Vengeance Against Life

Conan the Barbarian

Conan's inner struggle between the intimacy of love and the violence of his oath, resolved through Valeria's death and his final peace.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Boy's Oath The Boy's Oath from "Conan the Barbarian". The Boy's Oath A single tear freezes on Conan's cheek, and he wipes it away forever.

The Boy's Oath A single tear freezes on Conan's cheek, and he wipes it away forever. The Promise of Blood He swears that men will die for this, giving his future over to violence. The Hungry Wolf Revenge becomes the only language the boy's heart can understand after the loss of his parents.

Valeria's Plea Valeria's Plea from "Conan the Barbarian". Valeria's Plea Valeria pours jewels over Conan's body and begs him to stay, to live, to let the cult keep its princess.

Valeria's Plea from "Conan the Barbarian". Valeria's Plea Valeria pours jewels over Conan's body and begs him to stay, to live, to let the cult keep its princess.

Valeria's Plea Valeria pours jewels over Conan's body and begs him to stay, to live, to let the cult keep its princess. The Image of Warmth She offers him everything he has never had: a lamp, a home, a shared future. The Still Heart Conan sits stone-faced, because the oath is older and louder than love.

The Medallion at Dawn The Medallion at Dawn from "Conan the Barbarian". The Medallion at Dawn Conan's clenched fist opens to the bronze sigil of Doom, a wordless reply to Valeria's plea.

The Medallion at Dawn from "Conan the Barbarian". The Medallion at Dawn Conan's clenched fist opens to the bronze sigil of Doom, a wordless reply to Valeria's plea.

The Medallion at Dawn Conan's clenched fist opens to the bronze sigil of Doom, a wordless reply to Valeria's plea. The Chain of the Past The medallion binds him no less than Toghrul's chain. He cannot choose love while the black sun still shines. The Dawn Departure When morning comes, Conan is gone, leaving his share of the king's gems behind on the bed.

The Price in the Grass The Price in the Grass from "Conan the Barbarian". The Price in the Grass Valeria leaps in front of Doom's arrow meant for Conan.

The Price in the Grass Valeria leaps in front of Doom's arrow meant for Conan. The Promised Payment She whispers that the gods' price for healing him has been paid, turning his survival into her death. The Silent Equation Conan is alive because she is dead. His vengeance has cost him the woman who made life worth having.

The Revenge and Its Finish The Revenge and Its Finish from "Conan the Barbarian". The Revenge and Its Finish Conan watches Doom's head roll down the temple stairs, and the tension drains from his body.

The Revenge and Its Finish from "Conan the Barbarian". The Revenge and Its Finish Conan watches Doom's head roll down the temple stairs, and the tension drains from his body.

The Revenge and Its Finish Conan watches Doom's head roll down the temple stairs, and the tension drains from his body. The Great Emptiness He sits with his father's sword across his knees, remembering the past and wondering what the years will bring. The Peace of Completion The oath is fulfilled, yet the victory is quiet. Vengeance has made him whole and left him alone.

at the Wheel of Pain after the single tear

in the Shadizar bedchamber before Conan leaves

when Conan opens his hand instead of answering Valeria

when Valeria takes the serpent arrow

after the beheading of Thulsa Doom