# Supernatural and Ancient Evil in Conan Stories

> Theme guide for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

The stories are filled with ancient, inhuman entities, sorcerers, and forgotten gods (like Khosatral Khel and winged monsters) that represent primordial chaos and threats beyond mortal understanding.

## Where it surfaces

- [Shadows in the Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/shadows-in-the-moonlight): The chapter features ancient, malevolent forces in the ruined city.
- [Queen of the Black Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/queen-of-the-black-coast): The Accursed City harbors ancient, malevolent forces that attack the pirates and claim Bêlit's life.
- [II: The Black Lotus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-black-lotus): The giant serpent attack, the haunted city, and the black lotus with its dream-haunting scent emphasize supernatural and ancient evil forces.
- [III: The Horror in the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-the-horror-in-the-jungle): The chapter reveals the ancient winged race's fall into demonic perversion and the lingering horror that haunts the jungle.
- [IV: The Attack from the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-attack-from-the-air): The winged monster and the supernatural hyenas embody ancient, diabolical forces that Conan must confront.
- [The Devil in Iron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/the-devil-in-iron): Khosatral Khel is a prime example of an ancient, malevolent supernatural force from a forgotten age.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i): The revival of a centuries-dead warrior from a tomb, defying natural laws, introduces an ancient and hostile supernatural force.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv): The impossible restoration of the ancient city of Xapur defies natural law and suggests supernatural forces at work.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v): Khosatral Khel is a being from the Abyss, a blasphemy against nature, whose presence and origin dominate the chapter.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi): Khosatral Khel is an ancient demon from the Abyss, and his death causes the magical city to vanish.
- [I: Death Strikes a King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-death-strikes-a-king): The king's death is caused by sorcery from the Black Seers of Yimsha, using a lock of hair and astrological alignment to draw his soul from his body.
- [III: Khemsa Uses Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-khemsa-uses-magic): Khemsa's hypnotic powers and the green magical cloud that kills the Afghuli prisoners demonstrate dark sorcery.
- [V: The Black Stallion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-the-black-stallion): The jade ball transforms into a deadly spider, killing Yar Afzal through sorcery.
- [VI: The Mountain of the Black Seers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi-the-mountain-of-the-black-seers): The Black Seers embody ancient, forbidden sorcery, using psychic powers and a crimson cloud to manifest.
- [VII: On to Yimsha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vii-on-to-yimsha): Khemsa's dying gift of a magical girdle and his warnings about the Master's transmutations underscore the pervasive supernatural threat.
- [VIII: Yasmina Knows Stark Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/viii-yasmina-knows-stark-terror): The Master of Yimsha embodies ancient, inhuman evil, wielding reality-altering magic and summoning demons from unknown realms.
- [IX: The Castle of the Wizards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ix-the-castle-of-the-wizards): The Black Seers wield unnatural powers, including animated dogs, enchanted hawks, and deadly magical mists, embodying ancient evil.
- [X: Yasmina and Conan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/x-yasmina-and-conan): The lingering threat of the Black Seers and the magic girdle's role in Conan's escape from Yimsha.
- [A Witch Shall Be Born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/a-witch-shall-be-born): The witch Salome and the demon Thaug represent ancient, malevolent forces that threaten the natural order.
- [I: The Bloodred Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-the-bloodred-crescent): Salome's origin as a witch marked by a bloodred crescent, her survival through dark magic, and her training in sorcery from Khitai.
- [III: A Letter to Nemedia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-a-letter-to-nemedia): The introduction of a monster in the temple, human sacrifice, and the worship of obscene ancient deities highlight the supernatural horror pervading the kingdom.
- [Jewels of Gwahlur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/jewels-of-gwahlur): The undead priestess Tascela and the cursed city embody ancient, malevolent forces.
- [III: The Return of the Oracle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-the-return-of-the-oracle): The ritual invocation of the goddess Yelaya, the mysterious servants of Bît-Yakin, and the trap of the falling stone block evoke ancient and supernatural forces.
- [IV: The Teeth of Gwahlur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-teeth-of-gwahlur): The monstrous servant of Bît-Yakin, the eerie phosphorescent caverns, and the false goddess Yelaya's voice from the roof evoke ancient, supernatural forces.
- [I: Conan Loses His Ax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-conan-loses-his-ax): The swamp demon, with its eerie glow and mimicry, embodies the ancient, malevolent forces lurking beyond civilization.
- [II: The Wizard of Gwawela](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-wizard-of-gwawela): Zogar Sag's inexplicable magic, the loon call driving men mad, and the fear of ancient forest devils dominate the chapter.
- [IV: The Beasts of Zogar Sag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-beasts-of-zogar-sag): Zogar Sag's ability to summon and control monstrous, primordial beasts highlights the theme of ancient evil and dark magic.
- [V: The Children of Jhebbal Sag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-the-children-of-jhebbal-sag): Zogar Sag's control over beasts and the ancient symbol of Jhebbal Sag highlight the supernatural forces at play, linking to primeval, forgotten powers.
- [VII: The Devil in the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vii-the-devil-in-the-fire): The chapter features a demonic fire-being summoned by Zogar Sag, representing ancient, primal forces that threaten human life.
- [VIII: Conajohara No More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/viii-conajohara-no-more): The mysterious death of Zogar Sag, with wounds appearing without physical cause, suggests supernatural forces at work.
- [Shadows in Zamboula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/shadows-in-zamboula): The chapter involves dark rituals and malevolent forces in Zamboula.
- [I: A Drum Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-a-drum-begins): The Zuagir's warnings about Aram Baksh being a demon and the mysterious disappearances hint at supernatural forces at work.
- [II: The Night Skulkers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-night-skulkers): The temple of Hanuman, the cult of Totrasmek, and the use of love potions and dark magic underscore the presence of ancient, malevolent forces.
- [III: Black Hands Gripping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-black-hands-gripping): Baal-pteor uses mesmerism and illusion magic, and the chamber contains a magnetic table and other unnatural elements.
- [Red Nails](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/red-nails): The presence of Tascela's dark sorcery and the ancient curse that drives the city's inhabitants to madness and violence highlights the supernatural forces at play.
- [II: By the Blaze of the Fire-Jewels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-by-the-blaze-of-the-fire-jewels): The presence of the Crawler, a cold, inhuman creature from the catacombs, and the eerie, haunted atmosphere of the city evoke ancient evil and supernatural threats.
- [III: The People of the Feud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-the-people-of-the-feud): Tascela is revealed to be a witch with the secret of perpetual youth, and the city is haunted by ancient horrors like the Crawler and the Burning Skull.
- [IV: Scent of Black Lotus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-scent-of-black-lotus): The black lotus, the eerie silence of Xuchotl, and the mysterious fate of Yasala in the catacombs evoke supernatural and ancient evil forces at work.
- [V: Twenty Red Nails](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-twenty-red-nails): The pipes of madness, the dead serpent, and the ancient wizard's bones highlight the supernatural horrors that pervade Xuchotl.
- [VI: The Eyes of Tascela](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi-the-eyes-of-tascela): Tascela's unnatural strength, hypnotic powers, and her centuries-old quest for immortality through sacrifice evoke ancient evil.
- [VII: He Comes from the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vii-he-comes-from-the-dark): Tolkemec's emergence from the catacombs, his inhuman appearance, and the magical wand that kills with red fire beams embody ancient evil and the supernatural.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes/supernatural_and_ancient_evil
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes