Shem

Overview

The pastoral meadows in the west give way to the great eastern deserts of Shem, a land that gave birth to an influential culture and religion.

Real-world equivalents: The west is the iron age Levant (Canaan) and Assyria; the east is Arabia.

Example Names

Men

Aram, Elam, Hanud, Melech, Musa, Ninsun, Obares, Sargon, Zabium.

Bacchus, Cyril, Khor, Khossus, Shupras, Taurus, Thespides, Tribunas.

Ahikibani, Enlil-Ennam, Ibbi-Adad, Kalibum, Kalumum, Mar-Iltum, Naram-Sin, Ninazu, SinGamil, Sin-Lidish.

Adagala, Karanja, Kashta, Kassaye, Khama, Matano, Mayanja, Morake, Mshila, Mwangi, Okondo, Zenyami.

Women

Asiria, Inanna, Lilah, Nahrin, Nira, Rina, Samiria, Shira, Sufia, Urshana, Zabihi.

Anastasia, Domnola, Eudocia, Nicasia, Vateesa, Yasmela.

Belît, Bittatum, Delondra, Nammu, Ninil, Ninki, Ninshuel, Radjni, Taram-Uram, Urbau.

Ghida, Ghnima, Hasna, Hassiba, Karimala, Najet, Nezha, Tafat, Tanest, Tiziri, Wrina, Zergha.

https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/persian-names.php

Core Book ch.8, p.222.
Conan the Mercenary ch.2, p.41.
Conan the Pirate ch.2, p.46 (coastal Shem).

Politics

Shem is a collection of city-states spread east to west across the varying topography of a mostly-barren land. The kings of these cities nominally pay fealty to the ruler of Askalon, though the further one strays from the coast, the more a state falls under sway of the desert cities or even foreign powers. Still, for all its lack of consistent laws and edicts, Shem comes together for mutual advantage. There is not any city-state who will not send troops in defense of Shem herself.

Religion

Shem is a deeply religious nation. The dominant faith is the worship of Adonis, though Shemites also pay homage to Anu, Ashtoreth, Bel, Derkerta, Ibis and Ishtar.

The worship of Mitra is very rare.

The worship of Set is hated and banned.

Foreign Relations

Exports

The city of Akbatana, also spelled Akbitana by those from eastern Shem, represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship in all of Shem and beyond. Goods made in the city are prized from Aquilonia to Stygia, such is their quality and beauty. However, it is Akbatanan steel which men of the blade seek. There is no finer steel made in all the world.

The secret of making Akbatanan steel is known only to the smiths of Akbatana. Nothing pries the secret from them - no treasure or violence or cooercion has ever worked.

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