a battle. CONAN dos not forget the help given to him by Zenobia, a slave girl in the Seraglio of Tarascus, so when Tarascus, one of those who had conspired against CONAN asks what the ransom for his life will be, CONAN does not forget that Zenobia risked her life to save his,

Tarascus spoke.
"You have not yet named my ransom."
CONAN laughed and slapped his sword home in its scabbard. He flexed his mighty arms, and ran his blood-stained fingers through his thick black locks, as if feeling there his re-won crown.
"There is a girl in your seraglio named Zenobia."
"Why, yes, so there is."
"Very well." The king smiled as at an exceedingly pleasant memory. "She shall be your ransom, and naught else. I will come to Belverus for her as I promised. She was a slave in Nemidia, but I will make her queen of Aquilonia"

From "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 732. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Justice and equality of sorts in the Hyborean age

A young CONAN is accused of killing a wealthy man. One of his accusers explains the law to him.

"Remember the law, my black-haired savage- you go to the mines for killing a commoner, you hang for killing a tradesman, and for killing a rich man, you burn!"

From "The God in the Bowl"
Page 745. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN as he is pursued by a band of Picts

We meet a wounded CONAN as he is pursued by a band of Picts.

For all his massive, muscular build he moved with the supple certitude of a panther. He was naked except for a rage twisted about his loins, and his limbs were criss-crossed with scratches from briars and caked with dried mud. A brown-crusted bandage was knotted about his thickly-muscular left arm. Under his matted black mane his face was drawn and gaunt, and his eyes burned like the eyes of a wounded panther. He limped slightly as he followed the dim path that led across the open space.

From "The Black Stranger"
Page 751. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN the young thief

Arus the night watchman finds the the strangled body of the emporium's owner on the floor, then sees a young CONAN standing further down the corridor.

Arus saw a tall powerfully built youth, naked but for a loin-cloth, and sandals strapped high about his ankles. His skin was burned brown as by the suns of the wastelands, and Arus glanced nervously at the broad shoulders, massive chest and heavy arms. A single look at the moody, broad-browed features told the watchman that the man was no Nemedian. From under a mop of unruly black hair smoldered a pair of dangerous blue eyes. A long sword hung in a leather scabbard at his girdle.

From "The God in the Bowl"
Page 734. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Zenobia

Zenobia is a slave girl who helps a captured King CONAN escape from her masters dungeon. We first meet her as she appears at the bars of his cell.

It was a girl who stood grasping the bars with her slender fingers. The dim glow behind her outlined her supple figure through the wisp of silk twisted about her loins, and shone vaguely on jewelled breast-plates. Her dark eyes gleamed in the shadows, her white limbs glistened softly, like alabaster. Her hair was a mass of dark foam, at the burnished luster of which the dim light hinted.

From "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 604. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

You can tell a lot about a girl by the kind of knife she gives you!

After escaping from Xaltotun's dungeon with aid of Zenobia, a girl from the kings seraglio, CONAN stops to admire the knife she left for him to help him escape.

He inspected the weapon the girl had given him, and smiled grimly. Whatever else she might be, she was proven by that dagger to be a person of practical intelligence. It was no slender stiletto, selected because of a jeweled hilt or gold guard, fitted only for dainty murder in milady's boudoir; it was a forthright poniard, a warrior's weapon, broad-bladed, fifteen inches in length, tapering to a diamond-sharp point.

From "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 606. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Loopydave .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

Meet King CONAN as viewed in a magic mirror

Xaltotun is brought back from the dead after 3,000 years to help CONAN's enemies defeat him. As they discuss there plans they bring up an image of King CONAN in a mirror.

It floated hazily, then leaped into startling clarity- a tall man, mightily shouldered and deep of chest, with a massive corded neck and heavily muscled limbs. He was clad in silk and velvet, with the royal lions of Aquilonia worked in gold upon his rich jupon, and the crown of Aquilonia shone on his square-cut black mane; but the great sword at his side seemed more natural to him than the regal accouterments. His brow was low and broad, his eyes a volcanic blue that smoldered as if with some inner fire. His dark scarred, almost sinister face was that of a fighting-man and his velvet garments could not conceal the hard, dangerous lines of his limbs.

From "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 581-2. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Naked girls and altars...

After the near extinction of the two peoples battling within the ancient city of Xuchotl, Valeria is taken prisoner by an evil witch who wants to sacrifice her and drain her vitality to sustain her own youth.

On the altar lay Valeria, stark naked, her white flesh gleaming in shocking contrast to the glistening ebon stone. She was not bound. She lay at full length, her arms stretched out above her head to their fullest extent. At the head of the altar knelt a young man, holding her wrists firmly. A young woman knelt at the other end of the altar, grasping her ankles. Between them she could neither rise nor move.

From "Red Nails"
Page 569. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN and his subtle ways to let a lady know he is interested...

After catching up with the Valeria, she enquires as to why he has bothered.

He grinned hardly, and his fierce blue eyes burned with a light any woman could understand as they ran over her magnificent figure, lingering on the swell of her splendid breasts beneath the light shirt, and clear white flesh displayed between breaches and boot tops.
"Don't you know?" he laughed. "Haven't I made my admiration for you plain ever since I first saw you?"
"A stallion could have made it no plainer," she answered disdainfully.

From "Red Nails"
Page 508. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN catches up with Valeria

CONAN follows Valeria after she flees the army they were fighting with together. When he catches up to her, she wheels around startled at his approach.

He was almost a giant in stature, muscles rippling smoothly under his skin which the sun had burned brown. His garb was similar to hers, except that he wore a broad leather belt instead of a girdle. Broadsword and poniard hung from his belt.

From "Red Nails"
Page 505. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Valeria

We meet Valeria of The Red Brotherhood, lost in a forest after she has fled from an army she was fighting with after a disagreement.

The woman shivered with a twitch of her magnificent shoulders, and then cursed.
She was tall, full-bosomed and large-limbed, with compact shoulders. Her whole figure reflected an unusual strength, without detracting from the femininity of her appearance. She was all woman, in spite of her bearing and her garments. The latter were incongruous, a view of her present environs. Instead of a skirt she wore short, wide-legged silk breeches, which ceased a hand's breadth short of her knees, and were upheld by a silken sash work as a girdle. Flaring-topped boots of soft leather came almost to her knees, and a low-necked, wide-collared, wide-sleeved silk shirt completed her costume. On one shapely hip she wore a straight double-edged sword, and on the other a long dirk. Her unruly golden hair , cut square at her shoulders, was confined by a band of crimson satin.

From "Red Nails"
Page 505. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN as he saves a stranger from a Pict archer

A young man meets CONAN after he has killed an archer laying in wait to ambush him.

The stranger was clad like himself in regards to boots and breeks, though the latter were of silk instead of leather. But he wore a sleeveless hauberk of dark mesh-mail in place of a tunic, and a helmet perched on his black mane. That helmet held the others gaze; it was without crest, but adorned with by short bull's horns. No civilized hand ever forged that head-piece. Nor was the face below it that of a civilized man: dark, scarred, with smouldering blue eyes, it was a face untamed as the primordial forest which formed its background. The man held a broadsword in his right hand, and the edge was smeared with crimson.
"Come out," he called, in an accent unfamiliar to the wayfarer. "All's safe now. There was only one of the dogs. Come out."
The other emerged dubiously and stared at the stranger. He felt curiously helpless and futile as he gazed on the proportions of the forest man- the massive iron-clad breast, the arm that bore the reddened sword, burned dark by the sun and ridged and corded with muscles. He moved with the dangerous ease of a panther; he was too fiercely supple to be a product of civilization, even of that fringe of civilization that composed the outer frontiers.

From "Beyond the Black River"
Page 432. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN as he climbs up a cliff.

CONAN is trying to discover the whereabouts of an ancient treasure. We are introduced to him as he is scaling a cliff face.

He came of a race of hillmen, accustomed to scaling forbidding crags, and he was a man of unusual strength and agility. His only garment was a pair of red silk breeks, and his sandals were slung to his back, out of the way as were his sword and dagger.
The man was powerfully built and supple as a panther. His skin was bronzed by the sun, his square-cut black mane confined by a silver band about his temples. His iron muscles, quick eyes and sure feet served him well here, for it was a climb to test these qualities to the utmost.

From, "Jewels of Gwahlur"
Page 393 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Daniel Scott Gabriel Murray .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN: "a picturesque figure..."

We meet CONAN, leader of teh kozaks as he approaches an island where he believes the beautiful Octavia has escaped from her master and is in need of rescue.

The man in the boat was a picturesque figure. A crimson scarf was knotted about his head; his wide silk breeches, of flaming hue, were upheld by a broad sash which likewise supported a scimitar in a shagreen scabbard. His gilt-worked boots suggested a horseman rather than a seaman, but he handled the boat with skill. Through his widely open white silk shirt showed his broad muscular breast.
The muscles of his heavy bronzed arms rippled as he pulled the oars with an almost feline ease of motion. A fierce vitality that was evident in each feature and motion set him apart from common men; yet his expression was neither savage nor somber, though the smoldering blue eyes hinted at ferocity easily wakened. This was CONAN, who had wandered into the armed camps of the kozaks with no other possession than his wits and his sword, and who had carved his way to leadership among them.

From "The Devil in Iron"
Page 269-70. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN the young but well travelled

CONAN's clothing shows off the extent of his travels:

His horned helmet was such as worn by the golden-haired Aesir of Nordheim; his hauberk and greaves were of the finest workmanship of Koth; the fine ring mail which sheathed his arms and legs was of Nemidia; the blade at his girdle was a great Aquilonian broadsword; and his gorgeous scarlet cloak could have been spun nowhere but Ophir.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 239. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN as he runs for a ship

We meet CONAN as he boards a ship to escape his pursuers, and the captain looks him over.

He saw a tall powerfully built figure in a black scale-mail hauberk, burnished greaves and a blue-steel helmet from which jutted bull's horns highly polished. From the mailed shoulders fell a scarlet cloak, blowing in the sea-wind. A broad shagreen belt with a golden buckle held the scabbard of the broad sword he bore. Under the horned helmet a square-cut black mane contrasted with smouldering blue eyes.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 237. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN would never use a snooze button

While sleeping in a notorious guest house, CONAN's room is invaded by a cannibal looking to kill and eat him.

It was the stealthy opening of a door which awakened the Cimmerian. He did not awake as civilised men do, drowsy and drugged and stupid. He awoke instantly, with a clear mind, recognising the sound that had interrupted his sleep.

From, "Shadows in Zamboula"
Page 483 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

King CONAN stands for religious freedom

After being defeated by the army of an evil sorcerer, King CONAN is aided by the secretive followers of the cult of Asura. Whom he refused to persecute while he was king.

CONAN had been told dark tales of hidden where intense smoke drifted up incessantly from black altars were kidnapped humans were sacrificed before a great coiled serpent, whose fearsome head swayed for ever in the haunted shadows.
Persecution caused the followers of Asura to hide their temples with cunning art, and to veil their rituals in obscurity; and this secrecy, in turn, evoked more monstrous suspicion and tales of evil.
But CONAN's was  the broad tolerance of the barbarian, and he had refused to persecute the followers of Asura or to allow the people to do so on no better evidence than was presented against them, rumours and accusations that could not be proven. "If they are black magicians," he had said, "how will they suffer you to harry them? If they are not, there is no evil in them. Crom's devils! Let men worship what gods they will."

From, "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 643-4 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

His name is CONAN and no man can stand before him in battle

King CONAN has a fearful reputation amongst his enemies,

Their present king is the most renowned warrior among the western nations. He is an outlander, an adventurer who sized the crown by force during a time of civil strife, strangling King Namedies with his own hands, upon the very throne. His name is CONAN, and no man can stand before him in battle.

From, "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 581 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Does CONAN kill women?

Does CONAN kill women then?
Not "ordinarily" it would seem.
CONAN needs to get fresh clothes for Yasmina from a villager who is approaching. Yasmina asks if he will kill her to take them.

"I don't kill women ordinarily," he grunted; "though some of these hill women are she-wolves"

From, "The People of the Black Circle"
Page 317 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Muscles will help love over come class prejudice

After kidnapping Yasmina, the princess of a great kingdom, she clearly starts to fall for CONAN "gruff charms," despite the prejudice inherent to her position. While sharing a horse with CONAN it was said,

She was conscious of a recognition of shame that she could not find unpleasant the feel of his muscular flesh under her fingers.

From, "The People of the Black Circle"
Page 316 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Moral of the story...
If you want some "posh" get buff!

Introducing... Octavia

Octavia is to be used as a "Honey trap" to lure CONAN alone to a remote island where he can easily be killed withough his men around him. She is brough before Jehungir Agha and his counsellor Ghaznavi.

...he returned, leading by the wrist a tall handsome girl, whose yellow hair, clear eyes and fair skin identified her as a pure-blood member of her race. Her scanty silk tunic, girdled at the waist, displayed the marvelous contours of her magnificent figure. Her fine eyes flashed with resentment and her red lips were sulky, but submission had been taught her during her captivity.

From "The Devil in Iron"
Page 265-6. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Savage/mad CONAN to the rescue

The beautiful Olivia has just been cornered by the evil Shah Amurath from who's vile clutches she has recently escaped. She think all is lost, when a stranger appears.

Olivia, staring up from the ground, saw what she took to be either a savage or a madman advancing on Shah Amurath in a manner of deadly menace. He was powerfully built, naked but for a girdled loin-cloth, which was stained with blood and crusted with dried mire. His black mane was matted with mud and clotted blood; there were streaks of dried blood on his chest and limbs, dried blood on the long straight sword he gripped in his right hand. From under the tangle oh his locks, bloodshot eyes glared like coals of blue fire.

From "Shadows in the Moonlight"
Page 210. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Meet CONAN in chains

CONAN is captured by the Captain of the Guards. They try and arrest him he is so drunk that he runs into a wall and knocks himself out. CONAN is then first described to us when Murilo comes to him with a proposition.

Even in the dim light of the dungeon, the primitive power of the man was evident. His mighty body and thick-muscled limbs combined the strength of a grizzly with the quickness of a panther. Under his tangled black mane his blue eyes blazed with unquenchable savagery

From "Rogues in the House"
Page 189. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Meet CONAN as he joins a pirate ship

This is how CONAN is introduced after he swims up to and climbs on board the pirate ship Wastrel. Sancha the captain's woman is on deck,

She sat up, her gaze fixed on a rail, over which, to her amazement, a dripping figure clambered. Her dark eyes opened wide, her red lips parted in an O of surprise. The intruder was a stranger to her. Water ran in rivulets from his great shoulders and down his heavy arms. His single garment- a pair of bright crimson silk breeks- was soaking wet, as was his gold-buckled girdle and the sheathed sword it supported. As he stood at the rail, the rising sun etched him like a great bronze statue. He ran his fingers through his streaming black mane, and his blue eye lit as they rested on the girl.

From "The Pool of the Black One"
Page 163-4. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Memed .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

Charity begins in Cimmeria

After helping themselves to a meal they find laid out in the ancient city of Xuthal, CONAN and Natala meet some of the residents and explains that they mean no harm to anyone and will soon be on their way, but CONAN assumes that they will want paying for the food,

In my county, no starving man is denied food, but you civilised people must have you recompense- if you are like all I have ever met. We have done no harm and are just leaving.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 142 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Oscar Ibarra.
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN in the desert

We meet CONAN on the verge of death in a barren desert,

CONAN the Cimmerian stared out over the aching desolation and involuntarily drew the back of his powerful hand over his blackened lips. He stood like a bronzed image in the sand, apparently impervious to the murderous sun, though his only garment was a silk loin-cloth, girdled by a wide gold-buckled belt from which hung a sabre and a broad bladed poniard. On his clean-cut limbs were evidence of scarcely healed wounds.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 134 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Marc Gosselin.
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

Meet the soon to be, General CONAN.

Princess Yasmela goes in to the street to find the man whom the god Mitra says will help her. As she waits CONAN comes down the street,

The approaching figure went not furtively, like a thief, or timidly, like a fearful traveller. He strode down the nighted street as one who had no need or desire to walk softly. An unconscious swagger was in his stride, and his footfalls resounded on the pave. As he passed near a cresset she saw him plainly- a tall man in the chain-mail hauberk of a mercenary.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 112. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.


Yasmela watches CONAN closely as the return to her palace,

From the corner of her eye she watched him as they went down the street together. His mail could not conceal his hard lines of tigerish strength. Everything about him was tigerish, elemental, untamed. He was  alien as the jungle to her in his difference from the debonair courtiers to whom she was accustomed.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 113. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

I mean come on...
"His mail could not conceal his hard lines of tigerish strength."
His muscles were visible through his armour?? :-)
What a guy!

CONAN in black plate mail.

King CONAN stands as the lone survivor of an ambush that saw his host of 5,000 men slaughtered by 30,000. As the victors move in to capture King CONAN, we see a,

...grim iron-clad figure looming among the dead. Before the savage blue eyes blazing murderously from beneath the crested, dented helmet, the boldest shrank. CONAN's dark scarred face was darker yet with passion; his black armour was hacked to tatters and splashed blood; his great sword red to the cross piece.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 46. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN just goes along with his lover

While travelling with Belit one her pirate ship, CONAN for once doesn't kill the captain and take over command. CONAN and Belit fall in love, and travel as overs and kindred spirits, with CONAN pretty much doing as he is told,

CONAN agreed. He generally agreed to her plans. Hers was the mind that directed their raids, his was the arm that carried out her ideas. It mattered little to him where they sailed or whom they fought, so long as they sailed and fought. He found life good

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 245. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Olivia

We first meet Olivia as she flees her tormentor, Shah Amurath. Her initial introduction is quite brief,

From the dying steed there staggered up its rider, a slender girl in sandals and a girdled tunic. Her dark hair fell over her white shoulders, her eyes were those of a trapped animal.

From "Shadows in the Moonlight"
Page 209. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

We do get a further description a few pages later when CONAN eyes her up,

...he began to gaze at his fair companion with more interest than previously, noting the lustrous clusters of her dark hair, the peach-bloom tints of her dainty skin, and the rounded contours of her lithe figure which the scanty silk tunic displayed to full advantage.

From "Shadows in the Moonlight"
Page 215. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN is against prohibition.

CONAN meets Princess Yasmela because he is roaming the streets after he has left the last wine-shop open.

Ishtar's curse on these on these white-livered reformers who close the grog-house! "Let men sleep rather than guzzle," they say - aye, so they can work and fight better for their masters! Soft-gutted eunuchs, I call them. When I served with the mercenaries of Corinthia we swilled and wenched all night and fought all day- 

 From "Black Colossus"
Page 112. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, DRamphStudio.
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN, meet the youthful thief

We meet a young CONAN in a tavern, where he is trying to find out more about the Tower of the Elephant

He saw a tall, strongly made youth standing beside him. This person was as much out of place in that den as a gray wolf among the mangy rats of the gutters. His cheap tunic could not conceal the hard, rangy lines of his powerful frame, the broad heavy shoulders, the massive chest, lean waist and heavy arms. His skin was brown from outland suns, his eyes blue and smoldering; a shock of tousled black hair crowned his broad forehead. From his girdle hung a sword in a worn leather scabbard.

 From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 80. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Splendour is no match for vitality

CONAN is taken prisoner through a combination of ambush, deception and sorcery. He is brought before his gloating, enemies, Tsotha the evil sorcerer, and the silk wearing, divan lounging Kings, Strabonus and Amalrus. They try and impress him with their wealth and opulence, but it is to no avail.

In strong contrast stood CONAN, grim, blood-stained, naked but for a loin-cloth, shackles on his mighty limbs, his blue eyes blazing beneath the tangled black mane that fell over his low broad forehead. He dominated the scene, turning to tinsel the pomp of the conquerors by the sheer vitality of his elemental personality, and the kings in their pride and splendour were aware of it each in his secret heart.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 49. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Villains, with naked slave-boys...

CONAN is taken prisoner through a combination of ambush, deception and sorcery. He is brought before his gloating, enemies, Tsotha the evil sorcerer, and the  silk wearing, divan lounging Kings, Strabonus and Amalrus.

In front of him stood Tsotha, and on divans lounged Strabonus and Amalrus in their silks and golds, gleaming with jewels, naked slave-boys beside them pouring wine into cups carved of a single sapphire.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 49. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

So far in,(About 500 pages) this reference to "naked slave-boys" is the only reference to imply homosexual activity that I've picked up on. There was some lesbian S. and M, but references to homosexuality, other than the subtle one here seem pretty much non-existent so far*.

I think this an instance that brings home how long ago the stories were written, when you read an implication of homosexuality being used to emphasise negative traits in the villains.
 

*Obviously I'm not counting the unavoidable homoerotic aspects of a series of books based entirely on the adventures of a largely shirtless, sun tanned guy that works out a lot! :-)

The First Description of CONAN

King CONAN sits in a richly decorated room.

Behind an ivory, gold-inlaid writing-table sat a man whose broad shoulders and sun-browned skin seemed out of place among those luxuriant surroundings. He seemed more a part of the sun and winds and high places of the outlands. His slightest movement spoke of steel-spring muscles knit to a keen brain with the co-ordination born of a fighting-man.

From "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Page 25-6 "The complete Chronicles of CONAN"

There was a wolfishness about this warrior...

Princess Yasmela takes CONAN back to ther palace to try and enlist his help. It is said of him that,

There was a wolfishness about this warrior that marked the barbarian. The eyes of no civilized man, however wild or criminal, ever blazed with such fire.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 112. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, James King.
Please check out his Deviantart.com page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN grabs a man's arm, and snaps it with his fingers

CONAN is recued from crucifiction by Olgerd, the leader of a huge band of desert bandits. He decides to take over as leader, but Olgerd is not happy.

"Not if you die!" muttered Olgerd, and his hand flickered towards his hilt. But quick as the stroke of a great cat, CONAN's arm shot across the table and his fingers locked on Olgerd's forearm. There was a snap of breaking bones, and for an instant the scene held: the men facing each other motionless as images, perspiration starting out on Olgerd's forehead. CONAN laughed, never easing his grip on the broken arm.

From, "A witch Shall Be Born"
Page 380 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN enjoys his varied career.

After kidnapping, then losing, then rescuing Devi Yasmina from evil wizards, she falls in love with CONAN and asks him to stay with her. He refuses saying,

I was born in the Cimmerian hills where the people are all barbarians. I have been a mercenary soldier, a corsair, a kozak and a hundred other things. What king has roamed the countries, fought the battles, loved the women and won the plunder that I have?

From, "The People of the Black Circle"
Page 350-1 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Introducing... Belit

When Belit the Pirate Captain is described as, "The wildest she-devil unhanged." (Page 240) by the captain of the ship CONAN is travelling on, you already know you're in for trouble. We meet her when she jumps in front of her crew to save CONAN from their spears and offer him a chance to join them.

She turned toward CONAN, her bosom heaving, her eyes flashing. Fierce fingers of wonder caught at his heart. She was slender, yet formed like a goddess: at once lithe and voluptuous. Her only garment was a broad silken girdle. Her white ivory limbs and the ivory globes of her breasts drove a beat of fierce passion through the Cimmerian's pulse, even in the panting fury of battle. Her rich black hair was as a Stygian night, fell in rippling burnished clusters down her supple back. Her dark eyes burned on the Cimmerian.
She was untamed as a desert wind, supple and dangerous as a she panther. She came close to him, heedless of his great blade, dripping with blood of her warriors. her red lips parted as she stared up into his sombre eyes.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 242. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

" She came close to him, heedless of his great blade," Calling Dr. Freud, please come to quote 48 at once...


You also know that as soon as anyone except CONAN is likened to a panther or wolf, they are going to be something special.

I'll live while I'm alive and sleep...

CONAN discusses the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen and his lover. he says of the afterlife,

"I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or CROM's realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimer's Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN on the afterlife as offered by CROM, and religion in general

CONAN discusses religion and the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen who is his lover, she asks him, "But what of the worlds beyond the river of death?"

"There is no hope here or hereafter in the cult of my people," answered CONAN. "In this world men struggle and suffer vainly, finding pleasure only in the bright madness of battle; dying, their souls enter a gray misty realm of clouds and icy winds, to wander cheerlessly throughout eternity"
Belit shuddered. "Life, bad as it is, is better than such a destiny. What do you believe, CONAN."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply."

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Again...

CROM, not offering much, but at least not asking much in return

Civilised men can't take a crucifying

After defeating and capturing Constantius, the man who earlier crucified him, CONAN returns the favour, confident that he will not survive the ordeal as he did.

"You are more fit to inflict torture than to endure it," said CONAN tranquilly. "I hung there on a cross as you are hanging, and I lived, thanks to circumstances and stamina peculiar to barbarians. But you civilized men are soft; your lives are not nailed to your spines as are ours. Your fortitude consists mainly of inflicting torment, not enduring it. You will be dead before sundown."

From, "A witch Shall Be Born"
Page 391 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Renk90.
Please check out his Deviantart.com page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN, the cunning linguist.

While it is obvious that CONAN has mastered quite a few languages on his travels I was quite surprised to stumble on a quote that points out that he can also read quite a few.

In his roaming about the world the giant adventurer had picked up a wide smattering of knowledge, particularly the speaking and reading of many alien tongues. Many a sheltered scholar would have been astonished at the Cimmerian's linguistic abilities, for he had experienced many adventures where knowledge of a strange language had meant the difference between live and death.

From, "Jewels of Gwahlur"
Page 402 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN does not condone human sacrifice,

CONAN expresses dismay at the readiness of the people of Xuthal to sacrifice themselves to Thog, the ancient creature that is their god.

-by CROM, I'd like to see a priest try to take a Cimmerian to the alter. There'd be blood spilt, but not as the priest intended.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 136 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN, so what was he like?

SO what was CONAN like then?

He was quick to laugh, quick and terrible in his wrath. He was a valiant trencherman, and strong drink was a passion and a weakness with him. Naive as a child in many ways, unfamiliar with the sophistry of civilization, he was naturally intelligent, jealous of his rights, and dangerous as a hungry tiger.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 239. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Civilisation, laws and all... he just doesn't get it.

CONAN gets aboard a ship and "insists" that it immediately departs, so he can escape his pursuers. After they set sail, the captain asks him why he is being chased.

"By CROM though, I've spent considerable time among you civilised peoples, your ways are still beyond my comprehension. Well last night in a tavern, a captain in the kings guard offered violence to the sweetheart of a young soldier, who naturally ran him through. But it seems there is some cursed law against killing guardsmen, and the boy and his girl fled away. It was bruited about that I was seen with them, and so today I was haled into court, and a judge asked me where the lad had gone. I replied that since he was a friend of mine, I could not betray him. Then the court waxed wrath, and the judge talked about my duty to the state, and society, and other things I did not understand, and bade me tell where my friend had flown. By this time I was becoming wrathful myself, for I had explained my position.
But I choked my ire and held my peace, and the judge squalled that I had shown contempt for court, and that I should be hurled into a dungeon to rot until I betrayed my friend. So then seeing they were all mad, I drew my sword and cleft the judge's skull; then cut my my way out of court..."

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 237-8. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 "By this time I was becoming wrathful myself, for I had explained my position."
:-)
look out for tell tale signs like this and minimise courtroom homicide!

CONAN fears nothing of this world

CONAN fears nothing of this world. Despite his skill and intellect the supernatural is a source of fear for our hero.

Foes of flesh and blood he did not fear, however great the odds, but any hint of the supernatural roused all the dim monstrous instincts of fear that are the heritage of the barbarian.

From "Shadows in the Moonlight"
Page 223. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist,
 Abraão Lucas.
Please check out his Facebook page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN kills a vulture with his teeth

Despite having been nailed to a piece of wood, CONAN is no push over. He has been left unguarded so the vultures will come and pick him apart while he still lives, but CONAN is having none of it. He can see a vulture aproaching, and gives it a surprise.

CONAN drew his head back as far as he could, waiting with terrible patience. The vulture swept in with a swift roar of wings. It's beak flashed down, ripping the skin CONAN's chin as he jerked his head aside; then before the bird could flash away, CONAN's head lunged forward on his mighty neck muscles, and his teeth, snapping like those of a wolf, locked on the bare, wattled neck.
Instantly the vulture exploded into squawking flapping hysteria. Its thrashing wings blinded the man, and its talons ripped his chest. But grimly he hung on, the muscles starting out in lumps on his jaws. And the scavengers neck-bones crunched between those powerful teeth. With a spasmodic flutter the bird hung limp. CONAN let go, spat blood from his mouth.

From "A Witch Shall Be Born"
Page 365. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN is crucified

After being captured by a hundred of the evil Constantius's men he is taken to the roadside outside the city and crucified.

By the side of the caravan road a heavy cross had been planted, and on this grim tree a man hung, nailed there by iron spikes through his hands and feet. Naked but for a loin-cloth, the man was almost a giant in stature, and his muscles stood out in thick corded ridges on limbs and body, which the sun had long ago turned brown. The perspiration of agony beaded his face and his mighty breast, but from under the tangled mane that fell over his low, broad forehead, his blue eyes blazed with an unquenched fire. Blood oozed sluggishly from the lacerations in his hands and feet.

From "A Witch Shall Be Born"
Page 365. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN is defeated and captured alive

CONAN is defeated and captured alive, but it take a hundred men to do it!

I never saw a man fight as CONAN fought. He put his back to the courtyard wall, and before they overpowered him dead men were strewn in heaps thigh-deep about him. But at last they dragged him down, a hundred against one.

From "A Witch Shall Be Born"
Page 364-5. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Practice is no match for Primitive Fury

CONAN locks swords with Captain Zaporavo so he can kill him and take over the pirate ship Wastrel. Zaporova is an experienced and skilled fighter, but is no match for CONAN.

The intricacies of the sword were useless against his primative fury as a human boxer's skill against the onslaughts of a panther

From "The Pool of the Black One"
Page 171. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Devi Yasmina

Yasmina is introduced to us as she tends to her ailing brother. The first description of her however comes a little later when she goes to see the governor of Peshkharim, Chunder Saun.

It was a woman who had entered unannounced, a woman whose gossamer robes did not conceal the rich garments beneath them any more than they concealed the suppleness and beauty of her tall, slender figure. A filmy veil fell below her breasts, supported by a flowing head-dress bound about a triple gold braid and adorned with a golden crescent. Her dark eyes regarded the astonished governor over the veil, and then with an imperious gesture of her white hand, she uncovered her face.

From, "The People of the Black Circle"
Page 293 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Introducing... Thalis

CONAN and his companion Natala are lost in the ancient city of Xuthal. During their wanderings they stumble upon Thalis,

She was tall, lithe, shaped like a goddess; clad in a narrow girdle crusted with jewels. A burnished mass of night-black hair set of the whiteness of her ivory body. Her dark eyes, shaded by long dusky lashes, were deep with sensuous mystery.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 136 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Thalis wants to keep CONAN for herself, and tries to despatch Natala. It doesn't end well for her.

CONAN, not a wild man, but of the wild

CONAN sits next to the fire at night guarding princess Yasmela,

He was not merely a wild man; he was part of the wild, one with the untameable elements of live; in his blood ran the blood of the wolf-packs; his heart throbbed with the fire of blazing forests.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 121. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Princess Yasmela

Princess Yasmela has become the target of the amorous advances the recently reincarnated sorcerer, Thugra Khotan, who is about to attack her kingdom in the guise of Natohk, The veiled one. We first meet Yasmela in her bed chamber where she receives a supernatural visit from Thugra,

But princess Yasmela lolled not on that silken bed. She lay naked on her supple belly upon the bare marble like the most abased suppliant, her dark hair streaming over her white shoulders, her slender fingers intertwined. She lay and writhed in pure horror that froze her blood in her lithe limbs and dilated her beautiful eyes, that pricked the roots of her dark hair and made goose-flesh rise along her supple spine.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 107. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Sancha

Sancha is the concubine of Captain Zaporavo of the pirate ship Wastrel. She lounges on deck just as CONAN swims up to the ship and climbs onboard.

SANCHA, ONCE OF KORDAVA, yawned daintily, stretched her supple limbs luxuriously, and composed herself more comfortably on the ermine-fringed silk spread on the carack's poop-deck. That the crew watched her with burning interest from the waist and forecastle she was lazily aware, just as she also aware that her short silk kirtle veiled little of her voluptuous contours from their eager eyes.

From "The Pool of the Black One"
Page 163. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN, a barbarian of barbarians.

CONAN and Natala are lost in the desert, close to death, with no water left, when they notice a tower on the horizon.

A barbarian of barbarians, the vitality and endurance of the wild were his, granting him survival were civilised men would have perished.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 136 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Introducing... Natala

I thnk one way to look at how women are used as characters in the stories, is simply to examine how they are described when they are intoduced. I will be listing all the introductions, making it easy to look at the language used when describing the various women from the CONAN tales and draw your own conclusion.

At his feet rested a girl, one white arm clasping his knee, against which her blond head dropped. Her white skin contrasted with his hard bronzed limbs; her short silken tunic, low-necked and sleaveless, girdled at the waist, emphasized rather than concealed her lithe figure.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 134 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

I guess this is a classic to start with, CONAN is in the desert, clad only in a silk loin-cloth, lithe maiden hanging on  his knee in a classic Frazetta pose.

A reference from CONAN's employer

Princess Yasmela is instructed by the god Mitra that the only way she can save her kingdom is by making CONAN the commander of her armies. When she tells her generals Lord Amalric says,

"That's CONAN the northron, the most turbulent of all my rogues. I'd have hanged him long ago, were he not the best swordsman that ever doned a hauberk-"

From "Black Colossus"
Page 116. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN meets an alien

After breaking into the legendary, Tower of the Elephant, CONAN comes face to with an ancient humanoid figure with the head of an elephant. A being who explains he is from another world,

I came to this planet with others of my world, from the green planet Yag, which circles for ever in the outer fringe of this universe.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 96. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

The evils of drink...

CONAN rescues Pelias who has been held captive by Tsotha an evil wizard for ten years. After their escape they stop to rest next to a table,

He caugth me helpless with drink, Wine is a curse- by the ivory bosom of Ishtar, even as I speak of it, the traitor is here! Friend, please pour me a goblet

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 64. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Wine... it's evil, but ever so morish...

Where was CONAN from?

CONAN King of Aquilonia faces defeat after being lured into a trap,

In this stress all the venner of civilazation had faded; it was a barbarian who faced his conquerors. CONAN was a Cimmerian by birth, one of those fierce moody hillmen who dwelt in their gloomy, cloudy land in the north. His saga which led him to the throne of Aquilonia, was the basis for a whole cycle of hero-tales.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 46. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN talks about CROM

CONAN is discussing religion and belief with Belit, the Pirate Queen and his lover. She asks him about his own gods,

"Their chief is CROM. He dwells on a great mountain. What use to call on him? Little he cares if men live or die. Better to be silent than to call his attention to you; he will send dooms, not fortune. He is grim and loveless, but at birth he breathes power to strive and slay into a man's soul. What else shall men ask of gods?"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CROM, doesn't seem to offer much, even to the devoutest follower, but since all he seems to asks in return is that you don't bother him, it seems like a reasonable exchange.

CONAN sums up his existance in a few words

CONAN sums up his existance in a few words,

I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and I am content.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

This line was paraphrased in the latest CONAN movie.

CONAN ponders the philosophical nature of reality

CONAN is aware of the various debates raging amongst the thinkers of the time regarding the nature of reality, but is pragmatic about the options,

Let teachers and priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN is betrayed to the authorites by his lover so he...

CONAN is betrayed to the local authorities by his former lover. After he escapes the dungeon he was imprisoned in he pays her a visit to exact revenge...

...he crossed the chamber, while she cowered back against the wall, sobbing frantic pleas for mercy. Grasping her yellow locks with no gentle hand, he dragged her off the bed. Thrusting his blade back into its sheath, he tucked his squirming captive under his left arm, and strode to the window. Like most houses of that type, a ledge encircled each story, caused by the continuance of the window-ledges. CONAN kicked the window open and stepped out on that narrow band. If any had been near or awake, they would have witnessed the bizarre sight of a man moving carefully along the ledge, carrying a kicking, half-naked wench under his arm. They would have been no more puzzled than the girl.
Reaching the spot he sought, CONAN halted, gripping the wall with his free hand. Inside the building rose a sudden clamour, showing that the body had been discovered. His captive whimpered and twisted, renewing her importunities. CONAN glanced down into the muck and slime of the alley below; he listened briefly to the clamour inside and the pleas of the wench; then he dropped her with great accuracy into a cesspool. He enjoyed her kickings and flounderings the concentrated venom of her profanity for a few seconds, and even allowing himself a low rumble of laughter.

From, "Rogues in the House"
Page 194-5. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

A woman does something useful.

CONAN and Sancha, the consort of a pirate captain CONAN recently killed have seen the pirate crew carried drugged and helpless into a courtyard by the dark skinned monsters who inhabit the strange island they find them selves on. CONAN must distract the inhabitants of the island while Sancha revives the crew.

"Listen! I'll draw those black swine into another part of the castle and keep them busy for a while. Meanwhile you shake these fools awake, bring their swords to them- it's a fighting chance. Can you do it?"

From "The Pool of the Black One."
Page 178. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN puts his trust in her and she does manage it. A few of them escape after a bloody battle.
It would seem that the ladies aren't just for hanging on CONAN's leg while he poses heroically, although they do do that a lot! ;-)

CROM: An introduction.

After CONAN has spent some time considering the complexities of the religions of the civilized men, he takes solace in CROM,

His gods were simple and understandable; CROM was their chief, and he lived on a great mountain, whence he sent forth dooms and death. It was useless to call on CROM, because he was a gloomy, savage god, and he hated weaklings. But he gave a man courage at birth, and the will and might to kill his enemies, which, in the Cimmerian's mind was all any god should be expected to do.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

There's Nothing quite like slaying to build up a thirst.

After beating of a group of 20 attackers and some sort of demon thing, a wounded King CONAN, sits down to recover,

"Wine!" gasped the king from the couch where they had lain him. They put a goblet to his bloody lips and drank like a man half dead with thirst.
"Good!" he grunted, falling back, "Slaying is cursed dry work."
They had staunched the flow of blood, and they innate vitality of the barbarian was asserting itself.

You can't fault a guy for liking his wine :-)

From "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Page 41 "The complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Nicolas Bournay.

Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

The First mention of CROM

King CONAN of Aquilonia is discussing the people of the north with his adviser Prospero, he says of them,

Their gods are CROM and his dark race, who rule over a sunless place of everlasting mist, which is the world of the dead.

I'm curious to see how CROM evolves through the stories, since apart from his use as an expletive, he's not getting mentioned very much so far.
But hey, now I play a waiting game!

From "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Page 29 "The complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN on the importance of the arts.

King CONAN of Aquilonia recognises the value and longevity of art. When an adviser tells him he should hang Rinaldo, an artist whose songs are rowsing the people agianst King CONAN, he replies,

...he's beyond my reach. A great poet is greater than any king. His songs are mightier than my scepter; for he has ripped the heart from my chest when he chose to sing for me. I shall die and be forgotten, but Rinaldo's songs will live for ever.

 From "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Page 28 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN

 I was quite surprised to read this passage, perhaps unfairly, because CONAN is always described as being intelligent. He sees the futility of trying to censor the arts, but it all get's put in perspective a few page turns later when CONAN kills Renaldo,  albeit reluctantly,

"Rinaldo!" his voice was strident with desperate urgency. "Back!" I would not slay you-"
"Die, tyrant!" screamed the mad minstrel, hurling himself headlong on the king. CONAN delayed the blow he was loth to deliver, until it was too late. Only when he felt the bite of steel in is unprotected side did he strike, in a frenzy of blind desperation.
Ronaldo dropped with his skull shattered...

  From "The Phoenix on the Sword"
Page 38 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Word of the day, number 1.

I'm sure this may be very familiar to a lot of fantasy readers, but today I discovered a glorious new word while flicking through Mr Howards ramblings...

ENSORCELLED

Meaning to fall under the effect of sorcery, to be bewitched, and so on.

CONAN has lost his lady friend in a dungeon below an ancient city...

CONAN has lost his lady friend, Natala, in a dungeon below an ancient city. Thalis, who is competing with Natala for CONAN's attention, overpowers her and gets a bit lesbo-sadomasochistic on her arse!

As in a nightmare Natala felt her tunic being stripped from her, and the next instant Thalis had jerked up her wrists and bound them barely touching the floor. Twisting her head, Natala saw Thalis unhook a jewel-handed whip from where it hung on the wall, near the ring. The lashes consisted of seven round silk cords, harder yet more pliant than leather thongs.
With a hiss of vindictive gratification, Thalis  drew back her arm, and Natala shrieked as the cords curled across her loins. The tortured girl writhed, and tore agonizedly at the thongs which imprisoned her wrists.
...She had never guessed the punishing power of hard-woven silk cords. Their caress was more exquisitely painful than any birch twig or leather thongs.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 151-2 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

It's quite interesting that although there have been many instances of cruelty by men upon women being mentioned, the only graphic description I have found so far decribes a woman taking pleasure in cruelty to another woman.

CONAN on philosophical and theological debate

CONAN takes the time consider the debates raging amongst the philosophers and holy-men.

He had squatted for hours in the courtyard of the philosophers, listening to the arguments of theologians and teachers and came away in a haze of bewilderment, sure of only one thing, and that, that they were all touched in the head.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

A vote for CONAN is a vote for low taxes!

After being defeated in a particularly sneaky way underhanded way, CONAN King of Aquilonia is taunted by his captors. He goads his captors by pointing out what a better job he had done looking after things than the hereditary monarch he killed to capture the kingdom had.

The land was torn with wars of the barons, and the people cried out under suppression and taxation. Today no Aquilonian noble dares maltreat the humblest of my subjects, and the taxes of the people are lighter than anywhere else in the world.

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 50. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Loopydave .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

A sorcerer threatens to make a scroll from the skin of CONAN's women.

After having been lured into a trap and defeated, CONAN has been captured Tsotha, an evil sorcerer. Before leaving CONAN to be fed to a giant snake in his dungeons, Tsotha asks,

What word from you shall I say to your women, before I flay their dainty skins for scrolls whereon to chronicle the triumphs of Tsotha-Lanti?

From "The Scarlet Citadel"
Page 52. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

As threats/brags go that's pretty hardcore, "I have defeated you, and now I'm going to flay your concubines to make a scroll to write about how I beat you on."
Bloody sorcerers!

CONAN on organised religion.

CONAN is untroubled by the majesty and splendour of the temples he passes on his way to steal a fantastic jewel.

...he knew that Zamora's religion, like all things of a civilized, long-settled people, was intricate and complex, and had lost most of the pristine essence in a maze of formulas and rituals.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

A keenly observed critique of organised religion from Mr Howard.

CONAN and manners.

CONAN is new to town, and a little confused by the mocking banter of the local criminal underclass.

Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 82. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Much as I want to, I just can't fault the logic of that.

CONAN and technology.

After seeing what essentially amounted to a CCTV system,  created from a complex system of pipes and mirrors, bulit by a priest technologically massively advanced from the rest of his era, CONAN is deeply suspicious...

...the priest must be centuries ahead of his generation, to perfect such an invention; but Conan put it down to witchcraft and troubled his head no more about it.

From, "Rogues in the House"
Page 202. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN recognises a man from the smell of his hair.

Our hero finds himself creeping in total darkness through the catacombs beneath the house of the Red Priest. He bumps into and recognise Murilo, the young nobleman who earlier helped him escape the cities dungeon by using  his superhuman sense of smell.

"How did you recognize me in this blackness?" He demanded.
"I smelled the perfume you put on your hair when you came to my cell." answered Conan. I smelled it again a while ago, when I was crouching in the dark preparing to rip you open."
Murilo put lock of his black hair to his nostrils; even so the scent was barely apparent to his civilised senses, and he realised how keen must be the organs of the barbarian.

From, "Rogues in the House"
Page 197. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

Even CONAN can drink too much.

CONAN is betrayed to the authorities who find him laying drunk.

Waking to stupefied but ferocious life when they seized him, he disemboweled the captain, burst through his assailants and would have escaped, but for the liquor that still clouded his senses. Bewildered and half blind, he missed the open door in his headlong flight, and dashed his head against the stone wall so terrifically that he knocked himself senseless.

From "Rogues in the House"
Page 189. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Loopydave .
Please check out his web page HERE for more of his work.

CONAN kills a man with one punch!

After having to flee the pirate haven of Baracha, for undisclosed reasons, CONAN swims up to the pirate ship Wastrel and climbs onboard. He talks his way past the deeply suspicious captain an is allowed to join the crew.

CONAN (The Barachan),

He spat in CONAN's face and snatched at his own sword.
The Barachan's movement was too quick for the eye to follow. His sledge-like fist crunched with a terrible impact against his tormentors jaw, and the Zingaran catapulted through the air and fell in a crumpled heap by the rail.
CONAN turned towards the others. But for a glitter in his eyes, his bearing was unchanged. But the baiting was over as suddenly as it began. The seamen lifted their companion; his broken jaw hung slack, his head lolled unnaturally.

From "The Pool of the Black One."
Page 166. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

The moral of the story...
DO NOT SPIT AT CONAN!

CONAN has a fight with a god

After fleeing the mysterious city of Xuthal where he killed nearly everyone he met and had a fight with the ancient thog, the god (yes! god!) of the people there. Thog was as gods go a fairly Lovecraftian tentacled one at that, CONAN remarks,

CONAN.

There are brains and gut and blood to be cleaned off marble tiles, and if their god still lives, he carries more wounds than I.

From "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 162. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN

So... Born on a battlefield?

CONAN.

"I was born in the midst of battle," he answered, tearing a chunk of meat from a huge joint with his strong teeth. "The first sound my ears heard was the clang of swords and the yells of slaying..."

From "Black Colossus"
Page 115-6. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Start as you mean to continue I guess.

 Artwork displayed with the kind permission of the artist, Liam Sharp .
Please check out his Deviant Art  page HERE for more of his work.

An evil wizard talks tough

Thugra Khotan, in the guise of Natohk, The veiled one.

I will sweep into the lands of my ancient enemies. Their kings shall furnish me skulls for goblets, and their women and children shall be slaves of my slaves' slaves.

From "Black Colossus"
Page 108. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Two words...

GREAT THREAT!

QUOTABLE CONAN Day one...

The CONAN stories...

I've been meaning to start reading them for years, especially after seing a friend's collection of crumpled old Conan paper backs with their glorious Frank Frazetta covers but I never seemed to get around to buying any of the books.

I have finally just jumped in and bought the nearly 900 page Conan-fest that is the "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN" in the hopes that it will bring some glory and a taste of steel to my bus journey to work every morning.

I'm only a few days in to this, and there have aready been so many truly glorious quotes that popping a Conan quote a day on my facebook just won't suffice.

Mainly hilarious brags and threats I guess, but to be fair, these alone make me smile enough to do this. Probably the frustrated academic in me is probably going to end up listing quotes that examine the works of Mr Howard in a number of lights.

Well if I can be arsed.

Mainly funny brags and threats then, but time permitting, maybe I'll pick out and catalogue some gems that might be of use to academics of the pulpier side of literature.

So heres to a work in progress...

Hopefully I'll be able to publish a couple of quotes a week minimum, as I plough through the rambling alpha male fantasies of a man who looked suspisciously like Al Capone!

BORING BIT:

All quotes will be referenced so you can find them and make sure I'm not making this all up. (not that anyone would lie on the internet of course)

All page numbers will refer to "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN" pictured above.

I'll have a think about how best to classify things as I go along and apply or whatever once I get more of a picture of how this is going.