After many journeys trading his feared sword arm for gold, Conan returns to the land of his birth, Cimmeria, only to find his family murdered and his sister enslaved by a ruthless rival clan.

As the barbarian mercenary Conan roams the lands of Hyboria, selling his sword to the highest bidder, the siren lure of wine, women, and treasure is often more dangerous than any armed adversary.

Taken prisoner in far-flung Zamora, Conan is discovered to resemble the land's demigod of legend, prophesied to return to champion Zamora in war. Conan is paid handsomely to lead "his" people, but finds that battle against countless enemies is to be preferred to facing the wrath of an angry god!

"I side with myself." The fierce reputation of the barbarian warrior Conan grows throughout the lands of Hyboria, with kings and conquerors alike willing to pay a fortune for the fearsome Cimmerian's broadsword. But when warring factions are both willing to secure Conan's services, they discover that they can buy a mercenary's blade but never his allegiance.