Shem Au-dessus de la Stygie, célèbre pour ses archers Description générale 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. 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. 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; some of their distant cousins went 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 to wars. However, after the decline of Stygia's power, they were under the influence of Koth, whose yoke was less galling. Beginning from the east, they started to throw off that yoke as well. However they were subsequently annexed by Aquilonia. 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 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 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. Shemitish mercenaries conributed 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 Kingdoms of Shem attempted to conquer Stygia but were defeated. During the fall of Aquilonia they found the opportunity to conquer their old master, Koth, contributing to the fall of the Hyborian civilization. But then 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 the Nordic drift, passing from Koth, aided the people of Shem to throw 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 lands of Shem, were deluged and formed the Mediterranean. Population and culture Appearance wise, 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 one in Koth. In the western world the Shemites had the reputation of 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, 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. Mashkan Shapir Ville de Shem, entre les prairies et le désert Description générale Description Au centre d'un réseau de canaux assurant une irrigation des champs alentours mais aussi servant de voies de commerce, avec un caravansérail de belle dimension, à mi-chemin entre l'occident et l'orient mystérieux, Mashkan-Shapir est une belle ville commerçante, riche, avec des maisons à toits plats, des minarets fins comme les doigts d'une vierge. Les femmes sont belles comme des levers de soleil au printemps, leurs hommes jaloux comme des chiens en manque d'affection. De l'encens brûle. Des bêtes phénoménales parcourent les rues. Les Grandes Portes de la ville sont en pierres bleues avec des Dragons & des Lions stylisés. Ishtar est la déesse de cette ville, et son Temple, Eanna, ne désemplit pas. Les gens qui y prient semblaient bizarrement plus désespérés qu'ailleurs, jusqu'à ce que les PCs les libèrent d'Aumag-Bel. Notes Le joug d'Aumag Bel est levé, son palais s'est écroulé, la rivière Lugal a rempli le vide ainsi créé et les choses impies sont parties, emportées vers la mer et vers l'oubli. Quelques Gardes d'Aumag-Bel ont réussi à retrouver leurs esprits mais des cauchemars les hanteront toute leur vie, un bon nombre quitteront leur famille, un nombre non négligeable aussi formeront les acolytes armés de Kiki. Un culte à Kiki, le tigre qui s'est sacrifié pour aider les PCs, commence à prendre de l'ampleur. On murmure que c'est lui qui a libéré Mashkan-Shapir. La chanson inventée par Diogo dans la Taverne de la Tête de Loup s'est transformée progressivement et est devenue une prière à la recherche de la liberté, par tous les moyens, même (et surtout) violents. Eanna Description Le Temple de Ishtar, déesse de la fertilité. Quatre étages, le 4ème est le Saint des Saints : Statue d'Ishtar callipyge en albâtre, les bras écartés tenant un serpent et un sceptre, tenant dans ses griffes inférieures un lion et un agneau. La salle est recouverte entièrement de lapi-lazuli, donnant une impression dérangeante de ne plus être sur terre mais dans les cieux, magie ancienne à l'oeuvre. Enheduanna est assise sur un fauteuil, au côté de l'entrée. Notes Enheduanna a été sauvée par les PCs d'un assassin envoyé par Aumag-Bel. Taverne de la tête de loup Coordinates Dans le quartier des docks, en dessous du marché. Description Une petite auberge entre les docks & le caravanserail. Un escalier conduit à l'étage où l'on trouve 3 autre chambres, au-dessus des 3 du RDC. Le propriétaire Abur-Nagir est un Shémite de taille moyenne, les yeux noirs moyens et sans particularité. Une serveuse jeune mais qui a déjà vécu, Puabi, sert les clients & clientes, et parfois se loue pour pas trop cher. Notes C'est le lieu de la première rencontre entre les PCs et les gardes d'Aumag Bel. Puabi s'est retrouvée prise en otage par un garde, mais Flavio, l'ancien garde champêtre de Dadûn, l'a sauvée d'une dague lancée avec précision. Il a ensuite raconté ce qu'il a fait après la destruction de Dadûn, et a proposé aux PCs de retrouver Jakita, enlevée par Aumag Bel.