Conan Pastiche Help!

[Ltlconf]

Hello Folks,

I would recommend, as I have to my group, these two series: The THIEVE' WORLD saga. It's a shared world anthology (very popular in the 70s and 80s) with a myriad of characters in a dead-end, rotting city from all walks of life and told strictly from each character's point of view. This makes for some interesting views of character interaction.

The second is the BLACK COMPANY series by Glen Cook. This is a Dark Fantasy of the darkest order. The series is told in the first person by a mercenary company's chronicler, who isn't always the smartes or toughest individual but always a skilled survivor. It has some brutal battle scenes, truly amoral heroes (or some such), and a truly pragmatic view of a world were the gods, if the exist, sure don't care about little 'ol you!

Both are very useful as well for giving vivid protrayals of characters besides the iron thewed barbarian we all know and love. In these books we have true jacks of all trades (who don't fit into any classification), townsfolk, painters, thieves, mercs, nobles, scholars, soldiers, revolutionary leaders, spies (real ones, not just window lurkers), smugglers, palace guards, priests, wizards, and even a cursed witch turned into a true folklore based vampiress (NOT an Ann Rice/ Stoker knock-off). Often these are told from their individual points of views, sometimes even in first person.

Now both have magic on a grand scale, though it's in the hands of only a few (often quite insane or at least borderline, and often cursed as well). Dimensional travel is a feature in BLACK COMPANY, but you have to run a gauntlet of obstacles that make entire armies quail at the thought. Seriously, armies quail, and when the Black Company make the attempt thy succeed but at a real cost. And then you've got to run it again to get OUT of the gate.
Gods are very present in THIEVE'S WORLD, though this is noted as being a highly unusual, often unwanted, and very unpleasent event (two pantheons are in a life or death quarrel). Being "blessed" by a god is often seen as more a curse than a blessing and the ancient concept of the Gods being something to placate and entreat rather than something to be loved. In THIEVE'S WORLD even many benevolent gods deamand a human sacrifice from time to time. PC they are not!

As a mine of non-barbarian plot and character ideas they are priceless. As sources for wizards besides Thoth Amon they are good as well. And Sanctuary (the city/town of THIEVES WORLD) shows just how complex politics can get even in a small city, and how dangerous the streets get. Frankly from what I've read of Medieval London or ancient Rome the authors exaggerate nothing!

 

[High Lord Dee]

I've read quite a bit of Howard, and am hoping to expand my reading of the Hyborian Age. Anyway, I know that not only are there A LOT of pastiches out there, but that most all are bad. I'm still interested in getting a few though, so am wondering which are considered 'the best'?

Wagner? Anderson? Jordan?

Thanks!

I am currently on a mission to read all of the Conan pastiche stories. The best that I have encountered so far were by Andrew Offutt. The worst has been the novels by Steve Perry. But, there are still more that I haven't read yet that may be worse yet.

Here are a couple of links that I have found helpful in deciding which books to read and in what order:

Conan Timeline:

http://www.markbsplace.net/conan/ConanTimeline.html

Conan Pastiche Reviews:

http://www.conan.com/invboard/index.php?s=25b8d98417b31f01c7a6a0e7bcf90c33&showforum=4

I am attempting to read them sequentially ( :shock: Sorry REH Diehards :shock: ) because I am trying to relate them to the RPG game with respect to NPC's etc. I am enjoying even the bad ones because I still take something away that can be useful for my Conan setting.

I hope that helps.

HLD

 

[FailedSpotCheck]

I am a "REH Diehard", but I can appreciate the benefit of 'mining' the pastiche for possible monster/NPC/setting ideas. Let us know what you've gotten from the stories. As a GM I'm always looking for more inspiration.

 

[High Lord Dee]

I am a "REH Diehard", but I can appreciate the benefit of 'mining' the pastiche for possible monster/NPC/setting ideas. Let us know what you've gotten from the stories. As a GM I'm always looking for more inspiration.

I am not at home but I will get back to you on that. BTW, I was only jabbing at the "diehard" approach that the Howards books were never intended to be read chronologically. I am also reading the Ace books and still appreciate them beine re-published chronologically (albeit with a De Camp touch to all of that) versus the Wandering Star editions. I still consider myself a diehard fan as well just don't subscribe to that line of thinking.

HLD

 

[High Lord Dee]

I am a "REH Diehard", but I can appreciate the benefit of 'mining' the pastiche for possible monster/NPC/setting ideas. Let us know what you've gotten from the stories. As a GM I'm always looking for more inspiration.

Sorry for the delay. Here is a summary of the NPC possibilities from the book Conan the Defiant by Steve Perry. Please do not read if you are planning to read soon do to possible SPOILERS. The listing is mostly cut and paste directly from the book. I have not taken the time to put stats to paper as of yet (Perhaps someone else may take a crack at it? :wink: ). Plan to get around to it at some point. Hope something is of value to you.

Neg the Malefic – Brythunian Scholar (Necromancer)
Ranked amongst the highest in his control of necromantic energies.

Tuanne – Zamoran Noble Zombie
She had been beautiful in life and in death kept her beauty for over 100 years. She has long black hair and flimsy clothing. Her skin made the palest ivory seem dark. Her body was as lush and as rich as any living woman’s. She does not bleed and any wounds heal immediately into the whiteness of her skin. She can still feel human emotions and has the ability to cry.

Cengh – Priest of Suddah Oblates – Brythunian Scholar
Perhaps 30 years old, he was a tall man with light hair and a short beard. Cengh dressed in the dark robes of the Priests of Suddah Oblate. He used a short wooden stick, a slightly curved cane of sorts, as a weapon (fimbo). Cengh falls to the blade of Skeer in his burglary attempt to seize the Talisman of Light.

Mikahl the Messenger – Priest of Suddah Oblates – Shared in Cengh’s fate.

Oblate Kenshas – Master of arms of the Priests of Suddah Oblates – Brythunian Scholar/Soldier. 65 winters old,

Oblate Malo – Brythunian Scholar/Soldier. Kenshas’ best student. 20 years old and muscular. Vain and brash.

Skeer – Brythunian Thief
Thief, footpad, spy, and assasin. Under the pay of Neg the Malefic. Specialized in spying. His face radiated truth and innocence. His smile was so angelic, that even his victims would have a difficult time not liking him. It had been said that if he were caught stabbing a merchant, he could say that he was merely cleaning his dagger and get away with it. Skeer has the ability to commune with Neg by drawing his symbol in fresh blood. His real passions were women and smoke-weed. Skeer was poisoned by Neg after delivering the Source of Light. Neg had brought Skeer back to life as a loyal undying zombie.

Elashi – Khauran Nomad/Noble
Her hair was hacked off short, but her face was more than that of a girlish male. Early twenties. Worships Mitra. Daughter of Lorven, Chief of his tribe. He was slain by agents of Neg. She is to avenge her father’s death and retrieve the stolen property. She is a woman of deadly resolve. She can read trail signs as well as any man in her village. Whatever else she was, she was no sword fighter. After Conan had slain Neg, she traveled briefly with him until she returned back to her desert village.

Emreaves – Zamoran Scholar – High Priest of Opkothard

Disguise Master – Zamoran Thief
His disguises are second to none. In 20 winters, he had never been seen for what he was while he plied his trade. He has amassed a fortune over the years. Gold means nothing to him. Craft and Honor means everything. If he is ever detected, he will stop at nothing to avenge his honor. He also knows sailing terms well being impressed into service by a ship’s gang and was forced to sail the Vilayet Sea for over a year. His weapon of choice, if forced to fight, was the cross bow. He was slain by Conan in the Vanata village (beheaded).

The Brute – Assassin
The man was a killer. He is big, dirty, brutal, and course. He stank of sweat and wine. He has plied his trade for 6 years and still lives. His reputation has him killing over 17 men in personal combat. Double that number were killed due to backstabs. Brute was slain by Conan in the Vanata village.

Zenk the Knife Maker – Zamoran/Brythunian Noble
Maker of knives and swords for the City of Mystery.

Imelda – Brythunian Commoner
Works at the Boiled Pig Inn within Neg’s Domain as a server and whatever else the customer is paying for. She is known for being able to keep secrets.

Belinda – Brythunian Commoner
Local trull at the Boiled Pig Inn. She has long beautiful hair.


Organizations:

Men-With-No-Eyes – Captives kept in the cold under dungeon of Neg the Malefic. Men called them the Dead-but-not-Dead or Zombies. They have no need for light. They wish for nothing more than to slip from the Grey Lands into true death. Their eyes are entirely white with “clouds” moving back and forth in the milky globes. An ordinary man watching might fear his own sanity. Salt(water) seems to immobilize them for a short time. The Men have hearing beyond that of normal men. They are unnaturally fast and strong.

Priests of Suddah Oblates – Do not believe in killing men. While they oppose violence, they realize that nothing else will suffice. They train in the use of the cane as a weapon. Also will use nets and ropes. Will not eat meat or fowl or anything with warm meat. They will eat fish. Reknown for their wineries. They lived a communal existence. No mechanism for coin existed.

Priests of the Eight Legged God With No Name – Cult that headquarters in Opkothard. They worship the Eight Legged God With No Name. They will tolerate no insolence as it pertains to their God and will strike first if they believe there is any threat to their They have an informal alliance with the Priests of Suddah Oblates.




The Source of Light – Artifact
Talisman that provides its bearer with the ultimate control of the undead. It was found in the ruins of an ancient city uncovered by the shifting sands in the deserts of Khauran. The artifact must rest in a crystal carved to receive it, receive all of the proper geas, and have the proper incantations spoken. Once activated, it will begin to glow, pulse as if alive, and give off a radiant light of such clarity that it will hurt the eyes gaze upon it. The talisman gives the bearer the ability to take away life and return the victim as an undying, loyal zombie. The power is great enough to create an Army of the Night and affect all undead within 15 miles. It also has the power to create the “True Death” for those undying creatures that cannot pass to the Grey Lands.

BiblioNecron – Ancient Book of Necromancy
The Book of the Damned – Ancient Book of Necromancy
The Black Folio - Ancient Book of Necromancy

The Curse of the Shes – Spell
An ancient curse created by the Priests of the Eight Legged God With No Name. A powerful ritual magic, the final phase required incense. The Shes, once summoned, would not stop until their task was accomplished. The Shes are spiders – thousands of them, hairy legged and big (the size of a man’s hand).


HLD

 

[Yogah of Yag]

All I can say is wow.
Very nice.