Amalric of Nemedia, the Baron of Tor

Amalric, Baron of Tor
(circa "The Hour of the Dragon")

Medium Human
12th Level
Aristocrat

Hit Dice: 12d6 (42 Hit Points)
Speed: 30 ft
AC: 10
Attacks: Rapier +9/+4 melee
Damage: Rapier 1d8 melee
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5ft
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +13
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 16
Skills: Appraise +18, Bluff +18, Diplomacy +20, Gather Information +20, Sense Motive +20, Ride +15, Knowledge (Royalty and Nobility) +18
Feats: Iron Will, Leadership, Weapon Focus (Lance), Skill Focus (Sense Motive), Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Gather Information)

Climate/Terrain: Nemedia
Challenge Rating: 11
Treasure: Quadruple standard
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: by Character class

Amalric, Baron of Tor, is well known for his support of Valerius to become the king of Aquilonia. Amalric is also known for his skills at plotting, planning, and using people. He organized Orastes, Tarascus, and Valerius to resurrect Xaltotun in a bid to remove Conan from the throne of Aquilonia. Amalric saved Orastes from being burned as a magician and thus enlisted the mage's help. Amalric, intending Tarascas and Valerius to be nothing more than puppets, plotted to become an emperor over the Hyborian Kingdoms. Amalric was beyond being just wealthy. He had enough wealth to replenish the royal treasury of Nemedia after Tarascus took over. Amalric was the real ruler of Nemedia during Tarascus' reign. Amalric himself crowned Valerius the king of Aquilonia after Conan was deposed. Amalric wanted to see Aquilonia crushed, destroyed of its last shred of independence, and then he wished to seize it for himself, rebuild it after his own fashion with his vast wealth, and use its men and natural resources to wrest the crown of Nemedia from Tarascus.

Amalric was killed by the lance of Pallantides during the battle that restored Conan to power. He often fights on horseback in full harness with a lance.

Conan
Xaltotun
The Heart of Ahriman
Valerius
Albiona
Hadrathus
Zelata Zenobia
Princess Akivasha
Publio
Tarascas
Thutothmes
Orastes

Howard wrote The Hour of the Dragon in four months at the behest of a British publishing house, in hopes he could finally become a full fledged novelist. Unfortunately, as described in the afterword, the publisher went under and Howard ended up selling the story to Weird Tales instead. The magazine published it in five issues, the last issue coming out only two months before Howard died. It was thus the last Conan story which he saw published.

Robert E. Howard's story, "The Hour of the Dragon," was first published in Weird Tales as a five part serial, beginning in December of 1935 and ending in April 1936. It is Robert E. Howard's only Conan full length novel. The story can also be found in the Ace/Lancer paperback "Conan the Conquerer"; and the Gnome Press collection "Conan the Conquerer". It is also available in the Burkley/Putnam edition, "The Hour of the Dragon". This is easily my second favorite Conan tale of all time (following "The People of the Black Circle")

Karl Edward Wagner called it "one of the best novels ever written in the epic fantasy genre" and I certainly agree.

Main Index | email | recent updates | Conan main Page

Trademarks and copyrights are cited on this page without permission. This usage is not meant in any way to challenge the rightful ownership of said trademarks/copyrights. AD&D is a trademark of TSR; reach TSR's parent company at Wizards of the Coast, Inc.©. All copyrights are acknowledged and remain the property of the owners. "Inzeladun" and related characters © 1984, 2000 Vincent N. Darlage. All rights reserved by their respective owners. This page is for entertainment only.