Reading Conan

[Supplement Four]

Know, O Prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars.

Thither came Conan, a reaver, a slayer, to tread on the jeweled thrones of the Earth beneath his sandaled feet.

C O N A N

Thief

Warrior

Barbarian

Mercenary

King

 

[Supplement Four]

If you're looking to read about Conan's early life before, and just as, he left Cimmeria, then these are works to look for. These tales cover Conan's story from birth to his late teens. Several stories take place in and around Cimmeria, and about half take place as Conan is struck with wanderlust, having made the decision to trek south to Zamora to learn the skills of being a thief.



Conan OF VENARIUM by Harry Turtledove. Still in print, this book describes Conan's first blood letting on a siege battlefield at age 15. Note that some of the details in this book conflict with previously established "Conan details". But, we can chalk this up to the various interpretations and mouth-to-mouth retellings of tales of the mighty barbarian.

Conan THE BARBARIAN by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter is the novelization of the Arnold movie. Conan's origin story. The novel is quite good and is wearing, over the years, much better than the movie is. This book follows Conan as a child into his early twenties, taking place in Cimmeria and across Hyboria. Many other Conan stories can be considered to take place in between the pages of this book as it covers so much time in Conan's life.

Conan THE BOLD by John Maddox Roberts is one of the best non-Howard Conan works I've read. This book takes place when Conan is quite young, in his late teens. And, in the story, Conan travels the length of Hyboria all the way south to deep, dark Stygia.

Conan THE HUNTER by Sean A. Moore. This is an excellent book, taking place after Conan has left Cimmeria and made his way south to Brythunia. Ancient Shem is visited in this book.

Legions of the Dead by Lin Carter and L. Sprague de Camp is a short story contain in Conan THE SWORDSMAN. Conan is traveling with a band of Aesir raiding into Hyperboria. The cold lands of Asguard are explored in this story, alond with a location in the game: The Fields of the Dead.

The Thing in the Crypt by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter is a famous Conan story telling the tale of Conan finding an ancient broadsword made of Atlantean steel. The two writers incorporated this story into the novel and screenplay for Conan THE BARBARIAN. The story takes place after Conan has left Cimmeria but before he reaches the Hyborian lands. The Kezankian Mountains.

Conan THE DEFIANT by Steve Perry is the first of a four-book-cycle of novels following Conan on his trip south, Cimmeria-to-Hyboria, when Conan is in his late teens. I have liked some of Perry's other works, but, I must admit, these four novels are not something I enjoyed reading. Perry seemed to want to make Conan's universe the D&D universe--but there is too much difference in the two for Perry's idea to meet my approval. This novel begins as Conan reaches the spot where three nations come together: Brythunia, Corintha, and Zamora.

Conan THE INDOMITABLE by Steve Perry is the second in Perry's "travel" quadrilogy. Perry is connecting Conan with the wintery Cimmeria/Asguard/Hyperboria tales to the ones that take place in Hyboria. This middle book follows Conan into a large cave complex beneath the Kezankian Mountains. Again, I feel this book is too much "D&D" and not enough of "Howard's universe as Howard created it", but some may like it (since it definitely does have a different "feel" to it). Note: This book does feel like a novelized version of some of the bigger quests in the game, and for that reason, some may enjoy this book.

Conan THE FREE LANCE by Steve Perry is the third book following Conan's first trek from Cimmeria to Hyboria. Zamora is his destination. Conan thinks he can become a thief to earn his way in the world. Zamora, the nation of thieves, is the ideal place to begin. Although this book is a bit better than the first two in Perry's quadrilogy, it still doesn't live up to some of the other Conan pastiches I've read.

Conan THE FORMIDABLE by Steve Perry concludes Perry's quadrilogy, thank the gods. All four of Perry's books can be considered to take place within the pages of de Camp's and Carter's Conan THE BARBARIAN book mentioned up list. The last two Perry books are better than the first two, but none are high on my Conan recommendation list. I suggest them only for "complete-ists". It is in this book, though, that Conan finally sets his eyes on his destination--the Hyborian kingdom of Zamora.

 

[Supplement Four]

The previous post highlighted tales of Conan in and around his native Cimmeria and those that followed the barbarian as he ventured south, to Zamora, with a mind towards becoming a thief.

This post highlights those tales of Conan's early days as a thief, from apprentice to master. He spent most of his time in the Zamoran city of Shadizar during this part of his life.



The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard takes place in Arenjun, The City of Thieves--Zamora. AoC's splash screen tends to indicate that the tower is in Tarantia. This excellent story shows Conan as he is learning his trade as a thief--not yet a master.

Conan AND THE SORCERER by Andrew J. Offutt begins a trilogy that picks up just days after the tale told in The Tower of the Elephant. Conan quickly leaves Arenjun for a more infamous Zamoran city: Shadizar. And, it is Shadizar that Conan will return to for several tales to come.

Conan THE MERCENARY by Andrew J. Offutt is second in Offutt's trilogy, picking up just as the other left off.

Conan THE SWORD OF SKELOS by Andrew J. Offutt is the conclusion to Offutt's Conan trilogy.

Conan THE DESTROYER by Robert Jordan is Jordan's novelization of the second Arnold movie. Where the movie was quite awful, Jordan's book isn't half bad. I enjoyed it (and wished I'd only read the book and not seen the movie). The story starts and ends in Shadizar.

Conan THE MAGNIFICENT by Robert Jordan. It is my opinion that Jordan wrote some of the best non-Howard Conan tales. I enjoyed each and every one of the seven books he wrote. The books takes Conan, again, into the Kezankian mountain range. Good book!

Conan THE INVINCIBLE by Robert Jordan. This is the first Jordan Conan tale published, but not the Jordan books were not published in chronological order. I love this book as much as I love all seven of the Jordan pastiches. This book introduces the characters of Karela and Hordo, her faithful hound.

The Hall of the Dead by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp is one of the un-finished Howard stories that de Camp completed. Conan is now a master thief and well known in his adopted home of Shadizar. This story is contained in the anthology called, simply, Conan.

Conan THE FEARLESS by Steve Perry is Perry's fifth Conan book. And, I wish Perry wrote Conan better than he does. But, I will say that this book is a bit better than the Perry quadrilogy cited earlier. It reads like a novelized version of one of the large quests in the game (and therefore some may like it for that reason).

The God in the Bowl by Robert E. Howard follows Conan as he leaves Zamora and reaches the town of Numalia inside the Nemedian border. To fill his empty coin purse, he resumes his chosen trade of thieving. Thoth-Amon makes his first appearance in this story.

Conan THE WARLORD by Leonard Carpenter. Carpenter writes a good book technically. He's excellent with Conan lore. But, I find his writing dry. Many times, his books fail to engage me (which is not good since Carpenter is a prolific Conan writer). I can't say Carpenter's books are "bad". They're not. They just lack the "ummph" of Howard, Maddox, Jordan, Offutt, Anderson, and Moore. This book shows the Cimmerian traveling deeper into Nemedia, northeast to the captial of Belverus, and into the province of Dinander.

Rogues in the House by Robert E. Howard. This is one of Howard's more famous Conan tales. Conan is now about 19 years old (whew! What a life! I mean, THAT'S why Conan is a legend!)

Conan THE VICTORIOUS by Robert Jordan. I've already spoken on how much I like Jordan's Conan tales. This tale sees Conan in Sultanapur, on the Vilayet Sea, in Turan. Hordo makes his second appearance in this book. And, Conan has changed professions somewhat. He's now a smuggler rather than a thief. A logical progression.

Conan THE UNCONQUERED by Robert Jordan. This is the last of the Conan tales set during Conan's "thieving" period. This takes place in Aghrapur, Turan's capital. And, by the book's end, Jordan "sets-up" Conan's enlistment in Turan's army.

 

[Supplement Four]

King Yildz of Turan is paying good coin for irregulars to bolster his army. Conan is one of these mercenaries. In these tales, Conan, the former thief and smuggler, will learn battlefield strategy and military tactics. He picks up many new skills, including mastering the short bow from the back of a warhorse. All of the tales below center around Conan's involvement with Turan's army. His enlistment will last more than two years, taking Conan into his early twenties.



The Hand of Nergal by Robert E. Howard and Lin Carter. This tale, contained in the anthology, Conan, is one of the unfinished Howard tales, completed by Lin Carter.

The City of Skulls by Lin Carter and L. Sprague de Camp is an original short story by the two writers watching Conan, the Turanian soldier, as he enters the relatively unknown eastern land of Meru. You can find this short story in the anthology called Conan.

The People of the Summit by Bjorn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp is another original short story found in the anthology called Conan The Swordsman. Here, Conan battles through the Khozgari Hills.

Conan THE HERO by Leonard Carpenter. The Cimmerian volunteers for service in one of Turan’s frontier colonies, contested lands where the army’s presence is needed to protect the lotus trade. Conan’s belief is that such a billet lies on the path of advancement. Fort Sikander is located near the city of Venjipur, in the Venji jungle just north of the Gulf of Tarqheba and south of the Colchian Mountains, between the nations of Iranistan and Kosala.

The Curse of the Monolith by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter, contained in the anthology Conan of Cimmeria. Conan's former posting has paid off. He is now a Captain, and in this tale, he sees the fabled eastern lands of Khitai.

Conan THE VALIANT by Roland Green. Conan’s rise through the ranks of the Turanian military has brought him to a position in the king’s own Royal Guard. As such, he is billeted in the kingdom’s capital, Aghrapur. The swordswoman named Raihna makes her first appearance in this story.

 

[Supplement Four]

Conan deserts from King Yildz's army. He is wayward, for a time. He seems to be "searching"...for what, he does not know. He returns to Sultanapur for a short time, then to the City of Thieves, Arenjun, in Zamora. And, finally, he returns home, to Cimmeria.

Only to be struck with wanderlust again and venture south.



Conan AND THE SPIDER GOD by L. Sprague de Camp. de Camp's novel begins with Conan's desertion from Turan's army. I always thought that an appropriate method to show Conan parting with military life. The Cimmerian runs back to where he came, two years ago. Back to Sultanapur (where he was involved in smuggling before enlisting in Turan's army).

The Bloodstained God by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp. Conan has to rely on what he knows. No longer is a Turanian quartermaster providing his meals. So, back west Conan retreats, to familiar territory: Arenjun, in Zamora. The City of Thieves.

Conan THE VALOROUS by John Maddox Roberts is one of my favorite all-time Conan pastiches. Having deserted from Turan's army and fled first to Sultanapur and then to Arenjun, the Cimmerian longs for home. It has been several years now since he's left. With this book, you'll learn a lot about Cimmerian lore. At least one of the quests in the game's Connal's Valley came from this book. You'll also see a quote from this book on one of the splash screens when loading into AoC's Cimmerian zone.

The Frost Giant's Daughter by Robert E. Howard, is a short story also known as Gods of the North. Conan, spending time among his clan, gets restless again, but this time ventures north instead of south. The story features Vanir and the Ymir.

Lair of the Ice Worm by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter is a short story contained in the anthology Conan OF CIMMERIA. Conan has decided to travel south again, to again mingle with the Hyborians. This tale is one of the adventures he has during that journey.

 

[Supplement Four]

These tales show Conan in his mid-twenties. He's a seasoned soldier, having learned that trade in Turan. Now, as Conan again travel south from his native Cimmeria, he assembles his own mercenary company--a Free Company that will become known all over central Hyboria.



Conan THE RELENTLESS by Roland Green. Along this journey, Conan chances to meet a comrade from his days in Aghrapur. The swordswoman Raihna makes her second appearance in this novel.

Conan THE SAVAGE by Leonard Carpenter. This book also takes place on Conan's long journey south from Cimmeria, back into the Hyborian lands. He's made it as far as Brythunia.

Conan THE DEFENDER by Robert Jordan. Months pass. Conan travels across Brythunia into Nemedia, to the capital city of Belverus. There he crosses steps with an old friend last seen in Sultanapur, Hordo the one-eyed bandit (Hordo's third appearance). It is in this tale that Conan raises a force to form his famed Free Company of mercenaries.

Conan THE TRIUMPHANT by Robert Jordan. For a season, Conan and his Free Company find service in troubled Ophir. Of the original two score men chartering the host of Conan’s company, nine are left, the other having fallen to the blade or tired of earning their keep with their swords. For, Conan’s company did receive much work, and as he rides into the Ophierian capital of Ianthe, all in the region with gold enough to hire a Free Company know his name.

Conan THE GUARDIAN by Roland Green. This books picks up right on the heels of Jordan's The Triumphant. Conan’s Company is now broken. A small host of men follow the mighty barbarian southwest, out of Ophir, into the kingdom of Argos.