Shem

Earth (Hyborian Age)

Country Hyborian Age

Shem is a country of the Hyborian Age, which sits between the nations of Koth and Stygia.

Geography

Shem is primarily a land of deserts, though there are more fertile lands in the north and west. Shem is also home to some great mountain ranges, and even volcanoes.

Shem shares its borders with Stygia in the south, Argos to the west, and Koth in the north. The nation of Khoraja also occupies a stretch of mountain ranges in the northern part of Shem. To the east of Shem, it borders are not clearly defined, for beyond the Mountains of Fire is a vast desert. This desert extends all the way to Turan, and is not really claimed by any power.

The southern regions contain overgrown grass plains known as the Sea of Buryet, after the nearby town. The grass can grow taller than seven feet in height.

History and politics

In ancient times, the Land of Shem were pastoral countries on the eastern borders of Stygia. It was traversed by nomadic savages who, for centuries, were ravaged by the Stygians. Eventually, some of their distant relatives fled to the valley of Zingg. Because of this troubled contact, as well as influence with the Hyborians, the Sons of Shem emerged from barbarism.

Shem was once under the control of the Stygian Empire, while eastern Shemitish tribes paid tribute to Aquilonia and lent aid in its wars. However, after the decline of Stygia's control, they were under the influence of Koth, whose yoke was less galling. Beginning from the east, they started to throw off this yoke as well. However, they were subsequently annexed by Aquilonia.

The nation was able to exert control over the region. Each city-state or tribe of Shemites is independent, often with their own laws and customs. Many of the kings and rulers of the city-states are related in some way.

Some notable cities are mentioned below:

The city-state of Pelishti was ruled briefly by Uriaz, who was assassinated by the mad king Akhirom. Akhirom ruled until a revolt by his generals placed Mazdak on the throne. Some of Akhirom's decrees were to ban the consumption of wine, forbid women from walking the streets, kill any stray dogs, cut down the vines of his vineyard, and pour all the honey down a local river. He often roamed the streets of the capital, Asgalun, in disguise to see if his laws were being followed.
The city-state of Akkharia is ruled by King Sumuabi.

Shemitish mercenaries contributed to the western armies against the Hyrkanian invasion. Invasions from Turan burst upon the Lands of Shem, but they were hurled back by the Aquilonians.

The city-states of Shem attempted to invade Stygia for conquest, but were driven out. During the fall of Aquilonia, they found the opportunity to conquer their old master, Koth, contributing to the fall of this Hyborian civilization. However, they were overrun by the Hyrkanians, who proved sterner masters than Koth ever was. The westernmost parts of Shem were conquered by the Pictish empire.

Nordic- Nemedians, who flew from the Nordic drift, passing from Koth, aided the people of Shem in throwing off the Hyrkanian yoke.

Shem remained one of the few places of the continent where civilized cities still stood.

In later times, western Koth, along with the western boundaries of Shem, were deluged and formed the Mediterranean, while its people formed two ethnic groups: the Arabs and the Israelites.

Population and culture

In appearance, the people of Shem, often known as the Sons of Shem, are generally of medium height. Hook noses and dark eyes with blue-black hair are common. Those with mixed Stygian blood are gigantic, broadly, and strongly built.

Shemitish strain could be seen in Argos, and stronger ones in Koth.

In the western kingdoms, Shemites have a reputation of being liars. The Shemites are usually tribal in nature. They are primarily nomadic, and travel in groups rather than constructing cities. In the deserts and plains of Shem, an oasis tends to be just as important as a village. However, as a major crossroads of land-based trade, Shem does have a number of population centres in catering towards merchants and caravans.

One of the most notable cities of Shem is Akbitana, southwest of Khoraja in the mountain ranges. This city's famous smiths use volcanic ore to create the finest steel and weapons in all the Hyborian kingdoms.

The desert nomads of Shem have a very distinct notoriety among other people. They are known for their covetousness and duplicity, along with being skilled liars and merciless killers. Shemites are highly skilled with bows, especially their composite Shemite bows with a range of five hundred yards.

The Shemite religion is complex and highly developed, since they view their gods proudly. Some of the Shemite gods include Ishtar, Anu, and Bel, god of thieves. The people of Shem seem to believe in the concept of genius loci, that is, the incarnation of a god in an object, which bears their mark or resemblance. Many Shemites own or carry small statues of their gods with them. The city-state of Pelishta views Pteor as its chief god, although the mad king Akhirom briefly tried to replace worship of Pteor with worship of himself.

In the more pastoral eastern parts of Shem, many of the meadow-dwelling Shemites are somewhat different from their desert-dwelling brethren. The Meadow Shemites, as they are called, are a much more peaceful people, little given to violence or adventure.

Stories set in Shem

Characters from Shem

Belit - Captain of the piratical vessel the Tigress. She was dubbed the Queen of the Black Coast. Her crew recognized her as a goddess.
Akhirom- Mad king of Pelishti. Died when he tried to prove his divinity by leaping off a roof top in an attempt to fly, supplanted as ruler by Mazdak the Hyrkanian.
Mattenbaal- Shemite priest
Abdashtarth- Shemite priest of Pteor* (supplanted by the above)
Khannon- Pelishtan tavern owner
Othbaal- Shemite noble* (slain by Conan and Mazdak)