The Hour of the Dragon: Conan the Conquerer characters

Appears from the start

The Cimmerian king of Aquilonia, once a wanderer, thief, mercenary, and pirate before taking the throne. He is an able soldier with fierce personal courage, but his rule rests on conquest rather than hereditary legitimacy, giving exiled rivals an opening to challenge him.

Appears from the start

A sorcerer of ancient Acheron restored to life by conspirators who want his power used against Conan. He remembers an empire that vanished thousands of years earlier and regards the present kingdoms as diminished successors fit to be ruled by him.

Appears from the start

A former priest of Mitra whose study of forbidden lore enables Xaltotun's resurrection. He believes the ancient sorcerer can be controlled long enough to place the conspirators' chosen rulers on the thrones of Nemedia and Aquilonia.

Appears from the start

A prince of Nemedia and one of the four men behind Xaltotun's return. Ambitious and calculating, he expects the conspiracy to advance him to his brother's throne while the invasion of Aquilonia removes Conan.

Appears from the start

A powerful Nemedian baron and commander who supplies much of the military force behind the conspiracy. He expects conquest and political influence in return for helping overthrow Conan.

Appears from the start

An Aquilonian royal claimant descended from the dynasty Conan displaced. He joins the foreign-backed plot as its candidate for Aquilonia's throne, presenting hereditary blood as his justification for replacing the Cimmerian king.

First appears in chapter 5

A young woman serving in the Nemedian palace where Conan is held. She risks approaching the captive king and offers practical help despite having little protection against the powerful men who imprisoned him.

First appears in chapter 6

An elderly witch living apart from court and army. She gives the fugitive Conan shelter and uses uncanny means to help him learn what is happening in his occupied kingdom.

First appears in chapter 8

An Aquilonian countess imprisoned by Valerius's regime because of her loyalty to Conan. Her danger shows how quickly the usurper is moving against nobles who will not accept the new rule.

First appears in chapter 8

A leader among Aquilonia's followers of Asura, a persecuted faith whose members remember that Conan protected them. He understands more than the court nobles do about the supernatural force behind the invasion.

Also known as Count Trocero

First appears in chapter 10

The count of Poitain and one of Conan's strongest remaining vassals. He holds the southern province for the absent king and preserves an organized Aquilonian resistance while the capital is under Valerius's control.

First appears in chapter 11

A wealthy merchant of Messantia whom Conan knew during his earlier life as a sea rover. He welcomes the fugitive with outward respect, but his prosperity and safety give him reasons to fear involvement in a king's dangerous cause.

First appears in chapter 15

An ancient Stygian princess encountered in the darkness beneath a pyramid. Supernaturally preserved and alluring, she offers Conan companionship and power if he will abandon his urgent search and remain with her.