Thak
(circa "Rogues in the House")

Large Monstrous Humanoid

Hit Dice: 4d8 +12 (30 Hit Points)
Initiative: +1 (Dex)
Speed: 40 ft
AC: 14 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 Natural)
Attacks: Claws +11/+11 melee, Bite +6 melee
Damage: Claws 1d6 + 7; Bite 1d6 + 3
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/10 ft
Special Attacks: Improved Grab; Constrict
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 11, Cha 14
Skills: Listen +7, Climb +14, Jump +11
Feats: Multiattack

Climate/Terrain: Zamora, Corinthia
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Advancement: by Character class

"Conan," he whispered, "it was no man that stood before me! In body and posture it was not unlike a man, but from the scarlet hood of the priest grinned a face of madness and nightmare! It was covered with black hair, from which small pig-like eyes glared redly; its nose was flat, with great flaring nostrils; its loose lips writhed back, disclosing huge yellow fangs, like the teeth of a dog. The hands that hung from the scarlet sleeves were misshapen and likewise covered with black hair. All this I saw with one glance, and then I was overcome with horror; my senses left me and I swooned."

Some would call Thak an ape, but he is almost as different from a real ape as he is different from a real man. His people dwell far to the east of Corinthia, in the mountains that fringe the eastern frontiers of Zamora. There are not many of them, but perhaps they will evolve into human beings in a hundred thousand years if left alone (at least according to Nabonidus). Thak's people know nothing of fire, shelter, garments, or weapons and use a language of grunts and clicks. Nabonidus took Thak when he was a cub, and Thak learned what Nabonidus taught him swiftly and thoroughly. He was a bodyguard and servant to Nabonidus... until he rebelled out of hate, resentment, and some sort of bestial ambition. He knocked out the Red Priest and tried to take his place by wearing the priest's red cloak.

Thak has learned the traps of the Red Priest's house and can use them.

Combat
Thak fights with tooth and nail in a most bestial manner.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, Thak must hit with a claw attack. If it achieves a hold against a medium sized or smaller critter, it can constrict.

Constrict (Ex): Thak deals 1d6+7 points of damage with a successful grapple check against a medium size or smaller critter.

Robert E. Howard's story, "Rogues in the House," was first published in Weird Tales in January of 1934.  The cover to that issue can be seen to the left. The interior art that accompanied the story can be seen to the right. Below is the cover to the Marvel Comics adaptation from Conan the Barbarian #11.

The story can also be found in the Ace/Lancer paperback "Conan"; and the Gnome Press collection "The Coming of Conan".  It is also available in the Arkham House, "Skull-Face and Others". Currently it is also in Millenium's "Conan Chronicles Volume 1: The People of the Black Circle."

Frank Frazetta used a scene from "Rogues in the House" for his painting that was used for the cover of Lancer/Ace's "Conan."

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