Suppose you own a very average family-run business in a Hyborian kingdom. Nothing shady or seedy - not a brothel, fencing operation or notorious tavern - simply the center of your family's livelihood. Say you sell sandals, wool cloth, whetstones or lamp oil... And in walks CONAN...
Should you - would you be concerned or frightened?
As an outsider looking in, should an "average Joe" be wary or scared of Conan?
Even for someone who lived an extreme adventurous and violent life, the overwhelming majority of interactions they would have with other people would be mundane. How do you think Conan interacted with "John Q. Public"?
12 replies to this topic
#1
thatericn
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Posted 14 May 2012 - 04:48 AM
"Careful with that ax, Eugene"
#2
Ironhand
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Posted 14 May 2012 - 05:07 AM
I have an impression that Conan had good relations with "honest tradesmen". Conan is not the kind of low-class scum that robs gas stations and drugstores. Honest tradesmen can probably recognize this.
"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...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
#3
Gin-Wulf
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Posted 14 May 2012 - 01:40 PM
i would tend to agree with iron hand on this, he may steal from a kitchen if penniless and starving but i don't think he would rob them of cash or kill them for bread.
even tho he is a thief at times he still has his own personal "honor" or "code" in witch he lives by , even if we don't get it written out in black and white , the does and don't,s he would do in every situation. we can still get the feel that conan is in lack of better word above killing a shop keeping for a pair of sandals.
but if the shop keeper were being shady and trying to rob him i can see him maybe punching them shop keeper out.
even tho he is a thief at times he still has his own personal "honor" or "code" in witch he lives by , even if we don't get it written out in black and white , the does and don't,s he would do in every situation. we can still get the feel that conan is in lack of better word above killing a shop keeping for a pair of sandals.
but if the shop keeper were being shady and trying to rob him i can see him maybe punching them shop keeper out.
#4
guilalah
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Posted 14 May 2012 - 08:19 PM
In 'Maneaters of Zamboula' we see Conan practicing economies when his purse is light.
Of course, in his youth he tried his hand at thieving treasures.
Of course, in his youth he tried his hand at thieving treasures.
Edited by guilalah, 14 May 2012 - 08:19 PM.
#5
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 02:19 AM
My impression is that Conan's entry into an establishment does not generally cause alarm, he either has the discretion of a master thief not to draw attention to himself, or he simply looks like the people around him in terms of size and number of combat wounds.
However, it seems like most people readily recognize him as a barbarian, an outsider. So one's reaction probably has a lot to do with your prejudices against those.
However, it seems like most people readily recognize him as a barbarian, an outsider. So one's reaction probably has a lot to do with your prejudices against those.
#6
Ironhand
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 05:45 AM
Actually, it may not be so much a sense of honor as pride of craftmanship. Conan is a mastertful cat burgler, likes to steal fabulous treasure that will keep him in luxery for a week or a month. He's "overqualified" for penny ante stuff.
Edited by Ironhand, 15 May 2012 - 05:46 AM.
"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...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
#7
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 04:49 PM
I would hide my treasure, if I had one. As well as my daughters...
#8
guilalah
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 06:55 PM
I would be more concerned if Fafhrd and/or The Gray Mouser came into my shop. Conan would probably only steal from need. Either of Leiber's hero's might steal if it were convenient, or if the whim struck them, or to keep in practice. However, there are probably sellers who they deal with regularly, who they try to keep on good terms with.
#9
Officer Aggro
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 07:15 PM
I would treat the man with respect and not get in his way. If it happens to be a time when Conan is king, then I would also be very honored.
What, you wouldn't want a really strong grandson?
I would hide my treasure, if I had one. As well as my daughters...
What, you wouldn't want a really strong grandson?
- The illegitimate son of Crom
#10
Ironhand
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Posted 16 May 2012 - 07:22 AM
Actually, if Conan walked into my shop, and I was familiar with his rep, I would treat him like a king, so I would be on his list of favorite merchants. Figuring he would patronize my shop repeatedly as a customer, and therefore not mess with me.
"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...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
#11
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Posted 16 May 2012 - 09:41 PM
oh, I would n´t mind having Conan as a son-in-law...or would I?
I think if Conan just need a pair of sandals and lack coin, he might just take them unless I offer him a job, so he can earn them by the sword.
I think if Conan just need a pair of sandals and lack coin, he might just take them unless I offer him a job, so he can earn them by the sword.
#12
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Posted 17 May 2012 - 12:57 AM
I would hide my treasure, if I had one. As well as my daughters...
well if I had daughters and he was king,i'd make sure I ended up with a Royal son-in law
The aveage civilized man is never fully alive;he is burdened with masses of atrophied tisse and useless matter.Life flickers feebily in him;his senses sre dull and torpid...In devloping his intellect he has sacrificed far more then he realizes."
#13
Ironhand
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Posted 17 May 2012 - 03:13 AM
Basically, I would want him to feel like my shop was his home away from home. Knowing his sense of barbaric honor, I would not hesitate to offer him credit.Actually, if Conan walked into my shop, and I was familiar with his rep, I would treat him like a king, so I would be on his list of favorite merchants. Figuring he would patronize my shop repeatedly as a customer, and therefore not mess with me.
"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...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
