219 replies to this topic

[PaulMc]

For some reason the quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens in my posts and posts from others in this thread have been replaced with question marks but not in every case. Most often when the apostrophes are used as a single quotation mark inside a set of double quotation marks denoting a quote within a quote and also the single apostrophe showing possessive. Is there a way to fix it without re-editing all of the posts?

I don't see that at all. What browser and operation system are you using?

I am using Windows 7 and mozilla firefox. I also notice that the Æ or æ grapheme from Aesir is affected.

Posts 15,31,39,41,64,65,66,71,72,73,84,104,110,123,125,and 127 are the affected ones I can see.

Ah, ok.

I don't think it can be fixed in bulk. Looks like something translated bad on the way in, rather than a display problem.

[Amra_the_Lion]

For some reason the quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens in my posts and posts from others in this thread have been replaced with question marks but not in every case. Most often when the apostrophes are used as a single quotation mark inside a set of double quotation marks denoting a quote within a quote and also the single apostrophe showing possessive. Is there a way to fix it without re-editing all of the posts?

I don't see that at all. What browser and operation system are you using?

I am using Windows 7 and mozilla firefox. I also notice that the Æ or æ grapheme from Aesir is affected.

Posts 15,31,39,41,64,65,66,71,72,73,84,104,110,123,125,and 127 are the affected ones I can see.

Ah, ok.

I don't think it can be fixed in bulk. Looks like something translated bad on the way in, rather than a display problem.

Weird that it was fine when they were posted and for several months then somehow got corrupted.

[Tex]

This craziness happened after the big shift a little while ago.

Bêlit took a hit in one of my posts, dropping a ? into her name.

Tex
(high technology my arse!)

[Amra_the_Lion]

Back in 2005 when I was doing my Conan animation, I was actually planning on doing a "scar map" for Conan, depicting all the scars he actually receives in the stories on his face. That kinda fell by the wayside in favour of the Encyclopaedia. So I'm really surprised (pleasantly so) to see you've already done it! I'm in your debt, Amra!

How is the Encyclopaedia coming? I mean as a published book anyways as I follow your posts on the blog.

[Taranaich]

The only good thing to come of my disgust of the 2011 film is that I've been spending much more time on the Encyclopedia.

I'm still not finished A, but again, that's due to me constantly finding new things and putting them in other entries. It's up to 60,000 words, though that's still expected to grow.

[Amra_the_Lion]

Conan’s Travels:

Countries, kingdoms, and lands that Conan has been to:

Cimmeria
Aquilonia
Nordheim: Vanaheim, Asgard
Hyperborea
Brythunia
Nemedia
Zamora
Corinthia
Ophir
Koth
Khoraja
Khauran
The Vilayet Sea
Turan
Shem
Argos
The Black Coasts
The Southern Sea (The Blue Sea)
The far southern isles
Kush: Shumballa, Tombalku, Bakalah, Jihiji, Abombi, Xuchotl, Xuthal, Gazal
Stygia
Afghulistan
The Himelians
Vendhya
Keshan
Punt
The Western Sea
The Barachan Isles
Island of the Black Ones
Zingara
Darfar
Bossonian Marches
Pictish Wilderness
The Westermarck
Bossonian Marches
Khitai
Hyrkania
The Blue East the even less known regions north of the Hyrkania
The Swamps of the Dead the even less known regions south of Khitai
Nameless continent in the western hemisphere, and roamed among the islands adjacent to it

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 02 September 2011 - 04:35 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

Paramours of Conan or women who desired him:

Nestor Synopsis girl: Zamorian?
Prostitute from The Maze: Corinthian?
Belit: Shemite
Yasmela: Khoraji
Olivia: Ophirean
Natala: Brythunian
Thalis: Stygian
Sancha: Zingaran
Livia: Ophirean
Octavia: Nemedian
Yateli: Dagonian
Yasmina: Vendhyan
Wazuli girl: Zhaibari
Muriela: Corinthian
Belesa: Zingaran
Valeria: Aquilonian
Zenobia: Nemedian?
Akivasha: Stygian
Concubines: Poitainians, Zamorians, Zingarans, Hyrkanians, and Brythunians

[Amra_the_Lion]

I have added some new sections, tried to correct the computer glitches, and added some quick links at the beginning to be able to jump to specific sections or stories.

Quick Links

[Taranaich]

Paramours of Conan or women who desired him:

Nestor Synopsis girl: Zamorian?
Prostitute from The Maze: Corinthian?
Belit: Shemite
Yasmela: Khoraji
Olivia: Ophirean
Natala: Brythunian
Thalis: Stygian
Sancha: Zingaran
Livia: Ophirean
Octavia: Nemedian
Yateli: Dagonian
Yasmina: Vendhyan
Wazuli girl: Zhaibari
Muriela: Corinthian
Belesa: Zingaran
Valeria: Aquilonian
Zenobia: Nemedian?
Akivasha: Stygian
Concubines: Poitainians, Zamorians, Zingarans, Hyrkanians, and Brythunians

I think it's important to note the distinction between those who desired or seduced Conan but failed, those who succeeded, and those that Conan pursued. Thalis, for instance: Conan appreciated her interest, but he clearly wasn't going to return her favours. Did Belesa actually desire Conan?

I'd divide the girls thusly:

Woman desired Conan, unreciprocated
Thalis: Stygian
Yateli: Dagonian
Akivasha: Stygian
Livia: Ophirean

Woman desired Conan, reciprocated
Belit: Shemite
Yasmela: Khoraji
Zenobia: Nemedian?

Conan desired Woman, reciprocated
Octavia: Nemedian
Valeria: Aquilonian

Mutual desire, not developed into relationship
Yasmina: Vendhyan

Mutual desire, developed into relationship
Olivia: Ophirean
Natala: Brythunian
Sancha: Zingaran
Muriela: Corinthian

Unknown
Nestor Synopsis girl: Zamorian?
Prostitute from The Maze: Corinthian?
Concubines: Poitainians, Zamorians, Zingarans, Hyrkanians, and Brythunians

Or something along those lines. Relationships in Conan are surprisingly difficult to categorize...

[Amra_the_Lion]

I think it's important to note the distinction between those who desired or seduced Conan but failed, those who succeeded, and those that Conan pursued. Thalis, for instance: Conan appreciated her interest, but he clearly wasn't going to return her favours. Did Belesa actually desire Conan?

I'd divide the girls thusly:

Woman desired Conan, unreciprocated
Thalis: Stygian
Yateli: Dagonian
Akivasha: Stygian
Livia: Ophirean

Woman desired Conan, reciprocated
Belit: Shemite
Yasmela: Khoraji
Zenobia: Nemedian?

Conan desired Woman, reciprocated
Octavia: Nemedian
Valeria: Aquilonian

Mutual desire, not developed into relationship
Yasmina: Vendhyan

Mutual desire, developed into relationship
Olivia: Ophirean
Natala: Brythunian
Sancha: Zingaran
Muriela: Corinthian

Unknown
Nestor Synopsis girl: Zamorian?
Prostitute from The Maze: Corinthian?
Concubines: Poitainians, Zamorians, Zingarans, Hyrkanians, and Brythunians

Or something along those lines. Relationships in Conan are surprisingly difficult to categorize...

Indeed! I guess one category to add would be:

Conan desired Woman, not reciprocated

Atali: Ymir's Daughter Nordheimr Deity

In my view he was ensorcelled by her, but what man isn't by beauty?

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 02 September 2011 - 06:23 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

Did Belesa actually desire Conan?

I think so.

"And in the midst of her frightened fascination, Belesa's feminine instinct prompted the speculation as to Conan's attitude toward her - would it be like Strom's brutal indifference, or Zarono's violent desire?" - The Black Stranger

All through the story she admires his size, gigantic shoulders, massive limbs, iron vitality, crafty mind, barbaric code of honor, etc. She is also curious as to what Conan wants when he makes a reference to men and Belesa finding a husband. I can't help but think she is indirectly questioning whether or not he would want her as well.

"'You can sell them and buy a castle, and slaves and fine clothes, and with them it won't be hard to get a husband, because civilized men all desire wives with these possessions.'
'But what of you?'
Conan grinned and indicated The Red Hand drawing swiftly inshore.
'A ship and a crew are all I want.'" - The Black Stranger

I guess I would put her in the Woman desired Conan, unreciprocated category.

You also didn't categorize the Wazuli girl.

"The squatting girl laughed up at him, with some spicy jest, and he grinned wolfishly, and hooking a toe under her haunches, tumbled her sprawling onto the floor. She seemed to derive considerable amusement from this bit of rough horse-play, but Conan paid no more heed to her." - The People of the Black Circle

True her age is never mentioned and she is referred to as a girl, but she is also said to be wearing the vest and baggy trousers of a hillwoman and displays a bold handsome face. Based on her attitude and teasing Conan it is implied, at least I think so, that she has an idea of what Conan may want to do with Yasmina. Conan also seems familiar with her and has no problem with physically putting his toes under her buttock and upper thigh or "haunches" toppling her to tease back. There seems to be a history there or at least the Wazuli girl wanting one.

I guess I would put her in the Unknown category.

[Taranaich]

Good points. I'm not entirely sure about Belesa, but the interpretation is certainly there. Good call.

Completely forgot the Wazuli girl (for some reason I thought you meant that lass who exchanges her clothes for a coin, and wondered "how does that count"). Atali's another good one.

[Fernando]

Woman desired Conan, reciprocated
Belit: Shemite
Yasmela: Khoraji
Zenobia: Nemedian?

Conan desired Woman, reciprocated
Octavia: Nemedian
Valeria: Aquilonian

Mutual desire, not developed into relationship
Yasmina: Vendhyan

Mutual desire, developed into relationship
Olivia: Ophirean
Natala: Brythunian
Sancha: Zingaran
Muriela: Corinthian

I wonder where Princess Tananda (The Shumballa Fragment) could fit?

[A]nd she [Tananda] was as naked as the day she was born; but she stared at him without perturbation or uncertainty, and he gave back her stare, frank admiration in his expression of her cool bearing, and the ripeness of her brown limbs.

[Amra_the_Lion]

I wonder where Princess Tananda (The Shumballa Fragment) could fit?

There is that frank admiration you mentioned from the draft so I would put Tanada: Chaga in the Mutual desire, not developed into relationship category, in the synopsis he foils her plan and laughs at her.

"...and she was as naked as the day she was born; but she stared at him without perturbation or uncertainty, and he gave back her stare, frank admiration in his expression of her cool bearing, and the ripeness of her brown limbs." - The Shumballa Draft

From the synopsis I would add Diana: Nemedian in the Conan desired Woman, reciprocated category.

"Diana was brought to Tuthmes, who gave her orders and sent her to the king; but Tanada had her kidnaped(sic), and Conan, seeing her, became vastly interested in her." -The Shumballa Synopsis

"Tanada in a fury threatened him, and he laughed at her, and taking the girl, went to his house." - The Shumballa Synopsis

[Amra_the_Lion]

Paramours of Conan:

Women who desired Conan, not reciprocated:

Thalis: Stygian -Xuthal of the Dusk
Yateli: Dagonian -The Devil in Iron
Akivasha: Stygian -The Hour of the Dragon
Livia: Ophirean -The Vale of Lost Women
Belesa: Zingaran -The Black Stranger

Women who desired Conan, reciprocated

Belit: Shemite -Queen of the Black Coast
Yasmela: Khoraji -Black Colossus
Zenobia: Nemedian? -The Hour of the Dragon

Conan desired the woman, not reciprocated

Atali: Ymir's Daughter Nordheimr Deity -The Frost-Giant's Daughter
Nafertari: Turanian -The Man-Eaters of Zamboula

Conan desired the woman, reciprocated

Octavia: Nemedian -The Devil in Iron
Valeria: Aquilonian -Red nails
Diana: Nemedian -The Shumballa Synopsis
Concubines: Poitainians, Zamorians, Zingarans, Hyrkanians, and Brythunians -The Scarlet Citadel

Mutual desire, did not develop into a relationship

Yasmina: Vendhyan -The People of the Black Circle
Tanada: Chaga -The Shumballa Draft

Mutual desire, developed into a relationship

Olivia: Ophirean -Iron Shadows in the Moon
Natala: Brythunian -Xuthal of the Dusk
Sancha: Zingaran -The Pool of the Black One
Muriela: Corinthian -The Servants of Bit-Yakin

Unknown

Nestor Synopsis girl: Zamorian? -Nestor Synopsis
Prostitute from The Maze: Corinthian? -Rogues in the House
Wazuli girl: Zhaibari -The People of the Black Circle

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 04 September 2011 - 05:28 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

Conan's Youth Dramatis Personæ

Conan's Youth

Conan - Northwestern Cimmerian

"The country claimed by and roved over by his clan lay in the northwest of Cimmeria, but Conan was of mixed blood, although a purebred Cimmerian." - Robert E. Howard Letter to P. Schuyler Miller

Conan's Father - Cimmerian, a blacksmith

“I am a barbarian and the son of a blacksmith.” – The Hour of the Dragon

Conan's Mother - Cimmerian, gave birth to Conan on a battlefield

"he was born on the battlefield, during a fight between his tribe and a horde of raiding Vanir" -Robert E. Howard Letter to P.Schuyler Miller

“’I was born in the midst of a battle,’ he answered, tearing a chunk of meat from a huge joint with his strong teeth. ‘The first sound my ears heard was the clang of swords and the yells of the slaying.’” –Black Colossus

"I saw again the battlefield whereon I was born,' said Conan, resting his chin moodily on a massive fist." - The Hour of the Dragon

Conan's Grandfather - Southern Cimmerian outcast, Cimmerian raider

"The country claimed by and roved over by his clan lay in the northwest of Cimmeria, but Conan was of mixed blood, although a purebred Cimmerian. His grandfather was a member of a southern tribe who had fled from his own people because of a blood-feud and after long wanderings, eventually taken refuge with the people of the north." - Robert E. Howard Letter to P. Schuyler Miller

“He had taken part in many raids into the Hyborian nations in his youth, before his flight, and perhaps it was the tales he told of those softer countries which roused in Conan, as a child, a desire to see them.” - Robert E. Howard Letter to P. Schuyler Miller

Cimmerians, Vanir, Æsir, Hyperboreans, Bossonians, Gundermen, Aquilonians, and Picts

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 09 September 2011 - 04:54 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

The Frost-Giant's Daughter Dramatis Personæ

The Frost-Giant's Daughter

Conan - Cimmerian fighter in an Æsir war band, Wulfhere’s Reavers

Wulfhere - Æsir war band leader

Niord - Æsir fighter, Wulfhere’s Reavers

Horsa - Æsir fighter, Wulfhere’s Reavers

Gorm - Æsir fighter, Wulfhere’s Reavers

Æsir fighters, Wulfhere’s Reavers

Heimdul - Vanir warrior in the war band, Wolves of Bragi

Bragi - Vanir war band chieftain

Vanir warriors, Wolves of Bragi

Ymir - Nordheimr god

Atali - Ymir's Daughter, Nordheimr god

Frost Giants/Ice Giants - Ymir's Sons, Nordheimr gods

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 14 September 2011 - 09:20 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

The God in the Bowl Dramatis Personæ

The God in the Bowl

Conan - Cimmerian, hired thief

Kallian Publico - Nemedian, Temple owner, great museum and antique house

Arus - Nemedian, Temple watchman

Demetrio - Nemedian, Numalian police, Chief of the Inquisitorial Council of Numalia

Dionus - Nemedian, Numalian police, prefect

Posthumo - Nemedian, Numalian police, guardsman

Nemedians, Numalian police

Promero - Nemedian, Kallian Publico's chief clerk

Enaro - Nemedian, Kallian Publico's charioteer

Aztrias Petanius - Nemedian, nephew of Numalia's governor, hired Conan

Kalanthes of Hanumar - Stygian, priest of Ibis

Mitra - Hyborian god

Ibis - Stygian god of wisdom and the moon

Set - Stygian Serpent-god

Child of Set - Giant serpent with human head, Stygian god

Giant-Kings/Monster Kings - Pre-Stygian Race of gods

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 19 September 2011 - 06:34 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

The Tower of the Elephant Dramatis Personæ

The Tower of the Elephant

Conan - Cimmerian, daring thief

The Kothian - Kothian kidnapper

Zamorian thieves

Hyberborean renegade

Shemitish counterfeiter

Brythunian wench

Gunderman mercenary

Shemitish wanderer

King of Zamora

Zamorian royal guards

Taurus - Nemedian, prince of thieves

Yara - Zamorian high priest

Yellow-skulled priests of Yun -Khitains

Yag-Kosha/Yogah of Yag - Demon of the Elder World, from the green planet Yag

Valusians, Kamelians, Commorians, Atlanteans, Picts, and Lemurians, Nemedians, Kothians, Aquilonians, Hyrkanians, Zamorians, Khitains

Bel - Hyborian god, god of thieves

Crom - Cimmerian god

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 14 September 2011 - 09:19 PM.

[Amra_the_Lion]

The Nestor Synopsis Dramatis Personæ

The Nestor Synopsis

Conan - Cimmerian, notorious thief

Nestor - Gunderman mercenary, officer

Zamorian soldiers

Zamorian magistrate

Conan's girl - Zamorian?

Edited by Amra_the_Lion, 14 September 2011 - 09:18 PM.