Introduction

“King of the Forgotten People” is a Robert E. Howard story blending elements of adventure, fantasy, and horror. It features Jim Brill, a lone survivor of a deadly ambush in a desert, as he navigates a perilous journey through uncharted mountainous terrains while being pursued by Mongol bandits. His destination, driven by a personal vendetta and a quest to find a man named Richard Barlow, leads him to a mysterious, ancient city governed by the very man he seeks. What unfolds is a tale of treachery, monstrous creatures, and supernatural influences.

See also the earliest known draft of King of the Forgotten People and the synopsis.

Summary

The story begins with Jim Brill struggling through a desert storm, thankful for the storm’s cover that helped him escape a deadly raid. After a grueling journey, he arrives at a mountainous region where he faces numerous dangers including an enormous spider-like creature that attacks his pursuers.

Brill finds himself at the gates of a hidden city called Khor, ruled by Richard Barlow, who has transformed from an explorer to a sorcerer-like figure commanding the city’s inhabitants. Barlow, dressed in extravagant robes and possessing an aura of power, reveals that he has no intention of returning to civilization, having found a new purpose in ruling Khor and studying mystical sciences.

The narrative intensifies as Barlow unveils his ambition to absorb the essence of Genghis Khan from the psychic impressions left in the walls of his chamber. He believes this will grant him supernatural powers to conquer and rule beyond Khor. As Brill confronts Barlow about his inhuman experiments and tyrannical rule, tensions escalate, leading to a violent conflict where Barlow meets his demise.

Brill, now seen as a potential leader by the people of Khor, rejects their offers of kingship. Instead, he seeks to escape the entanglements of the city and return to his life, signifying his disinterest in power or conquest, contrasting sharply with Barlow’s megalomaniac ambitions.

Comparing the story and the earliest known draft

The comparison between the earliest known draft of “King of the Forgotten People” and the finished, published version reveals several key differences, particularly in tone, characterization, and narrative structure. While the basic plot remains consistent—Jim Brill’s journey through the desert, his encounter with the city of Khor, and his confrontation with Richard Barlow—there are notable refinements and additions in the final version.

Tone and Pacing:

  • Earliest Draft: The earliest draft is raw and descriptive, focusing heavily on setting the mood through vivid depictions of the desert and the terror Brill feels. There is more emphasis on the harshness of the environment, with long, meandering passages describing the desert, mountains, and Brill’s psychological state as he is pursued by the Mongols. The pacing is slower, lingering on these details.
  • Published Version: The published version tightens the pacing, keeping the action moving more quickly. The descriptions remain vivid, but they are more concise, allowing the plot to develop at a faster rate. The narrative shifts more quickly from Brill’s flight across the desert to his arrival at the mysterious city and his interactions with Barlow.

Characterization:

  • Jim Brill:
    • Earliest Draft: Brill is portrayed as a rugged adventurer, primarily motivated by his desire to find and confront Richard Barlow. His motivations are driven by personal hatred, with an underlying current of revenge or unfinished business. His interactions with the environment and others emphasize his survival instincts, but his deeper motivations remain somewhat opaque in the earliest draft.
    • Published Version: Brill is more fully fleshed out, with a clearer sense of duty and purpose. His relationship with Gloria, Barlow’s wife, is more pronounced in the final version, and this emotional connection adds complexity to his character. The love triangle aspect—Brill’s feelings for Gloria and his rivalry with Barlow—is clearer, giving his actions more emotional weight.
  • Richard Barlow:
    • Earliest Draft: Barlow’s character is hinted at as a scientific genius turned mad ruler, but the gradual transformation into Genghis Khan is less emphasized. The draft portrays him as more cold and calculating, with some attention given to his scientific achievements and moral degradation.
    • Published Version: In the final version, Barlow’s transformation into a Mongol warlord is a central theme. His absorption of Genghis Khan’s psyche is emphasized, and the story delves deeper into the philosophical and metaphysical aspects of his experiments. The clash between his Western scientific background and the mystical Eastern influences on him is much clearer. The published version presents him as a more tragic, almost supernatural figure.
  • Lala Tzu:
    • Earliest Draft: Lala Tzu is presented as a jealous, almost peripheral character who assists Brill out of anger at Barlow’s plans to replace her with Gloria. Her motivations are personal and driven by passion.
    • Published Version: Her role remains largely the same, but her actions carry more weight in the final version. She is portrayed as more than just a jealous lover; she plays a key part in the final confrontation, acting as the catalyst for Barlow’s downfall.

Themes:

  • Transformation:
    • Earliest Draft: The idea of transformation, specifically Barlow’s metamorphosis into a Mongol warlord, is present but less fully developed. His scientific experiments and moral degeneration are mentioned, but the thematic focus is more on action and survival.
    • Published Version: The theme of transformation is central. Barlow’s obsession with absorbing the personality of Genghis Khan, to the point of physically changing into a Mongol, is a major plot point. This transformation reflects his abandonment of Western values and his full immersion into the mystical and dangerous power he seeks to wield. The published version explores more fully the consequences of playing with powers beyond human understanding, blending science fiction with psychological horror.
  • Science vs. Magic:
    • Earliest Draft: Barlow’s use of technology, particularly electricity and his control over the Khoranese, is more grounded in science. The earliest draft hints at some form of mystical knowledge but keeps the focus on his inventions.
    • Published Version: The published version leans more heavily into the blending of science and mysticism. Barlow’s experiments on the mind and soul, as well as his ability to harness psychic energy, add a layer of metaphysical speculation. This blending creates a richer conflict between the scientific and the supernatural, with Barlow embodying the fusion of both.

Dialogue and Interaction:

  • Earliest Draft: The dialogue in the draft is more functional, serving to advance the plot without much character development through conversation. The interactions between Brill and Barlow are tense, but not as sharp or cutting.
  • Published Version: The dialogue is much more polished, with Barlow coming across as a more eloquent and philosophical antagonist. His speeches about his transformation, his experiments, and his ambitions add depth to his character and provide insight into his growing madness. Brill’s responses are more emotional, reflecting his frustration and disgust with Barlow’s moral decline.

Ending:

  • Earliest Draft: The ending in the draft version is darker, with Brill killing Barlow in a savage, primal fight. The conclusion is abrupt, with Brill simply wanting to escape Khor. There is less focus on the fate of the city or the aftermath of Barlow’s death.
  • Published Version: The final version has a more fleshed-out resolution. Brill is still eager to leave Khor and return to America, but the political situation in the city is more clearly addressed. The people of Khor, now free of Barlow’s rule, offer Brill the throne, but he rejects it. This reinforces Brill’s desire to escape the bizarre and corrupt world he has stumbled into, returning to a simpler life with Gloria.

Conclusion

The earliest draft of “King of the Forgotten People” lays the foundation for a thrilling adventure story, but the published version deepens the narrative with richer themes of transformation, power, and the clash between science and mysticism. The characters are more complex, the pacing is sharper, and the philosophical underpinnings of Barlow’s experiments are fully realized. The final version transforms what begins as a straightforward tale of survival into a more layered and thought-provoking exploration of ambition and identity.

Characters

  • Jim Brill – The protagonist, a rugged individual seeking Richard Barlow for personal reasons, embodies resilience and moral integrity.
  • Richard Barlow – Antagonist, a scientist turned ruler of Khor, whose obsession with power and mystical sciences leads to his downfall.
  • Lala Tzu – A secondary character, a dancing girl who plays a pivotal role in the climax by saving Brill and showing loyalty to her feelings over Barlow’s authority.
  • Tonkinese Servants – Serve Barlow and enforce his rule in Khor, contributing to the oppressive environment.
  • Mongol Bandits – Initial antagonists who drive the plot by chasing Brill into the dangerous terrains leading to Khor.

Alternate title

THE VALLEY OF THE LOST (1)

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