# III: Black Hands Gripping explained — Conan Stories

> Chapter companion for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-black-hands-gripping
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters