Conan Stories · Chapter
IV: The Teeth of Gwahlur explained
Conan follows the Keshani priests through a cavernous complex beneath the cliffs, witnessing their ritual worship before a mysterious figure claiming to be the goddess Yelaya commands them to hand the Teeth of Gwahlur to Thutmekri and seize
What happens
Conan follows the Keshani priests through a cavernous complex beneath the cliffs, witnessing their ritual worship before a mysterious figure claiming to be the goddess Yelaya commands them to hand the Teeth of Gwahlur to Thutmekri and seize Conan. After a chase, a monstrous ape-like servant seizes Muriela and the jewel chest; Conan saves Muriela but the chest falls into the water, losing the treasure forever. He decides to take Muriela with him to Punt to exploit their worship of an ivory goddess.
Themes in this chapter
Supernatural and Ancient Evil
The monstrous servant of Bît-Yakin, the eerie phosphorescent caverns, and the false goddess Yelaya's voice from the roof evoke ancient, supernatural forces.
Survival and Individualism
Conan's reckless pursuit of the priests, his split-second choice to save Muriela over the treasure, and his pragmatic plan to exploit Punt's beliefs highlight his survival-driven individualism.
Power and Corruption
The false goddess's command to give the Teeth to Thutmekri and flay Conan illustrates the corrupt use of religious authority for political and material gain.
Characters to notice
- Conan
Tracks the priests into the caverns, witnesses the false Yelaya's command, rescues Muriela from the monster, and decides to go to Punt with her.
- Muriela
Impersonates the goddess Yelaya to deceive the priests, is captured by the monster, rescued by Conan, and weeps over losing the treasure.
- Gorulga
Leads the priests in ritual worship and is terrified by the appearance of the false Yelaya, obeying her command to retrieve the Teeth.
- Thutmekri
Mentioned as the Stygian to whom the false goddess orders the Teeth to be given.
Key passages
“Conan did not hesitate, nor did he even glance toward the chest that held the wealth of an epoch. With a quickness that would have shamed the spring of a hungry jaguar, he swooped, grasped the girl’s arm just as her fingers slipped from the smooth stone, and snatched her up on the span with one explosive heave.”
Without a second thought for the priceless treasure, Conan instantly grabbed Muriela's arm and pulled her to safety as she was about to fall.
Demonstrates Conan's prioritization of human life over material wealth.
“I’ll tell them that Keshan is intriguing with Thutmekri to enslave them—which is true—and that the gods have sent me to protect them—for about a houseful of gold.”
Conan plans to deceive the people of Punt by claiming the gods sent him to protect them from Keshan and Thutmekri, in exchange for a large amount of gold.
Highlights Conan's cunning and opportunistic nature.