Introduction

Featuring Conan the Cimmerian. Howard left both an untitled synopsis and an unfinished draft that was not published in his lifetime. The tale was finalized by L. Sprague de Camp and in this form first published in the collection Conan the Adventurer (1966). It has first been published in its original form in the collection The Pool of the Black One (Donald M. Grant, 1986) and later in The Conan Chronicles Volume 1: The People of the Black Circle (Gollancz, 2000) and Conan of Cimmeria: Volume Two (1934) (Del Rey, 2005).

“Drums of Tombalku” is an unfinished work featuring an incomplete synopsis of adventure, betrayal, and supernatural elements. Set in the untamed deserts of Howard’s imagined world, the tale weaves together themes of survival, loyalty, and political intrigue amidst a vividly described landscape and complex characters. Though left incomplete, the synopsis offers a detailed glimpse into a richly envisioned narrative with striking imagery and dramatic events.

See also: Drums of Tombalku (fragment).

Summary

Amalric, the son of a noble family from Aquilonia’s great house of Valerus, finds himself far south of Stygia, traveling through the desert in the company of three Ghanata bandits: Gobir, Saidu, and Tilutan. Tilutan, a ferocious black giant, brings an unconscious girl he has found in the desert, sparking tension among the group. Amalric, feigning indifference, uses cunning to kill Gobir and Saidu in a fight and then defeats Tilutan in a brutal struggle. The girl, Lissa, revives Amalric, and they converse in a shared tongue. Lissa explains she fled her home city, Gazal, a nearby oasis city populated by a dreamy, scholarly, and peaceful people.

Upon reaching Gazal, Amalric discovers a city in ruin except for a solitary southeastern tower. The citizens reveal that a supernatural being inhabits the tower, worshipped by desert nomads, and occasionally preys upon the people. Amalric bonds with Lissa, who expresses her longing to escape her stagnant life. One night, they hear terrifying cries from the tower, and Amalric investigates. He encounters a supernatural creature in human form and defeats it using a Kushite incantation, but not before the being curses him with vengeance. Amalric finds Lissa safe but learns they are being pursued by ghastly black riders summoned by the creature’s death.

As Amalric and Lissa flee westward, they are saved at the last moment by a group of riders led by Conan the Cimmerian, Amalric’s former companion who had been presumed dead. Conan explains how he was taken to the semi-mythical city of Tombalku after being captured in the desert. Tombalku is ruled by two kings: Sakumbe, a corpulent and decadent black man, and Zehbeh, a lean brown-skinned man. Conan’s past connection with Sakumbe earns him favor, and he rises to prominence as the general of Tombalku’s cavalry. However, tensions simmer within the city due to competing factions among its rulers, priests, and various ethnic groups.

Conan takes Amalric and Lissa to Tombalku, where they witness the execution of Daura, Zehbeh’s priest, by Askia, Sakumbe’s fanatical high priest. Sakumbe, though corrupt and indulgent, remains the true power in Tombalku due to his influence over the black tribes. Conan schemes to eliminate Zehbeh and align himself with Sakumbe, but this alliance crumbles when Askia turns on Sakumbe, destroying him with dark magic. Chaos erupts as Zehbeh’s forces attack Tombalku, leading to a devastating civil war. Amidst the destruction, Amalric, Conan, and Lissa fight their way out of the city and escape into the desert.

Characters

  • Amalric: The protagonist, a wandering Aquilonian swordsman. He is resourceful, skilled in combat, and deeply protective of Lissa.
  • Tilutan: A massive and powerful Ghanata warrior, known for his brutality and skill with the scimitar. He is ultimately defeated by Amalric in a desperate struggle.
  • Gobir: One of the two Ghanata companions of Amalric, opportunistic and treacherous. He is killed during Amalric’s ambush.
  • Saidu: Gobir’s companion, a wiry and ruthless Ghanata. He fights Amalric fiercely but is killed by Tilutan’s misplaced attack.
  • Lissa: A mysterious girl from Gazal with violet eyes and an innocent demeanor. She is haunted by her city’s decay and seeks to escape its horrors.
  • Conan the Cimmerian: A barbarian warrior and Amalric’s former companion. Now a leader among the Tombalku riders, he offers Amalric refuge and camaraderie.
  • The Monster of the Tower: A supernatural being worshipped by desert tribes, ultimately killed by Amalric using a Kushite incantation.
  • Sakumbe: A black king of Tombalku and Conan’s ally, who rises to power with the help of the sorcerer Askia.
  • Zehbeh: An Aphaki king of Tombalku, rival to Sakumbe and a representation of the divided factions in the city.
  • Askia: A powerful sorcerer and ally of Sakumbe, who solidifies his influence over the kingdom with black magic.
  • Daura: Zehbeh’s priest, executed by Askia.
  • Black Riders: Supernatural beings summoned by the death cry of the monster in the tower, pursuing Amalric and Lissa.
  • Kordofo: A rival general in Tombalku, poisoned to make way for Conan’s rise.

Published in:

L. Sprague de Camp completed an entire story based on these which appears in the following places: