Shem is a country of the Hyborian Age that dwells 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 borders with Stygia to the south, Argos to the west, and Koth to the north. The nation of Khoraja also occupies a stretch of mountain ranges in the northern part of Shem. To the east of Shem the borders are not clearly defined, for beyond the Mountains of Fire is the vast desert. This desert extends all the way to Turan, and is not really claimed by any power.
History and politics
Shem was once under the control of the Stygian empire. However, after the decline of Stygia's power, the nation was able to exert control over the region. Each city 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.
- The city-state of Pelishti was ruled by the mad king Akhirom until a revolt by his generals placed Mazdak on the throne. Some of Akhirom's decrees were to ban all wine, forbid women from walking the streets, kill all dogs, cut all vines, and pour all honey into the river. He often roamed the streets of the capital Asgulum in disguise to see if his laws were followed.
- The city-state of Akkharia is ruled by Sumuabi.
Population and culture
The people of Shem, often known as the Sons of Shem, are usually tribal in nature. Appearance wise, hooked noses and curled blue-black hair is common. They are primarily nomadic, and travel in groups rather than constructing cities. In the deserts and plains of Shem, oases tend to be just as important as towns. However, as a major crossroads of landward trade, Shem does have a number of population centres to cater to 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 peoples. They are known for their covetousness and duplicity and being skilled liars and merciless killers. Shemites are highly skilled with bows, especially their composite Shemite bows with range of five hundred yards.
The Shemite religion is complex and highly developed(?), and they are very proud of their gods. 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 that 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 supplant worship of Pteor with worship of himself.
In the more pastoral eastern parts of Shem, the Meadow 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)