Conan Stories · Chapter
III: Black Hands Gripping explained
Conan battles the Kosalan strangler Baal-pteor in a chamber of illusions.
What happens
Conan battles the Kosalan strangler Baal-pteor in a chamber of illusions. After a brutal struggle of raw strength, Conan breaks Baal-pteor's neck. He then retrieves his sword from a magnetic table and proceeds down a corridor toward the sound of a woman's screams.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Individualism
Conan relies on his own barbaric strength and instincts to overcome the supernatural illusions and the physical threat of Baal-pteor.
Supernatural and Ancient Evil
Baal-pteor uses mesmerism and illusion magic, and the chamber contains a magnetic table and other unnatural elements.
Characters to notice
- Conan
Engages in a life-or-death struggle with Baal-pteor, using his superior strength to break the Kosalan's neck.
- Baal-pteor
A Kosalan strangler and servant of Totrasmek, he attempts to kill Conan with his bare hands but is overpowered and killed.
- Zabibi
Mentioned as a captive of Totrasmek; her screams are heard from beyond a curtain.
- Totrasmek
Referred to as the master of Baal-pteor and the one who set a trap for Conan; he is holding Zabibi captive.
Key passages
“With my hands, barbarian, I shall break your neck!”
Baal-pteor boasts that he will kill Conan using only his bare hands.
Highlights the Kosalan's confidence in his strangling skills.
“And like the stroke of twin cobras, the great hands closed on Conan’s throat.”
Baal-pteor's hands shot out swiftly to grip Conan's throat.
Emphasizes the speed and deadliness of the attack.
“With a savage wrench he twisted Baal-pteor’s head around until the ghastly face leered over the left shoulder, and the vertebrae snapped like a rotten branch.”
Conan violently twisted Baal-pteor's head, breaking his neck with a snap.
Climactic moment of the physical struggle.