Kull of Atlantis or Kull the Conqueror is a fictional character created by writer Robert E. Howard. Kull was born in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis c. 100,000 BC, depicted as inhabited at the time by barbarian tribes. Kull was born into a tribe settled in the Tiger Valley of Atlantis. Both the valley and tribe were destroyed by a flood while Kull was still a toddler, leaving the young Kull to live as a feral child for many years. Kull was captured by the Sea-Mountain tribe and eventually adopted by them. In “Exile of Atlantis”, an adolescent Kull grants a woman a quick death so that she will not be burned to death by a mob. For this selfless act, Kull is exiled from Atlantis. Kull attempted to reach Thuria, but was instead captured by Lemurian Pirates. He spent a couple of years as a galley slave before regaining his freedom during a mutiny. He tried the life of a pirate between his late adolescence and his early twenties. His fighting skills and courage allowed him to become captain of his own ship. Soon, Kull gained a fearsome reputation for himself in the seas surrounding Atlantis and Thuria. Kull lost his ship and crew in a naval battle off the coast of Valusia, but once again survived. He settled in Valusia as an outlaw. However, his criminal career proved to be short-lived as he was soon captured by the Valusians and imprisoned in a dungeon. His captors offered him a choice: execution or service as a gladiator. He chose the latter. After proving to be an effective combatant and gaining fame in the arenas of the capital, a number of fans helped to regain his freedom. Kull never left Valusia or returned to the life of an outlaw. Instead, he joined the Royal army as a mercenary, pursuing elevation through the ranks. In “The Curse of the Golden Skull” Kull, approaching his thirties, is recruited by King Borna of Valusia in a mission against the ambitious sorcerer Rotath of Lemuria. Kull proves to be an effective assassin. Borna promoted Kull into the general command of his mercenary forces. Borna himself, however, had gained a reputation for his cruelty and despotism. There was discontent with Borna’s rule among the nobility, leading eventually to a civil war. The mercenaries proved more loyal to Kull than any other leader, allowing him to lead them in their revolt, and then King. Kull killed Borna and took the throne while he was still in his early thirties. In “The Shadow Kingdom”, Kull has spent six months upon the Valusian throne and faces the first conspiracy against him. The conspiring of his courtiers leaves Kull almost constantly threatened with loss of life and throne. The aging King is ever more aware of the Sword of Damocles that he inherited along with the crown. “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” finds Kull reaching his middle forties and becoming progressively more introspective. At this point, the series ends. His fate is left uncertain.
Appearance List In Weird Tales: “The Shadow Kingdom” (Aug 1929), “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (Sep 1929), “Kings of the Night” (Nov 1930). Unpublished stories and poems: “The Altar and the Scorpion”, “The Black City”, “By This Axe, I Rule”, “The Curse of the Golden Skull”, “Delcardes’ Cat”, “Exile of Atlantis” (Originally untitled, title by Glenn Lord), “Riders Beyond the Sunrise” (Originally untitled, title by Lin Carter), “The Skull of Silence”, “The Striking of the Gong”, “Swords of the Purple Kingdom”, “Wizard and Warrior” (Originally untitled, title by Lin Carter), “The King and the Oak”.
Description Kull of Atlantis or Kull the Conqueror is a fictional character created by writer Robert E. Howard. Kull was born in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis c. 100,000 BC, depicted as inhabited at the time by barbarian tribes. Kull was born into a tribe settled in the Tiger Valley of Atlantis. Both the valley and tribe were destroyed by a flood while Kull was still a toddler, leaving the young Kull to live as a feral child for many years. Kull was captured by the Sea-Mountain tribe and eventually adopted by them. In “Exile of Atlantis”, an adolescent Kull grants a woman a quick death so that she will not be burned to death by a mob. For this selfless act, Kull is exiled from Atlantis. Kull attempted to reach Thuria, but was instead captured by Lemurian Pirates. He spent a couple of years as a galley slave before regaining his freedom during a mutiny. He tried the life of a pirate between his late adolescence and his early twenties. His fighting skills and courage allowed him to become captain of his own ship. Soon, Kull gained a fearsome reputation for himself in the seas surrounding Atlantis and Thuria. Kull lost his ship and crew in a naval battle off the coast of Valusia, but once again survived. He settled in Valusia as an outlaw. However, his criminal career proved to be short-lived as he was soon captured by the Valusians and imprisoned in a dungeon. His captors offered him a choice: execution or service as a gladiator. He chose the latter. After proving to be an effective combatant and gaining fame in the arenas of the capital, a number of fans helped to regain his freedom. Kull never left Valusia or returned to the life of an outlaw. Instead, he joined the Royal army as a mercenary, pursuing elevation through the ranks. In “The Curse of the Golden Skull” Kull, approaching his thirties, is recruited by King Borna of Valusia in a mission against the ambitious sorcerer Rotath of Lemuria. Kull proves to be an effective assassin. Borna promoted Kull into the general command of his mercenary forces. Borna himself, however, had gained a reputation for his cruelty and despotism. There was discontent with Borna’s rule among the nobility, leading eventually to a civil war. The mercenaries proved more loyal to Kull than any other leader, allowing him to lead them in their revolt, and then King. Kull killed Borna and took the throne while he was still in his early thirties. In “The Shadow Kingdom”, Kull has spent six months upon the Valusian throne and faces the first conspiracy against him. The conspiring of his courtiers leaves Kull almost constantly threatened with loss of life and throne. The aging King is ever more aware of the Sword of Damocles that he inherited along with the crown. “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” finds Kull reaching his middle forties and becoming progressively more introspective. At this point, the series ends. His fate is left uncertain.
