Character: Conan the Cimmerian

[Susano]

"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 -- Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery, Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold. But the proudest kingdom of the world was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west. Hither came Conan the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the earth under his sandaled feet."

 

The Nemedian Chronicles

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

CONAN the CIMMERIAN

 

Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes
25	STR	15	14-	Lift 800 kg; 5d6 HTH Damage
23	DEX	39	14-	OCV:  8/DCV:  8
25	CON	30	14-
20	BODY	20	13-
15	INT	5	12-	PER Roll 15-
18	EGO	16	13-	ECV:  6
25	PRE	15	14-	PRE Attack:  5d6
10	COM	0	11-

8	PD	3		Total:  14 PD (6 rPD)
8	ED	3		Total:  14 ED (6 rED)
4	SPD	7		Phases:  3, 6, 9, 12
10	REC	0
50	END	0
46	STUN	0		Total Characteristics Cost:  153

Movement:	Running:  7"/14"
Swimming:  4"/8"

Cost	Powers & Skills
Martial Arts:  Swordsmanship
Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage
5	Cleave/Slash	+1	-2	Weapon +4 DC Strike
4	Disarm	-1	+1	35 STR Disarm
4	Dodge	--	+5	Dodge versus All, Abort
4	Parry	+2	+2	Block, Abort
5	Thrust	+1	+3	Weapon Strike


6	"Never Knew Fatigue":  Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) on 25 STR, END 1
15	"Taken Enough Punishment To Kill Three Ordinary Men":  Physical Damage 
Reduction, 1/4, Resistant
2	"Swinging Hillman's Stride":  Running +1" (7" Total), END 1
14	"Always Carried The War To The Enemy":  Running +7", Reduced Endurance 
(0 END; +1/2); Only To Make A Half Move (-1/2)
2	Sailor:  Swimming +2" (4" total), END 1
7	"Ever See A Cimmerian Scale A Sheer Cliff?":  Clinging (25 STR); Cannot Resist 
KB Or Throws (-1/4), No Ceiling Movement Or Angles Of Less Than 80° (-1/4), END 1
1	"Eyes Like A Cat":  +2 with Normal Sight PER Rolls; Only To Counteract Darkness 
Modifiers (-1/2)
6	"Faculties Were Akin To Those Of A Wolf":  +2 to all PER Rolls
2	"Caught A Subtle Scent":  +2 with Smell PER Rolls

Perks
4	Contact:  Publo if Messantia (useful skill and resources) 11-
9	"A Score Of Ballads Celebrated His Ferocious And Audacious Exploits":  
Reputation:  Amra the Lion (among the Black Kingdoms) or "Most Renowned Warrior 
Among Western Nations" (elsewhere) 14-, +3/3d6

Talents
6	Ambidexterity (-1 Off Hand Penalty)
6	"Oh A Scratch Here And There":  Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)
29	"Warned By His Savage Instinct":  Danger Sense (Sense, Out of Combat, Immediate 
Vicinity) 14-
10	"Fell Like Ripe Grain Beneath His Blade":  Deadly Blow (+1d6 
Killing Attack with HTH Weapons)
10	Deadly Blow (+1d6 Killing Attack with Ranged Weapons)
10	"Blur Of Blinding Speed":  Follow Through Attack:  Trigger for up to HKA 4d6 
(when a character kills an opponent in battle; +1/4); OIF (weapons of opportunity; -1/2)
3	"Slumber As Light As A Wolf's":  Light Sleep
3	"Immovable In The Face Of Pain":  Resistance (+3 to EGO Rolls)

Skills
32	"Manner Of Fighting Was Unorthodox":  Combat Skill Levels:  +4 with Combat
8	Striking Right And Left Too Quickly For The Eye To Follow":  Combat Skill Levels:  
+4 OCV with Sweep
7	"Instinctive Sidelong Leap":  +2 DCV; Linked (to Danger Sense; -1/2)
5	Woodcraft:  Skill Levels:  +2 with Concealment, Shadowing, Stealth, and Tracking; Only 
In Forests (-1)

3	"Hit Cat-Like On His Feet": Breakfall 14-
2	Woodcraft:  Concealment 12-; Self Only (-1/2)
10	"An Ever Moving Target":  Defense Maneuver IV
3	"His Sword Flashed Half Out Of Its Sheath":  Fast Draw (HTH) 14-
2	Gambling (Dice Games) 12-
3	Navigation (Land, Marine) 12-
2	PS:  Sailor 11-
5	"A Direct Actionist":  Rapid Attack (HTH)
3	Riding 14-
7	"Sandaled Feet Made No Sound":  Stealth 16-
3	Streetwise 14-
8	"I Was Raised In A Naked Land":  Survival (Mountains, Temperate/Subtropical, 
Deserts) 12-
1	TF:  Equines
4	"Handled His Boat With Skill":  TF:  Small Rowed Boats, Large Rowed Boats, Small 
Wind-Powered Boats, Large Wind-Powered Boats
3	"All A Man Might Do He Had Done":  Tactics 12-
3	"Tracked Wolves In His Native Hills":  Tracking 12-
10	"Sword In One Hand And Dagger In The Other":  Two-Weapon Fighting (HTH)
6	WF:  Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons, Offhand, Thrown Sword
3	"Roared Songs In A Dozen Languages":  Linguist
3	1) Language:  Aquilonian (Completely Fluent, literate)
1	2) Language:  Archaic Pelishtim (Fluent, literate)
0	3) Language:  Cimmerian (native)
2	4) Language:  Hyrkanian (Completely Fluent)
2	5) Language:  Khauran (Completely Fluent)
2	6) Language:  Kothic (Completely Fluent)
2	7) Language:  Nemedian (Completely Fluent)
2	8) Language:  Ophirean (Completely Fluent)
1	9) Language:  Pictish (Fluent)
1	10) Language:  Pirate Code (Fluent, literate)
1	11) Language:  Sea-coast Dialect Of Kush (Fluent)
2	12) Language:  Shemite (Completely Fluent)
2	13) Language:  Stygian (Fluent, literate)
2	14) Language:  Vendhya (Completely Fluent)
2	15) Language:  Yuetshi (Completely Fluent)
3	Scholar
2	1) KS:  Beasts And Monsters Of Hyboria 12-
1	2) KS:  Customs Of The Free Companions/Red Brotherhood 11-
2	3) KS:  Gods And Religions Of Hyboria 12-
2	4) KS:  Myths And Legends Of Hyboria 12-
1	5) KS:  Myths And Legends Of The Black Kingdoms 11-
2	6) "I've Seen His Kind Before":  KS:  Races Of Hyboria 12-
2	7) KS:  Ships And Shipping 12-
3	Traveler
2	1) AK:  Afghulistan 12-
2	2) AK:  Aquilonia 12-
1	3) AK:  Asgard 11-
2	4) AK:  Hyrkania 12-
2	5) AK:  Nemedia 12-
2	6) AK:  Poitain 12-
2	7) AK:  The Black Coast 12-
2	8) AK:  The Black River/Pictish Wilderness 12-
2	9) AK:  The Hyborian World 12-
1	10) CK:  Messantia 11-
1	11) CK:  Zamboula 11-
1	12) CuK:  Asgardians And Vanaheim 11-
1	13) CuK:  Cimmeria 11-
1	14) CuK:  Picts 11-
365	Total Powers & Skills Cost
518	Total Character Cost

200+	Disadvantages
15	DNPC:  scantily-clad female in distress, 14- (Normal)
15	Psychological Limitation:  "A Keen Relish For Women And Strong Drink" (C, S)
15	Psychological Limitation:  Crude Code Of Honor, "A Man Who Discharged His 
Obligations Eventually" (C, S)
15	Psychological Limitation:  "I've Trusted No One Too Far, Man Or Woman" (C, S)
5	Psychological Limitation:  Racial Hatred For Picts (U, S)
10	Reputation:  "Cimmerians Are A Bloody Race, Born With A Sword In Their Hand", 11- 20	Reputation:  "One Of The Greatest Scourges Of The Sea", 14- (extreme)
223	The Original Barbarian Bonus
518	Total Disadvantage Points

OPTIONS
Cost	Powers
2	"Quieting The Uneasy Steed With A Low Word": Animal Handler 14-
3	"Instinct... Made His Course Unerring":  Bump Of Direction
3	"I Ran Quickly To The Wall And Scaled It":  Climbing 14-
15	"Unerring Instinct Of The Barbarian":  Combat Sense 12-
10	Fists Like Iron:  HA +2d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); Hand-To-Hand 
Attack (-1/2)
2	"Can Sleep Naked In The Snow":  Life Support (Intense Cold)
1	"Springy Sinews":  Leaping +1"
5	"Struck [the sphere] Aside With His Sword":  Missile Deflection (thrown objects)
-15	Psychological Limitation:  Lives For The Moment (C, S)

 

Background/History:

Conan, the greatest warrior of the Hyborian Age, was literally "born in the midst of battle," during a fight between a band of invading Vanir and his own Cimmerian tribe. The son of a blacksmith, his early life in the hard land of Cimmeria made him strong and durable, qualities that would be a great asset in the years to come. While still a youth, aged no more than fifteen or so, his prowess was such that "already my name was repeated around the council fires." In addition, he was part of the howling barbarian mob that sacked the city of Venarium, putting the population to the sword and the city to the torch. Shortly thereafter, Conan's "roving foot" caused him to strike out for Asgard, where he helped fight against the Vanier and Hyperborans. After several months of campaigning, he escaped from captivity by the Hyperboreans and headed south, into civilization and the city of Zamora, a fresh-faced youth of seventeen in a city-state of thieves.

 

From this point, Conan's future was set. He would settle nowhere long, instead journeying from place to place, usually as a sword-for-hire, eventually crisscrossing the Hyborian world in his travels. For a time, he was the scourge of the Black Coast, sailing with the pirate Bêlit. Later he would (among other things) command bands of kozaks, act as a mercenary soldier, return to his former life as a corsair, become a warchief of the Bamulas, and at around the age of forty, become king of Aquilonia.

 

As king, Conan would reign for many years, during a turbulent period in history, when wars of imperial expansion where common. Eventually, Conan would (apparently) abdicate, traveling to even distant lands, including the nameless one far to the west of his own. His final fate is unknown -- he may have died on campaign, trying to establish his own empire, or he may have fallen far from home, during one of his travels. One thing is certain however, he didn't die of old age.

 

Personality/Motivation:

Unlike most (if not all) Cimmerians, Conan has an exuberant nature, and tends to live life to the fullest. He is quick to laugh, but also not one to forget slights and feuds, and is capable of wrecking bloody vengeance on those who have wrong him. His is also described as "a valiant trencherman," and wine is both "a passion and a weakness" with him. Naturally, he has a notable liking for women, and has been swayed into a questionable course of action by a pretty face and figure more than once.

 

For the most part, Conan lives for the moment, with little thought to what tomorrow may bring. This does not mean he is the happy-go-lucky sort (far from it), but that he takes both success and failure in stride. When things are going well, he enjoys himself, spending money on wine and women freely. Once that runs out, he simply shrugs his massive shoulders and looks for a new way to earn his money. And, if by change, a chance to gain a fortune fails, he doesn't bemoan his fate, but instead accepts it and moves on. Conan is a very practical sort, to say the least.

 

Although accepting of the twists and turns of fate, Conan isn't above trying to change his own. He likes to be in charge, and tends to rise to command of whatever group he is with -- be it the captain of the Queen's guard, or captain of a shipload of pirates. And he's not above using violence to get it. Although he won't betray a friend, he is more willing to double-cross a competitor, and while he won't stab a man in the back, he will often take them down face to face.

 

For all of this, Conan does have his own code of honor -- he tends to play fair with those who treat him fair, won't harm a woman (or see one harmed), and won't abandon a friend (or other companions) if he can help it. As a final note, Conan, like all barbarians, has a certain dread of the supernatural. While he doesn't exactly fear it, per se, he doesn't go out of his way to encounter it. However, on the other hand, experience has shown Conan that a good steel blade can accomplish wonders, and most, if not all, supernatural monstrosities bleed and die just as well as men do.

 

Quote: "I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I see not beyond death. ... Let me live 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. ... I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less than an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content."

 

Powers/Tactics:

Conan's two most distinguishing features are his strength and speed. He has been described as having "tigerish strength," being able to cave the side of an armored man in with an ax, as well as being "strong beyond the comprehension of civilized man." His agility has been likened to "blinding speed," the "quickness of a panther," and "a striking cobra." He has wrestled with great apes, hurled benches of solid silver, cut men in two with a single sword blow, and shattered skulls with a single punch. In battle he is never still, moving constantly, and never presenting a clear target to his opponents. He almost never fights defensively, preferring to attack, taking the offensive and overwhelming his foes with a blinding flurry of crushing blows.

 

As a Cimmerian, Conan's "barbaric" upbringing has honed his physical skills to an almost unnatural degree. Like all hillmen, he can climb virtually anything, even seemingly sheer cliffs. He also has highly acute senses, and has been known to recognize people in the dark by the faint perfume they wore in their hair. His hearing is also quite acute, and is often good enough to alert him of a trap mere seconds before it is sprung.

 

Having traveled extensively, Conan has seen many lands, and knows quite a bit about them and their people. He also speaks and astonishing number of languages, and can read many of them.

 

Appearance:

Conan is repeatedly described as tall and massive. He stands well over six feet in height (at the sack of Venarium he stood six foot even and weighed 180 pounds), with "broad heavy shoulders, ... massive chest, lean waist, and heavy arms." His skin is burned brown by the sun, his face dark and scarred, his hair a black mop, and his eyes are "smoldering blue."

 

Contrary to most art, Conan doesn't dress in just a fur loin cloth, sword belt, and helmet. Normally he dresses in whatever is the local fashion, adding in such armor as is available. He tends to wear mail shirts if possible, and understands the value of armor in battle, at one point crediting it with keeping him alive during an ambush. His arms usually consist of a broadsword and poniard, but he has also armed himself with bows, spears, and axes.

 

Designer's Notes:

Conan first appeared in the short story The Phoenix on the Sword, published in Weird Tales in December of 1932. Derived from the King Kull story By This Axe I Rule!, it presented the world with the character of Conan, barbarian king of Aquilonia. In January of 1933, Conan appeared in his second story, The Scarlet Citadel, once again as king of Aquilonia, but his third story, The Tower of the Elephant (published in March of 1933) showed him as a mere youth in the city of Zamora. From that point on, Conan stories came one after another, some very, very good (Queen of the Black Coast, Beyond the Black River, Red Nails), some rather formulaic (The Vale of Lost Women, The Man-Eaters of Zamboula). All told, Howard wrote some two dozen Conan stories during his life, along with one full novel (The Hour of the Dragon). He also wrote numerous unfinished fragments and outlines, many of which were turned into complete stories (of questionable quality) by the team of de Camp and Carter in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

 

The character sheet seen here was developed from the Del Rey Robert E Howard collection. Consisting of the volumes The Coming of Conan, The Bloody Crown of Conan, and The Conquering Sword of Conan, they present the various Conan stories as close to the original forms as possible. The only editing is to correct obvious spelling errors and the like. As with my other Howard adaptations, I am only going with what was written, and am ignoring any non-canon (i.e. non-Howard) sources. In addition, I have used actual quotes from the stories as special effects for all of Conan's powers, Talents, and Skills. I have even included some optional powers for those who wish to make Conan even more powerful. Oh, and one last note -- I wrote down every language Conan is listed as speaking -- which means the 15 languages listed might not be complete!

 

(Conan created by Robert E Howard, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Curufea]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

As ever a magnificent job destined to inspire envy in the rest of us who want to convert characters from literature (such as Perdido Street Station) into the Hero system....

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

I actually missed an optional power, which is Stealth Personified, defined as Invisibility to Normal Hearing. I haven't fully decided on the limitations for such an ability, though.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

I also intend to follow this up with various Hyborian monsters -- such as gray apes, ghouls, and Satha the Old One.

[Curufea]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

With a fringe, maybe.

[Thia Halmades]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Susano - dag.

 

That's about all there is to say.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Susano - dag.

 

That's about all there is to say.

 

This project has been something I've been working on for the last few weeks. First I read (or re-read) all three volumes of Conan, and took extensive notes (something like 6-8 sheets of notebook paper). Then came sorting it all out and putting it all together. What amazed me the most was how... knowledgeable Howard made Conan. He's not dumb brute of a barbarian, but a smart and canny individual, who knows a little bit about a very lot.

[Thia Halmades]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

This also answers a question I had about how to build higher-end characters in HERO without going "out of genre." Conan under this build used 518 some points and still has plenty of room for improvement, additional construction, etc. So this is a great point of reference in and of itself. Will you be posting it on your site (is it already there?)

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

This also answers a question I had about how to build higher-end characters in HERO without going "out of genre." Conan under this build used 518 some points and still has plenty of room for improvement' date=' additional construction, etc. So this is a great point of reference in and of itself. Will you be posting it on your site (is it already there?)[/quote']

 

Yes -- probably this weekend.

[Gary]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

I'd probably give Conan outright Mental Defense, and a Combat Luck version of Power Defense to simulate the fact that mages have such an extremely tough time dealing with him.

 

Plus about 3d6 Luck.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

I'd probably give Conan outright Mental Defense' date=' and a Combat Luck version of Power Defense to simulate the fact that mages have such an extremely tough time dealing with him.[/quote']

 

The only time he really fought mages one-on-one he was wearing an enchanted belt, which helped him overcome the spells being used against him. He does have a strong will, though, and could see some Mental Defense.

[Gary]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

The only time he really fought mages one-on-one he was wearing an enchanted belt' date=' which helped him overcome the spells being used against him. He does how a strong will, though, and could see some Mental Defense.[/quote']

 

 

It's possible that REH didn't have him directly confront too many mages. I don't remember which stories in my memory were REH's, or other authors. But if you're going to give him regular Combat Luck, I think a Power Defense version would make a lot of sense.

 

Also, 14 COM. The chicks swooned over him, even disregarding his Presence and the fact that he usually rescued them to begin with.

 

Sorry to be nitpicky.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Also' date=' 14 COM. The chicks swooned over him, even disregarding his Presence and the fact that he usually rescued them to begin with.[/quote']

 

Old version had 14 COM. I dropped it to 10 because of the repeated descriptions of a "dark scarred face" and the like.

[Thia Halmades]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

I'm siding with Susano on this - brother man doesn't need COM to get the honies.

[OddHat]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Wow. Once again, you set the standard for literary character adaptations. Very well done.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Wow. Once again' date=' you set the standard for literary character adaptations. Very well done.[/quote']

 

Thanks. It was a one heck of a chore. To be honest, I was kinda afraid people would find all sorts of errors.

[OddHat]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Thanks. It was a one heck of a chore. To be honest' date=' I was kinda afraid people would find all sorts of errors.[/quote']

 

It looks great. I saw two possible typos;

 

Publo if Messantia

 

And, if by change, a chance to gain a fortune fails, he doesn't bemoan his fate, but instead accepts it and moves on.

 

This is a very useful write up of the character that almost defines Swords and Sorcery. Thanks for sharing it.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

It looks great. I saw two possible typos;

 

Publo if Messantia

 

And, if by change, a chance to gain a fortune fails, he doesn't bemoan his fate, but instead accepts it and moves on.

 

This is a very useful write up of the character that almost defines Swords and Sorcery. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Doh!

 

I'll fix those.

[Lemurion]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

As a long-time Howard fan (who also has the entire recent Del Rey collection) I have to say that I very much approve. The one thing that I had been concerned about was that his intelligence would be underestimated, as most people are only aware of Pastiche-Conan who really was a pale shadow of the real thing.

 

Hmmmmmm, while I know FH is the wrong forum, does this mean it's about time to do up Kim Kinnison from "Doc" Smith's Lensman series?

[Susano]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Oh, BTW, since I now have the Masterwork editions of Lankmar, I can finally start on Fafhard and the Gray Mouser.

[OddHat]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Oh' date=' BTW, since I now have the Masterwork editions of Lankmar, I can finally start on Fafhard and the Gray Mouser.[/quote']

 

Groovy!

[Lemurion]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Oh' date=' BTW, since I now have the Masterwork editions of Lankmar, I can finally start on Fafhard and the Gray Mouser.[/quote']

 

Masterwork editions of Lankhmar? Where? I haven't heard of them before (though I read all the old Ace versions of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories).

[hancock.tom]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

My hat goes off to you again. Excellent write-up, from a big Howard fan.

[Sketchpad]

Re: Character: Conan the Cimmerian

 

Great write-up Mike! Have some rep