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"Do you want to live forever?"
Valeria [src]

Valeria of the Red Brotherhood is a pirate and a warrior, who made her living mostly on the western coasts of Hyboria. Her adventures sometimes leads Valeria away from the sea (like when she becomes a mercenary at the southern borders of Stygia) and some of them involved Conan, who became attracted to her.[1]

Physical Appearance[]

"She was tall, full-bosomed, and large-limbed, with compact shoulders. Her whole figure reflected an unusual strength, without detracting from the femininity of her appearance. She was all woman, in spite of her bearing and her garments... Instead of a skirt she wore short, wide-legged silk breeches, which ceased a hand's breadth short of her knees, and were upheld by a wide silken sash worn as a girdle. Flaring-topped boots of soft leather came almost to her knees, and a low-necked, wide-collared, wide-sleeved silk shirt completed her costume. On one shapely hip she wore a straight double-edged sword, and on the other a long dirk. Her unruly golden hair, cut square at her shoulders, was confined by a band of crimson satin." [1]

Robert E. Howard, "Red Nails"

Character and skills[]

She is an adventurous, strong-willed woman, who prefers the company of men and often "inclined to despise the other members of her sex" as weak.[2] 'She was stronger than the average man, and far quicker and more ferocious. Her sword was like a living thing in her hand. Where Conan beat down opposition by the sheer weight and power of his blows, breaking spears, splitting skulls and cleaving bosoms to the breastbone, Valeria brought into action a finesse of swordplay which "dazzled and bewildered her antagonists before it slew them."[2]

History[]

As a member of the piratical Red Brotherhood, she refused to become the mistress of Red Ortho. Afterwards, Valeria jumped overboard off the Kushite coast and made her way to Zabhela. From there, she learned of Zarallo's Free Companions, and went to Sukhmet at the Darfar border. Soon, though, she found herself spurning the advances of a Stygian officer, killing him, before fleeing south with Conan in pursuit.

Film[]

Conan The Barbarian (1982)[]

Valeria was first seen Zamora where she first meets up with Conan and Subotai who traveled to find and kill Thulsa Doom. They arrive at the Tower of the Serpent where they steal the Eye of the Serpent before making their escape. That night, both Valeria and Conan share a night of passion before being taken to King Osric the next morning. Despite being threatened by Doom's men, Osric was impressed with their skills and gave them the task of returning his daughter back to him in exchange for a bounty of riches.

Despite her agreeing to the task, Valeria attempted to convince Conan to forget the quest and leave while they still could. Valeria woke up the next morning to find Conan gone and the Eye of the Serpent left in her possession. She and Subotai would find Conan crucified on the Tree of Woe left to die, however both take him to Akiro who helps revive the dying barbarian.

When reunited, Valeria accompanied Conan and Subotai to Thulsa's Mountain of Power where they managed to sneak in undetected, however had to fight their way out with the princess. While during their departure from the mountain fortress, Valeria was hit by an arrow made from a snake shot by Doom from atop the mountain side. She died in the hands of Conan whose thirst for vengeance became even greater as Doom killed his parents when he was a child and now his lover. Valeria's body was cremated, however her spirit came to Conan and saved his life during his battle with Doom's men.

Conan The Destroyer (1984)[]

At the beginning of the 1984 sequel, Conan prayed to his god Crom desiring for the return of Valeria. This prayer however was ceased as Taramis and her men attacked the warrior. While negotiating with Conan, Taramis says that she has the power to resurrect the dead and that also includes Valeria, but in order to do that, Conan must help her. In reality, Taramis lied to Conan in order to have him help her.

Appearances[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chapter 1, 'Red Nails'
  2. 2.0 2.1 Chapter 5, 'Red Nails'
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