Conan Stories · Character

Khemsa

A wizard and servant of the Black Seers of Yimsha.

minor

Also known as the dying Khemsa

First appearance: The People of the Black Circle

Khemsa's tie to Conan is one of the pressures that moves Conan Stories—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A servant of the Black Seers, killed by Conan after attempting to use magic to retrieve Yasmina.

In the storyThe People of the Black CircleOpen this moment free

See Khemsa in The People of the Black Circle Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Conan (rivalry): Conan faces the sorcerer Khemsa as an antagonist in a clash of strength and magic. With Conan (rivalry): Conan faces the sorcerer Khemsa as an antagonist in a clash of strength and magic. With…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Khemsa sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Khemsa in The People of the Black Circle

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Khemsa sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Zamboula & Keshan
Protagonist
Supporting Cast
Khauran Conspiracy
Vendhyan Campaign

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Valerius’s emotional peak occurs as he shifts from physical agony to a stunned, weeping despair over Taramis’s…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Conan
rivalry · negative
Conan faces the sorcerer Khemsa as an antagonist in a clash of strength and magic. How this plays out →
Conan
rivalry · negative
Conan faces the sorcerer Khemsa as an antagonist in a clash of strength and magic. How this plays out →
Conan
rivalry · negative
Conan faces the sorcerer Khemsa as an antagonist in a clash of strength and magic. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Khemsa in The People of the Black Circle

In the story

Khemsa appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The People of the Black Circle
A servant of the Black Seers, killed by Conan after attempting to use magic to retrieve Yasmina.
I: Death Strikes a King
A man in a brown camelhair robe and green turban, servant of the Black Seers of Yimsha. He explains the sorcery used to kill Bhunda Chand.
III: Khemsa Uses Magic
A Rakhsha magician who uses hypnotism and lethal magic; persuaded by the maid to betray his masters and seize power.
VI: The Mountain of the Black Seers
Battles the four Black Seers but is defeated when they use Gitara against him.
VII: On to Yimsha
Found dying on the trail, he gives Conan his magical girdle and warns him about the Master's transmutations before expiring.
VIII: Yasmina Knows Stark Terror
Mentioned by the Master as a foolish apprentice who tried to rival his power but was destroyed.
IX: The Castle of the Wizards
Referenced via Conan's memory of his dying advice about the gold vein.
X: Yasmina and Conan
Referenced as the source of the magic girdle that aided Conan against the Black Seers.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Khemsa unlock in the free preview.

See Khemsa in The People of the Black Circle