Backstory VI

'Conan the Barbarian is the mighty monarch of Aquilonia. He is a living legend and a national hero. Yet 'The Liberator' remains without a legal heir and his throne is far from secure. Scheming pretenders and the distant kin of Numedides emerge from obscurity and challenge his right to rule, often with vast armies under their command.'

The Hour of the Dragon

In Nemedia, four desperate men plot Conan's downfall: Valerius, of the line of Numedides, who Conan deposed; Tarascus, younger brother to King Nimed of Nemedia; Almaric, Baron of Tor and Orastes, a renegade Mitran priest.

Orastes, seduced by the lure of dark magick, has stolen the Heart of Ahriman from the Mitraeum in Tarantia and uses it to resurrect the infamous Acheronian sorcerer Xaltotoun who perished 3000 years ago during the Hyborian Invasions.

The grateful lich proceeds to grant their darkest desires. 

Orastes becomes a disciple of Xaltotoun and seeks to become a Master of the Black Arts.

A black plague strikes Belverus and kills many, including the monarch of Nemedia. Only when Tarascus is crowned king does the plague cease ravaging the populace. Tarascus blames his brother's sins for the disaster and declares holy war on Conan the Usurper.

In Valkia Conan, Pallantides and the army of Aquilonia make their stand. Conan is struck down by sorcery and cannot lead. Valannus, a man of similar built, dons the monarch's armor and takes the king's place. Xaltotoun rains boulders from nearby cliffs on the Aquilonians, including Valannus. Thinking him their king, the Aquilonians are demoralized and easily defeated. Conan is taken prisoner by the Acheronian mage. Xaltotoun offers him freedom and his throne should Conan serve him.

Conan declines and is imprisoned beneath Tarascus' palace. He is assisted in his escape by  Zenobia, a slave girl who fell in love with him long ago when she was the daughter of a noble and he had visited Belverus. Armed with a knife, Conan kills an ape who haunted the dungeons and fed on prisoners.

Meanwhile, Valerius has been crowned King of Aquilonia and Almaric, Baron of Tor, becomes the power behind two crowns.

Tarascus, having second thoughts about their bargain with Xaltotoun, steals  the Heart of Ahriman and orders his minion to cast it deep into the Western Sea. Conan tussles with Tarascus but fails to kill him. Zenobia helps him escape and he vows to return for her.

Returning to Aquilonia Conan rescues Zelata, an aged crone, from Nemedian ruffians. She grants him visions of what has transpired and urges him to seek the Heart of his kingdom. before reclaiming his throne. Conan establishes contact with his supporters, including Servius Galannus. Most of his closest friends live in exile or are planning revolts against Valerius.

Conan rescues the Countess Albiona from the headman's block but is cornered by Valerius' forces. Hadrathus, an Asuran priest, helps them escape and tells Conan the truth about Xaltotoun and the Heart of Ahriman. He uses his order's secret network to assist Conan and protect those dearest to him.

Conan and Albiona make their way to Poitan. Count Trocero pledges his continued support to Conan and urges him to lead the military might of Poitan and the South against Tarantia and the rebellious North. Conan accepts, but first he must reclaim the Heart of Ahriman.

Meanwhile Valerius sends four black-robed Khitans to track down and destroy Conan. 

Conan's quest takes him through Zingara and Argos. It pits him against various rogues, ghouls and pirates. Shanghaied aboard the Argossean vessel Venturer, she leads a revolt and commandeers the ship.

Onwards, to Stygia! Past Khemi, Conan's crew captures a lone fisherman. He tells them that Thutothmes, a rival of Thoth Amon, recently arrived in a galley. Disguising himself as the fisherman, and using his reed boat, Conan seeks the ambitious priest. He kills a giant serpent and a masked priest of Set. Disguised as the priest Conan follows a procession into an underground temple. They make their way to a great pyramid.

Conan gets lost and encounters Akivasha, an ancient vampire. Barely escaping with his life he wanders the corridors until he locates Thutothmes, the Heart of Ahriman and the other Stygian priests. They are locked in deadly combat with Valerius' Khitans, who are revealed to be sorcerers. Conan slays the sole survivor and claims the prize. He commands Thothmerki the lich the Stygians resurrected to escort him out.

Paying the captured fisherman with a helm full of gold, Conan releases him then sails North.

Meanwhile Orastes summons his co-conspirators and reveals that Xaltotoun wishes to bring back ancient Acheron. The Acheronian enters, strikes Orastes dead and strikes fear into the rest.

Conan's forces from the South and the far North engage Tarascus' Nemedians. Valerius is slaughtered by men whom he has greatly wronged during his short reign. Xaltotoun's sorcery is thwarted and he is eventually destroyed by Hadrathus and Zelata, who wield the Heart of Ahriman. Pallantides kills Almaric the King-Maker. 

As Conan is cheered by his victorious forces, he vows to provide Aquilonia with a worthy queen: the slave girl Zenobia.

Note: The Hour of the Dragon, aka Conan the Conqueror, was adapted into comic book form by Marvel: serialized in Giant-Size Conan the Barbarian #1-4 and concluded in Savage Sword of Conan #10.