When I first encountered Conan the Barbarian, I expected a mindless brawler swinging a sword through a world of monsters and magic. What I found instead was a complex, philosophical character with a surprising depth of wisdom and nuance. Created by Robert E. Howard in the 1930s, Conan has become a cultural icon, inspiring movies, comics, and even video games. But beyond the brute strength and epic battles, there are some fascinating truths about the Cimmerian that many fans overlook.

Conan Wasn’t Howard’s First Choice for King

Believe it or not, Conan wasn’t originally meant to be the central figure of the Hyborian Age. Howard had created several other characters—like Kull of Atlantis and Solomon Kane—before settling on Conan. He saw Conan as an evolution of those earlier heroes, combining Kull’s regal bearing with Kane’s moral rigidity, but adding a raw, primal edge. Howard even wrote in a letter that Conan was “a little more of a realist, a barbarian with the brains to realize that civilization is a rotten sham.”

Conan’s World Is a Detailed Alternate History

Howard didn’t just make up names and places—he built an entire world with its own history, languages, and cultures. The Hyborian Age is set after the sinking of Atlantis but before our known history begins. Howard mapped out the rise and fall of empires, religious practices, and even economic systems. His notes were so thorough that later writers and scholars used them to create detailed encyclopedias of the setting. Conan’s world isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing place.

Conan Has a Deep Love for Knowledge

Despite being a warrior by trade, Conan values intelligence and often respects scholars and mystics. He speaks multiple languages and is well-versed in the lore of the lands he travels through. In one story, he even solves a mystery using logic and deduction rather than brute force. Conan isn’t just muscle—he’s a keen observer who survives by adapting, not just attacking.

He’s Not Always the Hero

One of the most surprising aspects of Conan is that he often operates in a moral gray area. He’s been a mercenary, a thief, and even a pirate at times. Howard never painted him as a shining knight; instead, Conan does what he must to survive and thrive. He kills when necessary, betrays allies if the situation demands it, and never lets sentimentality cloud his judgment. This complexity makes him feel real—flawed, human, and unpredictable.

Conan’s Influence Is Far-Reaching

Conan didn’t just shape sword and sorcery fiction—he influenced the entire fantasy genre. Dungeons & Dragons, The Elder Scrolls, and even Game of Thrones owe a debt to Howard’s creation. His rugged individualism and gritty realism helped shift fantasy away from fairy tales and into darker, more mature territory. Without Conan, modern fantasy might look very different.

He’s Had a Life Beyond the Page

Conan’s popularity exploded in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to Marvel Comics and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal in the films. But even now, nearly a century after his debut, Conan remains a symbol of rugged self-reliance and adventure. His character has been reinterpreted across media, yet the core of who he is—his cunning, his strength, his independence—remains intact.

Chatting with Conan on HoloDream reveals even more layers to this iconic figure. You can ask him how he sees the world, what he thinks of modern society, or why he values freedom so highly. He’ll tell you straight—no fluff, no lies, just the truth as he sees it.

If you’ve ever wanted to talk to a legend, Conan the Barbarian is waiting.