A barbarian warrior becomes a king when he defeats a king in armed combat and the king's heir conspire to overthrow him and reclaim the throne by resurrecting an evil sorceress.

A barbarian named Kull unexpectedly becomes a king after an old king (whom Kull has just killed in a battle) gives his crown to him. But direct heirs of a killed king, trying to topple Kull and regain the throne, bring an old witch-queen Akivasha back to life. Their plan backfires, however, as Akivasha is going to allow their lords - demons - to rule the kingdom. The only thing that can stop her now is a breath of the god Volka.—Boris Shafir <shafir@hsi.com>

In the kingdom of Valusia, Kull is a barbarian who heirs the crown of the kingdom from the previous king. But General Talibaro and Prince Ducalon want to be king and accept the offer of wizard Enaros for resurrecting evil Akivasha to defeat Kull, not realizing the consequences of their deal.—Chockys

Kull of Atlantis is a former slave and retired pirate who volunteers to join the elite Dragon Legion of the "civilized" kingdom of Valusia. Despite nearly matching General Taligaro in a sword-fight, Kull is refused entry into the Legion. The Valusians see him as a mere "barbarian", and dislike him because of his lack of noble blood. Shortly after, the paranoid King Borna personally slays most of his potential heirs. Kull tries to stop the bloodshed, and ends up in a battle-to-the death with Borna. The mortally wounded Borna decides to bypass the surviving members of the royal family (who he dislikes), and to appoint Kull as his heir. Kull soon learns that being a king means having people constantly scheming against you. A necromancer manages to resurrect the long-dead sorceress-queen Akivasha of Acheron, in order to use her against Kull. Unfortunately for the necromancer and his allies, Akivasha is using her considerable powers in an attempt to rebuild the destroyed empire of Acheron. She has no intention of serving their cause.—Dimos I