Introduction
“Jewels of Gwahlur” is one of the original short stories starring the fictional sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard. Set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age, it concerns several parties, including Conan, fighting over and hunting for the eponymous treasure in Hyborian Africa. The tale was first published in the March 1935 issue of Weird Tales. Howard’s original title for the story was “The Servents of Bit-Yakin“.
The story
The story begins with Conan ascending the cliffs to the ancient, deserted city of Alkmeenon, seeking the fabled Teeth of Gwahlur. He encounters a mummified body holding a cryptic parchment in a cave, which hints at the mysteries surrounding the treasure and the ancient city.
Conan’s quest leads him to the palace of Alkmeenon, where he first encounters Muriela, a girl posing as the oracle of the goddess Yelaya, under the guidance of her Stygian master, Zargheba. Zargheba plans to use Muriela’s impersonation to control the kingdom of Keshan and lay hands on the treasure. However, Conan thwarts this plan, exposing Muriela’s true identity and forcing her to flee with him.
As they seek the treasure, they are pursued by the priests of Keshan, devout followers of Yelaya, and Gwarunga, a treacherous priest conspiring with Zargheba. The plot thickens with the introduction of the supernatural guardians of the treasure, the servants of Bit-Yakin, ancient beings protecting the secrets of Alkmeenon.
Conan and Muriela face numerous perils, including a near-death encounter with the servants of Bit-Yakin and the machinations of the priests. The climax occurs in the cavern where the Teeth of Gwahlur are hidden. Conan battles the monstrous servants and retrieves the treasure, but in a moment of crisis, chooses to save Muriela over securing the wealth.
The story concludes with Conan and Muriela escaping the valley, leaving behind the cursed treasure and the dark secrets of Alkmeenon. Conan, ever resourceful and undeterred by the loss of the treasure, plans a new adventure with Muriela by his side.
Alternate titles:
TEETH OF GWAHLUR and THE SERVANTS OF BIT-YAKIN.
Characters::
- Conan: The protagonist, a formidable warrior and adventurer seeking the Teeth of Gwahlur. His journey leads him into the heart of a sinister plot, pitting his wits and strength against various foes.
- Muriela: A young, beautiful dancer involved in a scheme to deceive the priests of Keshan. She is coerced into impersonating the oracle Yelaya but becomes a reluctant ally to Conan.
- Gorulga: The high priest of Keshan, deeply devout and ultimately a victim of the dark forces at play in the quest for the Teeth of Gwahlur.
- Thutmekri: A Stygian prince and antagonist who schemes to obtain the Teeth for his own gain, using deceit and manipulation.
- Zargheba: A Shemitish rogue involved in the plot with Thutmekri. He is responsible for orchestrating part of the deception involving Muriela.
- Gwarunga: A servant of Bit-Yakin, part of the ancient and mysterious guardians of the secret of the Teeth. He plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of events within the story.
- The Servants of Bit-Yakin: Mysterious and ancient beings who guard the Teeth of Gwahlur and the secrets of the temple, they are remnants of a long-forgotten era.
- Yelaya: The preserved body of an ancient princess, worshipped as a goddess. Her oracle is central to the plot, with various factions seeking to manipulate her prophecies for their own ends.
Published in:
- WEIRD TALES VOLUME 25 NUMBER 3, Popular Fiction Publishing Company, March 1935
- THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN VOLUME 1 NUMBER 25, Marvel Comics, December 1977 (graphic adaptation)
- THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE, Berkley/Putnam, 1977 (restored text)
- THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE, Berkley, 1977 (restored text)
- THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE, Science Fiction Book Club, 1977
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Grant, 1979
- CONAN: SKARBY GWALHURA, Klubowe SFera, 1984 (Polish)
- ROBERT E. HOWARD’S WORLD OF HEROES, Robinson, 1989
- CONAN, Wydawnictwo Atlantis, 1990 (Polish)
- CONAN NAJEMNIK, Wydawnictwo Nakom, 1990 (Polish)
- CONAN CIMMERIALAINEN, Jalava, 1991 (Finnish)
- MAGAZÍN POUTNÍK 3, Klub Julese Vernea, 1991 (Czech)
- A ZSOLDOS BARBÁR, Phoenix Könyvkiadó, 1991 (Hungarian)
- CONAN A KIMMÉRIAI, Phoenix Könyvkiadó, 1993 (Hungarian)
- TUTTI I CICLI FANTASTICI – IL CICLO DI CONAN TOMO II, Newton Compton Editori, April 1995 (Italian)
- THE ESSENTIAL CONAN, Science Fiction Book Club, June 1998
- CONAN JA VÄRELEV VARI, Elmatar, 2000 (Estonian)
- THE CONAN CHRONICLES Volume 2, Millennium, April 2001
- CONAN CIMMERIALAINEN, Jalava, 2001 (Finnish)
- CONAN: RUDÉ HŘEBY A JINÉ POVÍDKY, BB Art, 2001 (Czech)
- SAVAGE ADVENTURES, Wild Cat Books, 2004
- CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #1, Dark Horse Comics, April 2005 (graphic adaptation, Part 1 of 3)
- CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #2, Dark Horse Comics, June 2005 (graphic adaptation, Part 2 of 3)
- CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #3, Dark Horse Comics, June 2005 (graphic adaptation, Part 3 of 3)
- CONAN. IL CERCHIO NERO, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, June 2005 (Italian)
- THE CONQUERING SWORD OF CONAN, Del Rey, November 2005, (as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- THE CONQUERING SWORD OF CONAN, Science Fiction Book Club, December 2005, (as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Dark Horse, December 2005
- THE COMPLETE CHRONICLES OF CONAN, Gollancz, January 2006
- THE WEIRD WRITINGS OF ROBERT E. HOWARD Volume 2, Girasol Collectables, March 2006
- ÖSSZES CONAN TÖRTÉNETE II, Szukits Könyvkiadó, 2006 (Hungarian)
- CONAN 3, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, March 2007 (German, as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- 新訂版コナン全集4: 黒河を越えて (SHINTEIBAN KONAN ZENSHŪ 4: KOKUGAO KOETE)(THE AUTHORIZED CONAN CHRONICLES 4: BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER), Tōkyō Sōgensha, July 2007 (Japanese)
- BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER, Wildside Press, September 2007
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Dodo Press, February 2008
- BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER, Cosmos Books, July 2008
- “. . .AND THEIR MEMORY WAS A BITTER TREE . . .”, BlackBart Books, August 2008
- THE ADVENTUROUS TALES OF CONAN THE CIMMERIAN, Onno Tasler, October 2008
- CONAN – LES CLOUS ROUGES, Bragelonne, November 2008 (French, as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- CONAN II, Aurora, 2008 (Czech)
- CONAN. IL CERCHIO NERO, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, 2008 (Italian)
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Prion Books, May 2009 (U.K.)
- CONAN – LES CLOUS ROUGES, Bragelonne, June 2009 (French, 2nd printing, as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- THE CONQUERING SWORD OF CONAN, Tantor Media Inc., October 2009 (audio) (as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Halcyon Press, Ltd., December 2009
- CONAN THE REAVER, Halcyon Press, Ltd., December 2009
- CONAN – PARA LÁ DO RIO NEGRO, Saída de Emergência, 2009 (Portuguese)
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Easton Press, January 2010
- COMPLETE CONAN OF CIMMERIA VOLUME 3, Book Palace Books, March 2010 (as “The Servants of Bit -Yakin”)
- THE ROBERT E. HOWARD OMNIBUS: 99 COLLECTED STORIES, Halcyon Press, Ltd., May 2010
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Halcyon Press, Ltd., October 2010
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Prion Books, November 2010
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Metro Books, 2010
- CONAN IL BARBARO, Newton Compton Editori, July 2011 (Italian)
- CONAN IL BARBARO, Newton Compton Editori, October 2011 (Italian)
- CONAN THE BERSERKER, Gollancz, November 2011
- CONAN BARBARZYŃCA, Rea, April 2012 (Polish)
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Jame-Books, August 2012
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN: TALES OF MAGIC & MAYHEM VOLUME 2, Summit Classic Press, September 2012
- A WITCH SHALL BE BORN, JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER: CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Jame-Books, September 2012
- LEGJOBB CONAN-TÖRTÉNETEI, Szukits Könyvkiadó, 2012 (Hungarian)
- ROBERT E. HOWARD’S COLLECTED WORKS, Jame-Books, February 2013
- WEIRD TALES: 101 WEIRD, STRANGE, AND SUPERNATURAL STORIES VOLUME 8, Civitas Media, February 2013
- WEIRD TALES: 101 WEIRD, STRANGE, AND SUPERNATURAL STORIES VOLUME 8, Civitas Media, May 2013
- CONAN I MIECZ ZDOBYWCY, Rebis, August 2013 (Polish, as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin”)
- PULP REPLICA: WEIRD TALES VOLUME 25 NUMBER 3, Girasol Collectables, February 2014
- THE DEVIL IN IRON, Fiction House Press, February 2015
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, SELECTED SHORT STORIES, Benediction Classics, April 2015
- CONAN – DIE ORIGINAL ERZÄHLUNGEN BAND 6, Festa Verlag, September 2015 (German, as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin”)
- CONAN 4, Urco Editora, October 2015 (Galician)
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Ulwencreutz Media, November 2015
- CONAN BARBARZYŃCA, Rea, November 2015 (Polish)
- КОНАН TOM 2, Изток-Запад (East West), 2016 (Bulgarian)
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Perennial Press, March 2016
- CONAN IL BARBARO, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, October 2016 (Italian)
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Speculative!, October 2016 (audio)
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Jovian Press, October 2016
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN – COLLECTED ADVENTURES, The Castanea Group, December 2016
- CONAN: BROADSWORD LEGACY COLLECTION, Shirtsleeve Press, April 2017
- JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, Sir Angels, April 2017
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN – COLLECTED ADVENTURES, The Castanea Group, June 2017
- ROBERT E. HOWARD’S CONAN THE CIMMERIAN BARBARIAN: THE COMPLETE WEIRD TALES OMNIBUS, Pulp-Lit Press, June 2017
- ROBERT E. HOWARD’S CONAN THE CIMMERIAN BARBARIAN: THE COMPLETE WEIRD TALES OMNIBUS, Audible Audio, June 2017
- ROBERT E. HOWARD’S CONAN THE CIMMERIAN BARBARIAN: THE COMPLETE WEIRD TALES OMNIBUS, Easton Press, 2017
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Prion Books, 2018
- CONAN, O BÁRBARO – LIVRO 3, Pipoca e Nanquim, August 2019 (Portuguese, as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin”)
- LES CLOUS ROUGES (CONAN, TOME 3), Le Livre de Poche, October 2019 (French, as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin”)
- KRALJICA CRNE OBALE, Strahor, July 2020 (Serbo-Croatian, as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin”)
- CONAN THE BARBARIAN: COMPLETE COLLECTION, Nighttime Editions, 2020
- THE FEASTING OF SWORDS II: MORE EPICS OF BLOOD AND THUNDER, Legendary Planet, December 2020
- EL FÉNIX EN LA ESPADA, Sportula, May 2021 (Spanish)
- EL FÉNIX EN LA ESPADA, Sportula, November 2021 (Spanish)
- ROBERT E. HOWARD AND WEIRD TALES, Dennis McHaney, November 2021 (excerpt only)
The L. Sprague de Camp edited version of this story appears in the following places:
- KING CONAN, Gnome Press, 1953
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Lancer, 1967
- 不死鳥コナン (FUSHICHŌ KONAN) (PHOENIX CONAN), Hayakawa Bunko, April 1971 (Japanese)
- CONAN DER KRIEGER, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, 1971 (German)
- CONAN – LA NAISSANCE DU MONDE, Edition Spéciale, October 1972 (French)
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Sphere, 1973
- コナンと古代王国の秘宝 (KONAN TO KŌDAI NO ŌKOKU NO HIHŌ), Sōgen Suiri Bunko, June 1974 (Japanese)
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Prestige, 1977
- CONAN DE KRIJGER, Zwarte Beertjes, 1978 (Dutch)
- CONAN IL GUERRIERO, Editrice Nord, January 1981 (Italian)
- CONAN LE GUERRIER, Jean-Claude Lattès, January 1981 (French)
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Ace, 1981
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Sphere, 1982
- CONAN LE GUERRIER, Jean-Claude Lattès, April 1983 (French)
- CONAN DER KRIEGER, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, May 1983 (German)
- CONAN EL GUERRERO, Ediciones Forum, 1983 (Spanish)
- CONAN DER KRIEGER, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, 1984 (German, 2nd edition)
- KONAN: DRAGULJI GVAHLURA, Niro Dečje Novine, 1985 (Serbo-Croatian)
- SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #25, Marvel, du
- CONAN LE GUERRIER, J’ai Lu, December 1986 (French)
- CONAN THE WARRIOR, Sphere, June 1988
- IL REGNO DI CONAN IL GRANDE, Editrice Nord, October 1989 (Italian)
- L’IRA DI CONAN, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, February 1990 (Italian)
- CONAN KRIGAREN, Target Games, 1991 (Swedish)
- CONAN LE GUERRIER, J’ai Lu, January 1992 (French, second printing)
- CONAN WOJOWNIK, Wydawnictwo PiK, 1992 (Polish)
- IL REGNO DI CONAN, Editrice Nord, June 1994 (Italian)
- CONAN, AFSF, 1994 (Czech)
- LA SAGA DI CONAN IL CIMMERO, Editrice Nord, 1994 (Italian)
- CONAN KRIGEREN, Semic / Nordisk Forlag A/S, 1995 (Norwegian)
- CONAN EL GUERRERO, Ediciones Martinez Roca, 1996 (Spanish)
- CONAN I: BARBAR, AFSF, 1997 (Czech)
- CONAN II: DOBYVATEL, AFSF, 1997 (Czech)
- КОНАН ВОИНЪТ (KONAN VOINĂT), Bard, 1997 (Bulgarian)
- CONAN LE GUERRIER, J’ai Lu, December 1999 (French, third printing)
- CONAN DER KRIEGER, Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, 1999 (German)