CONAN QUOTES

By Crom... This made me smile!

2012-10-18T05:41:00.003-07:00

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...

2012-05-19T12:58:00.002-07:00

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

2012-04-01T08:58:00.001-07:00

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

2012-03-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

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.

2012-03-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

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.

2012-03-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

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

2012-03-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

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.

2012-03-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2012-03-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-13T06:39:00.002-07:00

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

2012-03-12T15:32:00.001-07:00

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

2012-03-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-12T06:51:00.001-07:00

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

2012-03-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

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

2012-03-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2012-03-11T13:44:00.001-07:00

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

2012-03-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

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...

2012-03-11T12:55:00.001-07:00

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.