REH's Hyborian Age -- An Adaptation for GURPS Fourth Edition

[1F409]

For the past several years, I have been working on creating a free, fan-made adaptation of the Hyborian Age for the Generic Universal Role-Playing System (“GURPS”). I have dabbled likewise in a few of Robert E. Howard's less-famous characters and time periods. Unbeknownst to me, the title of my piece collided with that of the Modiphius-made game, though the issue was solved when I expanded my work from a mere annotated write-up of Conan to a much larger attempt at piecing together the aforementioned Age as a full setting.

I have no special qualifications for this project, save my insistence on seeing the project through whilst adhering to the method of using quotations and details from “purist” canon. (Personally, I haven't seen any games implement the degree of annotation that I intend, so this might be breaking new ground.) I have come to this forum to peruse past discussions, glean what information I can, and ask questions, all in the hope of bettering my project.

My adaptations will focus on what Howard wrote; there will be no softening on issues of race, sex, or what have you. In whatever way he viewed his stories is how I intend to see them translated into game material. Either one accepts Howard's writing as it is, or one must dispense with the pretense of scholarship. There is no middle ground.

Lastly, there may be people who are better suited to a project like this, so I'm open to advice, assistance, or even collaboration. Being that there is no financial incentive, all that I can offer in return is fair credit. My goal is simply to get the job done: to create authoritative, evidence-based game adaptations.

Snippets of my work can be found on my Gab page. If there is interest, I can post here, too.

Index

Here is a growing list of entries, for the moment excluding geography, peoples, and nations. I am uncertain how some of the names should be alphabetized, so suggestions on that, as well as anything I’ve missed, are welcome.

 Adonis · Afari · Ageera · Ajaga · Ajonga · Ajujo · Akivasha · Albiona · Alcemides · Almuric · Amalric · Amalric (baron) · Amalric (general) · Amalrus · Anu · Aram Baksh · Aratus · Arbanus · Arpello · Arus · Ascalante · Ashtoreth · Astreas · Asura · Atali · Atalis · Aztrias Petanius

 Baal-pteor · Badb · Bajujh · Balthus · Bel · Bêlit · Beloso · Black Lotus · Black One · The Black Ring · Black Seer · Black Stranger · Bori · Bowl Sarcophagus · Bragi · Bragorus · Brocas · Bunda Chand · Burning Skull

 Chicmec · Child of Darkness · Child of Jhebbal Sag · Child of Set · Chunder Shan · Conan · Constantius · The Crawler · Crom · Cumal · Curse of the Iron Statues

 Dagda · Dagon · Dance of the Cobras · Demetrio · Derketo · Devil from the Outer Dark · Dion · Diancecht · Dionus · Dragon

 Enaro · Epemitreus · Epeus · Erlik

 Frost-Giant

 Gault Hagars Son · Ghaznavi · Ghost Snake · Ghoul · Gilzan · Gitara · Globe of Yezud · Gobir · Golden Leopard · Gorm (Æsir) · Gorm (Pict) · Gorulga · Gray Ape · Gromel · Gullah · Gwahlur

 Hadrathus · Hakon Stroms Son · Hanuman · Heart of Ahriman · Heimdul · Horsa (Æsir) · Horsa (Vanir)

 Ibis · Ishtar · Iron Statue · Ivanos · Ivory Woman of Punt

 Jehungir Agha · Jhebbal Sag · Jhil · Jungir Khan

 Kalanthes · Kallian Publico · Kerim Shah · Khemsa · Khemsa’s Girdle · Khosatral Khel · Khosru Khan · Khossus V · Khumbanigash · Krallides · Kutamun · Kwarada

 Laranga · Lissa · Livia · Lords of the Black Circle

 Macha · Manannan mac Lir · Master of Yimsha · Mitra · Morrigan · Murilo

 Nabonidus · Nafertari (see Zabibi) · Natala · Natohk · Nemain · Nestor · N’Gora · Niord · Numedides · N’Yaga

 Octavia · Olgerd Vladislav · Olivia · Ollam-onga · Olmec · Orastes

 Pallantides · Pelias · Pipes of Madness · Posthumo · Promero · Prospero · Publius · Pteor

 Red Ortho · Retrogression · Rinaldo

 Saidu · Sakumbe · Salome · Sancha · Satha · Sergius · Serpent Ring of Set · Servant of Bit-Yakin · Servius Galannus · Set · Shah Amurath · Shevatas · Shubba · Shukeli · Shupras · Skelos · Slave of the Ring · Snow-Ape · Star of Khorala · Stone Spider at Yezud · Strabonus · Strom

 Tananda · Taramis · Tarascus · Tarim · Tascela · Taurus · Techotl · Teyanoga · Thalis · Than · Thaug · Thespides · Thog · Thoth-amon · Thothmekri · Thugra Khotan (see Natohk) · Thutmekri · Thutothmes · Tiberias · Tigress · Tilutan · Tito · Tolkemec · Tomar · Totrasmek · Trocero · Tsotha-lanti · Tuthmes · Tyr

 Valannus (BtBR) · Valannus (THotD) · Valbroso · Valenso · Valeria · Valerian · Valerius · Vateesa · Vathelos · Venom of the Black Stygian Scorpion · Vilerus · Volmana

 Were-hyena · Winged One · Wulfhere

 Xaltotun

 Yag-kosha · Yajur · Yara · Yar Afzal · Yasmela · Yasmina · Yasunga · Yelaya · Yezdigerd · Yildiz · Yimsha’s Carpet · Yizil · Ymir · Yog · Yogah (see Yag-kosha) · Yothga · Yun

 Zabibi · Zamorian Diamond Goblet · Zang · Zaporavo · Zarono · Zelata · Zenobia · Zogar Sag · Zorathus · Zorathus’ Iron Box

Miscellaneous Topics

 “Average” Height · Technology Level

Useful Resources

 GURPS Lite (a free, 32-page distillation of the rules)

ATTENTION: It appears that the hosting service for this forum has blocked a large swathe of IP addresses, of which mine is one. When I found a temporary alternative route, I posted a notice in this thread to explain the situation; however, that message got taken down when I used the "report" feature to call a moderator's attention to the issue. The moderator informed me that nothing can be done about the blocking. I followed up by asking that my explanatory notice be restored, but it was not, and so I am making this final addendum. Should anyone wish to discuss or participate further, I can be reached by my username both on Gab and via ProtonMail.

[darklordbob]

There is interest. Post away!

[1F409]

Originally, I did everything in forum code and HTML, but ultimately had to switch to PDF so that I could work with GURPS traits as custom LaTeX commands.  As there is no convenient way for me to attach the PDF file, here's an image of one of the snippets on my Gab page:



There is a recent GURPS supplement that adds great detail for describing and calculating various statistics of cities, states, et cetera.  Its method is one I would like to integrate into my location write-ups.  In the mean time, here is a snippet from the Setting chapter, showing only rudimentary examples of how I had been planning location entries:



I don't think that Gab allows PDF uploads, so it looks like I won't be posting the whole document for awhile.  Not that it's anywhere near complete, though.  There are still huge gaps, both in my knowledge and the application of it.  Conan himself is essentially complete, a few characters and creatures are fleshed out, and I've made at least preliminary entries for every proper noun I could find in the texts.  Many of said proper nouns could be moved to a lexicon chapter at the end, or perhaps replaced entirely by the inclusion of an Hyborian Age encyclopedia that I saw mentioned on a 'blog awhile back.

[1F409]

Conan

433 points

“I’ve roamed far; farther than any other man of my race ever wandered. I’ve seen all the great cities of the Hyborians, the Shemites, the Stygians and the Hyrkanians. I’ve roamed in the unknown countries south of the black kingdoms of Kush, and east of the Sea of Vilayet. I’ve been mercenary captain, a corsair, a kozak, a penniless vagabond, a general—hell, I’ve been everything except a king, and I may be that, before I die.”

— Conan, in Beyond the Black River

Descriptive text goes here.

ST 15 [50]; DX 14 [80]; IQ 12 [40]; HT 14 [40].
 Damage 2d−1 thr, 2d+1 sw; BL 63 lbs.; HP 12; Will 12 [0]; Per 14 [0]; FP 14 [0].
 Basic Speed 7.00 [0]; Basic Move 8 [5]; Dodge 11; Parry 14 (broadsword); Block 11 (shield).
 6′3″; 240 lbs. (SM 0).

Social Background
 TL: 1.
 CF: Cimmerian [0]; Hyborian [1]; Pict [1]; Nordic [1]; others later on.
 Languages: Accented level, except where specified otherwise. Aquilonian [2]; Cimmerian (Native) [0]; Corinthian [2]; Darfari [2]; Ghuli [2]; Hyrkanian [2]; Kothic [2]; Kushite [2]; Nemedian [2]; Nordheimr (Native) [4]; Ophirean [2]; Pelishtim [2]; Pictish (Native) [4]; Stygian [2]; Yuetshi [2]; Zamorian [2]; Zingaran [2]; Zuagir [2].

Advantages
 Absolute Direction [5]; Born War Leader 1 [5]; Charisma 1 [5]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Danger Sense [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Language Talent [10]; Outdoorsman 1 [7]; Reputation (Hero; +1 to commoners, occasionally) [2]; Temperature Tolerance 1 [1]; Very Fit [15]; Very Rapid Healing [15].
Perks: Deep Sleeper; Penetrating Voice. [2]

Disdvantages
 Bad Temper [−10]; Bloodlust [−10]; Code of Honor (Barbarian’s) [−5]; Greed [−15]; Impulsiveness [−10]; Minority Group [−10].
Quirks: Chauvinistic; Dislikes Magic; Proud; Hedonist; Intolerance (Hyperboreans). [−5]

Skills
 Acrobatics - 14 (DX+0) [4]; Area Knowledge (The known world) - 12 (IQ+0) [1]; Boating (Unpowered) - 14 (DX+0) [2]; Bow - 14 (DX+0) [2]; Fast-Draw (Sword) - 15 (DX+1) [1]*; Gambling - 12 (IQ+0) [2]; Leadership - 14 (IQ+2) [2]†‡; Navigation (Sea) - 12 (IQ+0) [2]; Riding (Horse) - 14 (DX+0) [2]; Seamanship - 12 (IQ+0) [1]; Shield - 14 (DX+0) [1]; Shiphandling (Ship) - 12 (IQ+0) [4]; Soldier - 12 (IQ+0) [2]; Stealth - 14 (DX+0) [2]; Strategy (Land) - 13 (IQ+1) [4]†; Streetwise - 12 (IQ+0) [2]; Throwing - 14 (DX+0) [2]; Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) - 14 (DX+0) [1]; Thrown Weapon (Knife) - 14 (DX+0) [1]; Thrown Weapon (Spear) - 14 (DX+0) [1]; Tracking - 14 (Per+0) [2]; Traps - 12 (IQ+0) [2].

Wildcard Skills
 Savage Warrior! - 20 (DX+6) [96].

* Includes bonus from Combat Reflexes.
† Includes bonus from Born War Leader.
‡ Includes bonus from Charisma.



Conan—An Analysis

Special thanks to the folks at T Bone’s Games Diner, for helping with the early drafts of this project.

Attributes

The scale of attributes used here is based on the article “Knowing Your Own Strength” from Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV. A score of ten is typical for a human. Every three levels above or below that doubles or halves effectiveness, respectively. Sixteen is considered to be the absolute maximum for a normal human.

Strength (ST)

Numerous references to extraordinary strength, perhaps triple that of the average man.

For all his vocal scorn of Baal-pteor’s strength, he had almost met his match in the inhuman Kosalan. (TMEoZ)

…by far the strongest man any of them had seen. He did the work of three men… (TPotBO)

They were characteristic Argosean sailors, short and stockily built. Conan towered above them, and no two of them could match his strength. (QotBC)

A tall corsair, bounding over the rail, was met in midair by the Cimmerian’s great sword, which sheared him cleanly through the torso, so that his body fell one way and his legs another. (QotBC)

In sheer strength no three Tlazitlans were a match for Conan… (RN)

That stroke would have sheared a human body asunder… (TSoBY)

ST 15 is “three times as strong” as average. With that, a bastard sword swung two-handed in an All-Out Attack (Strong) would inflict an average of 18 points of injury to an unarmored opponent, perhaps enough to cut a slender man in half.

An argument could be made also for ST 16. In The Man-Eaters of Zamboula, Baal-pteor claimed that the Stranglers of Yajur were “strong beyond the belief of men” and that he was the strongest of the lot. Conan not only resisted Baal-pteor’s attempt to strangle him, but snapped the man’s neck in return.

For those wishing to use the default Fourth Edition treatment of ST instead of the option from Pyramid, “three times as strong” would put Conan in the range of ST 17 to 19, depending on whether the comparison is with average men or able seamen. (The range of the default scale is too broad to provide definitive estimates for his other attributes, though.)

Dexterity (DX)

Numerous references to cat-like agility.

For all his size he was quick as a cat on his feet, and he was constantly in motion, presenting a moving target so that thrusts and swings cut empty air oftener than not. Yet when he struck he was perfectly balanced, and his blows fell with devastating power. (THotD)

…tigerish suppleness of limb… (ISitM)

According to GURPS Basic Set, lions and tigers have DX 13; house cats, 14.

Additionally, for attacks against him to “cut empty air oftener than not”, the interplay of DX, HT, Basic Speed, Combat Reflexes, and Encumbrance must result in a Dodge score greater than the target number for an average success.

Intelligence (IQ)

Above-average, perhaps IQ 12.

…he was naturally intelligent… (QotBC)

Health (HT)

Numerous references to endurance and resilience.

He had already taken punishment enough to kill three ordinary men, but his bull-like vitality was undiminished. (TPotBO)

One option is to calculate this as what’s likely to survive three consecutive death checks—HT 14. Another is to treat HT and Fit totaling 15 as being “three times as strong” as average, which Conan would exceed.

Secondary Characteristics

Also mentioned in “Knowing Your Own Strength” is the option of calculating HP from weight.

For those wishing to use the default Fourth Edition treatment of Hit Points instead of the option from Pyramid, Conan could conceivably be given HP of up to 200% his ST.

Will

Realistically, willpower is exemplified in the ability to defer gratification and manage emotions, both of which are closely tied to intellect. Hence, Will should rarely, if ever, deviate from IQ.

Perception (Per)

Murilo put a lock of his black hair to his nostrils; even so the scent was barely apparent to his civilized senses, and he realized how keen must be the organs of the barbarian. (RitH)

The article “Playing With Health” from Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV describes an option for basing Per on HT rather than on IQ, and using IQ only for comprehension of what is detected. In the case of Conan, both Per and HT would be significantly above average, so the option works well.

“I see no herds on the plain, no signs of cultivation, or people moving about.” (Conan, in RN)

Conan was standing on a crag, looking past the edge of a forest to a city on the plains. He and Valeria went on to camp six miles from the forest, with “a few miles” remaining to their destination—so, about ten miles in total (a range penalty of −24).

According to GURPS Powers: Enhanced Senses, a vision roll is at +10 to spot something that is in plain sight, or at +20 to discern detail about something already located. Therefore, scrutinizing the outskirts of the city would have revealed an acre-sized farm field at +8, cattle at −2, and people at −4.

Basic Speed

Numerous references to extraordinary quickness and reflexes.

…quickness that would have shamed the spring of a hungry jaguar… (TSoBY)

No civilized man could have moved half so quickly… (TTotE)

The typical human Speed is 5.00 (half the scale of an attribute). Therefore, 6.50 is “twice as strong” as average. Conan would exceed that.

Fatigue (FP)

FP is based on HT.

She realized that he had rowed all night without pause, and marvelled at his iron endurance. (ISitM)

Normal rowing costs 1 FP per hour. (forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?p=2055652)

Move

Various references to stride length suggest at least +1 to Move.

Balthus puffed a curse. Among the settlements of the Tauran he was accounted a good runner, but Conan was leaving him behind with an ease which was maddening. (BtBR)

An instant later he was racing through the shadows with the swinging hillman’s stride that eats up long miles. (THotD)

Conan’s iron arm about the woman’s waist half lifted her; her feet scarcely touched the earth as she was borne along at a speed she could never have attained herself. (RN)

height & weight

At Vanarium he was already a formidable antagonist, though only fifteen. He stood six feet and weighed 180 pounds, though he lacked much of having his full growth. (letter to P. Schuyler Miller)

Adult statistics can be extrapolated using growth charts: 6′3″ and 220 lbs. [This bears further scrutiny, as it does not necessarily take into account his final muscle mass. Using a custom formula based on the Hamwi method, adjusted for ST, gives a result of 240 lbs.]

Social Background

Tech Level (TL)

“The axe and flint-tipped spear…” (Cimmeria)

Aspects of Cimmerian culture range from late stone-age to early iron-age, probably averaging TL1. Conan would have eventually adapted to TL3, after exposure to medieval-style kingdoms such as Aquilonia.

Cultural Familiarity (CF)

Cimmerian, Hyborian, Pict, Nordic, and others later on.

Languages

Not all of the languages mentioned in the stories were listed by name. Those marked with an asterisk still require citation, for which there may be none.

See also, Language Talent and Unusual Background (Omnilingual).

Aquilonian (Accented)

Conan asked, in the Aquilonian tongue… (RN)

Eventually, Conan improved to Native comprehension, and adopted the Aquilonian accent:

“He wears Nemedian mail, but speaks with an Aquilonian accent.” (Bearded ruffian, in THotD)

The name of the language is specified in The Hour of the Dragon.

Cimmerian* (Native)

“Lir an mannanan mac lir!” (Conan, in XotD)

Corinthian* (Accented)

…a voice hissed in a barbaric accent… (RitH)

Presumed to be Corinthian, based on locale—but perhaps Zamorian, if Conan was heading westward.

“I thought it was strange that a princess of Alkmeenon would speak with a Corinthian accent!” (Conan, in TSoBY)

Darfari* (Accented)

Now they could understand the gutturals of the black men. (TMEoZ)

The speakers were probably conversing in their native tongue.

Ghuli* (Accented)

This one was addressing his chief in the harsh accents of the Wazuli which Yasmina could scarcely understand, though as part of her royal education she had been taught the languages of Iranistan and the kindred tongues of Ghulistan. (TPotBC)

Conan was privy to the conversation.

Hyrkanian* (Accented)

…mouthed this apparition in a barbarous accent. (ISitM)

Conan’s exchange with Shah Amurath was in a language that Olivia, too, understood.

Kothic (Accented)

…he asked in barbarous Kothic… (BC)

Kushite* (Accented)

…he had learned the jargon while a corsair on the coasts of Kush. (TSC)

Nemedian (Accented)

…speaking Nemedian with a barbaric accent. (TGitB)

Nordheimr* (Native)

Presumed, from dialogue in The Frost-Giant’s Daughter.

Ophirean (Accented)

…speaking Ophirean with a barbarous accent. (TVoLW)

Pictish* (Native)

“He thought a friend was speaking to him. You mimicked a Pict perfectly—” (Balthus, in BtBR)

…understood the Pictish tongue… (TBS)

Pelishtim (Accented)

They were the characters of archaic Pelishtim, which possessed many points of difference from the modern script, with which he was familiar… (TSoBY)

It may be that Pelishtim is the proper name for the language of Shem (see also, Shemitish). The following passage seems to indicate that Pelishtim is the name of a Shemitish city (so possibly also a major dialect):

“The mercenaries of Constantius are men from the Shemitish cities of the west, Pelishtim, Anakim, Akkharim, and are ardently hated by the Zuagirs and other wandering tribes.” (Astreas, in AWSBB)

More research into the historical analogs is required.

Shemitish* (Accented)

The man was speaking rapidly in a Shemite dialect… (BC)

Conan was privy to the conversation.

See also, Pelishtim.

Stygian (Accented)

…Conan replied in Stygian… (XotD)

Yuetshi (Accented)

…a language he did understand, a dialect of Yuetshi… (TDiI)

Zamorian (Accented)

…speaking Zamorian with an alien accent. (TTotE)

Zingaran (Accented)

…Zingaran spoken with such an accent… (TPotBO)

Zuagir* (Accented)

It was the guttural accents of a Zuagir. (AWSBB)

Conan was privy to the conversation.

Advantages & Perks

Conan possesses Mundane traits. Despite all that he’s done, he has no powers; he is merely an example of what a man can accomplish when blessed with good genes and a strong drive for adventure. The situations in which he finds himself sometimes qualify as Exotic, even Supernatural, but overcoming those is merely a testament to how adept he truly is.

Absolute Direction

Conan needed no guide back through the labyrinth they had traversed. His primitive instinct of direction led him unerringly along the route they had come. (RN)

The exception that proves the rule, the following passage is probably the only example of Conan ever getting lost, with the explanation being that he fled blindly through a maze of dark catacombs:

How could he know that this terrible figure out of the past was leading him to freedom? But he knew that, left to himself, he could never untangle this bewitched maze of corridors and tunnels. (THotD)

See also, Area Knowledge.

Acute Senses

The faint warmness of the metal could have been detected only by a man whose faculties were akin to those of a wolf. That bolt had been touched—and therefore drawn—within the last few seconds. (TMEoZ)

From the dark mouth of a tunnel behind him a dark form lunged. But the sudden, deadly rush of unshod feet had reached the Cimmerian’s quick ears. He whirled like a cat and dodged the blow aimed murderously at his back. (TSoBY)

Unnecessary, with high Per/HT.

Alcohol Tolerance

Wine scented his breath, but he neither staggered nor stammered. (BC)

Waking to stupefied but ferocious life when they seized him, he disemboweled the captain, burst through his assailants and would have escaped, but for the liquor that still clouded his senses. Bewildered and half blinded, he missed the open door in his headlong flight, and dashed his head against the stone wall so terrifically that he knocked himself senseless. (RitH)

…apparently none the worse for the incredible amount of beer he had quaffed… (TVoLW)

Unnecessary, with high HT.

Attribute Substitution

“But can you lead men and arrange battle-lines?”

“Well, I can try,” he returned imperturbably. “It’s no more than sword-play on a larger scale. You draw his guard, then—stab, slash! And either his head is off, or yours.” (Yasmela and Conan, in BC)

An argument could be made for his skill in Tactics and/or Strategy being based on Per instead of IQ.

Source: GURPS Power-Ups 2: Perks

Born War Leader

“…you’ve arranged your lines as well as a seasoned general…” (Amalric, in BC)

“…already my name was repeated about the council fires.” (Conan, in TPotS)

His reckless ferocity impressed the lords of Keshan, already aware of his reputation as a leader of men… (TSoBY)

Source: GURPS Power-Ups 3: Talents

Charisma

“He shouted to the guardsmen to stand as they were until they received an order from him—and such is his dominance of men, that they obeyed in spite of the queen.” (Valerius, in AWSBB)

Catfall

He did not fall any great distance, though it was far enough to have snapped the leg bones of a man not built of steel springs and whalebone.

He hit cat-like on his feet and one hand, instinctively retaining his grasp on his saber hilt. (XotD)

Unnecessary, with high ST or HT.

Combat Reflexes

…poised to move in any direction with the celerity of a hair-trigger. (THotD)

Damage Resistance (Tough Skin)

This is an interesting issue to tackle…

On one hand, Conan seems a bit tougher than average. On the other, DR is an Exotic trait, and therefore it’s generally off-limits to normal humans. (There is a cinematic exception mentioned in supplements like GURPS Martial Arts, though.)

In lieu of adding DR, a workable alternative might be T Bone’s old suggestion for “Revised Toughness”—and its option of applying the trait universally as an innate component of ST.

Danger Sense

He had just crossed a small glade when he wheeled, answering the conviction of his primitive instincts that he was being followed. (BtBR)

How long he traversed it in utter darkness, he never knew, but suddenly his barbarian’s instinct of near peril halted him short. (TSC)

It was Conan’s savage instinct which made him wheel suddenly; for the death that was upon them made no sound. (TTotE)

Deep Sleeper

Conan woke from a sound sleep as quickly and instantly as a cat. And like a cat he was on his feet with his sword out before the man who had touched him could so much as draw back. (THotD)

“I was a kozak before I was a pirate,” he answered. “They live in the saddle. I snatch naps like a panther watching beside the trail for a deer to come by. My ears keep watch while my eyes sleep.” (Conan, in RN)

Combined with Combat Reflexes and high Per/HT, this allows him to sleep well while remaining alert for danger.

Fearlessness

His unperturbed manner was not assumed; the night of fire and blood and slaughter, and the flight through the black woods afterward had left his nerves untouched. He was as calm as if he had spent the night in feast and revel. (TBS)

“I’m no city-bred Nemedian, to cringe before your hired dogs.” (Conan, in TGitB)

…found it difficult to understand abject terror. (THotD)

Personal risks had never yet deterred him from any purpose. (TSoBY)

Alternatively, increase Will.

Hands-Free (Riding)

The reins lay loose on the stallion’s flowing mane, and every thew and fiber of the great beast strained as he hurtled along the boulder-strewn trail. But Conan sat easily, almost carelessly, in the saddle, riding like a centaur. (TPotBC)

What the passage describes might be merely a facet of high skill. Further investigation is required.

High Pain Threshold

The first impact of the battle-axe against the wood and its accompanying vibrations sent lances of agony through Conan’s swollen feet and hands. Again and again the blade fell and each stroke reverberated on his bruised brain, setting his tortured nerves aquiver. But he set his teeth and made no sound. (AWSBB)

He went slowly, stiffly, only his animal vitality keeping him on his feet. There was a blank glare in his bloodshot eyes, and Natala saw him involuntarily lick his battered lips from time to time. She knew his suffering was ghastly, but with the stoicism of the wilds he made no complaint. (XotD)

Because high HT would suffice in rolls to resist torture, the question turns to whether Conan suffers shock penalties when struck in combat. Several times in the series, Conan was mobbed by attackers, only to emerge injured but victorious. Though his fighting skill was great, it seems unlikely that he could have triumphed in each and every instance if he was hampered by shock.

Iron Body Parts

Only the iron neck muscles of the Cimmerian saved him… (ISitM)

…with his left arm rigid as iron… (ISitM)

Baal-pteor’s black eyes widened as he felt the thick cords of muscles that protected the barbarian’s throat. […] His thews seemed ready to burst from his arms and shoulders, yet the muscles of the Cimmerian’s thick neck did not give, they felt like masses of woven iron cords under his desperate fingers. (TMEoZ)

The jaws of an iron trap had closed on his leg, with teeth that sank deep and held. Only the ridged muscles of his calf saved the bone from being splintered. (RN)

Unnecessary, with high ST or HT.

Source: GURPS Power-Ups 2: Perks

Language Talent

Conan is able to communicate in a number of languages, though often retaining a strong accent. In his case, that would make Language Talent and Unusual Background (Omnilingual) mutually exclusive. Use either the former with points to raise most languages above Broken, or the latter in conjunction with select improvements to Native.

Language Talent may also explain how Conan reproduced the sacred symbol of Jhebbal Sag:

“I saw it carved in the rock of a cave no human had visited for a million years […] Later I saw a black witch-finder of Kush scratch it in the sand of a nameless river. He told me part of its meaning—it’s sacred to Jhebbal Sag and the creatures which worship him.” (Conan, in BtBR)

Night Vision

…Conan seemed to see like a cat in the dark. (BtBR)

…the mouth of the Pass was dark as hate. Even Conan could not see with any accuracy… (TPotBC)

His keen eyes, even in the dim starlight… (TTotE)

Unnecessary, with high Per/HT.

Outdoorsman

…the man had actually tracked down one of the forest-devils and slain him unsuspected. That implied woodsmanship of a quality undreamed… (BtBR)

Penetrating Voice

His voice thundered out across the valley… (BC)

…he accosted her with a bellow that cut through the thunder of the water and made her jump out of her daze. (TPotBO)

…there was the impact of savage blows, and the same stentorian voice was cursing lustily. (untitled/DoT)

Reduced Consumption (Cast-Iron Stomach)

“…I had hardly time to munch the nuts and roots I found. Sometimes I caught frogs and ate them raw because I dared not light a fire.” (Conan, in TBS)

Unnecessary, with high HT.

Reputation

“If the Cimmerian’s gone after them, they’re safe if mortal man can save them!” (Settler woman, in BtBR)

Who of all the sea-folk had not heard the wild, bloody tales told of Conan, the wild rover who had once been a captain of the Barachan pirates, and one of the greatest scourges of the sea? A score of ballads celebrated his ferocious and audacious exploits. (TBS)

“You know my reputation. You know I’ve commanded bigger ships and more men than you ever did.” (Conan, in RN)

His saga, which had led him to the throne of Aquilonia, was the basis of a whole cycle of hero-tales. (TSC)

Resistant to Disease

There was a ghastly wound in his thigh, which caused him to limp as he walked. Carefully yet impatiently he moved among the dead, limping from corpse to corpse, and swearing wrathfully as he did so. Others had been before him; not a bracelet, gemmed dagger, or silver breastplate rewarded his search. (untitled/THoN)

Whether wading through corpses on the battlefield or finding companionship with ladies of varying quality, Conan is never shown to suffer from disease.

Unnecessary, with high HT.

Resistant to Poison

Conan lay stiffly, like a dead man, but his eyes glared up at them, wide open, and blazing with helpless fury. (TSC)

Whereas typical poisons might be successfully resisted with a high HT score, this example seems to be a particularly strong and fast-acting paralytic.

Temperature Tolerance

“I could sleep naked in the snow and feel no discomfort…” (Conan, in ISitM)

Assuming that Conan’s boast is not terribly far from the truth, one might assume that high HT would suffice. However, GURPS does not provide a way for HT to be utilized in such a manner without at least one level of this trait.

Unusual Background (Omnilingual)

…roared ribald songs in a dozen languages… (TPotBO)

In his roaming about the world the giant adventurer had picked up a wide smattering of knowledge, particularly including the speaking and reading of many alien tongues. Many a sheltered scholar would have been astonished at the Cimmerian’s linguistic abilities… (TSoBY)

See also, Language Talent.

Source: GURPS Supers

Very Fit

The Cimmerian seemed an iron man, who never knew fatigue. (BtBR)

Alternatively, increase HT.

Very Rapid Healing

(Citation needed.)

Disadvantages & Quirks

Bad Temper

Conan’s volcanic temper, never long at best, burst into explosion. Not in years, even before he was king, had a man spoken to him thus and lived. (THotD)

Bloodlust

The priest groaned and stirred. With cat-like quickness Conan bent over him, poniard poised above his heart. (RitH)

The Cimmerian, with the unerring instinct of the barbarian, had killed his man in the darkness and confusion. (TTotE)

Chauvinistic

…an old, old racial hate… (BtBR)

…but all men knew what liars were the men of Shem. (TTotE)

“Black dog of hell!” (Conan, in XotD)

Code of Honor (Barbarian’s)

Conan, on the other hand, lived according to the code of his people, which was barbaric and bloody, but at least upheld its own peculiar standards of honor. (TBS)

Dislikes magic

Conan grunted uncertainly; fearless as a wounded tiger as far as human foes were concerned, he had all the superstitious dreads of the primitive. (RitH)

Greed

Equally nebulous were the tales of the Teeth of Gwahlur, the treasure of Alkmeenon. But these misty legends had been enough to bring Conan to Keshan, over vast distances of plain, river-laced jungle, and mountains. (TSoBY)

Hedonist

He was quick to laugh, quick and terrible in his wrath. He was a valiant trencherman, and strong drink was a passion and a weakness with him. (QotBC)

Source: GURPS Power-Ups 6: Quirks

Impulsiveness

“Such madness as that was always your particular joy.” (Amalric, in BC)

Conan was basically a direct actionist. Such subtlety as he possessed had been acquired through contact with the more devious races. When taken off guard by some unexpected occurrence, he reverted instinctively to type. (TSoBY)

He was fidgeting in nervous impatience… (TSoBY)

…the suffering of the captive touched Conan’s wayward and impulsive heart. (TTotE)

Intolerance

“Why or how, I am not certain, but he spent some months among a tribe of the AEsir, fighting with the Vanir and the Hyperboreans, and developing a hate for the latter which lasted all his life and later affected his policies as king of Aquilonia. Captured by them, he escaped southward and came into Zamora in time to make his debut in print.” (Robert E. Howard, in a letter to P. Schuyler Miller)

Manic-Depressive

…with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth… (TPotS)

There isn’t much evidence of Conan actually experiencing mood swings. If one turns to the draft version of The Phoenix on the Sword, though, there is a telling passage that didn’t make it into the final cut:

He paused a moment, idly listening to his friend’s retreating footsteps, which fell hollowly on the tiles. And as if the empty sound struck a kindred chord in his soul, a rush of revulsion swept over him. His mirth fell away from him like a mask, and his face was suddenly old, his eyes worn. The unreasoning melancholy of the Cimmerian fell like a shroud about his soul, paralyzing him with a crushing sense of the futility of human endeavor and the meaninglessness of life. His kingship, his pleasures, his fears, his ambitions, and all earthly things were revealed to him suddenly as dust and broken toys. The borders of life shrivelled and the lines of existence closed in about him, numbing him. Dropping his lion head in his mighty hands, he groaned aloud.

Then lifting his head, as a man looks for escape, his eyes fell on a crystal jar of yellow wine. Quickly he rose and pouring a goblet full, quaffed it at a gulp. Again he filled and emptied the goblet, and again. When he set it down, a fine warmth stole through his veins. Things and happenings assumed new values. The dark Cimmerian hills faded far behind him. Life was good and real and vibrant after all—not the dream of an idiot god.

Alternatively, the situation described in the draft might be viewed as Alchoholism.

Proud

…jealous of his rights… (QotBC)

“Will you mock me and then lay hands on me?” (Conan, in TTotE)

Social Stigma (Minority Group)

Naïve as a child in many ways, unfamiliar with the sophistry of civilization… (QotBC)

Even as king, he was sometimes viewed as a barbarian interloper.

Skills & Techniques

Acrobatics

As the horse fell he leaped clear, holding the girl aloft to guard her from striking boulders. He hit on his feet like a cat, thrust her into a cleft of rock, and wheeled toward the outer darkness, drawing his knife. (TPotBC)

Area Knowledge

…by instinct and an intensive familiarity with the river. (BtBR)

A quick glance showed Conan the man was not from Darfar. His teeth were unfiled and his kinky hair was cropped close to his skull. He was from the Wadai. (TMEoZ)

…the mouth of the Pass was dark as hate. Even Conan could not see with any accuracy, but he knew the road, even by night. (TPotBC)

See also, Absolute Direction.

Arm or Wrist Lock (or Wrench Limb)

But quick as the stroke of a great cat Conan’s arm shot across the table and his fingers locked on Olgerd’s forearm. There was a distinct snap of breaking bones… (AWSBB)

Arm Lock normally requires that the performer have two hands free, though in Conan’s case it may be that the positioning of the table granted him sufficient leverage to act with just one. It seems unlikely that he would have studied this beyond the default.

Wrench Limb might also serve, though again there is a requirement for two hands.

In any case, even default use benefits from Wrestling.

Axe/Mace

…one hand clutching the wall for support, the other gripping the ax on high… (TPotS)

Boating (Unpowered)

“I departed in a leaky boat, and rowed and bailed all night.” (Conan, in BC)

Bow

“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.” (Conan, in QotBC)

Brawling

A savage kick in the belly dropped him, green faced and gagging, and Conan’s sandalled heel crunched square in the watchman’s mouth. (TGitB)

…and the next instant the madman was stretched senseless in the dust from a thundering buffet of Conan’s left fist. (TMEoZ)

Broadsword

“…the best swordsman that ever donned hauberk—” (Amalric, in BC)

A long sword hung in a leather scabbard at his girdle. (TGitB)

Climbing

He went down the ramp as swiftly as an ape, pausing only to aid his less agile companion, who, until she saw the Cimmerian climb, had fancied herself the equal of any man in the rigging of a ship or on the sheer face of a cliff. (RN)

…his thews had been steeled in boyhood on the sheer cliffs of his native hills. (TMEoZ)

Fast-Draw (Sword)

With a heathen curse Conan leaped back, whipping out his sword with a viciousness that made the keen blade hum. (TGitB)

Forced Entry

“I was forced to hew the bolt in twain with my sword—” (Conan, in TGitB)

Training unlikely.

Gambling

…at his shoulder beside the gaming-tables… (TPotBO)

Hiking

Various references to mercenary work.

Intimidation

The Cimmerian laid his hand on his sword hilt, and the gesture was as fraught with menace as the lifting of a tiger’s lip to bare his fangs. (TGitB)

Jumping

But with a lion-like bound Conan left the bridge and hit like a cat on his feet… (THotD)

…Conan was among the startled blacks with a tigerish bound. (TPotBO)

A tigerish leap carried him untouched through the hemming ring of swords, and he bounded toward the stair… (XotD)

Training unlikely, except perhaps through games.

Leadership

“…a captain of the mercenary spearmen.” (Conan, in BC)

“Back to your posts!” he yelled. “Let another take a backward step and I’ll shear off his head! Fight, damn you!”

The rout halted as quickly as it had begun. Conan’s fierce personality was like a dash of ice-water in their whirling blaze of terror. (BC)

“Ease those ropes, knave!” he ordered the torturer harshly, and Valbroso and his captain stared. In the forgetfulness of the moment Conan had used his imperial tone, and the brute in leather instinctively obeyed the knife-edge of command in that voice. (THotD)

Lifting

With a terrible cry he heaved upward, hurling the stone aside. (QotBC)

…gripped the prince and heaved him high above his head… (TSC)

…by casting great blocks of stone upon it… (untitled/THotD)

Training unlikely, except perhaps through games.

Navigation (Sea)

“They know I can navigate, and they’ll be glad to ship under me…” (Conan, in TBS)

Neck Snap

“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!” (Conan, in TMEoZ)

Rather than actual training in this technique, it could be merely default use with high ST and a bonus from Wrestling.

Occultism

Conan had seen rude images of them, in miniature, among the idol-huts of the Yuetshi, and there was a description of them in the Book of Skelos, which drew on prehistoric sources. (TDiI)

It is unclear whether this passage means that Conan had, himself, perused the Book of Skelos. If it does, then he might have this skill at default level.

Riding (Horse)

The reins lay loose on the stallion’s flowing mane, and every thew and fiber of the great beast strained as he hurtled along the boulder-strewn trail. But Conan sat easily, almost carelessly, in the saddle, riding like a centaur. (TPotBC)

Running

“We may have to sprint the last mile. Save some of your wind for it.” (Conan, in TBS)

Scrounging

Others had been before him; not a bracelet, gemmed dagger, or silver breastplate rewarded his search. (untitled/THoN)

The items mentioned are obvious things, likely not requiring skill.

Seamanship

He proved himself a skilled sailor… (TPotBO)

Shield

Their shields were gone… (TFGD)

Wildly driven spears and knives glanced from his helmet or the shield on his left arm… (untitled/TSitD)

Shiphandling

“I’m the only captain left.” (Conan, in TBS)

Shortsword

As he went he fingered the poniard he had captured—a murderous weapon with a broad, double-edged blade nineteen inches long. (RitH)

Default based on Broadsword.

Smith (Iron)

“I am a barbarian and the son of a blacksmith.” (Conan, in THotD)

Default level, at least.

Soldier

Various references to mercenary work.

Spear

“…a captain of the mercenary spearmen.” (Conan, in BC)

Stealth

…Balthus knew Conan could glide through the deepest thicket or most tangled copse as noiselessly as any naked Pict that ever lived. (BtBR)

But the instincts of the wild were there, that had caused him in his childhood to lie hidden and silent while wild beasts prowled about his covert. (THotD)

Conan became stealth personified. A velvet-footed shadow he melted into the thickets. (TSoBY)

His sandalled feet made no sound on the gleaming pave. (TTotE)

He made no more noise than a tiger would have made. (XotD)

Strategy

“Do you know why the Picts are not trying to burn the fort with fire-arrows? Because they don’t want a flame that might warn the people to the east.” (Conan, in BtBR)

“It’s no more than sword-play on a larger scale. You draw his guard, then—stab, slash! And either his head is off, or yours.” (Conan, in BC)

“This is the death-grip,” he muttered as the lines formed on foot. “I’d rather have had a cavalry charge; wounded horses bolt and ruin formations.” (BC)

Streetwise

He strode down the nighted street as one who has no need or desire to walk softly. An unconscious swagger was in his stride, and his footfalls resounded on the pave. (BC)

Survival (Woodlands)

“…I had hardly time to munch the nuts and roots I found. Sometimes I caught frogs and ate them raw because I dared not light a fire.” (Conan, in TBS)

Other specialties can default to this.

Swimming

“I departed in a leaky boat, and rowed and bailed all night. Just at dawn I saw your topsails, and left the miserable tub to sink, while I made better speed in the water.” (Conan, in BC)

Tactics

“We’ve failed to warn the fort, and I see now it would have done no good if we hadn’t. A few more charges and the Picts will be over the walls and breaking down the gates.” (Conan, in BtBR)

“…a captain of the mercenary spearmen.” (Conan, in BC)

Rapidly he reckoned the numbers of his former allies. Only twenty-one, counting Olmec, had survived that fiendish battle in the throneroom. Three had died since, which left seventeen enemies with which to reckon. (RN)

Throwing

…in his youth he had felled hawks on the wing. (THotD)

Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace)

“If I can get within axe-throwing distance of him I’ll settle that question…” (Conan, in BtBR)

Thrown Weapon (Knife)

…and even as he shifted he hurled the knife. Old Tolkemec went down, truly slain at last, the hilt vibrating on his breast. (RN)

Thrown Weapon (Spear)

“…throwing my spear at the mountain beasts.” (Conan, in THotD)

Tracking

He avoided clinging briars and low hanging branches effortlessly, gliding between trees without touching the stems and always planting his feet in the places calculated to show less evidence of his passing… (BtBR)

To the average eye there were no signs to show that he had passed; but there was evidence visible to his wilderness-sharpened eyes… (TBS)

Traps

It was a rawhide rope stretched there by Conan, and it tripped a spring-pole which started a sudden avalanche… (untitled/THotD)

Two-Handed Axe/Mace

The headsman’s ax was not made for such work, but the king wielded the heavy, clumsy weapon as lightly as a hatchet… (THotD)

Default based on Axe/Mace.

Two-Handed Sword

A tall corsair, bounding over the rail, was met in midair by the Cimmerian’s great sword… (QotBC)

Default based on Broadsword.

Wrestling

He felt the blade sink to the hilt in the hairy breast, and instantly, releasing it, he ducked his head and bunched his whole body into one compact mass of knotted muscles, and as he did so he grasped the closing arms and drove his knee fiercely into the monster’s belly, bracing himself against that crushing grapple. (THotD)

There are various passages that describe Conan grappling with foes, though nothing quite specific enough to judge skill. Even so, it seems likely that he would have significant experience at it, whether from childhood sports or actual military training.

See also, Arm Lock and Neck Snap.

[Von K]

Welcome to the forum IF409. What you've done so far looks amazing!

I'm vaguely familiar with GURPS through the third edition but don't know much about fourth. It looks to me like the core gaming material you are developing here could act as the basis for any number of systems in addition to GURPs. Could also do a BoL version and a Fate version etc.

You may find forum member Amra's Conan scholarship a useful resource if you're not aware of it already:

swordsofreh.proboards.com/board/25/amras-conan-scholarship

[1F409]

Nov 14, 2021 16:40:19 GMT -5 Von K said:

Welcome to the forum IF409. What you've done so far looks amazing!

I'm vaguely familiar with GURPS through the third edition but don't know much about fourth. It looks to me like the core gaming material you are developing here could act as the basis for any number of systems in addition to GURPs. Could also do a BoL version and a Fate version etc.

You may find forum member Amra's Conan scholarship a useful resource if you're not aware of it already:

swordsofreh.proboards.com/board/25/amras-conan-scholarship

Excellent!  It will take me some time to digest all the details there, but they look promising.

In the mean time, I will post the list of "A" characters, though only a couple of them have details written up.

[1F409]

Akivasha

A girl stood at the mouth of a smaller tunnel, staring fixedly at him. Her ivory skin showed her to be Stygian of some ancient noble family, and like all such women she was tall, lithe, voluptuously figured, her hair a great pile of black foam, among which gleamed a sparkling ruby. But for her velvet sandals and broad jewel-crusted girdle about her supple waist she was quite nude.

— The Hour of the Dragon

Descriptive text goes here.

Attributes
 ST 9
 DX 13
  Stretching herself on the couch with feline suppleness…
 IQ 10
 HT 10

Secondary Characteristics
 Dmg 1d−3 / 1d−1
 BL 16 lbs.
 HP 10
 Will 13
 Per 10
 FP 10
 Speed 6.50
 Move 6
 Dodge 9
 5′6″
  …she was tall, lithe, voluptuously figured…
 130 lbs.
  The assumption here is that “lithe” and “voluptuous” cancel out, resulting in no adjustment to weight.
 SM 0

Social Background
 TL: 2
 CF: Stygian
 Languages: Stygian (Native)

Advantages
 Beautiful
 Multimillionaire 2
 Night Vision 6
  Once when he spoke to her, she turned her head toward him and he was startled to see her eyes glowing like golden fire in the dark.
 Sharp Teeth
  Her lips drew back, revealing white pointed teeth.
 Status 6 (Princess)
 Unaging
  “Her only sin was that she loved life and all the meanings of life,” said the Stygian girl. “To win life she courted death. She could not bear to think of growing old and shriveled and worn, and dying at last as hags die. She wooed Darkness like a lover and his gift was life—life that, not being life as mortals know it, can never grow old and fade. She went into the shadows to cheat age and death—”

Disadvantages
 Dependency (human blood, yearly; Aging)
  “Give me of your blood to renew my youth and perpetuate my everlasting life!”
 No Body Heat
  Her smooth ivory flesh was cold as marble…
 Reputation (ancient, evil, beautiful princess; −4 to almost everyone, occasionally)
  “You have heard of Princess Akivasha?” inquired the girl on the couch. // “Who hasn’t?” he grunted. The name of that ancient, evil, beautiful princess still lived the world over in song and legend, though ten thousand years had rolled their cycles since the daughter of Tuthamon had reveled in purple feasts amid the black halls of ancient Luxur.
 Weakness (sunlight; 1d per 30 minutes)
  “She went into the shadows to cheat age and death—”

Quirks
 Eyeshine
  Once when he spoke to her, she turned her head toward him and he was startled to see her eyes glowing like golden fire in the dark.

Wildcard Skills
 Occult!
  “I will make you, too, immortal! I will teach you the wisdom of all the ages, all the secrets that have lasted out the eons in the blackness beneath these dark temples. I will make you king of that shadowy horde which revel among the tombs of the ancients when night veils the desert and bats flit across the moon.”

[1F409]

Alcemides

The savant Astreas, travelling in the east in his never-tiring search for knowledge, wrote a letter to his friend and fellow-philosopher Alcemides, in his native Nemedia, which constitutes the entire knowledge of the western nations concerning the events of that period in the east, always a hazy, half-mythical region in the minds of the western folk.

— A Witch Shall Be Born

Descriptive text goes here.

[1F409]

Almuric, prince of Koth

He and the girl were, so far as he knew, the sole survivors of Prince Almuric’s army, that mad motley horde which, following the defeated rebel prince of Koth, swept through the Lands of Shem like a devastating sandstorm and drenched the outlands of Stygia with blood.

— Xuthal of the Dusk

Descriptive text goes here.

[zarono]

Great job on this!

[karasuthecrow]

Really good job!

[1F409]

Thanks, all, for the positive feedback. If anybody has critiques, additions, better quotations, or wishes to debate the applicability of certain traits, please do not hesitate to speak up.

In the mean time, I believe I shall begin posting one character entry per message (and re-format my prior posts to match), then link all the posts in the list of names I've added at the start.

[1F409]

Amalric the Aquilonian

“Argos and Stygia were at war,” he said abruptly. “Koth became embroiled. The Kothians urged a simultaneous invasion of Stygia. Argos raised an army of mercenaries, which went into ships and sailed southward along the coast. At the same time, a Kothic army was to invade Stygia by land. I was one of that mercenary army.”

— Amalric, in untitled (Three men squatted beside the water hole…)

Descriptive text goes here.

Social Background
 TL: 3
 CF: Hyborian
 Languages:
  Argossean (Accented/None)
   “I was one of that [Argossean] mercenary army.”
  Aquilonian (Native)
  Kothic (Accented/None)
   Amalric looked up at the girl who knelt beside him, talking in her gentle unknown tongue. As the mists cleared from his brain, he began to understand her. Harking back into half forgotten tongues he had learned and spoken in the past, he remembered a language used by a scholarly class in a southern province of Koth.
  Stygian (Accented/None)
   “Conan had been in this part of the world before, and he believed we had a chance to survive.”
  This suggests that Amalric was new to the area, and so the language he shared with the Ghanatas was probably that of nearby Stygia.

Skills
 Acting
  Amalric was the only one who was apparently oblivious to the tenseness. He raked back his rebellious yellow locks absently, and glanced indifferently at the girl’s limp figure. If there was a momentary gleam in his grey eyes, the others did not catch it.
 Brawling
  Amalric smashed his sandal heel down on the Ghanata’s bare instep, feeling bones give way.
 Broadsword
  The whistling scimitar beat the straight blade down on the white man’s head, staggering him.
 Riding (Camel)
 Riding (Horse)

[1F409]

Amalric, baron of Tor

If there were cynical smiles in certain quarters, and whispers concerning the king’s good friend Amalric, whose vast personal wealth seemed to be flowing into the rather depleted royal treasury, they were unheeded in the general wave of fervor and zeal of Tarascus’s popularity. If any shrewd individuals suspected that Amalric was the real ruler of Nemedia, behind the scenes, they were careful not to voice such heresy.

— The Hour of the Dragon

Descriptive text goes here.

Social Background
 TL: 3
 CF: Hyborian
 Languages: Nemedian (Native)

Advantages
 Multimillionaire
  …whose vast personal wealth seemed to be flowing into the rather depleted royal treasury…
 Status 5 (baron)
  “This man is Amalric, baron of Tor, in Nemedia…”

[1F409]

Amalric, general of the mercenaries

Amalric swore beneath his breath, then grinned. True soldier of fortune, no shift of fortune, however outrageous, surprized him much.
 “I’ll serve under him. A short life and a merry one, say I—and with Conan the Throat-slitter in command, life is likely to be both merry and short. Mitra! If the dog ever commanded more than a company of cutthroats before, I’ll eat him, harness and all!”

— Black Colossus

Descriptive text goes here.

Attributes
 ST 12
  Sufficient for most melee weapons.
 DX 12
 IQ 11
 HT 12

Secondary Characteristics
 Dmg 1d / 1d+2
 BL 32 lbs.
 HP 12
 Will 11
 Per 12
 FP 12
 Speed 6.00
 Move 6
 Dodge 10*
 Parry 12*
 Block 12*
 5′9″
  He was a Nemedian, a large man with a lion-like yellow mane.
  Though “large” could be interpreted as height, bulk makes more sense in the context of a fighting man.
 195 lbs.
  Calculated using height and ST, then increased by 10% for bulk.
 SM 0

Social Background
 TL: 3
 CF: Hyborian
 Languages: Nemedian (Native)

Advantages
 Born War Leader 1
 Combat Reflexes
 Military Rank 6
 Status 2
  Imputed from Rank.

Disadvantages
 Code of Honor (Soldier’s)
  “Your politics are nothing to us. You can trust Amalric, our general, but the rest of us are only common men who love loot.”

Wildcard Skills
 Knight! - 16 (DX+4)

* Includes bonus from Combat Reflexes.

Forces of Khoraja

[This is my initial attempt at categorizing the forces of Khoraja, using the rules from GURPS Mass Combat. I’m not finding the system particularly easy to pick up, so this might be flawed.]

Element	Total TS	Classes	Mobility	Features
50 Heavy Cavalry		Cavalry	Mounted	Levy
500 Horse Archers		Cavalry	Mounted	Levy
50 Heavy Infantry		—	Foot	Levy
100 Medium Cavalry		Cavalry	Mounted	Levy
200 Heavy Infantry*		—	Foot	Levy
Conan		Cavalry	Mounted	Mercenary, Hero

* Though the story lists them interchangeably as “spearmen” and “pikemen”, it specifies that they bear shields:
 …and with a roar and an irresistible upward surge the Stygians crashed against the mercenaries. // In a hurricane of thundering steel, the lines twisted and swayed. It was war-bred noble against professional soldier. Shields crashed against shields, and between them spears drove in and blood spurted.
 …the mercenaries, gripping their dripping pikes, bracing their feet in the bloody earth, held the Pass. Superior position and armor for a space balanced the advantage of overwhelming numbers.