Conan first encounters Olgerd and his band of Kozaks just after being crucified to a tree of woe by Constantinus. Olgerd is impressed by Conan's resistance and desire to survive and makes the Cimmerian his lieutenant after saving him. Conan eventually usurps Vladislav's position, leaving him with a broken arm but, in appreciation of him sparing Conan originally, his life.

Over the next three years, Vladislav gains the nickname "The Tiger" and becomes a member of the ancient cult of Hidden Ones, based in the abandoned city of Yanaidar in Drujistan. His position is so great that even the cult's leader, the Magus, defers to Vladislav's judgement. When Conan comes to Yanaidar and is offered a place in the cult, the decision is defered until the Tiger can give his opinion. When he sees Conan, he immediately denounces him, and the Magus allows Vladislav to kill him. Unfortunately (for Vladislav), he forgot Conan's reflexes and when he casually draws a saber to kill Conan, he finds himself on the ground with a bloodied jaw and crawls away while Conan savagely lays into the cult members.
He recovers quickly and his men trap Conan in a garden tower. Olgerd has a seige engine built, but before they can knock through the tower walls, the city is invaded by Conan's Kushafi allies. Olgerd abandons Conan's capture and sets up an ambush, but that is foiled when Conan and some freed prisoners attack Olgerd's forces from the unprotected rear. In the great battle that ensues, Conan slays Olgerd.

Map of the Hyborian age :