ZUGTHUU
the SLITHERER
ZUGTHUU
the SLITHERER
Real Name: Zugthuu
Identity/Class: Pre-Cataclysmic Era era fallen/degenerated god/demon
Occupation: God, predator
Group Membership: Possibly former member of some ancient race of gods
Affiliations: Kamulaans (including Baron Ergon, Taligaro, Zareta), Kull
Enemies: Grogar, Kull, its sacrifices
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Formerly a subterranean chamber beneath the castle of Kamula, pre-Cataclysmic era
First Appearance: Robert E. Howard's "The Black Abyss"
(completed by Lin Carter and published in 1967);
Savage Sword of Conan#2 (October, 1974)
Powers/Abilities: Zugthuu was in the form of an immense (perhaps 100 feet long or more, and 6 feet in diameter) serpent, with at least the strength to be expected of a creature of its size. While it was minimally affected by lacerations and blunt trauma, it was susceptible to flame. It appeared to be intelligent yet unable to escape its hunger and predatory nature.
What, if any, previous form and abilities it once possessed are unknown.
History:
(Savage Sword of Conan#2 (fb) - BTS) - It has been speculated that the creature
that became Zugthuu was once a god condemned into monstrous form by the highest
god in its order for some nameless crime beyond imagination.
(Savage Sword of Conan#2 (fb) - BTS) - By 18, 500 B.C.,
Zugthuu had become worshipped by the people of Kamula, who regularly sacrificed
humans to it.
(Savage Sword of Conan#2) - Kull, along with Brule and several other Picts, visited Kamula, a city known for its pursuits of pleasure. However, after a dancing ceremony, one of the Picts, Grogar fell through a hidden door and was taken by the Kamulaans for sacrifice to Zugthuu. Brule and Monartho observed this, but were unable to do anything more than prevent the door from closing completely. Brule fetched Kull only to find Monartho slain, though his sword remained in the door. Kull forced the door open and followed Grogar's screams, arriving just as Zugthuu began to descend from the ceiling. Kull slew the sacrificers and then attacked Zugthuu with his sword, to little effect. Kull caught the Slitherer's eye, seeming it filled with pain--not from physical pain, but from the torment of its existence, and he then doused the creature with blue-flaming oil, which spread to consume the creature, leaving behind only boiling slime. Before it died, Kull caught it's eye once again, this time they were filled with gratitude.
Comments: Created by Robert E. Howard and Lin Carter;
adapted by Steve Englehart, Howard Chaykin, and the Crusty Bunkers.
Robert wrote some portion of the Black Abyss prior to his
suicide in 1936, but it was not published until 1967 when Lin Carter finished
and submitted it.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:
Zug
of the Hyborian era god/demon (Old
One?), worshipped by Zuggites who believed Thugra Khotan to be
its personification, lived beneath temple of Khotan
-DWELLER in the PIT (app)--Conan the Barbarian
I#250
SLITH - creature, servant of Tribune--Wolverine: Killing
images:
Savage Sword of Conan#2, p71, panel 2
p73, panel 1 (w/ Kull) and four (eye)
First Posted: 10/31/2004
Last updated: 10/31/2004
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!