Conan introduction guide

[warzen]

Greetings,
I will soon DM in the Hyborian age with players who have no specific knowledge about it.

Basically, they have seen the movies and know the Conan character (based on thoses movies). They have no clue of what is Mitra, Nemedia, sorcery styles...etc

Do you know where I can find some kind of newbie guide on the Hyborian Age ? I don't need something related to the d20 system, just a 2 to 10 page read about the main countries, gods and beliefs and most probably sorcery.

It will greatly help me to find such a guide (english or french only please).

Thx,
W.

 

[rabindranath72]

I too was searching for this kind of thing, but then I realised that it is actually better to concentrate only on the information the players have about the locale where they start. In true Howardian style, they should only be concerned with the "here and now".
You can read them the introduction piece of the Nemedian Chronicles to the Phoenix on the Sword. All the rest, would come into play. Just my two silver pieces.

 

[Hervé]

Warzen, you should get "L'Encyclopedie de Conan", written by Roy Thomas and edited in France by Semic (25 Euros). Beautifully illustrated by the best Conan artists of the last four decades, the book is the perfect introduction to the world of Conan. And it's in french (that can be an asset if your players are not too fluent in english).
Over the last year I bought one to each of my players as birthday gifts and all of them loved it, Howard purists and newbies alike. I also own a copy (courtesy of my lovely wife) and I'm quite happy with it...

 

[Yogah of Yag]

REH's "Hyborian Age" essay is a very good place to get the info.
It can be found in the Del Rey/Wandering Star book The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (pp. 381-398), or HERE, or HERE.
There was a Gazetteer in the Core Rulebook (Atlantean Edition), and of course, Road of Kings.

 

[warzen]

Thank you.

I decided to buy the "Encyclopedie de Conan".

W.

 

[Hervé]

I bet you won't regret it...

 

[warzen]

I bet you won't regret it...

If I do, I'm going straight to "MarsEye" ! :twisted:

And don't forget to check your PM.

W.

 

[warzen]

Hervé,
I received the book yesterday.
To be honest, I was half convinced before ordering it because I was just remembering some not that goog comic pictures as example of the book.

I was extremely surprised to see a lot of Age of Conan like drawings, until I saw that Funcon was thanked for their cooperation on the product.

I've started reading it, and, even if it's full of pastiches, it's worth the read and it's a nice pleasant book.

Thanks again for the advice.

W.

 

[rabindranath72]

Isn' there a setting guide which contains ONLY Howard canon material? (meaning not even the "works" of de Camp/Carter) The recent Roy Thomas illustrated book is quite close to that, although interspersed there are still too many pastiche references for my tastes; and I would like a book without too many illustrations.

 

[Majestic7]

There is always this, containing all original Howard stories, including the ones that were published after the master had died. They are actually my favorites - Jewels of Gwahlur and God in the Bowl especially. Yes, not really a setting guide, but what do you need some pastiche-filled yarns for when you can enjoy all the original stories between the same covers?

http://www.amazon.com/complete-chronicles-Conan-Centenary/dp/0575077662/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220619206&sr=8-2

 

[rabindranath72]

I have that book, it is really excellent! I was thinking more along the lines of a, precisely, setting guide: people, places, bestiary, sorcery etc. Much like Road of Kings, but without any extrapolations or inventions: only reporting what Howard wrote.

 

[warzen]

There is always this, containing all original Howard stories, including the ones that were published after the master had died. They are actually my favorites - Jewels of Gwahlur and God in the Bowl especially. Yes, not really a setting guide, but what do you need some pastiche-filled yarns for when you can enjoy all the original stories between the same covers?

http://www.amazon.com/complete-chronicles-Conan-Centenary/dp/0575077662/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220619206&sr=8-2

How does it compare to the 3 Del Rey books ?

Thx,
W.

 

[Majestic7]

How does it compare to the 3 Del Rey books ?

Thx,
W.

I have no idea. It just contains all the Howard's stories and as far as I can tell, in their original form instead of something edited by De Camp. I bought it simply because I like having them all in same covers. Plus having big black tomes is always a plus, as a Cthulhu Mythos fan, heh.

 

[Strom]

How does it compare to the 3 Del Rey books ?

Thx,
W.

I have no idea. It just contains all the Howard's stories and as far as I can tell, in their original form instead of something edited by De Camp. I bought it simply because I like having them all in same covers. Plus having big black tomes is always a plus, as a Cthulhu Mythos fan, heh.

I would buy both - and have! I love the big black tome as well Majestic7.

The Centenary Edition does contain all the Howard stories unedited and in the chronological sequence Howard wrote them in just like the Del Rey books. However, the Del Rey books also have excellent Miscellanea and Appendices extras like Howard's hand drawn maps, Howard's letter to Miller, first drafts of The Phoenix on the Sword & Red Nails among other stories , Notes on the Original text and some excellent essays by REH scholar Patrice Louinet on the Hyborian Genesis - Notes on the Creation of the Conan Stories (3 parts, one in each book). Plus, the three books are wonderfully illustrated by Mark Schultz, Gary Gianni & Greg Manchess respectfully.