After Wrath-Amon turned his family to stone, Conan began a quest to restore them to flesh and blood. He came across a mysterious stranger who urged him to find the tomb of a sage. Once inside, Conan discovered the stranger was the ghost of Epimetrius the sage, who explained to Conan about Wrath-Amon, the Serpent Men, Set, and how Star Metal was key to the quest before him.

Before Conan could leave, Epimetrius offered him an indestructible shield that also served as the home of a phoenix named Needle. He possessed the ability to enter flat surfaces and magically transform into a phoenix design.