Set (Conan)
Set is a literary deity who features in Conan.
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Biography
Set was a dark serpent god worshipped by the people of ancient Acheron, then by the Stygians during the Hyborian Age, and finally by the Egyptians (who altered it into their own version). During the Hyborian Age, Set's cult was at its height, and would have conquered the world if not for the efforts of the cult of Mitra and the barbarian Conan. Set's cult is rumored to still exist in secret in certain regions of Egypt.
Set has been linked with Yig, Hastur (under the name Ha-Set-Ur) and Nyarlathotep. It is entirely probable that all of those entities have used the identity of Set at one time or another.
Overview
Personality and attributes
He is a cruel, jealous god who demands constant sacrifice from his subjects, and his priests are only too willing to comply as they bring naked virgins screaming to his altar to appease his blood-lust. In Stygia the snake is holy and to kill a snake is a mortal sin.
If a snake slithers into the cities or to the streets, Set's subjects will lay prostrate before him, hoping to be found worthy of his bite. His priests are almost as frightening as the god they worship, and they terrify their own people almost as much as they terrify their enemies. They shave their heads and are fearsomely fanatical. Stygia is a theocracy, and the mad and corrupt clergy run the country on fear and wonder, as well as an indiscriminate willingness to sacrifice their own people. Setian cells/cults, or individual dark sorcerers can be found in other kingdoms beyond Stygia, and they are just as dangerous, although they usually must practice covertly.
Powers and abilities
In addition, giant snakes, kept within the temples, are regularly set loose in the streets of Stygian cities to kill and devour citizens. This action, too, is considered a sacrifice to Set. Stygians are expected to accept this fate with equanimity. Anyone daring to resist the snakes is likely to be lynched as a heretic.
Notes
- Set was created by Robert E. Howard where he featured in the setting of the Conan universe.
- The character was based on Set of Egyptian Myth.
In other media
Television
- In Conan the Adventurer, Set appeared as the main antagonist in the setting of the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Richard Newman. He is a giant cobra with mystical powers but he only has one head, unlike the usual representation from Marvel Comics. He planned to enslave the human race through his Serpent Men worshipers, deceived many into his cult. As punishment upon his defeat, he was locked away into the Abyss for that offense by the Elders. He gives orders to the Snake Cult's high priest to give him the Star Metal to build seven pyramids to release him. He returns in the finale to wreak havoc only to be banished once again thanks to the combined efforts of Conan and his friends with their star metal powers combined.
Films
- In Conan the Barbarian, Set was referenced in the setting of the 1982 live-action film. The villainous Thulsa Doom was shown to had led the Cult of the Serpent God Set.
Video games
- In Age of Conan, Set was referenced in the setting of the MMORPG video game. The Tempest of Set was a priest class available to Stygian players.
Links
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