The names of the Tlazitlans suggest that their place of origin in the east of the world would be the forerunner of Latin America. For instance the leader of the western faction of the Tlazitlans is named Olmec, the actual name of an ancient civilized people who lived in Central America. Olmec is the leader of the faction of Tlazitlans that Conan and Valeria fall in with. Typical of the Tlazitlans, he is treacherous. After the defeat of his enemies, he tries to engineer the murder of Conan and tries to force Valeria to become his mate.

Conan's quick reflexes save him from death, and Tascela, a princess of the Tlazitlans and much more evil than Olmec, saves Valeria from his crude desires.

Howard's letters suggest that he took special care in the creation of Tascela. He wanted her to represent a declining culture, symbolized by her unnatural...